So here's the update my guys. Lots of time with our two cute (Annoying asf to fight) warriors. Also I appreciate that you guys are actually enjoying the story. Makes me want to try a bit harder on it. Thanks and enjoy.

"By -Argh!- Loki's children, I will have their -Hiss!- heads! No one shoots me and lives too tell the tale! "

Den loudly exclaimed in pain as him and Ito made their way through the snowy night away from the armored threats. The tress provided excellent cover for them as they traversed through the woods, although one of them was fairly injured. Den tried his best to dull the pain but the crossbow bolt hit him in a good spot. After they were at a good distance, the two warriors took a rest at a great big oak tree. They were clearly not in any position to fight so they had to gather their bearings.

Den walked around a bit and rested himself on the tree with no hesitation and began to take a look at his wound. He found that the bolt was still lodged in his side and was bleeding profusely. He wad tough but he knew blood kept him alive so he had to act quick.

He was about to pull the bolt straight out until a hand stopped him. He looked up to see nonthing but a shroud with green eyes that always distracted for some reason.

"Let me see the wound."

Den was about to refuse but due to his injury, his strength was limited. She quickly moved his bloodied hand and examined the injury. Den could still refuse the help but decided against it. What's the harm in letting her see the injury?

"I'm sorry but you can't just pull this one out."

"Why not? I do that all the time and it works, I'm still here aren't I?"

His answer made her giggle a bit. Den just couldn't understand her way of thinking. It's as if she's just looking for a reason to laugh in any situation. She always finds a way to lighten up any situation.

"You are so simple it's cute.~. But if you do that you might cut something that is very vital. We have to find another way to-"

"We!? There is no 'We'. Return back to where you came from demon! I'll find a way by myself. You get out of here."

She did not listen. She simply took a seat next to him.

"So you do care about me."

"And what gave you that idea?! I have no care for you at all!"

She giggled again as she slowly brought her shrouded face a little closer to his. He just couldn't look away from her emerald pools. Something about them always had his attention ever since he met her. And as always she noticed his lingering stare.

"Are you sure your words hold true? You stare at me so frequently to say you don't care. You must be so worried about me.~"

"I don't-"

"Then why were you trying to sacrifice yourself for me?"

Den had a feeling something was going to lead to that. He remembered his actions when he got injured clearly. He was telling her to go while he hold them off. He doesn't know what possessed him to do that for her but it just seemed right at the time. He was brought out of his thoughts when a hand gently caressed his cheek.

He looked up only to lock eyes with Ito, only thing diffrent is that her shroud was brought down to her neck. Her heart shaped face along with her beautiful features were now visible to him. Everything about her was just ...interesting to look at.

"Why are you so close to me? Can you back up a little. This wound needs my attention right now." He ordered. She simply inched face closer. Den was getting that annoying feeling again.

"I thought that being closer could give you better look since you like staring at me my sweet boar.~"

He was not falling for her tricks so easily. He has gotten used to her acts and knew she was plotting something.

"As if that's your reason! Your thinking of doing something else aren't you ghoul! I've been around you too long not to notice."

She knew she was caught. It was only a matter of time before he caught on.

"Your right my darling~... but it will make the pain go away so you can recover a bit easier."

"And what exactly will you do?! How do I know you simply won't just push it further and leave me to the crows!?"

She closed her eyes and smiled for a few seconds. She was waiting for the perfect opportunity to proceed with her plan. Good things come to those who wait is what she believed in. Den was getting annoyed with her lack of communication.

"Well! I still need an answe- mpfh!!"

Before Den could even finish his sentence, Ito quickly striked his unsuspecting mouth with hers. His eyes were still wide open as she already had hers closed shut.

He was expecting to pass out at anytime but the feeling of drowsiness did not affect him. It seems like she was just genuinely kissing him. He was amazed at how her tongue danced around his with such ferocity. She deepened the kiss as she guided one of his hands towards her thigh. Den did not hesitate as he rubbed and massaged her thighs with such intensity.

The world around them slowly faded out of focus.

