Sir Yuha…

Firming her grip around the unconscious man's waist, she gritted her teeth, grunting as she her broken foot could still not bear their combined full weight.

Still, she refused to give up or give in. The buzzing of her wings reached a new high as they picked up speed and she tried to lift them both of the rocky plateau.

Tried and failed.

"Gkh!"

For her wounds, and the damage the now thoroughly dead monster had dealt to her body, meant that she could still not move as she wished.

Putting most of her weight on her good foot, she frowned as she scanned her surroundings with her back towards the rim of the gorge.

The gust of wind carried with it the scent of rock, plants, and dirt. Only serving as further confirmation of what her eyes and ears were already telling her.

No sign of civilization here.

Well, not quite. Z-city was but a few kilometers northwest from here, and of course, the monster's lab was relatively close.

But the latter was out of the question. While the former…

A fresh attempt to put weight on her injured foot caused her muscles to tense as bone ground against bone and sheer agony traversed up to her brain, causing her to break out in sweat.

But speaking of sweat.

She glanced at the man held flush against her side.

The man who'd once again saved her, and the man who was quite literately burning up. And not due to the sun overhead. Mumbling incoherently as he did.

"Pain is irrelevant," she mumbled and took a step with a hiss and a wince, spying the way Yuha had come from.

For even if she wasn't yet up to full strength, she could at least do this much.

Cause there was no way she was abandoning the hero who'd given her hope. The man who'd given her a goal and made her to believe that even a monster like her could be a hero!

There must be a cave or something nearby!

Cheeks flaming, heart hammering, she took a deep breath and reached with arms that held only the barest hint of a tremble.

Wrapping her lord's sculpted shoulders, beginning to massage them. Watching as they sagged and the man let out a tired groan, leaning backwards, with the back of his head kissing her belly.

The familiar, comforting scent of sulfur hitting her nostrils and making her blush deepen.

"M-My l-lord—"

"You're too good to me, Jill," the man murmured, eyes closed.

"It's m-merely my d-duty as your praetorian, my lord!" she stammered, trying to maintain a regal tone, even if her lips slipped into a smile and her hands continued working the man's stiff muscles, muscles which the thin shirt did little to hide.

Lord Trefor chuckled and opened an eyelid, staring at her and making her breath hitch, paralyzing her for but a moment.

"Mmh. I'm sure, but, Jill. You're more than that. You mean much more than that to me. And—"

She squeezed with a huff, making the man wince.

"Sheesh! Easy there, Jill!"

"Hmf! My lord is well aware what must be done before a lowly praetorian like myself could agree to even begin considering such blasphemous notions!"

Trefor groaned and, as her hands continued their work, reached up with his own palm and massaged his nose.

"You're still not budging on that, are you?"

"Nope~!" she chirped, and, feeling daring, lifted her left arm and tussled his locks, bolstering the scent of sulfur, but, before she could react, her hand was caught.

"Eep!"

A kiss planted upon it, making magmabugs flutter in her belly.

"Please, Jill. You know how I feel about that, I…I'm not my father, I…I can't, not yet—"

It's been years already, Trefor. How much longer will you continue hating yourself? Continue comparing yourself to this idealized image of our late lord?

She gave him a bittersweet smile, and, feeling especially bold on this day, tugged her arm free out of his unresisting own, before tracing the outline of his jaw and his scraggy beard.

"And I'll be here waiting until find the strength, supporting you all the way, but, until that day? I'll remain but your loyal praetorian."

Trefor sighed. Nodding.

"Very well. I—"

The sound of a commotion outside the room made them pause.

"H-halt! This is the prince's private sanctum! One more step and—"

And Nafar's panicked voice caused Jill to frown and let go of Trefor—h-her lord's shoulders, spinning around.

"Mou! Still as boring as ever, Nafar! Outta my way, dechi!"

"Eek!"

Just in time to catch the study's granite door being flung open, the massive form of her fellow praetorian tumbling, rolling, and coming to a stop against a bookshelf before the stone structure tipped and fell on top of him.

Drawing a pained groan out of the poor man.

