AN: Thank you to my Beta Amanda!
We have a bit of a treat for you this chapter! We get to see Shizuru's perspective in the latter half of the story and quite a bit more information is divulged about the history and politics of Knights and vampires ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-Hime
Warnings: Futanari story Vampire-Demon story with smut-like references.
"Talking"
"Thinking or P.O.V"
As I approached the Alpha-Beta house, I felt my stomach church and bellow. It was only six o'clock in the evening, but it seemed unusually dark for this time of day. As I scanned my surroundings, I concluded that the building looked like a typical frat or sorority house with its Greek architecture, just like all the others on campus. Its unremarkable appearance had perhaps made it unnoticeable to me in the past, and a part of me wondered if there was a reason for that. The only difference tonight was the banner featuring the Greek letters for Alpha-Beta displayed between the pillars. Some steps led up to the small platform before the door.
I noticed Nao hanging out with the busty redhead that I'd encountered during our first encounter at the Alpha-Beta booth. Nao leaned against the wall of the house as she stood on the stoop under the awning, cigarette in hand and attitude unchecked as usual. I wondered how she could be the vice president while looking like such a delinquent, and how she even got into this university. Was she only here to enjoy the 'benefits' she told me about? Thinking of it made me even further sick. As the rest of the girls slipped past me through the front door and sat around the front room amidst the chatter and buzz, I counted them off, noticing that there were thirteen of us in all. I was the only one who remained outside, still hesitant to cross the threshold of the door.
"So you decided to actually come?" Nao asked me as bent forward and put out her cigarette on the bottom of her boot.
She twisted the butt and smashed it into the sole as if she hated it. She flicked her eyes upward at me as she adjusted her posture to stand upright and I witnessed her irises flash from lime-green to gold. Who and what she was exactly was still a bit of a mystery: a vampire or a Knight? Whatever - it was apparent in that cold stare that she considered herself to be at the top of the evolutionary food chain. I would answer her as coolly as possible with my feet firmly planted into the ground. She wouldn't get the better of me.
"Depends. Did these other girls have the choice to come as well?" I asked.
"Everything is a choice, Kuga. Sometimes an answer may come in the form of verbal consent, while at other times it may come in...other ways," she smirked.
Nao turned her back on me and walked inside as I followed. I considered her words, mulling them over in my head as my mind battled with the whole idea of agreeing to join. While I may have been verbally protesting this entire time, I could not deny what my body and heart seemed to want. This was the chance of a lifetime. Not only did I have the chance to further my quest to solve the mystery of my father's death, but there were other inexplicably mysterious forces drawing me forward as I inched further into the room. My thoughts then wandered to Shizuru - the beautiful yet handsome knight who had sworn her allegiance to me just hours ago in some foreign ritual of fangs and hazed lust.
I positioned myself in front of her. To me it was symbolic in letting her know that I was not to be pushed around. Then as if to reaffirm my reasoning to myself more than Nao, I announced my decision. "Whatever choice you're talking, about you can save it. I'm here for one thing - to find out about my father."
I then turned away to explore my surroundings a bit. It looked like a normal house that any sisterhood on campus would employ for such meetings. To the left of me was a large marble fireplace nestled behind large wooden oak chairs before a coffee table featuring intricate carvings within its wooden surface and around its edges. The carpet was of a plush red and gold design underfoot and the room was dimly lit, setting a secretive vibe for the meeting. To my right, a large sectional sofa engulfed the room and snaked its way around more than one wall, aside from a revolving door in the corner which I could only assume led to the kitchen. A large stairwell opened up directly in front of me, leading to unknown rooms.
All of the girls sat around on the large, welcoming sofa. I decided to sit on the arm, however, not wanting to sit sandwiched between some strange girls who I did not know. I wanted Nao to know that I was the observer in this scenario, and that I still had a choice no matter what. Before me was the redhead who I'd already encountered and another, unknown woman whose blonde locks fell softly down her shoulders, much like the color of Shizuru's hair albeit a shade or two lighter. She emitted an aura of a lioness before prey as she watched us all shift and squirm. I couldn't put my finger on it, but this blonde haired woman seemed regal and dark, sort of like Shizuru but different.
She wore white pants with knee-high, black high-heeled boots, and like Shizuru she wore a choker, except this one was of a silver chain boasting a silver lion head of identical alloy; my eyes trailed up to her tight, button-up light blue top, which rested just high enough on her abdomen to reveal a pierced belly button. My observations were rather quick and most likely unnoticed to the untrained eye, and the last of the girls to join after closing the door was Nao, crossing her arms as she glared at the girls. There seemed to be no fear in their faces, almost as if they knew what they were in for.
