Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Catharsis ❯ Chapter 2
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: tenohikari 
Anime/Manga: Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Angst / Comedy / Hentai / Mystery / Suspense | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.16.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 265 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Angst / Comedy / Hentai / Mystery / Suspense | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.16.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 265 | Status: Completed
Catharsis
Written By: Teno Hikari
email: teno_hikari@y... / tenohikari@c...
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakuretsu Hunters ... just this story
Summary: After his confrontation with the evil sorcerer, Zaha Torte;
Carrot Glace finds himself changing ... but is it for better or
worse?
Takes place during 'Sorcerer's Revenge' (the second season of the TV
series - I believe) after Episode 15 - 'Until we meet again'. I'll
try and be as accurate as possible even though I haven't seen the
anime or read the manga for a few years.
Warning: Violence, adult situations, and yaoi - you've been warned.
**********
Drowning deep in my sea of loathing
Broken your servant I kneel ...
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems what's left of my human side
Is slowly changing in me ...
(Will you give in to me?)
Looking at my own reflection when suddenly it changes
violently it changes
There is no turning back now you've woken up the demon in me....
-Disturbd 'Down with the sickness'
**********
The Stellar Church is the one place we ever talk to Big Mamma in person. More than just our leader and employer, she is like our mother since none of us had parents anymore. It's weird how I can't remember the deaths of my own mother and father. I always told myself that I had to be the leader, and leaders had to be strong. I had to be strong for my little brother, our adopted sisters, and Gateau ... even though he was a little jerk who grew up into a great big one ... that's not true, he's okay ... sometimes ...
"Welcome, Sorcerer Hunters," She smiles serenely at all of us like she normally does. Dotta hovers alongside Big Mamma and waves happily. "Thank you for coming, it's not often that we see each other."
This is true. When we first started working shortly after our training, we used to report to her in person at least twice a month. Now that we're older, we've been running around Spooner Continent hunting villainous sorcerers. Most of the time we're so busy that was don't get to see Mamma in person for several months.
"Hey, Big Mamma," I smile up at her, hoping that she isn't pissed off that I accidentally prevented her from killing that sorcerer guy. I waggle my eyebrows at the winged girl who was now hovering in my direction. "Heeelllooo, Dotta!"
I can hear the sound of grinding teeth from behind and a second later, Tira and Chocolate mallet me into a pancake. Yeap, I guess everything is back to normal ... ugh, normal is painful. Dotta giggles as I spring back to my feet while rubbing the forming lump on my head. My friends and Big Mamma continue their pleasantries.
From the corner of my eye, I spot one of the Haz Knights ... the only one cloaked in white, the leader. Strange. Normally all four of them are always at Mamma's side, always there to protect and do her bidding. They are the elite in our line of work ... Mamma sends them out into battles we wouldn't have a prayer of winning. So why is he only one here? And is it my imagination, or is he staring right at me?
"Darling!" Chocolate shoots me an annoyed glare. I immediately spin to see Big Mamma looking displeased with my lack of attention.
"Don't worry," I stutter, glancing at my teammates for support. "We'll handle the case!"
Gateau lets out a low groan while mumbling 'moron' under his breath. Which meant that I missed something important in the conversation while I was zoning out. Nothing new, and I give a small sigh while trying to look serious. It's not so much of a chore these days, pretending everything was all right is a different matter.
"I'm sorry, Mother," I apologize, stepping forward and bowing my head. Big Mamma gasps quietly and there's a collective noise of surprise from the others behind me. "Whatever you need me to do ... I'll do it."
A warm and soft hand slides over my cheek, lifting my head to look into her gentle, ruby colored eyes. Pink lips give me a small smile before kissing me on the forehead. Stunned, I'm released and simply stare at her dumbly. Okay, this is weird.
"That's sweet of you, Carrot," she says, drawing back upon her pedestal. "I have assigned the Sorcerer Hunters on yet another case. "However ..."
Her eyes are locked onto mine and the smile is gone. "You will remain here at the Church."
The color drains from my face, and slowly, I shake my head. Please don't let this be what I think it is! "Big Mamma ... Mother, please ... don't take me off the team!"
At the tone of anguish in my voice, she simply blinks in surprise and yet again my team mates were groaning behind me. Yeesh, two bad days in a row. "You're not ... are you?"
"Of course not," she answers, shaking her head a little. "You are simply in no condition to work on this case, and I would like you to stay here and rest."
Did I hear right? Big Mamma was giving *me* another day off? No work? I continue to stare with that stupefied expression, then pinch myself. I'm not dreaming ...I'm not! "Sure, Big Mamma! Whatever you say!"
She gives a small laugh before dismissing the others. I happily wave them off on their way. Tira and Chocolate warn me not to sneak out to hunt for girls, and I tell them that I'm not in the mood for an ass-whipping. Once they're gone, I stretch my arms before letting them fall to my sides, turning to Big Mamma who clearly has more to say.
"Now, Carrot," she says quietly, once the group of Sorcerer Hunters and Dotta have left. Big Mamma's white Haz Knight is now flanked at her side. The once gentle smile is yet again replaced with a stern and serious look that makes me swallow hard. "We need to talk."
***************
Chapter Two
***************
Ever since I was little, adults used the phrase: 'we need to talk' as the beginning of a 'you screwed up' speech. If not that, it was an opening line for something bad that was about to happen. The way Big Mamma looks at me, I'm certain she's still mad about me getting between her and that guy she wanted to kill. This says a lot about how evil the Sorcerer has to be, if Big Mamma wants him dead. She opens her mouth to speak, and I'm about to fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness, when she reaches out to cup my chin once more.
"I'm not angry with you," She answers my unspoken question.
Surprised, I was sure she was going to scold me. "You're not?"
