Chapter Twenty-Four: Last Symphony
Katana left the two of them Betrix and Amy and went into her own room. They were at an abandoned house. She laid down on her bed and closed her eyes. Every time she did she saw Satsu's face. I want to be with you again, Satsu. I do. But I can't. Not like the way I am. The door opened and Stephanie came in.
"You asleep?" she asked as she walked towards the bed.
"It's still dim out." Katana replied. "I just wanted to be alone." Stephanie stopped proceeding.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She said, sounding rather sad. Dammit. Katana sat up in her bed and gave Stephanie a weak smile.
"Come on," Katana said, patting her bed. Stephanie climbed onto it and sat looking at Katana.
"I feel like I'm a drag to you." She said with a frown. "I know I'm annoying and just—"
"Its not your fault. I made you the way you are." Katana combed Stephanie's hair under her ears, the way she used to with Satsu. "And for the record, you're not annoying. Just a bit enthusiastic at times." Stephanie gave her a smile.
"Do you believe you can care about someone else when you don't have a soul?" she asked and Katana nodded.
"Of course you can. A soul doesn't have anything to do with if you care about people or not."
"So what does a soul do for you? Why are we considered evil beings and abominations because we don't have souls?"
"What I think is—the soul is a sense of guilt and responsibility for actions. I can kill someone in the streets, drain them till they're as dry as a raisin, and still feel no remorse because I don't have a soul."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Stephanie leaned forward, her pretty face close to Katana's. "What I was going with that question was—that I think I care about you." Katana smiled wrapped her hand around the back of Stephanie's neck.
"That's cute," she said kissing her lips. "I like you, Stephanie." She kissed her again. "I wish we met under better circumstances." Katana frowned. "But then I'd have a girlfriend so it wouldn't really have worked out either." Stephanie climbed on top of Katana. The bed creaked loudly.
"I'm fine with this." Katana pulled Stephanie's shirt off and ran her hand around Stephanie's slightly round stomach and up to her large breasts.
"Right now," Katana said as Stephanie unzipped her jeans. "I'm fine with it, too."
Satsu opened the door and came into her room. She closed the door behind her and took off her clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. Julia is never going to be able to see herself in the mirror ever again. She walked over and opened the door to her restroom to reveal Jane who had just gotten out of the shower.
"Oh, my God." Satsu said closing the door and looking away. "I am so sorry." Wow, she looks amazing.
"Completely my fault. I should have told you I was going to be in here." Jane called from the restroom. "And we're both girls, Satsu. It's fine."
"No," Satsu said. "It really is not." She closed her eyes, leaning against the door.
"Yeah? Why's that?" Satsu turned around as Jane opened the door. She had a towel covering her now. "The other girls are taking up all the restrooms. I'm really sorry."
"No—it's fine." They were standing face to face and Jane tried to squeeze through. "Sorry," Satsu moved to the side and Jane gave her a smile as she walked to the door. "Wait." Satsu said walking up to her. She grabbed Jane by the waist and pulled her in so that their pelvis were touching each others. Satsu kissed her as she took in the smell of her own shampoo. Damn, do I normally smell this good? The kiss felt much longer than it was, and by the time they had finally stopped, the towel covering Jane was on the ground, revealing her naked body.
"Wow," Jane muttered. "What was that for? And is that cinnamon lip gloss? It tastes really good."
"Just because," Satsu said. "And yeah...I wanted to try something new. Have you been working out?"
"A little. Got to stop being a nerd sometime." She laughed. She stared into Satsu's eyes for a long time, observing every micro expression on her face. "So…what does that kiss suppose to mean?"
"I want to stop—hiding—suppressing—my feelings for you." Satsu said. She kissed her again and picked her up with ease and threw her onto the bed. She jumped on top.
"Yeah?" Jane said, cupping her hand around Satsu's butt cheeks. "What feelings are those?"
"You tell me first." Satsu said. "I don't want to overdo it."
"Over do it?"
"I have really intense feelings for you." Satsu said with laugh. "Its not even funny."
"Didn't feel like it just yesterday." Jane said, turning over so that she was on top of Satsu. "I like this better." She said with a smile. "I was always the initiator, remember?" Unlike with Julia.
"Yeah, I remember." Satsu said with a smile. "I kind of liked it." Jane nibbled on Satsu's lower lip.
"So—like I said. It didn't seem like you had any feelings for me yesterday."
"I was just trying to force myself to not have them."
"Why's that?"
"Because I was still holding onto the hope that Julia's alive. Or at least parts of her. And it's not the case. And I can't keep my feelings for you anymore."
"And this has nothing to do with you going into battle tonight?"
"Maybe a little. Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"Hell no." she said. "You know—we never went past first base when we were together." Satsu laughed and let out a moan as Jane's finger entered.
"Well then—we got a lot of catching up to do—don't we?"
"So how are you holding up?" Sophie asked as she entered Zack's room. He was with his shirt off, sitting at the computer. He turned to smile at her.
"You don't knock?" he said standing up.
"Oh, what could you possibly be doing that would require me to knock?" she said closing the door behind her. "Unless you're with a girl—"
"What's up with this nagging about girls?" Zack said with a smile. "You jealous of anyone in particular?"
"No," Sophie said shaking her head and getting closer to him, putting her hand on his chest. "I'm just kidding. I had a talk with Martha. She gave me her 'blessing'."
