Chapter 25 to Of Angels and Demons
Author's Note: I'm back! So sorry for the terribly long update. I just started writting again after the 1st of the year. Hasn't been easy with the curve balls my life has been, but I'm gonna try to get weekly or sooner updates on here for you all again. I was glad when I finally finished this chapter, it was about halfway done when I stopped and numerous times I'd tried to finish without any luck. But here I am, with it finally finished. I hope its satisfactory, I've lost some of my train of thought for the story so I might have to dig up so new things, sorry if it takes a different turn than what you guys want. If anyone has any suggestions, PLZ, tell me I'm more than willing to do anything you like =). I'm also going to tell you guys, because of the difficulties with my life right now I've created an outlet for myself in another fic I'm trying to write. Its about 3-4chapters right now, so nothing big but I'm gonna put it up on here soon. I'm warning you though, this fic isn't for the weak or queasy, it is a very DARK fic. But I can't have it staying that way so it will get better and have a happy ending, I have it all planned out. Its a Weiss Kreuz (Knight Hunters) Fic so if anyone likes that anime as much as I then check it out when I post it. It revolves around the luscious Aya (Ran). Well thats all from me for right now, if anyone has questions or anything send me a tell, I love talking to you guys. =)
Warnings: Violence, adult themes, swearing
Disclaimer: To my misery I do not own Ban or Ginji or any of the wonderful characters of Get Backers. The idea and additional characters are mine though.
25
There was nothing natural about it, nothing suggestive or understandable to ease the numbing tingles rushing like ants back and forth through his head. For days now, weeks possibly, he'd lost track of the amount of time that he'd felt these crazy feelings if that was indeed what they were, he'd tried to grasp some sort of hold on himself. Attempted to come to terms with the feral overpowering hunger that came with being within his presence. It was as addictive as the raging animals making up the genealogy of his existence. He'd lost control of himself already once with the brunette, and the touch of his silken lips still haunted him, nagged at the back of his mind each time he looked upon that dark haired, unfamothably alluring man. He was too beautiful for a man, far too tempting, even Ginji hadn't made him into such a sniveling mess.
He exhaled a long breath as he leaned back, his arms crossing against another as he rested back against the roof, staring up into the dark skies as the dawn just began to crust over the horizon, turning the midnight blues and violets into faint pinks and oranges. Several of his birds had risen earlier upon sensing his unease and were fluttering gracefully above him, cooing soft soothing words to try to dissuade him. As if he didn't already know that this sensation pulling him toward Ban wasn't dangerous, the brunette had clearly made him aware where he stood. On the edge of a cliff breaking off to plummet toward a ground that would never come. And then there was Ginji, the blonde knew he was lusting after Ban now. He'd been an idiot and tested the ex-emperors resolve and had only discovered that Ginji would likely kill him if he even dared to glance at Ban a wrong way. He hadn't had the honor to hear what would happen if he should touch or even try to remove any form of clothing from Ban's graceful unnaturally soft tasty body.
He arched up with a growl to rub his hands through his hair in frustration. God damn it, what the fuck is this! Why! Of all people, why him! He stopped his wild rubbing to stare blankly at his thick thighs, his breath freezing for the moment as he carefully began to come upon a possibility he dreaded. "The witch … did she—"
A sharp whistle drew his pale gaze toward the dark earth, squinting at the figure standing within the slumbering pile of his animals beneath the big oak tree behind Madoka's house. He gasped as she waved at him, finally recognizing that long fluttering golden hair shimmering in the rising sunlight and boring amethyst eyes grinning up at him.
"Hello handsome." She grinned. "Have I caught you at a bad time?"
Her heels echoed through the chamber as she passed through one stream of light to the next, stepping over one thick coil of wire and the next til she stood before the massive mainframe of computers. Deep olive eyes glanced slowly from one glowing screen to the next before she hoisted her arms, dark arcs of electricity pulsing along her thin arms to curl like snakes all along her figure to spring forward and explode through the fragile technology. She continued to watch the now flashing screens, turning from one distorted jumping image to the next, searching futilely to start throwing the hundreds of computers across the room with a scream. She, however, stopped suddenly when one image shifted from a dark corner street to a gapping expanse of metal and sky. Her long dark curls bounced as she moved closer, her head tipping to the side as she peered through the area to grin at the arc burned into a mess of steel and concrete.
"There it is."
The dozens of remaining computers collapsed to the floor in crashing exploding piles as she turned to start back through the chamber, her shadow spreading across the floor like massive skeletal wings.
