writing collaboration (no comments plz)

[vonix]

Vonix stood at the top of the hill looking at the burned remnants of the town he had called home. "Sad isn't it?" he asked couch. "If only it did not have to be this way."

[couch_kamote]

She stood next to Vonix looking down on what used to be a very busy and happy town.

"We could have prevented this from happening" She said.

[vonix]

"How could we have but then the hollows would have gotten away and we could not have that now could we?" he replied as he turned away from everything he had ever known just to try and help protect others from the fate of their town.

[couch_kamote]

"Indeed, we did catch those hollows but at what price? Everyone we know is dead. We left them and let them down" she rebutted.

She turned to Vonix to see his reaction.

[vonix]

"You think i don't know what we lost just to get those hollows?" he asked her with tears rolling down his face. "I know that everyone we ever knew is dead how do you think i feel knowing thats all my fault?" he asked Couch

[Shapeshifter]

With a great sigh Seraf walked over to Vonix, he had never been great at comforting but he felt he had to do something. Putting his hand on Vonix's shoulder, he said "Stand tall man, everyone is dead, but what can crying do? Mourn when there is time to mourn, but right now we could be better spending our time."

[couch_kamote]

"Doing what? What can we do know that we don't have a place to live or people we know?" Couch asked Seraf.

[vonix]

"We need to find a new home and leave this all behind us Couch. There will be more hollows Seraf is right what use is there in standing here when others are getting killed by hollows. We have to at least try to help them."replied Vonix

[Shapeshifter]

Seraf nodded. "A new home huh? Well where should we start, this might be harder than we think." A frown creased his normally smiling face, there was nothing to smile about now. Only hurt and frustration.

[soz_udead]

Soz sits upright several yards from the surviving people and groans.
"Ooooooh! I can't believe whatt has happened...am i alive...or in hell..."
He falls back to the ground unconcious.

[vonix]

"True Seraf but we have to try don't we? We can not just stand here and do nothing!"
Suddenly Vonix hears a noise from a few yards away. He drew his sword and cautiously walked towards the sound. "Guys we have a survivor here!" If only we knew who he is and how he got away Vonix thought.

[Shapeshifter]

Very slowly Seraf approached the figure lything there on the ground. He had to be careful since he had no clue who this was, and what their strength was...to survive a hollow attack on that scale signified the need for safety and caution. He drew his sword, ready to plung it through the man if he made any signs of danger.

[soz_udead]

As Soz has no weapons on or near him, he shows no signs of danger.
He groans and sits up, somewhat awake. Soz's vision is blurred, starting to focus. "Who are you? What has happened here?"

[vonix]

"That is exactly what we would like to know. Who are you and how did you survive the attack on the city?" Vonix asked Soz with his sword inches away from soz's throat.

[soz_udead]

"I...I...I don't know how I survived..." Soz begins to try and think about how he had managed to survive...or even what he was attacked by. Random memories flashed though his head. "I don't remember who I am...I just know...I know nothing!" Tears start to trickle down his face. "I have no idea...I...I remember...something. There was a certain hollow...he showed me my mother being killed...slaughtered...as well as the rest of my family. He told me I should die as well. I raised my sword and...and...I don't know anything else. Wait...my name...is Soz."

[vonix]

"Where is your sword then? You never loose or even misplace your sword that is almost a law for the shinigamis." Vonix looked at the kid laying on the ground covered in his mothers blood and felt pity for him. "would you like to join us in our quest to kill as many hollows as we can?"Vonix asked soz wondering if he would have what it took to survive in the harsh world of hollow hunters. "Seraf and Couch if he joins us we will have to teach him to hunt and kill hollows. Lets hope he can learn very quick or he will end up dead."

[soz_udead]

Soz looks around for his sword, trying not to be touched by a sword. Just a few yards away, as if knocked out of his hands, was his sword. He pointed, "It's over there...it must have been knocked out of my hands when I was attacked by the hollow. My memory is starting to come back...piece...by piece. Hollow Hunters. Hmm...that rings a little bell. Yes. I was undergoing such training. I was not finished with it. I don't remember everything. But if you wish, I will join you."

[vonix]

"Welcome to our group Soz all three of us shall teach you different technieques but we do not have time for that yet first we have to get away from here." Vonix said as he lifted his sword from near Soz's neck and sheathed it. Vonix took one last look at the area he had called home for such a long time. "So many memories........if only it didnt have to be this way." said vonix as he began to walk away from the town with Couch, Seraf and their newest member Soz. "you might want to get your sword Soz" said Vonix calmly as he noticed it still laying on the ground.

[soz_udead]

"Indeed," said Soz as he warily got up to pick up his sword. "So where is it that we are headed? And when or where are we gonna find food?" said Soz as he rubbed his rumbling stomach. "Or even water as well..." Soz picked up his sword and returned it to its sheath. "Anyways...let's go."

[vonix]

"We shall find food and water as we go there is another town a few miles away." Vonix informed Soz.
Man this kid has a long way to go to truely be one of us....i just hope we can keep him alive long enough to teach him. thought vonix

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

A silhouette walked up behind the group and laughed darkly.

"Who are you, and what are you doing in my home?"

The female tilted her head to the side and grinned, revealing her fangs.

"I'd leave if I were you..."

[CeriaHalcyon]

a resonating voice came from behind the woman "Milady..."

The fanged woman kept one eye on the intruders and shifted the other to indicate the man stepping out from the shadows. equally dark as the source he leapt from, the man appeared to be just as formidable as the woman, but possibly less.

"Shall i dispose of these interlopers, or would you prefer to deal with them yourself?"

Reading a 'yes' from the killer intent springing out from the maiden, the man bowed gracefully and held postion three steps back, ready to come to aid if the need should arise.

[soz_udead]

Soz grabbed his sword tightly, ready to use it. "Where did you come from...and WHAT are you??" Feeling unsafe...if it was possible Soz held on to his sword even tighter, drawing it from its sheath.

[LUV]

Luv stood on the highest buildeing. Her golden eyes were still trying to communicate to her brain, that indeed, this was her hometown. She looked at the big sing again, yes, this was her hometown, but what the hell was going on here? Luv couldn't believe her eyes. She could see what remained was just ruble. Most of the town was gone.

How had this happend? Where were the ones that were suppose to watch over it? She was only gone for a week and now, her hometown seemed like a damn ghost town. Where was everyone at?

She didn't know who had done this, but whoever did it was going to suffer the worst of deaths by her hand.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

The fanged woman looked at the man behind her and grinned again.

"Why, you don't have to do anything, Ceria-kun."

She turned to Soz and chuckled

"Why, my good man, I live here."
She looked at her fingernails, then turned her gaze back to Soz.

"Heh. My name is Hana. And I'm a Vampir."
She put her finger to her chin and pondered a bit.

"Actually, to be more exact, to your language...A Vampire...My classification is called a Pureblood..."

She drew her fan, started fanning herself, and spoke again

"Now, answer my question. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

[CeriaHalcyon]

"And that would make me also a pureblood" so spoke the other behind the beauty known as Hana.

"Though i live to serve milady, as she was the one who bit me first.."

"If they do not take care with their words, they will be here to die!"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana walks over to Ceria and the other person

"And that's why you are my favorites."

She raises Ceria's hand to her mouth and kisses it.

[Gol D. Roger]

"Oi, Hana, no kisses for me?"

From atop another building, a cloaked man stood, arms folded, his long, black hair roiling with the wind as if it had a life of its own.

"Hup..." The man stepped over the precipice, plummeting downwards towards the ground and the assembled group below.

With barely a sound, he landed gracefully, and threw back his cape with a dramatic gesture. He glanced over at Hana and Ceria, then surveyed the unfamiliar faces before him, stroking his dark goatee with a skeletal hand.

After a few moments, he bowed deeply, his lips pulling back in a thin smile, revealing wickedly fanged teeth. "Rogerro De Galde, at your service," he said. "I don't usually talk to my food, but my dear sister Miss Hana seems to have taken a liking to you. Otherwise I'd expect you'd already be naught but a drained husk."

He raised his right hand, and monstrous claws sprouted from his fingernails. "But don't assume that I'll be so forgiving." He cackled maddeningly, and it seemed impossible to tell whether his comment was in jest, or deadly serious.

((OOC: Hana, it's your call how you want to interpret the, "sister," comment. Sister of the night, actual sister, go with whatever you feel like. :D))

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana huffed and smirked

"Of course you get one, brother!"

She walked over to Rogerro and kissed his cheek

"Don't kill them quite yet. Please?"

She walked back over to Ceria and wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered

"I hope you don't mind...You are my favorite, after all..."

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro raised an eyebrow at Hana, his face halfway towards disgust. "Tch, fine. But when you get hungry later, don't expect me to butcher the meat."

He grinned hauntingly at the mortals in front of him, and brought one of his claws to his mouth. His tongue was sinuous, almost like a snake's, and with it he licked the sharpened point of his fingernail. "After all, I've already eaten."

[CeriaHalcyon]

"I have eyes that only see you milady".

Ceria sighs solemnly for a moment, looking over at the proud Rogerro.

"But what will we do now Hana-sama, which of you will be the ones to catch and clean these interlopers, i do not wish for a quarrel, our kind must never quarrel, there are still too few of us. i simply suggest an even split?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana buried her face in Ceria's neck and thought for a moment before raising her head again.

"Let them explain before we drain them. You know that I don't kill unless I have a reason..."

She smiled and breathed out a long breath

"Unless you want to."

