Growth, part 1
Several weeks had passed since Van made Yona choose between himself and Jasper. Though he didn't get what he wanted, true to his word, they were still great friends. Even Jasper was getting used to being around their antics at the bar. Today, however, Van had a surprise. He stood before Kavi and was asking for all of team one. "Are you sure it's no trouble?", asked Kavi. "None at all", grinned Van. "I haven't been home in a while and I didn't think it'd be fair to only invite Yona-chan, so I'm asking your whole team along. My family's hot spring will be a good break for everyone", he explained. Blythe's eyes grew wide as he stared with his "please" puppy face toward Kavi. "I've never been to a real onsen before", he mumbled. Nearby Jasper grinned to himself. "It would be a nice vacation for you, Kavi. You've been running the guild by yourself for a long time. You could use a break", he chided. Stuck between them, Kavi sighed, "All right. We accept." Blythe glomped him with a joyful, "Yay!".
Around the corner, Yona spied with Koko and the twins. It seemed to be a success. "Yes! Vacation!", she thought. Kavi and Van stepped away with a hushed conversation, leaving Blythe and Jasper alone. "This is great, niisan! Kavi-kun really needs a break", beamed Blythe. Jasper nodded, glad to keep him busy. Kavi didn't want him overhearing what he had to say. Several paces away, Van stared blankly at Kavi's blushed cheeks. It was an unusual sight for the enhancement mage. Usually he was getting yelled at when they were alone together. "I don't see why'd it be a problem. Business is usually slow this time of year, so we can divide up the rooms any way you want", said Van. "Thank you", uttered Kavi in a low tone. "And don't worry about Camille-chan, she won't say anything one way or another", offered Van, still amazed he wasn't in trouble for once.
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Once the room situation had been covered, Kavi and Blythe left to set the details with Veda. Yona sneaked away from her feline companions, grabbing Jasper by the tail as he turned the corner. Yanked into another room, he hit the wall with a light 'thud'. He hated it when she did that. It really did hurt, but he didn't have time to complain before she had him pinned with nowhere to run. He nervously glanced passed his beet red face to meet her cool smile. "Something on your mind?", he forced out. She grinned as she fingered his freshly cut locks. "Blythe did a good job. You look damn good with it short", she teased. Shying his gaze, he uttered, "Thanks", unsure of what else to say. When he'd first come home, his hair was unchanged along with the rest of him in stasis. It was very long and tied up into a loose ponytail. He decided to start over again and had Blythe cut it all off. When asked if he was sure about such a drastic change, he'd simply nodded and said that it was nothing more than a record of the time Aldegund controlled his body. No one questioned that sentiment and Blythe set to work. The difference caught several people by surprise, but his new look wasn't his concern right now.
Yona wasn't backing down. Jasper slowly met her eyes once more. She had a very readable expression and he wasn't exactly sure if he was more scared or interested. He'd told her before that he wanted to take things slowly. After all, six years is a long time to be trapped alone and he didn't want overload his senses, but that look was awfully enticing. "I heard Kavi agree to the trip", grinned Yona, playing with the incubus' shirt collar. "Yeah", he replied, again trying to find something else to look at. "Sounds fun for the daytime, but I think we can find other things to do once it gets dark, don't you?", she asked, laying it on thick. He cleared his throat nervously and inquired, "What are you getting at?", nearly afraid to find out.
Yona took a step back and looked at him in earnest. "It's time to take another step, Jasper. I know you're terrified, but I want to do more than just hold hands. Besides, you never come anywhere near me in public at all...I guess I'm fine with that, but in private - ...I want more." Despite herself, she was gaining a pink hue of her own as she stared away into nothing. Jasper took a deep breath. He knew this would happen at some point. It wasn't that he didn't want to do more; He was just afraid. He didn't want to hurt her and he still wasn't sure he could control his predatory instincts. His mind kept racing back to when he'd first bitten her. What if he didn't snap out of it? True, as she stated, she could likely beat the tar out of him, but looking back, even then he was holding back. If his true strength awakened, there was no telling what could happen.
Yona sighed, annoyed. Once again, she wasn't getting anywhere. She turned to leave, but stopped at a firm tug on her wrist. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see Jasper staring at the floor, but he wasn't about to let go. Eventually, he uttered, "Just one more step?". She turned her body to face him and lifted his face in her hands. "Or three", she taunted. A shy grin crossed his lips. She was a terrible tease... After a while, he promised to push his limits soon. He just needed a little more time.
