That One Guy

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Her small cry of pain only slightly worried him as he moved her to safety. The sounds of Akumu's laughter and crash of Hikaru's shadow mancers thundering across the ground grew faint within each step he took.

'Safety.' Echoed the single thought within his mind. He'd rather die than to suffer once more witnessing a comrade in pain. It made him feel helpless, usesless, unable to do anthing to help the one in need of medical attention.

He softly laughed at Regan's remark, arching a brow and mustering up a small grin. It was all he had. His physical wounds were fading and his body was mending anything that might've been damaged; a useful thing he and his kind possessed; regeneration. His cells did what they did to keep his body at the upmost condition.

It bothered him most when he began removing the bullet with a small blade using carefull precision. If he learned anything from his past, when shot, it was mandatory to remove the bullet before mending the wound. That was it. Then let medical experts do their jobs. It didn't look like there were any medics out here so what was the point in step two?

The bullet was out but Regan muttered a barely audible statement. She wanted to close her eyes-rest them for a brief moment. Takeshi objected it but she closed them anyway, leaving him to only frustrate within his own helpless self. It was almost as if he thought his hearing died on him for his comrande's breath came to a stop. He froze for a second before looking her over.

"Regan, c'mon. Quit playing around, this isn't funny." He said, refusing to pull himself into laying a hand on her. The girl's breathing soon returned and he let out a smal sigh, only to have his eased feeling replaced by an edgy one.

Yaban had appeared again. Takeshi's golden hues gazed up at the creature, unsure of what to think of. For a while, he was expecting the creature to kill him. But instead, it sat upon the Earthy ground and nudged him. An audible voice then echoed within his head. It sounded very familiar to Regan's.

Blinking a few times, Takeshi turned and faced the reptile completely, arching a brow and letting his thoughts just hit him.

"Don't thank me, thank him. I may have carried you here but that is nothing in my book. You technically died for a moment." With the dragon's head close to his frame, he placed a hand upon its muzzle and held a blank expression.

"How the hell are we going to explain this to everyone else. I don't think Hikaru would be too surprised but.. Ah... Your 'dad?' I actually might enjoy his reaction come to think of it." He'd gaze back to Regan's original body, knowing that soon enough, he'd have to carry her once more back to where most of the team would meet up; most likely what was left of them.
---
 
Regan watched as Takeshi blinked, almost confused and then turned to face the beast completely, seeming to understand it was her and he arched an eyebrow. Then he said not to thank him, to only thank the dragon, that she had technically died for a moment. Regan took that in for a moment. So she had died. So did that mean Yaban had somehow revived her and taken her conscience? Or did he take it before she had truly left her body. This was something to think of.. At a later date.

"No, Takeshi. You're to thank as well. If it wasn't for you making that girl lose her balance, she would've shot me in the head. And you know it. There's definitely no coming back from that," she told him firmly, completely serious. He couldn't possibly feel to blame. And she didn't know what to do with the fact that he had cared that she had died.

Takeshi placed a hand on the beast's muzzle, his expression blank. He then asked how he was going to explain this to everyone and went on to mention Hikaru. She wasn't worried about him. She couldn't see him getting rattled about what had happened. Then Takeshi mentioned her father and she paused, thinking. "Well," she started and then sighed, "Hikaru knows about Yaban, he helped me train quite a few years back.. Other than him, the only ones who knew of this ability were my father and the elders. I was told not to show it to other clan members. For obvious reasons. Suppose I broke that order pretty bad today" she thought for a moment, "so I think explaining this form to everyone else will take their priorities.. Now actually explaining why my body is like that to my father is going to be the fun part.. He's not going to be too happy. But Yaban tells me that once my body is healed able to support me again, he will return me to my body, so that should soften the blow.. I hope."

Regan huffed, crimson eyes watching Takeshi for a few minutes before the dragon seemed to smirk and she pushed him over with the beast's snout. She raised her head and seemed the chuckle. She glanced down at her body and sobered for a moment and looked back at Takeshi, "but Takeshi," she said, her voice soft, "i'm glad you're alright. I saw you fighting that girl and I was actually concerned for you. More so than myself. I'm glad you weren't hurt too seriously," she told him and then a moment later, she realized how that sounded and the dragon snorted, "don't get me wrong," she told him sternly, "I just can't let you lose to anyone else except myself," she said quickly and then stood up.

"Is the battle over?" she asked, cocking her head to the side and listening. She couldn't hear any battle, even with her dragon enhanced hearing. Oh how she had missed being in the form of a dragon.
 
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He took in the statement. His eyes peered at the reptiles crimson orbs as she told him that he was to thank as well. This was understandable. Takeshi nodded a bit and pat the scaley muzzle of the beast before shifting his weight to his other foot.

Regan then went on how Hikaru wouldn't be too much surprised over this. Go figure. Though he may not be at all shooken, explaining this to her father was a more difficult notion. Takeshi smiled faintly at the images that flickered through his head. He didn't laugh but within, it was something to really laugh about. He always enjoyed seeing and hearing others angered. It was an amusement that would count on making his day.

"Then I suppose sitting back and tuning into this whole thing would be something I could count on seeing. I don't suppose your father will question anyone but you, now will he. Wild guess here." Came the croon of his voice. At the mention of the battle between he and Akumu, he placed his arms behind his head and held a non butt hurt expression.

"Oh... The fight. Ah.. I was going easy on her. Dont wanna hit a girl, now do I? That'd be rude." He scoffed and grinned faintly. Regan was getting mushy all over again. His eyes looked at her and he stuck out his toungue. "Eww. Don't tell me mistress is taking the time to appreciate me. I'd let you go on and praise my efforts but please, some other time."

He pushed her with his muzzle, nearly knocking him off balance. His eyes looked at her and he attempted to pish her back but with no success in even making her budge. "You big lump. No fair." He growled. After asking if the battle was over, he arched a brow and peered back, focusing on the sounds from afar. It did get strangely quiet. Perhaps the engaged battle came to a stop? The male walked over to a few thick threes tha provided him with enough cover to be hidden. Hands rested on the rough bark as he gazed over the barren landscape. Ahead, Hikaru, if he wasn't mistaken, stood with arms crossed. The protruding shadows that lept from the ground had long since stopped. Before him was Akumu, knees roughly upon the ground along with a single hand. The other was heavily pressed against her torso at an attempt to stop the flow of blood from slipping through her fingers.

She was still smiling; giggling and looking up at the man as if she were asking for more. This girl alone defined sadistic nature. It creeped Takeshi out to the max.

"It looks like it's about over. C'mon. With Hikaru there, we should be fine." Takeshi announced, making his way back and crouching beside Regan's unconscious body. Again, he picked her up and let out a small sigh as he stood. Nodding his head, the boy motioned for the serpent to follow. Sauntering back to the scene of devastation nearly had him feeling sick. It was quite unpleasent.

