Hello there! Stingrasher here!
I would like to thank ThatFicWriter, RezhanShadow, and Harbour for Beta Reading my work.
Also thank you for the comments and reviews! You might not know this but this chapter was born from my Beta readers and Reader's review section.
I was actually writing a different chapter entirely! But after reading Reviews of like Gasterz and Rezhan's, I thought sure why not.
Originally, Chapter 3 would just be smut and a little bonding time if you will but that all changed because of you guys lol.
Seeing that many authors are doing a lot of smut lately, I thought that I could just do this kind of chapter instead.
I will be having my exams later so wish me luck! lol
I am so excited to read all the smut works I have missed this past week, after the exams. :)
Setting the little Meili down to her little wooden crib and with a goodnight kiss on Meili's forehead, Elsa finally parted from Subaru's room and went to her room, which was just across. Tucking in Meili in her small blue blanket, Subaru for a while gazed at the little baby right in front of him in wonder and gladness.
"I can't believe you are with me right now…" Subaru said as he shook his head, not believing that only a week ago, he and Meili reunited.
"I will keep my promise… I swear to you…"
Setting the crib to his side, Subaru finally went to bed. Tucked into his blanket, he turned his body to gaze at the crib beside him.
After some time, slowly and surely, his eyelids started to get heavier and heavier. With only the thought of the little baby in front of him, Subaru muttered her name over and over until he finally went to sleep.
"Meili"
"Meili"
"Meili"
"…"
-o-
"Everything will be alright… I promise you, Meili…" Subaru said as he held the blue-haired girl's hands, reassuring her in their final confrontation with the Witch of Vainglory.
"Hmph… That is a promise, okay!... You better keep your promises, Onii-san" Meili replied, trembling, as she tried to shrug off her anxiety and find her strength to take the next step with Subaru into Elior forest.
"Everything will be fine, I suppose" The yellow-haired Great Spirit said as she went beside the mabeast trainer, reassuring her as well.
"This woman was someone Mama never dared to cross… She is stronger than any of the ones we've faced which means…" Meili said as she gulped at the end, in fear of the great power displayed by the person they are about to confront.
"Which means nothing when faced against my contractor, I suppose" Beatrice as she looked back at Subaru with a slight grin in her face.
"May I remind you that your supposed unkillable "Mama" died by the hands of the man you are holding right now, I suppose" Beatrice added, which made Meili remember the screams of the same abhorrent being that tortured them, screaming in disbelief and in fear of her impossible death finally arriving.
Remembering the deaths of the foes they defeated so far, Meili remembered all of their foes were deemed unbeatable and unkillable at one point in time. It was through the hands of the man she was holding, as well as his leadership that they were able to beat the unbeatable and kill the unkillable.
"Maybe, there really is nothing to fear. With Onii-san, maybe it is possible…" Meili thought as she looked up at the man who was holding her hand.
"I won't let you cry… I promise to you that there will be a tomorrow for all of us" Subaru said as he gripped onto Meili's hand tighter to show his resolve and determination.
A bit surprised and at awe at Subaru's determination, Meili blushed and felt the great weight of anxiety, lifted off her shoulders. As she felt this, she remembered the same man had done this to her time and time again. All of her fear and doubts dispelled by the warmth of his kindness and… love. A love that she thought that she wouldn't ever feel again after the death of Elsa.
Looking back at him, Meili finally knew that if ever there was someone that could do the impossible, it would be him and only him, Natsuki Subaru.
"Fine, since I don't want to hear you complaining and bring on over Onee-san, I will go" Meili said as she looked away and finally took her step into the forest.
Seeing Meili's first step into the forest, Subaru looked at Beatrice and gave a smile back, thanking her for the backup.
"*sigh* What would you do without me, I suppose" Beatrice added with a little smug grin.
"Ahahaha…Not much… We all need to be together to beat that witch" Subaru said with a chuckle, to which Beatrice nodded.
Walking into the forest to meetup with the rest of the other camps, Meili, with her newly found affinity to the raven black-haired man, wanted to express in some way her trust for him. With a slight tug on Subaru's arm, Subaru looked back at Meili, who wore a slight blush.
"You better keep your promise, or else, I won't forgive you… Subaru" Meili said as she muttered Subaru's name at the end.
Hearing his name, Subaru's eyes widened as he never really heard Meili say his name before. Hearing this made Subaru realize how close they are now. The kindness and love he shown had finally reached her heart.
With a smile, Subaru teased Meili on what she said. "What was that? I didn't hear the last part?"
With a pout on Meili's face, looking away, "I said… Subaru", muttering his name at the end once again.
Hearing his name once again, Subaru gave a smug grin and teased her once more, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch it" cupping his ears next to Meili's mouth.
Much to the irritation of Meili, she screamed, "I said you are an idiot!"
"Ow!" Subaru groaned as his ear rang from Meili's voice.
Subaru chuckled much to his amusement. Although the interaction did a number on his ear, it is moments like these that really make life worthwhile and worth protecting. Subaru squeezed on Meili's hand, and said to her, "I heard you and I promise you", sounding off to her his sincerity in his voice.
With a slightly annoyed expression, Meili gave a slight smile at the end before looking forward and continue her walk.
Seeing her expression, Subaru knew the great weight he was carrying on his shoulders. One final confrontation, and no more do overs, it was all or nothing.
