"I'm afraid I can't do that, Oliver." Hoshi replies sadly.
"…why not?"
"Well, aren't you betrothed to that psycho dragon demon?"
"Lord Hiroto set that. I did not choose her." –It wasn't fair.-
"Do you love her?"
"I don't even like her." –I like you.-
"Then may I… steal you from her?"
"You may do whatever you wish." –Please do.-
"Very well then." She smiles.
"You serious?" –Please please please please please…-
"Yes, I would be delighted to be your girlfriend."
"…Can I have a hug now?"
"Absolutely." She laughs, rising and glomping Oliver.
( The Southern Castle)
"What to do about Oliver… A HA!" Setsuko jumps out of her chair at the lunch table. "I've got the best idea in the whole world!"
"What's that Setsuko? Do you have a problem we should know about?" Hiroto looks skeptically at his daughter.
"No…" Setsuko sits back down and tries to contain her excitement about her new found plan. "It's nothing… honest."
"Ok… I won't ask." –I hope it's not one of those world domination things again.-
"Hey, father?"
"Yes my daughter?"
"It s alright if I go to the Western Lands for a few days? Please?"
"Why?" –Not to reek havoc I hope.-
"I want to see how Oliver is doing." She smiles innocently.
"Sure." –It's good to see that they want to spend time together before their marriage ceremony.-
"Thanks." –I can't wait until I get there so that I may unleash my master plan.-
(Back the Western Castle)
(That afternoon)
"Hey Bro?" Kagome knocks on Khan's bedroom door. "Hello? Are not there or are you just ignoring me?" She slowly opens the door. She bursts out laughing at the scene before her. Khan, asleep on his bed, has his arms wrapped around Kurai, who is also asleep and in turn, has wrapped her arms around Khan's waist; her head resting on his chest.
Khan begins to stir so Kagome attempts to stifle her laughter. –Hmm… I slept really well… I'm completely healed too…ah the benefits of being a healer… Wait a minute. Someone is laughing. Who dares laugh at me? I shall smite thee with one powerful stroke of my trusty whip!- He opens his eyes to see Kagome across the room on the floor laughing uncontrollably. "What is so funny?" He growls.
Kagome looks over at him still laughing. "Sorry… I… didn't… mean to… wake you…"
"Well you did. So tell me what the hell you are finding so funny."
"I told… you that… you liked her…" She laughs.
"What?"
"You and Kurai look so cute together!" She runs off.
"…?" He looks down to find Kurai attached to him. –Oh great.- Then he notices that he's holding onto her. –Uh…- "Damn it Kagome get back here! This is all your fault!"
-Sure, blame me for something you did yourself.-
-I did not do this!-
-I'm assuming that you're completely healed now?-
-Ya, so?-
-And how did you sleep last night?-
-Surprisingly well, I – Kagome!-
-You said it yourself.-
-Get over here so I can kill you.-
-Why?-
-Because I said so.-
-Or is it because you refuse to leave Kurai's side?"
'She has a rather good grip on me.-
-So?-
-I can't pry her off.-
-Or is it that you do not wish to disturb her?-
-…Would you just shut up, get over here and help me!-
-You're on your own with your girlfriend. Why don't you just relax and enjoy your quality time. Bye!-
-Kagome!-
No response.
-KAGOME!-
Still no response.
-Damn it!-
(Outside)
"And what have you two been up to?" Kagome asks her two giggling children.
"We tied Master Jakken to a post!" Lindsay-chan exclaims gleefully.
"Does Okaa-san what to see?" Rin inquires happily.
"Sure." Kagome laughs.
"Follow us Okaa-san!" Rin starts to run.
"I'll beat you there!" Lindsay-chan challenges as she takes off into the air.
"You can't catch Rin!" The little girl tries to run faster.
"Well I can catch both of you." Kagome states as she runs after them.
(A few hours later)
"Hey Kagome?" Ayame looks across the dinner table. "Would it be ok if I take the kids out?"
