Hey everyone! How goes it? ((That's my new phrase; I use it in school all the time.)) Ok... this chapter might seem a bit confusing at times... But at least you get to meet Crimson! Hope ya like him! ((I wrote a note to you, delia, b/c my compooper is being a little bitch and it won't let me e-mail you.))
To clari chan- Heck, I'm glad someone loves me. I usually don't get that, so you made my day. Any request you have for my fic, I'll take it. You made my gray day much brighter.
To lemur130- You'll find out what powers Ayaka has later. ((evil menacing grin)). But not in this chapter. Who knows... I might even kill her off just for the hell of it...
To Tsugath- Yay! A review!
To WhiteTopaz- Kissy cliffyhanger. Kissy cliffy. ((Say that five times fast!)) More kissing! Much more. Kissing is good for the soul.
To Phoenixtears4ever- I'm very pleased that you liked my chappie.
To Shirubaa Kitsuna- Okay... so this update wasn't exactly soon, but it's worth the wait.
To delia- ((Your note is at the end. Kinda long...))
To CrimsonTearsofPain- Hey! Part of your username is the name of Shuichi's demonic counterpart! How wicked is that?
To xunxin- Lol! Hold onto your joy, cuz here's the next chappie!
CHAPTER SIX:
RETRIBUTION, NOT REVENGE
Lord Yuki and Shuichi were sitting on the stairs alone. They had gotten all their lip-locking out of their system. For now. "Lord Yuki?" Shuichi asked, leaning forward slightly. "Do you know where Ryuichi is? Reiko told me… but I forgot…" I'm surprised I didn't get amnesia again! All I can remember is Lord Yuki's lips!
"I'll take you." Lord Yuki stood up quickly, pulling Shuichi to his feet as well. He pulled Shuichi in for another mind-blowing kiss. Shuichi moaned into the kiss happily and his fingers found Lord Yuki's hair. Lord Yuki abruptly broke off the kiss and stared down at Shuichi. "Does the alcoholic allow you to call her only by her first name?"
"Yeah, she said so last night when I met her!" Shuichi responded joyfully.
"Very well. You may call me by my first name as well." The blonde ran a hand through his hair. She must sense something in him… and I thought alcohol ruined all demon senses…I also thought that the alcoholic hated everyone. She can't even stand her own son… Come to think of it… when was the last time she and Sakuya (AN- Thanks Delia!) actually got along?
"Really? Yuki, Yuki, YUUUUUUUUUKI!" Shuichi squealed happily, latching himself onto Yuki's arm.
"Don't abuse your privilege." Yuki hit Shuichi on the head, in order to get him off. "Hurry up. Sakuma wants to see you." Yuki began walking down the hallway and Shuichi had no choice but to follow.
Yuki, Yuki, Yuki! Shuichi thought cheerfully, trailing along behind Yuki. Then he stopped dead in his tracks. "Yu… Yuki… Why did you kiss me? Won't you get in trouble?" He has to marry Lady Ayaka so the phoenixes and the demons will be able to fight together! Am I messing up an alliance? Oh no!
"What I do is my business." Yuki answered cryptically. (Say "cryptically" five times fast!) "And as for Ayaka, she already had an affair with another demon lord."
"Really? Who? Who?" Shuichi giggled curiously.
"Lord Nakano." Yuki replied emotionlessly. "Which was he wasn't at the celebration yesterday. For punishment, he had to spend the entire night locked in a cell. Tonight, it's her turn. Adultery is a serious crime; you know this. As a matter of fact, tomorrow I have to duel him for Ayaka."
"Why?" Shuichi frowned. "If she likes Lord Nakano, why can't she-"
"The only thing my old man cares about is comradeship. He doesn't care who he marries off, but the marriage must produce children. He told me I can split her skull open with the fires of Hell if I wanted to, but first I had to give him offspring." Yuki sighed openly. "So basically I have to keep her around until she has my kids and then she's gone."
"Oh. That seems… kind of heartless…" Shuichi shook his head.
"But she had to go and complicate things. Now the other demon lords are actually going to think I care about her feelings…" Yuki narrowed his eyes. "She's already three months pregnant."
"After you dump her, will she go to Lord Nakano?" Shuichi realized that Yuki stopped walking, so he stopped as well. Yuki pointed to the open door in front of Shuichi and began walking away. "Wait! Yuki! Will I see you again?"
"If you're not late for dinner." Was Yuki's reply as he walked away. Shuichi smiled softly and bounded into the open room. He found Ryuichi lying in a white bed, glaring out the window.
