"Bathory, Elizabeth: Hungarian noblewoman (1560-1614) and member of the powerful Bathory family who became known as the "Bloody Countess" for her multiple murders and obsession with blood. Married to the warrior count Ferenz Nadasdy, Bathory spent many nights alone while her husband was fighting the Turks. She developed obsessive interests in her own beauty, in pleasure, in the occult, and in the most depraved kinds of sadism, which were normally manifested towards her serving girls, with whom she engaged in orgies before murdering them with the help of her lieutenants. Bathory became convinced that blood was a useful cosmetic and restorative when she hit a victim so hard that her blood splashed onto the countess's face and arms; when she washed off the blood she believed that her skin felt smoother and younger. Henceforth she drank, bathed, and showered in the blood of maidens, murdering hundreds of young girls who were brought into her service.
Exact figures on the number of her victims vary, but some accounts put the number at 610, others as few as 50. Inevitably, however, the truth became known, and in 1610 the countess and her henchmen were arrested, tried, and convicted. Her accomplices were executed or imprisoned, and Bathory was walled up in her bedroom at Castle Csejthe. Four years later the guards who attended her looked in through the tiny slot that was used to provide her with food and discovered she was dead. The "living vampire" was no more, although her memory was kept alive by legends and tales."
"Csejthe Castle: A mountaintop fortress, located in Transylvania, overlooking the village of Csejthe. It was the residence of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, who used its dungeons and torture chambers to conduct orgies with and mutilations and murders of young girls. Fittingly after her condemnation by a noble court in 1610, she was walled up in her bedroom at Csejthe, dying there four years later."
Matthew Bunson, The vampire encyclopedia
Chapter 6
The bloody countess of the coven of the Wolf
Csejthe Castle, Transylvania
The villagers of Csejthe had always been afraid of the dark castle where the countess had summoned so many servant girls to die, their blood restoring her skin and beauty, but the ghost of the countess had refused to leave. They now had a new fear to fight, the nameless beauty whose voice lured the young maidens of the village to the dark castle where they were never seen living again. The castle had been searched when the village girls began disappearing only to die, but not a trace of soul was found. It was now believed that the countess's soul continued to haunt the dark halls of Csejthe castle, her voice drawing more girls to their doom...
...
Aria slowly entered the bath, her body shivering at the warmth of the liquid within. She laid down in the bath, letting out a hiss of air at how nice it felt. "Oh, this is so nice," she whispered to no one. She brought her hand from the liquid, watching it flow through her fingers. "This is so nice...and I can already feel my skin renewing itself," she said. She looked around the room at the bodies that littered the floor. She smiled.
"This is so nice, that you gave your blood so I might become so beautiful and young looking," she murmured. Indeed, each of the maidens, under her trance, had taken the knives she gave them, running the blades over their throats and spilling their blood into the basin before falling to the floor. It had been a wonderful sight. And since they were all virgins, and their blood the most pure of any of the villagers in the small village below her, theirs made a very good restorative, purifying her white flesh as their crimson trails were left across it.
She heard the door to the room open and looked up to see a man with raven black hair enter, his gaze on the bodies around here. "Great, I spend a couple hours on a plane going through the worst sort of hell to get here, and you're taking a bath Aria," said the man. "So? I was unaware I should expect company," said Aria. The man entered and Aria frowned. "What a rude man you are, to gaze upon a woman when she is bathing," said Aria. "Well, I bring news from Chisa," said the man. Aria smiled; intrigued by the fact Chisa had sent a message to her. "What ails the leader of our great coven now dear servant of Chisa," said Aria.
"Katsuya had a daughter."
Aria blinked, then smiled. "Katsuya, well, that is news, last I heard he was killed by a hunter," said Aria. "It is unknown what his fate is," said the man. Aria smiled cruelly. "Oh really?" she asked. Then she leaned back, soaking her hair in the blood and exposing her chest to him. She chuckled as he looked at the ground, averting his eyes from her. "So, why is this daughter any of my concern?" asked Aria, soaking her body once more in the crimson liquid. "Chisa wishes for her to die. She tried to kill her once, but the girl got away." The man looked at her. "She has aligned herself with the Sohma clan, the clan of the dragons," said the man. Aria looked at him, all interest she ever had in the matter gone. "Oh really, and why did Chisa send you to inform me of this?" asked Aria. The man sighed. "We would ask your help to see this girl is slain. You are one of the best fighters we have upon our clan, and Chisa needs much help with the slaying of the half-breed daughter of Katsuya," said the man.
