A/N:

It's been too long since I've updated this… I've put myself back on a schedule, so hopefully, that'll make updates more frequent.

I came to realize that this story has now taken the longest to complete so far. It's ridiculous.

Anywho, Astrid, take the stage!

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Chapter 8: The Truth Burns

A few days had passed since my strange vision and he had only checked on me once.

Was I not that important to him? Was he too busy for me?

I shook my head clear of these thoughts, trying to stay focused on my music. In the meantime, I strove to have a closer relationship with Faron.

Yet, I yielded with him as well. I kept a barrier between us.

He was not allowed in my home after nine o'clock at night and he was limited to visiting the kitchen, living room, and restroom.

The dining room was also permitted when I would invite him for dinner.

For some reason, it seemed imperative to me to have Faron as my friend. I felt as though I could trust him with my story.

However, I had to ease him into it. No one wanted to even hear the idea of a corrupted leader. That's how stubborn and stuck up Falcon's could be.

Huh. Weird. I wondered if I was the only one to realize this.

Faron and I sat at the piano, composing a duet. Raldon had sensed our friendship and had suggested that we perform together during the Winter Solstice festival in a month's time.

I wasn't as thrilled about it as Faron was.

I take that back.

Faron was the only one who was thrilled.

I love music and I love singing even more, but I didn't want to sing a duet with Faron.

I'd tried talking him into just composing a score, but he would hear nothing of it.

"Everyone wants to hear you sing, Astrid. There's no way I'm denying anyone that pleasure." He'd wiggled his eyebrows at me playfully as though he were the only one receiving that pleasure, "No one's heard a voice like yours since the Fall of the Phoenixes."

I frowned at this. There wasn't a Falcon in Mesiphia that truly mourned for the loss of the Phoenix clan. Fear of fire, remember?

I, on the other hand, found it to be a great tragedy.

I didn't know of anyone who knew exactly what happened to the Phoenix clan. Most people thought that they simply died out. That their time had just come to an end.

I knew better. A Phoenix never died forever. Eventually, they are reborn from the ashes that they become at their death.

A Phoenix dead before their time, however, cannot be reborn. No ashes, no rebirth. It was all very sad.

I'd heard that children among the Phoenix clan were rare and sacred.

I'd also heard that the previous Chairman knew what had happened, but had refused to give out information, saying it was a private matter. Judging by what he'd done to me and… I would have bet my life that he had something to do with their extinction.

"Yo, Astrid, you there?" Faron's voice slowly registered and my eyes refocused on him.

"Sorry," I apologized "I got lost in thought."

He grinned, "That's okay. What were you thinking about?"

I pressed my lips together and brushed my fingers over the piano keys, "I'm not sure I like the rift the way it is. I was thinking of changing it."

He raised an eyebrow at me, "I don't believe it."

I gave him a nervous glance.

"You're a musical genius. There's no way you thought that much about such a small rift."

I chewed the inside of my cheek. Busted.

Faron sat down on the piano bench next to me, serious now, "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head 'no'. Of course something was wrong.

He breathed out in small relief, "Then what is it? Talk to me."

I hesitated, not wanting to admit what I had been thinking and not sure if he was ready to know my story. Was I ready to tell him?

"C'mon, Ash. We're friends, right?" he placed a tentative hand on my forearm.

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. He hadn't called me Ash since we were kids. I knew then that he was ready to know.

I took a deep breath, "I was thinking about the Phoenix clan."

His face became confused and I shook my head.

"Faron, would you like to know what really happened to me?"

He became more confused.

I gave a half grimace half smile, "I want you to forget what you've been told because it's not true."

Faron's eyes widened, "I'm listening."

I nodded, "You trust me, don't you?"

He nodded slowly.

I pulled him to the couch, "It's a long story. Please remember to remain open-minded."

He nodded again and we settled into the couch as I began my story from the beginning.

When I finally finished telling my story, it was well past midnight.

Faron sat silently, staring straight ahead. My heart beat violently against my ribs. What was he thinking?

Finally, his eyes lifted to the clock on my wall.

He jumped up almost immediately.

"Whoa! Look at the time!" he grinned, "If I keep breaking rules, I won't be able to come over again! I better get home." Still wearing his grin, he swiftly took his leave.

I found myself alone and unsure of what had just happened.

After a while, my eyes grew heavy and I fell asleep on the couch to the sensation of being watched by a Jagan eye.

I woke up the next morning to a knock on the door.

I quickly made myself presentable and ran to the door. Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I opened it.

It was a messenger boy with a letter from Faron.

Normally, I would have been looked at scornfully for having a guard as a correspondent.

However, I'd earned my ranking rather than being born with it.

As a small child, my voice was discovered and it brought me my own ranking.

