slash!

" Watch your back, Maruboro! "

bang bang

The demons disappeared as quick as they appeared out of nowhere.

" I told you my name is Marebaro! "

Setsuna landed on her feet after she jumped to slice the first demon.

" Whatever, I can't say it in the right way. " the raven girl said as she got up to walk towards him.

" You're weak. I can't believe the king of the Cloud chose you to be his daughter's bodyguard. Are you hiding your real power or…something else? " the hanyou shot him a dark glare.

The man swallowed hard.

' Is she still mad from last time? I wasn't the one who took her hands but she! ' he thought hard as he feared to say those words. He knew he could be sliced just like she did to the demon she just killed.

" Maruboro? As in the cigarette brand? " Mana asked as she approached them.

…

Note: Marlboro, pronounced in japanese way sounds like Maruboro.

…

" So you're also a drug addict? " Setsuna said coldy.

" How does my name make you think that far in nonsense! " the brown-hair man shouted with frustration.

" Come on guys, we should hurry to go. The dean said we have to be quick. " the gunlish girl said to stop Setsuna's interrogation.

They resumed their walk to the Umi village, killing the unlucky demons who dared to cross their way. Every time they fought, Setsuna had to protect the guy who couldn't stand against one enemy. Even to the weak one, from both girls' view.

' Is he really weak and doesn't know how to fight? Or does he only pretend? ' Setsuna thought as she watched him being encircled by three 'weak' demons.

She decided to find her answer by letting him struggle with them.

" Don't help him Mana, I want to check something! " the swordwoman told her friend quiet enough so he couldn't hear.

Her gunlish partner nodded before shooting the five demons around her.

Setsuna jumped forward to launch her attack and killed her last opponent. When her feet got to the ground, she turned her head to watch her second partner.

He was in the middle of three tall demons who were ready to kill him in a second. One of them raised his arm to swat the startled man. However he managed to avoid the attack as he jumped aside, but unfortunately, he was now standing next to his second opponent.

He didn't even notice the latter who was about seized him by the head.

" Is that all you've got? How come a mere human is walking around here without any protection? " the demon said sacarstically.

He tightened his grip around the brown-hair man's neck who whined in pain.

' They won't come…to rescue me… ' he thought with his eyes closed.

The demon laughed hard as he was now ready to smash the head in his hand.

' I've got no choice! ' Jima opened his eyes in a sudden, and raised his right arm in front the enemy.

" Release! " he yelled. And a red light shone from his hand to spread around the three demons.

The male bodyguard opened his fist where the light came from, and clenched it back.

" Burn! "

After his words, the three demons vanished through the smokes. His enemies turned into black ashes that the wind blew away.

" What! How come he can use that technique! " Setsuna said in shock.

" I see…so they managed to steal it during the war. " Mana said quietly, but her eyes were wide opened.

" Unbelievable… " the raven girl frowned as she glimpsed at the ring around Jima's finger.

" Don't say a word about it. We'll have to pretend we don't know anything. That way he won't try to hide more than he already is. " the gunlish woman started to walk to her male partner direction.

" …Those fuckheads. " the hanyou closed her eyes with anger. Even though she wanted to grab his collar to ask him how he got that ring, she knew Mana's choice to stay quiet was best.

Setsuna walked fast to catch up with them. She heard her friend spoke.

" So, you're not that weak like Setsuna thinks. What was that? It was a strong spell. " Mana faked an impressed smile.

" Ah…hehe…well I used to learn magic for a year back at home. But since I wasn't a real mage, I wasn't able to progress like the others. However my former master told me I was at least strong enough to use artifact. " Jima said nervously as he tried to take his breathe.

' I can't come up with a lie, I know they'll notice if I do… ' he got up on his feet.

" I'm impressed. I wonder why you didn't fight back before. " the samurai girl stopped next to her female partner.

" That…is because I don't have enough stamina to use it. I'm not a strong fighter like you too. " he laughed in order to pretend he was honest.

