Chasing Ash

by Rizember

Ash, Meghan and Puck all sat at the table staring at the "new" addition to their little group, freshly saved from the Underworld. Ariella. "Well," Meghan coughed. "This is awkward." Ash/Puck humour, yaoi

2. Chapter 2

Chasing Ash

by Rizember

Xxx-xxX

Chapter 2: Reunion

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A/N: Please note that Ariella here was never been revealed to have still been alive. So, for all purposes, it was still kind of Puck's fault that she 'died'.

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Puck's POV

Uneasy. That was the easiest way to describe what I was feeling.

I was seated on the grass on a blanket with Ariella and queen Persephone, with a variety of food placed on the blanket in front of us, all being eaten by Ariella.

I was definitely feeling completely out of place.

Now, maybe it was all the dead people walking by and acting normal and going about their 'lives'... or maybe it was all the dead people jokingly dropping their heads as they bowed to me in greeting...or maybe it was well, just...all the dead people.

Persephone insisted Ariella eat but had told me to touch nothing even though I was kinda hungry.

She's lucky there we no apples there or I'd have ignored whatever doom and gloom curse she said was on the Food of the Dead and dug in heartily.

My unease was heightened by the fact that Ariella kept smiling at me.

She hadn't stopped since I'd gotten there and when I'd pointed it out, she'd just explained that it was really good to see me.

Well, I was pretty good-looking so I wouldn't hold it against her.

Now that we had sat and I could get over the fact that I was in the land of the dead, I could study Ari more carefully.

She was still beautiful, still one of the most gorgeous women I had ever had the pleasure of irritating.

Though she'd apparently cut her hair short, it suited her. It had darkened to gold from the lack of actual sun I suspected, but I didn't mind. I remember how it had been, all long and silver and flowing...

Her eyes were still the same. Blue-green with flecks of silver with mild undertones of disapproval for my recklessness. Even now, when she was thrilled I was there, she was still somehow managing to create a lecture in her head about how irresponsible I was being. I could tell.

Persephone was making pleasant conversation, -something about a funny dead guy- but I managed to interrupt, humbly.

"I'm really sorry, Persephone, but I really need to get started on the part where I rescue Ariella and get her back to our world."

Persephone smiled tolerantly. "That's why I want her to eat. I do understand your mission, even if you don't."

I wanted to ask her what she meant but decided against it. Every question I'd asked her had received a roundabout reply. It seemed when it came right down to it, Persephone spoke in riddles.

"So, can we leave as soon as she's done?" I asked, ignoring my grumbling stomach.

Persephone nodded, smiling pleasantly. "I'm not doing this to torture you, you know. Ariella must be well enough to get out of the Underworld but she won't stay out for long."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"She's dead, Puck," Persephone said, her face grave, as if she thought I hadn't noticed or something.

"Uh yeah," I replied, leaving the "duh" out. "That's sort of why I'm here. In the Underworld. To rescue her."

"She won't manage to live outside of this place for long."

I blinked. "Well, there has to be some way. I didn't come all this way to rescue her just so she could come back... I'm not offering her a two-week vacation."

Persephone sighed. "There's only one way but I wouldn't advise it. Why not just have her for the little while in the land of the living? She would appreciate the break, I'm sure."

Throughout all this, Ariella was silent, watching us go back and forth.

I shook my head, irritably. "Tell me the way. Whatever it is, I'll do it."

Persephone studied me for a moment before she nodded. "You seem determined."

I nodded.

"The only way to have her live again, is to exchange your soul for hers."

I stared. "No, seriously."

Persephone shrugged. "This is a strict world. One living soul came in, one living soul will have to leave."

I stared at her long and hard.

She was basically asking me to switch places with Ariella or escape with her dead soul and watch her die all over again when it was time for her to return.

Now, I've never been one for heroics and far be it from me to ever suggest my sacrifice as a solution to anything but...

"Alright."

Persephone let out a small surprised sound and Ariella's eyes had widened to the size of miniature planets.

