Sign In Sign-Up

Welcome!

Close

Would you like to make this site your homepage? It's fast and easy...

Yes, Please make this my home page!

No Thanks

  Don't show this to me again.

Close

"We should go tonight." Adonis tossed a twig into the fire.

The men, excluding Arlen, sat around the fire, plotting an attempt to save Ivy.

Randoruun folded his arms and nodded, "But how will we go about doing this? Quinn is injured too severely to fight." Randoruun looked to Jonothan.

"He can move, but I’d rather you not, Quinn. It could tear it up beyond repair." Jonothan sat next to Quinn.

"Doesn’t Ivy have a sword?" Hiko asked.

"I don’t know if she’d be in the condition to use it." Randoruun held his chin.

"I don’t think, in any case, she can." Quinn recalled their first meeting, "Nonetheless with the Dark Knight."

Gray silently listened to the men converse. He glanced over to Arlen, who was silently keeping to himself away from the group.

"That leaves us no choice." Randoruun stood, "We’ll have to move towards them in two hours, when it’s completely dark." He turned to Quinn, "Quinn, you’ll lead us, but please don’t fight unless you absolutely have to."

Quinn nodded, and the meeting began to break off.

"It won’t work."

The men all froze, and turned to Gray, whose eyes were closed.

"What?" Adonis asked.

"It won’t work." Gray repeated.

"We have to go tonight, or else--"

"I’ve heard your reasons." Gray cut off Randoruun.

Randoruun looked to Gray, concerned. "Then enlighten us. Why won’t it work?"

"It won’t work." Gray insisted.

"We have to do it tonight! If we are one second off, we might be too late!" Randoruun began to argue.

Gray began to wipe off the dried blood on his knife, and searched for its thick leather cover, "It won’t work unless we do it tomorrow."

"How can you be so nonchalant about this?" Randoruun took a step towards Gray, "Why should we even trust you?!"

"It’s not about trust," Gray slipped his knife into its cover, "We are discussing why your plan won’t work."

"All we know about you is that you’re a murderer." Randoruun’s voice became cold.

"Would you rather have had the girl murdered instead?" Gray replied in the nonchalant tone he was previously accused of.

"Randoruun…?" Adonis walked up behind the angered Randoruun.

"We’re going tonight!" Randoruun’s voice was to the point of a growl. His statement didn’t waver as he saw Gray draw out his knife. The hot flame of the fire reflected on its blade.

"Calm down," he slipped it back in, "You’re not making any sense."

Adonis took Randoruun’s shoulders, and began to force him to sit down, repeatedly urging him to relax.

Gray walked across the camp, and rested his back against a tree trunk.

Randoruun glared across to Gray. Gray turned on to his side with closed eyes, asleep.

Randoruun’s eyes widened wildly, and he jumped to his feet. Adonis grabbed Randoruun’s shoulders, and pushed him down.

Arlen walked over to the campsite, "We’re going to go tomorrow morning. Get some rest, everyone."

The fire had died down at the men’s camp. The men were all sleeping, saving up their energy for their plan to rescue Ivy in the morning.

Jonothan Quimby lay flat on his back staring at the stars. The brisk air filled his lungs, and worry flooded his mind. There’s no way he could sleep knowing Ivy was somewhere far away…who knows what was happening to her!

A slim, but long hand fell on his forehead in a chopping manner.

Jono winced, and his hands fumbled for his glasses. Slipping them on, his eyes focused on Quinn’s serious face.

"It’s time. Let’s go." Quinn quietly spoke, kneeling over Jonothan’s head, "Bring your medical tools. We’ll probably need them."

Jonothan blinked, "Quinn…." He sat up, and began to shove all of his tools into his case.

"Quickly now!" Quinn hissed, "Hurry!"

Jono walked over to the fire, where some of his bloody instruments were sterilized. He took the small pot, and quickly drained the cooled water. He threw the tools in, and took a tin of water, and threw it in. He threw his braid behind his shoulder, and followed close behind Quinn, looking behind his shoulder to the sleeping men.

"They’ll be angry with us." Jonothan whispered to Quinn as they left the camp.

"We can’t wait to get Ivy back. We have to go now." Quinn whispered back, "We can’t risk her safety."

He’s serious about this…Jonothan thought in utter shock, and he smiled in spite of himself, It seems I misjudged you, Quinn.

