AN: Again, thank you all for the reviews. On AI and FFN I have averaged 23 per chapter, yeah! I'm so proud; I've finally hit twenty! Thank you guys, you've made my dream come true! *bows head* I apoligize for this chapter having taken so long...but from now on, each chapter will contain at least five more pages then the last chapter. That way I can make sure I'm not shirking my writing...and that it is actually progressing into something. Enjoy.
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Desire's Deceit
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It was a weird feeling, awakening to someone stroking my cheek. The hand was warm and soothing, and sleepily I leaned into the palm, unconsciously seeking more warmth. I wish the comforting motion would go on like this forever...
"So you're finally awake, my little bunny." It was an equally comforting rich voice, one that I had grown familiar with in the short time I'd known him. Puns didn't seem his style though.
A faint blush arose on my face, "Mamoru." Forcing my eyes open I gazed blearily into his midnight blue eyes.
What compelled me to him? What was keeping me from killing him right now?
His darkened cobalt orbs locked with my own cerulean ones, and a realization came over me like a cold splash of water on my face; it didn't matter to me. I didn't care what was causing me to feel familiarity to him. There was something about him that made me feel safe and protected, and I wanted to keep that, no matter what.
I yawned and sat up; it was around then I realized most of my wounds had healed...but how? Mamoru gave me a slight nod, and before I could register anything, he was gone. This would be the second time he's done that.
Shaking my head at his dramatic disappearing stunts, I began to examine myself. The night before I had been so sure that those wolves had torn me apart...the pain had been unbelievable. But now that I looked down at myself, the deep gashes and cuts running along my body were almost completely closed, and I wasn't missing any limbs.
But, I was missing my clothes. What I wore now showed more than it covered, but it was probably a good thing since I was still healing. I use the word 'clothes' loosely. I had been stripped down to a diaphanous bra and panties, but for some reason I had socks on. I was handcuffed (In fluffy white ones) to the bed's post, a huge canopy bed. Meaning I was trapped to the bed in transparent undergarments without a weapon. Kinky.
I looked around the dimly lit room curiously. The walls were painted black, and the carpet was red, making me feel right at home. Every piece of furniture in the room was redwood, and every drape was a deep maroon red. I expected as much.
I pulled the thick silk covers up higher on me to hide the sheer garments I was wearing, and to retain more heat. Briefly I wondered if Luna had been fed by my neighbor...since Michiru was gone...
Abruptly my train of thought was broken by the slamming of the door as it burst open, and in strolled a humming Makoto. But this couldn't be Makoto, this had to be an alien in her body. Makoto wouldn't hum and sing sporadically as though she didn't have a care in the world...she was the friggin' alpha female!
Again, as though she was possessed, Makoto surprised me by prancing over to me and giving me a hardy slap on the back, which caused me to topple over as far as the handcuffs allowed me to in response.
"You've finally decided to wake up! Good." She set a tray down on the nightstand next to me and pulled a heart-shaped key off her key-chain. I held still as she unlocked the handcuffs; preparing myself to fight. She shoved the tray of food in my lap before I could do anything and proceeded to bounce over to the flower vase (I hadn't noticed this vase up until now) next to me and rearrange the flowers so that the one color that contrasted with the rest was in the middle. She sure was trusting, considering I still had an issue with her sending her wolves on me.
She was organizing a bouquet of roses...red ones at that, but the contrasting flower drew my attention. It was my birth flower, the pure white water lily. I don't really believe in objects representing people based on their Astrological sign, Chinese animal, or birth date, but it was curious that out of all the flowers in the world, my flower would be the one in the middle. The water lily was too pure for me though, too clean and untainted. I would be more of a thorn than flower in real life.
Briefly I contemplating attacking Makoto while her back was turned, but I realized if she had turned her back to me it meant I would be betraying what little trust she had for me. And besides, I had no idea where the exit was and I was donned in practically nothing.
I looked at the food in my lap; freshly made pancakes and Belgian waffles covered in syrup looked back at me. Maybe it was poisoned...or maybe it had some strange disease in it...--Shaking myself I remembered Makoto's question earlier. She had asked me why he would let me live. Even though the question had, and still, confused me; I was willing to believe that I could rely on one meal in the vampire master and alpha female werewolf's care not to kill me. Yet.
Hesitantly I picked up the fork and cut a tiny piece of pancake to eat. After chewing for a moment, and swallowing, I gained more enthusiasm that this wasn't a death trap. So naturally I reverted to shoveling food into my mouth like I normally do, oblivious to everything around me. Makoto whistled a low note as I polished off the whole meal in 30 seconds flat. She laughed and smiled at me (again I cringed away from her pointy fangs) her eyes sparkling with humor.
"Min'ko-chan said that you could eat like a pig but I never believed her up until now!" She giggled again, the sound seemed strange and foreign coming from her; someone who'd snarled and spat things at me the day before. I wondered vaguely how she knew Minako...