"Are you sure?"

I shrugged. "It would be pointless to come all this way and leave her."

"But Puck-" Ariella started.

I turned to her sharply. "You. Shut up while I'm rescuing you."

Ariella opened her mouth, her eyes blazing with indignation and Persephone chuckled, breaking the tension.

"There is one other way I could offer you."

I looked at her. "Really? And you just remembered that now? You're beginning to seem like the other queens alittle now."

Persephone seemed unperturbed by my insult and motioned to Ariella. "If she shares your soul, you can both leave."

"Share?"

She nodded. "Half to each. That would ensure the gates would be fooled and you could escape, as one soul. It would also make sure that she didn't die sooner than she should."

"But I would?"

She smiled. "A trade you were more than willing to make a second ago. You see, your soul, while amusing and greatly valued, is biased and prone to moments of darkness. With Ariella sharing it, you will not have more than six months to find another person willing to share their soul and make her whole. Either that, or you will have to decide to give her the rest of your soul and come here in her place."

I blinked. "Well...I might as well give her my soul now then, right? All of it?"

Persephone laughed outright. "The Underworld is terribly boring, Puck and though you may be a pleasant addition here, I would ask that you indulge me and take my second offer. You could even find an unworthy soul to trick and give Ariella a whole existence again."

"An unworthy soul?"

"Surely you can think of someone..."

I snorted. The very first people in my head were the kings and queens of the courts. And I doubted they'd let me trick them that much. A soul is a dangerous thing to waste.

"Alright," I sighed. "I'll take it."

Persephone smiled and nodded, waving her hand at us. A second later, she cleared her throat. "It has been done."

Both Ariella and I stared at her. "That was it? No show? No dramatic theme music? No marching band?"

The queen actually looked confused at that. "Why would I do all that?"

I shook my head in wonder.

She really was new.

Getting out of the Underworld proved fairly easy. There was no guy with a boat, no cowardly cat and the flying horse sure came in handy.

None of us anticipated a pissed off squid however, or the fact that it apparently thought it was a dolphin and leaped out of the water at us.

Persephone grabbed my hand before I fell into the water but Ariella had already slipped.

Strangely though, her 'slip' had the distinctive characteristic of an olympic dive.

I gaped after her as her body dived neatly into the water that the squid had just fallen back into.

"Did she just-"

Persephone nodded and ordered her horse to fly toward the other end of the lake- toward the entrance.

I struggled. "We have to go back! We can't just leave her!"

"Puck-"

"Seriously, turn this thing around!"

"Puck-!"

"Oi, horsey, go back!"

Persephone had to slap me before I listened to a word she said.

"She can't die again."

I froze, giving her an incredulous look. "She has my soul now so yeah, she can."

Persephone sighed like I was an idiot. "That means she's half dead...and so are you."

"All the more reason to not let that kalamari kill my half, don't you think?"

Apparently irritated, the queen threw me from the horse. I felt the wind rush past me and waited to hit the water and-

"OW! WHAT THE HELL!"

I hit hard rock.

I was apparently already at the other end.

In the water, I could make out vague thrashing and occasionally made out blond hair.

Aw, crap. She was going to get herself killed before we even left. And then I'd have to probably sell off what was left of my soul and she'd still die before she even reached the door.

Tch, women.

I sighed, ready to dive into the water and quicken my own death, if just to save her again when-

"Hey!"

Hm.

Ari was riding on the squid's head and stroking it gently. It made a creepy keening sound and then started to bring her over to me.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Ariella grinned, when she finally reached me and got off the squid. She patted it gently on its gross-looking head and it sank back into the lake.

I took in a deep breath, more than ready to calmly tell her that what she had done was irresponsible and that I was disappointed with her rash behaviour and-

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!"

So much for me being calm.

"You. Shut up while I'm rescuing you."

I gaped at her, barely managing not to sputter.

It was a good thing I was already on the ground.

I turned away and immediately found myself facing an amused-looking Persephone.

