Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Perchance to Dream ❯ Awake ( Chapter 1 )

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

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, a completely different person.

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: Carrot/Zaha, some Marron/Gateau, and some others I'll add in later.

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


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The dark red moon was the only witness to the bloodshed that night. Flames rained down from the sky causing fiery impact all over the ground as spells were cast into the air. Kinjus in the shape of stone golems emerged only to crumble back to the Earth. It wasn't long before one side's number began to decrease. Fortunately, those who fought for the world's destruction were far from winning.

A warm draft with the stench of charred flesh blew past, ruffling the black and maroon robes of a solitary warrior. He led his followers through the battlefield like a sea captain would a ship through the storm. The golden bull-like horns on his cowl, identified him as the leader of the Haz Knights.
They were known as the 'Blood Hounds of Stellar Church', these warriors dedicated to protecting the Holy Mother. Along with defeating evil by any means necessary even if it meant tarnishing their own hands with blood. The sword went down, it's black blade was invisible in the darkness. Blood splashed like a broken fountain as muscles and bones were sliced apart.

He made himself deaf to their screams and moved forward among the long chain of opponents. Chestnut colored eyes narrowed through the cowl's open slit as a pack of skeletal warriors were slowly advancing. Frowning slightly, he found himself alone as they formed a circle around him.

'To damn many,' he thought. 'None of them are mages either...'

Lunging forward he hacked one through the rib cage and kicked the other skeleton behind it into pieces. Whirling his blade, the knight was a quicksilver killer, using his stealth to cut through his enemies with ease. The skeleton circle rapidly shrank, dismantled bones littered the ground as he scanned the area for the Necromancer who controlled them.

The Haz Knight took in a deep breath before his ears picked up the sound of arrows whistling their way to him. Turning half way, he twirled the sword in his hand so that the blade deflected them with ease. It had been much quicker than putting up a kekkai. Also gave him the window of opportunity to see where they had come from. The skeletal archers didn't have a chance as he cast his spell that sent a tidal wave of crimson energy to incinerate them all. Now, only the Necromancer remained. Sheathing his sword, a small smile appeared on the knight's lips when he caught site of the withered old man.

"You didn't put up much of a fight."

A four foot tall old man, stood on top of a rocky cliff where he had been surveying the battle. The warrior could see a skull impaled on the top of the Necromancer's lance when the old man leaned against it. He returned the Haz Knight's small smile with an added chuckle.

"I'm getting on in my old age," said the Necromancer as he continued to lean on his staff for support. "You will understand when you reach nine hundred and sixty-five years old."

"Nine hundred and sixty-five?" repeated the Knight. "You don't look a decade over nine hundred and eighty."

The old man laughed louder before he broke into a series of painful coughs. "We never are what we look like."

"True," said the Holy warrior as he suddenly appeared before and towered over the old man. "It's been awhile, Red Rum."

Another smile spread across Rum's wrinkled face. "You have gotten stronger, Haz Knight Zanahoria. Even Lord Zaha is impressed. Have you come to kill me?"

The friendly smile on Zanahoria's face slowly faded as he pulled his sword free from it's scabbard. "Yes."

Rum only nodded and bowed his head. "I knew I would not live to see the outcome of the Spell Wars. I am to tired and to weary to carry on any longer. However, I am content to have watched your growth from a Sorcerer Hunter to the leader of the Haz Knights."

"We really do see things differently," said Zanahoria as he raised his sword above his head. "If I could do it over again, I would have stopped these massacres before they started. My transformation to 'this' would not have been necessary."

"The world is not built around 'what if?', child," the Necromancer told him before closing his eyes. "What has been done, cannot be undone. The only way to save this corrupted world is to destroy it and begin anew."

"Perhaps the past cannot be changed," the Haz Knight agreed. "However, we study history so it may not repeat itself. Total destruction is never the answer, for we will lose all of what we have learned."

"How ironic," Rum whispered. "That you of all beings should say that..."

The sword went down once more and Zanahoria watched impassively as the old man's decapitated body fell forward onto the ground. He turned his head to see the Necromancer staff had fallen as well, the skull now facing him. Sunken voids where eyes had once been seemed to taunt the Knight and an image of his immortal enemy came to mind. The bone shattered under the grinding firm ring of his boot heels before Zanahoria turned to leave.


The others had taken care of the of 'live' enemies and were now waiting for him to return. Zanahoria walked in silence as he surveyed the mass bodies on the ground, slowly burning to cinder. Mostly just Sorcerer Hunter Killers. Just children compared to the Haz Knights who didn't have a chance against them.

