Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Perchance to Dream ❯ Frozen Memories - part 1 ( Chapter 7 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

* Sorry this has taken me so long. Be warned this chapter hasn't been BETA read yet. Probably lots and lots of errors - but you asked for it! *
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Perchance To Dream

Written By: Teno Hikari
email: teno_hikari@yahoo.com / tenohikari@cs.com


Disclaimer: I own nothing but this computer and you can't have it!!!

Summary: To permanently seal the Hakaishin, Big Mamma attempts to kill Carrot by putting him into a deep sleep. However, her plans get interrupted and Carrot awakes physically the same; but mentally, the Haz Knight Zanahoria.

Warning: Spoilers for both the TV series and manga. Violence, adult situations (a lemon here and there), and yaoi/shounen ai - you've been warned.


Pairings: mainly Carrot/Zaha


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"All stories are true, some just never happened."
The Sandman - by Neil Gaiman

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"I understand what you're saying, Zanahoria," said Sirius, the King of the Winged people, as he rose from his seat. "But my decision to keep Illyria neutral still stands. I'm sorry."

Sighing in defeat, the you knight finally nodded in response, leaning back in his chair. It wasn't as if he were expecting the King to change his mind 'this' time. As the Captain of the Haz Knights, a representative of Stellar; Zanahoria had tried once again to convert the floating city to join forces with them. Time and time again, his offer was refused. Now that the war covering much of Spooner, Zanahoria still had hope Illryia would change it's position.

Sadly, no such luck.

Standing behind her husband, the beautiful Queen sighed and gave Zanahoria a sympathetic look. She had agreed with the Haz Knight Captain, and old friend from the past, to join with the Stellar Alliance. But no one wanted to go to war, especially against the legendary "Man closest to God".

Watching Sirius depart, she sighed and step closer to their guest. "Please don't be upset with him. I know my husband understands this situation, but he just doesn't want to expose our people to war... not after the horrors our race has been through already."

Standing up, Zanahoria nodded. "No one wants that, and you both know I would never ask it of you if..."

"If Zaha Torte, your enemy, hasn't?"

"Has he?"

The small silver beads of her long headdress chimed softly as the she nodded. "Several months ago, a minion of Torte's had come to our city to deliver a proposal. He was large and powerful man. Sirius knew him as a fellow Guardian Spirit."

Zanahoria flinched as both he and Sirius' wife left the conference room. In his old days as a Sorcerer Hunter, he and his former teammates traded blows with Torte's warriors. The Guardian Spirits were spread across the world, protecting their master's Platina stones. The circle they formed allowed the Sorcerer Doctor to control the power of those pure magic stones within it.

"One of the old Guardian Spirits, eh?"

There were only two of Platina's protectors alive today. One had relinquished that responsibility to search for members of his race and become Illryia's King. The other had recently destroyed one of their allied village's single handedly; leaving his victims buried under crimson snow.

"Yes," replied Dotta as she braced herself as a cold chill ran down her spine and tail feathers. "Lord Ice Vega."


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Chapter Seven - Frozen Memories


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"Fucking-freezing-as-fuck-out-here!" Gateau yelled over the storm through chattering teeth. The other members of his party quietly agreed as they trenched through snow while chilling winds howled like banshees in their ears. Picking up the pace, the four teenagers - minus one Haz Knight - continued on in hope to find some decent shelter this time.

For some unknown emergency, Milphey was once again summoned back with an urgent message from Dotta, who also informed the hunters to stay low. They were all supposed to return as well, but a snow storm had come from out of nowhere. Unable to turn back, the group had no choice but to move forward. At least... they hoped they were moving forward.

"Is it me or does it seem like we've been here before?" Chocolate called out to the others. They would have glared at her for being right, but decided not to - especially if their faces ended up getting stuck that way. So it turns out, they had been walking in circles.

'Damn circles,' Carrot swear mentally as he tried to lead his companions in a different direction. The skies were getting darker, the winds colder, and he knew they had to find shelter or they'd be in more trouble. 'If only I had my wings.'

Pacing himself, he couldn't help but wonder about his world. Sure it was a nightmare to live through, though there were times he had been happy. Peaceful moments he shared with his friends and family... and even with 'him'. Carrot shook his head at the irony that was the relationship he shared with Zaha Torte, it was both a burden and a blessing.

