Love Bites

I know this has been done before, but I really think the idea of vampires and slayers really fits into the world of Bleach. Ok I will be borrowing some themes from traditional vampire stories and legends, but don't expect this to be a crossover or anything.

This opening chapter doesn't really give much away, but the basis of this story is that the Hollows and Arrancars are vampires and the Shinigami are slayers. So without further ado, I present to you the first chapter of Love Bites.

Enjoy! ;)

The shredded remains of a human were splayed upon the centre of a deep mahogany table, dominating the centre of the drawing room. The blood that once flowed steadily had now slowed to a rhythmic, steady dripping. Forming a dark, bloody puddle on the polished parquet floor.

The room was entirely shrouded in darkness, only the security lights in the garden provided a small source of light from the windows which had all been violently smashed, allowing the curtains to flap wildly in the wind, almost like bats.

Upturned furniture littered the room, personal items and ornaments smashed to pieces. The puddle had grown now staining a silk, floral scarf. Turning the clean, cream material a crimson red.

Red was all she could see, tucked away in a small armoire next to the bookcase. A small child was shaking in fear. Her eyes wide and unblinking, glued to the scene before her. Through the small hole in the front of the armoire, no bigger than a small coin, she saw everything. Breathing loud and laboured, she had her small hands clamped firmly over her mouth, desperately trying to control the shrieks which were threatening to escape at any second. But she couldn't let them yet, she didn't know if they were still here.

The occasional fluttering of the curtains and the sound of the steady dripping was tempting her to come out of her hiding place; she thought she could no longer hear them.

Small hands cautiously opened the door, on alert for any sound or movement. Crawling out of the armoire wide eyes darted frantically around the room. She was shivering from both the cold and from fear, but she had to find get away and find help. A sharp piece of wood was sticking out from where the table leg hadn't been fully broken off. She ran towards it, using all the strength left in her tiny body to break it off. The snapping sound of the leg breaking off caused her to jump and stare at the door in terror, hoping that none of them heard it if they were still around. That was a big if; even though she was young she knew what they were, and what they could do. They had incredible hearing as well as inhuman speed, strength and many other skills.

Deciding it was best not to wait around much longer, she plucked up the courage to leave the room. Clutching the sharp table leg in both her hands, she made her way towards the door.

She gently pushed the door open, holding her breath expecting one of them to be there waiting for her. However there was no one there, feeling slightly relieved she poked her head out and looked left and right down the corridor. Empty.

A shuddery sigh passed her lips, but it wasn't time to relax yet she thought to herself; the danger was not over yet. Not until she left this place.

She closed the door silently behind her and began to tip toe down the lengthy corridor, her small heart was beating wildly in her tiny body. She had to stop halfway though, holding in a sob that was shaking her whole frame. Pressing her free hand to her eyes she wiped away the tears spilling down her cheeks. 'Stop it' she thought taking steady breaths to calm herself 'I have to get out', once she recovered herself enough she continued on.

She reached the end of the corridor and turned left through the west wing towards the conservatory. She approached with caution as the doors were wide open – one was hanging off on one side, dangling by the hinges. A bloody handprint on the door caused her to stop once more and clutch the table leg even harder, causing a few splinters to embed themselves in her skin. Plucking up all the courage remaining in her young body she edged forward ducking under the door.

The scene in front of her was far worse than any of her nightmares; and unlike her nightmares this was real and would not disappear no matter how many times she closed and reopened her terrified eyes.

Blood was everywhere and coated everything, but it was the smell. The smell of blood and death, it was so strong it caused the child to lean against the nearest wall and vomit.

The destruction of the room was so severe it was almost as if a hurricane or tornado had swept through the room. The ornate glass ceiling was completely destroyed allowing rain to fall through freely into the wide open space. One of the high walls supporting the ceiling was almost gone, bricks and stone strewn about everywhere.

The girl weakly pushed away from the wall and steadied herself; this was her only option, to walk through the conservatory towards the grand staircase and down through the front door. So with tentative step she entered the nightmare.

She was surrounded by darkness; she kept to the side running her hand along the walls to keep her oriented and not lose direction. It was difficult to walk; she was tripping up and stepping on things she couldn't see. The rain was getting heavier, her clothes and long hair were becoming heavy with water. Sudden loud claps of thunder made her jump and topple over.

Lightening then followed illuminating the room, what she saw caused her to feel sick again once more. She also saw what she had difficulty walking through, bodies. She couldn't supress the scream that burst from her as another loud clap of thunder shook the building. She prayed that no one heard her over the thunder.

Panic began to take over as lightening faded and she once again in darkness. She began to hurry through the bodies, towards the door to the grand staircase.

She stumbled and fell a few times, but eventually managed to make it to the door. She was in such a hurry to leave that hell behind her; so much so that she flung open the door and threw herself through slamming it shut behind her.