Aria waved her hand. "I am uninterested, go back and tell Chisa I decline," said Aria. The man sighed. "Chisa said you would decline. She sent you a gift too," said the man. He snapped his fingers and a girl walked forward. The girl looked to be about high school age, with black hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in a white dress. Aria smiled. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...She's PERFECT!" she happily. She walked out of the bath and the man turned his eyes away from her. He heard her approach the girl and then the girl cried out. He kept his eyes shut tight, ignoring the sounds of Aria's feast. Finally, he heard a loud thump. He opened his eyes and saw the girl, drained of all her blood, lying before him. He looked over and saw Aria standing there, still nude. She smiled at him. "What's your name servant of Chisa?" she asked. The man looked at her face. "D-Daisuke," he said. She smiled and kissed him on the lips, hard. When she pulled away, his lips and chin were smeared with red. Aria gave a toothy grin, blood dripping down her chin.
"Well Daisuke, how soon until we return to Japan?"
Japan
"Okay! Dinner's done!"
Tohru smiled. "I think I did well, it was the first time I tried cooking this recipe!" said Tohru. Yuki entered the kitchen; they had to eat here since they did have guests all the time, and smiled at the feast laid out before him. "Wow, you have done very well Honda-san," said Yuki. Tohru smiled. "Thanks, I hope Shigure and Kyo like it," she said. Yuki sat down and tried some of the food. His eyes widened. "What, is it too sweet, too sour?" she asked. "It's so good, I doubt Kyo and Shigure wouldn't like it," said Yuki. Tohru smiled. "Thank you Sohma-san," she said happily.
Kyo walked into the kitchen and stared at the food. Then, without saying anything, he sat down and began eating. Tohru stared at him. "Is it good Kyo?" she asked. Kyo looked at her. "If it wasn't would I sit here eating it?" he asked. Tohru smiled. In his own way, Kyo had told her that he liked the food. Yuki glared at Kyo, but continued eating. "I smell food, food, food, food!" Shigure sang. He walked into the kitchen. "Why are you here? Don't you have patrons to look after?" asked Yuki coldly. "Oh, would you deprive me of my sustenance? Besides, this is the first meal our dear little flower has cooked under our roof, I cannot miss this," said Shigure. Tohru smiled. "I hope you like it," she said. Shigure sat down and ate some of his food. Then he clapped his hands together and sighed. "Oh, how this food lifts the soul and warms the heart," he said. Tohru smiled while Yuki and Kyo rolled their eyes. Tohru sat down herself and began to eat.
It was amazing, how she'd so easily fallen into her role in this new...family of hers. She still missed Uo and Hana however, and wondered what they might be doing now. When Kyo noticed her change in demeanor, he gently nudged her. "Hey, lighten up. We all like the food," he stated, thinking that maybe she may have become depressed when thinking they were displeased with the food. Tohru blushed and shook her head. "It's not that, it's just..." she tried to figure out the words to properly convey what was bothering her. When she was not able to do so, she just shook her head.
"Don't worry Kyo, it's nothing."
…………..
Aria and Daisuke stepped off the plane in Japan. A small group of vampires were waiting for them. Aria smiled. "Ah, it has changed since I was last here," she said. Daisuke sighed. "Yes, now let's get to the coven," he said. Aria pouted. "But I want to see this little half-breed everyone is worked up about," said Aria. Daisuke stared at her. "Miss Aria, you know very well we cannot pass onto their land!" he said. Aria smiled. "I can if I get the permission of a certain bar owner," said Aria. Daisuke stared at her. "Shigure would give you permission to pass onto their territory?" he asked. "Shigure knows very well that his bar is public, and as long as I promise not to cause a ruckus, he'll let me on there," said Aria. She looked at him. "You can come with me Daisuke," she said. Daisuke coughed, then nodded. "Very well, I'll go with you, I was told by Chisa to escort and watch you," said Daisuke. Aria smiled.
"You're a new blood aren't you?"
Daisuke flinched at the name and Aria laughed. "You are. You can always tell a new blood by the amount of obedience they show to their sire," said Aria. She looked at him and laughed. "What? You take insult to being called a sired vampire?" she asked. "Yes, it's an insult," said Daisuke. Aria smiled. "I'll sleep with you tonight to make it up to you," said Aria. Daisuke's cheeks grew red and Aria laughed. "Well, let me call in. I know Shigure will let me come over, he wouldn't risk making me think he's rude," said Aria. Daisuke blinked. "Why?" he asked. Aria smiled. "Because Shigure and I have a bit of a...past," said Aria.