"Out where?"
"If I take them out… what you call camping."
"Depends on where you're going I guess."
"I don't think that's such a good idea." Khan intervenes.
"Why not Bro?"
"What if they're attacked? It's dangerous for them outside these walls."
"Lindsay-chan and Rin should be able to manage ok." Kurai speaks up. "I taught Lindsay-chan how to use metal fans."
"Oh great, just what we need, children that can wield a weapon. And what did you teach Rin?"
"She can use metal fans as well. I taught them both the same weapon so they can do combine attacks. Being so young, by using the same weapon with the same attacks but working together to combine the different attacks, their overall power would be magnified so that they can help defeat a bigger opponent. Going outside would help them become stronger."
"See Khan? Nothing to worry about." Kagome smiles.
"Whatever! Apparently this place is run by females!"
"Well you're the only guy here besides Oliver."
"Who's too busy being on cloud 9 to care!"
"Not my problem. When will you be leaving?" Kagome asks Ayame.
"In the morning, I think, would be best."
"Any idea how long you'll be gone?"
"I'm not sure but if it's over a week I'll send you a message."
"Sounds good to me."
(The next day)
"Ok kids, its time for you to leave. Ayame and Sen are all set to go." Kagome calls to the two girls who are currently running around in the fields.
"Why is Master Sen coming?" Lindsay-chan asks.
"He's going to help Ayame make sure that the two of you are safe."
"Rin is going to miss you Okaa-san!" Rin cries, attaching herself to Kagome's arm.
"It's alright. I'll see you when you come back in a few days. Don't worry Rin; you'll have a lot of fun. You and your sister are going to learn a lot from this experience."
"But what if Rin can't sleep without you reading to her Okaa-san?"
"Ayame has agreed to read to both of you."
"We're going to have a lot of fun Rin! I can't wait to start! C'mon Rin! The adults are getting too far ahead!" Lindsay-chan encourages her sister.
"Ok! Let's catch them!" Rin exclaims.
"Have fun you two." Kagome smiles as she hugs them. "And behave."
(Later)
Setsuko arrives at the castle. "Now… to find Khan…" She decides to fly to the top of the castle so that she may scan the outside area. She spots Khan in one of the training rings, practicing different attacks with his whip. She flies over and gracefully lands on the fence. "My my you're good with a whip." The sound of her voice startles Khan. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Aren't you supposed to be at the Southern Castle? What are you doing here? What do you want?"
" I thought you'd be happy to see me." She smirks.
"Why don't you go bug Oliver, he's in his room."
"But I'm not here for Oliver…" In a flash she is standing in front of him and looking directly into his eyes. "…I'm here for you…" She whispers seductively.
-OMFG! This better not be another Kikyo episode! I do NOT want to go through that again! EVER! It was so disturbing… I couldn't sleep for a few weeks afterwards.-
"Why don't you and Oliver switch places… I know you're a much better deal then him. I can easily change my father's mind. Why don't you come play with me?"
-It is! Aaaaa!- He stands there paralyzed.
"How about it Khan? What do you say to my proposal?" She reaches out a clawed hand to touch his face.
Her hand is immediately slapped and she is shoved backwards when her hand is just inches from Khan's face. "Back off little dragon, this wolf is already mine." Kurai appears between them, looking not so happy.
"Who are you!?" Setsuko demands.
"I'm his girlfriend, bitch. How dare you try to seduce my silver wolf."
"Oh please." Setsuko rolls her eyes. "He can do a lot better."
"Really? Then tell me how."
"I am MUCH better then you. I –" She is immediately pinned to the ground with a dagger at her throat. –WTF!?! Where did that come from!?!-
"I challenge you to a duel…" Kurai slaps her across the face. "To the death bitch, at noon. Prepare yourself to die at my hands." Kurai lets her up and starts to walk away.
