Hey ya'll sorry for taking almost a year to write this chapter but we'll I procrastinate too much and I had lots of writers block. To commemorate be putting this chapter up is the rain I finally get in my state, a fry speel and heat index of above 100 and it ain't arizona morons, Texas finaly got rain! Please enjoy and I love reviews.

Story: True Endless Love

Aurthor: Lotus Curtiss (Michelle)

Genre: Romance

Characters: Jade Curtiss x me (Lotus Curtiss)

True Endless Love

Chapter Four:

Relaxation and Timeless

I relaxed onto Jade's chest, even further into the comforting warmth he gave off with an arm draped over my waist. A day off. The silence was wonderful, only interrupted by the slight turning of a page from Jade's book as he read, our day together and twice a month. Even though we see each other in the morning and the evenings, spending time together is our reward for our hard work. The slightly heated air blew in from the open windows, making the curtains dance and billow. Yes, this is our time and how we got here, seemed like a faint memory. Though faint, it warmed my heart in thought of it.

*Flash Back Mode Activated*

How Jade managed to find me sleeping underneath a heavy blanket, with a light cover of snow, sleeping on one of Keterburg's bench's seemed more like pure luck that morning.

"Please, you didn't see anything." I spoke for the rare occasion, folding my blanket and hiding it behind one of the conifer tree's.

I carried on through the day with my usual calm and unfazed way.

It was later that night before we all had to turn in, the Prince left first, walking with Nephry.

"Good night, Jade." I said before turning to go to the park then dashing up the steps. "I'll see you."

The next day, I sat and watched a snow ball fight take place, the longing to join in but I just watched. I fell asleep right on the bench with out a care in the world.

"Lotus, stand outside my window tonight." Jade strictly ordered. I did so and he opened the glass panel. "Jump up." He stood back as I launched myself up to the sill and landed in his room with out fault. "You will sleep on the couch in my room from now on." I looked at Jade with a bewildered expression. "Lotus...you must have been sleeping there on the bench when you came, more...truthfully I watched you wake up since last week."

"Thank you." I took a place on the sofa as Jade handed me a cup of tea. It wasn't enough to warm me up but I took a small grateful sip and looked up into the unnerved and steady gaze of Jade's eyes. "Yes?"

"Come to the window at the same time and I will let you in. You will also leave the same way, not till you have eaten some fruit, drank some water or milk, and a slice of bread." It was an order I can live with. "I'll bring it to you from the table every morning."

"Yes sir." I took another sip as a crackle came from the fireplace and I settled a soft glance at the red flare.

"Right now, drink that up and head to bed." I nodded. When my cup was drained and placed back on its tray, I laid down on the cushions and took a small pillow underneath my head that rested in the couch's corner. A warm sheet spread across my form. "Lotus, you forgot your blanket, bring it tomorrow night, for now, use this one tonight."

"Yes sir."

"Good night."

"Night, don't stay up studying too long, Jade." I mumbled underneath my covers. "Its bad for your health."

"Yes, I know." I heard a shuffle and some rustling, a clack and a relaxing sigh. He had climbed into bed, the sound of a little leaf came from his turning pages of the book in his hands. With such little noise, I feel fitfully into sleep.

Two weeks or so passed like this, a cup of tea every night before bed and fruit, a slice of bread with some honey on occasion, and milk or water every morning. It was routine but it had been broken when I woke up beside Jade, his warm or rather scorching arms around my waist. I glanced around and found myself underneath his bed covers. My feet were freezing so I lightly touched Jade's pajama covered legs, such relief for there state. I curled as close as I dared but not too close so that I didn't wake him. Why was he showing me affection? The question escaped my mind. The routine was broken now and we couldn't go back to it.

A months time passed like this and I was always careful and Jade would warn me when he was going to get up early the next day. It wasn't too long when Mrs. Balfor came in and saw us, she panicked and when Jade could get his mother calm enough to explain the reason why... With all good sense, she asked me why I was sleeping on a bench.

"My family owns a resort home here and I, I don't like being in that house alone, so I stayed out on that park bench." When asked why I was alone. "I came to Ketterburg to live by myself, and at such a young age, independence runs in my family at an early age. I, earlier than my entire family."

"Jade, dear, is this true?" He glanced at me.

"Yes."

"Well, I will not let a young lady sleep outside and on a bench, nor will I let her live alone, you will stay with us Lotus Snow-Heart." She stood. "You will have a guest room as your own."

