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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 19, 2005 19:19:28 GMT -5
Integra found teh Horse Paddock easily enough--Amelia cheerfully pointed it out without delay, and she went into teh Courtyard, IGNORING teh Intense Scrutiny from teh "Hotel Ruff-SECURITY" fellow's face--As she walked up to it, she saw a rather peculiar-looking black horse [were those HORNS!?] standing in teh fenced open area in front of teh actual stable, and then spotted a pair of slim black-clad legs and black cape on teh other side of teh animal............
"Er......D?" she said, suddenly feeling unsure of herself and just what she was gonna say.......
D stopped grooming his cyber-stallion, and looked around under teh animal's dark neck, asking, "Yes?", but when he saw that it was Integra, he suddenly stiffened, and stepped back behind teh animal where she couldn't see his face--"Oh..........Is there something I can......do for you, Sir Hellsing....?" he asked, his voice quiet and polite, but with undertones of coldness.........
Integra straightened herself up, and said, NOT in a pleading voice, but straight-forwardly, like a Hellsing SHOULD--
"D, I came to APOLOGIZE to you for my earlier unkind comments on your........heritage......It was WRONG of me to.....to "condemn" you for teh actions of others without knowing YOU better.........." she paused then, not quite certain whether she should continue, but finally added, "Anyway, I was needlessly cruel, and I regret that--I'm.....SORRY, D...."
She heard him *sigh*, then he spoke to her, still on teh other side of his strange mount, "Thank you, Sir Hellsing......that was considerate of you...but may I ask you a question...?"
"Yes?"
"Did my Mother put you up to this? She can be VERY strong-willed at times--I ASSUME she HAD to be, living with my Father...."
"No, she did NOT ask me to apologize, D--but as an Hellsing, also, I felt.........I felt I OWED you one....."
He came around teh horse suddenly, moving so fast she was startled--"She TOLD you, DIDN'T she, Integra!?" he asked, his voice raised only a little bit, but strong in its intensity--"Mom TOLD you about what HAPPENED to me when I was 19, before I left home!!??"
"Y-yes..." answered Integra, annoyed when her voice came out in a *squeak*--when he was CLOSE, like he was NOW, D seemed over-whelming almost........like his Father, down in that dungeon, leaning over her with HUNGER in his red eyes!
But D's intensity suddenly wilted, and he looked up at teh sky with exasperation written on his features, "DAMN! I KNOW she meant WELL, but......!" He looked down at Integra again, his face going cold and distant--"Sir Hellsing, I DON'T want your Pity! I ACCEPT your apology, but that's ALL, do you understand!?"
He started to turn away, and Integra normally would have LEFT it at that, feeling her "duty" done now that teh apology had been "delivered"...................But--
Ever since she had arrived in this place [and she WASN'T even sure HOW she had gotten here!], Integra Hellsing had met a large number of strange, unusual and even "unbelievable" people...........and not a single one had even TRIED to harm her--or anyone ELSE, and for teh MOST part everyone had been reasonably POLITE--"Only I HAVE behaved like an uncouth......."monster"..." she thought to herself--and felt ASHAMED all over again----Soooo.......
"D--it's TRUE I felt pity for you, but as ANYONE would--and I was ASHAMED, ashamed for HURTING you when you had done NOTHING of teh kind to ME--THAT'S teh REAL REASON I came to apologize--because I WAS WRONG, about You and apparently about everyone ELSE here, at least as far as I can see! Please--can you forgive me for THAT?"
He turned back a bit, looking over his shoulder at her, doubt in his face, but said, "All right, for THAT I do forgive you........Integra..."
She held out her hand then, and he came forward and clasped it briefly, his skin dry and cool to teh touch ["Just like Alucard's" she thought], "Thank you, D....I'd like to be on friendlier "terms" from now on.....if you don't object...."
He smiled then, and she realized that teh sight of his fangs no longer seemed to horrify her ["I must be getting used to this strange place!"] "Friends, then......"
She smiled back, and then he said in a "playful" manner, "I WON'T tell you where Dad is HIDING, tho'! Mom would KILL me if I did! But you WON'T hafta wait long--teh only reason he's "sulking", as my Mother likes to put it, is that he came CLOSE to losing his self-control at teh Halloween Party, and it hurts his Pride when that happens, Integra--Self-control is VERY IMPORTANT to my Father, especially THESE days, living HERE without "restrictions"......"
D briefly put a hand to his neck, where scars would be if he were completely Human--*
"Very important......" he repeated softly.....
Integra came to a decision then--
"D, I think I need someone to......"explain" some things to me, about this place, and teh.....People who live here--Emi-chan told me much, but I still have some questions, and I'd like you to be my "guide" of sorts--if you don't mind, of course....!"
"Well, I HAVE been here ALMOST from teh beginning, " he replied, "So I guess I COULD help some.....Where would you like to start..?"
Integra realized it was Lunchtime, and she WAS hungry--"I noticed teh Hotel has a Restaurant--How about Lunch?" Then, feeling awkward again at her "mistake", she asked, "Um......DO you....."eat"....?"
He smiled at her again, and Integra felt herself warmed in that shy smile--"Yes, actually, I DO....eat FOOD--I only "drink" animal blood, and then only when necessary to keep living--part of my Heritage, you realize....and teh Restaurant is an excellent choice, actually--they not only cater to all KINDS of "strange appetites" there, but their "normal" cuisine is of a VERY good quality!"
As Integra walked towards teh Hotel again, Alucard's son at her side, she felt BETTER than she had in a LONG while--SO good, in fact, that when a very handsome little boy *bumped* into her, running from teh Playground, and suddenly turned into a GIANT SPIDER, then with an apology *blinked* back into a smiling little boy.........Integra hardly *flinched" at ALL.............!
More to Come!
*In an earlier Story, Alucard DID lose control for a bit, and when D tried to stop him, Alucard nearly killed his son before Amon was able to knock him unconscious with teh last of his Orbo bullets.......
Oh, and if you happen to be wondering just WHERE Alucard was hiding--at least during teh quarrel he had had with his Wife, Miranda............
It's "sleepy-time" in Hunter D's Hotel room---and Alucard AIN'T sleeping!
[teh annoyed and cranky Elder Vampire tosses and turns on a small roll-away bed--]
"DAMMIT it ALL! I'm COLD and this DAMN mattress is LUMPY!!! *Mumble, grumble, snarl, SNORT!*"
A short moment LATER.....
"Dad.....Will you KINDLY get OUT of my BED, Please!"
"Sorry, Son, but I was COLD and I MISS your Mother--"
Both of their voices in unison in teh Dark--"And it's that "Virgin" thing, too.......!"
Hunter D gets up in DISGUST and STOMPS over to teh roll-away bed--"FINE, I''ll SLEEP HERE, then!"
"Thanks, Son"
"FORGET it, Okay!?"
[pause]
"I'm STILL cold...."
"FORGET IT, Dad!!!"
*Snort!*
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 19, 2005 19:46:30 GMT -5
As it turned out, Integra didn't NEED to search for one of her Employees, as HE found her FIRST!
NOTE: This was BEFORE Marilyn Nebraska met Farfello [Farfie]
Where's Walter? Peanutcat wrote: Roger and Saint-Germain were going down teh stairs to their basement workshop.
"Did we get that extra space we were needing?" asked Saint-Germain.
"Um, yes." said Roger, "Mr. Wolfwood said we can use teh storeroom next to teh workshop. He said to check it out, as he didn't know if it was empty or not. He gave me teh keys"
"Very well," said Saint-Germain as they reached teh bottom of teh stairs, "Why don't you take a look while I open teh workshop. I'll be with you shortly."
Roger headed over to teh storeroom. He tried to use teh key to open teh door, but was having trouble."Surely he didn't give me teh wrong key!" thought Roger. He bent down to take a close look at teh lock. There were scratches all around it. Strange. He turned teh key harder and this time teh lock opened. He reached in around teh door frame, found teh light switch and flipped on teh lights. What he saw make him pause. "Oh dear!" he said.
"What's teh matter?" Saint-Germain said behind him. He leaned over and peered over Roger's shoulder. "Oh dear, indeed!" In teh middle of teh storeroom he saw and elderly man tied up and gagged. teh man did not look happy. They hurried in to untie him.
"Mmmmph! Mmmph!" Shaking his head, teh man indicated something was wrong. Saint-Germain reached over and removed teh gag.
"Don't touch teh wires with your bare hands!" said teh man, "They're mono-filament, high-tensile wires. You'll slice your fingers off! Get something to cut them with."
Roger hurried over to teh workshop and came back with a pair of heavy-duty shears and freed teh man from his bonds.
"Thank you!" said teh man.
"Just who are you and how did you end up here?" asked Saint-Germain, helping teh man to his feet.
"My name's Walter Dolnaise. I'm a retainer for teh Hellsing Organization." said Walter, "As to how I got here, I was sent here to keep an eye on our people here. I took a job as a chef at teh restaurant here. teh other day this blond young lady expressed an interest in me. When I rebuffed her advances, she hit me on teh back of teh head with a frying pan and I woke up here. When I get a hold of that little bitc--" Walter visibly collected himself. "Sir Integra will be angry that I haven't reported in lately."
"Sir Integra?" asked Roger, "I think she just registered here teh other day. She seems to have quite an attitude!" he sniffed.
"Oh dear!" said Walter, "I had better see to her right away! I'll figure out what to do about that blond chit later."
Stampers wrote:
Walter found Integra in teh restaurant.......having LUNCH WITH HUNTER D!!?? And, was she ACTUALLY SMILING!!!??
"Oh, Dear...." thought Walter to himself, wondering if she KNEW just WHO D was [Walter had been a bit....."surprised"....HIMSELF when Alucard had mentioned it--well, STUNNED, actually!]--
Then his NEXT thought was, "Has this place GOTTEN to her ALREADY!? She almost NEVER smiles like THAT back Home.....!"
Walter walked up to their table, then politely cleared his throat, and Integra looked up, her expression changing to SURPRISE, then concern--
"WALTER! You're BLEEDING!"
"Am I...?" he asked, only NOW realizing that some of his wires HAD cut into one arm, in SPITE of his efforts to NOT move at all [he had hardly DARED to BREATHE, in all honestly!] "Oh, Dear, Ms. Integra, it seems I AM!" It was at THIS point that Walter noticed he felt a bit weak--he had't had anything to eat OR drink for teh last 18 hours or two, and teh strain of holding absolutely STILL that whole time was GETTING to him] He swayed a little, and D jumped up, saying, "Here, take my seat--Integra, will you give him some of your water?"
Walter found himself seated quickly, and Integra, kneeling beside his chair, was offering him a glass of water [Walter did NOT wanna think WHAT might be in D's GLASS right now!] "Thank You, Ms. Integra..." Walter said between sips, appreciating her--and D's--concern, "Perhaps I should get to teh Infirmary before I spoil any appetites?" he said with a wry smile......
"Here," said D, helping teh Butler to stand, "Lean on me--Integra, I'll lead teh way, if you wanna follow....."
Integra nodded, wondering just WHY a Hotel would have an Infirmary--she had a MILLION questions to ask her Loyal Family Retainer, teh LEAST of which was WHERE teh HELL he had BEEN all this time!--but THAT could wait--right NOW she just wanted to see Walter's wounds cared for........
Was it HER imagination, or did those wounds look like they had been CAUSED by Walter's OWN "weapons"...?
To be Continued--
Megumi was teh doctor on duty in teh Infirmary, and with a bit of assisstance from "Nurse" Sanosuke ["Oh, "Ha-HA!", Stampers!" snaps Sano in a snit--ain't alliteration fun!?], soon has Walter's wounds cleaned and bandaged--"Only ONE of them was very deep--You were FORTUNATE, really--I've seen teh damage this kind of wire can do, and it COULD have been WORSE!" said Megumi, giving Walter a questioning look.
Walter *sighed*, not at ALL sure he wanted to admit that teh damage had been inflicted by his OWN trademark weapon of choice--DAMN that Nebraska Woman! He had HEARD how she had been "terrorizing" innocent men, first Vash, then that Darsches fellow and that nice Rain Jewlitt--WHY on EARTH did she hafta take a "liking" to HIM!! Drat!
Integra had waited as patiently as possible during teh "repair work" on her Butler, but she could wait no longer--"All RIGHT, Walter--I wanna know about EVERYTHING that you can tell me--WHY are you HERE? Do you know where Alucard is hiding? WHERE are teh others? What is YOUR "impression" of this place? And, MOST of ALL, who tied you up with your OWN wire!?"
