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Chapter 14 - Chapter 13 - While You Were Gone

"Jugo youre not a Ophis are you," asked Kenji.

"What do you mean," questioned Take.

"When I first encountered Jugo he was being mugged by low level thugs. What confused me more was how valuable his pocket watch looked. It contained a gem on the face plate which is only available to 'Vipers' and above. You see the big picture now? things arent adding up. If Jugo was a 'Viper' hed easily be able to defeat a group of thugs, but he didnt. there's no way the eight bells would give someone the danger rating of 'Viper' but cant even defeat a zenith beast on their own."

"Youre right! whats going on Jugo?" caught in his lie Jugo comes clean.

"The truth is me and my friends left our sanctuary before becoming Ophi. My brother was an Ophis before he died, and I took his pocket watch because it has a compass built into the back. I never meant to lie but once you told me only Ophi were allowed in Handel town I kept my mouth shut."

"This is going to be a problem," said Kenji.

"No its not all we have to do is register him. we can give him credit for killing a few boars and we can vouch for him. He's already left his home sanctuary, so to the bells, it doesn't matter if he's passed the trials or not in their eyes he's already an Ophis. As 'Copperheads' they should take our word for it anyway."

"Take we cant do that he needs to pass the trials just like everyone else." Cutting Kenji off Take argues.

"Where is he supposed to take the trials then? how is he supposed to get home? how is he even supposed to make money? Kenji I understand youre always about doing things the right way but if you don't make exceptions once in a while innocent people like Jugo end up suffering. "

"Youre right. Im sorry Jugo. I guess sometimes you have to break the rules to do the right thing." Gathering their things and boar remains the group sets off to the Ophis guild hall.

Four months ago back at the wandering woods Hisoka cries out in anguish.

"Jugo!" carrying an unconscious Kyou Hisoka searches for a place to hide from the zenith bear. After running for what seemed like forever Hisoka finds a hollowed tree big enough to fit three people. Laying Kyou down gently Hisoka passes out from exhaustion.

"Hisoka, hisoka, Hisoka!" Calling out his name Kyou wakes the exhausted Hisoka.

"What do you want?"

"Wheres Jugo?"

"wheres Jugo? Wheres Jugo? Jugos' in the belly of a bear right now because all you wanted to do was play in the snow! Jugo is dead because you didn't want to listen! everything has been your fault it was your idea to leave the sanctuary it was your idea to go to rumble city and it was your carelessness that got Jugo killed. Do you not understand that your actions have consequences and Jugo was the one to pay the price. while you were unconscious Jugo protected both of us. All he ever did was keep us in line whenever we started arguing. How is he supposed to cure his mother now? Hes dead!" Bursting into tears Kyou replies in a meek voice.

"Im sorry."

"Save your sorrys' for Jugo Ill fulfill his dying wish and keep you safe but once we get to Handel Town I never want to see you again." Clinging to him Kyou cries out.

"No please, Hisoka I'm sorry ill do better! I never meant for this to happen I just wanted to have fun on our adventure! Ill listen I promise just please, please don't leave me."

"Ill think about it just stop crying," sighed Hisoka as he wiped away his own tears.

"How are we even supposed to get to Handel Town," asked Kyou.

"without the compass and map we cant travel during the day due to the snow clouds and it'll get too cold at night so we're gonna have to wait until spring. Our best bet is to use the stars to travel like how Jugo showed us. For now we need to survive until then so well need food." Over the course of a few days Hisoka and Kyou recovered their strength. Too depressed to speak up Kyou did everything Hisoka asked without question. He felt good that she was helping but knew it was out of desperation more than anything. One night while Kyou was making rabbit stew Hisoka offers.

"The curse seems to effect you pretty fast. do you want me to show you how to increase your energy pool so that doesn't happen that munch." Realizing what Hisoka is offering she immediately replies yes.

