Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Perchance to Dream ❯ Obsession ( Chapter 4 )
[ 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
Beta-Read By: Sarryn
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 Haz Knight awoke to the sound of fire, not like the roaring flames that had consumed Hordic; but the gentle cracking from a fire place. Was he in a room? Was he safe? Feeling as if they were stitched down, he struggled to opened his disoriented eyes. His vision cleared after a couple of seconds and he found himself staring at a ceiling.
He tried to move his hands and the rattling sound of chains broke the silence. It also drew the attention of the other person in the room who was staring into the fire. Violet eyes regarded the bound young man on his bed and narrowed in amusement as the other realized his situation. The youth's face flushed crimson with both anger and embarrassment as he learned that he wear nothing. Well, except for one of the black silk sheets that covered his nudity. He knew what was coming and it both frightened and infuriated him at the same time.
"You have yourself to blame for the restraints," said the violet-eyed sorcerer. "If you had only surrendered peacefully, my soldiers wouldn't have had to be so brutal. However, you did manage to blind the one of them though."
Zanahoria glared at the amused grin that infuriated him so. "If he was following your orders, then he was already blind to begin with."
Zaha's mouth half quirked into a smile before he took another sip wine from his gauntlet. Setting it down at the table he began to remove his armor and robes, an action that made the young man's pulse race. He turned his eyes to anything they could fixate on in the room. Like the
dark burgundy tapestries on the walls or the pile of his Haz Knight uniform on the floor.
Footsteps grew louder as the older man advanced towards the bed. His captive flinched and instinctively drew back against the headboard. The movement had caused the sheet to slide down a little, exposing his hips. The former knight's eyes widened slightly in appreciation.
The backhand to the boy's face stilled his fleeing movements as the bed sheet was ripped away. Head ringing for a few minutes, he didn't even notice as the sorcerer began to remove his clothes. It was when he felt bare skin pressed against his own, that he began to struggle. He thrashed underneath the larger man, trying to throw him off. The boy's are narrowed and raised his knee towards the other man's groin. Zaha had predicted the oncoming assault and caught the his leg before the knee connected.
Another blow to his numb cheek and the coppery metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. Zaha used the distraction to capture the other leg, raising them up and placing a pillow underneath the boy's hips. Dark brown eyes widened in fear as he felt hard and heated flesh press against his entrance.
"It's been to long...," Zaha murmured quietly, leaning over the flushed younger man. Slowly, he pushed forward eliciting a strangled gasp from the knight underneath him. "But I've enjoyed the hunt. It's given me much time to raise an army that can stand up to that woman and her foolish ideals."
His features which had been a dark glare had lightened up a bit as he added, "But, I must say how impressed I am to learn of your progress, Haz Knight Zanahoria..."
He let out another pained gasp as the older man tilted his hips forward, slowly skewering him. "Who would have thought," Zaha continued. "That the fearsome enemy my army has faced on the battlefield; was indeed my Carrot Glace."
Youthful umber eyes widened in outrage. "I'm not..." Zanahoria began until a the forceful kiss sealed his lips.
"Nothing has changed," the Sorcerer said softly after he broke the kiss seconds later. "You are still the one who will fulfill both my dream and my desires."
Zaha then pulled his hips back and thrust forward, burying his entire length within the tight channel. His prey let out an eardrum-shattering scream as the large intruder brutally invaded his body without the aid of lubricant. He let out a groan as the velvety-heat squeezed him possessively, fanning the flames of his lust. His hands were now everywhere, exploring the other's slender form.... claiming the boy once again.
He stilled his vigorous thrusting and wiped away the forming tears from his captive's face. "Give yourself to me just like before."
The knight shook his head violently, squeezing his eyes shut so the other man couldn't see his tears. He heard the Zaha sigh and felt him pull out slowly much to his relief. However, with the withdrawal left only a burning ache and an a urgent need.
"Very well," Zaha sighed again as his sat up to pour himself another drink. Those earth brown just followed his movements, and suddenly the boy wished he were blind.
The Sorcerer stood shamelessly nude in the center of the room. The light from the fire was bathing his skin in a warm glow, outlining those well formed muscles and battle scars. The boy choked and tear his gaze from the older man's broad chest to his groin. Which just made things worse. From between his legs, Zaha's erection stood out proudly... as well as patiently.
The bound young man wished he could gauge out his eyes when he felt his own manhood awaken with interest. He looked up and found his gaze ensnared by violet just like a serpent around it's prey. His mortal enemy grinned and poured himself another drink.
"Are you thirsty?"
Zanahoria found his throat suddenly dry but didn't respond as the other man walked over, cup in hand, to the side of the bed. His body tensed as a warm hand slid over his throat to cup his chin. Their eyes met once more as he tried desperately to control the building need in his loins.
"Let me go..." he rasped, wincing when his voiced cracked due to the parch feeling in his throat. He probably had strained his voice because of the screaming.
Zaha raised an eyebrow and examined his prey. "Let you go?" he repeated. "Why should I do that after all the power I've exhausted just to catch you?"
The boy turned his face away and caught his hunter's thoughtful look.
"Perhaps I will," the Sorcerer considered to himself. Zanahoria faced him again with an incredulous stare. "Perhaps I'll let you run free for a little while longer...for a price of course."
The Knight swallowed hard while still keeping eye-contact. He glared at the Sorcerer and in a dark velvety tone asked, "And what type of currency shall I pay with?"
"One night," Zaha replied coolly. "One night to submit to me as you had many times years ago."
The glare had gotten darker. "I swear I never would."
"You also swear that you would destroy me for the deaths of your loved ones," the older man pointed out.
Zanahoria growled, bared his teeth and wanting to use them to rip the bastard's neck apart. "I will find a way to kill you," he promised him. "All in a matter of time."
The former Haz Knight nodded calmly. "I'm giving you time. So choose: one night for your freedom in the morning. Or..."
The anger rapidly melted into fear at the unspoken threat. Giving the chain above his head another useless yank, Zanahoria finally nodded. He closed his eyes again so he wouldn't have to see his enemy's victorious smile.
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Chapter Four - Obsession
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"Good morning."
Tira and Marron jerked their heads up to see Carrot step into the kitchen. The teenage girl's eyes went slightly wide to realize that the other hunter wasn't sleep walking like he normally did this early in the morning. No, he was fully awake as if he had been up for hours. That of course, was impossible since this Sorcerer Hunter happened to be Carrot Glace. The laziest sex-craved young man she ever knew, yet despite his faults, Tira and the rest of the team cared deeply for him.
"Good morning, Carrot," Tira smiled. "Want some breakfast?"
The dark-haired young man blinked at the question before shaking his head. "No thanks, I'm not hungry. I think I'll have some coffee instead."
Marron watch his older brother pour himself a mug full of warm coffee and then downed it in four gulps without sugar or crème. "Brother?"
Carrot drained the mug and finished with a satisfied sigh before looking at the worried mage. "Yeah?"
"Are you feeling okay?" His little brother stepped forward and placed a hand on his forehead. "No fever... I guess you didn't catch anything from either Gateau or Chocolate. Still, you're never up this early. Is something wrong?"