"Please tell your cook it was delicious," I really did think it was delicious, the proof was in the syrup dripping down my chin. Makoto puffed out her chest and beamed at me, and I realized what was coming.
"I'm the chef." I knew it. She grinned at me again and then walked over, yanking me up and knocking the tray to the floor in the process. "Whoops. Oh well, I'll get Nephie or one of the lower animals to clean it up for me." She tugged on my arm and I absentmindedly tried to cover myself with the other one.
"Makoto..." I paused as she started to head towards the door before continuing frantically, pulling on her the opposite direction. "I need some clothes..." She looked back at me for half a second before waving her hand idly at me.
"Nonsense. You look fine." My eyes widened and I blushed profusely at her bland comment as I remembered exactly what I was wearing. She started to pull me towards the door again and I forcefully stopped myself from walking with her.
"I need clothes." I emphasized, gesturing at the see-through garb I was currently in. She turned back to look at me, frowning lightly. Way to go Usagi, piss of the female leader werewolf who's got you trapped in her house who knows where.
"If you hate that color THAT much, then fine, we'll get you something else to wear. Why would you wear it in the first place," she grumbled for a moment and then tugged on my arm again. "Come on." Now she was pulling a confused me towards the large walk-in closet. Everything in it was red, white, or black; and absolutely every piece of cloth was transparent. I looked back at Makoto pleadingly.
"Isn't there anything that ISN'T transparent?" She looked at me oddly and then her eyes widened in dawning comprehension. She bent down and tugged at my socks, trying to pull them off. I decided not to take my confusion and frustration out on her, and just let her have her way. Lifting my feet one at a time she pulled the socks off.
"Now what was that...." I looked back at the walk in closet. Everything was still black, white and red, but only a few skimpy outfits in the back were sheer. "Supposed..." I looked down at myself again, only to see my slayer get-up again, but without the weapons. "...To do."
She shook her head and laughed lightly, holding up the socks. "They're mind blocks. They make you not want to escape wherever you are at the time for some reason or another. Mamoru set this one...and being able to read your mind, I bet it was funny hearing your thoughts about wearing something so risqué." She giggled again. I scowled.
Apparently I owed Mamoru a good kick in the balls, and I'm sure he's laughing his ass off right now, being able to read my mind without the cross and al-
He still had my damn cross! AND my dagger! Now that I think about it, I have absolutely nothing over him and yet he still seems to think my life is worth preserving.
Sighing, I snatched some boots and a sweater from the closet and pulled them on.
The tug-of-war with my arm continued as Makoto pulled my reluctant self out the door, and down the hallway.
The hallway was kind of creepy, it was covered from floor up in blood red and black, and even the picture frames were black. The pictures were a little disturbing, but years of fighting hardened me to most of the images in them. Each picture had a small engraving in the frame below it, and I could only catch a few as the brunette continued to rush me through the hall. 'Caesars' death, Brutus' betrayal' 'War with Montezuma, the Aztec empires "disappearance"' 'Fall of Alexander the Great'. There were at least a hundred different paintings, all of battles, wars, or fights. Most of them were historical, with their dates below them, but I did see one labeled with something about 'Merlin'.
After several forks, turns, and twists, we reached to large double doors. They were the prettiest doors I'd ever seen, carved out of a wood it was either so old or dark it looked black. Intricate vine-like patterns ran all along it, twisting and swirling in a beautiful display of woodworking.
Makoto let go of me for only a moment to tug the doors open, and then once again she pulled me out the doors and into the predawn light that filled the area. Twilight. My half-sleeping mind suddenly grasped the concept that I was GOING somewhere with Makoto.
"Makoto? Where are you taking me?"
She gave a small giggle and turned to me. "You'll see." Her voice was even laughing at me. She sure was in high spirits today.
I followed behind her silently for the majority of the trip, and we steadily went further from the mansion-like house I was previously in, towards a lush expanse of forest.
As we proceeded in our little stroll, I recognized the area we were in. Minako's cottage was in these woods...meaning we were probably going to see her right now. Vaguely I wondered why.
Dawn came and went, along with a nice display of pretty colors that would have made a nice replacement for any of the paintings I had seen in that blood red hallway. As the sun came up, Minako's 'hideaway' came into my line of sight.
Minako was once a eidolon, searching for a host vessel to hold it's essence. When she found a good enough vessel, it came in the form of a would-be-still borne child, Aino Minako. The eidolon had taken the body at the second after the fetus' spirit had left it, and now it didn't have to worry about two people fighting for the same body. As Minako grew up, she learned several different arts, including enchantress and witchcrafts. She also taught herself a small amount of sorcery, and only the necessities of dark magic.