"Listen up ladies," Nao announced, "This is our first night at Alpha-Beta of the new semester and before you pledge to this sisterhood, I will give one more chance to back out if you wish. For those of you who would like to stay, I welcome you."
She paused. Not a single one of us got up to leave.
"As all of you know, I am Nao Yuuki, vice president, and this woman to my left is Mai Tokiha, treasurer. This other lady before you is Haruka Suzushiro, the president of Alpha-Beta," she continued, gesturing to the light-blonde in the white pants I'd studied just moments ago. "Now that we are all gathered, I assume that either Mai or I have alerted you to the special requirements that are needed of you."
I watched as Nao nodded her head toward Mai as she spoke before Mai wisped herself away, busying herself with shutting all of the windows and checking the door once more. After she was done with her work, she settled herself into a chair by the fireplace to watch the scene unfold. I then felt a chill pass over me and felt that the air had turned frigid around my body as Haruka stood over me, her golden irises staring down at me as she placed an icy hand on my cheek. My heart pumped wildly behind my sternum as it occurred to me that this touch wasn't at all like what I'd felt from Shizuru. I felt as if I was a pet within this woman's hands. I looked her in the face and observed her pearly white fangs reflecting the dim lights of the room.
"Hmmm, it seems I am too late. Even with a proper invitation, that cousin of mine can be so very restive. Well, it is no matter," she said in a feminine, proper tone as she gradually lowered her face near to my own while she spoke. "Aren't you a curious little bird, Natsuki Kuga, meandering your way into the unseen realm? A word of advice: be careful not to go too far. Dangerous things lurk at night." With her last few words that she spoke, her voice lowered to a whisper, and her face twisted around to where her fangs lightly grazed my ear.
I grabbed my grandmother's Rosary through my shirt in a kneejerk reaction, the one thing that I hoped would provide me with protection. Everything about this woman reeked of harshness and bitterness, like the pounding of merciless rain against cold mountains. She may have been used to appropriating everything and everyone, but her display of royal arrogance was something I could not stand.
"Haruka, we do have a time schedule to abide by," Mai interjected.
Haruka straightened herself and I leaned slightly to the side as Mai smiled at me. She really did me a solid.
"Oh yes, I forget myself. Nao, please continue. I will be in my room. Welcome to the fold, ladies." A shorter woman with glasses stood to the side with a clipboard in hand and she followed Haruka up the stairs without so much as a look in my direction. Suddenly, my attention was drawn back to Nao as she spoke on the phone with an unknown party.
"Alright do it…" Nao whispered.
The center stairwell lifted, revealing a previously hidden room behind the obstruction.
"Now this is your last chance, ladies, if you do not wish to join the sisterhood of Alpha-Beta. There will be no penalty for any of you who desire to leave nor will we look down upon you for your decision, unless you fucking talk. So what'll be it, ladies?"
We all looked around at each other, and I noted more excitement than hesitation in the eyes of each girl. I wondered if I looked just as eager as they did. After a moment, it was obvious that, once again, no one wanted to leave.
"Now that you have made your choice, it is time for you to meet the other members of Alpha-Beta. Follow me," Mai announced, taking the lead.
I watched as everyone followed her without fear or vacillation. My mind mulled over the vampire lore I'd read about or seen in movies, and I remembered learning of the vampiric ability to hypnotize, but something told me that these women were not under the influence of any supernatural powers. I was the first in line and as I approached the conference room, I saw a staircase leading downward into a basement or dungeon of some sort. I knew I could make a break for the door if I wanted to leave, but my father's death and Nao's words kept a strong grasp on me as I willed myself forward, descending the hidden stairs into the unknown depths below.
I ascended the wall with ease, opening the window to the room on the second floor with a flick of my hand and wrist, smoothly gaining access to the dark room beyond. I folded myself inside, my black boots landing softly on the carpeted floor only to be greeted by Haruka. She saved me the trouble of seeking her out after she'd dared to touch my princess.
The dimly lit master bedroom was a fine, elegant room boasting a large hearth with a roaring fire opposite two oversized chairs, gold trim and black lace accentuating the details of the furniture. A four post, Victorian style bed swallowed up a good portion of the room to the left while Haruka's large oak desk spanned almost an entire wall to the right, facing inward toward the center of the room. Behind me, the wind blew past the white, chiffon sheers under the thick black curtains. I sat upon the window ceil and raked my palm down my black jeans toward my raised knee as my right leg curled under me, bracing my remaining weight against the wall. It quelled my itch to remedy my cousin's rebellion on the spot.
"Really Shizuru, my dear cousin, climbing through windows? Have you no pride as a vampire? Don't tell me you're here for the ceremony."
