Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dragons and Yaoi ❯ Part 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ characters. I'm not getting any profit of this fan fiction work.

Warnings: Yaoi (male x male). Mirai Trunks x Gohan. Bishounen. Absolute OOC.

 

Dragons and Yaoi

 

by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com)

 

Part 4

 

The four reached the city after three hours. The rain was getting stronger and they started looking for a tavern or inn to stay in.

 

Water was flowing down the cobbled streets, some of it settling in the bumps that were left by passing by carts and carriages, and the rest of water just freely flowing down the drains, threatening to overflow them and flood the city with waste and faeces.

 

All the time they had been splashing their way down the streets, Athara's nose was scrunched. He always quite liked rain, and the cloaks protected them well from water, but he couldn't wait to get somewhere in and hide from the stench.

 

Athara was pleasantly surprised to find out that the walk to the city didn't take as much effort as he had thought it would take: he felt quite buoyant and fresh. He even suggested later going together with Delaros and Darius to the harbor to look for a ship to hire. But he was vetoed: Delaros decided that there was no need to go to the harbor for them all, and that Athara shouldn't overdo with exercising today.

 

After several minutes they saw an inn that looked appropriate.

 

Darius quickened his pace and approached Athara with Gohan who were walking first. “Here,” he held out a bag for Gohan who after some hesitation took it. Darius gave another bag to Athara who quickly opened his cloak and attached the bag to his belt.

 

“Where the hell did you get the money from?” Gohan weighed the sack in his palm. He cursed softly again. Probably there was silver, a damn fortune.

 

Darius shrugged. “A friend lent some.”

 

Gohan couldn't help snorting. A friend? Darius was openly taunting him: it was only half an hour how they were in the city, and he didn't see anybody approach Darius. And he had never noticed Darius or Delaros having those bags earlier either.

 

“Just take it,” Athara cut in, before opening the door to the inn.

 

The inn was quite big. Several tables that were there were empty. The only person that was behind the desk raised his head after they entered. He observed them all scrupulously.

 

“No weapons,” he said after looking at the long-sword at Gohan's side. “No hookers,” he said after looking at Athara.

 

Athara spluttered. Angry, he threw his hood back.

 

The man squinted his eyes at him one more time. “Oh, sorry. Thought you are a woman.”

 

Athara's eyes crackled with bolts, he breathed fire but chose to keep his mouth shut; he really didn't like the stench outside.

 

Darius just coughed politely. He approached the desk and arranged for two rooms for three days. Before going upstairs to the rooms Gohan left his sword, meanwhile Athara parted with his two daggers.

 

Darius and Gohan settled in one room, Delaros and Athara in another. As the rain now was teeming down, the sorcerers decided to stay in until the rain lessened. They four just stayed in their rooms until the rain was flowing down over the windows and streets.

 

In the evening they went downstairs to have something to eat. After that, as the rain finally stopped drumming into the windows and roofs, Delaros and Darius went to the harbor, and Athara and Gohan were left in the inn.

 

Gohan looked around. Besides them there were only several persons. Gohan was bored. He looked around once again. Well, Athara wasn't as bored as he: at the other table the lavender-haired man was having a conversation with two men. They were discussing something, Athara's excited voice echoing in the inn. As far as Gohan could hear, Athara was explaining something about the need to educate people, about the importance of science. Gohan sighed. He could not believe Athara was talking about that with those two: the men assuredly nodded their heads, their eyes fixed on Athara's backside. Not the first time he felt surprised that Athara couldn't tell the difference between their source of interest. Or maybe Athara was flirting purposely? But who'd flirt while talking about founding more asylums for children…?

 

Gohan approached Athara from behind. “Athara, what would you say if we went for a walk. The rain has almost stilled,” Gohan looked at Athara, hoping that the younger man would agree. The two Athara's collocutors glared daggers at him. Gohan looked back at them nonchalantly. He was standing close enough to give an impression of Athara's boyfriend.

