Chapter Twenty

Author's Note: Well I didn't get to write yesterday so let's try this now. Let's see it's one of those days of the week...hehehe...er. Well I think it's Wednesday. Anyway this fic might take a while as I said before. I'm trying to get through an entire explanation in one chapter so please bear with me. Wait what the hell am I talking about by the time you read this the chapter will have been posted. Ah well you get my point...I suppose...Before I begin however I would like to say a few things about the chapter. This of course doesn't take place during the present...for those of you who are incredibly slow on the uptake...and it won't involve any of the main characters (only two minors) but it is worth reading! In other words read this or else the rest of the fic and some of this fanfiction from earlier will make no sense. Well without further ado I shall get to the fic *WARNING!* This chapter is what earns part of this fic's R rating. There is are a few very graphic scenes of violence. Please R&R!

"What's wrong with me?" Zelas looked weakly across the room, cradling her head in her hands "Oh," she moaned and leaned into the cushioning of her thrown. Zelas extended a hand and tensed it. She couldn't-couldn't-

"You're weak aren't you?"

"W-who's there?!" Zelas demanded standing "Show yourself now and I'll consider allowing you to leave relatively unharmed," she didn't sound very convincing.

The voice laughed "Spare me. I wish not to harm you...I have come to help you..." the voice appeared suddenly, at first only a slight shimmer in the air and then an abnormal black shape. At last it solidified. It was a child. A girl. She couldn't have been older than five. She wore a blue, frilly dress made of a material that looked much like velvet. Her plump cheeks were rosy and her lashes long and curled. She looked almost angelic "You're weak aren't you?" She repeated her feet inches above the ground.

"Well aren't you observant...wait-who are you-?!" Zelas took a defensive stance.

The girl smiled sympathetically "You're so young,"

Zelas looked at her confused "I'll have you know I'm..."

The girl shook here head "Nevermind," she smiled "As I said I came to help you," knowing what Zelas was going to ask next she quickly added "My name is of no importance...but if you must call me something call me...call me Muse,"

"Alright then `Muse'," Zelas leaned back, falling into her chair "What have you come to warn me about," her words were mocking upsetting the girl.

"If you feel you do not need me I shall leave," Muse began to vanish once more.

"Wait!" Zelas's curiosity was up "Wait...what...what is your message,"

Muse smiled "So now you care do you?" She grinned letting out a childish giggle "Weeeeeeeeeell-" Muse began flying towards the door with an amazing speed.

"Hey!" Zelas ran after the girl, tearing across the room and out the door.

Muse suddenly stopped and it took Zelas a moment to slow as well. The girl had stopped before a gold framed mirror, one simply on the wall for decoration.

"And..." Zelas placed her hands on her hips "A mirror...yes it's a mirror. You can look at yourself in it short-stuff,"

The girl only smiled and raised a hand to the pane "Hear," her voice was low and soft as she waved her hand causing the glass to ripple like water.

Zelas drew closer, the annoyed look completely erased from her face. The face of another woman peered back at her. Her lips were curled in a sort of defiant smile. Her eyes had neither whites nor pupils and looked back at her completely black. Her neck was slender and her face pale. She had long black hair that was draped over one shoulder reveling a bare shoulder. Zelas couldn't explain it but...this woman frightened her...

Muse waved her hand again and Zelas's own face was visible, the woman was gone "Kaimei," Muse's face darkened and became quiet grim "She is a formable enemy,"

Zelas sat her oversized pack on a nearby rock and collapsed in exhaustion. Gently she tucked her knees into her body and reached towards the pack. This was horrible. Zelas drew a cigarette from her bag. Absently she willed the cigarette to light and was taken aback when it remained the same "Oh yeah," Zelas remembered what Muse had told her.:

"She is the Lord of Darkness. She controls the night and its inhabitants. Be wary for she has a special sort of power,"

"What's she going to do turn the lights out on me?"

"I wouldn't be so naive. She has the ability to take your power, to drain it if you will. She has taken all she needs from you, hence your current state,"

"What?! How?! How does the night pertain to stealing others powers?!"

"It doesn't. She was once a lower monster but her power is being enhanced. She located the Ukiyo and taken it,"

"The Ukiyo?"

