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Chapter 2: Hi, Momma bear, sorry

Fang continued to run deeper into the woods, as a roaring angry momma bear chased him for no reason......

Hold up...., Fang thought for a long moment, then looked at the runt in his arms " SHE'S DOES HAVE A REASON TO CHASE ME!" Fang shouted, realizing his mistake, and swearing to whoever listens that his stupid mistake doesn't end him today, sighed, hold runt out in front of him, as he runs, almost trip up few times but catches himself as he holds cub up, the cub let out a purr-like sound similar to a cat " Yeah, you're an adorable little one, but, can you like tell her to stop? Please?" Fang asked the cub, the cub tilted its head in innocence.

I can't tell if the cub is playing dumb or doesn't fully comprehend what I'm saying, Fang thought, wanting to cry now but he sighed.

Only one way to end this, Fang thought with a firm look, then skidded to a halt, kicking up some dirt in the process, making little cub sneeze, as Fang holds the cub up, so, Momma bear doesn't kill him, momma bear skidded to a halt herself, stood directly in front of Fang and her child. Her other two children rammed into momma bear, holding their nose, grumbling.

Momma bear eyes narrowed on fang for a split second, the runt made a gurgling noise, batted at momma bear, wanting to play, momma bear eyes softened and given a little growl, the runt immediately stopped, looking a little sad.

" Hi, Momma bear, sorry" Fang sighed, putting cub down, holding his hands up, showing momma bear he means no harm, momma bear tilt her head in wonder " Your little one is very brave and troublesome, it seems" Fang chuckled, looking at runt who chasing her siblings, Momma bear snort as if she agrees with fang's comment, Fang holds out his hand now "Again, I'm sorry, and hope you forgive this idiotic human," Fang said, keeping his hand out.

Fang wasn't sure if momma bear understands human language or wondering if bears even shake hands. But, he prays again to whoever listens to him and hopes he doesn't die at this moment.

That's when fang felt wet but soft with a bit of dryness on his hand, Fang stood for a moment, blinking, then realized momma bear put her nose up to fang hand, showing forgiveness, Fang held the cheesiest grin of happiness than suddenly " FANG!!!!!!!!" A very familiar voice ranged out, breaking Fang's happiness as he gulped and muttered " Aww crap" and got in front of the bear family, hand out.

Hana is going to hurt these bears from my mistake, I won't let that happen, Fang thought, just as Hana appeared, more like a jump appeared, fist out and aimed at momma bear, Fang inhaled, in a clear and commanding voice " GELIDA!" As Hana glowed light blue then she froze in mid-air, fist out, looking pretty funny but fang wasn't laughing, he gulped as he focused on the magic on Hana. As for Hana, Her eyes moved around, wondering why she froze in mid-air, then she glanced at fang with narrowed eyes, making her periwinkle purple eyes turn to slit "Fang....why....did...you....use...magic...on ...me?" Hana asked, speaking with some difficulty, however, fang gulped sensing Hana's anger. Fang remembered that Hana hated it when he used magic, especially the frozen spell, Gelida.

Gelida is a spell that can freeze someone in place, especially in mid-air or in combat, however, it doesn't work on groups. Just a single person. This spell can last as long as the caster can focus. It is also an easy spell to break from depending on willpower.

Fang inhaled deeply and speak really fast " I'm Sorry Haha, didn't want you to hurt momma bear mystupidmistake, I accidentally kidnapped her child and once I said i'm sorry to her, she forgiven me!" Fang huffed, his words were bunching up together, he'd wonder if Hana even understood him. He was also surprised that he can speak like that, while Hana held a blank look, breaking his words in her head like it was a puzzle " So, you're saying it's your fault?" Hana asked, again speaking with difficulty. Fang nods once.

" So, it's a misunderstanding" Another familiar came from behind mid-air frozen Hana with a hint of annoyance, walking forward, revealing Aoi, who stands next to frozen Hana, arms crossed over her chest " Aoi!" Fang gulped, shivered under Aoi intense glare.

" Y-yeah," Fang said, feeling very small under Aoi glare, Aoi sighed, pushed her glasses up above her head to pinch the bridge between her nose " I hope you know that this incident cost you extra two hours in training, young master, Fang" Aoi informed fang whose face fell at extra two hours of training.