"I was very worried about you, Carrot," The tone of her voice is soft, and it makes my heart ache even more with guilt. "I consider you ... all of you to be my children, and whenever one of you is in danger, I worry."
"I know, mother," I whisper faintly, wondering why I'm addressing her as the Haz Knights did whenever they spoke before us. "And ... and I'm sorry I was at the wrong place at the wrong time."
I leave out the fact that I did the stupid stunt just to impress a girl. How pathetic ... I didn't even get to see her after my ordeal since my friends showed up to haul me to a hospital. I don't think Big Mamma would find it comforting to know that I would throw my life away for something as meaningless as sex. Well, certainly I didn't think it was so meaningless, but I'm sure Big Mamma and the others would.
"I don't blame you for that," a pleased and surprised look crossed her features at my unusual attitude. Maybe Chocolate was right about the whole me responsibility thing. "But, I must ask what happened while you were in his company."
"Uh, okay," I nod, drawing back a little into a more comfortable standing position. "Where should I start?"
"After my apparition had departed," Big Mamma answers, clasping her hands together. "I would like to know what happened between the time I left and reappeared."
I nod once again, looking at the polished marble floor while collecting my thoughts. Big Mamma wants to know everything about that time, maybe even about the nightmares I've been having the past few days. Oh man! What was she going to think about that kiss?!
"Carrot?" comes her gentle but demanding voice.
"Well," I begin and clear my throat, looking back at Big Mamma and her only present Haz Knight. "After you left, he was standing in the same place and was mumbling something I couldn't hear from that distance ... then he looked straight at me ... and fell off the cliff ..."
********
I can only stare helplessly as I watch the half-naked sorcerer fall. The sickening sound of his body against those rocks below makes me wince and want to turn away. I should turn away, if Big Mamma hadn't killed him that fall sure would. I shrug out of his cape - what the hell possessed me to put it on in the first place?! - and am about to turn back down the mountain when ...
What was that noise?
Groans? Yes, groans of pain, meaning that the sorcerer is still alive. Great, now what am I going to do? Common sense tells me that I should just leave him there and that Big Mamma would come back to finish him off later. But then ... then what if she didn't? What if he was left to rot away with his body broken and bleeding?
I don't believe in long suffering deaths, after all, I suffer almost every day at the hands of the Misu sisters. Well, I guess it isn't the same thing ... this guy just devoured almost a hundred lost souls. I know he deserves to die, but just not like this ...
Before I know what I am doing, I find myself halfway to where the sorcerer lays. My pace slows down when I approach those jagged rocks. Have to be careful or else I could fall and break my legs ... and then we're both screwed. He groans again, it's good to know that he hasn't died out on me yet. When I do reach him, I'm surprised to see that he doesn't have a lot of injuries from the fall ... but there are a lot of scars all over his body. No limbs are bent in awkward angles, so I guess he hasn't broken anything. Now comes the hard part ... he isn't light!
Taking deep breaths, I try and pull him up against my back, almost toppling the both of us over. Steady ... steady ... I just have to keep us balanced. Ergh! This guy is like Gateau - all muscle - and I wish he could loan them to me for awhile so I can easily haul his evil ass back up the freaking mountain.
Don't know how I did it, but I manage to get us back up by sunset. He looks fine, just overly exhausted from exerting himself. I, on the other hand, look ready to die. Every muscle and bone in my body aches and screams at me for never listening to my brain. Panting heavily, I wrap the Sorcerer up in his cape to stop me from ogling his scars, and let him lean against the smooth surface of the mountain side. After my ordeal, I collapse onto the ground and
almost into his lap... Not good! Scrambling backwards to put distance between us, I notice that the sun has set, and it would be completely dark in a matter of minutes.
This means I can't leave until morning. Not unless I want to hike down the mountain in the dark and possibly break every bone in my body on the way. Also, I'm tired as hell, so why not just take my chances with the half naked Soul Sucking guy here and hope he doesn't kill me? Well, just in case, I still have my sword on me and if he decides to use magic ... all the better.
He awakes about a half hour later, after I've made a camp fire and am now staring off into the night sky. The twinkling stars look so close from where I sit. It's as if I could just reach out and pluck them from the dark velvet sky. My attention is now on the Sorcerer who shifts into a more comfortable position, violet eyes narrowing wearily as he takes in his surroundings ... then me. I swallow hard and give him my nervous 'please don't kill me' smile.
Okay, Carrot, let's think up some excuses why he shouldn't kill you
on the spot. Think ... think! Think! Think!
'I love Sorcerers!'
Uh, no ... he may get the wrong idea ...
'I saved your life!'
I just carried you up the mountain and accidentally banged your
skull against some sharp rocks several times. Sorry about that.
'Don't kill me, or I'll tell Big Mamma on you!'
Okay, the guy isn't a whiny five year old brat...
'You don't want my soul, it's dirty!'
Good grief, I'm gonna die.
He shifts again in his sitting position, and I tense up and try not to look panicked. His strong hand, the one he used to absorb those souls reaches up to brush the dark strands of hair from his face. His gaze lowers to see that he's now wearing his cape, and then moves back to me. Breathe, Carrot, just act normal ... and don't tell him you're a sorcerer hunter...it surely won't start this conversation on the right foot.
"Oh, good you're awake," I state the obvious with a retarded smile. "I thought you really had it when you hit those rocks ... those sharp and jagged rocks."
"You brought me back up here?" he asks, quickly piecing everything together. His voice is low and suspicious, violet eyes narrowing dangerously, so sharp they could spill blood. "Why?"
I poke at the fire with a stick, taking my eyes off him while trying to make up some kind of decent answer. Why? A simple question, huh? Well, here's a simple answer: I'm out of my freaking mind! "I just couldn't leave you there ..."
