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Ivy’s eyes intently followed the blade of Gray’s knife flick across a rock. The image of the troll’s decapitated corpses came up in her mind.

He’s not just any killer….Ivy’s eyes were glued to the knife, This guy is good at what he does…

She felt a chill run down her spine. She grimaced, He’s been sharpening long enough! What’s he trying to do, scare me?!

Gray paused, and looked up at Ivy, sending her a "what?" look. Horrified, the girl looked away for a moment, and looked to the other men around the fire. She quickly looked back to Gray, however, and her thoughts wandered again.

I wonder how many people he’s killed…Is he hired to kill…like a mercenary or something?! Ivy’s face went pale, I wonder if he’s killed any women or children! Ivy looked to her feet, If he killed me, what would he do?! How would he kill me?! Slit my neck?! Behead me?! Stab?! Or a slow, painful death…slit my wrists?! She blinked, Hold on, here! He wouldn’t dare! Besides, I gotta think of a way to get him back!

Ivy smiled evilly, and clasped her hands together, This’ll be good!

The sun had completely set. The glow of the fire flickered on the man’s face. Ivy studied Gray. His face was very different from the other men’s. It was much rougher. His cheekbones stuck out more. He looked pretty filthy…Ivy shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling the desire to take a bath.

Gray looked up again. Ivy’s heart skipped, and she froze. However, this time, Gray looked up to the sky.

Ivy couldn’t take the chance of getting eye contact with Gray again. She didn’t feel much safer with him setting up camp with the rest of them, either.

Fine. I’ll just do an all-nighter, since the guys don’t suspect him of anything…Ivy intently stared at the fire. It was times like this that made her wish her father was here.

She looked over the other men around the fire. Arlen sat on the ground, leaning against a large boulder.

What are we going to do now? Ivy thought. It’s beginning to get colder as we head into the mountains….she rubbed her arms, and looked over to Randoruun.

He always looks so sad…Ivy studied Randoruun’s eyes. She grasped her necklace, …and what’s the big deal with him and my necklace? There’s nothing mystical about it….

Hiko was already asleep. Ivy smiled. His tiny, innocent face looked so peaceful. She always felt a warmness in her heart when she watched him.

Would her parents adopt him if they made it back? Would one of the other men take him under his wing? Or would he be back to the way he was before…abandoned and hungry?

"Hey."

Ivy heard a soft young voice, and looked up, "Jono…"

The doctor’s warm face succeeded the glow of the fire, "You feeling okay?"

Ivy forced on a smile, "Yeah, just thinking."

"Ah," Jonothan knew better than to inquire, "The weather is nice for a walk. Care to join me?"

Ivy shook her head, "No thanks. I probably couldn’t keep up."

Jonothan paused, "…okay."

Ivy looked to her hands as Jonothan left her presence. She looked behind her shoulder to see the young medic. She silently stood, and jogged a bit to catch up with him.

Arlen and Randoruun looked up as they heard Ivy’s footsteps.

Jonothan looked down to Ivy, "Changed your mind, huh?"

"Yeah…." Ivy looked ahead at the stars in the distance.

Jonothan looked ahead as well, "Is your throat feeling better?"

"Hmm?" Ivy turned her head, "Oh. Yeah." Ivy remembered her nightmare two nights ago.

"Are your dreams always that interesting?" Jonothan joked.

Ivy felt her throat, I forgot about it all for a moment.

Jonothan quickly stopped smiling, noticing Ivy didn’t react. He coughed, and looked back at the sky.

Ivy listened to the crickets chirping. There’s nothing wrong with it, I guess…she saw the mysterious dream-man’s face. She felt Jonothan take her hand. She looked at her hand, and then to Jonothan.

Jonothan held up her hand, and smiled again, "Why not forget everything for tonight?"

Ivy blinked, "What do you mean?"

Jonothan lightly blushed, "This entire thing is weighing you down."

Ivy smiled back, and looked away, "It’s not that easy…." She thought of the dream-man again, I never got his name…she couldn’t help but feel a deep pain in her heart. Like she lost something…

Jonothan squeezed her hand, Be brave, Jono… "It could be, if you let it."

"Eh?" Ivy lightly breathed, looking into Jonothan’s eyes.

"There’s nothing to do right now," Jonothan encouraged, "For tonight, we can just wait for tomorrow to come."

Ivy looked at Jonothan. He seems so sincere.

Jonothan pressed his lips together, and swallowed, trying to gather up more courage. He quickly leaned towards her, and closed his eyes to kiss her.

Ivy’s eyes widened as she saw a white object fly towards them. She shrieked.

Jonothan got hit upside the head with the object, and fell back.

"It’s a ghost!!!" Ivy screamed, and unsheathed her sword.

"What?!" Jonothan freaked.

Ivy heard uproarious laughter from above her. She looked in the tree above her to see Adonis and Quinn grinning stupidly.

"You two kids having fun?" Quinn called, holding a pole with a ghost hanging down by a string.

Jonothan was now blushing furiously, Why, those jerks! "I should ask the same to you!!!"

"Were you part of this?!" Ivy exploded, "I can’t believe you!!!" she sheathed her sword, and stormed back to camp, "Forget you twits!!!"

"Wait! Ivy!" Jonothan called, as Adonis and Quinn laughed again. He angrily turned to the two men in the tree, "Are you happy now?!"

Ivy stopped in her tracks, Wait a sec…

"Sorry to bust your romantic moonlight walk, lover-boy!" Adonis teased, "Hands off, okay?"

"Hey!" Ivy ran back, a grin on her face, "Can I borrow that?" she pointed to the ghost.

Quinn looked confused, "This? Sure…"

Ivy grinned, Yes!!!

This was the beginning of Ivy’s many attempts to get Gray back for humiliating her.

Ivy climbed on a tree above Gray, who was eating on an apple from his knapsack. She crawled onto a limb branching out over the oni.

She began to make quiet, scary (or so she thought) noises, and lowered the fake ghost in front of Gray.

Gray took a bite off of the apple, and chewed on it, staring at the pathetic toy.

Ivy heard a creak, and a snap. Horrified, she looked behind her, and the branch was beginning to wane.

Oh, nonononono…she cringed, and the branch finally broke.

Ivy screamed as she landed in front of Gray, on top of his knapsack.

Gray continued to eat his apple, not even acknowledging Ivy.

After a moment, Gray tossed the core into a bush, and stood, "I just happen to want this…" he pulled his knapsack out from under her.

Ivy sat up, blushing angrily as she watched Gray walk away, That guy…!

"Pilot."

"My lord?" the gruesome elf reported once again.

"Has Manasse returned with her yet?"

Pilot paused, "….no, lord. I haven’t heard from Manasse."

Pilot’s superior rested his forehead in his right hand, and sighed, "I don’t know how much longer I can take this."

"…may I recommend something?" the elf timidly asked.

"Go on."

"The Dark Knight is at your disposal, if you recall. He owes you." Pilot grinned.

"Does he, now?"

"Yes, lord."

"Summon the Dark Knight, then. I can’t be wasting time anymore. If you hear from Manasse, tell him he’s dismissed."

"Ivy? Are you alright?"

Ivy opened her eyes to see the dream-man looking over her. He sat on the edge of a small bed in a corner of a poorly lit room.

Ivy turned her head and silently looked around, not bothering to get up.

"What happened? You passed out." The man looked genuinely concerned.

