Heirot

Originally started by Soran…

Soran:

The winged demoness, Zaraxi, looked around in awe at the unfamiliar setting as she entered the city gates. She followed nervously but excitedly, staying close behind her newfound companion Chien. She struggled to push her left wing further back against her head, but the broken bone hurt too much. Her other pair of wings was well-hidden inside Chien's heavy coat.

Her pace was light and graceful, making her stick out even more than the wings on the sides of her head and the unusual color of her hair. Plus, Chien wasn't wearing a shirt. The locals turned to stare at the unusual pair as they walked through.

Kyosuke:

"Don't worry about the other wing that much, just keep it still so it seems like more of a decoration," Chien said. The two walked through the town until the demon hunter found a restaurant. "C'mon, there's a restaurant, let's go in to eat!" Chien walked in, bringing Zaraxi with him.

The two were quickly seated and Chien made a quick order and, turning to Zaraxi, asked, "Do you wanna eat anything?"

Soran:

Zaraxi sat at the restaurant booth, eagerly expecting everything on the table as well as the cushioned bench she was sitting on. When they lost their novelty she looked out the window at all the people rushing back and forth on the street. So far the city had shown none of the danger she had anticipated. She looked back up at Chien when he asked her if she wanted food. She hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yes," then went back to looking out the window, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

Kyosuke:

"Eh, she'll take one of these," Chien said, pointing to a meal of vegetables mixed with meat. The waitress nodded and walked off to give the cook the order. When the food came, their orders were placed in front of them and Chien immediately started eating.

Soran:

Zaraxi poked the food with her finger. It was warm and had an unfamiliar smell. She looked at Chien, who was holding a strange pronged piece of metal in his hand and using it to pick up the food. She saw one in front of her as well and picked it up, holding it the way he was, sort of.

She stabbed a green bean awkwardly and brought it up to her lips, nipping off a tiny piece to taste it. She thought it tasted very strange, but then she hadn't tasted anything before. She chewed it slowly and swallowed, then tasted a few of the other things on her plate. She hadn't felt hungry, but after a few bites she was already full, and looked at the remaining food wistfully. Maybe she wasn't meant to eat human food after all.

Kyosuke:

Chien watched Zaraxi eat with amusement. "Full already?" he asked. "Don't worry about it. I can eat more so it doesn't go to waste." Chien sat back, waiting for Zaraxi to acknowledge it.

Soran:

Zaraxi pushed her plate over to Chien and watched him eat. The people in the city didn't seem like enemies to her. They even gave she and Chien food. But she didn't want to take any chances. She sat very still and took everything in, her senses overloaded with images and sounds and smells.

Kyosuke:

Chien ate Zaraxi's food as well. Finding that his stomach was finally full, he paid the bill and walked off with her. "Anyway, where to now? Anywhere in particular you wanna see?" he asked.

Soran:

Zaraxi looked around speculatively. Down a street toward their left she could see a huge number of people milling about with carts and bags, and a large number of small kiosks with merchants noisily advertising their wares. She pointed at the marketplace, which happened to be the center of town, and looked to Chien. "What is that?" she asked, wanting to go closer, but nervous about all the people.

Kyosuke:

"That's the marketplace," Chien explained. "They have things from weapons to food to clothing there. So if there's anything you're looking to buy, then we can head over there now."

Soran:

Zaraxi looked over at the bustling people and the myriad of unfamiliar objects. She thought about what Chien had said about the locals disliking demons, but on the other hand what could go wrong? She turned toward the market and began walking toward it like a moth to a light.

Kyosuke:

Chien walked alongside Zaraxi, eyeing the people in case anyone noticed the demonic presence he was walking alongside of. Fortuneately, it seemed that the marketplace would be crowded enough so that, unless Zaraxi ripped off his jacked and freed her wings, then decided to declare herself as a demon, that nobody would notice her except for a person who had been trained in sensing demons as he had.

Chien checked his wallet, making sure that he would have enough money to purchase anything that the demon girl may want. He had plenty from old jobs, though he hoped that Zaraxi wouldn't end up spending too much of his money.

Soran:

Zaraxi stretched her wing back against her head and tried not to move it as she walked through the crowd and into the marketplace. Unfamiliar voice called out to her as she passed.

“Beautiful lady!” cried a jewel merchant, stepping out from behind his kiosk and approaching her as she walked past. Zaraxi eyed him curiously, not sure if he was calling to her or not. “Yes, you!” he exclaimed, catching up to her as she stopped walking and turned around. The man looked at her fine-featured face and elegant neck and smiled widely. “Why, you have the features of an angel!” he flattered, gesturing her toward his kiosk. She followed hesitantly, not sure what was going on.

“Now this would suit you perfectly,” the merchant gushed, holding up a huge bauble made of interwoven silver and gold, with a large cut blood-red stone that perfectly matched her eyes.

Mizuki looked at it with great interest. “What does it do?”

The shopkeeper cocked an eyebrow at the practical tone in her question, but wasn’t about to lose a customer. “It merely augments your natural beauty,” he said, holding out the necklace as if to fasten it around her neck. Zaraxi took a nervous step back, uncomfortable with his attempt to touch her.

The shopkeeper lowered the necklace and nodded understanding. “I see. Is it too expensive? Then how about this?” He pulled a silver hair clip with a similar, but smaller stone. Zaraxi eyed it carefully, not even sure of its purpose. “This would be gorgeous on you, much more so than this old thing,” he said, pointing to her broken wing. “Allow me,” he said politely, reaching up to fasten the clip next to her wing. Zaraxi’s eyes widened in distress. Faint blue energy fizzed around her hands as she glanced rapidly around for Chien.

Kyosuke:

Chien's hand darted out and grabbed the merchant's before any harm would come to the man... and before he may have to run out of town with Zaraxi. "Sorry, my friend doesn't need anything to improve on her beauty," Chien said.

"So! I suppose my wares are out of the price range for one such as yourself. They would make good gifts if you were trying to court her," the merchant responded.

"Actually no, I can easily afford the first item, but as I said, my friend needs nothing to augment her natural beauty," Chien retorted, lightly putting his hand on her back and moving her away from the greedy merchant.

Soran:

Zaraxi walked in the direction Chien’s pressure on her back was guiding her, still alarmed over what the merchant had done. She flinched as she bumped up against a civilian in the crowd, not wanting anything to touch her wing. She walked on through the crowd, wary now of everyone she passed. From the edge of the crowd, a tall man with short spiked hair and a face marred with many scars watched the demon with keen interest. He slipped into the crowd and began following them undiscernibly at a distance.

Kyosuke:

Seeing the Zaraxi was now no longer in a mood to shop, nearly going into a panic, which wasn't helped by so many people being around them, Chien led Zaraxi out of the marketplace. He sat her down on a bench. "You okay?" he asked. "Man, that guy woulda been surprised had he actually had the chance to touch you," Chien pointed out, somewhat amused.

Chien sat next to Zaraxi, patting her on the back lightly and waiting for her to calm down. The two must have attracted some sort of attention, there being a shirtless man with a panicked woman, but Chien didn't know if anyone really did notice. He was completely oblivious of the scarred man that was following them.

Soran:

Zaraxi looked wistfully at the sky as Chien patted her on the back. Her high spirits had plummeted into worry. She felt tired, but there was nothing she could do about that until her wing healed. She needed to conserve energy. She hoped the demon hunter wasn’t going to try anything against her. He was the only familiar presence she knew here. She didn’t understand the way the people in the market acted, and wasn’t sure any more if it was worth it to be here.

“I’m…okay…” she said in her silvery voice, remembering his question. She wanted to ask more questions, but her curiosity was dulled along with her mood, and she didn’t have the will to bother. She looked around at all the unfamiliar scenery, but all she could think about was the clouds. “Don’t you ever get upset…” she asked quietly, remembering that Chien couldn’t go to that world above them, “being stuck here?”

Kyosuke:

Kyosuke looked up at the clouds, and thought for a moment. "I really haven't ever been upset about being stuck on the ground. I think it's probably because I'm used to being on the ground my whole life. Just like you're now missing the sky, if i started living in the sky too much and was unable to come to the ground, I'd probably miss the ground," the demon hunter shrugged. "I'm not sure if that answered your question, but I hope it did."

Soran:

Zaraxi didn’t feel the surface was comparable to the sky, but she accepted Chien’s explanation. He couldn’t help it since he didn’t know what was up there. She noticed that the sun was beginning to set. It looked different from the ground.

“What will you do when it gets dark?” she asked, turning toward Chien.

The strange figure that was following them listened to their conversation with great interest from the shadows nearby, his suspicions confirmed. She was a demon alright. But after tonight, she’d just be another trophy on his wall. He was all too familiar with foolish demons who thought they could stray into the city and mingle with humans, though they didn’t usually come with a human companion as this one did. No matter, that would merely make the mission challenge more interesting.

Kyosuke:

The demon slayer shrugged. "I figure I'm going to stay at an inn," he said. "An inn is a place that I can pay money and stay at for a few days depending on how much I paid," he explained, just in case she didn't know.

While all this was going on, Chien had the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He didn't have a sense for humans as he did for demons, and he wish he did, but he wasn't sure if he was imagining it or if someone really was watching him.

Soran:

Zaraxi nodded. She wasn’t familiar with money yet, but didn’t ask for the time being. “Where do you think I should go?”

Kyosuke:

Chien blinked. "Well, you can wander around the city at night, or you can stay with me. It's your choice," Kyosuke stood up and glanced over to where he felt his feeling of being watched coming from. He saw nobody there and shrugged off the feeling.

Soran:

Zaraxi looked around, feeling insecure in this setting. "I'll go with you," she said, not having enough grasp of human etiquette to question the earnestness of his offer or think to say thank you, though her eyes showed that it was important to her. Something about his strange weapon, and strangely enough, his profession, compelled her somehow to stay near him. "Where is it?"

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged. "Actually, I don't know," he said. "I was planning on wandering around until I found one." The demon hunter sighed. "I haven't been in this city for a while, so I don't remember where anything is anymore."

Kai:

Man shopping hit the spot now finally being able to get rid of his monks cloak and robe and wear his new adventurers outfit. Kai felt sexier than ever. He was so captivated by how he looked in his new outfit while window shopping he found himself staring at his own reflection instead of shopping. He thought my god am I fine or what. All I need now is a pretty girl, food, and a place to stay. That shouldn't be so hard to find he thought. Hmm but where will I get the money? Not realizing this as he walked his hands were moving by themselves pick pocketing innocent bystanders however whenever he saw a pretty girl instead of robbing her he reached for a free grope instead, by the time he reached an inn he realized he managed to steal enough for a nights rest in an decently established inn and enough for a nice luxurious dinner. Well that solves my problems for now.