Sure I could! I could have just turned and walked away like my brain told me to, but when do I ever listen to it? He raises an eyebrow at my response and says nothing more, now he's just staring. His eyes size me up, and it looks like he's trying to figure something out ...probably the best way to kill me. This is so pathetic, I'm actually shaking while sitting close to the fire. I don't think I've ever been afraid of any Sorcerer I had to face in the past. But this one, this man's very gaze chilled me to the bone.
'Stop staring at me, you're giving me the creeps!'
Usually, when I'm both nervous and scared out of my mind, my mouth ends up babbling nonsense. It's a survival instinct to distract the enemy with words until I come up with a plan of action ... or run like hell. But it doesn't look like I'll be running away from this mountain in the complete darkness. He's surprised by my outburst and actually looks interested in what I have to say. It takes me a few minutes to slow down and understand exactly what the
hell I'm talking about. Of course it's the subject I'm fond of: women. I tell him about the beautiful girl I ran into this afternoon and how she has a thing in him, but he doesn't look like he cares ... which is good for me.
"Take it from me, I don't think that chick's gonna go for that whole Soul Sucking thing, ya' know what I mean?" I smile and raise my hands into the air to imitate what I had seen. "Your 'Aww, come to me, be one with me, eat me, beat me!' is a sorry excuse for a pickup line."
He really was paying attention because now he's glaring. His eyes are even scarier now, nailing into me like I'm a pin cushion. "You saw?"
In seconds, the Sorcerer is standing right before me with sword raised above his head. I am so going to die ... and all I can do is just stare with a horrified expression on my face. What really sucks about this is that I'm gonna die a virgin. One of the things I feared most. The sword wavers in his hand, as if he can't keep a firm grip on it anymore, then his body begins to sway. Eyes roll back into his head and he topples over ... on to me.
'This must be the worst day of my life...'
I feel all light headed and warm when I regain consciousness. Had I fainted? Or am I dead? I seem to recall a sword ready to slice me open and now my eyes are looking up at the stars once again. I can hear the sound of crackling fire nearby and heavy breathing that is very close to my ear. My back hurts ... I think I'm lying down on rocks ... and something heavy is pressing me into the ground. Something ... something warm and nice ... and smelling good ...
Wait a minute ....
Swallowing hard, I look down at myself and see him, correction: I see him lying on me in a very compromising position. My mouth opens up to release a silent scream as I wiggle out from underneath his warm weight. Okay, this is getting to weird for me ... I need to get away from the guy... I need to take a cold shower!
Darkness or no darkness, I'm getting off this mountain right now! It doesn't take so long to get down since I'm practically leaping instead of running, and the first thing on my mind is cold water. I remember seeing a pond nearby where I met that girl, and that's exactly where my feet take me to. I think it must be my zoanthropy powers, because I don't recall having night vision before. I spot the pond in the pitch black darkness.
Shrugging out of my clothes, I dive into the pond, then quickly jump back out. I was only in the freezing water for a few seconds, and it felt like a hundred knives stabbing into me. Again, I curse my stupidity and my brain just sighs ... one of these days it is going to walk out on me. Trembling, I collapse into a boneless heap on the grass.
This is normal right? It's practically normal to get aroused this easily...and... who the hell am I kidding?! This isn't normal! It's abnormal! Super abnormal! I like women, dammit! Beautiful women and cute girls ... I get turned on just by looking at them. So, what I just felt isn't because of that guy? I'm just going through withdrawal ... I don't like guys ... I don't get turned on by them looking at me ... or laying on me ... and ... dammit!
I sit up, naked and trembling with cool water dripping down my skin, letting the warm summer breeze air-dry me. This isn't such a big deal, just dry off and put your clothes on, then go babe hunting as soon as you leave this place. You'll forget all about snuggling up with another man. Good idea, brain! Knew I could count on you!
After I dry off, I shrug into my clothes before turning to look at the full moon in the sky. A full moon sure makes people act funny ... maybe it's just the beast in me. Running a hand through my damp hair, my eyes spot a discarded water bowl where my sword and belt lay on the ground. I reach down and pick it up in both hands. The girl I met this afternoon probably dropped this. That's right, I bet she was collecting water from the pond before those spirits showed up.
I should probably go return it to her. A wicked grin crosses my features. Maybe she'll repay me in the way I want. Then she'll ask about that guy. Oh, great ... I was trying not to think about him! Or specifically, him on top of me. Okay, it's time to leave now!
Putting my belt back on, sword sheathed at the side and with the bowl in hand, I head back towards her place. Yeah, I'm sure her family would like it if I returned this to them. Everyone needs water ... even soul sucking sorcerers. Oh crap. Turning back to look at the mountain, I wonder if he's okay ... he did just collapse all of a sudden ... maybe he needs help. Maybe I should bring him some water.
'Maybe you should just admit that you're attracted to men and then impale yourself on his sword!' my brain shouts at me. But it already knows it's beaten as soon as I dip the bowl into the water. As I walk slowly back up the mountain, I wonder if he has woken up. I really hope not. Just want to leave the bowl and run back down the mountain and out of this place ... I need a vacation away from this vacation. Wait until I get back to work, Big Momma's probably going to be pissed off. I wonder what she looks like when she's pissed off ... probably scarier than both Chocolate and Tira in their other
forms. Don't want to think about it ... that's just too horrifying.
Unfortunately for me, he is conscious when I return and sitting in the spot he was stitting in before. The sorcerer looks up with a small bit of surprise on his face to see me almost running back. And why shouldn't he be surprised? He tried to kill me and I've come back to his aid ... I'm sure he's come to the conclusion that I am a complete moron.
"Here," I offer the water bowl to him while catching my breath. "Thought you would need some..."
I know I did ...
The surprise is quickly replaced with doubt and suspicion before he reaches for the bowl. My brain decides to take over, and I pull the water bowl just out of his reach, making sure I had his attention. His glaring attention.
