Author's note: Thanks for reading Please review. Anyway I kind of crossed-over the movie with the TV series and added a lot of my own. *grins* more importantly, people who are dead aren't and events that are supposed to happen (according to movie and series) ain't gonna. Also, Esca time is where it should be, but time on Earth is farther ahead.... Oh yeah Hitomi is on Gaea and she doesn't realize how the fast the Mystic Moon's time has gone by.
Sorry Folken fans! I love Folken I really I do it's just that the mean son of a bitch in the movie fits this story so much better! Once again I'm sorry…there is some serious Folken bashing in this fic!
All original Escaflowne characters, ideas, and settings belong to who they belong to *not me.... wails* Hunter, Blade, and Silver are mine! As well as any other characters who aren't of Esca origin. Unless of course I borrowed them from somewhere else…that is possible you know. I could've read about something somewhere, and just happened to use them…and I'm rambling again…gotta go!
Thanks for reviewing! It really brightens my day!
To *mouse and Koshimoero for their support. And *mouse? The girls where never supposed to be Dragonslayers, I just used that to tie something that's going to happen later in with the story.
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Part 10: Jealousy, Anger, and Unpleasant Surprises
"Is she awake yet?" Blade asked Silver impatiently. Hunter remained unconscious and quite oblivious to the fact of her sister's panic. Silver stayed calm, but Blade's sudden change into cool calmness wore off after a while. The blood that had kept on appearing stopped, and Silver managed to wipe away most of it, while Blade tended to her own cuts.
"No, and no I don't know when she's going to wake up," Silver replied soothingly. Blade tended to get way to hyper after panicking, and Silver usually delayed that with her voice. She realized that Blade was freaked about what had happened so few hours ago, and although she herself was too, she was too worried about Hunter to think about that now. Blade started to pace something that she must have picked up from Hunter. It got on Silver's nerves when Blade did it too. There must be something about pacing that just made her paranoid. Silver didn't comment because Hunter groaned and shifted slightly. She didn't wake up, but at least they knew she was still alive. Silver ordered Blade to get some more cold water, which was done right away. Silver placed a cloth into the basin and wring out all the excess water. She then folded it and placed it on Hunter's forehead.
"Damn it," Blade muttered. Silver only partially understood her sister's anger. Blade was confused. She didn't know what happened anymore than Silver did. Neither of them understood it, and in times like this they often turned to Hunter for answers, who just happened to be in a coma like state. They weren't going to get any advice out of her. Not right now anyway. She didn't know that Blade was ticked of greatly because of her sudden distrust of Dalet. She had trusted him before, but now…his demeanor and his actions seemed…false. She resumed her pacing, much to Silver's annoyance.
Dalet entered on his own standards, not knocking, but just entering. Though not a wise choice, he got away with it this time because of the information he brought. Dilandau brought control over himself, containing his anger and intended violence from his 'spy.'
"This had better be good, Dalet, otherwise…" Dilandau growled, allowing the threat to hang in the air. Dalet shuddered for a second before saying anything.
"Lord Dilandau, it seems Hunter is not as good of a fighter as she appears. After training I went back, and she had collapsed…"
"Why? And how?" Dilandau cut Dalet off, who answered, "I'm not sure, my Lord, but Blade and Silver said it was exhaustion resulting from the lack of sleep she has been getting lately…I don't believe them."
"Why not?" Dilandau asked, narrowing his eyes. It appeared to Dilandau that Dalet was holding something back, but in all reality he wasn't. Dalet was telling Dilandau what he had been told and what he had seen. He knew lying to Dilandau was not the way one kept one's life.
"Blade is an excellent liar, Lord Dilandau, but Silver is not," Dalet informed calmly. Dilandau smirked. Dalet was an excellent weasel. He dug up enough on the three girls in short amounts of time, though Dilandau was still uncertain why the Strategoes was paying so much attention to them…and what exactly he wanted with them. Dilandau ran his left index finger over his right cheek, thinking.
"Lord Dilandau…Hunter was also covered in blood that wasn't hers," Dalet said, breaking his commander out of his thoughts. Dilandau would have struck him for doing so, but what Dalet had said intrigued him.
"Covered in blood? That wasn't hers? What are you saying, Dalet?" Dilandau demanded.
"There wasn't a source on her body, my Lord, but it was everywhere. They said it was Blade's but I doubt that too," Dalet replied. Dilandau drew his dagger and ran it along the arm of his throne making a sound much like fingernails on slate.
"From Blade? Why her?" he muttered more to himself then to Dalet who answered anyway, "She was covered in cuts that weren't bleeding and appeared to have scarred over Lord Dilandau." Dilandau didn't ask him anymore questions, but instead dismissed him. What had really happened after he had left? Dalet seemed to think that Silver and Blade had lied to him, but why do that? Where they on to him, or did they not want anyone to know what had really happened? Dilandau growled in frustration and threw his dagger. It stuck into the wood of the door with a soft thud. If anyone had walked through the door at that moment they wouldn't have known what hit them. Too bad no one did. Unable to figure out answers to his questions, Dilandau got up and went over to his table studying many maps of Austoria. The Strategoes had informed him that Emperor Jason planned on invading them. A power-hungry monarch was just what served Dilandau. It meant more wars, and more battles. Topographically Austoria wouldn't be a problem, but militarily Austoria might prove to be a challenge, but not if they conquered Palas first by surprise. The rest would soon fall together quite easily. Hopefully the Abaharaki Rebels cemented over their rocky relationship and came to Austoria's aid. It would be quite enjoyable to slaughter that overgrown butterfly, Allen, and his barbaric girlfriend, Millerna. Dilandau grinned maliciously. This war was going to be a lot of fun.
