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Amber-gold eyes so intense that they rival the beauty of a roaring flame glared at the stoic figure standing afar on the crumbling stonework. His feet moved before his brain could have a say in it, his fists clenched tight and ready to deliver sweet justice - but Megumi held him back, the highborn of Transylvania grabbing hold of his wrist and drew him back.
"Calm yourself, Itadori." Megumi whispered, his emerald eyes glaring at the nonchalant form that screamed of death. "We don't know where they have taken Kugisaki, so we can't go attacking one of them who is currently serving as a messenger."
Yuuji tsked in irritation, removing his eyes from Megumi and onto the vampire whose white hair swayed in the cold, winter breeze - their robe-like attire fluttering.
"It is an honour to meet the great Van Helsing. My master has spoken so much about you." The white haired vampire placed a hand on their chest and gave a small bow to Yuuji.
"Where's Kugisaki-san?! What have you done with her?!"
"Your partner is okay and is being given the best of the best service as my Master had instructed." They turned their heads and settled their blank gaze on Megumi. "It's nice to see you again, Young Master. Ryoumen-sama and your father have missed your presence in the castle."
Megumi clicked his tongue in irritation, a bemused glare settling on his usual bored face. "What message have my step-father instructed you to deliver, Uraume? Cut the annoying pleasantries and get to the point."
The corner of Uraume's twitched in amusement. His Young Master hasn't changed. Always the rebellious spirit. "Ryoumen-sama has invited Helsing-san to the ball being thrown in honour of your father."
Megumi cocked a brow. "Has the bastard choked to death so soon?"
Uraume chuckled. "He's very much alive, Megumi-sama."
The highborn clicked his tongue. "Pity." He heaved a sigh. "Will my friend be there?"
"Of course, Young Master. Ryoumen-sama wants to trade: the girl for something he so desires."
"Megumi, this is a trap. A blatant one." Yuuji's glare increased in intensity. "The moment we step into their domain, they're going to kill us."
"My Masters will do no such thing, Vampire Hunter-san. Trust that no harm will befall you or your friend by my Masters' hands. Megumi-sama here can testify about them keeping their words and promises."
Yuuji looked at Megumi with the corner of his eye, the highborn scratching the back of his head, musing his hair, in exasperation. "My parents never go back on their word, Itadori. Rest assured Uraume isn't saying all that to pacify you."
Yuuji gave a sharp nod before focusing his attention on Uraume. "Fine. I accept your invitation."
Uraume smiled. "Perfect. We await your arrival, Mr. Van Helsing." And with one last bow, Uraume propelled themselves into the air, falling down the cliff and disappearing into the mist.
Yuuji ran to where the vampire once stood and stared down. The pinkette, seeing nothing, moved back and walked over to Megumi. "Are you sure you want to come with me, Fushiguro-san? I know you have your issues with your father, him being Ryoumen's Third Bride and all..."
"First now, actually, seeing as we've killed off the previous first and second Brides." The emerald eyed male heaved a sigh. "We have to be careful, Itadori. Even though they've given their word, they still have ways of messing with us."
"I know. Which is why I'm sceptical." Yuuji worried his bottom lip, looking troubled. "But we have no choice. We have to rescue Kugisaki-san before they either make her one of them or tonight's dinner."
Yuuji suddenly hissed, his hand flying to his bicep.
"You're injured." Megumi noted, taking hold of his forearm gently.
"It's okay. It's nothing serious." Yuuji gave him a shaky smile. "With all the racket that led to us coming here, I'm surprised that you yourself aren't bearing a mark or two."
Megumi flashed him a small smirk. "I'm not one to be careless like a certain someone." He flicked Yuuji's forehead, getting a cute noise from the pinkette - who rubbed at the spot with a pout. "Come, let's get you bandaged up and cleaned up for the ball. I also have to send a letter to someone."
Yuuji tilted his head curiously. "Who?"
Megumi heaved a sigh. "A relative."
Yuuji stared at the bustling ballroom with awe, his eyes jumping from one corner of the room to another. The pinkette was dressed in an immaculate black and grey suit that hugged his body, a black and gold spider lace mask with rhinestone on its left eye and two gold strings with dangling amber stones on his face, and a pair of black shoes.