Along the grass and dirt beneath him, he made his way back to the gathering members who have survived the attack. Each and every one of them were taking a breather. They all deserved it. He glimpsed at Hikaru as the man made his way along the outer circle of the group. Behind him was Akumu, secured with hands behind her back. Two men guided her along. Her orbs met Takeshi's and she smiled once more.

"Takeshi!" She cooed, giggling to herself. "I knew you hadn't died! Come help little old me, will ya? Don't let the bad men take okami away~ Rouukeee," she was mocking him in subtle ways. He tried to not acknoledge it at all. Not much of a help.

A good friend of Takeshi's, Cairo, looked at him and questioned Regan's unconscious state. He only replied with a small shrug and said she just needed rest. That was all. The male nodded and offered Takeshi to sit. They were all passing around water and to be honest, it was tempting. "Not now," he'd say, smiling a bit. "Gotta know where to set her down. Hikaru won't let me hear the end of it if I just set her in some random place unattended."
---
 
When Takeshi asked if her father would question anyone other than her, almost sounding positive of that fact, Regan narrowed her eyes, "I could always tell him you had something to do with it, if you want. Sure he'd like that," she said, completely serious. She'd do it, too. She could imagine her father shooting question at Takeshi a mile a minute. It would be quite entertaining, actually. Especially seeing as though now she'd have to show Yaban to so many people. From only a handful of people knowing to pretty much everyone. Yeah, good job there, Regan.

"Losing on purpose?" Regan repeated and snorted, "yeah right. You were getting your butt kicked and you could barely to anything to keep up with her," she told him as he said she was taking the time to appreciate him, she huffed, "yeah right. I just don't want you losing to anyone other than me. If you lose to someone else it won't mean as much when I kick your ass," she replied, thinking Takeshi looked quite childish when he had stuck out his tongue at her.

When he attempted to push her back, she didn't even tense or brace and he couldn't move her. It was quite handy being a dragon. Maybe threatening him in this form would work a lot more. Hmmm.. Something else to muse over. And test.

She watched as Takeshi got up and went to view what had happened with the battle. A minute or so later, he came back to tell her it was pretty much over. She watched in silence as he crouched down to pick up her body and then motioned for the beast to follow. Pushing herself to her taloned feet, she waited for a few moments, heart thundering in er scaled chest. She was nervous for once. More so about breaking her father's orders even more. But she couldn't stay here forever.

She soon followed Takeshi out to the group, passing the battlefield. She looked over it, eyeing the corpses, mostly of their enemies but a few allies were mixed in with the carnage. They soon made it to the group and Regan heard the girl call to Takeshi. The beast turned its massive head to look over at the green haired girl as she asked Takeshi to help her. Regan officially hated the girl more than Takeshi. She had tried to kill her - succeeded for a moment, actually.

The dragon took a step toward the girl, lips peeling away from its teeth in a terrifying snarl. But suddenly thinking against it - for now - Regan became quiet and followed Takeshi once more. She watched as Cairo gave Takeshi a question look at her unconscious form and he replied with that she needed rest. When people offered Takeshi water, but he refused for now, saying he needed to lay her body somewhere, Regan would have raised a brow if she had any.

But she looked around and saw many people looking at her - or Yaban - with a mixture of different expressions. Curiosity, fear, uncertainty, suspicion, awe. But she didn't say anything. She wasn't going to tell them who she was. Not yet. Let them think what they want.

When she turned around, however, Hikaru was there. Staring at her with cold, but questioning eyes. "I'll explain when we're home. I don't really understand what's going on," she told him and sighed as she laid down, curling her long tail around her body. "I figure I shouldn't be saying anything to anyone else, other than Takeshi who knows," she guessed, glad Yaban's telepathy allowed only those she wanted to hear to hear her.
 
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"Uhm... Ask me? Nevermind that then." Came his immediate reply. Having a small interrogative talk from Regan's father was the last thing he wanted. It would be like having to sit through their ever boring meetings. The only interesting one he found alright was the one they had earlier today. Every other one was a total drag. Takeshi never looked at Regan's father as a good go giddy type of guy. Well, sometimes sure but overall, he appeared a bit firm in his eyes. Exactly how Regan was partially.

"Hey, she's a fast girl. I doubt you'd last just as long. I didn't have the stamina to do anything back. And I'll tell you; it feels like she had metal implanted in her leg ... It felt like someone just took an iron post and slammed it into me.." He mumbled the last part to himself, trying to make it not as audible. "Losing to no one but you?" Takeshi casted her a fleeting look of mockery. "Hah, if anything, it is I who shall prevail. You'll just have to learn how to live in second place." Was his reply.

Everyone was shooting small glimpses at her. Their eyes studied the beast's movements and kept their guard up, thinking that the creature would attack them all and wipe out what was left of them in one sweep of its tail. Hikaru, as expected, didn't appear to be surprised by its presence. He just looked at the creature with the same cold look he almost always had. The man now appeared to only be dirtied up. His cuts mended and any other minor wounds were no longer there. That was no surprise as well. When he stopped, so did the two men escorting Akumu behind him. Yes, he heard her words and he nodded at her way of communication. It didn't bother him. No doubt. Akumu seemed to look at the reptile with a sense of pity and mockery. Her voice would return again.

"Look at what a magnificent creature, yes... But why linger here in a pool of Kaijus when you could be gobbling us all up?" The female giggled as the eyes of others looked to the beast. They were certainly praying that this creature wouldn't consider it. "I can save you al the time needed to put the lizard to bed~"

"Keep that mouth of yours quiet, Akumu. You've got no right to speak here. You've done enough damage here." Hikaru glared at the mercinary with dark eyes. She looked at him, Takeshi, then the dragon. "This is not your land. I'm free to speak here, lonely soul." Her voice, as if altered completely, instatly grew dark and heavy, still lined with a a light sense of childish tones. Hikaru only motioned for the two men to get her on out of his sights. Akumu simply laughed the whole way.

"Get some rest. All of you. Takeshi, go ahead and test her up against the pine trees. It doesn't matter. Keep an eye out for her. That is your only task for now. It shouldn't be a problem." Hikaru didn't go anywhere. Just lingered and took a seat somewhere along the group circle. No later did his eyes go to Yaban-Regan.

"I want an explanation as soon as possible. It was my job to make sure many people were to be kept alive. I've failed to even have a young man breathe with diligence. What is it that jostled your body like this?" He said in a tone only audible enough for he, Takeshi, and Regan to hear. "You'll have to tell the others later in. Comrades don't keep too much from eachother. Try your best to even out and not frighten the newbies here, will ya? I'd appreciate it." Hikaru took a seat and looked up to the still cloudy but dark sky. He would give an update at what happened moments bhefeore but a rest was a rest. It was about time that everyone was able to sit and rest. Hikaru rarely let people take a breather. This was a first for he and his team. Takeshi wandered over to a nice sized pine tree not even that far from the group. He set her down carefully and stood up, dusting himself off. The golden hues then looked over towards the dragon, which so happened to be curling up on the ground.

