Wow... You all know what tomorrow is, right? o.o Hard to imagine it's been that long already since it happened...

Anyway, thought i'd update today since i know i'll be busy doing homework all this week. Speaking of which, i should really start my algebra thing sometime soon... n.n' Meh.

Anywho, enjoy the 2nd to last chapter! I really need to start working on more stuff for the sequel, i keep coming up with ideas for stuff that happens LATER on in the story. -.-'

Disclaimer: I don't own Gash Bell, if i did, would you expect me to be writing FANfiction?


Erased

Chapter 29

Ensnared

After the little talk with Nazo Nazo Hakase and his wimpy demon partner, Kid, along with the discussion Sherry and I had, the woman and I soon began to train for a few hours until twilight had come and passed. I finally decided that was enough for the moment and that the blonde should get her rest for tomorrow. We would be heading out again, except this time we'd be wandering on our own through the area. No roads, no cars, no nothing.

Not that it was any different from what we usually did, anyway, it was just the plan that I had set up, nothing more. Sherry never complained about the schedule, or at least rarely fussed about it out loud. In the beginning, I had told her to suck it up and push through the pain and sleepless nights, to not let them besiege her.

And it happened, she was no longer consumed with her frustration and tiredness, she went on, keeping her strength and amazing willpower. There were times where I secretly wondered if any other humans could perform better than her.

Though from what I had seen so far with the battles, there weren't. And while I had to admit it, I had to say I was… glad about that.

Not letting my unwanted emotions get the better of me, I grumbled as I shook my head, impatiently waiting for Sherry to hurry up. She was taking an awful long time with her shower this morning and I was feeling more impatient than ever. Could she just move any slower?

When the front door finally opened I glared at its surface and the woman that emerged, dressed up in another one of her elaborate dresses. Though instead of being pinkish to light purple, however, this gown was pure white. She had worn it a couple of times in the past, but not too often. Again, I had to admit, but it was annoying to have to look at pink everywhere we went, so it was an acceptable change.

Sherry's face was somewhat flushed from the heat that was trapped within the bathroom as she stepped out, her golden hair neatly pulled back like it normally was. In her right hand she clutched onto my book tightly.

"You ready yet?" I muttered in pure annoyance while my bookkeeper merely nodded her head slightly.

"Yes," she answered and I noticed that there was something strange about her while she said that. However, this went ignored, though the saddened look in her blue eyes wasn't easy to disregard. Within my own thoughts, I wondered what was bothering her. I was very curious and tempted to ask, but it was like what most human's said about curiosity, so I remained silent.

Nodding my head in confirmation, I then turned around and headed towards the door while Sherry followed close behind. After asking one last time if she had everything with her, just to make sure, she acknowledged that she did and we both exited the door and walked out of the building.

It was about time we left that place; I didn't particularly like staying around in one area for too long if I knew there were other teams nearby. We had been there for about a total of four days, so it wasn't exactly an experience I wished to deal with often. I had known that there was a team nearby, and as we traveled and explored the area, I could start to sense other teams nearby as well. I began to thirst for battles once more.

Both Sherry and I ignored the strange stares a couple of random humans shot at us as we walked off the main road in front of the hotel, aiming towards the sweeping landscapes of the mountains and hills before us. The sun radiated down upon the land but it was still morning, therefore it wasn't too hot. Though that would change as the day progressed, I could already feel the heat increasing. Down here it was much warmer.

So for a while, we were both quite silent as we traveled, climbing up and down hills, finding different ways to get around some of the cliffs and clambering over a couple of rocks if they were in the way. Yet for a very strange reason, I seemed to be walking slower than usual today, or was it just Sherry trying to keep up with me?

Something very unusual was going to happen if it already hadn't, I could feel it.

After a long while, it soon became afternoon. The woman and I had barely spoken a word to another but continued on our way, every so often taking a break so she could take a quick drink of the canteen of water that was brought along. I knew that humans required much more water than demons did, so I didn't object when she asked to stop for just a second. I didn't want her collapsing out of dehydration; that would be very irritating to deal with.