"Ok cross your legs and put your hands in your lap. It doesn't really matter what pose you take as long as its firm yet relaxing. Feel the wind blowing into the room. Hear the rustling of the leaves, and the wolves in the forest. Now draw in a small amount of nature energy at a constant rate. Imagine your energy pool like a balloon, fill it in slow and steady with air. If you think its going to pop let the air out and try again. over time the amount of nature energy you can draw in over time will greatly increase." this became a daily routine for them. As time went on Hisoka opened up once again and even started training Kyou in his families' teachings 'Yuge martial arts.' Months had gone by and their teamwork had grown stronger. Hunting became no problem for the two. Kyou could now extend her 'Hivemind' up to fifty-meters in all directions. with that she can sense and capture multiple animals at once. After they were captured Hisoka would fire arrows killing the animals as swiftly as possible. months of preparation finally paid off and it was time to leave the wandering woods. Before Hisoka could even ask Kyou had packed both of their bags with nesisary items and dried rations for their journey. Smiling to himself Hisoka realizes that all Kyou needed was a push in the right direction and a helping hand.

"You ready to head out," asked Hisoka.

"Yup, Whenever you're ready," Kyou replied. Leaving the forest Hisoka and Kyou spent their days sleeping and nights traveling. using the trick Jugo taught them the duo never strayed from their path to Handel Town. A week later arriving at dusk Hisoka questions how they're going to get inside.

"Its still light out so it'd probably be better to go under the wall than over," Stated Kyou.

"We can do that?" Placing her palms on the ground vines sprout out of the ground and burrow a hole under the wall. After sneaking their way into Handel Town Kyou suggests they look for an inn.

"Don't worry about the price. this ones on me" bolstered Kyou. Entering the same inn Jugo would eventually enter Kyou is greeted by the receptionist.

"good evening mam how may I help you."

"How much is a two-bed bedroom?" The receptionist misunderstood the situation and thought Hisoka and Kyou were runaway lovers due to their worn clothes.

"Would you not like a single bed?" Looking at Hisoka Kyou turns back to the receptionist and blushes.

"Oh no, were not together. were just friends," nerviously explained Kyou. after paying for the room the two split up to go bathe. Returning first too embarrassed to interact with Kyou Hisoka falls asleep first. The next day Hisoka wonders how they're going to make money. sifting through their combined 'toki' he infers.

"Wed probably only be able to live off the money we have for about a week and then wed be back on the streets. peering from an alleyway the same person who tried to steal from Jugo stares at the pouch of toki. Moments later he runs past Hisoka bumping into him and stealing his pouch of toki.

"Hey!" Chasing after the thief Hisoka reaches for his bow but he left it at the inn.

"kyou this ones on you."

"Got it!" Leading the charge Kyou throws seeds and grows thin vines from the ground. weaving the vines together Kyou trips the thief and attempts to tie him up. Turning around the thief shoots a fireball from his hand and sets the vines ablaze. smoke engulfs the area creating a smoke screen for the thief. not wanting to let Hisoka down Kyou demands.

"get back here!" emerging from the other side of the smoke screen Kyou and Hisoka see the thief lying on the ground with someone standing over him.

"Who are you," asked Hisoka.

"Oh sorry I saw your money get stolen and it looked like you were struggling to catch him so I wanted to help."

"thanks I'm Hisoka and this is Kyou whats your name."

"my name! oh uhh my name is Yama."

"Thank you again Yama that was the last of our money. Were looking of jobs to do but nobody seems to be willing to hire us."

"that's most likely because of thugs like him. This area is tormented by the local gangs. the small businesses can barely stay afloat after paying 'protection fees'. So if I had to guess no one is hiring you because no one can afford to pay you."

"Then what did we come all the way out here for," complained Kyou.

"Kyou!" covering her mouth Hisoka stops Kyou from revealing that they're from a different sanctuary. unfourtunatlety Kyou had already given 'Yama' the pieces he needed to put two and two together.

"You two arent from here are you?"

"Uhh," nervously laughed Hisoka.

"Its ok I'm not from here either." Reaching into his back pocket Yama pulls out a pocket watch.

"see I'm an Ophis too."