"Let's make a deal," I tell him, trying not to look directly into his eyes, as if they could suck my soul out. "An exchange ... you leave that hot babe to me, and I'll get you all the water you want."
After I make my proposal, the sorcerer just stares at me blankly, and I wish I could dive back into that pond. The feeling of a hundred knives stabbing into me would have been better than this. "Come on," I urge. "You're killing me."
Your gaze is killing me. Just take the water and let me leave in one piece...
He nods once, and I hold back a sigh of relief as I hand the bowl over to him. Sitting down in my original spot, I watch with a little fascination as he gulps the cool water down. When he's finished, he lets out a low sigh ... his voice sounds less strained than before. He holds the bowl in his hand like one would a wine glass, and I almost jump back to my feet.
"Want me to go get you more?" I ask.
"No," he answers. "Not right now."
I think I would have been relieved if he had just told me to leave him the hell alone. He's looking directly at me now, no longer glaring. "Tell me," he begins as I start poking at the fire again with a stick. "What's a boy like yourself doing here?"
"I'm on vacation from work," I answer truthfully. "Just wanted to get away and pursue women ... but I've found out that there's not many here."
"You saw me earlier today," says the Sorcerer. "Aren't you afraid of me?"
You have no idea ...
"Not really," I shrug. "There are scarier things in this world."
A delicate eyebrow raises, and I can see a flash of amusement in his features.
"Indeed," he says while nodding in agreement.
"Why do it?" I find myself asking. "The soul sucking-stealing thing...?"
"I wanted the power," he simply answers.
"But there's more to life than just power," I tell him, surprised on how calm I was being. "I mean life's too short... once you have power, it can easily be lost. Why not just settle down? Meet some women?"
"I'm not interested in women."
I'm not going to blush ... I'm not going to blush ...
"You're not?" I ask in a small voice. "Then you like men? My little brother is like that ... he's not fully open about it, but checks guys out when they're not looking."
I wonder if I strain my ears enough, maybe I can hear Marron sneezing.
"There's this other guy I know, he likes both men and women ... but is mainly attracted to my brother."
"And what about you?" he asks. "Are you like your brother or the other man?"
Why do you want to know?! I'm not going to freak out ... I am not going to freak out...
"No, I totally like women," I answer a little too quickly. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I give him an assuring smile. "I'm telling you, it's the best thing! Go out with a woman, and it'll change your life!"
"My life has been changed enough, thank you," he says thickly, staring down at his hands.
"Whoa ... did you make some sort of vow?" I ask.
I could understand if it were a marriage vow. After a wedding, you're stuck with the same woman for life. Til death due us part and all that. The amusement on his face grows wider and to my surprise, he laughs. I find myself smiling... just glad he's not glaring daggers at me anymore. The sorcerer turns to me with a smile on his face, not an evil sorcerer smile; but one a man would give to his friend.
"You might say that," he says. "I like you, boy ..."
Not in *that* way I hope ...
"Tell me, what is your name?" asks the Sorcerer. "What do they call you?"
"Well, the ladies call me the 'Love Machine'," I lie confidently. At least that's what I hope for them to call me someday. "But, my name is Carrot Glace."
The smile is instantly gone as if someone slapped it off his face. His violet eyes go wide, and my nervousness quickly returns. "Carrot?" he repeats. "Carrot Glace?!"
I nearly jump out of my skin as the clay water bowl in his hand is crushed to pieces without him wincing in pain. His skin must have been impervious or something. The Sorcerer rises to face me once again, sword in his hand. This isn't good...
"Oh, no," Realization kicks in. "No ... don't tell me that you're some girl's father, are you?!"
It has happened before. When I 'accidentally' grabbed a girl in her chest area, her father came out looking for me. Threatening bodily harm with sharp implements. "I swear to God, I didn't touch her!"
The enigmatic smile on his face doesn't falter as moves closer. The sword in his hand is raised above my head once more. So much for our exchange ... what do I do now?! Why am I rooted to the spot in fear?! Normally, in this type of situation, my legs would have already taken me down the mountain, running a hundred miles per minute. With that blade in the air and me frozen in fright, it just feels familiar...horribly familiar.
"YOU ARE MINE!"
Before he can strike, I hear Big Mamma scream out my name and then there's an explosion. The ground beneath us begins to rumble and finally breaks apart, dividing us. The look on his face is one of pure rage, while mine is one of fear.
"NO!" He yells and extends his hand to try and grab me.
The next thing I know is that I'm falling ... probably to my death. My eyes see his body tossed backwards, but he is still smiling ... and laughing.
"I found you!" he shouts triumphantly. "And this time, she will never tear us apart!"
********
"Then I woke up and found myself still alive," I finish with a deep breath. There, that was it ... I had just told Big Mamma all that happened. Er ... minus the part where I got aroused because he fell on top of me. I don't think she needed to know that. Hell, I wish I didn't know about it.
Both she and the white Haz Knight had been silent throughout my whole story. There is an unreadable expression on Big Mamma's face, and I wonder if it has anything to do with what the Sorcerer last said to me. Probably, I still don't know what he meant. Just when I am about open my mouth to ask, she smiles and holds up her hand to silence me.
"Thank you, Carrot," she says. "But now it is time for you to sleep."
"Sleep?" I ask curiously. "But I don't feel tired, Big Mamma...I...I..."
I can't seem to complete that sentence as the room begins to spin around me. Everything turns into one big blur, and all I can see is white. My knees buckle, unable to support my weight any longer as I fall into strong arms. My blurry vision meets the aqua colored eyes and crimson lips of the Haz Knight leader.
"You ...," I slur as I feel my weight being lifted off the ground. My eyes can't seem to stay open for some reason, and I find myself pressed against his chest. "Really look like a girl ..."
He chuckles lightly and everything goes black.
[ Author's Notes ]
Muwahahaha!
