Disclaimer: I do not own MR. YAOI Tiger x Hare.
Awakening
Digging his hands into the sand, Hare heaved his body out of the water. So cold, his fur soaked clean though, even his scarf clinging to his neck. ~I remember now. I remember everything.~ His thoughts drifted back to when he had lived upon Eternity Mountain, watching over his children upon the lands below. He was, in a sense, their father, even though it had been the universe who had created them all. He watched over them, protected them since they had come into being. The guardians just were... everytime a new breed appeared on the land, a guardian appeared on Eternity Mountain.
Sometimes, on rare occasion, two guardians would bond and create the new breed themselves, through love. No, they didn't really give birth like the monsters and humans did. But, their love would draw two of their own species together upon the land to create a child for them. A guardian would then appear, usually sticking close to its parent guardians unless it to chose to bond. Bonding was sacred, special. There were no limits because it was so rare for guardians to find love amongst themselves. The union was beautiful and honored by all. Truly, Hare wished he too could find a bond like that.
But, back to the more pressing problem at hand. What had happened to the others? Hare didn't know. Perhaps, they had escaped or perhaps Moo had taken them prisoner. ~Tiger.~ His eyes widened, remembering that when he had fallen, the other guardian had still been fighting. Was he dead or...? His heart clenched painfully, leaving him gasping for breath. What was this feeling? He'd never felt it before, so painful. The monster struggled to his feet, realizing for the first time what form he was in.
~I'm a hare. A real hare...~ It must have happened when he had fallen the first time. Plunging into the water of an icy river, then washing upon the shore without memories of his past. It wasn't soon after that he began thieving, knowing no other way to gather food or money. Then, that tournament had drawn him in, until Genki and Tiger had arrived. The strange pull he felt towards the monster that had challenged him. Then, trying to hide his feelings by stealing their money and teasing Tiger of the Wind. He didn't know why he had done it, just that something had been strangely familiar about him.
~Must have been the fact that the Tiger guardian and I are always at odds... or... we were.~ Sadness creeped back into his heart as he set off through the woods to rejoin his teammates. He had to continue to travel with them, now that he knew where the Phoenix was. If he could find the Phoenix again, he could get help and figure out where the other guardians were. Until then, he had to act normal... like his old cheery self. The frown slowly became a fake grin, the pain of the past still aching in his heart.
~*~
The entire group was tramping through the woods, hoping to get to find Hare before something else did. 'Hurry up, you guys!' Genki screamed, racing down the path on his rollarblades. 'Geesh, you'd think Hare was actually important or something,' Suezo mumbled to himself. All of them had been the bearers of Hare's tricks at times and it really was starting to wear thin. Unnoticed by the group, someone was watching them from the shadows.
~Maybe I should... be on my own for a while. After all, it's not like they really need me around. I'm not much use to them.~ Hare turned away, fading back into the bushes to avoid being found. He just needed a bit of time to sort things out, figure out what needed to be done, before joining with them again. For now, he'd just follow from the shadows.
~*~
Tiger opened his eyes, scanning the woods around their campsite. Genki had made such a fuss about not finding Hare, even refusing to sleep. The brat... didn't he know that what he was seeking was following him? Tiger of the Wind wasn't surprised. He had been the only one to notice the lone figure watching them earlier, but the strange look in the bunny's eyes had made him keep his silence. It was not the mask he usually wore, no... it was almost sad.
The tiger shook his head, snarling to himself. The hare was no more than a prankster, a trickster at heart. What did he know about pain? Then again, he claimed to have amnesia or something. Baka, probably didn't want to admit all the thieving he had done. Not that Tiger was any better. Two thieves in the group, for different reasons.
Golden eyes caught a movement in near the edge of their camp, brown fur coming into view. Half closing his eyes as not to make the creature aware of his alertness, Tiger watched as Hare stepped gracefully towards the fire. The frown on his face revealed that he didn't believe anyone was watching. This could prove... enlightening.
Hare paused near Genki's body, half draped under the blanket. His dark eyes tried to peer into the boy's soul, half hoping to find the answers he sought. Nothing, only the silence of sleep. Keeping his steps as light as a feather, he crept towards the opposite edge of the circle. ~Tiger.~ His body froze on instinct, half expecting the beast to leap at him. ~No, he's asleep... good. I'm not ready to answer any questions or accusations yet.~ The monster took a seat in the only empty space, which was a bit too close to Tiger of the Wind's form for comfort.