[CeriaHalcyon]

"As you command Milady..."

Ceria stares at the intruders "Identify yourselves now, or pay the price...come to think of it, there is no or, you shall pay, but Milady wishes a valid reason for you to, so speak quickly!"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

"Mmm, you'd better listen to Ceria-kun here. I'd hate the person to make him angry."

Hana just smirked

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro sighed obnoxiously, putting one hand on his hip. His tenebrous eyes flitted from Hana to Ceria and back.

"This is boooring," he whispered to Hana, though it was just loud enough that Ceria was certain to hear it. "If they don't speak up soon, I'm about to tear up the lot of them."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

She hugs Ceria tighter for a moment

"I know," she whispered back, "But they seem to be too quiet over there. The might be planning something.."

[CeriaHalcyon]

Looking back into his lady's charming eyes, Ceria sighed... he hated reducing himself to a human's intellect.

"Is your lack of attention based upon underestimating us? Do you require a demonstration of how bad your luck has become?"

With a mere tightening of his jaws, four unusually sized canine like fangs eruped from their usual subdued forms, his eyes flashed red and his presence blanked the lot of them.

"Still not afraid yet?"

With his lady still latched on, Ceria leapt into action, dissolving from sight and moving a hair faster than normal comprehension, he appeared with a shivering blur.

Needless to say, fear was etched in the ryoka's faces.

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro shook his head and spat on the ground. "Feh, you two are too permissive. I can't take this anymore, call me once you actually decide to kill them. I won't dance for these humans like you're doing. If they're not scared yet, they'll never be."

He stepped forward, glaring menacingly at the group of mortals. "And don't try any funny business. I'll be watching."

Without another word, he leaped into the air, his body coalescing into a mass of inky blackness until, finally, a form emerged; shrieking violently, the massive black bat that was Rogerro disappeared into the darkness.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana hummed and shook her head while still latched on

"My brother is too impatient."
She buried her face in Ceria's neck again and hooked her legs around his waist.

"...Ceria-kun?"

[vonix]

"Why should i be afraid of lesser beings of my own kind?" vonix asked hana as two jet black angel wings emerged from his shoulder blades.
"really want to kill your old friend hana?"

NOTE-PLEASE DISABLE YOUR SIGNATURE WHEN YOU POST!

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana looked shocked, then yelled out

"Ceria-kun! Stop!! That is my friend!!"

She unhooked her legs from around Ceria's waist, and flew over to Vonix

"Aah, Von-kun~!" She gave him a big hug

"I am very sorry. You changed your looks, but I still should've smelt your blood!"

Two tiny fuzzy off-white wings appeared from her back, and she ran back over to Ceria to stop his advancement by biting his neck for a quick moment.

She let go quickly, and looked into his eyes

"Don't Ceria-kun. Please. Don't tempt me like that again..."

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro sat atop a tall building, his legs dangling over the edge. With his preternaturally strong senses, he observed the proceedings below.

"So it's him," he murmured to himself, focused on the black wings that had emerged from the man he had thought was nothing more than a mere mortal. "Now things are getting interesting."

Just then, a pigeon fluttered down beside him. It regarded him curiously. Rogerro smiled back.

Snap! In a flash, Rogerro had crushed the pigeon's head in his bare hand. The sound of tiny bones, cracking and popping, made his grin grow wider. He lifted the limp bird over his mouth and squeezed it like an overripe piece of fruit, the thick, almost syrupy blood pouring down in a stream into Rogerro's open mouth.

When he was finished, he tossed the carcass aside and wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand. Narrowing his eyes, he chuckled to himself and continued to watch.

((OOC: Crud, forgot about the sig. I'll get it next time.))

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana didn't say anything, but she heard the faint cracking of bones.

'Sigh, that's gotta be Rogerro. He's always loved pigeons. Meh, I prefer robins myself.' She started chuckling in her head all the while keeping her gaze on Ceria's eyes.

[CeriaHalcyon]

"This a friend of your's milady?" Ceria's tone was unmistakably dark, his eyes narrowed for a moment on vonix, almost jealous...before sighing and returning to his normal demeanor.

"Greetings, Vonix is it? sorry for the confusion, my instincts sometimes get the better of me..." he extends his hand familiarily.

"Sorry if i frightened you milady!"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana shook her head

"No, I'm just glad you didn't try to hurt him. He would've killed you, and I don't want you dead..."

[CeriaHalcyon]

"I'm touched milady thinks so highly of me..."

*Ceria shakes hand with Vonix, but feels himself being pulled rapidly by the hand, close enough to have the strength of his eyes assessed.*

"Is this your way of testing whether or not i am a sufficient companion for milady?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana frowns and looks from Ceria's face to Vonix's and back again twice.

"Wha...?"

[vonix]

"Hana nice to see that you have grown stronger in our time apart. But do your new friends know that only powerful vampires have wings?" asked Vonix wile watching ceria assesing him. "I hope that we are still friends seeing as I made you into what you are."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

"Of course we are still friends, Von-kun."

She nodded and held out her hand

"Shake on it?"

[vonix]

"What are you trying to do here Hana?" asked Vonix as he shook her hand then dropped it before she could react. "Because we both know that even all three of you cant take me down. So dont try any thing funny i still remember last time i saw you when you gave me the scar on my shoulder. You were mad because i wouldnt help you do something.....what was it again?" asked Vonix innocently

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria glared at Vonix for a moment at the snide remarks about his lack of wings.

sighing once more he threw down his cloak to reveal a pair of broken wing stubs...

"My wings were lost in the saving of milady, Vonix-san, they are tending to themselves as we speak." narrowing his eyes he focused a portion of his energy to the surface...

"Wings or not, i am not as weak as you believe".

But due to Hana's plea of nonviolence between them, Ceria capped his power and knelt down to retrieve his cloak, knowing fully he had exposed his flank, somewhere deep within he begged for Vonix to take the chance...but alas it wasnt meant to be. with his cloak once more draped, the wings folded themselves down, and held his position, eyeing Vonix's comrades, most suspiciously as to why they had not yet revealed their identities.

"Whom else do we have here with us?"

[Gol D. Roger]

"Screw them. What was that you said about all three of us?"

Rogerro had materialized from bat-form, and now stood nonchalantly behind Vonix. "Because I can guarantee you I'm no longer the neophyte, fledgling little vampir you once knew."

He cracked his knuckles. "So don't underestimate me. Von-kun."

Then he gestured to the mortals behind Vonix. "Anyway... Proceed."

[LUV]

Luv used shunpo, she was going from building to building trying to find some trace of survivors. So far, she had found none.


She could sense some type of energy, but she couldn't recognize any of them. She knew that if anyone had survived this horror it would be Seraf. She hurried through the debri and made her way towards Serafs house. It wasn't easy to see the streets, she was just going on instinct. She could tell where Seraf was even after so much time had passed since she had seen her dear friend. As she neared where his house was to be, she felt an enormous pain on her back.

"What the hell?" She screamed. She instinctively took Fortuna out, her reliable zanpakto and friend. As she turned to see what had caused her the pain, she felt as an enormous reiatsu came near. She moved fast when she saw the hollow coming towards her.

"Oh, you have picked the wrong girl to mess with!" She screamed at the creature. She was not in the mood to deal with hollows, but duty calls. She quickly used shunpo to get near him and jumped up to kick him in the face. Her blow sent him flying backwards, to an old building. She could tell he was just some weak hollow, but she couldn't afford to let him live.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, she quickly turned around.....

[Shapeshifter]

Seraf had decided to keep quiet during the whole reunion of old friends thing. He felt it would be best to leave it to Vonix, after all, he was the leader of their little "gang." He was carefully examining the new comers with a practiced eye. The one who called himself Rogerro had quite the temper and was extremely impatient. It could be used, if needed. He began to meticulously file away all the information for later use. He had a hunch he might need it.

He continued examining the "vampires" till he felt the familiar tug of reiatsu. Hope surged through his entire being. Without a backward glance he left his companions and began to shunpo to the reiatsu. "Could it really be her? She had to have survived, after all, she did leave town for a while..."

His smile slid from his face when he saw that Luv was fighting a hollow. She quickly sent it flying...this was the perfect chance. With another quick shunpo, Seraf was grabbing her by the shoulder...

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana faltered

"I...hurt you?" She tried to remember, but then a searing headache flashed through her head.


"AAAAHHH!" She screamed out loud and fell to the ground in convulsions.

What in the heck was going on?!

[vonix]

"Hana are you ok?" yelled Vonix as he ran to her side
"Shit this should not have happened." Vonix mumbled as he injeced her with a serum that would get rid of the pain and waited to see if she was ok

[LUV]

Luv was so happy to see her Seraf. She gave him one of her flirty smiles. He knew exactly what she meant with those.

"For a minute there, I thought you were one of those," she said, pointing towards the hollow, " I could have killed you." She quickly wrapped her arms around him. She needed to make sure it was him, and not just some illusion. "I have missed you so..."

[Shapeshifter]

Seraf blushed a little as Luv wrapped her arms around him. He was relieved to see her so he allowed the hug...which turned into him throwing Luv aside as the huge hollow claws slashed through Seraf's chest instead of Luv's back.

"dammit...i can't believe i got injured so fast. Man you owe me one Luv..." With a practiced motion Seraf pulled out his sword and blocked the next series of blows.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana lay on the ground, the pain subsiding.

"Ngggh...Von-kun?...Ceria-kun...? Wha..."