The dark skies were fading into a deep blue as the rising sun cast waves of red and yellow over the world, stretching across the city still slumbering contently around the Get Backers new apartment. Ban peered into the kaleidoscope of color with mild interest, his mind miles off on circumstances that both confused and angered him. He'd woken up, believing it was still the second coming upon third month of being with Himiko and Yamato to discover he was not only close to becoming an adult, which in itself opened up a whole new deal of problems he wasn't ready to deal with (still a kid for christssake), but he'd murdered the man that had made him feel safe again and given him a part of everything he had. How was he supposed to deal with this! No Yamato, no Asclepius, Korlera was hot on his trail; Himiko hated possibly wanted to kill him, the witch was hot on his trail. He was helpless, defenseless, and had no knowledge of the years that had brought him to this alien time, age, and body. Everything felt so wrong.
He shifted slightly and drew his arms up to pillow beneath his head. "Can I ask . . . just what you're allowed to tell me?"
A deep exhale drifted into the soft whistle of the awakening city. "I don't know . . ." Ginji stated. "All I can really tell you are things that we've done over the past couple years. You didn't talk much about things before that."
His main inquiry died on his tongue. "I thought you knew me pretty well . . . was that just a ploy to get me to stay where you wanted?"
The blonde tensed beside him. "No."
Ban smirked, not at all believing the soft denial. "Sure."
Ginji rolled slowly from his side to sit up and peer down at Ban's dark face and the frustrated creases. "I know this must be really hard for you Ban—"
"You know nothing."
"I can't say I understand," Ginji continued, "how could I . . . so I won't. But I do understand loss. I understand the guilt and shame that comes with the burden of hurting people you love—"
"I'm sure."
"Stop that!" Ginji shouted to grasp Ban's wrist as the brunette tensed. "Badgering and mocking me feel better? Does it lessen the pain you're feeling or help to hinder the guilt?"
Ban twisted his arm free to scoot out from beneath the blonde now looming over him. "What the fuck do you know?" He snarled furiously. "What do you know about guilt, about pain!"
"I grew up in the Limitless Fortress," Ginji frowned, trying to let his boiling rage cool, this was the only person in the world he couldn't risk hurting. He'd die first.
"So that makes you instantly knowledgeable?"
"Don't mock me! You have no idea what growing up there was like. I lost all my friends in raids. I hurt and killed hundreds of people, evil or innocent, on my rampages! Believe it or not you are not the only person damned Ban-chan! I've experienced horrors to. I've lost the only person in the world that has meant anything to me! So forgive me for trying to help lessen your pain, to try to help you understand a little!"
Ban stared at him to turn away slowly, his lips tightening in annoyance. "You still don't understand . . ."
"No," Ginji frowned, "you're right. I prolly don't. Stupid Ginji doesn't get anything. But at least I try." His pulse jumped into his throat, his hand moved quickly and seized Ban's chin, turning those beautiful eyes. He let himself lower further over the smaller man, his body heating with the desire coursing over him, the temptation. He'd never craved his partner's touch with such vigor, never wished to taste his lips and skin so desperately. Ban was intimidating and sexy as hell when he was angry. "You hold me at arm's length Ban, keep me in the dark and let me fall when these sort of things come out of your closet. Man up to your past, admit you need someone's help."
Ban stared at him with nearly hooded eyes to drop them with a weary exhale, his breath easing softly across Ginji's almost trembling hand. "My life and suffering coincide." He grasped Ginji's hand and slowly drew it aside, peering slowly at the tanned skin.
Ginji continued to stare down at him, hit with the whirlwind of Ban's emotions and as always was left dumbfounded. "What do you mean?" He'd gone from raging colossal to vulnerable child in the fraction of a second. He was a seductress.
"I am damned by my birthright," he breathed deeply, slipping his fingers experimentally through Ginji's and unknowingly sending a shockwave through the blonde's nerves. "As long as my blood runs they will come seeking. From everywhere. Korlera's just the beginning." He whispered toward the end. "And you want to be my shield against her . . .?" He scoffed sardonically to glance away, "Yamato had tried protecting me from her to."
"I'm not Yamato, Ban." Ginji frowned.
"You're right," he sighed brokenly, relaxing his hold on Ginji's hand. "He had at least stood a chance . . ."
He tried not to let the implication sink home, tried not to dwell on the comparison, but he'd known deep down that Ban had been closer to his deceased friend than he implied and there had been a possible lustful connection between the both of them as well. It frustrated him to no end, being compared wasn't in itself a bad thing if this Yamato was a pretty cool guy, but to think Ban could've been assessing him in the same manners seriously wounded his pride now that he thought about it. He was the single guardian of the Limitless Fortress' slums, was the only one that had stood a chance to the monsters plaguing her lower sectors, hundreds of people had flocked toward his light, had depicted him as a savior. Why was it that he seemed to be forever chasing this man beneath him? Why couldn't he have his happily ever after with this beautiful creature, without the worries of people coming between them, alive or dead.
