Srtength 10 : The Enemy
After all this time. She had thought it lost for so long. After all this time to sense it again, to be drawn to it again. It was exquisite, delicious, unbearable. It was hers how DARE they keep it from her. The delicate crystal wine glass, smashed as she squeezed her fist in avaricious need. Her eyes narrowed. So close, she had been so close, how had they managed to hide, to evade and kill her people. It was infuriating, she had thought it lost forever, then she had sensed it, had found it even, but it had slipped from her grasp. AGAIN it had slipped from her grasp, her teeth clenched. Her need, now that it was so close she could almost taste it was exquisitely painful. She WANTED it, she NEEDED it, and she WOULD have it, she allowed her memories to the forefront, as a hand dropped to her lap, slipping beneath her short skirt, she gave herself temporary relief. She would find it, it belonged to her, and she would get back what was HERS.
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Hands loosely around each other's shoulders, the GetBackers made their way to the Honky Tonk, at 6.40pm that day. (Ginji opting to tell Ban it was for a meal rather then that people were waiting for an explanation - one that Ginji wanted as well.) A lone figure stood on the street, meters away from the Honky Tonk.
The GetBackers were surprised to see Maria, standing without her usual energy and joy, instead she stood hugging her self. Her swollen lips began to tremble slightly as red rimmed eyes devoured the brunette. She stood staring, not moving, her lips moved and all she managed to choke out was a soft, “Ban.”
Ginji stopped and let Ban go forward. Maria dropped her head unable to meet Ban's eyes. The memory of the child, cringing away from her touch, burned a hole in her heart and soul.
“What? I haven't seen you in some time and you don't try to attack me with a flying hug? Why so glum”. Ban asked as he approached the witch.
“Ban, I'm sorry. So very sorry. Please, please Ban, I can accept it from the rest, but please don't hate me. I understand if you never want to see me again, I understand now why you never wanted to have anything to do with us. But please Ban you are like a son to me, you never have to see me again, but please don't hate me.” Maria was trembling, the words spilled from her lips, in a torrent.
Ban sighed. “Meh, so much trouble. Well if you won't hug me..” Ban's arms went around the witch and drew her to him. One hand buried in her black hair as the other stroked her back comfortingly. Tears soaked him for the second time that day. “I could never hate you Maria, in the short time I was with you, you gave me so much. You did not even know me at the time, so there is no fault, no blame. I hardly remember, so crying over something that happened so many years ago is a really stupid thing to do. So stop crying Hag, it makes you look 500 years old.” Ban said with gruff affection.
It took a minute but Maria finally stopped crying. She pressed close Ban, relaxing for the first time since that day in the Honky Tonk. She had been so afraid that she had lost her precious rascal of a treasure, Ban. She smiled slowly, she should have known better. “I'm only 99 you brat.” She said though her voice was still thick with emotion.
“Huh!!” Ban said, looking at the woman who really was like a mother to him. “Weren't you 99 during the Card thing, what 2 years ago? Hmm?” Ban said with a twinkle in his eye.
“What!! You brat, I raised you better then that. How dare you question a woman's age.” Maria drew herself up in immediate defense. Then she finally met Ban's twinkling eyes. The both of them burst out laughing, the tension and sadness finally releasing their hold on the witch.
Ginji glopped the both of them. “Yeah!! All right!! Ban-chan, Maria-san lets go explain things to Paul-san, we are all okay.” He said with a laugh.
Maria reluctantly released Ban and drew herself up, “No cutesy-pie. Paul and Me will have to work this out on our own. First I have to have a chat with a certain ghost in Infinity Fortress, before Paul will even come close to forgiving me. He was right, the witches have to take responsibility.”
“Maria..” Ban said in concern.
“Its alright Ban. As long as things between us are alright, I am all right. I need to do this for them as much as for myself.” Maria said with a smile.