"Master…the oldest hasn't woken yet. She remains unconscious," the hunchbacked servant, who had just finished sewing up his wounds and wiping away his blood, murmured to his master who had been conversing with Eris. They both looked up, quite angry at being disturbed.
"And why not? What exactly did you do wrong to her? Didn't I make myself clear in the use of the powder?" his master demanded angrily. The hunchback shivered fearfully while he protested his innocence. Eris glared at him with her green and red eyes, scaring him even more.
"Perhaps the oldest got lost, or maybe it's taking longer for her to recover then we expected…" the master's servant whimpered. Eris curled her blood-red lips up in disdain.
"Hunter. Her name is Hunter and with her strength of mind and body, she should have recovered instantly had you not created me and sent me to inhabit her body. No one can handle me possessing them for that long of time, not even her," Eris whispered in her throaty growl from where she was sitting. The hunchback backed away full of fright. The master dismissed him with a veiled threat and continued to converse with the demon girl that he had named Eris.
"I created her…she shouldn't disrespect me like that…if not for me, she would never have existed…" the cloaked hunchback muttered angrily about his creation. She treated him like he was beneath him. He created her, and he could destroy her if necessary. As if to make sure, he started to search for a potion to harm her into his control. He wouldn't mix it up immediately, but instead he would wait until the master was out on business and then start. This time he would be extra careful about the ingredients so he would not mistakenly addition to her powers and strength. That would not help him. As he overlooked the list of ingredients, he nearly choked with surprise. Some of these would only be found on the Mystic Moon! How would he ever get a hold of them? The hunchback studied the list once again and reread the directions until finally he read the title, A Common Cure for the Common Cold Sore. How had he mistaken a cure for some ache as a remedy to Eris? True Eris was a pain and an ache; she wouldn't be taken under control by some cure for a bodily ailment, although it might be helpful to keep under tabs for when he had need of it. What would control Eris? Was there anything at all? Not knowing her weaknesses, the hunchback was at a loss to find anything to help him. He did find quite a few useful potion mixes, but nothing to help him with Eris. Apparently he would have to do a lot of research on Eris before he could find her weaknesses. Knowing that she wouldn't just tell him her Archille's heel, the hunchback sighed with the slight annoyance of having to do work that he wasn't required by the master to do.
Unknown to the master's servant, Eris was spying on him right then and there. The Master had gone for the rest of the day, and with nothing else to do, the she-demon settled for spying on the hunchback. She had no idea what he was looking through all those spell and potion books for, and she really didn't care. Her creator bored her, and that was mainly why she didn't listen to him. Also, the fact that he had no real power influenced her attitude towards him. He had made her by mistake and she resented that. Perhaps if it had been what he had planned on doing, but instead he had been an idiot and put overdoses of ingredients into his potion. She realized that she was what people would call a…what Hunter had called her. Possessing Hunter's body had given Eris a slight bond with the human. A bond that she did not want to have. The master had said that she would be the one to kill her when the time was right. Though that bond sometimes annoyed her, it also gave her slight fuel. When she had first discovered she could, she had imprinted Hunter's fighting techniques into her mind, so she improved herself, and learned more about the dark blonde. Eris realized that Hunter had copied something from her too, but could not place it. Hunter's sentimentality for her sisters made Eris sick. Didn't the girl realize that if she lost such emotions, she would be a much better fighter, a better survivor even? Her sister's where only dragging her down. Secretly, Eris felt no respect for the master, nor did she care to serve him. She was only in it for the chance to go up against Hunter without any interruptions. The demon girl sneered, remembering, at how Hunter had tried to hold her back, to keep her from hurting what's-her-name. Her sister with the dark hair who would have been dead in less then five minutes had it not been for Hunter's constant interference. She was strong, yes, but not strong enough. When the time came, Eris would kill her after she had a little fun, whether Hunter was a so-called Sister of Death or not.
It was dark. And cold. All around Hunter was black, save for the dark grayish hazy foot imprints where she walked. The sound of her footfalls echoed throughout the blackness. No living or dead creature inhabited this place of cold hollow blackness. Hunter remembered Eris. Eris was cold and hollow, much like this place. Eris imprinted in her mind, leaving aspects Hunter did not understand.
"Am I…dead?" Hunter asked the area surrounding her, "Dead, dead…dead…dead…" echoes mocked her, making her aloneness even more pronounced. They hated her. The shadows hated her because she was alive and they where not. But if there were shadows…where was the light? Shadows cannot exist within totally blackness. Or can they? Impossible propositions filled her head, confusing her from confusion.
"There is no light…how can you…how can I exist without light?" Hunter asked the shadows and echoes. The echoes mocked her, while the shadows remained cold and distant. She was not one of them. Why should they care what she wanted? Hunter searched for light, even a tiny crack, but found none. Where was she? Hunter sat, and felt the coldness surround her. She was alone. All and utterly alone. None were there to help her; none were there to comfort her.
