Spirits of the Earth

It had been a straight forward mission. Demon activity in the Thunderbacks had started to get out of control and a few villages and pooled their resources to hire the Order of the Moon to come take care of it. So Uxia and two others had been sent, armed and prepared. Or so they had thought.

They had arrived to find things had gotten much, much worse and the demon far more powerful than anyone had know. In the middle of the battle, the demon had unleashed some strange magic, sucking them into a dark world. As far as Uxia could tell, it was some dark reflection of the Thunderbacks. She had seen some land marks she thought she recognized. They just looked...putrid and corrupted and dark now.

That had been three days ago. There was no sign of the demon, just it's minions that populated this other world. Her two companions were dead, one during the first conflict with the demon. Ja'lar...Uxia's eyes flicked over to the body of her partner. Her former partner. He had gotten hit with the spit from some fat demon and it had melted half his face and most of his chest away before she could get to him. By the time she had destroyed the demon, he was dead.

So now she was alone. Her supplies were starting to run low, even with the extra she was able to scavenge from Ja'lar. And she had no idea where to find the demon that had trapped her here.

Gripping her spear, she stood up and brushed her bangs to the side. She could do this. People were depending on her.

You are so, so screwed, Hatame. And not in the fun way. C'mon, man. Use your upstairs brain here. You know you have one.

Trying hard to keep his breathing level and quiet, Hatame was currently hunkered down behind a large grouping of boulders nestled against some broken trees. Beyond them, he could hear the demons snarling and hissing, hear the shifting of soil and grass as the prowled the mountainside, hunting. For him, no doubt. They'd nearly made a meal of him earlier when the mountain suddenly went all dark and ugly on him, but he'd so far managed to stay one step ahead. Barely. One had got him on the shoulder with its talons and the wound was stinging something awful and had started looking red and inflamed and infected minutes after it had been inflicted.

Wonderful.

What was with his luck and mountains?! That did it! After this, it was city living forever and no more mountains, ever! This was his sign! The mountains were trying to eat him! He should have known when he and Sakkata could barely go two feet without something trying to take their face off.

Sakkata...

Oh, well. She would be fine, wherever she was. She knew how to take care of herself and then some. Right now, he had to take care of himself--and there'd be nothing left to take care of if he stayed here much longer. He could hear the creatures drawing closer, making excited chattering noises; they may have caught his scent. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Three...two...one...

And he was off, shoving off from the ground and to his feet and taking off at a sprint over the wasted land. The chattering noises turned into laughter-like squeals and he heard claws scrabbling at earth as they took off after him.

Shit, shit, shit, shiiiit! It would have been nice if he could use magic, but everything was so dry, not a hint of water in the earth or the air, nothing for him to draw from. So, running it was, trying to find some way out of this place, or at least find a spot where he could gather his strength enough to shift. Goddamn human meatsuit!

So there he was, running for all he was worth, high-tailing it like his life depended on it, and he had just crested over a small hill when--

"Whoa!" He came screeching to a stop, nearly slipping on gravel and tumbling down the hill.

Mayhem behind him, wasted, mutilated bodies below him! Brilliant job, Hatame! Clearly this was the perfect spot to run to, a slaughtering ground! Grimacing, he had just started to turn away, rethinking his 'strategy', when he noticed that...well, one of them was kind of standing and moving. Only one was dead.

Great! A survivor! With a spear!

That was all he needed.

"Heeey!" he shouted, and took off half jogging, half skidding down the rocky slope. "Hey! Lady! I got a slight problem! Maybe you can help!"

No sooner had he said it than five dog-sized demons came pouring down over the hillside after him.

Uxia turned quickly at the sound of someone approaching. At first she thought it was an old man, the white hair catching her eye. But he moved to easily for that and as he got closer she realized he was young, with a scared up face. Probably a warrior. And he was wounded. Lovely.

She wrinkled her nose at his speech, then immediately dropped down into a fighting stance, spear ready to catch the weight of the charging demons, "Behind me. Quickly."

5 of them. Of course. But they were the simple ones, all claws and fangs as far as she could tell. She had yet to see them use magic, thank the gods. Then the first demon hit and went down with a spear through the chest, screaming loudly.

The warrior just let the spear drop, drawing the two swords from her back. Her shield, sadly, was long gone. Melted by a monster. Incanting as she attacked with the blades, the demons howled, their skin hissing where the blades touched, glowing with the power she was sending into them. Another demon fell, it's throat sliced open.

3 left and she had wounded them. Good. She kept an eye on the white haired man, still not fully trusting him. Until she could get her hands on him, he could be a shape changed demon for all she knew.

Hatame didn't need any further encouragement.

Pouring on the speed, he ducked behind the woman, feeling absolutely no shame over the fact that he was cowering behind her. Why would he? She was armed, he wasn't. She looked pretty bad-ass, and he'd met his share of bad-ass women in his time. And since when had he ever felt that his manliness was threatened by anything? Never. He could flounce about in a dress and be comfortable, never mind hide behind a more competent individual where demons were involved.

And competent she was.

The way she handled those demons, almost effortlessly...it conjured up memories of a certain other bad-ass woman, but he pushed the thought away and could only gape as she dispatched the demons. Two dead, three still kicking, and that was good enough for Hatame.

He twisted his body, bracing himself to run. "That...that was amazing! Really great! So now we run, right?" he got out, practically hopping with nervous energy. Those injured demons, they could totally outrun them!

Uxia snorted at the man's comment. It was stupid on so many levels. First off, the demons would outrun them eventually. And by running fast, they wouldn't be as careful and would run into other demons. And more importantly,

"I do not run from demons little boy. I slay them." Some warrior. He cowered in the face of monsters. Unarmed or not, Uxia would have fought the demons, though she sometimes forgot that not everyone was her.

Power still pulsed through her sword blades and she suddenly surged forward, kicking on demon in the face as she slashed at another one. There was a blur of movement and demonic screeches as Uxia made her way through the creatures. In moments there were three more corpses at the demon slayers feet.

Turning, she lifted one sword, covered in dark demon blood that sizzled on contact with the sword, "Now. You. What are you doing here? Who are you?"

Little boy? Another time, and Hatame may have been baffled by the comment, but at the moment his bafflement lasted all of one second before his mind shifted right back to, oh dear gods, demons! But if she wasn't running, he wasn't running; he didn't want to be on his own again, so he was content to stay right where he was.

And let her deal.

Which she did, with seemingly effortless ease.

But before he really had time to be impressed, she'd turned on him, and Hatame jolted and stepped back instinctively when she lifted that sizzling sword. "Uh, wha? Me? Er, I'm...Hatame?" He blinked and looked around, then looked back at the sword and held up his hands, though he couldn't quite lift his one arm very high.

"I...don't really know what's going on. See, I was just trying to get back to Ketra and then, BOOM, weirdness everywhere and I'm getting jumped by those things and then you're rushing to my aid and pulling off a daring rescue and now you're my hero and I'm really, really appreciative and by the way your eyes are lovely." He flashed her a pained smile.

Uxia had been prepared to interrogate the hell out the moron who had managed to stumble into her hunt. He was a liability and now she was stuck protecting him. But it all came to a halt in the face of his rapid chatter and Uxia actually took a step back, not sure what to make of his professions of her heroics.

Then he complimented her eyes and Uxia stared at him, her cheeks darkening in a blush, which she tired to pretend wasn't happening. No one really complimented her looks like that and that it just came out of nowhere left the warrior slightly shaken, "I-what? My eyes? Where did-"

With a small sound of annoyance, Uxia shook her head, making her long braid sway, "Never mind. Hatama? Give me your hand, I will test you for demon taint." Snagging his hand, Uxia muttered a short spell. Her hand felt a pleasant tingle, signaling a lack of demonic taint inside him. Good. He was clean.

"Alright. I have bad news for you. We are trapped here by a demon. A powerful one. I am going to have to destroy it to get us out of here. But I will protect you, don't worry."

Uxia snorted at the man's comment. It was stupid on so many levels. First off, the demons would outrun them eventually. And by running fast, they wouldn't be as careful and would run into other demons. And more importantly,

"I do not run from demons little boy. I slay them." Some warrior. He cowered in the face of monsters. Unarmed or not, Uxia would have fought the demons, though she sometimes forgot that not everyone was her.

Power still pulsed through her sword blades and she suddenly surged forward, kicking on demon in the face as she slashed at another one. There was a blur of movement and demonic screeches as Uxia made her way through the creatures. In moments there were three more corpses at the demon slayers feet.

Turning, she lifted one sword, covered in dark demon blood that sizzled on contact with the sword, "Now. You. What are you doing here? Who are you?"



Little boy? Another time, and Hatame may have been baffled by the comment, but at the moment his bafflement lasted all of one second before his mind shifted right back to, oh dear gods, demons! But if she wasn't running, he wasn't running; he didn't want to be on his own again, so he was content to stay right where he was.

And let her deal.

Which she did, with seemingly effortless ease.

But before he really had time to be impressed, she'd turned on him, and Hatame jolted and stepped back instinctively when she lifted that sizzling sword. "Uh, wha? Me? Er, I'm...Hatame?" He blinked and looked around, then looked back at the sword and held up his hands, though he couldn't quite lift his one arm very high.

"I...don't really know what's going on. See, I was just trying to get back to Ketra and then, BOOM, weirdness everywhere and I'm getting jumped by those things and then you're rushing to my aid and pulling off a daring rescue and now you're my hero and I'm really, really appreciative and by the way your eyes are lovely." He flashed her a pained smile.


Uxia had been prepared to interrogate the hell out the moron who had managed to stumble into her hunt. He was a liability and now she was stuck protecting him. But it all came to a halt in the face of his rapid chatter and Uxia actually took a step back, not sure what to make of his professions of her heroics.

Then he complimented her eyes and Uxia stared at him, her cheeks darkening in a blush, which she tired to pretend wasn't happening. No one really complimented her looks like that and that it just came out of nowhere left the warrior slightly shaken, "I-what? My eyes? Where did-"

With a small sound of annoyance, Uxia shook her head, making her long braid sway, "Never mind. Hatama? Give me your hand, I will test you for demon taint." Snagging his hand, Uxia muttered a short spell. Her hand felt a pleasant tingle, signaling a lack of demonic taint inside him. Good. He was clean.

"Alright. I have bad news for you. We are trapped here by a demon. A powerful one. I am going to have to destroy it to get us out of here. But I will protect you, don't worry."




Success! When in doubt, compliment like hell and throw 'em off, and it looked like it had worked well enough here. Y'know, show that you were just a harmless moron and not a threat—which was the truth! That he was harmless, not a moron, though some begged to differ and that was fair enough.

When she recovered again, Hatame blinked when she asked for his hand. "Er, it's Hah-tah-may and I'm not a--" he started to say, raising a finger, but then she snatched his hand away, muttered some mumbo-jumbo, and that seemed to satisfy her. Whatever it was. Hey, if it'd keep her fighting demons and him from getting stabbed, it was fine by him!

He took his hand back when she was done and rubbed away the tingle, then frowned at her 'bad news'. "You don't say..." All that and she had to go and add a 'don't worry'? "So, uh, where is 'here', anyway? And any clue where the demon is, love? 'Cause I'm guessing you don't mean one of those little ones but like...the big king granddaddy mother of all demons. Or something."

He rolled his shoulder to try and loosen the tension, wincing at the pain. "I might be able to help if I can get a few minutes uninterrupted..."



"Don't call me love." Uxia's cheeks were still flushed from his compliment, though she narrowed her eyes at the white haired man. Pet names were not acceptable in her book, "Here is the Thunderbacks. Just, slightly to the side." She gave a shrug, not bothering to explain much more. It wasn't really important anyway, "And yes. There is a big demon, that is a very real threat."

She frowned slightly as he winced, wiping her blades free of the demon blood, "Are you injured? I am a healer if you need help."



"Yeah, demon jumped me and took a chunk outta me," Hatame said, turning to show off his shoulder, where four parallel gashes—obviously from a demon's claws—opened his shirt and flesh. His sleeve was stained dark with blood, and the flesh beneath was red not only with dried blood but with budding infection.

"So if you know any healing stuff, that'd be wonderful, 'cause this is sorta uncomfortable."


Uxia made a small hissing sound, shaking her head, "You should have said something." She finished cleaning her swords and slid them back into her sheaths. The spear would have to wait until his wound was clean unfortunately.

She closed the distance between them and gripped Hatame's shoulder between her hands, letting her magic flow into him, seeing exactly was wrong. Closing her eyes, she focused on the wound and spoke the spell, a warm, pleasant feeling spreading into Hatame, easing the pain from the wound.

It didn't take long until his flesh was whole again, though still caked with blood. The infection was gone as well and the skin was the same healthy dark shade as the rest of him.

"There. You are healed now. Maybe you wont run now." Uxia dropped her hands away and turned, tugging her spear out of the demon and started wiping it clean. The demon blood could ruin a weapon if you weren't careful.



When Uxia told him that he should have said something, Hatame only smiled sheepishly and gave a gentle shrug. Well, how was he supposed to know that she was a healer? But he kept his mouth shut in case she changed her mind and let her handle his shoulder, a sigh of relief escaping him as she healed him because oh, man, did that feel nice.

And then she was done, and Hatame probed at his shoulder tentatively but found only dried blood, smooth skin, and no pain. He started to open his mouth to thank her, but she spoke first and he shot her a dry look.

"Aw, c'mon, what was I supposed to do? Stand there and let 'em chew me up? I ran 'cause it jumped me! And not in the fun way! I mean, I like nails and all, I've gotten scraped up good and I liked it, but it's not the same thing!" he said, throwing up his hands both show they were empty and that he had no weapons hidden in his clothes or anything.

"I didn't exactly wanna go toe to toe unarmed, right? 'Cause it sure wouldn't be me that came out on top."



Uxia just shrugged. Because being unarmed wouldn't have stopped her from fighting those demons and her body language somehow made that very clear. She finished cleaning off her spear and found the blade was free of blemishes.

"Well, are you comfortable with a spear?" She liked spears better, but it was easier to have Hatame keep out of trouble when he had the spear. He could keep his distance better.

The comments on enjoying scrapes was lost on Uxia, not really understanding what he meant. She just raised an eyebrow at Hatame, "Are you done making excuses now?"



"Comfortable...how?" Hatame asked, raising an eyebrow. "Comfortable being in a spear's presence? Yup! Comfortable watching you poke demons with it? Certainly! Comfortable touching one? Oh, baby yes! Comfortable...using one? Er...no. Never used one. Y'see, I've never used weapons or anything, not really. Sometimes I've used a knife or something, but other than that...nope. My body's a weapon all on its own, see."