"And the victor gets Khan!" Setsuko yells.
"So be it. You will see me then." Kurai disappears.
Khan is still standing there. –That was hot! – I mean, what am I? A piece of meat?-
"I guess you'll just have to wait for me Khan, sorry." Setsuko turns to Khan. "I'll see you then alright?" She walks off.
"Well I'm not staying here." Khan flees to the safety of his room.
(Oliver's room)
Kurai walks in to find Oliver sitting on the windowsill looking down at something (or someone). "Oliver?"
"Ya?" His gaze doesn't leave whatever is outside the window.
"Would you mind if I killed your betrothed?"
"Setsuko?"
"Yes, would you mind if I killed her?"
"I personally wouldn't but…"
"What?"
"…"
"Oliver? What were you going to say?"
"…"
Kurai goes over and looks out the window to see Hoshi working in her garden, singing to herself. She grabs hold of a curtain and pulls it across the window.
"Hey!" Oliver attempts to see through the fabric and fails. "What do you want!? Can't you see I'm busy!"
"Not until you finish your sentence."
About what?"
"… About me killing Setsuko." Kurai is starting to get annoyed.
"Oh, that. Lord Hiroto might care. She is his daughter after all. Now can you please let go of the curtain?"
"Fine." Kurai releases her hold on the curtain and it falls back into place. She leaves the room and goes to her own room.
(Kurai's room)
"Now what weapons should I use… hmm…"
(1/2 an hour later)
"I think I'll choose them at random during battle."
Khan walks in. "What the hell was all that about?"
"What?"
"Don't try to cover up what you've done by playing innocent. Do you even know what you just did?"
"I challenged a little dragon who invaded my space. I don't see what the problem is with that."
"Setsuko is Lord Hiroto's daughter."
"So?"
"She's royalty!"
"I don't see your point."
"It would look extremely bad if you killed her. A lot of demons would be mad."
"I don't care what other demons think. So why should I care?"
"You could be killed for challenging a royal!"
"And that would bother you…"
"Hell ya it would bother me! I like you damn it!" –Oh crud.-
"Yay!" Kurai glomps Khan in a big hug. "I like you too!"
"…" –I think I just sold my soul…-
Kurai looks up at Khan. "Are you going to watch me fight this afternoon?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
"Good, cause I can't fight without you by my side."
"You know I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to watch you fight." –Cause I think it's hot! - I mean, because it's very entertaining to watch.-
"I will have to call my sister to see where she is. I'm sure she could talk to Lord Hiroto and come back in time for the fight."
"You… have a sister?"
"Yes. We were separated when the ogres attacked us during the night. I haven't heard from her at all and I don't know which direction she was chased in."
"How long were you running from those ogres?"
"… About a week."
"A week! No wonder your condition was so bad!"
"There was more then 5 when the chase started. I managed to kill off one each day."
"So half of them went after your sister and half of them went after you. Correct?"
"Yes."
"For being ogres they were well prepared to handle the two of you. Who is your sister?"
"Zeta. We're actually twins but you'd never be able to tell."
"How do you intend to call her?"
"I can talk to her telepathically when we're separated by long distances through meditation."
"Alright. Then I'll leave you alone for a little while." He walks to the door. "I think I'll go bother my sister…" He leaves.
Kurai sits in the middle of the floor and starts to meditate, trying to find her sister.
