Territory of the Wolf and Undead

[Reno]

"Hmmm....... to help the hunter... and to be with you upon the same hour. I believe it is I getting the biggest benefit from this!" The brunette said widely, a bit of a child within himself as well. It was no wonder they had always gotten along great - their personalities mixing in a perfect blend. Yet it almost seemed like they were being sneaky and the Dhampir was the parent they were trying to trick!

He never got to experience such youth before, been forced to grow faster then most though it was not uncommon. It was still unpleasant. Now with her he could almost imagine he was as carefree as his age implied!


The master was right, the wolf was doing his best not to listen to his words, to not let his ears be poisoned... but like a cat his interest was perked at the end and he looked at the man. "Sacha.... There... had always been rumors your name had been lost upon the winds..." And, like the cat could not be stopped, his mouth got ahead of his mind, unable to really stop himself from asking, "Why have you hidden it all these years? What is the purpose of no one knowing your true name? Are you not proud of it?"

[Rikugurl]

Lilo giggled some more as she saw the joyous look upon Sora's face before she slowly paced away from him, her eyes becoming dark and suggestive. "I fret though that our time is up, dearest Sora, for I had not realized that our words would bring us so deep into the night and I must say that I am exhausted from my day prior. I have much moving in the morn and arranging during the sunrise until evening. I hope you do understand if I ask of you to leave me as I dream." Her hand wrapped around a poll of her very beautiful yet overly plain Chinese wedding bed as her lips came to a suggestive smirk. "I do hope that the coming nights will see that you might... join me to bed~"


The blonde straightened as he knew he now had the wolf's attention, his hair shifting across his face from the slight breeze. "You are still young to know how important a name can be. A name is like a watchword to your soul. Many folklore describe true name to possess the end of trickery or to gain access. Another sample is a knight who loses a duel must reveal his name to the victor. Names have a true honor to them that I do believe shouldn't be used so loosely. When I was mortal, my family crest was that of pure trickery and evil. Just born to the blood line cursed you in society. I was not wicked like my family wished me to be, the trade of theft not my line of study. I hated it so much that I wished to be disconnected from my line so I would tell those from other villages that my name was simply Kuku."

He paused before a fond smile came over his lips as he seemed to think of the past. "I retrieved this name from my studies as I traveled this land, for I had always had a fancy for birds. When I first left the manor I live at this day, I took a book from mine father's library that was an encyclopedia of birds. When I came to my first destination, a servant grabbed my bags and asked me who I was to tell my master. Sacha was a name that ran in the blood of my crest and well known in this part of the area to be a thief name. I was so worried that I would be judged just upon this fact that I glanced at my book still opened upon my lap to see an image of a cuckoo bird. At that time, I hardly knew the power of ink so when I was asked to write it, it came out like it sounded. Kuku."

He fell from his past only to look back at the wolf, his smile slowly fading. "So, in a sense, you could say that you now possess something that I to can never get back."

[Reno]

Blue eyes widened and the poor young Vampir went somewhat slack-jawed as she seemed to saunter about, her hips swinging in a tantalizing way. He shut his jaw and swallowed hard, cheeks flushing. "You truly are a witch with how wicked you are!" He mumbled but a grin fell upon his own features. "But I am certain we shall get there~ But I really should flee now before your womanly tricks fetches me there quicker!"


Eskel sat there frowning some and shook his head. "So you my virginity and me your name. Heh, what a trade." His voice sounded a little seething before he sighed, hearing faint howls on the wind, knowing it was a call to return home. "I have stayed here too long."

[Rikugurl]

"Hehe~" She chuckled as she saw him head towards the door but shook her head. "I fear he could be waiting for you. To the window. There is an escape latter upon the window that will take you to the stable and then towards the woods. Please take this path home. It is fortunate though sad that the hunter has lost his horse and will take him some time to find a new match to mount." The vampir did not argue as he walked across the floor towards the window, pulling it open and just as he got one foot out, the woman was by his side. "Take care, my Sora... may I a kiss before your departure."