They were completely lost in bliss as they continued their intimate exchange of kissing and touching each other with their hands dancing around their bodies with such vigor. His hands began to travel upwards towards the prized possession, her ample rear. The pants she was wearing left little to the imagination as he could just feel her through the clothes. It was not big per say but it definitely suited Den in every which way.

She yelped a bit in his mouth from the contact but enjoyed how he was handling her so roughly. She always wondered what it was like to do things in a rowdy manner and Den was showing it through his contact. She shown her appreciation by caressing his cheek with one hand while the other hand was focused on something very important.

A few minutes have passed since the two were intertwined with each other. Den was confused on how this started and why he was returning the emotion with equal interest. It felt like nonthing was more importa-

*chomp*

He quickly pushed her away after he felt a surge of pain from his mouth. He looked up to see Ito with a smug smile on her face. Words could not describe how furious he was.

"What in Hel's name was that for!?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about.~"

"You bit my lip you dem-!"

As he was starting to come back to his sense, he noticed a bloodied bolt in her hand. He quickly checked his wound to find that the bolt was completely removed.

"How did you do that?! I thought you said yanking it out would kill me!"

"I gently manurved it out so it wouldn't cut anything vital. The process of moving it that way would have been extremely painful and I didn't have any sedatives to work with. So I decided to distract you with diffrent methods.~"

He growled. He has played into her another of her tricks again. However, his pain has lowered a bit after the action so the trick was needed.

"Underhanded as usual shadow walker. But the pain has calmed down so I thank you for that. Well I must go to my village to to warn them."

He was about to stand up but Ito presses her body onto him. She wrapped both arms around him in a protective manner and laid her her head down on his chest. He tried to move her out the way but was met with no success.

"Ito, What are you doing? I'm perfectly capable of walking back to my clan. I have no need for any of your assistance."

"Then move me off you then. If you completely recovered and don't need assistance, moving me should not be a difficult task. If your unable to do that, then you will remain here."

"Alright but if you get hurt in the process, do not blame me."

He tried to push her off again but it didn't work. He then went on to try diffrent angles but was met with the same result. Ito still has her arms wrapped around him. He sighed in defeat after fifteen minutes of trying. He knew he still had to rest a bit before he was able to do anything.

"Alright, it appears I have not made a full recovery yet. And since you won't get off me willingly, I have no choice but to stay here. I hope your happy ghoul."

"Good, I wasn't going to let you leave anyway. You make a nice warm pillow my sweet boar.~"

Den simply ignored the last remark as she got off him and started to gather materials such as sticks and leaves. She put it all in a pile and began to rub two stones to create a spark. The spark ignited the pile to create a beautiful fire. Den has made fires before but not quite like this one. The flair it had was so magnificent.

As he was about to get comfortable she outstretched her hand towards him.

"What is it now?"

"Dance with me."

"I don't dance and I'm injured, I think it's best if I rest instead of doing anything that might make injure it anymore."

She giggled again. Den would be lying if he didn't find it cute every time she giggled.

"You do dance Den. But we won't be dancing like that. We'll be doing a gentle slow dance which is beneficial to your injury. I don't want my dance partner going stiff on me...yet.~"

"I doubt I would be interested in anything that doesn't include sharpening my combat skills. How about you dance with yourself while I rest. I promise I won't fall asleep."

"Please... It gets lonely when you dance by yourself for so long. All I just want is a partner."

Hearing those words brought Den back to when he was growing up. When he was learning how to fight, he had to train by himself in the forest. He was able to make a few friends here and there but the one who stuck with him was himself. He could hear himself begging for someone to teach him how to fight.

He disliked that feeling.

"Actually your right. Sorry for asking you to do that. It's just that this night was perfect for some slow dancing. I'll let you rest now."

She bowed and proceeded to sit next to the fire. Was it the snow falling in his vision because it seem that she was tearing up a bit.

"W-Wait!"

She quickly turned around to face him. The way how the fire light reflected on her face was something to look at.

