Territory of the Wolf and Undead

[Rikugurl]

His voice made her smile more, never having the chance to hear it now than she did when she was but a little girl. He could speak correctly now, and she always knew he would be able to even if the other children around the town made fun of him. She slowly pulled away from him, not noticing how cold he felt but only glad that this man was here now. "Ah, it is not how life treats you that grows upon your body but what you think of life itself. I see the beauty in all things and the positives in all negatives. I have hope that many think unreachable... like mine eyes upon yours..." She spoke sweetly as she looked up at him. Her lips were fair, pale yet remarkably natural and kissable without any fancy highlights. Her cheeks were a natural pale plush and her black eyelashes making a beautiful frame for the gems held in them.

"I must say, my dear Sora... you have grown into your father's handsomeness as well." She smiled kindly though she stepped back some, looking over him thoroughly, some concern coming over her feature. "But what I do not remember is your skin so pale. If I do remember, you had a light roasted tan upon you that was utmost exotic like the things your father brought home to show. Though still, you are a sight upon my eyes!" She smiled happily as she wrapped her arms around him once more, squeezing him with pure joy. Her eyes lidded some as he wrapped his arms around her again but as she was about to close them, she saw and felt something awful.

"AAAAAAAAAAH!!!" A scream let lose, making the whole situation become panicked as she grabbed her long lost friend and spun him around so he was now looking at her flank. It was hard to wrap his mind around but it was clear the moment the room paused. She has thrown herself before him... to protect him from the sword's blade that was but an inche from piercing her neck. She panted as she held her arms out, shielding Sora as she stared into the eyes of the silver haired hunter. The man was in his common trousers and his chest bare and still wet from his bath, but his sword was drawn, pointing right at the brunette who was behind the young woman.

"Riku..." The woman swallowed biting her lip some. "What ever are you doing? This is but a dear friend of mine."
"Move away from him, Lady Lilo." The man hissed between his fangs as his wild eyes did not leave the brunette's.
"I shall not!" Lilo snapped back, her eyes becoming a shade darker.

[Reno]

It was true Sora did not see him, as he laid his head upon her shoulder this time, breathing deeply in her scent and perfume, her name a sweet caress on his lips. But as he did so... he caught the scent. The horrible scent that made him freeze. and then she was screaming, giving him a fright before - to his surprise at her strength - she pulled him about, becoming his shield between himself and the Dhampir.

Though they had never met, had he and Terra ever of spoken they would of had the same view on women. There is just something so appealing about one that held herself so strong. It made him swoon some and for but a moment he was unsure if he should break in or not.

But he knew at sword's point was not a place a woman should be at and his blood boiled at this man for daring to keep his sword raised at her. He reached out, bravely wrapping his arms about her. "Thank you Lilo, but I do not wish for you to be harmed. I will take care of him." With effortless strength his limbs did not look to possess, he was able to pick her up and set her down from harm's way before he stood tall as he took a step towards the silver-haired man. Riku, had she said his name was? Curious... why did that remind him of Ventus?

"You have some tenacity, you know that?" He barked quite angrily now, glaring at the other. "How dare you wave around those weapons with a lady present! Who has taught you how to behave? What were you hoping to do? Stab me and dethrone my head in her sight? That's quite brutish do you not suppose hunter?"

[Rikugurl]

"If it will save her soul and life from you, be it!" The hunter called as he continued to point the sword at him. His fangs flashed in anger as his eyes seemed to force him back. "How dare you come into my house. You are quite the fool!" It was then that his fast reflexes made the sword swing before coming right down upon Sora and had the brunette been any faster, he would surely of caught it but someone else did instead. There was a brutal snap as an ivory brush handle fell on the rug under them and the blade pushed away. The rest of the brush fell as the woman stepped forwards once more and slapped the silverette across the cheek.

She huffed and panted as he held is face, snarling some as he realized she had blocked his blow, the comb saving her skin from being cut. "Li---"
"Enough! I did not grant you permission to appear in my room---"
"The man---"
"Is a friend I have yearned for all my life! How dare you come through here like Satan's hounds! I shall place a hex on you if you do not promptly remove yourself from my quarters at once! A worse one than you already suffer, dhampir!"