Back to the serpent, he hold up a hand to the side of his mouth to project what he was saying to an individual.

"Hikaru's got a point. Telling people afterwards might save us some time. Don't want too many people askin about stuff, right? Yeah."
---
 
"Hmmm.. Maybe i'll tell him anyway. Just to watch you suffer," Regan mused lightly. Unless he really annoyed her from here to when they got back, she wouldn't actually. But if he did annoy her, she most certainly would. Then Takeshi went on to say she wouldn't have faired any better than he against the girl, that it felt like she had metal implants in her legs. And despite the fact that Takeshi had lowered his voice to speak to himself, Yaban's keen hearing picked up on it quite easily.

He cast her a fleeting look of mockery, saying she couldn't beat him, that she'd have to stay in second place and she snorted, black smoke puffing from the beast's nostrils. "Yeah right. Has Little Take forgotten that i'm of higher rank than he? That equals more skill," she said, the beast's lipps peeling back slightly for a very toothy grin. "Have fun proving that you're stronger. There's no way i'll allow you to get to a higher rank than me."

When Akumu looked at her like she was pitying and mocking her, Regan felt a flare of anger in her core - from Yaban. He felt quite unsettled by her presence and did not like her one bit. Not that she could blame him. She didn't like her, either. And when she spoke, Regan could tell that Yaban felt appalled by the statement. He had never considered attacking any of Regan's comrades. She could thank that due to a dragon's fierce sense of loyalty. When bonded to someone, like Yaban was to Regan, they'd even attempt to kill their own parents if that's what their partner wanted. The dragon would listen to their partner and obey, whether they be cruel acts of torture, brutal killings of their own friends and family or helping someone out. What ever their partner wanted, the dragon would do. Which was why Regan's relationship with Yaban and her ability was something the clan had wanted to hide.

When Akumu offered to put the lizard to sleep, however, Yaban's anger sky rocketed, which caused his black scales to heat from the flames building up within him, his eyes blazing. It took a few minutes for Regan to calm the beast down. She glanced at Takeshi once the dragon had calmed, his scales cooling once more. "What can I say? He takes offense when people call him a lizard," she sighed.

Regan turned her gaze back to the girl as she and Takeshi spoke to one another and she tensed when her gaze fell onto Yaban once more. But she relaxed when she was finally taken away. When Hikaru spoke to Takeshi, she turned her head to watch him and watched in silence as he went and sat down. Not even 5 seconds later that he had, his gaze turned to her and he spoke.

Regan glanced over at Takeshi momentarily before looked back at Hikaru. "I don't really know how it happened. And once we get back home, I shall have to explain it to my father and the elders. Join in then as I don't really have the energy to explain it all right now," she told him and then rested her head on the ground, gaze flicking to the girl from the start of the battle. She was still alive. So Akumu hadn't killed her. For some reason she was thankful for that.

She didn't want to explain just yet and she was quite surprised - but thankful - when some people recognised her as the dragon who had helped them. It didn't take long for the topic to change to wondering who this dragon was, where it had come from and why it was helping them.

When Takeshi yelled out, she raised her head again and looked over at him and stared at him for a moment, projecting Yaban's telepathy over to him - and Hikaru - and said, "I would prefer not to go against my father's orders more than I already have. He didn't want anyone knowing about Yaban in the first place," she told them, "if he wants to tell them when he finds out, that's his choice. But i'd prefer to leave that decision up to him," and she left it at that.
 
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Takeshi peered towards the dragon with a startled look.

"No no. No no. No need to tell the old man. I've got too much on my plate right now. Maybe later. Much, much later." Was his response. The guy was never one to engage in conversation with Regan's father. Standing near the man alone always had his hair on end. No way was he going to be dragged into this one. If Regan was going down in that talk, she'd best be going down alone.

Besides that, the two went on again about the whole superiority thing. One person being better than the other, eyes exchanging glares or glimpses, everything in between. Between Takeshi and Regan, the two were fighting and non-violent ~ violent battle. Both mentally and partially physically. "Tch..." He scoffed, shooting her a smug look. "We'll see. When the time comes, we can prove it in the one way everyone proves their ranking. A simple spar in time shall decide our place." He had to admit; a battle now would be no better than a battle with Hikaru. He'd be fighting a losing battle. Of course there was no chance he'd win. Regan was a dragon for god's sake; a fantasy-like creature with the strength and endurance of one thousand men.

Hatred and anger radiated from the serpent's scaley body, tensing the air's atmosphere and causing Takeshi to take a step from the beast. If Regan was mad, he was well aware that he shouldn't be near her. Before long, the dragon's teeth shown beneath the bits of moonlight that would soon disappear. Dawn was creeping over at a steady pace.

Regan spoke to him once more, mentally, and he nodded. So this dragon, Yaban, also had a mind of his own? This sounded more interesting than before, yes. If Regan had control over the creature, was it still able to do as it pleased? He'd ask when the time was right.

Takeshi and Hikaru mentioned that she should tell everyone of her new form but with her reply, that notion was turned down. Hikaru understood and nodded; as did Takeshi. If it was her father that was to make the decisions, he had no problem with it. After all, the old man did take good care of her. There was no need to argue. On a sidenote, Takeshi was pointing out to a few people that this serpent was just an ally, a companion that's stuck around him for a while. Everytime he told someone this, he nearly cringed, not wanting to have said it in the first place. It was the only way to hush the mutters anyway.

"We've got Akumu. That leaves Vero, Reiku, and possibly a couple of other exiles. But here, we take a brief hiatus. In a few days, we'll hit different landmarks and take what must be shooken down. Tsume's a sly man, he is. Young at age and thinks like a child as well. Yet he has strategies that are well able to outsmart even me. I thought I'd never say so myself, but we'll have to divide this mission up into several different groups."

Takeshi was looking at the black scales of the massive creatures, his interest in nothing but the intricacies upon the creature's well-being. Still, he listened and gave enough attention to Hikaru to know what to do.

"That is something I won't disagree with. I'm fine. Do as you wish to keep things sustained." Was Takeshi's reply. Hikaru nodded and remained seated upon a boulder, taking the time to almost fully recover until he'd be able to head off on a run again.

"So any plan on how we're going t get your body back? Shall I carry or will you just plop your body into your mouth?" Takeshi stated, smirking lightky.
---
 
When Takeshi said not to tell her old man, Regan couldn't help but think she had found something useful. So he didn't like being around her father? Good to know. Maybe she'd threaten him with that then when she needed to. Who knew when she may have to bribe the boy to do something for her? Though if her father found out she was using his name to threaten him, he wouldn't be too impressed.. Hm.. Nah, still worth it either way. She'd pocket that little tidbit of information for now. Use it at a later date.

When he went on to say that the only way to prove it would be to spar at some point, Regan nodded. "And don't complain when I kick your ass," she said, confident in her abilities to go against Takeshi.



