Smoke rose from a small bowl of incense as Kina bowed, pressing her forehead to the damp earth at the roots of a large wisteria tree. Small scrolls with flowing kanji lined the thin table in front of her... candles flickering in the light breeze that ruffled the papers. So many names... so many souls lost. 

A larger scroll sat central to the table... decorated with handpainted vanilla orchids in delicate watercolours. Kneeling, Kina placed a small bowl and a miniature yunomi teacup in front of each scroll. With practised grace, she poured a small offering of fragrant herbal tea into each cup before placing a few leaves of joss paper into each bowl. On top of the handpainted "money", she placed origami shapes... each one different and special to the person to whom it was offered. 

Softly, she muttered prayers, blessings, and condolences... pausing briefly every so often to bow yet again and add another three incense sticks to the glowing bowl at the center. It would be a long and sombre night in the little garden... all of nature seeming to hold its breath as she held her lonely vigil. 

Christian watched from the shadows for a while, but he was certain she'd sensed him when she looked around. The familiar scent was probably what had given him away, and with the wind shifting he was no longer up from her... Damn the front moving in. His blue eyes were what she'd notice first before the flickering flames illuminated his face. He was still in the same black on black designer suit from earlier at the funeral home and the flames reflected off the shinier parts of his ensemble.

As Christian approached Tsukina would notice a shadow hanging around behind him, keeping out of the light. Taking notice of her wandering eyes he reassured her, "He's simply here as my bodyguard. Have no fear, he is not here to cause trouble."

He removed his jacket and hung it on a tree branch before removing his shoes and walking to Kina. He knelt beside her, offering the incense and it's burner to an empty place on the alter. The burner itself was ornate and old... Extremely old. "You said incense and an offering. I assumed a family heirloom would be sufficient enough as an offering, since it means more than monetary objects. The incense is a simple blend of red rose buds, lavender, olive leaf, and cedar tips."

Once the alter was set, he lowered his body and pressed his own forehead to the wet dirt before raising and offering a small prayer of his own in an older tongue than she might have expected...

As he finished, he struck a match and slowly lit the incense in his burner, cupping his hands and lightly blowing on the smoldering petals and wood tips. Once it smoked nicely without burning, Christian shook his match out and went back to bowing and praying. It would be a long night to honor the dead.

Silently, from where he stood as Christian's shadow, Hiram wondered how long his brother would make him wait to come forward... He kept the hood pulled low over his head to cover his eyes, but he'd steal a glance every now and again to watch Tsukina...

Kina went quiet and still for a long moment. Something in the way she regarded him shifting markedly as he prayed... the lilt of it touching a tender place in her soul. Silently, her lithe fingers traced the delicate carving on the incense burner. Her eyes shimmering lightly as they flickered between the considerate offering and the show of dedication.

Part of her still smouldered. For him, it was all a show. There was nothing to really mourn. At least... it should have been. But as she watched him move with such respect and devotion... she softened more than she wanted to admit. Shaking her head, she inhaled softly... internally berating herself for warming so easily. But... he was so... 

Sighing heavily she melted into another bow, whispering her apologies to the dirt as prayers. 

Lifting herself, she shifted ever so slightly. Retrieving an additional yunomi from her small tray and served Christian a cup of her signature tea... the heavy scent of warm vanilla almost making him laugh. Was she really that hopeless... or was it something else? Without looking directly at him, she layed a gentle, warm hand on his shoulder... pausing him in the midst of his prayers... to pass him the cup. Silently she slid a small tray between them... sugar, honey, cream and (perhaps to his surprise) a small razor. 

Every once and again her gaze flickered to the shadow that lingered at the edge of the peripheral. Part of her hoped. But she was too logical to let herself believe. 

"Thank you," she whispered softly to Christian, keeping her eyes downcast; the warm flicker of the candles playing a fetching theatre of shadows over her soft cheeks as the light danced in her dark eyes. "I... I know this doesn't really mean... I mean... not like..." With a heavy sigh of frustration, she smoothed the front of her dress. "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it... it's meaningful to me that you would indulge my customs. You honour me and those I have lost. And for that, you have my respect and gratitude." 

Briefly, her small hand rested atop his. "Domo arigato gozaimashita."

