Vampire Hunter D Fan Fiction ❯ Venturing Homeward ❯ Chapter 1

Disclaimers: I don't own Vampire Hunter D. This fanfic plotline is mine.

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Once he was far away from the Lang farm, D rode his horse steadily back to the remains of Count Lee's castle. Dismounting from the horse, D walked along the broken remains. He came across the doorway where the mutant Rei Gensay supposedly died, but D knew better. Rei, after all, was a mutant who could bend space at his will, and D doubted a great deal that Lee had killed him. Like many mutants, Rei's instincts for survival would prevent him from getting into a life-threatening situation that he couldn't handle. Pausing on remains of the house of Lee, D's sensitive nose picked up the heavy scent of blood and followed it. D suspected that the scent of blood filling his nose was probably that of Lamika and, unlike her father, she deserved a more proper burial.

However, D began to realize that the scent of blood hovering in the air was fresh and was not of Lamika's as he thought.

There up ahead was Rei Gensay, seated on a rock. He was clutching his bandaged limb, the very one that D had severed off during their pervious battle. As D ventured closer to the mutant, he began to realize that Rei seemed to be concentrating; beads of sweat rolled down his face and he was breathing hard but rhythmically, and as the Dhampire continued to watch, Rei gave a loud painful scream as a new hand sprouted from the stub. Blood and other liquids covered the limb as Rei rubbed it, getting the blood to circulate. Rei then sense D's presence as well as his scent, and looked up. Rei looked away and made a fist, testing out his new hand.

'I had a feeling that the Dhampire would return to this place after he made sure that the girl was alright,' Rei thought.

"Come to finish the job. Or are you perhaps thinking of buying the land?" Rei asked, sarcasm hinting his tone. Rei stood up. "Well, I have no quarrel with you, Dhampire. Surprised to see me still alive?"

"No. I knew that Lee couldn't kill you as you have the ability to bend space at your very will," D replied.

"Smart boy," Rei replied. "I knew that I could fool Lee into believing I was dead, but you on the other hand knew better."

"And what will you do now since the count is dead?" D asked.

"Oh, I suppose I will simply go home," Rei replied. He eyed the Dhampire hunter with a look. "What? Didn't think I have a home to return to? You'd be surprised."

Rei stretched and looked up ward towards the sky. "But first things first, hunter. We need to leave this area before nightfall. I don't want to be around here when that happens and I'm sure that you don't either, less we both get sucked into something we don't want."

"He's right, D," the spirit in his hand said. "You need to get moving."

"Who said that?" Rei demanded, turning his head around to find the third party.

"I'm in his hand," the spirit said.

Rei crossed his arms. "Ah, that explains why and how you, Dhampire, are still around." He smirked. "Handy little buggers, aren't they."

"Ha, ha, very funny," the spirit in D's hand deadpanned.

"How far away is the nearest town?" D asked.

"There's a town ten miles from here. We'll reach it before nightfall if we hurray," Rei said.

"No," D said.

"Beg pardon?" Rei asked.

"I work alone. I do not need your company," D replied.

Rei laughed sounding thoroughly amused. "Hate to point this out to you, but I'm heading in that direction 'cause that's where my family lives. Now, if you want, and I'm feeling very generous despite the history between us, you can come and rest away at my parents' house until your next big hunt. My parents are good people and very kind hosts, and you have my word that no danger by my family will come to you while you're there." He added as an after thought. "Aside from the fact that my sisters will probably be visiting as well and they are attracted to beautiful things much like yourself, hunter."

D, never being one to argue, mounted his horse. "Alright." A rest before his services was needed again sounded nice. He offered Rei a hand to join him, to which caused the mutant to smile.

"I thank you kindly," Rei said as D helped him onto the horse.

By nightfall they both approached the town. Rei dismounted from the horse, walked over to the large fountain in the middle of the square and dove his head into the water. He stayed like that for several moments before he stood up and took a step back, wiping the water out from his eyes.

"Ah, needed that after regenerating my hand," Rei said happily and a little out of breath. D allowed his horse to drink while Rei scanned the buildings for an inn. "There's an inn. I'll get us a room or what not while you water your horse."

D watched as Rei walked over and disappeared into the inn.

"Well, he seems quite pleasant enough when he's not attempting to kill you," the spirit in D's hand remarked. "And he was even nice enough to board us a room, though I wouldn't let your guard down yet."

"He attempted to kill me because he was ordered to do so by Lee," D said.

