A/N: Well here we are again. For those of you that supported me so much through the original Blade & the Bloom, all I can say is that the Muse left me and surprisingly I found her in Afghanistan of all places. I am mid way through another combat tour over here and out of no where this plot bunny hit me up side of the head and wouldn't let go. I haven't written anything since the last one and was beginning to fear it was a one shot thing, but lo and behold it looks like Ron, Shego, Yori, Kim and Blake's Bastards will ride again. So buckle up kiddies, as Shego said at the end of the last one, "Honey, you aint seen nothing yet…"
A/N II: All thoughts will be denoted in italics for ease of reading and flow.
A/N III: All reference to Kim Possible characters are sole property of Disney, X-Men and other Marvel characters belong to Stan Lee. I paraphrased a quote in here from a great book, "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" by Tom Robbins- see if you can spot it. And of course Blake, his Bastards, Razzan and other OC's are my own creation and I would appreciate at least a heads up if you plan on using them in your own fics. Thanks!
Blade & The Bloom II
Chapter 1
Mt. Yamanouchi, Japan 75 AD
Rectitude. Courage. Benevolence. Respect. Honesty. Honor. Loyalty.
These were some of the many thoughts that were circling in the young man's mind. Almost 800 years before they would form the tenents of the martial code known as "Bushido" a young man with a heavy heart and a flurry of emotions was sitting cross legged in meditation in a cave that lay deep below a particular mountain in Japan.
His features belied his internal quest. He appeared utterly at peace. The slight breeze from the East pushed the unique scent of lotus blooms and cherry blosoms deep into the cave and battled with the scents of soot and fire bellowing from the forges. He had not eaten for several days and drank only briefly at his short times of sleep. Regardless, his stature remained strong as he turned inward in search of answers.
His initial path had not been set before him by a mystical vision or anything like that. He had simply felt what many of us do, a sense that he was meant for "more". Unlike most of us though, he dedicated his entire life to it's pursuit. From his earliest years he had sought out and mastered every form of martial art in the lands. He never competed for sport but rather sought out the "why" behind each form and kata. His ferocious appetite for learning was unrivaled.
His first sense of enlightenment had occurred at the base of this very mountain several years prior when he was meditating in front of a Lotus Flower and the setting sun was warming his back. He had seen many wise teachers devote themselves to a single discipline and shun others. He had been contimplating this and its meaning towards other aspects of belief and Nature when he felt a "presence". To his dying day he would never be able to find words to decribe how it felt or how he intuitively understood the message. It was brilliant in its simplicity.
BALANCE. In everything.
Believe in everything, Nothing is sacred. Believe in nothing, everything is sacred.
Your scholars were right, yet most of them were wrong. From this and all in Nature make your belief whole to YOUR true Master.
Endeavor to embrace this principle in your life, your pursuit of excellence…it will serve you and humanity well. It may in fact be your kind's only salvation.
These thougths, these…instructions and more, a plan of sorts; pierced his very soul and were brought into focus when he awoke to a blinding and beautiful sunrise in his face. He had apparently been in this trance, dream or what ever it was all night, or perhaps from the hunger he felt- many nights.
The absolute conviciton it instilled in him was startingly clear. When he opened his eyes he was transfixed by the dew dripping from the Lotus Flower in front of him as a kaleidoscope of colors exploded from it by a single, brilliant ray of light that clearly resembled a razor sharp blade. He knew with absolute certainty that it was no dance of light or apparition.
He set to work immediately.
It took time and much travel but he was able to collect all the materials and finances to bring his vision to light. Now he dedicated himself to overseeing the construction and completion of what he knew would be something…"more".
Meditating on these thoughts and where this path would lead him now as the blades were being created not a few meters away, he was concerned with how to achieve the balance he knew was imperative to their proper use. It gave him considerable pause and conflicted feelings, yet his outward demeanor never faltered as he attempted to center himself and focus on a solution. Every so often, unbeknownst to him, a faint golden aura would eminate from his eyes and sometimes his whole body.
