Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

Damien nodded, "Indeed."

The doors opened and he strode out, walking the path that would link them up with the rest of the group the quickest.

Sunny snickered. "Good point."

*

The kit rocked side to side, keeping a hold of the girl. It was a motion that tended to soothe him, and he'd been so stressed out the past two days... It was nice to have someone to hold onto, he realized.

He shrugged. "Maybe I can keep enough to do something with it, this time around."

*

She moved along with him, feeling suddenly relaxed. It was amazing how it felt, she realized, especially with the crazy stuff that's happened over the last couple of days...

She started to sing softly. It wasn't in English; her mother once told her it was Japanese. She didn't care either way. It soothed her, and that's all that mattered.

*

Cross followed. "So, looks like Sol's still lost. Looks like he's the closest."

"I almost pity the guy."

Aurélie laughed. "We'll see 'ow that goes, mon coeur."

*

Trip smiled, letting out a soft purr. He didn't do so very often, had only recently found out that he could.But it comforted him when his mom did it, so... He nuzzled Yue and let the purr go.

He smiled. "At least I've already gotten just about all the essentials. Assumin' our place wasn't leveled, it should mostly be safely tucked away."

*

It was a short lullaby, so she finished soon after. There probably was more to it, but she was always asleep before she could hear more... Like it mattered. She snuggled into his chest softly, smiling. "Trip," she said after a moment. "Let's make a promise."

*

He chuckled. "He might be a tactical master, but not even he can navigate these walls without a map, for the first run-through, at least."

"I know the garage was... 'Oo knows about the rest?"

*

He blushed. "Um... Okay."

"Nobody can, Cross. If anyone tells you otherwise, they were either lucky, or are lying."

"Let's hope they didn't go snoopin' around. They're not gonna like it, if I have to get on 'em about our personal space."

*

"We promise that, no matter what, we watch out for each other, that we're always there to protect each other, 'kay?"

*

"Well, the thing about Sol is: he has phenomenal photographic memory, probably from the experiments done on us. He might not get it 100%, but he could probably have the bulk of this place down-packed, given the time."

"Photgraphic memory, huh? Now there's a rare and valuable trait..."

Sunny's eyes rolled. "Oh, c'mon, you think they'd take the time?"

"Per'aps. They could be trying to figure out where we could be 'iding."

"Yeah... Good fuckin' luck."

*

Trip smiled. "I like that promise. Okay."

"Like it matters. I'll tear 'em all a new one, soon as I see 'em."

*

"Okay. Then I promise, too." She blushed as well. "I'll be there to protect you, no matter what."

*

"Exactly. My tech and Mani's meds are fine and all, but Sol's memory and tactical ability-That makes him the backbone of Orion Squad. He an invaluable teammate... And an irreplaceable friend."

"Regular little merc family, huh?" He chuckled.

Sunny grinned. "Hell yeah."

*

Blushing, he averted his gaze and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "I-I'll protect you, too. No matter what."

"And you." He turned to Sunny. "Don't make it so we gotta pull your ass out the fire again, alright?... Then again, if I had my way, I guess I'd be right there beside you."

*

Her blush deepened considerably. She wanted to caress the cheek he kissed, but she didn't want to look like she'd become obsessive over him. It just felt out of character to do something like that.

Smiling softly, she got on her toes, kissed him back on the cheek. "Thanks, Trip."

*

"I guess you can say that. Funny, how we kinda started out as rivals, enemies even."

Damien chuckled, "The same with us Spartons. Rivals or downright enemies. Even for us Threes. Twos probably had it the worst, though. In the end, we're all brothers and sisters now."

"Pfft. I'll be fine. I got a bone to pick with these assholes."

*

His own blush deepened, but he still managed the smile. "Y-you're welcome."

He smirked. "Don't we all? They picked the wrong time to fuck with us."

*

She smiled back at him, blush still plenty visible. Then, something caught her eye, and she beamed. "Hey! C'mon! I just saw Crescent!" She pulled the kit along the path.

*

"It's good to know that some things can change, like that."

"Hey, that's life. I wouldn't change it for anything."

"I cannot imagine a good time for this," Aurélie pointed out.

*

Trip followed, relieved to finally be near an adult, but... He liked being with Yue, he'd realized.

"'Course there ain't a good time. But they could've picked a better time, like after the kids were born, long after."

*

Up ahead, Crescent walked the hallways, a bottle of ginger ale in one hand, the other idly rubbing her stomach. She hoped it was just some kind of virus, possibly brought upon by the horrible rations on the flight to this place. She didn't intend on getting serious, so soon. Even still...

"Auntie Crescent!" Her ears perked, and she turned around, smiled at the two kids running up to her. At least she wasn't alone in these halls, anymore.

"Well, well," she said, kneeling to their height. "What 'ave we 'ere?"

Yue ran right up to her, hugging her tightly. "So good to see you!"

*

"Well, considering it does all the changing for us, that's just less work for me." He chuckled as well.

Damien nodded, "That's right, just go with the flow. Only going against when necessary."

The dog smiled, squeezing his hand fondly. "Per'aps."

*

Trip smiled shyly, hanging back a bit. "Hi."

He smiled back at her. "The sooner, the better, I guess. But still, this is bad timing on all counts. Crescent better be lucky, and that sickness better be some virus or other."

*

Crescent smiled fondly at the two of them. "So, what 'as you two wandering the 'alls, all by yourselves?"

"We're exploring!" Yue said, smiling brightly. "There's so many places to go, here! It's so cool!"

The wolf chuckled. "You sure 'ave gotten big since the last time I saw you. Gonna grow into a strong woman?"

"That's right! I'm gonna be big and strong, just like Papa, Mama, and everyone else!"

*

"Well, I gotta say, this flow has been kinda crazy, as of late."

"No worries, rapids don't go on forever, though it's the way they work that makes them seem to go on forever." He replied with a chuckle.