Ragna: Goddammit!
Saya: What's wrong brother?
Jin: Yeah you seem angry about something.
Rachel: Is that really anything new?
Ragna: First of all, rabbit fuck you. Second of all it's this stupid ass game! I can't pass the third level! AHHHH! Damn it I died again!
Kagura: The hell are you even playing?
Ragna: Well Makoto told me about this game and I saw her play and got interested. It's a game called Rolling Sky.
Kokonoe: Oh I know that game! Shit, I can't even pass level two.
Noel: Is it really that hard?
Kokonoe: Oh hell yeah it is. But let's talk about that later. Right now we have something else to talk about.
Makoto: Oh yeah. That fractured world where Rachel went bat shit crazy.
Rachel: …
Celica: It's ok Rachel don't worry so much you're gonna be fine.
Rachel: I'm not too sure about that…
Tsubaki: At least we dealt with the problem right? We're all here safe and sound.
Jin: Yes, but that was close.
Ragna: Yeah… It was. But it didn't feel right to me.
Kagura: Yeah. If I had to do that to the girl I loved I'd be pretty broken up about it too. Don't worry bro I feel your pain.
Ragna: Yeah I guess. Thanks, Kag—Wait a fucking minute what!?
Kagura: Did someone just admit it?
Ragna: I didn't admit shit!
Makoto: Oh? Is someone flustered?
Ragna: Theirs a difference between flustered and pissed!
Saya: Yeah!
Ragna: Thank you, Saya. At least someone's got my back…
Saya: He's mine so she can't have him!
Ragna: A' Whaaaaaaa!
Celica: No he's not!
Noel: Come on everyone calm down…
Tsubaki: This is bad! We need to get this started or this will turn into a battleground!
Kokonoe: Who the hell said he was yours anyway!?
Ragna: Wait! Damn it we have to get this started!
Kagura: Oh no! This place is gonna blow! Noel quick!
Noel: Start the chapter!
Chapter 12: Those you cherish
After destroying the fractured, world the rest of the week passed by quickly as it hit Saturday. They all gathered their things and got back in the trailer to go back home. Ragna and Saya sat next to each other as Celica takes a seat next to Rachel. Jin and Tsubaki sat next to each other as Kagura sat alone, due to the events in the hotspring. Noel, Makoto and Kokonoe squeeze next to each other as Noel dives herself in Makoto's tail. Jubei sits in between Nine's legs as she pets him, which causes him to purr.
Rachel looked out the window, deep in thought as the events of her fractured self played in her head. It was disgusting. The fact that she could make such a face or say such horrid things. But then again, it wasn't all too unbelievable for, Rachel. She knew of the chance she might lose herself to her own desires. Her desire for blood. The thought of drinking the blood of another made her sick and it took everything she had just to keep her sane.
While lost in her own world, Celica looked at Rachel with worried eyes. "You're still thinking about it, aren't you Ms. Rachel…" She received no answer from the vampire and took her silence as a yes. "I know me telling you not to take it so roughly isn't going to help much, and telling you to forget about it is out of the question. But still, I don't like seeing you like this Ms. Rachel."
"I am aware I shouldn't be acting like this. But I can't help but feel a little lost."
"Lost?" Celica asked. "What do you mean?"
"I know I have to drink blood at some point, but I just can't. I hate it so much that I just want to throw up, but I can't resist the temptation." Rachel sighed. "When I gave Ragna some of my blood to save him I tasted some of his. Once I tasted it I didn't want to stop. It tasted so rich and sweet I just wanted to keep on drinking it."
"But Ms. Rachel, after that you haven't tried to drink any blood," Celica observed the distaste in Rachel's expression as the worried vampire bit her lip. "Have you?" Celica now had a tad bit of worry in her voice from her friend's unease. Rachel was one of the calmest most collected people she had ever known and to see her so shaken up scared her.
"I almost did it to Ragna..."
"When?" Celica asked.
"The day we went to that fractured world. I lost myself in my own unwanted desires." Rachel looked down in disappointment. "I'm ashamed of myself. The feeling is just getting stronger and stronger and I just don't want to endanger Ragna anymore. He's probably disgusted by me…" she
"No," Celica shook her head. "Ms. Rachel you know that's not true. He just wants to know you're ok, he cares about you more than you know."
With that their trip turns to silence. Saya rests her head on Ragna's lap and slept soundly. Ragna, unlike his now sleeping sister, was wide awake. He was in deep thought himself as Rachel's fractured self was embedded into his psyche. 'Rachel, is that really going to happen to you?' He looked back at Rachel and sighs. As the trip back was quiet, Ragna fell asleep and leans his head against the window.
After a couple stops and traffic jams, they finally make it back to Akitsu. The group splits off as they tell each other goodbye and each goes their separate ways home. Ragna, Jin, Saya, and Rachel walk back home as their walk turns to utter silence. Saya couldn't help, but notice the tension between, Ragna and Rachel as she whispered to Jin.
"Hey, what's going on between Rachel and brother? Do you have any clue?"
"I have no idea." Jin shrugged. They finally come up to their house as Ragna takes out the keys and turns the lock to open the door. He pushes the door open and stretches his limbs. "Finally home. I liked the hotel, but being back home here just feels right."
"Yeah, I see what you mean." Jin agreed. A tired yawn left the blond's lips as he patted it and made his way upstairs, intending on catching the rest of his sleep he started in the trailer. "Well, I'm still a bit tired from that trip so I'm taking a short nap."
"I guess I will too," Ragna said as he followed Jin upstairs.
Saya started to walk behind them but stopped as she felt a tension in the air. This sensation came from Rachel as the distressed look on her face worried her a little. The blond girl walked up to her and asked softly. "Hey Rachel, are you ok? You seem worried about something."
"O-Oh, yes I am." Rachel was pulled from her trance by Saya and regained herself composure. "I think I will follow suit and sleep as well. I am still a little tired." The young vampire made her way upstairs as Saya follows behind. Rachel opens the door to her room and walks in. She leaned against the door and sighed. "Just what in the world is going on…"
Rachel stood there for several minutes before going to the comfort of her bed. She didn't bother getting changed and just threw herself on her back as she stared up at the ceiling, the events of the other day playing out like a screenplay in her head. She gripped her sheets and remembers something, or in this case, someone she wish she just forgot about. Rachel takes a few short breathes and closes her eyes as sleep takes her away.
She opens her eyes and looks around to see herself in a white empty space. As she looks around, she sees Ragna with his back to her. "Ragna?" She starts to walk toward him and calls out to him. "Ragna is that y—"
"Shut the hell up you monster!" Ragna cuts her off, halting the vampires advance.
"R-Ragna, what are you saying…?" Rachel stood there in shock at the rage in his voice, his malice so strong she felt it from where she stood.
"Don't play dumb with me, rabbit. I knew you were heartless, but I didn't think you were a blood thirsty psychopathic bitch!" Ragna shouted.
"No, wait Ragna! Please I—"
"Don't you say another fucking word to me!" Ragna shouted, his face was filled with anger and disgust. "Don't you ever show your damn face to me again or I swear to god I'll kill you!"
"!" Those words pierced her heart, the damage done was greater than what any blade could do. Rachel started to whimper slightly as tears burned her eyes and slowly fell down her cheeks. Her legs grew weak as she sank to her knees, her weeping echoing through the space.
"A monster, crying? Now I've seen it all. Take yourself back to your castle and never appear again. Go die alone and forgotten." Ragna started walking once more. Rachel quickly rose up from the ground and chased after him, but made no progress. His body began to get further and further away until he finally vanished. She got slower and slower until she stopped and fell to her fours once more. Something was strange, however. There was a strange scent in the air and Rachel felt her hand was soaked. She hesitantly turned her hand over to see a deep red liquid dripping down from her hand. Her eyes widen as she knew this liquid well. The smell was unmistakable.
It was blood.
