Without Control ((FULL))

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Satoshi Tayashi

"To all who consider crossing me, know this..."

Satoshi looked down at the little girl stoically, ignoring the 'puppy' comments, and nodded when Sirrah told him who she was. "Ah, yes. This one is Lulu?" He looked into her eyes and smiled very slightly, not wanting to frighten her. "Good to see you again, dear, even if you do not remember me." He bowed slightly to her, the way he would to someone from his own country he respected.

"...I will kill you without a second of hesitation."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Dr. Sirrah Tayashi

"Love is like the wind..."

Sirrah bent down to kiss Lulu's forehead and nodded. "I'm sorry, Lulu, I'll try to remember that. And of course you may go, sweetie. It's very late for you to be up anyhow. Goodnight." She smiled at her niece as the girl left the room, then looked at her father and sighed, a sad expression taking over her face.

"As you can see, Lulu has been through more than any girl her age should have to go through..." Sirrah touched Satoshi's hand hesitantly, transferring all her knowledge of what had happened to the girls to her father mentally, not surprised when he jerked away.

"You can't see it, but you can feel it's there."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Satoshi Tayashi

"To all who consider crossing me, know this..."

Satoshi growled very slightly as the knowledge of what had happened to turn such a young girl into one so jaded slipped into his mind unbidden. He pulled away from his daughter's hand and shook his head. "Their strength is incredible," was all he said before walking down the hallway, following Nina's scent. He approached the girl with caution, his hands limp at his sides to show he wasn't going to hurt her. He wasn't certain how she would react to his presence, as he was male. "Hime-chan, do not be frightened... I am here now..."

"...I will kill you without a second of hesitation."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Satoshi Tayashi

"To all who consider crossing me, know this..."

Satoshi lowered himself into a sitting position on the bed, cradling Nina in his arms like a child. "No one will hurt any of you while I have anything to say about it," he stated calmly, patting the upset girl's back in what he hoped was a soothing motion. He saw how shaken Yuri was and drew her gently to him as well, not wanting any of his daughters to be afraid, especially since their main tormentor was dead.

When he noticed Sirrah hovering in the doorway, he smiled very slightly at his biological daughter, nodding and holding out a hand to her. For only the second time in her life, his daughter embraced him. The four of them sat there like that for awhile, just holding each other for comfort. It was an odd and very new sensation for Satoshi, since he almost never came into physical contact with anyone. 'What they say is true, I suppose... Being a father really does change you...'

"...I will kill you without a second of hesitation."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Dr. Sirrah Tayashi

"Love is like the wind..."

As soon as she felt Nina's shaking cease, Sirrah stood up straight and looked at her sisters and father. "I want to tell you all that Kevin and I have moved up our wedding to next Saturday." She smiled slightly, blushing a little, wondering how they would all take the news. After all, the wedding had originally been in December; several months away.

"You can't see it, but you can feel it's there."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Dr. Sirrah Tayashi

"Love is like the wind..."

Sirrah smiled and kissed Nina's forehead, grinning at her sister. "Silly. Of course I want you to help me plan it. And I insist on you being my maid of honor." She turned to Yuri and winked. "And I was thinking you, Harmony, Lulu, and Lokita as bridesmaids. Only if you girls want to, that is."

"You can't see it, but you can feel it's there."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Satoshi Tayashi

"To all who consider crossing me, know this..."

Satoshi draped an arm over Nina's shoulders, sensing that her anxiety wasn't fully gone. But at least she seemed better. If Satoshi ever saw Ryuu in Hell, the man would pay dearly...

He blinked in surprise at Sirrah's announcement. He'd barely gotten used to the idea of Sirrah being married at all, and now it was happening so soon... He listened to the girls talk about the details and chuckled once. "So. You wish for a Western-styled wedding, Sirrah? A traditional Japanese wedding holds no interest for you?"

Satoshi held up a hand when she opened her mouth, probably to either explain or argue her decision. "It is your choice. But I have two conditions. The first is that I be allowed to be there to hand you off to this... Kevin. The second is that I fund the event. No arguments. One of the Western traditions is that the bride's family pay for the wedding, yes? Well, then, it's settled. You make the plans, and know that money is no object."

"...I will kill you without a second of hesitation."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Dr. Sirrah Tayashi

"Love is like the wind..."

Sirrah blushed at her father's generous offer and nodded, since it seemed there was no point protesting. She smiled and kissed his cheek very softly. "Thank you, Chichiue. Of course I want you there to give me away." She turned back to the other girls and asked, "So, what color do you ladies think the bridesmaid's dresses should be?"

"You can't see it, but you can feel it's there."

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Erin Joyce Lee

"They tell me that love is wonderful..."

Erin was curled up on the couch in the living room, her head resting lightly on Ash's shoulder, skimming through the mail she'd just brought in. "Bills... Ha... A letter from Uncle... That's trash... Ohh, look! Sirrah and Kevin's wedding invitation... We definitely have to go to that."

Erin glanced up as a knock sounded on the door. She smiled at Ash and stood. "I'll get it, love." She went over to the front door and opened it. When she saw who it was, though, her greeting died on her tongue.

-"You have the right to remain silent..."

"No, no, please don't do this, please," sobbed Erin as the officer touched her body. His slender fingers were cold and clammy, giving her goosebumps and turning her stomach.

"Are you afraid, Erin?" he whispered against her neck. "You shouldn't be afraid of me. I promise, I'm going to be gentle with you. Just relax and enjoy."

"No, don't do this! I have a girlfriend! Please, please..." His hand clamped hard over her mouth, silencing her begging as he continued to touch her.-

The memory rushed back in an instant, and a strangled gasp slipped past Erin's lips at the sight of the man who had nearly raped her and turned her over to the Naruses. Christopher Meyers, the one person she had hoped never to see again.

Erin did the only thing her body would allow her to do at the moment. She slammed the door in the man's face, sliding the deadbolt home, and sank to the floor, trembling. "Ash... Help..." she whispered, half-frozen with fear and shock. 'How... How did he find me?! Why did he come here?! Dammit, I thought Amilia took care of him!'

"...but how can something so painful be wonderful?"

 

[Dreaming_Drifter]

Erin Joyce Lee

"They tell me that love is wonderful..."

Erin shivered in Ash's arms, trying to make herself calm down. She laughed shakily and kissed Ash back. "I guess this makes my switch from seme to uke official and permanent, huh? So much for being the big, strong protector..."

"...but how can something so painful be wonderful?"