"Mmh…" Ivy sat up, and held her forehead, "…I must’ve been exhausted…"

"You certainly gave me a scare for a moment…" the man stood up from the bed, "I thought you just…died or something, all of a sudden."

Ivy rolled her eyes, "You actually believe that ridiculous story about fairies being that frail?"

"You mean it isn’t true?" the man looked to her as he headed towards the door.

"Hardly," Ivy smirked, "I mean, we aren’t as strong as, say…onis or anything, but we don’t just…get up and die!"

"Fascinating…" the man opened the door for her, "I don’t get much news in these parts…I usually keep to myself."

"Why?" Ivy gasped, "There’s nothing to hide from!" A hermit?! How weird…!

"Was that supposed to be funny?" the man looked to her, a bit angry again.

"Huh?" Ivy asked, and then it came to her, Oh, right…! Dummy!

"Come on!" he lightly slammed the door behind him.

Ivy stared at the door for a moment, and walked to it, lightly touching the handle. She felt a large weight float off of her shoulders. For a while, I thought I’d never learn his name…she turned the handle, Don’t get your hopes up yet, you’ve made two strikes already. Who knows what he’s like when he’s mad…

She walked into a hallway, and stopped short. Which way did he go?! She began to walk down the hallway to her left, and looked around, I don’t see him…she bumped into the man as she looked forward.

"Don’t get yourself lost." The man said.

Ivy nodded, and followed him. She eventually built up enough courage to speak, "What’s your name, anyway?"

The man stopped, and turned to her, "Kei."

Ivy blinked, "…Kei?"

"Yes."

Ivy smiled, and extended her hand, "Well, then, Kei! Nice to meetcha!"

The man…now known as Kei, looked to her extended hand, and beaming face. He lifted his hand slightly, and took hers, "Yeah."

Ivy smiled wider.

Kei let go of her hand, and looked away, "You need to be careful around here."

"I don’t understand what happened…I mean, they’re not my best friends…but they’ve been protecting me ever since…" she trailed off, and blushed, No way I’m going to get him involved in this.

"Hmm?" Kei turned, and blinked.

Ivy turned a bit redder, "Ah! Nothing!"

Kei’s handsome face lightened up a bit, and his lips curved into a smile, "Well, you’re safe here with me. Don’t worry anymore."

Ivy’s ears began to burn, and she smiled, "Th-thanks…"

Kei’s eyes closed as he let out a quiet laugh. He walked to her, and put his hand on her head, "You’re cute."

Ivy’s smile faded, and her heart jumped to her throat. Cute…?! Her face turned an even brighter shade of red in the manner of a thermometer.

Kei took his hand off of her head, and walked down the hallway.

Ivy stood in the hallway, watching Kei silently, awestruck. She made a fist with her hands, and brought them to her chest. Her complexion went back to its regular state, but her heart felt as though it was beating out of her chest. She wasn’t sure if this was the case, but she felt a twinge of fear in the pit of her stomach. She shook it out of her head, and followed him.

"Say…" she said as she followed him back into the kitchen, "Could I still go for that cup of tea?"

Kei immediately set an already-hot cup of tea in front of her on the table.

Ivy rose her eyebrows, "Wow, you’re quick."

Kei smiled again, and sat at the table in a chair across from her. He lit a few candles to light up the room, and rested his elbows on the table, propping up his chin on one of his fists. "Do tell me more about what’s been happening."

Ivy looked to the clock on the wall, and sighed, "It’s getting late, but sure…"

"It’s not like you can go anywhere," Kei’s expression remained the same, "We could stay up all night."

Ivy smiled nervously, "But I have to sleep, y’know!"

Kei stretched out his arms, and rested his head on one of his arms, "Oh, do stay up a bit longer…it’s been so long since I’ve had someone to talk to."

Ivy sipped her tea, I’m really tired, though…her eyelids stung due to her exhaustion. She looked at Kei, whose large eyes were glistening peacefully in the candlelight. His eyes were locked on her, and she felt that tight feeling in her chest again. She subconsciously sunk into her chair, and blinked, "Alright."

Kei smiled, and straightened up, "Alright!"

Ivy told Kei the entire story. Kei seemed extremely disturbed by some of the things he heard, although when Ivy paused, he never said anything.

Ivy quieted down once she got to the tale of the horrifying dream she had a few nights ago. Tears began to well in her eyes as she pictured the men in her party, with dangerously evil expressions spread on their faces.

Kei’s brow furrowed as he saw a tear stream down Ivy’s face, onto the wooden table in front of her.

"…I’m sorry…" Ivy quietly whispered, as she tried to choke down her tears, "I must look like a total fool right now…"

Kei stood up silently, and took her cup of tea, "You’re right. You need some rest."

Ivy stared at the table silently.

Kei walked back to her, and stood at her side, "Are you ready to go to sleep?"

Ivy shook her head silently.

Kei didn’t move, but sighed, "Ivy…."

"I wish I knew what was going to happen…" Ivy murmured, "If I go to sleep here…then I’ll wake up with them again…" Ivy’s fists clenched, "I can’t believe I’m saying this…! They’re protecting me! They never even knew me…!!!" she threw her arms on the table and buried her face in them, sobbing.

Kei put a hand on her shaking shoulders, "You really should get some rest. I’ll be here."

"You don’t understand…!" her muffled voice cried. I can’t have all this on my mind at once!!!

"…Ivy--!!!" Kei forcefully put his hands on her shoulders, and made her look up, "Listen! You will be alright!"

"You have no idea what I’m going through right now!" Ivy jerked off his hands, and jumped out of the chair, "Just leave me alone, will you?!" she screamed, and ran outside into the cold, moonless night.

She ran to the side of the cabin, and leaned against the wall, and struggled to keep her sobs silent, so Kei wouldn’t try to find her. She heard a door close, and she quickly ran into the forest which spanned in the back of the house.

I have too much on my mind…! Ivy’s tears flooded down her face, And I can’t fight this feeling right now…! But it’s…this feeling…she leaned against a tree, and slid down to the roots of it, …I can’t handle it…! She hugged her knees tightly to her chest, and rested her head on her knees, her eyes still stinging from the many tears she cried. Why…?! Why am I feeling so ill around Kei..?! She looked up to the skies above her. The stars were the only lights for her.

For the next two hours, Ivy forced herself to stay awake. She didn’t want to fall asleep. Who knows if she’d ever see Kei again. For a while, she completely forgot about the men protecting her…

I wonder if Kei is looking for me at all…Ivy’s eyes began to cool down from the crying, I wonder if he’s worrying about me at all…she smiled to herself, and quietly laughed, Dummy. Don’t get your hopes up.

The wind lightly rustled the leaves on the trees over her. The silence was peaceful for a change. Ivy’s eyelids grew heavy, as sleep was finally beginning to win over her…

"Ivy!!!"

Ivy’s eyes shot open, and she lifted her head.

Kei’s chest rose rapidly as he caught his breath. He stood a few meters from Ivy, the tree’s light shadows covering the majority of his unusually handsome face.

"K…Kei…" Ivy blinked in disbelief, she probably woke up from her dream…her dream-man was haunting her still.

Kei smiled, "Oh, thank goodness…" he sighed.

Ivy silently rested her head back on her knees, "You shouldn’t get involved in this, Kei…" she quietly warned. She closed her eyes and sighed, "It would only cause trouble."

She felt Kei’s arms wrap around her shoulders. Ivy opened her eyes in surprise.

