The Eighth Sin: Sin of Vengence

Chapter 4

Fighting the Sins and Finding Ban

12 Years Ago

Rowan was walking back into Liones. King and Meliodas were the only ones who knew what she was. The fairy, King could sense it, just as Rowan could tell the overweight looking man was a fairy. Werewolf. Her kind wasn't very common anymore. No one except for Meliodas knew her Sin. The other Sins knew she was more feral and different than humans, but not much more than that. Though Rowan didn't know much about Merlin, she seemed to know everything.

Once a month, she did her transformation in a cave that was blocked off from everyone. Ban was cleaning against the wall, chewing on a apple with his sharp teeth. Roman ran a hand through her dark hair, her blue eyes going to him. "Hey, Ban. What're you waitin' for?"

Ban waved a hand, tossing the apple somewhere. "You. The Cap'n said you'd be back today."

Rowan frowned. "Did he now?" Rowan didn't know he kept track of that. "What do you want?"

She walked until she was next to him, a canvas bag over her shoulder. The canvas bag which held the chains that helped contain her. Ban snickered, grinning at her. "Cap'n wants a meetin'. We have a mission coming."

Rowan sighed. "That gives me time." The sarcas, made him laugh again, slapping her on the back.

It was quiet for a moment (which Rowan knew wouldn't last) because Ban wasn't the quiet type. "So, where do you go?"

Rowan snorted, sending him a look. "Have I told you any other time you asked?"

Ban's sharp teeth bared into a grin. "Figured I'd ask."

They ended up at the castle ten minutes later. While they walked, they had conversation back and forth. Ban was telling her about a joke he played on King. Rowan in turn told him about a strange animal she ate that he would be interested in cooking. They walked into a one window room the Sins met in with stone walls and a heavy door.

Everyone else was there and Rowan could see Diane crouching by the open window. King was floating by the window, Meliodas was sitting on the large square table in the room, Merin sitting primly in a chair with Escandor (in his large form as it was daytime and the sun was high in the sky) standing close by and Gowther's large armored body standing in a corner.

Ban grinned, raising his arms. "We're back!"

Rowan also smiled, happy to be back with Pack. Ban went to sit on the table with the captain. Rowan leaned against the wall, eyes on Meliodas.

Meliodas smiled brightly and clapped his hands. "Alright. The King wanted us to look at some suspicious activity in the next town over. So, let's go so we can head back."

Gowther's monotone voice said. "Hm, sounds interesting." Merlin calmly agreed.

King was sending Ban a glare, who gave him a wide smirk back. Most likely from the joke Ban mentioned.

King eyes flickered to her and Rowan sent him a look back. He knew where she was. He looked away, floating toward the window.

The rest of them walked toward the city, ready to leave. Ban suddenly hung on King's back when they were at the gates. "No fair, why does he get to float?"

King flailed in the air, his large body turning. "Ban! Get off me, you idiot."

Meliodas grinned in amusement as Diane giggled and Rowan chuckled, rolling her shoulders. They would hurt for a couple more hours. Meliodas' eyes green eyes flickered to her, but Rowan ignored it.

King was still getting picked on by Ban, Merlin, Gowther and Escandor were walking together ahead, Diane walking to the side. Rowan was walking with Meliodas in the back of the group. She knew he must of planned it because she was walking with Meliodas alone.

Meliodas said, after a moment of walking. "You know, you can tell the Sins."

Rowan automatically knew what he meant. She grumbled lowly. "No. Leave it alone, Cap'n."

He didn't seem bothered by it. "If that's what you want."

"Hey, Ro!"

Rowan smiled and looked up at Diane. "Hey, Di." Rowan sniffed and noticed Diane by her scent that she was feeling lonely. She figured it must be hard being that much taller than everyone else. She got being different than others. She gave her a toothy grin. "Can I sit on your shoulder?"

Meliodas chuckled, knowing what she was doing. Rowan was lifted onto her shoulder. She nuzzled her neck. It was a pack thing. She usually did it the other Sins.

It was the least she could do.

Elizabeth and Hawk watched worriedly. Hawk snorted. "That idiot is going to make it worse."

Elizabeth let out a worried breath, clasping her hands together slowly. "I do hope Sir Meliodas, Lady Rowan and Lady Diane will be alright."