"I can't fail… I can't…" Subaru thought as he looked onto Meili and Beatrice talking to each other as they walked.
-o-
"Su…ba…ru?..." Meili muttered as she saw the visage of the man, she entrusted her future to.
It was red, everything was red in her sight. She felt so light, and she couldn't make out the sounds that was happening around her. A distorted crash here and a distorted scream there, she didn't know where she was.
Looking straight ahead, she knew she was lying down. Looking at the man in front of her, she saw him trembling and crying in front of her. Although she saw him grab and touch her, she only felt a faint sensation of his touch.
Why was that happening? Why can't she feel anything? Everything ran through her mind, trying to figure out at how this situation came to be.
Closing her eyes, she tried to remember everything that happened.
"There will be a tomorrow for all of us… I promise you"
"Meili!"
"You and Emilia will have each other's backs, okay."
"Meili!"
"Meili, I will take care of Pandora. Just stay back."
"Meili!"
"Pandora, you've destroyed many lives! This will be the end!"
"MEILI!"
"Emilia! Stop! That's not Pandora!"
Opening her eyes, she remembered Emilia drawing her ice sword against her. She was confused and afraid, she did not know what to do. Face to face with Emilia's blade, she trembled at the sight. As the blade was raised, she looked onto the side, to find the man she trusted her life.
With a tear escaping from her eyes, she screamed only one name, begging with her entire being to save her.
"SUBARU!"
After her scream, a never-ending darkness was all that followed, at least that was what she thought, until she finally woke up at the sight of Subaru holding her and crying.
Little by little, Meili heard Subaru screaming frantically her name as he shook her. The once distorted sounds that surrounded her started to get clearer and clearer.
"Meili, everything will be fine… I won't let you die… I won't let you die…" Subaru said as he held her body, shaking in fear at what happened to Meili.
"Am I… dying?" Meili muttered as her senses started to return.
"No! No! No! I won't let you!" Subaru said as he vehemently shook his head, not accepting the reality that was before him.
Seeing his crying face, Meili just wanted to reach out to his face. Moving her arm, she reached out to touch his face. Although her mind knew that she moved, her eyes did not see the arm and hand reach Subaru's face.
Looking to her side, she saw no more arm to reach out to him, all what was left was morbid pile of flesh, bleeding and pulsing. Piecing it all together in her sight, she trembled in fear of death's door looming around the corner.
"No…" Meili muttered, shaking her head, as tears escaped from her eyes.
"Meili"
"No"
"Meili"
"I don't… want to die" Meili said, with her voice cracking, as the situation finally started to set in.
"You won't" Subaru said, tears dropping like a torrent onto her face, as he held the mutilated body of the little girl.
"I don't want to DIE!" Meili screamed as frantically squirmed in Subaru's arms in shock and in fear.
Holding her in his arms, Subaru's heart broke at the sight he was witnessing. The life that was entrusted to him was falling to indescribable despair, and the smile he swore to protect was now crying.
The wailing sound of her cries resounded in the forest, along with her plea to live. The cries resounded more so into the heart of who was holding her.
Looking back at Subaru's face, Meili remembered the promise he made to her.
"YOU PROMISED! SUBARU!"
"Meili I!" Subaru tried to reply but was cut off by the flailing body of Meili.
"YOU PROMISED!"
"WAAAHHH! NO! NO!"
"No…I don't want this… I never wanted this…" Subaru thought as he saw and heard the state of Meili, in complete utter despair.
For a time, Subaru could only hear the cries of Meili. The once coherent screams of despairs turned into incoherent ramblings and moans, much like a newborn baby. The cries of Meili resounded in Subaru's heart, forever engraving it into his being, his greatest sin.
As the cries finally died down, all Subaru could do was look at Meili's broken form in his arms.
"I'm sorry *sob* I'm so sorry…*sob* Please forgive me" Subaru muttered as broke down further into tears, reaching out to the limb that remained with the little girl, her left arm.
Bathed in her blood, he was disgusted with himself. Grasping her remaining hand, Subaru called out to Meili.
"Meili"
"…"
"Meili" Subaru said pleadingly to the unresponsive girl as he squeezed her hand.
"…"
"Please… Not like this…*sob*"
"Meili…*sob*… No… *sob*…No… *sob*" Subaru muttered as he placed his head against her chest. Listening for a sound of life, the beat of Meili's heart never reached Subaru's ears.
"Meili… No… *sob*" Subaru muttered as he closed his eyes in resignation and held her head close to his chest.
Caked with blood, Subaru cried holding once more a life he failed to protect.
-o-
"WAAAHHH" A baby cried in the middle of the night, awakening a certain raven black-haired boy from his nightmare.
Gasping as he awoke from his nightmare, Subaru immediately sat upright on his bed. Hearing the cries of a baby in the household, he knew that it could only be one.
"Meili!" Subaru screamed as he immediately bolted out of his bed and then went onto the little baby crib beside him.
Seeing the crying baby, Subaru gently held her in his arms and rocked her to calm her down. Rocking her, Meili's cries started to get louder and louder.
Seeing his efforts not working, Subaru started to get flustered. Hearing her cries, the cries that were engraved in his heart started to surface once more.
"YOU PROMISED!"
"I won't let you cry"
"YOU PROMISED! SUBARU!"
"Meili"
"I don't want to die!"