Kei’s head rested on one of Ivy’s shoulders, "Don’t do that again!" he whispered.

Ivy was at a loss for words. She rested her head against his, and felt his soft hair brush against her cheek. She inhaled the fresh night air, and sighed. "I promise." She lightly breathed.

"I don’t want to be alone again…" his strong arms held her tighter.

Ivy held Kei with her tiny arms, and silently hugged him.

"Ahem."

Ivy opened her eyes. The sunlight penetrated her eyes, and she squinted. As she focused, she noticed Gray looking straight into her eyes.

"May I help you?" he asked.

Ivy looked at what Gray was referring to—both of her arms were tightly entwined around his chest. Not only that, but they were both lying on the ground. (Inconspicuous, don’t you think?)

Ivy gasped and scooted away quickly. Her face once again blushed in the manner of a thermometer.

"Just be glad I’m the first one up," Gray pointed towards the rest of the men.

Ivy looked around the burnt-out fire. All of the guys were snoozing away.

"They stayed up all night watching over you," Gray said.

"Really?" Ivy gasped in surprise.

"Yeah."

Ivy smiled, How sweet…

"Man, you must be a troublesome kid…six babysitters?!" Gray smirked.

Ivy sent Gray a glare, "I’m not done with you yet!"

Gray stood, "I’m getting some breakfast."

Ivy felt her stomach turn at the word ‘breakfast’. "Ah--! Wait for me!!!" she caught up with the already departing Gray. She plastered on her cutest, most convincing smile, "Let me help!"

"You’re not touching anything I get," Gray didn’t even look at her.

"Oh, pleeeeassee..??" she wrapped her tiny arms around one of Gray’s. She tightly squeezed Gray’s tone arm, "You’ll share just a teensy-bit with me, right?"

Gray stopped walking, and looked to Ivy. Ivy gave him her wide, begging eyes. He smiled warmly, which took Ivy by surprise. (But she didn’t let it show.)

Gray’s warm smile remained as he replied in an unusual sugary-sweet tone, "No."

Ivy’s mouth gaped open in utter shock.

Gray continued walking, leaving Ivy behind.

Ivy ran to catch up with him once again. "Are you like this to everyone, or just me?"

"Come now, I wouldn’t want to make you feel special, now, would I?" Gray replied in a monotone voice.

What is with this guy?!!! Ivy’s eyes widened, "You just keep getting meaner and meaner, pal…"

"No, it’s you," Gray replied, snapping a twig off of a nearby tree.

"Ex-CUSE me?!" Ivy gawked, and paused. Well, maybe if I…

Ivy extended her hand to him.

Gray stopped walking, and looked at Ivy’s stiff hand.

"Look, we must’ve gotten off at the wrong foot," Ivy sternly spoke, That’s the understatement of the millenium… "Why don’t we call a truce?"

Gray "hmm"-ed, and looked at her.

"`Kay?" Ivy kept a straight face.

Gray put his hand on Ivy’s head, and plucked off a strand of hair.

"OWWW!!!" Ivy growled, and rubbed her head, "What the--?!"

Gray tied the strand of hair to the twig, and then plucked it off, "Your hair is too fine to be a line…"

Ivy blushed furiously, "Who do you think you are?!!!"

"I wonder if I have any string in here…" Gray searched a pouch on his belt.

"You don’t just go around plucking strands of hair off of innocent girls, mister!" Ivy furiously stammered, "A-are you listening to me?!"

"Ah! There we go!" Gray’s flat voice suddenly rose an octave as he pulled out a cord, and tied it to his twig.

Ivy turned a bit redder in the face as she tried to hold her temper, I am sick of this guy ignoring me!

"Where is that blasted river supposed to be…?" Gray looked around.

"It’s this way…" Ivy grudgingly led the way to the river the party was following.

Ivy contemplated ways to get him back, I could toss him in the river…he can probably swim, though…darn. I could….Ivy looked up to the clouds in the sky, No…that wouldn’t work…she looked to the oni, and sighed.

As the two approached the river, Gray sighed happily, "Great, I didn’t know how much longer I could last…"

Ivy sat at the brink of the river, and slowly dipped her fingers into the ice-cold water. Maybe I should just forget it…

Gray tied the string of his fishing-pole around a piece of bread, and tossed the bait into the water.

Ivy caught a glimpse of the bread, and gasped.

"W-wait a sec! Isn’t that our rations?!" Ivy yelped, and took the rest of the loaf Gray had.

"Well, isn’t it economical to use it to get more and better food?" Gray took back the bread.

"What if you don’t catch anything?!" Ivy asked.

"That won’t happen…" Gray replied.

Ivy stared at him, "You’re awfully confident…"

Gray jerked his pole, and brought up a fish, "All in good reason."

Ivy clenched her fists, and didn’t hesitate to walk over to Gray, and slap him, "Will you be nice for once?!"

"IIIIIVVVYYYYY!!!!!" a young voice called from a distance.

Ivy looked up, and smiled, Thank goodness! "Hiko?"

Hiko ran through the tall grass amongst the riverbanks, and jumped into Ivy’s arms, "Good morning!!!"

Ivy smiled wider, and held Hiko, "Oh, you’re finally up!"

"Hiko! Did you find them?" Arlen pushed his way through the grass, and sighed, "Thank goodness."

The other men followed behind Arlen.

"Why’d you guys run off?" Adonis asked, looking around the river.

"So this is where you ran off to!" Quinn followed behind Jonothan and Randoruun.

"He’s using all of our rations up trying to catch fish!" Ivy freaked, and pointed to Gray, "See?!"

Randoruun rose his eyebrows, Adonis’s mouth gaped open widely.

Ivy noticed the men’s awestruck expressions, and turned around, "AH--!!!" she gawked.

Next to the silent Gray was a growing pile of fish numbering to at least fifteen.

Unbeknownst to the travelers, someone was eyeing them from afar.

Manasse stared at Ivy, and his eyes narrowed.

"Give up, vampire."

Manasse looked over his shoulder, "Oh. It’s you."

Pilot ignored the cold tone, "My Lord has the Knight handling it. You’re over with." The elf slid a knife from his sleeve into his palm, and lunged for Manasse silently.

Manasse turned, and pushed the knife into the elf’s shoulder, just missing his neck.

"You tell your master that I’m working for myself now," Manasse glared at the wincing Pilot. He turned back around as Pilot vanished in retreat.

Now I’d have no reason to return her to that ridiculous fool…Manasse’s thin lips curved to a smile as he gazed to Ivy, who was angrily pulling on Adonis’s hair.

So spirited…so emotional. He quickly began to grow closer to the group.

"I was not flirting!" Ivy hollered, "How could I possibly flirt with someone who ignores me?!"

Adonis was once again cracking up at yet another load of teasing he pulled on Ivy.

"Just ignore him…!" Jonothan nervously urged.

"You’re getting a kick out of this, aren’t you?" Randoruun flatly asked Adonis.

"You mean you’re not?!" Adonis sounded shocked.

Ivy went silent. "Fine." She threw up her arms, "Fine! See if I care!"

"Why? We don’t." Gray tossed in a comment.

"I didn’t ask you!" Ivy shrieked wildly, and stormed down the bank.

Hiko glared at the men, and followed Ivy, "Wait for me, Ivy!" he called.

Ivy angrily stomped at a slower pace so Hiko could catch up.

"They’re all morons." Ivy angrily muttered, "I wish they’d all shrivel up to nothing!"

"You change your mind a lot."

