{Last updated: 7/3/2013}
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Whoopsie... I make you all wait long again, huh?
Yeah, another late update; a very, very LONG one, if I should comment. I'm very SORRY for that! Thank you for everyone who had read, reviewed, followed, or favourited this fic. It means so much to me and I feel awful for leaving you all waiting long! So thanks to Tera Tyrant Shadic, Overlord Valkyrie, OverLord Ayame, OverlordHiroko, Mailumia, godzilla90fan, Yuu-chan, Riyuki Mio, UNKNOWN, FullmetalFan870 (who already 'quit' from the world of Fanfiction), DiLost, HiddenPurplePower, Lunar Wave, Leila Andell, Crimson Reaper Ragna (who previously known as "Shunto"), Mage of Hope, Ishakaji, Kiwi and a Random Penguin, willfoxx, palad1n, ninakietnaki, Guest, Dark-Key0, RavenAlche, Killthief99, mimi12, nana, michi, hihi, XrosaryX, Mocha H, AceStarKnight, overlordpringerx, Niom Lamboise, kirbystarwarrior, and Overlord-Lucia (AND those who've fav and follow the story!). Thank you all for your lovely reviews. Your supportive and encouraging words have made me smile time and time again. You didn't deserve the wait and I'm truly sorry for that!
I can't thank you enough for not giving up on me. :') ..Once again, I apologize for the wait! x_X ..It'll be harder to post Chapters from now on, but I'll try! :)
Anyway, enough for the chit-chat. On the story~! ^_^-
Disclaimer : I don't own Disgaea. If I do, I already make it until the sixth series... OwO
The Curse of Blood
Chapter 37 : When They're on the Way...
"So... What are you going to do next, Fuka?"
It's 1.59 PM now in the Human World. Genjuro stood in front of Fuka and her team, right behind him is his wife and his daughter's tombstones— which now had two red roses placed atop each graves.
"Well... We'll to go to this flower shop called 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop'," Fuka said to her father, smiling. "... Are you coming, Dad?"
Genjuro shook his head. "No... I'll stay here for a few more moments. You can go ahead," he said with a smile. "Fuka, Desco, everyone... Please be safe— both when you're all here and in the Netherworld. May luck always be in your favor, everyone. And when you guys succeed, tell Sir Valvatorez I said 'hi'."
"Will do. And thank you, Dad..." Fuka said, walked up to her father before hugging him, followed by Desco short after. "I... I promise to visit you once I'm done with this rescue mission..."
With that, Fuka and Desco let go their hug from their father before turning around. Then, the two sisters and the others made their way out of Thánatos, with Genjuro watching them from afar...
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It didn't take long until the group arrived at their destination. Before them is a small building with bright yellow-colored walls, named 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop'.
"Here we are... Again," Fuka muttered, slightly shuddered at the thought of what happened when Artina and the woman named Salvatore fought each other for the Black Rose, which was destroyed by an 'incident' in the end.
"So... This is the place?" Fenrich said, crossing his arms. "Weird... And here I thought it's a big place."
With no other comments, everyone went inside. As Fuka push open door, tinkling sound could be heard from the small bell that is placed right above the shop's door— that may be deliberately placed there to make the shopkeeper aware of any customer who came into the shop.
"... Hello? Anybody here? Master Big Star? Salvatore?" Fuka called out, as she and the others stepped into the shop. They saw the shop was good as new again, as if the fight between Artina and Salvatore was never occurred there.
A man with long brown hair in elegant-looking yellow clothes was standing behind the counter table, his back facing the group. But as soon as he heard Fuka's voice, he quickly spun around.
"Oh why hello there, everyone. It's good to see you all back... with a lot of friends," the man said, brandishing a red rose to them. "Still... Welcome to 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop'! Can I help you, ladies and gentlemen~?"
Fenrich arched one eyebrow up at this. "... Who the hell is this guy?"
Mao sighed before answering the Werewolf's question. "He's Master Big Star. Like us, he's a demon. He opened a flower shop here, saying that he doing businesses besides being a Sophomore Leader in my Academy."