This did not go unnoticed by the other two men not far away. They labored within the cave upon the works he had commissioned them. Initially they had thought he was crazy. But when he produced the materials and coin they realized that he was serious in his exact requirements for the building of just two swords. For the amount he had given them they could have made him 200 swords!
But when he explained his requirements, they both reailzed that this would become the greatest task they had ever set upon. It started as a way to get ahead monitarilly, but their employer's utter focus and determination was infectious and soon they were commited to make these two blades everything that he believed that they would be.
What was supposed to take a few weeks, turned into months, then even years. Throughout it all the three of them became friends and seemed to inately understand that what they were endeavoring to do was something…special.
Some time later, Toshimuru rose from his accustomed spot where he meditated and oversaw the completion of the blades. He approached the two men, who were covered in sweat from working diligently at the forges and asked,
"Kensaku, I feel we are coming close to completion, would you agree?"
Razzan, the other man assisting, was older than both of them and resented being left out of the assesment of progress, he harshly answered with a smirk,
"Toshimuru, you have paid us well; but you know nothing of smith work. Would you expect us to infer we know more of Ninjitsu than you? When we have finished we will tell you."
Kensaku was dismayed by his partners complete lack of respect for their employer and who he felt was also a friend. He had become increasingly concerned as well when had repeatedly found Razzan staring longingly at the series of gems that Toshimuru had collected to be embedded in the hilt of the second blade. He stepped between the two men and stated quickly,
"Forgive us Toshimuru, we are BOTH rather tired from the long hours at the forge, perhaps our wits have cooked slightly as well," with a meaningful look at his partner he added, "we are indeed near completion. In fact pretty much all that is left is the gem work required for the second blade, and the molds are even set for those."
Toshimuru took in the older man who had obviously meant insult, and felt…nothing. He usually could focus his senses well enough to percieve some inkling as to someone's intent or desire. But once again he could not get a reading of the man he had employed for this important work.
He had come highly recommended. Stories of his abillity to craft metal, transform chemicals and other substances had reached Toshimuru several times on his travels. His alchemy had become something of a local phenomenon. However it was often seen as parlor tricks. Toshimuru recognized that it was much more, a latent and undeveloped ability that he himself may not be aware of. He had been counting on Razzan's unwitting contributions of his abillity in the forging process.
What he hadn't counted on was how the several years of seperation from humanity and focus on a single task had seemed to force his conciousness…inward, in some way. He was not the jovial and sly man he had met so long ago. He had acquired a darkness about him that was evident when looked for.
Toshimuru made a hard descion, "Razzan, I can tell you have lost faith in what we are doing. It is so much more than 'smith work' and I have every confidence that you know that. However your services will no longer be required. I am certain that Kensaku and I can complete this endeavor without you." He reached into the folds of his robes and threw a rather large bag on the table, "This is the remainder of your fee, plus 10 percent as a bonus for your extended time and resources. You may collect your things and leave."
Silence filled the room. If it weren't for the subtle roar of the furnace some distance away you would swear you could hear three heart beats pumping rapidly awaiting Razzan's response to his dismissal. There was an almost perceptable change to the atmosphere and pressure in the room as the shadows seemed to deepen. The scent of ashe and soot that hung to all the surface suddenly seemed to smell more like sulphur or…brimstone.
With a flash, he struck out with a concealed blade in his sleave and narrowly missed Toshimuru.
As he dodged the blade he quickly assesed that harming him was not the intent of the movement as Razzan leapt back, kicking a chair between them and grabbed the bag in one hand a ragged cut clear gem, similar to a rough hewn diamond in his other. It resembled a poorly formed icicle more than anything else, but its clarity was unrivaled. He pointed it at the other two men and began to laugh as he spoke,
"Fools! You have no idea who or what you are dealing with! I had searched for a crystal such as this for years before I even met you. How on Earth did you find it! You have no knowledge of alchemy. How could you know its value! What did you think it was PRETTY!? This will be my bonus for my labors, you two can frollick all you like on those silly swords- I will make a true weapon from this!"
