Celestial Death: Hello everyone! I am so so so so so very sorry that it has been so long since I've updated. I apologize for the lateness of this chapter, I've had most of it written for months, but I just was never satisfied with the end of the chapter, and whenever I work on it the chapter just keeps getting bigger and bigger, I keep revising and never seem to be satisfied. Anyway, I'm sorry. Writers are not allowed to thank reviewers individually in chapters anymore, so thank you to everyone, it means so much to me. To clear up a comment left by a reviewer, there is only one person writing this story, Celestial Death. It seems like two, I guess, since there are two fans, but I just kidnapped my best friend. She really has no say in any of it. Anywho, thanks again everyone, I hope the chapter was worth the ungodly long wait. And, once again, I am so very sorry.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except for Raina and Ebony…and any totally random people that don't exist in the two animes.
Chapter Six: Curse Of Shyness
Outside in Hellsing's lush garden Raina and Kurama have been admiring and talking about plants, as well as the differences between their worlds.
"You and your siblings seem close," Kurama says as he and Raina stroll slowly through the gardens.
"We are. We keep in contact and that's nice."
"It sounds like you have a good life back in your world."
"Hmm, yeah. We live in a nice area," Raina says looking at the plants with a small smile.
"You must miss your family very much. I imagine you're eager to return home," Kurama says glancing at her then looking away.
Raina's eyes widen and her serene expression becomes tinged with sadness. "I do miss them. Yet, an adventure like this isn't something that happens everyday. I wouldn't mind staying for a while."
Kurama glances at her and smiles slightly, "Hmm, a love for adventure. I will warn you, Raina, things will only become more dangerous. It won't take long for people to find out about the dimensional rift. Once that happens, we'll be fighting humans and demons alike."
"You think people will find out about the portal and it's source so soon?"
"A dimensional rift such as that is not easily hidden. For now, we'll work on your training and try to figure out what brought you here," a pause. "And how to send you back."
Raina nods and looks at the ground. Frowning, Kurama puts a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him and their eyes meet. Raina's heart skips a beat and her face turns slightly pink from his intense gaze. She finds herself becoming lost in his kind but determined looking eyes.
"I wasn't trying to upset you. I just want you to be aware of what's going to be happening. Raina, you don't have to worry. I won't force you to tell me anything. Furthermore, I won't allow anything to harm you. I give you my word," Kurama swears, squeezing her shoulder gently.
"I know. Thank you, Kurama," Raina says giving him a small smile.
Returning her smile Kurama releases her shoulder and they continue walking. After a while of strolling in silence Kurama slowly, tentatively reaches out his hand and carefully takes Raina's hand in his. Raina, who had been looking at a large maze of hedges, stiffens slightly but does not object. After a moment of hesitation Kurama laces his fingers with hers. They continue to walk in silence, slower than before. Kurama opens his mouth, about to speak, when he pauses. Hearing the slightest sound of laughter Kurama turns his head to the left, to be greeted by a surprising sight. He stops and stares at the sight of Alucard and Ebony cuddled together on the balcony.
"Isn't that Alucard and Ebony?" he asks just as the warmth of Raina's hand leaves his.
"Raina?" Kurama looks to the right, just in time to see Raina fleeing into the maze of hedges. He has a moment of confusion, before looking down at his hand. Eyes widening in realization Kurama heads into the maze, just as the last of the warmth from Raina's hand leaves his.
Running through the maze, face burning, Raina mentally berates herself.
'Ah! Curse my shyness. Curse my shyness. Oh Kurama. Why do I have to be so shy? Kurama must think I don't like him. That's not it at all! I know him, but I don't really know him so it's hard to respond when he does things like that. Kurama, please don't take my reaction the wrong way. Who am I kidding? How do you not take someone running from you after you hold their hand the wrong way? I'm doomed. Kurama, I'm so sorry. Curse my shyness!'
Slowly, Raina stops running and leans against the hedge holding her ribs and sucking in air. She tries to calm her emotions and becomes so lost in thought that she fails to notice the person behind her. A hand touches her shoulder and she hears a soft "Raina". Turning she finds Kurama looking at her with concerned, regretful eyes. Unable to bear his gaze Raina hangs her head like a guilty child. A tense silence hangs between them for several minutes before Kurama speaks.
