Content warning: Chapter contains mentions of violence and angst. Also contains mild mention or allusion of sexual content.
This was a very intense chapter to write, probably one of the most intense. Also tried to balance it out with some fluffy moments too. Without further ado, please enjoy.
-Chapter Nine-
The Country of Clover ~II~
"To the forbidden forest where cicadas cry
you can no longer turn back"
-Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni by Eiko Shimamiya
How long were we in that forest? Surely, mom and dad would probably be somewhat worried. Even though Uncle Elliot wouldn't admit it, he'd be worried about the twins too. I had waked up and I was sandwiched between two certain twins. I smiled, petting Dum's short hair as he slept softly against my chest. I could see the moonlight reflecting a soft light blue hue in the strands of his hair. Since he gave his hairclips to me to tie back the long strands of hair that often framed my face, his bangs were covering his closed eyes. I smiled softly as I brushed them aside to get a better look at his sleeping face. He looked like an angel; they both did when they slept. They looked as though the stress of the day had melted away when they fell asleep.
I could not move from my current position. For now, that was fine. I was watching the fish swimming in the sky above me. I've never seen anything like that before coming into this unusual forest. Maybe that was how things were here. I sighed, maybe we should head back? I caught a glimpse of their bedroom in their mind and suddenly we materialized in the room. We landed with a small plop noise on the bed, our bodies bouncing slightly on their massive mattress. Their room reminded me a lot of Oyashiro-sama's shrine. Even their hanging blade chandeliers seemed comforting to me somehow…maybe because it was they liked these things. I hummed softly as they settled back into sleep as did I….their body warmth pulling me under once more. As usual when they slept near me, I did not have to fight off nightmares or traumatic flashbacks.
The three of us suddenly woke up with the sound of a loud banging noise. I damn near jumped out of my skin and as a reflex, jumped into one of the windows above their bed, and got into an attack position. The twins looked confused, realizing they were back in their own room back at the mansion and then they looked up and saw me in the window. "How did you get up there, sis?" questioned Dum with a quirk eyebrow. I jumped down and landed like a cat on their feet in front of them.
"Magic I guess, honestly, I'm not sure," I replied with a simple shrug. I ran quickly toward the door and looked out into the corridor to see where the noise came from. Then I saw mom and dad also rushing down the hallway toward the noise as well. The twins and I followed them as well as Uncle Elliot. We got our weapons raised, just in case; my father with his rifle, Uncle Elliot with his golden pistol and the twins and I with our halberds. I growled slightly, they better not come in here. I was not in the mood for this. I quickly teleported out of the group outside to see what was going on and found a group of faceless attacking the mansion's gates.
Soon, everybody else rushed out and pointed their weapons at the group. "Get the FUCK OUT OF HERE YOU ASSHOLE SCUM!" bellowed Uncle Elliot, shooting off a couple rounds as a warning. However, the group did not back down. They grinned maliciously as they withdrew their own guns and weapons, pointing them at us.
"We're under special orders to dispatch and gank this one," the leader of the fringe group said with a smirk, pointing at me. I growled at him and rushed forward at a supernatural speed.
I grabbed his shirt collar in anger. "WHO SENT YOU!?" I raged. He merely continued to smirk as he pointed his gun at me. Before he got a chance to even shoot, I took my axe and quickly dispatched of him with a violet wave of magic, cutting off his head no ceremony. "Fuck you if you're not going to talk. Die!" I growled under my breath. My eyes must have looked stone cold to them. I observed the gang coldly as if daring them to step forward. The twins came up to my side, putting a hand on my shoulders.
"We can handle this, sis," Dum whispered softly to me. I looked up at him as my expression softened only somewhat. Was he telling me to back off? No, that did not seem to be the case. "Allow us to help you," said Dee to my right. I nodded to him, acknowledging his words. Meanwhile, Elliot threatened a group with them with a few more gunshots, killing them outright. The rest did not move, weapons raised and they stupid charged at them. My father told my mother to stay back inside the gates which she did.
Those of us charged forward as well, our weapons raised and my halberd glowed with an orange hue, and caught on fire. I jumped up, the moon reflecting off the blade burning with flames and swung it down and the magical flame charged outward, burning nearby enemies. This back and forth struggle kept up for a little longer until we dispatched the rest. Father insisted leaving a few of them alive so he could question them in the dungeon. I nodded and left a few idiots barely alive. I kicked him in the arm with a cold look before walking away.
I walked back inside without a backward glance, anger burning off of my body, and I made my weapon disappear into thin air. I tried to regain some sense of my sanity. Just mere moments ago, I was enjoying some peaceful time with Dee and Dum and then these fuckers had to attack! I growled, punching my hand in an outward display of frustration. The twins came up alongside me; putting hands on my shoulders which made me look up and snap out of my anger.
"It's ok, sis, we got 'em. Relax," said Dee in a soft voice. If anybody else would have told me this, I'd have snapped at them. However, he made my anger dissipate somewhat. I put my hands on theirs gently, gripping them firmly, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. This seemed to work as I was able to regain my sanity again.
"Thank you, you two. You helped me overcome my anger," I replied appreciatively. However, there was still the matter of my mother. I glanced over to where she was standing, she avoided my gaze. I sighed as I turned away from her. I guess her adopted daughter being a witch was too much for her to handle. I did not choose it either, being a witch chose me. I sighed as I walked inside without letting go of Dee and Dum's hands. However, father intercepted our path.
"We have much to talk about," he said with a serious expression coloring his face and emerald eyes. I knew what this was going to be about. I nodded simply and he motioned for us to follow him to his office and study. Mother followed close behind at a careful distance. I did my best to not pay it any mind. Dee and Dum squeezed my hands in reassurance. I nodded to them briefly and continued walking until we reached my parents' room. Dad opened the doors and motioned for the three of us to sit down on one couch while he sat on the other. Mother reluctantly joined him on his side, not saying much and avoiding eye contact.