"Well," I muttered. "I feel fairly useless right now."

Ari laughed and helped me up. "Good."

Persephone waved goodbye as we walked out.

All in all, that hadn't been too bad.

We were almost at the door and I assumed Grim was still not up to showing up. He'd probably make sure there was absolutely no way he'd be injured or hurt in any way before he appeared again.

"Hello."

I did not scream like a little girl.

No.

Not at all.

"Did he just scream like a little girl?" Leanansidhe asked Ariella.

Ari nodded, giving me a funny look. "Yeah."

I sighed.

Lea had appeared out of nowhere, with an eerie expectant smile on her face. My reaction was completely called for.

She stood by the waterfall and waited while we stepped out from under it and made our way to her.

Lea smiled sharply at me and Ari. "Welcome back, Ariella."

Ari bowed graciously and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"You too, Puck," Lea said, studying her nails briefly. "I was pretty sure Hades would find you, toss your soul into one of his sulphur pits and grind it into dust when it was fairly crispy."

"As always, I am grateful for the show of confidence."

"Mm," she hummed. She studied Ari a moment longer and then her eyes widened.

"What is it?" I asked immediately.

Lea cleared her throat and shook her head. "Nothing to worry about. Did you get me my trinket?"

I stared at Leanansidhe.

Aw crap. I had completely forgotten about her payment for offering me help.

This was the first time I'd forgotten to pay back a favour. Oh, she as going to kill me. I could see my half-life flashing before my eyes.

Doomed...I was doomed...

"Well, Puck?"

"Er..."

"Here."

I turned my surprised glance to Ariella who was holding out a flute to the Exile queen.

Lea took it and smiled pleasantly. Apparently having lost interest in us, she waved us off with her hand, eager to have one of her lackeys test out her new toy.

As we walked away, I nudged Ari with my elbow. "Where did you-"

"Persephone gave it to me. Said you'd forgotten."

"When did she have the time to even hand it to you?"

"While I was rescuing you."

Oh, that went right to the heart. Just rub it in that while she was wrestling and cuddling a giant squid, she still found the time to save me from Lea.

"So," Ariella said, watching me with a teasing glint in her eye. "Where are we going?"

I sighed, bracing myself. "Ash's place."

That sobered her up quickly but she rallied and smiled. "Good. I'm glad you're still friends. I was worried. You hadn't mentioned him at all..."

"You hadn't asked."

She regarded me a moment. "There's something you're not telling me. I assume it will come out eventually."

I nodded, eager to get started on the journey and not willing to talk about me, Ash and her.

Or me, Ash and Meghan.

(I am an Ash page break. There is a huge icicle stuck up my ass)

Ash watched his pale reflection in the mirror and noted that not much had changed. He still had the same silver eyes, the same dark hair, the same pale skin...

He hadn't changed at all.

But somehow, everything felt different.

The hectic part of his life seemed to be over and everything was perfect. He had Meghan, he had his own palace. He had his mother's respect.

Everything was perfect.

So why was it that he felt something was missing?

The Interim winter palace was silent, as it usually was. Servants moved around efficiently and effectively. No movement was wasted or made out of place.

Ash had almost regretted getting his own place but he had to admit he was much happier away from his mother and brothers. They winter palace queen Mab ruled over was a three day journey away and Ash wondered why he hadn't just chosen a further place.

Rowan and Sage visited often enough but usually he was sent invitations.

Well, he and Meghan were sent invitations.

Ash looked into the reflection at the image of Meghan on the bed behind him.

They were in his chambers, their chambers, a place they'd shared since they had gotten their own place.

The palace had been a gift from queen Mab, given with a sniff as she said there was no way in hell her son was going to do anything so commonplace as rent a home with a summer princess.

Obviously she had said it in more eloquent terms. And much more rudely.

Mab wasn't quite the warm and loving future mother-in-law Meghan had hoped she'd grow to be but Ash knew his mother at the very least, tolerated his betrothed.

