Beautiful Death

by Christina Moore

“What?” Tristan asked, completely confused.

  “Asta-chan, you must tell the boy everything he needs to know. Poor little danshi is so very much in the dark.”

  “Shishō, stop.”

  “You dare to tell me what to do?” Yuki screamed. Tristan knew what was going to happen before she even moved towards Ash with her mouth agape and fangs bared. And there was nothing he could do.

  15: Who Am I?

  THIS. This right here, this was what vampires really were. Vicious, ruthless, dangerous. Monsters. Ash gasped, her body going ridged, but she didn’t try to fight. Tristan was damn well going to fight for her. He wasn’t about to hit the woman holding him but then he didn’t have to as he wrenched his arm from her hold and she let him go. He dove forward but was stopped by a single hand held out towards him.

  “No!” Ash snapped and then in a calmer voice, said, “No, Tristan. I... it is fine.” He opened his mouth to complain. “Please.”

  Grumbling unhappily, he stepped back. Standing so close he could hear a soft sucking noise, slurping that turned his stomach. Fighting everything in him to not run to Ash’s help, he sat down onto the too big, too fluffy pillow, uncomfortable. He looked up and met the crystalline eyes shimmering with pleasure that looked over Ash’s shoulder. How he wanted to jab his fingers right into those eyes and rip them out. Tristan gasped softly to himself and looked down at his hands. That thought, it was so dark and he felt… it. The warmth of flesh and the give of what he imagined punching out her eyes with his thumbs would feel like. Why had he thought that? Felt it? What was happening to him?

  Ash sobbed, half sighed and collapsed against Yuki. Still staring right into his eyes, the smaller vampire moaned and ratcheted an arm tightly around Ash’s waist. The other she clamped to the back of Ash’s head, steeling her against the tiny body upright.

  “Okay,” Tristan blurted, finally having enough, “you’ve made your point. Now stop, you’re going to kill her.”

  Even though her mouth was hidden by Ash’s neck, he could tell the old vampire was smiling. Yuki pulled away from Ash slowly, leaving a trail of saliva and blood dripping from her tiny chin as she watched him. She bent for one last lick starting low and moving slowly up to Ash’s hairline making her shiver.

  To Tristan she said, “Don’t be silly.” To Ash, lips against her ear, she whispered, “Take off your shoes next time, incorrigible child.”

  “Kutabare,” Ash cursed at her. She hated to curse at all, but the girl deserved it and more. In all her three plus hundred years, Ash could count on one hand the number of times she’d cursed and twice were just in the past week alone. She blamed the American’s influence.

  Yuki burst into manic laughter. The other girl, Little Lolita, moaned from her place across the room. But the real focus of that delicious laugh doubled over, moaning, pressing his face to the mat. Tristan couldn’t even think, he felt so amazing.

  “P—please,” Ash said, barely able to form the words over a husky whisper from her place on all fours on the floor, trying to recover.

  “Zannen da,” the little vamp pouted, though smiling with Ash’s blood on her lips.

  “Oh my god,” Tristan mumbled against the floor and took a moment while he was curled into himself to check his lower half. He was sure he had an orgasm, but he felt dry. “What the fuck was—?” He sat up and let out a soft gasp when he saw Ash. Caring less about what happened to him and more about Ash, he darted forward. Her neck was a bloody mess. Torn skin, caked blood. If she were human, she’d need serious medical attention.

  “I am fine,” Ash hissed.

  Tristan frowned at her, getting a good look at her neck up close. Yuki had more than driven her fangs into Ash, she bit in with her human teeth too, leaving two bruised purple moons. He looked up to the sated little girl. “You fu—”

  “Stop. Please.”

  Tristan frowned at Ash. If these vampires kept up with their bad behavior, Tristan was going to have to get real nasty real fast with a shiny new Magnum Research .45 to back his bark. Fuck propriety and all that shit, they broke niceties the moment Desmond opened his big mouth.

  Yuki grinned at him knowingly as she took up her long pipe. Inspecting the contents of the end, her bottom lip came out in an exaggerated pout. She stretched her thin little chicken arm out as far as it would go. “Sibylle! Tu as du feu!”