They continued to walk through the snow until Marron's voice yelled over the storm. "Over there!"

The Sorcerer Hunters followed the Mage's gesture and gasped in relief as they spotted a nearby village. An inhabited village, from what they could tell by glowing lights inside the buildings. Light. Heat. Warm baths. Each hunter felt a boost in their stamina as they picked up the pace.

'History will not repeat,' Carrot told himself as they followed the frozen river path down to their destination. Reaching under his black cloak, he brushed his hand over a small pouch attached to his belt. One stone captured, five more to go. He would break Zaha's circle this time.

The storm seemed to have died down a little when they finally arrived at the village. As they approached, however, the locals were already staring at them in mild curiosity. Most of them were male and began to leer at Tira and Chocolate almost hungrily.

"Do my eyes deceive me, or do we actually have outsiders?" asked an advancing old man. Accompanying the elder, were to burly men who stepped up to the girls - practically breathing down their throats.

Placing himself between his female companions and the horny locals, Carrot nodded to the elder. "Yes. We were lost in the storm and ended up here. My companions and I kindly ask for shelter until morning."

To the young hunters' surprise, the locals began to laugh. Carrot blinked and wondered if they had all lost their minds and that his party should turn back. The village elder stopped after a short time, smiling to the new comers before gesturing his hand urging them to follow him.

"I apologize, please come with me."

Hesitantly, they did. As they followed the elder further into the village, Carrot couldn't help but scan the locals. For some reason, most - more like ALL - were males, and All eyes seemed to ogle both the Misu sisters. He wasn't the only one who noticed as Gateau and Marron stood by flanking their team mates, glaring back at the onlookers. It wasn't as if they had seen a woman in years...

'Wait.' Carrot's eyes found one feminine face in the back of the crowd whose gaze met his. Blue eyes pleaded to him before the young woman quickly turned away.

A few hours later, both Carrot and his friends had the opportunity to thaw out with a meal and a warm bath. After a long day of walking in the snow, he was ready to crash. He eyed both Marron and Gateau who were already dozing off on the sofa by the crackling fire place.

He changed into some dry clothes the landlord's wife had stacked away for them, before toweling his hair. The girls had stopped by and giggled at their other companions snuggled up together, then announced they were turning in. Carrot advised them to stay alert before they left. He still didn't like the way the locals were looking at Tira and Chocolate, and wasn't about to let go.

A gentle knock on their guest room door stopped him before he could lay down to sleep. Odd, he would have been able to hear someone approaching by the squeaky floor boards. Then again, fatigue had taken it's toll. He and his fellow hunters did just spend the whole day on his feet walking around in a snow storm.

Sighing, he went to answer the door and met with a cold stare at the other side.

"My name is Riu-Riu," she told him. "And your lives are in danger."




A horrified scream echoed through hallways of Stellar Church, paralyzing Onion Glace who had just arrive. Pulling out his trademark war axes, he prepared himself for whatever sinister opponent he was about to face. Kicking the doors open, he stepped forward into the main throne room and stared.

The sinister opponent he was ready to feed his axes to, wasn't there. Instead, the Haz Knight faced the stunned expressions of Big Mama, Milphey, and Dotta who was ghastly pale. Recovering, Onion put his weapons away and stepped forward.

"sorry about that. What's going on?"

He got his answer as soon as he approached the slab of ice that held a mangled corpse frozen within in it. Whoever this unfortunate person was while they were living, had suffered horribly. The agony was clearly expressed on those twisted features that were frozen in place. Limbs were missing... chewed off to the bone.

"Ew."

"Onion, please," Milphey sighed as he placed his hands on winged girl’s shoulders. The girl was shaking and turned her head away from the body, taking deep breaths as she tried to recover. "I found the body on my way back to the Church."

"Do you know Who this is?" asked Onion as he spotted Mama's tear stained face.

Nodding her head, the Saint of Stellar and brought her hands together in a silent prayer. With a matter of seconds, the ice melted and Onion realized that this body had been a boy. A very young boy probably as old as his youngest son. Mama murmured another spell and the dead boy's features changed. Now it looked as if he were just sleeping peacefully.

"He was one of our hunters," Mama answered. "One in our high ranks who was sent up North on an investigation."

"Poor kid... do you know who did this to him?"