While staring at his reflection through a window he caught a glimpse of a strange erotic looking female hanging around with some old guy. Kai thought to himself ugh something is wrong with that picture. The erotic looking female shouldn't be with such an old man, he could never satisfy her like I could. She should be with me who is a stallion in the bed, a smooth talker with a gorgeous physique of a Greek god, and of course who could resist such beautiful long black silky hair. Yes he thought to himself it is my duty to save her from that old perverted man. She should be lucky that I have chosen her to bear my children. With that he over heard that the two needed a place to stay he quickly rushed up to them stepped between them and said to word the female what is your name you fine young looking flower and what has this man done to you. Before she could respond he said never mind that for I am here now to protect you from that old perverted man for I am Kai the Protector of all the Pretty young females. Be gone old man! With that he faced the female now what is your name? For I have never seen anything as beautiful as you? Also I know this city like the back of my hand and decided I’ll be your guide so it would e wise for you to stay near me so you won’t get into any trouble also you can trust me for I was a monk for all my life. And you can feel safe beside me for i am well trained in the martial arts and as long as i have breath in my life i will protect you from all the old men that hound you and from other things as well. But that isn't important for now i want to learn everything about you.

Soran:

Zaraxi blinked curiously at the strange black-haired man that had run up to them. He seemed very energetic, but not particularly dangerous, though she really couldn't be sure anymore whether she could trust people here. She had never seen someone talk in such a disorganized and rapid manner before, and wondered where he found time to breathe. In the midst of his excited babble he kept mentioning an old person. ~'Is he referring to Chien?'~ she wondered, staring at Kai as though he had grown two heads. That didn't make much sense; he appeared relatively young to her. "Do you know this person, Chien?" she asked warily, baffled.

Kyosuke:

Chien gave an astonished stare at the monk that was no standing in front of him. He would have started twitching, had he not had so many of his emotions under control. "I have no idea who he is," the demon hunter stated flatly. A breeze blew by and the man shivered. Having given his coat to Zaraxi earlier, he was now shirtless and the wind didn't help any. "Anyway, I actually didn't understand a word he said during that rant, but I wonder if he'll help us."

Chien turned to the man that had approached them. "'Scuse me, couldja point us to the nearest inn? We're kinda tired and I don't feel like walking around the city searching for one."

Kai:

Inn? Now totally ignoirng Chien and facing Zaraxi. Your looking for an inn as well. I shall be glad to help you Zaraxi is it? "Because i as well am currently insearch of an inn" and it would be my pleasure to pay for the room and board now follow me to the nearest inn.

Now putting his arm around Zaraxi's shoulder who was currently wearing Chiens coat and whispered into Zaraxi's ear and said "This must be a sign from the heavens telling us that you and me are ment to be together, for tonight will be the first time we share the same bed" with that he winked at Zaraxi.

"And for you oldman Kai replied you can follow us as well if you would like" "I'm sure i can find a corner for you to crawl into to sleep". ANd "My God put on some Clothes already, Nobody needs to see that" Kai screamed at Chien.

(Occ: Sorry if my character is rude)

Soran:

Zaraxi tensed as the stranger wrapped his arm around her shoulder and leaned in towards the side of her head. She had no idea what he was talking about, but he was too close to her broken wing. She felt insecure to begin with with Chien’s jacket restricting her larger wings, but with Kai’s arm clamped around them she was at her limit of tolerance. She began glowing with sparks of blue energy as she tugged away from him and stood closer to Chien, prepared to zap him if he moved any closer. She needed to conserve energy until her wing healed, but…

Kai:

Kai began to sense tension from Zaraxi, and saw for summon odd reason she began to glow it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen in his life time, just to be cautious though he began slowly moving back making sure not to make any sudden movements and replied "Sorry if i offended you in anyway, for I tend to forget that we just met one another, also I see were not on the same level yet, and since we Just met i'll try to keep my hands off you for now" "But don't forget we were mean't to be together" Kai replied as he watched Zaraxi move slowly toward Chien, as she moved Kai thought to himself "Zaraxi's movements seemed odd and seemed that she was hindered by some sort of injury or maybe by the coat". After observing Zaraxi's movment he began to wonder what had she done to hinder her movment and what made her look so fatigued all of a sudden and what was she so afraid off. Also on his mind he thought "Awww I got rejected again what does a guy have to do Awww... and then relized she was moving closer to Chien Aww man she into older men" "Man if that old guy was the trouble and reason for her pain god help him for i will cruh him"

To insure her trust in him and also trying to comfort her as well Kai said "Remeber fear not for I am here now to protect you not to cause you any harm, and please do not be sad, because when i see such a pretty face frown it makes me sad".

With that Kai remarked "Well we should start searching for an inn now its getting pretty late and someday you have to tell how you make yourself glow in such a beauftiful way". After seeing Zaraxi glow in such a spetacular way Kai was mesmorized by how magnificent she looked glowing and now was even more intrested in her and how she managed to do that and wanted to learn everything about her and wonder what she would glow like in bed if she glowed so magnifcently when she was scared?

Kyosuke:

Chien's eyes darted around from side to side as he noticed that her glowing started attracting unncessary attention. 'Alright, this time I definitely heard it,' Chien thought. 'He actually called me old.'

"You know," he said to the monk, at least he had heard the word monk in the rant the man had given to introduce himself, that and something about Zaraxi carrying his children. "I'm only 30 years old. And from what I can tell from what you're wearing, my build isn't that much more lacking than yours, if it is at all." He stated all of this, no sarcasm or even any ill intent towards the younger man.

Knowing that the monk was now agitating Zaraxi, he also put an arm in between the two and put both of his hands on his shoulders. "You also seem to be... making my companion very nervous through your presence, so excuse us. We'll look for an inn by ourselves, but thank you for the offer to help." He walked off with Zaraxi, steering her gently by her shoulders. He watched out in case the man would try anything, like stealing from them. He remembered the need to punish the pickpockets that chose to steal from him, or attack him. Some of those murderers and thieves acted like this man had. They approached him with a seemingly friendly intent before making their move.

Soran:

Zaraxi was still tense, but when Kai removed his hands she stopped glowing and remembered what Chien had told her about keeping a low profile in town. Emitting electical fields was probably not something humans did on a regular basis. She cooperated tensely as Chien guided her off down the street, looking back over her shoulder with wary curiosity at the 'monk', whatever that was.

She looked ahead and saw a shabby looking building with a large painted sign standing crooked on the front walk. The entire establishment appeared to be in disrepair, though there were sounds of festivity and rowdiness coming from inside and warm light flooded out of the windows. There were three letters on the sign, and though Zaraxi had never read before the skills had been programmed into her. "Ih..nn" she read, recognizing the word. "Is that what you are looking for?" she asked Chien, pointing to it.


Kyosuke:

"Yeah, but I'd prefer to find one in better condition," Chien said. "I don't like to trust run down ones. Plus, we can get as far from that guy as possible." Chien still didn't trust the monk. He wasn't sure of the man's motives, though he admitted to himself that there was the chance that he was just being honestly flirting with Zaraxi, not doing a very good job of course. Flirting with demons usually required some sort of blood offering from their own bodies, though Chien figured that Zaraxi might not like that kinda thing either.

Kai:

"Yo old man relax and you won't get rid of me that easily" " if you don't want me to call you old man then tell me your name". "Another thing why are you looking at me so funny?

Kai was wondering why the guy was looking at him all funny and figured he was gay and replied"I'm Sorry old man i don't swing that way go look for another fellow" and "please tell me your not going to let her stay the night in such a shady inn"

"Seriously now if i wanted to hurt the two of you i would of done it by now" and "if i wanted to rob the two of you i would have done it, and would have never sticked around this long at the risk of being caught". Besides old man you have nothing of interest or worth stealing and i never ever would steal from a beautiful lady now staring at Zaraxi and showing a smile towards her "What type of man would i be if i harmed a woman?".

"Now why can't we all just get along and i'll treat the two of you, yes both of you to a nice dinner and a nice room in a respectable inn".
And "besides don't think that you can get rid of me that easily for i have some questions to ask Zaraxi". "FOr instances what happened back there?"

Kyosuke:

Chien narrowed another flat stare at the monk who was now following them. "Don't worry, I've been married before and had kids, I don't swing that way either," Chien said, his voice wavering slightly at the memories it brought up. "And as for what happened back there, it's none of your business."

Chien would have felt more secure in things had Zaraxi had a simpler method of escape, but that was currently unavailable seeing she had gotten hurt.

Kai:

"Man if you don't swing that way than stop staring at me in that way it's creeping me out" and "i guess you like the name old man cause i still don't know your name so unless you tell me i'm going to keep calling you old man".

And "what type of man are you letting a woman stay in a such a shady inn "DO you have no Honor?" "Since i'm here now i won't let you take her into such a horiible inn, she deserves to stay in a much better place and obviously you do not realize that" "Man i can't believed someone actually married you"

Now after talking to Zaraxi and the old man now for awhile, he realized that Zaraxi acted all quite, timid, and scared and seemd to be soakingup information as if a little child would. Kai began to wonder what the two had in common? It seemed to him that Chien was more dominant of the two and was trying to control Zaraxi, by filling her mind with miscellaneous crap and maybe even trying to brainwash her? The thought of this got Kai so angry put he held back his anger not showing any signs of agression to either one of them. Kai thought i have to find someway to get Zaraxi alone and just talk to her, to see what chien had filed her mind with, besides it would also be a good chance to introduce myself better and findout more about her. Kai yelled "Now lets go find an inn follow me!!"

Soran:

"But Chien already said that inn was not appropriate for his purposes..." Zaraxi said confusedly. She wasn't sure what was going on, but it seemed like some sort of misunderstanding. She felt truly claustrophobic in this coat, and was becoming anxious to get somewhere safe so she could move her wings freely.

Kai:

Kai now glairing at Chien and getting tired of talking to him because it was getting them no where he yelled to Chien "Do you ever take Charge or are you the whipped weak minded type?" For the last time already lets go find a decent inn so we all can get a good nights rest and then we can learn more about each other in the morning" and "if we have a light dinner, I can afford three seperate rooms one for each of us since obviously i don't trust you and you don't trust me around with her?
"Does that sound fair?"