She tried to move, but could not. She was temporarily paralyzed.

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro sighed, looking at Hana with eyes devoid of sympathy. "Poor little sister," he said, with an edge of sarcasm. "I'm sure Ceria will take care of you."

He tapped his foot idly. "These distractions are starting to grate on my nerves..."

Suddenly, something drew Rogerro's attention. He glanced at Vonix. "You're missing one," he said, and motioned to the mortals behind him. "Just so you know."

[LUV]

Damn it, she had totally forgotten about that damn hollow, and now, Seraf was hurt too. Now she was pissed off. This damn hollow was going to see why no one messes with Luv Hakubi.

She quickly raised her zanpakto, "Smile down on me, Fortuna!" With every split second that passes, it started to change shape, turning into a gleaming bright diamond Saif with a platinum silver hilt. She silently walked to Seraf and the hollow. She was mad. She could feel her blood boiling. She could feel Fortuna's thirst for blood.

"Seraf! Move, I am going to finish this. I am not in the mood to deal with such an annying hollow!" Her golden eyes commanded him. He better obey......

[vonix]

vonix turned to see who was gone. "oh shit seraf is gone!" suddenly he sensed luvs reiatsu "shit he went to luv but she was gone i thout.....this can get bad fast."

[Shapeshifter]

Seraf decided it might be best to let Luv have her way, the dangerous gleam in her eyes told him he might be her next target if he didn't. That put a smile on his face. With a nod, he jumped out of the way and took a defensive stance.

He was still on the balls of his feet, ready to spring into action the moment it looked like he might be needed...which he doubted.

[LUV]

Luv was pleased to see that Seraf knew her well enough to get out of the way. This dumb hollow was not going to take long. Luv held Fortuna high in the air, "Domani Fortuna!" As soon as she finished the command, an identical blade came down from the sky and stroke the hollow, cutting it right down the middle.

Luv smiled, that hollow was too weak. She turned to Seraf and walked towards him. She swayed her hips a little, just to see his reaction. If there was one thing she knew about Seraf, it was how nervous she could make him feel. She finally reached him.

"So, mind telling me what happened to the town?" she asked, as she crossed her hands over her chest.

[CeriaHalcyon]

"Hana-chan, Hana-chan stay with me..." Ceria knelt beside her stroking the hair which had fallen over her somewhat lifeless eyes.

To him, Hana seemed pale, which to say was a usual trait of a vampir but she was uncommonly so.

"If that's the case...then..."

Ceria lifted the fragile Hana up with both hands, partially cradling her so that he could move her into the position of his neck.

"Milady, drink from me, revive yourself...care nothing for hurting me, losing you would be the ultimate pain."

Somewhere therein, her instincts noticed the presence of Ceria's neck, which flung her fangs and her into action.

Ceria's eyes widened as a result of having his essence drained of him, and then narrowed to an almost sleepy sense of pleasure. his love for her was so great that even sacrificing himself didnt phase him in the slightest.

Vonix and Rogerro stood blankly in shock of what he was doing, both of which sought fit to mention to themselves...

'We could've split the burden Ceria-kun, you didnt have to take it all upon yourself, now you'll be incapacitated...baka!'

[Shapeshifter]

Of course she would have to sway her damn hips. She loved to toy with him that way. Trying to put her hips out of his mind Seraf focused on stopping the sorrow that threatened to drown him.

"The town...well...you see, we were trying to fight off hollows, but in our foolish pride, we left the down to its doom." He felt sick to his stomach. There was no excuse for their failing.

Trying to put the smile back on his face, and not sure if he had accomplished it very well, he stared straight into Luvs eyes and pulled her closer. "Now where has my dear Luv been?"

[LUV]

Luv was surprised at Seraf. Her eyes widened as soon as he pulled her towards him unexpectedly. She looked him in the eyes. Usually she was the one making him nervous, but it seemed that he had turned the tables on her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, "I was put in charge of another town. Thats why I left you so unexpectedly last time we were together. But that doesn't matter. I have missed you so much my dear Seraf." she finished, as she leaned forward to meet his lips.

[Shapeshifter]

Their lips met in a gentle way, a hesitant but forceful touch that sent sparks down both their backs down to their toes, there was a moment where all motion ceased, and it looked as if time had stopped itself to admire the pose in which the two had been captured.

Then oh so slowly they broke away. A sigh escaping both their mouths, as if their hearts were sighing at the break of contact.

"Lets go back to the others Luv, they will be glad to know you are safe." Seraf turned away and started to shunpo back, confident that Luv was right behind...

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana wrapped her arms around Ceria's neck to pull him closer as she drank, her body feeling better by the seconds.

She left his neck and kissed Ceria on the lips gently, the blood still on her mouth.

'Thank you,' she thought, 'This is what I can do for you...I didn't mean to take so much'

She put her long, slender fingers over the puncture marks, and then bared her own neck.

She left his lips for a moment, then finally spoke

"Thank you...I took too much...Now I'm producing well enough blood,"
She brought his head to her neck, "So now, take mine. I beg of you..."

She could feel his mouth twitching against her skin.

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria laughed softly...

"Milady, my love for you is enough to sustain me, but..."

His proud demeanor slipped away as unconsciousness took hold of him.

Ceria passed out with his fangs resting softly against her skin, just enough to break the surface and flux nutrients into his mouth, which hungrily took it in.

Ceria's eyes opened and fought back the urges to drink the beauty right out of her, regardless of how much his instincts wanted to deny his will.

after a moment they had separated slightly, Ceria's head rested softly on Hana's chest as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Sorry i was so stupid milady..."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana smiled and groaned softly.

"Mmm, Ceria-kun, I ordered you to drink from me, and yet you do not?"

She chuckled as he laid his head on her chest

"That was always your favorite resting place..."

She pulled his head back up.

"Revive yourself. Drink. That's an order, and you cannot deny it."

She smiled, and placed his fangs back down on her skin to puncture it.

'Get better, my love...I cannot be without you...'

[CeriaHalcyon]

"I don't wish to hurt you...you know i have the ability to..."

Ceria sees a stern expression painted on her face, and accepts what he knows will be an endless fight he would ultimately lose, and lose painfully.

"I..." 'even though i wish never to hurt you', "accept your command".

Therefore, Ceria drank, drank until his heart was full once more, though he never needed it when he was with her. with strength returning to his legs, he lifted her off her feet, and cradled her like a princess.

as his blood soaked lips left her neck, the holes closed themselves, and the crimson dissolved from his mouth.

"I will always love you milady", Ceria whispered as he stared into the rubies that were her eyes, "and I will always be by your side, even in death."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana smiled and put a hand on his face

"And I also. You know that unless I am in excruciating pain like before, I always have an abundance of blood, so you can take from me whenever you'd like."

She feels a tingling sensation down her spine, and failed to resist the urge to kiss him again.

This time, she put her heart and soul into everything...

[CeriaHalcyon]

"And being with you Hana-sama is enough to keep me overflowing with blood as well, should you need it i am here also"

Ceria accepts her kiss and returns it with a passionate fury she is not prepared for, almost as if he were still dining on her kindness.

Hana was a love of sorts that he had never known, never even considered to be possible, until the day she walked and bit her way into his life and heart...

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana gasped when he returned it, but quickly matched his passion, if not overcame it with her own pent-up feelings.

It was on that rainy night when she found Ceria.
He was half-starved, and she had just suffered severe withdrawals from resisting human blood, so when she found him lying there, she did what she had sworn never to do. Turn a human.

[CeriaHalcyon]

It was a night when all of heaven seemed to open up in anguish as the sadness of the realm beyond the stars transferred into the clouds, and poured it's despair upon the mortal world.

Ceria was not far from being far beyond all manner of aid, when he felt something soft and warm embrace him...

'...is this death, is this the realm beyond...' He thought as he was most surprised to be going there. he had been a fair sort in life, but never thought he would be privy to the ultimate riches in the next one. he was kind while the world was never so innocent.

Ceria had been the refuse of the world, unable to find steady employment, and thus an undesirable in the sense of marriage prospect. His stream of luck (or lack there of) had always led him to the places that were in most cases a week or less from foreclosure. he would work only to be swindled out of the payment for his time.

as such it was not uncommon to find him near starvation as he traversed the landscape searching for another source of income, and possibly a future.

he found one in her arms, found something far greater than he could ever imagine, and given his track record, something he thought he could never deserve.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

She had cradled him in her arms, and covered him with her cloak from the dismal downpour.

She had noticed his features were strikingly handsome, so why was he starving in this forsaken spit of land?

She turned around, and linked his arms around her neck, then a blackness overtook her eyes.

An inky shape took her place, and instead of a pale woman, now there was a thin, small Siberian tiger.

She craned her head to the man laying on her back, who was drifting in and out of consciousness.

She purred slightly, to comfort him, and dashed off into the darkness, to where he did not know.

Hana broke the kiss and flung her arms around his neck, sobbing.

"A--ariga---arigato...Ceria-kun!" Her tears stained his shirt.

[Gol D. Roger]

"Are you done yet? You're making me nauseous."

Rogerro's foot tapped rhythmically against the pavement, as he stared at Ceria and Hana with absolute distaste.

Their kind were not meant to love; that was a fact. There was a time when he had broken that rule himself, and it had only brought him pain and a lasting sorrow that stayed with him to this very day.

Such was the curse of an immortal. To feel the wounds of spurned love, of lost friends, of hatred and fear and despair... forever.