But, the hare soon forgot his nervousness, focusing on the burning flames within the fire. ~The Phoenix...~ His hand drifted unconciously to the scarf around his neck. ~The reason I wear this... to hide the truth.~
Nearby, Tiger was still watching, studying the thoughtful creature gazing into the fire. He seemed to be thinking hard about something, and touching that damn scarf again. ~What is he hiding under there? Is he the enemy? Could it be Moo's symbol?~ Tiger wouldn't have been surprised, but he intended to find out.
...tbc...
Author's Note: Reviews! Sorry, but I'm addicted to good reviews. Constructive criticism is welcome, but stupid flaming is just going to be ignored. See you all next chapter! Ps. If you like monster fics, check out my Ushio and Tora ones. About a demon hunting teenager and his partner, a giant tiger-like beast. YAOI fans welcome for my other fics too! (currently, Fake (x-over with Ushio and Tora fic), DBZ, and GW)
Disclaimer: Do not own MR. YAOI Tiger x Hare in the future.
Facing Your Friends
'HARE!' the monster came awake as a body came crashing onto his stomach. 'Genki,' the hare chuckled, letting the boy hug him then jump off. 'So, you finally showed up,' Suezo seemed as sarcastic as usual. Hare smiled his usual grin, but inside, his stomach twisted. ~Not like I'm worth anything to you.~
'Yeah, well... it took me a while to find you guys,' Hare lied easily, having already planned his excuse the night before. 'I'm sure it did,' Tiger grumbled, still curled away from the scene. Hare glanced over, half wondering if Tiger knew... no, he couldn't. 'Are you alright, Hare?' It was Holly, now standing on the other side of the fire. 'Yeah, just got soaked,' the monster laughed, shivering at the remembrance of the water. ~I hate water, I hate it, I hate it, I...~
'You should have seen it! Tiger was down, then there was this red light that...'
'I wasn't down,' Tiger growled lowly, unable to admit even he had been in trouble.
'You were so,' Genki argued back. The pair glared at each other, before Hare interrupted. 'Red light?' he asked, wondering. 'Took care of the baddies for good,' Suezo chimed in. 'Red light,' Hare whispered to himself, touching his scarf again. ~Is it possible? Did I somehow use the Phoenix's gift?~
'What's wrong, Hare?' Holly had noticed the sudden curious silence that was quite unlike their happy friend. Like he was actually thinking hard about something. 'Oh, it's nothing! So, guess the great Tiger of the Wind isn't as good as he thought he was,' Hare tried to get the subject off of himself. 'What was that?!' Tiger nearly leapt at the infuriating creature. 'Calm down, you two. We haven't even had breakfast yet,' Holly sighed as the pair bickered back and forth.
~*~
'So, tell us which way to go!' Genki cried, impatient to get started. Holly concentrated on the Phoenix Tear in her hands, waiting.
Hare blinked. It was pointing at him. Glancing behind himself, he saw only forest. 'Get out of the way, baka,' Tiger growled, annoyed at how long this was taking. Hare grumbled, but shifted towards Genki, only to find the arrow moving along with him.
~Oh crap! It's probably being drawn by my gift.~ Once again, Hare touched his scarf unconciously. 'It's pointing to you,' everyone's eyes were now on their friend. 'Why the heck would it do that?' Suezo kept staring. Tiger's golden eyes focused on the red scarf. Hare seemed kinda nervous being on the spot. 'Maybe it wants you to take directions from me,' he suggested, chuckling nervously.
'Yeah right,' Suezo commented, bouncing away to search the distance. 'No, really. ~This is the perfect chance. I can get them to head towards Eternity Mountain.~ I think we should head that way,' Hare pointed with his free hand towards a distant cliff. 'Hey, I've never noticed that mountain before,' Genki replied, staring at it.
'Are you mad?' Tiger snarled, glaring at the hare. 'No, I just have a feeling we'll find something there,' Hare tried to edge away from those white teeth. 'Isn't that... the mountain of the guardians?' Holly whispered, staring at it. 'What are the guardians?' Genki turned, Mocchi sitting on his back with a clueless look.
'Don't you know anything?' Suezo was back, hopping up and down. Holly sat down, waiting for everyone to do the same. 'Holly, what are the guardians?' the boy sat in front of her as they all waited for her explanation. 'It's a legend. In the beginning, the universe created monsters. But, it also created guardians to watch over them. Each breed of monster is said to have one guardian, a creature that was created to protect it. Those guardians were given the mountain as their home, so they could look down upon their charges,' she explained.
'What do they look like?' the youth wondered aloud. 'No one knows, but the elders sometimes claim to have seen them,' Suezo whispered. 'It is said, that they are half monster and half human in appearance. Because of the relationship between all monsters and humans in this world. It is also said, that a new guardian appears when there is born a hybrid,' Holly spoke softly. 'Whoa! And, you want us to go there?'