"The item that holds such a power,"

"Why does she-"

"She wants to take her place as the Lord Of Nightmares. She is only after power...but an unspeakable one at that...She will soon have the power to do just that,"

"W-what-"

"There is no telling what she may do with that position once she obtains it,"

"What can I-"

"I'm glad to see you're concerned now. Luckily there are two Ukiyos and she has not yet located the second. Two Ukiyos will be needed if she is to drain the power of someone as strong as the Ruby-Eyed Shabranigto,"

"Let me guess I have to find the first Ukiyo before her,"

"Precisely but..."

"Well that shouldn't be terribly difficult I mean-"

"Terribly naive..."

"What?"

"It shall be harder than that,"

"You know where it is...correct?..."

"I...it's...here,"

"My heart?! Oh great this is one of those inner beauty bullshit type things isn't it?!"

"No!...You'd fail with flying colors if it were..."

"Hey!"

"It's near the heart...it's not in you don't worry...,"

"I wasn't...then who is it inside?..."

"That's who you need to find,"

"Do you have any hints?"

"All I know is that they live somewhere in the city of Nalrie,"

"That's it?!"

"Are there any physical characteristics?!"

"Ah...they'll have an unusually high healing rate around the chest..."

"...That works..."

"You can't just go around stabbing people!"

"...Why not?..."

"We're trying to save the world not increase its fatality rate!"

"Actually I'm trying to save myself,"

"Well whatever you're trying to save!"

"Is there anything else?"

"Well there's a greater chance it will be male...the Ukiyo steals energy they should have a fairly weak heart-wait that probably wears off partially by childhood since it only gathers energy in the years of formation...well hmmmmmmmmm,"

"All right I get the picture, you're clueless. Now what do I do once I find this person?"

"...Ah..."

"Kill them right?"

"...Yes..."

"All right no biggie. Okay now I'm having some trouble phasing so when I'm ready would you mind...just...zapping me there or something?"

"I...ah...can't do that,"

"Why the nine-hells not?!"

"Because my power only covers a...certain radius...and well that's out of my reach,"

"Where can you take me?"

"You might want to start packing your bags,"

Zelas muttered something inaudible under her breath and shoved the cigarette back into her pack. Where was she again? She was in a forest. Zelas looked around. The rays of the sun shone through the thick treetops and the birds were singing in shrill tones and Zelas found this all unbearable. Gently she brushed a wisp of hair from her face. Again she looked to the sky "At least there's one thing I can still do," Zelas dropped form the rock and shed her clothes. Folding carelessly she stuffed them into the bag and then went onto her hands and knees. Arching her back and neck she felt her shoulder blades give an unnerving CRACK as they moved closer together. There were more cracks as the joints of her hips and shoulders gave violent jerks. Fur encompassed her body and a tail shot from the small of her back There, that's better, Zelas walked to her bag and gave it a tug with her teeth.

"Are you quiet done yet?"

What?! Zelas looked to see Muse appear What do you want?!

"Nothing...just checking on you...I think you need...help..." Muse hopped forward, through the forest, the toe of one slippered foot after another padding against the ground as she went as though she were playing some magnificent game of hopscotch.

Wait! Zelas took the strap of her pack further into her mouth and ran after Muse on all fours What do you mean-Where are you going?!

"Here," Muse stopped near a giant spruce.

Zelas looked forward and saw him. He was sleeping in the cover of the spruce and a boulder several feet behind him. He couldn't have been terribly old though Zelas couldn't see his face as it was buried along with the rest of his torso in the soft coat of a giant gray wolf that looked much like a larger version of herself. The wolf was seemingly asleep as well, its body rising and falling with each breath bringing the young man's torso along with it. Zelas looked to Muse Is he the one?

"Is he in Nalrie?!"

Zelas's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"I thought you weren't doing so well...and since I have other business to attend to I am not at the liberty to take you myself so..."

I need no guide! Zelas was offended. She was the Beastmaster!

"Well...fine..."

But a powerless one, one with no bearings at that Alright.

"That's what I thought," Muse began to fade.

Wait!

Muse reappeared "Yes?"

Can he use any types of magic or...

"...No..." Muse put a finger thoughtfully to her lips.

...Great, I'm stuck with Mr. Charming, who befriends animals and-

Muse again moved her fingers thoughtfully "Well from what I've observed...he...isn't perfect...but..." she shrugged and then changed the subject "Now change back and put on some clothes! Approaching him either like that or in the nude is sure to attract one of two possibilities neither of which will get him to help you," Muse waved then faded completely now.

