Embarrassment 51: Puppet


It seemed that the harder Keitaro tried to have a normal life, the more reality smacked him back down. All he wanted was for his last days of sanity to be spent near the one he loved. But as he trudged through the snow towards the location of Takeshi's mansion, he knew he was asking for too much. At this point, he wanted to blame everyone for this. He blamed Elda for not trusting him enough to allow him to be near Kanon. He blamed Takeshi for thinking he could lay a hand on Kanon. But most of all, he blamed himself. He had been unable to control himself and do what he needed to do. And now, the one he cared about was being held captive, because he couldn't let himself get close enough to her to protect her.

Even now, with the freezing December winds tearing at his face, he felt hot. He could feel his blood boiling and hear those horrible voices within his head. The half vampire had been holding out for just one last night with Kanon. But now he would have to hold out a little longer.

And what does it matter anyways, Hunter? the voice hissed in the back of his head. Takeshi just proves that once you are out of the picture, Kanon will never be safe again.

"Be quite," he told himself, trying so hard to block it out.

Even if you rescue her from this vampire tonight, who's going to be able to save her next time? it continued, sounding ever so pleased. You can only delay the inevitable. Once you are gone, another will take your place. Who knows; in a year from now, you may just be a memory to dear old Kanon.

"You are wrong," Keitaro replied.

You know what I say is true. It is your greatest fear. That's the only reason you still cling to whatever existence you have left. But look at you. You have run out of time. Soon, the hunters that you once worked with will be after you. You will have no memory of Kanon or any of the other Maakas.

Keitaro couldn't argue. There was no point to it anyways. As of now, he felt like there was a weight on his chest. The voice seemed to echo through his entire soul as the blood in his veins burned like a fire. How long did he have left? A day? An hour? He had been holding on for so long, but it felt like it was already over. Any normal person would have snapped a long time ago under the pressure. But not him…. Not yet…

"I still have control," he said strongly, as Takeshi's mansion came in view. "You haven't won just yet."

Only one thing mattered anymore. The Maaka family was counting on him. Elda was counting on him. But most of all, Kanon needed him. If this was his last night, he needed to do something to clear his name once and for all.

It all seemed so easy though. He knew by the bats on the trees surround the huge mansion that his presence was known. Takeshi was expecting him, and that's what made him even more nervous. Not even the front door was locked. However, as soon as he pushed it opened, he could have never expected what happened next.

"Keitaro!" a familiar voice said. He barely had any time to react before Kanon came running out the door into the snow, wrapping her arms around him and crying. "Keitaro! I knew you would come!"

The moment he saw her he immediately forgot about the pain in his head and hugged her tightly.

"Kanon, I'm so sorry…" he said softly. "I shouldn't have left you alone."

But no matter how happy the reunion was, he was caught off guard by what Kanon said next. Though she wanted nothing more than to hold onto him forever, out of the corner of her eye, she could see Takeshi standing at the top of the stairs, watching her closely. When she opened her mouth, her throat was dry. And she had to fight back the tears to say what she said next.

"You… Keitaro… you have to get out of here," she said softly, still hugging him tightly.

Keitaro was caught slightly off guard, thinking that she had just worded it wrong. "Then let's go…"

"No…" she said quickly, cutting him off. Finally she let go of him and took a step back. "Keitaro… Please... you have to go home."

"What do you mean…Kanon what's going on…?" At that moment, Keitaro noticed Takeshi inside the house, with a smile on his face. Pushing past Kanon, he let himself into the house. "Takeshi, you bastard, what the hell did you do?"

Takeshi just continued to smile smugly. "Me? Why, I didn't do anything. I do believe that Kanon asked you to go home though."

"Oh don't worry, I plan to leave. But not until I've finished with you," he hissed walking up to Takeshi.

Keitaro had half a mind to start swing now. They were about the same height, and he didn't even care if the man was a vampire. However, Takeshi didn't budge and even when Keitaro was within swinging distance, he remained calm.

"I would watch my next move, if I were you, Keitaro," he muttered, still smirking. "You wouldn't want to make things difficult now would you? I would recommend being peaceful."

As he said this, he glanced over to Kanon, who was watching the two of them with fear in her eyes. She had to speak up before Keitaro did something rash. Tohru's life depended on it. But she couldn't find it in herself to say anything. Takeshi realized this and decided to take hold of the situation.

"Before you decide to strike me, Keitaro," he said calmly. "I think you should understand the situation you are in. I didn't kidnap Kanon Usui. She left you and came with me by choice. Isn't that right, Kanon?"

Part of her wanted to say no, but she had no choice but nodded. When she did, Keitaro was at a loss for words. Takeshi smiled even wider that Kanon was being a good little girl.

"You see, Keitaro," he said calmly. "This is all just a misunderstanding."

"Kanon…" he said through gritted teeth, still not breaking eye contact with Takeshi. "What's going on?"

"What's going on is that she is leaving you for me," Takeshi replied for her.

"How dare you," Keitaro hissed, grabbing onto Takeshi's shoulders tightly. "I don't know what kind of game you think you are playing?"