" Hm…then how come the king of the Cloud chose you to be his daughter's bodyguard, if you're not suitable for the job? " Setsuna asked again.

" Erm…he said that since it was a courtesy visit, it wasn't necessary to have a strong man, since there are also the horsemen. They, are really strong fighters. " Jima replied and started to walk.

" C-come on! We should go! I already made you waste enough time! "

Mana followed him right after his words, but she felt the need to decompress her friend.

" Don't be that suspicious, he's already wondering if we doubt about him. Don't forget. 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'. "

The swordwoman kept quiet at her preach. She closed her eyes and breathed out heavily.

" Welcome to the Umi village! We have been waiting for you! " a man said as he opened the gate of the village.

" Lower your voice dumbass! Their coming is secret! Have you already forgotten the orders?! " another man shouted at his fellow.

The three Mahora's people were led to the Chief of the village. After they introduced to each other, they were invited to stay in a hidden house far enough from the center.

" Sakurazaki-san, why are we keeping hidden from the people? You told me that I have to come to introduce myself as a representative of the Cloud kingdom because the Umi village and Mahora were really close allies. But…I don't see anyone to say hello to. " Jima asked as they walked to the house.

" You introduced yourself to the Chief, this is enough. People here are really discreet. It's the law of their people to be quiet. Since it's a small village, they are really suspicious towards strangers…if you know what I meant. " the raven woman lied and she eyed him.

Before Jima could turned his head to send Setsuna a 'weird people' look, Mana nudged her friend hard on her left rib. " Ugh! What was that for! " the samurai girl rubbed her hurting rib.

" Um…are you okay Sakurazaki-san? " he sweat-dropped at what he saw.

" Yes she is, don't worry about her. " Mana replied with a bright smile.

Jima nodded nervously before looking forward. " This place is really weird… " he whispered to himself.

" I told you to drop this doubting attitude! What is the point to drag him along with us if we can get any answers from him! " Mana scolded her in a whisper.

" I got it already… " Setsuna pouted as she walked faster to keep an eye on her prey.

After they reached their hosting place, they settled down so they could rest for the night. Foods were already set as the beds. All they had to do was enjoying their evening.

" Anyway, they really chose the perfect name for the village. Look around, they are so many rivers! " Jima exclaimed as he ate.

Since the house was small, and there were three, the table was set outside in a bigger place.

Both girls stayed silent as it was unusual for them to be so friendly, especially with strangers. Suspicious strangers. So the man shut himself in an awkward silence. When they were done and it was late, Mana advised Setsuna to go to sleep.

" I'll take the interrogation since you can't handle it. You should go rest so it would be easier for me to talk to him. "

" …I guess you're right. I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me, I can't keep calm when I talk to him. "

" Hmph, you better cool your head. And don't worry, I didn't forget to put this on your bill too. It will be 3000 now. " Mana smirked.

" At this point, it's not about debts but stealing! " Setsuna shouted as she watched her walking away to Jima's side.

She then went to the house. As she laid down, her heart couldn't find peace to sleep easily.

' Why am I so upset? I wanted to question him but…everytime I see his face…I lose control of my anger. ' she scolded herself for being this weak.

' What is so wrong with me that I can't handle my own emotions? Mostly when I'm with Kono-chan… ' she stopped thinking for a minute.

She rolled back and watched the moon through the window.

' I miss you…Kono-chan… '

She felt a stroke in her chest, as soon as the image of her smiling girlfriend came to her mind.

' If something happens…she might get hurt… '

She clenched her hands into fists and frowned darkly.

' I will never allow that! '

" Hey…Maruboro-san- "

" -It's Ma-re-ba-ro! Is it so hard to remember ? " the man turned back to the woman who called him.

" Ah, sorry. " Mana giggled as she approached him.

" What are you doing? You never saw a river? "

" Of course I did! Don't be stupid- " Mana twitched at the insult. She wanted to punch him but she had a role to play. Instead she smiled to hide her anger.

