Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango or any of its characters. Also this chapter is a little gory not overly so but not the prettiest scene.


Strangers Fantasy: Black Blood


Tsukushi grabbed Tsukasa's arm still hiding behind him and wishing she had bought her own dagger.

"Don't maybe me just tell me how you found me."

"Ok I'll tell you. A few hours ago I was visited by my best friend and traveling companion along with a friend of yours."

"A friend of mine?"

"I think she went by the name Maki or something like that. They told me that they had been followed by a strange gentleman, whom upon questioning committed suicide."

Tsukasa kicked a kappa that had gotten to close as he brought his blade down on the arm of another. Black blood oozed out of the wound as it continued to come after them.

Tsukushi's eyes widened in horror as the severed arm continued to move. She clung to Tsukasa's arm wanting to either stay and fight or run and hide.

"Don't worry Tsukushi I'll protect you and follow you to the ends of the Earth or Hell and back. I was so worried as I tried to search for you after getting the rest of the report from my friend. The man that had been following them had two small spiders crawl out of his body. This sent off a very loud warning. I don't know if you know this…"

He stabbed a kappa in the chest its black blood stained his sword but it seemed to boil and spit before being evaporated, or was the blood being drank, leaving the sword once again a beautiful shinny metal as if it had never seen the taste of battle.

"…there is a very old and evil race in this world that feed on the lives and emotions of others. Many people are unaware of them they're called…"

"Yabun no Kumo."

"Yes how did you know?" He swung his sword quickly as it accurately decapitated another kappa.

Tsukushi winched as the black blood splattered across her cheek. She looked up to Tsukasa who had grin on his face. He seemed to be moving faster with each blow he dealt his enemies. Their severed limbs moved for a little before going still.

He stopped explaining himself and focused on kappa.

A small laughed escaped his mouth as he bough his sword down hard on the last kappa splitting it in half.

He turned around toward her a feral look in his eyes and a satisfied smile. Tsukushi didn't know who to be more afraid of, the kappa or Tsukasa.

As if he read her mind he gently pulled her to him and hugged her.

"You don't have to be afraid not of me or anything I'll gladly lay my life down to protect you." She relaxed a little before collapsing.

darkness

"She's here we've found her. We've found her. She'll be ours. Bring her."

silence

Tsukushi opened her eyes slowly as a leaf fell lightly on her cheek. Her head was resting on a warm lap that exuded strength as well as comfort. Her eyes focused on a worried face haloed by sunlight that escaped through the thick leaves of a tree under which they lay.

The face relaxed into a soft smile as she attempted to get up.

He rested a hand on her head.

"Stay there I know you still haven't recovered from what you just experienced." He watched her eyes reading the exhaustion in them.

Even though her body cried out when she moved she wasn't going to let him make her, out in his mind as a weak woman that needed a strong man to rescue her. Even though she did at the time need a strong somebody to save her.

She winched as she sat up anyway ignoring his disapproving frown.

"I'm fine you don't have to worry about me." She stood up stumbling a little before standing up straight.

"Tsukushi I…"

"Please spear me I don't need to hear an apology from you. Only worthless words from your kind ensue."

"So we're back to hating Elvaan and 'your kind' type remarks. You really need to learn some gratitude."

She spat to the side and the turned. She didn't want him to see the small blush on her face. She was embarrassed that he made her feel as if she had done something wrong. She was embarrassed that she had actually did something wrong. Even though she was embarrassed she didn't want to apologize. So she did the only thing she could think and that was mask her embarrassment with anger and change the subject.

"I hate the fact that I'm being chased for no reason and you never told me how you found me. The last thing I remember you saying is that Makiko came to you and one of your friends."

Tsukasa's irritation was apparent. He came all this way to save this ungrateful, selfish person and all she could do was berate him. He was of royal blood and so far he had been keeping his temper and arrogance in check. But if she wanted to act like the ignorant female dog (AN: I don't like to curse . ) she was then he would give her a taste of her own medicine.

"Look woman I already explained to you that we share a connection I'm drawn to you and no matter where you go or hide I'll be able to find and track you down." He advanced on her.

"If you used 1/50th of the brain you have…" he poked her in the head indicating her brain.

"…you would have figured it out already. If I hadn't come after you then you would have been taken by those Yabun no Kumo puppets."

"Your friend and mine came to warn me. I knew that you were probably in danger so I came to look for you. I couldn't find you at the pond where I first met you but I could feel your presence I just couldn't see you. Eventually I heard you call out to me in my head." He was breathing hard as he released his anger his voice rising.

"Then why didn't you find me all this time huh? Like when I was struggling to fit in. Or when the people that took me in as their own child kicked me out of their house and into the street because I was an "elvaan dog". Why did it take you so long?" She yelled back at him trying to sound brave.

Tsukasa's anger did not subside.

"Cause I couldn't sense you until recently!"