"For what?"
"Um—she guessed about how I feel—"
"About…?"
"You," she said looking up at him.
"And how do you feel?" he said, his hands on her waist.
"I love you, Zack." She said earnestly. "I want you to know that before we go into battle tonight."
"Well—" he said combing her hair. "I could say 'I love you, too'…but how about I show you just how much?" He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He set her gently on the bed and kissed her.
"God, finally! I've been hinting at and waiting for this for forever!" she ran her hand along his muscular back.
"I'm oblivious to these things." He said kissing her neck. "Do you like this shirt?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because I'm about to rip it off of you."
"Go ahead." He grabbed her shirt with both hands and ripped it down the middle. "God, that's hot."
"I know." He said. "You are."
"What's wrong?" Satsu asked stroking Jane's long blonde hair. It had grown a lot since they had first met. "You okay?" Satsu had her arm around Jane's body, her face pressed against the side of her breast.
"I'm just thinking." She said quietly. "You told me if I told you how I felt about you that you'd tell me?"
"Yeah," Satsu breathed, running her finger along Jane's abs. Damn, she's got a nice body. She's so different now…
"I'm in love with you." Jane said. "I don't know when it started. Probably around the time we started talking again—maybe before that. I don't know. But I really, really am in love you with." Satsu smiled to herself and held Jane tighter.
"I love you, too." Satsu said. "A lot more than I thought. And the feelings seem to be getting stronger and stronger—"
"Why?" Jane asked. "I mean—I don't understand how I fit into this group of ours. I don't see what I can contribute but be a complete drag. You and Julia are Slayers. Zack and Sophie are werewolves. Betrix was in the military and an expert at interrogation. Amy's a friggen Connector. I don't see what about me is so special that you'd care for me."
"You've been thinking about this a lot, haven't you?" Satsu said with a frown.
"Everyday," replied Jane. Satsu let go of her and moved up so that she could speak to Jane face to face.
"You are an essential part of this group. You hold it together. You're the paste, Jane. You helped Zack through a tough time when he realized nothing was ever going to happen between him and Julia. You've helped me through this whole Julia ordeal. Without you—we'd all be lost. There wouldn't be a team. You're the heart of it. And don't pull this crap again." Satsu said. "You know better than anyone how amazing you are. Don't ask me it. You know it." Jane's frown only deepened and she nodded.
"I know what you're saying." She touched Satsu's face. "I love you, so much, Satsu. I hope you know that."
"Yeah, I got the memo. Ditto, bitch." Satsu said with a concealed smile.
"Oh, 'bitch' huh?" Jane said punching Satsu.
"You're going to pay for that." Satsu said wrestling her way onto of Jane. She pinned her wrists onto the bed.
"I'm going to steal a line from Sophie and say, 'promise?'."
"Promise."
Betrix pulled her hand away from Amy and made another tally a sheet of paper. She had down five. She closed her eyes. This is ridiculous. She looked at Amy who was now almost on the verge of tears. She pressed Amy's face against her, and rocked her back and forth.
"I'm so sorry, baby." She said. "I know you're tired."
"I want to stop. Can we please just stop?" Amy said, sniffling. "I want to go to sleep."
"I know, sweetheart. I know." I need to find a way for us to escape…now. Betrix looked around the room. She had already searched every possible way to exit but she couldn't. I guess I should contact Satsu. I should have done this a while ago but…I've been hoping they would've come for Amy and me by now. Betrix looked over at Maxwell and another guard. They were talking to each other about something in a whisper. They can hear me from here. Betrix ripped a piece of paper and wrote down, "Amy, connect me to Satsu." She handed the paper to Amy who, after reading it, nodded her head. Betrix held out her hand and caught Amy's.
The familiar sensation took over her as she squeezed through a long tunnel before surfacing in Satsu's room. Satsu was sound asleep and she could see a naked Jane getting out of bed. Jane put on her clothes as Betrix called out to her in a whisper. Jane couldn't hear her. She wasn't connected to her. Wow, so Satsu and Jane again, huh? These kids. Betrix smiled to herself and shook her head. She waited for Jane to leave the room before proceeding to Satsu's bed.
"Hey, Satsu." Betrix said. "Satsu!" she yelled. Satsu stirred in her sleep. "Satsu!" Satsu opened her eyes wearily.
"Betrix?" Satsu said wearily. "Are you there?"
"Yeah." She said. "We're connected right now."
"Are you and Amy okay?" Satsu asked sitting straight up.
"For now."
"You should have contacted me earlier! We didn't even know for the longest time!"
"I know," Betrix said. "Julia had us under extremely close surveillance and I didn't have any alone time with Amy until the past few hours. Even then her tracker Maxwell were all up on us. We need help. Now. I don't know how long Amy can hold on. She's making us find out how large this thing she calls the Slayer Organization is and how far its reaches are."
"I can save you the trouble and say there is a lot of people in the Slayer Organization and its reaches span countries."
"In any case, we need your help now, Satsu. I got the address of the house. Can you go rescue us?"
"I will. I'll send someone to go get you and Amy. If there is any change in location you find any way to contact us, you got me?" Satsu looked at her alarm clock. It was eight fifteen. "We're meeting at Mount Solomon in an hour to fight her. You won't be as heavily guarded. I'll send people to rescue you. Don't worry, Betrix."