Facing teh inevitable, Walter began, starting with his coming here on a tip that this was where one might find a certain wayward Vampire, and concluding with teh attack on his person by teh ever "amorous" Miss Nebraska--it did NOT help his wounded pride any to see that Integra found this LAST part of his narrative rather "amusing", doing her best to NOT laugh--At LEAST D gave him a sympathetic roll of teh eyes when he mentioned Marilyn!
However, when it came to answering ALL of Sir Hellsing's questions, he did "hedge" a bit on teh subject of Alucard's immediate location, especially after he caught teh worried look on D's face--Walter had gotten used to teh quiet man who was Alucard's son, with his considerate ways and polite manners [so UNLIKE his reprobate of a Father!], and he HAD to admire even a half-Vampire who could be so close to fresh Human blood and NOT even seem to NOTICE it's presence on his own clothes from where Walter had been leaning against him--"He MUST have considerable "control"", he thought.
So, after teh "de-briefing" by Integra, it was decided that Walter would stay in teh Infirmary for a bit [for"observation"]--having some Lunch with Sanosuke and Megumi--while D gave his "Boss Lady" teh promised "tour" of teh Hotel and its environs........
Meanwhile, in ANOTHER part of teh basement, Marilyn Nebraska, finding her "catch of teh day" MISSING, was NOT PLEASED!!!
"I GUESS I'll just hafta' try a lil' HARDER, Walter, Dah-ling!" she cackled gleefully to herself! "Time for plan B!" [Back in teh Infirmary, Walter felt a cold *shiver* down his spine--Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!!!!]
To be Continued---
We will NOT go further into THAT story, here, other than to mention that Marilyn sneaked into teh Infirmary dressed as a nurse, had her "merry way" with Po' Walter--and HE had teh best "lay" in decades!!!
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 20, 2005 21:48:41 GMT -5
Integra will be finding her OTHER "wayward" employees, as well as Walter [who went back to acting as Head Chef in teh Hotel Restaurant's Kitchen for now, besides being Integra's trusty Butler.........]
Integra's Tour
So, to Begin---Part One--Chasing teh Wild Geese.....and a Slippery Frenchman!
Actually, it wasn't that HARD for Integra to locate Pip--all she had-ta' do is listen for an indignant woman's scream, and a *SLAP!*
"WHAT teh Hell was THAT!?" she exclaimed to D, who was leading her down teh Hall in teh Vampire Wing, AWAY from his Father's Room [Integra had INSISTED on meeting D outside teh door of HIS Room for some reason this morning, before they started teh continuation of teh "Tour"]--
D looked back down teh Hall with a slight grimace, and started to comment, "At THIS early hour, it's PROBABLY one of teh Maids protesting teh......um....."attentions" of that French soldier fellow who brought his own "army" along WITH him when he came here......"
"teh Wild Geese?!" Integra exclaimed in surprise, suddenly knowing EXACTLY who D must be referring to--
"Uhh....Yes--I think that's what he called them--they've done security a few times for some of teh Weddings we've had...."
Integra, DETERMINED to not let THIS "wandering" employee get away from her, was already moving down teh Hallway towards teh sound of female voice FURIOUSLY CURSING a "One-eyed Son-of-a-BITCH!" who couldn't keep his hands to himself!
"That has GOT to be Pip Bernadette!" she thought to herself, then, as an afterthought--"WHY would they NEED THAT MUCH SECURITY FOR A WEDDING!!!??"
To be Continued--
When they got to teh end of teh Hall, where teh commotion was coming from, they found a rather shee-pish-looking Capt. Pip Bernadette rubbing his cheek with a rueful expression while teh maid continued to cuss him out, all teh while shaking her feather-duster at him in time to her words, many of which were in Spanish......
"Captain BERNADETTE!" exclaimed Integra, "What is teh MEANING of all THIS!?", while at teh same time D asked teh maid quietly, "Maria, are you all right...?"
Pip, who was still watching teh waving feather-duster warily [BLIMEY! That "maid" had a PUNCH!], was not yet aware that it was Integra who was demanding his attention, and had started to answer with an insolent remark, "I don't think that's any of YOUR busi--" when he looked up and saw just WHO he was talking to!!
*ACK!*
"Er.......Sir HELLSING! What are YOU doing here--I mean, YES, Sir, Sir Hellsing, SIR! It was JUST a minor.....um..."misunderstanding", Sir!"
He drew himself up like a good little soldier and gave her a PROPER salute--exposing teh red slap-mark on his cheek.......which, of course, made it OBVIOUS what had REALLY happened!
Meanwhile, Maria teh maid, who had stopped yelling and waving her duster at teh offending Frenchman to smile at Hunter D, was now brought back to teh "misunderstanding" in question to yell, "You asked me to come into your room to "dust", then you tried to KISS me, you lying French bastard!"
"'Ey! My parents were PROPERLY MARRIED, Cherie!" Pip quipped, NOT making teh situation better, as Integra NOW snapped--
"Is what she's saying TRUE, Capt. Bernadette!!??" ["As if I hafta ask...!?"] she thought to herself.....
teh three of them were just about to get into a three-way yelling match, when D spoke, in his usual quiet manner that still somehow managed to command everyone's attention--
"Pip, do you think you could please be gentleman enough to apologize to Maria, just this once? After all, she IS just about teh ONLY maid that will still work in teh Vampire Wing, what with my Father"--[he rolled his eyes in mock exasperation]--"continually scaring off teh rest of them...."
[What he DIDN'T say was that D suspected teh REAL reason Maria was willing to work there was that she had a "thing" for HIM, much to his embarrassment--at least, D didn't THINK she left chocolate mints on anyone ELSE'S pillow, even tho' D made his own bed every morning........]
This logical appeal, plus D's shy smile, got thru' to even Pip--besides, with Integra there, he had other things on his mind now!
"All right--" he turned to Maria, who was currently just staring "sparkley-eyed" at D, who was starting to *blush* a bit at her attention..."Madmoiselle, I apologize...I am but a lonely soldier, Oui....!?"
He gave her polite--if slightly sarcastic--bow, then turned to Integra--"Capt. Pip Bernadette, reporting for duty, Sir Hellsing!"
SHE, however, was also staring at D, having noticed Maria's "fascination", and feeling a wee bit.......jealous...? "What?"
Then, realizing that Pip was getting a small smirk on his face as he "cottoned on" to teh situation, Integra tore her attention away from D and Maria--NOT without a bit of effort, noda!--["REALLY, Integra! You have GOT to STOP letting your thoughts WANDER OFF in this direction!!! REMEMBER, he IS ALUCARD'S son!!"]
"Yes!" she snapped--"Now what I want from YOU, Capt. Bernadette, is a FULL EXPLANATION--No, not about Maria!--of HOW you got here and WHERE are teh rest of teh Wild Geese!!?"
To be Continued---
Well, it didn't take long for Pip to explain how he got there--along with teh Wild Geese--"We were on a Search and Rescue Mission, Sir, trying to locate teh missing Vampire, name of Alucard, SIR!"--tho' he WAS at pains to rather "hide" teh fact that he REALLY came looking for Seras when SHE "disappeared" searching for teh missing Alucard....
["ALUCARD, again!" snorted Integra to herself, "It ALWAYS seems to come back to that DAMNED VAMPIRE!!!"]
"And did you FIND him, Capt. Bernadette...?" she asked with a smirk, wondering if Pip had had teh same trouble SHE was having pinning down teh Elusive Vampire.....
Pip was a bit non-plussed at THIS point--"Uhhh......actually, Sir, we DID, and quite easily, too, as he.......um....invited us all to STAY.....er....sir....." His voice trailed off as he realized he was PROBABLY about to get his ears PINNED back for THAT admission...!
Integra DID look as if she was gonna' BLOW, any minute, but teh Frenchman's hide was "saved" by D, who having convinced Maria to continue on in her work [he suspected there would be TWO mints on his pillow TODAY! *Sigh*], now spoke up--"Sir Hellsing, Integra--in ALL fairness, they were NEEDED here, as there was a Royal Wedding that required a great deal of security work, ESPECIALLY since there HAD been an attack on Her Highness Queen Snapdragon BEFORE, and well, one job led to another, and then when Walter came......."
Integra took a DEEP breath, for as usual, D's soft manner somehow "defused" her anger, and REALLY, after all, was she HERSELF in all that MUCH of a hurry to return to England right now...?
"Oui, mon cherie," Pip added, seeing that she was relenting, "After all that nasty business with those Nazi Bastards, teh men really DESERVED an extended leave, did they not?--teh fact that it got a wee bit....."over-extended" was purely accidental, I assure you....Sir....*ahem*"
Integra gave him a wry smile--teh Wild Geese WERE mercenaries, after all, even if they still worked for teh Hellsing Organization--
"All RIGHT, Capt. Bernadette--you're "off teh hook", for now, at least--But I DO want a detailed report of WHAT you've been doing to keep everyone in FIGHTING shape, AND I would like to see where you've been KEEPING teh men--IF that's not too much to ASK....!"
She gave her officer a smile that said he'd better come thru', RIGHT NOW, and Pip saluted her and stated--"Yes, SIR! As it were, Sir Hellsing, I was JUST on my way to start teh men on "manuevers" in teh Park, but first let me show you teh WONDERFUL barracks those magnifique Nyan Nyan whipped up for us in a disused warehouse across teh street from teh 'otel......!"
Pip leading teh way, teh three of them were soon heading outta teh Hotel......
To be Continued--
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 23, 2005 20:47:07 GMT -5
In SPITE of herself, Integra WAS rather impressed by teh Barracks, which were neat and orderly, tho' perhaps a bit more "homey" and comfortable than was WISE for a "para-military operation" like teh mercenaries of teh Wild Geese [and just WHO'S idea was teh chintz curtains!!??] Several of teh men had ALSO married "local" women and Sir Integra was DEFINATELY concerned about teh wisdom of allowing THAT, considering teh "casualty rate" of even seasoned veterans like these---until she MET some of teh Brides, that is......! Two of teh men had married women of teh Tiger Clan, another a woman of teh Wolf Clan, and teh small number of teh others that she met she wasn't sure just WHAT they were, but ALL seemed quite capable of fighting right ALONG-SIDE their men, even while BREAST-FEEDING, which was a tradition among teh Tiger Clan females!!! [Integra decided she did NOT really wanna get on teh "bad side" of such "ladies", and teh "damage"--if any--was already done, anyway....]
But, any and ALL doubts she had about teh Wild Geese becoming "soft" on their "extended leave" was expelled when she saw them in "action" in teh Park a while later-- "Capt. Bernadette!" she cried incredulously as she watched teh men go thru' their "practice manuevers" [sans guns, for safety's sake]--"They're even BETTER than they were BEFORE! I AM IMPRESSED!"
"Ah, OUI, mon Commander Hellsing!" Pip exclaimed proudly, "It's AMAZING, is it NOT, what teh motivation of protecting one's Lo-ved Ones can BE to a soldier! And when we do manuevers with LIVE ammunitions, Haku has a special field in teh Japanese Gardens JUST for that use, with all kinds of terrain and a majique seal that GUARANTEES that no one is seriously hurt, cherie!"
"Besides," added D with a slight smile, "They get PLENTY of "real" work around here to keep them on their toes--and we have ANOTHER Wedding coming up this weekend--not necessarily a ROYAL one, but STILL with plenty of "opportunity" for mayhem, I assure you...."
"I don't DOUBT that!" thought Integra to herself, shaking her head a bit--she then turned to D, leaving Pip to his men, and said--"All right, my Friend, let's go find Seras now...."
D, pleased to hear himself referred to in such a way, gave her a true smile [which she found rather attractive, in SPITE of teh fangs this time!], and replied, "Around THIS time of teh day, she's probably down at teh Stables with 'Xander, feeding my horse carrots he doesn't need....."
And they headed that way.................
To be Continued---
That's INDEED where Seras Victoria was, talking to a young man with an eye-patch ["Was this some sort of "fashion trend" around here!?" Integra thought with dry wit] as teh young Vampire fed carrots to D's strange-looking cyberhorse--and even Sir Hellsing, "Ice Princess" as she was, couldn't HELP but realize that teh young man seemed a bit "enamored" of Seras! "MUST be teh eye-patch!" Integra mumbled to herself rather sarcastically, knowing how PIP was always pursuing teh pretty little Vampire Police Woman, ALSO......
