Feedback is craved like a man lost in the desert craves water. <//_^)>

<Part 1>
 

"Sir?"

The large man frowned at his secretary, "I told you I wasn't to be bothered."

"Yes but you ah. . . wanted to know when we made contact with the hunter and we've ah. . . made contact sir."

His whole demenor changed from one of barely checked annoyance to one of abject pleasure. "All is ready then?"

"Yes, we have hired him and he assures us that this mission will be nothing."

"When does he expect results?"

"The target has just finished a job in. . ."

"Yes, I know."

"As soon as he leaves the current residence he will be fair game."

"Good." A sly smile lit his shadowed face, "This will prove most amusing."

The secretary nodded and hurried out and the large man turned to look out his window. "Transient visitors my ass. You wanted to play it rough little dampiel, let's see how you fare against 'MY' rules."
 

____________________

D waited until he was out of eye and ear range of Doris' ranch before reining in his horse and sitting absolutly still. The only movement was the wind running it's admiring hands through his hair and cloak. "Come out of the shadows, I know you're there."

A slim figure detatched itself and stepped into the light with a wry grin. "You don't seem surprised to see me D."

Shadowed eyes met his and the man supressed a shiver as the dampiel spoke, "You are a mutant who bends space to his whim. The Aristocrat was an idiot to think that wall would be your end. What do you want Ginsay"

He ran a hand though his hair and smiled, "To join you."

"As what."

"A hunter of course. I took care of them all the time for the boss. So I thought to myself, why not be on the other side for a change."

"I work alone."

Ray rolled his eyes, "The lone Dampiel huh? If you don't let me join you I'll just follow you until you say yes."

"No." He turned his horse and rode away at a steady walk, hair streaming out behind him.

Ray just shrugged and walked beside the horse, flitting in and out of site and making a nusense of himself.

"Go away."

The white haired mutant smiled, "Such a pretty day, I feel like singing."

D ignored him.

"I'm Ray Gensay I am, Ray Gensay the eighth I am I am, I got maied to the hunter next door, he'd been gutted seven times before and everyone was a Gensay, Gensay! Wouldn't want a Doris or a Dan, Eveyone was a Gensay! Ran Gensay I am I am, Ray Gensay I am, second verse sae as the first, I'm . . ."

It took two verses for the song to go from amusing to annoying and two hours for the spiit of Dracula residing in D's hand to admit defeat and speak, "Don't you know any other songs."

"Don't incourage him." D deadpanned.

"Why not?"

Gensay grinned, "This is the song that doesn't end, . . ."

"That's why not."

"Some people started singing it notknowing what it was, I left them in a pool of blood to rot there just because they sang the song that doesn't end, yes it goes. . . "

"Ray."

"Wait I have to finish the song that doesn't end yes it goes on and on my friend. . ."

"Ray."

"Huh?"

D actually smiled when he replied, "Get on the horse."

Ray smirked and jump up behind him, "You won't regret it!"

The face on his hand started grumbling and Gensay grinned at it, "Be quiet or I'll cut you off again."

D hid his smirk and kept his eyes on the path head of them.

__________ . ___________ . ____________ . ____________

They hadn't arrived at the next village by morning so D tied the horse to a tree limb and settled against it for rest.

"So." Ray jumped from the saddle and grinned, "Where do we sleep?"

"The ground."

"You're joking."

D sighed and looked up at the mutant, "If you see anywhere else to sleep be my guest."

Without batting an eyelash he nodded and sat right in D's lap, resting his head against the taller man's chest, "G'night."

The dampiel was surprised but he didn't push the mutant away. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back so he wouldn't be tempted by the slim, ivory neck offered him.

Blade roughed hands played over his back and D stiffened. Ray smiled into his chest, "'m cold."

D didn't reply but wrapped his cloak around the slim man, cocooning them both in it's warmth.

"Mmm, much better." Ray sighed and cuddled closer. "G'night D."

He nodded his answer and turned his head to the side, it was uncomfortable but safe.

The mutant must have sensed his discomfort because he raised his head to offer, "You can lay you head on my shoulder."

"Can't."

"No?"

"I don't want to bite you." He admitted, "but if my mouth was so close to your neck I would."

"You can bite me if you want. My power just fills me back up if I loose to much blood. You wouldn't hurt anything." He smiled, "And then maybe you'd sleep better too."

"sleep."

"Yep, that's me, Gensay the human pacifier. Come on, it's ok."

"I can't."

Ray rolled his eyes and placed his hands on either sid of D's face, "Let me help you." He slowly brought the dampiel's head down so his lips were at his neck. "Drink."

D could feel his fangs slide free of their sheaths, he fought as always but the pull was stronger than it had ever been, stronge than with Doris, stronger than with anyone he had ever encountered. Before he could stop himself he had sunk his razor sharp fangs into the mutant's neck and Ray was arching against him in the pleasure his feeding induced. "D!"

The dampiel suckled at the slim, gracfull neck, holding Ray tight against him as he did, and once he had drunk his fill, he still suckled at the puncture's, slipping into sleep with the copper and salt taste of blood on his tongue and the steady thrum of Ray Gensay's heart beat against his lips.

