365Hello everyone!
It's been a while, hasn't it?
It's liberation day today in The Netherlands so a great opportunity for me to liberate Erina from the claws of her abductors.
I've been busy writing a lot in the DxD fandom and I had a lot of university work to do but I'm back with the climax of Erina's kidnap.
Those paying attention to the earlier chapters, I've done some minor editing to the grammar but once this story has been completed I will probably rewrite the first couple of chapters completely.
A while ago I have said something about a second SnS story that I would name ''Master of Love''
That one won't happen, instead I've made a new one which will be called ''The Flowers of the Flame'' and it will be a harem. A harem of 10! I can honestly say that in my opinion that story will be better than this one. after all, this was my first story and in my opinion I've grown as a writer. I will still try to keep the humoristic elements in the new story so look forward to it.
I'm still busy with the storyline so it will take a while to release the first chapter so instead I have been writing two separate one-shots for SnS who will be released pretty soon I hope.
Please, everyone. I won't abandon this story. I've already completed the story, I just need to write it out so don't worry.
I guess that is everything that I wanted to say, please enjoy this chapter.
''…'' Talking
''…'' Thoughts and flashbacks.
Flashback
Erina, who finally woke up from her daze, was confused at where she was.
She felt her cheek sting a lot and was hit by a sudden headache.
Nothing came out of her mouth as she tried to scream for help, and felt a large cotton ball stuck in her mouth, preventing her from doing more than giving muffled screams.
''I can't move'' Erina thought as the rope was wrapped tight around her.
But the worst thing was the dark. How scared she was of it ever since her father tortured her with his training
As she was about to lose herself, she saw a small bit of red light entering her vision, and as she looked towards it, she saw the hand of someone holding a phone with a red bar.
It soon illuminated the face of the one who held the phone.
''Erina!'' He shouted at her.
Tears slowly dripped out of her eyes as she saw who it was.
''Yukihira Souma'' She shouted back in a muffled voice.
He was there, Souma was finally there to save her.
She almost couldn't believe it. The transfer student she so often tried to put down was there.
Even though he looked like he was about to keel over, Souma still gave her a soft smile. A smile that showed that he was glad that she was alright.
He lifted his tired body against the wall before he wrote ''I'll be there in a minute'' on the frozen window, giving her a few seconds to read it before the small red light from his phone died down.
Fortunately, the snow that was continuously falling didn't drop down from the tall needle trees that surrounded the house.
Souma slowly made his way towards the door, but when he tried to open it he saw that it was locked.
''Of course. No kidnapper would be stupid enough to keep the door open'' He muttered as he also saw a small lock on the window in the room Erina was held in.
As his stress was building up and the adrenaline from finding Erina was slowly leaving his body, he pressed his forehead to the door and softly shook his body from the cold to get it together for a moment.
''My hands are frozen so I won't be able to break the window and climb inside'' He thought. Souma quickly came to the conclusion that the only way in would be the front door.
He decided to walk around the building, hopefully coming across something he could use.
As he walked through the accumulated snow on the ground he suddenly fell forward when he tripped over some wooden logs.
Even though the trees protected him from the falling snow, it also made the moonlight disappear which means he was basically blind.
Souma slowly stood up again, having torn his jeans from the sharp wood, which fortunately didn't cut in his legs.
''But wait a minute..'' Souma thought as he grabbed one of the frozen logs. ''If there are wooden logs here, that would mean..''
Though it was painful work, Souma went through the snow with his hands that turned an ugly purplish blue by now till he found what he was looking for.
Suddenly he felt something with a different texture than wooden logs and grabbed it as tight as possible before the pulled it out of the snow.
He saw the object in his hands and he couldn't stop himself from smiling, a small axe that would be more than enough to break the door.
''I'll be right there, Erina'' Souma said as he warmed his numb hands and slowly trenched through the snow back to the wooden cabin's door.
Inside the cabin, Erina had already been waiting impatiently for ten minutes.
''Where is he!'' She bristled out angrily, though inside she felt fear. Fear for the young man, wondering if he fell in the snow and couldn't stand up anymore.
Fear that the only person that had come to her aid would get hurt.
Even the infamous god's tongue couldn't keep calm under such pressure and her immaculate visage as goddess cracked as small tears rolled down her cheeks.