Rogerro folded his arms, drawing in a deep breath. Much as he hated to admit it, his sister Hana was all he had left. Though Ceria was a fawning, fop of a man, at least he took care of Hana in ways he himself could not. Or would not.

Love, even the love of a sibling, was something he would never, ever allow himself to fall prey to again.

[CeriaHalcyon]

With her arms wrapped around him, Ceria knew no greater feeling of serenity. Serenity and vampir were two words never found within the same prefecture. Hana and Ceria were the exception to every rule, every tradition or stereotype that spoke that a vampir had to curse the one who bit them and that they could never know love but only destruction. It was their lot, the fate of their kind and yet the preordained rules never seemed to apply to them.

Hana had recalled what she experienced when they had first met, and for him it was more subtle, it wasnt a revelation more than a relief, to finally be accepted for something, even if it meant a change in lifestyle. everything up until the moment had been an utter waste of time, a cursed existence. everyday with Hana was like a vacation compared to his former self.

Returning his lady's embrace, Ceria couldnt believe she was thanking him, she was like that though, she had a way of forgetting the fact that it was she who changed his life. To some extent, he accepted the fact that their meeting may have had mutual effects, but the truth remained that he had more to thank her for then he could possibly ever find the words to say.

"You have no reason to thank me Hana-sama, i am forever in your debt, for having broken me free of despair..."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana never turned her head, but her words towards him were growling and dripping with venom

"If you ever talk to me like that again, I will never forgive you. Leave us. I do not see you as my brother. Remember that."

She shook her head and smiled at Ceria

"I only regret turning you so soon. I never meant to hurt you so easily. And, please, don't use such formality with me. Call me Hana-chan. Please."

She placed her hand over his heart.

"Please."

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro frowned. "Fine, then." Without another word, he dissipated into darkness, becoming the bat, the creature of darkness he knew he was.

As he hovered above the small gathering, certain thoughts came unbidden, thoughts he had sworn not to allow onto the canvas of his mind.

It was his fault, without a doubt. He had made Hana what she was, in some foolhardy attempt to save her life. Better to have let her die, to be taken by illness and mortality.

And yet now... Now she would blame him forever onward as the one who had stolen her humanity from her. The one who had doomed her to a monstrous existence in the body of an innocent child who would never know what it was like to grow and blossom into womanhood.

He was guilty, and yet there was no one who could punish him.

Silently, Rogerro drifted upwards to the stars.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana sighed as Rogerro left.

She knew that he blamed himself for turning her at a young age, but it wasn't his fault, really.

He was just an over-bearing older brother. What else would he do when he saw his little sister kissing her love?

Well, she understood, but that didn't mean that he had to become angry at Ceria!

[CeriaHalcyon]

"As you wish..." He had used the affectionate suffix earlier without thinking about it. and to say it openly and freely with her felt somewhat disrespectful, but still Ceria complied, as he would never go against her word, possibly only to save her life at the sacrifice of his own.

"You freed me from a life that was hell, is it wrong for me to honor you as well as love, but i concede Hana-chan."

"Rogerro, if my presence offends you i apologize."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

She quickly kissed him again and laid her head on his chest.

"No, it isn't wrong, but I feel...isolated from you when you use -sama."

She smiled again, then it quickly faded into a frown

"Why must we be persecuted so? All I ask for is the permission to settle down, become betrothed, and have children..."

A single tear rolled down her porcelain face.

[CeriaHalcyon]

"It is never isolation i mean to create, it is only my undying respect, blended with my love."

He paused for a while considering her words truthfully as Ceria could see the anguish she was suffering through.

Gracing her chin with his right hand, Ceria held it for a moment before deliberately slowly resting his lips upon her own. He broke contact with her only a moment later, to declare his compliance.

"Hana i love you, and a part of me will always respect and adore you for saving me, but i will have to let that part of me remain hidden if i wish for the future that you want with me."

For a moment his eyes shifted to Rogerro. The vampir had almost vanished from sight, but the words of Ceria held him for a moment.

"I know why you find disgust in our actions, you've been twisted into thinking our kind is meant for nothing more than lust, but why must you scorn us? is it jealousy Rogerro?"

Rogerro growled at him for a moment before Ceria outstretched his hand, with the stop formation. Rogerro came once more into sight, and dropped down to face Ceria.

"If we are to come to an end in this endeavor, then let us fall. If we are to rise above because we choose to love, then let us be the first to do so."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

She closed her eyes as more tears threatened to fall from her ruby eyes.

"But...if it weren't for me, you might have had an easier mortal life. Sometimes I wonder if I should have left you at the nearest cathedral. The priests there are my good friends, and would have taken very good care of you."

Three more tears finally fell from the curtain of lashes.

"And maybe you would have met another woman less frightening and destined for greatness. I feel as if I'm bringing you down into my own despair."

She laughed bitterly.

"And besides, I will forever look like a girl of six-and-ten years."

She blinked a few times

"Why must we be destined to rot?"

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria reached in to catch the tears that fell. on his finger they lay like glistening gems in the moonlight.

he wanted to cherish them forever, but alas they were mere sparkles compared to the forever light that radiated from her. even in her sadness he could not find her more beautiful. the fact that she cared for him to such an extent was beyond anything he thought he deserved.

That way of thinking though, had to be discarded.

and with a simple exertion of his mental heels, the insecurities of his past were simply less than dust under his boot.

"As a mortal", Ceria said catching her stare, "I was nothing more than coal, but thanks to you i am refined, and now set to shine more radiantly than i would've ever known, you are the heat which forged me into a diamond, you are my destiny."

"I have left the part of me behind which thought i didnt deserve this, along with my insecurites and my longing to praise rather than love. now i only love you."

Laughing for a moment, Ceria caught Hana somewhat off guard.

"For mortals, the sense of vanity is fleeting, just like their lives. we will be beautiful forever, though i am nothing more than a dimly lit candle compared to the dawn that is your smile..."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana smiled slightly and blushed the faintest shade of rose.

"But what is beauty truthfully? No one has the answer."

She looked up at the beautifully illuminating moon.

"To some we may be considered 'beautiful', but what are we to ourselves?"

She laughed sharply, gaining the odd stare from Ceria.

"To others of our own kind, we are merely trash to be cremated and thrown out into the wind."

She suddenly remembered a song that her mother used to sing. The words marking a fresh line of thought in her head.

"In an all-encompassing labyrinth where light and dark are distorted, intercept and scatter these despairing, transient lives. Who crossed the borders?
No-one should be able to cross at the ends of antiquity and eternity."

[CeriaHalcyon]

"I never knew beauty before i saw you, so you would be to me." Ceria's face was painted in a rosary blush, a trait most uncommon of him, but well recieved by her.

"And if you see it in me, then that should be enough. Let our own kind worry about themselves and their own lack of existence."

"As for the matter of antiquity...i say let's just live Hana, from one moment to the next and if we have countless moments, then we were blessed to from the start. My feelings for you will never die so why should we?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

"Of course I see it in you, Ceria-kun."

She put a hand on his face

"Why wouldn't I?"

She smiled a wide, fang-revealing smile, a large burden starting to lift off of her heart. That is, if she were to have one.

"Fine. We shall live--together."

Hana drew a long breath.
"I already know your answer, but...do you promise to stay with me forever? Through the thousands of nights?"

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria was quite surprised at being called beautiful, it had truly been some time since he was last considered so. scratching his head with his hand, the vampire acted less and less like an immortal and possibly like a teenager again.

"I guess it was impossible of me to banish all of my insecurity. as a child i was recognized as being handsome, but as an adult, my looks never seemed to help me, so i stopped believing in my own beauty and somewhere along the way might've forgotten about it."

His own smile widened to meet hers, with his own fangs glistening in the pale moon light, his hand lowered to intertwine it's fingers with hers.

"You had me at the first bite, and i'll never let go!"

"I do!"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

"Hah, everyone has insecurities, whether they're human or Vampir. I also have self-image issues."

She thought his actions were normal--something he hadn't been in a while. She was happy he was acting like this, and squeezed his hand softly.

"And you had me at first smile."

She noticed her hands were...getting warmer. She hadn't felt warmth in her hands for years. Decades, even. Maybe this was a sign?

"As do I."

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria noted the change in his ability to once again register the sensation of warmth. The cost of becoming a vampir was great, but perhaps the loss of warmth was one of the worst requisities.

He wondered also if it was a sign.

Since their vows had been spoken aloud it was customary to seal their eternal pact with a kiss.

so he did without any reserve, did place his lips upon hers and opened the doorway into a realm which made everything up until that moment seem utterly insiginificant.

Regardless of the reality of their plights, Ceria felt as though he could face the day's light because she was by his side...and maybe someday he could once more...

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana's heart flooded with joy as Ceria's lips touched hers.

She had never felt such light, even when she was naught but a mere human.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his body closer to hers, finally feeling the warmth that coursed through their bodies mingle together.

She felt as if she could face the world, and if he stayed by her side, most likely would.

[vonix]

"Ceria i now see what Hana sees in you let me give you a small token of my appreciation for you bringing a smile to her once sad face." said Vonix as a mass of energy surrounded his hand giving it the appearance of being surrouned by blue fire. When Vonix had finished speaking he raised his arm and pointed it at Cerias back. Hana gasped thinking that Vonix had hurt her friend when she noticed two beautiful wings appear behind Ceria
"You deserve to have wings after all you have done to help Hana."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana pulled away from the kiss quickly, yet regretfully.

