Chapter three! Okay, so we left off with Harken's marriage bomb and with Legault being knocked out with a mere touch. I feel bad for Isadora, how is she going to react? It's a very awkward situation considering she probably wanted Harken to say those words for so long and now she's not so sure anymore… And Legault's knocked out with the Black Cat—not good. Too make things more interesting, the dagger is causing some problems… Read and enjoy!

Previous Chapter:

"No, wait. Don't say anything yet." Harken pulled out a ring from his pocket. Every instinct told me to run, flee, get away as fast as possible, but my legs weren't responding. I was paralyzed. He smiled at me and I feared that I looked like a frightened deer.

He knelt on one knee, holding the ring in front of him, the jewel dazzling in the sun. I fought the instinct to cover my ears.

"Isadora, will you be my wife?"

Clouded Lovers

I tried moving around, my limbs feeling numb. Getting kicked like that does that to you—and I guess being knocked out doesn't really help either. It doesn't matter; I've always told that girl that kicking the area directly under the belt is strictly prohibited. She just doesn't understand the pain she inflicts every time she does this…

I felt dirt underneath my fingers, still wet from morning, and a coarse blanket covering me, heavy and damp.

I realized I was alive…

And I groaned.

So we're outside and in a forest…but where? And where are we going? We aren't going to her stronghold—are we? Since we are surrounded by brush, I would think so. Odd that Tamesis didn't move herself elsewhere. I thought she'd do that at least. Though, I guess she didn't think I'd come back and try to destroy her…

She knows me too well.

I noticed I didn't feel sore or any shooting pains—that's usually the standard when I get knocked out and suddenly wake up someplace.

So how'd I get knocked out in the first place? New techniques for the aspiring assassin…? There's the advertisement.

"For Elimine's sake, Legault! You're finally awake! You've gotten so heavy, you know that? What'd you eat all this time? Stones?" Katida whined. I smiled. I remember this rhetoric; it used to be so…familiar. It used to be so normal…

Which is exactly why I had to leave.

"What? You carried me all the way here?" I asked, hoping she'd disclose our position. She's not that ignorant, Legault, you'll have to be trickier than that.

"No way! If I did, I'd have permanent back problems! And I can't be the Black Cat if that happens," she said lightly. I sat up, my gaze wandering to her face.

It was true. If she was injured in any way, and too far from recovery, she would lose her title—and her life. It wouldn't matter who she was or her relation to Tamesis… Too weak to kill…prepare to be killed.

Welcome to the glorious life of an assassin.

"Legault, don't look at me so. We're enemies now," Katida whispered. She tucked stray hairs away from her face and behind her ear.

The mark was still there, it hadn't faded.

"What look? I don't give looks. You know that. I know we're enemies…though, I don't know why we are. We never used to be," I hinted. Yes, we never used to be… We used to be so much, but not enemies, never that. Strange how quick things can change, how quick people can change.

I guess I've changed too, Katida.

"You know very well—ah, forget it. Whenever you're this elusive, I know I won't get anything from you. You're so hard to be around when you're like this." Katida pouted, making her seem like a young girl…instead of the field-trained expert killer that she was.

That I was.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Miss me?" I joked.

"Yes…I did," she murmured. It was almost inaudible, but I caught those words and nearly choked on them. Katida didn't bottle up her emotions, but she didn't exactly show them either. She was always the advocate for people like…Jaffar. Emotions made people seem weak, is what she said. Odd how that changed… Do I even want that to change?

It became really quiet after, I didn't know what to say. What could I say? That sure, I missed you too, when I really didn't? That yes, I still—

An arrow landed in the exact place my heart would have been—if I hadn't moved in time. More came swooping down from the trees and foliage and I headed for a large clearing up ahead. Archers wouldn't be able to hit from too far a distance, I just hoped there weren't any long bowers among them. If there were, I'd have some problems.

"Legault, duck you idiot!" A hand axe just barely missed my head; it was close enough to hear the whirring of its passing.

How I'd been stupid enough to put myself in danger of such an unskilled attack…? I have no clue. Focus, Legault! You're going to get yourself killed before you even meet Tamesis. And Elimine knows that Death and Tamesis might as well exist as the same being.

One's just crueler than the other.

"You're getting rusty, I see," Katida snapped.

"Why? Worried for my sake?" I retorted. Katida took time to throw her head back, an angry scowl hissing at me.

"Just keep up, for Elimine's sake. These guys are actually pretty fast," she acknowledged.

Katida threw what looked like some sort of powder into the air. Whoever was pursuing us stopped, gasping for breath and coughing Elimine-knows-what.

Whatever it was, it didn't sound like it should have been coughed up.

"What was that?" I asked, dodging a flurry of arrows meanwhile. Two grazed my thigh and I clenched my teeth to keep from wincing. It would do no good to stop now.

It would do nobody any good.

"Some new toys," she said simply. "I had to keep myself preoccupied."

