YUA: Me again! Yes'sums, I am continuing this fic! I hope you liked the first chapter! Wheeeee! ^_______^ Please, keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times! ^_______^

-

No Time For You

-

***DART'S P.O.V.***

-

"C'mon Dart, wake up sleepy-head!" I hear a panicked voice call my name, and the feeling of soft, warm flesh touches my cheek.

"Mmm...5 more minutes...uhhhh..." I don't wanna get up, despite her, uh, methods of waking me up. Which, mind you, usually works.

"Yes, well, if that won't get you up, maybe this will!" What is she talking about? All I wanted was five more minutes.

"Wha...Mmph!" Her lips capture mine in a memorable kiss, and her tongue pushes past my lips and into my mouth! I can't help but enjoy what's happening. I wrap my arms around her waist, and pull her onto the bed with me.

"C'mon, Dart! Wake up already!" My eyes open wide, and I sit up quickly. It...it was only a dream...Damn!

"Were you dreaming about...something?" She's trying to get an answer out of me. But I swear to Soa I will not tell her what just happened!

"Uh, yes I was." And so far that swear wasn't working...

"What was this little dream about?"

"Um...something...?"

"Did it have to do with me? Hm?" She sits down on the bed next to me, and by now my heart is racing. I want to live that dream...but I can't. I really don't want to embarrass myself.

"...Maybe." Argh! What is happening?! I'm bearing everything to her! If this keeps up, she'll find out what I was dreaming about!

"And what was happening to me?"

"Uh, um, er...nothing."

"Oh, really?" She scoots closer to me, and leans towards my face. Damn! She knows eventually she'll get an answer out of me if she keeps up her little cute routine.

"Erm, yes. Really."

"Please? Why won't you tell me?"

"Because it's embarrassing! That's why!"

"Why is it embarrassing?"

"Because it is!"

"But why?!"

"Why do you want to know?!"

"Because I'd like to know!"

"Fine! We kissed!" I cracked. Damn. I guess now she knew.

"...And?"

"And what?"

"I know there's more."

"Nope. Sorry. That's all that happened."

"C'mon! There's no need to be embarrassed! I swear to you, I won't get mad!"

"But I don't want to tell you..."

"But I want to know!"

"Fine, fine..." Good Soa! What's happening to me?! I...I am telling everything to her! She's got a hold on me and she won't let go!

"Um...well, you, uh...sorta...um, yeah."

"Oh, give me a break! More detail, please!"

"Erm, well you...were, uh...shall we say, 'exploring' my mouth..."

"I frenched you?!"

"...Yes, I guess so." Beads of sweat ran down my face, and she could only giggle.

"Go on."

"Then, um...I pulled you...er, down...onto the bed...and...uh..."

"And?"

"That's when you woke me up. I swear to Soa that's when you woke me up."

"Well, if you told me that much, I guess I can believe you." Man, that was the most embarrassing three minutes of my life. I hope something like this never happens again.

"There's no need to be afraid. I don't mind. In fact, I wouldn't mind kissing you right now. May I?" Dammit! It's so obvious! But why can't I tell her?! What the hell is wrong with me?!

"By all means." She leans forward, and so do I. I don't know what she's aiming for, but I'm guessing it's the lips. Suddenly, her lips meet mine, and a charge of electricity surges through me. It's like the feeling I have when I win a battle...It feels great. But I can't compare a battle with this kiss. This kiss can beat a battle any day. She pulls back, and just sits there...smiling at me. I was still in the same position, my lips still in the same way, my head is still leaned forward, except now, my eyes were wide open. I mean, WIDE open. My lips retain their normal form, and I fall back onto the bed, breathing heavily.

"I guess I'll go make some breakfast now." She giggles again as she exits my room, and my brain is still replaying what just happened. Ok, let's go over this one more time. Number one. I tell her about my dream. Number two. She asks if she can kiss me. Number three. She does kiss me. Number four. She leaves and I fall back on my bed, in pure bliss. Is that it? Yeah, that about covers it. Whoa! That was wonderful. That couldn't have been her first kiss. She was a natural! No way was that her first kiss! Maybe I should ask her. I get up, and the smell of scrambled eggs blows into the room. Shana's always been a great cook, and she's always made the meals around here, unless we went to the pub or some other place.

"Dart! Breakfast is served!" Yes! I so hungry, I could eat anything! I quickly run to the kitchen where a steaming plate of eggs is waiting for me.

"Thanks, Shana."

"No problem." She's already sitting at the table with her own plate of eggs in front of her.

"Come sit down." I grab my plate, and sit down in the chair next to her.

