anakiddwrites

Hajime finds a wounded bat in the woods, a meeting that starts a chain of events that will change her and her sister's lives.

inspired by this video of my friend! please watch here!

I also created a playlist for this fic here!

written for ficwip 5k 2023! @ficwip

There is a castle on a cloud

I like to go there in my sleep…♪

An angelic voice echoed across the forest, blending in harmony with the peaceful surroundings. It was just as soothing and soft as its owner, a small figure walking a path only she knew, bouncing an empty picnic basket in her hands.

I know a place where no one cries… ♪

Boots that barely left footsteps behind, a shadow almost transparent under the strong afternoon sun, a four-strand blue braid resting on her shoulder … and deep purple eyes that knew no fear of the woods.

After all, to Hajime Shino it was just a family garden.

Crying at all is not allowed…

Not in my castle on a cloud... ♪

As the last note faded away, Hajime had arrived in an open field, halting with a calm smile on her face. Graciously placing the basket on the grass, she kneeled at the huge roots sprawled around the majestic old tree in front of her.

“Good afternoon, Mother Cedar… ~ ♪” She greeted before starting to pick mushrooms, flowers and fruits under the tree, grateful for the wide shadow over her head.

“... Ah? What is it…?”

Suddenly, Hajime heard a faint crying coming from the darker side of the woods, breaking the routine of the afternoon gathering. Looking over her shoulder, it was easy to confirm she wasn’t imagining things or mistaking it with any of the usual forest noises.

After all, she knew those very well too.

“The swamp…?” She frowned, whispering the word like a curse and slowly standing up, leaving the basket behind her.

Hajime followed the frail laments, keeping her eyes sharp and ears aware. But she didn’t need to dive further, stumbling on its source once she moved past some thicker bushes.

“Oh, my…!?”

She covered mouth in shock with the small female bat laying on the muddy soil, sobbing in pain and too weak to move. Crouching next to her, Hajime immediately cupped the little one in her hands with care and tenderness, driving her away from the swamp lurking dangerously close.

“Ah, poor thing… please hang in there…!” Hajime whispered gently, caressing the small head with her thumb and quickly leaving the area with a last disgusted stare.

“You’re lucky for not falling in the swamp, at least… there is no coming back from there.”

In a few minutes Hajime was back to her cabin in the woods, having the bat cleaned and laying down on a comfortable pillow while she mashed fruits in a small bowl.

“You don’t seem to be wounded, just exhausted and probably hungry… so hopefully you’ll be good in no time, hm? Eat, eat ~” Opening a reassuring smile, she doused her finger in the red mush and offered it to the bat, happy to see her sniffling and starting to eagerly lick it all in a second.

“Ehe… there you go… good girl ~ eat everything and get better…”

Hajime watched the bat slurping the food and water before falling asleep again, visibly exhausted from the harsh journey. She checked the little wings one more time, just to make sure there were no hidden injuries and smiled relieved at the results.

“You’ll be able to fly again soon enough, little one… meanwhile, enjoy your stay ~ ♪”

The asleep bat seemed to purr in response to the finger gently scratching her head.

There is a castle on a cloud…

The next morning was greeted with Hajime singing and taking care of chores around the house, watched by the bat resting on the pillow. She looked wary and shaky, but Hajime turned to her with a large smile.

“Good morning, little bat ~ here is your breakfast ♪ You look excited for it, or is it my imagination? Ehe ~” She giggled, bringing a bowl of mashed fruit. “I added a touch of honey, I hope you like it!”

Obviously the only answer was in the speed the bat devoured everything from her finger, making small cute noises. Hajime wanted to believe it was the little one’s way of saying thanks.

“No problem ~ I’m glad you had a peaceful night… you look healthier today…” Hajime sighed with a soft smile, crouching in front of the bat and resting chin on hand.

“Maybe you’ll be fully healed before my sister returns… even though I’d like her to meet you! She is out in the town, it’s her turn to sell our potions and medicines… It's a bit far away, but with luck she’ll be back in a few days...”

Hajime looked out the window, her gaze lost in the blurred shapes of simple houses blending in the horizon.

“It’s a bit lonely, but I can’t complain. The forest is home and our life is good… Ahaha ~ sorry I’m rambling… we don’t get many visits, so even if you don’t understand me, I feel like giving you the attention a guest deserves ~”

But once she looked at the bat again, big teal pupils were staring right back, attentive and unblinking like she was understanding every word of human language.