"I'm…I'm lost…please…help me…" Hunter spoke inaudibly. Her voice was so weak and pitiful the echoes did little to mock her now. They had lost interest in her. She may be new and alive, but she wasn't fun to play with anymore. She heard footsteps loud and clear. Something the echoes found to be an enjoyable plaything. Soon it felt as though she where surrounded by the noise, and she did little to show she cared. She was cold and alone. No one cared. They didn't care.
"Hunter…" hearing her name said by a soft male voice, one that she couldn't place Hunter listened, "Hunter…it isn't your time yet…" A comforting hand on her shoulder broke her from the grip of the cold and the dark. She struggled to get to her feet, but was unable to until that comforting hand guided her to them. She tried to see her helper, but was unable to.
"So…dark…I…I can't see…" she whispered timidly. Another hand suddenly light with small white flames. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the brilliant light. She gazed up at her newfound ally in this cold dark place. He was tall with black hair, and black eyes. They held no coldness like some black eyes Hunter had seen before, but instead contained warmth and concern. She had the nagging feeling that she ought to know tall dark and handsome.
"Who…who are you?" She asked confused. A small friendly smile formed over his lips.
"I am me, Hunter. You will understand soon enough, but not yet. It is not the time, nor the place for our introduction. Come with me," He murmured so the awful echoes could not mock him. They and the shadows seemed to be afraid of them. Hunter took his hand and followed his lead through the blackness. It was as an eternity before he stopped. It was lighter here and Hunter made out shapes and movement, but it was still hazy and undefinable.
"Your body, Hunter," her friend whispered to her while pointing to a shape, "Go to it. There is not much time." Hunter approached the shape, and the haziness started to melt. She stopped and turned to her helper.
"Will I see you again? What's your name?" she asked. This man felt familiar, and Hunter racked her brains for where she had met him before. She felt a bond with him very unlike the one she shared with Eris, the demon girl. He was more important for some reason and she felt she should at least know his name.
"As I have said beforehand, Hunter, this is not the time nor place for introductions. I will see you again, perhaps more than once. It is your destiny. Now go, before you run out of time," he urged her to continue, and Hunter obeyed. She knew, though how she did was unclear, that she should listen to him and she went and joined her body. Images at first blurry, came in clear. She felt like ice. Hunter groaned and sat up, despite Silver and Blade's protests. She immediately regretted it when she was hit with a wave of dizziness. Hunter didn't lay back down like Silver told her to, but instead stood up and started to stumble about the room. Gotta walk it off…
"What…what happened?" she asked turning to her sisters. They stared at her in semi-shock. Neither of them said anything, and Hunter felt that if their jaws dropped any quicker and any lower, she would have to scrape them off the floor.
"You…don't remember…anything?" Silver whispered urgently. If Hunter didn't remember, then she wouldn't know what was going on. And then she and Blade would be stuck trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
"No…not really…I…I remember…a name…Eris, and a man. He was a hunchback…and…and he threatened me…I don't know why he did…but it ticked me off…and I beat him up…his blood…on my hands…" here Hunter examined her blood-free hands before continuing, "he…he blew a powder on me…from a bag…and they disappeared…like they where never there you know? …And before I left…Eris said we would meet again…and I got a look at her…she…she wasn't human…" Hunter struggled to get the words out. She felt so weak. Although confused, she felt no desire to tell them about her unnamed friend. She realized that they would meet him when she met him again. Blade guided her to a chair, and then got her a glass of water. She started to turn away before Hunter grabbed her wrist and stared at Blade's arm. She ran her fingers over the scars running from Blade's elbow to her wrist.
"It's…" Blade fumbled for words, something she never really did. Hunter continued to stare at the red lines on her arm, until she glanced up and noticed the parallel lines on Blade's cheek.
"Shit…what the hell…" Hunter murmured standing up and grazing those scars with her fingertips. Blade winced away, her face remembering those fingertips to have drawn those exact lines. Hunter continued to gaze at them before realizing something, "Eris…"
"Wha-at? Hunter what are you saying?" Blade asked, pulling away. Who was Eris and what did she have to do with her scars?
"Eris…she…she possessed me…and shit…Blade…I-I tried, I tried to stop her…but she was just so strong…I'm sorry Blade…I should've…I should've tried harder…I could've stopped her…" Hunter whispered. Blade's eyes lit with understanding.
"Hey! Hunter! It's okay! They're not deep and they'll heal in a couple of weeks! And don't start on that should've, would've, could've shit okay? You know it ticks me off!" Blade replied her voice angry, but her face unhurt. At least Hunter tried to stop that possessing demon chick from hurting her.
"Ugh…I feel like shit…" Hunter muttered before sitting back down. Blade understood and Hunter knew Silver did. If anyone didn't understand and took it the wrong way, it would've been Blade. Apparently she was in the clear with this, and didn't blame Hunter in the slightest.
"Of course you do. You've been in a coma for about four hours," Silver said calmly, and Blade agreed with her. Hunter asked if anything important happened while she was out, but only received a negative response. Blade muttered something that got lost in her yawn. They never did find out what she had said because at that moment, there was a knock at the door.