Hana tried to break this hold of spell on her, swearing in her head.

" Well, Milord, you going to need this for that training session" Another familiar voice called out, just as blue sheath came at fang at incredible speed, Fang wasn't fast enough or great catcher, fang caught his sword by chest, momentum, have the wind knocked out of him as he falls on his ass, gasping for some air, during that time, breaking his concentration on Gelida spell, causing Hana to fall right on her chest "owwwwwwwww" Hana groaned in pain.

" Kaze, please hand my sword to me like a normal person" Fang wheezed out, sitting up, pretty much hugging his sword, looked at Kaze, who places a hand on his hip, standing next to Aoi " and give me time to land on my feet" Hana added, waving her hand up " I guess some cats don't land on their feet" Kaze snickered, Hana pushed herself up and glared at Kaze with slit eyes.

*10 minutes later*

Back at camp, Fang was eating his very late breakfast with Momma bear and her three cubs. At first, Hana, Aoi, and Kaze didn't like the idea of bears joining their camp but Hana and Aoi, who tried her best to remain calm but cuteness from the cubs won them over, however, Kaze still didn't like the idea but he couldn't argue, three against one? He hated the odds but oh well.

Fang cast a spell called, Speaker animalis, it allows up to three people to be able to speak to animals. However, this spell can only be used once a month because it drains the mana slowly, depending on how long this spell goes.

So, he cast it on himself, Aoi and Kaze. For Hana, she can speak to some animals due to being part of the cat race. Lucky for her, she can talk to bears.

Group found out that momma bear was kicked out of her cave by goblins, 3 days ago, which turned out to be shocking because goblins don't usually come out this way. She told fang and the others would've fought to protect her home but her cubs. So, much to her wounded pride and safety of her cubs, she left. Ever since then, she has been hunting for food and finding a place to stay.

" I'd find it odd that goblins are up this way" Kaze spoke up, holding his chin, figuring out why they're up this way.

" Change of leadership." Aoi started with a firm look, eyes closed for a moment when Kaze looked at her with a frown " You sure about that, Aoi?" Kaze asked, Aoi nodded, clenching her weapon sheath, looking at momma bear " Did you see anyone else with them? '' Aoi asked, Momma bear held a thoughtful look as she ate raw stag meat, and nodded very slowly, as she started to remember who else was with them.

" Grrr, Grrr, Grr, grrrrrr, grrrr, Grrr" Momma speaks in grrrs but thanks to Fang's spell, Aoi heard this " Yes, large, smelly, hideous, human-like with weird skin. Speaks weirdly too" Momma bear explained, looking down a little " Very dangerous. " she added.

" Ogre. Sounds like Goblins made this monstrously their leader. Typical goblins, going for someone much stronger than them" Kaze sighed, shaking his head " however, goblins usually back that up with numbers" Kaze added, looking to Aoi for some clarification.

" Yes, however, Lately, goblins' numbers are decreasing due to the rising number of mercenaries, knights, barbarians, and mages. In most kingdoms, goblins are hunted down as a sport" Aoi explained further.

" Those poor creatures'' Fang softly said, looking sad " Poor? Please, Milord, don't feel sorry for goblins. Those creatures r**e anyone they can take, kill women and children alike, hell, they fest upon anything, especially human flesh. " Kaze stated firmly, dark brown eyes strictly on Fang, who looked away and sighed " I know, but some goblins are not like that. People of this nation always deem them monsters but what about those goblins that are vegetarians? They're treated worse than flesh-eating goblins' ' Fang speaks up, finally looking Kaze in the eyes.

Bleeding heart, That is what is going to get you killed fast, Fang, Kaze thought, for a moment, Kaze closed his eyes, breathed in deeply, he was about to say something but Hana spoke up, stopping Kaze from speaking " Ogres? From what I remember from my studies with Mr. Old man here" Hana pointed to Kaze who glared at her " They're pretty strong and have high magic resistant" Hana continued on, ignoring Kaze.

"They are also really amazing warriors and hunters," Fang added, holding the runt, that seemed to take a liking to fang for some strange reason.