  …French? Tristan frowned at the old vamp and the pretty little thing that was moving to relight Yuki’s drug. He thought he knew the smell when he walked in the room, but was even surer now as he watched Sibylle roll the gummy glob of black between her fingers. It was opium and probably the good stuff too. He’d tried it once. Okay, maybe twice. He wouldn’t do it again, but he remembered how he felt while on it, the scent and taste of it. Already he was starting to feel dizzy and more than a little hot from just sitting in the room. As if he didn’t have enough to worry about.

  “Look—” Tristan started but again, Ash stopped the tirade of rudeness that was going to explode from his mouth with a hand on his chest.

  “Yukihime,” she snapped and then took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Shishō, if we could dispose of the theatrics now. Please?”

  “Theatrics? Atashi ka? I think you confuse me with some other stunning, beautiful, old vampire.”

  She laughed and Tristan held his breath until he realized she didn’t do whatever it was that made him want to come in his pants. He cleared his throat looking a little uncomfortable when clear eyes flicked to his.

  “Can I ask one thing?”

  Yuki considered him for a long moment behind her pipe. “What if it was the only question I permit you all night? Ever?”

  “Fine,” he answered flatly.

  She smiled. “Very well.”

  “Why did you hurt Ash? Hasn’t she been through enough?”

  The old vampire’s clear eyes widened and she let out a surprised, sharp laugh. “That is all? Not why I took her memories, why do I know of you? What you are? You wish to know why I bit Asta-chan, of all things. Oh, you are rather grand. I’m so very pleased she found you alive.” Yuki looked at Ash. “So you’ve told him of your past?”

  The past? No Tristan was just thinking about Yuki’s servant, Lucien. “Answer the question.”

  Yuki put her pipe down and touched a finger to her chin, eyes turned up on fake modest thought. “I was hungry?”

  “That a question?”

  She looked down and met his eyes. “No.”

  “Yeah, well I think you’re a fucking psycho bitch and we don’t need to be here.” Next to him, Ash sighed dejectedly, giving up on the idea of Tristan behaving himself. “If the price for finding out what I am hurts Ash then I don’t need to know. Nothing is worth that cost. Ash and I will figure it out on our own.” He stood and held a hand out to Ash. “Come on, let’s get out of here—”

  He stopped when he looked down to her. The mess that was her neck was already healed. Only a few flakes of dried blood left behind to show proof that she’d had her neck torn up by the crazy old bat. When those pale purple orbs met his eyes and he saw them full of emotion, Tristan smirked. Ash was pissed at the old vamp too. Good.

  “No, I think Yukihime will be more accommodating now.” She looked to the vampire in question. “Am I wrong?”

  Yuki smiled slyly. “You do know me best.”

  “Much to my dismay,” Ash mumbled and Tristan sighed, returning to his seat.

  “Fine, I’ll stay. I’ll listen, but I already don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”

  Yuki’s smile broadened to show a hint of saber tooth teeth. Tristan wondered what kind of practice went into hiding those in her mouth.

  “Refreshments?” their host chirped.

  Tristan maintained a stink eye with Yuki while Sibylle placed a Japanese tea bowl down in front of the pair. Tristan’s was only water. But Ash’s, hers was a blood offering from Yuki, though the old vamp would never acknowledge it. And of the finest blood to be had this sid
e of the tenth century, BCE. Tristan happened to glance up just as the girl was retreating and had to do a double take. Up close, she was far cuter than he realized—short, straight black hair almost a shade of purple, piercing green eyes, narrow nose. The thought occurred to him that she’d be a good elf in a movie, just add on the pointed ears.

  Yuki’s sudden laughter made everyone flinch, even Ash who was struggling to focus on the drink in front of her. “Elf?” Yuki sang. Sibylle bristled as she returned to her place against the wall. “No, I think not, danshi.”

  “Stay out of my head. And stop calling me that.”

  “Make me.”

  “Oh my god, you’re such—”

  Ash touched Tristan’s arm and gave him a pleading look. She’d had about all she could handle and was weak from feeding the old vampire. If Yuki snapped again, there would be nothing she could do about it. Not that there was to start. Tristan nodded his understanding, swallowing back the rest of his nasty words.

  “Where shall we begin?” Yuki chirped.

