The Endless Night fell within a few hours, although many lives were lost on both sides. Inu-Tiffy had been drained dry, and Jefe had expended his life-energy weaving a Death Song for his enemies once she had. Ellie was in critical condition - poisoned by a magician's blade. She was carried home on Chichiri's back. Mars and Shooter had sustained minor injuries, but it was their new companion who surprised everyone. They had taken her from Sera when they had killed the mistress of Endless Night.
She was a little girl, around five, with flame red curls, Shinju's face – complete with Barbie-doll nose, full little lips, rosy cheeks and pointy little chin - and Genro's eyes. Ellie had been able to tell that she had been aged by magick, she shouldn't even have been born yet.
Genro was exhausted, wounded and worst of all...alone. Shinju was nowhere to be found. His heart stopped when he saw Mai. He couldn't believe it. He wept, openly. Shinju was gone; he had no support and a little girl that didn't even look to him as 'daddy'. To the flame-haired King, all hope was lost.
Mai just looked up at him, before sitting down. In the blood from one of the corpses, she wrote 'Shin.' Mars blinked a minute.
"Mai, what're you trying to say?" The brunette asked, looking between Mai and Genro. The little girl looked up at her stubbornly, before writing out the characters for 'Shin' again. Mars's eyes widened.
"Hon?" Shooter asked, looking at her. Mars ran a hand through her hair.
"I know where Shinju is...that little bitch sold her to Tomo."
"Wha...?"
"'Shin' is the name of Tomo's shell!"
Mai rolled her eyes like it had been obvious. She had the attitude of a cat for the most part, that she was a higher being than the rest of them and that anything she did was the right thing, and that was what she was supposed to do.
He heard the news, but he was so drained. It had been months it seemed. "So...now, we gotta find Tomo...great. I'm going to go...lay down." He said and walked off.
Chichiri came out of another room. He had been working on the other Witch for hours, praying and…there were tear-streaks on his cheeks where he had been crying. "Well, Ellie is going to pull through, thank God. She...said she couldn't wait to see me..." He blushed a little bit, before Genro brushed past him.
Mars was about to yell at Genro to take his daughter with him, but she stopped herself, looking down at the bloody child. "What, Chichiri?" she looked over at him, "Sorry, I...missed it..." She sighed, "What about Ellie?"
"She'll be fine." Shooter looked around, shaking his head. "Damnit, How're we gonna find Tomo? Knowing our luck, he's on the other side of the world." He winced as Mars elbowed him in the side with a glare.
Chichiri looked towards Mai. "You don't believe that he's your father, do you?"
"Look, goddamnit, I'm tired of people askin' me that." Mai growled, and the other two almost jumped at the ferocity in her tone, not to mention the language tripping from her dainty little bow mouth. "I don't know, and I really don't give a shit. He just fuckin' bugs me is all."
The monk looked at her deadpan. "Yeah, you're his kid alright. You got the same piss-poor attitude he gets when he's angry, almost as bad as your mom."
Her arms crossed over her chest. "Bite me, monk." She muttered, glaring away from him with a flip of her red curls.
He shrugged and gave her a nibble on the hand. "Don't ask if you don't want it. I'm going to finish up with Ellie. Mars, Mai needs to spend time with her father. Genro shouldn't be alone right now, he's suicidal. I can tell."
Mars sighed and nodded. "Chichiri...just..." She sighed, unsure of what really to say, except, "...thanks." She stepped forward, picking up the tiny, screaming redhead. "C'mon, munchkin."
"PUT ME DOWN! I SAID PUT ME DOWN, GODDAMNIT! I'LL FUCKIN' KILL YOU!" Mai screamed and struggled like a little wildcat all the way to Genro's room. Mars seemed to have endless patience with the little brat, knocking briefly on Genro's door to make sure he was decent before walking in and gently dropping Mai on the end of the bed.
"Exactly what the fuck am I supposed to do with her, Mars?"
"Chichiri said to spend time with her. Maybe you can teach her about bad language."
"Oh, fuck off." Mai rolled her eyes, before glaring at Genro, "Like he's not gonna teach me anything I don't already know."
"Jesus, this brat has a mouth on her...do we even fuckin' know if she's mine...?"