 

Athara brushed his long hair behind his back and smiled apologetically at the two men. He nodded at Gohan. “Yeah, I want to do the town, too. Only we have to hurry up; if Delaros comes back first, and we'll still be gone…”

 

Gohan nodded and waved off. They retrieved their weapons from the owner and soon were walking down the dimmed streets. The rain had stopped, Gohan's and Athara's boots only avoiding bigger puddles. Athara had feared the stench but it seemed that the lasting rain had washed the waste away.

 

“Oh, look, a bar,” Gohan said, showing with his hand at a door with a sign. He felt the urge to scratch his head as the other man gave him a surprised look. Yeah, he took Athara for a walk, but the thing was that he didn't exactly wanted to walk, he just didn't want Athara to talk with those two. Had he been jealous or protective over Athara, he didn't exactly know, but he had surely wanted Athara's attention to be only on him. “Oh, c'mon,” he tugged Athara by his sleeve when the lavender-haired man was still faltering.

 

Athara sighed. “Fine. Just don't get drunk or I'll just leave you here. Hate drunkards!” he snorted.

 

“How nice of you,” Gohan chuckled before opening the door.

 

There was a loud whistle heard after Athara stepped into the bar and the man immediately backed up, colliding into Gohan behind him.

 

“C'mon,” Gohan pushed him forward again. He quickly observed the bar: there was not much place in the room: only the bar and several tables. There were only six people besides them and the barkeeper, and Gohan considered it safe. Besides, he was sure that Athara was met like that everywhere. Maybe sometimes someone might have confused the lavender-haired man with a woman but that was doubtful - Athara's features were quite sharp.

 

Gohan lowered his palms away from Athara's shoulders as that finally started walking forward on his own. If there was someone that hadn't noticed Athara before, now all heads and several pair of drunken eyes were fixed on him.

 

“Let's leave,” Athara muttered, stopping again.

 

“Don't be such a sissy,” Gohan rolled his eyes. He pushed the scowling man to an empty table. They sat down near the window, and Gohan went to get drinks.

 

Several men were sitting and drinking something similar to meat, but maybe it was ale. Gohan doubted that there was a really big difference between drinks in such a place like this. But as his and Athara's time was limited, he decided to try.

 

After the barkeeper poured some slip-slop into the mugs, Gohan turned to go back to his table. He faltered a bit before coming back to the table he and Athara occupied. Athara still seemed to be uncomfortable in the surroundings, nervous even. The boy was like out of place here. Though, Athara seemed to be out of place everywhere - it seemed one should keep Athara under the glass. Or on a silver tray.

 

Gohan coughed at his own thoughts and maneuvered back to the table, putting one mug against Athara's nose.

 

“What's that?” Athara looked at the mug, aghast. He hoped he wasn't supposed to drink this - the brownish liquid looked awful and stank.

 

Gohan laughed at Athara's reaction. He hadn't expected anything else. But before condemning Athara he raised his own mug to his lips, sipped some and then swallowed.

 

“Not too bad,” he shrugged then and took a good swig. “Drink,” he motioned with his head to Athara's mug. “It's my treat today.”

 

Athara's seraphic mistrustful eyes observed the mug before him like that might attack him at any moment. “Thank you, but I have to refuse.”

 

Gohan chuckled. “Okay, but just taste it.” Ah well, no loss here - he'd drink it if not Athara.

 

Athara's sapphire eye ran over the rim of the mug then dipped further to look at the brown frothy liquid. Athara reached his hand to the mug. He loudly inhaled and, not breathing the awful stench in sipped.

 

Gohan roared with laughter as Athara's face contorted and he immediately spat the contents to the floor. “Gods, it's awful!” Athara gagged. “How can you drink this?!” He wiped his mouth clean with the back of his hand. “Disgusting.”

 

Gohan laughed harder, sipping his own beer and almost choking. “Have you ever drunk anything stronger than tea?” His eyes grew wide in disbelief and he roared with laughter again as Athara squirmed uncomfortably and mouthed a silent “no”.

