Chapter 42- The Ultimate Grudge Match

The young woman moved silently on bare feet through the kitchen, the only sound was the shattering of dishes and the rattling of the cupboards. If she was injured by the falling glass, the cut would heal almost instantaneously, leaving behind a small smear of blood.

Feeling that he would continue to remain silent as she took out her anger on the kitchen, the chevalier stayed out on the balcony watching the surf. The events of last night had sent her into a tirade.

He had forced her to divulge her past to her boyfriend- thankfully to no one else and then, he had grounded her and demanded that she write five pages of the sentence "I will not drink alcohol or commit act of fornication while living with my father" in Japanese and English. The chevalier almost demanded her to write it in French as well, knowing that she was learning the language from him. How she had learned the more lewd words first was beyond him.

Right now, those dirty words were being shouted in English, French, Japanese, and a few other languages he was surprised that came from her. The young woman had a flare for languages. She had learned to speak and write Japanese fluently in only 8 months and was a month into French, but catching on really fast. She was even demanding to learn Italian, knowing that it must be very similar to Spanish.

The version she called Spanish was a strange sort of slurry that the locals spoke in the US and Mexico. He inwardly cringed at the knowledge that she would need to relearn the language if she wanted to actually visit Spain one day.

He shook the thought off, but found himself thinking again on her fantastic ability. He had been teaching the twins English and French for the past 20 years and it took them that long to master them. Saya was the same way. It took her forever to learn a new language- and upon awakening, she would forget any that she had learned except French or in the case of her previous awakening- Japanese. He had always acted as her guide, bodyguard, and translator.

Not even Diva's chevaliers could master the multitude of languages. That was another reason she had a different one for every region. Amshel spoke French and English, Solomon spoke German and English- with a bit of French, Karl spoke most of the Asian languages, and James spoke English and Spanish.

Since the end of the war he had not considered Nathan with those of Diva's chevaliers. However, he had been her greatest untapped asset. Nathan was the oldest living chiropteran and had more knowledge on their kind than all of Amshel and the Red Shield's notes combined. He also had been around long enough to have mastered every known language. The last time he and Hagi had a conversation, the ridiculous chevalier insisted on speaking strictly in pig latin.

He deduced that this gift of hers came from him and not the chiropteran bloodline.

As the chevalier waited for the tirade in the kitchen to end, he pondered the things that Kai had told him. Even though he seemed calm about how he was reacting to his daughter's temper tantrum, he was torn about it too. On one hand, he felt he had no business punishing her. After all, he had not been in her life for until recently.

On the other hand, he is her father and he couldn't just walk all over him- no matter how angry she was. Kai had told him many time that he needed discipline- something he was certain the chevalier knew about. The question was: what right did he truly have to discipline her? Was it just because their DNA test proved he was her dad?

It finally had gone quiet in the kitchen. A slight ticking in the jaw muscles of the stoic man was the only tell that gave away his frustration. Sensing her presence leaving the apartment and the loud slam of a door, Hagi entered the apartment to clean up the mess, certain he would need to replace the china.

~0~

All the Red Shield members arrived early for the party. As usual, Julia and David sat with a silver side burned Joel and chatted about the progress of the various serums they were working on. When asked by Joel, Julia explained about Mary Frances. "We have tested her and put her body through numerous scenarios. It seems that her body and blood respond in the same way as Hagi's."

Joel frowned as he clasped his hands under his chin. "How is that possible, Dr. Julia? Wouldn't her mother's blood dilute the chiropteran effect- as in the cases of the other princesses?"

The aging doctor's glasses flashed in the light that came out of the kitchen when the door opened as Kai brought another box of food out to the dining area. Riku came through the door, causing the bell to chime and lifted the box before heading out the door.

Dr. Julia continued, "The red line I stronger than we thought. His DNA completely overrides the mother's. There are a few trace markers that indicate she has human blood, but most of it reflects his. It is why we haven't had much luck in creating a serum for her. No one has ever tried to turn a chevalier into a human."

"So she is Saya's third chevalier?" questioned a young voice from behind them. Dr. Julia and David turned to see Lulu. Her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck into the usual lavender ponytail, but she was now wearing a black and white skirt suit with black flats. She smiled, making her look like a small child and added, "I knew there was a reason she smelled so much like Hagi and Saya- she's just like them."

As the conversation continued, Kai and his family were setting up for the party. Lewis was in the kitchen with Kai, trying to add various things to what Kai was cooking. Kai would just wave him back to his pot of onion soup and tell him, "You cook your food your way and I'll cook mine my way."