Of course there was something wrong. Marron knew it the moment the older boy used magic to transform himself. Used magic period... they had all believed that their team mate was incapable of wielding it. Then ever since they left the church, he had noticed the change in his brother's personality. His calm and cool attitude, his anger, and ...
"No," Carrot replied, shaking his head his head and smiled. "I'm fine."
Amber eyes narrowed as the memory of Zaha Torte forcing his brother to kiss him. No, what really bothered him was that Carrot kissed back. The young Sorcerer Hunter just didn't want to believe it at first. There was no way his brother would kiss another man. Especially the man who was hunting him. But, he also had to keep in mind that Carrot had not told them anything that he knew the former Haz Knight ... and they called each other by name.
The mage frowned as older boy turned his back to them and poured himself another cup of coffee. "You know," he tried again, placing his hand on the other's shoulder. "You can tell me anything."
"I know," came the absent reply as Carrot finished his second cup. "I'm going to go see Pop... maybe pry him away from his fiancée for a few minutes. Later guys."
Tira opened her mouth to say something but the spiky-haired teenager was already out the door. Marron's eyes followed his brother's departure and his frown deepened. 'You can tell me anything,' his mind repeated. 'You just don't want to.'
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Once again his fake smile dissolved into a blank stare as Carrot shut the door behind him. He really had to get his act together, and soon, before they start putting the pieces of his puzzle together. Then again, even if they did, his friends wouldn't know what to make of the picture.
It was the third day they spent in Hordic, waiting for their team mates to recover, and Carrot found himself restless. Zaha and his followers were still out, plotting who knows what against them. Instead of just going off on his own, he spent most of the time in his room. Not that he wanted to be secluded, he just needed time to think about the past couple of days. Sooner or later, Big Mama was going to confront him and he wanted to give her a believable answer.
'Believable,' he snorted to himself. 'Not even I believe all of it.'
He released a sigh as he headed towards the forest to train, sword at his side. Somewhere near the bottom would be nice; but there were simply to many traps to and guards to get passed without being noticed or mistaken for an invader. At the top would have to do since there were less traps and surveillance. He would also be close to the village, which would be problematic if someone were to see him.
'But they've seen enough,' thought Carrot as he stood in the middle of a clearing and unsheathed his sword. 'Back at the church, they saw me use my powers. They answered my question... so this can't be an illusion of some sort. That means this is the real world... and...'
His trail of thought was interrupted when his ears picked up the sound of crunching leaves a couple yards away. Backing away from the clearing, he pressed his back against the trunk of a tree behind him and whispered a spell under his breath. The illusion wrapped around him like a cloak, keeping him hidden from sight as the footsteps grew louder.
"...Maybe he took a different path..."
Carrot's eyebrows raised as he distinguished his father's voice and seconds later, both Onion and Milphey appeared. The Sorcerer Hunter stood as still as a statue as his eyes followed their movement. Were they following him? Of course, they were Haz Knights after all.
"Or maybe he heard us," said Milphey. "From my observations he has very sharp senses. A little clueless most of the time; but he is your son after all."
"Hey!" Onion protested.
A small smile formed on the young man's lips as he continued to watch them walk past him. He then heard the sound of chuckling and swallowed hard. Both Haz Knights paused as the village elder stepped forward.
"Ho. Ho. Ho. That does sound like Carrot." The older man walked a few more steps before taking a seat on one of the rocks. "I think I'll meditate for awhile, why don't you both go on ahead."
"Let's split up," Milphey suggested. "We'll cover more ground."
"Yeah," agreed Onion. "Gramps, we'll let you know if we spot another intruder."
And then they were gone, leaving Carrot alone with the older man. The teenager swallowed hard, his eyes focused on Grandpa. But the other simply sat on the rock with legs folded and closed his eyes ... and then appeared to be snoring.
'He fell asleep?!' Carrot gave the elder man a incredulous stare before taking a step forward.
"You can show yourself now."
The boy swear under his head to see Grandpa's face had turned towards him. He swallowed again and stepped closer to the village elder and kneeled down. 'Can he... can he see me?'
Without warning, Grandpa raised his cane and struck the air before him. Instead of hitting air, there was a loud 'thunk' and a hiss when the wooden cane struck Carrot's skull. The illusion fell away and the teen was now sitting sprawled on the ground, rubbing his head.
"Ouch," the young Sorcerer Hunter mumbled before sitting up in a more dignified position. "How did you know that I was here?"
The older man opened his eyes and grinned. "Well, I didn't know it was you right away," answered Grandpa. "But I'm able to detect magic of any kind and noticed there was someone here. I maybe old but I'm not senile... yet."
The teen grinned. "Could have fooled me."
"You've been avoiding to come see me the past couple of days," Grandpa pointed out, holding his cane close to him. "You've also been rather distant towards the others. Do you really believe that by pushing people away you'll be able to save them?"
"What?"
Grandpa saw the confusion clear on Carrot's features and pointed his cane towards the young man's face. "You faced Zaha and his men alone. At first I thought you were being your usual brainless self!" The elder lowered his cane and his features became serious as he continued, "But after what Mama had told me, I actually wondered if you could handle them on your own."
"Mama...?" Carrot's eyes trailed to his sword then back to Grandpa. "What exactly did she tell you?"
Grandpa set his cane down and splayed his hands on his knees. "That you controlled unknown magical abilities," answered the elder. "Well, abilities unknown to us, and also the control over your Zoantrophy and Aranju powers."
"I see..." The Sorcerer Hunter looked him straight in the eye. "Are you just curious or are you worried that I'll do something unforgivable?"
"It's not you doing 'something' that we're worried about," replied Grandpa. "I'm worried of what Zaha Torte has in mind for you."
Carrot shivered before rising to his feet. "I-I won't let him use me as a tool for the destruction of this world. I swear."
Grandpa nodded as he placed a hand on Carrot's arm. "And what about the other reason? Why are you so afraid of him?"
"I-I'm not!" the young man protested quickly.
The older man closed his eyes and shook his head. "I saw fear in your eyes that night when they cornered you, Carrot. It was I who awakened you from his spell."
Umber eyes widened slightly. "That dream I had... you were able to...?"
"I gave you a dream that would take you back to the waking world," Grandpa explained. "You were very lucky to have escaped his clutches more than once that day. But in the end, he was the one to let you go."
"He didn't let me go," Carrot said flatly. "He ensnared me even closer."
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Zaha smiled as he pulled back from his prey, breaking the ravaging kiss to trail his lips across the other's throat. He growled like a predator, biting down on the boy's skin. Not enough to break the skin; but hard enough to leave his mark.
The Haz Knight gasped both in and pain and pleasure as a hand slipped between his legs to cradle his testicules. Rubbing urgently, the tips of the older man's fingers tickled the sensitive skin of his cock. Throwing his head back and he cried out as he felt a finger slide it's way into his body. The digit probed further, followed by a second and a third to stretch his entrance.
