'Wow that fight took a lot more out of me than I thought.' Thought Ryoto as he collapsed on the floor.
Ryoto's seal was glowing.
"Hey Leopold, go and get Mimosa." Said Meroeleona grabbing Ryoto with her fire paw "Fuegoleon go and tell The Coral Peacocks that Ryoto is here."
"I knew it." Said Hina
"It's impossible. My father has been dead for years! There's no way that he could still be alive." Said the man
"Izumi. He did it. He used black flames!" Said Hina "he didn't even teach you that! It's in his journals! On top of all that, he knows his name."
"Hmm..." Said Izumi
"Look at the bright side. Mereoleona seems to get along pretty well with him." Said Hina
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Asked Izumi with a smile
"Three, two, one!" They both counted down
"We get Mereoleona to learn more about him!" Said Izumi
"We learn more about him through force." Said Hina
They both stared blankly at each other for a second.
"So who's plan are we going with?" Asked Hina
"How about we flip a coin for it?"
"Agreed."
Meanwhile Ryoto had begun to breathe heavily and sweat from his forehead. He was laid down on the bed face up. His bruised arms healed somehow.
'That's strange. He said he couldn't use healing magic at the level to where he could heal all his wounds.' Thought Mereoleona
"Ryoto, are you still awake?" Asked Mereoleona walking up to the side of the bed
No response. Mereoleona then sat next to him looking at the glowing mark on his upper back. It was glowing an ominous black. Mereoleona touched it only for Ryoto to scream and snap his eyes open.
"Aaaaah!" Complained Ryoto "that hurts!"
"Ah you're awake. Mimosa will be here soon. She'll heal you." Said Mereoleona
"It's fine." Said Ryoto slowly getting off the bed "I've caused enough trouble here. Besides, I need to go wake up Asta."
"You should at least rest for a little while." Said Mereoleona "when's the last time you actually had a good rest?"
Ryoto had to think for a while. Putting his thumb on his chin he thought back to the previous months.
"Hmmm...about three months." Said Ryoto blatantly
"Three months?" Asked Mereoleona
"Yeah...I uh...used one of my abilities." Said Ryoto
"And you think that's normal?!" Yelled Mereoleona
"Yeah I've been doing it for years." Said Ryoto
"Whatever." Said Mereoleona "but wait I thought you said your powers were sealed away. So then did that one not disappear?"
"Not exactly." Said Ryoto "I can keep myself awake but I can't cancel out the effects of sleep deprivation. Like for example I see some hallucinations from time to time."
"I don't think that's good for your health." Said Mereoleona
"It's fine." Said Ryoto walking towards the door "if anything I'll just go to sleep when I get back to base."
"Be honest with yourself. You don't like to sleep at all." Said Kana from the window "You have more energy than a rabbit during ma-"
Ryoto pushed the window closed with a push. Mereoleona then looked at Ryoto's appearance. She noticed bags under his slightly red eyes.
"Rude!" Said Kana pushing the window open and jumping into the room
"What're you doing here Kana?" Asked Mereoleona
"Oh right!" Said Kana, "I came to tell Ryoto something."
"Well what is it?" Said Ryoto tiredly
"I've taught Yuka all I can for now." Said Kana proudly, "he was a good student."
"Already?" Asked Ryoto
"I expected him to do good but he surpassed my expectations." Said Kana
"Thanks Kana." Said Ryoto "I owe you one."
"Owe me? Hmm..." Kana smirked as she sat down on the bed "I think I know what I want."
"That? Now?" Asked Ryoto
"Yup!" Smiled Kana "I like it and you can get some energy. It's a win win."
"But-"
"You said you owe me, remember?" Said Kana slyly
Mereoleona watched with curiosity as she saw Ryoto walk over to where Kana was sitting and laid down on his side next to her, putting his head on her lap. Kana began to run her hands through his hair. After a few minutes Ryoto's eyes slowly dropped and his breathing became calmer. Ryoto had fallen asleep.
"I do like his soft hair." Said Kana softly smiling
"What're you doing?" Asked Mereoleona
"I'm helping him fall asleep faster." Said Kana "he likes it when I do this."
