After a long day of boots-on-the-ground fieldwork, Kina, Hiram, and Christian were finally ready to return home. It felt like this mess with Billy and his boy was beginning to settle, and things with the Venetians might finally blow over. After dropping Sam off, they retrieved Salvatore from the Mastrosimone manor, and were finally able to make their way home. The evening felt heavy and sleepy... a tenuous peace lulling the whole of the house into a false sense of peace and comfort. 

With the car parked and the gates safely locked, the brothers each wandered off to relax in their own way, leaving Tsukina to tend her tiny, growing garden alone. Near the far edge of the grounds, she knelt before a budding wisteria sapling in quiet contemplation and prayer. Bowing in deep reverence to the spirits that blessed her with this amazing life, Kina readied to make her way back to the house when a sudden snap ripped the whispered prayers from her lips. 

An indescribable force slammed into her chest, like a truck at full speed; knocking all the breath from her. There was no sound. And, at first, there was no pain... only numb shock and pressure. For a few moments, Kina stared up at the clear night sky and marvelled at how beautiful the stars were. It took several long moments for the reality of her situation to set in. As she blinked up at her hands - covered in blood from clutching her chest. In the pale moonlight, it was black... like ink. Black. Like her boys. 

Her whole body felt numb and wet as she gasped for breath... a slow, burning ache beginning to steamroll through her consciousness. A creeping, cramping push of heat like a hornet sting... but everywhere. With growing horror, the realization began to dawn as inexpressible agony ripped through her... finally wrenching a harrowing scream from her lips. 

No words would form; her mind too shattered by pain and fear. Even the names of her precious keepers were outside her grasp as wave after wave of pushing pain seared through her. She thought she would faint from it... that she should faint from it. And yet, she never did. The agony built and built... overwhelming every piece of her identity and consciousness, and yet her body never gave her the peace or respite of unconsciousness. No. She was to be awake for every agonizing moment... right up to her last. She would feel all of it... fully conscious of her life slowly slipping away. Why would the gods give the body the capacity for so much pain? 

This must be hell. 

Bloodstained hands ripped pale pink blossoms from the tiny sapling... reaching for the unknowable spirits that had once dwelled within. "Please," the plea echoed in her mind, unable to pass her lips as she coughed and sputtered blood. "Please," she willed with anything and everything she had left, "Let blue be the last thing I see. Please!" 

Salvatore sat in his room staring at the wall. He'd been a guest with Billy all day, and all of the emotion in the house had near driven him insane. Decompression was the -only- thing on his mind. Finally laying back on his soft, deep bed, he closed his eyes and recounted every meaningless conversation. Every passing glance. Every hushed whisper from children and adult alike. Then came the waves of guilt... They washed over Billy every time he'd gone to look at Gavin. Guilt, followed by swelling anger. Sorrow. Christian had left him there to try and help keep the peace... He'd known his job from the moment it all started. Empathy. Empathize with with hurting. Stroke the bravado of the Mastrosimones. Make sure they were seen as strong, and united. Hell, make sure they even felt it themselves... Cry with those that needed it. Even plead with others...

"Please..." he repeated as the thoughts of the day echoed in his mind... "Please let blue be the last thing I see... Please!"

Sal screamed in agony as the thoughts plagued his mind, gripping at his chest...

Hiram had gone upstairs and straight to the game tables. Poker was his go to, and it just so happened it was the weekly poker night with the staff. They gambled everything from the best, newest sheets to sleep on, to duties for the next week. Hiram, of course, offered them new shiny things if they could beat him... And they often did. He enjoyed indulging the staff and allowing them to "win" new things. It was an absolute thrill to watch them get competitive with each other. Especially Amelia. She was extremely crass and loud-mouthed after a few drinks.

"Oh fuck you!" she yelled even then as Hiram laughed and slammed down a flush of spades, queen high. He had to win occasionally! "No really, FUCK YOU!" she cackled and slammed down a full house. "I'll be taking that now!" she reached for a new bottle of Gato single-malt Irish Whiskey, but her hand was slapped by Antonio.

"Ey, not so fast, dollface... You're a little to excited there! Looks like you got pool duty!" He slammed down a straight-flush and grinned. "Read'em and weep bitches!"

"OH FUCK YOU!" Hiram and Amelia yelled before Hiram spun in his chair...

What was Salvatore yelling so loudly about? Or was it a psychic attack as he decompressed? Either way, Hiram rocketed out of the room and raced downstairs...

Christian sat quietly at his desk in the study, an open decanter within reach. With a glass half-filled in one hand, and a cigar in the other, he leaned back into his large, plush chair and sighed. "A good day." Taking a drink, he allowed the hefty burn of his bourbon to sit in the back of his throat while he puffed on his cigar. The oak flavor of the whiskey, mixed with the intoxicating Cuban he smoked, had his body loosened in no time. Tsukina was in her garden, Hiram was playing poker, Sam was safe at home, and Sal was being Sal. Screaming his head off in his room.

Christian sat up, placing his glass down on the desk. Sal was screaming. That -WASN'T- his normal when he was decompressing. Crying, moaning, whimpering? Sure. Throwing things? Without a doubt. But begging for things to be the last thing he saw? That was new.

The cigar slid from between his fingers as he jumped up, but before it even bounced off the ground Christian had already rounded the door to the office and was running down the hallway. Hiram met him at the foot of the stairs coming down, both running for Sal's room.

"Why's Sal yel-"

"I don't know, Hiram!"

"Fuck..."

The two of them skidded to a halt and thrust Sal's door open only to see him laying, crumpled on his bed and pleading softly for the pain to stop, for blue to be all he saw... Softly, but the pleading echoed inside of their heads so loudly. Hiram rushed to Sal's side as Christian stood in the doorway thinking. Sal, seeing his brother, shook his head. "I don't remember this from earlier... What is this?! Just... Make it..."