“As long as you are doing it for yourself I won't stop you, hag.” Ban said. “But if that old fool gives you any trouble, tell him I'll come there and kick his butt again. You hear me?”
Maria beamed, “Si, Si. You make a mother proud, Ban.”
“You are not my mother.” Ban said moodily, gentle fingers touched Maria's cheek for a moment, belying the words.
With a happy flourish, not a sliver of her earlier depression present, Maria made her way back to the Cartas.
Ginji was almost smirking at Ban. “WHAT?!” Ban asked as he lit a cigarette.
“You are so sweet Ban-chan. You made Maria-san all better.”
“Sweet! Sweet! You stupid eel. I show you sweet.” With a huge mallet Ban whacked Ginji on the head.
“Owie Ban-chan! Sorry! I'm Sorry!” Ginji said with a huge lump on his head. He glared at the mallet (where did Ban-chan get that, I thought I had thrown the last one away. And where had he been hiding the blasted thing. It was a mystery)
“Huh! That'll learn you. Okay lets go Ginji” Ban said continuing to the Cafe.
“Fuck” Ban said crudely, when six pairs of eyes, trained on him as he entered the Cafe. Ginji followed behind and flipped the open sign to close. “Sorry Ban-chan, but even I want to hear some explanations. This was too close.”
“Here's blue mountain and a sandwich, the girls have the night off, so you can explain undisturbed.” Paul said, his dark glasses hiding the relief he felt in seeing his god-child.
“Ban I am so glad you are all right.” Himiko threw herself at Ban, who collected her in a brotherly hug.
“Hey kid who do you think you are talking to, this is the great Ban Midou sama, of course I am all right.” Ban said with an arrogant smile.
“Looks more like a snake-bastard to me.” Shido said snidely.
“No one invited you, Monkey Tamer!” Ban snapped.
“Oh and here I thought that losing control, and having Ginji run around in worry was an open invitation?” Shido said unerringly hitting a vulnerable point. Ban was on the verge of exploding when a soft voice brought him up short.
“He, he, no greeting for me Ban-kun, and after I was so worried about you.” the transporter said mockingly. His eyes however swept hungrily up the length the retriever, the violet eyes gleamed with a strange light. “The next time I see you prone Ban-kun pray, let it be under... different circumstances.” The Jackal said with his enigmatic smile.
Shudders ran up everyone's spine at the tome of Akabane's voice, eyes were averted as if to not draw the attention of a hungry predator. Only Ban never flinched, he stared the Jackal down with impassive eyes, and in doing so only managed to intrigue the predator even more.
“Ban-chan, this is scary.” Ginji said going chibi, he was shaking and cringing for the atmosphere. Immediately Ban turned to Ginji, “Why the hell are you still afraid of this quack.” Ban groused as allowed Ginji to latch on to his shoulder.
“I'm hungry, Ban-chan.” Was all Ginji said as he leaned in to cuddle smugly into Ban's neck.
“Explanations after food.” Ban said as he dropped Ginji on to the stool next to him, and began eating in studious silence.
Akabane primly sat on the other side of Ban, before Himiko could move to the stool, she raised her brow at the slightly unchivalrously action. Akabane looked a little abashed and tipped his hat in apology. Himiko shrugged and sat on the booth with Shido and Kazuki.
Ban ate trying to collect his thoughts. Shit he did not like this, he felt their eyes on him. Seated between Ginji and Akabane, Ban was more then a little uncomfortable, he had never felt this strange before, the hair on the back of his neck was standing. What the hell were the two of them thinking, the only way to handle a situation like this was to - ignore it. Ban decided, it had nothing to do with him if they wanted to act so weird.
He finished his food, and finally turned. “What do you want me to say?” he asked.
“How about what happened when you were a child.” Paul said his voice soft.
“That? Like I said ancient history, since I hardly remember it there is nothing to tell.” The glasses glittered as Ban pushed them up, hiding his eyes, and very poorly masking the lie. But they all knew that there was only so far one could push the Jagan Master, and this was one area where he could not be budged an inch. So most of then swallowed their words, bit back their questions and focused on the present.