  Tristan opened his mouth first. Ash caught a preview of what he was going to say—Yuki too—and quickly interrupted. “I did as you bade and spoke with Aaron. Was that truly necessary or just to further impede my progress?”

  “Asta-chan…,” she gasped sounding affronted, “why would I ever want to impede?”

  Neither Ash nor Tristan were buying the modesty presented in the form of a young girl, batting her white eyelashes and somehow managing to blush. “Yes, well, Aaron knew less than I had assumed. He’d recently been taken under Malik’s arm as his second. But that was a ruse. Ah, I suppose that old bastard has not changed much over the centuries.”

  “No,” Ash answered softly as she reached for the blood before her. She could not resist it any longer. It was foolish to deny it and rude to let such a rare treasure go to waste.

  Yuki smiled knowingly, sucking on her pipe again. “Pity you ate the poor sod,” she said, mimicking the Brit’s accent perfectly. She made an exaggerated pout pushing out her lower lip. “I was still hoping to talk him to my side. Ah, the girls would have enjoyed him, I heard he was rather skilled. Something you would know a little about.”

  Tristan gritted his teeth, having understood that himself. Ash shot Yuki a dirty look. “You owe me, Shishō.”

  “My goodness, what for?”

  “You took something that does not belong to you. I want them back,” Ash said, looking more tired than belligerent now.

  The tiny woman sat up straight, rolling her shoulders back. “Can’t make me.”

  God, she was infuriating. Just like an insolent child.

  “Why did you take them?” Tristan blurted.

  Yuki focused those crystalline eyes on him and he forced himself to not tense under their intense glare. “I believe your question limit has been reached.”

  He stood in a flurry of movement and realized that his limbs were starting to feel heavy as the drugs relaxed him. Well, his body anyway. His mind was out of control still. “That’s it. I don’t have time for this bullshit.” He started for the door, not caring whether Ash followed him or not. He was leaving.

  Behind him, Yuki called out, “How else would I get you to come see me?”

  Tristan stopped and turned to face her, nearly to the door. “Could have asked.”

  Yuki’s clear eyes moved to Ash. “Oh no. That wouldn’t have worked. No, not at all.” Ash would not have allowed it had she all her memories.

  He gave a defeated sigh, having looked forward to leaving and mumbled, “You’re such a bitch.”

  Yuki burst into laughter. “Oh yes. You’re quite fun, Tristan-san. Oh, may I call you Tristan?”

  “Look lady, I don’t give a shit what you call me. Just tell me what the fuck is going on already because I’m this fucking close to shooting you.”

  Yuki grinned then, flashing fangs at him. “This is better than I expected.” Her expression went suddenly serious. “Come to me.”

  He stiffened. The door at his back was like a siren, calling. He knew he should give in to the song and run for it. Get out while he had a chance. But really, the moment he arrived, he lost that chance. He looked to Ash. There was no way in hell he wanted to be any nearer to Yuki, but then Ash was encouraging him to with a small nod.

  “You’re serious?” he said to her. “After what she did to you.”

  “I will not bite. That is a promise.”

  He pointed at Yuki, not bothering to look her way. “Not talking to you.” His voice and expression softened. “Ash?”

  She licked her lips slowly, still tasting the exquisite blood she’d been given. It had been decades since she tasted such richness. It was enough to make her reconsider her current eating habits. “She is… Yukihime is what she is, however if she promises, then I trust that word.”

  Yeah? Well, he didn’t. He decided he’d give in to the curiosity and go to her, but for good measure, pulled his gun, readying it on the old vamp.

  “That will not kill me, danshi.”

  “No? Slow you down enough though.”

  She grinned. “Think what you wish.”

  He shook his head and went to her, stopping an arm’s length away.

  “Closer, danshi.”

  “Tell me why.”

  “I wish to make an examination.”

  He laughed a nasty noise. “Sorry, darlin’ not looking to play doctor with a kid, even if you are as old as you say you are. You look twelve to me.”

  “Fourteen and one half,” the vampire said looking irate and the temperature in the room dropped.

  Tristan saw the look before and was starting to understand his limits with the crazy old bat. Banter at his expense, OK. At hers… not so much. He didn’t want to get bitten, so he decided to keep the rest of his caustic comments to himself.

