Home Sweet Home

VI.

I didn't fall asleep, but instead slipped into a peaceful state of mediation. To my surprise, Sherry didn't fall asleep, either. She stayed seated in front of me. I was able to hear her flipping through the pages of my book. I wondered if she found a new spell she could read. I guess I'll find out in another battle.

I sensed the day go by rather slowly, the air becoming cooler as night began to close in. One thing I noticed was Sherry's presence getting closer and closer. I wouldn't doubt that she got an inch closer to me as each hour passed. Did she notice she was doing it? She had to have become aware of it when I felt her hip touch my foot.

I hope she didn't think she was protecting me. Even in the state I was in, I was still…

I shouldn't say anything against her. She fought well earlier despite the circumstances we ran into. I became slightly worried that she would become clumsy when she found I had been blinded. It just seemed to make her stronger and more determined. I give her credit for that.

What also surprised me was that she didn't appear that worn out after that long run. Maybe I could start training her like I trained myself and she would make it past day four. It was worth a try…though the main purpose behind it was still unclear. Why put her through all the extra training when she seemed strong enough as it was to finish off this war? Would it really come in handy?

The burning in my eyes lessened, and only then did I dare to open my eyes. My vision was slightly blurry at first, but I managed to clear the clouds and spots to see almost perfectly. Indeed, Sherry was sitting practically right on me, still flipping through the book that she could hardly read. She didn't know I was watching her, so I continued to do so until my vision was back to normal.

The sun had become red and only shone through certain treetops. A large ray hit where we were sitting, giving the appearance that we were in the spotlight of the forest. The sun gave Sherry's hair more color, making it a more strawberry blonde. The highlights went well with her complexion, and even made her skin a little shinier. Her eyes turned a darker shade of blue, which looked more fitting with her intense gaze.

My gape averted to the book. Her slender fingers held it with care, turning each page with curiosity. She was sitting with one knee up to her chest and the other leg straight out. Due to this position, her slightly lighter and shorter dress stopped just below her knees, showing off her shin high boots.

The outfit did were well…a little too well.

It made me feel…hungry.

Without hesitation upon this thought, I stood up. She jumped at my sudden and unexpected movement. Tilting her head back, she looked up at me and I looked down at her.

"Can you see now?"

I gave a single nod and began walking in the direction I smelled water. I heard her scramble to her feet and follow after me.

"Just like that? You wake up and you can miraculously see again?" she asked incredulously.

"I told you I would get my sight back in a few hours," I said, side-glancing her, "And I didn't fall asleep. I was merely meditating."

"That's what I meant…" she mumbled, looking straight ahead. She paused for a long moment, "Now what?"

"There's a lake nearby. We can stop there for water and something to eat," I heard a stomach growl, and at first I feared it was mine. For some odd reason, I felt terribly hungry, though I had eaten earlier that day. I usually only eat twice in the same day if I happen to stumble upon food. Studying Sherry seemed to make my stomach empty, however.

I looked toward her and saw her holding her stomach. She wore a blush on her cheeks. A nervous smile spread her lips.

"Just as I assumed," I said dryly, making it seem as though I was only leading her to the lake to get food for her.

She didn't say anything in response, so I had to add, "You eat too much."

"Oi!" she shot a me a glare, "I haven't eaten since this morning."

Sherry slowed down for a moment before walking faster to stay beside me. When I casually retorted a "Precisely," back to her, she actually reached a hand over and pushed my shoulder. It wasn't hard, but it was so unexpected coming from her, that it made me stumble a few steps to the side. My eyes widened. Why would she…

She decreased her pace again and smiled over her shoulder. As the shock wore off, I felt my face contort into a menacing glower. I ran in front of her so fast, her eyes couldn't keep up, so therefore she was facing away from me.

My teeth grew slightly larger and became sharper from my anger, "Was that some sort of challenge, ningen?" I growled, taking a step forward to make up for the step she took back. She was still smiling, until she was able to notice how serious I was.

"Brago…it was just a playful shove," she tried to explain herself, clenching my book tightly in her hand.

"A playful…shove?" I questioned, allowing my facial features to go back to normal, "No shoves are playful. They all mean that one would like to start a fight."

