Territory of the Wolf and Undead

[Reno]

"Your words are nice to hear only to those of your own age. As they are all dead, you should stop wasting breath speaking them to me." Hatori spoke back his tail swishing behind him, both of them patiently watching one another while the leader directed two more of his wolves around to watch his mate's back. "Have you not yet learned that times change as they pass? There was once a time when houses were not brick but mud and where oil lights were but a mere fancy. Time is meant to change the world. And time too will change who rules this forest!"

He rushed the other, beginning the fight that they had been fighting for ages now.


"Haaa... curses this day... it must be a fancy for the sick..." Roxas panted between his lips as he rushed through the forest uncertain of where he was going when - "Roxas!"
He paused, looking about himself wildly. "Sora?"
"I am above you!"
Above...?
Roxas looked up, then his eyes widened, seeing Sora sitting upon a branch high in the tree. higher then before, and the grooves of his claws attested to his climb. "However in the devil did you get up there?!!"
"It is of little matter! Make haste and jump up here as well! You will be safe here! Out enemy can not jump this high!"
"Jump...? Me...?" He hesitated then looking towards the branch that was but a head above him. He hopped and his hands curled around it. he flailed some, never having climbed a tree like his brothers' had in their youth and it took some care to get up, but he managed. "I'm... in a tree. How wondrous!"
"Yes. It is... make it to the next branch brother!"
With a small repeat of what he had done on the ground, Roxas soon found himself ten feet above the ground but still far from Sora. "Shall I attempt to join you?"
"Only if you are strong enough to lift your body weight. You will need to scale not jump."
His answer was obvious when he did not move, but he frowned. "Wherever is Ventus?"
"I am uncertain but I hope to spot him from up here. I can see much of the forest. That is how I knew you were coming."

Sora however did not know how far Ven had circled, possibly before he even got to his new perch. Ven had already crossed the trial once more to the other side. And was in a bit of danger himself.


Yellow eyes opened tiredly, hearing the rustling in the trees. He knew it was likely his mother. Though his father was harsh upon him at times and would probably end the night with giving him a good smack for falling before even reaching the field, it was the gesture of sending his mother to him that made him aware he did not want him dead.

It was to his surprise however that it was not her that burst from the shadows of the trees... but a young vampir. Newly born, he could tell, as his flesh and blood still smelt fresh. His ears turned down and he showed his teeth, a snarl ripping from his jugular. The other looked up with wide eyes spotting him instantly.
"Vampir..." He growled, struggling to his feet. "Are you asking for death?"

[Rikugurl]

"Tch..." Kuku's eyes narrowed as he heard the reply before getting in stance as the other came rushing for him. "You haven't even learned of my new trick I've studied through the moon's death and birth." It was too bad for the wolf as he came closer when all of a sudden, out of no where, a colony of bats started to swarm around Hatori, making it near impossible to see. Their small claws and fangs bit and ripped at him as more grew, making it look like a twister.

Many were bit down, thrown carelessly before his tail flicked others. What he wasn't expecting was the fist that shot through the number and smashed right into his snout.


The sound of horse hooves came down the path, most likely making the two young vampir look down at the new comer. He wasn't new to them, for they had seen him earlier and were able to get rid of the wolf chasing them down with an unbeatable aim.
The horse trotted weary down the beaten path, the rider seeming the relax a bit though he continued to look around. He passed the tree but as he got some feet away from it, he pulled the reins and the horse stopped.

Black hooves padded the ground as the man with long silver haired man adjusted himself on the saddle. They were sure he would continue but to their shock, he slowly looked over his shoulder... and up at them. It was the first time either had seen the face of the hunter. It was pale, almost like them but his eyes reflected that of water.


