Coping (Closed)

[Katsumi Viora]

Katsumi stopped singing once Kitano fell asleep,he'd keep his arms around Kitano however as he listened to Tamotsu speak.



"A few years ago, Kitano lost best friend in war. Best friend was my eldest brother, Shino. You might have heard of him. He was Saitoh's master. They were on a mission to spy on enemy. Enemy found out about spying and attacked Kitano. We were all young. I was just a child. Polaris was her name. Big, mean, bad lady. She came and set house on fire. She was going to break Kitano's neck or choke him. Shino came and attacked Polaris. Polaris let go of Kitano and began attacking him. There was explosion. I pulled Kitano away. I got hurt, but I tried to go back for brother. But brother and Polaris were gone."


Katsumi frowned,canting his head..


"..Oh no..that's terrible,yes..I heard of Shino..That was very brave of you and loyal to go back for your brother."

He said then let Tamotsu continue..

"Older brother and I were close, too. Shino was happy." He swallowed roughly. "He has nightmare every night about Shino. Shino as vampire. Shino as jikininki. Coming back for him."


Katsumi's brow furrowed in confusion..Katsumi looked down at Kitano,frowning sadly.


"If he is afraid of Shino coming back as a vampire...Why isn't he afraid of me then?..For what I am?"


He trailed off for a moment then looked back at Tamotsu.


"...Why would he even love the very thing he fears?"


His voice softened as he sighed lightly...Why would anyone ever want to honestly love me..?


"Do you have brother?"


Katsumi nodded slowly.


"...Yes..I have a few brothers..but I'm closest with my younger brother Yuki."

He said,still frowning sadly..he looked away.


"...I've never screwed up so badly in my life.."


He said softly...He twitched slightly and brought his hand up,covering his mouth as he coughed.
The nausea from before was bubbling up again.
He shook his head slowly and put his arm back around Kitano carefully..He looked back to Tamotsu.

[Kirin]

Tamotsu looked over at Katsumi. "Vampires made by necromancer go mad. They are not like you. They always attack viciously. No thought. Loyal to only her. No one survives as a vampire with her for long time. They always die, usually because soldier kill them. Sometime, they get captured and can be tamed, I guess. I can't think of a different word. He hopes for Shino to be vampire. But his greatest fear is jikininki. Only fate for jikininki is death. They eat people."

His hands twitched on his lap. He appeared uncomfortable. "Oh. What is 'screw up'?"

This was what Tamotsu hated. He hated not being able to understand the other language. The language the merchants spoke. He was embarrassed when he found out that he said things wrong or that he needed to be corrected, but if no one corrected him, he wouldn't know any better. Tamotsu was still young. He looked away from Katsumi, glad that Katsumi was not correcting him. He looked down at the floor.

"Shino was only brother. I have two sisters. Well, one sister now. Other sister is working for Shogun." He looked away. "Kitano is sad all the time. Maybe you make him happy, neh?"

[Katsumi Viora]

"Vampires made by necromancer go mad. They are not like you. They always attack viciously. No thought. Loyal to only her. No one survives as a vampire with her for long time. They always die, usually because soldier kill them. Sometime, they get captured and can be tamed, I guess. I can't think of a different word. He hopes for Shino to be vampire. But his greatest fear is jikininki. Only fate for jikininki is death. They eat people."


Katsumi canted his head and nodded..


"..Oh..I understand,I didn't know Necromancers could make vampires."


Even though he was an elder,the outside world was an entirely different and everything was always changing..
He ran his fingers through Kitano's hair gently,and kissed him on the top of the head.


"Oh. What is 'screw up'?"


Katsumi blinked,looking at Tamotsu..

"Oh,It means to do something wrong..to make a big mistake.."

He said simply,and shrugged..He wasn't one to correct others,but he'd offer help/advice when asked or he'd teach when needed.


"Shino was only brother. I have two sisters. Well, one sister now. Other sister is working for Shogun."


Katsumi flinched lightly looking away.


"...I don't know how many times,I can say sorry...because I know it won't bring Amaya back..but it still hurts..a-lot..
I was taught not to follow my emotions..To never leave home..to never associate with anyone except family members and.. to do my work and to follow orders..otherwise I was punished..badly..But..then this happened...I felt like my heart was being torn in pieces just watching that man with Chizuru...I felt like everything that had meaning to me,was being taken away..and..I just snapped..It was the worst thing I had ever felt..I didn't know what had happened,until it was all over..."