As Erina began to accept that Souma wouldn't return anymore and had to prepare to be sold off to a foreign country, she heard a loud thumb, and another, and another.
The sounds kept going for a minute until she heard the distinctive sounds of a door opening.
Souma had chopped his way through the door, which was surprisingly easy, and dropped the axe on the wooden floor after he closed the door again. Even though there wasn't any snow falling inside, the cold, howling winds were a definite bother to him.
Coming inside he searched the wall for a light switch which he found and illuminated the cold but cozy cabin.
Inside it was hardly any warmer than outside, but as he spotted the fireplace he could still see a small smothering heap of ashes, which meant he could restart the fire pretty easily.
But right now, freeing Erina from the tied ropes took priority.
He walked to the small kitchen and luckily found a large knife in one of the drawers. Souma also checked the other cabinets and fridge but saw to his desperation that there was no food at all.
''Damn..'' Souma softly muttered as he could use some food by now. ''Let's just untie Erina first.'' and walked to the room where she was held.
Her heart thumped in her throat as Erina heard heavy footsteps coming closer to the door, and after what felt like an eternity the door opened, slowly illuminating the room with light.
As she was facing the window, Erina wasn't able to see the face of the person that entered and felt a small shiver running through her body when an ice-cold hand touched her right cheek brushing away the tears that had flown down her face.
Erina heard the familiar chuckle of Souma's voice, which cracked with every small intake of air.
''The heroic transfer student is here.'' Souma softly whispered and received a small giggle as a response, happy that his intended joke received her.
As she was giggling, Erina felt the rope around her ankles and waist cut from behind her before Souma stood in front of her to cut the rope that was tied around her wrists.
Erina couldn't help herself and gasped loudly as she looked at his shivering form. His skin had a cold purple color, border lining on black which would be terrible as it would've meant he would lose some parts of his body. Actually as she took a good look at his form, the only thing that showed that he was the real Souma were his brightly shining eyes.
''Yukihira Souma, what happened to you..?'' Erina asked uncertainly as Souma was on his last legs.
But before he could answer her he fell on his knees panting.
''Just... give me a minute.'' Souma whispered softly. ''I'm just taking a small break'' and as he uttered his last sentence he fell into a more than welcome unconsciousness.
Erina woke up from her stupor when she saw her savior falling forward and quickly made her way to him. She had immediately thrown away her pride as god's tongue and held the shivering boy. Up close he looked like a shaking dead body.
Using her own knowledge of food she knew that boiling food would reheat them from the inside and with that uncommon idea she wrapped Souma's arm around her shoulder and brought him to the bathroom.
Upon entering the bathroom, her body started to move automatically. She warmed up the bath before leaving the room and started the fire in the fireplace, just to get Souma as warm as possible.
If the students of Tootsuki academy were there they would never believe it was Erina tending to Souma as she took her own clothes, or what was left of them, off and lifted Souma in the bath before sitting in it herself. She tried to make herself as small as possible to warm Souma's body up as much as possible, having his head in her lap wasn't a part of it.
''I'm never going to wish for more fun in my life'' Erina thought to herself as it was one of the things she missed in her limited life. Waking up, classes, tasting, sleep. Day in, day out. It has been like that for nearly her entire life. There wasn't any time for Nakiri Erina, only time for god's tongue.
She softly sighed and wrapped an arm around Souma's chest when he made an uncomfortable sound and still shivered slightly in her chest.
''I didn't expect my day to start nor end like this'' Erina softly muttered ''...and now I'm here with you, mister unruly transfer student.''
Though she always treated him like he didn't belong in Tootsuki academy, he always brought a smile to her face with his wits as long as she wasn't the victim to them. Yes, this enigma has been on her mind way more than she would ever admit to anyone.
As Erina was trying to understand why he would go this far to save her, she was rubbing his arms, shoulders and chest with her hands. She wasn't paying any mind to him anymore as the blueish purple slowly started to fade and his normal perplexion returned to his body.
''hnngggh'' were the first intellectual words that left Souma's mouth when he notices he was floating in warm water.
''Why would you go this far for me..'' He heard and felt a small and slender arm wrapped around his chest.
Souma remained silent as Erina spoke of the times she had acted unkind to him and couldn't fathom why he would deliberately seek for problems to save her.
As she started again with her small pity speech, Souma decided to interfere.
