Monster Hunters: Beat Grave and Erina Hell's Adventures.

Chapter 29: Time to think.

Beat was happy that Erina captured the spectra but also he was worried. Yes, Erina was a fine partner and a great monster hunter and she worked on her own sometimes but he was worried. He thought that Erina was still way too innocent and she would not kill in any case, and that made him worry. Sometimes eliminating the target is the best way to avoid bigger troubles. And that was the secret duty of the monster hunters, avoiding troubles for the city.

Also Beat heard from Vinnie that today was Erina's birthday. In the middle of winter, great moment to have a birthday... That's what Beat thought of that. Still, Beat wanted to buy something for Erina. But he did not know what to buy as a present. So he went to ask to the man that knew Erina better, her own father. He was in the police station that was in the administrative district. When Beat entered every cop looked at him with a surprised face but then Erina's Father saw him.
-Erina's Father: Why are you here, Beat?
-Beat: I want to ask you a pair of things.
-Erina's Father: Well. It must be today, Beat?
-Beat: It must.
-Erina's Father: Come with me.

Erina's Father and Beat started walking through the administrative district.
-Beat: Today is Erina's Birthday. Am I right?
-Erina's Father: Indeed.
-Beat: I'm the worst at making gifts, so I want to ask you what I could give to Erina.
-Erina's Father: Well... in your case, that's a real trouble. It's hard to make a gift that isn't misunderstood.
-Beat: Maybe a pocket watch?
-Erina's Father: Yeah. It is a good idea. Erina likes them.
-Beat: And it can't be misunderstood. A safe gift. That's strange, something safe for once!
-Erina's Father: Indeed.
-Beat: And the other thing I want to ask you is a little more odd. How you met Erina's Mother?
-Erina's Father: We met in a rainy day, she was escaping from her family and I was patrolling as a young cop. Totally a newbie. And when I saw her trying to escape I decided to check what was happening. Only to find the government talking of marrying that woman because they wanted to preserve the Hell Family DNA the maximum as possible.
-Beat: Typical of Francis. Who must be angry with me... but to hell with him! He killed my first companion. I won't allow him to destroy someone else life!
-Erina's Father: You lost way too much people but before meeting Erina you wouldn't say that. Am I right?
-Beat: I would stay say it.
-Erina's Father: You wouldn't. I could notice, late as always, that you care about Erina more than anyone else.
-Beat: She's my companion. I want her to live and be happy.
-Erina's Father: Exactly the same thought I had when I started talking with Erina's Mother. I went to talk with the government, they told me to stay away from her. You think that I would follow their orders? No. And after some months of talking we both confessed our love for each other. Francis did not like that. But he could do nothing so he left Erina's Mother marry me.
-Beat: Strange, he did not try to kill you?
-Erina's Father: Kill a cop... Do it and the mess can be way too big.
-Beat: That's smart.
-Erina's Father: Thanks.
-Beat: I should say that. Well, see ya later.
-Erina's Father: Bye, Beat.

Beat left and went to the leisure district to find a shop where custom pocket watch were done. He found it and entered. The shopkeeper saw him and went to talk with him.
-Shopkeeper: Welcome, what can I do for you?
-Beat: I want a pocket watch with a engraving. It is for today.
-Shopkeeper: I can have it in 2 hours. Which engraving you want?
-Beat: This one.

Beat grabbed a paper and did a drawing of a swallow
-Beat: Also with a message. Never change, you are the best.
-Shopkeeper: Okay. If you want, I can do it of any material.
-Beat: Silver. Do it of silver. I'll come back in two hours. But before leaving, I'll pay.
-Shopkeeper: Okay. It's 55,60 sir.
-Beat: Okay.
Beat pays and leaves the shop.

Meanwhile, Erina has gone to White Hope to take a new case. But she did not expect a party. She looked for Sylvia to ask her what was happening.
-Erina: What is happening, Sylvia?
-Sylvia: We are celebrating your birthday. Vinnie knows that is today. Happy Birthday, Erina.
-Erina: Thanks. There's a new case for me?
-Sylvia: No. Today seems a fine day.
-Erina: Then time for another party.
Erina stayed there for hours and Beat came with a little gift box in his left hand.
-Beat: Happy Birthday Erina.
Beat gave Erina the box. She opened it and saw the pocket watch and smiled.
-Erina: You asked my dad.
-Beat: Heh. I knew that you would notice.
-Erina: Thanks.
-Beat: Nah. It was easy to find.
Erina noticed that Beat was sweating a lot, and even he tried to not seem tired. But Erina noticed. Beat had to detain a thief that tried to steal the watch.
-Erina: Yeah, yeah. No one buys that lie, Beat. Still is a nice gift.
Beat smiled.

Hi people. I hope you like this story!