" Correct to both, I'm surprised you two even remember that, since you two rather sleep or play around" Kaze stated, smiling, but not a happy smile, it was an annoyed smile, because Fang and Hana weren't exactly studious, mostly Hana who dragged Fang around.

Fang sheepishly smile, rub the back of his head, Hana just rolled her eyes and yawned, Kaze sighed " Anyway, this is very concerning, goblins led by an ogre, and it seems, they're west of us, in the direction we need to go. " Kaze said, frowned deeply, looking to everyone, even to the bears, sighed, rub his forehead muttered to himself " nomeno ui braneir" though Hana picks up on it, furrowed her brows, whatever Kaze said, sounds familiar to her, she can't place it. Another mystery to Kaze.

" We need to take care of this ogre. It will cause trouble in the woods. Especially, for travelers with no combat experience" Aoi stated, lifting the heaviest bag this group has.

" Now you want to do something good?" Hana muttered softly " What was that?" Aoi glared at Hana, Hana gulped, looked away " N-nothing" she stuttered, Aoi raised an eyebrow at that, looked to Kaze.

" I'm in agreement. Ogres are nothing but troublesome, no good bastards" Kaze said in his honest tone, Hana ears perked, as her ears went back, she let out an annoyed hissed and said, " Oi, asshat, not all Ogres are no good bastards!" Hana glared at Kaze with slit eyes `` Ha? They're if you remember from your studies. Ogres are better off being extinct. They're worse than goblins!" Kaze snapped, glared right back at Hana.

Aoi sighed, place hand over her face, Kaze, sometimes you really need to think, Aoi thought, watching the argument play out.

I wonder what got Kaze to hate ogres to say that about them, Fang thought, concerned, wanted to stop it but one look from Aoi stopped him, pretty much telling him to let them burn out whatever it is causing them to be short with each other. So, Fang sighed, and stayed back, holding the runt still, who watched the argument play out. 

While the rest of her bear family amuse themselves by eating more scraps of stag meat.

" Dammit, Kaze! Not all creatures are evil! You're like the rest of these races on terra!" Hana snapped, taking a step forward, poke Kaze right in his chest, Kaze huffed " My word, I'm not like others! I just simply stated the truth! " Kaze argued back " Get your rotten finger off me, you housecat!" Kaze snapped.

" Don't you see or you simply don't care? You insulted me, by using that damn racist term of my race and cousin's race!" Hana growled out, pulling her finger back, to curl her fists " You being degenerate scumbag! you're judging from your experience of the past, instead of seeing the present. Not all creatures are evil, what makes them evil is people like you, judging!" Hana shouted, putting her emotion into that, making Kaze's eyes widen a little, it seems Hana words got through to him, however.....Kaze remained stubborn " I'm still sticking to what I said, what makes you think all creatures are not evil? Where is the evidence? " Kaze asked, glaring at Hana.

Hana stood there, as she clenched her fists tighter, almost drew blood than softly said "you want evidence? Proof of why I said creatures are not evil?"

Kaze furrowed his brows wondering what Hana was planning and nodded " Yes, I do. If you can't provide evidence-" "HERE IS YOUR EVIDENCE, YOU ASSHAT!" Hana shouted, interrupting Kaze, just as she hurriedly unwrapped her bandaged arm.

Fang eyes widen, putting Runt down, hurried went to Hana side, knowing what she planning to do" Hana, w-wait you don't need to-" Fang worriedly said, but got interrupted " Fang, remain where you are and I have to remind this rotten butler!" Hana said, as looked down, Her bangs hid her eyes but the pain in her tone was telling  Fang that her past still haunts her. She's holding back tears, as bandaged is unwrapped, Fang stops, like 3 feet away from Hana, as he sadly watches.

Aoi looked away, eyes closed tightly knowing how hard this is for Hana.

Kaze eyes widen, wordlessly staring at Hana, as she finishes unwrapping her arm, then showing Kaze. On Hana's right arm, it seems to be a mark that was burnt into her skin a long time ago that didn't quite heal right.

That Mark is in the shape of two twin snakes, that coil around each other, stop when their head barely touches each other.