Ivy stopped her furious pacing, and looked to Hiko.

"Why is it that you’re crying one minute, angry another, then cheerful, and at other times, just quiet?" Hiko’s wide eyes portrayed the innocence of the question.

Ivy blinked, "Isn’t everyone like that?" she paused, "I guess because a lot is happening at once. It’s…" she sighed, "…like….a sensory overload, y’know?"

Ivy knelt at the river, I am being selfish….only thinking about the dream-man…she put her hands in the water, Why am I calling him that?! His name is Kei! Kei, Kei, Kei! She looked at her hands. This looks a lot like that first dream I had…she paused.

The wind was unusually still. Her eyes slowly moved to the reflection in the river.

Two hands quickly grabbed her waist. Manasse showed now reflection in the river.

He slowly inhaled the sweet smell of Ivy’s hair, "I finally have you…" he quietly whispered in her ear, lightly brushing her cheek with his lips.

Ivy held in her screams. She felt a warm liquid run down her neck. Horrified, she let out a scream. A rough hand slapped over her mouth. She jerked her face away, and looked behind her.

Manasse’s body lay limp on hers, his throat slit, his eyes rolled back.

"OH MY GOD!!!" she shrieked, and frantically pushed herself away, straight into the almost-freezing river. She let out a rushed gasp, and screamed again.

She felt two strong arms tightly wrap around her, immobilizing her arms.

"He’s dead! Omigod, you killed a vampire!" Ivy screamed, her eyes locked on the limp body. The smell of blood intoxicated her senses, making her clutch tighter onto the arm of Manasse’s murderer.

"Ivy!"

"Hiko!"

Jonothan was leading the men to the location of the girl and child. He froze as he saw the dead vampire.

Randoruun and Adonis stood behind him, their eyes wide with shock.

"Is he dead?" Arlen asked.

Jonothan bent down to the vampire, and studied him, "He hasn’t been for long, his heart is just beginning to stop."

"You did this?!" Adonis looked towards Ivy.

Ivy turned behind her, at the owner of the arm she was clutching onto. Her suddenly grimacing face turned a shade of scarlet as she quickly let go of Gray.

"You must’ve had a helluva grip as a child," Gray rubbed his arms.

He’s beginning to scare me…Ivy gasped, "Hiko!" she looked around for him, and found him unconscious where he was standing earlier.

Ivy knelt next to him, and got teary-eyed, "Don’t tell me that monster hurt him!"

"He’s breathing fine," Jonothan knelt next to Ivy to check for broken bones and other injuries.

Quinn knelt across from them, and spotted something unusual, and gasped, "Look!" he took a triangular pendant from Hiko’s hand.

Randoruun quickly joined Quinn at studying the object, "This belonged to the great magistrate Justinian Pulcoleman IV….it’s to ward off vampires when activated…it can block their senses…"

Jonothan helped Ivy pick up Hiko. Ivy cradled the child in her arms.

"Are you saying that Hiko is a descendant of Justinian?" Arlen looked over Randoruun’s shoulders.

"Hardly. Justinian had no children," Gray answered for Randoruun.

"D’you think he stole it?" Adonis asked.

"Whoa, whoa, WHOA!" Ivy intruded, "Are you implying that my little boy’s a thief?!"

Ivy’s loud voice made Hiko stir.

"He’s waking up, why not ask him?" Quinn suggested.

The child’s eyes opened to see Ivy’s smiling face.

"Hey, sweetie," Ivy’s voice suddenly went soft, "Had a scare, huh?"

"Ivy!" Hiko gasped, "What happened to the vampire?!"

"I’ll tell you later…" Ivy had Hiko’s back face the corpse, "Let’s head back to camp, okay?"

Hiko smiled, "Sure!"

"Gray caught us some fish for breakfast!" Ivy’s voice remained chipper as she glanced at Manasse’s dead body one last time, and headed to camp.

"A WHAT?!!!!" Ivy gawked.

"A kinder?" Adonis took a bite of his smoked fish.

Hiko sheepishly shuffled his feet.

"Isn’t it obvious?" Arlen remained in good spirits, "He knew so much about vampires! Not even a kid genius could do that."

"So you’re from a clan of vampire exorcists…" Jonothan folded his arms, and tilted his head.

"It also explains why he picked Ivy’s pocket when we first met him," Randoruun quietly added.

"Your nature is to steal?" Quinn rose an eyebrow, "I had a kinder steal from me once…"

Gray silently ate on another smoked fish, and watched the group handle this awkward situation.

"….how old are you…?" Ivy quietly muttered, her head lowered.

Hiko nervously replied, "…in your measuring…thirty-six years old."

Thirty-six? Thirty-six?!?! The number repeated itself again and again in Ivy’s head. Ivy remembered the many times Hiko clung to her, hugged her, cried in her chest…her fists began to clench…Thirtysixthirtysixthirtysixthirtysixthirtysix…!!!!

Ivy abruptly stood, "You PERVERT!!!"

Hiko began to panic, "It’s the only way for us to survive these days!"

"Don’t worry," Adonis muttered to Hiko, putting his hand on top of his head, "She’s trying to get over the fact that she’s the baby."

"SHOVE IT!!!" an angry Ivy barked. She tossed her fish’s bones into the fire, "Let’s get going. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to get into a town before the big frost hits."

Quinn buckled his sword to his belt, and stood, "It is getting colder."

The rest of the men stood in agreement.

"So now we’re wanderers," Adonis muttered as he and Randoruun put out the fire, and spread the ashes.

"For now, it seems," Randoruun sighed, and stood. He wiped a light sweat off of his forehead.

"Are you still coming with us?" Jonothan asked Quinn quietly, "I mean, the vampire’s dead…"

"Ah! But I didn’t kill him!" Quinn smiled, "I can’t leave until I save our dear girl from some other form of danger!" out of thin air, a small booklet appeared, and Quinn flipped through its pages, "Either that, or I have to protect her for one full year." He shut it, and it vanished in the same manner it appeared, "According to the Justinian Rulebook for Swordsmen of White Magic, of course."

Jonothan clenched his fists. Just when he thought this nutcase was going to leave…!

Quinn’s smile faded, "What’s wrong?"

"N-nothing…" he turned and joined the party of travelers, I should’ve known better…

Quinn shrugged off Jonothan’s peculiar behavior, and followed them.

Ivy deliberately began to ignore Hiko.

"Ivy…! Ivy, c’mon!" Hiko tugged on her sleeve, "Ivy..!!"

"Don’t think I’m going to forgive you any time soon, twerp." Ivy snarled.

"Don’t be too harsh on him, Ivy…" Adonis walked next to her, "He was only trying to get by…"

"Believe me, if you were in my position, you’d be mad too," Ivy calmly replied as they all stepped onto the main trail to the next big town.

"Hm…" Adonis folded his arms, and looked to Hiko, "C’mere, bud."

Hiko looked up to Adonis, and frowned, "What?"

"C’mere."

Hiko walked over to Adonis.

Adonis got on one of his knees, and gestured for Hiko to get on his back, "C’mon."

Hiko jumped onto Adonis’s back, and put his arms around Adonis’s neck.

Adonis lagged a bit behind Ivy, and quietly began to speak, "Screwed up pretty bad, huh?"

"Unh…" Hiko sheepishly replied.

"Don’t worry, pal. She’ll get over it," Adonis smiled with assurance, and winked, "After all, you’re her favorite."