'Damn that man for making children fight his battles,' Zanahoria cursed as he approached the other Knights. There were three, robed in maroon and purple, were not only taller than their leader but also much older. Several centuries behind them actually. The younger Haz Knight didn't let it bother him, he had fought long and studied hard for over two centuries to get where he was now, following the footsteps of the one before him.

"Status?" he asked while removing his horned cowl as well as the bulky Haz Knight robes.

"A couple of Torte's minions escaped but the perimeter has been cleared, Zanahoria," said the tallest Knight.

"Good work, Karuua," the young man said, smiling wearily at them. "Good work, all of you. You may return to the church and report to Mother. I will finish up here."

"Finish up?" repeated one of the other Knights, watching as their leader placed his Haz Knight garments aside. "There is nothing left here."

"There is plenty left, Cinnamon," Zanahoria said with remorse in his voice. He stretched out his arm and gestured to the fallen warriors on the ground. The young knight began to peel off leather gloves then ran a hand through the spiky black mass of his hair. "Now, where to start ...?"

"You're going to bury all of them?" asked Karuua with an incredulous stare.

"Correct. The others may have been our enemies, but they were human. In death there is no allegiance," explained Zanahoria. "You may go now. I will return to the church at sunrise."

The three Haz Knights looked at one another and the back to their leader who was now putting out the fires with several hydro spells. After a long moment, they also had stripped out of their Haz Knight armor, wearing battle attire underneath.

"What are you all doing?" asked the knight when he turned to see that they had not departed.

"Giving you assistance," the third Knight answered. He pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose and smiled. "We entered this battle together, Zanahoria. We should finish it together."

Their young leader blinked and stared for a few seconds before returning the smile. "Thank you, Chiffon."

"You two!" Cinnamon called out to them. "Less talk and more digging! You do want to be done by sunrise, don't you?"

They worked in silence all through the night. The blood red moon sank as the night past and now the morning sun was peaking above the horizon. When the sun had risen completely, the land no longer looked like a battlefield ... just a mast graveyard. The Haz Knights stared at their work before picking up their discarded armor before turning to leave.

Chiffon placed his cowl back on before turning to their leader who was slowly dressing himself. Youthful brown eyes averted from the morning light, the older Haz Knight gave the young man a look of concern. Zanahoria just waved it off before slipping on the rest of his robes. He was about to put his cowl back on but instead his gaze was locked onto the two golden horns that protruded from it.

"What's wrong?" Chiffon approached their leader.

"I was just thinking about what Rum had told me," answered the knight. "It's not really important, but it had me thinking."

"About?" Chiffon pressed walking with Zanahoria who just shrugged as he placed his cowl back on.

"'What if'..."


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Chapter One - Awake

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Zaha Torte looked up as the doors to Stellar Church's main hall burst open. The Sorcerer Hunters had arrived but none of them seem to notice him standing in Big Mamma's place. No, their gazes were locked on to their 'mother' who was holding the unmoving child figure that was Carrot Glace. Marron had been correct on his assumption after they found out that Carrot was the destroyer, that Big Mamma was going to kill him. The mage and the rest of them wished he had been wrong.

"Carrot!" Tira shrieked in horror.

"Darling!" Chocolate screamed out as she was restrained by her sister.

"Brother!" Marron gasped, his amber eyes fixated on the sleeping child. Praying silently that Carrot wasn't dead.

"Mother..." Gateau practically spat out.

"No!" Dota shouted out her denial. "No, it's not true! Mamma!"

The Saint didn't reply as tears streamed down her face as she stared at the figure cradled in her arms. The child was now awake and rapidly returned to normal, a young man of eighteen years. The boy looked dazed for a few moments after he regained consciousness. Hurt, anger, and betrayal were on all of the Hunters' faces and Zaha Torte simply smiled amusingly. The former leader of the Haz Knights knew perfectly well that the Holy Mother would not take the boy's life now. Carrot sat up, after collecting himself and the first thing he focused on was Big Mamma.

"Mother?" Carrot whispered as he watched tears roll down her cheeks. "Why ... why are you crying?"

"Carrot," Big Mamma whispered, the flow of tears increased.

"Mother please," he protested, bringing a hand up to the side of her face. "You know I can't stand to see you cry."

