Chapter Text
A ringing in his ears, Kuro felt his lungs slowly filled with smoke. Coughing, he looked around for his family in panic. Startling screams outside and the crackle of burning wood from the interior framework surrounded him. Adrenaline filled his body while fear clouded his mind. As he slid a door open, he felt his own blood drain while seeing the once beige mat, now a deep red. Eyes followed the red trail to the source and found a severely injured servant of the home. Kuro ran towards them with a coughing fit. Kneeling, a hand went directly on their wound and the servant cried in pain, opening their weak eyes. They were alive.
“Young Master. You must escape! They are going to- '' Their coughs cut their sentence short and blood dampened their lips. Kuro could only swear as he pressed more pressure on their wound. Blood continued to seep from the drastic stomach wound. If Kuro knew any better, he believed he was holding in their intestines.
“We need to get you out! Whatever is here, we can get our bearings and fight back!” Kuro shouted.
“Young master you mustn't!” They grabbed Kuro's hand desperately. Pulling it away from their wound as seconds pass, they only grew paler. “You…must leave…keep the clan…alive.” With every word, their gaze became further distant before their last breath. The hold on Kuro released and they young wolf knelt there in shock. With a snap, Kuro looked up at the source of the sound. The burning wood wasn't going to hold. 'I have to move.' More screams came from the hallway as Kuro stood back up, sword in hand that was his only comfort from the start. His sleeve covered his face while his own black straight hair messily stuck and covered his face. The rest, tied up in a high ponytail, while slightly singed at the ends. Barefoot, Kuro took this chance to ran back out, the wood finally giving in and the room collapsed.
'Why. Why was this happening?' What seemed like a peaceful night became the beginning of a massacre. If not red flames, blood redecorated his home. Bodies of those who served his family, and those who were family littered the floor. “Fuck FUCK!”
Every step, he couldn't understand what all occurred. 'Who was attacking us? What is attacking?' Kuro had already looked in his younger brother’s room and there was no sign of him. That meant perhaps the servants or his parents have him; unless.
"No. I can’t think that way!" Kuro continued to go on, passing bodies, both adults and children. However, unusual bodies that slowly became ash caught his attention. Wait, Vampires? They always kept their distance even though. Lowly vampires who followed-
“NO MOM!” A young voice screamed.
Kuro screeched to a halt and looked at an open room to the familiar voice. “Ryou!” With his own heart beating hard, he clenched his sword and ran in. His eyes widened as he saw his little brother, not even ten yet, sobbing and looking up at their mother. Her large wolf form, beautiful as she is, was matted with many injuries and lifted up in the air by one hand. Kuro's hand trembled at the sight. Some man who seemed to have a normal build focused on only her. Whoever he was, there was nothing good about him. Kuro’s hair raised on the back of his neck. Enraged, He lifted his sword and-
“No.”
Kuro paused and his face dropped as he noticed his mother glancing his way. Her soft grey tired eyes. Not used often, but to have his mom speak through their mind meant one thing.
“Take your brother, get to the safe house and find Taka-”
/CRACK/
Her body went limp while Kuro felt his body jump as her eye lost its light and roll back. The man who had killed her with such ease released her neck and her body collapsed on the floor in front of Ryou. The child looking in shock, Ryou raised his trembling hand to touch their mother, but Kuro was already by his side with is swift motion. “Time to go.” Kuro scooped his brother in one arm before swiping his sword towards the other. The man stepped aside which was what Kuro needed as he immediately made his way out the room. “MOMMA! Kuro wait! MOMMA! We need to get momma! She's hurt!” Kuro blinked the tears away as he didn’t stop running despise his brothers screaming pleas. “ Ryou, I'll get her back. We need to get you out first. Close your eyes kiddo.” He said as calm as he could. His own black wolf ears appeared and as he glanced back, the man that killed their mother just stood over their mother before kneeling at her body.
Kuro had to use his strength first to get his brother out. He had to do that. So he ran for an exit, but every time he felt close, there were enemies he fought and fire spread equally as fast as he ran. He could feel his breathing getting harder and hearing his little brother coughing, he could only rub his back. Kuro went into a room and upon seeing a curtain, he sliced a piece and grabbed it. “Okay, here, keep this over your mouth.” Adjusting Ryou in his arm, sword stuck in the floor, Kuro placed the piece over Ryou’s nose and mouth and tied it behind his head. Hands trembling, he cursed. 'Where was his dad? Fighting no doubt, but what if he…' ”FUCK!” He said frustrated which made Ryou jump. 'Our mom is and now. I have to keep it together!' Looking at Ryou whose tears still fell, Kuro only grabbed his sword again. “Hold on to me Ryou. Don't you fucking let go.” Not waiting for a response, he went back out and felt Ryou hold tightly with his trembling arm.