When Regan noticed Takeshi telling others that the dragon was a companion, she snorted. If she had been in her human form, she would have screwed up her face in disgust. But, she supposed, it was the smart move to make so people would not continue to worry about its presence. If a dragon she didn't know came up to her, she'd be pretty worried as well, whether it was showing threatening behaviour or otherwise. She knew first hand the damage that they could deal to her.

When Hikaru spoke, the beast turned its head toward him, listening, though Regan could feel Takeshi's eyes on her. Or, well, Yaban really. And then Takeshi spoke and a moment later she told Hikaru, "unless you're willing to keep my body with you, i'm going with Takeshi. He's the only one strong enough to protect it. I can't do it myself cause if I accidentally stand on it, well, the outcome is obvious," she told Hikaru.

When Takeshi spoke to her, she turned her attention to him and huffed softly when he suggested putting her body in Yaban's mouth. "Yaban tells me that he will put me back as soon as my body can support me again. But right now, its still in critical condition. I can't go back even if I wanted to. He won't let me. As for what to do with it, I until we get to a point where we need to fight, tie my body to Yaban, in between his shoulder blades - the only clear spot without any spikes. When we fight, however, I need you to take it and keep it near you so I don't accidentally harm my body," Regan explained to him
 
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"Hah, I won't because I won't be the one on the ground, mistress." Came his reply. His little excuse for the dragon made Regan huff, showing her disapproval but at the same time, approval. Of course she minded what he said. But after all, she wasn't going to mutter a word to anyone. And for that, it gave way to a new advantage.

Takeshi listened to Regan's reply of what to do with her body in terms of keeping it safe. She had told Hikaru that she'd basically rely on Takeshi himself to keep her from harm's grasp. Hikaru didn't mind this and it didn't look like the guy was going to object the idea. Takeshi sighed lightly to himself and looked at Regan, or Yaban in this case. She suggested to tie her frail body upon the beast's back - between it's shoulder blades far from the harmfull spikes. The boy merely nodded.

"Better than carrying you I'd say." He replied, chuckling to himself. As he adjusted how he sat, Cairo had made his way past the gathered team and made his way back to Takeshi. The male was alright with Hikaru and he even though he came from the very clan they attacked. Anyone would know him as a pretty laid back guy.

"Oi, whadaya doin over here? The gangs over there." Came the male's soft voice. Takeshi looked up towards him and arched a brow.

"Just taking it easy. What's it to ya?" Cairo furrowed his brows and crossed his arms in a.... Sassy mannor...?

"If you're going to take it easy, do it with the other guys. Maybe you can hit on a few girls over there, eh? C'mon, Takeshi. You can't say no to that." Oh and did the guy know Takeshi. A little too well he'd say.

"Damn I hate it when you bring that up. Can a guy just sit for five minutes in his life?" was Takeshi's sarcastic reply. Right there, he stood up, dusted himself off, and winked at Regan. He was off to roll the dice once more. His luck at picking up girls hadn't turned since he had joined the clan.

"And there goes the delinquent of the team." Hikaru watched as Cairo and Takeshi headed on over towards the gathered team, one without a single sign of mandatory uniform clothing and one with a well dressed fighter's appearance. Of course they'd know who the well dressed one would definitely be. Takeshi would never turn to it. The two would approach the group and right away, Takeshi was at it again, flirting away with a decent looking girl.

"You'd think that he'd take things seriously at one point then realize that he was only letting the words you say go straight through his head." Hikaru inhaled, taking in the cool air. His body was fully mended. Any wounds that were there before had now been nothing but debris and dust. "I'll be sure to get your body on Yaban. It's not like that hotshot is going to remember to do so anyway." It was an offer. No one had never really been offered help by Hikaru himself. Usually, he'd get someone else to do stuff for him. It seemed though now, those terms have changed.

"And the bullet; where did it hit you? For your body to give out on you like that; it must've been more than minor at that level." His crimson and saphire gaze looked upon the serpent with a carefull look. It was subtle yet held a dominant mannor with it. This was his everyday casuall expression.
---
 
"No need to carry my body more than necessary, though the thought of watching you suffer carrying it for so long did cross my mind. It was quite tempting of an option, too," Regan told him, the dragon's tail flicking lightly in amusement. She glanced at Cairo as he approached Takeshi and spoke, asking what he was doing by himself, to which Takeshi told him he was just chilling. Watching in silence as they spoke, she would have rolled her eyes if she was in her actual body when Takeshi stood and made his way toward the group.

"I wonder if there's ever a time that you don't flirt," Regan muttered to him with a huff as she watched as he flirted with the girls, who all lapped up the attention like little puppies who hadn't seen their master in weeks.

When Hikaru spoke though, Regan almost chuckled, not expecting to hear that from him. When he continued to say that Takeshi just let her words go right through him. She sighed softly in completed agreement. Turning her attention from watching the boy flirt endlessly with the girls, she looked at Hikaru. "I'm not entirely sure why I bother any more," she said lightly. He then went on to offer to put her body, saying that Takeshi wouldn't remember. She blinked in surprise before nodding, "I would appreciate that.. Thank you," she replied to him.

As he went on to ask her where the body hit her, she shifted her weight, stretching Yaban's front legs out in front of his massive body. Hikaru's gaze didn't intimidate Regan at all, she had become fairly use to that expression. He had been exactly the same when he had helped her train a couple times years ago.

"The bullet got me on my right side, just below my rib cage. It had gotten in pretty deep, I think it had gone in on an angle too, as i'm pretty sure it managed to lodge itself underneath my first rib," Regan explained to him and the dragon shook its head at the memory. The feeling of having a bullet inside of her wasn't a pleasant one.

"My reaction could also have been because I am not a complete demon. My human blood probably reacted violently to the virus in Takeshi's bullets," Regan mused, wondering what Hikaru thought on the hypothesis.
 
---
Ugh, carrying her body alone would've been a pain in the butt. He was almost glad that she suggested otherwise. Takeshi scoffed at her statement before he was off. It was, of course, shortly after that he was getting it on with a few girls. Temporary bliss.

Hikaru nodded at her thanks, returning back to the fact that she said why she even bothered trying to tell Takeshi anything if he wasn't listening about 90% of the time. The male chuckled then peered past Regan, looking over towards the heart throb of their clan overall.

"Maybe it's because you've come to care. The boy will listen, yes, but he'll only remember what's most important to him. He is a neutral demon, that boy. If he'll profit from what he does, then he'll listen. Just try making things sound important. You'll pull through." Hikaru sighed and closed his eyes for a brief moment. It was only then that Regan moved that his eyes opened.

She explained where the bullet had gotten her and listened intently. According to Regan, it had lodged itself, the bullet, beneath her first rib. Her original body seemed more at ease so he assumed that Takeshi had removed the bullet. The man nodded at her second statement.