Through the years Minako had become what I would call a partner to me, the 'witch' of my team. Ami, my soft-spoken yet highly intelligent friend had become the healer and wise-women of our group, and Haruka, a tomboyish former marine now genetic engineer/hematologist became our backup plan. If there was something evil enough that Ami, Minako, and I couldn't take ourselves, we went to Haruka to get info and weapons that would actually harm it. Or if Minako needed a vessel for one of her friend eidolons or to have some sort advanced medical stuff for a spell or something, she would go to Haruka. Besides, Haru-chan had 'connections' as we liked to call them. She was on good terms with far too many people to be considered a normal person.
I had never asked Min'ko-chan what had held her to this plane of existence when she was but a mere apparition. She had once told me that if a ghost, spirit, apparition, or eidolon in her case, ever told anyone what had kept them to earth after death before it was completed or finished, they would be forced to guard that person, and their ancestors for 8 more generations 'til each of them had a peaceful death. Minako wouldn't tell me what happened if you didn't guard all of them, saying even I would never get over the nightmares it would bring me.
Out of unspoken respect for Minako, I had never brought the subject up with her. Even though I was really curious. She would tell me herself when whatever it was that she needed to do was done.
Makoto didn't even bother knocking as we entered the small cottage. Quiet voices reached my ears, along with labored breathing and a pained, raspy whisper.
"Ami...he's not going to last much longer" I could see Minako lying on the ground with a wolf in her lap, the wolf being the one breathing heavily. It's body shuddered violently as it reverted back to a human. There was no blood though, no visible bullet wound and the stench of death wasn't on anyone in the room.
"It's lycanthropicery of the heart." Ami held out her mini-computer, typing rapidly. "How long have you been out of breath?" Ami's usually impassive voice held enough sadness in it to break a grown mans heart.
I turned towards Makoto, whose eyes held pain as she watched her dying kin. "Makoto, what's lycanthropicery?" I whispered, hoping to lift the tense atmosphere a little bit at least.
Focusing her melancholy emerald eyes on me she began in a low whisper so as not be heard. "Just like humans, werewolves can get diseases. This is cancer, but in the lycanthropic form. It's just as bad, but because of our long life spans and healing abilities, it lasts a lot longer for us. We can't go to hospitals for surgery to try and remove it, so we either have a healer try to aid us, or we just accept our fate." She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. "It is the worst ways to die, comparable to torture in some ways." Shaking her head she looked at the man sympathetically. "He will not live much longer."
Ami shushed her, interrupting her from saying exactly how long. "Don't take away his hope. There is still a chance we can cure him!" I looked at Ami questioningly; usually she was either passive and meek or depressed and moody. Now she seemed to be strong and passionate...and seeing my friend act so out of character was strange.
"He knows Ami...he's one of the pack" Well that explains a lot, I thought rolling my eyes. "While only the Alphas and Betas can fully sense everyone in the packs aura, the rest get a sort of watered down version, its not nearly as strong." That's just great. So now I'm in a room, with the alpha female and male werewolf (who is dying) and a witch, UNARMED. This could go downhill as fast a stray wagon could, and my spider senses are telling me it will.
Minako was changing something in Latin...or was that Gaelic? They all sound so similar...Concluding her chant on "laefia" she brought her now glowing hands over his chest. The glow started to envelope him, but as it continued to surround it, it also weakened, until the point it was non-existent again.
"Why am I here again?" Makoto never did tell me, but if there are other people here to witness her childishness, I have a feeling she'll be a good little girl and behave herself. Sure enough, after some grinding teeth she responded.
"You're too much of an inconvenience right now for Mamoru and I to take responsibility for. So we came here to see if Minako would take you off our hands." For some reason I didn't like the way she said that. It seemed...non-commitant and yet harsh. The sense of belonging and safety that I had in the mansion had long dissipated, and was now replaced by the cold emptiness I held before. Makoto sure was a bipolar personality, but she effected her surroundings a lot.
Minako shook her head slightly. "We have to take care of Ryo for a while...and if he gets better, then maybe we can take Usa for a while, but I think for now it would be best if she went back home." She winked at me, lightening the atmosphere at least ten degrees. "Besides, she has a job she can't just drop...and Luna." Her tone took on a teasing tone, and I scrunched up my face as I remembered some of the harshest scornful things Luna had accused me of. "And we all know how much Usagi adores that cat." Minako knew Luna wasn't 'just a cat' but by implying it in front of Makoto...I wondered what she was aiming for. Some cat dog thing maybe...
Makoto laughed half-heartedly. "Alright then. I'll take Usagi back..."
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Sure enough, one hour later I found myself back at her apartment, rummaging around under her doormat for a spare key.
"G-dm Mamoru and hs fuck'n thievery. Aha!" I stood back up with key in hand triumphantly.
"If you ever need anything...you're always welcome to get help from us," Makoto seemed nice enough to offer it...considering I'd tried to shoot her yesterday. But I seriously doubted I'd EVER need more help than I had.
