Vampire's Kiss

Alright, this is the last chapter for this year. So, in over all, this year wasn't too bad. Yeah, there were downs, but there were also ups.
As for this project,
It is the beginning of the new arc - Crimson Twilight!~
You can say that it can be opened with ''Miwa - chAngE'' https://youtu.be/KbetinNS-bY
So, what kind of changes these chapters will bring in the future? Let's find out!~

More importantly,
since it is a Christmas Eve, I want to give me warmest and kindest greetings for Miau, Owl, and anyone else love and support for this project(୨୧•͈ᴗ•͈)◞ᵗʱᵃᵑᵏઽ*♡

So, without Miau this project even wouldn't even see the daylight. That's why, Thank You, dear Miau, for giving me inspiration to start this story, and your interactions and the reactions to it ♥(✿ฺ´∀`✿ฺ)ﾉ
Also, your fanart is so precious and adorable❤ You can tell it comes from your heart ^^ Yup, as an author, it really makes me proud and grateful❤
Of course, Kudos for Owl too ♡＾▽＾♡ Even if you have no knowledge about KOF, you still picked to read this story, which I cannot explain how much I appreciate that ❤ So, your love and dedication to read each and every little chapter or one-shot means a lot (´∀｀)♡ Especially, when you spend your precious time to read the story, which I claim as still continuing love letter dedicated to Castlevania series and KOF. You have no idea how much I'm proud to have not only a supportive reader, but also a good friend like you (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

So, thanks to you two, this project still lives and will continue ❤

Anyway, and for the rest of those who reads this story - Thank You!❤
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Update: revisited and updated at 2026/02/20

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A week has passed since the encounter against hunter Kain. Even after the heavily wounded blonde was brought to the Hunter Guild during that night, the guild master showed no mercy for their ex-member. That’s right; even being judged for his crimes against the guild members and supernatural beings, improper practice after capturing them, being involved in the black market, and other crimes, Kain remained proud and unaffected. And thus, the once-known legendary vampire hunter never swung his blade again.

Meanwhile, the guild infirmary had to deal with, probably, one of the toughest challenges they ever encountered. No, it is not treating a large number of people after a battle against a fearsome demonic creature. In this case, the poor medics barely could do anything to heal one certain redhead once he regained consciousness.

That’s right; none of the nurses could think that after only a couple of days, Iori would be so lively despite the fatal injuries. Or this is how they called his resisting and agitated behavior.

Hell, according to one of the nurses, only five minutes of turning her head away was enough to let the redhead escape the room.

Although, during the first days, Iori’s not-so-great escape has ended up with him falling from the bed and trying to crawl as far as he could until he was noticed and put back into the bed.

However, as the week has passed, it has gotten worse.

Fortunately, today, Yashiro decides to visit and see how his disciple is doing.

However, he spots Iori at the right time before he climbs through the window.

Of course, the redhead is not so glad that not only does his attempt to leave this place end with failure, but also that fool throws him over his shoulder and carries him like a sack of potatoes.

Soon, the silver-haired hunter learns about Iori’s reckless behavior and decides to take drastic measures.

Now, the redhead may die from embarrassment by being carried through the entire guild while only wearing pajamas.

The last time Iori was treated like this was when Yashiro brought him to the hunter guild when he was a child.

But even now, he does not dare to object and attract more unwanted attention.

Fortunately, such a trip does not last long.

After reaching and entering Iori’s room, Yashiro sits his disciple at the bedside and starts to lecture him. “Why do you have to be like this, Yagami-chan? You know, you’re only hurting yourself, and you’ll never heal if you do this.”

But the redhead hunter keeps his head hung without saying a word.

Despite that, Yashiro adds in a caring tone. “No matter what reason you may have, it can wait. So, I cannot let you leave your room until you’re fully recovered. Then, you can do what you want, even see that vampire.”

Just after mentioning the last part, Iori suddenly lifts his head and gives an indignant look at his mentor while tightly grasping the bedsheet.

However, Iori’s intimidating look and growling only make the silver-haired hunter laugh.

As Yashiro ruffles Iori’s hair, he replies. “Did I hit the right spot, Yagami-chan?~ You’re way too easy to read.”

Surely, Iori has had enough of it, and he roughly brushes Yashiro’s hand away.

It is followed by Yashiro’s snort and adding. “Well, whatever~ Anyway, should I grab you something before I leave?”

Of course, the veteran hunter is sure that this time Iori will remain silent.

