Chapter 14

Nefarious, Never and Night

Gumi's Point Of View

"I can't do it Gumi." Rai said as he carried me back to the house.

"Why not?" I moaned.

Rai shook his head. "Shou is not safe. Do not try to find him. He's not a good man anymore."

"But –"

"Gumi!" Rai snapped. I flinched. "Do not meet him! You will regret it. I promise you that. Just leave it be. Besides, Gakupo would kill me if I show you to him. He'll screw you up Gumi."

I nodded. "Ok." I hugged him. "Thank you for worrying about me."

"You're my little sister now so I'm gonna protect you." He smiled. "Beside's, if you die, who's gonna marry my little brother?"

I laughed. "If I do die, make sure who ever he does marry, isn't prettier then me." Rai began to climb the stairs to Rei's house. "I almost forgot. Ron said your cousin went off to fight. Is he back? I'd like to meet him." Rai opened the door. Gakupo sat on the couch next to some guy with short blond hair. Rei was laughing in the arm chair.

"Gumi! Congratulations! In celebration, I made chocolate cake! I remember, you told me it was your favorite!" Rei ran to the kitchen to go get it.

"There's your man." Rai said as he kicked the door shut. "What's up Kaen?" Rai set me down in between Kaen and Gakupo.

"Nothing much, just watching my uncle get his ass kicked." Kaen nudged me. "Way to go kid."

"Hey! Where's the shampoo?" a guy with white hair said as he walked down the stairs wearing just a towel around his waste. He was dripping from being in the shower. I blinked. "Oh, when did a women get here?" he squinted at me. "You look familiar." His eyes widened. "Oh yeah, you fought Aizo today." He smiled. "Sorry I missed it but I only just got here."

"It's alright. I'm pretty beat up. Glad at least someone didn't see me get my ass kicked." I said forcing a smile.

Gakupo glared at the guy in the towel. "Raiex put some clothes on. I'm not gonna have you standing, naked, in front of my Fiancé."

"Damn it. Hurry up and propose already! You can't call me your fiancé until you propose." I punched him. "Geez."

"Why haven't you? You have more then enough money to pay for a nice ring from Tsubaki." Rai said.

"It's not good to leave a women waiting!" Rei said placing a cake on the table.

I shrieked. "Double chocolate cake with chocolate chips! You're the best Rei!" I jumped to my feet and hugged him tight and then sort of collapsed. "Sorry, my legs aren't good yet."

Rei helped me sit down. "It's alright! I'm just glad you're happy!"

I eagerly cut myself a slice then used a fork to cut a small piece. When I tasted it, I wanted to cry it was so awful.

"Is it good?" Rei asked excitedly.

I nodded. "Delicious. I don't know if I can even eat a full piece of something so delicious."

"Oh good! Everyone always complains that I can't cook! I'm glad it turned out good."

Rei's so happy. I can't bring myself to tell him his cooking sucks. "Thank you so much."

"Rei, shampoo. Now." Raiex demanded. Just then, his towel dropped.

I looked up at the ceiling. "As much as I love naked men, if you wouldn't mind putting clothes on, that'd be great."

"Damn it Raiex, your not making a good impression." Gakupo snapped.

"Sorry. I didn't know a girl was gonna be here. This is my house after all." Raiex went upstairs.

"Hold on, this is Raiex's house?" I asked.

"Raiex is my brother. We live together. It's not really a problem since Raiex isn't home to often. He's always going off and fighting." Rei smiled then settled down into the arm chair.

Kaen took my hand and kissed it. "It's a pleasure to meet you Gumi. Gakupo has told me a lot about you. I look forward to being your cousin-in-law."

"Oh so your Gakupo's cousin. Ron was telling me about you just the other day." I smiled. "Glad to finally meet you."

"If only we had met sooner. I've been so busy lately taking care of Shou." Kaen sighed. "He's such a hassle." Everyone glared at him. "What did I do?"

"But…I thought no one was allowed to see Shou?" I asked Rai.

