Hey, guys! Before I start...

This fanfic was inspired by Valorous Roland and his story, 'Centennial,' feeding me plot bunnies for this crazy pairing!

(Seriously, check it out; it has potential. :3)

Who knows, depending how this turns out, JarodxMicaiah could become a pairing to obsess over for a while... it's hells lot more interesting than Sothe angsting over every little thing that happens to her, at least. :P

Enjoy!

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1: Ironic Situations are Ironic

"Micaiah, to your right!"

The girl casted Thani at Leonardo's warning, managing to rid an incoming Begnion horseman in a flash of light. The steed stumbled to the ground, the fall breaking its rider's neck.

Micaiah gave a quick nod of thanks to the archer before assisting Edward with an armored knight not far ahead.

The Dawn Brigade had just exited the forest path to be caught up in a rare ambush by Begnion troops, Jarod himself leading the charge. The path held minimal amount of hedges for the members to hide themselves in, making Laura spend much time healing her friends.

Amidst the chaos of battle around Micaiah, Jarod stepped forward with his spear, sneering. "Hmph. I've finally got you now, Priestess. Now that all your friends are occupied... I believe I'll start by taking that pretty, silver head of yours."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Her eyes narrowed, hand glowing in the start of a spell. "Though I welcome you to try, it will result in someone else's end; yours."

"Just try it, Witch! I'll crush you and your country's pathetic hopes!"

Jarod charged, spear out; Micaiah casted Thani once more but unlike his men, the halberdier was ready.

Raising his shield against the blow, he continued on with his assault. Surprised, Micaiah just managed to dodge the thrust.

Seeing this, Sothe rushed to her rescue until a couple of soldiers blocked his way. "You aren't getting past us!"

"Micaiah-!" Dagger engaged with lance. "Damn it!"

The other members were too busy fending off their own attackers as Micaiah continued in her struggle against Jarod. The two exchanged blows readily, occasionally retreating to heal.

So occupied in their duel, neither of them noticed they were heading for a cliff. Leonardo did however, taking aim while Edward covered him.

As the maiden took a step back to evade a spear to the neck, the sole of her boot was just at the edge, causing a few rocks to tumble down the cliff. She immediately froze, not daring to turn around as a steel lance was aimed at her jugular.

"Any last words, Witch?"

Jarod's eyes shone in cruel delight, even as his shoulder bled from an earlier strike.

Leonardo gritted from afar. 'Not if I can help-!'

"Oof!"

As he let the arrow fly, a blow from a fighter made Aran stumble into the archer's arm at the last second, diverting its course.

Instead of hitting Jarod in the head, it flew into his lance arm. As the man grimaced at the sudden pain, Micaiah took the chance to let her spell fly.

Reacting quickly, Jarod ducked. Though it missed him, it brightened the area intensely, making the halberdier shield his eyes with a curse. Stumbling to the side, he felt his foot meet air and off the cliff.

Tumbling down with a yell, he blindly grabbed the closest thing to him; which turned out to be Micaiah's ankle.

Dragging her down with him, they fell screaming into the raging waters below.

"MICAIAH!" The Dawn Brigade chorused in a panic, finishing off the stupefied Begnion troops before rushing to where she once was.

Peering down frantically, all that greeted them was the distant roar of the rapids and Sothe's yell of despair.

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'...Ungh...'

Micaiah's consciousness slowly returned to her, as well as the sound of rushing water. Clutching her pounding head, her vision gradually came to focus as the girl found herself lying on a rocky shore, soaked.

Though sore, the girl didn't feel any apparent injuries.

'What happened... ah!'

It all came to her at once; Jarod, the fight, stray arrow, falling...

She gave a quiet groan, sitting up. "Where... am I..."

"Someplace I should've left a long time ago."

Jarod stood leaning against a trunk of the nearby trees, relatively dry, glaring with his arms crossed.

She was immediately on her feet, reaching for her tome to come up empty. Paling, her golden eyes searched around the bank for her satchel to end with a similar result.

'T-...this can't be... was it washed away by the river...?'

"Hmph. Such a shame, isn't it? And to think I was finally about to wreak vengeance with my own hands..." He spat bitterly. "Even Ashera now denies me."

Micaiah then realized there was no lance in sight with him, relief momentarily filling her; until several disconcerting thoughts came to her at once.

'Wait... my supplies were in my bag, as well! And Sothe and the others... oh, I hope they're alright...'

"General Jarod..." She began warily, "where are we."

He sneered. "Blazes if I know. Even if I did, you can be sure it wouldn't be anywhere near you."

But if that was the case...

Micaiah frowned. "Why didn't you just leave on your own?"

She didn't need to try and read Jarod's disgust and anger as he practically spat it out.

"Did the river waterlog your already useless brain? Try using it before you bother talking to me!" He stormed off into the woods, leaving the girl confused for a good moment before it finally clicked.

Her and Jarod were alone. Without knowing where they were or how far they were from their friends. Weaponless with no supplies and no visions of help...

If it weren't for saving Daein, Micaiah wasn't sure if the idea of drowning was one she could've refused.

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Krekekeke...! Crack pairings, here I come~

(Or at least, it's going to be friendshippy... kinda... I think. Blah).

Wow do I have my work cut out.

At any rate, do let me know what you think! (First time writing Jarod, so I hope he wasn't OOC).

Thanks for reading! Read and review!