Warnings:
Violence
The days following his 'chance' encounters were more or less normal. They didn't return to the club. Seto didn't want to see any more Kitsune and Katsuya wasn't ready to see them yet. He was giving Umi time to gather everyone.
The couple had a few days were Liam didn't bother them, but they did have to give him some time every so days. He obviously wanted to hang out with Seto alone, but Katsuya so far hadn't let him. He was waiting for the right time…
It was the Tuesday of the second week when everyone seemed to make their move.
"I want to have a day with Kaseri."
Katsuya glanced up from his phone, while Seto her computer. She blinked at the Vampire, before shrugging.
"I don't mind," she muttered, turning back to type some more. "Katsuya?"
He tethered on making a small deal out of it. He could get Liam to do something for him...but then this might be useful...
"Ok." Liam looked at him in surprise. "Why don't you guys hang out today?"
Now Seto looked at him surprised.
"I have work–"
"Perfect!" Liam said over her. He disappeared, using his super speed, and pulled Seto to her feet. "Let's go do something."
Seto sent a glare Katsuya's way before she was dragged out of the house. Katsuya chuckled a little before standing himself. Well…the timing couldn't be any better. Knowing Liam, he would like to take Seto out for dinner too. It was obvious to the fox he was still set in the gentlemanly ways. The fact he still referred to Seto as Kaseri, and commented on the 'unlady' like things she did, said it all.
"Alright…" Katsuya stepped out of the still open front door. He locked it and continued down to the street. "I wonder if Umi has done what I asked…"
The club was closed. So a night only place huh? Well…she wouldn't mind if he decided to pop in…
Grabbing the doorhandle, Katsuya twisted it. He was surprised when it opened easily. Not locked? Ok…was she expecting someone maybe?
The door made a little chime, which he did not remember hearing the other night, as he opened and closed it. The place looked very dull without the night theme and massive crowds. The bar looked so lonely and old.
As he was walking towards the bar, a woman came out from the back. He smirked as she came to the front, still not having looked at him.
"Sorry, but we're closed." She looked up. Brown eyes turned to blue as Umi took over. She narrowed her eyes, placing the glass her host had been cleaning on the bar. "What are you doing here?"
"Well…" He looked around again. So boring… "I told you I would pop in for a little chat." To his disappointment, she didn't stiffen. "I assume you've done what I asked?"
Umi sighed but nodded. He hid his surprise. To get some of the Thirteen here so quickly…
"Come out back."
She walked back through the door she had come from. He climbed over the bar before following. They entered a dark corridor. A kitchen sat in one open doorway and a cellar in another. A freezer room too. At the very end, directly in front, was a closed door. Umi stopped in front of it and turned to him.
"Kage managed to get the others," she whispered as she grasped the doorhandle. "Everyone is here."
He rose an eyebrow. Everyone…now that was a pleasant surprise…
She pushed the door open.
A breakout room. With couches and a coffee table. A TV and games. His mind had a second to register the room before the people in it.
He really couldn't stop the genuine smile that crossed his face.
Sitting on a couch at the back was Kage. His black tails were out, draped over the couch and resting on the floor. Sitting on his lap like Katsuya remembered was Kaze. The Wind Kitsune also had her tails out, the light blue entwined with Kage's black. It was good to see they were still happy together…
On the long couch was Yama, Mountain, Shin, Forest and Kawa, River. Yama was in his human form, or well his host's body. Shin had his forest green tails out and Kawa had her blue tails too. Leaning against that couch were Jikan and Oto, the twins. Time and Sound. The two boys, as their hosts were that of teenagers, didn't have their limbs out either. Arashi sat in an armchair by herself. The Thunder Kitsune didn't seem too impressed by the way she eyed him up and down. Chikyu, Earth sat on the armrest of Arashi's chair. Seishin, the Spirit Kitsune, sat on the ground. She smiled a little when they met eyes. And last and definitely least, Kaen, the Fire Kitsune. Standing against the wall because he was apparently too good to sit.
Hold on…Celest…
"So Umi wasn't lying…" He looked down a little at the all too familiar voice. Daffodil yellow eyes glowed exactly as he remembered. Celest smiled, her host looking a lot like her old human form. "You really are here…"
He had to smile. Looking back up, he was actually at a loss for words. The other night he thought he'd just come in like he used to. Ruin whatever they had going on and manipulate them into his game.
