A/N: Rex-Pex-Fex, new chapter of the 'Feathers on the Red Wing', please. Thank you. Politeness may help some of the people to get what they want. For others, they might still have their baby-making bits in working conditions. Now, on with the new chapter!
For disclaimer see the Prologue.
Four days after Demonic Portal incident, 20:34
This city was… strange in Vergil's opinion. He has been to many big cities before in different parts of world, including Japan, but this place was giving off strange vibes. No feelings of demons' nests, no witches' covens, churches feel empty even when they're filled with people, big companies aren't in the hold of mages and all of Sekireis' influences are centered around Teito Tower. And even these influences feel fresh, no more than ten years, in fact. Looks like MBI made most of their important researches on Kamikura Island. But aside from that…
Emptiness… Peace… Humans…
That is how this city feels. All of these feelings were foreign to Vergil in such quantities. Most of his life was going on with fighting for his life, seeking power to live and to prove his worth, that he is more than just the seed of betrayer. And because of that he always was torn between killing demons, making deals with wizards of different kinds, studying mystic arts for the sake of his strength, with brief respites few and between. And after such a long time since there was any sign of any kind of familiar threats, Vergil was… confused? Lost? Contemplating? Yes, that's the word. He was contemplating his life and how it will go from here.
While doing that, Vergil looked out at the city from one of the rooftops. Even though it was already dark outside, life in the city was just as bright and active as during the day. Only here, up on the roofs he could feel the evening that came. He always preferred dark and peaceful places, even when he was just a child with his family… It was so long ago. And still some habits stayed with him. Gust of wind ruffled tails of his blue frock that he has chosen to wear instead of his coat, ruined by a last fight with his brother. Underneath he had black shirt with the silk scarf of same blue color as his frock and trousers. Instead of his knee-length brown leather boots he opted to wear classic black shoes. The only part of his ensemble that stayed the same is his cut-out gloves of brown leather. In his left hand he was clutching his sheathed katana, Yamato, holding it at his side.
"Something worries you, Vergil-sama?" – Out of the shadows walked out a dark-skinned woman, Yahan. His Sekirei… Since he woke up here, her help was invaluable. Money, information on important people of this city, well-hidden place for rest… And she was quite clingy. Last few days were filled with her showing him many signs of affection and sneaking into his bed each night. The last part really surprised him, because for some reason he was unable to feel her approach each time. That was a first time such thing happened. Vergil thought that it was because this was the first time someone tried to sneak up on him sleeping without any malevolent intentions.
And in some deep parts of his heart he sincerely enjoyed her company. But even if he would think about it, he would never show that it was like this. Well, he would most likely sum it up as his libido playing its role. After all, she is attractive young woman; completely loyal to him and showed few times that she is willing to cater to absolutely all of his wishes, including satisfying his sexual desires. Sometimes even such calculating and logical people like Vergil could be delusional and mistaken.
"The time has come, Yahan. Tonight I shall test what your sisters are capable of." – At that Yahan nodded. It was no surprise for her. Vergil is quite careful in his ventures and doesn't have a habit of being underprepared. He hates that and because of that always studies his objectives before making a move. The last few days were filled with nothing but preparations… He even barely paid attention to her! Yahan didn't know what pushed him today, but Vergil previously planned to spend two more days by observing daily habits of city's Powers.
"Do you wish me to fight with you, Vergil-sama?" – She knew that Vergil was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, but she didn't have a chance to see him in real fight outside one sparring session where he obliterated her… Even like this, she still worries about him.
"No, I still need you to gather intelligence on what is happening in the North of the city. Go there and don't get caught." – Under stern gaze of Vergil Yahan nodded and sunk in the shadows. Couple of minutes later Vergil also moved away, jumping from a rooftop to a rooftop. While doing that he remembered a dream last night. That dream was a reason why he moved sooner than expected.
~~Flashback – previous night, Vergil's dream~~
Vergil felt himself suddenly coming to senses. After that he looked around. He was standing at the peak of Temen-Ni-Gru dressed in his old and undamaged outfit. He was holding Yamato with the tip of the scabbard on the ground and his hands resting on the tip of its pommel. It was just as he remembered first meeting of his last reunion with Dante. Cloudy night sky, circular stone platform surrounded by demonic statues and faint sounds of demons ravaging the city. Everything as he remembered it, except for footsteps coming from behind him. At that moment they were much lighter.
