4 Beginning the Addiction

The warehouse was completely packed. Strobe lights were blazing yellow towards the back, flipping red over the middle of the crowd as the blue ones crossed wildly around the walls and ceiling. The crowd was showered in a purple light as magenta spots of light rolled over their heads from one place to the next over the room.

Down on the floor, it wasn't as clear. It was a hazy, smoke choked the air as sweat and heat radiated from the bodies of the dancing crowd. When Shouji looked in her direction, Megura seemed completely in-tune with all of it. After having led him to the middle of the floor, she had spun around to face him. Her arms lifted over her head as she swayed her hips from side to side and laughed, smiling at him. A techno tune played in the background and the crowd roared louder, jumping up and down excitedly in almost a wave as she laughed but her voice was drowned out with everything else.

Here, she was just like the rest of them, but despite how similar they looked she somehow glowed in comparison to crowd as her pale skin looked almost ethereal against the black light. She was awfully pale compared to the rest of the crowd the more he looked. Sunburned white, pale goths, tanned, and multitudes of skin tones clashed against one another like the waving fabric in a rapid stream. Yet, even still, Megura managed to find herself her own space for them here with him.

Guys tried to dance behind her but she was quick to shrug them off. Her moves seemed almost coordinated, fashionably calculated as she danced and tossed them off all-the-while keeping herself a somewhat slender, curvy body that stood out of the crowd next to him. Small pockets of dancers made up the middle of the floor, and she had managed to make her own off to the side next to Shouji.

His mind lingered back in the moment when Shouji had grabbed her hand initially, trying not to lose her in the crowd before they had found their place but he felt like she was just leading him from place to place, though he didn't entirely dislike it. Even when they stopped near the middle of the crowd, he couldn't help as he watched her dance. He was a bit to captivated to move really. She was something else. Something he'd never seen before.

He snapped out of it though and started to dance as the crowd closed in and the sound of the music started to rattle his senses. Slipping into the beat of the music was easy, leaving him in another world as his eyes slowly opened to catch a glimpse of her as he continued to dance next to her. Did they really need to drink at all? This was a totally addicting high all on it's own.

As the crowd started to cluster in further, there was a brief moment where they were close and she moved in closer until she was almost under him. Beads of sweat wicked off her brow in small beads and her body turned as she sank to almost a crouch before she stole a glance at him. Megura was too lost in the sound to notice how much he had stared, but she knew her blood was raging to the sound, drowning out her hunger.

She kept dancing as the bodies packed together and she felt someone else's body collide against her back as the crowd bounced up and down again. It was tight, suffocating almost if she had to actually breathe only right before the cluster released and she stepped back from him only slightly to give him room. When people packed in together again like a pulse, pushing towards the front, she huffed, opening her eyes to stare up at him and for a moment a ring of red was faintly visible from her eyes.

It had probably been a few hours now of dancing and the waves of music brought that brought them back together again had her having to steal glances elsewhere as her throat finally started to feel dry and parched. Still, she was opening her eyes, looking up at the ceiling as the strobe lights passed over her before closing them. She was glistening lightly with sweat, but her chest heaved as she took in a deep breathe and glanced at Shouji and laughed. His scent above the obnoxious scent of all the rest filled her senses vibrantly and her face brightened up instantly with a feverish smile.

There was nothing better than getting lost in the moment, dancing and drinking in the scent of people. Feeling like a part of the crowd, it was here she forgot her hunger. She could pretend she wasn't a vampire because here wolves and sheep of all kind danced to the music that made her ears feel the pound of the bass as the crowd grew louder than the sound of their hearts surrounding her.

Shouji could tell she was nearly lost in the sensation too. He felt his limbs start to tire and was thankful the music slowed as the song shifted to something else. His attention drew to the stage a moment before he felt her hand brush his arm and he immediately looked at her. It was then that he finally caught her gaze and her eyes stared deeply back into his, nearly stealing his breath away. He smiled. It was nice seeing her relaxed. Even sweaty and slightly rustled she was beautiful.

Megura couldn't help but smile back to him. Her eyes caught with his in the moment as the lights swung overhead. She could feel her mood sway, high almost feverish in tune with the song waving over the crowd. It was calm, chilling, and as she felt them inch closer, her hand came up to towards him. She laughed under her breath as she passed her hand over his face before bring it back down his chest. Slowly reaching to cup his face, her eyes fluttered almost closed. She was almost ready to kiss him as she felt a sharp shove, knocking her into him.