To his surprise, the redhead asks in a modest voice. “Do you know where the witch’s shop is? There is something that I need to send there.”

After noticing Yashiro’s smug face, Iori frowns and explains. “I just got into a deep debt! This time I need to bring blood bags to that woman. I’ll pay you back when I can. Just deliver as much as you can get to Chizuru Kagura.”

Now, the redhead impatiently awaits the answer.

For sure, it is one of those rare cases when Iori is serious about something. Otherwise, he may have already lost his patience and use more foul language against Yashiro like any other time.

Knowing Iori, this is the most polite he can ever get. That’s why the silver-haired hunter listens to his disciple’s request. Besides, he is curious to see what Yagami is up to this time.

“Rest assured. I’ll find that person. But promise me that you won’t try to escape. Got it?” Yashiro reassures him.

Instead of saying anything else, the redhead only turns his head while murmuring. “Just leave already, you fool…”

Once again, Yashiro takes this as Iori’s best attempt at thanking. Thus, the veteran hunter turns around and raises his hand before taking his leave.

Finally, the redhead is alone. For now, he decides to wait for a bit longer; then, he may try to sneak out without getting caught by that idiot.

On the other hand, taking a nap won’t do any harm, will it? Perhaps, it’ll also help to restore a bit of strength.

And thus, without noticing, an hour passes. After getting up and picking better clothes, Iori decides to leave. However, something is off…

The door is stuck like it’s locked.

However, the redhead is too stubborn and begins looking for the key. Unfortunately, even after searching every little corner, he cannot find it.

“Shit… That fool Yashiro really locked me and took the key away…” Iori facepalms and prays that idiot won’t get lost and deliver the food for one certain vampire.

Speaking of the devil, hopefully, that stupid vampire didn’t manage to get into more trouble nor attack anyone to satisfy his hunger. Iori wonders while wanting to see Kyo so badly and make sure that he is not anyone else target.

A couple of days have passed. Meanwhile, in one familiar hut, it’s already late evening.

Finally, the sun hides beyond the horizon and allows the moon to take the lead and rule the night’s sky.

Even during such a serene and chill evening, one brunette prefers to lie in the bed and do nothing.

However, he knows that if he won’t get up, then Chizuru makes sure that all his laziness instantly disappears.

In any case, working in the shop has helped Kyo to distract his mind. Unfortunately, he cannot say the same about his certain needs.

Although even with Chizuru’s recently bringing him several blood bags, the brunette is still hungry.

Even if those blood bags are sent by the hunter, who claims to be a good friend of Yagami, it’s not enough.

Unfortunately for him, after tasting one of them, the vampire nearly threw up. So, to this very moment, the brunette shrugs just by looking towards the freezer’s side.

He also has tried his luck by asking Chizuru to give him some blood.

Unfortunately, it ended up with her placing her hand on Kyo’s shoulder and lighting up a couple of fingers until a white glowing orb showed up.

For heaven’s sake! All he did was be honest and say that he would be fine even drinking half-decent blood like this.

So, Kyo has learned an important lesson to not use words, which can insult humans, and to be careful around this witch.

However, if Iori is not around, he cannot ask him for a better bite.

Even if he may reach the hunter, the nocturnal creature realizes that he cannot ask for blood from an injured person.

Just imagining the redhead covered in a medical bandage upsets the vampire, who wishes for him to recover and to hear that ‘stupid vampire’ again.

After that fight in the inn, Kyo wants to see Iori and make sure he is alive.

Of course, he may straightforwardly go to the hunter guild, if it weren’t for a couple of issues.

Firstly, the brunette has no idea about the whereabouts of where it is.

Secondly, what if he finds the wrong guild? That will be a waste of his time, and Iori will recover before that.

Perhaps, Kagura knows where to find Yagami… The nocturnal creature thinks and gets up to leave the hut.

After reaching the shop, Kyo knocks on the door and enters.

“Oh, you are early today, Kusanagi. Did you rest well?” Chizuru warmly greets him behind the counter.

When she notices the vampire’s stiff shoulders and concerned look, the ebony-haired woman asks. “Is everything alright?”

After getting closer, Kyo says in an unsure tone. “Um, do you still have that long red coat?”

Kagura only calmly replies. “No one has bought it yet. Why do you ask?”

For sure, seeing the vampire trying to remain chill strangely amuses the ebony-haired woman.

While Kyo rests his hand on the counter, he asks in a polite tone. “Can I borrow it for a while? I promise, I’ll return it once I’m done with some business.”