"Game? I think you are mistaken, Keitaro. The only one playing a game is you. Do you really think if I was kidnapping her I would have let you near her? No, she asked me if she could see you, and I allowed you near the mansion."

"Don't freaking lie to me!" Keitaro yelled.

He had enough of this. Balling up his fist he swung at Takeshi. The vampire didn't even bother to move. It didn't matter, though. Before Keitaro's fist ever landed a hit, Kanon finally found her voice.

"Keitaro! Don't!" she screamed, running up and shoving him out of the way.

Normally, Kanon wouldn't have been strong enough to do anything, but she had caught Keitaro off guard and managed to almost knock him over. Keitaro was shocked. He just stared at Kanon unable to understand why she was doing this.

"Kanon," he said softly. "I don't know what he's done…"

"Takeshi is telling the truth," Kanon said quickly, unable to believe that she was lying to the one she loved. "I came here of my own choice. You can't hurt him."

I'm so sorry, she thought sadly.

"You have to leave, Keitaro," she continued. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you this before… But… But I'm staying with Takeshi."

Keitaro couldn't believe what he was hearing. These words hit him like a truck. He didn't even know what to say at first.

"Tell me, Keitaro," Takeshi said calmly, "What did you think this was all about? Kanon Usui has agreed to be my wife."

"You LIE!" Keitaro yelled.

He looked to Kanon for support, but she wasn't budging. This meant that Takeshi was telling the truth.

"I'm sorry you had to hear the news like this," Takeshi said with false sympathy. "We were going to tell the Maakas the news tomorrow, but you didn't even give us a chance. Being a vampire hunter I'm sure you know better than anyone else what this means."

Unfortunately, Keitaro did. If all of this was true, and Kanon did offer her hand over to Takeshi then that meant Takeshi was officially untouchable. Attacking him would mean attacking any clan his family was a part of. He was using Kanon as a shield.

"I told you from the start, Keitaro," he continued. "That I was the next suitor for Kanon once you were gone. Kanon told me about your little charade at the Maaka mansion. You dare lay hands upon the Pushuke. You are lucky that this is being kept secret."

"That was an accident," Keitaro hissed. He looked to Kanon. "Kanon you know that was an accident. I didn't mean to do it."

Kanon still didn't look up at him. She continued to hold back the tears and stare at the floor. She couldn't dare face him at this point in time.

"Don't worry, Keitaro," Takeshi said. "Kanon forgives you for it. However, as a vampire, it is my duty to protect the Pushuke from anything that may cause her harm. That means you. Now that you understand the situation, I'm going to ask you nicely. Leave my home. You have no place here, Keitaro, and you are not welcome in our home anymore."

"No…" Keitaro muttered, shaking his head.

"This isn't a negotiation. I'm trying to be civil right now. We have told you the situation and no matter how much you may hate it, there is nothing you can do. I will have one of my servants show you the quickest route back to the train station. From there, I'm sure you can find your way."

"I'm not leaving without Kanon," Keitaro said firmly. He held out a hand for Kanon getting down on one knee. "Kanon," he said gently. "I don't know what's going on here, but please… Don't do this."

Kanon knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to take a hold of his hand and run out with Keitaro. She wanted to get out of this house as quickly as possible. But she also had to protect her family. So still holding back the tears she looked up at Keitaro slowly, and shook her head.

"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I can't… I… I made a promise. I'm so sorry Keitaro."

Keitaro couldn't believe he was being shut down like this. Something was wrong and he knew it. But he had no choice. He knew Kanon. She wouldn't be doing this unless there was something really wrong. With that, Keitaro got to his feet, and gave Kanon one last hug, which she didn't even bother to return. Before he let go, he whispered something in her ear that not even Takeshi's perfect hearing could pick up. When he straightened himself up, Kanon was surprised to see he had tears in his eyes.

"This isn't over Takeshi," he said darkly, wiping away the tears.

Takeshi just smiled kindly. "I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you, Keitaro. I know how far you had to come just to leave with nothing."

Keitaro didn't say anything and headed for the door. The entire time, Kanon watched him silently. She was really just going to let him go? Part of her wanted to go tell him the truth. But she stayed put… Stayed next to the beast's side. And just like that, Keitaro was out the door and into the cold night. As soon as the door shut, Takeshi sighed in relief.

"You did a good job, my little puppet," he said, smiling at her.

"I want to see Tohru," she said softly.

"But of course. Whatever you desire."

With a snap of a finger, from the top of the stairs came two servants. One of them motioned Kanon to follow, while the other stayed behind with Takeshi. Kanon was hesitant at first, but after one last glance at the front door, she followed silently behind the servant. As soon as she was out of the room, Takeshi turned to the other one and smiled.

"It's time to go hunting," he said, smiling darkly.


Yay, another chapter I completely hated writting. I had half a mind to scrap this chapter and change it but I couldn't think of any way to really write it. Oh well. I promise the next chapter is the one many of you have been waiting for. Please R&R