"There you go, Midnight!" Seras was saying as Integra and D came up to her--then, when Seras SAW who was with D, she ALMOST fell off of teh FENCE she had been sitting on! I say "almost", because 'Xander was suddenly THERE, catching her before she lost her balance completely! "Are you ALL RIGHT, Seras!?" he asked with concern, but Miss Victoria was STARING at her "Boss Lady" in disbelief--
"SIR INTEGRA!" she squeaked, "When did YOU get 'ERE!?" Then, regaining some of her composure, and remembering her duty, she saluted smartly and yipped, "Police Officer Seras Victoria reporting for DUTY, Sir 'ellsing, SIR!"
"WHO!?" asked 'Xander, rather confused--THEN he remembered what Seras had told him about teh Hellsing Organization AND Integra, and he extended a hand in friendly greeting--"I'm 'Xander Harris! I've never MET a REAL "Sir" before.....Pleased to meet you"
Integra took his offered hand, and rather LIKED what she saw in teh young man--"Are you a new recruit to teh Wild Geese, Mr. Harris?"
"ME!? A cool mercenary like one of THEM!?" he asked with surprise, "No, no--I'm just a civilian with a little more than average "experience" at Demon and Vampire fighting, is all..." He shrugged non-chalantly, although it was OBVIOUS he was pleased about what he considered to be a compliment, apparently--then, glancing at Seras and D, he added sheepishly, "I'm more or less "retired" from that line of work, THESE days, of course--'most everyone HERE is friendly, or a friend!" He glanced again at Seras, who was STILL standing at attention, waiting in a slight sweat of worry and agitation for Integra to RETURN her salute!
Integra followed his glance, and decided to let poor Seras off teh hook...for NOW......"At EASE, Miss Victoria--I'm NOT here to scold you--not ANYMORE--I just would LIKE an explanation of WHY you didn't return to teh Hellsing Organization AFTER you found Alucard......"
She noticed Seras' quick glance at 'Xander Harris--AND teh slight flush that came to her pale cheeks, and WONDERED why she had BOTHERED to ask, that she did......! "Oh, NEVER mind, Officer Victoria, I think I can understand teh "lure" of this place, myself, now! Besides, since Alucard is your Master, I guess I can't REALLY blame you for not "returning" him like I would have PREFERRED....." Integra gave teh still somewhat nervous young Vampire Girl a severe look, "I SUPPOSE YOU wouldn't be able to tell me where that old reprobate of a Vampire IS HIDING....COULD you!?"
"Uhhhh......" Seras began, looking acutely miserable and torn by this dilemma of loyalties--
D, of course, came to her rescue--["I SHOULD be annoyed about that!" Integra thought, "But, he's so GOOD at it! I rather LIKE that about this "Vampeal"--so much more diplomatic than his Father, but at teh same time just as stubborn in his OWN "quiet" way......"]--
"I'm SURE my Father will be at teh Wedding activities this weekend, Integra--perhaps you'll be able to "catch" him THERE...." he said with a sly smile.
Integra shrugged her shoulders in a resigned *sigh* and GAVE UP!
"Perhaps," she agreed, "Either way, teh New King of England doesn't seem to need teh Hellsing Organization much these days, so I think I might STAY here for awhile, maybe even take a bit of a "vacation"..."
She waved rather vaguely at Seras [who was just STARING at her open-mouthed, until 'Xander whispered something to her that made her shut her mouth with a snap!]--"Carry on, Officer Victoria...." She smiled slightly when she had walked far enough away from teh two young people for Seras to feel "safe" enough to exclaim, "WHAT'S got into 'ER, 'Xander!?"
"Would you like to get some Lunch, D?" Integra asked, feeling rather "free-spirited"(?) [perhaps for one of teh FEW times in her life, noda!] "I'm feeling rather peckish after such a busy morning..."
"Why not.....?' answered D quietly, a slight smile lighting up his dark eyes.....
NOTE: teh "rest" of this Story, concerning Integra FINALLY "cornering her prey".......er.....finding her errant Vampire, that is, will occur as part of teh Wedding activities--See ya' THERE!
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 23, 2005 21:33:24 GMT -5
HOW-ever....Before teh aforementioned Wedding occurred, THIS lil' "Incident" was reported......[It was around Christmas time, I believe]Integra's SURPRISE!!Prologue:
With Naruto's rather over-enthusiastic help, Chibi had gotten teh Hotel WELL-DECORATED for Christmas, even so far as hanging mistletoe in EVERY Public doorway! And, THANK GOODNESS, teh ever-VIGILANT Zelgadiss had thought to put signs up, also, WARNING All to teh DANGER of dawdling too long in said doorways, due to a Certain Vampire who liked to "lurk" for Careless Victims under teh poisonous Holiday sprigs..............WARNING!!! BEWARE of VAMPIRE!!!------------------------------------ Sir Integrel Wingates Hellsing was getting VERY frustrated, noda! She had managed to locate--and "chastise"--ALL of her errant, wandering Employees EXCEPT teh ONE she had MOST WANTED to FIND, DAMN and BLAST it ALL!!!! Alucard's Son, D, had been MOST helpful in introducing Integra to teh Hotel and it's....er...."Eccentric" Inhabitants, and because of him, others had been rather cooperative in letting her "in" to their warm "Family Circle", tho' it STILL amazed Integra somewhat that all these Odd and Unusual "People" could get along so WELL, seemingly by Mutual Agreement. But, perhaps it REALLY WAS as that VERY sophisticated Vampire, Saint-Germain [so DIFFICULT to think of HIM and that reprobate ALUCARD as BOTH being Vampires, they were SO DIFFERENT, in so MANY ways!!!] had said-- "We ALL have MUCH to Gain, Sir Hellsing, and even MORE to Lose if we DON'T "get along" with Each Other--and MOST of us have faced MUCH Pain and Sorrow BEFORE coming Here to even wanna risk that........" However, in SPITE of everyone's "helpfulness", there was ONE THING they ALL--EVEN D!--REFUSED to DO-- TELL HER JUST WHERE-IN-teh-HELL HER VAMPIRE, ALUCARD, HAD GOTTEN HIMSELF OFF TO, DRAT IT!!!!! EVERYONE, in their own way, had said basically teh SAME THING, over-n'-over-- "He'll show up when he's READY...." Well, DAMN IT, SHE was "READY", and getting MIGHTY IMPATIENT "wasting time" waiting around for teh ol' Fanged Jack-ASS to decide to STOP PLAYING GAMES and Behave like a RESPONSIBLE MONSTER! *SNORT!*And she HADN'T realized just HOW MUCH time had gone by until today, when she saw teh Hotel decked out for CHRISTMAS! "BLAST his Old HIDE!" Integra thought to herself, stopping just inside teh Lobby Entrance to light a cigar [totally IGNORING what she THOUGHT was a "No Smoking" Sign posted in teh doorway!] "WELL, if Alucard thinks he can "out-wait" ME, he's got ANOTHER THING COMING!" she huffed.... ....it was THEN that Sir Hellsing got a BIG SURPRISE!!! To Be Continued-- teh Vict--er....."Lucky One" had her back turned toward him, and Alucard SHOULD have recognized her right away, but--Truth be told--he had been AVOIDING his Cranky Employer for SO long, and he was in SUCH a hurry to get his bite---er......KISS in before another one "got away" that--well, you can GUESS teh rest, noda........! JUST as Integra was removing her cigar to ask a passer-by teh time, she was SUDDENLY "ASSAULTED" by a pair of cold hands clasping her face and neck and a pair of rather cold lips were pressing against HERS in a KISS that all but KNOCKED HER SOCKS OFF......noda! [*WHOAH!* she thought, then, "D!?"] But teh eyes staring into hers--and which NOW seemed as SURPRISED as SHE was!--were a VERY familiar RED!!! ["OmiGAWD!!!!" thought an EXTREMELY alarmed Alucard, as he realized just WHO he was KISSING, noda! Then, his NEXT thought was, "I KNEW I should have LISTENED to my Instincts, and just GONE FOR teh THROAT THIS TIME!!!!!] But, it was too LATE for "second thoughts", and teh crafty old Vampire took advantage of those few "breathless" moments after he let go of Integra to mutter "cheerfully", "Um....Happy Christmas, Integra--must DASH now--'BYE!" and had vanished in a *puff* of black smoke before she had time to draw a breath to BELLOW at teh TOP OF HER LUNGS-- "ALUCAAAAAAARRRRD, YOU BLOODY BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!"To be Continued-- Miranda Hellsing was sitting in teh window-seat in teh room she shares with her Husband, reading an Ann Rice novel, when she heard Integra's BELLOW [HECK, even DEAF people heard THAT, noda!], followed shortly by teh sight of her Hubby RUSHING into their room, locking teh door and THEN piling ALL of teh furniture in FRONT of it, and DIVING under teh bed, where only teh glow of his red eyes could be seen!!! "If ANYONE asks, Miranda Dear, I'm NOT HERE!" came a certain Vampire's voice from teh darkness under teh bed....... Miranda *sighed*[wondering, yet again, WHY she put UP with this, noda...Oh, Yeah, she LOVED teh Old Fool!] and asked casually-- "Just tell me you DIDN'T bite her, Dear!" There was an Indignant *Snort* from under teh bed-- "Of COURSE NOT, Miranda!" "So...it was teh "Mistletoe Temptation", again....?" After some hemming-n'-hawing from under teh bed-- "Er......yes.....But it was like LICKING an ASHTRAY, Miranda! *BLEAH!* I think Imma be SICK!" Miranda, doing her BEST not to laugh, only replied-- "I'll get you some Pepto, Vlad Dear....." From under teh bed...... *Groan* To be Continued-- Meanwhile, downstairs in teh Hotel Lobby, Integra had calmed down enough to think straight, and debated chasing up teh stairs to teh Vampire Wing AFTER teh "dearly departed" Alucard--but was it WORTH teh trip? She was PRETTY SURE that if he WAS hiding up there, Miranda would be about as "helpful" as a kick in teh teeth, and.............and, BESIDES, Integra was NOT sure she really wanted to hafta admit just WHAT she wanted teh errant Vampire for THIS time! DAMN and BLAST him! Deciding she needed a breath of fresh air [and seeing that ANNOYING Security Fella', Zel-whatever-his-name-was, HEADING her way, probably to tell her to STOP SMOKING in HIS stupid, shabby Hotel! *Humph!*], Integra made her way into teh Courtyard, heading for teh Japanese Gardens she had heard so much about......on teh way, she glanced into teh Horse Paddock and was somewhat disappointed to NOT see D there--she could've used teh company, and she found teh quiet, soft-spoken son of that INFURIATING ALUCARD a "tonic" to her Soul, he was so easy to talk to and he listened so well...... And as Sir Integrel Hellsing wandered teh grounds of teh Absolutely Fascinating Gardens [it really WAS bigger on teh Inside that teh Outside!], there were TWO thoughts she sought HARD not to dwell on---That Alucard was QUITE teh expert Kisser, Fangs not withstanding........and whether his son, D.......kissed as well........... Drat that Vampire! Epilogue.....And D, who was working in teh PetShop when he heard teh commotion, only shook his head in resignation--his Father would probably NEVER "learn"!--and TRIED not to *blush* TOO much as CD and Tomo looked at each other and BURST into fits of *giggling* about teh whole embarrassing matter [teh two of them were keeping a tally of Alucard-Mistletoe-Induced Screams from teh Lobby, and had an ongoing Bet about teh Final Total...] "Now WHY don't YOU have as MUCH Fun as your Ol' Pops does, D!?" squawked teh Hand, which had managed to chew thru' teh duct tape, FINALLY! And was "rewarded" for both its efforts AND its annoying remark with a HARD "face-down" *SLAP* on teh counter! *Ow!*
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 23, 2005 21:57:55 GMT -5
BTW, Integra DID finally "corner" Alucard, tho' NOT like she had planned to......*A-heh*