"Go away…no one's home," Blade said, rubbing her eyes. Both Hunter and Silver smirked, before Silver went to answer the door.
"What'd you want?" She demanded in a very unSilver like fashion. Hunter looked impressed, and Blade smiled in a very self-satisfied way. Hunter looked questioningly at her and Blade mouthed, 'I taught her all I know.' Hunter shook her head and rolled her eyes as if to say, 'great there's two of them now.' Blade narrowed her eyes; was it possible Hunter was mocking her? Her face betrayed her emotions and Hunter grinned, which was responded to by a similar look. Their face game was interrupted by Silver letting Folken into their quarters. Blade growled the same thing Silver had when she had seen him. Apparently Folken had become a very unpopular fellow while she was out. He definitely wasn't going to win the annual popularity contest this year.
"As the Emperor's advisor, he has told me that the princess has received a death threat. As too Dilandau will spare me none of his Dragonslayers, and you three are no longer among them, I've decided you will be doing the missions I decide to send you on. Hunter, as the fighter of your little trio, you will watch the princess for the time being. Blade you will teach Silver the basics of fighting until I decide Hunter will take over for you," Folken answered smugly. Blade sidestepped away from both Hunter and Silver.
"Just who the hell do you think you are?" She demanded, "You think you can just come in here and tell us what to do? I think not. Don't mess with us or…ow…damn it! Can't you two stop that?" Both Hunter and Silver had followed her and elbowed her at the same time. It appeared Hunter's strength had returned quicker then she had taken to wake up.
"It's better then being under Dilandau's command," Hunter hissed in her ear, "We'll get out of this too, just give it time for us to think…okay?" Blade snorted her displeasure. She hadn't only taken up on Hunter's habit of pacing, but also her hatred of being told what to do.
"I don't know where the princess is, would you be…kind enough to show me the way?" Hunter asked faking sweetness. She felt she would almost gag from the tone of voice she was using. Folken motioned for her to follow him and she left Blade and Silver standing in the middle of the room. Silver sighed and then told Blade to come teach her how to kick ass Blade style. Blade smirked and they headed towards the room they had been in only hours beforehand. It only took them minutes to get back there, whereas the half-hour it took to find it.
"Okay…show me how to make a fist," Blade said. Silver looked slightly offended. She knew how to make a fist and said so. She showed Blade by sticking it in her face and sneering. Blade wasn't the best teacher because of her lack of patience, and she didn't know how to hide it very well.
"Good. We don't have to waste time on that. Can you punch?" Blade asked impatiently. Silver replied by taking a light jab at her older sister, who blocked it.
"I didn't mean at me," She growled while surveying the area in the room. She grinned when she spotted a punching bag. Blade led Silver over to it and took position behind it.
"At the bag. You have to be able to hit your target to hurt them," Blade murmured, holding the bag while spotting Silver, who took a couple punches at it. She could hit, but she wasn't putting any effort behind her contacts.
"Put some more muscle into it. You want to hurt the bag…pretend it's someone you really want to hurt. That's what I do when I don't have any ambition like Hunter," Blade advised. Silver sighed, thinking. She smirked before following Blade's advice.
"That's it! You're doing it!" Blade complimented Silver who grinned wickedly before doing a round kick. Blade looked slightly surprised.
"Hunter taught me some, not a lot mind you, but some," she said. Blade nodded replying with she had figured on that. Because of Silver's hidden skills the conversation drifted to other things.
"I just don't feel right lying to him, I'm not sure why, but I don't even really trust him." Blade said while Silver started to hit the bag harder. She snorted.
"Why? You're just playing him, who cares if you lied?" She asked, throwing a solid punch into the center of the brown leather bag.
"I'm not playing him," Blade replied angrily. Silver rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, right. Like I'm going to believe that. You are a very expertise liar Blade," Silver said, dead serious.
"Why does everyone think I'm playing him?" Blade demanded violently. Silver rolled her eyes and continued to hit the bag.
"Because you're a player, Blade. It's your nature, and you've done it before," Silver answered starting to get angry. She didn't want to admit it anymore then Blade wanted to hear it, but it just happened to be true. Blade tended to drift from guy to guy whenever it suited her.
"I am not playing Dalet, Silver! I'm dead serious!" Blade snarled.
"Blade I've heard it all before. At least let him down more gently then the last guy," Silver said, not believing a word her sister was saying.
"For the last time! I am NOT playing Dalet! Why can't you believe me?" Blade demanded angrily. For once in her life she wished Silver would believe her on this.
"I don't believe you because you've said it before, and it was a lie. Blade…you're a player. It's who you are. And I don't hate you because of it. I'm just saying…"
"I wish you would stop saying. It's all you ever do. You pick and you pull. You warp my words and what I do to fit your image of me," Blade cut her off, snarling, "I'm going to get out of your sight, so you don't have to see what a disgrace I am." Blade stormed off leaving Silver alone with the swinging punching bag. Silver turned to it and pictured it as Blade. She started to punch it, letting off some anger, but not enough to stop being angry with her older sister.