"Mother, Lotus can have my room, she is already comfortable, I will take up the said bedroom."

"If Lotus want's it, then I see why not."

"Thank you, Jade. Though I'd rather like your company before bed every night. I can help you study as I have noticed before I drift off to sleep."

"Its settled then. Here I was getting overworked on what would be considered child's play." She laughed.

"Ma'am, I'll help with the chores, that will be my thank you as I live here."

"My, what a respect you have for your elders, Thank you dear. I'll take your offer." She kept an eye on us but soon gave up when she found us again and again curled in each others arms after studying. Mr. Balfor laughed and agreed that a young lady, mainly I, should not be outside and laughed as I beat him when invited to a game of chess or checkers or some other board game that was on the table that day. The Prince seemed too impressed when I'd beat him in under a minute or five. Nephry seemed a little elusive but smiling, grateful that there was another girl in the house among her and her mother.

In our spare time, Jade and I just laid on the couch, me on top of him for warmth, away from eyes and ears, we'd talk softly. Using only hushed tones to converse over a matter, every time he brought up Replica ideas, I went silent till he noticed that I wasn't going to say any more till another subject came up. It seemed to offend me.

"Why didn't you go ice skating with us today?" I looked at him, insipid at the question.

"I didn't feel like it." I closed my eyes and took the cup of tea. "More so, too much noise."

A low but warm sound came from him, Jade chuckled at this, I managed to make him laugh. "The commotion about a kid falling through the ice, right?"

"Yes." He smiled in humor at the memory. Was his affection showing through, but only to me? "Hurry up and finish so we can study." I titled my head to look at him. "My apologizes, I worded that wrong."

I slipped out through the window that night and headed towards the frozen lake, making sure that Jade was sound asleep. I breathed and stepped out onto the ice after putting the skates on. I glided across then backwards, letting the momentum catch up to me, feeling the rush from triple toe loops and Sal cows, fast spinning in one spot, the exuberance and flare. I slowed to basic turns and stance's, my mind letting go in the free skate, forgetting the world and the sleeping people around me. My feet went into intricate steps, weaving this way and that then the momentum caught up with me again and I was doing toe loops and Sal cows, and spins, I went through repeated cycles. Enjoying the rush and excitement. I finished off with a fast twenty spin as I slid into a graceful form.

"How beautiful." I turned at the voice. Jade was leaning against a conifer that boarded the lakes edge, I went stiff in my spot on the ice, he stepped out and skated up to me. "I noticed that you were missing around eleven." -Two whole hours, he watched me from that spot by the tree.- "I wouldn't have mind to go skating with you if you woke me up."

He was unusually calm for it being so late.

A warm hand slipped into my still one, rising it from my side. "So, would you like to skate with me?"

I relaxed, the tension fell through the frozen water beneath me. "Yes, I would."

It was simple ballroom step, gliding this way and that, an occasional turn here or there, pretty much, it was plain. I caught a glimpse of the night sky, two o'clock in the morning and broke away from the warm imprisonment that surrounded my waist.

"It's getting really late, Jade." I ambled back to the snow bank, pulling off the blades and fastening my sandal's back on.

"I suppose, your right." Jade gleamed up and turned me to look at him with my chin in his fingers. His affection, it is too early for it. "I had fun tonight, we should do it again sometime soon."

"I'll let you know." I played along, though I never did ask him till Nephry's wedding, that was a little heart breaking.

"You should..." His lips were coming close and I could feel his warm breath, standing up was out of the question cause he was leaning over me, and turning meant something like "rejection," so I feel backwards and over the snow bank, rolling onto my feet as Jade hit the bank.

"It is late, Jade, good night." I turned after picking up my skates and walked back to the house, my heart heavy over what I had just did. Crawling underneath the covers, I listened to my heart as it beat off rhythm. I should have let him kiss me but, the timing is way too early and its way too soon for his affection, I apologize, Jade. The night was quiet in my room and I was in REM pattern, I soon felt Jade, he sighed in such away, it could wake me up but this one was more hushed as he relaxed next to me after spreading a few books on top of the covers.

He seemed to understand where I was pointing at but I think he was fully aware of why I did it, for an eleven year old, that's advancement. Our usual routine picked up and we never spoke a word about what happened that night, not wanting to offend the others feelings. It was the respect that we both have.