The hunter, now with a nicely made red hand print on his check, frowned as he looked upon the two. "I would be more than willing to do as you wish, my lady, for all the services you have provided me with during the past... but I cannot settle with this man in mine father's or mine house. He must leave or I cannot promise a clean floor."
Sora was about to take stand once more but he was paused as Lilo placed her hand upon his abdomen to stop him. They all stood there in silence for a moment before she slowly looked behind her, her eyes meeting Sora's in an innocent yet contemplative look. Why was the hunter so insistent in harming him.

But she was a smart and educated young woman. She was not just book smart or acquired fine etiquette skills... but she was talented in puzzles, riddles and common sense. Sora's skin was much too pale, his body cold as ice and when he first came to her room, she did not see a reflection at all.
"My Sora....." She whispered as she blinked. "Are you but... a vampir?"

[Reno]

Again surprised, Lilo protected him again, his own eyes becoming quite wide. Where ever did she learn such a trick?! He stood there silently, realizing he maybe should have simply let her handle it, quite shocked about her. What a woman!

Yet, as the conversation turned, his own angry words dying in his throat as Lilo held him back and they just seemed to stand there in silence, she turned to face him...

And then the words she asked made his eyes go wide with shock... and then he lowered his head the expression now one of sorrow and pain. He could not lie to her and he silently cursed the Dhampir for doing this to him. "Yes Lady Lilo..." He let the words sink in, before he murmured to her, "As are Ventus and Roxas, as of last full moon we were turned. It is why, when I traveled to your home I did not wish for you to be aware of my presence. I only expected to aide you and your mother as your father did for us in time's past... I had not expected to fall so in love with you. And I came here because I just had to see you and I planned to tell you the truth... it is a shame it must be told like this. If you now wish for my presence to be gone... I shall leave."

[Rikugurl]

Her eyes only widened a fraction as he admitted that he was indeed, truly a vampir. It was shocking how such a well off, Christian boy could fell into the damned blood of those creatures but she still listened and her eyes widened the most when she heard that he but in love with her. A soft smile ran over her kissable lips as she pulled them in slightly, her eyes starting to water from how moving his words were. His offer did not please her though as she shook her head, her shiny gorgeous, curly black hair shifting as she did so before she glanced back at the hunter who's eyes were now narrowed at the brunette.

"The only presence I wish to be gone is yours, Riku. I know of your natural hate but respect my wishes as well. My mother and I have housed you, fed you and kept you warm and comfortable when you hunted the creatures around our town... and all I wish in return is allow me to spend my only night here with the company of an old friend. If he turns upon me, it is but my own foolishness at that point but I promise you it shall not turn so spoiled."

The man frowned more, just staring at the two before he left in a fiery, the door slamming behind him.
Lilo spent no time worrying about him before she turned back to Sora, giving him a gentle smile. "I thank you for you kindness in helping my mother and I. I surely would never be in this city or wearing such fine clothes if it were not for you. For year, I would sit upon the window sill, looking up upon the stars and wondering if you were looking at them too. I wondered... if you wondered of me. Oh Sora, how I cried so more of your expected demise than that of my father and I confessed all day at church how I did wrong in such feelings."

Slowly, she reached out and took his cold hands into her warm. "I know my father was a brave man, for protecting you was not the only sacrifice he placed upon himself. No, he did but one more when I was the age of two. He became a redcoat himself not because he thought it would be right, that his family would be better off financially, or that he was doing what he believed in. I saw my father cry many times for it was all against how he felt and I felt as if I owed him as well. I could only owe him back by still loving him for now saving you and your brothers... and to care for his grave."

She looked up into his eyes, staring deeply into them before she continued. "I must confess to you now, Sora... why my father joined the redcoats." She paused, hesitating as she swallowed. "It was to hide the fact... that his dearly beloved daughter... was in fact... a witch."

[Reno]

Unlike her, Sora's eyes widened like saucers when she revealed her true blood. He was not able to see the clues as she had - to be honest he did not know what they were. But then that meant... she too was of a world her own. It was no wonder she was so accepting of him and of the Dhampir! It grew quite lonely, he was sure, to be of a minority where few understood your pain.