The girls were setting up the colored lanterns on the poles Hojo was sticking deep into the sand. As the young man thrust another pole into the ground, he looked up at the beautiful sunset. There was so much red in it! The sky above was such a pretty shade of blue- like a sapphire. Toward the western horizon, the color faded into a rich purple before it came to the brilliant red that surrounded a haze of vibrant orange that circled the setting sun. Not a cloud in sight. The night would be beautiful. His eyes then hazed over with red as he felt the approach of a chevalier, but not Hagi or Mary Frances.

Hojo's hand came to his belt where he held a few razor sharp blades. He hadn't thought there would be any danger and was silently cursing himself for not at least bringing one of the queen's swords.

Before he could pull the blade from his belt, a flash of blue streaked by him and he was surprised when the figure skidded to a halt directly in front of an approaching figure. Torrents of sand flew into the air around the red-eyed queen as she skidded to a halt, looking much the same as she had 30 years ago.

Saya was in her purple dress with eyes blazing. She had sensed the presence of someone familiar- an enemy, and came as fast as she could to ward off the danger.

The tall, imposing figure looked like he could have been an American football player. He was in a purple suit from a time long past. His black hair was slicked back away from his alabaster face, revealing cold, blue eyes

Saya's lips pulled back in a snarl, "Hagi killed you. How are you still alive?"

The deep voice responded coolly with its own question, "How is that street urchin?" A wicked smirk came to his face as he added, "I hear he has a daughter."

Saya didn't respond with anything more than a growl as her eyes burned with rage. With lightening speed, she brought her blade across as she turned, but the chevalier was already on her other side. She kicked only to have her leg caught and thrown along with the rest of her.

The ring adorned hand came up and caught a pair of razor sharp knives before they made contact. Blue eyes burned red as a deep voice warned Hojo, "What do you think you can do against me, foolish boy?"

Suddenly, the massive chevalier stilled as three stiletto daggers were embedded in his back. Before he could turn, a pair of long, pale fingers grasped his collar and turned him. He was now facing brown eyes and an alabaster, slender face that looked remarkably like the man coming up behind her. She growled, "Nathan, lose the ugly disguise."

The image of Amshel faded away, revealing the blonde with the wide, ever-present smile. "You've gotten really good at this, Mary Frances."

She smirked and added, "You look much better now. Who was that ugly man supposed to be anyway?"

Ignoring her question, he commented, "I look much better? Of course, I do! I am gorgeous… well…" he began as he eyed the tall, dark-haired chevalier holding the cello case, "…maybe not the most gorgeous one here."

She wrapped an arm around the eldest chevalier's shoulders and guided him toward the bonfire where the party was, teasing, "Thanks, old man. That means a lot coming from you."

This caused the younger generation to chuckle when Nathan gave her a look. He pulled her arm away and whined, "Eww! Not you! I told you before- I don't bat for your team."

~0~

Kai had finished the grilling and the party was going great. Lulu and Dr. Julia were chatting away with Saya and Kanade, deciding to mover to the steps and sit down at the other side of all the events going on. Hibiki and Joel talked with Lewis while Hojo and Riku were sparring a distance away. Further off, behind the rocky outcropping that separated the land above from the beach, Raoul watched on, knowing he could do little else.

Kai and David were relaxing in two of the beach chairs that were set up. They were discussing life and all the changes that came with children that were now adults. Both of them eyed Saya's chevalier. He had pulled a beach chair a few feet from where the waves thinned out and reached toward him, but never quite made it there. He played the usual somber melody, causing Kai to hum along unknowingly.

When he turned to see what had David smirking, he noticed what was happening and muttered a curse before he called out to the chevalier, "Damn it, Hagi! Don't you know any other songs?" He then added as David actually began to laugh, "I've had to listen to that same old song for more than 30 years- can't you give it a rest?"

Whether Hagi heard him or not, he continued to play the same tune. He could feel Saya relaxing to the melody. Even if she was still angry at him, he could at least soothe her a little this way.

Nathan was moving around nearby, no doubt looking to reprimand Raoul for getting too close. Even though he deserved the punishment, Hagi couldn't help but feel sorry for the young man. He had made a terrible mistake and was now doomed to live the rest of eternity as a stalker- always on the outskirts of everything and never being invited in.

Mary Frances was off a distance away with Jack. The young man had told her that they needed to have a discussion and left the party area to get a bit of privacy. The discussion he and Jack had earlier reassured him that there would be no more risqué activities in his home- at least none involving Jack.