For at the door, with her arms on her hips, stood none other than—

Glancing quickly at her lord behind her, she flashed a nervous smile at the newcomer, her arms dropping out of her combat stance and back by her side, for she'd be off little help in the unlikely chance that it came down to blows. Not against her.

"Please no…" Trefor muttered behind her, groaning.

"A-ah. Lady Kuku," she asked, trying to tamp down on her nervousness. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your…unexpected visit?"

And much undesired.

Not out of any sort of dislike towards the white-haired woman. Goodness no. For Kuku was too much of a sweetheart for anything of the sort.

No.

Rather…

Jill whimpered as the girl turned her head towards her with a blink and her eyes widened, a brilliant smile blossoming into existence at her sight.

"Jilly!"

"L-lady Kuku, that's not my name…"

But the girl had already, thankfully, turned away, staring at Trefor instead, her smile stretching even wider.

"As for your question. I was in the area and bored," the girl said with a shrug, "so I decided to visit, dechi!" she chirped. "Sides, it's not that far from Kisha and Nisha's home, so why not!" the girl said and launched herself over Jill and smashing onto Trefor behind her.

"Why…"

Jill turned and bit her tongue.

Not…not that far? The princesses are right. She is a birdbrain! And watching the sky princess hug her lord, rubbing her cheek against that of the despairing man whom, only half-heartedly tried to free himself from her grip, Jill could but sigh and shake her head.

For this right here. This was the reason she would've preferred it if the kind if…airheaded woman hadn't visited for a couple years more.

Princess Kuku, after all, had little idea just how strong she was, as Nafar, still groaning under the bookshelf, could attest too.

Or Jill herself for that matter.

She shuddered as memories flooded her mind. Memories of the woman's last visit, when she decided she wanted to 'play' with Trefor's praetorians.

The last time Jill had felt that sore had been when she'd started her training to become a praetorian.

"Kuku, let me go," her lord said, still stiff as a rock as he tried to push Kuku away.

"Nuh uh!" the girl denied, and with each shake of her head, she unconsciously cleansed the air of the comforting sulfur. Replacing it with the light and thin altitude air.

Jill grimaced, fidgeting in place, and fighting the urge to pinch her nose. For if there was one thing she did not like about the princess, it was this.

"Kuku," Trefor said, rising to his feet, with his cousin wrapped around him, rubbing her cheek against his—and for a moment, Jill imagined herself in Kuku's place and flushed, rubbing her thighs together.

She was her lord's loyal guardian. She was better than this!

"I have things I need to attend to," Trefor said, voice monotone. "Please let me go?"

"Nuh uh!" Kuku said, shaking her head again.

"Please? If you do, we can…play latter, and perhaps even go hunting for some bugs?"

The princess' eyes sparkled.

"Really?"

"Yes."

And the girl nodded, shrugging her shoulders. "Oh, ok then~dechi!" before letting go of her lord. "See ya later then, cous, Jilly, Nafar," Kuku said, and waving her arm, dashed outside the room.

Jill not bothering to correct her again.

It was quite likely the princess would forget it after all…

Sighing, she spun and strode towards the downed bookcase, rapping her knuckles against the pleasantly warm stone.

"Stop pretending and come out, you oaf," she said, and the groans stopped.

"Is…is she gone?"

Jill rolled her eyes. "Yes you big baby, the 'scary princess' is gone," she said and grasping a corner, helped Nafar push the structure away from himself, even if her help wasn't needed, still, she at least could right the bookshelf as her comrade rose to his feet.

"Apologies m'lord but—"

Trefor's sigh caused her to turn as she finished, in time to catch the man wave his arm.

"It's fine, Nafar, back to your post."

"Yes, sir, thank you, sir!" the man said, stomping his foot as he saluted, before walking out of the room, closing the door behind him, as Jill started lifting the books, placing them back on their shelves.

Another sigh reached her ears, and she turned. Trefor, eyes distant, gazed towards one of the sculptures in the room, but, she could tell, he wasn't really looking at it.

She licked her lips.

This… a feeling of shame welled up within her, but, this was too important! This is my chance!

"M-my lord?"

