Chapter 23
The Dojo - the next morning
Dani managed to block the blows that Duncan was raining down on her, they had been working out for nearly an hour, Dani was finding it a struggle to keep her mind focused on Duncan, images of blood, torn flesh and bodies laying in mud flashed into her mind, Duncan's sword made it through Dani's defence catching her on the arm, she stumbled backwards, her eyes trying to focus on Duncan "Are you all right?" Duncan asked as he went to her side "I'm fine.just lost my concentration for a moment" Duncan took her hand away from the wound he had just inflicted on her, it wasn't bad and was already healing. "Your not still troubled with that headache.are you?" Dani smiled at him "No.I'm fine.just not as fit as I though I was" Duncan heard her words but somehow he knew that she wasn't telling him the truth.
After the training session Dani and Duncan returned to the loft. Duncan went to the refrigerator taking out a jug of orange juice, he poured two glasses handing one to Dani. "Have I improved?" she asked. He smiled at her "A little but you have to remember you'll be facing people.who have been living by the sword for centuries."
"I think you've made that point earlier" Dani said finishing her drink "Duncan.I need to get some more of my things from my apartment and before you say it I want to do this on my own"
Duncan shook his head "Do you still not get it, you're not ready to go alone"
Dani walked over to him, put her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes "I do understand but I have to live my life Duncan" as he went to speak, Dani put a finger to his lips "As we agreed you're my teacher only when we are in the Dojo, here it's different" Duncan could see that there was no way he would change her mind "OK, but come straight back here.no detours.I've got some errands to run myself I'll see you here later, if your not here.when I get back.I'll come and find you"
"All right.I'll have a quick shower before I go."
Duncan watched her disappear into the bathroom 'come on Joe call' he thought looking over at the phone. Dani closed the bathroom door and crumpled to the ground holding her head. She didn't come out until Duncan had left.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Sometime later
Dani opened the door to the loft she knew that Duncan was there as she had sensed him. As she walked in she could see Duncan sat on the sofa with a couple of bags on the floor in front of him. "You going somewhere?" she asked.
"I thought we would take a little trip," he said standing up. "Where are we going?"
Duncan picked up the bags and motioned her back towards the door "Just a little place I know where I don't have to worry when you're out of my sight". "But what about the Dojo?"
"Richie will keep an eye on the Dojo.so no problem" he said as he shooed her out the door.
Duncan guided her to the TBird putting the bags in the back he said "Get in" Dani found herself doing just that, as there seemed no point in arguing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- River's edge some hours later
Duncan pulled the TBird into the clearing beside the highway, there was a small boat moored at the waters edge "Are you going to tell me where we're going" Dani asked. "Nope" was Duncan's only reply as he took the bags towards the small boat. Dani stood by the TBird watching him "Well, come on" he said gesturing for her to join him, "You didn't say anything about getting in a boat" Duncan walked back up the bank to where Dani was standing. "Your not frightened of boats are you?" he could see that she had a tight grip on the door handle, he managed prise her hands away from the handle "No.I'm not frightened of boats.just the water.I can't swim". Duncan smiled at her "It's perfectly safe.I've been coming here for years and I've never lost anyone yet"
Taking hold of her hands Duncan started to walk her towards the boat. "I'll hold the boat while you get in.I won't let go until your settled.OK?" Dani tentatively stepped into the boat and sat down, Duncan could see that she was nervous "OK, the boat will rock just a little as I get in" she nodded but held tightly onto the sides of the boat.
Duncan settled himself down and began to paddle "You know that the water can't harm you. you're Immortal remember?"
"I've had many years of being frightened.and only a few days being Immortal so forgive me if it takes a while to get used to it." They had been travelling for sometime when Duncan looked over his shoulder and noticed that Dani had finally left go of the sides of the boat. Her eyes seem to sparkle with wonderment as she gazed at her surroundings. 'Wow.it's beautiful here' she thought. Having lived only within the city she had never seen so much open space, Dani signed "It's so beautiful here.so quiet" Duncan looked back at Dani raising his eyebrows he said "The best is yet to come".
As the boat rounded the bend in the river Dani got her first glimpse of the island "Is that where we're going?" Duncan could see the sparkle in her eyes "It's amazing". Duncan paddled the boat to the shore and helped Dani get out. "Is this yours?"
"Yeah, a little old perhaps but it's all mine" Duncan said getting the bags from the boat; he followed Dani up to the cabin. "So who built it?" Dani said as Duncan opened the door "I did with a little help from a friend"
"So why bring me all this way?" Dani said as she watched Duncan unlocked the cabin "This is one place I won't have to worry if you wander off" he put the bags down and turned to her "So what do you think of the place?"
