Hello my lovelies! Sorry for the delay! School is killing me with research papers and more math (gross) but I'm finally back!
To Gray Blue Eyed Belle: First of all, thank you. Thank you for your continued support of my stories! It, well, warms my heart (hehe) to read your wonderful reviews, I'm so glad you like my stories so much. And I would also like to apologize to you for what happened to you in the past. That broke my heart, reading what happened to you. I'm so sorry to hear that you also had a bad experience. It sucks, because you're such a good person and I'm absolutely positive that you'd make an amazing writer, and to hear what happened….. That made me mad. You don't deserve that. No one deserves to have their stories trashed, especially on here. We aren't getting paid to write these stories, we're writing them for fun, so people can read and enjoy them. And I hate that people have to flame our stories to make themselves feel bigger. I also hate that they never have the guts to do it while signed into their profile.
Gray Blue Eyed Belle. My advice to you is this: Do not let those asshats get to you. The only reason they have the time to post such horrid reviews is because they want others to feel as small as them. Use those responses to push you forward and make you work harder. Clearly your story was just too good and they were pissy because they knew they couldn't write anything half as amazing as what you'd created. And the ultimate revenge on those people is showing them that they can't break you. Keep writing and keep improving. KEEP ON, CARRY ON! I LOVE YOU SO SHOUTOUT TO YOU YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL! You truly are one of the loveliest of my Lovelies, and I thank you for your kind review. You are a perfect example of the reason why I continue to press forward and write despite the jerks trying to knock me down. You are the kind of person that helps me back to my feet. So I thank you from the bottom to the top of my heart. I dedicate this chapter, future chapters, and even past chapters to you and all the other Lovelies out there that have supported me through this series. Thank you all so much.
And with that said, I know you guys wanna read the story!
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. *gross sobbing*
Enjoy!~
A.~
Previously on Warm My Heart
"Her 'mother' Feira?" Gray nodded. "Yes. A demon may choose a human with enough potential who is worthy of the power, train them to slay demons and then fight them to the death. If the student wins they must kill the demon with their DeathSong and then decide to either rid themselves of magic, or transform into a demon, more powerful than the last."
"What do you mean, choose one with potential? Potential to do what?"
"Kill." Sephtis said simply. "Potential to harness the deepest darkness that resides within all humans. They must have the potential to act on their desire to kill humans."
Now…
When Sera woke up, she had no clue where she was, but stranger still, she didn't wake up screaming. Looking around her she spotted one mother of a dream catcher above her head. Frowning, she sat up and groaned as her head began to pound.
"You might want to drink the lovely mixture that's in the glass beside you." She looked around through squinted eyes and found a black rabbit sitting at her feet.
"Se—… Uh…. Sephtis?" She asked, recalling his name.
"How cruel, you forget me so easily." He said dramatically. She would have rolled her eyes had her head not hurt so bad. "Transforming so many times in such close proximity to each other will be quite taxing and draining." He mused.
"How would you know?" She asked.
"I used to be human." Well….. Can't say she expected that to come from a bunny.
"How long?"
"Far longer than humans can count." He said. "Honestly, drink the mixture." He pointed a paw to it and she turned slowly. On a bedside table there was a glass of murky water.
"It looks like they put dirt in it." She wrinkled her nose.
"It'll likely taste that way too. But it will help your head." He promised. Sighing Sera picked up the glass, and tipped it back, chugging the contents quickly. She coughed and gagged and clamped a hand over her mouth as she set the glass back down. Shaking her head she tried to get over the shuddering phase of tasting something so gross. As a child she'd had her face shoved in dirt many time, and whatever had been in that glass had made the dirt seem like a gourmet meal.
"Clearly," she paused to cough a bit, "you haven't eaten dirt. Ever." She muttered.
"And why would you say that?"
"Because, you'd remember the taste, and this is so much worse." She gagged. If rabbits could roll their eyes, Sera was sure that Sephtis did just then. "Anyway, where am I and what are you doing here?" She asked. He looked at her for a second.
"After you collapsed Gray brought you back to this ungrateful village. As to why I'm here, I thought you'd know that."
"What, did you follow us or something, looking for a rematch?" She asked in confusion.
"Feira never told you?" Sephtis wondered.
"Told me what?"
"Clearly nothing." The rabbit retorted. At Sera's glare he bowed his head and laid down submissively. "Once you hear my DeathSong but allow me to live my life becomes yours. I will do as you command until the day you kill me, or the day you die. I will serve you loyally in whatever way you wish." He informed her.
"What?" Sera looked confused and surprised at the same time. "Why?"