She could see the surprise in his face and her eyes widened at the realization of the liquid staining her dress. Megura tried to laugh, attempting to ignore the pain that shot up her side. She held Shouji's arms as she tried to keep herself still and the blade, rigid and sharp ripped from her side across her back, making her gasp. Her head fell as she squeezed his arms almost deathly tight and she trembled.

Shouji kept his eyes on her, his hands on her hips as he caught her. He wanted to smile back despite having almost fell as someone shoved her, but he caught himself. Before he could even look her over, it felt like time had sped up and he only watched her, barely even beginning to check on her well being. Everything happened so fast. Her expression concerned him even.

As Shouji saw pain then pure fury cross her face, he tried to ask if she okay. "Meg-" Was about the only words he could get out before she was out of his grip. It happened so quick. His eyes were on her and she was gone. He started forward then he stopped himself from pursuing her when he felt something wet and sticky on his hand and he almost looked down.

Her reaction to whatever happened shocked him as she turned to the crowd and screamed. He didn't get it. Why was she? His stomach turned when he saw the wound in her back and he gasped. "-" he didn't get anything out before she was gone. What? What just happened? She just...

He looked at his hands again, only more thoroughly. The blood was more evidence now only right when he looked back up in desperation to grab her but couldn't see her. He was so confused. He did see her get stabbed and then she ran away. How was that even possible? He moved through the crowd calling for her. He looked down seeing spots of blood, but it was smeared by dancing feet, before he could confirm it was even blood.

"MEGURA!" He tried to yell over the crowd. He saw people come back in panicked from the back door. Maybe she," he didn't finish the thought. The crowed seemed to thicken as he tried to get to the back door or the club.

Forgetting herself with him, she felt her vision tunneling. While trying to keep her cool, Megura straightened with righteous fury as she twirled to meet the face of someone squashing himself back in between the crowd. For her, he was a fool. She caught his smell and she howled something in another language as the crowd danced cheerfully. It was hard to hear her cursing his name as the music roared back to life and the crowd pushed in. Megura screamed internally, holding her side all-the-while her blood was boiling in her veins and her instincts called for her to initiate the chase.

The smell of her own blood, the mixture of sweat and bodies brought her down from her trance and she felt the wound ooze blood, but her anger surged through; making her stand up, baring her fangs. "Dammit!" She screamed, her voice barely a whisper over the crowd as she turned to grab someone, shoving them out of the way hard. She shouldered through after them before she ran out the back door of the warehouse.

"Where the fuck did you go?! Fuckin' punk! Stab me and run!" She growled, "COWARD!" She snarled, kicking the door open, putting a dent in it as a wolf jumped from the shadow of her blindside.

She turned and whipped him across the face with her fist. Whatever it was, it's teeth grazed her fist as she punched it and it rolled across the concrete before popping up. Before she could set her eyes on it, she was staring at an overgrown looking wolf with limbs more anthropomorphic... Like a human. "I heard about you piss ants. What the fuck did I do to deserve this?!"

Lau licked his chops, laughing as he hunched down. He staggered, regaining himself as he stood and readied himself. His tail was low but he wasn't beaten down.

"Didn't think we'd find one, but damn, you had her down pat, Lau." Gwen said, puffing her chest out proudly.

"I told you the city," he huffed pretty proud of his skills. Her scent littered the city so easily.

"You fucker! You have balls for attacking me! Lunge at me again, I'll kill you!" Megura howled, her rage had her blind. She didn't think to call for Daichi or anyone.

"We've got one, boys." Gwen laughed, noting Roku behind her. They had her cornered now, she could only run back inside and if she did, Gwen would shoot her in the back easily.

Lau lunged again and Megura kicked him off to the side. He hit the wall and slumped before Gwen loaded her crossbow and shot at vampiress. Naturally, Megura dodged with ease, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the huntress.

Making quick work of the lycan, Megura made a lunge for Gwen and the two dropped to the ground in a tussle right as two guys busted out to find the two in the alley.

"Bro! What's going on out here?!"

"I dunno, some chick flung open the back door."

"Oh, man, it sounds like a dog fight! Oh- Oh fuck!" The punker yelled, his yellow tipped mohawk cupped the top of the door as he covered his mouth and watched two females tussle on the ground. He could see the blood on the ground. "Shit! It's a fight! One of em' is bleeding!"

"What do you saw we break this place up?" The attendant asked.

Daichi laughed, kicking one leg over the other, "See this badge?" He asked, "If you fuck up, I can't get your ass out of this. Honestly, keep the drugs down this time. I'm looking for light trafficking off the dance floor, but not back here. If you're going to traffic, do it a little more discretely, unless you want me to crack down as an officer of the law." He told him.