___________ . ____________ . _____________ . _____________

Nightfall brought D from his rest and he turned his eyes to the man still currled on his lap. He was still very much alive and well. So he had told the truth about his powers replenishing his blood. He let out a quiet sigh of releif.

The breath runnng over his face woke Ray and he smiled at the dampiel who held him, "So, how do I taste?"

"You shouldn't have done that."

"Yeah Yeah, so?"

For the scond time D smiled a real smile, "Blood tastes like salt and copper."

"But each has an undertaste right? Boss said they did."

The dampiel searched the mutant's eyes and nodded, "Like spring water and palmogranet fruit." Suddenly he stiffened realizing who he was talking to and what he was saying, "Let's go."

The mutant seemed disappointed but he nodded and mounted behind D. "What are my chances of breaking down your barriers and making you admit to feeling?"

D didn't answer and Ray finally let it drop. There would be more oportunities. //I couldn't kill you when boss ordered it. Something about the way you looked at me, the way you 'are', one day D, I'll find out why you're hiding like you do. I have a life time to make you notice me, and I intend to use it!//

__________ . ___________ . _________ . __________

The shadowed man called his secretay to him, "The hunter is dispatched?"

"Yes sir."

"What direction is the dampiel traveling in?"

"Toward Tavistar sir, and from there, if he keeps his heading, toward us."

"I want him dead before he gets to Vinillo. Possition four more hunters in Tavistar, just in case."

"Sir the cost. . ."

Red eyes bore into the frightened worker, "If he reaches Vinillo he will slaughter us all. We will become nonentities. never reborn. Do you want that?"

"N. . . no sir!"

He nodded and turned away from the hired help, "Then do what I say."

"Y. . . Yes sir."

When the human left, the shadowed figure stood and stared out the tower window, "Ah, Ramica. Would that you had never known about your tainting human blood. Don't worry though my cousin. Each one of your tears will be cut from his worthless halfbreed hide!"

___________ . _________ . ___________ . ___________

D listened to Ray sing ballad after ballad, each growing more and more bawdy until he had to stop him or hear things even he would rather not, "You sing a lot."

Ray nodded and smiled, "I was a traveling bard before the boss picked me out of the flock." His voice became a bit wistful, "He promised me immortality nd I would have done anything to get it, but then I found something I wouldn't sacrifice for myself."

"Oh? And what was that?"

Ray's eyes met D's over the dampiel's shoulder and he breathed out, "You." Before he realized he had spooken aloud.

The half breed blinked and turned his eyes back to the road, his mind full of jumbled thoats he tried to sort through. Even as they reached Tavistar, he had still not found an answer.

Ray vaulted from the horse as the aproached an inn and held the mount steady as D slid to the ground, then he offered it to the Inn's groom and followed his new partner into the establishment.  "So what are we doing here?"

"Waiting."

"For what?"

D looked toward the inn door and Ray could almost hear a countdown.

3. . .

2. . .

1. . .

He jumped as the door burst open and two bodies landed at their feet.

D looked down at them blandly, "Doris. Dan."

Doris blushed and stood quickly, straitening her skirt. Dan on the other hand launched himself at the tall cloaked man, "D 'nichaan!"

Ray climbed down from the tabl he had lnded on and stared, "How long have they been following us?!"

That brought him to Doris' attention. "You!" She pulled out her whip, "What are 'you' doing here?!"

D caught the weapon and pulled it away from the girl, "He's with me."

Dan looked thoughtfull, "I thought he was a bad guy."

"I'm his partner kid." Ray grinned.

The little boy smiled broadly, "I'm glad!"

Doris was not so glad, "I thought you died."

"Hehheh, takes more than a wall to stop me!"

D decided to stop the chat then, "What are you doing here."

The girl blushed then, "Well, ah. . . we want to join you."

"No."

Dan looked heartbroken and Ray took pity on the kid. He bent down and whispered something to him. When the boy looked up at the mutant with a smile D almost goaned. "D Nichaan? Wanna hear a song?"

"One night." He relented.

Doris starred at her brother and then at D, "I missed something."

Ray and Dan started laughing.

D payed for a room for the night and turned from them with a quiet, "Sleep now."

Doris watched as Ray followed the dampiel up the stairs then turned to Dan, "He's up to something."

"I like him."

"Well don't go anywhere around him without other people around."

"D nichaan trusts him."

"Yes, but I think D's emotions are speaking for his mind."

"Huh?"

She smiled at her brother, the distant look melting away, "Nothing. Come on, lets go get some sleep."

"And some food! I'm hungry!"

"Me too."

"Maybe we should take something up to D and Gensay."

"Maybe tommorow."

As the two siblings walked away, Dan didn't notice the shadows by the stairs move, and he didn't see the black clad figure slip silently up to the second level. To the room D had rented for the night.

_________ . _________ . ___________ . __________

D watched Ray pace the small confines of the room as he undresse for bed. Ray looked at him expectantly, "So what do we do now?"

"We rest. We have a long journey ahead of us."

"Are we really taking those two ningen with us?"

"For now."

"I don't like the way that girl hangs on you." He finally admitted.

