Hearing Vendetta's voice, Toshiro stopped in his tracks. It was immediately obvious that she wasn't speaking to him... but about him. And the moment. As he listened to her from afar, yet getting closer, the voice in the back of his head began to speak up once again. You hear that? She would've rather given into his desires, so that piece of garbage could have lived. She values the life of a scumbag higher than your commitment to her. How can you believe her, when she tells you she loves you?.. It's all a complete farce, just to stay on your good side. After all, she's seen first-hand that your skills as a swordsman haven't waned...
Toshiro dropped to his knees, clutching his head tightly- the voice's malice echoed throughout his mind. Gritting his teeth, he shook his head violently. "Shut up shut up shut up! I won't listen to your lies!"
Vendetta's attention was sharply diverted, Toshiro's agonized voice cutting through the night. Originating from the darkness just beyond her solace- how had he gotten so close? Looking over, she saw him on his knees, saying something about lies...? Vendetta wanted to tear into his mind- but she had too much love and respect [and some fear] for him. Besides, his aura gave him away- she could tell he was fighting a voice within himself...
Her own inner voice spoke up, whispering in the darkness. Look what you've done... That anger, that agony? Remember it. Now make it right.
Straining to get back to his feet, he took in a deep breath. "Damn it... it'll just cling to any little thing that might prove its point... It's going to drive me insane..."
As Toshiro began to rise, something unexpected happened. A soft pair of hands grabbed his, pulling him. Vendetta stood before him- at once perplexed, yet understanding. At some point she'd removed her mask, emotional state clear to see- laid vulnerable before him. Somehow, the pair ended up in the heart of her solace. Being brought to the fountain in what felt like a single moment, the voice began to make its presence known once again.
Before he could process anything that was happening, Vendetta pulled Toshiro into her arms, and kissed him. Intense, passionate, trying to convey many emotions... The kiss quickly silenced the voice, Toshiro kissing her back as his arms wrapped around her. When Vendetta pulled away, sanguine tears were sliding down her face. Seeing the tears as the kiss broke nearly broke him.
"...Toshiro, I'm sorry, I... That's twice you've been hurt because of me. And this time, because of someone who I had not known would- I swear, I wasn't trying to be unfaithful... You have no idea my gratitude, that you stepped in before something more happened..."
"I'm fine, the wounds weren't that bad. Besides, it's not as though I'm a stranger to being wounded. I suffered a countless number of wounds during my time in Japan. Wounds heal and are forgotten, you don't have to worry yourself about them. There's no way that I could ever forgive myself, if I had failed to stop that bastard before things progressed any further."
Wounds heal, and are forgotten. Only some of them are; others... you never forget. Vendetta felt fresh tears slide down her face. She knew this would not be forgotten. And there was only one thing she could offer, in that regard...
Vendetta bit her lip, then knelt down at his feet-his hand in both of hers as she looked up at him. The sight before him was... heart-breaking, discordant- not the Vendetta he knew.
"...This is all my fault... I can't imagine how furious you are with me, being in Theodore's arms like that. Having to witness all these marks... When my love is for you, and you alone; just- I implore you..." Her last words were a whisper on the wind. "forgive me for what I've done."
Though it appeared that way, this was no facade. She blamed herself for Theodore's actions- believing herself a shameless seductress, twisting and breaking hearts... When all she'd done was invite a patron of her art, someone she trusted, to share a moment that meant a lot to her. The side of Vendetta cultivated from cruelty, malice and suffering revealed itself. Images flickered in Toshiro's mind- moments of tortures endured; violent beatings, exposure to harsh elements- especially sunlight, purposely experimented on, being given to all manner of people to be violated in intimate and horrifying ways... So much more, near unbearable for its intensity...
Vendetta's heart of darkness came to the surface- buried within, something more potent. Vendetta feared Toshiro would decide he could not love her, because of everything. That he would cast her away, or finish what he once began. As silence descended, Toshiro could only feel one thing as strong as this fear- her love for him. Strong, pure, near infinite- yet misguided, by twisted ideas that love meant complete surrender of body, mind and soul- to be used, abused and shattered he saw fit. There were two sides to her- two worlds warring in her mind. Both demanded him to help, tip the scales once and for all. The intensity drew them both... Vendetta's hands were trembling- not from cold, but emotion. An answer was needed.
Shaking his head as everything washed over him, his gaze dropped down to meet hers. Emerald met silver- he looking down at her with a strange, almost painful feeling. She was confused by the pain in his eyes. Did his wounds cause him more harm than he thought? Vendetta bit her lip, but refused to break the gaze.
