Kazuki's alarm blared and he reached a hand slowly out of bed, hitting the snooze button as he turned to lay back down. Mani lay asleep in bed next to him, facing away with one of Kazuki's arms underneath her, the other wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Kazuki shut his eyes to get a few more minutes of sleep, but it never came as his alarm went off again a few minutes later and he reluctantly slid his arm out from underneath Mani gently so as not to wake her and climbed out of bed, yawning and exiting their bedroom. He made his way down the hall towards Kumiko's room, cracking the door open to peek in. "Wake up, Kumi." He said, using his pet name for her. "Time to get ready for school."

Kumiko groaned in her sleep. "Dad...let me skip today...I'm to sleepy." she whispered out sitting up in the bed. Her dark brown hair poofed out around her as she shifted to push her blankets off. Reaching for her glasses, she placed them onto her face. "I'm coming..." she mumbled under her breath. Her very light brown eyes looked at the clock blinking 5:56. "Dang it." she whispered gently slowly getting to her feet and then going to the shower. She arrived at school an hour later. Her uncontrolable spicky hair she inherited from her father was pulled back into a halfway pony tail. Just so her glasses could let her see correctly. "See you at dinner dad." Kumiko said opening her door up and stepping out. She was well figured for a 18 year old girl. Had inherited her mothers breasts and full figure, but only stood 5'0. 

"Have a good day, Kumi. And don't be late for dinner, your sister's in town, she'll be joining us." Kazuki called out to her as she headed into the building. He waited until she had made it inside before driving off. He glanced down at his watch, speeding up a bit as he headed downtown to meet Aila at the hotel she was staying at. It had been a couple months since he'd seen her and was taking her out for breakfast.

Kumiko made it to her locker where she always started her very long drawnout day. She liked being a loner, believe it or not. Getting her books out, she shut the locker before walking towards her first class.

Kazuki had arrived at Aila's hotel and found out her room number from the front desk. He took the stairs up to the third floor, finding her room and knocking on her door, waiting for her to answer.

In Kumiko's first class, there was a new student that day. The teacher introduced him as Alaric Crane, an exchange student from Europe. He was tall, with shoulder length red hair and bright green eyes. He took a seat just behind Kumiko, smiling at her when he passed.

Aila answered the door and smiled up at her father. "Daddy." she said gleefully, before a little boy imitated Aila and hugged Kazuki's leg. "Grandpa!" the black haired boy said smiling up wide at Kazuki.

Kumiko blinked slightly at Alaric, before sitting in her seat. It was weird that his eyes almost seemed to glow, but she ignored it and tried to pay attention. Glancing over her shoulder at Alaric, she saw him staring at her. She flinched slightly, before turning back around quickly.

Kazuki smiled and hugged his daughter as she opened the door. "Hi sweetie." He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Good to see you! It's been way too long." As his grandson leapt on his leg, he looked down and smiled. "Hey Zack!" He said, bending down and lifting him into his arms and hugging him. "Woah, you're getting big! Pretty soon you'll be picking me up." He said with a grin. "Are you ready, honey?" He asked, turning his attention back to Aila. "Where would you like to go for breakfast? Your choice."

"He's got Eric's ego, don't boost it anymore then it is." Aila told her father smiling slightly. "Oh...I'm in the mood for pancakes with extra whipcream!" she said bluntly, even though she knew she hated them.. "Oh, I should of told you and mom..." she said gently. "I'm pregnant again."

Zack hugged his grandfathers neck. "I'm going to be a big brother!" he giggled out, his brown eyes looked into Kazuki's. "Mom said as soon as I turn five I get to go to preschool!"

The class finished quickly and after class the new boy followed Kumiko, keeping his distance to stay hidden. As he finally decided to approach, another boy ran up to her at her locker. "Hey Kumiko, you still up for studying after school?" He asked. "I could really use some help, got a bio midterm coming up soon and I dont think I'll be able to pass."

"Hey Kyle." Kumiko said with a small sigh of releaf. "I can't today, Aila's in town...I got to go eat dinner with her tonight."

"Wow, that's great honey!" He said, grinning at her and Zack as they headed for the elevators. "I know you'll make a great big brother, Zack. Just make sure you help your mom out with the new baby, alright?" He said, stepping into the elevator and putting Zack down to let him push the button. "It's so good to see you Aila. The house gets lonely sometimes with just me and your mother. Vince is off traveling in Europe, and Olivia's getting married this summer, and Kumi will be off to college next year too... I haven't told her yet, but I'm thinking of retiring once Kumiko heads off, so we can do some traveling of our own together. I thought maybe I'd tell her tonight at dinner... I just hope she wants to.

"Oh, your big sis is back huh? That's cool, maybe tomorrow then. See ya later." He said, squeezing her hand lightly before jogging off. The new boy, Alaric, narrowed his eyes, noticably angry when Kumiko mentioned her sister. He was thankful that she was facing away and he had some time to calm himself before approaching her, a smile forced to his face. "Excuse me, um... I'm a little lost." He said to her. "I have english next but I don't know the way to this room. Do you think you could help me out some?"

"I'm sure she'll be alright with it, dad." Aila said taking her sons hand. "Come on, let's go get something to eat."