“Are you going to look for Yagami? Even if you wear his clothes, the other hunters will easily sense your presence. More importantly, do you even know where the hunter guild is?” Chizuru explains in a genuine tone.

Surely, the brunette is surprised by how the witch predicted his plan. Nevertheless, he demands. “And this is where I need your help. Perhaps you know where I can find it.”

The ebony-haired woman only closes her eyes and sighs.

After opening her eyes, she gives a mildly annoyed look. “I’m sorry, Kusanagi. However, I cannot do that and let you recklessly risk your life.”

Unfortunately, such a reply does not satisfy the brunette.

So, if Chizuru does not tell him where the guild is, he has to find another way.

For now, he decides that it is pointless to negotiate with her. So, for tonight, Kyo is just helping out in the shop as usual.

A few days pass by, and it’s another late evening when the nocturnal creature needs to repeat the daily routine.

However, after getting up, he feels dizzy suddenly.

Now, he falls on his knees and hugs himself tightly.

All he can do is only widen his eyes and breathe deeply. Moreover, that sharp noise inside his head is driving him crazy.

Hell, the brunette even begins making pitiful shrieking noises.

After falling on the ground and curling into a ball, the vampire notices how the white mist slowly surrounds him.

Lastly, the fog swallows him, and a cry of the squeaking animal rings through the entire hut.

Suddenly, Chizuru storms in. “What in the world is happening here?!”

However, she is left without answers.

Finally, the mist fades away, and something tiny crashes into her while letting out agitated squeaking noises.

But the ebony-haired witch shields her face from the mysterious creature.

After opening her eyes, she notices a small fruit bat lying on the ground.

When she kneels to pick the little fellow, the fruit bat shakes its head and immediately flies away through the open door.

Where did that bat come from? Chizuru wonders, but after noticing a pile of familiar-looking clothes, she exhales. “Will he be fine? At least he could clean up after himself.”

Meanwhile, in the hunter guild, one certain redhead is about to take a rest.

Besides, there is nothing better to do. So, without thinking much, Iori walks to close the window.

However, something tiny flies close to him.

For sure, that little fellow even nearly startled the fearsome hunter with its screeching and squeaking.

Despite being annoyed by such a creature causing the chaos, Iori walks to the nearest light switch and turns it on.

After looking around, he spots a tiny fruit bat hanging on the curtain. This fellow has a dark orange fur collar and white stripes on its wings, which are on his fingers.

One thing is sure: for a fruit bat, it has a big attitude.

This little bat fearlessly stares at Iori, like it expects something from him.

Even when the redhead tries to scare it away, the bat masterfully avoids the hand by crawling to the sides while squeaking at him.

Finally, the little bat has had enough, and now, it charges at the hunter.

After the bat lands on Iori’s shirt, it starts to climb to his chest.

Even if the redhead carefully grasps the fruit bat and does his best to remove it, the little fellow holds tightly to him with its sharp nails.

“Why do you have to be so stubborn, you stupid bat? Let me go!” The hunter scolds the bat while trying to remove it.

Just the moment when he finally succeeds at it, the poor creature starts loudly and desperately squeaking.

While Iori is looking at the struggling little bat, he somehow feels bad for it.

He can swear that this bat is like begging not to be separated and how it is scared.

Finally, it carefully folds its wings and places them against his chest. Who knew it? It works.

Now, he carefully strokes the little animal’s head.

The fruit bat starts calming down, and its squeaking noises become sweet and quiet.

Of course, the redhead doesn’t know how to handle a wave of new emotions caused by this little creature.

Now, he only facepalms and sighs. “You stupid little bat… What am I supposed to do with you?”

Eventually, the bat falls asleep while being comforted.

But for now, Iori checks for a spare dry towel in the bathroom.

Then, he places the fruit bat on another pillow and wraps this little fellow in the warm towel.

For tonight, he decides that this small troublemaker can stay with him, and tomorrow, he will release it outside.

But why, when does he observe the fruit bat, does he feel upset? He cannot understand it. Perhaps he is just exhausted.

On the other hand, the redhead could sense something extraordinary about this little bat, even if he could not explain it.

Thus, another day rises. After the vampire hunter wakes up, he checks how his little guest is doing.

Unfortunately, there is no sign of the tiny rascal.

Where, in the world, could it be? The redhead wonders as he gets up.

After Iori checks every corner in his room, he cannot find that fruit bat.