He realized how that must sound. But he also realized how saying, 'yeah, I'm really a gryphon!' sounded, too. It was one of those things that most people had to see to believe.

"I'm not making excuses, dear. I'm just saying, if you can buy me a couple minutes uninterrupted, I can help."


Why did he have to talk so much, just to get to a simple point? He could have just said that no, he couldn't use a spear. Instead the man went on and on and on. He seemed to love the sound of his own voice, though Uxia found it irritating. And why was he so excited at the idea of touching a spear?

"Don't call me dear, either. What do you plan on doing with the minutes?" Uxia did not  like surprises, especially not on the battlefield. She had he doubts this man could do anything useful.

She started to scan the area around them, debating where to go next. She needed to find the main demon, and fast, or all these little ones would wear her down.


Oi, why couldn't she just say 'yes'? Oh, well. Hopefully she would believe him.

"Well, first I'm gonna get naked," Hatame said, grinning and waggling his eyebrows at her before  another distant, demonic cackle sobered him up again. "And then I'm gonna shift. See, I'm really a gryphon, but I can't really shift when I'm being gnawed on. So like I said, if you can buy me some time, I can do it, and then I can help."

The naked comment got no reaction from Uxia, as she just looked at him, waiting for him to go on. As a warrior and a healer, she was used to people being naked and didn't really consider it all that sexual. The demonic cackle did cause her eyes to flicker in the direction of the demon, but it was too far away to be much concern.

"A gryphon? Interesting. I have never seen a live one before. Well, since you are so slow, I suppose I will have to buy you the time." If she had a gift like that, there was no way she wouldn't have learned to fight in both forms. Useless man.

She kept her spear ready as she started walking deeper into the mountains. She would see if following her nose would lead her to the demon. Find the biggest concentration of demonic energy and hope it was him.


Hatame blinked. Never seen a live one? So was she saying she'd seen dead ones? The thought made him shudder, for he knew that some places hunted gryphons for sport, but he pushed it out of his mind and focused back onto the present.

"Thanks, doll!" he called as she started to head away, and after another glance around the area, ears straining for signs of life, he was quick to shed his clothes. They were the one pair he had with him and he didn't want to get stuck wandering around naked again, as often seemed to happen between he and Sakkata.

He pushed that thought out of his head, because now was not the time to be worrying or thinking about her. She would be fine, and he had to make it through this if he wanted to see her again.

While Uxia went off, Hatame closed his eyes and focused, concentrating hard as he willed his body to remember its true shape, imagining how his wings felt, his fur and feathers, his talons and claws gripping the ground. It required all of his attention.

It took a few minutes of concentration, the lengthening of bones and muscle and growing of fur and feather and claw and beak, but before long a man was no longer standing there, but a fully grown gryphon, built larger than a male lion and closer in size to a small horse. It was black all over, save for some streaks of white in its mane—just as Hatame had black hair with white bangs. The beaded strand of hair was still there, the beads dangling from a strip of mane, and there were several places where the fur was thin, the flesh beneath scarred from old fights.

Hatame took a moment to stretch his spine and unfurl his wings, fanning them to loosen up the unused muscles, and when he was satisfied he launched himself into the air and took off in the direction that Uxia had gone.

And it was a good thing he got there when he did.

Several demons were trailing behind her, stalking her through the underbrush. It was a good thing he had an eagle's eyes, because they were moving soundlessly, while ahead of her, hidden from view, another demon chattered noisily in a strange way that made it sound like there were more of them, trying to draw her attention there while the others ambushed her.

Not happening.

Tucking in his wings, Hatame pulled himself into a dive and fell, wicked talons extended, and he sank those talons deep into one of the trailing demons before it even realized what hit it. A quick slash of his beak, and its throat was shredded, leaving it twitching and bleeding in its death throes.

The other demon reacted, though, and leaped onto his back just as he finished the first one, and with a snarl Hatame wheeled around and threw it off so it smashed head first against a tree. "Watch out!" he called, the faint hissing, trilling accent he had as a human sounding much thicker in this form.


Uxia had been stalking the demon ahead of her, completely unaware of the demons behind her. She was focused on the demon "pack" in front of her. When there was the sudden sound of combat and the acidic scent of the demons blood, the warrior quickly spun around, spear at ready.

And was confronted by her first ever real life gryphon. Tearing into the demons. Well, he seemed to be actually useful in this form, as two were already down. But there were more. A quick sprint and then Uxia had reached them, spear twirling and dancing through them, chanting spells that caused the demons to shriek and writhe, a few of them began to vomit up their insides.

It didn't take her long to reach the gryphon, but the pack was still around, though in much worse shape. A few stumbled around, their guts hanging from their mouths, but while most of the demons were injured, not many had been outright slain.

"Maybe you aren't as useless as I feared." The woman actually smiled at Hatame before suddenly twisting, spear thrusting into the throat of another demon, the burning blood spraying over them.


Hatame was staring in a mixture of awe and horror as the demons started to throw up their intestines when he felt the pain.

It was all over, a horrible burning sensation stinging his tongue and mouth and claws, and he let out a hiss of pain and rubbed his beak on the ground to try and scrape off the blood. That had to be it; their blood was bad and he'd just sprayed it all over himself. Fantastic!

But there was no time, and he would just have to deal. As Uxia came over and actually complimented him—at least, it sounded like a compliment, sort of—he gave her the biggest grin he could muster with a beak instead of lips, which wasn't much of a grin at all.

"Told ya," he said, before whipping around and tearing another demon open from throat to groin and snarling again as more of that burning blood got on him, both from the one he killed and the one the woman stabbed. "Any sign of the leader? Their blood hurts! My tongue's gonna fall out," he whined, and then stuck it out for her to see. And the blood had, indeed, caused several cankers to form on the sensitive flesh.

"No, no sign yet. I can't sense him through all these." She turned to look at Hatame's tongue, "Well, yes. It is acidic. Hadn't you figured that out? And it won't fall off. Even if it does, I can regrow you one if we get to it quickly."

Her own skin was burning, bits of her clothes and skin melted away by the blood. A large splash had hit one cheek and it was a vivid red color where the skin had been eaten away. But Uxia ignored the wounds, slashing open the face of one demon that got to close.

With the gryphon's help, they managed to destroy the rest of the pack, their mangled bodies pumping blood onto the ground, eating away at the soil. Panting, Uxia methodically cleaned her spear off before turning her attention to Hatame.

She was going to run out of energy if they didn't find that demon soon. No food or sleep since this had started and healing wasn't easy. She cupped the gryphon's face between her hands, warmth spreading into him as she healed his wounds.

For her own, she didn't bother wasting her energy on them, besides the one on her face. Nothing was serious and she could ignore the pain. She just wiped them clean and smeared a salve onto them that would help prevent them from scaring or getting an infection. The one on her cheek though, that small bit of her that she couldn't quite get rid of wouldn't let her risk that one scaring.

"Are you ready to move then?" She pointed in the direction she had been walking earlier, "I think the demon we want is over there."



Hatame was panting hard after the battle, feeling fatigue creep into his muscles, but at the very least the woman's healing had taking the edge off. He felt more alive when his body wasn't stinging with acidic blood, but he knew they needed to finish this fast. Much longer and he wouldn't be able to function; he needed food and especially water. Still, he tucked his wings in tight to his body and gave an all too human nod.

"Ready when you are," he breathed, and took a moment to stretch like a dog, head lowered, rear up, and spine flexing supplely, before he straightened and shook out his coat, sending a few flecks of blood flying like water. With another deep breath, he began to trot in the direction she had pointed. It would take too much energy to fly, and he needed to conserve what he had left.

Hopefully they would survive this—and hopefully destroying this thing would get them out of here.



The pair managed to move through the rest of the terrain without much incident, other than a few stealth kills they were able to pull off. Being in this place was wearing on Uxia, the strain of all the healing she had done, plus the fighting and her wounds burned, even with the salve on them.

But they were getting closer, the demonic energy getting thicker, almost cloying. She shook her head, trying to clear her head of it all. She motioned Hatame to get low and she crawled up the ridge, peering over the side.

The demon was there, a huge, bloated thing curled in the valley between two small outcroppings. It looked like some larva gone very wrong, though there appeared to be a humanoid figure from the hips up attached to the creature. Its swollen body was a mixture of mud browns, blacks and vivid, neon blues and acid greens, vicious looking spikes protruding from it. The humanoid torso had the same color patters as the rest of him and lacked real arms. From the elbows down, the demon had wicked looking scythe blades where his arms would have been.

"There." Uxia's voice was a low hiss, "He is the one we must kill. Do not be fooled by his size, he is fast and he is very deadly. And a strong mage."

The knight closed her eyes for a moment, making a quick prayer to the gods before suddenly bursting over the ridge, screaming out a spell that made her spear blaze with white light before it was buried deep into the fleshy body of the demon. Dark, burning blood fountained up and the demon gave a high pitched, inhuman shriek of rage, his tail thrashing as he tried to dislodge Uxia.

Fast, large, strong, deadly, and a powerful mage.

Oh, joy and jubilation. Uxia made it look so easy.

Hatame spared only a second to pray to the gods that they make it out of this alive before he launched himself over the ridge, wings snapping open as he took to the air. Might as well put his last shreds of strength toward something useful.

Wings working powerfully, he gained altitude as Uxia struggled with the creature below and distracted it, and when he'd peaked high above them, he took careful aim before he tucked his wings in and dropped like a stone. Falling fast, the wind whipping through his fur and whistling in his ears, he extended his front legs, the ones shaped like an eagle's feet and tipped with long, dangerously hooked talons, and aimed for the creature's head.

The thrashing body under her was making it hard to stay on. Uxia gripped the spear with one hand, drawing a sword with her other hand. Hatame had the torso occupied, and Uxia kept chanting her spell, bright, positive energy spilling through the spear and into the bloated body of the demon.

The beast shrieked in anger, the spikes on his back extending, coming for Uxia. Twisting, the hunter managed to avoid it, though one went through her shirt, missing her flesh by a hairsbreadth, "The heart! Go for the heart!"

The heart? Hatame registered Uxia's words right before he struck, talons lashing out at the creature that screeched in agony. Dropping down on it, he sank his talons into the thing's shoulders and hung onto its torso, raking his clawed hind feet down its back and leaving long, deep red tracks behind. His worked furiously to keep his balance as the thing twisted and shrieked, trying to dislodge him.

It screamed even louder when he twisted around and jabbed out its eyes with his hooked beak, and tore flesh from its face. Acidic blood sprayed him and filled his mouth as he slashed the thing, soaking through fur and feathers and burning the skin beneath, but he held on.

Hopefully if it couldn't see, it would have a harder time striking him when he went for its front...

He had hardly finished that thought when one of the creature's shrieks turned into a word, and a blast of something struck Hatame and knocked him to the ground, sending him rolling. Thankfully, he had time enough to tuck in his wings and save them from snapping, just barely.

Hatame sprang back to his feet with a hiss, head hurting, body aching, and burns stinging, but there was no time to care about it. This could be it. Shaking his head to clear it, he started his charge, spreading his wings as he ran in preparation for flight.

And the thing started to chant, its ruined, bloody mouth forming garbled, wet words in some archaic tongue. Deep inside him, he felt a pull, right at the very core of his being, and it filled him with a jolt of primal fear. He didn't know what it was, but it quickly going from discomfort to pain--a deep pain that transcended the flesh--and he knew that if they didn't kill this thing now, they would die.

Uxia wasn't able to pay Hatame much attention, cursing as she tried to block to spikes. Then the world exploded in pain, something pulling at a place deep inside her, a private place. She felt violated in a way she never had before. She screamed, dropping down to her knee, one of the spikes slamming into her shoulder.

She didn't even notice it, the pain nothing compared to what she was feeling. The spear in her hands flickered, then went dark, no longer burning with the bright light of her healing magic. Clinging to her spear, she screamed again, body jerking in pain. Something was wrong, something was very, very wrong.

The pain was growing unbearable, and Hatame let out an animalistic shriek of agony and stumbled as he ran, getting a mouthful of dirt. He could hear Uxia screaming and fear squeezed his heart until he thought it might burst, but, hissing in pain, he struggled to his feet. His limbs felt like water and he could feel himself weakening as though his life were draining from him. He didn't know what that demon had done, but he did know that they'd both die if it wasn't stopped.

And he didn't want to die here. Didn't want to die at all. He was far past that stage in his life where he longed to end it and now he craved life more than ever. He was not going to let some ugly slug-ass bastard deliver the final blow after everything he'd been through! How mortifying would that be?

With a scream of rage and hurt, an alien sound somewhere between an eagle's screech and a lion's roar, he lunged to his feet and beat the air with his wings, taking off unsteadily. It hurt, white-hot agony spearing through him and sending waves of dizziness rolling over him, but he managed to get airborne, managed a labored ascent. It took far less effort to pull his wings in and let himself fall, and luckily he managed at least that much before he felt his strength fail him completely.

He went for its front this time, a dangerous decision, but one he had no choice but to make. It would kill him if he miscalculated--but it would be over, anyway, if he didn't try. The demon saw him coming this time and lashed out at him with its scythe-like arms and he gave a cry as the blade dug into his shoulder.

But he'd also managed to sink his claws into the beast's chest.

Snarling, his beak followed, tearing deep into the creature's chest, scissoring the flesh and ripping deep into the cavity. Bones crunched as he snapped at the breast-bone, twisting his head savagely. His beak was designed to tear into a body like butter, and he put it to full use now, using his claws to open to the wound even more.

The thing screamed but he didn't relent, blood gushing over him, burning him.

And then his beak plunged into its heart.

Just as suddenly as the pain had come, it was gone. Uxia's head swam, her heart pounding, vision swimming. She was dimly aware of the Hatame's shrieks and the spasms coming from the demon. Fighting down the urge to be sick, Uxia hauled herself up, using the spear for support.

And realized two things at once. That the demon was rapidly dying, it's heart pulverized by Hatame's deadly beak and that she was very aware of all of Hatame's aches and pains. She could feel the fear, excitement and and pain from him.

That, was not right. Gasping, her voice rough from screaming, Uxia stared at him, "What...did you do?"

Hatame sprawled out on the ground, exhausted and in pain, the blood still burning him. His sides heaved with his labored breaths, and more blood trickled from the fresh wound in his shoulder. It took every last ounce of energy to remain standing--and even that didn't last long as he slowly sank down into a crouch, head hanging.

It was dying. It was over. That awful pain was no more.

And then Uxia spoke, and Hatame's head jerked back up. "What?" His voice came out hoarse and breathless, wings drooping. "What did I do? I killed it...I think," he said, looking at its twitching body. Death throes, he hoped.

