Under The Rose (Part 1)

Epilogue Part One

After the fight between the Wrath Sin and the Pride Sin ended, the headmaster disappeared into the night. The minion holding the rest of the student hostage release after feeling the presence of the Sins disperse.After being released, Hitagi and the gang rush to Araragi and Maori. Seeing the damage done and Araragi all alone with his head down, they saw the scene before them.

Azure and Maori in an embrace of thorns and roses. Araragi was able to wake up Maori briefly. "Maori?!You're alive!"He smiles with tears in his eyes."Arara...gi-kun,"she grins with a weak smile. He chuckles,"So now you want to say my name right?" She laughs before more blood spew from her mouth."come on, we have to get out of this!" "Wait!"she warns him,"If you do that, he might try to kill you or me. I don't want you to die, Araragi."He clenches his fist,"So you have to die instead?""I don't know what I can do to stop this. I really want to be with you. We still have to stop him from hurting you, Hitagi, Melody, everyone. I dont want no one to get hurt for me or because of me,"she explains before coughing some more and her eyes flutter as she tries her best to see him,"Wow, you just like the one in my dreams." Araragi raises an eyebrow,"So you dream about me." She giggles,"For a long time now. I daydream about you and you were-"her eyes began to close as her voices falls into a whisper.

"Maori!Maori!Wake up, you can't go now!Maori!"Araragi shakes her shoulders as a blood tear falls from her eyes.

Araragi could tell how much it hurt her, but she still keeps trying to protect the very people who were going to use her as a weapon.

After hearing the story, the gang decided to collectively figure out what to do next. They could not stand by why she sacrifice herself for them."What will we do now?"Melody asks the question on everyone's mind. No one knew how long they will stay bound and no one knew if Maori would die trying to make sure they stay that way. "I can sense her spiritual power and the amount she is using to keep them bounded,"Masaomi begins,"Maori has more power than we all think. If anything, they will be like that for a while."While he spoke, Azure awoken from the short slumber, but unable to move.He look down to see Maori asleep, but full concentration on her newfound ability."I am an awful father for putting you through this, my little princess, but you still headstrong like your mother,"Azure raise his hand slowly to brush her hair out of her face."Cant you break free from it?!"Hitagi demands.Azure shakes his head,"Sorry, miss, but I am stuck like this. Even if I use all my power, it would be useless against hers.""But you two are the same beings right?"she asks. Then, a random voice spoke up."You are right and wrong about this,"the boy answers with a grin."Saburo, what do you know about this? "The ghost boy chuckles as he lands next to them."Only what your stepfather explains to your brother. I could not tell you guys sooner due something blocking my memory for some reason." Araragi felt like the situation sounds familiar, but he couldnt remember why."Anyways, all Sins are extremely powerful as you see, but there is one sin more powerful in the others." Hitagi sighs,"Meaning?""Only Maori's can stop her power since her is the most powerful,"Araragi explains. Saburo nods as he look to Azure,"Isn't that right? "Azure nods as he look back at his daughter before choosing his eyes again. The way Maori had them bind together, the flames wouldn't come out of his hands even if he wanted to. Because of the contract Azure made, Maori sacrifice herself in order to protect everyone including her father.

"Im leaving,"Araragi turn around to go in the direction of the parking lot.He knew the only way for him to break this curse was to find someone who could, or make a plan to kill the headmaster. Hitagi blocks his way with her arms crossed and scales flaring,"To go do something stupid?"Araragi scratches the back of his neck with a groan,"Depends on what you would define as stupid."

"Which probably mean it is going to be really stupid,"Saburo floats in between the two. Hitagi roll her eyes as she did not move from her position."Maori did this because she didn't want to see any of us hurt. Do you think she would want you to go do something dangerous?"He clenches his fists,"Do you think I don't know that? She never thinking of how she affecting the rest of us, but still she could smile as she tries to prove herself again and again.""Which why we cant be stupid. We're just kids,"she retorts.

Then, a loud rambunctious voice roar."SO THOSE TWO ENDED THEIR BATTLE IN A DRAW!"Everyone turn to see Professor Furio and Carmen walking towards them."Teachers!Hows it hanging?"Saburo greets with a smile."STILL YOUTHFUL I SEE!"he laughs heartily before turning to the kids.Carmen shakes her head before taking in the situation the two Sins put themselves in."Wish she showed these powers earlier. To think, she is Wrath."

"How do you know?"Araragi question as Carmen shrugs. "Headmaster told us once we heard we were getting a transfer student on the next red full moon. She is the embodiment of Wrath who was hidden by Greed after losing his war against a army of exorcists who somehow found a way to completely immobilize them.All this information was supposed to be kept secret until the time was right."

"You knew this would happen?!"he growls as his fangs retract.

Furio stood in between Carmen and Araragi,"We both did. We were under a blood oath that was created for any student who attends, their information may not be leaked or reveal under any circumstances. Only thing that can break it is if the one whom created the oath presence is gone from the academy.""There are many rules Rosewood Academy must follow or there would be consequences none of us would be able to survive from,"Carmen's eyes flicker for a small moment. In that moment, there was intense fear in them.

"Right now, we are still teachers of Rosewood Academy, and you all need to go to your dorm rooms. Now!"A huge gust of wind danced through them as she made sure everyone understood and will do what she said. The students looked to each other as they all turn to walk into the school building.

"What are we going to do now?"Furio look to the two sins then to Carmen."We will have Haga come check out them out, but in the meantime, we need to keep the students protected. I feel like this is not the only surprise we are going to hear."

Araragi was in his room as he felt a knock on his window."I never understand why you would knock if you can phase through."Saburo grins cheekily,"Can a guy be polite sometimes?" Araragi shakes his head as Saburo grabs his shoulder."What are you planning right now?""What do you mean?I'm just being a good student." Saburo laughs and levitate upside down,"And I am doing a magic trick."

"Your memory lapse...do you remember talking to anyone?"

"The one person I can think of is Shinobu. I was trying to peek-"

"She actually caught you peeking at her,"he laid on his back in his bed as he sinks more into it,"Shinobu took your memory away?"

"Nah man, why would she do that?"

Araragi remember she was under lock and key by the one person who protected that man the most.  He ran swiftly to Shigure's room, but his stuff were gone. All that was left was a empty bedroom. He went to Shinobu's room next, but her room was emptied, but with one note attached.

Nice try, brother.

Meanwhile...

"Father what will we do now?I will help in any way I can,"Shigure gets on his knees and bow on the floor. "Yes, we will help in any way you can use us."Shinobu was on her knees as well. The man claps his hands,"Get up, my obedient son and wonderful daughter-in-law. We have work to do, and I will show you and that insolent brother of yours why my name is Satanael." The two stands up as they walked behind him into a portal of darkness.