As his voice died out and the screaming in all of their heads calmed, they exchanged glances. All at once they whispered her name. Christian was already in the hallway and started running for the garden, skidding through the hallways. Hiram and Sal were on his heels.

Bursting out into the garden, they could all sense it... Christian slid to a stop on the ground as he scooped her up, meeting her gaze. Three sets of icy-blues staring into hers.

"Tsukina, stay with me... Stay with me dammit!" Hiram and Sal looked at the splatter, and Hiram in his age looked at the treeline at the  property's edge. Headlights tore away down the drive. "THERE!" he yelled, and the two rushed for the garage, Hiram pausing halfway and looking back.

"GO!" Christian yelled. "I WANT THAT MOTHER FUCKER'S HEAD FOR DINNER OR IT WILL BE BOTH OF YOURS! I'LL DO WHAT I CAN FOR KINA!"

Hiram nodded, and with two hops he was headed for the garage again in full sprint. Seconds later and the family's Railton was speeding down the drive. No doubt they would catch the fleeing vehicle. It was, after all, one of the fastest cars of it's time.

Christian returned his gaze to Tsukina. "Stay with me now!" he coaxed, looking at the wound. It was bad. She would bleed out without medical attention. Attention he was sure no one there could give her, and none of the emergency services would make it in time...

"Tsukina... You fight, you hear me? You fight this!" he put pressure on the wound and held, looking at her, his eyes sad and worried. He'd just gotten to really know her. How could this happen? Why were mortals so...Squishy?

Tears slid from Kina's eyes as her hand limply brushed his face. "Thank you," she whispered softly to whatever guiding hands had brought him to her. Her eyes slid closed for a moment, her head lulling to one side as she slid between this world and the next. Gasping, she jerked back to full consciousness. Even with Christian's futile help, she'd lost too much already. She was on the edge... in a way that there was no coming back from. 

Through the pain and fog of blood loss, she smiled weakly at him. "I knew you'd come," she coughed softly. Forcing her eyes to focus on his face, she cradled his head in one hand. "I'm not afraid," she shook her head, thumb brushing his lips and then his cheek. "I'm not afraid, Christian." 

Whimpering softly, her chest rattled as she struggled to draw breath... something between a gasp and a sob. "I... just... don't want... to leave you," she fought out between sputtering coughs, blood trickling from her lips. "Can't I stay," she pleaded... half with him and half with some numinous presence he couldn't perceive. "Please, let me stay." 

Her breaths came shorter and shorter as she paled... her life literally slipping between his fingers. With desperate commitment, she gripped the collar of his shirt, lifting herself ever so slightly toward him. "We..." she coughed and spat blood, "...agreed." Holding him as tightly as her failing body would let her, she met his gaze... the last of her bright fire flaring behind her eyes. She'd never ask it of him... and yet, how could she not? 

Christian, steely eyed as they come, looked around for any of his staff. No one else had bothered with any of the commotion. Probably because they were upstairs playing their poker game. That actually worked in his favor. Christian hoisted her limp body and carried her over to a rock slab in the middle of the garden and spread her across it.

Quickly he rushed his hand as they used her blood to draw symbols upon the slab. Taking his wrist, he ground it against the jagged edge of the rocks, tearing and ripping his skin away. His blood flowed freely from his wound and he pressed it to her lips.

"Trust me?"

Her slight nod was enough, and he felt her lips against his heated flesh. As she drank the life force from him, he chanted in a few different languages, calling out to all kinds of Fae, Celestial, and Ancient alike. He'd need to cash in every favor he could to make sure this worked...

He could feel his life flowing into her, but he wasn't certain it was enough. Soon as he felt her's leave though, he sighed. At this point, it was in the hands of fate herself. Lifting his gaze to the spirits gathered, he bowed reverently and turned, parting from Tsukina. She'd wake, or she wouldn't... He made his way inside to clean up.

Sal floored the pedal on the car as they raced down the long drive. With their headlights off, they secretly gained on the vehicle tearing away from the scene of the crime. They watched as the headlights bounced down the drive and finally turned out onto the highway...

Sal flipped the lights on and within seconds was making the same turn. They nearly caught the bastard shooter before he'd even got off their property. Was a shame they hadn't. Sal had a passing thought about how many people that had wronged the family were buried there now, but he quickly shook it and focused. He was on the tail of their assailant, and Hiram had his pistol out. Sal, however, wanted to take him alive.

"Shoot the tires out. I'll bump him."

"Christian is going to beat you for scratching this car!"

"I doubt he's going to mind as long as we catch our friendly shooter here!"

"Touche, my dear brother, touche!" Hiram nodded, and dropped his aim lower. Two shots and one tire was blown. Another and two tires were blown. Sal bumped the back end of the vehicle, causing the other driver to loose control. The tires gripped the road and the car ripped left, narrowly dodging traffic only to hop a lowered building entrance and slam into the building itself before dropping into the stairwell.

Sal slammed on the brakes and through the vehicle into neutral, hopping out as it stopped moving. "Come on Hiram!" he called to his eldest brother as he rushed for the wrecked carnage. By the time Hiram caught up, Sal had the shooter pulled from his vehicle and was dragging him back toward the car. "You got that?"

Sal nodded.

"I'll go get the car. Just wait..." Hiram turned around and jogged back to the vehicle, slowly pulling it around and stopping near Sal.

Once the other vehicle was searched and they were loaded up, Hiram looked in the back seat. "You ever been buried alive?" The brothers chuckled and Sal winked at the man as he looked a bit worried. Lucky for him, the worry didn't last long as the butt of a pistol connected with the side of his head and knocked him out cold... As if hitting his head on the steering wheel and twisting up his leg hadn't been enough...