  Yuki looked up to him, the last tendril of that quick anger slipping away. She suddenly smiled up, all teeth. “Down here.” She pointed a single finger to the tatami in front of her.

  Reluctant, he did what she told him, gun still at the ready. He wondered if it came down to a draw, who was faster. Guess he already knew that answer.

  “Tell me about your family, Tristan.”

  Almost level with the smoking girl on her pillows, Tristan frowned. “Why?”

  “Because I asked.” Tristan glanced back at Ash and then back to Yuki. Seeing his reluctance she added, “How do you know what is relevant unless you know the big picture?”

  “And you know the big picture?” She nodded. He heaved a sigh, shaking his head. “If I play nice, call a truce, you’ll answer everything?”

  Yuki put her pipe down and her hands together as if in prayer. “I promise on my pride as Mizu no Yukihime. Is that okay with you?”

  Tristan wasn’t sure how much her promise meant. But he was starting to understand this “Mizu no” business. Yukihime of Water, that’s what she was saying, like a title. So the question was, what was Ash’s title? What was her power? Whatever Tsuchi meant. Too bad he left his Japanese phrase book at the apartment.

  “Oooooh,” Yuki drawled out. “Yes, I do like you very much.”

  His jaw tightened and then deciding he just wanted to get this over with as fast as he could, he started talking quickly. “I was adopted. I grew up in the States. My parents died last year.”

  Yuki nodded, grinning broadly and eyes shining. He cleared his throat to continue.

  “Don’t know who my birth father is. My Japanese birth mother, her surname is Uruwashi. The kanji translates to beautiful death.” Tristan paused, eyeing her. “But you knew all of that already.”

  She shrugged, smiling like a fox behind her pipe. She blew the smoke into his face and he licked his lips tasting the opium. “Perhaps.” Yuki straightened and gave him her full attention. “My turn then? Well, allow me to fill in a few blanks, yes?” She smiled and then cleared her throat theatrically. “The Uruwashi family goes back farther than my own, ancient to be sure. Uruwashi were widely known to the u
nknown as a family of hunters, famous for their ability in quickly dispatching nuisance vampires. No, that’s not right... all vampires. Yes, those cur hunted all of my kind.”

  She made a quick gesture with her hands as if clearing the air of her dark thoughts and the glowing bead of opium popped out of the end of her pipe and bounced across the straw tatami. Yuki never noticed as she continued to swat at the air. Tristan looked on in horror as the girl, Sibylle, ran to catch the tiny ember before the floor caught on fire.

  Turning to face Yuki again, Ash caught Tristan’s attention and he stopped to look at her. She was slumped forward, not even looking at the others anymore, her braid trailing over her shoulder and dragging on the ground. Having noticed as well, Sibylle went to Ash, kneeling next to her. She lowered her head to Ash’s and whispered something that made Ash shake her head, popping upright.

  “Danshi,” Yuki snapped, drawing Tristan’s attention back to her. “She is fine. You listen to me or leave.” Seeing her so serious, Tristan nodded. “Before the current form of writing was adapted, the Beautiful Death were known as...” Yuki leaned forward and plucked the fresh ember from her pipe that Tristan never saw replaced. He watched with wide eyes as it sizzled between her fingers and her skin burned. She fell forward to her knees and free hand and proceeded to draw on the straw mat between them with the ember.

  Done writing, she sat up, leaving four ancient symbols seared into the tatami, none of which Tristan could read. “Man’yōgana, the first form of Japanese writing.” Yuki put the snuffed out opium into her pipe and held it up for relighting. She pointed vaguely at each symbol as she recited, “‘Raven, hunter, death, genus.’ But more specifically the genus of vampire. They were the hunters of monsters, only the Uruwashi turned out to be monsters themselves. The other nightmare.”

  Yuki paused, watching Sibylle retreat to her place in the corner. Eyes still on the girl for a moment, she started to talk again. “Tainted men and women that over the centuries found a way to adapt their bloodline. These… humans, these creatures, they sought to increase their killing power. After all, we vampire are the strongest of all beings on the earth. Only, they turned to dark, taboo things. It didn’t take them long to figure out how to be stronger.”