Visions of Beyond

[Katsumi Viora]

If you poke that tea house, you'd be poking a hornet's nest

Katsumi got up,head canted his eyes narrowed his pupils becoming slits against the pools of blood behind Raven colored hair..He'd follow Amaya's orders for the most part,a thin but sadistic smirk crossed his face his laughter soft and believeable for the while

"That man,stinks so horribly..."


He said,crouching door near the door of the tea-house as he listened to Chizuru speak about him [Katsumi] and how he was nothing but a brother..a nephew..

"What am I to you,anymore...What are you playing?"


He whispered under his breath,staring out beyond the confides of the tea-house,the laughter still soft still seemingly convincing ..The tattoos that adorned his arms and back were giving off a faint white light/energy signal..
Slowly,Katsumi's laughter faded and he had lost any sort of attention kept with Amaya..His expression fell and anger crept along once gentle features as he seen the man share such affections with Chizuru..
Katsumi would suddenly disappear from the Tea-House,claw marks on the floorboards the only indication something had been there at all.
The temperature outside would seem to grow humid rather fast,clothing would become restrictive..uncomfortable..and the very fact of breathing became a task all it's own..
Just feet from the tea-houses entrance the grass would wilt once Katsumi's sandal clad feet slowly came to rest upon it..the tremendous heat building before without warning a long stream of fire erupted from him,the end formed into what seemed to be a clawed hand as it erupted away from his already extended arm...
It heading straight for the man..
The grass underneath the blast wilted and scorched,just as the heat emanating from Katsumi's body scorched the ground he walked upon..



Was this jealousy Katsumi felt?..That had caused him to do such a thing as this?..Or was it something completely different?...

[Kirin]

As the Empress was mouthing off to Nicoli, she was turned to face Trydian. She felt his lips against her's and she was too surprised to kiss Trydian in return. Her hands stiffened at her sides. He was halfly apologizing. Words became distant noises to her until she was brought back to reality. The servants will be laughing about this tomorrow, she thought. Trydian's vow to protect her was followed up be an explosive revelation.

Trydian had feelings beyond friendship for her? Chizuru was silent as she was almost floored by Trydian. Her mind wandered until he said that he needed to feast. Oh, she had an idea of what that entailed, but her thoughts were interrupted by Katsumi.

It had grown disgustingly humid which was strange for a cool, late summer night. Her eyes widened when all she saw was the flame shooting from Katsumi's fingers. Her arms wrapped around Trydian and she pushed him down, lying on top to protect him.

Amaya didn't let Katsumi's flames get near the Empress. She "reappeared" in the path of Katsumi's fire blast and got hit dead on by the flame. Amaya's death was quick and her shriek was short enough. Amaya's body fell to the ground. Chizuru turned. She let go of Trydian and went to see Amaya, but all she now heard was the sound of her own voice, crying out in despair for her fallen friend.

"Eru Amaya.." She choked out after her third cry. The tension on the bows of the archers increased until Chizuru spoke up.

She was kneeling by Amaya's body, running her hands along the burnt hair. "If anyone shoots Katsumi, they will lose their head. Not only that, but Viora Katsumi is now under arrest. His punishment, however, is out of my hands."

Tamotsu stepped forward and bowed deeply to the Empress, then turned to Katsumi. "You will come with me and you will not be able to run." Tamotsu's demeanor was strangely peaceful. He was young, younger than Chizuru.

"Perhaps when...if you return, you will become more aware and more responsible for the lives that become intertwined with your own."Chizuru stepped back from Amaya's body. She turned to Trydian and sighed. "I don't know if this suits you, but please take this shell and feast somewhere private."

[Shin]

(Sorry for the late response, I started college yesterday. Yea!!!)


Nicoli openly scoffed at the Empresses denial of slaves, was she really so ignorant? He wondered to himself while his eyes watched the archers, a single twitch of a bowstring and he would be moving for cover. Despite the myriad of thoughts and things he could say to the women he simply nodded, knowing full well that whatever logic he came back with she would reply with some sort of nonsense, likely about honor or duty or some other abstract idea that he didn’t care about.

But when the demon moved in and planted one firmly on the Empresses lips even Nicoli wore an expression that betrayed his confusion. “Huh….?” Was about all he could say during the interaction. He listened as the demon explained things to her, he certainly had a loose tongue. He took in the information and would think over it at a later time, one that didn’t demand his unwavering attention.