Hunter wasn't having as much luck either. For over an hour she sat listening to her Royal Highness, Princess Cassandra, yap about politics, dances, and then finally, and more then likely the one thing that made her want to slap the girl, Dilandau Albatoa. 'What a gorgeous person. Just imagine…he's already the commander of the Dragonslayers and only sixteen! What an accomplishment! He's sooo perfect.' Things like that. Hunter continued to clench and unclench her hands, trying to keep herself from cutting off the circulation in her hands, which could result in the loss of them. It also helped to control herself because if she heard another 'Dilandau this and Dilandau that, over and over and over,' she swore that she might just wring the poor pretty princess's neck.
You can do that dearest… Hunter groaned inwardly. She knew that voice all to well. 'Eris, get the hell outta my head…'
Why should I? You really need to lighten up Hunter, have a little fun! 'Do a little dance, get down tonight.' Now we're on the same page! 'Eris, we aren't even in the same book.' Eris cackled in Hunter's head, resulting in Hunter biting her lip in annoyance. Princess Cassandra was bad enough, but the two of them talking at once? That would more then likely result in a nut cased Hunter.
Damn, she just goes on and on about Dilly doesn't she? 'More often then not. And I do not want to talk about him.'
Hunter! You're crushing on him! 'Since when does a demon talk like Blade?' Hunter ground down on her teeth annoyed at Eris's sudden visit. Since when could she just drop in uninvited?
So you admit it! You like Dilandau! 'Yeah sure, like when hell freezes over and when pigs fly outta your ass and when man-eating lizard flowers eat women instead of men. That's when I'll like Dilandau.'
Man-eating what? 'Lizard flowers…you wouldn't understand.' Hunter pretended to be listening to the princess, but instead paid more attention to Eris. She was a much more interesting conversation. All Cassandra did was moon over Dilandau and it made Hunter sick to her stomach. Didn't this girl realize that Dilandau was a psycho? And that he wouldn't waste his time on a spoiled princess's whims? 'Eris? Eris what's with the cold shoulder?' Too late, Eris had left Hunter to listen to Cassandra's dotage of Dilandau. Damn bitch…
"He's practically the image of perfection…" Cassandra sighed. Hunter rolled her eyes before standing and starting to pace. This was all Folken's fault. If he hadn't stuck himself in her, Blade and Silver's business, she would never be stuck baby-sitting this hormone struck teenage girl. All she talked about was Dilandau. Over and over and over, until Hunter could almost recite what she was saying. It was at least another hour before the tide of all Cassandra's words turned…to Hunter.
"It's a shame, you not having any natural beauty of your own, maybe if you helped yourself a little, you might be able to find someone," Cassandra said with her voice full of pity. Hunter shrugged. If she wanted to thing it was hard for Hunter to pick up guys let her. So much the easier to just agree with her Royal Highness. Folken had ordered her to be polite, and although Hunter wasn't about to start obeying him, she decided it would be for the best if she did.
"I'm a warrior, your Highness. My appearance does not concern me," Hunter murmured, lying through her teeth, something Blade was so much the better at it, but Hunter herself wasn't the worst. She could tell a decent lie when she needed to.
"Oh! That's right…you're a Dragonslayer…do you think…" Cassandra tentatively suggested. Hunter shook her head.
"I was pulled off the team your highness. Folken has me doing…special assignments," Hunter replied, "I no longer serve under Dilandau." Cassandra's face fell. What good was Hunter to her if she didn't serve Dilandau? She wouldn't be able to get any information, of contact through her. There was a knock on the door. Hunter answered it and held her tongue. It was Folken.
"Hunter, you are done here. I need to speak to her Royal Highness," Folken ordered. He caught the flash of relief that flickered over Hunter's face.
"Um, Hunter? How did you meet Dilandau?" The princess asked. Hunter looked straight at Folken, with a blank expression on her face. Her lips curled into a deadly smirk before she answered, "He tried to kill my sister." Then she left the room. Yes! I'm free! She wasn't sure where she was going, but Hunter knew it wasn't to her quarters. She just started to wander about. Before she knew it she was at the door to Dilandau's quarters. What was she doing here? This wasn't where she wanted to go. Her hand moved of it's own accord to the doorknob and opened the door. What am I doing? She walked in quite calmly. Dilandau was standing at a table studying some papers when she entered. He glanced up and an angry expression flickered over his face.
"What do you want?" he snarled. Hunter felt an alluring smirk etch itself over her face. Her head cocked to one side as she watched Dilandau. What the hell is going on?!? Why am I doing this? Hunter screamed in her head and tried turn to leave, but she couldn't. It was as if she had absolutely no control over her body.
"It's…funny you should mention want Dil…what do I want?" Hunter heard a voice that was her own, coming from her lips. A seductive voice meant for Dilandau. Oh…my…what the hell is…Eris!…don't you dare do this! I don't want… Have a little fun Hunter… Eris moved Hunter's body like a pawn until she was next to the table.