Zelas looked to where she had been, atill annoyed, and then to the young man.

"There," Zelas slipped on her white shirt over her head and the tops of her pants. Pulling on her black, low-cut boots she took a step foreword and then realized something...the wolf wasn't asleep..."Hello?" Zelas took the chance that the young man was awake as well. She smiled as he moved to his back, his head still resting on the wolf. She still couldn't fully see his face from the angle but she saw the unhidden smile and unhidden dagger lying on his chest, his hands folded over it, loose but enough to use the weapon if necessary "How long have you known I was here?"

"When you approached," his sly smile remained unchanged "But I will admit I thought you to be an animal at first,"

"My, you're a light sleeper," Zelas returned his cunning smile and took a step forward. This obviously alarmed the young man because at once he sat up, holding the dagger in his right hand ready to strike if he came too close for his liking. Zelas could see his face now and the smile left her face. Never before had she seen a mortal quite like him. His smile was gone as well as he studied her warily and this allowed Zelas to see him all the more clearly. His features were almost masked by the proof of his travels, a fine brown dust staining his checks, but Zelas could easily see breathtaking beauty through this. His black hair fell to his waist currently ungroomed seeing as he had just woken. His hands were elegant although callused and bruised. He wore loose-fitting clothes of some course material Zelas didn't recognize. His pants fell well over his low cut boots, his shirt billowing out over his bent knees so that Zelas could see his slender figure as the wind pushed the fabric against his skin. But none of his other features could compare to his eyes. Zelas felt herself gasp as she saw them. They were black but perfectly clear though still mysterious, a light coursing through them as if he could see to her soul.

"Who are you?"

She was brought to reality as he spoke. The wolf had risen as well now and taken a defensive stance beside the young man "Is that really so important," Zelas forced her sly smile to return and spoke playfully. The wolf stepped in front of the young man and growled. What was this?! Why did this animal defy her?! Even if her powers were gone the animals should recognize her...shouldn't they...?

"Who are you?" The young man repeated laying a hand on the wolf. The wolf was calmed by his touch and its growl dissipated.

That wolf wasn't playing. Zelas didn't dare chance another step "Zelas," her smile was gone again and her tone was serious.

Gently he put pressure on the wolfs neck and reluctantly it laid before him so that he could see Zelas entirely "Well who do you work for Zelas?"

"Work for?!" Zelas sounded almost angry. This upset the wolf and he would have stood had the young man not put pressure to its neck for a second time. The wolf looked annoyed.

"Who are you leading?" He rephrased his first question.

"I'm leading no one!" She spat taking another step foreword. Wolf or no wolf she was going to give that guy a piece of her mind!

The young man stood and so did the wolf.

"Now look you-" Zelas took several more steps "a lot has happened lately and I'm not in the mood for a bastard like you to `cause anymore problems in my life-" the wolf didn't attack and for a moment she thought her theory of recognition had proved to be true nut it was looking with the young man to the trees opposite her.

"Damnit!" The young man looked angrily to Zelas.

"What di-" Zelas didn't have time to counter for at that moment lightly armored men poured from the cover of the trees. Zelas took a deep breath. She was too weak in her current state to fight like this. Quickly she tried to retreat from whence she came...only to be greeted by a dagger through the breast...

Zelas let out a low moan and her eyes fluttered open.

"Oh, you're awake,"

Zelas was startled by the voice and tried to sit up only to let out a cry of pain and then fall back.

"Watch it," the voice was far from stern or angry but in fact filled with concern.

"Huh?" Zelas raised her eyes and instantly saw the young man. He was looking purposefully at his hand that was holding a cool piece of cloth to her forehead, his right arm resting behind him.

"Er...I'm...sorry about before...but well..." the young man continued looking at what he was doing.

"W-what happened?" Zelas was thoroughly confused.

"One of the guards from...well Zeiln...I think...thought you were working with me and..." he motioned to her.

"Oh," Zelas remembered what had happened and quickly looked to her chest. It was bandaged well, strips of fabric tied from her shoulder so that more pressure would be held to the wound. A few more strips of cloth were tied over her breasts, though these looked quiet sloppy and rushed, there for...concealing...purposes. Zelas blushed violently and covered her upper body "Did you do this?!" she demanded.

