"We need to find out who did this!" Ryka yelled, frustrated. "There's nothing we can do about Ryka. Just let it drop." Sanchez stated calmly. The elf glanced at the other council members. They all nodded in agreement with Sanchez. "This is what I hate the most about you guys. You give up too easily!" Ryka shouted. She then walked out of the room. She found herself outside where the blood had stained the grass. The blood looked black in the moonlight.

"Why was Sanchez late in arriving?" Ryka thought outloud. *Was he the one who killed her?* she questioned, *but why?* "Ryka?" a voice called from behind. She turned around and saw Viktor walking toward her. "You've been really jumpy lately." stated the bear man. "Viktor... I'm gonna found out who did this. I believe that I already know, but I need to find out for sure." the female elf said. Viktor sighed, but said nothing. Then, without a word, they both headed back inside.

Ryka parted with Viktor and walked slowly down the hallway. She opened the door to her room, and stepped inside. She was so deep in thoght that she didn't that her window was open. As Ryka sat down on her bed, she heard a twig snap outside. The elf got up and peered out her window. Outside was a shadow, it looked down at the snapped piece of wood, then up, directly at Ryka. Thinking fast, the elf grabbed her bow and an arrow. She shot the arrow at the shadow, but the figure moved out of the way. Ryka jumped out her window, and landed on her knee. Quickly, she stood up, only to be knocked down by the shadow. Then the shadow, pinned her down.The female elf tired to push the figure off of her, but they proved much too strong.

"Hello, Ryka. It's been a long time..." the shadow greeted her. "!!" Ryka gasped, but no words came out. "I could've swore that you were much strong... all those years ago. How long has it been now? Nine years? ...Yes...that's about right." the shadow said. "R-Rubi?!" Ryka finally spoke. "Glad you remember." the shadow stated. He stood up and helped Ryka to her feet.

"Why are you here!?" Ryka hissed. "Well, you don't seem to happy to see me. All those rumors must've been lies then." the shadow, Rubi mused. "What rumors?" the female elf questioned. "The rumors that a female had been searching or me. The humans described her as having dark green hair, violet eyes, pale skin...and other things." Rubi answered, "The only person who fit their description was you. Why were you looking for me anyway?"

Ryka stared at the ground. Rubi was there, right in front of her. If she was going to tell Rubi why she had been looking for him, then she would end telling him everything else, too. The only reason why she had been searching for him was just to see him again. After he left, Ryka felt empty inside. She loved him, but she couldn't tell him that. If she did, then...

Ryka's thoughts were interrupted. "Ryka? ...Ryka? You okay?" the male elf questioned, shaking Ryka gently. She glanced up suddenly, realizing where she was. "Huh? Wha?" she asked. "You okay? You just kind of went off into another world or something." Rubi said, looking Ryka straight in the eyes. She could feel them pierce into her heart. If she didn't turn away then everything would come out. She turned away from Rubi, so that her back faced him and answered, "I'm fine..." "So why were you looking me?" Rubi questioned. "Well... that's a long story." Ryka replied trying to think up something that sounded realistic. "Well, I don't wanna be seen here, so why don't we go somewhere and talk?" Rubi suggested. Ryka nodded in agreement, her back still facing Rubi. "Hold on... let me write a note." the female elf said, then climbed up to her window and slid in.

Several moments later, Ryka finally came back out to where Rubi waited patiently. Rubi then beagn to lead the way. Ryka followed the male elf into the forest, through thick clumps of trees and bushes, and down the winding paths of the forest. Finally, they arrived at the entrance to a cave. Ryka began to think about her dream from that morning. Is was awfully similar to what was going on now.