Dani looked around just like the loft it was tastefully furnished but with a rustic charm "Not bad.for an old man" Duncan when to tickle her but she moved quickly out of his reach "All right.it's very beautiful but why here?" Duncan walked over to her and put his arms around her waist "Because this is Holy ground.no Immortal can fight here.We can relax and just be us" he planted a kiss on her nose, which she wrinkled "And now you know I can't swim I'm trapped here.So now you have me trapped on your island.what are you going to do with me?" she smiled up at him. Duncan's face broke into a broad grin "Well, I could give you the guided tour"
"And where would we start" Dani asked. Duncan kissed her lightly on the lips and with his hands still around her waist he walked backwards into the cabin "Well.I always think that the bedroom is a good place to start".
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It was just getting light when Dani awoke, she turned over and could just see Duncan's face in the dim light which was just coming through the window, she could see that he was asleep not wanting to disturb him, she quietly got out of bed and put on her clothes. Dani walked out onto the porch she sat on the steps and looked out across the water; the sky beyond the mountains had just started to glow red with the approaching dawn. The water was still except for the few ripples made by two ducks as they glided across the surface, the mountains were clearly visible in the water. As she watched the sun rising over the mountains her thoughts turned to the images she had seen from both Duncan and Adam. She wanted to tell Duncan what she had seen but she remembered Li Tse's words "Never tell anyone what you see.promise me that you will never speak with anyone else about this.most people will never understand and some will try and take it from you" the last part of his words she had never understood and although she pressed him for the answer many times all he would say is 'in time all will become clear, little one'. 'It would've been nice to get a straight answer from him.once in awhile' she smiled to herself.
Lost in her thoughts Dani hadn't heard the door to the cabin open, Duncan sat down quietly next to her on the steps "Hey, what are you doing out here it's freezing"
"I couldn't sleep.the birds woke me" she sighed "It's so beautiful here I just couldn't sit inside" Duncan stood up and went back inside, he came back with a blanket which he wrapped around her shoulders "Thank you, Duncan.for bringing me here.this really is a special place.I've never seen a sun rise like this?" Duncan put his arm around her "There will be many more for you to see" as they sat quietly watching the new day dawn Dani laid her head onto Duncan's shoulder.
The days on the island were long; Duncan found Dani every morning sitting on the steps of the cabin watching the sunrise. Several days they worked on Dani's sword technique but mainly they spent their time exploring the island, Duncan began to feel that he was seeing the island and it's surroundings for the first time, as Dani's excitement was infectious. It had been a long time since Duncan had laugh so much as he tried to teach Dani to paddle the boat several times they nearly ended up in the water before they made it back to the shore. When they finally reached the shore they climbed out of the boat and collapse laughing on the ground in each other's arms.
After they had eaten one night Dani cleared the table, when she had finished she looked for Duncan but couldn't find him in the cabin or on the porch. Dani was about to go back in when out of the corner of her eye she saw the light of a campfire flickering by the waters edge. She walked slowly down the steps towards the firelight, she found Duncan sitting on a log by the waters edge watching the sunset "What are you thinking about?" she asked as she sat down beside him, slipping her arm around his shoulders.
"This is our last night alone together.we must leave tomorrow" Duncan said while the twig in his hand traced patterns in the sand "I wish that we could stay.but our lives are not here" he said turning to face her.
Dani rested her hand onto Duncan's knee "But our lives are here now.We still have tonight" she turned his face towards her and their lips met. He responded to her touch, dropping the stick and he folded his arms around her kissing her passionately, they slipped off the log onto the sand in front of the fire. His hands traced the shape of her body, she writhed under his touch; her hands unbuttoned his shirt allowing her hands to trace the muscles beneath. They made love by the flickering light of the campfire, the light sending shadows of their bodies dancing around the cabin.
They lay in each others arms warmed by the heat from each other and the fire but as the fire burned down Duncan picked Dani up in his arms and carried her back to the cabin. That night they didn't sleep; they wanted to make every minute last forever.