Of course, to Hiram and Sal, that hardly scratched the surface of enough. The brothers pulled back down the long drive and made their way home.

Once parked in the garage the men offloaded the bastard and took him down a set of stairs that led to a lower doorway. Part of the house Tsukina had not seen yet. Multiple keys to get the door opened, but once inside it was easy to understand why. A myriad of medieval torture methods were kept. Waterboarding, rack tables, pillory, even an Iron Maiden... The brothers stripped the man and searched him, then secured him on the waterboarding table. They'd make sure to let him wake before they engaged in slowly drowning him again and again... Instead, they locked him down there and headed upstairs to find Christian and Tsukina.

However, what they found, was Christian sitting on the first steps as soon as they entered the front door. Covered in blood, elbows resting on his knees with his hands drooping between his legs, head hung low.

"Christian..." Hiram started, but Sal placed a hand on Hiram's shoulder. "He's done everything he can... It's no longer in his hands. It's in hers."

"Is she alive?" Hiram begged Christian.

"Yes... And no..."

"What?"

"Yes... And no..." Christian repeated.

"Don't be so cryptic, Christian! Is she dead?!"

Christian glared up at his brother... "YES AND FUCKING NO HIRAM! Yes, she's dead, no she's not dead... But we won't KNOW if what I did works until morning after her body has taken it's time to... well... adjust."

Hiram blinked. "D...Did you?"

"Yes... I completed the ritual... And I called for every fucking favor I've ever given to be returned..."

Hiram slumped to the floor. "I... I..." Hiram couldn't find words, and Sal slumped there on the floor with them.

"I did everything I could... And some. It's truly up to her now."

Hiram nodded. Sal nodded. Christian returned his head to it's lowered position. None of them would move or talk for the rest of the night...

Kina stirred; lightly at first. The hard surface beneath her was warm, the red glow of sunlight bright behind her lids. And yet, she felt so cold. Something in the farthest reaches of her mind told her there was a reason, but she couldn't remember why. Everything hurt. It was the most exquisite pain she'd ever felt in her life... like every nerve in her body was on a razor's edge. The wind across her skin felt more like water as it washed over her with an unfamiliar keenness. Even her clothes, with their heavy, sticky dampness set her skin aflame with feeling. Somehow, everything just felt... more. 

Blinking against the early morning sun, she sat up and immediately slumped over once again. The light was so harsh it was dizzying... a blinding brightness that made her stomach lurch. Why was she outside? Had she fallen asleep? The first thing she remembered was the wisteria tree... pink flowers raining down on the cool night breeze. Slowly, things came in sharp clips and flashes; no single thought lingering for more than a split second. Pressure. Stars... such beautiful stars. Ink. No... not ink. Terror. Peace. Blue! As the memory of Christian's fading blue eyes settled into her thoughts, the voice in her mind whispered his name. 

"Christian?"

No one else would hear it... not yet. But for Christian, the call wrang as crystal clear in his head as the soft chiming of the grandfather clock in his study down the hall. She was awake. 

Steadying herself, Kina slid from the large stone slab she'd been layed upon; thick streaks of blood smeared in her wake. As the wind blew her long black curls away from her face, she breathed softly... and the air was like knives in her head and her lungs. Scents she'd never noticed before danced on the breeze. Breakfast and blood, sure... but also grass, crushed beneath the heavy heels of panic; flowers, all the flowers; hot rubber and gas; fear. She could smell fear. It oozed from the foundation of the house like a heavy fog. 

Shakily, she stumbled her way toward the house. She felt weak... so weak. Like coming out of a terrible fever. Like she hadn't eaten in weeks. Her legs trembled as she forced herself forward, the momentum carrying her more than her feet... like a baby learning how to walk all over again.

Christian lifted his head slowly, tired eyes focusing on his other brothers. How long had it been since he'd actually found rest? Stirring from his seat on the bottom step, he pushed himself to his feet and made his way to the coffee press and kettle, water already boiling from Amelia's morning duties... Even if it was difficult to work around the three brothers in their lethargic state.

Pouring the hot water into the press, he allowed the coffee to steep before actually making himself a cup. Two spoons of sugar, and a splash of creamer... It just wasn't a "black" kind of day... He stirred a few times, but as he lifted the cup to drink it slipped from his hand and crashed to the ground...

Hiram and Sal's heads whipped around toward the loud clang of shattering porcelain, but Christian paid no attention to his mess. Instead, he stepped over it and slowly began to rush toward the garden.

"She's awake!" he yelled as he hurried down the hallway. "Prep our guest! She'll need to eat!"

Sal and Hiram were both on their feet in an instant, Sal running straight for the man that had shot Kina while Hiram was hot on Christian's heels. The two brothers burst through the backdoor and into the garden, both of them smiling as they saw Kina standing and wobbling about. However, as she turned and blue eyes met their own, Hiram's smile faded as he was taken aback. He hadn't realized how hard that first reintroduction would knock the wind from his sails.

Christian was equally devastated, but not for the same reasons. He was happy she was alive...ish. What bothered him was his part in her deliverance. She was forever changed, and -nothing- he could do would take that back. However, she was with them in the here and now, forevermore... Finally shaking himself from his rigid state, he rushed over.

"Kina, Kina how are you? Hungry I'm sure..." he smiled, slowly raising a hand but not touching her, remembering how bad it had been for him at first. "We have a lovely meal for you..." He offered his hand to her so she could steady herself.

"Come, Hiram and I will take you."

Kina nodded, but said nothing. "I promise these effects wear off," Christian added as he led her toward the most secured room in the house... The dungeon.

Hiram was, again, right behind them.