"Ya a sad excuse. This sensing you talk about sounds more like stalking." Unable to stop herself she continued to taunt him.

"I didn't need you or want your help anyway."

"YOU … ARE…IN…DANGER…" he spaced the words as if doing that would help her understand better what he was saying.

"YOU NEED ME AND ANY HELP YOU CAN GET FROM HERE ON!" he yelled at her, his anger growing with each word.

Tsukushi backed up unsure of the sudden transformation. She had though she could get around him because he seemed so soft and tender the other night. But this was another aspect of him she hadn't expected. Then she thought about the look of pleasure he had on his face as he dismembered those kappa.

He continued his tirade.

"Now that the Yabun no Kumo have officially begun to move we will be leaving this place. When we get back to town you will pack your things and come with us and take your place as the rightful ruler of the elvaan kingdom."

Tsukushi paused. Leave. Pack her bags. Elvaan kingdom. She was to leave what she knew and her life because the world decided that she was the solution to its problems. She was to rule a people she didn't even like because they felt that she was suppose to. HECK NO!

"No."

"What did you say?" Tsukasa had turned around and started heading toward town.

"I said no. I'm not going anywhere. I could care less about this trashy world that's suppose…" air quotation marks.

"… to be in danger. It can go to pot for all I care. This world has never done anything for me so why should I do anything for it. And Elvaan kingdom don't make me laugh." She turned her face to spit the name out as she was accustomed to doing. And in that small space of time Tsukasa had closed the distance between them grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against the tree they had been leaning on previously.

A low rumble emerged from his throat and the feral look she witnessed earlier returned in his eyes. He spoke in a low tone revealing sharp canines much larger then they had been previously.

"Now you listen to me. You WILL come with me to OUR kingdom its where you BELONG." He bellowed the last word. Tsukushi turned her face fear that she was trying desperately to hide surfacing.

"I don't care what happened in the past. But I want the Tsukushi I have searched for, for the greater portion of my life back. I know under that stuck up, ignorant, nasty, skeptical façade is the girl I grew up with." His grip lessened a little as he saw faint tears gather in Tsukushi's eyes.

Tsukushi was afraid but more then afraid she was ashamed of herself. She knew that she was holding an old grudge and taking it out on him with her spiteful words. Even though she knew she was wrong she also knew she it would be a long time still before she could forgive.

When Tsukasa released her he turned his back running his hands through his curly hair.

"Sorry about that I'll give you time to think about going with us to our…my kingdom. I know this is a lot to put upon you at one time. But please consider it even if you don't care about what happens to the world I care about what happens to you." He began walking again in the direction of town Tsukushi slowly followed.

They were about a mile from the town when a stiff breeze passed over them. Tsukushi looked up to see a creature circle above her and then descend. Tsukasa was by her side before she could even blink his hand poised over his sword.

"Sir." The creature or the man, had a mask with a long nose it was covered in feathers giving him the look of a giant bird. He had large black wings that folded down and covered his front giving them the illusion of a feathered black cloak.

He bowed slightly to Tsukasa before approaching him.

"OheinChi' you have a report?"

"Yes sir." The Tenkuu named OheinChi pulled out a sealed scroll.

Tsukasa scanned the scroll and began looking to the sky again.

"Where is your partner?"

"He's here." OheinChi pursed his lips and let out a low whistle.

A faint breeze caressed Tsukushi and tickled her face. She turned as if being led by the breeze and followed what sounded like a sweet song.

Tsukasa eyed Tsukushi and then sighed.

"BijinOhane stop playing around."

A light laughter floated through the air like music. Tsukushi started as a beautiful man appear behind her. His wings were spread above him his feathers a pale green that seemed to glow in the sun. His long wavy hair tied back the same color as his wings seemed to have a constant breeze blow through it even when landed.

"You're such a pretty one. I knew Tsukasa would find you eventually." The siren bowed slightly to Tsukasa and winked at Tsukushi.

"I have to be sure to find a nice one like her for my own bed." Tsukushi frowned at the nasty remark of the Siren she at first thought was a beautiful gentlemen. She gave him a hard look which made him laugh as he backed up to stand next to his partner.

OheinChi' could no longer keep a serious look on his face and laughed at the frown Tsukushi leveled on BijinOhane.

"Quit acting up you came here for a reason. And if you're done with you foolishness I'd like to tell you what you need to do."

The two sky dwellers gave Tsukasa their attention. Even though their respective races were currently at war these two were together and following instructions from Tsukasa.

He told them what had happened with the Kappa and the urgency of his return to the elvaan kingdom as bough out in the scroll.

"We defiantly need to move fast. The division of our two kingdoms is really causing a strain to us. Already the number of Harpies and banshees has increased."

"What are they?" Tsukushi interrupted BijinOhane.

"They are what our people turn into when they are taken over by the Yabun no Kumo. Harpies are wayward Sirens and Banshees are wayward tenkuu. They are very ugly and deformed creatures. You had your own encounter if I'm correct?"