"Besides, it’s the heroic thing to do, wouldn’t you agree?" Quinn cheerfully smiled, giving a peace sign.

Jonothan nearly stumbled over his own feet, I spoke too soon…

Quinn put his hand on the handle of his sword, and looked at the crescent moon. "They’re not far."

Jonothan looked to Quinn, whose face was unusually serious. His eyes searched the landscape, looking for signs of a fire.

There was silence for a good ten minutes. Not even crickets chirped. The wind quietly blew through the soft fields of grass. The light of the moon reflected on the blades, giving the fields the illusion of a silver lake.

Quinn kept his eyes on the trail. He was strategizing his first attack. He remembered his previous battle with the Dark Knight.

He suddenly recalled the wound in his shoulder. He was at a disadvantage. He didn’t want to permanently damage his shoulder. And if she is wearing her armor…he didn’t even want to search the possibilities. Jonothan was perfectly defenseless as well.

"Jonothan."

Jonothan quickly snapped out of gazing, "Huh?"

"When we get there, you go straight to Ivy, and get her out of camp. Leave the woman to me." Quinn ordered the doctor, "You can treat her wounds once you two are out of danger’s way."

Jonothan paused, and nodded.

Quinn smiled, and unsheathed his sword slowly, "We’re here. Be quiet, and stick close."

Ivy couldn’t sleep. She sprawled herself across a patch of grass a few feet from the dead fire. She had her eyes closed, but she couldn’t sleep knowing that possible death might await her rescuers.

Goosebumps covered her body as the air got colder. Her eyes opened as she heard a shuffle.

Yamatako noticed Ivy’s sudden movement, and looked around, her sword in hand.

Out of nowhere, Quinn appeared, and lunged at Yamatako.

Ivy gasped, covering her mouth in horror, "No, she’ll kill you!!!"

Quinn pushed forward on his sword, "Now, Jono!"

Jonothan ran quickly to Ivy, "Are you alright?" his soft voice asked in concern.

"Jono!" Ivy happily cried, and hugged him tightly, "You shouldn’t have come! You’ll be killed!"

"Don’t say that. Let’s get you out of here!" Jono took her hands, and spun around to face Yamatako.

Ivy gasped as Yamatako’s sword sunk into Jonothan’s side.

Jonothan screamed as Yamatako turned the blade, and yanked it out.

Ivy screamed out his name as Jonothan collapsed to the ground. She knelt to his side.

Quinn looked up from his duel with Nicodemus, "Ivy, she’s going to strike again!"

Ivy looked up in horror as Yamatako’s sword rose into the air again.

"Out of the way!" Gray came from behind Ivy with his knife, and jabbed it in Yamatako’s right shoulder.

Yamatako froze as the blood from her shoulder ran down her arm.

Gray wiped off his knife with a cloth, "What’s wrong, lady? Never seen blood before?"

The woman touched her right shoulder with her left hand, and looked at her red fingers. Her eyes widened, "This…"

Gray gripped his knife handle again, "Okay, time’s up." The oni once again attacked Yamatako, successfully drawing her away from Jonothan and Ivy.

Jonothan’s frantic gasps for air put Ivy into a panic.

"Omigod, you’re suffocating!" Ivy rambled nonsense as Jono struggled to speak, "What do I do?! CPR?! Is there a tube in here?!"

Jonothan grabbed the thin wrist of the girl as she searched through his utensils.

Jonothan gasped out syllables, "Wind…knocked…out…"

"What do I do?!!" Ivy panicked to the point of tears.

Jonothan slowly swallowed, his faces wincing, "Get out a sponge…."

Ivy frantically pulled out a sponge. Jono grunted as he reached for his water canteen.

"Don’t move!" Ivy took the water, and opened it.

"Rinse out…" Jono swallowed again, perspiration running down his face as he battled the extreme pain of the wound.

This pain was such that Yamatako only vaguely remembered.

Her eyes were set on the man that inflicted this sensation on her.

"You dig your grave deeper by getting yourself involved where it doesn’t concern you," Yamatako threatened.

Gray stared back, not replying. He waited for Yamatako to make her move.

Jonothan let out a blood-curdling scream.

"Sorry!!!" Ivy whined as she dabbed Jono’s wound.

"Get the salt!" Jono screamed.

Ivy searched for a few packets, and ripped one open.