"I won't let you die!" Subaru screamed as he was getting overwhelmed with Meili's cries and the voices that haunted him for many years.
"Subaru!" Elsa screamed as she saw Subaru in distraught.
Seeing Elsa, Subaru snapped back to his senses. In a cold sweat, Subaru was panting.
"Subaru, what is the matter?" Elsa said in concern as she went closer to Subaru.
"*pant* Nothing *pant* I just need some water" Subaru said, gulping at the end, as he carefully gave the crying Meili to Elsa.
Walking to the kitchen, Subaru heard Meili's cries get louder and louder in his ears. Subaru could feel his heartbeat, beat faster and faster, as he continued to be overwhelmed by Meili's cries. Pouring himself a glass of water from a pitcher, Subaru immediately drank a good glass full of water in no time. Controlling his breathing, Subaru tried to settle down his heart and body.
In a few short moments, the crying of Meili died down. Taking in the silence, Subaru wiped the sweat that covered his face. Subaru shook his head as he was still reeling from the nightmare and panic a while ago.
A few good seconds after getting his composure, Elsa appeared in the kitchen as well, with Meili in her arms. Seeing the previously distraught state Subaru was in, Elsa came closer, using her free arm, she circled her hand on Subaru's back as she tried to relieve more of his troubles.
"Hey, are you all right? Subaru" Elsa said in concern.
"I'm all right, Elsa… I'm all right" Subaru said as he continued to catch his breath.
"Was it that dream again?" Elsa pointed out as she knew about his troubling nightmares back when they were young. Seeing Subaru's reaction, Elsa wanted nothing more than to be with him in his time of need.
Subaru looked at Elsa and could only nod in approval.
"Hey, we are not going to die… You hear me?"
Subaru shook his head.
Seeing that he wouldn't listen, Elsa came closer with Meili in her arms, and rocked her in front of him.
"See? Look at little Meili… She wants to see Papa"
Looking back at the little Meili, Subaru saw Meili reaching out with her hands towards him.
"Meili…"
With a laugh and an adorable smile, Meili tried to reach out to Subaru.
"Subaru, It is all right… Everything will be all right…" Elsa said in a warm and gentle voice, reaching depths of Subaru's heart
"Everything will be all right… I promise you"
"Will everything be really all right?"
With a smile from Elsa, she replied, "I know so", reassuring Subaru, clearing away his doubts.
Coming closer to him, Subaru was backed up against the dining table. Cornering him, Elsa gave Subaru one sweet kiss, before handing over Meili into his arms.
A sweet and gentle kiss was all it was, but it was more than enough to calm the chaos plaguing Subaru's heart. Parting from her lips, the smile Elsa gave made sure to remind him that everything was all right and that she would be there, should he need it.
Looking at the baby in his arms, he placed his ear unto the small body of Meili. Hearing the beat of her tiny heart, it bought a small tear to Subaru's eye. After a nightmare of reminiscing death, Subaru felt the reassurance he needed to move on and move forward towards his promise of tomorrow.
Moving his face away, Subaru rocked Meili in his arms in joy, much to the amusement and gladness of Elsa. Reaching out to Meili's tiny hand, Meili, squeezed back at his finger, smiling and laughing.
"Yes… I wanted it to be just like this…" Subaru thought as he cherished the little baby girl in his arms.
After settling down, Subaru and Elsa went back to Subaru's room and gently placed the little Meili back into her crib. As soon as Subaru placed her down, the little Meili started reaching out to Elsa in a fit.
"Oh, little Meili, it is all right" Elsa said as she played Meili with her fingers.
Seeing this interaction, Subaru knew that Meili couldn't afford to be separated with Elsa. The crying montage of Meili in the past week should have been a dead giveaway, but it is better to act on it now than never acting on it at all, Subaru thought.
Scratching his chin, Subaru tried to muster up the strength to ask Elsa to sleep with him, instead of sleeping in her own room.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to phrase up his question.
"Why am I getting nervous for!? She is my girlfriend already… Sleeping with each other would be normal for us in the future right… I mean we are both thirteen, but mentally, I am way older than her! She wouldn't have that kind of dirty thoughts like I have! *sigh* So this is the feeling of awkwardness of a horny kid with a girlfriend…"
"E-Elsa, Will you sleep with me?" Subaru said with his voice cracking at the end.
Hearing Subaru's question, Elsa turned around with a look of surprise.
"W-What? What did you say?" Elsa stuttered, as she got flustered by his question.
"I-I said, Will you sleep with me, Elsa?" Subaru said blushing red as he looked at the surprised Elsa.
Hearing his question once again, Elsa's heart started to beat faster and faster.
"S-Subaru…I…" Elsa muttered; a bit shaken up at his straightforwardness. She does love him very much that she would like to have a child with him, but she thought that moment would happen a bit more into the near future. Asking her to bed with him right now, only after a week into their relationship as girlfriend and boyfriend, was really quite a shock.
Rubbing her legs together as she felt giddy at the thought, Elsa's face started to get redder and redder.
"E-Elsa?" Subaru said as he place his hand on her shoulder.
As soon as Elsa looked back up, Subaru saw an adorable red bashful face of Elsa. Looking back at Subaru, Elsa finally made her decision. If it was him, she would gladly break tradition and take him for herself as well. Stuttering at her response, Elsa gave her answer, "Sure, I would love to sleep with you"
A bit taken aback by Elsa's cute answer, Subaru nodded rapidly. "I'll go take the pillow and blanket from your room, okay?"