The brunette didn't seem to mind none as they pressed their lips together one last time before they said their final farewells and he was gone, only glancing back once or twice to see the fair maiden at her window watching over him.


"Honestly, it is more than a fair trade to a wise man. A name is more powerful than any spell in one's book of the muscles in one's body." The blonde proceeded to explain but he knew the young lycan would not understand now, or maybe never. But he slowly backed away nonetheless and stretched his arm out to the east, a path revealed that the wolf should know quite well for it was his escape route that very night. "Farewell, Eskel."


The night was relatively quiet for the remanding hours that the moon played in the sky. More passages from the bible were taught and more lessons for battle were tested. All in all, at the end, all went back to their resting place during the day, finding some comfort within their beds or by the ones they nestles with. The manor was much cozier than the ditch and greenery beds of the wolves for it was getting near mating season... and there were early signs of it upon trees, rocks and other places in the woods as there was upon one's attitude.


Upon the next night, the night dwellers rose when the sun shined its last rays upon the land, stretching to get the sleeping kinks out and some bathing to start their new 'day'. It was the gamma who started to gather his clothing to head to a new nightly ritual to the library, but before he could get very far, he was paused by an elder pack member. "Terra..." She spoke softly as she came up to his side. "Where have you been? You know it's almost mating season and you need to be here to strike Xigbar if he advances. It is the only way you will be able to gain the chance to fight once more over her."


In the manor, the vampir were well to listened to their master, all grouping to the dinning room where they were greeted with a small feast. They took their seats and some seemed eager to get this meeting done to attend to other things. Some chatter came across the table, about how the moon was starting to piece back together and others about the visit with Lilo. Of course, some events were left out... as was the same story about Ventus's nights in the library. Their master did believe reading was power and since he was able to....

They were all silenced as a side door opened and the blonde who ruled over them walked in, as silent as usual. He sat upon his seat at the head of the combined tables and situated himself before getting right to business. "Like many of you know, the moon is phasing quickly and I have lacked the sight of see any true training except for Axel and Roxas." The others kind of coughed, their eyes averting elsewhere. "I shall remind you once more like I do every phase. Do not get sloppy. We cannot afford death amongst us if we wish to keep our home here. I wish from all of you at least an hour per night will suit the situation."

He glanced around the table before his eyes stopped upon Sora. "Eldest of the triplets, I have noticed a flaw with you. Your power is uncertain and I can feel it. Have you not found control with the sight, sound or feel of blood?" The brunette seemed to hesitate before replying that he was in well control of his body but before he could proceed his thought, Kuku grabbed a steak knife and quickly slit his wrist open, blood quickly starting to pool and fall upon the table. Ventus's eyes widened as he saw the act, swallowing as he slowly glanced at his brother. The sight of blood did not effect him for he had actually fed upon a bum the night prior... but it was frightening to see his eldest brother react so instantly.

[Reno]

The last few days had been a wonder. Passing the nights with Ventus and the words of God had been wonderful - and even though the other was nothing but a demon who hunted for blood, the interest and joy of his learning was the same in his eyes as he was sure had been in his own when he too was first learning something new. He was already up and getting ready to leave when a voice halted him and he turned to face the other.

At her words he frowned some, and brushed away some of his bangs. "Ah... I had... misplaced that information. I had been so intent on strengthening my mind for the upcoming battle, I had hardly had my mind on such things." She seemed surprised as he did too - how had he not noticed his own blood boiling in his gut as the days grew nearer?

Curses, whatever was he to tell Ventus?!

"Had he made any advances? Had his scent been on the trials?"


Perhaps being logical was not quite so wonderful. Roxas cursed himself for predicting the twist this meeting's conversation would take. But even he and many others at the table were quite surprised as their own master cut himself - and his feels grew to horror as Sora responded so instantly to the sight, blue pools lost under the sickly yellow of hunger.