"Truly...? I... I admit after what was revealed to me by Master Kuku of my mother's true reason for being tied to the fountain that day I did not believe witches to be real... of course look at I. I am out of a fiction tale just as you are!" He said with a sudden smile, laughing gently. "I don't even know how to react Lilo... whether to be worried of our futures or just feel quite glorious of it all!"

He was truly baffled for words though. To think, just a street away a true witch lived from where one who was not was cruelly taken and burned and her children close to meeting the same fate. And Gin Harding... he should of been buried a noble man - not as disgracefully as Sora knew he must have been. How many other's may he have helped escape? How many he may have warned?

[Rikugurl]

OOC: Won't be on tonight, doing stuff for my mom's birthday. -_-; See ya tomorrow!

The woman could only smile as she heard the shocked words of her old friend, making her giggle some delight. "Now, dear Sora, do not worry your head upon this such as the future for all that matters is that now it with us and we are together at last." She slowly pulled one hand away from his and reached up, running her soft pads across one of his cheeks. "It is but a blessing that events happened as they did, though as cruel as they seemed far past. Would it not be true that we would wed upon age to each other, find a nice home in the city somewhere. How I knew you wished to join your father at sea and the picture of your parents would become true to us. We would have young ones together and I would be the best of mothers and you the best of fathers when you returned."

She paused, the look on her face becoming saddened. "And history would but repeat itself. For I am a true witch, I would be easily hunted down and burned in Addlestone Town and you would return to a burned ash of a house with a dead wife and children." She slowly looked back at him, a softer smile coming to show itself. "My mother insisted the moment we possessed money that I must move for my own safety. In such a large city like Stagwood, the likelihood of me being founded out is much slimmer for witch-hunting and burning isn't so popular here."

The young woman came closer, gently wrapping her arms around him once more, sighed as she thought. "Now if you truly wish to still be mine, we have a better chance... though we cannot posses children of our own. All that is to be feared is your craving for live blood and the hunter who knows of us now. But hear me, Sora... these very facts will not cease my love for you."

[Reno]

"And you need not fret your heart." Sora spoke suddenly smiling suddenly as he placed a hand boldly on her waist, looking down at her with adoration and love. "I have not yet tasted human blood and never plan to. As for the hunter... I am not so worried of he. Other then just a moment ago, I have had no problems straying clear of him or at least being safe upon his company."

He reached up, moving some of her black tresses from her face and behind her ear, his eyes only for her. "Most importantly... no matter what is thrown to oppose us not even the sun's rays will not stop me from protecting you. And no secret you have held from me... will cease my love for you." He leaned ever closer, a hand winding gently behind the back of her head as the second about her waist brought their bodies further against one another. He spoke again, his voice soft and alluring, "And I will seal that promise with a kiss."

And he did, his lips ever so gently laying upon her soft, luscious ones as his eyes slid shut.


Roxas was quite content, even in his fast flight among the forest trees, as Axel had taken him quite seriously. Among the hours of the night, the red-head taught him the art of listening carefully for the clues the trees and forest floor would give him. A break of a twig, the shifting of leaves, the soft, harsh breathes of a running wolf, the sound of paws on soft dirt. During a battle adrenalin and panic often blocked out these subtle sounds - which was why he almost died on the first full moon.

His second big hurdle was his balance was always quite off. He had not yet obtained the natural grace of a Vampir, since he had lived with his bad leg for quite a lot longer then without. His muscles had never been trained with the natural reactions most other people had.

Most importantly he was not good with bracing for impact. He fell hard and it winded him quickly. That was why Axel was training him to listen - because if he never ended up on the ground and was able to avoid his attackers, he would be able to not only baffle them but get in a good counterstrike.

Blue eyes narrowed when he heard a branch shake and he paused, just as a red-haired man popped out of the foliage. He danced backwards some, but wasn't quick enough, hands grabbing him and pinning him to a tree. The two panted harshly, looking upon each other before Axel started to chastise him for being caught but - "Maybe I wanted to be caught this time~" Came the sultry answer before a hand wound around the red-head's neck and brought him close for a fiery kiss. It was possibly time for a break.