Kumiko looked up at Alaric. "Sure." she said gently, starin up at him. "...You're from Europe right?" she asked looking over her shoulder at him. "My brothers there right now." she cleared her throat. "I'm...Kumiko....but people just call me Kumi." she stopped for a second and turned around. "Can I ask you, why do you keep looking at me like that?" she looked confused and always felt unconfortable in front of guys, another reason she was an outcast.

 "I hope you're right." He said, putting an arm around her shoulder as they left the elevator and headed for his car, driving off to a restaurant Aila used to frequent when she was younger.

"Yeah, I lived in Spain with my family." Alaric replied. "Nice to meet you, I'm Alaric, but I guess you already know that. I didn't mean to stare, I just... I guess I'm just a little jittery at a new school."

"You don't have to be, just blend in with the wall and you're alright." Kumiko said glancing over her shoulder at him. 

"Yeah I'm sure a Spanish exchange student will blend right in here." He said sarcastically. "With my hair I didnt even blend in at home... but that's alright. I'll be fine. Thanks for the help." He replied.

Kumiko stoped and turned around to him. "Your hair color is unique, not weird at all." she said circling him slightly. "I mean, that color hair is your color." she said smiling up at him, shrugging slightly.

"Yeah, whatever.." He said as  they reached their next class. "Thanks for the directions Kumiko. I'll see you later." He said, leaving her behind as he entered his class. 

Kazuki and Aila had arrived at the restaurant and ordered their food, and now were simply waiting for it to arrive, catching up with each other as they did. "So Aila, how long are you in town for?" Kazuki asked, sliding the kids coloring mat and a few crayons over to Zack for him to entertain himself with.

Kumiko looked confused for a moment, before shugging and going off to her next class.

Aila looked up at her father. "A week." she said before looking over at Zack. "Don't eat the crayons!"

"A week, huh? Well no daughter of mine is staying in some hotel while I'm around. Why don't you and Zack come stay at home? We'll fix up your old room for you, I know your mother would love your company." He suggested as the waiter returned, sitting their food down in front of them. 

Alaric wandered through the halls after his class, finding his way to the lunch room, hoping to observe Kumiko from afar. It was clear she was related to the woman he was hunting... he'd blown it earlier when he'd heard Aila's name, he'd have to make up for it now by being much nicer.

"I'd love that." Aila said smiling up at him. "I'd really really love that." she began to eat her food slowly.

Kumiko sat alone in the corner of the lunchroom reading a good old book. But was soon desturbed by someone throwing a piece of trash at her back. She sighed, and ignored it. Just burring her head deeper into the book.

Alaric planned to step in on her behalf, but he couldn't risk it, not just yet. He was new and didn't want to cause a big scene to draw attention to himself; not yet. However, the boy from before seemed poised to do just that already as he glared at the table the trash had come from, making a rather rude gesture at them with his hand. "Leave her alone, assholes. Don't you have to go be morons somewhere else?" Kyle asked angrily, as he took a seat beside Kumiko. "Lousy jerks..." He muttered to himself, pulling his lunch out and beginning to munch on it. "You okay, Kumi?"

Kumiko looked up from her book, to him. "I'm alright...kinda used to it." she said gently to Kyle, closing the book she was reading. "What's up, you usually sit with your friends at lunch." 

"You're my friend too, silly." He said, digging into his sandwich. "Why don't you join us? You don't always have to sit alone you know..."

Kazuki arrived back home after breakfast with Aila and Zack in tow. He'd stopped by their hotel to gather their things and get them checked out, and now he entered through the front door, his arms full with their bags as Zack milled excitedly around his legs. "Careful Zack." He said as he sat their bags down in the living room. "Mani, honey, I'm home. Look who I brought with me!" He called out.

Kumiko smiled slightly. "I like eating alone, it's nothing against you." she said, before feeling someones eyes on her. She glanced around, before meeting Alaric's eyes. Blinking slightly for a moment, she then waved at him slightly before turning away. "Just stay here with me."

Mani came around the corner, and almost instantly Zack jumped Mani's legs. "Grandma!" he giggled out hugging her legs.

"Whoa whoa, hello there Zack." she said bending down slightly smiling at him.

Kazuki smiled and left Zack to Mani as he helped Aila inside. "And just look who I found with him." He said teasingly, supporting her more than she likely needed. "Aila's here for the week, so I guess you'll have some company while Kumi and I are out. And... I think she has something to tell you."

Kyle nodded as he bit into his sandwich. "Sure, whatever you say, Kumi." He said, noticing as she glanced towards Alaric. "Hey, who's that? Never seen him around before..." He said, sounding a bit suspicious. "He's staring at you... has he been giving you a hard time, Kumi? I'll deal with him if you want, just say the word."

Aila looked up at her mom. "I'm pregnant." she said with a small smile. Mani stared at her for a moment, before smiling widely. "Congradulations!" she shouted before hugging Aila.

"That's the new guy from Europe." Kumiko said picking at her food. "Alaric, that's his name. I walked him to english earlier."

"Hey Zack, why don't you watch some TV in the living room with your mom while Grandma and I go get the rooms ready?" Kazuki suggested, grabbing their things to carry upstairs. He deposited their things in Aila's old room and pulled out some fresh sheets, helping Mani make the bed. "Hey Mani..." He said slowly as they changed the sheets. "Well... there's something I've been thinking about. In just a few months, Kumi will graduate, and head off to college... and with all the kids out of the house... well maybe it's time for me to retire. I haven't really needed to work for a while now, and once Kumi's off on her own... well how'd you like to do some travelling? You know... see the world together?" He asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, hugging her close to him.

