Act II

Maria Sforza-Valdemars had not changed much in three years' separation. In fact, they seemed to have blessed her, but in what form the Gunslinger was unaware.

Certainly it couldn't be youth—he estimated the Dhampir/Crusnik was at least twenty years old now. No, Time had blessed her in some other way… But what way was it?

That was when Tres became aware of something kicking at his legs. With great reluctance, he broke the kiss and looked down.

Something—or rather, someone—was kicking at his legs. It did not hurt, but it did prove bothersome. The culprit was a child, a boy he judged to be at least three years old, with short reddish-brown hair and black highlights. Tres was vaguely reminded of his own hair, as the boy seemed cursed with the same "natural-bedhead-in-appearance" style. His eyes were gray and a fresh scar, probably a birthmark inherited from birth, slashed down his left eye.

"Get away from her." The boy tried to glare at him fiercely, but it did not quite work to have the desired effect; it just made him cute.

"Ack! Janis, don't kick him!" Maria's hands went down on the child's shoulders and pulled him away from the Gunslinger, Janis still trying to score one final hit even as he was pulled away from the strange man in black.

"But he just walked up to you and—"

"That's true, Janis. He did. But…" A far-off look came into her eyes as she glanced towards Tres, a hint of longing in her eyes.

"It was not unwelcome, Janis. From him, a kiss would never be unwelcome." A blush tinted Maria's cheeks as she considered what else would not be unwelcome from Hercules Tres Iqus.

The Gunslinger's eyes swept back and forth between woman and child, several times before finally settling on Maria.

"Who is he?"

Maria did not answer as she picked up the stallion's reins and forced it to stand, before walking over to Tres and Janis. Giving him the reins she picked up the boy and sat him upon the horse's back, shortening the stirrups before asserting her own hold on him, lest the boy should fall.

"I will explain everything once we get home."

Tres eyed the boy apprehensively before tightening his grip on the reins and giving a nod. "Understood."

Their destination was a private estate, not far from Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. Tres was fairly certain that this was not the same estate where the Grand Duchess Jelene Valdemars once lived. While spacious, it was smaller than the former, and the feeling it gave off was closer to home.

In the meantime, Maria wondered how she could explain to him without Tres freaking out on her. And for that matter, there was still Janis…

Briefly, the Dhampir/Crusnik toyed with the idea of killing two birds with one stone, then realized it would be better once she was alone with Tres.

All too soon, both Gunslinger and One-winged Angel were in a parlor, staring into the flames crackling in the fireplace. It was at least thirty minutes before Tres broke the silence.

"That boy…is he…?"

"Yes, he is mine."

His eyes widened a fraction before roughly seizing her right hand. No ring decorated it.

"Maria, did you have any sexual trysts in these last three years?" He felt a wave of self-hate rise up within him for asking this question. Tres did not want to hurt the woman he loved, especially by asking her this. But…it was imperative that he knew.

Surprisingly, Maria did not seem bothered by the question.

"I did. Three years prior to this."

She watched as Tres' eyes widened, his irises and pupils practically shrinking in his shock. "But that would mean…That would mean…"

"That's right. You're his father."

End Act II

Glossary of Terms

Dhampir/Crusnik- Child of a vampire and a human. In "The Lines Between Flesh & Steel", these individuals were reffered to as hybrids, but that was only because at the time I was not familiar with the term "dhampir". Because of their vampiric heritage, dhampirs were naturally the best suited to become vampire hunters, as they stood the best chances at fighting against vampires and living to tell about it. In the previous fanfic, it is explained--or rather, speculated--that one in ten dhampir is born a Crusnik. These Crusnik are considerably more powerful than the Crusnik in the Red Mars project in Trinity Blood, though they share the same abilities and powers, one exception being that the "natural" Crusnik also are capable of wielding all vampiric powers--including rare ones such as Radu Barvon's ability to control fire--with great dexterity and skill.

Tres' fangs- For those whom have read "The Lines Between Flesh & Steel", they would be familiar with the fact that as an infant, Tres was infected by the same virus that turned humans into vampires by driving them to feed on the blood of their brethren. So technically, that fact would make him a vampire, yes? No, because the particular strain that infected him was unusually weak, and Gepetto Garibaldi was able to develop a vaccine for it with which he healed Tres. However, the virus did leave a mark of sorts on Tres, one sign of this being his half-developed fangs, which are not long or sharp enough to penetrate skin, should he attempt it.

Senbonzakura Kageyoshi- "Vibrant Display of the Thousand Cherry Blossoms" An apt name for a park covered in cherry trees, no? Any die-hard Bleach fan would also recognize this as the name of Byakuya's bankai.

READ & REVIEW!