He let the hand Ban had been examining fall to the cool cement beside the brunette's shoulder, supporting his weight as he leaned closer, looming over him with purpose and numerous naughty lustful desires. "I am tired of you underestimating me." He breathed heavily to move his other hand under the edges of Ban's chocolate bangs. "I am not some weak naïve person you can mock and cast aside because I'm not the right kind of protector. So I have no witch heritage, so there's not the tiniest bit of magical quality within my veins—I don't need it to protect you."
"You're gonna need something more than what you have," Ban sighed to grunt when his arms were seized and hauled above his head. "What're you—" his eyes brightened at the rain of electricity arching across the roof, springing and hissing angrily off the tense shoulders of the transforming blonde before him. He watched with curious bafflement as the blazing light made the blonde's hair stand further on end, spiking to deadly dangerous points. The curiosity drew his hand forward, had his fingers trembling in the heat wave radiating from the snapping electricity to ease his sensitive tips across the smooth strands. Ban's gasp had Ginji's sparking hand seizing his wrist, holding him entirely still and immobile beneath him. The electricity's light cast shadows across his pale complexion, illuminating bit by bit of his enamored expression. Pale golden orbs stared down into Ban's baffled cobalts, searching slowly through their bright depths as he searched as well through his shimmering orbs.
"How . . . Ginji?"
Raitei continued to turn his gaze slowly along Ban's beautiful face, memorizing the tantalizing features that made your knees turn to instant pudding. He lowered himself til he was resting chest to chest with his lover, eyes fluttering as he felt the slight chill rise through the fabric of their clothes.
"I told you," his voice echoed in the crackle of his angry volts. "I'd do whatever it took to protect you. Even become a monster."
Ban lurched up and back, slapping away the crackling volts and hand reaching for him, shaking his head in denial to narrow his eyes. "Stop!"
Raitei froze, his pale eyes peering at his panting partner, watching the trembles traveling across every inch of Ban's figure. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"Whatever you've done," Ban panted, "take it back."
Raitei's eyes narrowed. "Take it back? I must protect you."
"I don't want you like this," Ban snarled to push to his feet, shaking slightly. "I don't want you being something you loath just to satisfy me; I won't have that on my conscious. Change back!"
"It isn't flipping a switch Ban," Raitei breathed while pushing to his feet as well. "You did know that at one time. I am every part of Ginji as he is of me. I'm simply the stronger half, overpowered and unconquered."
"Change back!" Ban fumed to take a steady step back.
"There is no going back til you are freed of this witch's clutches. I will not rest til she is ash beneath my feet." Raitei vowed while he continued stalking toward his partner. "I will shield and protect you as I swore; I cannot let anything happen to you Ban."
Ban eased backwards across the roof as he attempted to keep distance between the glowing blonde's advances to grunt as he suddenly smacked into the stairwells wall. "I don't want this attention." He shook his head slowly to press against the wall as Raitei paused before him. He sucked in a deep breath as a crackling hand extended to settle beside his shoulder. "I don't want whatever this is from you!"
Raitei's eyes flickered toward the crest of the rising sun, staring at its burning waves easing into the deep blue skies. "Tis devotion . . ." he breathed to turn his gaze tormentingly back to the tense brunette. "I'm entirely devoted to you Ban. You are all that I live for, what I will cross boundaries for. Without you, there is no point of continuing to live. You are my sustenance, my life force, the very breath that keeps me going. It's all you. Will only ever be you. I am in love with you Ban Midou."
Ban stared at him in shock, plain astounded shock. His lips parted soundlessly, tried to form coherent words when he couldn't even find a coherent thought. His chocolate hair whipped across his sealing eyes as he tried to duck away from Raitei's piercing stare to grunt as he was caught and pushed firmly back against the wall.
"Don't run Ban." He ordered. "Face me."
"Leave me alone, just go away!" Ban grasped his head as he shook it frantically. "I won't hear anymore of this nonsense, you are crazy! Out of your mind!"
"No," Raitei frowned while pushing forward to use his larger figure to smash Ban into the wall, trapping him. "While I may not think rationally with matters over you, I am not nuts. I know what I want; I see and understand it clearly. It's you Ban, I want and need you."
"No." Ban pushed against Ginji's solid form, squirming slightly to gasp as sparks danced across they're tightly joined bodies.
Inhaling a deep breath, Raitei hoisted his hands to cradle his lover's throat, hoisting his head so their gazes could meet. "Look at me Ban. Look." After a long moment he reluctantly did, his trembling watery orbs peering deeply within the pale golden eyes of the dominant Raitei. He licked his dry lips while easing forward, "you had asked me what I could tell you . . . here's what I know. Almost 3years ago, an arrogant prick showed up in my domain. You captivated me the instant I looked into your eyes. I was lost, had no lifeline but the one you willed me. Differences, animosity, and yet I followed you anyhow. You shattered the stone walls I had erected around myself to protect my naïve side, the part that's all Ginji. Set him free to act on his own, revert to me only when his need was dire. We got along fine, had some interesting adventures, even more interesting cases. We've dealt with some psychos and made many friends. But now this has happened, angels demons Armageddon, every bit of its real. And . . . somewhere along the way—we gave in to one another Ban." He whispered everything like it were a prayer, his tingling fingers itching as he reached out to caress the baffled brunette's cheek. "For a short moment Ban . . . we had been lovers. Then she came along, cursed you, damned you to this . . . . I can't hold onto you as Ginji right now. So I am as I am, I will defend you til she is destroyed—"
Ban stared at him, whether he was stunned or appalled neither knew. His breaths were deep and short, hyperventilating. "You're lying . . ."
