-1What to do?

It was the day before they would go into the unknown world beyond the gate. Ryu was sitting by the fountain in Town Ship, watching the water flow through it.

The final battle will be taken place soon, Ryu thought, Deathevan is still growing in strength. Maybe I should finish up any unfinished business that I haven't done yet. Like, telling Nina how I feel about her. Ryu continued to watch the water flow through, and didn't even notice Bow sat next to him.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked. Ryu jumped a little at Bow's voice.

"When did you get here?" Ryu asked still a little shocked.

"About five minutes," Bow replied. Ryu sighed.

"You could've let me know that you were here," Ryu replied.

"True," Rand's voice came from behind him, "but the look on your face was priceless." Ryu looked up at the towering Rand.

"How long have you've been here?" Ryu asked.

"Just as long," Rand said as he sat down next to Ryu, "you have something on your mind."

"Yeah," Ryu sighed, "the battle."

"You idiot," Bow said as he slapped Ryu's back, "that's not what's on your mind."

"What do you mean?" Ryu asked.

"You have a certain young woman on your mind," Rand said with a smile.

"I have no idea what are you talking about," Ryu protested.

"Come on," Sten's voice come from behind Ryu, "you can't fool us." Ryu looked behind him to see Sten standing there with a smile on his face.

"Not you too," Ryu complained.

"Yup," Sten said as he sat down, "me too."

"Come on guys," Ryu sighed, "give me a break."

"Listen to us," Bow said as he put his hand on Ryu's shoulder, "we all have unfinished business, which is why we asked the dragon to give us some time to think. Well, I took care of mine."

"Really?" Ryu asked sarcastically.

"I did," Bow replied, "I went and saw Silvia."

"You did?" Ryu asked with a surprised tone.

"Yeah," Bow replied, "I did."

"What did you do?" Ryu asked curiously.

"That's private," Bow said with a smile.

"You didn't do it, did you?" Ryu asked nervously.

"I told you," Bow sighed, "it's private." Ryu did drop the subject, but the guys were still pestering him to talk to Nina.

"Come Ryu," Sten said seriously, "we know that you are in love with her."

"What makes you think that?" Ryu asked.

"Well," Rand replied, "when she was going to become the Great Bird, you were the one who tried to talk her out of it the most. Plus, while we were waiting for her to return from the trial, you were crying slightly. However, I noticed it."

"You must have been imagining it," Ryu pointed out.

"No," Rand replied, "because Katt noticed it too."

"That's two against one," Bow stated, "you cried."

"So what if I did?" Ryu asked a little angry.

"Listen," Sten said with a serious tone, "you have more on your shoulders than anyone. You are the Destined Child. You have a destiny that you must fulfill, and that is to destroy Deathevan. Now, we have no idea what is going to happen. Don't you think you should tell the woman that you love how you feel?" Ryu didn't know how to respond this Sten's statement. After all, he made a good point.

"What if she doesn't love me?" Ryu asked with a depressed tone.

"Well," Rand said softly, "you'll never know unless you try." Ryu knew that Rand was right. He wouldn't know until he told Nina how he felt.

What to do? Ryu thought.

_____________

Nina was on the roof of the main house, watching the sky. Once and awhile, she would see Mina, her little sister that transformed into the Great Bird, fly over head. It was definitely a view to see. Yet, her mind would wonder and she would think about Ryu.

"What are you doing up here?" asked Katt's voice. Nina looked to her right and saw Katt, struggling to get on the roof.

"Just looking at the sky," Nina said as she helped Katt up onto the roof.

"You know," Katt breathed heavily, "it would be easier for me if you were in your room."

"Sorry," Nina apologized, "I just like looking at the sky."

"It is beautiful," Katt said looking at the sky, "almost mystifying."

"Why do you say that?" Nina asked curiously.

"Well," Katt said as she gave Nina her full attention, "I say that because you were thinking about Ryu." Nina suddenly blushed a bright red.

"W-What are you talking about?" Nina stuttered.

"I knew it," Katt laughed, "you were thinking about Ryu."

"I was not," Nina protested.

"Yes you were," Katt teased.

"Not," Nina said a little annoyed.

"Were," Katt said in a playful tone.

"Just drop it Katt," Nina complained.

"I will," Katt stated, "just as soon as you stop blushing." Nina was still blushing, but shook it off.

"There," Nina said in a pout.

"Have you considered telling him the truth?" Katt asked with a serious tone.

"What do you mean?" Nina replied.

"I mean," Katt sighed, "telling Ryu that you love him." Nina blushed again.

"W-W-Well," she said stuttering.

"You're too shy," Katt teased her again, "listen, we are about to go to the final battle. Before we step through that gate, you better not have any regrets. If you do, then you aren't going to be able to fight to your fullest. That is what I believe." Katt stood up and went to the edge of the roof.

"Are you saying that you don't have any regrets?" Nina asked softly.

"Yup," Katt said with a smile and jumped off the roof. Nina sat there looking at the sky again.

What should I do? she asked herself.