He said and sniffled lightly.


"..I'm sorry,If I was speaking too much..I know some of what I say is confusing you..and please..don't be uncomfortable around me.."


He added.


"Kitano is sad all the time. Maybe you make him happy, neh?"


Katsumi closed his eyes,arms around Kitano he nuzzeled against Kitano some..



"...I...I hope so.."


He said softly..

[Kirin]

"Well, when necromancer vampire, necromancer can make vampire." But Tamotsu and Kitano never knew exactly what Polaris was. Polaris was a kitsune with extremely long fangs, powerful magic, a huge army, a powerful family, a funny accent, and a very sour disposition. "There always more than one necromancer, but Polaris boss. She tell other necromancer what to do. Maybe she keep Shino as prisoner somewhere. Still. Maybe Shino is necromancer too. I think Shino is still alive. I want to find him. I'll do anything to find him. What I find, I don't know. Maybe I die when I find him."

He was prepared to give his life if that's what made his brother happy. "Polaris is trapped in stone. Avice works for Empress. No one knows what happen to Polaris' husband, Ju'ichi. He still alive, I think."

Tamotsu looked down at Kitano. "If you made mistake, at least you make Kitano happy. Don't worry too much about Amaya. Aiyah, she died doing what she thought was right and that is all we ask for."

Kitano nuzzled lightly against Katsumi, and remained asleep.

"Please, if you do leave, take Kitano with you. I don't want him to be alone."

[Katsumi Viora]

"Well, when necromancer vampire, necromancer can make vampire." But Tamotsu and Kitano never knew exactly what Polaris was. Polaris was a kitsune with extremely long fangs, powerful magic, a huge army, a powerful family, a funny accent, and a very sour disposition. "There always more than one necromancer, but Polaris boss. She tell other necromancer what to do. Maybe she keep Shino as prisoner somewhere. Still. Maybe Shino is necromancer too. I think Shino is still alive. I want to find him. I'll do anything to find him. What I find, I don't know. Maybe I die when I find him."



Katsumi frowned..Tamotsu was so loyal and dedicated to his brother..it reminded him of Yuki.
He of course,wouldn't ask Yuki to give his life for him but if it came to the point he'd allow Yuki to make his own
decisions,even if it was against his [Katsumi's] own opinion..
If it made Yuki happy in the end,then that's what mattered..He'd gladly give his own life for the others in his family as well...It might of not made sense but when it came down to it,he'd rather be gone before he'd have the others take their lives for him.


"If you made mistake, at least you make Kitano happy. Don't worry too much about Amaya. Aiyah, she died doing what she thought was right and that is all we ask for."



Katsumi,about to speak up would stop himself,he sighed and just nodded.



"Please, if you do leave, take Kitano with you. I don't want him to be alone."


Katsumi nodded once more.


"...I wouldn't leave him behind."


He said softly..

[Kirin]

Tamotsu was quiet now. He laid down on the bed roll and pulled the quilt over his body. He had clear definitions on when he wanted to talk and when he was done. And, judging from Katsumi's seemingly miserable silence, he figured that Katsumi didn't want to talk. He was largely put off by Katsumi. He eventually fell asleep and didn't wake up until almost sunrise the next day. His eyes sprung open and he left to go take care of menial things.

Kitano was still asleep, resting as though he hadn't slept in a long time, but he woke up as soon as Tamotsu closed the shoji. He narrowed his eyes, but eventually fell back asleep. Tamotsu didn't reappear again until the breakfast gong rang for the monks to eat breakfast. Kitano was wide awake by then.

At some point during the night, he had slipped out from Katsumi's grasp and wandered off to bathe and change his clothing. He returned to go check on Katsumi.

[Katsumi Viora]

Katsumi had stayed up most of the night to make sure Kitano was alright..
He had managed to lay down at one point and kept Kitano close to him but still remained up for hours it seemed.
Eventually the silence had closed in on him and he fell asleep again..He hadn't heard anyone leave or move or speak..
His sleep literally cut him off from reality,He hadn't even noticed when Kitano had come in to check on him.
He was dreaming again..Yuki was sitting with him in the library..The sense of peace fell over him again.