The entire castle rolled their collective eyes.
"The fuckin' monk says so. I think there's somethin' wrong with his goddamn head." Mai grumbled, before glaring back at Genro, "So, if you like this girl, my mom, so much...what the hell are ya gonna do if she's into this Tomo guy, huh?"
"Who, Chichiri? Something is wrong with his head. As far as your...mom...goes...well obviously I have to get her ass back, don't I?"
Mai grinned a little. "You ready to fight for her?" She asked, leaning forward onto her stomach, watching him. Her red curls fell, framing an almost duplicate of Shinju's pretty face.
Genro leaned back with a smile on his face. "Wouldn't be caught dead doin' anything else, Mai. Shinju...er...your mom and I made her ass a promise....and I'm going to get my Queen back."
"Good." Mai jumped up, her little body lighting up like the Human Torch, a devious glint in her eyes, "'cause I'm goin' with ya. Dumbass Tomo ain't gonna know what hit him."
"Hah...nice try, Sparky. We don't know what your powers are yet and besides, no Princess of Bandits is going around with me wearing that Endless Night crap."
Mai growled. Glaring up at him. "I'm going, whether you want me to or not, Dad." The word was ground out with utmost sarcasm, "She's my mom. Besides, he fuckin' brainwashed her, you don't know how to fix it."
Genro sat up and glared right back at her. "Look, daughter, if I say you ain't goin', you ain't goin! Besides, what the hell do you think I have Chichiri for?"
"His powers don't work in Seiryuu territory, dumbass!" Mai shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm goin', and that's the end of it."
"No, you aren't."
"Yeah, I am."
Chichiri opened the door. "Actually, you're both staying here. God knows the men couldn't handle the two of you on the road like this...ya know?" He locked and fireproofed the doors and windows.
Mai blinked, staring at the door a moment. She could hear Shooter laughing, and that got her mad. Her little fists clenched, teeth ground together as she slammed her fist into the wall...
...and blew a hole in it.
Genro shook his head. "You know what, squirt...you're alright. Let's fuckin' go."
Mai blinked a sec, then shrugged, running off down the hall.
Shin lay there on his bed, red hair flowing across his pillows with his cheek on Edward's shoulder. Limp as a kitten that had been running all day. "I got you something." He murmured, kissing the other boy's neck.
Edward's body melted underneath the soft kisses. "Mmm...Oh, honey, you being ok is enough..."
"I know...I just saw it and thought of you..." Carefully, Shin shifted, reaching over Edward and under the edge of his bed. Finally, he pulled out a beautifully crafted opium pipe, of ebony with blue dragons over it. "Here, sweety. I got it special." He grinned.
His eyes widened like a kid at Christmas, "Shin...it's beautiful! Where did you even find something like this?"
"Music Matters. You know, that nice little place where I used to buy all my incense? Well, they're goin' outta business, so I figured I'd buy that now, instead of waiting for your birthday." He kissed Edward's cheek. "you're welcome."
"No...I think I should really thank you, Shin," Edward said, smiling coyly and disappearing under the sheets.
Shin blinked a second, before giggling and shaking his head. "You don't have to, ya know..." He assured, although a little half-heartedly.
Edward undid Shin's pants and took his manhood into his hand and gently started to stroke his wrists. "Oh, I know I don't. But, I guess I'm just naughty that way..."
The redhead's eyes widened a minute, and he gave a strangled groan as he felt himself go rock hard. It was only a little touch, he knew that but…well, he had always been a little overly-sensitive. A fact that his lover like to take full advantage of whenever he could.
Edward took his other hand and started to gently massage the rest of his manliness as his mouth enveloped the tip of Shin's manhood.
His eyes rolled back in his head. "Ed...ward..." He whispered, his fingers wrapping in his lover's hair. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop a little moan.
After all, no one knew when his mom got home from work.
Edward bobbed up and down faster and faster, even gently forcing Shin's manhood all the way to the back of his throat. He removed the covers and looked up at his lover. "Enjoy me, Shin...that's all I want..."
His eyes slowly opened as he gently caressed Edward's hair. "Of course I...ahhh....I enjoy you, Edward....God, Edward..." His eyes closed again, his back arching a little, "You're all I ever...mmm...I ever wanted out of life..."