"Kaen is the only one that never seems to be affected by what Shou does. Its best you leave it alone Gumi. Not all of us are kind creatures. Shou is insane to say the least. Let it go." Rai explained.

"Gumi, don't get any ideas." Gakupo warned. "I forbid you from seeing him."

I sighed. "Fine." I looked up at Gakupo. "Well what are you doing here? Go buy a ring. I'm not gonna wait forever to become your wife." I gave him a quick kiss. "Now move you ass before I change my mind."

Gakupo chuckled and got up. "I'll get on it after I go do something first."

"What kind of stuff?" My eyes narrowed. "Am I gonna be pissed about your answer?"

"What do you take me for?"

"A sexual idiot with nice muscles and a tiny brain." I answered impassively.

"Thanks Gumi. So glad to hear you think so much of me." Gakupo mumbled. He walked out the door.

"I've got to go as well. It's my turn for patrol." Rai turned to Rei. "Come on Rei. Let's go."

"Okay!" Rei sang getting up. He walked out the door with Rai. That left me alone with Kaen.

"Kaen?" I asked.

"Yes my dear?" Kaen is just like all the other werewolves. Womanizers.

"Would you please take me to see Shou?" I gave him my best pleading look. "I know everyone tells me not to but I don't want to marry Gakupo until I've met his whole family. I'd at least like to see why he's not allowed to come out from his cell. Please Kaen." I touched his arm. "It would make me really happy if you'd take me."

Kaen looked really conflicted for a few minutes but eventually he sighed then put on a smile. "Very well my dear. Anything for my little cousin-in-law."

I shrieked and hugged him. "Oh thank you Kaen! I love you!" I sprung off the couch then fell back down again. "I guess we can't go now. I can barely walk."

"Then I'll carry you." He got up and held me in his arms like a baby. "Are you sure you want to see him?"

"Yes, I want to meet Shou." I said giving him a serious look. He nodded and we left the house without another word.

Shou's cell was in a strange place. You had to weave between a lot of buildings then walk a fourth of a mile to get to the rickety shack. When Kaen opened the door there was a latter.

"Your gonna have to jump down to me unless you feel like you can climb down the latter." Kaen said.

"I'll jump. Just make sure you catch me ok. I still have a human body you know." I pointed out. Kaen nodded and set me down next to the hole where the latter was. I watched him climb down into the darkness.

"Alright, jump." Kaen called. I took a deep breath and then jumped. It took forever before I fell into Kaen's arms.

"How deep is this hole?" I moaned.

"60 yards." A voice said. Kaen sat me down on something then walked away. The lights came on and before me stood a man wearing black dress pants and a dirty white pirate's shirt. His hair was messy and his skin was pretty dirty. He stood behind a set of bars. This man must be Shou. "Who are you my dear? I haven't had visitors in years." His voice sounded almost British but I guess it sounded more old timey.

"My names Gumi and I'm Gakupo's fiancé." I smiled.

His head shot up. His face was dirty but I definitely recognized him now. He looked so much like Ron, Rai, Gakupo and Aizo. "You're what?"

"Gakupo's soon to be wife. I wanted to meet you before I marry him."

Shou chuckled evilly. "You should have warned me you were coming. I would have straightened myself up."

"Don't worry about that. I'm just glad to meet you."

"I am glad to meet you as well my dear." He turned away from me and walked back and forth in his cell with his hands clasped behind his back while I spoke. "I never thought that my older brother would marry. He uses to despise other monsters. What kind of monster are you dear?" He stopped pacing. "Your sent is strange. Almost like –"

"A Half-Breed?" I finished.

"You couldn't be. After the Half-Breed massacre, no Half-Breed would ever be allowed into our town."

"Better believe it Shou. In a few months, I'll officially be a Half-Breed." I said proud of myself.

Shou slammed against his cell. "And that makes you what? Proud? Your filthy kind slaughtered our people! Get out of my sight!" His voice scared me but I didn't show it.

"I am not a daughter of a Half-Breed but a Siren and a vampire. Do not think I am of that horrid kind?" I crossed my arms. "I am running from the council to avoid having to wed another Half-Breed."

