Change in Seasons

Change in Seasons

Crystaldaggerz

Chapter Nine

A/N: Hello everyone! -ducks to avoid getting hit by daggers- I guess I kinda deserved that…-ducks again- And that…-ducks again- MERCY!! –sobs- I'm so sorry! I know I know, I said that before after an excruciatingly long wait for a chapter. And because I owe you all, I have a confession to make.

I have been writing since Elementary, and I have NEVER completed a story. EVER. But alas, never fear. I plan on finishing this, it's my mission in life…no matter how hard :P That's why I want to ask you for your support. The only reason why I picked this back up was because after I reread some of your awesome words in your reviews, I was like "Wow, you guys actually make me want to finish this" Which is why I will. If you choose to stick with me, thanks a million, and if you choose to abandon ship, I'm sorry I basically suck :D So here's a update to finishing this story! Thanks so much for all your reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own Zatch Bell…YET! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha -cough- ha ha ha!!

Hiewa blinked his eyes opened and tried to make some sense of his surroundings in the darkness. It was still pretty early, and everyone in the large hotel room were still sleeping. He was lying down amongst his cousins on the carpet, nestled in the extra sheets Sakakai had requested for their room yesterday. He had almost been lulled back to sleep while listening to the soft snores around him when he first awoke, but after remembering his mission for the day, he had bolted upright.

Today he was supposed to help Brago find Charlotte.

He nudged someone's legs from his own and untangled himself from his blankets as quickly and quietly as he could without waking up anyone. Standing to his feet, he shivered as the cool air bit at his exposed flesh. Hiewa couldn't help but look back longingly at his toasty spot on the floor as he stepped over two of his sleeping cousins.

"Hn…Hiewa…is that you?"

The small boy froze instantly.

Kurosawa peered up at him from heavy lids. He didn't seem to mind that Hiewa had a bare foot hovering over his stomach as he tried to step over him, but he did look curious as to what he was doing up so early.

Hiewa sweatdropped and looked to the ceiling as if the answers were embedded somewhere in the paint there.

"Um…I…wanted to look at the pool through the window?"

Kurosawa simply stared at the boy standing over him. Hiewa wanted to smack himself. What kind of answer was that? Why should he be nervous when his cousin didn't have any reason to suspect that he was planning on sneaking out with Brago? He couldn't have given a more suspicious answer if he had wanted to.

"…Oh"

And with that, he fell right back to sleep. Hiewa stared at the boy, unable to believe his luck. He remained still, wobbling on his one foot with the other still raised and stared at his cousin, expecting him to wake up again and demand the truth. When he didn't, Hiewa exhaled gratefully and put as much distance between him and the others as possible.

Emily and her mother occupied one of the beds and Sakakai the other. They were still sleeping from what he could see, and if he was right, he would still have about an hour or so before Sakura woke up. She was always the first to rise and would most likely be the first to notice his absence.

Turning away from them, he tip toed to one of the lounge chairs sitting in front of the television. Brago was sitting there, and much to his surprise, he wasn't awake. Hiewa hovered over him, frozen. The way the shadows were spilling on his grey skin and dark clothing was almost…malevolent. Hiewa couldn't help but feel a little frightened at his friend's appearance, and was about to reconsider waking him, when he heard someone stir.

He jumped in surprise and looked behind him, but whoever it had been had already settled down.

Hiewa groaned and held his hand to his chest in an attempt to calm his heart. Why was he so jumpy, again? This was Brago. Sure he was scary, but he was also silly and funny to watch and really cool sometimes.

Hiewa couldn't help but think something was wrong with leading him to his sister, but he ignored the feeling. He didn't know what his sister had done to make Brago what to hurt her, or what a mamodo was, or why he would even lead Brago to her in the first place when he knew what his intentions were. Thoughts like those gave him a headache so he never contemplated them long.

But even so, he knew what he would do.

Reaching out, Hiewa rested his hand on the man's shoulder and shook it. Brago's head lolled to the side, but he didn't stir. Pouting, he shook harder, and even urgently whispered his name, but he still didn't awaken.