"Shin...make love to me..." He always begged so sweetly. Shin could never resist.
Shin smiled, kissing Edward gently. "If that's what you want..." He blinked, hearing the front door slam shut. "...damn." He ran a hand through his hair, "Mom must be home already."
"Then I guess you'll have to be quiet, won't you," Edward asked, pulling the covers back up and disappearing again.
Shin chuckled, ducking under the covers. "You're the one I'm worried about." He teased, nipping at Edward's neck. "You're always the loud one."
"Only because you're so large," he said, mounting Shin sideways. "MMmm...sssseeee....so large..."
"Ahhh...Edward..." Shin breathed softly, before he heard an unfamiliar voice.
"...See, Dad? I told ya she was into Tomo now."
"SHIN...WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?"
Shin actually fell out of bed, staring at two redheads - one a little girl and one a fabulously good-looking young man. "...who the hell...?" He asked, shocked as he grabbed the corner of his sheets and sitting on the side of his bed. He blinked, his head clearing before he started to remember. "Tasuki?" He asked quietly, remembering that he'd had an ex named Tasuki, that had looked just like this young man here. His eyes widened. "CHRIST, TASUKI! WHAT'RE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"We found Tomo's ragged body in an old opium parlor halfway around the world from Reikaku. Apparently he can only exist in his shell, Shin now, right, Tomo?"
"I don't know whom you're referring to..." Edward put a slightly possessive hand on Shin's shoulder, pulling him back towards the edge of the bed.
"Tasuki, get out of my house. I know you're jealous and all, but Edward and I have a good thing." Shin's fist clenched, although something in his body rebelled against sending the redhead away, "Please, leave. And take your little sister with you."
Genro and Mai looked at each other with a confused look, the very same confused look...then back to Shin.
"Little sister...Shinju, this is your daughter."
"Shinju?" Shin reached into his bed, pulling on his pants before stepping forward, "Tasuki, you're not high again, are you?" He asked. The little girl, Mai, rolled her eyes.
"He's got her all drugged up." She growled at 'Edward'. "She not only thinks that she's a natural boy, but that he's her boyfriend."
The red-haired bandit looked to Mai. "Yeah. Hey, you want to handle the freak while I talk to your...mom...?" He wasn't really sure what to call her now, since she was a guy.
"Sure..." Mai muttered, before adding something to the effect of 'I always get the freak' under her breath. She stepped towards the bed, glowing red. A bolt of flame shot out from her hand.
Shin stepped in front of it. The ball of fire hit him in the chest, his form wavering from male to female, back and forth, before finally settling on male again. But, there wasn't a scratch on him.
"Shit, I missed." Mai hissed.
Genro laughed. "Rookie mistake." He picked up Shin and jumped out the window, yelling back, "Try it now, daughter!"
"PUT ME DOWN!" Shin struggled, beating at Tasuki with his fists, "PUT ME DOWN, DAMNIT! YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE ME LIKE THIS!"
"Not take you? HONEY THAT'S WHAT I DO," Genro yelled as he landed. "Or have you truly forgotten..." He took off the necklace Shinju gave him, "...us?"
Shin stared at it with wide eyes, form wavering again before it finally stopped on female. Her eyes widened again as she looked up at him. "Genro...?" She asked, her fingers touching the necklace, before she looked back at him. "...is that really you, or is it just another one of Tomo's illusions?"
Genro kissed her fiercely, tears running down his cheeks. "Does that feel like a fuckin' illusion? I made you a promise, didn't I...hell or fuckin' high water...well...here I am."
Her eyes widened, before she hugged him tightly. "God...Genro, I...I'm so sorry..." She whispered her voice shaky, before she looked up at him, tears in her eyes, "I think I'm turning into one of those girls...who needs to walk around with her own ransom note..." She gave a weak little laugh, before all traces of mirth vanished. "Oh my god...Genro, they...while I was under...they took Mai..."
"Oh don't worry about that..." 'Edward' flew from the window, "She's right there, honey."
She blinked, looking at the little girl who hopped out the window.