Jane was sitting with her legs crossed and her eyes closed. She could feel someone staring at her but she didn't want to open her tired eyes. She hadn't had much sleep. She was up all night dreading the coming battle. The big battle. Were Satsu, Zack and Sophie going to make it through alive?
"Why are you staring at me?" Jane asked, not opening her eyes.
"Just admiring a beautiful lady." Came Zack's voice. Jane opened them and smiled.
"Hey!" she got up and gave Zack a tight hug. "Didn't know it was you."
"Yeah," he said. "We're leaving in like thirty minutes." He said with a frown. "If anything happens to me—"
"Nothing is going to happen to you. You hear me? Nothing." She held his face in her hands. "You're my best friend in the world, Zack. I can't lose you." Zack smiled down at her kindly and kissed her on the forehead.
"I love you, Jane." He said as he held her in his arms. "You're the best friend I got, too."
"So you're coming back in one piece. You got it?" she said with her head on his chest.
"For sure," he said in a low voice.
"Do you think I should let her go?" Jane asked him.
"What?" he asked with a confused look.
"Satsu," she head. "Me and her—we kind of—slept together earlier—" Zack's face lightened up.
"You dog!" he said and she punched him in the arm. He pretended like it hurt and she gave him a push.
"I'm serious right now!"
"Alright, alright." He said massaging his arm. "What do you mean by letting her go?"
"You know how Andrew offered her to join the Slayer Organization?"
"Yep,"
"I think she should go."
"Why?"
"I think it'd be a great opportunity for her. To do good with a whole team and not be constricted because she's got to look out for us. You know?" Zack nodded thoughtfully. "And she kind of told me she's in love with me—" Zack smiled again.
"You two are so cute."
"Shut up."
"Sorry," he laughed.
"And I love her a lot." She said. "A lot." She emphasized.
"I know you do."
"But—I think it's her destiny."
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Zack frowned. "I think you should tell her how you feel about it and let her make her own decision." Jane nodded and held Zack's hand.
"Thanks, Zack."
"Come here." He opened his arms and she fell into them.
"You're probably the most understanding girlfriend in the world."
"I don't know if me and her are together."
"Same diff," he said.
"Be safe out there."
"I know."
Battle. I've been nice for so long I forgot this amazing tingling of excitement it comes when the smell of blood is in the air. This is going to be fucking amazing. Sophie cracked her knuckles and fell onto the ground and did fifty pushups straight. She got back up and stretched. I'm going to need to get really warmed up before this battle. She was in her usual attire of tank top and gym shorts and she smiled at Andrew as he walked by. He gave her back a nervous smile back and stayed close to the wall as he tried to get by.
"I don't bite, you know." She said with a smirk. "Well—only when I transform." She pretended to bite the air and he quickly ran from the room. Laughing to herself, she went back on the ground and did one hundred sit-ups. She popped up and jumped in the air a few times.
"Looking good, Sophie." Satsu said as she entered the living room.
"You checking me out?" Sophie said scanning Satsu's body. "I actually don't mind."
"That doesn't work on me, sweetheart." Satsu said with her hands on the two swords at her side. She was in gear to fight. "I have a mission for you."
"Yeah? Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"Is it something cool? Because I could use a really good fight."
"I need you to rescue someone."
"Oh, a rescue mission. Who?"
"Betrix and Amy. They're at this address." Satsu handed her a piece of paper. "I need you to go there when we're going to battle and rescue them. Get them to a safe place and stay with them. Jane will be at the address on the bottom." She pointed at the second address on the paper. "She'll have two Slayers with her to protect everyone. I've talked to Rona. She's going to lend you two Slayers as well, under your command for the mission, to assist you in rescuing them. This is important, Sophie. I'm trusting you with two of my closest friend's lives. Are you up to it?" Sophie nodded her head serious.
"Yeah, I am. Thank you for trusting me with something this important." Sophie said. Satsu nodded and extended her hand.
"Good luck, Sophie. I'm hoping to see you tomorrow. Don't die on me." Sophie smiled and shook Satsu's hand. She had an extremely firm grip.
"Same to you, Satsu. Good luck." Satsu nodded and left the room. Sophie walked out into the backyard, where the Slayers were warming up. She came up to Zack, who was sitting by the corner of the yard with Jane.
"Hey," Zack said standing up and giving her a kiss.
"That's cute." Jane said with a smile. She doesn't approve. I'm not good enough for her Zachary. "I mean it. I'm glad you two are together." She said nodding at Sophie as if to give her approval. What?
"Really?" Sophie said with wide eyes and Jane laughed.
"Yes, Sophie. I think you've become an amazing person and that you'll be great for Zack." Sophie straightened up and smiled at her old enemy.
"Thank you, Jane."
"Don't mention it, evil bitch." Jane said. The three of them laughed a good laugh.
"Satsu tell you about the mission she gave me?" Sophie asked Zack. He nodded his head and held her.
"Don't do anything stupid. Saving them is important, but your life is, too. If you can't do it—don't. You got me? I love them—but I don't want to lose you, Sophie. I know I sound selfish but—I mean it." Sophie nodded her head and kissed him again.
"We're leaving right now. Good luck, babe. I'll see you after I finish my job."
"Good luck."