Ven in took a gasp of air as the wolf started to get up, making him back up. "N-n-no! Please! Spare me!" He cried as he put his hands out and shook them. The wolf started to proceed onto him, making him back up more. "I wish not to harm you and I wish for you to feel the same! I did not ask for this plague but I do not wish for true death either for I have just found my broth---AAAH!!" He cried as the wolf didn't allow him to continue before pouncing him, making them both roll down the bank and near the water.

"Aaah!! AAAH!!" Ventus cried as he clawed at the ground, his sharp nails getting dirt and mud under them as he pried himself away from the wounded creature. He was able to scramble to his feet and was about to jump across the river when... he realized he had no reflection. "AAAHH!!"

[Reno]

A loud yelp echoed and the wolf backed up, the twister following him like a plague. He was taken by surprise and was lucky the vampir had not decided to take his life. But then again maybe neither of them ever meant to. What would be the fun in killing your prey so easily?

He shook his head, blood dribbling from his nose as he shut his eyes to keep the creatures from clawing into them. His sight and part of his hearing was hindered, yet he was not beat. "Very good. But you are not the only one learning new tricks." His claws flexed on the ground, curling into them a mysterious black glow surrounding them. Under his paws he felt movements and when Kuku struck again he ducked under the strike before jumping up teeth curled around and with a yank threw him to the side.
That was an old trick.

He breathed and tilted his head back and black smoke erupted from his mouth as he howled and the bats were struck cruelly, seeming to burn from the mere touch.
That was a new one.


The blonde sighed, relaxing amongst the bark he had never felt before, but he did not have long to compose himself before the sound of thunder on the ground made him look down. It was to his surprised to see... the hunter. Above him, Sora was about to call to him maybe perchance to thank him but his voice died in his throat as he realized... he would want no thanks from them now that they were what he killed. Instead he stayed silent, hoping the man would pass.

It was to both his and his brother's shock when the hunter looked up as if some inner sense had told him where to look. They froze there, and Sora silently noted that they may be protected from those creatures of four feet...

They were not protected from the far-ranging aim of the man's silver tipped arrows. None of them moved.


The wolf watched him peculiarly, watching the other looking at the water and screaming at nothing it seemed. His teeth had barely grazed him! He must be mad! He barked some laughter. "You are one daft vampir!" He walked over, teeth gripping the other's leg and yanked him down.

[Rikugurl]

There was a loud thud as the Master Vampir fell to the ground but he recovered quickly as he saw the bats cry out in pain as they were burned, the rest flying off before meeting the same fate. Kuku's eyes narrowed as they stood alone once more. That was until Kuku grinned as he slowly stood straight. "That twas not my new trick." Suddenly his eyes glowed and his hair fizzled up as a blast of power was pushed from him, entering and passing through the wolf like a signal. It didn't hurt his foe but it did push him back and startle him a tad.

"There is a benefit at reaching this age, my friend." He spoke, his voice darker than before as his fangs grew a bit longer.
And it was then that Hatori got to see the new spell that the ancient vampir had learned. All around him, wolves of his own kind with glowing eyes started to prowl from the woods. Some were rather beaten up but still growled viciously at their leader. It was a risky spell, for if it faded, he would have the ten werewolves that showed in the fight as well as Hatori... but it could also break them into becoming his own servants if their will wasn't strong.

"Attack." He spoke like a whisper in the wind before all ten wolves charged and leaped at their alpha.


Silver hindered, poisoned and slowed a vampir down. It killed werewolves. For there were more wolves in the woods, there was a lack of arrows in his right quiver. Though, it wasn't the quiver he was reaching for. It was his left one that pale fingers wrapped around to open, revealing two stakes left, both hand carved from a hawthorn tree. It was picked quickly and almost as quick, it was readied and aimed before shooting up into the tree. It happened so fast that they weren't even able to call out a cry before the second one flew threw the air.

And it was by God's hand that neither pierced their hearts. It was their new, uncontrollable fear and love for each other that made them live, for Roxas got into a prone position as the hunter had pulled of the cover, only making the stake hit him in the shoulder, pinning him to the tree. Seeing that the bow was aimed for his brother, the brunette jumped down from his higher branch and the second stake went flying into the night.