Soran:

Zaraxi frowned as she caught the insulting tone in Kai's voice toward Chien. She had developed a sense of respect for the demon hunter that bordered on loyalty and felt this stranger was stepping out of line. She turned and faced him coldly, watching Chien in her peripheral vision to see how he reacted before taking any action.

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged. "I find no need to take charge in this situation," he replied. "But wouldn't the fact that you seem to be jumping to several conclusions without any prior proof make you worse than me?" The demon hunter turned around to face Kai.

"You were the one who ran up to us and started babbling, then throwing accuasations out at me about being an old pervert. You had no right to do these things and yet you did anyway," Chien said, his voice the same stoic volume as before, though it now gained a bit of an edge in it. "You do not know the situation and do not presume to do, so I would appreciate it if you stopped assuming things."

Kai:

"FIrst of all I'll admit I jumped to one or two conclusions, but if you had answered some of my questions, i would then have no need to jump to some conclusions "Chien", and then i wouldn't have to be so direct and rude." "Also i see you have no sense of humor, for that is how i greet people, i try to lighten the mood by making a few wise cracks and ususally nobody take me seriously on the name calling except for you, and seems you took them all too seriously man you are no fun at all.

Now seriously i have one last question for each of you than if you would like to ask me any questions i'll be glad to anwser them for you "What is your trained proffession Chien what is it that you do for a living?" and "Zaraxi this my seem a little impolite but how did the two of you meet?

Kai now waiting patiently for a response to the questions thought to himself, i'll know if your lying to me CHien, for i have some connections in this City and know all about you. Also on his mind at the sametime was if i don't get anywhere with Zaraxi there better be some hot girls at the inn tonight argh..

Soran:

"I found him in the forest and chose to follow him," Zaraxi said cautiously, still thinking about what he'd said about a sense of humor. Frankly, that kind of thing hadn't been programmed into her. "What is a 'wise crack'?" she asked him honestly. She was confused now; this person had seemed very aggressive, but now she wondered if there was a misunderstanding of some kind.

Kyosuke:

Chien didn't really care about lying much for lying. "Me? I'm a demon hunter," he replied. "I hunt demons that have attacked me or are guilty for some sort of heinous crime. Other than that, I don't do much else except wander around looking for jobs."

The demon hunter then turned to his demon companion and explained to her. "And Zaraxi, a wisecrack is a kind of joke that is made in an attempt to be funny and somewhat annoying at the same time."

Kai:

"Demon Hunter huh? well i can respect that occupation" "Why do you need to explain the word wisecrack to her?" "It seems to me that she is old enough to know what it means?" This act puzzled Kai, "why does Chien or who ever he said he is feel the need to explain everything to Zaraxi and treat her like a child?"

"one thing i thought your name was Chien right, how come now it's Kensei so whats your name again?"

Kyosuke:

(OOC: Eh crap, the Kensei thing was just me I screwing up on my names it's because I'm too used to using one character and screwed the name up, I'll ignore the last question Kai asked because I'm gonna change it back, besides he never actually said his name was Kensei, it was part of a description of what he was doing, hehe)

Chien shrugged at the monk. "Her vocabulary probably isn't that good," he replied. "She's probably from a foreign country and isn't used to our language. You can probably guess that when you look at her skin color." It wasn't a lie, Chien didn't know where she was from after all, and her vocabulary isn't that good either.

Kai:

Seeing that Chien made some sense, Kai deemed himself to find more about Zaraxi, and now facing Zaraxi he asked her "is it alright if I asked you some question privately about your personal background such as where did you come from and what race are you from nothing offensive". "If you feel funny about me asking you some questions or if you don't feel like answering any or some questions, it's ok since we just met one another, maybe in the future we can learn more about one another then."

Kyosuke:

Chien cut into the conversation before Zaraxi could reply. "Actually, I've got a question for you. Exactly who are you to ask us questions? We had been sitting around minding our own business when you decide to cut in and insult me and babble flirtations with my friend. Then you proceed to start interrogating me on my character and job," Chien was actually somewhat annoyed at the man's actions, which was a difficult feat indeed. It didn't show in his expressions, but it crept slightly into his voice.

Soran:

Zaraxi was only half paying attention to the discussion between Kai and Chien, distracted by another sign on a building they were about to pass. It was a larger and more orderly-looking building than the one they'd seen before. She looked at the lettering carefully.

"There's an inn," she said simply, pointing at the building and obliviously interrupting the tense conversation going on behind her

Kai:

"Perfect that's stay at that inn" and "since your friend Chien there seems to dislike me i'll only pay for your room now." and "Chien i was introducing myself and having some small talk if you take everything i said seriously you have no sense of humor like i said before most of what i said was in a joking matter i guess you aren't the talking or fun type. "Or are you the type who is so insecure about themselves, and has no game what so ever?"

"Another thing like i mentioned before feel free to ask me all the questions you want, i have nothing to hide from you." so if you wanted to ask anything about me i'll truthfuly answer them all, and another thing was i rude when i asked Zaraxi if i could ask her some questions all i did was asked if i could learn more about her, and then she could learn more about me, and if she felt funny from me asking her any questions i would stop." and "for once can you Let her speak when she wants to, you have no right to control her or think for her, if she wanted to answer some questions it's her choice not yours and if she dosen't thats fine with me as well let her decide what she want's to do"

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged. "I believe I'm the type who takes things seriously and doesn't care for fun," Chien said. "Besides, I didn't need you to pay for me anyway. I have my own money already, and I'm pretty sure I made it in a way that was more... honest than the way you did, considering you made it clear earlier that 'had you wanted to, you could have stolen from me already'."

The demon slayer walked into the inn. "Also, since Zaraxi is the one traveling with me, I believe I should pay for her instead of you. It's only proper." Chien still had a bit of a problem trying to understand what the monk was saying. His words still sounded like a long stream of babble, but he was slowly getting used to it.

Soran:

Zaraxi walked close behind Chien, warily listening to his argument with Kai. They were arguing about 'paying', which was an unfamiliar concept to her. She looked at their surroundings curiously as they walked through the entrance and up to a large wooden desk with a human standing behind it. The innkeep was a short, bald man in spectacles and he raised an eyebrow in irritation as the noisy crew reached the desk, still arguing.

"You'll pardon me, but do you plan to rent a room or to make noise in my lobby?" he said with a crotchety frown. A kind-looking female maid walked in as he spoke with a pile of towels and cast the old man a disapproving look. "Mr. Pratchet, you'll insult our guests that way," she said gently through the pile of towels. Turning to the newcomers, she craned her neck over the towels and said, "Please don't mind him! He has a heart of gold and a tongue like arsenic," she giggled, walking toward the stairs with her cargo.

"Wha?! Get on, you pest!" he shouted after her though his voice was almost kind, his face red with embarrassment. He looked at the newcomers and pushed his spectacles up on his nose. "Well, how many rooms are you in need of?"

Kai:

"Three rooms should be sufficient i presume, on the same floor and next to one another, would be nice as well and if that's possible i leave something very generous for you if you get my drift."

Now facing Chien and spoke nice and slowly to him "now your making assumptions about me, and it leads to me that you are serious and not joking, due to what you just said about your personality, wouldn't that make you a hypocrit making assumptions about me?" "For all you know is that i have enough money for three rooms and dinner, you don't know where i got the money, I could have gotten the money from my brothers as a gift back at the monastery to cover my traveling expenses."

Kyosuke:

"I based my assumption on what you had told me before, that had you wanted to, you could have stolen from me already," Chien pointed out. "You based your assumptions on me by pure appearance, so there is a difference. And yes, there is a bit of hypocricy on my part, but it doesn't matter enough to me."

Chien checked the prices for the three rooms and took out his money pouch. Taking out some coins, the demon slayer put them on the counter. "This should be enough for the three rooms," he said, figuring he might as well act out of good will.

He turned to the monk. "I'm not doing this out of pity or anything, or even based on my assumption. I'm doing this out of good will since you seemed to have been willing to pay for me before."

Kai:

"But you have to remeber that I also said that if i wanted to hurt you, i would have done it by now, if you thought that i would steal that means that you could assume that i could of assulted you anytime i felt like it, by say taking you down or just sucker punching you, "by the way which isn't my style at all i fight fair unless my opponent does not."

"The one condition that i'll accept your offer for the room is, if you let me pay for dinner and breckfest tomorrow morning" "Otherwise i'm afraid i have to refuse your offer."

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged. "I don't care really, do what you want. If you wanna pay the inn people again, feel free to," he said to the monk. He didn't even know if he and Zaraxi would still be in town the next day. He had a constant feeling of being watched ever since they had been in the marketplace and didn't know what it was.

Soran:

"Mia will show you to your rooms," the inkeep said, indicating the young maid from before as she returned to the lobby.

"Please follow me," she said cheerfully, no longer burdened by her mountain of towels. She wore a short blue dress with a maid's apron and bonnet and her long brown hair back in a simple braid.

Zaraxi glanced at Chien to be sure following this person was correct, and then she led the three of them up the staircase to the second level, where they made two rights and then came to three doors, two on one side of the hall and one opposite them. "I'll put you gentleman on the same side and let the young miss stay across from you," Mia said. The maid unlocked Chien's first and then Zaraxi's, handing them each a key. It took Zaraxi a moment to understand this before she held out her hand and let Mia drop the key into her palm.

"Please make yourselves comfortable! Oh, sir, I'll get your room in just a second," she said, fumbling with a large ring of keys and then bending over to unlock Kai's door.

Kai:

(OCC: Your so setting up him up so he'd get in trouble Your Evil Evil I say!!)

"With all his might, Kai fought the sudden urge he got, when Mia bent down to pickup the set of keys"

However Kai knew it was a hopless stuggle and felt his left hand slowly creep up to Mia's behind quickly he said "Here let me help you with that, then with grace he bent down and grabbed the keys with his right hand and with his left he quickly placed it on the waist just barely appove her butt, pretending to support her and hoping she wouldn't realize what he was actually doing, while supporting her Kai began to recite the alphabet backwards trying not to get to excited however that didn't seem to go quite well so then he thought of Chien with that it killed the mood and all enjoyment he had just felt.

After helping Mia up kai made a quick glance around trying to see if Zaraxi had noticed what he ahd just done and told Mia sorry for your inconvienence and handed her a silver piece.

