Duality (A Rivalry)

Chapter one

                                          A/N: Chapters can be freakishly long, so I do apologies.

                  The Trio would be heading to a volcano to get a government letter for the Earth Nation, but the letter was in the volcano of Sena. About halfway through Ankou and Holly lose Hakurin, by the time they find him he is passed out on the floor and at a dangerously high temperature. Ankou picks him up on his back and go down again to find the letter once they do, they're forced to run out as the volcano is about to erupt and Hakurin is getting to a fatal temperature. Once they finally get out, they head off towards cliffs for safety and head towards the Earth Nation. 

                  Once they were on their way they got to an abandoned house where they let Hakurin rest. While Hakurin was asleep Holly went to get the herbs, she'd need if Hakurin ever got ill from the heat again. While Holly was away because of how rare some of the herbs were Ankou was forced to spend his time with Hakurin waiting for him to wake up. Ankou spent most of his time reading a book about the people of the Ice/Water kingdom, also known as the Sturatt Empire. It would have been around 10 hours when Hakurin finally somewhat woke up. Once Hakurin woke up, he looked around noticing his furred robe was gone and he was wearing his water suit which was underneath. Ankou would be on the floor next to the bookshelf sleeping with a book on his head and a pile next to his lap.

                  Hakurin would walk up to Ankou grabbing and putting away the books into their right places. Once he was done, he'd carefully put Ankou on his own bed as he went into the kitchen to make some food. As Hakurin was almost done making some sushi and fillets of fish, Ankou would already be awake although when he noticed Hakurin was in the kitchen he seemed to calm his nerves. Hakurin and Ankou would be staring at each other for around 5 seconds of solid silence except the sound of the fish cooking. "What are you a house maid?" Ankou would say with a straight face as he looked Hakurin dead in the eye.

                  Hakurin would smirk at Ankou and say with sarcasm "Well yes Lord Hot head of the Anger issue family." Ankou would glare at Hakurin before making a growl like sound similar to that of a wolf as he turned heel and went towards the courtyard. Hakurin would turn back to the fish taking them off the fire and putting the last pair on. He'd proceed to finish up the last touches on the Sushi and finish the rice balls. Ankou would be in the Courtyard pondering on ways to get back at Hakurin for his remark. He'd notice a bird perched on the gate as he stared at it his red eyes locked onto it as it hopped around. Hakurin would head outside with Ankou's share of food and would notice the two starring at each other and would gently put the food down as he tiptoed away. Ankou would suddenly turn around with a book that came out of nowhere throwing it at the back of Hakurin's head.

                    Hakurin's yellow eyes would seem to glow a bit as he slowly turned at Ankou giving him a glare. Ankou would be giving him the same glare but would be running for his life in the end as Hakurin grabbed a frying pan chasing him and soon kicking him in the ribs knocking him to the ground and he bonked him with the frying pan. Hakurin would slowly turn his head towards the bird his face fully black besides for his yellow eyes and white pupils. His pure white hair would be even more noticeable at this point. ...If you're wondering about the bird, it's fine it flew off faster than the speed of sound.

                     Ankou would wake up in his bed again looking around noticing his food was left on his nightstand. He'd suddenly remember what happened and would scowl. As he got up and ate he'd notice his room seemed different somehow. Once he got done he'd look around for anything then notice a dumb poster behind his door that was barely visible. He'd look at it then claw it to shreds. The poster seemed to be a joke Hakurin put there as it had a bunch of Pomeranians and Chihuahuas on it. He'd head downstairs and Hakurin not aware he was awake yet would be standing and reading when suddenly Ankou jumped down the stair kicking him in the ribs. Hakurin would stumble down with Ankou on top of him not thinking it through how he'd land. Hakurin's face would be in the ground while Ankou would be on his back.

                   Hakurin would wake up on the floor with Ankou on top of him still passed out, He'd try to wiggle out but would soon realize Ankou's tail was wrapped around him an under him from before he hit the ground. Hakurin would sigh and just lay there waiting for Ankou to wake up. Holly would just then enter to the sight and would look at them both in confusion as Ankou would be curled on top of Hakurin but Hakurin would still be unable to move. Holly would sigh at the two then without so much as a word just walked out.

                   "Hey, wait come back and help me!" Hakurin would yell while being squished under the demon. Holly would slowly turn her head her eye's dull and lifeless as she'd just ever to calmly say "I don't think I will..." And she'd simply walk off leaving a dumbfounded Hakurin there on the floor with a Ankou still asleep and in the shape of a starfish.

                    A while later Ankou would finally wake up and the two would work together to wiggle out of the awkward situation. Holly was off doing her work when a owl came down with a letter. She'd grab it noticing they were all getting mentors and another member to them. She'd sigh and would round the house to see the two figures of her co-workers. Hakurin would be fast asleep his head on the table and his food almost fully eaten. Ankou would be still awake but drifting off to sleep while eating his noodles.

                   She'd sigh and smack the two awake making Hakurin jump and Ankou flinch. Hakurin would seem to glare at Holly but would just sigh while holding his hand out for the letter. After he read it (Barely) Ankou would snatch it to read it almost ripping the paper. They all seemed to have areas they had to go to find their mentors. Hakurin had to go to Shiso and to Mt. Adeptus. Ankou had to go to Asmon and to the pyramids of Tricuria. Holly had to go to Aglax and the vast jungle of Sarin.

                   As they all got ready to leave their mounts were sleeping peacefully. Once they all packed up, they'd wave to each other Hakurin riding on a drake, Ankou on a large tabby/lynx cat, and Holly on a large bird that looked like an emu. As they all left the house, they were all in seemed to merge into the earth again to remain hidden until the three came back.

                   It would've been around 5 months at this point in time. It was two months ago Hakurin found his mentor. One month since Holly and Ankou found theirs. Hakurin would be greeted with a kick to the stomach from a hoofed foot that was Kahiro's. After that it was a messy blur of getting thrashed and harsh training in the subzero temperature mountains then to the hot springs that were hotter than the desert sun... Or that's at least what Hakurin thought.

                    One day while on his break from training and hiking up the mountain Hakurin would run across a Shiross (A large hybrid with dragon that has the form/looks like a large cat standing about 12 feet high to the shoulders.) He'd jump as it suddenly appeared before him not seeing him till, he stepped on a twig making a large snap sound. His facial expression went from shocked to scared then to utterly annoyed. Went he focused on the Shiross again it was charging at him.

                      He'd be too tired to run so would get into a defensive position. He'd hear the sound of hooves behind him as he suddenly heard a polearm being lodged into the ground as Kahiro would jump over his head and kick the Shiross in the forehead making it back away for a moment. That moment would be long enough for her to finish it off with a sudden burst of lightning that was such a dark purple it looked black. When he looked back up at his master amazed until he noticed she looked down at him as if he was a toddler still learning to walk.

                      He'd sigh as his teacher spoke, "What are you an idiot? That was a Shiross unless you plan for an early funeral, I suggest you use your mount to get around up here when it starts to get dark." Kahiro would sigh while making sure Hakurin was okay as if he was her child.

                       Ankou would be in a touch more of a predicament then Hakurin would be though...

Word count: 1585