D looked up from beneith his curtain of hair, "Neither do I."

"She doesn't like me."

"You kidnapped her brother and worked for Lee while he was after her, she has a right to be cautious."

"Do you dislike me for it?"

"You did your job. It's over."

"Thank you."

". . . "

The mutant took the hair brush from his bag and sat on the headboard behind D, "Let me brush your hair for you."

"Why?"

Ray shrugged, "Because I like it and I want to touch it. Besides, I can plait it for you so it doesn't fall into your eyes."

". . ."

Taking the silence as an affirmative, Gensay started at the bottome of the hip length lochs and worked his way up carefully. Releving in the smell and feel of it around him. //His hair is one of his most striking features. How soft! I'd love to wash it for him some time.// He carefully divided it into five sections and wove it into an elaborate plait down his back, into the weave he worked a strip of leather died red as the mutant's red shock of hair, to let all creatures know that D was under his protection. A deep rummbling sound brought him out of his thoughts and he looked down to find D's eyes closed as the Dampiel purred in his sleep. //He purrs?!// Ray smiled in amusment.

He tucked D carefully under the blankets and went out into the hallway, the room was too small and Ray was more than a bit claustrophobic.

A motion to the right caught his attention and he had killed the would be assassin before he moved. What could it have wanted in this shoddy inn, the only thing of importance here was. . . //D.// "D!"

The dampiel was fighting off three more attackers and Ray wasted no time jumping in to help him. They were much more experienced than the one Ray had dispatched in the hall and by the battle's end  both were weary and sore, but for the most part unharmed.

"D are you ok? They didn't hut you did they?"

"I can handle three ningen."

"They were going to kill you. You could have been killed." He collapsed into D's arms much to the Dampiel's shock and began to shake with repressed sobs. "I already lost all of my friends I won't loose you too."

"You feel like you need me because I took your blood, but that will pass."

"It's more than that."

"Oh?"

"I. . . care for you D."

"Don't."

"Why not?" Ray licked his lips and smiled when D's eyes followed the wet motion. "I can't just turn these feelings off you know."

"You will die."

"So? I have a few years left in me."

"And I have a few Eons. No." D walked out and shut the door firmly, leaving Ray kneeling and shivering in the center of the bed.

"D."

_______ . _________  . __________ . ____________
 

"They failed."

"Yes sir. The mutant helped him."

"FOOL! He would he betten them without the mutant's aid! Where did you find such week fools?!"

"I. . . I. . . "

"Leave me."

"Should I hire more sir?"

"Are you even capable of that?"

"Yes sir."

"We'll see. Go." He waved the human away, "We will see. I have an ace up my sleeve that D will not be able to match." Haunting laughter echoed down the ancient halls and all of the human staff shivered at the sound. Death was near. Soon the master would feast again.

<Part 2>
 
 
 

    The next night it was decided that Ray would drive Doris and Dan's wagon while they rode in the back and D took his mount as usual.  Obviiously the two humans thought it was a great plan, being used to sleeping at night and having been too excited to sleep to day before, they were exhausted and were lulled into sleep's void touch in no time. Ray took full advantage of their slumber.

    "D? Don't you ever feel guilty?"

    ". . ."

    "I mean you're hunting your own kind."

    ". . ."

    "What would your ancient anscestor King say?"

    "I'd say shut up."

    The mutant jumped and stared at D's palm which turned toward him, a humanoid face looking out from it. "What the Hell are you?"

    "Dracula."

    "'The' Dracula?!"

    "Shh!" It hissed, "D is asleep."

    "Huh?" Gensay looked under the dark brim of the hat and realized that the dampiel truly had fallen asleep in the saddle! "Then who. . .?"

    "I'm driving."

    "Oh."

    "While D is asleep I might as well ask you. What are your intentions toward my son?"

    "Excuse me?"

    "It's obvious from that display at the inn and the fact that he's still breathing after the inscense of time trap that you feel toward him. As his father's spirit I would like to know exactly what."

    "I don't know myself yet." He looked helplessly toward D.

    "He is right you know."

    "About?"

    "He will never get older, you will."

    "Mind your own damn buisness."

    "My son is my buisness."

    D stirred and the odd face/hand resumed it's grip on the reins. D turned glowing eyes to his mutant partner and said simply,  "He talks too much."

    "Doesn't it ever get lonely?"

    ". . ."

    "D?"

    "Yes, It does. But I would never curse another with eternity, and so I will live with it."

    "Is that how you see it? A curse?"

    "I will watch Doris grow into full womanhood, age and die. I will see Dan become man and then corpse, and I will be helpless as your body betrays you to death's darkness and I will be the same as I am now, and I will continue living. Alone."

    "Turn me then. We can be together."

    "Go away Gensay."

    Ray looked shocked and then hurt, "Why?"

    "You heard me, I have wondered at your reasons for following me and now I know. I will not grant you the eternity that Lee promised. It isn't right."

    "I hadn't thought it until last night D I swear. But I don't want to leave you. I asked Lee for the gift because I wanted eternal beauty and health, wanted to never grow old and decrept. But now I want it because I want to stay with you. D, I want to be your partner."

    "You are."

