Krov said nothing to Chiyo's rude speech. But inside, he was fighting a battle with two sides of his personality. The one who cared for Krov's respect and dignity among the vampire society, and the one who was left over from Krov's days in the war. The one that was a little insane and personally wanted to kill everyone that looked at Krov a little but funny.

"I should just grab a sword and behead this so called elder on the spot! No one has any idea what I went through! They think I am a hotshot fledgling who thinks I am top of the pile! If they could see what I went through at the hands of the humans, they would know why I joined this uprising. If this arrogant fool knew my past, saw my past, she would be thinking differently of Krov Piyavki." Krov thought. But didn't dare to say out loud.

What he said was "For the record, I don't like Pierogi. It's a foul human creation". Then he scowled at Chiyo, gave a questioning look to Karina. Then he tightened up his thick coat, and walked to the door. "I am getting some fresh air. It is getting stuffy in this shack. And" Krov looked at Karina. "Decide where your loyalty lies.". And with that, he walked out into the night. He pulled out the Art of War and begun reading.

"Sun Tzu said: In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers"

Krov was engrossed in the book, and his foot became caught on a tree root, he tripped with a loud bang, and got up, but not before yelling a few choice Russian swear words.

"Wise as always, Priscilla-dono. Although... I'm not really keen on turning the Hunters to our side. First of all, a hunter that was turned into a vampire would always place his former life above his nocturnal life. We'll never know that, perhaps, they might even use the new vampiric powers to fight against us. An army of Black Swords is bad enough, but an army of vampiric Black Swords is apocalyptic . These Black Swords are fiercely loyal even in death, that they might see their vampirism as a new and better way to support the humans from the shadows." Kuro bowed lightly as he looked up. "While I am not doubting your wisdom, Priscilla-dono, I think it might be worthy to note that these Japanese humans are extremely bound by moralities and honor. I can personally say this because I lived among them from the Kofun, Shogun Wars, and now. I still agree to your plan, but it might be good to always take these facts into account." the elder vampire nodded his small head when suddenly, he heard a loud thump followed by a series of russian words which might be curses. Kuro shook his head lightly as he looked at Priscilla.

"Priscilla-dono, I know that age defines the hierarchy according to Namtar-sama's rule. However, times have changed. Fledglings no longer want to be treated as fledglings; they want to be respected for who they are and who they can be. If we would want to command a vampire to respect us, then we would respect them just the same." Kuro spoke in a low tone as his eyes were hazy. "At least, that's what I think. However, I do not think that any of my words mean any weight to an Ancient such as yourself." the vampire smiled gently as he turned around. "Things have been very different since you were gone Priscilla-dono. Everything has changed. I'll take care of the russian vampire."

Kuro sped off at vampiric speed as he stopped short of Krov. "Krov-kun... It seems that you're really burdened with something. If we would like to live and work together, we'd need to know one another." Kuro spoke in his usual child-like voice. "Just express your wounds in anyway you can. Hit me, fight me, or, preferably, we talk. We might be vampires, but it doesn't mean we don't have emotions. We can still experience rage, sadness, and bitterness, and when we pile those darky things in our kokoro... we can't see the forest beyond the trees. So, what burdens you, Krov-kun?"

Krov brushed the leaves hastily off of his shoulders. And gave himself a quick brush down with his hands before turning round to look for his book. He walked for a few seconds, and then saw it resting against a nearby tree. Krov picked it up and brushed it down. The cover was fine, but some of the pages had dirt on them. Krov scowled at the dirt. He hated dirt. It reminded him of trudging through thick mud, gun in hand, the only sound being the squelching of the boots, and the occasional person falling down. Those people were just left. No help came to them.

After making sure that all the dirt was off the book, he pocketed it. He turned to walk back to the shack, but then he heard something coming towards him out of the distance. What if it was a black sword. Krov backed away, nervous. Then he had a worse thought. What if it was Priscilla? Krov had interrupted her talk with Kuro. She was probably going to behead him, or stake him through the heart, or force him out into the sunlight. But Krov let out a deep sigh of relief when he realized it was only the quick and agile form of Kuro sprinting out of the darkness. Kuro wasn't one who Krov thought had the guts to kill a fellow vampire, even though he had threatened to behead Krov, Greyson and Karina. But anyone would say that in crisis.

