This is a Bancentric story. Set after the Brain trust is defeated, and the Lightning Emperor (temporarily) dissapeared. Ban and Akabane in a strange relationship.
Well this is my first attempt at FanFic, so please review. I do not own Ban and Gang, this is for pure self indulgence and not for profit.
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The watcher stood by the streetlamp, rain poured down, somehow missing the slim form. She stood quiet and dry in the downpour. Sounds of laughter from within the cafe, reached her ears. She smiled, softly, sadly.
Time, was their enemy. Time would hurt those in the cafe. Time would hurt him. He could save the others; he had helped to change their destinies, and in doing so made himself vulnerable to his own destiny. His will had been tempered in battle, strengthened beyond measure by his sacrifices. And now he would pay the price of that strength, have more and more demanded from him, than was fair for a single soul to bear.
For if he did not pay, others would, they would bleed, they would die, and so to save them he would have to embrace the destiny he'd fought for so long.
He would serve, he would rule... or they would all die.
The watcher sighed, her body shrinking as magic quivered in the air. She needed to look like she wasn't a threat to start negotiations. A child of around ten now stood in the dark.
The rain slackened and stopped.
The moon rose.
Ahhh... Time was limited.
The decision had to be made when the moon reached her zenith. The watcher closed her eyes, she sent out a pulse a calling, summoning the beings of power to the Cafe, to bear witness, to ease the choice.
Laughter wafted out into the night.
Pain clouded her eyes, she would shatter the laughter, start him on a new path of power, of pain. Her lips twisted in regret... there was never really a choice, she had watched him for so long, loved him and seen him grow. Now she could watch no more.
The cosmic game of chess had been set into motion. In this game however, only the King could claim victory and the time had come to call the King to play.
-- --
Ginji, launched himself at his best friend, "gimmie, gimmmie, gimmie" Chomp.. Swallowing the pizza slice and Ban's hand in a huge Chibi bite.
"Leggo you eel" Wham!! "baarf out that Pizza, you little thief". Crash, coffee splashed, baptising the white coat of the Jagan user. "Hot, Hot, Hot" yelled Chibi Ban, stripping off his white coat while glaring at the coffee pot.
"Ban if you break that it goes on your Tab" yelled Paul to prevent Pottocide. Rena giggling grabbed the coat to be rinsed. As Ban turned on his friend again
"Gin-chan here I'll protect you" laughed Natsumi, adding to the general good humour of the night.
tinkle tinkle
"Customers" Paul and Ban both snapped to attention, at the bell.
A little girl with Green eyes and carrot red hair stood in the doorway smiling softly at the chaos.
"Oh!" said Paul "Kid what are you doing out on a night like this? Where are your parents?"
Looking at the child, Ban felt the hair on the back of his neck stand, she didn't feel like a threat, but.. Ban retreated into the back booth. Ginji noticing this movement still in Chibbi form hopped on Ban's table.
The girl smiled at Paul.. "Please can I order 3 hot drinks, I don't want to drink alone."
"Yeahhh hear that Ban-Chan we get free drinks."
"Thanks but no thanks, I don't need a drink"
"Bhh..Bhh..Baa..Ban-Chan? Don't be rude"
"Ahh.. Ban Midou, you have to drink, after all I have come all this way for you." said the girl walking slowly towards their table.
"You need the Getbackers? Little girl? We have an almost 100 success rate" said Ginji with a big grin
"Ginji" Ban said his voice flat, "Please go sit at the counter, I think this errr... kid wants to talk to me alone."
"So perceptive, Your Majesty" the girl spoke in German, her hands tracing patterns in the air as Ginji left the booth and, made his way to the counter with a puzzled look on his handsome face.
"Stop that, I'm no Majesty" Ban answered in German, "And what was that spell you just pulled you witch"
"A barrier spell, they can see us, they can hear us but none can cross the barrier to interrupt our conversation without causing you pain, your Majesty..." The girl smiled impishly, "I linked the barrier to you aura."
Ban's jaw hit the table, "what you little freak!! Take it down"
The girl smiled sadly, "You are our king, you should be able to take down the barrier with no effort, at all"
"I don't do that shit.."
"Then the barrier will stay"
"Fine, what the fuck do you want?"
"You shouldn't swear at little girls"
"Hah!! You aint no little girl..." he smirked "Older then Maria" Ban reached out with his senses... the smirk died.. "older.." his demeanour changed got serious, quiet, and he whispered "You are older then my grandmother even"
In the Cafe, Paul, Ginji, Natsumi and Ren all notice the change in Ban and their attention focused on the conversation in a language none of them understood. The door bell chimed.
