A/N: I'd just like to mention that anything writting in bold italics are conversations held between minds. The conversations are mostly kept private as they are made from one Blood Mind to another. Spear to distaff is something you'll probably start reading in this fanfic, and it's basically the power of the person starting the conversation to another person of a lower jewel rank. I don't want you all to be confused, because the Kindred can only speak in this way because...well...they're kindred, not man. XD Anyway, this chapter's been a long time coming, so enjoy!
Chapter 3
"Ok," Chi double checked all the shields around the room and settled herself onto the couch. "Let's hear it. I want to now what happened that night and why it's such a terrible memory,"
Bulma and Juuhachi sat down on either side of Chi and pinned their eyes on her form. Fidgeting uncomfortably, Cassandra sank into the couch opposite and sighed heavily. "I suppose I'll start from the beginning,"
With a confirming nod from the other three women and the reassuring squeeze to the shoulder she received from her lover, Cassandra began. "The night in question was not a very pleasant one. I was supposed to meet Juu at his cabin at nine that night but I ended up having to close up the restaurant. It didn't really have much baring on the time because I was done at about 8:30 and still had plenty of time to go home and change my clothes before I headed over to Juu's. Unfortunately, I suppose I got a bit brash about my craft and didn't think about any kind of shields or anything. I was halfway to my car when it happened.
Five very nasty, very horny men grabbed me and hauled me behind the dumpster. I panicked because I wasn't really sure of what was going on until I got slammed against the wall." Cassandra shuddered and paused to regain her composure as the horrid images reformed before her eyes. "If it weren't for my obsession about being on time to everything, I'd probably be broken and lost somewhere in the Twisted Kingdom right now. Juu knew that something was wrong when I didn't show up by nine so he decided to come looking for me. Well...thankfully, when he came around the corner and broke up the incident he stopped any permanent damage from being inflicted. Had he been but a minute late, it wouldn't have mattered if I had lived through the situation or not."
"There's more?" Chi Chi prodded when Cassandra paused, chewing on her lower lip.
"Just before Juu got there I got a bit of a surprise...in the new liquid form of Safframate,"
"What!" Bulma shrieked, leaping forward from the couch to pace. "Liquid form?"
"Needless to say they gave me too damn much," Sighing, Cassandra rubbed her face. "There was no choice in the matter. Juunanagou took me to the cabin and got me through my virgin night with no incident. But I was so disoriented the first hour that I don't know how he kept me from shattering my own chalice. After a while, when the drug started to give way, it got better. It wasn't as bad and I started to get my bearings straight again. But there was so much of the drug left over that...well..."
Knowing that being blunt and detailed was the only way this was going to get done, Juunanagou cut in to continue, to save Cassandra from the verbal humiliation her own retelling of the story was bound to inflict upon her. "Every time she climaxed the drug would subside, would dissipate but then it would just build back up again. It took a while to get the drug out of her system completely, and by the time it was over, we were too exhausted to move. We fell asleep and didn't wake up until 24 hours later when Juuhachi happened to walk into the room and set off my external sensors."
"That's what happened? That's what I walked in on?" Juuhachi asked, staring at him in utter horror.
"When was this?" Bulma asked, her attention now on Cassandra.
"Nearly three years ago,"
"And you still haven't made your Offering?"
"No,"
"Why not?"
"I could ask all three of you the same question. There's no Dark Altar, Bulma," Cassandra murmured.
"What do you mean? It's on that island-"
"Nine miles southwest of South City?" Cassandra inquired, waiting for Bulma to make the connection. It took a few minutes so Cassandra continued, "The island that Dr. Gero leveled out five years ago,"
"Oh no..."
"Yes," Cassandra shrugged. "It wasn't the only remaining Dark Altar, but finding the other isn't easy. I still haven't quite found it yet,"
"We'll help you, then," Chi offered, rising. "Well, now that we know, shall we rejoin the boys?"
"Yeah," Cassandra said eagerly, practically throwing herself through the door just to get out of the room. Juu followed her, wrapping his arms around her after catching her up, nuzzling her neck with his nose. "If it would entice you to cheer up a little, I could always promise a good cuddle by the fire tonight,"
"Enticed," Cassandra smiled as they approached the table. Those at the table who were old enough had set out a few alcoholic beverages and offered them to the returning group. Cassandra took a Smirnoff Ice gratefully, only to shriek as the glass shattered in her hand. "Ah!"
"Cassy?"
"I guess I squeezed too hard," Cassandra reasoned just as every single remaining bottle shattered on the table, forcing the others to jump away from it.
"I suppose you did that, too?"
"No, that wasn't me," Cassandra growled at Yamcha's open accusation, only to go rigid when she felt the outburst of power building in the abyss. "Shit..."
"Do you feel that?" Krillan asked, his hands shaking as the power reached him.
"Oh no..." Bulma breathed as she felt it as well.
"He's rising too quickly..."
"Who?" Yamcha asked, confused.