She hadn't been sure. Not at first. Last night felt like the echo of a half-remembered dream. She thought, perhaps, it had all been just that... an intense fever dream. But, as both brothers paused in utter devastation, she knew. The look in their beautiful, mournfully blue eyes confirmed it. And she was both elated and devastated.

Christian's expression was to be expected. She knew how he felt. He'd made it abundantly clear that first night. But there was no other way. And she could assuage his guilt in time. 

Hiram, though... the look of defeat and betrayal that settled over him was almost too much to bear. It should have been him. She knew it. And yet, where had he been? She would never blame him. She couldn't. But... would he? In that tenuous split second, she was utterly sure that he would never look at her the same again. And his expression shattered her. Would he still want her now? Now that her fragility and evanescence was spent. Now that she was no longer the delicate, passing sakura blossom that he'd chosen. She was ruined. Despoiled. Tainted. And it would never be the same. NOTHING would ever be the same. 

The first to shake his shock, Christian immediately moved to her rescue... again. He was gentle, considerate... even smiling. And how desperately she needed that smile. Even as he reached out, he paused. And she could feel his remembrance in her very bones; knowing that he was sparing her the overwhelming shock of physical contact. But, to his surprise, Kina lurched into his touch; wincing as she did. It was intense and overwhelming, sure. But she needed his touch, need to feel, needed to ground into the undeniable reassurance that this was real. 

... and that it was okay. 

Taking his hand, she steadied herself against him as she allowed herself to be guided toward the dungeon... toward the fear that permeated the whole property with its rancid stench. Whimpering softly, she reached back, her fingers groping the air for Hiram's hand; both for added steadiness and reassurance... for both of them. 

Christian captured and hugged her in his arms for a moment, Hiram finally able to walk up beside them. He wouldn't deny her his hand in this moment, and as she reached desperately for Hiram he made sure he was there. His fingers quickly laced into hers and held her hand just as delicately as he had the first day.

Christian also held her delicately. Though his she couldn't be sure if it was out of compassion, or simply out of consideration. Though she'd hoped it were the first.

As they reached the door to the dungeon, Christian turned and almost laughed as he saw Tsukina's nose wrinkled and lips curled. "Ah yes, I remember the first time I smelled it too. I'm sure Hiram does as well, hmm?" Hiram, scratching his chin, shrugged. "It's been many, many years. Over twice as long as you, brother... And many things have I smelt in my time." They both snickered. "Regardless," Christian continued. "It gets much easier to stomach and you begin to not notice it unless you need to."

"However, wait here for a moment while I help Sal get everything ready..."

Christian went inside.

The dungeon was alight with torches, just enough to give the room that dark, wicked feeling. Damp floors gave it a dank, murky scent and helped to allude the captor's peril. Salvatore was already standing over their guest, the man nude and weeping as christian prepared all manner of tools. The rotten scent of defecation permeated the room, but Sal was hosing the floor beneath the waterboarding device; occasionally spraying the man strapped to it in the face.

Stepping between Sal and their guest Christian wiped the man's face with a towel, his icy gaze almost glowing in the dim light. "I gather you understand that you've attacked the wrong family."

The man, attempting to shield his fear behind feigned machismo, spat at Christian. "Tutto ciò che conta è che ho ucciso quella cagna! I killed her!" He laughed, until Christian joined him in his laughter. Even Sal laughed. Their guest did not...

"What's so funny?" he questioned.

"Oh, your position here. Or perhaps that you think she's dead."

"I know she is! I saw her drop, and that means my family is safe!"

"Ah... I see. Well, perhaps I can forgive you for protecting your own family..." Christian leaned forward as his hand traveled low and grasped the man's testicles in his hand...

"But I fear I must tell you... I'm very good at keeping people alive."

Even closer, his lips nearly touching the man's ear...

"And better at making them -wish- they weren't..."

With a swift squeeze he sent an unbearable pain through both of the man's kidneys. The pain overwhelming, he lost what little he had left on his stomach as it coated his chest. Groaning and coughing, Christian stepped away.

"Hose him down," he commanded to Sal, who complied instantly. Turning to the door, he yelled.

"BRING HER IN!"

Kina flinched. Why did he have to yell? 

For the fucker inside, of course. But, still. 

Nervously, she snuck the tiniest glance at Hiram, half terrified that he'd be sulking, fuming, or worse - just plain frigid. 

He wasn't. He smiled weakly, patting the delicate hand that gripped his arm before quickly looking away. It wasn't great, but it was better than nothing. 

Slowly, he led her forward; sure to give her eyes enough time to adjust to the flickering light. Glancing around, Kina actually laughed out loud. Her poor voice coarse and raspy... both from thirst and screaming... felt like daggers as it forced its way from her throat. And yet, the uncontrollable giggles gave no heed to her pain. This was... exactly... what her wildest imagination would have conjured for the brothers; a kind of clichè kitsch that you found in bromidic and trite penny dreadfuls, too prosaic for her refined boys. And yet... here they were. 

Clearing her throat... with some effort... she straightened, trying her best to mitigate the comic absurdity that threatened to boil up through the chinks in her composure. Giving Hiram's hand a light squeeze, she exchanged his hand for Christian's as she endeavoured to make herself visible without obvious support. She wasn't quite ready to stand on her own two feet, but she could look it... to the best of her ability. 

Stepping up to the rack, she smirked with a haughtiness worthy of the Black name as she glared down at the captive man. She was still pale, her long hair loose, blood-matted curls draped haphazardly, her blue eyes brighter even than Christian's, her lips stained with crimson; terrifyingly beautiful, like the mirage of some ancient myth from Carlisle's past or the star of a Japanese horror film. It was a sight to behold. And as the three others stared at her in awe and dread, Sal couldn't help but crack a small, knowing smile. 