I made sure Jane was safe with the two Slayers, both of whom Violet assured me were more than up to the job of babysitting, before I got into the car with Zack and Rona and a girl named Mandy. We drove in silence for the first half of the ride until Zack turned off the radio and rolled down the windows. He said he wanted fresh air if he was going to die. We made a few jokes about it, I don't remember what, but it got us talking. Rona asked us about our relationships with Julia and we both told them the truth. How we both loved her with all our hearts and that this was the last thing that we wanted to do, even though we both knew it was the right thing to do. Rona told us how sorry she was. We gave her our thanks.
Satsu's eyes were closed as the wind hit her face. Her hair was blowing wildly as she thought about this being her last car-ride...the last time she was going to be with these people. Man, I hate thinking like this. Her mind wondered to Julia. She imagined staking her, seeing the girl that she loved being turned to ashes. I really hope I don't have to be the one that does it. I don't think I'm strong enough to. She took in a deep breath and thought of Jane. You better be all right, Jane. I don't think I can live if I lost you, too. Her mind continued to wander from thought to thought before Rona broke it.
"I know this isn't your first rodeo, Satsu," she said. "But make sure you use teamwork. Okay? Teamwork is an essential part of these types of battles."
"I got it, Rona." Satsu said and Rona nodded her head.
"Good," she said. "Just making sure." They arrived at the meeting site shortly. They were one of the last cars to arrive. All the Slayers were together, getting their gears ready.
"I'm scared Zack." She said holding his hand as they walked. It was the first time she's held his hand, ever.
"Me too, Sat." he said stopping. "I'm shaking." He held her hand to his chest. "Feel my heartbeat?" it was beating fast.
"I'm sorry you never got a chance with her, Zack." Satsu said, frowning.
"Rub it in, will ya?" he said with a laugh.
"I'm sorry."
"No, I'm just kidding."
"She—she was the most amazing girlfriend ever."
"Oh," Zack said with a nod. "Better than Jane?"
"Zack!" Satsu yelled and the two laughed. "Stop trying to ruin the mood."
"Okay, okay. Sorry. Just when it comes to Jules—I kind of put up a defensive front, you know?"
"I know."
"I loved her, a lot. I never got to tell her that."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, well—I love you. And I wanted to say that before I lose that chance, too." Satsu smiled kindly at him and gave him a weak punch to the chest.
"Don't get all sensitive on me, big guy."
Get in. Rescue. Get out. Simple enough. Sophie parked the car a few blocks from the abandoned house. She was still in her tank top and shorts. Do I need to take off my clothes? She looked in the back seat her car where Linda was sitting. There were a few shirts and jeans. Sweet. She looked over at the girl sitting next to her.
"What was your name again?" she asked.
"Priscilla." The girl replied. She was a small Asian girl with long straight hair and a kind face. Sophie nodded.
"So I hear you two are good fighters?" Both of them shrugged.
"Good enough," Linda said.
"Sweet," Sophie said. "So here's the plan. We charge in—we hit them hard—I save the two of them—we bail. Got it? We make it fast." Linda and Priscilla nodded and the three of them got out of the car. "I won't transform unless I have to. You two make sure I don't need to. I don't want to have to change."
"You're a bit of a bitch, aren't you?" Linda said.
"Yeah—I really don't get along well with girls." Sophie shook her head and the three of them proceeded to the house. Sophie held up her fingers. One. Two. Three. Priscilla kicked the door down and the three rushed in. Come on. Connect. Connect. Connect!
"Can you hear me, Sophie?" came Betrix's voice as if it were surround sound.
"Got you, Betrix. Where are you?" She was frantically looking around the house.
"Third room to the left. Two guards. A large vampire by the name of Maxwell and a smaller one."
"Prisclla! Linda! In here!" The two Slayers followed her closely and she pointed at the room. Linda kicked it down and the two rushed in to fight the vampires. Sophie ran to Betrix and Amy. "You two okay?" she asked them. She helped Betrix to her feet.
"Yeah, thanks." They looked over at the two fighting the vampires. Three more came in.
"Fuck! More vampires." Sophie took off her tank top and shorts. "Stay here. Don't move. I'll try and make this quick." She transformed and rushed forward, biting one vampire on the leg and breaking it. The vampire fell onto the ground and she climbed on top and clawed his head off. It turned to dust. The other two vampires rushed to attack her. She back flipped and kicked both of them in the chest, landing on all four paws. She ran forward and slashed both their faces. They fell to the ground and she climbed on one of their backs and bit their neck, pulling out his spine. Dust. The last one stood up wearily and she growled at her. The vampire backed up hesitantly and Sophie rushed forward, tackling her. She bit her face off. Dust again. Sophie turned back to her naked human form and looked over at Linda. She was still struggling with her vampire but was about to dust it. Sophie turned to Pricilla. "Oh, fuck!" Priscilla was pushed against a wall, her eyes rolled backwards. She was being drained by the large Maxwell. Sophie rushed forward and grabbed him but he swung his arm and she flew clear across the room, hitting the wall. She stood up and shook her head. Priscilla was grabbing onto his shirt, desperately trying to pull him away.
"God, this one turns me on. I understand why that Valentine did what he did now." Maxwell said pulling away from the dying Slayer. "Fuck, she tastes amazing. I'd fuck her right here if you punks weren't around." He showed his bloody fangs at Sophie. She growled at him. I'm nowhere near strong enough to face him now. He's got Slayer. She turned to look at Linda. Linda had dusted her vampire.