I felt my claws and fangs extending, and though I could retract them at will, I had nothing to hide from her. I had no desire to quarrel tonight, but I could not let her behavior slip unnoticed. Under my watch, no one would touch Natsuki. I approached the desk and slid a clawed finger across its polished, wooden surface as if I were carelessly letting my mind wander elsewhere. She would hear me and I would make sure of it.
"I should say the same to you cousin. You know it is far from wise to touch another Knight's princess. She does not belong to you," I affirmed.
Haruka smirked as she sat behind her desk. It was only a front to conceal her fear. I could smell it. She leaned back and looked pompously in my direction, golden orbs swimming with jealousy.
"If anything, I didn't know she was yours. Why must you always be so contentious Shizuru?"
Before she could react, I was out of her line of sight, the desk flipping over amidst scattered, airborne papers, my fangs fully exposed. I pinned her to the ceiling by the throat, ready to hang her from the chandelier as my anger swarmed throughout my body. Haruka feigned a weak smile, knowing she'd gotten under my skin.
"You dare decry my making Natsuki Kuga my princess?"
"Hahahaha!" she roared. "Really, is that all it takes for you to lose control? This is not like you. If anything I helped you."
Haruka was not fooling anyone, and I least of all. She was not of the type to ever help others, and ever since I achieved the rank of Master Knight of the four corners of the earth, I felt her jealousy growing in the shadows, boiling like magma folding into itself in an inescapable prison. Haruka had long ago given herself the title in her own deceitful, warped mind and yet a bond existed between us, knowing that we were among what little remained of our ancient bloodline. I remembered where my loyalties lie and unclenched my fingers around her throat, my face unflinching and our eye contact unbroken. We both were back on our feet in seconds and she adjusted her clothing as if she were collecting her dignity.
"My, my, losing your edge already. I'm wondering, just who is this vulnerable Shizuru before me? As I was saying before you so crudely tossed me around, this girl Natsuki is clearly a platonic interest."
"Spare me your silver tongue. It may work wonders on a tyro but you should know better than to attempt to pull the wool over my eyes, Haruka. I've a keen eye for your treachery, and you know the law that we follow is incontrovertible. She is mine," I stated.
"You make me sound like a despot. If I had not invited her to Alpha-Beta, you would never have tracked her," she retorted, grasping at what little logic she could conjure up.
I refused to play into her hands through manipulative means. I pressed on as the room took on a further bleak, dark tone, knowing that the subject at hand was touchy for us both, for different reasons. I had come for more than just rebuking and arguing.
"If you call forcing your complaisant dogs upon Natsuki in order to make her join this farce of a fraternity 'tracking' then you will find no pity from me when it comes to your plotting. Such methods are hardly reminiscent of the dignified practices of our forebearers. You will reap what you sow."
"This 'farce' of a fraternity was approved by you, do not forget."
I had other matters to discuss and forasmuch as Haruka was my cousin, she was also a source of information.
"Did you gather any further information regarding last night's attack on Natsuki?" I inquired. Haruka would draw out this argument to spite me if I did not flex my authority a bit.
"No, I found no motive for the attack. However, my team has stumbled upon a rather interesting find. We both know Natsuki is an astral projector. If her soul was to have perished last night during the attack, there would have been a gateway, or a portal."
"A gateway?"
"Yes, you see for someone with Natsuki's abilities, if her soul were to die at the hands of a demon, her body would be left open for possession. As you know, if there is an attack on a human from a demon, the demon is sent to hell. However, if the demon can reach and possess her body in time-"
"They cannot be sent back to hell," I cut her off, finishing her statement.
"Exactly. Do you know who this knight was before he was dethroned?"
"Yes, he was among the second legion who joined us when we made the pact all those centuries ago. He was among the 68th division, and knight to Princess Alexandra. His name was Brice."
"What became of his princess?"
"She perished the same way as Toru Kuga - suicide. I believe that we now have a similar phenomenon on our hands once more."
"What do you suppose is the motive for all of this?" Haruka asked, slight earnest creeping its way past the emotion rifts we'd just experienced.
"I do not know at the moment, but Natsuki is my top priority."
"And what about the Vatican? You cannot expect them to remain silent. Will you have words with them?"
"They have their hands full at the moment with some human affairs. They never will learn to balance the trivial and mundane with what is truly important. Thankfully their folly is to our advantage. I prefer that they stay out of my way, and out of our affairs," I answered.
"So you are of the opinion that we should be of assistance in this matter, though they offer neither help nor clues? Those fools! They let their own grand master Templar die and expunged the matter! The very idea of their so-called 'investigation' makes my cold blood boil!"