"When I want something…I get it. It doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process, Dil, just as long as I get what I want…" Eris whispered through Hunter's mouth. Dilandau said nothing, but continued to watch her as she sidled up to him. Hunter watched as her hands slid up his chest only to stop on where his collarbones were under his blood-red armor. No, no NO! Hunter fought Eris, trying to regain control of her movement. Dilandau still said nothing; his face still emotionless, but he didn't move away from her. Hunter's head was pulled around be Eris so her mouth was next to his ear. Although she wasn't quite sure how she fought Eris, Hunter realized that she was. She felt his breath on her neck and she shivered. Shivered? If she shivered, that meant…Control! Yes…oh shit…um…what to do… Eris was gone, leaving her in a tight situation.
"I'm…not exactly sure what it is I want," Hunter thought quickly as she continued in the same low seductive voice that Eris had used, "But…I know…it's not you." With those words Hunter shoved Dilandau away from her. She turned and made for the door…and slammed right into the table that was blocking her exit. Hunter bent over, the wind knocked out of her, gasping for breath. Dilandau's malicious laughter filled her ears and she groaned. Standing she turned to face him when she regained her composition.
"Okay so my great escape didn't work out as I planned and I lost all dignity I thought I had gained but so what?" Hunter snarled spitefully at the young general who continued to laugh at her. She narrowed her eyes, pushed her self up to sit on the offending table, and then crossed her arms.
"Will you stop laughing at me? I'm sure you've done humiliating things like that before," Hunter demanded with little luck. Dilandau's amusement continued. She ground her teeth together and clenched her hands together.
"What do you mean you don't want me?" he asked smirking when his laughter stopped. Hunter rolled her eyes. Her upper lip curled.
"Exactly what you think it means Dil. I don't," she replied calmly. Dilandau smirked and was standing right in front of her before she realized what he was doing. His hands where placed on either side of her and he held his face merely inches away from hers.
"That's nice. Now get off my maps," he ordered looking into her eyes. She seemed shocked.
"…What maps?" She asked baffled. Dilandau growled in frustration.
"The maps you're sitting on!" He snarled. Hunter suddenly understood but didn't move. Dilandau looked ticked. She didn't seem to care.
"I'll move when you move," Hunter explained. He narrowed his eyes, but didn't budge. He opened his mouth to retort, but never got it out. The door burst open and Hunter whipped her head around and locked unto Silver's stunned face. Hunter suddenly realized something. She let out a short string of curses that only Dilandau heard. He was taken back by the suddenness of Silver's intrusion.
"This isn't what it looks like," Hunter growled frustrated.
"I…I didn't say anything," Silver replied obviously still surprised at the spectacle before her.
"You don't have to. I know what you where thinking," Hunter said pointedly. Silver now looked only slightly stunned and a little guilty. A faint blush crept up her neck.
"Okay…then…I'll be quick. Blade and I…well, to make things short…she's being a bitch again, and I was thinking maybe you could…" Silver stopped talking in her persuasive tone, leaving her suggestion hang in the air. Hunter shook her head.
"Absolutely not. I am not going to take sides again. You two are going to have to work it out by yourselves," She replied firmly. Silver shrugged.
"Okay, whatever…I'll leave you two alone then…" Silver turned and left quickly. The second the door slammed shut, she burst into helpless laughter that both Hunter and Dilandau heard. Hunter groaned audibly. She muttered a few more strings of curses.
"Move, girl!" Dilandau snarled angrily. Hunter narrowed her eyes. Nobody talked to her like that. She uncrossed her arms and gripped the edge of the table with her hands. She used her grip to pull her off her seating place. Hunter stared into Dilandau's red crystal eyes all the time she was doing this. She appeared to be totally comfortable with her nearness to Dilandau. If she moved barely a centimeter, contact would be made. However, Hunter was too much aware of her body and its movements to make that mistake. She turned and examined the maps on the table.
"What are these maps for?" she asked innocently as a devious smile flickered over her face. A low growl escaped from the back of Dilandau's throat, making Hunter's grin grow even wider. Dilandau removed his arms from the table. He went and settled into the throne atop the dais.
"Why won't you answer my questions, Dil? I thought we agreed to get along!" Hunter said her voice portraying hurt but her face holding the same devious smile.
"We never agreed on anything. You are just an annoying girl who won't leave me in peace!" Dilandau snarled in response. Hunter shrugged her shoulders and turned back to his maps.
"Where's Austoria? And what does it have to do with Zaiboch?" Hunter questioned only for the sake of annoying him.
"You're a complete fool aren't you Hunter? You can fight…oh wait you're the one that collapsed earlier aren't you?" Dilandau asked spitefully.
"I'm not from around here Dil, remember? And you don't understand the full circumstances involving my blackout," Hunter replied coolly. So he knew about that did he? What else did he know? And how did he find that out?
"I heard you were covered in blood that wasn't yours…and your sister is covered in cuts," Dilandau continued.
"That's true. The blood wasn't mine and Blade is a bit cut up…but how did you know?" Hunter asked turning to look at him. She was surprised to find him right behind her. So surprised she didn't notice that door being shoved open.
"Have you seen…oh… I suppose you have…" Blade said not even trying to hide her amusement. Hunter sighed in defeat.
"No, I am not taking sides, go find Silver and work it out."
"Okay then…if you two will excuse me, I have to get going," Blade said before leaving. Hunter turned back to the maps, imprinting them in her mind.