Shigure laughed with some of the drunks in the bar while Tohru swept the floor. "Yeah, it was that funny," one of the drunks commented, swigging down another mug of alcohol. "It sounds like it, hold on, the phone's ringing," said Shigure, walking away to answer the phone. "Hello," he answered.
"Hello Shigure, guess whose back?"
Shigure's eyes widened. "A-Aria Donahue?" he asked. "Bingo," the sultry female voice on the phone answered. Shigure heard her laugh. "I want to see that little bar you own, it's been so long Shigure," she said. Shigure growled.
"How do I know you won't cause any trouble? Why are you back in Japan Aria? If I remember correctly, you returned to Transylvania after the war to retire from the battle field." Then it hit him like a ton of bricks.
"You've heard about Tohru!"
"Oh, that's her name. Tohru. Yes, I was sent here cause Chisa is interested in you're little ragamuffin, and I want to see what all the fuss is about," said Aria. Shigure glared at the phone.
"Listen, I don't trust you. The answer is no," said Shigure. Aria chuckled. "Well, won't Chisa be disappointed in the way you have behaved," said Aria. Shigure blinked. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"According to the contract, if I request to pass onto the land, stating I will not cause any mischief or chaos, I am allowed passage onto your land, and we wouldn't want to go against the contract would we?" asked Aria. Shigure growled and Aria laughed. "I'll be there in half an hour," said Aria. Then she hung up the phone. Shigure sighed and hung up the phone. He looked at all the patrons in the bar.
"Everyone, Aria Donahue has returned to Japan, and she's coming to this bar." He watched as everyone went silent in horror. Even Yuki and Kyo froze and looked at him. Tohru blinked, unaware of what was going on. "To all who don't want to meet up with her, get out now," said Shigure. Immediately, everyone cleared out of the bar. Tohru looked around. "Whose Aria Donahue?" she asked. Shigure shuddered.
"She's a demon straight from hell. No one knows much about her before she came to Japan...but she's evil. She loves blood, and the blood of virgin girl's is her favorite. She bathes in it, drinks it, just sick crap," said Shigure. He sighed, "And now she's come to see Tohru," he said. Kyo and Yuki jumped up. "What do you mean she's come to see Tohru?! How could you let here come here!" yelled Kyo. "Indeed, this is very reckless and stupid of you," said Yuki. "According to the contract I couldn't turn her away," said Shigure. He looked at them. "Just keep a close eye on her. If she makes any move, see that she gets kicked out the door," said Shigure. Yuki and Kyo nodded.
"Well hello there," said a sultry female voice. They all looked over to see a woman with long platinum blonde hair walked in dressed in a black short skirt, purple tank top, and a pink jacket. "Aria, long time no see, still a sadist?" asked Shigure. Aria smiled. "Well if I remember, you liked it rough," she said. Shigure's eyes bugged out of his head for a second. "Well then again, maybe I shouldn't talk about this in front of the children," she said, her eyes falling on Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru. She smiled when she saw Tohru.
"Oh, you are definitely Katsuya's daughter, and you are so cute," she said, walking up to her. She reached out to stroke Tohru's cheek, but Kyo slapped it away. Aria glared at him, then sat down at the bar. "Dai-kun, come in love," she said. Daisuke walked in, looking around the bar. He looked at Shigure and the others, his eyes falling on Tohru for a second before returning to Shigure. "This is my little escort, Daisuke. He's a little new blood, be kind," said Aria. Daisuke's cheeks flushed and Aria smiled cruelly. She then snapped her fingers. "I'm a paying customer, and I demand to be served by little Tohru-chan," she commanded. Kyo growled. "Listen you little sadist, stay the fuck away from Tohru!" he yelled, stepping in front of her. Aria clucked her tongue and waved her finger. "That's not the way to treat a paying patron," she sang.
"Honda-san does not serve in this bar. Shigure is the one who serves 'paying patrons' such as yourself Aria-'san'." Aria scoffed at Yuki. "Little boy, when I want your opinion, I'll ask. I'm not afraid to plunge a dagger into your back, again."
"We're not at war anymore Aria-san. Otherwise, it would be you lying on the ground bleeding to death. If I remember, that was how our previous encounter ended."
"Only because you cheated."