The man - sick, pained, and in shock (in more ways than one) - stammered helplessly as he stared up at Kina. His gaze fixated on her shockingly blue eyes. No words came. Good. She knew that feeling. Leaning down, she whispered softly, "Do you know what it feels like? To be shot? To feel the life eeking out of your helpless body? To taste your own blood and know... that's what life tastes like?" 

The man shook his head frantically, trying to form the words to plead. But Kina gave him no time. Slipping her hand into Christian's vest, she pulled his gun with a shocking speed that surprised even her. Blinking at the gun for a moment, she closed her eyes and steeled herself against the onslaught of sensory overwhelm that was sure to come before firing a single shot into the man's chest. 

In the small, stone space the sound was deafening... compressing and ringing as it tore through the air with physical force. Kina whimpered softly, handing the pistol back to Christian as she waited for the pain to settle in. Perching herself on the rack, she leaned close to the man and whispered softly, "You're going to bleed out. At first, you won't feel anything. No pain... just wet numbness. Then heat... unbearable heat. Slowly that gives way to agony... like molten fire. You're going to pray to pass out. But you won't. You'll feel every agonizing moment, right up until your last. You'll feel yourself get weak. You'll know that you're dying. Still, the pain doesn't stop." 

Leaning back, she rubbed her temples softly as the man began to groan and scream, pleading and begging for help and release. Breathing deeply, she steeled herself against the smell of blood and pain and fear before leaning in once again. "If you want it to stop... scream for me." 

With the most beautifully, wickedly, twisted smile Christian had ever seen, Kina pressed her fingers into the man's wound... twisting and clawing at the open flesh. Holding the man's gaze, she lifted her hand to her lips and sensually licked the blood from her fingers. "That's right. BEG ME!" she screeched with rage and spite, "Beg me like I begged to see the face of my family one last time. Beg me like I begged to live. Begged me like I had to beg them to make me THIS!" 

Raking her nails across his chest, she ripped the skin open; the poor sod howling in torment as Kina mounted him, holding her blood-soaked finger to his lips. As he tried to roll his head away, she held harder; pressing hard enough to begin splitting his bottom lip... the blood smearing across his lips and chin, "Shhhh. Shhh. It's alright. It will all be over soon. See, I need to thank you for giving me this opportunity. Without you, this never would have happened. So I owe you. Right? And the Blacks always settle their debts. So, I'm gonna give you the respite that you didn't give me." 

Sobbing, the man coughed and sputtered, blood beginning to fill his lungs and spill from his mouth. Sushing him, she leaned forward and kissed him hard... nails digging into his cheeks as she squeezed his chin. His body shuttered as she and trembled as she drank the last breath from his lips... the scene almost sensual in its brutal carnality. 

What. Had. They. Made? 

Sitting back with a veritable growl, Kina wiped her mouth across the back of her hand. Blue eyes gleaming in the dim torchlight as she groaned, she smirked wickedly at Christian, "Well, don't just stand there. You're wasting breakfast." 

Christian stared at her, along with Hiram and Salvatore. All three stood silent, almost statuesque, as Kina fed on her first. When she turned was the only point any of them spoke... Of course it was Christian.

"No."

Her head perked sideways but before she could speak, Christian's hand gripped the back of her neck and shoved her face down to the man's flesh.

"My breakfast would have been the torture instead of respite for this man. My breakfast is ru... Finished. This is all yours. You'll need the life force. However, do slow down. I know this is your first, but try and take it easy. Slow, long draws will leave you much more satisfied then ravenously tearing through him. Not to mention you'll waste less blood."

Hiram blinked as he watched. Had they all been this bestial? He knew Salvatore had been a rough awakening, but hers was a different intensity all together...

Was she even truly -like- them? What had the ritual even done for someone that wasn't of their lineage? Was she a true monster? No longer any part human like the brothers? Or was she only half demon and half human?

Christian, noting Hiram's confusion and worry, smiled at his brother.

"This is normal, Hiram. Remember, she wasn't -raised- like us, so she will take some time to get used to it. We were brought up prepared for what was to come. Rest assured, her humanity will fight it's way back to the top once she is well fed and no longer thirsting for life."

"Christian... What is she?" came Hiram's only words... He trusted his brother, but he was curious.

"Aye, that's a good question..." Sal piped up behind them.

"With the ritual I was able to make her akin us. Her only difference is she wasn't born this way and it will be an adjustment period."

Hiram nodded. '"So Upyr like us." Christian looked at him. "Mostly... There's a chance she has to deal with side effects we don't, considering we were born with the blood and it was already bonded. Hers will need to bond before she is complete. In time, she will be exactly as we are... More or less."

Sal chuckled as Christian continually added the safety words. "More or less." "Mostly." Everyone knew it meant he wasn't one-hundred percent sure... But, of anyone there, he certainly had the best guess.

"Anyway. Tsukina Black, eat your breakfast." He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Afterward, we need to get you a nice bath and let you feel the world as we do. Soon enough you'll be desensitized to it as we have become."

They all smiled and Hiram put an arm around each of his younger brothers before smiling to Tsukina. "I've never had one I could keep forever...This is going to be wonderful!"

Christian and Sal both laughed at their incredulous brother.

Kina grunted and mumbled something indecipherable as her face was shoved forward, trying her best to pay the men no mind as they conversed about her literally behind her back. 

How rude. And she was the beastly one? Hmph. 

Pausing mid-gulp, Kina flared up at Hiram... swallowing before pulling away. 

She was aching, raw, exposed... but emotionally she was still very much human. More so then they had ever been. And, ultimately, THAT was the difference. Dabbing her mouth on the hem of her sleeve, she forced herself to soften. "Firstly, I am neither object nor pet to be kept. Though I am happy and flattered that you are pleased... to some extent. I hope your siblings can, eventually, say the same... to some extent. Secondly, for all your feelings of worry... you are the ones speaking callously of me in my very presence. I may be ravished, but I am still here. Thirdly, I'm terribly sorry I've ruined your breakfast. It's simply that... Fourthly, perhaps you can translate?" 