Christian paused in mid-prayer and looked to the tea cup; a smile... He bowed his head to her and, as he turned back to continue, almost chuckled as the aroma hit his senses. Looking to the small tray Tsukina slid between them, he picked up the tea cup and tasted it before adding anything; the smile widening would let her know the blend was perfect.

With a soft chuckle he picked up the razor blade and palmed it. He'd use it momentarily. However, as he finished his tea and sat the empty cup on the altar, Tsukina's words and soft touch reached him.

"It is always sad when this much life is lost... It is meaningful, even to me, to speak with the spirits of those lost. To let them know that they may go, peacefully." He smiled. "And it is you, young Sakamoto, that has my respect. I see now why Hiram lo~" Feeling the deathly stare of his brother from behind, Christian smiled and corrected his word choice.

"Why Hiram likes you so much." He turned his head to look over his shoulder and offered a nod, waving his hand subtly to the man in the shadows.

Hiram, slowly and carefully, pulled back his hood and stepped into the flame. "Tsukina... I'm so sorry. I know I vanished before I could fully explain things." Hiram looked away, pain and sadness etched into the lines of his face. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Christian stood and stepped back from the two, the razor blade still in his hand as he did so. "Now Hiram, you know the rules of our family... But you know I love you, and I could not deny you..." Turning his gaze on Tsukina, he continued... "Or you, Madam Sakamoto, the chance for closure." The emphasis on the word would let her know that she'd fully underestimated him at the funeral home.

"For that matter, perhaps it is best if..." he trailed off as his gaze turned toward the trees, silence falling over him as he seemed to no longer be currently available, leaving Hiram and Tsukina to themselves...

Kina rushed Hiram, relief and sadness and an odd kind of gratitude etched into her soft features. The long sleeves and ties of her gown tangled around them like tumbleweed as she crashed against him... a pounding wave against highland hills. Clinging to him, she shook her head emphatically, "You have nothing to apologize for. I knew the moment the first shot was fired. I just... I thought... I was sure I wouldn't get to see you again... before." Her voice softened a bit as she called over her shoulder, "And I'm deeply sorry for that." She knew Christian was doing his best to be polite, but she was confident... sure even... that he'd hear. 

Brushing the stray, unruly hair back from Hiram's face, she simply stared at him for a moment... as if memorizing every line and freckle. And, in a way, she was... so that in her despair or old age she might remember that he was, in fact, real. Still holding him close, she shifted so that she could keep an eye on each of the brothers... sliding ever so slightly beneath Hiram's arm so that certain 'tender' areas were as protected as possible. Her keen eyes, carefully followed Christian's sauntering movements... his hands, especially, as she noted the conspicuous absence of her razor on the tea tray. "So... what now?" 

It was a question to both of them... a hesitant, almost dread-filled invitation for tradition to be honoured in whatever way it must. "I... I know you can't stay... long. What are you plans? Do you have to leave tonight?" Of course, she knew that these were all things she couldn't know. But, she hoped that - perhaps - there might be an answer, nonetheless... in action if not in words.

Hiram sighed as Christian continued to pay no heed to the two of them. "Honestly? When I leave is up to Christian. He's always been the one to get us out unnoticed. Not that it's truly that difficult." He cuddled her closely while looking between both of them. "However, there are two plans, and they hinge on what you are willing to do."

While Christian spoke to the spirits in the trees, he also listened to the conversation behind him and nodded at Hiram's words, pausing in his own conversation to add to their's. "Hiram speaks true... You can either join us in New York and I leave your memory in tact; or I do my best to extract Hiram's memory from your's without leaving you mentally handicapped." Christian took the razor blade from his hand and sliced his palm open. Turning it over, he drained a bit of blood into his own tea cup.

"You can make your choice, Tsukina Sakamoto... However, if you choose to come with us," he paused, wiping the razor blade between his fingers and offering it to her. "You need to join our blood; a sign of oath to our family. The first that Hiram has been allowed to bring home because, for some reason, I can't shake that there is something special about you... Something that this family needs, but I don't know exactly what that is yet."

Hiram reached for the blade and took it as Christian returned his gaze to the trees and fell back into his conversation from earlier; his hand that was bleeding clenched shut to apply pressure until it stopped.