If they were older vampir, they would of died.

There was an unsatisfied noise from the hunter before reins were hit and he and the horse were gone.


"Wha---Aaahhh!!" Ventus cried as he was suddenly falling for the ground, hitting it hard and scraping his skin against the water bed rocks. He winched as he was dragged a bit, feeling a horrible pain where the teeth were being sunk in. Little did he knew that the saliva was burning at his flesh, poisoning it like ivy. "Nnnngh! S-stop!" He called as he twisted his waist and one hand came up, pushing the wolf's snout away. "Leave me alone...."

He heard more growling as the wolf spoke in a nonchalant manner and stood over him but instead of having large eyes that he was going to be killed, his eyes widened when he saw the horrible gash on the wolf's shoulder. "Y-you're wounded...." His eyes became concerned as the wolf seemed to be flabbergasted. Unlike before, this sight of blood didn't make him hungry. He knew in the back of his mind that if he were to drink this blood, he would die.

But...

He pulled at the clothes his master had given him, feeling bad that he was ripping it so but the strip was pulled around the gash and pulled tightly, instantly becoming soaked by the blood. "That should help some..."

[Reno]

"Eh...?" Hatori's eyes narrowed but his head rose as he heard the noise of feet in the forest, recognizing them well, but his head turned to see his own wolves... glowering at him. "What are you doing?!" He snarled aloud, but from the look in their eyes he could see trickery at work.

His golden eyes widened as they charged him. 'STOP YOU FOOLS!' His cry rang into the minds of every wolf on the attack... but it was as if the words bounced right off of some hidden barrier of their mind and echoed instead upon Hatori's. His voice could not reach them.

He snarled as they came for him, and with little mercy jumped right into the fray. He was not the alpha just because he was the eldest wolf. He was also very strong.
His teeth clamped around one wolf's neck and clamped. There was a furious snap and as he came down the wolf fell from his teeth, dead for his unknown treachery. He jumped before another could get the best of him and his paws smacked down onto ones back forcing him to the ground so powerfully the stone underneath cracked as well as several bones. The third that dared come near was smacked with a heavy paw, eyes being gorged and head twisting for another clean break.

He was about to take down his fourth when he froze instantly upon seeing her. Kuku had called forth the ten closest and healthiest wolves.
Including one he had just sent away.
'Ida...'


They were lucky that the hunter did not by chance have a third stake in his arsenal, or Sora would of found himself tumbling from the tree at that instant. "Roxas!" He called, only vaguely noting that the hooves hurrying away from them. The blonde was pinned to the tree, shaking some with the stake pushed through his shoulder. "Ss...sss...sssooora...." Came the trembling cry the other in obvious pain.

"Hang on brother..." The brunette lent down, gripping the piece of wood and held his brother with his other hand. with a harsh yank and a loud cry from the other, the wood came free, stained with red. He let it fall to the side concerned as his brother slumped against the tree, eyelids lowering.
"Roxas!" He called in concern, looking to the bleeding wound. He reached for his shirt about to do as his brother was but paused.

"I will start with the twins." The Vampir said, pressing his palms first to Ventus' hands, then to Roxas. Finally he mixed his blood with the third, Sora's own, before raising his fingers to his lips and cleaned them quickly.
When he showed them to him they were clean and intact.

Of course!

He leaned forward shifting the ruined shirt and his tongue swept along the cut carefully. The blood was bitter he found, unappetizing. It was almost unfortunate it offered no nourishment. His tongue cleaned the blood and when he pulled away he was satisfied to find the cut was healed, the skin looking as if it had never been harmed. He tugged Roxas against his chest hearing him moan softly in protest but paid him no mind as he did the same to his back where the stake had gone through. It too healed quickly and he sighed in relief, letting the other rest against him. He would keep him close so if another attack were to chance them he would be able to completely protect him.