With a quick nod from Elsa, Subaru immediately ran into Elsa's room and gathered her pillow and blanket. As he was going back to his room with her pillow and blanket, Subaru was deep in thought with Elsa's reaction.
"That face… It looked like as if she was answering, if I could have sex with her… No, stop it, dirty mind… Elsa wouldn't think that way…"
As he approached his room, he saw Elsa waiting for him as she sat on the edge of his bed. Slightly averting her eyes away from his gaze, Subaru saw the blush of Elsa on her face.
Placing the pillow and blanket beside his, Subaru then picked up Meili from her crib, and sat beside the bashful Elsa.
"W-Well I guess it is time… Elsa"
"Subaru… Meili going to be with us in the bed?" Elsa answered questioningly to the daring young man.
"O-Of course, Meili would cry if you aren't beside her"
"S-Subaru!" Elsa answered in disbelief at what she just heard. Subaru wanted her to have sex with him while Meili would be beside them.
"L-Look, if you don't want to do it, I understand… but just let us do it for just one night" Subaru answered back pleadingly.
Elsa was mouth agape at his answer, she couldn't believe that he wanted their first time to be that way. Looking at his pleading expression, Elsa went into a deep state of thought to consider their situation.
"Meili is still two years old…. She wouldn't remember me and Subaru…naked… and…" Elsa thought as images of Subaru and her having sex invaded her mind.
Steeling her resolve for Subaru, she stated her answer, "F-Fine, just for one night…"
Hearing her answer, Subaru was visibly glad that Elsa was willing to take the chance with him. Expressing his gladness and happiness, Subaru said, "I'm glad that you are willing to do this, Elsa"
Gulping at his answer, Elsa looked back him and nodded.
Coming closer to her, Subaru added, "I hope this just won't be for tonight… I hope we could do it every night"
That was the final straw for her, she couldn't let pass his perversion any longer. With a loud slap across Subaru's cheek, Elsa expressed her shock and disbelief.
"Subaru! I know I love you but… to have sex with you every night with Meili beside us is too much! I can do it with you every night if you want to, but a child doesn't need to see our profane acts!"
As soon as Subaru heard her entire statement, he couldn't believe that Elsa thought of the same dirty thing he was thinking.
"S-She is willing to have sex with me every night!? W-Wait… This is great… No, This is bad, you idiot! I got to clear this up before it gets worse!"
"E-Elsa! I meant sleeping together with Meili, so she wouldn't cry in her sleep!"
"W-What?" Elsa muttered as she looked at Subaru for an answer.
"I-It is not sex" Subaru said as he shook his head.
Realizing what she just said, Elsa's face was redder than an appa at that moment.
"I can do it with you every night if you want to"
"Elsa?"
Closing her right hand into a fist, she bit her lip as she just experienced one of the most embarrassing moments of her life. Looking back at Subaru with a face filled with embarrassment and anger, she screamed at Subaru as she delivered her fist to his face, "YOU IDIOT!"
-o-
As the new morning finally arrived in the Natsuki household, it would seem to be like a typical morning as usual. As the sun shined down, enveloping the household with light, the birds flew to the tree branches near the Natsuki household. Chirping along as the day finally start, they were accompanied by the sounds of pops and crackles on a pan. Elsa was cooking breakfast as usual. The smoke of her delectable food puffing through the skies. Any person near the vicinity of their household would have been ensnared by the delicious scent alone.
Through the scent, one would know that the food would be a real treat. The people who are able to sample the delicious foods of Elsa could be said as one of the luckiest people in the world. That saying remains true especially for one shinobi in Kararagi.
Sniffing the air as he walked a bit further away from the outskirts of Banan, he caught the scent of the delicious bacon, Elsa was making.
"Little Su~ really is one lucky boy… Keeping all of little Elsa's cooking all for himself *sigh*"
"I say the boy deserves it… The lengths that boy made not only for Elsa but for other people in other countries as well, the boy truly has a heart of gold." Zarestia added as she walked beside the legendary shinobi of Kararagi.
"Hmph! Little Su~ wouldn't have helped as much if he didn't have my little Elsa executing his tasks for him" Halibel said rested his right arm, right along the inside of his kimono.
"*sigh* They are a team Halibel. One cannot work without the other, remember"
Halibel gave a small chuckle, much to his amusement, "I know I know"
Zarestia and Halibel continued to have some small chatter as they try to make their way to the Natsuki household. The calming breeze and the peaceful flow of a creek beside them, they know that they are drawing nearer to their destination.
"Oh, yes, which reminds me… I've heard little Elsa made a name for herself with her little mercenary works with Subaru" Zarestia stated as she looked at Halibel to her side.
"Hmmm? What of it?"
"I've heard her nickname was shadow… Lilac Shadow, if I remembered it correctly"
"Well, that is an interesting name" Halibel said, rubbing his chin, as he chuckled at the end.
"*chuckle* I find it adorable, actually. More so, to the story attached to her nickname."
"Well, Let's hear it" Halibel said, amused at how his little student started to make a name for herself.
"They say that when the Lilac Shadow looks at your face, shadows would appear, enveloping her and the entire environment. As soon as all light disappeared in your eyes, you will never be able to live to tell the tale of your encounter with the Lilac Shadow."