''...It's because you're surprisingly caring.'' He said with closed eyes. ''..but I do wonder why I'm still wearing my clothes in bath.''
Souma opened his eyes to see a myriad of emotions on Erina's face. Embarrassment, happiness and irritated were the most prevalent.
She was about to start her usual rantings but for this time, she swallowed her pride and just answered him.
''I guess so..'' Erina whispered as it was the first time in many years that someone saw her as something more than a glorified dish tester.
''Hmm.. you're always concerned about your family and the school. It's good to see you aren't completely a diva.'' Souma replied with a cheeky chuckle but had to pay for it by having his cheek pinched by Erina.
''You really are an idiot.'' She huffed and accidentally stuffed Souma's head in her chest even more, causing her to blush beet red.
''W-Wow, even bigger than Alice.'' Souma thought and even though he enjoyed his position, he wasn't about to be unfaithful to Alice after they've only just got together.
He nervously chuckled and decided it was better to just get out of the bathtub. Souma slowly lifted himself up as water began to drip out of his wet clothes and looked behind him to see a scene he wasn't likely to ever forget again.
Long wet blonde hair was strewn over the bathtub as surprised amethyst eyes lock onto his own before Souma's eyes unconsciously began to roam over her body. Her wet red lingerie clung tightly to her feminine body that oozed with perfection. Lush legs, a slim waist and a delicious pair of brea..
Souma finally realized what he was doing and with a quick shout of ''I'm sorry'' he left the bathroom.
Erina couldn't say anything as Souma ran out of the bathroom as fast as she could. She was embarrassed and furious. Embarrassed by having been seen in such a compromising position by the transfer student and furious as she wanted her first friend to be the only one to see her like that.
Yes. Even after all those years her first friend still had a tight leash around her heart.
After Erina had calmed down her beating heart she decided to leave the bath as well. Fortunately, she found a couple of bath towels and was able to dry herself.
As she left the bathroom she saw that Souma had turned off the light in the largest room and sat on the couch in nothing but his boxer shorts, enjoying the heat the fireplace brought to them.
Erina was about to shout several profanities about his, in her mind, lecherous acting but he looked back at her when he heard the bathroom door open.
Souma gave her a nervous smile before paying attention to the fire again. She decided to just say nothing and walk upstairs in the dark, searching for anything they could use.
A few minutes later she returned with a few pillows and blankets, happy that they could at least have a warm night.
''Take this, Yukihira Souma.'' Erina said as she threw one of the blankets in his lap, getting Souma out of his own thoughts.
He blinked twice before he gave her a small grin. ''Thanks, Nakiri'' he said and patted the seat next to him.
With a small blanket of her own, she sat next to him and gave herself the chance to reflect on what had happened today.
As Erina was recalling her day, Souma couldn't stop himself from peeking at her. The lingering flames of the fire reflected in the stare of her eyes. ''But what is that..?'' He thought as he noticed the purple on her cheek.
Surprisingly he got closer to her that his legs touched her own and held his hand on her purple cheek.
Erina was snapped out of her reflection from the slight sting his hand caused her and swallowed her saliva when she saw the intense look on Souma's face.
''Y-Yukihira-kun, what are you doing..'' She asked with a small stutter in her voice.
''You know you can just call me Souma you know.'' He whispered. ''What did you do to get this?''
Calling someone else but Alice or Hisako by their first name was something new for Erina as she usually didn't even bother with their last name at all. But this commoner, even though he saved her, to call him by his first name, why on earth should she?
Regaining some of her haughty attitude she replied ''Why should I call a mere commoner by his first name, Yukihira-kun?''
He gave her a confused look before saying ''I thought based on our past that you wanted to.'' as he referred to their first time meeting. Oh yes, Souma already knew that she was the little girl from all those years ago. It wasn't difficult to remember after hearing about the god's tongue so often.
''Our past..?'' Erina asked with a frown before she shook her head and began to explain her wound.
Souma was a bit taken aback when she spoke of biting the kidnapper's hand and he harshly slapped her. In his mind, there was only one thing he could do.
He closed in on Erina and wrapped his arms around her like a parent would do to comfort their child.
Erina wasn't used to being this close to anyone and could only mutter ''Souma..?'' questioningly. It wasn't that she disliked his small token of solace but she didn't know what to do with it.