"You remember this? If not, then here is a friendly reminder, Kaze. This is one of many marks of slavery, that was burnt into my skin when I was just a child. A child, Kaze. " Hana shakily speaks, uses her left hand to clench the mark on her right arm, wanting nothing but this damn curse to disappear " I don't know what causes your hate for ogres, Kaze. But, Ogres I know were kind, even though they didn't have to take care of a scared child but they did. Some of them died, so I could live." Hana said, looking up, tears fell, glaring at Kaze.

Kaze stared silently at Hana, for the moment looking at the sky, thinking. Then he places a hand on Hana's head, as she sniffs, rubs her eyes, looks at Kaze, wondering what he is going to say.

" Look, Hana. I'm sorry, perhaps, some ogres are good and you're right, My hatred is blinding me but I got a reason. A very personal one, which I'm not yet ready to share. " Kaze softly spoke, looked to the side for a moment, back to Hana. ‘’So, dry those tears, and let's cover that mark up okay?" Kaze smiled little, as Hana sniff once and nodded little " Okay"

Fang watched, letting out a little sigh of relief that no fight would break out. However, It may seem Kaze and Hana don't get along or hate each other but in truth, they care about one another as friends do.

And Fang wished he can get rid of that cursed mark of slavery but Fang healing magic isn't strong. He tried when he was a child but almost killed himself in the process.

He also has a suspicion that they used dark magic on the mark, which type, hard to tell without grandmaster Sage or someone skilled in dark magic. He sighed, feeling useless.

" I love how you two are bonding, but focus, ogre remember?" Aoi speaks up, arms crossed, staring at Kaze and Hana.

" Ah, Right." Kaze sighed, finishing bandaging up Hana mark, looking away sheepishly, while Hana rubs the back of her neck " So, is there another path to whatever we are heading?" Hana asked, wanting to avoid fighting the ogre.

" There is way, however, we will be visiting the Avralon Kingdom" Aoi explained, looked to the side " I'd rather avoid taking that path" Aoi added

" So, we got two choices. One, we continued to west, fight the ogre and his goblin friends, second choice, go to Avralon" Kaze said, held his chin, as Everyone else thinks, minus the bears, bears seem confused, not sure what is happening, that is when Kaze looked to Fang " Well, Milord, what do you think we should do? " Kaze asked

" Eh? Are you asking me?" Fang looked confused, and pointed to himself " Why?" Fang asked with a head tilt " why? Well, Milord, you are our leader" Kaze started with a look that said,'' Duh”. Fang's face held a stunned look " What? Since when?!" Fang shouted, looking at Kaze " since our journey...started?" Kaze sounded confused, not really sure " Oi, you sound very confused, Kaze '' Fang sighed, held a blank look " On a personal note, I thought you or Aoi was the leader" Fang stated, looking at them both.

" I'm butler/Maid" Kaze and Aoi speak at the same time, looking at each other and looking at Fang.

Fang eye twitch "but you know a lot Kaze, and Aoi, you were a knight!" Fang pointed to them.

" It takes more than knowledge and having strength, Fang" Kaze lectured Fang with a firm look "Well, that's true but, you and Aoi have experience!" Fang argued, " Plus, Aoi looks like she has done this journey thing before!" Fang added.

" For the last time, wait..hmm. Well, Milord does make a good point" Kaze scratched his cheek to look at Aoi, who sighed " Alright. Fang this is a test trial. The test is to see if you can handle being a leader. We can provide help but only once. " Aoi quickly came up with a game plan.

Nice one, Aoi, Kaze thought, very proud of Aoi's quick thinking.

" eh? What I'm being tested for?" Fang asked, raising an eyebrow to Aoi, who emotionlessly stared back "to see if you qualified to be heir to Milady Lenora. '' Aoi stated with a small smirk " What?!" Fang looked stunned " Yes, you're her son, so, it makes sense to see if you're her worthy heir" Aoi explained further

" But I'm not her-" Fang couldn't finish his sentence because Hana slaps him on the back hard " Come on leader fang, What's the plan?" Hana asked, grinning, as Fang groaned, trying to rub the center of his back " First of all, don't call me that, second of all, Ow. " Fang muttered last part, glaring at grinning Hana " Final of all, I'm not-" Fang stopped, looked to Kaze, Hana, and Aoi, who looking to Fang, wondering what is he going to, though Aoi raised an eyebrow, like well, are you going to prove to me or what? Look.