Dawn came all to soon and the first rays of the sun found them lying in each other's arms watching the new day dawn. Duncan packed the boat as Dani walked along the shore for the last time; she stood looking out at the water. Duncan put the last bag in the boat and turned to see where Dani had wandered off to, he smile to himself he could see that her face it looked relaxed, something he hadn't seen since she became an Immortal and she hadn't complained of a headache since they had got to the island. He walked over to her and put his arms around her waist and lightly kissed her neck. "Come on.we have to go"
The Dojo - the next morning
Dani managed to block the blows that Duncan was raining down on her, they had been working out for nearly an hour, Dani was finding it a struggle to keep her mind focused on Duncan, images of blood, torn flesh and bodies laying in mud flashed into her mind, Duncan's sword made it through Dani's defence catching her on the arm, she stumbled backwards, her eyes trying to focus on Duncan "Are you all right?" Duncan asked as he went to her side "I'm fine.just lost my concentration for a moment" Duncan took her hand away from the wound he had just inflicted on her, it wasn't bad and was already healing. "Your not still troubled with that headache.are you?" Dani smiled at him "No.I'm fine.just not as fit as I though I was" Duncan heard her words but somehow he knew that she wasn't telling him the truth.
After the training session Dani and Duncan returned to the loft. Duncan went to the refrigerator taking out a jug of orange juice, he poured two glasses handing one to Dani. "Have I improved?" she asked. He smiled at her "A little but you have to remember you'll be facing people.who have been living by the sword for centuries."
"I think you've made that point earlier" Dani said finishing her drink "Duncan.I need to get some more of my things from my apartment and before you say it I want to do this on my own"
Duncan shook his head "Do you still not get it, you're not ready to go alone"
Dani walked over to him, put her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes "I do understand but I have to live my life Duncan" as he went to speak, Dani put a finger to his lips "As we agreed you're my teacher only when we are in the Dojo, here it's different" Duncan could see that there was no way he would change her mind "OK, but come straight back here.no detours.I've got some errands to run myself I'll see you here later, if your not here.when I get back.I'll come and find you"
"All right.I'll have a quick shower before I go."
Duncan watched her disappear into the bathroom 'come on Joe call' he thought looking over at the phone. Dani closed the bathroom door and crumpled to the ground holding her head. She didn't come out until Duncan had left.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Sometime later
Dani opened the door to the loft she knew that Duncan was there as she had sensed him. As she walked in she could see Duncan sat on the sofa with a couple of bags on the floor in front of him. "You going somewhere?" she asked.
"I thought we would take a little trip," he said standing up. "Where are we going?"
Duncan picked up the bags and motioned her back towards the door "Just a little place I know where I don't have to worry when you're out of my sight". "But what about the Dojo?"
"Richie will keep an eye on the Dojo.so no problem" he said as he shooed her out the door.
Duncan guided her to the TBird putting the bags in the back he said "Get in" Dani found herself doing just that, as there seemed no point in arguing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- River's edge some hours later
Duncan pulled the TBird into the clearing beside the highway, there was a small boat moored at the waters edge "Are you going to tell me where we're going" Dani asked. "Nope" was Duncan's only reply as he took the bags towards the small boat. Dani stood by the TBird watching him "Well, come on" he said gesturing for her to join him, "You didn't say anything about getting in a boat" Duncan walked back up the bank to where Dani was standing. "Your not frightened of boats are you?" he could see that she had a tight grip on the door handle, he managed prise her hands away from the handle "No.I'm not frightened of boats.just the water.I can't swim". Duncan smiled at her "It's perfectly safe.I've been coming here for years and I've never lost anyone yet"
Taking hold of her hands Duncan started to walk her towards the boat. "I'll hold the boat while you get in.I won't let go until your settled.OK?" Dani tentatively stepped into the boat and sat down, Duncan could see that she was nervous "OK, the boat will rock just a little as I get in" she nodded but held tightly onto the sides of the boat.
Duncan settled himself down and began to paddle "You know that the water can't harm you. you're Immortal remember?"
"I've had many years of being frightened.and only a few days being Immortal so forgive me if it takes a while to get used to it." They had been travelling for sometime when Duncan looked over his shoulder and noticed that Dani had finally left go of the sides of the boat. Her eyes seem to sparkle with wonderment as she gazed at her surroundings. 'Wow.it's beautiful here' she thought. Having lived only within the city she had never seen so much open space, Dani signed "It's so beautiful here.so quiet" Duncan looked back at Dani raising his eyebrows he said "The best is yet to come".
As the boat rounded the bend in the river Dani got her first glimpse of the island "Is that where we're going?" Duncan could see the sparkle in her eyes "It's amazing". Duncan paddled the boat to the shore and helped Dani get out. "Is this yours?"
"Yeah, a little old perhaps but it's all mine" Duncan said getting the bags from the boat; he followed Dani up to the cabin. "So who built it?" Dani said as Duncan opened the door "I did with a little help from a friend"
"So why bring me all this way?" Dani said as she watched Duncan unlocked the cabin "This is one place I won't have to worry if you wander off" he put the bags down and turned to her "So what do you think of the place?"