"You showed up." – Saying that Vergil turned around and saw a picture that he was expecting. Coming from the entrance to the rooftop was a woman. Her clothes were mostly made out of black leather and consisted of tight-fitting kimono-like top, mini-skirt, thigh-high boots, cut-out gloves and grey haori with black Sekirei symbol carelessly thrown over her shoulders. She had long grey hair gathered in high pony-tail, slender figure with noticeable curves, on her face was serene and happy smile, but her eyes gave her away. Her half-lidded eyes were filled with anticipation and bloodlust. Her left hand was resting on the hilt of katana placed at her left side. When Vergil spoke to her she stopped at the middle of the roof. At his words her smile widened.
"Excuse me but I was distracted by the sounds of such fun party, but didn't meet anyone. Where are all the others guests?" – At that she turned her head as if to look around. But rooftop was clearly empty and she always kept Vergil within her field of vision.
"My sincerest apologies, but I wanted to entertain our guest of honor personally." – For Vergil these sensations were already familiar. His first meeting with Yahan was in a similar dream. But this woman shown quite different demeanor.
"My name is Karasuba. And do you know any good dances to entertain a lady?" – At Vergil's answer Karasuba chuckled and introduced herself. After giving new question she unsheathed her katana with bloodthirsty grin. Vergil, on the other hand, was still completely calm and concentrated, with Yamato staying at the ready in his left hand.
"You can call me Vergil. And we shall see how you dance." – After that introduction Vergil thumbed Yamato, showing the glint of steel from his blade. That was the sign for start.
After seeing that Karasuba has sprung into action, quickly running at her opponent and raising her nodachi. She was swinging her sword upside down, trying to bisect Vergil from his right shoulder to left hip. That strike was pretty obvious, but much faster and stronger than what humans could achieve. For Vergil it was just a child's play. He parried Karasuba's initial strike while his katana was still sheathed. He used enough strength not only to defend against her attack, but to also make her stumble back a little. Not losing a momentum of his counter-attack he hit Karasuba in the solar plexus with the butt of scabbard. That strike was strong enough to send her flying right into one of the statues. She hit it with her back, releasing a grunt of pain from that right after almost getting her ribs caved in. After falling down to the floor she immediately stood up, coughing a few times.
"Is that all that you've got?" – Hearing that impassive question from Vergil, Karasuba chuckled behind her coughs. And then she lightly laughed and locked her eyes with his impassive gaze. This time she was sporting psychotic grin on her face, with eyes filled with delight, bloodlust… and simple lust.
"No, it's just a beginning. Let's meet in the waking world and test each other again, my dear Ashikabi-kun…"
And everything disappeared.
~~Flashback End~~
Yes, that was the dream. After speaking with Yahan he found out that Sekirei could contact their destined Ashikabi through a dream, when their reaction is strong enough. Something like that happened with herself when Yahan kissed him. It could be speculated further, but right now is not the time. Right now Vergil has got an opportunity and he doesn't intend to miss it. Previously Yahan told him about Disciplinary Squad and that their leader was the strongest Sekirei in the plan. If he would be able to defeat Karasuba, then that would mean that there is no one in this city capable of stopping him and his plans, except for his brother. Supposedly there should be No.1, capable of easily defeating Karasuba and any other Sekirei. But everything that he knows about No.1 is that she distanced herself from the Plan and MBI left her alone on these conditions. So, right now, he is making his first active move in the Plan.
Vergil is going to get Karasuba.
But first he needs to find her. Stopping at the one of rooftops he once again looked around. Nothing special. Even though Sekirei have the habit of traveling via rooftop-hopping, he was currently the only one up here. Just a few blocks north of him was Teito Tower, headquarters of MBI, rulers of this city, instigators of the Plan and the only Power in this city that has at least a slight possibility of stopping him. That's why getting Karasuba into his own flock was quite important for Vergil. It would give him an opportunity to infiltrate MBI as an Ashikabi of Disciplinary Squad. Once he would do it, there would be an access to vast resources of MBI and that would give him many good opportunities.
Once again thinking about that, Vergil gave slight anticipating smile before focusing on his senses. He felt no Sekirei signatures in the vicinity and certainly he didn't get a read on the presence of Karasuba. But there was something to the west of Teito Tower. After moving in that direction for a few minutes at first he sensed her. Karasuba… She was powerful. She was definitely more powerful than Yahan under effect of Norito. So, that would place her on the same level as one of Firestorm Brothers, maybe little higher. But, she is not at the level of both of them.