Hajime’s peaceful smile just grew wider.

“The color of your eyes… is really peculiar, hm?” She mused, tilting her head and scratching under the bat’s chin. For a passing moment, she could swear her little cheeks were blushing under the black-purplish fur.

But it might have been just a tricky impression caused by the morning light.

“Oh well… it’s tea time, so excuse me for a minute ~ ♪”

The day passed by without complications, the bat curled up in her corner watching the girl singing and working around the house. A quick rain refreshed the land in the evening and they watched it together on the windowsill during dinner, Hajime’s gaze contemplating the raindrops in silence.

A night without dreams followed suit.

The next morning wouldn’t be like the others, since Hajime woke up to unusual weight on her stomach, finding the scared little bat struggling to roll an apple between her small teeth and claws.

“Wah…?”

Seeing the human had opened her eyes, the bat squeaked and tried to run away, but was held up by gentle hands before she could crawl under the bed.

“Did you bring me breakfast? How sweet...” Hajime’s kind expression and sleepy smile were more than enough signs that the considerate guest had nothing to fear, followed by lazy scratching under her chin. “You’re really a smart bat ~”

Hajime accepted the kind gesture, happy to see her new friend recovering well, hopping around the house and even resting on her beret at times. Once again, the day went on peacefully and was filled with pleasant one-sided talks from Hajime’s side.

When the night came, Hajime considered it appropriate to spare a pillow next to her own so they could sleep together, instead of leaving her guest all alone. Enough space wasn't a problem, since the bed was big enough for two people, let alone a girl and a tiny bat.

“And they lived happily ever after… ehe ~”

The bat had been quiet all the time, staring at Hajime while she read a fairytale out loud in the shared bed. Common sense would say she was just paying attention to the sounds, but…

“It’s kinda like… you can really understand me, hm? Or am I just too lonely..? Haha… ~” Hajime confessed, patting the bat’s head and ears again. The little animal had grown used to it, leaning on the touch and closing eyes with a soft purr.

“Ah, I think my sister is arriving tomorrow morning… so you’ll be able to meet her… that’s good, isn’t it? Waaah….” Hajime yawned loudly and stretched arms, despite wishing to fight the sleepiness creeping in her body.

“Hm... looking now… your teeth are kinda… sharp…? For a bat…? Ah.. well… it’s cute… ~”

The silence of the night fell between them, until the bat leaned closer and poked Hajime’s cheek with her nose, as if trying to cheer her up.

“Haha… I’m okay…! You’re really a sweetie. I’m glad I met you… even if for a brief time…~” Hajime sighed, trying to hide the sadness in her smile and poking the bat’s nose back. “You’re gonna be ready to fly away soon…”

Maybe feeling the bittersweet atmosphere, the bat’s ears and wings dropped along with her little eyes. Noticing that, Hajime cupped her with both hands and brought her close to her chest, willing to share some warmth and comfort.

Perhaps it was the sleepiness and bottled up emotions, but Hajime was sure their heartbeats weren’t so different.

“It’s okay… ~ thanks for your kindness, little one. Now try to rest, hm? Tomorrow is a new day..”

Hajime whispered with a large smile, casually planting a soft kiss on the bat’s head like a blessing and a thanks.

“Hm…?”

In the next moment, the warmth in her chest turned up to a hundred.

“W-what…? Little one???!!!”

Hajime’s eyes widened, witnessing the little creature in her hands start to squirm and squeal, her small body irradiating a strong wave of light that flooded the room and flashed outside the cabin windows. She had to let go of the bat and cover her face with the nearest book, feeling the vestiges of light through her eyes closed shut.

And then everything was over as fast as it started… but when Hajime opened her eyes again, there was no bat in her bed anymore.

Instead, there was a tall, slender woman with long gorgeous purple hair and a delicate dot under her shark-teeth mouth…

Bare naked.

“A-ah… WAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The woman’s scream resembled a squirming bat, way more terrified than the house owner, who was just staring in shock. She didn’t know what to do with herself, touching her own body all over and looking around disoriented, overwhelmed tears rolling down her cheeks.

The scream brought Hajime back to reality and she instinctively tried to reach out and wipe the woman’s tears, but the gesture just had the effect of an electric shock.

“ NNOOOOO!! N-NO, NO, I’M SORRY, SOOOOOOOOOORRY, I’M… I’m… ah ..;…”

Shivering all over, the woman bounced forward, unable to hold it together and fainting directly into Hajime’s arms.