"No," Millie began. "But we have a pretty good idea."



"I see," Carrot finally spoke after a long moment once Riu-Riu had finished explaining their situation. He cast his still sleeping team mates a glance before facing the girl once more and bowed his head.

"I'm truly sorry."

"I-It's all right," she assured him. "I've learned to accept it... the others... well, haven't."

Standing up from where he sat on the bed, Carrot walked up and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Thank you for entrusting me with your secret. However, now that I know, I can't simply turn my back and ignore this."

She opened her mouth to protest but he raised his hand while shaking his head. "It's my duty," he paused and nodded towards his little brother and Gateau. "Our duty - along with those two girls - to ensure justice and protect the innocent. I'm just sorry Stellar had no knowledge of this..."

Carrot trailed off as she took his hand in her own. Riu-Riu opened her mouth to say something until they heard the sleeping boys shift on the sofa. Gateau was the first to open his eyes and spotted the two standing beside the bed.

"Whoa," he blinked at the sight of the former lecherous pervert with a girl and tried to shake the white mage sleeping next to him. "Yo, Marron! Wake up, you gotta see this!"

"Mmn?"

"Your brother has a girl in here!"

"Mrgh."

"Seriously!"

"Gateau it isn't nice to make up..." The younger Sorcerer Hunter stopped when he heard Carrot clear his throat and sat up looking embarrassed. "I... apologize."

"This is Riu-Riu," said Carrot, nodding towards the girl. "The granddaughter of the village elder, and our guide to the next Guardian Spirit."

As the surly young woman nodded, both Gateau and Marron were wide awake after hearing that. They turned to stare thoughtfully at their appointed guide who's icy gaze was fixed out towards their bedroom window. She then turned towards the three men, hands folded across her chest.

"Shall we go?"

Gateau deflated, "Huh? Go? Didn't we just come back from the North pole or whatever...?"



The girls were less thrilled than both Marron and Gateau, as they left warm comfort at the inn and back into the cold. As Carrot followed Riu-Riu, he glanced passed his shoulder to see his companions sulking behind. Maybe bringing them into this wasn't such a good idea. After the long walk they had that day, they needed the rest.

He cursed his untrained, scrawny, sorcerer-hunter body, for agreeing. In the dream world, despite being skinny, at least he had more muscle to physically endure the hell he but his body through. Fighting Zaha at Hordic was an example of just how much trouble he was in.

It had occurred to Carrot that the former Haz Knight Captain had gone easy on him that time. The older man could have easily beaten him with his strength alone. This body may have been used to pain, but not physical combat. He was too slow and too weak. His hands nearly fumbled with the sword when he tried to do complex moves.

It was a problem he needed to rectify, and fast. He would push his body to it's limits. Tone it. Strengthen it. He had to have Zanahoria's magic and strength once again.

Carrot doubted Zaha would show mercy next time. No... not mercy. Zaha was a predator who enjoyed a good hunt. Well, it was high time that he showed the Sorcerer Doctor his own set of fangs.

Taking in a breath if icy cold air, he flexed his fingers and met Riu-Riu's quick pace. The girl seemed unaffected by the freezing temperature. In fact, her face look like it could have been carved out of ice itself. Pale and beautiful, icy blue eyes... just like...

"You're staring," she said quietly, not even looking in his direction. "Why?"

He gave her an apologetic smile, "Well, it's just that I..."

The young man was completely aware that his friends who were following behind, were watching them closely. He could almost feel the Misu sisters' gaze burn a hole right through him. Old habits die hard... and some don't die at all. Luckily, he couldn't hear them pull out their mallets yet.

"You reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago."


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"COMPANY OMEGA, FALL BACK! FALL BACK TO ALPHA!"

The earth seemed to tremble with the footsteps of eleven hundred men as they began to retreat. At least three hundred corpses littered the battlefield. Soldiers bearing the religious mark of Stellar Church. Staining the snow-covered ground with their blood.

From a higher distance on the mountain, Lieutenant General Blue Berryia, scowled and lowered her binoculars. She was a rather young leader, but one of the most highest ranking soldiers in Stellar's army. Highly qualified for her position by none other than the Saint of Stella herself. At the young girl straightened, several Sorcerer Soldiers began to line up behind her.