"Hi, Ma." Mai gave a little wave, with that reckless grin. Shinju pulled herself away from Genro, hitting her knees and pulling the child into her embrace. Mai was actually silent a few minutes...before she started to cry.
"Mommy, I missed you. I was so scared when they took me..."
"I know, baby, I know. Mommy's not gonna let anything hurt you."
"I thought they killed you."
"Shhh...don't cry, baby...shhh..." Shinju stood, softly rocking her child.
Genro's eyes left the scene and turned to Tomo, who was trying to crawl away. "Ladies, you go on back now. Chichiri, Ellie and Mars are holding Shin open. Tomo and I need to...talk."
"Mai, go home, baby." Shinju set her child down, "I want to...talk with Tomo as well." She pulled off Genro's coat without a word, pulling it onto her previously naked top-half. Mai blinked a second, hiccupping before nodding and disappearing. Shinju stepped over to Genro's side, sliding her hand into his. "You still owe me that spanking." She whispered.
"Damn right I do...and this is the little rat bastard that kept us from that."
Tomo continued to crawl. "Mistress! You promised!"
Shinju stepped forward, driving her foot into the small of his back. "Hate to break it to you, Tomo, but your mistress is dead." She put a little more weight on her foot. "In a minute, you're going to wish you were, too."
He smiled that evil smile that had always given Shinju nightmares, "You think...she's dead...? You think...she just took Mai and did nothing with her? HA! Fools..."
Now, she was gonna get rid of this nightmare. Shinju smirked, stomping harder on Tomo's back. "That's where you're wrong, shell-boy." She burst into flames, "She was pledged to Akuma before she was born, before I ended up in your…'tender care'." She looked over her shoulder at Genro, "Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart, did you want to play?" She asked, stepping away from Tomo.
"Oh no baby," he said kissing her on the cheek. "He's all yours."
"Akuma won't save you or her! Your vision will still come true, Shinju! Mai will still die!"
That whipped her back into reality, as Shinju's flames went brighter and she grabbed him by the hair. "How do you know about that?" She snarled. Before, she laughed. "My visions don't always come true, remember?" Her eyes went bright red, but her flames went blue. "You dare threaten the blessed flame, the Princess of Bandits?" She asked, her voice echoing slightly.
Tomo spit in her face. "I have no need to threaten, my mistress will avenge all. And you, your pathetic husband, your petulant child and your impotent Akuma will ALL DIE!"
The spittle never reached her skin, evaporating in the flames around her. She leaned in close to his ear. "...you have chosen death." She whispered, almost melancholy before she thrust him aside. She changed briefly to Shin, still watching him before Tomo ignited. It was five seconds before he was ash, but those five seconds would seem like an eternity. Finally, Shin returned to his female state, her eyes closing as she fell backwards, unconscious.
Genro picked up his Queen and walked out of the crumbling illusion into the run down opium den. The corpeslike body of Tomo started to wither in front of everyone.
Mai shuddered a minute, standing with her hand in Mars's free one. "Is she okay?" Mai asked, looking at her mother.
Ellie nodded. "She'll be alright, she just needs to sleep and eat something." She patted Mai's red curls, before looking at Chichiri. With one of those looks, like she was asking for one of her very own.
Chichiri smiled. "Heh...you are a really beautiful girl you know that?"
Ellie just blushed a minute, looking up at the ceiling. Mai wrinkled her nose.
"Gross. Get a room; if you guys are gonna be spreadin' cooties."
Genro swatted Mai in the behind. "Quiet, you...let's go home."
"OW! Hey! That fuckin' hurt!" She snapped at him, before crossing her arms and stomping off in front of the others. Ellie just moved over to Chichiri, looking at Mai.
"You know, you didn't have to bite her earlier." She pointed out.
Chichiri laughed. "No, no I didn't, but the little tyke seems to like me now. But I guess...since everything is over, we can finally talk about...you and me..."
Ellie smiled at him. "Hey, hey. I agree with that little tyke, let's at least get home before we start spreading cooties."
Chichiri laughed again, "I just want to talk is all...dirty girl..."
"Yeah, yeah, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure..." Ellie shook her head, laughing at him, "You don't WANT to just talk, but you will, 'cause you don't want to scare me away."