"Y'know, you'd make a great wife." No! Those words did not just come out of my mouth! That was not me! That was all done subconsciously! If I had control over myself, I would not have said that!

"Thanks. That's what Lavitz said." After hearing that name, my head sinks low, and I feel depressed.

"Lavitz. I miss him."

"Aww, Dart, it's ok. He was a knight. His job was to protect the king. His job was to protect Albert. And he did his job. He was prepared for it."

"But I wasn't! I could've stopped him!"

"Dart, Dart...it's not your fault. I know you tried to stop him, but his will to protect Albert was stronger."

"Well, I should've been stronger."

"Dart, what was it that you told me? We should be living now? Well, use your own advice! Stop dwelling on the past!" That struck a chord that stayed in my head with a ringing tune. She was right. Man! She's getting smarter and smarter everyday.

"Y'know what I think, Dart? I think you need something to take your mind off of Lavitz." Is she going to kiss me again? THAT would take my mind off Lavitz.

"What are you thinking of?"

"What do you want to do?"

"...Uh, well...you, er, could..."

"Don't finish that sentence." Is she mad at me?

"I know exactly what would take your mind off of Lavitz." She leans into my personal space, and once again, claims my lips in another kiss. That same surge of electricity goes through me, sending chills down my spine. She disconnects and looks at me.

"Better?"

"Better. Thanks." She flashes another smile before she resumes eating.

"What should we do today?" Why is she asking me? I have no idea. Not like there IS anything we can do.

"I know! Why don't we go visit Albert? I'm sure he would like our company."

"How can we get to him?"

"You do still have your Dragoon spirit right?"

"Of course! It's the only memory of my father that I have."

"Well, I'm guessing you can contact him through the spirit. Maybe if you just sorta hold it in the air..." What a silly idea, but I'll try it anyway. I take out my spirit of the Red-Eye, and it starts to glow warm in my hand. I raise it in the air, but nothing happens. Soa, I feel so stupid right now.

"Nothing?" I shake my head. Then a burning rush goes through me, giving me a foresight and ideas on how to find the other Dragoons. I tell Shana one of these "ideas".

"Well, maybe If I concentrate on it real hard. Like, almost transforming, but not quite. Just enough power to sense Albert.

"As long as it works." I bring the spirit down to my eye level, and stare at it intensely. My eyes close, and the warmth of the Red-Eye begins to flow through my body, and my mind leaves my head.

"Dart? That you?" I can hear Albert's voice inside my head. I hope I'm not going crazy. But I decide to answer the voice anyway.

"Yeah, it's me. Listen where are you right now? The castle?"

"Is it Albert? Did you reach him?" Shana chimes in on the speaking.

"Lady Shana is with you too? Hello, Ms. Shana!"

"Wow! I can hear Albert inside my own head! I don't even have my Dragoon spirit anymore."

"Shhh. I need quiet in order to hear him."

"Oops. Sorry." Albert's voice is heard again.

"Is something wrong, my friend? It's been a while since I talked to you and Mrs. Shana."

"Albert! Be quiet!"

"Hahahahahaha! Still not yet?" Shana has a confused look on her face.

"Dart? What's he talking about?"

"N-Nevermind. Listen, Albert. You think you could come for a little visit?"

"Of course! I'll be there in a few moments."

"Moments? Is that possible?"

"Just wait and see, my friend." With that last sentence, the energy and concentration left me, and I fell to my knees, breathing heavily.

"Dart! What's wrong?!"

"Nothing. It's...It's just that doing the little calling thing takes a lot out of you."

"Well, as long as you're ok."

"Tha-" Before I could finish my sentence, a red light appeared, and a human figure covered in roses appeared in front of us. Dramatic entrance. That's Albert, alright.

"Albert? How did you do that?" His transformation back to normal didn't take long, and he smiled at us.

"Teleportation."

"Well, I know that! But, where did you learn it?"

"On our way back home, when we split up. On my way to Bale, I ran into many monsters, so many in fact, as to develop my own technique. Do you like it?"

"Very nice."

"I thought so." He smirks, and Shana runs up to him. She hugs him, trapping his arms by his side, and nearly squeezing the air out of him.

"Yes...ack...Mrs. Shana, I'm happy to see you, too...can you let go now?" I'm THIS close to an outburst of laughter, but I'm doing my best to stifle it. She finally let's go, and Albert gasps for air. Shana lets out a little laugh, but it quickly subsides. After Albert had gotten his breath back, he approaches me with his hand outstretched.

"Hello, your Majesty."

"Please, don't call me that!" He takes my hand in his own, and we both shake as a wide smile spread across our faces.

"How long has it been, Dart?"

"At least one and a half years. It's good to see you again."