"Because you spared me. My life should have ended on that mountain but you prolonged it. Therefore the time I have been granted now belongs to you." He explained.
"O—kay…." Sera drawled. "I still don't really understand it…. But, basically, you're like my familiar now?" She asked.
"Is that what Feira called it?"
"Well, she said that if I ever came across a demon and managed to tame it, it would probably become my familiar. But I had no clue you could tame a demon. I thought she was telling me something impossible." She shrugged. Sephtis shook his bunny head, his ears flopping back and forth.
"You are strange girl. Being able to transform back and forth between demon and human whenever you please, and not knowing much about demon culture. How old were you when you fought Feira?"
"How did you know about—"
"It's demon Law. You were supposed to take her place as a more powerful demon after you defeated her, yet you're still undecided. That ice mage and I talked about it while he was carrying you back."
"You told him about Feira?" She exclaimed.
"Yes." Sera groaned and flopped back onto the mattress, covering her face with her hands. "What's the problem?" Sephtis asked.
"Now he's gonna think even worse of her! Making a thirteen year old fight to the death? He definitely won't understand it!"
"I think I explained demon culture to him well enough in the three days we had to talk." Sephtis shrugged.
"Wait, back up, three days? I've been out for three days!?" She exclaimed. The rabbit nodded. "Holy crap….." She whispered.
"How often have you turned?" Sephtis asked. "List the times you've transformed, how close together were they?"
"I dunno. I transformed twice about a week ago, well actually three times, but I used a smaller form then, didn't make myself so big, and there wasn't any fire so it didn't drain too much magic, then again for two of the transformations I had help using a magic restoration cuff. And then…. I transformed to try and stop that avalanche you caused….. I guess six days ago now, and then I transformed three days ago to fight you." She muttered. Sephtis managed to look shocked even though he was a rabbit.
"That many times….. So closely grouped…. Serafina, it is a miracle you are not dead or ripped to burning shreds yet!" He exclaimed.
"What do you mean?"
"A Demon Slayer can never stay a Demon Slayer. They must make a choice whether to transform into a demon or give up magic forever. But you…. How long have you been training, and how long have you been transforming?" He asked.
"Well…. Feira found me when I was real young—I was only four years old when she took me in, and I trained with her until I was thirteen, and I learned to transform into a Kitsune….. Maybe three years into training?" She frowned. "So I think it's been," she blew out a breath, puffing out her cheeks briefly in the process, "ten years since I learned how?"
"By my ice, you've been transforming back and forth for that long?" She nodded. "How are you not dead?" He asked.
"I dunno….. Is it really that weird?" She asked.
"I've never heard of a human or demon fledgling being able to transform over twice at the most. To transform so many times, so close together, for so long….. You shouldn't have made it out of childhood."
"Wow, on that comforting thought, I think I'll drop this subject." Sera muttered.
"Bu—"
"No." She snapped, tossing the blankets off. Sephtis was buried in the folds and tried to wriggle his way out. By the time he managed it she was up and heading to the door. He hopped off of the bed and followed after her. "Got any idea where Gray is?" She asked, opening the door to the hallway.
"I do not, I've stayed with you this whole time." She sighed at that. "By the way, I suppose it would be as good a time as any to say that you lack a shirt." He said. Sera looked down and realized he was right. She didn't have a shirt and she was wearing just a pair of shorts, but…
"Well, I've got bandages covering me. Good enough until I can find someone to buy some clothes from." She shrugged. "I just wish I knew where Gray was. It's weird being here alone."
"Excuse you." Sephtis said indignantly.
"Okay, not alone alone. But you should have known what I meant." She pouted. "Anyways, I guess I'll go look for him." She muttered, heading down the hallway and turning into another one.
"Other way." Sephtis watched as she turned around and marched the other way. "Left." He said when she made for the door on the right. With a huff Sera turned again and opened the door to the left. The demon followed closely behind her so he wouldn't get stuck in the house. However he realized he shouldn't have worried because once the pinkette stepped through the door she made sure to hold it open for him.
"Thank you." He sounded surprised. Sera nodded and then let the door close behind him. The first thing she noticed about being outside was the fact that the sun was shining and it was actually warm.
"All the snow's gone." She mused.
"Yes. That ice mage said that you'd want it gone when you woke up so I let it melt." Sephtis sounded a tad bit pouty. She had to smile as she reached down and scooped him up into her arms. She kissed his head much to his displeasure. "Hey! Just because I've joined you doesn't mean you can treat me like a pet!" He huffed.