“... p… pretty…”

Hajime whispered in awe, daring to run fingers through the wavy hair covering the lady like a silky purple blanket.

“Hajimeeeeee! My dear sister, I’m home!!!”

The pinky haired lady announced herself the moment she opened the front door in a large gesture, green bright eyes looking around in excitement while she dropped her luggage on the floor.

“Where are you, sleepyhead? It’s about time to be out and about and welcome your hard-working, cutest and sweetest little sister with a delicious breakfast! Like we always do, right?” She shouted to the empty living room, taking out her pink coat and red beret, revealing her curled plait braid.

‘I’ll fiiiiiind youuuu ~”

She walked in determined steps to their bedroom and opened the door without knocking, planning to wake up Hajime with tickling and cheek pinching.

“RISE AND SHINE, SWEET…”

But an unexpected sight awaited her.

“... pie?”

Not even in her wildest dreams, she would imagine finding Hajime sleeping on a naked woman’s chest, hand casually over her boob, blue and purple hair entangled all around them.

“HAJIMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE??????????????????”

That wasn’t the way Hajime planned for her sister and new friend to meet, but after a rocky early morning with screams, panic attacks, accusations, ugly tears and rushed clarifications, finally the three of them were able to sit at the table with a cup of calming hot tea.

“S-sorry…. that was the only clothes I could find…”

Hajime started to timidly break the awkward silence, mentioning the white frilly pajamas the unknown woman was wearing now, legs bare since she was taller than both girls so it barely reached down her thighs.

“N-no… worries….,,,,,,, ssssssooooorry,,,,,,” The woman muttered, looking down and struggling to let words out. But she didn’t have a chance to say more, since the pinky haired lady slapped the table one single time, bringing attention back to herself.

“Soooooooooooooo… Mayoi Ayase, you said?” She glared at the stranger, making her and Hajime shiver. “A bat in the swamp, you said?!’ Then she turned to her sister with an inquisitive tone as well, gritting teeth. “A goodnight kiss, you said?!”

“T-Tori… I’m sorry again… I didn’t see it coming…” Hajime looked down, blushing violently and fidgeting with the loosely tied ponytail resting on her shoulder. “B-but… you know what that means…”

“Oh yes, I do know what it means. But why don’t we let our new friend here explain why and how she was under a curse in the first place?!”

“Hhhhffggffngg!! S-sorry, soooooorry, I’m really s-sorryyyyyy!!!” The accusative glare sucked all the life from Mayoi’s face, making her bow her head in shame amidst loud sobs. “I didn’t mean to bother youuuuuuuu!!!”

“P-please don’t cry, miss Ayase… take a sip of tea, hm? Tori is just worried and confused… and so am I. Right, my sister?” Hajime tried to pacify the situation, smiling at both despite Tori’s irreductive frown.

“S-sorry… I owe you an explanation…” Taking a deep breath, Mayoi sipped the tea with shaky hands before continuing. “It’s t-true, I… was cursed… by a witch.”

“That’s obvious.” Tori huffed unimpressed, arms and legs crossed. “How did you get involved with one in the first place? Just because you were cursed doesn't automatically make you the good one…”

“Tori… my sister, I understand you, but… let’s give her some space, hm?” Hajime interceded again, placing one hand over Tori’s and timidly one over Mayoi’s too, smiling at her. “I know it’s a lot… take deep breaths, hm?”

Mayoi managed to calm down a little thanks to Hajime’s kindness, finding comfort in her smile and matching her blushed cheeks now.

Thankfully, they didn’t catch Tori’s eye roll at the scene.

“S-sorry… I’ll tell you in detail, from the start.” Nodding, Mayoi closed her eyes for a moment, reorienting her mind to find the proper words.

“My name is Mayoi Ayase, the Clover of Alkaloid… I am… was… one of the elite soldiers of the Princess of Blossoming Woods, Kohaku Oukawa.”

“Princess Kohaku?! That forest on the other side of the land!?” Tori perked up, realizing the situation could be serious.

“Y-yes… s-some months ago, Princess Oukawa was engaged to a fine noble lady from a distant kingdom… or so we believed. But it was just the ploy of an evil witch, eager for power. She conspired with her strategist and lover, a vampire witch pretending to be her maid… and with a servant who turned out to be a mercenary under her orders… and u-usurped… the Princess… u-under our eyes…”

“It’s okay…. Take another sip, hm?” Hajime squeezed Mayoi’s hand, noticing she was growing disturbed while digging those painful memories. Tori’s expression also had changed to a serious silence, listening with attention.

