Hi guys. This is the last chapter before an epilogue. I hope you guys enjoy!
Warnings:
Implied Sexual Assault
Violence
When the day came, she actually felt nervous. Was she really going to do this? Really going to let herself be possessed by five Kitsune? Was she crazy? Probably. Was she going to die? Probably. Would this even work?! Probably not!
But it was worth the try.
Seto took a breath as she stepped into the underground cellar in the mansion. In there already were Kage, Celest, Jikan, Kaze and Shin. Arashi hadn't wanted to do it, which was perfectly fine. She preferred Kaze anyway. She had forgotten about her since she didn't have a body anymore. Apparently Kage had been wearing her since then. It explained his slight lack of energy…
"I don't know how long we'll last," Kage said as the door closed behind her. Seishin was watching and waiting. "But we're going to need to move quick. So, where is the place you have to meet him?"
Seto paused.
"Well it would be different today," she muttered while crossing her arms. "I'll show you an image once you're in my body. Hopefully that should be enough for you to get us there."
Kage paused, seeming reluctant to accept that answer, but he nodded anyway.
"Alrighty then!" Jikan stepped forward. He grabbed a locket from around his neck. It was in the shape of an hourglass. Wood made up the edges and clear glass the insides of the hourglass. The glass was tinted purple. It sat on a silver chain. "Let's get this over and done with."
He ripped the item from his neck. He held it out for her, the eyes of his body already starting to return to brown from the purple of the Kitsune. Seto took the item and the body promptly collapsed. She blinked, surprised by the reaction.
Yet she clasped the locket around her neck. The hourglass was cold on her chest. She controlled her flinch as she felt the Kitsune awake at the back of her mind.
'Now this is a fun looking soul room…'
She scowled just a little. Now this was going to get annoying…
She only heard Jikan's faint laughter.
Mentally shaking it off, she looked to the next Kitsune. Shin this time. The man seemed oddly calm, maybe even detached. His eyes were rather dull as he removed a green and brown beaded bracelet from his wrist before handing it to her. She took it, the body collapsed, and placed it on her own. She shuddered a little as he came in too.
Much calmer than Jikan…but still there…
"You're still ok?" Kage asked quietly.
She nodded, smirking. Celest's turn.
The girl sighed. She removed a star necklace from her neck. Gold and white. She handed the necklace over.
Seto ignored the collapsing of another body and put the necklace on. It knocked against the hourglass, and she was surprised when there was a shout of protest in her mind.
'Be careful!' Celest growled. 'I'd rather not have my things messed up you know…'
Things? They had rooms in there?
Pushing the light conversation in her mind away, she looked back at Kage. His eyes showed concern as he held out Kaze.
"Are you sure you aren't tired or strained?" he whispered as she took the bracelet.
She nodded, instantly regretted it as her head spun, and placed the bracelet on her other wrist. She gasped this time. A small headache had begun to form and her chest felt heavy.
But she was ok! She was…ok…
"Last one," she breathed while holding her hand out.
Kage hesitated. He seemed to look over her, concerned, before sighing. He removed the golden black watch she had seen the very first time they met. Of course that would be it…
"Send me that image, ok?"
She nodded and took the watch. As she placed it around her wrist, she brought up the location of her old home.
'Ok. I think I can get us there.'
She turned to the door, fighting off a stumble and spinning head, before leaving the room. As she stepped near the shadows though, she soon found herself transported into a forest.
Seto froze.
Her old…
Barely nothing remained. The mansion had been burnt down shortly after she and Mokuba left. They had been driven out, after all. All that was left were a few stones that used to be the frame for a basement. She stared at the tall trees and abandoned area. It had been so very long since she last came here…
Glancing down at her arms, she was surprised to find the items gone. How…
'A small Trick,' Jikan's voice echoed in her ears. 'It will hide us in case this Vampire decides to do anything.'
She flushed a little at his knowing voice. They could see her memories, couldn't they?
'Yep!' the same Kitsune answered. 'You've got quite an interesting past…'
'I can't believe you treated Rei that way!' Celest cut over with a gasp. Seto blinked as her and Katsuya's first duel came to mind. Heh…when she called him a dog… 'You're so mean!'