But he couldn't.
Not this time.
"…I…" He bit his lip. He had to… "I'm sorry."
There was movement and small gasps as he bowed low to them. He felt Celest's hands shoot out, but she stopped herself as he continued talking.
"I shouldn't have used you all," he whispered while closing his eyes. "I messed up big time. I didn't mean for any of this to happen, and I truly am sorry." He clenched his fists as he rose again. "I want to fix this mistake." His eyes flashed red. "Would you all aid me again? For the freedom I promised so long ago?"
There were a couple moments of silence. He knew they were shocked. Rei? The egotistical, selfish bastard that got them into this mess, asking for help?
A small laugh made ears and eyes turn to the back corner. Kage shook his head, grinning.
"You really have changed, Rei." Katsuya smiled. He could always count on Kage to lighten the mood… "I'll help you. But what exactly do you have planned?"
Before Katsuya could tell them, Ji interrupted.
"Before that." His purple eyes darkened, the darker tones of his voice slipping over the fifteen year old. "Why are you…normal…"
Katsuya laughed a little at that.
"Normal?" He cocked his head as his eyes properly turned red. "I guess you could call this normal…" He shrugged. "It's been a very long time." He sighed and leaned against the closed door. He could feel confusion, apprehension from some, and suspicion in others. They were expecting him to flip completely. "I guess it could have something to do with my lack of Star Ball, but–"
"Lack of?" He looked to Kaen. The Fire Kitsune was scowling just a little. "What do you mean lack of?"
"Well I lost my locket, so…"
He smiled and chuckled a little when various "Whats?!" came his way. Yes yes…the First losing his Ball…
"How did you lose it?!" Arashi asked in a mix of anger and exasperation.
"How could you lose it?!" Oto corrected with a glare.
"The Balls give us power!" Ji chimed in. "If you don't have it then that means–"
He stopped as the realisation hit him. As did many others.
Oooh…was that a shift in the air…?
"I am still far more powerful than any of you," he said slowly and with a little of his old insanity. Many stiffened and the power shifted back in his favour. "The lack of my Orb is only a minor inconvenience. No human has controlled me, and ever will. But…" He smiled and this time it had a chilling effect. "This does bring me to my proposition..."
No one spoke, so he assumed that meant he could continue.
"I need you all to help me find and bring my Orb back to me." He rested a hand on his chest. "If you do this, I can set you all free."
There was a pause, before Yama asked, "How?"
The Kitsune grinned.
"My last host, a good couple thousand years ago, made a counter spell to the sealing spell." He caught the same hope from Umi sparking in all of them to some degree. "She released me thinking she'd get more power. I killed her and left. I didn't realise my Orb was still in the locket until much later." He ignored the soft snicker from Kaen. Always so…annoying… "Once I have my Orb, I can perform the spell again and release you too. I promised you freedom," he dropped his old persona and instead let the genuineness of his words through, "I intend to keep that promise."
Again with the slightly stunned silence. Eventually Kage sighed and broke the ice again.
"Well then we better get a move on." Katsuya grinned as Kage smirked. "Do you have any idea where it could be?"
"Japan," he said almost immediately. "One of my human friends came into contact with it, but he gave it away before I could get it."
"Human friend?" Celest echoed. Her ear flicked. "You have human friends?"
He smirked. The confusion was shared by many, even Kage and Umi who had seen him the other night.
"I am attempting to live a human life for the first time." Even more confusion. "I got bored."
That seemed to ease the confusion actually…
Oh well.
"How long are you intending to stay?" Umi asked from beside him.
Katsuya blinked. Eh…
"Well depending on human company…" He shrugged. "Probably until late toni–"
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Many of the Kitsune jumped at the sudden ringing. Katsuya chuckled a little before taking out his phone. He answered, smirking at the many fluffed tails in the shock.
"Hello–"
"Katsuya! You have to come back to the house!"
"Woah woah…" Why was Seto distressed? She didn't panic unless– "What's wrong?" he asked quickly and urgently.
"It's Mokuba!" He heard something like fast movement on the other end. "Someone attacked him. He lost his heart!"
"W-What?!" Katsuya turned to the door and grabbed the handle. "Ok I'm coming. See you soon."
"Be quick!"