Hiram blinked, his mouth slightly agape... "Those were not the options I'd thought." He chuckled. "I figured it was, forget me, or spend a night with me then forget me, or die..." He blinked again, and smirked as he noticed Christian shake his head. Apparently his younger brother had different plans for their future.

"Tsukina, let me know what you want to do... I've never seen Christian offer to let someone into our family though, so he either likes you, or sees a future where you are necessary. Or he's being kind to me allowing you to come and stay with us." Hiram shrugged, unsure of the reason, but smiled at her. He refused to look a gift-horse in the mouth. However, it was up to her to make her decision.

For the first time since they'd (officially) known each other, Hiram saw Tsukina hesitate. He could see the questions swimming behind her eyes; keen, assessing, evaluating. She'd never intended to leave her little garden home. Who would tend the plants? What about her tree? Did that mean... surely not....? But maybe? Could she even? 

She was silent for a long while; listening to the soft cadence of Christian's whispers as her gaze searched the lines on Hiram's face. What exactly were they asking of her? Closing her eyes, she inhaled slowly and softly... bracing herself for the crushing weight of whatever answer she might decide to give, knowing that neither one would be entirely without grief. 

"What... exactly... would that entail?" she finally managed to whisper... barely audible in the evening breeze. Her gaze, serious and probing shifted between the two as she weighed her options; carefully watching their reactions and expressions for even the slightest informative twitch. 

"I... I don't rightfully know if I'm honest, Tsukina. Christian has never done this... I assume he means to somehow turn~"

Christian's head snapped around and his icy glare froze Hiram on the spot, afraid to finish what he'd been speaking.

"You assume wrong, dear brother. I mean it in the most literal of senses... A blood oath. Our blood can join in the tea cup. I'd dare not rob her of her chance to die some day."

The lack of even the hinting of a smirk across Christian's features was unsettling to Hiram, and he looked at Tsukina before looking back to his younger brother.

"What else?"

"Well, she would come and stay with us in New York; plenty of room in the manor. She'd help us continue our work in the city, and help us bring the wanted changes to our world. Of course, it would be necessary to leave what she has here behind. Sell the garden and such... Or, find someone she trusts to run it and keep her hands in it from New York. It is her venture, therefore her choice..."

Hiram blinked as Christian turned back to the trees and continued talking, almost carrying on a conversation and either arguing or... negotiating? Unsure of what his brother was planning, Hiram shrugged and looked at Tsukina. "I know it's a lot to ask... So only if you wanted to. I'm sure Christian could have your home packaged and delivered, and perhaps a few of the trees could be transported though I doubt you'd want to move them... We could take their saplings and create yet another garden though, built partially from the seeds of your garden here?"

He half grinned and half frowned, truthfully not sure what he wanted for her, or what she would want to do for herself... Shaking his head, Hiram sighed. "Kina, I don't want to ask you to leave, but I can't stay here. I know you grew up here, and I know you are intimate with all of these plants. We can transplant, we can regrow with seeds, we can leave you to tend your garden and just be a friend or ours... It truly is whatever you want. Or, you can take an oath and swear with Christian like I did with my boss in Chicago."

Kina shook her head softly, "I'll not have some know-nothing rubbish disgrace what we built." Taking the razor from Hiram, she stepped away. Gently, she placed a hand on Christian's shoulder; calmly waiting for him to come to an agreeable pause in his 'conversation'. "If I go with you, I reserve the right to make that decision for myself should the time come." 

Not waiting for his reply, she took the razor and took a single small cutting from the tree, "I'll have everything I need packed before dawn. Raze the rest. The spirits here won't linger in my absence. I'll see to it that they find a suitable rest in... New York, is it?" Unblinking, she drew the thin blade across her delicate palm; her soft flesh opening like fertile ground to good seed. The scent of wisteria faded as the indescribable perfume of her aroma crashed over them like a floral wave of spice and honey... the fragrance of hunger and madness. 

With pursed lips, Kina offered her upturned hand to Christian. "You want my blood? You have it." 

Holding his gaze she paused for a moment allowing the weight of the words to settle before tipping her palm into the cup. 