 

Athara stood up, angered. “Okay, I'll leave you to amuse yourself further.” He turned to the door.

 

Gohan wanted to stop him as Athara's way was blocked by one quite drunk man. “Leaving so soon?” the man's arm suddenly appeared on Athara's narrow waist. “And nobody introduced us yet?” the hand slid to grope Athara's behind.

 

Athara blinked. He slapped the hand away. “Get out of the way,” he pushed the man aside. He walked past the man who suddenly seemed to be much soberer than seconds ago.

 

Suddenly, Gohan realized that the things were quite worse than they seemed: those six men belonged to one group. Probably they were robbers, and the one blocking Athara's way was their leader.

 

Athara yelped as the man grabbed him by his wrist and yanked him back, the man's palm cupping the sack with money under his cloak and tearing it away. The man weighed the sack in his palm. “Not bad. And how about your friend?” he turned to Gohan who was standing, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

 

“Hey, hey, I have nothing to do with this, go outside!” the barkeeper shouted.

 

“Shut the fuck up and stay in place,” the leader snorted, motioning for one of his men to attend the barkeeper's side. He pushed Athara into the hands of his other companion who grabbed the lavender-haired man.

 

“Hey, quit that struggling,” he yanked Athara back by his hair wrenching a loud painful cry from Athara. Athara grabbed the wrist of the hand that was holding him by his hair and tried to pry it away, but it was no use. Not the first time he regretted that he wasn't skilled in fighting.

 

“Better lower that your stick,” the leader motioned for Gohan, “or the beauty there might get hurt.”

 

Gohan's eyes shot over the man's shoulder to look at the man who was holding Athara. There was a knife at Athara's throat.

 

Gohan cursed loudly. He'd never ever go with Athara anywhere! He returned his focus to the leader. But after a loud shout his eyes shot back to Athara and the other four men. The man that had been holding Athara earlier now was gripping at his stomach, Athara's small bloodied dagger quickly leaving the hole.

 

“Get away from me!” Athara yelled, throwing his cloak to one of the benches.

 

Gohan charged at the leader, but the man successfully avoided the blade pointed at his neck and grabbed a bench to block Gohan's sword. Gohan cursed as one of the men tossed a sabre for his boss.

 

With a corner of his eye Gohan checked how Athara was doing. His eyes widened after one man backhanded Athara into his face, tossing Athara onto one of the tables, the dagger falling out of his hand.

 

“You shit,” the wounded man growled grabbing Athara by his neck.

 

What happened next had stunned Gohan: he didn't even see Athara move, but the man was flying into a wall behind him, and with such a force that after hitting it didn't get up anymore. Athara rolled off the table to look for his fallen dagger.

 

Gohan cursed as the leader's sabre suddenly pierced skin at his neck. He got careless. Gohan dropped his sword to the ground.

 

Athara's knee rammed into one robber's crotch and effectively made the man harmless. He swung his dagger in a wide half-circle to keep other two away from him.

 

“Hey, pretty boy,” the leader pushed Gohan forward while the sabre dangerously grazed at Gohan's throat, a small trickle of blood running down his throat, “I suggest you drop that toy before anyone gets hurt.”

 

Athara's head turned to him, his sapphire eyes flaming, his lips upturned into a snarl. Gohan felt himself blink: it was first time he saw Athara like that. Dangerous. He would have never thought Athara could look like that.

 

“Did you hear what I said?” the leader pressed the sabre firmer, making Gohan wince at the sharp sting.

 

Athara seemed to falter. His eyes flared then. “Just touch him and I'll level this fucking bar to the ground with all your men,” Athara hissed before letting the dagger slip out of his palm.

 

“Good boy,” one of the men punched Athara into the face, throwing him into the tables in the corner.

 

Athara yelped in pain as his side hit the corner of the table. He dropped to the floor, gasping and gripping his ribs in pain.

