A/N:Uftaki - Yes! It was totally a reference to Vancouver, B.C.! It was also a partial pun with the whole Sea Train, but it wouldn't really work on land so I changed it. I'm glad you caught it! To be honest I haven't travelled much in my life, so I picture most of my fics taking place in a Vancouver like city. Just a little fun fact :)
Anyway, on with the story...
Sanji sat slumped at the back of his Business 200 class, Mac open on his lap and his fingers lazily resting on the keys as his professor went on about foreign currency issues and outsourcing. His brain wasn't really taking much in and he was very grateful that the class slides were posted online for anyone like himself who was mentally absent from the lecture.
It wasn't that he didn't like the class – he actually found it quite interesting – but as of late he had found himself completely worn out and lacking sleep. Not that he didn't get enough sleep, but the sleep he did get didn't seem to be enough and his body was constantly sore like he had just done a ridiculous work out. He was honestly becoming concerned that maybe he was getting a weird type of insomnia or something.
The professor began writing down a date on the board with accompanying times, class room number and chapters. Above he quickly scribbled 'Midterm' and Sanji refrained from groaning aloud. Fuck, that was right. Midterm week was coming up which meant even later hours and more studying than usual. Quickly jotting down the information in his computer, he snapped it shut and shoved it into his shoulder bag, breezing out of the lecture hall even as others began asking the professor questions about the exam.
Once out of the class he spotted Kaku leaning up against the opposing wall, leg propped back as his hands were shoved in the pockets of his dirty jeans. Upon seeing Sanji he kicked off from the wall and strode over, matching Sanji's stride as they made their way out of the school.
Kaku's classes were on the opposite side of campus where he was taking various trades courses as he tried to figure out what he wanted to precisely pursue in life. Keeping up a perfect GPA while also sneaking in on psychology classes for kicks which made the man a bit of a bastard to talk to when he started analyzing you and shit.
"Dude, you look like shit." Kaku commented they made their way down the large stair case to the entrance of the University, throngs of people shoving by them in their hurry to either catch a bus, or get to their next class. From their position Sanji could see outside and noted that it was currently pouring rain; an excellent proverbial cherry-on-top of his day.
"I feel like shit." Sanji muttered with a yawn, running a hand over his face to try and chase away the fatigue starting to affect his eyes, "I think I have insomnia or something."
"Well, that blows." Kaku chuckled but Sanji could hear the genuine concern underneath.
"You've no idea." He groaned as he began doing up the buttons on his jacket before they would exit into the downpour, "Plus, exams are next week so that means even less sleep."
"Well, Professor Enel said that stress can cau-"
"Not now." Sanji cut him off quickly with a decisive hand held up to show that he really didn't want to hear anything that the Psychology professor had mentioned and he certainly didn't need Kaku to assess him like some headcase, "Not in the mood."
"Alright. Alright." Kaku just laughed again but held up his hands in surrender as they arrived at the entrance and held the door open for Sanji to pass through.
Sanji inclined his head politely as they both exited into the torrents of rain that accompanied the weird weather that effected Grand Line due to being just off the coast. Keeping to the sheltered areas they made their way to Kaku's car as Sanji asked for gossips sake, "How's things with Kailfa?"
"Good." Kaku confirmed but his underlying tone showed resigned annoyance, "She still won't let me past second base though." Pulling his car keys from his pocket he unlocked the car from a distance, tail lights blinking to point them in the right direction in the parking lot, "Stuff about woman's rights and sexual harassment."
"You're her boyfriend." Sanji stressed in disbelief, as rain splattered against his face and had the welcomed affect of waking him up. Reaching the car he quickly pulled the passenger side door open before jumping in after saying, "Surely, she wants to be with you. Otherwise she'd dump you."
"Even the term boyfriend to her is annoying." Kaku explained with a frown as he got in and slammed the door shut, immediately starting the vehicle as he pulled his seat belt on, "Says it's archaic and prude to label the situations in our relationship by gender specific euphemisms. Says we are partners."
"Wow." Sanji muttered under his breath while absently buckling himself in, "You almost have it worse then me."
Kaku chuckled as he threw the Toyota into reverse and careened out of his parking spot with a spray of water, "Mother still setting you up with chicks?"
"Does the Pope wear white?" Sanji sniped back with a scowl, "She just won't let it drop. Get this; she calls me at like two in the morning after the dinner asking if I liked the last girl. I mean it's getting to the point that I'm more concerned for her sanity than my own. Luckily, I've been able to skip out on the last few dinners because of school."
Kaku just responded with another chuckle as he pulled out of the parking lot and into main traffic, the little flashing turning arrow making the most obnoxious beeping noise possible, "Well, maybe you just need to get a girlfriend and let your mother take the hint."
Sanji sighed and pressed a tired hand against his eyes, suddenly feeling more than just tired but completely and utterly drained. Not wanting to deal with anything, just curl up in his bed and not have to do a damned thing for anyone anymore, "She'd start planning the wedding and scare whatever girl I brought over away."
"Ah well," Kaku mused casually as he focused intently on the afternoon traffic that they were slowly migrating through, "Things will work out. You're still their baby after all."
The slight infliction of a mocking baby tone in Kaku's voice made Sanji snarl angrily toward the stupid apprentice carpenter, "Shut the fuck up."
Kaku ignored the insult completely, laughing jovially at Sanji's misfortune. It was a common source of hilarity for their friend group; one of the those old things among friends that was brought up and nearly everyone pissed themselves laughing about it.
"So you gonna come hang with everyone tonight?" Kaku asked once he had slightly recovered from his fit and before Sanji could even open his mouth to protest he added, "C'mon it's Friday. You have all weekend to sleep and study."
Sanji made a small face as he had an internal struggle before his youth won out and without even saying a thing Kaku grinned knowing that he had won.
~X~
Stumbling out of the mass of dancing bodies on the dance floor to the more freer area of the club by the bar, Sanji made his way over to the bathroom as he desperately tried to remain standing. Fatigue mixed with ample shots had badly altered his current mental state and he could hardly walk in a straight line to save his life. Upon finding the men's bathroom he immediately collapsed against the sink, turned it on and splashed handfuls of water into his face.
The cold water was a happy relief, but didn't completely cure him of his drunkenness and Sanji leaned over the sink for a moment to try and calm himself. A few deep breaths and mental mantras of how he should 'keep a level head' and that 'he was completely in charge of his actions' and he felt remarkably better. Pushing himself up he stared at himself in the mirror to ascertain that he was indeed presentable.
