Chapter 13: Reunion

Anna was ecstatic to get away from Kratos. She knew if she stayed with him much longer, her heart would be crushed.

She ran passed the Fighting Spirit Weapon Shop. It was too late in the night for her parents to be there. She ran home. They lived in a spacey two story cabin. She knew her parent's would be at home. She tapped on the door…

A tall man with dark slightly graying hair opened the door.

Anna threw her arms around his neck and stated, "Dad… I'm glad to see you."

Alester was Anna's Father. He smiled at Anna and questioned, "Oh… My… You're actually alive?"

Alester set Anna down. Anna smiled and replied, "Yeah... I've never been happier to be home in my entire life. In all honesty, I thought I would never see this place again."

Alester favored his right knee. He hobbled and pulled Anna inside. He stated, "I knew the Desians were looking for you. They've placed wanted posters in town."

Anna frowned in concern and questioned, "Really? I don't want to cause anymore grief for you?"

Alester smiled and replied, "Nonsense… You're my only daughter."

Abby, Anna's Mother was standing off to the side. She glanced at Anna in shock and questioned, "Good Lord… What did the cat drag in?"

Anna laughed and replied, "I know I look horrible. I've been staying in this dreadful cave."

Abby opened her mouth in shock and questioned, "Oh dear… Do you want me to get you a warm bath or are you hungry?"

Anna sheepishly replied, "Actually… That bath sounds awesome. I'm not the slightest bit interested in food."

Alester stated, "You're Grandma's in the kitchen."

Anna frowned and questioned, "Where's Argos and Aaron?"

Alester replied, "They're both home... There probably sleeping."

Anna frowned and asked, "How's Aaron?"

Alester replied, "He was hurt badly. The key-crest from the Government helped him."

Anna frowned and questioned, "How's Caitlin taking it?"

Alester replied, "She's glad he isn't dead. Young love."

Anna smiled and questioned, "Well… That's good? What about Argos?"

Alester replied, "He's home from fishing… I think he's the smartest of all. He never did like fighting. He's home with Ellie and Susie's four and Marie's two."

Anna opened her mouth in shock and questioned, "Wow? Time flies? I can't believe Susie's 4 and Marie's 2?"

Alester smiled and replied, "When you're as old as me, you'll wonder where it went."

Anna smiled and questioned, "I see… Do you know what happened with the Government?"

Alester frowned in irritation and replied, "Living in the boonies… It's hard to get information quickly. By the time you get it, something else has happed. I just know the mission was a success."

Anna smiled and questioned, "Thanks Dad... Now, I'm going to pester Grandma?"

A bent over old woman with white hair hobbled through the door. She was wearing a green dress. She smiled at Anna and questioned, "I'm glad you're ok, my Dear?"

Anna hugged her Grandmother and replied, "Awe… Grandma… You're always worried about me."

Grandma frowned at Anna. Then she patted Anna on the hand. She questioned, "Of course, I worry Dear? That's no job for a young lady?"

Anna smiled and replied, "I know you're right."

Grandma asked, "Have you meet any handsome men lately?"

Anna frowned in disgust and replied, "All the men I work with are pricks…"

Grandma frowned in concern and questioned, "You poor dear? Maybe, you better stay awhile?"

Anna glanced at her Grandma and replied, "I'm really tired... What I need is a hot bath and my bed?"

Abby came in from the back door, she glanced at Anna and questioned, "I already heated it for you?"

Anna smiled and replied, "Thanks Mom… You're the best."

After that, Anna ran upstairs to get fresh clothes in her room. She picked some warm clothes out of her drawer. Then she ran back downstairs. The bathroom was a separate room outside. The water was heated by fire.

Anna walked outside in the darkness. She was fearful Kratos would find her. She tried to hide in the bushes. The hot bath was already steaming. The fire was going good. Just the way she liked it.

Anna thoughtfully stated, "Thanks Mom…"

After that, Anna opened the door and locked it behind her. It wasn't the largest bathroom in the world. It was home. Anna was sick of wearing those disgusting clothes for days. She frowned and questioned, "They've got to be burned?"

Anna striped out of her clothes. She stuck her foot in the water to check the temperature. It was scalding hot. That's the way she liked it. She got in. It felt like heaven just to get all the dirty grime off. She knew she had to stink for Kratos. She kept thinking of him. Would he actually dare to come back?

Anna washed her grimy hair… It was too greasy. It felt good to bubble up her hair to the maximum. Then she rinsed it really good. It squeaked when she finished.

After that, she lathered herself up good. It felt good to be clean again.

Anna got out of the tub and dried herself off. Then she put on some warm pajamas. The pajamas felt awesome and the bathroom at home made her feel like a million bucks again.