"Ceria-kun!! Your wings!! They're back!"

She tackled him in a hug that made Ceria lose his balance

"Aah, I'm so glad...Thank you so much, Von-kun!!!!"

[vonix]

"It was nothing Hana he deserved to have them back the other councile members were wrong about him as i have witnessed today. Yes Hana i finally accheived my goal to join the vampir council. But that is not the reason i am here this was purely by accident." replyed Vonix as he studied hana and cerias faces for their reaction to learning he was one of the 13 councel members.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana's eyes widened

"Thirteen...Council...Member...?!"

She couldn't speak. Her voice had left her throat.
All she could do was cry, her face still mirroring the image of shock.

[CeriaHalcyon]

For the most part, Ceria had heard little of the council of vampir, but immediately his thoughts shifted to defensive protocols, the fact he was given wings once more set off a red flag in his mind.

Even though his darling Hana was wrapped around him tightly, Ceria couldnt help but thing negatively...there were somethings with him that never changed, he regretted this flaw most of all.

'this must be a rouse to turn me from her side...or is it that he wishes to end us for what he might consider blasphemy? to heal me fully would mean he'd want to face me at his best, like any vampir.'

The actions of Vonix confused Ceria beyond description, but even though Hana was still in shock, the presence of her hand within his own acted as a calming agent.

'Relax Ceria', he thought to himself, 'if he had wanted to kill me he would've done so by now'

At last finding his mental footing, Ceria stepped into the open with his intentions.

"I sense there is more you're not telling us, or me for that matter, what is your business with us Vonix?"

"Does this have something to do with that strange presence i sense behind you?"

Ceria pointed to the figure just on the edge of the woods... it was dark and illusive, it's aura was rank with darkness but not human...

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana could sense the troubling thoughts darkening her love's mind through his countenance.

"W-what..."

She spied the figure and felt the utmost dread and horror.

"Ceria-kun," She whispered into his ear, "We have to leave. Now!"

She saw his confused face and pulled them both into a sitting position.

"It's the Council of 13's leader!"

He still didn't register

"Ceria-kun, it's my Father!!"

[vonix]

Ceria now do you see why i returned your wings to you? I suggest you escape wile you can he is very powerful he could kill you in one hit. He is here to speak with Hana i believe." Vonix said to Ceria as he cautiously watched Hanas father-his leader slowly walk towards them.

[Gol D. Roger]

I'm sorry, Hana, thought Rogerro, as he fluttered down towards his father, his sire, his liege.

Things had gone according to plan, except, perhaps, the unexpected appearance of Vonix. It was no great secret that the members of the Council often had animosity for one another, whether public, private, or fervently concealed.

Rogerro had been tracking his sister for some time now, and had circumstances not dictated that he reveal himself, he would probably still be observing her from the shadows. That was his strength, after all. The reason he had been inducted into the Council's Nightguard in the first place.

The Nightguard was the infamous, elite military division that was operated directly by the Council, for the Council. Rogerro fashioned himself a worthwhile fighter, though nothing compared to many of the Council members themselves, as well as the most feared warriors of the Nightguard, such as its Captain, Edmondt Hagar, who often served as a bodyguard for his father. Briefly, he thanked the heavens that Hagar was not present now.

Ultimately, Rogerro's greatest abilities lay not in combat, but in espionage, covert operations, reconnaissance, and the like. Much as he hated himself for it, he had successfully completed his mission, telepathically informing his father of Hana's whereabouts.

And now, his father had come to take Hana back into vampir society. Rogerro knew she was not suited for it; that's why she had run in the first place. However, he hoped that maybe with the support of Ceria, much as he disliked the man, she might be able to... get used to things, as it were.

Silently, Rogerro materialized from bat form, kneeling on the ground before his father, Marcus. "My lord," he said, keeping his gaze fixed away from Hana, so he couldn't see the betrayal in her eyes.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana turned towards her two family members and sounded a choked cry, her eyes losing all manner of shine that normally possessed them.

"R-Rogerro...? M...Marcus?"

She had made a pact with herself to never call that...monster her Father, her own flesh and blood.

She stood up, and pulled her hand out of Ceria's grip.

She muttered a "I'm sorry", and released her full wings. Not just the tiny off-white wings, but her full, encompassing, gray-mottled ones.

Her face contorted in rage, and her fangs grew long enough to poke out of her small, red lips.

Her eyes closed, she turned again towards her father, and her voice distorted into a growl.

"How dare you come here, you Untier. You are not my Father, seeing as I cast off all familial ties towards you."

She grinned and opened her eyes, them now being a ice-white as her hair.

Marcus laughed and held out his hand.

"Come here, little one. I am to spirit you back home."

She spit at him and growled again.

"I will not leave my betrothed. You cannot force me. Leave us now!"

[CeriaHalcyon]

While Hana had an unmistakable look of anger painted on her face, Ceria's expression held orbit somewhere around disbelief and with maybe a trace of fear.

Rogerro had shown his true colors, that of a snake. but given their kind it was not uncommon and most cases an insult not to consider each and every brother and sister to be as sinister. Nevertheless, he was not the immediate concern.

His instincts screamed the name of vladimir, and along with it, a single word...

Flee!

Ceria wasnt one to ever run from a fight, but with his wings once more, he at last had a true measure of his full capacity, whereas it had recently been a crapshoot. As he stood, Ceria was maybe 1/2 half of the warrior that vladimir was, just on initial appearances, and as the council leader, he would've most likely had other aces that he could exploit, aces that remained out of sight.

Attacking the pair of them head on was not an advisable move either, Ceria could've handled Rogerro, most likely. with a due amount of shame, he had to admit that he and vladimir were clearly in two separate leagues. with himself being the clear lesser, and most likely easily defeated.

Therefore he urged her to evacuate, and the narrow possibility of evading the two of them seemed to decrease the longer he hesistated. He knew she would resist though, just as she appeared to be doing with her denounced family. His survival of the moment also seemed to decrease with each passing instance.

"Hana", Ceria said, rising up to intertwine his hand with hers once more. It was in that moment, standing with her, that Ceria realized that all hope wasnt lost.

Vonix!

Vonix was still present...If Ceria could team up with the one who had given him his wings, a possibility still existed. and from what he could discern, some bad blood existed between the council members, it was an ace he could exploit in combat, or just enough of a diversion to allow their escape.

Therefore he waited, as much as his instincts screamed to flee, for the exact moment to do so.

[vonix]

"Ceria i know what you are thinking and i'm terribly sorry i cannot help you fight my leader....i have plans for the council as time shall reveal. They took her from me and i want her back! But i cannot openly disobey my leader untill i have gotten what i need from the council. I am truely sorry about this ceria". whispered vonix to ceria
"Sir what brings you here?" Vonix asked Vladimir "I thought you had other matters to attend to?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana moved her eyes over to her betrothed, and they softened...for what anyone could tell. She squeezed his hand again and whispered.

"Ceria-kun. I must ask. What would you have of me? If I do not defend us, we shall surely die at the hands of that Untier."

She closed her eyes and nodded

"I wish for all of my being to run, but my wings have just been unreleased. I cannot fly as fast as you, and can only flee if you were to carry me, but..."

She shook her head.

"What shall we do?"

Marcus narrowed his eyes and sneered.

"Come here, little brat. I am not going to ask a third time."

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria listened to the words of Vonix and Hana, both of which offered him little comfort.

Vonix was not the one who could save them or buy them time.

Hana wanted to fight, which wasn't a smart move.

For some reason though, he felt as though he could trust Vonix, maybe it was the wings, or maybe it was the fact he had little choice but to.

But reality crashed around him in the form of Vladimir's voice...

They really were up the creek without a paddle, and as much as he wanted to run, that was not an option. the killer intent radiating from Vladimir was enough to make a normal person look behind them, for a vampir it was a veritable death sentence if he so much as moved the wrong way.

"Hana, i know nothing of your father, aside from the fact he's stronger than me, what choice do we have but to wait and try to survive this...if he lets us....?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana looked at him as her eyes flooded back with the scarlet color that normally inhabited them.

"So we should...let him take us?"

Her mind was sent reeling. If Marcus were to take them back to the council, there was a possibility that he would separate them forever. But...then again...

Marcus disappeared and reappeared in front of Hana, one hand clenching her wrist firmly and the other holding her by the chin forcefully.

"I said you're coming with me, whether you like it or not."

He sneered yet again

"And besides," Marcus nodded towards Ceria, "I need him with you also. It just so happened to come about that you exchanged life pacts."

He smiled a calculating, abhorring smile and looked at Ceria, Vonix, and Rogerro, respectively.

"Thank you kindly, boys, for keeping her here for long enough."

All Hana could do was draw in the scarce breaths that his calloused fingers allowed.

[Shdo]

from marcus shadow a form started to take shape, it was a eyeball, at the size of a human head. to those vampires who came from from noble families it was known as the observer, the eyes of the council and a creature to be reckoned with. a creature as strong as a vampire lord if not more but bounded to serve the council. the servent and the symbole of the council power, the all seeing eye.


the observer floated in mid air looking at the vampires, it gave a long stare at vonix, a bubbly voice came from the eyeball, "the council is not pleased from your wandering, nor do they approve your decision to give the half breed his wings back without their consent," it turned back to marcus, "would you like me to open the shadow door to the council chambers? or do you want to go on your own? master marcus."


(its a big floating eye with yellow iris, dont try to poke it)

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Marcus spoke to the hellspawn that appeared from behind him.

