The Potion 9

I do not own anything and if you're not a Keel x Lavi fan then don't read it. It is definitely OOC.

AN: This is gonna sound stupid but the reason it's kind of been a long time since the update is because I totally forgot where I was going with this arc luckily my brain spat out a vague hint to what I was going to do with it so here's what I did to that hint. Then life happened and I sort of just neglected everything on Fanfic.

[Third Person]

A smugly curt smile flickered over Miki's lips. She was quite pleased with herself. The dice was back in her little hands. 'Keel, if you're so upset then you should do something about it.' Miki drawled

'Your right!' Keel yelped, like it was some kind of holy revelation Miki had revealed to him. 'I should do something about it.' The happiness in his voice drained. 'But what can I do? I'm just a wuss...'

'Untie me and I can transform you into a warrior.' Miki said. Her voice was laced with the temptation of a seductress. She was easily mature beyond her years.

'Yeah, I can do that.' Keel said, bumbling his way into Miki's plan like an obedient animal. He untied Miki said and she checked her wrists for her rope burn. Once she had assessed the faint, red marks on her wrists she quickly grabbed a jar of paint and a brush. She dabbed the stiff bristles of brush in the jar and with swift, delicate movements she painted Keel's face. She put hellish designs on his cheeks and it didn't take much longer for a more blood thirsty Keel to emerge. Keel roared and Esmeralda quaked at her knees. Miki untied Esmeralda and watched what happened next.

This Keel, while savage, was only obedient to Miki. Whatever she used as paint was dangerous. 'Remember, they're still your friends so be gentle.' Miki instructed and Keel snarled at her. He was as quick as flash and his fists were harsh. It hadn't taken long for him to knock out Blue. The Suiki had been hit from all around. While under Sangre's spell it seemed that his reflexes had dulled so it had been easy for Keel to jab at his sides and then his back and then at his face. Blue fell to his knees and then into the dirt. Keel was standing over him and went to make a final lash at him, kicking his back but decided against it. Keel's foot was hovering right about Blue's back and he had the perfect opportunity to get revenge for the kiss Blue and Lavi had shared.

But with the shake of his head, Keel turned away and Blue fell down anyway. His face crunching into the ground and a bit of blood shook loose from underneath his skin. Lavi knew she would face the brunt of Keel's anger. Perhaps that had been a bad idea, not that she was thinking. Some genius out there was doing that for her and now she was going to suffer the consequences. Her eyes begin to flicker and Sangre squealed. The fear the young blonde was experiencing seemed to be enough to break the spell.

Keel began to drag himself forward. His fists curled in tighter. He tried to find it in him to punch a woman but it was hard, especially when he was supposed to be civilised like a human and when the woman in question was Lavi. Even when jittering with fear she was perfectly adorable. The beastly anger dropped in Keel. He couldn't bring himself to do it however, he did find a little bit of courage to try a different tactic. The paint began to flake off his back and Miki could no longer influence him. This was all his idea.

Keel grabbed onto Lavi forcefully. Their gazes met with electric fear and courage. Keel leaned in and before Lavi could react, they kissed. True love conquers all, right? Keel tried to convince himself as he retreated. His knees began to knock together and Lavi's eyes returned to their oceanic, serene blue they usually were.

Sangre stormed out of hiding. She left the safety of the treetops in a huffing flurry. She attacked Esmeralda. Her claws unfurled and dug into Esmeralda. She whimpered and begged Miki to do something without uttering a word. She could only manage mumbled growls and puppy-dog eyes. 'Not today.' Miki warned and she quickly doused Sangre with red paint. Sangre couldn't control her body. It refused to move. Miki wedged her hands between the two strange creatures and unhooked Esmeralda from Sangre's claws.

As an extra measure, Miki tied the red-eyed creature up and to the tree. She proceeded to make sure all her friends had recovered then she began her investigation. 'So... What is your deal?' Miki asked. She found no eloquent way to say it.

'I saw a fun opportunity and I took it.' Sangre said

'And why'd you... never mind...' Keel couldn't allow

'Maybe I should explain.' Esmeralda mumbled

'Maybe you should learn what "fun" is.' Sangre snapped

'Who are you anyway?' Lavi asked

'And what just happened? I can barely remember anything from the last few hours.'

'Good.' Keel grunted

'Well, I'm Esmeralda and this is my sister Sangre. We're the spirits of this forest. We make sure every is in equal parted harmony. But occasionally, not very often... okay, maybe a bit often as in once every few weeks Sangre gets bored with protecting the forest and decides to stir up mischief. It's my fault; I should keep more tabs on her but it's hard making sure everything gets along in these woods! I swear! I'm not lazy! So, it's partially... completely my fault that you travellers – and many others – have to face Sangre's pranks. I swear there was no ill intent in them at all.' Esmeralda said. Sangre huffed and the orb on her forehead sparkled.

'What kind of monsters are you?' Mippy asked.

'I've never heard of any kind of forest spirit.' Lavi said

'I dunno what you humans call us but we just call ourselves Woodland Spirits. We're kinda angelic.' Sangre said

'I don't want to hear that from you.' Lavi said

'Angelic? As compensation for putting us through much stress and trauma, can we get a few drops of blood from you? We're making a reversal potion of sorts which requires the blood of an angelic monster which has never killed.'

'Sorry, can't help.' Sangre scoffed

'I suppose it's only right you get compensation.' Esmeralda said and she held out one of her club-like arms.

Miki extracted a small amount of blood from the ink furred creature and added it to the mixture. It was done; all it needed was to be applied to Keel but only in a place of heart. Keel didn't want to admit it but he hoped the journey to Lavi's manor was long. As weak as he was in this form, he relished every moment he got to spend as someone Lavi wouldn't mind courting. The following day, the group left for the place which held fond memories for most the group. The place of heart had to place which felt like home. For the boys, home was where the rump rested but that wasn't good enough so they had to go where Lavi felt was home; the manor where she spent her gilded childhood. It felt more like home since Keel and Blue visited it since her family finally understood her dreams. Now, it truly felt like home.

Lavi walked in silence for most the trip; whenever she could contemplate the kiss she and Keel shared while she was still under Sangre's spell. She couldn't remember anything before that. Thinking about it tickled the back of her neck and sent her heart into fireworks. It couldn't be? She hoped it was. But oh, there was no doubt, it was. She had fallen in love with Keel. Would that change when he became Keel the Dragon Ape in Human Form though? Lavi didn't know.

MerryFairy :)

I make no promises: about grammar, editing or when I update next.