AU: Thirsty (Vampire AU, Open)

[Deleted]

Hungry... So hungry.... Where is a scent?  I need something to follow...

Kodi could feel his body getting weaker with each hour that passed.  It had been days since he'd last been able to feed, before the hunters had become aware of his location and had tracked him down and nearly killed him.  He'd managed to flee and hide in the urban sprawl of the city, deep in the dark alleyways and intimidating abandoned factories that normal people rarely ventured.  But he didn't dare venture back into the public, for fear of the hunters finding him again.  Kodi likely wouldn't escape them a second time, not when he was so weak and slow from hunger.

He prowled the alleys with dark, crimson eyes, dressed in ragged, black cloth that kept him hidden in the shadows.  As far as he was aware, he was the only vampire in this city, or at least this section.  The area reeked of decay and dank, dead things, which kept his prey away and made it an unlikable place for him to stay.  But what choice did he have?  Someone had to venture back here eventually... Hell, he would even take a crackhead or some other druggie at this point, even though he'd feel the effects of the intoxicants in their veins.  It was better than starving to death.

The Chinese man eventually slumped into a corner to catch his breath.  If the hunters found him now, he wouldn't stand a chance.  Maybe in a few moments he could muster up the energy to move on, maybe dare to wander into a more populated part of town, but for the moment, he needed to rest....

((Feel free to join as prey or hunter - all I ask is he's not killed xD  Maybe some sort of VAMPIRE/HUNTER ROMANCE? Idk up to you, this is just for funnnn))

[Philomena Snow]

Mina slammed the door behind her - she was so fucking done.

Why couldn't she sleep? This was the third night in a row that she hadn't slept a wink, and it was absolute torture. She just... she just wanted to rest. But her body wouldn't shut down. So instead of keeping it half drowsy, she intoxicated it with caffiene - lots of strong coffee. And that gave her energy... so she needed to move about.

She went where she always did when her insomnia hit hard - the darker streets. She liked it because no one walked down there and, as usually, it seemed abandoned. Which meant she could think in peace. Her dark clothing camouflaged her against the intimidating shadows - the only thing showing up boldly being the streaks of purple throughout her ebony hair.

She leant against a wall and looked up at the sky. She'd go back soon, if she lost enough energy or got bored. But she rarely got bored with her own thoughts, so she was gonna be out there a while.

[Deleted]

There... There was something... Oh, it smelled so good.... Like peaches and cream and everything sweet and delicious...

Kodi was back on his feet before he was even aware of what he was doing, darting through the shadows to follow the trail he'd just picked up. He was fortunate, so fortunate - not only had someone wandered close enough for him to catch, but it smelled like a young girl, healthy and fresh and so soft... And, hopefully, not likely to put up too much of a fight.

He didn't need to see where she was - as soon as he peeked around the corner to where she was, the scent hit him full in the face, and he felt his fangs sharpen into long, deadly points, aching to break the thin barrier of her skin and drink her dry.

Kodi didn't make a sound, laugh intimidatingly, or any of the cliche behaviors of his species - he ran up behind the girl and wrapped a thick, strong arm around her waist while the other tugged her purple-streaked hair to the side, revealing the beautiful pale flesh of her neck. "Thank you," he breathed into her ear. With that, he plunged his fangs into that delectable morsel and began to drink, feeling energy course into his body with each long suck. Oh, God, she was even better than he had expected... It would take him only minutes to drain her of every precious drop.

[Philomena Snow]

The caffeine was betraying her today. The energy, though she could swear on her life that if you pricked her finger, she would bleed coffee, was practically non existant. It came for a short while, but then waned. She needed to go home.

But there was an arm around her waist, stopping her from taking a single step. She faught a little, out of fear, mainly, though that was a fact she would never admit. "Get off of me!" She protested, probably onto deaf ears, "Help!" It was... weak. Not her usual standards of self defense. And it definitely didn't seem to help her here.

Mina heard a dark voice in her ear, saw a flash of sharp teeth... was this some stupid nightmare? There were no such things as vampires. But the sharp, stabbing pain in her neck was all too real. She struggled even more and tried to pull away, a blood-curdling scream hitched in her throat, only letting out segments of the noise which slowly died down and away. She began to fade, and fast. He was... it was... she was...