After few more minutes since sensing her, Vergil saw Karasuba. She looked exactly the same way as in his last dream. The same outfit, the same smile and the same half-lidded eyes filled with bloodlust.
"So you came, Ashikabi-kun. It was quite rude of you to make Lady wait. Do you plan to make it up?" – After saying that Karasuba looked at Vergil with great anticipation and licked her lips. In the meantime Vergil was walking closer after jumping here from nearest rooftop. As soon as she finished her short speech, he stopped a few steps in front of Karasuba.
"Forgive me my tardiness, but it would be much ruder from me to come for our first date in ruined clothes." – After Vergil said that he slightly smirked and gave her a little bow. – "Now, what will you give me for a dance, Milady?"
After that Karasuba at first chuckled and then she burst out laughing. After few seconds of that she stopped and looked at Vergil with mirthful grin.
"My, my, such a gentleman. In that case…" – After saying that, Karasuba unsheathed her sword and pointed at Vergil, holding it in her right hand. – "Impress me and I will give you a kiss."
"We shall see." – After that Vergil crouched a little and stood in battojutsu stance with his right hand on Yamato's hilt.
For a few moments they just stared at each other. Karasuba was in a seemingly less strict stance, with holding her sword in front of her in right hand. She was feeling warm and trembling from her reaction to Vergil, but she wouldn't allow just anyone to be her Ashikabi. In shared dream he showed himself as a strong fighter. And she hoped that he wouldn't disappoint her in the waking world. And so far everything seemed in order. He is dressed sharp, walk confidently and his stance with sword was completely natural. Just looking at these eyes and remembering that strike from the dream Karasuba felt herself heat up more and a trickle of liquid travel down her inner thigh. And then, he would take her with the same force, breaking through all of her defenses and filling her to the brim…
"Woah! Down, girl! He isn't your Ashikabi yet and you already want his kids… Here he comes!" – Because of her distracting thoughts Karasuba almost missed the moment at which Vergil rushed in for the attack. He quickly dashed at her and made a horizontal slash with Yamato. At that moment Karasuba took a hold of her own sword with both hands and blocked his strike. Thanks to her experience, nothing showed on her face, but Vergil with his keen senses managed to pick up interesting scent.
"It seems that her body is quite happy with her reaction. Let's see how long she will hold on in such conditions." – For Vergil faint smell of honey mixed with musk was a dead give-away of her arousal. That's why he, instead of pushing Karasuba away with his greater strength, kept them in the sword-lock. Despite her struggles to throw him away, Vergil was capable holding out against Karasuba with only one hand on his sword. – "Is that all that you've got?"
"Not yet!" – Yelling that Karasuba jumped away and lunged at Vergil immediately, trying to pierce his heart. Vergil easily side stepped her and moved forward himself. After that they both stood back to back for a few moments, until Vergil swiped his sword from blood.
"Looks like first blood go to me." – Vergil said that while turning around. On the left side of Karasuba's ribs was a shallow cut that was bleeding. Feeling that her smile turned psychotic and her eyes filled with glee and lust. He truly is powerful. Someone who can take her as his own woman in any way he would like.
"But our dance is not over yet!" – Crying that out Karasuba concentrated on trying to cut Vergil into pieces. But he either blocked them with his sheathed sword or evaded them by sidestepping.
After a few seconds of such maneuvers Vergil side stepped one of the attacks and started retaliating. While she was only trying to hurt him, Karasuba was increasing speed of her strikes constantly and greatly. And even though it was just a few seconds, at the end of waiting game both of their movements were unseen to any normal human, nothing more than two blurs – blue and gray, sometimes mixing. And the reason why Vergil started retaliating? He already saw everything he wanted of her abilities in attacking with her sword, now he would need to test her defenses.
Besides, her speed stopped to grow a couple of moments back. Now he would need to test his own footwork against her reflexes.
Just like that he changed one of his parries into counterattack. Karasuba barely dodged strike, which was aimed to leave a long vertical gash on the left side of her body. After that it was time for Karasuba to be on defensive. Despite her tries first three strikes after that managed to nick her clothes, though her skin was completely undamaged. But her right sleeve at the middle, left sleeve at her shoulder and middle of the back of her haori were not so lucky. After that she managed to use few good defensive moves and keep herself away from getting any strikes in. What surprised Vergil is that she managed to incorporate one of his own moves in her defense. It wasn't perfected, like her own moves, but it was effective enough and showed her immense skill, letting her copy simple moves in the middle of battle and using them effectively right after that.