Paul drew down his glasses, “Ban.. I..”
“Drop it Paul.” Ban snapped. “It was not Maria's fault and it sure as hell is not yours. So just drop it.” Ban said his eyes glittered at the older man, Paul looked away first.
“Alright Ban, consider it dropped.” Paul said with a sigh as he put his glasses back on.
“Fine lets concentrate on the present then,” Kazuki said, “Who is watching you and on earth happened? I have felt them watching us since that night, but I can't seem to find their source, even Shido's creatures could not track them.”
“Huh You couldn't do even that right could you monkey tamer.” Ban smirked at Shido.
“Why you?” Shido half rose, then stopped when small bottle appeared in front of his face.
“Take a chill pill. Ban is stalling, if you give him an excuse to bale, I will flame you.” Himiko warned. And Shido sank back down ignoring the smug snake's aside to Ginji (totally whooped by females).
“Just answer Kazuki's question Ban.” Himiko said with a sigh.
“Fine, my magic went out of control. I had too many different forces inside me. I.. I.. really am not sure of the moment I sealed my own magic, but after what happened in the limitless fortress the seal weakened. The sealed magic started leaking. It was such a low leak that at first even I didn't notice” Ban said with self disgust, no one commented for once. Everyone listened intently, aware that interrupting would give Ban an excuse to stop talking.
“When I noticed I started to make plans, but like a dam bursting, the magic went from a leak to a torrent in the Honky Tonk the other day. I think the problem is that in the time since I sealed the magic I was born with, I have developed other abilities, other strengths and other magic. The original magic and what I developed were both equally strong and they could not harmonize. They warred inside me. I had to force them to harmonize, and I have.” Ban said smugly, “You not finding me was essential so I took measures to hide myself, your rats monkey tamer may have scurried right past me and would never have even noticed me.” Ban considered that sufficient explanation on that subject.
“That time my magic came in a torrent, my normal senses shut down but I could still sense things around me, and I sensed something there, something hostile. I know that it could not sense Ginji, because when he hugged me, I.. well for the lack of a better word.. I 'saw' the creature look confused as if blinded. It seemed to me that his electrical field disturbed their sight, so I figured they could not see Ginji.” Ban said - not quite logically, but magic was less about logic and more about intuition.
He raised a brow at Kazuki, his words were grudging “That you could sense them thread spool is impressive, from their probes the other night their magic is powerful.”
Kazuki flushed with pleasure from the rare praise, his eyes gleamed as he took in the beautifully masculine form. “Why thank you Midou-kun, it is very kind of you to say so.”
Ban huffed on his cigarette, “Kind my ass, and Kazuki since this psycho is calling me Ban, the rest of you except for the monkey may as well call me Ban as well.” Ban said grumpily, not quite hiding that he did consider them his friends.
“When snake bastard have I ever called you anything except Ban?” Shido asked crocking his head.
“Shut up nobody ever gave you permission to talk you monkey.” Ban's teen Chibi said petulantly.
“The ones I dealt with Ban-kun did not have much magic, they were not much of a challenge, and sadly none survived long enough to talk.” Akabane said, his eyes took on a dangerous glint. “And that was not all my doing, the one or two who came close to talking died from a magical attack. The person behind that is powerful, but very ill mannered to steal my prey like that. The magic they are using is unfamiliar to me though.”
“Well the next time they attack me, I should get a firmer understanding of their magic regardless of the level of baddies we are dealing with.” Ban said taking a long drag of his cigarette, he and Akabane almost in unison stood up, Kazuki was a split second behind them. Seeing their energies rise, the rest stood.
“Sorry Wan-san” Akabane said, “looks like we are going to have visitors, lets all enjoy ourselves shall we, and no need to hold back I will cover the damages, even if it includes rebuilding.” Akabane didn't even bother to hide his anticipation.