"Well you're lucky you didnt die, now didn't you?" He first said, arching a brow. "Knowing his weapons, it's originated from quite the bloodline. There is no history of a family that at all lived with him. When he first arrived within my old clan, he was a dense one. Those weapons were all he had that represented him. Besides that, he wasn't as flirty back then than he is now." Standing up, Hikaru stretched and looked at Regan once more.

"Glad to see that Yaban had decided to take you under his wing. Surprsing to know that he does not wish to see you dead." It was about time to get a move one. They had Akumu under their possession for now and with that in mind, this may be a magnet for trouble. With a lift of his hand, he motioned for Regan to follow along, taking steps to the team members where Takeshi seemed to be having more than enough fun.
---
 
Regan? Come to care about Takeshi? The thought along disgusted her. But she dared not say that to Hikaru. Not because it was him she was talking to but more for the sickening fact that what he said might just be true. Ugh. When did that happen? She didn't know but she wished she could go back and make it so she still hated him completely. Caring for someone like Takeshi Rouke? Even just a little bit? Not something Regan ever wanted to do.

When Hikaru said that she was lucky she didn't die, she glanced away momentarily. "According to Takeshi, I did for a minute, though," she told him and looked back at him as he spoke about Takeshi's weapons and how he had no family history. And then said he wasn't such a flirt when he was younger, either. For some reason, she couldn't imagine that at all. Probably because that's all he ever was when she saw him.

Regan watched in silence as Hikaru stood and stretched before saying he was glad to see Yaban take her under his wing and if she was in her body, she would have smiled fondly. She didn't know why he didn't want her dead, either, but she didn't mind. Yaban was her friend, in a strange way and if he needed her, then so be it. And she wouldn't complain about him saving her from dying.

When Hikaru motioned for her to follow, the beast stood and then shook the dirt that clung to its black scales before she followed Hikaru, though in Yaban's body, the speed a human walked at was much too slow so she had to keep pausing. They made their way toward the group and Regan eyed Takeshi flirting like no tomorrow with the girls. The dragon huffed in distaste. Many people paused and looked toward them, some watching Hikaru and others staring at the black beast. "Having fun there, playboy?" Regan asked Takeshi, turning scarlet eyes onto him, feeling disgusted all over again by her earlier realization.

Care about him? Blegh. Not if she could help it.
 
---
Hikaru grinned faintly at Regan's disdainful thoughts about actually caring for Takeshi. It was a small point of amusement for the guy. She then went on to inform him that Takeshi, in his eyes, said that she had died momentarily. His eyes glanced towards the scaley beast and he paused his train of thought briefly. If she had died for a moment, could it be that Yaban was still able to retrieve her fading life and bring it to himself? His thinking process was now broadened.

Now at the group of other members, a few eyes glanced back towards Yaban. They weren't discouraged. They weren't at hate level. They were at awe. At a boundary of curiosity yet fear. These people were somewhat drawn to the creature yet were too fearful of stepping any closer to it as it approached. Takeshi appeared to be sitting with an easily persuaded girl on his lap; his arms looped around her waist and the right side of his face gently against her back. He looked at Regan as if to say 'Mine' and smirked lightly. A small tone of mockery was also there. One that shouted 'You know you wish this was you in place of the girl' was written all over his face.

In reply to her answer, he smirked and grinned slightly, shifting his arms around the girl's frame.

"Course I am. When am I not having fun around girls, eh?" Came the croon of his voice. "You were chilling with your idol back there. Looks like you didn't even pull one move." The male kept his voice as to where only he and Regan could hear over the commotion. It would be hard for anyone else to make out. "Bet it's almost time to head off anyway. Best I make the most of my time here before we're off." Takeshi added with a wink.

Dawn was just peeking over the horizon as he said so, identifying the partial clouds above that broke apart at certain points. The songbirds would sing and the wildlife would once more begin their daily routines. It was supposed to be another easy day but by the time the team returned, everyone who partook in this mission would be more tha exaughsted.

The girl in which accompanied Takeshi giggled, peeking back at him and grabbing the boy's attention. In reply, the guy smiled and pulled her close to him so her back was against his chest just so he could plant small pecks on either her cheek or neck. There he went again.

"Hey, I've checked up on everyone here. We're missing quite a handful of people but I don't sense any live energy left on the battlegrounds. We're headed off in about five minutes. Need me to get your body on this dragon's back?" That was Hikaru. He had been doing his own thing while Regan was speaking to Takeshi. Or perhaps questioning him. All he had left to do now was make sure Regan had what she needed.
---
 
Regan watched as Takeshi had his arm looped around the girl's waist, his cheek leaning on her back as he looked at her as if claiming the girl. Then his features shifted, like he was trying to suggest she wished it was her in the girl's place. The dragon pulled its head back in a gesture of disgust and it huffed. A few people flinched at the noise, but Regan didn't even glance at them. And when he spoke to her, asking when he didn't have fun with girls. He then went on to speak about how she had been with her idol and she knew he was speaking about Hikaru. The dragon cocked its head to the side as he went on to say she hadn't made even a single move. "Huh?" she asked, utterly confused by what he meant.

As he guessed it was time to go, saying he'd make use of his time, Regan really wanted to roll her eyes. If only she was in her own body. She never thought she'd want to be in such a feeble body compared to a dragon's, but at this point she really wanted him to see what she felt at that moment.

As the sun peeked over the horizon, Regan looked over at it, watching the colour spread through the sky. When she looked back, Takeshi was kissing the girl's neck and even in the dragon's body, Regan couldn't help but shudder. But her attention was brought back to Hikaru when he spoke, stating they had lost a few people. Then he asked if she needed him to get her body on Yaban's back.

"Ah, yes, I would appreciate it," Regan replied to him, "thank you, Hikaru," she said and then turned, walking toward her body, purposely smacking Takeshi across his head gently. She glanced back with an amused look and then stopped near her body, watching Hikaru. "What do you have in mind to do?" Regan asked, "about the mission, I mean," she corrected, curious as to what Hikaru had in mind to finish this mission. She knew that everyone was starting to get tired. Most weren't used to such physically demanding missions that went for so long. Not to mention the fact that no one knew about this mission so they haven't had sleep for over 24 hours now.
 
The boy shook his head in reply to her question, laughing softly to himself. He figured that any flirting at all was truly foreign to her. Hey, he honestly couldn't blame her. Takeshi heard Hikaru's words at a distance, picking up the hint that it was about time they leave. With one last peck on the girl's cheek, he let her go, allowing her to stand up and get up with the others. The sun was now visible and that meant that they'd be more exposed to enemies if they didn't move now. The majority of their team relied on nothing but darkness for their success in battle and Takeshi happened to be one of them. His powers relied on shadows and if he only had his own to rely on, that would be much of a problem, especially if a battle were to break out now. There was no need to worry about Hikaru, though. He had his own way of fighting. No doubt there. With the feel of a smack upon the head, Takeshi peered back towards Regan, shooting her a look before standing up himself.