"Jade, you look stiff." I daringly spoke one day after he rubbed the back of his neck after reading an entire book with out a break, his head tilted down to scan the pages.

"I feel stiff." He chuckled then broke his gaze after meeting my concerned one.

"Jade, its useless for you to keep doing this." I pointed to the large volume that he had read through in two hours. "Let me take care of you for once." I crawled around to Jade's back and pressed my hands into his shoulder blades, he instinctively pulled away. "Jade." I gripped his forearms to force him to remain seated.

"Lotus..."

"Just this once, just this once..." I buried my face into the warm muscle.

"Only once." He said after a large and heavy sigh of defeat.

"Thank you." I gave a small smile of victory to myself. "Please relax." I worked with the shoulders, down the spine, then up along the outer back, repeating the cycle for an hour. Kneading and smoothing, aiming for the acupuncture points, soon I was at his neck, working at the juncture and spinal column. Jade collapsed on me, mumbling a warning not to stop as I went up into the hair line, rounding the ears and temples. I lined his face, seeing it being handsome in the future. My fingers caressed till they felt numb and when I pulled away, Jade was sound asleep on my lap, I blushed at the sight.

"Jade, Lotus, I brought you some snacks." Mrs. Balfor knocked then came in, I held a finger to my lips. "Ah, he studies too much, its good to see him taking a nap for a change. How did you get him to sleep?"

I smiled, "My secret, nothing that used herbs or sleeping aids, a good yet old remedy for aches."

"I see, I'll leave the tray here on the nightstand if you want any." She smiled back, taking in the sight before her, I'm sure that my face was still flushed by the time she left. There was no chance that Jade wasn't going to wake up soon anyways as I pulled a blanket over him. Darn, leaving me like this brought another heat rush to my face as I coped with his head in my lap.

I stared out the window while stroking Jade's medium brown hair, a thought passed through, "He will live only for me when he has no other reason to when his are gone." If, no...it will come true, I will be his last life line, his string of hope and truth, his purpose to keep coming back.

I dropped my gaze to linger on him for a while, soon leaned over and to the left, I too was tired and slowly unfurled my feet from underneath me, keeping Jade's head on my lap with out the slightest movement. Watching him was toxic in my case and I found a comfy spot on my back, yawning in excess of the droopiness of my eyelids and the warm area on my legs. I soon too was asleep.

I had woken for dinner with Jade standing next to the bed. "Ah, you fell asleep after I did it seems, the evening meal is ready, get washed up." Then he leaned over and kissed my forehead. "You won't let me give you more but I can give you at least this much." My face flushed instantly before I could control it and he walked out the door chuckling. "I see no argument there."

"Ah..." It was the only thing that escaped my lips as I tried to compose myself while rolling to my feet. "D-darn...it take's ten minutes for my brain to wake up." Muttering incoherently.

"Lotus, dinner will be on the table soon." Jade called from the middle landing of the stairs, we was smiling in triumph and in warmth too as I walked by. "You better hurry."

"Yes sir." I returned and avoided his eyes that I forced to drag to the bathroom door. 'Seriously, my vulnerable spot was open for Jade to use any time, I had let my guard down...' Tucking a few strands of hair behind me ear. 'Yet, I won''t let him get to me right now, his future is what I truly see and what is to come for him...it is, no it will be a huge amount of pain for me when it does. All I can do is wait till the suffering begins.' I rested my hand on the brass knob and stood there for a while before entering to wash my face and my hands, drying them on Jade's hand towel that we shared.

"Us, Lotus, Lotus, dinner." I snapped from my thought and looked at Jade who stood in the door frame and took the towel in my hands. "Hmm...To say this would be from my perspective but it looked like your were about to cry." He rested his warm palm on on my cheek as the other hung the cloth back on the rack.

"I'm fine, trance."

"Those have been happening more lately, are you sure that your feeling well?" Jade was trying to make me angry at him, he is my open book.

"Yes." I pulled away and walked past him and down the stairs as he followed. 'I won't let you figure me out that easily. I kept an even more strait face than he did while growing up.

*Flash Back Mode Deactivated*

"Lotus?"

"Yes?"

"You feel okay?"

I closed my eyes and buried my face into his chest. "You idiot."

"That is a "yes" in my book." He chuckled warmly as his hand went to rub my spine, the fingers caressing gently. "I still owe you a massage."