A look of surprise crossed Big Mamma's beautiful features and before she could say anything, Carrot was now looking past her shoulder. The boy was glaring at the man who stood now in the same exact Big Mamma was in. It was his glaring attention that caused the others standing in the doorway to notice him. Dotta, already knowing who this man was, made a loud squeak and hid herself behind the Hunters.

"Zaha," Carrot gritted out, hand already at the hilt of his sword. "You have a lot of nerve showing your face here!"

The older man was momentarily confused. He noted that Carrot called him by name. Also, by the way he was glaring at Zaha, was it possible that he had remembered everything?

"I came to save your life," Zaha replied finally and nodded to Big Mamma. "A life that foolish woman was about to end. You should be thanking me, Carrot Glace."

The boy flinched before he stood up and walked around Big Mamma, shielding her while keeping eye contact with the older man. Carrot's glare darkened as he brought his hands together in a spell casting gesture. "How dare you!"

Everyone in the room gaped in shock as magic blasted from Carrot's palms, several red energy bolts aimed at Zaha's heart. The former Haz Knight gritted his teeth when the oppressing magic slammed into his kekkai. Carrot took another step forward while quickly scanning the room. His eyes fell upon the group of Sorcerer Hunters who had now abandoned their post in the doorway and grew wide with shock.

"How ...?!" Carrot gasped.

The momentary distraction was all Zaha needed. He let out a growl of anger and the ground underneath Carrot rumbled. The boy felt himself being thrown back, slamming into the wall across the room.

"Brother!" Marron shouted, horrified as he saw his brother slump to the ground unconscious. The mage then turned and glared murderously at Zaha Torte. Gateau stood at his side, his fists ready to do some bone breaking damage. After Tira and Chocolate made sure that Carrot was all right, they both under gone their transformations to face the man who dared hurt the man they loved.

Zaha was not impressed as he let out another growl of impatience along with a shockwave that sent the hunters flying backwards. Cracking one of his knuckles, he then turned towards his unconscious target and advanced.

Big Mamma was already between the two and her former Haz Knight sneered at her. "Why must you delay the inevitable?" demanded Zaha who was aware that the children were now back on their feet and advancing. "Allow Carrot his destiny to destroy this world."

"My destiny is whatever I wish it to be," Carrot spoke up, now standing at Big Mamma's side much to everyone surprise. "I don't know what plan you've engineered this time but it won't succeed!"

A blinding light filled the room, causing everyone close their eyes and look away. Zaha teleport himself across the room, shielding his eyes with the back of his hand. As soon as the light died down, the former Haz Knight was blasted against one of the church's marble walls. Recovering quickly, he slammed up his shield against the next assault and glared at the beast that now stood in Carrot's place.

"Brother ... he turned that magic on himself," Marron said in disbelief as they watched the bull-like creature growl in rage.

"Darling," Chocolate whispered before she spotted Zaha rise to his full height once again. "Darling, look out!"

The monster opened it's jaws once again and this time instead of a growl, spit forth torrents of flames. Eyes glowing red, the beast was engulfed with the inferno of it's own making. It didn't burn the monster's hide, but seemed to be giving it a second skin. Ash and cinder followed the horned creature's tracks as it made its way to the man who claimed himself closest to God.

"Impressive," Zaha let out a small smile that seemed to infuriate the monster even more. Dodging the flaming strikes and claws, he found himself being crowded. Big Mamma had her hands placed together, gathering up her magic. The Sorcerer Hunters were standing back in defensive positions. To make matters even more annoying, the Haz Knights were back on their feet and already at Big Mamma's side. His violet eyes then focused once again on his target and smiled.

"I underestimated you today, boy," He admitted. "I will not make that mistake again."

With that, Zaha vanished from sight leaving his mocking laughter to trail behind. The beast made another low growl, huffing smoke before the fire around it had extinguished. It slowly turned all the way around and faced Big Mamma before staring at the Sorcerer Hunters.

"How do we turn Carrot back?" Tira wondered. "He wasn't hit by a Sorcerer's magic this time..."

'Not to worry,' answered a deep inhuman voice that not only echoed throughout the room but their minds as well. 'I can change myself back.'

Everyone looked at the beast and quickly averted their gaze as light flooded their vision once more. Carrot Glace was now standing before them ...well was trying to. He swayed back and forth a little, his eyes fought to stay open before he took one look at his friends and dropped to the floor.

"Uh...," Gateau scratched his head as they rushed quickly to their fallen friend. "What just happened here?"


