Kina had grown up with the old stories. Her grandmother was a true believer. And that faith had changed the lives of many a hopeless person for whom nothing else had worked. So, unlike her skeptical mother, Kina carried on her grandmother's simple acceptance of the 'other'. To her, it was as real as the trees or the pond. It always had been. In fact, she was sure in the deepest part of her soul that he was far from the first of his kind that had crossed her path. So it was no huge adjustment for her to accept his admission. 

Leaning close, draped her arms over his shoulders to gently caress his chest, placing herself precariously close to him even after he'd turned away. "How long?" she asked, with an air of genuine belief and curiosity. "And why choose a human? Knowing that you'll outlive us again and again... why? It seems outright masochistic. It can't just be for companionship. So what then?" 

There was that keenness he'd learned to admire. She'd always been too smart for her own good. It had gotten her into trouble... trouble he'd had to intervene in... more than a few times before. "Remember, you have to be honest... or I won't fix you any more tea," she teased. 

Holding him to her chest, she rested her cheek on his head, closing her eyes and muttering softly as she relaxed... reaching out with something other than her hands. She swallowed hard as she braced for the inevitable flood of sensation... overwhelming rage, heartwrenching anguish, mourning, ecstasy - like a brightly burning fire... intense but always tragically short-lived, pain... so much pain, and hunger... a burning, maddening ravenousness that was unlike anything she'd ever known.

Shaking and gasping, her small fists gripped the smoothe, black silk of his shirt; her delicate knuckles going stark white as her eyes snapped open, tears threatening to brim over. Panting softly, she rested against him silently for a long moment before reaching wordlessly for her teacup with a shaking hand. Rubbing his shoulder absentmindedly, she sipped the warming tea quietly for a while before asking quietly, "Finish your tea for me, please?" 

"I was born midday on my mother's twentieth birthday... In 1609."

He paused to allow her that moment to accept what she'd heard before he continued to answer her questions.

"I pick humans because you're more likely to give your all to something you cherish. Your passions are more, intense... Outliving you is just part of the curse, doesn't mean I can't make the best of it while I have you. Believe it or not, companionship is the leading force. It gets lonely after three-hundred years of lifetimes."

He felt her drift away, reaching out... He tried to block her out from what she would see, but he also wanted to hold no truth from her. She should know what lay against her... So he relinquished his hold and let her feel it all. The pain, the loneliness, the heartache and the suffering, and worst of all, the hunger and damage he so often caused.

He watched as her shaking hand reached for her own teacup while the other rubbed his shoulder. Closing his eyes Hiram reached for his own cup to drain it, tilting it back and swallowing what was left.

"I should go... I've troubled you enough. You should be free to ponder on your own thoughts without me loitering about and making you feel as if you have to say or do something..."

Hiram pushed himself up and walked over to the tree where his boots were and slipped them on, grabbing his jacket from a low hanging branch and slipping it around his arms. "The castle... It's where I stay. Feel free to go there if you wish to seek me out. I won't bother you again until then."

He hesitated as he turned to look at her, pausing in the bright daylight that bore down on him, his blue eyes a sad dull in comparison to earlier. "I'm sorry..."

Kina took his cup, glancing down into it for a brief moment before setting to one side... for later. Standing, she reached for his hand before he could walk away. "Don't," she paused for a moment, catching her own breath. "Please don't apologize. And... you don't have to leave if you don't want to. Besides... you never told me if you agreed." Her dark eyes peered up at him unflinching; soft, receptive, and pleading. 

Hiram softened slightly.

"If it means you will be my companion, then I accept your terms. Except the one where you choose. The next can't be decided until the current is completely gone from me... I don't allow my self to be split in that sense."

He smiled and his fingers rubbed her hand that held his. "I'll stay if you want to invite me in, but if you need time alone then you can find me at the castle in the south side. Givins Irish Castle... I stay there with the family that owns it. They've... Accepted me as a tenant."

He waited for her answer before committing to the day's doings...

Kina shrugged, that was fair. "Fine... but I'm making a list," she insisted stubbornly in a way that told him there'd be no arguing. 

She blushed as his fingers traced the back of her hand, peering up at him with keen eyes. It seemed to take her a moment to commit to the risk... but she'd already come this far. So why not? 

"I reserve the right to rescind your invitation," she said, shooting a playful glance over her shoulder as she moved to collect their tea. Sliding the paper doors open, she shuffled over to set the tea on her small coffee table before glancing once more over her shoulder. Straightening, she faced him and smiled. "Shoes off, please. Then, you are welcome in my home." 