A gloved hand picked up ashes from the campsite the team was formerly at, and tossed them aside.

"They didn’t leave that long ago," a gruff voice spoke to a heavily armored figure.

"Excellent work, Nicodemus. Which way did they go?" a muffled, breathy voice spoke from the armor.

"Not far, they should be a mile north," the bearded man answered. He had a light armor on him, and streaks of gray in his otherwise black beard.

"Good," the knight turned to a younger, blond warrior. "Saul, get ahead of us, and try to apprehend the girl."

"Of course, sir." The young man bowed, and departed quickly and silently.

"Are you sure about this?" Nicodemus looked to the Knight, "Have you forgotten who is a member of this party?"

"A deal is a deal, Nicodemus," the Knight answered, "Or have you forgotten how you’ve received the title of a noble?

"The man we’re doing this for is a member of the noble family. He gave you your status on a silver platter.

"And because of him, I am still alive."

The old man’s eyes lowered, "I see. So you’re going to harm innocent people because you owe him."

"Are you questioning me?" the Knight looked to the man.

"…." The man paused, "No. I’m questioning the man you’re working for."

"That’s not our place," the Knight paused, and put a hand on Nicodemus’s shoulder, "Nicodemus, you’ve been a good friend and advisor. But I must go against your judgement, even if it’s for the better."

Nicodemus looked up as the Knight turned away, "Yamat--"

"That is the end of this conversation, Nicodemus. Now, come."

Ivy stretched her arms out, "Mmh! This air is amazing!"

"So mountain air agrees with you!" Jonothan smiled, and walked alongside Ivy.

Adonis sneezed loudly, and sniffed, "Well, good for her…"

"Are you feeling okay?" Hiko asked, still on Adonis’s back.

"Yeah," Adonis sneezed again, "Peachy."

"Aww…" Ivy grinned, and pointed to Adonis, "Looks like someone’s coming down with the sniffles."

Adonis scoffed, "Don’t be ridiculous."

Ivy walked over to Adonis, and looked at him with big eyes.

The dragon automatically got apprehensive, "W-what are you doing?!"

Ivy stood on her tiptoes and put her right hand on Adonis’s forehead, and the left on hers.

"You’ve got a fever, you moron," Ivy walked in-between Adonis and Jonothan.

"Your face is red," Hiko whispered to Adonis.

"It’s the fever!" Adonis hissed, and turned a deeper red at that.

Ivy giggled. At least she could get someone to react to her…

Gray, Arlen, and Randoruun stopped ahead of the party.

Quinn, Adonis, Jonothan, and Hiko came up behind the three men.

Ivy tried to look over the shoulders of the men. She spotted a red flare. She looked to the sky, which was filled with thick smoke.

An entire town was in ashes.

A soft hand clenched on Ivy’s wrist, and a knife blade lightly brushed on her throat, "Come with me please," Saul politely whispered faintly. With two fingers, he hit a pressure point on Ivy’s back, and she fell, unconscious in the young man’s arms.

Hi silently threw the girl across his right shoulder, and began to flee.

Randoruun sensed something was wrong, and turned around, "Ivy!"

The other men turned around to see Saul run into the forest.

"Damn it!" Adonis growled, "There’s no end to these guys!"

"Run!" Jonothan didn’t hesitate to pursue the young man.

Saul looked over his free shoulder, and began to speed up, clutching tighter onto Ivy who was still limply draped over his other shoulder, further into the pine forests, over many large boulders.

He began to climb up a fairly steep hill. He winced as he jerked the limp Ivy further up on his shoulder, Good grief, she’s heavy…he reached the top of the hill, and stopped.

The edge dropped off into a river, forming a cliff.

Saul turned around and heard the men gaining on him. The youth quickly shifted, and inched closer to the edge.

Randoruun and Jonothan came up behind Saul just as he leapt off of the cliff.

Jonothan gasped, and ran to the edge of the cliff as the other men followed behind him. He fell to his knees, and looked over the cliff, "Oh, no…"

"No way!" Adonis looked over the cliff next to Jonothan, "No way they could’ve survived that!"

"Now what? It’s not like we could go down and get them," Arlen nervously shifted.

"Now you will die."

The men turned around to see the heavily armored Knight.

Arlen’s eyes widened, That…that armor…the painting from the museum the group went to days ago flashed in his mind…

"Who the hell are you?!" Adonis quickly stood out from the men to face the challenger.

"That’s not important," the Knight unsheathed his sword, "I just need to make sure that you don’t follow the girl."

Follow…? Jonothan thought, and gasped, She’s alive, then!

"You’re the Dark Knight, I assume," Arlen took the liberty of identifying the person.

"…so you’re not ignorant," the Knight rose his sword, "No matter." He lunged to Arlen first.

Arlen’s eyes widened in surprise, It’s too quick…!

The blade of the sword connected with the metal of Gray’s knife.

"Get out of the way!" Gray spat out before falling back from the pressure of the Knight’s strength.

Quinn blocked the blade from hitting Gray, and his sword’s blade quickly slid off of the Knight’s.

Saul clung close to the walls of the cliff as he kept his balance on the large boulder sticking out of the cliff.

He silently listened to the constant clashing of the swords. He looked up to the edge of the cliff, and sighed, I wish he’d hurry…

Quinn smiled, "They make a big deal about you where I’m from. Are you all hype?"

The Knight clutched tighter onto his sword, "Your arrogance will be your downfall." He ran towards Quinn, and suddenly vanished.

Quinn’s eyes widened, as his eyes searched the area.

Jonothan screamed to Quinn, "Above you!!"

Quinn looked up, and saw the Knight in the air, his sword aimed at Quinn’s neck. His sword collided with the Knight’s, but only enough to shift the blade’s aim to his shoulder. Quinn cried out as the sword stabbed him, and his sword broke off the helmet of the Knight’s armor.

Quinn’s smiled was more tired than usual, "Why am I not surprised?"

Jonothan gasped, "A woman?!"

A wave of blond hair swept over the left eye of a middle-aged woman. Her pale lips pursed into a frown. Her empty gray eyes had almost a shadow over them. The longest her hair fell was just over her ear.

"Yamatako!" Arlen shouted.

The woman looked to him.

" ‘Yamatako’?" Adonis repeated, his perplexed expression matching the rest of the men.

"I’m sorry if this child is of any sentimental value to you, Arlen," she spoke, "But this isn’t personal, it’s business." She sheathed her sword, and leapt over the cliff.

Saul watched the Knight jump off the cliff, and the Knight soon snatched his left arm. He tightly held Ivy, being sure not the let go of her.

"Hang on," Yamatako warned.

The seven men watched the three hit the water.

"Don’t worry, they made it," Arlen assured, "That armor has its share of spells in it."

"Who was that woman, Arlen?" Jonothan asked.

"Later. Let’s set up camp and treat Quinn," Arlen acted unusually distant for a moment.

"Something strange is going on," Adonis muttered to Randoruun.

The elf nodded in agreement.

Quinn took his hand off of his wound, "What an interesting day this has been…"

"It’s only halfway over…" Jonothan took his utensils out of his bag, and began to treat the wound.

It took s a few good hours to fully treat Quinn’s wound. By then, Gray had set up a more-than-modest fire, as the sun began to set.

Adonis began to have sneezing fits. Jonothan found himself running between two patients.

Randoruun sat next to Adonis with a small bowl from Jonothan’s bag, filled with water. He dipped a cloth in the cold water, and set it on Adonis’s head.