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"I still think we should leave," said Chocolate as she sat at Carrot's bedside. "I don't think we should let darling stay here at the Church after Big Mamma tried to ..."

Everyone was silent but the anger was still present and visible on their faces. Tira took a seat next to her older sister and locked her gaze with the unconscious' man's face. Her eyes narrowed behind those round glasses before looking at the two men who were still standing.

"Sis is right," Tira said, folding her hands together. "I think we should leave after Carrot wakes up, what do you guys think?"

"I think it's a good idea," agreed Gateau. "Better than sticking around here with people who would stab us in the back. It doesn't matter, I can save Éclair without Big Mamma's help."

"We can," Marron corrected, placing a hand on the older boy's arm. "As soon as Carrot regains his ... strength."

"Okay that was weird, how the hell was Carrot able to do all that stuff anyway?" Gateau wondered. He wasn't the only one. As long as they knew Carrot, which had felt like forever, the Sorcerer Hunter wasn't capable of using magic or controlling his Zoanthropy. So how was he able to now?

"Perhaps...," the younger Glace brother began. "Perhaps when Big Mamma tried to ... to kill him..."

Gateau and the Misu sisters swallowed hard at the look of hatred on the young man's face. The moment anyone tried to harm his brother, Marron lost his cool. But it wasn't just anyone this time. No, this time it was someone close, someone they all considered to be apart of their family. A mother.

"Perhaps she awoke apart of the Hakaishin," said Marron. "Maybe Carrot now has the ability to use some of the power of the God inside him. Well, that's my theory."

"Sounds logical to me." Chocolate sighed as she reached over to brush back some of Carrot's bangs from his face. "If that's so, you don't think darling will attempt to destroy the world, do you?"

"I don't think so," Tira assured them. "Carrot looked determined not to let Zaha Torte use him for that. Speaking of that guy, how did Carrot know he was? I mean he was out of it until we arrived."

"Another question we'll have to put on our interrogation list," said Gateau. "If Carrot wakes up... I mean when he wakes up."

"Darling looks like he's back to normal," Chocolate said quietly. "But he sounded so different back there. Did you see the way he looked at us?"

"It was like he hadn't seen us in years," answered Tira. "Or maybe he was afraid he'd never see us again."

"We're definitely leaving this place," Gateau muttered, clenching his fists at his sides. "Big Mamma tried to kill him once, and after seeing how powerful he was just now ... there's no doubt it my mind that she'll try to finish the job."

"I won't let her!" Chocolate snapped, rising from her seat. "If she wants to kill darling, it'll have to be through me!"

"And me," Tira added with a whisper. "Sis, lower your voice, Carrot's still asleep."

The older Misu sister did as she was told but remained standing, arms folded across her chest and her face with full determination. Tira hunched herself over and kept close observation on the older Glace brother. The bedroom was silent while waiting for their leader to awaken. Two hours rolled by slowly, consisting of Chocolate looking pissed, Tira looking sullen, Gateau was pacing, and Marron was trying to regain his calm. Another hour passed which seemed long as the first two before there was movement from the bed's occupant.

Carrot slowly tossed and turned while his breathing grew heavier. The boy's brow knit together and lips parted to mumble something incoherent. The four teenagers surrounded the bed and watched in horror as crystalline tears streaked down Carrot's face.

"...D...Do... "

"Shh, brother," Marron said softly, taking Carrot's hand into his. "It's all right..."

"Don... Don't ..."

More tears continued to fall, streaking down the youth's face.

"Don't ... leave me."

"It's okay, darling," Chocolate cooed as she reached over to take his other hand. "We're here."

His eyes opened and he looked up at them for several unblinking seconds. Slowly he gripped tightly onto the hands holding his own before releasing them. Covering his face, the young man let out a small defeated sigh.

"I'm dead, aren't I?" he said finally. The question and the bitter laugh that followed caught everyone by surprise.

"Of course I am," Carrot muttered to himself. "This isn't real ... none of it is..."

"Brother," Marron whispered quietly, tightening his grip. "This is real, you're not dreaming."

"No?" asked the older Glace brother. "Then I'm actually dead? Is that why I'm with you guys again?"

"What's he talking about?" mumbled Gateau. "Hey, veggie-brain, we're not dead
and neither are you."

"That's right, darling!" Chocolate cried happily as she threw herself into Carrot's arms. Carrot for his part flinched and everyone sighed in relief and waited for his natural reaction. They waited for several seconds and Carrot just sat there looking stupefied.

"If you really are them... then I have a question for you."