Across the field came the other two teams; led by Kageki and Kovu. Their masks were off and it seemed though only a couple people on their side appeared missing. That was good as far as Hikaru's team. Nonetheless, it would matter at a later time. Hikaru had approached Regan with her original body, his eyes peering on up towards the scaly dragon.

"Alright. Shouldn't be a tedious process, now should it?" The male said, awaiting Regan's reply. She'd tell him where to put her, what to do, whatever it took to at least make it comfortable for her in her physical state. Takeshi, of course, had long forgotten about this here. The boy seemed much more preoccupied speaking to Cairo and the other guys about some stuff that honestly only involved little about the battle. They all seemed so tired. A few team members were off sleeping against the surrounding trees and or on the ground. It didn't matter where they were. They all were dying to get some rest. This was their way of getting it.

"Hey, since you all are just standing there, why don't you make some use of yourself, huh? Go and wake up the others. That means you as well, Takeshi." Hikaru said aloud. The group of guys looked towards him, groaning at the notion and sluggishly going ahead to do as they were told. Kageki and Kovu had come on over, looking at Hikaru and the reptile before him. They must've figured that it was Regan on first sight since Hikaru was in the process of putting Regan's body onto the dragon's.

"Was it this bad for your team?" Kovu said as he made his way to Regan's side; Yaban's to be more precise. "Seems like it was harder on you guys than us. It didn't take long to take down their defenses. I'd say it was easier than running here."

"How're you holding up, Regan? I wouldn't expect someone at your level to be pushed into something like this." Kageki came over and inspected everything around him. The man was quite interested in what he was looking at. Fascinated at the fact that Regan was now in the body of a dragon's, he seemed to be looking at her from a whole different perspective. He surely enjoyed what he was witnessing right now.
 
Regan watched as Kovu and Kageki came toward them, their teams following. From what she could tell, they hadn't lost too many. That was good. But they, too, all looked tired. This mission was taking its toll on everyone in some form. When Hikaru spoke, however, she turned her attention away from the other two team leaders and looked back at her own leader. He had her body in his arms, ready to put it on Yaban. The man seemed to be waiting to tell her what to do. She laid down and brought Yaban's torn wings down to rest upon the ground to allow Hikaru easier access to the spot free from the spikes.

"Just drape my body over Yaban's shoulders," Regan said and glanced around, "the easiest way to keep it from sliding off would be to tie it down. We'll need some rope, or something," she looked at the clear spot on the dragon's hide and thought for a moment, "I would suggest tying some rope around my body's torso and then use the ends of the rope and tie them to some of Yaban's spines, on opposite sides of my body. That should keep it from moving around too much," Regan explained.

When Hikaru told Takeshi to go wake up the others who were sleeping, Regan couldn't help but snort in amusement. She watched the boy, clearly liking that he had to do something he didn't want to do before she looked at Kovu and Kageki as they came over to her and Hikaru. Kovu asked whether it had been bad for their team as he came to stand beside Yaban. He then stated it looked like it had been worse for her team than it had been for his and she looked back over at where his team stood.

When Kageki came over and asked how she was holding up, she stared at him momentarily as he regarded Yaban's body, obviously enjoying what he saw. She glanced between Kovu and Kageki before sighing softly. "It's wasn't too bad on our team. There was an accident where I was hit with one of Takeshi's bullets and my body had a reaction. Yaban here helped me out and brought my conscience into him until my body is well enough to support me again," she told them. She looked at Kageki once more before diverting her attention to watch as Takeshi woke those who were resting.

"Are your teams fine with continuing?" Regan asked the two as she noticed a few trying to fight the pull of sleep. She looked back at the two. It didn't take long before Hikaru was finished with tying her body and she nodded lightly, "thank you, Hikaru," she said and pushed herself to stand, flexing the dragon's toes, the massive claws bigging into the ground beneath. Lifting the beast's wings and fluttering them slightly to shake off the clinging dirt, Regan then lifted the wing high, extending them to flex the muscles there that were starting to cramp up and to test whether her body was going to hinder Yaban's ability to move in any way. But it seemed all was well and she could move perfectly. Tucking the dragon's wings back into his side she told Hikaru he did a good job with not tying her body too loosely or too tightly.
 
---
All was good. Hikaru had gotten Regan's body securely on Yaban's and it seemed though that was all he needed to do. Now back to other measures. Takeshi and the others had managed to round everyone up without creating some other problem. That was a surprise. Generally, Takeshi in general would somehow cause some sort of trouble within even the most dire of situations. The boy was probably too tired to even do anything of it. Kageki seemed to be looking at the shimmering black scales that were now becoming more visible within the sun's light. Upon hearing Regan's question, the male glimpsed up and nodded. Kovu nodded as well, answering with a 'yes' before turning and making his way back to his team.

"We'll be off then. Head back and keep an eye out for any sort of enemy. Trust no one within these lands. With Tsume somewhere out there, there's no telling what he'd pull. As for Akumu, I'll keep an eye out for her. She's got a record of somehow managing to escape the hands of many. Doesn't matter if she's under watch or not. I'm not going to risk it." Hikaru then dismissed everyone with but a flick of his wrist. He was later setting off to meet up with his own team. With his steps fading, this left Kageki with Regan. The male scoffed and smiled faintly upon Hikaru's leave.

"He never rests, you know. I feel as if the guy's over working himself. Then again, he's far different than you and I. He's not even a living structure. It's no surprise he doesn't rest. I don't even think he needs to sleep sometimes. He and I; for as long as we've known eachother, he's the only one still searching for answers." The male's crimson gaze went back up to Yaban's. "Until my final breath, I'm going to help him find answers to his own restless questions. As for you, why don't you do the same for Takeshi? I've seen how you two interact with one another. It may seem like a foul idea, but think about it. Maybe he'd do the same back." Then, he left. The sun was at full visibility and the teams were off. Kageki reunited with his squad before setting off.

"Hey!"

And came forth the man of the day.

"You coming? No use just standing there out in the open. Maybe I won't end up saving you again." Takeshi was waiting for Regan just meters away, his golden hues watching her with slight impatience. But at that same moment, it seemed though he were smiling faintly. It may have just been for the heck of it but if one knew him well enough, it was the fact that he was making it out of the mission alive. There was nothing better than breathing the fresh air around them. Even if one was at the verge of death. He motioned her on over and turned around, begining the long walk home. This possibly wasn't that bad at all.
---
That ended their first serious mission together. It may have not went though at all well but for sure, it ended pretty good. They lost many and those fallen would surely be remembered. The past was in the past and now, it was the present that they'd have to worry about. Takeshi was still lively and flirty as ever. And Regan? Well, she was still that one person he'd bug just to have a good time. Things didn't change over the past couple of years, no. That was, until something far more unpredictable happened. Right before their great promotion, too.
 
