A/N: Unless necessary I'll keep my rambles short.
"PAPA!" Rimuru screamed as she starred at the Bacchus' bloody remains; suddenly she burst from beneath the covers, panting as sweat poured from her forehead. It was that dream again... that memory of her father's death nearly 10 years ago! (I... I need some air!) She pulled away the remaining sheets and climbed out of the bed, leaving the cabin as quietly as possible as to not wake her mother. She shut the door and sighed, (That's the 3rd time now...) as she made her way to the ship's deck. (They started right after that day...) Her mind flashing back to a week and a half ago when that man Barbatos battled her cousin and his friends in that crater and then... Luckily her train of thought was derailed as she saw him.
"Feeling any better?"
The masked swordsman nodded; 18 years and another identity later and he STILL had problems at sea... "We really ARE in the right world..." He mused before bending over once more...
"How did you ever fly that plane?"
"I try not to think about it." He rose back up. "You can come closer you know?"
"I doubt I'll ever get used to that." She approached him. "There's a Sprite in mom's bag if you want it."
He smirked. "Sorry but I don't care much for sugar."
"But if you offered pudding..."
"Chal!" Mock annoyance in his partner's voice.
"S...sorry Bocchan!"
And they both laughed; he didn't seem anything like the Lion Magnus she'd heard about on her travels...well aside from him being a master swordsman. He was calm, intelligent... and squeamish. Wore a cool costume not to mention handsome; that thought caused Rimuru's cheeks to redden slightly... "So...um...are you going straight to Cresta?" Stuttering a bit while surpressing those thoughts.
Judas nodded negatively. "There are a few days before the service. I think I'll take a look around Aigrette; our enemy used that as a base."
"Enemy? You mean that Elraine person?" There was much of Judas' story that was hard to believe. Alternate timelines, Reala being a Kami. It was a twisted tale... but Barbatos rantings suggested otherwise. Her emerald eyes narrowed. "You think she's responsible!?"
"It's possible... I can't imagine anyone else willing (or capable) to keep Barbatos or myself in this timeline. And she's the only other person with a grudge against our group."
"Then I'll..."
He cut her off. "Worry about taking your mother to Cresta. Seinegald's a dangerous place. (Even for someone as talented as Lilith...)" He avoided mentioning Darilshade on purpose; with all she dealt with now, the possibility of her mother being raped and/or murdered was an image Rimuru's mind didn't need. Instead his expression...though barely visible through the mask made her comply. "If there's something worth further investigation we'll do so after the service." He started for the lower deck.
"Gotcha!" She nodded. "Good night Judas."
...He immediately dashed back to the side.
He Setsuna'd swiftly through the trees; carefully eying the forest floor. Landing on one branch Ryuusei heard something snarling; he sped in it's direction. Landing on another branch he looked down, there he saw a blue-furred wolf gnawing on the carcous of a boar. Grinning he muttered. "Enjoy your last meal wolfy..." The wolf's ears perked up; the beast whipped around defensively, growling; wanting to protect it's kill.
The teen landed in an offensive stance, his fist glowing green. "SOU..." Foaming the beast charged! "HA..." It pounced, fangs bared; but he felt no fear. "JIN!" At that range the wolf was thrown back by the full force of the wind projectile; it's front left leg severed by the 'blade' the attack acted as. The lupine slammed hard into a tree; whimpering in pain while struggling to it's feet which proved useless. The teen approached; leaning down he wrapped his arms around the wolf's head and with a swift jerk put the beast out of it's misery. (A boar'd make good breakfast...) While dragging the wolf's remains back to camp.
As passengers arrived on deck, Judas maneuvered quite aggressively as he wanted to be the first one off the ship. A sight that made Rimuru grin, however that pleasure was shattered by... "Did you two have fun last night?"
The question came completely out of left field! The girl's only response was. "Wha...?"
Her mother continued. "He's not who I'd choose as a boyfriend. But since Onii-chan had weird-looking friends I'll approve. "
Rimuru's face turned beat red. "Mother!" She sighed, regaining herself. "It's not like that! Judas-san is..."
"Your fiance? Oh Rimmy-chan!" There was that nickname again... "You were waiting till after the funeral to announce it weren't you? I'm sorry for ruining the surprise."
"No!" Lilith broke her hug.
"Rimuru?"
She closed the door to their cabin, now was as good a time as any to explain things. "Judas-san is like an uncle. And..." She went on to explain that the two...well 3 if you count Chaltier. Were going to find the ones responsible for that incident.
"How soon are you leaving?"