The Werewolf then crossed his arms. "Seeing the flowers aren't just one kind, I bet he's not alone in doing this business."
"Your guess was right, 'partner'. He's with a woman named Salvatore— one of Diez Gentlemen in my Academy," Mao replied, looking around. "Speaking of that Diez Gentlemen... Where is she, Big Star?"
Master Big Star pointed his thumb to his back. "After losing her Black Rose, she decided to get another one by training hard and going to this 'Ischyrós' Netherworld. Right now, she was preparing herself for going to Ischyrós," he told the group, folding his arms. "I decided to join her, though. I need to have some fight after a long absence, ya know?"
The Hades' crew was shocked to hear this. "R-Really?!" they all shouted.
"Yup." Master Big Star said with a nod. "I've ever heard you guys also wanted to visit this Netherworld... So let me give you a ride— I think Salvatore wouldn't mind. If you guys want to join, then come to this shop at 2.30 PM, and we'll quickly depart to Ischyrós."
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The news about Master Big Star and Salvatore's 'trip' to Ischyrós made the Hades' crew quickly rushed from 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop' to Fuka's two friend's club house. As they arrived, they slammed open the door, making the others who inside the club house surprised.
"Ah... You're all finally back," Main Hero B said with 'her' feminine voice. "... So? Did you get the names?"
"W-We... We got it," Fuka said between her hard panting. "A-Anyway, there's something important I need to tell—!" the brunette began, but was cut off by Flonne.
"U-Uhm..." the Archangel muttered, looking around before her gaze was fixed to Etna.
"M-Miss Etna... Who's that man with an antenna-like hair behind you? A-And," the Archangel stood up before she continued, "where is Sir Laharl?"
At this question, Fuka and the others were silent, with Etna and the man with the antenna-like hair looked sad.
"H-He... He's gone," Etna said with a hint of sadness, looking to the Archangel. "A-And the one to be blamed... was this 'Milady' girl."
At this, Flonne understand what Etna means, and couldn't help but gasped aloud in shock as tears went out of her bright blue eyes.
"W-What...? N-No. S-Sir Laharl... Sir Laharl is..." Flonne couldn't get the urge to say the 'd' word, sobbing aloud instead. "N-No... W-Why?!"
"T-This is... totally unexpected..." Main Hero B muttered, as 'she' and the others lowered their heads, mourning for Laharl's death...
Minutes later, they're all done with the mourning, with some still trying to wipe the tears that had made their faces wet. Then, Fuka told the group of their plan to go to Ischyrós.
The news was instantly startled the group. "W-WHAT?!" they all cried out.
"Y-Yeah! Since we've got the names, then all we need to do is go to Ischyrós and save Valzy!" Fuka said, raising a fist up into the air. "So pack up your belongings and let's go to this shop named 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop'! If you ask why, it's because..."
There was a short pause from the Prinny Girl before she continued, "Well, since we had no idea at how to get to Ischyrós, while the 'two shopkeepers' at the shop knew and planned to go Ischyrós today, then we need to tag along with them! I knew it sounds so sudden, but right now, it's the only way to get to Ischyrós!"
"You heard her, everyone! We're leaving to Ischyrós now!" Artina exclaimed, sounding serious. "So pick up all of your belongings, and then we'll leave to 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop' and go to Ischyrós!"
The pink-haired Angel then raised a fist up. "... It's time, everyone! I'm hope you're all ready!"
"Of course we do!" a Thief exclaimed, smiling.
"We'll save Sir Valvatorez for sure!" a Magic Knight said, before moving her eyes to a Bio-Suit beside her. "Hey... Do you think we would succeed?"
"Data processing... Processing complete; Mission to save Sir Valvatorez is reaching its climax," a Bio-Suit said with its robotic voice. "Chance to win is unknown, but it's unlikely... 75%."
"Re-calculating... Chance to win is 100%. That is, if we stick together until the very end," an Android corrected, one fist raised into the air.
Fenrich took a few steps forward before raising a fist up into the air. "Alright, everyone! You've have 15 minutes to get your things packed! Don't be late, or you'll feel..."
The Werewolf brought his fist down before thrust it forward in an angry manner, making everyone flinched. "...THIS!"