He knew he should be training... that is was wrong to disobey the alpha... but with that pest of a pup always at his ear, speaking of the past, his mind had been unable to do much but ruminate on it. So that was why he was here, laying upon the forest floor and staring outward intently on the mansion he had left, the ever present black bird alighted on a branch just to his left. He had so many questions, but the thought of actually approaching Ku- The Vampir master filled him with terror for a reason that seemed quite feminine.

His tail tucked under his body anyways, protecting that which he felt was defiled. What had that vile creature been thinking, taking him when his mind was abound? He had heard tales that for them the act of the most passionate love was but a game. Some of them even brought home a new bed mate every day... of course they never left afterward. He had not heard of such cruel things since the stories of Xigbar circulated - the truth quite harsh in fact. A mate was not meant to be treated as if they were an item meant to be used and thrown to the streets when convenient. Yet despite that now...

His ears flipped back and he growled before standing, starting to head back. What a fool he was coming here. It only filled him with hate.

[Rikugurl]

The woman's eyes seemed to twinkle as she looked up at the pale gentlemen who was speaking. Her heart started to flutter so and she could not suppress it from the blood sucking creature before her, though it made her happy that she would not have to worry too much on it from his confession. He hadn't drank from humans yet? But her train of thought was not worried about any of that as his words of love passed through her ears and wrapped around her head. "Oh Sora..." She whispered against his lips as he came closer until both sealed together.

Her arms tightened around his neck as the kiss continued, remaining gentle and loving. When their lips pulled away, a sweet smile ran over the witch's lips as she looked back into the man's eyes. "What a sweet and tender first kiss..."


As the wolf started to head back, he could suddenly hear the sound of the front doors open to the manor.

Kaakaa!

The crow called before she flapped her wings hard to take a sharp turn and flew back to the house, landing on one of the statues that overlooked the doors. Her wings ruffled as she looked back over at the wolf who paused before cawing again to draw his attention. There was no one at the doors so it seemed like an open invitation.

[Reno]

A happy grin spread on the man's face as the other spoke, running his hand through her hair. "Oh? I am glad to here it was to your satisfaction. I would give you another, but I want to leave you with something to anticipate." Sora sounded teasing as he spoke, but he knew he would have to go soon - not precisely because the son would be upon the horizon yet, but moreso to calm the anger fire of a man he could sense down the hall. The hunter was quite furious and he wished not to place Lilo and him on any worse terms then they already were.

Then something devilish occurred to his mind that made him frown. What if his rage spilled over onto his love, simply because of how he felt? What had he said that night at the bar? That they 'popped up like hydras'? What if he believed that he would...? "Lilo are you certain you are safe here? The dhampir will not hurt you right?" Yet, how did that make sense? Why was he so cruel to lycan and Vampirs but not witches?

Unless... he did not know...? But if he did not... then he truly did fear for her.


Triangular ears perked up some, glancing over his shoulder as the door opened. He frowned turning his head away and lowering it, his sight quite sad, and started to take a step... when his faithful little bird called to him again. He shook his head, his heart racing, limbs shaking with the need to run.

One final cry and suddenly, for a reason he wasn't sure why, he was turning around and heading towards the open doors, his tail tucking in a little more as he stood in the gaping opening, as if heading into the jaws of the great Cerberus.

He straightened his back, held his tail high, and took a deep breath, making his chest seem impressive as he showed his teeth and walked inside. He was not going to show this man fear. He had already taken so much - he was NOT getting his pride!

[Rikugurl]

A blush came upon her face as she heard the tease, leaning into Sora's touch as she smiled, her eyes closing. They slowly opened however as she could feel the worry come from him but she only pulled away slightly, her smile staying as she started to explain. "This is but my room for tonight, my real flat being a few blocks from here. I am sure you will find it easy, be about the third floor up. The dhampir is the least of my worries, dear Sora. His hatred for vampir is what drives him had, a hatred born just as he. His only means is to destroy them. He known I was a witch when he came to my home and knew I was an alignment of White. If anything, I can protect him more than be a threat and that fact alone made him decide mine mother's house was but the safest in town against evil."

One of her hands slowly ran down Sora's chest as she seemed to think. "It is you that is in true danger. He shall hunt you down until you are no more... and I am afraid I cannot protect you from him quite yet but I shall find a way."