Dad was the first to speak, once he had settled in and his piercing emerald eyes looked right at me, "Rika, if it weren't for your quick actions, we would have been hurt. I understand you probably may be feeling some guilt about killing those rogue faceless. If you hadn't have killed them, we'd probably be dead right now. Fringe groups are known to attack us from time to time. Especially those that have a vendetta against the Hatter Family Mafia, you protected us. I appreciate that." My purple eyes widened in surprise. That was the complete opposite of what I thought he was going to say. I thought he was going to condemn me for using my powers.
"Are you sure dad? I was not myself when I was using my powers. I still don't even know the extent of what I'm even capable of as a witch," I replied as I searched his eyes for anything else. Sure enough, there wasn't anything. He only smiled back at me. Mother on the other hand, her aquamarine eyes were cold and barren. I wanted her to say something….anything…what happened to the caring mother that held me close when she first took me in? I needed her now. I always needed her…
However, she did not appear to be there. Sure, she was there as she sat beside father. But her kind demeanor seemed to be gone. I sighed softly as I did my best not to pay it much mind. Maybe she was just feeling the stress of the recent encounter? Yeah, that was probably it. I did my best to convince myself of these thoughts. However father's deep voice cut through my thoughts again…
"I am sure you are probably having self-doubts. I can assure you that regardless that we will love you no matter…" he began but was cut off by a sharp glare from mother.
"Speak for yourself Blood! Our Daughter is a fucking MURDERER! HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THAT!? On top of that, she's using unnatural powers! She looked like she ENJOYED KILLING THOSE PEOPLE! SHE ENJOYED IT! SHE IS NO LONGER MY DAUGHTER AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED!" she spat vehemently, her words spewing venom into the cracks into my heart. I did my best to hold myself together. I sat there between Dee and Dum, shaking like a leaf, tears threatening to fall. However, I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. An audible slap could be heard after that. My father slapped mother for her toxic words. She gripped the side of her cheek with a look of shock.
Compared to her, father was deadly calm but his anger shone through his words as he spoke, "Speak for yourself and How fucking dare you say that about her!? You took her in! You know what she's been through! I cannot believe you are actually saying this stupid shit, Alice! You have been in Wonderland long enough to know that killing is sometimes necessary. She did not "enjoy it" as you so falsely accuse her of. She merely warned those fools that she would proceed to kill off any others that threaten us. I've done the same thing. You damn well know that! Regardless of whether or not you regard her as your daughter, she's still MY DAUGHTER and you will NOT SAY SUCH THINGS ABOUT HER UNDER MY ROOF! IF you don't like that fact, than get the fuck out!"
Mother stood there shocked as he said these things to her. I also sat there like a deer in headlights, not sure what I was witnessing. "Perhaps we should leave sis. We don't want you to be subjected to further verbal abuse," whispered Dee so only I could hear. I nodded silently and agreed. We made to leave the room so we would not get caught in the crosshairs in their argument. She turned and looks straight at me and her glare made me feel frozen on the spot.
"If you walk out of that room, you are no longer my daughter!" She fumed. I glared at her evenly, crossing my arms.
"Look, I'm sorry I am not the perfect little girl you wanted. You knew damn well that when you took me in that I was damaged goods! I watched my friends die through multiple loops for fuck's sake! I somehow managed to loop over and over again, trying to prevent us from dying in which I failed many times until I accomplished that one miracle where we were able to save ourselves. Then, I found myself thrown back into the hell of June 1983 of Hinamizawa only to experience those tragedies all over again! Please tell me how that wouldn't affect me! If you manage to become a looper, experience death for over a hundred years while you try to protect everyone you love from dying. Once you've experienced that, we can talk! I love you and still do despite the toxic bullshit you just spewed! I'm done!" I spat, my anger and sadness boiling over into my words. With that, I left the room by teleporting back to the twin's room, making myself comfortable in the window, summoning myself a bottle of wine and drinking it straight from the bottle.
"Fuck!" I cursed. Dee and Dum then teleported back into their room not too long after me. They appeared in a cloud of gold butterflies that flew off and dispersed, leaving them behind. I sighed, taking another drink of the wine. Ironically, their room did comfort me somehow as it reminded me of the shrine of Oyashiro-sama. I turned to face them with expressionless eyes. I felt numb and I sure I looked that way to them. I noticed the looks of concern mirrored in their vivid eyes. I turned away for a moment and stared outside. I had sat in the window of the house Satoko and I have shared many nights, talking to Hanyuu as I drank wine. Here I was in a different world, doing the exact same thing, however Hanyuu was nowhere to be found…
"Sis, we don't know what to say that will make you feel any better but we're here for you. You know that right?" said Dee, speaking first. I turned in their direction, nodding and acknowledging his words. I knew he meant what he said. It still was not enough to put out the fire that raged in my heart. I sighed, jumping down and gently landing in front of them.
"Want a drink?" I offered nonchalantly. They looked at me with somewhat dubious expressions and shook their heads. "Your loss," I said, guzzling more red wine to numb my senses. Then Dum took the bottle from me and threw it across the room. The bottle smashed into smithereens with a deafening sound of shattering glass. It then disappeared into thin air since it was a product of magic to begin with. I sighed, dammit, that was good wine. Oh well. I shrugged as I turned to leave the room. Then Dee got in front of me, picked me up in his arms, and dragged me over to their couches.
"Numbing your feelings with alcohol will not do you any good. What Alice said to you was out of line. Our boss is right, he still cares about you, we care about you," stated Dum evenly as he put me into his lap. I growled slightly but he ignored it and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close to his chest. I closed my eyes and relented to relaxing against him.
