Disclaimer: All chapter titles and portions of songs belong to Nightwish
Chapter 3: Ever Dream
Ever felt away with me
Just
once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever
felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
xXx
Once inside D'rhan's home, Ro'nan immediately went into one of his father's guestrooms, placing Kira on the bed. Both he and Ice stood beside her as several etas passed the door, glancing inside.
Within several moments, D'rhan strode inside the room, growling, "What the hell happened?"
Looking at the Elder, both Ro'nan and Ice tapped their chests and bowed their heads before Ro'nan said, "I'm not entirely sure, Elder...but I think Kira saved my life."
"Explain," Elder D'rhan ordered, glaring at both of them. After a short explanation from Ice, Elder D'rhan looked back at Kira, saying, "Well...it would seem you owe her your life, my son."
"Yes...it would seem," Ro'nan said quietly as he stared at the Water Guardian. 'Why did she save me...if it would do this to her?'
"And she was also able to capture the one who attempted to kill Master Ro'nan, Elder D'rhan," Ice stated.
"Show me where he is," D'rhan growled, and the young Drae-gun warrior left the room with the Yautja Elder striding just behind.
Sitting on the bed, Ro'nan slowly reached out a hand and touched Kira's white hair. It was soft beneath his fingers, and he trilled quietly, wondering once more why she had saved him. Something within his chest ached, but he shook his head, thinking that all of the poison might not have been purged. Removing his hand from her, Ro'nan heard Kira moan, and he rose from the bed, standing over her.
When Kira opened her eyes, the brightness made her close them and blink several times before her eyesight adjusted. Then, the figure next to where she lay came into focus, and Kira's eyes widened as she said, "M-master Ro'nan...you're all right."
"Yes." He tilted his head to the side. "Thank you, Kira. But what...what did you do?"
Inhaling, Kira sat up slowly on the bed. "First...please tell me, where are we?"
"Inside my father's home," he answered, kneeling next to the bed.
"Where's the one I froze? The one who attacked you?" she asked, looking around the room.
"Elder D'rhan and Ice are with him along with several other warriors." Ro'nan growled softly in impatience. "Now, Kira, tell me, what happened? How did you...heal me?"
Looking at him, Kira felt her cheeks flush, and she swallowed before saying, "It is one of the...gifts of the Water Guardian. As it is a healing element, water can be used to purge poisons from inside others, but only with the proper energy behind its wielder."
Blinking, Ro'nan almost couldn't believe what she told him. "Why did you faint after...using this gift?"
Biting her lower lip, Kira had prayed he wouldn't ask that question, but since he had, there was no way around it. "It takes...part of my life energy for me to use it."
Ro'nan's eyes widened as he thought Kira could have killed herself trying to save him. Cursing to himself, he stood and turned his back to her, not sure he could look at the Guardian at this moment. He had known she would become the new Water Guardian before, yet it always seemed to escape his mind when he saw her. "Kira...I owe you my life," Ro'nan stated, still not looking at her.
"You owe me nothing, Master Ro'nan," she told him, gazing at his back. "I could not just let you die."
"Still," he said, finally turning to face Kira again. "It could have killed you to save me. I won't forget that, Kira." Slowly, Ro'nan reached out a clawed hand, gently touching her face.
Kira felt her cheeks grow very warm at his touch, and she hesitantly turned her face away from him.
Sighing, Ro'nan dropped his hand at his side, stating, "I have to go deal with the one who attempted two killings."
Looking at him, Kira thought, 'He must mean me as well as him.' As she watched the Yautja general walk towards the door, Kira called, "Wait!" Stopping, Ro'nan turned to face her again.
"Master Ro'nan...there is something I must tell you," she declared, getting up from the bed. "What happened today was a risky event. If I had not been with you...I don't know what might have happened. What I am about to tell you must remain secret."
Moving towards her, Ro'nan stared at Kira as she gave him a very serious look. "I give you my word, no one shall know of what you tell me, Kira," he stated, tapping his chest three times.
Nodding, Kira continued. "As a Guardian, I must keep my true name secret. If anyone knew my name, they could summon me to them by just uttering it. I trust you with my name...Anikira. If there is ever anything you might need me for and I am not by your side, call my name and I will come to you."
Inhaling, Kira closed her eyes before opening them to look at Ro'nan as he stared at her. His eyes held...an unknown emotion in them, but Kira knew if she did care for him as she felt within, she would trust him with her name.