"Vegeta," Juunanagou muttered, grasping Cassandra's hips when her center of gravity leapt for her head. "Hang on to me,"
"Ride it," She urged, wincing as the surge of dark, uncontrolled power spiraled into existence around them. Seconds before Vegeta's power exploded around them, Ebon-Gray, Gray, and Red shields snapped up around them, creating a bubble of jeweled strength that protected them from the brunt of the power. However, they were still pretty jarred after the incident.
"I," Cassandra gasped, glaring at the ground as it spun around before her eyes. "am going to kill that snarly, stubborn, arrogant, prickly male!"
"Don't you worry," Bulma grumbled as she steadied herself against the table. "I'll deal with him,"
"Be careful,"
"I will," Bulma tested her balance and, satisfied, gathered her purse and keys. "Cassy?"
"I'll be there in two days,"
"Thank you," Bulma moved to hug her best friend and made hastily for her car.
"Well," Chi Chi murmured, heaving a heavy sigh. "I suppose I should start cleaning up this mess,"
"I'll help, mom,"
"No need," Chi lifted her right hand, flicked her wrist, and the shattered bottles and dishes vanished.
"You ok?" Juu's hands hadn't left her hips and Cassandra found herself deeply grateful seeing as how her center of gravity had turned psycho on her and had yet to return to normal.
"Yeah...just a little flustered,"
"You need to rest," Chi murmured as she approached. "You almost drained your jewel trying to uphold that shield,"
"The Lady will be just fine, won't you?"
Whirling around on her heels and nearly toppling into Juunanagou, Cassandra's gold eyes focused on the man that had joined them in the yard. He smiled at her, his red, perfect lips pulled back in a smile, his exaggerated widows peak adding to the eerie effect his pale face already created with the smile. He was the last of his race, a race that she'd never heard of, but she knew him well.
"Geoffrey?" She took a step forward and stopped, perplexed. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come on behalf of an old friend," Geoffrey bowed as he approached her, taking her shaking hands in his own. "You know what tomorrow brings, Lady. It's time to make your Offering," He reached up and ran delicate fingers over the ebon-gray jewel resting against her chest. Sensing the distaste flavoring the air from behind him because of the gesture, he removed his hand and glanced towards Chi Chi. "You've grown into a fine woman, Lady Son."
"Thank you," Chi whispered, breathless. She'd never seen Geoffrey before but she'd heard stories from both her father and sister about the Guardian; the Keep's Librarian. He smiled again but quickly turned his attention back to Cassandra.
"The Dark Throne awaits,"
"What? Wait a minute! I don't want to rule, I told you this ages ago! I told you when I was eighteen that I didn't want to rule and I still don't!"
"You're more like your grandmother than you think, Cassandra. But she eventually took her place as the Dark Queen,"
"Yes, but that was to stop the slaughter of the Kindred! There's no reason for me to-" She stopped when he gave her that all too familiar look. She'd seen it enough from her grandfather when she was a child to know what that meant.
"Another war is coming. It's a long way away, mind you, but if you take the throne now, there's a very good chance that it will never take place."
"I can't do what you ask..."
"Can't you? Look around you, Lady. Your court has formed, save for a few minor deficiencies. You're surrounded by great Warlords and Warlord Princes. Look at the Queens and witches," He paused as he bent down and tickled Maron's cheek. "even the smallest ones. This is your first circle,"
At a loss for words, her gold eyes took in those around her until they focused on Geoffrey again. He retook her hand and smiled ever so gently. "Your Steward of the Court?"
"In attendance,"
Chi and Cassandra both stared in surprise at Ox King now standing in the yard as well. Although his admission to being the Steward seemed restrained, as if he didn't want it to be true. Dad?
We'll speak on the matter later,
"Your Master of the Guard?"
Stunned, Cassandra refocused her attention on the current speaker and sighed heavily. "Son Goku. He's in Other World right now but he'll return...some day."
"He will return soon," Geoffrey shrugged his shoulders. "Your First Escort?"
"Prince Vegeta of Vegeta-sei. He's currently with his Queen in West Capital City."
"And the Consort?"
"Jinzouningen Juunanagou. He's behind you,"
Geoffrey turned and produced a small box from his jacket pocket. "Then he shall want to wear this," Extending his hand and the box it held out towards Juunanagou, Geoffrey couldn't help but continue to smile. Sharp azure eyes studied Geoffrey intensely before the box was taken from his hand and the Consorts ring was revealed. Cassandra gasped at the sight of it. "That's...that's grandfather Daemon's ring,"
"Yes,"
"But...that was inlaid with a wedding ring,"
"Correct,"
Nervous, Cassy raised her eyes to Juunanagou's face and was surprised by the look plastered all of it. She moved to stand next to him, her body tense and ready for rejection. However, the ring fit him perfectly and he barely paid it any attention after he had her securely in his arms. "You have a Dark Altar for Cassandra to make her Offering?"
"There has always been a Dark Altar at the Keep," Geoffrey continued to smile. "You will need to accompany her as her Consort. Lady, if you'll follow me?"
"I...yeah,"