Authors Note:

*We both watch as Iggy runs down the hall and into the kitchen, my sisters chasing him*
Iggy: Not Again!!!
*We both roll our eyes and shake our heads, sighing*
Miz636: Ugh, he's at it again.
Me: I know. It's so sad.
Miz636: Very. There's a reason I barely help him now.
Me: I know . . . Hey! Do you know the number of times he's gone into there to try and get the Blufadoodle and the number of times he's come out running?
Miz636: *thinks for a moment before nodding* Yeah, I do. Even better, I remember the number of times he's come out running AND screaming, which is almost as many times as he's gone in there. Why do you need to know, though?
Me: Oh, I just have an idea. Can you tell me the numbers?
Miz636: Sure.
*We both start to write on a piece of paper*

Chapter -:Twenty One:-

The Future Is Not Set In Stone
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I was suddenly crushed, enveloped in a tight embrace. I laughed shakily, smiling slightly despite my abhorrence towards admitting what I had known myself so long.

"Do you know how long I've waited to hear you say that?" Fang asked breathlessly, holding me impossibly closer still to his body. I found that I liked the proximity . . . the feeling of safety that I came across every time he touched me.

"Too long"? I guessed, noting that this was a very familiar conversation, although the tables had been turned greatly. We were under entirely different circumstances, ones that would rival the plight of the previous. In my dream I had felt ravaged, torn and exposed. All I could sense now was a warm sensation trickling all over me, forcing my every nerve to come alive in an aptitude of spontaneous combustion.

"Exactly." He laughed shakily, just as I had before.

"I-" I started to apologize, until I realized that if I did I would just be following even more closely the context of my dream. This was reality though, and for that purpose I decided to evade the words of my delusions at all costs.

"What?" he asked, pulling back so he could see my face.

"Oh nothing . . . it was just a stray thought. I was thinking out loud really," I lied, trying to cover up my mishap.

"You might want to watch what you say . . . unless of course it's something along the lines of, 'Fang I love you so much' or 'Fang you're the most amazing person in the world,' you can even go for 'Fang you're the hottest guy on the planet'. Better yet, you can even venture to say 'Fang you're the best thing that's ever happened to me'," he joked.

"My, my, my . . . a bit full of ourselves aren't we, Fnick?" I grinned wickedly.

He turned serious then, his piercing dark eyes glaring into mine with such force I almost cringed. He leaned closer and pressed his lips to mine softly at first, but with more pressure as I responded by wrapping my arms around his neck. The kiss went from sweet . . . to hungry in a matter of seconds.

When we finally pulled apart he said in a ragged voice, "I may be a bit cocky, but Max . . . you're all those things and more to me. You're amazing, and beautiful, and powerful. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and that's why I love you . . . I love you this much," he said holding his arms out as wide as he could. I bit my lip, trying to hold back my laughter as I playfully swatted at his shoulder. How dare he bring up that idiotic Valium incident, in which I had proclaimed my love to him through my drug induced, hazy mind set! It wasn't fair in the least! I had had no control over what I had been saying . . . but wasn't it assumed that when drunk, you speak more of the truth then when not? Maybe it was possible that deep down I knew I loved Fang, even then. I just hadn't wanted to admit it to myself, thinking it would be easier to convince myself that any feelings I had towards him were nothing but of mutual sibling love.

I can safely laugh at my own ignorance now, when I am so blissfully content with the world. If I had it my way, I would freeze this moment in time and stay here forever. That was, of course, not an option I was granted.

The Black Lake, at that instant, decided to begin bubbling. The water surged upwards, morphing into some unidentifiable shape as it went. Fang and I turned at the same time, staring in puzzlement. After a few seconds there was a face visible in the folds of spray.

"What the-!" I exclaimed, taking a step back.

The face's mouth opened and spurted liquid, before a voice came out in a gurgling tone. It said, "Hey Max!"

"Nudge?" I asked incredulously, moving closer cautiously.

"Yup, it's me! Isn't this so cool? Winnie showed it to me just now. It's a way to share information with other people over a distance. As long as they're beside some form of large enough water, you can project your image through the particles in the air, so that they can talk to you. Of course, it can only be done by a person with an affinity for Water. I guess we're just super talented like that! Not to sound rude or anything, but I seriously think Water is the best. It's just so-" Her speech ceased, and her gaze became unfocused. I had a feeling she was getting scolded by someone on the other side.

"Apparently I talk far too much and need to learn when to shut my mouth. Therefore I am here to relay a message from Evander . . . What!? I had to do it . . . ! Anyway, he says that you really need to get up here."

I sighed and said, "Fine, I'll be right there."

"Okay, see you when you get up here, which shouldn't take that long considering all you have to do is walk up to the castle and come to the Hospital Wing. Wow, think about how many times we've been in here! I mean, I think, I'm pretty sure you've been here the most out of all of us, but there was that one time after the fight with Max II's Flyboy slash Eraser army. Man that sucked, especially when we thought that Iggy was dead! That was so scary, and I was like crying so hard, and then you freaked out on Dumbledore and Fang, even though they both totally deserved it, and-" she was cut off once more.