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Rei entered the inn and headed right up to the front desk. "I'd like a room, please."

The man turned around and stared at Rei for a moment before reaching over to hand Rei a key.

"My grandfather told me that one day I would be visited by a man who fits your description and that I was to give you a old wooden box that he kept in his safe," the innkeeper said. "Wait a moment while I get it for you." He disappeared through a door and came back within several moments, and handed Rei a dark stained wooden box. "Here you go."

"Thank you," Rei said, tucking it under his arm. "My companion will be arriving shortly so be sure to give him a key as well. He's tall, dark, silent and intimidating. Also I would like two meals sent up to our room, please."

The innkeeper nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Is the post office still open?" Rei asked.

"It is."

"Thanks."

With that, Rei headed upstairs and opened a door. It led down a hallway with doors on both sides. Coming to a door that was mark as room three in brass lettering, Rei unlocked the door leading into the room. Once inside, Rei unlocked the box removed a bundle of clothing, placing it on one of the two beds, and a small bottle with a dark green liquid inside. Removing the top, Rei quickly swallowed the liquid, making a face at the bitter taste.

"Now I'll just have to wait before it starts to take effect," Rei murmured to himself. "I wonder if I should tell the… Nah. I don't need too. I don't owe him any explanation."

Placing it back into the box, Rei relocked it and slid it under the bed before leaving the room. Passing by the inn's stables on his way to the post office, Rei caught a glance of D. Rei was about to call out to him to let him know about the room he reserved, but changed his mind since the hunter would find out about it as soon as he walked over to the front desk.

Walking down the stone paved street, Rei glanced at the different shops and businesses.

'This town certainly has quite a few bars in it,' Rei thought.

He walked into the post office where he bought an envelope, a piece of paper and a stamp. He sat down at one of the desks reserved for customers and began to write a letter.

"'Dear Mother and Father, Lee is dead. I am finally coming home, but not alone. I realize that receiving a letter from me after so much time has passed must be quite the shock and I promise to tell you everything that has happened. Forever yours, Rei Gensay.'"

Sealing the letter, Rei handed it too one of the ladies while asking for his letter to be delivered by air mail, and headed back to the inn.

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Once his horse was taken care of, D led it to the inn's stable where he left it under the care of the stable boy before entering the inn itself. Approaching the front desk the innkeeper looked at D, studying his appearance and handed him a key.

"Enjoy your stay here, sir," the man said pleasantly.

D headed upstairs and unlocked the room appointed to him. It was simple: there was a pair of beds, a dresser, a mirror, a pair of chairs in front of a small fireplace and a desk. D closed the door, which locked automatically. One on of the bed was a bundle of clothing, which D guessed belonged to his roommate.

Looking around, D saw that there were no signs of his roommate and assumed that the mutant was elsewhere, probably downstairs buying a meal. D removed his cloak and hat, hanging both on the coat rack. Next he removed his sword, laying it on the mantle over the fireplace and sat in one of the chair to remove his boots. Wanting a hot shower, D walked over to the second door in his room and tested the knob. Finding it unlocked, D entered the bathroom. There, the Dhampire stripped down, entered the shower stall and turned on the water. At that moment the bathroom door opened and Rei walked in.

"Whoa!" Rei said, coming to a halt and covered his eyes with his hand. "I just saw more of you then I wanted. Sorry about that." Quickly, Rei closed the door after him.

A short time later, D emerged, dressed in a black blouse and a pair of black slacks. The aroma of food caught D's attention and his stomach made itself known in tight pains.

Seated at the room's table, Rei glanced up when he heard the bathroom door open and waved the hunter over.

"Pull up a chair and eat something. I've ordered stew, bread, cheese, salad and fruit," Rei said, wiping up the remains of his stew with a piece of bred and popped it into his mouth.

D said nothing and took a seat opposite to Rei, and began eating. Rei noticed that his roommate made a slight grimace during the meal and wondered what that was all about, but reframed himself from asking. Getting up, Rei walked over to his bed and lay down, crossing his arms underneath his head. He listened to the changing sounds as night fell and the bars and saloons began filling up with customers.

Fifteen minutes later Rei bolted from the bed as a sharp pain tore through his body. Rei's sudden outburst made D jump and quickly unsheathed his sword from the mantle.

"Calm down, hunter," Rei managed to gasp as he stumbled towards the bathroom in obvious pain.

