~ a game of cat and mouse. (p.)

[Amour dal'Monte]

I search every corner, there's nowhere to hide. How I feel ignorance.

Sacrifice, some days it's harder. Let's face it, it's all about me. Deeply into your own.

Blindingly white, a new blizzard whipped at the outskirts of the forest. From afar, it was a pointless struggle, two forces of nature locked in battle, the storm determined to envelop the darkness in light, and the darkness trying hard to repel the cold. The light was cowardly however, attacking it's foe in the dead of night, the winds picking up considerably and the snow, though gentle during the day, threatened to uproot the ancient trees.

From within the shelter of the trees, this scene couldn't be more peaceful. What little life went on in these trees was safe from the threat outside of the shadows... that is, until a rumbling, rhythmic beating of wings broke the "silence". The plants bending away from the strong winds each beat pulled and pushed through its white feathers, the massive avian, an owl dressed in down of the purest white with faint freakles splashed across its body, sank it's claws into the dirt. The earth gave way to its weight, softened by the snow, it threatened to bury the bird's talons in muck as the owl swayed on it's feet slightly, a curious trill rippling from its vocals before its crown turned to a sharp ninety degree angle. One last beat of its wings to pull itself from the mud, and the bird took on its true form.

The white feathers were scattered across the ground around the naked and vulnerable form of a woman doubled over in place of the enormous owl, a small sack at her side. With years of transformation under her wings, the process of shifting from animal to human was no problem at all, even the snapping and rearrangement of her skeletal frame wasn't a problem at this point either. Her only qualms were in regards of her clothing, having to undress before every transformation was a hassle, not that she had a problem with showing her body. With age comes an 'I-don't-give-a-fuck-anymore' attitude, there was also no harm in admitting that she would look better than any human who could ever reach her age. Her skin was smooth, flawless aside from the tribal markings on her cheeks and slightly tanned, and her hair was short, white as her feathers, with a youthful sheen to it. Well endowed, her features were well rounded to say the least, perfect for her choice in profession.

Essentially, she was a temptress, her motto being "You can look but you can't touch.", this shifter knew how the world worked, and how to work the world. Her sweet smiles and flattering words served only as a visage for the demonic little succubus she really was. Tonight was no different from any other night, and now she was off to deliver what she had been set out to do.

Her hand fell to her hip naturally as her center of gravity was shifted to the right. Raking her bangs to the side with her fingers repeatedly, those brilliant amber eyes of hers darted from tree to tree until finally her lip quivered in a slight pout. There was no difference between one spot of darkness and another, what harm could tapping into just a bit of magic bring? A delicate tap on the crystal pendulum, wrapped around her thigh this time, brought it to life, a dim light reflecting off of it's prism like shape, casting soft lights on patches of ice, mud, and snow. The gem that adorned her forehead giving off a momentary dim glow as well before the crystal she held in her fingers gathered its light to guide her in the correct direction. It was times like these when she thanked her ancestors for delving into magic, but the fact that magic was much easier to trace had slipped her mind.

As the guiding light pointed the shifter in the right direction, something else also stepped forward as she did. The heightened senses of the shifters was something to be cautious of, the slightest movement could be detected over great distances, and their reflexes were to be admired. She crouched down instinctively, shifting her weight forward, ready to run if need be, a transformation was out of the question, she only needed to reach the clearing deep within the woods.

Her form stayed crouching for a good time, and though her inner animal told her she was not safe, her common sense whispered in her ear to go on. It was nothing, and reluctantly, she stood straight, still weary of everything around her, tensed and cautious, her feet carried her in the direction in which her douser pointed her. With three steps behind her, goosebumps tickled her skin, exciting her senses as she sensed the unseen threat once more. Throwing herself forward, she weaved and dodged through the forest with surprising grace and silence aside from her loud, but controlled inhales and exhales. This shifter wasn't much of a fighter, only acting on impulse and instinct when it came to combat, but if the situation comes to her hunting the hunter, then so be it as her douser dangled from her wrist loosely.