    "Not 'that' kind of partner."

    The dampiel reined in his horse and turned to stare at Ray, "Why?"

    "Because you care. You are strong, loveing, protecting, beautiful, I. . . I'm falling in love with you D, and I don't want death to steal this feeling."

    His eyes blazed hot white and D stepped down from his horse, "Are you mocking me?"

    "No. Never!"

    He swallowed slowly and then pulled Ray from the wagon, tying it to a nearby tree, "Come."

    The mutant followed the Dampiel into the grove of trees and then turned to face him, "D what are you. . .?" His eyes almost bugged out! D had dropped his cloak from his shoulders and peeled his shirt and sash away. Ray blinked and caught his breath then looked into the taller man's eyes, "D?"

    "It's alright."

    He stepped forward slowly, almost with reverance, and pulled the dampiel's gloves off slowly then paused and with an impish smile, returned the glove to the hand with the face of dracula.

    D smiled and Ray's heart skipped a beat.

    The mutant kissed the exposed palm of D's normal hand and knelt before him, "My life is yours D. Do with it as you will."

    D took his chin between his long fingers and lifted until Ray's eyes met his. He brought the same palm that Ray had kissed and brought it to brush along the blade of his sword, letting the blood flow from the wound to pool in his cupped hand. This he offered to the man before him.  "Drink."

    Ray looked up in question but lapped at the offering. As he did, D knelt and took one of Ray's pale hand to his mouth and sliced the tender flesh open on his razor sharp fangs, drinking slowly and savoring the honeyed taste he had tasted once before.

When the shallow wounds closed the dampeil embraced Ray and sank his throbbing fangs into the man's neck even as the mutant pierced his own vien. They writhed against each other, eyes wide open and glazed with burning pleasure. The pulse of their movement fell into beat with their hearts and they fell back to the ground, entoxicated with love, lust, and need, and high on the blood of their beloved. Finally Ray broke from his drinking and placed bloody kisses down D's chest while D peppered the mutant's shoulders with sharp love bites. They touched and tasted until the blood haze crept over them and then the two gripped each other tight as Ray's change shook him, burning through his core. "D! D!"

    "I am here." He promised.

    "Hurts!"

    "It will pass. I will not leave you."

    "Hold tighter. Hold me tighter." He shivered.

    D complied and burried his face in Ray's hair comfortingly.

    "I love you!" He cried as light built around them both and seeped into his body.

    When the light was gone, Ray collapsed against his partner and gasped, "God! Kami-sama! That. . . I loved that!"

    D chuckled softly, "Ah."

    Ray threw himself at the Dampiel, kissing him all over the place, hot and passionate kisses that wouldn't stop. "D!! I loved that! I love you! Mmm!"

    They worshiped eachother then, with body and soul, and when they left the solitude of the grove, even though they hadn't completeld their bonding, they were both changed. "D."

    "Ah?"

    "I. . . You are my God D, I will worship you forever, cherish every moment. . ."

    "Just love me Gensay." D took his hand and kissed him softly, "Just love me."

    They shared one last kiss and then mounted horse and wagon and were off. As if nothing had happened they kept their course, but there was a deep pull between them now. Of acknowledged love.

____________________________

    "Slave!"

    "Y. . . yes sir!"

    "They are behind schedual. You have one more chance. Kill the dampiel before he gets to Vinillo or you will be his first victim."

    "He will not be taken by regular hunters sir."

    "Then find irregular ones."

    "I. . ."

    "Does death appeal to you?! Get going!"

    "Sir!"
____________________________

    Dan woke slowly and looked around him, "Shouldn't we be further along?"

    Ray patted the seat next to him and Dan climbed up happily, "We had to make a stop earlier, but it shouldn't put us back too badly."

    "Oh." Dan nodded, "I'm glad you're not a bad guy anymore Ray niisan."

    The mutant smiled and glanced at D, whose face was once again all but hidden behind his cloak, only allowing the mutant to see his shining eyes, "So am I kiddo."

    "Onichan doesn't like you."

    "No?"

    "She says you're a bad influence on me and D and you're only up to no good."

    "You don't think so?"

    The boy shook his head, "You would never hurt D niisan."

    "Oh?"

    "Because you love him too much."

    Ray choaked, "Wha. . . you think so heh?"

    "I'm seven years old, I know what I see."

    The mutant looked at the boy, then at D, and finally burst out in laughter, "Ah! I like you kid!"

    "Don't tell Oniichan now ok? She really likes D niisan and I don't want to make her sad."

    "Ok Dan, we wont say anything for now."

    Dan nodded sagely, "So do you guys kiss?"

    Ray's roar of laughter woke Doris who sat up slowly and looked around, "Aren't we a little behind?"

    Dan was quick to answer, "I needed a bathroom break."

    Doris ruffled her brother's hair with a soft smile and nodded, "Where are we staying today? I don't think we can get to a town before it's daylight."

    "You and Dan can rest in the wagon, Ray and I will sleep on the ground."

    Ray tossed D a look that promised he would 'not' be sleeping in the dirt when a perfectly comfortable lap was handy.

    "We could gather food since we've slept all night." Doris offered.