With so many twists and turns, wood falling from the ceiling, Kuro had to dodge and kick down screen doors that only revealed more family mauled and torn apart. He passed it all and kept going until there was finally the door to leave. It was now on the floor and destroyed, but he could finally step out coughing for that fresh cold air. What only awaited them was the sound of snarls, screams, and metal clashing against each other. Taking a look around, Kuro saw guards and clan folk together fighting against the enemy. As he caught his breath, his eyes caught a familiar figure. He gripped his sword, ran towards them, raised his sword, and threw it with accuracy.
“Guah!” The vampire gargled before he fell from a sword in his throat. The familiar figure that Kuro helped turned around and his face reflected that of Takashi's, but his face was more aged and some silver hair slighlty showed in his black hair. But as his golden eyes met Kuro, both relief and worry washed over his face.
“Kuro! Ryou!” The man ran over, Blood on his torn kimono, quickly embracing them both.
“Father.”Kuro coughed and Ryou cried louder in his ear as their father loosened his hold.
“Thank the moon you’re both safe where’s-”
“Poppa! Momma! She-” Ryou choked while Kuro held his crying brother closer to his chest. Kuro Just looked solemn at his father before shaking his head. Tears pricked his own eyes as Kuro tried to stay strong. His father looked shocked and clenched his teeth as he looked away. With what Kuro saw, his own father as fighting his own grief. "My love..." He heard his father said. With a breath, his father looked back to Kuro with a serious gaze. “You need to take your brother out of the area. You know the shelter and where some things are. Call your brother once you both are safe and you must get in contact with the council. They will know about these vampires.” Kuro watched his fathers ears perk before he moved in front of them and raised his bloody sword.His fathers growl shook Kuros own core that he stepped back. His fathers tail behind him raised and puffed out. “You must go now!” His father snapped. Kuro flinched, but with no hesitation, Kuro turned, grabbed another sword from the ground, and ran off towards the shelter. After his father moved, he felt it. An enormous sense of bloodlust. One who perhaps was the next wave of danger. Even though he felt his father's injuries in the embrace, his breathing not in rhythm, his father can hold out!
“Kuro, W-We can't leave Pa!” Ryou cried and hit his small fists on Kuro's shoulder. “He will meet us. He will be fine. He will be.” Kuro grit his teeth. The farther he ran, the air freshened. With Ryou settling a bit from crying so much, Kuro ran through the cold in his messy kimono. Once he jumped and landed over a hill, he quickly ducked and caught his breath. His lungs stung as well as his throat. He listened carefully while his brother whimpered and still held onto him. Hearing only the distant fighting, and nothing too near, he set his sword down and coughed a bit. The suffocation from the smoke was also catching up to him. “Big brother..” Ryou whimpered, his body trembling. Kuro loosened his hold to see Ryou. Kuro hasn't gotten a good look at his brother. Once a cheery lively child is now so pale and afraid. Blood splattered on his face and clothes. Of course he is terrified. Kuro pulled down the fabric he had placed over his nose and mouth that exposed a trembling lip. “Momma and Pa. We can’t leave them. Something scary is there brother.” Ryou's tears fell once again and Kuro wiped the tears mixed with blood and smoke from his face. “I know. Those damn vampires!” He snarled and Ryou sniffled. “Vampires?” He repeated. Such innocence and Kuro could only look to his unaware brother. What could he say to put him at ease?
“Ryou-”
“I swear they came over here.” Kuro's ears perked up, black tail fluffed out while he immediately covered his little brother's mouth. 'Shit, why didn’t I hear them before?' Kuro glanced where he placed his sword and then up to the tip of the hill. Steps on the wet ground came closer and closer. Kuro looked back to Ryou who was trembling back in his arms. Tiny black ears pinned back and meeting Kuro’s gaze. Kuro moved his hand from Ryou’s face and pressed a finger against his own lips. Ryou nodded as he hid his face in Kuro’s shoulder, gripping him tightly while Kuro ever so slowly reached for the sword.
“It was that big guy's kids no doubt. Orders were to kill them all so no loose ends or we’re next.”