Soran:

Mia let out a yelp and looked up at Kai in embarrassment as he caught her. "I'm so sorry...I must have...tripped?" she stammered in confusion, "I really don't usually do things like that...Oh well, please enjoy your stay, and if you need anything please ask at the desk downstairs." She gave them an embarrassed smile and excused herself, still trying to figure out what happened as she walked down the stairs and checked out for the evening.

The three were left standing in the center of the hallway. Zaraxi looked to Chien blankly, as though looking for some sign of what to do next.

Outside, the tall figure who had followed them from the market waited patiently in the shadows. He knew her location, all that remained was to wait for the appropriate moment. He was a veteran at this sort of hunt, and would certainly acquire his target. The thrill of the hunt coursed through his veins as he eyed the disguised demon's window darkly.
Kyosuke:

Chien noticed Kai's hand as he had his internal struggle, but just chose not to comment on it. Instead he turned to Zaraxi as she looked at him as if asking what to do next. The demon hunter realized that the demoness may not know how locks worked and turned towards his door and went through the process of unlocking his door, making sure that Zaraxi had a clear view of him doing so, and making sure it wouldn't be so unnatural that someone else would notice.

Soran:

Zaraxi eyed Chien closely as he turned the key in his door so that the knob wouldn't turn. She looked at the key in her hand critically and turned to the door behind her, sliding the key in and locking it similarly, then turned to Chien again blankly. She sensed from his behavior that this was one of those things that was unusual not to understand, and that she shouldn't reveal her identity to Kai.

Kyosuke:

Chien turned the door knob and entered the room, still acting natural. He then walked into his room and closed the door behind him. 'I need to teach her how to lock her door later,' the demon hunter thought.

The man lay down on his bed and contemplated the feeling of being watched. It disappeared for now, as if the presence was no longer watching him, but he didn't know what it was. There was, however, a near demonic feeling nearby whenever he had the feeling.

Soran:

Zaraxi watched as Chien moved and walked into his room. She moved to follow him, but his door closed. She looked at the solid panel confusedly, not having considered that she wouldn't stay with Chien at the hotel. She looked back blankly at the room that she now understood was assigned to her and entered it, closing the door behind her.

The first thing she did was throw off Chien's coat and stretch her cramped wings. It was a simple but neat room and a window on the far wall overlooked the street they'd been walking on earlier. If she turned her head at an angle she could look up and see the sky. She went and lay experimentally on the bed, guessing its purpose, but looking up at the ceiling made her feel nervous. It was like being in a cage.

She pulled the pillow off the bed and lay down along the wall on the floor where she could see out the window. She pulled Chien's coat over her and stared at the sky longingly, preparing herself to wait until Chien had finished sleeping.

Kyosuke:

Chien waited for about half an hour before he left his room. He walked out the door, nodding to the innkeeper and the maid. Making a quick lap around the inn, he found Zaraxi's room from outside and tapped on the window to catch her attention. He pointed towards the latch and motioned for her to lift it and hoped she would understand what he was trying to convey.

Kai:

After watching both CHien and Zaraxi enter their rooms, Kai quickly stepped out of the inn and went to the nearest tavern he could find. He needed to find some information about the two, for he was wondering why during the whole time he was with them there was a strange man stalking them from the shadows.

To his dismay he really didn't gather any useful info, so after a few drinks he decided to head back and checkup on the two. On his way back he noticed Chien outside throwing pebbles at a window, this act made Kai suspicious, and then decided to keep his distance and keep hidden from sight and observe Chien.

Kai:

After a few hours of just watching Chien through rocks at the window Kai began to start day dreaming about Zaraxi, Mia, and him taking a nice long hot bath together. Than both Mia and Zaraxi drop their soap and help one another pick up their soap, and would all have a wonderful time and Chien for some reason was turned into a monkey butler made to serve us.

Soran:

Zaraxi blinked curiously as she heard something tap against the windowpane. She kneeled in front of the glass and looked out warily, anticipating some sort of attack, but was surprised to see Chien standing there gesturing for her to unlatch the window. She figured the device out easily, flipping it sideways and sliding the window open.

"Why are you outside? Did your door break?" she asked honestly, peeking out to look at him.

Kyosuke:

Kensei stared at the demoness, trying to figure out whether she had picked up a sense of humor (hopefully not Kai's) and quickly realized that the question was asked honestly. "Na, I just need to talk to you, and I didn't feel like having Kai notice so I tried from the outside," he explained, "Mind if I come in?"

Soran:

"You may enter," she said, fascinated by the strange behavior of humans and stepping back from the window so Chien could enter.

Kyosuke:

Chien climbed through the window and closed it behind him. "So what are we going to do regarding Kai?" he asked, wondering if Zaraxi would have some sort of opinion regarding this. "He seems taken in by you... or anything else female and attractive actually. I don't know how he'd react to the truth about you though." The demon hunter kept his voice down so nobody could hear through the door or outside.

Soran:

Zaraxi was puzzled at first, but then thought she understood what Chien meant. "I doubt he could match me in combat, even in my current state, so keeping my identity from him seems to be of low importance." She looked at Chien with unreadable blood-red eyes, wondering why he was asking such a question.

Kyosuke:

Chien blinked. "That wasn't what I meant... I think," he said. "It isn't a good thing to go around killing humans just because they've attacked you. Actually, that usually depends on the circumstances, but demons who do that are generally seen as evil if they did that as opposed to if a human did that. Most humans see that trying to kill a demon just because they are a demon is justified. So demons are generally labeled as evil when they kill in self defense. I've let many a demon off the hook after finding out the situation." Chien sat down on the bed. "So if Kai were to attack you because you are a demon, it would cause many problems if he were to die and if people found out the cause of his death."

Soran:

Zaraxi found this information troubling. Humans sounded dangerous to her, not so much because they could overpower her, but because she couldn't understand them. They seemed impossible to predict, although Chien seemed to see patterns to their ways. Despite the naive state of her mind, she had been programmed as a weapon, and Chien's advice seemed counterintuitive to her. "You are saying that if I am attacked, I am not to react violently?" Her expression was very serious, and her wings were stretched out proudly. She was torn between her respect for Chien and her programmed instincts.

Kyosuke:

"Actually, I would just... prefer if you didn't. Of course, if you deem it necessary to, feel free to fight back," Chien replied. "But if you can somehow do it, try to run away." Chien still had the nagging feeling of being watched in the back of his mind. The feeling actually came with a sense of danger and Chien really hoped that nothing bad would happen.

Kai:

After watching Chien climb through the window there was no point in hanging around outside anymore. After having the dream of Zaraxi and Mia, Kai decided to head back to his room to freshin up a little and then pay zaraxi a visit for a chance to get to know her better.

After returning to his room and washing his face Kai decided to head over to Zaraxi's room now. Just when he was about to knock on the door he heard voices which sounded like Chien. Kai thought to himself "that sneaky bastard what is he doing" So instead of knocking Kai peeped through the keyhole and listened to their converstion, he could barely makeout what they were saying all he could makeout was Chien said Kai might attack you demon. Hearing that really puzzled Kai for a few second demon? is she a demon? Man if we have children together they would be like super heroes right?

After hearing that Kai decided it was time to knock, with that he knocked on the door with three gentle taps, and spoke Zaraxi this is Kai may i come in and talk?

Kyosuke:

Chien turned his head to the door, recognizing the monk's voice immediately. 'I wonder how much of that he heard,' Chien thought. 'Doesn't matter for now.'

He whispered to Zaraxi, "I'm gonna duck out for now, I'll be right outside your window." With that said, Chien, in a display of acrobatics, jumped out the window, caught his hand on the top of it, and flipped himself up to the roof lightly, not making a sound in the room below. There he hid his presence to make sure Kai didn't try and pull anything.

He flipped back in a second later. "Sorry, forgot to tell you to put the coat back on so Kai won't get too suspicious yet." Having said that, the demon hunter made his exit again.

Soran:

Zaraxi grudgingly folded her feathery wings around her waist and pulled Chien's coat back on, then came to the door. She turned the knob and opened it to find Kai standing there. "Hello," she said unreadably, looking at him with her pupilless red eyes.

Kai:

For some reason Zaraxi seemed to be glaring at kai when she opened the door. Kai thought what did Chien tell her? Hi Kai replied, I felt that we got of on the wrong foot. I wanted to apologize for my earlier actions, and would like to introduce myself properly may I come in?

Soran:

"Yes," Zaraxi said calmly, stepping away from the door and watching him curiously as he came into the room. She felt claustrophobic, surrounded by walls and the even more intimidating ceiling, though nothing about Kai particularly worried her. She walked gracefully to stand in front of the window, which was at least an illusion of freedom, and looked at Kai.

Kai:

Hi," Are you cold?" "Why are you still wearing your jacket?" "I see there is a breeze coming in through the window, mind if shut the window?"

"Now Let me introduce myself, I don't know what you percieve me as or what CHien has tried to make me look like." "As you know my name is Kai some people know me as brother Kai for I have been a monk for most mylife" "You know what a monk is right?" and i still follow most of the vows that i have taken such as protecting the weak helping the innocent."

"It is not my intention to hurt anyone in which i don't need to. I would never attack anyone unless they attack me first and as I am trained in judo, Tai chi, and have mastered bow staff fighting, if you think about it all my training in fighting are for defending none for the offensive. "SO you have no need to worry about me hurting you or CHien purposely and one of my vows that i have taken personally and if i ever break is the day i die is i would never ever strike a female no matter what they were doing to me." "You don't have to fear me, what ever you are or where ever you came from I don't care actually i do care a little just basically where your from and how old are you thats about it though. What ever you reply i won't judge you unlike certain people." Kai now staring at the window after saying that he turned backed to Zaraxi and said

"Also, when i introduced myself earlier i said that i would protect you from any harm, i meant what i said. I will make myself your personal bodyguard, my word is my bound and honor and if a man who can't keep his word what good is he for?"

"If you would let yourself to have the chance to know me better, i'm sure we would get along well." "Now that i have introdeced myself properly feel free to ask me any personal questions if you like, such as if you wanted to know my horoscope I'm a Gemini" and i was wondering if i could learn more about you such as hobbies or secret talents, or pet peives.

"Before you reply to any of the things i just told you, would you mind if went to another room so we can talk in private." "So we don't have Chien spying on us from outside the window" or if you prefer can you ask Chien to leave us alone for a few minutes so we can talk."