–Zeta?-
-Hey Sis! What's up?-
-Where are you? Why haven't I heard from you?-
-I've been recuperating, sorry.-
-Where are you?-
-At the Southern Castle.-
-You're at Lord Hiroto's place!?-
-Ya, why?-
-I need you to ask Lord Hiroto for his permission that I can kill his daughter Setsuko.-
-Why would you want to do that?-
-Cause I ended up here, at the Western Castle. I met a silver wolf named Khan; he's mine by the way so you can't have him. But Setsuko tried to steal him from me so I challenged her to a duel to the death.-
-That bitch. Hold on, I'll ask.-
(15 minutes later)
-He says it's ok.-
-Really? I thought he'd be mad because she's supposed to inherit the Southern Lands.-
-That isn't a problem anymore. See Hiroto found me in his woods and defeated the last of the ogres. He's been helping me get better ever since.-
-So?-
-We've gotten along quite well and he asked me to be his daughter.-
-He did what?-
-Ya, so… then I told him about you and he had no problem with that. So we are now his daughters. Isn't that cool!?-
-… Sure…-
-When's the match?-
-At noon.-
-That's just in a few hours! I'll get Dad and head over. I already have a purple crescent moon but you don't have one yet so he'll have to give you one. Wait till you see your room! I have my very own drawing room!!-
-What is going to happen to the Southern Lands if I kill Setsuko?-
-Nothing bad. Actually it's something fun.-
-Ok, how about telling me.-
-It will be ours.-
-Are you kidding me?-
-No. Isn't that the coolest!?!-
-…Sure…-
-Well gee, don't sound so excited!-
-I'll be excited once the initial shock wears off.-
-Whatever. See you in a few hours!-
-Ok. Bye.-
-Later!-
"Unbelievable…" Kurai looks up at the ceiling. "Trust my sister to completely take over someone else's spot and find it exciting."
"Did you talk to your sister yet?" Khan walks in.
"Yes, I did."
"And?"
"You're never gonna believe this…"
"Try me."
"She's been living at the Southern Castle. And she's gotten both of us adopted as Lord Hiroto's daughters.
"…"
"Khan?"
"…"
"Khan?" Kurai gets up and waves her hand in front of Khan's face. "Hello?"
"…"
"Let me know when you're back."
(1/2 an hour later)
"Are you kidding me!?" Khan spazzes out.
"You're back!" Kurai hugs him. "And no, I'm not kidding."
"So then Setsuko… is your sister."
"No, she's not. She's an evil step sister that I was recently told that I may kill."
(15 minutes before noon)
"Dude! Sis over here!" An 8ft. female demon with a purple foxtail waves at Kurai and Khan. She has long, dark purple hair, black eyes and a purple crescent moon on her forehead. "Hi!"
"Zeta!" The two of them hug. "You sure got here fast."
"Dad flew us here. It's so cool to fly!"
"Dad?"
"Oh yea! You don't know each other yet! Dad…" She gestures to the dragon demon. "Meet my sister." She points at Kurai.
"Hello Kurai." Hiroto greets her.
"Um… hi… Lord Hiroto."
"I believe Zeta has told you that I have adopted the both of you?"
"…Yes…"
"Then there is only one more thing left to do."
"What?"
He steps closer to her and touches her forehead gently with an index finger. A moment later a purple crescent moon appears there and he hugs here. "I am happy to see you, my daughter."
"WHAT!" Setsuko separates them and glares at Hiroto. "How dare you call her your daughter! I am your only one!"
"Oh no you are not. And don't you dare touch my sister before the match you bitch." Zeta gets up in her face.
"I thought I got rid of you!"
"Dad decided it best that I stick around, so sorry to disappoint you."
"Setsuko, get away from Zeta." Hiroto demands.
"But father! She's the one that got in my face!"
"I don't want to hear your whining. If you die during this match it will be of no loss to me."
"Father! Do you even hear yourself!? They must've poisoned you!"
"No, they did not. My daughters would never think of doing that."
"They are NOT your daughters!"
"Oh yes, we are." Zeta taps the crescent moon on her forehead.
"FATHER! How could you! How could you do this to me!?!"
"You were never a daughter to me Setsuko, not in the sense that it should have been. You were controlling and threatened everyone so no one wanted to teach you anything or even watch you. You were usually off with some sort of lover thinking you could rule over everyone until I set the betrothal of you and Oliver. Then no one wanted to go off with you for fear that they would all die at my hands. So you became bitter and tried to poison me several times. You never cared a shred for the Southern Lands, just for the power and title you would wield. I hereby strip you of your royal title." He grabs hold of her hands with one hand and lays his other hand over her crescent moon. She screams as he starts to remover it.