"On my command, launch a 3rd level fire spell towards the monsters pursuing Company Omega. We'll wait until most of soldiers are all up the hill. GET READY!"

As she barked the last few words, a shiver ran down her spine as a loud howl could be heard on the wind. Wrapping her fur cloak tighter around her armor clad body, Lieutenant General Berryia held up her hand. In perfect formation, the Sorcerers - young and old alike - brought their hands together, ready to comply to the order.

Another howl and Berryia, along wither her troops, nearly froze. The monsters that were chasing the retreating company seemed to be melting. No, merging! Like water. they overlapped each other. Became something one being completely. One abomination.

The blob of combined creatures became enormous, it continued to grow and catch up with the last retreating soldiers. Crushing them under it's massive weight. When it finally stopped growing, Berriya gasped as the expanding form took shape. Two blood-red slits opened as eyes and the creature let out an inhuman howl.

"What in Holy Mother's name is that?!" came the muffled panicked whispers from the soldiers at the front.

"A winter wolf. Stage 9, I believe."

The young leader spun and glanced at the new comer standing right beside her. From the corner of her ice blue eyes, she saw her own soldiers was just as bewildered as she. This strange young man, with spiky black hair, had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Before she was going to inquire who the hell he was, Berryia noticed the silver sigil the man wear pinned to his black cloak. She promptly saluted as did the Senior Sorcerers when they caught a glance of his face. While the younger soldiers stared in stunned and confused silence.

"At ease, Lieutenant," the young man spoke loud enough for her to hear. Calmly, he watched the Company Omega soldiers below them scatter as the monster attacked. "Prepare the spell as planned. But have the sorcerers create a wall of fire in two straight parallel lines, left and right with only a few feet in-between. Signal the retreating company to run up on either side."

"Sir! Yes, sir!"

Berryia barked more orders to her Alpha Sorcerer Soldiers who aligned themselves to his instructions. As several fire balls glowed between their palms, the young man unsheathed a wicked looking sword. It's blade shown black; made of some kind of enchanted metal that craved blood shed. From the look in the young man's umber eyes, he was going to grant the sword it's request.

Bloodlust. A myth, a fairy tale, a legendary sword. Wielded by a fearsome warrior who answered to Saint Mama alone.

The young leader's eyes widened in complete recognition. "It... it's you..."

He faced forward, walking away without so much of an explanation. Berryia tried to tear her attention back to the battle at hand, looking over to the remaining Omega soldiers running up the mountain. Lowering himself in a crouch between the lined up soldiers, the swordsman nodded for her to give out the order.

"READY!" she called out, watching her troops continue to power up their spell. "FIRE!"

As two burning parallel lines hit the snow , the mysterious warrior sprung into action. The soldiers just stood bewildered as he slid down the snow covered mountain side. Straight towards this monstrous winter wolf that was already snacking down on a few of the retreating runners who had unfortunately lagged behind.

The warrior brought up his sword and leapt into the air, bringing it down in a deadly arc against the monster's head. Well... one of them. As one head shattered like glass; two more grew in it's place. The good news, the Winter Wolf seemed to shrink in size. The bad news, along with the two heads, it could now spit out sharp blades of ice.

More retreating soldiers who were trying to get out of harms way, were ripped to shreds from, dying instantly. Many who had been in the lead, managed to clamber up the mountain, joining their comrades. As the walls of fire kept burning, all the exhausted troops could do was watch the battle helplessly.

"What the hell does he think he's doing?!"

"Is that guy insane?!"

"I can't believe he's fighting that beast alone!"

Berryia shot them a glare that promptly shut them up. Her icy glare stung like the winter wind itself. She then unsheathed her own sword and followed down the path with some senior warriors.

"Keep the fire burning! The monster must not advance over the mountain and into the populated valleys on the other side!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The remains of the Omega party, tried to put up a defense against enemy assault. Using whatever magic they could muster to create barriers and long-ranged healing spells. Although it didn't look like it was really needed by the time Berryia and her assault force approached.

"Well... I'll be damned," an older warrior murmured as the rest of the onlookers gaped. The swordsman had slay the beast in only a couple of swings. There was no strain on the youth's face, as if fighting thee-story monsters was something he did naturally.

