"What on Earth are we suppose to do now?! We have to come up with some sort of plan, but since we only have half the details, at best we're flying blind!" Satoshi said agitatedly, pacing back and forth in Dark's study.

The blue haired hunter would walk angrily back and forth, making a visible trail in the expensive silk rug, looking like he was getting ready to rip his hair out.

"Guess we will just have to wing it." Krad said dryly, watching Satoshi go back and forth in a twisted parody of a tennis match.

"Yes, wing it! That sounds like a great idea! At least it does if you don't like living!"

"I don't see YOU coming up with anything! Besides, we have no idea what that lunatic has got planned to begin with, let alone when he's going to do it!"

"We can't just go in without some sort of strategy!" Satoshi retorted

"Well we have to do something! Either way the villagers are going to be human shish kabobs if we don't get off our asses!"

"Then come up with something!"

"You're the one who is always waving your smarts and hunter pedigree in my face! Get your very dead ancestors to help you! You can ask them when we get there since they're expecting us very soon!"

"Enough!"

The two hunters had been so caught up with their arguments that they hadn't even realized that another person had entered the room. They were even more startled when something that looked like a rabbit hopped to them saying, "Kyuu?".

"Where's Dark?" Riku inquired, injured but standing on her own.

"Well, you see…"

"Where is he?" The girl ground out.

Both of the hunters gulped.

After all, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

-x-

Daisuke had remained on the floor once Argentine and Dark had left his little cell. After the most recent events, he found himself shell shocked. He wanted to do something- ANYTHING, but as long as Argentine had the Amethyst haired vampire, his hands were tied.

If Argentine was willing to drink from Dark to the point of severe injury without provocation, what would he do if Daisuke resisted?

Daisuke shuddered at the thought.

The red head recalled the time when he was so angry at Dark for the fate that had been handed down to him. Looking back, maybe he should have heard the other vampire out? Tried to clear everything up before all of this had happened?

If only he could take back the time that had slipped through his fingers.

Maybe…things would be different now? Maybe they would have had time to just be, and enjoy the time they could've had before this happened?

Maybe then, Dark wouldn't be in the hands of that lunatic. Dark wouldn't be in danger of dying.

"No, I can't think like that. There's still time for all of those things, I just have to wait and do what I can when the time comes."

Even though Daisuke thought this, he couldn't help but think that he was the one who needed the most convincing.

-x-

Argentine loved the way that Darks silky skin felt against his fingertips. Tracing the pale flesh lovingly as he sat with the other vampire in the garden, amongst a section full of white roses.

As much as he would like to claim his underling now, make Dark see that the place by his side was the best, he couldn't.

After all, Argentine didn't want to risk of driving Dark further away by forcefully claiming him, he would plant the seed and let Dark come to him.

He would shower him with the love and adoration that he had planned to until she showed up and stole his precious vampire away.

At first, Argentine thought that woman was a pacing fancy. It wasn't uncommon for a vampire to take multiple interests until they were fully mated to their chosen. He had only begun to show Dark his desire, before that wretch showed up and stole away his attention.

Still, he let is slide, thinking that Dark would come back to him once he lost interest.

However, he slowly started to notice a change in his offspring.

Dark started to bring her gifts, then he started to spare humans while on the hunt, only killing those who were a nuisance to those pitiful villagers. He spent more and more time with her, giving her his undivided attention, barely noticing the grief Argentine had endured in his absence.

Finally, he decide he needed to know just how serious Dark was with her, so he spied them in a clearing that they seemed to favor.

His heart nearly shattered as he saw them, so enamored with each other that they didn't even notice him hiding in the tree line. He heard them talking of their future together, both of them entertaining thoughts of marriage - even children.

That's when Argentine knew.

That's when he knew that Rika had to die.

But none of that mattered now. Soon, he would be able to show Dark a world where anything his heart desired would be his, a place where Argentine would adore him and care for him, giving Dark his every want and need. All of this along with the world at their feet!

"Soon, my beloved. I shall be with you soon." he whispered into Darks ear, lightly playing with the amethyst stands.

Dark didn't see what Argentine could offer him, that there was nothing he wouldn't do to please his soon-to-be-mate, but he would make Dark understand.

Now that the time of the crimson ritual was upon them, he would be able to relinquish his hold on the vampire that forced him to be like a doll, and Dark would be by his side willingly - Tonight.

The ritual would open the gates of hell and give him absolute control of the arcane legions. At the same time, he would bind Dark to him as his mate, and Dark would come to love him with time. That, and since he intended to sacrifice that little red head, he could get rid of any other distractions while he seduced his vampire.

Of course, he knew it would be a little rocky to begin with, but a mating bond would make them unable to resist each other, and Dark would soon come around once he knew of the pleasure Argentine could give him.

Then he could fully enjoy that feisty nature that Dark had - in bed.

Argentine licked his lips, his tongue ghosting over his fangs.

Now, it was only a matter of time.

"M'lord." a quiet voice said monotonously.

Argentine turned to meet the lifeless gaze of his latest puppet. She looked so much like the woman he hated he was tempted to rip her face off, but he restrained himself. It wouldn't do in case he needed her should his plans go awry.

The only reason he brought her back was to spite that bitch who was rotting away in a grave somewhere. If he knew just where Rika was buried, he would have gone there just to spit on her grave.

"What is it? I am occupied at the moment." he said, turning away from her in favor of nuzzling Darks neck. He was so beautiful, and soon all of Dark would be HIS.

"The others are on the move, it seems that they may have something planned."

"Let them be. They can do nothing, weak as they are." Argentine said, laying kisses on Dark's neck and running his hand up and down his chest, lovingly nuzzling that silky purple hair. He didn't like the thought that he had to imprison Dark's mind just to be able to touch him like this, but once the ritual was done, he could enjoy Dark to his fullest.

But…

"Keep an eye on them, and thwart them if need be. I don't want anything to ruin my plans." said Argentine.

The risk was too high to gamble his eternity with Dark.

"Kill them if you must." he added before flicking his hand in a dismissive gesture. His puppet obediently started off in the direction of the opposition.

Now, where had he been?

-x-

"Are you sure that these charms are enough to ward off Argentine's attacks?" Satoshi inquired, holding a moon and sun pendant between his forefinger and thumb as they continued down a path in the forest. A path that looked like it leaded to nowhere, mind you.

"They should. After all, Dark designed them in case his sire came around. I guess in his state he didn't think about them at the time, only worried for Daisuke, the idiot." Riku replied, in much better health now that she had gotten some blood from some leftover reserves.

Now she walked upright, dressed in a pair of gray leggings and heavy black boots as well as a loose shirt, the sheath of her saber thumping lightly against her thigh.

"Kyu! Kyu!" Wiz sounded from Riku's shoulder, his tone seeming to be that of agreement.

"Have they been tested?" The blue haired hunter questioned.

"No…" Riku murmured, pausing in her strides.

"So if they don't work?" Krad inquired, looking at her with a glare when she stopped.

"Well.." she started, facing them with a nervous expression. "Let's say…you won't ever worry about anything else…"

Satoshi rested his forehead in his hand, shaking his head and sighing.

"Wonderful." Krad said flatly.

Suddenly their heads snapped up, all of them looking to the night sky.

"Look out!"

Thank you very much to Fireflower19 and LonelyReflection for you reviews. Also, thank you to those who have faved the story!