"Y-YES, SIR FENRICH!"
With that, everyone quickly scampered from their spot, packing their belongings as fast as they could— as if they're in a competition that was hanging on for dear life...
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14 minutes and 55 seconds later, everyone were done in packing their things. They're all panting hard, obviously tired for running around for their things back then.
"5 seconds before 15 minutes? Hmm... As impossible as it sounds, but you all did it before the time runs out... Good job," Fenrich commented, crossing his arms. "Well, then... It's 2.15 PM now. That would leave 15 minutes before 2.30 PM."
"Which is an enough time to go to the flower shop, then to Ischyrós," Artina added, placing one hand to her hip. "Alright then, everyone, let's go to the flower shop!"
"YEAH!"
With that, all members of the Hades' crew went out of the club house, ready for another departure far away from the Human World. But they hadn't gone far when...
"WAIT FOR US...!"
The group turned around, and was shocked to find Aya and Tera there, running up to them. They're wearing backpacks.
"M-Mai? H-Hirl?" Fuka muttered, watching her two friends stopped right in front of her. "W-... What are you both doing?"
"What else, duh? We're coming with you and your team!" Aya said eagerly, placing both of her hands to her hips.
Fuka's cinnamon eyes were widened at this. "W-What?!"
"I- No— WE know it sounds crazy, and we know it sounds dangerous to tag along with you and the others. But..." Tera shook her head, looking up to Fuka. "E-Ever since you guys came here, Aya and I had experiencing the happy, sad, and the heart-pumping moments with you guys... To tell you the truth, Fuka, we never had this kind of experience ever since you're... dead."
Fuka was a bit taken aback at this remark. "Mai... Hirl..."
"I know you'll say it's dangerous for us to tag along, but..." Aya looked to the Prinny Girl right in the eye sternly— so stern that it made Fuka almost flinch. "Fuka... We can fight now. If we're not watching you and the others do some butt-kicking back then, we'll never knew what to do in fighting. And without the power of 'magic' and the staff we owned now, we'll never joining you and the team in the fight..."
"Fuka, you don't know how much this fighting experience meant to us. It was weird... But on the other hand, it was a great miracle for us," Tera added, taking a step forward. "Fuka... We've face dangers, and one of it happens just a few hours ago, right at the time we lost an ally..."
Tera lowered her head, but quickly brought it up again so her eyes fixed to Fuka's brown ones. "Please, Fuka! Let us face the danger together with you! We want to help you in saving this guy named Valvatorez you and the others always talked about!"
"Heck yeah! Do you think after this togetherness we had, me and Tera would just stay here and letting you all go and face the danger without us?" Aya huffed aloud, crossing her arms. "Hmph! Absolutely not! We're coming with you, Fuka- No— everyone! We've done a lot of butt-kicking together, so don't see us as ordinary school girls anymore— we're now able to fight, like you guys!"
Everyone was shocked to hear this. The group's members, right now, were more than enough for a big mission. Adding another two members might be a good idea, but it would be the opposite if the two members are those who new to the Netherworld— a whole new 'dimension' that were harsh and cruel sometimes.
No, scratch the 'sometimes' away— 'always' is the more suitable word for the statement above.
For a moment, the Hades' crew was all quiet until Fuka sighs, placing one hand to her hip.
"Mai... Hirl..." Fuka muttered, sighing again. "I... I know you both now are no stranger to danger. You both now can fight like a heroine on those games. But... Oh, for Netherworld's sake. Seriously, guys?" The brunette's voice is soft despite of the annoyed-like sentences she just said.
Fuka's face slowly sunk into her right hand in deep thought. It was clear that she was struggling to make a decision.
A moment later, she looked up to her two friends, sighing. "... Fine, permission to tag along granted. But if there is any danger that you felt you can't face, I want you both to inform me about it, so me and the team could try and take you both return here. Do I make myself clear?"
At this remark, the Hades' crew was left shocked. But seeing from the situation, it is clear that Fuka wanted her two friends to stay, but letting them tag along instead. And they really sure that once the Prinny Girl's two friends went into the team, Fuka will try to protect them from any harm— it was visible from the brunette's face and eyes.