"Ah. Yes, what is it, Jill?" Trefor asked, blinking and facing her, and before she could speak his shoulders slumped and he lowered himself back to his seat. "It's not what you think, Jill," he said, rubbing his forehead. "I don't hold her responsible or fear her anymore, it's just…" he shrugged and flashed her a nervous grin. "Dealing with the imp was bad enough, but now I'll have to deal with my little cousin and her antics until she decides to return above? Why…"

Jill's eyes widened and, giving Trefor a nod and a fake grin, spun around, going back to her work.

Sobbing inside.

For she knew that her lord's stiffness had little to do with any kind of fear. No, she'd merely been intending to ask for leave, or an assignment far, far away while the princess was visiting.

But now? Now that her lord had all but admitted, he all but dreaded having to deal with both Abdera and Kuku…

Jill asking for permission to hide like a damn coward and abandon her lord? Her honor forbid it.

I won't be able to sit down or stand up straight without wincing for another week!

For she knew. Knew, that lady Kuku would want to play again…

"For my people…"

She blinked and her head all but flew off her shoulders as she turned away from the flickering flames, gazing down at the man resting in her lap.

"S-sir Yuha?" she asked with flickers of hope.

"For my…"

But the man's eyes remained close, even if they continued to dance behind their eyelids.

Letting out a sigh, the spark of hope dimming, she raised an arm, and gently rested the back of her palm on the man's forehead.

And a breath she didn't know she'd been holding left her lips.

For Yuha's temperature was slowly but surely climbing down.

"That's a relief…" she said, and, still smiling, removed her hand from his forehead, and after a moment of indecision, with but the barest hints of trembling and her cheeks burning, started brushing his hair, humming a lullaby she'd heard on tv a few days back as she did.

"That's nice…" a baritone voice murmured.

She gasped and smiled.

"Sir Yuha!"

But her excitement was short-lived once more, for the man's eyes, even though open, were lacking focus, delirium still visible within them. "Grayfia…"

Eh? Whose Grayfia? She wondered with a blink before her eyes widened as she restarted her humming. Could…could he mean me?

She resisted the urge to fidget, and as the man leaned into her touch, closing her eyes, with another mumble of 'Grayfia' she couldn't help but wonder.

A name…I've never had a name. For what use would a name have been to either a test subject or a nameless hero trying to redeem herself?

But still.

A name?

Her smile widened as Yuha seemed to relax in his sleep as her song continued, the man's stiff neck muscles seeming to slacken.

A name…Yes…I think I'd like that.

Once again, it would seem, Zero opted to give her another gift.

No doubt, the man having quickly recognized what she was on their previous brief encounter, deducing a great deal about her with his brilliant mind and going as far as to create a name for someone worthless like her.

Beast King… she fought the urge to scowl. For the thoroughly dead bastard had spoiled what no doubt, Zero had been planning for days now.

Why, if the monster wasn't already dead, she'd…

Shaking her head, she instead focused on the present, smiling down at her hero.

"H~ey~ there, baby girl~"

She didn't bother turning her head, merely glaring at the pest out of the corner of her eye as she continued walking.

"You be looking mighty fine~huehuehue~ Mind if we go somewhere and—"

Raising her right arm, she hugged and flicked her blonde locks, shaking her head as she trod down the corridor.

"Hey!" the pest growled, all but running to keep up with its short form, the sloppy sounds of its wet feet smacking against the stone making her shiver in disgust. "I'm talking to you, you slut!" it said with a growl, and then a slimy hand grabbed her exposed bicep, the wet feeling making her recoil.

"Heh! Already realizing your place, eh? That is good—"

Swiveling her head, she glared, hissing through her mask with narrowed eyes. "Don't touch me," she hissed and, with a tiny twitch of her free arm, a crackling sound echoed through the corridor.

"Eh?"

And then the revolting bug fell into pieces and, still shuddering, she pushed the creature's limb fingers loose with the back of her whip.

"Disgusting," she murmured, shaking her head as she kept walking. Flicking her arm left and right, trying to make the bits of slime still clinging to her arm fly free, before with a sigh she gave it up as a lost cause, deciding to thoroughly wash herself after.

One less scum amongst this godforsaken hellhole, she mused, and then, as her heels clacked against the stone, the sound echoing against the empty corridor; she put thoughts of baths and scum out of her mind.