Not that it took much to do that to Haruka Suzushiro.
"That is true. Furthermore, I feel the Vatican is using this as evidence to ossify their case against us. You forget that our presence on this earth is a desecration to all of their holy laws. Our time in the Crusades was necessary but their plans to eradicate us were foiled, as you well know, and they still plot against us with no intention of letting us stay in this world."
"So what do you suggest? We just wait around for a solution to present itself while they sleep peacefully at night under the assumption that we will solve this problem?"
"Yes, for now. We have no better option for the time being. Patience, dear cousin. Until then, we guard our princesses."
"Just how do you suppose we do that?" she spat, obviously further dissatisfied with each answer. If left up to her, we would have marched straight off to war that very night.
"By any means necessary. If we must, we can mate with them or court them into our beds, as you know. It is perhaps the most infallible method of ensuring their safety. Mating establishes the unbreakable pact which will alert us of any danger or harm that may come to them."
"Mating with them - how are you so certain that the outcome of such a choice will lead to a peaceful resolution? How do you know that we will not be stripped of our titles if we mate with the humans, princesses or not?"
I fixed my eyes into a deadlock gaze with hers and smiled. I knew her secret. She more than fancied Yukino Kikukawa, though not many knew of their controversial past. Over the years I'd observed her from the shadows, dark with curiosity yet mixed with understanding as I watched my cousin fall for her.
"I don't see why this is so unnerving to you," I replied, "You know better than anyone what it means to deal with the consequences of mating with a human."
I folded my arms across my chest, enjoying my slightly venomous words, even if it was for just a moment. She knew I was right.
It was Haruka's turn to bare fangs. I knew that launching into a diatribe of her activities would get the reaction I sought, driving home the point I wanted to make.
"What's the matter cousin, you thought I did not know? Luckily I had a talk with my father and convinced him not to banish you. He covered your little antics with your human, so no need to act so histrionic."
Defeated, she succumbed to the notion that she could not argue after learning that I'd taken care her actions. Any negative attention brought to light regarding our bloodline would cause more grief and endanger anyone either one of us became close to.
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You've never taken a princess. How is it that you weren't dogged by the very law to which we were sworn to protect?"
"State your unseemly hypothesis clearly if you wish to insult me!" I raged.
Suddenly everything in the room was overturned in her anger. Her aura burst forth in a fit of madness. A gust of wind blew from the window like a knife into the room and I braced myself, unflinching, hard, and cruel against the ferocity of her gaze. A slight cut made its way across my cheek with a small line of blood trailing southward, but I barely noticed. A mere trifle, really. If my cousin was quite done with her child's play, I would have liked to have continued with our conversation without further interruption.
"Why aren't you a demon after all these years? Everyone knows that a Knight without a princess is no Knight at all! What makes you so exempt? I have seen many of my princesses leave this earth, and I fought every bloody battle with you for these humans, yet you were still placed above me!"
I let my face soften a bit, feeling perhaps a bit of guilt for the first time in five hundred years. All banter aside, she was a qualified candidate for the position which I now held over her and all other vampires and Knights. There was some truth in Haruka's words: because of her father's position in hell, she was presented with some opportunities and she did play by the rules, yet somehow still ended up getting the short end of the stick.
I betrayed myself perhaps a little in letting a sigh makes its way past my lips.
"You are right Haruka, but we cannot change what has been decided since birth. We can only dream each other's dreams. If only I could trade places with you, dear cousin."
I bowed out of respect for her and as a way of asking forgiveness for the harsh words that we had exchanged, hoping to quell the fire between us. I turned on one heel in silence and took the liberty of letting myself out as I knew I'd worn out my welcome. Haruka was a bit stunned by her anger, and regret pulled at my heart as I quietly shut her door.
My undead heart pumped life into my veins for the first time since I had set foot upon this earth. In my obfuscated mix of emotions, I pushed myself forward and slowly walked down the candlelit hall, toward that somber darkness of the world divine wherein I could find my princess. After years of death, decay, and betrayal, Natsuki was a breath of fresh air who filled my once lifeless lungs after I had waited so long. I wanted to give into my most carnal desires, but I knew the consequences of mating with a human. Vampires can mate with humans, but the repercussion of a Knight doing so could lead me to a place from which I might never return. I pressed on. My decision was already made. One taste of Natsuki's virgin blood was enough to tip me over the edge, pushing me nearer to the edge into the sublime yet wild, unexplored space of wanton lust. She was my ambrosia and I wanted more.
AN: Here you go everyone good old fashion vampire politics for you so if you were confused by the plot hopefully this should solve out some answers