Fear gripped her system as she stood frozen on the spot waiting to see if her loud entrance disturbed any anyone. Silence.

Relief again slightly calmed her as she surveyed the new passage. In her panic she dropped her table leg; she looked around and saw it poking out underneath a broken vase.

It was then reaching down for the table leg that she noticed her arm, it was covered in blood. Her clothes were dripping wet with water and blood, she felt horrified thinking it was her own. But as she began lifting her sleeves and examining her skin she realised it must have been when she fell. It was not her own blood; it was the blood from the bodies.

A small whimper left her as she hastily removed her cardigan and threw it on the floor. But still her dress and tights had blood stains on them, and she was shivering from being wet and from fear. Her room was on the other side of the building, she wasn't going to risk it, she would have to stay as she was.

So she set off again, wet and bloody with the table leg clasped in both hands.

As she made it to the end of the passage she could see the grand staircase ahead, she approached slowly and hid behind a large statue.

It was just as bad if not worse than the conservatory, as the large chandelier hanging from the high ceiling provided a bright warm glow, enabling her to see everything clearly. The bodies were unrecognisable, they were literally in pieces. She couldn't believe they were capable of this; they were monsters.

She could not sense any noise of movement, so she left her hiding place and made her way down the stairs. It was too much, death and destruction was everywhere she looked. She was certain she was next.

It was at that moment, she had reached the top of the staircase. She heard voices; she startled immediately turning around frantically on the spot looking for the source. No one was there.

She stood still and concentrated, it was coming from below. The study on the left at the bottom of the staircase. She was unsure what to do it was most likely them, but what if it wasn't? Her young mind although innocent knew they wouldn't spare her even if she was just a little girl.

She made her way down the stairs on tip toes, stopping now and then when the boards creaked and moaned under her weight. Her wide eyes fixed on the door with every step she took.

Once she made it to the bottom she tiptoed over to the door, it was closed shut. But she could still hear faint voices coming from the other side. She pressed her ear to the door, it helped slightly. 'Two men' she thought it sounded like. A small, steady cool flow of air was hitting her arm. She looked down and noticed it was coming from the keyhole. Looking around one more time to see if anyone was approaching her silently from behind, as she bent down slowly and looked through the keyhole.

The light was very dim, the only source was from the fireplace. The flames were dying slowly, but still allowed her to see the two figures in the room.

One was lounging on the divan near the bookcase on the left side of the room, she thought it looked like they were lying down as their legs were extended and dangling off the edge. The other was standing facing the fire.

They were both still, so still and silent. It was as if they had heard her and knew she was watching them. Her heart began to beat wildly, even with the dim lighting preventing her from seeing well she knew what they were. His eyes were glowing; the one on the divan, the one with his back turned must be as well. She had to get away, fast.

The silence stretched on, 'maybe they didn't hear me' she thought. She was just about to turn and make a run for it when the one on the divan got up and walked towards the door whilst speaking much louder this time.

"Don't run away now little girl! We have waited so very long for you to come down here. Your blood… smells so… delicious…" He was so close, she could see his tongue run along his bottom lip as he said this. She ran for it, beginning to hyperventilate as her sobs grew louder and tears ran down her face.

She made it to the front door, heaved the heavy door open and ran through the expansive gardens in the cold rain.

She had to stop to rest once she reached the lake, it was a quite run from the estate to the lake they usually went on horseback. Her vision was also starting to blur, she was almost on the verge of collapsing. But she couldn't give up yet, not after coming this far. 'They are playing with me, I am really going to die' she thought as she slid down against the nearest tree for shelter bringing her legs up to her chest, hugging herself.

"Are you going to fall asleep now girl?" The voice came from above; her eyes snapped open and scanned the trees above her. She couldn't see anyone, she looked around at ground level. No one. She screamed as she felt someone wrap their arms around her from behind.

"Found you! What a fun game that was!" A voice laughed cruelly in her ear, she struggled to break free from his grip but he only tightened his hold making it difficult for her to breathe. She screamed and screamed for help. "Don't be naughty now, let's play another game. It called don't scream or I will kill you slowly and painfully. Doesn't that sound fun little girl?" He laughed again it was maniacal.

'This is it' she thought as he moved her hair away from her neck. He then abruptly turned her around holding her shoulders forcing her to come face to face with the monster.

He looked like a human, but he was far from it. He was a very tall, slim man. So tall that he was on the ground, on his knees and still bending his head down to look at her. He was very pale with long dark hair that hung around his shoulders. Eyes small and menacing, however they glowed faintly in the dark. A trait they all had. Most menacing of all with his wide smile and elongated canines which grew even wider as she stared up at him in terror.

His hand on her shoulder was gripping her very tightly, it was painful. His nails were digging in and felt razor sharp through her clothes. They punctured through to her skin drawing blood, she screamed in pain and pushed against him. Trying to make him stop.