Leaving her spear stuck deep inside the dead demon, Uxia moved closer to Hatame, drained and worn out. Unlike Hatame, she had only minor injuries, she was just on her last legs, having little to eat and little sleep since arriving in this place and pumping most of her magic into the demon.

But she still had some left. Dropping heavily onto her knees, she reached out, pressing a hand against the gryphon's head, "You did. But why can I feel your hurts? What did you do?"

Taking a deep breath, Uxia steadied herself, drawing upon her last reserves of power to start carefully healing Hatame. She was going to be useless after this, but the gryphon was in bad shape and she could already feel the false world the monster had made collapsing. They should be safe now.

"What? My hurt?" Hatame grimaced as he felt his wounds start to knit back together, the sensation painless but strange. Somewhere beyond his own stinging pain he was aware of another presence, feelings that weren't his, but he hadn't yet made the connection Uxia had. "Are you, uh...are you saying you can feel my pain?"

And then as his own injuries lessened, the sensation hit him. Fatigue, hunger, fading excitement. None of those were his; he had eaten not long ago and had slept well before he ended up here, though he was tired from the fight. But that feeling wasn't his; it was somewhere inside him yet outside him, disconnected, existing on some plane parallel to him...

A hissed gasp escaped him and he shook his head in denial. "I didn't do anything, Uxia. I...I killed the thing. I tore it up. I...I don't know what that is. I didn't do it, though!"

Uxia's hands were starting to shake and her naturally pale skin was looking a little grey. She was able to heal most of Hatame's wounds, but not all of them, a few minor cuts and sores were left when she dropped her hands away from him.

It would be easier to blame him, but she didn't really think it was the gryphon, it reeked to much of demonic energy, "I don't know what happened, but I think that demon did something. A curse maybe?" Uxia swayed slightly, her vision fading for a second before she caught herself, gritting her teeth. She wasn't done yet.

"We should be able to get out of here soon. Where is the heart? We should collect it if we can."

Hatame shivered as the healing finished, feeling stronger now that he was no longer riddled with pain. Still sore, yes, but no longer in agony.

Shaking out his fur, he slowly climbed to his feet and swayed a little as those foreign emotions roiled with dizziness. It was so strange feeling on two completely different levels. "A curse...? Oh, shit," Hatame growled, closing his eyes. "It was chanting something, Uxia. I dunno what, but...toward the end. It started saying something I couldn't understand. That's when everything started to hurt..." He shook his head and cracked his eyes open again, peering at Uxia sideways, birdlike.

"We can figure it out later. I'll get the heart and you..." He frowned as well as a gryphon could frown. "You don't look well. Just wait and I'll get it."

Shaking her head, Uxia forced herself to her feet, her legs trembling with the effort. She had pushed herself to far and she knew better. She would sleep later, "Yes. Heart. Grab it and let's get out of here. It's unhealthy in this place."

It was a strange sight, watching the world fade away, the dark, colorless world the demon had made bleeding away to reveal the serine landscape of the Thunderbacks. The air started to feel lighter, easier to breathe.

"Hurry. It's body will most likely vanish with the realm." She glanced over, her odd colored eyes watching the gryphon, "Thank you. For your help."

(//http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/wolfwonderess/eggs/egg7.png)

Hatame shivered again as the false world began to melt away, but Uxia didn't have to tell him twice. Limping toward the body, he tore into the cavity his claws and beak had revealed and severed the mangled heart, plucking it up and carrying it back to his partner. It tasted horrible, bitter and rotten, but at the very least its blood was no longer burning; even as he watched, the demon's body began to fade and grow transparent...

Pausing beside Uxia, he held out a dexterous foreclaw and spat the heart out into it, clutching it between his eagle-like talons. The demon's body was almost completely gone now and more and more light was filtering in, golden daylight as opposed to this world's dull darkness. Hatame had to squint against it, but he managed to work a wink in there as he looked over at Uxia.

Which probably looked weird, coming from a gryphon.

"For you, m'lady, I'd kill ten thousand of those things across a hundred colorless worlds," he said, dipping his head in a mock bow--which he regretted, as it made his head swim. He grimaced and closed his eyes until it stopped. "But, uh, since that's over with, where do we go? What do we need this for, anyway?" he added, indicating the heart.

Uxia blinked at Hatame, not really sure what to make of that comment. People didn't really talk to her like that and it threw her a little. But there was little time for that. Her backpack had survived well enough and she went through it, pulling out an odd metal box.

Placing the heart inside, she sealed the box and replaced it in her bag, "It's very powerful. Demon hearts can be used for many things." Looking around, Uxia pointed in a direction. It didn't really matter, just away from the center, from the demon's world.

"There. Let's go." If she wasn't too turned around, that should be the direction of the town she and her team had stayed at. She glanced behind her, feeling a sharp pain of grief and guilt. They had been good companions and it hurt her they were gone. She would have to come back, try and find them once she wasn't about to collapse.

If Hatame had eyebrows, he would have raised them. Taking a demon heart to use it? For what? Hatame could see no good reason to keep one of those around instead of destroying it, because what purpose could you use it for? Dark magicks? Surely no good could come from something like that.

Fluffing up his feathered mane, he watched Uxia pack the heart away but kept his thoughts to himself. Now wasn't the time to voice them. Even if they weren't in a bad spot, he just didn't have the energy; every muscle felt sore and inflamed, his mouth felt cracked and dry with thirst, and as the rush of battle wore off, now he just wanted to sleep. Then eat. Maybe in reverse order, he wasn't sure yet.

He bumped his side against her, cat-like, as he fell into step beside her. "You haven't taken much healing. Are you gonna be alright?" he asked, tilting his head so he could peer up at her with one bright green eye.

"Me? I'm fine." Uxia kept her eyes straight ahead, her voice tight. She had been with her friends for a while and now they were dead. And she finally had time to feel that. Uxia just felt...empty. Drained and worn out and painfully lonely.

Normally she hated being touched by people she didn't know. But right then, the warm gryphon was a nice reminder that she wasn't alone just then. Still not looking at him, her eyes fixed ahead, she rested a hand lighting against him, "After we rest a bit. I need to go back. Before the animals come."

She couldn't carry them back to town, so she would have to burn them. Burn Ja'lar and Mitzka.

Hatame let out a small huff of breath. He highly doubted her sincerity; Uxia didn't look fine and the way she looked everywhere but at him solidified it. While gryphons didn't make much eye contact with each other, as too much was considered a sign of hostility, he'd learned over his time amongst humans that it was quite the opposite for them.
   
    But before he could call her on it, she spoke, and it took him a moment to get what she was talking about. "What? Come back? Why would you wanna--"
   
    It clicked then. Before the animals come. The corpses he'd seen. A sick feeling tugged at his gut and he snapped his beak shut. There had been no time to think of make connections before and it had never occurred to him that those bodies had any relation to her.
   
    That she knew them.
   
    Glancing up at her again, he gave her hand a light headbutt and nuzzled against her side, the most he could really do by way of comfort in this shape. "I'm sorry."

"It was not your fault. We were not strong enough." I was not strong enough. If she had gotten to them better, been stronger, maybe her companions wouldn't be dead. The world around them was getting clearer as they walked, the taint receding.

She just wanted to drop and sleep for a year. But that wasn't an option just yet. Once there was a little more distance between the tainted area, she would rest a few hours before going back. Just needed to keep walking.

    "It's not yours, either," Hatame said, keeping pace with her and blinking as the area grew brighter, only a thin film of darkness remaining. It was eerie to watch, and probably would have been far more disconcerting were he not thoroughly exhausted, and had he not just fought a slug-bodied, scythe-armed demon.
   
    He gave Uxia's hand another nudge. "Here, c'mon. Why don'tcha get on me? I've strength enough to carry you."

"What? No. I'm fine. I can walk." Uxia finally looked down at Hatame, somewhat startled by his offer. She had to admit, she did like him as a gryphon much better. He wasn't as...irritating when he was in this form.

    "You sure?" Hatame gave her as skeptical a look as a gryphon's facial muscles could make. "It would be quicker this way."

"You are as tired as I am. Over burdening you wouldn't help any." There was little sign now of the demon's world left, though the air was still oddly quiet. No animals were around, no sounds beyond the ones the two of them made.

    She had a point there, he'd admit, but he still didn't like it. Tail lashing behind him, anxious to put as much distance between the slaughtering ground and them, he gave a small nod.
   
    "And overtaxing yourself won't help any, either. You need rest."

"Yes. And I will rest when we are away from this place. We wont have to go far, the world will be gone soon, only a small scar left on the land." Ja'lar would have been able to heal that, but that was beyond the scope of her magic.

Silence settled, both to worn out to talk much as they walked. Eventually, Uxia had to stop. Her legs were trembling with exhaustion and she knew she had reached her limit. "Here. We need to stop now."

Without waiting for a response from Hatame, Uxia dropped down, slightly clumsy as she hit the ground. She needed rest, and food, but she had run out of food back in the demons world. And she could feel....Hatame still. His fatigue was blending with her own and it was...strange.

    As soon as Uxia said they needed to stop, Hatame dropped down heavily beside her with a loud sigh of relief. His muscles burned from exertion and his breathing came in short bursts even though he'd only been walking. It probably didn't help that his exhaustion wasn't the only he felt--he could still feel Uxia there, her aches and weariness, her hunger, her pain blending with his own.
   
    He stretched out next to her and let his wings half unfold, head resting on his clawed front feet. Even if he had the energy to shift right now, he didn't have the energy to care enough to bother. Besides, with his clothes long gone it would just be cold sitting around in his skin.
   
    "I can still feel you," he muttered into his paws, and he could feel her more than ever now that he was resting.

Nodding, Uxia removed her weapons, laying them out and shucking her backpack off before curling up, head resting on the backpack, "Yes. I still don't understand it." It was cold out and Uxia shifted, moving closer to the warm griffon, her back pressed against him.

She wanted to probe more into the spell, see what she could figure out about it, but her worn out body couldn't take it. She had been up for days, no food and utterly drained after that fight. It wasn't long before she was fast asleep, snoring softly.

    As soon as Hatame felt Uxia relax against him and heard her breathing even out into soft snores, felt the signals along their...connection...calm down, he shifted closer and curled his body around her. The temperature was dropping and while his thick fur and plumage was keeping him warm, he knew how frail human bodies were.
   
    Lifting one large wing, he lightly draped it over her body. But even then, it was a while before he slept, and he only half-slept. They were in a strange place and he wasn't fully convinced that there weren't still beasts and things prowling around and there were some pretty large natural predators skulking through these mountains.
   
    Besides, he hadn't been the one that had lost people he knew and cared about, and he could feel that not all of Uxia's pain was physical.

The warrior slept for a few hours, nuzzling tighter to Hatame as the temperature dropped and her dreams grew darker. Having another living body next to her helped, though her expression was still dark and small sounds would escape her.

Still, after a few hours, Uxia woke up, adjusting quickly to realize where she was and that Hatame's wing was stretched out over her. She was still drained, her body still sore, but she wasn't ready to drop. There was enough energy to do what needed to be done.

Sitting up, Uxia felt Hatame wake up, both physically and sensed it along the link. She was going to have to explore that more, but taking care of her companions and finding food were higher on her list.

"Hatama. I'm going to be back. You can wait here."

When Uxia sat up, the movement roused Hatame from his sleep as she jostled his wing--and he hadn't been sleeping deeply, anyway, his senses on edge. Eyes fluttering open, he blinked blearily and cracked his beak open in a jaw-creaking, tongue-curling yawn. He still felt like he could sleep for the next few days and yet already his muscles were tensed in preparation to flee or move.

Somewhere deep inside him, he felt the sensation echo in his mind along that invisible link, foreign yet familiar, and knew it as Uxia.

"Huh?" he murmured, still blinking the sleep from his eyes. He lowered his head and rubbed his face between both fore-claws, drawing his wing back in against his body so Uxia could get up. Hatama? Really? Looking back up at her, he shook his head to try and clear it.

"What? Where're ya going? And it's Hatame. Hah-TAH-may. Not Hatama. Hatame."

"That's what I said. Hatama." Uxia wasn't really paying much attention to Hatame at the moment. She was still exhausted and running on empty. Three days of non-stop fighting with little sleep and less food was taking it's toll. But before she was willing to deal with those issues, she needed to take care of...her friends.

Shouldering her pack, Uxia let her hair out of it's braid, quickly redoing it so that it wasn't falling out, "I need to go...take care of a few things." Despite her steady voice, a sharp spike of guilt and pain came off Uxia down the link she and Hatame shared.

"No, you said--never mind." Hatame groaned and shook his head, still trying to orient himself. Right now he just didn't have the energy to press the issue, especially not when faced with the wave of emotion that filtered down their link.

And he had a good idea of what, exactly, she had to tend to.

With another groan, he pushed himself to his feet and shook out his coat, dust and grass flying off his fur. His muscles ached in protest but he did his best to ignore it. "You shouldn't go alone."

The look Uxia gave Hatame wasn't very friendly as she tied off her hair, "I do not need a babysitter. I am perfectly capable of defending myself." She was tired, yes, but so was he and she wasn't about to let some gryphon act like she was some princess.

She wrinkled her nose as the dust from Hatame hit her, but she was already filthy, so it didn't matter much. Without waiting for a response, Uxia headed off toward where her friends bodies were.

Hatame winced at her look. "That's not what I meant, I just--"

But already she was heading away from him, and Hatame wisely stayed put. While he worried that she wouldn't be able to defend herself if something happened, he didn't yet know her well enough to push the issue. Sure, that hadn't stopped him before...but when it was an issue of dead companions, he didn't want to intrude on such a private issue where he clearly wasn't wanted.

Uxia was glad the gryphon didn't push the issue. Heading back the way she came, the sleep had helped her get some of her energy back. She still needed food, but that would just have to wait. She was once again glad she wasn't built like most Serenians, which her thick curves able to feed her for a time.

The walk was mostly a blur, lost in her own thoughts. Her companions were dead, gone. She had failed them. It wasn't hard to find them, now that the demon realm was gone. And thank the stars that the taint still lingered enough that animals hadn't come.

Though...the demons had already done a bit of work on her friends. She found Mitzka first, his body almost unrecognizable, torn apart by demons. Reaching down, Uxia stroked a hand across the pale white blond hair that still remained, whispering a few, personal words to her friend. Then she dug into her tapped supplied of magic for just enough to burn the body. It was a spell the Order had made and taught to the Knights. Too often, they lost their fellows in combat and while bodies couldn't make it home, their ashes would.

