Chapter 33

He was irritated. He'd been cut off completely when it came to contact with Kyoko. He was now being treated like the rest of the population when it came to finding, and hearing about her. His only sources being tabloids, websites, and the evening news. It sucked, and to top it all off he'd been tasked with the responsibility to find a bride, as per his mother's orders. Sure she'd loosened her grip and told him that he didn't need to do it anymore, but the look she gave him when saying it made him feel like some kind of twisted, evil movie villain. Although, Aki's new intern was kind of cute and very much his type. If only the girl was a little more of a flirt with him, or at least paid a little attention to him.

"Fuwa-san, it's time for you to leave for your recording session at Queen Records." The prim, raven-haired little assistant informed him, glancing over her day planner.

Sho groaned a little and hoisted his lazy body off of the sofa and approached her. "Hmm, how about we call it a day, and spend a little time getting to know each other?" He smirked a little lasciviously as his hand caressed down her arm.

Minami shivered inwardly and wanted to slap him. Does he treat all women like this? She sighed inwardly. No Minami, don't beat him to a pulp. Remember what Yayoi-sama told you. Just ride it out, treat him like a common Vamp, and you'll have him eating out of your hands. "I'd rather not, Fuwa-san. Perhaps some other time." She shuttled him out of the room and he followed, wondering why his charms were not working on this beautiful, overly-professional young woman.

When one channel's and communes with the dead as so many Shadow Walkers are known to do, they leave themselves at risk. Shadow Walkers are fully aware of this risk, they take precautions, and are very leery of spirits claiming to be helpful. Reino was no different. He was actually more cautious than most, but there is always that risk when you speak to the dead, when you attempt to help them to pass on.

Now, combine this risky behavior with a scorned, vengeful spirit, that in life felt cheated and disillusioned by the royal couple, and had nearly been the cause of death to a very young royal child, and her father before her. It's pretty safe to say that said entity could not resist the temptation to slither into a young man's heart and mind, and try once again to gain the power it had let slip through its fingers during the last tournament, possession of the shifter had merely been a happy little moment of spite, but to once again be able to try his hand at becoming king? Well, even the risk of an exorcism was well worth it. Not that it would happen, he'd been careful to gradually change his host so that those around him believed that it was merely the slow corruption of absolute power.

Had Jouji Morizumi not experienced it once before, he would have never known what that strange feeling of dread was the prelude to. Although, looking around him in the crowded studio, he did not see the familiar face of the individual that had vanished all those years ago after trying to poison the future Emperor and escaping the Tournament Guards. The same individual that he had personally ensnared and sent to his eternal punishment, or so he thought.

He discretely glanced around the packed studio, while trying to keep his attentions on the host of the show, and continued to answer questions asked about his most recent masterpiece. The only thing that stood out the most was the strange singer backstage, preparing to perform in the next segment, but weren't all Visual Kei strange? He dismissed the thought.

~xoxo~

Miroku had eventually returned, begrudgingly. Reino was his best, and childhood friend and he most certainly had never behaved like some villainous creature that he didn't recognize. He suspected that there was most certainly something wrong. He wasn't quite sure what it was yet, but he was certain that he needed to keep a close eye on him. He knew that Reino was a little more into the depths of their culture as far as communing with the dead was concerned, and he wondered if something unspeakable could have happened.

After he'd left Reino that day, first he went to blow off some steam and calm his mind at the local training center. After several hours of intensive sparring, he paid a visit to the local temple to seek advice and meditate. Several of the monks, that were somewhat close friends, were alerted to the possible situation and a promise was made to observe Reino closely. Although his personal behavior was abhorrent, he had actually done nothing to draw attention to himself publicly. The poison that was obtained? Well, unless the individual was of a certain variety of humanoid, the poison would be ineffective. It was something that had been tailored to affect the members of the Royal Family many decades ago, and was used by only one. At the moment, there was nothing that could be done. Miroku could only hope that there were others that were just as on guard as he was.

Maria Takarada was worried for her Onee-sama and Kuon-sama. She had made her knowledge known to both and her grandfather, but no one seemed to be doing much to take care of the situation. Yukihito-san, Kuon-sama, Onee-sama and her friends just increased their training regimen, and she didn't see how that could possibly prevent anything that was implicated to happen.

"Onee-sama, isn't there anything else we can do?" She ground out in frustration at the situation.

Kyoko smiled softly and stroked her little Imōuto's hair. "Maria-chan, it's going to be okay. I actually have a plan."

Maria brightened at the announcement. "Really?"

Kyoko nodded. "Of course I do Maria. Remember all of that research you did?"

Maria nodded excitedly at the prospect that Kyoko had taken her knowledge and opinion into consideration.

Kyoko grinned. "Well... It would seem that those pesky Old Rules will come in very handy in protecting our most important person." She whispered conspiratorially. "We just need to keep this a secret until the time is right. It will have to be our little secret."

Maria sighed in relief, and glanced at her. "Is that why you and the others have been training so hard?"

Kyoko smirked. "Maybe. Hmm, now didn't you want to tell me about all the new spells you've learned with Magus Tanaka-san?"

"OH! That's right!" She said excitedly and pulled out the new grimoire she'd been compiling for personal reference.

When Yayoi Fuwa had contacted Aki Shoko and revealed her plan, Aki was a bit skeptical. She was of firm belief that the plan would never work or at least be outed before anything came to fruition. However, she never dreamed that a mother could know her son so well. The young Vamp female that had been sent to intern was perfect, there was just no other word for it.

She was worried at first that the girl's skills would be somewhat lacking, but that quickly turned into worry that she would take her job of managing him. However, Manami had quickly reassured the woman that she had no desire to take Aki's job. Aki nearly had nearly choked, holding in the laughter when the girl had informed her that she was actually picked to be his bride, and trained by his mother. She had to admit, that woman worked quickly, and knew her son well. The fact that the girl was immune to his charms, made observing the pair infinitely entertaining. He was actually having to make an effort, for once and his obsessive inquiries on Kyoko-chan had stopped. He was just too busy working, and trying to find ways to draw the little intern's attention.