"Your fever is growing…" Randoruun’s concern was obvious, although it didn’t show on his face.

Adonis hacked a horrible cough. He grabbed Randoruun’s wrist, and looked straight into his eyes, "We should be looking for Ivy."

Randoruun’s eyes lowered.

Quinn pushed himself up to a sitting position, "Not to worry! I put a tracking spell on the woman in the fight."

"What makes you think that armor doesn’t have a blocking spell for that?" Gray asked from across the camp.

"Oh, I agree completely. That’s why I put it on the sword, which is certainly not part of the armor," Quinn winked.

The men noticed Arlen had kept his distance for the remainder of the day. Hiko had already gone to sleep.

"Was she some sort of girlfriend?" Jonothan asked.

"In a sense," Randoruun answered, "He say they were friends while they were teenagers. Legend has it whoever puts on the armor of the Dark Knight is possessed by the spirit of its creator…an evil tyrant from centuries ago—I forgot his name…"

"Canaan."

The men all looked to Arlen, who rested his chin on his fists.

"His name was Canaan," he quietly answered.

The men sighed, and went back to their previous activities.

"Women. Bah." Adonis sneezed, "Only good enough for one thing…"

"Treating you when you’ll not well," Quinn winked at Adonis.

Adonis gave a sideways smile, "I like your thinking…"

Ivy’s eyes snapped open.

A small ray of sunlight shone through a crack in the shutters in the room. She squinted as she looked straight at it. She was about to stir, when she noticed the weight on her legs.

Kei’s head rested on her thighs. His breathing was slow and deep.

Ivy couldn’t help but smile at his innocent face. His exotic eyes were lightly closed, his eyebrows relaxed and soft. She softly ran her left index finger through a strand of his hair, and pulled it away from his face.

She looked around the room…How did she get back here? She didn’t bother to think through the question. Her eyes began to sting from exhaustion. She closed her eyes again, and sighed. She didn’t want to wake up Kei…he must’ve carried her back here…

She opened her eyes again as she felt Kei stir.

Kei’s large eyes opened, and he immediately got eye contact with Ivy. He shot up and blushed, "I’m sorry, I must’ve dozed off sometime…"

Ivy smiled nervously, "…N-not at all…"

Kei timidly laughed, running his fingers through his hair repeatedly.

Ivy stood up, and flattened out her skirt as Kei opened the shutters.

Kei took a deep breath, "Well, we survived our first day together."

Ivy walked up next to him, and held her arms, "Yeah…" she looked outside.

Kei looked down to her, "Would you like some breakfast?"

Ivy turned to him, and smiled, "Really?! Sure!!"

Kei smiled, and took both of her arms, "How does eggs sound?"

Ivy felt her stomach turn, "Great!"

Kei pulled Ivy into the kitchen, and seated her in a chair, "I’ve been working on my cooking for awhile…" he started a fire, and got two eggs from a basket just outside the kitchen, "It’s actually edible now…"

Ivy giggled, "Let me help!" she stood, and took the eggs.

"No, I’m cooking for you!" Kei took the eggs back and got down a skillet, "Go sit down."

"But I want to!" Ivy took one of the eggs and cracked it into the pan, and beat it, "Besides, I’m picky with eggs…"

Kei took the skillet back and cracked the other egg and beat it, "But I’m cooking!" he aggressively insisted.

Ivy yelped as she felt a piece of eggs fly into her hair.

Kei looked up from the skillet the moment he heard Ivy yelp, and he bit his bottom lip, trying to hold in his laughter. He failed miserably as he crouched over, holding his sides as he nearly laughed himself sick.

Ivy blinked, "What?"

Kei’s laughed began to calm down. He used his sleeve to wipe off a bit of eggs on her nose.

Ivy blushed, "It’s not that funny!"

"Sorry…!" Kei sheepishly laughed.

Ivy rubbed her nose, and couldn’t help but smile to herself and lightly blush. She stepped a bit closer to Kei, and looked into the skillet, "Don’t over-cook them, now!"

Kei licked his lips in a determined manner, and slopped the scrambled eggs on a plate, "Go sit down."

Ivy smiled, "Okay!" she cheerfully walked over to the table, and sat down.

Kei set the plate in front of Ivy, and sat across from her, eagerly anticipating her reaction.

"Thanks for cooking, it looks great!" Ivy lifted her fork, and took a bite of the eggs. Her smiling face grew a bit pale, and one of her eyebrows twitched.

Kei’s smile faded, "What’s wrong?"

Ivy’s fork fell onto the table. Her hands trembled.

Kei jumped out of his seat as Ivy tipped off of the chair. He caught her in his arms, and began to spit out apologies.

"Omigosh, I’m so sorry!!! I should’ve tasted it first!" Kei gasped, "Are you okay?"

Ivy coughed and her brow furrowed, "What is with that?!"

Kei helped her up, "I didn’t add anything…" His eyes widened, "Hold on a sec…" he rushed over to the basket of eggs, and cracked one open on the skillet.

He winced and held his nose as the fowl odor filled the room, "Oh, gross!"

Ivy pinched her nose and tried to breathe as little as possible.

Kei cracked open another rotten egg. Then another, and then another…

"I must’ve cooked you some rotten eggs…" his voice sounded nasal as he pinched his nose.

"I told you I should’ve cooked," Ivy’s nasal voice matched his, "You were so busy arguing with me, you didn’t pay attention."

"You started it. Let’s get these out of here," Kei took the eggs and skillet, and walked out of the house. Ivy eagerly followed.

After they dumped the eggs, Ivy pinched Kei’s ear and pulled him down, "You could’ve poisoned me." She turned around, and walked back into the house casually.

Kei nervously smiled as he began to apologize again, following her persistently.

Ivy paused, smiled to herself and giggled.

Kei stopped right behind her, and blinked.

Ivy spun around, and stuck out her tongue, "Your cooking SUCKS!"

After that incident, neither Kei nor Ivy felt hungry.

Ivy found herself alone when Kei had to excuse himself to go check on his vegetable garden. Being one to get bored easily, Ivy began to wander around the small house.

It certainly didn’t take long. The house was simple, obviously for one person. There was a bedroom, storage closet, and kitchen. However, as Ivy opened the door to a dark, spacious room, she had trouble figuring out what such a large room could possibly be for.

She didn’t wait for her eyes to adjust. She walked in, and immediately rammed her knee into the edge of a table.

Her eyes began to adjust. She searched for a match in her belt’s pouch. She struck one on the table edge, and looked around for a lantern. She lifted the hurricane of the lantern on the table, and quickly dropped the match on the floor as the flame reached her fingers. She smothered the match’s flame with her foot, and placed the hurricane back on the lantern.

She took the handle and slowly lifted it. She gasped at what she saw.

Sawdust thickly coated the floor, and piled in the corners. Wood shavings were scattered across tables with elaborately carved legs.

Ivy ran her hand across the smooth surface of one of the tables. She set the lantern down, and picked up a carved hummingbird. The precise grooves ran smoothly across the tiny figurine, which sat in the palm of her hand. Its tiny eyes looked straight up at her.

Ivy giggled. It was so cute! The wings had such detail! The feathers were individually carved in, as light as paintbrush strokes…

Ivy set it down, and went on to the next thing she saw…a fancy cuckoo clock like the one Gramma had at home. The hands were made already, but they weren’t attached yet.

The girl studied many other works in the room…a rocking chair, a rabbit, a bench…but none of them fascinated her like an extravagant jewelry box sitting on a stood in the corner of the room.

