Disclaimer: Trinity Blood is not mine…
Twas a Starry Night…
Bitter cold air filled the autumn night undeterred by natural obstacles. Rocking waves jerked the little boat around, giving it little choice but to ride with the strongest wave or be overturned. The figure occupying the vessel sat unmoving, staring blankly out at the landscape in view on the edge of the horizon. Waves slapping and pushing on each other were the only noise. There were no birds or shouts of fisherman to give greeting. After a month of being out in the ocean with no land in sight, it was oddly louder than it was at that moment. Maybe it was the expectation for something more, the reluctance to step upon the earth, the memories that screamed to come rushing back that made the whole experience surreal. More intense. For the first time in nine hundred years he would return to the continent he had tried so hard to run away from. The little boat couldn't be far enough away from the land for his tastes. Unfortunately, the moon and sea seemed to disagree, slowly drawing in the tides to the beach.
Within two hours the boat was shoaling itself in the sand. Sluggishly, he stood up unsteadily. Stopping to take deep breaths he gave himself a few minutes to get his land legs back. For the past month he'd barely stood unless necessary, and only then on a moving surface. Ungainly he took a few faltering steps out of the boat. The world seemed to roll around him, but he pressed his lips together firmly, suppressing the dizziness. Leaning over he grabbed the sole pack he'd brought with his, regretting the moment he swung it over his shoulder. For one last moment as he straightened his back, he looked out at the sea wishing he were still out there being pulled aimlessly by the waves. Letting out a sigh, he squared his shoulders and turned around.
From the position of the moon, he guessed it would be another three hours until dawn. In the meantime, he had to search for a place to take shelter and hopefully discover where he was, all well avoiding any nearby inhabitants of the region. Rural areas often didn't take a kindness to dirty, salt smelling strangers who wandered in by boats in the middle of the night. They would be suspicious enough when they discovered the abandoned boat. After he had observed the people here and the way they dressed and spoke, would he introduce himself as a travelling scholar, he supposed. Preferably, he would keep as much distance between himself and the people, but unfortunately, he was at a loss about the regions and people from his time away. If he was lucky he would be able to contact Seth to within a couple weeks. I wonder if she received my message.
The land was rich and grassy once he got off the banks. Illuminated by a swelling moon, given another night it should be full. That was excellent for him, allowing him to take in the terrain. A crooked grin that didn't reach his eyes donned his lips. There was little doubt in his mind that he was in Italy. Mother earth's little ironic twist of humor. It was laughable. The waves had brought him back to the last place on the continent he'd stepped foot on all those nine hundred years past. A nation that buried his sins beneath her surface, his greatest regret. A small chuckle escaped his lips. It was so damn funny. Fate really had something against him.
Pausing in his bitter, sardonic mood he dwelt upon a thought. How close am I to her grave? I didn't bring her any flowers.
MORNING AT THE MANOR.
Sighing, Catherina glared longingly out the window. Her mother was ill with the fevers at the moment. Her frown deepened. It was all her father's fault too! Whimsically, he dropped by for a visit last week to see his lover, and her mother had greeted him with blissful enthusiasm. Why, Catherina would never understand. Father already had two other lovers, one of which was pregnant at the moment; the other had given birth to her detested half-brother. Ugh! I'm never going to fall in love! Mama spent all her energy on making sure father was happy, and going outside unnecessarily to accompany him around the small villages even when they all considered her to be the Pope's tramp. But her mother refused to miss a moment of her father's time, or let it be ruined with considerations of her health. But the moment she knew he was out of the region, she finally allowed herself to collapse.
That had been two nights ago. Now she was out of critical condition, but the local physician still ordered her mother to bed rest. Catherina was forced to spend her day roaming the villa by herself. She refused to count her tutor or the two body guards that were always in attendance at the villa on her father's orders. No telling when an angry politician might think to attack the two of them in vengeance. If they did, they obviously did not know that she and her mother were mere playthings to him. What with the other two, it would be a minor discomfiture for them to be gone. Catherina was sure the other two lovers would be glad if she and her mother disappeared. So would the Vatican: she was an embarrassment after all. A pope having lover and illegitimate children wasn't the best news for them.
I hope someone does try to harm Mama and me; maybe he'll learn something about faithfulness and sacrifice then! With that she hopped off her perch by the window and wandered outside to the gardens where she might find something to entertain herself with. Unknowing of the threat that would be looming over the villa that night.
IN AN UNDERGROUND SITE.