"...stop..." she asked weakly, the strongest grip she could manage going around his wrists, still trying to pry him off. This wasn't right... vampires... they were real... this was stupid...

[Deleted]

Junpei was on hot his trail. He'd been tracking this vampire for quite a while but had yet to catch it. A menace to the city. Even so, Junpei could only pity the poor soul, or rather, the beast who lacked a soul, destined to live forever with that neverending hunger and thirst. Trapped within it's own chaotic mind unable to even end it's own suffering except through feeding on the flesh of the living, only even then all that did was perpetuate the thirst. Junpei and other hunters like him were only doing them a service to the nightwalkers. Ending their suffering and turning what was left of their spirits to Yama.

The Japanese hunter had followed the trail of black blood to this area of the city. He was hiding somewhere here. "Suzaku," he uttered softly. "Kiite koi." A flash of blue sparked from a small piece of paper he'd been holding. A sheet with a symbol of sanskrit scrawled over it. A tiny red sparrow appeared from it and fluttered about before landing on his hand. "Aitsu, dokoka iru zo. Sagasu," he commanded it. The bird took to the sky in search of it's target. Moments later, it returned, flying circles around it's master. "He's here," Junpei told his parter, looking over to him with a smile. "Let's go."

Junpei let the sparrow lead the way, stuffing his hand back into his pockets as his black trenchcoat billowed out behind him. They were going to catch this nos tonight. Before it could do any more damage.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon was lucky to have a partner like Junpei. He really knew what he was doing, and had those... spells he could cast, which had aided them immensely. Gryph had his own way of helping - his agility. Maybe it wasn't the most unique of capabilities to have, but did that really matter? It was about survival, and saving people's lives, not seeing who was the best.

He heard the boy speak in a language foreign to him and took the oppurtunity to quickly catch his bearings... just to know where they came from. Junpei turned around and told him what he had been hoping. "Finally," he replied, with a smile, and then continued on, following Junpei's little bird.

They'd both been working on this one for a while now. To finally have the satisfaction of saving it from it's tragic life cycle... it was saddening, but the rewarding feeling that they were doing something good rid him of the sadness. It was for the greater good. And it would stop anyone else from feeling what he had to go through... something that no one should have to bear.

[Deleted]

A burst of energy unlike the usual blood-induced boost hit Kodi's system after a few moments, and he realized that, though the girl wasn't on any illegal substances, she definitely had caffeine in her system. Ah well, it didn't matter. It wouldn't make him crash later, like it did humans, so he welcomed the extra boost. The girls struggles in his arms grew weaker as strength filled his limbs, and all he could do was drink, drink until his needs were satisfied, until she was just an empty husk on the ground.

He did, in the pit of his stomach, feel pity and sorrow for the young woman. Kodi hadn't chosen to be like this. He couldn't remember how long ago he'd been like her - it could have been weeks, months, years. But his hunger was stronger than his morality, and she was what he needed.

Kodi did pause long enough to lap his tongue against the seeping wound and murmur empty, comforting words to the dying woman. That she was helping him, and he appreciated her kindness, even if it wasn't by choice. His voice was smooth like silk as he latched his lips onto the wound once more, trying to make her last few moments as painless as possible. She might have already passed out by now, though, too far to be saved even if someone were to come swooping in at that exact instant.

[Deleted]

Junpei's family had been in the business for years. Not just vampire hunting, but exorcisms, banishment of evil spirits and demons, as a clan of onmyouji, or spiritual sorcerers. His obaa-sama and jii-san had trained him since he's come of age at 13 and after several years, he'd finally been able to go out and serve as an independent. But working alone was never a good idea. That was why he was glad to have Gryphon working by his side. While Junpei had the spells and knowledge, Gryph had the physical ability to keep up with the nos, something that Junpei still lacked vastly in. Junpei tried to make up for it in spells, but those required incantations which took time. Which was why it was always smart to travel in pairs; one as a caster, one as a fighter.

Junpei kept his eye on the small bird, which glowed a slight blue and red in the darkness, as the pair traipsed down the streets after it. "We're close," he declared. It was like he could see it in his mind, his connection with his shikigami allowed Junpei to know what the bird saw. It was just around the corner.

There he was. Junpei wasn't going to let him get away again. "End of the road, demon," Junpei called out the verbal warning to the vampire. His eyes panned to the girl in it's clutches. "Is she dead?" Junpei questioned him with an air of accusation in his tone. "Or are you building yourself an army?"