"Sanji." A voice spoke suddenly and Sanji straightened, glancing around the bathroom to see who had followed him in but confusedly found himself to be alone. Through his drunken haze he just shrugged it off and clumsily pulled some paper towel from the dispenser and began drying his hands.
"Sanji! -ere! I'm- Sanji!" The voice pleaded desperately, "I'm her-"
Sanji spun around the room in confusion, immediately regretting the action as it caused himself to become immensely dizzy and almost topple over. Recovering and using the wall to keep himself up right he asked dumbly, "Where are you?"
Sanji pressed a hand to his head as the sudden migraine threatened to split his skull open in its intensity. Leaning heavily against the sink he pressed both hands to his head as the pain continued to mount and the voice resounded in his head louder until it became akin to someone shouting it directly into his ear. Eardrums ringing and head pounding he threw his head back and groaned in pain.
"Sanji! I—re! Her-! Sanji! Hel-! San-! -elp! Sanji! Sanji! SANJI! LISTEN!"
"Sanji!"
Sanji opened his eyes abruptly as two hands gripped his own wrists hard and he was drawn back into the reality of the club. Voices silenced immediately to be replaced by the steady beat of pounding music and Jyabura staring into Sanji's face intently.
"Dude," Jyabura asked carefully, his own words slurred slightly by the alcohol, "You okay? Having a bad trip?"
Sanji shook his head and noted that the room was still fairly fuzzy, and his coordination was definitely still off. Placing a now free hand to his head he shook himself slightly before mumbling, "Yeah. Really bad."
Jyabura put his arm around Sanji and began to guide him outside while slurring, "Well, let's get you with Paulie. He's driving so he can keep an eye on you."
Neither human noticed the frustration and anger radiating from the sunglasses currently shoved into Sanji's back pocket.
~X~
Prince gazed at the sleeping Sanji from his glasses' placed on the beside table as he tried to stamp down his irritation at the stupid blond. The alcohol had lessened the man's inhibitions enough to allow Prince to finally – barely – break through the barrier between them to make himself heard and the blond had fought for all he was worth to shove him out. Prince may have been strong but Sanji had easily beaten him out in the battle of wills over his body.
He was annoyed that he had failed but he assumed that it was progress. If a battle of wills would not work then he would merely challenge the man to a battle of patience and he had a millennium of practise on the subject to hang over the blond's head.
Sanji was sleeping peacefully now. His friends having dropped him off soon after they had heard that the blond had been 'tripping bad' – whatever the hell that meant – the blond hadn't tripped, he'd had a migraine. Regardless, it seemed that the man was now in a deep enough sleep that Prince could possess him without any problems.
Prince sent out what little magic he could conjure while trapped within the shades – it was what had allowed him to adapt the glasses over the years so that he wouldn't end up in some museum as an artifact – branching out as much as he could, the blue aura twisted itself into the very fibres of Sanji's arm, and with a little coaxing became moveable – much like one of those arms in the toy grabbing game Prince had once witnessed.
Under Prince's control Sanji's hand absently reached out and grabbed the sunglasses, picking them up weakly and dragging them over to Sanji's body. The closer he got to Sanji the stronger his hold became on the man, and with last bit of urging the hand lifted the glasses up and placed them neatly on the bridge of sleeping Sanji's nose.
In an instant he was within Sanji's body, in a single blink he went from looking down at the sleep features to looking up and out of the once closed eyes. Careful not to move too suddenly he sat up and with wave of magic the headache and nausea caused by the alcohol was dismissed. Untangling himself from the bedding, Prince stood and made his way over to Sanji's window. The city was already alive with life and Prince wasted little time with clambering out of the window and making his way up onto the roof of the complex.
Sitting calmly with his legs dangling over the edge of the building he looked out once more on the breathtaking view of the glittering city. Even after a couple weeks of this routine the view of this ethereal world still dazzled him. Compared to the world of stone he had come from it seemed like a world of the most fabulous gems mixed with magic to create impossible beauty.
A warm wind whipped by and pleasantly brushed across his face, noting that spring was indeed here and summer was on its way. The warmth brought up the memories of the last summer he had been alive within his own body; spending humid nights out in the forest with Asura as time seemed like an endless luxury.
Wherever your soul ends up; I'll find it.
"Asura..." Prince mumbled quietly, the sound hardly leaving his throat as it was more just a movement of lips as he looked longingly out over the city and feeling utterly helpless. The longer he stared out at the vastness of the city the more he realized the enormity of the Earth and just how insignificant he was while stuck in this mortal body.
Since the time of Kings his world had been fairly small; consisting of barely all the land that had hence been discovered. Life bound to the Kingdom, he had never felt the urge to find out how voluminous the Earth really was. His dabbling in sorcery had given a deeper insight into the world than others, but never enough to understand just how enormous the planet really was.
Reaching out beside him he gently began tracing a blue symbol into the concrete, his magic causing the rune to glow a celestial azure before it began to fade entirely. When the last traces of the visible mark were gone Prince laid his hand down on top of it and tried to ignore how his hand shook gently. It seemed like a stupid idea when compared to the capacious distance between him and Asura, but the mark would leave enough of a trace that the demon would be able to find him.
Glancing back up at the shimmering city he let out a quiet breath as he tilted his head even farther back to stare up at the radiance of the stars that the city below desperately tried to mimic. They weren't made of scintillating metals or glistening glass but they had a natural beauty all their own and as his eyes traced them fondly his eyes widened in realization.
They were the same.
Even after a thousand years they were exactly the same stars he had gazed up at while a young warlock, the same stars he had used to guide himself home whenever he had gotten lost and the exact same moon that he had spent countless nights underneath while searching for herbs.
The same sky that Asura could see.
Compared to the time he had spent alone. Compared to how endless the universe was. The distance between them suddenly seemed a lot more bearable; if anything it was something that was easily conquerable. Pushing himself to his feet resolutely he began grinning broadly as he extended his hand and swept it across the sky in front of himself. Letting magic seep through his hand it fell in a wave of sparkling cyan particles before eventually evaporating.
Prince watched the falling magic fondly for only a moment with a reminiscent smile before launching himself from the edge of the building and out into the night.
