Lament of the Lamb Volume 1: v. 1 - Softcover

Ever since his mother died, Kazuna Takashiro has been living with his kindly "Uncle" Shin Eda and his Aunt Natsuko. The Eda couple were friends with Kazuna's estranged father. Kazuna can't escape the pain of his past. He misses his mother, and he wishes he could be reunited with his older sister. His one source of comfort and relaxation is the art club. Oddly, Kazuna never draws. Rather, he seems drawn to Yaegashi, an attractive female classmate. Kazuna desires Yaegashi, but when he thinks her splatterings of red paint are blood, his feelings of lust and desire become dark and twisted...causing him to nearly pass out. Nightmares plague Kazuna, and he decides to confront his past head-on. He searches and finds his childhood home, and what he discovers there rattles him to the bone. Living in his old house is none other than Chizuna, his long-lost sister. Chizuna regrettably informs Kazuna that their father died over a year ago. Angered that no one told him of his father's death, Kazuna bitterly expresses his anger towards his father. All these years, Kazuna felt abandoned, tossed aside, disowned by his family. Chizuna than explains why their mother died, and why their father sent Kazuna away. Their mother's family is cursed with a disease of the blood-a disease that makes them vampires! Incredulous and disturbed, Kazuna leaves. Yaegashi asks the increasingly withdrawn Kazuna if he'd like to be her art model. While posing, his eyes linger on her neck...her pale, beautiful skin...His thoughts become disturbing, as he longs for her body...and her blood. A fearful Kazuna returns to Chizuna and reveals his frightening urges. Chizuna explains that their mother was driven insane by the vampiric disease. She gives him a small vial that she claims is some sort of medicine, capable of holding his bloodlust at bay. When Kazuna next sees Yaegashi, he begins to shudder and convulse. He wants to taste her flesh...her blood. Afraid of the danger he poses, he flees. At a nearby stream, Kazuna is met by his sister. Chizuna takes a broken piece of glass and slashes her arm. Her blood gushes down her arm in a red stream. Chizuna urges Kazuna to taste the precious, crimson liquid. She tells him that struggling is useless. There is nothing they can do to prevent the disease. Nothing.