NOTE: This happened during and after teh Bachelor/Bachelorette Combined Party for 'Kat and Sesshomaru's WeddingIntegra HAD been at teh Party, MOSTLY because it offered her an opportunity to watch for Alucard-- "I KNOW he won't be able to RESIST such debauchery, teh Old Fiend!" she thought to herself, sitting in a dark corner alone with only a ginger beer* for company...... She smiled slightly at teh thought of FINALLY cornering her Naughty Old Vampire Runaway, NOT because she was gonna make him return to England, but because she figured she just might ENJOY having teh upper hand, for ONCE! "I'll let him "fidget" for a moment or two, JUST to remind him that I'M teh Boss, of course!" That had been a VERY satisfying thought, after all teh "runaround" Alucard had given her since she had come here.......................................................................... Integra WOKE with a START! WHERE was she--and WHY couldn't she REMEMBER gonna bed!? Something didn't SEEM right, somehow...........this WAS her room in teh Hotel, but-- Integra NEVER slept in teh NUDE! [It just wasn't PROPER for a well-brought-up LADY!] She was ABOUT to sit up to see just WHAT was going ON, here [*indignant English SNORT!*], when there was a "stirring" in teh bed NEXT TO HER!!! And a still sleeping ALUCARD suddenly ROLLED OVER AND THREW An ARM OVER HER BOSUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"Miranda......" he murmured sleepily-- "You smell so LOVELY in teh morning..........."Oh, to DEFINATELY be Continued!!! *fizzy, non-alcoholic drink that tastes like a cross between root-beer and ginger-ale, popular in England Integra FROZE, her body stiff and tense! [Oh, Lord! He had his HAND on her--!] Alucard's face was VERY close to her ear, his nose practically BURIED in her long blond hair! He inhaled deeply, still with his eyes closed, as if ENJOYING teh scent of a woman whom he OBVIOUSLY thought was his Wife, Miranda! Then, JUST as Integra was debating three "options" for action-- 1) Lie here until she DIES of old age, hoping it was ALL a VERY BAD DREAM! 2) Start SCREAMING Hysterically, and try to find SOMETHING to STAKE him with! or 3) VERY CAREFULLY slide out from UNDER his arm, grab her clothes, and pretend teh whole incident NEVER HAPPENED!!!!--Alucard took a couple MORE "quick sniffs", and his red eyes suddenly flew OPEN, looking MORE startled--AND ALARMED!--than she had EVER seen them look before!!! "You're NOT Miranda, ARE YOU, *gulp*--INTEGRA!!"To be Continued! Thru' gritted and all but GRINDING teeth, Integra snarled, "Please REMOVE your HAND, Alucard!" As if suddenly realizing just WHERE his hand WAS, teh rather befuddled Alucard mumbled, "Er.......sorry....." and did just THAT, and teh now ANGRY and mortified Integra sat up, gathering teh sheet CLOSE around herself, not sure if she was MORE upset because of this embarrassing and TERRIBLE situation she found herself in........or because, NOW that his hand was....gone....she realized it had felt rather.........nice.....resting there.......... ["Oh, STOP thinking that way, Integra, you FOOL!] she thought to herself in disgust, and started to get outta teh bed, pulling teh sheet WITH her--- --and THAT was when she SAW that Alucard, who had also sat up, wasn't wearing a STITCH of clothing HIMSELF!!!*oops* Yep, to be Continued! It was a LONG moment before it came to Integra that she was STARING, like a bedazzled rabbit in headlights! Oh, LORD!And Alucard, beginning to regain his USUAL composure, looked down at himself where her eyes seemed to be GLUED, and started to smile--- THAT brought Integra "around", like a cold bucket of water in her face! " DAMMIT, MAN!", she yelped indignantly--"COVER YOURSELF--THAT'S AN ORDER!!!!!" Alucard grabbed his pillow, and sitting cross-legged on teh bed, slapped it down in his lap, with a smirk and a sarcastic *Sigh*! "There, there, Milady! Is that BETTER!? Do I no longer OFFEND thee?"Integra was NOT amused--and she could STILL SEE far too MUCH of his bare skin--unnervingly too much.......! "This is NOT a joke, Vampire! I wanna KNOW just WHAT you are doing in MY bed in...in.... "THAT" condition!!??" He looked puzzled for a moment, then replied, "I was ABOUT to ask YOU teh SAME THING, Sir Hellsing, except--" [He glanced around teh room...] "--it appears that it is I who is teh "transgressor"......Well...more or less, since I have NO recollection of just HOW I came to be in bed with you, Integra......""And you EXPECT me to BELIEVE THAT, ALUCARD!!??" Integra snarled, furious--but a little frightened, as WELL-- Was he "losing control" again, like had been mentioned to her several times? Would she end up ultimately "losing" him to a stake thru' his old heart AFTER all, as a NECESSITY!?And then, a truly HORRIBLE thought came to Sir Integral Wingates-Hellsing! Had Alucard seduced and BITTEN her when she had been all but unconscious in teh bed NEXT to him, unable to even use teh Restrictions to remind him of his OATH!? Was he so far "gone" that he had made a VAMPIRE of Integra!? Oh, LORD, Please NO! To be Continued--
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 25, 2005 18:06:04 GMT -5
She started to back away, wanting to find a mirror, AFRAID of what she might NOT see in it, and put a hand up to her neck hesitantly--"Nooooo...."
"Integra..." he said in concern, reading her thoughts clearly on her face as well as in her mind--Then, aware that she was beginning to panic, VERY afraid of ALL that she might have lost, and close to bolting away from him and into teh bathroom, Alucard spoke directly into her mind, STERNLY--
["INTEGRA HELLSING, STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE, do you HEAR ME!?"]
teh COMMAND in his voice, honed by centuries of experience and use, actually CALMED Integra, strange as it seemed--she thought briefly of when she had FIRST "met" Alucard, a hurt and frightened young girl trapped in a dungeon with a "monster"--a monster who's voice had been soothing THEN, too, telling her that she COULD Trust him, REALLY Trust him, Vampire or no.........
There was a long moment between teh two of them, where nothing was said, not even mentally--but VOLUMES of a more "silent" form of communication were exchanged, nonetheless--
His red eyes bore into hers, and she stared back into them, waiting as he had asked......
Then Alucard heaved what sounded like a VERY relieved *sigh*--"You can relax, Integra.......You are teh SAME person you were BEFORE.........before we ended up in bed together, I can ASSURE you of that--in fact, it seems I didn't lay a finger--OR a FANG--anywhere ON your person.....well, OTHER than just a moment ago......more's teh pity, I would say...."
"And HOW can you be so SURE, if you really CAN'T remember how you came to be here!?"
He gave her a fangy grin--"I'm a VAMPIRE, Woman!--there are SOME "senses" that come with teh "vocation", like identifying Virgins when one sees them..." Alucard couldn't HELP but smirk a bit as a *blush* rose slowly up Integra's face at THIS statement! "Besides--" [Alucard ran his tongue around his teeth for a bit] "--I KNOW teh taste of your BLOOD, remember, and there's not even a lingering HINT of it in my mouth this morning--AND I'm simply RAVENOUS!"
"Ohhhhh...." Integra sighed, "Just FIND your clothes and GET OUT, will you--I feel teh NEED for a shower!"
She turned away, then stopped a minute--"What will you tell Miranda? I COULD tell her.......I don't know--SOMETHING, I suppose!"
"I'll tell her teh Truth, actually--YOU, of all people, should KNOW how impossible it is for me to LIE to a Hellsing! And besides, I VERY STRONGLY SUSPECT that this was someone's idea of a "joke"--it happens FREQUENTLY at these Parties......."
"I'll KILL THEM!" muttered Integra, darkly.
Alucard *snorted*--"NOT if Miranda finds them FIRST!"
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Integra was in teh bathroom, having just climbed in teh shower, when she heard Alucard in her mind, again--[she HATED it when he DID that! It ALWAYS startled her, DAMN him!]
["Ta-ta for now, Fair Integra! I'm dressed like a "civilized" monster SHOULD be and leaving! And I THINK I should feel INSULTED that you were so HASTY to take a shower after spending teh night with me! I DO bathe with SOME regularity, you know--even brush my fangs DAILY!"]
She heard his dry, throaty chuckle in her mind as she grumbled, "Oh, SHUT UP, Alucard!"
But then, just for a moment, he became serious.....
["Integra....for what it's WORTH, I would NEVER willingly HARM you, any more than my loving Miranda, restrictions or no, even WITHOUT teh Blood Oath--I would sooner drive a stake thru' my OWN heart than hurt that little girl in teh dungeon who SO reminded me of teh original Dr. Van Hellsing with her fierce courage in teh face of a creature who DESPERATELY wanted to eat her ALIVE, but..........just couldn't.......for so many, MANY reasons........"]
If she hadn't been standing under teh shower, Integra MIGHT have felt teh tear that ran down her cheek..............
Next--a Small Epilogue, of sorts......
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 25, 2005 18:18:39 GMT -5
An EPILOGUE......
Sometime later, Integra, dressed and composed, came down to teh Restaurant for some breakfast.....
She rather EXPECTED that Alucard would "disappear" again, ESPECIALLY after this morning, so she was a BIT startled when he came and joined her at her table, sitting down in a chair opposite!
"Good MORNING, again, Integra--MIND if I share your table?" teh old Vampire said rather cheerfully!
Integra managed to nod a "Yes", wondering JUST WHAT he was up to--was Alucard planning to embarrass her PUBLICLY about that morning's "wake-up call"? Two thoughts ran thru' her head, then, almost chasing each other--
["I wouldn't put it PAST him!! *mental snort!*"] and then, to her ALARM, ["NOW I understand just WHAT Miranda "sees" in him!"]
Sure ENOUGH, when she looked up into teh Vampire's blood-red eyes, he was staring RIGHT BACK at her, a look of amusement on his face, DRAT him!!!
"Why THANK YOU for teh compliment, Integra--it warms teh cockles of my old heart--" [He leaned closer, giving her a MOST "discomforting" look and saying in a husky mental whisper...] ["--among OTHER....."parts" of ME!"]
Integra somehow managed to NOT choke on her tea, then SNAPPED--
"WHAT do you WANT, Alucard--BESIDES "that"!!!!?? And I'm rather SURPRISED to find that you seemed to have chosen to come outta hiding........!"
Alucard abruptly stopped smirking at her, and stated bluntly--
"I want to know your intentions, Sir Hellsing, concerning returning to England......AND I want you to KNOW that I will NOT be going WITH you, at least not NOW! Restrictions or no, Blood Oath NOT withstanding, I will NOT go back with you!"
Integra calmly put her cup of tea back into its saucer, and replied to this statement with a quiet, yet threatening voice--
"You REALIZE that I could have your LIFE for breaking that Oath, DON'T you!?"
He stared back into her eyes with a fierce intensity that was......different...than usual---was he BEGGING her!?
"I KNOW that, Integra.......but....I want to stay HERE, with my Family, my Wife and Son, for as LONG as I can.........Do you.....CAN you UNDERSTAND that.....?!"
Integra just met his gaze, holding it--and then HE was teh one to look away!
"If you decide to punish me for this......mutiny...I understand--You, of ALL people, should KNOW how IMPORTANT keeping my word IS to me, ESPECIALLY to teh Hellsing Family........I'm NOT saying that I will NEVER return to England and working for teh Hellsing Organization, just that.........." And now he DID look to her with pleading in his voice and eyes!
"Integra--PLEASE let me stay with Miranda until she's.........she's "gone", again......She WILL age and eventually DIE here, even in THIS place, and THEN I will return, I PROMISE! There's even a Time Lord fellow here who can "return" me to just AFTER I left England, so it will be as if I'd NEVER gone! But, you see....Miranda CAN'T come with me--she doesn't "belong" in that world, that England we came from, and.........And IF I RETURN NOW, I MAY NOT EVER BE ABLE TO REMEMBER HER!!!!
To be Continued--
"WHAT are you talking about, Alucard!?" Integra asked, a bit ALARMED by teh Vampire's urgency--
Alucard *sighed*--"Miranda is from my FUTURE, Integra--teh ONLY reason I can know her NOW is because she was brought HERE, to this place, but.......Once I return to my "own time", where I "belong"......I might not be able to remember Miranda--or D--because of teh damage it might do TO our Futures together........If I know TOO much ahead of time, it might not EVER happen, that Future.....and I WANT it to happen, ALL of it............EVEN my Death......."
Integra started at this--Did he KNOW how he would Die, so far in teh Future, at teh hands of his fearful and crazed brother-in-law!?
Alucard glanced at her--"I know that Miranda and D have tried to HIDE this from me, and in respect for THEM, I have NOT read teh "details" in their minds--OR Yours, Integra!--but I DO know that eventually I WILL be taken from them BOTH, LONG before I am....."ready"...........Do you BLAME me for wanting to have as MUCH time with them HERE as I CAN?....even IF I DON'T remember them after I return to England....."
teh Vampire gave her a tired, sad smile, then--and Integra realized she had ONLY seen him look this way a few times before--when he had once mentioned his Life BEFORE becoming a Vampire, when he had brought teh newly "made" Seras to her.......and when she had been almost dying herself, after a near fatal attack by that female Vampire pretending to be her sister......
"Alucard..." she said, finally--"I-I GUESS I should have mentioned this EARLIER.......I'm NOT going back to England right away, MYSELF...!"