"I have my sources," he answered mysteriously once Blade left. Hunter rolled her eyes. What sources could he possibly have? No one got near any of them, not that she knew of anyway…except…
"…Of course…Dalet…" Hunter whispered more to herself then to Dilandau. She turned to face him, her face contorted with anger. The smirk on his face confirmed her fears. Hunter literally shook with anger, "you little bastard…"
"Hunter, Hunter, Hunter…didn't you realize I would never allow one of my slayers to chase after one of you?" Dilandau asked coldly. His hands had seized her wrists tightly and when she tried to pull them away, he only gripped them tighter.
"One of us? What the hell are you saying?"
"A freak from the Mystic Moon…yes I know. I had it figured out a long time ago girl…" Dilandau replied. Hunter stared at him in even more uncontrolled rage. It made her feel distant from her body. She felt something else too. A distant haziness, an emotionless feeling crept over her. Hunter tried to lose it by shaking her head, but it failed to leave. She couldn't quite grasp what it was, but it was terribly familiar. When she did realize what exactly it was, it was too late. As easily as she had gained control, Hunter lost it once again to Eris who didn't waste anytime. She moved Hunter's body forward, and pressed Hunter's lips to Dilandau's. He was to shocked to do anything immediately, but he eventually took over, forcing Hunter back to the table. She wailed in her head, begging Eris not to do this. The demon-girl laughed wickedly at her. She was enjoying this immensely. She wanted to hurt her, something that Hunter realized only now. Eris! No you can't do this! But I am Hunter…I am. She fought, with what appeared to be no effect.
"I thought you didn't want me girl…" Dilandau whispered when he broke away from her. Eris didn't answer, and Hunter realized that the demon-girl had left her in another tight spot. She wasn't sure what to do, but she knew she had to act fast.
"I…don't…" Hunter murmured back as she shook her head trying to clear her thoughts, her confusion. "Damn it all Eris…" When she looked back up at Dilandau, his face was unreadable save for the slight irritation.
"I wish you would make up your mind," he growled angrily. Hunter pushed him away from her and rubbed her temples, her face a mask of confusion.
"I'm…not myself today…" Hunter whispered, "I…I have to…go." She started for the door. This time she went around the table. Before she reached the door, she turned and said, "And Dilandau? Stay the hell away from my sisters." Hunter slammed the door behind her. She needed to find her sisters, but she also needed to think and to think Hunter needed to fight. She headed to the training area with the resolve of finding her sisters afterward.
Silver stood in the out of the way balcony looking out over the palace gardens. She had found this place on her search for Hunter. Hunter confused her lately. First the demon possession thing, and then Dilandau? Why had she lied to her about him? Silver found it weird how they were changing since coming to this place. Her personality was fusing with Blade's and Hunter's. Never before had she actually talked back like Blade, nor has she ever shown interest in combat like Hunter. Blade was starting to use her head a lot more, and Hunter was using it less. She had become even more unpredictable then Blade had ever been. Blade was gaining the cold shoulder Hunter used with people. It confused her, but more it excited her. She needed change; it was good for the mind and body. Hearing footsteps, Silver turned and beheld Blade walking towards her.
"We need to talk," Blade murmured when she reached Silver who nodded in agreement. They did need to talk. Blade continued, "Look, I shouldn't've blown up at you for saying those things…especially when they're mostly true." Silver locked her brown eyes onto Blade's green ones. Blade never apologized to her before.
"No…I shouldn't have said them, and I'm just…I dunno…jealous I guess," Silver murmured. Blade stared at her, stunned.
"Jealous? Of me? Are you nuts, Silver? Do you realize what I'd give to be you?" Blade asked incredulously. Silver shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. No she didn't realize what Blade would give to be her.
"Silver, you are so beautiful, you're smart, and from what I've seen, you'd probably be able to give me a run for my money in a fight, and I guess I've always wanted to be the baby of the family. Hunter lets you get away with things I've never dreamed about being able to get away with," Blade admitted. Silver smiled weakly and Blade continued, "Plus, I've always known there's something special about you. I'm not quite sure what it is but it's important."
"Thanks, I think. Take that Hunter, we solved our problem without you getting involved!" Silver told the night sky smugly. Blade grinned and playfully punched her sister in the shoulder.
"I think Hunter has her own problems to worry about…like I don't know…Dilandau. Oops…did I say that out loud?" Blade asked pretending to be shocked at her loose mouth. Silver started to laugh and shook her head.
"You didn't have to tell me, I found her too. I wonder why she lied to us anyway?" She mused.
"Probably wanted to keep him all to herself," Blade suggested blindly. She had no idea why Hunter hadn't told them, but was willing to bet they would find out.
"Yeah, like I'd want him? He's a basket case, honestly I don't understand why Hunter's attracted to him anyway. They're so much alike," Silver muttered.
"I can tell you why she's attracted to him, he is yummy. And they are not alike, Hunter's more…more…what's that word…sophisticated. Her feelings branch out so much farther then lust, hate, anger, and pleasure," Blade said like it was no big deal. Silver, however, put more thought into it.
"Ya know…I never really thought about it like that. Hunter can express any emotion possible…She's very talented," Silver said all wide-eyed and innocence. Blade started to laugh really hard.
"Come on funny sister mine, let's go find her and make her tell us why she didn't tell us about the mint, even if she's still with him," Blade said pulling away and starting off on another search for Hunter.