Meanwhile in Blood and Alice's Room (Alice's POV)
I paced back and forth in front of Blood's desk. He had left the room because he was angry with me for saying what I had said. Damn it, why did I have to say those things to Rika? Regardless of whether or not she had magical powers, she was still my daughter? Why did I say she wasn't? Was it because I was angry? I knew I had gone too far with my words when Blood had slapped me. I still remember the hurt and angered look on her face. Despite her eyes being an endless sea of purple, I could see the sadness and pain being reflected in them when she vanished from the room. The twins vanished soon after in a mist of golden butterflies. I thought that was strange. Maybe it had to do with their bond with Rika? Probably something like that, I guessed.
"If you manage to become a looper, experience death for over a hundred years while you try to protect everyone you love from dying. Once you've experienced that, we can talk! I loved you and still do despite the toxic bullshit you just spewed! I'm done!" Rika's parting words before she vanished from the room reverberated in my mind. It was not what Rika had said, it was the pain that was written on her face when she left those words with me. I had only managed to drive a stake further into her already wounded heart. I had to apologize…I had to do something to let her know how sorry I was. I did not mean to say what I said. I overreacted. I guess I never expected to see my daughter unleash her powers on somebody. It surprised me and threw me for a loop. I did not understand what she meant by being a "looper." I could however understand the pain that was laced in her words as well as her sadness. Damnit, Alice! You were such a fucking fool!
I had to find her and apologize. I would do that and make things right between us again. I could not let this fester any longer. With that thought in mind, I decided to find Rika. She was probably with the Bloody Twins in their room. I left Blood's and my shared room, walked down the corridor and down the stairs. The twins' room was just one floor down beneath our room. I walked with determination and purpose. I stopped finally in front of their door, steeling my nerves once more and I knocked.
"What do you want?" an angered voice came from behind the door. It sounded like Rika's but somehow different. Was this Bernkastel personality taking over as she said it was? I took a deep breath before I spoke.
"I want to apologize. What I said was wrong and I am sorry. Please Rika, open the door and we can talk," I pleaded with tears starting to form behind my eyes. I could hear the rustle of moment as somebody made their way before the door. There was some back and forth dialogue that took place between her and the twins, debating on whether or not to let me in. After a few moments, I heard a sigh from Rika and she opened the door.
A cold anger could be seen as she appeared behind the open door, coming into view as the door opened. She crossed her arms, looking at me dubiously; yeah I deserved that from her. I hung my head, held my hands together in front of my pinafore. My own turquoise eyes searching her purple ones as I searched for words to say, damn I was a fool. Dee and Dum appeared behind Rika protectively. "What are you doing here, big sis? Come to hurt our little sis more with your hurtful words?" asked Dee coldly, ice appearing in his cerulean eyes and his brother's ruby ones mirrored that expression as well.
I shook my head and replied, "No, of course not! I was a dumbass for saying what I did. I came to apologize and make up." I searched Rika's eyes more as I spoke. She raised an eyebrow but stepped aside to allow me in.
"You have ten minutes," she stated coldly before offering me a seat on the couch. I nodded, grateful she was allowing me that much. She sat down on the opposite end of the red couch, facing me with the twins standing behind her with their hands on Rika's shoulders to provide her with moral support. Taking a deep breath, I said what was on my mind.
"Rika, I'm sorry for saying what I said. Of course you're my daughter. I was a fool, an idiot, a dumbass for saying those cruel words. I don't know why I said them. Perhaps I was so overcome with shock and anger that you used your powers on another that it brought it out of me. Whatever the case, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I realize you were fighting to protect your family, I should have known that at the time. Can you forgive your fool of a mother? I love you Rika, regardless of whether or not you're a witch, whether you have powers or not, or whatever name you have. You're my daughter and I love you," I said as I laid my heart on the line with my words.
Rika watched my eyes carefully as I spoke, some light sparking in her purple eyes. She sighed softly, eyes closing for a moment as she gripped Dee and Dum's hands for support. It seemed as if she was searching their thoughts as to what to say. After a moment, she opened them again and faced me. I offered her a small smile and opened my arms. Her expression changed to one of slight surprise…she debated on whether or not to accept my forgiveness. She sighed, patting the twins' hands gently and they released her shoulders. She approached me slowly like a cautious deer being caught in headlights. She searched my face to see if I would suddenly relent on my words. I did not, only keeping my arms out and offering the hug and wanting forgiveness.
She embraced me cautiously as she slowly wrapped her arms around me. "I'm sorry too, mom. I said some mean things that I did not mean and I," I cut her off with a kiss on her cheek.
"No Rika, you have nothing to apologize for. You were right. I'm sorry and I meant it when I said I love you. That will never change and I promise to never doubt that again," I replied, whispering into her ear as my fingers brushed her hair. She had her hair being tied back in a braid as well as her bangs being held back by Dum's clips. I didn't know that Dum could braid hair. He was quite good at it as Rika's braid was nice and tight and well kept. It made her look even more grown up than she was. "Also, you look so beautiful with your hair braided like this," I added, nuzzling her cheek softly and kissed it.
There was slight hesitation in Rika's reply as she spoke, "I…I f…forgive you, mom. I don't want to stay mad at you forever. I love you too much." I hugged her firmly once more before releasing her, my hands still on her arms as she backed away slightly, still staying close to me. Her eyes looked at mine curiously. I smiled back at her, tucking a stray hair that escaped behind her ears. She was still wearing her assembly dress I noticed as well.
"Thank you Rika, sorry your mother was a fool," I replied again.
She shook her head. "You don't have to apologize anymore mother. It's forgiven," she answered back with a small smile of her own. Despite her eyes looking slightly emotionless, they still held emotion as she looked back at me. The twins relaxed in their stances, sitting down behind Rika. The tension that had been in the room before seemed to have evaporated away and everyone felt relieved. I wanted to apologize again but Rika was right, I had apologized already and she had forgiven me. Now I had to apologize to Blood as well.
"Can you come with me while I apologize to your father?" I asked her. She nodded, gripping my hand tightly in hers.
"Sure mom."
