Whatever was sending those monsters must have sensed their presence as he got the sensation that he was sending more and more.
"Ack! How much power does this thing has left?!", Ranmaru cursed after crunching a creature's ribcage.
"Much it seems, as soon as we entered the mountain the number of monsters increased", El nodded setting fire on a group of them.
"… How are you faring?", Ranmaru turned slight.
"Fine", her lips trembled, her breath hitching in a way that she struggled to event talk.
She tried her best to not show it, but it was clear that she was making a constant effort to use her power.
"…Leave it to us", Ranmaru pated her head before using another shot to kill his enemies.
"But…!", she tried to aim to shot another enemy, only to Ranmaru beat her to the punch again.
"We may need your strength later so it will be troublesome if you faint now", he seemed annoyed as he took another creature by the neck and snapped it without looking, "so stop being stubborn and just keep following us"
She hesitated for a second, but before she could say something a person took her off the ground, carrying her on his arms.
"Listen to him, he's only concerned", smiled El.
"… What are you doing?"
"I'm tired too, differently from you I had to fight everyday with almost no rest", the red headed replied, "I will carry her so she wouldn't collapse so you can fight for us"
"WE HAVE A GREAT AMOUNT OF ENEMIES AHEAD YOU LAZY ASS!"
"It's a straight and narrow corridor, just blast everything you see ahead!"
"You… Grr… Fine!", he mumbled again as he stepped on the corridor and blasted whatever tried to get on his way, "You better have the meat and food prepared when we get out of this"
"Yes, thanks", El nodded.
"You two get along well", commented Haruka.
"Yeah, we're friend since ever, so we pick one thing or another", he nodded, "His words may sound harsh but there was a hidden meaning beneath it, he just doesn't know how to express himself"
"Hum…"
"I think one day you will know how to handle him", he laughed, "Be patient, you just took the first step"
They went to another section of the mountain, getting closer and closer to the core.
"It's dark here, I barely can see anything", Ranmaru took slow steps, straining his other senses so he wouldn't be caught off guard.
"I can help with that", a voice whispered.
There was great flash of purple light as flames were floating around them, revealing a man in dark purple robes sitting on the cavern's floor and giving a bored look.
"You look exhausted", the figure pointed out, standing and dusting his clothes, "That's… Good"
"Are you the one who's sending these monsters to my village?", El placed Haruka gently on the floor and took a step.
"Yes, it was a bait", he shrugged, "Master Eiichi wanted he to come here"
His gaze fell on her.
"Why does he have such a interest on her?", Ranmaru frowned.
"I don't know, and it isn't my place to ask"
"So you follow him blindly like a puppet?"
"I'm a puppet, I have no choice", the man didn't look bothered, "Even this mission… He sent me here to be killed by the girl"
"He… What?!", Haruka gasped.
"I'm a messenger", his eyes shone for a second, turning into violet, a grin appearing on his face, "Show me the sight that I was never able to forget"
They stepped back.
His voice changed?!
"Been a while little angel", the man grinned.
"…Eiichi", Haruka frowned, standing between the possessed man and the Executioners.
"You seem a bit tired~ Do you think you can fight me in this condition?"
"I will try my best", she called her force again. The tip of her fingers glowing.
"Huh, you changed", the man chuckled, his dark aura getting stronger, "When we fought you were just a scared rabbit that was trying to defend herself, but now… Now you have a fierce blaze in your eyes… I like it"
He shot a massive arrow of energy, being defended by Haruka.
It started the exchange of blows, both flinging energy back and forth with an incredible amount of power, always in movement, the two entities were fast and fought mid air to the surprise of Ranmaru and El.
"Huhuhuh, nice, you're using your defensive powers to block my attacks so you won't be affected by the burden of it hum~? But I wonder how long you can hold like that"
An attack breached the shield, grazing the side of her body.
"Ah!", she let a shriek as she landed on the ground.
"I got much stronger", he laughed, approaching her,"You need to get serious too"
Then a blast caught his back.
"What…", he turned, seeing the silver guardian glaring at him.
"We are here too scumbag", Ranmaru charged another shot, trying to hit the possessed man at point blank, but missing, "You sure did a list of immeasurable sins as my power is reacting strongly to it"
"Hahaha, I don't bother with small flies", he shook his head, looking amused, "But I can give you credit for turning my dear angel into… A fine killing machine, the other idiots who handled her only hindered her potential"
"What did you say?", Ranmaru snarled.