"Anikira," he whispered.
She nodded before holding up a hand, saying, "But please continue to use my half-name 'Kira'."
"You have saved my life...and now you trust me with your true name," Ro'nan said, shaking his head. "I do not understand why you've done this, but I will not betray you, Kira."
'I know,' she whispered inside her mind. 'I know, Master Ro'nan.'
xXx
Once Kira removed the ice from the prisoner, they knew it was a Yautja...one of Ro'nan's lieutenants to be exact. He apparently had a grudge against him, claiming Ro'nan didn't earn his position as general; instead it was given by his father. This angered most of those present, particularly D'rhan and Ice who knew that Ro'nan practically had to fight his way to his current position. Ro'nan only felt disappointment along with anger that one he had trusted chose to betray him and would accuse him of currying his way to his position as army general.
After the incident, Ro'nan gave Kira her own quarters inside his home near one of the lounges away from where U'ra and It'rea's rooms were. It was considered a high honor to grant another residence inside your home, and Kira, not wanting to dishonor him or appear ungrateful, moved most of her belongings to her new home. Although she was hesitant to leave her brother, she knew Ice would eventually find a mate, and they would need the extra space inside his dwelling. Ice told Kira that she always had a home with him, too, and she smiled at her brother, saying, "I might take you up on that, depending on U'ra's moods."
"Don't let her bother you, Sis," Ice told her, shaking Kira's shoulder. "U'ra is just...well, she's a bitch."
"Ice! Don't use that language," Kira scolded him, slapping his arm.
"Hey, the truth hurts!" he said, laughing.
"I hope you don't use that sort of language around the other warriors," she told him.
"Nah, that's when all of us use the Yautja words." Dodging her punch, Ice grinned at his sister. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding...well, mostly kidding. Anyway, if you do need any help, Sis, just send word for me."
"I will, little brother." Kira hugged and watched him head back into the city. Sighing, she turned around and looked at her new home, hoping her presence wouldn't cause too much trouble for Ro'nan. Although her heart jumped at the chance of living with him, Kira knew it was only an honor for saving his life. She could not take it for more than that...not without feeling her heart ache.
xXx
There was a heated argument between U'ra and Ro'nan as she snarled angrily at him for bringing 'that bitch' in their home. He roared back that this was his home, and if he wanted to honor another with quarters, it was his decision, not hers. It'rea was fairly quiet on the subject while U'ra stormed outside of the lounge where Ro'nan had asked both his mates to meet him to discuss the new arrangements. He stared at his second mate as It'rea rose and nodded to him before leaving the lounge. Sinking into the lounging pillows, Ro'nan covered his eyes with a hand, growling about irritating and annoying females.
It was difficult for Kira not to overhear the argument even from her rooms on the other side of the complex, and though she wanted to try and explain to U'ra and It'rea, she knew that would most likely make matters worse. All she could do was try to make herself invisible inside Ro'nan's home.
Leaving her quarters, Kira went inside the lounge nearest to her door and began perusing the various data pads. Apparently, this lounge also served as a sort of library, and she looked through the pads, trying to find one of interest.
Once she chose a pad and settled down in the pillows to read, the lounge door opened, and Kira looked up to see Ro'nan, hissing and clenching his fists. Setting the pad down, Kira stood and bowed, saying, "Master Ro'nan."
"Oh, Kira...I didn't know you were in here," he said, trying to relief his tension by clicking his mandibles. "You can sit down."
Nodding, Kira sat on the pillows again, but she didn't pick up the data pad. "Master Ro'nan, if I'm causing so much trouble...perhaps I should leave," Kira said as she looked down at the floor.
"No. No, Kira, it isn't just about you being here," Ro'nan said, leaning against the wall. "U'ra is rather...angry that she has not had a child yet."
"Ah...I see." She reached for the data pad but didn't turn it on, instead opting to just have something to hold.
"Sometimes...I don't even understand why..." he stopped and blinked, looking down at Kira as she fingered the pad in her hands. "Never mind. I'm sorry for barging in like this," he said, heading for the door.
"But...you're not barging in...if it's your home," she told him as he left the room. Sighing, Kira stared down at the data pad, suddenly not feeling like reading.
xXx
TBC
A/N: Short chapter, but there's bound to be those mixed in with others, huh? Thank all for reading.