"W-What!? What is this!?" Rachel gasped and looked around to see dead bodies laying around. Makoto, Noel, Kagura, Kokonoe, Celica, Jin, Tsubaki, Saya, Nine, Jubei, Valkenhayn and even her familiars, now lifeless carcasses. "No this can't be…" A wide eyed Rachel got back on her feet and took a few steps back. Something hit the back of her foot as she fell back down onto the floor. With a grunt, she lifted half her body to see what she tripped on. It was Ragna's mangled corpse. Her body began to quiver as did her voice. "I couldn't have done this… No way…" Her expression filled with horror and shock. The horrendous sight made her feel light headed as she could feel something come up. With the stench too much for her to handle and the sight pushing past her endurance she vomited. Rachel coughed a few times before wiping her mouth. "I didn't…no I…"
"Oh, yeah?" A voice similar to hers spoke. She looked in front of her and saw her fractured self laughing. "This is you and you know it."
"Shut your mouth you disgusting fake," Rachel grits her teeth at her deplorable doppelganger and stands up. "This is not me!"
"Really?" The fake motions her hand for Rachel to look around. The scenery suddenly changes as Rachel saw nothing, but destruction. Buildings on fire, the sound of the sizzling blaze in her ears. "I believe this is your work, isn't it?"
"Shut up… Shut up…!" Rachel covers her ears, but she couldn't block out her voice.
"I know you want too."
"I told you to shut up!"
"You like it don't you?" A wide grin etched its way onto her features. "The taste of that man… The taste and the bliss you felt when you sipped his sweet blood. I know you want to drink more. Don't hide it. That is…another form of love after all. To have him all to yourself…so nobody else can take him from you…"
"Shut up…!"
"His sweet blood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner... When I drank him…I felt as if I died and went to heaven."
"I said shut up!" Rachel shouted. Hearing her talk in such ecstasy about blood made her sick. What made it worse was that it was her voice and her face. She held her head and shook it as she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Shut up, shut up shut up shut up, SHUT UP!"
"Hehe… That's your desire isn't it."
"!?" Rachel heard a different voice than before. No longer was she staring at her fractured self, but the woman she hated most of all.
"You're nothing, but a greedy, self-centered little princess and a wild animal to top that off."
"Elizabeth…"
"With a sick desire like that…" The woman chuckled. "It's no wonder the man you hold so dear is so disgusted by you, he can't even look at you."
"Shut up you damn witch!" Rachel yelled.
"You care for him so much, yet those feelings aren't returned. It's funny really. I always knew you were worthless, but in denial is also something I can add to it. His name was Ragna correct?"
"Don't you dare say his name…!" Rachel grits her teeth and sends a venomous glare. "Don't you dare say his name! I don't want his name uttered out of that filthy mouth of yours!"
"So you're giving me orders now? Like hell, I'll listen to you. I mean you're nothing, but a monster. Look around…" Elizabeth said.
"This isn't me… So shut up already and get out of my head. I'm sick of looking at you." Rachel spat.
"This isn't you? Oh, really? Then," Elizabeth looked down to the floor. "Who's this?"
Rachel followed her eyes and down as she gasped at the sight. Her fractured self lay limp on the floor, a massive sword in her chest. A sword she knew well. "You know this sword, don't you? This is Ragna's blade, isn't it?"
"Shut up…"
"Haha…just looking at this makes me want to laugh. You hate blood, but you crave it so much it drove you crazy." Elizabeth chuckled.
"Shut up...!"
"Between us…" Elizabeth starts.
"I said shut up!"
"You're the real monster."
With that Rachel snapped. The woman started to laugh as pure anger took up Rachel over. All rationality was thrown away as she had one thing in mind: to incinerate the woman standing before her. To show her no mercy. "I said…!" Electricity danced in Rachel's fingers, building up until sparked all throughout her arm. "TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!" She screamed as lightning descended down. The large bolt struck her dead on as the woman fell to the ground, laughing hysterically. Her laughing came to an end once and for all as Rachel started to pant. "No…I would never do this!"
"You…!"
An abrupt voice caught her attention as she turned to it and watched wide eyed as she looked to see Ragna stand up. He takes up his sword and begins to slowly walk toward Rachel. Fear takes her over as she starts to back up. She keeps backing up and comes to a stop when she hits into a wall. Ragna stopped in front of her, his eyes filled with hate and rage. He lifted his sword over his head, intending to cut her down.
"You killed my friends, my family! You're no different than Terumi!"
"Ragna no, please listen!"
"Die!"
"AHHH!" Rachel screamed as lightning rained down from above and struck Ragna. She stared bug eyed at him, his body sizzling and his eyes a blank white. Ragna's blade fell from him and hit the ground with a clang, his body following suit as he fell into a bloody heap. Rachel's head shook slowly as tears formed in her eyes, her bottom lip beginning to quiver. She turned her shaking hands over and saw blood covering them, his blood. "No... No, I didn't want this...! I didn't want this!" The vampire fell to her knees and screamed as tears rushed down her cheeks, her voice cracking as she cried. With a gasp, Rachel shot up and found herself back in her room. She was gasping for air, sweat pouring down her face as her heart pounded as hard as a drum. Everything that just happened was nothing, but a dream. Though it felt so real. She could even feel the blood on her hands even though it wasn't there. The vampire clenched her sheets and came to a decision. "It's not safe for me to stay here any longer."
Ragna unpacked his luggage and hung up his jacket up. He walks over to his bed and takes a seat as a long sigh escaped his lips. The events of the fractured world play out in his mind. He takes a long look at his sword and sighed once more. "What a pain…"
"You seem down Ragna." A family voice hears spoke. Ragna looked towards his grimoire to see the shell of his glove open and glowing red.
"So you're talking to me like this now?" Ragna asked.
"Yeah I am, I thought I'd try and cheer you up!" Azure says in a happy-go-lucky tone of voice.
"I don't know what to do. You mind helping me figure this out?" Ragna asked with a heavy sigh.
"Of course! Now tell me what's eating you."
"After we came back Rachel has been acting very strange. I guess what we saw is really getting under her skin." Ragna said.
"Well of course. I'm sure if you were in her shoes do you think you wouldn't be thinking to yourself what should I do? Remember these fractured worlds are possibilities. I'm sure she's taking that to heart and questioning herself right now." Azure said.
"I know that," Ragna groaned. "But I just want to help that stupid rabbit… Even if she'll start riding my ass again, I'd rather see her like that than this." It went silent for a while before it was broken by, Azure chuckling to herself. "What's so funny?"
"You really care for her don't you?"
"Wha!? No! Where the hell did that come from!?" Ragna's cheeks turned pink as he groaned. "I just rather her not mope…"
"On the outside, you act like you don't care, but on the inside, you actually worry about people. You really are one of a kind, aren't you Ragna."
"Shut up…"
"Hehe, alright I'll leave you alone for now. Hope you find your answer."
"Ok, thanks for talking with me. I appreciate it." Ragna smiled. The shell closed, signaling she's stopped talking. He puts his sword down in the corner of his room and made his way to Rachel's room. He thought that maybe he could talk things out with her and hoped that she wasn't beating herself up on it.
She's too damn stubborn for her own good...
He now stood in front of her door and took a breath before knocking. "Hey, Rabbit, you mind if I come in?" He heard no answer or movement and wondered if she was sleeping. He knocked on the door again, this time with a bit more force. "Hey, Rabbit. Come on, answer me." Ragna reached for the doorknob and turned it to see it wasn't even locked. Now he was starting to get worried. Just what happened? "Rachel!? Damn it I'm coming inside!" He swung the door opened and looked to see she wasn't there. He cursed under his breath and looked around in her room frantically, soon bolting out the door to try and find her. He ran all around the house in search of the missing vampire, but it was no use; she was nowhere to be found.
"Damn it! Where the hell did she go!?" Suddenly a portal opened before him, forcing him to come to a halt. From within the darkness, Valkenhayn walked out and asked.
"You are searching for Madam Rachel, are you not?"
"Yeah, I am."
"I see… Then follow me." The butler walked back in the portal with Ragna close behind. Ragna now found himself standing in front of a door. "This is my ladies quarters."