He stood unmoving as the stream of fire streaked over the ground, he even fancied the thought of intercepting the blast himself. That thought was quickly pushed aside when some individual leaped in its way and took it’s full force. She was dead near instantly. It was a heroic act, the ultimate gesture and ultimate sacrafice. To Nicoli it was just plain foolish, ignorant, and above all else a waste of human potential. Again he kept these thoughts to himself and instead walked forward to the edge of the building where he could get a better view of the creature that did this. He assumed it was the vampire, though truthfully he couldn’t sense as such. Nicoli could only feel when true demons were near by, so in this case he was simply judging the book by it’s cover.

“Why not kill him? A life for a life.” Nicoli finally voiced his opinion after keeping so many to himself. “I will happily carry out the execution myself, as a gesture of good faith.” He smiled wickedly at the vampire, in truth he hadn’t taken his eyes from the creature since it had unleashed that inferno up at the demon. So many vile creatures on this tiny island.

He knew she would deny the request, perhaps even threaten him after her order to not to shoot him had clearly been stated. Nicoli took in a deep breath than, the smell of burnt flesh was the first thing to reach his sensitive nose, next was the peculiar scent of the demon to his side, third was the smell of blood that still accompanied the demons earlier acts and the last of the most obvious scents was the newest, the vampire creature across from him, it was tinged with the smell of burnt grass.

One man slaughters her guards and steals from her, he becomes nothing more than a pet it seems and the other obviously killed another in her service and not so much as a hair is harmed on him. It took a great ounce of will to not shake his head in disgust, already he thought the Empress a weak and foolish women. Perhaps it would have been better if the fire had engulfed her and the demon together, two birds with one stone as the saying goes.

[Katsumi Viora]

Katsumi didn't know what had happened until it was all over with..
He stared at Amaya's charred body,One hand pressed over his mouth as the light from his elder tattoos dimmed and then vanished..
Amber eyes,once angry filled with such new emotions now fell back to a somber appearance that half if not
all of his family shared..
It was as if his spirit broke apart,then and there..
Tears tainted with blood,slid from his eyes staining his pale cheeks..
Katsumi dropped to his knees,hands still pressed over his mouth,amber eyes
still staring toward Chizuru & Amaya's badly burnt body..He couldn't turn away..
He was shaking badly,his black hair a mess about him now as tears still fell down
his cheeks..


....I killed Amaya..I killed her..after she was so kind to me and helpful..I killed her..I'm a monster..I deserve whatever comes to me....

Katsumi thought,a shuddered breath escaping his lips..
Had this been what his father had warned them all about?...Why they were
kept within their family's territory and stuck within their world for all eternity just like the many
ancestors before them?...
He saw it now,he like the many others back at his home were oblivious to this world and to the true power they held..They would never understand the ways of the world and the people within it beyond their own..
They would never truly grasp the concept of happiness,sorrow and madness would curse their lives forever and keep pulling them back to the prison they called home.
He shouldn't have left..



"......I'm sorry....."


He muttered softly as his clawed hands fell away from his face,hanging loosely at his sides as he knelt there in the tuft of scorched grass..Still,his eyes never moved away from what had happened.


"....I'm so sorry...."


He choked up,actually sobbing sadly..


"..I should have listened to father....I should of given up when I was caught trying to get away from there..to see your beautiful face again...to make up for all the time we lost.."


He took a shaky breath in before continuing.


"...I see how much of a fool I've been..to think I could exist in your world..to think..you could ever love a thing like me again..."



Amber eyes closed,tears still sliding down his pale cheeks staining his skin.


"..I lost control...emotions I never even thought I had boiled over..and I murdered your friend..who was so kind and helpful to me..who you cared so much about...I really am,just like my father..."


He looked down...


"....I really am..a monster.."


He choked out,fingers pressed loosely to his mouth,his body shaking horribly..


"...I'm sorry Chizuru...I...I love you...I always w...ill.."


He turned to face Tamotsu..


"...I deserve to be punished for my sins.."


His hand/arm dropped back to his side as he lowered his head,his black hair slid covering his bloodshot eyes and tear
streaked somber face..