[Hiei Idomu]

The harsh winter winds whipped through the trees, swaying their mighty branches to and fro. The elderly Magus shivered, his weathered frame unaccustomed to the frigid cold climate of Germany. With a heroes courage the old man soldiered on, a brown cloak his only source of warmth. Abel had been spotted in the human realm on several occasions and though, he originally believed the lad to be dead. A letter from a certain someone lead him to think otherwise. “Damn! WHERE ARE YOU!” Anger and frustration spoke in the old man’s stead, it was here that they were to meet yet the other was nowhere to be found.

“I am here.” Replied a deep voice hidden within the night, the raging snowstorm further concealing his presence. “I received the letter from your ghoul. Where is Abel?” The magus’s voice was defiant and without fear, he might have lost a son and daughter-in-law, but he would not lose a grandson as well. “You are aware of the terms of our bargain, yesssssss?” The ivory-manned old timer nodded silently in compliance. “Yes, I will trade myself in return, but not until Abel is safely with his family.” The surrounding darkness merely replied with an arrogant laugh, full of malevolence. “Do you think I would be fooled by you?”

The mages serious demeanor softened, afraid the vampire knew what he had planned. “I know that you are an alchemist and plan to have your way with me. Not that it matters since you will die here. Besides, you know he whom you seek is already within my grasp, don‘t you? He is beyond your salvation now.” His plan exposed the sage freed his limbs from the cloak, exposing numerous vials and bottles of varying shapes strapped to his belted waist. “I will find a way! And my concoctions shall force the truth out of you. “ While the magus might have been old he was powerful in his own right. The vials he contained would show the vampire just who he was dealing with, The magus was sure of that. “What!” Without warning a powerful gust of wind pinned him to the ground.” What’s going on?!” Confused and frightened, the poor Magus would have the head of Hiei’s katana driven into his skull as the only answer.

“Damn, I am horny. “ He said, sitting atop the newly deceased magus’s corpse. A look of utter boredom on his face caused by the lack of his prey‘s ability to challenge him. “I think I will terrorize Baby for a bit.” Idle glances at the forest scenery inspired him, interrupting his train of thought. “Chastity should be finishing up right at this time. I think I will pay her a little visit.” A mischievous smirk crept its way up Hiei’s cheek, the vampire hadn’t tasted that woman’s flesh in ages. “No time like the present.” Without bothering to claim his fallen foe, Hiei merely walked off into the night.

An overwhelming sense of dread stirred the woodland creatures into a panic, flushing birds and squirrels from their perches. The scent of death and blood lingering in the air was thick, like some oppressive gloom suffocating the unaware animals. Hiei hungered, but not for the taste of beasts. No, he craved something else, something sweet with a feminine frame. The cloak of shadows that was his form poured out of the nothingness of creation, slithering through the snowy white forest. And then a sudden flapping of massive wings pierced the veil of silence blanketing the forest, halting the advancing darkness. Chastity must be about he thought to himself before continuing onward, thoughts of satiating his hunger quickly consuming him.

Mile long legs and tanned skin dressed in countless tattoo’s defined her, she was Chastity the forbidden fruit. A delightful sight for the starving Hiei, who would take great joy in dining upon this bountiful meal. Her movements spoke of paranoia yet Hiei paid no heed as he crept even further towards her. She stood mere feet behind him, apparently oblivious to whom stalked her, but aware she was being watched all the same. A human arm followed closely by a jacket sleeve reached out towards the caramel-skinned maiden, when she unexpectedly fled.

Wasting not a single word, Hiei tore from the darkness. His form humanoid save for the black film covering his body. Hiei loved a good chase, so if she wanted to play cat and mouse he would happily oblige her. From his form shot tentacles of varying shape, their semi-solid forms grappled onto trees launching him forward. Her speed was incredible even for a Noble such as himself, but that did mean he had to play fair. Though she was, but a speck at that moment, he could still slow her down with the various creatures at his command. Through unseen mental commands Hiei commanded the very shadows to form tentacled appeandages of their own and snag her leg or arm.