“S-sorry… it just… we didn’t notice… We should have noticed… but we didn’t, and it was too late. She cursed us. The four of us… and kicked us out of home, scattered across the land. We f-failed the Princess…”

Tears rolled down her cheeks beyond control, struggling to keep it together with the guilt and grief weighing her heart. The sisters stayed in silence for a while, allowing Mayoi a moment to mourn and processing the shocking story themselves too.

“... do you know if the princess is still alive…?” Tori asked respectfully, offering a tissue to Mayoi. She nodded, sobbing into it and needing a minute before speaking up.

“... she is a prisoner… like a war trophy, locked in a basement..! Who knows how she has been treated… a-ah, how long… How long it might have been? W-what if now…”

“She’s probably alive, if the witch wants to keep a toy, which is likely.” Tori interrupted with a harsh but confident tone. “And even if she is suffering, a Princess wouldn’t die easily as well. Oh my, what a mess… and what’s the name of this witch?”

Mayoi needed more than a minute to drag an answer out, as if the letters were thorns piercing her throat.

“... T-Tsukasa. Tsukasa S-Suou…”

Noticing that Mayoi was quivering from head to toe and sweating, Hajime looked at Tori with a silent plea and she nodded, leaning on the chair with her own thoughts and letting her older sister deal with that delicate situation.

“Miss Ayase, thanks for telling us… you went through a lot… I’m really sorry...” Hajime dared to hold her hands together, making her eyes wide. “But now you are free from the curse and can recover, then plan what to do.”

“R-recover.. but… my friends are still out there… they were cursed too, if it’s too late for them, I… I…”

“If you survived, your friends might as well.” Tori tried to bring a rational hope to the table. “You’re all elite soldiers, right? They won’t go down without a fight, just like you.”

“But… it’s just t-thanks to lady Shino that I’m here…” Mayoi offered a painful smile, looking at Hajime with gratitude. “I c-can’t pay you back enough… f-for rescuing my hopeless self… e-even breaking the curse…! I don’t understand w-well what happened, but I’m eternally thankful!!!”

Taken aback by those words, Hajime suddenly squeaked and looked away, letting go of Mayoi’s hands in embarrassment and unable to face Tori as well.

“.., AH!!! D-did I say anything weird??!! I’m d-deeply sorry!!!”

“Well then… about that…” Tori raised eyebrows, resting elbows on the table and staring at Mayoi. “Do you know there are a few ways to break witches’ curses, right? Magic… killing the witch… rituals… and… tell her, hm, my sister?”

“... a kiss… o-of true love…” Hajime whispered timidly after almost a minute, nervously twirling hair.

As expected, an awkward silence took over the room again and Mayoi felt her mind going blank, trying to make sense of that conversation. Still, she couldn’t stop her heart from racing at the timid figure of Hajime so close to her.

“Ah, I’m out for a week and my older sister finds herself a bride!” Tori sighed dramatically, trying to lighten up the mood. “And sharing our bed with her already, how traumatizing... My own blood, cheating on me like this…”

“IT WASN’T LIKE THAT!!! B-but I apologize…” Hajime whined, looking at Mayoi with puppy eyes and completely flustered. “I d-don’t want to make you uncomfortable… s-sorry… t-this is confusing to me too…”

“B… B-bride…?! T-true love?! M-me?!?! Nononononononononono, It n-needs to be a m-mistake… if anything, it’s a kiss of true pity!! Y-yeah!! A-ah, I’m so deeply sorry for meddling with your lives like this!”

“Geez, you’re the victim of a curse here… the only culprit is that evil witch… but… details aside… my sister is right, now the curse is broken, you need to recover before making a move to kick her ass.”

Tori finally smiled, offering Mayoi some sympathy. But she was still too vulnerable and hurt to fight her inner demons, shaking her head and slowly shriveling.

“... I c-can’t… I can’t do anything alone… She’s too powerful… Without Alkaloid, I’m n-nothing…” The words ringed like a death sentence, settling a mourning atmosphere.

Tori looked down, aware the situation was quite difficult to find proper comforting words. But after a few moments of introspection, Hajime puffed her chest, looking at Mayoi again with renewed resolve in her eyes.

“So... maybe we can help you to find them!”

“W-WHAT?!” Tori and Mayoi exclaimed at the same time, jaws dropped at the sudden suggestion.