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Two fighters would never work. It was be too... brash, all violence and no consideration of tactics or well-being. The likelihood of one or both of them getting injured was very high. Two casters would have difficulties too. Too many spells and not enough protection. They would be very easily attacked. So one caster, one fighter and most of the most obvious issues can be avoided with ease.

Gryph nodded sharply and had to hold back an ecstatic smile - this was gonna be over. At least, with this one. There were many others still out there, but this was just one more our of the way. Any progress was good progress.
Gryphon stood almost like a bodyguard as they rounded the corner, looking down on the scum that- what... was this some kind of cruel joke? Gryph's resolve stayed as strong as possible, but... h-how... "Junpei." He spoke quickly, but quietly, "I... I know him." And that was simply put. He looked back at the vampire...

Kodi was more that just some acquaintance... Gryphon was taken completely aback, how was he alive?

[Deleted]

Before too long, the body in Kodi's arms grew cold, and he knew she was gone. He frowned, a feeling of remorse suddenly coursing through his invigorated body. He didn't even know her name. And now... She was gone. This shouldn't bother him, it was... The natural way of his kind, but... Somehow just leaving her in this dark, dirty place seemed wrong. Kodi held onto her, thinking he would carry her somewhere green and pretty to rest, but his thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

Oh no. It was them.

Demon.... Kodi stared at the two of them with malice, not recognizing either of them, not yet. He kept the limp girl against his chest, as though to act as a shield against potential threats. "She's dead," he replied, cold and clear. Kodi didn't want to make more like him. There were enough as it was already. "And you'll be next, if y'don't leave me alone."

His eyes landed on the other one. He'd said something, something even Kodi's sharp ears hadn't quite picked up. Kodi slowly began to back up, prepared to flee as soon as he dropped the body. He wasn't strong enough or with enough experience to fight two at once. He knew that. Kodi bared his fangs and hissed, a low growl gathering in his throat too. "Just leave me alone!" he repeated, and, regretfully, let the girl fall as he turned tail and began running.

[Deleted]

Yes, there was the monster. That poor, desperate animal. It mattered not to Junpei that the creature might've just shown that poor girl some mercy, in killing her rather than turning her into another of it's horde. Mercy would have been letting himself get caught and put out of his own misery. Junpei intended to do just that.

Junpei kept his eyes on the creature, wanting to keep the timing just right before beginning the Kujin mantra, a simple stunning spell, when he heard his parter spoke to him.

"Don't let your feelings impair your judgement," he warned. No matter who he used to be, the thing in front of them was that person no longer. He knew that Gryphon knew that, but he also had known many a hunter who had done just that and fallen at the hands of their former comrade.

"He's running!" Junpei shouted and he started after. The Japanese man was no match for the speed of a vampire, however, and he slowed to begin his incantation.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph had been told about this, and told stories about it. Of people who saw people they knew, and tried to change fate. All the tales were tragedies. They all ended in deaths - both of the human who tried to save their friend, partner, lover, child... and of the vampires themselves. It was heartbreaking and terrible, but... it was what happened. And you had to fight it. Besides, it was like... when you put a sick dog down. They're just suffering anyway, it's cruel to keep them alive... no matter how much you love them.

Hearing his voice so dark and twisted... his face and eyes practically demonic, like Junpei had shouted. He wasn't Kodi... hell, he wasn't even human anymore. Was he about to go against his better judgement?

The vampire hit the ground running, carelessly littering the body behind him. Gryphon chased after, not sure whether or not he could match the speed of the other being - he'd managed to do so before, but not everytime.

"Kodi!" He shouted after the speeding figure in front of him, "Kodiak!" If there was some part of his past self in there, maybe his name would flick a switch of some sort. Otherwise... maybe he was just gonna have to listen to Junpei... but... he couldn't aid in... killing Kodi.

[Deleted]

Kodi couldn't remember how long he'd been turned, but it was for a short enough period of time that he hadn't developed any sort of... Incredible abilities yet, if that was even how it worked. He still only ran about the speed of the average fit male, albeit a few bursts of extra speed; his senses were heightened, but that was a given; but that was about it, besides the fangs. Why are they coming after me? he wondered as he tried to escape. I don't stand a chance if they keep after me like this. Why aren't they going for someone older, stronger, more dangerous? He supposed he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now that they had his trail, they wouldn't let him go until he was dead.