"Well, damn, you're asking the impossible- Daichi. I'm doing my damnd'est to get you the money. You gotta work with me."

"I am, I'm clearly defining a rh-" he started as someone busted through the door.

"BOSS!" He yelled, his spiky yellow tips curbing the door frame, "There's a blood match outside. I think there were dogs too in the alley!" He yelled breathlessly.

"See?" Daichi commented, waving a hand. "Come, let's break this up." He told the attendant as he stood up.

Megura punched Gwen in the face, hard, but the blunt end of the bow came up and blindsided her. Lau stood away as the humans gathered and Gwen swung on top of her, smashing her face into the concrete. "Bitch, you'll come quietly or I'll fucking end you!" She would love nothing more than this.

Megura screamed and pushed her knees under her, throwing her off with ease. In what seemed like lightning fast movement, she was on top of Gwen, fangs finally out and she was ready to tear her throat out right as the guys busted out back again; Daichi being one of the few.

The dance floor was in an uproar, but the word was traveling fast of something occurring outside that had people trying to exit to see.

Roku wasn't sure what to do. They provoked her and she was clearly stronger than the other vampires they had come across. He choked, unable to do anything, but watch Gwen fight on her own. He knew it would be pointless seeing Lau get kicked away painfully again and again. It was all in slow motion though. He saw Megura fling Gwen off and then turn to pin her down quickly. She was about to rip Gwen's throat out.

He moved then, not seeing Daichi come out the back. He wrapped his arm around Megura's throat as quickly as he could to pull her back in a choke hold. He used as much strength as he could muster to keep her from biting Gwen. "AH-" he yelled.

Everyone was crowding the back door. Shouji figured she had to be back that way and he pushed his way closer to the door. He was so close to the back of the club. He could see over the tops of a few heads, almost seeing the backdoor when he bumped into someone and tried to squeeze by.

The guy wasn't having it though and he grabbed the collar of the back of his shirt, making Shouji look up at him. He was huge. Shouji tried to move quickly past him, trying to manuever out of his grip, but the man turned and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Sorry-" he tried to say, but the man was already pissed, trying not to make eye contact with the gorilla-like man.

"You gotta problem?" He snarled, curling a lip. He shoved Shouji then, hard enough to knock him into several other people and then to the ground.

"Hey I-" he grunted as he was shoved. He hit the ground and winced. Shit. He didn't have time for this.

"Tattooed little fagot." He growled, looking down at him. Shouji tried to get up but someone else fell over him. As more people joined in, shoving and punches broke out over the crowd.

Shouji tried to stand, but the gorilla of a man grabbed him by his vest and punched him in the face. He felt something break as pain exploded over his face, blinding him. He wasn't sure if it was his jaw or his cheek, but a searing pain nearly knocked him out.

He tried to open his eyes but everything was a blur. Trying to reach at the hand over his best, he struggled over the overwhelming stench of alcohol that hit him. suddenly he felt the grip on his vest ease and he almost breathed in a sigh of relief when a pair of hands roughly grabbed his shoulders. The guy wasn't finished. He kneed Shouji hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him as he popped off the floor before falling.

Shouji thought he heard him smiling as he felt his ribs crack over his knee. The air wouldn't come back in fast enough as he coughed before the large brutish hands threw him into the crowd. The mob exploded into a frenzy after that went after his aggressor for that but the guy flung into the first few people coming at him. He didn't seem to care, almost like he lived only for the fight. Clearly the steroids were fucking with his brain and the alcohol only provoked him to act out. That and the possibly some Molly. He just started throwing punches everywhere then as people tried to drag him down.

Shouji felt all the air leave him then and he coughed up blood. He was in so much pain as he stumbled back into people before bouncing off their bodies, colliding with another person then the ground again. He looked up, but only in time to get kicked in the face as people trampled over him to get in closer to the fight.

Daichi sniffed, regarding the blood in the air, "Pack up, I smell a fight inside brewing." He regarded to the club owner, walking forward towards Roku.

Megura's vision was tunneling and she was loosing air quick as she dug her nails deep into Roku's arm, drawing blood. Finally able to muster enough strength and focus, she opened her mouth and hurled her shoulders up so she could wriggle her neck out of his hold just enough to push his arm up. Immediately after she sunk her teeth into his arm, tearing into his flesh and her eyes glowed brightly in the low light. Oh the blood. Sweet blood. Her eyes closed as she chomped harder before she felt a blunt force hurl into her.

Roku screamed when she bit him. She was literally eating his arm off. He kept his grip though to make it easier for Gwen, seeing her from his peripherals. He felt the blows to Megura jerk her back and he held tightly keep her still as he was right behind her. It didn't hurt nearly as bad as his arm.