Just to point out, I'm going all AU from here on out. I know Onion didn't die (just read the manga, thanks Celeste!) but he was killed off in my version. Yes, I know I'm evil.
Written By: Teno Hikari
email: teno_hikari@y... / tenohikari@c...
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakuretsu Hunters ... just this story
Summary: After his confrontation with the evil sorcerer, Zaha Torte;
Carrot Glace finds himself changing ... but is it for better or
worse?
Takes place during 'Sorcerer's Revenge' (the second season of the TV
series - I believe) after Episode 15 - 'Until we meet again'. I'll
try and be as accurate as possible even though I haven't seen the
anime or read the manga for a few years.
Warning: Violence, adult situations, and yaoi - you've been warned.
**********
Drowning deep in my sea of loathing
Broken your servant I kneel ...
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems what's left of my human side
Is slowly changing in me ...
(Will you give in to me?)
Looking at my own reflection when suddenly it changes
violently it changes
There is no turning back now you've woken up the demon in me....
-Disturbd 'Down with the sickness'
**********
The Stellar Church is the one place we ever talk to Big Mamma in person. More than just our leader and employer, she is like our mother since none of us had parents anymore. It's weird how I can't remember the deaths of my own mother and father. I always told myself that I had to be the leader, and leaders had to be strong. I had to be strong for my little brother, our adopted sisters, and Gateau ... even though he was a little jerk who grew up into a great big one ... that's not true, he's okay ... sometimes ...
"Welcome, Sorcerer Hunters," She smiles serenely at all of us like she normally does. Dotta hovers alongside Big Mamma and waves happily. "Thank you for coming, it's not often that we see each other."
This is true. When we first started working shortly after our training, we used to report to her in person at least twice a month. Now that we're older, we've been running around Spooner Continent hunting villainous sorcerers. Most of the time we're so busy that was don't get to see Mamma in person for several months.
"Hey, Big Mamma," I smile up at her, hoping that she isn't pissed off that I accidentally prevented her from killing that sorcerer guy. I waggle my eyebrows at the winged girl who was now hovering in my direction. "Heeelllooo, Dotta!"
I can hear the sound of grinding teeth from behind and a second later, Tira and Chocolate mallet me into a pancake. Yeap, I guess everything is back to normal ... ugh, normal is painful. Dotta giggles as I spring back to my feet while rubbing the forming lump on my head. My friends and Big Mamma continue their pleasantries.
From the corner of my eye, I spot one of the Haz Knights ... the only one cloaked in white, the leader. Strange. Normally all four of them are always at Mamma's side, always there to protect and do her bidding. They are the elite in our line of work ... Mamma sends them out into battles we wouldn't have a prayer of winning. So why is he only one here? And is it my imagination, or is he staring right at me?
"Darling!" Chocolate shoots me an annoyed glare. I immediately spin to see Big Mamma looking displeased with my lack of attention.
"Don't worry," I stutter, glancing at my teammates for support. "We'll handle the case!"
Gateau lets out a low groan while mumbling 'moron' under his breath. Which meant that I missed something important in the conversation while I was zoning out. Nothing new, and I give a small sigh while trying to look serious. It's not so much of a chore these days, pretending everything was all right is a different matter.
"I'm sorry, Mother," I apologize, stepping forward and bowing my head. Big Mamma gasps quietly and there's a collective noise of surprise from the others behind me. "Whatever you need me to do ... I'll do it."
A warm and soft hand slides over my cheek, lifting my head to look into her gentle, ruby colored eyes. Pink lips give me a small smile before kissing me on the forehead. Stunned, I'm released and simply stare at her dumbly. Okay, this is weird.
"That's sweet of you, Carrot," she says, drawing back upon her pedestal. "I have assigned the Sorcerer Hunters on yet another case. "However ..."
Her eyes are locked onto mine and the smile is gone. "You will remain here at the Church."
The color drains from my face, and slowly, I shake my head. Please don't let this be what I think it is! "Big Mamma ... Mother, please ... don't take me off the team!"
At the tone of anguish in my voice, she simply blinks in surprise and yet again my team mates were groaning behind me. Yeesh, two bad days in a row. "You're not ... are you?"
"Of course not," she answers, shaking her head a little. "You are simply in no condition to work on this case, and I would like you to stay here and rest."
Did I hear right? Big Mamma was giving *me* another day off? No work? I continue to stare with that stupefied expression, then pinch myself. I'm not dreaming ...I'm not! "Sure, Big Mamma! Whatever you say!"
She gives a small laugh before dismissing the others. I happily wave them off on their way. Tira and Chocolate warn me not to sneak out to hunt for girls, and I tell them that I'm not in the mood for an ass-whipping. Once they're gone, I stretch my arms before letting them fall to my sides, turning to Big Mamma who clearly has more to say.
"Now, Carrot," she says quietly, once the group of Sorcerer Hunters and Dotta have left. Big Mamma's white Haz Knight is now flanked at her side. The once gentle smile is yet again replaced with a stern and serious look that makes me swallow hard. "We need to talk."
***************
Chapter Two
***************
Ever since I was little, adults used the phrase: 'we need to talk' as the beginning of a 'you screwed up' speech. If not that, it was an opening line for something bad that was about to happen. The way Big Mamma looks at me, I'm certain she's still mad about me getting between her and that guy she wanted to kill. This says a lot about how evil the Sorcerer has to be, if Big Mamma wants him dead. She opens her mouth to speak, and I'm about to fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness, when she reaches out to cup my chin once more.
"I'm not angry with you," She answers my unspoken question.
Surprised, I was sure she was going to scold me. "You're not?"
"I was very worried about you, Carrot," The tone of her voice is soft, and it makes my heart ache even more with guilt. "I consider you ... all of you to be my children, and whenever one of you is in danger, I worry."