"Why would I lie over such a matter? I do not consider you a joke or something to laugh over." Raitei frowned.
"I'd not even give into such a thing!" He shouted to push Ginji backwards, boiling rage surfacing and used to continue pushing the crackling blonde back. "It's not possible!"
"Why?" Raitei inquired softly while dodging Ban's attacks with a graceful finesse quicker than a blinking eye.
His brows creased in annoyance and with a frustrated cry he lunged, swinging and missing his partner completely as he took a steady step back. A soft strangled sound eased through his lips as he stumbled and began what could've been a painful trip to the floor if not for the strong arm slipping around his waist.
"Get off!" Ban shrieked as he was cradled against the blonde, pushing feebly on the solid chest.
"Have I done something to upset you?"
"Have you—" Ban lifted his wide cobalts in confusion to Raitei's equally baffled golden orbs. "Yes! Yes you damn well fucking did!" He screamed while struggling in Raitei's arms. "What gives you the right to throw all this in my face, how can you expect me to believe any of it! You could be playing me, bending me to what you desire, and I'd know no better . . . fuck you! Fuck you for putting this on me!"
The gold spiraling in Ginji's eyes sparkled in the rising sunlight as he secured his arms quickly around Ban's crumbling figure, his hand settling against his neck as he buried his face against his chest. "Ban . . ."
"You fucking asshole . . ." he trembled, "I'm years late, have a foreign body, find I've murdered someone I love, but that's still not enough—you have to throw in my face you and I . . . that we are . . ."
Ginji shook his head slowly to hoist Ban's chin, his brows creasing in regret at the tear streaks on his pale face. He leaned in to kiss one slithering tear, pausing as his brunette tensed beneath his lips. "Please don't cry Ban. I'm sorry if I've only complicated things but I—I am a jealous angry person by nature . . . and to think I could lose you because of that witch's tricks . . . I didn't consider your feelings. It was wrong of me."
Ban breathed heavily against him, fingers curling into his damp shirt. "I can't do this . . . I'm too far gone to continue like this . . . too drained." His heart fluttered as deep chocolate eyes peered deeply into his eyes. "I'm tired of running—I want to be safe . . ."
"You are," Ginji assured to slip his hand gently across Ban's cheek, holding his desperate gaze before descending upon his lover's trembling lips. He slipped a steady arm about his partner's slim waist as he arched instantly into his touch, holding him carefully, touching him gently. Slowly, he tightened his embrace around the slim hips, fingers running soothing circles on the small of his back before trailing a path to one shoulder. He tilted his head slightly; angling Ban's mouth til his trembling lips parted a fraction. The moan reaching his ears was encouraging but still he moved slow, just slightly brushing his tongue to his partner's lips. The trembles rushing through the slender form pressing desperately against him made him angry, Ban had his moments, limited as they were, of showing him bits of weakness, but this was a vulnerability that was breaking his heart. He'd defiantly make that witch suffer when he got his hands on her.
"Gin . . ." Ban rasped to moan as the blonde trailed his lips along his jaw. "Wait . . ."
"I love you Ban," Ginji inhaled deeply as he settled his face into the crock of the brunette's throat. "I love you so much!"
He shivered at the declaration, sucked in a desperate breath as teeth nibbled softly on his throat, trembled as crackling fingertips slipped beneath his shirt to caress the low edge of his spine, rocked against the hard lump pressing against his inner thigh.
"I need you . . ." Ginji groaned, his voice turning deep and husky while electricity arched off his tense shoulders. Raitei had recessed but he was biting anxiously at the bit for the chance to assume control of the vulnerable man in his arms, was taunting and testing his already collapsing resolve at a chance to dominate once again. He was screaming for his lover, screaming for the unfamothable passion and pleasure that revolved around Ban's presence. He demanded what was his. His breath rushed forth as his partner's silky hair fluttered around the hand he had brushing up through his long tresses. Catching a good hold, Ginji jerked gently, lifting Ban's head a fraction. His hot breath blasted over his lover's pale face as he stared into the accepting understanding depths of Ban's cobalts. "I need you—want you," Ginji growled softly while tugging Ban nearer, his hand slipped beneath one knee and pulled the slender leg to his hip connecting their tight abdomens. "I have to have you."