 

“Get him,” the leader motioned for his men.

 

Gohan grit his teeth in anger while one of the robbers grabbed Athara by his hair and dragged the boy into the middle of the tavern.

 

“A hell of a hellcat you have here,” the leader chuckled into Gohan's ear while watching Athara fruitlessly curse and struggle. He then reached for the sack with money at Gohan's side. He weighed it in his hand then tossed to one of his companions. He observed Athara while the younger man was furiously twisting and turning in his subordinate's grip. “Where did you get this beauty? Rarely do I see something so delicious. I hope you don't mind sharing your goods…

 

“Hey, Thomas,” the leader beckoned. “Keep company for this one,” he motioned at Gohan. Gohan felt shifting behind his back. He hoped he'd have a chance while they would be switching, but the other robber had his own knife ready.

 

Athara glared at the leader as that approached him. “You have the money, now let us go!” he spat.

 

Athara yelped as the man backhanded him, the hard blow throwing him into another man behind his back who locked his hands on Athara's arms.

 

“I don't like the tone,” the leader growled, grabbing Athara by the back of his neck, making the lavender-haired man look at his face. “Don't order me around, little one, or someone might get hurt.”

 

Athara growled in anger, and Gohan cursed mentally, begging for Athara to just shut up before the things had gotten way too far. Though, he realized that it already might be too late.

 

“Strip,” the leader ordered.

 

Athara's eyes grew wide. “W-what?” he stuttered, trying to back away, but the man behind his back keeping him in place.

 

“Faster, you slut!” the man's hands tore at Athara's linen shirt.

 

After he tried to push the man away, Athara's arms were grabbed in a tight grip. He yelped as he was hit again.

 

“Thomas, I think your friend is getting bored,” the leader growled, irritated.

 

Athara's head shot to the man that was holding Gohan. Thomas tightened his grip, slowly dragging the knife over Gohan's neck, leaving a small red slit on its way.

 

Athara closed his eyes. When they were open again they didn't hold any of that previous fire anymore. “Okay,” he muttered. “I'll do as you wish.”

 

“Good boy,” not wasting time the leader tugged the shirt over Athara's head. The younger man gasped at the knife in the leader's palm, but the knife was used to cut the ties on his breeches away.

 

Gohan grit his teeth seeing an expression of utter sickness on Athara's face. Athara wasn't looking at him, the boy's eyes fixed somewhere opposite him, on the wall, while the assaulter was working Athara's belt and breeches away until, except the boots, the boy was naked against him.

 

Athara's whole body shuddered, and he gasped as the man's palm cupped him, the other palm firmly squeezing his behind. When he was suddenly spun around and tossed with his stomach onto the bar, Athara came back to struggling. The men around laughed, but the laugh dying in a caught breath of anticipation as their leader's fingers slipped in between Athara's cheeks.

 

Gohan rather felt than saw how the man that was holding him craned his neck and leaned forward to see the show better. It was the moment that he had been waiting for.

 

The man shrieked and grabbed his useless wrist that Gohan had crushed. Gohan quickly turned around, catching a sight of Athara breaking a huge bottle of Whiskey into the leader's head and rolling off the bar. The dizzy man tried to hit Athara, but the younger male slashed at his face with the breakage of the bottle.

 

Not wasting time, Gohan grabbed his sword and ran to Athara. He slit at the robber who tried to stick a knife into Athara's side, grabbed him by his wrist, dragged the naked boy into the street and ran.

 

Athara thought he'd simply faint. They ran through dark streets and alleys turning here and there. Water was splashing under their boots. He had no idea where they were or where they were running. He wasn't used to so many physical exercises and his lungs were on fire, his breath coming in choking gasps, his legs throbbing with exertion. And he almost fainted in relief when they reached some dark corner, and Gohan stopped.

 

“Athara, Athara,” Gohan turned to the other man as that simply slumped to the wet ground. He lifted the younger male then quickly brushed Athara's hair to his back as Athara gagged. He held Athara until that was vomiting and choking.