"Oh the exchange kid... well... I dunno. I don't like how he's looking at you... if he ever gives you any problems, just let me know... hey Kumi... I dunno if you'd be interested... but how'd you like to do something this weekend? See a movie maybe?"

Mani looked up at Kazuki. "O-Okay." she said turning around and hugging him gently. "Okay....if that's what you want."

Kumiko looked up at him. "Aila is in town, I can't." she said putting her fork down. "Sorry, but I don't get to see my sister alot." she glanced over her shoulder to still see Alaric staring at her. "Be right back." she said standing up, walking over to Alaric and looking up at him. "Why do you keep staring at me?" she asked bluntly keeping her eyes on his.

"You don't want to?" Kazuki said a bit apprehensively as he hugged her back. "I don't want to force you. I just thought you might like to. I don't care what we do as long as we're doing it together." He said with a smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face as he rested a hand against her cheek.

Kyle reached out a hand to stop her as she walked away, but lowered it with a sigh. "Oh well... I knew it was a long shot..." He muttered to himself. Alaric turned away as she approached him. "You're the only one I know around here... I was just trying to work up the courage to go sit with you." He lied, though his tone made his tale very convincing.

"Oh, alright." Kumi said looking over her shoulder slightly, before nodding her head. "Come on, you can sit with Kyle and I. But not for long though, I'm leaving soon...my sister Aila's in town today."

Alaric glanced back at her, then to the table where Kyle sat, looking a bit sour. "I dunno, that guy doesn't look like he wants me there. Don't worry, I'll be fine by myself. I'm used to it." He replied, turning back to his meal. 

"You don't have to decide now, just give it some thought." Kazuki said, giving Mani a tender kiss on the lips. "We still have plenty of time."

"Ignore Kyle." Kumiko said sitting down next to him. "You're welcome to sit with me. Or I'll just sit here with you." 

Mani smiled slightly at him. "We're almost 50...kazuki." she said putting her head against his chest.

 "Maybe so, that doesn't mean we cant still have fun together. Isn't there anywhere you've wanted to go, anything you've wanted to do, once the kids were out of the house? I mean, it'll be just the two of us again... we can do whatever we want!" Kazuki said, giving her a playful pinch on her butt. "Besides, I don't feel that old. And you certainly don't look it yet..." He said with a wink.

"Oh... alright then." Alaric replied with a smile. "Thanks... but are you sure your friend won't be mad?"

"I'm sure...I know how it is when you're the loner." Kumi replied tilting her head slightly. She began to talk to him, before the school bell rang. "I need to get going." she said gently. "Aila should be here about now."

Kazuki glanced at his watch, letting out a sigh. "Well, time to pick up Kumi. We'll talk more later, honey." He said, giving her a sly wink. "See you in just a few." On his way out the door, he ran into Aila, who was busy scolding Zack for something he'd done. "Hey Zackie, how'd you like to come along and pick up your Aunt Kumi?" He said, bending down to lift him up. "Give your mom and grandma some time to catch up. I'll let you sit up front, how does that sound?"

It took all of Alaric's self control to control himself as she mentioned Aila's name. Instead he forced a smile to his face and nodded. "Aila, is she your sister or something? I heard you talking about her earlier."

Zack smiled widely. "Yes!!!" he screamed out happily, before dashing out the door towards the car.

"Yeah, she's visiting." Kumiko looked over at him. "I'm kinda really close to her." she leaned against the wall for a moment and began to walk. "I miss her."

 "That's cool. Well I won't keep you then... have fun." He said, heading off the other direction. When she had stopped paying attention he doubled back, making sure to stay out of sight, but following her. He needed to know more about her, specifically where she lived.

Kazuki was waiting outside Kumi's school with Zack sitting excitedly beside him. "Calm down Zackie, she'll be out soon."

Kumi left the school and saw her dad waiting on her. She began to say "Hey dad--" before being jumped by Zack. "H-Hey Zack!" she laughed out hugging him. "Wow look at you! You've grown up so much~!"

"Antieeee~!" Zack giggled out nuzzling his head into her stomach, before looking up at her. "Let's go! Momma wants to see you!" 

Kazuki laughed goodnaturedly and patted Zack on the head, giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead. "Alright Zack, let Kumi go for now so we can get back home. Hi honey, have a good day?" He asked Kumiko as he lifted Zack back into the car and walked to the other side to get in.

"Yeah, it was completely boring as usual." she said shrugging slightly. "There's a new boy in class...Alaric, he's from england."

Kazuki's blood ran cold at the mention of the name Alaric and he slammed his foot unexpectedly on the break. "Who did you say? Alaric?" He said, turning his gaze over to her.

Kumiko and Zack slightly jerked forward. "Yeah, the new boy in class." she said gently. "Why? You don't like the name?"

Kazuki was silent and slowly drove off. "No, it's nothing. Just... out of curiousity... what does this Alaric fellow look like?"

"Oh! Um...red hair...really pretty green eyes..." her voice seemed to go off as she sighed. "Why dad?"