Becoming braver, Hiewa decided it was time to result to desperate measures. Popping his index finger in his mouth, he sucked on it, making sure to coat it with enough saliva for what he was planning to do. Pulling it out, he leaned over and grinning mischievously, jammed it in Brago's ear.

The mamodo's reaction was instant. One moment, Hiewa was standing, and the next, he was caught in a headlock in Brago's lap, struggling to get free.

"Let me go" Hiewa hissed through his smile, glad that his plan had worked. Even if it felt like his neck was being crushed.

Brago stared at the boy in his arms as if he hadn't the slightest idea what to make of him. Finally, the dark mamodo seemed capable of speak through his disgust and anger and he squeezed Hiewa's neck harder.

"Are you insane?!" the mamodo spat angrily.

Hiewa immediately put a finger to his lips. "Shhhhhh" he whispered as he looked over to the beds to make sure no one had heard his friend. "Everyone's asleep"

Brago glared at him, but released him after giving an extra squeeze on his neck.

Hiewa immediately removed himself from the man's lap and massaged his neck. It hurt, but he couldn't seem to wipe the grin off of his face. Brago didn't miss this and resisted the very powerful urge to remove it from the boy's face permanently. He wasn't the type to be obsessed with hygiene, but damn it, he put his spit in his ear! He felt violated.

"Why the hell did you…you…" He couldn't even say it.

Hiewa shushed him again. "You wouldn't wake up" he whispered back.

Brago narrowed his eyes at the boy but let the matter drop. Ignoring him for the moment, he yawned tiredly and stretched his beat limbs out. He hadn't slept that good since…the whole ordeal with Koi's potion started. The irksome voice in his head and thoughts centered on his blonde partner fended off sleep, though it was better off that way. He'd rather be exhausted and sleep deprived then dreaming of impossible blue eyes clouded over with ecstasy and soft pink lips calling out to him while he…

You're doing it again. Can't keep your mind out of the gutter for long, can you?

"Are you ready?" he asked gruffly, missing his dreamless sleep already. He didn't think he'd be getting more of those any time soon.

Hiewa nodded fervently. "Uh huh. I put the letter somewhere I know they'll see it" he replied softly. Even if Brago wasn't going to try to lower his voice, he would. "Are you?"

Brago nodded after a short pause.

"Lead the way"

xxxx

Sherry rubbed her eyes and gazed at her coffee tiredly.

She was sitting by the window in a coffee shop, and even the early morning rays from the sun weren't doing much to lighten her mood or rid her of the chill clinging to her bones. She sighed and took a sip from the mug before her, not missing that the warm liquid did nothing to warm her either.

It could have been because of the depression she felt seeping into her, or rather, it was definitely because of it. Alone in a coffee shop in America with a language she was rusty with swirling around her head from the shops patrons, she could easily count the factors adding to her misery; one of them being the sole reason she was here sulking in the first place.

Then there was the part about her not knowing what she feeling towards said individual. Yes, she wanted to rip him apart. Yes, she wanted to kill him afterwards. But whenever she allowed her mind to drift away, they always came back to things that thoroughly confused her. Like the night in her bedroom when he had completely shocked her and touched her in ways that made her forget about the existence of reason. And the day after when he showed such gentleness in a chaste kiss and caress she didn't think he was capable of.

Sighing, she ran her fingers through her flaxen locks. Actually, she didn't know what he was capable of anymore. And she didn't understand why such things were even getting under her skin in the first place. Brago had only been treating her differently after the love potion took effect on him. He couldn't control himself. When Koi gave him the cure to reverse the effects, everything would go back to normal...

And the way her mood would darken whenever she thought about that little detail was enough to confuse her even more.

Did she want Brago to…desire her?

The thought seemed absolutely preposterous, but even as she thought it, she couldn't help but feel as if in some way, she did. She groaned and ran her hand over her face. Thoughts like these were going to keep her stationed in there in the shop sulking for the better part of the day if she didn't watch it. She was there for a reason.