"Raina, I…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed…" he trails off. "It was wrong of me to take your hand. We…we haven't known each other very long and it was very forward of me. I thought that…well, I'm sure you have a nice young man anxiously waiting for your safe return."
Kurama subconsciously clenches his hands at the thought of another man touching Raina, even something as minuscule as holding her hand. In all honesty, he does not regret holding her hand. He can feel Youko's amusement. Kurama has never had such feelings before. 'Her hand fit perfectly with mine,' he thinks idly, hearing a snarl of amusement and contempt from Youko. Kurama is so lost in thought he almost misses the words spoken by the source of his newfound affection.
"I…I don't have anyone waiting for me," Raina says, head down and face crimson.
"Really? That's surprising," he says muscles relaxing. "I'm sorry for taking your hand. Please
forgive me."
Glancing up, Raina takes in the image of Kurama; standing with his head bowed and asking for forgiveness when he didn't do anything wrong. Her heart aches with guilt and affection.
"I didn't mind," Raina says softly. "Don't apologize. It was nice."
Breath catching in his throat, Kurama looks up into Raina's eyes and finds only shy honesty. Kurama's eyes soften as he takes in her nervous demeanor and crimson face, finding Raina very endearing. Raina, on the other hand, can feel her face burning up from his warm but intense gaze and her shyness flares up full force. Mumbling out a quick, "I'm sorry" Raina turns on her heel and sprints off. Kurama swiftly follows after her and as he is about to catch her, a hedge shifts between them. Stumbling, Kurama stops before running into the hedge and pauses. He can sense Raina's spirit energy surrounding the plant.
"She moved the hedge?" Kurama mutters jumping onto the hedge and running along the top searching for Raina. Following the source of her spirit energy, Kurama finds her and notices her energy seems to be permeating throughout the maze. He watches curiously as the maze reshapes itself behind her.
"It would be impossible to follow her from inside, she's shifting the maze to cover her tracks."
As Kurama is about to jump in front of her, the hedge he is standing on rears up, knocking him back. He is then bombarded by leaves and twigs. Holding his arm in front of his face he tries to see. Then, as suddenly as it began, the hedge lies flat and the bombardment stops. Looking down into the maze Kurama finds that Raina has disappeared.
Back on the balcony, Ebony can feel herself relaxing more and more into Alucard's embrace. It is odd for her to so cuddly with him. Ebony has absolutely no experience in the romance department. She has never had a first kiss, a first date, and she has never been in the arms of a man before. Ebony's actions towards Alucard are far more revealing and foreword than she would normally behave. And yet, here she is pressed against him, she who hates hugs, unable to resist the need to touch him. Damn his vampiric charisma. A feeling of safety and a need for sleep wash over her and she presses closer to Alucard.
"Mm, I don't know about you, but I'm tired. I should probably go to bed," Ebony says.
"You have had a busy day. Perhaps you should go to sleep," Alucard agrees looking down at the human leaning so trustingly against him.
Ebony nods her head, but neither move. Chuckling Alucard begins to stroke her hair and holds her just a little tighter. Ebony begins to subconsciously press closer to Alucard and sighs in contentment.
Alucard grins and purrs, "If you come any closer we'll both be wearing this suit. Though I am enjoying this rather…intimate…embrace."
Crimson faced Ebony stiffens and tries to pull away, only to feel Alucard's arms tighten around her. Ebony squeaks as Alucard pulls her closer. Trying to calm her erratic heartbeat, slowly she leans her head against Alucard's chest. They stay like that for several minutes before a loud knock resounds on Ebony's door.
"Ebony? We got off on the wrong foot and should talk," Seras calls from the hallway.
Ebony stiffens in Alucard's arms and starts frantically pushing at him. He frowns down at her and allows his arms to loosen as she pulls free from him.
"You need to go. She can't see you. It would be so bad if she knew that we were just…I mean…well…just go," Ebony hisses in a panicked tone.
"Why would I leave? What we were doing doesn't concern the Police Girl," Alucard replies, eyes narrowing at her.
"I don't care. Just go. After what happened between us…what did happen between us? She can't see you...or us…together. People can't find out. I mean…ugh…I don't know what I mean. I just know you need to go. Now," Ebony says half talking to him, half muttering to herself.
"People can't find out? She can't see us together? Fine. I'll leave. I've grown tired of the company of an annoying girl-child that can't make up her mind and has the audacity to be ashamed of being with me. Don't worry you're foolish little head about my presence. I won't be returning to the likes of you," Alucard snarls darkly.