"Pour it! For God’s sake, pour it!" Jono gasped.

Ivy did so, and got a needle and thread, "That numbed it, right?"

Jonothan let out a sigh, and cringed in pain, "As much as it can. It should slow its bleeding."

Ivy bit off the thread, and rose up the needle.

"This’ll hurt." She warned.

"I know!" Jono groaned, "Hurry, and be done with it!"

Ivy gingerly began to put stitches in the doctor.

Jonothan made an effort not to squirm as the needle continued to prick, and the thread slid through.

Quinn ran to Ivy’s side, out of breath. "What happened?"

"She stabbed him!" Ivy’s eyes stuck to Jonothan’s wound, her brow furrowed, "What about the other guy?"

"His age is catching up with him," Quinn sighed, "He’s out cold." He looked up to the dueling Yamatako and Gray, and stood, exasperated, "No way he’ll keep her off long enough!!" he ran to Gray’s aid, unsheathing his sword once again.

"Tie it." Jono ordered, tilting his head back, "Tightly."

Ivy nodded, and broke off the thread.

Jonothan heaved a huge sigh, "Good job."

Ivy picked up all of the tools, "Where is everyone?"

"At our campsite. Only we came."

"What?!!" Ivy shrieked, "Jono, you DUMMY!!!" she jabbed him.

Jonothan screamed in pain, and held his arms tightly.

Ivy gasped again, "Sorry!"

Quinn was making an extreme effort to keep Yamatako’s sword off of him. His block was growing weak.

Yamatako smiled, and pushed further on her sword, "Try to have you magic get you out of this one."

Quinn clenched his teeth. The strength of his block continued to wane.

Gray clutched the handle of his knife, and slammed it hard into the back of Yamatako’s head.

Immediately, Yamatako lost consciousness, and collapsed.

Quinn let out a sigh, and pushed back some of the hair framing his face. Sheathing his sword, he walked over to Jonothan and Ivy.

"Are you two alright?" Quinn helped Ivy up, but spoke to Jonothan, "Can you stand?"

Jonothan made a huge effort to sit up, "I don’t…" one of his hands slipped, and Ivy gasped and knelt next to him, and lifted his head.

"Careful!" Ivy scolded, and looked to Quinn and Gray, who walked up behind Quinn with Yamatako on his back.

"I guess that answers my question…" Quinn knelt next to Jono, "Ivy my dear…will you help me out here?"

Ivy nodded.

"What? What are you going to do?" Jono looked to Ivy.

"I’m going to carry you back," Quinn took Jono’s legs as Ivy put his arms on Quinn’s shoulders.

"What?!" Jonothan gawked, "N…no way!" he looked to Ivy pleadingly. She gave him a ‘look’. He sighed in defeat as Quinn stood.

Ivy took Jono’s bag, "What about the old man?"

"He’s smart. He’ll figure it out," Gray walked past the girl.

"But…!" Ivy was about to argue, but gave it up, and followed in suit. She sped up, and walked next to Gray. She looked to the unconscious Yamatako, and then to Gray, "Why are we taking her with us?"

Gray didn’t reply. To be honest, Ivy wasn’t too sure if he was even listening.

Ivy moved on to Jono and Quinn, "Why didn’t anyone else come?"

"They didn’t know we left." Quinn answered, "Jono and I decided to come and get you tonight." Quinn looked to the sleeping Jono on his back. Quinn stopped, and turned to Gray, "I don’t recall you being part of the conversation however, sir."

Gray gave a sideways smile, "Maybe you should learn to move quieter."

Quinn smiled, and turned back around, "You’ve saved our lives many times. Why?"

Ivy’s eyes widened. Never would she have the sheer nerve to ask that!

Gray paused, "The desire for some action, perhaps?"

Quinn laughed good-heartedly, "Alright, you win…"

Ivy looked at the two in shock. Did she just miss something?!

Quinn looked ahead on the trail, and his eyes lit up, "Look! There’s camp!"

"Eh?! Where?!" Ivy began looking.

"Just follow me." Quinn ordered as they wandered off of the trail.

Ivy’s emotions went beyond happiness when she saw the four other men at the camp.

The sun began to peek over the horizon. The light stung Ivy’s sleep-deprived eyes.

Randoruun and Arlen were the only two up, however.