Lifting his head to seemingly look upon the ocean, waves of ebony hair danced around his face as his eyes narrowed. She had mentally contacted him- something she had never done before. He stopped in the middle of the tune and put his cello away in a hurry before he abandoned the chair where it was and disappeared in a swirl of wind and sand.

"Glad that's over," Kai muttered before he took a sip from his beer.

Saya turned and looked with curiosity. Hagi never left before completing a song unless something was endangering them. Closing her eyes, she took in the surrounding area. There were no chiropterans other than the ones that were supposed to be there. Continuing with her conversation, Saya kept her senses trained on where he was headed, certain the problem would reveal itself soon.

Hagi stopped in front of Mary Frances as she and Jack were having a heated discussion.

Her finger gestured wildly at Hagi, she shouted to the man in front of her, "Where do you get off making agreements with that and not even discuss it with me? This was between us and I told you no, yet you go behind my back and ask him!"

"MF, he's your dad," the young man tried to reason. "I have to have his permission… besides, he said that I had to wait and ask you again when you turn 18. By then…"

Mary Frances was running her fingers through her short hair, giving it a tug in anger before she finally interrupted, "My dad? My dad?! Are you nuts? He's not my dad! He's nothing more than a fucking sperm doner!"

She then turned to Hagi and poked her finger into his chest, "And you! You have no business discussing my life or my future without me! It's my fucking life- not yours!"

Hagi held his stoic expression but he could not hold up against the rage that was welling inside him. She had been putting him down and trying his patience for nearly a year. Most of the time, she had the decency to go into a tirade in private, but this was on a public beach and there were still some people moving around- not to mention the party that was now turning their heads to the shouts that were carried to them on the wind.

She was humiliating him- and in front of the Red Shield… and Saya. He could see Jack trying to calm her down. He could see the fear that suddenly came into the young man's eyes as Mary Frances and her father both gave the same glare to one another.

Throwing one last bomb, Mary Frances added coldly, "If you can go around fucking anything with a cunt with no worries about the babies you make, I can fuck who I want anytime and anywhere- and that includes Jack."

Hagi's hand shot out and gripped the throat of the young woman, lifting her off the ground. Reason and logic were shutting down as the chiropteran within him came to the surface. His blue-grey eyes became brighter- almost aqua and began to glow against his alabaster face. His hands transformed to claws and nicked the pristine skin of her neck. Even with the cello in place, his wings burst from his back as he growled, "I will take no more of your nonsense, daughter."

Jack was terrified, but remained in place, frozen in shock and fear. He watched as Mary Frances managed to cry out and break free from her father. It was surprising that instead of being terrified, the young woman was enraged.

Her purple wings burst out as similar claws surfaced. Her eyes were glowing in rings- one red- one blue. She kicked up torrents of sand as she growled and then lunged at the tall figure, pushing him back a few feet, but not knocking him over.

It was shocking. He had no idea that she could transform. The shock cooled his rage enough for him to reign in his powers, causing his features to become human again.

Mary Frances smirked as she did the same. "Didn't know I could do that, did you?"

Ignoring her question, Hagi replied, "I will no longer allow you to insult me and make a fool of yourself. Tonight, you will learn that there are consequences to your behavior."

Her eyebrow went up and she replied, "Oh? You can't whip me old man, so don't even try."

"No weapons. I will force you to the ground with my bare hands and then I want you to submit and do as you are told," he said icily.

Her cocky smirk widened as she thought about pinning him to the ground and making him eat sand. "Make me," she commanded.

Effortlessly, Hagi grabbed her around the neck, but she slipped out of his grasp. As she wheeled around to connect a fist to his face, his connected with her jaw. Undaunted by the attack, she brought her other fist up and made an attempt at his face only to find his hand had blocked her.

The chevalier turned his daughter, locking her arm behind her back by the elbow and wrist and ordered her, "Submit."

"Fuck you," she growled as she wriggled loose and turned to kick him in the side, causing him to skid to the side. She then brought her other leg across, but he had already dodged.

She was surprised when a fist connected with her nose and she heard a crunch. She was stunned that he would actually break her nose! A single tear streamed down her face as blood burst from her nostrils, but she wasn't done.

Her fists began to fly, but the chevalier had more experience in hand to hand combat than she had thought. Every punch and kick was either dodged or blocked. As it continued, she thought about what she had been told about boxers that blocked their way through a fight and once the rival was weak and worn out from all the effort, the final blow was struck. Maybe she should try that.