Anthony had asked her how she proposed she would find Brago in another country when he didn't even have a cell phone, and she hadn't the slightest clue where to find him. The answer was simple. Having as much money at her disposal as she did, locating someone was just a matter of putting the right amount of cash in the right person's hand.

She looked at the address she had written on a napkin when an acquaintance of hers had called with the information she had needed. Sherry had already memorized the name, but she couldn't help but look at it every minute or so, or stuff it in her pocket when she stood to leave.

Brago was going to meet Charlotte, and she would too. Even if he had already forgotten, she still remembered.

They were a team.

xxxx

Koi was rather pleased with himself.

For one, he had a young beautiful woman at his side, who was currently resting her head on his shoulder as they enjoyed the pleasant afternoon weather together in the park. She held his hand in hers, and ran a thumb over the weathered skin there.

"So why don't you come by and see mom more often?" she asked softly, though even as she said it, she couldn't imagine him actually answering her.

He affectionately patted her leg with his free hand.

"Because I'm a stubborn old fool" he replied good-naturedly. His raven haired companion sighed and let the matter drop. When the old man didn't want to discuss something, he didn't. It was useless for her to continue to try. Koi chuckled when he saw her shoulders slump as she admitted defeat and leaned his head back to enjoy the warmth of the sun on his face.

"You know Kureji, I finally figured out how to solve that little problem of mine"

She smiled despite herself. She knew he was just trying to change the subject—but she went along with him anyway. "The 'little problem' you still didn't explain to me yet?"

"That's the one. I was looking at the whole thing wrong before. There's been a cure all along"

"And I still don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about"

Koi laughed at that. He had told Kureji that he had a problem that he needed to solve, but he never elaborated from there. He needed to tell someone what was giving him grey hair (though there was still none to speak of on top of his head) these past few weeks, although letting them know exactly what (accidently bewitching a man while trying to bewitch a woman, making him fall madly in love with her and possibly poisoning him in the process) was never part of the plan Which was he refrained from telling his beautiful companion everything.

He had not told Sherry that he had an idea for a sort of cure for Brago because he didn't want to get her hopes up to have them crushed later if his findings were false. But alas, his genius mind was able to overcome all obstacles, and in the end, he had a plan that though insane in a way, was sure to make everyone, except probably Brago, happy in the end.

"I can't believe I never thought of it before" the elderly man said to himself thoughtfully.

Kureji raised a brow before shaking her head in amusement. "What are you talking about?" she asked with a smile. "Geez…mom was right. You are insane"

"Her kind of man" he responded quirkily.

"I guess"

xxxx

"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Brago asked with a hint of doubt.

Hiewa nodded and looked back with an exasperated look on his face.

"Of course! Everything looks familiar too! I bet if I thought hard enough, I could even remember the exact place!"

This sparked the mamodo's interest. They had been wondering through the streets of Miami Florida for quite a while and he had been thinking if following the hand on a broken watch was really the best way to go about the situation. Hiewa had announced that Miami was their destination yesterday night, which was why they left the hotel so early. After today, he didn't want to ride another bus, taxi or whatever as long as he lived. At least not while accompanied by a hyper active little boy. With the way he couldn't keep his mouth shut, he was surprised nothing flew in his mouth and caused him to choke.

"You've been here before?" he asked.

Hiewa nodded. "Uh huh. Charlotte owns a house here. I've been there loads of times"

Brago furrowed his brows. That meant that Hiewa stayed with Sakakai in Japan and went to visit his sister in America on occasion. Sakakai had hinted it whenever he spoke about the boy during their stay in Orlando, which wasn't often. He was usually trying to handle the children that accompanied him on the trip with the other chaperones.

If Hiewa could remember where Charlotte lived exactly, finding her would be that much easier. Somewhere along the way, locating her and burning her mamodo's book had become his top priority, though whether or not it was still because of the blow to his pride was a different story.