''When I was young, my mother would always hold me close like this when I got hurt.'' Souma said as he brushed with his hands through Erina's long locks.
Erina didn't know why but she moved closer to the transfer student to enjoy more of the comfortable warmth he sent through her body. It's been years since she had last seen her mother and even then she didn't know much about her as Erina's father had taken her away from her family.
''But only one thing truly helped against pain, and that was kissing the pain away.'' Souma said quietly and before Erina could even react he softly pressed his lips on her bruise.
If she wasn't embarrassed by now she definitely was after the small kiss. The soft lips on her bruise did hurt for the first few seconds before a different kind of warmth spread through her body and stopped the pain on her cheek.
Souma gave her a cheeky smile, he did know he was testing her limits after all and asked ''Feeling better, Nakiri?''
But she didn't answer. For a moment, she saw the young boy from all those years ago in that same smile and when her body felt his lips, those seeds that were planted began to show signs of budding.
As her emotionless eyes kept locked on his own yellow orbs, he laughed nervously before he stood up trembling and muttered ''I've really torn my muscles good.'' and moved towards his clothes on the radiator.
Erina followed his trembling form, holding tight to his blanket before she stood up to give him a shock of his own as well.
''Yukihira Souma!'' She shouted and stamped her feet as she made her way over to him.
''You listen here diner boy. From now on you will call me Erina-san and nothing else.'' Erina said as she looked down on him and did her typical Ojou-sama throw of her hair.
''You will accept it as an honor I've bestowed on you, do you understand?'' She continued and got in his face, not giving him the opportunity to attack her with his own wits.
Souma swallowed any and all he wanted to say under her burning glare and meekly nodded in defeat.
''Hai, Erina-san.'' He said with a hidden smile. Happy to call his old friend like that once more.
She gave him a satisfied nod before she walked to the kitchen. At the same time, Souma found two items in his school jacket.
''Oooh...'' He said in delight. A small pack of dried squid managed to escape his attention, it looked like he did have something to eat tonight.
He had also found his phone charger, which was definitely something necessary for him.
With the good news of the dried squids, Souma made his way to the kitchen as well.
''No food..'' Erina tssk'ed and saw Souma enter the kitchen with a smile before showing her the bag of dried squid.
She flashed against the wall with her back, looking for a way out as she could still remember the horrors on the face of Hisako the last time someone at his squid dish.
''It's only dried squid this time.'' Souma said unhappily. ''I'll only take a couple of them, you can take the rest of the bag back to the couch.'' and searched for a pan.
Erina went back to the couch and ate a single squid. ''Dry and flavorless.'' She said like a robot. Eating had become more of a menial task than actually enjoying it and almost puked when she smelled something from the kitchen.
Uncomfortable shivers ran through her body when Souma returned to the couch with a proud smile.
A boiling mass of squid looked at her with dead eyes before Souma introduced his dish.
''Yukihira secret menu #69 squid tea.'' He proudly said and in that moment, Erina already knew she would never even consider trying the concoction.
With a large smile, he sipped the tea and almost left his mouth the same way again a second later before he awkwardly laughed and rubbed the back of his head saying ''It wasn't much of a success.''
Erina, however, wasn't that happy with him wasting their limited food supply and bonked him on top of his head.
With his muscles in shambles, only that small punch was enough to bring him to the ground.
''Somehow being punched to the ground by you feels very familiar.'' Souma laughed painfully.
Erina had the decency to blush a little before she answered ''Even now you're acting as a simple commoner, Souma.''
''Erina-san, why would someone want to abduct you?'' Souma asked as he chewed on one of the few remaining squids. Though dry and tasteless, Erina was hungry so she still ate them.
''Many things actually.'' She replied after swallowing her bite. ''It could be things like money or my cuisine.''
''On the resort, I heard those guys talking about abducting you for someone.'' Souma said and had her immediate attention. ''Someone wanted to have you it seems.''
Small signs of nausea began to well up in her throat as she didn't want to imagine what could have happened if Souma wasn't there.
Again like earlier, Souma effortlessly intruded upon her personal space and wrapped and arm around her back.
''I couldn't exactly let them take you now could I'' He said with a smile. As he spoke these words, honest and without expecting anything from her, Erina's heart began to beat even louder, warming her heart and with every single beat the same warmth pulsed through her body.
