Disclaimer: I do not own HP, but I DO own the Monogatari characters/friends and their stories outside the HP world.
VERY IMPORTANT: The alternate ending for Iris...the ending my mother got and those readers on my LJ f-list got includes this extra chapter. So, if you liked Iris and would like to see the true ending, then disregard the epilogue you already read, possibly re-read chapter 26 and then continue on from here...I will post the alternate ending's epilogue as soon as I get this up.
Also, on my profile page at the very bottom I link you to a post about Iris...about all the things I didn't tell you about it if you are interested...it is not friend locked so anyone can read and comment.
And also, remember long time ago in an A/N when I stated this was in the Lucius/Hermione category because there was some Lucius/Hermione in it, but I was not telling who she would end up with ultimately? Yea...why do people still complain about it not ending Lucius/Hermione when I did warn there was no promises...hmmmm...and (laughing) I was told this did not belong in the romance category. I suppose for some romance equals graphic sex.
Chapter 27
And a New World Begins
As the green light shot from her wand and the look of utter horror fell over Lucius' face, Hermione did the only thing she could think of. She faded her and Kuro both out of the fray with the echo of the indignant cries of disbelief and the roaring sound of the Dark Legion taking control echoing in her ears.
She knew where she would fade to. Karasu had already told her as much. The closest anyone could fade to the Monogatari estate was the beaches below the cliff. The roaring sound of the ocean waves suddenly filled her ears and the soft gritty feeling of sand beneath her filled her senses right before the ice cold water crashed down on her. So, she faded a little too close to the waters edge…much closer than what Karasu had done. This was obviously going to take some practice.
But she didn't have time to linger on those thoughts. As soon as the wave that had crashed down upon them pulled away, taking some of the sand beneath them with it, she felt her body being wrenched away from Kuro's, her grip not strong enough to keep a hold of him. It wasn't the wave that pulled her away. She felt a strong arm around her middle; one hand covering her eyes, keeping her head pressed against her captor's chest and heard someone whisper into her ear.
"Never fear, Poppet…your new hero is here."
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They stood above the fallen, in the middle of the massacre of what would one day be called the Vampire War by the wizards and the Royal War by the vampires. The dead lay fallen at their feet, the coppery smell of their blood permeating the air bringing a smile to Chi's lips. They were on a mission though. Together with some key members of the Dark Legion they searched through the dead, searching for their Prince and Princess.
They were beginning to lose hope, fearing the royal couple would be added to the growing list of missing and presumed dead. And then Ayame found it. Her wand lay there, near the dead body of Lucius Malfoy. It hit him like a brick in the gut. It was a piece of her; the only piece of her that was found and it was as if it was evidence to her demise. It was all that was left.
"NO!"
They all turned to look at the normally bitter vampire to find him frantically shaking his head as he dropped to his knees and bent over as if in pain. The other Monogatari approached, slowly, cautiously. Rui, understanding the pain Ayame felt, Chi knowing now was not the time to enjoy the smell of the blood around him. Rui placed his hand on Ayame's shoulder.
"We must assume Kuro was with her," he said sadly.
Ayame nodded, but said nothing.
"He was destined to save us, Ayame and he did."
Ayame nodded again. Yes, Kuro was destined to save them from that curse and ultimately he had. If not for Kuro, Hermione would not have been a part of their lives, they would not know her blood and Chloe's were key and Hanajima would not have found a way around the girls' death like she had right before the war. It would take five weeks for the potion to take effect once it was drunk. And just that morning they all took their potion and began looking at families to hand the crown too.
They would be normal again.
Generations would not be born wondering who would carry the curse any longer.
When the three men finally entered the doors of the estate, weary, tired and saddened by the horrifying loss that day, they were attacked by a very hyper, worried, talkative Chloe. She ran down the stairs and nearly right into Chi as she talked faster than they had ever heard her do before, her body seeming to jump up and down with each word as if that would help it come out faster. None of them seemed able to decipher what she was trying to say. Chi's forehead scrunched up in confusion and frustration.
"Chloe-chan!"
The roaring sound of Chi's voice brought the young woman's rant to a halt. She stopped, a calmness overcoming her as Chi stepped forward, gripping her shoulders and looking her in the eyes.
