It's Late! I know! Gomen!!!!! But hey, here it is, the next chapter in all its glory. And please don't forget to review. It so makes my day to see those…
SHOUT OUTS!!!
Mistress of Darkness: Here is your more, as requested!
Rai Dorian: ^_^ I'm so honored to be on your list!
Dragon Fairy: Tis' the Shadows that were in the shadows.
Rad: Hai, Cerise is very talented ^_^. And yes the third item is important. I just wish I knew what it was…
Fire and Ice
Chapter 14: Complete Control
/It could have been worse…/ Cerise thought, leaning against a tree, eyeing the bodies scattered around the clearing.
Right away she had jumped into the fray, blades swinging. While to most it may have seemed suicidal, the spy knew she had back up.
Those accompanying her on her 'quest' had been thoroughly briefed on the shadows and had been well prepared to fight them.
People still died.
Cerise let her head fall back and rest against the tree, eyes closed in an effort to calm her adrenaline rushed nerves.
She jerked and gasped for air as something suddenly wrapped around her neck and cut off her oxygen.
Her fingers scratched futilely at the garrote wire** that had appeared on her neck as an inhuman voice whispered in her ear.
"For Dakini…"
Cerise choked as blood began to pool in her mouth. The Shadows tug was so strong Cerise was lifted partially off the ground, still trying to get the wire off. Her vision began to gray at the edges and the first stirring of true panic began to take over. Could no one see here?
Just as suddenly as it had tightened, the wire slacked and Cerise fell over, spitting up blood and sucking in air, coughing. Above her, one of Allen's men, Gaddes stood, bloody sword held in one hand. He crouched down next to Cerise. "You alright?"
Cerise coughed a few more times, wiping the blood from her mouth. "I'm alive, that counts."
Gaddes gave her a smirk as he stood, offering his hand. "No wonder the king respects you."
"What does THAT mean?!"
The older man just smirked, making sure she could stand on her own before letting go of her arm. "It's not meant offensive, I can tell you that."
Cerise just massaged her bruised throat for a minute then a thought struck her. "Hitomi?"
"Alive and well, already in the Crusade." A curious look overcame the man's face. "Why?"
Cerise spoke slowly as she walked back with him. "The King has the pendant that granted her passage here. And he's tried but he can't call her back. So how could she get help with outside aide?"
Gaddes remained silent, letting pieces fall into place. "So it's the sorcerers?"
"Oh yeah… and I almost don't want to know what they're up to…"
^-^
Celena watched the men move outside the Crusade in the dark night.
/There she is…/ Celena thought, spotting Cerise walking towards the ship with Gaddes, looking battered but very much alive.
She heard Dilandau 'sigh' in relief. Now that she was fully aware of the young man, she could speak with him, in a sense. And sense his feelings.
The longing was unmistakable so Celena watched the young woman as long as she could, letting the Dilandau see through her eyes. /Soon…/ she whispered.
/Soon isn't soon enough/ came the bitter reply. /I've thought her dead for five years and now that I know she's alive, I can't enough talk to her, let alone touch her and hold her/
Celena was quiet for long moments, shielding her thoughts from the former general. /If… if you promise to give me back control… I'll let you be with Cerise for a while. I'll let you take over everything. Mind, body…/ She trailed off, wondering what she was getting herself into.
Silence reined in her head for a long time and Celena bit her lip, waiting for his reply.
/Deal/
^-^
"And 'dat?" Little Jayden looked up at the dark haired woman that held her, finger pointing at a drawing..
Cerise shifted the little girl slightly before speaking. "That's Migel. He was a very good swordsman."
"And dat?" The chubby finger pointed at another.
"That is-"
"Jayden!"
Little Jayden near jumped out of her skin at her mother's commanding voice, a guilty look on her face. "We was just reading mommy…"
Millerna gave an exasperated sigh, eyeing Cerise with distrust. Al this time and Millerna still worried she was going to kill them all. "Come on Jayden… I'll read you a story."