Small flowers of pink, yellow, and blue hues were painted on the softly finished wood. She opened it. Pink velvet lined the inside. The strong scent of cedar was released, and Ivy sneezed quietly. She closed the box, and looked at the table right next to the stool.

There was an unfinished carving standing next to some small tools. Ivy’s brow furrowed as she studied it. The figure resembled that of a man…if that’s what it was. It really wasn’t at a point that you could say.

Ivy heard the door to the room slam shut. She jumped and spun around, her hip hitting the stool.

The jewelry box fell off of it, and split into broken pieces as it hit the floor.

Kei’s wide eyes watched in shock as one of his masterpieces broke into shambles. His hand was still on the handle of the door.

Ivy was speechless. She stood with her mouth open, as her mind searched for something to say.

Kei let go of the door handle, and quickly walked over to the broken jewelry box. He bent over to pick up the pieces in silence.

Ivy quickly went to her knees and picked up pieces.

"Keep your hands off!" Kei yelled, and slapped away her hands in an angry swipe.

Ivy gasped and dropped the pieces.

Kei angrily picked up the rest of the pieces, and stood up.

The flame flickered out from the gust of wind caused by Kei’s sharp movements.

"You had no business in here." Kei’s tone was cold and furious.

Ivy’s heart ached miserably. She knew he was right. She violated his trust. She probably ruined everything now.

"…I’m sorry…" Ivy quietly said, looking at her hands on the floor.

Kei opened the door, "Get out."

Ivy looked up to Kei, "I’m so sorry."

"Get out." He repeated.

Ivy stood, and timidly walked past him as she left the room.

She heard the door slam shut behind her, and she winced.

"Stop acting like I’m going to kill you. I’m not that monstrous looking." Kei passed her, and carelessly tossed the broken jewelry box on the dining table.

Ivy had no clue what to do next. One wrong move could….Oh, my—Ivy caught herself, I was beginning to think…! Kei was right…he was right all along. He knew she was afraid of him. And she didn’t even realize it! What a horrible person I am…! She looked to Kei, How can he live with me knowing I thought that?! Tears began to well in her eyes. All of her emotions of remorse and shame began to well up inside of her.

Kei stared at his jewelry box on the table, and rested his hands on the table. He took his eyes off of the box and looked to Ivy.

Ivy began to quietly cry.

Kei moaned in frustration as he went over to her, "Oh, c’mon…don’t cry! Please!"

Ivy’s whiny-sounding cries continued, and Kei cringed.

"I’m such a mean person…!!!" Ivy bawled, "Now I’ll never fall in love…!!!!!" her sobbing words rang through the entire house.

Kei looked at her with an utterly exasperated expression on his face, That’s what she’s worrying about?!

Ivy rubbed her eyes, and cried like a toddler.

Kei sighed, and walked over to her, "I’ll get over it, okay?"

Ivy sniffed, and nodded.

Kei heaved another huge sigh of relief. Thank goodness…

Ivy’s tears began to slow, but she still quietly hiccuped as she tried to calm down.

Kei walked to the stove, and struck a match. He threw it into the pit of the stove, and got out a bag of vegetable he picked from his garden.

Kei got out a cucumber, and got out a large knife. Ivy looked up as it gleamed.

She looked back at her hands, and flinched as she heard a deafening "THUD".

Kei looked up, and laughed softly, "Sorry about that! Didn’t mean to scare you."

Ivy nervously laughed back.

"Are you going to just sit there, or do you want to help?" Kei looked to her.

"Oh! Sure…" Ivy quietly walked up next to him, "What would you like me to do?"

Kei paused, his knife just over the cucumber. His cheeks began to turn a light pink. He cleared his throat.

Ivy rose her eyebrows, "You didn’t think about that, did you?"

Kei coughed, and continued chopping the cucumbers, "You know so much about cooking. Tell me what to do."

Ivy paused, and blushed a little bit. "I never said that!" she smiled.

Kei cut himself on his thumb, and her drew it back. He sucked on it, and winced.

"Hmm. Okay, sit down, let the master work…" Ivy pushed Kei to the chairs at the dining room table, and walked back to the stove, "Let’s see…what can I make with this…?"

Kei turned the chair around, and sat in it backwards, resting his chin on the back of the chair. He watched Ivy hunch over in a determined manner, trying to make exact cuts. He cracked up when he watched her shriek over the ignited oil in the pan.

"UGH!" Ivy heaved a huge sigh as she set a plate in front of Kei. In her other hand was her plate of food. I hope he likes this. I’m not a gourmet chef like mom…Ivy set down her plate across from his, and sat down, Well, it certainly couldn’t be worse than his breakfast…

"You must’ve been really bored to have spent three hours in my workshop," Kei unfolded his napkin, and set it on his lap.

"No way! Three hours?!" Ivy gasped.

"Have you looked outside? The sun is setting," Kei pointed to a window on the west side of the house.

Ivy looked over to the window in surprise. The last red tints of the sun were peeking over the horizon. She blushed with embarrassment, and began to cut all of her vegetables into tiny bite-size pieces.

Kei smiled, and took a sip of water.

Ivy stuck her fork in a piece of cucumber, and was about to bite into it, when she looked to Kei, who set down his goblet. His food was untouched.

Ivy set down her fork, "Why aren’t you eating?"

"…I…" Kei looked at her, "I’ve never had anyone cook for me before." He smiled, and laughed, "Sorry. That sounded dumb."

"Mm-mmm!" Ivy lifted her goblet, "If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t eat it. I won’t be offended."

"No, it’s not that…" Kei rested his hands on the table.

"Hmm?" Ivy took a long sip of water.

"Can I kiss you?" Kei’s large eyes looked extremely serious, although very soft.

Ivy nearly choked on her water, "What?!" she set (more like slammed…) down her goblet.

Kei stood, and leaned over the table. Before Ivy had a chance to react, Kei kissed her full on the lips.

Ivy’s chest rose as she took a quick breath of shock.

Kei released the kiss, and stepped back from the table. He put the fingers of his left hand to his lips.

Ivy froze. She blinked, and leaned back on her chair in silence.

"…I…I’m sorry…" Kei spun around, and quickly walked into his bedroom.

Ivy sat in her chair for a moment. She took her fork, and bit off her cucumber. The silence was broken when she set her fork back on the plate, and sighed as she sat back.

Kei sighed in the same manner as he lay in the middle of his bed. His arms were sprawled out, and his eyes were closed. Never had so many emotions gone through his mind like today. He couldn’t make up his mind what he thought anymore.

Ivy noticed Kei lit lanterns and candles in his bedroom. She stood at the doorway, and looked at him. She walked in, and soundlessly stood next to the bed. She set one knee on the edge, and pushed herself up. She rested her right hand on one side of Kei, and her left on the other. She leaned over, and softly kissed Kei on the lips. When she ended the kiss, Kei opened his eyes, and looked up to Ivy, question in his eyes.

Only inches from his face, Ivy smiled, "I’ll cook for you anytime."

Kei smiled back, and put one of his hands on her face. Ivy kissed him again, and then rested her head on his chest, and closed her eyes.

"You’re a woman! Why didn’t you tell me?!"

"Calm down, boy."

"The freakin’ Dark Knight is a woman?! I’m an apprentice for a good-for-nothing WOMAN?!" Ivy opened her eyes to see three figures standing around a campfire.