"I know, mother," I whisper faintly, wondering why I'm addressing her as the Haz Knights did whenever they spoke before us. "And ... and I'm sorry I was at the wrong place at the wrong time."
I leave out the fact that I did the stupid stunt just to impress a girl. How pathetic ... I didn't even get to see her after my ordeal since my friends showed up to haul me to a hospital. I don't think Big Mamma would find it comforting to know that I would throw my life away for something as meaningless as sex. Well, certainly I didn't think it was so meaningless, but I'm sure Big Mamma and the others would.
"I don't blame you for that," a pleased and surprised look crossed her features at my unusual attitude. Maybe Chocolate was right about the whole me responsibility thing. "But, I must ask what happened while you were in his company."
"Uh, okay," I nod, drawing back a little into a more comfortable standing position. "Where should I start?"
"After my apparition had departed," Big Mamma answers, clasping her hands together. "I would like to know what happened between the time I left and reappeared."
I nod once again, looking at the polished marble floor while collecting my thoughts. Big Mamma wants to know everything about that time, maybe even about the nightmares I've been having the past few days. Oh man! What was she going to think about that kiss?!
"Carrot?" comes her gentle but demanding voice.
"Well," I begin and clear my throat, looking back at Big Mamma and her only present Haz Knight. "After you left, he was standing in the same place and was mumbling something I couldn't hear from that distance ... then he looked straight at me ... and fell off the cliff ..."
********
I can only stare helplessly as I watch the half-naked sorcerer fall. The sickening sound of his body against those rocks below makes me wince and want to turn away. I should turn away, if Big Mamma hadn't killed him that fall sure would. I shrug out of his cape - what the hell possessed me to put it on in the first place?! - and am about to turn back down the mountain when ...
What was that noise?
Groans? Yes, groans of pain, meaning that the sorcerer is still alive. Great, now what am I going to do? Common sense tells me that I should just leave him there and that Big Mamma would come back to finish him off later. But then ... then what if she didn't? What if he was left to rot away with his body broken and bleeding?
I don't believe in long suffering deaths, after all, I suffer almost every day at the hands of the Misu sisters. Well, I guess it isn't the same thing ... this guy just devoured almost a hundred lost souls. I know he deserves to die, but just not like this ...
Before I know what I am doing, I find myself halfway to where the sorcerer lays. My pace slows down when I approach those jagged rocks. Have to be careful or else I could fall and break my legs ... and then we're both screwed. He groans again, it's good to know that he hasn't died out on me yet. When I do reach him, I'm surprised to see that he doesn't have a lot of injuries from the fall ... but there are a lot of scars all over his body. No limbs are bent in awkward angles, so I guess he hasn't broken anything. Now comes the hard part ... he isn't light!
Taking deep breaths, I try and pull him up against my back, almost toppling the both of us over. Steady ... steady ... I just have to keep us balanced. Ergh! This guy is like Gateau - all muscle - and I wish he could loan them to me for awhile so I can easily haul his evil ass back up the freaking mountain.
Don't know how I did it, but I manage to get us back up by sunset. He looks fine, just overly exhausted from exerting himself. I, on the other hand, look ready to die. Every muscle and bone in my body aches and screams at me for never listening to my brain. Panting heavily, I wrap the Sorcerer up in his cape to stop me from ogling his scars, and let him lean against the smooth surface of the mountain side. After my ordeal, I collapse onto the ground and
almost into his lap... Not good! Scrambling backwards to put distance between us, I notice that the sun has set, and it would be completely dark in a matter of minutes.
This means I can't leave until morning. Not unless I want to hike down the mountain in the dark and possibly break every bone in my body on the way. Also, I'm tired as hell, so why not just take my chances with the half naked Soul Sucking guy here and hope he doesn't kill me? Well, just in case, I still have my sword on me and if he decides to use magic ... all the better.
He awakes about a half hour later, after I've made a camp fire and am now staring off into the night sky. The twinkling stars look so close from where I sit. It's as if I could just reach out and pluck them from the dark velvet sky. My attention is now on the Sorcerer who shifts into a more comfortable position, violet eyes narrowing wearily as he takes in his surroundings ... then me. I swallow hard and give him my nervous 'please don't kill me' smile.
Okay, Carrot, let's think up some excuses why he shouldn't kill you
on the spot. Think ... think! Think! Think!
'I love Sorcerers!'
Uh, no ... he may get the wrong idea ...
'I saved your life!'
I just carried you up the mountain and accidentally banged your
skull against some sharp rocks several times. Sorry about that.
'Don't kill me, or I'll tell Big Mamma on you!'
Okay, the guy isn't a whiny five year old brat...
'You don't want my soul, it's dirty!'
Good grief, I'm gonna die.
He shifts again in his sitting position, and I tense up and try not to look panicked. His strong hand, the one he used to absorb those souls reaches up to brush the dark strands of hair from his face. His gaze lowers to see that he's now wearing his cape, and then moves back to me. Breathe, Carrot, just act normal ... and don't tell him you're a sorcerer hunter...it surely won't start this conversation on the right foot.
"Oh, good you're awake," I state the obvious with a retarded smile. "I thought you really had it when you hit those rocks ... those sharp and jagged rocks."
"You brought me back up here?" he asks, quickly piecing everything together. His voice is low and suspicious, violet eyes narrowing dangerously, so sharp they could spill blood. "Why?"
I poke at the fire with a stick, taking my eyes off him while trying to make up some kind of decent answer. Why? A simple question, huh? Well, here's a simple answer: I'm out of my freaking mind! "I just couldn't leave you there ..."
Sure I could! I could have just turned and walked away like my brain told me to, but when do I ever listen to it? He raises an eyebrow at my response and says nothing more, now he's just staring. His eyes size me up, and it looks like he's trying to figure something out ...probably the best way to kill me. This is so pathetic, I'm actually shaking while sitting close to the fire. I don't think I've ever been afraid of any Sorcerer I had to face in the past. But this one, this man's very gaze chilled me to the bone.
