Vampire's Kiss

Aaaah~ and finally the 4th part aka the conclusion of this arc. Fun fact, this whole arc was inspired by one of my favorite songs called - Alluring Secret~Black Vow~ . *sigh* and 96neko's version still very best to this very day ^~^ Anyway, like usual, thank you for your support! ^^ And enjoy~

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Update: revisited and updated at 2025/02/03

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It is nearly midnight, and the brunette is so deeply asleep that nothing can disturb his slumber.

So innocent and calm, without sensing any threat or fear, not even about his death. Even the moonlight just made an appearance to say goodbye to the young priest. But he is just an ordinary human and should be treated as any other prey. Orochi thinks while observing him.

When he takes a deep breath, he raises his hand into the air and clenches it while closing his eyes.

After exhaling, he slowly lowers his arm and relaxes his palm. Finally, he reveals his true form, and where his fingertips brush, the shining white horizontal line surrounds him and moves downward.

Thus, his fluffy silver hair rustles, and the demon opens his bright red eyes.

His turtleneck shirt changes to an open-chest black leather chest vest that is held together by the cross-stitching, and his jeans become matching color body-stocking pants with wide cuts on the sides down the knees and held together with a similar stitching style.

As he opens his palm, his nails dye in the shiny ebony color, and he shakes off the light surrounding him that shatters into millions of glittering, fading dust.

Now, the demon approaches the sleeping brunette.

After sitting on the bed next to Shingo, Orochi leans closer to his face and gently brushes his cheek, pondering. It’s the huntress’s fault to show up here because she probably knows who I am and is waiting for the right moment to strike. All I needed was more time to restore my power, and that boy would have been left alive. Maybe I could repay his kindness for sheltering me. After all, this unfortunate boy could have kicked me out, but he waited until I was ready to leave. However, the time spent with him was nice, and it was fun observing him and learning more about humans as not only someone to satisfy my hunger. It shouldn’t end this way...

The more he thinks, the more he becomes hesitant to finish this priest like any other of his victims.

Of course, if he gets the life force from Shingo, facing the huntress won’t be a problem, and he might even get revenge for the same type of human who betrayed him.

After closing his red eyes and sighing, Orochi opens his eyes and lowers his gaze. “In the end, I cannot do this.”

But for now, he softens his gaze while ruffling the Shingo’s hair and taking one more look at him before taking his leave.

When he gets up and walks to the window, he is stopped by the concerned voice behind him. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

As he turns his head, the demon notices Shingo is not only fully awake but also shocked.

“A demon?! H-how did you -?” The brunette asks in a trembling voice.

After realizing who this person is, Shingo gets up and approaches him. “… Wait. You... You are Orochi, right? That energy is the same as yours. So, there is no doubt you are him. But then, why?… Why didn’t you tell me this?”

The silver-haired demon cracks a smile and mockingly gazes. “Fufufu~ You are a foolish human and work for the church and I am a demon. Therefore, I wouldn’t trust someone who will perish the sinner’s soul like mine.”

Upon narrowing his gaze, he adds. “You humans are cold-heart killers and more brutal than any beast. Any other species than yours are already horrific monsters to you, even by peacefully living and you are ready to stab them to declare your holy justice upon us. Disgusting… Unforgivable! But you, church people, are the worst! You can slay us in so-called god’s name and get away with it.”

After a brief pause, Orochi lowers his shoulders and continues. “However, even after living for hundred of years, you humans changed a bit.”

When the silver-haired demon leans his back against the walls and holds his arms, he confesses. “After a long and exhausting fight against one of your kind, I was utterly defeated. I was so weak that I couldn’t move a finger when we first met. As time went on, when I was hunting for food, I observed you and waited until you realized who I was. I thought maybe then it would be a worthy revenge when a priest would shiver in fear upon realizing making a terrible mistake by taking demon under his care.”

Now, he turns his head and softens his gaze. “You knew who I was. I know you did because I could read your mind. However, you pretended like I was a human and treated me as one. Why? That’s what I wanted to know.”

Upon returning his gaze to the priest, he places his palm on his chest and passionately addresses him. “After a while, I gave up on killing you because you seemed to be too pure and kind. Shingo, even if you know who I am, you still do not hold any hatred towards me. You do not need to read one’s mind to understand that it’s written on your face. That’s why I cannot put you in a danger for any longer.”

Lastly, he climbs on the windowsill and turns his head towards him, continuing in a bitter-sweet tone and sadness in his eyes. “Farewell. We shall not meet again.”

Even if Shingo tries to stop the demon, it is too late and, with the sound of flapping wings, Orochi leaves. The brunette didn’t have time to feel upset about a sudden revelation and the departure of his roommate.

A second later, Shingo hears the incubus gasping and crashing into the ground.

Demon or not, it doesn’t matter. That person might be in danger and God may still forgive him for helping this cursed kind. After all, demons were once angels but strayed away from the all-mighty lord and perished from heaven. So, maybe if I help him to get back on the right path, his soul would be saved too. Shingo convinces himself, while rushing downstairs.