As Christian turned he watched her carefully, waiting and allowing her to do what she would. As she held her palm he nodded ever so softly, eyes closing for the brief moment that he did so. Before she pulled away after she'd allowed her palm to drip into the cup, he grabbed her wrist. His eyes glued themselves to the small cut, her blood still seeping from the weeping wound. It was more than an awkward moment, and even Hiram was uncomfortable with the pause... But he said nothing.

Christian's grip was strong, and if Tsukina tried to tug away, he didn't even notice... Or perhaps she hadn't tried to pull away at all, explaining the lack of resistance he felt. Finally breaking the tension, Christian reached into his coat pocket and plucked his handkerchief to tie around her hand. Once he'd tied it loosely, he released his grip on her.

"I won't tell you what to pack that with, I'm certain you already know better than I do. Are you certain you'd wish to raze these grounds?" His question was sincere enough, even if he already knew the answer. He didn't necessarily enjoy destroying such places if he could avoid it. However, simply nodding at her steeled expression, Christian turned away and resumed his conversation... This time, however, she could understand as he apologized to the spirits.

Smiling, he turned back and shook his head. "I'll ask one more time, are you certain? Because they do not wish for this. They have said to go, and they will watch over this land... To guard it..."

He turned back toward the largest tree and bowed his head, "I respect your wishes, but her's are the words I will adhere to since she is -here- and hers is the lineage that called you here to this spot."

He gave Tsukina this one last chance to make sure she was completely certain of her choices, then he would act accordingly...

Kina never flinched. Even as he grabbed her wrist, she never shied away from his firm grip, but simply held his gaze with a bold trust that bordered on calm defiance. Sighing softly, she eyed him for a moment, something in her softening as he turned back to the trees. "I would not have them at the mercy of another. But... In this... I will trust your judgement. Consider it the first demonstration of my fidelity."

Turning, she made for the house, motioning for the men to accompany her as her hand slid gently and lingeringly out of his grip. "I'll gather my things. Please, feel welcome to join me. Otherwise, I'll meet you where you please."  

Christian nodded as she took her hand back and headed for the house. "Hiram, help her... I'll take care of the grove." With that said, Christian ventured further into the foliage of the garden. His fingers drug along trees and through leaves of plants. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the life he was going to take, but he could respect Tsukina wishes. She worried about the land being at the mercy of others... About the life in the garden... Christian would make sure that everything burned and everything died, every shroud of life snuffed from the land.

Chicago was used to giant, uncontrollable fires, right?

Christian almost snickered at his own thoughts. It hadn't even been a century since the great fire had ripped through most of Chicago. Somehow, this patch of land had gone without harm. Presumably, because of the spirits that watched over the area. Tonight, though... Tonight there would be no spirits to stop the flames from undoing everything.

As Christian walked the perimeter of the garden he began to pile leaves and twigs that had fallen so they could be used as ignition points. However, he would need some accelerant to help the spread of flames. Tsukina probably had some flammable things that he could use. As he circled back to the house, he noticed Tsukina and Hiram exiting the house.

"Is that everything? And do you, per chance, have anything we can use to burn the grounds to ashes?"

Kina blinked at him, taken aback yet again. "I... I thought..." she trailed off, her gaze flowing over her garden home with a sudden heavy sadness. She worried for the spirits who called it home, and yet the idea of leaving it had still given her some semblance of solace... and even courage. Now, there would be nothing left... no shadow, no memory. There was no going back. With a sad smile, she handed Hiram her small bag before squeezing Christian's hand. Nodding, she stepped back inside, returning momentarily with a few bottles of some unnamable but poignantly potent-smelling alcohol. 

"Thank you," she whispered as she pressed them into his hands, her eyes meeting his gaze with more tenderness and emotion than he'd felt from another being in ages. When she looked at him, she saw him... all of him. He could feel her see him. With a twitching, forlorn smile, she turned away, taking her bag from Hiram as she wandered back toward her little garden altar. Tenderly, she untied and unwrapped the thin shimenawa that adorned the tree; wrapping it carefully and tucking it away in her bag. With a soft whisper of thanks and apology, she lovingly placed the carved incense burner atop it and closed the bag. "You can start here," she called over to Christian, adding as an afterthought, "...please." 