"What fool would let go of his prey?" Terra chuckled as if it was obvious that the blond would not live to see the next moon rise. But just as he was showing his teeth to the other he was stopped... by the blonde's statement. His jaw seemed frozen open in confusion as the other started to tear at his shirt with his claws before... wrapping it around his wound.

He blinked looked down at the other curious. Most newborns had not yet learned to lose their human heart. But even most humans would rather run then patch a wound on a wolf. "You are quite the fool... do you not realize I could snap your neck in a second?" To accent his words he moved quicker then his foe could catch, his teeth clamping around his neck threatening to bite. He felt the body shake under him, gasping for breath.

He chuckled around the flesh, licking his tongue along the other's neck to get a taste of the flesh before letting go and sitting up. "I had read once though that to dishonor your foe does not give one the nobility of a true fight." He stood and paced away from the other. "Leave from here Vampir before more of my pack arrives with less mercy. You have much to learn for our next meeting." He tilted his head, sniffing the wind and murmured softly, "You should make haste to the west. The other newborns are there. Together you three might just make it through the night."

He stood and traveled carefully across the river and into the forest, leaving the other behind.

What a peculiar creature...

[Rikugurl]

OOC: Please text me when you get on! I'll be away from my computer so I can't see your IM!

The blonde, elder vampir watched as the ten started to attack, seeing the alpha in action. It was not only entertaining but sadistic as he was actually doing his job for him. This would be ten... or nine less wolves. Golden eyes widened a a wicked grin ran over his features, realizing who he had just caught. He would fair that the beta would have a strong will than the rest but she oddly fell for his call. Perhaps it was because her mind was more preoccupied with something more.

The large female growled, her unusual golden eyes glaring at her mate. She reared her body, about to strike when a voice rang through her head, and it wasn't Hatori's.
"Stay."
Like a well trained dog, the beta paused and sat down though her eyes were still intent on the largest male.
Now instead of a threat, she was a distraction for three more wolves pounced onto Hatori, their fangs and claws sinking into him as they brought him down.


Ventus swallowed as he listened and before he could compute that he was about to die, sharp fangs were around his neck. He started to shake, thinking of his brothers and hoping they were in a better place than he; that they would either live and find some cure or die so they could all be together on another plane. But as the tongue swiped his neck, he couldn't help but suddenly feel aroused.

He was unaware that vampir were lustful beings, taking up many of the seven deadly sins. So far he had encountered gluttony and now lust.
The blood taken from the horse started to venture through his body, making his cheeks slightly red and his lower anatomy slightly hard. He gasped however as the wolf pulled away, speaking of reading. These beast were actually able to read? Not even his two siblings knew that much. He never thought they would be so educated...

Newborns? Slowly he glanced to the west before watching the wolf limp back up the bank. So... he wasn't going to kill him? Without much thought, he quickly got to his feet and started to run west, unsure of he would really meet up with his brothers... or if it were merely a trick.

[Reno]

The wolf, still frozen at the sight of his own mate staring back at him with such a horrible look, felt fury cloud his mind. How dare Kuku... A high yelp echoing the night as he was thrown down, the jaws of the three clamping hard. His eyes went wild and he twisted his head blowing outwards. Like the bats the wolves screeched as the black mist burnt them and they rushed off only to fall after a few feet. The one who had gotten the burnt of it dead the other two injured.

Wild eyes caught Kuku's and he blew again, the mist sweeping for him.


Terra smirked as he heard the vampir take his leave, having an inner sense that they would meet again. They say fools came in many kinds and perhaps tonight he was one too. Who knew if, by their next meeting, that the newborn would have learned enough tricks to kill him... or less mercy to spare him if he perchance happened in a position similar.

But Ven was lucky that despite their animosity born from decades of despair and fury, Terra took his teachings from books to heart. What use would it be for him to lie - especially if one day they could have a true fight? He would rather have the pride of taking down the little blonde on his own terms.