Regan turned her attention back to Hikaru once again as he told them that they were going, then explaining he would be guarding Akumu personally, for she was known to escape even with multiple people keeping an eye on her. She could easily believe that. When the man dismissed everyone with a flick of his wrist, Regan looked back at Kageki and noticed the faint smile on his features as he watched Hikaru leave. She knew that Kageki cared for Hikaru, even if it was just as a friend. The man then spoke, talking about the very man that just left them to go guard Akumu. Kageki told her that Hikaru was the only one still searching for answers, and that statement confused her. What could he mean by that? What questions did Hikaru have that needed answers?

But then Kageki suggested that she do the same for Takeshi. As he said, she thought it was a foul idea. Why should she help him find answers? For whatever questions he had. They weren't friends. Far from it. But then he said maybe Takeshi would do the same back and she paused. Really? As Kageki left, she looked over at Takeshi, pondering what he had told her.. If she considered helping Takeshi and asking for his help, that would mean she would have to open up to him. Tell him her secrets and fears. She certainly wasn't ready for that. Her vulnerabilities would be bare; exposed for him to see.

Then the boy himself spoke to her and she shook herself from her thoughts. As she studied him, she noticed his golden gaze was bright and he sported a faint smile, for what ever reason. She scoffed softly when he said he wouldn't save her again and she followed him as she said, "Yeah right. There won't be any need for that, Little Take," she soon came to walk beside Takeshi as they made their way back home.

~~~

After that mission, it had taken around 4 days for Yaban to allow Regan back into her own body. And it took a week or so after that for Regan to be back in top form. It had taken a lot of explaining to her father and the Elders as to what had happened. They had brought Takeshi and Hikaru in for questioning at one point as well. Many people had seen Yaban and some figured out it was Regan.

A few years had passed since then and Regan hadn't changed. She was still serious and still bugged Takeshi and others to do as they were told. She still did not like people slacking off. And unfortunately for her, Takeshi was still as evasive as ever to his work.

However, it happened when Regan had come back from a mission on her own. She had been ambushed during the mission. She did not know how many people it was, but she had managed to fight them off. After receiving a dislocated shoulder, a broken wrist and two broken ribs. She had managed to complete her mission even with her injuries. She had almost made it to the medic back home, at 2am, however, being tired, Regan hadn't taken notice when someone came up behind her. It wasn't completely uncommon to be out even so early in the morning. However, a cloth that had a sweet scent was shoved against her nose and mouth.

She kicked them away on reflex, managing to evade becoming unconscious. But it had taken its toll. She now felt light headed and dizzy. And she was quickly over powered when 2 other men came down on her. She called out for help before the men knocked her out.


She didn't know how long she had been out, however, when she came to, she certainly didn't recognise the place. Four bare white walls, no furniture and only a single metal bed frame bolted to the ground and a foam mattress on top, which she was laid on top of. All weapons had been removed from her person and no items that could harm someone was left on or near her. She pushed herself from her bed, wincing at her injuries and sighed. Her left shoulder and wrist were swollen and she could feel her broken ribs grating against each other when she moved. But she stood anyway and tested the door on the other side of the room. Locked.

She looked around the edge of the ceiling, trying to find a way out. But she saw no cracks or vents to be used to break or get through. Sighing heavily, Regan banged on the door. "What do you want?!" she growled. She didn't do well with being taken to somewhere she did not know or know the reasons for. She had a very ominous feeling about all this.

A few minutes later, she heard the door unlock and she stepped back, unsure. The door slowly opened and Reiku stepped into the room, causing Regan's blood to become cold with fear.

~~

Another few years had passed and Regan was now 20. She was taller and stronger, more of a woman. But Regan was no longer herself. She was ruthless and instead of being alive, she was more of a shell than a person. For the years she had been gone, she had been brain washed and controlled, used as a puppet to kill many people. All because of her ability to become Yaban and to summon Felix. However, Yaban, after learning Regan's controllers were preparing for her to use Felix and Yaban - seeing as she now had the ability to become Yaban and summon Felix at the same time - to attack her own clan. Yaban has stolen away Regan's conscience, not allowing her back into her body nor to take control of him and he carried her body and escaped. He had to fight through many people, protect the girl's body and fight Regan's conscience all at the same time. So Yaban had not come away unscathed. His wing hung limp, dragging along the ground and one of his back legs had a nasty gash along it, as well as a few other minor injuries. So the beast ran, limping all the way, back toward Regan's clan, hoping someone there could help her.

Yaban growled from the exhaustion that burdened him. He had ran over a week ago now. Regan's conscience had since quietened, but he hadn't a chance to rest to allow his injuries to heal. He wasn't sure he would make it all the way back.

The clan's headquarters soon came into view just as he came to the top of a hill. But the great dragon's legs gave out beneath him and he collapsed. He draped his one healthy wing over Regan's body and he grunted. He looked over at the clan's headquarters, wishing he could've made it just that little bit further. He let a short call in that direction, hoping someone would recognize Yaban's voice from the time Regan had been in his body years ago.
 
---
Joy, worry, panic, absence. As far as Takeshi remembered, things went on pretty well before a certain someone went missing. He was waiting for her, hidden amongst her own quarters, just ready to jump out at her with his close troublesome friend, Cairo. The two had gotten along pretty well, he and Cairo. They thought alike and sought the same dream. A similar purpose to life. The two were just crouching within the shadows awaiting Regan's return. They waited. And waited. But this time, she never came. Takeshi arched a brow and glimpsed over towards Cairo. His friend shrugged and glimpsed down the hall.

"Maybe she's taking a little longer on her mission?" Cairo whispered, placing a hand upon the ground as he crouched. Takeshi frowned slightly at this and sighed softly.

"Taking a little longer? Well. I guess so." They waited a bit longer, but that was about it. After about an hour or so, the two gave up, deciding to call it a night. For hours they've been crouching there and didn't expect to be waiting for nothing. 3am. Takeshi had a feeling something was up but dismissed that thought figuring that Regan would be more than alright.

There was nothing to worry about.

---
A few years passed by and she almost seemed like a fragment of his memory now. The boy changed, himself, and was more than just a flirt now. Long since Regan's absence, Takeshi had beeing doing some mischeivous things along with his friend, Cairo. They long since spent less and less time within the clan, leaving their rankings high but their presence extreemely low. Takeshi had left the clan grounds several times to explore bigger and richer cities. The boy wasn't just a mercenary. He was a thief. A noble thief to be precise. Some called him the pirate of the shadows, others called him nothing more but a thief and that was that. His skills were better than ever and never once did he miss a target. Item or not, he'd never let his mark slip from his grasp.
~
Screaming. That's what echoed within the dark streets of a city name Kourja. Two figures were running. One, a girl in her late teen years, the other, a man that seemed to want something of her. A dagger was possessed within his right hand. The two ran for what seemed to be years and the girl's stamina began to faulter. She'd become victim of her chaser in no time at all.