"Yay, big sis and our little sis made up!" cheered Dee and Dum in unison, hugging us suddenly. Rika laughed lightly, smiling at them and nuzzles Dum's hair softly. I could tell that she loved the twins a lot. Just that simple gesture told me that. I could see them getting married someday soon and becoming my sons in law, that's if Blood and I get married soon. That thought made me blush like a schoolgirl.
While still holding my hand and the twins holding onto Rika, golden butterflies materialized around us and swallowed us up. We had vanished and reappeared back in Blood's study. He was currently sitting on the couch and relaxing with his feet on the coffee table with a cup of tea in his hand. He was surprised to see all of us appear in front of him I'm sure. His expression stiffened when he met my gaze. I sighed and Rika noticed. She spoke on my behalf...
"Dad, she took the time to come down and apologize to me. I have forgiven her. It's alright. Please forgive her dad," she said, her purple eyes searching his emerald ones. He put his tea cup down with a clink on the saucer upon the coffee table. He leaned forward and stood up. Without a word, he hugged me.
"I'm sorry for slapping you. I was driven to anger because you were speaking cruel words to our daughter. Promise me you'll never let those cruel words come from your lips ever again," he said gruffly into my hair. I nodded into his chest. I promised to never say anything like that and that I would take time to cool off before anger took over me like that again.
"Yes Blood, I promise. Forgive me and I forgive you," I replied. He seemed satisfied as he kissed my hair.
"Good, I love you Alice," he replied before releasing me from the hug and kissed me softly on the lips. The twins giggled like children before Rika shot them a look. I smiled when he released my lips. Rika came over and hugged us before she disappeared in the mist of golden butterflies with the twins. We all made up and we were a family again…..
(Back in the Bloody Twins' Room – Rika's POV)
I collapsed on the blue couch that was positioned at an angle of the red couch they had. While I felt relieved to have made up with my mother, part of me felt a little uneasy. It had to do with the rogue faceless that attacked us. They were completely unorganized in their attack formation. This was not like the Mountain Dogs who were organized and had a leader that they worked behind. I got up and started pacing back and forth. I could feel Dee and Dum's eyes watching me in confusion while I walked back and forth in front of them. I tried to think of who could put such a rag tag team together…why kill me? Thus would explain Ace's weird obsession with killing me all of a sudden. Hmm, this was weird. The Mountain Dogs in Hinamizawa were organized, they weren't. Plus there was only a group of ten to fifteen or so. Why though? That's the real question.
"Come on sis, don't bore us with such thoughts right now," complains Dum like a child. I turned on him. Yes I understand that such thoughts can be boring. However, such thoughts are important for deductive reasoning. I sighed and relented that for the time being, he did have a point. I collapsed back on the couch between him and Dee. "I promise we will get to the bottom of this. We will gank every faceless that comes to attack this mansion. Hell we do that anyway when they come to try to invade," Dum adds with a small shrug. "Don't we brother?"
"Yes, that is true. We do indeed and we are very good at it," answers Dee while puffing his chest out comically. I suppressed a small laugh. His smile turned to a smirk and then leaned in to capture my lips in a kiss. Dum complained and said he wanted a turn to kiss me. I rolled my eyes, they may be adults but they acted like children sometimes. Dee only smirked more at his brother's childish behavior and proceeded to deepen the kiss by licking my lips. Dum sighed and settled for biting my earlobe which caused me to gasp enough to allow Dee to enter my mouth with his tongue. You guys are sure sneaky. Dum then thrusted his tongue in and out of my ear, causing me to moan more into Dee's already seductive kiss, damn they were good…too good sometimes.
"Only for you, sis," they said together in my mind. Then they started purring thoughts into my mind which just made my self-control go out the window. I felt Dum pull down the right side of my dress down to reveal my shoulder which he starts kissing softly. Shivers shot through me as they continued, Dee dominating my lips as his tongue subdued mine and Dum kissing, biting, and licking the skin on my shoulder. A blush bloomed across my face as my body began to heat up from their actions. Dum began to suckle on a sensitive part in between my shoulder and neck, causing me to gasp as my moans was muffled by Dee's kiss. They continued doing these things for a while longer and it was only when Dee needed some air did he release my lips.
Dee's smirk widened as stared at me intently with his blue eyes. I tried to look away but it was difficult to because his gaze was so intense. He leaned in and kissed me again on the lips as he brought down the left side of my dress, revealing my other shoulder. They slowly just slipped the dress off until my breasts were bare. They each take one, using their weight to pin me to the couch, and start to massage them roughly while both licking my neck and shoulders. I immediately forgot about any rational thoughts that had been in my head at that point. "Good," murmured Dee in my ear in reply to my thoughts. Then he thrusted his tongue in my ear softly in sync with Dum which caused me to mewl loudly between them as they continued rubbing my breasts, flicking my nipples roughly with their thumbs as more moans escape me.
"You sound so nice, little sis. You make the cutest sounds when we do stuff like this to you," purred Dum in my ear as he paused from licking it. He then kissed it and before settling his head on my shoulder while looking up at me with a smirk. I softly moaned a little at his words. Dee mirrors his brother and rested his head on my right shoulder. They nuzzled my neck softly while their hands still held my boobs prisoner. Their hands were very warm and I felt relaxed.
How did I feel so comfortable with them? I guess somethings could not be explained I suppose. "Do you want us to continue, sis?" asked Dee as he sat up to look at me. He added a soft kiss to my cheek which was warm. I nodded and said I that I did. This leads him to scooping me up suddenly in his arms and taking me over to their massive bed. He gently lays me down and then they crawled over me, staring at me with their vivid and intense eyes which seemed to be colored with lust. Their smirks were mirrored on their faces and Dee's hair hung down around his shoulders since his ribbon was tying my braid in place.
