Chapter 35: Supporting Friends' Love Lives

Rosela flew over the village to look for Ruby and Berries whom she spotted leaving the fairies Mura and Zaria's diner. The pxiie whistled to get their attention before she landed in front of them.

"Oh, good evening, Rosela," Ruby greeted.

"Come to have dinner?" Berries guessed.

"No, I came to share something...very interesting, but it's private," Rosela whispered before she stood behind them and led them away from the diner.

"What's private?" Ruby asked curiously.

"I...saw Toffee and Aurora dancing in the backyard last night," Rosela started.

"And that's something to talk about privately why?" Ruby queried with a raised eyebrow. "We've seen them dance before."

"Yes, but they weren't just...dancing."

Ruby blinked, feeling more curious while Berries strained her long ears, having a good inkling of what this was about, for she and Choco had seen Toffee and Aurora's very close bond during their Acirfan journey.

"They were kissing," Rosela quickly and quietly revealed.

Ruby was goggle-eyed, her mouth dropping in sheer shock whereas Berries felt a surge of excitement that tingled her from head to toe.

"They were what? Wait, are you sure that's what you saw?" Ruby checked. "Were you close enough to seem actually see them...doing that?"

"I'm pretty sure," Rosela confirmed. "And this morning, I saw them looking at each other happier than usual."

"Oh, well, isn't that a good thing?" Berries asked with a smile, making the girls look at her, Rosela the most surprised. "I mean, they do have a lot in common."

"Well, yeah, but I never thought a human and a monster would get that close," Ruby remarked.

"But should it be a crime? It's not like they're doing anything harmful, right?"

"Hmm, when you put it like that..."

"Wait...why do you not sound completely surprised about their relationship?" Rosela questioned Berries.

The pink hare twiddled her fingers, glancing away as she tried to explain. "Choco and I...have watched Toffee and Aurora during our quest for the Phoenix Blade...and they seemed very close then."

"You knew they were acting like that around each other?" Rosela asked with wide eyes. "Why didn't either of you ever tell us?"

"It wasn't our right to mention to anyone."

"So, then, obviously you two have been rooting for them since then, huh?" Ruby said with a grin.

"Yeah."

"So, you and Choco really don't see anything wrong with it?" Rosela asked.

"No... Do you?"

Rosela looked at the ground. "Well...I don't know what to call it. That's why I came to talk to you two about it. It's so new."

"Well, all sorts of new things have happened since Aurora showed up, and weren't they all good changes?"

"Yes."

"Then why should we be worried about Toffee and Aurora's newfound feelings for each other? Think about it: It's been a very long time since Toffee's been happy. Losing Master Serpent and forcing to chase Titan and take his place as Roca's leader has made him feel miserable. But ever since Aurora came along, he's finally been smiling again. So should we really stop them and make Toffee sad again?"

Ruby looked at the ground as she circled her left claw the dirt. "It is really good to see Toffee feeling happy again," the tiger confessed.

"And, Rosela, don't you want it to stay that way?" Berries asked, almost imploring the pixie to let it be. "Who are they hurting, really?"

"It's not that I'm worried that they might hurt others," Rosela corrected. "I'm worried that they might not be able to give each other everything they want. Like...children for instance. Aurora loves children from what I've learned...and how can she have any children with Toffee?"

That left Ruby and Berries stumped. How could they have children?

"If they can't have children of their own, they'd have regrets," Rosela added. "That's what I'm concerned about. If I knew without a doubt they could have kids, then I'd be all for it."

"Well, how do we know for sure they can't have children?" Berries queried. "Maybe their anatomies aren't completley different."

"And if they are?"

"Well, they can always adopt."

"Would that be good enough for them?"

"Why wouldn't it be? Master Serpent adopted Toffee and Master Era adopted Aurora. Their guardians loved them, so if Aurora and Toffee want children and if they can't have biological children, they can still adopt a child and still love it like it is their own. You don't need to relate to someone to love them."

"You know, Berries does have a point," Ruby agreed. "So, if that's the case, why don't we let them have their relationship and do what will make them happy?"

After a few minutes of walking on the beach and holding hand as they admired the stars and pink sea's waves, Toffee and Aurora put their socks and shoes on before they headed back home.