'Stop staring at me, you're giving me the creeps!'
Usually, when I'm both nervous and scared out of my mind, my mouth ends up babbling nonsense. It's a survival instinct to distract the enemy with words until I come up with a plan of action ... or run like hell. But it doesn't look like I'll be running away from this mountain in the complete darkness. He's surprised by my outburst and actually looks interested in what I have to say. It takes me a few minutes to slow down and understand exactly what the
hell I'm talking about. Of course it's the subject I'm fond of: women. I tell him about the beautiful girl I ran into this afternoon and how she has a thing in him, but he doesn't look like he cares ... which is good for me.
"Take it from me, I don't think that chick's gonna go for that whole Soul Sucking thing, ya' know what I mean?" I smile and raise my hands into the air to imitate what I had seen. "Your 'Aww, come to me, be one with me, eat me, beat me!' is a sorry excuse for a pickup line."
He really was paying attention because now he's glaring. His eyes are even scarier now, nailing into me like I'm a pin cushion. "You saw?"
In seconds, the Sorcerer is standing right before me with sword raised above his head. I am so going to die ... and all I can do is just stare with a horrified expression on my face. What really sucks about this is that I'm gonna die a virgin. One of the things I feared most. The sword wavers in his hand, as if he can't keep a firm grip on it anymore, then his body begins to sway. Eyes roll back into his head and he topples over ... on to me.
'This must be the worst day of my life...'
I feel all light headed and warm when I regain consciousness. Had I fainted? Or am I dead? I seem to recall a sword ready to slice me open and now my eyes are looking up at the stars once again. I can hear the sound of crackling fire nearby and heavy breathing that is very close to my ear. My back hurts ... I think I'm lying down on rocks ... and something heavy is pressing me into the ground. Something ... something warm and nice ... and smelling good ...
Wait a minute ....
Swallowing hard, I look down at myself and see him, correction: I see him lying on me in a very compromising position. My mouth opens up to release a silent scream as I wiggle out from underneath his warm weight. Okay, this is getting to weird for me ... I need to get away from the guy... I need to take a cold shower!
Darkness or no darkness, I'm getting off this mountain right now! It doesn't take so long to get down since I'm practically leaping instead of running, and the first thing on my mind is cold water. I remember seeing a pond nearby where I met that girl, and that's exactly where my feet take me to. I think it must be my zoanthropy powers, because I don't recall having night vision before. I spot the pond in the pitch black darkness.
Shrugging out of my clothes, I dive into the pond, then quickly jump back out. I was only in the freezing water for a few seconds, and it felt like a hundred knives stabbing into me. Again, I curse my stupidity and my brain just sighs ... one of these days it is going to walk out on me. Trembling, I collapse into a boneless heap on the grass.
This is normal right? It's practically normal to get aroused this easily...and... who the hell am I kidding?! This isn't normal! It's abnormal! Super abnormal! I like women, dammit! Beautiful women and cute girls ... I get turned on just by looking at them. So, what I just felt isn't because of that guy? I'm just going through withdrawal ... I don't like guys ... I don't get turned on by them looking at me ... or laying on me ... and ... dammit!
I sit up, naked and trembling with cool water dripping down my skin, letting the warm summer breeze air-dry me. This isn't such a big deal, just dry off and put your clothes on, then go babe hunting as soon as you leave this place. You'll forget all about snuggling up with another man. Good idea, brain! Knew I could count on you!
After I dry off, I shrug into my clothes before turning to look at the full moon in the sky. A full moon sure makes people act funny ... maybe it's just the beast in me. Running a hand through my damp hair, my eyes spot a discarded water bowl where my sword and belt lay on the ground. I reach down and pick it up in both hands. The girl I met this afternoon probably dropped this. That's right, I bet she was collecting water from the pond before those spirits showed up.
I should probably go return it to her. A wicked grin crosses my features. Maybe she'll repay me in the way I want. Then she'll ask about that guy. Oh, great ... I was trying not to think about him! Or specifically, him on top of me. Okay, it's time to leave now!
Putting my belt back on, sword sheathed at the side and with the bowl in hand, I head back towards her place. Yeah, I'm sure her family would like it if I returned this to them. Everyone needs water ... even soul sucking sorcerers. Oh crap. Turning back to look at the mountain, I wonder if he's okay ... he did just collapse all of a sudden ... maybe he needs help. Maybe I should bring him some water.
'Maybe you should just admit that you're attracted to men and then impale yourself on his sword!' my brain shouts at me. But it already knows it's beaten as soon as I dip the bowl into the water. As I walk slowly back up the mountain, I wonder if he has woken up. I really hope not. Just want to leave the bowl and run back down the mountain and out of this place ... I need a vacation away from this vacation. Wait until I get back to work, Big Momma's probably going to be pissed off. I wonder what she looks like when she's pissed off ... probably scarier than both Chocolate and Tira in their other
forms. Don't want to think about it ... that's just too horrifying.
Unfortunately for me, he is conscious when I return and sitting in the spot he was stitting in before. The sorcerer looks up with a small bit of surprise on his face to see me almost running back. And why shouldn't he be surprised? He tried to kill me and I've come back to his aid ... I'm sure he's come to the conclusion that I am a complete moron.
"Here," I offer the water bowl to him while catching my breath. "Thought you would need some..."
I know I did ...
The surprise is quickly replaced with doubt and suspicion before he reaches for the bowl. My brain decides to take over, and I pull the water bowl just out of his reach, making sure I had his attention. His glaring attention.
"Let's make a deal," I tell him, trying not to look directly into his eyes, as if they could suck my soul out. "An exchange ... you leave that hot babe to me, and I'll get you all the water you want."
