The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

C18 - Forward

Author's Note:

I should note before this chapter begins that I've actually made some significant changes to the preceding chapter to increase canon accuracy. It may be best to give it a quick once-over before you move on. Cheers.

(It was just bothering me too much!)

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Chapter 18 – Forward.

"You... IDIOTS!"

The enraged bellow echoed up and down the ancient hallway, bouncing off the hallowed stone walls only to return and assault Sorey and Mikleo's ears, further driving the point home. The two kids winced, their heads hanging lower and their feet shuffling closer together as the deceptively diminutive elder in front of them bore down upon them with the full range of righteous parental anger.

"Just what were you two thinking?!" the elder raged. "Sneaking off on your own to explore ruins without a word to anyone otherwise!" The white-haired seraph let out a breath of pure disbelief at their stupidity, shaking his head. "...To think, if I hadn't come!" his voice trailed off, his face contorted with indignation.

Both of the boys winced again, their fists curled in shame at his words.

His lower lip trembling, Sorey glanced to the side, recalling how at thing had dropped down out of nowhere and cornered him amidst the ruins. Gramps was right. Even with Mikleo there at his side... If Gramps hadn't come and driven it off...

After a pause, the elder spoke once more, this time with a gentler tone. "Sorey. Mikleo." he implored tiredly, prompting the two boys to reluctantly meet his gaze. "How many times must I repeat myself? The hellions that infest our world are a serious threat, to both human and seraph alike." His gaze, obscured by his heavy eyebrows, moved between the two boys in front of him. "You must stop taking such blatant risks, both of you."

Both boys nodded mutely, fiddling with their hands. "Yes Gramps." "Yes Gramps." they both chorused dully, quite noticeably avoiding meeting his gaze.

Zenrus's left eye twitched.

He sighed at length, relaxing his aggressive posture and pulling out his pipe in resignation. "...I see I must prepare to repeat myself some more." he muttered as he stuck the pipe in his mouth. "...In that case, all I ask is that is that if the two of you learn anything from today's ordeal, learn to be more careful." He huffed to himself, turning around and facing the darkness of the ruined hallway behind him.

"The next time you two decide to sneak off into the ruins, know that I will not stop you. I only ask that you let me know where you are going." he uttered to the empty ruins, his expression one of a surrendering parent. "Do not treat this as a blessing." he warned, waving his smoking pipe disdainfully. "It is a simple matter of fact that trying to stop you little scamps from coming into these ruins is akin to trying to halt a firestorm with my bare hands."

A shocked silence followed his resigned declaration. Sorey and Mikleo exchanged befuddled looks behind Zenrus's back, before wild smiles broke out on both their faces. The two 9-year-olds whooped simultaneously, leaping forward and latching themselves onto the poor old man in excitement.

"You're the best, Gramps!" Sorey exclaimed happily.

Mikleo hugged the elder tightly. "We'll be more careful, Gramps!" the young seraph promised heartfeltly. "Don't worry!"

"For sure, we will!" Sorey chorused without missing a beat. "Don't worry, Gramps!"

The aged, powerful seraph stumbled forward, fighting to keep the smile from breaking out on his face. "Blasted children." he grumbled half-heartedly, ruffling their hair even as they stood almost as tall as him. "Come."