Disclaimer: I do not own Lorien Legacies.This is the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)

A/N: Gosh, this was a hard one to write. I'm so sorry it took so long. I'm out of the States right now on vacation/visiting extended family. The time differences and lack of downtime makes it really hard to write. Vacationing is hard. XP. I'm not sure about this one. I like bits and pieces of it but there are some weird parts I haven't figured out a neat fix. I hope this is a nice interaction between Five and Six. Just one more and then a new set! I really want to get the last one out before fall quarter starts. I hope it does justice to both girls. Review please! Any thoughts or advice is much appreciated. If anything confuses you, especially the last line, PM me. I won't bite!

Five Things: Five learned about her allies

IV. Six is irreplaceable

Five took a deep breath of the clean night air as she stretched her legs out in front of her. The stretch was good, reliving the tension from the tight muscles. Her body ached all over with various pains. Her torso ached from bruises and cuts. Her left arm stung painfully from a deep burn. The girl had submerged her whole arm into her cool lake, fighting off the burn. It still hurt whenever she touched it, an agonizing reminder for what she did. She knew John or Marina could easily erase the injury but Five wanted to feel the hurt. She should. She should feel it a lot more than just a burn on her left arm and bruises scattered over her body. Five closed her eyes to the beautiful setting sun, ashamed of herself.

A sharp chirp followed by a violent vibration forced the girl's emerald green eyes to open. She turned as her cell phone screen lit up and an image of a smiling redhead appeared on the screen. She was one of the many 'friends' Five kept in Paradise. Wordlessly, Five unlocked the phone and glanced at the text message.

Emily Grant: Faye-Faye! Hey! We haven't seen you around lately. Come by. Everyone misses you. Especially Evan. We're at his house right now and he's been hinting to invite you. I think he likes you! ;P

Five smiled at the text and set down her phone. Lying on the cool grass, she stared at the cloudless sky. The offer was tempting. She hadn't been out in a while, pretending to be a carefree sixteen year old human. Her cover was over-the-top but no one questioned her. Five was a runaway trust-fund kid who already received her GED from community college at an early age. She ran away from New York City when things got rough and ended up in Paradise. The story somehow held up and she socialized with a few local kids to keep up with appearances. As tempting as the offer was, Five knew she couldn't just disappeared to some random party. The others might worry and go searching for her. And how would I charm myself out of that situation? Five thought as she opened a new text message to reply.

Faye Lewis: Evan is a cutie and as tempting as the offer is, I can't. My grandfather sent a few of my friends to try and convince me back home. I have to pretend I care. Have fun for me.

Five closed her phone and listened to the silence of the coming night. The fireflies were starting to come out over the lake, dancing intricate patterns. She could hear the croaks of the frogs calling out to their friends. A harsh crunch of sneakers against gravel cut through the sounds of nature. Five's fingers curled around her dagger's hilt and her eyes hardened. "I told you, John. I'm fine. Leave me alone."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not John." A distinctly female voice answered and Five sat up quickly. She turned to see Six standing there, dressed in a light blue hoodie and dark jeans. Her dark hair fell loose around her pretty face. In the dying light, it danced across her simple yet stunning features. Her hazel eyes still held a sharp unmistakable edge. The blonde quickly turned away, remembering the anguish expression on her ally's face. The expression she caused, events of what happened earlier replied in her mind.

"This is suicidal." Nine stated with a stern look as he glanced between the two girls. Six and Five were barely fazed by the boy's discouraging words as they readied themselves. Six was pulling on a pair of Loric fighting fingerless gloves. Her dark hair was swept up in a high ponytail. A serious focused expression on her striking face. Five looked equally driven as she unstrapped her dagger from its cover. The blue steel twisted from its tiny dagger into a mid-length katana. The steel gleamed in the sunlight from base to point. They were both dressed in shorts and a simple t-shirts, unafraid of what was going to happen. "It's agreed that weapons and legacies are allowed?"

"I disagree!" Marina explained loudly from her disapproving spot beside Six. Five rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. She just nodded her head when Nine's onyx eyes met hers. The blonde opened and closed her hand as she nervously bounded on the balls of her tennis shoes clad feet. Six's s expression was difficult to read as she met Nine's question with a nod of her own. Six was always a private person. Five recalled Marina once commenting how at ease she felt with the young warrior. She thought it was because of how close their numbers were. Five though hadn't felt the closeness Marina spoke of. Only a quiet disregard.