With a final plunge of the sword, the beast howled in agony, before it's remaining head it the ground. Standing over the toppled Winter Wolf, the young man pulled his sword free from it's frozen carcass. Sheathing the weapon, he splayed his hand out over the fallen monster and set it ablaze with a spell that went beyond any Sorcerer in either Alpha or Omega's units.

"Holy crap," came the muffled whispers in the back.

"He barbecued the whole monster!"

"That must have been a level ten fire spell!"

"Who the heck is this guy?"

Lieutenant General Berryia shot out her arm, a gesture demanding silence. Which they gave of couse, watching their leader approach the unknown warrior. Some of the older soldiers bowed their heads in respect. Already they knew the identity of the seemingly young looking man who slay the monster effortlessly.

Slowly she approached the man, eyeing the sigil on him once again. "You're him," she spoke finally. "The legendary Captain of the Haz Knights: Zanahoria..."

Gasps and surprised exclamations broke out among the troops. Eyeing the newcomer in shock and disbelief. Zanahoria, the horned Knight who fought like a demon. Captain of Saint Mama's elite.

He was a hero, known and respected throughout Spooner over the centuries. He had brought many of Zaha Torte's warlords to their knees. Not a child in her village hadn't heard of the war stories of the horned Knight. He had led several armies into victory. Liberated many cities. A living legend... and under the armor and Stellar's Haz Knight robes; he appeared to be in his teens.

Zanahoria did not deny or confirm his identity, instead, those brown eyes surveyed the battlefield layered with bodies and snow. So many bodies. A mass frozen graveyard. For a long moment, the young man before the platoon he had just saved; became perfectly still and stop breathing altogether. It was as if had turned to ice himself.


"S-Sir?"

He exhaled softly, before facing the young leader.

"What is your name?"

"Lieutenant General Blue Berryia, sir!" she answered, saluting again along with the the rest of her company. At least those who weren't stupefied with their jaws hanging open. How embarressing.

"And this is your unit, Lieutenant? All of these men?"

"Y-Yes, sir. Alpha and Omega."

He blinked, seemingly not comprehending her statement for a moment. A very long moment. The young girl inwardly screamed. She knew what he had to be thinking. How did a little girl like her, a parsoner at that, become leader of Stellar's Northern military forces? What had Saint Stella been thinking?

Zanahoria blinked again but nodded. "Very impressive. It's an honor to meet you at last."

It was Berryia's turn to look slack-jawed. "A-a-an honor to meet 'me', sir?"

He didn't respond to her question as he gaze towards the battlefield again. "You'll have to burn the dead. The monsters in this region have the ability to merge with one another... and any raw materials they can find, including corpses."

she swallowed hard, as did a lot of the men behind her. In truth they wanted to bury their comrads. But with so many of them dead, and so little time; it would be impossible. And they would rather burn the remains than see them being used as spare parts for the very monsters they were fighting.

"Damn Torte and all his creations," someone muttered in the background.

Zanahoria flinched inwardly - looking up to see the weary soldiers of Stellar begin to gather their fallen comrads. Everyone was moving again, some were eve healing. All except for that girl who stood before him - her ice blue eyes still bewildered at his statement. Why would a Knight of legend be honored to meet a nobody like her?

Before she knew it, he had walked passed her, heading in the direction of the valley they had protected.

"They will attack again. Have your Sorcerer squad take care of the deceased before nightfall," he said absently. "Return to your tent in two hours."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Berryia turned back to shout out orders for her men to arrange a pyre. They would take care of their fallen as the Haz Knight had ordered. Wait... it then suddenly struck her. Meet him in her tent?! Oh, God it was a mess in there! She hadn't had time to organize it before the battle...

"Um... sir, I..." Berryia trailed off when she realized Zanahoria was no longer there.

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Grinding her teeth silently, Chocolate seethed at the sight of Carrot and their guide walking alongside one another. If it weren't for Tira holding her arm, the elder sister would have flattened her darling like a pancake. How dare he ignore her! How dare he get all friendly with some local girl! How dare he...

All angry thoughts seemed to vanish when umber eyes turned to meet her blue ones. It was as if he had read her mind and knew she was angry at him. Tira's grip on her arm loosened and before Chocolate knew it, she and Carrot were smiling at one another.

As he turned to face forward, Chocolate was suddenly puzzled.

'Wait! How did he...?'

"Sis?"