"Ven!" Came a call as the second brother passed under a tree and when he paused and like his brother was told to look above, he saw Sora sitting up ten feet in the air, cradling Roxas to his chest. "Jump up here, hurry! Before anything else finds you!"

[Rikugurl]

Four wolves were left around the alpha, growling and snarling to see that the rest had been burned. Only one did not show any threat but her eyes still glowed in a trance. Around the woods, it was clear that Hatori could feel more of his pack falling and Kuku too felt one him the floor and not get up. The wolf numbers were decomposing and it only boost his ego more. Number meant nothing.

As the mist came towards him, he disappeared, only to appear behind the beta. It was easy to tell that he had ran, since the mist shifted and when he appeared, there were few burn marks on his bare skin. However, it was the howl of his mate that made Hatori catch up, whipping around to see that Kuku hand pulled her ears so her neck was exposed, a sharp claw inching across it. "It was once a popular game; called catch the flag. There are rumors that there is such a game in Hell but it can never be won. Alas, up here, it can still be played. I do belief I have caught yours and I have won the battle again. Killing her will do nothing for me but her death will be your lose, will it not? This is why we are even doing this."

The wolves around Hatori started to close in, snipping at him here and there.
"I will set her free of my trance and you will retreat with your pack... or I can call upon the others until you kill your own pack to save her. Your choice Hatori."


The blonde paused as he heard his name, looking around to see if he could spot his siblings but when he was done what he was told, looking up, a large smile ran over his bloody face before he started to climb

[Reno]

Ears perked as he heard the screech and his head turned to face his mate only to see her caught in the vampir's grasp. His ears flipped back and he gave a vicious snarl that could of almost been a desperate keen. His body was tense with the need to attack but he couldn't move without risking her fate. He started to back up further as his own wolves nipping at him, kicking a black one with almost purple shades right in the face with a back paw as he got close to his tail.

When he was given the ultimatum though... he knew he had no chance. He could take down his whole pack - but to be left with nothing did him little good. He would take the defeat tonight. But he knew with time, power would balance back in his favor, just as it always did.

'Everyone, return back to the hollow. We have lost tonight.' After a few moments, Kuku caught wolves rushing from the forest across the trail back towards the direction of their resting spot. He made a mental count. Of the 37 he began with... he had lost fourteen, six by his own claw and nearly half of them injured.

"I have done as he asked now release her." He snarled.


Once Ven made it to their branch and settled beside them - lucky for them it would handle their combined weight, Sora sighed and smiled at the other, reaching over tor ruffle his hair as if to assure himself the other was real. "I'm a glad to see you are alright. With the wolves and the hunter, it was rather terrifying."
"He almost got us both..." Roxas murmured softly, sounding partially asleep.
"Aye... that he did. Missed Roxas by only a few inches from his heart. We were lucky his aim was not as true today. As for the wolves at least we had many unexpectedly on our side."

[Rikugurl]

The blonde vampir could feel the paws on the ground as many took off, some of his own getting their last strike in before they too retreated. It was easier to see, for the dawn was coming upon them. Slowly, the wolf's ears were released and the she wolf got back to her feet. Like someone who had shut off a lamp, her eyes returned to a normal blue. With a growl, the black wold whipped around, snapping her jaws at the one who had done this only to find out he was gone.

"Come." A voice could be heard as the other three wolves stopped growling at their alpha before turning to Kuku who was now behind Hatori. "Home." With flicks from their tails and like well trained beasts, they headed towards the manor.
"Till next full moon, my friend~" The vampir bowed before turning, heading after the dogs to the manor that seemed to no longer be there now that some sun was hitting the top.

The female wolf huffed, looking away as shame washed over her. "Hatori... I am... so sorry..."


