GetBackers Fan Fiction ❯ Sightless ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Thanks again to my Beta Crimson_Vixen_99! You are a doll babe!



Sightless

Chapter 9

Ginji blinked his eyes open. He lifted his hand out from under the blanket and rubbed his eyes. He looked down to see he was on Ban's bed...in Ban's room. Ginji looked around the room only to find a black cat on a chair staring at him. He assumed Ban brought him back to the house. Getting out of bed, Ginji also realized that he was in a pair of white pants and a sleeveless black shirt. He blushed at the thought of Ban dressing him. He shook his head from those thoughts.

"I wonder where everyone is..." He said to himself. The Black Cat stood up and tilted her head to the door before walking out. Ginji blinked and followed the cat. "Mission, follow the weird kitty...." He murmured with a smile. The Black Cat led him to a sliding door where Kerasi, the twins, Kazuki, and Shido were all at trying to look into. "Hey guys...."

"SHHH!" The twins whispered. Kerasi smiled and waved Ginji over as the cat unnoticeably went through the door.

"What's going on?" Ginji asked.

"SHHH!" The twins said again. Ginji pouted as he walked closer.

"Adult meeting, they are talking about Hestia carving all those words into Ban's torso." Kiyoshi whispered.

"They wouldn't allow us to enter, so we followed the brats." Shido told. Ginji nodded and looked through the slit with Kerasi. He saw the black kitty run to Ban and climb up his dark outfit to sit on his shoulders. He was wearing dark blue pants and a black long sleeve shirt. Beside him was Himiko who was wearing a red kimono. Teshimine was off to the side in a pair of light blue jeans and a white sweater. Celeste was a few steps in front of him with Mirai at her side. Both were wearing something similar to Ban, but in different colors. Celeste was all white, while Mirai's was orange and red. Hestia was standing before Ban while Sang was kneeling with his head down.

"You don't deserve to be the heir...if your mother was here..." Hestia said glaring at Ban.

"My mother will come when Aleera sees fit." Ban said sternly. "For the record Hestia...I never wanted to step up. I was fine being an outcast of the family."

"Then why did you come back every so often?" She sneered.

"For Kerasi and Mirai." Himiko said. "To repay the debt of saving my life to you, but you seem to have gone over board."

"It is now up to us, the other Midou Members of the house, to justify your crime against the heir." Celeste said.

"Both of you...."

"No, Hestia alone." Ban said cutting off Mirai.

"Why?" Himiko blinked.

"Because I know Sang Chun, he was only going to taunt me and try to get me to fight him again. He is not the kind of man who would try to kill me when I'm resting." Ban explained. Sang Chun bowed lower. "Am I right?"

"I was only going to see if I could get you angered enough to fight. When I got there I was shocked to see so much blood...I..." Sang rubbed his eyes.

"So you are telling us Sang is not in league with his mother?" Celeste asked.

"I had sensed Sang long after the carving on my chest began. He is not guilty by any means. He would fight me, but never intend to kill me." Ban said.

"But what about when you came? He threw a dagger at you?" Mirai said.

"And if you remember correctly it was harmlessly aimed at my shoulder." Ban replied. "I might be blind, but I know my family Mirai."

"So what? Sang gets off and I get punished. Hardly fair since he also had blood on his hands." Hestia asked angrily.

"Do not test our patience, Hestia." Celeste told the woman. "You are in no position to talk of fair play."

"Hestia if I am not mistaken..." Teshimine said. "The night you wanted to talk to Ban...two night ago I think, the night I came. Did you or did you not give him two hundred lashings of a whip, intending on giving him three hundred? Then had the guards you brought hit the lashes to make them hurt more?"

"How did you...." Hestia glared at Teshimine.

"She what!?" Celeste and Mirai called out as they looked at Ban. His look was dark. Himiko frowned and touched Ban's arm.

"Is this true?" She asked.

Shido fisted his hand as he stood. Kazuki also stood with a cold face. Ginji stared at Ban.

"I can't believe it..." Hitoshi said pulling back from the door. "He's taken all the abuse and never said a word."

"What going to happen though?" Ginji asked.

"Tou-san has to present the proof to the others. Then they will judge Hestia. She is still needed for her fight with Tou-san for his ascension to heir, so I'm guessing they'll leave it to Aleera-hibaba." Kerasi explained in a whisper. "I was wondering why his movements seem stiff."