    D nodded and looked ahead of them, "We'll stop just over this next hill. There's a lake there where we can get fresh water."

     When the horses were taken care of and the wagon was unhitched, Doris and Dan went off instantly to search for firewood and food and Ray waited just until they were out of site before pulling D to him in a deep kiss. "Let's take a swim before we sleep."

    D smiled and took a smaller sack from his saddle bags then stripped and waded into the water. Ray shivered and followed him quickly, his hand slidding lovingly over the dampiel's firm, pale ass.  "What's in the bag?"

    "Soap." D retrieved the ball of soap and rubbed it between his hands, working up a good lather, "turn around."

    Ray did as asked and moaned in abject bliss as D began to wash his back, massaging the thick suds into his shoulder and down over his sloping rear, then over his hairless, muscular legs. When the large hands of the dampiel strayed over his front the delighted moaning became a groan of need.

    "Shh."

    "D!"

    "Pacience."

    Ray growled and tried to nip at the teasing hand which it turn pinched one sensitive nipple and then the other. "D!!!"

    Those loving hands worked their way up over his neck and face and into his hair.

    "Am I almost done?" Ray pleaded.

    D smiled, "Just need to rinse." He placed his arms around his bonded, "Let me help you."

    "Wha. . . D!!!!" Ray screached as D picked him up and threw him into the middle of the lake. He came up spitting and sputtering and glarred at the grinning dampiel. "Oh you're dead!"

    D vaulted over the charging mutant but slipped and fell under, Ray pulled him up trying to hide his amusment, "Are you ok?"

    ". . ."

    "Oh you hurt your pride didn't you." Ray teased, "Can I kiss and make it better?" He placed a soft kiss to D's shoulder and slowly undid the plait in the other man's hair, "Mmm, I love your hair. It's beautiful you know that?"

    "Ray. . ."

    "Let me wash you, You got to wash me."

    "I. . ."

    "Shh."

    D floated back against his love as Ray held him up with one arm and spread soap through his hair with the other. He began purring again, "Ray. Mmm, feels nice."

    "How do you purr like that?"

    "I can't help it. You don't like it?"

    Ray quickly assured him he did like it very much, "I've just never heard a man purr."

    D nodded as Ray rinsed the soap from him, "When one is born a vampire breed, they have a certain amount of cat in them as well."

    "Cat?"

    "Vampires are a distant member of the cat family, the link between that and humans."

    "It shows."

    "Mm?"

    Ray kissed him and they left the water and dressed in fresh clothing after the wind dried them. "You have the grace of a feline."

    "But so do you."

    "Me? Nah, I'm more of a snake." Ray laughed and currled up in D's lap again.

    "Is that wise?"

    "Doris can make what she wants of it. The ground is hard and cold and dirty, your lap is soft and warm and clean. No contest."

    "Ah."

    "You can feed off of me if you want."

    D shook his head, "I don't need it. I filled myself during the bonding."

    "Mm." Ray  curled tighter and D wrapped them again in his cloak, "G'night D."

    "Ah."

    Ray snickered once before closing his eyes.
_____________________________

    When Doris returned with her arms full of wood she gasped at the tender scene before her. Ray lay stretched out in D's lap, his back to D's chest and his legs sprawled out in front of them, peaking out from under the cloak that hid them almost completely. D's head rested in the crook of Ray's neck and his arms held the cloak together encircling Ray's waist tightly. "I. . . they. . ."

    Dan started to build a fire to cook what they had caught. "They're just sleeping." He assured her, "sleeping like that gives off more warmth, just like when you cuddle me on cold nights."

    "Since when are you an expert on life?" Doris was slightly cross.

    The child frowned, "Since I had to be strong when the count was trying to take you away."

    She hugged him in silent apology, "You've grown up an awful lot."

    "Oh?"

    "Dad would be proud."

    Dan beamed and hugged her, "You really think so?"

    She nodded and lite the kindling, "Come on, let's have dinner ready when they wake up."
_____________________________

    Ray moaned as he felt someone trying to wake him, he was having a very wonderful dream about D, tight leather and a strip dance that was probably illegal in most countries.

    The nudging became shaking and Ray growled helplessly, "Ok! O K I'm up!"

    Doris hurumphed, "'Bout time. The food is ready and I am not going to be the one to wake D up."

    Ray turned around to straddle the dampiel's hips, "Why not? Hey D, din. . . arg!"

    D growled and lunged at Ray toppling him to the ground roughly and grabbing him throat.

    "D! It's me! Ray!"

    The hunter blinked and let go his hold and Ray coughed indignantly.

    Dan snickered, "Daddy did that too, it's from being a hunter."

    Ray glarred at Doris in a good natured manner, "You set me up."

    She just smiled, "Dinner."

    D froze.

    "Hey my cooking isn't THAT bad!"

    "Shh." He ordered.

    Ray stretched his hearing farther and caught what D had, footsteps, muffled ones. Someone was trying to sneak up on them.

    The Dampiel motioned to Doris and Dan to keep talking as normal then took up his sword and slipped into the bushes, Ray close behind with his bommerang blade.