As the wolf walked in, the crow followed and flew over his head, flapping as she flew forward and the door opened for her, bringing her out of the large grand hallway and into the old ballroom. It was wise for the wolf to follow her in, the doors closing behind him with every room he walked through. Pass the ballroom, they came to the dinning room that was clean and empty but the bird took a sharp turn down the right hallway and the wolf had to pick up his pace some. They hurried down the hallway before large windows started to come up, looking out to the courtyard that had become overgrown.

Two doors opened up and the bird flew through them, bringing her outside to the courtyard. The wolf was quick to follow down the path, his paws hitting the moist ground as the bird continued stir him down the path until she turned one last time and flew a bit faster before swooping down, her wings coming up behind her as she landed on an extended arm.

Kaakaa!

The black bird cawed as she looked down the path to see the wolf suddenly freeze as he looked upon the man she had perched on.

[Reno]

"Me? Oh never you worry about me." He brushed off, like a man often did. It did not suit a woman well to worry. "If I should of danger from anyone it would also be you! The way you faced the dhampir, it was quite a sight! I do hope we never have an argument or I might have to flee from your ivory brushes!" Again he was teasing her - of course he had no fear of her and when she seemed to give him a sour look he laughed, rubbing their noses together. "You were truly a beautiful sight to behold. Quite attractive~ and truly you need not worry. I have strayed from the Dhampir's path often and when we have been upon the same plane, the meeting was always in my favor."

He pulled away some frowning, as if his mind was wrapping about a peculiarity, "Though you think he'd be slightly more gracious to me, regardless of his black hate." This brought forth Lilo's interest. "The night previous, the same in which I discovered your letter, the Dhampir was within the forest being attacked by a rogue lycan pack. Had I not of chanced upon the sight, he would have been bitten and killed. You would suppose he would honor me with a slight respite?"


It was not as if he had not expected to find him. Yet still to know what he would see and to actually be seeing it were two opposite effects on him. He tried to stand strong, like he had at the door, but it was not possible as his tail curled inward against his stomach and his ears drooped and he truly felt pathetic at this moment. He could sympathize with the poor young delta's plight though. It was quite troubling to find yourself in such a situation... and even moreso to be stuck in it.

"So here I am." He announced as if it were not obvious, "What do you wish from me?"

[Rikugurl]

With the admittance, the young woman pouted. She was just trying to defend the man who she had waited for her whole life but she knew it that he was teasing her but her cute face was rewarded as she felt the indirect kiss from the man, only to blush more at his complements. She had been swooned before by some other men around town or by those who passed through. She was indeed a catch but it was lucky for her that Sora had decided to come pay visit when he did for some women started to talk behind her back, speaking of her beauty.
She knew by history what that could lead up to...

"Oh?" Her head tilted but a bit as Sora started to wonder why the dhampir wasn't more gentle. It was then that she learned about the vampir savior and found it rather interesting. "My, even as a damned soul you are as kind as a mother bird, dearest Sora." She smiled as she ran her hand across his cheek once more. "I am afraid though that you are missing a very sad but important key. Riku does not see life the way we do. I am sure he would not of cared if he lived or died that night. You see," She started to explain as she pulled away, slowly pacing around the room, "he believes that he lives to do only one thing and one thing only; to hunt down vampir. The thick hateness in his soul poisons him so to madness and he cannot settle until his urges are finished. Once he destroys all the vampir in this area, he will move to the next and then again and again until they are all hunted down."

She paused before looking back at the vampir that stood in her room. "And you must see it too now why his life means nothing to him for he is truly half vampir himself... and he must have it destroyed as well. If anything, death would only bring peace to him so his journey may be done; not that I suggest such a dreadful thing for he isn't so terrible. I wish I knew a way that would pause his madness for just even a week, so he could stop and see what life is really like...."