"Uh... Rubi?" Ryka questioned quietly. "Nani?" the male turned around and looked at her. "How much further do we have to go?" the female asked, trying not to sound rude. "Just a little ways into the cave. There's a cabin there. We can talk there." Rubi answered. Ryka felt the blood drain from her face. "A cabin?" she repeated weakly. Rubi studied her face. "Is there something wrong?" he questioned. "...I think that maybe we should talk some other time..." Ryka said nervously, while taking a couple steps back. As soon as she had turned her back to run, she felt a hand grip her wrist. She looked back at Rubi. His eye was closed. He pulled Ryka toward him, and held her there. "R-Rubi!" Ryka gasped, "What are you doing?!" "Something I should've done nine years ago." the male elf repiled calmly. Ryka tired to push away, but failed. Rubi began to drag her into the depths of the cave.

"Rubi, please stop!!" Ryka pleaded. She could fell tears begin to burn her eyes. "I would... believe me. But I can't." Rubi stated. His voice seemed so soothing that Ryka almost stopped struggling. They reached the wooden cabin in no time at all. The male elf threw Ryka inside and locked the door. Ryka stood up and looked about for a window. None. The only way out was the locked door, and Rubi blocked it.

"Ryka...please listen." Rubi commanded, but the female elf was too busy trying to get past him. He was the only thing between her and the door. *I'll kick it down if I have to! I just have to get outta here before something bad happens.* Ryka thought, furiously trying to push past Rubi. Suddenly, Ryka felt strong arms wrap around her. Next thing she knew, her face was buried in Rubi's chest. She could feel her face wet with tears, and she feel Rubi's hand stroke her hair. "Ryka... it's okay..." Rubi tried to calm his elfen friend down. *What happened?* Ryka thought as she cried.

"Ryka, please don't cry. I know I must have scared you before, but I'm sorry." Rubi apoligized. Ryka stopped sobbing and cried silently. "Rubi... I..." Ryka began. Rubi gently lifted her face up with his hand, and kissed her. Ryka stared at him. *Is he in love with me?!* she thought. When Rubi pulled away from her, he hugged her tightly. "Rubi?" the female elf questioned, confused by what had been going on before to what was happening now. "It's only been nine years... It seemed so much longer than that. It seemed like infinity to me." Rubi said, mostly to himself.

"..." Ryka couldn't find her voice. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Rubi had always been so quiet, so uncaring... so lonely. "Ryka... please don't go. Don't leave." Rubi begged. "I won't leave. I... I promise." Ryka vowed. Rubi let his arms slide down to his sides. Then, without warning, he picked up Ryka and carried her to a bed. He placed her down and threw a blanket over her. Rubi then left. He unlocked the door and walked out.

Too exhausted to move, Ryka laid there. She tired to put together everything that had happened. Rubi had dragged her here, and had tired to push past him, and then she began to cry, and Rubi had kissed her... It was all so confusing. After countless minutes, which seemed like hours to Ryka, she fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke, Ryka felt pain shoot through her head. Everything from the night before seemed like a dream. Ryka opened her purple eyes and blinked. It wasn't a dream. Everything, the fighting, crying, confessing, and the kiss, had been real.

Ryka looked about the cabin. A wooden table, two wooden chairs, and several cabinets filled a third of the small house. Then there was the bed and a nightstand. The rest of the cabin was filled by a living area. There was a stone fireplace, a rug, Rubi sleeping on the floor, blankets to keep him warm, a small table of oak, and- *Rubi sleeping on the floor!?* Ryka stood up and tiptoed over to where Rubi laid. She kneeled down next to him. Some of his light green hair had fallen infront of face. Ryka hesitantly moved one hand toward his face. She gently brushed the few strands of lose hair from his pale face. When Ryka began to pull back, a hand grabbed her wrist and flung her down. She hit the floor with a thud. When she looked to see what had happened, an angry Rubi was above her. His face immediately turned into a look of concern.

"Ryka! I'm so sorry! I... I didn't think that it was you..." Rubi began to explain. Ryka could barely unerstand what he was saying. Her head began to throb. "Ryka? Ryka!" Rubi yelled. Ryka only heard those last words from Rubi brfore passing out.