As if hearing me, Dum sits me up and gently undoes my braid with my fingers by untying the ribbon and working the strands free with his fingers. My hair was free and was a wavy purplish blue curtain that cascaded down my back past my legs. He undid the clips holding my side bangs and they floated back to framing my face. He leaned in, gently cupping my face with his hands, and kissed me softly and laid me back down with his body weight. I couldn't help but moan softly because of his body heat. They were both very warm and drowned my body with their heat which is one reason I liked being near them so much. That and because I think they're the sweetest beans. They did not hear that….oh wait…a lick from Dee told me they did. Where did he lick me?
Before I had a chance to speculate, they finished taking my dress off by pulling it down my body, leaving me only in my underwear until they took them off too with devilish smirks. That left me completely naked while they slowly teased me by taking off only their suit jackets, then their ties. Why was I naked and yet they were still wearing their clothes? Of course they did not answer me and only continued to smirk. I crossed my arms and feigned a frown but this failed as they both nuzzled my neck with their noses. I softly moaned, damn them. I was not actually mad at them, I was joking. Then they had to add licks to my neck and shoulders before they slowly went down to my breasts and they took one prisoner in their lips and bites and sucks began all over begin, sending my sanity out of the door and caused me to moan profusely….
My body heated up under their touches. More licks, bites, and suckles on my skin ensued…then they worked their fingers inside me….and I could not keep a grip on reality. Then they argued on which one would enter me….I did not care as both of them would make me feel good between them….
By the time they were done, I was left a moaning mess. They only smirked as they pinned me under them once more, their body heat seeping into my skin and relaxing me further. "Only we get to see our sister like this," purrs Dee as he kissed my ear and licks it possessively. "Agreed brother, she belongs to us, nobody can have her but us," he also whispered in my ear before biting it like his brother. I shivered from their soft bites and licks. I wrapped my arms around them, pulling them closer to me. I wanted to snuggle them close to me. They heard my thoughts and relaxed near me, they lay on either side and wrapped their legs around one of mine, and I was ensnared into their hold. I didn't mind however and it did not take long for exhaustion to settle in and I fell asleep as they did too….
The morning sun shone brightly though the window. It was so bright it made it hard to open up my eyes. I woke up with a small groan as my body also ached from last night's activities with the twins. I enjoyed it of course as I always enjoy spending time with them, sexy time or otherwise….however it left me feeling extremely exhausted. I tried to sit up but I had two warm bodies pinning me in place on the bed. They only tightened their hold on me, snuggling into my chest more. I moaned a little as their body heat consumed me more and even with the shining bright sun in my face, I somehow managed to fall asleep again until a midafternoon time change later…
My eyes fluttered open and the sun was not as bright. Of course, Dee and Dum were sound asleep and snoring their heads off. I looked over to see Dum on his back, the blanket partially hanging off of him, his left arm off above his head and his right arm still had me in his grasp. Dee meanwhile was still asleep on his side, both of his arms wrapped around me. I sighed exasperatedly as I wanted to get up this time. I then teleported out of their grasp, sitting on the end of the bed, the sheet still wrapped around my still naked body and I wandered into their bathroom to clean myself up….
About ten to fifteen minutes later, I was dressed and wearing a simple light blue dress with a pink cardigan over it. I did not feel like dressing up fancy. This was when the two sleepyheads decided it was time to wake up. If I was still in Hinamizawa or at St. Lucia Academy, it would have been roughly four or five o' clock in the afternoon. However, since time in Wonderland was wonky, we did not really know what time it actually was hour wise. I honestly did not care as I shrugged. I went over to the red couch, summoned my book and red while they finished waking up, confused as to why I was not in the bed with them and then they looked up and saw me reading on their couch…
They clumsily got up and also made their way to their bathroom (one at a time of course) and cleaned up, got dressed in their usual pinstriped dark suits, Dee tying his hair back with this ribbon and Dum pulled his bangs off to one side and secured them with his hairclips. As always, they cleaned up nicely and looked adorable and handsome. After they did that, they joined me on the couch. Dee sat on my left and Dum sat down to my right and wrapped their arms around me, putting their heads on my shoulder while I continued to read. I smiled as they kept me company while I read my book. They did not do this very often so this was kind of nice.
After a little while, Dee spoke, "Hey sis, what is your book about?" I put my bookmark between the pages and closed the book. Hmm, where do I even begin? I did my best to explain the story as best as I could without giving away too many spoilers.
"Well you could say that Umineko is a murder mystery of sorts with witches and magic. However, these elements are not the point of the story. The point of this story is that without love, it can't be seen. Without love, everything is pointless," I said, explaining the story without spoilers. Dee quirked an eyebrow as confusion colored his cerulean blue eyes. I smiled at him, understanding why he was confused. I giggled lightly at his and Dum's expressions. "Would you like me to start at the beginning and read it to you two?" I asked them pointedly. Dee and Dum nodded vigorously in an enthusiastic reply.
I chuckled at their childish personalities. "Alright then, I suppose I'll start at the beginning. 'It all began with a fateful family conference that took place every year on the island of Rokkenjima. The year was 1986 during the month of October. The Ushiromiya family parents had each rearranged their schedules to make it possible to attend during that weekend. Our story begins with a boy named Battler and his family at the airport. Little did they know…?" I said as I began reading the beginning lines of the book to them. They snuggled against me more and eagerly listened as I continued to read the story to them. I read managed to read a couple chapters to them before Uncle Elliot knocked and opened the door.
"Your father, Blood would like you to come down for dinner. As for you two dunce buckets, I suppose you can join her. Heaven knows you will anyway. Then after dinner is another assembly meeting," he said in his gruff voice. With a sigh, I put another bookmark in my book before setting it down on the coffee table. The twins groaned, mentally insulting Uncle Elliot. I could hear their insults like "stupid chicken rabbit interrupting quality time with our little sis" and "stupid dumbass rabbit" and similar insults like that. I suppressed a laugh as much as I could until Uncle Elliot had departed and then I laughed.