His laughter filled the air as thunder clapped again. He brought his other hand to her face and cupped her cheek. "I want to see you pretty eyes lose their light as I kill you, your frightened face is so lovely." He said as he caressed her check. She flinched away and with a burst of courage bit his hand, hard.

She could taste blood on her lips as he cursed and sharply withdrew his hand, examining the wound. He brought his hand to his mouth and licked the small wound she made, eyes narrowed. "You're a spiteful little thing aren't you" The nails in her shoulder dug in further, her screams echoed off the surrounding trees. "I am going to enjoy killing you little kitty" he whispered as he leaned, mouth open, nearing her throat.

Her screams got louder and more desperate as did her struggle to get away. It was no use, he was too strong. 'I am going to die' she thought as he came nearer and nearer.

"Enough, Nnoitra" A voice commanded.

Everything changed suddenly, the hand and nails in her flesh abruptly disappeared. It was extremely painful, causing her to scream as the hand wrenched away from her. She lost her balance from the momentum and fell to the grass below her.

Looking up through hazy eyes and the heavy rain she noticed that the monster was being pinned against a tree by another shorter man. No another monster. She thought it could have been the same one from the study, but his back was turned so she wasn't sure.

"Your cruelty knows no bounds Nnoitra, we have done what we came to do. Control yourself, the child is not to be harmed. Remember master's orders" The shorter one uttered while releasing his hold on the one named Nnoitra.

"You've always been a party pooper Ulquiorra! I was only teasing!" Nnoitra said while licking his nails clean of the girls blood. "So delicious, seriously Ulquiorra we could make it look like an accident. The master won't mind. You should taste her; I've never tasted blood like hers before!"

The girl was lying on her back, swimming in and out of consciousness. Struggling to keep her eyes open.

Ulquiorra's serious expression left no room for discussion, Nnoitra sulked like a child and continued to lick his fingers savouring every last drop of the little girl's blood. Ulquiorra turned away and walked over towards the girl.

She noticed someone coming over towards her, but couldn't see very well who it was. Fearing it was the monster that hurt her earlier she began to squirm and try to get up. Her body felt really heavy and didn't seem to want to cooperate with her as she finally managed to stand.

"I won't hurt you girl." She noticed that this voice was different, deeper from the other monster. But she didn't want to take any chances and turned to run, she only made it three steps before falling again.

He slowed his steps as he reached her, she was curled up in a ball hands over her face.

"Don't hurt me!" She cried weakly as she peeked through her fingers. She was shaking from fear and the cold, a pitiable sight.

He bent down to her level on the ground, she retreated further into herself desperately trying to get away.

"Your kin are on their way, they are coming to save you so there is no need to be afraid anymore." He lifted one of his pale hands up to his mouth, his fangs were extending. The girl cowered further into herself thinking he was going to bite her. She heard him moan and looked up to see he had bitten his own wrist.

He placed his wrist to her mouth, she twisted and squirmed away. "You must drink girl, the wound on your shoulder is very deep. This will help you."

She looked up to see his face properly for the first time, his eyes were an intense emerald green and slightly luminescent. She thought they were very pretty. He was very pale, paler than the other monster. It made his eyes look brighter. There were lines running down his face, starting from his eyes. They were also the same colour, it made him look like he was crying. The girl thought his eyes looked sad.

The wound was healing fast so he pressed it close to her lips again, she didn't want to but her shoulder felt like it was burning. So she put her lips to his wrist and drank.

Her shoulder felt better instantly and so did her head, her vision was becoming slightly clearer. She felt sick at the thought of what she was doing, but strangely she thought that his blood tasted nice.

He pulled his wrist away when he saw her shoulder heal and the wound close. She looked up at him inquisitively. "Why are you helping me? Aren't you evil too?" Her innocent mind was too confused by his actions.

The emerald eyed man just stared at her, giving her no response.

Suddenly she heard an explosion and turned to see the monster named Nnoitra sprawled on the floor. She could hear people shouting her name in the distance, the monster with the emerald eyes was looking in that direction.

Her vision was still blurry and she really wanted to go to sleep, but as the voices got closer the recognised one - Urahara. He was coming to save her.

The monster with the pretty green eyes then cupped her face in both of his hands and stared at her intently. "Time to sleep Orihime." He whispered and then she closed her eyes, and he was gone.

Orihime woke with a start, her heart was racing and her long hair was sticking to her sweaty body.

"That dream again" she said aloud to herself as she tried to calm down, sinking further into her bed. She turned on her side and looked at her alarm clock, 4:30. "Damm" she cursed as she ran a hand through her messy locks. She knew she wouldn't get back to sleep now.

No matter how many times she had that dream, whenever she woke up she could still feel the warmth on her cheeks from the hands of the monster with the beautiful eyes.