Chestnut colored eyes narrowed on Gateau, actually making the older boy gulp and stand up straight. "Yeah?"

"What was my very first Zoanthropy form?" Carrot asked.

"Your first?" the blonde Sorcerer Hunter repeated before shrugging his shoulders. "How should I know? I didn't join the team that early."

The serious look on their leader's face slowly faded and was replaced with a smile. "Correct. My first transformation was when I turned..."

"Twelve," answered Marron. "You transformed into the centaur."

"After that was some weird goat creature," said Tira. "I remember because you ate all the trash."

"Why ask Gateau that? You knew he wasn't around with us," said Chocolate. The redhead noticed that Carrot hadn't shoved her away screaming yet and tightened her grip. Embracing him like a lover, the older Misu sister failed to see Tira boiling hot with anger.

"Just testing," Carrot answered. "Now I'm really not sure what to make of all of this."

"Brother," whispered Marron as he released Carrot's hand. "Do you remember what happened early on today? What Big Mamma tried to do?"

Chocolate who was still clinging around her darling's neck, frowned in annoyance. "Marron maybe now isn't the time to..."

"She tried to kill you, Carrot," Gateau finished, ignoring the glare he got from the redhead. "Because that guy was after you."

"Mamma put you into a deep sleep while she used her power to..." Marron's voice trailed off as Carrot slipped out of Chocolate's arms and stood up from the bed. "Brother?"

"I know," Carrot answered simply. He ran fingers through his hair and looked down at his clothes. Taking a dark lock of one of his bangs, he measured it's length between his fingers and frowned. Turning his hands over so that he was looking at his palms, an unidentifiable expression crossed Carrot's youthful face. It was a cross from disbelief and amusement. The three Sorcerer Hunters just stared at him.

"Aren't you pissed off?!" Gateau exploded. "The woman we all called 'mother' tried to snuff you out! Don't you know that you could have died?!"

"I know," Carrot repeated firmly. "How long was I out?"

"Carrot...," Tira whispered. Those round glasses slid down the bridge of her nose exposing concerned crimson eyes. "We believe you were only asleep for fifteen minutes ... but by then, Mamma had turned you into a child."

"Any longer, darling, and you would have been reduced to nothing!" Chocolate exclaimed, throwing herself at him again. "I'll never forgive her... never."

"Don't talk like that!" Carrot snapped suddenly. "You have no idea how hard that decision was for her. How she'll regret it each day of her life. She did it for you, didn't you know that? She did it for all of you! So that you wouldn't ever have to..."

The young man broke off right there before he turned towards the exit, slamming the door shut behind him. Confused more than ever, the other hunters just stood there in awkward silence. Gateau was the first to speak after several minutes, raking a hand through his short blonde hair.

"Did it for us?" Gateau repeated to himself. "Oh man, this day just keeps getting weirder!"


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Nate de Coco sat in complete silence as her two comrades: Miss Green and Dark Grey; bickered among themselves. Of course she wasn't the only quiet one. Out of their organization, it was Gia Purple didn't even utter a sound. Impervious like a wall, he was silent like one too.

A gust of cool air blew past as the night got colder and the small girl blew the blonde strands of hair from her face. She wondered when their Lord would return and hoped he succeeded on his mission. Of course he would, there was no match against the man closest to God.

There was a faint crackling sound in the air that caught there attention. Moss and Dark stopped their bickering at once as the tall and dark figure stood before them. A man who commanded both fear and respect from ally and enemy alike. Perhaps not even God himself could stand up to an immortal like Zaha Torte.

"Welcome back, Lord Zaha," Moss greeted in her usual sugary tone of voice.

'Whore,' Nate thought to herself. The girl was expecting to see that boy by Zaha's side as either a willing participant or beaten down and bound in chains. A Sorcerer Hunter they spent years hunting down and finally learned his identity: Carrot Glace. But Zaha was alone and there was a mixed disappointed yet amused look on his face.

"Lord Zaha..." Nate said quietly while joining him at his side where she belonged.

"Another time," he answered her unspoken question. "Come."

"Yes, sir."

Nate rarely smiled, but when she did it was always for him.


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Kneeling in prayer, Big Mamma prayed endlessly for several hours. The thought of the sin she almost committed made her ill. Murder. How could she have ever think to take his life? The life a young boy whom she thought as a son? Someone she trusted in and was trusted by. Such strong bonds broken by the seeds of doubt.