To test this theory, Vergil left few openings in his defenses and watched how she would react to that. Seeing that, Karasuba gained a gleam in her eyes and attacked Vergil. After making few of attacks trying to cut a few pieces from him, without success, she used his own maneuver with sidestepping him during his attack and swiping her sword at the same time, trying to disable one of his arms by slicing at his right shoulder. She executed that move almost perfectly, but still didn't catch Vergil with it. And he let out small smile at seeing his theory proven correct.
"She is ferocious fighter, quick learner and has strength of will. Her body has already accepted me, but her mind is still resisting." – Thinking like that Vergil jumped away from her and assumed a ready battojutsu stance with crouching his feet and holding sheathed Yamato at his left side. Seeing that, Karasuba once again stood before Vergil with her sword gripped in both of her hands.
"You already tired, Ashikabi-kun? But that dance is so interesting." – Karasuba took a moment of respite to try and taunt Vergil. Well, his brother capable of being much more infuriating, so that wasn't an issue for Vergil.
"It's a time to end this." – After saying this Vergil prepared to unleash final strike of tonight's duel. Karasuba grinned widely at that and prepared to attack as well. After few moments of just standing against each other they rushed ahead. Krasuba was bringing her sword down on Vergil and he was striking with bringing Yamato out of its sheath.
They stopped once again with each of their backs to the other. Silence of this night was destroyed by the sound of metal hitting the roof. Blade of Karasuba's sword was sliced in half. During all of this fighting Vergil didn't get a single scratch.
"Is that impressive enough for you?" – That was Vergil's calm query, as he sheathed Yamato while turning back to Karasuba. At that she chuckled and turned to him, while dropping what was left of her sword.
"It is enough to get a kiss from the lady." – After saying that Karasuba moved closer to Vergil. He didn't move until she was right before him. – "Now let me give you your reward."
Karasuba tried to take Vergil's face in her hands. But before she could touch him, he placed his right hand behind her neck and kissed her. As soon as he done that, behind Karasuba's back appeared wings of energy, skeletal in appearance, steel-grey in color and with few sparks of blue flame, which grew in size and number with each passing second of their kiss.
When Karasuba received her kiss, she got overwhelmed. At first she felt orgasm hit her with finally releasing her hold on reaction to Vergil. But then there was a rush of new energy that brought her new pulse of pleasure and feeling of wholeness. It was strange and such a nice feeling. "Is that how all of winged ones feel? If so, I should have found him earlier. What does he…"
The next thought of Karasuba was drowned out when Vergil forced his tongue into her slightly opened mouth. He was hungrily investigating her mouth with his tongue and completely dominating her at that moment. But Karasuba didn't care at that moment. Actually, she just wasn't capable of that, because combining forces of slight blood loss, wearing off adrenaline from after her short fight and orgasmic bliss from her winging made her pass out.
Feeling woman in his hands go completely slack, Vergil ended kiss and quickly checked on her. After confirming that she simply lost her consciousness, he took her in bridal carry and smirked.
"I've still got it." – Telling that he looked at sliced up rooftop and left to the hospital, leaving behind him sliced antennas, thin long gouges on the roof's floor and small outbuilding with rooftop entrance, which caved in when he looked at it. Apparently they moved around more than he thought. And they also pulled strikes much less than it seemed.
Northern parts of the city, with Yahan, just after separation
After separating with Vergil, Yahan quickly moved to her destination. She already heard about a place where a base of 'Hannya of the North' was. It supposed to be small boarding house in traditional style, where the closer you got to it, the less influence MBI had. The owner of this place didn't like MBI for some unknown reason. And, what was stranger, MBI didn't even try to mess with said owner. Sifting through tons of involved rumors and few known facts Yahan once made a startling revelation, which she didn't confirm.
'Hannya of the North' is infamous No.1.
But right now importance of required information outweighs the risks involved with getting it. She wouldn't fail Vergil-sama! That's how it is.
Getting to the place that was priority of Yahan's tonight tasks took just a couple of minutes. Ever since she was winged by Vergil she felt herself growing stronger each passing day, bit by bit. And thanks to that her shadow teleporting ability allowed her to travel from one end of the city to other in matter of minutes easily. Earlier such a feat would take at least half an hour from her and leave her exhausted. Now her teleportations were much faster, longer and less tiresome.