He sat lightly perched upon the edge of a stone basin. His fingers tenderly stroked the enforced glass. Dry streaks marred both of his cheeks, yet his eyes still burned glassy with water. Inside her luminescent coffin she appeared merely sleeping. Her cheeks rosy, lips heavily rouged, vibrant crimson hair and perfectly tanned. As if she would open her eyes at any moment and smile up at him with a teasing phrase on her lips. Fists clenching and unclenching, he stared adoringly down at her, his heart breaking all over again. This was who he had run so far from, who he attempted to avoid but failed as miserably as a drowning person fights against breathing. Once again his shoulders had begun to shake.
Fate loathed him. Simply put. It had only taken him another hour that morning before he realized he had landed within several miles of her tomb. Minutes for him to run all the way there. Seconds to break down when he saw her. Why was it still so painful, even after nine hundred years? For centuries he had assumed he had come to terms with it, but in one instant he realized it for the festering wound it was. Under no circumstance had he ever wanted to return. Like a child he'd never been able to face taking responsibility for his actions. Even in death she was admonishing him to be an adult and stop being so selfish.
"I'm sorry Lil. Even after all these years I keep on failing you. I just don't know how to be what you want me to be……I'm not the saint you were…are. Don't tell me to be serious. Look at you, young and beautiful after all these years. In the old days they used to say a saint's body never decayed, and look- not a wrinkle in sight! Ha ha. I'm sure you're happy to be guiding people towards the right path- I hope you're more successful with them then you are with me. Do you know I haven't seen or spoken to Seth all these years? What kind of brother am I? She deserves better. If it weren't for us, she would have been as good as you wanted her to be. Do you know why I returned after all these years? Would it make you happy or sad to know? I'm afraid of what you'll think; maybe I'll wait to tell you. Who would believe a sinful liar like me?"
Cynically he smiled down at her. Hating himself.
EVENING.
A gentle gust of air blew by making the slight body shiver. Eyelids blinking lethargically, Catherina frowned. Where am I? Then she remembered. She'd come out to the garden only to be scurried inside by her tutor, who had forced her to study Vatican history. As it finally reached lunch time, she skipped out scurrying to her room only to meet with the head butler. Quickly, he had informed her she was to eat by herself in the dining hall because her mother's fever had become worse and the physician had forbid her from going anywhere near the room. Sulking she'd walked the other way, but had been to angry to eat lunch, so she'd walked out through the side door out into the garden. Before anyone could catch her again, she'd ran over to the trees and hide herself in a small grove in the gnarled bushes. Annoyed she had pulled leaves off of the branches listening to one of the maids come searching for her. When they hadn't discovered her, she stopped playing with the leaves and laid down drifting off to sleep in the warm sun.
As she got up she realized she must have fallen asleep. Blearily she looked around. It was dark, and the air was frigid. Realizing this, she pulled her arms closer hugging herself. It must be after dinner. She had never actually stayed out this late before alone. Everyone was probably beginning to get worried about where she was if they hadn't found her by now. Proof being she was still in the grove. Not that she cared whether they were worried; she was concerned they told her mother who would be frantic now. Maybe I can sneak in through one of the hallway windows, so no one finds me before I can reassure Mama. Nodding, she decided to do that. Grimacing, she pushed through the branches that scratched her. As soon as she was free she looked in both directions noting it was clear before dashing to the wing of the manor where the rooms were located.
"One. Two. Three. Four. There."
Catherina counted to herself, figuring out which window belonged to her mother. Smiling she saw the tree right next to it. Breathing heavily from the run she leaned against the tree. Crash. Her head shot up toward the windows as she heard something shatter. Hiking up her dress, she grabbed a tree branch and started climbing, slipping a couple times. After a lifetime, she made it to the top holding onto the ledge of the window peering through. Searching avidly for her mother, she saw the bed was empty. Where is she?…Th-…Catherina's eyes widened as she saw a man smash her mother against the wall laughing, before biting her throat. Frozen, Catherina watched the whole scene terrified. The door started to open and the second man went to stand behind it. NO.
"Madame, get up! The guards have been attacked. We need to get you out-"
His eyes went wide as he witnessed the scene in front of him before the second man stabbed him with a pointy hand. Blood trickled down his lips as he attempted to speak, failing as the laughing vampire pulled out his heart spraying crimson everywhere. Catherina watched the entire scene unable to lift a finger as tears drenched her cheeks. The two vampires, for what else besides demons could they be, licked the blood from their hands, grinning at one another.
"Well, that takes care of the mistress now we need to find the little bastard."
The other laughed.
"Like that will be a problem? Let's go snack on one of the fiery maids before dessert."