Kyosuke:

Chien wondered how the monk knew where he was. He knew he had hidden his own presence, so his chi wouldn't be detected by the monk, and other signs of his presence were also hidden rather well. It was part of his demon hunting training to hide his presence, in case he needed to ambush a demon instead of fighting it straight on. Chien decided that it was one of three things. Kai had been spying on them for some point during his conversation with Zaraxi, he had seen him sneaking in despite his efforts, or it was an unfounded guess possibly based on one of the above.

Soran:

Zaraxi regarded Kai with wary curiosity as he spoke. "I like the window open," she said, "I am from...my age is...," she faltered expressionlessly, unable to answer. She was much more interested in asking questions than answering them, and turned her head interestedly as he invited her to ask whatever she wanted. "What is a pet peeve? Why did you make a strange physical contact with the person who led me to this room? What is the equipment in that room used for? (she pointed to the shower/bathroom) Why are you aware of Chien's location? Wh--" she halted abruptly as it occurred to her that her barrage of questions was probably suspicious.

She remembered what Chien had told her about humans' reaction to demons. Part of her could care less; she did not fear battling this person. But Chien said to avoid fighting. She still didn't understand. "Never mind what I just said," she said, her voice never changing from its calm seriousness.

Kai:

"Hey don't be shy you have nothing to worry about." "Like i said, i don't have any problems answering your questions."
"First a pet peeve is something that you do without thinking it could be like a habit of some sort or something that can irritate you at the sametime."
" Second the physical contact that i made with Mia that was her name, was unintentional and intentional at the sametime. Um see i tend to get these urges when i'm around pretty girls such as you, and my hands tend to start moving by themselves. I don't mean any real harm but it's something i have to learn to control."
"Third that room is what we call a bathroom. A bathroom is a place where you clean yourself and take care of excrements in that bowl looking object and in the tub over there is where you go to clean yourself located at the head of the tub are the faucets in which you turn on the flow of water in which the shower head squirts out. "If you have more question on how to operate the shower and bathtub don't be afraid to ask, I'll even demonstrate how to use them if you would like" at the sametime giving Zaraxi a wink.

"Finally i know where Chien's location because i saw him climb through your window, and when i knocked and you opened the door he wasn't there, so i assumed he hid outside the window because that is what i would have done in his place." "He seems to be the over protective type, which has it's stengths and weaknesses at the sametime"

"Now If you have anymore questions feel free to ask don't be afraid I don't bite"

Now facing the window Kai shouted Chien "you can come in and join us if you like, or if you prefer you can just stay out there till i leave, it's up to you and you can ask questions to if you would like."

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged. 'At least he's honest about it,' he thought. 'He's willing to admit that it would be something that he'd do, listening in on other people's conversations. Of course, we'd probably have different reasons, but eavesdropping is still eavesdropping."

The demon hunter shifted in his position on the roof, now laying on his back and gazing at the sky. "Actually, I'm fine here thanks," he replied.

Kai:

"Sounds good CHien you stay there if you like" Kai replied. "Now Zaraxi here let me show you how to use the bathtub and shower" reaching out his hand to hold Zaraxi's come follow me now. At the sametime he began to strip of his shirt, "it won't be a dry run of course besides i have to shower anyway so it'll belike killing two birds with one stone." "In which i'll be getting clean and you will get to learn more about how to use the shower." "But before i take of my pants i have to warn you, or you might be shocked by what you see down there." "For i'm well maintained down there and it might be bigger than what you have seen before, if you get what i mean, hung like a moose hint hint." "I've been known to make some girls so excited that they pass out when they see what i had to offer, hopely that won't happen to you." "Well it's time for me to shower come follow me into the bathroom."

Kyosuke:

Chien blinked as he heard what the monk had said. 'I can really tell why he didn't stay as a monk,' the demon hunter said, still relaxed. What Zaraxi ended up doing was up to her anyway, and if Kai tried to pull anything with her, he'd be in for one hell of a surprise, especially since he'd be wet.

Soran:

Zaraxi warily followed Kai toward the bathroom, not sure what he was talking about. She carefully avoided his attempt to reach for her hand, and luckily he was too busy taking off clothing to push the offer. "You are going to operate the shower?" she observed curiously, standing in the doorway as he undressed.

Kai:

"Yep" "see those faucet down near the head of the tub the one on the left controls the hot water and the one on the left controls the cold water." Now turning on the faucet and waiting for the water to start to warm, "Would you like to pull up a chair and watch what i do in the shower because it would take a few minutes and wouldn't want you to just stand there the whole time?" Now in nothing but his underwear Kai warned Zaraxi "This is your last warning about what you will see in the next moment are you ready?" or would you prefer the less dramatic way and i'll leave my underwear on?" and you better not start throwing money at me when i'm in the shower.

As Kai stepped into the tub he lost his footing on a wet spot in the tub. With that he slipped and went down smashing head first into the edge of the tub thus snapping his neck like a twig and also cracking his skull wide open spewing blood everywhere in the bathroom thank god he was already in the tub otherwise there would have been a bigger mess. As Kai's body still spewing out blood everywhere began to twitch and foam at the mouth, the bath tub slowly began to overflow with bloody water and if you looked close enough at Kai's head you could see parts of his brain exposed and could see that his nose went right through his face and into his brain.

Soran:

OOC: ok....I think that's officially the most disturbing thing I've read in a while. I think you might have left a little more tactfully, but let's see...

IC:
Zaraxi stared in astonishment as Kai slipped and the water he was standing in became red. She had no feelings for this eccentric human, and mourning the loss of life was not something that had been 'programmed' into her. In fact, her programming ran quite to the contrary. The first thing that occurred to her was to remember what Chien had said about harming humans. Surely this could be interpreted as her doing. A scientific voice in the back of her mind was sending her objective commands. ~Dispose of the evidence. Dispose of everyone here. Preserve your own safety; killing them all will minimize the risk.~

But there was one element to the situation that her programming was not equipped to consider, and that was the demon hunter perched above the room. For some reason, her dealings with him seemed to continually subvert her proper judgment - venturing to the ground while the sky was safer, becoming injured through guarding him, entering this city despite warnings that a situation like the current one could arise...

"Chien," she said quietly, too quiet for anyone to hear her as she warily eyed the mess in the tub. She was torn between logical instinct and impulse. "Chien!" she called out louder after a moment, making her choice for now. She turned to look toward the window with a blank expression on her face.

Kyosuke:

Chien heard the crack as Kai's head struck the tub and slipped back into the room as he heard Zaraxi calling his name out. He saw the bloody mess that used to be Kai's head and if he hadn't seen worse in some of the demon hunts he had been on, he would have been thoroughly disgusted. "What happened to him?" he just asked.

Soran:

"There was insufficient friction on the floor and he fell," Zaraxi said, uncertain of her reaction. The only feeling she was certain of was a foreboding sense of danger, but in the back of her head she was also uncomfortably considering what would be the most logical action if Chien blamed her for the incident. It wasn't that she was 'fond' of him, but she didn't want to kill him either. This contradiction to her intended nature was subconsciously making her anxious.

Kyosuke:

Chien blinked and shrugged. "Well, I haven't known you to lie and I don't think you'd start now," he said. "We'll leave the body for the town officials to deal with. With this accident, I'm kinda glad the only thing he did was annoy me." He muttered the last part under his breath. "Especially after the last time I was overtaken by grief over a loss."

Soran:

"Miss," Mia's gentle voice came through the door at the worst possible time. "I'd hate to be a bother, miss, but it's just that we almost never have female travelers here, and I'm hard-pressed to find good company...I wondered if you'd like to come down and chat for a bit? There's some hot tea also," she said with polite charm through the door.

Zaraxi's eyes darted warily to the closed wooden door, not thinking to make any casual response. She stiffened and backed away from the door uncomfortably, understanding what it would look like if she entered the room now. She moved quickly backward until she found herself against the window, and glanced around wishfully at the night sky outside.

"Miss, is everything well in there?" Mia said with a knock, worry growing in her voice. A moment later a key sounded in the lock.

Below the window, the demon hunter sensed his opportunity approaching and took aim at the form standing just inside.

Kyosuke:

Chien walked past Zaraxi waving a hand reassuring. "Don't worry about it, I'll handle it, just keep the coat on," he said and walked towards the door. He opened it when he got there.

"Sorry Miss Mia, our third companion had a little accident when he was taking a shower in Zaraxi's room," Chien explained.

"What was he doing showering in this room," Mia asked.

Chien racked his brain for an answer and figured that bending the truth slightly didn't hurt. "My friend here," he said gesturing to Zaraxi, "has lived in areas where the only thing they have are baths. This is her first time seeing a shower. Kai, being somewhat... rambunctious around women, offered to help show her. She accepted, being a bit too innocent. While he was in there, he slipped and fell and cracked his skull wide open so you may not want to come in." He saw Mia's visage pale at the thought. "But it would do us a great favor if you called someone in who could help clean the... mess, for lack of a better wording for it, up."

Soran:

Zaraxi stood rigid in the window as Chien calmly opened the door and explained the situation to Mia. The demon was considerably baffled to find that Chien's tact actually seemed to be working, though Mia had grown extremely pale and a faint suspicion was in her eyes. Weren't these people traveling together? How could someone be clumsy enough to kill himself taking a shower? And how was it that his companions seemed relatively undisturbed? Given, the young miss by the window did seem rather shaken, but there was something feral in the girl's eyes that Mia hadn't noticed before and which scared her slightly.

Before she could speak, however, a strange, almost beautiful, inhuman scream came from the window as a heavily barbed arrow fired into Zaraxi's back and out through her chest. It had functioned as an arrow, but was more reminiscent of a grappling hook, with a long sturdy line extending from its tail end.

Crackling blue energy burst brilliantly around her as Zaraxi curled over in pain and her smaller set of wings rose up defensively on either side of her head. Before she could do anything more, the line grew taught and the demon was flung backwards out of the window as the barbs refused to let go of her body.

Desperate mental protests were all her mind could produce as she found herself falling and unable to spread her bound wings. It was unlikely she could bear to fly anyway, since she'd lost the use of her smaller wing. Regaining some of her wits, she hurled a ball of energy at the ground and let the energy form a shield in front of her, softening her landing. It was still rather rough as she landed on her side and bounced slightly on the pavement.

Back in the room, remnants of topaz energy still fizzed slightly around parts of the room and Mia backed out of the room wide-eyed, then ran away in horror as quickly as her legs could carry her. "Mister Pratchett!" she screamed as she raced down the stairs for her life.