"Oh~ so little Elsa used that technique" Halibel said, with a slight look of surprise.
"What technique is that?"
"Hmmm… She really is a prodigy" Halibel nodded approvingly. "Well, it is an Od disruptor if you will. That shadow in the story is actually your soul being slowly pulled out of your body. I guess, while the victim's body is immobile and defenseless, little Elsa finishes the job."
"That is a seriously powerful technique! And you are just teaching it to them just like that!?" Zarestia said, outraged at Halibel's reckless teachings.
"Hey! First of all, it is more Elsa than little Su~, since little Su~ is not adept with the shinobi arts. He's got his own special training for his own unique power. Secondly and most importantly, I never actually taught her the technique… I just actually used it on her once as a surprise." Halibel said as he held his chin, slightly bewildered at the fact that Elsa was able to master the technique.
"Are you saying that she learned it when she just saw you do it once?"
"Frighteningly, that little girl has very sharp and keen eyes. The same move won't work at her twice, so you know." Halibel said with a smile as he remembered the times that he would be entertained at seeing Elsa's adjustments in their sparring. "The technique that I used on her isn't ideal for combat in the first place because you have to hold the person and locate their Od… but somehow this little girl managed to do it without making physical contact."
"… Little Elsa is quite a scary little girl" Zarestia muttered as she realized how dangerous Elsa can be. "All I've been teaching her is mana flow… and mana control… since she didn't have any elemental affinity, I figured that it would be useless for her, but Elsa insisted that she could use it in some of her shinobi techniques…"
"Well, us shinobi, can use mana around us in a different way if we don't have any elemental affinity. Mana control is a great way to manifest the shinobi techniques you desired. Mana control… Hmmm…" Halibel explained before trailing off in thought and grasping his chin.
"Hey, we're already here" Zarestia pointed out as they both now stood in front of the humble wooden house of Subaru and Elsa.
Taking in a deep sniff at the air, Halibel snapped out of his thoughts and came back to the thoughts of Elsa's cooking.
"Hoo boy! That food is smelling really good! Little Elsa! ~ We're here! ~" Halibel said as he knocked onto the door with a huge smile.
With a click of the doorknob, Halibel and Zarestia were greeted with a gentle smile by Elsa. Wearing her usual long lilac off shoulder shirt and black skinny jeans, Elsa looked very beautiful in the eyes of Halibel and Zarestia.
"Master Halibel, Master Tia, please come in, I just finished plating the food" Elsa said enthusiastically as she bowed her head to them in respect.
Leading them to the dining table, Halibel and Zarestia finally sat down at their seats. Looking across the table, they saw Subaru holding up a newspaper in front of him.
"Little Su~ you seem to have woken up earlier than usual~ Is there an occasion~?" Halibel teased.
"Oh yes, usually Elsa would wake you up as soon as she finished cooking the food" Zarestia added.
"Honey~ it is impolite to not greet our guests~" Elsa said with a smile.
Hearing Elsa's voice, Subaru felt shivers down his spine. "Y-Yes, Elsa, O-Of course"
Slowly and reluctantly, Subaru put the newspaper down. Sporting his usual attire of a white shirt and a pair of shorts in the morning, it would seem like that everything was normal as usual. Seeing Subaru's face however, Halibel and Zarestia broke into laughter.
"Ahahahaha Little Su, what happened to you!? Ahahahahaha" Halibel laughed as he saw Subaru's huge black eye.
"Ahahaha Yes, what happened to you last night? Ahahaha" Zarestia said as she laughed behind her hands.
"W-Well…" Subaru said as he looked on over to Elsa, who crossed her arms looked away from him.
"A week in and you two are like an old fighting married couple" Halibel added.
After much laughter at the start of the morning, the little family finally ate their meals. Talking about the how last night went, Zarestia and Halibel started to become a mediator between Subaru and Elsa.
With each explaining their sides of the story, not going much into detail about the words exchanged last night, the two masters could only laugh and find their interactions endearing to an extent.
"Come on you two! Just make up already" Zarestia said as she crossed her arms.
"I really am sorry about last night, Elsa…" Subaru said as he turned to Elsa and held her hand.
"Come on~ Little Elsa, I know you can't stay mad at Subaru for too long" Halibel said with a smug smile, knowing his student too well.
With a sigh from Elsa, she eventually gave in, "Fine… I forgive you… Subaru" Elsa said as she finally looked back at Subaru's face.
With a chuckle from Halibel and Zarestia, Zarestia added, "Subaru, I know that you have a great healing factor when we first fought…" remembering the time that his healing factor was so strong that he could immediately bring back a severed limb. "I doubt your power would have waned this much in time"
"O-Oh, I still have it. It's just…" Subaru said as he looked onto Elsa. "That I didn't want to easily escape the pain…"
"The pain?" Zarestia said questioningly.
"From hurting, my Elsa" Subaru said, with a gentle smile, as he looked into Elsa's eyes with sincerity.
Hearing his response, Elsa blushed and cracked a smile as she was moved by his answer.
"So he kept that black eye for me…"
"Smooth~ Little Su~" Halibel added as he saw Elsa's reaction.
"Hey, shut up! You are ruining the moment!" Subaru retorted.
Seeing Subaru's response Halibel, Zarestia, and Elsa chuckled in laughter.
"I-I do mean it though" Subaru said as he held her hand in front of her.