"Thanks, but I don't think I'll need it. Just...don't let your dogs maul anymore of my friends." She looked at me curiously.
"Who did they kill that you knew?" She asked quietly, her face in deep concentration.
"Kaioh Michiru." I schooled my face so no emotions were displayed.
She closed her eyes for a moment, before looking at me again. "I'll look into this." She promised, giving me a grim look of determination.
I sent her a weak smile before stepping into my place and locking the door behind me.
Again, Luna sat by my feet, mewling softly. Bending over I pet her, ignoring the sticky red coat on her fur. "Sorry I took so long. I ran into some...trouble." Luna looked at the door for a moment, sniffing to make sure Makoto was gone before replying.
She looked at me with sad eyes and began. "Usagi...you know what you saw in the guest room when you got here before?" I nodded slightly. How could I forget such a gruesome scene, even if I dealt with far worse every day and night. "It's gone. Someone got past your defense mechanisms, without being detected, again, and cleared everything out of that room. There is nothing in there now, no furniture, no body, no fan, and the only thing that's left is blood. The blood is still everywhere, but I have a feeling if any of it was theirs, they cleaned that up too- " I cut her off.
"Luna, you didn't see who it was?" She shook her head. "Okay. Here's some food," I threw her a open tuna can, which she daintily caught in her mouth, "And I'm going to go see what I can find in the guest room." Luna nodded at me, already chomping on her tuna.
As I headed down towards the guestroom, I rubbed my eyes tiredly. It had been a long night. First Mamoru, then Michiru, then Makoto, then Mamoru again, then Makoto again, and then even AMI had gone wacko on me. I was confused about the way everyone was acting, and out of my right mind with fatigue. All the cuts from Makoto's pack had vanished though. Strange. Usually it took at least two months to heal wounds like that.
I opened the door to the guestroom and called back to Luna. "Was there anything else important in the room you wanted to warn me about before I see it?"
"No, just the blood. So much blood..." her voice trailed off and I vowed to myself to let her sleep on my second pillow tonight. Turning slowly, I looked into the room, half expecting the boogie man to leap out and eat me. Instead I saw the words 'I'll be waiting for you...' painted in fresh bright red blood down the hardening darker blood from before.
"Luna...are you sure there was nothing else in here, like a note or message?"
There was a brief pause.
"I'm positive. There was nothing distinctive besides the blood this time." I reached into my pocket for my gun. No doubt the boogie man WAS still around and waiting to leap out at me. The icy spider of fear crawled up my spine as I realized I didn't have a weapon on me. I could fight hand to hand, but they no doubt had a weapon they were willing to use on a defenseless slayer.
After five minutes of standing there in a fighting position, I finally relaxed a little and started to closely examine the rest of the room. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the message. Walking out of the room backwards, so I could keep my eyes open for any possible danger, I head for the kitchen to grab my camera and semi-automatic. Fumbling around on the counter my hand closed around something smooth and cold, and I quickly brought my gun forward, before reaching behind me again to snatch my disposable off the countertop.
I headed back towards the guest room, eyes still locked on entrance. Throwing myself in the doorway I held my gun straight out, and quickly snapped a picture. It was at that exact moment I noticed.
The creepy lettering of 'I'll be waiting for you...' was gone.
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"Are you sure?" a gruff voice asked.
"Yes I'm certain. She doesn't know." A female voice responded.
"Good."
"If I may ask...why do you need her to be like that?"
There was a pause on the other end of the telephone line. "When the sun rises crystal clear onto the silver city of paradise, and I sit on the throne of that perfect city as king, I'll need a queen worthy of my status."
"But...what does-"
"Shh!" There was a pause. "The tap is on, let me go turn off the water."
The female sucked in a breathe at the code message.
"Damn! Whoever it was cut the tap line off." The male voice cursed for a moment before regaining composure. "If you EVER call me again with a tapped line, don't think I won't hesitate to dispose of you."
"Of course. My humblest apologies." The female voice was rushed and sincerely apologetic.
"No more screw ups. If you fail me one more time, your life is forfeit. Do I make myself clear?" Anger tinted his voice and she bowed her head defeated on the other end of the line.
"Crystal."
The crunch of a metal echoed off cavernous walls as the man crushed the cellular phone in his hands.
"You think too highly of yourself...and it will be your downfall." He whispered to himself, the velveteen darkness swallowing his words. A pristine chess board sat in front of him, of which he idly took the left White Knight and White Queen and moved them one step closer to his end of the table; the end where the Black king dominated.