He saw his brother's form tremble, heard his claws digging into the wood of the table, the struggle on his face obvious. It was just like that first night they were reborn, the way he tried to fight the need to drink but lost in the end.

And again he lost, the hissing snarl ripping at his ears as he watched his brother jump on the table and go rushing across it's length in quick strides, diving for the man. Roxas saw not what happened, the counter-attack so swift, but he and the rest all cried in unison as his brother's form twisted backwards suddenly and smacked into the table, his whole body sliding across it just as swiftly as he had came before he reached the end and fell off, bonelessly smacking into the ground in a heap. In the wake of it, the dishes had been pushed off and broken upon the floor, all the Vampirs having swiftly jumped up and away to avoid dirtying their clothes and Axel's arms had come round him as if to protect him.

"S-Sora!" Roxas cried, hearing his brother so so as well and he squirmed from his lover's grip both of them hurrying over though he needed no assisstance. The brunette seemed to of come too, as he rolled onto his stomach and reached for his neck, fingers gripping down on his collarbone. He seemed to shake before his eyes slowly opened to reveal blue once more and as Roxas drew near he saw what his brother held in his grip, the sharp ridge having punctured his finger.

His crown pendant.

And now he understood. That... that was why Sora had wanted it. Not just because the possession was theirs... but because it could be a buffer between himself and his desire. He could kill no one if partially or even completely paralyzed.

And now he had to wonder... was the attack so much for the master's blood... or just simply from fury? His brother was not so unwise... was he?

"That....." The brunette said slowly, letting go of his necklace, not seeming to mind how it swung into view for them all. "Was rather low Kuku." Everyone shot a gaze towards him, surprised at his audacity and lack of respect. "I do not believe anyone will simply come to me and cut themselves quite so brashly. And why should it matter... if I never drink human blood?"

[Rikugurl]

"Very much so, Terra. His scent was so strong last night, my eyes were to the forest at all times. I fear even now that his blood has boiled so thick that he would become merciless towards any who got in his way of her, no matter their rank. He easily does not follow by any rules but his own and though I am a guardian, I am still but a female myself and do not have the sort of power he does. Terra, I am afraid that only you, Hatori and possible Ashbel if berserked can protect Aqua at this point or she will surely be his."

Fang paused before sniffing the air some, snorting from the unlikable scent she was picking up. "Is it vampir that I smell upon you? It's vague but lingering. Have you taken one down, gamma?"


"Ahhh!" Ventus called as he saw his brother fly across the table, falling off on the other side. He, like the rest stood as the plates and tableware went flying but was to Sora's side faster than Roxas. "Sora!" He cried as he wrapped his arms around his brother, feeling how positively stiff he was. He did not see the angle of his mirrored brother but it seemed he knew best of what was truly happening. As the brunette stood though, Ven frowned as he looked upon his master, seeing him raise from his seat and licked his tongue across his wound, sealing it up.

Slowly he walked around the table, his dark eyes fixed on the brunette. "Pardon I, for I had no realization that you knew so much about a life you have just started to live. That you've had decades, centuries of experience on what can and can't happen to you." As he walked towards Sora, the rest of the vampir were quick to move out of the master's way as he walked across broken glass and silverware. He paused a few feet in front of Sora, making the brother's back off and though the feeling of wanting to protect their sibling was strong in them and all they wished was to show their fangs, the power over them to let Kuku do his speech backed them off.

"Tell me than, if you are so intelligent, why you question the need for human blood?" Sora was about to open his mouth but he choked it out as he was grabbed by the neck and lifted right off the floor. "Ah, did the cat catch your tongue? Marluxia, please tell Sora why we drink human blood."
The rose hair man swallowed, watching the brunette fight for his life to breath. "To gain our maximum strength and... we do not hesitate with the sight of blood for it replenishes us quite well."
"Very good. You see, Sora... if you drank human's blood, you would easily have the strength to push me off. Not only do we drink blood but blood is graded like everything else. Human blood is the best of stallions that are handsome and perfect in every way. They will bring you to any destination and listen to all your orders. Anything but human blood... are but donkey's and mules. They will do what you need... but nothing more."