Carrot was strong he would never become the Hakaishin, not even if Zaha forced him. Yet, he was still mortal and everything had flaws. If Carrot had become the God of Destruction ... it would mean chaos not only for the world but those to whom she loved. Her children, all her children. He would have died by their hands or they by his. How does one balance human life? Had Zaha been right all along?

"No," she told herself. "His way will only lead to doom ... of this world and the next. To save the fate of this world must I forsake the life of an innocent?"

"Fate is never fair, Mamma," said a voice at the end of the hallway.

She gasped, eyes wide with surprise to see Carrot standing silently behind her. The Saint looked into his eyes and found no malice there. No hatred nor distrust. He just looked at her like he always did, and the warmth in his eyes made her look away in shame.

"Carrot," she said his name quietly. "What are you doing here?"

"To see you," he answered. "Also, to tell you not to blame yourself."

She couldn't help but look at him now in shock. "What are you saying? That you're not mad I almost took your life? That I deceived you and the others?"

"We always hurt the ones we love," Carrot said simply. "Even though it was a situation that would have ended up in loss either way. However, the worse thing you could have done was hand me over to him."

"I would never," Big Mama declared, shaking her head. "Carrot ... when you were fighting Zaha ... you called him by name. Does that mean...?"

"Does that mean I remember him?" Carrot finished.

"Do you?" she pressed.

The young man sighed, shifting uncomfortably. "Yes, I remember."

Carrot remembered him from the past. The dark sorcerer and former Haz Knight was the very source of his nightmares. The name rolled off his lips in bitter disgust, "Zaha Torte."

"And the others?" Big Mamma asked, looking dreadful. "Tira? Chocolate?"

"I don't know," the boy answered. "But they will soon. It's inevitable."

The Saint slowly nodded her head before rising to her feet. Big Mamma practically towered over Carrot who didn't even flinch when neared him. How? She wondered how he could still trust her. "They wish to leave, don't they?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I also agree with them. It's not safe here at the church."

Catching the sorrowful and guilty expression on her face, Carrot quickly added: "Not because of you, Big Mamma. I just think it's safer if we keep moving instead of being a sitting duck in a stationary location."

"But the Haz Knights," she insisted. "They would protect you."

The boy closed his eyes and shook his head. "I know they would. But you must admit that Zaha is more powerful that he was before. He defeated them by himself before we arrived here, didn't he? He could do so again, and bring his band of murderers with him."

The sorrowful look on Big Mamma's face was quickly replaced with one of confusion. "You already know of the Sorcerer Hunter Killers?"

"There's a lot I know that I can't explain right now," Carrot admitted. "But I ask you to trust me. The others and I will go away ... we'll take side missions but stay as low as possible."

Big Mamma nodded in agreement but hid suspicion well. "Perhaps you and the others could return home to Mount Saint Hordic, and your father ..."

"No," Carrot said quickly, startling the older woman. He shook his head and clenched his fists at his sides. "They'll be expecting us there. The Sorcerer Hunters of my village will be no match against those killers. My Pop, he could probably take on Zaha but not all of them."

"Carrot, you're stronger together than apart," Mamma insisted. "You will all be a lot safer if you Join forces with Onion and the other Sorcerer Hunters."

Carrot opened his mouth to protest before he shut it closed and bowed his head. "As you wish, mother."

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From his place in the shadows behind the main room's crystal pillars, Milphey watched in silence. His brow knitted together at the boy's change in personality. It was a month ago since he last saw Carrot acting foolish as normally was. The boy had even mistaken him for a woman, which Milphey and his comrades found highly amusing.

'Like father, like son,' Milphey thought to himself with a small smile.

However, when Carrot bowed his head and obeyed their Holy Mother's commands, Milphey no longer saw him there. He saw someone else. Someone very similar to Marron Glace but more ... Milphey wanted to say chivalrous.

Carrot turned on his heal to leave but his eyes wandered passed Big Mamma. Was the boy looking at him? No, that couldn't be. Milphey was well camouflaged to his surroundings that even Big Mamma hardly noticed him. Shrugging, the boy left and mumbled something about a long nap.

'Onion,' Milphey smiled. 'Your son, really does remind me of you and now even a little of Apricot.'

"Milphey Yu."

The Haz Knight stepped out into the light and kneeled before her.

"Yes, mother?"

"Please," Big Mamma began, she was looking at the exit that Carrot had taken. "Look after him ... all of them."

"Of course."

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"Did you guys see him?" Chocolate asked the other three hunters when they regrouped in the main hallway.