He punched the wall. "That council always gets in the way. Forcing a delicate young lady to wed a filthy creature. They never change." He looked at me. "You're running with my older brother?"

"That is correct. We plan to hide her for a few months. That is…if they don't find us."

Shou sat down on a chair that sat in front of a desk. Despite it being a cage, it looked like a bedroom with bars. He had a pretty nice bed, a desk, a book shelf, a small dresser, a tall mirror, a sink and a toilet which looked especially dirty.

"Tell me, Gumi was it? Where are you going next?" Shou asked sitting elegantly with his legs crossed and his arm propping his head up on his desk.

"We haven't decided. We'll figure it out soon." I crossed my arms.

"Aw, I see." He nodded to himself. "Well I haven't been keeping up to date with the other mythical creature towns so I'm afraid I can't be of help my dear Gumi."

"It's alright. We've been looking into it."

Shou looked me over. "My dear, you're all beaten up. Did my brother hurt you?"

"No, your father did. I completed the coming of age ceremony and fought your father for the final task."

Shou clapped. "Well done my dear. You beat him I assume."

"Yes, I am a lot stronger then I appear." I flexed my very tiny muscles.

Shou chuckled. "I can see you have great skill and agility. No wonder my brother fell in love with a Half-Breed."

"Well there are many other factors that played into that. He first saw me the day I was born and fell in love with me then. Originally, we had an arranged marriage." I explained. "It's rather sweet how long he waited for me. 19 in a half years." I chuckled. "Dumb sap."

"Agreed." Shou nodded in approval. "He's such a pathetic little pup."

"I wouldn't say pathetic but he is most definitely a pup when it comes to most things." I smiled. "But he's a great man. He's taken good care of me this past month." I sighed. "But I fear that I'll never actually end up with him since the Councils on our asses."

Shou nodded. "Fascinating. It's been a while since I've heard such great stories. I truly enjoying your visit my dear. You are such a sweet girl. If only I wasn't imprisoned in this cage. I'd try to steal you for myself."

"I'm sure that wouldn't go over well with Gakupo." I giggled.

"Yes I suppose it wouldn't." Shou looked at the light bulb above me. "It's been a while since the lights were turned on. This is a great occasion indeed. You have brightened up my day in more ways then one my dear. I wish you would visit me again soon."

"If Gakupo ever gets off my ass about not visiting you, I'll try." I said. I looked at my watch. "I'm sure Gakupo is coming the town for me by now. I should go. I'll try to come back and see you again before the wedding."

Shou smiled. "I'd like that. Thank you for visiting me my dear." He held out his hand through the cage bars. "It's been a good time. I haven't had a conversation with a woman in ages."

I shook his hand. He felt so cold. "Next time I'll bring you a blanket." I looked at the blanket he had and it looked thin. "Yours looks a little thin."

"We don't treat our prisoners nicely Gumi. I brought you down here out of kindness for you but I can't allow you to come back down here. He does not deserve visitors." Kaen glared at Shou. "He doesn't even deserve what he has now."

Shou patted my hand. "He's right dear. I have no right to have such a pretty visitors. On your way back, have Kaen tell you the story. I must repent for my sins. It'll take another hundred years to repent. I ask you kindly to just visit. I can't accept anything." Shou looked at me seriously. "However…please come back. I may not deserve the many belongs I have but company is not something I don't deserve. Even prisoners deserve some company. Even if it's just someone standing outside a door." Shou let goof my hand. "Be careful out there. My father does not take defeat easily. He's going to destroy you one way or another."

I smiled. "I'm afraid you're wrong Shou."

Shou looked at me curiously. "Oh am I?"

I nodded. "Aizo won't kill me."

"Why is that? Did you drug him or something? You don't peg me as that type but you can never know with some people my dear."

"As long as Gakupo can defeat Aizo, I will not die. I am a lot more powerful then I appear. Do not underestimate your opponent Shou." I got in his face. "You've been playing me this whole time haven't you?"

Shou smiled an evil smile. "Very good. I thought you wouldn't figure me out but I suppose I'm a little rusty in deception."