But as we traveled closer to Zophise's location, I could clearly see that something was on her mind. However, I still couldn't figure out what was bothering her, but I found out soon enough.

"Brago…"

She said my name so tenderly and unexpectedly; I despised how it sounded. Turning to look at her, I could see the troubled expression was still there, yet the emotion was more intense and she didn't seem to mind broadcasting her feelings in public. Her gaze averted to mine and she then turned away, pausing momentarily.

"What?" I muttered, keeping my ruby glare upon her, musing over what she could possibly have to say. If it was so damn important, Sherry, then spit it out already!

"I, uh…" she hesitated just slightly but continued walking on, grasping onto my book tightly as she stared at the ground, climbing over a rock. "I-I'm sorry for what's happened between us, I really am."

I blinked, turning to look at her with an inquiring look. Well, that was unexpected. "Sorry for what?"

At this, the blonde merely shook her head, almost as if trying to push something or another out of her mind. "I said that I was sorry for what's happened between us." Her gaze landed upon mine yet I refused to turn away. Instead, I waited while the woman continued. "I know that you've probably been through some moments you really didn't want to be in for the past couple of months, but I'm sorry. I can't remember anything from that time. I really want to, though. The feeling of something missing isn't that pleasant…"

"Hn," I shrugged, still listening.

"I know you think I'm weak," continued Sherry, picking up her pace since the rocks we had just passed by had gotten in our way, and we were now starting up a hill. "But I'm trying, I'm going to make you the king no matter what happens!"

"I have heard this speech before, Sherry," I grumbled, finally taking my eyes off of her as I stared back to what was in front of me, walking around a bush. "As good as it is to know you're not giving up on our goal, would you just shut up if you have nothing new to say?"

Golden brows pulled into a frown, Sherry sighed as she changed the grasp upon my book and held it in the opposite hand. I watched as she put on an expression that clearly said she was thinking to herself. But when she spoke, her voice was filled with an equal amount of annoyance, confusion, and some other emotion I had yet to recognize. It was strange how I began studying and observing the tones in her voice.

"I do have something, but… I just don't know how to tell you."

At this, I stopped walking, and redirected my gaze to my bookkeeper yet again as she halted in her own tracks as well and stared at me. I put on a serious yet questionable look as I folded my arms across my chest, feeling rather impatient now.

"Then spit it out," I said irritably, not really in the mood to deal with her stalling.

Again, she merely shook her head, seemingly unsure of herself. I was beginning to feel even more annoyed, but I tried to push the thoughts out of my head. It should be nothing to worry about, so there was no reason why I should be listening to her rambling, right?

"Forget it," I murmured and turned around, continuing on our way. "You're not going to say it, so don't even bother."

"But…" Sherry trailed off as she then sighed, afterwards picking up her pace as well to catch up with me again. One more, an uncomfortable silence filled the air around us as we headed down the mountains, neither of us bothering to look at one another often or to even try and start a conversation—not that I really wanted one anyway.

Though about an hour later, we ended up stumbling upon an old cottage out in the middle of the mountains on the bottom of a small, grassy hill. There was no smoke emitting from the chimney and no lights were on. In fact, it gave the impression that someone had abandoned it sometime ago, though it couldn't have been too long since it still appeared to be in good shape.

"Let's check it out," said Sherry quietly and continued forth before I could interject. I grumbled and followed suit, waiting as she lightly rasped the back of her hand upon the front door. No answer.

"Let's just go," I said, "We don't need to be here. It's abandoned."

"If it really is then we can just go in and spend the night," said my bookkeeper as she pushed open the door; it creaked just slightly as it glided to the side, now fully open. Evidentially no one had bothered to lock it.

"Fine," I said gruffly and walked in right after Sherry, glancing around the small room. There wasn't much to look at, though one could definitely tell there used to be people living here. So for some reason or another they just moved out or died. Either way, it was rather empty. Dusty furniture lay neatly across the rooms, and as I peeked into a couple of open doors, I could already see a little more.