 

After it was over he lifted and pressed Athara to him to keep him from freezing over. He could feel Athara's heart madly beating, the boy's body all shaking in shock. Then Gohan noticed something white on the ground. Athara's shirt. Athara must have grabbed it before running away from the bar. The shirt was a little wet in some places but it was better than nothing.

 

“C'mon,” he gently nudged the man that still couldn't get his breath back. “Dress it.”

 

Athara didn't move from him, his chest heaving, but then he leaned to take the shirt and put it on. The shirt was long enough, covering Athara's crotch and bottom. Then he reached his hand over to Gohan who realized Athara was holding his money sack. Must have grabbed together with the shirt.

 

Gohan chuckled, taking the sack and fastening it back to his belt. “You are a fortune, man. Let's go,” Gohan reached for Athara's hand.

 

“No, not yet,” Athara rasped out. He looked at Gohan apologetically, though the other man couldn't catch the expression because of the darkness. “I don't think I can walk yet…”

 

Gohan nodded and leaned back at the wooden wall. Athara followed him and leaned at it too. As the adrenaline was wearing out, he was getting cold.

 

“And you really are a hellcat,” Gohan chuckled softly after observing Athara's shadowed figure. “You can cause some trouble when you want…” Gohan's laughter died as Athara turned away from him, the younger man's shoulders shaking with sobs. “Hey, hey, calm down,” he pulled Athara against his chest. “You still didn't catch your breath. Don't waste it.” He heard a chuckle then the other man relaxed against him. Gohan shortly felt worried that Athara might have fainted, but then he heard him sigh.

 

“I think we can go,” Athara brushed his palm over his burning forehead.

 

“Let's wait a bit,” Gohan shook his head. He could tell that Athara's body was still trembling with exertion. He wasn't sure if Athara wouldn't simply faint or get sick again after taking several steps; the youngster clearly wasn't used to so much running.

 

Several minutes later they were walking down the street, looking for the first best place to stay overnight. The tavern they were staying over was on the other side of the city and Gohan didn't think it clever to walk there right now. And even though the entire city was sleeping, money always could make a difference.

 

Gohan loudly beat with his fist on one wooden door over which there was a sign hanging that was offering bed and breakfast. He could see Athara trembling in cold and was relieved when the door finally opened and there a man appeared with a kerosene lap in his hand. The man lifted it to seem their faces better.

 

It was the owner of the house. He wasn't happy at all to have visitors at such a late night, but after Gohan shoved several silver coins into the man's palm, the door screeched and was widely thrust open.

 

“Can…can I have some water to wash?” Athara whispered from behind Gohan's back.

 

The owner's eyes slid over Athara's scarcely-clad figure. His brow rose. “Is he legal?” his eyes shifted to Gohan.

 

“Yes, yes, sure he is,” Gohan slipped another coin into the owner's palm and dragged Athara into the house before Athara could have started throwing a fit.

 

“Keep it down then or will throw both you out,” the owner let them pass and closed the door. He started leading them into the house then upstairs. “I'll send a maid with water.”

 

“Thank you,” Athara grunted out.

 

They were led in into a small room with a small window, a table with a chair at it and a bed. Gohan walked over to the table to light the kerosene lamp there. The owner observed Athara's hanging shirt and his boots, snorted at him and turned to leave. In the man's disdainful gaze Athara could see “a whore” directed to him and glared at the man's back. Athara then moved away from the door and walked over to Gohan.

 

“Well, you can wait for your water, and I'll just go to sleep,” Gohan yawned. “As I'm first, I get the place next to the wall.”

 

“Whatever,” Athara muttered. “Why one bed?” he bristled out finally.

 

Gohan rolled his eyes. “He just assumed and it's simpler than explaining half of the night. Besides if you don't trust me so much - you're always welcome to use the floor.”

 

“Bastard,” Athara snorted. “Legal?” his voice rose. “He asked if I'm legal! What-”

 

“Gods, will you shut up?” Gohan groaned. “They'll throw us out.”