"...Despite what the voice in my head was trying to say... The rage I felt, upon seeing the two of you was directed to Theodore- and Theodore alone. You don't have to earn my forgiveness... there is nothing to forgive in the first place."
Drawing Vendetta to her feet, he pulled her into a passionate kiss and emotionally warm embrace. Then he looked at her, a gentle smile on his face. "How about we get out of the cold, and try putting this terrible night behind us?"
Vendetta listened to Toshiro speak, through the filter of emotional haze. She went to speak- but found herself silenced, the interval voice having gone quiet at his most important words. Through everything, Toshiro didn't even hesitate- he loved her, she loved him, and nothing- not even their own inner voices- could break that love. Eternities melted into their embrace, as did insecurity for a spell. Eventually the moment was broken, he suggesting retreating indoors, putting this terrible night behind them.
"That sounds... delightful." Hand in hand, the pair made their way through the night and back inside- the chaos of Yule a world and a lifetime away.
~
Vendetta spent the rest of the winter- and part of spring- in artistic solitude. All invites were declined, citing need for recovery. As predicted, rumours went wild for months- but the truth eventually came out, people looking kindly upon the pair for it. Dark darlings of the Vampyre Courts and art world alike, Vendetta and Toshiro would find- whenever they chose to return- much benevolence for them, and swift justice against the clan Theodore was part of. At any rate, she spent much time with Toshiro- careful not to neglect him like she had in autumn. He now held an open invite to Iceflame Manor- the only one out there- and she would visit his apartment at least weekly. From time to time, she even spent nights at Crimson Creations- so Toshiro could meet important clients. It always surprised and delighted his customers, and Vendetta was more than happy to help.
The events of her garden were never spoken about, but they didn't need to be. Vampyric Intuition shared what words simply could not convey. Though it was never spoken aloud, Vendetta knew Toshiro carried the weight of guilt and shame, for his involvement... And a resounding desire to protect her, not to let such horrors occur again- at least, not while he was in a position to prevent it.
~
Before either of them knew it, the earliest sakura blossoms of late March sprang to life once more. Vendetta and Toshiro were on the balcony of her bedroom one clear night, just setting up a midnight tea ceremony. And then, her phone rang. Vendetta knew it well- she hurried inside to answer it. Strange, she drew the curtain closed and shut the door- but it swung open, a little ajar... Immediately Toshiro recognized her soft-spoken tone, the archaic Kyoto dialect... He knew that voice. The voice of the Gothic Geisha, Japan's Dark Jewel.
"Good Evening, Ms Sugiura... No, it is only midnight here; thank you for your consideration... A request? If I can be of any assistance, I would be honoured to do so... I understand- the blossom of darkness is an enigma, even in the twilight world. Many would seek an audience... Yes, I do believe it is time to return for a visit. With the sakura, shall come the shadows..."
A bit of soft laughter, then she spoke on. "It is little trouble- I shall make the proper arrangements at once.... Fascinating, two worlds are becoming one... Yes, the Yule Masquerade was a tragedy, I had not expected such brutality. Fortunately, I have a guardian and angel of darkness by my side... I- you would like to meet him?" Shocked silence, then she spoke again.
"Forgive me, it was rude to interrupt... I... That is quite the request, indeed. Whether or not he will accompany me, I- what? An invitation? If I may dare say, Ms Sugiura, that is quite the offer... You honour us, with your generosity... Very well. I shall ask. May I contact you tomorrow night with a reply?.. Thank you, your kindness is most generous. May the night bring much success to you, and I shall contact you at this time tomorrow evening."
Inside the now-silent room, Vendetta took a moment to compose herself- a hand over her painted mouth. The mistress of the Ichiriki wanted to meet Toshiro. The angel of darkness who saved Vendetta that fateful winter's night... Plus she had requests for months, April-September. Possibly October. Requests of this magnitude, not to speak of the bluntness, were extremely rare- Vendetta simply could not refuse. Toshiro, however... that was another matter.
Once more the curtains were opened, she stepping back into the night. Bowing deeply, traces of her geisha mindset remained- the aesthetic certainly helped. "Forgive me for stepping away so rudely, I had a rather important call to take." Instinctive, her body held some of the fluid, feminine motions of her geisha alter-ego, as she poured the tea. And for one moment, she almost knelt at his feet- before catching herself, sitting delicate in the chair opposing him. Taking her tea in hand, she waited for him to sip his before sipping her own, mind racing with everything that transpired in the last few minutes- and how best to explain.
If Toshiro had any doubts before, her mannerisms cleared them up. Vendetta was the Gothic Geisha.