All before she realised she liked him…
She was idly wondering how much they would pry when a cold wind blew past. She froze.
This presence…
"Ahh…if it isn't my little Kaseri…"
Seto froze as Verrac suddenly appeared before her. He wasted no time in grabbing her arm.
"Let's go, shall we?"
Ah fuck…
He startled when Verrac appeared in the room. With–
No…
Seto pulled out of Verrac's grip with a growl. She stumbled a little as she took a few steps back. He stared.
No…this couldn't be happening! He didn't actually mean it when he said he wanted them to sacrifice themselves for him! He had just been angry! Why was she here…
"Now Kaseri…" Seto's eyes narrowed at the name, "take a look at your fox before I return you to my little doll."
With massive reluctance, Seto glanced at him. He closed his eyes. He looked so pathetic…like a real mutt…
"What are you doing to him?" she whispered.
Why did she sound…sick?
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
His eyes snapped open when he heard a short scuffle. Verrac had Seto in his grasp, one hand on her waist the other holding her shoulder to keep her pressed against him. She growled but couldn't escape.
Gods no…he didn't want Seto to suffer! She was going to be trapped like this! Unless she had some sort of plan…
"Kaseri…" Seto instantly froze as the two Vampires met eyes. No! No no no… "Be a good girl and remember my rules." Her body began to relax, and her eyes grew dull. No! "You remember, don't you?"
There was a moments pause, before a soft whispered, "…yes…"
No…
In only seconds, she was gone. Completely gone to his control…
How were they supposed to escape now?
Whilst in the depths of Kaiba Seto's mind, the Kitsune converged. It was…quite horrible, being exposed to all this. He hated watching men use women for disgusting things. This Vampire was horrible. He was using Seto like she was some toy made for him.
Kage growled as he sat in her soul room. The room was a surprise to be honest. Most weren't conscious or this well made. He could only assume she had been in here.
The room consisted of many things. Majority of it were toys. A white dragon toy. Or a white dragon poster. Or a white dragon machine. There were other machines too. Posters of monsters and theatre acts from a good fifty years ago. In the corner was a small fir tree. There were more things, such as photographs taken in the 1800s and of people long dead. Not many, but some. There were many hidden things, but he didn't want to pry unlike his companions.
The only thing that interested him was the black dragon with red eyes entwined with the white dragon with blue eyes. It was a large statue, about the size of a big dog. He didn't get it, yet it held significance. He could tell that much.
"They really like each other," Jikan muttered from where he was sifting through her memories. "I'm surprised how human Rei has become."
"Yeah but look at this." Celest pointed to something over the Time Kitsune's shoulder. "They fight all the time."
"At least Rei has a blood buddy though."
Kage rolled his eyes as they continued on with their commentary. Rei was strange. So strange and random. He had come to expect anything from that First…
"Kage…" He looked down at Kaze. She smiled where she lay against his chest, before pointing up. "She's asleep."
As she said, a blue white mist began to fall down into the soul room. Soon, a clothed Kaiba Seto came to lie on the ground. She wasn't getting up anytime soon…
He stood.
"Who's going to do it?"
There were hesitations. Kage sighed. Ok then.
"I'll be off then," he muttered as he turned into black mist.
'Flying' up, he took control of the body.
Alright…
Opening now black eyes, Kage looked around. He was in a cell…naked of course. But a cell…and no chains or door. Huh. Easy!
Now all he had to do was walk out–
Oooh…no…not easy…
He swayed as he stood on his feet. Fuck! His body burned and his head span. What the hell had that monster done?! He could barely even put one foot in front of the other…
Nevertheless, he stumbled his way through the corridors. Now…which way to that circular room…
'Go left.' Shin… 'I believe it is the second door.'
Ok. Thanks.
Leaning against the wall for support, Kage slid to the left. He was breathing heavily by the time he finally came to the door Rei should be behind. Shit this body…
He knew it wasn't just the man. It was their presences too. So many Kitsune, along with the abuse, it must be taxing on one body. Supernatural or not.