'Well, er... if the guardians do exist, then they'd be able to help us find the Phoenix, right?' Hare sweatdropped, trying to make his message clear. 'I get it!' Genki leapt to his feet and took off on his rollarblades. 'Let's go!' he cried. As usual, then entire group found themselves following their young leader. ~Maybe you are all still alive.~ Hare smiled to himself, walking towards his home.
...tbc...
Author Note: Finally, got them in the right direction. Tiger is still as suspicious as always, and Hare's now acting a bit secretive. Well, thanks for all the reviews and next chapter will be up soon!
Disclaimer: I do not own MR. YAOI Tiger x Hare
Journey Home
Hare hummed to himself as he walked along, focused on the mountain. After a week of traveling, and fighting baddies, and arguing with Tiger... they were finally getting close. If they hurried, they would get there by sunset. 'Lets stop to rest,' Suezo complained, flopping down on the grass. 'But, we're nearly there,' Hare whined, unable to help himself. The mountain was pulling him, he had to get home.
'Just a thought, guys. How are we ever going to climb up that mountain anyway?' Holly stared up at it. It was huge, the top so high up in the clouds that you couldn't even see where it ended. ~Damn, didn't even think of that.~ 'Maybe there's a cave or something that leads to the top,' Hare spun round to stare at his lazy group. Even Tiger was curled up in the sun, apparently taking a nap. 'Guys,' Hare snarled, balling his hands into fists.
'What's your hurry? It'll be there tomorrow,' Genki yawned, lying down next to Mocchi. ~But, I have to get there tonight.~ 'If we hurry, we can get to it by the time the sun goes down. Or do you want to be stuck outside when it begins to get cold,' Hare crossed his arms over his chest, frowning at them. 'This seems awfully important to you. Are you sure you aren't leading us into a trap,' everyone turned to stare at Tiger who was now glaring at Hare.
'What the hell are you talking about?' Hare was furious. How dare that tiger even suggest he wasn't trustworthy. 'You know, I'm very curious as to what you have under that scarf of yours,' Hare's eyes widened in shock at the suggestive tone. 'Nothing,' the hare lied, glaring back.
Tiger's grin widened. 'You're lying. Prove it. Prove that you aren't the enemy.'
'Hare is our friend,' Genki stood up, raising his fist at the blue furred monster. 'Then why did he follow us instead of joining us right away? Remember, when you were all searching for him? If he wasn't planning something, then he would have just joined us back in the woods, instead of waiting to creep back into camp,' Tiger of the Wind growled.
'Is that true, Hare?' Holly's voice brought everyone looking at their friend. Hare sweatdropped at the attention, his ears sagging. 'Sort of. I just... had some stuff to think over,' he mumbled, turning away to look at the mountain. 'Hare, you can talk to us about anything,' Genki walked over and touched the monster's back. 'Thank you, Genki. But, some things are better done alone,' was the reply.
'I still want to know what's under the scarf. It could be Moo's symbol,' Tiger growled. 'Give it up!' Genki screamed back at him. ~Tiger, you really have no idea and you call me the idiot.~ 'Fine, if you must know. It's the Phoenix Tear,' Hare answered, turning to face his friends with a straight face.
Suezo started laughing, Holly simply sighed. 'Really?' Hare edged away from Genki's look of wonder. Tiger of the Wind snarled. How dare the hare try to make a fool out of him. 'Hey, I was kidding. Can't you take a joke?' Hare laughed loudly to cover his relief. 'Same old hare,' Genki shook his head, flopping back down on the ground.
'Come on, you guys. We have to leave now!' Hare insisted, personally hauling Genki and Mocchi to their feet. And with that, they were one their way again.
~*~
It was amazing. Hare could only stare up at the enormous mountain. The group was settled at the base of it, each thinking their own thoughts as they gazed up. 'Way too high. There is no way we'll ever reach the top,' Suezo got ready to turn around. 'Where there's a will, there's a way,' Hare whispered to himself, letting his hands trace the unbroken stony surface. 'But, there's no cave,' Genki searched around.
Tiger simply focused his attention on the hare. For some reason, he knew more about this place then they did. Hare didn't even notice, searching for the hidden spring that would open a doorway into the mountain. A tunnel lead straight to the top for anyone who knew where to look, and only the guardians were gifted with that secret knowledge.