"What? No. That's not what I…" Ebony starts as Alucard disappears. "Meant."
She leans against the railing, head in hands, wondering how she managed to say exactly the wrong things. Of course she just had to say something that would offend the one guy that matters. Ebony fights back tears when Seras knocks on her door again, harder than before. Anger wells up in Ebony and she whips around, prepared to lash out at Seras, when her foot catches on the bottom of her pant leg and she looses her balance, tipping off the balcony. Arms flailing, Ebony feels as if her hands are catching on strings and ripping through them as a portal opens in front of her. Coming out of her shock, a shriek erupts from her throat just as the portal closes. Hearing the shriek Seras runs into the room and out onto the balcony. Finding Ebony's room empty she checks Raina's finding nothing.
"I know I heard Ebony scream. And I thought I heard Master earlier, but where is he?" Seras says leaving as a bad feeling comes over her.
While Kurama searches the maze, unable to pinpoint Raina's spirit energy, Raina has found the center. In the center is a large fountain and hundreds of roses, filling the air with a sweet scent and the soothing sound of water. Slowing down to a walk, Raina subconsciously uses her spirit energy to move the hedges, blocking off all entrances into the center. Sighing she sits on the edge of the fountain, head in hands.
"Curse my shyness. Curse my shyness. Curse my shyness. Kurama is so nice he even apologized. Oh, curse my shyness!"
As Raina sits there, despairing over her situation with Kurama, she hears a loud crackling behind her. Turning she watches with wide eyes as a portal opens and Ebony falls out into the fountain. A slightly drenched Raina stares at a fully drenched Ebony who is gasping and splashing about, trying to find her bearings. Calming, Ebony moves sopping bangs from her eyes and starts in surprise to find Raina.
"How did you get here?" Raina asks as Ebony shakily stands up.
"You know, I don't know," Ebony replies wading over to the edge of the fountain and sitting next to Raina. "I fell off the balcony and ended up here."
Raina stares at Ebony in horror. "You fell…off…the balcony?"
Ebony nods. "Right. I suppose I should explain." Ebony starts from the point when she left Raina's room and finishes at her graceful tumble over the railing.
"My arms were waving around like nuts, and it felt like I was getting caught on strings, then the portal opened and I ended up taking a dip in the fountain. Which hurt a lot by the way. That water isn't very deep you know, thanks for asking."
Raina stares at Ebony still absorbing and sifting through everything she was just told. Waiting for Raina to evaluate all thought processes, Ebony begins to wring out her hair and casts a gaze at their surroundings.
"That's certainly…an interesting development. To have a portal open…I wonder if it's some sort of imbalance we've caused in the universe, or if you have the ability to open portals. Not only that…but I'm beginning to suspect that Alucard knows the truth behind our hearts desires. I'm not sure what this means for us."
Letting out a loud growl, Ebony nods her head. "I agree. This is really intense stuff happening. Maybe…maybe I opened the portal with my panic a subconscious act of self-preservation. But, there is no way I have that much power. As for Alucard, I royally messed that up. He could have just been toying with me, but he seemed genuinely annoyed with the fact that I didn't want Seras to see us. I mean…I doubt I hurt his feelings, but it must be a pride bruiser to be told by a human…that has warm sparkly feelings for you…that they don't want to be seen with you. I can only hope he forgives me." A silence. "Hey. Where are we? And what happened to Kurama?"
"We're in the center of the hedge maze in the garden. Kurama isn't here," she gives a loud sigh. "Because I ran away from him"
Ebony stares at Raina, blinks, and then narrows her eyes. "You ran away from Kurama? Huh. Did Kurama do something I have to kill him for?"
Raina shakes her head. "No. He held my hand."
Ebony raises an eyebrow. "Oh. What a fiend he is holding your hand. I mean, how can you not see the bad in that?" She says voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I know he didn't do anything wrong, but I'm just so shy. What are you supposed to do when the guy of your dreams holds your hand? I panicked," Raina says in misery.
"Well, not run away for starters. Why don't you tell me what happened," Ebony says patting Raina's shoulder.
As Raina finishes her tale Ebony is torn between laughter and sympathy.
"Oh Raina, it's not as bad as you think."
"No? I ran away from him and then he apologized to me. That seems pretty bad."
