It became an unspoken agreement that, should the major events in the Shaman Fight be more than what they had prepared for, they were to convene at the inn the Funbari no Onsen team had rented.

The place was spacious - full of rooms for guests to recuperate and an onsen to relax the tired muscles. Plus, the fridge was always packed with snacks that filled the stomachs to their content. And if one was looking for something else to eat, the resident cooks were always ready to serve. Most of all, the people in the inn were always so warm. Accommodating. Friendly. Three things one would hardly see in this to-the-death tournament.

Thus, it wasn't a surprise that when Lyserg Diethel knocked on the inn's doors one fine morning, his forehead wet with cold sweat and his eyes dazed, he was immediately welcomed inside, a cup of calming tea already brewed and served for the young detective-to-be and a cushion lovingly patted by a cooing Ryu.

Lyserg didn't even bother with Ryu's obvious flirting, as per usual, although he took one sip of the tea before he slowly and shakingly narrated his story to Team Funbari and Team The Ren. When he was done, he took another swig of his tea and downed it in a mere second. The moment he put his cup down, he was greeted by wide eyes and grim faces. Lyserg stared at them all, sure that his own visage mirrored their apparent panic.

It was HoroHoro who broke the silence with a sigh.

"Pirika knows a medicine or two." He said, looking at his sister who sat next to him.

At the mention of her name, Pirika jumped, staring at Lyserg - particularly at his starched-white uniform - with unease. She immediately looked away when she locked eyes with the green-haired youth. Lyserg couldn't blame her. The X-Laws' type of justice was fierce and unmerciless. Not a lot of people understood their cause.

Yet, the blue-haired girl slowly reached for her pocket, her lips pursed as she handed a vial filled with thick, sage-colored gunk to her older brother. Horohoro tossed it at Lyserg, who caught it with a mumbled gratitude.

"I don't know much about the human body." It was Ren this time. His arms were crossed, his eyes shut. "But I can ask Jun for you."

"And if you need a doctor, I am ready to assist." Faust spoke solemnly, smiling at Lyserg when the young boy thanked him and Ren. "I have a wide set of medications in my bag, although Pirika-chan's remedy should do the trick." He smiled again, this time directed at Pirika who grinned back.

"Tamao and I can whip up something delicious if her appetite comes back." Ryu winked. Next to Pirika, Tamao nodded fiercely. "I just hope Maiden-chan gets through this."

"I hope so too."

"I can make some research." Manta piped in, his laptop already booted and ready. "It's not much, but…"

"No, this is more than enough." Lyserg bowed his head. "Thank you."

Everyone else nodded and mumbled their reassurances, some giving the X-Laws member a pat to the back, except for Chocolove who wrinkled his nose slightly, his brows arching.

"Is it really that bad?" He wondered out loud. "It's kinda hard picturing Miss Jeanne to be in so much pain."

This earned him a multitude of reactions, ranging from glares to outright indignation. The glares he was spared, due to his choice to be revived without his sight. The outcries, however, he tried to placate by holding his arms up in immediate surrender, his mouth spouting a litany of apologies for his friends.

Lyserg opened his mouth, to explain, but was cut off by a shrill sound that came from his radio. It was an X-Laws exclusive one at that, judging by the huge X on its back. Marco insisted that each member be given one as part of the uniform. The radio cackled as Lyserg answered it, before Marco's subdued voice filled the air.

"She's not getting any better."

This made everyone freeze in their spots, their jaws hanging. Lyserg mumbled something back to Marco, ended his call quickly to make sure the Maiden's right-hand man wouldn't know where Lyserg's feet took him when he needed help.

"I have to go."

Without delay, he was rushing to leave. He would have sprinted back to his own team's base when the leader of Team Funbari called his name and offered to at least walk him to the door, as what hosts were expected to do. Lyserg nodded his consent, although his pace was almost frantic as Yoh led him to the hallways.

Yoh noticed it and gave Lyserg that signature grin of his.

"Relax." He said. "She'll be fine. It will all work out."

They made it to the door, and Lyserg was surprised to see the Lady of the inn waiting for them there, her hands carrying a small thermos. She greeted Lyserg with a quiet nod. He in turn bowed his head, almost in reverence.

The first time he saw the girl, she managed to one-punch knock out both the Golem and Chocolove, and then rouse Yoh from his almost-catatonic state with one swift kick. It was only befitting that he greet her with an appreciation that matched her fighting prowess. She did, after all, remind him of Lady Jeanne in one way or another.

Beside him, he heard Yoh laugh.

"Hey, Anna!" The brunette walked next to her, still grinning. "What'cha got there?"

The familiarity between them was strangely nostalgic that Lyserg found it hard to tear his gaze away from the duo. Somehow, their dynamic reminded him of his own parents, when his mother would wait by the door with his father's coat in her hands while his father would thank her with a smile before leaving for his job. He stood there, motionless, watching their interaction with awe. It was because of this that he failed to hear what Miss Anna said but was thankful that his hands mechanically accepted the thermos that she was handing to him.

It smelled oddly of chocolates.

"Something warm should help." Miss Anna's voice was clear, authorative. Lyserg found himself nodding along.

"Uh..."

She raised a brow. He gulped. Yoh snorted and thankfully opened the door to usher him out.

"She's got that effect on everyone." He whispered once they were both out of the inn. "But she's nice."

Lyserg bobbed his head even as the image of Miss Anna kicking Yoh hard on the ribs passed his memory. He voiced his gratitude once more, turned to head back to the base.

Yoh called his name. "If all things fail, hold her hand!"

He did not elaborate further.

00

"How shocking. How did you know this was going to work?"

It was amazing how fast the Maiden's recovery seemed as soon as she was presented with something warm pressed on her stomach area. The thermos that Miss Anna gave him was, true to his deductions, filled with chocolate - one that Lady Jeanne was quick to partake the moment she smelled its sweet scent.

"I..." Lyserg paused, decided to be truthful. "I asked some friends."

He did not need to explain who, exactly, he was referring to. But Marco was in a jovial mood, now that their Lady was in her high spirits once more, that he let this one thing slide with a harrumph before he excused himself.

He had things he needed to attend to, so he said.

This meant Lyserg was supposed to keep an eye on Lady Jeanne and bring her what she desired, should the need arise. Thankfully, Lady Jeanne was content being in her bed for once and not in her iron maiden, with her hot chocolate in her hand and humming to a tune only she knew.

When she fidgeted, Lyserg was by her side in a moment, ready to serve. Lady Jeanne shook her head when Lyserg began to fuss.

"It doesn't hurt as much." Her inspirit caused Lyserg to take his seat once more, next to her. "You should not worry too much. I have trained much worse."

He badly wanted to point out that the reason for his disturbance was exactly that. He'd seen her willingly put herself in conditions that would have made a person, shaman or not, scream in pain with nary a cringe or any sign of discomfort. This was the first time he actually heard his Lady voice out pain that was beyond limit. And it was because of a bodily function that was actually normal to women.

It was a shuddering thought.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, he offered his hand. Lady Jeanne looked at him with curiosity.

"A friend said that holding hands would work. For the pain, I mean."

He watched as Lady Jeanne's ruby eyes darted from his face then to his offered hand. He didn't retrieve his hand back even when she took a while to make her decision. With the same slowness that he showed mere seconds ago, she took his hand, her fingers threading between his.

Lyserg smiled. Lady Jeanne looked at their connected hands curiously.

"Did it work?"

It took a life time before she finally smiled as well.

"Yes."

NOTES:

Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed this story. I appreciate you very much and your constant reviews keep pushing me to write more. You guys are awesome!