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The following day, teams one and three headed for the edge of town. Yung-Li was trying to hide a smile at something Koko had signed. Nosy and bored, Yona leaned between them over their shoulders. "What's so funny?", she asked. Koko seemed to be silently giggling as her team mate glanced around for Van. "You know how doting Van is toward his sister?", whispered the speed mage. "I have an idea", grinned Yona. She knew all about it. Every dime Van earned gambling was sent straight back home to his darling younger sibling. "Don't be surprised if he starts tearing up when he sees her", grinned Yung-Li. The trio was suddenly aware of another body in their huddle. "What's that supposed to mean?", inquired Van, joining the conversation. His team mate looked him dead in the eye with a sly smile. "You cry like a school girl every time you go home", he teased. "I do not!", argued Van, flustered. Koko was making a mocking gesture of crying as Yona busted out laughing. Van simply wandered away, tearfully muttering to the absent Camille about how they just didn't understand a big brother's love.
The group of mages was just passing the train station when a familiar voice caught their attention. "Niisan!", beamed Camille, happily waiting to greet them. Yona watched as Van froze solid, then burst into a tear filled sprint with arms opened wide. "Imouto-chaaaaaaaaaaaan!", he cried, nearly knocking the poor girl over. She giggled at her brother's affection as he squeezed her tightly and tearfully rubbed cheeks. Yung-Li simply glanced at Yona as if to say, "Told you so." Yona was trying hard to contain her laughter. Kavi's stern eye was watching. Blythe seemed enthralled by the emotion and started cuddling Kavi's arm. He wanted to snuggle, too. Only Jasper hung back from the main group with the exceeds. Van had warned his friend that his village was quite superstitious. The three of them may be counted locally as "oni". Thus the cloaked incubus kept his distance. A loose hood hid his unearthly appearance until things could be explained to Camille.
Kavi cleared his throat, prompting Van to remember he wasn't alone. Gathering his composure, Van stepped aside and introduced each of the mages. Camille already knew Yung-Li well. Many years ago, they were betrothed, but decided to break tradition and search for true love. She'd met Koko only once before, but recalled the sweet girl easily. When introduced to Yona, her face lit up. She recognized that name from several letters. "So, you're Yona-san. It's nice to finally meet you", offered Camille. Once pleasantries were over, the group headed out. It would be a long trip, but at least the train could take them part way up the mountains. Kavi and Yona weren't so grateful for the saved time, but recovered soon enough once back on solid ground. Yona teased Kavi. She didn't get hit quite as hard with the dragon slayer's curse of motion sickness since she was used to rhythmic motion of the sea, but Kavi had a rough ride. Blythe tended to him like a mother hen. It was both cute and nauseating, she thought.
The next leg of the journey would be on foot. It was a steep road into the mountains and few people traveled it. It cut through a forest before dumping into the snow fields of the upper altitudes. The trip would likely take at least two days, but the fresh air was a nice change from the city. As they walked along, Van and Camille led the group, exchanging news and stories. Eventually, the others joined in, feeling more at ease. Van's sister seemed to be very nice. "Forgive my ignorance, but if you're here, who's running the inn?", asked Blythe, curious. Glances were exchanged. That was actually a very good question. Camille seemed to look for answer and finally said, "I've got it covered." The obvious dodge seemed to irritate Van. He gave her a stern look, quite the change from the usual dreamy, doting expression he gave her. "Don't tell me...", he said flatly. "Takeshi?", ventured Yung-Li. At the utterance of that name, Van turned back for town. Kavi caught him by his backpack. "Where are you going?", he asked with a raised eyebrow. Wiggling loose, Van said, "No one said *he* would be there. I'm going back to the guild."
Camille's faint sniffling reverted Van back to doting brother mode. "What's wrong, Camille-chan?", he inquired, hugging her tightly. "You two still don't get along", she replied tearfully. Leaning toward Yung-Li, Yona whispered, "Who's Takeshi?". Blythe tried to read the situation. "Camille's significant other?", he guessed. It made sense enough. Van would naturally be protective and jealous of any suitor after his beloved sister. Lovingly patting her brother's back in an attempt to prove she was okay, Camille replied, "Our brother." That caught Yona off guard. Van never once mentioned a brother. "How many siblings do you have?!", she asked, surprised. Van ceased his cuddling and took a deep breath. "Maybe he's your brother, but not mine. Let's get moving; It'll be dark soon", he said, walking ahead of the group. "Sensitive subject?", ventured Yona. Camille nodded sadly. Who knew what else they would learn of their friend on this trip?
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To be continued...