“Together Alkaloid can fight the witch, right? So if we help you find them and break the curse, there is a chance…! I know how being alone feels scary… but if you have someone to hold your hand, you can do anything!”

“... L-Lady Shino…?”

Mayoi could barely follow the events of such a surprising morning, but one thing was for sure: Hajime’s adorable smile was fueling a spark of hope in her bleeding heart, truly like healing magic.

They gazed at each other for a short eternity, but Hajime’s shoulders were suddenly pulled up by Tori, forcing her to stand up and interrupting the tender moment.

“I need a second alone with my sister, sooooooo please enjoy the tea!!!” Dragging Hajime away from the kitchen, Tori offered Mayoi a forced smile with no further explanations.

Tori led them to a wooden door on the corner of the living room, unlocking it with a huge key in silence. Hajime followed without protests, waiting for Tori to close it behind them again to say anything.

After all, no one could hear them in that smelly dark office filled with potions made of flowers, herbs, animal bones and parts, surrounded by moldy wooden shelves packed with old witchcraft books and runes of forgotten languages.

“My sister…”

“~ this is confusing to me too?~ ” Tori hissed a whisper, quoting Hajime with a confrontative frown. “You are turning into a great actress, my sister! What the fuck are you doing?!”

In the blink of an eye, the innocence in Hajime’s eyes turned into a glimpse of malice.

“... don’t you spend extra time in the town to stalk that blue-haired knight… I found myself company too…”

“You don’t compare Yuz... F-Fushimi with this mess!” Tori’s cheeks exploded red, but she didn’t back down. “First of all it’s not stalking, and absolutely it’s not breaking a curse with magic and pretending it’s a true love kiss !!!”

“...y-you’ll tell her…?” Hajime whispered, throwing teary puppy eyes at Tori. She wasn’t fully immune, turning her back to Hajime and sighing deeply, rubbing temples.

“... and the hell was that offer… Do you wanna get into this mess?! Kill a fucking witch?!”

“It wouldn’t be our first time…” Hajime approached from behind with a twisted smile, resting head on Tori’s shoulder and hugging her by the waist, in a mood the younger one knew very well and gave her shivers.

“... it was different . We were fighting for our lives… and we were lucky as hell…”

Tori leaned on the hug, looking at the darkest corner of the room where a black pulsing heart was sealed in a huge glass box, stuffed in a mess of retorted branches and dead flowers.

“But how long can we keep the swamp and the Core at bay?” Hajime continued, closing eyes and tightening the embrace. “We studied so much… usurped her powers and learned our own magic, but… it won’t go away…”

“I know. I know, my sister…” Tori sighed, turning back and returning the hug properly. “I just want you to trust me before making decisions, geez…”

“I trust you!!! More than anyone…!” Hajime cupped her cheeks, bumping their foreheads together and smiling softly again. “You don’t need to be jealous of Miss Ayase… she may be my future bride, but you’ll always be my dearest sister ~ ♪”

“H-haha… does she know that…? You devil.”

“I’ll do my best at least ~ ♪ Isn’t she so beautiful… those eyes , that hair of a purple waterfall… and brave… a soldier, just like your knight! And if I help her now, more chances she’ll be impressed and fall in love faster…!”

“... impressed?” Tori blinked slowly, the gears inside her brain suddenly moving to an unexpected direction.

“Still, I know I got carried away… so if you refuse it, I understand…”

“No. No, let’s do this, my dear sister.” Tori held her hands, smiling bright as well now. “Fighting this Tsukasa chick might be too much, but we can help Ayase to find her friends, hm? What a great idea you had, hehehe!!!”

“Tori…? What…? So fast?!”

“It’s what you wanted, hm? You convinced me…! Let’s go on an adventure, do something brave… maybe become heroines!!!”

Tori giggled, already daydreaming of her triumphant return when Fushimi Yuzuru would have no choice but notice her and hopelessly fall in love.

“Ehe… I see you got your own reasons ~ ♪ And I support you always, my sister ~ ♪” Hajime kissed her hands, gazing at her with pure adoration. “Thanks… I love you ~”

“I love you too… and I understand…” Tori caressed Hajime’s cheek, sighing softly. “It’s been lonely, all those years… and we still aren’t totally safe. Perhaps fate is giving us a chance to truly rise above.”

Hajime nodded, whispering another ‘thank you’ and holding Tori’s hand to leave the disturbing office. Returning to the kitchen, they found Mayoi sleeping on the table, dry tears on her cheeks and soaking the tablecloth.