Shuichi sat down on Ryuichi's bed, but Ryuichi still refused to meet his eyes. "Come on, Ryuichi! You can't stay mad at me forever!" The glare Shuichi received from Ryuichi was almost enough to convince him.
"He's gone. That coward left last night as soon as he woke up." Ryuichi's angry blue eyes glowered at Shuichi. "I hope you're happy!"
"I'm not, Ryuichi. But you were wrong in your actions…" Shuichi sighed, scratching his pink hair in frustration. "If you had killed your father that night, it would have been a serious offense!"
"Oh. And I suppose you think your little love affair with Yuki isn't?" Ryuichi snapped back at Shuichi. "I warned you, you idiot! You're in too deep!"
"No, I'm not. And besides, I can take care of myself!" Shuichi crossed his arms over his chest crossly. "And why are you moping around in bed? I know your wounds are healed by now! Did Lord Tatsuha come to visit you yet?"
Hearing that name, Ryuichi's eyes widened. He sat up in bed and grabbed Shuichi by the front of his shirt. "Why would he?" He asked dangerously, ignoring the fear in Shuichi's eyes. How does he even know... That demon is NOTHING to me. Not anymore...
"Because… he was probably… worried…" Shuichi trailed off as he saw his father slowly materialize into the room. Ryuichi reluctantly let Shuichi go, under the glare of Lord Sakuya Shindou. "Morning, Father!"
"Good morning, Shuichi." Lord Sakuya settled his purple orbs on Ryuichi. "Since you're up and feeling better, get out of bed. Now that your father ran off, you have to carry out all of his duties. I've given you the day off, but tomorrow you start working."
"Why should I?" Ryuichi snapped darkly.
"Sakuma. Don't disrespect me." Lord Sakuya replied in the same tone. "Now then, Shuichi, I've seen how your good side has grown. I'd like to see how Crimson has grown as well. Don't be shy, off with the cross."
"Are you… sure?" But even as he said this, Shuichi's hands went around his cross. He slowly pulled it off. For the moment, he felt relieved. Once again, he could retreat to his sanctuary, where no one could hurt him. Shuichi was lost, lost in a faraway place where he didn't even exist.
Bright light filled up the entire room and a clinging sound was heard. Shuichi's cross clattered to the ground and the light disappeared. A tall young man with long blood red hair stood in Shuichi's place, looking around menacingly. He wore a blood red, hooded jacket and loose-fitting red pants.
"Nice to see you, pops." The man grinned, showing off his lethal fangs. He flexed his claws as if he was bored. "Hope you didn't forget my name. It's Crimson." His dark blue eyes glanced at Ryuichi. "What are you looking at, Sakuma? Upset that Shu-chan listened to his Daddy and not you?"
Ryuichi glared back at Crimson. "I'm not in the mood for your mouth." Ryuichi stood up, ready to leave. Crimson smirked in reply.
"Running away from your problems? Funny that seems like the type of thing Shuichi would do." Crimson turned to look at his father once again. "What do you want, anyway?"
"I would appreciate it if you wouldn't talk to me in that tone of voice." Lord Sakuya frowned visibly. "If I have to teach you respect, I will."
"I don't respect you. Shuichi does. It's as simple as that, pops." Crimson sneered at his father. "I'm Shuichi's negative side. Shuichi's my positive side. Neither of us plan on changing anytime soon. What, you think I should change my agenda just because Daddy-Dearest decided to come back in the picture? Where were you ten years ago?
"I'm not going to be as forgiving as Shuichi, old man. You'd better not forget that. Why should I respect you? Because of your negligence, my life was ruined! I lost my mother! And Shuichi lost his memory." Crimson turned away from his father. "I loathe you. What's so good about that alcoholic anyway? She's definitely not as beautiful as my mother. Her personality is embarrassing and appalling! What was so good about her that you had to leave my mother? She probably doesn't even love you!"
"You're right." Lord Sakuya sat down in the nearest chair. "It was an arranged marriage. Reiko and Ayaka are half-sisters. Their father is desperate to get allies anyway he can, because his clan is slowly dying out. He's quickly marrying off all his children and producing even more."
"Don't care." Crimson rolled his eyes, turning to Ryuichi. "Have you taken an oath of silence or something? If you had kept your anger under control, maybe you would have a chance to talk with your father."
"My father isn't as reasonable as yours." Ryuichi snapped.
"Ugh, God. Stop being such a baby." Crimson smiled knowingly. "I remember a time when you used to act like a baby. I remember when you had a personality just like Shuichi's. Whatever happened to that, Sakuma?" Ryuichi's hurt gaze didn't even faze Crimson. "Oh, I bet you wish I had amnesia, just like Shu-chan! I'm bringing up all kinds of painful memories, aren't I?"