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AN: So how did you find it? I have no idea when the next chapter will be out...but I will loosely guess 2-3 months. Maybe before if I get lucky and have an inspirational streak. This chapter is dedicated to magdelenna for forcing me to write it. *winks* And a grand thank you to lill-sakura for ordering me to write it every other five seconds so I didn't get distracted. Without those two, this wouldn't be out yet. *grins sheepishly * While trying to avoid writing more to this fic...I made a GIF trailer to it. Heres a link if you wanna see: http://kongyousano.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ddtrans.gif
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Desire's Deceit
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It was a weird feeling, awakening to someone stroking my cheek. The hand was warm and soothing, and sleepily I leaned into the palm, unconsciously seeking more warmth. I wish the comforting motion would go on like this forever...
"So you're finally awake, my little bunny." It was an equally comforting rich voice, one that I had grown familiar with in the short time I'd known him. Puns didn't seem his style though.
A faint blush arose on my face, "Mamoru." Forcing my eyes open I gazed blearily into his midnight blue eyes.
What compelled me to him? What was keeping me from killing him right now?
His darkened cobalt orbs locked with my own cerulean ones, and a realization came over me like a cold splash of water on my face; it didn't matter to me. I didn't care what was causing me to feel familiarity to him. There was something about him that made me feel safe and protected, and I wanted to keep that, no matter what.
I yawned and sat up; it was around then I realized most of my wounds had healed...but how? Mamoru gave me a slight nod, and before I could register anything, he was gone. This would be the second time he's done that.
Shaking my head at his dramatic disappearing stunts, I began to examine myself. The night before I had been so sure that those wolves had torn me apart...the pain had been unbelievable. But now that I looked down at myself, the deep gashes and cuts running along my body were almost completely closed, and I wasn't missing any limbs.
But, I was missing my clothes. What I wore now showed more than it covered, but it was probably a good thing since I was still healing. I use the word 'clothes' loosely. I had been stripped down to a diaphanous bra and panties, but for some reason I had socks on. I was handcuffed (In fluffy white ones) to the bed's post, a huge canopy bed. Meaning I was trapped to the bed in transparent undergarments without a weapon. Kinky.
I looked around the dimly lit room curiously. The walls were painted black, and the carpet was red, making me feel right at home. Every piece of furniture in the room was redwood, and every drape was a deep maroon red. I expected as much.
I pulled the thick silk covers up higher on me to hide the sheer garments I was wearing, and to retain more heat. Briefly I wondered if Luna had been fed by my neighbor...since Michiru was gone...
Abruptly my train of thought was broken by the slamming of the door as it burst open, and in strolled a humming Makoto. But this couldn't be Makoto, this had to be an alien in her body. Makoto wouldn't hum and sing sporadically as though she didn't have a care in the world...she was the friggin' alpha female!
Again, as though she was possessed, Makoto surprised me by prancing over to me and giving me a hardy slap on the back, which caused me to topple over as far as the handcuffs allowed me to in response.
"You've finally decided to wake up! Good." She set a tray down on the nightstand next to me and pulled a heart-shaped key off her key-chain. I held still as she unlocked the handcuffs; preparing myself to fight. She shoved the tray of food in my lap before I could do anything and proceeded to bounce over to the flower vase (I hadn't noticed this vase up until now) next to me and rearrange the flowers so that the one color that contrasted with the rest was in the middle. She sure was trusting, considering I still had an issue with her sending her wolves on me.
She was organizing a bouquet of roses...red ones at that, but the contrasting flower drew my attention. It was my birth flower, the pure white water lily. I don't really believe in objects representing people based on their Astrological sign, Chinese animal, or birth date, but it was curious that out of all the flowers in the world, my flower would be the one in the middle. The water lily was too pure for me though, too clean and untainted. I would be more of a thorn than flower in real life.
Briefly I contemplating attacking Makoto while her back was turned, but I realized if she had turned her back to me it meant I would be betraying what little trust she had for me. And besides, I had no idea where the exit was and I was donned in practically nothing.
I looked at the food in my lap; freshly made pancakes and Belgian waffles covered in syrup looked back at me. Maybe it was poisoned...or maybe it had some strange disease in it...--Shaking myself I remembered Makoto's question earlier. She had asked me why he would let me live. Even though the question had, and still, confused me; I was willing to believe that I could rely on one meal in the vampire master and alpha female werewolf's care not to kill me. Yet.
Hesitantly I picked up the fork and cut a tiny piece of pancake to eat. After chewing for a moment, and swallowing, I gained more enthusiasm that this wasn't a death trap. So naturally I reverted to shoveling food into my mouth like I normally do, oblivious to everything around me. Makoto whistled a low note as I polished off the whole meal in 30 seconds flat. She laughed and smiled at me (again I cringed away from her pointy fangs) her eyes sparkling with humor.
"Min'ko-chan said that you could eat like a pig but I never believed her up until now!" She giggled again, the sound seemed strange and foreign coming from her; someone who'd snarled and spat things at me the day before. I wondered vaguely how she knew Minako...
"Please tell your cook it was delicious," I really did think it was delicious, the proof was in the syrup dripping down my chin. Makoto puffed out her chest and beamed at me, and I realized what was coming.