The last was a bark of a demand. He chuckled before sliding his phone back in his pocket. Opening the door, he turned and waved at the Kitsune staring in shock.
"Sorry got to go! Let's keep in contact, kay?"
Then he practically ran out the club.
She paced back and forth. Rika had called her just before. Someone had attacked them in the middle of the night, which it was night in Japan. The girl had been in tears as she said they ripped Mokuba's heart from his chest. She was lost and confused because Mokuba was still alive, and he was steadily turning into an animal.
He needed blood. Before he sucked that poor girl dry.
Seto growled. Where was Katsuya?! He was taking forever! They had to get on a flight and get to Japan as quickly as they could!
"Calm down Kaseri." She glared at Liam. "Your brother will be fine. By the sounds of it, the culprit fled."
"That doesn't change the fact a human girl is trapped in the apartment with him," she almost spat. "He's going to kill her. Mokuba really likes this girl…"
Liam merely shrugged.
"It's not the first time he's killed someone he likes…"
Seto glared, caught on the verge of smacking the Vampire, when Katsuya suddenly appeared.
"I can get us there in a few seconds."
Seto frowned and turned to him. He felt...different...
"What do you–"
He grabbed her hand.
His eyes were glowing…
"I can travel through the shadows." Wait really? "It's the quickest way to get there."
Seto blinked before looking at Liam. The old Vampire just smiled.
"I'll stay here. You guys save that little boy."
Seto smirked. Katsuya nodded before pulling her into him.
The woman jumped as everything turned black. Her breath fogged in front of her, and she had begun to tremble. It was cold…so cold…
Then everything came back. She gasped. She was in Mokuba's apartment…
Katsuya let her go and they began moving. The apartment was quiet…quiet and still…it was dark too…
Seto listened. One of the perks of being a Vampire meant she could hear things from a father distance than humans.
She could hear breathing. One ragged the other fearful. Both were in the same sort of direction…
"Where–"
Seto held a hand up to silence him. Katsuya closed his mouth. They slowly left the living room into a corridor. If she remembered correctly…Mokuba's bedroom was ahead…and the bathroom was one of these side doors…
She paused as the fearful breaths became clear. She looked to the door beside them. Rika…
Gently grabbing the doorknob, she held her finger to her lips at Katsuya before opening it. The second she did, she jerked back so quickly she accidently used her inhuman speed and slammed into the wall behind her.
Rika stood in the doorway, eyes wide and arms trembling as she held the wooden chair leg in front of her. Seto calmed her breathing. Sharp point…a stake…
"Kaiba-san?" Rika whispered. She quickly lowered her arms. "I'm so sorry!"
Seto took a deep breath before removing herself from the wall.
"It's ok…" she whispered back. Katsuya pried the stake from Rika's hands. The girl looked at him confused but eventually handed it over. "Where's Mokuba?"
Rika slowly pointed to the door at the end of the hallway, eyes turning from the blond to her.
"I-I locked him in…" She swallowed. "I-I thought he was going to escape, but he hasn't come out..."
Good…that meant he was fighting the urges…
With a soft sigh, Seto started walking in that direction. Katsuya made to follow but she stopped him.
"Go to the mansion and get some blood bags." He blinked, eyes turning red when he did so. "We're going to need a lot."
He nodded and Seto continued forward. Rika stayed where she was. The woman paused before opening the bedroom door.
"Go away!"
Seto flinched a little at the growled, mix matched accented voice. Mokuba sat on the ground in the centre of the room. Blood had soaked into the carpet and he was holding his chest tight. He looked horrible.
"Mokuba…it's ok…"
His head whipped up. Tearful grey eyes closed in relief.
"Thank god…" He doubled over in a cough. "How did you get here?" he whispered as she came over.
Seto lowered in front of him. She gently pushed him back so she could see the wound. A gapping hole in his chest…
She cast her eyes over the room. There was no trace of his heart...did the attacker take it with them?
"Katsuya," she answered slowly. "What happened to you?"
"I-I don't know!" He hissed as she touched the wound. "...I'm so hungry…"
"I can see that…" She looked back at his glowing eyes and long fangs. "Katsuya's getting you blood."
He nodded and hung his head again. She hesitated, before gently pulling him to her chest. Mokuba sighed and nestled in, hugging her and gripping tight.
"It hurts…"
"I know…" She actually did know. "Just hold on…don't let the hunger take over."