[Trydian]

Trydian watched as the woman fell to her death, engulfed in flames. The most shocking thing about her death, was that the vampire felt pity and even attempted to shed tears. Shaking his head, he began to rethink his partnership with the Empress. If her people were this weak, than he had just humiliated himself by allowing the bind to take place.

Chizuru had attempted to save him, which struck some nerve in the demon. He was supposed to be the one protecting her, and yet..

“Disgusting...” Trydian said rather harshly, looking the pathetic vampire over. At least when he killed, he took pride. This vampire must have some affliction, for reacting in such a way. He could not possibly be a full vampire. Seeing his act, made him consider the plot Nicoli had in mind. These people were indeed pathetic.

Since he was so close to Chizuru, he could easily share the insider information with Nicoli. Everything could fall into place and it was a blessing that this vampire showed his weakness. Much like his father, Vylrath Xanathi, he only looked toward the goal. If he had to kill to get what he wanted, he wouldn't hesitate to take Chizuru along for the ride.

This vampire is considerably weak. Her guards were easily killed, so I think we still have a chance. I can meet with you in private and discuss things further. Maybe you can set up an interrogation with me. Remember, you are here to get on the good side of the Empress. After all, I'm just her slave now. I am bound to her, but I still have to gain her trust.

His mind became calculating, going over the details that needed to be fleshed out. “If you were a monster, you would have had real guts and be proud of your race.” Those were the last words he said to Katsumi, before considering devouring Amaya.

Better yet...

“I will let your friend take care of her body, since I can feast on the guards.” From his display, Trydian considered him on the same level as humans. “Before we continue our pact, I will need my weapon back.” Trydian spoke of the sword that had been confiscated earlier. Maybe he could be some sort of influence for Chizuru- Katsumi obviously lacked the stamina and sense for war and bloodshed.

Trydian was testing his boundaries with Chizuru. Demanding a weapon after bloodshed was ignorant, but he was testing her leadership and senses. An Empress could not be rattled from this sort of incident. He watched how Katsumi had changed her, making her seem vulnerable in some instances. The entire thing revolted him. This was not the Chizuru he had once known. He hoped that he wasn't too late.

[Kirin]

"Death is too honorable for these two. They don't deserve death. It would be a gift." Her gaze turned to Tamotsu briefly. She made a brief motion with her hand and a soldier wandered out. He had a bow slung over his shoulder. He bowed.

"Send this message to Hitoshi Viora. Tell him that his son, Katsumi Viora, has been detained in The Twin Countries. He is not allowed to have visitors of any sort and any visitor he recieves will be brought directly to me. He has committed a very grave crime and must deal with the consequences." She paused for a moment. "Any questions should be sent directly to me and any attack upon a citizen in our colony of Hikashi will be treated as an act of war." She smiled.

Let that bastard Hitoshi attack her or her people. She would love to make Hitoshi suffer with indifference to the suffering of the rest of the Viora.

"Tamotsu-san, you may go with Katsumi." She said quietly, considering everything he had said and those tears. She was indifferent to crying. "You shouldn't cry over karma, neh?"

Tamotsu gestured to Amaya's body. "Stop your crying. You killed my sister."

Chizuru rose an eyebrow. "You are to take the body to the temple. Katsumi with Tamotsu as his guide. There will be a small procession. You will make her grave marker as well, Katsumi. Trydian, you are not to touch the bodies of any of the guards. Instead, you will join Makoto-sama in taking them to the temple tomorrow. And there, you will stay until I send for you."

Chizuru's steely gaze turned to Trydian. "I will be accompanying you to the temple. But for now, you are required to come with me, Trydian." She gave up on giving these people titles or even treating them as equals. "You will join me as I pray to Bishmonten in the shrine."

Cautiously, she thought about whether or not to give Trydian his weapon back. She had already decided that death would be a luxury for him. She wouldn't allow him to be killed.

"A bodyguard within my service, with skills such as the ones you possess shouldn't have a need for a sword, for he should be able to disarm a man with his own hands. However, since you do not possess that skill, maybe Makoto, the High Priestess, can teach you. You will earn your sword back."

"The trip to the shrine is not long."

Reopening the borders was proving to be a stupid idea.