Megumi stood beside him in a black suit, his own mask black and emerald in colour and with his hair slicked back. The male looked like a full fledged highborn.
The two walked into the crowd, gaining some stares from those that weren't twirling away on the dance floor. The music was enchanting, and with the various acrobats and circus performers carrying out various activities, it was a grand, spectacular ball. Everyone was dressed in their best, and to be honest, Yuuji couldn't help but wonder if they were all vampires.
In the middle of the ballroom, Yuuji and Megumi sighted the bulking figure of Ryoumen dancing away with what looked to be Nobara (the brown hair gave it away), whose lips were turned down into a grim line. Yuuji moved to step forward but Megumi stopped him, shaking his head. The two watched as their friend, dressed in a dull orange and black ball gown with various gold lace and rhinestones on it, was twirled around - moving in sync with the hulking figure that was Megumi’s step father.
"Well, look who decided to show up."
A deep baritone voice had the two of them turning their heads to the side and they were met with a mask less man bearing a scar on the colour of his lips. The first thing Yuuji noted were his luminescent emerald eyes that were a replica of Megumi’s, and when he smirked, Yuuji noted the fangs. This was Zen'in Toji, Megumi’s father and Ryoumen's last remaining Bride.
"You're a sight for sore eyes, Megumi." Toji walked up to them, regarding them with amused eyes. Even under that suit of his, Yuuji could see how fit he was - his chest thick and straining against the inner shirt he wore. "Seeing as how much you despise us, I'd thought you'd skip this event."
"And leave Itadori to you and step-father's whims?" Megumi scoffed. "Not a chance in hell."
"Ho~ You're awfully protective of him, and are using his true last name. That means you're already close to him, I take it? Hmm..." Toji's eyes jumped from Yuuji to his son and his lips stretched into a roguish smirk - which Yuuji honestly couldn't deny that it made him even more devilishly breath-taking. "That is good. It makes things even easier."
Toji's statement had both friends narrowing their eyes at him. Before Yuuji could ask what he meant by that, he felt a choking aura slither up his spine. He snapped his head to the direction of the aura and was met with blue eyes staring at him.
Ryoumen and Nobara had stopped dancing. The brown haired Nun was staring at her friends with nothing short of relief in her eyes. Ryoumen only had his eyes on Yuuji. The smaller pinkette felt as if those unique, breathtaking, luminescent, winter blue eyes were staring straight into his soul, gently peeling away his walls and unravelling him like one would a Yule present from the inside out.
Yuuji felt hot all of a sudden, and he couldn't help but gulp. He was so entranced by the approaching presence of Ryoumen, Nobara following beside him, that he didn't see the amused smirk of Toji or Megumi scowling in displeasure.
Up close, Ryoumen stood at a shocking seven feet, dwarfing everyone but Toji. He excluded a regal and authoritative air, his back rim rod and his pink hair - a shocking similar shade to Yuuji's - was slicked back. He wore a black suit with a red inner shirt and a small cape was on his shoulders. He looked like a King - no wonder he was nicknamed the King of Vampires.
"Itadori Yuuji. My, what a pleasure to see you once again, this time in a more relaxed environment. Welcome, gaki."
Lord almighty, even his voice was pure /sin/. It was the right amount of deep and it was practically dripping with honey and dark chocolate. Yuuji couldn't stop his cheeks from flushing red as his brain stuttered to a screeching halt.
How did he not notice this when they clashed before? Had he been so high on adrenaline that he didn't notice how sinful Ryoumen was? Or was this new development the work of Ryoumen's famed vampiric allure?
Before Yuuji could even blink, Ryoumen flickered and suddenly appeared before him - causing him to take a step back and let out a noise of surprise.
Ryoumen bent down a little and grabbed hold of Yuuji's leather gloved hand, bringing it up to his lips. His lips met the back of Yuuji's palm, causing the pinkette to stutter and blush even brighter. His eyes never left Yuuji’s, staring intently into those amber-gold orbs he found beautiful and intriguing.