“Fighting outside of the Limitless Fortress is for you young people, I'll just minimize the damage.” Paul said resigned. “But no killing Akabane, I don't want a murder investigation here.”
“I'm sorry Chief, but they were going to hurt Ban-chan, I will not give them a chance.” electricity crackled around Ginji.
The windows and door of the Honky Tonk exploded inward. Figurers fully covered in black suits burst in. The close quarters made unleashing more powerful attacks unthinkable. Flame perfume, bloody rains, whirlpools and electrical discharges would have done more damage to the Cafe, then their opponents were capable of doing. They stuck to close combat, not that it was a real handicap to any in the group.
The fight was fast and furious, the enemy now used magic, demonic energy and black flames burst from their hands, the attacks were dodged of dissipated and the attackers dispatched in quick order. The smarter ones ran, but as soon as they were 10 feet from the Cafe, they were engulfed in black light and died screaming, only their dried husks remained. All in the Cafe froze for a second. “No” Ginji said in horror.
Kazuki's threads went out closing all the exists, if any of the enemy ran in panic they would not be able to leave. A few more seconds later it was over, the assailants were knocked out, except for one, who was pinned by scalpels against the wall.
He had seemed to be the leader. “I can't tell you, anything. She will kill me, she is very, very powerful. Please she will kill me.”
Akabane's smile was pure evil, “You have already told us something, our enemy is a woman.”
The man's eyes rolled, the dark energy seemed to growl and descend on the man. He screamed.
“Now that's enough of that.” Ban said moving Akabane aside. He chanted in German under his breathe and raised a palm, his magic glowing like bait in his hand. Immediately the dark energy honed in on him. “Go” was all Ban said, and the magic expanded out, a shimmering amethyst, that as it passed though the assailants pushed out particles of blackness, leaving them unconcious. The dome encased the honky tonk, forming a barrier.
The dark energy seemed to collate outside the door of the Honky Tonk. Ban moved so that he was between the door and the rest of the group, Ginji stood beside him.
A shimmering silhouette of a woman formed, she was as tall as Shido, red black energy around her. She seemed to be in her early twenties, she was beautiful. He hair a blood red, and eyes like midnight, her skin rivaled Akabane's in fairness. She looked almost approvingly at the barrier.
“Power” the word was a almost drawn out, “such delicious power.” Her eyes like poniards focused on Ban, she leaned forwards and licked the barrier. She jerked back as it sparked. “Delicious power, with a delicious bite, such power should belong to me. It is mine, is that not true Ban Midou Liebe? Do I not deserve it?:”
Ban did not react, he stood relaxed but ready for attack.
She growled at his non-reaction, then she collected herself. “ I am most please, so much will belong to me soon.” In a swirl of energy the apparition vanished.
Ban was silent a second then he chanted some more, the barrier, seemed to adhere to the walls of the Honky Tonk. Then it too vanished. “The Honky Tonk is a safe zone now, they cannot come in or even hear what is going on inside here. These people, get them to Maria she can cleanse them”
“Ban-chan,” Ginji said placing a hand on Ban's shoulder, and feeling the rock hard tension in the muscles. “Did that women know you?” Ban was silent.
Shido growled. “We now know the enemy's face, what is her name Ban?” Ban still did not move, and from behind Ginji slid his hands around Ban's waist, drawing Ban unresisting into a hug. Ban leaned back slightly into Ginji's warmth, to ward of the cold that enveloped him. His face was still blank.
“Ban-kun” Akabane said a little concerned at this unnatural behavior.
“Can you not guess the name of our enemy?” Kazuki said softly. “We face the blood witches.”
Ban straighted to his full height, Aesculapius rose and slithered around the Jagan Master, his deep blue eyes gleamed with wrath.
---- tbc---
hehehe- and so the story will be continued another day. Hope you are enjoying it, please review whatcha think of the 'enemy'.