Rowan jumped into the fray, knocking then apart. She growled. "Knock it off!" Rowan didn't realize it before, but their scents were Diane and Meliodas, nothing like a Holy Knight or someone different. It was a bit agrivating. Elizabeth started yelling at them to stop.

They froze and looked over at Hawk and Elizabeth. Meliodas questioned. "Elizabeth?"

Diane asked. "Princess? What are you doing here?"

Hawk shouted. "We should be asking you that!"

Diane looked lost. "Captain, you're here? Where's that Holy Knight?"

Meliodas looked around. "Huh? I don't know."

Some kid came forward. "Big Lady! You're alright!"

Rowan raised an eyebrow when the Sin of Envy didn't get mad, she was always temperamental about her size.

Diane crouched down with a smile. "No, I'm okay."

Rowan tilted her head to the side, confused. "Who's the pup?"

Elizabeth looked confused and Hawk sputtered. "What are you talking about? I don't see any dogs."

Meliodas got what she was saying. He said nonchalantly. "Oh, we found him."

Rowan nodded in recognition. "Oh. Okay."

Hawk sent them a look of disbelief. That easy?! Those idiots...

Rowan's head snapped up as a ring filled the area. Meliodas shouted. "That Holy Knight!" Him and Diane were fighting again. Rowan stood in front of Elizabeth, Hawk and the young boy. Rowan threw a arm behind her. "Go!"

"Lady Rowan!"

Rowan growled. "Hawk!"

He squeaked. "Ah! What?"

"Take Elizabeth and the child. Go!" They did as she asked. The bell rang again and Rowan groaned, slapping her hands over her ears. Her nose was telling her the truth, but the bell sound was tricking her, trying to fool her like Meliodas and Diane. It was confusing and giving her a headache from the mixed signals. She couldn't focus enough to split them apart.

Suddenly, the sound stopped and Rowan jolted forward as the feeling shook it off. She shook her head like a dog shakes his body coming out of water. Meliodas hopped down from where he was fighting Diane in the air. "Oh no! Elizabeth!" He ran off, Diane not that far off. Rowan saw no choice but to follow them.

When she got in the clearing, Meliodas was fighting one in the weird mask. Diane handled the one with bugs. Rowan's shoulders relaxed. They were fine. Rowan could hear him defeat the Holy Knight and she smiled in satisfaction. She also saw Diane crush the other one. It annoyed her there wasn't another Holy Knight she could take on.

Rowan's face went dark as she noticed Elizabeth injured on the ground. A snarl ripped from her throat as she saw her injuries. "Who?"

Hawk stumbled back a step. "Woah!"

Diane said, not bothered by her rage. She's seen it many times. "Calm down, Ro. Check on her. You know the Captain will take care of it."

Rowan let out a soft noise, nodding. "I know." She moved closer, crouching on one knee next to Elizabeth's head. Taking a sniff, she didn't smell like she was majorly injured. Not like the captain.

Hawk cried sadly. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. If only I was strong like my Mom." Rowan frowned, patted the pig on the back. He made a surprised sound, but didn't say anything. Not like with the captain.

Diane also crouched down. "She looks pretty messed up. We should take her to town."

Even with the situation, Rowan could help but smile. Now, they were acting like pack.

"Hold on...would you please...take me along with you. I want to be with you...Lady Rowan...Sir Meliodas...Sir Ban."

Hawk sputtered. "You can't do that like this!"

Rowan stared at her blankly, a similar look that her captain wore. She was determined, but bound to get hurt if she came along.

Elizabeth said. "I made a promise that I would never stop fighting the kingdom and it's people."

Rowan still stared and Diane looked sadly down at Elizabeth. "That can't happen now, I'm sorry to say."

"Why not, Lady Diane?"

Diane replied. "It's Baste Prison and the enemy is lined up there waiting for us now. You won't be able to do anything in the shape you're in."

"I suppose not. I don't have any great power. I can't go sword to sword with a Holy Knight or handle myself well at battle. I know, but even so, I've made up my mind. To at least be there with Sir Meliodas and you all. Because I must keep my promise."

A slow grin crossed Rowan's face when she stopped talking. Diane asked. "You're not gonna cry?"

Rowan said before Elizabeth could answer. "It's fine. You can come."

Hawk yelled. "Are you sure that's the best idea?! She's too hurt."

