Remnants of the Sky
By Zell's Girl
Rating: PG-13
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Chapter Four: Reunions

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Is love something that can be found? Is it something that is tangible to your average person, or is it only for those the Goddess deems worthy? Perhaps it is just falsehood, an illusion the human mind concocts? Love is the question and answer, the paradox.

The world seems like a cruel place. People are manipulative, and will do anything for power and money, including hurt each other. In a world like this, where does love fit into our lives? Somewhere between the cracks? In the unnoticed cogs? Love is something that seems unnecessary some days, but it's all that matters on others.

Love is not something to be forced. The heart makes its own decisions. It defies knowledge. It spits upon the greater good. Love seems senseless and stubborn. It seems to fool and deceive the most reasonable of people. But, for every shadow, there is twice as much light. That light is just unnoticed when we're blinded.

But, even the blind can sense things. It does not take much to read a person's eyes. The human face gives us many kinds of signals. Signals can be crossed. Signals can be misinterpreted. Not to mention, there is the hazard of a lying tongue. With all these risks, why do people bother?

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The sun rose as usual the next day, casting light into Borus room. The light hit his armor, which rested on the bedside chair. The sunshine reflected down upon his pale, white face. He grunted softly and rolled over. But, it was too late; he had been awakened.

Borus forced himself to his feet. He gingerly scratched the back of his neck and hobbled over to the mirror. Borus closely inspected his messy, lopsided hair. Opening the drawer, Borus pulled out some gel and a hairbrush.

"There'll be a lot of work to do today."

It took Borus almost twenty minutes to perfect his hair. With one task complete, he next changed his clothes, brushed his teeth, and shaved. Borus smiled at the mirror, pleased with his appearance. "Lookin' good, man." Borus said to his reflection.

"Hey Borus. Get your ass out here!" Percival yelled from outside the door. Borus gave the mirror one last toothy grin and opened the door.

"What?" Borus groaned, shifting his weight to his left foot. Percival gave him a smug grin.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you over a round of shots." Percival offered.

Borus shifted his weight to his other foot. "Isn't it a little early to be drinking, Percival?"

Percival let out a low, mocking laugh. "Yeah, too early? Too early for you? I thought that stuff was your substitute for air these days."

Borus merely sighed and accompanied his friend to the bar.

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The sun wasn't even fully up by the time Yumi set out to the horse track. She had wanted to learn to ride since she saw both the Zexens and Karayans riding horses. All the better, Kathy had agreed to give her lessons.

As Yumi turned the corner beside Scott's trading post, she noticed Barts pulling weeds from his garden. "Hello Miss Yumi! Beautiful day, huh?"

Yumi looked up and nodded. "Yes, it's quite a fine day. How are you, Barts?"

Barts grinned. He wiped of his hand on his slacks and stood. "I am doing real good, so are my little guys here." He gestured towards the grapes, his most prized crop. "Seein' them do well makes up for how much work I've done tenfold." Barts carefully pulled a bundle from the vine. He then tossed the grapes to Yumi. "Here! I tell ya, they're the best outside Chisha."

Yumi plucked a grape from the bundle and popped it into her mouth. He was right, they were wonderful. Not too sweet, not too sour. "Are you sure that the ones in Chisha are better? These are the best I've ever had."

Barts beamed. "Really? Thank you! I have put in so much work! Not only are my grapes utterly splendiferous, I get to hear them complimented by one of the most beautiful women in the castle!"

Yumi blushed as Barts resumed fondling the plants. "Yu-----mi!" A voice called from above. Looking up, Yumi saw her sister's face peering down over the railing. Yuiri dashed down the stone staircase and tackled her into an embrace. "What happened? I arrived here a few minutes ago and immediately heard from Lady Iku that you were in the infirmary for several days! Are you well, sister?" Yuiri peeled her right glove off and pressed her arm to her sister's forehead.

"Yes Yuiri, I'm fine! You needn't have worried!" Yumi reassured.

"Tell me everything Yumi!" demanded Yuiri, "What happened while I was away?" Barts looked up from his beloved plants to behold the two. Surely, great grapes and two women hugging seemed to be a good start to beautiful day.

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Percival (as always) had the first word once the two men received their drinks. "So, spill."

Borus sipped his drink and looked about. "Spill what? My drink onto your lap?" Borus grinned evilly at the idea. Percival returned a daring glare. They had each other in check.

"Come on. Yesterday morning, that girl comes by with a batch of cookies for you, that evening I see you two lip-locked on the docks. So, I would like all the details. All of them. I could have had the others come too, but… I want to hear first." Percival eyed Borus nonchalantly, watching his partner's face contort in discomfort.

"That's utterly preposterous! I did no such thing!" Borus wailed. "How dare you!"

Percival chuckled. "I am not a fool, Borus, and I saw it. Not to mention, that blush basically spells it all across your face. So, unless you'd rather tell everyone, I suggest you tell me."

"Blackmail! Treason! You are going against every lesson of honor! It is none of your business even if anything was going on! WHICH IT ISN'T!" Borus bashed his hand against the table, sending his drink to the floor.

