Pinkshuchan: LALIHO! Hey everyone! It's Pinkshuchan! Last chapter, Akihiko met the 'Fire Lion' and indeed it wasn't the legendary lion in the myths but was a half demon created by Shinoda. The half demon managed to regain more so a human form than his form with a lion's head, and was revealed to be a friend from Akihiko's past named Hiroki. What will happen now that Akihiko and Hiroki have reunited? Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Flame of the Heart

"Hiroki!"

Akihiko ran to his friend's side the moment he saw him collapse. The young man in front of him, Hiroki, looked up at the silver haired man. The latter kneeled down and looked back at him with worry. For so long, he didn't know that he was still alive. And now that he was reunited with him, he almost lost him to Shinoda. He picked Hiroki up and held him close to him.

"Hiroki," he spoke silently, "I'm glad you're okay."

He heard the cinnamon haired man chuckle. "Unbelievable," he replied, "Never had I thought the man who usually appeared emotionless in front of everyone would show a face like that. Idiot! You know I'm the type of guy that never gives up on anything. There's no way I'd let that damn hunter win."

Akihiko helped Hiroki stand up. It was evident through Akihiko's eyes that he was sad, but they were eyes that never dared produced tears. He lowered his head. "I'm sorry. It was my fault that the demons came here. I never thought that you and the other villagers would be taken to become demons yourselves."

"Akihiko," Hiroki made the silver haired man look at him. "While it's true part of why we were taken to be turned into demons ourselves to be forced to eliminate you, we would've been taken anyways. Our village isn't really important to travellers anyway as rarely anyone wants to explore Feuern. Doesn't mean I wouldn't want to make them pay. But you're not to blame for what happened to us."

"It's not just to eliminate me like Shinoda said. Demons made by summoning them, if not destroyed in battle, can also die when their owners die. I figure that this method is also to make life easier for those who not only lose those that they love, but the demons that they can summon. That way, they still have demons to help."

"But even so, it's no excuse to use people as guinea pigs. Those people will pay!" Through his anger, Hiroki unconsciously roared. He covered his mouth. "What the hell was that? Why did I still roar like I was still a lion? I should be fully human again."

Akihiko sighed. "Well, you no longer look like a human with a lion's head, but neither do you look completely human either." He led Hiroki to the water which showed his reflection. The half demon couldn't believe his eyes and turned away from the water in anger.

"I should've known," he growled, "It was like the hooded figure said; no longer can I be truly human again."

This confused the prince. "Wait, hooded figure?! What hooded figure?"

"I think he meant me. What an honour!"

Both Akihiko and Hiroki turned to see the hooded figure standing there. Not only was it the hooded figure that helped Hiroki, it was also the hooded figure that told Akihiko about obtaining the five allies to make himself stronger.

"It's you!" cried Akihiko, "Why are you here? And never did you tell me who you were."

The hooded figure gasped. "Of course! How silly of me! I really hadn't properly introduced myself. Couldn't properly last time since I had to pass the message and then go to my next scheduled appointment. And I finally got my hair done now too!"

And as the figure took off its hood, the robe covering its body came off, revealing what was underneath.

The hooded figure turned out to be a young woman who looked like she could be a little bit older than Akihiko and Hiroki. Under the black robe was a turquoise coloured gown that was tight around her body; exposing her curves, with long sleeves resting below her shoulders and thigh high slits on both sides and black thigh high heeled boots. A round hair pin that was mostly gold with black on some of it; almost looking like a quarter moon, rested on the side of her long fiery red hair. With how beautiful she was, there was no way she could be human.

"Allow me to introduce myself," she continued, "My name is Aikawa. I am here to help guarantee the freedom of Prince Akihiko of Damonen."

"Why the hell didn't you say that when we first met?" Akihiko growled, "And how do you explain how you know so much about me when this is only the second time we've met and you're not a resident of Damonen?"

Aikawa shook her head. "I didn't say I wasn't from Damonen."

"So you are?"

"I didn't say I was either."

"So then where are you from?"

She crossed her arms. "It's hard to explain. You probably wouldn't understand no matter how clearly I tell you. But that's beside the point. You- AH!" She stared at Hiroki in complete shock and tried covering her eyes. "I just realized that you are completely naked! Have you no shame walking around like that? What if a female traveller was to come around and she saw you like that? Poor girl would be scarred!" She snapped her fingers and what appeared to be clothes appeared before Hiroki in a neat pile. "Put that on! The only time I should see naked men is when I watch Yaoi."

Akihiko and Hiroki didn't understand what she was talking about but decided not to pay any attention to it. Instead, Hiroki decided to put the clothes on. He did feel a little awkward walking around naked, but never would he dare show his weaker self. He wasn't given much to wear; only a crimson vest and baggy auburn pants. But it was good enough. After all, this was traditional wear in Feuern.

Once he was properly dressed, Aikawa moved her hand away from her sight and continued. "As I was saying before I caught a glimpse of something that may never leave my mind again, I congratulate you Akihiko. You have found your first ally to accompany you."

"Ally?" Akihiko asked, "You mean that Hiroki is one of my allies? Not that I mind him joining me, but wouldn't there be any other ally?"