Kyosuke:

Chien's eyes opened wide as the scene unfolded before him. he ran towards the open window and jumped out, seeing the flash of lightning that softened Zaraxi's fall and confirming that the shot through the chest did not kill her. He looked around searching for the source of the ar

arrow and spotted the demon hunter on top of a roof.

"Who are you!?" he called out to the man.

Soran:

A sharp, scoffing laugh came from the demon hunter's lips as he leapt to the ground and walked swiftly toward Zaraxi, his every movement just like a wild predator's. "I don't know why you chose to act as companion to this Demon," he spat the word out like bad ale, "But she's become my prey now." He clearly held his fellow demon hunter in low esteem.

Zaraxi pushed up onto her knees unsteadily and grasped the arrow lodged in her chest with shaking fingers. It wouldn't come out...blue energy glowed around the wound, leaking power from her body in a slow but steady stream. She needed it out!

Her supporting wings arched out warily as she stared up at her approaching opponent, pulling vigorously on the weapon that was keeping her wound from closing

Kyosuke:

Chien narrowed his eyes slightly at the other demon hunter and walked over to Zaraxi. "Zaraxi is nobody's prey," he said and formed his dagger into a katana. Bringing the blade up, he sliced down at the rope, wondering if the blade would be able to cut through it or if the rope was magically enhanced.

Soran:

Zaraxi could hear Chien's voice faintly through the strange screaming inside her head. Her vision seemed tinted blue, but was surprisingly sharp - sharper than usual.

The cord that ran from the arrow to her attacker's hand was the best money could buy, but was hardly comparable to Chien's weapon and sliced like butter. Zaraxi gathered her resolve and heaved on the arrow, pulling it out with a pained gasp. She pulled herself shakily to her feat and held her hands out defensively toward the unfazed demon hunter, preparing to fire energy at him, though she had little to spare.

The demon hunter sneered. It seemed her fool companion intended to interfere. He'd never seen this type of demon before, but that made her all the more worthy of his efforts. A little challenge would only increase his mirth when she was added to his collection. The man drew a claymore from his side and rushed toward his prey.

Kyosuke:

Chien noted the motion the enemy demon hunter made. Suddenly a memory flashed through his head. Back in his village he saw a friend of his shot through the shoulder with an arrow. Before he was able to reach his friend to help him, the man was killed before his eyes.

Chien's narrow eyes turned into a glare, his anger flaring lightly. Stepping in front of his new friend, he held his weapon at the ready, not wanting to leave himself open by shooting out the blade's length. Had the demon hunter dodged it, it would have left him completely open to the next attack. Chien skillfully blocked the incoming slash aimed for him

Soran:

The hunter sneered and raised his blade to Chien, hiding his surprise at the speed and strength of the other demon hunter's movement. "You intend to fight me?" he scoffed. "The name Koan Obacca is not one to be taken lightly in this town. This isn't the playground!"

Now that he was alerted, or felt he was, to the actual strength of this opponent, the demon hunter stepped up his act and swung with deadly precision toward Chien's head, revealing that he actually did possess disciplined skills, though whether they compared to Chien's remained to be seen.

Kyosuke:

Chien deftly blocked the strike. With a quick step in, he slammed a side kick into his adversary's side to knock the man away. However, the white haired demon hunter didn't press his attack just yet. Instead he swung his katana to the side and formed it into a giant single edged blade. The blade was 5 feet long and half a foot wide. With his new weapon Chien proceeded to charge in. He lept at the other demon hunter and swung down mightily,

Soran:

Koan dove to the side out of the way of Chien's attack, though barely in time. Chien's blade cleanly sliced off a portion of the demon hunter's shirt, far too close for comfort. He looked warily at the strange blade Chien had produced, realizing now that the weapon at least, if not the wielder as well, was out of his league.

A sadistic grin spread came across the man's face. "You intend to side with this demon!" he shouted intentionally loudly. Faces poked out of windows and the few who were out on the streets watched warily as the demon and her human companion seemed to team up against the more well-known, albeit obnoxious, trophy hunter.

Koan lunged in at Chien and swiped his weapon strategically toward Chien's right leg.

Kyosuke:

Chien calmly dropped the blade down and caught the blade with another block. He didn't press his attack, wondering if he'd have to deal with a crowd of people as well. If that was the case, the demon hunter was prepared to back off towards his companion and run off. However, he would have to finish the demon hunter in front of him off first.

Chien blocked another slice from his adversary and knocked it upwards, slicing diagnolly with his own blade. He was prepared to extend the blade to slice into his enemy if he dodged.

Soran:

Koan sensed Chien's attack coming a split-second too late and he'd barely had time to twitch before Chien's blade caught him between the ribs. He sputtered angrily on the end of Chien's blade, spurting out empty threats of revenge despite the fact that he was mortally wounded. A small but unsympathetic crowd watched uncomfortably from a safe distance, and shocked murmurs ran between the spectators.

The door to the hotel swung up and Mr. Pratchett marched warily outside with a fire poker held readily in hand. Mia followed him out fearfully.

"To bring a demon into my hotel! And then let it kill another patron!" he fumed, though it was clear he was just blowing hot air, "Get out of here, now! Or suffer like my business is going to!" he held the fire poker out in an incompetent manner that would have been hilarious in a less solemn situation. The silence of the onlookers voiced their agreement.

Kyosuke:

Chien's emotions were still flaring lightly from the memories that resurfaced. He kicked the other demon hunter aside and kept his guard up in case of an attack from behind. He then turned to the townspeople and sneered. "You people all make me sick, you know that!?" he said angrily. "All of you, jumping to conclusions about demons just because they're demons. I'm a freakin demon hunter just like that bastard over there!" He pointed to the dying man.

"I know at least some of you people know that, some of you have either hired me before or seen me work and you know that I'm not lying. Yet you're the ones blinding yourselves to prejudices towards demons, and I'm the one who kills them for money! I'm glad to leave here." With his speech over, Chien rushed over to his hurt friend and picked her up, making sure he only supported her body through his jacket. He quickly ran off in the direction of the forest.

Soran:

Zaraxi was alarmed and defensive, looking warily at the villagers whom she wondered if she had to fight now. Then she saw Chien rush toward her and move to carry her. She thought to protest, but instead submitted dizzily as Chien lifted her up and the crowd was left behind them. A faint flicker of energy still crackled around where she had been shot earlier as the wound was almost closed. She held still and tried to stop her arms from trembling.

Kyosuke:

Chien noted that Zaraxi's wound was healing as he ran with the demon in his arms. "How are you feeling?" he asked, actually sounding concerned for now. He would put his mask of stoicity back on later. For now it didn't matter much whether he had emotions or not.

Soran:

Zaraxi felt a slight wave of relief as the wound finally sealed and she felt her energy stop 'leaking' away from her. But truth be told, she was dangerously depleted and lacked any means to return to the sky for more energy. "I guess you humans would call this 'tired'," she said shakily.

Kyosuke:

"I see," Chien replied. "Then I suppose rest is the best thing for you right now." The demon hunter kept walking with the demon in his arms. "Come to think of it, you don't sleep, so I suppose resting for you is just sitting still and not moving huh?" Chien smiled kindly at Zaraxi, the first smile he had given anyone in years.

Soran:

"Yes," the demon replied with forced lightness. She did not want to explain to him. Before it had been a matter of survival, just hiding her weakness from potential threats. Now she no longer saw Chien as a threat, yet she still didn't want to tell him. She puzzled over this to herself, but could not explain it. It had something to do with that expression he was giving her, and, strangelyl enough, with his protective behavior a few moments before. Why feeling protected should make her hide her weaknesses more, she could find no immediate explanation.

Kyosuke:

Chien walked deeper into the forest, turning his head back to make sure that they weren't being followed. "Guess we're stuck camping again tonight," Chien said lightheartedly. "Nothing we can do about it now. I hope the townspeople can change their views on their prejudices though."

Chien set Zaraxi down lightly against a tree and sat against another tree facing her. "Like I said before though, that's human nature for ya."

Taki:

Taki listened to the sounds of the forest as she walked deeper. It was getting darker and she figured she was far enough away from the town to change into her more comfortable form. Her hands raised to her hood and removed it, then she removed her cloak and folded it over her arm. She stored it in the sun charm the was attatched to her shirt and rested on her collar bone.

Taki took a quick glance around, just to be sure no one could see her, and glowed golden with fairy dust as she shrank into her natural form. Her wings flittered as she moved deeper into the forest. The fairy hummed a soft melodic tune to herself as she searched for a nice place to stay in a tree.

When Taki noticed a figure moving through the forest from behind her she rushed into a bush to hide herself. Though the small creature was only three inches tall she still glowed from the pixie dust,which glowed brighter at night. She watched the man pass with what he was carrying in his arms. She was a curious cat and followed slowly from bush to bush into the forest. Deeper and deeper until she watched him form a make-shift camp. Taki watched the man, and woman-she saw once he layed her to rest on the ground, with interest-but from a distance and hidden away in a bush.

Soran:

Zaraxi leaned off the tree for a moment to struggle out of Chien's coat. She got free of it and let her wings fan out majestically on either side, then folded them to rest curled slightly around her torso. She didn't understand. Not even after Chien's explanation. She could understand humans as enemies, and she could understand them as neutral, but she could not comprehend their being both at once. They hadn't seemed capable of any great threat.

She'd seen Kai die - humans broke so easily. She wondered inside her head if Chien could die from something like that. Thinking it raised a slight flame of protectiveness in her, but it was choked out by her programmed instincts a moment later. Besides, she was the one who had been protected.

She looked up at Chien, somewhat unsettled by the fact that she felt almost too tired to ask questions. Her body felt like it was pulsing somehow. "Why is everything tinted blue?" she asked quietly, "Is this a sort of human magic?" She was worried that the townspeople might be in pursuit of them.

Kyosuke:

"Tinted blue?" Chien asked. "What do you mean?" Slight waves of panic rose from within his mind. "Zaraxi, you're seeing things," he continued and thought it through. "There's nobody persuing us and if it was human magic, then it's sorta pointless." The demon hunter picked up the jacket that the demon had removed and slipped it back on, ignoring the newly formed hole in the back of it.

Soran:

Zaraxi nodded, though she was confused by his answer. She looked up at Chien's blue-tinted form. "Will you no longer be able to enter that city?" she asked, sensing vaguely that fighting her enemy had involved some sacrifice on his part.