~X~
Sanji puffed intently on a Marlboro as he scanned the page of his text book, intent on finishing the chapter before he took another break. Waking up after having being dragged out to Water Seven and drinking until he had blacked out had not exactly been a good time, but waking up with absolutely no hangover had been one of the first good things to have happened in the past couple weeks. Content and currently reviewing globalization and national trade issues – along with other long forgotten subjects from the beginning of the semester – he was vaguely scanning through the various graphs, diagrams and Key Points boxes that saved his GPA and his valuable time.
Grinding out the near-done cigarette in the ashtray balanced precariously on the arm of his La-Z-Boy Trevor Reclina-Rocker he leaned back heavily into the velvet lining with a distressed sigh as he stared up at the ceiling. His movement caused the chair to rock gently and the dull baby blue paint of his ceiling tilted back and forth in his vision as he yawned.
The days were getting rougher; what little sleep he did get hardly made up for the exhaustion that plagued him. Things were significantly less stressful since Zeff had given him an indefinite leave of absence from the Baratie due to exam week – the man acted gruff and uncaring but he was actually just a large pushover. But even without having to worry about work he still couldn't explain how he was always so exhausted.
However, he was staring to become desperate as this simple bout of insomnia was getting a little out of hand. There were times where he would wake and his body would hurt unreasonably; and the only thing he could guess was that he must tense in his sleep. Then there was the times that he would wake up on the couch, or in bed fully dressed and all he could guess was that he was possibly sleep walking now. For a moment he contemplated putting up a camera but remembered a few Paranormal Activity movies he had seen and what resulted of those people and flatly refused the idea.
Sanji snorted wryly as all of that just amounted to a bunch of petty problems that made him sound like a hypochondriacal idiot.
Reaching out blindly, he dug his fingers into the package of Marlboro's beside him on the small corner table and sighed heavily as he realized he was out of cigarettes. Glancing back down at the book in his lap he noted that there was only about two chapters left to be reviewed and reasoned that a walk would probably do himself some good.
Pulling on a light hoodie to protect against the still light chill of post-winter hung above the city, he made his way out of his apartment and over to the elevator. Passing through the lobby he waved amiably to Mr. Drake – the ex-cop that lived a few rooms down from Sanji – as the man was getting his mail for the various boxes that littered the southern wall of the apartment lobby. The former cop gave small grunt in acknowledgement and Sanji continued on out of the double glass doors.
The afternoon light burnt his sensitive eyes and he quickly searched his pockets, relieved to feel the pair of orange specs he had bought a few days ago. Pulling them out he put them on and everything went black.
~X~
"Geez, you stubborn kid." Prince stared down at Sanji's body and huffed, "Figure it out already."
The spirit set off down the street with long strides wishing he had a smoke to chew on in his frustration. Sanji was just so damned stubborn and had one of the strongest wills Prince had even seen in his life. Try as he might Sanji's mental wall remained impermeable and he had been unable to communicate with the boy. He had done everything he could to try and make the kid realize that he existed, tried so hard to communicate with him.
One time he had been tempted to leave a message on the mirror, but had paused when he realized the man would probably flip and call an exorcist or something. And while someone with in depth spiritual knowledge would be nice to meet; it still probably wouldn't solve his little problem. Even worse the demonologist might exorcise him and the last thing he needed now was to be dead.
He entered the convenience store still lost in thought and purchased a pack of Marlboro's from the surly looking man behind the counter whose yellowing teeth and greasy appearance made Prince judge the quality and expiry dates of the food within the place. As he exited the store he immediately pulled out a stick and lit up, inhaling the quality smoke that not only relaxed him mentally but calmed Sanji physically. The cigarette was soon finished and the butt thrown in a tray outside the doors as Prince started to make his way back to Sanji's home.
On the way he had one more stick, pausing by a fence that belonged to some innocent neighbour. Raising a finger alight in blue fire, he placed it to the simple wood and began to trace a circle, added a few markings and finished with a few archaic words written around the edges. When he removed his finger the marking he had just burnt into the wood faded until it was no longer visible and Prince gave a small smile before continuing on down the street.
Making his way back up the steps of the apartment complex, Prince flicked the remains of his second cigarette into a small tray filled with other discarded butts and gently removed removed the shades from his face.
~X~
Sanji blinked in confusion at the shades he was holding that he swore he had just put on and cast a glance around the street in confusion. His neighbour – Ms. Nico – was no longer out in the garden tending to her flowers, though he was certain he had just seen her mid way through watering the chrysanthemums. And she always tended to the orange beauties before the lilies, so how was she already done? Another glance down the road confirmed that Mr. Rayleigh's car – which had been there a moment before – was now gone.
Frowning in confusion Sanji sent the shades a suspicious look, before pocketing them gently. His hand grazed the new box of cigarettes and Sanji fumbled a moment before pulling them out. He stood on the street corner, holding the box and looking at it in utter bafflement as he tried to ascertain whether or not he had forgotten he had had a pack already in his pocket.
Tentatively he place the smokes back into his pocket as he glanced around the street in caution, turning back to enter the apartment lobby he found Mr. Drake gone and was even more flummoxed. Hands shaking slightly he placed them in his jacket pockets as he made his way quietly back up the stairs in quiet confusion.
~X~
Prince blinked several times as he ascertained his control over the blond's body before sitting up with a sigh. Sanji was seriously becoming a troublesome problem; how hard was it for the dumb blond to link everything together? It wasn't like Prince was purposefully being evasive, if anything constantly being shoved into the blond's body was becoming rather annoying.
Had the blond actually tricked himself into believing that he had just forgotten about the pack of cigarettes in his pocket? Prince was really starting to run out of ideas. The mirror idea was beginning to become more and more tempting; but maybe a nice long letter could work too.
Throwing the blanket's aside, Prince stood in annoyance and snatched up the jacket Sanji had just removed before donning it once more and making his way over to the small bedroom window. Sliding it open, he held it up before casting a glance back at the bed and the sleep that Sanji's body should have been receiving at the moment.
"Sorry Sanji." Prince mumbled guiltily before jumping out the window and running off into the night.
Unlike Asura he didn't have demon tracking skills, but if Asura had found a host like Prince had then the demon would find him eventually. The more he explored the city, the more he left markers and spread his scent, the better luck he'd have. Although the odds that Asura was in this city were about a million to one; if had ended up all the way across the ocean in America, where had the demon wound up? But as much as he would like to escape this town and look he knew he couldn't; not with Sanji.