"Sorry, but you're just too cute when you're all pouty." She cooed, hugging him to her. He grumbled and she was sure that he would blush if he could, which made her laugh. "Thank you for getting rid of the snow. Don't worry, when we get back to Magnolia I'll make sure you can have your own little snowy wonderland, just….. No more avalanches okay?" She asked.
"Fine." He sighed exasperatedly. She smiled and put him on top of her head. "You're one strange fledgling." Sephtis muttered.
"How so? And I'd prefer it if you called me by my name."
"I cannot. It is against the rules."
"There's rules for this?"
"Yes. Unspoken laws."
"That's weird. Anyways, just don't call me fledgling okay? Now, what's so strange about me?"
"Why did you put me on your head?" He asked, tapping his forepaw onto her forehead.
"Because I'm going to be walking all over this tribe, and I don't want you getting tired. You can't very well go into your true demon form, it's much too big and you'd trample these people, and being so small, I figured you might tire easier. So I put you on my head." She shrugged.
"Oh." He seemed surprised once again.
"What is it? Why are you so surprised all the time?" Sera wondered.
"Well, no one has ever treated me well." He mumbled. "Even as a human I wasn't given such care or consideration. That's partly why I chose to become a demon." At this Sera frowned.
"Well, that's not right. I don't care if you're a demon, human, dragon, god, or whatever else. Everyone should respect everyone and care for their fellow beings." She huffed. "Just to be clear, if you're gonna stick with me like you said—"
"A demon does not go back on their word and I vowed to myself that I will serve you until one or both of us dies."
"Well, that's not gonna work for me. You won't serve me. You can be my companion, or my familiar, but never my servant. I don't want to ever degrade a person that way." She mumbled.
"O-okay…." He mumbled in surprise.
"Anyways, if you're gonna be my familiar, then I promise I will take care of you if you take care of me. Got it? We're partners, equals, and I'll cover your back if you cover mine." She promised. The black rabbit nodded. Things got quiet between the two, and Sera walked through the village, trying to catch the scent of fresh snow and peppermint.
She caught the scent half way through the village after diving between huts and houses to avoid villagers, just so they wouldn't see her and bow or something.
"What are you doing?" Sephtis asked as she hid behind yet another hut.
"These Villagers are worshippers of Feira."
"And they think you are her?"
"Yes."
"So bask in their worship! You have conquered Feira, you are her rightful heir!" Sephtis exclaimed.
"Shh! I don't want their worship! I'm no goddess, I'm not even a demon. I'm just a-a…. A…." She frowned. What was she exactly?
"You are a Slayer. You refuse the titles demon, demon fledgling, or human. You are a Demon Slayer."
"But I don't slay demons either. I think I proved that." She huffed.
"Then we shall make a new title for you. You are hereby a Demon Tamer Serafina Lee. After all you have tamed the mighty Sephtis Cai." He said proudly. Sera giggled.
"Simmer down Sephtis. Demon Tamer makes me sound like I belong in a circus. I think I'll stick with Demon Slayer. I may not slay demons but I have the power, potential, and ability to. I know some Dragon Slayers that wouldn't dare harm a dragon anyways, so I think it's more that you have the ability to." She shrugged and peeked around the side of the hut. "Coast is clear." She smiled and walked back out into the street, following the scent she was so familiar with.
"So, is that Ice Mage boy courting—"
"Can you speak a little more modern? No one uses courting anymore besides demons." She teased.
"You are trying to change the subject. But as you wish, to get back on track I will try to be more 'modern'." He said the word like he despised it.
"Are you sure you can?" She joked.
"What's going on between you and that Ice Mage?" He asked. She pouted.
"We're… Friends." She forced out.
"Seems like you would like to be more than friends."
"How would you know?" She scoffed.
"By how hot your head is getting, I'm almost positive that you're blushing." Sephtis chuckled.
"I will throw you off of my head." She warned.
"Well, answer my question and I'll drop it." He promised. She sighed.
"I'm completely, hopelessly, in love with him."
"So tell him."
"You said you'd drop it!"
"Well now I'm curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat ya know."
"Then it's a good thing I'm a rabbit." He said smugly. She growled lowly and blew steam out of her nose as she hid behind a house to wait for a group of people to pass.
"Fine. What else do you want to know, you nosy bunny?" She grumbled.
"Have you told him?"
"No, of course not." She scoffed. "Especially after what happened last ni-…. Well three nights ago now I guess." She mumbled.
"What happened three nights ago?"
"I'm not sure you'd approve." She grumbled.
"Why?"
"How long ago did you become a demon?"
"It is too far back to count the years."
"Oh yeah, you definitely wouldn't approve." She muttered.