Turning away she joined the men on the porch, "The offerings need to be burned anyway." Tucking herself under Hiram's arm once more, she buried her face in his coat like a small child, keeping her back turned to the garden. In her determined anguish, she suddenly seemed so small... and it struck Christian that - in a way - with Hiram, she would always be childlike in her tenderness and adoration. And as many times as he'd witnessed it over the centuries, just this once it struck him as exceptionally disturbing. 

Christian stared at the two of them for a bit, a repugnant glare flashing across his face for a split second before he could hide it. Hopefully neither of them had noticed as he turned away. Long strides carried him over to the alter space where he began to douse the area with one of the bottles Tsukina had handed him.

Eventually, he worked his way around most of the garden and back to the paper house... "Well, that's everything. It should spread nicely, and burn quickly, before the firefighters arrive. However, he need to do something about the Koi pond before we ignite the house here..."

He looked at Tsukina. "May I enter?"

Christian awaited her nod before opening the door and slipping inside, searching for anything he could poison the water with... The pantry seemed a good place to start. Nothing much was left, but there were a few small jars that Tsukina had left; Barbasco root being one of them. "Hm, that should do just fine..."

Stepping outside, Christian nodded as he shook the container before dumping the roots onto the stone walkway and crushing them with the heel of his dress shoe. Once all were pulverized, he took the roots in his hand and dipped them into the water and began shaking the roots around. It didn't take long, but one by one the Koi began to surface, belly up. Some gasped a bit before stilling themselves, but most floated dead near instantaneously.

"Rotenone..." he answered as if he could hear Hiram's wheels spinning before the question was asked. "A natural toxin used by tribes of indigenous peoples in the tropics... How Tsukina had some, I won't question." He chuckled softly before looking at her. "How you continue to surprise me, little one."

He released the roots into the water and left them to continue their poisoning. "Best part? The fish is safe to eat, if one ate Koi. I hear it is tough. I've not tried it myself."

Shrugging, Christian stood and signaled to Hiram to start directing Tsukina away... Flames would be rising soon. As the couple turned their backs to Christian, he struck a match and slowly began to set the paper building alight; the fire snaking it's way between the wooden beams that still held the housing together.

"It will spread fast, so we should go." He took the last bottle and stuffed some of a towel into it before lighting the cloth and throwing the bottle at the alter. Flames exploded everywhere and the rest of the alcohol began to catch and spread the fire throughout the garden...

Kina noticed the face, and hers fell a bit. But she said nothing. That was a conversation to be had in private. Allowing Hiram to coax her away, she felt the fire leap to life; Christian quick on their heels as the shattering of glass heralded the roaring rush of heat and light. 

Clinging to her tiny bag of belongings, she sandwiched herself between the brothers with a soft whimper. Quietly, she reached for Christian's hand... hands that had undertaken responsibility for such a heavy act on her behalf. 'Thank you' she mouthed, giving his palm a light squeeze with her delicate fingers. 

For the briefest second, she actually thought she saw the sombre male smile as... together the brothers escorted her into the back of a v-16 Cadillac limo. One Black on either side, she whispered softly, "Take me home." Stifled smile widening, Christian tapped the driver on the shoulder as the Limo peeled silently away from the curb, disappearing into the night as flames licked the Chicago night sky; reflecting brightly off the slick black windows. 

Christian rolled his window down as the vehicle circled around the front of the garden, the heat intense off his face as the fire danced in his eyes. Rounding a corner and out of sight, he finally rolled the window up and turned to face forward, his gaze steeled and practically emotionless.

"To the airport for us, then you have a flatcar waiting for this vehicle at the rail yards... Make sure the vehicle is loaded, personally, then come home. I'll send you and another hand for the other two vehicles later."

The driver nodded then closed the separator window so the family could talk in private if necessary. Christian sighed and leaned his head back. "You should rest. It's a bit of a drive to the airport..." he reminded the both of them, and closed his eyes.

Kina's short frame fit almost too perfectly between the two of them. Head on Hiram's thigh and tiny feet in Christian's lap, she drifted off to fitful sleep. After a long ride, Hiram carried her carefully onto the plane; Christian in tow with her bag and shoes. In a matter of hours, she'd awaken - safe and secure - in a new life... like a baby taking its first breaths. There was so much behind her that was dying, making way for her birth into the strange world of the Blacks.