" -It's just that this water seems really different. It's clearer even though it's night and there is no light. I wanted to study it. " he said as he bent down on his knees to put his hands into the river.

' I see… ' Mana thought as she understood his words.

" Can you show me? " the girl also bent down next to him, and smiled politely.

Jima turned his head to her as she was now close to him.

" Ngh! " he jumped back.

' She's really pretty! Why is that strangers always charm the most! ' he thought with a big blush.

And Mana started her discreet interrogation.

" Setsuna-chan! Come here please! " a warm voice shouted.

" I'm coming! " a childish voice answered back.

The little girl ran from the living room to the kitchen.

" What is it mommy? " the dark-hair child asked as she jumped into the woman's lap.

" Wah-ah! Setsuna-chan watch out! You almost made mommy knock down the lunch! " the woman scolded her daughter as she put the plate on the table.

" Sorry… " little Setsuna said lowering her head. She was about to feel sad when she felt a soft hand patting her hair.

" Just be careful next time okay? " and the mother dropped a kiss on her forehead.

Little Setsuna raised her head with a happy blush.

" Um! Promise! "

knock knock knock

" Ah! I got it! " and the raven child ran to the main door.

She opened it slowly.

" Who is it? Ah! "

She felt herself flying in the air.

" Long time no see sweet angel! Wow, you've grown up since then! But you're still cute like always. " a male voice exclaimed.

" Oji-san! I missed you! " and she was kissed on her left cheek.

The man put her on the ground and closed the door behind him.

" Mommy! Oji-san is here! " little Setsuna yelled as she pulled the man by his hand to the kitchen.

" Oh… " the woman blushed when she saw the man.

" Hi… " the guest greeted the host.

" Mommy, he's going to eat with us! Listen Oji-san, today mommy made curry! You will love it! " little Setsuna said as she swang her hand into the man's one.

" Setsuna-chan, can you put the table please? " her mother asked gently.

Her daughter nodded and dashed to the living room.

" I'm sorry…I wanted to come sooner but, Kaoru kept surveying me. " the taller man whispered so the child couldn't hear. That was he thought but at her age, little Setsuna already had develop her hearing ability.

" It's okay…At least you're here now. " the woman whispered back as she walked closer to him.

At the living room, little Setsuna stopped her doing.

' Are they hugging again? ' she thought with enthusiasm.

So she decided to go back to the kitchen.

" I see you! " she exclaimed and the couple broke their embrace in a second.

Little Setsuna grinned at the two blushing adults.

" I-I was just saying hi to your mom! " the dark-hair man said as he waved his hands to defend himself as if he just made a terrible mistake.

" Mou…even I can tell that you love each other, so why do you hide it from me? I'm already 6, so I know that when you hug someone, it means you love him! That's what mommy told me! "

" Heh…what do you teach this child, Setsuko? " the man eyed little Setsuna's mother who simply blushed at the situation.

Afterwards they went to eat at the table, and the man was talking about the village. He suddenly stopped as he felt a heavy stare on him.

" What is it, sweet angel? " the raven man stared back at the child who blushed immediately.

" W-well…It's been such a long time I didn't see you…I mean saw your eyes, because they're so beautiful! Right mommy? " liltte Setsuna said happily as she looked at her mother who was now blushing like a tomato.

" Y-yes… " the woman said shyly.

" See? Why is that your eyes are so blue like the ocean? I want the same! "

The man sweat-dropped.

" Ahem… I don't know. " the man cleared his throat, not daring to continue his talk or looking at the woman before him.

Little Setsuna grinned widely as she kept eating.

…

In front of the house, two shadows were moving and crossing fast on the ground and we could guessed the smaller shadow held two wings on her back. When they stopped, apart from each other, someone spoke.

" Alright, time for me to go. I'll come back to teach you more. " the man with blue eyes said to the little girl.