Jayden gave an apologetic look at the spy, who hid a smile, before sliding off her lap and taking her mother's hand, leaving. Cerise watched them go, briefly wondering about her soft spot for the girl, before turning back to her journal.
Her fingers traced the line she had drawn so long again. Frustration nagged at her, frustration at being so close but so far away.
"I remember them sometimes."
The knife was out and pressed against the speaker's throat before Cerise even had to think about the movement. It was quickly pulled back with a jerk upon seeing Dilandau's amused face.
"I…" Her brain had failed her. Cerise couldn't form a single word.
Pale fingers dislodged the knife as the other digits tilted her chin up. "Always so hostile, Cerise?"
She swallowed thickly and forced words out. "Only when people sneak up on me…"
Dilandau smirked that oh so familiar smirk and leaned down, kissing her deeply.
Cerise lost herself for a moment, melting in his grip. So long… for so long she had hoped she could taste him, feel his arms around her…
The reality kicked in.
Cerise's eyes flew open and she pulled back, hands pressing against the startled Dilandau's chest. "Oh no… wait one minute here. What about Celena?"
Dilandau paid no heed to her protests and just pushed her onto the bed, trailing kisses along her neck, careful of the bruises. "She gave me permission…"
Cerise shivered and tipped her head back, nails running along his back, under his shirt. "In that case I have no problems…"
Dilandau chuckled, crawling over her. "That's good…"
She watched him lean back and just study her for a moment, fingers running along her face. "You cut your hair…"
Cerise laughed at the pout, pulling him back down. "Well, I'll grow it out again. Now, we have one night; let's make the most of it."
Dilandau smirked. "We can do plenty in one night…"
Cerise just smiled.
^-^
Dilandau gently ran his hand through Cerise's hair as she curled closer to him. He chuckled as she purred quietly, nuzzling into the crook of his neck.
"Remind me to thank Celena…" Cerise murmured and Dilandau laughed quietly.
His hand moved from her hair to travel down her back and he watched his fingers absently, eyes coming to rest on the tattoos.
"I'm assuming that hurt…" His voice remained soft, surprising him.
"Pain is relevant." She answered, shrugging. "If you can't feel it, nothing's there."
He raised an eyebrow and shook his head as she smiled. "Only you…"
Cerise kissed his chest. "I missed you…"
Dilandau pulled her close, holding her tightly. "I missed you too…" Dilandau squinted and shifted slightly, seeing the sun.
"What?" Cerise murmured, eyes closed.
"Dawn."
Cerise suddenly shot up from the bed, cursing, sheets pooling around her waist. "So not fair…."
Dilandau lazily watched the pale light play across her skin. "Why?"
"Allen and his crew rise soon. At least one of them checks on Celena."
Dilandau let out his own curse, sitting up.
Cerise smirked, sliding off the bed and beginning to dress.
Dilandau sighed and stood, pulling her to him. He kissed her deeply before speaking to her softly. "Be careful."
He watched the lazy silver eyes flick up towards him. "Always am."
^-^
Hitomi hadn't changed from when he had last seen her. Van was still awed by her beauty and happy hadn't described the pair's reunion. Van was sad it had to be in such dire times, but the joy at seeing her alleviated some of the darkness.
"Here." Van looked at where Cerise had jabbed the knife in the map. "The main research facilities. If there's anything useful to us, it is in there. Maybe even the sorcerers thought I doubt that."
"You mean useful to you." Desh sneered.
Cerise gave an exasperated sigh and Van hid a smile. "Don't you learn? I'll break your nose again…"
The man fell silent among a few sniggers and minor details where brought up before those assembled left.
Van nodded to Cerise as she passed then turned towards Hitomi. Gently, he took her hand in his smiling. "We have a lot to talk about…"
Disclaimer: Escaflowne does not belong to me.
** garrote wire= extremely thin metal wire that is often strong enough to hold around hundred pounds and sharp enough to cut through limbs. At least, I think it is. It's from Weiss Kreuz. Very good Anime.