"Everything was prepared for you Haruka", Eiichi ignored the other, "I want to see that sight again, the great entity that holds the beautiful power to tear her enemies to limbs!"
"… I'm not that kind of entity", Haruka shook her head, "I'm not like you"
"But you can ignore your aversion to killing", he smiled again, "Like every enemy I sent you to kill and how this man, that I'm possessing, will be killed by your own hands"
"I won't do it, I will free him of your control", she stood straight, assuming her dignified posture again, "I can sense it, he's a human, he can't hold all of your power"
"Yes, you're right, he can't", his eyes glinted with something dangerous, which made her be on the edge, "That's why, I'm going to overuse my power and just let this body explode for all I care"
"You wouldn't…!", she gasped, summoning her power as fast as she could to hold the other's power back.
"… You're too naive", he grinned summoning all of his power and throwing on another direction.
"Gah!"
"El!", both Ranmaru and Haruka called.
"I placed a curse on him", Eiichi said calmly, while the red haired warrior screamed in pain, "This power… Will eat him alive, and the only way to stop it is if you kill this body"
"I…"
"I will give you 5 seconds to decide, or I will make my power, now stored on his, blow his human flesh apart"
"Like hell I will let you!", Ranmaru tried to punch the other, only to be violently thrown on the floor.
"1... 2… "
"Ugh!", Haruka started to gather her energy, but feeling exhausted and mentally and physically weak after forcing herself to use destructive power only made it harder to gather the amount necessary to stop the demon.
I need to do it! I don't want to repeat the same thing again!
"3… 4…5", he clicked, his tongue, "Well, it seems that you're putting a brave effort, but I guess you are too emotionally exhausted to defy your nature right now… Well, what a shame"
"… I said that you won't do anything as long as I'm here!", Ranmaru launched another blast.
Eiichi didn't look fazed and just crunched the power.
With a shift movement he held Ranmaru by the neck.
"You know, you're starting to piss me off"
"Really? You too are pissing me off", he smirked, showing the back of his hand where the white seal started to glow, "Now!"
I don't want to see the same thing repeating again.
I don't want to taste despair as I lose more friends and family members.
I don't want to feel powerless and guilty for not being strong again.
Haruka felt it, the strong determination and heart of the silver guardian helping her overcome her own limitations. Power running through her body will full force.
"Eiichi!", she called.
"Hum!"
She landed a blow on the arm that was holding Ranmaru, who coughed as soon as he hit the floor, his eyes turning to her as she nodded with determination.
She shot again, sending the body of the possessed man far.
"Nice blast…", Eiichi stood up, cleaning the blood on the corner of his mouth, "Well, it was worth seeing you like this again"
"This isn't fun"
"Oh, for me it is", he smirked, "I hear about the properties of the White Seal… Are you suffering a lot?"
She flinched, and she could sense through the seal that Ranmaru hesitated a bit.
"… I'm fine"
"Huhu, you're a bad liar Haruka, I can see you can barely stand"
"…"
"I will be nice and let you rest until you're properly prepared to fight me on your own"
"… What are you planning?"
"I beg your pardon?", he looked at her with false innocence.
"I can sense something wrong, and I know you wouldn't do it in good will"
"Huhuh, you got sharper too", he placed his hand on her face, "I do have plans, but it will be on hold until I solve some personal matters"
He held her chin aggressively.
"But you're right, I won't do it for free"
He pressed his mouth firmly against hers.
Haruka's eyes widened.
Eiichi pulled apart, clearly satisfied with the effect.
… And then, someone kicked his side hard, flinging him to the other side of the cavern.
"You make me sick", Ranmaru had a throbbing vein while he accumulated the energy on his hands, "I think you can't hold my attacks back now that you received an attack from her, so I will be sure to tear you to limbs"
He was pissed, angry and annoyed.
He didn't know what the hell went through them, but after hours and hours of protecting his village, being ignored by his enemy and having his friend almost killed put him on his limit.
And knowing that all this chaos was just because he wanted to make the girl suffer made him snap.
Haruka felt a jolt of new emotions as the White Seal wasn't shut off, and got surprised to feel protectiveness flooding from her guardian.
"Heh, and once again, you charmed another man", Eiichi smirked, "Honestly, if I didn't know what you were I would have thought that you were a succubus"
"Shut up", Ranmaru growled, landing a definitive blow.
"Ranmaru!"
"It's ok, the man he possessed was working for him since the beginning", he turned back to her, "… Besides, I rather let this miserable die than let him kill my friend"
"Huh…"
"Do you want to complain about something?", he arched an eyebrow.
