Chapter 32

Slowly pulling his dagger free from the last dead slaver, Mercury stood upright just as the officials arrived.

"Sir Hero, explain yourself!"

Mercury sheathed his weapon before turning to address the guards.

"Explain YOURSELVES!" Mercury growled. "Explain to me how a group of humans, who you all apparently hate so much, got in the walls of the city!"

The guards glanced to one another.

"These humans were slavers." Mercury continued, pointing at the leader of the Slavers. "Here to take away your own kind to sell into slavery! Any yet, they somehow managed to Houdini their way in here!"

"What?" The guards looked to one another, unsure as to who let these men inside the walls.

"Now, either arrest me, or let me go back to my mansion." Mercury crossed his arms out in front of himself, ready for them to slap the cuffs.

One of the guards pulled out a pair of cuffs but was stopped by the General, from the looks of her.

"Your services are greatly appreciated, sir Hero." The General said. She was a rather tall, reptilian woman. Donning armor with gold rims, and a decorated sword at her hip. "I would've done the same. We'll take it from here."

Hearing that, Mercury lowered his arms and began heading home.

An hour later

Arriving at the mansion, Mercury walked in. Taking off his cloak and folding it over his arm, Mercury began heading for his room. Upon reaching it, the girl from the alley, Anastasia, was sitting on his bed.

"Oh!" Mercury was surprised to see her in his room. "Something wrong?"

"Mm-mm." The girl shook her head. "Ma... Mako... she had me..." the rest of her speech was too gentle to hear. She was clearly extremely nervous.

Folding her ears down, Anastasia looked away.

"It's okay." Mercury told her. "Take your time."

The girl took an uneasy breath.

"Makoto... told me to stay here and wait." Anastasia said softly.

Mercury put away his cloak before turning back to Anastasia.

(Hm. I bet Makoto was uncomfortable giving the girl a tour and wants me to do it. Alright.)

"Has anyone shown you around the mansion, yet?" Mercury asked.

"Mmm-hmm." Anastasia answered, slowly. "Makoto did."

"Oh..." Mercury rubbed the back of his neck. "How about... a room? Have you chosen a room, yet?"

Anastasia met Mercury's gaze.

"No."

Leading her out of the room, Mercury was about to head down the hall when Anastasia stopped him by grabbing his hand.

"Hm?" Mercury stopped and faced her. "What's wrong?"

Anastasia was pointing at the room directly beside Mercury's.

"You want that one?"

Anastasia nodded.

Mercury shrugged. "Sure. You can have it."

Showing her to her new room, Mercury opened the door for her.

"This mansion is pretty easy to get lost in." Mercury informed the girl. "It'll take a while to get used to. It certainly is for me." He said that last bit under his breath.

Anastasia took a look around the room, carefully, as if everything she was seeing was foreign to her. Taking a seat on the bed, she stared at the pillow. After a moment, she began to sob.

"Anastasia?" Mercury said her name softly. "What's wrong?"

After a few moments, Anastasia composed herself enough to reply.

"This is my first bed."

Mercury was stunned silent by those words.

"Thank you." She said, looking to Mercury. "Thank you so much."

Mercury smiled in reply.

"If you need anything, find me, Makoto, Daenerys, or one of the maids." Mercury told her. "The maids will be by often to help you with whatever you need."

"Okay." She said while rubbing her eyes.

Mercury smiled as he left the room, only for that smile to fade immediately after. Hearing Anastasia's words in his head, Mercury placed a hand over his eyes as they began to tear up. Punching the wall, Mercury wiped his face before heading for the main hall.

Once he arrived, Makoto walked over to him upon notice.

(Hey, I wanted to talk.) Makoto told him.

(Yeah? What's on your mind?) Mercury asked.

(It... kinda relates to Anastasia.) Makoto added. (How we gave her a new life.)

(I think I know where you're headed with this.) Mercury said. (Continue.)

(Well, it's just, there are so many kids like Anastasia out there. So many like me.) Makoto began. (We could turn this mansion into something better.)

"Yeah?" Mercury said, crossing his arms. "What'd you have in mind?"

(An orphanage.) Makoto said. (We could help kids get off the streets, and-)

"Okay." Mercury cut her off.

Makoto stared at him unsure. (What?)

"Okay." Mercury repeated himself.

(Really?)

Mercury nodded.

"Why not?" Mercury shrugged. (I could be like... Charles Xavier.)

(Who's Charles Xavier?) Makoto asked.

"Don't worry about it." Mercury brushed it off. (If we run into any kids that could use our help, we can take 'em in. If they choose so, that is.)

Makoto smiled.

(As for right now; we need to find that Succubus.) Mercury said. (I don't want that creature roaming around too long.)

(I hope you don't mean 'right now'.) Makoto said. (Isn't it a bit late?)

"Yeah." Mercury agreed. "But tonight is too nice to let go to waste. I was thinking of just taking a walk through the garden. Clear my head."

(Care if I tag along?) Makoto's face was a gentle pink color.

(I'd like that.)

A few minutes later

Standing in the gazebo, Mercury stared out into the garden with Makoto by his side. Feeling her hand gently graze his back, Mercury looked to the woman over his shoulder.

Turning to face her fully, the wind began to blow ever so gently. Keeping her hair out of her face, Makoto pushed the loose strands behind her ear.

With the moonlight illuminating them both, it set a sudden romantic mood. Seeing Makoto in the dim light, she looked downright astounding.