"Shut up, Crimson!" Ryuichi's body trembled with anger.
"Don't you think he's been through enough?" Lord Sakuya cut in.
"I wouldn't be talking here. You didn't even apologize for ruining my life. And I'm sure you didn't apologize for ruining Sakuma's." Crimson scowled at his father. "What's the matter Sakuma? You look angry enough to hit me. Oh, that's right: You already did. I don't Yuki would be too happy if you hit me again."
Ryuichi's eyes widened and he covered his face with his hands. "God, why do you hate me so much, Crimson? I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" There were tears falling from Ryuichi's eyes as he sunk to the floor, holding his body close to him.
"Let me guess. This is the point where I burst into tears, hold you tight, and apologize profusely. In that case, I should let Shuichi back out." Crimson said coldly. "And stop your sniveling already! I don't hate you…"
"You could have fooled me…" Ryuichi snapped bitterly, wiping his tears away. "Do you enjoy hurting me? Does it please you?" Crimson for once, stayed silent. Ryuichi's bright eyes stared into Crimson's dark ones.
Crimson reluctantly sat down in front of Ryuichi. "I'm only saying this once Sakuma: I'm sorry. There, are you happy? You've finally reduced me to a regretful, filthy, guilty half-demon!" He rolled his eyes and wiped the rest of Ryuichi's tears from his cheeks. "You'll always be a father to me, Sakuma. Don't betray my trust by hurting Shuichi. God, now I'm a sappy, regretful, filthy, guilty half-demon…"
Ryuichi finally cracked a smile and his tears completely vanished. Crimson quickly stood up, helping Ryuichi to his feet. "Thank you, Crimson." Ryuichi smiled softly at the annoyed half-demon.
"Don't think I'm going to smile back." Crimson scowled at his father. "Can I leave now? Unless there's a fight going on, I don't feel like coming out."
"If Shuichi had let you out yesterday, would you have killed my father?" Ryuichi asked Crimson. Most likely… Crimson lusts for blood…
"Your father is your business. I wouldn't have let you kill him, either. It would have destroyed you. You've already lost so much because of him. We just got our freedom back, Sakuma. Why should we throw it all away for trivial things that don't matter? And as for Yuki and Shuichi… let them be. They both deserve happiness." And with that, Crimson put the silver cross back on and vanished.
After a great flash of light, Shuichi was standing there dumbly, looking around. "I'm still here? I thought Crimson would've taken off or something." He looked at Ryuichi. "Ryuichi, are you still mad at me? I'm really sorry!"
Ryuichi automatically opened his arms and Shuichi jumped in them. "I'm so glad you're not mad anymore!" Then Shuichi pulled away from him with a gasp. "Did Crimson convince you?"
"You'd be surprised how conniving he can be, in his own sadistic way." Ryuichi smirked, ruffling Shuichi's pink hair. "So… what now, Lord Sakuya?"
The demon lord could only stare at Shuichi in shock. "How could something… so evil be in my son?" Lord Sakuya was in shock. "My son, I am sorry that abomination has infected your body. I will get Reiko to find an exorcist to rid you of that fiend. Never again will he torture your soul."
"F-Father? What are you talking about?" Shuichi's amethyst orbs widened in astonishment. "I know Crimson can be really mean at times… but he can't help himself! Just like it's my nature to commend, it's his to condemn. We're complete opposites and we can't live without each other."
"You don't know what you're talking about, son. The evil in you has already started to take over your mind." Lord Sakuya shuddered, as if he thought Crimson was trying to take over him as well. "I will have it removed at once! No son of mine will be possessed!"
"He's not possessed, Lord Sakuya." Ryuichi ran a hand through his short hair. "Crimson is a part of Shuichi and Shuichi is a part of Crimson. You can't separate them like a pieces of a puzzle. It would destroy both of them."
"Nonsense!" Lord Sakuya fluttered his fingers and ice began shooting at Shuichi's cross. Shuichi instinctively dodged the ice and looked at Ryuichi fearfully. "Shuichi, hold still! I will destroy the cross and the evil that manifested itself in you will be gone forever!"
"No! No, you can't!" Shuichi was almost in tears. "Father, please stop! You don't understand! You can't take Crimson away from me!" Crimson and Ryuichi… they are my hope, my assurance, my strength. Without them… I'm nothing… I won't let him do this to me! He already did enough to harm me!
"Shuichi?" Ryuichi could sense a difference in Shuichi's aura. "What's wrong?" Shuichi put both hands on his cross, which began to emit blood red light.