"There's no sign of that idiot anywhere," mumbled Gateau.

"I checked with Dotta," said Tira. "And he's not with Big Mamma."

"That's a relief," said Chocolate before she turned to the younger Glace brother. "Marron?"

The mage silently shook his head looking worried.

"Good, you're all here."

Their heads whipped over to the exit where Carrot stood waiting for them. For someone who had a near death experience, the young man was certainly in high spirits. The hunters sighed in relief before noticing that Carrot was dressed in a long black cloak.

"Darling, why are you dressed like that?" wondered Chocolate.

"The weather is getting pretty nasty out there," he said before tugging at the hood of his cloak. He then extended his arm and handed them similar cloaks. "Here, you'll need these."

"Where are we going?" asked Marron, taking the black cloak and fastening it around his shoulders. Slowly, the others put theirs on to.

"I talked to Big Mamma," Carrot told them. "We'll be heading to Hordic to lay low for awhile."

"Hordic?" Gateau blinked, pulling the hood over his head as they stepped outside the church. "What's that?"

"Our home," Marron answered him, tying back his hair before slipping the hood on. "The Sorcerer Hunter's hidden village on Mount Saint Hordic."

"I can't believe we're going home after all this time," said Chocolate.

"It's been four ... maybe five years now?" Tira wondered while counting her fingers.

The girls told Gateau of their home village; funny moments, special memories, their training to be Sorcerer Hunters. They talked the whole way to Mount Saint Hordic as the rain drizzled across the land. Nasty weather indeed as the clouds grew darker, the winds harsher, and the rain no longer drizzled but poured. Onward they trudged up a hidden path until they reached the crossroads.

"Brother?"

"Yes, Marron?"

"Where are you going?"

The three other hunters stopped in their tracks and noticed that Carrot was facing the woods. They hardly even noticed because he had been silent and uncomplaining the whole way. Completely un-Carrot like.

"Carrot, the village is that way," Tira pointed out.

"Go on ahead," the boy told them. "I need to warn the guards that we may have some uninvited guests."

Tira paled. "Uninvited guests? Who else than Big Mamma knows that we're coming here? How would they know?"

"Talk to Grandfa... er ... that old fart," Carrot hoped they didn't notice his slip. "I'll join you guys when I'm done."

"Darling, I'll go with you," Chocolate insisted.

"No," he said, shaking his head but was suddenly pounced once again by the older Misu sister.

"Come on, darling!" the red head exclaimed. "Lovers should be together and..."

"What lovers?!" Tira exclaimed, looking around her. "Where?!"

"Darling, I'm going with you!"

"NO!"

Thunder roared noisily after Carrot's harsh yell, and Chocolate found herself back away. A look of fear reflected on both her and Tira's faces at the fury in Carrot's eyes. Fury and a touch of insanity ... it reminded them of someone from their past. Carrot regained himself quickly when he saw the frightened look on the girls' features.

Bowing his head, Carrot squeezed his eyes shut while mentally cursing himself. "I'm sorry ... I ... need to go."

"Darling?"

"Carrot?"

"...Alone," Carrot added. "I need more time to think about things. Tell, my Pop I said 'he's an idiot' for me. Also, keep your eyes open for the booby traps."

Before anyone could say anything more, Carrot ran off into the dark forest.

"Come on, guys," Gateau said finally. "Before we catch our death in this weather."

Numbly they nodded and headed up the path to the secret village.

"Hey, what did Carrot mean by booby traps?" asked the older boy. Marron opened his mouth to answer until Gateau tripped one sending stone harpoons shooting at him from nowhere. The mage cast his wards and watched them shatter into pebbles.

"Whoops," Gateau said apologetically, rubbing the back of his head. "Let me guess, one trap sets off another?"

The three nodded and both Chocolate and Tira let out loud squeaks when two muscular arms embraced them. The owner of those arms was a tall burly man with a huge smile on his face. Gateau blinked and Marron just looked annoyed.

"How are my girls doing? My you've grown!" said the muscle man as he pulled both the sisters into a big hug. "Especially in the chest area!"

"What a pervert," Gateau mumbled to himself. "Hey, Marron ... who is this guy?"

"My father," Marron told him, watching the awkward reunion with a sweat drop. "Onion Glace."

"Whoa, he really does look like Carrot," the blonde noted. "Minus all the muscle mass."

Onion Glace released them before his eyes locked on to Marron. The younger Glace swallowed hard and just braced himself. His father gathered him up in an embraced that pinned both his arms at his sides.