With a swift crack of his arm, the eldest triplet went flying into the wall, hitting it hard to hear some bone crack. "SORA!!" Ven cried but was paused, his eyes looking worried. "Not only do you become more powerful, agile, faster and the likes... but you also heal quicker. Hear how your bones sluggishly crack to come back to norm? In a battle, you do not have such time. In conclusion, if you do not drink human blood, you are only a waste of flesh upon my manor."

[Reno]

"I... have simply been crossing one's path often is all. To strengthen my mind as father asked causes me to do so often. " Terra responded vaguely, looking away, "Nevermind that. I will speak with my father and tell him of Xigbar's advance and we shall deal with it. He is also encroaching on territory he no longer has a name over, so I am sure to garner some support."

The brunette seemed to nod, throwing his clothes back in their place. Ven would just have to wait. He had to deal with this first.


"Uhnnn...." Came the groan, Sora struggling to get to his feet again as the bones of his back slid back into place, and sealed together. He bowed his head and panted, shaking his head, planting his hands on the wall to help him to his feet. All of them could see the visible shake to his legs, and the dark bruises left by their master's hands still stood dark and purple upon his neck, healing so slowly.

Yet still he was upon his feet, and he rose his eyes to look upon Kuku's, "You speak like you are Beowulf himself. A hero. Yet that night your words were full of trickery to get us to this state. Even though he did it selfishly, the Dhampir was more of a hero then you that night, taking down the wolf so our lives could be spared."

No one knew if Sora was brave or foolish, speaking in such a way, and in silence they stood and shook for him. But the brunette noticed, looking about at them then stared at Kuku. "I will not." He snarled. "I will never drink human blood! You... you try to command me. We call you master like we are your servants, just as low as those three wolves you turned into nothing but puppies! But I have already lived that life! I was not reborn this way to live it again! My mind and my heart are not what you own. They are mine and mine alone and even if you are to kill me this night I will still win because you will still never have them!" He showed his teeth as he waited for the other's response, knowing he could not win. Even if he DID drink human blood, not a one of them - possibly not even all of them at once - could beat this man. He had strengths beyond the real.

Yet, Sora did not know the strength he too had - that his words held a power as well.

[Rikugurl]

Unfortunately for the brunette newborn, he was not getting the backup he so desperately needed. Axel, Marluxia, Luxord and Larxene all pulled their lips back to snarl, their eyes all changing as Sora started to oppose and challenge the eldest vampir. This only made Roxas and Ventus worry more, the reaction running through them as their eyes changed as well.

But the only being in the room who did not seem to overreact was Kuku himself. "Again, you know so little to be boasting your chest, newborn." He finally put simply as he took a breath. "Indeed one would call me master, for this is indeed my manor in which you carry your body to for the day. I am also a master upon you for all honestly that I am your father in a sense. I created you and you will die if I do as well." Slowly he turned, walking back to his seat but still spoke with much power. "And like a father, I will guide you in the direction you need to further help yourself and like a father, I expect you to hold your weight among the family."

He sat down, getting comfortable in his chair. "Now... like a father, I see you have become too wild and arrogant for this family and if you do not obey the rules of this house, you are no longer welcomed here. Consider this your last night in this manor and your last night a part of this clan. Any vampir besides your blood brethren of this clan that proceeds to watch over you shall be banished from this manor as well. Good luck on your own, young one."

Ven swallowed as he heard the disowning being dealt, looking back at his brother, seeming to plea that he would find his place and ask for forgiveness. He... he could not bare to sleep by his own in such a large bed...

[Reno]

The brunette vampire - the only brunette of the entire clan - almost seemed overpowered by the man's cruel dis-care. But at the feeling of the eyes upon him, he shared a glance with either sibling and then he straightened up and stood as tall as his few feet could make him appear, meeting the other's eyes fearlessly.

