Hello world!
Thanks to all those awesome people who are actually reading this fic, you all make me incredibly happy in this very busy period of my life! *3*
Here is the next chapter, reviews and comments are always appreciated! ^.^
Have fun!
It was early morning when the day next to Hirari's kidnapping the main members of the three allied clans gathered to discuss about the situation.
They were twenty-three in total: seven from Rikkai, seven from Fudoumine and nine from Seigaku.
Yukimura had just finished telling them how he had found his apartment empty, Hirari's blood, and her and Atobe's scents.
"I didn't think that Atobe would try something as risky as this." Tezuka commented.
"He must be quite desperate." Oishi, Seigaku's second in command, added.
"What I personally find most surprising is that he personally went to retrieve her." Inui, their Data man, murmured, adjusting his glasses. He and his childhood friend Yanagi had had the very same impression.
"What is our worst scenario?" Tachibana asked, practical as always.
"That Atobe forces Kikuta-kun to cooperate with him against us." Yanagi answered at once.
Fudoumine's leader frowned. "That would be bad…"
"Is it really that bad though?" A young, bored voice asked.
Everybody's eyes focused on Seigaku's youngest, a Human Magician.
He smirked cockily. "She's just a girl, isn't she? It's not like her power is done for attacks, right? What harm can she do to any of us?"
Tezuka frowned at him. "Echizen…" he said in a warningly tone.
The younger shrugged. "What? Isn't he", he motioned at Yukimura, whose eyes flashed a moment, "worried just cuz they're close? There is no real reason to bring out all our best men to get back one single weak girl." He concluded.
"Nonsense!" Sanada's voice boomed. "It is true that she is Yukimura's protégée, but this is not the only reason as to why we want her back!"
"Indeed her power isn't made to attack." Yanagi admitted. "But. With it, Atobe will be able to pinpoint every Magical creature anywhere, anytime. He would be able to recruit thousands in mere weeks."
"And with all those numbers, no matter how much big an alliance between clans may be, we'd be all crushed." Yukimura concluded, calmly yet with a dangerous aura surrounding him that caused all Rikkai members to cringe lightly.
"Kikuta is not only a precious member of Rikkai, but also an important strategically asset." Inui explained to his kohai, who merely scoffed and looked away.
"Che." Was the only thing that he said.
Rikkai's leader took a deep breath to prevent himself from harming that small Human; he could see his point, of course, but he'd never forgive anyone for speaking so rudely of his protégée.
"I think that we all agree that we must get her back as soon as possible." Tachibana eventually said, and a murmur ran through the room as they all nodded.
"He won't harm her then, right?" Akaya asked almost timidly. He really liked his senpai; she was always so nice to him even though his frequent rage outbursts.
There was a pause, and then Inui was the one to speak up. "Not as long as he can keep her in a state that she can work for him."
"Actually, it is rather impossible that she will be left unscathed." Yanagi sighed lightly, not failing at noticing how his leader and friend tensed at his words.
"How so?" Fuji Shuusuke, the resident tensai and currently only Vampire of Seigaku, asked, his eyes closed as always.
"She is terribly stubborn." Yukimura explained with half a smile. "She will try to resist him with all her might."
Suddenly a low murmur could be heard.
"It is really bad to have a Scanner against…. She should have been more careful… She should prevent Atobe from using her power… But also she should not be harmed… Ann-chan would get mad if something were to happen to her…"
Kamio sweatdropped lightly and smacked his friend's head, the Vampire Ibu Shinji. "Stop muttering. We'll get her back to us soon, that's why we are here. Baka."
Ibu glanced at him. "Don't tell me that you started to like her too now… I wonder if Ann-chan kno- Mh!"
Kamio had quickly pressed a hand on his mouth to muffle his words, yet was unsuccessful in trying to suppress his own blush.
A light identical chuckle came from Yukimura and Fuji.
"At least now we have a more than sufficient reason to attack them." Momoshiro Takeshi grinned; he was a Human Warrior of Seigaku.
"Pshuu…" Kaidou Kaoru, Human Shapeshifter of the same clan and friend/rival of Momoshiro, did his usual snaky sound. "We will beat them up to a pulp."
"Now now, everyone, calm down." The Human Warrior of Fudoumine, Ishida Tetsu, stepped in. "We must first form a plan."
"And that is the reason why we're here!" Sanada's voice boomed once again, gathering everyone's attention at once.
Yukimura smiled lightly. "The mansion where Atobe stays has a powerful barrier around it." He revealed. "I'd like for the people specialized in that field to join and work on it. No matter how strong or numerous our forces may be, whatever we'd try to do would be in vain with the barrier in its place."
Tachibana nodded. "I agree, I'll gather everyone as soon as we finish this meeting."
"Since ours is the most isolated place, may I suggest that the work in one of Seigaku's Headquarters?" Tezuka asked, receiving the approval of the other two leaders at once.
"How about we have someone infiltrate Hyoutei?"
Yagyuu glanced at Fuji as he spoke, adjusting his glasses. "We already are. Niou-kun is disguised as Oshitari." He revealed.
There were surprised gasps and admired murmurs. Impersonating someone so close to Atobe was quite a risk.
"Won't he be able to take her out?" Kamio asked hopefully, but his leader objected.
"He would blow his cover, also he'd put both of their lives in danger if he were to try that."
Kamio sighed. "Oh…"
"Do not worry." Yukimura smiled gently. "He still gives us reports at times, even though rare. I am sure that he will mention about her next time."
They spent several hours debating and forming a plan. It was far past lunchtime when they managed to complete their attack formations.
"Let me rephrase it shortly for everyone." Yanagi cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him, not one not feeling tired.
"As soon as the barrier is down, the Vampires and the Magicians, together with our Demon, are going to teleport inside, followed then by Shapeshifters and Warriors.
The Healers are to stay outside with Tachibana Ann, far enough not to be involved in the fight but also near enough to be able to get inside in case they're needed. Any questions?"
The presents all shook their heads, agreeing to the plan and drilling it into their minds. They were not allowed to do even one mistake, their teamwork was at the base of this plan and if only one thing were to go wrong they'd all be done for.
After this they disbanded, everyone returning to their own homes or clans' HQs. Yukimura sighed deeply when he entered the empty house, his eyes showing a mix of sadness and rage at not having been able to foresee and prevent this. He quickly cleaned the blood on the couch, not bearing to see or smell it, adding to his guilt. He delicately went to close and charge the laptop that the girl was using when she was kidnapped.
He knew just how much she treasured it, for he had been the one to give it to her not too much time before, on her 20th birthday.
Yukimura massaged his temples lightly, slightly stunned at how fast the time passed. It seemed yesterday to him that he had picked her up from her home when Taki and his group attacked, and now she was an adult already.
But then again, how long could fifteen years be for a Vampire that was several centuries old?
New character infos
Seigaku
Oishi Shuuichirou: Human Healer; vice-leader of the clan
Inui Sadaharu: Human Magician; specializes in mind-reading; enjoys breeding new potions; childhood friend of Rikkai's Yanagi
Echizen Ryouma: Human Magician; new entry of the clan, recently joined after living in America for several years
Fuji Shuusuke: Vampire; resident tensai
Momoshiro Takeshi: Human Warrior
Kaidou Kaoru: Human Shapeshifter
Fudoumine
Ibu Shinji: Vampire
Kamio Akira: Human Shapeshifter; vice-leader of the clan
Ishida Tetsu: Human Warrior