They had agreed to live in Tir Na Nog for a few months in the year, and then in the summer court for a month for Meg to visit her father and then spend the rest of the time in the Iron country. So far, they were doing splendidly, living in the frozen lands of Nevernever.

Ash watched Meghan sleep and a slight smile graced his features.

He was content.

Maybe all the years of excitement had gone to his head and he just thought he wanted all that again.

He was happy with Meghan. He loved Meghan.

That was more than enough.

"Ash?"

Meghan was watching him with a sleepy, worried expression. Ash smiled at her.

"Morning..."

Meghan smiled back, stretching a hand toward him. Ash moved forward and sat by her on the bed. He kissed her forehead.

"Everything alright?"

Ash looked into the beautiful blue eyes of his betrothed and smiled. What had he been worried about? Here was everything he ever wanted; beautiful, smart, witty, brave and stupidly stubborn... He ran his hands slowly through Meghan's long blond hair and pulled her to him. She moved willingly and sighed in his embrace.

When he pulled away, Meghan took his hand and got off the bed. "Come on..."

She led him into their massive bathroom and for a while, helped him forget what it even was he thought was missing.

Ash wasn't fooled though. He knew Meghan could feel it, too. The weighing beginnings of restlessness. The feeling that they were way too young to have already gone on every possible adventure. It wasn't that he wanted to go away. It was that he wanted to go away with her. He almost missed their almost fortnightly near-death experiences and well...it had been exciting.

But, he tried to reason, he was satisfied with his life now. They both were...and that was important, wasn't it?

The problem with contentment, however, was that it had a way of rushing away for meetings with destiny at the most inopportune moments and Ash found that out as he and Meghan were in the dining hall having breakfast.

A sidhe walked up to them and bowed, "Visitors have arrived and wish to see you immediately," she said calmly.

Before he could even ask who they were, the doors form the entrance hall were swung apart and he found himself staring at someone he hadn't seen in what felt like ages.

"Puck?" Meghan's voice was loud in the silence.

Ash stared incredulously at the man in front of him. The red hair, the mischievous green eyes...the lack of a shirt...

Puck grinned, spreading his arms wide in introduction, "Sexy crimson hair, haunted green eyes, devilishly handsome face, tanned skin and killer abs. Yes ladies... it's me."

A loud smack resounded in the hall and Puck turned to glare at someone who was asking loudly, "Why the hell did you take your shirt off?"

"How else would I have pointed out the abs?"

"You'll catch a cold, you idiot."

Ash would have laughed.

At another time and place, he would definitely have found the present situation amusing.

But all he could think about was the fact that in front of him was a face he thought he'd never see again. Someone who only haunted his rarest, darkest dreams.

Someone he had loved dearly.

"Ariella..."

The girl-no, the woman- smiled warmly at him, almost carefully, as if she didn't want to risk whatever massive disaster would happen if she showed too many teeth.

"Ash," she bowed.

Meghan was staring at the two people at the door, unsure of what to do.

She wanted to run to Puck and hug him- she'd missed him terribly ever since he'd abandoned her, claiming he couldn't watch her be with Ash.

But Meghan also wanted to protect Ash- from the woman standing there and leaving him speechless-Ariella.

He'd told her who the beautiful woman standing in front of them was. He'd mentioned she wasn't ugly but still...

Meghan felt the stirrings of unrest and shifted uncomfortably. Ariella was dead, wasn't she? How was this possible? Why was she here? And what was she doing with Puck?

Puck put on his shirt and found everyone just staring at everyone else.

"Would you all like your portraits painted so you can continue all this staring in the privacy of your rooms?"

Ash snapped out of whatever trance he'd been in and threw himself out of his seat. Seconds later, he was attacking Puck who was doing a good job of ducking and dodging.

"What are you doing?"

"Do you think this is funny?" Ash yelled, angrily kicking at Puck and swearing when Puck leaped away safely.

"I generally take violence very seriously," Puck quipped, sighing and backing away.