OOC: Hi Taki ^_^

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged. "Probably not for a while," he replied. "I'll have to wait a few years for them to forget at least. I've been kicked out of several small villages already for siding with the demon over the people." The demon hunter smiled slightly at the memory.

Soran:

Zaraxi frowned and stared up at the trees. "What will you do now that you can't go there?" she asked simply

Kyosuke:

Chien looked up at the sky. "I can always go somewhere else," he said. "I prefer smaller towns over a big city like that anyway." The demon hunter stood up. "I'm going to look for some firewood, I won't go that far though."

Soran:

Zaraxi nodded blankly as Chien left and sat still for a moment. She stared up at the branches...they were blocking out the sky, and their blue-tintedness made them seem even more menacing. On instinct, she rose blithely to her feet and spread her wings, but a sharp pain in her broken wing threw her back into reality. Irritated and frantic, she beat her larger wings several times, but was unsuccessful, stumbling back onto the ground and sinking back down against a tree in exhaustion. She fell still and stared blankly at the ground in resignation, awaiting Chien's return.

Taki:

Taki stayed well hidden behind the thick foliage as she watched the male form that the apparent winged demon had called 'Chien' leave for firewood. She winced, as if watching the demon's struggle to rise hurt her as well, wishing she could heal from far distances. Taki never liked to see any creature in pain.

The fairy stayed in hiding while she weighed the options to go over and help the girl or to stay at a distance for a while longer. She figured her human form would just not do, especially since it took away from the effectiveness of her healing powers-not to mention the fact that a human just appearing out of no where to heal the girl would be startling. But then again, her fairy form was dangerous too. She wasn't supposed to let others who didn't know about her know what she was-again not to mention the fact that she looked like a june fire-fly, flapping her tattered wings around glowing with golden fairy dust.

'Decisions, decisions...' she pondered, hopelessly deciding to stay in watch a while longer and perhaps wait until they fell asleep to come out from her cover to heal the girl and then continue on her journey south to find the journey that lies ahead. The journey in her vision.
OOC: Hi ^_^ I remember you, but I know you as soran... Im friends with Mizuki ^_^

Kyosuke:

Chien stayed nearby, in case Zaraxi needed his help with anything and looked for small pieces of branches to collect. When he collected an armfull of dry timber, he headed back to where Zaraxi was.

He hadn't gone very far from her location and quickly found his way back. Dropping the pile of wood in the middle of the small clearing they were in, he took out some flint and started trying to start a fire. He didn't want to depend on Zaraxi's power when she was so weakened

Taki:

Taki had nearly had a heart attack. She was so engrossed with the demon-girl that she hadn't noticed the man coming towards her. When he had picked up the fallen branches that were under the bush she was hiding in she thought she was going to faint.

As Taki watched him walk back to the pair's camp she wished again that she could heal the girl from far away. She had almost come out from behind the leaves, she was getting so worked up over the girl. From far away she was willing to chance it. From far away she would look just like a little bug... a june fire-fly.. but the demon-girl would probably see through that if she was noticed. The girl would probably be able to see her real wings and the dust that trailed her.

Soran:

Zaraxi watched Chien start the fire, thinking carefully about what to do next. She had been pretending to herself that she could follow him, but to do so would mean resigning herself to death. She knew through her instincts that she would not regain her strength; her only slim chance for survival would be to find a safe location and suppress her energy use to minimal levels, then hope her wing would heal in time.

She looked at the demon hunter who was still working on the tiny flame he'd created. He was interesting; his power had won her respect and his strange kindness was incomprehensible but fascinating to her. If she parted ways with him now, it might be possible to find her way back to him again at some point.

The demon rose steadily to her feet. "I hope you find a better town. You were a very interesting human. I am going on my own way now," she said composedly but slowly as she sought for the right words and doubted she had found them.

Kyosuke:

There was a time, about half an hour ago, where Chien would have just shrugged and let the demon walk off, despite any bonds he may have formed with her. However, he had not resealed his emotional barriers yet and was now ruled a bit more by them.

"Sit down," he ordered in a kind but firm tone. "You aren't in any shape to be traveling anywhere. If you want to leave so badly then do so either after you've healed or after I've resealed my emotions."

Taki:

Taki's pointy ears twitched as she struggled to comprehend what the girl had said when she stood.

"She's going..?" she whispered to herself.

She was almost sad to see the two separate, after all he seemed to care for her in some way. She even seemed somewhat naive. However if the girl wandered closer to her Taki could heal her wounds and return the girl's energy.

Soran:

Zaraxi felt an unfamiliar pain sweep through her at Chien's words. She couldn't explain it, but thought it felt similar to the way she felt when she looked at the sky she could not reach. She knew she could not stay with him, but found herself sitting reflexively according to his direction. She stared at him blankly, not meaning to offer him an explanation, but heard one come out anyway. "I...will not heal here. My body is not like yours," she began, trailing off as she remembered she really shouldn't reveal such a weakness. "The only parts of my body that are organic like yours are my wings. The rest can only be healed by the sky. Thus, it follows that if my wings are broken, I-" The demon's words broke off quietly as a strange knot in her throat prevented her from concluding the sentence. She stared at him expressionlessly with empty red eyes.
Kyosuke:

Chien's eyebrow rose and he just continued trying to strike a fire. "The skies huh?" he thought. He turned his head to Zaraxi and smiled. "Don't worry about it, just sit there and rest for now, I'll find a way to get you healed," he promised. With that said, the dry timber finally lit and he had himself a fire. The demon hunter moved back to where Zaraxi was and sat down again, this time in contemplation of the problem.

Taki:

Taki finally worked up the courage to fly closer to the pair. She fluttered as fast as her tattered wings would carry her to a bush in front of them. She hoped they were too engrossed in each other to notice her trail of golden dust. She scolded the dust in her mind to go away faster.

Taki turned her attention back to the two. She was at a much closer distance and decided she was close enough to astro project her healing skills through the fire, which would be the safe route considering her healing process first made a glow ten times brighter than how brightly she already glowed and then shot a bright light at the target to be healed.

The fairy closed her eyes and held her left hand in front of her and put her right hand over it, both palm up and facing the fire in the direction of the girl. She concentrated her powers and her hands began to glow bright.

Soran:

Zaraxi doubted Chien's words. This parting was become more and more difficult the longer she postponed it. "I am glad you want to help...I am glad, but...unless I can somehow fly again, I will remain this way," she said, standing up again dizzily. She became suddenly tensely still as an unfamiliar light channeled through Chien's fire and burst toward her. She took it for some form of attack, but could not dodge it as it reached her and surrounded her wings.

Zaraxi felt a numb tingling sensation through her wing accompanied by a slight sting, and then the light faded. Alarmed by the attack for which she could spot no source, the demon spun around with her wings arched warily at her sides - all four of them. A moment later and still with no source in sight, it dawned on her that her wing no longer hurt. She looked over at it confusedly, flexing it to be sure it was hers. It extended freely at her command.

"Healed..." the demon murmured, turning to Chien with mounting excitement. Her vision was still tinted but...was this what he meant when he said he would find a way to heal her? "Did you do this?"

Kyosuke:

Chien blinked. "No, but I suppose it came at a good time," he said. "I wonder where it came from though." The demon hunter stood up and walked in the direction of the fire, looking around it to see if there was anything it could have come from. He didn't really see much other than the fire.

"By the way Zaraxi," he said while he was still searching. "How do you feel now? Still tired?"

Taki:

Taki grinned as she watched the demon-girl's confusion through the flickering flames of the fire. She slowly turned into her human form and donned her black cloak. The pair would have noticed the large glowing so she came out into the open with her hood up and covering her face. To them, though she was an adult, her height of 4'8" would make her look like a child with the features of an 18 year old girl.

"I did. I healed your wings. How do they feel now?" She spoke almost motherly towards the girl. "I do hope they feel well now, they healed very nicely-thanks to the extra power boost through the fire." She smiled at the girl and then turned to the boy. "You should take better care of her."

Soran:

Zaraxi turned warily toward the newcomer, keeping her distance. As she moved, the world swirled around her in blue hues. Her wing felt perfectly normal again, but it seemed the healing magic did nothing to rejuvenate her electrical energy. However, she didn't like the idea of discussing such a weakness with the stranger facing her. "It is no longer injured," she said, enthusiasm creeping into her serious voice. Curiosity and distrust battled in her eyes as she eyed the newcomer. She could see nothing about the girl that could explain the power that had just been used on her.

Kyosuke:

Chien nodded. "I see," he said, noting the mistrust that the demon felt towards the newcomer. In all honesty, Chien was confused. He had just seen a figure rising out from the bushes where before there was no one. That made it kind of suspicious but the demon hunter shrugged it off.

"You kinda appeared outta nowhere there," he said, voicing his thoughts. "Who are you?"

Taki:

Taki grinned to herself at their confusion as to her materialization out of no where. She raised a hand, pulled off her hood and shook her green and pink stripped curls free to her waist. Her face was now viewable to them, along with her older features.

"My name is Taki. Im a..." she paused, realizing she almost gave away her secret. " a traveler in the forest and I was just passing through when you were hurt and Im a healer so I healed you." She gave a reassuring smile to the both of them. "You see I had a vision a few years ago, that I would travel with a group that is fighting to rebel against the Witch Queen. In the vision I was their healer."

Kyosuke:

Chien shrugged in response. "If you're meaning to say that we're the group you'll be traveling with to fight the Witch Queen, then sorry, but I don't like doing visions," he said. "I don't like the idea of a fate that would happen regardless of whether or not it was good for me or bad."

Taki:

"Oh no" taki laughed as she spoke. "You aren't the group, no worries. The group I am to meet is much larger and is to meet me in the south, which is where Im travelling to." Taki grinned again, hopefully relaxing him.

Kyosuke:

The demon hunter nodded. "I see," he responded. He looked over at the fire and saw that it was dying down. He grabbed another piece of timber and threw it into the fire, causing a bunch of sparks to fly up. "That's fine then, though I wonder who that group is. Maybe there's someone there who hates the idea of destiny as much as I do."

Taki:

Taki walked up to him, spit-fire attitude kicking in. Her motherly concern was gone and she acted as though she was 4 again.

"Who are you? What gives you the right to tell me what and what not to do? I healed your friend didn't I? And what do you do? You try and -jinx- me? Who the hell do you think you are and where are your manners!?" she was off on a rant and up in his face, pointing her finger into his chest and glaring up at him. "Hmph! Men.."