At least we didn't have to deal with those stupid humans at the hotels and those damn keys to carry around…

Sherry started to inspect some of the rooms, probably making sure that we were really alone in the place and that there was no unwanted company, namely an animal or two that may have crawled in. I began to wander aimlessly, exploring the space around me. I came to the bedroom first, since the door was open and I didn't really want to be cooped up in the same room with Sherry for the time being, since she was taking a look at the kitchen on the other side of the cottage.

The room was small, somewhat quaint, some would say. A small divan was to the side with a tiny wooden dresser parallel to it. Light magenta curtains were adorned on the windows and sun was pouring into the bedroom, providing the tiny place a calm look.

It was then I noticed on top of the drawer a small picture of two people. Bored and not really interested, I still went over and picked it up just for the heck of it. All I could really make out of it was a dirtied picture of an elder human couple, nothing extremely interesting. I set the picture back down and didn't bother to set it up right again when it fell on its back. It was just a dumb portrait…

Nothing interesting whatsoever.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Night had arisen and Sherry was getting herself prepared for some sleep. I didn't know what was happening, but I had a very strange feeling that something or another was going to occur. Problem was, was that I had no idea what. Knowing the two of us, it could be just about anything, but then again, my desire hadn't been fulfilled in a while…. For once, I was actually somewhat nervous. I couldn't let my want control me, but then again, I couldn't allow the anxiety to, either. It was a battle between two particular emotions I truly disliked and didn't want.

Situations like this didn't usually end up so well.

After finding some remaining food that wasn't spoiled within one of the cabinets, the woman had managed to prepare herself something small to eat for her dinner. I wasn't hungry, so I remained within the cottage, musing to myself when Sherry finally decided to go to sleep.

However, before doing so, the idiot just had to bring up the previous conversation from earlier as we both stood uncomfortably in the bedroom.

"Brago… could you please listen to me?" she asked quietly, fiddling with her thumbs somewhat. Sherry had already dressed up in a light pink nightgown that barely went past her knees and soon she gripped her bare arms in unease. I stared at her, noticing the unusual and unwanted feelings growing in the back of my mind. "I really don't know how to say it, but…"

"Then would you just say it?" I asked in an annoyed tone and the woman's golden brows furrowed down. "You're really starting to get on my nerves."

With a sigh, the woman rubbed her eyes with her hands gently as she shook her head, afterwards staring at the ground with a confused expression. "I'm really sorry." Yes, I know, you've told me. "I know I can make things better, but… things just seem really complicated right now." At this, she turned to look up at me, a sincere expression overwhelming her features. "But, I feel that something is holding the both of us back in our goals."

Well, that was something interesting to say. The woman turned her head back down to stare at the floor, continuing to talk as she shifted the weight on her feet.

"I don't know what to do about it," she sighed and looked around, noticing the picture that had fallen from earlier. She walked over to where it lay and set it up right again, a saddened expression on her face. "It's a shame, really. I don't know what to do anymore or what to say…"

"What you'll do is make me the king and what you'll say is the spells," I responded shortly, giving her a look as if she should know better when she turned her attention back to me. "Simple enough?"

With yet another sigh, the woman shook her head, turning her back to the dresser as she glanced around uneasily. "You just don't get it, Brago…. You just don't get it at all. Maybe you do, I don't really know, but…"

I watched in silence as she trailed off and I felt that one unusual sensation tug at my chest again, I hadn't felt this in a while. I hated these situations, I really did—where Sherry started to act all depressed and went on a tirade. It made me feel… strange… I knew I wanted her, but it was harder to not think about it while she was in a weak state.

In other words, she was vulnerable.

Damn it…

Now it almost seemed that the woman wasn't really paying attention to me, she seemed to start… talking off on her own by herself, almost as if I weren't even there to listen to her. She walked around, not really thinking on where she was going as she mused to herself out loud; it was strange to hear what her inner thoughts were and what she really had to say.