"Krov-kun... It seems that you're really burdened with something. If we would like to live and work together, we'd need to know one another. Just express your wounds in anyway you can. Hit me, fight me, or, preferably, we talk. We might be vampires, but it doesn't mean we don't have emotions. We can still experience rage, sadness, and bitterness, and when we pile those darky things in our kokoro... we can't see the forest beyond the trees. So, what burdens you, Krov-kun?"

"For the record, I tripped. I was yelling in shock and surprise, not in rage or anger. But yes, I guess there is something that is burdening me." Krov's brick red eyes narrowed in the darkness. "That.... Chiyo back at the shack... She is the... " Krov let everything loose. "She is the most disrespectful person I have ever met in my entire life! She took my story of pain and torture, and made it into a laughing stock. She only cares about herself! I'll bet she will abandon Karina at the first chance that she gets!".

Krov's body was beginning to tense up. Krov took a few deep breaths and then relaxed.

"Go drink your fill; I'll wait up here," Hisako told Greyson, opening the door the the basement and pointing down the stairs.

Greyson mumbled a word of thanks once more, though she was not sure how intelligible it was this time. She looked down the stairwell for a moment before beginning the trek down. The first step, she nearly stumbled. Leaning heavily on the rail for support, she continued. If she fell down the stairs, she knew she would land in a crumpled heap at the bottom, and very well may not have the strength to get up. She took the stairs slowly, but finally reached the bottom. The darkness may have stopped a human. Weakened as she was, Greyson's eyes weren't as well-suited to it as usual. But she could still see clearly the shapes of the humans standing in the corner. Even if she couldn't have seen them, the scent was overbearing.

With a newly found energy, Greyson stumbled towards them. Normally, she would have hypnotized her target. Made sure that they wouldn't remember what was happening. But she was far too desperate right now to think of that. In any case, it looked as though someone else already had. The small woman targeted the closest man. In a fraction of a second, she had him knocked to the ground. Her teeth cleaved through the skin of his neck, piercing straight to his jugular. She drank thirstily, and messily. As she drank, she could feel her strength slowly returning. The agonizing pain of her wounds subsided as they began to knit themselves back together.

Before she realized the quantity to which she had indulged herself, the blood flow was slowing, and then stopping. With a frown, Greyson backed away from the man. Her vision was sharper now, and she could see the deathly pale shade of his skin. His eyes didn't blink, and he certainly didn't move.

She wiped some of the blood from her face, looking down at the corpse at her feet. With a quiet sigh, she shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said, resorting to English this time, her native tongue. It had been years since she had last killed anyone. Ordinarily, she would simply drink enough to keep herself alive, and leave. But she had never needed blood so desperately as she had tonight.

Silently, she walked back towards the stairs and made her way back up. Her clothes were still covered in blood, though not all of it was hers anymore.

~Priscilla the Ancient~
"Wise as always, Priscilla-dono. Although...I'm not really keen on turning the Hunters to our side. First of all, a hunter that was turned into a vampire would always place his former life above his nocturnal life. We'll never know that, perhaps, they might even use the new vampiric powers to fight us. An army of Black Swords is bad enough, but an army of vampiric Black Swords is apocalyptic. These Black Swords are fiercely loyal even in death, that they might see their vampirism as a new and better way to support the humans from the shadows."

Kuro had much to say on this decision. But there was one thing Priscilla felt had to be corrected. "Indeed, these hunters should not join our ranks as vampires. But when ever did I say we would turn them into vampires?" To make her point clear, Priscilla's eye shifted over toward a nearby animal. She had no care to identify the little guy. All she cared was to move at it at inhuman speeds and crush its skull completely, killing it on the spot. Then, from the hand carrying it, a faint red light began to glow.