"It's… The White Seal is still active", she stuttered.
He blinked several times before he looked back at his glowing hand.
"Oh… Right, sorry for that", he canceled the seal as Haruka breathed in relief.
It took a long and awkward pause before one of them started the conversation.
"… You're still standing"
"Y-Yes"
"… How things went this time?"
"Well… It was very different from the first time", she smiled placing a hand on her heart, "There was no strange and forceful feelings trying to override my will, only the desire to be able to protect someone helping me to override my own limitations"
"… I see", he nodded, "Did it hurt?"
"A bit, but like I said before, it hurt less than if I tried to use the power by myself".
"Huh, good then"
"Thanks for your concern", she bowed.
"I-I didn't…!"
"You can't deny it, the White Seal was active when I felt your protectiveness towards me", she chuckled when he flushed at her answer and looked at the other side.
"…"
"You know, if you're more sincere when the White Seal is on I wouldn't mind if you let it be always active", she teased.
"As if, I still don't trust you", he glared, before his gaze softened a bit, "… But I will keep in mind to think about your feelings if it makes things easier"
"Ranmaru…", she whispered softly, her golden eyes meeting his gaze.
"Hey you two!"
They broke contact, turning to the source of the voice.
"I let you two have your time, but now can you help me?", El cried, still on the floor, "I fought a lot, was blasted by a powerful energy and my insides almost blew up! I could use a hand here!"
-00-
"How are you feeling my child?", asked the Elder as she cleaned the dust and mud that got stuck on her face.
"… I'm fine", Haruka nodded, "I used my power to heal us"
"No, I'm talking about your heart", she pointed, "You look distressed"
"…"
"You don't need to talk if you don't feel like it", she shook her head, "Besides… I should apologize for increasing your burden speaking nonsense, but it's just that…"
"It's ok", she shook her head, "… Elder"
"Yes?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes, you can trust me", the old woman smiled, "I wouldn't tell even to my son… Or that child"
"Ok", she looked serious, "I will tell you what I am"
-00-
He really needs to report back to the headquarter and tell them that he accomplished his mission, but his body was so sore and tired that he didn't have the willpower to do so, as it would almost means that he would have a mission to go.
Ugh, I know I need to save people, but I'm in no shape to do that now, besides, because this place is so damn isolated from the world I would need to find the nearest city to call them.
Yes, he would contact them as soon as he had his nap.
Ranmaru…
A voice called.
"Oh for the love of… What?", he deadpanned as one of the mirrors on the room started to give static, making a blurry vision appear.
"Kurosaki Ranmaru, did you finish your mission?"
"Yeah, I was going to report as soon as I rested", he yawned, "What do you want Ai?"
"… Is she with you?"
"What?"
"Nanami Haruka"
"Yes, why?", he arched an eyebrow, "And how the hell did you manage to contact me?"
"I used one of the magical artifacts to contact you as you were sent to a place where cell phones doesn't work", he shrugged, "But that isn't the point"
"… Don't tell me that she needs to be sent again?", he frowned, "I know she isn't human, but she's tired too"
"… Don't worry, it isn't a mission", the cyan haired male answered, his tone of voice vague, "I will only borrow her for the time being"
"What?", he deadpanned.
Ai showed the White Seal on his hand.
"I will summon her so it will be less troublesome"
"Wait a second Ai!", he snapped, standing up only for the image to disappear again, "Dammit! What is he thinking?"
-00-
Haruka blinked in confusion.
Seconds ago she was in a room, speaking with the Elder before a strong light enveloped her and threw her in a strange and deserted place.
"… Where am I?"
"On the most secluded part of the city, it's very early, so no one will be here"
She looked at the source of the voice, and was surprised to see the cyan guardian.
"A-Ai?"
"Good Morning", he nodded.
"Good Morning", she replied, still stunned, "How…"
"I used the White Seal to teleport you here", he explained, showing the sigil, "… We usually don't use the Seal like that for long distances as it takes a toll on the user, but I think I had enough energy to spare"
"A-Ah…", she was still confused.
Why did he summon her? Was she needed to another mission?
"Did you call me because we need to go on a mission?"
"No", he shook his head.
"Then… Why?"
"You once asked me to have a casual activity with you", he said, as if it explained everything.
…Which it didn't.
"Yes, but why now?"