"Yes, Mar, we all are aware of how much you disagree with this." Nine replied as he gently tugged the girl safely behind him. He looked at both girls with a strange weariness in his young eyes. Five smiled at him, trying to ease his worry and turned to meet Six's gaze who's eyes narrowed for some reason. Thankfully, Eight, Ella and John were away, doing their daily long jog. They shouldn't be back for a while. A rueful sigh escaped Nine's lips. "Don't kill each other."

No promises. Five thought as she lowered her sword just a fraction. Six moved swiftly. Her fists were wrapped with flames of bright orange and red. Five barely warded off her attack, feeling the heat of the flames lick her face. She countered with her sword but they grazed off of Six's fists. Her gloves were made of reinforced Loric fabric, impossible to cut through. Five found them in her chest and right now was regretting letting Six use them. The girls separated. Their expression was difficult to read as they steadied themselves.

Five knew the fight between Six was going to be difficult. She caught glimpses of Six and Nine training whenever she returned from her daily run. They moved fast like blurs. Five had to really concentrate if she wanted to make out their rapid movements. They both had perfect control over their bodies. Five was mesmerized and also fueled by their strength.

Six's hazel eyes were hard as steel as she regarded Five with a cool gaze. Five felt like a boxed mouse with a cat battering at her. The girls were circling each other, not giving an inch. Five didn't like the cool expression on the girl's face just before she dissolved in thin air. The blonde swore and gripped her sword tighter. She knew Six was going to turn invisible but it was still an amazing sight. The girl allowed her telekinesis to drift free but kept her other senses open as well.

"This isn't a fair fight." Five's sensitive ears caught Marina's worried tone but she didn't dare look behind her. The air was so still Five didn't dare to move. Six barely brushed a piece of grass as she moved. Five knew the girl was moving too. She could feel the subtle shifts in the air with her telekinesis but nothing concrete. That was what made Six deadly. Her invisibility was useful but the patience was the dangerous part of her. "Nine, stop it." Marina whined. Unable to resist, Five's eyes flickered over to the pair. Nine stood unmoved as Marina grabbed his arm. He watched with apprehensive eyes.

"Have faith, Marina." Five couldn't resist the comment as she turned around rapidly, blocking an invisible fist. Six materialized and the girls traded smug smiles. "Surprised, Six?" She asked as she strained against the girl's strength. Her sword barely dug into the gloves. They were equally matched.

"No, not really." Six replied as she moved to kick Five away but the girl jumped before connecting. "We're just getting started." The expression of Six's face was so cold and icy, Five wasn't sure if she was the same girl laughing at Nine's jokes earlier. Without hesitating, she charged faster than Five has seen her move before with her hands engulf in flames. Five was able to parry a majority of Six's flaming assault but she could feel the heat licking at her skin. The fire caught Five's short sleeves but the girl ignored the burning sensation. Six was quick like lightning and relentless like a monsoon. Five stabbed blindly with her katana, trying to be on the offense but Six easily deflected it with her open hand. The blonde swiped her blade from the short distance but Six grabbed it, unafraid. The girls were locked, unable to move with Six holding Five's blade with her right hand and hilt with her left. Five growled, trying to pull herself free but she was trapped, a stalemate. Furious emerald green eyes glared into cool hazel gray. "You're good." Six whispered as she tugged Five closer. The girl moved despite trying to keep her ground. "But I'm better."

With that, Six dragged Five forward, driving her knee into Five's unprotected gut. Five gasped at the pain but pulled her sword back, attacking with her left leg for a high kick. Six defended with her elbow and kicked Five's sword out of the girl's hand. Five barely had time to block Six's next fiery hit. Her eyes shot open, not from the pain which was terrible but at something else. Her stupid legacy seemed to trigger at the worse moments.

A middle-aged woman stood in front of her, holding a wooden sword. Her lips were moving but not sound left them. She was beautiful and strong despite her age. With shoulder length brown hair and green eyes, she appeared harmless but I knew better. She was my Cepan and I was her Garde. Her little warrior.

"Five!" Five snapped out of the memory, leaning back to dodge Six's next hit. In a series of complex locks, she wiggled herself out of Six's grapple and placed some distance between them. Five gasped for breath as she reeled from the memory and torn off her burn sleeves. She clenched her left arm, feeling the scorching burn and watched as Six kicked her dagger, catching it gracefully in the air. Five took a deep breath, feeling disoriented by the memory. Her eyes flickered to Nine who noticed her lapse. Marina was tugging at his arm but his dark eyes were locked with hers. He shook his head, answering Five's unasked question.