After I make my proposal, the sorcerer just stares at me blankly, and I wish I could dive back into that pond. The feeling of a hundred knives stabbing into me would have been better than this. "Come on," I urge. "You're killing me."
Your gaze is killing me. Just take the water and let me leave in one piece...
He nods once, and I hold back a sigh of relief as I hand the bowl over to him. Sitting down in my original spot, I watch with a little fascination as he gulps the cool water down. When he's finished, he lets out a low sigh ... his voice sounds less strained than before. He holds the bowl in his hand like one would a wine glass, and I almost jump back to my feet.
"Want me to go get you more?" I ask.
"No," he answers. "Not right now."
I think I would have been relieved if he had just told me to leave him the hell alone. He's looking directly at me now, no longer glaring. "Tell me," he begins as I start poking at the fire again with a stick. "What's a boy like yourself doing here?"
"I'm on vacation from work," I answer truthfully. "Just wanted to get away and pursue women ... but I've found out that there's not many here."
"You saw me earlier today," says the Sorcerer. "Aren't you afraid of me?"
You have no idea ...
"Not really," I shrug. "There are scarier things in this world."
A delicate eyebrow raises, and I can see a flash of amusement in his features.
"Indeed," he says while nodding in agreement.
"Why do it?" I find myself asking. "The soul sucking-stealing thing...?"
"I wanted the power," he simply answers.
"But there's more to life than just power," I tell him, surprised on how calm I was being. "I mean life's too short... once you have power, it can easily be lost. Why not just settle down? Meet some women?"
"I'm not interested in women."
I'm not going to blush ... I'm not going to blush ...
"You're not?" I ask in a small voice. "Then you like men? My little brother is like that ... he's not fully open about it, but checks guys out when they're not looking."
I wonder if I strain my ears enough, maybe I can hear Marron sneezing.
"There's this other guy I know, he likes both men and women ... but is mainly attracted to my brother."
"And what about you?" he asks. "Are you like your brother or the other man?"
Why do you want to know?! I'm not going to freak out ... I am not going to freak out...
"No, I totally like women," I answer a little too quickly. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I give him an assuring smile. "I'm telling you, it's the best thing! Go out with a woman, and it'll change your life!"
"My life has been changed enough, thank you," he says thickly, staring down at his hands.
"Whoa ... did you make some sort of vow?" I ask.
I could understand if it were a marriage vow. After a wedding, you're stuck with the same woman for life. Til death due us part and all that. The amusement on his face grows wider and to my surprise, he laughs. I find myself smiling... just glad he's not glaring daggers at me anymore. The sorcerer turns to me with a smile on his face, not an evil sorcerer smile; but one a man would give to his friend.
"You might say that," he says. "I like you, boy ..."
Not in *that* way I hope ...
"Tell me, what is your name?" asks the Sorcerer. "What do they call you?"
"Well, the ladies call me the 'Love Machine'," I lie confidently. At least that's what I hope for them to call me someday. "But, my name is Carrot Glace."
The smile is instantly gone as if someone slapped it off his face. His violet eyes go wide, and my nervousness quickly returns. "Carrot?" he repeats. "Carrot Glace?!"
I nearly jump out of my skin as the clay water bowl in his hand is crushed to pieces without him wincing in pain. His skin must have been impervious or something. The Sorcerer rises to face me once again, sword in his hand. This isn't good...
"Oh, no," Realization kicks in. "No ... don't tell me that you're some girl's father, are you?!"
It has happened before. When I 'accidentally' grabbed a girl in her chest area, her father came out looking for me. Threatening bodily harm with sharp implements. "I swear to God, I didn't touch her!"
The enigmatic smile on his face doesn't falter as moves closer. The sword in his hand is raised above my head once more. So much for our exchange ... what do I do now?! Why am I rooted to the spot in fear?! Normally, in this type of situation, my legs would have already taken me down the mountain, running a hundred miles per minute. With that blade in the air and me frozen in fright, it just feels familiar...horribly familiar.
"YOU ARE MINE!"
Before he can strike, I hear Big Mamma scream out my name and then there's an explosion. The ground beneath us begins to rumble and finally breaks apart, dividing us. The look on his face is one of pure rage, while mine is one of fear.
"NO!" He yells and extends his hand to try and grab me.
The next thing I know is that I'm falling ... probably to my death. My eyes see his body tossed backwards, but he is still smiling ... and laughing.
"I found you!" he shouts triumphantly. "And this time, she will never tear us apart!"
********
"Then I woke up and found myself still alive," I finish with a deep breath. There, that was it ... I had just told Big Mamma all that happened. Er ... minus the part where I got aroused because he fell on top of me. I don't think she needed to know that. Hell, I wish I didn't know about it.
Both she and the white Haz Knight had been silent throughout my whole story. There is an unreadable expression on Big Mamma's face, and I wonder if it has anything to do with what the Sorcerer last said to me. Probably, I still don't know what he meant. Just when I am about open my mouth to ask, she smiles and holds up her hand to silence me.
"Thank you, Carrot," she says. "But now it is time for you to sleep."
"Sleep?" I ask curiously. "But I don't feel tired, Big Mamma...I...I..."
I can't seem to complete that sentence as the room begins to spin around me. Everything turns into one big blur, and all I can see is white. My knees buckle, unable to support my weight any longer as I fall into strong arms. My blurry vision meets the aqua colored eyes and crimson lips of the Haz Knight leader.
"You ...," I slur as I feel my weight being lifted off the ground. My eyes can't seem to stay open for some reason, and I find myself pressed against his chest. "Really look like a girl ..."
He chuckles lightly and everything goes black.
[ Author's Notes ]
Muwahahaha!
Just to point out, I'm going all AU from here on out. I know Onion didn't die (just read the manga, thanks Celeste!) but he was killed off in my version. Yes, I know I'm evil.