Ventus smiled as his hair was ruffled, liking the feeling for now he too knew he was alive. "Ay... and I had a run in with a wolf. H-he let me free though and I am unsure---" He paused as his eyes widened, hearing the sound of running under them and seeing some wolves heading back the way they came. What was going on?

Before they could question, they all heard the sound of swooping above them only to look up and see a rose haired man came down on them, his cape open wide. He suddenly scooped them all up and landed on the ground before pulling them with him towards the manor. "Come now children, it is time for bed. We will be having a celebration tomorrow so make sure you get plenty of rest~" His voice as upbeat and delightful as he turned to walk up the front stairs, the door majickally opening to let them in.

[Reno]

Hatori's ears flipped back as Kuku walked away with three more of his wolves. A loss of seventeen. Not that he cared - Kuku could take the simple-minded if he wished. He turned his head though when he heard his own mate and with a huff he only shook his head. "It is of no matter now. Let us go, there will be another full moon to make our revenge." He turned and walked towards the forest, walking strongly despite his injuries. His mate quickly joined him and in the darkness of the forest no one saw the nuzzle he gave her.

It is one thing he always prided having over Kuku. That silly stupid thing the romantics titled 'love'.

They made it back to their den just as the sun rose. Wolves slowly turning human were spread across the floor most of them having fallen to sleep from weariness. He and Ida found a nice spot where the sun would warm the grass to bed down.


"Haaa-aah!" Came a sharp cry as a golden wolf tripped over his own two feet. His body heaved with his pants, his blue eyes falling shut with fear as a shadow fell over him, knowing he could run no more. Instead... and silver-blue wolf collapsed beside him, his head laying across the other's back. The golden wolf blinked but he could see his paw changing underneath him to that of a hand.

Demyx laughed breathlessly. "I did it Sai..." He shut his eyes smiling, "I did it..."


"We're going to be sleeping where?!"

Sora's eyebrows knitted remembered the small yells of surprise he called as he was led to his 'bed'. If one could call a coffin such. He looked across the room to where another coffin stood already closed. It was no effort to get Roxas in his, considering he and Ventus had to lift him into it. He was already asleep before the lid was closed. Ven had too climbed into his.

His eyes swept to the far window, seeing the pinks, yellows and oranges of sunrise. They reminded him of his fellows... the blonde brit who had a fancy for cards, the pink haired Frenchman who had a sensitive side for flowers - which explained the scythe, the Swedish darling miss who was like the roses in the hall - beautiful but deadly... only two he was uncertain of. The man with such vibrant hair he could only think he was Irish but his accent did not fit it, and the man who had turned them who was so aged it was possible his country of origin was long gone. And then they three English teens. Orphans of witchcraft and the sea.

What a strange twist life had become.

Sora climbed into bed and just as he was seeing the rest gleam of the sun just about to peek over the hill the coffin closed and he slept.



Knock knock....

Blue eyes opened to darkness.

Knock knock knockknockknock!!

"Hey kid! Wake up!"

What the....
He shifted, finding his space limited and his breath limited, he lifted his hands just barely able to move them to before he hit a barrier. It... felt like wood?

Why did his bed have a door on it?

He shifted and pushed it until the door swung open. On the other side he found the most terrifying woman glaring back at him. "Uh... good morn'?"
She only scoffed and held up her nose. "Peasant." And then she was gone, baffling him as he sat up. Whatever in the devil did he do?


"AROOOOOO! THAT BASTARD! I'LL KILL HIM!"

It was one of those nights. The wolves kept themseleves well spread from Hatori hearing the cracks of trees as he batted down branches and stomped through bushes until they were pounded down to paper. They had lost last night. And not just badly... but horrendously. Terra could not remember a day so harsh in years. The balance of power had shifted and widened in just one night. And this greatly upset his father who had been so close to taking everything over completely.

He sighed twisting his head and tearing off the cloth wrapped about his shoulder letting it fall to the floor. He looked upon it for a few moments before heading down towards the river intent on a bath, once again walking without a problem. A night's rest was all that he'd ever needed to heal from any injury.