"What's wrong?" D asked.

"Nothing you can do anything about," Rei gasped and slammed the bathroom door behind him.

D looked puzzled. For a moment, he swore that the side he saw of Rei's face was bubbling like hot wax. D attempted to open the bathroom door when Rei screamed from the other side.

"DON'T COME IN HERE!"

Inside the bathroom, while hot, steamy water filled the bathtub, Rei quickly tore off his clothes, cursing under his breath. Hurrying, Rei turned off the facet and descended into the tub. Luckily it was long enough for him to stretch out, and Rei laid back going under.

'Now all I have to do is wait,' Rei thought. 'It's less painless if I do this under hot water.'

Submerged in the bathtub, the water slowly began to turn red as Rei felt his body changing and it was painful as hell; his skin felt like it was on fire, and his body structure was changing back to its normal stature, shedding itself of the outer skin that he'd been wearing for almost a hundred years. The water muffled Rei's screams as he dealt with the pain the only way he knew how, and prayed that he wouldn't drown during the process. Slowly, very slowly the pain began to subside until it was a dull itch. Rei forced himself from scratching his skin as it began to itch like crazy; scratching would only cause his real skin to bleed. Several moments later with his lungs screaming for air, Rei slowly sat up in the tub, tossed his head back and took in several deep breaths of air.

"Thank the gods that that is all done with," Rei murmured to himself. He brought up a delicate hand and ran it through his now unusually long hair. A look over annoyance spread over his face. "Shit. I hope this room has a pair of scissors or something."

Getting out of the tub proved to be quite the challenge as Rei quickly found out due to that the tub was slippery with the combination of old bodily liquids and the weight of his hair that was soaking up the water. Feeling fatigued from the transformation, Rei grabbed onto something to find his sense of balance and slowly rose out of the tube. Unfortunately some of the water had gotten on the tiled floor causing Rei quickly lost his footing when he panted his foot on the floor and smacked his head hard against the side of the tub as he fell to the floor.

D entered the bathroom when he heard something crash and the scent of blood overpowered his senses strong enough to send him into a semi bloodlust effect. Scanning the room, D saw no assailants and when D's eyes fell onto the figure sprawled out on the floor covered in a sea of hair, the Dhampire found himself staring. The boy before him looked no older then seventeen who had a tall, willowy figure with a fair muscle tone for his age. His facial features were completely different; he had a heart shaped face with delicate cheekbones, a short, thin nose and full lips. In short, he looked very beautiful.

Sheathing his sword, D knelt beside the unconscious youth wondering where he came from, what he was doing in the bathroom, and where the hell was Rei? D caught the boy's scent and at once he recognized it as Rei Gensay's own unique scent. But how? Grabbing a thick towel, D carefully wrapped Rei in it and checked him out for any serious injuries. Finding none, D held him up and gently brought Rei out of his unconscious state. Rei stirred as he rejoined the land of the living, and D found himself staring into violet colored eyes were slightly almond shaped, outlined with long lashes. Those violet eyes focused on him and D waited for Rei to gather back his senses.

"Stop looking at me like that. You're making me nervous," Rei said in a tenor voice.

"Rei?"

Rei reached a delicate hand up and tucked a long lock of pale violet hair out from his face. "I can assume that you're probably somewhat confused by all of this. If you allow me to wash up and get addressed, I will explain everything to you."

Rei battered D's hands off of his body as the Dhampire attempted to dry Rei off.

"Stop it. I'm fine now," Rei said.

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An hour later, Rei emerged from the bathroom, cleaned, dried and fully clothed in a white tunic and white palazzo pants. D stared at the mutant before him. Rei's hair was a pale shade of violet and reached way below his knees trailing after him even though it was pulled into a quickly done braid. His bangs parted on the left side of his forehead, and his skin was no longer as pale as it had been.

Rei took a seat on his bed. "So I guess you're wondering what in the seven levels of hell is going on, right?"

"Something like that," D replied.