For even though, at first glance, the wide circular tunnel, whose roof was mostly bathed in shadow, seemed perfectly normal, it wasn't.

And each step she took towards the chamber up ahead caused her instincts to scream at her to run, to hide, and failing all that? To cower down on her arms and knees and plead for mercy.

Yes, nothing seemed out of place. Although the flickering torches on each side of the wall were a bit disconcerting.

Yes, nothing smelled out of place either. Merely the scent of dirt and the oily scent of the torches themselves.

Nor was the slight chill in the air a cause for alarm.

Normally that is. For so deep below the earth, cold and a livable environment in general was a result of many of their disparate members, who'd otherwise kill each other, working together.

The wonders of having working survival instincts, I guess. She glanced over her shoulder at the distant remains of the scum. Usually that is.

Her irritation with the bug vanished, only to be replaced with sheer terror once more as the cold deepened, almost becoming intolerable as she came to a stop outside a door.

Knocking on the unassuming piece of wood—

"Enter."

She gulped at the aloof, commanding, and quite feminine voice.

"Excuse me," she whispered, tone deferential, eyes downcast as she stepped into the room, immediately dropping to a kneeling position. Not daring to glance at the woman in a white dress who reclined on a couch but a few feet from the crackling fireplace.

"Hmf. At least you know your place," the reclining beauty said, swirling the glass in her hand and taking a sip, before setting it down on the table with a soft 'clink' "Report."

Whimpering, she dropped out of her kneeling position and into a bow, her head slamming against the soft carpet.

"M-my lady is jubilant that you've requested her assistance and has finished preparations and assembled her…'valkyries'." Her lips twitched into a minute scowl.

I thought I was free. I thought she'd forgotten or at least did not care for us any longer, but now. Now…

She dared not look, dared not think of anything too bad in the presence of this monster in front of her. For if she hated that bitch and her strength?

Well, the monster relaxing but a few feet from her terrified her. Almost as much as Orochi himself, perhaps more. And so…

"A-and she merely awaits your command, your ladyship."

"Hmf," the woman's snort caused her to tense and her heart to beat madly in her chest as she broke into a sweat. It would be pointless, but, if she had to she would fight and—

"Settle down little princess," the monster said with an evil sensual chuckle which sent shivers up her spine, the monster's words making her shiver. "You have no reason to fear."

She didn't move. Didn't speak.

"Still, you bear good news. That pleases me," the monster in the shape of a woman said, another chuckle leaving her lips. "Go," the monster said, and with eyes widening, she risked raising her head, looking at the woman. "Return to your mistress and tell her to be prepared. I'll soon have need of you all," the monster said, waving her arm.

Taking the hint for what it was, she quickly shoot back up to a kneeling position, caring little for the dirt and dust now marring and clinging to her flawless skin and outfit, inclining her head.

"Thank you, my lady."

"Mmh."

Tensing at the bored sound, she rose to her feet, offered another bow and sped out of the room and down the corridor from whence she came with all the haste she could muster.

Her heart starting the climb back down to something resembling normal with each step further and further away from that.

Not that she was out of danger just yet.

She gritted her teeth.

For now, she'd have to deal with that bitch and her 'training' yet again.

Still, anything was better than that.

He came to with a groan, the feeling of dry dirt between his clenching fingers, dirt and small pieces of rocks and roots underneath most of his body, for his head seemed to rest upon something soft and soft heat seemed to come from somewhere to his left. Heat and a smell of charcoal.

Opening his eyes, Yuha let out a groan as his mind finished booting up.

"I just had the weirdest trip ever," he mumbled to himself before noticing just where he was.

Namely, the worried woman gazing down at him and the dirt roof above, upon which shadows danced.

"Yuha! You're awake!" Mosquito Girl shouted in jubilation, making him wince at her loudness even as the girl removed her hand from his hair so as to clap.

Ah. So, that's what that soft feeling was.

Well, with a blink, and a slight turn and a glance to his right, followed by his left, he found that yes, he'd been resting on the girl's plump thighs and, as he pushed himself to a half sitting position.

"Y-yuha!"

That, yes, they were, in fact, inside some kind of small cave.