When Priscilla released the fuzzy little guy from her hand, it was standing as though it were perfectly fine. Granted, its head was still crushed like a walnut, but it otherwise looked like Priscilla hadn't even touched it. Pointing at the undead critter, the Skull Quen said "This shall be the fate of those Black Swords who oppose us. In life they shall attempt to kill us. In death, they shall succeed in killing their allies." Alas, it seemed Kuro had left soon enough to miss this little display. No matter. He'd find out soon enough...

---

~Hisako Saito~
Hisako waited patiently enough for Greyson to do what had to be done. Drinking blood was a natural part of vampirism, after all. She was just glad that, unlike the kid, Greyson accepted that. Today had been quite the day indeed. A bunch of vampires arriving, one of them an Ancient no less. Yes, quite the day indeed...

When Greyson returned, the everlasting over-self-assuring grin appeared once more on Hisako's face. "Looks like you're all healed up and ready for action. We just have to go find the Russian then the team's ready to go." It was unforgivable that vampires had been reduced to this; having to team up to go hunt humans because the threat of hunters was very real. Were it not her first and second priority to take care of herself first, Hisako would probably be among the vampires that took the fight to the hunters. Of course, if she'd done that, this shelter wouldn't be a thing.

Kuro listened intently to Krov's complaints. However, deep inside, he felt something strange. It seemed as though before Priscilla could demonstrate 'something', Kuro had this gut feeling to escape immediately-- almost as if he didn't want to see what was coming. Priscilla's words were ominous at best, and Kuro only wanted to interpret it in the way that his morality would see it fit-- as long as it isn't Necromancy. But... what if Priscilla did mean necromancy? The title of Skull Queen didn't probably just signify that Priscilla could bash skulls in. In a long time, he hadn't seen anyone who has used Necromancy. Was it because they were scared of his distaste or no one was just talented enough? Kuro shivered at the thought of Necromancy, but if Priscilla, an ancient, was the one who did it, then, he had no choice but to accept such abomination and monstrosity.

The vampire shook his head of these thoughts as he regained his focus on Krov's complaint. Kuro nodded gently as Krov finished his litany. "I totally agree with you. Chiyo-chan is indeed very... liberated. I believe that the trials that every vampire faced is no joke. We lived in the shadows, and we are annihilated in the light. However, we cannot let the past chain and trap us. Chiyo-chan is just trying to let you understand that the events in the past are already done, and we cannot change them. Although her method isn't the most decent or effective, it brings out a certain truth: . Instead, we use our past to build our future. Did your loved ones suffer in the past? Then, use that experience to build a future where no one suffers needlessly." Kuro spoke as he sat near Krov. "Believe me when I tell you that I know your pain. Living through different war periods... Nobunaga burning down Enryaku-ji, and slaughtering countless children and women. It was painful to watch, ya know? I watched my loved ones die over and over again for one thousand years. Do you know how painful that is? The malady is maddening, but I didn't let the past chain my future. I decided to live a new undead life."

Kuro nodded his head, standing up and dusting his kimono in the process.

"Chiyo just wanted you to realize that the past ain't that useful now. In fact, it's because of past beliefs that this war even broke out. It's time for a new tradition, Krov. New beginnings, new beliefs. It doesn't matter how much water is inside a cup, if you keep holding it for a long period of time, it's going to get heavier and heavier until you have no choice but to let it go. That goes the same way for our past. If we keep storing it in our system, it's going to weigh us down, and hinder our growth. Ya still got a thousand or more years to live, Krov. Who knows? You might even become an ancient. Do you think you can keep those burdens within you for a millennium? You might be able to, but it will be a rough road ahead." Kuro now turned around, facing the shack. "Don't think too much on Chiyo-chan's jokes. She's just extremely sarcastic, but once you get to know her soft side, you'll realize that she's the most caring person you can find. We're your family now, Krov. It's okay to rely on us, the same way that we would also rely on you."