"First off, I am not normal as far as being a mutant, that is. My family and myself is a very rare breed of mutants who are naturally immortal. Soon after I was born, my mother was unable to bare any more children so they adopted a young human girl named Ariel. When Ariel was eighteen, she moved to the town near Lee's castle. My family and I visited her numerous of times. A few months after we last saw Ariel we were informed that Lee chose her to be his 'bride', that she was sent away to the Interment Camp and that Lee killed thirty people making her go mad with grief and died. When my family was told of what happened they were devastated. I choose to leave so that I kill Lee and avenge my sister's death. Coming to this town, I bought a potion that could change my appearance, for security reasons. Under the ploy that I wanted to become immortal, I went to Lee seeking to serve him. And it worked. I didn't kill him right away. I needed time to study him and learn his ways, so I took my time. Unfortunately I took too long when I learned that another young women named Doris was chosen by Lee to be his 'bride'. I went to her in secret and told her that I would kill Lee. However I did not fit her ideals of her so-called 'knight in shinning armor', and the vain creature wanted to hire someone who did. Thus when you appeared, she was quick to hire your services. I wanted to kill you simply because you were interfering with my plans, but after we fought and you severed my hand off, I realized that you had a better chance of killing Lee then I did. And now that Lee is dead, I can return home."

"That explains why you didn't kill me when Lee ordered you to," D said.

Rei nodded his head. "Yes, you and I both know that to kill a vampire all you have to do is either drive a stake or any sharp object through their heart, or set them on fire. But to successfully kill a Dhampire, you have to drive a sharp object through their heart and behead them."

"But there's something I don't understand," the spirit in D's hand began. "Two things actually. One, why did you kidnap the girl's little brother?"

"Lee ordered me too so that I could successfully lore D away so that his newest servant could fetch her," Rei replied. "Actually he told me that after I killed the Dhampire I was to kill the boy. Not likely. I would've stolen him away to another town where he'd be safe."

"Okay, that answers that. So then why did you approach Lee with the candle?" the spirit asked.

"Duh! To give D enough time to save the girl," Rei replied. "Do you honestly think we need that vampire breeding offspring into the world? I don't."

"I thank you for your pains, even though they weren't really required," D said.

"I was getting tired of him and I guess that candle thing was a display of rebellion," Rei replied. "Actually you can show your thanks by doing me a favor and cutting this hair short for me with that sword of yours."

"How did your hair become so long anyway?" D asked, out of curiosity and plus that he'd never seen hair this long in many, many years.

"Something of a side effect from the potion I took in order for me to shed off that false form," Rei replied. He stood up as D withdrew his sword. "I'd like to keep it shoulder length."

D took a hold of the braid and with a quick swipe, masses of unwanted hair pooled down onto the floor. Rei ran a hand through his much short hair.

"Much better. Thanks," he said and began gathering the hair, which he tossed into the fire. "Well, I've told you what you wanted to know. I'm exhausted so I'm going to sleep. I would suggest that you do the same."

D agreed as he watched his younger companion slid under the sheets of his bed.

"G'night," Rei said before blowing out the oil lamp.

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The next morning, Rei woke up with a wide yawn and rolled out of bed. Sleepily he looked over at D who continued to sleep. Rei figured that it would be best to let D sleep until sunset. He'd heard horror stories of what happened to those who tried to rouse hunters from their sleep prematurely and Rei appreciated having his head connected to his body.

Quietly as possible Rei slid onto a pair of white leather ankle boots and tied the lacing before heading downstairs to order breakfast. The waitress who served Rei his meal blushed at the youth's prettiness and left him to enjoy his meal.

Afterwards, Rei wandered out on the streets down to the market square where he found a horse shop. Entering the shop, Rei walked over to the stalls, looking at each of the horses for sale until he came to one with a pale gray coat. The coat around the horse's mouth and four hooves, as well as the mane and tail, were a dark shade of gray.

"Well, hello there," Rei said, approaching the horse and ran a hand down the bridge of his nose. "Aren't you the loveliest thing in this entire lot?"

"Interested in that one, sir?" asked the voice of the horse shop owner.

"Depends. I have a long journey ahead of me and I want a horse that's reliable and not some show horse," Rei replied.

"This one here is designed strictly for travel and for personal pleasure of horse back ridding," the owner replied. "I've spent a long time making this particular one, sir. He's designed to be very loyal to his master. Are you interested in buying him?"

"Yes. How much is he?" Rei asked.

"Three hundred thousand," the owner replied. "For another hundred thousand I'll include his saddle equipment."

"You've got yourself a sale," Rei said, handing him the coins.

While the owner pocketed his money, Rei prepared his new horse to be saddle, and walked him out of the shop.

"I already have a name for you," Rei said, mounting. "I'll call you Kinutaki."