[Rikugurl]

It was warm... and comfortable even if his surroundings were damn. The cushion was of dirt but it felt nice against his aching muscles. He too awoke at the sound of a knock but when his blue eyes opened, he noticed that there was no light in his vision and no room to over look. Slowly, he reached out and touched the cold wood as well, frowning as he pushed on it more until the top came off. There was a loud clang as the top fell from the leveled surface and the blonde slowly rose to look around the room that held two more coffins that were opening as well.

Blonde hair was shifted, some dirt falling from it before he stretched. This was all peculiar but almost as an instinct... it felt right.
And it would be right as long as he saw those two faces that he longed for awhile. Slowly, he got up and out of his bed, feeling the dirt fall from his clothes before dusting them off. "Ahh!!" He blinked, realizing that he wasn't wearing the clothes he had the night before... but nicer ones with gold and tassel. Clothes that a high servant would wear. As he noticed, his brothers wore clothes much the same, yet different.

"Where ever are we?" He finally questioned as he stepped onto the old wood. How old was this manor? It was beautiful yet unique. The workmanship on the wood and statues around the room were gorgeous and well kept. Was this... their new home?
As the three gathered near the middle of the room, they couldn't help but hear festive music coming from somewhere in the house.


Blue eyes watched from afar as her mate ripped down things here and there, feeling his anger and wishing the had not been the key to their downfall last night. "Hatori, halt this madness. As long and you and I and our kin is safe, we have still won in a way..."

Many other members of the pack were at the river today, cleaning and relaxing their muscles from the battle before. Some stood by themselves, grieving their lost friends or family that had not returned. All, though, rose their head when they smelt the scent of the gamma, looking him over to make sure he was unharmed. When it was confirmed, they went along with what they were doing.
It was odd to see that the berserker who had won the match with the other... was the red female. She was ripped all up, some blood seeping into the water as she lounged on a log.

On the other side of the river, the other berserker was laying down on the cool rocks, gently licking the collar of a golden wolf.

[Reno]

"It is the inside of his home." Sora said, accenting the pronoun. "The one who had turned us I believe. Although it is peculiar I was under the awareness that you could only change from a Vampir's bite..." He wondered how much else of rumor was false... and what terrible secrets were true.

Before they could discuss much else though the sound of a tuneful rhythm seemed to seep into the room and steal their attention - but no one's more but Roxas'.
"Ah, does your ear catch that?" The blonde asked and without pausing for an answer he started to move towards the door.

It was not to their surprise. Roxas had always enjoyed music whether it was the lullabies their mother would sing them to sleep with or the wistful sea songs of their father's cello that could get the whole town to move their feet. The only thing that made him sad on these days was all he could do was sit and watch as even his brothers danced with one another and curse his lamed foot for making him miss out on the fun. He had grown to continue to love this and grew ever jealous watching even his fellow slaves moving with their demonic African dances or picking up the art of tap dancing and like a morose code could communicate with each other 'cross the whole plantation with just the song of their feet.

Sora and Ven shared a glance before hurrying after their tranced brother. "It is refreshing to see you haven't changed too much Roxas. But should we really be barging about the rooms with no knowledge of what it behind them?"
"Why ever not? It is now our home and however will we learn what if behind them if we do not look?" It was obvious his words only meant for him to find out the origin of the music more rapidly.


"Perhaps." Came a snarl the large wolf stamping around a tree trunk with agitation, his eyes flashing. "But had my eyes not been so true, I would of sliced you down last night. And Terra too had been defenseless on the side, lucky he was not discovered and killed." He flipped his ears back. "He made a fool of us all... and with strength such as that we can not let our guard down. We must make sure he can not take control upon us again or we will be turning our fangs on each other more often then thee!"

Blue eyes swept over the wolves, frowning at the count. Seventeen. They had lost nearly twenty? He cursed Xigbar for his hindrance in the battle, knowing if he had been on the forefront he could of protected some of them.