The young man looked further away looking nervous and blushing as well "Do what?"

"This!"

"Ah...I..."

"You bandaged me?!"

The young man looked at her sternly "No," he motioned to the wolf curled up in the distance "She did," he said sarcastically.

"The least you could have done would have been to cover me with a blanket!" Zelas looked away from him.

The young man had taken any sarcasm from his voice "I tried to but it was hard enough just to bandage you,"

"What?"

The young man drew the blanket at her feet over her.

"AH!" another cry escaped Zelas's lips and the young man removed the blanket with an I-told-you-so look on his face.

"Oh shuttup," Zelas looked around. It was night. She could tell that much. A fire seemed to be burning a short distance, the wolf was sleeping beside it. Slowly she looked to the young man. He had gone back to pressing the fabric against her forehead. He looked tired and Zelas noticed he was shivering "Are you cold?" Zelas's voice was in wonder. She wasn't cold at all.

"Oh," the young man looked to her and then smiled, shaking his head "It's alright,"

Zelas looked back to the fire and then realized something "Have I been unconscious?"

"Yes," the young man continued his work.

"How long,"

"A long time...I'm really not sure..." he said this sincerely.

"About how long?"

"I don't know...several days...the blade was tipped with poison, you're lucky to be alive,"

Zelas ran the word over her tongue...Poison?...Wait poison could kill while she was a mortal! "Poison?!...How...how bad was it...you didn't have to..."

"Suck it out?! Oh Gods no! One you would most likely kill me and two sometimes it can only cause infection. In other words you would die very slowly and most likely in immense pain,"

"Oh," Zelas was a little speechless and it didn't help that he was addressing this as an almost trivial subject "What happened?"

"I let the poison run its course and well you ran a very high fever," he removed the cloth and put his hand to her forehead "It's gone down since then,"

Zelas looked to the fire. That would explain why they weren't very close to it "So you took care of me?"

The young man nodded yet again busy with the cloth.

"Why?"

He froze "Well..." he seemed to ponder her name for a moment "Zelas...I suppose a simple thank you would be asking too much,"

Zelas was of course angry with his tone "This was all you're fault! All I wanted was-"

"I'm sorry,"

Zelas watched him say this effortlessly then in ritualistic motion wrung the cloth. How could he-fatigue was overcoming her now. Her eyelids felt heavy and she wouldn't be conscious for much longer. She paused a moment then as if a compromise muttered "Thank you,"

Zelas moaned.

"Welcome back. I trust you're staying with us this time,"

Zelas looked around and at last saw the young man. He was sitting, leaning against a tree, head bowed. As far as she could tell it was still night...or the next night...Zelas tried to sit up again and after a moment of struggling found she could.

The young man looked up and smiled "I'll take that as a yes,"

His eyes were very red, causing Zelas to wonder if he had been looking after her this long "You never let me ask if you'd...h-...assist me,"

"Hm?" the young man's expression went serious.

"I...I...need a guide...you see...I'd like you to accompany me...if you know the way that is," Zelas tried not to look at him, she was embarrassed about this enough as it was.

"How much?"

"Excuse me?" Zelas's tone changed a bit and she looked at him angered.

"What will I be paid for leading you? I don't have time to just lead some girl by the hand and not get paid for it," the young man lowered his head again.

"Fine!" Zelas shouted drawing his attention a second time. She didn't really have any money. She had never really had any use for it. Whatever she had needed she had simply willed it to be there. However she did have a few things worth money with her "Here," she threw one of her golden bracelets to his feet.

The young man lifted and inspected the jewelry "That's it?" he asked after a moment.

Zelas was angered again but chose to surpress it "I'll give you more when you take me where I'm going,"

"Very well,"

"So I suppose that...thing is coming as well..." Zelas looked to the sleeping wolf beside the fire.

"Her name is Hiken not `That Thing' and yes she shall be accompying us," the young man's face was hidden again.

"Alright...and may I ask what your name is?..." Zelas tried to see his face.

"My name?" he sounded surprised that she cared "Akushou,"

"Akushou," Zelas repeated to herself.

"So where is it you want to go anyway?" Akushou asked this as though he didn't care either way.

Zelas flexed her knees trying to get rid of the soreness "Nalrie," She heard Akushou gasp for air "Is something wrong,"

It took him a moment to answer "No...no I mean...I can't take you,"

Zelas looked at him confused and again angered "Why not?!"