Fang sighed, rubbing his face " Final of all, let me think" Fang said with yet another sigh, crossed his arms over his chest, wondering what should he do, what path they should take, that's when Fang looked to Momma bear and her cubs, he frowned deeply, turn to his friends " Alright. We should continue our original path, which is west, by the way, Kaze and Aoi, you need to explain why we need to head there, deal with this ogre and his goblin pals, our new quest is saving Rhea home" Fang said, looked to his animal friend, momma bear. Momma bear tilts her head, wondering what Rhea is.

" However, we try talking to this ogre first. Hana, I'd leave talking to you since you know more about ogres. '' Fang looked at Hana, whose eyes widened, then turned determined " You got it, captain!" Hana saluted, Fang held a blank look, rolled his eyes `` Aoi, I need you beside Hana, in case this goes south" Fang looked to Aoi, who nods with eyes closed " you got it, Milord" Aoi said, rested her hand on her weapon that's on her right hip " Kaze, I'm gonna need you beside me, provide intel to me, and to see if the ogre is hiding something " Fang looked to Kaze, who places a hand on his chest and bowed to Fang " As you wish, milord" Kaze obeyed Fang, as fang sighed, not suited to that still.

" Good. Any questions?" Fang asked looked to his group, Kaze straightens up " I do, Milord" Kaze raised his hand, Fang nodded to Kaze to continue " Milord, I will say this in utmost respect * ahem*, YOU NAME THE BEAR?!" Kaze shouted, astonished " oh. that. Yeah, I named the bear, and her cubs" Fang smiled, proud of himself, as he spun on his heel, pointed to the oldest cub " His name is Arturo" oldest cub ears perk at the name of Arturo " Second cub name is Bernard, Bern for short" Second cub tilts his head, not sure what Bernard is " Runt name is well, Sapphire, due to her eyes" Fang chuckled, sheepishly rub back of his neck, As runt's eyes sparkled at name Sapphire.

Kaze stares with a dumbfounded face, Aoi raises an eyebrow and Hana is laughing.

" What? What is wrong? And what is so funny, Hana?" Fang asked, concerned that his names are not cool.

" Haha, it's just...so you Fang!" Hana laughed some more, as Fang blushed in embarrassment " and named Bernard? What the hell, Fang" Hana continued to laugh, falling to the ground, holding stomach.

" S-Shut up, Hana" Fang blushed, even more, looked away " Ahem. While Hana is amused by this, I'm wondering if we are taking them with us on our journey, Milord" Kaze looked at Fang, who's face slowly came back to normal color " What? No. They're not. Didn't you hear me? " Fang raised eyebrow " Yes we did, but why name them?" Aoi asked Fang who just smiled " Ah. Simple, much better than calling them bears and cubs. Plus, they got interesting personalities" Fang laughed, hands on his hips, Kaze facepalmed, Aoi sighed and as for Hana, she is wheezing on the ground, catching her breath, the moment she does, she wiped a tear from her eye " Ah, that was a good laugh," Hana said, looked to the confused bear family.

" And Fang, you might want to explain the plan to her and why you gave them names'' Hana pointed out, looking up at Fang " ah. Right. '' Fang turned his attention to Momma bear and her cubs, but Fang paused, realizing something " Um, Hana" Fang looked at Hana, poking his fingers together " Yes, Fang?" Hana asked with a raised eyebrow " My spell faded" Fang looked away, whistling little, as Hana stared at fang for good three mins then sighed " Alright alright, I'll be a bear translator" Hana got up from the ground, dust dirt off her, head over to bear family with Fang, explaining the situation and Hana translating what bear says to Fang.

Kazed watched, rubbing his forehead and sighed for what it felt like the billionth one today " That boy is going to be the death of us" Kaze said, as Aoi nodded in agreement " However, you rather take this boy than spoiled rich kids" Aoi held her hand up, as she raised a point, Kaze chuckled and nodded " Yeah, he's one of the kind"

To be continued....