[Katsumi Viora]

Katsumi wasn't seeking sympathy with his crying,it was just an honest reaction to what had happened.
Even though he reacted in such a manner,he still felt like he was a monster and even though he was a pure-blooded
vampire..he still felt lower then a regular disgusting halfbreed.
His hands moved up,running roughly through his own hair his nails digging against his scalp slightly as he took
a raspy breath in,his heart thudding against his chest as amber eyes stared down toward the ground listening.
Amber eyes suddenly narrowed as he turned looking at Trydian,glaring his fangs showing as he sneered.


"Every aspect of your kind is filth,you are at the bottom of the food-chain..even my kind wouldn't feast on that vile you call blood..what I did was a horrible..horrible mistake and just because I didn't turn it into some sort of morbid trophy doesn't suddenly make me any less of a pure-blood then I am..I am proud to be what I am,despite not having the same path in life as you...I did not intend to take Amaya's life,and I will accept how much it will haunt me for all my days..I deserve such torment.."


He raised a shaking hand toward the man.


"..But you however...If I would of been given the chance to properly wipe the shit smear you call your existence off this world..then I would of gladly danced on your grave."


He said bitterly,arm lowering..He swallowed dryly..
I'm so hungry...
He thought,and then turned..He'd follow Chizuru's orders of taking Amaya's body to the temple with Tamotsu.
Once he was allowed,or if he was the one to be carrying Amaya's body..he'd walk over and bend down scooping up her badly damaged body and turn to Tamotsu waiting for him to show him the way..

[Shin]

So many things happened so fast that had Nicoli not been accustomed to the scheming members of his ‘information’ organization he likely would have failed to understand the implications of the vampires actions as well as the demons. The question was, what did Nicoli have to gain from such an advantage? Surely vengeance against the demon would be sweet and satisfying, but what of the vampire? Was the creature even something he cared about, or did he just hate it because he had been taught to. Really, what did the vampire do to him? What did he care for the undead, they weren’t the ones that tortured him for three years.

He eyed the demon carefully as he felt its mental intrusions again, Nicoli wished there was a way he could block that out. Nicoli reminded himself that regardless of his personal power, and he was sure of his own abilities, he could not win with so many soldiers present. His life would be forfeit by the time he had his weapon drawn, likely before the first step was taken.

Years of being under the scrutiny from different masters had schooled him on how to stay calm and composed. His offer had been given to the empress and ignored, not so much as eye batted his way. Very well, he could play the honor game if need be, it would likely serve him in his endeavor.

“Empress,” He said, turning and bowing. “I understand and respect your decision even if I disagree. This is not my land, and I am just a visitor. As such it is only right that I bend to your customs.” He rose from his bow and eyed the demon carefully.

“Allow me to train the demon in hand to hand combat. I believe I am skilled enough and am willing to prove my merit if need be. I have trained in lands similar to your own, and possess some knowledge on the matter. Del’taro is my name, and I am at your service.” He bowed again and watched as the body of the foolish women was carried away.

[Trydian]

It was true, he could defend her without a sword. The last words of the vampire brought a smile to his lips. There was energy in the man, but it seemed to be contrived, as if someone had to force his true nature to reveal itself. Gathering himself, he only nodded at Chizuru and agreed to follow her to the temple. What choice did he have? As being a bound servant, any motion, or demand she made, would force him to obey spiritually and physically.

His father had warned him best he could, of darker cousins like Nicoli, although he wished he had paid more attention. Vampires were their natural enemy, lesser beings in their view. Katsumi would have to see some boundaries, now that he was appointed as her bodyguard. Even without weapons, he felt strong enough to defend her.

In his mind, Trydian wondered if Katsumi's pride was hurting. The empress and the vampire obviously had some sort of relationship. Regardless, Katsumi had made a mistake that night and he would regret his actions. Now with his title in place, he would attempt to have some sort of influence. Even as a bodyguard, she might gain to trust him. She would have to.

Following her willingly, he shared an unemotional glance at Nicoli. What could he learn from this man? His father had taught him his skills, but he enjoyed a challenge. “I welcome your wisdom.” If they were going to work together, he had to play the part of the ignorant scoundrel, looking for redemption.

“It is an honor to be your shield, Empress.” Trydian said to Chizuru, with a slight bow. He shared a private look with her, wondering how he would fair in the temple. The demon would have to prove his strength and endurance.