"You could hear us insulting the chicken rabbit, sis?" questioned Dum. I nodded and reminded him that I was able to share their thoughts. "Oh yeah, I forgot," he mused.
They grumbled as we made our way outside to the garden where we had our tea parties and meals. Uncle Elliot was already there sitting to the left of my father. As usual, my father was sitting at the head of the table with my mother to his right. "Hello Rika, glad to see you are well," he said with a small smirk on his face as if he knew what we did last night. I of course kept quiet but the blush that was burning on my face probably was a dead giveaway. Dee and Dum inwardly smirked; I could hear their thoughts bragging about how they made me feel. I could not help but have this bad feeling that something was going to happen to one of the twins….I pushed that feeling out of my brain for now and enjoyed spending time with them and my family while we drank tea and enjoyed a good meal prepared by the kitchen staff…good conversation was had at all ends of the table and even Dee and Dum participated by chiming in occasionally….
Once dinner and tea were over an hour or so later, dad announced that we had to get ready for the Assembly Meeting. A chill shot down my spine and the twins looked at me, concern in their eyes. Did they feel it too? "Of course we felt it sis, we're linked to you," said Dee in my mind. I sighed, closing my eyes. Should I tell them about my bad feeling? "Yes, please tell us," pleaded Dum. I turned in his direction as I gazed into his ruby red eyes, feeling my heart skip a beat. I reluctantly told them of the impending doom that I had a feeling we'd be facing. They did not act surprised. "Maybe we should skip the meeting sis?" asked Dee in my mind. I nodded, but how? Father was keeping a close eye on us.
He instructed me to go up and get ready. I then walked away from the group and back up to their room and put on my dress for the meeting. It was a dress similar to my mother's except it had a maroon colored bodice with black, green and blue gradient like designs that colored the sleeves. It had ring like patterns that adorned the top of the sleeves and the outer layer of my skirts. The inner layer was black and green while the outer layer transitioned from a dark blue to a light teal on the ends. A blue ribbon cuff adorned my right ankle. Once I was sure everything was on correctly, I came out and Dee and Dum were waiting for me with smirks on their faces.
"Want to skip the meeting with us?" they inquired. Actually I did and said so. They grabbed my hands and the three of us disappeared from their room in a cloud of golden butterflies. We then reappeared in the small town outside the Clover Tower. Faceless people were going about their business right and left, working, and doing whatever it is they do on a daily basis. I watched them, slightly fascinated as I had not had a chance to visit the town before. Dee and Dum grabbed both of my hands and pulled me along. I sighed softly and allowed them to drag me wherever they wanted to go.
Turned out, they had seen a sweet shop that they wanted to try. I chuckled again; they really were like children with their personalities. It was another part of them I loved of course. I smiled as we entered; the faceless baker seemed to cower at the sight of the twins for some reason. I looked from her and the twins and back with a quirked eyebrow. What did these twins do before I came along? I heard a stray thought from Dee that they often liked to skip work and go gallivanting and ganking or killing rather. Oh…. So that's why she was scared…however they did not have their axes or if they did, they were in gun form in a holster on their belts. How the
hell did I know that?
I approached her with a smile on my face, trying to be as unassuming as possible and stated I wanted a piece of cheesecake. With a timid smile, she cut a slice of cake she had behind the counter and handed it to me on a plate. Dee ordered a piece of blueberry pie while Dum ordered a piece of chocolate cake. I was surprised they did not order the same thing. I guessed they had their own preferences when it came to some things. I was also handed a cup of milk to go with my cake and I went to sit down at a table and not a moment too soon, Dee and Dum also joined me. I hummed while I took a bite, enjoying it with a smile and they also took bites of their respective sweets, also enjoying them as well.
We talked back and forth while we enjoyed our sweets, enjoying each other's company. I enjoyed spending time with them like this. It seemed so rare sometimes. "Would this count as our first real date with our little sis?" inquired Dee with a small smirk. Dum nodded in agreement as he finished his cake, bits of chocolate frosting had gotten on his lips. I giggled and pointed this out to him. Instead of wiping it off, he only pulled me into a kiss, his tongue diving into my mouth as he tasted the cake I had eaten and I tasted bits of his chocolate cake on his lips.
Shivers were sent down my spine. People were probably starring but I didn't give a damn and neither did Dum for the moment. He backed off after a bit with a smirk and purrs to where only I could hear, "Little sis tastes good," I blushed crimson and he kissed my cheek before pulling away. Dee watched his brother for a moment then decided to also make out with me since Dum had done so. They always had to try to one up each other. Dee tasted good too as I caught a small taste of his blueberry pie from his lips. He smirked as Dum did when he made out with me. He backed off after a few minutes and kissed my cheek afterward as well, leaving me completely speechless with a furious blush blooming across my face.
"Little sis does taste good," purrs Dee in my ear as he kissed it once before picking me up and taking me out of the shop. What the hell has gotten into him? He left behind Dum who had to run to catch up with us. When he did catch up, he had a "what the hell brother?" expression on his face. Dee paid it no mind. I rolled my eyes as he held me. I looked over his shoulder and there was a group of rogue faceless chasing us.
"GIVE US BERNKASTEL AND WE'LL ALLOW YOU TO LIVE!" the leader in gray shouted. He wore a tacky fedora with black shoes, a yellow tie, and white dress shirt under his dark gray tweed suit. Something about the yellow seemed oddly familiar and suspicious. In fact, all of the rogues wore yellow ties as did the ones that attacked the Hatter Mansion a few time changes ago. They took out yellow guns and started shooting. Reacting quickly, I unleashed a fireball and shot it at them over Dee's shoulder.
