The Witch Hunter Part Three

[krystalkatz.livejournal.com]

Matsu stared at Nino not knowing what to do, the demon was burning up, and he could see steam rising from his body. He wished Nino had given him some kind of guide book when he decided to bind himself to him. As far as he could tell he was still breathing, but the expression on his face was full of pain. He dived into the elders’ bag wondering if there was anything that would sooth the demon but doubting it everything as meant to destroy demons not to cure them. He groaned softly and then looked at Niji, the horse was more intelligent than horse should be, “Look after him” He said the whined seeming to almost nod as Matsu got back on Arashi, he rode to the village wondering if the monks there would even help him. The villages stared at him in surprise as he rode straight to the monastery, reaching the courtyard he jumped from Arashi’s back. He ran into the great hall, without stopping to look at the surprised monks he ran to the chapel.

“Master Hunter? Is there something...”

“My... Friend collapsed outside the village...”

“Master Hunter... Your friend... It is a demon?” The Holy Father asked with a surprised expression

“Yes, Father” Matsu nodded chewing his lip “He is bound to me...”

There was a loud gasp and then a soft whispering filled the hall, as the monks stared at the Hunter with varying stages of disbelief and wonder “A bound demon? There has not been one for many years, and I do not mean to question you but... Can you prove such a statement?”

“Not while he’s laying at the side of the road” Matsu snapped “Please... Just help him and I’ll give you any proof you need...”

“Be that as it may... Is there a monk here that would help a demon?”

“I’ll help” One of the young monks said softly and Matsu stared at him thankfully as he stepped forward “I’m Sakurai”

“Matsu-” Matsu remembered what Nino had said about power being in names, “He’s this way”

Sakurai nodded, ignoring the warnings of the senior monks followed Matsu to the courtyard “Um... A horse?”

“Is there a problem?”

“N-no... I just have a small fear of heights” The monk admitted with a glum expression, Matsu tried to be understanding but hearing every sarcastic remark Nino would be saying in his head “My friend...”

“Right... Sorry” The monk nodded and very carefully climbed on the horses back behind Matsu and held his waist tightly. Matsu tried not to roll his eyes as he rode back out of the village.

Niji was standing over Nino when they arrived back, the horse almost glared at Sakurai as he stumbled towards the fallen demon

“It’s okay Niji, the monk is just trying to help” Matsu said reassuringly, Niji gave another whine and moved away but keeping a watchful eye on the monk.

“S-Smart horse you have...”

“He’s Nino’s” Matsu mumbled having to admit the horse was impressive. “What’s wrong with him?”

“It’s the protection line, its shut down his body”

“There is a protection line?” Matsu groaned wondering how the demon couldn’t have sensed it.

“The Father put it up a few days ago there were reports of a demon...”

“You can undo it right?”

“I don’t know... It’s to stop demons...”

“Look... He’s a complete brat and he keeps trying to sleep with me but other than that he’s harmless” Matsu said quickly as Nino let out a groan and more smoke rose. The monk stared at the hunter and then back at the demon letting out a sigh.

“I’ll do what I can, I can’t undo it but I can try to revive the demon” He nodded as he opened up his bag “So... He wants to sleep with you?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“No I serve under the way of the 2^nd king” Sakurai said shaking his head as he found a small bottle of ointment and carefully mixed it with the water from his flask. The water hissed as he used a clean cloth to try and ease some of the burning. Nino let out a soft whimper but his frown lifted slightly and Matsu let out a breath of relief, before he responded

“So that makes it okay to sleep with a demon?”

“No... But it is okay for two people of the same gender to love freely” Sakurai shrugged as he continued to wipe the demons face lightly with the cloth.

“Are the ways of the kings so different?”Matsu asked

“All three have their own rules but as a hunter you should know this better than anyone... You’re born with the mark, the last gift of the kings... Which is your king?”

“I don’t have one” Matsu admitted honestly “I was born with the hunters mark but no king rules it...”

Sakurai’s eyes widened as he stared at the hunter “So you are unique in more ways than one?”

“I wouldn’t say unique...”