"Smooth." Toji chuckled out, the sound drawing Yuuji from his stupor. He hurriedly removed his hand from Ryoumen, glaring up at the vampire.
"I'm sure you didn't invite me for formal events like this out of the blue, Ryoumen. What the hell do you want from me?"
Ryoumen cocked a brow. "Is it that queer that I invited you to a ball as grand as this, gaki? I might just have simply invited you because I like you. "
Yuuji scoffed. "Please, save your flattery. Not only am I looking for a way to permanently end your existence on this planet, you also kidnapped my partner - a fact which I couldn't ignore seeing as she might have ended up dead by your hands if I didn't show."
Those in the two's vicinity watched in either surprise or amusement as Yuuji, in all his short glory, stood before Ryoumen and spoke to him without respect. Toji and Ryoumen had looks of amusement, Ryoumen's lips tilted in an amused smile, whilst Yuuji's friends were beyond exasperated, used to the pinkette's lack of tact. How was he not dead yet with his oblivious yet rude disregard to proper civility was a mystery to them.
Ryoumen blinked innocently, his lips quirking into a ghost of a smile. "Am I that despicable so as to make you conclude that I'll murder you if you were to reject my invitation?"
"Yes." That came from Yuuji, Megumi and Toji, getting a grin of amusement from the King of the Vampires.
Ryoumen shrugged. "Touché."
Yuuji took a step back when the giant suddenly outstretched a hand towards Yuuji, bowing a little with his other hand on his incredible chest.
"May I have this dance, dear Hunter-san?" Ryoumen asked with a smile that would make many women and men swoon with how devilishly handsome it made him look at that very moment.
Yuuji looked at the hand offered to him with scepticism, brows furrowed and eyes darting from the appendage to Ryoumen's face as if waiting for it to transform and attack him. Ryoumen cocked a brow, eyes glinting with mirth as if he'd heard Yuuji's thoughts.
The hunter hesitantly raised his hand and dropped it onto Ryoumen's larger one, the vampire gently holding it like one would with a precious possession.
"Shall we?" Ryoumen gestured at the dance floor, body angled to the side. With Yuuji's hesitate nod of affirmation, Ryoumen slowly led him away - leaving Toji behind with his other friends.
Ryoumen took them to the middle of the dance floor, the music stopping and the dancing couples halting instantaneously.
"Word of caution: I suck at dancing." Yuuji said with a slightly sheepish look. He blushed lightly at the soft smile (no doubt fake) the Vampire King gave him. "So if I step on your pretty shoes, sorry." /Not!/
Ryoumen chuckled, the sound sweet to the ears as the freshest of honey. He placed Yuuji's left hand on his shoulder and gently gripped the other one. His hand took its place on Yuuji's waist, making the hunter to blush even brighter. "Don't worry too much, gaki. Follow my lead."
Yuuji suppressed a squeak when Ryoumen pulled him closer, making him stare up at the vampire and said vampire looked down at him with a fond look.
The band started playing a different note, this time more enchanting and powerful in their serenade and symphony. Yuuji allowed Ryoumen to lead and the Vampire King danced with his partner for a few moments before the others on the dance floor began dancing as well.
Ryoumen was swift and graceful in his steps, pulling Yuuji along and mesmerising the pinkette with how skillful he was. The two never looked away from each other, their eyes maintaining contact as if they were both bespelled.
"If I may ask..." Yuuji began, pausing as he was twirled by Ryoumen. "Why are you doing this?"
Ryoumen cocked a brow, the corner of his lips tilting into a small smirk. "You have to be specific, Helsing. I am, after all, a busy vampire and can count on both hands the array of things I'm currently doing."
"You know what I am talking about. Why are you after Junpei?"
"The monster was originally created for me, and it is time, after many years of hiding from our view, for it to serve its purpose."
"And what purpose is that?" Yuuji bit out, annoyed that Junpei was addressed by 'it' of all dehumanising things.
"I don't see how that's any of your business, gaki." Ryoumen jerked him to his body, getting a small grunt from Yuuji.
Yuuji glared at him. "Seeing as said "monster" is my friend, I demand to know what you have planned for him."