The entire group jumped in surprise as a rumble filled the air. Hare stepped back and folded his arms across his chest in triumph as a black hole suddenly appeared from out of nowhere. 'Is it safe to go in?' Holly couldn't see anything, it was so dark. 'It's either that or we camp out here for the night,' Genki shrugged his shoulders at his friends. 'Don't tell me you're scared?' Hare taunted, simply trying to get them to enter. Tiger of the Wind grunted and glared sideways at the hare as he disappeared into the hole. Hare grinned and waited until the rest had entered before touching the switch again and following them, the entrance disappearing from existence.
...tbc...
Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews. Yeah, I know it doesn't seem very Tiger x Hare right now, but will be later.
Disclaimer: MR does not belong to me. Tiger x Hare YAOI
Up to the Top
Genki stared around, the darkness was so deep that he couldn't see anyone. 'Hello? Guys?' his voice echoed the chamber.
'Here.' ~ Holly 'I'm over this way.' ~ Suezo 'Here' ~ Golem 'Growl, here.' ~ Tiger 'Mocchi!' ~Mocchi
'Hare?' Genki turned around, but he just couldn't see anything. Near the now closed entrance, one creature smirked and waved his hand. The group gasped as torches suddenly lit up the pathway, creating glowing yellow beacons. 'Shall we get going?' Hare stepped forwards, making his way down the passage.
~Hare... why does it feel like you know something we don't?~ Genki followed behind, his troubled thoughts puzzling him. Surely, Tiger couldn't have been right. Hare wasn't a traitor. But, it just seemed so weird with the entrance appearing, then the lights, and Hare's ease in this place that made the others uneasy. ~Hare.~
~*~
'We've been traveling for hours,' Suezo flopped down onto the side of the path, refusing to move any further. 'I'm tired too,' Holly rested next to Golem. Only Hare remained standing, leaning against the wall and staring down the pathway. As his friends talked, he touched his bandana, wondering.
~Are they still up there? Still alive? Is Tiger... could he be alive?~ Hare wasn't sure why that question was so important. The tiger guardian and him had never really gotten along well. It's not like they had been friends, or had a bond... Hare felt his ears droop unconciously. ~Not that he'd ever think about that. Not with me. I was just a baka guardian to him.~
~Flashback~
'Go away, Hare. You're annoying,' the Tiger boy growled, trying to focus on his training. 'Why are you always trying to become more powerful? It's not like there's anyone here who'd fight you. Well, except me,' the Hare youth grinned down at his friend. 'I don't need you or anyone else. Leave me be,' the halfling hissed, closing his blue eyes to concentrate on his meditating. 'Fine,' Hare stormed off, leaving the other sitting by himself on the grass.
~Why is he always so mean to me? I just want to get to know him.~
~end Flashback~
'Hare?' Genki approached his friend cautiously, aware that the monster was lost in his own thoughts. The hare actually jumped, before settling down again and glancing down at him. 'Is something wrong?' the boy questioned. Black eyes stared back at him, sad and slightly dark with many emotions. 'No, nothing's wrong. Why do you ask?' the grin was back, as fake as ever. That was when Genki realized it, that Hare really was different. He wasn't the monster they had all believed him to be. 'You don't have to hide anything from us. We're your friends, and we'll always be by your side,' Genki whispered, watching the eyes widen in surprise.
'Thank you, Genki,' the words were true. The boy smiled and turned to everyone else. 'Let's go guys, we've got to get to the top!'
~He's doing this for me?~ Hare stared down in amazement. Maybe he could trust them with his secrets.
~*~
'This is going to be so cool. We'll be the first monsters... and humans, to ever meet the guardians,' Suezo chuckled to himself. 'What do you mean?' Genki glanced at his one eyed friend. 'Genki, no one has ever been able to climb this mountain before, it's just too steep,' Holly answered, walking alongside her bouncing yellow friend. 'Isn't it a little weird that you seem to know a lot about this mountain?' Tiger turned his attention to the Hare leading the way. 'What do you mean by that?' Hare spoke cautiously, not giving away his nervousness.
'Hn, the mountain didn't have an entrance, and it just appeared out of nowhere. You knew about this cave and led us straight to it. I'd say, that's enough of a reason,' Tiger grinned. 'Yeah well, I heard somewhere about a cave, and it's not like I made the entrance appear,' Hare spun round and continued walking. 'You've got a lot of secrets for a hotheaded thief,' Tiger responded, pacing along beside Genki.
~What did Tiger mean by that?~ Holly noticed Hare's back tense at the words, as well as the strange way he shifted his ears. Hare always seemed so happy, just a harmless trickster, but now... it almost seemed like he really was on the quest for a reason.