Dani looked around just like the loft it was tastefully furnished but with a rustic charm "Not bad.for an old man" Duncan when to tickle her but she moved quickly out of his reach "All right.it's very beautiful but why here?" Duncan walked over to her and put his arms around her waist "Because this is Holy ground.no Immortal can fight here.We can relax and just be us" he planted a kiss on her nose, which she wrinkled "And now you know I can't swim I'm trapped here.So now you have me trapped on your island.what are you going to do with me?" she smiled up at him. Duncan's face broke into a broad grin "Well, I could give you the guided tour"
"And where would we start" Dani asked. Duncan kissed her lightly on the lips and with his hands still around her waist he walked backwards into the cabin "Well.I always think that the bedroom is a good place to start".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
It was just getting light when Dani awoke, she turned over and could just see Duncan's face in the dim light which was just coming through the window, she could see that he was asleep not wanting to disturb him, she quietly got out of bed and put on her clothes. Dani walked out onto the porch she sat on the steps and looked out across the water; the sky beyond the mountains had just started to glow red with the approaching dawn. The water was still except for the few ripples made by two ducks as they glided across the surface, the mountains were clearly visible in the water. As she watched the sun rising over the mountains her thoughts turned to the images she had seen from both Duncan and Adam. She wanted to tell Duncan what she had seen but she remembered Li Tse's words "Never tell anyone what you see.promise me that you will never speak with anyone else about this.most people will never understand and some will try and take it from you" the last part of his words she had never understood and although she pressed him for the answer many times all he would say is 'in time all will become clear, little one'. 'It would've been nice to get a straight answer from him.once in awhile' she smiled to herself.
Lost in her thoughts Dani hadn't heard the door to the cabin open, Duncan sat down quietly next to her on the steps "Hey, what are you doing out here it's freezing"
"I couldn't sleep.the birds woke me" she sighed "It's so beautiful here I just couldn't sit inside" Duncan stood up and went back inside, he came back with a blanket which he wrapped around her shoulders "Thank you, Duncan.for bringing me here.this really is a special place.I've never seen a sun rise like this?" Duncan put his arm around her "There will be many more for you to see" as they sat quietly watching the new day dawn Dani laid her head onto Duncan's shoulder.
The days on the island were long; Duncan found Dani every morning sitting on the steps of the cabin watching the sunrise. Several days they worked on Dani's sword technique but mainly they spent their time exploring the island, Duncan began to feel that he was seeing the island and it's surroundings for the first time, as Dani's excitement was infectious. It had been a long time since Duncan had laugh so much as he tried to teach Dani to paddle the boat several times they nearly ended up in the water before they made it back to the shore. When they finally reached the shore they climbed out of the boat and collapse laughing on the ground in each other's arms.
After they had eaten one night Dani cleared the table, when she had finished she looked for Duncan but couldn't find him in the cabin or on the porch. Dani was about to go back in when out of the corner of her eye she saw the light of a campfire flickering by the waters edge. She walked slowly down the steps towards the firelight, she found Duncan sitting on a log by the waters edge watching the sunset "What are you thinking about?" she asked as she sat down beside him, slipping her arm around his shoulders.
"This is our last night alone together.we must leave tomorrow" Duncan said while the twig in his hand traced patterns in the sand "I wish that we could stay.but our lives are not here" he said turning to face her.
Dani rested her hand onto Duncan's knee "But our lives are here now.We still have tonight" she turned his face towards her and their lips met. He responded to her touch, dropping the stick and he folded his arms around her kissing her passionately, they slipped off the log onto the sand in front of the fire. His hands traced the shape of her body, she writhed under his touch; her hands unbuttoned his shirt allowing her hands to trace the muscles beneath. They made love by the flickering light of the campfire, the light sending shadows of their bodies dancing around the cabin.
They lay in each others arms warmed by the heat from each other and the fire but as the fire burned down Duncan picked Dani up in his arms and carried her back to the cabin. That night they didn't sleep; they wanted to make every minute last forever.
Dawn came all to soon and the first rays of the sun found them lying in each other's arms watching the new day dawn. Duncan packed the boat as Dani walked along the shore for the last time; she stood looking out at the water. Duncan put the last bag in the boat and turned to see where Dani had wandered off to, he smile to himself he could see that her face it looked relaxed, something he hadn't seen since she became an Immortal and she hadn't complained of a headache since they had got to the island. He walked over to her and put his arms around her waist and lightly kissed her neck. "Come on.we have to go"