Chapter 5: Just the beginning
Valkenhayn led the group down the halls of the Alucard manor, doing his best not to laugh at the state Ragna was in. Unlike Valkenhayn, Rachel couldn't hide her laughter as best as he could, earning a groan from Ragna.
"I can see you holding back that laugh, Rabbit."
"I don't understand why it is you two thought blowing my lounge up was the smartest idea. Did sense skip a generation?" Rachel asked the searing forms of Ragna and Kagura who trotted along with their hair standing up as if they stuck their fingers into an electric socket. Technically true since she struck them with a few volts to tame them.
"You're the one who blew up it, don't give me any guff," Ragna groaned to the snickering vampire.
"You couldn't hold back a bit? I can still feel my skin crackling…" Kagura said.
"If I did you would never understand who it is that holds the reigns. As long as you have learned from your stupidity, there is nothing else I must teach you; however, if you ever call me 'baby' again, I will cut off what you call your 'self-esteem' with my garden shears. Are we clear?" Rachel added a sharp edge to her voice to drive her threat home.
"C-Crystal…"
"We have arrived," Valkenhayn halted before a rather large door. He stepped aside and opened it, allowing them to behold the variety of different clothes stored within the massive closet. It looked like something you'd see in some fairy tale book or movie. A small gathering could probably be held in here.
"Celica, stay beside me, would ya? I don't want you getting lost," Kokonoe said.
"Hey!" Celica pouted. "I won't get lost in a closet!"
"I disagree," Ragna chimed in.
"I believe the clothes in here shall suffice. Going home dressed like that would surely raise a few brows, wouldn't you agree?"
"T-Thank you, Ms. Rachel," Noel bowed, "we really appreciate this. My mom and dad would kill me if I came home like this."
"You think your parents are scary? You ever met my mom!? I don't even want to think about what my parents would do…" Makoto shivered. She took the first step into the massive closet and beheld the vast array of clothes. Ragna poked his head in, surprised to find not only dresses posted around.
"Huh. So you do have clothes that are worn in this day and age…"
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" The voice of Rachel Alucard said behind him, the smile she wore masking the murderous edge which intermingled within her dainty voice.
"N-Nope. Said nothing." Ragna quickly said, hurrying in to grab some clothes before Rachel grilled his ass on the spot. Knowing her, she's probably raising a finger to do that now.
"Check these out!" Makoto held up a tube top and low rise pants. "I was gonna go shopping later and pick this up but looks like I don't have to spend my allowance."
"These clothes are so cute Ms. Rachel!" Celica said.
"I'm glad some caught your fancy. These have been left here by other families who visit from time to time, but I never had the mind or the occasion to wear them. You may take as many as you like, it matters not. In the meantime"—Rachel turned to Ragna—"would you mind coming with me? There are some things I wish to speak to you about."
"Speak to me? I'd rather get changed outta these first," Ragna looked down at his torn, dirty visage. A strong hand to the back bent him over, and he growled at the smirking Kagura.
"Come on, just go. When a cute girl wants to have a private chat, you don't argue and just go with the flow. Don't worry; I'll keep Saya and the others busy, so they don't even know you're gone. You just have fun with Rachel baby"—Kagura stiffened when he saw her death glare, beads of sweat rushing down his face as his voice became erratic—"I-I mean Ms. Rachel! You don't want her to grill you now do you? No, you don't."
"O-Ok… Guess if it's important…" Ragna awkwardly nodded to Kagura's sudden change in tone, wondering why his eyes swapped from him to Rachel but decided not to go into it and just shrugged to it. None of his business.
"Come with me, Ragna."
Rachel opened her window to her balcony, trotting over to look over the edge to her flower bed. Behind her, she heard the window click shut as she turned to face Ragna.
"So, what'd you want to talk about? Is it about the fractured worlds? Terumi?"
"No, it has nothing to do with any of that. Is it so wrong to want nothing more than to catch up on lost time?" Rachel leaned back on the ledge.
"Are you serious?" Ragna asked wooden faced. "If that's all you wanted, why the hell didn't you just say that?"
"Because you wouldn't follow otherwise."
He paused in thought. "Fair point."
"Hehe... Many years have passed and you haven't changed in the slightest. While your outer appearance seems to have changed, you are still a boy within. That is not bad in a way, but I had hoped you matured in some meager way or form. But I wouldn't be able to tease you like days of yore, so I'm satisfied."
"Did you call me just to talk shit? If anyone hasn't changed it's you. Still got a fresh mouth. But I guess you wouldn't be Rachel without that damn snark of yours." Ragna stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned against the window. "Why'd you wait so long to make yourself known? I'm pretty sure you've had all the time in the world to pop in for a visit. Doors always open, you know?"
"Obligations stopped me. Family issues and personal drama and the like," Rachel pushed herself off the ledge to look over her garden once more. "It is a shame our reunion is fraught with danger. I wouldn't mind it much to simply sit down and speak with you, but that isn't an option now."
"Guess not," Ragna pushed himself off the window and crossed over to Rachel. "You could've called at least. Takes a second to pick up one of those old phones you have scattered about and hit me up. Were you that hung up?"
"Sadly, yes. Much to my loathing."
"Wanna talk about it?" Ragna queried.
"I'd much rather us avoid that topic. We came to have a friendly discussion, now didn't we? I would hate to dampen the mood with a sad tale. Or, is someone worried about me?" Rachel grinned.