Arlen was the first to look up as they silently entered camp. He jumped up when he saw the woman on Gray’s back. "Yamatako!!!" he ran over, and took her off of Gray’s back.

Randoruun walked up to the three men.

"I thought we decided to wait until this morning to get Ivy," the elf scolded Quinn and Gray.

"We did it, didn’t we?" Quinn replied, "Let’s not argue about it, alright?"

Ivy didn’t hear the next pieces of the conversation. She walked over to Adonis, and nudged him. "Hey."

Adonis moaned and waved a hand, "Go away, Ivy."

Ivy gawked, and folded her arms.

Adonis slowly opened his eyes, and groggily looked up at Ivy, his words slurred, "Aren’t you supposed to be dead or something?"

Ivy angrily punched him in the arm, "I was rescued, no thanks to you!"

Arlen felt a large knot on the back of Yamatako’s head. He looked up to the three men. Gently laying her down on the ground, he lightly stroked her face before walking up to Quinn, Jonothan, and Gray.

"Were you out of your mind?!" Arlen scolded, "You deliberately went against a group decision!"

"We brought her back, didn’t we?" Quinn replied seriously.

"That’s not the point," Arlen extended his arm sharply, "Because of your carelessness, you put your lives and Ivy’s on the line! You might’ve killed Yamatako!"

"If worse came to worse, we might have had to," Gray casually replied.

"Go lay Jonothan down," Randoruun intervened, although just as angry.

Adonis stood up, and walked over to Randoruun, "I thought we were going to get her this morning."

"So did I," Randoruun kept his eye on Gray, "But obviously the plan was changed."

"Hey! Weren’t you the one who said we should’ve attacked this morning?!" Adonis called to Gray.

"They would have all died if I didn’t follow them. I wasn’t about to let the girl pay for her friends’ stupid mistakes." Gray sat on a boulder, and rested his chin on the handle of his knife.

Ivy was too scared to try and stop the argument between the men. She stood and watched, her heart pounding heavily. Sheer chaos was the only way to describe the scene. Never before had she seen such intense arguing from these men. Their voices soon flooded out. The young girl clutched her head and squeezed her eyes shut. All was silent, except for her shrill scream, ordering them to cease.

"Time to get up."

Ivy felt a light brush on her cheek. Moaning, she turned on her side, and buried her face in her pillow.

She heard a soft laugh. Quite obviously Kei’s.

He pulled back the blankets to Ivy’s waist.

"Don’t be lazy…" Kei whispered into Ivy’s ear. He smiled, and softly rested his cheek on one of her shoulders.

Ivy still refused to get out of bed. She remained deathly still.

Kei lifted his head from Ivy’s shoulder. He looked at her, and bit the side of his lip.

"Okay…" Kei stood, and grabbed Ivy’s arms, "Get up!!!"

Ivy’s eyes opened as she was literally dragged out of bed, "Okay! Okay!" the cold floor touched her bare feet, and she gasped.

Her feet quickly adjusted, and she followed Kei into the kitchen.

Kei reluctantly agreed to let Ivy cook breakfast. He once again stood by the window, and inhaled the brisk and cool air, "A cold front came in last night."

Ivy sprinkled some sugar over some sliced apples, "Really?"

"Mmh…" Kei nodded, "Well…" he looked over his shoulder, and smiled, "It looks like we survived our second day together!"

WHAT!? Ivy’s teeth clenched, and she launched a whole apple at Kei’s head.

"Ow!" Kei held the place where the apple hit him.

Ivy "Hmph"-ed and continued to peel and cook some spiced apples.

Kei walked to Ivy and set the apple down. He eagerly looked over Ivy’s shoulder, "Smells nice."

"Doesn’t it?" Ivy smiled, tossing in some cinnamon, "I adore apples."

Kei put his arms around Ivy’s waist, his hands on her stomach, "I was talking about you." His breath sent a tingle down Ivy’s back.

Ivy blushed furiously. Kei’s hands moved down to her hips, and he rested his cheek on her head, and closed his eyes.

Ivy felt Kei’s chest slowly rise against her back. She turned around, and stood on her toes to reach his lips. She threw her arms around his neck, and he brought her closer.

She opened her eyes when she began to smell smoke.

She quickly broke the kiss and turned back to the stove, "Oh, no! The apples!!!" she took a cup of water, and dumped it in the pan. She scraped the burnt apples off of the skillet.