Akushou shook his head, his face still hidden "I just can't,"

Zelas jerked foreword almost hurting herself in the process "You have to take me! Look whatever you want I'll give you but after you take me I give you my word,"

Akushou was silent for a long while "Alright,"

Zelas smiled in relief. In truth she didn't think she would be able to so much as find her way to the nearest city without help and along the way it was very unlikely that she would meet anyone to help her who wasn't now trying to kill her that is "Can we leave now?"

"Now?" Akushou didn't move his head but didn't seem to thrilled about her question "Let's wait until morning alright? I'm...tired..."

Zelas nodded not sure how long he had actually been awake. Not wanting to go back to sleep herself Zelas stood and began to walk towards the fire. The cold had hit her and she wrapped the blanket that had been around her shoulders around her shoulders. Taking a step she looked to Akushou "Coming to the fire?" she received no answer and walked towards him now "Heeeellllllllllo?" Zelas looked at him sideways. His eyes were closed and his breathing was slow and rhythmic. He was asleep "Fine but you're going to freeze," Zelas said knowing he couldn't hear her. Of course...she wasn't going to find another guide so..."If I freeze I'm going to haunt you," carefully she wrapped her blanket around him.

"Ah!" he let out a short cry as the material touched his skin but didn't wake.

"Huh?" Zelas pulled back the blanket a bit "Way to go," she said bitterly taking his right arm in her hands and looking it over. His forearm had been bandaged but it had been done very sloppily. She unwrapped the bandages so as not to wake him Wait what am I being so careful about?! He's not waking up! Zelas took this realization as an opportunity to punch him in the wounded arm for his carelessness. Akushou let out another short cry but kept on sleeping Oh well It's not as if I need any more sleep, Zelas looked around and saw a pile of ripped fabric and a canteen where he had been caring for her. Opening the top of the canteen she poured some of the water onto the cloth At least he wasn't poisoned...wait...how can you tell?!...fever? Yeah fever...wait he would have been immobile before this...of course...you're not the brightest bird in the flock Zelas...er...But...um...what if...er...yeah see! No fever! Told ya so! Zelas made a face at herself and then touched the fabric to his arm causing him to jump and tense. Ignoring this Zelas continued. It looked as though someone had stabbed his arm and then dragged the blade. Zelas wrinkled her nose but callously shrugged it off and padded the cloth over his arm trying to clean it of any remaining traces of dried blood. Why was she going along with Muse's advice this easily. She needed a guide yes but how could she be sure she could trust him?! He was the reason she had been stabbed! Shrugging it off Zelas finished tieing the bandage and stood to face a growling Hiken "Oh come off it," Zelas put a cigarette in her mouth and then remembered she couldn't just light it with her powers. Trying to push Hiken aside and go move towards the fire. The wolf blocked her and arched it's back in a defensive stance "Look, I h-e-l-p-e-d him," she tried to move forward again only to witness Hiken repeat her action "Where's the trust? Now see here, I need him so statistics say I'm not gonna kill him but I might kill you if you don't move over and let me through!" Hiken narrowed her eyes but slowly backed away "Good doggy," Zelas went to the flame, careful to make sure Hiken didn't push her in. To her relief the hellhound had curled into a sleeping position near Akushou. Nodding in approval the Beastmaster pushed her cigarette halfway into the flame and...watched it disenigrate...Oh this trip was going to be f-u-n.

Akushou moaned and opened his eyes. Groggily he scanned his surroundings.

"G'morning," Zelas said cheerfully, now fully clothed and frying a fish over the fire on a stick.

Akushou looked puzzled. She was being cheerful now?!

"Arurururururururuuuuuuuu!"

Akushou faced the sound "Oh," Akushou rose and approached the make-shift cage Hiken was trapped in.

"I got bored waiting for you to wake up and Hiken just didn't know his-"

"-Her-"

"-her place,"

"You know," Akushou removed the log holding the wooden door in place "I might just quit if you keep picking on my best friend here," Hiken exited the cage with her head bowed.

"You know people would probably be good companions too," Zelas shoved a piece of burned fish into her mouth and then wrinkled her nose.

Akushou didn't look at her and instead gave the embarrassed wolf a pat on the head "Well I don't see any human companions with you,"

Zelas paused "Point taken," she dropped the overcooked fish and reached for another raw fish to cook.