But he had faith in Asura. He'd just have to be patient – he'd waited this long after all – what were a few more years? He just didn't like being so passive; it shouldn't have to be all Asura's work. But his powers were very limited as long as Sanji was stifling him – he had some limited abilities – but most of his magic was being smothered by Sanji's presence. It probably had to do with the link between them not being complete.
Prince spotted a group of delinquents who were searching through a pink hand bag that was obviously not theirs and decided to have a little fun. Jumping down from his perch on the building he made his way over to the teen's fully intending to take out some of his frustration on them.
"Oi! Fucktards, why don't you try stealing from someone who can actually fight back?" Prince drawled as he made his way up the sidewalk, one hand in his pocket the other casually flicking the end of his cigarette to remove the built up ash. Replacing it back in his mouth he stopped a few meters away from the kids and jutted his hip cockily.
One of the kids snorted mockingly before rolling his eyes and stepping forward, "Back off, dude. Mind your own fucking business."
A smooth step forward and his knee was impaled directly into the young man's gut, without even having a chance to react the boy merely collapsed forward on the knee while choking pathetically as a mixture of blood and saliva was coughed up from his slack mouth. Prince removed his knee and stepped back letting the boy fall to the ground to pathetically gasp for air on the ground.
Prince resumed his original stance with a smirk as he noted a bit more blood was coughed up by the young man on the ground. Thanks to a small amount of magic imbued with his attack the kid would probably have to go to the hospital for internal injuries. Grinning cheekily back at the group who know watch their friend wearily he barked, "So who's next? I'm in a bad mood."
"Yeah, so am I." A surly looking teen pulled a gun and Prince instantly became weary, he wasn't sure how much influence his powers would have over the blond's body. Keeping a bullet from entering Sanji might require more magic than he was capable of conjuring at the moment. Taking a cautious step back the teen sneered happily. "Not so confident now, are you?"
Prince carefully put his hands into his pockets, noting only a pack of smokes and lighter. Fingering the small tube he wonder exactly how hard he could throw it. The teen was now advancing on Prince with a cocky expression while muttering, "Hand over your wallet too, dumbass."
With near inhuman speed Prince withdrew the lighter and snapped his wrist harshly as the lighter whipped through the air and pegged the kid right in the eye. A pained scream as the teen dropped the gun and fell to his knees as he grasped his face, blood already leaking from between his fingers.
While the rest of the delinquents stood frozen in disbelief, Prince kicked the gun to the side. Metal clattering across concrete before falling over the edge of the sidewalk and down a sewer drain. He snatched up the lighter and immediately took off down the street before the men snapped out of their stasis.
A quiet moment when all that could be heard was the smack of Prince's – Sanji's – converse shoes hitting the concrete and a distant honking of a car horn. Then a roar of rage from the men and they were after Prince with malicious intent, Prince cackled tauntingly as he picked up his speed, reaching the end of the street and turning onto a boulevard.
Before the men could even get onto the same street, Prince dove into an alley way and darted into the shadows, pressing his body flush against the wall as he watched the group of men run past. He remained there for a few moments making absolutely sure that the men wouldn't double back and check for him in his hiding spot.
After several minutes he let out a breath and pushed himself away from the bricks and glanced at the fire escape that decorated the side of the building. Travelling by rooftop seemed like the safest way to go now, to avoid getting caught or spotted. Chuckling, he felt remarkably better after beating the crap out of the two men and pulled out a celebratory smoke as he tapped the toe of his show against the ground to adjust his foot in the shoe and prepare himself for the jump.
"Pry...?"
The voice was arousingly masculine with a nice bite – perhaps an accent – the words spoken with a deep timbre that gave away disbelief and possibly fear.
Prince spun around and glanced at the man who had addressed him with a name he hadn't heard for a millennium. Tall, and broad his body was packed with muscle that was hardly hidden under a slim black hoodie, and a pair of ratty jeans hung from his hips hiding what had to be just as powerful legs.
Near black eyes watched him with a critical look that he was extremely intimate with from underneath the shadow of a familiar black bandana that was pulled low over the handsome face. As those black eyes studied him Prince noted the small hint of insecurity and restrained caution.
"Ash." Prince muttered breathlessly, hardly able to believe that he was standing in the same space as the man, unlit cigarette falling to ground from between numb fingers.
In a blink, Asura was on him; arms squeezing his body in a rib crushing hug, face buried in Prince's neck as he muttered nonsense, and hands grasping desperately at his jacket as though afraid Prince might disappear. Just as relieved Prince held back; one arm holding Asura's head closer to him as the other tangled in the hoodie with a white knuckled grip, his face buried in the bandana that still had that musk of steel. They stood there entwined in each other, both scared to let go in risk of losing what they had been searching centuries to find.
Asura finally pulled his head back far enough to press his forehead against Prince's as his face contorted with withheld tears of relief and grief, managing through choked breaths, "I missed you so much."
Prince blinked furiously as he himself tried not to cry but opted for dropping his head to Asura's shoulder, mumbling thickly, "I thought I'd never see you again."
"Shut up." Ash said harshly as his grip tightened painfully, "I promised I'd find you."
His eyes hurt, his nose hurt, the fucking back of his throat hurt from trying not to cry, and after so long of waiting until he could find this man again he wanted to shout from the rooftops in joy but all he could do was hold on desperately as he tried not to break down. He had never felt so weak and powerful as in the moment that he had the man he loved in his arms.
"I can't believe that it worked." Pry mumbled in disbelief, "I mean; that we're still alive."
"I never doubted your spell for a second." Ash murmured adoringly as he pressed a gentle, loving kiss to Pry's neck before nuzzling his nose at the hair behind Prince's ear like he used to do all those centuries ago. His muscular arms tightened again as though to test that Prince was indeed really there and Pry was reminded of the demon's stupid strength, "Missed you. Love you."
"Love you too." Prince laughed happily, slightly hysterical with the fact that he was able to say those words aloud again, and squeezed back, not wanting to ever let go of the man again. But the cold of the night, and the eventual reality of their location kicked in and Ash reluctantly pulled his head way enough to get a good look at Prince in Sanji's body.
Black eyes that always became soft when assessing him, watched Prince carefully – almost in fear that perhaps what he was seeing was an illusion – as the demon quickly surveyed the warlock. Prince just remained in the embrace breathlessly, still unsure exactly what to say or to do as he looked up at Asura.
"So who's your host?" Ash asked quietly as he inspected Sanji's face, lines in his brow furrowing in slight confusion, "He looks haggard."