“You have no ruling king and a bound demon when you are fresh out of the halls? You’re pretty unique” Sakurai smiled before turning his attention back to the demon, whose face was free from pain. Very slowly he moved the cloth down to his neck letting out a soft gasp of surprise “What...”

Matsu frowned and came closer looking at his neck he was shocked to see that the pendent he wore was the mark of the 1^st king; it had burnt and bruised the skin around his neck and on his chest. Matsu wondered why he wore it, but then remembered that while telling the story of his ‘lover’ he had held the pendent gently. Maybe it was a gift. He thought, but who would give a demon a holy symbol?  The monk seemed just as baffled but went to treat the cuts and bruises gently.

Nino groaned slightly his eyes flickering open, full with mild confusion “What... I feel like I fell off the horse...”

“You did” Matsu said “You suddenly went white and fainted”

“Crap, that’s embarrassing” Nino said sitting up and rubbing his head “What’s in that?” Sakurai looked down at the bowl with the ointment and then handed him the bottle “No wonder I feel better, though I am going to need a bath later, do have any idea what’s in that? You should have saved it for yourself... I would have been fine...”

“You were burning up... You almost set fire to the woods...” Matsu snapped wishing he could hit the demon but deciding against it until he was sure he was alright.

Nino looked at the bush and ground he was sitting on and then back at Matsu “Did I burn you?”

“Just my hand” He shrugged, Nino grabbed it seeing the burns he licked his fingers gently, looking up with a grin as Matsu let out a soft gasp. With one last lick he released them, Matsu’s mouth fell open surprised to see his hand fully healed.

“Now you know what’s in that stuff” Nino grinned licking his lips happily looking at the monk who was trying not to blush. “So who is the monk and why was he trying to strip me? Not that I mind but you could do it while I’m awake...” Matsu let out a hiss and hit him none too lightly on the back of the head “Ouch... Be careful I just fell off a horse...”

“Pity you didn’t break your neck” the hunter mumbled under his breath “Sakurai is from the village he helped you...”

“Saving you two days in a row, puts a strain on the body” Nino grinned “Then stupid monks put a protection line over the road... I was too weak to see it”

“So that’s the only reason you fainted? It has nothing to do with the fact that a demon wears the symbol of the kings?” Matsu asked remembering the state of his neck. Nino’s hand flew to his neck as if to see if it was still there. “Do you follow the way of the 1^stking?”

“What? No, of course not...” Nino shook his head with a half smile

“So why do you wear the symbol of the 1^st king when it hurts you?”

“Huh? I stole this a long time ago...” Nino grinned holding up the pendent “I always promised myself I’d give it back”

Matsu stared at him in disbelief “You stole a symbol of the kings?”

“Yep” Nino nodded “Relax, the guy I took it from didn’t need it anymore”

“You killed him?” Sakurai had been watching the exchange in a stunned silence finally spoke up and Nino turned to him with a raised eyebrow

“Careful monk you sounded almost excited” He laughed “No I didn’t kill him, he left...”

“You stole it from your lover?” Matsu realized as he saw that same sadness in the demons eyes.

“His house...” Nino corrected and then stopped as Niji pushed forwards his large nose pressing against Nino’s “Sorry, did I scare you?” The horse gave a whine as Nino stroked it “Thank-you for watching over me... But remember your first priority is our master” Niji gave a loud snort and then his now familiar nod. “Good boy”

“Okay... Is the demon talking to the horse?” Sakurai asked Matsu who shrugged

“I could get him to kick you if you want” Nino grinned his eyes flashing looking the monk over as held Niji’s reins to pull himself up; he gave a sigh “There is a group of monks on their way, plus two hunters... Am I really that much trouble?”

“More than you're worth” Matsu snapped back, torn between relief that he was okay and an unknown emotion at the way the demon had looked at Sakurai. It wasn’t long before the group found them, Matsu was surprised to be faced with two elders he recognized one of whom was the reason he was in this mess in the first place.

“Novice Matsumoto... I was surprised when I saw you in the monastery... I had thought Elder Suzuki had been killed...”

“He has, my lord” Matsu said with a polite bow “I have his bag...”

“So if an elder was killed how did a novice survive?”

“I saved him” Nino spoke up using Niji to help him move forwards, “I saved my master”

“Ah so this is the demon you claim is bound to you?”