"I'm the chef." I knew it. She grinned at me again and then walked over, yanking me up and knocking the tray to the floor in the process. "Whoops. Oh well, I'll get Nephie or one of the lower animals to clean it up for me." She tugged on my arm and I absentmindedly tried to cover myself with the other one.
"Makoto..." I paused as she started to head towards the door before continuing frantically, pulling on her the opposite direction. "I need some clothes..." She looked back at me for half a second before waving her hand idly at me.
"Nonsense. You look fine." My eyes widened and I blushed profusely at her bland comment as I remembered exactly what I was wearing. She started to pull me towards the door again and I forcefully stopped myself from walking with her.
"I need clothes." I emphasized, gesturing at the see-through garb I was currently in. She turned back to look at me, frowning lightly. Way to go Usagi, piss of the female leader werewolf who's got you trapped in her house who knows where.
"If you hate that color THAT much, then fine, we'll get you something else to wear. Why would you wear it in the first place," she grumbled for a moment and then tugged on my arm again. "Come on." Now she was pulling a confused me towards the large walk-in closet. Everything in it was red, white, or black; and absolutely every piece of cloth was transparent. I looked back at Makoto pleadingly.
"Isn't there anything that ISN'T transparent?" She looked at me oddly and then her eyes widened in dawning comprehension. She bent down and tugged at my socks, trying to pull them off. I decided not to take my confusion and frustration out on her, and just let her have her way. Lifting my feet one at a time she pulled the socks off.
"Now what was that...." I looked back at the walk in closet. Everything was still black, white and red, but only a few skimpy outfits in the back were sheer. "Supposed..." I looked down at myself again, only to see my slayer get-up again, but without the weapons. "...To do."
She shook her head and laughed lightly, holding up the socks. "They're mind blocks. They make you not want to escape wherever you are at the time for some reason or another. Mamoru set this one...and being able to read your mind, I bet it was funny hearing your thoughts about wearing something so risqué." She giggled again. I scowled.
Apparently I owed Mamoru a good kick in the balls, and I'm sure he's laughing his ass off right now, being able to read my mind without the cross and al-
He still had my damn cross! AND my dagger! Now that I think about it, I have absolutely nothing over him and yet he still seems to think my life is worth preserving.
Sighing, I snatched some boots and a sweater from the closet and pulled them on.
The tug-of-war with my arm continued as Makoto pulled my reluctant self out the door, and down the hallway.
The hallway was kind of creepy, it was covered from floor up in blood red and black, and even the picture frames were black. The pictures were a little disturbing, but years of fighting hardened me to most of the images in them. Each picture had a small engraving in the frame below it, and I could only catch a few as the brunette continued to rush me through the hall. 'Caesars' death, Brutus' betrayal' 'War with Montezuma, the Aztec empires "disappearance"' 'Fall of Alexander the Great'. There were at least a hundred different paintings, all of battles, wars, or fights. Most of them were historical, with their dates below them, but I did see one labeled with something about 'Merlin'.
After several forks, turns, and twists, we reached to large double doors. They were the prettiest doors I'd ever seen, carved out of a wood it was either so old or dark it looked black. Intricate vine-like patterns ran all along it, twisting and swirling in a beautiful display of woodworking.
Makoto let go of me for only a moment to tug the doors open, and then once again she pulled me out the doors and into the predawn light that filled the area. Twilight. My half-sleeping mind suddenly grasped the concept that I was GOING somewhere with Makoto.
"Makoto? Where are you taking me?"
She gave a small giggle and turned to me. "You'll see." Her voice was even laughing at me. She sure was in high spirits today.
I followed behind her silently for the majority of the trip, and we steadily went further from the mansion-like house I was previously in, towards a lush expanse of forest.
As we proceeded in our little stroll, I recognized the area we were in. Minako's cottage was in these woods...meaning we were probably going to see her right now. Vaguely I wondered why.
Dawn came and went, along with a nice display of pretty colors that would have made a nice replacement for any of the paintings I had seen in that blood red hallway. As the sun came up, Minako's 'hideaway' came into my line of sight.
Minako was once a eidolon, searching for a host vessel to hold it's essence. When she found a good enough vessel, it came in the form of a would-be-still borne child, Aino Minako. The eidolon had taken the body at the second after the fetus' spirit had left it, and now it didn't have to worry about two people fighting for the same body. As Minako grew up, she learned several different arts, including enchantress and witchcrafts. She also taught herself a small amount of sorcery, and only the necessities of dark magic.
Through the years Minako had become what I would call a partner to me, the 'witch' of my team. Ami, my soft-spoken yet highly intelligent friend had become the healer and wise-women of our group, and Haruka, a tomboyish former marine now genetic engineer/hematologist became our backup plan. If there was something evil enough that Ami, Minako, and I couldn't take ourselves, we went to Haruka to get info and weapons that would actually harm it. Or if Minako needed a vessel for one of her friend eidolons or to have some sort advanced medical stuff for a spell or something, she would go to Haruka. Besides, Haru-chan had 'connections' as we liked to call them. She was on good terms with far too many people to be considered a normal person.