Rowan nodded surely. "Yes, of course. Diane, do we have a way to bring her?"

Diane turned and grabbed her bag off her back. "Yes, my bag. But it will be bumpy and it might affect you're injuries in a bad way. Are you sure about this?"

Elizabeth told her she was and Rowan just nodded at her. Elizabeth seemed to be as stubborn as the Captain.

Hawk shouted. "Hey!"

Rowan gave a feral grin at the at the man trying to run off. She grabbed his collar tightly. "Going somewhere, human?"

The man whimpered, sending her a terrified look (though he did look confused at the 'human' comment). Rowan was just happy to be doing something. "Please! Let go of me!"

Hawk got in front of the man still in Rowan's grip. "You're a soldier from Baste Prison, right?"

Rowan stared at him with a hard look. "Really?"

The man shook his head rapidly. "NO! That Holy Knight forced me to come here!"

Hawk glared, a vein pulsing on top of his head. "But you know where they are holding the Sin and the doctor's daughter."

Rowan sent the scared man an interested look. "Tell me."

The man tried to move away from her, but she just tightened her grip. "Wait, those Holy Knights mean business. If I tell you what you want, you have no idea what-"

Rowan smirked as she heard Diane behind her. Rowan wave a hand in Diane's direction. "It's okay, Di. I wanna do it." Rowan turned the shaking man until he was facing her. She gave him a grin with a lot of teeth. "Some Holy Knights are strong. But, do you want to face the Holy Knights or The Eight Deadly Sins?" She let go and backed up a step, knowing his answer.

They all met up together to go to a castle the man said the Sin and the doctor's daughter were at. Rowan was more interested in finding Ban. The doctor irritated her by trying to kill her captain. She barely had the self control to stop herself from attacking him and he was already injured, most likely dead.

Diane said. "Woah, it's deserted."

Rowan shrugged. "Just look for the most noise. We'll find Ban there."

Meliodas nodded in agreement. "That's true."

They walked some more until Hawk called, skidding to a stop. "Wait, I think I see her."

They saw a girl sleeping in a cell with glasses and light brown hair. It had to be the daughter, she smelt like him a bit. At least to Rowan. Hawk said. "There she is. Without a doubt, the doctor's daughter."

Meliodas looked over. "Then let's get her out. Got room in your backpack for another one?"

Diane called back. "Sure, no problem."

Rowan pointed out, not liking the idea of that girl being with close quarters with the princess. "I think she's waking up."

Diane broke the door open with her hand and the young girl screamed. After calming down once the situation was explained, she settled with Elizabeth in the bag. Hawk asked. "Is she going to be okay?"

Diane closed it carefully."She's going to be just fine."

Rowan gave a distrustful scowl at the bag. "How do we know she won't hurt Elizabeth?"

Hawk yelled. "How can you say that!?"

But Rowan ignored him, looking at Meliodas. "Cap'n."

Meliodas smiled, slapping her on the back. "It'll be fine."

Rowan gave a grunt. "If you say so."

"Ro, don't worry too much, okay? The captain is right."

Rowan just nodded, taking it Diane's words. "Okay." Her head jerked up when she heard footsteps. She sniffed and she had a wide grin. It was Ban! She knew that scent anywhere!

He came into view with no shirt and red pants with holes in them. He had bright white spiky hair (though it looked dirty). Rowan stopped herself from rushing him.

Meliodas said. "Ban?"

"Hey, Cap'n."

They were looking at each other seriously, but Rowan and Diane knew the truth. Hawk said. "They both seem upset. What's going on? I have a bad feeling about this." Hawk, Diane and Rowan were standing together (though Hawk was backing up).

Rowan let out a bark of laughter, grinning. "That's not it." The pack was coming together slowly.

Diane just sat down. "I think you want to get behind me and hide there. You can hide too, Ro."

Hawk whimpered and Rowan snorted. "I don't need'a do that."

Meliodas threw his arms up. "Ban!"

Ban sounded just as happy. "Cap'n!" They both laughed as they ran at each other, slapping hands harshly.

Hawk asked. "What's that? It's like a game of patty cake gone horribly wrong."

Rowan replied. "Pack bonding."

They watched as Ban slammed Meliodas into a couple of walls. Diane and Rowan seen this plenty of times, they knew how this would continue. Ban yelled. "Cap'n My turn! Me next!" He waved his arms.