Rei lead Kinutaki down the street back towards the inn's horse stables and rented one of the stalls. Inside the privacy of the stall, Rei had the pleasure of grooming his new horse; something the mutant had not been able of doing ever since he went under the employment of the count Lee because the ancient vampire forbade Rei from owning one.

"There. You're all groomed and fed now," Rei said, rubbing the bridge of Kinutaki's nose. The horse pushed against his hand enjoying the attention, making Rei smile. "Listen, I've got to do some shopping now, but I'll come back later and take the two of us out for a ride. We've got plenty of time while my 'companion' is still sleeping."

With that, Rei headed back into the market square and located one of the many country stores. Entering and grabbing a basket, Rei walked around, seeing what they had to offer while placing a few items into his basket; a can of coffee, a coffee pot and two cups, a bar of soap, two large leather saddle bags and a sewing kit. Paying for his purchases, Rei ventured back onto the streets and walked back to the inn.

Rei paused at the front desk and drew the innkeeper's attention. "Excuse me, but would you tell me if there are any good tailor shops in this town?"

"Aye, sir. There's a fine one near Mel's saloon, which deals mostly with traveling attire," the man replied.

"Thank you," Rei said and gave the man a few coins for his pain. Upstairs in his room, Rei placed his purchases on his bed quietly so as not to awaken his sleeping companion. The lavender haired youth looked over at D, studying him as he slept. 'Must be tired. Guess doing nothing except fight vampires and such must require a bit of energy. I don't understand how he can do it repeatedly. Maybe he enjoys killing off his own kind. I wonder why he does it? He obviously must have his reasons, and they're probably very personal too.'

Leaving the room, Rei followed the innkeeper's directions to the tailor's stop and as soon as he walked in, he was met by one of the many helpful tailors.

"May I help you, sir?" the tailor asked.

"I'm just looking around at the moment until I see something I want," Rei replied. He preferred to pick out his own clothing without the aid of another.

The tailor backed off gracefully and Rei wandered around the store, picking up items. Rei eventually decided on a plain white surcoat that had ties on each side so it could adjust for a comfortable fit, a muslin shirt, a white half-sleeved tunic, a pair of white tights and a hooded deluxe-undercape trimmed with sliver thread. The frog closure of the cape was also made from silver thread. Rei called over the same tailor and asked him if they carried boots in their store.

"Yes, sir. Just lay your things on the counter and follow me, I'll show you our selection of boots. Is there a any particular style you're interested in, sir?" the tailor asked.

"Something suitable for horse back ridding and walking," Rei replied.

"How about these, sir?" the tailor help up a pair of knee-high boots made from leather dyed white that laced up in the front with a criss-cross fashion. "These are fitted for both horse back ridding and walking."

Rei tired them on. "They feel fine." He took them off and slid on his other pair. "Ring it all up, please."

Stopping at a jewelry store, Rei bought a brooch for his mother; it was shaped like a large crescent moon made from white jade set in a silver scroll design with tiny moonstones accents.

"Picking something up for the lady in your life?" asked the sale woman who winked at him.

"Yes, my mother," Rei replied with a hint of a smile.

"She'll love it," the woman said, placing the brooch in the safety of a velvet box and wrapped it for him.

"That's why I'm buying it," Rei said, handing her the required coins and carried his purchases back to the room.

Downstairs in the dinning area of the room, Rei bought a picnicked lunch and headed out to the stables.

"Ready to go for our ride?" Rei asked, saddling up Kinutaki. "We'll have a nice ride before lunch. I know this great place near a stream and a apple tree."

Kinutaki made a sound of delight.

Rei laughed. "You like the idea, eh?"

Mounting him, Rei rode Kinutaki through and out of town, heading towards the farm area of the town. Rei found the dirt road leading into a forestry area that would take them to the destined stream and apple tree. Rei admired the forest on either side of him until his ears picked up the sound of water and brought Kinutaki off of the dirt road. Walking through the thick trees, both the horse and rider shortly came upon the stream. Rei dismounted and sat down under the apple tree while Kinutaki feasted on the fallen apples, luscious grass and water from the stream.

Rei spent the rest of the day there, enjoying the scenery, the serenity and talking to Kinutaki, who seemed to understand what Rei was saying to him as the horse nodded his head when asked questions or opinions.

Hearing the town's church bell even from where they were, Rei knew that it was time to be heading back into town.

"Time for us to head back to town. That hunter will walking up soon and he'll probably want to leave this town tonight," Rei said, getting to his feet.

