No I'm not on an updating streak or anything. I just wrote this today and decided to post it. After ..'trying' to study for the whole day..this popped into my head and here it is people! Enjoy!

In this chapter Nasuada finally goes to Eragon's house. But when she gets there she is rather surprised.


Chapter Four

New Home

"This all your stuff?" Eragon motioned to the small bags that Nasuada had been pulling towards the car. The dark skinned girl nodded curtly and nervously jumped into the back seat after throwing her luggage into the trunk. She gazed through the window scanning the large school grounds with a lazy eye.

Things had been rather strange for her when Principal Brom had offered to house her. Normally her pride would have not permitted her to accept such a noble gesture. But pride had been far removed now, for all she cared about was a place to stay, and food to eat; just some sense of security, even if it was with strangers. Nasuada tapped her slender fingers against the glass, and watched as the window began to fog when her breath caught it. Childishly she drew a smiley face into the fading mist. Beside her Eragon smiled.

"Having fun..?" he tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

Nasuada grinned "As much as I can." She rested a palm on his shoulder. "Thanks again Eragon."

The blond boy smirked. "It wasn't all my idea you know…" And then he eyed the front seat, as Murtagh entered the car. The elder brother never turned around to say hello to her…or even Eragon for that matter; For they were the only ones in the car. Nasuada settled herself even further towards the window, intent on staying as far away from them as possible; after all she did not want to get emotionally attached to them and then have it all blow up in her face. It was one thing that the horrible incident concerning her father had taught her, it was to trust no one….and suspect everyone.

Eragon looked out the opposite window again and sighed in annoyance. Nasuada turned to him, ignoring her own view.

"What's wrong?"

"Dad's talking to her again." He rolled his brown eyes and mock stuck his finger down his throat. Nasuada smirked, laughing lightly. Sure enough Principal Brom seemed to be engulfed in deep conversation with a slender dark haired woman with piercing blue eyes. Nasuada frowned recognizing her as the book obsessive block coordinator.

"Ooooh…Eragon's dad has a girl friend…" She mocked and then punched her friend playfully on the arm.

Eragon frowned , then began laughing and slapped her in return. A playful scuffle erupted in the back as the two romped and squealed in delight. The large blue pajero shook slightly as Eragon was pushed against the car door by Nasuada's foot. Soon a loud groan was heard and a sharp squeal. Nasuada began laughing uncontrollably as Eragon tickled her. Tears leaked from her eyes as she shrieked for mercy.

In the front passenger's seat, Murtagh grumbled lowly to himself, clearly agitated by both delay and the noise in the back.

"Gods would you shut up!?" He growled, turning his head to face the two. His eyes widened slightly at their current position.

Nasuada was being pinned down by Eragon as he partially sat on her bum. The side of her face was pressed roughly into the fabric of the car seat. And she was still screaming between laughs as Eragon continued to tickle her. At Murtagh's staring, tickling ceased and both turned their heads to face the one who shouted.

Eragon raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you emo boy?"

Murtagh's eyes narrowed at the comment. He stared icily at the both of them. "You're my problem..She's my problem." He gripped the edge of the seat. His face was icily calm.

"Why did you and your father insist on taking a complete incompetent stranger to our home. We're aren't the Sisters of Mercy you know! And this isn't a charity house. She'll proceed to be even a more pain in the ass than you. And trust me…your enough for me." his tone was neither raised nor lowered, he insulted them as easily as if he were just breathing.

Eragon eased off Nasuada silently and the girl straightened herself in her seat for a minute. Eragon could only scowl at Murtagh, who held a straight face in return. The look in his eyes was challenging, daring Eragon to object to what he had said. Nasuada leaned back further towards the corner. She sighed heavily then without word, she clicked open the door and left. Surprised, Eragon hurried after her.

"Nasuada? What are you doing?" He rushed to meet her by the back of the vehicle.

"Eragon could you tell that ass of a brother that you have, if he would at least have the decency to open the trunk.." strangely her voice was calm; yet Nasuada hung her head as she bent over the back of the car. Agitatedly she knocked the trunk of the car, and belatedly a small click was heard. Murtagh had opened it without need to ask.

"Wow…he really just wants me gone.." She shook her head laughing bitterly. She swung the trunk open.

"Nasuada please don't do this." Eragon tried to grab her luggage from her. Nasuada slapped his hand away, struggling to grab her things from him.

"Let go Eragon! I'll find somewhere to go…I'll survive..I know I can." She squirmed. She yanked her bags from him, but Eragon had grabbed her arm in turn.