Kuro closed his eyes as he sniffed in the cold air. "You might wanna go back inside now. Hisako might ask you guys to hunt some humans." Kuro smiled as he slowly walked towards the shack.

Upon arriving there, he saw Greyson and Hisako. Greyson was already in good shape.

"Onee-chan! Good to see ya healthy and blooming! Ya leadin' them to a hunt, Hisako-pyon?"

“Oh? That so? Yeah, I get that quite a lot. Stick with me kid, and I can teach you all sorts of badass things. Like how to shut up idiots. That’s really a life-learned skill, you know?”

Karina nodded, "Mm-hmm! I wanna do that, too!" she hesitated for a moment, and then frowned, "But mommy and daddy always said not to call people idiots...?" the girl looked up at Chiyo, confused. She had been raised not to insult people - and not to tell people to 'shut up' - because her parents had always said that only mean people did that. But Chiyo wasn't mean! She was a lot nicer (and less scary-looking) than the other people, Karina thought.

"Any questions so far Pierogi? What about you Midget?”

"Um... no, I don't think so."

"For the record, I don't like Pierogi. It's a foul human creation. I am getting some fresh air. It is getting stuffy in this shack. And... decide where your loyalty lies."

Waiting until Krov had left the shack, Karina turned to the older girl, "I like Pierogi! They're really tasty. And what did he mean by my loyalty? Oh, I remember I watched a movie once, and one of the really cool characters said that too. 'Decide where your loyalty lies', I mean."

"But mommy and daddy always said not to call people idiots...?"

Chiyo’s haughty smirk halted a little at that statement, though she chose to ignore it was a small shrug. Parents, huh? How long had it been since she had to worry about something like that? Way too long for her to be worrying now she decided.

"I like Pierogi! They're really tasty. And what did he mean by my loyalty? Oh, I remember I watched a movie once, and one of the really cool characters said that too. 'Decide where your loyalty lies', I mean."

The older vampire pulled up a wooden chair and pointed for the younger girl to sit at the opposite end. So much for a tour, seeing as everyone was off doing…whatever was taking their time.

“Loyalty? Man, that’s a hard one to get down to a kid like you. Hm….hey Karina, when was the last time you saw Mommy and Daddy? I’ll bet you a fresh Pierogi if I can prove to you they had loyalty,” she said with a snicker and a grin.

Krov sighed. Kuro was probably right. There was no reason to let the past clog up the present. He should have probably let it go a long time ago. The past was no use now. The only thing that mattered at a time like this was now and the future. If he didn't concentrate, the Black Swords could get in, and potentially end the lives of all the vampires left in Japan. Well, Krov thought that they were the only ones left in Japan. He didn't like to think it.... But it was probably true.

But at Kuro's next comment, Krov stifled a laugh, and seriously had to stop himself from saying to Krov. "What? Are you serious?". No matter what Kuro could say, Krov still found Chiyo disrespectful, lazy and sarcastic. He didn't thing Chiyo had a soft side, or maybe Chiyo just hated Krov for some stupid reason. Either of which, Krov would find completely stupid. Krov almost felt sorry for Karina, Karina looked up at Chiyo, and when Chiyo needs to drop some extra weight.....

But Krov respected Kuro, so bowed in respect and said "Thank you", before Kuro walked off over to Greyson and Hisako, who had just walked out of the shack. Krov begun to walk over, but stumbled across something on the ground. It was a small, scarlet red poppy. Krov knelt down and picked it. He then placed it in his fur coat's pocket, so the top would hang out slightly. Krov walked over to Hisako and Greyson.

"Are we ready for the hunt?" Krov asked, a dangerous glint in his brick red eyes.

~Priscilla the Ancient~
No matter. Soon enough, he'll understand my meaning. Killing off the zombie critter as a measure of covering up her footsteps, Priscilla made her way back toward the vampire shelter. There was nothing more to do outdoors. As she got there, she caught sight of three of the vampires out front. The founder, and two others. A hunt?