"Well, the situation's not great, but at least there is a bright side. You know that he cares about you in a way that's more than friends. He's very much a gentleman, kind enough to apologize for his actions. Seems to me he likes you. And he's not mad at you for your reaction like a certain vampire. He's understanding of your feelings."
"I don't know. Maybe you're making too much of it," Raina says cheeks tinted pink.
"Perhaps," Ebony shrugs. "I still think you likes you. I wonder what Youko thinks of you."
Raina shivers, "I hope he doesn't hate me. I don't want to be eaten by one of his plants."
"Hn. Yeah, Heaven forbid. I would hate to fight Youko. I would die,"
Raina nods as she shivers again. They sit in silence, both contemplating recent events. Unbeknownst to them another person is in the center of the maze. Behind them, one of the statues on the fountain changes it shape and becomes a demon. Changing his hands into blades the demon rears back with a roar and the girls turn in shock. They stare in horror as the blades come down at their heads, frozen in fear. Raina's fingers dig into Ebony's shoulder as Ebony painfully grips Raina's wrist. They can hear Kurama's calls for Raina drawing closer, alarm evident in his voice.
At the sound of Kurama's voice the girls are torn from their shock and they scream. A shockwave of energy pulses off of them and into the demon, knocking him back several feet. They stare at him for a moment before running to the hedge closest to the sound of Kurama's voice.
"How the hell did this damn thing get sealed off?" Ebony snarls.
"I think I did it. It was open but I wanted to be alone so…" Raina trails off.
"What? How could you? Try to open it back up. And…uh…keep screaming for Kurama," Ebony says turning around just as the shape shifter gets up. Turning quickly Ebony pulls Raina into a tight hug. "Hey, stay safe okay? If I die you get my stuff, and bury me with Alucard's hat."
"What? Don't you think this is the wrong time? Wait…what are you planning to do?" Raina says suspiciously grasping Ebony's wrist.
"I'm going to be a distraction. If we both focus on the hedge we'll be lambs to the slaughter. This way there is a slightly better chance of one of us surviving without being horribly maimed."
"What! You can't do that. He's a demon, and you don't know what you're doing. He can make weapons out of himself and you are completely unarmed. It's suicide."
"Not if you quit yelling at me and get that hedge moved. I know this is stupid. But, I refuse to sit back and watch you die. As long as there is a breath in my body, I'm going to protect my best friend. Now hurry."
Ebony moves away from the hedge to confront the demon and Raina stares after her for a moment, before screaming frantically for Kurama and trying to focus her spirit energy.
As Ebony moves towards the fountain she wishes she had bothered to keep her steel toed boots on. The shape shifter snarls and pounces over the fountain coming straight for Ebony. She rolls out of the way and feels the ground shaking from the shape shifter's impact. There is a large crater where she was just standing. As she rolls up a spike shoots from the ground and Ebony stumbles back, narrowly avoiding impalement. The spike bends and follows her, impaling her in the shoulder as another comes from behind, puncturing her right thigh. Those are followed by another spike entering her right shoulder and a final going through her left thigh. It happens so quickly Ebony is stunned, wide eyes tearing up her face distorts in pain. The shape shifter snickers and raises her from the ground revealing that the spikes are in fact his fingers as his extended arm and hand are pulled from unearthed.
Ebony's blood begins to trickle down his fingers and drips onto the grass as a blood-curdling scream leaves her. Raina turns in horror at the sound of her best friend and stares in shock at the scene before her. She watches aghast as he raises his middle finger, about to deliver the killing blow. Heart seized with terror, Raina subconsciously moves the hedges, giving Kurama a straight path to the center. Now that the hedges are no longer shifting every few seconds, Kurama reaches the center almost immediately. As he pulls back his rose whip the shape shifter sends his other hand straight for Raina. Changing tactics Kurama tackles Raina to the ground, but the shape shifters blade grazes her stomach leaving a long but shallow gash. The shape shifter lets out an insane laugh and sends his middle finger skewering into Ebony.
There is screaming. Loud terrified screaming filled with unimaginable amounts of pain. After the first moment Kurama used himself to shield Raina from the view, he still is. It is something too gruesome for her to see. It is a sight nightmares are made of, and these are the screams that will echo in your head and keep you awake at night. Ebony's eyes stare lifelessly down at the demon. There is a trickle of blood at her throat and she is still suspended in the air, jerking at irregular intervals. She will remember this sight for the rest of her life as the most gruesomely wonderful thing she has ever seen.