Gwen jabbed the stake into her stomach and the blood just started pouring everywhere. She could hear a low whimper as Megura bit into Roku and right as she went to grab for another, a booted foot slammed down on her wrist, knocking the second stake out of it. Gwen screamed, ear piercingly loud as he twisted his heel in and her other hand released the vampire. Her vision doubled but despite her pain she grabbed her knife from her belt and swung for the blade right as Daichi forced all his weight down on her wrist, snapping it - almost into shattered pieces - before turning and swiftly kicking Roku in the back of the head.

The blunt force of his weight transferred in one clean swing and he was sure it would knock him back against the wall and it did. Roku felt his head explode with pain and not to long after his face had meshed with the concrete, did his eyes finally begin to roll.

A large pool of blood started forming around his head then, staining a good portion of concrete as he slid down to the ground slowly and slumped against it. Despite still faintly being conscious, his pain was unimaginable. He couldn't stand it, but his mind wouldn't allow him to faint.

Attempting to move, Roku tried to sit up, but his neck wouldn't lift his head. It felt like it was broken and he could only watch Daichi continue the onslaught against them. Fuck. He was stuck here now completely at the mercy of those around him. On top of that, he in so much pain he could barely understand his surroundings anyway.

Daichi looked at Roku, watching him after he hit the concrete wall. Seeing Roku slam against it and the wall crack somewhat as his body slumped satisfied him but his attention and focus was back to her again. Only then did Daichi finally get a better look at her, "Princess, oh," he frowned, his deepest sympathy in regarding her current state. She hardly looked human like this. He turned then, his eyes piercing red as he wheeled on Lau, noticing him struggling to drag himself away. Daichi's eyes were piercing, the red ring of vampirism was clearly steeped in a seething rage coming to fruition.

Lau scrambled up but his movements were delayed. "Shit!" He winced, grabbing his probably fractured jaw as he tried to throw himself forward, but he even as hobbled into a sprint he could hear the footsteps pick up pace. Daichi chased him down as he tried to get further away, but he caught the back of his shirt by the collar, slamming him down into the ground. He saw his face before a fist came full into view and he tried to shield himself as the first blow came down. Pain exploded from his arm and he felt like something fractured. His arms slammed up against his face and parted a little. He opened one eye and another fist came down as he tried to curl into fetal position to take the second blow.

Daichi never let go of his collar as he punched him, there was a flurry of hits over the kid's head and chest before he stomped down hard on his thigh and made him unwind from the ball. Lau yelped, something cut out, maybe a cry for mercy or help in between as Daichi laid into him. Another hard stomp came down and something snapped as Lau moaned painfully, his leg broken.

Daichi was hardly finished. He picked Lau up quickly and turned him over as he slammed him against the floor. His hand on his collar was now pulling the fabric tight against his throat, choking him and his other hand was twisting Lau's arm behind his back, "Beg me," he grinned, licking his lips, "Not to snap you in half and drink from your mangled body, whelp."

The owner, punk, attendant, and other employees stood in complete and utter awe. For some, Daichi looked like some bad ass from a movie. To the owner and a few others, shared cringes were exchanged at the inhuman abilities of the man before them... If he could even be called that.

"Gather her," Daichi pointed, regarding the broken girl on the ground, her orange and white striped dress was stained in blood and what remained of her costume almost looked like something from an apocalyptic movie scene except it was very much real.

Megura panted, her eyes crimson, a shiny pool of red beneath her as she twitched, her hand lightly tapping the stake as if touching it sent waves of pain through her. Her hair muffled her mouth as sweat caking her face dripped down over her one open eye. She let loose a long and low moan, attempting to stay awake through her rage but she was all but fizzled out now.

Even still, a short whimper of anger rumbled from her throat, but her body was still wheeling on the blows she was dealt. "Auuhh!" She whined as Gwen's accompanying screams drowned out the noise from inside.

"QUICKLY!" Daichi growled, flipping his white hair back out of his face as he pushed Lau further against the ground, then kicked his legs apart and slammed his boot against his right leg, the one he had broke earlier. Lau screamed but he pressed his knee into his back, shoving his face into the concrete to muffle him.

"Aau-augh!" Lau screamed, his leg twisting unnaturally as he broke down against the ground and moaned, barely holding onto consciousness.