 "No reason..." He said, gritting his teeth, his stomach churning inwardly. He drove back home, trying to put on a happy face, at least for the time being as he ushered Zack and Kumiko inside to see Aila.

Kumiko had enjoyed the dinner with her family. Calling it a night, she closed her door and locked it like normally. For one reason or another, her parents made the room sound proof. It had been there room, before she got old enough for the room. Crawling into her bed, she yawned slightly before laying her head back onto her pillow.

 Kazuki sat up late in bed, his deep in thought. He hadn't told anyone of Kumiko's new "friend" yet, the name and appearance were too familiar to be a mere coincidence, and yet... how was it possible? Alaric was dead, and much too old to fit in at a high school if he wasn't. He let out a sigh and sat up slowly, unable to make himself sleep.

Outside Kumiko's window, there was a light tapping outside, as though someone were throwing rocks at the glass. Kyle stood outside, waiting to see if she was up before he climbed the tree to enter her room.

Kumiko opened up her window and let him in. "Kyle? W-What are you doing here?" she asked clearly shocked to see him.

"You said you couldn't hang out earlier, so I thought I'd see about now." He said, quickly scaling the tree and inching along the branch over to her window. "Mind if I come in Kumi?"

"Sure.." Kumiko said stepping to the side to let him in. Going back over to her bed she crawled into it to get confortable. "What did you want to do earlier?" she asked resting her head, and streaching. With out realizing it, she poked her chest out into the air.

"I just... well I wanted to ask you on a date sometime soon." He finally managed to stammer out nervously. "You know, if you don't have a boyfriend or something alrea..." Kyle's voice trailed off as he turned to look at her. In the dark, Kyle had been unable to see her very well, but as he climbed in the window, he saw something he hadn't before. Kumiko's boobs... they were big; really big! She always wore such baggy clothing, he'd never realized, but watching her stretch in her tight t-shirt was getting him quite aroused.

Kumiko looked over at him. "A date...with me?" she turned over onto her side, looking at him. "I...don't know, I've only seen you as a friend, Kyle. I'll need to think about it."

 Kyle was almost too entranced by her breasts to notice she had rebuffed him, and walked over by her bed to sit down next to her. "Aww, come on Kumi... there's no pressure, I just... I just wanna give it a shot. I've wanted to ask you for a while but I never was brav...woah... Kumi... is that why you wear such baggy clothes all the time? I had no idea your boobs were... so big." He said, blushing a bit as he saw a bit of her cleavage from her position.

Kumi blushed and brought the blankets up to her chest as she sat up. "Yes...that's the reason why I wear baggy clothing...just to hide them." she turned away slightly. "That's the only reason.."

"Well you shouldn't try to hide your beauty so much Kumi. I like you no matter how you look..." He reached out a hand to touch her cheek gently, pulling her closer to him. "Come on, just one date to start, if you don't have fun, I won't bug you about it anymore. You really mean to say you haven't thought about it at all, as long as we've been friends?" He said, moving a hand down to cup underneath her breasts and fondle her, gently at first.

Kumi stared down at his hands, slightly shocked that it felt so good. "Y-Yes...I've...only..." she closed her eyes blushing. "I've only thought of use as f-friends.."

Kyle wrapped an arm around her, sliding her into his lap and pulling the covers away from her to expose her cleavage. He continued to fondle her, a bit more roughly now as he looked into her eyes, noting the blush on her face. "Well won't you at least give me a chance to show you otherwise?" 

Kumi nodded her head slowly, closing her eyes feeling his fondling grow harder. "...H-Harder..." she dared to wiser out. "Please."

Kyle was surprised by how receptive she was, she'd always been so shy. However, he was happy to oblige, pulling her closer against him as she shut her eyes and fondling her more roughly. Her nipples were growing hard as he lifted her shirt off over her head, revealing her bra. He took both her breasts in his hands, squishing them together as he fondled her.

The blush grew even more, before she covered herself up. "W-Wait..." she whispered getting out of his lap quickly and covering her breasts up. "...." she looked away from him. "I don't...I don't want you seeing me in my bra...Kyle...I'm sorry...I got carried away."

"Alright... I understand..." He said, standing up and sliding her shirt back onto her. "I shouldn't have crossed the line. But are we still on for this weekend? After your sister leaves?" He asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her feeling her up again.

Kumi looked up at him. "O-Okay..." she whispered gently to him, before stepping away. "I'll see you at school tomorrow." she said looking up at him.

"See you then, Kumi. Thanks for agreeing." He said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek and giving her a smile before hopping out the window and scaling down the tree, heading back home. 

Kazuki returned to bed after getting a drink of water to find Mani awake. "Oh... hey honey... didn't mean to wake you. I just... can't sleep. I have a bad feeling. Kumi said at school there was a new kid, said he was from Europe. Long red hair, bright green eyes.. and she said his name was Alaric."

"It isn't anything but a name, Kazuki." Mani said gently to him. "Alaric is a popular name." she looked over at him. "Are you that paranoid, Kazuki?"

As soon as he left, she turned around to get back into the bed. But bumped into someone. She looked up to see Alaric. "How did--" she blushed and looked down to see his hand on her breast. 