He nodded but she could tell by the way his grip tightened he was struggling. How long had he been holding out? How long had he constrained himself from destroying Rika? He must he dying…
"…Kaseri…" She blinked before looking down. Mokuba hadn't… "…it hurts…"
She froze as she saw the child in those teary eyes. Mokuba…
"It will be ok," she whispered. She gently stroked his head. What was taking so long? "The pain will go away soon."
He mumbled something before he seemed to relax. She frowned. Why did he…
Oh…he had fallen asleep…
Many hours later, Katsuya found himself falling onto the couch in a tired heap. He was severely jetlagged and tired. All that teleporting…it was straining his magic. He hadn't done so many in so long…
The blond sighed. Seto was still helping Mokuba. Rika had fallen asleep some time ago. He wasn't exactly sure what to do with himself. It had just been the worst time to call…
"Ugh…now I'll have to reschedule…"
"Reschedule what?"
Katsuya startled. Rika smiled and climbed over the couch to sit next to him. He paused. What, or more who, was he talking to…
The girl had been sleeping las the knew..
"You're Rei-san, aren't you?"
He stared, eyes flickering red. H-How did she…?
"And you are…?" he asked slowly.
Rika smiled and said, "I'm Rika. Mina-chan told me about you." Her eyes darted in the direction of the Kaiba's before him again. "Do they know?"
"Seto knows," he whispered. "Mokuba doesn't know who I am, he just knows I'm Kitsune."
"Oh…" Rika's smile turned a little guilty. "I may have accidently told him who you were…"
For a second, anger flared, then he cooled. Ok. That was fine. Seto would have made him tell anyway.
"That's ok…" She looked up at that in surprise. "I'm assuming this Mina told you about what I used to be like?"
"Y-Yes…" She avoided her eyes. "But you're not, anymore?"
"No." He gave his cheery smile. "I'm the same as when you met me. Mina only remembers me, but I am different." His eyes drifted to the golden necklace. Despite already knowing what the black jewel meant, he pretended he hadn't noticed it before. "Void, huh?"
Rika startled. She grabbed the necklace and nodded.
"How did you find her?" he asked while leaning back.
Rika paused, before whispering, "At an antique shop." She fiddled with the item. "I was browsing when the necklace caught my eye. I didn't realise it was possessed until later, when Mina-chan tried to take over. But we kind of became friends and now we're good."
He nodded slowly.
"I don't hear that every day," he admitted. He smiled a little. "You must be a very good person to have befriended a Void. They're very difficult to befriend, and they take a long time to trust."
Rika blushed but nodded, ducking her head a little in embarrassment.
"I really like Mina-chan." She let go of the necklace. When she looked at him again there was a layer of concern. "You won't do anything to her, will you?"
"What? No." He smiled. "If you two are happy, then you can stay together until you're ready to move on. The only thing that could become a problem is if the Void Thirteen finds you." Rika paled a little. "He may want to talk to Mina, and he may deem you unfit as a host. But I doubt that."
Rika bit her lip, before nodding.
"I won't avoid him if he shows up."
"Probably a good idea."
Katsuya sighed. He looked up at the roof.
"…will Mokuba be ok?"
Katsuya looked back at her. Rika looked genuinely concerned.
"I think so." He smiled. "Are you going to leave him?"
She paused, before shaking her head.
"No…we're both supernatural, so I guess it should be fine, right?"
Katsuya grinned.
"Right." He sat up. "I mean, look at me and Seto. She's a Vampire too, and we're making it work."
Rika smiled.
"That's true…" She sighed. "I just hope he doesn't leave me…"
Katsuya's grin turned to a soft smile.
"He won't." He knew that with certainty. "Mokuba's not the kind of person to run away."
Rika sighed in relief. She shifted a little before lying down in the space she had. She yawned.
"I'm going to go back to sleep," she whispered. "Wake me if he comes out…"
"Sure…"
Katsuya smirked before leaning back again. Mokuba had himself a good girl…he just really hoped the boy wouldn't burn those bridges…
Meanwhile, somewhere else…
"What do you intend to do with the heart, my lord?"
"Nothing," came the deep reply. "It was simply a means to an end."
"…how so?"
"I brought them back, did I not?" A grin. "And not just them. I'm bringing another thirteen with them…"
"…you intend to use the natives in your plan?"
"Of course…"