Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of the Reaper and the Warrior. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own Overlord, Kugane and a few others do.

Gaidar looked at Zesshi while continuing to travel to his next destination. Part of him was giddy to fight her again considering the sheer fight she had given him. The other part of him? Was rather concerned from how bloodthirsty she was.

"You enjoy battle more than me." Gaidar stated, resting his blade against his shoulder. "Why wait for the most perfect warrior to come along and fight you? Tell me what that accomplishes in the end." Gaidar asked as he planted his blade in the sand and looked over his shoulder.

Zesshi simply giggled impishly and looked at her mate. The one who had given her the fight she had dreamed of. It rather interested her that he asked such a simple question… But she guessed it was only right she answer it regardless.

"Because you've beaten me." Zesshi added as if it was a simple fact. "I don't care WHO has beaten me in combat, simply that someone was strong enough to overcome me in battle." Zesshi added with a purr that didn't sound out of place in a jungle.

Gaidar simply sighed and rested his blade on his shoulder. Such a simple answer, but it would do for now. It had to do anyway, he had other matters to attend to.

"Which direction is the settlement you mentioned?" Gaidar asked, more curious than anything.

Zesshi leapt towards him only for Gaidar to catch her on his arm. She giggled while the armored warrior simply rolled his eyes at this and looked at her.

"Which direction, Zesshi?" Gaidar asked, raising an eyebrow under his armor as he paused to gain his surroundings around him.

Still? This area was interesting, as was Zesshi. He just didn't let his guard around her down for a moment. The woman could have his head as quickly as he could have hers. It didn't help that she had already proven quite powerful currently and such.

"That way." Zesshi added, almost skipping towards that way. "Let us be off!" Zesshi added which caused Gaidar to chuckle outwardly.

He followed; the woman would probably drag him across the lands towards there if she needed to. He did not doubt that she was more capable of it when it came down to it.

"Did you even plan on losing?" Gaidar asked, brushing off his armor. "Because I'm starting to understand why I won… And it slightly disappoints me." Gaidar stated to which Zesshi stopped, her eyes wide as he approached her.

"Whatever do you mean?" Gaidar heard her ask as he slowly approached her.

"Your heart was not in the fight against me." Gaidar stated, looking at her with a shake of the head as he did so. "Therefore? You didn't want to fight me with all your resolve when it came to the end of the fight…. I enjoy fighting people when they're at their best. You deep down WANTED someone to surpass you." Gaidar stated and started to walk in the direction she had given him.

Zesshi blinked at this idea. It didn't seem to hold much weight, but she continued to think about it. Had she sabotaged herself in her fury to have someone close to her? Had she undercut her own power to try and get someone to defeat her?

"Then let us battle again!" Zesshi stated to which Gaidar turned to her as he blinked.

"Why?" Gaidar replied, pausing to raise an eyebrow. "It will not alter the effect. You wished to lose deep down so someone would defeat you. That means you would do so again since you still desire someone to surpass you." Gaidar added while he continued walking around her.

Zesshi was quick to chase after the object of her affections which caused him to turn an eye towards her.

"How about a new idea then?" Zesshi questioned, stopping the armored warrior while he cracked a hand. "Let us go and bond, after a year? We might wed. Either way? After a year? We fight once more, holding nothing back from each other." Zesshi asked to which Gaidar hummed to himself.

"1 year?" Gaidar asked which got a nod from Zesshi. "Fine, you STILL owe me a few questions. You are eager to pursue the first person who defeats you regardless of any real affection. That is NOT love." Gaidar stated while crossing his arms as he sheathed his sword over his back.

He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he slowly trudged after her while she led him into the next town. He was quite curious as to what things awaited him in the next town that he and her visited.

Zesshi rather confused him, but he cracked a smile once more and lumbered forwards once more. He questioned more then anything what this lady was after. The adventure promised to be interesting.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be a bit delayed and such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show more bonding between Gaidar and Zesshi and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter will hopefully be 900-1500 words or more at the moment. It still sadly might be a bit delayed.