I had never asked Min'ko-chan what had held her to this plane of existence when she was but a mere apparition. She had once told me that if a ghost, spirit, apparition, or eidolon in her case, ever told anyone what had kept them to earth after death before it was completed or finished, they would be forced to guard that person, and their ancestors for 8 more generations 'til each of them had a peaceful death. Minako wouldn't tell me what happened if you didn't guard all of them, saying even I would never get over the nightmares it would bring me.
Out of unspoken respect for Minako, I had never brought the subject up with her. Even though I was really curious. She would tell me herself when whatever it was that she needed to do was done.
Makoto didn't even bother knocking as we entered the small cottage. Quiet voices reached my ears, along with labored breathing and a pained, raspy whisper.
"Ami...he's not going to last much longer" I could see Minako lying on the ground with a wolf in her lap, the wolf being the one breathing heavily. It's body shuddered violently as it reverted back to a human. There was no blood though, no visible bullet wound and the stench of death wasn't on anyone in the room.
"It's lycanthropicery of the heart." Ami held out her mini-computer, typing rapidly. "How long have you been out of breath?" Ami's usually impassive voice held enough sadness in it to break a grown mans heart.
I turned towards Makoto, whose eyes held pain as she watched her dying kin. "Makoto, what's lycanthropicery?" I whispered, hoping to lift the tense atmosphere a little bit at least.
Focusing her melancholy emerald eyes on me she began in a low whisper so as not be heard. "Just like humans, werewolves can get diseases. This is cancer, but in the lycanthropic form. It's just as bad, but because of our long life spans and healing abilities, it lasts a lot longer for us. We can't go to hospitals for surgery to try and remove it, so we either have a healer try to aid us, or we just accept our fate." She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. "It is the worst ways to die, comparable to torture in some ways." Shaking her head she looked at the man sympathetically. "He will not live much longer."
Ami shushed her, interrupting her from saying exactly how long. "Don't take away his hope. There is still a chance we can cure him!" I looked at Ami questioningly; usually she was either passive and meek or depressed and moody. Now she seemed to be strong and passionate...and seeing my friend act so out of character was strange.
"He knows Ami...he's one of the pack" Well that explains a lot, I thought rolling my eyes. "While only the Alphas and Betas can fully sense everyone in the packs aura, the rest get a sort of watered down version, its not nearly as strong." That's just great. So now I'm in a room, with the alpha female and male werewolf (who is dying) and a witch, UNARMED. This could go downhill as fast a stray wagon could, and my spider senses are telling me it will.
Minako was changing something in Latin...or was that Gaelic? They all sound so similar...Concluding her chant on "laefia" she brought her now glowing hands over his chest. The glow started to envelope him, but as it continued to surround it, it also weakened, until the point it was non-existent again.
"Why am I here again?" Makoto never did tell me, but if there are other people here to witness her childishness, I have a feeling she'll be a good little girl and behave herself. Sure enough, after some grinding teeth she responded.
"You're too much of an inconvenience right now for Mamoru and I to take responsibility for. So we came here to see if Minako would take you off our hands." For some reason I didn't like the way she said that. It seemed...non-commitant and yet harsh. The sense of belonging and safety that I had in the mansion had long dissipated, and was now replaced by the cold emptiness I held before. Makoto sure was a bipolar personality, but she effected her surroundings a lot.
Minako shook her head slightly. "We have to take care of Ryo for a while...and if he gets better, then maybe we can take Usa for a while, but I think for now it would be best if she went back home." She winked at me, lightening the atmosphere at least ten degrees. "Besides, she has a job she can't just drop...and Luna." Her tone took on a teasing tone, and I scrunched up my face as I remembered some of the harshest scornful things Luna had accused me of. "And we all know how much Usagi adores that cat." Minako knew Luna wasn't 'just a cat' but by implying it in front of Makoto...I wondered what she was aiming for. Some cat dog thing maybe...
Makoto laughed half-heartedly. "Alright then. I'll take Usagi back..."
* * *
Sure enough, one hour later I found myself back at her apartment, rummaging around under her doormat for a spare key.
"G-dm Mamoru and hs fuck'n thievery. Aha!" I stood back up with key in hand triumphantly.
"If you ever need anything...you're always welcome to get help from us," Makoto seemed nice enough to offer it...considering I'd tried to shoot her yesterday. But I seriously doubted I'd EVER need more help than I had.
"Thanks, but I don't think I'll need it. Just...don't let your dogs maul anymore of my friends." She looked at me curiously.
"Who did they kill that you knew?" She asked quietly, her face in deep concentration.