Quite frankly, Priscilla wasn't overly concerned about what they were doing. Even if Kuro was right, and times were changing, fledglings were still fledglings. That was something that wouldn't change. Stepping past the gathering just outside the door, Priscilla stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.

---

~Hisako Saito~
"Are we ready for the hunt?"

The question was a welcome one in Hisako's ears. "I am, at least. How about you?" she asked, turning to Greyson. Hisako was always ready to sneak under cover of night and snatch away a human or two. Anything to keep her looking young and beautiful. And if that meant chopping some years or decades off a human's lifespan...fine by her.

---

~Abomination Hybrid Prototype #687 - "Fina"~
This way, right? #687 was approaching her destination, right? Her creators made her orders perfectly clear. Be smuggled to Japan by boat, and when she got there, find the vampire sanctuary that was rumored to exist. When fully retracted, her arm was about the length of a normal arm. By adding a special cut-proof glove she'd been given, it was easy to cover up the arm with long sleeves. She'd been ordered to do that too. Keep her arm out of sight, and if anyone saw, kill them without discrimination.

"This is the most important mission an Abomination has ever been entrusted with," her creators had told her. "Don't mess this up." Failure meant the complete loss of Japan for vampires. Success meant a successful takeover, or at the very least, a return to the status quo. The necrotic redhead continued walking in a straight line, following the instructions she'd been given. She'd been walking for three whole days without stopping. She needed food. Flesh. Whenever she arrived, 687 needed to eat.

Then she heard it. Just barely, but it was definitely there. A voice. Male. Either young adult, or vampire. Not Italian. Not Japanese. She couldn't place an accent she'd never heard before, much less from this distance. But either she was closing in on her destination, or she could eat something. So she kept moving, at a slightly increased pace. As typically the case, 687 smelled of blood. Abominations had a tendency to; as convenient as their diets may be, they're not exactly the cleanest of eaters. Faint, but definitely there for vampires to identify.

Getting closer, she saw four people. One male. Probably the owner of the mystery voice. And three women...one clad in black armor, stepping inside the small building the other three were in front of. Was this the place? Easy way to find out. "Is here...safe?"

It was a simple-enough question. But for the trio before her, there would probably be one problem. The question was in pure, perfect, heavily-accented Italian. Language barriers were not obstacles 687 was trained to overcome.

Kuro's light footsteps resonated within the dilapidated shack as he was pacing around the shelter. He caught wind of a figure who entered in the shack; it was Priscilla the Ancient. For some reason, Kuro had this strange feeling to keep his distance from her. Ironically, she's their only hope, yet Kuro wanted to keep his distance. It's not like he hates her or something, but for some reason, he didn't like to know the full extent of Priscilla's powers. Kuro felt as though he would not be able to accept some of her capabilities... specifically, Necromancy. Truly, Skull Queen meant more than just being able to bash the skulls of humans.

"Hisako-pyon! Hehe! You goin' to go on a hunt? Hai hai! I'll just stay right here, and keep watch on the shack. I'm glad that Big Sis and Krov-kun are goin' with ya!" Kuro chuckled childlishy while he waved his hand. Suddenly, Kuro's eyes flashed red as he took a predator stance, and wildly twisted his head so that it would face the approaching figure. The figure came out from the shadows as Kuro took in a deep sniff, and exhaled wildly.

"Necro--- mancy---" Kuro growled huskily, making sure he wasn't glaring at Priscilla. Could she have done this?! No. Hopefully, not her. Kuro awaited the arrival of the Abomination... Suddenly, the grotesque creature stood in front of them, and spoke in an accent which Kuro was familiar of... it was italian.

"Italian, eh? My coven is situated in Italy, that is where I fled during the Shogun Wars; pretty much, after Nobunaga committed suicide under Akechi. My Lady was an italian vampire." Kuro mumbled lowly, approaching the abomination. "Sei al sicuro qui*" Kuro spoke in a japanese-accented italian language. "[i]Chi è il tuo padrone?*"

* - You are safe here.
** - Who is your master?