"TAKE THIS, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES!" I roared as my hands turned gold and I released a golden butterfly chain. I swung it around with my magic and ensnared three of the men and threw them against a nearby wall. I did not kill them but I was sure I at least knocked them out. Or maybe I did kill them? Either way, they were attacking us and I did not care. Dee turned around, set me down to unleash his blue gun from the holster on his hip and Dee did the same. They turned around and began shooting at our pursuers. I helped them out by shooting fireballs out of the chain that I had summoned. The golden butterfly chain I was wielding had caught fire and like a fiery snake, I had sent it and whipped them with the burning chain, causing them to howl in agony as the flames burned them.
The ones on fire had to stop, drop and roll and even that did not put out the golden enchanted flames. I pulled the chain back and hopped on Dum's back, curling my legs around his waist, keeping the chain handy. His red gun turned back into its original form of the long halberd axe with its black and silver blade glinting in the afternoon sun. "Sis, I got an idea," said Dum. I heard what he was thinking in his mind, looped one end of my golden chain around the handle of his axe, and he turned around and I sent it flying toward the rogue faceless that were nearest us.
While attached to my chain, it spun wildly through the air, and then decapitated several of the rogues in a row. It was gruesome but we did not have time to dwell on the carnage. We kept running while Dee kept shooting. I brought the halberd black axe back and Dum took a hold of it once more. "Good job sis, that was great," he complimented me. I caught sight of a brief frown adorning Dee's face before his attention went back to shooting our pursuers. They seemed to come out of the alleyways by the dozens. I could not keep track of how many were behind us. Dum had me take his halberd with my golden enchanted chain once more.
I jumped down from his back and landed in front of our pursuers. My golden chain wrapped around the long handle of the axe and once more, I jumped, and using the force of my magic and brought the axe down and swung it at a half moon arc. It sliced the rogues that happened to be in its path in half, leaving more dismembered corpses behind us. They shimmered, leaving behind their clocks; their ghosts gathered them up and ran for the hills. That was curious, I thought. I then pulled my golden chain back that held the axe and once more returned it to Dum. Dee had me do the same thing with his gun where the chain wrapped around the trigger and I swung my golden chain so fast and with my magic, the bullets became enchanted fireballs and ganked even more of the group and they died within the flames. I panted, feeling a drain on my magic. I had not unlocked my full potential as a witch.
I was not like the Bernkastel in the book; I could not pull off endless combos yet. I felt like I was going to pass out and nearly fell over until Dee had caught me. He took his gun back, it transformed back into its original long halberd axe form and he picked me up in his arms. "It's ok sis, we got them. You did good fighting alongside us, rest now," he told me in a soft voice. I smiled at him as I wrapped my arms around him and my legs around his waist so I could hold on.
However our happy moment was very short lived…We were surrounded once more by another group of the yellow tied rogues. They had snatched me away from Dee, held a gun to my head. Damn it, I had let my guard down. I wished right now I could be more like the Bernkastel in the book, ruthless, and capable of great feats of magic. She was ruthless as I was weak. I struggled against the hold of the yellow tie rogue that was holding me hostage. They then captured Dum….and tossed Dee a black gun…..
"If you'z can gankz yo' brother he', we'll let the li'l miss go," the fedora thug threatened in his gruff voice. Like a bullet striking me, this was the bad feeling that I had felt.
"NO DEE DON'T!" I shouted and pleaded, tears falling from my eyes. The ones holding me captive punched me in the stomach and I doubled over. Pain seared through my body from their rough punches.
"Shuttup girly, unless you'z wantz to be dead meat," Says one of the rogues holding me hostage. I tried to shout out at Dee to not do it and he beats me upside the head with the handle of his gun, my vision now was watering as stars seemed to spin around my head. Goddamn these motherfuckers!
Without a word, Dee picks up the gun. I watched on in terror. Then, I heard Dee's thought which chilled me to my core, "If I gank Dum, then I will have little sis all to myself." Tears fell down my eyes as I watched him pick up the gun and aim it right at Dum. His red eyes seemed to be filled with terror, shock, surprise, anger, and other emotions that I couldn't identify. However his thoughts said it all. He couldn't believe that Dee actually would kill him. If he wasn't restrained by the two hooligans holding him prisoner, he would fight back. No, don't fight!
"I LOVE BOTH OF YOU GODDAMN IT!" I shouted in vain. They kicked my shins this time and I fell to my knees, holding my stomach. I could hear the click of the gun from the one who was holding me hostage.
"Thought'z I'z toldz you'z to shut the fuck up bitch, one more word out of you'z and you'z a dead girly," repeated the threat from the grunt. Fuck OFF YOU BASTARD, I roared inside my mind. I could feel the change taking over me. However, I still could not do anything as pain was still searing through my body. I dared myself to look at the horrible scene unfolding before me. Dee still held the gun aloft, trained right on Dum without any hesitation. No, you're brothers, no. Please, for the love of Oyashiro-sama, NO! While I could not scream out loud, I screamed in my mind. If they heard my thoughts, they ignored it as they appeared too focused on each other, red eyes colored with sadness and other anger filled emotions. And his blue eyes stared back coldly and my purple eyes gazed upon the scene, powerless and unable to do anything…
It was as if a deafening silence had fallen over the town in the area where we were. No sounds could be heard except breathing and my soft grunts of pain. As if a whip had been cracked, Dee shot the gun and the bullet flew through the air at a wild speed and made contact with Dum, hitting him close to where his clock heart ticked. At that moment, I did not give a damn about the pain that wracked through my body as I ran over and just barely caught him in my outstretched arms. I coldly looked up at Dee with the angriest glare I could muster. My eyes were an endless sea of purple, colored with my anger.
Dum looked up at me with a small smile on his face. One of his trembling hands touched my face; angry tears fell from my face, as I gazed at the dim ruby eyes of Dum. "D…Don't be…an…angry…R…Rika…if I die today, know that I love you….please don't blame him…p…please don't become….B...Bern…kastel," he said as the life seemed to fade from his body. It felt as though the life was fading from my own body with his. I hugged him around his neck tightly, pleading with him to just stay alive.