"He doesn't know I exist." Pry admitted guilty, "It's been wearing on him mentally."
"I'll say." Asura cupped Pry's cheeks and turn the face from side to side as he examined the body. Prince let his eyes fall shut as he relished the feeling of the demon's warm hands holding him so tenderly. Able to feel the pulsing of life through his veins which only attested more to the fact that this was all real, "He looks remarkably like you."
Prince couldn't believe how easy it was to fall into conversation with Ash again. He hadn't thought anything else, but after waiting a thousand years he would silently admit that he had been nervous. Nervous that maybe Ash had changed in that time. A foolish notion that would be dismissed in annoyance if he ever voiced it to the demon.
"What do I do?" Prince asked quietly as he opened his eyes to stare once more at the man. Mesmerized by the simple way his lips tightened with each small exhale, how his muscular chest expanded with each breath, and the flush that covered the demon's cheeks as blood flowed healthily beneath the surface. Placing a slightly shaking hand on the demon's chest he could feel the steady beat of a strong heart pulsing just beneath his palm, and he had to bite his lip to keep from making a sound of relief.
A warm, reassuring hand was placed over his and squeezed tightly before being drawn up to the demon's lips where a chaste, yet worshipping kiss was placed on the knuckles as Asura continued to watch Prince intently. Prince reached up with his free hand to gently run his thumb over the man's jaw, cupping the demon's face tenderly. Asura freed his hand and placed it on the back of Prince's neck, drawing him forward to once more hold him protectively.
"Once we get him to accept that you're there the mental wall that's blocking you two will come down." Asura explained quietly as his hands began to gently prod at the blond's lower back and loosen the tensed muscle, "After that you two can work things out."
"But that's the problem." Pry said while leaning back into the gentle yet strong hands that worked some of the stress from his host's body, "He doesn't want to admit something's wrong."
"My host will help."
One of Asura's hands moved up to between his shoulder blades and continued working the muscles and Pry melted into the touch, leaning completely into Asura. Humming contentedly as he let the demon's hands run over his body reassuringly and allowed his aura to seep into his body he asked absently, "So he knows you exist?"
"Yea," Ash murmured gently as his hands slowly came to a stop and linked casually on the warlock's lower back, "He was oblivious for some time; but eventually came around."
"And he'll help?" Prince asked, trying desperately not to pout when the demon's hands had retracted and instead settling for the warm hold he remained within.
"Definitely." Asura flashed cheeky teeth, "He's actually a really tolerable kid."
"Mm." Prince chuckled lightly and rested his forehead up against Asura's, "Coming from you that means a lot."
Asura only growled contentedly in response as he continued to watch Prince with adoring eyes, black glowing happily as he seemed unable to tear them away from Prince's blue. Prince was in much the same situation hardly able to believe that after all his waiting – years of sitting alone in that dark and wishing just to see these eyes again – hundreds of years of yearning, the object of all his desires was in his arms again and all he could do was stand dumbfounded and stare in shock.
Raising a cautious hand he gently grazed his fingers against the demon's cheek in reverent affection, still scared that perhaps this was all a dream and that he would wake alone once more trapped in the prison that he had created for himself. As his fingers grazed over the demon's left eye he absently thought of the scar that Asura's old body had exhibited and all the problems that had ensued from that single injury.
Closing his mind against the painful memories he moved the hand away to once more wrap around the man's shoulders – holding probably a little bit too securely – before breaking the silence, "How'd you find me?"
"I found one of your signatures." Asura mumbled quietly, "I could hardly believe it at first but then I sensed your presence and followed it to here. Your host really smothered your scent. I had some trouble tracking you down, but..." Asura grinned happily, "I found you."
"I knew you would."
"Of course." Asura boasted with a cocky sneer, "I promised you, didn't I?"
Prince noted the expression on the host's face and blinked at how oddly fitting it looked; like the man too made that expression a lot and not because Asura made him. Prince couldn't keep the slight smirk from working its way onto his face and he commented quietly, "He looks like you."
"Oh yeah?" Asura prodded with a grin, easily keeping up with Prince's random train of thought. But at the moment Prince couldn't even be embarrassed for his lack of coherence as he simply wanted to say everything to the man and nothing all at the same time.
"Teeth are less pointy though." Pry responded flaltly.
Asura threw his head back and laughed – a deep bark that rumbled in his chest – as Prince became momentarily mesmerized by the muscular stretch of throat that he was so used to biting teasingly. Asura let his head drop back and his shoulders still shook slightly before asking, "That all?"
"Yup." Prince said wryly, "You still can't hold me without crushing me."
"Yeah." Ash mumbled with a grin before purposefully tightening his grip, "Sorry."
"No, you're not." Pry murmured as he leaned in and nuzzled under Ash's jaw, hands linking behind the man's waist to keep him in place. The intoxicating aura of the demon was practically tangible in the air – smelling of steel and tasting of fire and ashes – it did terrible things to Prince. Exhilarating after all these years apart he was overwhelmed at being in such close proximity and couldn't stop himself from groaning lightly.
"Really?" Ash chuckled in disbelief, his face buried in Prince's hair and the warlock could feel the crooked grin tugging at the demon's lips, "A thousand years and you're still a gigantic perv?"
"Shut your face." Pry jokingly grabbed Ash's ass and squeezed, admiring the firmness before biting back playfully, "You think it was your charming personality I fell in love with?"
"Fuck." Ash gritted as Pry pulled his body into the blond's and grinded teasingly. Calloused hands gripping Pry's boney hips in response as he desperately dragged him forward to align their bodies together and growling seductively into the warlock's ear, "You never change."
Prince pulled back so he could smash their lips together, hands coming up from the demon's seductive body to wrap his arms around the man's shoulder desperately. Almost scared to let go, his arms tightened as he tilted his head to the side and slid his tongue into the demon's mouth. A hot tongue battled against his viciously as Asura grasped at him just as fiercely, movements driven less out of sexual motivation but from fearful desire of loosing the other again.
Asura's hands threaded into the blond hair, fingers carding through familiar blond locks as Prince curled into the attention affectionately. Missing those hands that hadn't been on him in almost a thousand years. His other hand slipped up to cup the man's face as the kiss turned somewhat desperate, need overriding rationality.
The demon adjusted his hand to continue carding through blond hair that he had worshipped and gasped in realization as his hand hit the edge of the glasses causing them to slip in almost slow motion, sliding from the blond's nose to land with a clatter on the ground in the choked silence.