"There's no 'cheating' in war."
"Why don't we let little Tohru-chan decide of she wants to serve me." She looked at Tohru. "Now, you want to serve me don't you little Tohru-chan?" she asked, making eye contact with Tohru. Tohru felt a weird feeling come over her and began to walk forward even though she didn't want to be even one inch closer to this woman. Aria smirked. "Look how she behaves so obediently? Such a good little girl. Maybe I should ask Chisa to let me keep her as a pet," said Aria. Tohru continued to walk forwards, her body no longer controlled by her.
Suddenly Yuki clapped his hand across Tohru's eyes. Tohru stopped moving. "Wha...wha?" "You keep away from Honda-san you filth, and don't try such a trick in our bar," he said. Aria glared. "Well Shigure, I must say this place needs a touch up, and your employees need a few lessons in manners."
"I believe Yuki and Kyo have been being too polite. How dare you try 'the stare' on Tohru. Acts like that are the reason that Chisa's clan treads thin ice with us."
"Hmph. I'll have a bloody 'virgin' Mary."
Shigure rolled his eyes and motioned to Kyo and Yuki before he left the room. Yuki grabbed Tohru's arm and pulled her away from Aria while Kyo moved in front of the both of them. Aria rolled her eyes.
"Please…I'm not going to eat her."
"I have a hard time believing that bitch," Kyo growled. Tohru watched his finger twitch just a few centimeters above the handle for his sword. She could tell he was waiting for any opening to attack Aria. Aria seemed to notice too, she smiled and flipped her hair.
"You just can't wait for a chance to 'plunge' your big, hard sword into me can you?"
"I'd rather drain my blood and lie in the sun. There's nothing about you even remotely attractive."
Aria giggled. "Awe….I'd almost forgotten how funny you are. I still can't remember your name. I guess my head's so full of the names of 'important' purebloods that I don't have time to memorize all the names of the pathetic little sired vampires like you. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Kyo Sohma, and anymore talk about my origins and I'll rip that sick heart of yours out of your chest."
"Anything to get to second base huh?"
"Sick bitch."
"Kyo, stop this. It's not helping the situation at all."
"I don't give a crap. This bitch is just asking to have her head separated from her skinny little shoulders."
Daisuke rose and his hand went to a gun at his waist.
"Any move to harm Aria and I'll shoot you where you stand."
"Just try you son of a bitch. Her head could be lying on the floor before your pathetic gun ever left its holster!"
"Is that a challenge?"
"Are you that eager to die punk?"
"Little boys, calm down. We don't need things to get violent."
Aria flipped her hair again and smiled as Shigure walked into the room. "Ah, finally my drink gets here. You're slower then I remember Shigure."
She took the glass and took a sip before spitting it's contents onto the floor.
"What is this?"
"A bloody Mary vampire style. It's what you ordered isn't it?"
"I wanted the blood to be from a virgin. Any other blood sours my stomach. Besides, this doesn't even taste human."
She sniffed it and her eyes narrowed.
"Pig's blood? Don't you have any human blood?"
"Human blood is expensive and extremely hard to get unless you have someone steal from a hospital. I've found it's just easier to go to the butchers for animal blood. No other customers have ever complained."
"You can serve this moose piss to your other customers, I want human."
Aria's eyes fell on Tohru and she smiled.
"I'll take Tohru's blood. From the looks of her, she's just my type."
Aria rose and immediately found Kyo's sword at her throat. Daisuke reacted and aimed his gun at Kyo. There was a long silence before Kyo, in a much calmer voice then anyone imagined he could manage at the moment, broke the silence.
"Sit back down and stay away from Tohru. She is not a donor, and any act of aggression against her is an act of aggression against the coven. Try it and we are within our rights to execute you."
Aria sighed and raised her hands in defeat. Kyo lowered his sword and Daisuke did the same with his gun.
"I guess it was getting pretty boring here. Well, I'll be going, come along Daisuke."
She and Daisuke began to walk to the door. As she was about to leave, Aria turned around once more and looked at Tohru. "I'll be seeing you real soon pet," she whispered quietly, before walking out the door.
Once she had left Yuki released Tohru. "Are you alright Honda-san?" he asked. She nodded. Kyo sighed. "From now on, we have to watch Chisa closely. She has Aria, and she could really hurt Tohru if we're not careful," said Kyo. Shigure nodded. "And I wouldn't want anything happening to our little flower, he said. Little did any of them know this was just the beginning of a new war……