[Amour dal'Monte]

deep within me, life’s crawling and wasting my days

another night gone and I know there will be another way.

From her throat rippled an infuriated growl, turning her head sharply to flee from the vampire's lips. This owl wasn't much for human blood, and he carried with him a smell of rusting metals that turned her stomach over again. His cold, slender fingers could be felt through the fabric of her top, chilling her bones and provoking goosebumps to rise on her bare skin. Stubborn as she was, Amour still tried desperately to free herself, not only from the shadows now but from those dead hands, she knew now what was on his mind. She wasn't too fond of his ways, vampires weren't her favorite company period. As a natural response to his touch, the aura that oozed from her being was activated, the temperature steadily rising to combat the noble's cold grasp, and with her same low voice, she growled out the words, "I want nothing to do with you now... I have things to do, no time for whatever you have in mind." To add to her dangerous tone, she spat at the ground before him.

She knew, however, that despite her threats and struggling, she was the prey today and at a complete disadvantage. There was no way out for her, the happenings of tonight all depended on the man before her. Hiei Idomu, she only knew him as a promiscuous noble, acquaintance of Charity. If it were not for this, she wouldn't bother remember his name. This shifter was often hunted for the sole purpose of her body and what she was supposed to represent, Chastity. It was as if dominating her would give a man the key to the universe, or that it would just proved how much of a man they really are. Of course though, she was powerless to fight back if 'caged' the way she was now, not an easy feat in itself mind you.

Having struggled enough to sink backwards into his shadows, she freed her breasts from his grasp, panting once more. This position however was not a comfortable one, her lower body seemed to be pulled forward, but she kept fighting despite her lack of energy now. Blinded now with a mess of silvery white hair blocking her view, she couldn't fight any longer, there was no energy to shift either. She was trapped, but she sneered at the vampire now, "Fine....... you can look... but you can't touch." Knowing very well that he of all people wouldn't abide to this new rule, she said this more to add a bit of humor to the situation. A shifter, to be hunted like a true animal, would still never succumb to a vampire. Still, the thought of this situation was wringing her stomach now, disgusted by what he could be concocting in that twisted mind.

[Hiei Idomu]

This game of cat and mouse titillated his senses, at long last Hiei found a worthy prey. Despite the hazardous conditions of the raging weather, Chastity's speed was so great even the shadows themselves failed to ensnare her. Hiei laughed wildly as he pursued her, all the while enjoying the hunt. From branch to branch he leapt, hunger growing with every step closer to the blur of a woman. Her movements carried a sort of grace and agility that defied the efforts of Hiei’s shadowy legion nipping at her heels. Shockingly, even with the overwhelming advantage provided by their vast numbers capturing the artful dodger was an impossibility. The shadows, bemoaning their failure to snatch Chastity, let loose a symphony of beastly roars, their frustration on display.

“What?” Hiei’s expression changed to confusion at the disharmonious sounds filling the air. Had she really been so swift that she outran the night itself? Even for the supernatural such things were impossible yet he knew the sudden swelling of frustration building up within him, could come only from his minions. “Interesting.” Their failure, however; merely inspired a toothy grin in Hiei. The vampire lord was overjoyed at how much fun this was becoming. Perhaps, the shifter had other tricks up her sleeve? The of, which danced merrily about the Dark Lord’s brain. This sentiment was not shared by his tentacled grunts, whose only real accomplishment were the claw marks they left the trees as souvenirs.

Chastity succeeded in further incensing the living umbra with a bold leap upward, bound for the moon above. Of course, Hiei would remain ignorant of her ascension skyward, largely thanks to the efforts of the blinding snowstorm. In a final act of desperation the endless horde of silhouettes surrounding Chastity, made one final effort to grab hold of her. Failing yet again they roared with animalistic fury as they witnessed her escape into the sky. Disappointment had little time to fully set in before they were obliterated by the very moonlight itself. Hiei was given little time to react before he found himself abandoned of the very element that was his trump card.