"Ho~ A friend, huh? Well, that's troublesome."
Yuuji frowned at his words, giving the shoulder in his hold a tight squeeze, his nails digging into the material.
"Well, gaki, that is for me to know and for you to find out." Ryoumen continued, giving Yuuji a quick spin. "If you can, that is."
Yuuji could hear the challenge in those words and his eyes narrowed. Before he could address it, he was suddenly dipped by the vampire, squeaking a little at the sudden action. It was then he noticed that the two of them were far away from the dance floor - on the other side of the room and far away from Megumi and Nobara.
It was at that moment that Yuuji realised that he and Ryoumen stood before a large mirror. The hunter's eyes went wide when he saw that only him, Megumi and Nobara - who were standing afar - were the only ones that had reflections.
Every guest in the hall was a vampire. Fuck.
Yuuji's attention was drawn back to Ryoumen when the vampire caressed his cheek with one long black painted finger, said finger trailing down to his neck. He gulped when Ryoumen's touch lingered on the side of his neck, the vampire's gaze intense.
"I have a proposition for you, dear hunter." Ryoumen began, his lips tilted into a sharp smile. "Become my bride."
Yuuji's brain immediately short-circuited. "...what?" He managed to get out, his eyes wide and his tongue heavy.
With flourish and grace, Ryoumen brought Yuuji back up from his dipped position and pressed the hunter flush to him. His breath ghosted against Yuuji's face, their eyes never departing from each other's. Once again, Yuuji felt as if his entire soul was being consumed that that gaze. He felt powerless under it and his strength suddenly knew no more. He didn't react as Ryoumen removed his mask and toss it away.
"Become my Bride, Itadori Yuuji." Ryoumen repeated. "Toji will love the company."
"... but I killed or had a hand in killing your other Brides..."
"And as compensation, I ask you to fill one of those empty spots." Ryoumen's thumb caressed Yuuji's bottom lip, his eyes situated on those - no doubt - soft, tempting lips that beckoned him to have a taste of them, like a siren's call to an unfortunate sailor. "Besides, they were too weak and got killed for it. I and Toji would love someone of our calibre in our coven."
Yuuji sputtered and tried to refute, but he once again himself turned around - this time to face the large mirror. It was creepy looking into it and seeing only himself when there was a bloodthirsty creature actually standing behind him. Said bloodthirsty creature settled one of his hands on Yuuji's waist and the other on his chest.
"Look how beautiful you are, Yuuji." Ryoumen purred into Yuuji's ear, his hand seductively making its way up Yuuji's chest to grab his chin. "You'll look even more beautiful adorned with my jewels and my marks. Like a painting created by the Marker himself that not even the gods nor mere mortals could comprehend."
Yuuji's eyes were glazed with want and his cheeks were flushed red. Each word Ryoumen whispered to his ear - like the snake whispered so pleasantly to Eve in the garden - seemed to hit his very soul, and the desire that he had buried long ago - the need he craved so long now for someone to take care of him and pamper him like a Prince - was unearthed, and now he wanted nothing more than that.
"Gods above, you smell so divine." Ryoumen buried his nose into Yuuji's neck and the smaller pinkette whimpered adorably. "The blood in your veins call to me like Aphrodite to a mere mortal. I bet you taste even more so delicious." His tongue teased Yuuji's skin, gaining another cute noise from him. He started placing languid kisses that left hot coals of pleasure on Yuuji's flesh.
Ryoumen's hand on Yuuji's waist snaked down and settled on his pelvis - his fingers teasing the rising tent Yuuji was sprouting. His other hand made itself home on Yuuji's chest once more, grabbing a pec through his clothing.
The two were so lost in each other that they didn't notice the creeping figure inching towards the circus performer that was spitting alcohol at the touch in his hand, causing controlled flames to burst in the air.
Yuuji looked debauched - his eyes glazed and teary, his cheeks brightly flushed, lips parted as he panted in exhilaration, and beads of sweat rolling down his face.
Ryoumen's eyes glowed brightly in lust as he saw the hunter's expression through the mirror. His fangs ached to be buried in the tantalising neck before him, wanting to not only mark the pinkette as his, but also turn him and keep him by his side forever. He wanted this bane to his and his kind's existence to become his. His possession and prize.