"You could see that?" Kazuki asked in a whisper. He stared at Kerasi. 'Perhaps...she can truly be called Ban's daughter. A Midou heir raising a half blooded Midou. Can it be that Kerasi...has the same powers as Ban perhaps?'

"Ban, you know conduct among our clan. Until you ascend you can't change it." Celeste said with a neutral face. "Show us."

Ban reached up to his collar. The black cat, known as Fai, jumped off Ban's shoulder and walked off. Ban unbuttoned his shirt and let he it fall to the ground. He turned so Celeste, Mirai, Sang, and Himiko could see his back.

"Dear god..." Sang said backing away. Celeste and Mirai turned their eyes to Hestia.

"Have you anything to say in your defense?" Celeste asked.

Hestia laughed.

"What do you find funny?" Mirai asked.

"Though he is a child of Satan himself you protect him. He deserves to die. He deserves the punishment he gets." Hestia grinned. Ginji watched Ban's face twitch as she said that. She then walked up to Ban's back and slapped her hand on the deep cut on his lower back.

Ginji was held back by Kazuki and Shido.

Teshimine and Celeste pulled Hestia back and forcefully made her kneel.

"You dare strike the heir?" Celeste said with a glare. Hestia just smirked.

"Aleera..."

"Ban?" Himiko looked at him as he stood straight and turned back to Hestia.

"Aleera will deal with her..." Ban said.

"What of your ascension dear heir?" Hestia grinned. "Have you forgotten our rule?" Ban's look darkened more as he glared blindly at Hestia.

"What rule?" Shido asked.

"Ban must find a partner..." Kiyoshi said.

"A lover..." Hitoshi clarified. "One that will be of use...or that's what Hestia told us."

"What do you mean be of use?" Kazuki asked.

"Hestia's an idiot." Kerasi said, she was still watching. "Ban has to find a lover that will pass tests that Aleera will give them." Ginji's mouth made an O shape as he looked back at the 'court'.

"What I do for the last rule is none of your business." Ban said sternly.

"Tell me Ban, how would women react to your inhuman powers?" Hestia grinned.

"Shut up."

"The fact that you killed?"

"Stop it Hestia..." Ban said grinding his teeth.

"Is it that they are scared of you because they are frighten you might put them under that one-minute spell of yours. Or that you might kill them?" Hestia grinned. Ban was going to fall into anger. 'If I get him to strike, Aleera won't allow him to be the Heir.' "Tell me Ban...is it the blood you have on your hands or the blood you have in your veins?"

"I told you to shut up..."

"Ban-chan!" Ginji was suddenly hugging him. He had seen Hestia getting Ban mad. In turn, Ban started to raise his arm in anger. That's when Ginji had enough and sprinted from the door to his partner. "Don't listen to her..." Ginji murmured into Ban's neck.

Ban's arm lowered and wrapped itself around Ginji's waist. He held Ginji close to him as he looked blindly ahead. He had Ginji...he wasn't going to let anyone take Ginji away from him. Hestia stared at Ginji with a glare.

"Why you little street punk!" Hestia shoved Celeste and Teshimine off her and lunged at Ginji.

Only to land on her stomach where Ban and Ginji use to be.

"What the hell..." Hestia looked around. Her head was turned when she heard a thump in front of her. She turned to see Ban with Ginji gathered in his arms. "How did you...."

"You should know Hestia...you are, after all, my aunt." Ban sneered as he let Ginji down. He looked down at Hestia as Ginji hugged him from behind. "You are not to touch Ginji." Ban commanded. "You are not to touch Kazuki or Shido either. If I so much as hear that you are playing with them or trying to confuse them in anyway Hestia, so help me, Degei won't be able to stop me."

"Ban-chan...that's enough..." Ginji said as he put his chin on Ban's shoulder. "You scared her enough..." He actually felt sorry for Hestia. Her eyes widened so much that he thought they would pop.

"Guys, you can come out now..." Celeste said as she pulled Hestia away from Ban again.

"Guys?" Himiko blinked.

"Yea, Kerasi get out here." Mirai said. Kerasi came out with a blush, as the twins acted like nothing happen. "You too, Kazuki...Shido." The other two came out with smiles.