    A squishy, ripping sound and a few screams later D and Ray emmerged from the bushed carrying two dead beast men, they had transformed into their beast bodies, but their clothing still clung to them.

    "Whoever is trying to kill you is getting more creative." Doris noticed.

    D made quick work of the wild bore and soon a much more appitizing meal was on the spit. "Someone doesn't want us to reach Vinillo."

    Dan scrunched his brows, "Why are we going to Vinillo?"

    "The Count's nephew lives there."

    "Count Lee had family beside Ramika?"

    D nodded, "And I am going to kill him. It isn't safe for a hunter to kill just one part of a family."

    Doris looked guilty, "Then I earned you more trouble than I knew."

    "I knew what I was taking on."

    Ray nodded, "'Sides, he has me now. We'll take this guy in no time."

    She still looked dubious but said nothing.

    Ray lept to his feet and offer a hand to D, "Well night has fallen, shall we go to Vinillo?"

    D took the offered hand with a secret smile, "Ah."

___________________________________

    In the castle of Vinillo the vampire faced his new majordomo who stood to the side as he finished his meal. "I pray you'll do better than your predicessor."

    "I shall try sir." He insisted.

    The count picked the ribs clean then started on a leg, "He disappointed me sorely."

    "I am sorry."

    "So you will rid me fothe hunter before he enters Vinillo."

    "Yes sir."

    The creature tossed the leg bones to his dogs, "Good."

    "If I may ask sir, when did my predicessor leave?"

    The count smiled ferally, "He stayed for dinner."

<Part 3>
 

    When they entered the city they knew instantly that something was wrong. No one was around. Every house was borded up and deserted.

    Doris took it all in a silently held Dan closer, "Where is everyone?"

    D stepped from his horse and walked a little bit away then sniffed the air slightly. //The smell of blood, so thick. . . the screaming of their spirits. It almost overwhelms me! How they suffered! What kind of a monster is this Baron?! Even Lee never when so far as this!//  "No one has lived here for at least a week."

    Ray did the math quickly, "That's when you killed Count Lee."

    He nodded.

    "So they knew you were coming and left?" Dan asked hopefully.

    "Sure kid." Ray's voice was not very convincing. "They just left."

    D looked at them out of the corner of his eye then his gaze found the casle superimposed on the horizon. "We go tomorrow night."

    "Why not now?"

    Dan nodded, "Yeah! I'm ready!"

    "We can't go now." Ray insisted.

    "But, why not?"

    D looked toward the east, "The sun will be up soon."

    "All the better though isn't it?" Doris stepped from the wagon to approach the silent man, "I mean, vampires don't like the daylight."

    "Neither do I."

    Ray snickered and Doris sent him a dirty look. "Why not send him then?" Ray's smile died.

    "No."

    "But he. . ."

    "We go tomorrow night, get some sleep." He tethered his horse and tore the boards from a nearby house. Ray followed him silently and Doris glarred at the back of the mutant who seemed so close to D. //Black blooded bastard.//

__________________________________________

    "Here is your first challenge."

    "Sir."

    "While the sun is high and D is weakened,  I wan't you to kill both him and the mutate he has been traveling with."

    "Me sir?"

    "Hire someone if you must, but I want them dead by the nightfall."

    "Hai sir."

    "Now leave me to my slumber."

____________________________________

    Doris and Dan were in their room trying to sleep at the unnatural hour. D and Ray took the couch to guard the door.

    "D?"

    "Hm?"

    "You sleepy?"

    "Yes."

    Ray grinned and quietly locked the door to Doris' room, efficiently keeping them in.

    The dampiel grinned sleepily but hungry at the same time as Ray sauntered back to the couch and stretched out on top of his bonded. "You're heavy."

    "You complainin'?"

    "No." His smiled was soft now as he lifted his head to kiss the mutant fondly.

    "Mm. I love you."

    The smile grew and his eyes glowed softly, efficiently returning the declaration.

    "You two shouldn't be playing now! You can't drop your guard at a time like this!"

    D and Ray both glarred at the dampiel's hand.

    "Whatever possesed you to bond him to you in the middle of a job?! D this is not what I taught you. Not at all."

    The dampiel glarred at his hand for a time and it fell silent, the eyes closed.

    Ray turned to D, "You turned it off!"

    D nodded. "If I force my will onto his I can possess him."

    "To shut him up?"

    The fanged grin was carnal and Ray swallowed in anticipation, "I can use it in much more interesting ways."

    "Oh?" Ray's breath was shallow with anticipation.

    "Ah." D reached down and slowly undid the mutant's trousers, pulling them apart so his erect shaft was free.

    "D what. . . oh!!!" Ray stiffened and cried out as the mouth on D's hand encased his uncut  member. D's groans and gasps told Ray he felt everything as if it was his own mouth on the mutant.
Each groan made Ray feel empowered. That he could reduce the large dampiel to such a needfull state was as powerful as the most potent aphrodisiac.

    The hand suckled him harder, nipping up his shaft lightly and teasing the slitted tip with it's tongue. He cried out as it drew his foreskin up and down until even in the light all Ray could see was darkness. All of his senses shut down into only touch remained. He was on fire! burning up in his need until finally he burst! The hand's mouth took it all in but didn't swallow and Ray floated back to reality watching D lift his hand to his mouth and pour the still warm seed onto his tongue. "That was. . . Wow." Ray cuddled against him happily, "Wow." He kissed his bonded warmly and sighed.