"Slowly, Chloe-chan."
She nodded and took a deep breath. Rui and Ayame could both see it took great effort on Chloe's part to remain calm while she told them.
"Kuro-san…and Hermione-chan. The Shadou cousins have them."
Rui suddenly was no longer docilely listening to what was happening, but jumping forward ready for action. His crowned Prince had been taken by the old regime. For what reason? Had they figured out their secret? Was there something cooking Rui didn't know about? Would they even still be alive in another hour?
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Hermione sat on the floor. It was her only option. The room was empty of everything and anything except the chandelier that hung from the ceiling. However, there was no light coming from the chandelier. Instead, the moon shone through the large windows that lined one side of the room. Even with only a soft glow in the room, Hermione could see she was the only one in there with no clue as to where Kuro was being held. The shackles on her wrists almost too tight, she pulled at each one as if it would loosen for her.
That was when she heard it; while trying to loosen her bondages. He had stepped into the large room most quietly. The only sound was his soft footfalls. And then came that haunting sound. All Hermione could think of was maybe a Japanese nursery rhyme, but the sound was so haunting. Naito moved slowly across the room, singing to the haunting tune and giving Hermione chills. She stilled her movements, looking up at the tall man who looked upon her like she was his snack for the evening…a long awaited snack.
Hermione pushed herself back as far as she could go. She felt the cold glass of the window on her back and almost closed her eyes preferring not to see the look of the man who will kill her. Naito knelt down in front of her, his hand caressing her cheek.
"Ah, Poppet, no reason to fear me." His voice was so calm, still in the tone of singing that nursery rhyme. He leaned down, his lips barely caressing her neck as he inhales deeply, his own eyes closing in near ecstasy at the mere scent of her blood. "The worse I'll do is nibble…just a little. After all, there must be some reason two of the Monogatari were willing to kill each other for you."
Hermione took the chance despite the chains around her wrists keeping her in place. She pushed the vampire back with all her might and shot to her feet in an effort to run to the other side of the large room, or as far in that direction as her ties would let her go. She ran as if she could go somewhere and turned around to face him from the middle of the room, as far as her chains would allow her to go. Naito stood slowly, lips turned up slightly, and eyes alight with the joy of the chase. He reached out and grabbed the chains that kept her tethered to the wall and with nothing more than a gentle pull from him; Hermione went flying forward, toward him. One hand kept a hold of her chains, his other arm, wrapped around her waist and kept her body pushed up against his tall one. He was much harder than Hermione imagined him to be.
He dropped her chains, using that hand to not only push her hair back, but to shove her head to the side a bit, exposing her neck. Hermione closed her eyes, fear coursing through her veins as she felt Naito's teeth slowly glide against her skin as if teasing her tenses. He wouldn't tease her for long. He couldn't. He came in that room for two reasons. One to finally get a taste of that little witch that had stirred up so many problems with Kuro and to find out what it was she knew about that dreaded family she married into. Then he whispered in her ear, ever so lightly, just enough for her to hear his words and the longing in his voice.
"I'll be gentle, Poppet."
And then she felt his teeth sink into her flesh and he groaned as he felt the pressure of her chest flush against his as she gasped for air.
"Naito!"
Naito reluctantly pulled his mouth from his midnight snack. His eyes danced with the fire of desire and upset at being interrupted. Taka stood there looking from the pale Hermione to Naito.
"Karasu is waiting for us," Taka said in his deadened voice.
Naito looked down at the young woman he still held and smiled.
"I'll be back, Poppet. I'm not done with you yet," he said as he slowly licked any excess blood from her neck.
In the usual meeting room sat a large round table, Karasu already sitting in his seat. Taka took his seat, propping his feet up on the table and Naito followed, looking nothing short of relaxed. Karasu looked at Naito, paying attention to his agitated state and the way he pushed his hair out of his face as if barely in control of himself. To an outsider he may look relaxed, but Karasu knew better.
"She's not here for you to play with," Taka said to him from across the table.
"You're one to talk, Taka." Naito leaned against the table. "Tell me, how is Chloe-chan? Do you often fall for those destined to destroy us?"
Taka's eyes narrowed.
"This from the man that always wants whatever Kuro-san has."
Naito stood, ready to fight.