"I would be grateful if you would complete the task of opening the doors, Observer."

He chuckled darkly and squeezed Hana's wrist and face tighter, then turned to the trio of men.

"I order you to follow me."

He then turned to Ceria

"Especially if you want your wife."

Hana whimpered and started to tremble.

'Oh, God, no. He's going to kill Ceria-kun! I have to stop him!'

She jerked free of Marcus' grip on her wrist and bit his hand, his obsidian-colored blood spraying forth from his radial artery onto her face.

She dashed towards Ceria and pulled on his hand, her wings unfurling. She started pulling him backwards, screaming only one word.

"RUN!"

[Shdo]

"GRRR! she bit me! chase her you disgusting eyeball!" the observer felt contempt at the council leader, a pathetic example for a leader of the vampires who couldn't even control his own daughter.


"as you wish, master," the eyeball shimmered and reappeared before the fleeing couple, "i have my orders," a wall of shimmering liquid appeared and blocked their path.


"just go with your father, why is that man so important to you so you risk your life and your place in the royal family?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana growled in contempt.

"Why is he so important to me? Ceria is the only one who accepted me as a 'person' and not isolated himself from me as 'royalty'!"

She walked up to the Observer and looked directly into it's pupil

"Please. I beg you. I am in the same position that you are. Being used for your power and being controlled like a marionette. Please, let us free."

[Shdo]

"i have no free will, if i had control over my destiny i would have exterminated your kind...but alas...i am a puppet." the giant pupil started to burn with red color when suddenly...the wall collapsed.


"what is the meaning of this? follow your orders!" marcus was pissed at the rude disobedience of his servant.


"i follow your orders but the council orders outrank yours if they are unanimous." the bubbly voice changed into the combined voice of the council members, young and old, male and female.


"marcus, stop wasting the council resources for your own agenda's, and if you cant control your own family then we wont do that for you." the bubbly voice returned.


"ill proceed to watch from the shadows and give my report to the council, don't bother to try and summon me until you return to the council chambers on your own. i have my orders." the observer floated away slowly.


the young girl had spank and the council wanted to see how she can torment her father some more. he might be the leader but that only mean he have more influence over them when they are divided and since he wasn't present at the council chamber at the moment he didn't really had any control over the observer then what was allowed to him by the council.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana sighed with relief and bowed

"Danke, Observer-sama. I hope you are free soon."

Then she fully extended her wings, and in s gust of air, took into flight with Ceria in tow.

[Nazo]

Nazo grunted as he pulled out the sword from the back of the man.

"Sorry that I ruined your tailored suit." Nazo smirked, and was tempted to laugh at his own inside joke. But there was no one else in the room, so he decided to do so. He was tired of the vampire coming to the same place, and speaking so high, he pulled the last straw when he spat at Nazo's face, and told him,
"This is my territory, Shinigami bastard. Soul Society didn't accept you, and for damn sure we aren't." That... was definitely the last straw. He had remembered the man earlier commenting not to get his tailored suit dirty, that's where the joke came from.

Nazo looked at his dirty sword "Damnit, now I'm going to have to spend more time cleaning up the sword, then I did cleaning up these blood sucking scum bags." He didn't have a liking for the vampire kind. It wasn't them personally, it was more over his experiences with them, it was too bad he never met the best of their kind. He walked down the wooden stair case from the attic of the house, where the vampire was conducting a small meeting between his petty goons, who Nazo thought could be easily beaten by even Humans. His hollow steps, filled the empty room, as he kept his casual long stride all the way to the door, where he opened it, and the moon light kissed the carved wood of the old cottage, and he closed the door behind him. He looked up at the moon, and then infront at the empty town.

"Time to keep moving. Killing these vampires is almost becoming a hobby, no sooner then cleaning my blade will it be either." He smirked again under his white cloak, slipping the sword in it's sheath walking away from the cottage.

[vonix]

<is violating his rule for this
DISABLE YOUR DAMN SIGNATURES AND DO NOT USE SPOILER TAGS

[CeriaHalcyon]

The last thing Ceria remembered was being in a place that was darker than the blackest night, but he wasnt there now.

He felt wind rushing through his hair, and almost felt weightless.

Thrusting open his eyes, Ceria couldnt believe what he was seeing, it had to have been a miracle...

he was in Hana's arms, flying off somewhere.

Ceria didnt know what to make of this predicament, so rather than ruining it with small talk, he said the one thing he had yet to tell her...

the one thing he knew might cause her to drop him in all the excitement:

"Ich liebe dich" (I love you)

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana blushed as red as her eyes, but still held Ceria in her arms. He was actually quite light for a man.

"D-danke shoen....Ich...ich liebe dich..." ((Thank You Very Much. I love you))

She was really surprised that he had spoken in the Royal language, and smiled.

"So, where to now? I have a general idea where, but I would like your opinions..."

She trailed off as she thought of what he said.

[CeriaHalcyon]

"What are we going to do now Hana...about vladimir?"

"Is it over? or will he just come after us again?"

After a long moment of silence, Ceria could tell from the glaring intention, that Hana's question had not yet been answered.

"Anywhere you are is where i will be and i have no desire to go anywhere that doesnt have you in it."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Just as a cloud passed overhead, her voice was barely above a whisper in the wind.

"He will always follow us. He has been chasing me since I ran away from him a century ago."

She looked into his pale gray eyes and tried to smile, but failed.

"We will never be truly safe. Not even if we die. He will find a way to seal our souls to himself."

"...We will go to a place that my...Egh. That Marcus has never heard of, and cannot yet enter into it's confines."

She paused again.

"The Cathedral of St. Lagissterre. I befriended the Head Priest there, and he always has a room prepared for me and any other guest that accompanies myself."

She tried her hardest to fight back a yawn.

[CeriaHalcyon]

Noting her diminished state, and the fact they had been flying lower and lower for some time, Ceria flipped themselves around, a transaction he would've never been able to accomplish had she been fully awake and alert.

Now Ceria was the one flying, with Hana in his arms...

"Just point me in the right direction, i'll fly until the sun burns away my skin, and even then i'd continue just for you!"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

"A-ah! Ceria-kun! H-how..?"

She gulped and wrapped her arms around him.

"N-Nor'Easterly direction. Just beyond that forest..."

She chuckled.

"Wow. You really love me, don't you?"

[vonix]

Meanwile
"Sir im sorry for not following my orders its just that i got....distracted." Said Vonix as he was standing before Hanas father
Can the council forgive me for this act? questioned Vonix
"No" came the stern reply "The orders are very clear if a council member disobeys they must be killed" replyed hanas dad. "Very well then i see how it must be" said vonix as he knelt before him with his head bowed waiting for the blow that would end his life.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Marcus unsheathed his sword and was about to swing it upon Vonix's head when he abruptly stopped.

"No. I have a better idea."

He laughed darkly

"You will track her down and capture her yourself. Preferably alive and with the boy, but it really doesn't matter."

He pointed in the direction they left in.

"Go. Now."

[Shdo]

again the massive eyeball appeared before Vladimir, "if you insist on following the tradition then i should point out that there is more for tradition," Vladimir gave the observer a angry look but the observer wasn't impressed. in the end there are many candidates for a council leader but only one observer in the world.
"the accused can ask for a dual. he can ask for redemption from the council and commit a task for them. or they can simply decide he didn't committed any crime, after all, it was you, Vladimir, who used the resources of the council for your own family disputes."


Vladimir raised his hand and tried to grab the eyeball, but his hand got bounced back from the observer liquid shield, "you damn bastards! when i get back to the council ill straight you all up." Vladimir turned back to Vonix and tried to behead him but the liquid shield defended the young council member, "observer, you are testing my patience!"


"the council believe that even IF they would agree for the execution of a member it shouldn't be done in such a shameful way, in a ruined alley somewhere. there are ways and procedures for everything master Vladimir, and beheading a council member on the street isn't one of them, it make the council look bad."


"as for you," the observer stared at Vonix, "the council wish for you to bring them a set of wings. if you think you can just give someone his wings back against the council decision then you are wrong, the council outweighs everything. including the leader.
give them a set of wings back, be it ceria or yours, they don't care as long as blood is spilled."

[vonix]

"You want wings then you get them." said vonix as he stood up and before anyone could react he plunged his sword through Marcus's chest. the sword went up to the hilt and blood was flowing onto vonixs hands. "Observer will his wings work?" Vonix asked pointing to the dead body of his exleader.

[Gol D. Roger]

Rogerro's jaw dropped, staring first at the impaled form of his father, and then at Vonix... The traitor, Vonix. "You..."

He raised his hands, wicked claws springing from his fingertips.

"Halt," spoke the observer, and then to Vonix it said, "Your actions do not follow the intentions of the Council, nor are they in the Council's best interest..."

"Hu hu hu..." Everyone paused, wondering where the sound of faint, guttural laughter had come from. "Ha ha..."

Marcus's corpse hung slack on Vonix's blade, like a rag doll. "Ah ha ha ha!" But now, his body was shaking with mirth. The arms which had just a moment ago hung motionless now sprang up to grasp the length of the sword which ran through him, and a second later, his head snapped up to stare Vonix in the eyes.

"To believe I'd be killed so easily... What a fool." Steadily, Marcus slid his abdomen backwards along the metal, until he was free. The hole in his chest began to knit together, muscle and sinew and bone regrowing until he was whole again.

