-this chap is another intense one, I think I should warn anyone sensitive about children be wary reading this from this chapter on-
Aliens to monsters:
Giroro- Ganrougel
Keroro- Kurse
Tamama- Taiki
Dororo- Aldmora
Kururu- Krueger
Mois- Molioke
Natsumi fluttered her eyes open to the sound of knocking. Her body felt too heavy to lift and her throat too dry to speak. The world around her felt foggy. She looked to the door and watched it open with Aki stepping into the room.
"Hey sugarsmacks, I brought some food." Aki set a tray of food on the side table. The sweet pancakes and sausages seemed to call Natsumi's name as she stared at them hungrily. "You've been asleep all day."
"Wait really? What time is it?" Natsumi whispered as she weakly stretched for the tray.
"Almost 4." Aki smiled.
"What about school?" Natsumi sat up quickly inciting a small dizzy spell in her head but it soon cleared when she started eating the pancakes.
"You're stressed enough right now without it. I called you and Fuyuki out for a while." Aki explained. "You can stay in bed if you're still tired."
"No. I want to get up and help." Natsumi spoke over her fork before taking a large bite of sausage. "I want to do everything I can even if I'm forced to the sidelines."
"Oh? What changed your mind from charging head on and leading the attack?" Aki asked.
Natsumi swallowed her food quickly. "I don't know if I can say it yet."
"I'm sure it can't be harder than telling your monster hunting family that you're dating one though huh?" Aki tried prompting a smile out of Natsumi.
"Actually it can be much harder than that." Natsumi glanced out the window hoping something, anything would make this easier. "I'll tell you soon. I promise, I just- can't yet."
"It's ok Natsumi." Aki gave a warm smile. "I'll go check on your brother. He's been sketching out some different ideas and enlisting everyone we can trust."
Natsumi watched Aki leave and close the door completely behind her. After a few more minutes she placed her fork back on the tray with the unfinished meal. She pulled out her phone and searched it for an old contact she almost never called. It rang a few times before a voice answered.
"Hello Natsumi. I haven't heard from you in a while." Akina chuckled. "Your mother's caught me up on everything this morning though. What's on your mind that you couldn't tell her?"
Natsumi smiled. "You know me too well grandma."
"Well you never had trouble talking to her about anything except for your monster friends of course but that's been out in the open for a while now." Akina replied.
"I'm in one of those really big problems teenagers get themselves into. I-i was super careful but I've been wrong a lot lately when it comes to monsters. I really didn't think it would happen." Natsumi stumbled through her words quickly.
"We've all been teenagers doing dumb things before. I had your mother when I was pretty young too; and she was the same way when she fell in love with that Haru kid." Akina joked.
"Has our family always made the same mistake?" Natsumi hugged her knees.
"Love changes a lot of things Natsumi." Akina spoke clearly. "You remember that crystal I gave you? It's changed over the years hasn't it?"
"Yeah." Natsumi admitted as she pulled the crystal from under her pillows.
"It wasn't always the same color. It changed a lot during my life time too. When I met your grandfather it was this weird green but became a beautiful blue like the ocean." Akina explained. "My point is that if it's done with love you really can't go wrong. Everyone who cares about you will help you work through it if you let them in and give them a chance. Was there anything else you needed?"
"I was wondering if there were any spells that weren't in the books you sent. Any protection spells for like last minute moments or something?" Natsumi hoped she wasn't being too vague. "I might be needed for the fight but-um... I can't unless I can have the ultimate defense. Ya know."
"Oh? Let me see what I can find." Akina muttered as the sound of rustling papers could be heard. "You'll want something really strong I think. If what your mother has said is true this bully is going to use you to make your friend feel even worse and that poor little thing your carrying is only going to make matters worse once he finds out.
Decades ago you'd have more magic users to help you find the perfect spell. Sadly a lot of the knowledge has been misplaced or confused for crazy scribblings and locked away somewhere no one will ever see them again." Akina rambled on but was interrupted by a loud clatter of books and junk. "Whoops!"
"You ok?" Natsumi asked urgently. She could only picture her grandmother buried under mountains of old books.
"I'm alright." Akina answered happily. "I just knocked somethings over wrestling with this thick old grimoire. It's been in our family longer than anything else and the best spell I can think of that you'll need isn't very reliable."
"But if something happens and I can't get myself out of there will it help?" Natsumi asked.
"Yes but it's a one way kind of trip." Akina spoke with a serious tone.
"I'm sure I'll figure something out but I need a last line of defense. Please teach it to me. Using me is one thing I can handle but I won't let him use the baby no matter what." Natsumi begged.
"Alright, do you have a pen and paper?" Akina sighed.
Natsumi scribbled everything Akina told her and thanked her grandmother before ending the call. She read and re-read the note until she was sure she memorized it. She knew she wouldn't be able to practice or else she really couldn't help the fight. Her eyes glanced at the almost cold food and she decided to eat what was left. When she changed into clean clothes she glanced at her stomach. She really did look like she hadn't missed any meals. She pictured if she had eaten normally and knew there would be a subtle bump. The idea made her smile.