Kei stood, blushing furiously.

Ivy lightly blushed, That little bit could put Adonis to shame!

Kei let out a quiet, disappointed sigh, and sat down at the table.

Ivy was terribly upset. She angrily peeled another apple, and began slicing it.

"So what would you like to do today?" Kei asked. "It’s already noon, so I’d like to get started soon."

Ivy finished cooking the apples, and poured some into two bowls. She took them, and set one in front of Kei, "Gee, I dunno…" she sat down, and took a fork.

Kei took a forkful of apples and ate it. His eyes lit up in shock, "This is fantastic!"

"Really?" Ivy took a forkful, and tasted it. Ivy’s eyes also widened in shock. This…she swallowed it. Her face became flushed, ….gross!!! Her eyes moved to Kei, who was happily scarfing down her horrible concoction. You really haven’t had real food, huh?

Ivy pushed away her bowl, suddenly losing her appetite. "It really doesn’t matter to me what we do. I’m easily entertained."

Kei polished off his apples, and set his fork down. "Say, why don’t we spend the day in the forest behind my house?" Kei took the bowls, "It’s really pretty there, and I’d like to check on the berry bushes near the waterfall."

"Okay!" Ivy smiled, "Berries would be great with dinner!"

Kei smiled, "I’ thought you’d approve. Go get ready, I’ll clean the dishes."

Ivy nodded, and walked back into Kei’s bedroom. She changed out of Kei’s spare shirt into her clothes. She took Kei’s shirt, and brought it to her nose. She inhaled the strong scent of pine. Much like the smell of Kei’s workshop. Ivy sat on Kei’s bed, and inhaled it again. The scent made her go light-headed. She fell back on the mattress, and smiled. She held the shirt to her chest, and closed her eyes. She sighed.

"Ivy! Come on!" Kei called.

Ivy’s eyes snapped open, "Right!" she leapt off of the bed, and ran into the kitchen.

Kei took her arm, "That took unusually long."

Ivy hugged Kei tightly, and inhaled the smell of pine on his sleeve. She gleefully buried her face in Kei’s shirt, squeezing him tighter.

Kei’s eyes widened, "Wh…what are you doing?"

Ivy nuzzled Kei’s chest lovingly. "I love you!"

Kei’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, "Huh?"

Ivy giggled, "Let’s go."

Kei smiled back, "Okay."

Ivy gleefully hugged Kei’s arm, and rested her head on Kei’s arm, "You’re too good to be true." Her voice was quiet and fragile for a moment.

Kei looked down to Ivy, who was happily blushing. She didn’t look up to smile at him. She just looked ahead as they walked outside, her eyes lowered.

He kissed her on her head, and stopped walking.

Ivy stopped as well, and looked up to Kei, "Hmm?"

Kei put his free arm under Ivy’s knees, and swept her up in his arms.

Ivy made a shrill gasp, and clutched onto Kei’s shoulders. She looked to the grass below her, and then to Kei.

"Did you think I’d drop you?" Kei smiled.

Speechless, Ivy shook her head continuously.

"Yes you did." Kei’s smile melted into a grin.

Ivy’s head-shaking quickly changed to a constant nodding.

Kei nodded, with her, "I thought so."

Ivy’s grip didn’t loosen on Kei’s shoulders. She looked over Kei’s shoulder as the house became smaller and smaller, until the tree of the forest surrounding them blocked it out.

Ivy blinked, and looked ahead. She blushed when she realized how ridiculous they must look. She shook the thought out of her head. She smiled, and closed her eyes, resting her head on Kei’s shoulder. She soon heard running water.

"We’re here," Kei turned his head to Ivy.

Ivy looked up, and scanned the lush green area. She stepped down, and caught a glimpse of the berry bushes. Her smile widened as she ran over to the deep blue berries.

"These look great!" Ivy gasped as she walked to one of the other bushes, "Look! These are red!"

Kei smiled at Ivy’s silly excitement over the berries, "Later on we can pick some for dinner."

Ivy looked up, her mouth stained blue, "Y’mean we were gonna pick these later?" she asked with a mouth full of berries.

Kei cracked up, "How old are you again? You act fourteen."

Ivy swallowed her berries, and gawked, "I’m SEVENTEEN, Kei! SEVENTEEN!!!"