Another hand was stroking his chest, tweaking his nipples before trailing down his waist. Then the hands left his body, making the boy whimper in disappointment. His eyes then looked up to see that Zaha was now coating his length with scented oil.
His arms now free, Zanahoria sat up slightly by supporting himself on his elbows. The Sorcerer slowly eased himself between his legs, bending his knees until they rested on broad shoulders. Zaha leaned forward, pressing the boy back against the bed as he positioned the tip of his arousal against the offered entrance.
Taking a deep breath, the Sorcerer pushed himself forward burying his manhood slowly inside the youth's body. His lover hissed quietly as he felt those muscles stretch around to grip his stiff organ. Gritting his teeth, he pulled back only to push back inside in an agonizingly slow pace.
"Remember your promise," the knight hissed again, raising his hips off the bed to meet the his thrusts. "You'll let me go..."
Zaha chuckled as his pace began to pick up speed and force. "For now. I have a feeling that I won't have to promise anything next time."
"Next time?!" Zanahoria demanded angrily before moaning, digging his nails into the flesh of Zaha's forearms. "Damn you..."
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It was almost noon when Onion turned back, his stomach rumbling and was tired looking for his idiot son. Honestly, Carrot wasn't six years old anymore. Then the image of his eldest son crying began to haunt him. Carrot didn't cry, at least never like that.
He turned his head to see his friend Milphey. "Take it you didn't find him either?"
The Haz Knight shook his head and sighed. "He probably went back to the village. You know it's almost lunch time."
"Yeah." Onion nodded, his stomach rumbling again. "I know."
Milphey stifled a giggle as the two headed back to where they left Grandpa and were surprised to find out he wasn't alone. Not with just anybody, but the very young man they were looking for. Onion frowned, he couldn't believe he spent hours looking for the idiot only to find him here. Just when he was about to walk over to smack the boy one, he heard part of Carrot's conversation with Grandpa...
"...when I was Zaha's lover."
... And wished he hadn't.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY?!"
The words came before they had time to register in his mind. Carrot and Grandpa looked startled as they turned to face the ax-wielder. Onion was just staring disbelievingly at his eldest son, feeling as if he were just socked in the stomach.
"What," he began again, enunciating his words slowly. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?"
Carrot opened his mouth but no words came out, instead he just closed it and looked away. His father's eyes widened as he shook his head, wishing the teenager would tell him what he wanted to hear. Onion reached up and tightened his hand in hair, feeling like pulling it free from his scalp. Just like the thought of Carrot and Zaha kissing.
'Wait a minute,' he thought suddenly. 'Kissing? Zaha's lover... is that why Mama tried to kill him?!'
"Tell me I heard wrong. Tell me you're not Zaha's lover," Onion commanded. "Tell me!"
Carrot looked him straight in the eye before lowering his gaze. "I can't."
[ "That doesn't solve anything either," Carrot replied quietly.
"Don't be to sure," the Sorcerer told him before he gestured to Nate to follow. ]
"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!"
"Onion, calm down," urged Milphey. "Let Carrot explain."
"'Explain'?" the other knight rasped. "Explain that he was Zaha's ... ... and ... and betrayed us...?!"
The teenager gave his father a pained look and Grandpa stepped forward in front of Carrot. "Onion, please..."
The boy said nothing in his defense and his father took it only as a sign of guilt. "You must be the biggest idiot on the face of the world," Onion went on, a forming glare on his face. "Apricot died to save you! And you go off and whore yourself to that murdering bastard?!"
"Onion!"
"We loved you despite knowing what was inside you. Mama trusted you... to let you live..."
"Onion stop..."
"DAMMIT! SAY SOMETHING!" The Knight roared in anger.
Carrot flinched. "I'm sorry."
"Apricot died for you... and sometimes..." his voice wavered for a few seconds before he just let the words out. "Sometimes I wish you were never born at all!"
"ONION, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Grandpa's commanding voice crackled in the air like static, startling the three men around him. The elder man glance at Carrot and his elfish ears drooped slightly. "Carrot, why don't you explain? Tell them what you told me."
"Told you what?" Onion asked despite the glare he was getting from the village elder.
"It...," the boy began before shaking his head. "It doesn't matter."
Onion snorted before walking away. "Well, shit."
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Tira paced back and forth through the kitchen and every ten minutes looked at the clock. It was almost time for dinner and Carrot had not returned. Onion had came storming home at noon with Milphey short behind him, neither said a word to anyone. The younger Misu sister was beginning to get worried about everyone, neither Onion or Carrot missed meals.
She sighed and took a peak out the window and frowned. It was getting dark and supper would be ready in a few minutes. Chocolate was still asleep while Marron were talking to Gateau in the living room, waiting for their companion's return.
There was a sudden pop and Tira turned back to the soup that was still cooking. Scrambling back to the stove she turned the heat off and was relieved that dinner had not been burned. Leaning forward, she stirred the soup until her glasses became foggy.
"Jeeze," Tira mumbled as she pulled back to remove her glasses and wipe them clean with a near by dish rag. After that, she placed them back on and nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed someone standing quietly behind her.
"C-C-C-C-C-C-C-Carrot! Where have you been?" she demanded, whirling around to face him. She also wondered how he could have gotten in so quietly without alerting attention.
He grinned at the stammering girl. "Funny, I didn't know there were that many 'C's in my name."
She reddened in response.
"I was with grandpa," Carrot answered calmly. "Need help with dinner?"
"Uh..." Tira blinked in surprise, her glasses sliding down to the bridge of her nose. "Dinner's about done... you could set the table for me..."
He nodded and before reaching to get the clean dishes near the sink, he stared into her ruby colored eyes. The teenage girl caught his gaze and found her face heating up. Blushing furiously, she pushed her glasses back up and looked at him again.
"W-What?"
"Sorry," the young man apologized as he collected the dishes. "It's just rare when I get to see those eyes without you changing into your other self. They're beautiful."
"O-Oh." Tira blushed straight to the roots of her hair. "Thank you..."
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Dinner was surprisingly quiet... since Onion was surprisingly quiet. Neither he or Carrot spoke, especially towards each other. In fact, Carrot seemed to be to occupied eating his soup that he paid no mind of Onion hugging and going on about his favorite son. Then Apricot came over, late again for baking another dessert. By then Onion was once again his grinning loud-self but didn't look his eldest son at all. In fact, he just pretended the spiky-haired youth wasn't even there.
Without being noticed, not even by Chocolate and Tira who were sitting on either side of him at the table. Carrot slipped out of the house with no particular destination in mind. He found himself standing at Grandpa's doorstep and sighed.
The door creaked open upon his second knock and the village elder peered up at him and smiled. "Good evening, Haz Knight Zanahoria..."
Carrot blinked as his title and returned the smile followed by a polite bow with his head. "Good evening, Grandpa. I apologize for inconveniencing you again."
"That's quite all right," the old man chuckled. "Manners? My, this is going to take some time for me getting used to! Please, come inside."
"Thank you."
Carrot sat down at the dinning room table as Grandpa came out with a tray of tea and cookies. "So tell me," the village elder began as he poured a cup of tea for Carrot. "What brings you by to see me?"