"So," Akushou stood and walked over to the fire where she was sitting "The way I see it Nalrie is a few days ahead of here so-" Akushou took the stick from Zelas and smoldered out the flames as he talked "If we get started walking now-" Akushou looked at the fish that was now practically ash and rolled his eyes. Carefully and pulling back his hand a few times from he heat he pushed the fish off and onto the ground "-We should make it there before you kill Hiken," Akushou scoured another fish with the stick and placed it near the flame "Anyway, when you're ready to leave we can,"

Zelas kept starting angrily at her fish. She caught that fish! She caught all those fish! And if anyone was going to burn those fish it was going to damn well be her!

Akushou pulled off a small piece of the fish and hesitantly tried it "Yeah-the trick is not to catch it on fire," he said in a deadpan voice taking the fish from the stick and handing it to Zelas.

Zelas looked angrily at the fish. It wasn't her fault if the fish just decided to ignite a lot...it wasn't as if she tried to destroy it...she just hadn't had a whole lot of experience in the cooking department.. Zelas picked at the fish as though it was poisoned and then looked to Hiken who was slowly approching the rest of her uncooked fish "Hey! Hey! Stay away from hat!" Zelas looked around wildly "Here!" she pushed some of the...rejected...fish toward her "Doggy want a well cooked fish?!"

"Ahem," Akushou took a fish for himself.

"I'm paying you...you don't get my food..." Zelas snatched her fish back.

"You're not going to eat it all," Akushou looked sadly at the wasted food.

"That's besides the point...it's...the principle of the thing,"

"What principle is there is hording fish?!" Akushou tried to take a fish again.

"Well shows that I'm not just going to let you have everything . I'm going to give you money and hold my ground. I'm stating I'm not a pushover,"

There was a long pause between the two "Okay well I'm gonna push you over into that fire if you don't give a damn fish," Akushou stated with a blank expression.

"No and that's fina-AH!-" Zelas felt herself jerked forward then back coming a little to close to the fire for her taste "Take the damn fish!"

"Look it's not like I'm going to push you off the ledge, you don't have to stay back there!" Akushou shouted back to Zelas who had been walking a good twenty feet behind him ever since the fish incident. The fact that they were walking along the edge of a rather steep mountain.

"I'm...looking at the scenery..." Zelas said though a little lamely.

"Come on stop coming up with bad excuses and walk!" Akushou paused where he stood.

Zelas looked as though she was thinking his words over then at last moved cautiously forward. Hiken promptly forced Zelas onto the other side of Akushou and away from where she was standing.

"Well at least now you're not lagging behind,"

Zelas crossed her arms as though she didn't care what he was saying. She was going to kill him. She owed him nothing when this was all over.

"Soooooooooooooooooooooo why are you going to Nalrie anyway," Akushou asked awkwardly.

"Why?!" Zelas demanded looking at him over suspiciously.

"Geez...I was just trying to make small talk...but ya know it really doesn't matter...actually now it does...so why?" Akushou gave her an innocent smile.

Zelas kept looking ahead "I don't pay you to ask questions,"

"You don't pay me yet,"

"Well, if you must know I'm going there on business," Zelas raised her head a little.

"What kind of business," Akushou urged on.

"Death in the family," Zelas said in a grim tone knowing that would shut him up.

"Did you kill them?"

"I just said one of my relatives died! Have you no desentsy?!" Zelas stopped where she was.

"Well ignoring the fact that I'm a total stranger who was traveling with a wolf when you met him and ignoring to undeniable truth that on our fist encounter I was attached by a small militia...yes...it just seems to me that your not a very family oriented person," Akushou kept walking.

Zelas sighed and followed him onward "Well you're right I don't really...er...know any of my family,"

"Lucky,"

Zelas smiled "Oh, what? Family issues?"

"Yeah..." Akushou smiled back "In a sense...but you never answered my question,"

"Well if I just tell you won't have anything to annoy me with later now will you?"

"True." Akushou nodded sarcastically "I guess I'll just have to try harder next time,"

"It's my turn anyway," Zelas gave hima smug look.

"Your turn?" Akushou laughed "What's there to ask,"

"Where should I start," Zelas's voice was firm.

"Okay okay, the guards right?"

"That's a start," the Beastmaster nodded.