He ran a finger over the place where the wound had been, picking up droplets of blood, then brought it to his mouth, savoring his own sanguine liquid. "Well, I imagine the Council won't be too happy about this," Marcus said, levitating into the air, out of Vonix's reach.

"You'll need much more than a pair of wings to make up for your treachery now. What say you, observer?"

[Shdo]

"Vonix, if you wanted to kill Vladimir then you should ve asked for a duel. instead you decided to cowardly attack him from behind, and worst of all, YOU HAVE FAILED. to break the tradition of backstabbing from the shadows and attacking in front of the observer, are you trying to openly declare that you want to die?"


the observer froze in its place, receiving new orders from the council, "this is surprising...master Vladimir, you are free to act on your own and deal with vonix as you wish but until we will find a new member for the council, one that can at least assassin quietly, the council itself wont take action against Vonix," the observer was annoyed, why does the council don't finish this and order him to kill Vonix? what do they want? still it doesn't matter, Vladimir will do what he wants and punish the foolish vampire lord.

[Gol D. Roger]

"Tch." Marcus sniffed the air, turning away from Vonix as he settled back onto the ground below him. "If he is no longer a member of the Council, then he is also of no more concern to me."

"But father! I mean... my lord," Rogerro exclaimed, but Marcus waved away his son's objection with a flicker of his ringed fingers.

"Come," Marcus said, placing his hand on Rogerro's shoulder. In an instant, they had vanished.

* * * * *

"Do you want me to go after Hana again?" Rogerro asked.

Marcus paced along the cracked, dirt-covered rooftop. They were on the outskirts of the city, transported there through the Council Leader's extraordinary powers, developed through over a millennium of undeath.

"No, I have another job for you," Marcus said. "The Council has other goals in this city."

"What do you mean?"

"The Hollow attack... That was our doing. We needed to clear this place of its inhabitants, by any means necessary."

Rogerro was confused. "But why?"

Marcus gestured out over the city. "Underneath this buildings, there is a series of caverns. And beneath the caverns, ruins. Do you know who built them?"

Rogerro shook his head.

"We did. Well, the vampir did, thousands of years ago. There are artifacts there the Council wishes to recover. We have not yet located the entrance to the caves, so I want you to take care of that. And from there, find the way into the ruins."

Rogerro bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Marcus smiled chillingly. "Just watch out for the Hollows."

"Of course," Rogerro said. "But..."

"Yes?"

"What are you going to do?"

The elder vampir broke into a frightening, fanged grin. "Why, I'll be going after Hana, of course." Without another word, Marcus bowed his head and vanished.

[CeriaHalcyon]

Within a hidden cloister of the Cathedral St. Lagissterre, Ceria and Hana slept peacefully, in each other's arms.

Or at least Hana did while Ceria gave off the impression of being asleep. Whilst the surroundings were certainly worthy of some trust, given Hana's relationship with the head priest, Ceria was leery of completely trusting the priest. It was downright irregular for a priest to befriend a vampir, and it was furthermore also another sin against the pureblood race to have done so.

Hana was a heretic, an extreme rule breaker, but at the end of the day, she was Ceria's heretic.

Nevertheless, Ceria knew someone as stout as Vladimir couldnt be bested by whatever miracle Hana had achieved to sue for their escape. He had the feeling that her father would hound them forever if given the chance, or impower others to do so while he sat back and watched.

That was the problem with cursing the head of their order, every other brother and sister just became a potential enemy.

Still, Ceria knew he needed to rest and recover for the next night's ordeal. Vladimir, a god of a vampir was still subject to the same natural statutes, as it was day and full light then, they had to be as safer then than at any other time.

So Ceria slept, but slept with one eye open...

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Yet, on that same day, Hana had a nightmare.

-----
'What's this?'

She found herself in front of the Cathedral, but...
It was encased in flames.

'Why?'
She couldn't control her actions. All she could do was stand there and stare. Her friend, High-Priest Golschen. Ash.
The many monks. Ash.
Ceria...wait. Where was he?
She looked up to the sky and saw two figures.

One she immediately recognized, but the other....no.
Wait.
'NO!'

It was Marcus. He held Ceria by the neck. God only knows what he did to him.
Marcus threw Ceria to the ground. The frightening thing was...
Ceria's wings stayed in Vladimir's hands.

She was about to fly to catch Ceria when she heard her Father directly behind her.

'If you stay with him, don't you see what will happen? If you want to keep him alive...leave him. Leave him here and come with me. I shall be waiting on the hill in four nights.

----
Her whimpering was too quiet for a human to hear, but it didn't miss the trained ears of her husband.

[vonix]

Vonix licked the blood of Marcus off of his hands he felt the power of the blood surge through him. "huh he shouldnt have left me here now i will kill him one day. But first i must go help hana and ceria" muttered vonix as he flew off to hanas hiding place unnoticed by all. "I will not let another one of my friends down. And when i am done with the vampir lord i shall topple their foolish council".

[CeriaHalcyon]

Hana figeted in her sleep...As Ceria brushed the hair from her eyes, delicately. her arms and torso moved intermittenly, as she seemed to be struggling against something...

'What is it that plague's your soul Hana, let me in, let me see...'

Ceria neared her lips, lightly pressing with his own.

The warmth that he expected met him, but a flicker lingered in his closed eyes. Illuminescence existed at the edge of his partially opened eye, it could not have been from the cloister.

Thrusting his eyes open, Ceria found himself within a shivering aura pulse.

It wasnt vladimir's, nor vonix's nor his own...it was Hana.

a harrowing sensation rippled the outer surface of his skin, channeled fear through his veins, and shook him to the very core...

The light which kept him from the sight of the world held his eyes within the sight of something else.

the future...

Hana was clairvoyant...

'No wonder Vladimir is so interested in her!'

Ceria knew it was the future, because he was being held by the neck, while Hana watched on, he knew it was his death.

Luck was one thing Ceria never had, even with her, his old mortal trappings seemed to follow him around like a stray cat, always bringing misfortune.

"So, you've seen it...boy!" came a most unexpected and least wanted voice.

Snapping back to reality, Ceria reeled in horror, as what he reasoned as the god of vampires stood at the cloister's door. He appeared more terrifying than the previous encounter...it probably had something to do with the flickering amber behind him.

"Vladimir?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

The demonic visage laughed gutturally.

"Yes. And I am not yet come to take your precious Hana."

He narrowed his eyes and snuffed at the two.

"I am here to just serve a warning. If you do not hand her over to me, the one in the vision twill not be you."

Marcus bared his fangs, hissed, and disappeared from sight.

Hana shivered yet again, then slowly opened her eyes.

"Wh...what happened."

She finally remembered her dream and threw her arms around Ceria's neck.

And so she cried out.
In frustration.
In anger.
In fear.
In love.

[CeriaHalcyon]

'I am here to just serve a warning. If you do not hand her over to me, the one in the vision twill not be you'...

'What in holy hell did he mean by that?' Ceria pondered while Hana's hold on him to such a point that he wondered if he could continue breathing.

As Hana stared up into the rubies that radiated within his eye sockets, Ceria could only reply with something nonsensical...

"Beats the hell out of me?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana's body temperature started rising slowly as her body trembled. Her voice was a strangled choke amidst her sobs.

"C--ceria-kun! It was horrible! You--y--you d-d-died! I c-couldn't h-help at all! I w-was f-frozen in p-place! H-he took y-your wings! H-HE K-KILLED Y-YOU!"

She could feel her face drain of color.

'Why do such things happen to us? What did we do to deserve this retribution?

'Is loving really that much of a crime?'

[CeriaHalcyon]

"It's alright Hana...I'm here now!" Ceria comforted her as best he could, when in reality a little comforting might've helped him out.

"Don't worry, we'll figure something out...besides..." Ceria glanced back at the door to find no flames had erupted, there was no fire and not the slightest trace of smoke...

'Was that just from his aura and killer intention?'

"We need to find a safer place to hide..."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana sat up on the bed and fixed the top of her dress, her body still slightly tremoring.

"I...thought that it would be safe here"

She blinked a few times.

"We cannot leave quite yet. There are still a few hours of daylight to burn."

She looked at the mirror in front of her that cast no reflection.

"Curse this body. If only I was like Marcus, a Daywalker, then we could flee. But, it will be another death for me to become one."

She brushed the hair out of her eyes and stretched her arms above her head.

"But if I were to die again, I would lose most of my memories."

Hana looked over at Ceria for a moment.

"And that is something I do not permit of myself."

[vonix]

"Hana you need to get out of here NOW! Marcus is on his way here as we speak!" yelled Vonix as soon as he had arrived at hanas hiding place. he had forgotten to clean the blood off his sword and ceria and hana were staring at it in shock.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Well, this was an interesting predicament.

Hana and Ceria were laying on the bed, and Vonix was standing in the doorway with a blood-covered sword.

Hana tried not to stare at the dripping blood for too long.

She sighed.

"Von-kun, you're a little too late, I'm afraid to say. He's already been here..."

Her eyes were drawn once again to the sword.

"And he is waiting four nights. Ah, how did you know about this place, anyway? And how did the Head-Priest let you in?"

[vonix]

"Hana as an excouncil member i know many things and can do many things most of our kind cannot. Would you like to know why im an excouncil member and why my sword is dripping blood?" asked vonix as he licked all the blood from his sword so very little of the power that was in the blood would be lost.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana gulped and nodded

"Yes, yes I would...Is that...Marcus' blood?"