"The pleasure of your company," Carrot replied as he accepted the tea. "And to inquire some information."
"Oh?" Grandpa's eye-brows lifted as he chomped onto a cookie.
The boy nodded as he stared at held the cup of tea in his hands. "First, the estimated locations of the five Platina Stones that Zaha is using to control his power."
The older man nearly chocked before taking a gulp of his tea. "So you already know of them?"
Carrot nodded his head and Grandpa stepped down from the table and came back with a piece of parchment and a quill. "I can draw you a map. If you and the other hunters plan on destroying them, I must warn you about the five guardian spirits... unless you already know of them too?"
"I know," answered Carrot. "They won't be that much of problem... well, except for Deneb."
"Who?"
"Err... never mind."
Grandpa went back to drawing as he bit into another cookie. "What else did you want to know?"
The youth watched him draw out the shape of Spooner Continent and within it, a circle. He swallowed hard before looking away from the map, "The exact location of Red Rum."
Carrot's expected to see Grandpa flinch. The village elder stopped on the third point of the star he was drawing and met those serious young eyes. "R-Rum? What does he have to do with this?"
The youth shrugged, "Nothing... yet. But if we're going up against a Sorcerer Doctor who's also the 'Man closest to God', I'm going to need more that just my sword. Speaking of weapons, I don't suppose you know where I can find a weapon merchant named Pickled Okra?"
"Rum and Okra?" Grandpa frowned as he completed the star. "You associated with these men in the Dream World?"
"Somewhat," Carrot replied.
The old man's frown deepened. "Then you must know that neither of them can be counted on as an ally."
"I don't plan on enlisting their aid," explained the teenager. "However, I do need certain items from each of them."
"And what makes you think they'll give these 'items' to you?" Grandpa inquired. "This is the real world now, Carrot. They won't recognize you as a Haz Knight... only a mere mortal."
"I know, and it can work to my advantage."
Grandpa rubbed his chin while throwing the young man a curious glance. "What are you planning?"
"It's a secret," answered Carrot as he reached for a cookie.
"Well, just be careful. A necromancer and a demon aren't the type of people you want to trust." Grandpa beamed at his drawing with pride and handed the map to the young man. "I can't tell you about Okra; but as far as I know, Rum lives in the east towards the outskirts of Shang-Shanghai."
"Really?" Carrot's studied the location Grandpa had pointed to on the map. Taking a sip of his tea, he made sure to circle that spot. A smile formed on his face before taking a bite of the cookie in his hand. "How convenient."
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Milphey Yu was rarely got annoyed, and now was one of those rare moments. He walked away from the Glace house, sorely tempted to slap sense into his old friend. Onion was really out of line as far as he was concerned.
He frowned slightly, Carrot admitting to be Zaha's lover was a shock. In fact, he found the whole idea unbelievable. The two were so different! Well, until the Zaha's last appearance at the church; the young Sorcerer Hunter hasn't been himself lately. The kiss that everyone had witnessed backed his confession. Milphey reddened slightly and he wasn't sure why. So, Carrot Glace liked men after all... what a surprise...
The Haz Knight looked up from his spying-place and saw the young man step outside Grandpa's house. Carrot turned around, bowed slightly to the village elder and the two laughed. Milphey's eyes followed the boy as he turned back home.
"If you're going to spy on me," Carrot began, stopping in his tracks. The boy then turned his head to smile at the stunned knight. "You should look for better hiding places..."
Milphey jumped down from the chimney he had been perched on and landed neatly besides the young man. He returned the smile despite the hesitant look on his face. "Just concerned about you, we all are. I don't think we've been properly introduced, I'm..."
"Milphey Yu," Carrot finished. "Captain of the Haz Knights. I remember, I did ask you out... of course then I thought you were a woman."
The older man smiled, "Well looking like one is my hobby. So do you still feel the same way?"
"Everyone saw me kiss Zaha Torte, the MAN closest to God. What do you think?"
"About that..."
"The explanation will have to wait," Carrot told him. "Tomorrow, I'll tell you everything."
"Everything," Milphey repeated. "How you were able to use magic, able to control your other form, and being Zaha's lover?"
"Everything." The teenager let out a yawn before giving Milphey a tired lazy smile. Right now, I wanna crawl into bed and go to sleep. Today was pretty nerve-wracking for me."
"I know," Milphey replied as he spotted Onion walking Caramel home. His friend spot them and quickly looked away until the couple were out of sight. The purple-haired man sighed and gazed back at Carrot who had seen the same thing. The melancholy look on the young man's face nearly fractured his heart. Sorrow, longing, frustration; swirled in those umber eyes and the Haz Knight found himself wanting to dispel them.
"Carrot..."
The young Sorcerer Hunter struggled to regain his smile. "Well, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Carrot..." Milphey spoke softly as he watched the him walk away.
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Sunlight filtered through the windows of the bedroom and Zanahoria stirred awake. The young man opened his eyes to find himself laying sprawled on his back still laying in the bed he had been bound to the other night. Sitting up, he grasped the black silk sheets to cover his nudity and stared at his abductor. His predator. His lover.
"Sleep well?" asked Zaha from where he sat in an armchair across the room. In front of the Sorcerer was a table served with delicious looking breakfast for two. "Come eat, you'll need your strength."
"I'm fine," Zanahoria answered bitterly as he found his clothes folded at the foot of the bed. He quickly dressed and was about to dash right out the door until the Sorcerer called out to him. Hesitantly he walked up to the older man's side and was pulled into a long passionate kiss.
"You're losing weight," Zaha said upon releasing him. "You ought to eat more. Won't you join me for breakfast?"
"N-No," the Knight answered as he backed away. He resisted the urge to gulp down the mug of coffee and kept his feet firmly planted to the floor. "I'm leaving."
The Sorcerer nodded his head and began to smother jam on his bagel with a butter knife. "I look forward to the next hunt."
Zanahoria stiffened before turning towards the door, mumbling along the way: "You're obsessed."
Zaha smirked and took a bite of his bagel and leaned back into his chair. "Carrot, I thought you already knew that."
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Zaha awoke with a start as his grandfather clocked chimed the noon hour. The sorcerer sat up in his chair brushed the long strands of violet hair from his eyes. Sitting up in his chair in a more dignified position, he cast a glance towards one of the large windows. He blinked in surprise to notice that Nate wasn't standing there like she always did. Always at his side, she was loyal and devoted...
"I repaid you with nothing but pain," he murmured to himself. Absently, Zaha brought a finger to his lips and let his eyes slide shut. He could still taste the boy in his mouth. Those trembling warm lips and the metallic tinge of blood. The boy was delicious. It made the former Haz Knight want Carrot Glace for more than just his hidden powers.
The violet-eyed man cursed himself for wanting such a thing. Lust was a craving he hadn't felt in years, unless it was his craving for power. But when it all came down to it, Carrot Glace was power. Well, the kind Zaha desired: the power to change the world.