Akushou stopped walking forcing Zelas to face him. The young man smiled and emptied his pockets scattering the ground with gold pieces and jewelry "A common thief," he said raising his hands easily.

Zelas looked at him skeptically "Oh come on you were asleep when I found you. I think a thief would have a little more stealth,"

"You're missing three bracelets,"

Zelas looked at her arms and frowned "Fine...but you could have taken that while I was sleeping after that attack..."

"Fine, fine," Akushou quickly but carefully returned the gold and jewels to their in his pockets then walked past her and continued their hike up the mountain.

"So, really what did you do?" Zelas matched her pace to his.

"Alright look!" Akushou angrily faced her "Look if you don't believe me then there's nothing more I can tell you," He began to walk faster.

Zelas was actually curious now "Okay! You can keep all three bracelets you 'stole' if you can...erm...steal...my...dagger..."

Akushou waved his hands and shook his head motioning that he had no intention to do this.

Zelas put her hands on her hips "If you can find and steal it in five seconds I'll believe your story," Akushou was a good ten feet away and he had no clue where her dagger was! This would be simple!

"I'm not going to do it!" Akushou's voice almost broke.

"You can even keep the dagger. But if you can't you take me to that city for free and you tell me your story...look I'll even close my eyes...or are you lieing?..." Zelas smiled.

Akushou sighed "Alright," he crossed his arms, standing casually at his distance.

Zelas got ready to close her eyes "Okay...three...two...one..." she closed her eyes and began counting again "One...two...thre-"

"Got it," came a wavering voice.

Zelas's smile faded "Huh?"

Akushou had a hand to his nose as though it'd start bleeding any moment and wave the silver dagger. He was hunched over and looking a little pale.

Zelas stared at the dagger and then patted down her pants. That was it all right! She blanched now thinking that the inside thigh of her pant leg was not the best place to hide a dagger. Zelas swallowed hard. She wasn't going to be able to replace that bit of dignity...and it didn't seem as though Akushou would be able to replace that much blood...

"Can we leave now?" Akushou asked facing the opposite dirrection and speaking shakily.

Zelas opened her mouth to respond but paused "Well..." she chose her words carefully, nervous she'd say something that would make her situation even worse "I...believe you," yeah that was pretty damn bad.

"Thanks really..." Akushou kept his back to her "You don't know how much that means to me...truly,"

"Well you don't have to-"

"Zelas?" Akushou's tone changed.

"Huh?"

"Where's Hiken?"

Zelas looked around. She was no where to be found. She couldn't have just slipped off could she? Wait what did she care that wolf was a nuisance...but her hired help wouldn't work without her..."She could have gone ahead,"

Akushou shook his head but went onwards anyway.

"Ugh," Zelas followed him, again at her distance. The trail was only getting stepper and her legs were only giving out more "I don't suppose-" she silenced herself in embarrassment.

"What?" Akushou stopped and looked at her.

"Nothing," Zelas sighed taking a few more steps.

Akushou watched her huff and wheeze as she marched and stifled a laugh "Tired?"

"No," Zelas lied swinging her arms for momentum.

"We can rest," Akushou offered as Zelas went on past him.

"No, no need,"

Akushou walked past her effortlessly. She really wasn't going to stop. Why did she have to be so damn stubborn? "Well I'm tired," Akushou slowed his pace as if to prove a point "Do you mind if we rest?"

"Oh, well if you're that weak...I suppose so...just be glad I'm not taking this out of your pay," Zelas limped over to a wall of rock and sat "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh," she sighed then looked suspiciously at Akushou who was still standing but looking off in the distance "I thought you were tired,"

"Oh!" Akushou threw another glance to the horizon but went to Zelas.

OKAY! I have come to a desecion that I will put this in pieces, their past I mean. I am soooooooooooooooooooooo sorry it took so long! I is now a whole other year! I really am sorry! I got writer's block for a bit and this fic sat around for a while until I just chose to publish it. I know this was so not worth the wait but I promise the next few chapters should be out fairly soon. Well please don't kill me! Oh and thanks Akai-Chan and Digi-Riven for the support! ^-^ hehehe I probably wouldn't have even gotten this far without people telling me to get my lazy ass working on this fic!...of course not as blunt as that...Oh, and the scene of violence hasn't come in this fic yet so all the angst fans out just hold on. Well I repeat: Please don't kill me and please, please review!