He shook his head walking to the rivers and walking into it, the blood on his shoulder and other wounds cleaning away quickly. In the corner of his eye he spotted a lone blue-furred wolf, keeping her distance from them shame written in her posture.

[Rikugurl]

Ventus glanced at his brother once more as the mirrored one continued down the hall before they quickly followed, coming to a grand staircase that swirled around to reach the bottom. It was elegant and grand, never seeing such a rich manor before. How did it's beauty not match it's exterior? It seemed to be such a dark and eerie surface but the lights and candles brightened up the light tiles and art. Roxas was quick to rush down the stairs like children who awoke for winter festivals.

They followed him, though watching their step and holding the finished rail. They came upon two large doors, one being open just enough to enter in which Roxas did. "Please brother! I know thy leg has corrected itself but please take caution!" Ventus cried before he and Sora pushed one of the large doors open. The sound of music was louder here but many blue eyes widened to see the grand hallway. It was grand alright, having some armor on the sides and more stairs leading upwards to other places unknown. It could of also been a ballroom with how empty the space on the floor was and the balconies over head.

They all caught up before proceeding to another set of doors on the far end of the room, looking around to make sure no creature or trap were waiting for them. Inspecting the room made Ventus frown only slightly, wondering if this manor was once lively for the rails were littered with cobwebs and dust. Had this man who turned them once been a nobleman? What had happened that made him turn?

When they reached the doors, they knew that the source of the music would be on the other side. They could also hear clapping and joyous laughter within. It must of been some sort of party... Slowly, Roxas opened the door, making the sound of the music fill their ears truly before they looked in.
And it was quite a sight.

Instruments were playing on their own in a corner as three tables filled the room, all connected in an upside down U. In the space between, three wolves were eating meat that had been thrown on the ground for them, growling a bit at each other but not hear over the music.
In front of the door, was a familiar man and woman, their hands together as they danced a fancy jig. The blonde hair woman this time was wearing a dress as the red hair man wore a fitting outfit. Their feet moved like majick, gliding across the floor as if they had been dancing this way for years and knew it by heart, their steps mastered to the music.

At the table, there was the rose haired man and the blonde hair fellow, both clapping and smiling as they watched the others dance. And at the head of the table was of course... the man who had turned them.
Upon the table were dishes upon dishes of lavish food, mostly meat but fruit and vegetables as well. There were bowels of red liquid that had ladles in them, ready to fill up three goblets that were untouched.

[Reno]

While his brothers looked around in awe at the stunning room it was obvious what Roxas was transfixed by as he watched the two sweep across the room so perfectly it made him feel pale in comparison just watching. He felt a desire grow upon him to join them... to be upon those beautiful and wondrous... but the twist in his gut told him that all he would appear is as a king's jester compared to them if he even dared try. Ven was right he still had much to learn about his new leg...

"Come, join us!" Called the man with pink-hair, drawing their eyes. Reluctantly, Sora moved over to the table, feeling out of place as he sat beside Luxord where one of the goblets were empty. As they did as the dinner table back home Ven followed beside him and then Roxas. The three looked about the table and to the master nervously unsure of what they were meant to do though the smell of the drink was making a small hunger rise upon them.
Sora glanced tentatively at the man beside him as if to find a clue, seeing him shuffling yet another deck of cards but these were longer than a regular deck and had curious pictures upon them. He tilted his head, trying to get a better look at them - but his stare was obvious.

"Like your fortune to be read?"
"Fortune?" Sora murmured curiously.
"Tarot! Never heard of divination arts?"
The brunette shifted and blushed some in humiliation. "I was... highly uneducated... much to my fallen mother's distress I'm sure."
"Aye well never mind that. You'll have time and more to spare for learning. Now-"
"Let us introduce ourselves before you go about traumatizing our new comrades." The pink-haired man spoke patiently.