"I see." Said Mereoleona
"You wanna give it a try?" Said Kana snickering
"What? No, of course not!" Said Mereoleona
"It'll help him sleep." Said Kana "besides I bet he'll like it!"
"Of course not." Said Mereoleona "it seems like he's doing just fine on your lap."
"Well, suit yourself!" Said Kana "that just means more for me."
'More for her? What's that supposed to mean?' Thought Mereoleona
"Anyways, there is something else." Said Kana
"Well? Out with it then." Said Mereoleona
"Well...you see the thing is-"
"Where is he?!" Yelled Dorothy coming through the door. Dorothy looked towards Ryoto laying his head on Kana's lap "what're you doing?"
"He's sleeping! Be quiet!" Whispered Kana putting a finger over her lips
"Oh right." Said Dorothy "wait a second! No! I won't stay quiet!"
Dorothy then went up to Ryoto and pulled on his cheek pulling him off of the bed.
"Ow ow ow OW!" Yelled Ryoto, waking up "why?!"
"Why?" Said Dorothy looking down at him "you should've come to me first! Hayami was horribly worried and began to talk about chocolate and strawberries and lobster!"
"I'm s-sorry." Said Ryoto rubbing his cheeks
"Do you have any idea how much paperwork this is going to be?!" Said Dorothy "the kingdom marked you as dead."
"Sorry about not going sooner." Said Ryoto as he scratched the back of his head.
"Why did you come here anyways?!" Asked Dorothy "What? Do you want to join the Crimson Lions now?"
"No I just-"
"Dorothy, that's enough." Said Mereoleona looking at her with serious eyes "a lot has happened to Ryoto these past few days so just let him rest for now."
"Easy for you to say!" Whined Dorothy "you had him VERY close to you all this time, didn't you?"
"The hell are you on about?! I've got my own stuff to deal with." Said Mereoleona
"I don't think it's like that Dorothy." Said Kana
"It's not like what?" Asked Mereoleona
"You know!" Said Dorothy
"No I don't!" Said Mereoleona
"Can I go back to sleep now?" Asked Ryoto
"No!" Said Dorothy and Mereoleona in unison
"Uh...excuse me..." Said Mimosa from the doorway. "Mereoleona you needed my help with something?"
"Right." Said Mereoleona "I was going to ask you to heal Ryoto but somehow he's already healed."
"If that's the case then can I get back to sleep?" Asked Ryoto
Mereoleona sat down on the bed and patted her lap.
"Lay down." Said Mereoleona as more of an order than a suggestion
"No, I think he'd rather lay down on my lap, right?" Asked Kana with a smirk
"Sitting on her lap?!" Asked Dorothy slightly red, turning to Ryoto "what's all that about?!"
"Did I come at a bad time?" Asked Mimosa
"No, no, no! Not at all!" Said Ryoto pushing Mimosa out of the door "tell me more about Asta. You're his friend right?"
'What the hell did I just do?!' Thought Mereoleona questioning herself
"Dammit!" Said Dorothy "Mereoleona can you explain what happened?"
Mereoleona was still thinking. She was lost in thought staring at the floor with a blank expression.
"Mereoleona?" Said Kana touching her shoulder "you okay?"
"Yup! Just fine!" Laughed Mereoleona jumping up scratching her head
'Nope! Not happening!' Thought Mereoleona
"Anyways," Said Dorothy, "me and Ryoto have a lot to talk about. I'll be on my way."
"You don't have to. I already know everything." Said Mereoleona
Mereoleona then explained what happened to Ryoto and where she'd found him.
"He saw you naked?!" Said Dorothy and Kana in unison blushing
"That's the first thing you notice?!" Said Mereoleona "What's the big deal? You guys make it out to be something weird. I don't get it."
"It totally is!" Said Kana
"He got kidnapped, lost his magic, and THAT'S the first thing you notice?" Asked Mereoleona
Outside, Mimosa and Ryoto had sat down on a bench and had begun to talk.
"Sorry about that." Said Ryoto "I just had to get out of there."
"It's fine." Said Mimosa "you're Ryoto right?"
"Yeah. Nice to meet you." Said Ryoto "Now I need you to tell me about Asta."
"More about Asta?" Asked Mimosa with curiosity
"I think I can wake him up." Said Ryoto, "but I need to know more about his abilities."