~X~
The glasses were jarred from his nose and Sanji became suddenly very aware of a warm body pressed against his, a pair of hot lips against his and a talented tongue within his mouth. The hard body flexed under his grip, muscles tightening, hips jerking and hands grasping. The glasses hit the ground with a small clatter and Sanji pulled away from the body – hand freeing the bandana in the process – as he let out a terrified yell at the man he had been kissing.
A black bandana fluttered to the ground and a green haired man stood before him looking just as lost and confused, staring at Sanji in complete disorientation.
"Who the fuck are you?" The green-haired boy asked, glancing around before noting the bandana on the floor and scooping it up and tying it around his left arm securely. If Sanji had been in any other state of mind he could've sworn he saw the man glare at the fabric scoldingly.
"Who – who am..." Sanji's voice cut out as he was filled with a mixture of anger, confusion and dare he admit – fear – while his hands shook with the need to grasp a smoke from his pocket, "Who are you, you shitty perv?!"
"I'm – look," The man started nervously, "I'm Zoro. I'm really sorry about this but I'm just as confused as you are. I was blacked out till a second ago."
"What?!" Sanji screeched somewhat hysterically as he pulled out a fresh smoke – noting with a frown that a couple were missing – and pointed it threateningly at green-hair, "I know what you're doing."
The man's eyes shifted to his bandana uncomfortably, "What?"
"You're playing some fucking mind games or some shit," Sanji accused, lighting the cigarette and brandishing it once more, "Making me think that you're innocent or something. When really whatever you drugged me with just wore off."
"Look!" Green hair said adamantly and seemed to be getting a little annoyed, "I'm just as confused as you are. Last thing I remember was being at home watching Stan being the messiah of the church of Scientology, next thing I know I wake up with you plastered against me."
"You – you –" Sanji stuttered through barely restrained anger and confusion, "Just stay the fuck away from me!"
Grateful for being near the open end of the alleyway, Sanji spun on his heel and broke out in a desperate sprint, not bothering to stop when the man called for him to wait. No footsteps could be heard chasing after him but he continued to run regardless, partially from fear and partially from confusion. Not bothering to stop until he was nearly five blocks away from the terrifying scene.
~X~
Zoro stood in the alley alone and confused watching as the blond man rounded the corner and out of sight. Letting out an annoyed sigh he bent and picked up the shades that the man had forgotten and pocketed them before grabbing the bandana off his arm and scowling down at it.
"What the fuck dude?" Zoro muttered angrily, knowing the spirit would be forced to listen but would be unable to reply, "We had fucking rules, then you go molesting blond's in alley ways. I thought you were better than that."
Zoro could feel the restrained emotions emanating from the bandana and reluctantly put it on. Placing it on his head and tying the knot in the back with quick, practised motions before closing his eyes and allowing himself to be drawn into his mind.
The sounds of cicadas met his ears and he opened his eyes to find himself in the familiar outdoor area of a dojo that his mind helpfully supplied for him whenever Asura happened to be using his body. Glancing around he noted the spirit in question sat perched on one of the practice dummies, one foot propped on the top and an elbow resting on his knee. A dark expression emanated from the man as he glowered in Zoro's direction, his demonic properties easily showing through.
The first time Zoro had lay eyes on the demonic spirit he had honestly been afraid. Afraid, confused and half drunk. But as he had grown closer with the spirit he knew there was nothing harmful about him. True, he had the strength to cause a ten storey building to collapse with his hand – something he had learned the hard way – but Asura also needed Zoro's body to exist in the mortal world. The demon would never risk hurting his body or mind.
Asura himself was much alike Zoro in appearance that it was sort of looking at an older version of himself, or perhaps an older brother. His body type was identical, very muscular with a skin tone only a shade darker than Zoro's; whereas he was tan, Asura was more of a mocha. Scars were happily prominent on both their bodies, though Zoro's were mostly due to childhood accidents, sports injuries, and a nice one across his chest from when Asura had been a bit careless. Asura's were caused by battles, wars, and actual swords. There was also a prominent scar that ran up from his jaw, across his face and into his hairline, taking an eye with it. The other eye was untouched and was as black as coal, always staring and calculating every move that was around him.
Jawline, cheekbones, face structure were the same as well. Zoro's eyes were a softer brown in comparison however, Asura's merely looked like darkness itself was staring you in the face. The same difference stood out in their hair; Zoro's a neon green that he kept dyed regularly, and Asura's a forest emerald.
The glare he was sending Zoro's way would've scared lesser men, and in mortal form that stare could probably literally turn a man to stone, but Zoro was accustomed to it and didn't falter. His own rage was keeping him from being intimidated by the spirit and his stupid mind tricks.
"Scowl all you want. You're still the rapist here."
"Don't." Asura rasped, "You have no idea what's going on."
"Enlighten me." Zoro scoffed as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, "Cause I don't need the cops called on my ass for trying to rape some blonde."
"It wasn't rape." Asura muttered in annoyance, before glancing to the side with a childish pout, "I didn't mean to knock his glasses off."
"His glasses?" Zoro cocked his head as he vaguely remembered the pair he had picked up that the blond had dropped, "What about them?"
"What about them?" Asura snorted, "What do you think? There's a spirit in there."
"Another?" Zoro perked up at that, "So you found the other one."
"He's not just an other one." Asura defended sharply, "I've been searching for him for years, he's-"
Asura abruptly stopped and let his head drop, shielding his face from Zoro's critical stare. It was odd seeing the demon get so emotionally worked up. Sure he was always viscous, condescending and easily riled when it came to hurting people, but that was in his nature. Being mentally vulnerable was something completely new.
Zoro remembered the memories clear as though they were his own. Flashes of the demon's former life before he had wound up bound to a simple bit of fabric. Everything. And at the focal point of all that; was Prince.
"Oh..." Zoro clued in, "He's Prince."
"Yeah," Asura leaned his head weakly on his knee, a look of longing, regret and want mixing on his face. Groaning quietly in a combination of embarrassment and pain as he turned his face away from Zoro, "Yeah."
"Well, I have the sunglasses if you want to talk to him." Zoro offered casually as he made his way over to one of the practise dummies, taking a offensive stance and miming a slow neck strike before altering into a high kick. Keeping the motions fluid and calm so as to calm him mentally.
"I can't." Asura snarled, "He's trapped in there alone, like I am in here."
Zoro paused in his next kata[1] and sighed regretfully knowing what he had to do, "I have to go find that blond, don't I?"