"My darling son, you're finally home! I've missed you sooo much!" Onion cried in joy. Marron continued to look annoyed as his father asked about his well being. After a couple minutes of Marron glomping, Onion opened his eyes and noticed the older boy standing to next to his son.

"You must be Gateau, right?" asked Onion without releasing Marron. "Ice's son?"

"Eer yeah," the hunter nodded and hoped the man didn't hug strangers. "You knew my father?"

"Worked together," said Onion. "Never really close though. But anyway please to meet you. You are taking care of my Marron, like a good boyfriend, right?"

Marron's face turned beat red with embarrassment, "Father, stop it!"

"Well?" asked Onion, hugging his youngest even tighter.

"Y-Yes, sir," Gateau nodded and hoped Marron wasn't being crushed to death.

"Awww!" cried Onion. "My baby boy is all grown up! Pretty soon I'll be walking you down the alter and ..."

"Father!" Marron gasped, looking mortified and ready to die.

Onion released his son and just laughed, "You're so cute, Marron!"

The four younger Sorcerer Hunters just sweat dropped as Onion placed his hands on his hips and laughed like a madman. Drying his eyes, Onion looked around their party and frowned. "Hey, where's that idiot son of mine?"

"Brother," Marron began after regaining his breath. "Went off on his own."

Onion's eyes widened in shock, "THAT IDIOT DID WHAT?!"


-----------------------


Carrot didn't find the guards in time. He wiped the rain drenched black bangs from his eyes and stared at the mangle corpses presented to him. One of Sorcerer Hunters was skewered to death by sharp rock spears of the ground and now slowly turning back into mud. Another had his throat snapped like a twig, head bend back in awkward angle. One hunter had been disemboweled with his upper body hanging in the tree branches above. The young man then caught sight of the ashes on the ground and gritted his teeth. Those ashes were probably the only remains of another hunter ... and he had a good idea who played the executioner.

'They were already here,' he thought to himself. 'I knew it ... we shouldn't have come back to Hordic.'

His face was devoid of any emotion as he gathered the bodies together and laid them on the ground. He would have to have some help and a wagon from the village before it really began to pour. In farewell, he kneeled and muttered a soft prayer over the bodies.

"They're all dying because of me," Carrot whispered bitterly.

He stood up and placed a hand over the hilt of his sword. Lighting flared against the dark sky and Carrot whirled to face the band of Sorcerer Hunter Killers. His eyes narrowed and focused on the tall man who stood behind them, next to a small glaring girl. The former Haz Knight stepped forward, startling his men, and stood only a few feet away from his prey.

"You came here alone, didn't you?" asked the Sorcerer. "Have you finally realized my ideals?"

Carrot lowered his gaze to his hands where blood from those Sorcerer Hunters now covered his palms. A cold chill ran down his spine and he wished to wipe the blood clean with his cloak. Instead, Carrot's hands dropped to his sides in silent acceptance that their deaths were on his hands. Their blood was on him as well as the murderers who killed them. A faint smile touched Zaha's lips before the boy pulled back his hood and glared at him.

"Zaha ... you claim that this world was corrupted by evil," Carrot spoke calmly. "But the only thing you've done is contribute to it. That's why I'll never submit myself to you..."

Violet eyes met umber ones and Carrot unsheathed his sword.

"Never."

-----------------------

End of Chapter One

So ... what do you readers think? Like? Hate? Confused?

Well, I've recently read the Book 4 of the manga (thanks Celeste!!!) translated by Tokyopop and I love the idea of Zaha having his own bad guy gang. So now I'm kind of fusing both the manga and TV series together, but made up a lot of stuff on the way... I hope it won't be to confusing.

- Carrot's Zoanthropy: I'm basing it on the signs of the Zodiac. Why? Carrot mentioned that he had 12 transformations according to his Pop. So 12 transformations for 12 signs.

* The Centaur - Sagittarius: yes the symbol of Sagittarius is the archer but in the zodiac circle I have, the archer is the centaur. Carrot turns into
the centaur in the manga.

* The Goat - Capricorn: I made this one up ^^;

* The Minotaur/Bull - Taurus: Carrot's main transformation from the TV series.


- Gateau's family: I'm going by the manga that a Sorcerer killed the people of his village his family and kidnapped his little sister, Éclair. I added in the fact that his father was a sorcerer hunter by the name of Ice Mocha ... I really have a craving for one right now ^^;