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End of Chapter Four
If you give me feedback, I'll give you an invisible fortune cookie... or at least it will get me to write faster ^_^
Written By: Teno Hikari
email: teno_hikari@yahoo.com / tenohikari@cs.com
Beta-Read By: Sarryn
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 Haz Knight awoke to the sound of fire, not like the roaring flames that had consumed Hordic; but the gentle cracking from a fire place. Was he in a room? Was he safe? Feeling as if they were stitched down, he struggled to opened his disoriented eyes. His vision cleared after a couple of seconds and he found himself staring at a ceiling.
He tried to move his hands and the rattling sound of chains broke the silence. It also drew the attention of the other person in the room who was staring into the fire. Violet eyes regarded the bound young man on his bed and narrowed in amusement as the other realized his situation. The youth's face flushed crimson with both anger and embarrassment as he learned that he wear nothing. Well, except for one of the black silk sheets that covered his nudity. He knew what was coming and it both frightened and infuriated him at the same time.
"You have yourself to blame for the restraints," said the violet-eyed sorcerer. "If you had only surrendered peacefully, my soldiers wouldn't have had to be so brutal. However, you did manage to blind the one of them though."
Zanahoria glared at the amused grin that infuriated him so. "If he was following your orders, then he was already blind to begin with."
Zaha's mouth half quirked into a smile before he took another sip wine from his gauntlet. Setting it down at the table he began to remove his armor and robes, an action that made the young man's pulse race. He turned his eyes to anything they could fixate on in the room. Like the
dark burgundy tapestries on the walls or the pile of his Haz Knight uniform on the floor.
Footsteps grew louder as the older man advanced towards the bed. His captive flinched and instinctively drew back against the headboard. The movement had caused the sheet to slide down a little, exposing his hips. The former knight's eyes widened slightly in appreciation.
The backhand to the boy's face stilled his fleeing movements as the bed sheet was ripped away. Head ringing for a few minutes, he didn't even notice as the sorcerer began to remove his clothes. It was when he felt bare skin pressed against his own, that he began to struggle. He thrashed underneath the larger man, trying to throw him off. The boy's are narrowed and raised his knee towards the other man's groin. Zaha had predicted the oncoming assault and caught the his leg before the knee connected.
Another blow to his numb cheek and the coppery metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. Zaha used the distraction to capture the other leg, raising them up and placing a pillow underneath the boy's hips. Dark brown eyes widened in fear as he felt hard and heated flesh press against his entrance.
"It's been to long...," Zaha murmured quietly, leaning over the flushed younger man. Slowly, he pushed forward eliciting a strangled gasp from the knight underneath him. "But I've enjoyed the hunt. It's given me much time to raise an army that can stand up to that woman and her foolish ideals."
His features which had been a dark glare had lightened up a bit as he added, "But, I must say how impressed I am to learn of your progress, Haz Knight Zanahoria..."
He let out another pained gasp as the older man tilted his hips forward, slowly skewering him. "Who would have thought," Zaha continued. "That the fearsome enemy my army has faced on the battlefield; was indeed my Carrot Glace."
Youthful umber eyes widened in outrage. "I'm not..." Zanahoria began until a the forceful kiss sealed his lips.
"Nothing has changed," the Sorcerer said softly after he broke the kiss seconds later. "You are still the one who will fulfill both my dream and my desires."
Zaha then pulled his hips back and thrust forward, burying his entire length within the tight channel. His prey let out an eardrum-shattering scream as the large intruder brutally invaded his body without the aid of lubricant. He let out a groan as the velvety-heat squeezed him possessively, fanning the flames of his lust. His hands were now everywhere, exploring the other's slender form.... claiming the boy once again.
He stilled his vigorous thrusting and wiped away the forming tears from his captive's face. "Give yourself to me just like before."
The knight shook his head violently, squeezing his eyes shut so the other man couldn't see his tears. He heard the Zaha sigh and felt him pull out slowly much to his relief. However, with the withdrawal left only a burning ache and an a urgent need.
"Very well," Zaha sighed again as his sat up to pour himself another drink. Those earth brown just followed his movements, and suddenly the boy wished he were blind.
The Sorcerer stood shamelessly nude in the center of the room. The light from the fire was bathing his skin in a warm glow, outlining those well formed muscles and battle scars. The boy choked and tear his gaze from the older man's broad chest to his groin. Which just made things worse. From between his legs, Zaha's erection stood out proudly... as well as patiently.
The bound young man wished he could gauge out his eyes when he felt his own manhood awaken with interest. He looked up and found his gaze ensnared by violet just like a serpent around it's prey. His mortal enemy grinned and poured himself another drink.
"Are you thirsty?"
Zanahoria found his throat suddenly dry but didn't respond as the other man walked over, cup in hand, to the side of the bed. His body tensed as a warm hand slid over his throat to cup his chin. Their eyes met once more as he tried desperately to control the building need in his loins.
"Let me go..." he rasped, wincing when his voiced cracked due to the parch feeling in his throat. He probably had strained his voice because of the screaming.
Zaha raised an eyebrow and examined his prey. "Let you go?" he repeated. "Why should I do that after all the power I've exhausted just to catch you?"
The boy turned his face away and caught his hunter's thoughtful look.
"Perhaps I will," the Sorcerer considered to himself. Zanahoria faced him again with an incredulous stare. "Perhaps I'll let you run free for a little while longer...for a price of course."
The Knight swallowed hard while still keeping eye-contact. He glared at the Sorcerer and in a dark velvety tone asked, "And what type of currency shall I pay with?"
"One night," Zaha replied coolly. "One night to submit to me as you had many times years ago."
The glare had gotten darker. "I swear I never would."
"You also swear that you would destroy me for the deaths of your loved ones," the older man pointed out.
Zanahoria growled, bared his teeth and wanting to use them to rip the bastard's neck apart. "I will find a way to kill you," he promised him. "All in a matter of time."
The former Haz Knight nodded calmly. "I'm giving you time. So choose: one night for your freedom in the morning. Or..."
The anger rapidly melted into fear at the unspoken threat. Giving the chain above his head another useless yank, Zanahoria finally nodded. He closed his eyes again so he wouldn't have to see his enemy's victorious smile.
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Chapter Four - Obsession
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"Good morning."
Tira and Marron jerked their heads up to see Carrot step into the kitchen. The teenage girl's eyes went slightly wide to realize that the other hunter wasn't sleep walking like he normally did this early in the morning. No, he was fully awake as if he had been up for hours. That of course, was impossible since this Sorcerer Hunter happened to be Carrot Glace. The laziest sex-craved young man she ever knew, yet despite his faults, Tira and the rest of the team cared deeply for him.
"Good morning, Carrot," Tira smiled. "Want some breakfast?"
The dark-haired young man blinked at the question before shaking his head. "No thanks, I'm not hungry. I think I'll have some coffee instead."
Marron watch his older brother pour himself a mug full of warm coffee and then downed it in four gulps without sugar or crème. "Brother?"
Carrot drained the mug and finished with a satisfied sigh before looking at the worried mage. "Yeah?"