At least Seto was asleep…
"Alright…" he whispered, not fazed when Seto's voice came out instead. "Let's see if this is right…"
He pushed the door open–
Oh thank gods…
Rei's eyes slowly peeled open. The girl at the foot of his alter also woke up. Kage ignored her and looked at the First.
His white form was patchy. Translucent, like any spirit, but it seemed thin in certain places. The gold swirling dust that should be in there was practically invisible. He was weak.
Very weak.
"Seto…?" came the whispered husk of a question.
Kage smirked and let the black of his eyes flash. The dull red widened just a little, a spark of golden light.
"K-Kage?!"
"Yep." He attempted to step forward but nearly tripped over his own feet. "Damn…"
How could he get across without passing out…?
"Yuriko." The girl at the alter looked up at Rei. Kage frowned a little. Hold on… "Go help her."
Yuriko paused, before standing. She walked as far as she could. A chain tied her to the alter by her leg. But she managed to get at least halfway. He could make that…
Taking a breath, Kage walked towards her. His legs almost gave way when he finally grabbed her hand. She caught him as he nearly fell, panting.
"Are you ok?" she whispered while helping him back to his feet.
He nodded. Alright…
Now to free Rei.
They walked back. Kage looked over the chains. Magic…
'Let me.'
Kage lost control of his arm as Celest took over. She rose it. Pale yellow light shone at her fingertips before they zapped the chains and muzzle. Rei rose slowly and turned to look at them.
"Celest too?" he whispered with a careful tone.
Kage stiffened and Celest quickly retreated back inside. The Void Kitsune smiled a little nervously.
"Just remember this was your girlfriend's idea."
Rei didn't seem surprised. He sighed.
"My locket…" He rose a paw to his neck at the thought, his ears drooping just a little. "The Witch still has it."
Ahh…they forgot about that…
As the Kitsune thought, Kage looked around again. He unlocked Yuriko's chain too while they figured out a plan.
'Maybe we should look for her?' Kaze suggested.
'But how do we get it off her?' Jikan countered. 'This body is almost at its limit.'
'Maybe we rest and wait?' Shin suggested too.
"What are you doing?"
Kage stiffened. He slowly turned around, making his face blank. He was so lucky he had been standing in front of Rei…
The Witch glared at him from the doorway. She stepped in, arms crossed. He really hoped she couldn't see Rei's freedom…
"How did you move on your own…?" she muttered as she stopped in front of him.
He kept his eyes forward as he saw the locket. It reflected the dull light in the room. One grab. One quick, unsuspecting grab…
"Well…" the Witch grabbed his arm, her attention barely focused on him since he was supposed to be brain dead, "you better get back…"
Now or never!
Kage used what little power he could and moved fast. The Witch had one second to panic as his hand closed over the item, before he ripped it from her neck.
And everything exploded.
Ohhh yes…
Finally…
Rei grinned as he took complete control of the body. He felt not a second of remorse as he shoved back the, he now realised, five Kitsune in Seto's body. He let his tails rip from his back and ears rise, white with the golden tips. Ravenna paled as he gained 'full strength' again.
"It's time you die for real…"
And without further ado, he ripped her heart out. Grabbing her soul before it could run away, he drew on Kage's destruction magic and Celest's light, along with his own unique to disintegrate it into nothing.
As the etherical dust slipped through his fingers, Rei looked around the room again. Now to get Verrac…
"Yuriko." The girl flinched as the Trick still played through Seto's body. "Come with me. I'll set you free once we're out of here."
He ignored her hope as they left. He was going to kill Verrac and get the hell out of here. It was his fault he was in so much pain. His fault so much of his magic was inaccessible. His fault this damn body was going to drop at any minute!
'Someone's angry…'
Rei growled and forcefully pushed Jikan away. Not in the mood for snidey comments…
Blocking his mind before anyone else could comment, he walked down the halls. Now if Verrac was such a powerful Vampire, he should have noticed by now…
Walking through a pair of double doors, Rei soon found himself in a throne room of sorts. He wasn't surprised when Verrac walked around the throne from some hidden entrance. Or the shadows. He didn't care.