4 heads turned as Emishi and Shidou walked into the Cafe. "Hey People, we were chatting and felt that we had to have some of your special blend Paul...eeerrrrr. Isn't that kid a bit young for Midou."
"Shhh..." Paul said waving the two to sit, while pouring coffee.
The audience attention was fixed on the strange energy surrounding the two in the back booth.
The girl smiled at Ban, "Yes even without training you do your heritage proud." Ban glowered in response "Get on with it, who are you? Did that old witch send you?"
At that the girl laughed "Your grandmother would have kittens if she knew you were talking to me. She hates me probably more then she hates you."
"Huh!" Ban ignored the minor twinge at the statement he could not refute.
"Will you listen JaBan Midou, without interruption to my story?"
Ban looked at the girl, over the rim of his glasses, blue eyes gleamed, the silence deepened and spread, all in the cafe seemed to hold their collective breathes, and finally a soft "Ja" was heard from the Jagan user.
The girl began to speak, in a language that Ban had not heard, had never learnt, and yet he understood. He knew that one cannot lie in this language, this was the secret language of his blood, every word was true sinking into his heart, his mind, his blood.
"This tale begins in the dark times of Europe, witches and those suspected of being witches, were hunted and butchered. Witches were tainted by the Church as evil, and many even those who themselves were witches began to believe that lie. Fear clouded the mind, envy drove the heart and madness reigned.
Your great- great-grand-mother ruled as witch-queen then. Unlike your grandmother, this queen, Aliara was loved, was respected and she cherished life. I am Janis, I was the queen's healer and her confidant. Queen Aliara's sight was amazing, her predictions of the future always were sharp and as clear as crystal. She saw the planned annihilation of the witch clans. She saw the destiny being crafted by beings of power to destroy magic so that the witches would not be able to stand against them in the Time of Choosing. She saw how her daughter and granddaughter would be so bitter by the losses, that they themselves would forget, that they for all their power and ability would see the blessings given to our people as a curse."
-Sad old eyes looked into Ban's blue ones-
"And she saw in their ignorance they would torture, scar and abuse the boy of her blood who had in him a power they did not want to see."
The cafe door jingled again, "Oh hello everyone, wasn't expecting to meet with you here. It was so quiet" Kazuki Fuuchouin, said in a pleasantly surprised voice. "I was meeting up with Juubei and Thosiki, and we all felt like coffee... err... is anything going on?"
The three new comers were shushed again and the curious conversation in a totally strange language was explained to them… when..
"Ohh... are we having a reunion, and you didn't invite me... how unkind.." Kuroudo Akabane said in a voice as smooth as silk, walking into the Honky Tonk soundlessly. He frowned elegantly as he noticed that the people in the room didn't even react to exhibition of cutlery.
Akabane's blood quivered, he glanced at the back booth, and saw Ban in conversation with a child. The hackles of the Jackal rose as he noticed the serious almost lost expression on the face of the Jagan user. "She's just been talking to Ban-chan, Akabane-san. He has just been listening, she hasn't done anything to him" Ginji said softly and quickly as he felt Akabane's concern for his semi-secret lover. "But its strange Ban-Chan hasn't said a word in the last five minutes, and we... I donno.."
"hmmm so I will watch with you Ginji-kun"
Even that could not draw the attention of the listeners from the conversation, and Ginji just made space for Akabane to sit, for once forgetting to be a little afraid of his best friend's sometime bed-mate.
The voice of the child only understood by one of the many beings of power in the room, continued, mesmerising them all.
"Queen Aliara saw you and she cried when she saw what you would go through. She wept for you and for her people and for the world when she saw the King deny his crown and run from his heritage. (Ban winced at that) She saw your time of Testing where from the numerous destinies available for the world, your involvement would cause the most unlikely outcome, and the being who pretended to be God in a tower of evil would be destroyed. Oh, your victory was not fated, it was your will and choice. Most see only one probable future, Aliara's power was so great that she saw the main situations created by destiny and the numerous choices and options for the world to develop from that point; all real outcomes are crated by human will and human choice.
Aliara saw that if the so called "god" won that battle, they would face the threats created by Time, this didn't interest her. Her interest was on the outcome if her ultimate grandchild won. The power granted by the fortress would not hold in the real world, and yet the treat must be faced. Aliara saw that to face the threat the Witch King would be needed. Not a half-trained one, but a full Witch-king with the powers and abilities that have not been seen on this earth since before the time of Christ. For if that power was not awakened, the threat could still be faced, but the causalities instead of being in the millions would be in Billions"
"Stop FUNKING ME!!" Ban exploded into the silence. His fist smashed the table to smithereens. " I don't know what game you are playing, but I am not falling into this trap!! Get out!"