“Poor thing…” Hajime sighed, softly caressing Mayoi’s uneven hair cascading around her. “It’s a lot to process, so it’s good to cry… she still needs to rest for a few days.”

“Which means we’ll need a spare mattress, because look, I sympathize, but no way she’ll be sleeping on my side of the bed while I’m home, hm?” Tori winked, smiling and talking in a playful tone.

“Haha ~ for sure. I wouldn’t ask you that, my sister ~” Hajime nodded, picking up Mayoi and princess carrying her with ease. “But it’s ok to let her nap on my side while we arrange everything, right?”

“Sure, sure… fair enough, my sister…” Tori sighed, looking out of the window and starting to feel genuinely excited to leave that forest.

“... after ten years… I almost forgot this used to be a prison…”

Do you know the Witch of the Farthing Woods?

She lives in a cabin near the oldest cedar tree.

The type who kidnaps little girls to keep them as servants and toys, you see?

But she’s been really quiet in the last ten years… rumors say a weird swamp is taking over the forest, but who knows?

Her Core is still there, so it’s not safe to pay a careless visit ~

“Not that I care enough… hey, are you listening to me? Kohaku, my dear bride? ♥ Don’t ignore meeeeee ~”

The lady dressed in military attire as red as her tight-braided hair kicked the iron door while laughing out loud, fully aware the woman chained on the other side could barely move, let alone answer any question.

“I guess it’s hard to talk under an iron mask, but I hope you enjoyed the story… ~ see how generous I am, taking time out of my day to entertain you… better be grateful, bitch.”

“Queen Suou.”

A calm voice called in the dark hallway, the elegant figure of a lady knight of long dark blue ponytail and white uniform showing up among the torches’ lights.

“Yuzuru. Shouldn’t you be patrolling that boring town?” Tsukasa leaned on the basement door and crossed arms, smiling but raising eyebrows. “Better be important.”

“Unfortunately, it is… there is something you need to see.”

Yuzuru’s tone left no room to doubt it was an emergency, and when they arrived at the office, Tsukasa’s expression had changed to a frown. She stared coldly at one of the many bottles hanging on the wall, watching a living bat squeaking and trying to break free.

“... the bat wing… returned, hm? Interesting. It was almost dissolved some days ago…”

“Should I organize a hunt for Ayase Mayoi? I can-”

“No, no… no need yet.” Tsukasa interrupted, a grin returning to her face. “Even if one of them broke the curse, hell knows how, it’s far from being a threat… let’s just observe.”

She poked at the other three bottles, containing a chicken wing, a red spider’s leg and a frog’s eye, pleased to see the little wing slowly turning into ashes.

“And if she tries anything funny… ~”

With an abrupt slap, the bat’s bottle hit the ground and broke, freeing the animal that almost bumped on someone else lurking at the door on its way out.

“Whoa… Suu-chan scaaaaaaary…” A short haired woman with red eyes dragged herself across the room, latching on Tsukasa’s shoulders from behind. “The annoying soldiers can’t stay dead?”

“They’re just bugs, no worries, dear Ritsu.” She giggled, scratching under Ritsu’s chin and earning purrings from her. “Even in the distant possibility they return to fight us, I’ll just crush them ~”

“... Well then, I’ll return to the town before they notice my absence.” Yuzuru bowed and excused herself, mumbling to her buttons. “Oh my, at this time cute little Miss Tori probably already left…”

“Thaaaanks for your service, Yuzuru ~ rest assured, this is far from being an inconvenience ~”

“Whoa… Suu-chan is on fire… buuut…” Ritsu snuggled closer, showing her fanged smile. “I have a feeling you’re almost hoping the soldiers come back ~ ♪”

“Well, if they do… it’s more fun for us, right? Now that dear Kohaku is tamed, a warmup wouldn’t be bad ~” Tsukasa lifted her lover and carried her to the nearest armchair, gripping her waist and caressing her leg.

“I like to keep the blood running in my veins, you know ♥”

“Fufu… that I do know… just the way I like it ~ ♥ Ah, I wouldn’t mind sucking them dry anytime… ~”

“Of course, darling ~” Tsukasa grinned, caressing old fang marks on her own neck. “Let’s see if those bitches have something interesting to show us… before dropping dead like the flies they are ~♪”

Loud mocking laughs echoed across the former castle of the Blossoming Woods, now the Queen of Hearts territory.