"It's not just the name... the long red hair, the green eyes, it's too much coincidence..." Kazuki replied, climbing out of bed and beginning to pace. "I almost died last time an Alaric by that description showed up. I don't know... maybe... we shouldn't have hidden these things from her. We hid them from Aila... and look where that got us..."

Alaric held a finger to her lips, pushing her down onto her bed and quickly moving on top of her. He began to fondle her roughly as he held a hand over her mouth, unaware the room was sound proofed.

Kumi's eyes widened, before gasping and moaning under his hand. She trembled slightly, and tried to push him off of her. Her hands were trembling. "What...are you doing...?" she asked under his hand.

Alaric didn't answer, instead pulling a cloth from his back pocket, tying it tightly over her mouth to gag her. Turning her over, he pulled her hands behind her and began to circle them with rope, pulling the knot tightly as he bound her wrists.

Kumi hated it when people tied her down, also known as...she wasn't a bondage fan very much. As soon as he tied her up, she glared at him. 

Alaric cut off her glare as he grabbed a sleeper's mask from her bedside table and tied it over her eyes. He used the last of the rope to tie her ankles and lifted her to her feet, pulling her against him. "Sorry, nothing personal." He said to her, tearing her t-shirt off to leave her in just her bra and panties as he fondled her. "But I'm afraid I need you."

Kumi wiggled around and leaned against him. He needed her? For what? She moaned out gently, trying to keep herself from crying. But failed as tear drops fell onto his hands.

Alaric lifted her over his shoulder effortlessly, carrying her towards her open window. He leapt out into the night, floating up into the air and away from the house. Kyle was still walking home when he heard some strange noises coming from above. Glancing up in the sky, he could see a figure floating through the air... he could see little except for his long red hair, but it reminded him of the boy from school earlier. "What the hell... is that Alaric... No way..."

Kumi woke up in someones room. Not tied up, but in a skimpy looking outfit. Her face flushed and she looked around afraid. "W-Where am I...?"

 Alaric was sitting in a chair across from her, smirking at her from across the room. "So you're finally awake. Hope you don't mind the change in wardrobe." He said with a snicker.

"Al-Alaric..." Kumi said out a little confused and covered herself with the blanket. "...Where am I? Why did you kidnap me?" she asked staring at him. "I didn't do....anything to you, so why did you..?" 

"Ah, so Daddy never told you, huh?" He said with a sneer, seemingly ignoring her other questions. "I thought I had been acting a little bit too suspicious, thought you might be onto me. But how could you be, seems you were left in the dark." He folded his hands over his chest. "Where you are is none of your business. What matters is your sister and father will be coming for you, and they're dead when they do."

Kumiko glared at him. "It is my business!" she sat up even more. "Alaric, you better no-not hurt my family." she closed her eyes tightly. "They didn't do anything to you!"

 "Never did anything to me? I grew up without a father because of them!" Alaric yelled, leaping from his chair to pin her down onto the bed. "Your father nearly killed him when he was our age, and then just after I was born, your sister finished the job. Now it's time for a little payback. I saw your little nephew the other day at school.. well now he's going to find out what it's like to grow up without one of his parents."

Kumiko stared up at him, "...My sister...wouldn't...kill someone unless they needed it..." she closed her eyes. "Don't...don't hurt my family." she whimpered out. "I'm sorry about your dad, just don't hurt Aila. Don't do that to my sister...don't do that to Zack.."

"Not to worry, he won't be alone. You two can grieve together about your lost parents, cause your father will be joining her." He was apparently tired of hearing her pleas and stuffed the gag back into her mouth, tying her hands above her head and fastening them to the headboard.

As he tied her hands up, she kneed him as hard as she could. Anger ran through her eyes as she laid in place. What happened? Why does he want to kill my family?

Alaric grunted as she hit him, grabbing her ankles roughly and binding her feet together tightly as a punishment, connecting them to the foot of the bed. "Feisty... but you'd do well to calm down. Maybe I'll decide to spare you..."

Kazuki had taken the rest of the week off and ended up sleeping in. He didn't realize it until a loud knock at the door woke him. He could hear Mani downstairs talking to whoever it was and climbed out of bed, pulling on a bathrobe and heading downstairs. "Mani? Who's there?" He said, yawning as he approached the door. Kyle stood in the doorway, glancing over at Kazuki as he came into view. "Sorry to bother you sir." He said quietly. "I was just wondering if Kumiko was there. I go to school with her and she was absent but we have an important test this afternoon. I just wanted to make sure she didn't miss it." Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "Kumi didn't make it to school? Did she stay home sick or something?" He asked, glancing over at Mani to see if she knew.

Kumiko felt something inside of her stomach, it hurt alot. So much she screamed in pain, wiggling around the bonds came undone. She laid there shocked and stared at the wall, taking the ballgag. "Alaric." she said her tone quiet and soft. "What did my family do to you...why the hell did you play around with my feelings like that?" she looked over at him. "I liked you, and you just.." she winced in pain again. The feeling in her stomach was to much. "Help, I didn't do anything to you." she continued holding it.

Mani came from around the corner. "No, I didn't say she could.." she said gently.

"I did what I had to to get my revenge. I hope you don't expect an apology." He said with a snicker. "Now stop your faking. I'm not letting you go, and my mind won't change, no matter how sick you pretend to be."

"I'm not...as--asking to be let go.." she said closing her eyes. "I'm not asking for that, I'm just asking for help." she winced again and continued to hold her stomach.