"Mint? You gave him mint? Why mint? Mint's a great flavor! Have you completely lost your mind?" Silver demanded angrily before joining Blade's laughter.
Hunter continued to hit the same punching bag Silver had attacked earlier. She was going to have bruises where Dilandau had gripped her wrists. Black finger shaped bruises to remember him by. She didn't care that she was only hurting herself more; she just needed to sweat it off. Whatever it was. Was it Dilandau's touch or Eris's control? She didn't know. Hunter never noticed when her sisters entered the area, nor did she rightfully care right now. She just wanted to get away, away from Eris and her control.
"Hunter!" Blade nearly had to scream before she caught her sister's attention. Hunter continued to punch the bag, even after acknowledging them.
"We want to know why you didn't tell us about Dilandau," Silver informed Hunter firmly. She wanted answers and was going to get them.
"What was there to tell?" Hunter asked picking up the pace. Blade's gaze looked worried. It appeared that Hunter wanted to work herself to death.
"That things are going on behind closed doors," Silver said pointedly. It annoyed her that Hunter was still denying what her eyes had seen.
"Nothing's going on…Eris took over. She tried to seduce him, but when I gained control he got angry because I said stuff. I ran into the table and we argued. Then Eris gained control again and well…I didn't want it," Hunter replied. Silver looked irritated.
"You don't have to lie to us, Hunter. We're your sisters. You can trust us," Silver said. Hunter proceeded to attack the bag at a fast and furious pace.
"I'm not lying Silver, it's the truth," Hunter said after she stopped her workout. She made eye contact with Blade with her expression unreadable before saying, "We're leaving tomorrow night." Hunter then resumed the attack on the bag. Silver protested angrily, but she had no case.
"What about Dalet?" Blade asked. Hunter once again stopped the assault on the bag.
"What about him? Blade…he's playing you. Dilandau practically threw it in my face. He's using your affection for Dalet to get information," Hunter answered as gently as possible.
"Information on what? You, I suppose. Everyone wants to know about you," Blade snarled angrily. Silver looked just as angry. Hunter realized that they had sided against her, something that hurt her deeply.
"Ask him, Blade. Ask him to tell you the truth," Hunter said softly. Blade whirled around and stormed out of the same room once again. Silver stayed and looked pissed.
"You think you're so high and mighty Hunter. Just because you're the oldest you think you can tell us what to do, but you're wrong," Silver snarled. Hunter appeared to be unhurt by her words instead she smirked wickedly.
"That's right little one, rebel against your over-controlling sister. She doesn't need you…" Hunter whispered. Silver rolled her eyes.
"That isn't going to work on me Hunter. I know it's just an…act…" Silver stopped in mid-sentence when she noticed Hunter's eyes. They had changed colors, from the chestnut brown to the green trimmed with red, "Eris…"
"That's right…dearest Hunter was telling the truth. I can still possess her whenever I want. And although she fights and will soon gain control again, it weakens her, and it's so much easier for me to possess her the next time. I'll keep doing it until I've gained what I need. And then, I'll kill her. You'd best stay out of my way otherwise…I'll kill you too," Hunter's eyes flickered back to their original color before she nearly collapsed again. Her legs where weak and she appeared to be weak.
"Shit…I'm sorry Hunter. Here lean on me, and let's get back to the room," Silver muttered pulling Hunter's arm around her shoulder and helping her walk.
It took Blade awhile to locate Dalet and then to get him alone. She wasn't sure how exactly she was going to start this, especially with him right there. Blade decided to try the blunt way.
"I want a truthful answer Dalet. Are you playing me?" She demanded angrily. Dalet looked confused and Blade realized that he wasn't sure what she meant, "Let me be more specific and 'splain. Are you using me to get information for Dilandau?" Dalet looked slightly taken back.
"No, I would never do that to you Blade!" Dalet protested. If she hadn't been watching his eyes, she might not have caught it.
"Oh my God. You are. How could you do this to me? You know what? I don't care because I hate men! They're stuck-up-egotistical-pig-assed losers who think they know everything. I never want to see you again Dalet!" Blade snarled before starting to leave. She swore she would make her disbelief up to Hunter. Dalet caught her wrist and she turned and punched him square in the nose for the second time that day. This time it started to bleed.
"One's first loyalties are with one's commander Blade! I couldn't help it! Lord Dilandau ordered me to and I had to do it!" Dalet protested through his bloody nose.
"Are you always this stupid or is today a special occasion?" Blade demanded even angrier then before. Only now, she was angry with him and not at Hunter.
"What? Blade! Let me explain! At first it was like that, but now it's different! I like you Blade. You're different, unique…"
"Save the story! If you've heard it once you've heard it a million times. Now…go kiss your commander's ass…and tell him to stay the hell away from my sister!" Blade ordered before running off. She quickly found her quarters, even though she didn't know where she had started out from. When she burst in, she was slightly surprised to see Hunter lying on the bed looking extremely exhausted and Silver doing something that Blade knew ticked her off. She was pacing. She looked up and stopped when Blade entered the room.
"We're leaving tomorrow night," they both said at the same time. Oddly though they could only guess at the other's story, and they didn't talk about it, they understood each other.