"So she's in here?" Ragna asked as Valkenhayn responded with a nod. "Why did you bring me here? I thought you didn't like me around the rabbit?"
"Yes, you are correct." The butler nodded. "Every fiber of my being screams in protest. Just the thought of you near my master sends a shiver down my spine."
"You wanna fight old man?" Ragna growled.
"However," Valkenhayn's expression shifted into a more serious one as he spoke in a much sterner tone. "You are the only one I trust enough to help my master." He bowed to him. "Please help her."
"Hmph." Ragna placed a hand on the doorknob and looked at the butler. "I don't need you to ask me. I would've done it even if you hadn't asked old man." He raised a brow as he saw a small smile on his lips. "You're smiling? And in front me? The hell is up with you?"
"Maybe there is more to you than I thought, Ragna. Perhaps you are a man worthy of my mistress." Valkenhayn mumbled and started away. "So when the time comes…if it comes… Take good care of her."
Ragna watched him walk out of sight, still, a bit lost as he could've sworn the butler said something. Right now it wasn't important and he could figure that out later. He turned the doorknob and walked into the room, closing the door as quietly as he could. There Rachel was, sitting up on her bed with her head in her pillow. The room smelled just like her rose garden, fresh and elegant.
The Rabbit sure loves her roses...
He walked over to her and sat beside her. "Hey, Rachel." The sound of his gruff voice made her twitch a bit.
"Why are you here…?" She asked softly, her words muzzled by the pillow.
"I'm here because you just up and left without telling me a damn thing, Rabbit," Ragna said. Rachel lifted her head up and turns to him as he looked to see her fangs were out. "Rachel… What's going on with you? Your fangs are out. Why?"
"Why do you care?" Rachel asked, her voice much lighter than usual.
"I'm worried, Rabbit. This isn't you."
"I think it is best if you stay away from a monster like me," Rachel looked down. "I think it would be best…"
"You're no damn monster. If you're a monster, then what does that make me?"
'Hey! I'm right here you know Ragna!' Azure said in his head, as he couldn't help, but laugh.
"After what you saw me do, you can still sit there and act like nothing happened?"
"Yeah, I can. Something like a possibility isn't going to make me want to stay away from you or fear you. After knowing I could become this monster you still treated me like you always have. How you treat me might not be very good and down right awful, but it's not like you fear me."
"Ragna, you know your blood was the first one I've ever tasted?" Rachel said.
"Really?"
"Yes really. I hate drinking blood, I hate my vampiric urges and I fear that they are getting worse."
"Is there a reason?"
"Yes," Rachel clenches her fists. "There is."
"I want to know why you're doing this to yourself, Rachel. Tell me."
"To be honest Ragna I have never liked the idea of drinking blood. That belief, however, was later fortified by the hatred I had for my caretaker." Ragna saw the frustration on her face and the hatred in her eyes. The look in her eyes all too familiar to him. "After my parents died, my mother's sister came to look after me along with, Valkenhayn. However, she was not too fond of me."
"Wait, you mean that lady I saw before I left here?" Ragna asked.
"Yes," Rachel answered.
"What happened between you and her?"
"It is not what happened between her and I. It is what happened between my parents and her." Rachel said.
"What's that mean." He asked.
"My mother, Eliana Alucard, married my father, Clavis Alucard. However, my mother's sister, Elizabeth, tried to have my father fall in love with her, but she never loved him, she just wanted power in the ruling houses. Thankfully her little scheme failed."
"So what did she do?" Ragna asked.
"Nothing as she could do nothing. After the marriage, I was born, and I lived happily with my parents until…"
"Yuuki Terumi…" Ragna finished her thought.
"Yes. Once he killed them, my mother's sister, Elizabeth, was chosen as my caretaker. This took place a few days after you left the castle to travel with, Jubei. Once you left it went downhill as every day was filled with nothing, but fear and anguish."
"Rachel…"
"I could do nothing, but endure it."
"Where the hell was the old man!?" Ragna asked in fury.
"He could not interfere. If he dared, he would have been charged with treason and executed."
"No way…!" Ragna looked towards the door, as he expression saddened a bit. "Old man…" He had no idea something like that was taking place here. He could only imagine the pain Valkenhayn had to endure with watching Rachel being treated like this.
"I did my best to endure, but I was only a child and children have their limits." Rachel's body started to shake as she clenched her arms and bit her lip. "Everyday she would treat me like dirt. I was nothing, but trash to her. Every day was a living hell. Sometimes…" The emotion on her face quickly vanished as it was replaced with a lifeless expression, her face devoid of all emotion. "I just wanted to kill myself."
"Wha!?" Ragna gasped.
"I hated it. I hated everything Ragna. I just wanted the suffering to end. I wanted to die so badly it was all I could think about." A smile came across her face as her eyes opened wide. "Sometimes I even dreamed about myself committing the deed, a wide smile on my face. Free from the suffering… Funny, yes?"
"…"
"But," She slowly calmed down and shook her head. "I knew what I needed to do. I need to put an end to, Terumi's schemes."
"So she's the reason you don't want to drink blood?" Ragna asked, trying to get the gist of her dilemma.
"Yes. She said to me one day that because I resent blood so much that I am not a true vampire and I am a stain on my family name."
"Where is she?" Ragna asked.
"She was banished from the Alucard estate and is considered a rebel vampire after trying to kill the grand dukes to take control of the ruling houses."
"She tried to take over…?"
"Her plan would have succeeded, but I heard her plans and informed the Dukes. It seems like they already had suspicions of her, they just needed evidence. With that, they came up with a plan to have her and her accomplices to confess. Now she walks the earth alone, cast out of her home forever."
"Rachel… Even with all you just said if you don't drink blood you might end up like…!"
"Yes, I am aware. That's why I decided," Rachel closes her eyes and clenches her arm. "That I just shouldn't see you again."
"That's a load of crap, Rachel! How is that different from running away!?" He turns her body to him, forcing her to look dead into his eyes. "Look at what happened to me! I lost my family, my friends, my home, my arm and basically my humanity! You don't think I resented the world!? You think I didn't want to use my power to make this world a living hell for everyone!? To make everyone feel what I felt!?" Rachel says nothing, her expression filled with shock by his words. "If my fate was to destroy this world then all I have to do is change it. Instead of destruction, I'll protect the people I care about!"
That unyielding determination and strength... Something I lack...
"Ever since that day, every waking moment I think of him. How I want to make him pay for what he's done! To avenge my family, my friends! I want him dead by my hands and mine alone! So much that I dream of myself standing over him and laughing…" Ragna sighed. "I know how you feel, Rachel. Everyone fears something it's natural, but turning away from it is basically running away. Then you know what happens? He wins."
"I'm not like you, Ragna," She turned away from him. "I can't do what you can do. These urges, this urge for blood. I can't be around people, especially you, Ragna. There are so many things that I haven't told you! I tell myself it's for your own good, but then I think of you hating me and I just…"
Ragna slowly brings her into a gentle hug and holds her in his warm embrace. "Nothing will make me hate you. Look at everything you did for me. I just hope one day, I can pay you back."
"Ragna…" She felt happy that he said that as a smile came across her face. But smile soon fades, her eyes averting from his gaze. She couldn't put him in any more danger. "I'm sorry Ragna, but I can't control these urges forever. The closer I am to you the more I just want too…!" She shakes her head. "No! I'd rather die than have you see me like that!"
"Don't fuck with me!" He grabs her shoulders and forces her to look at him once more. The sudden action causes Rachel's cheeks turn red as she blinks a few times.
"R-Ragna?"
"Rachel, I don't want to see you like this."
"What?"
"I want to see you as the person I've always known, proud and always ready for anything. The way you hold yourself is one of the many traits about you I've come to respect." Ragna's voice was soft and sincere. Rachel was for once at a loss for words. "That's why I want you to drink my blood."