Having addressed the other two, Kina rounded on poor Sal and unleashed the full brunt of her tender humanness on him. Every ounce of anger, rage, trepidation, sadness, fear, suspicion... all the things she secretly feared about Hiram and now Christian... all of the ache, all of the anxiety, all of the concern and worry, all of the turmoil. She didn't let it to settle into him... to strangle him the way she knew it could. But she allowed it to touch him. And for the briefest of moments, he truly remembered - with keen clarity and feeling - what it was like before he was changed. 

And then, in a second, it was gone. And the shock and ache left by its absence spoke even more volumes about her frame of mind... and heart. 

She wasn't bestial... she wasn't a monster. She wasn't even as lost to herself as he remembered being once upon a time. She was angry and hurt and afraid. She felt broken... ugly, tainted and unlovable. Already they thought her something less than human... less than them. So better to unleash and vent her emotion with brutality than give herself over to the suspicion that she would never be beheld with tenderness or beauty ever again. "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man," her voice echoed softly in his mind; almost tender as it underlined her revelations. 

Walls back up, Kina lowered her head, keeping her vibrant eyes on Sal as she did her best to eat daintily... a near-impossible task given the situation... but still, she prayed that perhaps the effort would count for something. For the sake of timing, she breathed slowly... long and deep... like a soldier returned from war; using the flow to pace herself as she was instructed. She may be a dog... if even that... but she could at least learn, and be obedient. 

But, no matter the wisdom that Christian provided... no matter how she gorged herself... there was no satisfaction in this. No satiation. Her stomach felt full to the point of nausea. Yet in her depths, she still felt ravenous. Something wasn't right. But she dare not mention it outright... not now. 

Wretching, she pulled away and slid herself from her perch. No more. She didn't care if she needed it. No more. 

Christian watched her, listened to her points. His head hung. She was incredibly right. They'd been rude. However, as she turned her attention on Sal, Christian's head swiveled.

Sal closed his eyes as the feelings washed over him... He didn't crumple to the ground as might have been expected, but he did slump and hang his head. "She's hurting. She's still very connected to herself. Her -HUMAN- self. She feels... Less than human. Not because she is, but because of your words. Your stares. The way you both talk. She is still our Tsukina. Even if she is one of us. She's no different. He who makes a beast of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man..."

Sal looked up at his brothers. "Something you two seem to have forgotten in your age. How long has it been since you were human? Since you could feel that side of you perfectly, and then in an instant it was different. You felt wrong, even though it felt right?"

"HOW LONG!?" Sal yelled...

Hiram raised his hand like he was going to say something, but instead dropped it and lowered his head. Sal was right. It had been centuries since Hiram had felt human, and at least one and a half for Christian... Sal was the closest in age and he still fought the change occasionally... Hiram turned to Tsukina as she slid from the cadaver and held her stomach, full even if not satiated.

"I'm sorry..." His eyes looked at her with the compassion he'd held from day one, seeing her as her beautiful self once again; that fire she'd possessed in previous life shining through now... He lowered his head more then reached out and took her hand. "I'm so sorry..."

Christian watched them, his head lowered as well. Had he failed her? Had he made a mistake? No... There had been no mistake, she was obviously -PERFECT-, but something still felt off... Each of them could completely drain a cadaver, perhaps more, on their first wake. Finally raising his head, he apologized to both Sal and Tsukina.

"I'm sorry for making you feel this way, Tsukina. That was not my intention. I happen to think you are perfectly amazing. However, how are you feeling now? Physically? Honestly, I know all of us were able to take a whole cadaver, drained dry... But I sense it feels off? Something not sitting right? You look full, but not. You look almost nauseous. That could be normal. In the end, you were not born with the blood so I'm not certain how it will take it's hold on you. However, do feel free to speak on how you feel. I can let you know if that's normal, or if it's not right. We will, unfortunately, need to keep an eye on you for a few days to make sure the adjustment is safe and easy... As possible."

Christian took Tsukina's other hand. "However, I must say your eyes are quite striking. I apologize for how bright everything must seem, and how loud it must seem for now."

Kina smiled, lowering her eyes to the floor sheepishly as she blushed... the bright pink far more noticeable than usual beneath her pale cheeks. With her face still blanched from last night's blood loss, it was crystal clear - Christian made her blush.

Shaking her head gently, Kina chuckled bashfully. "Thank you," she muttered softly... to both of them. Giving their hands a light squeeze, she stepped forward and held her arms out to Sal. She wanted to hug him... if she could... if he wasn't too raw (like she was). Letting him come to her at his own pace, she wrapped him up in all the gratitude, joy, appreciation, and love that she could muster. It wasn't a tight hug... neither of them could really manage that, given their condition. But it was deep and tender... more heart-felt than any normal man could ever know. 

There was something so indescribably special about the way that she touched him... purposely... fully conscious of her projections. It was a form of communication he'd rarely experienced. And she did it with such ease and grace... with a deeper understanding than even his brothers seemed to hold from day to day. As she held him, everything felt better... like a bubble of warmth and peace. For a moment... all the world was quiet. As the space between them warmed and he felt the rush of her touch, for the briefest moment he felt SO ALIVE. The rush of her was better than any drug he'd ever experienced. And, in that moment, she was the most precious thing in the world to him. He wanted to keep her... safe, happy, to himself... just for how she made him feel. 

Shifting to lean on him, she layed her head on his shoulder; one hand gripping her stomach as she met Christian's gaze. "Forgive me," she asked Sal without needing to look up. "I may need your help... if you can." 

Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried to conceptualize the sensations... to put it into words that they might understand. At first, she simply nodded... silently agreeing to Christian's assessment. "I don't mind. I'm fully aware that I'll need to be monitored. And your efforts in doing so are nothing shy of an act of devotion... if only out of guilt," she smirked at Christian, teasing him a bit. Though the kindness and adoration in her eyes told him he needn't feel that way. 

Taking a deep breath she leaned a little more heavily on Sal, who shot his brothers a 'help me' look as slumped lightly into his arms, seeming to grow weaker... the warmth between them fading as she wavered. "It's not right," she shook her head, the worry very clear in her voice as she sighed, "At first it was fine. But now... I feel sick. Like bad sushi. I couldn't possibly swallow another drop without vomiting, but I still feel empty. Starving." Turning her head to look at Sal, she reached for his hand... waiting for him. "Can you...?"

Christian looked to Sal as he cradled Tsukina, trying his best to stay strong.

"She...She's hungry. But she's nauseously full, Christian. Her body isn't getting all the nutrient it needs from the blood itself. Blood is your thing, food is Hiram's. Emotion is mine... What if this is her thing? We need to find what she feeds on. What is going to make her feel satisfied. That's what this feels like to me..." Sal looked at Tsukina, that was the only way he could think to explain what she was going through...

Christian nodded. "Very well. Tsukina." He looked at their newest family member. "For one, welcome to the family." He chuckled. "And two? I need you to close your eyes and focus on that hunger. Focus on what you desire the most. Reach out for it. Tug at it... Focus that desire on the cadaver and see if you get anything... If not, focus it on me."

Hiram and Sal both looked at Christian. For some reason that didn't seem smart... But they wouldn't argue with their head of house...

Kina nodded. She only understood... truly understood... about half of what Sal said. But what she did understand was accurate. As she tried to thank him once more, the room swam and spun, her head lolling a bit as the space between them went... empty. Suddenly the world snapped back to normal. It was loud and messy and full of feels. Did she do that? 

SQUEEZING Sal's hand Kina pressed her eyes closed, fighting to stay upright. Emptiness, need. Her brows furrowed as she felt into it: an inexpressible longing. It settled into the hollow of her bones, like liquid ache. But what did she want? What was it she'd desired? Pulling away from Sal, she stumbled slightly... trying her best to shield him as a wave of panic and dread flooded her senses. And in her core she felt the answer hit her with a weight and shock that felt as if she'd been all over again. LIFE. 

She wanted to live.

But how did she do that? How did she eat to stay alive? Reaching, she tried her hardest to focus... trembling as she swayed under the weakness and weight. The man who shot her owed her her life. Shouldn't she be able to take it? Hadn't she?? But the harder she searched, the emptier she felt. Whatever she needed, it wasn't there. 

Gasping out a strangled sigh, she shook her head; her crystalline eyes finding Christian's gaze in a hailstorm of worry and apology. Setting his jaw, Christian nodded with yielding encouragement. And Kina whimpered softly as she closed her eyes again. She was so afraid of hurting him. Fearful and disgusted by the swirling possibilities of what, exactly, she might need. 

She felt it as she closed her eyes - not exactly right, but not entirely empty. She felt the ebb and flow... the swirling spiral of energy and essence. And she hungered for it. Ravenously. In ways NO mind could fathom. Gasping, she grasped at it... but as quickly as she could pinpoint the need, it slipped away again. It was like a cruel game of chase... and she was the slow kid on the playground. Crumpling to the floor, she sobbed in frustration. Eyes still closed, still trying... trying so hard. And still so hungry. 

She didn't understand. What was wrong with her? 

Christian was NOT prepared. In a thousand centuries, he could not have possibly been prepared. As Kina closed her eyes... he died. Or at least, it felt like he died. Like every raging fever he'd ever had coalesced in one singular moment, leeching the very life from his bones. In an instant. What was this? 

Precious little Sal, on the other hand... 

There were no words for the rush of vitality and vivaciousness that overcame him. The warmth and peace and quiet that he'd felt earlier returned with a vengeance and a zeal. This was the best high he'd ever had. What was this? 

Hiram... confused... beheld the whole scene with silent bewilderment and apprehension. 

Christian dropped with her, gripping at his own chest as he felt his life rip from him... Many things he'd experienced, but that was something he had not. Gasping for breath like he needed it, he coughed and sputtered. Reaching up for the body on the table he fell short, no strength to even rise...

Sal looked around like he was seeing the world in a different light for the first time ever. What was this feeling? He wasn't sure but he looked elated to Hiram's glance.

Hiram continued to flip his gaze between the struggling Christian, deflated Tsukina, and ecstatic Salvatore... What was this? What was it his Tsukina needed?

"This is the life..." Sal whispered out softly, in his own little world.

Hiram looked at Sal, and it was almost as if a light bulb went off in his mind... "Life..." he whispered. "The actual -essence- of life..." He looked at Tsukina and smiled, "Wait -right- there..."

Hiram ran outside and hunted down one of the ducks that frequented their pond in the garden. Luckily enough, they were easy to lure with previous grooming. He often sat with breads and fed them. Taking one in his hands, he pet the animal. "I'm sorry my dear little friend. I'm not certain what's going to happen, or if it's going to kill you or not. But I have a theory..."

He rushed back to the dungeon and held the duck out. "TRY THE DUCK!?" he yelled excitedly, startling all of them...

"Mr. Waddle-Quacks?! NO!" Sal yelped out as he rushed over, frowning as the duck tried to bite him. "You aren't Waddle-Quacks... You're Bites-The-Butt. You can be experimented on..." Sal shrugged and looked at Hiram. "It might be really interesting to watch this!" Sal grinned and nodded. "Yeah. Try the duck!" He chuckled and stepped back, glaring at the evil duck.