''W-What are you saying!?'' She yelled with a steaming face. ''Y-You're getting too comfortable with me commoner.''
Souma could only smile at her reaction. It reminded him so much of their past.
''Can't you remember, Erina-san?'' He asked with a tired look on his face. ''We've been alone before.''
Erina had a look of unbelieve on her face and said ''When? I only spend time with Hisako, Alice, and my grandfather.''
Souma yawned softly and smiled sadly before saying ''I guess you've forgotten after all those years.''
and slowly fell asleep.
Erina's entire body went rigid with that sentence. ''N-No, he couldn't be..'' she thought.
''Souma, where e-exactly did we meet..'' Erina silently asked, almost afraid of his answer. But when she didn't receive a response after a minute Erina looked at him and saw that he was snoring softly.
Souma still had his arm wrapped around her shoulder which gave her the opportunity to take a good look at his face.
''His hair is a little darker but that could be from growing up. But I know for sure that there is no alumni that's called Yukihira.'' Erina thought as she moved Souma in a lying position.
''I don't really know if it's you, I'm too confused. But if Alice can sleep with you then so can I.'' She softly whispered and made herself comfortable next to him. If it was going to be a cold night than we need all the warmth we can get. And as Erina closed her eyes she couldn't stop herself from smiling before she fell asleep with a last thought.
''I would not mind it if he were you.''
Early in the morning, a black van made its way back up the mountain. Inside were two men that did not expect to be there this day. The aggressive man from yesterday, Ryuuto, was even more aggressive today as his slightly obese body wasn't able to convince a hotel maid to give him some release. So at the moment it was even worse for his partner to be around him. ''We shouldn' hafta go that far for the money.'' Ryuuto said angrily. ''Jus pickin' up the broad again and we're done.'' His partner replied with a shrug.
''Maa..maybe the girl can give me some release.'' Ryuuto said with a lecherous smirk, salivating at the thought of the young flesh in his hands.
His partner could only shake his head in disappointment as they reached the bridge where he had to unlock the gates.
It was like Souma heard Ryuuto's voice as his eyes snapped right open at virtually the same time.
In shock, he looked around him and wondered where he was, and as soon as he looked next to him he remembered.
It was Erina, hugging him tightly in her sleep. Souma gave her a quick hug before he shook her.
After a few unconscious threats to let her sleep Erina finally woke up and was surprised to see her arms tightly wrapped around Souma.
''Something is not right.'' Souma said as he stood up and walked to his clothes. ''We need to get out of here before they come.''
Erina quickly agreed with him and searched for some more clothing. Outside it was completely white and the thermometer showed it was -10 Celcius outside. Way too cold for stocking socks and a skirt. Luckily after searching in the rooms she found a pair of large boots and army pants.
Downstairs Souma had quickly dressed and took his phone from the charger. ''Damn..'' Souma said. ''Still no connection.'' and shouted for Erina to come down.
Meanwhile, he walked to the kitchen and took two empty cups of noodles from the garbage bag. He used the bag to carry the blankets with them and protect them from the snow, preventing them from getting wet.
Souma was completely ready when Erina walked back down the stairs and he had to really stop himself from laughing out loud from the way she looked.
''Don't say anything.'' She voiced angrily. ''Take this.'' and pushed a large coat in his arms.
''Thanks.'' He replied with a broad grin on his face. ''Let's go G.I. Erina''
Opening the door they were met by a strong and icy wind, immediately cooling them down.
''I'm so not going to look forward to this'' They both thought and together they walked through the small amount of snow that was still falling.
''Erina-san, let's go a different direction. We don't want to walk right into their hands.'' Souma said and pointed to the mountain top. If they could walk around it, they could descend around paths a van could never reach them.
She nodded in acceptance of his logical plan and they took off, dragging their feet through the snow.
It was five minutes after they had left when the black van reached the wooden cabin.
Ryuuto was ready to burst as his imagination had taken the better of him during the ride and wasted no time to walk up to the door.
He didn't pay any attention to the state of the room nor the fact that there were still a few pillows on the couch, Ryuuto went straight for the room where he left Erina.
However, when he reached the room there was only a stool and cut rope left.
''FUUUUCK!'' Ryuuto bellowed loudly before he went back to his partner who had already noticed that something was amiss.
''She's not here anymore'' His partner said as a matter of fact.