Kyosuke:

Chien blinked. "I never told you what to do. I was talking in earnest. I really did wonder if there is anybody in the group you were looking for disliked the idea of a destiny," he said pausing for a bit and considering the other questions. "I also don't recall trying to jinx you and it sorta if I was inclined to feel so, it was somewhat suspicious that you appeared out of nowhere to heal her. Of course, I'm not inclined to feel suspicious but I'm also not inclined to feel extremely trusting either."

Taki:

Taki laughed as her childishness kicked in. She danced around him in a circle before stopping in front of him and pouting up to him.

"I only wanted to help, sir. No harm intended.. I guess I'll just be on my way then-Im not welcome here. You're right, you shouldn't trust me. But I only wanted to help your friend." she sulked and turned towards the woods behind the demon girl and started to trudge towards them.

Kyosuke:

Chien followed her movements as she danced around him by turning his head. "Well, in any case, thank you for helping us," he said to the departing woman. "You were extremely helpful." He smiled again and he wondered how long it would be until he smiled again once he resealed his emotions.

Soran:

Seeing that Chien did not appear concerned by her presence, Zaraxi walked behind the stranger curiously as she circled Chien, her wings perked up inquisitively. She was so....colorful. Under her cloak her clothing seemed unusual, and the odd glass armor in front of her eyes was something Zaraxi had never heard of before. Her hair color was so strange and it curled energetically down her back, unlike Zaraxi's straight silver strands. She heard little of what the two were discussing, distracted by curiosity until she finally couldn't help herself and reached out and touched the girl's hair curiously. Nothing happened; the hair felt more or less like her own. Coming back to reality, she realized she was walking away from Chien and stopped following her hesitantly. The girl was leaving?

Taki:

Taki spun around on her heal when she felt her hair being touched. Taki normally didn't like people touching her. She looked up at the demon girl, blue eyes inquiring why she touched her.

"Yes, what is it? Why did you touch my hair?" Taki's voice was almost icy, but her glare would stop anyone in their tracks. Her glance shifted from the demon girl to the man and then back again. "You should teach your friend some manners, it's polite to keep your hand to yourself." Taki was directing the statement at the man.

Soran:

Zaraxi took a cautious step back, sensing the aggression in Taki's voice. Her curious instinct to touch what she did not understand faded into a wave of dizziness and forced her to remember her weakened state. This person did not seem like an enemy, but it occurred to the demon that she should not risk a battle, so she restrained her curiosity and backed off. But she healed her wing...Zaraxi wanted to know how Taki had done that, but did not move.

Taki:

Taki shook her head, green and pink curls falling in her face. When she looked up to the girl again her eyes had softened and her voice was warm and friendly.

"Im sorry, forgive me..uh... heh, it just occured to me I don't know your names.. Well anyway, forgive me-I get testy.." She looked to the both of them appologetically and wrapped her arms around herself. She turned slowly towards the woods again. "I'll just be on my way then, I won't bother you more."

Kyosuke:

Chien noted the agression as well. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied offhandedly. Despite helping Zaraxi out, he wasn't getting very friendly vibes coming from the woman anymore. The agressive tone of voice ended up putting Chien, now more likely to be ruled by his emotions, on edge and therefore his old friendliness caused by his stoicity wore off.

Taki:

Taki noted that the guy was growing more and more suspicious of her with his tone and walked faster towards the woods ahead of her. She called back over her shoulder to them.

"Im sorry to bother you both. Get some rest girl, your energy isn't completely back yet but your wings should be perfect."

Soran:

Zaraxi watched the girl disappear into the woods, thinking she seemed like a friendly person after all. She turned back to Chien and looked at him contemplatively. She could return to the skies now...she could live there again in safety. Her premise for traveling with Chien was largely the necessity to remain earthbound, but now that she was free again, it no longer seemed clear what to do from here on. Her thoughts were muddled by dizziness and she realized she might not be able to make a clear-headed decision until she was in the sky. "I'm going now," she said contemplatively, looking at the demon hunter and arching her wings out readily.

Kyosuke:

Chien sighed. "If you must," he said, the tone in his voice much more subdued than it was before. "If you really think that'll do you better then it'd be better for you to go, maybe we'd meet up again sometime."

The demon hunter sat down against a tree again and stared into the fire. He closed his eyes and started to enter a meditative trance, intending to reseal his emotions to the world.

Taki:

Taki looked over her shoulder one last time, watching the guy sit and the girl prepare to leave. Where Taki came from, a kiss on the cheek was gratitude and thanks. Since she had started travelling, none of the other people she met were accustomed to this and looked down at her dazed and confused when she would kiss them on the cheek. The kiss also stood for friendship.

Taki ran back and quickly planted a peck on the man's cheek and blurted her words out quickly.

"Don't turn off to the world, no one likes a stone heart. Don't turn into ice." She looked at him once and then strode again towards the woods and shouted over her shoulder "Perhaps -destiny- will cross our paths again."

Kyosuke:

Chien openned his eyes to watch the woman leave and smiled wistfully. "I'll keep that in mind," the white haired man said and went back to sealing his emotions. Maybe he would unseal them without an incident one day, but for now he would keep them hidden from the world.

Soran:

Zaraxi sprung lightly up into the tree branches and after a few more flapping leaps she climbed through the canopy and up to where nothing more lay between her and the sky. She took a deep breath, then beat her wings powerfully and rose up toward the skies, rising higher and higher until she reached the clouds. There, her swirling head finally found relief as the energy of the atmosphere began rejuvenating her strength.

The familiar thrill of the thin air against her body filled her with elation as she dipped between the wisping clouds, free again at last. She could stay here like this forever, soaring peacefully in solitude.

Why, then, did she somehow feel unsatisfied? She noticed that she was still floating on the air currents, flying in large circles over the area where she had left Chien. She peered downward, but couldn't see something so small from her height, especially not through the trees.

She was safe here. Here she would never meet enemies. She would not meet any one. She thought about the calm, subdued expression on Chien's face when he saw her off. This was probably a more desireable arrangement for him as well. She continued flying in circles, calling upon all the advanced logic she had been created with for a scientific explanation for the emptiness she felt. Just a bit longer, she thought, and she would remember the glory of the sky.

Kyosuke:

Chien just sat against the tree, cross legged, with his eyes closed. The sealing of emotions was a tedious thing, in annoying mental process. He had to identify each and every emotion he had and visualize them. After the visualization process, he pictured a box with a lock on it and put the emotions inside it, then locked it.

He had discovered the process soon after he had recovered from the years of living like an animal. He remembered the devistation his burst of emotion had done to the remains of his already devistated village. He couldn't have that happen somewhere else where there were people actually alive. He had read about this process after trying to just suppress his emotions with his willpower, which was easily done but a weaker emotional seal.

The last emotion he sealed away was the loneliness and emptiness he felt at having his new friend leave. He had heard the sound of beating wings and rustling leaves as Zaraxi flew off into the sky.

The demon hunter opened his eyes, once again stoic to the world. He stared at the fire for a bit then, listening to his stomach growl, stood up to catch something to eat.

Soran:

Zaraxi was becoming desperate. She'd been flying for nearly an hour, and though her physical strength had returned in full, the old familiar exhiliration would not. She flew faster and faster in her frustration, dipping and gliding, but even her sense of security now failed her here. Even though she was safe, why did she feel a dreading sense that something bad was going to happen? Was she worried about Chien? That concept shouldn't even have existed in her mind.

Searchingly, the demon tried to bring Chien's image back in her mind. Certain details came clearly to mind, such as his strange weapon, his hair that reminded her of her own, his hands. Others, like his face, seemed blurry in her memory, and it alarmed her. If she remained here, would she forget him completely? Was this normal? For the first time in her short existence, the sky seemed menacing.

The demon's eyes hardened slightly with determination. She needed to go back. Even if only to remember his face... she had to. Arching her wings, she turned in the air and shot downward toward the area where she'd last seen Chien.

Kyosuke:

Chien returned from hunting fairly quickly. In fact, he didn't even bother going hunting. He had passed a stream as he wandered around the forest in the dark. Figuring it'd be a simpler way to find food, he formed a giant net with his dagger and caught a few fish with it.

Upon returning to his campsite, he sensed a familiar demonic presence decending. "So you've returned huh?" he asked, as stoic as he was when he first met her. He put the fish on a pile of fresh leaves and started gutting and cleaning them and impaled them on wooden sticks to roast on the fire.

Soran:

Zaraxi landed with a soft rustle at the top of one of the trees and agilely climbed half way down it until there was room enough for her wings to open up. She looked around for signs of the demon hunter and spotted the fire he had started earlier glowing faintly through the trees nearby. Half-flying and half burrowing through tree limbs, she came to rest on a thin branch just above where he sat preparing food by the fire. An irrational relief spread in her as she found him very much the same as she had left him. "Chien," she called down to him in her silver voice, restrained excitement glowing in her crimson eyes.

Kyosuke:

Chien looked up at Zaraxi with his stoic eyes, and waved. "I thought you wanted to leave," he called out to her, turning his attention back to the fish he was cooking. "What made you change your mind?" The demon hunter took one of the fish out of the fire and opened it slightly before putting it back in.

Soran:

"I forgot what you looked like, and...the sky didn't feel right anymore," she said with sadness lacing her voice. The sky had been her hope, a reason to exist, a place that promised happiness and peace. Now that it had failed her, the disillusionment flickered in her eyes.

"I-" she began when the branch she was perched on suddenly snapped. The demon half-fell and half-flew to the ground along with the branch, landing on her feet off-balance and thunking clumsily backward onto her rear. She blinked indignantly, perturbed that she'd fallen for the same thing a second time.

Kyosuke:

A flicker of amusement was displayed in Chien's eyes when the winged demon fell onto her rear. He stood up and walked up to her and offered out his hand to help her up. "Maybe it'd be a good idea to stop sitting on branches," he said idly. "They seem to break on you quite often."

The demon hunter thought back on the last thing that Taki woman had said to him before leaving. 'Don't turn into ice huh' he thought to himself. 'Maybe one day.'

Soran:

"Yes..." Zaraxi carefully reached up and took his hand and let him pull her lightly back to her feet. She looked down in wonder at his hand that was curled safely around hers, no electricity radiating from her body this time.

*New thread in Ashgrown Forest*