Welcome to Gaia! ::

The wind picked up slightly, moving the scent of the ocean into my uplifted face. Somewhere in the huge expanse of water was a boat full of humans. I knew this because along with the scent of salt and water, came the almost nauseating smell of sweaty human males. Among them was a lighter, more delicate scent, probably female. Shifting my footing, I swayed slightly, turning in a half circle to face away from the wind. Around my form, the tall grasses of the Delmorian Plains moved franticly in this wind, as if each blade were trying to find some release from the soil beneath. My gaze moved swiftly over the body of writhing grasses, taking in the area. It was only then that I felt the sharp stab of power pulse through my left hand. My hand that had been resting upon the hilt of the Hiratoshi. Glancing down, I raised a brow at this new development. Thus far, throughout my quest to be free of the blade, it had never inflicted physical pain upon me. But now, the hand resting upon the hilt of this cursed sword, burned as though I had placed my hand into a very hot flame. Lifting my hand from the hilt, I studied it, moving each finger. The reflex was slower than usual, but this was not very unusual for a vampire who had not fed properly in many moons. Lowering the hand again, I studied the sword. It looked no different than usual, the hilt wrapped tightly in leather and embellished with gold trim. Any human would have taken this sword in greed, due to how expensive and appealing the weapon looked. Many had died simply trying to do so. Hiratoshi was quite content to keep me as it's host forever. That was, of course, until someone stronger and faster came along. I hoped to be rid of the curse by then. Hoped, anyway. The wind shifted slightly, drawing my attention away now. I could could have sworn I had heard someone moving through the grasses, but never got the chance to look. The sword burst to life then, taking advantage of my distraction to take control of my body and mind.

****

The male dropped to the ground for a moment, seeming to be in some sort of internal struggle. This only lasted for a brief moment, however, as the will of the Sword was far superior to any man. Hiratoshi took him over quickly, suppressing the man's very conscious to the depths of his own mind like a prisoner. After this task was over, Hiratoshi turned his attention to the other being that seemed to have joined them in the Plains. This being was female, he noted after a moment's study. This mattered little to him as he moved the body of his host into a standing position. With any luck, this would be over with in a short time. He had just enough energy built up to take care of one simple woman. Having been drawn from his sheath, the Man began to move swiftly through the tall grass of the Plains, the weapon poised to strike the female down quickly.

The man closed the distance between himself and his prey rather quickly, moving with the preternatural speed that only vampires possessed. In the blink of an eye, the possessed vampire was nearly on top of the woman, having turned so he was nearly directly in front of her. Hiratoshi lifted into the air, poised to arch downward. It's intention was very clear. He meant to slay this female where she stood. There would be no remorse for this, no pity at all. No emotion really, except for perhaps hate. The blade swung downward, the lethal edge aimed for the woman's left shoulder, it's intent to cut downward to her left hip.

The sword reacted to the movement of the woman easily. The vampire's left hand lowered from the sword as the two blade connected. This, had only been the distraction. His left hand moved, spilling outward for the right side of the woman's chest, sharp nails poised to be like a spear. This pierced the chest, impaling her in a not so harmful place, near the shoulder. He raked, not downward with the momentum of his body, but upward, toward the soft throat of his victim. One slow inch at a time toward the pulse that beat faintly, so faintly against the skin like a trapped thing. It occurred to the Vampire then, that this one was also a vampire, but the thought was as quickly cast aside. It mattered little. She was going to die, Hiratoshi wished it to be so. Warmth slid over his fingertips, the scent of blood hit him like a wall, washing over him like water. Within the confines of his mouth, his fangs lengthened, ready, waiting for the promise of blood. The sword faltered in his right hand. It was losing the tight control it had on it's host, and quickly. The thread of control wavered, then began to unravel faster than Hiratoshi could wind it back. Waves of hunger pushed at the tight bond between host and sword, the instinct to feed overriding the need to kill. With this, the thread broke. But not before Hiratoshi got in one final command. Feed. The vampire pushed forward, closing the space between them with this push. He was older, stronger and had the advantage of momentum. It took but two seconds to reach that pale skin, and the fangs sank in.