Hiram chuckled and removed his boots... Again. Slowly, his foot crossed the threshold, then the other. Looking about the room he smiled. It was small and quaint, perfect for her just as she was perfect in his mind. It was too small for his personal tastes, but it suited Tsukina. Turning away and pulling the paper door shut, he commented, "You know I could have a door crafted that would be more sturdy than paper... I suppose you like the authenticity of it all, though, yes?"

He chuckled and turned back to face her... "Thank you for inviting me in. I promise to not overstay or outwear my welcome. And as your guest, I'm subject to your wishes. If that is to rescind the invite, so be it. I will honor that."

He smiled and pointed to a chair nearby. She followed his finger and nodded in reply. "Thank you. You're a gracious host." Hiram stepped over to the chair and lightly lowered himself down into it. "Anything you wish of me in this moment?"

Tsukina shook her head, a soft smile sneaking across her lips. "Nothing that I would ask, just yet," she admitted shyly, "Just... knowing that you're real is all." She chuckled lightly, "I'm half-convinced I must be dreaming. And I'm not quite ready to wake up just yet." 

Bringing both their cups over she sat on the floor beside him, sipping her tea quietly while she stared into his. "Curious and curiouser," she mumbled softly, turning the cup this way and that. "Your lifeline was interrupted long ago... then revived. But you were never the same, were you? All your joys shortlived. Bathed in blood and fueled by hunger. Hunger to be sated... but also... to return. To live and love as you once did... and believe you can no more." 

Placing the cup on the floor, she squinted up at him. "My grandmother would have called you a fool, you know..." she smiled at the thought, "But she would have been fond of you as well. She always had a soft spot for the otherlings... those touched by the yokai...  especially the foolishly hopeless romantic sorts." Her gaze turned serious a moment, "There are ways... you know... on either end. Though I suspect that's a conversation to be had another day." 

Standing and stretching, she moved to unpack and prepare the fish... setting it atop her wood-brick stove to smoke while she prepared some rice and a small array of veggies and fruits to make a meagre meal. "Do you eat normal food," she called over the small bar from the kitchen in such a matter-of-fact way that he almost had to laugh. It was growing late... already well into the evening. For propriety's sake (which she was sure would be somehow important to him), she knew he'd have to leave soon. But she'd keep him at least through dinner if she could. 

He watched her stare at his cup, her divination not unnoticed by him. Regardless, he smiled and allowed her to do her readings. "Aye, my life line was interrupted around the time I was thirty, and then I slept, and awoke as I am now. I chose this life originally for revenge. It was a plot by my father, of course. He allowed me to fall madly for a serving girl in the monarch's home. We were in love... She was killed, my father knew she would be, but refused to intervene in the life of a mortal. He would not, even if she was my beloved. Because he knew it would push me over life's edge and allow me to do what was necessary to unlock my potential. To unlock the hunter within me."

He looked at Tsukina. "She was killed by another hunter of the night. A wolf. An upright one." He sighed. "I became who I am so I could kill him, the wolf. Then, the more I hunted, I discovered it was a her. She was so vibrant and loving of life, but she often succumbed to her animalistic desires and rampaged in uncontrollable rages within the city's walls. When I finally captured and killed her, it forever changed me. Once my revenge was over, I knew it wouldn't bring back my beloved... I was left to live forevermore without her."

"The blood and insatiable hunger you sense? That's the curse... I require blood as sustenance, and lots of it." He looked away from her. "I focus most of my feeds on those that are already near death. Others, I focus on those who would cause harm to my family. Sometimes, very rarely, I borrow some from my closest of friends. Never enough to harm them, though."

Looking back to see what she'd thought of that, Hiram offered a weak smile. "I'm sure I was a fool, but no longer am I. Learned many things I have in my time on this world. Seen many and accepted many." He chuckled, thinking about her grandmother. She'd been a truly remarkable woman, and Tsukina was absolutely right, she did adore him; thought him a fool all the same as well. As the woman stood and stretched, he listened to her form pop and creak. Her muscles pulled tight and taught, and her heart took a quick off-pitter as it caught up to the rush of blood from her straightening her self. He swallowed hard, she smelled so sweet...

Her voice jerking him back to the here and now, he looked and she'd made herself to the kitchen area to start prepping food.

"What? Yes," he chuckled. "Yes, I can eat real food just like you." He swiveled his chair to watch her. "I do hope they gave you the best cuts as I asked them too..."

Kina nodded, seemingly unaffected. If he knew her family, he would know that she'd been exposed to a wide range of beings with a variety of biologies... to her... their natures were as natural as her own. Rarely did she fault anyone for their natural state of being... regardless of what that looked like. Her grandmother had taught her to view everyone with healing eyes. 