"I'm ending this." Six announced, dragging Five's attention back to her as she twirled the dagger in her fingers nimbly. Five knew she was in over her head. A fight against Six was hardly a fair one. She knew it coming into the fight and right now she held something which could turn the table.

"Or maybe I will." Five said, trying to sound like her cocky self.

Six laughed at her attitude and smiled like they were just chatting over coffee instead of fighting each other. Five's stomach churned, already hating herself for what she's about to do. "I like you, Five. You're confident which is good. But too much confidence can be costly." In that second, Six charged, dagger out ready to finish the fight. Five had a sad expression on her face just before it changed into an achingly familiar face. Six twisted away just before stabbing Five, stopping in her tracks. Her mouth slipped open as she looked at the person in front of her. "Katarina…"

In that moment of weakness, Five attacked. She held nothing back as she grabbed her dagger, disarming the stunned girl and slashed Six's thigh. The Garde disguised as a Cepan didn't stop, relentlessly swiping and slashing Six's arms and legs. Six defended a few blows but she couldn't attack, thrown off balanced. Five landed another painful cut before stepping back and kicking the dark haired girl away. Six hit the ground painfully, gasping for breath as Five tucked her dagger away. She didn't need it to finish the girl.

"Oh my little warrior," Five said in a voice that was too motherly to sound cruel. She walked towards the girl, seeing the effects in her friend's sad hazel eyes. Five felt power pulsing through her veins as the girl slowly tried to get up. "You were so strong, what happened?" Five pulled her leg back for one final kick but something appeared in front of her. Eight deflected Five's harsh kick and held it, glaring at her with his dark green eyes.

"Enough, Five." He ordered in a stern voice, waiting for her bloodlust to descend. Five blinked, slowly feeling like herself as she stepped back. The image of Katarina dissolved from the girl, leaving only a shaking blonde. She looked at her hands and clothes, covered with bits of blood and charred fabric. Six was slowly getting up, pressing her hand against a deep cut on her thigh. Five could hear John and Ella shouting from the distance as they hurried over. "That was uncalled for." Eight stated when Five finally met his gaze.

Her gaze didn't waver as Nine and Marina ran over to help Six. Five felt sick like she wanted to vomit but couldn't. Marina's hands were already glowing blue, ready to soothe over the physical wounds. Can you heal the mental ones? Five thought as she ran her right hand over her left shoulder, feeling the biting burns from the violent flames. Her legs were bruised and battered, barely supporting her weight. "I know." Five said softly, holding her head high and walking away.

Six eased herself down beside Five, quiet and graceful. The blonde couldn't match her gaze, feeling dirty after their fight. Six didn't need dirty tricks to win her battles. She was all strength in a cool and relax package. While Five was all smoke and mirrors, a deceitful fighter. A win is a win. Five could imagine Rowan telling her but she still wouldn't accept it. She felt like scum, relying on a dirty trick like that. She turned to apologize but Six cut her off. "Why did you think I was John?"

"I nearly slit his throat when he tried to touch me before. Thought he might want to try again." Five replied, fiddling with a piece of her blonde hair. She recalled the feel of his warm fingers against her wrist when she walked by. How his eyes searched her face and body, noticing the cuts and burns that marked her. He opened his mouth to say something but her steel was quicker. Five held the knife against his neck, pressing it just so he could feel the cold steel. "Not now." She ordered and the boy nodded but his blue eyes promised a later.

"So you and John?" Six asked and Five knew she was trying to sound casual but failed miserably. There was a bite to her words which Five didn't like and she was pretty sure Six didn't even notice it herself.

"Jealous?" Five replied without thinking before biting her lip and turning away. Her words were sharp and cutting where it hurts. Six opened her mouth, trying to find some sort of retort. "Sorry…" She added after the awkward silence continued and still persisted. Five noticed little things about Six and the others. Five was always observant. She could see the conflict in Six's eyes especially when it involved the blue-eyed Loric. Her eyes would follow him unconsciously like she was making sure he wouldn't disappear. Five also saw how Nine noticed this too but unlike the young dark haired woman, he wasn't easy to read. The blonde could also see how the two boys were drawn to the girl for some hidden reason Five couldn't pinpoint.

