Disclaimer: Trinity Blood belongs to Sunao Yoshida and THORES Shibamoto.

Notes: I would like to clear up before I start that this story will consist of one-shots that will portray and weave a romantic relationship between Isaak Fernand von Kampfër and Caterina Sforza for my claim in 10 passions with different lengths, POVs, and writing styles. This is set in the novel verse because of rich interaction between them lost in others (between them and characterization). There will be spoilers for novel events. I want to thank to Angellorexx for getting me in this couple, Kresnick for novel trivia and characterization aid and SaintedSin for her editing skills in this first chapter.

First chapter, set when Caterina is 14-15 years old. Comments welcome.


Darkest Passions

First Spark: A Strand of Gold

He used to believe, trapped in his philosophical ponderings regarding the nature of objects and beings inside his laboratory thick with smoke from sulphur and tobacco, that there were no equals to him in this world. Admittedly, there were close rivals and fascinating creatures to research deeply such as the weak god he claimed to serve but none come close in his eyes.

None until Isaak came across her.

When the Sforzas were lastly targeted, he felt no remorse. They were a dangerous lot, naïve and idealistic for his vision, not to mention his lord's schemes. Particularly the young illegitimate spawn of the Pope, her brilliance and blood ties could be a threat if they allowed her to grow. Her older, half brother would be more easily to sway alone.

Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer had no use for a dreamy girl who wished an idyllic world of perfect stillness. Little did he know she would become the bane of his existence, a thorn that would prickle his heart and the secret obsession he had not dared to pursue until she was ready. Panzer Magier had not expected her to twice survive the onslaught and manage to enlist the assistance of his Master's twin as her bodyguard.

He was, for the lack of better words, impressed.

Despite his former conviction about her worth, Isaak revised his opinion regarding the subject of young Caterina Sforza, the second person able to discover and manipulate a legendary Kreznik to her designs. The first being him, certainly, against his servile claims to Mein Herr. This young lady had been able to match him, thus he decided to take up some personal research on her. Begrudgingly, in the solitude of his studies, he was starting to long for an equal.

The Magician travelled to Roma personally; intrigued by the rumours she was accepted inside the prestige University located there when she turned fifteen years old.

Mein Herr was easy to convince, Cain Knightlord was unbelievably trusting to his word when Isaak volunteered to study the movements of his twin and his adaptation inside the modern society. He did so in passing, to keep his façade of the reports. Abel Nightroad was a rather clumsy and good-hearted candidate for priesthood but his real interest was the small genius at the Kreznik's side.

With her frilly green gown, lace hat and sophisticated standing, it was difficult to believe Abel was guarding her. It seemed the other way around. She was constantly chastising his lack of manners or common sense. It was comical to watch this giant, silver haired man getting scowled by a pretty girl. The scenes between them bore a resemblance to his own, more subtle, suggestions at Mein Herr's irresponsible antics. Isaak dismissed that analogy first and focused in her features.

She is just a doll, Isaak thought in disdain.

Like the rumours had warned him beforehand, Caterina was a living doll with her fair skin, razorblade eyes, small mouth and perfectly curled strands made of gold. If Isaak were Neuman or Dietrich he would have feel attracted to her looks but the Magician hated dolls. They were useful to play with for some people but in the end a hollow entertainment that someone of his stature and refined tastes would not sink to amuse himself.

A doll was a toy, not a playmate. A puppet was never an equal.

Isaak had nearly lost interest on her but his curiosity was soon rekindled once more when he found out that William Walter Wordsworth was her Professor and he doted her as a favourite. William, with whom he had a classmate long ago, had a good eye for talent.

After that, Isaak made his routine to observe her interactions with Abel, a woman called Kate Scott, an Inquisition Agent, Wordsworth and her family. So he saw it all from discrete guises. The soft ring of her laugh, the gentle smile on her vermilion lips, the sad but determinate eyes and the confidence in her voice. She was addictive, like nicotine or fine wine, like the thrill the success of his experiments induced into his system. Once tasted, Isaak could not stop watching.

She had an aura of authority that made her charismatic among her older peers (but she wisely kept only a handful close to her) and eventually won the favour of her neglectful biological father much to her older brother's rage. The same charm that had managed to enamoure him.