Ryoumen's lips parted and his fangs made themselves known. He was about to sink his fangs - at long last! - into Yuuji's neck when he was suddenly bathed in flames. He roared in pain and let go of Yuuji - who snapped back into reality and the haze in his eyes dispersed - as his back was coated with one of his kind's worst enemies, the cloak on his shoulders catching on fire.
Enraged, Ryoumen grabbed hold of the performer who had spit fire on him - the vampire profusely apologising and trying to explain that someone had knocked him over - and promptly broke his neck, the bone snapping and piercing out the side of his neck, before hurling him to the side - the unlucky vampire hitting a pillar with a sick crunch and wet splat.
Out of nowhere, a figure grabbed hold of Yuuji and hurled him on their shoulder before they leapt away and into the air - the pinkette yelling in shock. When the figure landed on the stairway that was located above the ballroom, Yuuji freed himself from their hold - hitting their nose in order to do so.
"Fuck! Ouch, that hurts~" The figure whined, holding their bleeding nose.
"Who are you?!" Yuuji yelled out, positioned into a fighting stance as he took in the white haired figure dressed in black and wearing a black blindfold over his eyes.
"Kyaaa!"
A familiar voice squealed out, drawing Yuuji's attention to it. He saw a green haired, glasses wearing figure leaping towards their direction with Nobara in their arms, and he immediately moved out of the way to give them space to land. Moments later Megumi came up, the male using a grappling gun to do so.
"Fushiguro-san! Kugisaki-san!" Yuuji made his way over to his friends, relief clear as day on his face to see them safe.
Nobara was looking at the woman - the fact clear to see by the size of her chest - with nothing short of awe and admiration.
"So, this is the famous hunter." The glasses-wearing woman said, her eyes scrutinising Yuuji. "Yeah, I don't see it."
"Now, now, Maki-chan~" The white haired man(?) purred, placing his arm around Megumi’s shoulders, the raven haired male giving the other an irritated look. "No need for you to be a hater, especially to our rescues~" His nose didn't look broken and was free of blood - making a warning bell ring in Yuuji's head.
The now named Maki shrugged. "I'm just saying."
"Um, who are you guys?" Nobara asked, looming from the strange white haired man to Maki.
"Relatives." Megumi said in a particularly long-suffering way.
Loud clapping came from below, drawing the five's attention. They all walked over to the railing and looked down. The music was no more and hundreds of vampires were looking up at them with various intent in their eyes. Ryoumen was walking over to them, still clapping slowly.
"Well, this I wasn't expecting." The Vampire King's lips were stretched into an amused grin. "Gojo Satoru. Long time no see. I'm honestly surprised you came out of your forest after one hundred and fifty years of solitude." His cloak was no longer on him, no doubt burnt, and some strands of hair were out of place.
Yuuji's eyes went wide at Ryoumen's statement and he gave Gojo a stare of disbelief.
"Well, I had a cute cousin calling for aid." Gojo's lips were stretched into a toothy grin. "It's not everyday you get a letter from said tsundere cousin begging for your help." He placed a hand on his cheek and sighed wistfully.
"Shut up, you over expired dust broom." Megumi elbowed Gojo, causing him to double over with a grunt.
"See. Tsundere." Gojo wheezed out.
"Ah. The annoying prat is here. Joy." Toji said, walking to stand beside Ryoumen. The left side of his face was missing, showing burnt tissue and bone and some noticeable burns can be seen on his skin - his clothes ruined.
"Hi, Toji-chan~" Gojo waved enthusiastically. He paused when he saw the injuries on him and whistled loudly. "Damn, Gumi-chan. You really went hard on your Papa."
Yuuji gave his friend a wide eyed look.
Megumi shrugged. "I smashed a silver smoke bomb on the floor after Maki swooped in and took Nobara away. I immediately followed."
"I really want to praise you, but then I'll be giving you too much credit." Toji moved his neck from side to side, an audible crack resounding in the room. He was healing - and fast. In just mere seconds, there was no single injury on him, although the tears in his clothes remained. He turned to face Ryoumen. "Did he accept your proposal?"