"I decided that I will take you up on your offer. I do owe you for removing the bolt so it's the least I can do."

After hearing his answer, she got up and out stretched her hand but Den took it this time. There was some groans of pain but it was expected from a fresh wound. As he finally stood up, he was met with Ito pressing herself close to him in a gentle manner. She slowly brought her face towards his ear.

"Thank you." She said in a whisper. Something about hearing those words made Den's heart beat a bit faster. After they got into a comfortable position, they began their dance. They both were inches apart with Den wrapping his arms around her waist and Ito wrapping hers around his neck.

"Follow my lead. Since it's your first time, I'll be gentle.~"

"That worries me actually." He thought to himself as he slowly began to shuffle his feet towards her pace. The dance was going a bit rough at first. Den's movements were too fast and out of place for Ito to keep up, as if fighting the dance.

"Try to slow down a little. You have to follow the dance, not fight it."

"Slow down? I'm not sure if I can do that. I'm used to always being faster than my opponents."

She looked up to see that he was looking down at his feet. She knew that meant he was extremely nervous about this. He had to calm down first.

"Den."

"Yes Ito?"

"Don't look at your feet, it's making you nervous and jittery. Look at something that calms you down."

"I don't see any fruit or meat nearby to calm my senses. Are you sure I should be looking somewhere else?"

She giggled as she took his face gently pushed it upwards. Den was face to face with Ito at this position. As soon as his view was occupied with her alluring green eyes, his movements were more calm and controlled. He was finally following the movements

"It seems that I found that somewhere else.~"

As They both began to get into sync, the two were enjoying themselves immensely. Den was finally able to get the hang of this slow dancing technique. Ito enjoyed watching him master the art.

"Hey, this isn't that bad. It's actually a bit soothing."

"I had a feeling you would enjoy this."

They continued to dance for a long period of time with their eyes never leaving each other. Their usual dancing was exciting and full of energy but this dance was calm and serene. However, good things do come to an end when they both stopped.

They just stood there in each other's embrace, they didn't know how long they were dancing or where they were but it didn't matter to them. The only thing that mattered to them at that moment was each other.

After a few seconds of peace, the two warriors inched their faces closer to each other. As they felt each other's breath, Den began to write in pain. It seems the wound was taking on the after effect. Ito knew it would do that but didn't expect to happen this quickly.

The pain was so great that he collapsed on the snowy floor, clutching his side. He was unable to do anything as the pain overwhelmed him. Ito tried her best to aid him but she was low on medical supplies. The only thing she could do was hold his hand and wait for him to lose conscious.

The only thing Den saw before he passed out were emarld pools filling up with tears.

I'm the morning

"Did... I make it to... Valhalla."

"Nope, as if they would take you in. You reek of forest filth you mangy mutt."

"Aslaug, now I definitely know I'm not- Wait, how did I get here!?"

Den quickly sat up from his bed and was met with a bit of pain from his wound. He quickly checked it to see it was bandage. He found himself in the hut of the shaman, the trinkets and skulls were very apparent along with a rotten scent.

"Me and Eitri went out to look for you last night. We found you on the out skirts of the village with a makeshift bandage of leaves. So I took you in and patched you up. You can thank me later. Now explain how you got that wound. It wouldn't have been from the demon you visited last night right?"

Den finally remembered all that happened last night. The meeting, the knights, the dancing, all of it was coming back.

"Aslaug, we have to warn the others and try to protect the village. The knights have came forth to conquer this land. We now have two enemys to fight from now on. Those horrid knights are also responsible for the injuries I have sustained."

She rubbed her head in frustration

"I was hoping what the Gods said were untrue but it never fails. Now we have to worry about this metal-cladded cowards and those mysterious ghouls. We might have to get more fighters for this village if this keeps up. Anything else happened?"

"The knights are also gathering reinforcements as well from Rome apparently."

Shaman was shocked. She heard and foresaw the fighters in Rome and they are a force to be reckoned with.

"Rome!? Only the best fighters come from there! What is driving them to do that?!"