When he arrives and regains his breath, he becomes alerted by seeing the silver-haired demon kneeling and lowering his head while hardly panting.

More so, his hand holds something bloody against his chest.

For now, Orochi lifts his head and addresses the blue-haired huntress through groaning. “… You little… How dare you cowardly attack me? You will regret this, you pesky child.”

After standing up, he pulls the knife out of his chest and tosses it on the grass.

While the hole in this area heals, he gives an ice-cold glare filled with hatred towards this lady.

However, Leona keeps her poker face and remains in the defensive position. So, I was right. There was no mistake, it was the same demon who terrorized the people in the city.

As the enormous amount of dark energy grows around the demon, his irises shrink like a snake’s, and looking down on his new target.

The incubus taunts her with the sweet menace in his voice. “What’s the matter? Did you bite more than you could swallow?”

After slowly blinking, he provokes her. “So, this is how it is… What an unfortunate creature you are. Too bad that I am your first target. But please entertain me, beautiful huntress. So, come!”

When the silver-haired demon charges at the huntress, he extends his long, razor-sharp nails and unleashes a slashing strike with his claw.

However, Leona instinctively rolls to the left and dodges the attack.

Unfortunately, Orochi doesn’t let her even take a breath before slashing with another arm, injuring her upper arm.

At the moment, she only kneels and covers her wounded limb while Orochi chuckles. “What’s the matter? Is this the best you can do? You are just running around like a little mouse.”

Meanwhile, watching this fight, Shingo’s knees give up on him. He understands he shouldn’t interface because he cannot help the demon who doesn’t care about anything else but killing. Yet he naively believes that Orochi can be stopped before it’s too late.

While the huntress stares at the incubus seriously, deep inside, the blazing spirit to defeat him burns brighter.

When Orochi briefly lowers his guard, Leona reaches for the bottle of holy water from behind her back.

Upon launching it at him, she jumps back.

However, the silver-haired demon blocks it with his crossed arms, making him grind his teeth and hiss. Perhaps the glass shards are nothing to him compared to the corrosive, strong acids of holy water that burn his arms up to his elbows.

Meanwhile, Leona pushes her knee forward and bends it before drawing her blades and charging at the demon.

Facing him, she sends a high kick into his face.

However, Orochi instantly blocks it with his elbow.

Another kick from another side – the same blocking, but each time it becomes more painful for him that Orochi feels his arms won’t listen to him.

More so, even if the huntress grows tired, she refuses to give up.

Finally, it is time to put her shining blades to good use.

Leona will show no mercy to the exhausted demon.

After crossing her arms, she unleashes an x-shaped slashing wave. Surely, it should be enough to finish this demon and bring his head to the guild.

Thus, the sound of the flapped and torn leather wings echoes on the battlefield.

It seems Orochi spread his wings on time and use them as a shield, even if they got ripped apart and the wing bones were broken.

However, the incubus doesn’t want to admit his defeat yet while sensing that something is off.

Suddenly, Orochi senses a strong dark presence near him, and lifting his eyes, he notices its source and chuckles in a deeper tone. “So, this is how it is? Neither you belong to the human world, neither in ours. A Wicked Child… To think about it that someday I’ll meet such a rare creature… You finally show your true colors. It is so unfortunate that the power of our kind already consumed you.”

Meanwhile, the huntress’s left eye glows in bloody crimson, and her consciousness fades away. Only her body fueled with pure demon power keeps her standing, or maybe it was the rejection reaction.

The trembling Leona covers her forehead with the same hand that still holds a knife.

However, Orochi uses her suffering to his advantage.

As he raises his arm, he lifts her into the air by the telekinesis.

Right now, Leona feels like being crushed by the invisible force that doesn’t her let move.

Lastly, he sadistically smiles. “Don’t misunderstand me, half-demon. Even if I cannot use all my powers, it’s enough to end your pathetic life.”

Despite being in such a desperate situation, the blue-haired huntress moves her arm. One sudden move and her knife is about to pierce the demon’s heart.

Thus, the victim of the battlefield has fallen, and the huntress is released from Orochi’s grasp while the drops of blood splash on her face, making her return to her senses.

The blue-haired lady hears her ringing heartbeat in her head.

While her eyes are filled with terror and regret, she falls like a rag doll on her knees and drops her weapon.

That blood… It’s not the demon’s blood. Her knife is stained with the young priest’s blood, who shielded the demon.

Meanwhile, Shingo lowers his spread arms but still desires to protect Orochi from her cold-blooded judgment.

Even if the silver-haired demon is in shock as well, he catches the collapsing Shingo in his arms.

The poor brunette leans against Orochi’s chest and deeply breathes while the blade is stuck in his right shoulder.

Despite that, Shingo manages to smile and whisper before closing his eyes. “What a relief… At least you are back to normal, Orochi...”

For the first time in this demon’s lifespan, he is worried about human life and how it is so fragile.

Yet, he reminisced while stroking his adored Shingo’s hair. It takes so little, and it will dim like a candle in the wind. Despite mankind’s fate being bitter, these pathetic creatures aim to find happiness for themselves or live for the sake of others and relieve their suffering.