"What!? I can't do that Ragna!" Rachel shook her head, but it didn't seem like he took the hint. He bit down on his lip hard, a bit as blood flowing from his lips. A pained grunt escaped his lip as did a small chuckle.
"Damn that hurt... !"
"Ragna!" Rachel felt her heart stop as she watched blood leave his lips."What are you doing—!?" Before her question she his lips draped over hers, giving her an answer. The moment his lips collided with hers, her eyes opened to quarters, her speech robbed from her and her cheeks grew a hot pink. His blood seeped into her mouth through their pressed lips, his sweet crimson allowed her taste buds to dance like never before.
N-No...! I can't do this...!
Rachel quickly pushed him off her lips and turned her head. "R-Ragna I can't… If you continue this I won't be able to control myself…"
"That's the idea."
"Well, it is not a very good one you ragamuffin." Rachel felt a bit of blood left on her lip and instinctively licked it off. It was so sweet, it was unlike anything man could produce. There was no pastry or tea that could come close to matching the taste of his sweet blood. But she couldn't do it. 'The agony I am about to put this man through, yet he wishes to...'
"I know I'm stepping over a line that shouldn't be crossed, but I'll pay for the consequences," Ragna grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to turn back and face him. "You can me kill for this later." Once more Ragna went for her lips. He couldn't deny his embarrassment over what he was trying to do, more over, how he was going to do it. But he didn't have time to waste on that, he came here to get something done. Ragna wasn't a heavy thinker. He stuck to his gut and was a man of action, worrying about the consequences another time. This time was no exception.
"I can't…"
"I don't want to hear it…" It didn't matter how many times she would deny him. He was going to follow through, even if she hated him for it. He gently puts a hand on her cheek as she turns to him. He just stared at her for a minute before going in once more.
"Wait," Rachel tried to push him away again, but couldn't muster the strength to do it. "You can't... Ragna…" Her voice trailed off the closer he got, his lips touching hers with a soft gasp. Ragna wrapped his arms around her small frame, determined to keep the rather stubborn vampire in his grasp, he pulled her in on his body. The vampire gasped to his action, her words muzzled by his lips. A dark red appeared on her cheeks as her eyes steadily closed. She began to kiss him back, brushing their lips together. Before she knew it her mind and body were absorbed into the kiss, her head moving in conjunction with his, his bottom lip sucked into her mouth.
It's so sweet... Like last time...
Rachel's arms slowly wrap around Ragna's neck, her finger combing his soft platinum bristles. After kissing for what felt like an eternity, the two parted for air, inhaling deeply to regain their lost oxygen.
"Holy shit, Rachel... You really—hmmm!" Ragna didn't have enough time, his lips taken before he could even blink. Now Rachel was in control and it didn't seem like she was giving it up anytime soon. Rachel was hungry, her kiss much more intense than last time. Her tongue delved into his mouth as if searching for buried treasure, her wet muscle tongue rolling around his, causing saliva to run down their chins. The vampire slowly brought him down onto the bed, her smaller body mounted atop his large, muscular figure.
I can't hold it back anymore... Ragna, forgive me.
All of a sudden Rachel pressed down harder on his lips, her sharp fangs sinking into it which caused him to wince a bit. Rachel ran her tongue over his lips, soon moving to his neck and licking it. The vampire retracted her tongue and opened her mouth wide, her fangs finally sinking into his neck and drinking the deep crimson. Ragna let out a simple sigh and placed a hand on the back of her head.
"You really are...stubborn, ain't ya?" Ragna could hear her gulping his blood down, the way she drank his blood was like water after a long run. Before long, Rachel retreated from his neck, meeting Ragna's eyes once more. Ragna let out a relieved sigh as he thought she was about to drink him dry. He saw the tense expression depicted on her face and attempted to ease it with a little teasing.
"Damn Rachel, you were thirsty weren't you?" It seemed to have worked as a small smile formed on her lips. Who said Ragna wasn't a nice guy every now and again.
"I was and now I have quenched my thirst. Your efforts are appreciated." Rachel said with a much more vibrant voice than a few moments ago. Ragna was glad she seemed ok, but he couldn't help hissing a little from her fangs. "No problem, glad I could help you. Also just drink my blood so you don't go bat shit crazy and start to destroy your body. I'd rather not see you like that again."
"Ragna, is it really ok for me to be around you? Even if I only cause you misfortune?"
"Yeah… You might annoy me sometimes, but…like I said earlier… I owe you a lot." He pushes her head down on the top of his head which causes her cheeks to turn a deep red. "If I can deal with Kagura, Makoto and Kokonoe, I think I'll be ok. Besides, I want you here. Don't be an idiot."
"Thank you." Rachel said genuinely. "On that note…"
"Huh?" Ragna separates himself from her and looks at her with a brow raised. "What happened?"
"You were quite brazen. To steal a kiss from me is unheard of. You've got some nerve." Rachel smiles and puts her finger on her lips.
"O-Oh that!" Ragna blushed. "I guess I just got lost in the moment and I…!" As he tried to explain, stuttering through most of his words, he couldn't help but notice Rachel laughing. "Really…"
"I-I'm sorry! Haha!" Rachel started laughing harder, using her finger to wipe her tears away. "I'm sorry! Your reactions are just too amusing. I can't help myself at times, Ragna."
He rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Yeah, me brazen… Says the woman on top of me."
"The man who dares to lay a hand on me should have no problem. Know your place when you speak to me."
"Oh, yeah?" He just smirks, his tone of voice changing to a more sarcastic one. "I guess the rabbit we all know and love is back." Rachel chuckled a little at his comment and gets off of him. Ragna gets up off the bed and rubs his neck. "You've got some sharp ass fangs on ya. Damn… That's gonna sting for a bit."
"Ragna, you really are an idiot aren't you?" Rachel sighed.
"I am what I am, Rabbit. You can't change it."
"Ragna," She walks up to him and pushes her head into his chest "Is it really ok to have me around you?"
"Again with that question…?" He places his hands on her shoulders as she looks up at him to see a smile present on his face. "Yeah, it is. I don't want to lose you, Rachel."
Rachel raises a hand to his neck and places it on the teeth marks left there. "To think this would happen. I truly am sorry Ragna."
"I told you already it's fine. You don't need to worry about it."
"You…" She moves her hand up his neck and places it on his cheek. "You Ragna… You are far too forgiving."
"How so?" Ragna asked.
"A vampire that does nothing, but annoys you and belittles you not only turned you into one but drank your blood just to satiate her own greed. I think any normal person would be upset."
"To think you actually give a damn what I think. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing really… You said you could never hate me, but is this true?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah, it is."
"I'm glad." Rachel smiled.
"What?"
"Ragna," The vampire looks straight into his eyes and spoke. "I am prepared for the day you resent me, Ragna. I have been for a long time. However…it is not a day I look forward too."
"And you don't need too. That day ain't gonna come." Ragna said, pulling her into his body. Rachel gasped a bit, blushing a deep tint of red. The two just stare at each other for a while before her arms came around his neck. Slowly, the itched towards each other, a centimeter gap between their lips.
"Would you two care for some tea?" Valkenhayn barged in.
They were snapped back to reality and quickly pull themselves back. They look to see Valkenhayn as Rachel cleared her throat. "Y-Yes please, Valkenhayn. I would love some tea right now."
"Yeah, old man! I think I'll take a cup." Ragna said, startled and blushing.
"Then please," the old butler extended a hand for them to follow. "Right this way." As the two walk out the room, Valkenhayn smlied behind them. 'Ragna, it seems like I have to change my view on you a little. But it will take a little more than that for me to accept you.' He chuckled. 'However, you are on your way.' The two walk in silence as they reach the front door. "I will bring your tea momentarily. Please relax in the garden and get some fresh air." Valkenhayn opened the door to allow them out into the massive rose garden, finding Kagura, Jin, and everyone standing there waiting on them, even Nine and Jubei.
"What the hell are you all doing here!?" Ragna gasped.