Den lowered his head in embarrassment.

"They may have seen me and shadow walker together and assumed that the Vikings and Samurai have a truce."

Shaman simply gave him a dirty look. They were certainly gonna have their work cut out for them the following days.

"Just rest up, we are going to need all the help we can get. May the gods help you recover quickly."

He nodded as he slowly sank back into his bed. But before he drifted off to sleep, Aslaug had one more question.

"Before I go, how exactly did you get a bite mark on your lip? I'm pretty sure all the knights wear a helmet so how did you get that injury?"

Den gulped.

He had a lot of explaining to do.

At Ito's House

Ito was refilling her supplies as the day was about to begin. She made sure that everything was here and accounted for. Her brother noticed her attention to the supplies.

"Are you alright my sister? It seems that something troubles you."

She stopped her packing to answer him. She knew he was going to find out anyway so might as well tell him.

"I...wasn't prepared and he almost died because of it. The knights attacked us last night and he got shot. We both managed to escape but he took the most out of him. His injury was devastating and I wasn't able to anything about it."

"You're talking about Den was it? No need to worry, he's a Viking. They go through stuff like that all the time. You were able to provide some comfort to him right?"

"But still, I should've been more prepared than that so our moment wasn't ruined. After I was able to stop the pain temporarily, we stayed together for a bit and enjoyed each other's company. Then we began to dance together under the moonlight, how we were so entrenched with each other's presence, how we-"

She stopped completely. It pained her a bit too much to think about what could have happened if he wasn't wounded. The way how he held her and looked in her eyes told her so much but the action was cut short. Her tears were threatening to leak out. Her brother quickly came to her aid.

"It's alright Ito. I assure you he's safe right now thanks to you. I'm sure you will get your moment again soon."

She said nonthing as her brother embraced her. He has fit into the role as a shoulder for her to cry on ever since they were little. He didn't let go until her sadness was replaced with her usual joy.

"Feel better?"

She nodded her head with her signature smile.

"Good, I'm gonna go report your warning to our leader. It will be pretty tough from here on out now that the knights are fighting as well. I'll see you later."

He quickly vanished as he finished that statement. Ito was the only person in the room.

She made sure the coast was clear before she pulled out the bolt which caused Den's injury. This bolt was responsible for one of the best memories she ever had. The one thing she always wanted when she was younger.

To dance with another.

She quickly hid the bolt and proceeded to pack more essentials. She wanted to make sure she was well prepared for her dance partner as they were going to be very busy.

"Hopefully he agrees." She said as she quickly left and waited until night fall.

Nighttime

The warriors met right back at where they camped a bit last night. From the looks on both of them, they were not surprised to see each other. They have grown use to knowing when the other will be present as if they are connected.

"Hello my cute boar.~ I take it that you have healed from the injury?"

"What do you want demon?"

"My how forward. Well, it's clear that the knights have joined the war and are gathering reinforcements. However, my clan and your's are now trying to gathers our reinforcements but the knights will have a clear advantage until then. So that only leaves both of us with one choice."

Den was not that smart, but he had a good bit to know exactly where this is going.

"Are you saying we should-"

"Work together? Yes. It might be the only thing that ensures both of our survival."

Den was not sure on what to decide. He has grown to trust her a bit but she is still an enemy. He didn't know what would be a good answer.

PHEW

But he had to think about it later when he saw a bolt flying towards Ito. He quickly pushed her out the way to safety along with himself.

After the two got situated, they turned to find the peacekeeper with grunts and captains behind her.

"Surrender now and I might stay my blade on you mongrels!"

The two wasted no time as they readied their weapons and took their battle stance. The two dancers were not going to go quietly.

"I still owe you for that wound coward!"

The peacekeeper simply chucked at their stand against her.

"Very well."

She turned to her soldiers and pointed right at the Den and Ito. A brawl was brewing and nonthing could stop it.

"Kill them."

I know it's taking a little long to update so to compensate I make the charters long. I hope it helps :D. Btw fuck black prior -_-