Crimson, Crimson! I need you! Father is trying to kill you! Shuichi screamed in his mind, his eyes scrunched shut and his fingers clutching his cross as if it was his lifeline. Lord Sakuya began shooting ice shards at Shuichi. CRIMSON!
"I hear you, idiot." Crimson's bored voice said in Shuichi's head. "I was trying to sleep. Can't you handle this yourself? How did I ever end up with a weakling like- What the HELL is that old man doing? Alright, that does it! Shuichi, you know what we have to do. We're getting rid of the old man…"
"Together!" Shuichi's eyes flashed open. They were as red as Crimson's hair. His short pink hair had grown longer and thinner. "Old man, you're going down!" Every ice shard sent at Shuichi was immediately dissolved. The teen sprayed them all with boiling water and reduced them to vapor.
"Oh great… They fused." Ryuichi rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Lord Sakuya. When those two work together, I can't even beat them. Crimichi…" The being in question smirked wickedly and stuck his tongue out at Lord Sakuya.
"You can't?" Lord Sakuya was in shock. Every demon knew how strong Ryuichi was. For him to admit that a younger half-demon was stronger than him… That was insane. "You must've trained my son well. Too well…"
"I trained both of them too well. I wanted them to survive at all costs. I suppose I am their father, because compared to you, I actually cared about the two of them." Ryuichi narrowed his blue eyes.
Lord Sakuya sighed and closed his purple eyes. "Then I must get rid of them both. My son is suffering from a disease. That infestation, Crimson has taken over my son's mind, body, and soul. Crimson tainted my little boy."
"Crimson saved your little boy!" Ryuichi exploded with anger, and there was blue fire around him to prove it. "Crimson needs Shuichi and Shuichi needs Crimson! Crimson is not an infestation or a disease. He never tainted anyone! How can you make up warped ideas about someone you don't even know?"
"Go ahead, old man… try and kill us." Crimichi sneered, showing off his lethal fangs. "I'll to send you to your grave, just as you sent my mother to hers!"
"Who said I was going to do it?" Lord Sakuya cleared his throat. "Yuki! Lord Yuki, I convene you!" Crimichi could only stare in shock as Yuki himself materialized in the room. He took one look at Crimichi and smirked slightly. "You will do away with this atrocity that used to be my son, Lord Yuki."
"If you hadn't been so negligent with your family, your son wouldn't be an atrocity." Yuki crossed his arms over his chest and glowered at Lord Sakuya.
"Now there is a pot calling the kettle black…" Lord Sakuya's eyes flashed red. "If I recall, it was you and your brother who-" He broke off as a fireball smacked him right in the face. He glared angrily at Ryuichi, who was responsible for the fire. "The audacity! I am your superior!"
"Respect is not given; it is earned. You are no better than my own father, who feared my power. Will you have your son killed because he is different?" Ryuichi was seething mad. "It is your fault that your son turned out this way."
"Do not call me negligent, Sakuya." Yuki uttered ominously. "I am nothing of the sort." His eyes found Ryuichi's and they shared a knowing look.
What does Yuki have to do with… Crimichi frowned. The physical bond between Crimson and Shuichi was broken. Why? Because one side of Crimichi knew what their father was talking about, but the other side did not. In a flash of bright white light, Shuichi was left kneeling down and panting hard.
Crimson was floating in the air. He was only a floating soul now, momentarily hovering over Shuichi. Crimson's soul hurriedly zipped inside Shuichi's cross and the pink-haired teen was now strong enough to stand up.
Shuichi shook his pink hair and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about that. I just got… so angry. And Crimson actually..." Crimson used to hate fusing. He either calls me a wimp or advises me to let him take over if I ever ask him for help during a fight. But it's unusual for him to readily propose to fuse.
"It's easier for you to fuse with him." Ryuichi sighed. "You're going to be seen as a threat. In your fused state, you give off a lot of demon energy. Just about everyone in the mansion is going to want to know who the strong demon was."
"Why does that make him a threat?" Yuki arched an eyebrow. Shuichi sauntered over to Yuki and timidly grasped onto his arm. Yuki looked down at him, but said nothing.
"Shuichi is a half-demon. Everything he does sets a precedent for other half-demons out there. Especially since he's the son of an eminent demon lord." Ryuichi sighed running his fingers through his hair. "If anyone finds out about your fusion technique, every other half-demon will want an 'alternate personality'."
"They're too much trouble…" Lord Sakuya muttered. It almost seemed as if he had forgotten about his anger. "Someone rounded up a radical group of half-demons in all three realms and I have to clean up after their destruction."