"You know you do." Asura gritted and hopped down from the dummy he had been perched upon, marching over to Zoro still seething, "Along with Luffy; we need him."
"We as in the team?" Zoro asked skeptically, not the least bit deterred by the minion of hell currently breathing angrily into his face, "Or we as in you?"
Asura's hand shot out and knocked the straw dummy aside, splintering the post that it had been situated on and sending it careening into the fence, "Both."
"Fine." Zoro reluctantly gave in as he looked at the now destroyed fence before back at the immature demon, "But you're gonna help me find him."
~X~
Asura found himself once more within control of Zoro's body and he immediately reached into the pocket of his black hoodie to assess that the object containing his precious Prince was indeed unharmed. Holding the glasses gently he glanced down and could feel the warlock's presence just out of sight or reach.
"Pry." He mumbled quietly, "I know you can hear me. I'm going to find that boy; so just wait for a bit."
The glasses radiated a small warmth and the demon smiled contentedly down before carefully placing them in his jean pocket so they would fall out. Asura then glanced around the empty alley way, gauging his location as he slowly branched his aura out.
The smell from the blond still lingered on Zoro's body – a heady mixture of smoke and spices – and Asura followed. To his heightened supernatural senses it was almost too easy to follow the fresh scent across the city until he came to a fairly occupied district ridden with apartment complexes and one too many Starbucks. He eventually found himself skidding to a halt on top of a building, nose crinkling as he sniffed the air to affirm that is was indeed the blond's scent emanating from within.
Venturing to the edge where it was most prominent he found an unsteadily built fire escape and began climbing down through the zigzagging structure. He eventually found the window that was placed just under the flooring of the metal grate. Asura grumbled in annoyance and clambered under until he was able to hang from the metal grate and look in on the apartment.
Asura hung from the stair well quietly, keeping in the shadows as he watched the blond in the apartment. His heart ached with the realization that he looked so identical to his Prince and that their movements and actions were so similar it was no wonder the man had been chosen as Pry's host. Just minutes ago he had been holding that man and his world had felt complete and now it was just a stranger in there not even understanding what he possessed.
The demon quickly closed his eyes from the onslaught of unwanted emotion and retreated into the recesses of Zoro's mind. Finding the man sitting calmly in the courtyard of the illusionary dojo, eyes closed as he seemed to have been practising his meditation.
"Found him." Asura muttered as he took a place underneath a small cherry blossom tree, "By the way you're hanging from some stairs so don't let go."
~X~
Opening his eyes Zoro found himself indeed hanging from a fire escape stairway, legs dangling over the concrete alleyway floor at least several stories below. With a simple jerk of his arms he swung himself forward and landed on the brick siding jutting out from just below the window. A bit of conjured aura and he was able to place his feet sturdily enough between the cracks of the bricks as he gripped the window sill.
Looking in he found a fancy kitchen that obviously wasn't just for looks judging from the cookware, books and other culinary objects strewn about. A quick glance and Zoro found the earlier disgruntled blond, with a bottle of spiced rum in one hand and a tumbler in the other he poured himself a large glass, knocked it back before slamming bottle and glass down on the black marble counter top. Leaning heavily on his hands he let his head drop as he gave a shaky sigh, hand coming up to run a trembling hand through his hair.
Zoro silently pitied the guy – he'd been there, known what it felt like to feel like the world was falling apart at the seams – despite his overreaction in the alley he didn't begrudge the blond. He probably would've reacted similar if he hadn't known what was going on.
Knowing he was probably headed for a fight, or another escapade of yelling with this man Zoro stilled himself before tentatively knocking on the window.
The man inside visibly jumped, and when he glanced at the window and saw Zoro, he had a kitchen knife in one had and cellphone in the other so fast that Zoro was starting to regret coming through the window. The door probably would've gained a better response.
Zoro cautiously pulled the sunglasses out of his pocket and showed them to the blond. The host looked at them in disbelief, mouth hung open in the clear question of, 'Why the fuck are you returning a stupid pair of sunglasses?!' Zoro gave a nervous smile, ducking his head slightly in apology.
The man inched closer, hooked his toe under the latched and promptly kicked the window open. Zoro caught the single hung window before it could slide closed again and held it open as he grinned in sheepishly at the man who seemed to be contemplating throwing the knife or not.
"You followed me home?!" The man screeched, "Really?! What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"I just came to return your shades and apologize!" Zoro defended as quickly as possible, not needing a knife in his skull at this time of night.
"You found out where I live!" The blond yelled, "Do you even know how creepy that is?! I'll call the fucking cops, I swear!"
"Don't..." Zoro reached out lightly, "Just let me speak. Then I'll leave."
The host was clearly struggling with the decision, curled brow twitching in annoyance as his lips pursed tightly, but Zoro could tell in his eyes that he was curious. Analytically watching Zoro as he seemed to desperately decide whether or not to let Zoro in. Zoro knew the blond was interested; whatever he was dealing with, it was obvious that the blond was near the end of his rope and desperate for answers.
The host eventually seemed to give in and requested sharply, "Empty your pockets."
"Are you mugging me?" Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing that he shouldn't be mocking the skittish blond anymore than necessary but it was almost on instinct that he wanted to piss the man off. It seemed to be the wrong answer because the man's face darkened and he looked about ready to throw the damned knife.
"I said empty your fucking pockets!" He shouted aggressively, "Or get the fuck out. I don't need you pulling out a knife and stabbing me."
"You're the one holding a knife." Zoro pointed out as he obliged and emptied his pockets of his wallet, some loose change, his house and cars keys, a couple receipts, and some gum.
"Yeah, well you're the one who's stalking me." The blond countered as he gazed over the everyday items Zoro had laid out on the window sill. Seemingly satisfied he relaxed his stance and silently allowed Zoro to return the items to his pockets before setting the knife aside on the counter.
"You're probably going to think I'm crazy but stick with me." Zoro started nervously as he finally placed the last of the loose change in his pocket while the host leaned a hip against the counter and levelled Zoro with an unimpressed look that clearly stated exactly how crazy he thought Zoro was.
"I already think you're crazy." The host snorted condescendingly, "I guess listening to your ramblings won't be much harder."
Zoro placed the orange glasses on the white painted window sill before asking the host intently, "These glasses; when you wear them what happens?"
"I've never worn them." He responded as he watched Zoro suspiciously, "I either fall asleep or pass out."