Ban's breath eased free, the hands he'd had settled on Ginji's tense arms drifted slowly up to fist into the soft golden spikes debating between standing erect or remaining relaxed. "I know . . ." he let one arm sling around Ginji's shoulders, gasping at the volts that journeyed across the surface of his skin.
"Now," Ginji growled, Raitei arching forth a fraction, "must have you!"
A cool hand falling around his wrist had Ginji pausing mid trying to tear Ban's pants open and had him lifting his spiraling golden gaze to the brunette's serene face. "Wait . . ."
"I can't," Ginji released Ban's leg to cradle his head, "I have to have you, I'm being driven crazy . . . I need to make you mine!"
Ban exhaled softly as he glanced over the blonde's sweaty face, his fingers rising up to caress his tense brows and muscles. "I know, I accept that. But you need to know what awaits you if you go down this path."
"Awaits me?" Ginji frowned.
He continued searching across his partner's confused face, continued ringing the tension clear before leaning forward to plant a soft chaste kiss on his warm lips. "I've never—told anyone . . . why." Ban exhaled deeply and Ginji waited for further explanation.
"Why what Ban?" he pressed as his partner started to pull away. "It's alright, don't bottle back up. Talk to me, its ok."
His fingers curled into Ginji's shirt. "The reason I'm coveted . . . what will happen in the one moment I completely surrender to who dominates me . . . what I will do . . ."
A cold sweat suddenly began slithering down Ginji's spine. "What—what will happen . . .?"
"Ultimately," Ginji gagged as a strong grip fastened around his throat. "One of us will die."
Round chocolate orbs snapped wide open before Ginji sprang upright, hard labored breaths cutting down his chest. He leaned forward breathlessly, staring wide eyed into his lap while slowly hoisting his hand to finger his warm throat.
A dream . . .
His bright eyes sprang up to watch Ban emerge in the bedroom's doorway, a wicked smirk spreading across the brunette's face.
"Hey eel, bout time you woke up. Was beginning to wonder if you were alright, all that moaning and groaning," he snickered as Ginji paled. "Could've sworn you were about to orgasm or something."
"Ban-chan!" Ginji squeaked while turning scarlet.
His leer faded and he brushed toward the bed with even steps causing Ginji's breath to unconsciously lodge in his throat. His dark cobalts stared down at him intensely, carefully searching across the scarlet face before him.
"So what now?" He inquired softly to lean forward and settle his hands on the bed.
Ginji breathed deeply to blink skittishly, "what do you mean?"
Ban continued searching Ginji's wide eyes before turning away, thinking carefully. "That man from earlier, he was talking about something major—you do remember that?" He peered at the blonde from the corner of his eye to watch Ginji sweat and his face blank. "Geez," Ban sighed to push upright, arms crossing tensely over his chest. "Kinda hopeless aren't ya."
"I'm not either!" Ginji protested to clamp his lips closed quickly as Ban leaned forward, almost pressing their noses together.
"Look, everything's pretty messed up right now. I have a sadistic witch on my ass; you have a deranged angel on yours. Some sort of big-ta-do is coming and lucky us we seem to have front row seats. Now, I'm kinda lost on the whole plot of the story, kinda have to count on you so you can imagine my concern—"
"I'm feeling seriously wounded right now," Ginji pouted.
"I'm devoid of my trump cards due to the 'no god' situation and having to again rely on you is I gotta say not making me feel too cozy. And your blank looks of stupidity aren't doing much to help."
"Is there a reason why you're insulting me?"
Ban exhaled heavily to shake his head. "Remember how you told me—" he leaned closer, making Ginji's lips part with a soft gasp, "what you were going to do for me . . ." he let the question hang in the air, watching Ginji's transforming expression carefully.
He knew his face was probably as red as a cherry, he knew every inch closer his partner inched his breaths became shorter, he knew cramps were assaulting the muscles throughout his abdomen and thighs as jitters sought control of his stomach and nerves, he knew each second that passed he lost another ounce of control and Raitei threatened to take command. But what he didn't know was whether Ban was becoming aware of his desire. His bright blue eyes sought an answer he wasn't sure he could give, there was a question under the surface of his inquires that wished to be voiced.
"I promised I'd keep you safe." Ginji whispered, trying hard to control the fire coursing toward his groin. The dream was still fresh on his mind and Ban being inches from his lips wasn't helping his situation.
Ban nodded, his fine lips perched thoughtfully. "Beginning to understand my concern . . . for your sanity?" Ginji pouted. "Look, I'm not trying to be an ass. You got to look at this from my perspective—"
"How?" Ginji sighed, "You don't let me in Ban. I spent numerous years trying to get you to open up to me and now, it's all been lost in one moment. I know you're leery of me of my intentions, with how you've been treated I say you have every right to do so . . . but I want to help you Ban. I want to do anything in my power to make you believe that . . . I can protect you, but you have to let me back in. You have to trust me on some level."