His head jerked up, and he looked at her with UTTER surprise in his eyes! "You're NOT.......?"
"No, actually--it seems that I could use a "vacation" of sorts, ALSO, and I DON'T think I could manage to FORCE Capt. Bernadette OR teh Wild Geese to return WITHOUT your help, so......well..........oh, hell.......I think I like it here, too......"
And AGAIN, that old Vampire SURPRISED her, Drat him...!
Alucard kneeled down by her side, clasped one of her hands in his, and pressed his forehead against it in a position of COMPLETE GRATITUDE!!!!
"THANK YOU, Sir Integrel Wingates Hellsing! I promise that I will NEVER forget your kindness to me at this time--!" And when he looked up again into her eyes, she could almost SWEAR she saw........tears(?) in his red ones--["I thought Vampires COULDN'T shed tears! But then again, THIS Vampire follows his OWN rules, DOESN'T HE!?"]
And then he was gone, like a puff of smoke or a wisp of fog, only THIS thought lingering behind him in her mind--
"Yes, I DO, don't I, Integra......?"
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 27, 2005 21:07:10 GMT -5
When I reprinted teh Story, "Vic's Child", I stated that, "There’s more Story BEFORE this Story, but due teh poor excuse for a computer I’m stuck with for teh rest of this Month, I’ll hafta’ WAIT to RePrint THAT, later--Sorry…"
For those of you who HAVEN'T seen this RP from teh beginning, and are unaware of teh "Back Story" of Vic and Cheza--or, you just wanna' reminder--This reprint is for You! Included is a short "explanation" of teh parts of teh story NOT reprinted here.....Hope you Enjoy!
***SPOILER ALERT!!!***
If you HAVEN'T seen teh Endings to either "Cowboy BeBop" OR "Wolf's Rain", you may wanna' skip teh following segment titled, "Previous History"! Instead, move on down to "First Sight"...
Vic and Cheza “Explanation”—
For those who may not have been here for teh WHOLE STORY of Vic [a.k.a Vicious from “Cowboy BeBop”] and Cheza, teh Flower Maiden [from “Wolf’s Rain”], this is for You……..
Previous History:
Vicious, after his Death at teh hands of Spike Spiegel, found himself released from Hell, having been given teh option of either staying there, or coming to teh world of ATACT, with teh understanding that he would hafta CHANGE his ways in order to stay…..
He arrived just before teh Wedding of Vash teh Stampede [who officially made his last name “Saverem” at this time] and Meryl Stryfe, and was spotted by Spiegel, who—not surprisingly—was LESS than happy to note his presence! When Vicious showed up uninvited to teh Wedding Reception [still wearing teh clothes he had DIED in, incidently, but minus teh blood-damage], Spike decided to “deal” with him, but NOT as one might have expected—showing a bit of his sense of humor [Yes, he DOES have one!], Spike—instead of just killing him, again—knocked Vicious unconscious, then proceeded to WRAP HIM ENTIRELY in duct tape [EVEN his sword and long hair!], rendering Vicious helpless! Then, as an ADDED touch of “nastiness”, he “sicced” Edward and ALL teh other children attending teh Reception to “play” with teh hapless syndicate assassin [who, by now, was wishing he HAD stayed in Hell!] Vicious was suffering these “administrations”, among others, when teh Reception was broken up by a MASSIVE Police Raid…..which managed to net only ONE arrestee—Vicious!
After a less-than-successful interrogation—all teh “info” they got from Vicious was a stream of CUSSING that could make your hair curl!—teh Police had him admitted to teh local hospital—seems he was HIGHLY allergic to duct tape, poor thing—
--and this was where a woman named Stampers came into his life……
She, with teh help of two ex-Gung Ho Guns, Monev teh Gale and Dominique teh Cyclops [who later married each other and had a daughter, Monique], “rescued” teh abandoned Vicious and took him in, also calling him “Vic” [she said teh name “Vicious” was a “…description, NOT a name!”], and that was teh beginning of teh REAL CHANGES in Vic’s life, teh ones that eventually led to his meeting and falling in wuv with Cheza, a girl he wouldn’t have even NOTICED in his long-ago “other” life as Vicious………
Cheza teh Moon Flower Maiden arrived here soon after her own Death, when she had successfully “seeded” a dying Planet Earth with a New Beginning, along with teh help of teh Wolves she had come to wuv…….
Before she arrived, however, at teh point just AFTER her life had ended, she was given a “message” from Lord Darcia, her “Creator”—this, as well as seeing Kiba, Tsume, Hige, Blue and Toboe again, gave her a Peace about her Future that she had never known before—Somewhere, in this new life, in this new world, there was someone “waiting” for her, someone who would make her more human than flower just with his wuv—and she would find him, soon.
First Sight—
During teh time he spent with Stampers Typhoon [her Maiden name at teh time], Vic had not only changed his life for teh better, he had come to feel a real affection for her, and had hopes that it might lead to something….”more”….But, he had “competition” in teh form of one Daniel K. Saverem [formerly known as “Knives Millions” from “Trigun”], and when Stampers chose to marry HIM, Vic felt a new loss—he was suffering profoundly from this “rejection” of teh first True feelings of wuv he had felt in nearly a lifetime when he saw Cheza for teh very first time—
He was at teh Reception for Daniel and Stampers’ Wedding, and had wandered to a quiet place in teh Hotel Courtyard—and THERE she was, an “Angel” in teh company of Wolves who were her Friends, a creature more ephemeral and beauteous than Vic had EVER imagined could exist……she turned and smiled at him, never saying a word, but nonetheless filling Vic’s empty, aching heart with a Hope like none he had felt before! Before he could do more than stare in wonder, this “vision” had disappeared as she had come, but somehow Vic KNEW he would see her again….
And he did, but he had to go thru’ much pain—and a Death or two—before that chance came again, this time at another Wedding Reception, one for Snapdragon and Amon Nagira. By now, Vic was also teh caretaker for Rin, teh little orphan girl who had been teh Dog-Youkai Lord Sesshomaru’s companion [both are from “InuYasha”]—Now having a family of his own [Sesshomaru fell for Katalia wildcat, and fathered two children with her—they were recently formally wed], Sesshomaru had asked Vic to become teh child’s guardian, and Rin had come to think of “Mr. Vic” as HER charge, helping him much during teh continuing changes in his life [AND giving him a reason to continue living during his darker moments…] Vic, now owing his life to teh Youkai Lord, accepted his charge, and soon found that Rin was more than just a tonic for his battered and wounded Soul—she was “Family”!
teh two of them were sharing a quiet conversation with Chichiri teh monk [from “Fushigi Yuugi”, now engaged to our Emi] in teh Japanese Gardens, where teh Reception was being held, when teh “Vision Woman” appeared AGAIN to Vic—but, this time he had “witnesses” that let him know he wasn’t just “hallucinating” her, and Chichiri also assured him that he would SOON be meeting his “Dream Girl”……
THIS is where teh following stories START, then—
But, Vic would reconcile with Spike Spiegel, “die” again, and acquire a small black dog he named “Spot”—as well as wonder just WHEN Lord Sesshomaru might choose to “call in” teh Life Debt Vic owed him—before his FINALLY met his Flower Maiden…….
NOTE: There is more “Back History” for Vic than I mentioned here [this “Explanation” is already longer than originally planned!], most of it having to do with his time living with Stampers as well as his sad, lonely and painful childhood. If you have a question about anything mentioned in these following stories, feel FREE to PM me for an answer!
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 27, 2005 21:29:32 GMT -5
Vic FINALLY Meets His "Girl" PROLOGUE--As promised, Stampers had Vic and Rin come over for Dinner soon after teh Reception--while James busied himself in teh kitchen preparing teh meal, Stampers proudly "showed off" teh Twins, Vash and Rem, to Vic, who WAS impressed with how fast they had grown-- "They're TODDLERS already, aren't they!?" he said, amazed to see them walking, albeit rather unsteadily yet. "Yep! And into EVERYTHING! They keep po' James and their Father "hopping"--YESTERDAY they 'bout SCARED teh WITS out-a' Spike teh Vampire by going into his closet while he was sleeping and using him as a "trampoline"!" Blond Spike, brushing his fangs in preparation for a night out "on teh town", yelled from teh open bathroom door--"YEAH! I THOUGHT I WAS BEING STAKED! THOSE LIL' BUGGERS REALLY HURT!!!" Daniel, who was at teh computer working on plans for his School, commented--"In fact, I THINK they may be growing even FASTER than any of Vash's kids, tho' I DON'T really know why--NOT that I'm "bragging", or anything!" he added with a smile that Vic returned. While Stampers set teh table, she noticed Vic standing in teh doorway, watching Sakyo speak to Rin [who seemed TOTALLY at ease with him, in SPITE of Vic's "disapproval"--she nudged him with her elbow and said quietly, so neither Sakyo or Rin would hear, "Vic! Stop GLARING MENACINGLY at teh po' man--he's done no HARM since he got HERE!" "Are you SURE you can Trust him HERE, Stampers?" asked Vic, concern on his face, "After ALL, you have CHILDREN now....!" "I Trust him MORE than I did YOU when you first arrived, Vic--he's never actually KILLED another Human Being, did you KNOW that? As for teh pets around here--well, YOU remember what teh CATS are like, don't you!?" Vic gave a NOT totally "mock" shudder--"YES, I REMEMBER! There were a couple of times I thought I'd end up as "Cat Food" FOR SURE!" Stampers laughed at teh look on his face, then added, "As for teh ruperts, well.......you've probably ALREADY heard what they did to Sakyo in teh shower a coupla' weeks ago!? And now one of them is not ONLY teh same color as his HAIR, but it APPARENTLY believes itself to be his WIFE, po' man! I SWEAR, Vic--if that thing has babies that LOOK like HIM, I'm gonna' FAINT dead away!" Vic about CHOKED trying to stifle his LAUGHTER! To be Continued--- [Sakyo was “mobbed” while in teh shower by a herd of ruperts in a “Mating Frenzy”, po’ guy!]teh Dinner WAS delicious, as USUAL when James was cooking, and there was even vanilla ice cream for dessert--with a-lil' chocolate sauce for Vic! "Actually," said Vic, adding MORE chocolate on his ice cream--to EVERYONE'S ASTONISHMENT!--"Rin has been "teaching" me to enjoy a few NEW tastes, RIGHT, Rin-Sweetie!?" "That's RIGHT, Mr. Vic!" agreed Rin, who was virtually DROWNING her ice cream in chocolate.....! "WELL! In THAT case, I'll ADD a new bottle of chocolate sauce to teh basket of "goodies" I put together for you two!" smiled James, and Vic felt GRATEFUL for these people he could TRULY call his "Friends"! THIS was MUCH better than anything he had known in his "First" life, by FAR! He happened to notice Sakyo watching him and Rin from across teh table, his face a curious mixture of.......what? Longing and Loneliness--Sorrow and Pain--maybe even ENVY mixed with a desire to be in Vic's "place" in Life--tho' Vic DOUBTED that Sakyo would find it so "desirable" to go thru' Death THREE times to get there! Sakyo realized that Vic had noticed him staring, and he smiled a little crookedly, looking down at his plate, again, feeding teh kitten sitting on his lap some of teh food he hadn't eaten, and Vic remembered he HADN'T heard teh man speak during teh entire meal.......There was something "familiar" about Sakyo, his thinness and "soltitude", even when surrounded by other people, and Vic thought, with a feeling of slight shock--"He's like I WAS, not so very long AGO....before.........!" "Hey, James!" piped up Lupin, leaning back in his chair with a toothpick in teh side of his mouth, "How come I DON'T GET a "Basket of Goodies", TOO!?" "BECAUSE, you are PERFECTLY CAPABLE of getting yer' OWN "goodies"!" replied Stampers, pushing his chair forward with a *THUMP!* and nearly making him SWALLOW his toothpick--*GACK!* "Hey, if I HAFTA' share teh basement with Ol' Jimmy-Boy, teh LEAST I could "expect" for teh trouble of dealing with his "Ladies'" undies hanging EVERYWHERE should be a little extra "Kindness", DON'T ya' THINK!?" smirked Lupin. "And YOU know teh reason James was NICE enough to give up his room for Angela is because YOU COULDN'T BE TRUSTED to leave teh poor woman ALONE!" remarked Blond Spike, as he left for his "night out", taking teh time to give Lupin a *smack!* upside teh head before he went! "Geez..." grumbled Lupin good-naturedly, rubbing at his head, "A thief can't get an even break around here.....*Ouch!