Before he had time to react, Hiei found himself plummeting to the ground below. Branches and tree limbs doing little to slow his inevitable collision with the earth. Earthbound and covered in snow, the dark lord recovered with ease, if a little shaken by how easily she evaded him. “I will get you yet, Chastity.” Brushing the snow from his form, Hiei quickly contemplated a plan of counterattack. Taking the pitch black form of night again, Hiei melded into the surrounding darkness once more, seeking to reinitiate his efforts to take down Chastity.

Slithering through the dark much like a snake, Hiei was just in time to take advantage of the shifter’s bravado. The form of the decrepit pine behind her darkened as did the area surrounding the bold shifter, who, was unaware how vast her vampiric pursuer’s influence extended. Allowing her not a single reprieve the dark lord cast a net of vines onto the shifter, easily ensnaring her. The shadowy substance constraining her dissolved into a viscous liquid, pining Chastity to the tree. An evil glee filled Hiei at the sight of the owl shifter as she struggled to free herself from his web. A haughty chuckle escaping the darkness with each twist and turn until she finally succumbed to his power. A hateful glare and venomous words her only reply to the maniacal vampire.

“Hohoho, giving up I see? That is no fun. Chastity, I have come to embrace you with open arms and an open heart! There is no need to be so angry my sweet. ” From the ground emerged a humanoid shape dripping with the same gooey substance coating Chastity. With a simple snap of his fingers the inky black façade fell away, revealing Hiei to the downed shifter. “Now, how about a kiss?” Firmly cupping her breast in either hand, the vampire lord pressed his still blood stained lips against hers.

[Amour dal'Monte]

deep within me, life’s crawling and wasting my days

another night gone and I know there will be another way.

From her throat rippled an infuriated growl, turning her head sharply to flee from the vampire's lips. This owl wasn't much for human blood, and he carried with him a smell of rusting metals that turned her stomach over again. His cold, slender fingers could be felt through the fabric of her top, chilling her bones and provoking goosebumps to rise on her bare skin. Stubborn as she was, Amour still tried desperately to free herself, not only from the shadows now but from those dead hands, she knew now what was on his mind. She wasn't too fond of his ways, vampires weren't her favorite company period. As a natural response to his touch, the aura that oozed from her being was activated, the temperature steadily rising to combat the noble's cold grasp, and with her same low voice, she growled out the words, "I want nothing to do with you now... I have things to do, no time for whatever you have in mind." To add to her dangerous tone, she spat at the ground before him.

She knew, however, that despite her threats and struggling, she was the prey today and at a complete disadvantage. There was no way out for her, the happenings of tonight all depended on the man before her. Hiei Idomu, she only knew him as a promiscuous noble, acquaintance of Charity. If it were not for this, she wouldn't bother remember his name. This shifter was often hunted for the sole purpose of her body and what she was supposed to represent, Chastity. It was as if dominating her would give a man the key to the universe, or that it would just proved how much of a man they really are. Of course though, she was powerless to fight back if 'caged' the way she was now, not an easy feat in itself mind you.

Having struggled enough to sink backwards into his shadows, she freed her breasts from his grasp, panting once more. This position however was not a comfortable one, her lower body seemed to be pulled forward, but she kept fighting despite her lack of energy now. Blinded now with a mess of silvery white hair blocking her view, she couldn't fight any longer, there was no energy to shift either. She was trapped, but she sneered at the vampire now, "Fine....... you can look... but you can't touch." Knowing very well that he of all people wouldn't abide to this new rule, she said this more to add a bit of humor to the situation. A shifter, to be hunted like a true animal, would still never succumb to a vampire. Still, the thought of this situation was wringing her stomach now, disgusted by what he could be concocting in that twisted mind.