" Okay! " little Setsuna changed her eyes to normal and flapped her white wings to disappear.

The dark-hair man approached the girl to hold her in his arms, and kissed her good-bye.

" See you soon my sweet angel. " he smiled fondly at her.

" Um! See you soon Oji-san! " little Setsuna replied with a bright smile.

But when she met his blue like a sky eyes, she blushed once more.

" You really are your mother's daughter, always blushing for everything haha... " the oji-san giggled as he put her down.

" Tell her I'm off okay? And that will come back soon. " the man shouted as he walked away, waving his hand.

" And… " he stopped, and turned back.

" Setsuna…be careful, okay? " he smiled with warm, and his eyes softened.

" Promise! " little Setsuna yelled at him as she waved back.

She then went back home to see her mother.

" Mommy, Oji-san has left and he said he will be back soon! "

" Thank you Setsuna-chan. " her mother said as she was finishing to clean the dishes.

" Mommy, when will you marry him? " and the latter dropped the glass she was cleaning.

" S-setsuna-chan! What are you saying! You shouldn't say this kind of things! " her mother scolded her with a blushing face.

She turned back to walk to her daughter's side and put a finger on her mouth.

" Do not say this again, okay? And not in front of Oji-san. " little Setsuna was first surprised by her mother's behavior, but she nodded when she saw her serious eyes.

After making herself clear, Setsuko went back to the sink.

" But I really love him! He's so nice and handsome- " the mother let another dish to break.

" -W-wh-here did you learn that word! " she turned back again with the blushing and stuttering behavior they both have in common.

" I heard you said it to Oji-san last time. And he told after 'you are beautiful too'. So I guessed it means the same. " little Setsuna said as she remembered the moment when she caught them hugging each other (once more) in her mother's room.

The woman sighed heavily.

' This child is more than smart. '

" I-I'll be going out for a while. Don't go outside and stay at home like usual, understood? "

" Yes! "

And her mother closed the door, leaving her alone in the house. Little Setsuna stared at the door for a minute.

' I should go read the book Oji-san offered me- ' she stopped thinking.

A sudden cold feeling wrapped her entire body.

' Why…do I feel like… '

She froze in front of the door.

' Mommy…'

She started to sweat a lot, fear seized her mind.

' She won't come back… '

" Mommy… don't go… " little Setsuna whispered.

' You're going to die! '

She tried to move her legs but she couldn't.

BOUM

She heard a loud explosion.

" Mommy… "

…

" Don't go! "

Setsuna shouted as she rose her back with a reaching hand. The shock of the nightmare made her move uncounsciously.

' Where am I? ' she looked around in the small room.

' This is…my home? ' she got up from the bed as she breathed heavily.

She walked down the stairs to search for her.

' Mom… '

She opened the main door, hoping to see her mother walking not far away, and succeed to catch her.

' ! ' her eyes widened when she looked outside.

She did see someone, but it wasn't a girl. It wasn't a woman. It wasn't her mother.

She frowned darkly.

" The fact that my mother was killed is the only reason I'd kill those bastards when I'd see them! "

Her eyes turned bright red. She was seeing the man from the enemy clan.

" You fucking bastard… " she said out loud without control.

She was out of her mind. Between reality and the dream. She was lost between her feelings.

" I will- " a hand covered her mouth and an arm held her back by the waist to prevent her from jumping.

" Calm down Setsuna…take a deep breathe… "

' ...Mana?! ' the hanyou found back her senses as the voice and mostly the hand and the arm were hurting her.

" Don't try to do stupid things. You had an nightmare, get back to reality. " her friend told her quietly as she felt Setsuna was regaining her temper.

She eventually let go of her and closed the door. She watched the smaller girl put her right hand against the door to take her breathe. She was sweating a lot and her face was red.

" T-thank you… " the samurai girl managed to say.

" Hm…you're welcome. "

For the first time, the gunlish girl decided to say those words instead of the billing option.