And here is that place, Izumo Inn, hideout of terrifying 'Hannya of the North'. By the looks it was nothing special. It was two-storey house, which had small garden and wooden fence. And everything was looking peaceful this evening while Yahan hid inside one of the shadows of the garden…
"DANTE-SAN!"
…Until silence was destroyed by very angry and very loud female shout. A second later there was a figure, that flown inside of garden and landed with making a small gouge in the land with its own back. By the looks of it this man was propelled by a stone with the size almost the same as his torso, hitting him right in the face. Seeing that, Yahan almost face-faulted, but at the last moment she held herself from that for the sake of stealth.
"Why don't you stop reading manga and lazing around every day, and do something useful instead? In just three days I found almost dozen of empty pizza boxes stacked in your room." – The same voice was chastising Dante, while he was lying still in the middle of the garden. During that speech owner of said voice showed up. It was a purple-haired young woman in traditional miko outfit with purple hakama. She stopped at the entrance in the house.
"Geez, Miya-chan, reading manga is useful. I learned few nifty tricks while doing that." – Dante removed the stone from his face and stood up, while dusting off himself. He was dressed in black turtleneck and red trousers, his face was the same as Vergil's, so Yahan deduced that this was her Ashikabi's brother, that he spoke about few times. The only difference in appearance was that Dante's hair was brushed down and his face was covered in blood. – "Watch. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
While Dante cried that out he crossed his index and middle fingers in a single hand sign. Immediately after that to Yahan's surprise there appeared perfect copy of Dante in little burst of inky black smoke.
"See? That would be especially useful in bedroom…" – But Dante didn't manage to finish his speech, as once again he fallen to the ground, courtesy of the rock of the same size as previous one. His copy also got one that looked absolutely the same. They fell to the ground in perfect sync. Seeing that Yahan nervously sweat-dropped and thanked all known to her deities (first Vergil, then Sparda, then everyone else) that this woman didn't notice her. The copy dissolved in the same burst of inky smoke-like substance few seconds later.
"Illicit suggestions aren't allowed in Izumo Inn. Stay out of the house while I clean your room and also you wouldn't get your breakfast tomorrow. If you continue with your shameful behavior, I would be forced to take drastic measures. Do you understand?" – After Miya finished her speech with the question, Dante lifted one of his arms with thumbs-up, while still lying under rock. Seeing that, Miya nodded and entered house, closing the door behind her.
Few moments after that Dante once again stood up; tossing second rock that hit him aside. After that he dusted himself off and sat down at the entrance to the house. He was just sitting there for a few minutes and Yahan already wanted to leave, but just as she prepared to silently investigate the house, Dante started to talk.
"So Vergil is starting to make his move, huh? Well, good to know that he is fine. Even if he is a total prick most of the time, he is still a family. Want to stay silent? Suit yourself… I can talk for both of us." – Hearing that speech Yahan froze in her tracks. She didn't know how he found her, but she was absolutely sure that Dante was talking to her and not to himself. She didn't dare to move from the shadow in which she stayed, but aside from his speech he didn't give any indication of knowing about her position and just sat peacefully.
"Well, it's good to know that Vergil got himself a girlfriend. You know, for some time I was kind of worried about him, but it looks like my brother is healthy male." – At that Dante chuckled a little, while Yahan gained a little tick-mark. Not like Dante could've noticed this. But after that he gained more serious expression and continued with his monologue.
"After our parents died, Vergil changed. He took it much harder than me and it broke him. But he is my brother, I believe in him. However, he still needs your help more than he thinks or would ever care to admit. Don't leave him. He had enough of that already."
And after that Dante just sat there, not saying a word. Waiting for him to continue and say something else, Yahan stayed in the same shadow for few more minutes. But not getting anything else, she left for the hide-out, silently contemplating what was said to her by Dante.
Feeling the energy signature of Sekirei, with familiar traces of his brother demonic energy, disappear, Dante let out small smile and muttered under his breath.
"Let's see if these girls would be able to remind you, that you're not a demon, Vergil."
A/N: Aaaaaaand… cut! For those, who thought that battle with Karasuba wasn't epic enough, take into consideration the fact that she was suppressing her reaction to Vergil in the middle of the fight. Also share with me your worries about this story. Is it awesome? Is it going into shithole? Is it dull? Is it stylish? Leave your reviews and let me find out!
For now, by-by and wait for the next chapter, I already have few ideas how to make it fun!