She plucked off another berry, and popped it in her mouth, "Pretty place, by the way."

"Yeah, I come here all the time." Kei looked to Ivy, "It’s where I visit my Uncle."

Ivy blinked, "Your Uncle lives out here?!" she looked around, "Family’s a bit of a wilderness-type, huh?"

Kei took Ivy’s hands, and led her behind the berry bushes.

They stopped in front of a beautifully carved plank of wood.

Ivy covered her mouth with a hand. Her eyes froze on the headstone.

"After my dad died, my Uncle took my mother and I under his care. However, someone by the name of…" Kei faded off for a moment.

Ivy looked up to Kei, and wove her fingers with his.

"…Gideon. Gideon Davis, I think." Kei continued, "He murdered my mother. Uncle never told me why…but we had to run. We came here. I guess it was to escape danger.

"He died a year or two ago…I don’t remember life with my parents. But it’s for the best."

Ivy looked back to the grave.

"He was a good, honest man. I loved him dearly."

Jonothan’s face winced as he regained himself. He sat up, and squinted as the sunlight peeked through the clouds. He adjusted his glasses, and looked around camp.

Ivy lay down next to him, asleep. She was scrunched up in her usual little ball. She swallowed, and licked her lips, "K…ke…." She murmured.

Jonothan smiled at the young girl, and brushed away a few strands of loose hair from her face.

It looks like you’re having good dreams now…he stared at her, and rolled over on his good side to plant a light kiss on her cheek.

"---Looks like we’ve created quite the ruckus, wouldn’t you agree?"

Jonothan quickly bolted away from Ivy before even getting close to her face.

Quinn sat himself down next to Jono, and handed him an apple.

Jonothan grimaced, blushing as he took the fruit from Quinn, "Thanks…" he dryly said. Taking a bite, he looked over to Arlen, who was watching over Yamatako, "Has she woken up yet?"

"Nope," Quinn answered, and looked around, and caught a glimpse of Adonis, who was sneezing horribly, "Say…what about the invalid over there?"

"Hmm?" Jono looked at Adonis, "Oh…" he called to Adonis across the camp, "Lay down, will you?!"

"Sleepin’s for at night!" Adonis argued.

Randoruun sighed, and watched Adonis, in no mood to argue with a sneezing dragon.

Gray walked past Adonis, and stopped in front of him, "You’re useless like this. At least get better so you can stop making all that noise."

Adonis glared at the oni darkly, and sat down in a huff. After a silent moment, he made a loud sneeze.

Jonothan laughed quietly, and looked over to Ivy again.

Hiko sat himself down next to Ivy, "How long has she been asleep?"

"For about two hours…" Jonothan looked at his pocket watch.

Gray stood in front of the four on the ground, he looked down at the scrunched up Ivy, "Let her sleep longer. She probably needs it."

Kei forced a smile across his face, "Sorry about that. I’ve never shown this to anyone."

Ivy squeezed Kei’s hand, "It’s alright." She looked to Kei, "Thank you for showing me. He must’ve been great."

Kei looked to Ivy, who continued.

"I mean, I can’t imagine what you went through…all the people I love are alive, but if he raised you, then…" Ivy smiled honestly, "He must’ve been something."

Kei smiled wider, and took Ivy back to the waterfall. The cold air gave Ivy goosebumps, but she didn’t complain.

Kei slipped off his shoes, and immersed his feet in the ice cold water of the pond under the falls.

Ivy watched the water in the pool trickle down in a tiny stream, which flowed into the depths of the forest. Tiny yellow minnows swam in circles around her submerged fingers. She giggled as their tiny mouths nibbled her fingers. She was laying on her belly, propping herself up with her elbows.

Kei’s hand startled away the small fish as his fingers lightly brushed Ivy’s hand.

Ivy’s head jerked up, and she looked to Kei. Her breath began to form tiny clouds.

Kei’s fingers traced from Ivy’s knuckles to her wrist. Ivy took a shaky breath as he gently lifted her hand out of the water. His deep blue eyes looked into hers as he brought her wrist to his mouth.

Ivy’s cheeks turned even rosier against her pale skin as he breathing grew fainter.

The air was getting colder as clouds began covering the sun.

Kei and Ivy both looked up at the thunderheads forming in the sky.

"We should get going," Kei quietly whispered, barely brushing his lips against Ivy’s wrist once again.

