Vampire's Kiss

Revisited and updated at 2024/11/28:

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After the vampire falls on his back on the stone surface with a small whimper, he opens his eyes and leans on his elbows to look around.

Apparently, both are in a small catacomb. The only light source is candles on upper shelves all over the entire room.

At that moment, Kyo cannot move a muscle and only fixates his eyes on the unpredictable man getting closer to him while observing him.

That cold and piercing gaze alone makes the vampire understand he may not be so lucky this time.

The vampire realizes he’s in trouble when the redhead opens his coat, but he chooses to meet his end with courage.

The hunter is going to pick his whip, isn’t he? However, his left hand is not on the right side of his belt. No, it was now inside one of the inner coat’s chest pockets. Maybe he is looking for another weapon, and whatever it will be, it doesn’t matter to Kyo.

When the redhead’s hand stops moving, he picks up the almost flat package wrapped in several layers of tissues.

Surely, it’s not holy water, because that nasty liquid can only be stored in glass bottles. But who knows? Maybe that changed. In any case, it only makes the vampire more anxious and discomforted.

After the hunter tosses the package at the vampire, Kyo instinctively closes his eyes. When the package lands on his chest, he hears something splashing and feels the liquid moving inside in opposite directions until it remains still.

As Kyo opens his eyes and picks up this package, the redhead says. “You can have it, vampire.”

While the brunette sits up, he doesn’t remove his suspicious eyes from him.

There is something wrong with the vampire hunter, and Kyo doesn’t like this at all. That human is too untrustworthy. The brunette ponders. However, he plays along and unwraps the mysterious package.

When he is done, he asks. “What is the meaning of this, human?”

After inspecting two plastic bags filled with blood, Kyo returns his gaze to him. “To whom this belonged? Did you put anything in it to poison me?”

While the vampire stares at him like a cornered, small animal, the red-haired male explains in a slightly irritated tone. “Whenever it’s a trap or not, it’s up to you. But you better use them wisely until-”

Suddenly, he widens his eyes and facepalms at the vampire’s behavior.

Apparently, that stupid vampire sinks his fangs into one of the blood bags and immediately sucks all the content until it’s empty and tossing it on the floor.

But for now, Kyo looks at him with such innocent eyes. “What are you staring at? I was just tasting it if it was good or not. One thing is for sure, that person lacks iron and some other minerals. So, it was only so-so, human.”

However, before having another bag, the vampire hunter stops him. “You better want to save this until the next time we meet.”

The vampire is confused and momentarily turns his head before getting up and approaching the redhead hunter and lifting his eyebrow. “What do mean by that? And why are you doing this, human?”

The red-haired male cracks a smile and honestly answers. “Your stupid vampire head has a huge bounty on it. Yet it’s too much for such a weak creature.”

However, he ignores the vampire, who silently growls at him. Now, the redhead adds. “You keep mentioning about some demon. Did anything happen between you two? Is why you’re not stronger than a mere monster?”

That’s it! It’s the last drop of Kyo’s patience. He will not tolerate being insulted like this.

Suddenly, Kyo pushes the hunter against the nearest wall and aggressively corners him.

The vampire’s strength, and how the stone wall cracks where his fist landed, surprises the redhead.

Despite that, he keeps his poker face and observes the furious beast, whose crimson eyes glow and reveal his fangs while roughly breathing.

Kyo just growls at his victim. “Then, why don’t you find yourself a better opponent and just leave me alone, you foolish human?”

Even if it is a mistake to provoke the vampire’s anger, the redhead vampire hunter wants to know what happened to this nocturnal creature.

Besides, it’s not his first time dealing with aggressive monsters or demons. So, he has to remain calm and not show signs of fear. But for now, he listens further. “It’s not your goddamn concern. So, why don’t you just stay away and do not interface?”

Despite being intimidated by the fiery beast, the redhead calmly replies. “Says the one who attacked me first. If you wanted so badly to satisfy your hunger, then you wouldn’t have a second thought to pick anyone else as your prey, vampire.”