I did not move my head to look at him, keeping still to hide the blush...he came so close to relying on some one else and not me.

"Lotus..." The book rested on the table and the other palm went to my neck. "Your stiff." I did not answer. Why at this time?

He slowly pried my hands free from around his waist and lifted my chin so I was eye level with him. I was red, the small heat on my cheeks clearly evident as they reflected in his retina and I cast down to avoid the gaze.

"Lotus...Is there something you want to say?"

"No. Nothing." DARN IT! WHY NOW? It's frustrating, I can't keep my composure.

"Hmm...you need this then." Jade softly kissed me. It was bitter sweet and I resisted to kiss back, I wasn't myself and I didn't like it.

I felt something slide, it was me leaning towards the floor space between the table and couch, in an instant, I was collapsed in a heap on the ground. Why did...no, how did that happen?

"Lotus!" Jade leaned over me, his face creased with concern. I was in an awkward position, a foot and leg on the couch, my head and an arm on the tables edge and the other foot? Ah, its under me, my other arm rested over my stomach. "Lotus?"

I feel so numb...my brain isn't connecting with my body at all...I blinked, what is wrong with me?

"Lotus..." I just started to sob, it's so frustrating. "Hmm..." Scorching arms wrapped them selves around me and I was picked up. "You have a fever." My tears increased, not like me at all...

"Please, calm down." I couldn't, Jade tried in vain to calm me but I wasn't helping the growing fever with my weeping, only making it worse. "My dear Beloved, please."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry...I just feel numb." I cried as he placed me on my bed. "Numb all over! I can't feel at all..."

"Nothing?" His worried voice soothed.

"Yes...nothing..." A hot hand stroked my brow, "except you...my brain...the connection..."

"Lotus...be still for a minute." I simmered down some as he left for a while. I looked around the familiar room, the glass doors were open and I could see the two trees swaying slightly in the breeze. I watched the action and soon found myself tired. My eyes drooped closed.

"Well, there went my relaxation day..." I mumbled.

Something was very hot and next to me, I weirdly curled up next to it, my shivers had taken hold and this was the only comforting source.

"Sleep well..." That was Jade...this is him...it's as if he's burning up, I feel him...skin?

I cracked my eyes open to be looking at his bare chest, the covers pulled up and over my head. I couldn't even protest because I was so weary and let sleep overwhelm me.

'My day, might have turned out better than it did. Beside this fever, Jade is here...with me...'

(-)

With a groan, Lotus stirred; three whole days that fever as raged with in her, starting with numbness. Major Shei has taken care of her students and even she can't diagnose the problem, this is worrisome, it must be a defense force inside of her. I rest a hand on her forehead.

"Too burn up without scathing, your body is truly a wonder." I whisper near her ear then stand.

Shei yelled one thing to me yesterday- "I can't be there tomorrow to change her for her bath! You have to do it, so don't do anything perverted! I won't forgive you for ruining my masters body." -She stepped on my toe to get the point across.

I sigh, grab Lotus's swim suit and place another blanket over her. Sitting her up straight but leaning against me, I pull the sleep top over her head and toss it at the foot of the bed. I place the flat side of the panel over her breasts after knotting the back of her neck and crossed it on her lower vertebrae. I lie Lotus on her back and go remove the shorts and underwear. I slid the bathing suit bottoms up then thread the back ties through the loops and then tie it off. Finishing the change while she was still underneath the blanket. I go and get changed myself.

I lean against a wall while the shower head that is literally a portion of the ceiling with spouts coming out, rained the water down as I cradle Lotus close to me. Her small body structure gave her agility and flexibility but now, it is a close fit to me and it is always meant to be.

"Lotus, please come out of your fever soon." A hand pulls on one of my hair strands that falls in front of my shoulder.

"Jade..." She groans and her wonderful tri colored eyes look up at me, the blue was denominate then soon became mixed with the violet and indigo. "Your so gentle."

"Lotus..." A thin finger presses to my lips.

"This is rare for you, really rare." Lotus smiles softly and it grows wider as she catches the heat on my cheeks. "I still feel a little week and I still need your help, the numbness...well, it caught me off guard."

I wrap her hand in mine, "Nonsense, I will take care of you."

"Thank you." Her temple pressed into my shoulder. I still remember seeing that long gash on her back, bleeding ever so slowly, hearing her drop onto the floor with out the slightest of noise. Yet to fully heal with out scar tissue. "This was a nightmare..." I look as I feel a finger trace the scar that was hiding behind the skin shirt.