"Sorry for eavesdropping." Kazuki apologized.

"If we didn't want you to eavesdrop, Celeste would have said something." Ban replied slowly as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"What the hell, you let them hear?" Sang asked blinking.

"You see Sang. We want to act like a family. Not whatever Hestia is trying to turn the Clan into." Mirai explained as Kerasi walked to her mother. "I may not be blood, but Kerasi is. I was accepted into the family by Aleera and Ban. Therefore, I will do what I think is right for it."

"Hey guys, I'm going to go outside." Ban said. He began to turn when Ginji grabbed his arm and nodded.

"I'm coming with..." He smiled and helped Ban outside to the garden.

"Well it seems that the last rule is solved." Celeste smiled at Teshimine. He nodded looked at Hestia.

"What do we do with her?" Teshimine asked. Celeste sighed.

"Without Ban's word, we can't do anything..."

"I doubt she will." Kerasi said. "The threat Tou-san left is as good as law. You know how he gets when someone he cares about is threatened."

"So does that mean..." Hitoshi blinked.

"Ban-sama likes men?" Kiyoshi blinked also.

All the adults looked at each other. Kerasi tried to hide her laughter, but failed miserably. Kazuki soon followed with Shido. The twins blinked at everyone as they all were laughing. Thinking the adults were crazy, the twins walked out of the room leaving them to laugh at whatever they were laughing at.

"It was just a simple question...." Kiyoshi murmured on the way out.

OoOoOo

Ginji smiled as Ban laid his head on his lap. He complained of having a headache from all discussing they did. They were in the garden, on a cushion swing. Ban was able to curl up and lay his head on Ginji's lap, while Ginji leaned back on it relaxing. Ban told Ginji if he fell asleep, not to worry. That it was just the cold whether getting to him.

Ginji smiled down at the sleeping Ban. He ran his hand through the brown mess of hair as the wind blew. Ginji leaned down and kissed Ban's temple. He smiled as Ban murmured quietly.

"I wonder how he caught himself such a beautiful companion." Mirai said as she leaned on the support of the swing. In her arms was a blanket.

"Nani?" Ginji looked up blushing.

"Ban-kun needs someone he can trust when he's here." Mirai said. Smiling, she put the blanket over Ban. "He gets so angry, upset, and tense here...I don't know how he copes."

"Ban-chan's strong..." He said while continued to run his hand through Ban's hair.

"I'm glad you think so Ginji-san, because you will have to be strong for him." Mirai said.

"What do you mean?" The electricity manipulator looked up at the crystal user.

"You'll know when the time comes. For now, just be with him...he needs to have some happiness in his life. Something that can give him more joy than seeing Kerasi every once in a while." Mirai clarified. She stood in front of Ginji and leaned down. Kissing him on the forehead she smirked. "Good luck, Amano Ginji..." She stood and walked back to the house.

It was about late afternoon when Ginji blinked and looked down at Ban. He was beginning to stir. Ban hands clenched into fist as he curled up further. The former gang leader ran his hand down Ban's cheek. "Ban-chan..." Ban's eyes open slightly. He closed them again and pushed himself up into a sitting position. Ginji watched as Ban opened his eyes lethargically. They looked blank and dull, but that wasn't because of his blindness "Ban-chan are you alright?"

"Hm..." Ban sat up and fished out his shades and put them on. "Come out...." He said in a normal voice. He lifted his head up toward the shadowy part of the garden. Ginji looked at Ban, then that part of the garden.

Sure enough, an elderly woman with gray hair and blue eyes walked out of the shadows off the garden. Ginji stared at the woman. She had a 'holy' air around her. Around her arms was a violet shawl as she was in a very elegant lavender kimono with red blossoms going up the sleeves. Her gray-white hair was pulled back into a bun pinned at the top her head. Her eyes moved from Ban to Ginji and stared at the young man.

'So...you are the one Ban has picked to be his lover.' Her voice echoed in Ginji's head. He looked around before his eyes settled on the elderly woman.

'What...how are you doing this? Who are you?' Ginji blinked. The woman smiled. Ginji felt Ban tense up next to him.