Her political career was on the rise, participating in public debates regarding national issues, voicing her opinion in religious topics. Caterina never lost her composure in discussion, she sat straight, perfectly dressed and seldom rising her voice. She graced her furious contenders with a diplomatic and polite smile that unnerved them further.

Isaak watched everything amused from corners and shadows. She was clever, keeping calm at the lashings only favoured her. The young Duchess reminded the Magician of him once more with implacable manners and frustrating wit.

His Lady Sforza was simply beautiful with her quiet sorrow, secret thoughts of revenge and mature dreams. She did not look like a doll anymore. Dolls did not speak of politics with adults nor did they possess a spirit as bright as their hair. Pure gold that was she was, the most treasured element of the Alchemists of old.

Unfortunately, it came the day he had to abandon the secret encounters and stolen moments between them. It was difficult for his fixation was strong but it must be done. There would be another attempt against her life soon and he was ordered to return.

"Certainly, my Lord. I'm coming immediately. I have gathered what is necessary already," he had told Cain with a soft tone. He looked up him from his half bow. The Kreznik was satisfied with the information about his brother to care what extra-curricular interests occupied the Magician's mind.

He would not leave without bidding farewell to his beloved lady. Isaak would not be that awfully rude. And fortune smiled down the Magician for Caterina was only accompanied by two designed bodyguards from the Vatican the following day in the library. Killing them had been easy and clean as was putting a spell on the Duchess who was engrossed in her reading and noticed far too late. The effects had already triggered the desired reaction in her body.

Isaak emerged from the shadows, approaching the slumbering girl. The floor behind him was stained with red.

"My Lady Sforza, I hope you forgive me for not introduce myself on this occasion and I beg you to overlook my impertinence," he said, stopping next to her. He slid her book gently from her grasp and shut it. It was a treatise of theology and their view of the Methuselah. Isaak returned it to it former place. "But in view of the circumstances and your family tragedy, I hesitate to believe you will appreciate my company."

Caterina did not stir, still lingering in his spell, not with his words nor his index finger toying with one of her curls. "You feel cold and seek refuge in the books and the debates," he murmured, close to her ear. "You self-exile from everything to deny the burning fire inside you. A spirit made of flame that would set the entire world in fire. How glorious would that be?" He chuckled, tilting his head; his dark hair hid his expression. "I shall ignite that once more. Seek it and show you what you try to deny. We are so alike, my Lady. And yet remarkably different at the same time."

Isaak cut the ringlet he had been curling from her hair and pocketed it lovingly. "Don't think me as a thief. I shed blood for you to survive, Duchess," explained the Magician, glancing at her dead bodyguards. "Thus I demand a little reward. As an Alchemist, I treasure gold. A single strand of gold from you." He straightened and observed her with a hungry expression. He desired her but not in a mundane physical way. "In our next meeting, I will demand the gold from your soul. Farewell, milady. Survive for me and our future secret encounters."

He strode out, losing himself in the crowd of students just seconds before the chaos and screams of murder were shouted. As usual, his timing was accurate. Panzer Magier finally returned to the headquarters reporting an edited version of his research. Mein Herr did not make a mention of his murders but he knew the Kreznik was aware of them. He did not utter his weakness aloud for Isaak had similar courtesy to not bring up his obsession with his twin. There was an unspoken agreement between the two.

"She survived, Isaak," Cain had simply commented days after he left Roma. He seemed amused by the failure to assassinate Caterina Sforza. "After her inadequate bodyguards demises, the girl kept Kreznik 02 and her comrades with her everywhere. Such luck those two guards fell dead, don't you think?" He smiled entertained.

"Luck for them and misfortune for us, my Lord," he repeated obediently.

"Prepare my bath, Magician, I need to be restored after the news." Mein Herr dismissed the topic altogether and Panzer Magier was clever enough to not pressuring for information about Caterina's whereabouts. He would obtain it sooner or later.

After complying Cain's wishes, Isaak renewed his experiments inside his laboratory. The quest for new spells and answering of riddles that had survived generations. His eyes fell on the golden lock of hair he kept in a jar and smiled, it always brought a glistening aura his room lacked.

She survived. That was enough to rebuke any doubt he could have about overestimating her. Caterina Sforza was like him, his equal and he only liked the best that life had to offer. She would not die until she had achieved her goals, even if her body would weaken and fade; she had an inner fire that would fuel her existence.

It was all matter to turn that bright flame, dark.