That Smile

Wroe was sent to retrieve the supply cart and horses and to meet up at the Gann den.

Mister Dragan volunteered to wake up Barza, who had done so by throwing a strange, black, egg-shaped device at him. Tycon used a green talisman on Hisato, entrapping him within a heavy green solid-crystal prison, which Dragan carried on his back.

Yoshio was tied in rope and Bucket was ordered to drag the man to the Gann den. Tycon was quite pleased with his impromptu, if unnecessarily cruel, training idea. The boy needed to do more agility training. Under Tycon's sharpened gaze, Bucket had no choice and could only agree.

Tycon suggested that Barza alternate turns with Bucket. The young swordsman, however, moaned in pain and cried the entire way to the Gann den.

Tycon allowed it. The young man had been critically injured during the fight with Hisato and could do with some rest... Though the crying and rubbing of the eyes was... an abnormal coping mechanism, Tycon accepted that some people dealt with stress differently than others.

...

Anxiety filled Taree's heart. She had been through so much in just a single sun. She wanted to cry, to complain, to tell Pale and everyone else the worries that had been plaguing her Kimura family, but Warrior Tycon had refused to talk about serious issues until after dinner.

In order to keep her sanity, she excused herself and practiced her Martialist punching routine in a clearing near the camp, cutting through the air with her ki-infused kicks and punches.

Tamaki had walked away from the camp, himself, and approached her with a wary look on his face, "Hey, Coach. Can I talk to ya for a sec?"

Taree breathed deeply, catching her breath, "What's up, big brother?"

"There's... somethin' off about that Tycon," Tamaki said hesitantly. "He seems like an alright fella. But I'm not sure if I trust him."

Taree frowned. She didn't know what to think. Sir Tycon was Warrior Pale's and the Chosen One's superior. He could command the giant man-beast that was Dragan, and the strangely handsome blue-haired boy, Wroe. But most of all, everyone in Guild Invictus seemed to trust him implicitly.

Tycon had agreed with Pale's idea of being contracted to help House Kimura, without issue. Even if the Outsiders had ulterior motives, Guild Invictus was the best chance that the Ivory Judge sect had in surviving their calamity.

And regardless of whether or not she could trust Tycon or Guild Invictus, she clearly witnessed the absolute respect that Warrior Pale gave when he spoke to Tycon. She refused to believe that such a pure-hearted person could trust someone of lesser character.

She shook her head, "I'm not sure about Sir Tycon... But I think we have to put our faith in Pale and Guild Invictus if we want to save our sect."

Tamaki crossed his arms obstinately, "There's somethin' about his eyes, Coach! They're yella, like a snake's! He's real polite, and all-- but I can't trust him, no, sir!"

...

Tamaki stuffed his face with the roasted Gann meat, covered in flavorful herbs, charred beautifully, and bursting with flavor.

"Warrior Tycon," Tamaki said, tears at the corner of his eyes, "I trust you with my life!"

While he was slicing and serving the meat, Tycon had explained the butchering and cooking process. The deliciousness of the meal made it seem like magic was involved, but hearing all of the steps and delicate care that Tycon involved in the cooking process made Taree's head spin.

Tycon smirked, "Warrior Tamaki, the highest praise for a cook is not given with words, but by finishing their plate."

Everyone around the fire cheered, toasting wooden cups together and cheering on Tamaki as the blonde boy rapidly consumed roasted meat, stewed root vegetables, and fruit preservatives.

Taree stared with a straight face at her brother's unforeseen but inevitable betrayal. He looked at Tycon like all of Guild Invictus did. Even the Chosen One was drunk and getting his wooden cup refilled by the giant man, Dragan. They all laughed together, talking about nonsense.

She curled her body up, wrapping her arms around her legs as she stared at the fire. She felt anxious about the future. And she felt alone.

She turned to the sound of Pale placing his knife-log beside her. Taking a seat, the boy offered her a cup.

"Oh, n-no. I'm not allowed to drink that," Taree blushed and turned away, looking directly opposite of Pale.

"I asked Sir Tycon to pour it. It's mixed, so it's probably fine. Come on," Pale urged gently.

Tycon again. Taree was growing tired of hearing his name.

Taree glanced over to the main group, trying to find her brother for an excuse. She watched as Tycon leaped into the air and drop-kicked the blue-haired Wroe while her brother cheered them on.

Tamaki wouldn't be able to help her now.

Hesitantly, Taree accepted the drink, but was surprised at the heat radiating from the cup, "It's warm?"

"Try it!" Pale smiled.

Taree blushed furiously.

'It's that smile,' she thought. 'That darned smile...'

She sipped the drink lightly... tasting mellow sweetness, fruit flavors, and even a bit of spice. A gentle warmth spread throughout her body, not unpleasant, coursing through her chest, arms, and even tingling her fingers. It was the most wondrous drink she'd ever tried.

"Huh? What's wrong, Taree? You're turning red?" Pale asked worriedly.

Taree sipped the drink that Sir Tycon made and that Warrior Pale gave her... and she shifted her body away, so the fire wouldn't show how much she was blushing, "Y-yeah, it must be the wine."

...

The morning sun shined on Taree's face, rudely awakening her. She glared at the shining light, breaking through a canopy of trees and branches. She snuggled into her warm blanket, wanting only a few moments more of calm, or contentedness. She smelled the soft, gentle scent of it. Pale.

She shot awake, throwing off the blanket. Pale must have placed it on her after she'd fallen asleep the previous night. Her face was burning so hot, she was afraid her eyes would melt.

Did she smell like him? She wanted to smell like this forever! ...But that would be gross. But she would do anything for a hot bath... What was she supposed to do?

...After a short while, she stepped outside of the Gann cave and jogged towards the sound of yelling and the cracking of rocks.

...

"Dodge," Tycon commanded.

The green-haired guild leader swept the halberd at the boy's legs. The boy with pointed ears hopped back, lifting his front leg to dodge a swing that should have been capable of breaking or severing his leg.

"Yah!!" Pale stabbed his metal rod forward with speed and precision. Taree's eyes widened as she saw Tycon deftly slip his head between Pale's pokes. One of Pale's strikes managed to strike Tycon in the abdomen.

Tycon winced and slightly curled his body but spun the heavy halberd at Pale's head, "Dodge!"

Pale tilted his head and lowered his stance to dodge the swing, but in doing so, his eyes caught sight of Taree and he turned his head.

"DODGE!" Tycon yelled as he smashed the halberd downward in a vertical smash. Distracted, Pale raised his metal rod, catching the halberd.

Taree breathed a sigh of relief-- she would feel terrible if she distracted her friend and got him hurt.

Tycon smashed the bottom of his halberd against the underside Pale's staff. The staff flew up into the air as Tycon drove the base of his weapon's haft into Pale's gut. Pale collapsed onto the ground, just as Tycon began bringing down his halberd blade onto the boy's head.

Why were they fighting?! She had to stop them! Pale was going to be killed! Taree began running, fear gripping her heart! --But she wouldn't make it in time!