Dark eyes looked past blonde, stringy hair as the wolf started to speak, the crow upon his arm starting to settle. There was a pause and only the sound of died leaves moving across the bricks. "I have been watching you through the eyes of a loyal friend and I realized how abused I have left you." This made the wolf react some but the master of the manor disregarded it as he continued. "I have brought you here to relay to you my deepest apologies. However, I cannot return what I took from you and I shall not appologize for the act itself. I am sure all the ways I can explain it will not make you feel any better so I shall not waste my breath nor your time. I want you just to know it was not a trick or a selfish game to me, but something I even surprised myself on."

His head bowed some as he seemed to think of words to say, but it seemed like he was having a harder time coming up with something for a wise man. "Sometimes feelings and emotions are too strong to lay upon words. You have charmed me, Eskel and things had gotten carried away that neither I could tame with all the power I possess."

[Reno]

The man before Lilo crossed his arms bowing his head in thought. "Riku......" He spoke the name slowly, as if testing it on his tongue. So the dhampir finally had a name to his face. And again he thought of Ven... what had he said not a night before?
It is Latin, just like mine... but meaning Earth. Do you find that peculiar?
And what was his origin? He knew it to be Japanese as Japan was were his ancestors originally immigrated from. It meant 'Sky'. And Riku was too Japanese... for 'Land'. He only knew this because of Kairi. Strangely enough... her own name had the same origin only meaning 'Ocean' instead.

Truly Shakespeare had it right: What was in a name?

"Well," He nodded, and smiled just a bit. "Perchance we may find a way if we ponder it more, when the opportunity and ingenuity sparks us. No one deserves to live a life without truly living." What an insane notion this was! It would be a secret he would have to keep from the rest of the Vampir, for it they found he wished to contact the dhampir on a friendly level it would be as daring a betrayal as making friends with a wolf.

But he believed in his words. He was rather... intrigued by Riku, just as his brother must be by Terra. He was uncertain what it was that tipped his curiosity so, but he less feared the man then he wondered of him. Besides, if he could accomplish what Lilo was thinking.... Ah, how much more attracted to he would she become~


"What is it you are saying?" The wolf said, a light growl in his throat. "Are you telling me...... you are in love with me?" The man stood there silent, possibly pondering an answer or just the notion itself, but the wolf gave him little to think on. "Because if it is that is true foolishness. This feelings you have... all of it! They are based upon lies! What did you know of me before you took me? The real me not just my outward appearance? My name. Everything else, you stole from me. Everything that made me who I was taken for your sick little game. I had not even the will to consent or say no! All I had done these past fortnight in your care was wag my tail and attend to your side like an obedient puppy!"

His teeth pulled back, truly furious now as he snarled. "What you feel for me... is a lust of power over me and nothing more. I have seen the kind of person like that before and I am not fooled." He turned his head, staring off into the garden as he spoke his last piece, "And now, even if I wished it to, nothing and everything has changed from that night. For I am now your mate."

[Rikugurl]

The woman smiled more as she heard the words from the man, making her nod as she walked back to the brunette. "That sounds wonderful, yet very dangerous for you. He will spare you no mercy, Sora.... I believe... if we are to keep him from his nightly hunts, we must all be together at first, just so I could pause him from any evil thoughts. I would be willing to change my sleeping arrangements to aid you and now without mother, she cannot chastise me for inappropriate wake up times!" She giggled as if she was but a child who would be able to get out of curfew.


It was easy for the wolf to realize as he hit an invisible wall that he could not end their discussion that easily. Kuku was not fond of one sided conversations, especially when he did not have his say and when he did, it had to be at one's backside where they were allowed to let the words flow from one ear and out the other.
"I am afraid you are wrong at some points, Eskel. You are true that I did not allow you to voice your consent and I was as barbaric as man when they take over a woman. But your false is that my emotions are not power stricken. I am already powerful and I gain my power from age, failure and books. I do not possess if from overpowering others. If it were true, you and your pack mates would still be under my control and I would force you into untold labor."

He pushed his arm up steady, making the crow fly up and perch at the top of the old fountain as he slowly walked towards the beast. "I allowed you to bring thought with your subconscious mind. It is still your mind and it is still you. It is the you that you have forgotten and is but the simplest of yourself. The others could not release it, only you having the power to do so. I learned more about you then than I do now." He paused about ten feet from the wolf before he bowed slowly. "And if you are but now my mate, it is certain that you know my true name as well. It is Sacha."