"Right after the service."
"And when will I see you again?"
The girl nodded negatively. "I don't know, but if I'm in the neighborhood I'll drop by."
"I'll be waiting." The mother and daughter made a quick baggage check before departing the ship.
He moved stealthily past the main gates into the holy city; Aigrette. This was the bad thing about his reputation; in Darilshade, Ryuusei was feared and respected but in the Holy Capital he was a marked man... So it goes without saying the less attention Ryuusei drew to himself the better, especially if he wanted to reach the port.
The teen peered around the corner of an apartment complex; noticing multiple sentries crossing the bridge with 3 youths in custody. One Ryuusei easily recognized as a pale teen with slicked back red hair wearing a trench coat. "Listen dipshit! I'm the great Zaku-sama and I..." His rant cut short as one sentry jabbed the hilt of his broadsword into the man's chest.
"Guess it's my lucky day; they got their hands full with those pud-knockers..." He seized the moment and snuck around the house then Setsuna'd behind the parade of sentries. He was home free until...
"There's our other guy!" Flynt called out.
"Yeah, that dick bailed on us when you showed up!" His brother Steele added.
"You two idiots!" The fish-faced captain gestured to 2 knights flanking the group; one tall and lanky man who carried the traditional Knight Fencer the other a fat midget carrying a Long Spear. "Don't just stand there, go after that kid!"
"Sir!" The duo gave chase.
"I shouldda known..." The teen took off running as the sentries gave chase. (They better pray the knights execute'em cuz if I ever get back here...) Upon reaching the northern side of town he veered to the left then Setsuna'd to the top of the wall; grabbing the edge Ryuusei tossed himself over.
"I say, we lost him!" The taller knight said as the duo reached the northern section.
"We'd better report back to the Captain."
"So what are we looking for Bocchan?" Chal asked from within his sheathe.
The masked swordsman sighed. "To be honest I have no idea... This could very well be a dead end."
"I understand, we can't just ignore it as a possibility."
"Yeah that's right." Though to be honest Judas hoped they found nothing. It took the combined efforts of the 5 humans including himself and the Seijou Reala to defeat Elraine the last time. In this world 4 of their group were dead and Nanaly was a child. Leaving only himself... Even though Rimuru was probably much stronger than Kyle even with Stan's training, the chances of defeating a Kami were low with just the two of them. Suddenly his train of thought was derailed as a man wearing ragged clothing ran by. Judas rose an eyebrow then watched as the teen turned and maneuvered up a rather high wall. Then the guards ran by, having lost their prey they retreated across the bridge.
"That looked like Woodrow-heika's technique!"
But Judas didn't answer. Instead the masked swordsman was deep in thought. (There's something odd about him, it's almost...)
"Judas!"
His train of thought was derailed by a familiar female voice. Turning he saw Rimuru running through the southern gate. "Rimuru? Why aren't you with Lilith?"
"She's right back there," The girl gestured to the gate with her thumb, in turn Lilith waved at the duo. "I saw you just standing here so I wondered what's up."
The masked swordsman folded his arms. "Besides a suspicious-looking man running from..."
That was all she needed to hear... "Which way'd he go!?" He responded with a thumb gesture to the wall. "And the quickest way around it?"
"Through the northern gate but..."
"Don't worry I'll find him!" She yelled back.
Judas sweatdropped. "You going to follow?"
"We'd just be holding her back." (This way I can better confirm my suspicions about that man...)
(If you're involved,) Her mind flashed back to the explosion. (I'll show you NO mercy!)
Ryuusei heard the sound of someone approaching; (Dammit!) he grit his teeth. (I was tryin' to avoid this...) Balling up his fists. (It only sounds like there's one of'em... probably the tall guy,) His target's pace quickened. (I'll just take him out quick and zip back into town!) The teen took an offensive stance; his fist glowing with green energy, "SOUHA..." the glow intensified as he took aim.
Rimuru's eyes narrowed, while still running she grabbed Excalibur's hilt. "SHUNRAI..." Light energy surged as she unsheathed the blade.
"JIN!"
To be continued...
A/N: I just couldn't resist doing that to Bocchan; originally it was just him and Chal having a friendly chat on deck then Rimuru making that comment about hearing Chal's voice from out of nowhere...but I remembered where they were... And the Sprite, well Coke product placement worked with FFIX so...
The scene with the wolf was inspired by the ToE anime.
Sorry if the scene between Lilith and Rimuru looks weird; not that great writing for them yet
Fellow Vesperia fans shoukd recognize the Knights...