At the front door, Toffee grinned at Aurora as he pulled out a key.

"Would you like to open the door with your house key?"

Aurora knew instantly what he meant. "A spare key for me?" she asked, gladly accepting hte key before she unlocked the door herself.

"Yes, I finally had it made so you won't have to depend on me and my key."

"Thank you. This'll make things convenient."

"Of course," he nodded.

When they stepped inside, Toffee locked the door behind them before he looked at Aurora whose head was still wrapped in a bandage.

"If only her head wound was fully healed, then she wouldn't have to watch my sword instructions for her. But the fact is, it still needs a little more time to recover before she does anything serious."

Toffee shook away his slight distress before he grinned warmly at Auroa whose right cheek he stroked with the back of his left fingers. "We should probably call it a night."

Aurora smiled as she nodded. He gently held her chin before slowly bringing her face to his so he could kiss her for a long moment, Aurora returning it as she held his long face, her right hand slowly stroking his left cheek.

Toffee kept kissing as he gently touched her right hand that was still on his face. When they broke the kiss, they embraced each other tightly.

"Good night," he said softly before kissing the crown of her forehead.

"Good night," she replied, kissing his right jawline before going upstairs to get ready for bed, Toffee standing in the living room as he folded his arms, meditating on what the upcoming days would be like.

"Training for the mission will be a luxury compared to going on the mission to Aissur itself, no doubt..."

The next morning, after Toffee and Aurora had breakfast, they went to see Eru for him to change the bandages on Aurora's headwound.

Once they stepped in the City Hall's medicine room, Eru had Aurora sit on a round chair before he unwrapped the bandage off her.

"How is your head feeling this morning?" Eru asked as he kept unwrapping.

"It's actually feeling much better than the other day," Aurora happily informed. "though, Toffee and I think it's strange that it's feeling less sore already."

"Hmm, that does sound strange," Eru concurred thoughtfully before he got the old bandage off. He touched her head so he could use his magic powers to check how well her injury was healing since he was blind and couldn't see the wound itself.

He blinked in perplexity as he felt the spot on her head. "Something isn't right..." he murmured.

"What is it, Master Eru?" Toffee asked, concerned if she was actually feeling worse.

"Toffee...take a look at her head for me... Do you see a bump?"

Confused, Toffee looked for himself to see what Eru was talking about. His yellow eyes widened when he saw something very interesting.

"Aurora...would you feel your injury, please?" Toffee requested, sounding stunned to Aurora's notice before she reached for her sore spot.

When she touched the right side of her head, she was bewildered that she didn't feel the bump that she felt two days ago. "I don't feel the wound anywhere. It's gone."

"Well, that would explain why you feel so much better today," Eru asserted, a fascinated grin on his beak.

"But, how is this possible?" Toffee asked. "A bump like that shouldn't recover that fast."

"I believe I know," Eru proclaimed with a raised finger. "It must be her connection with the Phoenix Blade whose power can help her heal quicker than normal."

"Yes..." Toffee agreed softly, "After all, there's no other explanation."

Aurora was the most amazed as she kept touching her healed head. "Unbelievable..."

"Something like this can be very useful," Eru professed, patting Aurora's right shoulder. "However, we shouldn't be cocky about it. Sure, you can heal from wounds faster now, but you should still be careful. If you were...fatally wounded, not even your bond with the Phoenix can save you."

Aurora nodded solemnly, knowing Eru had a very good point. "This instant-healing shoudn't be taken for granted. I still must be on guard if...and when I face enemies."

She had a realization that made her smile. "Hey, Toffee, if my head is fully healed, then we don't have to wait to train with swords."

Toffee grinned at this good news. "Then, are you up for training now?"

"Sure am."

Toffee led an eager Aurora out of City Hall with Eru staying in the medicine room with a most satisfied grin. "Well, this certainly makes things easier for us. Hmm...I wonder what else her magical bond with the Phoenix can aid her with...?"

Toffee and Aurora headed straight for the dojo where they had a work-out room to themselves. Toffee demonstrated for Aurora by using a wooden sword against a wooden post that he pretended was an enemy.