My parents both died shortly after I was born and, strangely, no one knew who they were.

So, I was given the chance to create my own rank and the more talented I became, the higher my rank became.

I tipped the messenger boy with a small coin and shut the door.

The wax seal crumbled under my fingertips as I tore into his letter.

Faron's scratchy penmanship decorated a single fold of parchment. It read:

Dear Astrid,

I just wanted to apologize for the way I left last night.

Your tale, well, I suppose it's a story? Anyway, it gave me a lot to think about.

As my dear friend, I hope you'll understand when I ask you kindly for some time to allow it to all sink in.

Thank you for trusting me to tell me this.

Yours always,

Faron

I gave a small smile to the attempted flourished signature.

Yes, I understood. Perhaps a bit too well.

I prepared myself to not see or hear from him for the next couple of days, so you can imagine my surprise as I was working on my solo when he appeared at my door that night.

I stood gaping at him, one hand on the door, "Faron? I though you needed… time?"

He grinned a bit sheepishly, "Yeah, well, it seems I can't stay away from you too long. Besides, I think it's settled enough." His grin faded.

I frowned, "What's wrong?"

Faron grimaced, "May I come in? since you were kind enough to share that with me, there's something I'd like to share with you."

My frown deepened. I wasn't sure I liked where this was going.

I stepped aside anyway and closed the door behind him.

When I turned around he grasped me be the wrists. I flinched instinctively and pulled away.

Faron yelped and shook his hands, "Ow! Your skin is scalding hot! Geez, no need to get so defensive…"

I felt my face redden, "Sorry," I mumbled.

He studied me closely, "Are you okay? Your skin shouldn't be that hot. Do you have a fever?"

I shook my head, confused, "I feel fine."

His lips pressed together as though he were trying to decide whether or not to take my word. Finally, he nodded, "Are you okay now? May I have your hands, please?"

I allowed him a small smile, "Very well."

I held my hands out to him, palms down. He took them more gently this time.

I gasped at his touch, "Faron! Are you sure you're not the one who's sick? Your skin is so cool…"

Faron raised an eyebrow at me, "I assure you, I'm fine. Although, you still feel quite hot to the touch…"

We stared at each other in confusion for a while. Faron laughed.

"Look at us being so worried for the other when we're obviously just fine."

I have a half smile. Something wasn't right, but I didn't have a clue as to what.

Faron shook his head, still grinning, "Let's take a flight."

My heart faltered. What was he thinking? Flights were only taken by couples or groups of three or more.

It was shameful to fly by yourself. Otherwise, the only other groups of two were of the same sex.

If we flew together, we would be seen as a couple.

"Faron, I –" I shook my head, "Don't you think – "

"You're right," he interrupted me, "It would be a bit inappropriate, I suppose."

A bit? He supposed? What an understatement…

I was amazed. He was able to keep a smile on through anything.

Faron began pulling me towards the couch, "Let's sit."

I followed gratefully. When we sat down, Faron became serious.

He took a deep breath and looked into my eyes, "The truth is, Astrid, is that I am in love with you."

My breath caught in my throat. I felt dazed.

He continued, "I have been for a very long time, but I always knew that what you really needed was just a friend, not a lover." He smiled softly.

My sight finally focused as I realized what he was saying. I felt something on my cheek, "Faron, I – "

"Shh," he brushed away my tears and cupped my cheek in his hand, "Because I love you, you will forever have my support. Even if you choose another man over me. So long as he is an honorable man, I will not fight you. However," a mischievous grin appeared on his lips, "I have no problem with some healthy competition. Until the day you choose a man, I will fight for your affections."

I continued to stare at him in disbelief. I was speechless.

Slowly, I pulled my hands from his.

Faron frowned, "Is there a problem?"

More tears fell down my face, "I –" I faltered. He was watching me.

I looked down and let more tears fall, "I'm sorry. I don't love you, Faron. Not like that."

He chuckled softly, "I know that, but things can change, can't they?"

I looked back up at him, but I couldn't answer that question.

His smile became a sad one, "You love Hiei, right?"

I gasped. I hadn't told him that part of my story. How had he guessed?

"Do you miss him?"

I pressed my lips tightly together. I wouldn't answer that question.

Faron looked at me in surprise, "Did something happen? Did you get in a fight or something?"

I glared at him, "That's none of your business, Faron."

We both flinched as multiple lightbulbs exploded at once around the room. The fireglass lit up immediately.

One of the exploding bulbs caught a curtain on fire. We jumped up at once and ran in opposite directions; he went for the kitchen while I ran to the curtain.

I pulled it down and began beating at it, trying to snuff out the flame.

Faron came back with a pitcher full of water.

