The group cheered at the thought of not only getting a day off from their training but also having a party. But as they walked away, a branch snapped. Everyone froze.
"I thought we killed all of her familiars." Drake muttered. Everyone grouped closer together and turned to face the direction the sound was coming from. More branches snapped as the unknown creature moved towards them.
"What is it? It sounds huge." Leon murmured. Suddenly, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the trees. Weapons were raised and familiars were summoned when suddenly more eyes opened. Suddenly, twelve pairs of glowing eyes were staring at them from the gloom. They moved forward to show a large, orange spider with three heads walking towards them. They all paled as three sets of large mandibles snapped and drooled in their faces.
"Um, hello?" A voice suddenly said. Everyone looked around, confused before spotting the young girl sitting on the spider's back. She had long golden hair tied back with a large red bow, yellow eyes that grabbed your attention and appeared extremely pale despite the sun that shone on the forest regularly. Two small horns sat amongst the locks of her hair and she wore a long, dress the same colour as sapphires that had a yellow bow tied around the middle and an anklet. "Are you the Princess Astarte?" She asked.
"I am. Though I am understandably confused as to how you know my name when I do not know yours little one." Astarte said, edging towards the spider which eyed her suspiciously.
"My name is Jenny Heartwood, but I prefer Jen. And I know about you princess from growing up in Gehenna. I remember clearly how great the realm was and is whilst under your rule. I recall how peaceful your reign as made our home. How your flames brought light to the darkness." Jen smiled and let out a small giggle. "But actually, I came here because I grew sick of the darkness that remained despite your flames Princess and I actually came to offer you my services."
"How so?"
"Well, I noticed that you have your two sons with you and I thought that maintaining an eye on them whilst performing your other duties would be difficult. Therefore, I propose to you Princess that I serve as the boy's babysitter for you, to ease the workload you already have."
"You mean you are willing to work as their nanny?" Astarte asked. Jen nodded. "Well then I hold no issue with it. And I'm sure the boys will enjoy your company. However, I'm afraid that by joining us, you will now have to leave this forest and return to Japan with us."
"I have no issue with that princess. I am honoured that you accepted my offer." Jen bowed and the spider familiar did as well. Astarte nodded and turned before leading the mismatched bunch away from the forest. As they left, Sora and Chikyuu both clambered onto the back of the large spider and began to bombard their new nanny with questions.
Back at the American Headquarters, everyone began to gather their things to leave back for Japan. "Are you sure you won't stay and rest?" A female exorcist asked Astarte as Amaimon and Mephisto sorted out the necessary travel arrangements from there to Italy. Astarte shook her head.
"We can rest on the plane if necessary. Besides, whilst I mean no offence to you Americans, I would much prefer to be back on Japanese soil. I feel more at home there." The exorcist nodded to show she understood.
"Well, if ever you want a change of pace, you're welcome to come back." Astarte looked around the female exorcist to see the head of the branch glaring at her, his body covered in bandages.
"I don't think your superior would appreciate it." She said before turning and walking back to the group. As they bid goodbye to the exorcists, the mobile Mephisto had given her began to ring with a rather suitable ringtone of "Douchebag" for who was ringing her. She pulled the phone out of her pocket and checked the caller id before rolling her eyes.
"Why the hell are you ringing me?" She snapped.
As Paladin, I have a right to contact anyone working under the orders of the Grigori.
"That didn't answer my question you moron."
I'm checking that you lot are leaving the American branch and heading over to Italy correct?
"Yeah, because your damn Vatican city doesn't like me."
Well you did destroy half of it. Anyway, I phoned to inform you that two more students will be joining your class when you get to the Italian branch before you return to Japan.
A dial tone filled her ears before she could respond. She growled and hung the phone up before angrily stuffing it back in her pocket. "Who was that?" Amaimon asked her.
"That douchebag Paladin."
"Ah...what an appropriate ringtone." He remarked. "What's mine?"
"Ring my phone and you'll find out." She said. He pulled out the phone he had and rang her number. In the room, the echo of the ringtone startled some.
I'm bringin' sexy back. Them other boys don't know how to act. I think it's special what's behind your back. So turn around and I'll pick up the slack (Take 'em to the bridge!)
Dirty babe You see these shackles? Baby, I'm your slave I'll let you whip me if I misbehave It's just that no one makes me feel this way
"I thought it suited you perfectly." She said whilst hanging the phone up. "Anyway, let's go." She said. They followed to the airport and boarded their plane. They all chatted to each other happily, the tensions from before their battle had eased alot. Astarte sat, her eyes closed as she tried to sleep when she felt two weights clamber into her lap and one tug on her hair.
"Mummy? Are you ok?" Sora asked, his head tilted to one side as he looked at her.
"Of course I am. Just a little tired. When you two were missing, I couldn't do anything for fear that I wouldn't see you again. You are my life." She said, wrapping her arms around them and hugging the close, placing a kiss on each of their heads. The two of them giggled then snuggled closer to her and fell asleep.
As they arrived at the Italian branch, the Paladin stood waiting for them. "These two are your new students." He said, looking at her with contempt. "They are called Nao Mare." A feminine looking boy with a baby-like face stepped forward, his blue eyes and hair glinting in the light. "Who is the son of Egyn. And Hikaru Dasai, who is apparently the son of a nightmare." The other boy, a raven haired one with blue eyes and two tails similar to Rin's nodded in acknowledgement. "You are to start training them immediately."