“I am bound; I serve only my master... He can prove it but please don’t make me ‘sit’ I might not be able to get back up for awhile” He grinned at Matsu who almost smiled.

“There are other ways of proving a bond other than tricks” The elder snapped “Demons lie...”

“Then do your tests... But maybe you could wait until the world stops swaying” Nino groaned his face going white again as his grip on Niji failed. Matsu caught him, fighting against the burning as he motioned to Sakurai. Sakurai quickly started wiping the demons face again with the balm.

“Take them to the monastery” The Holy Father said “The demon will not survive the protection line much longer”

“Help me put him on Niji” Matsu said to the monk whose mouth fell open

“But he’s still burning...”

“I’m guessing Niji can handle it...” The hunter said looking at the horse, who was staring at his unconscious rider with more concern then a horse should show. Niji lowered his back allowing them to get the groaning Nino up, and gently walked the demon towards the village.

“Put the demon in the cages... Novice Matsumoto... Come with me...” The elder snapped as they arrived at the monastery. Matsu watched as Nino was taken to what was obviously a dungeon; Niji whined trying to get free but was restrained by four monks. Matsu reluctantly followed the elder wondering where Sakurai had vanished too

“So Matsumoto... Out of the halls for just five days and already have a bound demon? Explain” The elder said when they reached an office. Matsu stood in front of him and calmly explained the details of the past few days, only leaving out Nino’s determination to sleep with him.

“I see... And are you stupid enough to believe that the demon bound himself to you out of boredom?”

“You don’t know, Nino... He’s not like most demons...”

“All demons are the same; did you learn nothing in the halls? They will do whatever they can to trick and trap the innocent... This beast is just the same”

Matsu clicked his tongue but stayed silent, somehow knowing if he caused an argument it would be Nino that was punished. It was strange he had known the demon for three days but he already trusted him. Maybe he had been lured, a little. The elder glared at him as if wanting him to retaliate, he snorted when Matsu just watched him with lukewarm politeness. “Get out” He snapped. Matsu bowed and left the office, surprised to see Sakurai waiting outside

“He’s this way” He murmured showing him the way to the dungeon “Niji broke free and left village...”

“He just left?”

“I had to tell him you were both going to be okay... That horse is amazing...” Matsu nodded although he doubted if Niji was just a horse anymore. He flinched as he saw Nino laying on his back in the centre of an iron cage, moving closer he saw that the pendent of the 1^st king had been removed, he looked at Sakurai who shook his head. “The older monks thought it was disgusting for a demon to wear it...” He murmured hanging his head. “He should wake soon... I should go”

Matsu stared at Nino, thinking how small he looked; he had never fitted the hunters’ idea of a demon, most of the time he just seemed like a bratty kid. It was only when he was fighting his gave off a demon like energy. Nino groaned softly his eyes flickering “Are you okay?” Matsu asked when Nino sat up, hissing as he touched one of the bars of the cage.

“This thing hurts more than I remember” Nino mumbled looking around at the cage bitterly, his hand going to his neck “Why did they take my pendent?”

“Because a demon wearing it dishonors the 1^st king” Matsu answered sitting on the floor and staring at him. Nino let out a laugh still touching his neck.

“I dishonor the 1^st? Do you think he even cares?” He asked

“The kings have left us...”

“I highly doubt they went by choice” Nino scoffed again “When are they going to let me go?”

“I have no idea...” Matsu answered “I told them everything that happened but... They just said there was something else another reason you bonded to me...”

“They’re just jealous... But they’re right though... I haven’t been completely honest with you, there is a reason I wanted to bind with you...” Nino admitted Matsu felt his heart thump against his ribs as he waited for the demon to continue, “I want to bring back the three kings”

Comments

[serial-translat.livejournal.com]

Ouh I'm relieved that Nino is sage, for now at any case. Matsujun seems now to care a little about him.

The monks do their jobs, I understand that, I just hope they won't draw conclusions too quickly without a good reflexion before. Or rather... a plan of escape ? XD

Nino's wish looks like an utopia. I wonder why he wants to bring back some people to life. *and for now, he didn't ask again to Jun to sleep with him lol He is in prison after all, it would be difficult*