"Aaa! What are you doing! That BURNS!"
"It will only hurt for a short while."
"AAAAA! I'll tell mother! I swear I will!"
"Your Mother is DEAD! All of your poisoning finally killed her!" Hiroto cries as he shoves Setsuko away. "After this match I never want to see you again." He walks off.
"We'll be back in a few minutes." Zeta speaks up. "Hey Dad! Wait up!" She runs after Hiroto.
"The duel will begin in 2 minutes! Fighters take your places in the ring!" Kagome shouts.
"Hold on a sec, you're forgetting something." Khan grabs hold of Kurai's hand and pulls her to him.
"Huh?"
He kisses her gently on the lips. "…Good luck." He walks off to the sidelines, a light shade of pink.
"…" Kurai walks into the ring, Setsuko appearing on the other side, looking very pissed off with a burn mark on her head from the removal of her crescent moon.
"There have been no rules set for this match! As far as I have been told, anything goes!" Kagome states so that everyone can hear her. "May the best opponent win!" She leaves the center of the ring to join Khan, sitting on the grass, to watch. Hiroto and Zeta sitting near them, all on Kurai's side of the ring.
-Oh great, here goes nothing.- Kurai thinks to herself.
Setsuko stands facing away from Kurai, gathering energy in her palm, the vibrant red aura covering her hand. Kurai takes out a small dagger, it starts to shake in her hand.
-What have I done…- Was the only thought in her mind.
Setsuko let out a cry and pointed her fist at Kurai; the aura went from her straight to Kurai's body. Kurai raised her trembling hand as Setsuko ran at her with everything that she had in her. Kurai blocked the aura blast and the dagger broke. Shards of the dagger fell everywhere and most of the shrapnel landed in Kurai's arm. One huge shard was imbedded in her neck/ shoulder; she winced and screamed. Kurai stepped back and took out a set of throwing stars and started to throw them at Setsuko. The first one missed her head by mere inches as the next soon followed.
"WHAT THE HELL?!?" Setsuko screamed.
"… The next one will not miss." Kurai states as she throws another star at Setsuko.
"Oww!!!" Yells Setsuko as she falls to the ground, the star halfway imbedded in her leg. "You'll pay for that one bitch!!"
"Hey she's my bitch, hoar!!!!" Khan yells. Everyone looks at him with an incredulous look on their faces. "…What? I am just stating a fact."
Kurai takes the opportunity to jump on top of Setsuko, in the process switching the throwing stars with a katana, in her hand.
" I don't want to kill you Setsuko." She starts to bring the katana closer to Setsuko's throat. " …But I will if I have to."
"Well to bad today isn't your lucky day." Setsuko says maliciously. She uses a hidden knife under her robes to stab Kurai in the leg, acid on the knife starting to enter the wound.
"Gahhh!!" Kurai takes the sword and slices off Setsuko's head. Acid slowly falls from the head of her and her body.
Kurai rolled off of her body and got up slowly, walking toward the edge of the ring. She looked at Khan and feinted. Khan was beside her in a flash and caught her, taking Kurai and leaving the ring, heading toward the woods.
"Kurai…" Hiroto starts to go after them but is stopped by Kagome.
"Please, Lord Hiroto. Give them some time, she'll be alright."
"Are you sure she doesn't need me?"
"She is in my Brother's hands. There is no place safer then that for her. Trust me."
"If you say so Lady Kagome. I am obliged to restrain my thoughts and actions to whatever it is that you wish of me, this being your land."
"I would hope that you would just trust me as a friend and not because it is law. I'm sorry you feel that way." Kagome walks off to the castle.