[Hiei Idomu]

The heat of Chastity’s aura singed the vampire’s skin yet the shifter still failed to escape the net of tentacles Hiei cast upon her. She wiggled helplessly about the vampire’s web, anger tattooed to her features. Hiei returned her deathly glare with a smile. He delighted in her misery and wanted nothing more than to turn that defiant stare into one of utter submission. Before her eyes the deviant vampire dissolved into a gelatinous black goo, melting into the shadows again. Slithering up her leg, the viscous-like vampire could feel the shudders of disgust and repulsion she felt as his form crawled onto hers. Reforming into his humanoid form, Hiei resumed his previous grin as he peered deeply into her eyes. The disgust she felt for him inspiring the vampire to ram his lips into hers once more. Chastity’s arms and legs were bound, sealing off all possibility of escape. “Just remember, if you attack me again I will BREAK your limbs and turn you into a cripple.” He teased, waving his back and fourth in front of the captured prey.

Hiei and Chastity always played this game of cat and mouse. She would run and he would chase yet whenever caught by the predatory vampire, the shifter remained defiant. When the vampire released his lips from hers, a wad of spit collided with his face. “Don’t worry, I will tame you soon enough.” Wiping the spit from his eye, Hiei couldn’t help, but be amused be by the situation. Even though her limbs were bound and her body pinned beneath his, Chastity still resisted. He couldn’t help, but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. “You are quite the little firecracker, you know that?” Hiei’s tongue slid against the shifter’s neck, his foul breath stinging her nose with every lick. “You taste wonderful, my dear.” He grinned evilly, possible scenarios of what would take place dancing through his head.

Tightening his grip on the shifters supple breasts, Hiei peppered her throat with sloppy kisses. There was no passion in his lips, however; only an animalistic craving for flesh. His legs tightened around her slender waist, threatening to suffocate the very life from her body. Thankfully for her Hiei was a rather lightweight fellow, sparing Chastity from the threat of being crushed to death. “How have you been my dear?” The vampire queried in a voice oozing sarcasm. He knew he had won, and found something to satiate his appetite for awhile, anyway.

[Amour dal'Monte]

deep within me, life’s crawling and wasting my days

another night gone and I know there will be another way.

Her toothy smile was replaced with the sound of her fangs grinding together. Desperation over took her as she shifted as much she could, still trying desperately to get away; she wouldn't stop fighting at least. Turning her head away from his wagging finger, her chest rose and fell rapidly as she tired, this game was one she hated to play. Of all days, when she wasn't even worried about what would happen next, this is usually on her mind, this damned demon of a man, and he was a man. As he melted over her body and reformed, the very shadows he commanded groped at her, burying her limbs in darkness, coaxing soft gasps and whines from the woman.

Begging was out of the question, she'd never give in to that, neither would she give in to the sloppy, wretched kisses he left across her neck. The wet tracks carried the stench of blood to her nostrils, stronger than ever and she opened her mouth for a breath finally, huffing and puffing as she gasped for clean air. A vampire would never skip on the meal that was practically laid out before him, she could do nothing to keep him from sinking his teeth into her tanned skin, and at this point, Amour finally felt a tinge of fear.

In her mind, she was terrified, but physically, it was another story. In the grasp of the shadows, her thighs slipped together as she struggled, of course the disgust she felt outweighed her desire for any type of man at the moment, but being subjected to such torture, the physical body can only take so much. A heightened sense of touch, as well as her other senses, did little to help in her struggle, his firm hold on her breasts pulling a soft whimper from her, gritting her teeth once more as she tilted her head backwards.

Taunting, she was being taunted, as if he could humiliate the woman any more. There was nothing she could say, nothing with which she could defend herself, "Fuck you..." was all that rumbled from her vocals, almost inaudible, hidden between a soft gasp and moan. The vampire, weaker than her by an amount that can't even be measured let alone compared, but the power of his magic was impressive, to cage a bird like this. Maybe, not likely, she admired this part of him, but that was all. The only thing she felt for this man was hate.