"Grandma's right. Even a little bit of love can change everything. I swear even with horns, a tail, and supernatural powers I can't get rid of you. We weren't expecting you to be possible but I'm sure we'll love you no matter what happens." Her fingertips carefully caressed her stomach. After a deep breath she straightened up and decided she would be confident about becoming a mother.
She finished dressing and padded down the stairs. When she saw her mother rummaging through Haru's books and tools, she paused. She took one more deep breath and pushed through the fear. Fuyuki was looking over some papers with Momoka. Taiki was shouting expletives in a deep, panicked tone as he ate his worries away with a huge bag of sweet chocolates. Koyuki was listening to the debate while laying out the weapons she had and knew how handle. Natsumi happily sat next to Koyuki.
"Hey Natsumi." Koyuki smiled brightly. "Did you sleep well?"
"As well as I can I think. Definitely better than I have in a long time." Natsumi smiled in turn. "So what do we have so far?"
"I messaged Krueger, using a number dad had in his journal, and asked if he would keep an eye out for any weird phenomenon but he just avoids my question and asks weird stuff instead." Fuyuki stated.
"Like what stuff?" Natsumi arched her brow curious about what he might have said to Fuyuki.
"He asked what health insurance we have. Anyway I don't think he's willing to be much help. Momoka has offered her army of guards though so that's progress." Fuyuki explained as he looked over his notes.
"Are they ok with going up against all this supernatural stuff?" Natsumi looked to Momoka glad that no one thought about Krueger's questions too much.
"I assured them it was optional to volunteer and I wouldn't order them to fight in this but I think they're used to doing everything my father tells them so they all signed up." Momoka explained with a smile. "They're very well trained so I think they'll be able to handle themselves."
"I'm still waiting for-" Fuyuki started but was interrupted when they all heard a knocking at the front door.
"I'll go see who it is. You guys continue your planning and catch me up later." Natsumi hopped up from the couch and sighed as she walked to the door. She was surprised to find Garuru on the front step. "Oh h-hey. Come on in."
Garuru nodded and stepped inside with more confidence and professionalism than the last time she had seen him. He even smelled less of the graveyard and alcohol. "Fuyuki called me earlier about what happened. I came to help."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Natsumi looked down, thinking about the months she never even thought to let at least Garuru know Ganrougel was safe. Even if he had gone missing after she sent him away.
"Don't be. I would have done the same thing if I were you." Garuru admitted. He draped his coat over his arm and removed his hat before running his fingers through his hair, controlling the stray locks falling over his eyes.
"While I have this moment I should probably tell you about something else though." Natsumi squeezed her fingers and tried to stand strong. She could feel the nausea in her stomach again. "I just found out about it last night and I haven't told anyone other my grandma yet but you're technically family now too so I should be honest."
"If you need me to swear secrecy I will. I trust you Natsumi." Garuru looked into her eyes with his sharp glare. Natsumi had to remind herself that he just came off intimidating naturally and not intentionally.
She chuckled lightly, mostly to hide the growing unsettling sensation in her belly and almost instinctively placed her hand over it. "Thanks, I might hold you to that. The thing is that-uh... Ganrougel and I have um, well I'm-"
Natsumi suddenly wrapped her arms around her stomach as she fell to her knees. Garuru quickly bent down to see what he could do. "What's wrong? What happened?!"
"My stomach. It just started hurting." Natsumi explained through clenched teeth. It was a burning, twisting pain she never felt before. She panted with fear as the burning spread down her body. She looked to the floor and froze at the red puddle of blood. Tears stung her eyes as she began begging to be in a nightmare. "No, no, no please."
"Natsumi." Garuru stiffened at the sight of the blood. He quickly but carefully helped her lean against the wall. "Wait here. I'll call for a medic."
The door burst open to show Krueger kicking his way in. His many legs quickly climbed around Garuru and to Natsumi's other side. "Back off! Let me see!"
Garuru leaned away and watched Molioke gracefully step past him and lean to Krueger, waiting for orders. "Who are you?"
"Her doctor. Stop standing there uselessly and get towels." Kruger answered quickly without looking away from Natsumi as he checked her pulse. Garuru ran off faster than he had in many years. Molioke gently placed her hand to Natsumi's stomach. "Can you sense anything Mo?"
"Something's happening to the baby but I don't really know what it is. I've never seen it before myself." Molioke spoke calmly.
"Do what you can to help keep it stable. Open your legs so I can see what's happening!" Krueger shouted as Natsumi struggled and whimpered. Her eyes were wide as she felt the pain continue to thrash through her abdomen.
"What the hell are you doing? Why are you even here so suddenly?" Garuru demanded as he handed a few towels to Molioke who quickly began to clean up the blood on Natsumi's thighs and the floor.