I smiled. "Even so, I did very much enjoy our conversation. I will be back at some point in time." I pushed away from the bars. "Take care of yourself. If you die before I see you again then I would have made the trip here for nothing and what a waste that would be."

"Can do my dear." Shou sat down on his bed. "Do not forget my words dear. This town is not what it appears to be." He laughed evilly as Kaen carried me on his back up the latter.

"Do not let what Shou said get to you and do not tell anyone I brought you here alright?" Kaen looked serious. He kicked the door to the latter closed and carried me away from the shack.

I don't know what to think about Shou. He definitely is evil and he's so good at deception. I kind of like him until he went all evil on me. I almost felt sorry for him…almost. If he was truly like that, I would have requested for him to be set free and I knew he knew I would if he played his cards right. Good thing I'm not a stupid human or I might have fallen for his evil plan.

Even so…I'm going to go down and see him again soon. I think if I try, I can change him. Make him lose that evil. I wonder if shock therapy would work.

Gakupo didn't say much when we got back. Kaen told him that he took me down to the creek but I don't think Gakupo believed him. I know I wouldn't have. I'm too sneaky for my own good.

Even when we where going to bed he didn't say much. He'd just say "Yeah" or "Uh huh." It was so annoying but I guess I deserve it for disobeying his orders even though he doesn't really know that I did disobey him.

"Gumi, we need to talk." Gakupo said climbing into bed next to me.

"What's up? The council isn't on there way are they?" I asked.

"No. It's about the wedding." Gakupo looked out the window.

I tilted my head to the side. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Is Aizo interfering?"

"No, nothing like that." Gakupo grabbed my hand and slid something onto my finger. I knew what it was before I looked. "Alright, good night. Sleep is important when you're injured." Gakupo turned away and fake snored. The ring was really pretty. A diamond in the middle with two smaller diamonds on either side of it.

"Hey! You don't just put a ring on my finger and expect me to be cool with that being your proposal." I shook Gakupo but he refused to indulge me. My eyes narrowed. I pushed him off the bed and he hit the floor.

"Ow, damn it Gumi." He rubbed his head.

"Do it right. Don't wimp out. You already know what I'm gonna say. Just ask." I handed him the ring.

"But if you're going to say yes then why do I have to ask?" Gakupo complained.

"It's tradition!" I snapped.

Gakupo sighed and got down on one knee. "Gumi will you marry me?"

"Like you mean it." I demanded.

"But I do mean it!" Gakupo shouted.

"Then sound like it." I glared at him.

Gakupo grabbed my hand. "Gumi, I've loved you since the day you were born and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Even if we spend it running from the council. I love you so much. Would you marry me?"

I smiled. "Ok." I took the ring. "That wasn't so hard was it?"

"I say my heart felt speech and you just say ok?" Gakupo grumbled.

"Fine." I kissed him. "Of course I'll marry you."

"That's better." Gakupo said like he was so proud of himself.

I rolled my eyes and slid back under the blanket. "I'm tired good night."

Gakupo slid his arms around me from behind. "You're not getting away so easily." He kissed down my neck.

I gave him a quick kiss. "Not tonight. Tomorrow ok?" He sighed and nodded. I turned and snuggled against him. "I love you."

"Yeah I know." His arms slid tight around me. "Which is why I'm gonna protect you." He glared into the darkness. "If you touch her, I'll kill you."

"Come now big brother, you'd kill your own brother." Someone said. When I looked over Gakupo's shoulder, I saw red hair and at that moment I knew…it was Shou.

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Thanks so much for reading this far. Tell me what you want to see happen to Shou at this point? He could become a good guy, he could fall in love, whatever you guys want. Just review and tell me what you think or message me. I'm not gonna let you know who he'd fall in love with if you guys want that to happen. It'll be really cute though. Oh and to clear up any confusion, Tsubaki is the doctor and the ring maker chick.

Also check out Kyousei if you haven't already and check out one piece which is the best show in the whole world besides Kenichi the mightiest disciple. Sanji's so delicious!