"Easier said than done." He sighed to straighten, "I can't trust anyone." He paused as his wrist was caught, his blue eyes hesitating before peering uncertainly back at the blonde.
"Ban . . ."
His lips parted with a silent gasp, there were tears on the edge of Ginji's eyes.
"One day . . ." he nodded with a gentle smile. "One day you're going to be able to laugh freely again."
Ban stared at him bewildered, his parted lips moving slightly without a coherent thing to say. An awkward sound left his throat as he pulled free, scratching at his head before retreating toward the doorway. "Breakfast. It's, uhh, ready . . ."
Ginji watched his head bob sheepishly before he darted around the corner, out of his sight, before letting his chocolate gaze drift slowly to the sheets bunched around him.
One of us will die . . .
Was it true? If he were to take Ban as his, complete the final boundary within their relationship and take all Ban had to offer, would one of them not survive?
His usually innocent eyes hardened, his brows creased while he shook his head in denial. No it wasn't true. It was fate that they were together. Destiny. But still, what did that dream mean. Even he knew it was more than it seemed. Was it a warning? His fingers lifted to run against his lips. He could still feel the warmth that had been planted there from Ban's own. Someone was trying to make him aware of Ban's hidden secrets.
"Who are you Ban . . . just what is the witch king . . ." his dark eyes lifted to the doorway to blink as he watched the half-witch cross her arms self-consciously against her chest. "Yuri."
She exhaled deeply before easing into the room, her bright blue eyes a mirror of Bans. It had his heart twist painfully. "Are you ok?"
He nearly snorted at the inquiry. Why did everyone continue to ask him such a stupid aggravating question? Of course he wasn't damn well alright, his lover had been stripped from his arms, made to forget him and everything that they'd been through and shared, how was one supposed to be alright after that!
"No." he sighed simply to glance away from Yuri's gaze, he couldn't stand her eyes, his lovers eyes. "But that's to be expected. All I have to do is break her curse. I will break her curse. And then I'll make her regret ever coming after Ban . . ."
"Ginji," she brushed slowly across the room to sit at the bed's edge as the blonde pushed himself free of the covers. "I'm so sorry Ginji. I know I'm to blame for this, I dragged you into more trouble than I'm worth and I can't ever impress how much I regret what I've done. You have every right to blame me—"
"I do," he assured, his gaze still centered on the wall rather than her stunned, hurt face, "I blame you. For the eyes you've thrown on him, for the weight and pain your rescue inhibited him with. I blame Maria, and Paul . . . they knew about all the hunts, the reasons Ban was always on such high alert, the reasoning behind his desire to be held at arm's length. They could've done something to prevent it all . . . I blame my friends for their interference; Shido's rage and hunger, Kazuki and Juubei's blind prejudice . . . I blame Ban for his stubbornness, for his unwillingness to drop his pride and rely on someone for once in his life." He inhaled deeply as his gaze dropped to his lap. "But I blame myself above all else. I'm his partner, I should've seen it. Whether he told me of his past or not I should be able to protect him from it, from everything. He is all I have, the only thing meaningful in my life, what I live for! Without him I am nothing, without him I am lost. I should ease his pain, chase away the fears and torments that plague him. He shouldn't have to rely on me cause I shouldn't have to make him think he needs to. I should just do it, I should just be that wall, the solid ground, the strong arms that hold him no matter what through anything and everything." His tormented eyes turned to Yuri and she slid forward to hug him.
"Don't blame yourself Ginji, we are all to blame, you are right. Each of us should have been strong enough to keep him from Korlera's touch. We faltered, we strayed and he is paying for it, you are paying for it. But it will be set right Ginji. We will rip him from her clutches, we will destroy Kory for eternity and he will have no need to run anywhere but your arms. I swear it Ginji, I'll do whatever I need to to make up for my mistakes."
His hands grasped her arms firmly and slowly drew himself from within her embrace, chocolate orbs staring at her scrutinizingly. "I know, I'm sorry if my words hurt you Yuri."
"It needed to be said," she nodded to cup his cheek. "I came to tell you I'm leaving . . ."
"What?" he jerked back to stare at her in alarm. "Leaving?"
"It's for the best Ginji, all I continue to bring is more complications. Ezekiel has set his eyes on you, A'Sirus may as well have found some need of Anri, and I cannot allow any more people to suffer and die because of their involvement with me. The Name of God is a powerful relic, the knowledge of truth, the covet of power has always been a conquest that wars pour from. An age old war has been raging between the angel and devil lines. That scroll, a simple piece of parchment can be the turning tide and I must find it, I must destroy it."
"Destroy it! You can't do that! Can you?"
"As the guardian it is in my means to determine the best course of action for the secrets of the All Mighty. Too many seek its literature. And my strength fades rapidly, my best option is to find and then burn it. No one may exhibit supremacy with ash."