"And where will you go!?" His eyes bore into her. "Don't throw away the offer, not because of Murtagh…even though he's my brother, he's an idiot…". Nasuada eyed him cautiously. Eragon added quickly "And obviously has no manners."

A small smirk tugged at the girl's lips and Eragon grinned inwardly, seeing the desired effect his words had. But then Nasuada's face sunk .

"I don't want to be some charity case, Eragon. I have my pride." She sighed heavily, resting her luggage on the ground. Eragon eyed her warily.

"Nasuada you and I both know that we don't consider you like that.."

"What about..Mu-"

"Murtagh doesn't think of you that way either. He….he just has issues, mainly with his father and such…" he leaned closer to her as if afraid any one would hear him.

"When we discussed it he never objected to anything…" he whispered, and Nasuada froze in shock and disbelief.

At Nasuada's expression Eragon chuckled lightly and placed the luggage back into the trunk, and slammed it shut. A familiar voice called behind them.

"Everybody ready?" Principal Brom stood behind them with tanned arms crossed. Like Eragon he was always neatly and sharply dressed. His pinstripe tie was straightened to perfection and his brown hair was brushed neatly to the side. Nasuada turned to see Miss. Selena Corvalls walking briskly away from them with a faint smile on her face that only a love could conjure. Nasuada smiled lightly in return, wondering what it felt like to be loved by someone other than her father.

"Yeah dad, everything's good." Eragon murmured then pushed Nasuada along towards the door. Brom only nodded opening the driver's door and slipping inside. He fumbled viciously with the car keys. The shuffling made an irritating jingle. Nasuada looked towards the front passenger's seat. Murtagh sat as still as a statue, from the back angle Nasuada could not see the look on his face. She could only suspect it was an incredulous scowl.

"So," Brom turned towards the back seat as he started the car. "Are you ready Nasuada?"

Nasuada grinned uncertainly, "I sure hope so..."

-X-

Murtagh's mood had not changed much as they traveled to Eragon's house. But Nasuada had taken up new fascination in listening to the silence of the three men as they had traveled throughout their journey. She found it incredulous that these people who were supposed to be one big happy family hardly said a word to each other. When she and her father were together they would chat for hours on end. She had at least expected short conversation with Eragon during their journey, but not even the least of polite conversation was made. Eragon had insisted on staring through the window, engulfed in the green scenery that passed by.

Nasuada knew not where she was going, but her anxiety was quelled by the lovely pastures and the tranquil nature as the car sped along the smooth roads. Growing up in New York hadn't been what she had always wanted. They weren't many trees or pastures; everything was always a large concrete building or a sidewalk. Nasuada smiled in relief at the change of scenery, but yet there was also a hidden feeling of sadness. She partially missed her life back in New York. Things had been stable there, unlike here in the country where everything was so different. Where she could no longer be independent for she was always secured by her Father's high position; Now she was depending on the goodness of others, and it scared her. Nasuada knew well that people could be really fickle and that Eragon and his family could throw her out on her bum for the silliest of reasons. As she thought about this, the lush green and tranquility of the lanes did not seem so dreamlike..it just reminded her that she was a stranger here; A stranger without any family. She felt even more alone. The dark green trees and quiet trails just slipped by like liquid as Nasuada rested her head against the window, falling into a welcomed sleep.

She was in New York again, but there were no sidewalks, there were no crude buildings anywhere. She was in a quiet green land, much like the one she had seen while staring through the window. But this place was silent…deadly silent. Nasuada stepped over the cracked stones reverently as she looked for the familiar marking white stone. Her bright yellow dress dragged softly against the deep green grass and it was then she realized, she was twelve years old again. Familiar white orchids were clutched firmly in her slender hands, and behind her the scrunching of larger feet could be heard. Her umber eyes darkened as she beheld the headstone standing tall in short distance, she turned to face her father, and he nodded to her reassuring her silently that everything was going to be o.k.

"Daddy, you won't ever leave me will you? Please don't leave me like mommy left us…" tears slipped down her dark cheeks as an all too familiar pain racked through her small chest.

Her father stood tall above her, hugging her tightly in his arms. "Mommy didn't want to leave us honey…" His deep voice was filled with sadness adding to the somber tone in the graveyard. He pulled her from him and stared down at her with calm eyes. "And I promise…I will never leave you…"

The pain only lessened slightly, and as Nasuada turned to face the gravestone of her mother, the gripping pain of emotion swallowed her, and soon she was lying in the dark green grass crying, while the ache in her heart swelled never to be quenched…

"Nasuada?....Uhm…Nasuada.." A soft voice called to her and she could feel herself being shaken by warm hands. Slowly she opened her eyes, but shut them immediately as the blinding light from the car's roof shone brightly over her head. The car had come to a slow drive. It was dark outside, and Nasuada could not see anything. Slightly disoriented it took her some time to remember where she was. A shaggy haired boy was bent over her. His brown eyes staring intently at her as her eyes fluttered weakly.