Percival merely laughed, shaking his head. "Are you done now?" Percival leaned back in his chair. "Now that you're done wining like a woman, I expect you to tell me exactly what's going on."

"Damn you." Borus murmured.

"Right back at ya, buddy."

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"That is utterly horrible Yumi! Dear spirits, I swear I'll shoot an arrow through Ace's throat when next I see him!" Yuiri growled. She stopped walking and leaned against one of the scarecrows that lined the outer limits of the Bujutsu shop.

"I would like to do it myself, sister. Let me handle him!" Yumi said. "I've been practicing with my arrows lately. I am becoming quite alot better! I bet I will surpass you soon enough!"

"Oh, you've been practicing lately?" Yuiri asked, grinning to her sister.

"Oh yes," Yumi nodded, "while you were away, Sir Borus and I did some training."

"You didn't mention him before…" Yuiri paused. "You spent some time with Sir Borus while I was away?"

"Oh yes! He found me after the incident with Ace and stayed with me. After I grew well again, we watched some of a play, went training and…"

"Yumi, what's going on with you?" Yuiri asked in a concerned tone.

"What do you mean, dear sister?"

Yuiri leaned forward and grabbed her sister's hand. "First you find trouble drinking with Ace, now you're… dating a Zexen knight! The teaching say that…"

"I am not dating Sir Borus!" the girl protested. "I am just trying to meet people about the castle! This may be the one chance we get to see the world outside the village, Yuiri!"

"But you are being reckless," Yuiri hissed, "this world outside isn't a safe place for people like us…"

"I don't want to be 'people like us' Yuiri! I want to find my place out here as a person! A normal person! The people out here are the exact same beings as us! Spirits!"

"But the teachings say…"

"The teachings say this, the teachings say that, I KNOW THE TEACHING, SISTER!" Yumi roared. "Don't chastise me! I see you flirting with Sir Dios, and I never throw the teachings in YOUR face!"

Yuiri turned a bright shade of red. "That is a completely different matter."

"Really?" Yumi questioned, fuming. "How so?"

"I would never act upon such emotions! Not to mention we have known Sir Dios for months now, and when did you meet Sir Borus first? Yesterday? The aura around that man frightens me…"

"You do not trust me, sister? I'm outraged! And I never noticed this dark aura of which you speak… The notion of which in itself is preposterous!" Yumi's face was a bright shade of crimson and she was nearly screaming in indignation.

"Yumi, calm down!" Yuiri said calmly, grabbing her sister's shoulders. "You're very unstable! When was last you meditated?"

Yumi inhaled deeply, trying to tranquilize herself. "Since the day before we left the village."

"Yumi!" Yuiri gasped, disheartened. "That was two months ago! We are supposed to meditate every day to keep in contact with the spirits!"

"I know, I've just had other things on my mind." Yumi tried to defend herself. Her attempts were in vain.

"I am worried about you sister…" Yuiri murmured. "Please, meditate with me this evening. Your bond with the spirits must be weakening."

"All right, Yuiri." Yumi mumbled. "Where?"

"I'll meet you by the lakeside this evening. You know the normal mediation time."

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"So, Percival, that would be everything." Borus said, signaling Anne to bring another round of drinks.

Percival stopped running circles around the edge of his glass with his pointer finger and looked to Borus. "That's it? Are you lying to me, Borus?"

"Nope," Borus said, grasping the glass Anne just delivered him. After He mumbled a 'thank you' to her, Borus continued what he was priorly saying. "That's everything. I am sorry if my life doesn't have as much smut in it as you wished."

Percival grinned. "I was hoping you'd get over Chris," Percival placed his hand on Borus' shoulder mockingly, "I'm proud of you boy. This is the your first big step!"

Once again, Borus was left stunned at Percival's knowledge. "I… what… Huh!?"

"Sometimes I wonder if you are playing stupid, or that you're just a moron completely! I'm not stupid like, I notice these things." Percival smirked. Borus remained confused. He continued blushing, his face hot, red, and pulsating.

"Damn you threefold, Percival."

"Hey, how 'bout you bring that girl for a double date with me and Chris? Doesn't that sound fun?" Percival looked up at the ceiling. "Even though you don't think so now, I know something's gonna happen. I can always tell with these things."

Borus sat silently. Percival grinned and laughed at his own jokes, amusing himself. After several minutes, Percival became bored again.

"How 'bout you join me, Chris, and Leo for some training out on the Yaza Plains? Gotta keep sharp." Percival smirked. "Or are you going soft?"

"Percival." Borus stated flatly, polishing off his glass. He returned it to the oak table with an inaudible click.

"What?" The brunette knight asked.

"Damn you."

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Author's Notes-
Yet again, after another sucky, unread
chapter, you must listen to my ramblings.
I know you were all looking forward to it!
Apart from Adam who I KNOW with read
this... I bet no one else will... ::sigh:: Anywho
How did you like it? Alot of dialogue, I
know... but, I'm trying to work the discussions
out now so I don't need as many later... maybe.
So, anywho...got any suggestions? I'd LOVE to
hear anything you all think...
Over and out,
Kate