A small inaudible sigh escaped before she turned to face her little sister. "Yeah, Tira?"

"I...um...I don't think we have anything to worry about."

"Huh?"

It was a nervous habit the group knew Tira had when she fidgeted with her glasses. She avoided eye contact for a few more seconds, noticing she managed to capture the guys' attention as well. Combing some stray snow flakes from her strawberry tresses, she tried to smile reassuringly.

"I-I mean....well, I don't think he's attracted to her. Carrot wasn't looking at her the same way he does with other girls..." she trailed off and glanced at the young man walking ahead of them. "Well, how the 'old' Carrot would."

The group fell silent at the mention of the 'old carrot'. They had been traveling together for so long. Sure they had their ups, downs, and the occassional Carrot-smashing in between; but was he... was he really gone?


"What's with them?" Riu-Riu asked, without looking towards the other Sorcerer Hunters. "Did someone die?"

Carrot said nothing as they continued to walk forward up the icy trail. His sensitive hearing had managed to pick up the entire conversation. Not that he wanted to eavesdrop; but he still wasn't comfortable talking to them again. After all... these four had been dead too him for hundreds of years.

"No," he answered finally. "Not exactly."

Sighing, Riu-Riu absently twisted a lock of her silvery-blonde hair.

"I know the feeling."


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After her work was completed at the front, Berryia gave her last orders for the night before heading back to their campsite. She rushed back to her own tent, dreadfully hoping the Haz Knight wasn't already there. She only had ten minutes to spare, making her living area look presentable for a senior officer.

'Please let him be late,' she pleaded to herself, dashing into her tent and began to put things in order. The young leader had once been the daughter of an Inn Keeper. She was used to last minute preparation. Unfortunately, with the battles at the front, left her little time to keep her own personal life organized.

Not that she had much of a life at the time. She was leading an army to defend her home. Unlike many young girls her age who were busy living normal lives: attending school, looking after their family, getting married...

'Gah! Not like I'm never gonna have those things!' she thought, trying to clean up the piles of trash and clothes off the floor. 'I'm getting the best education there is out here! Papa may be dead... but I'm still looking after other families...'

What about getting married?

Her pale face turned scarlet as she found herself arranging her make-shift bedding. The fur blankets were soft and warm under her bare finger tips. For a brief second, she pictured a male form underneath them; holding his arms out to her. Safe. Warm.

'Ack!' Blue Berryia shook her head, quickly banishing the unwanted imagery. 'I can't be thinking about that now. Besides, no man in my unit has been able to beat my swordsmanship. There's no way I'm gonna marry someone weaker than me...'

"Ma'am?"

Her head whipped towards the door to find her second in command standing there patiently. She nearly sighed in relief... until she saw who stood behind him. Her aid was a tall bulky man, the son of the village blacksmith. He nearly blocked the young looking man who had saved their lives earlier.

Zanahoria...

The aid gave her a salute, another to the Haz Knight - although some what shaky - before leaving. Realizing her position on the bed, she quickly scrambled to her feet. Berryia tried to stammer some kind of apology - trying to explain that she was trying to tidy up.

"...Again, I'm sorry, sir. I knew you would be coming and my place was such a mess... and..."

Those earth brown eyes met her own pale blue ones and she froze.

"It's okay," he said softly. "I didn't want to intrude, so I waited outside."

'He... he had been waiting outside?'

"I'm very sorry, sir. You must be freezing! Can I have someone get you anything? Something to eat? Drink?"

By Stella, this was so unlike her. She never gushed over any man like this before. But then, this legend before her was no ordinary man. Haz Knights. Only the purest of warriors could personally serve the Saint of Stellar.

There were stories that parents told their children before bed; how the Knights had selflessly gave up their own peaceful and normal lives for the sake of others. As a young girl, Berryia's most favorite stories had been of Zanahoria. Despite being the Captain of the Haz, the legends of old say he was a lone fighter at times. Rumors said that he was arrogant and bull-headed; hence the horns.

Her Papa had told her one story of how Zanahoria had single-handedly defeated a Sorcerer Knight. He had managed protect the entire village and saved her great, great, great grandmother. He was a hero, and from the moment Blue had heard that story, he had been her hero.