Finishing her chuckle, Elsa went closer to his face, "Then please heal yourself… I don't want you to hurt anymore". Running her hand along his blackened eye, Elsa gave a gentle smile, showing Subaru that she really forgave him.
Closing his eyes, the inflamed injury turned to smoke and slowly reconstructed itself back to its healthy shape. With the three watching, they remained in awe at the sight of Subaru's recovery.
Placing his hand on the hand of Elsa that was touching his face, Subaru looked at Elsa in the eyes, and said, "Thank you" with a smile. Setting his eyes on her lips, he said, "I love you", closing in on Elsa's face and giving her a short, sweet kiss.
"Get a room! You two! Halibel, Seriously, these children have no shame!"
"Ahahahaha, I think it is adorable" Halibel said as he chuckled.
Parting from their kiss, the couple chuckled, thanked, and apologized to their guests. Finally making up, breakfast got a lot louder and livelier.
After finishing their meals, Subaru picked the little Meili from her crib and showed her to Halibel and Zarestia. The Great Spirit and Shinobi played with the little girl much to their pleasure and amusement.
"Who's a cute little baby? ~ Yes, you are~" Zarestia said as she playfully make faces in front the little Meili.
While Meili was laughing at the playful faces of Zarestia, Meili played with the furry paw of Halibel.
The couple looking back at their masters with their daughter, broke a gentle smile as they saw their interaction with Meili.
"See Subaru, like I told you, everything will be all right" Elsa said as she took a hold of Subaru's hand.
Looking back at her with a gentle smile, Subaru nodded and squeezed back at her hand.
"You're right… Everything will be all right" Subaru said as he looked at Elsa then back to his little Meili with Halibel and Zarestia.
-o-
After much playing and cleaning, Subaru and Elsa, who was carrying Meili in her arms, talked with Zarestia and Halibel in their living room.
Elsa on a single sofa rocked Meili in her arms. Subaru on the other hand was standing behind the sofa as he rested his hands on Elsa's shoulders.
Talking across them on a long sofa, Zarestia and Halibel were discussing about the newly found fame of the little girl sitting across them.
"Really!? She has a nickname! Do I have one!? I want a nickname too!" Subaru asked eagerly to Zarestia, who laughed at the childish reaction of Subaru.
"Unfortunately, I heard nothing as of yet" Zarestia answered, chuckling behind her hand.
"It seems like we know who is actually carrying who in their jobs" Halibel teased with a slight smile on his face.
"Hey! I do some cool stuff too, you know"
"You are more like a planner than a doer, little Su~"
"Grrr!"
"Master, Subaru does more than just planning in our jobs" Elsa said, gently placing her free hand on his, as she looked back up at Subaru, and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Thanks Elsa" Subaru said as he nodded back at her.
"What is her nickname anyway?" Subaru asked as he finally got his composure back.
"Lilac Shadow, little Su~"
"Lilac Shadow?" Elsa asked, a bit surprised at the name.
"Hmmm… It must from your outfit Elsa" Subaru replied.
"Outfit? But I mostly wore black… I mean it does have some purple trimmings…" Elsa replied as she pondered more about her attire.
"Don't worry, I will just say to you the story attached to her nickname" Zarestia added, as she both saw the two teenagers getting lost in thought about Elsa's nickname.
As Zarestia told the origin of Elsa's nickname, Subaru couldn't help but feel amazed at the story.
"Seriously!? Shadows appearing? I don't remember seeing Elsa summoning shadows in our journey…" Subaru said as he scratched his head in wonder.
"Is there something you are not telling me, Elsa?" Subaru asked as he bent down and rested his upper body along the frame of the sofa.
Looking to her side, Elsa looked back at Subaru and said, "I would never hide anything from you", with a smile.
"What is up with the shadow story then?"
"Hmmm… I actually don't know… Shadow… All light disappearing from your eyes…" Elsa muttered as she tried to figure out her own move.
"The Od, little Elsa~" Halibel said, dropping a hint of her own move.
Hearing her master's words, Elsa immediately knew the move they were talking about.
Seeing Elsa's reaction, Halibel immediately added, "How did you do it? You would need some time to locate someone's Od before you can manipulate it.
"Elsa, what is Halibel talking about?" Subaru asked.
"Do you remember the time when some of our enemies would unnaturally stand still?"
"That was it!? I didn't see any shadows then though"
"The shadow in the story is actually you, blacking out as your Od starts to separate from your body" Halibel explained.
"E-Elsa… so you could actually kill people without touching them?" Subaru said, stuttering, as he realized that his Elsa was more dangerous than the Elsa in his original world.
"Actually, I can't Subaru. I still need to inflict the fatal blow onto their bodies… It is more of a setup technique than anything else… I can't really kill someone with this technique"
"Hmmm… is that so?"
"Elsa, how quickly can you apply the technique?" Zarestia added as she looked onto Elsa.
With a chuckle from Elsa, "Want a demonstration? Master Tia"
"Let's see it! Little Elsa~ Let us see if you can make your Master proud. If you want, you can try it on me" Halibel said as he was keen to observe Elsa's technique"
"It's not harmful right? I think you can try it on me first. Ahahahaha" Subaru said as he looked onto Elsa.
"I really am curious at what your victims experienced before their final hour; you can try it on me as well" Zarestia said as she crossed her arms.
"Well, little Elsa~ who will it be?"