Chuckling softly, she rolled her eyes, "I thought as much." Shooting him a chastizing look, she pulled some of the fish from the oven... leaving the rest to smoke slowly overnight, "That was... morally complicated of you. .... but thank you, all the same." Scooping a heap of rice into two separate bowls, she set about preparing him a plate that she hoped was at least presentable... something similar to donburi. She arranged the fish first, then added the veggies, curled into ridiculous but somewhat endearing flowers and other shapes like origami. Hers she simply threw together in a heaping mess, without such care. Toping it off with a little eel sauce and soy, she moved toward the table... but paused. 

Cocking her head to one side she looked at the bowl, then met his gaze, and then back at the bowl.... gaze, bowl, gaze... bowl. Turning back to the bar, she silently reached for her mukimono. Unblinking, she drew the thin blade across her thumb... exhaling sharply as crimson stained the polished steel. Pinching the flesh gently, she sprinkled it over the bowl like garnish before handing it to him with a pair of chopsticks, "I think I have a fork floating around somewhere if you need it. I just assumed, given your experience, that you wouldn't. 

Thumb to her lips, she took a seat on one of the many pillows around the low table and alternated eating her food with nursing the shallow cut. "I hope you like it," she smiled innocently. ... silly girl.

"'Twas not!" he argued as she said it was morally complicated.

"There was nothing morally complicated. I asked them to help, and paid for the food. He refused, walked away, and said a few mean things. I... Encouraged him to be polite." He smiled.

"Then I was morally complicated when I had him deliver his day's wages to the orphanage down the street."

Hiram chuckled as she frowned, bringing the plates over then paused... Gazing at him, then the bowl, gaze, bowl, gaze, bowl, gaz- you get the point... "Wait n-." Going to say something, Hiram wasn't quite fast enough to stop her before she bled lightly onto his food. He drooped his shoulders slightly and sighed, taking his bowl with a soft, "Thank you..."

He poked around in the bowl as she ate, not eating until he found a piece untouched by her crimson flavor. "AHA! I knew I could find a piece without blood!" Quickly he gobbled the fish down and moaned in pure delight of the flavors... "Oh my...well... Oh my!" He turned and looked at her, another piece with no blood aimed at his mouth, and realized she had a blank stare on her face like he'd offended her... Like he'd inadvertently said she wasn't good enough, or that he didn't appreciate the offer. None of which were true. But knowing how most of these conversations went, he set the bowl down and turned to her.

"Tsukina... I quite enjoy the flavors of food. It's one of the small joys there are left in life for me. While I appreciate what you did very much, I needed to taste it before you were the -only thing- I could taste... I hope that makes sense?" He took a bite of the food without looking and smiled. "And it's soooo very good. But I know soon as I taste your blood, it's all I'll be able to taste while I eat. Not that it's such a bad taste or anything, it just overpowers the other senses."

He smiled softly, then bowed his head to return to the meal. "Itadakimasu."

Kina hugged her bowl as she ate... quietly and slowly. She felt silly and small... and yes, more than a little "less than". Perhaps she should have asked. But she had assumed it was a graciousness... the kind of thing her grandmother would have done, and one she thought he surely didn't receive that often.

Such a personal thing, she thought... her literal life on a plate. The most intimate, powerful, sacred part of her very essence. She'd thought for sure he'd understand the significance of her willingness to offer it up in the face of every taboo. She'd thought it would be sweet... something secret and special between her and her Tennin. But no... Apparently, she was wrong. Embarrassingly so. After all, what about her could possibly be special after 300 years? 

There was nothing she could say or do... nothing at all... that would ever be fresh or surprising... nothing she could offer that someone else hadn't already given. At this point... not only was she entirely unworthy, but also unoriginal and predictable. 

At least he seemed to like the unadulterated parts. That, she told herself, should be some small comfort.

It wasn't. 

"Duely noted," was the only reply she could muster as she picked over her own food, suddenly not as hungry as before. Looking down into the bowl, she sighed before offering it to him with a sad smile. 

Hiram continued to go on and on about her food, until he felt her bowl bump his leg and looked down. It was then that he realized he'd hurt her feelings... Freezing mid scoop, he stared. "Kina?" he spoke softly before he set down the bowl and turned, taking hers and setting it beside his bowl but remaining focused on her.

"I've offended you." He hung his head before sliding from the chair and putting himself almost flat before her as he pressed himself to the ground in a bow. "Please forgive me. I did not mean to insult your gift. It was thoughtful, more thoughtful than any have ever been upon learning what I am. Forgive me for not realizing your gift... I am, deeply, sorry."