"Don't….DON'T LEAVE ME!" I shouted, crying, tears falling onto his face as I held him close to my chest. The rogues were either grinning or laughing gleefully. Dee suddenly dropped the gun as if it was a hot potato and dropped to his knees…
"W…WHAT THE FUCK HAVE I DONE!?" he screamed, tears falling from his own eyes. The rogue that had handed him the gun gave him the gun again.
"Finish the job and kill your witch while you're at it!" he ordered. Dee shook his head, hair coming loose from its ribbon. He didn't care as his emotions swirled inside him…the rogue trying to hand him the gun then whacked Dee with the barrel, knocking him backward. Meanwhile Dum barely clung to life in my arms. I wished I could use the endless magic to save his life but I was unable to…He only snuggled in the crook of my neck, his right arm wrapped around me weakly, clinging to me to keep me from losing control. Dum was my last grip on my sanity. I silently pleaded with him mentally to do his best to stay awake. He seemed to be doing his best while clinging to me. I cried silently as my hands tightly held his head close to me, tears falling into his hair as I nuzzled it. I did not give a damn about Dee right now as cold as that was. He shot his brother, being coerced or not, the fact was he still did it.
"Don't move or we'll finish you off, you little bitch!" growled a rogue near me. I ignored him for Dum's sake. I was too busy holding him close to care. I shouted obscenities at these fuckers inside my mind. I didn't know how much longer I could hold back.
"Forgive me, Dum," I whispered as I put him down. As if forgetting I was in pain to begin with. Purple fire burned from me as I stepped forward in the middle of the circle of rogues that surrounded us. My expression was one of deadly anger and rage. I summoned my own halberd axe forward. My body burned with the flames of my rage as I swung it around. I took care to avoid Dum and Dee. I jumped up suddenly, gripping the axe as I came spiraling back down to Earth in a deadly rapid-fire blaze. I spun my body so that I took out the fuckers that were near me that had threatened me, and then I focused on the group behind Dee.
I summoned my gold butterfly chain in my left hand while holding my halberd that mirrored Dee and Dum's in my right. The now bright moonlight glinted off the black and silver curved blade. "You fuckers better be afraid for your miserable lives if you know what is good for you," I spoke in a deadly calm voice. "You FUCKERS ARE GOING TO DIE!" I then screamed as I swung my golden chain around, lassoing up the circle of rogues. Then, I attached the handle of the long axe to my chain, swung it around like before and in a series of half crescent moon swings, I killed the remaining group of rogues in a couple of strikes. Once they were dead, I retracted my chain and along with my axe, it disappeared. "THAT'S WHAT happens to Fuckers that decide to hurt what's mine!" I finished.
Dee merely looked up at me in horror. I stared back coldly before turning my back on him and attended to Dum. He was still alive by some miracle…I somehow found the strength to gather his body in my arms and disappeared from that place in a cloud of golden butterflies. Dee of course followed…I was sure to hear it from mom and dad later…honestly getting Dum some medical attention was all I gave a damn about right now.
I appeared inside the infirmary at home, startling the doctor that occupied it. He could see the blood on my clothes and me clinging to the near lifeless Dum in my arms. "Please do all you can to save him, I beg you," I beseeched the doctor as calm as I could, emotion not even factoring into my voice. He nodded, taking Dum from me and laying him on a bed. Without a word, the doctor got right to work; doing what he could to help capture Dum's remaining life in a bottle to save him from passing on. I watched on as he worked, holding his hand and apologizing in my mind for what had happened.
"I don't care about that; you saved me and Dee with what you did. I love you for that. Please relax Rika, you're safe now," he silently pleaded with me inside my mind. I kissed the hand of his I was holding, hoping to see those sparkling ruby eyes pierce my soul again with his loving smirk. Instead, they were dim and his face and skin were paling as if the moon was going into the shadows. I used a little bit of my magic to sustain him but even that would not be enough. I prayed for a miracle that the doctor would save his life. All I could do was hope and stay by Dum's side. Dee appeared sometime later and went to my side. I shot him a cold glare and told him to stay the fuck away from me right now. My anger for him still burned red hot through my veins.
I must have fallen asleep with my head on Dum's shoulder. Mom and dad along with Uncle Elliot came barging in and demanded to know what happened. They saw my dress had blood and had been torn up. My hair and face must have looked disheveled and had scratches and maybe a few bruises. That however paled in comparison to Dum who was slowly breathing but knocked out with the medicine the doctor had given him. The doctor managed to remove the bullet and Dum's chest was now bandage along with any other wounds he may have sustained were also treated. He was not out of the woods yet.
With what strength I could muster, I confessed to us skipping the meeting and then proceeded to tell my parents and uncle the tale of how we were ambushed by seemingly endless rogue yellow tie and fedora wearing faceless. I then confessed to killing them as I was overcome with anger and rage due to what they had made Dee do to his brother. "YOU SHOT HIM!?" came Uncle Elliot's outrage towards Dee. He nodded silently, sitting on a nearby bed, also bandaged but alright otherwise. I had also been given medicine for my body aches. However, I did not care as I still clung to Dum.
"Please Rika; you need to get some proper rest. Come with us," pleads my mother. I refused, shaking my head. Then father with his strong arms pried me from Dum and carried me back to his room. I was too tired and emotionally drain to protest.
"You can check on him later. I want to know the full story," he said as he had put my tired and drained body on the couch. I only stared off into space. Even having my guts raked out by Satoko again would be preferable to this.
"What is there to say? I told you what I know father. I have no reason to hide anything," I replied, my voice emotionless. He sighed, knowing that I was still reeling from the recent ordeal of almost loosing Dum, anger, and drained from using too much magic. Without another word, he picks me up in his arms again and took me against him. He only tucked my hair behind my ears while he combed through the rest with his gloved hand.
"Rest daughter, that's all I ask right now," he whispered to me. That was the last thing I heard before I nodded off into a deep sleep in my father's arms. He held me like that tightly, not caring about much else.