"Umm… Yu-Yuki?" Shuichi was blushing slightly. The demon in question turned his cold gaze on the smaller boy. "I was wondering if… if you wanted to train with me later…"
Yuki smirked in reply. "I trust I don't need your permission to take your boy out to train." Oddly enough, while Yuki said this to Lord Sakuya, he was actually looking right at Ryuichi.
"Fine." Ryuichi and Lord Sakuya said simultaneously. Then they looked at each other in an aggravated manner.
"Can we leave now?" Shuichi said in a whining voice, sensing the tension between Ryuichi and his own father. In response, Yuki basically dragged him out of the room and down the hallway. "Yuki? Where are we going to train?"
"Do you honestly want to fight me?" Yuki leered down at Shuichi.
"Well… later I suppose. I already fought my brother; I don't want to fight anyone else." Shuichi smiled brightly at Yuki. "Thanks for spending time with me! I don't care what we do!" Yuki, Yuki, Yuki! Yuki- Why is he looking at me like that? He's so... beautiful!
Yuki stopped walking at this comment. He turned and gazed down at Shuichi curiously, as if scrutinizing the smaller boy. Shuichi felt nervous so he did the only thing that came to his mind. He jumped up on Yuki and kissed him right on the lips.
Yuki stumbled back from the acquired weight ((Shuichi)), but expertly wrapped his arms around the boy's small, slim waist. Shuichi's hands went around Yuki's neck. And imagine, all this movement without breaking the stupefying kiss.
I'm good at multi-tasking! Shuichi thought happily as he submissively opened his mouth. How many times have I done this soullessly, only because I had to? Now… I'm doing this completely for me. For my… happiness.
Shuichi moaned as Yuki's warm, wet tongue began investigating his mouth. Let's just say… twisting does not have to refer to the usage of words. But unfortunately, both males needed to breathe. So regrettably, the tongue twisting fest ended quite abruptly.
"Wow…" Shuichi's eyes were closed and he was gasping for air. Yuki said nothing and put his chin on top of Shuichi's pink hair. He loved being in Yuki's safe embrace. For once it wasn't Ryuichi making him feel stress-free.
"You surprised me. I didn't expect you to be a proficient kisser." Yuki gently place Shuichi on the ground. "Did you practice on Ryuichi?"
"Yes and no." Shuichi opened one purple eye. "And Yuki… I'd rather not tell you about the 'no' part. I'll tell you eventually… I promise."
"I understand. You may ask me a question." Yuki nodded promptly and began to walk down the hallway again. Shuichi trailed after him, thinking of what to ask Yuki. They walked up some steps.
"Hmmm… tell me something about your family." Shuichi's eyes widened in excitement. "I want to know all about them! It's only fair… because you know all about mine…" I know that Lord Tatsuha is his younger brother and his father is the devil. Wow… that's a lot to live up to. If he has to be the devil one day… will he have to live in Hell forever? Will I able to visit? Will our… whatever is going on between us… even reach that far? I never thought that love at first sight actually existed. But now… now I want Yuki around more than anything.
"Interesting questioning." Yuki concurred. "Very well. My father is commonly referred to as Lord Lucifer. He sometimes works for days without any rest. He took over for the last Lord Lucifer five centuries ago. He believes that only the first-born child had importance in the family, be it male or female. I happened to be the first-born child.
"My father began my training as soon as I could crawl. He did not allow me to interact with lesser demons, humans, or angels. I was to follow him everywhere and memorize what he did. Because one day… I will be the next Lord Lucifer. I will have to carry out the legacy of the devils before me." Yuki stopped walking. The two were now outside Shuichi's room. They turned to each other tentatively.
Ok! Another cliffy, but I kinda ran out of ideas. Who should I pair Crimson with? Hmmm... Suggestions, anyone? Chapter 7: The Official Emotional Rollercoaster Chapter! Chaos in the Demon Realm and Down Below! Shuichi learns more about his past through Reiko. Will he be able to take the truth? And later, Ayaka confronts Shuichi. What does she know?
Ummm... I'm not sure if my e-mail is working... so could you try and e-mail me, Delia?
Hello, Delia!
I decided to e-mail you, b/c my screen name nothing like my user name. Just so I don't confuse you, ya know? Anyway, I was thinking about your suggestion of giving me outfits and frankly, I think that's a great idea! But, I'd like to wait to use the outfits until after Lord Sakuya's (lol) birthday celebration is over.
Cuz, think about it. You're a prominent demon lord, one of the highest in the demon society. Do you really want all of your colleagues and rivals to see your first-born son walking around like a slut? Lol. So after my next chappie, I'd love to take you up on your offer.
