Disclaimer:*annoyed as hell*
A/N: I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY THAT I DID NOT UPDATE UNTIL NOW! GOMEN MINNA-SAN! I was grounded for the past god knows how long, weeks and I couldn't even look at my comp without my dad going nuts. I was only one third of the way done with the chap. v.v I feel so bad! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 21: Alan
Genki and Mako grumbled to each other as they gathered wood.
"What is with women? Why do they always send us to do the manual labor? I know Yuri's strong enough to gather some firewood," Genki complained as Mako threw another log onto the growing pile in Genki's arms. Mako was humming a tune as he listened to Genki. Mako didn't have the right to complain, he wasn't the one holding the wood.
"Hai Genki. I know, I know. Achika's strong too, but not right now..."
"Shut up Mako. You leave my sister alone," Genki said in his over protective way. Genki was worse then a pit-bull with pups.
"Oh? It's ok to pick on her lover but not her huh?" Mako asked, dodging a swing from Genki. Genki fell over, completely off-balance, with the wood flying all over the place. Mako dodged each piece nimbly and then threw them at Genki. Genki caught them awkwardly and got up. He glared at Mako.
"Thanks," he said sarcastically as Mako smiled. Mako started laughing and tried to control it, but failed miserably. Genki fake glared at him and then threw a piece of wood at his head. It conked Mako right in between his eyes. The tiger half-breed fell over and nearly fainted. Genki laughed loudly as Mako sat up and shook his head. He glared at Genki and made several confusing gestures. Genki looked at him confused.
"I don't get you. What are you doing?" Genki asked utterly perplexed.
Mako smiled mysteriously, the insult only known to him and the others of his species. He brushed himself off, and turned away. Genki followed, curious. The kid was usually running away from Zuums, yet this Zuum was his friend. He still didn't understand the Monster World.
***
Tiger had finally tracked down the rogue daton, and trapped him in a cave. The shallow cave only went a few yards into the mountain, and the mouth was covered with a thundering wall of water. It was the reason Red had tried to loose Tiger in the cave. He didn't think Tiger would be crazy enough to follow him.
"Red what are you doing? I don't want to fight you anymore. I just want to take you back to the others. Maybe they have found out how to help you."
Red backed into a corner, growling loudly. It was clear that he felt threatened by Tiger, but he didn't seem as eager to attack Tiger as he was to attack Achika.
"Y-Y..... You...... can... not..... help..... meeeeeee," Red growled. He shook his head, sending drool and froth flying from his muzzle. The inner battle in his head was slowly becoming too much for him. Red backed up until his rump smacked the wall. He turned and looked at the wall in morbid horror.
"I know I can't help you, but maybe Achika-"
Tiger was cut off by Red as he let out a mighty roar and leapt at him. Tiger dodged nimbly to the side and landed beside Red. Suddenly pain ripped through Tiger's body as a jewel came out of his chest. The clear diamond-like gem, sparkled brightly upon the ground.
Red hissed and flung himself towards the entrance. The water was so powerful, that the angered and blinded Red immediately was crushed and thrust into the water. Tiger was torn between two things. To grab the jewel, or to save Red. If he grabbed the jewel, he wouldn't have time to save Red. If he saved Red, Red's injuries would have to be treated immediately and he would have to leave the jewel behind. Either way, he would be losing a jewel, and everyone would be angry with him. What was he going to do?
Tiger growled, hating his decision. He launched himself at the water with his eyes closed. An instant of cold and suddenly he was fighting for his life just to breathe. His muzzle broke the surface and he gasped for breathe as he doggie paddled down river. In the back of his mind he realized that this river was the river that passed by the campsite where everyone was waiting. They were waiting for him. For him to bring back Red. Where was he?
A flash of red caught Tiger's eye. His mane. Tiger swam towards the limp form. It was Red, unconsious. Tiger bit his neck gently and lifted his head above the water. He placed his muzzle underneath Red's and lifted both his own and Red's. He needed to do this incredibly hard task until the camp came into view. Which was only a couple of miles. Around three.