Toshimuru had suspected that Razzan had identified the rare stone some time ago. It was the first time he had noted the darkening of the mans aura and inabillity to percieve his intent. Toshimuru had travelled far and wide to find it. As far as he knew no one knew what it was, as he believed it not of this Earth.
He had been transversing the Hindu Kush when a huge flash drove him to the ground. Not but half a kilometer ahead of him the ground trembled as an object collided with tremendous force.
The odd thing was it did not explode, or throw debris. As he approached it, he expected the bright stone would be extremely hot and the ground around it hotter still. But instead, he found himself calmed by its presence.
In fact the light sweat he had built from the climb cooled and he was strangely comforted as he reached for the approximetly 1 ft long, elongated gem that was so crystal clear. As his hand touched it he knew this was the key to his endeavor. He felt as if it had been sent to him, from whom, he knew not.
It suddenly flashed a brilliant gold then every possible color of the rainbow, blinding him for several moments. As his vision returned it was clear again as if nothing had happened. He promptly turned around and began to retrace his steps towards Japan to seek the proper men to assist him.
Now many years later seeing the gem in Razzan's hand start to turn a crimson and purple hue, he knew he must act decisevly. If he was not commited to this, all would be lost. He lunged with all his might towards his supposed friend as the other dove to his right towards Kensaku.
Knowing that the bleeding hearted fool would care more about "friends" than to chase him, Razzan drove the jagged gem deep into Kensaku's flank just below the ribs. The man let out an ear piercing wail and collapsed to the floor.
As Toshimuru attempted to catch his falling friend; Razzan attempted to rip the gem out of the man's side as he deliverd a devastating kick to Toshimuru's face, knocking him out cold.
For some reason the gem would not come out of the man. It seemed to be caught on his rib! Every time he pulled, another piercing wail seemed to echo through the heart of the mountain. Finally Razzan twisted with all his might and a third of the gem came out and rested in his blood soaked hand.
This will have to do. He thought as he feared to be around when Toshimuru came to.
Razzan fled into the night with his bag of silver in one hand and a blood soaked gem in the other.
Whether it was due to his repeated fasting, or the savage blow to his head; it took Toshimuru some time to regain his sense and conciousness. As events came clear in his mind's eye he woke with a start,
"KENSAKU!?"
"I am here…Sensei" was the weak utterance from a table not far away.
As Sensei rushed to his friend he found him covered in blood and working feverishly on the second blade.
"What are you doing!? We must get you to a healer." Exclaimed Toshimuru, as close to panic as he had possibly ever felt.
"No, we must finish this. Or Razzan will be unopposed and un…stoppable" he muttered as he coughed up a trickle of blood that flung onto both blades.
The table was a mess. Toshimuru took stock and could tell from the bloody tracks on the floor that since his wounding his friend had been tirelessly working on finshing the blades. He was litterally sacrificing himself to see Toshimuru's dream to fruition.
He looked in his friend's eyes and saw the same fire of commitment and drive he saw in the mirror. He took a deep cleansing breath and asked,
"Why are you doing this? And why did you call me 'Sensei?'"
A smile trembled across Kensaku's chalky lips, "What else should I call the one who has shown me the way?" Seeing the perplexed look on his friends face he continued,
"I have marveled at your conviction for many years now. But tonight as I stood on death's door a voice, or appirition…something I can not explain spoke to me, and…" he began hacking a deep, wet cough that brought yet more blood on to his feverishly working hands and the blades.
"What did it say?" asked Toshimuru, fearing he already knew the answer.
"BALANCE!" erupted the dying man as if it was the salvation he sought, "I realized that only I could balance the evil that our friend had wrought and will attempt to unleash on the land. I alone could make it right and make your dream into what the world needed. You have saved me, even as I perish I know it was worth it".
And with those words there was an audible 'CLICK' as the last stone was inlaid in the second blade.
Surveying his work and ensuring all was as it should be, Kensaku collected the blades and marshalled all his strength to stand. Toshimuru rushed around the table and caught him before he fell from lack of blood and energy.