She tried to block, but he was faster than her. He knew techniques that she did not and soon she was finding herself taking a beating.

Finding her second wind, she began to punch, dodge and kick, landing a few blows, but she was taking more than she was giving. Knowing she was about to eat sand, she did the only thing she could think to- she ran to Kai.

The once red-haired man that had taken her in, advised her, and cared for her was sitting in a beach chair watching the waves roll in and out with Mr. David. "Kai! Kai!" she called out.

Many of the guests of the party turned and saw her coming up the shoreline to them. Most knew what was going on and would not interfere. Saya and Kanade were shocked. Mary Frances was covered in blood, cuts, and bruises. They knew it would heal quickly, but this was a bit excessive. Saya came to her brother's side and listened as he told Mary Frances, "I told you too many times that you need to listen to him. He is your dad and if he feels you're out of control, it's his right to put you in place."

She gave a disbelieving look as her father approached the group, fists clenched. The girl knew that he hated public confrontations, yet she had come here, effectively dragging this fight into the public. Knowing she was in for it, she whined, "Please, Kai. I didn't know he was this strong! He'll kill me!"

Kai finished a sip on his drink as he and Mr. David gave her the same look of disapproval. "He won't kill you, but he certainly will set you straight," Mr. David said.

The young woman grunted as she moved further away only to be met with her father again and the battle continued. This time, she was grabbed by the wrist and tossed over his shoulder. She landed with a splash in the water.

Saya nudged Kai and complained, "You should do something."

Kai gave an exasperated sigh and responded, "This is something that needs to be done. Mary Frances has a smart mouth and she likes to pick on her dad. Hagi needs to do this."

David smiled as a memory came to his mind. He then added, "I remember you used to have a pretty smart mouth, Kai."

Kai snorted, "I sure did- until you knocked me senseless on that ship."

David laughed then and commented, "I had to do that to Michael when he turned 13. That's usually the age they start acting out."

Kai replied, "Hell, I had to get the girls when they were 6. Any older than that and they'd overpower me." He then added with a wistful smile, "George was 10, but he was always a handful. Never had to do it with Riku. Even though he looks like he gets in trouble a lot, he's a pretty good kid."

Saya just turned an astonished expression to each as they spoke. Were they just condoning violent behavior toward their children?

Meanwhile, the fight continued as some of the women in the group began to move toward the skirmish only to be held back by Nathan, Hojo, and Riku. Nathan was surprisingly serious when he informed them, "This needs to be done."

A voice coming from behind them finished, "If she keeps acting out, she will make herself an outcast." His eyes moved to Hibiki as he finished, "When you're an outcast, it can hurt you as well as others." His eyes roamed over his surroundings before he added, "You don't want to know what it's like- and neither does she."

Hibiki turned from him while Kanade reached toward him in compassion. Saya stopped her, saying, "Hibiki feels that your punishment is just." Turning her maroon orbs to her brown-eyed niece, she added, "And it is not our place to change that."

Pleading hazel eyes turned to the eldest queen. He begged with all his hope pinned on her compassion, "But you are her elder. You are the one that rules over us. Please, my queen, speak to her."

Saya shook her head and responded, "I never asked to rule over anyone. Even so, you don't belong to me. You are the chevalier of Hibiki and she alone chooses what's to be done with you."

He nodded sadly and returned to the shadows while Lulu managed to slip by and head toward her student only to find that she had once again been thrown into the water. The tall girl came up, shaking her head to remove some of the water. Her bruises were fading as new ones were being added. Her left eye was swollen shut from one nasty blow. Any blood had been washed away.

Mary Frances came to her feet and lunged again toward the chevalier. Lulu warned, "If you just submit, he'll stop. Quit attacking him!"

The girl continued her attack as her clothes dripped water and stuck to her body. She was weary. The fight was taking a lot out of her and she wondered briefly why she was tired so soon. She was panting and her movements were too slow. The chevalier gripped her arm and pulled her to face him. His voice was deep and even, a sign that he had calmed completely and was now only waiting for her to submit.

Her brown eyes rolled as she lost consciousness. With very little effort, he lifted the girl in his arms and came to his feet. With one bound, he took to the air, Lulu trailing behind. She stopped briefly to inform Lewis where she was headed and to tell Joel Happy Birthday and offer apologies for her mentor and student before she headed off.

Jack knew where they were going, but decided to stay at the party for a little while out of politeness. He would go later to check on Mary Frances and her father. He thought, "It's such a shame she let it come to this, but she has always been stubborn."