"Sophie," she said seriously. "Go. I'll fight him."
"But—"
"I might not be able to beat him—but it'll give you time to take those two and go."
"No—I'll—"
"My orders were to protect the three of you with my life. That's what I'm doing." The big girl said. She was almost as big as Maxwell was. "So go. If I die—tell Violet that I'm sorry I failed her." She rushed forward and attacked Maxwell. Priscilla fell to the ground…still barely alive.
"Can you two walk?" Sophie asked them. They both nodded their heads. "Grab my clothes." Sophie ran forward and picked the bloody Priscilla off the ground. "Thank you, Linda."
"Go!"
"They're here!" Rona's voice rang loudly and the Slayers got into position. Satsu and Zack walked up to the cliff and looked at the battlefield. They could see Katana clearly in front of her large army of vampires and demons.
"Is that…Cooper?" Zack said, squinting his eyes. "God damn it!" Zack let out a frustrated sigh. "I really don't want to deal with him."
"Yeah—and if I'm not mistaken—that's Hugo. You remember him?"
"The son of a bitch that chained us up and kept calling us 'idiots'? Oh yeah—definitely remember that guy."
"Alright, ladies. On your mark," Rona pulled out her sword and waved it in the air. "Get set!" Do people really say this? "Go! Make us proud!" They jumped off the cliff and ran straight for Katana's army. Katana had on her usual Slayer gear with her sword behind her back. She drew it and got ready. The first Slayers that reached her were dead within seconds. She was fast. Too fast. Rona and Violet charged through the dense battlefield and made their way to their target, Katana. When they reached her, they each took to a side, forcing her to split her attention.
Satsu didn't know exactly what she was doing. She was stabbing and killing, making her way through the fight towards Katana. She half was rooting for Katana not to be slain. What's wrong with me? Satsu found Hugo fighting a Slayer. She ran forward and tackled him. They both go to their feet.
"Sorry, but he's mine!" Satsu yelled at the Slayer. The girl nodded and continued fighting elsewhere.
"Ah, its you." Hugo said with a smirk. "I finally get the chance to kill you."
"I like how—you're with Julia now. Makes no sense considering you should hate her as much as me."
"I'm an opportunist."
"You're a tool." The two got into battle and Satsu found it was oddly thrilling to be fighting in such a big fight. The last time there was an all out war; she was sneaking in and assassinating the Boss. Now—now it was fun. She easily overpowered him and snapped his neck.
"Betrix!" Sophie yelled as she stepped harder on the gas. "I asked you how she was!"
"The same as when you asked me a minute ago. Focus on the driving! I'm trying to hold the blood." Sophie made an illegal turn and began speeding again.
"Fuck! The hospital is so fucking far away!" She made another turn. "Hang on there, Priscilla." Sophie's mind wandered to Linda. Was she okay? "Amy. Can you connect to someone instead of for someone else?"
"Um—kind of. It's not the same."
"Can you check up on that girl Linda for me?" Sophie saw Amy nod through the rearview mirror and closed her eyes.
"She's…" Amy opened her eyes in terror. "There was—a lot of blood. She—I think she's dying. That big man was drinking from her."
"Fuck!" Sophie yelled again. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
"Sophie. Shut up!" Betrix yelled. "Stop your panicking and just drive. Calm the hell down or we're all gonna be dead." Sophie took in deep, shaking breaths.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. We just need to get her to a hospital as soon as we can. She's lost a lot of blood." Sophie drove as fast as she could and finally made it to the hospital ten minutes later. They rushed her into the hospital, but the first chance they got after the nurses took her, they escaped.
"We can't waste anymore time. I need to get you two to the safe house and go back—"
"She's gone, Sophie. You can't go back. The only thing you can do is go to the battlefield and make sure someone is warned about Maxwell. He's drunk from two Slayers. His powers are unpredictable. He was already strong to begin with." Sophie nodded weakly.
"You're right."
Zack was thrown backwards and landed on his ass. He stood back up wearily. Guess my regular enhanced strength isn't enough. Gotta go wolf. He felt hair rising through his pores as he began to turn into his most powerful state. Growling, he charged forward through the crowd and took out a vampire with ease. Now, that's more like it. He felt something bite him and then he was thrown. He landed on his back and rolled up. It was another werewolf. Cooper. Zack turned back into his human form and so did he.
"Ah, my boy." He said with a smirk on his hateful face. "Where's my lovely wife? Sophie?"
"Fuck off, Cooper." Zack said angrily.
"Is that anyway to talk to your father, boy?"
"You're not my father. My father's name is Thomas—"
"Ah, so the son finally becomes a man and marks his own territory. Did you really have to take my sloppy seconds though? I mean—I can smell her sweet pussy all over you."
"Fuck you. You say another word about her and I'll make sure your death is slow and painful you son of a bitch."
"Big words for a dog I'm about to put down." A vampire came at Zack. He kicked a stake from the floor up and dusted him. "Got to admit. She gave me some fucking good sex. Oh, I know, you're mad. How could I do that to my own daughter. Well—she has a fine ass. And that rack. How can you deny it? And that sassy attitude. I hope you let her keep it now that she's sucking your dick."
"Shut the fuck up!"
"Oh, you're angry. I like that. I mean look—if Anne had grown up and was as hot as Sophie I'd do her too. I'm not biased." Zack felt his temper rising and he closed his eyes. He's a dead man.