A chuckling Kagura walked up to him and threw an arm around his shoulder. "Valkenhayn told us everything! How you acted like a real goddamn man and ran after her to cheer her up." His voice quickly switched from joking to serious as a rather gentle and almost brotherly smile came across his face. "You have my respect for that, really."
Ragna looked at them smiling and Noel crying tears of joy. Rachel couldn't help, but feel embarrassed by all this, keeping her gaze to the ground. Her face soon matched the color of her roses. So much so she could even blend in with them. Rachel picked her gaze up to meet Ragna's, only to snatch away again, blushing a darker red.
Valkenhayn walked out, stopping before the large doors to examine Rachel. "Oh, Lord Clavis, Lady Eliana. If you could see your daughter now, I know you would be proud." The old butler turned to look at Ragna and smiled. "It seems like the man that stands before me, is indeed a good one." He chuckled to himself a little before walking down the steps to the group. "Tea is ready everyone. Of course for Ms. Kokonoe and Mrs. Konoe extra sweetened coffee."
He hands them all their beverages as Jubei laughs. "Still with the sweets huh Nine? I see why ya taste so good. Nice and sweet."
"Ack!" Jubei's abrupt statement caused the mage to choke, causing the rest of them to laugh. "You want to play games!? Fine!" Nine's gaze turned callous as her eyes narrowed. "No more for a whole week!" She declared, which caused Jubei's face to light up in horror.
"What!? No, come on Nine go easy on me will ya!? I reckon I'll die before the week is over if I don't have ya for breakfast!" Jubei tried to grab on to her legs, but Nine quickly jumps out the way.
"This is punishment!"
"One time was enough! Please come on!" Jubei pleads.
"It seems like one time WASN'T enough!" Jubei started to chase her around, pleading for her to change her mind. Rachel watched the scene before her as they fade and an image of her as a child appeared before her. The sadness present on the little girls face as she sat alone in her rose garden. The sad little girl soon vanished as it was replaced with Ragna and everyone else running a muck in her garden. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
"I don't want to be alone again, what was I thinking?" The young vampire gaze locked on Ragna as she felt her heart pound against her chest. 'I really am in love with this idiot...aren't I…? At first…I thought this would hinder me, but,' she placed a hand over her beating heart. 'It's not such a bad feeling… To be in love…'
As they all start to talk, Kagura smirked and threw his arm around Ragna. "Look at our brave hero!"
"Shut up damn you."
"How sweet, you see your loved one crying and throws caution to the wind to try and help her."
"If you wanna punch just say so!" Ragna said with a twitching eye. All of them start laugh at Ragna's expense as he sighed. "Ah, give me a break…"
"Ragna, you're a real man," Makoto said with pride. Immediately, she gave Kagura a venomous glare and groaned. "Unlike a certain pervert."
"Really now, why you gotta hate?" Kagura sighed.
"Oh yeah, didn't you get your ass handed to you by these girls?" Ragna thought back to the hotspring and chuckled. "You did right?"
"What are you talking about?" Nine asked as Kagura motionex him to shut up. Ragna, of course, didn't listen, as a grin came across his face.
"Oh, you don't know? Kagura spied on them in the hotspring."
"Oh?" Nine summoned a ball of fire in her hand as she shot Kagura a deadly glare. "So you did huh?" Those eyes of hers had one one thing in mind. Murder. Kagura started to sweat buckets as they fell like pellets down his face.
"Oh, I'm so fucking dead…"
"You got that right son," Jubei said. Kagura quickly ran as a livid Nine of gave chase. All that was heard was Kagura's screams and pleas for mercy.
"Ragna your evil!" Kokonoe cried with laughter as she kicked her feet.
"Meh, he deserved it," Ragna said casually.
"True enough." Makoto agreed as they all watched the chase.
After she finally caught him she—quite literally—roasted him alive. He looked like a burger at a Saturday barbecue. Celica sighed and began healing him out of pity. Once the roasted Kagura was healed, Rachel prepared a portal for them all to go home in as they say their goodbyes and walk in. Ragna, Rachel, Saya, and Jin find themselves in their hallway as Jin said.
"Well that was interesting, but it's time I relax. I'll see you all when dinner starts."
"Remember how I like my pot roast brother!" Saya said as she runs to her room, leaving the Ragna and Rachel standing alone. As they stood there, they looked at each other and found the silent atmosphere become oddly romantic. With this odd atmosphere, Ragna cleared his throat and spoke, trying to break the awkwardness.
"W-Well I better get dinner start!" Ragna quickly ran to the kitchen as Rachel just smiled.
"That man really does amuse me to no end."
Thirty minutes pass as Ragna calls them downstairs. They see four mats set on each side of the table with three pots sitting on the table. They walk to their places as Jin and Saya sit next to each other leaving Ragna and Rachel sitting next to each other. As they eat Ragna can't get what he did out of his head, his brain running a million miles a minute. He shakes his head and starts to eat as Rachel looks at him and glares at his lips. Just like him, she was thinking about what happened. Several thoughts ran rampant through her head, sending Rachel into a dream like state. She shook her head to get herself out of it as the two siblings watch them.
"I'm so jealous of her! Rachel, you're so lucky…!" Saya groaned.
"Saya come on, just ignore them."
"Ok…" Saya pouted as she picked at her food. "That doesn't mean I'm happy about it…" They quickly finished their dinner, as Jin was left with washing up the plates. Ragna went up to his room and changes from his black shirt and hakama into a white T shirt and shorts. He lays back down as he sees the grimoire that to glow.
"How do you feel Ragna?"
"I feel fine. Why do you ask?"
"You seem better than fine after the stunt you pulled." Azure laughed.
"Hmph." Ragna blushed and closed his eyes. "I have no idea what the hell you're talking about."
Rachel stretched out on her bed, her eyes glued to the ceiling. The vampire recalled Ragna's words as they echoed in her mind. 'Nothing will make me hate you.' A smile came across her features as she chuckled a bit to herself. "We shall see…" She shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The next day was Sunday and they really had nothing to do, no fractured possibilities to destroy and no drama. It was around 12:30 in the afternoon as Rachel was still in her room thinking about yesterday. She gently puts her finger on her lips. 'He really kissed me…' A light pink came onto her cheeks and made them glow. She could feel her face getting hotter and quickly sat up. 'I need to cool off..' Rachel made her way to the bathroom and ran cold water down her face, hoping to cool herself off. "I need to stay calm. I must conduct myself accordingly and speak like I would usually!" She nodded and walked out the bathroom, finding Ragna in front of her, just about to knock on the door.
"Oh, g-good afternoon Ragna." Rachel stuttered a bit.
"Hey, Rachel. Afternoon." Thankfully he didn't take notice and walked in the bathroom without question.
"I suppose that however will take some time…" Rachel made her way downstairs and was a bit surprised to see a certain someone sitting on the couch. "Izanami? What are you doing here?"
"It would seem as if you are awake now. Where is Ragna right now?" Izanami heard footsteps approaching as Ragna came down spotted her.
"Izanami? What are you doing in my house? Actually…the better question is how did you get inside my house?"
"I arrived here not too long ago. I have been waiting for you." She gets up and walks towards him. "There is something we need to discuss."
"Something to discuss? What happened?"
"I shall be staying here and keeping an eye on you from now on," Izanami said.
…
…
…
…
…
"…What?" He blinked twice and yelled. "Wait WHAT!?"
"Brother, what's wrong?" A curious voice spoke, the voice belonging to Saya. The young girl walked into the room with Jin and cocked her head when she saw Izanami. "When did she get here?"
"I arrived a while ago, but that is not important. Ragna, I shall be living here with you and guarding you twenty-four hours a day." Izanami said.
"Why!? Wait when was all this decided!?" Ragna asked, still lost on why she was going to stay here and who gave her permission. Last time he checked, he wasn't notified or gave her the ok.
'Is there a problem?' A voice spoke.
"Huh?" Ragna raised a brow, as they look around to see where it came from.
"It is just the master unit," Izanami said.
"Perfect! Hey, master unit, what the fuck is going on here!?" Ragna shouts up to the ceiling.