Just what the hell is wrong with this foolish human? Who does he think he is? Why is he so annoying and just shut up? Kyo wonders.

Nevertheless, the vampire hunter continues. “What’s the matter? Did a cat get your tongue?”

When Kyo lowers his gaze, his eyes stop glowing and return to the former amber color. Soon, he lowers his arm. Yet his fangs remain visible. When he bites his lower lip, he mutters. “It’s your fault, human.”

After he lifts his gaze, he notices the hunter giving him a questioning look.

After exhaling, the vampire explains with confidence. “Your blood scent was too strong. So, I couldn’t help myself, but follow you. I just felt that you may satisfy my hunger and help regain my strength. That’s all.”

A moment later, he smirks. “So, you’re not that special. I could have picked anyone else, if you didn’t get in my way, Mister Vampire Hunter~”

“So, do you want to say that you just need more strength to face whoever is that demon, right?” the redhead asks. When he fixes his collar, he adds. “Very well, then. Just don’t cause any trouble and next time I’ll bring you more food.”

That reply catches Kyo off-guard, but he refuses to give into his provocation and indignantly responds. “Why do I need to listen to you? I don’t need any pity from you! Do you think I cannot catch my prey on my own? Just wait and you’ll see when I’m strong enough to put you in your place, hunter!”

But for now, the vampire hunter notices the same flame in the brunette’s eyes like from their previous encounter.

Despite being a weak monster, he shows a huge fighting spirit that makes the redhead secretly admire it. However, the hunter’s further thoughts are interrupted by the brunette’s question. “Oi, hunter, why do you look smug?”

Finally, the red-haired male gently pushes him away and walks away from him. After turning head to him, he addresses him. “I told you - if I see at least a single report about any vampire activity, I’ll find you no matter where you are and make sure you’ll receive a proper punishment, vampire.”

Kyo only gives him a mocking look. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not the only vampire here, you know. So, how will you know it was my work exactly? I’m not responsible for anyone and I’m definitely not gonna suffer because of someone else, got it?”

Maybe that will cool him down. Kyo smiles and hopes before adding. “Besides, usually, my prey is still alive when I’m done. So, I don’t need to rely on you, human.”

After swooshing his hair, he slightly frowns. “Besides, do you want me to starve to stroke your ego? Hmph! Who do you think you are? That’s why I am not interested in your offer, even if you plead so hard, Mister Vampire Hunter.”

It seems the red-haired male’s negotiation with the vampire doesn’t go as he has planned, and now his target may leave. However, he can’t let him go. After all, the others may capture him without letting him know the reason for his bounty and what he went through. Therefore, the hunter has to use more drastic measurements.

After clenching his fists, the vampire hunter addresses him. “Vampire, you mentioned that I have the ability to help you regain your strength.” So, who knows when you’ll find someone who may help you to recover? You might even die before you’ll settle your score.”

Surely, that catches the brunette’s attention, and he raises his eyebrow and unsurely stares at the hunter. “Where are you getting at? Are you telling me you’re ready to sacrifice yourself for your curiosity? But how can I be sure that my hunger didn’t cause me hallucinations? You don’t seem to have a strong scent like before. So, maybe you are no better than any other person.”

The red-haired male deeply exhales and calmly orders. “Then come closer, vampire.”

Kyo only doubtfully looks at the hunter. Maybe this is a trap, after all.

But for now, the redhead picks up one of his knives.

‘So, did he plan this just to lure me and kill me?’ The vampire ponders while observing the hunter removing his left glove.

After exposing his wrist, the hunter exposes the wrist and brings the sharp blade close to it. Yet he remains calm, even when the knife’s tip slowly sinks into his wrist. As the blade slowly moves until the first blood shows up, the redhead lifts his eyes and looks at Kyo, impatiently waiting for him.

When the first drops of crimson liquid splash on the ground and the vampire smells the familiar sweet scent of amaretto, his eyes dye and glow in red eyes glowing in that crimson red, and he shakily respires. “What the?- Human, please don’t. Do not tempt me.”