"Dad! Now you hurt her feelings!" Zeta shakes her head. "I know you're still suffering inside because of Mom but Lady Kagome would never do us any harm. She has a family and kids that she cares for. Have you seen any of the Western Lands' people? They all love her. Why? Not because they're supposed to like her, but because she cares for them. She cares about what happens to every little thing, whether she wants to admit it or not. Look at her brother; did you not see the compassion and feeling in Khan's eyes when Kurai looked at him before she feinted? He loves her. You have nothing to worry about."
"I'm sorry Zeta."
"Don't say you're sorry to me. Go apologize to Lady Kagome."
"Alright. I'm going." He hugs her. "You're such a good daughter."
"That's my job!" She smiles.
"YES! I'VE FINALLY MADE IT!" They look towards the castle to find Touketsu dancing around in front of the door; a short glimpse of Kagome shutting the door behind him doesn't go unnoticed either. "I'M FINALLY OUT! I'M FREE! FREE! FREE!"
"That isn't… who I think it is…." Zeta looks horrified. "Please no…. I thought he was gone for good this time…. Aw man…"
"You've been here this whole time Touketsu?" Hiroto asks the hyper demon.
"Heck ya I was!" He then realizes who he's talking to. "Lord Hiroto! My apologies, I didn't know it was you!" He bows. "I was imprisoned within this maze for days! It was only by the use of my great intellect that I was able to escape with me life!"
"I see…"
"Therefore I am better skilled then by brother! For he would've not been able to complete such a dangerous task for those that are cleverly skilled!"
"Uh huh…."
"As the better champion I humbly ask that I be labeled as the much more skilled ice master!"
"… Why don't you discuss that with my daughter…." Hiroto gestures to Zeta. "I have something else to attend to…" He enters the castle.
"Dad! You can't just –" The castle door shuts behind him. She sighs. "Never mind…" She turns to Touketsu who is currently dancing around her. "Will you stop that!" She shoves him over.
"Hey! I wasn't done yet!" He gets back up and continues to dance around her.
"You… are… infuriating…" Zeta growls. "Are you quite finished yet?"
"No! Not yet!"
"…" She sets his tail on fire.
"Aaa!!! I'M ON FIRE!" He flails around.
"Now you are." Zeta smiles in appreciation of her fine work.
"I'M ON FIRE! HELP! HELP! HE-"
"Will you shut up!" Oliver is standing in front of him in a quick flash. "You're an ice demon for goodness sake and you can't put out a simply fire!?! Just use your common sense! Oh right… you don't have any… what a shame. Go jump in the pond over there!"
"Weeee!" Touketsu runs and jumps into the pond. "Look at me! I'm swimming!"
"Why did I have to have a twin… why…..?"
"I like my twin."
"That makes one of us." Oliver turns to see Zeta. "Hello Zeta."
"Oliver."
"I'm just gonna… leave now."
"Ok. Have fun."
"Ya just, make sure my brother doesn't drown."
"But that would be amusing."
"I know. But he's not allowed to die yet."
Zeta sighs. "…ok…" Oliver runs off, to who knows where.
(Inside the castle)
Hiroto starts to search various rooms on the 1st floor with no luck in finding Kagome. He locates the staircase for the next floor and decides to try his luck.
(A few hours later)
Hiroto finally reaches the 5th floor. "How fast can she get through this castle? How many floors are even left?" He looks around. "Well let's go over the floor plans…" He creates a picture in his head and studies it for a few minutes. "Only the towers from this floor. That's good." He searches some more rooms. After even more time has gone by he gets to the last room, which just happens to be in the tallest tower, so he starts climbing stairs. "And all of this just for an apology. Though I really am sorry, this is a pain. She knows how to hide really well and where." As he finally reaches the door he finds it locked. "Oh great, lets just make things more complicated for everyone." He melts the lock with a few light flames. He then presumes to gently open the door. The scene before him makes him stop in his tracks to take in every little detail, his eyes wide in horror.