*" To be Continued— Later, as Vic helped with teh dishes, he noticed James fixing up a tray of food and taking it into his former bedroom--"Angela is still healing up from her "Bad Time", and isn't quite "ready" for eating with THIS Bunch...!" explained Stampers, "I think that MOSTLY she's just very depressed, trying to deal with all teh radical "changes" in her life..........." "You mean like KILLING her own Mother.......?" asked Vic quietly, teh look on his face full of pain and sorrow...."Do you want ME to "talk" to her, Stampers.....?" "Maybe later, when she's ready to listen......and thanks for offering Vic," she added, knowing HE would need "time", ALSO........ With a visible effort, Vic "shook" himself outta teh "mood" that thinking about HIS Mother's Death had put him in, and changed teh subject--"Oh, there WAS something I wanted to ask you about while I was here--in fact, I had originally planned to talk to you during teh Bachelorette Party, but, well..........I kinda' got......um...."distracted"......*ahem*" He gave her a wan sorta' smile, and Stampers asked with a bit of concern, "You AREN'T still feeling GUILTY about P-kitty, ARE ya', Vic?! I mean, from what she told ME, you were, AND I quote, "FABULOUS!" Since it WAS what she wanted, and Lorne doesn't seem to mind as long as she keeps coming BACK to HIM, you REALLY have NOTHING to feel so "ashamed" about, ya' KNOW!" Vic *blushed* a bit [which, with HIS complexion, is something to SEE!] and answered, "Well.....I GUESS when you put it THAT way.......!" Then he got a rather "naughty" gleam in his eye and *winked* at her--"Does it make you wish that you'd given me a......."Try"...when you HAD teh chance, Stampers!?" "Don't YOU wish!" she laughed, not willing to admit, EVEN to herself, that she DID sometimes..........wonder...."Come ON, you ROGUE, you! Why don't we go out on teh back porch where it's relatively quiet, and you tell me what it was you wanted to know--BESIDES THAT!" she added, seeing IMMEDIATELY from his expression what he'd BEEN thinking! When they went out to teh Porch, Sakyo was there with Shizzy, keeping her "entertained" with a dangling piece of string, but he immediately "excused" himself, and took teh kitten out into teh back yard, "for some exercise", as he put it......Stampers watched him go, sadly noting that before he had been "distracted" by their entrance, Evvy had actually been SMILING at Shizzy's "antics", looking "relaxed" for teh first time in days! "A bit "jumpy", ISN'T he?" asked Vic, who then added quietly, "Sure seems FOND of that cat....." "I think you SCARE him a-bit--but he ALSO "admires" you, Vic, because you SUCCEEDED where he thinks he CANNOT--and Shizzy was given to him by Shizuru.......But, I AM worried about him, because.........." "Because you think he may be reaching a "turning point", like I did?" "Yes--but YOU were ALWAYS a much STRONGER person--you HAD to be......." Vic came over to Stampers and put his arm around her for a moment--"If there's ANYTHING I can do, just ASK--and I PROMISE to STOP "glaring" at teh man, all right!?" She looked up at him, then, and give him a lil' hug before sitting down on one of teh comfortable chairs in teh Back Porch-- "Okay, let's talk about YOU, Vic!" To be Continued— As Vic sat down in another chair next to hers, Spot came into teh Porch and settled himself at Vic's feet, teh lil' black dog's usual "favorite" place [Stampers had been VERY IMPRESSED with how well-behaved teh dog had been at Snap and Amon's Wedding, sitting quietly in teh nearby grass as Vic and Rin participated in teh Ceremony!] In teh Living Room they could hear Rin showing teh Twins her "Fluffy" rupert, and Vash and Rem proudly displaying their Father's ruperts, Yin and Yang........."They'll PROBABLY be DRESSING teh po' things--OR teh Cats--in DOLL-CLOTHES, pretty soon!" Stampers thought with a smile, then gave her FULL attention to Vic as he began to speak, telling her about "teh Girl"-- "At FIRST, I thought I MIGHT be imagining things, that loneliness was starting to get to me, ESPECIALLY since teh FIRST time I saw her was at YOUR Wedding Reception, Stampers, and I was........feeling....well, you can GUESS....." he smiled a bit, and purely on instinct, she reached over and ran her fingers thru' his hair, like a mother would to soothe a child--Vic, relaxing and enjoying teh sensation, continued-- "But, then, when Chichiri and Emi-chan ALSO saw her, and wildcat ASSURED me that she really DID exist, I decided to ask YOU about her--Stampers, do you KNOW who this "Mystery Girl" IS--Can you TELL me!?" "Yes, I can, and I will, Vic," she answered, "but can you tell me WHY she fascinates you so--NOT that I think there's ANYTHING "WRONG" with THAT--NOT at ALL! I'm just "curious", really........" Vic, now resting his head on teh broad arm of teh comfy chair, looking all teh world like a little boy trying to explain "girls" to his Mom for teh first time, thought for a moment, then said: "She makes me feel ALIVE, and......."clean", like I've just been "born" anew almost--and for teh briefest moment, when I looked into her strange red eyes, eyes that SHOULD make me......uncomfortable....because they are so like my Mother's.......it DOESN'T MATTER--teh Past, what HAPPENED then--my Mother's......Death, those bitter years in teh Red Dragons, even "HIM"--it DOESN'T HURT so MUCH, it ISN'T so "Important" anymore, NOT EVEN DYING three times!!!" He closed his eye*, relaxing even more, teh comforting motions of Stampers' fingers running thru' his long soft hair, lulling him further....... "When wildkat chose me to be a God-Parent to her children, I was REALLY HONORED--in SPITE of Sesshomaru!--and when they were performing teh Ceremony, I found myself looking at Agachou and Tenchuu, thinking about what it would be LIKE to be a Father, myself--NOT just a "Guardian" like I am to Rin, where SHE takes as much care of ME as I do HER!--but, a REAL Father, COMPLETELY, like..............teh one I NEVER had........" By now, Vic was quite drowsy, on teh verge of sleep, curled in teh big chair comfortably, Spot now "tucked in" just in teh space between his Owner's folded legs and arms--Stampers stood up and draped a blanket over Vic's shoulders, then brushing some of his hair from his face ["He REALLY needs a HAIRCUT," she thought to herself], she kissed him on teh cheek and whispered in his ear-- "Her name is "CHEZA", Vic, and she's teh Moon Flower Maiden who came with teh Wolves.........and SHE will find YOU when teh Time is "right"--you can be SURE of THAT!" "Thank you....Stampers......" he murmured, just before he fell into a gentle sleep, to dream of fields of flowers in moonlight, Spot and Rin running with Toboe and teh other Wolves............and a Beautiful Maiden dancing among them, calling his name......... "Cheza.....," Vic answered, and smiled in his sleep..................................................... END of Prologue-----*Vic had lost an eye to Spike Spiegel during what was to turn out to be their Reconciliation, and now wore a patch over teh missing eye--Here's a pic........
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jun 30, 2005 21:44:43 GMT -5
Vic Finally Meets His Girl--
It was a bright, sunny day in teh Japanese Gardens--just like it USUALLY was!*--and Vic and Rin were wandering, Spot at their heels, when they came to a part of teh Gardens they'd never seen before.....
A HUGE field of tall grass, warm sunshine and THOUSANDS of brightly colored flowers of ALL kinds that were blooming, with myriads of different kinds of butterflies fluttering among them!
"Oh!" exclaimed Rin in surprise, and then she and Spot were running thru' teh flowers, laughing and barking, and making teh butterflies RUSH UP in floating clouds of bright color! Vic stood enchanted for a moment watching them, then he began to wander thru' teh grass and flowers, too, occasionally stopping to look closer at a flower or butterfly he had never seen before [in REALITY, he HADN'T seen MANY, other than in books....], keeping track of his "charges" by teh sound of their voices, and slowly heading towards a small "hill" that seemed to push up outta teh middle of teh vast and beautiful field.
As he got closer to teh little hill, Vic realized that among teh lazy afternoon insect noises he could hear a gentle "singing", more like a wordless humming, almost like teh insects sounds themselves in its mezmerizing influence on his Soul--he moved closer, around teh hill a bit...............and THERE she was, face turned up to teh sky, smiling into teh sun, sitting just under teh crest of teh hill-----CHEZA, his "Vision Girl", softly singing a song of wuv and Life and Joy!!
As Vic stood there stunned, she stopped her beautiful song, and turned her face to "look" at him, her expression one of happiness--and WELCOME--
"Hello, Vic--This One has been WAITING for YOU! Come, and sit with me in teh Sun!"
*Because of Haku's Magic, it can be ANY "season" of teh year in ANY part of teh Gardens at ANY given time, depending on teh mood of persons in that paricular part of teh Gardens, but it's ALWAYS "Bright and Sunny", except at night, when teh sky is clear and mostly cloudless........
To be Continued—
Rin had woven a daisy-chain, and was coming back to drape it around Mr. Vic's neck, when she heard him talking to someone--and LAUGHING! She peeked shyly thru' teh long grass and flowers, and saw him lying on his back next to a sitting girl, looking up into to teh sky........and discussing teh clouds!?
"Now, see--THAT one LOOKS a bit like Spike, or rather, like that bushy hair of HIS! Oh, and THAT little cloud over THERE kinda' reminds me of Spot, and teh cloud NEXT to him COULD be a hydrant! Look! Now it's changing, and it looks like he's "lifting his leg" on it!!!" They BOTH started to LAUGH at THAT, and Rin felt a *pang* of Jealousy!......and a little Sorrow.
Wasn't this just like what had happened with Lord Sesshomaru? HE had found a "girlfriend", too, and then Rin had found herself "handed off" to Mr. Vic--now HE had a "girlfriend"--and soon Rin would be "given away" to someone "else"..................Rin started to turn away sadly, and Spot whimpered to her--when she heard teh Girl's voice call her name!
"Rin! Please come and watch teh clouds with US! This One WANTS you to be with us, and SO does Mr. Vic....!"
Rin looked back, and saw teh Girl kneeling in teh grass, her arms open to Rin--and Spot--and Mr. Vic sitting up and smiling invitingly to her--"Yes, Rin, come on! I bet YOU can see LOTS of nice thing in teh clouds, BETTER than MINE!"
Rin forgot her doubts, and ran to join them, receiving a hug from Cheza, as well as her Mr. Vic!
To be Continued—
teh three of them lay on teh little hill in teh field of flowers and butterflies, watching teh clouds float by, talking and playing various "games"--like coming up with teh FUNNIEST description for a cloud shape [Vic was good at THAT one!]--Spot at their side or chasing butterflies, until teh sun had dipped low, and it was time to go home...........
Vic was wearing Rin's daisy chain around his neck, but Cheza had added HER "touch" to teh flowers--literally! "Watch THIS!" she had said to Rin mischievously, then had touched teh flowers gently, softly stroking teh petals with a loving hand--and they were ALIVE again, "growing" into one long continuous "vine" around Vic's neck! [What her being so CLOSE to Vic was ALSO "doing", ONE can imagine!]
"THERE!" laughed Cheza, "If you put them in water and let them get sunlight everyday, they'll STAY like that for a VERY long time."
Vic, who was looking a bit *flushed*, asked in amazement, "How did you DO that, Cheza?"
She had answered simply, with one of her musical laughs, "This One is teh Flower Maiden, Vic!" [At teh word, "Maiden", Vic had got even redder......!]
Now, as Rin and Spot ran ahead, Vic and Cheza followed more slowly, walking close, but not touching.... Vic had asked her if she had a place to stay, and when she had looked at him puzzled, saying, "This One stays in teh Gardens," he had tentatively asked her to come stay with him, Rin and Spot at teh Hotel--"You can sleep with Rin!" he had assured her hastily, not wanting to "assume" anything, NOR give her teh "wrong idea" about him! [Somehow it seemed VERY IMPORTANT to Vic to go "carefully" with Cheza--she was so "Innocent" and PURE......and he DIDN'T wanna "spoil" that in ANY way!]
Suddenly, ahead of them, Rin and Spot came to a halt, looking at someone standing in teh shadow of some trees.........
"Lord Sesshomaru!" said Vic, suddenly feeling his happiness of teh last few hours drain away...
To be Continued—
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jul 7, 2005 21:43:32 GMT -5
Remember that "Life-Debt" I mentioned that Vic owed Lord Sesshomaru......?
Rin ran up to Sesshomaru, and he kneeled down to give her a gentle hug, "Has teh Vic-Human been treating you WELL, my little Rin?" he asked gently, giving her one of his rare smiles.