But at least he was full. That was good. He would be able to keep running for a while, hopefully enough to outrun both of them. Kodi was just about to speed around a corner and disappear when one hunter, the one that had whispered, shouted out a word. A... Name? Kodi? Kodiak? Something registered in the depths of Kodi's mind, enough to make him stumble and reel. Something... Something about that name... Why did he feel recognition...?

His name. It was his name. Of course it was. How had he forgotten? Memories of his past life only flickered and waned in his mind from time to time, fleeting, too short for him to grasp onto. But this, this was a solid piece of information that he latched onto and wouldn't let go. But the question was... How did this man know his name? Why did his voice sound eerily familiar?

Kodi risked a look back, his legs refusing to move forward, like he was stuck in molasses. Even as he saw the approaching figure, he was glued to the spot, red eyes wide and alarmed. Move! his brain screamed. He's going to kill you! Nothing.

[Carleigh Davidson]

Night fell, and Carleigh drew the curtains to a lavish apartment building to an open, embracing the dark night sky. Her lips pulled back, revealing white fangs against perpetually red lips from all of the blood staining them. She use to live for the night, back when she was young and had an uncontrollable thirst for blood. Sweet, sweet blood.

She tried to not let the bloodlust control her mind. Carleigh hissed, a sudden pain radiating across her temple. Her hand went to soothe the pain, as the blonde turned back towards her lover, River. With a pout, she buried her face into his shoulder with a groan. "My head." she hissed again, tilting her head to the side to look up at him.

There had to be one reason for the pain. As one of the oldest and most skilled vampires in the area, Carleigh had adapted to her heightened senses and nicknamed it her maternal instincts. Herself and River were considered the 'parental' vampires, being the oldest and having turned the majority of vampires in the area. The blonde knew one of her children had to be in trouble.

She closed her eyes again, doing her best to locate where to go. She couldn't tell who was in trouble, only that they needed to hurry... "Let's go." Carleigh stood up straight, slipping her hand into River's as the two sprinted off.

The feeling grew stronger in the pit of Carleigh's stomach. A couple minutes later, thanks to the super speed that came with age, they arrived at... a very peculiar scene. Kodi... and two figures farther off in the distance. She stiffened, hissing protectively. They obviously meant to do harm and Carleigh would not allow for that to happen!

[River Tseung]

River had turned at nearly the exact time that Carleigh had, but although he also had quite powerful abilities due to his age, he didn't quite have the same 'super mom' instincts, as he liked to call his lover's senses. He was relaxing for the moment, having just sipped a sweet morsel from their current blood bank, a handsome young man with deliciously sugary blood that River kept sweet by feeding him candy and other such foods. They didn't want to kill him, not yet - he was far too fun to play with.

He frowned with concern as Carleigh suddenly hissed, and he wrapped an arm around her waist as she leaned against him, nuzzling against her aching temple. "One of the kids, huh?" he murmured, licking the last few stray drops of blood from his lips as he peered outside. Though he couldn't sense them, he was as concerned for their many 'offspring' as his lady was, and he was all set to take off and find out what dared bother one of their kids... And make sure they paid.

He latched onto Carleigh's hand and zipped off alongside her, deciding it was best to leave their pet at home. He wasn't going anywhere. When they reached the spot, River paused, pulled out a lollipop from his back pocket, and popped it into his mouth. It quickly stained his tongue red. "What's going on here?" he asked in an almost cheery tone; the only sign that he wasn't the peppy, bubbly boy he appeared to be were the peek of white fangs protruding over his lower lip.

... And also the heavy truck that he casually flipped onto its side as he passed. That might've been a giveaway too.

"You're giving my girl a headache, you know. I don't take that lightly." He popped the candy out of his mouth and shot a sympathetic look at his lovely, beautifully hissing girlfriend before turning his attention back to the two hunters. "And, you're threatening my kid. I'd best be moving on before things get... Violent." He shot a dazzling smile that would have seemed kind if not for the reddish tint to his normally stark white teeth. And the fangs. "Hey, son, let's be moving along, yeah?" he added to Kodi, who seemed.... Frozen. Maybe already had a spell on him? Unacceptable.