"Ash-" Meghan tried, wanting to stop him from attacking Puck but Ariella got there first, standing between the two boys and placing a hand on Ash's arm.

"Ash, I'm real," she said quietly. "Puck came..." she cleared her throat. "He came to the Underworld and brought me back."

Ash froze, staring at her like she had lost her mind.

"That's not possible! He couldn't have..." Ash paused. "There's no way..."

Ariella smiled. "Well, I'm here so it's possible, he did, he found a way."

"What way?" Ash asked suddenly. "What did he offer to Hades that I couldn't have offered myself?"

Ariella smiled sadly, taking a step back and moving closer to Puck as Meghan made her way to Ash's side. "I can't tell you."

Ash growled low in his throat, only calming slightly when Meghan ran her hand soothingly over his arm.

Ash turned and smiled weakly at her, nodding at Puck and Ariella to take seats while he and Meghan sat down. Puck was watching them all with interest, curious as to how they would react once the shock wore off.

Ash, Meghan and Puck all sat at the table staring at the "new" addition to their little group, freshly saved from the Underworld. Ariella.

"Well," Meghan coughed. "This is awkward."

Puck took that moment to point out, "The ladies haven't been properly introduced by the way."

Ash tensed but said nothing.

Puck held Ariella's hand.

"Meghan, this is Ariella. Ariella, this is Meghan, Ash's fiancée."

Ariella's eyes widened for a moment before she nodded slowly and smiled at Meghan, "It's nice to meet you."

Meghan smiled back, "Likewise."

Puck was the only one not quite as tense as all the others. He had nothing to gain from all this but he sure as hell was going to squeeze some amusement out of it.

He noticed he hadn't been able to look Meghan in the eye.

He'd thought that all he needed was time. Wasn't that what the saying said? Time heals all wounds? Apparently, he needed a couple of centuries or something cause his heart still beat faster when he saw Meghan. And now, there he was, a gorgeous man in a room with two beautiful women who he was sure both happened to want his former best friend.

If that didn't count as one of the lowest moments of his life, he wasn't sure what would.

What the hell did women see in Ash anyway? He was always too serious and constantly brooding. Was emo in this year? Had Puck not been informed?

The redhead sighed and leaned back in his chair, somehow feeling that maybe the situation wasn't funny at all.

Breakfast was long and uncomfortable with polite questions from Meghan and Ariella and absolute silence from the men. When it finally ended, Puck was quick to try make a hasty exit.

"Well, its been fun but before you start planning welcome parties, I'll get out of your hair."

"No."

The word had been spoken by Ash.

Puck looked at him questioningly.

"What? You wanna kill me before I leave?"

"Stay."

Puck blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Stay," Ash said, looking from Puck to Ariella. "Both of you. At least for a while."

Puck glanced at Ariella who nodded slightly, pleading with her eyes.

"Okay..."

Meghan smiled and stood, grabbing Ariella's hand. "Come with me. There'll be lots to do if we're gonna throw a party that won't freeze everyone's bits off."

It was a miracle that Ariella didn't stop to point out how unprincess-like that was.

"She's really changed," Ash said, once the girls were gone.

"Yeah," Puck said, distractedly. "Death apparently does that to people. It also changed her hair. It was blond in the Underworld but its silver again now..."

Ash gave Puck a curious look. "Why did you go there?"

Puck shrugged. "Maybe I was tired of your death threat constantly hanging over my head."

"Puck-"

"Are you upset because the two loves of your life are in one place, probably sharing secrets about your technique?"

Ash blushed, glaring at Puck. "Why can't you ever take anything seriously?"

Puck blinked. "I am."

Ash snorted. "This is all just one big joke to you, isn't it?"

Puck stood abruptly. "If it is, it must not be very funny."

With that, Puck walked away, leaving an irritated Ash behind him.

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Next update will be up in a few days. Just editing it.

Thanks for the reviews :) I love them all! Was actually doubting if I should bother continuing but now *sums at awesomeness, cues dramatic music* I SHALL!