Diane said. "Or just boys being boys...and Ro when she gets involved." Rowan couldn't help, but think it was a long decade since she's seen the Sins.

Meliodas slammed Ban into a couple of walls by head butting his stomach. Hawk sighed. "Do I want to know?"

Diane also sighed. "Just roll with it."

Both Meliodas and Ban laughed, Ban said after they got up. "So, great! I thought you might've got soft on me."

"You still got it!" They then arm wrestled on the ground.

Ban smirked from his place on the ground, clasping Meliodas' hand. "Ready?"

"Go!"

Rowan scratched the back of her neck. "This place is gonna get destroyed."

Hawk screamed. "WHAT?!"

Diane nodded back. "I know."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?"

Hawk freaked as the place started coming down and Diane just told him this was normal.

Ban snarked. "720 times. If I recall correctly and I do, I beat you 361 of them."

"You must of lose you're mind, I won 361 times!"

Rowan chucked as the floor broke. "Ah, this always happens."

"WHY?!"

Right when they left the castle, back toward the Boar's Hat. They were walking in a clearing when Rowan stopped. She turned to Ban blankly, who laughed at her look. Meliodas smiled, realizing what she was going to do. Diane smiled too, shaking her head. "Oh boy."

Hawk shook his head rapidly between the two. "Woah! Is this going to be like before?!"

Meliodas chuckled. "Not quite."

Rowan jumped at him and Ban spread his arms with a wide grin. She shoved her nose into his neck. Smelling his scent of blood and fire. She did it for all the Sins. Meliodas when she was still in wolf form and Diane when she was picked up. Ban rumbled out a laugh. "Missed you too, Wolf."

After making sure his scent was mixed in hers', she stepped back, looking satisfied. "Back at ya, Fox."

And then they got moving. Meliodas picked up Elizabeth when they got to the bar. Ban said. "Be back, going for a walk." He turned and walked off lazily.

Rowan frowned, twitching her shoulders. "Cap'n." He made a humming sound as he came back from letting her rest in the Bar. "Elizabeth's alright?"

"Uh-huh. She's be okay here. Go on." He knew she didn't like it when Pack was separated with only one of them. They were strong, so pairs didn't bother her.

She ran after Ban, who raised an eyebrow when he saw her running. "I knew you would follow."

She grumbled wordlessly. "Whatever, Fox."

Ban smirked. "I don't care, Wolf."

She bumped shoulders with him now and again as they walked. No doubt whichever Sin they ran into, Rowan would do the same. Two guys passed them, one in a red leather suit. Ban stopped and Rowan tilted her head at him curiously. Ban told her. "Back off for a minute, Rowan."

She shrugged, backing off and laughed as Ban stole it from the guy.

Typical Ban. What he wants, he gets.

They went back to the Bar. They brought out Elizabeth, but she was laying down on some pillows and some cushions for comfort.

Meliodas waved them over without looking at them. "Ban, come here. I'll introduce you to Elizabeth."

Ban sat cross-legged on a barrel and Rowan sat beside it on the floor, her legs stretched out.

They could see the Princess waking up. All attention was on her. Meliodas said. "Elizabeth, time for me to officaly introduce you. This is Ban, the Fox Sin of Greed."

Ban smirked at her. "Hey. Don't bother getting up."

Rowan looked up at him. "You want her to get up in her condition?"

Ban gave her a exasperated look. "No, I didn't mean it like that!"

Meliodas looked at Ban, a little surprised. "Hey, where did you get that suit?"

Ban shrugged. "I can't very well parade around naked in front of a princess."

"How did you buy clothes without any money?"

"I kinda stumbled across them. It was a total fluke."

Rowan snickered lowly. "Yeah, strumbled." She yiped at the smack to her head. "Hey!" She sent Ban a glare, rubbing her smarting head.

Ban ignored her, looking up at Diane, who was standing above the roof. "Haven't seen you in a while, Diane."

Diane turned away with a huff. "I would've been totally happy to have gone 100 years without seeing you again."

Ban walked over to stand over Elizabeth. Elizabeth said. "I'm Elizabeth. Please forgive me for not raising to greet you."

Rowan said with amusement. "Still asking her Highness to stand when she's hurt."

Ban turned around with a tick above his eyebrow. "I wasn't gonna, you damn dog!" They didn't know she was a werewolf, but she didn't act human either.