Chuckling at one another they left the room. Catherina's hand began to twitch. Following the impulse she tried to open the window only to discover it was locked. Helplessly, she stared at the butler and her mother's mangled bodies. One last attempt to pry open the window proved futile. She chocked back a scream. Wiping at her tears she looked at the ground. She had to get to the town. There was nothing she could do here, but there she could get a message out to the police. Deciding upon something, she stumbled down the tree. Carefully checking in all directions she ran off to the woods. There was a shortcut to town that way. The monsters shouldn't be able to catch up with her for a while. Unfortunately for Catherina, she was wrong once again. One of the vampires was outside toying with a maid when he saw her pass. Smiling he looked down at his frightened prey.
"Mmmm…looks like I'll have to eat dinner quickly, my dessert is trying to escape, but personally I prefer them with a little bit of hope before I crush it."
Chuckling he tore the maids neck, drinking heavily.
OUTSIDE THE TOMB.
Hoot. Hoot.
An owl trilled at the unexpected guest. The night air was colder than the previous night. His breath came out in visible clouds. It was to suffocating in the tomb; he was beginning to feel claustrophobic. Guilty. Lilith had always been able to pull at his moral and responsible side, even after all these years. Maybe it was over stepping his bounds expecting Seth to help him after being sent a vague message after decades of no contact. She would have every right to be angry with him, but his arrogant side told him she would be to overjoyed at the chance to see him to be mad. Such a sweet, forgiving little sister, he really didn't deserve her. Better yet she didn't deserve either of her brothers.
Sighing, he walked to the stream. There had been spare clothes in the tomb packed away that he had liberated, now he just needed a bath. Sadly, there had not been running water in the tomb either. A cold bath for him tonight, at least it was fresh water. Salt water was horrible to wash in; he could always feel the salt in him afterwards. Grrwl. Grrwwwllll. Wincing, he looked down at his rumbling stomach. Four or five months since his last meal if he remembered correctly. I really need to find a town. They should have sugar at least. It was doubtful they would have Yaoru root. Raising his eyes to the sky he noted it was the full moon that night. Ominous. Honestly, what did a Crusnik have to fear?
The lack of any noise should have been his first indication that something was going on. But no, it took the snap of a twig to his right and an unconscious fighter's stance to alert him. Within a minute a young girl came running through the foliage terrified. Frowning at the intruder he was going to grab her until he noticed the wild, frantic touch in her eyes. Silent pleading. Hope. Then she turned her head behind her and he heard the laughing. Smelled the blood. Understood her terror. So he was surprised at her next action. She grabbed his wrist.
"Mister. H-hurry! Th-they're a-al-most h-here! R-run!"
It was so innocent-unthinkingly selfless. He froze for a moment. Truly he had expected her to run way in terror from him; as children used to do. After all he was the demon mothers spoke about in fairytales. She didn't even suspect he was one of her pursuers, just gave him a wide eyed glance before losing precious time to try and warn him of the danger. Even now, panting, she was tugging at his wrist pleading for him to run even though she should have abandoned him to save herself. Allow him to be decoy bait for the hunters. She was still tugging at his sleeve when the two came through the forest chuckling. Unwinded. They had been toying with her. Riling her up for the chase for some entertainment, until she dropped from exhaustion and they could have her.
"Haha. The kitten found a stray. Too bad for you kitty; you should have left him behind and saved yourself. Stray, you are going to regret not running when she warned you. Hahaha."
The two vampires laughed, as the little girl's eyes widened blinking back tears. It took that split second for him to take hold of her wrist and pull her behind his back. Both vampires guffawed. He looked up smiling harmlessly at the two of them.
"Um, hello Misters. I don't understand about the kitten and the stray, but I think you should refer to people politely when introducing yourselves. And why would the little girl be running away, shouldn't you both be good adults and help guide her home, not chase her away?"
He could feel the little girls shock staring at his back. The two vampires didn't seem to find his response satisfying either.
"Haha. Are you really that stupid of a terran that you don't recognize the genetic superiority we have over you? This is great."
"Genetic superiority? How is that?"
Now the two seemed to find the situation annoying rather than entertaining.
"He doesn't seem to understand what exactly a Methuselah is? Should we teach him?"
"Of course, cousin. But he's an idiot so we'll have to take it slow."
"Understood."
The little girl gasped, but he was sure he was the only one who heard it. These two had done nothing to alleviate his suspicions that they were killing people for the fun of it: not out of any form of self-defense or need for food. Completely unacceptable. He wouldn't allow her tomb to be desecrated by these two. Smiling he activated the nanomachines to .15 percent. Just enough.