Fang and I shared an exaggerated look as we heard Nudge sigh and mutter, "Fine, God! See you soon Max . . . Fang."

The water began to swirl, foaming so that Nudge's face was no longer visible. The liquid splashed back into the base of the lake and the water slowly calmed itself until it had returned to normal once more.

"We better go," I said softly, avoiding Fang's gaze. With the not so subtle reminder of my connection with Blaze, any previous warm and fuzzy feelings I had towards Fang just then had depleted. Thanks to Nudge, our moment had been effectively ruined.

Out of my peripheral vision I saw him nod. He took my hand in his own and I could feel the rough, callused skin. He squeezed my hand tightly, an unspoken message passing between us. Everything's going to be okay, he said. I nodded my head and smiled up at him to show that I wasn't afraid or nervous. He knew me too well though, and he could see the turmoil roiling within me in my eyes. I smiled then impishly at him, but his expression didn't change.

It was time to go and meet my fate head on.

A hop, a skip, and a jump (plus the trip up to the Hospital Wing) later . . .

I sucked in a breath when I saw Blaze just lying there, eyes closed. His chest barely moved at all, and at first I thought he was dead. His skin was so pale, glistening from his previous sweating, yet he was wrapped up tightly in thermal blankets. He looked so peaceful, and my heart constricted at the sight.

"He should be waking up soon," Echo whispered to me when Fang and I walked in, hand in hand. This sight seemed to unnerve the original Elfen Comanderiaid for some reason.

"Thank you," I murmured softly, hurrying over to take the seat beside Blaze's bed.

After that there was silence. I didn't pay any attention to anyone but Blaze. I stared at his face, memorizing every line and contour. It fascinated me, the way his eyelashes were so long that they cast elongated shadows across his prominent cheek bones.

"Blaze will surely awake at any moment, and for that reason I suggest the rest of us leave Max and him to themselves," Arianna said softly.

Her words were addressed to everyone, but even I could see who they were really directed at, and what they really implied. She was speaking to Fang, saying that just in case, he didn't need to be there when Blaze woke up.

I felt his gaze, sweltering despite the coolness of the room. I raised my head until our eyes met. I could see by the slight raise of his eyebrow and the way his head was somewhat cocked to the side he was asking me a question. He wanted to know if I wished for him to go. With a grim expression I looked up at the ceiling then down at the floor. His face went blank and he turned away quickly. In the end he was the first one out the door.

"And then there were two," a raspy voice said from the bed at my side.

I gasped and swung my head around so quickly I probably gave myself whiplash.

"You're awake!" I exclaimed, gaping at him as he smirked hazily up at me.

"Thanks for the information, I hadn't really noticed," he said sarcastically after clearing his throat loudly.

"Here drink so water," I ordered, handing over the glass sitting on the bedside table. A little bit of it trickled down the glass and onto my hand. It was then that I realized I was shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey, hey," he murmured softly, putting his hand around mine so that the glass was steady.

"I'm sorry," I muttered and extracted myself from his grip. My face was heated as I glared down at my hands in my lap.

We sat in silence for a moment. I could feel Blaze going very still beside me. I couldn't see him at all and I couldn't hear his breathing either . . . yet somehow I knew he was there all the same. I could sense it. There was a part inside of me that recognized he was near. After a few more minutes of this I couldn't stand the silence any longer.

"What happened back there?" I asked quietly.

"They didn't tell you anything at all?" Blaze inquired incredulously.

"They . . . they told me about the whole . . . soul thing."

"And . . . what was your reaction?"

"I've been in a bit of a daze since then, you'll have to ask me about my feelings later when I know them myself."

"Then what were you referring to before?"

"Your . . . reaction. I mean is it that upsetting? Am I really so bitter that you pass out from some unknown ailment when you realize you're tied to me in a way that you can never be attached to anyone else? Does the idea repulse you that much?" I questioned, my voice rising a few octaves as I continued.

Blaze's face transformed into a mask of confusion, as I stood there before him, my breathing ragged. I hadn't even noticed myself jumping to my feet, yet I had unconsciously done so anyway.

My words had to sink in for a moment, but then he finally understood what I had said. With a scoff he swung his legs over the side of the bed and began to stand. I rushed to his side and tried to push him back down. He had to still be weak from fainting, but he just brushed aside my hands. It didn't appear to take much effort for him, so I reluctantly abandoned my labors and took a step back.

"You have got to be kidding me!" he exclaimed accusingly.

"What?"

"You seriously think I was upset because I didn't want to be connected to you!?"

"Well it would explain your reaction!" I replied heatedly.

"Max," Blaze said, gripping my shoulders. "You are incredibly stupid if you think finding out my soul mate is the most amazing girl I've ever met in my entire existence is cause for worry!"

"Wha- . . . what?" I gaped at him.