"Sensei..cough-cough I present to you, The Lotus Blade…" he pulled from a simple sheath a stunningly precise blade that would faithfully serve many truly amazing warriors to come. Sensei noted that the blood he had seen pooled across it moments ago seemed to be absorbing and disappearing into the very metal itself!
Placing the Lotus Blade into his friends only free hand, the dying man reverently lifted his life's work, his greratest endeavor, "and before I pass may I impart on you the burden… of the Lotus Bloom".
As the bloody hand swept over the blade the room was bathed in an amazing cacauphny of light and even a slight sound as if everything around was suddenly more clear and precise.
"My friend I have seen a glimpse of the responsibillity you have sought out by creating these blades. It came to me as I pulled the broken gem from my side…"
Another coughing fit and pained expression caused Toshimuru to inspect the wound on the man's flank. As he looked closely he could distinctly see a shattered rib thrusting out of a jagged wound. Deep in the dark drying blood, he saw a glint of something bright. Before he could ask, Kensaku spoke,
"I am sorry but I could only manage to pull out a third or so of the gem before my bone broke it once again. Razzan broke off the first third and fled, I emplaced the second third into the Bloom and it appears I will be taking the final third to the spirits with me."
"No! We can still get you to a healer. We can still save you!"
"My race is run. I have been pouring my heart into these blades for several years now. It would seem I will finish with bleeding my life's blood and soul into their completion. For that I stand proud and…cough... content."
Not knowing what to do was something very disheartenting for Toshimuru, he had been so sure footed for so long, he was uncertain even how to proceed at this moment. Fortunately his friend spared him the descision.
"Go, Sensei, my teacher by example and vision. Make this count. You will not be able to do it alone. Don't seek revenge on Razzan, but rather final victory in building something that will last. Don't let me be your first and final student. I will be fine, let me go on to the next adventure in the peace that I have earned. Go…cough... go now and make it count".
It had never occurred to him in all his travels and planning that his dream would require what would ultimately be a blood sacrifice.
But as every child is born of a mother's suffering and blood, so too Nature demanded that a balance be struck in this.
The clarity with which he found comfort in these thoughts alarmed him, almost as if they had been whispered in his ear. He ensured his friend was laid comftorably in his bed and collected his few personal effects and finally the two miraculous swords. At the door way to the cave he turned towards his friend who was fading with the fire light and bowed deeply in respect.
As he left the cave, the cool night air bathed him. After the metallic smell and taste of blood, the soot, the onslaught of so many types of pain in that cave he was down right cleansed by the sweet cherry and lotus blossum scents that blew across his face as he breathed deeply. Sheathing the blades across his back, he knew exactly what he must do…and started climbing the mountain he had spent many years under…Mt. Yamanouchi.
Mt. Yamanouchi, Japan
2 weeks after the funeral of Master Sensei
"Master Sensei" Yori's personal Dojo
She had been in meditation for several hours in front of the stand of the Lotus Blades. It had been her intent to focus and find peace in the early morning hours. Since the departure of so many amazing people the school had been endeavoring to find its new ryhthm or balance, if you will in the wake of its devastating loss.
For her part Yori was doing as much as she could to ensure the traditions and centuries of effort her father had instilled in this secret ninja school would not perish under here care.
It was harder than she thought it would be. It seemed that there were hundreds of "little things" that mired her day to the point she never even saw a student. Without the established presence of Master Sensei or the impending danger of a massive assault; every little problem became a crisis it seemed.
She had learned more about plumbing, paperwork and public services than she would want to know for a life time.
How did he do it? It seemed all he ever had to do was sit sagely and listen and answers would flow from his cryptic mouth and all was right with the world. People come to me with the same problems and all I can do is go look up the manual, and even then only with Alexandria's help!
So it should come as no wonder that the rapidly approaching steps of a young student brought her great trepidation as she was certain that a garden was exploding or some other trivial issue was about to be thrown at her.