"You sick, son of a bitch. Don't ever talk about Annie in front of me. Ever." The two turned back into their werewolf forms at the same time and charged at each other, two titans clashing. Cooper was strong, being able to wrestle his way on top of Zack and biting his neck. Zack got his legs on his stomach and kicked him off. He bit Cooper's arm. Cooper spazzed from the pain and threw him off. The two rushed at each other again, their teethes clamming down upon each other's flesh. Zack hadn't felt so much pain in his life as Cooper's fangs sank into his calf. Growling as loudly as he could, Zack found an opening and bit Cooper's neck. The man's blood filled his mouth and he spat it out. As Cooper gurgled on the ground, Zack bit again. And again. It was enough to let him die, slowly. Zack gave him a final slash to the face in anger and left him to bleed out to death. Zack continued fighting and by the time he checked up on the werewolf again, he was already reverted back to his human form and dead. That's for talking about Sophie that way. And Annie. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.
Jane paced back and forth, her hands becoming sweaty. She let out a sigh from time to time. God I hope they're okay. Where the hell is Sophie?
"You should really sit down." Monique said with a frown. "I know you're worried but—"
"I'm sorry." Jane said sitting down on the uncomfortable bed. The other Slayer—Jennifer—was reading a book. She looked to be better trained than Monique, although her interpersonal skills were horrid. "Can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" Monique replied, curiously.
"How's the Slayer Organization? I mean—do you think it's a good idea for Satsu to join you guys?" Monique nodded her head.
"Yeah," she said. "We do a lot of good. Buffy is an amazing leader. I mean—I've only met her like twice but—man. I mean she's super pretty." Oh. "And she's just—I don't know. She's like a genius at fighting, you know? Like—no one can beat her. It's intense."
"I see," Jane said. "I was thinking—of convincing Satsu about joining your organization. I mean—I want her to—never mind. I don't know why I'm talking to you about this." Monique gave her a smile and shrugged.
"Well—I mean it's not like you can talk to her." She pointed over to the other Slayer who, even then, did not respond to them. Jane laughed and shook her head.
"Thanks for being so nice." She said.
"Pleasure," she gave Jane a wink. Really? No… "I think someone's outside." She said standing up. She looked through the peephole. "Red head girl. Sophie right?" she asked looking at Jane. Jane stood up and looked through the hole.
"Yeah, that's her." Monique opened the door and in came Sophie, Betrix, and Amy. Both Sophie and Betrix were soaked in blood. "Whoa! What happened? Are you guys okay?" Jane said, helping Sophie onto a chair. Sophie nodded her head and let out a sigh.
"One Slayer died. One's in the hospital. We're in trouble." Sophie breathed.
"What the hell happened?" Monique asked. "Priscilla's dead?"
"No—Linda is." Monique looked shocked by that. "Did she fight off like ten vampires by herself or something?"
"No—she fought one. That was already strong to begin with. But he had drunk almost all of Priscilla's blood by the time Linda and I finished fighting the vampires. We came to Priscilla's rescue but—he was too strong. Linda held him back and I carried Priscilla and—" Sophie let out a sigh and covered her face. Jane frowned and walked up to Sophie and wrapped her arm around her.
"You didn't do anything wrong." Sophie began crying and fell into Jane's arms. After twenty seconds Sophie sat straight up, cleared her throat, and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry about that," she said.
"It's fine."
"I just—I had one mission—and I failed."
"You didn't. You needed to bring Betrix back—now she's back. Okay? You did great, Sophie."
Satsu finally found Katana fighting Violet and Rona. They seemed obviously out matched. Violet came forward and swung her sword to which Katana quickly dodged and gave her a kick to the stomach. Rona dove in to stab her but Katana twisted out of the way and got back into stance. Violet stood up, rubbing her stomach.
"God damn, she's too fast and strong." Violet grunted.
"This is what happens when a Slayer becomes a vampire, huh? Definitely not good."
"Tell me about it." Violet and Rona rushed forward together. Both were punched and fell to the ground. Katana was about to go in for the kill on Rona when Satsu tackled her. They both landed on their feet and Satsu spun her two sword in the air.
"Satsu," Katana said. "Good. I was getting bored with those two." She looked over at the two of them get up. "Oh, no offense of course. You two are very good fighters—just not good enough. And Satsu here—she's got some talent. Became as strong as I was before I turned vampire in a very short amount of time. Oh—and very talented in the sack if any of you are interested." Rona and Violet walked slowly over to Satsu.
"I don't think we can beat her with just the three of us." Rona said. "But with all of us, I'm sure we can." Satsu looked around to find that the battle was over. Most of the Slayers had survived the battle and she even saw a smiling Zack sitting on the ground. His leg was hurt. There was a large circle surrounding the unemotional Katana. A few vampires were in there as well and they walked slowly towards her. Without warning, she killed them all, except one. A girl of about twenty-two was spared.
"What are you doing?" the girl asked her, shaking. Katana gave her a weak smile.
"Do you want die by their hands, or mine?" she said. "I'm giving you a choice, Stephanie." Stephanie opened her mouth and then closed it.
"I don't want to—" Katana pulled her and kissed her. Satsu felt her heart racing in her chest. "Answer me, Stephanie."