 

Athara slumped on the chair next to the table. He was worn out. The shock had passed, and now he simply wanted to go to sleep. Only first he wanted to wash. Athara propped his heavy head on his arms.

 

Gohan decided against undressing; he didn't want to scare Athara. The black-haired man just kicked his boots off and climbed into the bed. “Gods,” he chuckled after the bed screeched like a tortured hamster, “and they expect somebody to keep it down…?” He chuckled again as Athara glared at him from behind of his lavender curtains.

 

Silence settled in the room like old dust. The flaming shadows of kerosene lamp were dancing on the walls. Gohan was lying on his side, turned to the wall, his eyes discerning the brownish-dirty color of it in the half-light. A thought that Athara was being foolish and spoiled brat crossed his mind, but then it occurred to him that Athara just wanted to wash the assaulter's touch and scent off his skin. And he felt a bit embarrassed for not understanding that sooner.

 

There was a knock on the door and Athara went to open. A sleepy maid entered the room. She observed Athara, her eyes glided over Gohan's back. She silently put the basin on the table and left. Athara locked the door behind her.

 

Athara looked at the basin. No soap, no towel. He got what he had asked for - water. He cursed inwardly.

 

Gohan could hear the water patter. The scent of soap reached his senses. After some time silence settled. He then got a little worried after that silence lasted too long. “Athara?”

 

“She didn't bring a towel. Bitch.” Athara's voice sounded edgy with weariness.

 

Gohan rolled his eyes at the wall. “Take a curtain. We paid much more than this shit-hole is worth, anyway.”

 

Gohan heard the curtain being ripped out from its place. For some time the ruffling of the cloth was heard then the light went out and Athara climbed into the bed. The bed complained when Athara moved around while trying to find the best way to settle in. He didn't stop for five minutes.

 

“Where the hell have you been growing up? In a castle?” Gohan cursed after Athara accidentally kicked him in the shin.

 

“Yes,” Athara snorted, proceeding to toss around in way too small bed for two.

 

“Really?” Gohan stilled.

 

“Yes,” Athara turned around one more time.

 

Gohan sighed. “You'd fit in if you came closer to me. I don't bite. Unless you'd ask me to,” he chuckled, suddenly wondering why he switched to flirting with Athara.

 

“Asshole,” Athara snorted, but gave in and snuggled closer to Gohan. He was relieved when Gohan didn't comment on anything. And actually it felt very well to have someone warm at his side. He'd have never told Gohan but he really didn't want to stay alone after that incident in the bar. Actually he never wanted to stay alone. That was why everything started.

 

XXXXX

 

Darius observed the room. The two must have been really desperate to settle here. Darius' eyes took in a curtain on the floor, a basin and several bars of soap. There were no clothes anywhere. Only two pairs of boots at the bed. Well, he couldn't blame them - the night had been cold; he could hear Athara coughing in his sleep.

 

Darius turned back to two sleeping beauties. He felt a smile tug at his lips: long black and lavender hair mingled on the pillow and covers; Athara sleeping almost on top of Gohan, his face snuggled into the bigger man's neck.

 

Gohan stirred. He blinked his sleepy eyes at Darius. He startled and quickly sat up. He felt something slide off of him. Confused, he looked down to the bed to see Athara shift, his long black eyelashes flutter against his satin skin, the red lush lips mutter something and the body settle back to sleep. Gohan's eyes rose back to Darius whose face was one big smirk.

 

“H-hey,” Gohan brushed over his long loose hair. He blinked again. How was that that he didn't hear Darius enter? Usually he slept very lightly.

 

“I see you have been busy this night,” Darius chuckled, sitting down at the table. “I don't mind but Delaros is quite angry. You should think of something more serious than this,” he motioned at Athara and bed, “to have kept you all night.”