So, instead of continuing his search, he decides to go to the bathroom and prepare for a new day. Perhaps, then, it’ll be easier to look for this trouble-maker.

Some time passes by. After the hunter enters the bathroom and undresses, he pulls the shower curtain.

Suddenly, a bat nearly falls into the bathtub.

Fortunately, the little fellow manages to grab the curtain by its feet.

However, he dislikes how the fruit bat stares at him with its big, beady eyes.

“What are you doing here? Get out! Or do you want to drown, you stupid bat?” The redhead addresses the tiny impostor and a towel around his waist.

Although the bat continues silently staring at Iori looking for a specific item.

After he gets a small towel, he carefully wraps the fruit bat into it.

Unfortunately, this time, the little fellow makes agitated squeaking noises.

More importantly, the bat tries its best to stay inside the towel as Iori brings it to his room.

He cannot understand what is wrong with this bat, but he decides to try one idea.

After he closes the curtains in his room and makes sure that it is dark enough, Iori addresses this small fellow. “Are you happy now? Then, you can come out.”

Eventually, the fruit bat sticks its head out from the towel and looks around.

After a while, the little trouble-maker comes out and flies towards the redhead’s bed.

As it lands on the pillow, Iori instructs the bat. “Just make sure that you won’t leave any mess until I return, got it?” And with these words, he heads to the bathroom.

After a while, the hunter finishes showering and, without rushing, puts on a bathrobe.

However, the sudden noise, like something heavy landing on his bed, alerts him.

Once he gets to his room and turns the lights on, the redhead gets shocked.

How did Kyo get into my room? More importantly, why the hell doesn’t he wear any clothes? It must be a dream! There is no way it can be real… Iori questions himself while observing the unconscious brunette lying on his stomach.

After slapping his own cheeks and shaking his head, the redhead is convinced that he isn’t imagining things and Kyo is here.

Now, the redhead facepalms while hiding his embarrassed face. “You stupid perverted vampire…”

When the vampire hunter walks to the bedside, he pulls out the blanket under the brunette.

However, as he covers Kyo, he gets startled by the knock on the door and by a familiar voice from the corridor. “Are you awake, Yagami-chan? There is something I need to tell you.”

The redhead frowns and replies in an indignant voice. “No. I just woke up. So, go away!”

“Aw, someone gets up on the wrong foot~ Listen, I need to give you something, and I won’t bother you, alright?” The voice of a certain veteran hunter fires back.

Iori knows that his mentor won’t leave him so easily.

And thus, after fully covering the brunette under the blanket and throwing pillows on him, the redhead walks to the door.

After opening the door, he greets his mentor with his arms crossed and an irritated look on his face. “What is it?”

Despite his disciple’s given look, Yashiro casually replies. “Yo! How are you doing? Listen, since you already look recovered, I can return these to you.”

“Just make sure to stay out of trouble. I might not be around this time. So, be careful, or you might end up worse than last time.” The silver-haired male hands him a set of keys.

Iori raises an eyebrow at that but keeps his poker face. “Is it all? Then, you can go.”

Just as he is about to close the door, Yashiro places his foot in the gap and comments. “So cold, Yagami-chan~”

Now, the veteran hunter’s attention is caught by a huge bulge on Iori’s bed, and he asks in a teasing tone. “Did I disturb anything? Are you sure you are not hiding anything from me or the guild?”

That persistent fool… Just go away already and mind your goddamn business! Iori thinks as his eye twitches. “No! Just stop staring and let me dress up.”

Yashiro only laughs at such a response. “I got it, I got it. So, don’t be mad, Yagami-chan~ I’ll leave and won’t disturb you.”

After the silver-haired hunter closes the door, he says to himself while heading his way. “Do not think that you can fool me by hiding a low-rank vampire, Yagami-chan. Not sure how you have done it or what you plan, but try to stay safe.”

Finally, when Iori sits on the bedside, he thinks how close he was to getting caught by keeping a vampire in a place full of hunters.

But for now, he can catch a breath and relax.

After revealing the sleeping brunette’s face, he sighs.

So, Kyo got a new ability, huh? What else is that stupid vampire capable of? Nevertheless, the brunette is by his side, and it’s more than enough for Iori.

For now, the redhead hunter decides to wait until the vampire wakes up, and then he'll figure out what to do next.

Once again, Thank You, Miau, for your amazing and adorable comic strip of Vampire Killer!♥(✿ฺ´∀`✿ฺ)ﾉ

Anyway, that's all for this year.
That's why, as always - See you next time!~