"You should let John help. These wounds need to be treated and soon." Six advised coolly, ignoring Five's curt comment. Five allowed her to reach out and touch her shoulder. Her hazel eyes narrowed at the burnt flesh. Worried was evident in the hazel hues. "Why didn't you let him help?" The question lingered in the air as Five crawled to the lake, pulling out a towel she soaked in the cool water. She hissed when it touched the burn and sighed as it eased. "Don't punish yourself." Five smiled, despite herself.

"You don't think I deserve this pain?" Five asked as she gently pulled the towel back, revealing the wound. It covered a majority of her left upper arm from her shoulder to her elbow. It was painful red. "I do. What I did was dirty and underhanded. I'm sorry for using Katarina's image. I – "

"Don't." Six cut her off, stopping her apology. "I'm not weak." Five wanted to disagree. Anyone was weak when they faced someone they loved. "We agreed to use anything, weapons or legacies. You did nothing wrong."

"That doesn't mean it's not wrong! There are things, memories, which should never be touch even in a fight." Five replied, thinking about her own Cepan. If he stood in front of her, she knew she couldn't hit him. Even if he was attacking her, she just couldn't. Six touched the younger girl's shoulder, pulling her attention away from her painful memories. A tiny understanding smile tugged at her lips. "I'm sorry, Six."

Six nodded her head, accepting the apology, and the girls watched the sun dip behind the trees. Five rested her chin on her arm, studying the solid girl who she never truly had a conversation with. The others were always there to intrude. But she knew of Six, the strongest female in their group. She was always training, driven by their cause. Six was smart in both battle tactics and life, often giving advice to others. She seemed fearless and unflappable but Five knew she isn't. Six just hides it very well underneath a cool expression. The girl was beautiful with her sharp dark features to match her amazing strength.

"Why haven't you kissed Nine?" Five asked bluntly, smirking at Six's reaction. The girl turned rapidly, whipping her hair into her face. Her mouth dropped open in surprised, revealing a set of perfect teeth. Five smiled, finding the whole situation a little funny. "Well?"

"I… Um… what? How do you know about that?" Six stuttered, looking like a school girl as she tried to fight the blush threatening to spread.

"Nine told me." Five replied as she laid down in the grass, groping for her phone. There was a message from Marina, blinking on the screen. Marina: Please come back. Everyone is worried. Especially John. Five's eyes unconsciously softened at the sight of his name and she wordlessly tucked the phone into her pocket. Six's flustered expression shifted into a miffed one.

"Aren't you buddy-buddy with everyone?" Six snapped, crossing her arms and looking out at the lake. Five wasn't sure what to make from the comment and listened to the rest of the girl's rant. "Everyone can't stop talking about you. It's all I hear. Five is so pretty. Five said the funniest thing today. Five braided my hair, she's so nice. Five is such a spitfire. It's always Five this or Five that. It's annoying."

"It's annoying?" Five echoed as she sat up, shaking her head. Her green eyes hardened. "Six, it's just like a child with a new toy. They love it because it's new and exciting. I'm a new toy to them. They may talk about me for a bit but Six, it's really you they adore. Can't you see how the guys moon over you? How Marina craves for your approval? How Ella worships the ground you walk on?" Six blinked, not believing Five's words. The blonde sighed, frustrated with her. "You don't see it do you? I can joke around with Eight, but it's you he respects. I can tell Marina stories of places I've been to but she really listens to you. Ella sees you as a role model and strides to be like you. I can flirt and kid around with Nine but he only has eyes for you. John…" Five bit her lips, feeling her heart beat painfully against her chest. "John and I may trade jabs and looks but he watches you. He harbors something for you that I may never have." Five shook her head, allowing her words to seep into the older girl. She slowly stood up, brushing the wet grass and dirt off her of bare legs before looking down at Six. "They love you and I can't replace you nor do I want to." Five said before walking away.

"They like you too." Five stopped at Six's sudden words. She was still sitting on the hard ground. Her hands were curled around the grass, tugging at various strands. Her voice was steady as she spoke. "Eight things you're a riot. He likes how different you react to his actions. Marina wants you to feel comfortable, more part of the group. Ella likes the way you smile. She says you should smile more often. Nine wants to help you find your place. He always had a knack of noticing things people want to hide. John…" Six's voice faltered at John's name. A hint of longing was in her voice but she hid it well. "He likes you similar to how he liked Sarah Hart. Not because you're blonde or Loric or something superficial. It's deeper and it's there. I can see it. We all can."

"Well that's a problem." Five commented softly, feeling a pang in her heart. Her phone was vibrating violently against her leg and she slid it out, peeking at the caller. John's smiling face was there on the screen. Because I don't deserve it.