When Aurora was sure she got it, Toffee let her have a wooden sword that she used to copy his moves on the wooden post.

Then, the two of them began sparring for several minutes. Aurora was memorizing the sword techniques just right...though her confidence on using a real sword was still taking its time building up.

Toffee could sense the fear in her eyes after they stopped to catch their breath. "I can tell you still detest the thought of wielding a blade."

Aurora flinched when he noticed her fear and she felt a bit ashamed about it... Toffee wasn't angry, for he understood her reluctance.

"It's okay," he comforted, making her look at him. "I know it's frightening to you. We still have plenty of time to train."

Aurora had half-expected him to say she can't let herself be afraid. He almost thought about saying that, but he felt reminding her of her duty would have made her feel pressured and he knew that that wouldn't raise her confidence.

"There is still time...and I can trust she'll find the courage to wield the sword physically when she doesn't have to use its magic," he thought without a doubt. "Shall we keep practicing?" he asked with a grin.

Aurora nodded calmly before they resumed training.

After a few more minutes of exercising, Toffee ended sword-training class for the day. He suggested she relax for a little while before going to practice magic with Eru before the reptilian leader made his way to City Hall to study more on Aissur.

Aurora walked around the village. Normally, she would walk through the town and greet the Rocans, but...

"Because I'm supposed to be the Phoenix Blade's bearer; I'm afraid of feeling the pressure of their expectations... Still, I want to fulfill their wishes."

She sighed as she put her hands behind her head, her eyes on the open blue sky. "Honestly, though I will do my very best for them all, I wish Toffee was the chosen one..."

Then her talk with Toffee in his backyard last night echoed in her mind: This is everyone's war, not a solo-mission for anyone.

"I believe that...but I still feel too shy to hear any more hootin' and hollerin'."

However, she was feeling a little bored so she tried searching for Rosela who Aurora knew was currently taking a break from flight-patrol.

To her surprise, she heard the voices of Berries and Ruby who were accompanied with Rosela herself.

"Hey, where were you off to?" Ruby asked with a smile.

"I was just trying to find something to do."

"Well, how about the four of us go to the beach since Toffee says it's safe to go there now," Berries suggested.

Aurora agreed, more than willing to visit the beach again. The girls made their way to the seaside where a few parents brought their children to play in the sand.

The four women were content at the kids' smiling faces. Because Titan was no longer an enemy of Roca, everyone could step out of the village to spend time on the beach.

"I haven't seen the children this happy in days," Berries commented.

"Yes, well, it's been a while since anyone's been allowed on the beach," Ruby put in. Looking at Aurora, Ruby added, "Thanks to a certain someone and her magic sword, now nobody has to worry about Titan."

Aurora accepted Ruby's gratitude, but she looked in the direction where she, Toffee, Verde and the others encountered Titan yesterday. "Maybe nobody has to worry about his wrath, but some of us are still worried for him..."

Her three friends knew what she meant and they agreed, for they, too, were concerned for Titan who was out there alone and dealing with many, many issues with himself.

"If only we could find him and bring him back," Rosela murmured, holding her arms as she also looked at the very spot where Aurora used her blade to dissipate the darkness from Titan. "But Master Eru says Titan just needs time to himself to forgive himself."

"Yes, but how much time will Titan take?" Aurora asked herself. The wind blew, making the girls close their eyes as they enjoyed the breeze in their hair. "I hope the air is as comforting wherever Titan's at."

Aurora took off her shoes and socks before she stepped knee-deep in the pink water. "You girls gonna try this? The water's great."

"We would, but Ruby and I would have to wash our fur afterwards," Berries informed reluctantly.

"Adn we have stuff we need to do, so we'd rather not have to shower during our schedule," Ruby added.

"I see," Aurora nodded before looking at Rosela. "What about you? You have no fur on your legs."

Rosela grinned before she walked into the water until the salmon sea was nearly at the top of her legs. The pixie closed her eyes as she savored the waves gently hitting her legs. "I've been missing doing this," she whispered just loud enough for only Aurora to hear.

"She must have come here before Titan threatened the village." Aurora remembered, learning that Rosela's dream is to freely fly the sky and come and go as she pleased. "It's not just her dream. The others all want to see the world without worrying about the human threat."