''You think I'm stupid. Y'er itching for one?'' Ryuuto replied and got in his face.
''Maa maa just calm down Ryuuto.'' Yuu replied.
''Calm down, calm down!? Our money is gone!'' He shouted back.
''Let's just find her okay.'' and together they went back outside till Yuu noticed something.
He saw two pairs of feet walking through the snow away from the house.
''Oi. Look at this.'' Yuu said as he bumped into Ryuuto. ''Someone helped the girl.''
''We got to call the boss'' Ryuuto replied. ''I don't want to get caught so step on it.''
They got in the van again, driving down the mountain and hope they can find the girl again.
After an hour of silently walking through the snow, Souma and Erina made quite some progress in walking around the mountain. However right now a snow storm was approaching and they had to find shelter.
They began to move faster and managed to finish the first part of their journey when they reached the other side of the mountain where a large lake greeted them and fortunately there was also a small cave cut out in the mountain, it was probably being used by hikers in case of bad weather.
So for now, the duo had some cover from the snow that threateningly came closer to them.
As Erina found a nice rock to sit on it the back of the cave, Souma was inwardly pleased that he took the blankets with him and gave one to Erina.
''Erina-san.'' He said to get her attention. ''If it's going to be a massive storm there's a chance we have to stay here all day and maybe even the night.''
Together they sat down next to each other, but as it began snowing more and more and the temperature kept on dropping, they slowly inched closer to one another.
Even though Erina had lost her initial hostility towards Souma since last night, she still wasn't sure if he was the one she was looking for.
''Souma..'' She softly whispered over the howling winds. ''Where exactly did we meet before?''
Souma looked back in her pleading eyes and decided it was time to tell her.
He softly chuckled when she gave him a pouty look and lied down with the blanket on top of him.
''We met at some park eight years ago. Like today, we were at a small lake as well and at the time you were as focussed on being god's tongue as you still are.'' Souma said and saw signs of recognition on Erina's face so he continued.
As Souma kept explaining more and more, Erina's heart couldn't stop from bursting in happiness, fueling the growth of the seeds that were planted there that one summer's day.
''I was actually really surprised you didn't notice it any sooner.'' Souma said as he showed her his face. ''I was pretty confident you would have noticed the scar by now.''
When he spoke of his scar, Erina was convinced he was her first friend, and with a burst of relief, the first tears dripped down her cheeks. ''S-Souma!'' she yelled and latched onto him.
Not knowing whether to be angry or sad, she blurted out a combination of the two.
''Why didn't you tell me your name back then!?'' ''I-I'm so sorry for treating you so bad in Tootsuki.'' ''You have no idea how alone I've been!'' ''Baka Baka Baka!''
She kept slowly pounding Souma's chest as she told him everything that scarred her heart.
After coming back from the shock Erina gave him, Souma smiled sadly and wrapped his arms around her as well. Seeing a proud girl like Erina cry was something he wasn't used to.
''I missed you too you know.'' He whispered to the distraught girl. ''If you want to we can be friends again.''
''Baka, I don't want to be just friends with you.'' Erina thought as she wiped away her tears but didn't move away from Souma.
Together as they lied next to each other. They spoke for hours about how their lives have been going as the snow storm raged over the mountain until deep into the night,
In the early morning when it finally stopped snowing, Souma and Erina managed to sleep for a few hours before they moved down the mountain again. Erina complained with Souma that she was still cold so she demanded that he'd give his Yukihira dinner shirt to her, which he did after a few threats from the girl.
An hour into the journey again, Souma suddenly heard a beep from his phone and saw that he finally was able to contact the outside world again. ''Erina-san, do you know your grandfather's phone number?'' he asked as it was Saturday and no one was at Tootsuki this time.
''I had Hisako remember all my numbers.'' She replied with a shake of her head.
''Well.. looks like there's only one person I can call.'' and searched for the number.
Inside of the Nakiri Mansion was a chaos among the people with Senzaemon and Alice in the middle of it.
It's been two days since the last time they heard from either Souma or Erina and they've begun to grow worried.
The men Senzaemon sent to do several tasks have completed their assignments. The identity of Ryuuto and Yuu was found after a hotel maid went to the police to press charges for sexual harassment. Souma's phone was tracked till it stopped on a certain mountain and most importantly the Police has found the wooden cabin where they were kept.
