Tarnished Bonds

Lucius reappears back in his home with Bloom in arms, setting her on the couch to sit, if she was able. He didn't know much of her situation, but easily felt the fluctuation in her energy from before. "Now you see the peril this villiage faces, exactly.."

*Bloom gave Lucius a glance, and quite a mean one. She knew he knew something, she would rather pop the question than beat around the bush.*
*Yes, I see this is quite the epidemic, but why did that ninja die? Who's doing this!?"
*Bloom had shed a tear from one eye, hoping Lucius would speak the truth.*

He sighed, knowing full well what was going through her head. "Let me say here and now that you're among an ally. You've no need to worry about me." He now opened his eyes and sat down next to her.

"Rune.. that shinobi.. was killed. As Shiro no doubt found out, and you as well, most likely, he was manipulated by the power of Vash Steingard, who has for all intensive purposes betrayed the Nightmare." He looked down. "..but that was merely a fraction of his power.."

*Almost a mere second after Luc spoke, Shiro appeared inside the room with a rather serious look on his face than his usual smile. His eyes turned to Lucius.*

I already assume you know what I'm about to ask you.

Lucius turned to Shiro, almost equally as grim. "There are a number of questions you would ask.. Which is it first?"

*Bloom got goosebumps just upon hearing his name. It was an eerie sounding name,one that would fit someone with such dark power.*
" A traitor..."
*Bloom created a ball of dark energy in her hand. it moved about in a rough motion, saying that Bloom was uneasy right now.*
"We couldn't deal with something like this....It's...to much."
*Bloom rubbed her arms, almost as if she was cold, but it was only the feeling that the aura left on her. She saw Shiro appear in the room, his expression not making things any brighter, and sat while the two talked to each other, since either way, she didn't know much of the situation.*

*Shiro saw Bloom and then smiled. His positive nature taking over as always.*

By the look on her face, I guess she knows who it is... Which clarifies my first question. The second would be was Atra the first?

He wrapped a layer of Absolution around Bloom, this version of it sent warm, soothing and positive feeling down her shoulders. He was getting better with it, slowly..

At Shiro's question Lucius chuckled, shaking his head. "..Hardly." He lifted his shirt, revealing a very prominent black mark where Vash had sent him skyward more than a week ago, during the tussle in Sedgar's Lab. "It was then that he also confronted Master Hellgate, and injured Sedgar, merely a defenseless civillian. I haven't been here that long, but I can gather that this is not how Vash used to act.."

*Bloom was stunned when she saw Lucius' scar. She felt ashammed that so many people were hurt by this man, but she couldn't do anything about it.*
"Are there any ideas on what to do?"
*Bloom decided to ask a question, just simply for the fact that she was wondering if there was something she could help with.*
"Maybe we should ask X-sama....."

*Shiro addressed Lucius first after hearing Bloom's question.*

Of course. Then again you'd be surprized. He's probably the most mysterious of us all. But of course he is not to be taken lightly. And Kham may already know of this... But until a decision is made all we can do is simply wait.

*He began thinking as he leaned against a near-by wall with one foot proped against it and his arms now crossed in his infamous "something's up" state. He closed his eyes as he bagn scanning his mind as of why Vash would turn to the side's of the one person who angered him so much.*

I can only wonder what Vash's motives are... I pray this is not because of his hate for failure.

"Wait, and hold off what he's been doing already, as best as we can.." He sighed. "I'll be protecting Bloom through all of this.. that's my decision. I think it'd be best for anyone else able to fend this man off to take in other weaker shinobi as well.."

*Bloom was still a bit afraid, but she felt the need to respond to Lucus's statement. She didn't want to feel...defenseless*
"I-I'm not weak if thats what you mean...I can fend for myself."
*Bloom looked away from the two, still sitting on the couch.*

He turned to her, a slight smile on his face. "Of course not, I know your abilities, Bloom.. but against Vash, even I'm hardly a match for him.."

*Shiro let out a slight laugh at Luc's comment and opened his eyes to look at both him and Bloom.*

We will protect everyone within this village as we would any other time. There won't be a need to take in others. You kinda get used to being in these circumstances after a couple of life or death situations.

*Bloom turned a little red, then spoke up again.*
"I want to help protect others too....but I must admit I'm not strong enough to place another's life in my hands."

"Aah, I suppose you're right, Shiro." He rose, facing him directly. "But either way we cut it, Vash has already caused significant damage to the Village.. including one death now. It's best to be on guard constantly, and diligently."

Of course. But in the mean time i say to try and keep calm, but not naive. I hope that others understand this situation and the seriousness of it.

*Then looking at Bloom he decided to address her comment.*

It not whether you're strong enough to protect another, but the fact that you have the will to.

*Bloom looked up at Shiro and gave a warm smile, although it was not that big.*
"Thank you Shiro. I will try my best to become stronger, and with that power..."
*Bloom looked down at her hands, then after a sudden realization she clenched her fist.*
"With that power....I can make sure the ones I care about, my friends, my new family, will be protected. They will be able to rely on me."
*Bloom stood up, then bowed to Shiro.*
"Thank you."

*Laughing, Shiro scratched the back of his head as Bloom bowed with a somewhat embarrassed look on his face.*

All these formalities. A simple smile will do.

Lucius cleared his throat. "Anyway. Bloom, you'll reside here until things clear up. There's a spare guest room in the right side of the wing, please make yourself at home."

*Understanding Lucius' points, Bloom gives a slight nod of the head.*
"Oh, okay. thank you...Thank you both."
*Bloom walks over to Shiro then gives him a hug. As she hugged him, she said in a playful tone.*
"It's not my fault I was brought up with manners."
*She then walked over to Lucius, and gave him a hug as well. This hug was more calming, and she held it longer than the one with Shiro. Without another word, Bloom headed off to the right wing.*

As he took Bloom's hug, a flurry of mixed feelings surrounded his mind again. Yet he quickly dismissed them as she began to go to her new room. "Now's not the time for this.."

He cleared his throat again, regaining composure. "Shiro, is there anything more you need to discuss?"

*Smiling at the look on Luc's face, Shiro shook his head as he moved himself from leaning against the wall.*

No, that would be all for now.

*He then walk towards the door waving behind him as he spoke in a rather calm yet conserned tone.*

Keep her safe...

He bowed his head slightly. "Of course."

*Shiro then disapeared out the room back to his home to take care of the bloody mess made by Vash.*