She took a calming breath and rose to meet the frazzled young girl running towards her dojo's door.
"Master Sensei, there is a, uh…man, a very furry man on the doorstep!"
"Fur can be beautiful young one, don't speak with such distaste-what does he want?"
"Master, I think he's dead!"
Well this is different. She thought as she directed her consciousness out across the courtyard towards the main entrance gate. She detected the shiny little auras of 3 of her students on sentry duty looking down at a form on the other side of the gate.
As she began walking towards the entrance, her eyes confirmed what her "other" senses had told her, until she focused on the prone form on the ground and came to a dead halt.
The aura that captured her mind's eye was like nothing she had ever seen before. Not as brilliant and overpowering as her father's or Ron's, but in some ways even more spectacular in its contradictions. It seemed it was a tempest of every earth based color from brown to green to yellow to even…grey? She could almost feel the savage brutality of its owner while somehow she knew this was balanced by a loyalty and devotion like none other.
In an instant she knew what she must do.
"Open the gate! And then all students return to your training or duties. Inform Instructor Matsumaru that he is to take charge of the school as I will be tending to our guest."
Her instructions were obeyed without question. The gates were opened and she was afforded her 1st view of their damaged visitor.
As she drew closer she could see how the sentries thought he was dead. He was a tangled mess of wounds, blood, jagged bones and hair. With his face buried in the dirt he could easily be mistaken for a dead animal if it weren't for the ragged remains of clothes clinging to him.
Slowly she approached and projected in her aura a calm and re-assuring presence. Tentatively touching his shoulder she quietly spoke,
"You have had a most difficult travel. You are amongst friends here, please let us help you."
She was a little alarmed when the mass of humanity at her feet began to slowly and painfully turn over and let out a faint chuckle, punctuated by a wet, most likely bloody cough,
"Funny thing darling, I was on my way here to try and help you."
Yori gasped as she recognized the man. He was the intriguing friend of Shego that had attended the celebration after her father's funeral. He had even attempted to cheer her up by teaching her a fun little American-style dance he called a "two step".
Re-centering herself from some emotions she wasn't willing to deal with at the moment, she took a cleansing breath and smiled,
"You are always most welcome here. Although next time may I recommend using the bridge instead of falling down the cliff?"
Damn, I'm this much of a mess and she has the steel to joke with me? She is definitely ol' Sensei's little girl.
"I'll keep it in mind. Gonna take me a few hours to heal from this scrap though. Mind giving me a hand?"
Leaning down and offering a hand she couldn't help but smiling a little brighter,
"Sure thing...Logan-san."
Several hours later… in the infirmary.
Coming out of a deep and surprisingly restful sleep, he took a deep breath and smiled deciding to keep his eyes closed and enjoy the rest a few moments longer. His keen sense of smell picked up on the cherry and lotus blossoms on the wind mixed with the slight mist from the water fall as well. He could even pick up on the cracks and distinct sounds of martial training in the practice yard.
No where else on Earth smells or feels like Yamanouchi. Ol' Sensei sure knew how to pick'em. But what or…who, is that incredible scent, and wait a second who smells like cheese?
Then suddenly he was cognizant of small weight on his chest; opening his eyes quickly he resisted the urge to unsheathe his claws and jump…And what the fuck is that!
"Rest easy, Logan-San. Please lay still. Rufus here and I were attempting to assist your considerable healing powers." Stated Yori, perched on the edge of the bed as she gestured to Rufus who was sitting cross-legged on Logan's chest in meditation…and glowing!
As he looked closer it looked like she was glowing a golden hue as well!
What in the Hell?! He thought as he settled back. Come to think of it he did feel pretty damn good. Especially considering the sorry shape he was in this morning. Should have taken me the better part of a day or two to heal up this much…hmmm. Well I can honestly say I have had stranger things happen.
Lifting his head to take in his surroundings, he realized he was on a low cot in a rather simple room. Battle dressings and medicines were on a small desk/cabinet to one wall and it looked like a few similar looking cots to either side.