Raising his head, Hiram looked to her. "You should eat... I promise your gift does not go unnoticed nor unappreciated. It was not my intent to throw that in your face, yet I have. I'd step outside and commit seppuku if it would actually do it's job to atone for my dishonor."

He sat up and grabbed both bowls, offering hers back to her. "Please, finish your meal with me. This is the nicest anyone has ever been when I've first approached. It's... refreshing, and new." He smiled. "Your grandmother was absolutely right when she said you would show me kindness before anything else. I did not believe her. I owe her an apology... I'll visit her tonight." His smile remained, hoping his words made her feel better, but they quickly faded to a worried look as he still felt he'd severely hurt and offended her feelings...

Kina rolled her eyes, shaking her head, "You're so dramatic. Was that classy in your day...s?" Taking her bowl, she nudged his toward him, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you're being racist," she teased. "You don't have to do anything silly. It was my bad, not yours. Just... eat your food. And..." she glanced at him somewhat nervously, "Maybe... don't... leave? Stay with me. Just until I fall asleep? It would be nice to not fall asleep alone for once. And... it's not like it would be weird... er... than usual." 

Chuckling softly she hid her face in her bowl, avoiding his reaction. Fill up the hole so the noise can't come out, she thought to herself as she shovelled food into her mouth. 

Hiram blinked.

"Yes... yes it was. It brought honor back on those that had dishonored their family. A show of respect and admittance to their -" he was hushed with his bowl nudged back at him. Chuckling, he sat back on his feet and shoveled food into his mouth.

"If that is what you wish, then I will stay..." This time he spoke with a mouthful though, his blue eyes bright like lichfire frozen in time and space. Her blood had hit, and it was all he tasted. So sweet, so powerful... She was indeed more special to him than she could possibly know, perhaps even more than he knew. Tilting his bowl back, he scarfed down the last of the fish, veggies, fruits, and sauce. His nostrils flared as those eyes fixated on her. Swallowing the last of it, he grinned...

"I'll go and prepare your bed."

Kina nodded quietly. "I would like that," she admitted in a voice that was barely above a whisper. 

"I remember you sitting by my window as a little girl... after my dad... when the nightmares came..." she blushed faintly. That was such a long time ago. She felt silly, maybe even recklessly stupid. So. many. red. flags. But did she care? No. He'd seen to that with expert proficiency. 

"I never saw you, but I always knew you were there. When I'd wake up gasping... the breeze always smelled like vanilla. And it was so comforting. I always hoped... even then," she admitted as she cleaned up their plates, "you would at least allow me to see you... one day." 

Rinsing the bowls she watched as he pulled back the soft cotton blankets of her little floor mattress, "I suppose I should be upset that you planned it that way... that you made me feel comforted. But... honestly... all I can think is that I'm grateful. You showed me compassion... and mercy. You cared for me. When no one else could make it better... you did. You made me feel safe." She chuckled lighlty, "How odd is that... the men, I fear... while the monster makes me feel safe?" Trailing off, she glanced up at him, "Not that I think of you that way... just... well, you must know." She floundered for a moment hoping she hadn't offended or hurt him, "No offense." 

Giving the kitchen a final once-over, she disappeared behind the thin screen that divided the bathing area from the rest of the house. Slipping out of her cheongsam, she hung it over the screen... followed by her slip and bloomers... before slipping into a thin silk nightgown. One arm across her chest, she shuffled shyly to the bed; yanking the sheets up to her neck as soon as she'd settled in. Rolling toward him, she laid her head in his lap; quietly whispering a drowsy 'thank you' before drifting off to sleep without so much as a second thought. 

... and for the first time in as long as she could remember, Kina slept soundly through the night.

"None taken, I know what I am..." he didn't laugh, but he didn't seem even remotely bothered either. He simply... Was...

As Tsukina shuffled coyly toward the bed and bashfully tugged the blankets up to her neck, Hiram settled down onto the floor mattress, his back against the wall and sitting up. She quickly cuddled into his lap and his fingers caressed her hair softly, dragging through the long, black, living tangles and waves, until she was out and snoring... Drooling even, maybe. Maybe not. She'd kill him if she ever found out she'd drooled on him; if she could...

With a reserved sigh, Hiram laid his head back against the wall... It was going to be a long night of just sitting there. Inhaling slowly, he focused on one spot in the room and exhaled, repeating the process until his mind was in a meditative, semi-hibernating state. It was time to rest while he could...