Kuro's finger tips were just centimeters away from the hilt before he felt pieces of dirt tumble on his clothes. He froze and as he looked up, One vampire's red gaze looked in the distance. Alarmed, Kuro finally gripped the sword and watched as the enemy's head began to look down.
“They're here!” A distant voice shouted and the vampire whipped his head and ran off to the left. Kuro waited and was able to release his breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “ We got to go.” Kuro whispered and looked to his brother before standing up.
“Go Where exactly~?” A curious tone sang out that reached Kuro's ear. Kuro had no time to react as he felt the cold breeze hit his back then sudden sharp pain. He cried out as his body fell forward. He gained his balance using his sword to prop him up just quick enough. He jumped back away from where he was attacked and heard Ryou cry again as he looked around. No one was there, but the feeling of his clothes becoming wet and the pain on his back made him know something was out there. There was laughter in the air and Kuro felt like he was trapped. Ryou feeling heavy in his arms had the oldest only hold him tighter. He needed to get Ryou safe.
“Two strays left to save themselves, but not just any strays. Royal ones.” The voice echoed and Kuro pull his sword up and looked around through the thick dark woods. “What to do.. You both seem ripe for the picking and it would be shameful if you both died too. A waste of a bloodline of strong and prosperous Werewolves. Yet, it makes sense why you must die.”
“You do a lot of talking. Is your specialty having your victims die of boredom?” Kuro heard a twig snap to his right and quickly adjusted his position to face the noise. The voice only laughed, ”Oh that would be too easy!” His ears flicked before he felt a breath and heard a whisper up against it."My specialty is watching my food tear themselves apart."
A sharp pain went to his leg and as he shouted, he noticed his own sword he wielded went straight through his upper calf.
"Kuro!" Ryou said and Kuro could only tremble from the pain that spread in his body."Ryou don't look!" Kuro snapped while there was more laughter surrounding them.
With a pain-filled grunt, Kuro pulled out the sword, blood immediately seeping in his clothes and his leg collapsed under him. Kneeling Kuro bared his teeth and stuck the sword in the ground. His own blood from his sword trickling down to the floor. 'I can't let this get worse.' With Ryou there, Kuro had to worry about keeping him safe, but with what this damn vampire did…Kuro pushed himself up and hoped his fast healing abilities would do the rest.
"Ryou, listen to me carefully. Remember that secret place you keep finding me at? Go and find it again." Kuro began to readjust Ryou in his arm. “No. I don't-Big brother don't leav-”
“Ryou I'll be right behind you. When I say, you run and you don’t stop.” Kuro glanced to Ryou who looked terrified before he felt his hand once again freeze. Kuro's ear then turned to the left and Kuro swiftly moved his arm and watched the blade swipe air. Hand numb, it fell beside him. Kuro then placed Ryou down on the floor and pushed him in the opposite direction. “Now!” Kuro kept his back towards Ryou while he smirked and watched the vampire appear in front of his eyes.
“Clever…you were even able to see me..” The man with black long straight hair and pale skin mused. He touched his own cheek that bled slowly where Kuro's blade swiped him.
“Well, your breath stench is hard to forget.” Kuro said as he heard his brother run off behind him and the vampire raised a brow then laughed. “So what, You think I won’t go after the little one once I'm done with you?” He tapped his own chin and smirked devilishly. Kuro squinted before he watched his hand with the blade raise suddenly. His eyes widened and used his other hand to grab his own wrist. Kuro swallowed while he glanced at the blade now on his own neck. 'Why is my arm not listening?' He grunted, blood dribble from the small cut as he kept the blade from slicing his own neck. The vampire laughed further and came over with confidence. “My my my, you have a tongue on you. Hrm, do you think I should do something about that? Hm?" Kuro growled before he felt him reluctantly opening his mouth. Confused, he went to step back but it was like his feet were stuck in place.
