A/N: This takes place between the first two chapters while they're on the boat to Ith.

Ever since Casca came back, Guts had been taking a lot naps. At first it hadn't been noticeable, as he was still recovering from the Berserker armor and needed rest to heal, but now that Elfhelm had done most of that Guts had lost that excuse. Now that Casca was sane again and regaining her strength, the seals and spells Schierke and Farnese cast, and Roderick's competence at protecting them at sea, Guts was finally at ease enough to take a break. No one blamed him, knowing how he hadn't really slept for two years and how once they got off the boat their enemies would multiply.

Guts would just disappear, often below deck in some place he would argue wasn't a hiding spot. Casca would sometimes join him, although they were fairly easy to find, since his more hidden ones weren't built for two people. They also were often talking so they could be heard. Although right now neither could be found and Serpico and Isidro had already checked all of the usual spots.

Farnese had asked Serpico to find Guts so Schierke and her could check the seal on his brand. It wouldn't do any good if it came undone for some reason. They had already checked Casca's, but Guts had eluded them.

Farnese was growing into quite the witch, Serpico thought, still a strange turn of events in his mind. She was so proud to be able to check the seals, although she couldn't write them yet. Serpico was proud of the person she had become, so different from the one he had grown up with. For that he was immensely grateful, grateful for this change. By extension he was thankful to Guts for helping to bring this change.

So here Serpico was, searching all of the closets and storage areas for the large swordsman. Isidro tagged along, running around the lower deck throwing open doors. Serpico was chastising him to close the doors, but often ended up doing it himself.

Eventually they came across a room filled with crates of candles and other spare supplies. In the corner, barely visible in the dim lighting was Guts, sleeping shrouded in a dark blanket. His sword was within an arm's reach and his cloak was serving as some sort of bedding. Serpico was thinking over the best way to wake him when Isidro ran up and ripped the blankets off. Serpico was about to admonition him until he saw what was revealed.

Casca was there, naked, laying on an also very naked Guts. Neither of them had stirred yet and Serpico was hoping he could just put the blanket back and pretend nothing happened. That was until Isidro started screaming.

At the sound of that, Casca was up with a shot and Guts was grabbing the dragon slayer. Both were ready for a fight within less than a second despite their state of dress and rather compromising position. Serpico was impressed with their reaction time, wondering if he would be able to do the same thing. Probably, he concluded and then felt slightly sorry for interrupting them, and while Serpico had seen both of them naked before, now under these circumstances he couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed.

"Huh? What?" Isidro exclaimed as Serpico sighed and covered the boy's eyes, leading him to face away.

Recognizing the Isidro's voice, Guts set the sword down and sighed. Casca still hadn't moved from her ready stance and Serpico was having trouble not staring, something he really shouldn't be doing with Guts right there.

While Serpico didn't try to leer, it was difficult not to now. Csaca had always been rather pretty, but she had had the mind of a child so it would have been wrong to view her in such light. Now that she was back however… Serpico could appreciate her assets a little more. Of course he would never do anything about it, out of respect for Casca and of Guts. But, to put it in perspective, out of wind spirits, Merrows, and Fairies, she was the only human woman around who wasn't related to him.

"So sorry." Serpico said, averting his eyes from the couple, "Schierke wanted to check the seals again, to make sure they are staying."

Guts muttered something before tossing the blanket to Casca. She was startled by the impact but covered herself with it.

"I'll be up soon." Guts grumbled, sitting up.

Serpico nodded and grabbed Isidro by the shoulders to guide him out of the room. Before they reached the door, Guts called out, "Can you not…"

"We won't tell anyone." Serpico promised, grabbing Isidro's ear, the unspoken prompt of 'Right Isidro?' caused Isidro to protest, "I wasn't going to tell anyone!"

Sure you weren't, Serpico thought. Finally exiting the room he shut the door behind them. Serpico wouldn't have told anybody without asking. Perhaps before when he had still held some resentment towards Guts… well…

Isidro on the other hand would probably tell everyone, whether he meant to or not. Speaking of Isidro, the boy was still oddly quiet. Serpico sighed, really? He was the one to have to have the talk with Isidro? Oh well, better get it over with.

"You understand there are somethings that take place between a man and a woman that-"

"Yeah, I know, I'm not a baby, geez." Isidro said, "It's just, I don't know, it's weird to think Guts and Casca…"

So that's what it was. Isidro had some idea of a woman's mystique, but it was obvious he was still immature. Somehow Guts, at least how it seemed to Serpico, had taken an almost parental role whether Isidro knew it or not, and on some level they all still thought of Casca as her regressed state. For her to comeback and be the more mature one out of Guts and her was surprising. So probably on some deeper part of thinking Isidro thought of Casca as childlike, and Guts as, well, someone above that sort of thing.

Serpico could sort of see where he was coming from. It was still jarring sometimes for Serpico to see Casca on her own; he would have to stop himself from corralling her back to the group or getting Farnese. But that was fading as her composure came back. Now Casca stood, dressed, and frankly looked very different from her regressed state. She was a totally different person and Serpico could see why Guts had been so driven to get her back.

That being said, On Guts' side it was less of a stretch to think of this as the outcome. Isidro was still too young or perhaps naive to understand. The way Guts was always watching her, yes most of it was out of worry, but sometimes, it was out of something else. It was out of longing. Serpico would've dismissed it as something else if it weren't for the way Guts became so guilty afterwards. His love for her was obvious, sweet in a way, but lust was also there. So really it came as no surprise that that was the nature of Guts and Casca's relationship. The circumstances were still shocking.

So all Serpico said to Isidro was, "Yeah. Adults are weird."

They went up the stairs to the upper decks where Farnese and Schierke were to pass along the news. Puck soon found them and decided he wanted a fish, commanding Isidro to catch one, which Isidro protested strongly. After arguing they went to find Isma since she could get a fish way faster. Hope fully he would remember his promise and not be so impulsive in the future, well, Serpico could dream.

"He's so annoying." Schierke one Isidro had left. She looked up from her book, searching in all probability for the large swordsman, "Where's Guts?"

"Could you not find him?" Farnese asked, "I could go into my astral form and-"

"There's no need for that, Lady Farnese," Serpico said quickly, "I found him." He didn't know how much Farnese knew, but he knew she didn't need to know that much. "He was napping, said he'll be up soon."

Schierke nodded, "Well if he's comfortable enough to sleep, the seal must still be holding up well."

Serpico had to make a conscious effort to act nonchalant. Guts must be real comfortable…

"Thank you Serpico," Farnese said and Serpico made his leave.

As he made his way to the top deck, Serpico let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. He and Guts were going to have to have a chat, and Serpico was not looking forward to that awkward event. Not at all.