“I am ready, Your Highness.” His voice mimicked someone eager to serve their empress. He would not let her out of his sight- especially with a reckless vampire.

[Kirin]

He rolled his eyes. Clearly, he was unhappy with his new charge. He couldn't exactly communicate with Katsumi. Instead, he spurted out a bunch of curse words at Katsumi, then finally sighed.

"I do not speak your language good." He mumbled to Katsumi.Tamotsu led Katsumi towards an exit.

Chizuru watched Tamotsu and Katsumi leave while tracing a finger across her lips. She turned to Nicoli. "After Trydian has served his sentence, I will consider taking you up on your offer. If you wish, you are welcome to stay in the capitol." She gave him a hint of a smile. "Del'Taro. I will send someone for you." She said his name wrong, due mostly to her accent. "Or if you have pending business, I will understand and give you an answer when you return, if you return. I am in no hurry, Del'Taro."

She smiled at Trydian. The poor demon had very little idea what he was in for. Or maybe he knew? It would be more amusing if he thought he knew and it ended up being quite a bit worse. Chizuru bowed slightly to Nicoli.

"Forgive me, but I shall be going. If you walk out the door, most of the shops will be closed, however, there are quite a few inns that will gladly take you in. It was an honor to make your acquaintence and I hope to speak with you again very soon with a decision."

There was no hurry to make a decision. She had already decided that Nicoli wasn't very trustworthy. Perhaps less trustworthy than her new bodyguard and that spoke volumes.

[Katsumi Viora]

Katsumi looked at Tamotsu with a raised brow,he hadn't even been yelling at him so why the hell was Tamotsu going off like that?..Well,besides the obvious of course..
He shook his head as Tamotsu explained he couldn't speak his language well..

"Eh.."

He had nothing to say on the matter..He kept Amaya's body in his arms carefully as he'd follow Tamotsu..
I'm so hungry...
The urge kept picking at him but he'd try to ignore it..He had been ignoring it for his whole trip here..Couldn't he ignore it a moment longer?
He twitched slightly,his long black hair masking his face slightly his left eye flickered like a bad television screen would when it had bad reception..It flickered between red and blue then back to red..
Katsumi sighed softly as he was lead off.

[Shin]

And so Nicoli was dismissed, with hardly a second thought it seemed. The Empress had other things to worry about and Nicoli realized that she was likely distraught, if not at least shaken by the death of her bodyguard. He doubted the women had the heart of a true killer, that she could kill or see someone killed (unless they truly deserved it) and not be effected. Not many could. Even Nicoli, a trained assassin, a man that has been perfecting the art for nearly eighty years now had his limits, had certain targets he wouldn’t go after regardless of their crimes. It was how he justified his actions to himself.

He didn’t immediately leave when she told him to, instead he remained stationary and in deep thought. His cruel and precise mind calculating the different paths that laid before him. He replayed recent events in his head and went over the information he had allowed the others to know. The Demon knew slightly more than the others and only because he could sense the taint that coursed through Nicoli’s veins.

Nicoli also realized that in his current position he couldn’t get nearly as close as he wanted to, he couldn’t learn the things he needed. No matter though, where there was a will there was a will and with skills like the ones Nicoli possessed he was already formulating a plot, a way to get what he needed.

With hardly a second thought Nicoli bowed, turned and left. He hadn’t yet picked a place to stay, but one inn was as good as the next in his opinion. He was conscious of any trying to follow, he realized that he likely wouldn’t hear or see them, the spies in these foreign lands were exemplar. But his sense of smell was as fine as wolfs, and with it Nicoli could easily pick out scents, especially since the wind was blowing at his back.

Still, with the cowl of his cloak pulled back over his head and low over his eyes Nicoli meandered down the street, eventually finding his way to a place to stay and to continue to work out the forming plan in his head.

[Trydian]

They were alone, which made Trydian feel awkward. “Lead the way, Empress. I'm sure I can handle an old temple.” He said, taking in his own words. Demons stood very little chance against sacred ground. Nicoli could easily strike against him in his weakened state, so he would feign his endurance and strength for the sake of Chizuru. Xanathi men always had their pride and he was no exception.