Fear clouded her eyes for a quick moment before she regained herself. I could still smell her slight fear, but she was trying desperately to settle things calmly, "That was hardly a push to start a fight with you, Brago. Here, it's basically a silent statement saying 'ha, ha, it's all good.' Nothing to get upset about."

I raised a brow, "You push someone to say everything's good?"

She smiled, probably from how ludicrous that sounded, "Precisely."

I stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out if she was serious. She was. With that, I turned and began striding in the same direction as before, "Ridiculous."

"Not really," she caught up to me again, finding it necessary to explain it further to me, "You and I were having a conversation where you were basically making fun of me because of how much I ate. Which I still say is untrue, mind you. I gave you a playful shove to say that although you were making fun of me, I didn't take it personally or seriously."

I blinked and turned toward her, "And what if I wanted you to take it personally?"

"Then that's just rude," she stated bluntly.

Despite myself, I smirked, "Would it have been a playful shove then?"

"Stop trying to start a fight," she said demandingly, giving me a mocking glare, "You almost had me scared back there. I really thought you were going to attack."

I saw the small lake up ahead and slowed down our speed, "Demons attacking humans is natural."

Sherry rolled her eyes, "Not to mention cliché."

"You believe I wouldn't attack a human?"

She dwelled on the question for a minute before answering slowly, "No…I think you would if you had your reasons. I don't believe you would attack a human for no reason, however."

I thought about it…hm, that was a good answer. This was actually a conversation I was enjoying.

"Do you think I would attack you?"

She shook her head, "No."

"No?" I inquired, clasping my hands together behind my back, "You seem a little too sure of that. You said a few minutes ago that you thought I was going to attack you."

"I was only teasing to see what you would say."

"And what did I say?"

"It was natural for demons to attack humans."

"Do you think I was teasing when I said that?"

"No, it was just a fact you tried to turn into a threat."

"A threat to who?"

She finally looked at me after our long back and forth squabble. I thought for a moment that she was going to say something smart, but she only ended up smiling, "I think this is the longest conversation I ever had with you."

Realizing this also, I looked away from her to see we were now about ten feet from the lake. I went silent after she revealed this, but couldn't help but want to continue it, "You never answered my last question."

Her smile widened. It surprised me that it made her this happy just because I was actually talking, "Are you sure it was going to be your last question?"

"Depends how you answered."

"What do you think I was going to say?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but shut it quickly, "Are you trying to be the one to ask the questions now?"

Sherry gave me an innocent look, "Wouldn't that be fair if we took turns?"

"What does this conversation have to do with fairness?"

"Why are you questioning my questions?"

"You're doing it, too."

"Ha!" she resounded suddenly, a smug smirk on her face, "You didn't ask a question. I win."

We stopped when we reached the water's edge, looking down into the crystal blue water to see small fish swimming around, "Were we playing a game?"

She shook her head, not being able to rid herself of the smirk, "Don't try to redeem yourself now, Brago."

We stared at each other. I tried to hold it back, but I couldn't help but mock her smirk. I never did have that many conversations with her--especially ones that lasted this long--but I was surprised at how enjoyable it was. Sometimes, when we walk through a city, I catch bits and pieces of peoples conversations. They sound very dull and pointless. Was ours pointless? Hard to tell, but…

I saw her sniffing the air before scrunching up her nose, "I smell smoke."

Before I could even concentrate on a scent, a loud explosion went off, a whole section of trees being blown up from across the lake. Before the smoke cleared and the fire was able to reach its zenith, a long line of fire began to drive at us. The flames seemed to float above the water, evaporating much liquid along the way.

"Shit!" I grumbled, stepping in front of Sherry. I wrapped my arms around her waist and jumped to the side in midair. I was hoping to avoid it, but the inferno was too large and too close. Thankfully, my back was to it and my book was safely squished between our bodies.

I screamed involuntarily when the fire penetrated my back. It had a large force behind it, knocking me to the ground atop Sherry. She was screaming bloody murder right in my ear, but that was the least of my worries. The fire had gone as quickly as it appeared, but the skin on my back was scorching and, because my eyes weren't completely healed, the heat had me seeing nothing but a blur again.

