Chapter 2

Despite the rocky start, Judith had slept quite well. He room was large and luxurious, the bed even more so. She had an en-suite bathroom with a huge bathtub. Despite the stark and bare exterior of the temple, Judith was pleasantly surprised to find that her room had two large patio doors that opened up unto a small private garden which was overgrowing with the most beautiful shrubs. In one corner a small table and chair was nestled beneath a dense shrub with budding white flowers.

The following day, Gowasu had instructed Zamasu to show Judith to their library. With a scowl, Zamasu had questioned his Master.

"Do you truly deem it appropriate for a mortal to lay eyes on our sacred texts Master?" But before Gowasu could scold his young apprentice, Judith had spoken.

"And do you really think it's any of your business where this mortals' eyes go?" she said, gesturing to herself, clearly annoyed.

'Maybe she's more capable of handling my successor than I expected.' Gowasu thought as he looked between the two of them.

Zamasu was clearly surprised that would so openly address him with a tone of annoyance, she was on his planet after all.

"It should be the business of every worthy go where mortals, such as you, stick their noses. And how dare you address me in such casual manner, I am a superior being!" He ranted at her, but instead of backing down, she countered.

"Well, maybe if you start acting like a superior being and not a tantrum throwing child, I will address you appropriately!"

"Why you-", but Gowasu broke up the building argument before he could speak.

"Now, now you two. There's nothing to get worked up about." He said calmly. "Zamasu, our sacred texts are written in the divine language, thus Judith will be unable to read them, even if she wanted to." He then turned to Judith. "And Judith, please be patient with my apprentice, he still has much to learn." He finished with a smile.

"Now please Zamasu, escort our guest to the library and return to me with a fresh pot of tea so that our lesson can begin."

Both Judith and Zamasu held their tongues, choking back the sea of retorts they had ready to throw at each other.

"Please follow me." Zamasu said through clenched teeth, his voice strained with the effort to bite back his anger.

"Very well." Was all Judith could manage, struggling herself to keep her cool.

They walked in silence. Judith was making every effort she could to memorize the path to the library. She will be damned if she had to ask Mr Ego to show her the way again. Despite their mutual feelings of annoyance, they were acutely aware of each other's presence and their close proximity.

Zamasu ventured a look at her from the corner of his eye. She was clearly concentrating. 'Probably trying to remember how to get the library.' He thought. 'Not that it would matter. Even if she somehow managed to find her way there again, she would need a key to open the door.' he continued to muse. 'And unfortunately, I have to only key.' he thought smugly.

He noticed she was biting her lower lip, something she did without noticing whenever she was deep in thought or, like now, concentrating. Zamasu found himself wondering what it would taste like if he was the one biting that lip… he froze mid step.

Judith had not noticed he had come to a stand still and walked straight into him, almost stumbling.

"Hey! A warning would be nice next time." Judith said irritated.

Zamsu had barely noticed her speak. He was in complete shock that a thought such as that would cross his mind. Never, in all his existence, had he ever thought of such things. What made it worse, is the fact that he was having such thought about this mortal. Hid fists clenched in frustration.

'Calm your mind.' He said to himself before starting walking again.

Judith was at a complete loss. 'What had just happened?' She decided not to question him as she was getting a weird vibe from him, his Ki seemed to have grown heavy. She noticed his fists were clenched behind his back and a vein had appeared at his temple.

Even so, when she had bumped into him, it felt like she had walked into a solid wall. 'His appearance will definitely throw someone of.' She thought to herself. 'His slender frame hides his strength perfectly and his uniform hides his muscular build.' She continued to muse. 'I can only imagine what it would feel like to be locked in his embrace…'

Judith was so deep in thought she almost did not notice he came to stop and nearly walked into him again. She watched as a materialized a key out of thin air and unlocked the massive doors before the key vanished again.

'That's a handy trick…' she thought.

Zamasu stepped aside and beckoned her to enter.

"After you." He sarcastically remarked, his eyes following her as she moved passed him . She had planned a witty retort, but her mind went blank at the incredible sight in front of her.

Zamasu watched her intently, seeing every emotion as it crossed her face. 'Such beauty…' he thought as he watched her, tracing every outline of her face.

In front of Judith was one of the largest rooms she had ever seen, and every inch of the walls were covered in shelves upon shelves of books.

'I've died and gone to heaven.' She thought staring dumbstruck at the expanse of the library. The shelves were made of some dark wood and stretched three stories high. Every story had a small landing with intricately designed railings and spiral staircase. The ceiling was covered in a beautiful mural depicting a scale, a Kai of creation on one side and a destroyer god on the other. The carpet that adorned the floor was a deep red, the color of blood after exposed to the air.

Judith was oblivious to the fact that Zamasu was staring at her. A strange feeling had grown inside of him, seeing the look of awe and wonder on her face at the sight before her.

Was it jealousy he felt? Did he wish she would look at him with same expression of adoration as she looked at these books?

'How preposterous!' he answered his self-conscious and shrugged it off.

"Zamasu-" This was the first time she had said his name. His breath caught in his throat. The way she had said his name…

"I have never seen anything like this before." She spoke tenderly.

He could not find words to answer her. His name falling from her lips… it felt so right. He wanted to hear her say it again and again, over, and over. He wanted to hear her scream his name in pure ecstasy…

Judith turned to look at him after his lack of response. There was look on his face she had net yet seen, longing or perhaps desire. She felt something tug at her heart. The expression did not last long before it was gone.

"Uh-um". He cleared his throat, his stoic expression returning to his handsome features. "Well, I hope you find something you can read and understand human." He said with a smirk, turning to leave.

'Yup, there is was.' Judith thought. 'The snide remark.'

"You know, for someone that calls themselves a superior being, I'm surprised your most important task is to prepare tea." She retorted.

'Oh, that struck a nerve.' She thought satisfyingly as she could she his eyes twitch slightly before he spoke.

"At least I won't be stuck in the same inferior position as you mortals will, forever."

'Ugh, always an answer to everything.' Judith thought grinding her teeth.

"You will remain here until I come to fetch you." Was all Zamasu said before grabbing both doors.

"Hey wait!" Judith shouted. "You can't just order me around! And what has given you the idea that I would listen to you even if you could bark orders at me?"

A sinister grin appeared on Zamasu's face.

"Because, for one, once I shut these doors, I'll lock you in and two, I'm the only one that has the key."

Judith was about to protest when he slammed the doors shut in her face and she heard the lock turn. Judith stood with her mouth agape.

'He just shut me in.' her mind slowly began to register. 'That jerk just shut me in.'

She closed her mouth, a vein appearing at her temple this time. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

'Well Judith.' Little miss Judy spoke. 'There are far worse situations you could find yourself in. For one, you could have been locked in here with Mr Jackass.' She sighed. 'And the first round goes to Lord Smugness.'

She had to admit, he did get the better of her this time.

'No matter.' She thought resolutely. 'He'll have to come get me sooner or later and then…' she smiled to herself, 'round two begins.'

She turned and walked to the nearest shelf, starting to scan through the books.

'Gowasu had said that their the sacred texts were written in the divine language.' Judith thought. 'So, I guess I'll just have to learn said language.' She chuckled as she walked further into the library.