Once the vampire was led to its punishment, he felt a sense of relief. Vampires were like annoying gnats. Even though you got rid of one, there were usually more and even more persistent. With Nicoli being practically chased out, he wondered when they would meet up again and talk personal. The situation was out of his control now and he had to concentrate on Chizuru's friendship.

Using personal memories, he decided to warm up to her, surprising himself with his choice of action. “Let's walk under the moonlight together. You can show me your temple...we'll have a lot to talk about.” Extending his hand to her, he would understand if she refused the gesture. He was now the Trydian she had once knew. Calm, collected and always thoughtful.

Personally, he wondered how he would survive the temple. Because of their bond, would she see the pain it caused him? If that were true, it would be very difficult masking anything from her. He knew her intelligence- she was not your average witless female. Either way, it was something he wanted to put in his past.

Sending a private message to Nicoli, he hoped they would meet up again later. If they were going to accomplish anything, it had to be handled delicately and with precise planning.

Do what you want with the vampire, but let me handle her. I will convince her to make you a permanent guest. The vampire is my natural enemy, so I wouldn't mind seeing someone sport his teeth as an accessory.

With those last words, he didn't allow his thoughts change his facial expression. Trydian kept his comforting smile and friendly demeanor. Part of him had deeper emotions for Chizuru, but business always came first for a demon.

He waited for her to lead them to the temple, hoping she would accept his gesture.

[Kirin]

Chizuru laughed. "Oh, of course, you can! You did so well the first time I took you to the temple, I'm sure you'll do well this time!"

She seemed now like nothing more than an ordinary woman. Of course, this was just an act, but she did have these moments of pure feminine giddiness that took everyone off-guard. Chizuru grabbed Trydian's hand and tugged him along.

"I wouldn't mind walking under the moonlight. Especially when the Celestial Hare is this high in the sky. The night is still young."

The weight of her distrust for both Nicoli and Trydian was wearing on her. "There is always time for spiritual cleansing." She smirked. She knew this was going to be painful for Trydian. This time, though, Trydian didn't have a choice in the matter. He would have to go inside of the shrine to at least watch over her while she prayed.

As the pair walked, Chizuru talked excitedly about this and that. Nothing major, just small talk. Things she normally couldn't talk to anyone about. It was mostly gossip she had heard about the war for the Shogunate brewing in some of the other provinces. She told him about her cousin, Michiba Tadao, and the current Shogun, Ryuu Hiroyuki. She told him about the regretful death of one of the Shogun's sons in the middle of the night. He had been murdered by an assassin. A sloppy one, though.

They arrived at the entrance of the shrine. Trydian would probably be tired of hearing Chizuru speak. She let go of Trydian's hand and washed her hands with the purified water provided by a shrine maiden, who was bowing deeply with the bowl of water raised. Chizuru motioned for Trydian to do the same with a small smirk. No doubt, Trydian would probably already be in pain. Chizuru and the maiden waited patiently.

[Trydian]

Trydian's steps became heavy, his thoughts clouded. Some unseen entity was attacking him physically and mentally. The attack was spiritual, protecting the shrine from his presence. When Chizuru reached into the purified water, all he could do was mimic the motion. His hands burned, as if they had been dipped in hot oil.

Clenching his fists, he kept the anguish to himself. Just being inside the shrine, had knocked some of the air out of him. His breathing felt labored, as if something were draining the life from him. Pride intact, he stood by Chizuru and waited for her ceremony to begin. The empress was already sharing so much with him, so he couldn't risk upsetting her nature.

Kneeling on one knee, he felt the pull of celestial forces clawing for his energy. They didn't want him here, even if he was protecting Chizuru. Taking in a breath, he felt the lacerations arch across his shoulder blades, as if someone had ripped wings from an arch angel.

His mind felt the infliction as well. He could no longer speak through his mind. Connections would be lost, especially with his family and any communication with Nicoli. He could give a damn about his spirit, but there were some abilities that a demon needed. Through the whirling haze, he waited for Chizuru to finish her business in the shrine. If she said her prayer out loud, the words would strike at him like a sword to flesh.

Trydian could endure it all, even though his body's strength would be shattered by morning. Looking toward Chizuru, he didn't dare speak, but motioned for her to continue. The spirits were threatening him, sharing words only he could understand. Through their threats, he felt his own stubbornness rise.

He'd be damned, if he let this place defeat him.