Rolling a hand up to rest against the strong shoulder of her old companion, Grey’s heavy strides were careful to line up behind Crow as it provided a comfortable feeling. It was the one time that she had used him as a sense of transportation as she laid across his shoulder. Crow was about a couple shaky paces ahead as Grey held an unhealthy scowl on his charms. Shuffling herself closer to Grey’s larges ears, Rye figured she might as well find out what was truly bothering him.
“What?” Grey asked first as a bright blue eye framed the corner, just enough to peer out to her.
“That’s my line... I was going to ask you ‘what’s wrong?’” Rye smirked some as she poked blindly at Grey’s earring.
His eyebrows knitted further as a white fang stood out as a growl pressed through clenched teeth. “I don’t trust him.”
“Could you be anymore blunt with that?” Rye whispered, “Cause you know I had a weird idea that you didn’t trust Crow.” Grey kept a steady passing glance between her and Crow as a sly smile trace over his face.
“Well its true Rye.” Grey lifted an arm to gesture something. “He isn’t acting all too natural for my liking. Just too squrimish which usually means something has happened or he is planning something.” Grey snatched her off his shoulder as he promptly placed her beside his walking stride. “I am just worrying...”
Rye closed her eyes as she followed his movements. “If you say you’re worried about my safety or the temple, I am going to punt you across the forest.” Grey laughed causing Crow to peer over his shoulder. “Don’t worry... I think his fine Grey and obviously I have a good judge of character.” Rye slowly hinted towards Grey himself.
“Fine—” Grey swiftly glared back to Crow, causing him to turn forwards once again. “But I swear Rye, if he dares to try something I don’t like, I will send him flying!” Rye tried to stifle her harmless giggles, but she couldn’t hold back the howls of laughter. Hearing Grey try to be protective was hilarious. He just got this killer look that gave off the feeling that he would kill someone but if a person knew him the way she did, they’d know he couldn’t even hurt an annoying fly. It was usually her who had to take out the fly.
Crow’s ears twitched back to them as Rye quickly clambered up the tree above Grey as she wanted her free ride back. Quickly slinking down onto his shoulder again, she hung there as she kept a slow eye in front of them.
Perking a ear up Rye seen Grey and Crow remotely start scanning the area as there was an unusual chill crawling down their spines... as if there was something watching over them.
“Boys I don’t think we’re alone anymore.”
______
Feeling Rye tense up, she had been right about that something was near to them.
“Crow you may want to ease back here.” Grey called causing Rye to blink wildly towards him.
‘I thought you didn’t trust him.’ Rye whispered.
‘I don’t but that doesn’t mean he should be attacked.’
Falling back some. Rye fell off his shoulder as he could see the quickening strides of Crow.
“Any idea what it is?” Rye questioned towards Crow.
Seeming distraught as he plainly shrugged his shoulders. “Why do you think I would know?”
“Well perhaps that you are from the general area and you might know what type of beasts dwell here!” Grey replied.
“I’m not from around here.” Crow responded, “I’m… I think… from elsewhere…”
“You think!” Rye nearly seized up as it was plain as day that Rye knew where he was suppose to hail from. “Did you hit your head? You could have only come from one place!”
Crow repeated his simple shrug. “Rye calm down. Just leave it be for now.” Grey gestured to the area around them. “We still have some lurking beast hanging around.”
“F-I-N-E! I’ll take out the stupid animal and AHH!” Rye cried. “What the hell are you doing! Let go of me!”
“You and Crow are staying here.” Grey yanked Rye back causing her to pout.
“But that’s no fun!”
“Rye stay put… or else I will not be held responsible for what I do to you.”
________
Rye muttered a low curse as they both watched Grey wandered off. ‘She is a strange one.’ Crow wondered to himself, just barely keeping a steady eye on this weird, unwanted compainion.
“Well Crow…” Rye turned on her heels to face him once again. “Since Grey stole my fun away I think you and I need to talk.”
“About?”
“You! What the hell are you doing away from Rollin’ Hills!” Rye growled. “You are not suppose to be out of the assigned area!”
“Rollin’ Hills?” Crow blinked as Rye’s eyes went blank. “Where is that?”
“WHA!”
“I’m serious… where is Rollin’ Hills and what does it have to do with me?”