The ionly thing he would regret at this moment was that he would not be taking his brothers with him.

"Wild and arrogant am I?" He smiled then, "Perhaps. But at least I am living the way I wish. If this is my punishment for that then so be it. I can not expect everyone will see what I do through their eyes least of all you Master Kuku." He spat the latter words like they were curses, "Because though your body lives and your mouth speaks, your heart seems to have died years ago."

He turned away from the other, walking for the doors. "And you are not my father. My father is and only will be Jet Wilkinson. It would be a sham on his honor to replace such a great man... with one such as you." And then he was gone, the Vampirs able to hear the rush of his feet across the stone then that of the grand front doors closing in his wake of flight.

Around the grand ballroom, most of the Vampirs relaxed, but two stood with tension still in their forms, before Roxas surprisingly spun around and rushed to where Master Kuku sat, getting on his knees at his side. If he could cry, he would be. "Please Master! Please do not throw my brother out there! He... he simply is being foolish and that will lead him to death."

[Rikugurl]

Ventus was quite shocked when he saw his youngest get on his knees and... beg for Sora's forgiveness. Then he quickly remembered that... Roxas had been but a slave and was submissive in the eyes of a higher being by the force of nature. He could not raise his voice, telling him how foolish he looked doing such acts but only looked at the door that his brunette brother had disappeared behind before rushing after him. Axel shifted uneasily as he look over at his new found lover, hearing the desperate plea in his voice. How he knew it would affect him so and---

"Foolish he may be but it is his own choice, for I heard it in his voice. His mind was clear and his heart stone, I shall not forgive him until I hear it from his own lips and it will be from the outside of this manor that it will be confessed. I do not have the time nor patience to deal with a wild child on such grave matters of our home. If he ends up a dead man for the second time, and his body moves no more, it will be but his lesson to learn."


"SORA!!" Another vampir called as he rushed out the main doors and looked around the area before quickly following his brother's scent. Through the forest, he flew quickly through the trees and landed upon the ground only to disappear and reappear at the edge. That was when he saw the brunette heading to town before he quickly caught up. "Sora! Please! What are you doing!?"

[Reno]

So his death would be his own doing? The blonde sat there at his master's feet, unable to say a word as his head bowed lower, and his voice full of pain as he spoke, "Y-Yes master..." He got to his feet on shaking legs and walked away, his body appeared as weak as his siblings had from the bad blood he drank. He passed his lover without a word and went out the doors to the lawn, and following the example done not once twice but now thrice, he went after that scent, hurrying after his siblings. Triplets they would always be.


"I believe I am finding a new home to live in." Sora spoke, amusement in his tone as he turned to face his brother. "Why? Whatever was I supposed to be doing?"

Before he could find an adequate response, another form flighted from the trees and landed with them. "You could try to beg for forgiveness!" The other said for his sibling, standing at his side as if they two of them could be a stronger force against their elder brother. "Sora, this is insanity! You are lucky he did not take us from you! Would you still be on this insane train of thought ad be also banned us from seeing you!?"

The other stood there for a moment before he slowly turned to face his youngest brother, speaking wisely, "In that case, it would not be I or even he that keeps us apart. It would be yourself and your fears that do."

[Rikugurl]

Ven shook his head as he felt better with Roxas's support. "Please Sora, we are not yet powerful to do such things! Especially not on your own. What of the night with the hunter? You faltered so at the sight of blood, your mind becoming unclear and your body weak. You are but fooling yourself to claim that you need not human blood in your veins! You are but a monster with animal's blood through you, it is foreign and dirty! Please, even just a small nick will provide you with better health, you never have to take enough to kill!"

Still, Sora held his ground and as Roxas became more hopeless, Ventus became more victim to his rage. "THEN WHAT OF US!? YOUR SIBLINGS!? YOU SHALL LEAVE US JUST AS WE FINALLY CAME TOGETHER!? YOU CANNOT SACRIFICE JUST SO LITTLE TO BE AT OUR SIDES!?" He shouted, his claws digging into his own palms as they shook, his lips quivering as if he could cry from anger. "So you found Lilo, your wife to once be and you think you need nothing but her? You are living in the same den as the hunter and you will be struck down so quickly you will not enjoy her bed!"