"Where am I..?" she groaned and her voice cracked from disuse. Eragon smiled brightly and helped pull her up into a proper sitting position. Nasuada could tell her hair was disheveled and probably looked almost like an afro. Eragon smiled goofily as he stared at her.

"We're almost at the house…I thought I should wake you up." Eragon suggested. After a quick look to his right he chortled.

"I didn't know you snore."

Nasuada grimaced. " I do not…!" she retorted and huffed to herself, knowing he was right.

A deep voice echoed from the front. "Yes, you do..and rather loudly as well.."

Nasuada's face crumpled as she heard Murtagh. She was about to make a rude comment but refrained, remembering that she was in Principal Brom's company and the fact that Murtagh had not sounded insulting or rude in anyway would not help the situation. She decided that confrontation was not the best answer. She only 'humphed' in reply. At this Murtagh chuckled a bit and then turned to face her. His blue eyes scanned her up and down with a critical eye. Nasuada glared at him as he smirked at her disheveled figure. His smirk only grew wider.

"Following in my footsteps I see…" He mocked, while gazing intently at her. Nasuada raised a curious eyebrow, but didn't bother to ask, when she realized what he had meant. She looked down at herself, her uniform was extremely messy. Her white cotton blouse was very crumpled and the top of her blouse was unbuttoned, her navy blue, pleated skirt was twisted.

" Aren't I a good student?" she asked, her tone actually sounding sincere. Murtagh's smile twitched slightly at his lips, and his deep eyes bore into her. He did not reply to her sarcastic comment, but instead turned his gaze to Eragon.

"You should tell your girlfriend to get her act together. No one likes a messy girl.." He then turned around with satisfaction at the look of horror on Eragon's face and Nasuada who held the perfect look of annoyance. Before any of them could say anything, Brom's voice broke the silence.

"Welcome to our humble abode Nasuada.."

Nasuada stared outside her window at the hugest gates she had ever seen in her life. In the darkness, large gates which were deep blue looked black with golden M in the front and matching colored emblems on the sides. Suddenly a loud buzzing sound was made and the gates slid effortlessly before them. Nasuada's eyes widened recognizing the plague of the security company mounted on the gates. When the gates were fully opened, the car continued inwards.

Nasuada stared wide eyed, her face literally pressed against the window. She hastily wound her window down, afraid that the tint was making her imagine things. But as she beheld them with her own two eyes she knew she had not been mistaken.

'There bloody rich…!' she yelled inwardly.

The property...was massive with the most immaculate lawns Nasuada had ever seen. Her father's experience in business had made her a bit more experienced the finer things in life...but my my..not this fine. Through the darkness Nasuada recognized the few flowering plants that were in bloom; Lavender and white roses, white daises and yellow hydrangeas. Nasuada leaned back in her seat, in shock and excitement. She knew the Brom's had money…but not that much. She gasped as she spied a small pond by the side. The deep water was faintly illuminated by the gentle moonlight.

Finally after a few minutes the car came to a stop. At some point Nasuada wondered if the dreamlike landscape would ever end, but it had, and an even more dreamlike building stood in front of them…The Bromsson's house.

-X-

" You forgot to mention that you were rotten rich Eragon." Nasuada chortled as she slumped unto the silky spreads of her new bed. After climbing the myriads of stairs of the Manor laboring with her luggage, Nasuada had finally been given a room. And there were no complaints on her side. The wide bay windows were opened to the autumn chill, and a delicate balcony stood below it, with an even more delicate garden nestled below. The pond Nasuada had spied rippled elegantly below in the garden.

Eragon climbed unto the large bed beside her throwing a tennis ball at the ceiling. "This isn't our house exactly." He murmured while catching the ball.

Nasuada turned to him. "Oh?"

Eragon continued to throw the ball. "It's actually Murtagh's." Nasuada nearly choked.

"What?!" She stuttered. "Ho…How can he own a house!" she whispered not knowing if Murtagh was nearby and if he could hear them. The ball throwing ceased and Eragon sat up on the bed, he plucked his shoes from his feet.

"Murtagh's dad was rotten rich and he left it to him. But Murtagh isn't old enough to own a home, the court then gave the house to my dad because he is Murtagh's guardian."