"I can help Yuri—"
She shook her head slowly to lean forward, her lips pressing gently against his own to his bafflement. "You already have helped me Ginji, more than I am owed. I selfishly allowed you to put Anri in jeopardy I can't continue to let him be put in such danger, I can't stand seeing your torment and tears. I pushed those sorrows on you Ginji, I cannot ever beg your forgiveness for what I've done to you. But I will make up for it, the Name of God will burn and seal the fate A'Sirus, Ezekiel, possibly even Korlera has on Anri. I will be alright," she assured as she saw his lips part. "I was rebirthed for this task, I have all that I need to accomplish this final journey."
"You speak as though you won't come back." Ginji whispered, his chocolate eyes overwhelmed with tears as he hugged her tightly. "You can't do that Yuri, think of Ban. He needs you still, I need you."
"You need each other," she sighed to stroke his back. "You have everything you need with him Ginji, and you are all he needs. He will remember that before long. I will keep an ear out for the means to break Korlera's hold on him. I will send you word whenever I am able. On both Anri and the Name of God."
"I can't say anything to change your mind?"
She shook her head with a final smile. "It is time."
He watched her stand, brushing the wrinkles from her skirt before turning to the door. "Yuri." He gulped down his breath as she glanced back. "Take care of yourself."
"You to." She nodded. Many people depend on it.
"I told you no already, so drop it!" Ban snarled while ringing his fingers over the rim of his coffee.
"I don't care what you say," Maria snarled back as irritably, "Ban Midou you will honor my role as your preliminary guardian and drop your shield. I need to ascertain that Korlera has no lingering strings . . . do you want to be further damaged by her?"
"Go to hell you old hag."
"I thought not, so relent and let me inside!"
"What's going on?" Ginji frowned as he followed Yuri several paces into the formal living quarter of the apartment.
"Ginji-kun, thank god," Maria sighed, Paul was sitting beside the irate witch, quietly sipping his own coffee while trying to hid his amused sneer. "Tell him to abide by my wishes, tell him to listen—"
"Your wishes would have me walking off a fifty foot drop you nasty perv," Ban bristled as he felt Ginji's eyes fall on his back. "I don't need any more wards or counter spells; I'm fine so DROP IT!"
"What're you talking about?" Ginji puzzled to glance at the scarlet faced Maria, "what wards, what spells?"
"Do to our inability to determine the identity of the curse Korlera has placed on Ban, Maria feels it's in our—his—best interest to rectify as many wards or barriers we're capable of to protect him from further penetration."
"Well why on earth wouldn't you want her to do that?" Ginji turned accusing eyes on Ban, who snapped his gaze up to the blonde to glare at him.
"She's already cast 3wards, weared me down with half a dozen counter spells and I can't take this next one she's suggesting! Not in a million years you perverted old hag!" His bright blue eyes whipped back to the bristling high witch. "Fucking go die in a dark corner you whore! I'm not giving in to that!"
"What did she want to do?" Ginji puzzled at the immense rage Ban was exhibiting.
"No!"
"Maria believes, since Asclepius has been rendered inaccessible, it would be foolish for us not to find a temporary failsafe." Paul explained while the two witches glared murder at one another.
"A failsafe?"
Ban's head beat against the table with an exasperated sigh while Maria straightened, her slender arms crossing over her chest. "It would be like a safety net, Ginji-kun." She replied, her gaze shifting from her brunette to the blonde. "Ban is vulnerable without the power of Asclepius hovering over him, what I simply wish to do is reestablish that foundation, even just a little bit. He's a god so it wouldn't be near enough but even the smallest—"
"I said NO!" Ban snarled while shooting up from his chair, hands slamming furiously into the table. "What you're suggesting is more than guardianship Maria; you are forcing blood rites and condemning a life of servitude!"
"You know I would not do that to—"
"I cannot control myself witch!" Ban hissed, "my body may be that of the adult you know but my MENTALITY is lost years in the past! I don't have the control to undertake what you are suggesting!"
"Ban! This is likely the only way to keep her talons out of you! You must do this, control or not have faith in your bearer; your vessel is stronger than you give him credit for!"
Ginji glanced back and forth between the 2fullblood witches, watching the equally contained fury brewing within their dark entrancing eyes, yet not completely able to comprehend the source.
"Who is his temporary?"
"No!" Ban snarled to whip his gaze toward the blonde.
Ginji's eyes narrowed angrily, "shut up and sit down Ban . . ." his dark chocolate orbs dared the baffled brunette to argue. "Arguing with us over the matter of your safety, are you stupid? Brain dead?" He snarled, Maria and Paul exchanged a glance, "there's not much you can do either way so sit and be quiet!" He inhaled a breath as he watched his lover plop into the seat, his wide cobalts staring at him unsure how to react. "Now . . . who is supposed to be this vessel?" He demanded, his gaze turning once more on the adults.