Aurora looked at the Sakura ocean's horizon, knowing there was a wondrous world that her friends haven't seen yet...

As Aurora kept staring at the sea, Rosela glanced at her, thinking a lot about the human red-head's feelings for Toffee... Rosela knew Ruby and Berries had insisted that they all should let the two of them work on their relationship on their own...but the pixie couldn't help wanting to talk about it with Aurora herself.

"Aurora..."

"Hmm?"

"Does Toffee mean that much to you?" Rosela asked quietly.

Aurora's eyes widened as she looked at Rosela in utter shock. Berries and Ruby were also astonished to hear Rosela ask her that question so suddenly.

"She...knows about Toffee and me?" "When did you find out?"

"The other night when I saw you dancing with Toffee in the backyard...and kissing him."

Aurora didn't know what to do or what to say. Toffee had said to her that they shouldn't reveal their love to their friends until they both could feel certain they all would be open-minded about it...

"...Before I answer your question, please answer this: What do you feel about it?" Aurora queried calmly.

Rosela looked at the horizon as she replied, "I still don't know how to feel about it. It's new..."

Aurora looked at Rosela for a moment before she moved her gaze to the horizon, too. "I know it's very unususal...but...I feel compatible with Toffee. Despite our species, he and I share the same hearts and ideals... And, even if others think we're crazy, I am not giving him up."

Rosela was a bit astounded at Aurora's gentle but firm words.

"I'm not making threats, Rosela," Aurora assured, keeping her eyes on the water. "I'm just saying how dear he is to me."

Berries and Ruby looked at each other, curious and a little concerned about what Rosela was going to do.

The pixie was silent for a suspenseful moment, then she closed her eyes as she smirked. "So you are that serious about him..."

"I'm sorry that we haven't said anything about it," Aurora said, "but Toffee was just worried of how you all would have reacted about us being a thing now... Although, our friend Undine from the oasis was supportive about it when she found out."

Rosela was surprised to hear that their mermaid friend learned about their feelings and that she was even for it...

Berries, wanting to let Aurora know Undine wasn't the only one encouraging this, she said clearly, "Well, I think you and Toffee deserve each other. You both go so well together."

"She's right," Ruby grinned kindly, "After all, you've made Toffee very happy and helped him recover from many heartaches. He definitely needs someone like you in his life." Ruby glanced at Rosela, the red-and-white tiger giving an expression that asked "Don't you think so, too?"

Rosela glanced at the sand as she thought, "Well...despite my concern of them probably not being able to have children...I would hate to bring up something that could ruin such a passionate relationship."

"Well...since you're obviously that serious about each other, then who am I to judge?" Rosela grinned.

Ruby and Berries quietly sighed in relief, Aurora smiling gratefully at her winged friend. "I sure appreciate that, and so will Toffee."

Later, Aurora bid farewell to the girls to meet up with Eru at City Hall to practice magic with the Phoenix Blade. She met up with him in the library before he led her to the City Hall's backyard that he converted into a training yard where there were targets for Aurora to hit with the sword's magic.

"Just concentrate your power like you did when you used it on Titan," Eru instructed, his left hand on her back. "Go on, dear, try it."

Aurora nodded before she focused her sword's power on the targets... At first, she was having a hard time summoning the same magic she used on Titan. All she could make was a very faint and tiny ball of light on the point of the blade, but it didn't shoot anything.

Eru knew this was difficult for her. He thought up of something that Aurora should try.

"Aurora, do you know what helped you help Titan? It was your heart's deepest wish to free him from the evil magic he cursed himself with... Insead of fully concentrating your mind on the Phoenix's ultimate power, why not put your heart in it?" he suggested gently.

Intrigued by Eru's theory, she tried it out as she concentrated her heart. "Just think about how much you want to help everybody," she chanted.

This time, a much bigger ball of light formed on the sword, making her smile triumphantly before she squeezed the hilt to trigger the magic and shoot at her first target.

"Aha!" Eru cheered, patting her back. "Now we are getting somewhere."

Aurora practiced with Eru for several mintues, Aurora able to easily summon big balls of light to hit her targets. When Eru could sense her exhaustion from using the Blade's power, he touched her right hand as he gently said, "That's enough for today."