Ryoumen heaved a put off sigh. "Unfortunately, no. I was interrupted by a certain someone." He sent a glare at Gojo, who wiggled his fingers at him with his ever shit eating grin still in place.
"A pity." Toji clicked his tongue. He turned his eyes back on the five above. "Oi! Itadori gaki!"
"What?!" Yuuji yelled out, a scowl on his face.
Ryoumen outstretched his hand. "What say you, gaki? Will you become my Bride and join me in eternal debauchery?"
Megumi promptly choked, Nobara made a noise akin to a dying animal, Maki cocked a surprised brow, and Gojo's jaw dropped, making him look stupid.
"O- oi!" Megumi slammed his hand on the railing. "How many Brides do you need, you horndog?!"
"Megumi." Toji tutted in disapproval. "No need to be rude to your father."
"Step-father!" Megumi corrected. "And how are you okay with this?! Shouldn't you be happy that the other bitches are gone?!"
Toji's scared lips tilted into a smirk and he shrugged. "What can I say? Itadori is cute and seems like a great conversationalist than this old bag of bones." He pointed his thumb at Ryoumen, who cocked an amused brow at him.
"I don't care how lonely you are, old man! You're not turning my friend into my step-father!" Megumi paused, mulling over something with his scowl still in place. "Step-step father? Whatever! The answer is no! Go fuck yourselves you two!" He flipped them the bird, getting a chuckle from Toji.
"Fu- Fushiguro-san, please calm down..." Yuuji grabbed his friend's bicep, trying to pacify him. It was strange seeing Megumi lose his cool like this, but then again parents have a way of achieving that effortlessly.
"Does my step-son speak for you, Itadori Yuuji?" Ryoumen asked, his hand still outstretched.
"No one speaks for me, vampire." Yuuji spat out, glaring down at him.
"Then, what is your answer?"
"No."
Ryoumen slowly dropped his hand, heaving a disappointed sigh. "That is truly a pity."
The large doors behind where thrown open and in came Uraume, still dressed in the type of clothes Yuuji had saw them in before. The pinkette's eyes went wide when a tied up and struggling Junpei was brought in - the being tied to a board of some sort and carried by masked individuals bearing Ryoumen's sigil.
"Junpei!" Yuuji moved to jump down and help, but Megumi and Nobara grabbed hold of him.
"Ryoumen-sama, the monster has been captured." Uraume said with a bow of their head.
Ryoumen chuckled, looking highly amused. "Take him away. And get the other things ready for the project."
Uraume bowed again. "Right away, Ryoumen-sama." And they walked away, the masked individuals following after him and bringing a screaming and struggling Junpei with them.
"Now then..." Ryoumen turned his eyes on Yuuji and the others, the five of them freezing as those winter blue eyes, glowing eerily with danger, settled on them. "I think my guests are due for a snack."
Hisses rang out as all the other vampires in the room, except Toji, bared their fangs at Yuuji and the others - causing them to take a step back.
"Um, now would be a good time to run~" And Gojo took off.
"Tch!" Megumi grabbed Yuuji's forearm and pulled him along, the two running behind Nobara (who held her gown up) and Maki. They headed for the large window not far ahead.
Vampires were immediately after them, leading them was Toji. The dark haired vampire was fast and it was due to that that Megumi reached into his suit and brought a device that was to be only used for emergencies. He pulled the pin out and tossed it back, the ball rolling to a stop behind them.
Gojo crossed his arms to protect his face and flew into the glass with a cheerful yell, shattering it. Maki suddenly picked Nobara up into a bridal carry - getting a squeak of surprise - before jumping out all well, the brown haired Nun screaming as they fell into the river. Yuuji and Megumi weren't far behind.
The ball that Megumi had thrown activated, the beeping sound loud for all to hear. With a loud cuss, Toji turned to the right, running into the wall and breaking it as he escaped at the last minute. The artificial sunlight that the gadget created burnt the other vampires to dust, the light bright and hot.
As Yuuji fell into the river, he couldn't help but think back on Ryoumen and his proposal.