I squinted, the action only helping a bit. Sherry had stopped yelling and was now looking up at me with worry. I breathed heavy, "Are you okay?"

Her eyes widened before she gave me one of the most depressing expressions, "Brago, I should be asking you that."

I shook my head and slowly rolled off of her, gently raising myself into a standing position, "I can deal with it. But if you're hurt, I have to know."

Her bottom lip trembled only for a moment before she toughened up. She put on her determined gaze and shook her head, "I'm fine. I just got the wind knocked out of me is all."

I swallowed roughly, biting down on my tongue until it started bleeding. I needed it to help take my mind off the worse pain. I gritted my teeth, my eyes going in and out of focus. I tried my best, but my power was worn from that direct hit. I dropped to one knee.

Damn, I hope I didn't lose my vision again…

"Brago?" I didn't answer her, for I wasn't even sure if she called my name at all.

This is definitely not my day…

I closed my eyes to keep myself from getting sick, but quickly felt Sherry wrap her arms around me. She touched only the front of my shoulders, taking great care to not touch my scarred back. In her right hand, she also held the black book that was my solid shield in knowing that this battle wasn't over yet.

"Let's find someplace for you to rest again."

Don't need to rest again…

Though I thought it, I couldn't say it. In spite of myself, I leaned against her and allowed her to lead me to a resting spot. She didn't take me too far, for I could still hear the flowing water close by. She told me to sit down, lowering herself with me.

The pain was beginning to numb already and, with my demon blood, believed my scars should heal in no time.

She stayed in front of me for a few minutes before I heard her stand, "I saw a fishing pail by the water a little ways down. I'm going to fill it up with water. I'll be right back, okay?"

I simply nodded, hearing her run away. Only when I knew she was far enough away did I let out a long hiss. I felt my back bubbling and happened to wonder exactly how bad it was.

I guess I have new marks to add to my body's collection.

It wasn't long before Sherry returned. She must have moved as fast as she could to come back that quick. She set the bucket of water behind me before sitting herself behind me, also. Instantly, I heard a loud rip and knew she tore off a piece of her dress.

I chuckled lowly, "Destroying another one of your dresses?"

"I think you're a lot more important than some stupid dress," she remarked. I listened to her dipping the rag into the water and ringing it out until it was only damp. To help her out, I slipped off what was left of my shirt, setting aside my black cloak that was meant to resist such actions.

She gasped when she was able to fully see what happened, but I didn't bother to comment. What might seem horrible to her, might only be a little scratch to me.

When I felt her press the cold rag to my back, I arched away from it out of instinct. The iciness did feel good once the sensation set in, numbing my scars even further.

"What do you suppose happened?" she asked while still patting the rag on random parts of my back.

I cocked my head up, opening my eyes only to see a lot of green from the out of focus trees, "It was the Fire Mamodo, no doubt."

Sherry allowed the realization to sink in, "He was attacking you from across the lake?"

Sighing quietly, I closed my eyes and tilted my head down again, "No. I think he was battling another mamodo and we just happened to get caught in the crossfire…literally."

We both became silent, only the sound of the dripping water making any noise. She finally spoke, "The Fire Mamodo has really strong attacks if it came all the way over to us."

I smirked, the thought exciting me more than intimidating me, "Yeah…I can't wait to finally go up against him myself."

"Brago--," she began, but I knew what she was going to say.

"He won't catch me off guard next time. Next time…I'll be ready for him."

She dropped the rag in the bucket and kept it there. I assumed she was done. She had gotten all over my back, but I was hoping she would continue. It was soothing, and allowed me to think about things that really mattered.

Before I knew it, however, I felt her cold hands rest on my shoulders and her head lie against the side of my neck. I opened my eyes despite the fact I could hardly see and looked over my shoulder slightly. I could tell her eyes were closed.

I thought about shaking her off. I felt her tremble faintly and decided against it. I looked down again before closing my eyes, preparing to go into another healing meditation.

I knew she wouldn't move an inch away from me in the meantime.

I'll let her have her way this one time…