Aurora glanced away, a bit reluctant to end magic-class already.

"I understand you want to keep perfecting your magic with your weapon," Eru sympathized with a smile, "But your body is still new to magic. Even though you can heal fast from physical wounds, you still need time to get used to magic. Overdoing it wouldn't be a good thing to do."

"Of course, Master Eru," Aurora nodded obediently. She sheathed her Phoenix Blade, saying bye to Eru as she left City Hall.

"I hate how slow I'm progressing with my magic...but what did I epect? I come from a non-magical world, so it's hard for me to use it at the moment."

When Aurora came ot the orchard, she saw Choco planting familair seeds. "Oh, yeah, the pomolo seeds!" she realized.

Choco also noticed Aurora whom he smiled and waved at. "Hey, Aurora. Come here."

Aurora acknowledged, standing beside him. "I see you're sowing the seeds from Acirfa."

"Yeah, and we're still keepin' it a surprise just until the pomolo trees grow. Won't they be excited to eat pomolo fruit?"

Aurora was still fascinated by the fact that Magicianian trees grow fully in just three months instead of years. "The impossible is possible in this magical world..."

Thinking about magic was making her feel left out. Her friends were all naturals and she, a foreigner, was just starting to get it. "But I shouldn't be so jealous," she told herself calmly. "Besides, there's still time to keep training."

Choco glanced at Aurora, a grin growing on his face when he thought about what Berries told him earlier. "Hey."

"Yes?"

"Berries told me about the talk you and the girls had on the beach."

Aurora was taken aback. "She told you...all about our conversation?"

"Yeah, about you and Toff."

"And you don't think it's a bad idea?" Aurora queried, surprised he wasn't looking upset.

"Not at all. In fact, Berries and I have been rooting for you two for a while."

"A while?" she echoed, "Was it that obvious?"

"Oh, yeah," Choco answered unhesitantly, "but it was only Berries and me that noticed."

Aurora grinned. "Well, I'm glad you and the girls are taking it so well."

"Well, why wouldn't we?" he smirked, his hands behind his head.

Aurora left Choco with his gardening to go on her way back to Toffee's house where she sat in the backyard, sitting on the patio sofa as she looked at the sky.

"Ugh, I'm so bored..." An idea came to her. She pulled out her whip so she could practice with it. She remembered Toffee's advice on how to use the whip to warn her adversaries before haivng to use it to hurt their feet to give her a chance to escape from them.

She also remembered that this whip is magical. "I'd like to learn to use its power to my advantage, but I'm still getting used to magic, so I better wait until I try it."

She started practicing using the whip to grab her metal staff off the patio table multiple times. When she looked at her staff in her right hand, she thought, "I'd better make sure I keep my skill with the staff sharp."

She put her whip back in her room and headed for the dojo to train with her staff. "At least I don't have to worry about practicing magic with the staff. Training magic with the Phoenix Blade and whip gives me enough to do."

When she was beginning to drench in sweat, she called it a day and sheathed her staff, then she went back to Toffee's to shower. Afterwards, she went downstairs to prepare dinner for her and Toffee.

In the middle of her cooking, she heard the front door opening which announced Toffee's arrival. Aurora grinned happily as her lizard love entered the kitchen with his jacket hanging on his left arm.

"Hello," he greeted with a warm smile as he hanged his jacket on the coat rack.

"Hello to you, too," she smiled back as he walked up to her to kiss her.

Looking at her damp hair in a big black hairclip, he stated, "Obviously, you washed your hair already."

"Yes, just wanted to clean myself up before starting dinner."

With Toffee's assistance, Aurora finished making supper. When they both sat down to eat, she thought of how to tell Toffee that Choco and the girls already learned of their love.

She improvised as she held her glass of water with both hands. "Toffee, do you remember when you said we should keep our relationship a secret? Well, guess what: Now, try not to panic but Rosela found out."

"She what?" Toffee asked, totally and utterly shocked.

"She saw us dancing and kissing the other night, and...she sort of had to talk about it with Ruby and Berries."

"Wait, what do you mean she had to talk to them about it?" he asked, not sure whether to be concerned.