He chuckled to himself, Yep, You seen one infirmary, you seen them all. But then he noticed that he did not have a single bandage on himself nor did it appear that either of his helpers have any intention of doing anything other than sitting there, concentrating and, well…glowing.
Choosing to study the two, he focused a bit himself. He quickly deduced that the splendid smell he had been wondering about emanated from Yori and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the little rodent on his chest was pulled from a rather large breakfast of cheesy something or another to come help out.
All the same he certainly couldn't knock their results, regardless of the techniques.
He decided that with the lithe ninja so focussed that she wouldn't mind him taking a good gaze. In a word what he found was pretty darn stunning. As he drank in her beauty he was startingly reminded of someone from his past and layed his head back and chose to try and think of anything else.
Finally fed up with laying around with a critter on his chest, he perked his head up and asked,
"Hey is it alright if I talk at least? I appreaciate the help but this is getting a little awkward".
Smiling a bit, she opened her eyes.
"Yes. In fact I believe that Rufus and I have done just about as much as we can do for now. If it weren't for your own natural healing it would have taken much longer. You seem to be a remarkable man, Logan-San."
Rufus hopped on to the cot and Logan stood up feeling surprisngly limber and healthy.
"Ah hell, I been called a lot a things, but 'remarkable' aint the one most would use. But thanks…for everything."
He extended his hand to her and she shook it, a slight spark seemed to pass between them that shot straight from their hands through their chests and throughout their bodies; catching them both off guard.
As she caught her breath and before he could ask anything about it they both heard a rather indignant "AHEM!" uttered from the near their knees.
Looking down, Logan found Rufus peering up at him clearly indicating that he helped too.
Chuckling he reached down with a large finger to emulate a handshake and offered it to the diminutive Ninja Master.
"Much obliged to you too, Rufus. Tell you what I can tell I interupted a pretty good snack of yours to help me out. Why don't we get Yori here to show us where some more cheese is. I am famished!"
"CHEESE!" cried Rufus as he lept up on to his shoulder and looked expectantly at Yori.
"Well it looks like you just made a friend for life" she smiled a little brighter as she led them towards the cafeteria.
"While we, how do you say it in America, "rustle up some grub"? Perhaps you can enlighten me as to what brought you to our fine school, and just how many gorrillas you fought on the way?'
Her eyes getting wide as she realized that she still had people out ensuring none of the mutated monkeys from the battle had escaped in the confusion, she turned and quickly asked,
"You didn't actually see any monster monkeys out there did you…by chance?"
Chuckling to himself as he saw her concern for him, and that she may in an oblique way be responsible due to her not capturing all the enemies from a few weeks ago, he assured her,
"Nope. I'm ashamed to say in the end there was only two of them, humans- I think. One got lucky, the other was just a little smarter than I suspected."
From the quizical look on her face he could tell she wanted answers but had the good grace and manners not to press the issue, just yet.
As they settled down with their plates of food, even she realized the tremendous apetite she had built during the healing process. They all dug in and defered the conversation until later.
After some time, with a rather overly full belly of cheese Rufus was falling rapidly asleep. Yori indicated with a nod for Logan to follow her as she lifted up the little naked mole rat and took him to his quarters. Following her out to her favorite spot overlooking the cliff face to the North they both sat and soaked in the spectacular view of the low fog drifting in as the sun set behind the mountains.
Awhile later it was Logan who broke the silence.
"You know Master Sensei, brought me to this very spot quite some time ago. Said some things I didn't quite get at the time, but certainly helped me later."
"Yes my Father had a way of doing that. Honestly it was more than a little frustrating at times. But I loved him all the more for it" she responded with a sad smile.
"I can see that. You may not have been his blood, but I can still tell you inherited his strength. Thank you again for helping me out today."
"It was my honor to do so Logan-san. Speaking of which, you stated your were coming here to help me. May I enquire as to how so?"
Taking a deep breath to gather his thoughts he decided to lay it all out straight for. She needed to know what he had found out.
"Seems someone wants you dead."