"Sit!" Karasu's demand was heard by both and they sat down, still glaring at each other. Once they had sat down, Karasu began. "They don't get their Princess back unless we get the throne back. Kuro will first try to escape. He must save himself if he expects to save his…Princess."
And that was exactly what happened.
They had to drag Kuro from his imprisonment. He didn't want to leave without Hermione, but Rui reminded him…she would never leave if he was still there. And Kuro couldn't save her if he was still imprisoned. It was hard convincing him, but Rui did. Everything they had discovered in the first week of their imprisonment was simple. Kuro was kept somewhere not as guarded, easier to get to as if they expected him to escape first. Hermione on the other hand was being kept in the very heart of the Shadou house, tethered to a wall and visited quite often by Naito.
But Kuro was not going to give up. Yes, he had only a few weeks before he was human again…before the curse was gone for good, but that just meant he had to save her while he still had the strength of the Shadou cousins. No plan could just sneak them in. They would have to utilize everything they had…even Chloe…the fated Shadow hunter.
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"He will kill you when he comes for me…when finds out what you've done."
She closed her eyes, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. It scared her every time. It seemed he couldn't go a day…a night without coming to her…drinking from her. The simple taste of her blood seemed make him writhe against her in ecstasy. He pulled his mouth from her neck, breathing heavy and looking at her from behind his fallen ash colored hair.
"You are the Princess of Darkland…not even a vampire…but you will be my princess when I take back what is mine. I will take everything from Kuro-san."
Hermione's eyes widened. What was that suppose to mean? She had heard the rumors…that he was the Shadou cousin that always only wanted something if Kuro had it. This wasn't about her. It was about Kuro…his crown…their family feud. And then Taka burst in again.
"Naito, now. They are coming."
Naito jumped up, roughly wiping any blood that remained on his lips as he moved to follow his cousin.
"I told you," Hermione said stopping his movement. "You will die for what you've done to me."
"Don't count on it, Poppet," Naito said with a slight quirk of his lips.
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The Shadou cousins stood outside waiting. Shadows roamed the grounds…watching…waiting. Taka knew when they had arrived. They brought Chloe. He watched calmly as she weaved her way through the Shadows, watching each fall in turn. The katana swords that were made for the One swinging in her hands as if nothing more than extensions of her will and desire. Her fluid movements were strangely graceful for such a clumsy girl and Chi followed next to her, daring anyone to come near his Chloe.
"There is no way we can win this…not this time," Karasu whispered.
He could always tell. Naito closed his eyes for a moment. He was hit with the visions of what would happen…what stream of events the timeline they were currently on was going to come to be. He opened his eyes watching the look of pure hatred on Kuro's face as he set Naito with the look he often did…the one that said he was going to tear him limb from limb.
"I won't let it happen. He won't win this time. I will take something from him before this is done," Naito said and fled back into the house.
And then Chloe ran through the rest of the Shadows, watching them fall and disappear in puffs of dust and smoke only to twist and turn and come to a stop right in front of Taka, facing the end of her katana. Taka didn't blink, he didn't move, he did nothing.
"Just as I said, your fate is at the end of her sword," Chi said with a wicket grin on his face. Karasu moved to stepped forward to save his cousin, but Chi was faster, grabbing him by his shirt and slamming him back against the doorway leading into the house. "I don't think so," he added slowly…menacingly.
Taka did nothing. He had no outward reaction as if he felt nothing.
"Go ahead and run me through. It is your destiny," Taka said. "That would be a quicker death than the one I have been sentenced to by watching you from afar...with him."
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Naito ran through the house. He would not let Kuro have her whole again. He may get her back, but it would not be permanent. One day, Naito would have his seat again…his throne and he would not just have Kuro's throne, but his princess as well…he will pay for everything that he stole from him.
Hermione started when Naito rushed into the room, not even pausing as he rushed up to her, diving down to the floor where she sat, knocking her back as his teeth sank down into her neck, sucking harder and faster than she had ever felt. She felt the world fading from her…felt her energy draining…her very life draining. And as the world began to go black, she heard on last thing, Naito's deep voice whispering into her ear as if he could not catch his own breath.
"You may be a Monogatari for life, but you will be a Shadou for eternity."