Christian had pulled himself up and already feasted on their guest by the time Hiram had returned, and Christian looked at his brothers... Shaking his head at Sal, he turned a confused but accepting look to Hiram and nodded. "Try the duck..." he choked out before rubbing his pounding head...

Kina was terrified. And she was hurting people. And there was nothing she could do to control it. Watching Christian drop to the floor, she froze; reaching for him despite her weakness. 

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she sobbed, inching her way to him; her blue eyes pleading up at Hiram. "What have I done," she whispered softly, "What am I?" 

Kina whimpered as Hiram actually ran away. Rocking back and forth, she tried to calm the frantic thoughts that raced through her mind. Panic wasn't going to help anything. Breathing... as if it helped... she chanted softly under her breath - mantras and prayers to calm her mind. She was a miracle, she reminded herself. Hiccups aside, this was a miracle. She just had to figure out how to master it... like any other skill. 

Returning with the duck, Hiram shoved it... wriggling... into her hands. With encouragement from all three brothers, she had no choice but to try the duck. Staring at the animal, Kina shook her head for a moment. She didn't want to risk hurting the brothers any worse. But there was no other way to know. "Leave," she barked, nodding for Hiram help Christian out, "Close the door behind you." 

There was no use arguing. And it was the best choice. Christian had already drained what little blood had been left in their guest. And he was still weak. They'd have to figure something else out... and soon. With a concerned frown, Hiram helped his brothers into the dim hallway; the heavy dungeon door echoing loudly as it shut firmly behind them. 

Clinging to the wriggling bird, Kina did her best to feel into it gently... right up until it bit her. Hissing like a wounded animal, Kina squeezed the poor beast, who squawked and honked like it was dying. And, by the look of things... the desperation with which it struggled, the violent sound of its frenzied protestation... it might have been. 

After a few, agonizingly long moments the hall went unnervingly silent. What was going on in there?? 

Kina, reaching out again, felt the same rush of energy as the poor bird struggled against her vice-like grip. But this time, with no one else in the room, she was able to pin it down. And, tears streaming down her face as the beast stilled in her grasp, she breathed a deep sigh of mixed revulsion and relief. 

She felt better. How awful was that? She felt better. 

Standing, she released her grasp on the duck... it's exhausted body falling to the floor with a sickening, limp 'plop'. For a moment the room swirled, her stomach lurching as she choked on the growing pressure in her stomach. Wretching, she sobbed as she vomited; crimson flowing from her lips with disturbing force that coated the floor and splattered the hem of her dress and shoes. Well... that was pleasant and attractive. 

She was sick for several long moments before, finally. Her world settled back to normal. Wiping her face on the hem of sleeve... not that it helped much... she moved for the door. She felt better... alert, aware, alive. With a slow, elongated creek, the door opened... Kina's bright eyes meeting the apprehensive gaze of the brothers before all three of them leaned around her to stare at the duck. 

Sal chuckled triumphantly. Hiram and Christian simply stared; Christian leaning lightly on his brother's shoulder. For a few moments, they all simply blinked at the duck before... with a start... it jerked and flapped back to life; waddling out of the dungeon with a grumpy-sounding sqwonk. 

Smiling softly, Kina layed her hand on Christian's shoulder. "I'm so sorry," she whispered softly, "Please... let me?" She held his gaze for a moment before he nodded softly. At best she might be able to help him. At worst, it wouldn't actually kill him. And either way, it would be good practice. "I... I think I understand," she smiled at Hiram nervously, reaching for Sal's hand. 

Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply... again, more for the habit of it than any actual effect. Sal, pouting, whimpered in slight protest as Hiram watched the sparkle fade from his countenance. Kina... still breathing... ruddied as her face and chest flushed and then slowly paled. Christian, to their mutual surprise, perked up, stepping away from Hiram as he stared at Kina with an expression of awe and wonder. 

She. Was Magnificent. (and HIS creation)

Alternately squeezing their hands, Kina swayed on the spot... vacillating back and forth as she searched for the balance. After a few long moments, it settled. And, opening her eyes, she smiled and nodded at Hiram. It was done. 

Now? Bathtime!

Christian chuckled softly... He felt normal again, Sal felt normal again, even Bites-The-Butt was waddling off and squonking in discontent. A smile was etched, possibly permanently at this point, on Christian's face. Hiram just stared, almost unbelieving... He'd been right? That honestly surprised him, and Christian could tell.

"You've always been much more intuitive than you give yourself, dear brother... Good call." He squeezed Hiram's shoulder then returned his gaze to Kina. "How are you feeling my love... ly dear?"

The Freudian slip did not go unnoticed by Hiram, perhaps even Sal or Kina. Regardless of it though, Christian prattled on as if it hadn't happened.

"Because if you're feeling better, then that's good. We can get you some practice somewhere. Either with animals, or the hospitals. However, for now? We should get cleaned up... I'll send Amelia and the staff to clean up our friend here."

He caught Tsukina's glance as he turned, but Hiram answered for him...

"They know, my dear, they know. Don't worry. They'll accept you happily. Staff doesn't work here and remain blissfully ignorant of the demons we wrestle."

Christian exited the hallway and entered the house. It was, most assuredly, bath time...

Kina's heart skipped a beat... and then sank sharply as Christian covered his mistake. With a heavy sigh, she fixed a smile to her lips... one that grew more genuine as she looked at his. "Yes. Much. Thank you," she held his gaze as she said it, and they all knew that she meant for FAR more than just this moment. 

Nervously she tiptoed her way toward the house, every fiber of her being praying that ONE of them would stay with her... at least for a little while as she adjusted. Even if she did need a bath... modesty was the LAST thing on her mind at the moment. Chewing her bottom lip she followed Christian inside... anxiously waiting to see what the rest of the morning held for her.