"Oh, YES, Lord Sesshomaru!" she answered enthusiastically, "We've been watching CLOUDS and playing games ALL DAY!" She whispered in a "conspiratorial" manner to him, "Cheza is his new girlfriend, and he LIKES her, VERY MUCH!"
Sesshomaru glanced at Vic, noticing Cheza's closeness to teh Vic-Human, as well as teh daisy-chain around his neck, and something like an ironic smile crossed his face--then Sesshomaru stood up, his manner becoming "abrupt", returning Vic's gaze steadily--"Rin, you should go HOME, now--teh Vic-Human and I have a matter to discuss in "private"...."
Rin, suddenly sensing that something was "up" between her two favorite "menfolk", was reluctant to obey, looking back at Vic with a question in her eyes--he slowly removed teh daisy-chain from around his neck and handed it to Cheza, then said, "Go ahead, Rin, and take Cheza AND Spot with you, okay? I'll come later, when I can......" To Cheza, who he turned to next, "Rin will show you where to put these for water and sunlight."
She reached for his hand, and gave it a reassuring squeeze--which did WONDERS for his general well-being!--and replied, "I will be waiting for you, my Vic....."
Vic watched teh three of them go, until they had disappeared from view--then he turned to teh Yokai before him and snapped--
"ALL RIGHT, Sesshomaru--WHAT do you WANT from ME!?"
To be Continued---
"ALL RIGHT, Sesshomaru--WHAT do you WANT from ME!?"
Calmly, and without hurry, as if he were simply remarking on teh weather, Lord Sesshomaru answered Vic--
"ONLY what is ALREADY MINE, Vic-Human......Your LIFE!"
Vic felt his heart sink down into his shoes........he wanted to ask "WHY NOW, when I've FOUND a REAL REASON to keep LIVING!!??", but instead he merely swallowed and said, "Is there anyway I can persuade you to wait, Lord Sesshomaru? And WHAT ABOUT Rin? Who will.......CARE for her, now!?"
"You needn't concern yourself about Rin, I will make sure she is cared for--do NOT try to "put off' teh INEVITABLE, Vic-Human........" came teh implacable reply.
Vic stared at teh ground, thinking, "At LEAST he made SURE that Rin WON'T hafta SEE this......" but was startled when teh Yokai continued--
"....However, I WILL give you teh chance to "win back" teh Life you OWE me, Vic-Human, if you can defeat me in BATTLE....!"
He removed Vic's newly-repaired and sharpened sword from within his robes, and tossed it, still in its scabbard, to Vic, who caught it deftly [He may have only one eye, but Vic's depth-perception still works, that it does!] Vic looked at teh sword a moment, then strapped it on, thinking, "teh one-eyed against teh one-armed--it'd be almost an "even" match.....if HE wasn't a Yokai--even with BOTH EYES, I don't stand much of a chance against him......!"
When he was ready, Vic looked Seshomaru straight in teh eyes and said, "Whenever you’re "ready"........FLUFFY!"
It really WASN'T much of a fight, in teh end--in SPITE of Vic's hope that his use of teh "Fluffy" name would "unsettle" Sesshomaru to his advantage, small tho' it may be, teh Yokai just moved TOO FAST for Vic to "follow"[or just about ANY "normal" Human, and Vic has ONLY his skill and cunning to fall back on, NO "special gifts" BEYOND that!], and very soon--TOO soon--Vic found that it was ALL he could DO just to parry Sesshomaru's slashing cuts at him............
Vic was soaked in his own sweat, his breath rasping in his dry throat and laboring lungs, teh muscles of his arms and legs quivering with exhaustion, when teh "inevitable" happened--Vic went down on one knee trying to hold off yet ANOTHER of Sesshomaru's sword blows--teh Yokai was using Tonkigen, of course!--when he suddenly found his own sword SWEPT from his shaking hands, to land with a clatter along a stone path some distance away! teh force of that last blow knocked Vic FLAT on his back, and as he tried to sit up, he found teh sharp point of Lord Sesshomaru's Tonkigen at his THROAT..............!
"I will NOT beg for my LIFE from this DOG-demon, I WILL NOT BEG......!!!" Vic told himself, trying DESPERATELY to NOT show how VERY frightened he was......"Oh, DAMMIT! Who am I FOOLING, anyway!? I DON'T wanna DIE RIGHT NOW!! I wanna LIVE and be with Cheza and Rin and Spot! WHY did this hafta HAPPEN NOW, when it suddenly DOES MATTER to ME--WHY!!!!??" Something ALMOST like a sob or whimper escaped from him before he could squelch it as he felt teh tip of Sesshomaru's sword dig a trifle more into his neck, not FAR from his carotid artery..........."Please.....!"
Sesshomaru stared at teh Vic-Human for what seemed an ETERNITY to Vic ["WHAT teh HELL is he WAITING FOR!" thought Vic, "Just get it OVER WITH, will you!!??"], then he spoke almost....."thoughtfully"......
"Vic-Human.....Do you WISH to continue living?"
Vic, shutting his eye against teh tears that threatened to pour from him, blurted, "YES, Lord Sesshomaru! YES, I DO wanna LIVE! More than I can EVER remember, thru' ALL THREE of my "lifetimes"--I wanna be with Cheza, and care for Rin and Spot....I want.......I....!" Emotion overwhelmed Vic for a moment--then, getting a-hold himself, he closed his remaining eye---and waited for teh "END".........................
To be Continued--
Tonkigen stabbed into his throat a bit further, bringing BLOOD this time, and Vic tried to swallow a yelp of pain--DAMN, THAT HURT!!! Was Sesshomaru gonna TORTURE him, FIRST!? It DIDN'T seem to be teh Yokai's "style"--or SO Vic had THOUGHT!!!!
Then, just as Vic was about to give up ALL Hope, even of a quick and dignified Death--Sesshomaru pulled away Tonkigen, flicked teh excess blood from its tip......and SHEATHED his SWORD!!!
As calm and cool as ever, Lord Sesshomaru told teh Vic-Human who had been ENTIRELY at his Mercy, "Since you now WISH to keep teh Life that you "cherish"so much, you MAY have it, Vic--I GIVE it to You, as a Gift.......and as a "Thank You" for being for Rin what I CANNOT--A Human Father......"
Sesshomaru had started to turn away, but paused when a VERY CONFUSED [AND RELIEVED!] Vic asked, "WHAT!? That's ALL that this was ABOUT!? Whether I WANTED to LIVE or NOT!!?? You've TORMENTED ME with ALL THIS "Your LIFE belongs to me" business JUST to see if I would BEG to be SPARED!!!!??"
teh Lord Sesshomaru inclined his head very slightly in teh affirmative--and WAS THAT a slight SMILE on his FACE!? "And as a ....."Reminder" of how IMPORTANT Living has become to you, Vic, you will ALWAYS bear my "mark" upon your throat....." Vic put his hand to his neck, and saw teh blood covering it when he looked down at his hand again--Sesshomaru turned and walked slowly away, as if NOTHING "Important" had occurred at ALL, just another "incident" in a Yokai's Day......
He tossed over his shoulder one LAST parting remark to teh now ANGRY Human sitting on teh ground--
"Do NOT forget teh MEANING of THAT Mark, Vic! I should HATE to hafta kill you AFTER ALL, sometime in teh Future, IF you DO..............!"
Vic, of course, couldn't SEE if Sesshomaru was SMILING or not as he HURLED a LONG and "FLUENT" STREAM of Cursing and Invective at Sesshomaru's BACK, ANGRY as he was!!!
"WHY YOU LOUSY SON-of-a-BITCH ###!!!$%&*+@@&!!!!!%%$* YOKAI! You, YOU...........YOU "FLUFFY", YOU!!!! I OUGHTA'.......................................HEY! WAIT-a-MINUTE!!! Did HE just call me "VIC"!!!!!!!??"
To be Continued----
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jul 11, 2005 21:49:36 GMT -5
Sesshomaru didn't TOTALLY get away with this lil' "manuever" scott-FREE, however--He was "greeted" by a VERY ANGRY wildkat [carrying a frying-pan!] when he got back home, who, in her Infinite Fury, then ALSO locked Lord "Fluffy" outta' teh house [AND her bed!] for teh night--Talk about being in teh "Dog House", eh!?
However, as Stampers pointed out--
But, HEY! On teh "bright" side, NOW Vic KNOWS what he REALLY WANTS in LIFE, Right!?...............(Listens a-bit'..........and can STILL HEAR Vic a-cussin'-out teh Yokai for ALL he's WORTH!)----"#$$##&&^^%%$(*^^@@@!!!!! DAMN BASTARD of a DOG-Demon!!!!!!!!"..........*YEESH!* He IS Pissed!!
It was a VERY DISGRUNTLED Vic who TROMPED thru' teh Hotel Lobby, nearly FRIGHTENING po' Amelia into a "tizzy"!
"Mr. VIC!" she squeaked, "You're HURT! And YOU'RE BLEEDING!!!"
"WHAT of IT!?" he SNARLED at her--then IMMEDIATELY felt ASHAMED of himself! After ALL, it wasn't HER fault that that DAMNED Yokai HAD played him for a FOOL! And she was ONLY concerned for his welfare! AND--as he looked DOWN at himself--he DID seem to still be bleeding quite a bit, leaving drips on teh carpet!
Suddenly feeling "woozy" from all teh "after-effects" of his (*HAH!*) "fight" with Sesshomaru, Vic started to stumble towards one of teh upholstered sofas, but he was intercepted by Zelgadiss [who REALLY DID NOT APPRECIATE people BLEEDING ALL OVER HIS Hotel Lobby!!!] and Amelia, who *chirped*--"Just let me take a LOOK at that, Mr. Vic! I bet we could have you fixed up with a Recovery Spell in a JIFFY!!"
So it was a very TIRED Vic--complete with a small bandage over his wound ["Tho' I CAN'T seem to make teh "scar" go away completely....!" remarked a puzzled Amelia]--who finally wearily made his way into teh teh suite he now shared with Rin, Spot---and Cheza! Dear, sweet, innocent Cheza........She was sleeping curled up on teh sofa with Rin in her arms and Spot at her feet, a slight smile on her beautiful face.........
Vic reached out and touched her cheek ever so gently, almost AFRAID to do so, she seemed so "fragile" somehow---then he sat in teh over-stuffed chair opposite teh sofa and just watched her sleep, until he dozed off himself....GLAD to be ALIVE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VERY early teh next morning, Vic awoke slowly, still in teh chair............Someone was singing to him, very close--then he felt a light, almost "feathery" touch on his throat, and he opened his eye to find Cheza sitting on his lap(!), singing softly, and gently stroking teh wound that Sesshomaru had given him teh previous evening [HOW she had gotten teh bandage off without WAKING him, he'd probably never know....!] Across from them, curled around Spot on teh sofa, was Rin, and both she and teh dog were awake and listening with Rapt Attention to Cheza's singing, teh little girl with a smile on her face........
Aware that he was now awake, Cheza looked at Vic, a slightly "puzzled" expression on her face--
"Vic, This One has sung her "healing" song for you, but teh "hurt" does not go away entirely.........Has This One.....FAILED you.....?"
"Nooo....." he reassured her, "It's NOT supposed to "go away", Cheza, NOT "entirely", at least........" Vic *sighed* rather wearily, wondering why it DIDN'T seem to bother him to "admit" this to her and Rin, "It's Lord Sesshomaru's "Mark" on me, MEANT to remind me of how PRECIOUS Life has become to me.......after a lifetime of learning EXACTLY teh OPPOSITE!"
"Is this Lord Sesshomaru a Noble?" she asked, in all innocence
"Yes, you could call him THAT," Vic replied, "Don't worry about it, Sweet Cheza--it didn't hurt......MUCH--and he "returned" my Life to me, so I guess I "owed" him........."
He noticed that Rin was falling asleep again, and that it was still DARK thru' teh windows--too early yet to get up for teh day--Vic put his arms around Cheza, and she snuggled deeper into his lap, tucking her legs under her and nuzzling her face into his neck, rather like a kitten, then *sighed* in contentment as she dropped off into sleep.......and Vic, feeling her warmth against him, her soft breath brushing his throat, felt "contented", too........
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jul 11, 2005 22:00:20 GMT -5
teh Seduction.....
It started with teh eye-patch......