"Now this is a surprise…" The Vampire cocked his head with that annoying grin. "You've possessed Kaseri knowing I have compelled her?"
"Oh shut up," he growled in English. "Do you really think you can control me without your little Witch?"
While Verrac paled just a little, he grinned. The insane was coming through. He couldn't control it anymore. Didn't want to. It was about time he let it all out.
And this Vampire was going to die…
"Shin," he growled, "stake."
Verrac merely laughed as the sharp wood formed in his hand.
"A normal stake can't kill me." He came down the steps. "You need a special stake. That won't work."
"Oh won't it?"
Rei grinned. Using his inhumane speed, he moved in front of the Vampire and shoved the stake through his chest.
Verrac's smug grin instantly disappeared. He gasped and his skin began to turn grey.
It was Rei's turn to laugh.
"We know what oak can kill you," he whispered while the Vampire started to crumble to dust. "Shin can make anything he wishes if it is connected to the forest…"
Verrac choked on his own dust throat. The body fell to the ground.
Dead. Dead and dust.
Perfect.
Wiping off his hands, Rei turned from the body. He grabbed Yuriko's arm, lightly, and used his own magic to teleport back to Seto's mansion. Liam and Sei, surprisingly, jumped as he appeared.
"Kase–" Liam cut off as he quickly took in the Kitsune aspects. "Jonouchi?"
Rei grunted. He turned to Yuriko as Sei went about making a cloak for Seto.
Looking her directly in the eyes, he said, "You are free from my control. Any Tricks I laid on you are gone."
She blinked, before smiling and stepping back.
"Thank you…"
He just nodded. He wasn't in the mood for smiling and all that humanity crap. He was still pissed.
He needed time to cool down.
"I'm going," he said to Liam as Sei handed him the cloak. Wrapping it around his shoulders, he continued with, "Take all of us off her and get her some blood. This body won't hold out much longer."
Liam nodded.
"You will be stuck in the locket."
Rei sighed but nodded.
"That's fine."
He then pulled back into his locket, not the soul room the others were residing in.
To say she was confused when she woke was a complete understatement.
Seto blinked rapidly as sunlight illuminated her bedroom. She shifted to hear plastic and sheets move. Looked around her, she found at least thirty empty blood bags. God…how much…
"Finally awake, huh?"
She looked up in surprise. Liam smiled as he held out another blood bag.
"Want some more?"
She paused, before gently taking the bag. Last one…
"What happened?" she whispered.
Liam grinned.
"Verrac is dead." What? Really?! "Katsuya is back." …really? "And his human friends are downstairs right now waiting for explanations."
Ahh…ruin the mood much…
"What about the Kitsune?" she asked.
Liam gestured to her bedroom door.
"Come on."
Climbing out of bed, she felt over energised. All that blood…oh it felt good…
As they walked downstairs (dressed in casual) she was greeted with the chipper voice of Yugi as he talked with someone. She stepped in and promptly stopped.
Not what she had been expecting…
Yugi, Anzu and Honda sat on the couches. Seishin and Umi were talking to them. On the table however…
"You didn't return them to their bodies?" she whispered, effectively drawing all attention to her.
"Oh Kaiba-san!" Yugi beamed at her. "You're awake."
She glanced at him, before looking back at the coffee table. Placed perfectly on display were each Kitsune's item that had resided inside her. Including Katsuya.
"Sit Kaiba," Seishin said softly.
The woman paused, before sighing and lowering into the armchair. Liam perched on the armrest, watching the table with cautious eyes. Honestly, it wasn't like they were going to jump out and attack.
"So?" she questioned again. "What is happening?"
Seishin smiled as she said, "Umi and I have explained to your friends the Kitsune Vampire situation. They understand so you do not need to worry about that." Ok but not what she wanted to know… "As to why they are still in their items…"
"We felt they should suffer just a little longer," Umi finished in a grin.
Seto frowned.
"…why…?"