"I like to think that I've adapted to the changing of times. Besides, in your modern speak, when you become a demon you kind of lose most of your morality." He joked. She snorted.
"Who'd've thought." She muttered.
"Now, back on topic. What happened three nights ago?" Sera sighed harshly, knowing he wouldn't drop it until she answered.
"We slept together." She muttered. Sephtis was quiet.
"I don't understand the issue." He said. She rolled her eyes. "Why is sleeping together a big event?"
"Wait… What do you think I mean by the term 'sleeping together'?" She asked.
"Sharing a bed and sleeping. That's what it's always meant. Yes in my day it was scandalous but times are different, so I thought it might have changed." Sera smacked her palm against her forehead.
"It's not a big deal if it's just sleep. But we didn't just sleep." She muttered, hoping he would get the hint.
"I do not follow." She felt like facepalming again as her cheeks flamed.
"We had sex." She muttered. Silence. Sephtis didn't even move on her head. She sighed and looked around to make sure nobody was around before walking back out into the main street. "Dammit, where the hell is he? It doesn't smell like I'm getting close to him at all!" She growled lowly. Suddenly she caught a fresher trail of his scent and raced after it like she was scared to lose him.
"You…. And him….."
"Yes!" She huffed. "Now you understand the problem?"
"Have times truly not changed from when I was human? Back then it was sinful, but I figured that by now…"
"Well, it's not sinful or really all that uncommon now, but…. It made things completely awkward." She muttered.
"How so?"
"Well…." She explained the whole wine bottle situation. "And in the morning he said it was a mistake, but…. I mean, he started it, so…"
"You don't know what to think." Sephtis finished.
"Pretty much." Sera sighed. "Look can we just sto—" She was so busy talking to Sephtis that she didn't look where she was going and ran into a hard cold chest. "Oh, s-sorry!" She said quickly as she stumbled back.
"Sera? What are you doing up? What are you wearing?" Gray's voice asked. She looked up and flushed when she found Gray looking at her in surprise.
"I think the appropriate question is, 'What are you both lacking?' "Sephtis chuckled. They both seemed to notice for the first time that Gray was also missing a shirt. Sera blushed and tried not to look, but it was difficult when he was so frickin perfect!
"Damn, when did that happen?" He asked.
"Don't ask us, we just found you." Sephtis snorted.
"Hush you." Sera grumbled. "Anyways, it took me long enough to find you, I'm surprised you're still this dressed." She snorted.
"Mr. Fullbuster! I found your—" A girl was running up to him, and she looked to be just a bit older than Sera, but she stopped abruptly when she caught sight of the pinkette behind him as the ice mage turned to face her. The girl immediately dropped the shirt and jacket she'd been carrying—clearly Gray's—and dropped to her knees to bow and mumble a prayer in front of Sera.
"Oh….. This is so uncomfortable." Sera whispered.
"You should be basking in the praise! They wish you to be their god!" Sephtis said proudly.
"Shush. Not helping!" The pinkette snapped as she got down on a knee and took the girl's hands. The girl cried out in surprise and joy.
"The goddess has touched me!" She exclaimed.
"Shhh, I'm not your goddess!" Sera said, trying to make sure they didn't attract any more attention.
"Too late." Sephtis said, a little too happily for Sera's tastes. Everyone was coming out of their huts to crowd around Sera, Gray, and the girl that was down on her knees.
"Sephtis, I love you, but I will drop kick you into the ocean." The pinkette warned. The rabbit shut up at the mention of 'love'.
"Feira reborn! We are glad you have woken! Tonight we feast in honor of our Goddess's return!" The chief announced as he weaved through the crowd to stand before Sera. He bowed before her and offered her his hand.
"Sir, please I—"
"If you would honor me and take my hand." He requested quietly. She sighed and placed her hand in his unceremoniously. "Thank you for the blessing."
"I need to speak with you. In private." Sera's request sounded more like a command.
"Of course." He nodded. "If you'll follow me, we can speak in the grand hall." He pointed to a group of elderly women and spoke in his native tongue to them. They nodded and swarmed Gray while Sera followed the chief.
"What are they gonna do to him?" She asked with a sort of detached interest as she watched them herd him away.
"Prepare him for the feast." The chief smiled.
"Prepare how? Is he a human sacrifice or something?" She snorted.
"No, no. Not unless you want him to be." The chief smiled and she couldn't tell if he was joking or not. She supposed she didn't want to find out. "Now, right this way please." He smiled, opening the door for her. She nodded slightly in thanks and walked inside.
Oooooo, I wonder what they're going to talk about! REVIEW and tell me your theories!
UNTIL NEXT TIME MY LOVELIES!
A.~