The shape shifter had just enough time to nick her throat before dozens of bats blocked out the moon and descended on him in a violent craze. The anguished screams come from the shape shifter and they hold the promise of a slow and painful death. No matter how much he fights the bats reform and attack faster and more viscously. The bats greedily suck up the blood of the shape shifter while shredding him apart, flesh and blood spraying everywhere. The water in the fountain has become a deep pink and pieces of the shape shifter sink to the fountain's bottom. The shape shifter is in such agony he has forgotten about Ebony stuck to the ends of his fingers.
Ebony watches the gruesome scene in front of her with morbid fascination as a familiar feeling bubbles up inside of her. She decides she must be going into shock. It begins with a giggle, little and high pitched, then it grows into a chuckle until it is hysterical laughter. The sound of her laughter mixes with the screams until it is some sort of twisted harmony. At the sound of the laughter Raina jerks, trying to pull away from Kurama, only to have him hold her tighter.
"Raina, trust me when I say Alucard is protecting her and that he is doing…well, that he is doing very unpleasant things to the demon. Believe me when I say it's…you really shouldn't see it"
Raina nods her head and shudders wondering what Alucard is doing to cause such a sadistic chorus. The shape shifter pulls his hand free from Ebony and begins to attack in a greater frenzy. Alucard reforms into hell hounds and eats the demon in three agonizing crunchy bites, before turning back into his regular form, sans hat and sunglasses. Slowly Kurama releases Raina as Alucard turns to him.
"I have learned the current location of the targets we are looking for from that cur's blood. Sadly, I do not know why they targeted the girls. I doubt it will be long before they rally and move to a different location," Alucard growls out.
Kurama nods grimly and turns to Raina who is staring in horror at the carnage left in the once peaceful garden. Alucard walks over to the crumpled form of blood, tears and laugher that is Ebony, leaning down he scoops her up into his arms. He brushes her bangs out of her eyes and her laughter stops. Her eyes well up with tears and he strokes her hair as she sobs into his chest. They stay like that for a time before she slowly pulls away and offers him a shaky smile.
Alucard turns to Kurama, "We're going ahead. Bring Raina to the medical wing before she bleeds to death."
"All right," Kurama says turning to Raina and gently lifting her into his arms.
Ebony's eyes widen in panic and she reaches for Raina just as Alucard uses his vampiric abilities to transport them into the main hall. Walter approaches from behind planning on questioning Alucard about the ruckus from outside.
"Alucard, what was all the commotion about out--- Miss Ebony!" Walter yells as Alucard turns around.
"H…hey Walttterrrr," Ebony slurs as the world grows black.
Outside Kurama sprints towards the manor careful not to jar Raina's wound and to keep pressure on it. Though they have only known each other for a very short time, Kurama finds himself feeling very protective of Raina. Holding her closer he tries to put aside the deep feeling of aggravation he has. Had he only been a few seconds faster she would not be injured. Youko is stirring impatiently inside of Kurama, incensed by the emotions overtaking the normally calm male. While Kurama appears calm and collected on the outside, inside he his filled with foreign emotions.
Ebony wakes to find herself in a hospital room, Alucard leaning against the wall brooding and Walter talking to a nurse. Her body is aching dully and a glance at her shoulders confirms the fact that she has yet to be healed. She notices that her clothes were exchanged for that of a hospital gown. Her eyes drift to Alucard and she frowns.
"You were given a heavy sedative to relieve most of the pain. It will also numb your body, so you shouldn't be able to move your limbs. The medical staff is prepping for surgery now," Alucard says, looking at her from the corner of his eye.
"Oh, lovely. Where is Raina?" Ebony asks in a thread of a voice.
"She's in the next room getting stitches for her wound. It's not very deep but it's long, reaching from rib to rib and across her stomach. She should be fine."
"And me? Is this an easy thing or am I in risk of dieing?"
"I suppose you need to ask a doctor. But if they wait too much longer the scent of death will start to linger around you. Whatever will you do?"
"Hold on as long as I can. And then…be buried with your hat."
Before Alucard can respond Raina enters the room in a wheelchair pushed by Kurama. He brings her to the side of Ebony's bed and Raina takes a hold of her hand. She gives Ebony a smile.