    D held him close and kissed him again, "I love you."

    In their afterglow, the dampiel's control fell and a disgusted voice ruined the moment. "D! That was disgusting! I can still taste. . ." They both glarred at the once again lucid hand. "Ok, I get it, shut up or you'll cut me off."

    "Yes."

    D laughed at his lover who snuggled closer while he glarred at his hand, "Sleep now."

    "Ok." Ray closed his eyes and slipped into sleep held in a tender embrace.

    The Dampiel lay awake a moment longer, just watching his treasure fondly before nodding off himself. He ran his warm tongue softly behind Ray's ear and scented him as his, then he too fell asleep in the warmth of their love.
 

    It was around midday when D shot awake, a tense feeling filling him. He carefully slid from under Ray and covered him with a throle blanket then walked to the front door and out.

    Standing on the lawn was a lesser vampire and a thrall. "We have come for D and Ray Gensay."

    "I am D."

    "Then we have come to kill you."

    "I see."

    "You could simply leave quietly. We have no fight with you."

    "Transient visitors must be released from this plane of existence."

    "And you believe that?"

    D just waited.

    The vampire motioned to his thrall, "You leave me no choice then."

    D's thoughts were with Ray, who was helpless inside, dep asleep and lost in his dreams. "I'll make you a deal."

    "Are you in a possition to bargain?"

    "You tell me."

    "I'm listening."

    "I will come with you and face the Baron or a man of your choice. Alone. And you leave the others with me alone."

    "You are a paculiar hunter."

    D waited.

    "Alright then, we accept. Come with us."

    "Let me say goodbye."

    The thrall glanced up at his master who nodded, "Go ahead, you have five minuets."
 

    Ray woke up cold. D's familiar heat gone. He sat up quickly and a leaf of paper caught his attention.

    Dearest Ray,
    When you read this night will have fallen and I will have been gone about five hours.
    Hunters came for us during the day and you were too weak from the transformation
    to fight them. So I made a deal. I will face them alone and hopefully come back to
    your arms by the sunrise. If I am not back within two days please leave this place. With-
    out me as leverage I do not trust the word of this Baron or his men. Please remember,
    Whatever happens, I have loved you. My first and last love. Be strong for the both of us
    and keep hope. True loves never say goodbye. I Love you with all of my heart and soul.
    Forever yours,
    Dracul  Vladamir

    "D." Ray glanced toward the castle, "I won't abandon you."

    A familiar shadow fell over him, "You have no choice."

    "You! How. . .?" Then darkness claimed him and he fell unconscious to the wooden floor.

    "Ray?" Dan hollered through the still locked door of the bedroom, "D? What's happening? Where are you? Ray! D!"

______________________________

    "Your hirelings have brought the mongoose into the cobra' s nest."

    "Sir they felt it was the best way."

    "Did they."

    "I am sorry sir."

    "No." He stood with a smile, "Don't appologise."

    "Sir?"

    "Bring him to me."

    The servant nodded and hurried out as another ran inside and fell to his knees

    "Your agent is here."

    "Oh."

    "Ray Gensay has been hand delivered to you."

    "This may prove amusing."

    "Yes sir."

    "Tell the agent to bring Gensay here, then bring this Vampire Hunter D. I want to have some fun with this death, after all, he has caused me considerable damages."

_____________________________________

    D had been shed of his cape, boots, hat, and shirt. He was ushered in to the darkened hall in only his trousers, sash, and gloves. His hair held back in a loose braid Ray had lovingly woven the night before.

    "The Baron will see you now."

    D nodded, his jaw clentched, and walked into the darkness which fell completely as the door to the chamber was firmly closed.

    "So this is the infamous D."

    The hunter didn't flinch at the bodyless voice.

    "I expected someone. . . bigger."

    Again he held his silence.

    "You are to skinny to be a worthy hunter."

    His eyes glowed white in the blackness, adjusting to it's depth, but each time he could just make out a form, the darkness grew and blocked it again.

    "Oh now D. Don't spoil your surprise."

    He sniffed the air but a heavy incense filled it. He growled low. The whole room was made to disorient him. It worked.

    "You know, I have been studying you for quite some time. You didn't need to come here, my Uncles death didn't disturb me in the least, but now you've made a niusence of yourself. I do hate pests."

    D blinked and tried to find a direction for the voice, he couldn't fight what he couldn't find.

    "Oh don't think you can locate me through sound, this room is an echo chamber. You see, I've been a very resourceful little vampire haven't I."

    "Indeed."

    "D. Dracul, son of Dracula."

    The dampiel tensed. No one knew his full name except. . . "What have you done to Ray."

    "Ooh, that got you talking. Your friend is very beautiful Dracul. Have you noticed that?"

    He glarred into the shadows.

    "Ooh I see you have! But I've noticed he bares a mark on his neck and carries a certain scent just behind his left ear. A very loving gesture that is. He has been claimed. Bonded to one of us. By who I wonder."