Finding an empty box, Uxia carefully gathered as many of Mitzka's ashes as she could, blinking back her tears. To cry was to show weakness and she would be strong for them. She found and burned Ja'lar's body in a similar manner.

By then, the Knight just felt empty. There was nothing left inside her. The pain was buried under layers of exhaustion and fatigue. "Good-bye. I failed you, but I will bring you home with honor. Your deaths weren't in vain."

From the time she left, Uxia was gone only a few hours, but when she returned to where Hatame was, she looked even worse. Her movements were stiff, her body burning through fumes to keep her going.

"I'm finished. Let's leave this place." She reached up, a hand covering her belly, "I need to eat."

Even if Hatame couldn't follow Uxia, he found that, with their strange new connection, he could still keep tabs on her. He wasn't trying to eavesdrop; he just could find no way to block or control what he felt coming from her down the line.

He spent those hours curled up and dozing lightly, just enough to rest and try to regain his strength but not enough that he'd fall asleep in case trouble struck. Once he woke up to the smell of ash and saw fire burning in the distance, followed by another sometime after. Controlled fires. It had to be Uxia's doing, for he felt no surprise or panic from her; just the same deep sorrow that felt, uncomfortably, like it was his own. It was strong and, unused to it as he was, it was difficult to tell where her emotions ended and his began.

Hatame had begun to doze off again when Uxia returned, and he jolted into wakefulness and clambered to his feet, still exhausted but no longer feeling ready to drop. Emptiness had replaced sadness all along their connection, but she looked terrible. The trip back to her friends' bodies, and the emotional strain of it all, couldn't have been easy on her.

Walking over to her, Hatame lightly butted his head against her hand in what he meant as a comforting gesture. If she didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't force her to. And besides, he was better at actions than words, in showing that he understood as opposed to talking about it.

"Yeah, you do," he agreed. "Now c'mon. I just lazed around while you were out and about. It really will be faster if I carry you."

When she felt his head against her hand, Uxia absently stroked the feathers there. It was strange to touch him, he didn't really feel like anything she was used too. His offer to carry her had her narrow her eyes slightly, mouth ready to refuse, but she paused, considering.

She wouldn't be able to make it far and practicality won out over pride. "...Fine." Looking the gryphon over, Uxia wasn't ever really sure where to start. She hardly rode horses much, so the idea of trying to mount some gryphon was a little awkward.

"Is...there a trick to this?"

"No trick. Not really," Hatame said, tilting his head so he could watch Uxia. Fanning his wings out, Hatame knelt down on his front knees and lowered his head in an effort to make this easier for her. "You just have to get on my back. Don't worry about being too heavy or hurting me or anything--er, not that I think you'd be heavy! You've some sexy curves but you're sure not chunky!"

Uxia blinked, startled by the comment and she could feel her ears getting warm. She wasn't used to people talking to her like that and it threw her. Choosing to ignore it for now seemed the best idea. Awkwardly straddling Hatame's back, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, body pressed flat against him, "Like this?"

Hatame gave a tired smile. Or rather, he would have smiled if he had the lips to do so. Was she blushing? Another time, and Hatame would have commented on that, but they were both exhausted--and she had just dealt with murdered friends.

To that, he could fully relate, and he felt his chest tighten painfully at the thought. That had happened in the mountains, too...

Before he could explore that thought too deeply, he shoved it to the back of his mind and focused again on his new companion. Once Uxia was on board, he folded his wings back tight against his body and straightened back up, a little surprised by how heavy she was. Alright...so maybe he'd lied about the heavy bit; he'd completely forgotten to account for muscle. But he was strong and he'd supported heavier; the most difficult part was remembering he had a rider and not doing anything that would throw them.

"Yep, exactly like that. Got a good grip?" he asked as he started off at a trot, letting her adjust to the feel of riding something with a lion's body and letting him adjust to her weight.

"Sorry this isn't really relaxing; I imagine it's pretty bumpy back there. But at least you get to relax a little?"

It was down right uncomfortable. Cat's bodies were not made for a smooth ride and Uxia was going to be sore when this was over. But it was a lot easier than walking. "It's fine. You just have a gait like a hiccuping mule."

She needed to get away from him soon. He threw her off balance too much, with his odd comments about her eyes and her curves. Though, for a moment, Uxia felt something very lonely and sad and it took her a moment to realize it had come from Hatame.

Unsure what had caused it, she didn't ask. Instead, Uxia just attempted to use her rather...limited social skills to distract, "So, why where you in the mountains?"

"Excuse me, but I believe you meant feline grace and poise." Though to be honest, not even he could fool himself into believing it was a comfortable ride. Hatame's back wasn't broad like a horse's and he was all hard muscle, sinew, and bone. But Uxia wouldn't have to endure that for much longer; as they crested a hill, Hatame's keen eagle-eyes caught sight of a village below, probably no more than two miles away.

Gods, but he couldn't wait to just eat and sleep and--

"Hm?" Hatame peeked back at Uxia, then faced forward again and upped his pace a little. "Oh, well, just came to hunt is all. There's some good hunting up here!" It was half the truth. He didn't think now was the appropriate time to bring up the other. "What about you?"

"I would have thought that was obvious." Uxia snorted, wincing as Hatame moved. He moved like a hunter and that meant a jarring ride. But it wasn't so bad, she had actually rode horses with worse, but she didn't really want to tell him that.

"My...companions and I were sent here to hunt and kill that demon." She had just assumed Hatame would recognize the symbol she wore on the loincloth. After all, who wouldn't know the Order of the Moon?

"You three? Against that thing?" Hatame tossed Uxia a sidelong look over his shoulder, green eyes wide. It had killed her companions and nearly killed them in the process. Had whoever sent her known how dangerous that thing even was?

Looking straight ahead again, he shook his head ruefully. "Well...you did what you came to do."

"Yes. And we should have been able to kill it. We were careless." Uxia stiffened on Hatame's back, feeling her pride had been insulted, "We are the Order of the Moon. It is what we do. I have hunted greater things than that beast."

"Order of the Moon?" Hatame tilted his head curiously. "What's that? And, well, Order of the Moon or not, it was a tough bastard. And a demon. We were lucky to get out of there at all, Uxia."

The fact he hadn't heard of the Order didn't really surprise her. While they were well known, it was uncommon to meet people that didn't know of them, "It's an ancient order dedicated to destroying demons and undead."

His last comment irritated her, but she knew that was just pride. Foolish pride had gotten her friends killed and she needed to not cling to it. She was silent a moment, taking a deep breath, "You are correct. I wasn't strong enough. I apologize."

Blinking in surprise, Hatame frowned back at Uxia--or at least did the closest approximation of one. "What? No, no, that's not what I meant. You were plenty strong. I just meant--" He cut off, deciding the demon was stronger probably wasn't what she wanted to hear right now, not judging by the irritation his last comment had sparked. Which he supposed made sense, considering this 'Order of the Moon' was all about demon-killing.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. We got out of it," he said instead, and picked up his pace.

It was a while longer before they reached the village, and by then Hatame felt close to dropping. He heaved a loud sigh of relief as he trudged past the gates and scanned the area tiredly for an inn or tavern or something. "Have you been here before?" he asked on a yawn, the last word slightly distorted by it.

"Once. We just passed through." Uxia chose to not comment on the rest of what Hatame said. She didn't really want to be drawn into a debate about her lack of skills. Once she was rested, she would train. Train long and hard until there was nothing else, just the smooth empty stillness.

She slid off Hatame's back, her legs weak though she did her best to not show it. Taking a deep breath, she scanned the area. There was a simple one room inn up the road a ways. She pointed, "There. Let's go."

"Think they'll be okay with, er...a gryphon going inside?" Hatame asked as he headed in the direction she'd pointed, his legs so tired he could hardly feel them anymore. "Alright, lemme rephrase: whatcha think they'd be least okay with? A gryphon or a naked man?"

"Gryphon. Do you need clothes?" Uxia paused, hands going to her own laces, "You can probably fit mine." She had a skirt in her pack she could wear. She disliked skirts, but sometimes they needed to blend in and the skirt made it easier for Uxia.

Hatame glanced down at Uxia's hips, not at all trying to hide the fact that he was watching. Hey, it didn't matter what form he was in; his mind was the same and he could appreciate the female form just as well either way. "Yeah, I sorta left mine behind, so...sure, let's give it a shot!"

Y'know, both for practicality's sake and, hey, he wouldn't mind getting a peek in doing so.

...Though this wasn't really the time or place.

He looked both ways, scouting the area, but not many people were out and about right now. Still, it was best not to take any chances. He spotted a rather secluded spot behind a small building and jerked his head toward it before trotting over to it. "You got extras or something?" he asked, though he didn't think she would have offered if it meant walking around bare-assed. Hopefully they worked, though! Her hips were wider than his so he was hopeful.

Not that he minded walking around naked; he didn't have that sort of all-too-human shame. It would just be inconvenient if it got him arrested.

"Yes." Uxia didn't really notice Hatame's stare, her mind never really considered sex much, so things went right over her head. She followed Hatame behind the building and started stripping out of her pants, "They are covered in demon, I apologize."

Being naked had never been a sexual thing for Uxia, so she had no problem stripping down to her underwear, passing over the pants before rummaging around and pulling out the rumpled skirt.

In a matter of seconds, Hatame had shifted out of his gryphon form and into his human one, naked as could be but not at all caring. His legs nearly buckled after expending that last bit of precious energy and he had to brace himself against the wall, pressing the side of his head against it and closing his eyes until he regained his bearings. Ugh...his exhaustion was always more noticeable when he shifted into human form, having all his weight suddenly shift to two awkward limbs rather than being all evenly distributed across four.

"Mm...demon. Delicious," he murmured, cracking his eyes open--and catching a nice eyeful of a stripping Uxia and her nice, strong legs. He hoped she'd turn around--oh, she was bending over, niiiice, nice ass, now if she'd just--no!

He grimaced and looked away, guilt stabbing him in the chest. This was not the time or place to be ogling, dammit! She'd just lost friends. They'd been through a tough situation. She was grieving; he could still feel the loss trickling through their bond. The rustle of clothing got his attention and he looked up again in time to see her passing over the pants.

And also getting another eyeful of Uxia in her underwear. Even as he accepted the pants, he stared, and couldn't help but wonder if she'd also lend him her shirt and--no! Dammit, time and place!

Running a hand over his face, he jerked his eyes away again and focused his energy on getting the pants on. They fit, though they were loose in the hips, but they would do. Looking back at Uxia, he flashed her a grin. "Y'know, I wish I could say this was the first time I'd worn women's clothing."

As she got the pants, the bond leaked across and odd mix of emotions. A curious burst of arousal followed by guilt, both of which puzzled Uxia. She wasn't really sure what there was to get turned on about and what the guilt was for.

Misunderstanding, she watched Hatame try on the pants to make sure they fit alright. They were too baggy around most of him, but they at least kept him covered, "You don't have to feel bad for borrowing my pants."

His next comment had her blink at him, a small smile playing at her lips, "What? Really? You must have been an ugly girl."

"Hmm? I don't feel bad about that." Hatame tightened the laces of the breeches, trying to fit them better.

Her remark on his appearance earned her a bright grin and, giving up on the laces, he slowly ran a hand up and down his chest and belly. He winked at her. "Ugly? Darling, I make a downright ravishing woman."

"What's the problem then?" Uxia tugged her skirt out, shaking the simple fabric out. Pulling it on, she tied it off. It was unflattering and dull looking, but it served its purpose. At Hatame's little pose, Uxia snorted, "I find that hard to believe."

Packing up her bag again, she wavered slightly, still bone tired, "Let's go. I don't think I can stand much longer. I need food." Hatame would follow if he wanted, so she started for the tiny in, trying to wipe her face clean with her shirt sleeve. She hadn't had time to clean off the demon gore from her. The big hunks were gone, but blood and small bits of flesh still clung to her upper body and her braid was crusted and thick with it.

"Better believe it. Maybe if you're lucky you'll get to see it one day." With another wide grin, Hatame followed after her, putting a little swagger in his stride to try and cover up how his legs were shaking and how unsteady he was.

As far as demon gore went, Hatame wasn't much better off. He hadn't had time to clean himself of the gunk, and when he shifted, it only transferred from his fur and feathers to his skin. His dark skin was covered in dry, crusty demon blood and his hair was thick with it, the white bangs stained red.

They must look quite a sight.

It didn't take long to reach the inn, but in his current state it felt like forever. Staggering to the door, Hatame pulled it open and held it open to let Uxia go through first. "Hope ya got money on you, too."

"Don't worry. I have enough." The order paid well and Uxia had very little needs, so she spent very little. Despite her shaking legs and trembling muscles, Uxia stiffened her back, head high as she strode into the room.

A sudden hush feel over the room when the two gore stained travelers entered. Uxia quickly located the innkeeper and marched over, her voice steady and cold, "I need food. Lots of food, a bath and a place to sleep for my friend and I."

Before the man could speak, Uxia held out several silver coins, more than enough for what she asked for, "We have killed the demon plaguing this place and need rest."

"Uh...yes. Yes ma'am." The small man stared, eyes going between the woman and the half naked man, quickly pocketing the coins, "I..uh...we have some stew...vegetables and fire roasted potatoes..."

"That is fine. Bring a lot." Uxia turned her back and took a seat, arms gripping the table in the effort to stay upright. She wanted to sleep, but she needed energy first.

Even covered in blood and guts and ready to pass out on his feet, somehow Hatame managed to swagger through the room and to the table. He dropped into a seat across from Uxia and winked at a serving girl that passed by. Cute girl. He hoped she'd come back over.

As soon as the girl was out of sight, Hatame slumped forward against the table, arms folded on it and head bowed. Yeah. Time and place. He could barely keep his eyes open and head up, like he would even be able to enjoy sex right now. Normally he might like that, a vigorous and life-affirming session after a rough and dangerous encounter, but all he could really think about was sleep.

He propped his chin up on a hand, eyes lidded as he looked at Uxia. He had to at least stay awake long enough to bathe. All this crustyness would lead to a terrible rash. "If I pass out in the bath, you'll rescue me, right?"

Uxia felt about how Hatame felt, her back straight only through sheer force of will. She glanced over at Hatame and her lips curled in a small smile. It was hard not to around him, he managed to crack jokes even when this tired.

And she could feel he was just as worn out as she was though that strange, new connection they had. Well, that and that he wanted to sleep with the serving girl.

"As I just spent all that energy saving you, I am not about to let the bath water get you. Do you think you could help me get my hair clean? I can help you with yours."

"Whaaa?" Hatame's eyes widened, no longer quite so sleepy looking. Help her? In the bath? With her hair? Did that mean he'd get to see her naked?