Tsukushi shivered, she remembered very well and also wondered if Mizu and the king were ok.

"Anyway you should get going as soon as possible Tsukasa." OheinChi' turned to Tsukushi.

"Is she ready to go?" He gave Tsukushi a smile, his mouth the only part not covered with the mask revealed bright white teeth.

"She uh needs some time to think. Hopefully she will be willing. Your other selves are currently taking care of the fake. But we have to be cautious the Yabun no Kumo are moving faster then I thought they would."

They nodded their head in agreement. Tsukasa turned and began walking the road. Tsukushi went to follow when OheinChi' and BijinOhane restrained her. Bijin began a low song that he whispered in her ear. The song filled her body leaving her warm. She felt light as if she could be carried by the wind. Bijin then looked her in the eye and smiled as he caressed her back lightly.

"You're song is very pretty." Tsukushi gulped not sure while she felt so warm and light after hearing him.

"Not as pretty as yours princess. I could hear your wonderful resonances from so far away its gotten very strong I see why Tsukasa is so protective over you. You might not have noticed it but he almost beheaded me when I appeared before you."

A shiver ran down Tsukushi's spine knowing that he was fully capable of doing that too.

Bijin bowed and then took off.

OheinChi' next approached her and removed his mask. Tsukushi started at the handsome man with short unruly hair. He gave Tsukushi a roughish grin before taking holding her cheeks and quickly pressing a passionate kiss on her lips then her neck.

She pushed away from him her anger and surprise propelling her away from him.

OheinChi' laughed and followed her. He hadn't taken another step before a blade was brandished at his neck and a growl rumbled behind him.

"Ah sorry about that Tsukasa this would have been the only chance I'd have had to sweep her off her feet. But it seems she wasn't persuaded by my looks. I even went for the mysterious mask."

"I'll give you a permanent mask to wear if you don't finish your business and go."

OheinChi' laughed and in a blurr was behind Tsukushi he pressed a quick kiss on her back and took off.

"Why you nasty, feathered fool…" Tsukushi shot daggers at him as he took off laughing.

"No worries princess I know the only one for you is Tsukasa.' He winked at her and flew with speed after Bijin.

"You have very weird company." Tsukushi finally said as she watched the two disappear into the sky.

"Yeah, you actually know them…" Tsukasa watched Tsukushi.

"I'm quiet sure I've never met their like before. They are perverted they don't even know me and make such nasty remarks. To think one even kissed me full on the lips. Who knows what else he would have tried if you hadn't come."

Tsukasa bristled at the thought of someone else touching Tsukushi in such an intimate way but he knew it was a necessary evil. She needed contact with each of the races in order to fully realize her power.

"Forget about their actions for a moment I'll explain it to you in full when we meet up with my traveling companions."

"Yeah I guess it's for the best." Tsukushi scratched her head and followed Tsukasa as they traveled again toward the city.

As they got closer to the city Tsukasa increased the speed of his steps. A sudden feeling of dread feel upon his shoulders.

By the time they reached the gates he had all but ran, in the course of which he grabbed Tsukushi's hand dragging her along.

She was trying to catch her breath before Tsukasa moved again heading toward his lodgings.

"Wait up Tsukasa are you going to give me a chance to catch my breath?"

He didn't seem to be listening.

When they reached their destination Tsukushi gasped in horror.

"Kuso, I got here too late."

The roof of the mansion had two large gapping hole in it as if something had went in one way and came out another. The stench of blood was also heavy in the air. Bodies of servants lay on the ground each one contorted in an unnatural way.

Three young men came toward Tsukasa all looked as if they had been in battle. One she recognized as the other elvaan with Tsukasa that day she was bathing. The other she recognized as the Elvaan she sold a potion to and the last had a grin that seemed vaguely familiar.

When they finally reached Tsukasa they all began talking at the same time.

"It was crazy Tsukasa the Yanbun no kuma are defiantly on the move and I have bad news…" Akira turned to Soujirou.

"… that Jiro will tell you." Soujirou stared at Akira mouth open.

"Why can't you tell him?"

"Because I'm not getting hit for your negligence."

"You're a coward."

"No you are."

"Will you two idiots stop fighting and tell me what happened?" Tsukasa knocked both of them on the head.

Soujirou rubbed his head and then spoke up.

"Well after Rui came back to the mansion."

flash back


Phew finally got that out. Sorry it took so long to update . I know I said I'd update faster before but for some reason my muse has returned to me and I will definitely be updating faster. I actually started this chapter months ago but couldn't figure out which I direction I was going to take. Also if you're wondering about OheinChi' and BijinOhane all will be revealed. Also their names were made up BijinOhane means beauty (Bijin) and feather (hane) and OheinChi' means insolent (ohei) and blood (chi) chi can also mean energy I think.