Two figures, planted atop of two buildings. One's whose eyes gleamed a gleaming crimson and another's who's pierced the night with a deep golden hue watched the scene below. It was until the girl's running came to a hault did they take action. The girl had fallen and the man had approached her with knife in hand. He was laughing but wouldn't be laughing for long.

The red eyes narrowed and a gun was lifted. The trigger was pulled but not a sound echoed through the night. It hit its mark. The man went down on knee with the sound of pain streaming from his mouth. His leg had been shot. Then, the golden eyed figure appeared in front of him with incredible speed. The eyes narrowed as well but this one had a hint of amusement laying deep within them both. Without warning, the figure brought his leg up, kicking the man's face with little to no effort. It was enough to send the man feet away from both the golden eyed man and the female. Easy done task. The girl looked up at her rescuer in horror, still unsure of what he'd do to her at this point. As the figure turned around, a bit of light shown on his face. The same golden eyes that had held those once mocking expressions remained subtle and he posessed a very faint smile. He crouched down and picked up a diamond necklace. He tried handing it to the girl but it seemed though she wanted him to keep it. The male smiled a bit more and scoffed. He almost said something but before he could, a whistle echoed in the background. Right then, he gave the girl a small wink and vanished in that instant.
---
A single day passed and Takeshi and Cairo were off about walking around, planning their next destination within a larger city named Archai. There was said to be a royal palace there good for looting and in no time at all, they'd be infiltrating the place in less than a moment's time. Sure, they did it for money, but not only that, they were giving out this money to whoever needed it most. Usually in numerous handfulls. This was Cairo's idea. Did one really think that Takeshi would just hand over this money to some random person? Nah, he'd keep it for himself. Takeshi's appearance had changed slightly over the years. His left ear possessed two piercings; one golden ring and one that dangled from his ear, having a bead strung through towards the top with a golden shard beneath it. At the end of it was an upside down cross strung through. Same old shirtless boy, anyway. His personality slightly remained the same.

"Think we should've just watched the guy come down on her with the knife first before we did anything?" Came Takeshi's voice.

"You crazy?? Why keep the chase going when you could just intervene and take things on from there? She gave you the necklace, didn't she?" Cairo's voice joined his.

"Well it'd build up the suspence. Did you see the fear in her eyes?" Takeshi laughed and gazed off out in the distance. As he peered off, he could've sworn he saw something. It was as if a familiar sound joined that figure ahead. He remained looking off that direction but as usual, he'd dismiss that thought until further notice.

"Yeah, I did, but that doesn't mean you should let her have some heart attack before she's attacked. No fun when you're saving someone that's dead and or passed out."

"Good point. Well-"

"And that doesn't mean you've got the right to talk to every person you manage to save, Takeshi. Man, you and your silver tongue are getting out of control. If these people remember your face, it'd be easy for the royals to figure out what you look like. No telling if you'll be able to get into the city by then."

Takeshi scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest, looking back towards the direction he was looking previously. Then something clicked. His eyes softened and his walking came to a stop. 'Is that. .?' His thoughts rung through his head as he focused in on the figure atop of a hill. There was no time to hesitate. He knew what he saw and he wasn't going to let this opportunity slip. Takeshi immediately took off running and Cairo looked at him suprisingly. The boy chased after his friend on instinct. "Oi! Takeshi! Where on Earth are you going?!" There was no reply. Takeshi just kept running, his eyes never loosing sight of where he'd go.

In a brief amount of minutes, the figure he saw finally came into view. His breathing was a bit heavy but that didn't discourage the thought that he may have found who he had lost years before. He stood feet from Yaban, eyes still wondering if this was truly what he remembered seeing a few years ago. That same day he was fighting within the palace, shadows cascading around him. Then this figure came into view. The same dragon that he awed about for quite a while. Cairo arrived seconds later, soon realizing what Takeshi had seen. The golded eyed male took a couple steps closer, his eyes examining the dragon before him.

". . . Yaban?"
---
 
Yaban stared at where Regan's clan home was and then he glanced behind himself, nervous. Surely they wouldn't catch up that quickly, would they? He surely hoped not. Lifting his wing slightly, he looked at Regan's body, hoping that her clan would be able to help her. If anyone could, it would be them. And then when she was herself once more, she could tell them what she knew. It would help her clan defeat Reiku, that he knew. After all, after so many years, she knew his patterns, his plans, the way he thinks. She could help her clan finally capture him after so many years of him slipping through their grasp.

Draping his wing back over her body, Yaban scanned the area, hoping to find someone - anyone - that he knew that could help them. However, his search came up empty. He found no one. So he looked down at the city named Archai that was on the other side of the hill from Regan's clan. His hyper-sensitive vision picking out people and faces easily. But, the only thing of interest he found there was a girl being chased by a man with a dagger. But they soon vanished from his sight as they ran into another street, the houses now blocking his view.

Sighing, Yaban tried another feeble call for help, but still no one answered it. So, he decided he would give up and rest for now, whilst he had the chance. Placing his massive head on the ground, he pushed Regan's body closer to his belly, under his wing, to keep it warm and then he closed his crimson eyes.

A few minutes later, he heard someone running and another following. The rhythm of the steps sounded familiar and the beast opened his eyes once again, to see someone he hadn't seen in years standing there. Takeshi. He watched the boy - man now - as he came to a stop, disbelief clouding his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, obviously. Yaban had to wonder what he had thought those years ago when Regan had never come back. Did he worry? Or did he barely even notice that Regan had gone missing?

Lifting his head as the man spoke his name, tone hesitant, almost like a question. Yaban glanced at the other young man, Cairo before returning his gaze back to Takeshi. "It is I," Yaban replied, allowing Cairo to also hear him. His telepathic voice was different to when Regan had spoken to them. His was deep, rough, menacing. Just speaking normally could make a grown man cower. "It certainly has been a long time, Takeshi.. Cairo," he glanced at the other young man again momentarily before he looked at his resting wing.

"Regan is going to need your help, Takeshi," Yaban told him firmly as he slowly lifted his wing away for him to see her. Her fiery red hair was now longer. Instead of reaching to her shoulder blades, it now reached just below her waist in loose curls. Her features had matured, as well. Instead of looking like the 16 year old she had been back then, she had matured into quite the attractive 20 year old.

"She had been kidnapped by Reiku," Yaban told Takeshi, and only Takeshi, blocking out his link to Cairo so he couldn't hear him. He didn't really know him. Didn't trust him yet. "He's been using Regan in his own plans to kill off other clans. Her mind has been controlled by him this whole time. The only reason I was able to bring her here myself is because she had been weak. But I didn't get away without injuries of my own," he told the young man and glanced at his limp wing and injured leg, "I need your help. I am unable to help Regan myself," the dragon huffed, displeased with that last fact. He was a proud creature. He didn't like admitting when he was unable to do something.
 
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