"P-please be careful!" the woman said, shooting to her feet behind him, placing a soft arm upon his back, ready to support him. "You've been out of it for hours!"

Gazing at the darkness outside and hearing the howls of distant wolves, which cut suddenly with a terrified whimper, he raised a hand, making a fist.

"Yuha?"

Closing his eyes, he focused and in tandem with his vi, he performed a full diagnostic.

"Tsk"

"A-ah! What is it? Did I do anything wrong?" the nervous girl asked behind him.

Shaking his head, he opened his eyes and spun around. "No, it's nothing you did, my dear, and thank you for your help," he said, remembering to flash her a grin. "For I'm reasonably certain that it was you who carried me all the way here, yes?"

After all, even if there was no one else around but the two of them, maintaining his heroic image at all times was paramount!

"It wasn't a big deal," the girl mumbled, lowering her eyes and poking the index fingers of her arms together.

Heh. Cute.

"B-but, yes! Sir Zero—"

"Just Zero."

"I found this place and carried us here until we could both recover!" the girl said, jumping in place and gazing down at him with big, worried eyes. "I did well, didn't I?"

Smiling, he raised an arm and patted her on the head.

"Yes. Yes, you did."

After all, even if he wasn't quite certain what was going on with the woman. Like say, why she looked as she did, or why she was apparently no longer a sadistic monster…or how she could use ki?

She seemed earnest and eager for his praise, and so, he trusted in his bullshit sense.

"I dare say you did great—"

The girl puffed out her impressive chest.

"Mosquito Girl."

Before wilting.

Eh? The hell?

"Ah…so that name wasn't meant for me after all…"

Name? What name? The hell is she talking about?

As if the big woman's sad murmurings, coupled with his panicking thoughts, were the trigger. Fragments of delirium filled memories flashed through his mind.

Ah crap. That wasn't part of that weird ass trip?

He bit his lip as Mosquito Girl stared at the ground, mumbling and drawing shapes in the dirt with her foot.

Shit.

He didn't know what was up with her, but, so far, she seemed to be on his side and the side of heroes in general, so. Until whatever the hell that poison, whose traces still circulated through his system, cleared up. Something which would take a couple hours still.

Well, it would be best to keep the demon level threat happy, no?

And besides, she kinda looked like her. If you squinted.

She had the hair and the boobs for it.

Nodding to himself, Yuha grinned as he raised a hand and clapped the girl on the shoulder.

"E-eh?"

"I guess the surprise is out of the bag, then. Pity."

"Y-you mean?"

"Yes," he flashed her a thumps up. "Grayfia is your name, if you so wish it, of course—mmf!"

"I do!" the girl said with a squeal as in a buzz of winds she tackled him, pressing him in between her soft mounds, and once again, the surprise caused him to inhale, filling his nostrils with a soft pleasant scent.

Well. That's nice, I suppose.

"Ah! Apologies!" the girl squeaked, letting go and stepping back with embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it," he said, shaking his head and with a sigh, plopping back down on the ground, crossing his feet in a meditative pose, a favorite of his. "Still, given we've got a few hours until dawn comes."

And until I'm back to full power.

"Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?" he asked as the woman joined him with nervous energy, sitting down across him. "After all, besides the fact that you are a hero."

And judging by the woman's hopeful smile and the radiant smile she sent his way, he'd chosen the right words.

"I know little else about you, so, if you wouldn't mind…"

"Ah! O-of course!" the woman said with a happy nod, before wilting, the smile dimming. "B-but, I'm not the hero you think I am, sir Yuha."

Oh shit! Another Garou?

"Just Yuha."

"I mean, d-don't get me wrong!" the girl said, eyes widening as she waved her arms in panic. "I want…am a hero, but…I'm not pure like you, my past…my past is dark."

Heh. If only you knew, kid.

Still, he listened as the woman shared her story. Listened, and with heavy heart got confirmation that she, indeed, was the reason for Genos demise. And listened further as she told him of how she came to live once more as a result of the actions of her mad scientist of a creator.

Alive and improved with pieces of his DNA.

Causing him to stare with wide eyes.