''Bzz Bzz'' Alice's phone buzzed and she answered it without looking at the caller.
''What is it, we're kind of busy here.'' She impatiently said as she was waiting for a sign of life from her cousin and boyfriend.
''I'll call back another time than Alice.'' Souma teasingly replied before she shouted his name out loud.
''Souma-kun!'' and everything in the Nakiri mansion stopped.
Senzaemon was quickly ushered downstairs and saw his granddaughter in tears speaking to Souma.
''Baka Baka Souma! Where are you?'' She shouted angrily, but those who knew her better knew that she was immensely relieved by hearing his voice.
''We're walking down the mountain after we managed to escape from where Erina-san was kept.'' Souma replied casually. ''We are safe for now but I think they're waiting for us somewhere near.''
''Souma-kun.'' Alice softly said. ''We have already found the kidnappers.''
''…''
''…''
''Huh?'' Souma whispered out intelligently. ''What do you mean found them already?''
Erina who was listening to what he was saying had her mouth right open and collected some snow in it from the news.
''The same van drove around the resort again and asked Doujima Gin if he had seen someone he described as Erina. Security came and a man named Ryuuto was taken into custody for sexual harassment charges and confessed that he took Erina as well.'' Alice explained with a smile as she could almost feel the disappointment roll of Souma's breath.
''I'm kind of let down...'' Souma muttered sadly as he was certain he had to fight them. ''It would be great if someone could pick us up at the resort though.''
''I missed you Souma-kun so of course I'll be there.'' Alice replied and hang up after they agreed on a meeting spot.
Souma hang up the phone and looked at Erina who had shoveled the snow out of her mouth.
''Looks like it's going to be a happy ending after all.'' He said with a smile. ''Even though I'm a little disappointed I don't get to fight.''
''Reckless dinner boy.'' Erina replied with a tense smile but her eyes showed nothing but relief.
''Let's go home, Erina-san.'' Souma said and held out his hand which she grabbed almost immediately.
''Yes, let's.'' She replied with a true smile. ''Thank you, Souma. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there.''
On the parking lot of the Nakiri resort was a mass of people watching the commotion when Souma and Erina arrived.
Immediately they were taken by the Police to an ambulance and got their statements. They also thanked Souma for his assistance and said that if he ever quit as a chef they'd be more than happy to offer him a job.
After ten minutes, Erina was released from the ambulance personnel and ran to her grandfather who was impatiently waiting for his granddaughter.
It took an additional twenty minutes for Souma to be given the OK by the medics. He had small signs of lung damage from the first day he ran behind the van. Fortunately for him, thanks to Erina's quick thinking and warming him up he didn't suffer any damage permanently.
For as long as he was in there, Erina had been searching for confidence. Confidence for the one thing she always wanted to do with her first friend.
''Souma..'' She longingly said as she held him by his shoulders. ''I didn't get the chance to properly thank you yet..''
Erina still couldn't believe what she was about to do. The entire way down the mountain she couldn't suppress her smile as the seeds in her heart bloomed with every step she took, understanding that she still had a chance at love with the one she wanted to. The one that saw her as Nakiri Erina, just Erina.
''Hmm..?'' Souma hummed as she stared at him before slowly bringing her face closer to his, puckering her lips amateurishly like a girl in love would do for the first time.
But it wasn't meant to be as someone pulled on her honey blonde hair.
Erina turned around with a furious and embarrassed look on her face to see Alice standing there with an unamused smile on her face.
''What are you trying to do cow?'' She asked with barely concealed rage.
Alice walked up to Souma and linked their hands, stating her claim in front of Erina.
''I can't let you kiss my boyfriend, Erina.'' She said. ''Like I told you back then, you can have everything but Souma-kun.''
''I-I..'' Erina muttered as she looked at her cousin and Souma and their linked hands before she turned around and ran away towards one of the cars.
As Souma looked at Erina leaving he couldn't help but say ''That could have gone better Alice.'' before he hugged her with all he could.
Alice more than willingly reciprocated the hug and buried her face in his chest, blaming him for worrying her so much that she wasn't able to sleep for the past two days.
''I'm not letting you go for today.'' She said and demanded to be escorted by him to the Polar Star dorm.
''kuch'' The couple heard from behind them and saw that it was Senzaemon waiting for them to be done.