"Wouldn't ask if I wasn't worried. But, it's not like my life's been all that eventful ever since I left this place. Got a new brother and sister now, so that's a plus, right?" A sigh followed as Ragna rested his elbows on the marble ledge.
"I suppose so. You still miss him?"
"Course I do. I still have nightmares, you know? It ain't somethin' I can just forget. And I don't think that pain's going away. Losing a brother isn't exactly the easiest thing to get over." Ragna sighed a hefty one. One filled with thought, grief, and disappointment. "Hey, Rachel. Have I gotten any stronger?"
"Quite an odd question. Why is it you ask?"
"Today, with that fake... I got my ass handed to me. By luck did I walk outta that place alive," Ragna looked to his right hand, "even with the Azure Grimoire, it was just like back then. Laying there as my family was being..." His words froze on his lips, some that managed to make it through vanishing into the wind. He stirred from his thoughts feeling something lean against his arm and felt a blush work its way up his neck seeing Rachel's head against his arm. "Rabbit?"
"If I were to scale you from a one to ten... I would give you a six—and that's me being generous. Which means you still have room to grow, but that's not a bad thing, Ragna. Strength is all subjective. You do have loved ones to fight for, do you not? In your time of need, they will grant you the strength to overcome hardship. That is what they're there for. To pick you up when you have fallen down. To encourage you. Try not to forget that, Ragna."
"...Yeah," Ragna kept his thoughts within. How she spoke... That little pep talk wasn't for him. He exhaled as if holding his breath ever since their conversation began. "I'll do my best. Now," he groaned and turned about face, "you idiots can come out now. I can see your tail, Makoto." Ragna picked up a swear before Makoto popped out, Noel following along with the rest of his companions.
Makoto chuckled itching the back of her head, "Sorry, we got curious—Kagura insisted though."
"Shifting the blame? Really?" Kagura sighed.
"You guys need to hide better," Ragna remarked. About the same time he closed the door he heard Rachel's room door click open. Cutos to Makoto's tail being too hard to miss.
"Um, brother, I couldn't help but overheard... well, everything. But you said you had another brother?" Saya held a bit of uncertainty in her voice. She was charting in unwanted territory, after all. "What does that mean? And, is he...?"
"Dead?" Ragna finished.
"Y-Yeah..." Saya nodded.
"Sadly..."
"What was his name?" Saya asked.
"...Itsuki." He answered after a deep sigh.
"...I believe it is about time you all go back home. Your families must be wondering where you are," Rachel cut in before the conversation could branch any further. Ragna gave Rachel a silent thank you before making his way out, with everyone behind. Just before Rachel could join them, a chill froze her in place and a droplet of sweat trickled down her pale face. This presence is... Rachel took a moment to gather herself before making her way to the lobby and prepared portals for them all to return home too. They all said their goodbyes before taking off, and right before Ragna could join his brother and sister, Rachel stopped him.
"Ragna, the road ahead is grueling and unforgiving—but I have one request to make."
"A request?" Ragna quirked a brow as Rachel walked over to him. Small hands rose and he blushed when she cupped his face. "H-hey! What are you—!?"
"No matter what happens, promise me—swear to me that you will never give up." Rachel's softer and almost vanishing voice silenced him. Her usual expression, one unfazed as if carved from the strongest glass, contorted itself in worry. "No matter the pitiful state you are in, you will stand up and face the adversary before you. Fight as a human, until the very end, Ragna."
"Rachel..."
"Promise me. Please."
"Alright... I promise. But, I was plannin' on doing that anyway. Can't protect my family if I don't have the guts to stand up to adversity, after all." Ragna smiled, bringing one to her lips.
"Yes, I guess so." Rachel removed her hands from his face and watched as he disappeared into the portal, waving to her before it closed.
"Madam Rachel, was it really wise to inform them now?"
"Yes. One way or another, as entitled, they would learn this eventually. I just found this method quicker, lest they meet an early end. They only narrowly escaped death. Fate is not so kind to allow it a second time." Fate. The word echoed in her mind like a bad tune. "War will be waged, blood will be spilled, all to gain the power to make any dream into a reality: the Azure."
"...Madam, even if the boy harbors no will intentions, the risk of him turning into the Black Beast is still at large. When and if that time comes, you must not allow your personal feelings to sway you from what needs to be done. You are the guardian of the Master Unit, after all."
"...I am well aware of my station." Rachel felt her heart sink, but a more pressing matter knit her brows. "However, it seems we have more to worry about than just, Terumi."
"A strange place I have found myself in. It feels like moments have passed, but I have been slumbering for a few decades. No... much more than that. However, how much time has past doesn't make much of a difference now. I sense... the beast." The carrier of the voice stopped in his march and looked up at the peak of Akitsu. His long white hair swayed in the breeze. Once he continued his march toward the city, the breeze stopped as if getting out of his way. "Ragna the Bloodedge, the source of this malicious power..." His powerful tone switched to that of melancholy. It truly is a shame.
Chapter 5 done. Hope you enjoyed this as Hakumen joins the fray. Please leave a review if you liked it and of course if not leave some writing advice for me so I can improve and make this story more enjoyable. Here's a preview. Here's of the next chapter
Next Chapter 6: Another day. Another problem.