“Crow have you fell down a flight of stairs on your head! It’s your assigned… Hmm?” Rye ceased her ranting as a lone ear twitched towards some frail sounds. `
“What is it?”
Rye slid her hand up her hip to rest upon a leathered hilt. “It might be nothing… but still—” Fingers curled around the blade. “– If you have a weapon, get it out now. I don’t want to take any chances of loosing a life… be it yours or mine.”
“But I don’t…”
Rye’s hand yanked free the ancient weapon as she held it bound against the nape of his neck. “Crow you can either try to protect yourself or I’ll kill you here and now. Just to save time.”
Blinking slightly Crow sighed, “You don’t understand… I don’t” before he could finish trees began to rustle violently. A slow ring, bellowed the sound a rushing blade. Swiping through the bush Crow jumped to cast Rye out of the attack range. He already knew that she would be fine, but him on the other hand would receive some bloody gash. Cursing low once again, Rye twisted her hair out her face just trying to figure out what happened. Peering across the surrounding area, Rye heaved herself up to her feet as she circled her way over to the unmoving Crow.
“If you’re alive, get up!” Rye stood over Crow body, just peering over the freshly cut across the back. Shaking some Crow rose to his knees with a sore groan.
“Please. Lets not fight…” Groaning he pulled himself to his feet.
“Crow then get the hell out of my way. Whatever is in the mood for attacking will not want to have a nice cup of tea with some biscuits.” Rye shoved Crow away some. “Not everything is solved with words, sometimes you just have to take out a bastard and just smirk.” Rye explained slowly.
“Killing something will not solve anything either.”
“Crow… I am serious… move now or I will turn around and hack your head from your neck.”
‘This is a lost cause.’ Crow told himself as he moved away from Rye’s shadows.
_______
“Alright you accursed bastard, show your damn face!” Rye bellowed. “Or do you rather attack when my back is turned?” Once swift movements began to slow, sending a rage of quaking scenery to begin to twitch. Lowering her ears to almost touch her shoulders, Rye turned to see the faint slithering image as slick skin glistened. Slow rasps of quick claws trimmed across the ground, slowly pulsing their way towards its victim. It’s victim… Crow!
Whirling about on her heels Rye stared at the looming seplini monster as thick spikes protruded off its head to its tail.
“CROW move your ass!” Rye yelled. Slamming her blade into its scabbard the massive seplini beast peered over his shoulder towards her.
Crawling down to its belly, Rye began her slow steps backwards as her plan was just to draw the eyes away from Crow then maybe Grey would appear and take out this fiend. Drawing her slender fingers along her shoulder Rye’s eyes grew wild as she rapidly cursed violently. The lacking of arrows in the quiver strung on her back meant that she would have to starting the battle with nothing more than her blade.
Slithering out its black inky tongue, Rye seen the tense pounce winding up in its muscles as the, swift flow of the lunge.
‘Damn it! The one time I want Grey to provide some protection! His not here!’ Rye told herself as she winced back to wait for the heavy hit of the monster.
Instead a high squeal came out loud and clear as soft singing of arrows lunched themselves into the tough hide. Peeking out of the corner of her eyes, Rye gasped some as she seen the carefully hand crafted crossbow of Crow as he was ready with another fury of arrows. Skittering up a close trunk, Rye watched her steps as she estimated her passageway towards Crow.
“GET UP HERE!” Rye snatched Crow by the backside of his collar to heave him up with her. Shoving him into a nock of the tree, Rye listened to the panted cries of the beast as she glared towards him. “What are you doing? Its after you, you idiot!”
“What?” Crow yanked himself out of the worn hole, “Did you want him to kill you, cause you know I can let you go back and get killed.” Crow smirked arrogantly.
“Fine… thanks Crow.” Rye sighed softly as she began her crawl along the trees limbs. “If you think you can follow me without falling off, be quick.” Rye urged.
“I am not a total klutz… only on rare or boring occasions... I have my rare times where I just fall off a stool for no reason.” Crow grinned, as Rye had to agree with that. She was just as bad.
“Okay I’ll believe you. Now follow me and keep that crossbow out. I’m out of arrows, so I’m leaving it up to you.” Rye slid down a steep branch. ‘Then maybe if Grey finds out Crow helped me out, he won’t be so suspicious.’