''I'd like to borrow Yukihira Souma for a minute, my dearest granddaughter.'' He asked with a smile.
Alice nodded to her grandfather before she gave Souma a quick peck and pointed at her eye before pointing at him, mouthing ''I've got my eye on you.''
Senzaemon chuckled behind his hand when he saw Souma pale a little before he regained his previous demure.
''Yukihira Souma..'' He began before he bowed deeply. ''I am forever in your debt. I don't know what I would have done if something would have happened to Erina.''
''Please stand up gramps..'' Souma replied uncomfortably as everyone's eyes were on the two men. ''It did not matter to me who was abducted, I would have ran after anyone.''
''Still Yukihira Souma..If there's anything..'' Senzaemon said as he stood up. ''You can count on me. You are forevermore welcome at the Nakiri's''
''I appreciate it.'' Souma replied with a smile as he walked towards the cars. ''Just your blessing in time I hope.'' and waved him off.
''My blessing huh..I'm sure it will be blessings in due time.'' Senzaemon thought as he saw Souma and his granddaughter take off in one of the cars.
''Ooh one more thing!'' Souma yelled from the window of the car. ''Check Erina's father and his connection with the kidnappers.''
Senzaemon tensed slightly and took his phone out to make a couple of calls.
It was night time when Souma finally lied in bed.
When he returned home he was instantly glomped by Megumi who, just like the other girls, hadn't heard about the abduction of Erina yet and didn't know where Souma was as well.
After having consoled Megumi and said he would never try to stay away this long again, he was dead tired and went to bed with Alice.
''Are you alright now, Souma-kun.'' He heard from next to him in bed. Souma gave Alice a tired smile before he closed the distance with her.
In the car, Souma already told everything that had happened the past two days, including that Erina knew that he was their friend from the past.
He yawned deeply before he held her tight and said ''Hmm..you're really warm.'' with a satisfied smile and felt her warm pillows envelop his face.
In just a few minutes Souma's breathing evened out as he fell asleep in the arms of Alice.
For an hour she kept looking at his, softly stroking his cheeks as she was thankful that nothing had happened to him, but her thoughts returned back to her cousin. Or more specifically the love she held for the same young man as she did.
Ever since Erina ran away from them she was reminded of what Joichiro said that night.
''Erina-chan isn't always happy either. Because there are many people looking up at her, she doesn't have time for other things.''
''Please, if you see her again don't be angry with her. You both envy each other's life''
''She met even fewer people than I did. No wonder she wants to hold on to Souma-kun.'' Alice softly whispered.
Though she was so very happy with Souma that she would almost give up anything, Alice hated to see Erina sad.
''Bakarina you better appreciate this..'' She thought with a small gleam of interest before she fell asleep as well, holding Souma tight in her chest.
At the same time in the Nakiri mansion, Erina was still lying restlessly in bed.
When she returned home she was slammed into the wall by an irate Hisako who apologized profusely for not being there and blamed herself for Erina's misfortune.
After having consoled her aide she retired for the night almost instantaneously. Her staff didn't need to know that the only traumatic experience was the fact that Souma and Alice were together.
For hours, she looked at her ceiling wondering where things went wrong. Just like last night Erina was a little cold even though her blanket was warm enough and she finally understood.
She missed the warmth Souma provided. Erina felt very uncomfortable without it.
With a small sigh, she slipped out from underneath her silk blanket and walked to the desk where she had left a precarious item.
Erina grabbed the item almost reverently and slipped it onto her pantie clad body.
It was the Yukihira dinner shirt Souma had given her. She held the shirt to her nose and could still smell Souma's scent.
''Hmm..'' She almost moaned out in ecstasy. ''Just like him.''
As she lied back in her bed, being completely enveloped by his smell and the warmth returned to her body, Erina made a promise to herself.
''One day I'll make you mine, Yukihira Souma.'' She whispered and as she closed her eyes her last thoughts were.
''I'm sorry Alice, but I can't stay away from the only man I'll ever love.''
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was love filled and a bitch to write.
anyways, Flowers of the flame, feel free to drop a suggestion for the girls.
I've already got 10 of them and I might have forgotten one that I can use.
Let's see, I've got some more DxD chapters to write and those one-shots so a busy week for now.
I hope you guys enjoyed it and see you next time!
Next Chapter: Falling in Love