I lived in this world long enough to see the true colors of the human heart and how all of them are rotten to the core. Even behind the most innocent look, there will be the most twisted and disgusting nature.

Their appearance and behavior don’t matter. They all desire the fortune, wealth, power, influence… I could satisfy all these desires in a single night for a small price of their lives. Humans are so greedy that are ready to sell their souls just for the temporally blissful moment. But you differ from them, Shingo.

But for now, as Orochi senses a weak pulse, he realizes that not everything is lost. That poor young man only fainted.

Nevertheless, he wishes to same someone whose kind he despised the most.

Now, the demon looks at the huntress with mixed frustration and pleading while growling at her. “Hurry up…”

While Leona is shocked after nearly killing someone, Orochi addresses her in a more rational tone. “What are you waiting for? There is no time. This human will die! Save him!”

Orochi perfectly knows how justice in this world works. That’s why he cannot risk this boy’s life.

Even if he had good intentions, humans would let out their hatred towards him and execute him before bothering to save the priest.

So, no matter how Orochi doesn’t want to admit it, he has to entrust Shingo’s safety to the blue-haired huntress.

When the silver-haired demon gets up while supporting the unconscious Shingo, he carefully hands him to Leona and explains. “You can still make it in time, huntress. The hospital shouldn’t be too far. Good luck…”

Lastly, before leaving, Leona looks back and nods.

Two weeks have passed since the encounter with the demon. Finally, the people in the city can relax. After all, there is no news about the mysterious murderer or their victims.

More so, the familiar blue-haired huntress has no reason to stay here any longer, and she should return to the guild.

However, before her departure, she decides to visit Shingo in the hospital.

From what she has heard, the priest is nearly recovered and should be discharged soon.

Besides, she is curious about his well-being because not every day do you see how humans sacrifice their lives to save a monster or a demon, and it would be nice to apologize to him for injuring him.

Once she enters the room, she nearly drops her bought fruit basket and becomes alerted.

Apparently, a certain demon in his human form sits on the chair next to Shingo’s bed while holding this asleep young man’s hand and observing him.

However, when he notices her presence, he glances at her. “What is it, huntress? Rest assure. I came here with no intentions to harm this boy. If I wanted, he would be finished even before our encounter. So, there is no need to draw your weapons.”

Meanwhile, Shingo slowly starts waking up. After sitting up, he asks the demon in a sleepy tone. “Orochi, what is going on?”

The silver-haired male calmly responds. “Nothing really. However, it seems you also have another visitor today.”

When Shingo turns his head, he warmly smiles at the blue-haired huntress. “It’s so nice to see that you come to visit me. So, why don’t you join us instead of standing there alone?”

However, the huntress only briefly gets closer to place the fruit basket on the table and asks the brunette. “It’s good to see you recovering so fast, sir. However, I just want to know one thing. Why did you save that demon? Has he done anything wrong with you? Or could it be - did he control your mind?”

Such an unexpected question surprises Shingo, and he briefly lowers his gaze.

A moment later, he confesses. “I’m not sure either. Well, to be honest, my body moved on its own. However, I felt it was a right thing to do… I know what I did might be unforgivable, but Orochi didn’t deserve to die either. It’s not his fault to be born like this, neither he asked for it.”

After a temporary pause, he adds in a more confident tone. “I know about his past mistakes, but his time at the church showed me that he could change for the better with support.”

The fluffy silver-haired young man is speechless by Shingo’s honesty and determination.

However, he listens to his request to Leona. “Dear huntress, please let me guide this demon to the rightful path! I believe he can still repent for his sins while living under the roof of our lord’s house and doing good deeds. I’ll take responsibility for his actions, even if it means to fall under your blade.”

This human… Why? Why does he have to be like this? No. It’s better not to read his mind. Orochi ponders.

Maybe he’ll wait and see how this will play out. Being betrayed by Shingo or not, he is ready to accept whatever outcome. Besides, this time, he wants to have something that Shingo refers to as faith and to protect him from any evil.

Lastly, Leona cracks a smile and before taking her leave, turns her gaze towards the demon. “Very well. There is nothing what I can do if this boy believes in you. But I’ll wait for that day when you fall. Then, I won’t be so merciful. Farewell.”

Even if the blue-haired huntress returns empty-handed, this experience proves that she still needs more training and experience. Besides, it’s still a long road until she learns to control the inner demon inside her.

Nevertheless, she is grateful for meeting this young priest who helped her to return to her senses and gave her hope that someday demons and humans can co-exist in this world together without fear or discrimination.

And, thus, this was a tale of a demon who protects the church and one certain priest at any cost.

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So, this the conclusion for the Demon in the Church arc ^^ And after it's over it means one thing - time to return to main arc and see what awaits this vampire!Kyo next. But before that, I need to work for one-shot project for 12/12. That's right, what kind of present would receive this Kusanagi boy? Hmm, let's see... So, until then and - See you next time~