"Are you feeling okay?" His little brother stepped forward and placed a hand on his forehead. "No fever... I guess you didn't catch anything from either Gateau or Chocolate. Still, you're never up this early. Is something wrong?"
Of course there was something wrong. Marron knew it the moment the older boy used magic to transform himself. Used magic period... they had all believed that their team mate was incapable of wielding it. Then ever since they left the church, he had noticed the change in his brother's personality. His calm and cool attitude, his anger, and ...
"No," Carrot replied, shaking his head his head and smiled. "I'm fine."
Amber eyes narrowed as the memory of Zaha Torte forcing his brother to kiss him. No, what really bothered him was that Carrot kissed back. The young Sorcerer Hunter just didn't want to believe it at first. There was no way his brother would kiss another man. Especially the man who was hunting him. But, he also had to keep in mind that Carrot had not told them anything that he knew the former Haz Knight ... and they called each other by name.
The mage frowned as older boy turned his back to them and poured himself another cup of coffee. "You know," he tried again, placing his hand on the other's shoulder. "You can tell me anything."
"I know," came the absent reply as Carrot finished his second cup. "I'm going to go see Pop... maybe pry him away from his fiancée for a few minutes. Later guys."
Tira opened her mouth to say something but the spiky-haired teenager was already out the door. Marron's eyes followed his brother's departure and his frown deepened. 'You can tell me anything,' his mind repeated. 'You just don't want to.'
-----------------------
Once again his fake smile dissolved into a blank stare as Carrot shut the door behind him. He really had to get his act together, and soon, before they start putting the pieces of his puzzle together. Then again, even if they did, his friends wouldn't know what to make of the picture.
It was the third day they spent in Hordic, waiting for their team mates to recover, and Carrot found himself restless. Zaha and his followers were still out, plotting who knows what against them. Instead of just going off on his own, he spent most of the time in his room. Not that he wanted to be secluded, he just needed time to think about the past couple of days. Sooner or later, Big Mama was going to confront him and he wanted to give her a believable answer.
'Believable,' he snorted to himself. 'Not even I believe all of it.'
He released a sigh as he headed towards the forest to train, sword at his side. Somewhere near the bottom would be nice; but there were simply to many traps to and guards to get passed without being noticed or mistaken for an invader. At the top would have to do since there were less traps and surveillance. He would also be close to the village, which would be problematic if someone were to see him.
'But they've seen enough,' thought Carrot as he stood in the middle of a clearing and unsheathed his sword. 'Back at the church, they saw me use my powers. They answered my question... so this can't be an illusion of some sort. That means this is the real world... and...'
His trail of thought was interrupted when his ears picked up the sound of crunching leaves a couple yards away. Backing away from the clearing, he pressed his back against the trunk of a tree behind him and whispered a spell under his breath. The illusion wrapped around him like a cloak, keeping him hidden from sight as the footsteps grew louder.
"...Maybe he took a different path..."
Carrot's eyebrows raised as he distinguished his father's voice and seconds later, both Onion and Milphey appeared. The Sorcerer Hunter stood as still as a statue as his eyes followed their movement. Were they following him? Of course, they were Haz Knights after all.
"Or maybe he heard us," said Milphey. "From my observations he has very sharp senses. A little clueless most of the time; but he is your son after all."
"Hey!" Onion protested.
A small smile formed on the young man's lips as he continued to watch them walk past him. He then heard the sound of chuckling and swallowed hard. Both Haz Knights paused as the village elder stepped forward.
"Ho. Ho. Ho. That does sound like Carrot." The older man walked a few more steps before taking a seat on one of the rocks. "I think I'll meditate for awhile, why don't you both go on ahead."
"Let's split up," Milphey suggested. "We'll cover more ground."
"Yeah," agreed Onion. "Gramps, we'll let you know if we spot another intruder."
And then they were gone, leaving Carrot alone with the older man. The teenager swallowed hard, his eyes focused on Grandpa. But the other simply sat on the rock with legs folded and closed his eyes ... and then appeared to be snoring.
'He fell asleep?!' Carrot gave the elder man a incredulous stare before taking a step forward.
"You can show yourself now."
The boy swear under his head to see Grandpa's face had turned towards him. He swallowed again and stepped closer to the village elder and kneeled down. 'Can he... can he see me?'
Without warning, Grandpa raised his cane and struck the air before him. Instead of hitting air, there was a loud 'thunk' and a hiss when the wooden cane struck Carrot's skull. The illusion fell away and the teen was now sitting sprawled on the ground, rubbing his head.
"Ouch," the young Sorcerer Hunter mumbled before sitting up in a more dignified position. "How did you know that I was here?"
The older man opened his eyes and grinned. "Well, I didn't know it was you right away," answered Grandpa. "But I'm able to detect magic of any kind and noticed there was someone here. I maybe old but I'm not senile... yet."
The teen grinned. "Could have fooled me."
"You've been avoiding to come see me the past couple of days," Grandpa pointed out, holding his cane close to him. "You've also been rather distant towards the others. Do you really believe that by pushing people away you'll be able to save them?"
"What?"
Grandpa saw the confusion clear on Carrot's features and pointed his cane towards the young man's face. "You faced Zaha and his men alone. At first I thought you were being your usual brainless self!" The elder lowered his cane and his features became serious as he continued, "But after what Mama had told me, I actually wondered if you could handle them on your own."
"Mama...?" Carrot's eyes trailed to his sword then back to Grandpa. "What exactly did she tell you?"
Grandpa set his cane down and splayed his hands on his knees. "That you controlled unknown magical abilities," answered the elder. "Well, abilities unknown to us, and also the control over your Zoantrophy and Aranju powers."
"I see..." The Sorcerer Hunter looked him straight in the eye. "Are you just curious or are you worried that I'll do something unforgivable?"
"It's not you doing 'something' that we're worried about," replied Grandpa. "I'm worried of what Zaha Torte has in mind for you."
Carrot shivered before rising to his feet. "I-I won't let him use me as a tool for the destruction of this world. I swear."
Grandpa nodded as he placed a hand on Carrot's arm. "And what about the other reason? Why are you so afraid of him?"
"I-I'm not!" the young man protested quickly.
The older man closed his eyes and shook his head. "I saw fear in your eyes that night when they cornered you, Carrot. It was I who awakened you from his spell."
Umber eyes widened slightly. "That dream I had... you were able to...?"
"I gave you a dream that would take you back to the waking world," Grandpa explained. "You were very lucky to have escaped his clutches more than once that day. But in the end, he was the one to let you go."
"He didn't let me go," Carrot said flatly. "He ensnared me even closer."
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Zaha smiled as he pulled back from his prey, breaking the ravaging kiss to trail his lips across the other's throat. He growled like a predator, biting down on the boy's skin. Not enough to break the skin; but hard enough to leave his mark.
The Haz Knight gasped both in and pain and pleasure as a hand slipped between his legs to cradle his testicules. Rubbing urgently, the tips of the older man's fingers tickled the sensitive skin of his cock. Throwing his head back and he cried out as he felt a finger slide it's way into his body. The digit probed further, followed by a second and a third to stretch his entrance.