"Well, she was just...confused about us and she wanted to discuss it with someone. Berries and Ruby think there's nothing wrong with us loving each other, so Rosela isn't against it, either."

Toffee was amazed and very relieved that the girls weren't judgmental about their relationship.

"I should also mention that Choco and Berries found out when we were traveling through Acirfa and they've been rooting for us ever since."

"You don't say."

"I do say," Aurora grinned from ear to ear.

Toffee glanced away for a second before he asked carefully, "And will they tell everyone else?"

"No, they're letting that be our decision."

"Good. While I appreciate that four of our friends are acceptive of it, I suggest we wait until the rest of our friends know about us." "Because we're all very busy with our upcoming missioin to Aissur, I'd rather we not have to worry the others in case they...disapprove."

"Understood."

When they washed the dishes, Toffee and Aurora voted to stroll on the beach, the sunset looking gorgeous, the breeze refreshing to them both.

"Everyone's been very happy that they can come to the beach again," Aurora happily informed, holding Toffee's left hand as they walked and admired the view.

Toffee nodded. "It's been so long since they've been allowed out here... They hate being trapped," he said, a hint of mournfulness in his deep voice.

Aurora understood what he was talking about: He and his people have been living in hiding of humans...and just recently the Rocans have also been living in fear of Titan who had gone rogue until yesterday.

"Having Titan see the true way has brought heavy weights off their shoulders... But there are still heavy weights that need lifting and soon. It'd be a bit easier if Titan was here, as powerful and skilled as he is..."

Toffee could see the thoughtful look on her face. "What are you thinking about?"

Not wanting to depress her love about his beloved foster brother's absence, she tried to twist her words. "I wish...everything would be easier."

Toffee grinned tenderly as he reached his right hand to move her face in his direction. "We have all the help we need," he assured, stroking the back of his right hand on her left cheek. "So don't overthink it."

Aurora smiled as she nodded. Wanting to feel the coral-colored ocean on her legs, she gently released Toffee's hand before she removed her shoes and socks and stepped in the water, loving the sea's touch and the wind in her hair.

Toffee grinned, thinking how the ocean sunset suited her. The sight of her made him stand behind her to hold her hair in his left hand, soaking in her locks' texture.

Aurora smiled at Toffee behind her, Toffee smiling back as he let her hair slowly fall from his fingers. She reached her right hand to gently hold his tie to bring his head down to her level to kiss him, Toffee returning the kiss for several seconds before they looked at each other with loving half-closed eyes.

To her complete surprise, Toffee picked Aurora up bridal style, the astonishment making her put her left arm around his neck. Before she could ask him what he was doing, he kissed her again very deeply.

Aurora gladly did the same as she stroked her left hand from his hair to the right side of his face many times.

Far, far away from Roca, Amthor, a man with piercing red eyes was sitting in a dark room, squeezing his hands as hateful thoughts kept repeating themselves in his mind.

"That insolent cloaked nuisance!" he hissed in his head, his face twisting in fury. "How dare he knock me out! I swear, if I ever find out who he is, I'll pay him back tenfold!"

Then he started to think about that red-haired girl whom he came across at the car dealership, the thought of her beauty making him grin.

"I hate that she punched me and stole my whip...but still, she's a prize worthy of a..."

Then he felt a vibration in his right pocket which made him growl as he pulled out his moon-shaped cell phone. "What now?"

"Sire, it's been days since you've locked yourself in your chambers and important businessmen have been requesting an audience with you ever since and they just said they're going to take their business somewhere else because they're tired of waiting."

The red-eyed man sighed in aggravation. "Fine, I'll speak to them first thing tomorrow."

When the call was over, the guy stepped on his balcony, putting his hands on the railing. "Because of him, I haven't been able to work or even eat and sleep...but I've got to push it aside for now. But I swear, one day I will find him and make him wish he had never met me!"

Grinning in lust, he leaned his folded arms on the railing. "And as for her, I believe we shall...kiss and make up."

So, you guys remember the name of the red-eyed guy and can you guess without reading Chapter Blood Red Eye? Anywho, sorry for taking so long. I think on the next chapter, I'm gonna make things exciting. ;) So stay tuned~. Until then, God Jehovah bless.