A huge and pristine mansion stood atop a hill that overlooked a small town. The whole mansion was shrouded in darkness as the insides of the mansion were lit up with soft glowing light. Suddenly, the entrance door of the mansion opened and the auburn-haired girl strolled in with the golden-haired boy following from behind. As she walked across the hall with softly lit candles lighting the way, she saw several of the servants were still around. The servants, dressed in the usual maid-like attire, stopped their work and bowed slightly as she walked. She smiled softly at them, acknowledging them.
A door at the very end of the hall opened and a lithe-looking woman, dressed in all white, appeared. Seeing her, the auburn-haired girl quickened her pace. Within minutes, she stood before the woman whose long sable hair glinted soft silver.
"Mistress," the lithe-looking woman greeted, bowing slightly. She, in turn, dipped her head in acknowledgment. "Mistress, do you wish to practice your magick now?"
Just as the auburn-haired girl was about to reply, the door behind the sable-haired woman opened again and another woman appeared behind her. The newcomer was dressed in all black while her golden hair glowed in the soft lighting. She watched as the golden-haired woman stood beside the sable-haired woman and dipped her head slightly in respect. She returned the gesture.
"Mistress, you father wishes to see you," the golden-haired woman informed, her blue gaze calm and cool.
"Do you happen to know why he would like to see me this early?" the young mistress asked. The golden-haired woman shook her head.
"Unfortunately, I haven't the slightest clue," she replied. The auburn-haired girl nodded and turned to face her guardian who had been waiting patiently behind.
"Krad, wait for me at the training room. I will be there shortly," she informed the golden-haired boy.
"Very well, mistress," he replied, his voice deep and cool. She nodded and entered the door which led the way to her father's room.
The others watched as the door closed behind her. Once the young mistress was gone, the golden-haired woman turned towards the golden-haired boy. "Krad, there is an urgent matter that we have to speak to you," she said while the other sable-haired woman nodded. "This concerns the safety of the family," she continued. The boy looked at both women, his eyes showed no emotion.
"It also concerns the safety of the young mistress," the sable-haired woman said. At the mention of the auburn-haired girl, the boy's golden eyes were intense with unspoken emotion.
He tossed and turned. Seconds later, he did it again. He frowned and finally sat upright on his bed. "Why can't I sleep?" he groaned.
"Maybe because you are thinking of her," a voice snickered inside him. At that moment, an image of a girl with auburn hair and amused toffee-coloured eyes appeared in his mind. He blushed.
As he blushed, he felt his body changed. He sighed. He rose from his bed and stood in front of the full-length mirror available. He watched as his spiky red hair changed to a messy violet one. His red eyes turned amethyst as a grin appeared on his mouth. He stayed in the back as his other self flexed his hands.
"Nice," a deeper voice took control over his own. His other self stretched his arms high above his head. "Well, I guess I go for a spin first," he said.
"Be careful not to get caught Dark," his own voice said mentally. His other self, Dark, sighed.
"Yes mother," he said, stressing the word mother. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Two huge black glossy wings grew from his back.
He opened his eyes and grinned. Walking up to the window, he opened it and climbed out. Once outside, he spread his wings and took flight. As he flew, he gazed down at the dark quiet houses.
"Dark, remember that we are here for a reason," his other self said.
"I remember," he said.
"You wish to see me Father?" she softly asked, once inside the room. She stood in the middle of the softly lit room as she gazed at the tall silhouette that stood in front of a full-length window. She watched as the silhouette moved away from the window and turned towards her. Her father gestured for her and she moved towards the tall regal-looking man who appeared to be still in his thirties. The moonlight glinted off his dark sable hair turning them to silver as his cool cobalt eyes watched his daughter stood beside him.
The cool expression in his eyes disappeared and a fond look softened his face. He raised his hand and fondly ruffled his daughter's soft auburn locks. She smiled at the fond gesture that her father rarely showed, treasuring the warm silence between her father and her. "Riku, how are you holding up?" he asked, out of the blue. She looked up at her father, a small frown marred her beautiful features.
"Father, I am fine being what I am now. It has been so long," she replied. The small frown disappeared from her face and a rare cheeky grin appeared. "Though I have problems with my magick," she continued. At her last comment, her father laughed shortly. Then as sudden as the laughter, her father turned to face the full yellow moon.
"Riku, whatever you do please be careful," her father said. He turned back to face her. "I do know that you are strong enough to defend yourself. I also do know that the townspeople will be there to take care of you but-"he stopped shortly. With a sudden, he took her in his arms. "Please be careful."
He followed both women into the room where most of the guardians trained. He walked into the huge empty room and waited as the golden-haired woman flipped on the light. He was used to the dark but chose not to say anything. Most of the other guardians preferred to train with the lights, but he preferred otherwise.
"Krad, a pressing issue is at hand right now," the sable-haired woman said, once every one was settled. "Seeing as that you are the only guardian the young mistress trusts and rely on, we ask that both you and Satoshi to be present right now," she requested while the other golden-haired woman nodded. He glanced at one woman to the other before moving in front of the only available full-length mirror. As he stood slightly in front of the mirror, his reflection was not shown. Instead, a lithe-looking boy with blue hair appeared in the mirror. His ice-blue eyes showed no emotions like his counterpart before him.
"What is this pressing issue that both of us need to hear?" the blue-haired boy asked, crossing his arms at chest level.
"We have information that Hellsing is targeting all royal families," the golden-haired woman said. At the mention of the Hellsing organization, both the boys perked up with interest and wariness.
"Hellsing as in the Hellsing organization?" the blue-haired boy repeated. Both women nodded. "Has the other guardians been notified about this?" he asked.
"Yes, they haven been briefed," the sable-haired woman confirmed. The blue-haired boy nodded, not really listening.
"Why is Hellsing targeting the royal families? How do they even know about them? We have been careful to keep them in the shadows," he commented. The others listened.
"We are unable to figure how they would come to know of the royal family but our sources have shown that the other royal families in the other regions have been either killed off or missing," the sable-haired woman replied. He nodded while the golden-haired boy noticed the look both women shared.
"There is something that you are not telling us," the golden-haired boy said. Both women looked at each other nervously. "What is it Gabrielle?" he asked, looking at the sable-haired woman. When she did not reply, he turned to the golden-haired woman. "Danielle?"
"It would seem that the Hellsing has taken a more personal interest in the young mistress," the golden-haired woman said.
Closing the door behind her, she began to make her way towards the training room where Krad was waiting for her. Glancing out of one of the full-length windows, she saw that the night was still young. But though the night was still young, she did not feel like practising her magick. Not after seeing how distraught her father had seemed. She frowned.
This was the first time she had seen her father looking like that. It was as though he was afraid of something. She wondered what it was. Suddenly, the sound of a door being closed snapped her out of her reverie. She looked up with a sudden and saw her guardian standing in front. Seeing him, she quickened her pace. "Krad, I do not think I can practice today," she said. The golden-haired guardian nodded.
"My sentiments exactly," he said, smiling for the first time. She smiled and nodded. Together, they began to make their way to her room. As they walked, she heard a sound beside her. Without looking at her side, she smiled.
"Besides there is school tomorrow. Right, Satoshi?" she asked.
"Yes Riku."