That…that explains quite a bit. Not how she retained her soul and memories. I've no idea how that came to be. But it does explain why she has ki and looks more human…As well as why whatever was in that syringe affected me. After all, if it was intended for Mosquito—Grayfia, and she, in part, shares my genetic makeup…

It was a disquieting thought.

Not the fact that the nervous woman in front of him sought a new path in life or that she shared some of his DNA, no.

Rather, what worried Yuha was the fact that Grayfia's mad scientist of a creator was playing with his DNA and, if the woman's words were to be believed with that of the Subterraneans.

Oh, he had little fear of the man cracking Dr Gero's work and managing to duplicate or clone himself.

No.

That would take him decades. At least.

But…

Even a partial, haphazard addition to a pre-existing specimen, like he did with Mosquito—Grayfia or someone else, could prove troublesome.

Yuha resisted the urge to groan.

Yet another problem I'll have to deal with. He eyed the woman who fidgeted in place.

"Ah…you no doubt hate me now, don't you…"

But, perhaps. I just might have a solution, or at least a helping hand in this mess.

"Grayfia?"

"Eek! Yes?"

"First up, no, I don't hate you." the smile she sent his way almost caused his heart to skip a beat. "Second…you really hate that Doctor of yours, don't you?"

Grayfia face contorted into something scary, something ugly as she leaned in close.

"Yes…" and her cold hate filled hiss almost made him whimper. "Eep! Forgive me!" before her eyes widened, and she leaned back, gazing at the ground.

"Nothing to forgive, but, still."

She raised her head, a forlorn hope shining in her eyes.

"Would you be willing to help me bring that 'Doctor' of yours to justice?"

"YES!" the girl cheered, her wings buzzing as she jumped off the ground, before blushing and slamming back down into a seiza position, adopting a serious expression and nodding. "I mean, yes, if you wouldn't mind…"

He smiled.

Good. Extra meat shield acquired!

"In that case, Grayfia." The girl's chest puffed out again. "Let me tell you a bit more about this power you're using, this 'ki'," he said and begun explaining the very basics of it all, stuff that he'd even taught Charanko.

Like how to form a basic ki ball and shoot a basic energy blast, or how to summon forth her power and enhance herself, or how to use it to fly, or in this case augment her already existing ability to do so.

Basic stuff.

Stuff which would, as the hours passed and the first rays of the sun crested the mountains behind him, warming his back and his body flushed out the toxin, be of little threat to him if she decided to attack him out of the blue.

Or in other words, a test.

Not that such an event was likely, what with what he's seen so far.

"Wow!" she flashed him a brilliant smile as she dismissed the ki orb hovering above her palm. "I had no idea this could be so easy! Or that I'd been doing it wrong all this time!"

Smiling and climbing to his feet, back to full strength at last, he nodded. "Not a surprise, my dear. After all, Ki holds many secrets. Now." He turned around. "What say you we leave this hole? For a hobbit hole it's not."

The girl cocked her head.

"What's a hobbit?"

"Something lazy, tiny, but which also holds a lot of courage and that also eats a lot."

Grayfia blinked before stretching out a palm aimed at the winding down flames, and with a small ki blast, removed the dying flame.

"Sounds annoying, Yuha."

"It can be. Now, shall we?"

"Yes!"

Stepping outside and walking for a few minutes, Yuha discovered that the distant sound was in fact what he thought it was, for soon enough amidst the trees and the greenery they came upon a ravine, sloshing water but a few feet from them and the smell of wet dirt in their nostrils.

For an instant, a smile spread across his lips at the sight of it.

But they had more important things to deal with and decide.

Namely, whether to attack Dr Genus right now or retreat back to Z-city.

He faced the tall woman.

"Grayfia?"

"Yes?"

He opened his mouth but never got a chance to ask for her opinion.

Cause with a loud 'thud' and the sound of breaking wood and terrified fleeing birds, someone landed near them on the other side of the ravine.

Snorting.

Turning, Yuha stared with wide eyes

Fuck!

As the poor tree fell and crashed into the stream, a hulking figure glanced down at them, picking at his nose.

I'd forgotten about him!

"There you are! Do you know I've been searching all night for you two?"

Besides him, Grayfia whimpered.

Carnage Kabuto was here.