Ivy felt her heart sink, but she nodded in agreement. They both stood, and Kei got out a folded cotton pouch. The two filled it with berries. The wind began to blow, sending chills down Ivy’s spine.

Ivy dropped the last few ripe berries in the pouch, and Kei tied it shut. He looked up to the sky again as Ivy noticed raindrops making her reflection in the pool ripple.

She shuddered when ice cold raindrops began to fall on her.

Kei’s eyes darted around the area as it began to get darker, "C’mon…." He urged Ivy ahead of him, "Let’s try to get back before it gets heavier…"

They began to run, but it was impossible to beat the storm. It was pouring by the time they reached the end of the forest.

Kei quickly opened the door to his house, and brought Ivy inside. Slamming the door shut, he lit a few candles, and closed the window-shutters.

Ivy held her arms and shivered violently. Her face was pale. Her clothes and hair were drenched.

Kei went over to the stone fireplace across the dining room table, and built a fire.

Ivy stood in front of it, trying to warm up. The cold made her fingers and toes sting, and her eyes burn.

Kei quickly wrapped a blanket around her, "Sit down. Get out of those wet clothes." He went to his room.

Ivy held the blanket tightly to her, and sat in front of the fire, staring into it.

Kei walked back, "You’ll freeze in those clothes." He knelt next to her, in dry pants and shirtless, a spare shirt in his hands. He reached over and unfastened her necklace and collar piece. He stood, and put the necklace on the table, and the collar piece over a chair. Ivy watched Kei sit next to her again. He looked at her once again with his suggestive eyes. She simply reacted by putting her feet in his lap.

"Do my boots," her pathetically weak voice ordered.

Kei looked to Ivy, smiling, taking off a boot, "You weren’t supposed to say that."

"Then what was I supposed to say?" Ivy’s voice was cracked and weak, but it still had attitude.

"Nothing," Kei replied, taking off the other boot.

"You forgot who you’re dealing with," Ivy shot back, "You better be kidding if you expect me to take off my clothes with you here."

"Don’t be tacky, now…" Kei answered, and stood up, leaving the room.

Ivy waited until she heard the door shut. She quickly slipped out of her soaked clothes, and threw them in a pile. She slipped on Kei’s warm, dry shirt. Tightly wrapping the blanket around her body, she paused for a moment, and called to Kei, "I’m done!"

Kei casually walked back in, and began making some tea. Handing Ivy a steaming mug, he sat next to her once again with his own mug, "Cold enough for ya?"

Ivy laughed a bit, and sipped her tea, "Mmm...the fire’s nice." The tea helped her voice smooth out.

Kei slid closer to Ivy, and put an arm around her, "Are you warming up?"

Ivy set down her mug, and held the blanket around her tightly. She snuggled up next to Kei, and smiled, "Mm-hmm!"

Kei set his mug down, and wrapped his arms around Ivy, kissing her forehead again, "I’m so glad. The first person I met is my dream-girl."

Ivy looked up to him, "Dream-girl?"

Kei smiled, "It’s what you are. In every sense of the word." He cradled Ivy’s chin on his index finger, and pulled it up to meet her lips with his. He released the kiss, and opened his eyes slightly to look into Ivy’s eyes, their lips centimeters apart. Ivy felt a tightness in her stomach as Kei’s lips softly traced down to the gape of her neck. She shivered when she felt Kei’s warm breath against the bare, wet skin of her shoulder.

Kei nuzzled Ivy’s neck, and rested his head against her collarbone. "I love you so much, Ivy."

Ivy gazed down at her handsome rescuer, and ran her fingers through his thick hair.

"You’ll spend forever with me, right?" Kei looked up to her, and met at her eye level, inches from her face.

Ivy smiled, and nodded, "Forever, Kei." She kissed him on the cheek, and once more snuggled up against him, "Forever and always."

Ivy groggily swiped at the arm nudging her, "Buzz off, I dunwanna get up…" she turned over. Take me back to Kei, pleeeeeaaassseee!!!!

"It’s time to eat," Adonis poked at her again.

An image of a succulent meal flashed in her mind. Her eyes opened. She subconsciously battled the decision—food…or Kei?

Guess who won.