"You," she said softly. And she was dust. Katana had staked her. She looked around at the overwhelming amount of Slayers that surrounded her. She closed her eyes as a breeze came through the field.
"I guess my plan isn't going to come to pass is it?" she said with a half-smile.
"Guess not, Jules." Satsu said stepping forward. Rona tried to hold her back but she shook free.
"I want you to kill me. Not them. Not strangers. I want the girl I loved to do it." She handed Satsu her katana and smiled kindly at her.
"I don't—"
"Please, Satsu. A favor for Julia. You know she'd want you to do it." Satsu took the sword from Katana's hand. "I know she'd want you to have the sword, too. It meant a lot to her—obviously." Satsu shook her head and held the sword with both hands. They were shaking.
"Can you kiss me again?" Katana said and Satsu made her way slowly towards her and kissed her for the last time. "Cinnamon?"
"Trying something new," Satsu replied with a weak smile.
"I like it. I also like the smell of Jane all over you—"
"Jules—"
"No," Katana said. "It's good for you." She said with a nod. "So, do it."
"I love you, Julia."
"She loved you, too." Then there was a pause. "I love you, babe." Tears formed in Satsu's eyes and she tried to hold them back.
"Julia?"
"Please, just kill me." There were tears in her eyes as well. "I want it to end. I want to rest in peace, Satsu. Please let me die in peace." Quivering Satsu slashed the blade down upon Julia's neck.
"We should go back," Sophie said. "I mean—we need to go back. It's what Satsu would do, right? We should kill him before he starts drinking from more Slayers and become even more powerful." Sophie was staring desperately around her.
"I'm just—" began Monique.
"What? A novice? Look—people make fun of you right? You're the scapegoat. Sometimes—they don't even talk to you. Like that chick over there. She can't stand the sight of you. You're at the bottom of the pack, yes?" Monique nodded her head with a frown on her young face. "You're the Omega. The joke everyone laughs at. But imagine where you'd stand after you take revenge on a vampire that killed a Slayer." Sophie said standing up. "You're what? Sixteen?"
"Fifteen," she answered. Damn, she's so young.
"Okay—you're fifteen. If you build your reputation now—by the time you're that chick's age—" she pointed at the reading Slayer who had been unmoving the whole night. "Then you'll be on top of your pack." Monique nodded again.
"But—I don't want to die—"
"You're a Slayer. Its part of the job—"
"Sophie," Jane said warningly. Jane stood up and walked to Monique. "Stop it." But her lecture was cut short. The door to their safe house broke down and flew across the room hitting a wall. Maxwell stood with his hands in the air.
"Ah, there you are. Been looking all over the place. Two Slayers for me to taste. And this sexy fox is absolutely gorgeous!" Maxwell said with a smile on his face as he examined Jane. "Damn, she's hot."
"You can't come in here." Jane said taking a few steps back.
"Actually—" Maxwell said with smirk. He left for a second and came back with a battered old man. "I've already been invited in." It was the landowner. He smiled and walked into the room. "Like I said, one sexy fox." He gave Jane a wink. The girl reading the book charged forward, punching Maxwell in the face. He backhanded her and she flew onto the bed. Monique jumped forward but he grabbed her by the throat. "This one's too young for my taste, but—I can make due." Sophie turned and charged forward. He grabbed her by the face and threw her out of the room. He gave Monique a kick to the stomach and pushed her against the wall. Just when he was about to take a bite, Jennifer grabbed him and pulled him away. Monique fell to the ground and stayed there, staring in horror at the large vampire as he fought the better skilled Jennifer. But, Maxwell was stronger. He over powered the girl and bit in. Another Slayer to be drained. Jane looked outside the door. Sophie was hurt. She was back in her human form and bleeding.
"Monique!" Jane yelled. "You need to help her!" With Monique—unresponsive—Jane grabbed a pencil nearby and rushed forward. But Maxwell was grabbing her by the throat before she could move even a foot. He lifted her up and threw her onto the bed. He pinned her down and smirked at her.
"Boy—don't think I've had a human in some time. You got one hell of a figure, girl." Jennifer's blood was dripping onto Jane as she fought desperately under his grasp. Someone grabbed Maxwell into a chokehold and cranked him backwards, onto his feet. It was Sophie.
"Monique!" she yelled. Monique clambered to her feet, grabbed a stake from her jacket, and stabbed Maxwell in the heart. He was gone, instantly. Sophie fell onto her feet and put her hand on her stomach. She was bleeding. "Fuck, that was scary." She laughed. "Is that girl okay?" Jane jumped off the bed to check on Sophie as Monique went over to Jennifer.
"She's okay. He didn't drink much from her." She said. Sophie nodded as Jane examined her wound.
"You're okay, too. Just a flesh wound." Jane said with a happy smile at Sophie.
"What? You care if I'm hurt? You look worried."
"Of course I care!" Jane said throwing herself at her. Sophie softened up and patted Jane on the back.
"I get what Zack means when he says it's awkward because he's naked now." Sophie laughed.
"You're really hot, so it's okay." Jane teased.
"Thanks," Sophie rolled her eyes and Jane helped her onto the bed.
"We need to stop that bleeding."