"Show respect. I received this armor for a reason," Yamatako stood in a noble, threatening stance, "The armor chose me over any man. I was deemed worthy."

"You knew this?" Saul looked to Nicodemus.

Nicodemus nodded, but remained silent.

"Why didn’t you tell me?!!" Saul hollered to Nicodemus.

Ivy squirmed, then noticed that there were ropes restraining her wrists and ankles. She looked around, and shivered as a gust of cold air blew. She examined her damp clothes. She looked back to the fire, and noticed a shirt and cloak hanging in the three branches near the flames, drying. It was so dark, she didn’t notice Saul was dressed down. No wonder he wasn’t cold.

"I recommend that you go aside and calm down before you get your tongue cut off." Nicodemus muttered to Saul under his breath.

Saul sighed with frustration, and walked towards his clothes, snatching them angrily. He walked past Ivy, slipping his shirt back on. In a huff, he sat down next to Ivy, and sighed again.

"Uhm…" Ivy quietly spoke.

Saul jumped, and turned to Ivy, clutching his chest, "Oh, you scared me!!!" he caught his breath from being so startled.

"…could you undo me…?" Ivy smiled sweetly, trying to charm her way out of this sticky situation.

Of course, it didn’t work.

"Get real," Saul took out his knife and polished it.

Ivy grimaced, and began hitting him with her firsts, "Whattaya mean, ‘get real’?!!!"

"Let her loose, Saul," Yamatako spoke across the camp, "There’s little she can do."

‘Little I can do’?! Ivy grimaced, and stopped pounding on Saul, What the heck does that mean?!

Saul took his knife and cut the ropes.

"I’ll show you what little I can do!!!" Ivy growled, and stood up. All in an instant, her legs gave out, and she fell flat on her face in the dirt.

"Hmm. Amusing." Yamatako crossed her legs in a masculine fashion, and drank some water, "I can see why Arlen is so fond of you. He’s always liked the stupid ones."

Ivy coughed and pushed her upper-body up with all of her strength, Stupid?? How insulting! This chick’s got nerve! "What did you do to me?!!"

"You’re immobilized," Saul shook out his cloak, "I hit a few pressure points. Your legs will be paralyzed for another hour, tops."

"An hour?" Ivy repeated.

"That’s correct."

Not a problem… Ivy smugly thought, pushing herself up into a sitting position, A measly hour is nothing…she sighed, and began smiling, remembering that fantastic time with Kei. No way!!! She wiped the silly smile off of her face. How could she be infatuated with someone in her dreams?!

Saul watched her nervously, one eyebrow raised.

Ivy looked over to Saul, "What’s your name again?"

Saul acted like he was sitting on tacks, "S-Saul…"

"Well, Saul…you’re training to be a Knight, right?" Ivy asked.

"…yes. So?" Saul had no clue where this conversation was heading.

"Why not be chivalrous and help out a lady with her legs you so rudely immobilized?" Ivy pointed to her legs, which were spread out limply.

Saul looked at Ivy, unamused, "You’re no lady. You’re a load of bricks."

Ivy threw a tantrum that would put a three-year-old to shame. "A LOAD OF BRICKS!? A LOAD OF BRICKS?!!!!" she huffed, "WELL, THEY CERTAINLY CAN’T COMPARE TO YOUR ROCKS FOR BRAINS, PUNK!!!!"

"Enough." Yamatako intervened, "Saul, stop picking on the child."

"But I wasn’t---"

Yamatako sent Saul a warning glare.

Saul folded his arms, and silently glared back.

"And I have a few questions for you," Yamatako looked to Ivy.

Ivy felt a chill run up her spine as Yamatako’s glare pierced right through her. She tried not to appear frightened. "Okay. Shoot."

"Hm!" Yamatako could see through Ivy’s act. She knew her presence struck fear into the souls of people everywhere. Except Arlen. But he doesn’t know any better. This would certainly change his mind. "Name."

Ivy looked up, "What?"

"Give me your name, child," Yamatako bitterly ordered.

Ivy stared in disbelief, "But why…"

The older woman threw the back of her hands across Ivy’s face.

Ivy took her right hand and held her throbbing chin.

"A broken chin would be a lovely surprise to Arlen, wouldn’t you agree?" Yamatako answered.

"Ivy Dewshine." The young girl timidly replied.

"Choose your words wisely," Saul warned, "You wouldn’t want this Arlen guy to find you without a head, either."

Ivy looked to Saul, then back to Yamatako. Darnit! I’d turn into my fairy form, but with my legs out, I can’t fly!

Yamatako turned around, "What he could want you for, I’ve no clue."

"Who??" Ivy blurted, and caught herself.

"It’s not my place to tell," Yamatako took her jug of water, and walked out of sight.

Ivy noticed the setting sun. Kei’s kiss flashed in her mind again, and she blushed.

"Hey," Saul looked at the embarrassed Ivy.

Ivy quickly jerked her head away from the sunset and looked to Saul.

"Who are you, that people are going through this much trouble to get you?" Saul stretched out his arms.

Before Ivy could answer, Saul heaved out another loud sigh, "Why am I always left here to baby-sit you?"

Ivy didn’t take that comment too well.

"Why are you always a smart aleck?!" Ivy spat back.

"It’s not like you can run away, and it’s her fault that she got careless in a fight." Saul scoffed, both his eyes closed with spite.

"Huh?" Ivy blinked, and released the angry fists she had made.

Saul opened one eye, "Your genius abductor allowed some tracking spell to be cast on her sword, so your friendly little search party should be on to us."

Ivy watched Saul pick up an leather sack.

The blond young man dug through the bag, searching its contents, "And I’m not going to stick around for the party, either…she got into this mess herself."

"Wait!" Ivy exclaimed, and her entire upper body squirmed.

Saul looked to the distraught Ivy.

"Could you tell me…" Ivy’s brow furrowed intensely, "…about who you are all working under?"

Saul paused, and set his bag down, "I don’t know much."

"Anything! Do you know anything?!" Ivy urged.

"I’ve picked up information that he’s the last living member of some rich noble family. He’s got enough money and power to get whatever he pleases." Saul tied up his satchel, and stood, slinging it over his shoulder, "And the Dark Knight chick is so obsessed with showing this Arlen guy up, I’ll go find work elsewhere. This is a waste of my time."

Ivy only managed to stutter out an utterance as Saul began to walk away.

"Well, good luck n’ all…" Saul casually called over his shoulder, "It’s a small world, maybe I’ll see one of you again."

"Mmh," Ivy watched him walk into the shadows caused from the setting sun, "Good luck to you, too."

She sighed, and stared back at the sunset, Strange…a noble, huh…?

"Shouldn’t we be waiting for them to show up?" Nicodemus stood next to Yamatako.

Although younger, Yamatako was a great deal taller than he advisor. They both had the same eerie countenance, however. Their stares were fixed on the sunset.

"They won’t be here for a while. Their mage was severely injured, and Arlen always moved best at night." The woman replied.

Nicodemus sighed, and remained silent, watching the last sliver of red sink into the horizon. It’s hard to allow those close to you to make their own mistakes, and learn from them. This was certainly the case. If it meant death of an innocent child, however, he would certainly intervene. But Yamatako wouldn’t go that far.

But the Dark Knight certainly would.

Nicodemus shuddered at the thought of the event approaching them all in a matter of hours. Night had finally come. The girl’s friends were expected to show up any time now…

End Installment Six

Installment Seven : Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind...

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