Heh, typical… She decides to 'keep herself preoccupied' by mixing hazardous components that send potentially dangerous pursuers to Death's doorstep. How comforting.

We reached the clearing in record time, a record for even myself.

There's something to be said about the alacrity of a fleeing assassin.

I was panting deeply but stopped immediately after noticing not even a bead of sweat on her face. I wasn't about to let her have some satisfaction. Looks like Katida's been training. She doesn't even look like she's tired. That must have been easily the length of Pherae's castle—or even more. Either Katida's been working out or I'm getting older…

Suddenly, the whole 'Uncle' conversation with Nino popped into my head. Maybe I am getting old enough to be her uncle… Hm, I wonder how Nino's been doing. I didn't get to say goodbye to her. It's better this way. After all, Jaffar will be keeping her safe and she doesn't want to leave anyway.

"So Kat—" She struck out her hand and I knew why, I recognized the way she held her fingers. It was an old way of communicating quietly. I remember this… It used to be that everyone in our…uh, family had to learn it. While normal kids were playing with blocks or dolls, we were learning an assassin's alphabet. How could I forget the good ol' childhood memories?

Two first fingers in a straight line, all other fingers tucked in her palm facing downwards…

"So he's been in touch, I presume," I asked coolly. It was too quiet for comfort. And I liked quiet.

It'd be nice to hear Nino's cheery chatter right about now. I've always told her to stop talking, that I wanted some peace of mind for awhile. Then she would pout and cross her arms over her chest, trying to give me the silent treatment. I'd close my eyes and pretend to be sleeping and she'd run off to tell Isadora that I was ignoring her again. Isadora would come over and try waking me and Nino would sit and wait for me to open my eyes. I'd flutter my eyes a bit and fall back 'asleep'. Nino would start whining and Isadora would threaten out loud to bash me with her sword or throw a chamber pot onto my head. Then I'd suddenly wake with a jump, causing Nino to smile—and also resume talking.

Isadora would also smile, one of those special smiles, one reserved especially for me.

That's the normal I want, not this sort of normal. I left this sort of normal for a reason. And now I'm coming back. How ironic.

"A centuries old enemy doesn't die too quickly," she responded, her body tense.

I heard the tell-tale whistle of an incoming blade.

"You're right, he won't," he sneered.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I knew I should have covered my ears. Then I wouldn't have heard those dreaded words.

"Harken… I-I don't know what to say…," I mumbled. He doesn't honestly expect me to say…'yes', does he? I mean, Legault and I…and Harken just…he…love…his promise… I don't still love Harken, I mean, I do. But not like that, not like Legault. Legault's not gone forever, is he? He just said that he had to leave…

But he never said he was coming back, a part of me whispered.

"Isadora, I know you love me. What we had before was so special—so perfect. I know I'm just springing this upon you, but I need you to know how I feel. And I want you to know that my feelings for you haven't changed. Leaving you made me realize that you're everything to me. I dedicated my life to my duty, but I am willing to dedicate it to something else—someone else…you. Feelings like this just don't change so easily."

Who said it was easy?

I suddenly remembered all the heartache his leave caused me. The sleepless nights, the mutinous tears… And then how Legault seemed to just allay all the worries, the pain, the emptiness. To think, that night on the hill, with the full moon…that was the first day I met Legault. And now, months and battles later, he leaves on the same day.

"Isadora… Don't give me your answer now. Let me give you time to think, this is a big decision and I realize that. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you hadn't thoroughly thought about your answer. You can tell me whenever you feel you're ready. I'm here for you now, Isadora. Legault, he…he's probably never coming back," Harken rumored.

'He's probably never coming back…'

He wouldn't just leave and never come back…right? Besides, there is a reason for his leave. That letter—and Tamesis! She has something to do with this. I know she does. I have to find him. I can't just let him go. It's dangerous for me to be here anyway if her letter is true. Her men are here, watching me. I have to leave.

"Isadora, your finger…it's bleeding. Would you like to see Priscilla for that? She can heal that for you shortly," Harken said.

I looked to my finger, and noticed that it was indeed still bleeding. I just grazed it on the blade though; the blood should have stopped flowing long ago. It is only a superficial wound, I shouldn't be losing this much blood.

On the dusty floor, there were dark splotches decorating the ground. I was bleeding this entire time… Harken looked alarmed.

"You look a little pale…Isadora. Isadora?"

This was no normal wound.

Instinctively, my free hand touched my bulging satchel.

Kind of gross that Isadora was still bleeding after all that! Wonder why she is… Any readers have any clues? Hee. Legault seems to be getting used to the swing of things, his assassin-like reflexes are emerging once again. But it seems like he's homesick already…and missing his lover. Katida seems awfully comfortably with him, kind of different from the person who had her claws sinking into his neck. Anyway, hope you guys stay tuned to the next chapter! Reviews are much appreciated!