'I am a witch Ginji-chan. My powers are similar to the Jagan. I can create dreamscapes...visions....of anything I chose. I can communicate with anyone with my blood without effort. To communicate with you...it is because Ban gave his blood to you last night did he not?' Ginji nodded slightly. 'That is how I can talk with you now. This shall be interesting...are you ready?'

'Ready for what?'

'You'll see my little...'

"Stop talking to him Aleera..." Ban glared at the woman. Aleera smiled at him deviously.

"What are you afraid of Ban?" She asked. Ban wrapped his arm around Ginji's waist and pulled him closer.

"Possessive even when you cannot see." Aleera taunted. Ginji felt himself being pulled into Ban's lap as Aleera disappeared from sight. Ban's hands where suddenly before Ginji's face holding two wrinkled feminine hands that were poised to grab Ginji's neck, it seemed. Ban hissed at Aleera who merely smiled. "I see...."

"Ban-chan...." Ginji turned slightly to the blind man as Aleera pulled back and stepped back a few steps. Ban's hands went to Ginji's hips as he turned to look at him.

"Ginji...this is my grandmother, Aleera." Ban said with a neutral face.

"I see you arrived on your own..." Teshimine said as he walked out with everyone behind him. Kerasi smiled.

"Hibaba!" She shouted as she ran to the woman. The elderly woman smiled as she embraced Kerasi.

"Aleera!" The twins soon raced out to see Aleera too. Ginji smiled from Ban's lap as he watched. Shido and Kazuki walked over to them.

"Midou...why is Ginji on your lap?" Shido asked harshly. Ban grinned and pulled Ginji back against his chest.

"I don't know, Ginji seems comfortable. Right?" Ban looked at Shido. Ginji blushed and nodded. Kazuki smiled.

"Let them be Shido..." He said to the Beast Tamer. Aleera looked up from the children and looked at Shido and Kazuki.

"Threadmaster Fuuchion Kazuki and Beast Master Fuyuki Shido," Aleera bowed. Kazuki and Shido both bowed back. "I hope you have had a warm time while in the home of our clan."

"Yes, we have." Kazuki said. Shido snorted. Aleera nodded and looked at Celeste and Mirai. Her eyes looked to Sang, who was hiding vainly behind Celeste.

"Aleera-san..." Himiko smiled.

"Himiko-chan, it is good to see you in better shape dear."

"Thank you..." Lady Poisoned bowed.

"Ban...." She called to the man on the swing.

"Aleera..." He said back.

"In private....I would like to discuss the matters of the statues and the thief who stole them." She said as she headed inside. She paused and peered back at Ban. "Now Ban..." Ban shivered and nodded. He lifted Ginji from his lap.

"Everyone stay out here..." He said as he began to follow Aleera.

"But what of Hestia...she's still inside." Himiko said.

"We'll be fine." Ban said not looking back.

Kazuki frowned as he watched Ban leave. They were going to talk about Thiras. If Aleera had to talk to Ban alone...this could mean things are worse than they thought. He put a finger to his chin thoughtfully. Perhaps, with Aleera here...things will reveal themselves. Kazuki looked around and saw that each member was spread out.

Himiko and Mirai were talking while sitting on a bench. Teshimine and Celeste were on the swing of which Ginji previously occupied. Kazuki spotted Ginji with Kerasi and Shido. While the twins were off with Sang, looking at the foliage.

"Kerasi! We found a dead flower!" Hitoshi called. Kerasi blinked and ran over to the twins. Everyone looked up to see Kerasi kneeling before the flower.

"You going to revive it?" Sang asked. Kerasi nodded.

"It's better if I do, or else the wilting will spread like a disease around the garden." She explained as she put her hands around the flower. Ginji watched in awe as time around the flower seemed to rewind.

"How is she doing that?" Shido asked.

"Kerasi can control anything she wishes. That is her special ability." Mirai explained. Kerasi pulled her hands away went the flower went back to just being a bud.

"There...." Kerasi smiled.

"That's neat!" Ginji said.

"Yep yep!" She laughed and stood. "There you go guys. If find anything else, just call." The twins nodded and raced off.

"So you can control anything?" Ginji asked.

"Basically, though when in Tokyo I can do it without thinking about it. Here I have to concentrate." Kerasi replied.

"Why is that?" Kazuki asked himself.