She thought briefly about that and let out a short but decidingly cute laugh.
"OK, not the response I was expecting. Maybe I wasn't clear…"
Yori interupted him, "Oh no Logan-san, you were more than clear in your statement. If my English serves me I believe the term is "blunt" which I appreciate. However what I find so funny is the irony."
"Irony?" asked Logan who at this point was more than a little confused, which lets face it is not his usual state of mind. Enraged, lustful or hungry…but rarely confused.
"Yes, ironic. I have been trained since I could walk to be a ninja. I have succesfully completed hundreds of missions as one. I assisted in the dispatching of dozens of the worlds greatest villains on these very grounds a few weeks ago and am now succesor to my father's legacy. I am the leader of Yamanouchi, one of the single most formidable martial clans on Earth."
Thinking he knew where she was going with this he said, "So your saying your more than capable to handle yourself?"
"No the irony is, that when I was helping you I was able to understand your aura that is so conflicted. You are a predator. An alpha preadator at that. You have spent the better part of what I presume is a long life from the sheer amount of pain, joy and experience you project; as a hunter. In many ways through what ever powers you posess you may be the highest evolutionary form of a predator alive. And yet, despite those capabillities, when you look at me, you see only a little girl requiring protection. That Logan-san is what I find ironic."
She's right. How in the hell did I miss it? What am I...slipping? Why in the hell did I feel the need to come all the way back here to warn her? What in the hell is wrong with me? She has stepped into the shoes of one of my greatest teachers and I think I have something to offer her?
Looking at her these thoughts and more ran through the mind of one very conflicted mutant.
Meanwhile despite her very cool and calm exterior, her heart was beating a mile a minute.
Why does he stare through me like that? I stated the truth. Sure I had a little fun with it, but he certainly seems to have thick enough skin for that. Why does his belabored response mean so much to me? Why won't he say something!?
He remained silent for some time. They both did as they fell into a surprisingly comtorable period of simply looking at or seemingly into each other.
Finally with a deep sigh, he stood and stated, "Well I guess there was one more reason I came here."
Accepting his polite hand up as she rose, "Oh and what is that?"
Cracking a lopsided and devil may care smile, "Well it seemed to me you still needed some more dance lessons."
Hitting her square in the gut where she didn't even know she had a hole, that statement, or perhaps the look and smile he gave her suddenly filled something in her that she wasn't aware she was bereft of. All the weeks of burying herself in the work of the school, trying not to fall into self pity for her loss, she realized that she had not a single friend to talk with. Perhaps, just maybe…this was exactly what she was missing.
Looking up into his eyes and squeezing his hand slightly, "You know, I think that is exactly what I need right now."
Washington D.C.
The Pentagon
"Finally! Enough with the damn briefs…" Kim added hesitantly, "now do you think we can get on with some "us" time?"
She couldn't remember being so tentative with a question in her life. Lets face it her and Blake's pairing was forged under some rather extreme circumstances. It was only natural for her to wonder if the feelings were waning with the loss of adrenaline, especially after days of endless debriefs and coordination in Washington DC to set up the new unit Blake was forming.
After already having her boyfriend of several years essentially run off on her, she was feeling a little less than confident in the relationship department.
I don't care if it was foretold in a centuries old magic monkey prophecy…I still deserve to be a little bitter about him running off with my arch friggin' nemesis! At least Blake seems to be open with me on, well…everything. I hope?
Blake's taller frame forced him to look down and he was transfixed by her gorgeous green eyes and thought, She is still so afraid of getting hurt. What can I do to help her know I mean it? What did I do to deserve her in my life? She's had enough talk; time to show her.
He didn't say a word as he pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
After reading briefly her eyes skeptically leveled on him-"Two tickets to Germany? Uh, OK I'll bite, what's the plan?" Still a little amazed at herself that she was so comfortable with someone else laying out any plans.