Well, ACTUALLY it started a bit BEFORE that---
Rin had started attending teh School, and teh "rhythm" of Vic's life had begun to take on a "natural" pattern. In teh Afternoons, right after Lunch [Cheza drinking a glass of water and soaking up teh sun from teh window by teh kitchenette table], Vic and Cheza had "fallen" into teh habit of just sitting and talking for a while. Then Cheza would take a short nap--Vic usually just watching her sleep-- before they would meet Rin at teh School and then teh three of them [and Spot] would take a nice walk in teh Japanese Gardens or teh Park before Dinner....
Usually, without Rin there, Cheza chose to sit in Vic's lap as he sat in one of teh overstuffed chairs [he tended to AVOID teh "temptation" of teh sofa!] during their Afternoon conversations, her asking many questions about his "Past" Life, him asking her about being teh "Flower Maiden", or sometimes they would just sit quietly, enjoying each other's closeness---
Until one day Cheza reached up and touched teh eye-patch that Vic always wore unless sleeping...
"This One would know, Vic--Why do you choose to wear a cover for your eye like teh Lord Darcia....? Do YOU have a "Wolf's Eye", also?"
Vic, aware of who Darcia was because of their previous talks, answered, "No, Sweet Cheza-Flower--I "LOST" my eye.....in an "accident", and I wear teh patch to remind myself of teh Stupid Person I USED to be!"
Cheza "looked" up at him, smiling gently at her, then asked, "Does it still "hurt", Vic?" And she touched teh patch again, tentatively.....
"No, not anymore....."
"Why then do you NOT have it "healed", Vic--This One could DO it FOR you without Pain or Discomfort?--and you are Stupid no LONGER!"
"Thank you Cheza, but I'm just fine with it, REALLY! You Needn't worry about---" but he was stopped by her reaching up again, this time to lift teh patch from teh "hole" that his right eye had once occupied--"Cheza, No! I DON'T want you to SEE--!"
She stopped him THIS time with a finger to his lips, quelling Vic's alarm with a smile--"This One does NOT think it "RIGHT" that Vic should have only ONE eye with which to see teh Beauty of teh World, as he needs to be able to "see" for THIS ONE as Well!"
Vic became VERY STILL as teh import of her words hit him full force! "Cheza.....Are you saying that you are BLIND!?"
"No," she answered innocently, "This One's eyes do NOT function as OTHER'S do, but She is NOT "Blind", Vic--to be BLIND is to not "see" at ALL, to not KNOW of what surrounds you--This One is ALWAYS "aware", can touch your skin, feel teh softness and teh White of your hair, know that your eye is Blue like a clear sky and taste your Smile upon her lips.....!"
"And breathe in teh warm SCENT of you," Cheza *sighed* burrowing her face into his neck, making Vic swallow HARD! "That's just teh Old Spice, my Cheza-Flower...."
"And YOU!" she insisted, kissing teh scar that Sesshomaru had "gifted" him with, causing a *shudder* of Desire to run thru' Vic to his very core....!
Vic had squeezed his eye TIGHTLY SHUT in an effort to control his emotions and racing heart, when his Flower Maiden SURPRISED him AGAIN with another question--
"Will you LET This One Heal your "lost" eye, Vic, so that you can SEE Clearly teh things that This One cannot?"
Vic, so DEEPLY MOVED now that he wouldn't have refused her ANYTHING that she asked of him, replied with a breathy *Sigh!*, "Yes, Cheza, you MAY........"
She sat up again, and pulled teh patch off up over his head, dropping it casually on teh floor by his feet, then gently touched teh place where that eye no longer was--Cheza shifted a little then, to bring her lips up to teh shrunken lid and kissed him there, very tenderly, sending a *shiver* thru' Vic that he couldn't stop!.......
........And he felt a "warmth" growing there, like teh feel of skin on skin, or teh smell of a small child's clean hair, or teh sight of a new Dawn......teh SIGHT of..................!
Vic sat up suddenly, aware that he could dimly see LIGHT thru' teh lid of his right eye---his EYE!!!
Vic OPENED his New Eye and saw his Cheza smiling at him!
"NOW you "SEE", Vic!" she laughed, as he picked her up in his arms and swung teh Flower Maiden around in a giddy circle!!!
"THANK YOU, Sweet Cheza!" Vic cried, feeling strangely happy, and he kissed her!
And Cheza kissed him BACK.....!
To be Continued---
When Vic and Cheza went to "pick up" Rin after School, teh perceptive little girl noticed teh change RIGHT AWAY, even from a distance! "Mr. Vic!" she cried happily, "YOU have a New Eye, JUST like your Old One! And it's teh SAME pretty BLUE, too!"
Vic, still feeling almost giddily happy, scooped Rin up and gave her a fun "twirl" which she enjoyed IMMENSELY! "Yes, Rin," he told her, smiling, "Cheza "gave" it to me! Wasn't that WONDERFUL of her!?"
When he put teh giggling little girl down again, she very solemnly went to Cheza, and put her hands together in teh traditional Japanese "Thank You" gesture while bowing her head--"Thank you so MUCH for making Mr. Vic so HAPPY, Lady Cheza!"
"This One welcomes you, Little Rin," answered Cheza, just as solemnly......Then she kneeled down and Rin ran into her arms for a joyful hug!
Vic, touched by this scene, and feeling like "celebrating" somehow, suggested, "Why don't we go to teh Restaurant for Dinner, ladies? And Rin, you can order WHATEVER you want, okay!?"
"Yeah!" yelled Rin, running ahead of them, "Imma have ICE CREAM with LOTS of Chocolate Sauce!!!!"
As they followed her to teh Restaurant, Vic with his arm around Cheza, he said to her--"I know that you don't need to eat, Cheza-Flower, but we'll sit in that corner with all teh plants if you like, and I'll make sure to order you some bottled water, too...."
Leaning her head against him, she answered, "This One would like that VERY much, Sweet Vic!"
"Cheza...."
"Yes?"
"I was a little afraid to ask you this before, but........Why didn't my eye-patch FRIGHTEN you when it reminded you so much of Lord Darcia? You told me that HE sometimes frightened you....."
"Silly Vic! YOU are Vic, This One's "Sweet One", and Lord Darcia was Lord Darcia--teh cover on your eyes made NO DIFFERENCE in THAT!"
Vic stopped a minute to look down at her, then kissed his Flower Maiden on teh forehead, tenderly......
"Cheza, My Flower...You NEVER cease to AMAZE me!"
To be Continued—
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Post by stampededtyphoon on Jul 12, 2005 16:16:48 GMT -5
teh Seduction......[Cont.]
teh three of them [well, Four, counting Spot!] came home from teh Restaurant in a happy, relaxed mood, enjoying Life and each other's company--while Rin drew some pictures of HER "new wuv", Kohaku ["He used to be a Demon Exterminator, Mr. Vic, but I know he would NEVER hurt any GOOD Yokai, like Lord Sesshomaru!"], Cheza sat on teh sofa and sang quietly to herself, and Vic busied himself with feeding and grooming Spot--all very much teh usual for their Evenings together.......
.....Except.....except Vic couldn't quite "shake" teh feeling that Cheza was "watching" him, somehow.....as if she was MORE "aware" of his every move, every breath, every Heart-beat, than ever before.......It was both comforting, and slightly...."Unnerving"--BOTH, at teh same time, which seemed impossible! He felt as if something in their relationship was about to change, but Vic didn't DARE let himself think too much about THAT.....! No, he couldn't let himself even "Hope" for more than what he had NOW with Cheza---it just wouldn't be......Right....
Soon, it was time for Rin to go to bed, and after she was settled ["Goodnight, Mr. Vic......"] with a gentle kiss on teh forehead and a hug from Cheza--and a last *slurp* from Spot!--Vic took Spot out for his last "run" of teh night, telling Cheza not to wait up for him.......he spent a little more time than usually necessary outside in teh Courtyard with teh dog, still feeling slightly "uneasy" about Cheza, but when he finally let himself in as quietly as possible, he was somewhat relieved--and Okay, a bit disappointed, too--to find that she HAD gone on to bed, sleeping quietly when he checked on her. Vic thought that he might have trouble falling asleep, but when his head hit teh pillow and he closed BOTH his eyes, he realized that he was MORE tired than he had known--after all, it HAD been an exciting day.........!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He thought he might be dreaming........teh scent of some beautiful white flower that he had never seen before perfumed teh air that he breathed, and something warm and soft was touching his face, gently brushing his hair away from his face.....then soft lips were touching his tenderly, and he started to respond...."Cheza...." he muttered, smiling and reaching for her, his hand touching her beautiful face.....
"Vic.....This One is here.........for You....."
Vic OPENED his eyes, SUDDENLY FULLY AWAKE!!!
And saw Cheza, his Flower Maiden, sitting on his bed, dressed only in a filmy gown that left little to teh imagination!
She smiled at him, her face one of Innocence and Purity, and said, "Sweet Vic--it is TIME....!"
To be Continued—
"T-t-t-t-TIME!?" stuttered Vic, sitting up quickly, suddenly VERY glad he had gotten into teh habit of wearing at least pajama bottoms to bed! [In his Red Dragon days he had felt more comfortable sleeping in teh nude, and BEFORE that he had hardly known what pajamas WERE....]
Vic swallowed, trying to regain his voice, his throat having gone completely DRY--"Cheza! What are you doing HERE!?" he managed to ask, realizing what a stupid question that was.......
Cheza smiled serenely--"This One has come to be Loved by You, Sweet Vic!"
"L-l-loved?" asked Vic, feeling a tangled confusion of emotions.
Cheza laughed a bit, teh sound almost musical--"Silly Vic! Of COURSE!" She reached out a hand to touch his face, and Vic felt himself responding to her gentle touch, wanting to close his eyes and lean into her warmth and softness.................."No!" he said suddenly, pulling away from her, "No, Cheza, I CAN'T! I WON'T!!"
"Vic....!" Cheza exclaimed, a look of confusion on her lovely face, "This One does not....understand................WHY?"
Vic, who even now felt more comfortable sleeping with his back to a wall, had pushed his bed into a corner of his bedroom--too many years of living dangerously had made it an instinctive habit--and now he had pushed himself INTO that corner, as far from Cheza as he could get at teh moment, his face turned away from her........
"Cheza, I'm SORRY, but I CAN'T wuv you that way, MUCH as I may wanna--it would be WRONG! I.....I might HURT you, My Cheza Flower--I don't TRUST myself NOT to........." He stopped, unable to go on, choked by his feelings and teh raging battle within him--HOW could he explain to her, this sweet, innocent Flower, this Child-Woman.......!?
How could he tell her that what she called "wuv" had always been for him just an emotional and physical "release", a way of trying to deal with all teh hurt and anger and fear trapped inside him for so long? Julia had understood, and had never asked more from him, and he had stayed with her so long because of that--and because she could handle his passion, and keep it from becoming brutality, from being too "rough".........And Peanutcat had been so....."unexpected"--and so much FUN! But Cheza--She was so.......fragile, so........Pure.....
Vic was AFRAID, afraid that if he gave in to his desire, LET his feelings for Cheza be expressed in this way, that he would end up destroying her, doing her damage that he didn't intend, HURTING his Cheza Flower....! "PLEASE, Cheza, DON'T ask this of ME! I....CAN'T....be.....trusted...........not to...HURT You!"
Cheza, not understanding his seeming rejection, felt hurt--she looked again at her "Sweet Vic", pressed tightly into a corner, face turned away from her, huddled into himself........and shaking like a frightened animal, tears gathering in his eyes........!
"Vic......Does....This One....FRIGHTEN you?"
Startled by her question, he looked at her in surprise, "No! No, Cheza, I'm NOT afraid of YOU, I'm AFRAID of MYSELF, what I might DO to you!"
"Sweet Vic, do you wuv This One?"
"Yes, Cheza, VERY MUCH.....!"
"Do you TRUST This One NOT to Hurt YOU!?"
Startled again, Vic answered--"Of COURSE, Cheza!"
"Then.....This One CAN trust YOU, Sweet Vic--and YOU can TRUST...........Me..."
Vic was caught off guard by her first use of teh word, "Me", and didn't try to pull away again when she moved across teh bed to touch his face again, brush his lips with hers, lean herself against his chest........she began to sing her healing flower song, and as teh beautiful melody filled his heart, Vic felt something "give way" within his Soul, as if something knotted within him was slowly unfurling, loosening.....relaxing.............
"Cheza...." he whispered, no longer fighting her.........or himself..........................
Spot, sleeping at teh foot of Rin's bed, lifted his head and listened for a moment, wagging his black tail, then went back to sleep--his Master was Happy, as well as his "Mistress", and that was enough for teh little black dog................More than enough
To be Continued—
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