I often wondered what would have happened if I hadn't gotten out of the house that night. If I had simply looked down upon the cloaked figure and stayed in bed with Julia. Would things have been different? Would she still be alive and in my arms in bed? Or would Valentine had find some other twisted way to bring his plan to past? I don't know. I never will know. All I knew was that it was finally over. Reunited with Jane and the rest of them, we embraced in joy and in sorrow. For the losses, the sacrifices, the untold loves that we held deep within our hearts. Rona told me that they were going to leave at four in the morning and that I had time until then to make my decision. It was three. They girls were already beginning to get ready to leave. Andrew said there were helicopters that they parked nearby.
Satsu sat in the living room with Jane, Zack, Sophie, Betrix, and Amy, like they used to. She remembered the hours spent talking, laughing, crying, planning, plotting, and just about everything possible. She felt almost as if Julia were next to her, smiling among them as a calm fell upon their troubled hearts.
"So it's over." Zack said with a content smile. "And we didn't lose anyone from our group." Except Julia.
"Yeah—we got really lucky." Jane said, holding Satsu's hand. "How are you feeling?" Satsu looked up from the cup she had been staring at on the coffee table. She had a feeling, a thought, an idea, in her mind and she knew everyone else had the same thing too.
"I'm okay," she replied. There was a silence before Jane spoke again.
"You should join the Slayer Organization." Everyone seemed to look away.
"Jane," Satsu said. "We're finally together. I—I don't want to lose you."
"You're not going to lose me." She said touching Satsu's face. "I love you more than anything. But your destiny is greater than me. Than this place. Than our little missions. You're destiny is something greater than all of it—and I would be holding you back selfishly if I told you that I didn't want you to leave because I want you all for myself." She's more selfless than Julia was. "You're my hero, Satsu. Now go be one for everyone else." Satsu looked around at the others. Everyone was smiling warmly at her, as if agreeing with what Jane had just said.
"You guys really—think I should go?"
"It's not what we thinks that matters, Satsu." Zack said. "Its what you think is best. Because hell—if you choose to stay here, we'd be more than happy. But is it what would make you happy?"
"Staying with you? All of you?" she turned to look at Jane. "Of course it'd make me happy."
"Would it fulfill you?" Jane said. "Would it satisfy your need to be something more? To be a part of something greater? To help people in bigger, better way? Look—please just make a decision. Don't make this harder than it already is for me. I've been waiting for forever for you to finally look at me the way you do—I'm being extremely selfless right now—so please…" Satsu was silent. She didn't know know how to answer that question. I want to stay...and go.
"Are you going to join us?" Rona asked, walking past them. "We're heading out right now." Satsu looked from Jane to Zack to Betrix. She nodded.
"Yeah, I guess the decision has been made already. Can I have a minute though?"
"So you are joining us?" Rona asked and Satsu nodded.
"Then you can have all the time in the world. You don't need to pack much. We provide everything there for you." Satsu grabbed her clothes and Zack drove all of them to the meeting point, where the helicopters sat waiting for Satsu's departure.
"So I guess this is it huh?" she said to the five of them. They nodded and all smiled at her; kind, loving, caring, understanding. "I'm going to miss all of you—so much." She said, tears forming in her eyes.
"Back at you." Betrix said with a smile.
"Come here." Satsu said hugging her. "Thank you for everything you've done for us, Betty." It was the first time she had called her by that name. "You've been such an amazing friend, even when you didn't have to be."
"Don't mention it kid. Take care, okay? We'll stay in touch."
"Definitely," Satsu let got of her and looked down at little Amy who gave her a smile. "Good-bye, Amy." She said picking the girl up and holding her like a child.
"Are you going to be gone long?" Amy asked her. Satsu felt tears roll down her cheeks as she nodded.
"Yes, baby. But I'll write to you, okay? Whenever I can." Amy nodded and clung onto her neck.
"Bye, Aunt Satsu." She said, and she kissed Satsu's wet cheeks.
"Bye." She let her down and looked over at Zack and Sophie. Zack gave her a tight hug and kissed her forehead.
"You take care of yourself, little sis." He said. "I'm going to be expecting phone calls, letters, e-mails, everything. You got it?"
"You got it." she said with a smile. Sophie also gave her a hug.
"Bye, Satsu. I was nice to know you." She said.
"You, too, Sophie. Take care of my little brother okay?"
"Oh, little huh?" Zack chuckled.
"Take care of him. Don't break his heart."
"Oh, don't worry. I'll just break his bones if he does anything stupid." Smiled Sophie. Satsu laughed and looked back at Zack.
"She's a keeper."
"I know." Zack said putting his arm around Sophie's shoulder. Satsu finally turned to Jane who had been standing alone, staring at the ground.
"I love you, babe." Satsu said. Jane was crying by the time she was holding Satsu in her arms.
"I know you do," she said in tears. "But you'll never know how much I love you." They kissed, for the last time. Jane could taste Satsu's cinnamon lip gloss as they parted ways. "I hope you find someone that will fit into your future. The way I can't."
"As much as I'd be jealous of her, I wish you find someone like that too, Jane."
"Bye, Satsu."
"Good-bye, babe." Satsu turned to leave and was helped onto the helicopter. She turned back to look at her friends, her family, her entire life one last time. "Like I said. I'll write to you. And I'll call. I love you guys."
"Go, Satsu!" Jane said crying into Zack's arm. And that was it. The helicopter flew upwards and into the sky, towards Satsu's future, leaving behind her past, forever unknown to the rest of the world.