Score!

"Hair? Oh, yeah. I can help you clean your hair. I got lots of experience with...hair." He laughed and tossed his dirty hair over his shoulder. It was fairly long, reaching down to about mid-back and free of its loose ponytail after the shifting he'd done. "I got a lot of my own. So sure thing! I'll do you and you do me?" he added with a grin and a wink.

"Yes. I just said that." Uxia gave Hatame a puzzled look. Why was he making all those faces at her. The girl returned with food for them and Uxia ignored Hatame for the moment, devouring the food with gusto. She was starving, her body needing fuel.

It wasn't until her second bowl was wiped clean did Uxia speak again, feeling warm and full, "Sweet Kia but that was good. I hope that bath is ready."

Hatame finished his meal in no time, more than a little eager to get past the eating part and to the bathing part. When he was done, he pushed his bowl away and pat his belly, letting out a happy sigh. He felt a little more alive now that his body had something to run on. "Ahh...good stuff." Not that he was a picky eater.

He let it settle for a moment then flashed Uxia a grin and moved to rise. "Wanna go check?"

Uxia nodded, feeling less ready to collapse on the spot. She was still dead tired, but her limbs weren't shaking with fatigue anymore. The sitting and food had helped a little. Standing, she went over and spoke to the owner, who nodded and gestured up the stairs.

Returning to Hatame, she gave a relieved smile, "It's ready. There are even two. I wasn't going to make us share water that had demon...stuff in it." It was expensive, but she didn't care. Heading up, she found their room and dumped her bag near the bed, starting to strip the second the door was closed. Her clothes were disgusting and she wanted them off. She would have to get the girl to wash them for her.

And see about finding Hatame some as well.

Two tubs sat in the middle of the room, the water steaming and looking better than anything she had seen in a long time. Leaving her clothes in a messy pile, Uxia pulled her hair free of it's messy braid and got into the tub, sinking in with a happy sigh.

YES! Finally!

Finally, there was a bright side to an otherwise shitty day. A bath. With a woman. A well-endowed woman, if what he saw with her cloths on was any indication. He couldn't wait to see what was under them.

With tired cheer, he followed Uxia upstairs and into the room.

And stared as she stripped. Just like that. Like he wasn't there. Hatame froze and stared quite openly, eyes wide, and looked her top to bottom--though he spent significantly more time on her top than her bottom to better appreciate her glorious, glorious bosom.

Oh good gods. She had exactly the kind of body he adored. Strong, but still delightfully thick and feminine and--

And she was getting in the water. Dammit!

"Hey, careful. That water, uh...could've been hot. You should've waited for it to cool a little," he said, reverie broken. Bah. With a sigh, he wiggled out of Uxia's breeches and gave a long, languid stretch, hoping she'd notice, and grinned. "Ready for me to do ya? Er, do your hair. I mean, I'd do ya too, don't get me wrong. In a heartbeat."

"Huh?" Uxia gave Hatame another puzzled look, not seeing where he was going with that, "What are you talking about? But, yes. I wuld love help with my hair."

His stretching and staring was unnoticed, Uxia too focused on the bath. Already the clear water was tainted by the demon gore. Which was a shame as she would have liked a long soak in the hot water. Relax some muscles.

Ducking under, Uxia wet her hair and sat back up, waiting for Hatame to scrub the long, wet mass. It hung down to her hips and was her one nod to vanity, though it was a simple brown color, lightened by the time she spent in the sun.

"Right! Help with your hair. Got it. I'm on ya! It. Your hair." Yeah, Hatame wasn't really thinking about what he was saying, focused instead on staring at her, at all that bare, freckled skin and--and nipples.

Shaking himself to clear his head--bad Hatame! Down!--Hatame knelt down behind her tub, took up the soap, and focused on her hair. Hair. On her head. Working up a lather, he worked the soap into the thick strands and tried not to think how close he was to her, how close he was to her bare neck and shoulders and back or that he would have liked to kiss it. For someone so hardened, she looked surprisingly soft with her clothes off and the blood washed away.

And freckles. How cute was that? Gods above...

But he wouldn't; it was off limits unless she said otherwise, and he was fine with just looking.

He scrubbed at her scalp, fingers massaging. "How's that? Tell me if I pull your hair. You've got some snarls in there."

Uxia had people help her with her hair before, but never like this. A shiver went through her and she let out a soft sigh, "You are good at that. I'm surprised."

It was all over too fast and even with how wonderful his fingers felt, she wanted to get out of the water. Once she was rinsed off, Uxia stood and stepped out of the bath, "Why don't you soak while I dry off and then I'll do you."

"Why's that surprising? I've got magic hands. And," Hatame teased his short nails against her skin, "I've got loads of experience."

But all good things must come to and end, and so the hair-washing came to a close. But that only made room for even more goodness when Uxia rinsed and got out of the tub, water glistening along her skin, and once again Hatame stared. If she had no issues wandering around naked, then she must not have any qualms about him openly looking and--

"What?" Hatame's head snapped up and he looked back at her face, eyebrows raised and eyes wide before context sank in. Oh. Right. Do his hair. Of course. Ha. "Oh. Yeah. Gotcha! Good plan."

Wandering over to his own tub, Hatame stepped into the water and sank down into it, dunking hi head under and getting his hair soaked while the water was still somewhat clean. But it very quickly started to turn murky.

Parting his white bangs, which had fallen into his eyes, he peered up at Uxia and flashed her a grin. "Wouldn't say no if you did wanna do me, though."

She had quickly dried off and slipped into her clean shirt and a pair of underwear. The rest was far too dirty to even think about wearing. Her wet hair hung down her back, almost black when it was wet, soaking through the shirt.

It still covered her neck, like all her clothes. While she was fine with nudity, somehow it was different when she was dressed to have people see her neck.

Frowning, Uxia got onto her knees by Hatame's head, lathering up her hands with soap, "What? Are you suggesting intercourse? No. I have no interest. Sorry."

Reaching up, she started to wash his hair out. She had never washed anyone's hair before, but she washed her own enough she knew what to do, her fingers strong, though she got tangled a few times.

Ouch. Couldn't get much more clinical than that.

Oh well. Hatame closed his eyes and leaned back against her hands, thoroughly enjoying the sensation and shivering at her touch. "Well, when you say it like that, it's no wonder no one has any interest! You can't get dryer than that." He snorted a little, lips twitching. Heh. Dry. Gods, he was tired.

"Sorry. I just don't have any interest in it. I'm sure there is some girl downstairs you can charm or pay or whatever." Uxia shrugged, carefully untangling a knot, working out the demon goo stuck in it. She didn't have a sex drive, but that didn't mean other people didn't. She had grown up with soldiers and was used to their needs.

"There." Uxia lowered her hands into the water, rinsing them, "You can rinse now. I'll see about getting our clothes cleaned." She paused, smiling a little, "Well, mine. We'll have to see if we can find you some of your own tomorrow."

Uxia headed to the door and waved a girl over. After a few words, she came back, gathered the filthy clothes and handed them to the girl. She would make sure to tip her quite well.

"Oh! Guess I'll just have to be naked, then!" Hatame said with a cheerful grin before he dunked his hair in the water to rinse out the suds and gunk. When he came back up, he practically looked a different person, his bangs white now instead of gray and red and the rest of his hair black instead of tinted with a crimson sheen.

As Uxia worked out things with some girl, Hatame gave his skin one last good scrub, rinsed again, and then stepped out of the tub. He took up a towel and dried himself off, then wrapped it around his long hair.

And then he just stood there, watching Uxia's backside. And what a lovely backside it was, too...

Once the clothes were sent off the get cleaned, Uxia went to work drying her hair. She wished they had a fireplace in the room, but that wasn't an option. She glanced over at the water and wrinkled her nose. Both tubs were filthy, bits of goo and gore floating across the surface and the water stained a dark black color.

It actually took her a moment to realize Hatame was staring at her. She lifted on eyebrow, rubbing the towel on her thick heavy hair, "Do you need something?"

A tiny part of her noticed the change. He looked much better all cleaned up and he had the hard body of a warrior. Something Uxia approved of.

And scars. A lot of scars. "Where did you get so many injuries?"

"Hm? Oh, no. No. Don't need anything. You can just stay riiiight there," Hatame answered, resting a hand on his hip and, once again, talking to her breasts.

But what she said next had him snapping his eyes back up to her face, blinking in surprise. "Injuries...? Oh!" Rubbing his jaw, where some obviously claw-made scars marred his skin, Hatame shrugged. "Just, y'know, doing stuff and doing people! Making love and making war!"

Uxia frowned a little, not liking that he kept staring at her like that. It made her feel uncomfortable to be naked, something she wasn't really used too. She would have gotten dressed if she had any clothes, but she settled on grabbing the blanket off the bed and pulling it across herself.

"You got those scars having sex? Well, that doesn't really make me want to sleep with you." Uxia's own skin was mostly scar free. It was rare she wasn't able to at least finish healing herself, so scars weren't much of an issue for her.

"Wha? Oh! No, no worries! I don't do that to people or anything. Some of my partners just got a little..." Hatame laughed. "Wild.

"That's not attractive. Just sad."

Hatame blinked, grin fading. "Sad? Whatcha mean?"

"That you let yourself be abused like that." Uxia spent a lot of energy healing herself and others from injuries. Hearing Hatame joke about treating his body like that for sexual pleasure didn't sit well with her.

"You must not think much of yourself."

As if her previous words hadn't taken him off guard enough, her next ones threw him completely off balance. Abused? Didn't think much of himself? Eyes widening, no longer so distracted by her very distracting body, Hatame stared at her.

"Huh? Pffft, Uxia, have you met me? I think I'm pretty awesome, actually," he said with a bright grin and a little pose, hip cocked. He just came off looking ridiculous, though, especially with the towel wrapped around his head. "It's not abuse if I like it. They like it, I like it, it's all good. No harm done if everyone's okay with it, right?" He paused and frowned. "It's not like I'd do that with people who weren't alright with it."

"If thinking that makes you feel better, I wont argue. But, well, from over here, it just looks like you don't think you are worth much if you let someone hurt you like that." Uxia shrugged, finished with her hair and she hung the towel up before crawling into the bed.

After food and a bath, she was bone tired. All she wanted was to sleep. The fact there was one bed didn't bother her in the slightest.

"Nah, it doesn't really hurt when you're going at it, anyway!" Hatame said with a smile and, after a pause, he gave a stretch and a yawn before he pulled back the covers to crawl in after Uxia. He pulled the towel off his head and let it fall to the ground by the bed.

For all his suggestive comments, however, Hatame kept his distance even in that bed, turning onto his back and resting his hands on his chest. Comments were one thing, but he wasn't going to actually try to push for anything, and he shifted a little so he could keep from touching her too much. Of course, he was naturally a cuddly sleeper, a habit you picked up when you were really a gryphon, but he understood human boundaries--which especially seemed to apply when you were naked.

He was quiet for a few moments, eyes closed as he tried to drift off and forget what Uxia had said. But after several seconds he finally cracked, the comment too good to pass up.

"Hey? Uxia? Guess what?" he whispered, nudging her with his elbow. "We're sleeping together."

Once Hatame was in the bed, Uxia shifted closer, glad for his warmth. The inn's blankets were cold and she had already spent one night curled against him, another wouldn't make a difference. At his comment, Uxia let out a small sigh, "Yes. If that makes you feel better, you can tell everyone all about it."

"Mhmm, it makes me feel very better," Hatame said on a yawn, not at all minding  when Uxia scooted closer. He was starting to fade, words growing thick and distant. "I'll be sure to brag loudly in the morning."

"Whatever." She really didn't care and it wasn't long before she was sound asleep, her back pressed up against Hatame's chest for warmth. She slept long and hard, not waking up until late afternnon, slowly coming awake.

She still felt sluggish and exhausted, her body heavy. Draining herself that far war hard and it would take some time before she recovered all the way.

Luckily for Uxia, Hatame wasn't a very restless sleeper. He didn't move around much in his sleep and so stayed mostly in one place until morning--even if he did cuddle a little closer for body heat during the night.

When he could no longer ignore the light streaming in through the window and into his face, Hatame groaned and put the pillow over his eyes. Though he'd slept like the dead, he felt like he could have slept even longer, for years, and his body felt all heavy and sore and fatigued. He was laying on his side, his back to Uxia, and with another groan he realized that his morning friend had also paid him a visit.

Which was usual and generally a fun waking up exercise, but kind of annoying and inconvenient with Uxia right there. No, he was no prude. Yes, he did respect limits and boundaries!

Closing his eyes, still not quite ready to crawl out of bed, he tried to bring that slug demon to the forefront of his mind. If ever there was a mood killer, that ugly thing sure did it.

Sitting up, keeping the blanket up against her breasts, Uxia took her time waking up. Everything felt heavy and stiff and sore. Glancing over, she saw Hatame was still curled up asleep next to her. Deciding not to wake him, Uxia slipped out of the bed and padded over to the door, opening it up a crack.

It was pretty dead inside the inn, but the girl who helped last night, the daughter of the owner most likely, was cleaning some tables. Waving her over, Uxia ordered them both a large breakfast and discovered their clothes were still being cleaned, thanks to all the blood and gore caked on them.

Thanking the girl, Uxia went back to the bed, crawling into it again and wishing it was less bright.

Hatame stirred when Uxia got out of bed, but he otherwise stayed put--except to pull the blanket over his head, as well. He never was an early riser and hated it, preferring the night; noon was a perfectly acceptable time to wake!

Unfortunately, once he was up, it was impossible for him to drift back off, and with Uxia returning and jarring the bed more, it was a lost cause. With a sigh, Hatame sat up in bed and at least had the grace to hunch over to shield his issue, which was mostly gone by then, anyway. The slug thing worked! That and the reminder of all that gore and flesh and junk all over him--which he had been too tired to care about before!

He let out a loud yawn and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, then flashed Uxia a tired smile. "Good mornin', beautiful."

"Oh, you are awake." Uxia struggled to keep from blushing at the beautiful comment. Her looks weren't often commented on and it startled her. She just needed to remember he wasn't actually calling her beautiful, it was some stupid pet name he used. She had spent enough time with him to realize he just talked like that.

Still unused to the link, Uxia had no idea that flustered, confused emotion was trickling along it to Hatame, "It's not morning anyway. It's almost 3 as far as I can tell. I ordered us food and our clothes still aren't ready. So we're rather stuck in here."

"Ahh, it's morning to me!" Hatame said with a dismissive wave and a grin. "Close enough! Three, ten, what's the difference?" With another yawn and a big stretch, arms over his head, he flopped onto his back and sprawled out.