"Kaioh Michiru." I schooled my face so no emotions were displayed.
She closed her eyes for a moment, before looking at me again. "I'll look into this." She promised, giving me a grim look of determination.
I sent her a weak smile before stepping into my place and locking the door behind me.
Again, Luna sat by my feet, mewling softly. Bending over I pet her, ignoring the sticky red coat on her fur. "Sorry I took so long. I ran into some...trouble." Luna looked at the door for a moment, sniffing to make sure Makoto was gone before replying.
She looked at me with sad eyes and began. "Usagi...you know what you saw in the guest room when you got here before?" I nodded slightly. How could I forget such a gruesome scene, even if I dealt with far worse every day and night. "It's gone. Someone got past your defense mechanisms, without being detected, again, and cleared everything out of that room. There is nothing in there now, no furniture, no body, no fan, and the only thing that's left is blood. The blood is still everywhere, but I have a feeling if any of it was theirs, they cleaned that up too- " I cut her off.
"Luna, you didn't see who it was?" She shook her head. "Okay. Here's some food," I threw her a open tuna can, which she daintily caught in her mouth, "And I'm going to go see what I can find in the guest room." Luna nodded at me, already chomping on her tuna.
As I headed down towards the guestroom, I rubbed my eyes tiredly. It had been a long night. First Mamoru, then Michiru, then Makoto, then Mamoru again, then Makoto again, and then even AMI had gone wacko on me. I was confused about the way everyone was acting, and out of my right mind with fatigue. All the cuts from Makoto's pack had vanished though. Strange. Usually it took at least two months to heal wounds like that.
I opened the door to the guestroom and called back to Luna. "Was there anything else important in the room you wanted to warn me about before I see it?"
"No, just the blood. So much blood..." her voice trailed off and I vowed to myself to let her sleep on my second pillow tonight. Turning slowly, I looked into the room, half expecting the boogie man to leap out and eat me. Instead I saw the words 'I'll be waiting for you...' painted in fresh bright red blood down the hardening darker blood from before.
"Luna...are you sure there was nothing else in here, like a note or message?"
There was a brief pause.
"I'm positive. There was nothing distinctive besides the blood this time." I reached into my pocket for my gun. No doubt the boogie man WAS still around and waiting to leap out at me. The icy spider of fear crawled up my spine as I realized I didn't have a weapon on me. I could fight hand to hand, but they no doubt had a weapon they were willing to use on a defenseless slayer.
After five minutes of standing there in a fighting position, I finally relaxed a little and started to closely examine the rest of the room. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the message. Walking out of the room backwards, so I could keep my eyes open for any possible danger, I head for the kitchen to grab my camera and semi-automatic. Fumbling around on the counter my hand closed around something smooth and cold, and I quickly brought my gun forward, before reaching behind me again to snatch my disposable off the countertop.
I headed back towards the guest room, eyes still locked on entrance. Throwing myself in the doorway I held my gun straight out, and quickly snapped a picture. It was at that exact moment I noticed.
The creepy lettering of 'I'll be waiting for you...' was gone.
* * *
"Are you sure?" a gruff voice asked.
"Yes I'm certain. She doesn't know." A female voice responded.
"Good."
"If I may ask...why do you need her to be like that?"
There was a pause on the other end of the telephone line. "When the sun rises crystal clear onto the silver city of paradise, and I sit on the throne of that perfect city as king, I'll need a queen worthy of my status."
"But...what does-"
"Shh!" There was a pause. "The tap is on, let me go turn off the water."
The female sucked in a breathe at the code message.
"Damn! Whoever it was cut the tap line off." The male voice cursed for a moment before regaining composure. "If you EVER call me again with a tapped line, don't think I won't hesitate to dispose of you."
"Of course. My humblest apologies." The female voice was rushed and sincerely apologetic.
"No more screw ups. If you fail me one more time, your life is forfeit. Do I make myself clear?" Anger tinted his voice and she bowed her head defeated on the other end of the line.
"Crystal."
The crunch of a metal echoed off cavernous walls as the man crushed the cellular phone in his hands.
"You think too highly of yourself...and it will be your downfall." He whispered to himself, the velveteen darkness swallowing his words. A pristine chess board sat in front of him, of which he idly took the left White Knight and White Queen and moved them one step closer to his end of the table; the end where the Black king dominated.
* * *
AN: So how did you find it? I have no idea when the next chapter will be out...but I will loosely guess 2-3 months. Maybe before if I get lucky and have an inspirational streak. This chapter is dedicated to magdelenna for forcing me to write it. *winks* And a grand thank you to lill-sakura for ordering me to write it every other five seconds so I didn't get distracted. Without those two, this wouldn't be out yet. *grins sheepishly * While trying to avoid writing more to this fic...I made a GIF trailer to it. Heres a link if you wanna see: http://kongyousano.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ddtrans.gif