Tiger's wet fur suddenly became even heavier. He struggled to keep a float with Red and keep both of them alive. Tiger fought with his wet fur and an even wetter Red. He dived under and nearly drowned, but he broke through the surface and stayed afloat. That is, until both of them hit white water. Tiger was dragged under and nearly drowned again, but a whip wrapped around his right foreleg and fished him out. He relaxed against the soggy ground and found Red lying next to him. The crazed daton's face was stuck in a fixed snarl. Tiger looked around and saw a familiar gray haired kid. He had only met him once and briefly, but he remembered his name. Alan.
"You're Tiger of the wind. You traveled with Genki and Holly, didn't you?" He asked walking towards Tiger.
For some reason Alan reminded Tiger of his old trainer. An abusive runt who thought monsters were just property. Tiger reflexively growled at him and then stopped. He shook his waterlogged head and stared up at Alan.
"Yes. I did once. I am again. They're downstream from here. My companion and I are trying to join them."
"You must be pretty desperate, or in a real big hurry. Were you trying to use the river to get there faster?" Alan asked offering him a papaya. Tiger looked at it uncomfortably for a moment and then he took it in his mouth and swallowed it whole. Alan smiled and whistled.
A large full grown Worm came flying out of the ground. It landed behind Alan.
"Well, I can give you and your friend a lift if ya want," Alan offered kneeling down in front of Tiger so that they were eye to eye. Tiger looked at him, looked at Red, and then thought about how far away the others were. If he was traveling by himself, it wouldn't be that bad. But he had to worry about Red. Both his injuries and the fact he could wake up any minute and try to kill Tiger. It would be best to let Alan try to help.
Tiger smiled cockily, which was rare, even though he had changed.
"That lift sounds good."
***
Achika felt warmth. Lots of it. She opened her eyes to find that her and Yuri were away from the camp. They were in the forest, resting in a hammock Yuri created out of leaves and branches. Yuri was still holding her.
Achika moved slowly and looked over the edge of the hammock. She was a dizzying ten feet above the ground. A slight whimper from above her shoulder forced her to turn around. Yuri was smiling and trying to look innocent.
"What are you looking for?" Yuri asked innocently.
Achika blushed, "Where's my shirt?"
"Oh, that. Um... I don't know. I'm sort of still looking for mine."
Achika laughed nervously and sweatdropped. How could she let Yuri talk her into this?
"Um... Yuri-chan, where's our clothing?"
"I don't know. I wasn't looking where I was throwing it," Yuri said lazily and completely calm. Achika was close to hysteria. She didn't need Genki finding her clothing for her.
"How can you be so calm?!" Achika yelled. Yuri yawned in her face.
"Relax. No one is going to know. Now be quiet," Yuri mumbled kissing her lips. Achika half closed her eyes and nearly let Yuri talk her into it again. She pulled away quickly and shook her head.
"We can't Yuri. We have to go back to the others."
Yuri pouted, "Why?"
"You know why Yuri. Now stop kidding around. We have to find our clothes," Achika said sitting up. Yuri sat up with Achika and hugged her. So many bad memories flowed through Yuri's head whenever she was alone. When she was with Achika, those memories didn't matter. Nothing ever mattered. It was just her and Achika. No worries, no troubles. She felt at complete bliss. Such a thing had never happened to her before. She was used to being alone. So use to it, that now she had someone she was afraid to get close. She was afraid that Achika would leave her alone again.
"Aishiteru Achi-chan," Yuri muttered as she hugged the girl even closer.
Achika blushed. Why was Yuri reacting this way? She was usually so happy and perky and ready to beat the crap out of someone. She seemed... Different.
"Honey, is something wrong?" Achika asked looking deep into Yuri's red eyes.
Yuri stared back with a ghost of a smile, "No. Nothing's wrong. Don't worry about it."
"Aishiteru Yuri-chan," Achika mumbled, hugging the girl she loved. She was concerned over the pixie's sudden change. What was so wrong?
A/N: I hope this makes up for now! I'll get the next chap up as soon as possible! (Hope I don't get grounded again) Review!