"Astrid!" he yelled in alarm. He quickly doused me along with the curtain, putting out the fire.

He collapsed onto his knees beside me, his breathing ragged, "Are you crazy? Weren't you afraid?"

I lifted an eyebrow at him, "Why would I be afraid?"

His eyes widened, "Your clothes were catching on fire! Don't tell me, you didn't notice?"

I looked down at my sleeves and sure enough, they were singed quite badly.

"I didn't notice," I said plainly.

Faron gaped at me, "How are you so calm about this?"

I shrugged, "I guess I'm just used to it from being around Hiei. He's a fire apparition." I blushed. I hadn't mentioned this before, either.

His mouth dropped further, "Oh, Kinnar, Astrid. You chose a fire apparition to fall in love with? That's pretty gutsy. I bet he's got one helluva temper and has burned you a lot."

I glared at him, "You're wrong. About him burning me. He does have quite a temper, but he's only burned me once or twice. It wasn't even serious. He's never left a mark on me."

I drew my knees to my chest and rested my chin on them.

Faron sighed, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. I suppose it's just that ancient fear showing through?" He chuckled a bit awkwardly.

I shook my head and looked up. I was still being watched.

Faron took hold of my wrist, "Let me take a look at your arms and see how badly you got burned so that we can treat them."

I allowed him to examine me, but my attention was focused on the place where I could sense Him watching me.

"Huh," Faron's tone caught my attention.

I turned to him, "What is it?"

"There's not a mark on you." His eyes darted to my face, then quickly back down to my unscathed skin, "It's as though the fire was never there."

I frowned, "That's odd. My skin should at least be a little pink, although I feel no pain."

Faron shook his head, "That's what I'm saying. There's nothing at all."

My frown deepened as I examined my own arms where the long sleeves of my dress had been scorched.

Quite a bit of them had been burned away, and, just as Faron had said, there wasn't a single burn on me.

I looked up where He was watching me from in confusion as though I expected him to give me an answer.

How had I managed to be uneffected by this?

I wondered if it had anything to do with why I hadn't noticed that I was on fire to begin with?

I put it from my mind, "Sorry, Faron."

"For what?" he sounded surprised.

I blushed and looked away, "I momentarily lost control of my powers. That's why the lightbulbs exploded." I shivered, "I've never lost control like that before."

Faron sighed, but then I heard his breath catch, "Wait, how could you have made the bulbs explode?"

"Ever since I can remember, I've been able to manipulate lightning and electricity."

His brows drew together as he thought this through, "But Falcons can only manipulate Earth and Wind... You're even more special than I thought you were. I want to do some research on this, if you don't mind?"

I shrugged, "Not really."

He rubbed his chin in thought, "I wonder if that's why you weren't burned. Since both fire and lightning are sources of heat. You can't be electrocuted, right?"

I nodded slowly, "That's right."

Faron jumped up off the floor, "Well, I'm going to see what I can find out! I'll come back with a new curtain and dress for you."

I blinked up at him and felt my cheeks burn cherry hot.

He grinned at me, "Don't worry, Astrid, I'll get to the bottom of this. Just you wait!"

And with that, he left.

I sat still for the longest time, unsure of what to do.

Finally, around nine o'clock, I picked up my ruined curtain and threw it away.

I went to my room and stripped of my destroyed dress and put on my white cotton nightgown.

His attention shifted as I changed. He was at least being respectful in that sense.

I took the burned dress and put it with the curtain.

With a sigh, I headed for the kitchen. My dinner had long gotten cold, so I heated it up and ate in silence.

How long was He going to watch me?

I spent the rest of my evening composing the piano music to go with my solo song for the festival.

I didn't sing a peep of my song to see how it went together. I didn't want Him to know what they were until I performed both songs.

Even the duet I'd written for Faron and I was a portrayal of the rift that had formed between Him and I.

I looked up, "I hope you'll watch me perform at the Winter Solstice?"

I couldn't expect an answer from him, but I genuinely hoped he would watch me.

No matter how upset I was with him.

I was suddenly exhausted, so I made my way to my bed. He was still watching.

Before I closed my eyes, I whispered, "Please, Hiei, don't stop watching me."

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A/N:

Wow! That update took me a while!

Was it well worth the wait?

The climax is fianlly starting to build now! I can't wait to get the answer to Astrid's bizarre condition! Why does nothing burn her?

Will Faron succeed in his research?

Will Hiei get to Astrid before Faron steals away her affections?

Hehe. Sorry. Can't help but getting a little carried away. I'm getting really excited about this story now! I think it's starting to come back to me.

Well, review and send cookies, please! I'm hoping to hit the 100 mark for reviews before this story is through! Thanks for all the support! Ciao!