"They pried into your past," Umi continued still grinning, "and they abused your body. Jikan and Celest have seen enough to be you." Damn… "And Rei, Kage and Shin all damaged you to some degree. Kaze's the only one who shouldn't have to suffer, but she is still without a body so we can't do anything to help with that."
O…k…
"And how long have I been asleep?"
"Two days," Liam supplied, now grinning too.
Seto groaned softly. They were going to kill her…
"We should return them to their bodies," she muttered.
Umi shrugged and Seishin smiled. Yugi and the other two seemed just a little lost. Sighing, Seto stood. She grabbed Katsuya's locket, holding it in her fingers. The item twirled in the light.
"Can they see while like this?" she whispered.
"Yes," Seishin answered. "We can see and hear through our items. Feel if we are thrown." Is that so… "Why do you ask…?"
Seto smirked darkly. She thought she felt a flicker of fear, but it wasn't her own.
"I wonder…"
She dropped the locket on the floor. Umi gasped and Seishin jerked a little as the Vampire ground it into the carpet with her foot. Anzu and Yugi also jerked forward.
"Kaiba!" Anzu shouted. "You could be hurting him!"
"This is what he gets for destroying my back, twice." She pressed harder. "Possessing me so readily and not even bothering to remove the compulsion. And being such an ass to enter my dreams and pry into things I don't want him to see."
Happy with the maybe damage, she picked up the locket again. It looked exactly the same.
Save for the irritation and Jonouchi anger she could feel emitting from it.
"You so deserve that," she whispered.
'Shut up Kaiba!'
She smirked. He was back to normal by the sounds of it.
"Now we can put them back," she said while turning to Umi. "Mind releasing his body?"
Umi blinked out of her shock, before smiling and nodding. She stood and they walked to the bathroom holding him.
Seto paused in the doorway. Ice covered the tub, and inside it his grey body sat. Umi melted the ice with a touch of her hand, revealing the corpse. She looked at her.
"Just place it around his neck."
Umi left.
Seto hesitated. Would it actually work?
Sighing, she leaned over the bathtub. Leaning down, she closed the locket around his neck.
Almost instantly coloured returned and he gasped awake.
Seto jerked back as Katsuya sat up. He doubled over, coughing out gunk and water both. His golden hair was damp with water and had lost its bouncy qualities. His skin still looked pale but at least it wasn't discoloured. When he was done, he sighed and lay back down.
"Oh gods…" he rasped. "I have never been so happy to have a body…"
She smirked.
"At least it's this one, right?"
He started to nod, before he stopped. She grinned as he glared at her with that old Jonouchi fire. He jumped back up.
"What the hell was that?!" he shouted while pointing at her. She laughed. "Stomping me into the ground?! I'msorry if I was saving our lives."
She rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, mutt." He mock gasped. "Be happy I saved your life."
"Ha ha." He huffed before a wry grin crossed his face. "Thank you…"
She softened to a kind smile. One only reserved for Katsuya and Mokuba.
"It's the least I could do." She sighed. "…I'm really sorry about…everything…"
Katsuya paused. He avoided his eyes, hand reaching up to grab the locket. He sighed.
"It's ok…" She blinked. No…it wasn't… "I…I overreacted." He turned to smile at her but it didn't meet his eyes. "I guess I let my lust get the better of me, huh?"
"No…" She frowned. "Don't say stupid stuff. You had every right to be angry at us." He lowered his eyes. "You still have the right to be angry." She sighed. "I shouldn't have stopped you from getting the locket."
Katsuya hesitated. His eyes darkened a little.
"No, you shouldn't have." She blinked, drawing back at the sudden twist in personality. He sounded…true to his emotions now…and she was starting to regret making him… "You and Yugi, none of you should have gotten involved with the locket. But you did, and we can't change that." He smiled a little, lightening again. "I'm willing to forgive you this time. After being stuck with those monsters," he shuddered, "I think I realised a thing or two about myself."
She cocked her head.
"Like what?"
His smile turned soft and genuine. He gently grabbed her hand, skin wet and cold.
"I love you, even after what you did."
Her face flushed. C-Crap…now he was making her act like some teenage girl!
"…I love you too, even after what you did."
He laughed and she chuckled a little.