[vonix]

"Yes it is, after you left i stalled for time and the council wanted me to cut off cerias or my wings so i stabbed your so called father.......just he didnt die but i swear i WILL kill him one of these days him and his foolish council. Hana do you recall why i joined the council in the first place?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana's mind reeled as she took in all of the information.

"Those Scheißkerle...thank you."

She tried to remember, but she kept drawing a blank.

"Very vaguely. I'm quite sorry...my mind has been through much lately."

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria's eyes dashed back and forth between Vonix and Hana, each remaining silent, so he dared to speak a question that was the most relevant at the time.

"So...what happen's now Vonix, where do we go from here, and how we know you didnt just cut your way in to us just now?"

Hana tried to protest, but Ceria cut her off for the moment, it wasnt disrespect, but simply the fact it had been an extremely confusing evening, and the night had only just begun.

They needed answers, real truths and no more smoke and mirrors.

"Please Vonix, i would hate to have to fight you given everything, but do not think that i will simply stand here, should it come to blows."

[vonix]

"Hana i joined the council to protect you and another of my friends.....just they captured her so now i must protect you or all those years were wasted. Ceria i no longer have to lie to you seeing as im no longer a council member. We have to go somewere only we can find so that we can talk and plan our next move without worrying about getting killed. And if i had cut my way in wouldnt both of you be dead by now?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

"Where...only we can find?"

Hana racked her mind thinking of different areas.

"And where would this place be? I cannot think of any place that Marcus doesn't know of."

[CeriaHalcyon]

"I know a place my love", Spoke Ceria, solemly.

They looked at him in utter surprise, as to suggest they didnt think he would possibly know of a place that Vladimir wouldnt.

"we'll go to where i was born, it's a long way from here, a few nights and i think we can make it."

Ceria felt shameful, cause this was a secret he had kept even from Hana, in the wish of safeguarding the remainder of his kin, should things go awry.

"My sister still lives on the coast of the Orion sea."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana nodded and brushed Ceria's hand with her own.

"It's killing two birds with one stone. We get to hide from Marcus, and I am allowed to meet your family, am I not?"

She smiled.

"That sounds like a plan."

[vonix]

"This is good and all but where exactly do i fit into all of this?"

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana beamed a smile at Vonix

"You can come with us!!"

[CeriaHalcyon]

Moving shadows along the forest floor, the three vampir were still as open to attack if they had been moving along a paved road. Ceria was at the helm- if one were to consider their movement as being a vessel- gazing forward, knowing the direction, but also maintaining a somewhat indirect course as to keep their destination secret from anyone who might be watching...

Not like it actually mattered when Marcus may or may not be on their tail.

Hana held position midship, but left herself open to be pulled by the wake of Ceria's speed, her eyes and mind remained entirely focused into watching either side for enemy threats.

Vonix held the stern postion and guarded their flanks from rear attack. with his wings tucked over his shoulders, he almost appeared to be wearing a shoulder mantled cloak.

It was apparent to vonix, the reason for the lack of the usage of their wings, at least on paper so to speak, the logic was impeccable.

Flight would give them an advantage of rapid progression, but it as Ceria put it also left them open to sight, and also might create an uproar as they neared the village of his sister.

Unlike Ceria who had been forced to adapt to using his legs to create his own vehement speeds, Vonix was never much of a sprinter. He was like any other vampir, an accomplished flier.

Traveling in such a manner would take time for such a distance, the shores of Orion were days upon days for any mormal mortal, just under four nights for their kind would be pushing the limits of possibility.

Ceria had mentioned that his family lived on the shores, so what possible reason would there be to bring three vampir and a shark like Marcus there, was Ceria insane?

Only time would tell if Ceria had an ace in the hole, or an ace at home as the situation suggested, or if he was truly out of options?

[vonix]

"So Ceria why exactly did you choose a place that has civilians that you know could be mercilessly slautered before your very eyes? Are you prepared for that because if Marcus finds us you know thats exactly what he will do" pointed out vonix as he looked around

Meanwhile

"Who the hell are you?" Soz asked one of the weaker vampirs that marcus had left behind to take care of "the mortals".
"I am what your nightmares are made of" was the reply
"what do you want from me than? What have i ever done to offend marcus?"
"why nothing mere mortal you were just at the wrong place at the wrong time" replied the vampir as he sunk his teeth into soz's neck and quickly drained his entire body of blood and swiftly disposed of the body. Then he flew off to find his master and tell him that he had done what he had been ordered to do.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana nodded

"I concur with Vonix. Now that I think of it, they could very easily massacre this town."

She looked around at the surrounding foliage and furrowed her eyebrows.

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria sighed heavily, as to suggest that he might not have thought of that conclusion and had furthermore brought them there mainly for the saving of their own hides.

Nevertheless, Ceria's sigh of dismay turned into a somewhat confident smile, this time almost suggesting that he didnt care.

"Let Marcus come, trust me when i say he will have bitten off more than he can chew...by light of the next full moon!"

A harrowing silence followed his words like a wedding train, even closer was the shivering sense of disbelief that resulted from his words.

Ceria's past had always been a secret from Hana, and furthermore from Vonix. Ceria was an outcast on many fronts, both human and otherwise. as a man he was terribly unlucky, unable to hold a decent job and therefore not marriage worthy, as a vampire he had challenged the leader of the order, instead of obeying, and as a lichen, Ceria was unable to transform because he was a genetic bastard. Far graver was the fact that he committed multiple extraordinary sins: becoming a vampire, and then serving and even loving one.

Returning to his homeland, to his kin was a last resort, that might even get him killed, by hands other than marcus. but if there was a place where even the mightiest of vampir's hands could not reach them, Lichenstein was the place.

[vonix]

"Ceria i just hope you dont plan to betray me i did not become the second most powerful council member because i play by the rules i still have friends within the council and it seems that our dear friend marcus may very well become a memory soon. I just thought that you two should be kept up to date on what is happening with our kind."

[CeriaHalcyon]

The three vampir were huddled in the concealing frawns of a tree as they observed the village below.

Ceria looked Vonix dead in the face, wearing the mug of someone ashamed.

"I'm desperate Vonix, not stupid."

Vonix was about to reply with "Des..." when Ceria suddenly covered the vampir's mouth with his hand...

muddled voices echoed from the ground below.

"I think i smell vampir," said a pitchfork holding farmer, "three of them, and they're afraid!"

but another farmer slapped the first upside the head. Rubbing his head sorely, the first looked back to see a beefier settler standing behind him.

"You idiot, no vampir is dumb enough to come within ten kilometers of this village, it would be suicide, well assisted suicide...Muahaha!"

Without further word, the settlers walked back into the village and the vampir watched them like owls.

Taking his hand off vonix's mouth, Ceria laid it all out.

"Coming here was a last resort, if they see us as we are now, wings and all, we'll never make it to my sister's front stoop. Council member or not," Ceria glared lightly at Vonix "they'll tear us to pieces."

"We need a diversion, and beyond that a miracle".

[vonix]

"Or we could use some of the council tech i nabbed before the whole marcus thing. See these rings? They allow you to talk to each other but the best part is they can disguise you as anything....just its unable to mask our scent that was why they werent issued yet."

[CeriaHalcyon]

"That's exactly what i wanted to hear from you Vonix... i knew we brought you for a reason..." Ceria mocked laughing to try and lighten the mood, which was a necessary requisite to surviving the next few moments.

Taking a ring and passing one to Hana, Ceria and the other vampir slid the narrow bands of gold over their fingers.

"Luckily, the moon is obscured tonight by the clouds, or we'd be most certainly found by now."

"So..." Ceria was about to speak the name vonix, but wondered whether or not the denizens below were up to date with the current vampir administration. it certainly reasoned that using a recognized name would blow their cover just as if they had worn shirts that pointed to each other saying
"I'm with vampir"

"I think it's time we use an alias, just as your name might be known here, my name holds as much weight here as paper can hold water."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana listened intently through the whole conversation, not uttering a single word, and sliding the golden metal band over her slender finger.

"An alias, huh?"

She though for a while

"We might be able to go by our middle names, and change our last names. Would that work? I could help with our last names...."

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria held Hana's hand tightly, and replied, "I dunno, my last name is reknown here, as would yours be Hana. I wonder if trying to overcomplicate this situation would end up pinching us in the end."

"I'd say first off, we need to poke around, secretly though, to see if Cerina is actually home, which to say might be best if we're going to expose ourselves."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana grinned

"That why I would create new names for ourselves. I am a master of names, if you haven't noticed..."

She flinched when the wind blew a tree branch, and nodded at Ceria

"That would most likely be the best way."

She then remembered something.

"Um, Ceria-kun? Does your sister know that you...umm...are a Vampir?"

[CeriaHalcyon]

Ceria looked away from the group for a moment as if he were staring on the wide horizon, except he could only see the look of disappointment waiting for him when he got home. it was bad enough he was a failure as a lichen, but to be a vampir as well...

"i would rather us not visit that subject, as stupid a thing it is for me to even say it. While my sister might not kill me on sight, the rest of the village would in an instant, former clansmen or not."

"You see why i've never said anything about my homeland or my family, and the fact i've come back is truly a sign of desparation, one i had hoped to never again revisit..."

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

Hana sighed and put her hands on Ceria's shoulders.

"Again, I apologize for turning you. If I didn't, you might be with your family still..."

She turned her gaze towards Vonix.

"So, Von-kun, what is the plan?"

[vonix]

We should go in near his sisters house so there is less chancd of being found. Is that possible ceria?