It’s easier to sleep on a full stomach, you realize. The quaint grilled fish paled in comparison to Ivy’s vision, but it mattered little to her. This would be, after all, her first meal in at least twelve hours of consciousness. Those jerks that kidnapped her neglected her need of nourishment, for goodness’ sake!

She sat down next to Hiko, and nibbled on her fish. She looked at her dining companions, and noticed the absence of Arlen. She searched the campground, and looked over her shoulder to see the man still watching over the matured Yamatako.

"He’s been in the same position for two hours. He hasn’t moved from that spot since you fell asleep." Hiko said.

Ivy turned back to Hiko, "And she still hasn’t come to?"

Hiko silently shook his head. Adonis walked next to Hiko, and seated himself next to him.

"Nope," Adonis kept a serious expression, "It can’t get any stranger than this, if you ask me…"

All three of the youth’s heads turned back to their elder, who protectively watched over the sleeping woman.

Ivy felt a twinge of pity for the poor man. However, part of her still thought his moping will slow down the group on the whole. One thing was certain. He needed to snap out of it, and fast. She turned back to her fish, and took off another bite in a more determined manner. And by the look of things, she’d have to be the one to do it!

On the other side of camp, Yamatako’s stirring snapped Arlen out of his gaze. She moaned deeply in her throat as she opened her eyes. She got eye contact with Arlen. Her mouth opened to speak, but Arlen placed his fingers on her lips to silence her.

"Away with you!!!" she shrieked, forcing Arlen away with insane fury.

The outburst caused the men to all rise to their feet, and Ivy’s head quickly spun back around to watch the heated exchange between the two adults.

Gray walked to the side of Ivy, and sat next to her as they all looked upon the scene with keen interest.

Yamatako and Arlen also rose to their feet, and kept their distance minimal, as to prevent any sudden, rash movements to and of the young men and Ivy.

Their voices remained low, almost a throaty whisper. The female glared up into the tired gray eyes of her childhood friend.

"Give me the girl." Yamatako ordered.

"No." he replied.

"we can settle personal debts later," Yamatako quickly replied in turn.

"You cannot have the girl. Go back to your superior and tell him he’s out of luck." Arlen calmly answered, "This has nothing to do with you. It’s a responsibility I chose to take, and I choose to keep."

Ivy almost leapt to her feet at the harsh blow the woman inflicted on Arlen.

Gray put his hand on Ivy’s shoulder, his firm grip startling her. She looked to him, and then to Arlen, whose face was no longer shown, but was moved by the slap, for he gave no physical resistance.

Yamatako felt burning tears flood down her face, her heavily armored hand still suspended in the air. Her quiet gasps betrayed her, showing pain she refused to show until now.

"This certainly does have something to do with me, Arlen Mullins!" she spat out the words with more difficulty than any foreign tongue could permit. "This has everything to do with me! For once, I have the upper hand, and you can’t avoid it this time!" she made a fist, and raised it to her eye level, "At last…I have the power to change to way our corrupt society works! There will no longer be mistreatment of hard laborers!"

"Why aren’t we helping him?!" Ivy looked at Gray, who kept his eyes on the scene. She looked to the other men, who seemed to be following Gray’s example, "Can’t he get hurt?!" she looked back to Gray, waiting for an answer.

Gray turned to Ivy, and stared straight into her eyes, "Not now."

Ivy felt her heart speed up considerably, as she subconsciously sunk back from the man.

Quinn supported Jonothan with his shoulder and arms, "I think he knew this was coming all along…"

Jonothan looked to Quinn, confusion etched on his face. He didn’t inquire any further, however.

Ivy stared at Gray for a moment, and then went back to watching the scene.

Arlen stood, looking on Yamatako with pity. He spoke again, "I’m sorry for your brother, Yamatako. But you’re approaching the matter wrong." He took a step closer, and whispered into her ear softly, "I’m sorry."

Yamatako’s eyes widened in shock. Before she could react, Arlen dug his fist into the armor of her stomach. He winced as the capillaries in his knuckles burst, and Yamatako fell to her knees. Crouching over, she took frantic gasps of air. The torso of her armor cracked, and broke off. With every few gasps, another piece of armor fell off, shedding with it a vast majority of the woman’s body mass. Her tears grew in number, and her face betrayed her age as it winced with sorrow.

End Installment Seven

Installment Eight : ---FINALE--- As I Lay Dying...

Back To Ageis

Main Page