~*~
'So, tell me why again that the guardians choose to stay up here? Don't they ever come down?' Genki asked, as they trekked on. 'Well, there have been a few sightings, that's how we know what they look like,' Holly smiled gently. 'The guardians come down when they are needed,' Hare's voice drew their attention. 'Yeah, I remember now. In the legends, the guardians were only seen when their help was most needed. The Suezo guardian was once seen by a village when they were being attacked. He gifted the hero with a strange power that helped them defend themselves against the invasion,' Suezo whispered, awed by the story. 'Gave them power? Who was the hero?' Genki asked, receiving stares from the rest of the group. Even Hare turned to watch him.
'What did I say?' Genki blinked around in confusion. 'The guardians are known only to gift their powers to the species they protect,' Tiger of the Wind spoke gruffly. 'That's the way things go,' Hare shrugged, and spun back round to take the lead. Nearly to the top. 'Why? Do the humans have a guardian?' the boy wanted to know. 'No,' Hare replied, seeming positive about his answer. 'I've never actually heard of one,' Holly explained. 'That's not fair!' Genki cried, throwing his hands behind his head.
'Monsters were created at the beginning of time to be companions for humans, so they didn't need a special guardian,' Hare's voice broke the silence. 'Well, well... so the baka has some history lessons,' Tiger grunted. 'I'm not an idiot, Tiger. I know a lot more than you think!'
'Guys, guys... lets just keep walking,' Holly tried to stop the obvious fight. 'That's because you're probably a traitor,' Tiger snarled back, fangs gleaming in the pale light. Hare's ears twitched in anger, his eyes narrowing. 'I'm.. not..a..traitor,' he hissed between his teeth. 'Prove it,' Tiger of the Wind gloated, smirking. 'And, how shall I do that, my dear Tiger?' Hare replied sarcastically.
'Take off your scarf.'
'Not again with the scarf thing,' Genki sighed, leaning against one of the walls. Hare closed his eyes, silently counting down in his head to calm his anger. 'Not here,' he simply stated, walking up the path. Tiger's eyes widened, then narrowed at the challenge. And they followed the bunny again.
~*~
'Ladies and Gentlemen, and annoying tigers.' That received a growl. 'We have reached the top!' Hare flung out a hand as they walked through a beam of light at the end of the tunnel.
Genki gasped, staring around at the beautiful forest surrounding them. Emerald leafed trees created a pathway of silver stones all the way to what looked to be a strangely ancient city on the top of a hill. 'So, this is the home of the guardians,' Suezo exclaimed, bouncing forward onto the path. Everyone followed, staring around them at the beauty and serenity of it all.
~Emerald Forest, just the way it was years ago.~ Hare smiled to himself as they walked along. Not the grin of the trickster, but a peaceful smile of one whose soul was finally at rest. As they walked, Genki noticed the trees widening, so they were nearing a meadow. That was when he saw it, the edge of the mountaintop. He slipped through the larger spaces between the trees, not noticing how some of them were cracked and broken, as if a huge monster had split them in two. The gang followed, but only one seemed affected by the damage.
Hare frowned, they were heading for the place he had fallen. Maybe... he sped up, wanting to see it again. ~Tiger...~
'Be careful, Genki! Don't get too close to the edge!' Holly called, staying further back. The boy was perched very close, staring down in wonder. 'It's amazing, you guys have got to see it!' he spun, waving at them. Hare stepped forwards, walking the path of his memories. His eyes transfixed on the spot he had fallen from. The wind whistled through his fur, hounding him.
~memories~
'Run!' 'You stupid hare.'
'Tiger, a cliff!' '...to get the Phoenix to help us...'
'Shut up and think of a way out of this mess,'
~end memories~
~I never did, did I? I caused so much trouble for you all and couldn't even save you in the end... and now where are you? Tiger.~
'What is it?' a snarl jerked Hare from his thoughts. 'Huh?' he turned to find Tiger glaring at him. 'You called my name, what the hell do you want?' the wolf monster snarled in annoyance. 'I... nothing,' Hare realized he'd been thinking aloud and turned back to the edge. But, his eyes caught on the crystal city, realizing for the first time that they... were in ruins.
'No,' he whispered, taking a step in that direction, unable to stop himself. It was horrible. He began to run.
'Hare?!' Genki turned when he saw his friend race off. 'Baka, where the hell is he going?' Tiger took off as well, wanting to know exactly what was going on. 'Come on, you guys!' Genki prepared to skate after them.
'You're not going anywhere,' a voice boomed from the woods. Holly gasped as a group of baddies smashed through the trees. Genki skated over to his friends, ready to protect them. 'Well, this is just great!' Suezo commented, seeing as how Tiger and Hare had run off on them. ~Now, I may have to fight.~
...tbc...
Author's Note: Find out what happens to them in the next chapter! Reviews please!