"I'm fine with waiting. Nice to have some time to just do nothing, huh? And hey, it gives us some time to get to know each other proper! Why don'tcha tell me about yourself, love?" he said, rolling onto his side and propping himself up on an elbow so he could watch her.

"I'm not your love." Another small ripple of discomfort and embarrassment trickled down the link as Uxia frowned at Hatame. She hated how aggressively friendly the other man was, it threw her off. She shrugged one shoulder, "There isn't really much I have to tell. I work for the Order as a demon slayer and a healer."

Hatame shook his head. "No, no, no. I already know all that. You already told me. What I mean is, well...tell me about you. Whatcha like to do? What're your hobbies? What's your favorite color? What's your star sign?" He winked at her as he said that last one.

"You know, stuff about you. All I know right now is you're a brave, hot, demon-slaying warrior I'd like to know a lot more about."

Uxia shrugged again, frowning slightly, "I don't really have hobbies. I live for my job." It flustered her, the way Hatame said all those things. It threw her off balance and she didn't like that, "I practice my fighting and magic when I have time. Or do stretches and meditation."

Hatame furrowed his brow and frowned. "No...hobbies? I mean, there's nothing you just like doing? Like painting or collecting shells or sewing or playing stones or hitting up a tavern after a hard day's work? Nothing?" He shook his head. "I don't believe that. There's gotta be something."

Uxia shrugged, "Believe what you like. Doesn't matter to me. I don't have time for that nonsense." She had her views on it and she needed that distance from everything or she wouldn't be able to devote herself to the Order with her entire being.

"Nonsense? Whaaat? Now, thinking that nonsense is nonsense is what's nonsense, love. I mean, there's nothing you just do for fun? Just because you wanna?"

"What?" Uxia frowned, getting lost as Hatame spoke, "It doesn't matter. I don't need anything else. If you are bored, I'm sure you can find some way to entertain yourself." She wanted to do some stretches, work out her stiff muscles, but she was still feeling a little weird about being naked around Hatame.

He stared.

"I'm naked and in bed with an equally naked woman. I'm the farthest thing from bored," Hatame said with a grin, flicking a meaningful glance over her body even though it was (sadly) covered with a blanket. He reached over and pat her on the head. "I'm easily entertained, m'dear. You'll learn. But that is not the point."

Cheek resting on his hand, his expression turned more serious. "No one needs much of anything but food, shelter, air, and company. So that's a moot point. It matters. You only live once--well, you only live once in this body, depending on what you believe--so you should take advantage of it and enjoy the body you have."

"No." Uxia leaned forward, stretching out her back, breasts pressed into her knees, "I'm fine with how I live."

"Because--correct me if I'm wrong--you don't know anything else," Hatame said. "Me? I believe in making an informed decision. Give things a try and then you can say if you're truly happy with what you have now."

"I don't need the temptation. That's all I feel like discussing about this." Uxia swung her legs off the bed and stood, stretching again, "If we are going to be stuck in here, I want to at least get to do a little work."

Her body was painfully sore and stiff. She was just going to have to ignore Hatame and his weird looks while she loosened it up. Maybe he would get bored and go entertain himself.

"All work and no play makes...uh...makes..."

Hatame trailed off, having lost his train of thought as soon as Uxia threw back the covers and stood up in all her naked glory. Indeed, he stared, openly and shamelessly. Hey, if he was going to stare, he wasn't going to try to hide it, and dear sweet gods did she have some amazing thighs.

"Uh...I was going somewhere with that, but you'll just have to get back to me later."

"Why?" Uxia rubbed her arm, giving him an annoyed look, "Why do you keep staring like that? It's weird."

"Because I'm a man, love," Hatame answered. "And you're a woman. And you're naked. And I'm naked..." He grinned and gave a light shrug. "You know?"

"No. I don't know. I would get dressed if I could, but I can't. If you can't stop staring, I'm just going to make you face the wall." Uxia sighed, racking a hand through her loose hair. Which reminded her that she needed to rebraid it.

Grabbing the strip of leather she used, Uxia began to quickly tame the thick mass.

"Okay, okay, I won't stare. I'll just look, then. Is that better?"

But then Hatame held his hands up and smiled. "Kidding, kidding. I'll behave. Look, how 'bout a peace offering? Need help with your hair? I'm amazing at braids, let me tell ya."

Uxia hesitated, frowning a little, then nodded. Letting her hair fall back, she took a seat, handing him the tie, "If you like. I don't need anything fancy."

Her hair was really her only concession to vanity. It was long, straight and a glossy, rich brown color. It hung to her waist as one thick mass.

"No? Because I can even do a Serenian braid. Those always look pretty. Would you mind?"

Already Hatame had sat upright, though the sheet still covered his waist, and started gathering up her hair. He ran his fingers through the strands to carefully work out the knots. It wasn't as efficient as a comb, perhaps, but it would do in a pinch and besides, he liked how her hair felt. For someone so no-nonsense and stoic and, well, badass, her hair was surprisingly soft, silky, and obviously taken care of.

When he finished that, he started to pull her hair into neat, even sections. "Because I don't mind. Fancy is fun!"

Uxia just shrugged, "As long as it's out of my face, I don't care."

She had never cared much for her appearance. She was no beauty and there wasn't a point in trying to pretend she was. She had no time or room for romance in her life.

"Serenian braid it is!"

It was a little involved and took more time than a regular braid would have, but Hatame thought the results were worth it. And it would keep the hair out of her face even better than a plain old braid, as it started way up along her scalp. It took a little while, as Hatame had to remember how to even do it, for it had been a while, but after a false start or two, he finally got into a rhythm.

"You have so much hair. You ever just stare in a mirror and play around with it?" he asked as he worked.

It felt rather nice having someone touch her hair like this. Uxia's eyes were half closed and her posture relaxed as Hatame worked, "No. I almost never bother with mirrors."

"You...never look at yourself?" Hatame asked, pausing in his braiding. "Like...never? How do you do anything?"

Then again, Hatame was more in touch with his feminine side than many of the females in his life, he was coming to realize.

"I don't really need to look at myself much. What's the point?"

"To see how smoking you are, for one," Hatame answered with a bright grin that she couldn't see. "Just sayin', if I had breasts like yours, I'd be doing a lot of looking."

"Uh. Right. Well, I guess I just don't care." She gave another small shrug, trying to not disturb him while he worked on her long hair, "My looks have no meaning on my life, so what does it matter?"

"Well, 'cause it's fun, for one. Stuff doesn't have to have meaning to have, uh...meaning." Hatame blinked, trying to figure out how to properly word that. "You are allowed to do stuff just because it's fun. Like get gussied up and making yourself look pretty. You don't even have to do it for other people. You can just do it for yourself. I dunno, but different clothes can make you feel different, more confident, y'know?"

"No, not really. I don't see the point. So I slap make up on and do my hair up. That wont help me fight vampires and demons, so I have no use for it." She didn't like discussing this and would much rather talk about something else.

Anything else.

"What do you plan on doing once you return to Ketra?"

Hatame had been about to refute that, but Uxia changed the subject before he could. Alright, then. He'd let it go for now, but that didn't mean the subject was dropped.

"Oh, I dunno. Probably get laid, do some odd jobs, the usual! I don't really have anything set in stone. I kinda just live day to day. Live for the now, you know?" He was almost done with her braid and had only about a third left, but he wasn't working particularly fast, going at a leisurely, lazy pace as he talked.

"What about you? What're your plans?"

It was actually rather relaxing having her hair played with like this. Uxia was loath to admit it, but she didn't want Hatame to finish soon, "Once this curse is broken, I'll take on another mission. And when that one is done, take another. The usual. I don't really do much else."

Hatame paused in his braiding, yet again, and stared at the back of Uxia's head. "And...that's it?"

"I train too." Uxia shrugged, used to people finding her habits off. Though few people kept bothering her about it the way Hatame did.

"Oh, honey," Hatame sighed, shifting her unfinished braid to one hand so he could pet her hair with the other. "We have got to get you a life."

"I have a life." Uxia bristled, shrugging off the petting, "Don't patronize me."

Hatame went back to work on the braid and shook his head ruefully. "I mean a life beyond the job."

"I don't need a life outside of it. I'm fine."

"Right, right," Hatame said, tying off the end of her braid and reaching up to smooth out some stray hairs. "I'll bet. Well, either way, once we get to the city we're going out and doing something fun."

"I do have fun." Uxia tentatively reached up and felt the braid. She had never had her hair braided like that. There wasn't a mirror in the room, but she stood and checked her reflection in the washing basin.

Turning her head this way that that, she was surprised at how pretty a braid could make her hair, "Thank you."

"See?" Smiling, Hatame rose to his feet and walked a slow circle around Uxia so he could look his handiwork over. "It's both practical and pretty. Who ever said you couldn't have both?"

Uxia frowned slightly, then nodded, "I suppose that is a small point. But still largely unnecessary. Why do you care so much anyway?"

"A lot of stuff's unnecessary. So what? Clothes are also unnecessary indoors, but ya still wear 'em." Hatame grinned brightly at her, then shrugged and shook her head. "You're a good person, Uxia. That's all. And I'm gonna be stuck with you until we can break this thing. So, well...I care."

Uxia's mouth quirked slightly, "I'm not wearing any now. But, I'm fine. I don't need you messing up my life. It works for me."

Hatame laughed. "Awww, mess it up? Love, I don't think dressing pretty now and then is gonna ruin your life."

"No, but your prying is unwanted and unneeded. I don't have a need to look pretty and messing around with all this," She gestured to her hair, "Just distracts."

"Yeah, it is pretty distracting," Hatame agreed, eying her meaningfully. "I'd have to beat all the men off you with a stick if you started dressing up and painting your face."

Uxia wrinkled her brow, "What? Why? I'm still not that pretty. Besides, I can do my own beating."

"...Yeah. Come to think of it, you could. Still! Guys like to feel heroic now and then," Hatame said with a wink, taking a seat back on the bed.

Uxia took a seat on the bed as well, near the head and leaned against the wall, legs pulled against her, "Well, I suggest you find another girl to be heroic to. I'm not interested."

"Hey, you're more a hero than I am, anyway. You really saved my ass back there," Hatame said. "That's why, you know, you just gotta play at the damsel every now and then so I feel better about myself." He gave her a wink, just to show he was teasing. "It's good for the self-esteem."

"Oh? Is that so?" Uxia raised an eyebrow, watching Hatame, her lips quirking slightly, "You need me to act less than my best in order for you to feel good about yourself?"

"Yes!" Hatame said with a laugh. "Yeah, that's exactly it! I mean, how else is a guy like me even stand a chance otherwise? I pale in comparison, a candle to your roaring flame. So, y'know, letting me think I can chase away all the big tough dudes, hey! Win-win, right? I deal with the idiots and you get a break from one of 'em!"

"No."

"Awww, no? C'mon, just a little? Just once? Pretty please? With sugar on top?"

"...No. Why would I want to do that?" Uxia gave Hatame an annoyed, confused look, "Improve yourself."

"Awww, but it's not about that! How can I improve when the whole point is about you letting me take care of a problem for ya? I can't do that if you beat up the guys before I can even blink! And hey, it's not even about dumbing yourself down, more like...slowing down." Hatame grinned. It made sense in his head.

"Why would I want you to take care of my problems. I can handle them just fine. You should work on your own skills." Uxia stood and stretched her arms over her head, padding into the center of the room. She might as well get some of her workout in.

"Baaah. That's not the point! See, it's not about my skills, the point is--it's--oh, never mind." Hatame huffed, realizing he probably wouldn't be able to explain this to her. She wasn't like most girls he'd met and this was like...it was obvious!

Besides, he didn't really care to try to talk much when she was standing in the middle of the room wearing basically nothing. It was a little difficult to carry on a conversation when he was too busy admiring.

"Whatcha doin'?"

Uxia took a centering breath and started to go slowly through her warm ups. They were slow, careful movements, controlled and difficult. She ignored Hatame for a moment before answering, "I don't plan on sitting around all day. Even inside I can do some training."

"Do you hear me complaining?" Hatame asked, eyes fixed on Uxia. He reclined back on the bed and folded his arms across his chest, eying her up and down. "Train away. I would hate to get in the way of such...uh...such..." Words were failing. There was a lot of slow movements and bending and it was a little distracting, given the way it made her...muscles move.

"It makes me uncomfortable when you stare like that." Uxia wasn't looking at him, focused on her training, going through the stances, stumbling slightly over one and restarting the movement.

Hatame jolted, sitting up straight in surprise. "Huh, wha? I wasn't staring. Whatcha talkin' about?"

And how the heck did she know?

"You were. I'm not stupid and I suggest you not lie." It was hard to miss the feeling of Hatame's eyes on her. She didn't really like the feeling of being watched in that way. It was strange.

"Well, alright, what can I say? Beautiful, naked woman doing things to show off her awesome flexibility and, uh...muscle tone? It's a little distracting," Hatame said, eyes roaming her body lazily. What, she was naked? He couldn't not look.

"It's not that you look, it's how you look." It made Uxia aware of being naked in a way she wasn't used to. She wanted to cover herself and that was odd. Normally it didn't really matter. Though she didn't normally spend this much time totally naked around someone.

"How I look?" Hatame blinked. "How do I look? Well, I mean, aside from drop-dead sexy, that is."

"How you look at me." Uxia finally paused in her motions and rubbed her arms, "It is a little unpleasant." She didn't really like the idea of spending the day curled under the blanket, but that seemed to be her only option.

"Ohh." Well, unpleasant and uncomfortable took it a little beyond the teasing. For all that Hatame was a lecherous pervert, he didn't want to actually freak her out and now he was starting to realize he may have taken it too far. Shifting on the bed, he rolled over to face the wall. "Ah, sorry. Hey, go ahead and do your awesome warrior stuff, alright? I'll look away. Won't even peek. Promise."

Uxia blinked, not having expected that. But she did appreciate that she could continue to warm up, her forms slow as honey. "Thank you."

Still facing the wall, Hatame waved a hand at her. "No worries! Just lemme know when it's safe!" Sure, he'd rather be watching, because it was freakin' awesome, but for all that their time together had been short, he rather liked Uxia.

And respected her.

The last thing he wanted to do was to seriously freak her out. Flustering her and flattering the hell out of her was one thing, but upsetting her was quite another.

Uxia was silent as she went through her forms. It was hard work and she was soon covered in a layer of sweat. She had never been bothered by the quiet, it was comfortable, familiar. And she was focused on her motions.

Hatame was quiet through it--at least for the majority of it. But after a while, he got bored of staring at the wall (and wasn't quite tired enough to sleep). Still not looking at Uxia, he said, "Soo...how's it goin'?"