"...Fine." He said suspiciously, getting up and helping her to sit upright. "Just relax, stress will only make it worse... now take deep breaths. It's probably just a cramp. It should go away." He said, massaging her stomach a bit.

Kazuki had already found Kumi's room empty. "This is weird... Kumi's never skipped school again... where could she have gone?" Kyle shrugged. "Maybe she's off with that red haired kid. He was absent today too. It's the strangest thing... I was out for a walk around here last night, I coulda sworn I saw that kid flying around through the air... he's so weird, I almost wouldn't be surprised if he could fly." Kazuki's blood chilled, and he shot Mani a worried glance. "Well thank you for stopping by Kyle, if you hear from her, let us know." Kazuki said as he ushered him out the door. Once he was gone, he turned back to Mani, a stern look on his face. "Still think I was being paranoid?" He asked heatedly. "You should wake up Aila. We have a problem."

Kumiko closed her eyes and leaned her head against the bed post. As he massaged her stomach, she looked over at him. "Thanks." she said gently laying back down. "I won't...do anything stupid...promise." she said closing her eyes after covering herself up.

Mani flinched from the sturn and heated voice. "Calm down, I'll wake her up." she quickly walked by him and went to Aila bed room. Quietly waking her up.

 Kazuki was waiting down in the living room when Aila and Mani returned. "I knew there was something fishy about this... Aila... didn't you say you'd killed him? When Eric rescued you... you said you'd killed him. "

"I did dad..." Aila said gently to him. "I really killed him..." she moved back and forth pacing. "Did Alaric have a son?"

Kumiko woke up from the small nap she was taking, to find Alaric still in the chair across from her. Sitting up, she noticed that he wasn't sitting comfortabley. "Jeez.." she sighed out, getting out of the bed and helping him as gently as possible.

Kazuki let out a long sigh. "That would explain the age difference... he must have been born around when Kumi was... and now he's come back here for revenge. Aila... we need Eric. Call him, have him come. And have him bring the armor he took from Alaric all those years ago."

Alaric glanced suspiciously at Kumiko, pulling away a bit as she reached forward to help him. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Eric is on a business trip...we need to get to my house." she stood in place. "It's a week long drive to get there." 

Kumiko flinched slightly. "You were laying in a weird position....I was just helping you sit up, t-that's all." she stepped back from him, turning her head away. "The way you were sleeping could make you cramp up.."


Kazuki let out a long sigh. "That's too long. I'll have to go get it myself. It's been a while... I've gotten used to living without using my powers but now... well I guess it's time I started up again." Lightning crackled along his body as he looked down at himself. "I'll fly there. I should be able to make the whole trip in a day or so. Until then, I want you all to stay here. Watch after each other and Zack." Kazuki pulled a pair of metal bracelets from his pocket, fastening them onto his wrists as he approached Mani. He pulled her into a hug, giving her a gentle kiss. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, honey. I was just... worried about Kumiko. I'll be back soon... just stay safe." 

Alaric straighted his posture, his gaze softening a bit. "Fine. Thanks." He said, crossing his arms over his chest. "But I'm fine. Cramps aren't a problem for me."

Kumiko sat down on the bed. "Alright then...I guess you would be one to like the cramps.." she stopped her sentence, before chuckling slightly. "I didn't mean it like that." she sighed gently. "Sorry....I'll just stay in bed and stay quiet..."

"Why aren't you afraid of me?" He said, glaring in her direction again. "I kidnapped you and once they've found you, your family's dead too. Why are you being so nice to me?"

"It's...just how I am." Kumiko said curling up. "I don't think...that you'll be able to hurt them." she said gently to him. "I saw before, you were gentle." she glanced over at him. "What reason...did my sister have to kill your dad?"

 Alaric scoffed at her question. "You father's always hated my dad, he almost married your mother. Of course Kazuki was a jealous bastard and stole your mother away. My father had moved on until years later, he showed up again. He was here to kill my father, and me as well to end the bloodline. But now he was a weakling, so he brought his daughter along to fight his battles for him. He managed to fight them off and save me... but he lost his life in the process..."

Kumiko sat up. "That...doesn't sound like my family at all." she said defensively. Before something flashed through her head. "He...took my mom prisoner..." she whispered gently. Her head was now hurting. "He...was going to rape my mom.."

"What would you know about it?" He snapped angrily. "You've never even heard of me or my dad before. If you want to rationalize what they did, then fine, but it's not going to change my mind! They have to pay for what they did!"

Kumiko looked up at him with hard eyes. "...Take me instead, do what...ever you want to me. Just leave them alone." she closed her eyes. "I won't let you hurt them."

 "Noble sentiments." He said, approaching her and forcing her down onto the bed, gripping her throat tightly as he did. "No doubt the death of daughter dearest would cause your father much pain... but no." He said releasing her. "He'll pay with his life, and so will Aila..."

Kumiko began to cough and she closed her eyes. "No you won't, you won't!" she shouted at him, and he was thrown across the room to the wall. She flinched and calmed down as soon as he hit the wall. "...You won't to my family..." she said closing her hands up into fists. 

 Alaric chuckled a bit as he climbed to his feet. "So, you've got a little kick to you as well, huh? Great. That's just more strength your father's lost." He dashed towards her, pinning her down again and pressing a hand against her skin, sending a jolt of electricity through her body to pacify her.