On the other hand, Aya and Tera started to smile a little. "Crystal. Crystal clear, Fuka," Aya said, as she and Tera ran and hugged the brunette tight, crying.
"T-Thank you, Fuka," Tera said, still hugging her brown-haired friend. "We promise... We promise that we're not going to let you down, Fuka. Mark our words."
Fuka had no idea what to say, so she hugged back her two friends instead, nodding slightly.
A moment later, Fuka and her two friends broke the hug. After saying goodbyes to their clubhouse, Aya and Tera— along with the Hades' crew— began to make their way to 'Mr. Gorgeous Flower Shop', ready for their next adventure to Ischyrós...
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Meanwhile, back at Thánatos...
Genjuro was crouching in front of his wife and his daughter's tombstones, holding it gently. At the moment, he had his head down with his eyes closed as gentle breeze began to blow through his body. Genjuro sighs, let go his hold from the tombstones before he stood up, opening his eyes.
"I wish you're here, dear... You'll be so proud to see how Fuka had grown up," Genjuro said to his wife's tombstone, smiling warmly. "Also... She's quite a good fighter too now. I remember those days when we both afraid that our daughter Fuka will be the target of bullies... But hey, guess we're wrong after all."
It was then Genjuro became aware that he was not alone; as he could hear the sound of shoes clicking from behind him...
Then it stopped.
"Wha—" Genjuro started to say, turning to face the figure, and was cut off when he felt a sharp pain collided to the side of his head, making him gasped in shock before he was out like a light, falling to the hard ground on his side.
Three figures could be seen, standing before Genjuro's unconscious form. The three of them are all demons, all had bright red eyes.
"Hmph, piece of cake," one of the demons— a red-eyed Male Warrior— spoke; a smirk ran across his face.
"Indeed," the other demon— a red-eyed Female Samurai— said, joining the conversation. "I can't believe that from all missions, we were told by 'Milady' to capture this weak human named Genjuro Kazamatsuri. Hmph, this is just too easy."
"But still..." the other demon— a red-eyed Archer— muttered, crossing her arms. "... I wonder what this man had done until he caught 'Milady's interest? Or... Does 'Milady' love to collect weaklings? I mean, last time, 'Milady' brought that weakling 'vampire'... And now a human who has no capability in fighting? Just what is 'Milady' planning to do...?"
"Whatever it is, I believe 'Milady's plans were a good one, like a gold that never lost its shine..." the red-eyed Male Warrior said, shifting his gaze to his two companions. "Alright, since we're done with the mission, let's go back... C'mon, Reipia, Yumi. Let's not make 'Milady' waiting."
"Understood, Ken," the red-eyed Female Samurai— named Reipia— said to the red-eyed Male Warrior— named Ken— while the red-eyed Archer— named Yumi— nodded in agreement at this.
Ken then grabbed Genjuro by the back of his white coat before he, Reipia, and Yumi teleported out of the place in a flash of dark light, leaving Thánatos alone once again...
What in the freaking world?! Fuka's dad is abducted! My, this wouldn't be good... While that happens, the Hades' crew finally can depart to Ischyrós! What happen next for the Hades' crew...? And more importantly, Fuka's dad, Genjuro Kazamatsuri?
Find it out at the next Chapter~! ;D
Oh, and... I'm sorry, but NO replies for now! I was EXTREMELY busy until I can't make one. X_x ..But you know how THANKFUL I am when I got your feedbacks; it means a LOT to me! Thank you for the reviews, buddies! I'm glad you enjoyed this story, even though I always make you all annoyed by the late updates... X_x
You know what they said; "Nobody's Perfect". So I beg your pardon if there's some errors and 'weird' sentences in this Chapter. Thank you to you all who've read, fav, follow, and review this story! :) ..Well, as always, next Chapter is in-progress. So stay tuned for more Chapters, everyone! Cheers~! ^^-
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Have a good day, buddies~! :3
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... Oh, right! Congratulatiuon for Killthief99 to get the hidden 'meme' reference correctly! :D ..A(n imaginary) delicious cookies for you, buddy~! xD