(You're staring.) Makoto told him, her hair turning a gentle pink.

"Sorry." Mercury apologized. "You're just so stunning."

Makoto stared, surprised at Mercury.

(How can you say something like that with such a serious face?) She asked, her whole face turning red.

Gently, Mercury reached out and took Makoto's hand in his own.

"We don't get many moments to ourselves." Mercury stated. "With that said-"

Mercury leaned in and kissed Makoto.

(Ehh?!) Makoto tensed up in surprise before relaxing into the embrace. (Jeez. Give a girl a warning next time.)

(I'll think about it.) Mercury replied as he pulled away. (So, have I set the mood?)

Makoto took a moment to think.

(Hmm. No.) She answered with a shake of her head.

"Haah!" Mercury let out a fake surprised gasp. "Have you not been swayed by my mmm *masculine charms?*"

Makoto covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

(You're definitely a strange one.) Makoto stated.

Mercury chuckled a bit as well.

"I'm glad you're here with me, Makoto."

(Where'd that come from?) She asked, leaning against the railing of the gazebo.

"Mm. Just thinkin'." Mercury replied.

(Doesn't sound like it.) Makoto told him with a cheeky grin.

(I don't want you knowing *all* my thoughts.) Mercury told her.

(Why not?) Makoto pouted as she placed her hands on her hips.

(Everyone needs some form of privacy.) Mercury replied. (Like how I don't hear your thoughts all the time.)

Makoto shrugged.

(Point taken.) Makoto then grew a mischievous grin. (Speaking of privacy, after this why don't we, uh, erm.) Makoto's face grew bright red. (I can't say something like that!) Makoto gently slapped her cheeks with her hands. (It's embarrassing... mmmm...)

(You don't have to say it if you don't want to.) Mercury told her.

(Well... I want... I want... you...) Makoto said.

Mercury stood in silence.

"You don't have to be embarrassed to tell me that." Mercury said. "Ever since we were interrupted yesterday, (not to mention the slight affect that Succubus had on me) I've been feeling kinda restless."

Makoto crossed her arms upon hearing that.

(That Succubus 'had an affect' on you?) Makoto asked.

"Can you blame me?" Mercury crossed his arms. "She looked exactly like you."

(Right. You saying I look like a Succubus?)

"Don't twist my words like that." Mercury narrowed his eyes. "I said *she* looked like *you* not the other way around."

(Mm-hmm.) Makoto hummed sarcastically.

"Makoto, seriously. I-"

Makoto began to silently chuckle.

(I'm just fucking with you.)

"Oh."

As the two enjoyed each other's company, Mercury looked off into the woods. As he stared off, and allowed his mind to wander, an idea popped into his head.

"Hey." Mercury turned to Makoto. "Wanna go explore?" He asked.

(Explore? Don't we already do that?)

"I mean the forest." Mercury replied. "It's inside the city walls, so I bet it's safe."

Makoto was quiet as she thought it over.

Making the decision for her, Mercury took her hand into his.

"C'mon." Mercury told her as he dragged her along. "Trust me; exploring the forest at night with someone else is different from doing it alone. Who knows what we'll find."

Makoto couldn't even argue before she found herself in the forest with Mercury.

They didn't even have to worry about getting lost. Mercury made sure to leave his scent on the bases of the trees they passed. Makoto's keen sense of smell would lead them right back to the mansion. Or, if they really did get lost, Daenerys could use it to smell them out. Either way, they shouldn't be lost in the forest long at all.

The forest was surprisingly massive. Even after an hour of exploring, they still hadn't reached the wall of the city.

Taking another step, Makoto suddenly grabbed Mercury's arm.

(Do you hear that?) She asked as her fox ears twitched.

"I don't-"

Makoto's eyes suddenly widened in child-like wonder.

(I think I know what that sound is!) She said before dashing off towards the source.

"Mako- hey!" Mercury chased after her. "Makoto!"

After taking a few steps, Mercury also began to hear something off in the distance. It sounded kind of like a-

"Waterfall." Mercury said softly.

Seeing Makoto standing before the waterfall, Mercury walked up behind her. Reaching out to her, Mercury hesitated before placing his hands on her hips, pulling her close from behind.

(It's gorgeous.) Makoto commented. (The mist it's kicking up look like crystals.)

Mercury saw what she was talking about. The tiny water droplets shined in the dim rays of the moonlight.

Makoto broke away from Mercury's hold, walking closer to the calm water. There were only ripples from the waterfall, making for a beautiful scene.

With Mercury following behind, Makoto stopped just before the water. Spotting a nearby rock, just the right size to rest on, Makoto sat down.

Taking off her boots, Makoto placed them on the ground before standing up to discard her pants.

Realizing she intended to take a dip, Mercury followed her lead. Taking off his clothes, Mercury left on just his underwear to maintain a level of respect and privacy.

But that was thrown out as soon as he realized Makoto was skinny dipping.

(Coming?) She asked, peeking at Mercury over her shoulder. (The water's nice.)

Seeing her body slowly get surrounded by water the further she went, Makoto pushed herself back and began to tread water.

Deciding to finally join her, Mercury entered the water. Submerging himself for just a moment, Mercury slowly swam over to Makoto.

Reaching her, the two swirled around one another before embracing.

(Well, seems we finally got our moment.) Makoto stated.

(Then let's enjoy it.)

Kissing, the two decided to get closer.

End of chapter 32