“What if I just ripped it out and watch you choke on your own blood? Let's see how fast you can really heal?” Kuros' breath quickened. He can’t get out! Only glaring at the vampire as his hand inched forward to his mouth, Kuro began to panic! Icy fingers touched and twirled around his tongue with the vampires murderous gleam watching his expression. Kuro wanted to vomit. His tongue played with had him shudder in disgust. The vampire chuckled before grabbing his tongue with his thumb and index finger. “Well, I wished you lasted longer, but because of you, I have a bite-sized snack to hunt next.” He smiled and Kuro’s blood ran cold. Kuro swallowed but, with his hand that restrained himself, he closed his eyes and released it. The wolf didnt feel numb and still held the sword. His own head still attached for that second, Kuro mustered strength for another swipe and his blade went straight into the other's neck. There was a choking gasp from the vampire as Kuro continued to try to cut all the way through but his arm froze once again. “YOU MANGY MU-” The vampire choked, immediate blood spilled from their mouth and neck. Kuro did stop there. His teeth shut with no hesitation. Blood and fingers filling his mouth leaving only the worst taste he's ever had. The vampire eyes widened and staggered back. A struggling screech came from him while Kuro stood there, still frozen, but he spat out those fingers and blood. “Your trick has a few holes, doesn't it.” Blood dribbled down his lips and watched the vampire struggle breathing. “Can only control a couple of things at a time. Hah, It looks like you're the one choking tonight.” The vampire grabbed his own throat and for Kuro, it was like strings snapped and his beaten body felt lighter.
Kuro rolled his shoulders as he took a step closer. Free at last. The vampire staggered back more before he decided to run. Kuro spat once again and tossed the blade onto the cold wet ground.” If you want to use your tricks. I will use mine.”
—---------
Panting and living for the rush, Kuro continued to chase after a terrified vampire who now was a tattered mess that's missing an arm and tripping over their own feet. ”HIEEE G-GET AWAY!” The vampire screeched as Kuro eagerly followed, the smell of smoke only became stronger yet again to Kuro. They were heading back home. No matter, Kuro was hunting only one thing and as he took that final leap, his large wolf form was right over the vampire. An animalistic snarl escaped as he landed right on top of him.
Vampire screams filled his ears while his prey could only squirm underneath. Catching his prey he grabbed his head in his jaw, snarling and thrashing them around while his paws pinned their shaking body. Kuro continued to thrash until there was a snap and he pulled up, taking the head with him. Head torn from body and he released the head mid fling and it flew in the air. It hit the floor looking unrecognizable and rolled. The head eventually slowly came to a stop against another's foot.
Kuro panted, mouth dripping in blood and saliva as he looked to where the head rolled. "So we got one more. " A calm deep voice said. Kuro snarled, bloody teeth baring as he sees red eyes and noticed he was holding something. A collar of a Kimono and-
"Father!" Kuro's ears folded back, but looked back at the man who emitted that same dangerous aura from before. A part of him was telling him to run, but why? This vampire stood so god damn proud in front of his burning home! Father on his knees and barely breathing. Kuro felt his body tremble. Not his father too! Kuro snarled and barked while blind rage had him charge. Even as the vampire spoke, Kuro heard nothing. He only saw red and lept to attack. His jaws opened to go for his throat ,but what he felt, is his side take a sudden blow. Kuro felt and heard cracks before his body flew to the side, falling ,and tumbling on the floor with a yelp. He was in so much pain and his breathing….it's worse. There was a high pitch sound in his ears as his blurry eyes refocused and saw his father mouthing something but looking his way. Kuro shook his head from the ringing and the crackle of the flames.
"Ahhh, so this is your son. Well, Let me do you a favor then. I would say I am being more than merciful."
'What?' Kuro wheezed and didn't even comprehend he was back in his human form before his hair was grabbed. Kuro shouted from the pain but also his side was in so much pain.
He kicked out and hands reached up to try to grab his assailant but all he heard next was, "No, Not my son! Don't! HES JUST A CHILD!" His father was shouting, but another type of fear in him. 'What? What was happening?' Kuro turned his head as much as he could and watched as he was being dragged closer to his home that became a gigantic bonfire. It didn't take much time for Kuro to realize what was going to happen and started thrashing. Adrenaline high as he shouts his curses. “Let me go you piece of shit! I said let go, you bastard! N-No! Get off of me!”
"You had your chance Mr.Shirogane and I wasn't lying when I told you.," The man stopped and Kuro felt his heart beating out of his chest, tears falling as he already felt the heat singing more of his hair being so close to the fire. He looked from the vampire that held him to his father who was now pinned on the floor and looked different. His eyes looked broken, but that couldn’t be. "P-Pa."
"I would scar and rid everything you love. At least your son can be with his mother." And in an instant, Kuro felt his body yanked back, his hands reaching out for his father. Everything seemed to be going so slow, his father's voice couldn't be heard but he watched his lips move, his eyes looked only more terrified and in pain. Kuro’s clear last look before his body flew deeper. Heat swallowed his body immediately and Kuro could only reach his hands out and scream.