The Strays

'Thinking'

"Speaking"

SPELL/ABILITY

(********) = Scene/Location/Time Change

Chapter 1: Broken Chains

As Saito watched the starry sky he wondered if he could see his sun from this new world. The idea of his home being another miniscule dot in the sky humbled and frightened the young warrior. It had been several months since he had fallen from the sky from his world into the lives of the pinkquette zero and the other mages that had become his friends.

'Friends… I wonder how everyone back home is doing…' Saito thought to himself as he remembered his life on earth. He thought back to the rocket launcher, and to what Osmond had told him a week ago. He began to shut his eyes as he dreamt of home unaware that when he awoke his new world would be gone.

(********)

"Saito!... Saito!... WAKE UP!" a voiced called out to him. When the familiar opened his eyes the sun had begun to rise and the stars had disappeared. He looked for the person who had called him but found himself alone.

"Did you wake me Derf?" Saito questioned his partner.

"No, but now that you're up…" the blade began, but before he could finish he was interrupted by a massive explosion that shook the ground.

'Louise.' The familiar thought to himself.

He stood up to walk towards the campus. As he drew closer he heard shouting. He snuck closer to listen in and what he heard startled him.

"FIND THE BOY!" an angry voice boomed, "WE HAVE ENDED THE CONTRACT HIS LIFE IS FAIR GAME!" As Saito heard this his head reeled as he tried to process what was happening.

'Ended the contract?' Those words echoed in his head until he was pulled back to reality by the sound of mercenaries rushing his way.

"Escape first questions later partner," Derf said to his stunned partner "and to answer what you're thinking, yes, contracts can be broken by a wizard with its familiar."

Saito resolved to figure out what was going on later. He broke off at a sprint running to no place in particular. As he ran he felt something leaving. He realized he had felt it since he had awoken. He wasn't a familiar anymore.

(********)

By the time Saito had stopped running he had long escaped the lazy mercenaries.

"We're in the clear partner; feel free to take a break." The blade said.

"What the hell is going on?!" shouted the young, now, ex-familiar.

"Sit down and let me explain." Derf said calmly to his confused friend. "Upon a familiar's summoning a contract is formed, but as all contracts and deals it can be broken."

"She would never…" Saito mumbled.

"She wasn't forced. The mage must want the contract broken even fractionally for the break to work." Derf replied coldly then continued, "Little Miss Whip was probably persuaded to let you go by her family. It doesn't matter anymore, she'll receive another familiar and you'll be hunted by her father's men until you die."

Saito sat there feeling shattered and lost in this world he shouldn't exist in. Before he had a purpose to serve and protect the young girl, and to become the Gandalfr. Now he had nothing but his clothes, a sword, and a reminder of his past on his hand. Lost in thought he didn't hear the approach of a carriage. As the carriage pulled close a girl inside recognized the hunted boy and stopped the carriage immediately.

Saito turned at the sound of the opening door and looked up to see a familiar face smile at him looking relieved to have found him. A spark of hope ignited a new fire in him. This fire burned to follow its own path no matter where that may lead.

(…..)

Hey guys its Lion. First chapter of my first story and I figured I'd leave the choice of Saito's partner to you guys. Give me your reviews! Hope you enjoy.

P.S. It Can't be Louise.