"I have been alive a very long time. In my free time between coaching the Fire wielding member of the Elfen Comanderiaid and the next, I have searched the ends of the earth for the one person I will always be with. You can't even begin to imagine how long I have yearned to be rid of this aching . . . loneliness that has been pitted deep within me. Now, eras later, I have finally found that person . . . and the shock really hit me hard," Blaze explained solemnly.

"But . . . but Echo told me that- He said that the spell had been changed. He said the gods altered it, and so that maybe we won't be damned to spend eternity with each other. He said it was a possibility that we will only turn out to be the best of friends," I stuttered slightly.

Blaze looked like he had been slapped, but he quickly composed himself.

"Is that what you want?"

"What do you mean is that what I want? Isn't that what you want?" I asked in bewilderment.

"No that's not what I want! I've been alone for far too long . . . I thought my punishment ended at being forever alive, but obviously it was not enough," and he turned towards the ceiling then and in a quivering voice said, "Thank you, Gwythry! Not only do I have live forever, but I am forced to be in love with a girl whom belongs to another."

"Blaze, please-" I begged.

His eyes turned soft then, and he gently caressed my cheek. Without hesitation I lay my own palm across his, holding it in place. It was by instinct almost, that I had moved.

"Don't fret, darling. Whatever happens, this isn't your fault," he whispered tenderly, his fingers tracing the lines around my hips. He seemed to know exactly where they were. I could tell because they still faintly burned.

"Yes it will be . . . because whatever I do, someone will be hurt."

"Don't worry about it so much now. We haven't even been together a day, and you're already expecting the worst. You never know, I just might decide you repulse me to no end . . . though I doubt anyone can hate a creature so beautiful and enticing."

I blushed at his compliment, though carefully taking note of his words.

With a sigh I said, "I suppose you're correct, but don't let that go to your head. You're arrogant enough as it is. Besides, with your bloated ego there may not be any room for me. Then all our problems would be solved."

He smiled, though I could read the hurt in his eyes. No matter what I did, my words would always end up stinging him. It made me frown profusely.

"What's wrong, my adenydd?

"I'm hurting you already . . . and we've barely just begun."

Blaze pressed his forehead to mine, staring intensely into my eyes. "You can hurt me all you want, my adenydd, but I will keep coming back. It doesn't matter to me. I will fight for you until you make your choice

"Don't say tha- . . . Wait . . . what did you just call me?"

"My adenydd . . . my wings," he murmured softly, pressing his lips to my cheek.

At those words, those simple, pointless words, my knees grew weak so much that I had to collapse onto Blaze for support.

"Are you okay?" he asked in concern, holding me tightly to him.

"I'm sorry . . . I'm fine."

"Tell me something, Max, and promise me you'll tell the truth no matter what that is," he ordered sternly, and I was helpless but to nod.

"Do you feel what I feel? Can you identify the emotions that are running like a current inside you? I know they're there. I can . . . I can sense it. We are connected, there is no changing that. You want to dismiss this as a petty friendship, but it isn't! It's far too late for that. My adenydd, I love you . . . and I know you love me; so why not let it be what it is? Why not let fate take control? This is the nature of things Max, the proper order in which we should exist. Why argue with your destiny? Why not accept it with grace?"

His words sparked a fire inside of me, one that had nothing to do with my command over the element Fire. No, this was a raw, untouched and untainted fury. Only one image . . . one person to be more specific, came to mind when he asked me all those aimless questions.

"If there's one thing I've learned in the past few years, along with my being a psychic, it is this; you're future is not set in stone. There is an unlimited amount of possibilities to change what you previously though inevitable. Let me tell you now Blaze, there isn't a doubt within in me that I cannot change my so called 'destiny'. Now you might be asking me why it would even matter anyway. You might wonder what reason there is for me to resist the pull I feel towards you, which I do have I can admit as much. I'll give you one word . . . Fang."

It appeared that in some odd, twisted way, my dream from the previous night was coming true, but at different intervals. I worried then, that my vaguer, more humorous dreams could somehow be interpreted as the future . . . Then I asked myself just one question . . . Was I safe nowhere, from my visions?

Authors Note: Yeah, you guys didn't do so hot with the fifteen reviews. You can thank Miz636 for me updating even though you only got twelve. I made her review every chapter she hadn't already (hehe) so it brought the number up. We'll stick with TWELVE this time!

Me: It's done!
Iggy: *walks into the room* What's done?
Miz636: Oh, just a counter.
Iggy: A counter of what?
Me: The number of times you've tried to get the Blufadoodle and some information on how you come out of the room.
Iggy: Oh?
Both: Yup.
Me: Here, we'll tell you it.
Number of times Iggy's gone into the room: 78
Number of times he's come running out of the room basically silent: 8
Number of times he's come running out of the room screaming: 70
Miz636: I'm amazed you've survived so long Iggy.
Me: Yeah. 78 times in that room of torture!
Iggy: It's been close many times . . . Hang on! What do you mean comes out running and screaming?! I don't scream!
Me: Sure . . .