Half smiling he returned her gaze, "No plan at all; that's the point. I spent a little time in Landstuhl Hospital when I, er…had some occupational hazards catch up with me and I got to see a little bit of the area and loved it. Always said if I got some down time I would go check it out better. Since the unit's in stand down while the boys heal up and rest, I figured I couldn't ask for a better traveling partner- and besides, who the hell is going to look for us in Germany!?"
That night on a Tran's Atlantic flight - first class
She was studying his sleeping form. Realizing she had rarely, if ever seen this man that had swept into her life NOT in motion. He seemed to embrace life itself, have a desire… a passion to live, to suck the marrow out of life itself that rivaled her own.
Maybe that's what draws us together? I mean of course he's hot, but I've had GQ models in my life and they didn't do this to me.
She blushed as she remembered the day they met and the fact that she was actually avoiding a GQ model when she literally ran into Blake for the 1st time.
We really have come along way in a short time, over half way around the world together, and yet we have so much to learn about each other.
Considering she had known Ron for most of her life before they had gotten into a physical realationship she had to wonder if she was rushing into this. Had the series of events thrust her and Blake together too fast? Was it time to slow down a bit? Looking over at his resting form, she raised a hand and ran it across his well defined chest…
Not a chance in hell!
He had felt her watching him as he was attempting to go to sleep. He thought a quick cat nap would help him get his thoughts in order and sort things out. The last couple weeks had been nothing short of beurocratic madness as he attempted to hold the brass accountable for the deal him and Roscoe had worked out in that dusty little base in Afghanistan.
It had been an uphill battle, but with Roscoes help as well as some friends he had made in the Corps he was able to get complete cart blanch to build a small and agile international counter terror reaction force. The composition and actual tasking were still being worked out, but he had his XO Brett Sarnes out looking through the different bases right now, quietly recruiting at least 3 new members. He had first pick of any volunteer, no questions asked.
He realized that he had indeed neglected his new "girlfriend" through it all. He had been happy to have her there, to provide some semblence of sanity. On more than a few occasions her celebrity status had actually assisted their cause. Especially when several of the generals asked for her autograph; "for their daughters" of course.
Honestly he was at a loss. He knew he had a good thing going here. Rarely can a guy in his line of work not only have a woman know about what he actually does, but keep up! And in this case, possibly even be a member of the team! It seemed too good to be true.
Maybe that's why I seem to keep putting my guard up a bit? Maybe I'm just waiting for the hammer to drop? Well after this trip to Germany, I'll know for sure if she is really up for the uglier side of this job.
Despite his early claim that this was just an honest, spur of the moment site seeing tour; he had an agenda. He had to know if she was in this for real. If not for himself than for the health of the team. That was the one thing he was not willing to bet even odds on. He would stack the deck or cut his losses. His men deserved nothing less.
With those thoughts broiling, he felt her hand slide across his chest. Looking over he was suddenly lost in her eyes again.
How in the hell does she do that!? My whole world just stopped and zeroes on her, and her alone.
Noting a rather ferile grin on her face that he was coming to recognize as less than politically correct, he had to ask,
"Uh, what's up good lookin'? You need something?"
Her grin got even wider and as she pondered something briefly,
"Well that depends on your answer to my question. Please be straight with me. Girlfriend, team mate, distraction? What am I to you?"
Looking at her expectant face, her hand on his chest that most likely felt his pulse rising, the top of her blouse pooling open slightly did she undo the top few buttons?; only one answer, one word would suffice to convey his feelings at that moment.
With a deep and wanting voice he pulled her closer and answered, "MINE!".
Good answer! She thought as she pounced on him.
As they melted into a passionate kiss, hands exploring faster and more wantonly; they both were trying to figure out the best way to discretly gain entrance into the "Mile High Club".
A/N: Well that's all for now folks. I should have the next one up shortly. Please take the time to review so I can tell if you want this ride to keep going or perhaps even change some direction. Oh and once again, much love and props out to my editor, Mrs. Naked Mole Rat 68! She is a driving force behind keeping these stories so solid and especially the OC threads. I appreciate it Darlin...you definately earned a candle lit dinner at Beuno Nacho when I get back!