"Because...unlike the some of us, Kerasi was born in the Limitless Fortress." Celeste said as she and Teshimine walked to them.

"She was born inside?" Shido raised an eyebrow. "In Lower Town?" Mirai shook her head as Kerasi talked with Ginji.

"She was born in higher....I'm not sure if it was the Beltline or Babylon City. Ban would know, he was there helping me through the birth. From what I was told, he protected both Kerasi and I from the people on the Beltline."

"Where she was born is irrelevant." Ban said as he appeared in the garden again. They saw that he had his shirt back on again.

"Tou-san!" Kerasi smiled and bounced up to Ban, hugging him around the waist. Ban smiled and wrapped his arm around Kerasi before looking up. His blind eyes were on no particular person but everyone saw his seriousness.

"Ban, what's wrong?" Mirai asked.

"Mirai sit down." Ban said sternly. She blinked and slowly lowered herself to the ground knowing that this news wasn't going to be good.

"Ban?" Celeste looked at him.

"Aleera wanted me to inform you guys of the thief. Himiko, Ginji, Kazuki, Shido and I ran into him just outside the Limitless Fortress."

"What does that mean?" Teshimine raised an eyebrow.

"On the edge of Hell is where the panther crawls, Teshimine." Ban replied. Mirai's breathing hitched as she started to pant. Celeste's eyes widened as Sang took a step back.

"It can't be...." Sang said. "I thought you killed him!"

"Killed who?" Teshimine asked.

"The panther whose shadow looms over the heads of the Midou Clan." Celeste said. "Ban's brother is alive..."

"Thiras is supposed to be dead!" Mirai shouted. Himiko knelt down by Mirai and held her. "No! He promised me that the monster would never come back. HE PROMISED ME!" Ginji looked up to see Ban look hurt and ashamed at the same time. He looked down at Mirai frowning.

"What promise...?" Ginji asked looking back at Ban.

"Exactly ten years ago is when it started; the day that would decide the heir of the clan." Celeste said. Ban's eyes darkened.

"Hey wait, Ban...didn't you tell me that..." Ginji blinked.

"I left not too long after that Ginji." Ban replied. Kerasi's grip tightened on Ban's clothing as she hid her face. "Thiras and I fought that night just like I'm supposed to do with Hestia. Expect...Thiras took it to another level."

"You never told me about this night Ban..." Himiko said looking up.

"I didn't tell anyone. Eventually, the fight got so bad I had to lead Thiras away....I took him to the outskirts of the city." Kazuki sense the air shift and become filled with hisses. He turned to Shido.

"The snakes that you hear now witnessed the event. The night that Degei appeared from the stars above and descended to touch this earth." Ban's voice sounded eerie to Ginji. It was like Ban wasn't even consciously aware what he was saying.

"When you say descend to touch...what do you mean, Midou?" Shido asked.

"Degei...he appeared through you?" Celeste asked, frightened. "You were the one that called the god from his sleep that day?" Ban's eyes seemed hollow and sad at the reminder of that day. "Oh dear god..." She back into Teshimine who held her.

"What's wrong?" Kazuki asked.

"There's a prophecy...to the one who is able to successfully call down Degei from the heavens." Sang said.

"It is said...The blood that is hybridized with those of the pious creature once, shall again. In that day, the being will no longer be himself, but the pious snake that inhabits his body." Ban said. "That being will also extinguish the flame that has engulfed him."

"What does that mean?" Ginji asked.

"It means...if Tou-san, willingly or unwillingly, calls upon Degei again. If the snake god returns to his body....he will kill the people he loves." Kerasi said before clutching Ban tighter. "Tou-san...please tell me that's not going to happen!" Ban stayed silent.

"What are we to do?" Sang said. "If Degei gets out again...Ban, you yourself said you hardly lived through that experience. How could Thiras have?"

"I don't know how he survived, but he wants power. I have a theory one why Hestia is the way she is. If I am right...Thiras will be stronger than ever." Ban replied slowly.

"So what do we do?" Mirai asked. "How do we defend against that monster?"

"Aleera wants me to train." Ban said closing his eyes.

"Ban?" Ginji blinked.

"I am to be one who will challenge Thiras. I am the weapon and last resort." Ban opened his eyes slightly and looked at the ground.