The audience all felt relief at Ban's reaction, for a strange reason relieved that Ban had rejected what ever offer the girl made. Ginji leapfrogged to his partner, and slammed into an invisible wall 5 feet from his target. The Cafe exploded into action, as Chibi Ginji and 'toonmates' pressed into the invisible wall assaulting it with needles, string, punches and electricity.
"Stop it" Razor sharp surgical knives sliced the air in front of the Chibis, all turned to Akabane with big teary eyes. "Look at what you are doing" Akabane said gesturing at Ban, who had fallen back on the chair, bleeding in an arm."Any damage to the wall is being channelled to Midou-Kun, so I suggest you STOP hurting him." Akabane's knives clicked, enforcing that suggestion in no uncertain terms.
"Stop that you dolts." Ban yelled "This is a bloody one way bubble, Kid I'm done so I'm leaving" Ban said preparing to stand
The girl moved directly in front of Ban, "Queen Aliara said you would be stubborn, she also said that while you would listen, you would need to see the truth for yourself. YOU know I do not lie. Are you brave enough to make the choice knowing what she knew." The girl said holding an antique decorated mirror in front of Ban's eyes.
Ban felt all his blood go cold, he glanced at Chibi Ginji who was poking a curious finger at the barrier, while trying to hide from Akabane. This made him smile, though he felt the jaws of the trap he was in begin to close. Ban fingered his glasses, and being Ban unable to back-down removed his glasses. He looked straight into the mirror... And fell into a nightmare.
Ban saw a woman, a woman of power, of majesty. She reached out and she claimed him as hers. Her arms were warm, loving and sheltering. She soothed the hurts of the child and whispered that he was loved, by more then he knew. She praised the man he had become, and he felt the acceptance of blood family for the first time. Ban rested in her shelter for a moment, and then she guided him to the past, he saw the witches in the height of their power and the planned destruction of the witches' protective presence in the world, almost 4 centuries ago.
Then he glimpsed what was coming. Evil that emerged at that time, which has been festering and growing, waiting for the Time of Choosing. The last date in the Mayan Calendar, the alignment of the earth, the sun and the black hole that is the heart of our galaxy, the year 2012.
This would mark the Time of Choosing, Ban could only have a glimpse of the enemy, he felt their power, and he knew that they planned to reign fear and death on the world so that the choice left to human was one of their making and not a true choice at all. He saw many ways in which this evil could be defeated...
He saw the rebirth of the Lightning Emperor permanently... (No!! Ginji..)
He saw the beasts of the world leading the charge, and the mass extinctions that would destroy the natural order of the environment..
He saw blood, and the madness that would follow, when there was nothing left to strive for...
In all he saw the death of Billions..
He saw then, the Witch-King, Master and Slave, the blade and the shield, the destroyer and the healer, he saw the multitudes that would save the Billions, the multitudes that would serve on bended knee before one power, that would form an army only under one banner, the banner of the Witch King.
Ban Midou, saw his choice and he understood - there was no choice.. The trap closed, and his heart quivered. He had already been through so much, he felt trapped, defeated, and then gently he felt himself being held. Warmed.
"Take my strength beloved, the blessing and curse of the Witch-King is that you will never fight alone. All my teachings are in the mirror, use the Jagan on it once a day and learn the spells and powers of the witches of old. Surpass and surprise your enemies. For now though rest with me, my beautiful child, rest… just for a minute." Queen Aliara soothed the hurts of her great great-grandchild, and the world exploded.
Ban found himself sitting in the back booth, looking into the eyes of a child, eyes now gentle, with a wealth of sorrow mirrored in them.
"Queen Aliara gave me a mission, my mission is you. My healing energy has been channelled to keep me alive for this day, to see your training through. Your grandmother hates me because she does not know my mission and because I hold to Aliara's beliefs and not hers."
The child took a deep breath and drew an ancient blade, marked with carvings, with the hilt of the snake. She spoke.
"Ban Midou, the time of choice for you is nigh. The moon is reaching her zenith, it is 4 years to the date of the Choosing, and that time will be needed for you to learn, for you to accept your burden and for you to draw allies to your feet. Look around you, in this room are some who you could abdicate your throne to. They are beings of power and they can succeed - at a greater price. Your choice; abdicate to one of them or embrace your self and allow all the complex facets of the Witch-King to start developing in you!"