"I don't know what's happening between us, I really don't. First we hated each other, then we were just rivals, then friends, and now what are we?" Sherry did a few hand motions, staring at the ground slightly with a sigh. "It's not fair, not at all…"

I felt myself beginning to walk closer to her, not really paying attention to her words now. I was about to make her stop and shut up when I reached out to her but froze as she continued talking, my eyes widening upon hearing a fragment of her words.

"…I was so angry with myself because I couldn't be the real me when it happened…. And then I woke up to find…"

Before she could continue however, I halted her, now very curious.

"What did you say, Sherry?"

Azure eyes widening, the blonde turned to look up at me in surprise. Evidentially she had said something she didn't want me to hear, as she slowly began to back up while I walked forward, inching closer to her until there was nowhere for her to run.

"I—I…"

I began to feel a little angry when she began to stall so I clenched my fists, waiting for an answer. The woman continued to stammer, trying to figure out a way to speak clearly and coherently. She shook her head, almost as if she were about to say 'forget it', but I hastily rammed her into the wall, pinning her arms up against it.

"What is it?" I inquired roughly, staring at the woman with a hard frown. Maybe if she would just tell me, then I could figure out some more things and use those clues to get a step closer to finding the remaining memories that were lost. Not to mention discovering the true mastermind behind all this.

The blonde turned her head away, avoiding my gaze. "I-it's nothing," she murmured. I scowled somewhat before inching closer to her, whispering in her ear harshly.

"Tell me, Sherry. If it's 'nothing', then it won't matter."

"Yes, it will," she spoke quietly, eyes widening as I moved even closer. "Yes, it…"

I halted her speech by brushing my lips against her own, pushing the woman up against the wall even harder, only making my body closer to hers. She gasped and seemed to somewhat relax while my grip tightened. But I had to say this: it was a mistake to quiet her by doing that, because I knew now that I wouldn't be able to stop myself…

"Brago…" the woman breathed my name when I stopped the kiss, but made to go for her neck instead. I still hated, no, despised the feeling, yet I wanted her so badly. As much as I loathed it, I wanted to experience more of it at the same time. I was trapped with a curse. All of my senses were ensnared within this deadly trapped and all coherent thoughts were blocked from my mind. All I could think about was her and my uncontrolled desire.

I kissed her neck a little harder, biting it occasionally while the woman whimpered, resting her hands upon my shoulders. It was strange, was I somehow pleasing the woman? She almost appeared to enjoy this, yet it was hard to determine when she silently cried as I grazed her exposed skin. If she were being enlightened, then I was being controlled. I had been turned weak again, I realized, the both of us were; Sherry was letting me do that one something to her and I couldn't stop myself from its happening.

She let me go up against her neck and shoulders roughly, moaning softly as I kissed her. I went back up to her lips to halt the overwhelming sound, but that only made me want even more from her. My hands started to involuntarily travel up to where the thin straps of her sleeves were and my fingers carefully slipped underneath the slick material, brushing against her skin…

Sherry squeaked suddenly and quickly pulled away while I drew back, watching her with an intent stare as we both breathed deeply, both of our chests rising and falling with each pant. A faint blush grew upon the woman's cheeks as she gave me a strange look, clutching onto her front of her dress tightly.

"Please, Brago… don't do that again…" she gasped, putting on a pained expression. "It's not right, I can't do this with you; I can't be… Just… No!"

I continued to stare at her and was about to speak, when Sherry suddenly shook her head angrily and shouted at me to get out of the room. Right there I actually decided to listen to her, since I really didn't want to be caught in another unwanted moment. That was the last thing I needed, but I supposed that it shouldn't happen for a while now. But still, I knew that my want would forever be there…

What was happening to me? I had actually willingly kissed her that time. Why did I have to change in this way, was this some form of punishment for something?

As I glanced at the closed door to Sherry's temporary room for the night, I couldn't help but sigh in unease. Things were changing suddenly and I couldn't stop it, I wished it didn't, but there was nothing I could do.

Sherry… what was this feeling I had developed around you?