    D low rumbling growl escaped D's chest.

    His captor laugh heartily. "Why I do believe it was you! He must be very special indeed. Don't worry, he isn't dead. Yet."

    "Your men gave there word."

    "They are not my men. They are the men of my man and neither have the authority to predict what I do. I am the only law and word here."

    "Bastard."

    "Thank you, you would know all about that charming malady would you not?"

    "He is not a part of this!"

    "Oh but he is, you see, you share a bond, you share everything. Even death."

    "Who took him for you?"

    "Why?"

    "So I know who else needs to die."

    "Oh so confident aren't you. Take a look over there."

    A light suddenly glared from the center of the room but D wouldn't look away no matter how it hurt his sensitive eyes, because in the middle of that light, bleeding and broken was the focus of his whole world. His life. "Ray."

    Another figure detached from the shadows, "D."

    "You!"

    "Surprise."

<Part 4>
 
 
 

    "You!"

    "Surprize." she smiled harshly, "D niichan."

    "Doris." D instinctively reached for his sword and was surprised as Doris was to realize it was there! She was dead before she hit the ground and D was pulling Ray from the pedistal.

    "She was my neice once."

    "You are her fathers brother." D's eyes narrowed as he craddled Ray, protecting him, "You were a hunter."

    "Was. Until Lee showed me a world much more rewarding. Being a hunter is not very profitable. Earning your room and board by killing creatures most only dream of, risking your neck for a people who would be more than happy to stretch it." He clapped and suddenly every candle in the room lit up bright.

    "How did you convince her to do this?"

    He smiled, "It wasn't hard at all. You see, she wanted to live forever. Maybe to be with you, maybe for less honorable purposes. She was a strong hunter, I admit it. Her death was my gift to you."

    The Dampiel leaned over Ray, gently searching for wounds and trying to rouse him.

    "Oh, how sweet." The Baron laughed, "You are nothing like your father boy. Cowering over your little muter lover like some damn onna! He would be ashamed of your actions here. Dracula was a great man!"

    D held up his hand and pulled the glove from it. Revealing the face of his father. "Talk to the hand, I'm busy."

    "Wha. . .?"

    "I am still here, don't use passed tense yet." It chucked, "Such a fool. You think that this was my design for my children? To cling to a world that is no longer for them?"

    "D. . . Dracula!"

    "I am proud of my son. He is a loving and honorable man who has learned life's lessons through blood and sweat and has still upheld his morals."

    Ray stirred in D's embrace and the Dampiel turned his attention from the arguments of his father to his dear heart. "Ray."

    "I. . . Ohh my head hurts!"

    "Stay still."

    "It was Doris. . ."
 
    "I know, she's gone."

    "D."

    "You are a transient visitor Baron Lee. Your time here is over, our days on this earth are through, we must move on to the next. Clinging like this is a vain attempt at keeping the life we know but that isn't how life is to be lived. No will you leave on your own or do we force you?"

    "You lie! I am the Baron Lee! I will not. . . ARGGGGGG!!!!!" A stake punched through his chest and blood splattered all over the two lovers. As the body of Baron Lee fell, Dan stood up behind it.

    "Dan!" Ray smiled but fell back instantly regretting his sudden movement.
 
    "Ray Oniichan! D Oniichan! Are you ok?"

    "We're fine." D nodded, "Come."

    The castle began to crumble around them and the servents fled in terror. D scooped up both Ray and Dan and leapt to safety just as the last wall crumbled.

    "Damn."

    Ray tensed and ran his hands over his lover, "What? You aren't hurt are you? Did he get you?"

    "I lost my hat."

    Ray paused then burst into laughter. Dan snickered with him.

    "I liked that hat."

    The mutant tried to control his chuckling, "Damn the hat D! I'll buy you a million hats! You scared me you jerk! I thought you were hurt!"
 
    Dan watched the two banter with eachother until they were assured that they were both fine then spoke up, "I packed up the horses, We can leave the wagon."
 
    "Thank you Dan." D mounted his steed and pulled Ray up behind him.

    Dan got onto his own horse and smiled, "My pleasure Oniichan! So where to now?"

    "How about. . . home."

    Ray looked at him oddly, "You have a house?"

    "Yes, and I think it's a perfect place for a nice long vaccation, don't you?"
 
    "Does it have a bed?"

    "King sized with down comforters."

    "It'll be just fine then."

    Dan looked lost, "What about me?"

    "There's an extra room just waiting for you."

    "Really?!"
 
    "Well." Ray teased, "He is kinda scrawny. Do you think we should bother?"

    "He might grow."

    Dan scrunched up his nose in protest, "Hey! I am not scrawny!"

    "Oh skin and bones." Ray laughed as D turned his mount toward the west.

    "Hey!"

    "Miniscule."

    "Get back here!" Dan growled.

    D turned on the mount, "Ray."

    "Hm."
 
    "Shut up." He leaned in for a deep kiss that efficiently cut off any words.

    "Eew! You're kissing!"

    "DAN!!!!"
 
 
 

~Owari~

Well?  I hope you liked it.  Should I do more Vampire Hunter D fics?
Rai