"I should ask who you are. A stranger who happens to be standing right over her when something goes wrong with the baby." Kruger cursed under his breath as he tried to get Natsumi to comply with him.
"Baby?" Garuru was stunned before he shook his head and realized that was what she was trying so hard to tell him about. "I'm Giroro's... Ganrougel's brother. I'm family."
"Well then go contain the rest of the family in the living room before she starts screaming and getting their attention. They don't need to see this." Kruger almost mocked but maintained serious. Garuru quickly shoved a small table against the living room door, jamming the handle and keeping it from being opened.
"Natsumi we need to see what's going on so we can help. We've studied just about everything about the human body so we know what we're doing." Molioke tried to calm Natsumi so they could properly review the situation.
"Yeah right." Natsumi spat through her struggle to breath. She pressed herself against the wall and held her knees tighter together. "I saw his collection of body parts, I'm not letting him do that to me."
"Oh Natsumi." Molioke gave a soft smile. "You don't understand."
"Stupid girl." Krueger chuckled. "They belonged to a man who more than deserved it."
"What are you talking about? She's bleeding! Stop talking and work!" Garuru barked. He didn't really pick up on Natsumi's resistance to let Krueger see what was wrong as he pulled his sleeves up his arms.
"I guess your idiot deer believed everything I told him about those parts. Kuku~" Krueger grinned wider as he leaned closer to Natsumi, making sure she saw the honesty in his eyes for the words he spoke next. "I have a special toy and all of those trophies came from it. You know about those bad men in lab coats who think they can be god? It used to be one of those before I showed it what a real god looked like."
"He was a very bad man and needed to be punished." Molioke added with a bright smile.
"Tch, one way to put it. So trust me, I'm not interested in tearing you apart since you'd just be a boring human with boring human parts. I just can't let that kid die or your deer would have my head. That's all I care about." Krueger frowned as he tried to open Natsumi's legs once more. Natsumi thought about it for a moment and slowly let her legs open. Before Krueger and Molioke could take a proper look a small orb rolled through the blood.
"Don't let it get away!" Molioke yelled as she removed her hands from Natsumi and tried to catch it. Krueger and Garuru fumbled after it but it flawlessly rolled away from their reach. Even as Garuru barricaded it with his entire forearm it hopped right over him and rolled out the door.
Molioke was faster to the door and swiftly flew after it. She stopped once she saw it was already in someone's hand. It was the hand of a soldier who had a frayed and soiled uniform. His skin was a decayed color, only prettier than the fowl stench that emanated from him. He was leaning against the frame of a different door, a larger slab of wood that didn't connect to any house or building but stood on the walk way and opened into a different world indicated by the moving shadows behind him laughing and dancing.
"Please give it back. It's not going to survive outside of the body like that." Molioke clasped her hands together and pleaded.
"I forgot you could sense these can't you? The girl who shapes the stars and cleans the souls of human kind. The moon princess." The soldier grinned as he inspected the small marble with his good eye. "My boss wants me to keep a close eye on this for now but I guess that will be much easier if you can't stop me."
The soldier closed his empty hand around Molioke's wrist and twisted her arm. She yelped in pain. "Ahh! What are you doing?"
"You'll see." The soldier pushed her to the ground and watched the stars in her hands fade out. A normal skin tone coated her arms, covering the celestial glow. He wrenched her arm more, nearly disjointing it before letting her fall to the ground. The soldier looked up from her to see Krueger towering over him.
He had a grin more crooked than the soldier's nightmares and chuckled in his deep voice. His eyes were pinpointed to the soldiers as his tentacles twitched eagerly and his arms tensing. Krueger thrust his fist into the soldier's gut. "You hurt my moon. You don't get to do that without severe punishment."
The soldier picked himself up from the dirt and checked that he still held the marble in his hand. "It was an order. They gave me a special blade to do it." The soldier held out a tiny piece of metal that he hid between his fingers.
"I cut into her skin and it was enough to drain her magic." The soldier explained angrily as he quickly stepped back through the door he came from. "My master says you can come in when you're ready."
The door closed quickly but stayed hanging in the air. Krueger opened it slowly to see it was empty and filled with only blackness. He closed it again and turned his attention to Molioke. She held her arm carefully and was trying not to cry. He held his hand out to her. "Here, try to stand up."
Molioke accepted the offer but stumbled when she tried to balance on her own feet for the first time with all of her weight. She held Krueger's shoulder for support. "I'm sorry."
"Just shut up. Let's get you back inside." Krueger couldn't manage his usual tones or a crude smile even when he talked like a jerk. He walked slowly with her, making sure she didn't fall or trip. Inside they found Garuru still trying to clean up all the blood and Natsumi was staring at the wall across from her.
She stared with wide eyes, slowly turning to look at Molioke and Krueger. "I can't feel it anymore. It's gone."