Meanwhile, the redhead replies with a soft groan in his voice. “Looks like I got you now, vampire. You can’t resist your primal instincts. So, if you do as I say, I’ll let you have some of it. Just hurry, before I change my mind.”

While the blood drips like a timer rushing the vampire’s final decision, Kyo hesitates.

‘However, if that human is right, maybe he is a key to restore my true power. So, whether it is a truth or not, I cannot waste this opportunity.’ The brunette wonders before closing his eyes and asking the hunter to sit on the cold coffin in an unusually soft tone.

When the redhead follows the vampire’s orders, Kyo kneels on the hunter’s left side. Finally, he will taste the dark red liquid that scent alone slowly drives him mad.

While he gently holds the redhead’s arm, Kyo opens his mouth and sinks his fangs into his wrist.

At first, after feeling a sudden sharp pain as if a couple of needles pierce his skin, the red-haired male instinctively tries to move his hand away. Even his palm briefly twitches, but it eventually relaxes, and he gets used to the sensation of something being inside him. More so, he cannot look away, and his eyes are fixated on this nocturnal creature.

Meanwhile, Kyo blissfully closes his eyes and enjoys, perhaps, a bit too much of the blood of his partner’s blood.

The brunette even makes small whims without realizing it, and he may melt in the same spot from this euphoric sensation. Besides, he cannot recall when he has tasted such remarkable blood. It’s too good not to be only a dream.

However, when the redhead becomes sleepy, he places his palm on Kyo’s forehead and gently pushes him away.

Surely, it’s enough to pull the vampire away from this dream-like experience back to the real world along with the redhead hunter’s voice. “…That’s enough. Hey!-”

After Kyo notices the running blood from his partner’s wrist, he closes his eyes and licks his wounds.

Meanwhile, the redhead narrows his gaze and groans by feeling the vampire’s tongue working on the exposed palm and wrist. “…The fuck? You stupid vampire…”

But for now, Kyo lifts his adorable amber eyes and innocently asks. “Eh? What is it with you? I can’t waste a single drop. Who knows when you’ll show up again, human?”

When the brunette stands up, he watches the hunter fixing his outfit.

“Your name, vampire?” The redhead asks him.

The vampire hasn’t expected this question. But he remains cool and teasingly responds. “So, were you hunting a vampire without knowing his name? What if you were hunting the wrong person who just looked like me? You sure are one of the hell foolish humans.”

Now, he points his thumb at himself and announces. “But since you ask me so nicely, I’ll tell you. Listen carefully, or you might forget it. I am the one and only Kyo Kusanagi! Eh? And why do you look so surprised, Mister Vampire Hunter?”

The redhead only stares at him in disbelief. So, that stupid, annoying vampire is the same one who has the generous bounty on his head?

When the hunter closes his eyes and coughs, he addresses Kyo. “You don’t really look like someone who has a huge bounty, you stupid vampire. And I do have a name too. Since you are not going to die anytime soon, you better remember it.”

The brunette only makes the smuggest look and teases the hunter. “Oh~ Should I feel honored or not? Then what is it, Mister Vampire Hunter?”

‘That vampire surely wants to be bathed in holy water or have a massage by the sharp blade, doesn’t he?’ The red-haired male wonders.

Lastly, he introduces himself. “The name is Iori Yagami. You better remember it.”

After a pause, he adds. “Since you were smart enough to listen to me, I’ll let you go with a warning. You better don’t cause any problems. I covered you up this time by blaming another vampire. So, be grateful and stay out of the trouble.”

Before Iori is about to take his leave, he is stopped by Kyo’s demand. “Oi, hun-, -er, Yagami! You still owe me an explanation.”

When Yagami turns back, the brunette asks. “Why are you doing this?”

In the end, Iori explains. “When you’re ready to face me as a worthy opponent, you’ll know. So, after you give me the desired fight, I’ll tell you. Until then, farewell.”

And with that, Iori leaves the small catacomb and the brunette with more questions than answers. Despite that, Kyo only closes his eyes and cracks a smile. “What a weirdo.”

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So, that's for this time. See you next time~