When she had met Saint Mama for the first time, she had the opportunity to see all of the Haz. At first the had mistaken them for huge moving tapestries with their dress armor. It was until she saw the one who was crowned with golden horns. This young man standing before her now, it had to be him.

"Vodka if you have any," he responded casually, seeming a bit uncomfortable. Berryia realized she had been staring and quickly apologized once again.

The villagers on the other side of the mountain, had well supplied their protectors with necessary food supplies. Including alcohol beverages. Which were preferred since they had a nice blood-warming effect.

"Yes, of course," she replied and pulled out her own stash. "Please, sir, have a seat anywhere!"

Blue felt as if she were that same young girl working in the Inn all over again. Serving the customers room service when they ordered it. She uncorked the bottle carefully, and pulled out some clean cups, setting them down on small table.

Turning around, she walked over to where Zanahoria had taken a seat beside the floor cushions. She stopped herself from offering the bed, and kneeled down to hand him his beverage. For a brief second their fingers brushed, and Blue was amazed how soft and warm his skin felt... just like her blankets.

'He isn't cold at all...'

"Thank you."

She blanked for a second before sitting down across from him. After taking a few sips, Blue began to feel like herself again. She was an appointed leader for Stellar's northern defense. This wasn't the time to act like a school girl on her first crush, especially with 'him' here.

The vodka worked wonders with her nerves and she quickly loosened up. They discussed battle plans, strategy, looked over at maps. All the while, she kept pouring drinks.

Then it happened. It was never supposed to, but it did. Lieutenant General Blue Berryia made the biggest mistake of her life, and the sweetest one.



Zanahoria woke before dawn the following morning, a little numb with a slight headache. He also wasn't alone in this bed. Without a twitch of his eye lashes he turned quickly changed from half asleep to wide awake.

'What have I done?'

The girl curled up against him, languidly moved to pillow her head against his shoulder. Pale blonde hair fanned across his chest while one slim hand clasped his shoulder. This couldn't be happening.

'She was just a child.'

'No,' another voice in his head spoke up. 'She's a woman. She wanted this, as much as you. As much as you thought you did.'

Idiot.

Fool.

A soft - painful - sigh escaped his lips as he pulled another blanket over her nude and shivering form. He averted his eyes from the slumbering girl's face, staring up at the ceiling. For a long minute he let himself sort this whole thing out.

He had come to the aid of this squad on request from Big Mama alone. There was also the matter of of the Guardian Spirit nearby whom these people were fighting. That's when he saw her standing among the squad, shouting out orders to men twice her age and size.

'She captivated me,' he thought, his fingers absently stroking the soft spikes atop his head. 'A warrior and a leader on the battlefield; but off it, she's still an innocent girl... accept last night when we were...'

He had guiltily found her nervous antics amusing. Her commanding form , alluring. There was something about this girl that attracted him, and burned him; like a moth to the flame. Or had alchohol been the moth that carried him into the fire?

'She reminded me of...'

The Haz Knight suddenly became cold all over.

'Tira and Chocolate.'

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"This is it," Riu-Riu announced as they approached the entrance into a dark tunnel. "Beyond this labyrinth is Ice Vega's territory."

The Sorcerer Hunters stared into the dark hole before glancing at their guide. They weren't exactly sure if they could trust this stranger. The only reason they did was because of Carrot and his uncharacteristic determination.

A howl came from inside the cave. It could have been the strong winds echoing through the tunnels. But the howl sounded very much... like a wolf's.

Marron took a step forward, standing beside his older brother who was glaring. It was a glare that could turn anyone into ice. Those once warm brown eyes were now cold and black.

"Brother?"

Carrot nodded his head and walked towards the entrance.

"Yes..." he answered, boldly stepping into the darkness. "This is the entrance to his lair. He'll be expecting us most likely, but we'll have an advantage."

"Advantage?" Gateau asked as he began to follow, along with Marron and the girls. The blonde's eyebrows were raised in curiosity, not used to hearing Carrot sound so confident. "What's that?"

"Me."


[ to be continued ]

Yes, chapter seven is going to have another part - another LONG part. Sorry. If you've read the manga, then you know I'm combining the stories in volume 5: 'The Terror of the Hidden Village' and 'Memories by the Campfire'; but adding a dark-angst twist. Oh, and look a HET pairing... Zaha's won't be pleased, that I can promise you.