Anna strode back to the house. She took delight in knowing Kratos hadn't found her. She was going to bed in her own bed?

Anna's bedroom was on the second floor. She had always loved her room. It had double doors that overlooked Lake Sinoa. She always kept them open to let the Lake air in. With Kratos looking for her, maybe she better shut it? She shut it and locked the windows?

Just then, Anna's Mother came in her room to check on her. She glanced at Anna in concern and asked, "Why are you keeping your door's shut? It gets too stuffy in here, otherwise?"

Anna didn't want to worry her Mother? She was already the world's greatest worrier? She sheepishly replied, "You're right... It's hot…"

Abby walked over to the doors and opened them all the way. Then she questioned, "Much better… You don't want to be in the dark do you?"

Anna unfolded the covers to her large bed. She got in bed and replied, "No... It's fine Mom… Good night."

Abby smiled and stated, "Good night Dear..."

After that, Anna's Mother went to check on Alester.

Anna smiled about sleeping in her own bed. It was great having a soothing bed, compared to that horrible cave floor. She could finally get comfortable. She also didn't have to worry about Kratos gawking at her?

Anna decided not to bother with the doors. Her mattress sunk in too much. She wasn't sure how to sink out. She drifted off to the best sleep of her life. For some strange reason, Anna was dreaming of Kratos? They were kissing?

Being grossed out, Anna woke up… When she looked up, Kratos was hovering over her. She jumped back in surprise…

Kratos put his hand over Anna's mouth to silence her.

Anna glanced at her door and noticed it was shut.

Kratos questioned, "You left, Anna?"

Anna squeaked and replied, "Sorry… I just wanted my bath and my bed."

Kratos glanced at her and questioned, "That was a foolish mistake?"

Anna sighed and replied, "You're right..."

Kratos glanced at Anna's new apparel in approval. He questioned, "You look better since you've bathed?"

Anna sheepishly replied, "I do feel a lot better... I stunk... I'm not sure how you put up with me?"

Kratos sneered and questioned, "We both stank together?"

Anna thoughtfully questioned, "How did you find me?"

Kratos replied, "That mouth of yours… You gave it away."

Anna sheepishly questioned, "You did force me to tell you everything?"

Kratos glanced at her and replied, "You cooperated with persuasion… I knew you would try to escape again?"

Anna defiantly questioned, "This bed is heaven? I'm not leaving it?"

Kratos thoughtfully questioned, "How about we make a deal?"

Anna frowned in horror and replied, "I'm not making any deals with you..."

Kratos chuckled to himself and questioned, "That's fine? But, there is something I wish to experiment with?"

Anna thoughtfully questioned, "What?"

Kratos found Anna's mouth and kissed her. This was a bit odd, because he hadn't kissed anyone in over four thousand years? He hated to admit she tasted like honey. She also made him tremble more than he had with Soleille? Dam her for that?

Anna had no choice but to accept the kiss... She thought he would be brutal with her? However, she could taste certain gentleness about him? That only confused her further?

After being kissed, Anna sheepishly questioned, "Why did you kiss me?"

Kratos breathlessly gazed at Anna in thought. He replied, "It was only fair since you disobeyed my orders."

Anna nervously questioned, "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Kratos sighed in frustration and replied, "I would if I could? But, you've grown to be too important to me. You're clueless about the dangers of being an Experimental Subject."

Anna gazed at him in defeat and questioned, "I don't care if I suffer the consequences anymore?"

Kratos gazed at her and replied, "Believe it or not, I care for your safety."

Anna thoughtfully questioned, "Why do you want to protect a common girl like me? You despise what I think anyway?"

Kratos sneered and replied, "You may be common. But, you put all the other women to shame. I'm a man after all?"

Anna angrily questioned, "Why is that all men think about?"

Kratos chucked and replied, "You belong to me… You'll put my curiosities to rest…"

In irritation, Anna questioned, "What if I fight you?"

Kratos sneered and replied, "You lost your war my Dear… You belong to me."

Anna sighed and questioned, "I'm not coming with you? I rather die?"

Kratos pulled out his sword. He pointed the blade at her neck. He sneered and replied, "That can be arranged…"

Anna defiantly gazed back and questioned, "Kill me you jerk? I knew you would?"

Kratos sighed and put his sword away. He replied, "You're so dam stubborn… It's know wander you survived?"

Anna was surprised he put his sword away. She thoughtfully questioned, "If I agree to go with you, what I'm I going to tell my family?"

Kratos was shocked she was finally agreeing? He smiled and replied, "So... You're actually agreeing? Tell them, you love them? That you're better off?"

Anna nodded and relied, "I see…"

Kratos sneered and questioned, "Anna... I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't care?"