"I could say the same thing." Our smiles grow wider, if possible.

"Listen, at the castle, they really haven't been giving me extensive combat training. I was wondering...maybe you and Shana could teach me a thing or two?"

"Um, yeah maybe. Shana, you up for something?"

"Am I ever!" She shouts back enthusiastically, and I turn back to Albert and nod. He smiles again, and we take him to the backyard.

"Ok, Al, do you know how to dodge or deflect projectiles?"

"Er..."

"I'll take that as a no. Shana, do you have your dull arrows ready?"

"Right here!" Albert still doesn't get it. Shana put on the quiver of arrows and puts one in her bow, aiming at Albert. He seems horrified.

"I don't want you to shoot me!"

"No, no! These are dull arrows they won't hurt the slightest bit if they hit you."

"Well, ok...if you say so." He takes his spear, which was attached to his back by straps, and goes into a defensive stance.

"Ready?" I ask.

"Ready." His voice does actually sound determined.

"Go ahead Shana!" She let's fly with a single arrow, which Albert tries to deflect. He misses it, but it misses him.

"Shana! You're supposed to aim straight at him for him to achieve a sense of urgency!"

"I'm sorry, it's just that I don't want to hit him."

"That wasn't the case with me!" She laughs and readies another arrow.

"Ok, ok. I'll do it right this time. Ready, Albert?"

"Ready!" She let's go of another arrow, and her aim is true. It's heading straight towards Albert's chest. He brings his spear to the front, and turns it horizontally. It impacts his chest, and a little wind is knocked out of him.

"Ah! Damn, I thought you said it didn't hurt!"

"Well, there has to be SOME sort of penalty for messing up. Ok, here's what you did wrong: When an arrow is flying towards your chest area, always have the staff vertical. That way, your arms are sort of crossed over your chest a little bit, adding extra protection. Think, what is more expendable? Your chest, or your arm?"

"I get it. C'mon, I'm ready for another one." Shana readies one more arrow, and it flies through the air. Albert's eyes narrow, and he swings his staff into a vertical position. The arrow bounces harmlessly off the staff, and he proudly retains his standing form.

"Good. Now, let's try some more aimed at different part of the body."

"Oh boy." Albert let's out a sigh, and goes back to his defensive stance.

*

Albert has almost completed the deflecting training. As Shana readies her last arrow, he falls to his knees, using the spear for support.

"Al? You ok?"

"Yes, Mrs. Shana. I...I'm just tired, that's all."

"I'll be right back with some water." She leaves her quiver and bow, and goes back inside. I sit down next to Albert, and he asks me something...personal.

"When are you going to tell Shana? You know she wants you to say it!"

"No I don't! I'm not sure! I just don't want to take any chances! Not until I'm one hundred percent sure! And will you stop calling her 'Mrs.' Shana?! It's driving me nuts! What if she finds out?!"

"Dart, my friend, she'll find out eventually. Because you'll have to tell her. Sonner or later, you'll have to tell her."

"Well, I'd rather it be later than sooner."

"Doesn't matter. She'll find out sometime."

"Not until I'm sure, I can't just say that I lo-"

"Here you go!" I stop my sentence abruptly, and Shana hands us both a glass of water. She herself takes one, and gulps it down. Maybe shooting arrows is more work than I thought. Yeah, I guess you would need intense concentration, and a good eye. As I drink my own water, I see Albert, who is giving me some sort of look. He smiles while drinking, and almost spills a little on his lap. Suddenly, a great idea hits me.

"Albert, why don't you stay with us for a little bit? It'd be nice to have your company around."

"Oh, yes! Please?!" Shana wants this to happen as much as I want it to.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea. Thank you for inviting me to stay."

"No problem." No, wait. We don't have enough rooms. But a wicked smile spreads across Albert's face. What is he up to?

"But wait. You don't have enough rooms..." This sentence slips out of his mouth, and instantly, I know what he's trying to do.

"No, no! It's ok! Dart and I can share a room, while you have Dart's room!" DAMN!! It worked too! I really wish she hadn't of said that!

"Is that ok with you Dart?" Not really, but I didn't want to upset Shana.

"Sure. I can stay with her."

"It's decided then." Oh man, now what's going to happen? I'm staying in Shana's room, and a friend that wants me to admit everything to her is also staying with us! Argh! What am I going to do?!

-

YUA: Heehee, I just had to add Albert, for Fifi's sake-

Fifi: Wheeeeeee!

YUA: And plus, Albert is my second fav character-

Miranda::coughs::

YUA: Erm, second favorite MALE character, so I just had to add him somehow! And there he is! I happys now! ^_________^