Another hand was stroking his chest, tweaking his nipples before trailing down his waist. Then the hands left his body, making the boy whimper in disappointment. His eyes then looked up to see that Zaha was now coating his length with scented oil.
His arms now free, Zanahoria sat up slightly by supporting himself on his elbows. The Sorcerer slowly eased himself between his legs, bending his knees until they rested on broad shoulders. Zaha leaned forward, pressing the boy back against the bed as he positioned the tip of his arousal against the offered entrance.
Taking a deep breath, the Sorcerer pushed himself forward burying his manhood slowly inside the youth's body. His lover hissed quietly as he felt those muscles stretch around to grip his stiff organ. Gritting his teeth, he pulled back only to push back inside in an agonizingly slow pace.
"Remember your promise," the knight hissed again, raising his hips off the bed to meet the his thrusts. "You'll let me go..."
Zaha chuckled as his pace began to pick up speed and force. "For now. I have a feeling that I won't have to promise anything next time."
"Next time?!" Zanahoria demanded angrily before moaning, digging his nails into the flesh of Zaha's forearms. "Damn you..."
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It was almost noon when Onion turned back, his stomach rumbling and was tired looking for his idiot son. Honestly, Carrot wasn't six years old anymore. Then the image of his eldest son crying began to haunt him. Carrot didn't cry, at least never like that.
He turned his head to see his friend Milphey. "Take it you didn't find him either?"
The Haz Knight shook his head and sighed. "He probably went back to the village. You know it's almost lunch time."
"Yeah." Onion nodded, his stomach rumbling again. "I know."
Milphey stifled a giggle as the two headed back to where they left Grandpa and were surprised to find out he wasn't alone. Not with just anybody, but the very young man they were looking for. Onion frowned, he couldn't believe he spent hours looking for the idiot only to find him here. Just when he was about to walk over to smack the boy one, he heard part of Carrot's conversation with Grandpa...
"...when I was Zaha's lover."
... And wished he hadn't.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY?!"
The words came before they had time to register in his mind. Carrot and Grandpa looked startled as they turned to face the ax-wielder. Onion was just staring disbelievingly at his eldest son, feeling as if he were just socked in the stomach.
"What," he began again, enunciating his words slowly. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?"
Carrot opened his mouth but no words came out, instead he just closed it and looked away. His father's eyes widened as he shook his head, wishing the teenager would tell him what he wanted to hear. Onion reached up and tightened his hand in hair, feeling like pulling it free from his scalp. Just like the thought of Carrot and Zaha kissing.
'Wait a minute,' he thought suddenly. 'Kissing? Zaha's lover... is that why Mama tried to kill him?!'
"Tell me I heard wrong. Tell me you're not Zaha's lover," Onion commanded. "Tell me!"
Carrot looked him straight in the eye before lowering his gaze. "I can't."
[ "That doesn't solve anything either," Carrot replied quietly.
"Don't be to sure," the Sorcerer told him before he gestured to Nate to follow. ]
"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!"
"Onion, calm down," urged Milphey. "Let Carrot explain."
"'Explain'?" the other knight rasped. "Explain that he was Zaha's ... ... and ... and betrayed us...?!"
The teenager gave his father a pained look and Grandpa stepped forward in front of Carrot. "Onion, please..."
The boy said nothing in his defense and his father took it only as a sign of guilt. "You must be the biggest idiot on the face of the world," Onion went on, a forming glare on his face. "Apricot died to save you! And you go off and whore yourself to that murdering bastard?!"
"Onion!"
"We loved you despite knowing what was inside you. Mama trusted you... to let you live..."
"Onion stop..."
"DAMMIT! SAY SOMETHING!" The Knight roared in anger.
Carrot flinched. "I'm sorry."
"Apricot died for you... and sometimes..." his voice wavered for a few seconds before he just let the words out. "Sometimes I wish you were never born at all!"
"ONION, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Grandpa's commanding voice crackled in the air like static, startling the three men around him. The elder man glance at Carrot and his elfish ears drooped slightly. "Carrot, why don't you explain? Tell them what you told me."
"Told you what?" Onion asked despite the glare he was getting from the village elder.
"It...," the boy began before shaking his head. "It doesn't matter."
Onion snorted before walking away. "Well, shit."
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Tira paced back and forth through the kitchen and every ten minutes looked at the clock. It was almost time for dinner and Carrot had not returned. Onion had came storming home at noon with Milphey short behind him, neither said a word to anyone. The younger Misu sister was beginning to get worried about everyone, neither Onion or Carrot missed meals.
She sighed and took a peak out the window and frowned. It was getting dark and supper would be ready in a few minutes. Chocolate was still asleep while Marron were talking to Gateau in the living room, waiting for their companion's return.
There was a sudden pop and Tira turned back to the soup that was still cooking. Scrambling back to the stove she turned the heat off and was relieved that dinner had not been burned. Leaning forward, she stirred the soup until her glasses became foggy.
"Jeeze," Tira mumbled as she pulled back to remove her glasses and wipe them clean with a near by dish rag. After that, she placed them back on and nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed someone standing quietly behind her.
"C-C-C-C-C-C-C-Carrot! Where have you been?" she demanded, whirling around to face him. She also wondered how he could have gotten in so quietly without alerting attention.
He grinned at the stammering girl. "Funny, I didn't know there were that many 'C's in my name."
She reddened in response.
"I was with grandpa," Carrot answered calmly. "Need help with dinner?"
"Uh..." Tira blinked in surprise, her glasses sliding down to the bridge of her nose. "Dinner's about done... you could set the table for me..."
He nodded and before reaching to get the clean dishes near the sink, he stared into her ruby colored eyes. The teenage girl caught his gaze and found her face heating up. Blushing furiously, she pushed her glasses back up and looked at him again.
"W-What?"
"Sorry," the young man apologized as he collected the dishes. "It's just rare when I get to see those eyes without you changing into your other self. They're beautiful."
"O-Oh." Tira blushed straight to the roots of her hair. "Thank you..."
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Dinner was surprisingly quiet... since Onion was surprisingly quiet. Neither he or Carrot spoke, especially towards each other. In fact, Carrot seemed to be to occupied eating his soup that he paid no mind of Onion hugging and going on about his favorite son. Then Apricot came over, late again for baking another dessert. By then Onion was once again his grinning loud-self but didn't look his eldest son at all. In fact, he just pretended the spiky-haired youth wasn't even there.
Without being noticed, not even by Chocolate and Tira who were sitting on either side of him at the table. Carrot slipped out of the house with no particular destination in mind. He found himself standing at Grandpa's doorstep and sighed.
The door creaked open upon his second knock and the village elder peered up at him and smiled. "Good evening, Haz Knight Zanahoria..."
Carrot blinked as his title and returned the smile followed by a polite bow with his head. "Good evening, Grandpa. I apologize for inconveniencing you again."
"That's quite all right," the old man chuckled. "Manners? My, this is going to take some time for me getting used to! Please, come inside."
"Thank you."