I cradle a hand behind her right ear and draw her up to my chin. "It was a nightmare but it is no more." Lotus was incredibly sensitive to memory that involves me in near death scenario's, it scares her for her to lose me since that time...NO! I will not bring that up!

"Jade...I want the tub now, he have been rained on now long enough." I could barely hear her but Lotus's indication was right. I turn off the shower and ease us into the hot water. "Then I want to sleep some, I still have to wear off whats left of the numbness."

"Of course." Lotus's tired tone was more than convincing but I knew deep inside that she was still dealing with her nervous system. I stroke her back, the skin smooth and undamaged along my finger pads.

"Your nails, they need to be trimmed." She laughed then nuzzled closely to me. "I'll take care of it tomorrow, and your hair also, the ends are splitting." Feeling her hand run through my wet hair and to the nape of my neck, I could only rest my cheek to her forehead as the gesture was repeated.

"I will look forward to it." The atmosphere had changed dramatically to a relaxed environment that it should typically be between us.

*Time forward*

I tuck her back into bed, she had managed to get dressed without any help. "I'll be back in later." I kiss her forehead and she grabs my arm.

"You idiot, at least let me thank you." I feel her lips press into my cheek. "Don't let that one go to your head."

I chuckle. "I won't." Lotus truly is sweet. There was a knock on the front door and I go answer it only to shut it in his face.

"Jade, come on." His Majesty pounded again.

"No, Lotus isn't feeling well." I say coldly.

"Jade!" He huffs.

"My apologizes, she doesn't like seeing you." I activate a Fon Stone Glyph next to the door to alert the Imperial Guards to come get him. Lotus's idea to keep the Child from escaping or rather trying to be somewhere he wasn't supposed to be.

"No wonder, she likes you more." This was irritating and infuriating, I only wanted her to sleep in peace.

"I don't make a pastime of chasing after girls."

He growled. "I only do it so I don't have to remember Nephry..."

"Like what Lotus says, your still acting like a child." I ignore my younger sister's name.

"There he is! Be gentle with him." At last, relief.

"Ack! Jade! That was mean." He was dragged away.

I go and sit on the couch in the living room. Glad that was over. I pick up a book Lotus said that I should read thrice before I understand it. I am half way through my second read, this had become a menial task to translate the the Ancient Inspanian language but she taught me how to read and speak it completely. I get done with the chapter I am on and head upstairs. Lotus would freeze tonight if I am not there next to her. I change and slide in next to her. Wrapping my arms around her slender waist and resting my cheek to her hers. Her body adjusts so its flushed with mine and comfortable. To think, she is the perfect fit for me, mind, body and soul.

(-)

"Jade, time to trim." I stand there with my a pair of silver scissors, a comb and a towel in hand.

"Ah." He rises from his desk that stood on the far wall in the living room. "That it is."

He sits down in one of the kitchen chairs and removes his glasses, placing them on the dinning table and I place the towel around his shoulders.

"After this, its your nails, they have grown."

"That they have." I dip my comb into a glass of water and begin to comb the hair straight for easier cutting.

"Don't move your head."

"I don't plan too." He warmly chuckles as I make the first few snips at the back. I hum softly till I get to his bangs and tilt his chin up.

"Now, whats with that look?" I smile and snip.

"Nothing." The whisper blows through his crimson eyes.

"There now, all better." I take the towel and shake it over the kitchen sink. "Jade, your sweeping after this."

"I know." He rises but I push him back down.

"Not over, your nails." I take a hand and pull the clippers from a nearby drawer. I feel his other fingers run through my hair. He was gentle and I loved it. His free arm slips around my waist and I am sitting in his lap. "Jade..." I breathe as his lips press into my neck. "I can't work when you act like this."

"Sorry." Jade's chin rest's on my shoulder. I finish the task then look him in the eye, the whisper sweeps by in his.

"All done." I smile, I pull free from his hold to get a cool glass of water.

"Lotus," I feel myself being pushed against the counter. "Thank you." I whip around and a mouth descends upon mine, it wasn't demanding or harsh, the kiss was soft. Jade's warm arms wrap around me and I melt into the embrace.

Oh, sorry, cliffhangers! my bad. yeah...finally some rain here in Texas to break our heat index of above 100 degrees so this rain will commemorate the chapter going up. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

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