To further his statement, Rowan gave a bark like laugh, Meliodas joining in with a chuckle of his own. Diane even giggled, used to Rowan antics with teasing.

Ban turned back to Elizabeth, face smoothing out. "Anyway, your Highness, no worries at all. We're not big on ceremony." Ban bowed. "So, let's just be friends, the five of us."

Hawk said. "Don't you mean the six of us?"

Meliodas, Diane and Rowan shared a look. Ban's reaction was going to be hilarious. Ban turned to Meliodas and grinned. "Cap'n, do you need glasses? They're five of us here."

Hawk spoke up. "Um, there are five of us. Are you sure you haven't gotten a couple of screws loose?"

Ban turned to Rowan. "That's rude, you know." He noticed her wide smirk, showing a bit of fang. "What?" Rowan pointed behind him. He looked down at the pig. "But, who said that before?"

Hawk was smug. "I did."

Ban whole face widened with shock. "That's a talking pig here!" Ban skidded back.

Hawk screamed, his ears flying up. "You're just noticing that!"

"Oh, no way! A pig talking like a person. That is more than I can handle, man. Hold on, that's it. You're King, right? Of course, you were cursed and turned into an actual pig."

Rowan laughed, holding her gut. "You're way off, Ban. And don't you think I'd be able to tell if that was King with my nose?" Ban looked to be thinking about what she said.

Diane sighed. "Guess again."

Meliodas said. "I heard King's dead-"

Rowan growled deep in her throat. "No way, that's just a rumor!"

Meliodas gave her a stare. "Rowan."

Ban arched an eyebrow. She still seems to have that interrupting habit. That would get annoying.

"I warn you now, I'm no ordinary pig. I'm Sir Hawk, Captain of the Order of Scraps Disposel."

Ban was awed, "Wow! I never heard of that order before!"

"Are you finished with the introductions. Come, eat up before you're dinner gets cold."

Rowan got up, hungry. Food was food.

That was how they spent the night, eating and drinking. Meliodas drank tankard after tankard to no effect, Ban was drunk and Rowan was getting there. Diane was happy to be eating with everyone, Hawk was eating as much as he could and Elizabeth was eating, but resting.

Ban at some point hopped on Hawk and wouldn't let go. "Cap'n Hawk! Teach me what you know, Master!"

Hawk begged to be free and Diane sighed. "Ban, try not to overdue it, okay."

Rowan, more than tispy, stumbled to her feet, chicken leg in one hand that she was biting into. She snickered as she hopped onto Ban's back, making Hawk wail and Meliodas laugh. "Ah, I'm dying! Help! Help!"

Rowan situated herself on Ban's back more, smiling happily as she heard Diane and Elizabeth's conversation. She rolled off onto her back, mouth opening as she saw the lights flash across the sky.

She turned her head to look at Diane and Elizabeth with a warm smile. She could hear their conversation. It made her realize something.

Elizabeth was Pack.

She had to remember to scent her when she wasn't so drunk.

12 Years Ago

After they came back from the mission (which turned out to be nothing, but a couple of bandits), most of the Sins split up. Diane went off, King following her. Merlin went to her labatory with Gowther and a skinner Escandor. Meliodas went into the castle where a young Elizabeth was. The Third Princess was only about 4 years old. She knew all the Sins.

Bored with nothing with do, Rowan went with the Captain. Meliodas looked back at her. "You coming?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

They walked into her nursery to see Elizabeth playing on the floor with her toys. She jumped up with a toothy grin. "Meli! 'Wen!"

Meliodas smiled brightly. "Hey, Elizabeth!"

The nanny who was sitting in a chair, got up in relief. She loved that girl, but she was a handful. She trusted any of the Sins with the Princess. She left the room and Elizabeth bounded over to Meliodas, hugging him tightly around the waist. He laughed and Elizabeth then hugged Rowan, who jolted in surprise as she always did.

She patted her on the head with a smile. "Hey, Pup." It was a nickname.

Elizabeth was back on the floor, Meliodas sitting with her. She was a cute kid, white hair and bright blue eyes, except for a white bang over one eye. Meliodas was overprotective of her, all of them are, though not as much as the Captain.

Watching her smile and laugh, playing with Meliodas, she vowed to let nothing happen to that girl.

She's known about her since she was a infant anyway.