Kumiko let out a yelp of pain, curling up. She continued to tremble. "I won't...let you take my dad and sister away. Because your father forced himself on my family..." she whispered. "I won't."

With her calm once more, Alaric slipped a collar around her neck, the same type that his father had used long ago on Aila. With her powers now neutralized, he pulled her hands behind her, slipping a pair of handcuffs onto her wrist and tightening them. "I thought you said you wouldn't do anything stupid." He said, sounding a bit testy as he pulled the ballgag into her mouth and buckled it behind her head. "Maybe you need a little... motivation... to keep from doing it again." He said, turning her over and forcing her butt into the air.

Kumiko flinched and felt her face heat up with a blush. She began to wiggle around and tired to put her back side down, but failed.

He delivered smack after smack to her butt, his hand lingering after each hit to feel her flesh under his hand through the skimpy panties he'd dressed her in. After several spankings, he pulled her up and into his lap gingerly. Holding her against him as she struggled, he reached a hand into her bra, fondling her breasts roughly, taking his nipple into his fingers.

Kumiko gasped loudly and stared down at his hand. Wiggling around, she began to get turned on. "Stop.." she muffled out. "P-Please, stop...Please."

Alaric ignored her muffled pleas and continued to fondle her, noticing her nipples hardening under his touch. "Enjoying yourself, huh?" He said with a snicker, dropping a hand to her crotch and finding her wet. "You're not this excited from being fondled... looks like someone gets off on being helpless..."

"What...?" she muffled out. She liked being helpless? Kumi's eyes began to water up. She wanted him to stop, really she did.. Closed her eyes she pulled away from him, falling to the ground afraid of him.

Alaric caught her before she could hit the ground, dumping her back onto the bed and standing up. "I'll be back." He said, cuffing her ankles to the bed posts to keep her in place while he was gone. "Don't try anything stupid, wouldn't want you hurting yourself."

Kumiko stay completely still. "...Alaric, stop...this." she muffled out closing her eyes tightly. "Stop scaring me." she whispered out.

 Alaric had already gone, leaving her tied up on his bed for nearly an hour before he finally returned with food in tow. He sat the food down on the nearby table and moved over to the bed, unbuckling the gag from her mouth. "Hungry?"

Kumi looked away from him. "...Untie me...please...I don't like other people feeding me."

"Too bad. I need that collar to stay on you. And the only way to make sure that happens is to keep your hands cuffed like they are now." He said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now, do you want to eat, or should I gag you again?"

Kumiko sighed, before opening her mouth up. "I don't trust you...but I am hungry."

 Alaric lifted her over to a nearby chair, cuffing her feet to it to ensure she wouldn't try an escape. "Hope you like chinese." He said pulling out a fork and beginning to feed her.

Kumiko began to eat the food slowly. Soon the plate was empty. "Thank you.." she said looking away from him.

 Alaric took her chin in his hand, turning her to face him. "I'm sorry for earlier... I'll keep my hands off you from now on... wouldn't want you damaged before daddy shows up."

Kumiko turned her head away. "Stop...talking about my dad and sister..." she closed her eyes tightly. "It's already hard enough...to even think like that."

"Alright princess, how do you see this ending?" He asked, forcing her to face him still. "Let's say I repent and decide not to kill them. Do you think they'll just let me walk away knowing who I am? After I kidnapped you?"

"You could return me home and they won't even know who you are!" she closed her eyes. "If you let me get to know you, they would approve of you." she then closed her mouth tightly. A blush went across her face. "Nevermind...never..mind."

"...You're unbelievable." He said after several moments. "After all I did, you're still trying to "get to know me"? You think if I get to know you, I'll just buy all your lies and decide to settle down, maybe even date you?"

"I'm not lying." Kumiko said looking up at him, her expression hardened. "I wouldn't do that.."

"Lies, rationalization, call it what you will. The point is you don't know and you're just trying to defend your murdering family!" Alaric said. "It wouldn't be that simple... I've been waiting my whole life for this."

"I'm defending them of course, but I'm also saying that I like you." Kumiko said with a hard look still in her eyes. "...And I don't say that alot.."

"Hmph... ridiculous. What if you had to choose between us? Your family or me... then what would you do, you foolish girl?" Alaric asked, staring her down.

Kumiko turned her head away. "I don't...I don't know." she said gently to him.

 "Ha! This is rich. You've known me for a day, and already you'd consider betraying your family for me? Maybe I will keep you around after all, just to see the look on your father's face when his own daughter chooses her kidnapper over her would be rescuer." He pulled back with her, a devilish grin on his face as he took a seat across from her.

Kumiko turned her head away. "Don't think I'd betray my family...you idiot." she snapped unable to hold her head. "I wouldn't be stupid enough to choose you...someone who cares about some stupid revenge."

Alaric shrugged. "Whatever you say. I've barely even tried to turn you and already you're conflicted. It'll be such fun... the last thing your father seeing is his daughter betray him before he dies..." He continued to grin evilly, laughing at Kumi's anger.

Kumiko sat slowly, the ropes once again falling off. "...Don't misunderstand me." she snapped crossing her arms over her chest. "You're just annoying me." she stood up from the bed. "I'm...leaving this tiny room, I need air.."