"I'd squeeze your hand but I can't. Right, I want to be buried in a nice coffin, no cheap cardboard coffins for me."
Raina stares at Ebony aghast. "You aren't going to die. Don't even talk like that."
"It was a joke, a horrible awful joke. At least let me have my horribly morbid sense of humor. I'm sorry. It wasn't funny." They sit in silence. "Will you meditate with me? Just focus on drawing strength and healing."
Raina gives Ebony a sad smile and nods her head. Gripping Ebony's hand they both relax and slip into a semi meditative state. Several minutes pass quietly as the medical staff prepares and Kurama discusses the next move to make with Alucard and Walter.
As they talk Kurama feels a drastic spike in the girls spirit energy, which had depleted considerably. Pausing mid sentence he turns to look at them. Both have their eyes closed and from what he can see spirit energy is being drawn from the ground and settling into Raina, after a period it begins to flow through her into Ebony. Drawing spirit energy from the ground? No, it feels like spirit energy, but it isn't. Kurama turns the thought over in his head, looking at it from every possible situation. He concludes that they must be drawing life energy from the very Earth. Not enough to cause damage, but for some purpose.
Narrowing his eyes Kurama grabs some clean bandages from the cabinet and goes over to the bed. Carefully he wipes away at the blood on Ebony's shoulder to find the deep wound of impalement slowly healing. He watches fascinated as tissue reconstructs and the skin closes over the wound. The skin changes from a deep bruising to its normal healthy state. The same process begins on her other shoulder followed by her legs.
"Alucard. Walter. Come take a look at this," Kurama says.
"What is it?" Alucard asks watching Ebony's wound in her right thigh skin over.
"They appear to be drawing life energy from the Earth and using it to heal themselves. I've never seen this before. I'll have to contact Koenma. They seem to be completely unaware of their actions, and of us," Kurama replies studying them.
"How is this possible?" Walter asks as Ebony's final wound begins to reconstruct itself.
"Both have unusual amounts of spirit energy. But it's not constant. Most likely, they had normal levels of spirit energy in their world, with untapped spirit energy. Traveling to our world has allowed their spirit energy to increase in vast proportions, perhaps the unused spirit energy that has been building. It seems that subconsciously they are able to connect into their spirit energy and control it. Tonight Raina was constantly shifting the hedge maze with her spirit energy, but it was a subconscious action. Together, their abilities are greater, allowing them to alter the very reality around them consciously, the portal for example. But, even that was flawed. It had the opposite affect of what they hoped to achieve. If they learn how to control their spirit energy to it's full extent in a conscious state of mind, and combine their efforts into one, there is no possible way to gauge what they are capable of. But, they could go their entire lives without fully tapping their spirit energy," Kurama explains gravely.
"So if they gain full control of their spirit energy, and combine forces like they did on the spell for the portal, they are capable of anything. But that is only if they manage to connect with and control all of their spirit energy. Otherwise, they will either be normal humans, or still very powerful, just slightly less so?" Walter asks.
"I believe so."
"Bloody hell. If word of this gets out everyone and anyone will be trying to get these two and we won't be enough to stop them. We need to find a way to send them home immediately. It will probably be best not to inform the girls of their potential. I'll go inform Sir. Integra about this new turn of events," Walter says softly before leaving the room.
"We need to bring her to surgery now," a nurse says entering the room.
"That won't be necessary. She seems to have healed. Sorry," Kurama replies.
"Healed? But that's impossible. Her wounds were…" the nurse takes a look at Ebony's shoulders and legs. "But she had four puncture wounds. How is it possible?"
"That is not your concern. Get out," Alucard snarls.
As the nurse leaves, Raina and Ebony seem to come back to themselves.
"Why is the nurse leaving? Shouldn't I be going for surgery?" Ebony whispers.
"Take a look at your wounds," Kurama replies with a shrug.
"What?" Ebony and Raina look at her shoulders then her legs only to find no wounds. Carefully Raina pokes Ebony's shoulder where her wound was.
"It doesn't hurt. Oh Holy God! It doesn't hurt. What about you?" Ebony says as Raina carefully lifts her shirt just enough to reveal her wrapped stomach. Carefully unwrapping the bandages her stomach is revealed to have no stitches and no sign of ever being injured.
"What happened?" Raina asks in awe.
"Just as I suspected, you were both unaware. Together you drew life energy from the Earth and healed yourselves."