Glancing at Paul again to peer at Ban, ignoring the anger that returned to his bright eyes, Maria exhaled before lifting her gaze to the stern blonde. "I was hoping you might do it Ginji . . ."
He stood still for a moment. Silent. "Of course."
"Are you people listening! I said no!"
"And I told you to be quiet." Ginji sighed to glance at Ban as he shot up to stand face to face with him.
"You don't have power over me eel; you can't order me around as though I am your subservient . . . and you can't decide this sort of thing without my willingness, which I will NOT give in this instant. I'm not claiming you on that degree so NO!"
"I don't understand you at all," Ginji calmly sighed, "you are weak in your current state Ban, without Asclepius you don't have half the power needed to fight off the Dark Witch. Why wouldn't you want that extra help? Why are you so against it? Is it cause Maria wants to use me?"
Ban drew back slightly, a soft whine easing through his throat before he caught it. His pale lids dropped self-consciously as he jerked to the side, arms crossing defensively over his chest. "That's got nothing to do with it alright."
I'm sure. Ginji lifted his hand to rub the bridge of his nose. "Well good, cause we're going to do it."
"I said no!" He whipped back around to glare at Ginji. "And without my willing participation it falls to nothing! You can't be bound to me if I don't do the binding you stupid retard!"
Peering levelly at Ban, holding his challenging glare, Ginji exhaled, "Maria?"
"Unfortunately, he's right. I can't do it without his willingness."
"Ban!"
"I said no." And with that affirmation, he turned and brushed into the bedroom, whirling to hold Ginji's annoyed gaze with his own and after a brief pause slammed the doors.
Growling irritably, Ginji turned to see the same look in Maria's eyes. "What do we do? If this is our one chance to be able to save Ban from that witch—"
"It's not," Paul sighed to glance up from his coffee, "while this one would have immediate results there are a couple others that Maria and I have been discussing, though more time consuming and a slightly longer timeframe it would be the better course of action."
"What is it?" Ginji pressed to settle into the seat Ban had vacated.
"He has to accept you on his own as his guardian," Maria sighed, "I believe, our Ban had done so even with Asclepius' supremacy over his safety, so there's a chance this Ban may as well. You only have to reestablish that bond Ginji-kun."
"Yeah," he scoffed, "that'll be easy."
"Ban never is," Paul settled his elbows to the table and rested his chin into his connected fingers. "I'm afraid you're finally gonna get a taste of his true stubbornness."
"Shouldn't he want to be safe though?" Ginji frowned. "Why is he denying any kind of help? Us or the witch, it should be easy for him to decide."
"There lies your problem." Yuri's soft voice broke through the cataclysm. "You're all thinking on the behalf of your own understandings. You don't realize you've misunderstood . . ." she slipped a small pouch over her neck, positioning it snuggly on her hip before hoisting her gaze back to the 3pairs that were watching her intently. "For one such as Anri, one that has only known the darkness, known the hunt, there is no safe ground. He has to be ever on alert, has to be wary of others presences." Her gaze journeyed to the closed door, a soft exhale brushing down her chest as her mind wandered back to a time when they had both been safe, even for the short period it had felt like paradise.
Her voice drifted into the palpable silence that had consumed the apartment, carrying on like a narrative as Ban moved slowly through the sealed off bedroom, free of all the scrutinizing and judgmental eyes that would never be able to understand. His alien body carried him across the soft carpets, lead him to the foggy window being pelted by a heavy rain beating against the city. His bright cobalts stared into the dark haze uncertainly as he leaned into the window jam, terror and guilt weighing heavily on his subconscious.
"If he doesn't he falls. Death would seem like a reprieve if you knew what cruel twist fate has awaiting those that are marked, the unfortunate ones that had been cursed upon their first breath into this world. I know the importance of ensuring his safety, but you have to slow down and stop pushing him. He is ready to break and picking up the pieces will be a misery for everyone involved."
Author's Note: So was it a good one after such a long absence? I hope so, I tried to do well on it especially since I'm losing my ideas with this one =P I'm ready for it to be done so I can get on to the second half of the tale, it'll be SO much better than this one. Will be more dramatic and angsty I think. But so, I'm gonna try to get back on track with the story. I think I'm gonna spend more time purifying the ties between Ban and the devils and Ginji and the angels, Ezekiel will be making a comeback again soon. A'Sirus and Korlera aren't finished. I've got some of our forgotten get backer friends coming back (Emishi and Akabane) AND with me gonna try to get this finished up soon, that haunting secret in the past is gonna be coming up. Prolly 2-3chapters away. I'm still waiting to see if any one guesses what or who it is. So I guess I'm done now, gonna get back to writting. Leave a review if you like, I'd appreciate it ... (self-esteem at a critical low, really need you guys) Thank you come back soon.