'After the recent events with Hakumen, Terumi, and now Relius, I have come to a conclusion that you must be watched. I can not have you dying Ragna, so Izanami is there to keep you safe. As you are right now, you can not hope to best Hakumen, Terumi or Relius Clover.'
"Shit…!" Ragna grits his teeth.
"The fact is we can not risk your life. We do not doubt your abilities, but as you know, we can not take any chances." Izanami said.
Ragna let's out a sigh and says in an understanding tone. "Alright, I get it. But give me some warning, you can't expect me to just go along with this with out telling me."
'Understandable. So this is farewell for now.' With that, his voice stops.
"Ok, Saya, can you show her to an empty room," Ragna asked.
"Of course." Saya motioned Izanami to follow her as she led the violet haired girl upstairs, leaving Jin, Ragna, and Rachel downstairs. Ragna couldn't help, but feel like this situation was going to escalate soon. He rubbed his temples and sighed.
"Why do I have a feeling this place is gonna get more chaotic…"
"Well, whatever. I guess this gives us a leg up on them." Jin said. "The more people we have on our side, the better for us. Maybe we should not look at this in such a bad way."
"I guess." Ragna shrugged. They hear footsteps and looks to see Saya and Izanami coming back downstairs. "So I guess you two are done?"
"Yes. It wasn't very hard." Izanami said. They hear someone knocking on their door. Ragna walks over to the door and opens it to see his master and a small child standing next to him.
"Master Jubei?" Ragna looked at the small cat, as the beastkin gave him a greeting smile.
"Hey, there my boy. Just coming by to say howdy before I set off." Jubei said. He taps the child next to him and continued on. "I guess now is as good a time as any. Since we'll all be workin' together, I figured yall should get acquainted."
"Y-Yes," The child walks up and bows "Hi there. My name is Sena… It's nice to meet you all."
"Sena huh? So who's the other person?" Ragna asked.
"W-What do you mean by that?"
"Like I said the other person." Ragna scratched his head. "With the amount of hate and rage coming from them, I think anyone can tell they're there."
"I was told you were too stupid to figure it out, but you're actually pretty perceptive." The boy said politely. A vein pops up on Ragna's head as his polite tone only served to piss him off even more with that comment. "Luna, come say hello." The child stares at them blank eyed for a minute, which creeped them out a bit. There was no life coming from the child's eyes, but a tiny bit of light began to come up.
"Dumbass." The child said in a light feminine voice.
"What?"
"I called you a dumbass, dumbass! Can't you understand english!?" The child's voice changed from a calm young boy to an angry little girl.
"I see…so the other one is the one everyone likes and you're the one everyone wants to hang." Jin cut in.
"What did you just say to Luna!?" She walks up to him and looks dead into his eyes. "Say that again! Luna dares you!"
"Very well. Like I said, you're the one everyone hates and that's the reason why he was in control. Since it looks like he isn't coming back right now I think it's time you get the hell out of my house." Jin said coldly
"Master who is this?" Ragna asked.
"Her name is Platinum. I was asked to look after her by a friend." Jubei answered.
"Don't talk to Master Jubei so casually porcupine!"
A vein pops up on his forehead as turns around to the girl and groaned. "You are the LAST person I want to hear that from!"
"Jubei…please take her out of here." Jin sighed.
"Shut it bitch! Don't you even go close to Master Jubei with those killer sideburns of yours!"
"You want a piece of this!?"
"Bring it aqua lung!"
"Ok, ok…" Jubei held the collar of her shirt to stop her. "Well, I'll be taking my leave before this place turns into a battleground. Hm?" The small cat turned his head and looked to see Izanami. "Is that Izanami?"
"Yes. I shall be staying here for the time being."
"Well alright. You kids be safe and don't do anything stupid ya hear? Jin, you're in charge of, Ragna."
"What!? Hold on I'm the big brother here!" Ragna yelled. Jubei paid him no mind and walked off as Ragna kept shouting curse after curse at him. Some of the curses he said they've never even heard before. His eye twitched as he slammed the door. "Damn that son of a…!"
"Well, brother you heard him," Jin said in a mocking tone.
"Don't you effing dare!" Not even a second later, they hear another knock on the door. "I swear if it's that damn cat I'm gonna shove my foot so far up his ass!" He stomps to the door and swings it open. Before him now stood two women, however, they weren't ordinary humans. They wore hoodies and had cat like features.
"What!?"
"Good guy, it really is you!" The woman in the white hoodie tackles him. She started to lick him as the other cat walks in. She had on a black hoodie but had the same style as the one in the white.
"Tora? What are you doing here?" Rachel asked.
"Rachel Alucard? Ah, it's a pleasure to see you again. How have you been?" She had a much calmer tone of voice than the other one. It wasn't as static or loud as the other one. She looks to see Izanami and raised a brow. "Izanami is here too? Speaking of which this is Ragna's house right? So where is he?"
"Down here…" She heard a voice say. A man comes from under the young kitten's body as she saw it was Ragna. He pushes the cat off him and stands up. "Hey there Tora, long time no see."
"Oh, my…you've grown to be quite the young man Ragna." Her tone turned a bit seductive as she walked closer to Ragna and put her paw on his cheek.
"T-Tora…what are you doing?"
"Well, I came here because Nine asked me for some help. So on my way, I decided to come and visit you. I passed by Jubei and he told me exactly where you'd be. So you could say I'm a little excited." She presses her body on his and purrs. "Now I'm glad I came…"
"Hey!" Saya runs between the two. "What do you think you're doing to him!?"
"Nothing much, just saying hello." Tora moves her head closer to Ragna's and licks his cheek.
"Hey!" Ragna jumps back and gasps. "What are you doing!?"
"You've grown to be quite the sexy young man now haven't you?" Tora giggled. "It's taking all I have to not pounce on you, Ragna~"
"This is quite the interesting development. It is just like the book 'The Man and his Mistress'." Izanami said.
"What…?" Ragna stared blankly at Izanami.
"Oh don't focus on her…" Tora raised her leg above his waist as he blushed hard. "Now…how about you show me just how much you've matured."
"He won't!" Saya pulls Ragna towards her and wraps her arms around his.
"Don't spoil our reunion." Tora pulled him back to her.
"I'm not gonna stand here and watch you try and seduce him!" Saya pulls him closer to her again.
"I don't need to try and seduce him." She takes his hand and places it on one of her breasts. Ragna's eyes widen and his face turns blood red. "Now come on Ragna. How about you show this cat just what you can do."
"I-I…um…" Ragna stuttered as his hands were pressed against her soft breasts.
"Grr…!" Saya groans and wraps her arms around his body. "He isn't yours! I don't know who you are, but I won't let you take him from me!"
"He's mine!" Tora pulls his whole body towards her and pushes his head into her chest. Ragna gasps as she pushes his head further down. Saya's eyes widen as she grabs Ragna and pulls him away from her. The two begin to pull back and forth as the other cat decides to join.
"This looks fun! Tao wants to join too!"
"Don't get in my way, Tao!" Tora yelled. Jin just watched them and sighed, but is soon directed at something else. A powerful murderous aura was standing to him. He looks to see it was Rachel and takes several steps back as the darkness that poured from her was toxic. Ragna felt it too as he looks to see Rachel with a rather pissed off expression. Saya, Tora, and Tao saw it too and quickly away from Ragna.
His feet began to tremble as he sees a wide grin settled on her face "Ragna…what do you think is going through my mind right now?"
"Is it um…drink some tea?" She shakes her head, that grin on her face unchanging, but Ragna couldn't help, but even more afraid than before. "Is it…lay down?" She shakes her head again. Sweat began to pour down Ragna's face, as his voice started to crack a bit. "Is it…kill Ragna?"
"There you go." Rachel nods her head and raises her hand. A lightning bolt came down and struck Ragna. Jin covered his eyes as he could only hear Ragna screaming in pain. The now charred Ragna collapses on the floor, falling into unconsciousness. "Please take that idiot to his room. I believe he will be unconscious for a while." Saya and Tora take Ragna up and walks upstairs, as and Tao follows them, leaving Izanami and Rachel in the living room downstairs.
