SHIFT 2 - Purgatory

Family rift

Back in their room, Nagisa showered with Ryu watching. He eyed the small boy.

"Marcus was furious when he saw those symbols. What were they?" Ryu asked.

"A last ditch effort to save us all." Nagisa stated vaguely.

Ryu held out the towel as the small vampire stepped from the water. They looked at each other. Nagisa wrapped the towel around him. Ryu's hand brushed his face where the marks from the symbols were gone.

"Cami said something about you nearly dying the last time you used them." Ryu pressed.

"Yeah, I did. If it hadn't been for mom and Auntie Aradia I wouldn't have made it. But I'm stronger now." Nagisa insisted as he combed his hair.

"Tell me, please." Ryu begged coming up behind the teen.

He wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in the curve of the small vampire's neck. Of course he had to pick Nagisa up to do this. The teen laughed, twisting around, the towel falling from his waist, Nagisa clung to the thick shoulders.

"It, well, you can't get mad. It was a last ditch thing. I wouldn't have used it unless we were I dire trouble. Which we weren't so I didn't, ok?" Nagisa kissed the raised brow of the dragon shifter.

"I still want to know." Ryu pressed.

Nagisa sighed. "It is connected to my vampieric side, my immortality. It would have blasted a beam of immense sunlight straight into whatever I aimed at. Like the heart of a vampire or Kitsune. There is the potential that it could damage my vampire side if I use it too much."

"Meaning, it steals your life force?" Ryu growled though clenched teeth.

"Yeah." Nagisa muttered.

"Find a different last ditch resort." Ryu snarled. "You're lightening seems fine!" He added in a huff.

"That might not have been strong enough for a nine tail!" Nagisa argued.

"So! You weren't fighting a nine tail alone! You had you're entire family around you!" Ryu yelled at him

He softened at the shocked look on Nagisa's face. Once more Ryu laid his head against Nagisa's shoulder.

"You had me!" He whined.

Nagisa stroked his hair. "I need to learn to fight with a team. All my life, all my training has been to fight alone or with Collin. Most of the time, us hunters will be alone." He whispered, kissing the tall teen's temple.

"You won't be. Not ever. Not with that family of yours. Or me, around." Ryu lifted his head.

He leaned forward to press a kiss to Nagisa's lips. As the small half vampire curled his fingers into the thick waves of dark hair to return the kiss, he heard the summoning. Reginald was calling for his family. It was a blood call. Something none of the children could resist. Even now, it tugged at Nagisa. He broke the kiss.

"Dad is calling us. I have to go." He said.

"You called him dad." Ryu looked slightly startled. Nagisa smiled.

"I think I've come to terms with my past. They aren't the villains I once took them for." He added.

"Can I tag along?" Ryu asked.

"At least until we get to his room. Then its up to him." Nagisa shrugged.

He flipped out of the giant dragon's arms. "Now, go. I have to get dressed." He pushed Ryu out of the bathroom.

Ryu laughed. "You're clothes are out here!"

Nagisa closed the door. He leaned against the sink for a moment to regain his strength. Yeah, he needed to learn to fight with others as his backup. Lifting his eyes, he looked into the mirror. Once more he thought about not redying his hair. He could see were the pale yellow of his roots were coming back. The pink and blue were being pushed away. What would Ryu think of his natural hair color? Nagisa chuckled.