"With the increase of enemies It would be difficult to have a casual day", was the reply, "As soon as I finished my mission I contacted Ranmaru to tell him that I would summon you, and even now I may be called by Saotome to go on a mission, so our time may be short"
"Oh… I see…", she nodded looking at her tattered dress and the cut on the side caused by the earlier fight, "… But I am hardly in condition to go out"
"It's fine", he nodded, "I know a small shop near here that sell some clothes, so we can buy something"
"We?"
"I was on a mission", he pointed to the rips on his jacket, "I also need to change myself or we will attract attention"
"… That makes sense"
"… Here", he touched her cheek, sending her a bit of energy, "Ranmaru said that you were tired, so I'm taking a bit of your wariness and turning into energy"
"Thanks", she blushed again as his touch left her.
"Your muscles will still be sore", he nodded, "…But I only ask you to bear with it a bit more. As soon as I get called on a mission I will ask someone to pick you so you can have a proper rest"
"Thanks for being thoughtful", she gave him a weak smile as she was still stunned by the fast change of events.
… But he didn't smile.
"Ai…?"
"Did something happen?"
"Hum?"
"Your feeling are in turmoil", he pointed.
Oh, she forgot. He could sense her distress because of his powers.
"Yes, but don't worry", she shook her head, "I won't let it spoil your time off"
He arched an eyebrow, but didn't question her. Nodding, he just motioned her to follow him.
I am a bit glad that he doesn't force me to say anything but… She sighed, He still acts so cold.
"Did I do something?"
"S-Sorry?", she looked startled.
"You seemed annoyed", he replied, "And I could sense that it was directed towards me"
"N-No!", she shook her head.
"If you want to say something you should say so", he said, "I'm not like the others, even if I can sense what you are feeling I can't tell what are the reasons behind them"
"Hum…", she started playing with her fingers, "It's just… Your reaction can be very cold sometimes"
"Cold?"
"Y-Yes, you don't react at all"
"I just don't make a fuss over things like Reiji, be explosive like Ranmaru or… I don't know what word can be used to describe Camus, but he can be pretty blunt when he wants"
"Oh…"
"What's exactly bothering you?", he asked again.
"I don't know, it just that makes me feels uncomfortable how you act like you don't care most of the time?"
The guardian paused, placing his hand on his chin as if he was pondering about the question.
He stood there for a long time, and Haruka almost found it comical as he started frowning like he was thinking of the meaning of life.
"I suppose…", his frown decreased, his voice unsure, "I care?"
… What kind of answer was that?
"I don't know, I barely feel anything most of the time so I really can't tell what I am exactly feeling", he answered, "But I can tell that I feel differently around you, does that answer anything?"
It was almost adorable how confused he looked.
"I don't know", she shook her head, feeling a bit amused, "You just feel different about me right? You even find me annoying and hate me"
"I don't hate you", he gave a blunt answer, "I don't ever felt like hurting you and the thought didn't pass on my mind"
"Oh, so what does it pass on your mind?", she teased, smiling, "Like you said, I wouldn't understand until you speak your mind"
"I…", he paused again, thinking for a bit before he answered, "I don't know, ever since our last talk the only thing on my mind was about your request and how I could fulfill it"
Her heart skipped a beat, feeling touched that he thought so much about what she said.
"… I'm glad that you cared so much", she opened a smile.
"I do?", he looked baffled, "Well, if you say so…"
He shrugged.
He's very bad at understanding himself, but can be pretty sincere too, she chuckled, it kind of makes me feel at ease
"…Let's go already", he offered his hand.
"Hum?"
"We don't have a lot of time together" he said, his face having a faint tint of pink, "… I want to show you something that I definitely like"
-00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000-
Ok, I know what you are thinking, but I didn't expect to take so long to end Ranmaru's part.
LOL, Eiichi trolled everyone(as always) and took Haruka's kiss, sorry QN, now we can only bet who will be the first of you to kiss Haruka.
Well, Ai's fans, don't worry, next chapter will be sorely focused on him and MAYBE (emphasis on maybe) put a bit of Aine somewhere. Be prepared, Ai is a big dork on this fic, so I may kill you with his clueless fluffiness!
…
REVIEW TIME!
WinterSkye1827- Can't help, but love rainbow boys right?XD
InnocentSerenade- HAHAHA, I like fluffy momments, besides, the fandom makes it cannon, thanks to Fanfics for fixing my heart XD
PassionMusic- "I would love to take people life away"- slight backs down.
Masato is always cool, and they are STARISH, they are made of kittens, rainbows and happiness, so of corse it would be a bit cute!XD
The answer to your question is in plain sight MWHAHAHAHAHA, No problem dear, review when you feel like it.