"Please don't..." Ragna begged, but it fell on deaf ears. A lightning bolt came down and struck Ragna. Jin covered his eyes as he could only hear Ragna screaming in pain. The now charred Ragna collapses on the floor, falling into unconsciousness. "Please take that idiot to his room. I believe he will be unconscious for a while." Saya and Tora take Ragna up and walks upstairs, as and Tao follows them, leaving Izanami and Rachel in the living room downstairs.
"Is that what they call jealousy?" Izanami asked.
"That idiot had it coming." Rachel folds her arms. Izanami just shrugs and walks after them, leaving Rachel by herself. The young vampire calms herself down and looks upstairs. "Maybe I went a little too far…" She muttered to herself. "No," She shook her head "That idiot deserved far worse!"
A man clad in white armor walks down an empty street. There was complete silence. The only noise that was heard was the man's heavy footsteps and the wind blowing the leaves off the trees. After a few more steps, the man stops in his tracks. "If you will not come out…I will force you to show yourself, puppeteer." He turns around and sees a man in a purple cape walking towards him. "Relius Clover…"
"The Power of Order. I see your soul is still as strong as the last time I saw you." Hakumen places a hand on the hilt of his blade, ready to draw at a moments notice. Relius just chuckles and pays his raise in guard no mind. "I ran into what I'd say would be your grandson and granddaughter, if I were to call her that, the other day. They both seem to posses the Power of Order…just like you do."
"Did you come all this way to tell me that? What is your goal here?"
"I just wish to…converse as you would say. We are old friends aren't we?" Relius asked in an almost joking and sarcastic tone.
"Do not act as if we are friends, puppeteer. Now tell me why you've come to me."
"I wanted to see if your soul had any changes being trapped inside the boundary in that body. I must ask…how does it feel to be in the body of a god?" Relius asked.
"It is revolting. Now if that is it I would suggest you leave my presence, lest you wish my blade find your heart." The man's voice was stern, his words as heavy as his blade. Relius knew he meant every word he said, but all he did was smirk.
"How was your trip through the NOL? Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Relius Clover… What are you plotting by extracting them?" Hakumen asked.
"Nothing really. I suppose an extra set of hands would be useful in this endeavor." Relius smirked. "To think that woman was able to craft so many nox nyctores in such a short amount of time. I must say, the Mercury family has quite the lineage."
"Why did you come to me?" Hakumen asked.
"You have just piqued my curiosity as did, Ragna the Bloodedge and, Jin Kisaragi." Relius turns around and started away, but stopped after a few steps. "I must ask you why you feel so obligated to end his life."
"Why should you care Relius Clover?"
"That man is fabulous research material." Relius starts to stroke his beard. "Not only that, I can do some interesting observations. If I was one to guess he might just be the true man of azure."
"I will say this. If you lay a hand on Ragna the Bloodedge, Jin Kisaragi or Tsubaki Yayoi…I promise you will not live to see the next day." Hakumen spoke with pure murderous intent, as his normally calm and composed demeanor shifted to that of a savage beast, ready to lay waste to their prey if it tramples on unwanted territory.
"Interesting," The masked man chuckled. "Is this comradery or an obligation to protect your loved ones? Humans can be so mysterious…but it's that mysterious nature that makes you human beings such wonderful test subjects."
"You're sick…"
"Hmph. I shall take my leave then." He starts to walk once more, not even turning his head to look at Hakumen, caring little as his reason for approaching him was taken care of. Once Relius was completely out of sight, Hakumen takes his hand off his blade and walks away.
"Hmph. What hypocrisy. I tell that man not to go near, Ragna the Bloodedge. Yet I wish to end his life. I can hear that woman now…telling me to stop bickering with myself." The man looks up to the sky. Though he might not have eyes, he could still peer up at the great blue empyrean. "I swear to you I will protect them. I shall keep the promise I made to you. I swear this to you, Ayame."
Morning came as Ragna opens his eyes and looks to see it was 6:50. It was sadly almost time for him to get up, as he cursed to himself. Though he didn't remember going to bed or what he even did yesterday. "Damn my head is pounding... Huh…?" Ragna felt odd this morning. His body was a bit heavier than usual. "The hell…?" He sees a lump in the sheets and lifts it up to see Izanami laying on top of him wide awake. "Hey, Izanami…"
"Good morning. Did you sleep well."
"Yeah, but it's still a bit early so I'm gonna doze off for a few." Ragna yawned and closes his. Pure silence took up the room as the ticking clock echoed the quiet space. After a couple seconds the conversation finally sank in as his eyes shot back open. "Izanami!? What the hell are you doing in my bed!? Actually, what are you doing on top of me!?"
"You seem troubled. What is it?" Izanami asks. Ragna eyes still opened wide he starts to curse himself out.
'Shit, shit, shit! She's in my bed and on top of me! I don't know how this happened! This is bullshit! I could've had the night of my life last night and I don't remember any of it! What kind of douchebag is knocked out on his first time! Son of a…!'
"You seem unwell."
"Nope, I'm fine!" Ragna answered quickly. 'Yeah…freaking peachy. Wake up to a girl on top of me definitely wouldn't give me a heart attack. Nope.' He said sarcastically in his head. He heard the doorknob turn as Saya walked in.
"Brother I heard noise is everything…ok…" The blond looked to see Izanami on top of him. "Brother," She stared blankly at him. "What's going on in here?"
"Wait before you do anything! Izanami explain!" Ragna said quickly.
"Yes. Like I said I shall keep an eye on him and for that reason, I shall be sleeping in here."
"Good…at least that's all it was." Saya sighed in relief. "Well, brother get ready." She tells him as she closes the door and walks out.
"Thank god…" Ragna sighed in relief.
"Quite welcome."
"Really…" Ragna got up and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. His head was still killing him and was soon given an explanation as to why he was in so much pain. He and the person responsible bickered with each other. Jin and Saya didn't want to get involved and just watched. Izanami sees them off and closes the door.
"Ok. I believe it is time I get myself in order."
They make it to school and look to see Kokonoe, Tsubaki, Makoto, Noel, Kagura, and Celica in the front as they greet each other like usual. The large group makes their way to class, but before they opened the door, a substantial amount of noise was going on, on the other side. Ragna slides the door open and looks to see Nine with a rather distressed look on her face. She looked worried almost.
"You ok?" Ragna asks.
"Yeah, I'm just a bit…surprised." The tired mage answered.
"About what? Actually, what's going on and why is everyone so talkative?" Kagura asked.
"Well besides an NOL base being attacked, a new student is gonna join us that's all. Just take your seats." Nine shooed them away as she had something else on her mind. Even saying that the NOL was attacked so casually without a care in her tone.
"Wait a base was attacked? By who?" Celica asked.
"Well I know who, but for now just take your seats. She'll be here soon."
"She?" Kagura rubs his hands together and snickers. "I wonder who this lovely lady will be… Hope she's single… Heh heh."
"Here we go…" Kokonoe sighed. They all walk to their respective seats as Nine knocks on the board a few times. The class quiets down and takes their seats as she began.
"Alright everyone we've got a new student joining us today. She should be here soon. And for the love of all that is holy… Don't make my head hurt as much as it does right now." Nine pleaded. The mage turned to the door to see a silhouette through the window. "Alright come in."
The door slides open, as a girl with long purple hair tied in a pony tail walks in. Ragna's jaw drops and his eyes widen as he took the girl in. "No effing way…!"
The girl stops in front of the class and introduces herself. "My name is Izanami Osaka. It is a pleasure to meet you." She bows to the class. The room erupts in screams as a boy says.
"A violet haired beauty!? When did I get so mother effing lucky!?"
"I'm so glad I was able to live towards this glorious day! Fuck you Tatsu, I told you this school was the shit!" Another boy yelled with a victorious laugh.