After taking off Kinutaki in the stables, Rei ordered dinner, which consisted of sliced roast beef, bread baked earlier that morning, cheese, and roasted small red potatoes. Afterwards, Rei ordered a glass of fine red win and selected a thick book from the bookcase located in the very back of the inn's tavern, and settled himself comfortably in the window seat to read while he waited for the sun to set.

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The sun was setting and D woke as the colors of red, gold and pink slowly changed into purple and indigo. Sitting up, D found that Rei was nowhere to be seen and suspected that the youth was downstairs. Departing the room and making his way downstairs, D emerged into the middle of a brawl as a man was thrown towards the direction of the bottom of the staircase, landing with a loud crash. D looked towards the brawl and saw Rei caught in the middle, ramming his elbow into another's man gut before reaching behind his head to grab the man and tossed him into the streets.

Once the brawl was over, D made his way over to Rei. "What was that all about?"

Startled, Rei spun around.

"None of your damn business," Rei snapped and quickly marched up to their room. D followed. Grabbing his things, Rei glanced over his shoulder to see D. "I'm leaving this place. Pack your things if you're still coming with me."

D walked over up to him and grabbed both of the boy's wrists from behind.

"Let me go!" Rei screamed, struggling violently.

"I won't release you until you calm yourself down," D replied.

"Fuck you! Let go of me!" Rei snapped back.

D held his grip as Rei continued to struggle until eventually he stopped.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" D asked.

"Why do you care?" Rei hissed.

"Because you're obviously upset from what those men said to you," D replied.

"That's the understatement of the year," Rei murmured to himself. "Fine. I'll tell you if you let me go."

D released his grip on the boy's wrists and Rei spun around, sitting down on his bed.

"I… I won't repeat what they said to me, but it's something that no one should have to tolerate," Rei said, looking down at his hands.

D knelt down to his level. "They harassed you, didn't they?" he asked gently.

Rei nodded. "Mostly of what they wanted to do to me. It's disgusting…what gets some sickos off nowadays."

D agreed with a nod and rose gather his things while Rei finished packing. Downstairs, Rei tossed the keys to the man at the desk as he and D left the building. At the inn's stalls, D and Rei saddled their horse, mounted them, and rode out of town.

They went as far as they could before the sun started to go down.

"Sun's going down," Rei pointed out. "Want to break for camp?"

"We should continue throughout the night," D replied.

"Sure and when I fall off my horse and break my next, be sure to carry my body home so my family can give me a proper burial," Rei said.

"I won't let you fall," D replied. "I'll steer your horse while you sleep."

Rei gave a snort of indifference. "Fine. Whatever."

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The next morning, D brought their horses to a halt and woke Rei. They were in some kind of forest; it took a moment for Rei to figure out where they were before he got down.

"Ouch. My ass is killing me!" Rei moaned, walking in discomfort. "Now I know for a fact that I'm not taking it in the ass for anyone."

"There's a lake near by. We need to let the horse rest a while and let them drink," D said, leading his horse in the direction of the intended lake.

While Rei and D's horses rested and drank, D sat down on the grass next to the water's edge and looked at the lake. His ears picked up movement on his left. Turning, D spotted Rei combing through the tall grass as if he was looking for something, which D guessed that the young mutant probably was.

"Yes!" Rei gave a triumphant shout as he spotted the herb he'd been looking for. Grabbing a handful, Rei popped the greenery into his mouth and began to chew. A slight bitter and sweetness filled his mouth as he chewed before swallowing.

"It's dangerous to eat wild plants without knowing what they are," D said, appearing behind him. "Especially when they could be poisonous."

Rei stood up. "Hell, D, do you really think I would eat something that was poisonous? Especially when I'm so many days away from seeing my family again after being apart from then for almost a century? What do I look like? Stupid?"

"Sorry, I did not mean to offend you," D replied.

Rei shrugged. "Apology accepted."

"What in the hell was that you ate anyway?" the spirit in D's hand asked.

"That," Rei said pointing to D's hand, "I will never get used to. And it was a rare form of aspirin herb. Which reminds me, I should take some along just in case, and its seeds. Momma could grow them in her garden…" Rei turned his back to D and went to gather the herb. D went back to the horses leaving Rei to gather herbs.

Rei carried as much as his shirt could hold and walked back to his horse. There he pulled out a bag and placed the herbs inside, pulling the drawstring shut and added it onto his saddle. They rested a bit longer before continuing on their way.