"If you mean if there's a different ally from Feuern that you can have accompany you instead, if you don't mind travelling throughout Feuern to find nothing but the sand and the heat, then please be my guest. I'm sad to say that Hiroki the Lion Child here is the only Feuern born left."

Hiroki lowered his head, the news a complete shock to him. Sure, he was one of the only villagers to escape but... "I am… alone?"

Aikawa continued. "Besides Akihiko, you would have the strongest bond with someone you know rather than some stranger. However, after your friend here, the rest of the alliances you make will mostly be with strangers, but then they don't become strangers anymore once you open up to them."

"Then I have no choice." Akihiko sighed.

Hiroki, although in depression to the fact that he was the only one of Feuern left, grew angry with Akihiko's last comment. "And what the hell do you mean by that? Do you not think I am a capable ally for you?"

The silver haired man shook his head. "It's not that! I just don't want people involved with me. And if they have to, I would prefer strangers. I don't want to involve people I care about, especially if they…" His voice faded.

And as quickly as it appeared, Hiroki's glare became a face of concern. "Listen Akihiko! I've known you since six years ago. We may have only been together for a short time, but it felt like we've known each other for all our lives. That means we have a pretty damn good bond going on. I can tell by the look your face that you think that if I come along with you then something almost bad if not worse than what happened six years ago will happen to me. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but I'm not going to worry about what happens with me. You're fighting for your freedom. You helped me regain mine; let me return the offer and help you get yours!"

Akihiko couldn't help but stare at how strong willed his friend was; a man with a heart like a consuming flame who could possibly be scared on the inside but would never dare show it on the outside, whether it's his own stubbornness, his determination to look strong in front of others, or the fact that he wants to protect someone he really cares about. A great ally to have, but was it worth risking his friend's life, even if he wanted this? "What if Shinoda comes back?"

Hiroki only smirked. "That hunter can't do anything to me now! I no longer have a lion's head. If not completely, I'm human for the most part."

They heard a cough from Aikawa to focus their attention on her. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the water you drank doesn't have permanent effects. The effects only last for a day. The moment night comes by again, you will have a lion's head again and it will be your demon side taking up your body once more."

And it was enough to make the half demon go berserk. "WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT BEFORE I DRANK THE WATER?" he roared.

"Well you seemed so desperate to save your friend, there was no way I could tell you that. But please don't worry! If you keep drinking the water, you can stay in your somewhat human form."

"But if Hiroki was to come with me through all six continents and to obtain all five items, we would have to carry thousands of bottles filled with the water," Akihiko explained, "Which means he's stuck here with the water. And if Shinoda comes after him, he can't do anything."

But the woman shook her head. "Not necessarily. There is a way for him to still come along with you on your travels and without the need to fill thousands of bottles but still give him an endless supply of water to drink to keep him from transforming back. Have you heard of the Gourd of Endless Supply?"

Hiroki's eyes widened with that name. "It is said that the Fire Lion used it along with this water to cure the people in Feuern of the plague for generations. For fear of it being used for the wrong purposes, it was kept in hiding. The gourd was special because you could fill it with any form of liquid and no matter how many times you drink from it, it will always seem like it was always full."

"That is correct," Aikawa responded, "It is said that in making sure that the gourd would not fall into enemy hands, it was to be kept safe here in this volcano. Many try to get the gourd, but none have ever lived to tell the tale of what lurks under these rocks. But you decide if that gourd is worth risking your lives over."

Akihiko stayed silent. Was this gourd really worth it? Sure, it meant that he would have Hiroki by his side to help him on his journey and to help retrieve his freedom, but would he still get that while getting that giant bottle? Hiroki on the other hand, spoke up right away. "I'm getting that gourd. I refuse to live my life with a lion's head forever and I refuse to stay here until I die. Neither will I abandon Akihiko."

Aikawa smiled. "Such courage! There is a good reason your village gave you the name 'the Lion Child'."

Hiroki looked at Akihiko, wondering what his decision is and yet had a feeling what it would be. The silver haired man knew his answer. He couldn't abandon Hiroki. Not after the kindness he and his family gave him as he was travelling. And after what happened, he worried about Hiroki's safety in case Shinoda comes back. Plus, it was as Aikawa said; he needed allies from Feuern, Ozean, Kurbeln, Erden, and Stahlern, and Hiroki was the only survivor of Feuern. He sighed.

"Alright," he spoke up, "We'll get the gourd, fill it up with this water, and then continue on."

Aikawa's smile grew even bigger. "I'm glad. The entrance is at the very top of the volcano. I know you can succeed. Your bonds are like flames that grow and consume your heart. Don't ever let that go out!" And as she put the hood and robe back on, she disappeared. That was a sign for Akihiko and Hiroki to be on their way. They were determined to get that gourd; Hiroki because he wanted to remain in the form he was in and to help Akihiko, and Akihiko to help Hiroki and to be one step closer to obtaining his own freedom.

Pinkshuchan: YAY! I managed to update this chapter quick. Well, with Hiroki by his side, will Akihiko retrieve the Gourd of Endless Supply? What will happen once they end up in the volcano? Please Read and Review!