"Ok yeah, we both did crappy things." He grinned normally. "Let's start our eternity together again. No secrets, no making decisions for each other. Deal?"
"Deal."
They shook hands before Katsuya kissed her. Deeply and passionately.
She returned just as much.
This could turn out well…
The following day Seto found herself back at Fushimi Inari shrine. It felt like years ago she and Katsuya had last been here, only learning about Kitsune for the first time. The first time she had ever thought there was something more powerful than the Supernatural Three.
She and Liam stood in the entryway of the massive shrine. The Fox statue rose high at the back, head tilted up in superiority. Its single tail curled around itself, unlike the Thirteen Kitsune standing below it.
Katsuya had been quick to action. The only reason they were doing it today and not yesterday was because she forced him to rest. He wanted to fulfill his promise, so badly. She understood and let him.
The Thirteen Kitsune stood in a circle. It was the first time she had seen all Thirteen together. She could actually feel the power coming from them.
"Let's finally get out of these bodies," Katsuya said with a grin.
The Kitsune all gave variations of agreement before they joined hands. Seto flinched at the sudden wave of magic. Even Liam showed a little unease.
The group started to hover as they each closed their eyes. A wind started to kick up. Slowly, their tails and ears formed. Not erupting or sliding out like she had seen in the past, but fazing into existence.
Katsuya was white and gold.
The First started to whisper something under his breath. Seto could not understand the words, but she could understand the power. Katsuya started to glow. The glowing light slid to Kage and Celest, who had been holding his hands and soon it spread around the whole circle. Each had their own corresponding light to their element.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed and Seto flinched. When she could see again, she promptly stared.
The bodies lay on the ground, unconscious. Katsuya grey. But above…
Hovering in spiritual forms, the same colours as the lights before, were the Fourteen Kitsune. In their trueforms…
Fourteen nine tailed foxes. She had to smile as Kage and Kaze reunited. Kaze still hadn't had a body and had been residing in Kage but now…
The Blue Eyes blue fox jumped over Kage, pulling him over to roll on the air. They laughed while others as well had similar happy interactions. She didn't expect… Even the stoic ones seemed happy. Seishin sat in her grey form while Celest and Umi tried to entice her into playing. Jikan and his brother, Oto? They were play wrestling already.
They all acted like kids. Though that may have to do with them being juvenile foxes and not the adults she would have expected.
"Surprised?"
Seto jumped and looked back in front of her. The First, white with the golden wisps she had seen only a day ago stood before her. He looked healthy and strong unlike the last time. He was an adult unlike his brethren. She smiled.
"They act like children."
Rei chuckled a little but nodded.
"It's been a long time coming…" He sighed and looked back at the bodies. "Those humans are going to have a hard time adjusting…"
She shrugged. Not their problem.
The fox turned back around. He went back to the group and their attention turned to him.
"We're free," he announced. "I don't think there is any Witch who could trap us again, much less know of the spell. But understand this," his eyes darkened, "I'm not releasing your offspring."
She expected some sort of negative reaction, but there was none. The group just nodded, some smiling. Rei smirked, normal again, before he flew down to his dying body.
"Feel free to do want you want," he whispered before flying inside the body.
Katsuya sat up with a relieved sigh. The other spirits touched ground and Seto was surprised when almost all of them became solid and human.
Their true forms…
"You're going to stay in that body?" Umi asked as she brushed long waved aqua blue hair from her shoulder.
Katsuya nodded as he stood.
"I like it." He smirked at Seto. "It's nice to be human every now and then."
Kage laughed a little. He looked more or less the same save for his skin being white and his eyes a deep black. Kaze beside him was still a girl, but she now had white hair and her light blue eyes. She was more than happy having her body back.
Seishin stepped forward, the Spirit Kitsune seeming to still be the adult and serious one of them all.
"Thank you, Rei."
She smiled. Katsuya shrugged. He walked past them to stand by Seto and Liam.
"It was long time coming." He grinned and waved. "Well have fun with your lives. Feel free to drop in." He looked at her now. "Let's go."
She nodded and they left.
Eternity together…starting now…