"...What's going on there?..Why haven't you come home yet big brother?"
"...I did something bad..I accidentally killed someone...and I'm going to be punished for it.."
"What?..That's not fair!..It was an accident,they shouldn't punish you over an accident."
"...I can't do anything about it Yuki-kun..I need to be punished for my sins."
"why must you be this way with things?..People make mistakes and have accidents..You don't need to be punished for everything you do."
"...People don't get away with murder even if it's an accident Yuki-kun..I deserve my punishment..Chizuru won't be allowed at the cathedral any longer."
"Why,what happened?"
"...I killed her friend,Chizuru has changed after all of these years..I no longer hold a place in her heart."
"...Oh no..big brother,she hurt you..That's what I feel..I should have known,Father isn't going to be happy..Not one bit..You should of listened to him big brother."
"..Yes..I know Yuki..I was wrong for what I did."
"Who is that one with you?...He looks familiar."
"..His name is Kitano,he visited the cathedral at one point..Momoko,the one you helped..is here too."
"She is?!..How is she?!"
"..I don't know,they say she's alot better now that she has her new body..She's the one who's given the orders for my punishment."
"Oh no..Big brother couldn't I come there and talk to her?"
"..No..Yuki-kun..don't come here,please..none of you..if any of you do,the new village will be shut down and we'll be dragged into war...I don't want any of you hurt over me."
"..war..is that all they think about there?"
"...I feel like it is..War..power..always changing..always wanting more..."
"What a shame.."
"...Yes.."
"You're so sad..I wish I could help..
"...Don't worry Yuki-kun.....I have a question."
"What is it?"
"..Were you the one giving me those dreams?..The butterflies..I saw them."
"Of course."
"...Thank you..your dreams you give me..they always make me feel so peaceful.."
"I'm glad..now big brother..it's time to end this conversation..I think you're new love interest is going to be waking you soon...I'll be back later tonight...stay safe...Please."
"I..*blushes*..Love interest..*flustered now* ...right...right..stay safe as well.."
*Giggles* "...Bye big brother,I love you."
"..I love you too..Yuki-kun."



Once again,Butterflies destroyed the scene about them and Yuki's figure vanished as did everything else..
Katsumi stirred,amber eyes opening as he sat up rubbing his eyes..He brushed a bit of his hair from his face and looked up at Kitano..


"..O..oh...Kitano-kun...Hello.."


He muttered,smiling faintly..

[Kirin]

Kitano smiled when he saw Katsumi. He stretched. "How are you? How did you sleep? Momoko-sama wants to meet with you." He folded his hands in front of him.

He was refreshed. "I'm going to escort you to see Momoko-sama, and I'm going to go eat some breakfast." He knelt down and kissed Katsumi's cheek. He stood up awkwardly and opened the shoji for him so he could escort Katsumi to Momoko's office.

Kitano was nervous. He didn't know what was going to happen. He was worried for Katsumi the entire way and he was quiet. Momoko seemed so stressed and she was not normally stressed. Once he was outside of Momoko's office, he knocked once on the shoji.

"Katsumi is here." He announced.

"You can open the screen." Momoko sounded like she was pretending to be strict.

Kitano opened the screen and he would close it when Katsumi was in Momoko's office.

The office was just a writing table and three cushions. Tamotsu and Momoko occupied two of those cushions. Momoko looked saddened about what she had to do. Her lower lip quivered at the thought of harming Katsumi because she really didn't want to.

"Hello, Katsumi-san." She bowed, trying to sound strong. In reality, she was still the same girl that was aided by Yuki.

[Katsumi Viora]

"How are you? How did you sleep? Momoko-sama wants to meet with you."


Katsumi's faint smile lingered..

"..I'm fine,I slept rather well..it was nice..and alright."

Katsumi blushed badly when he was kissed,his eyes widening slightly but his smile remained as he stood up slowly,brushing a bit of his hair from his face again.

"I'm going to escort you to see Momoko-sama, and I'm going to go eat some breakfast."

Katsumi nodded and followed Kitano out of the room,down to Momoko's office..Katsumi's small smile remained even as they finally entered in..Amber eyes moved to Momoko..

"Hello, Katsumi-san."


Katsumi returned the bow,smile remaining as he canted his head.


"..Hello Momoko-chan,it's nice to see you again."