Alaric pointed a hand at the door and it slammed shut, locking itself. "I don't think so." He said, the ropes swirling around her again and lashing themselves onto her limbs, holding her down on the bed. "You're not going anywhere. Not til it's time for the fun to begin." The lone window in the room opened, letting a tiny bit of air in, but the ballgag floated back towards her, buckling itself into her mouth to keep her quiet. He checked the collar to make sure it was still tight before sitting back down. "There. Enjoy the breeze."

Kumiko laid completely still, trying to calm herself down. The collar wasn't holding back the powers she didn't know she had. Closing her eyes, the ropes slowly un-did themselves. She looked over at him for a moment, before chucking the ball gag away and going to the window. Just looking out it sadly.

Alaric came up behind her, spinning her around and pinning her against the wall. "What ever happened to you behaving?" He seethed, sending a jolt of electricity through her.

The sad look never left her eyes, she winced and looked up at him. "I am...I...need to have some air." she whispered out looking up at him.

"Then you'll wear this." He said, holding up the ballgag. "I don't want you calling for help prematurely." He said. The window slammed shut as he held her pinned. "Now, put it on. Or the window stays closed."

Another gust of wind opened up the window. "I'm not going to call for help..." she said staring him down. "I need to calm down, so don't get in my way." she pushed by him and rested her head against the wall.

Alaric shook his head, tossing the gag aside. "Whatever. It's not like there's anyone around here to save you yet. And once Kazuki shows up, well, it won't matter if you scream." He sat back on the bed, smirking at her a bit. "I'd be careful leaning out the window though... dressed like that, what if someone were to spot you...?"

"I don't give a damn..now shut up and leave me alone." Kumiko snapped closing her eyes. "It doesn't seem like anyones actually stood up to your spoiled ass."

"If you'd like to be the first, be my guest." He said, closing his eyes and leaning back, apparently unconcerned. "But I can tell you right now, you'll accomplish nothing."

"I'm not waisting my time on a rapest son." Kumiko said in a matter of fact voice. "It's just not worth it anymore." she stood up against the window. For some reason, she felt herself floating slightly. Before she realized it, her feet were off the ground. "W-What's...?" she then looked up at Alaric. "..." she glared at him, before making a move for the door. 

Alaric's eyes snapped open as she insulted his father, and he leapt forward, lightning blasting her out of the air as she tried to make her escape. "Don't you ever talk about my father like that!" He said angrily, pinning her to the ground. He retrieved the collar from before, turning up the power and strapping it around her neck again, tightly this time. He pushed the ballgag into her mouth roughly, buckling it tight out of anger and lifting her to her feet, pushing her up against the wall. "That's it, I'm done being nice. I think you need to be taught a little lesson."

Kumiko closed her eyes, before opening them back up. She was unable to pull the ball gag out like last time. Her eyes widened and she stared at him.

Throwing her down onto the bed face down, he tied her hands above her and her feet apart, one to each bed post. He smacked her butt firmly, each swat coming harder than the last until he had tired himself out from the spanking, and pulled away, holding his now red hand.

Kumiko's eyes had watered up to the point her tears fell onto the bed, she glared up at him. Before putting her head back down. She was so embarassed and was hurting. "...Why isn't he untying me?" she closed her eyes trying to calm down.

Alaric left her on the bed as he pulled away, rubbing his hand and looking down on her. She was clearly humiliated, her face burning with embarassment as he looked down at her. He turned away to shut the window, finding himself unable to look at her.

Kumiko slowly came to herself, still unable to move. She let out a wince of pain, looking over her shoulder she wanted free.

Alaric tried to keep his mind off what he'd just done but eventually couldnt help himself and turned back to Kumiko, approaching her to loosen her bonds. He let her out of the hogtie and unbuckled the ballgag, pulling it from her mouth to allow her to speak and breathe more easily.

Kumiko wimpered sadly. "W...Why...did you just hurt me?" she asked breathlessly, trying to ceach her breath.

"To show you who was in charge." He said, tilting her head up to look at her. "Now... behave. I don't want to have to hurt you again."

Kumiko sat up on the bed. "..." she looked away from him, still hurt that he had even done that.

"And stop talking like you know my dad!" He said, spinning her around to face him. "You didn't even know me, stop pretending like you knew him!"

Kumiko looked up at him. "And don't talk about my family as if I wasn't here." she snapped back, trembling slightly.

Alaric sat beside Kumi, turning her to look at him again, but this time noticing her tremble. "There's no need to be afraid, alright? Just behave from now on... and I won't hurt you anymore."

Kumi looked up at him, then turned her head away. "I'm stuck here...you're..telling me you're going to kill my family...why shouldn't I be afraid?" she asked still trembling slightly. "Tell me why..?"

Alaric turned away, unable to look her in the eyes. "Fair enough..." He said, looking out into the room. "Perhaps you should be a little afraid. But at the very least... I won't hit you anymore."

Kumi laid her head down into her pillow. "Damn..it." she whispered gently. "Do you like me or hate me...?" she asked looking up at him. "You're...giving me whiplash."

"I don't hate you... I never hated you. I regret having to involve you. But your family... them I hate. And I need you to get at them. I'm sorry, alright? I wish it didn't have to be this way. But I dont have a choice."