Uxia was almost finished, her body much more limbered and warm than it had been before. The words cut through her concentration and she frowned slightly, doing her best to ignore him and focus on her task at hand.

"Uh...Uxia?" It took a real effort not to peek over his shoulder at her. Was she even still doing the exercises or had she passed out on the floor sometime during it? "Ya done yet?"

Uxia's mouth thinned and she worked to keep her movements even and slow, almost a dancing motion as she worked.

"Uxia...?"

Finally, Hatame couldn't take it any longer. He could hear her, but the silence was starting to worry him, because why else couldn't she have just answered with a simple yes or no? He rolled over, mouth open to ask if she was alright--and then realized she was still flowing through her forms and still very much naked and he wasn't supposed to be watching.

He flipped back over fast. "Ack. Sorry."

Uxia gave a sigh, finishing up her poses, "I don't care if you see me. I just don't like it when you stare the way you were earlier."

Trying to workout seemed fruitless with Hatame's constant chattering, "Do you ever be quiet?"

"Hey! I was quiet for like ten minutes there!" Hatame said, holding up his hands, back still to her. "That's...longer than usual. I think I did alright."

Turning over a little, he gave her a sidelong look. He could look without staring. He could. He could do it. It was difficult because she was fairly attractive with a stellar body and even more stellar breasts, but he willed himself to good behavior. Platonic thoughts! Platonic thoughts!

"Just tell me how long ya need, exactly."

Uxia sighed, shaking her head, "I'm done now. No point when I can't focus." And while she could have blocked him out, she wasn't sure she cared enough too right then. Moving over, she sat one the bed, "If you wont be quite, what would you like to do to pass the day."

"Well...guess that depends on when we're getting our clothes back," Hatame said, and silently commended himself for not saying the first thing that popped into his head. He'd already made her uncomfortable and wanted to wait a little while before he started cracking those jokes again, just to be safe. And so far, at least, those comments seemed to just confuse her or make her snark right back rather than induce discomfort.

"'Cause if it's gonna be a while, we could tell stories!" he said with a grin. "Or, hmm...we could...see what happened to that breakfast you ordered. I dunno about you, but I'm kinda starving."

Uxia nodded, "I could use some food. Do you want to see where it is? You can take the sheet." She held a hand over her belly, "I drained my magic and it will be a while before I recover from that. And food helps."

"Oh, sure. You just stay right here and rest, love. I'll take care of everything." Deep inside, he gave a little hoot of joy because it meant he got to do at least one chivalrous act, whether she realized it (or noticed it) or not. Hatame knew, though! It wasn't that he thought her weak or anything--he just liked doing it. It felt nice.

Taking up the sheet, he wrapped it around his waist and tied it there. Huh. Seemed he was always ending up walking around somewhere in a sheet or a towel, because this wasn't the first time.

"Be right back," he said, and slipped out the door.

It wasn't much longer before he returned with a tray full of food--mostly bread and cheese like the night before, but with the addition of two bowls of pottage. He kicked the door shut behind him and set the tray down on the bed, stripping the sheet off him and dropping it onto the bed.

"Breakfast, madame!" he said, giving a little bow and a flourish.

Uxia brightened, smiling as she took a mug of ale and sipped it. It wasn't great, but it was something, "This looks good." She started to eat, then paused for a moment, staring at the food. She wasn't sure why or what exactly had caused it, but the sharp memory that her companions were dead hit.

She lowered her spoon, blinking rapidly as she struggled to handle the sudden wave of emotion.

Hatame froze, a sudden wave of emotion, disconnected and yet part of him, washing over him. He had settled down on the bed and was ready to tuck into his pottage, but the spoon never reached his lips. That...wasn't him, but the grief, the sense of loss, was painfully familiar to him.

He sucked in a quiet breath and lowered the spoon. It had been easy to just stay distracted, to joke and banter and forget the horrors he'd seen in the mountains and that he didn't want to think about anymore--and that kind of thing had always been easier for him to deal with than a human, anyway. His mind just wasn't wired the same way. Loss happened, you grieved hard, and then you moved on. Sometimes you thought back and felt that emptiness and sense of missing someone, but things just weren't drawn out and he'd always had an easier time moving forward.

Didn't mean it didn't hurt like hell or effect him later, but trauma and all that? It stayed back there. Those demons were back there, in the mountains, dead. Her companions had already moved on; those were only shells and there was nothing to be done.

That spike of emotion brought it all back. Those weren't his people; they were her friends. She wasn't like him; humans took longer to grieve, sometimes even avoided it altogether.

He probably should have remembered that instead of just sort of accepting it when she said she was alright.

"Hey...you okay?" he asked, giving her a worried look.

"...Ja'lin always liked to eat the cheese and pottage together. We used to tease him about it." Uxia was used to loss, in her line of work, people died all the time. But that never made it easier, when your world was as small as hers was.

Tears had started to slide down her cheeks, unnoticed, her fingers gripping the spoon as she stared at it, not seeing it.

Aaand she was crying. Hatame winced, jolting at the sight of her, because even though he'd only known her for a couple days maybe, she'd projected nothing but cold, steely strength. And now that strength was crumpling before his eyes and suddenly she looked much younger beneath all the confidence, more vulnerable--felt it, too.

"Hey..." he said, moving before he really realized he was. "Hey, it's okay."

He scooted next to her and slid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him in a loose hug in case she wanted to move away. It didn't matter to him that they were both naked and he hardly even noticed it now, lightly running his hand over her hair. With his free hand, he plucked the bowl and spoon from Uxia's hands and set them aside on the bedside table.

Dealing with emotions was something Uxia tended to not do. She repressed and repressed and repressed. When Hatame spoke, she lifted her head, ready to tell him to shove it when suddenly he was hugging her. That was too much and she wrapped her arms around him, curling into his shoulder and crying softly.

Hatame simply held her, petting her hair and back as she cried and resting his chin on the top of her head. He didn't speak, didn't really know what to say as words weren't his strong point, so he let his actions speak for him. Sometimes, that was all you needed, a hug and to be told it was going to be okay, that you weren't alone, and he tried to communicate that to her then.

It was okay to cry.

Uxia didn't cry long. After a few minutes, she pulled away, wiping at her face, forcing those emotions down and away. People always died, it was a fact of life and another reason she shouldn't let people get close. It just made her weak.

"I apologize for that. I'm fine now."

"No, you're not." Hatame pulled Uxia back against him and tightened his arms around her, hugging her. "You're not okay. And that's okay, Uxia. It's okay to cry. It's okay to be upset."

He let out a low sigh. "I mean, you should be upset. You should scream and cry and punch things, if that's what'll help. Get it all out, lay it all on the table. Don't just...hold it inside." Frowning, he pulled back a little to look at her. "You lost your friends. You have nothing to be sorry for."

Uxia resisted the hug, keeping her distance from Hatame, shaking her head, "No. I am. I just had a moment and I have recovered. I am aware my friends are dead, but a breakdown wont bring them back."

Discomfort, shame and a dark hole of repression slid across her connection to Hatame. She wasn't comfortable with this, with any of it.

Reaching over, she grabbed a hunk of break and lowered her head, eating a bite and struggled to control her emotions, regain the control she needed.

"It's not about bringing them back," Hatame said, voice lowered, alarmed at the sense of shame and discomfort that had followed her words. He watched her as she ate, frowning, head slightly tilted.

"Uxia, the dead are at peace--it's the living that suffer. Pretending everything's okay when it's not isn't gonna heal that hurt."

Uxia turned her body, twisting away from Hatame, her head still down, body curled in a devensive posture. She wasn't talking about this, not now, not here and not with him. It was her grief and she was going to control it.

Hatame let out a low sigh. He didn't need the connection to tell him that she was holing herself up and withdrawing, emotionally and physically. With a low sigh, he picked up a piece of bread. "Sorry. I know it's not really my business," he finally said.

Uxia didn't speak for a whole, chewing her bread. It was dry and choking, disgusting on her tongue. But it made it so she didn't have to deal with Hatame. She finally gave a short nod, swallowing her mouthful, "No. It is not."

Reaching for her cup, she took a drink, shoving down the rage and hurt and loneliness her friends deaths caused. It was not the first time, though it never seemed to get easier.

The emotions he felt coursing through the connection, almost like they were his own, didn't make letting this go any easier. It was hard enough watching a friend suffer--and true, maybe they hadn't yet known each other well enough to be friends, maybe the connection was just making him feel closer to her than they were, but after what they'd been through he thought of her as one. But she wasn't like him, and her people were different and handled things differently. It wasn't his place to push her; grief was personal.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "If you need space, just lemme know."

Uxia shook her head again, calming a little now that Hatame was no longer pushing her. She took another long drink and set the mug down, "I'm fine."

She feel quiet again, wanting to retreat into her own thoughts, but at the same time, having someone there was...nice. "Thank you. For getting the food."

"Ah, yeah. No prob." In an effort to lighten the mood, Hatame gave a little laugh, slightly forced. "Got some pretty funny looks going out there in a sheet. Ya shoulda seen it!"

Uxia gave a small smile, her lips quirking a little, though she kept her head down, still picking at her bread, "I can only imagine. We haven't made much of an impression on the people here."

"Nooo, I'd say you're very wrong there," Hatame said around a bite of bread. "No one who walks into an inn covered in chunks of blood doesn't make an impression."

That got a chuckle out of Uxia and she took another bite of the bread, "I suppose that is true. And you were mostly naked. Twice."

Flicking her eyes up, Uxia actually noticed his nudity for the first time, though she quickly looked back at her bread, ignoring that...whatever it had been.

A grin broke out on Hatame's face and he puffed out his chest. "And that is certainly unforgettable! I mean, I'm fully aware I'm pretty stunning and impressive."

And had she been looking at him? Was that what just happened there? The entire time he'd been naked, he hadn't even seen her acknowledge it once. Instead, she was flouncing about in nothing and generally ignoring him as good as if he'd been fully clothed. He hadn't figured she'd cared, anomaly that she was. He raised an eyebrow and glanced over at her.

"And I'm totally naked now."

Uxia gave a shrug and a made a small grunt, "So?" Uxia had shoved that odd whatever it was deep down and was happy to pretend it had never happened, "And you're wearing a sheet."

"Oh? Yeah? I am?" Hatame glanced down at himself, then shrugged and whipped the sheet off. He grinned over at Uxia and winked.

"Better?"

Uxia blinked, startled by the sudden motion, then gave another shrug, "Doesn't matter to me, but you seem a little cold."

The fact that could be taken very insultingly didn't occur to Uxia in the slightest. She really was just referring to temperature.

Hatame jerked, stared at Uxia in something close to horror, and slowly, very slowly, moved the sheet back over his lap. He didn't want to whip it back over like he was ashamed or anything, mortifying as her comment was.

He felt his face heating and hoped she didn't notice his blush, hoped his dark skin hid it, because if he'd been fairer then he would have been a brilliant shade of pink right then. "Well, uh...it is kinda chilly."

Damn. Nothing quite took the wind from your sails like a totally naive woman making such a cutting quip.

Uxia's head shot up, feeling the weird mix of horrified shame across their connection and she gave him a puzzled look, "What's wrong? Why are you so embarrassed?" It seemed like a bit of an over reaction to her simple comment on the temperature of the room.

"Uhh..." Hatame stared at Uxia. What? She...was the one that made the comment...

Yet along their connection, he was suddenly aware that all he could feel there was confusion. Confusion? That made absolutely no sense, and he stared back her, expression equally boggled. "Uh...'cause I'm cold?"

Uxia quirked up an eyebrow, "Why are you being so weird?" Apparently she was rooming with a mad gryphon, "I'm aware it's cold. That's why I was questioning your choice to remove the sheet."

"What...?" Hatame blinked at her, still not quite sure how he was supposed to take that. It was beginning to dawn on him that maybe, just maybe, she had meant that comment in the purest of senses--but even with her explanation it could still be taken the other way. And either way, it had thrown him off balance.

He was comfortable with his size! It had pleased many, many women, if he did say so himself. But suddenly she had made him feel inadequate. It was even worse because she was so naive.

Uxia gave Hatame a long look that made it very clear she thought he was an idiot. She snorted and went back to her food, spooning up the pottage while it was still warm. She wasn't even going to try and understand what Hatame was doing.

She did wish the clothes would dry quickly. It was a little cold and her blood was no longer pumping from her work out.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Hatame took up his pottage and tucked into it, eating it quickly. It had cooled down since they'd begin talking and was lukewarm now, and thus didn't take long for him to finish up.

Before long, he'd reached the bottom an started dragging a finger through the remains, licking them up. "So, anyway..." he said, sucking on a finger. "This connection thing. Pretty weird, huh?"

"It's...invasive. For sure." Uxia licked her spoon and the sides of her mouth, getting the last of the pottage. She wasn't always a dainty eater and with her grief firmly repressed, her body's need for fuel was kicking in.

Setting the bowl down, she picked the bread up again, taking a few bites of her bread, "Hopefully it wont be long until we can break it."

"Yeah. I don't even know where to start with that one!" Hatame said with a laugh. "Except to say that curses like me, apparently. So you really think your people can get rid of it?"

"Really? Why do you say that?" She gave a small shrug, "I think so. We deal with demonic curses a lot and the Temple is a sacred, powerful place."

"Hm? Why do I say what?" Hatame asked, head tilted curiously.

"That curses love you." Uxia flushed slightly, feeling awkward that she asked the question. It was personal and she had already spoken more to Hatame then she was used to. "Nevermind. It's none of my buisness."

"What? Oh! Oh, no, that's..." Hatame laughed, a little awkwardly. It was a weird story, but he didn't mind telling it, not really. It was in the past, after all, and he'd been the one to bring it up in the first place.

"I just mean, heh, this isn't the first time I've been cursed," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Shocking, I'm sure."

Uxia just nodded, not wanting to continue to conversation. She was already getting weak, getting sloppy around him and she just felt unusually awkward. She ate some more of the bread, fine with the silence.

Er, alright...? Maybe he'd said too much? After all, she did work for an order that dealt in killing demons and destroying curses and maybe she didn't want to discuss the messy details in her down time? Hatame shifted awkwardly and finished off his bread. "Er...I got better."

"I noticed." Uxia finished her bread, licking her fingers and drained the last of her mug, "Thank you." She then stood and moved over to her bag, rummaging around in it.

"Huh? For what?" Hatame asked, a little confused about what was going on right now. Uxia was acting so...strange.

But then again, lighter subjects aside, they had just finished talking about her murdered friends.

"For the food." Uxia sat cross legged on the floor, pulling out a small bundle. She pulled her spear closer and started work on taking care of it. Might as well use her time well.