With a chuckle from Elsa, Elsa said, "How about all of you"
Surprised with her answer, Subaru, Halibel, and Zarestia looked onto Elsa as she slowly raised her right index and middle finger in front of her.
As soon as she assumed her hand sign, the three targets felt a huge distortion in the space around them. Little by little, the shadow of the story finally kicked in as they started to lose the feeling of their bodies. As their senses left them one by one, their motor system of their body left them as well, leaving nothing but a frozen body.
As Zarestia and Subaru felt the full force of the technique, leaving their bodies defenseless, Halibel on the other hand was learning the technique of his student. Grasping on how she used her technique, it was only a matter of time for the Great shinobi to break Elsa's technique.
"Amazing, she infused the surrounding mana with her technique… With the gates siphoning the mana from the surrounding area, she easily led her technique to the Od of her targets. Ahahahaha. Brilliant work, indeed."
"*chuckle* Master seems to have me figured out… Although, until he breaks out… I guess I can have a little fun with my Subaru"
Looking to her side, she gently held the frozen face of the man she love. "You look so handsome… and so defenseless *chuckle*"
"Isn't that, right? Meili… Daddy is so handsome" Elsa said as she rocked Meili in her other arm.
"Subaru… I love you so much… I am so sorry for letting you put up with that black eye… even if you deserved it *chuckle*…"
"Surely, you wouldn't mind if I give you a little kiss… Isn't that, right? Subaru" Elsa whispered into Subaru's ear in a very seductive tone.
Placing her lips on his, she took advantage of the time she gave herself and gave Subaru a deep passionate kiss.
"Mmmhh~ Chup~ Subaru~ Mmmhhh~"
Only a few seconds into her deep kiss, a certain shinobi immediately called her out on her kiss.
"I never thought my little disciple could be this dirty, Ahahahaha" Halibel voiced out as he saw Elsa kiss Subaru.
Parting her lips from Subaru, Elsa smiled back as she chuckled at her master.
"You broke out of my technique faster than expected Master… I wished to have gotten more time with my Subaru" Elsa said, chuckling at the thought.
"Never underestimate your Master, Elsa. Ahahahaha" Halibel said as he copied Elsa's hand sign a while ago.
As soon as the hand sign was in front of him, Zarestia and Subaru started to come to. One by one, their senses returned, and little by little, colors started to return to their sight. Looking to his side, Subaru felt like he went to sleep for a very long time.
"Ugh… I feel dizzy" Zarestia said as she felt her balance a bit off.
"It will just take a few seconds before your body goes back to normal" Elsa added as she looked at Subaru and Zarestia.
True enough, after a few seconds pass, Subaru and Zarestia went back to normal.
"H-How long were we out?" Subaru asked
"About forty seconds, Master Halibel was never out… He fought my technique very well"
"I may have fought it… but given the situation that I had some clue on how it worked, it would have been a different story if I didn't… Ahahahaha, Truly, amazing. A few seconds is all that it takes to change the tide of a battle after all. Little Elsa, you truly are one scary little girl."
"She is, indeed" Zarestia added, as she felt a bit of fear as she looked onto the little girl.
"Oh, right, Elsa, you didn't do anything while we were out, right?" Subaru asked as he thought about the forty seconds.
"I don't know~ *chuckle*" Elsa said teasingly as she blushed.
"*gasp* Wait a minute! You did do something to us while we were out!" Subaru reacted as he saw Elsa's tease.
"Halibel! What did she do!?" Subaru screamed as he wanted an answer.
"I don't know, little Su~ Ahahahahahaha" Halibel said as he held his belly for a laugh.
-o-
After an eventful bonding in the morning and afternoon, Zarestia and Halibel finally started to say their goodbyes as they were about to part their ways with Subaru, Elsa, and Meili.
Seeing that Elsa and Subaru wore their mercenary attire, Zarestia told them to watch each other's backs.
"I know, Master Tia" Elsa said as she carried Meili in her arms.
"We won't be too far. The job is within Banan actually" Subaru added, with a smile.
"Oh~ what is the job? Little Su~" Halibel asked.
"It is related to slavery… I believe an old man named Roshi wanted our help" Subaru said as he looked onto Elsa for a confirmation.
With a nod, Elsa added, "The pay isn't much, but it is for a great cause. A cause that me and Subaru would fight for any day"
Hearing Elsa's response, the two masters knew that these two would change the world into a better place, much like what they had done to their lives as well as countless others.
"As a Great Spirit, I have met many people in my lifetime, but you two are by far the ones whose story I wanted to see most unfold… I believe you two will change the world, I truly do" Zarestia said as she looked onto the couple with a huge smile, proud of what they have become and what will become.
"I, on the other hand, am looking forward at your legend grow. Although it is more like the legend of the Lilac Shadow, more Elsa than anything else. Ahahahaha" Halibel said jokingly as he laughed at Subaru.
"Just you wait! You! I'll get a cool nickname! Just you wait and see!" Subaru said as he pointed back at Halibel.
"Whatever you say, Little Su! ~ Ahahahaha"
Parting their ways, Elsa and Subaru talked to each other for his nickname. Much to the amusement of Elsa, Subaru spat many words for a cool name.
"Why won't you be my shadow?" Elsa said as she looked back at Subaru.
"The Lilac Shadow's shadow? Seems redundant to me Elsa" Subaru said as she shook his head.