Carrot sat down at the dinning room table as Grandpa came out with a tray of tea and cookies. "So tell me," the village elder began as he poured a cup of tea for Carrot. "What brings you by to see me?"
"The pleasure of your company," Carrot replied as he accepted the tea. "And to inquire some information."
"Oh?" Grandpa's eye-brows lifted as he chomped onto a cookie.
The boy nodded as he stared at held the cup of tea in his hands. "First, the estimated locations of the five Platina Stones that Zaha is using to control his power."
The older man nearly chocked before taking a gulp of his tea. "So you already know of them?"
Carrot nodded his head and Grandpa stepped down from the table and came back with a piece of parchment and a quill. "I can draw you a map. If you and the other hunters plan on destroying them, I must warn you about the five guardian spirits... unless you already know of them too?"
"I know," answered Carrot. "They won't be that much of problem... well, except for Deneb."
"Who?"
"Err... never mind."
Grandpa went back to drawing as he bit into another cookie. "What else did you want to know?"
The youth watched him draw out the shape of Spooner Continent and within it, a circle. He swallowed hard before looking away from the map, "The exact location of Red Rum."
Carrot's expected to see Grandpa flinch. The village elder stopped on the third point of the star he was drawing and met those serious young eyes. "R-Rum? What does he have to do with this?"
The youth shrugged, "Nothing... yet. But if we're going up against a Sorcerer Doctor who's also the 'Man closest to God', I'm going to need more that just my sword. Speaking of weapons, I don't suppose you know where I can find a weapon merchant named Pickled Okra?"
"Rum and Okra?" Grandpa frowned as he completed the star. "You associated with these men in the Dream World?"
"Somewhat," Carrot replied.
The old man's frown deepened. "Then you must know that neither of them can be counted on as an ally."
"I don't plan on enlisting their aid," explained the teenager. "However, I do need certain items from each of them."
"And what makes you think they'll give these 'items' to you?" Grandpa inquired. "This is the real world now, Carrot. They won't recognize you as a Haz Knight... only a mere mortal."
"I know, and it can work to my advantage."
Grandpa rubbed his chin while throwing the young man a curious glance. "What are you planning?"
"It's a secret," answered Carrot as he reached for a cookie.
"Well, just be careful. A necromancer and a demon aren't the type of people you want to trust." Grandpa beamed at his drawing with pride and handed the map to the young man. "I can't tell you about Okra; but as far as I know, Rum lives in the east towards the outskirts of Shang-Shanghai."
"Really?" Carrot's studied the location Grandpa had pointed to on the map. Taking a sip of his tea, he made sure to circle that spot. A smile formed on his face before taking a bite of the cookie in his hand. "How convenient."
-----------------------
Milphey Yu was rarely got annoyed, and now was one of those rare moments. He walked away from the Glace house, sorely tempted to slap sense into his old friend. Onion was really out of line as far as he was concerned.
He frowned slightly, Carrot admitting to be Zaha's lover was a shock. In fact, he found the whole idea unbelievable. The two were so different! Well, until the Zaha's last appearance at the church; the young Sorcerer Hunter hasn't been himself lately. The kiss that everyone had witnessed backed his confession. Milphey reddened slightly and he wasn't sure why. So, Carrot Glace liked men after all... what a surprise...
The Haz Knight looked up from his spying-place and saw the young man step outside Grandpa's house. Carrot turned around, bowed slightly to the village elder and the two laughed. Milphey's eyes followed the boy as he turned back home.
"If you're going to spy on me," Carrot began, stopping in his tracks. The boy then turned his head to smile at the stunned knight. "You should look for better hiding places..."
Milphey jumped down from the chimney he had been perched on and landed neatly besides the young man. He returned the smile despite the hesitant look on his face. "Just concerned about you, we all are. I don't think we've been properly introduced, I'm..."
"Milphey Yu," Carrot finished. "Captain of the Haz Knights. I remember, I did ask you out... of course then I thought you were a woman."
The older man smiled, "Well looking like one is my hobby. So do you still feel the same way?"
"Everyone saw me kiss Zaha Torte, the MAN closest to God. What do you think?"
"About that..."
"The explanation will have to wait," Carrot told him. "Tomorrow, I'll tell you everything."
"Everything," Milphey repeated. "How you were able to use magic, able to control your other form, and being Zaha's lover?"
"Everything." The teenager let out a yawn before giving Milphey a tired lazy smile. Right now, I wanna crawl into bed and go to sleep. Today was pretty nerve-wracking for me."
"I know," Milphey replied as he spotted Onion walking Caramel home. His friend spot them and quickly looked away until the couple were out of sight. The purple-haired man sighed and gazed back at Carrot who had seen the same thing. The melancholy look on the young man's face nearly fractured his heart. Sorrow, longing, frustration; swirled in those umber eyes and the Haz Knight found himself wanting to dispel them.
"Carrot..."
The young Sorcerer Hunter struggled to regain his smile. "Well, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Carrot..." Milphey spoke softly as he watched the him walk away.
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Sunlight filtered through the windows of the bedroom and Zanahoria stirred awake. The young man opened his eyes to find himself laying sprawled on his back still laying in the bed he had been bound to the other night. Sitting up, he grasped the black silk sheets to cover his nudity and stared at his abductor. His predator. His lover.
"Sleep well?" asked Zaha from where he sat in an armchair across the room. In front of the Sorcerer was a table served with delicious looking breakfast for two. "Come eat, you'll need your strength."
"I'm fine," Zanahoria answered bitterly as he found his clothes folded at the foot of the bed. He quickly dressed and was about to dash right out the door until the Sorcerer called out to him. Hesitantly he walked up to the older man's side and was pulled into a long passionate kiss.
"You're losing weight," Zaha said upon releasing him. "You ought to eat more. Won't you join me for breakfast?"
"N-No," the Knight answered as he backed away. He resisted the urge to gulp down the mug of coffee and kept his feet firmly planted to the floor. "I'm leaving."
The Sorcerer nodded his head and began to smother jam on his bagel with a butter knife. "I look forward to the next hunt."
Zanahoria stiffened before turning towards the door, mumbling along the way: "You're obsessed."
Zaha smirked and took a bite of his bagel and leaned back into his chair. "Carrot, I thought you already knew that."
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Zaha awoke with a start as his grandfather clocked chimed the noon hour. The sorcerer sat up in his chair brushed the long strands of violet hair from his eyes. Sitting up in his chair in a more dignified position, he cast a glance towards one of the large windows. He blinked in surprise to notice that Nate wasn't standing there like she always did. Always at his side, she was loyal and devoted...
"I repaid you with nothing but pain," he murmured to himself. Absently, Zaha brought a finger to his lips and let his eyes slide shut. He could still taste the boy in his mouth. Those trembling warm lips and the metallic tinge of blood. The boy was delicious. It made the former Haz Knight want Carrot Glace for more than just his hidden powers.
The violet-eyed man cursed himself for wanting such a thing. Lust was a craving he hadn't felt in years, unless it was his craving for power. But when it all came down to it, Carrot Glace was power. Well, the kind Zaha desired: the power to change the world.
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End of Chapter Four
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