"Pffft, no problem. That's the least I could do for you saving my life," he said, and shifted further up on the bed to get comfortable, making sure to pull the sheet with him so as not to flash anything. He was still feeling rather emasculated.

Uxia just shrugged, absorbed in her task. She didn't really feel the urge to keep talking and she was starting to feel flustered when she spoke with Hatame. He was unlike anyone she was used to.

Usually, Hatame felt like he was pretty good at reading people, but Uxia...Uxia was sending all kinds of crazy signals that he couldn't quite keep up with. Like intense awkwardness. But maybe that just had to do with her friends and what they'd discussed? He wasn't sure; he couldn't quite put his fingers on it and he wasn't sure if this strange connection was making it easier or more difficult.

He was silent for several minutes, since she didn't seem inclined to talk--and because he could practically feel her withdrawing--but finally he spoke up again.

"You need help with anything?"

Uxia shrugged her shoulders, still bent over the spear, "Do you know how to clean and sharpen a sword?" She was blushing and she couldn't figure out why.

"Oh. Ah...no." Hatame grimaced and added quickly, "But I'm open to learning how?"

"Then, no. You can't help me." Uxia was not going to let some amateur touch her weapons.

"Well, I could if I knew how?" Hatame offered, scooting to the edge of the bed so he could watch her.

"I suggest going, learning and becoming very proficient before you consider touching my weapons." For some reason, Uxia felt her blush get hotter, ducking her head down. This was so stupid. He was throwing her off her stride in a way she wasn't used too and she didn't like it. Didn't like how easy it was to enjoy his silly banter and to tease him.

Hatame grinned. "Well, I am proficient with my own sword, see, but live steel's kinda different. Can't exactly just rush out there now and find a weapon to play with, anyway, not like this with my own sword all naked."

Uxia just felt confused for a moment, then turned to give him a look, "Are you talking about your penis? That's rather a stupid analogy."

Once again, Hatame deflated. And shifted a little, crossing his legs. "It's a good analogy," he said after a pause, sounding petulant.

"Is it? You like to kill things with your penis? I can't imagine many of the girls like that." Sex wasn't really something Uxia put much thought into, but she was aware of it. She lived around too many soldiers to not know something of it.

"And if you you fight is any indication of your ability in bed, I wouldn't brag."

"Well, hey, I've had some girls say it was like paradise, so if we're using death as a euphemism, sure!" Hatame said, though Uxia's next words wiped the grin from his face.

"I did alright."

"Yes. You did alright." Uxia's lips quirked up for a moment before she turned back to her task. Damn it! There he did it again. She couldn't seem to help it. He just, said things and she responded back. It had been easier before to ignore him.

"Well anyway," Hatame said, trying to find his stride again. For someone as naive as Uxia, she was...surprisingly good at cutting him down, and so deadpan while doing it! And for him, he just saw it as a challenge.

"You wouldn't want me to have sex like I fight. That just wouldn't be fun for anyone. And you wouldn't want me to fight like I have sex. That'd just...be awkward. That slug thing? Yeah, no."

Uxia shrugged, "I don't want to have sex." It didn't interest her, seemed messy and caused far too many attachments. It was utterly unnecessary in her life.

Hatame blinked at that. "Like...at all?" he said, and tilted his head. "Ever?"

"Yes." Uxia shrugged. Men always seemed to have this reaction when it came up. They all seemed to think she was missing out on something wonderful. Women never asked her, so she figured it must not be that wonderful.

Hatame stared at her. "Why?"

Uxia looked irritated for a moment, setting her spear blade down on her lap, "Because its messy, complicated and I don't see the point."

"Hey, point is it's fun, feels amazing, and it's a great thing to do with someone you like. It's not really that complicated. It's pretty straightforward, actually," Hatame said with a shrug, still thoroughly puzzled. But he was a very physical, tactile person and saw no point in repressing basic needs and desires like so many humans did--provided it was consensual. He might be a gryphon, but he was no beast.

Then another thought struck and he gave Uxia a surprised look. "Wait. You mean you're a virgin?" Repressed, sure. Innocent, sure. But for some reason it hadn't occurred to him that she was one.

"None of things are of a high concern for me. And yes, I am." She went back to her weapon, carefully finishing the spear head and moving onto the sword, "Why?"

"Oh. Just surprised, is all," Hatame said with a shrug. "That's pretty rare with soldiers. And I mean, the way you talk, I figured you'd at least tried it to know."

"There is no one I would want to be that intimate with. And I have more focus then other soldiers." It was hard enough losing simple friends. She got too soft, too comfortable and then her friends were torn away and she was weakened by that grief. And all too often the demons would use those bonds against her.

"Ohh. Yeah. Just curious, is all," Hatame said with a smile. "I get the whole 'waiting for the right person' thing."

"I'm not waiting for the right person. I'm not waiting for anything. Waiting implies I eventually will and I have don't want to."

"Boy, you may be atypical, but you're sure already talking like a jaded old soldier," Hatame said with a wry smile. "You don't look very old."

"I'm 18. Old enough I suppose." Uxia shrugged, "And I am a jaded soldier. Why do you talk so much? It's annoying."

Hatame burst out laughing at that and shook his head. "Oh, don't lie! You love it!"

"You talking? I find it distracting. Like some...yapping dog." Which was actually a lie, but one she refused to admit to. He was too easy to like, to charming. So much like Ja'lin. He had been teasing and playful as well, coaxed her out of her shell against her will and she needed to gain her control back.

Hatame's smile broadened. "But the yappy dogs are always so cute and adorable and you can't help but love 'em."

"I don't really like lap dogs." Uxia found them to be rather aggressive and got in the way. She adored larger dogs, loving to pet and play with them, but that was a fact she generally tried to keep to herself. Most animals Uxia had a soft spot for.

Well, ouch. But Hatame bounced back from that fast and beamed at her. "But you like gryphons! Now that I do know! Want me to get all fluffy for you?"

"Actually, I like you as a gryphon better than as a human." Uxia shrugged her shoulders, "And why are you trying so hard? Go find some tavern girl to bother. You're already dressed for the occasion and I would like the peace."

"Ohoho, this isn't trying hard at all. You wanna see trying hard?" Hatame asked, completely unfazed. Rather than being offended, he was actually enjoying this. It was a challenge in a way, and Uxia was pretty damned witty and had so far proven to have n uncanny ability to throw him off when he least expected it.

He was actually really enjoying himself.

"No. That's the point. Do you not listen?" Uxia made an annoyed sound, still focusing on her sword. While she didn't mind being naked, it did get a little old after a while. But the sun could only dry their things so quickly.

"Oh, I heard ya! Anyway, I don't want a tavern girl right now," Hatame said, rolling onto his belly and stretching out. He propped his chin up on a hand. "Still too tired, too relaxed, and I hate to give anything but my absolute best."

"I imagine you would have to try harder than most to satisfy a woman." It happened again, the words slipping out before she could stop them. It was so easy to fall into his comfortable trap, grow fond of him, careless.

Hatame laughed and waved his free hand dismissively. "Most don't try very hard," he said with a derisive snort. "I'm not satisfied until they've peaked at least twice before me. That's the fun part."

Uxia blinked, rather surprised. She opened her mouth to ask a question, then shut it, blushing slightly, "I'm sure. Now will you shut up?"

"Hey, that was all you!" Hatame said. "Casting aspersions on my bedroom--aww!" He cut off abruptly, noticing then that she was a little pink. "Are you blushing?"

"No!" Uxia winced as soon as she said it. It had been too quick, too high pitched. She bent her head over her work, wishing she could hide behind her hair, "I just don't want to hear your impotent bragging."

"Oh, I'm very potent!" Leaning forward a little, Hatame squinted at her. "And y'know, I think you are. You're pink! That's so adorable."

And if Uxia was like most people he knew, pointing it out would only make her blush harder.

And she was no exception to that rule. Her pale skin flushed a darker pink color. And Uxia was not a girl that blushed pretty, her face went red and blotchy and she jerked her head to the side, trying to hide it, "Oh shut up! You were the only being all weird!"

Hatame burst into laughter despite his best effort (which wasn't really much of an effort) to hold it in. He wanted to just cuddle her, but she had a sword and that wouldn't be a very good idea, so he remained sprawled on the bed and muffled his laughter in the crook of one arm.

"Ahaha, and you left yourself wide open for it!"

The fact that she had made it all the worse. Uxia turned enough ti give him a death glare, then went back to her sword, shifting to give Hatame more of her back.

After a few moments, Hatame got himself under control and flopped forward so his arms were dangling over the edge of the bed while he watched Uxia go back to...being all silent and focused and stuff. "Soo...how long does it take to polish one of those things?"

Uxia debated not answering him, but at least this way the subject wouldn't be on her and her blushing. She shrugged, "Depends. Mine? Not long, I keep them in good condition. A blade left alone for a long time? Can take a lot longer."

"Ohhh, I see. Just wondering, 'cause you've sure been at that for a while. How long's 'not long'?"

"I've done two weapons." And she still had a few knifes to go. Though she might end up stabbing Hatame if he kept up that chattering. It made it hard to think.

"Yeah, but it's been like--"

A knock came at the door then and a girl's voice called out, "Excuse me? Your clothes are dry."

Hatame glanced down at Uxia, then stretched and rolled to his feet. "Finally!" And, forgetting completely about his own nudity, he swung the door open to greet a young woman, arms full of their folded clothes, who promptly went about ten shades of red. "Hey, thanks!" Hatame said, and she let out a squeak and shoved the clothes into his arms before rushing away.

Uxia finished putting her weapons away before she stood and collected her clothes from Hatame. He was still going to be half naked in her normal attire, as he couldn't really wear the dress. Slipping the chemise on, she gave a content sigh, "Good. I think we can still make a few miles before it gets dark. I want to get this curse taken care of."

Sigh. Hatame was more than a little disappointed to see the clothes come back on, having been thoroughly enjoying Uxia's lack of them--as well as her nonchalance about it. That was so rare in humans, much less human women, which was a cosmic shame if you asked him, which no one did. He watched her dress, hiding those lovely curves and cutely freckled skin, and with another sigh he started to wiggle into his own pants.

Or rather, her pants. Oh well, pants were pants were pants, as far as he was concerned.

Tying up the laces, he peered over at Uxia. "We could make more if we flew."

"Yes. That is a good point. Can you fly with me?" It hadn't actually...occurred to Uxia that was an option. This was her first time traveling with a Gryphon after all. She glanced over at Hatame, hands stilling on the laces of her unflattering dress and her lips quirked, "First though, we must find you clothes that fit. How do you normally replace your clothes?"

It was expensive and time consuming to have clothes made all the time. There had to be an easier way, or he must normally keep better tract of them.

"Weeell...see, I've kinda had those clothes for a while," Hatame said with a sheepish grin. "So normally? I, y'know...just borrow a set here and there." Which meant he stole them. "Oh! I won some once at gambling! But, ah, usually I don't really, you know, lose them."

He gave a little shrug and finished lacing up his pants. "As for whether or not I can fly with you, well, yeah! Why else would I ask? Ya don't look that heavy, anyway, but c'mere." He motioned her over.

"Well, we'll be stuck here until we can get you more." Uxia blinked, slightly puzzled, but she moved closer to Hatame, "What is it?"

As soon as Uxia was within reach, then reached down and scooped her up into his arms, bridal style. It was a little awkward, given she was almost as tall as he was and muscular besides, but he was still able to easily hold her.

"Just, y'know, wanted to double check things. Get a feel for your, uh...weight."

Alright, so it had mostly just been an excuse to touch her, but if he could easily lift her as a human then he could generally get airborne with her weight as a gryphon, when he was far larger, stronger, and sturdier. Sure he'd carried her before, but he'd been half dead with exhaustion then and couldn't really remember most of that trip anyway.

Uxia tensed when Hatame scooped her up and she had to force herself to relax as he held her. It was strange, being lifted so easily. She was a sturdy girl and not many people could hold her this easily, "Ah. Well, alright then."

She squirmed, "You can let me down now. We need to find you clothes."

"Hmm?" Hatame gave a little start, blinking. "Oh. Right. Clothes. Think this little town has any good options?"

Slowly, gently--and a little reluctantly--he set Uxia back on the ground. "'Cause, I mean, if this town isn't that great then we can just flutter our way on over to a better one, if ya know what I mean."

"I would rather enter as few towns as possible half naked." Uxia straightened her dress, moving to begin packing everything up, "It causes problems and I want to get everything taken care of as soon as we can."

"Ah, m'dear, but you wouldn't be the one walking around half naked. That'd just be me, and I don't mind it!" Hatame said with a grin, puffing out his bare chest and running a hand along his scarred torso. "Unless by 'problems' you mean all the girls that'd be gawking, because I don't see the problem with that."

"No, I mean people tend to be a little less helpful to people that show up half naked. And we want to keep a low profile." It was more habit than anything, but Uxia disliked standing out to much. It just alerted the demons that someone was coming.

She didn't even look up at Hatame as she worked, almost finished with her packing.

With a frown, Hatame let his hand drop back down to his side. Bah, she wasn't even looking! He'd wasted a perfectly good pose on her packing.

"Oh, uh, we do? 'Cause, well, I mean even with a shirt there's still all the gawking girls and whatnot."

"There is? Why?" Uxia looked up then, staring up at Hatame with a brutal innocence. There wasn't a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

That was not the response he'd been expecting.

"Buh--I--what?" Hatame said, then gestured to himself, waving his hand up and down his torso to draw attention to it. "Because of this! Girls like this! Generally!"

"..." Uxia gave Hatame a look of pity, then shrugged, "If you say so." She stood, hoisting her bag onto her shoulders, "Are you ready?"

Hatame heaved a sigh and let his head hang. "Am I ready, she says. Well now I'm not so sure!"

"What's wrong?" Uxia cocked on eyebrow up, puzzled.

Hatame jerked upright and shook his head. "Oh, nothing, nothing! Ah, just rallying to face the day! Rebuilding my confidence and all!"

There was a pause, and then Hatame added, flashing Uxia sad eyes, "Uxia? Tell me I'm pretty."

"...Why?"

"Don't ask. Just do it."

Uxia sighed, rolled her eyes and gave in, "You are pretty."

Beaming, Hatame dragged her into a hug. "Hah! See? Still got it!"

Uxia stood there, making no attempt to hug Hatame back, "Congratulations. Can we go now?"

"Yep!"

Releasing Uxia, he took her by the arm and dragged her toward the door. "Swooning ladies, here I come!"

Uxia just followed, stepping out into the light and enjoying the fresh air after being shut in that room all day, "Well, we should see if we can get you clothes."