"Bit hard to do that when I promised them a day off." She said. Before he could respond, she led the group away, herding the two boys with them. As they passed through the door back into the True Cross Academy, Astarte turned to the students. "You two actually arrived at a food time. You see, today as a reward for the group managing to hold their own against a high level demon the group gets to have a party. Which now, seeing as you are part of the group, you two will join as well." She turned to the class. "You see the big mansion on top of the academy? Well, we'll have the party there. I will send my familiars to guide you to it when we're ready. I want you all wearing your best outfits." She said. As Cassandra walked past, Astarte grabbed her, wrapping her arms around her shoulder. "First things though, I'm taking you to get some new outfits."
"Why?"
"As thanks. You managed to convince me to let you all rely on me for this battle as I was expecting too much of you too soon. Also, if I'm really honest, that outfit is starting to smell a little." Astarte stated. She stood to her full height and turned to Mephisto. She sidled up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ne, Aniue? You know how you adore me, well...can I borrow some money?"
"No."
She frowned and pressed herself closer to him. "Please Aniue? I'll give you a reward if you do." She purred at him, nuzzling the curve where his neck met his shoulder.
"...Damn you. Fine." He said. She let out a soft chuckle and held out a claw as he handed over the money.
"Thanks Aniue." She said, giving him a quick kiss before heading off with Cassandra. "Let's go."
Several hours later, a knock sounded on the dormitory door. "I'll get it!" Meiko yelled as she sprinted towards it, knocking Amixtri down the stairs in the process. She opened it to see Kitsune standing, waiting outside the door.
"My mistress, the glorious Princess Astarte, has gifted me with the honor of informing you that the party preparations are complete and I will guide you to the party." He said formally. Meiko turned and yelled.
"Hey guys! Kitsune's here! It's party time!" Everyone appeared in a variety of party clothes and gathered in front of the multi-tailed fox.
"If you would follow me." He said before turning and leading them towards the large mansion that stood atop the academy. As they got closer, they heard music faintly. Kitsune led them to a large door and used his tails to knock. Movement sounded on the other side and the doors creaked open to reveal Astarte in her "party outfit". They all stared. The outfit consisted of a tight, corset style top with off the shoulder sleeves that ended at her elbow then a secondary part of the sleeves hung over her wrists, extending from just below her elbow. Her skirt was short at the front but extended to the floor at the back whilst her feet were covered by what appeared to be a shoe similar to a ballet pump with ribbons extending up to her knees.
"Ah, you're all here. Great, come on in you come." She stood to one side and they entered before stopping and staring at the room. It was huge, a chandelier providing the lighting. "We weren't really sure what to do for entertainment so we thought have the music playing and we set up a games console with a dance game for you." She explained. They looked at it then began to separate out, some moved to take a seat whilst four of them went to the games console where Amaimon stood, setting it up.
"Just follow the dancer onscreen like a mirror" He said before going and walking to a large sofa where Mephisto sat. Astarte had disappeared but soon poked her head around the door.
"It wouldn't be much of a party if we left these two out." She said as she brought Sora and Chikyuu into the room, dressed in royal clothes. "Right, let's get this party started!" She said, clicking her fingers. The lights went out and were replaced by the dimmed lighting found in nightclubs. The music started playing a variety of popular songs. The game started, inviting the players to choose their songs. Everyone started to feel the tension ease and began dancing or chatting to some of the others.
"Mummy, why don't you and daddy show them how it's done?" Chikyuu asked whilst pointing to the few students dancing on the space in the centre of the room.
"We'll see what song comes on next." She said. As the song ended, the opening beat of "Sleepyhead" the neo Tokyo remix by passionpit sounded. Chikyuu and Sora both looked at them expectantly. "Alright. Come on Amaimon, let's show these lot how real demons move." Amaimon grinned and walked up with her before the two of them started to dance together. At first, they started dancing separately, their movements matching each other perfectly, before he grabbed her hips and pulled her close to him. They moved perfectly with each other, twisting and turning. Some of the group watched before beginning to join, dancing with each other on the floor.
In Gehenna, a young demoness stood training. She fought with demons three times her size and still she defeated them without breaking a sweat. As she turned, she spotted a messenger imp looking at her, his entire body quivering with fear. Her mother must have sent her a message inviting her to Assiah.
"What message have you got?" She asked, turning to collect a drink.
"I'm a...afraid it's bad news, Mikzuki. Your mother, the wonderful Lilith, is dead." She dropped the glass and spun.
"What?! How?! When?! Who?!" She yelled, rounding on the terrified imp.
"Just yesterday. She was murdered by having her body shredded and her heart ripped out and destroyed. It was the cor devorantem." The imp said. "Which means it could only have been done by one person. The princess Astarte is the only one in Assiah who could do that. Some of the forest demons said that it was because Lilith stole her sons."
Mizuki stood up straight, her ears and tail twitching in anger. "I swear I'm going to get revenge for you mother. Until either I perish, or that monster lies dead at my feet, I will avenge your murder."
Right, so I think that's pretty much every character that got submitted so far at least introduced partially. As for the party scene, that will continue at the start of the next chapter as well. So I would appreciate song ideas for them to dance to.
Astarte: You do know your probably leaving that open to at least one of those viral video dance crazes that are popular at the moment.
Probably, but I like to know my readers are appreciated and loved and all their reviews are read and appreciated. I love to include their ideas.
Astarte: Whatever, you weirdo.
That's rich coming from you!
Astarte: Da fuq is that supposed to mean?!
You know exactly what it means.
Astarte: Why you!
And before this gets violent, this is sayonara until the next chapter from me the psychotic author.
Astarte: Ciao from the demonic angel.