"Ah, I've been out of the country for a while, would either of you mind telling me what a Methuselah is? Hmm…."
The grinned at him.
"But we were just going to show you. You need to be more patient."
"Oh?"
"Mister, they are vampires. Do you really not know that?"
A timid voice squeaked up behind him. The two nodded before lunging to attack him. He let their attacks hit him, drawing his blood. One had taken off his left arm while the other stabbed him in the abdomen. Coughing blood he leaned over soon smashed into a tree as kick sent him flying. Breaking a couple ribs. It was too difficult for him to cough, so instead the blood pooled in his throat causing him to suffocate slowly. The two laughed at him.
"Mister!"
The little girl went running towards him from her position, while the two were busy laughing.
"Tch. Such a weaklings these terrans are. Can't they at least make it a little more challenging for us?"
"Nah. If they could they wouldn't be our food. I think it's time to finish playing with kitten here. The terran is choking on his own blood."
"Ah, good point. I guess you're right."
She wiped the hair out of his face. Tears were brimming in her eyes.
"Mister, why didn't you run? It's all my fault they found you. I'm sorry."
"Ah…such a touching scene. Don't worry kitten, you'll be joining him soon enough. You can apologize for getting him killed then."
With that the slowly approached her, preventing her from escaping. She wouldn't let go of my sleeve. I could feel her palm trembling. As the more talkative one's hand reached out to grab her, I thrust out my own holding his wrist from touching her.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you not to hit girls?"
"Look at who's still alive. Well, that won't be for long."
As his leg went to kick me I moved. In a second he was on the ground with a broken arm and I was behind him, staring at the other vampire.
"Given from your actions this evening I'm going to hazard a guess and say they didn't teach you manners. I guess I can try."
I could feel my eyes turn red as the nanomachines began to hum. I threw his at the other vampire without warning, but he managed to dodge coming straight at me. Standing sideways I waited and grab his arm before it could hit, snapping it and throwing him at another tree. The other vampire had gotten up, but instead of going for me headed to the little girl. I managed to pool enough blood together to bring out my scythe. The nanomachines hardened it enough to cut through diamond. As he was moving to touch her I lashed it out cutting his arm in two, before slicing off his head. I regretted that I did it in front of the little girl but there was no other choice. The other vampire managed to stab me in the shoulder causing me to hiss in pain.
"Not all high and mighty are we? How dare you kill my cousin! I will have your head for this."
Smiling hollowly, I felt the dead vampire's blood coming towards me as the nanomachines fed greedily on its blood. The wound healed itself as I pulled out the cause of the wound. Eyes widening the vampire stared at me.
"What are you?"
"Me? I am a Crusnik. A vampire that feeds on other vampires. You didn't think you were on top of the food chain did you?"
I swung my scythe while the vampire looked at me with round horror struck eyes, beheading him.
…
Catherina watched as the man she had found in the forest beheaded the second vampire. Watched as all the blood from the two vampires disappeared. Watched as the red eyes slowly became ice blue. He had saved her. He wasn't human; he was one of theirs. Struggling her mind went over the part where he dubbed himself a Crusnik, a vampire that feeds on the blood of other vampires. Did that make it okay to associate with him? Her eyes met his. The night air seemed incredibly silent and frigid. It was the only barrier between them. What should she do? His sad eyes were what made her decide to talk to him.
"Thank you Mister. You saved me from them."
She bowed her head politely. Not looking at him, she could feel surprise radiating off him. They stood like that for a few moments. Eventually, he knelt before her, carefully not touching her.
"Do you have any family to return home to, little girl?"
His gentle smile broke the flood dams that were her tears. The events of the evening came back to her all at once. She nodded answering his question while sobbing.
"F-fath-er. H-he is f-far a-way, b-but h-he's the only one w-who survived."
She didn't reject the hand that rested on her shoulder, patting it comfortably. A hand came under her chin raising her eyes to him.
"I will help you find him. I promise for as long as you need me I will serve you, and protect you from the Methuselah that might try to harm you. No one will be killed by my hand if it is possible to avoid. All you have to do is ask. So please don't cry, little miss."
Gazing into his eyes she smiled a tiny bit, trusting the owner of those sad tender eyes. His smile lightened her heart just the slightest.
My first Trinity Blood fic. ^-^
I hope Abel and Catherina were in character. After this chapter there will be a slight time skip as I want to catch up to the period where the manga/anime takes place. I hope the chapter was enjoyable. I do accept constructive criticism, so feel free to offer constructive advise especially in regards to spelling or grammar errors.
Please Review,
False Sourires