"I mean they only associated the shadow because of my technique… so when you think about it… my name is actually just the color, Lilac"
"Hmmm… Now that you mention it…so it will be Lilac's Shadow"
Elsa nodded as she chuckled.
"Hmmm… I will take that name for now… but… I still want a name like… The Orange Dragon of Kararagi or how about the Tactician…" Subaru said as he smiled at Elsa's response.
After much laughter and joy passed by the two in their walk. Elsa slowly closed in, to the arm of Subaru and gently clung to him lovingly.
"Never leave us… Subaru" Elsa said as she looked up at him with Meili in her arms. Like a shadow, she always wanted him to be, to be always by her side whenever and wherever she goes.
Looking down onto Elsa and Meili's faces, Subaru said "I promise"
-o-
As time passed in the land of Kararagi, the story of the young raven black-haired boy and girl became well known all throughout the lands. Through their acts, they became well known as a virtuous and powerful duo.
Bringing peace and justice to wherever they go, their identities still remained unknown in the foreign lands. Only in the little, small village of Banan, are the names of the heroes known.
Loved by the small village, not only because of their heroic acts but also because they are just overall great people to be with.
Never has a village been prouder and more loving towards such individuals. The once dreary and monotonous village became a more beautiful and livelier place. Helping each other and getting to know one another, the villagers of Banan became one huge family.
Who would have thought that two foreigners adopted into their lands would become the catalyst for a brighter and better future for the village. Growing up with the village, the villagers not only looked up to them with respect and admiration, but also with love.
As seasons came to pass, the raven black haired boy and girl were no more. Finally reaching adulthood, the once boy and girl, now became man and woman.
Strolling down the street was a blue-haired girl humming and laughing. At the end of both of her hands were the hands of the same raven black-haired man and woman.
Dressed in pure white, her shiromuku glistened under the sunlight. The whiteness not only showed her purity and beauty to the fullest, but also showed her willingness to be dyed into the color of the man she love. The villagers at the side of the streets cheered as they saw the ever-beautiful ephemeral sight. Topped off with her lilac flower ornament, given to her by the man she love, her beauty was as bright as it could be.
Dressed in black and orange was the man who wore his Haori on this special day. Never has the man been happier than this moment. Looking to his right, he saw not only their beautiful daughter but most especially he saw the woman that finally bore his name, his wife. Shedding a slight tear at the sight, he never thought that a moment like this would ever come. After coming to this world to just die over and over again, the moment in front of him could have been told of as just nothing more than a farfetched dream.
As they were walking however, he knew it not to be a dream. As his wife and daughter stopped in their tracks as they saw the man, they love, shed a tear.
"Hey, don't cry on our wedding day~" Elsa said as she cleared Subaru's tear with her right hand.
"O-Oh, I-I'm just so happy you see" Subaru said as he remembered everything, he went through just to get to this moment.
Hearing his voice, Elsa knew immediately he was troubled once more by his dreams.
"Like I said, everything will be all right" Elsa said as she gently clasped his face.
Bringing her face closer to his, Elsa gave him one sweet gentle kiss.
Much to the joy of the crowd, the villagers clapped their hands and cheered for the beloved couple, so happy and touched to be able to take part in their union.
Parting from her lips, he saw the most beautiful scene he had ever seen. Subaru saw Elsa smile with so much love, Meili jumping and laughing, and all the other villagers clapping and cheering, as the Sakura petals fell onto the streets.
"Yes… This is everything… I ever wanted" Subaru thought as looked onto this moment and forever engraving it in his heart.
In this moment of time, Subaru felt very victorious, so much so, that he just had to do his celebratory pose.
"Victory!" Subaru yelled as he pointed to the sky with his left hand.
Seeing his victory pose that he usually does in his calisthenics training, Elsa and Meili laughed at Subaru.
"Oh~ Subaru, You~" Elsa said with a chuckle.
"Come on, Meili, let us scream to the whole wide world of this moment. Victory!" Subaru said as he looked back at Meili and screamed once more as he pointed back up to the skies.
"Victory! Victory! Victory! Mama, join us too!" Meili screamed as she jumped and raised both of her hands to the sky.
"Victory! Come on Elsa!" Subaru said as screamed once more.
"Subaru, I don't kno-" Elsa tried to respond, but was cut off by the chants of Victory by Subaru, Meili, and the rest of the villagers.
"VIC-TO-RY! VIC-TO-RY! VIC-TO-RY!"
"VIC-TO-RY! VIC-TO-RY! VIC-TO-RY!"
"Come on Elsa! VIC-TO-RY!"
"Mama Join in! Ahahaha! VIC-TO-RY!"
Seeing everyone in unison so happy and so full of energy, she never though that she could experience such happiness in her life.
Remembering her first encounter with her husband back in the cold cruel lands of Gusteko, she never imagined of getting such a life.
A life full of warmth.
A life full of kindness.
A life full of love.
With an endearing smile, she shouted the words that everyone screamed as she pointed to the skies with her right hand.
"VIC-TO-RY!"
VICTORY!
Sorry, I just had to do that.
I just loved that image inside of my head.
Thank you for reading! What did you think? Let me know in the review section down below
You might not know, I might add or change as I go.
Although, I do have a planned story, I might make unplanned chapters like this one in the future.
So now that they are adults, Finally, I can have a bit of fun with them, if you know what I mean. lol