Ban looked at those beyond the barrier, for the first time that night; he made eye contact with his soul-brother, his loved ones, his comrades and his friends. And they saw in Ban's eyes, stripped of his protective glasses, stripped of ego and brashness, they saw the soul of the Jagan wielder. They saw the brilliant intelligence of genius, the infinite kindness that he tried to hide, the unyielding strength that strove to protect, the wisdom that had nurtured them to choose, to fight their own battles and to grow, the ability to sacrifice - body, strength and soul to do the unthinkable for the needs of others and finally the heart that loved without expectation, able to love even when condemned as a demon. For a split second they all saw Ginji's Ban-Chan.
Then he broke contact and addressed the child...
"No I will not abdicate. I will never allow another to fight what is my battle. I will do what I need to do, and Janis, I WILL NEVER LOSE."
Janis smiled at the young man, with pride, "Then will you allow me to release what is hidden in your blood, your very genes, to start awakening the power of the Witch-King?"
Ban glanced at the ceremonial dagger and then at the audience, "err... shall we do this in private?"
Janis smile... evilly. "No. The time is now. I have summoned them as their powers will act as witness. Notice that the Voodoo child has not been called, she has allegiances to your Grandmother and it may be best to keep your awakening power from her until you are stronger."
"The ceremony is going to be bloody, yes.. They may object" Ban said in a last ditch effort to avoid the audience.
Janis smile grew, and she for the first time spoke Japanese. "Don't worry Ban Midou, All these power users have been summoned to act as witness. Your Jackal understands that to attack the barrier to is attack you, and he and the other who shares your blood, will understand the power of the ritual and will control the rest, to spare your suffering."
Akabane's blood and the blood of another throbbed at this warning. Akabane unnoticed moved to stand behind Ginji examining the barrier and finding no opening that would not involve hurting Ban.
The child reached out and stroked Ban's cheek. Magic awakened and she glowed and grew. With a flash of light the child was gone and a seemingly young woman, with waist length copper hair stood between the knees of Ban Midou. She then reached down and slowly stripped the vest off the Jagan user. She spoke now in Japanese, and angled her body so that the audience could see her actions and began the ceremony...
She grabbed a fistful of Ban hair forcing his head back, exposing his throat, Ban hands stayed frozen on his lap. She ran her dagger slowly along his cheek, to his exposed neck, and cut a crimson necklace between Ban's collar bones... "YOU are the Slave of your people, You will yield, You Will serve as they use you in every conceivable way"
"BBaaan-chan.. she's hurting Ban-chan" Ginji lunged forward only to be caught by Akabane, who himself was shaking with anger, but whispered over and over to Ginji, "The barrier Ginji, we will hurt him more, we will hurt him more." Confusion reigned, those who tried to attack the barrier, were stopped by friends. All felt helpless. Paul finally stepped before the group and the barrier. "Stop it - Trust Ban." and they subsided.
Janis had drawn the emblem of the Witch-King on Ban's naked chest, with the blood released from his neck. The tip of the dagger, caressing Ban chest, whispering around, then on his nipples, down powerful abs and across his stomach. Bringing Ban's blood to boil in a confusion of feelings. Janis kneeled slowly, removing Ban's pants, so he stood clothed in only his boxers and blood.
The dagger continued its way down Ban's Body. And pierced through the skin of Ban's right foot. Carving a bloody star. "You are the Master of your people, You will command, You will lead, and your people will kneel, they will obey." Janis then slowly lower her head, and pressed her lips to Ban's foot, kissing the above and on the bloody star.
The dagger then carved straight lines on Ban's left foot, deep and sure, they resembled the trees of a great forest, "You are the Pillar of strength, you stand tall, you give shade, your wisdom is matched only by your intelligence, and surpassed only by your kindness."
The blood released by the dagger now seemed to glow, ruby red, the light seemed to be awakening from within the blood itself. Magic began to gather, Natsumi and Ren both for the first time felt the building power that more then Paul, had silenced the power users in the room.
Ban's eyes closed, as the dagger reached the top of his thighs, under the boxer. He trembled as a diamond was drawn in his flesh at the top of each thigh. Two expanding circles of crimson formed a compelling pattern on the previously grey boxers. Janis pressed her lips to cloth protecting Ban's crotch, the kiss was as ceremonial as it was sensual. "You are the Silk of Sensuality, your presence alone will entice, your movements will tempt, your lips will seduce, you will command with charm, you will control with sex"
Ban skin took on a translucence. The glowing of his blood was shining out of his skin.
Janis drew both of Ban's hand in one of hers, and with shallow cuts drew a curving serpent across both is forearms. "You are Asclepius, the healer, the killer, the snake that swallowed the sun, the snake that gave birth to the world, the snake that brings rebirth, the serpent that spreads its hood to Guards the protectors of the world"
The silver energy of the snake, now moved in the crimson glow, slithering from his right arm, wrapping itself around all of Ban's limbs, graceful, deadly, the silvery serpent curled its upper body around Ban's neck and rested its head on his right shoulder, looking out curiously at the stunned and enchanted audience.