Daichi let go of his head as he shifted his weight to his knee where he had pinned him from his center. He knew he wasn't getting up with all his broken limbs. Calmly, Daichi pulled out his magnum. His gaze set on the tip of the barrel as he looked down it slowly before he adjusted the silencer's barrel slightly and then cocked the gun. Lau's eyes grew wide and he stared up at Daichi who gave him a fanged grin, "Send my regards to your master," he laughed and shot him in the head.

Lau dropped, dead silent. He was motionless to the ground, but thankfully... This wouldn't kill him. Thankfully.

As the attendant and two bar employees picked up Megura, Daichi was quick to swivel on them. "Don't hurt her!" He snapped, making their movement rigid as stiffened up like a pair of wooden boards. Daichi forgot about the hunters instantly - or maybe it was a mercy - and was quickly at her side, leaving the two broken lycans and hunter scattered across the ally.

He touched her bright hair, caressing her cheek sweetly. He loved her. How could he not? She was beautiful, so elegant even in her fury. Gwen's incessant sobbing snapped something in him and before he could turn heel, he heard police. "Shit," he growled, grabbing the phone from his pocket as he called for his driver. Picking her up himself, he watched the car swing around the front into the alleyway between the two warehouses. Daichi walked her up to the door as someone opened it for him.

As he eased her in, Daichi got in behind her before he looked back at another hand that brushed the door. He shoved the attendant back, "Find your own way out of this mess," he growled, clearly not in the mood as he slammed the door shut.

"Shit!" The owner cringed, staring at his attendant.

"Shit! Shit shit shit shit shit shit! Oh my god! We're going to get arrested!" The punk started to freak, grabbing at his head.

"Shut up! Both of you, grab the suit cases, pack up. We're getting out of here!" He yelled his men.

Somewhere, among all the fighting, someone dragged Shouji out from under the riot. She had him pressed firmly against her breast, coddling his head as bottles flew over head. "Dear god," she gasped, looking down at him, "Oh honey," Amari whispered pitifully. The state he was in was hardly anything good. "Don't leave yet. If you die now, you'll never get to live your life through." She could sense something about him. Something strangely different but even still as he suffered, she knew what she had seen of him tonight.

Amari brushed his hair back, "Your journey is only beginning. I know it hurts." She drew her bottom lip in, looking around. She needed to get out, but she didn't want to leave him, not yet at least. She felt bad, she had seen the man stomp him, break him over his knee. It had horrified her that he might die before they got the chance to lure her out.

Shouji heard a voice he didn't recognize. He coughed and blood poured from him mouth, dribbling down his cheek. He was wheezing and his chest was tight. He wasn't really able to breath, making it hard to focus through to listen but the crowd sounded like a dull roar growing more distant. He tried to wake up, but he kept slipping back under the heavy darkness that beckoned him with sweet silence.

When he came to again he tried to open his eyes, but one one would really open. Looking down at him, she could probably see his cheek was broken. The flesh had popped open from the pressure, leaving a gash there near his broken nose. Lastly he had a dislocated jaw that made his face look terrifying, making him a bit hard to recognize.

Shouji was in shock and couldn't feel much, which was good. With each straggled break, he was having a harder time breathing though and his breathes became long wheezes that sharply stopped as if he was gasping for air. It was like a weight was crushing him, forcing him down into the silence. He let out a wheeze that sounded so bad before his breath caught and he sounded like he was almost hyperventilating but he was just struggling to continue the breath.

Several ribs on his left side were broken and his chest cavity was filling with air and blood which was constricting around his lungs.

"Poor kid," she whispered through the roar of music and fighting. "Do not sleep.... I promise you, it will be the end. Do not... Sleep." She passed again as police busted in. The crowd erupted into a loader roar but filled with more shrieks and cries as people started fleeing. Whistles blew over the music, screaming interrupted fighting and when one officer cut in close enough. He was yelling at Amari to move and put her hands up.

She looked up, knowing he'd receive better care and fled quickly.

"Stop!" Bernard yelled, putting his gun down as he reached for her, but she was gone in the flurry of bodies. He looked down at the poor kid at his feet and whistled for someone to come over.

Smith walked over then and looked at the barely recognizable kid. "Would you look at that." he grinned.

Shouji fell over as she ran off. He heard the cops and hoped Megura was okay. He heard Smith and looked up just in time for a paramedic to come over him. Everything was blurry but he recognized medical team, knowing he was going to be whisked away. "Huh-" he wheezed, seeing the light shine into his eyes, blinding him.

"He has air in his chest cavity!" One medic called.

Another took a large needle and shoved it into his side. There was a pop and then a sound of air escaping.

"HUH!" Shouji gasped finally able to breath again. Everything blurred again as his eyes rolled.

"He's slipping!" He heard before he passed out.