"Ah," Rachel nods her head in understanding "So when she said twenty-four hours I guess she really meant it."
"I asked for ONE thing…!" Nine growled as a vein appeared on her forehead. She smashed her fist through the board, as the entire class focused their attention on her. "Alright, all of you shut the hell up!" The class went to dead silent as they didn't want that board to be them. Nine sighed to cool herself off and looked at Izanami. "Ok now take a seat. I can't believe this is happening..."
"Very well." The violet haired girl walks down Ragna's row and stops in the seat in front of him. "I would like to sit here."
"B-But this is my seat…" The girl sitting there says.
"I am truly sorry, but I must be near him. We have much to discuss about the future." Izanami said.
"You do!? Well, then I'm sorry!" The girl quickly grabs her stuff and moves to the next empty seat. Izanami sits down as the girls start to whisper.
"Wow, she's so direct."
"I wish I had an ounce of her confidence." Another girl said.
Nine heard the whispers and rubbed her temples. She knew this wasn't going to turn out well, but there was nothing she could do about it. 'Some peace and quiet is just too much to ask…' "Ok then le—"
"Wait!" A boy called out.
"Huh?" Nine turns to the boy. "What's wrong?"
"Well I mean I'm not the only one curious about her am I?"
"Please, can we ask her about herself?" A girl begged.
"I don't think she's comfortable with that."
"That is fine. Ask what you need to ask me. I have nothing to hide." Izanami said.
'Yes, you do!' Nine shouted in her head.
"Thank you! So um…where did you come from?" A girl asked.
'Please don't say the boundary!' Nine begged.
"Well I am from one of the small towns in the Kagutsuchi area," Izanami answered.
'Phew.'
"That's far. So why did you come here?" A boy asked.
"I came here to be closer to Ragna. We have many things to discuss about the future." Izanami answered.
"You came here for him!?" A girl gasped.
"Yes. I must be as close to him as I can. So I've taken the liberty of moving in with him."
"You did what!?" The entire class said in unison.
"Ragna you son of a bitch!" A boy yelled.
"Wait I'm lost…" Ragna scratches his head. "What's going on here…?"
"Is it really that amazing?" Izanami asks.
"She's so bold." One of them says.
"She's so direct and confident. I envy her." Another one says. Small conversations took up the classroom until another girl stood up and they all stopped to give her the floor.
"So you two are living together?"
"Yes, we are," Izanami answered.
"How close are you two?" The girl asked.
"Wait what?"
"I am sorry, but I do not know what you mean," Izanami said.
"I'm asking how close you two are."
"Oh, I see. Well, currently we are sleeping in the same room. We already shared a night together."
…
…
…
…
…
"You did what!?" The girl gasped.
"How the hell and when the hell did that happen!?" Kagura asked.
"Last night," Izanami answered.
"So how was he!?" A girl asked with a heavy tint of red on her face.
"He was quite warm and very comfortable to sleep with."
"I feel like there's some kind of misunderstanding I need to clear up…" Ragna mumbles to himself.
"Are you telling me you two are that close!" A boy asked. It took Ragna a minute to analyze everything that was said by his classmates. Once he did, his cheeks turned bright red.
"Wait! Wait a minute damn it!"
"What is the matter Ragna?" Izanami turns to him.
"The hell do you mean!? You're telling them all this so easily! I mean sure we slept together but—!" Before he could finish a boy gasps.
"Wait are you serious!?"
"So she wasn't lying!"
"Wait hold on a minute!" His goes unheard as they begin to clap.
"Izanami, Ragna good luck! We wish you two a happy future!"
"Hold up a damn second!" Ragna called out to them. A sweat ran down his face as he felt pure murderous intent next to him. Turning his head like a crank, he looks to see Rachel surrounded by a dark aura.
"So you two slept together last night did you?" The whole class heard her and went silent. "I have both confirmation from her and from you."
"Wait hold on a minute damn it! Like I said it's not what it sounds like!"
"Really?" Izanami raised a brow.
"Didn't you say you slept with her?"
"Yes, I did sleep with her. To be honest it looks like she came in the middle of the night an—"
"In the middle of the night!?" A boy gasps.
"Daaamn… Lucky~!" Another boy said in envy.
"So she came in on you and slept with you huh?" Rachel's eye began to twitch.
"Well yeah, I guess so. I didn't expect it either really…" Ragna scratched his head. "It just kinda…happened."
"Ragna…" Kagura sighed.
"What?"
"You just made it a hundred times worse." Kagura rubs his temples.
"I do not understand what the big deal is Ragna. You were the one that agreed to it."
"I agreed to say that you could stay in my house then you come in my room!" Ragna retorted.
"You did not seem to have a problem at the end of it."
"No, I'm not saying it's a problem…I mean you really aren't all that heavy so…" He quickly stops himself before he said anything more misleading to make his situation even more uncomfortable. "Wait a minute why the hell are we having this conversation here!?" The angry platinum haired man turns to Nine and asks. "And why aren't you stopping this!? The fuck is wrong with you!?"
"It was just getting good too…" Nine sighs. "And what do you expect me to do?"
"So that's it." Saya got up and glared at Ragna. "I knew there had to be something else going on when I walked in on you two."
"W-Wait Saya…"
"I believed you," The blondes a started to twitch. "I actually believed you…but now it all makes sense. What that noise coming from your room was…and why she was on top of you…!"
"In the morning!? You lucky son of a bitch!" A boy cursed.
"Don't get the wrong idea!" Ragna slams his hands onto the desk.
"So if she gets to sleep with you then so will I!" Saya declared.
"You're gonna what!? Hold on Saya just calm down!"
The whole class gasps as she continued. "I've slept with you before so this shouldn't be a problem!" Celica and Kokonoe stand up.
"You did what!?"
"Not you too…"
Saya points to Izanami. "Now listen here! It doesn't matter that we let you live with us, I won't let you use that to get closer to him."
"Hey wait a minute just calm down…" His voice goes unheard as Rachel shoots him a venomous glare.
"You will explain to me just what happened between you two last night."
"I believe I already have. I went into his room and made myself comfortable. I must say however he was much warmer than the bed itself."
"Hold the fuck on a minute! How long were you on top of him!?" Kokonoe asked wide eyed.
"The whole night," Izanami answered bluntly as the class gasped. Nine couldn't help but laugh, which earned her the attention of a pissed off Ragna.
"Don't fucking laugh, do something!" Ragna yelled.
"Damn…Ragna's a beast." One of the boys says in awe.
"Fucking damn it all to hell!" Ragna growled.
"Well, I think it's time to get back to class. You all continue that later, but someone record it for me." Nine said. "I want it in full HD."
"There isn't anything to continue! This conversation is done!" Ragna said.
"Yes," Izanami nods. "I believe there is no need to continue." Ragna had enough of a migraine to deal with because of Rachel, now he had this. The tired platinum haired man sits back down and slams his head onto the desk.
"Someone…take a gun…and shoot me…"
That's the end of that chapter. Well after the english version of central fiction came out I got it and was able to see what really happened at the end of the story. Best protagonist ever! A true hero. The ending kinda reminds me about Persona 3, but that's a WHOLE different story. I'm weak though that he became God. Fuck you fate, you can suck on my *inferno divider*! Well anyway and any how I hope you guys like this chapter. Like always review, comment and tell me what I need to work on. Criticism is the only way to get better. See ya! Here's the preview of the next chapter:
Nine: Terumi and Relius Clover are on the move again. Along with another new fractured world popping up.
Rachel: Your gesture is appreciated, but we must be going now.
Ragna: Wait a minute. That voice, it can't be!
Tsubaki: That explosion came from Ragna and Noel's direction!
Jin: Relius Clover!
Relius: Number 10 and 12. You two have gained some remarkable souls. Especially you number 12, it seems like further inspection is due.
Noel: I am…boundary interface prime field number 12. Anti Sankishin core unit, Mu. Requesting identity.
Nu: Murakumo unit activate.
Next Chapter 13: Another Nu dimension
Revised on 7/25/17