He said calmly..He wasn't sure of what was going to go on but that wasn't going to stop him from being nice to Momoko.

[Kirin]

Momoko's eyes filled with tears and she sobbed.

"I don't want you to be hurt, but it's not up to me! It's up to the head of the Eru familyyyyyyyyyyyy!" She pressed her hands over her eyes. "They just told me I had to be a witnessssss!"

Tamotsu looked at Momoko and appeared exasperated. "Momoko-sama, calm down."

Momoko sniffled and looked at Katsumi with wide, almost innocent eyes. "I'm sorryyy.."

Tamotsu sighed. "Kneel on the ground. We will make this quick and Momoko will help you."

Momoko was still crying softly as she watched.

[Katsumi Viora]

"I don't want you to be hurt, but it's not up to me! It's up to the head of the Eru familyyyyyyyyyyyy!" She pressed her hands over her eyes. "They just told me I had to be a witnessssss!"

Katsumi frowned,canting his head staring at Momoko.

"...I did something wrong,I'm supposed to be punished."


He muttered,he was actually pretty scared to some point as to what was going to happen..
Being raised on expecting punishments when you did something wrong or didn't follow orders was
something that was set in stone for Katsumi as well as quite a few of the other family members.

"I'm sorryyy.."


Katsumi sighed..

"..I..it's fine."

"Kneel on the ground. We will make this quick and Momoko will help you."

Katsumi said nothing more his expression blank as he'd kneel on the ground as told to,his hands were shaking.
He just closed his eyes,his head lowering a bit..

[Kirin]

Tamotsu walked to Katsumi until he was within sword's reach. He moved quickly, unsheathing his sword, and in the same motion, he cut off both of Katsumi's wings. Without emotion, Tamotsu sheathed his sword slowly and gathered the wings. He left the room with both wings, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

Momoko wailed, but she immediately ran to heal Katsumi's wounds. She rose her hands and they glowed a bright blue color. She touched the areas where Katsumi's wings once were. Her hands warmed until they were extremely hot and she immediately cauterized the wounds where his wings were. The flesh was singed and smelled burnt.

Awful, it smelled awful.

Momoko was crying again. Tamotsu didn't return for a long time and Kitano had no idea of what had happened.

[Katsumi Viora]

So many nerve endings severed,bones broken and veins torn..The pain was unimaginable...
Katsumi wasn't expecting thing..not anything like this at all.
He screamed rather loudly and fell to the floor fully,Momoko's healing made him feel no better.
Wide eyes stared forward,his body shaking..Claws digging into the floor as tears ran down his face.
Despite being healed,the pain was still unimaginable,Katsumi had never had this happen to his wings
before..
His heart was thudding wildly against his chest,he couldn't get a decent breath in he had ended up curling up into a ball,his breathing was heavy and loud..
Mind racing,he wasn't sure what to make of anything anymore..
The pain..The horrible smell..he couldn't concentrate on anything..He couldn't speak..He felt Broken..
Katsumi's body would suddenly relax all at once as he'd pass out,he was still shaking badly however and his loud breathing remained the same and tears still ran down his cheeks..

[Kirin]

Momoko had put a pain relieving herbal salve over where she had cauterized his wings. She had Katsumi taken away and bathed while he was still unconscious. She even had his clothing changed and he was returned to the room he shared with Kitano and Tamotsu. Tamotsu was still at the palace, speaking with Empress Chizuru. Kitano was sitting in the corner of the room, appearing unemotional.

Momoko examined Kitano's arm and was testing his strength. Kitano was doing everything instructed with a smile. His examination was finished.

"Tell me when he awakens." Momoko instructed Kitano.

"Yes, Momoko-sama." Kitano bowed.

Momoko left Kitano and Katsumi alone. Kitano just waited patiently.

[Katsumi Viora]

It would be a while but eventually Katsumi would wake up..
His body stirred as he sat up slowly,a hand pressed against the side of his head
as his eyes opened.
They looked listless,empty and dull as if his spirit had been broken..
Any sort of bone or tissue left behind on his body from his wings would immediately disintegrate into nothingness.

My wings..My beautiful wings..



He stared blankly down at the floor,not even acknowledging Kitano there.
His mouth/throat were horribly dry..Having lost what blood he had only made his hunger worse
but he'd still not mention anything.
He wouldn't talk at all,he'd just sit there staring at the floor...