Hello once again, everyone! If you haven't noticed, I basically decided to screw the whole "weekly release" thing. I'll just release new chapters whenever I feel up to it, which I find to be much more efficient. At least, for me it is. Also, thanks for any reviews and comments! Now, let's get back to the story, shall we?

Chapter 11-Punishment

"So, you three feel like causing any more trouble?"

York was standing over the small pile of bodies on the floor. The three fleet members were on the ground, groaning in pain.

"No… Just don't do da ting where ya twist me arm like that anymore! It ain't natural!" one of the men pleaded.

"Alright, good. Now get outta here." The three scurried out the door, tripping over each other as they went.

"Well, York, looks like you haven't gotten any worse at fighting," a gruff, familiar voice said from behind him. York turned to face the man. "Felix! It's been ages!" York exclaimed.

Felix was an older hunter York had befriended when he was just starting out as a hunter. The man had a long grey beard and grey hair, along with many wrinkles on his face. His face was riddled with scars, the most prominent being the three claw marks on the right side of his head. He wore heavy black armor made from an Akantor, with a massive sword on his back. Even with his age, the old man didn't show a single sign of letting up.

"Hah! I'm glad you haven't forgotten these old bones yet, kid!" Felix stated. "Where were you all these years? You just completely dropped off the grid!" York asked.

"A few higher ranked missions for the Guild, my boy. You know the works. They don't exactly want me talking about them, though." York understood; some missions the Guild issued were more like top secret orders. "Still, what brings you to Moga?"

"I heard there were some new monsters around here, and that a certain pupil of mine was in the area," Felix said with a wink. "Now, I wonder where he is…" The two laughed and recalled some of their past hunts.

"Well, I'd love to stay, but I gotta run," York said after a few minutes. "I told Dustin I'd be back soon, so better not break that promise." Chances are he told Rose too, and I really don't need her on my case. "Alright, I'll see you 'round the hunting grounds, lad!" Felix said before letting out a loud echoing laugh.

"The old man sure does love to hunt. I would have thought he'd have retired by now," York thought as he ran home. The sun was beginning to dip into the horizon, dying the town a bright orange. Oddly, there weren't many people out; only a couple hunters returning from the woods. One of them seemed to stare at York as he ran past, but he paid them no heed; last time he showed up late from a bar fight, Rose locked him out of the house all night until he apologized next morning.

York ran towards the front door, but before he could reach it, the door flung open! His momentum still carrying him, York ran head long into Rose, both of them falling back into the house with a crash.

"Oww… York, what the hell?" Rose asked. "Uh, sorry Rose. I didn't expect you to open the door right then." "Well, I accept your apology, but do you mind getting off me?"

York suddenly realized that he had fallen on top of Rose. "Oh, uh, s-sorry about that," he quickly said as he got up. He helped her to her feet as well before she slapped him across the face!

"Ow! Okay, I thought you forgave me! What the heck was that for?" he said, rubbing his probably red cheek. "Well, you were late coming home again! You told Dustin you'd be ten minutes. It was almost twenty before you got back! I actually thought you got beaten up, and was about to head out and look for you!" Rose said, slightly annoyed.

Dustin suddenly peeked his head in from the kitchen, with an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry, York. I find it really hard to lie to her."

Yeah, you're not the only one, York thought to himself. "Well, I'm sorry for making you worry. I ran into Felix at the tavern, so we spent some time catching up."

"Seriously? The old man's still hunting?" Rose asked. She had known Felix almost as long as York had, and she considered him to be almost like a grandparent. "So it would seem. But anyways, do you remember where I left my old hunters armor? Lumin thought it might fit Dustin." Rose winced in a similar way that York had earlier at the mention of the armor. "Yeah, I think it's in the spare chest."

"May as well bring the whole thing out, then." York went to a small closet and pulled out the box. He slid it across the floor before stopping by Dustin's bed. "Alright, here. Come get suited up."

Dustin practically ran York down as he hurried over to the chest. Rose giggled at the sight before going into the kitchen. Soon, Dustin stood clothed in York's old armor.

"Alright Dustin, the suit's all yours. I just have one request of you." York said. "Yeah, sure. What's up?"

"Don't lose this armor. It's gotten me through more scraps than almost anything else." York had a solemn look on his face; one Dustin had never thought he'd ever see. It quickly disappeared though, replaced by a grin. "Cause if you do, you're going to have to pay me back, big time."

Rose stepped into the living room, carrying a small bowl of stew she had made. "Wow, Lumin was right! That armor fits you like a glove!" She said as she looked him up and down.

Her gaze fell on the armor's torso, still showing signs of the large gash that had been rent through it by the Nargacuga before it had been repaired. She shuddered a bit at the memory, but still kept a good expression on her face.

"And I think I have a pair of Jaggid Shotels in there too. Just don't swing them around in the house; last thing I need is a sword through the walls." York said. He began hungrily eying the bowl in Rose's hands. "Hey, Rose, did you happen to make enough of that for all of us?"

"Actually, as punishment for you being late, I gave Dustin your helping," she said with a sly smile on her face. "Okay, did I really deserve that harsh of a punishment? I'm starving!" York said, somewhat exasperated.

"Would you rather I had dealt with you the way I deal with Hugh?"

"…Point taken."