"Do you…want an ice cream cone?" Brago asked uncertainly. He couldn't help but feel how foreign the words were on his tongue. He remembered when Sherry had told him that they were very enjoyable, though he never tried to find truth to her claim for himself. He had seen several carts selling them during their journey in the streets, and he decided that Hiewa deserved one for all his help, though he would die before he admitted it.

Hiewa stopped and looked back at him in utter surprise. Then, the largest smile brightened his face as he was overwhelmed with pure happiness. His reaction took him aback. The way the boy was looking at him now, you would have thought he told him he just inherited billions. Brago found himself reddening (1) in embarrassment, and he looked away as he folded his arms to his chest with a scowl.

"Really?" Hiewa exclaimed hopefully, his annoyingly large brown eyes shining.

Brago grunted.

"Yay!" Hiewa threw his arms around the mamodo's waist and hugged him. "Thank you, thank you! You're the best!"

Brago's eye twitched. If he had known that the boy would have acted like this, he wouldn't have made his offer to treat him! "But only so you can remember where your sister lives" he ground out quickly as he tried to pry the boy from his person.

Hiewa released him and saluted.

"You can count on me! I promise I'll remember by the time I finish my cone!"

Brago felt his eye twitch again but he nodded and allowed himself to be towed away.

xxxx

Frey glared at his partner.

She sat all composed in her lounge chair sipping at her tea as if she were royalty. And she acted the part too. It was because of her laziness that he hadn't fought a battle since Japan, when they faced the blonde wench and her mamodo. He couldn't do much but complain since Charlotte basically did as she pleased. And glare. He did a lot of that—much like he was doing now.

He sat on the lounge chair opposite her, his feet dangling, and intensified his stare. He was hoping that she spontaneously combust—if only to get a laugh out of it. He didn't think much about losing his chance to become king when she didn't seem to put any effort in it anyway.

Charlotte finally looked over her tea to her partner. She quirked a brow.

"Yes?"

"When are we going to battle?" he asked irritably. "All you ever do is laze about!" He hadn't planned on actually getting her attention, but now that he had it, he'd make his frustrations known. Again.

Charlotte closed her eyes tiredly. "Whatever do you mean? And you should stop glaring like that, or else your eyes will fall out"

Frey growled angrily. He looked about two seconds away from throwing a temper tantrum. He really was a like a human child in that respect, though she never knew a kid that swore as much as he did at times.

"Why can't you at least pretend you want to battle? You weren't this bad before!" he accused lethally. His orange eyes were flashing dangerously, and she knew that if she had been someone else, he probably would have killed her.

"Because I want to fight that blonde girl and her mamodo, Brago and Sherry. I know it's them this time"

Frey rolled his eyes. "Then why didn't we just kill them in Japan? Why wait?" he spat.

Charlotte gave him a thoughtful look. He never took the time to enjoy things. She was not very happy unless she toyed with her opponents—they remembered you that way. She didn't expect someone like him who fought merely for the thrill of battle, to understand.

"Why the wild goose chase…?" she began casually, taking another sip from her tea. "I have my reasons"

Frey snorted. "You play with people's emotions to exploit them for your mere entertainment" he assessed. "Women are all the same"

His response surprised her. It sounded as if he were speaking from experience. "And how would you know?" she asked teasingly. Her mamodo partner did something completely out of character. He didn't respond. Instead, he stood to his feet. He shot the dark haired woman another heated glare for good measure, his eyes darkening. Charlotte merely smiled, though it held far too much venom to be considered friendly.

"You better not forget your promise" he snarled. He snorted in disgust before turning on heels and stalking away.

His raven haired partner shrugged. "Of course. It's not like I have a choice, right?"

She took another sip of her tea and wrinkled her nose.

It had gone cold.

A/N: I promise everything will get better in the next chapter, and all your questions will be answered. Did Koi find a cure? What is Charlotte's deal? What will Sherry do when she finds Brago? How many licks does it take to get to the center of tootsie roll pop? Well for that last one, the world will never know…XD

(1) Brago DOES NOT blush :D