"Okay. So…are we free to leave the medical center?" Ebony asks.
"Yes. You're both healed. I suggest going to bed, you both need to fully regain your strength," Kurama says.
Alucard picks Ebony up off the bed and into his arms, much to her protest.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"You were given a heavy sedative, remember? You might be healed but the drug hasn't worn off."
With that Alucard disappears with Ebony into the ceiling. He takes her to her room before dropping her unceremoniously onto her bed.
"Oh God. That made me feel sick," Ebony says queasily.
"We need to have a talk about what happened on the balcony," Alucard growls and Ebony averts her eyes guiltily.
"We were all…snuggly, then Seras came…I asked you to leave…and you got mad…and then I tripped like a royal klutz and fell off the balcony."
"You fell off the balcony?" Alucard snarls taking a menacing step towards Ebony.
"Look! I am so far from experienced in the ways of romance or whatever the hell is happening between us. Seras came, I kind of panicked. I don't want people to see us like that, and make assumptions about us, when I don't even know what it means," Ebony says frustrated.
"How can you not know what it means?" Alucard sneers.
"You like to toy with people's minds. I doubt you would loose any sleep toying with me. If I saw the person I am in love with, embracing someone else in a very…intimate…way, and I don't get along with the person, I would die inside. It would break my heart to find out that way. To stumble upon them in a private moment. I would be sick," Ebony replies voice losing it's venom.
"My affairs with you in this matter do not involve the Police Girl. It is none of her business."
"I know that. I'm not ashamed of being with you Alucard. But I don't want the world to know yet. You know how I feel about you, and I'm terrified you're just toying with me. If you honestly don't feel for me one fragment of the intensity I feel for you, tell me now before I let you in to deep," Ebony whispers closing her eyes.
Silence is her response and Ebony opens her eyes to find Alucard gone. Her heart clenches in her chest and the urge to cry wells up inside of her. And then she feels something nudging itself underneath her arm. There is Alucard on the bed in his hellhound form, and he rests his head upon her stomach. Her clothes transform from the hospital gown to her pajamas. Ebony smiles at Alucard as he watches her with hooded eyes. She closes her eyes as sleep takes her, and the last thing she hears is Alucard's voice in her head.
"There is no place I would rather be."
Meanwhile in Raina's room she has just finished getting ready for bed, after she was escorted back from the medical center by Kurama in a semi-awkward silence. As she is about to get into bed, there is a soft knock on her door. Answering, Raina is surprised to find Kurama.
"Is there something you need Kurama?" Raina asks softly.
"May I come in and speak with you?" Kurama asks.
"Of course," Riana says, moving aside to let him in.
He enters the room and waits for Raina to close the door before speaking.
"I'm sorry about what happened in the garden. First, I made you uncomfortable and then I was unable to properly protect you."
"Kurama, it's not your fault. You did everything you possibly could to protect me from the demon…and as for before. I'm the one who should apologize. You didn't do anything wrong, it's just that…I'm terribly shy. I'm sorry Kurama."
"Raina, you have no need to apologize. I promised to protect you. Your safety is very important. If something were to happen to you I would become very…vexed. I've found that you have become someone special to me. And I don't allow any harm to come to those I care about," Kurama says reaching out and giving Raina's hand a slight squeeze. "Goodnight Raina. I'm just across the hall if you need me."
"Goodnight," Riana mumbles as Kurama leaves her room. Her heart beats rapidly while her face gains heat and deepens several shades of crimson. Climbing into bed, she turns off the light and whispers softly before falling asleep.
"He cares about me."
After Raina falls asleep Kurama silently enters her room and sits in the chair next to the balcony. Kurama knows that it is wrong for him to be in her room without her knowledge and permission, but it is obvious that danger is near and that it is aimed for the girls. If Raina knew he was here, she would most likely become tense, and then she would never be able to rest. This way, he is able to protect her and she is able to sleep in peace. Kurama's gaze wanders to Raina as she sleeps, happily dreaming away. His eyes soften and he feels a constricting in his chest.
"I won't allow anything to harm you," he vows to her softly.
Celestial Death: Okie. This is the end of chapter six. My longest chapter to date. It comes to approximately 15 pages. Once again I am so sorry that this took so very long. I hope you enjoy the chapter and if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve my story, feel free to tell me. Thank you all.