A shield was carved on his left shoulder a sword on his right, "You are the warrior, you fight to defend the defenceless, when finally you attack, you strike to kill."
"Finally the 10th Symbol..." the dagger once again caressed Ban's cheek, it moved to his forehead and deeply carved the symbol of infinity in the middle of his forehead. She then drew the knife across her tongue, before slashing Ban's lips. She drew his head down for a deep long kiss. Merging their blood she surrenders her ancient magics to the Witch-king.
"You are the Witch-King, magic is your birth-right, the power of the ancestors lies in your blood, their strength to create balance, the will to carve new destinies, the ability, the magic the mystery, with this, I release thee. Ban Midou release your will, allow the magic you yourself capped to be released, and walk the first steps to claim the destiny you have chosen!!"
Janis voice rose in a crescendo with these last words.
Energy danced around Ban, a whirlwind of power, the symbols craved upon his body glowed brighter and brighter, Janice sank to her knees prostrating before her King. Ban glowed, the power lifting his feet off the ground, then it imploded. Light flashed blinding and then vanished back into its originator.
Ginji's eyes used to lightning cleared before the others, he saw Ban alone slumped in the booth. The only proof of what had transpired were the broken table, the mirror and the dagger at Ban's feet, and Ban's state of near nakedness. The blood and the symbols crafted on flesh had vanished from normal sight. Ginji launched himself again at Ban, and this time was welcomed by strong arms as the barrier had disappeared.
The ceremony had for the moment drained Ban of blood, magic and warmth, he felt as tired as a new born babe. He wanted sleep but he needed a promise before that..
"Look I know you all want explanations, I will explain but not now I'm exhausted. Please I need a promise from all of. This was magic and I know you want Maria or Himiko to explain. I am asking all of you p.. ppp.. pp(damn the word is hard) PPPLEASE do not in any way mention what transpired this night to Himiko or Maria. I Need each of your word on this.. Ginji?
"But Ban-chan, we can trust Himiko... she is.."
"Ginji" Ban interpreted softly his face loosing more colour, "This is not about trust, I trust Himiko.. but she'll want to help and right now that would be a bad thing. I'll tell her later, myself. Okay Gin?"
"Okay Ban-Chan I promise I'll let you tell her." Ginji said holding Ban closer to him as he felt his slim friend tremble and start to shiver.
"Paul? Natsumi? Rena? Your word?" The girls faces bright red, both nodded not looking at Ban, Paul nodded once placing a coffee in front of Ban.
"Shido?" (silence) "Shido Fuyuki your word,... please." Ban whispered the last word.
"Huh snake for brains hearing you saw please twice is payment enough, so you have it, my word."
"Juubei Kakei?"
"Midou, I am honoured to be part of the ceremony, no one outside this room will hear a thing from me"
"Haruki Emishi?"
"I'm trying to think of something funny, but nothing tops that performance, wow. Sure you have the oath of a Rouran man."
"Kazuki Fuuchouin?"
"huh! the thread-master said with a smile. "You do know my real name, you say it well. I will keep your secrets Midou-kun"
"Thanks thread-spool", Bans eyes gleamed with humour for a second. Thosi..."
"No Ban Midou d..d… San. Please do not make sure a request of me." Uryu pushed forward, knelt to meet Ban's eyes. "You have made your preference clear, please do not question honour. You have to know my loyalty."
Ban's blue eyes, stared at the man before him for a second, a silent message passed between the two men and Ban nodded his head once. Uryu stood and walked back to stand beside Juubei.
"Kuroudo Akabane?" Akabane had now stood on the Ginji-less side of Ban, checking his pulse and temperature. He raised an elegant brow, "ne Midou, though Lady Poison is usually by partner on recovery, I am sure we come to an agreement. My silence... in exchange for you going to bed right now and not leaving until your pulse rate and blood pressure normalizes." Akabane said his eyes hardening in concern. A scalpel appeared in graceful fingers "You really can't afford to loose more blood Midou-kun, so I strongly suggest you shut and obey the Doctors (my) orders. We are leaving now. Ginji-Kun pick him up and bring him along please."
"Yes Akabane" Ginji said picking up Ban in a fireman's lift.
"Gin put me down arrrrhhhhh Akabane stop giving me orders... Awwww. Akabane stop okay okay .."
Ban's complaints faded as the three left the cafe.
No words were exchanged as the audience slowly dispersed, contemplating what they has seen and how it had effected them.
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End Chapter One.