"Weapon?" The twins whispered. Kiyoshi and Hitoshi looked at each other before looking at Ban.

"Ban-kun...." Kiyoshi asked. "Are you planning to do the same thing you did that night?"

"If Thiras is as strong as Aleera can feel, then yes." Ban replied.

"What do you mean Ban? What's your plan?" Ginji asked. He was getting frightened at all this. There was so much he didn't know about Ban and now when they try to get answers they only have more questions.

"At best...if I don't unconsciously summon Degei, the least I can do with a fight against Thiras is a mutual slaying." Ban replied.

"Are you crazy?" Kazuki asked.

"You said the same thing about Fudou...yet you defeated him." Shido said. Ban shook his head.

"Thiras is different. His bloodlust is like no other. He will kill all that gets in his way, no matter if they are family, friend, or enemy." Ban replied. "I will be the only one able to defeat him."

"Tou-san, I don't want you to do this!" Kerasi cried.

"Ban she's right, I mean it was difficult enough when you could see his movements. You can't possible think that you'll be able to defeat him when you are blind." Himiko said.

"I know my brother. Blind or not, I will have to fight him. If my blindness is still with me when that happens, there is a good chance that Degei will appear again." He said as he let go of Kerasi.

"What of us?" Kazuki asked. "What are we to do?"

"Aleera wants the Midou Clan to train too. So she will be contacting everyone who is strong enough to fight. All of us here will be asked to train as well." Ban rubbed his eyes.

"Aleera will be working with you...does she want me to help her?" Celeste asked. Ban nodded. "I think I understand now." She turned to Mirai. "Mirai, if Aleera wants us to train, then we will. You will take care of Kerasi and yourself. Sang..." She turned to the young man. "You will have the twins."

"What about us?" Ginji asked.

"You guys can come with me to train." Mirai said.

"I'll be able to help during the mornings and afternoons." Ban said. Celeste and Mirai nodded.

"Alright...I hear a storm in the distance, so we should get inside." Celeste said.

"Heaven forbid a little rain." Teshimine said smirking at Celeste. She smacked him lightly in the chest and gathered the twins and headed inside. Sang soon followed not wanting to be outside for the rain. Mirai stood with Himiko's help and looked at Kerasi.

"Let's go Kerasi, we should give these guys some time to talk."

"No!" Kerasi clutched onto Ban tighter. Ban sighed and kneeled down beside Kerasi holding her hands.

"Kerasi, you know you have to listen to your mother." He said. Kerasi threw her arms around Ban's neck and hugged him tightly.

"I don't want you to fight him!" She sobbed into his neck. Ban frowned and hugged Kerasi. "Don't die again..." She whispered so the others wouldn't hear.

"I won't...I promise." Ban replied. He pulled her away from his body and looked at her face. He wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead. "I'll come to tuck you in before I start training alright?"

"Versprechen?" Kerasi asked in German holding her left hand. Ban smiled and nodded.

"Versprechen." He took her hand, kissed it then spun her around toward her mother who was waiting at the house.

"Remember Tou-san!" Kerasi smiled as she ran to her mother and walked into the house.

"Hey Midou....We want a full explanation. Right now." Shido glared at him.

"Alright..." Ban stood and turned to them. "Ask the question and I will explain."


OoOoOo


Versprechen is German for Promise...there were three that meant promise so I didn't know which one to use so I used the neuter form.


As for the whole age difference thingie. Here's how I got it figured:


Ages:

Ban and Ginji: 26

Shido: 29

Kazuki: 28

Himiko: 23

Celeste: 26

Teshimine: 34 (making him younger by a few years. he's really 29 in the series so with my ages that would make him 37)

Kerasi: 15 turning 16

Twins: 13

Sang: 24

Hestia: 40

Aleera: OLD

Thiras: 33

Mirai: 32


NOW!


When Kerasi was born: Ban was 10, Mirai 16, and Thiras was 17.


Time of the fight to ascend to the Heir: (Only Midou Family now)

Ban: 16

Kerasi: 6

Mirai: 22

Thiras: 23

Celeste: 16

Twins: 3

Sang: 14

Hestia: 30

Aleera: (young) OLD STILL




There...that was tough...took me an hour to figure all this out to just the way I want it. I hope it makes sense.