Nasuada went silent trying to process everything. "Murtagh's dad is dead?"

Eragon eyed Nasuada for a minute then lay down beside her again. "No…"

Her face crinkled with misunderstanding. "Then…why does he live with you guys? And why did his dad leave the house to him?"

Eragon coughed a bit, and then lowered his voice. "Its not really my place to tell you this..but..uhm..Murtagh was abused when he was a child. Morzan, Murtagh's father used to beat him silly, and when his dad found out his wife, my mother was having a relationship with my dad, he…did…something..horrible to him…"

Nasuada wanted to ask what is was, but left it at that, knowing that Eragon would not tell her out of respect for his brother. He continued. "After that…Morzan was arrested, and the court decided to give Murtagh to us, because we were the only thing closest to family…Murtagh's been living with us for years now.." He turned away from her as if remembering something.

"…So ..erh..What about your mom..?" Nasuada nudged Eragon on the shoulder. He sighed and turned to her.

"She died a few years ago.."

Nasuada smiled sadly. "We've got something in common then."

" Am I interrupting something…?" a deep voice jabbed at them from the doorway. Both Nasuada and Eragon sat up in fright as Brom stood by the door, his arms folded. Nasuada eased slightly, realizing that he was smiling.

"No Principal Brom, Eragon and I were just chatting about the house.." She murmured sheepishly.

Brom only laughed. "At home you may call me Brom if you wish. It seems weird to me hearing the title 'Principal' when I'm not at school." He stepped into the cream colored room, clutching to a large bundle of towels.

"Do you like your new room?" he asked, opening the door to the adjoining bathroom and resting the towels inside. Nasuada stood by the bathroom door, her eyes dancing in excitement.

"Oh, I absolutely love it…Thank you so much again. I …can never repay you."

Brom chuckled as he stood by the bathroom door facing her. "And you won't ever need to.." At this Eragon stood up smiling and shuffled over to the two.

"I guess I should be heading to the shower now. It's seven o'clock, and I need to study…" He waved goodbye to his father and Nasuada and soon strode out the oak door.

Brom turned to Nasuada again. "Just put extra towels, if you needed any.. Your gonna take a bath now I assume.." Nasuada nodded. "If you need anything..I'll be downstairs." He headed towards the door.

"And Nasuada?" he turned to her again.

"Yes?"

"Try not to get lost…"

-X-

Nasuada gratefully tore her uniform from her body, and stepped into the perfectly sculpted shower. She closed the glass panel doors and silently prayed to god that no one would dare venture into the bathroom while she was bathing. They would see everything.

After a while of frustration of turning the myriads of buttons on the shower panel, she finally found the hot water tab. The warm water gently rushed down her body and she closed her eyes enjoying the small luxury. 'Whoever Murtagh's father is…was really rich.." She murmured to herself as she looked around her. The bath tube was made out of some sort of expensive stone, and the tiles were expertly crafted. The creamy peach color of the room and the bathroom was probably why Brom had given her the room. For Eragon's room was bright blue, and rather masculine. And the rest of the uninhabited rooms looked a little bland, or too bright for Nasuada's taste. This room was perfect with gentle accents of homeliness and an elegance that Nasuada found very tasteful. She fell in love with it at first sight.

After showering thoroughly and washing her cropped hair, Nasuada literally had to force herself to turn off the water and step out of the bath. She knew that no one would appreciate her wasting anything in the house. And she certainly did not want to anger Brom.

As Nasuada dried her short her in the towel she hummed a tune that she had learned from her father. She grabbed another red towel from the metal rack and slung it over her body, half covering herself. The towel was barely draped over her shoulders and hung loosely around her. At the chorus of the tune Nasuada burst into song and swung open the bathroom door. She stepped into the room on tip toes as the coldness of the tiles chilled her.

"He gave you my mother's room I see…" A deep familiar voice echoed from behind. And surprised Nasuada flashed around to face her unannounced guest. She was sure she had locked the door. In her sudden movement the towel fell limp in her grasp. And in an all horrifying moment, the soft material slithered to the ground leaving her bare.

Nasuada froze in shock, horror and utter embarrassment. She was standing completely naked in front of Murtagh.


Heheh!! Aren't I evil to Nassy....teehee! poor girl. (lucky Murtagh! lol)

I hope you like how I'm keeping parts of the Inheritance Cycle in the book without making it exactly like the books and adding my own twists.

Well, you guys know the drill Read and Review..cause I want to know your opinion on my writing...If you've got any sugggestions don't be afraid to tell me!

Shadowed Breath