 

Gohan crawled over Athara and got out of the bed. He saw Darius' brow rise after seeing that he was completely dressed. He ignored that. “We have been robbed, and Athara almost got raped,” he said while stretching and hearing his back make a loud crack. “Good enough?”

 

Darius' serious gaze was enough to make Gohan drop that tone. “It's the truth. We went to a bar and it appeared that all men there belonged to one gang.”

 

“Almost got raped…?” Darius' dark gaze shifted to a peacefully sleeping Athara. “Did they take you hostage?”

 

Gohan blinked in surprise. “Yes,” he nodded then. How did Darius know?

 

“You'll be the death of him,” Darius shook his head, sighing. “Athara!” he called loudly. “Athara!” he repeated after the lavender-haired beauty continued to sleep.

 

Gohan chuckled. “One could bring him and the bed outside and he wouldn't even notice…”

 

“Athara!” Darius grabbed a curtain from the ground and threw it at Athara.

 

The younger man bolted up in the bed.

 

“Oh,” Athara yawned. “It's you.” He stilled the yawn with the back of his hand then looked around through his lavender bangs then had a loud coughing fit.

 

“I heard what happened yesterday…” Darius drawled.

 

Athara's face fell, his mood ruined for the whole day. “Ah, yes.” He brushed over his burning forehead then shifted to the edge of the bed.

 

Darius supposed that Athara didn't know how suggestive he looked right now: long lavender hair messily falling on his chest and shoulders, to his lap even, the loose linen shirt hardly covering his crotch, legs bent at the knees, pale-satin thighs a bit spread.

 

“Dress,” was one word Darius said, before snapping his fingers.

 

Openmouthed, Gohan stared at the pile of clothes that fell to the ground from nowhere.

 

“Do you have any money?” Darius asked them.

 

“The bastard took mine. And I lost my daggers, too,” Athara complained before coming over to the pile and starting to dress.

 

“Here,” Darius tossed a new bag with money next to the pile. “You didn't know how to use those daggers anyway.”

 

“Who says?” Athara snorted. He sighed. “At least I felt safer. I want to get them back. They were a gift.”

 

“Oh, why didn't you say so?” Darius cocked his head to the side. “Which bar was it?”

 

“Three Boars,” Gohan answered instead of Athara. He knew that Athara had not a clue, anyway. “But they probably took everything valuable with them.”

 

Darius just shrugged before coming over to the door and unlocking it. “We'll see.” He closed the door behind his back.

 

“He what?” Gohan turned back to Athara. “Just went there alone?”

 

“Yeah,” Athara nodded, pulling new breeches up and tying them. “If you hear something explode, it would be the bar.”

 

Gohan just sighed. It suddenly occurred to him that Darius had unlocked the door before going out. How the fuck did the man get here, then?! And at that moment he realized that some of the tales about Master Sorcerers he had heard might have been true.

 

Athara and Gohan went back to the inn they were staying. Delaros was displeased by their disappearance, and got even more displeased with Gohan after it appeared that it was him who talked Athara into having a walk and coming over into a bar. Gohan didn't comment for he felt responsible for that incident. But Athara was angry.

 

“I'm responsible for my own actions!” Athara hissed at Delaros. “Don't blame Gohan! It's not that he tied me up and dragged into that bar!”

 

Delaros sighed. He sat down at the table and put his arms on the surface. “Athara, he's older than you and should have known better. He's here for our safety.”

 

“For YOUR safety!” Athara immediately quipped. Oh, he would have told Delaros much more, but he had to keep his tongue in check near Gohan. “You didn't hire him to be responsible for me, did you?”

 

Delaros brushed over his long raven hair. “I'm not intending to argue with you, Athara. I think Gohan himself knows what he did wrong.”

 

“Yes,” Gohan nodded. “I'm sorry to have put Athara in danger.”

 

Athara glared at Gohan, gave the same cold look to Delaros, turned around on his heel and marched out of the room. He slammed the door.

 

“He knows how to look pissed,” Gohan commented.

 

TBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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