[Reno]

The three brothers stood there in the wake of the middle child's anger, the stress upon them much like the night they had come together in such intimate ways upon their second day of their new lives. It was that moment in the same positions in which Ven acted out and Roxas watched with bated breath for his sibling to respond where it could turn out to either be very good... or very bad.

And then Sora smiled, not roused to fight with the other but simply understanding as he reached out and suddenly brought Ven against him, holding him close. "Ventus... you are my brother and I love you. There is no competition for that. The only way I can ask you to understand... is to think of what Kuku may do to you if he discovers your own nightly ritual with the wolf." The form in his hands went stiff and Roxas jerked in shock, confused and some guilt wrapped about his heart for having belaid so much of his time from them... even if he did love Axel so.

Sora reached out, tilting his brother's head up to look at his eyes. "Is it not in the bible that even those good must sometimes suffer? Like the humble Joseph whose brothers were so cruel as to sell him away? Or the greatest sufferer of all - Jesus Christ?" He leaned down, bestowed a kiss to his forehead. "Sometimes things do not go the way we wish it to... but in the bad times we strengthen who we are. I must stand for what I believe in - or I will always be someone's servant, never Sora. You do not have to understand this or even agree with it... but please brother. You must let me do it."

Ven seemed not to have an answer ready for this, so one did not come swiftly before he was drawn by his other brother's gasping cries. Though no tears surfaced, Roxas was holding himself, his body shaking with pain. Sora drew him near as well, holding him close. "Calm yourself Roxas. It will be alright."
"But I feel like such a fool... all this time I wasted and now..."
"I am leaving the manor - I am not dead." He said, amused again. "There will be more time yet for that. And what time did you waste? You spent it with someone you love. That is but the best of time spent."

[Rikugurl]

Ven frowned as his brother explained the truth of it all. It was true that one must suffer for the best of things to happen and though he did not understand his brother's view upon the matter, he knew not to challenge it. All of them went through different lives after they were torn from each other and lived their own lives for years. Even though they finally found one another, they were still very independent. Much like Roxas, Sora now had the taste of freedom and he was not going to let anything stop him.

He glanced back when his brother started to cry, smiling some as he was pulled into their hug. "Indeed, any time spent to correct what has wrongly been done to you is time well spent. You are of marriage age any way and even if we were not separated, you be off on your own. It is that we were able to come together in ways we once could not that matters and I too must understand the freedom we all well deserve." He glanced back at his eldest brother and smiled. "Please pardon me of my outburst, it was not well thought. I suppose now that there is not true need of such a large bed nor room, I can find another quarter to make it feel less empty. I bless you on your decision and even... my activities with such wolf, I am still grateful for the house and protection master Kuku has given me."

[Reno]

The brunette smiled some and nodded. "As did I... but I still must do what is right in my heart." He held them closer, explaining nothing further. It did not matter if they understood what he meant as long as they were allowing for him to leave. Even if he tried he probably could not adequately describe the level of unease and illness brought upon him at the mere thought of killing another man or woman or - god forbid - a young child.
Even the loss of a pet brought sickness to the heart and he did well to stray from those as well. Now with his ties cut, hunting in the forest would be a tad more difficult - but it was large and if the wolves could hide upon the branches so could he.

"You will be careful?" Roxas asked tentatively as his eldest pulled away.
"Aren't I always?" The Vampir teased but smiled, "Of course! And once I have settled I will send word of where I reside so if you are ever looking for me you will know how to happen upon me."

A few more words and farewells were shared, before the brothers stepped apart from each other and left behind Ven and Roxas watched quietly as Sora left, his form faded with the distance. The blonde sighed and bowed his head. "Do you think he will truly be alright?"