"And you don't find that the least bit odd?" Zoro asked slowly as he edge a foot into the window, the blond twitched slightly but didn't tell him to stop. "Why were you in that alley? Why were you wearing them at the time?"
"I don't know." The blond said and his voice shook lightly, "You drugged me and put them on me? How the fuck should I know?!"
Zoro's eyes narrowed slightly, "And you believe that?"
"What should I believe?!" The man yelled.
"You've realized something is wrong." Zoro began as he brought his other leg up onto the sill and dropped into the kitchen, "You know that something isn't right and right now you're too scared to admit that there might be something out there that is supernatural. That shouldn't be possible but is. And you're scared to admit it because that means that you'll have to confront it."
"You're a fucking nutbar." The blond snatched up the knife once more and held it aloft warningly, "Don't get any closer."
"I know how you feel cause I was there." Zoro continued on as he ignored the knife, "There were hours missing from my memory, I'd pass out for no reason, my body would hurt unbelievably even though I hadn't done anything and there was that feeling like you were always being watched."
At this the man actually looked shocked and the knife lowered slightly, "H-How do you know this?"
"The same happened with him." Zoro untied the bandana from his arm and held it up along with the glasses in the other. "I would pass out and he would take over my mind, he was in control when we were in that alley. Just like this spirit was in control of you."
"Y-you think I'm going to buy this?" The man muttered in slight disbelief, "I've heard of people talking their way out of rape, but this is ridiculous."
"I didn't rape you. I wasn't even aware that I was in that alley until you knocked the bloody bandana off my head and I came to. I was just as confused."
"Spirits in objects." The host snorted derisively as he brought the knife back up, "You're insane!"
"Prove me wrong!" Zoro demanded harshly and thrust the glasses towards the host. "Put them on and stay conscious."
"I don't need to prove anything to you."
Zoro smirked condescendingly, "I knew it. You are scared."
"AM NOT!"
Zoro didn't say anything, he just watched the blond steadily as he held out the shades and waited. The host stared back heatedly for a few moments before he cursed under his breath and set down the cellphone, grabbing the sunglasses. The host honestly looked a little scared for a moment before he snorted and placed them on his face.
"Hap-"
His sentence cut out and his eyes widened for a moment before blinking rapidly.
"Thank fuck." The man sighed heavily, running an annoyed hand through his hair before glancing up at Zoro. Blue eyes that were before widely fearful and distressfully enraged now watched him with a calculating intensity almost as discomforting as Asura's. A small flash of teeth appeared at the corner of the blond's mouth and Zoro had to admit that the sudden change in personality was a little unsettling, "Ah, so you're his host huh?"
"You're the spirit?" Zoro asked carefully as he looked at the man that now had the aura of a completely different person. With a suave attitude and an aura that was easily on par with Asura's, the spirit exuded sensations of massive power that was hidden behind the lanky figure. That same intoxicating yet overwhelming feeling that was felt whenever in the presence of Luffy or when he used Asura's powers.
"No duh, dipshit." The spirit drawled before cocking his head in interest, "So Asura said you'd help me with my host?"
"Yes. I'm Zoro." Zoro introduced stiffly, keeping his tone respectful while addressing the ancient spirit, he extended his hand and the spirit snatched it up in a firm shake before grinning, something mischievous obviously at work behind those innocent blue eyes.
"This is Sanji." The spirit gestured vaguely to the body that he was currently possessing before inclining his head, "I am Prince. What do I need to do?"
Prince asked the question innocently enough, but with those crystal blue eyes studying him so intently, the spirit was no doubt making subtle comparisons between Zoro and Asura. Zoro set his jaw and firmly refused to play into any mind games that the warlock was no doubt tempted to play and instead kept to the matter at hand.
"Most of it is just that I need to convince him." Zoro explained quickly, "I just need you to keep an open mind for when he finally breaks his mental wall."
"I've had an open mind for the past month." Prince offered, a bit of annoyance furrowing his brow, "I don't see how you will be able to convince him."
"I got him to put on the glasses, didn't I?" Zoro bit back and relished in the flash of a nettled expression on the spirit's face before turning toward where he assumed the living area would be, "Follow me."
Prince followed quietly, and didn't seemed nearly as annoyed as he did curious. Blue eyes once more critically examining Zoro; he was however used to Asura doing this on a regular basis and ignored it completely. In the living room Zoro requested Prince stand in front of the couch in case Sanji might pass out when he returned to being in control of his body.
"Now take off the glasses." Zoro commanded.
"Once this is all sorted out," Prince began casually, already reaching up to remove the glasses, "You will let me see Asura, right?"
"You have my word." Zoro promised seriously, meeting the warlock's eyes unblinkingly and it seemed to suffice.
The glass were removed in a swift motion and Sanji was left teetering on his own with the glasses loosely in his fingers as he glanced around the room in confusion. Blue eyes quickly flickering over his surroundings as his brow creased in concern as he muttered quickly, "Wait. How the fuck did I-"
"The spirit."
"I don't... Just..." Sanji dropped the glasses and held his head, he stood there for several moments just shaking and silently muttering to himself. Zoro allowed him the few minutes to try and catalogue all the confusing emotions no doubt rushing through him.
"It's scarey – I get that – but these spirits are part of something much bigger than we could possibly fathom." Zoro explained gently, "And you're a part of it."
The host glanced up and glared daggers at Zoro, his expression dark, "Get out of my house."
"Hey, I just-"
"GET OUT!" The man hollered and picked up a lamp off the reading table and reeling back intending to throw it. Zoro stood frozen for a moment by surprise at the sudden bipolar tendency of the blond mans emotions before leaping into action at the threat of being hit by the ceramic lighting device.
"Holy fuck! Calm down; I'm going!" Zoro defensively held his arms up as he backed toward the door, he reached blindly behind him with one hand before finding the door knob and opening the portal. He quickly pulled out an old receipt and snatched a pen off the mantel by the door, scribbling down the number quickly so he wouldn't get pegged by the lamp. "If you come to your senses then that's my number."
"Like I'd call you, stalker!"
Zoro ducked out of the door and heard the lamp shatter against the other side. He glanced down at the bandanna around his arm, "Your partner sure chose a temperamental host."
The bandana only radiated agreement.
TBC...
A/N:
[1] kata; choreographed patterns of movements(in martial arts it's usually attacks, or throws done in order)
So... This chapter really got away on me. Wasn't expecting it to be this long but oh well :)
