The Next Generation 13
(Dilandau-with-a-cowboy-hat is warming his hands in front of a fire)
Dilandau-with-a-cowboy-hat: Ah fire. Warper of steel tubing, toaster of marshmallows. (Gets crazy grin) Eradicator of dead wood.
Magicman: As you can see, he shares the same attributes as Dilandau. Just in a different way. Thank you for telling me what onna means! And now, on with the fic!
Everyone dealt with the abduction of Hitomi and Dilandau in their own unique ways.
Van spent most of the next two days in the guards training room, venting his anger and frustration upon them to such a degree that they eventually avoided their enraged sovereign altogether.
Folken locked himself in the library, spending his time doing God- knows-what.
The Dragonslayers hung out in the city most of the time, with the exception of Chesta who joined Van in the training room.
Setto disappeared. He was found two days later by Sabrina, who had been looking for him. The brunette found him lying asleep on the roof of a bar. From the empty bottles and the smell surrounding him, he'd been there for some time.
Yes, everyone felt pain at the horrible news. They had all been close to the couple in one way or another. But none of them had as interesting a way of showing it as Yukari.
The night it had been announced what had happened, Yukari had shut herself in her room and refused to come out. From behind the thick wooden door came the sounds of pure destruction caused in the insane fury of grief. Accompanying the crashes, smashes, shattering, and ripping noises came a cacophony of insane screaming. The wordless tones promised agonising misery and death to whoever had done this.
Only one person was brave enough to approach Yukari while she was obviously in such a bad mood. Folken had waited for the crashing and general sounds of destruction to stop before entering her room. He assumed that since she had stopped breaking things, she had calmed down. What he found out quickly was that Yukari had stopped destroying things because she had run out of things to destroy. Folken was bodily hurled from the room, with his shirt and cloak jerseyed up over his head.
Since then, the servants had ignored the room like death.
***
Mark sweated as he tightened a bolt. To reach that position, he was forced to stretch himself in an excruciatingly painful position. Eventually, however, he managed to fix the damaged piece of machinery to his satisfaction.
Wiping a hand off his brow, Mark stretched, working out the kinks as he surveyed the machine he was working on.
After the battle she had been barely alive. The frame was twisted, the joints had overheated, the armour had melted, and the circuitry was completely fried. But Mark loved a challenge. And he had always admired the graceful power of Akagi, even as he loathed and despised the man who had piloted her. He had been trained to pilot a guymelef, but he was always too poor to afford one. But when Van's technicians salvaged the remains of the once mighty machine from the explosion the rocked Escaflowne's shrine, he had been unable to resist. He asked Van if he could have it. Van had said, "If you can fix it, sure." And so, the next few days were booked for Mark.
Over the next two days, while Van and Chesta were trying to beat the living snot out of each other, Setto was nursing a remarkably bad hangover, and Yukari was destroying things, Mark had been hard at work restoring the mangled 'melef.
Stepping back, the would-be mechanic smiled. It was really coming along! Turning, he began to wash his hands. But while he did so, thoughts came to him.
Inevitably, Mark's thoughts turned to Yukari. His mind went back to the night that it had happened. The night that Yukari Albatou had cracked. He could recall only too vividly the look on her tear-streaked face as she rushed from the main hall. He heard about what had happened to Folken. Now, whenever he passed her room, he could hear only a deep silence.
Mark sifted through his memories to try to find one that could help understand what she was going through. Not one, no matter how tragic, how miserable, could come close to comparing to what Yukari had gone through.
Mark sighed as he wiped his hands on his pants. It broke his heart to see the strong confident woman reduced to such misery.
He didn't understand how Yukari felt. Not really.
But he could help her through this time.
Filled with sudden resolve, Mark turned on his heel. He marched out of the 'melef shed, through the streets, into the castle, and right up to Yukari's door without ever noticing it, so lost was he in his resolve.
The room was silent. Almost eerily so. Not a single sound drifted through the closed door, and Mark hesitated. Clenching his fears and throwing them in the garbage bin of the mind, he lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
No answer.
Mark knocked again. There was still no answer. Hesitantly, he reached for the doorknob. Grasping it firmly, he twisted the handle and opened the door.
Mark was astounded at the sight. Not even Dilandau Albatou with a flame-thrower could have caused such mass destruction as this!
Every inch of the floor was covered with broken glass, splintered wood, or torn cloth. Amidst this flotsam stood the remains of the rooms furniture. Chairs had been overturned; their legs scattered across the room. The large bed still stood, but only because it was too heavy for one person to lift. Instead, Yukari had gone after the wardrobe. It looked as though it had been struck repeatedly by something large and heavy. Probably one of the chair legs. The delicate crystal figurines and glasses had, of course, been broken, their legacy, a few fragments of glass, sparkling prettily as they lay among the mass destruction.
Mark walked into the room slowly so as not to gash his leg on a piece of wood. He carefully made his way across the room until he stood on front of the washroom. The door was closed. Mark opened the door and took a step inside
Yukari lay on the floor eyes closed in a sleep that was far from peaceful. The girl was curled up, whimpering quietly to herself. Mark thought he caught the words, "No. Don't leave me!"
"Oh my God, Yukari!" Mark's voice was a low whisper. Gingerly, he touched her. "Yukari". Gently, he lifted her into his arms. She clung to herself even more desperately, her whimpering growing louder. "Mother! Father!" Tears trickled down her sleeping face. "Come back!"
"Shhh" Mark whispered. "It's okay Yukari. I'm here. It's okay." The words seemed to calm her. She stopped her whimpering and ceased to shake.
Mark carried her to the bed; the least damaged part of the room, and lay her down on the soft cushions. Taking off his jacket, her lay it over top of her. He heard a slight gasp by the door. Turning, he saw a wide- mouthed servant gaping like a fish.
"Well?" he growled, "What are standing there for? Get the girl some food!"
The man seemed to have lost his wits at seeing the forbidden door open, and its demonic occupant pacified. "Er, what sir?"
"She hasn't eaten in two days! Gods man, get her some food!" That sent the servant off, supposedly to hid duties. Mark sighed and turned back to Yukari.
Minutes passed. Still Mark stood there, watching the girl sleep. He noticed every detail. Her cheek rested on her hand, and her breathing was slow and even. 'She's so beautiful' Mark thought wistfully.
As he stood and watched the sleeping girl, Mark became aware of a cramp in his legs. Gingerly, he rubbed them. Walking over to the bed, he sat down carefully, so as not to disturb Yukari. Sighing with relief at being able to sit down, he returned to gazing at Yukari. Her sandy brown hair lay in her face, tickling her nose. Gently, he reached down and removed the strand from her face. Almost without thinking, his hand stroked her cheek. Catching his breath, Mark waited, afraid she might wake.
Yukari didn't. She merely sighed and rolled onto her back.
As he watched Yukari, Mark began to talk.
"So, it's finally happened. Something's finally got to you." Mark sighed and shook his head. "It's a terrible way to find out that you're human, that you have feelings and emotions. That you're not invincible".
Mark looked away from Yukari and concentrated on the floor. "I'll tell you a story Yukari. It's about a young man. He joined a mercenary group to try to bring some money in for his family. He had three sisters, you see, and they were very dear to him." He smiled slightly.
"Along the way, it became more than just a job to him. He began to believe in the principles and customs of this group. They were the ones who taught him to fight, you see. They made sure he didn't get himself killed for some stupid reason. They provided for his sisters because he was one of them, and they cared for each other. But then it all changed." Here, Mark's voice turned bitter.
"The group was changed. They no longer cared about anyone, whether they were family of members or a part of the group itself. The man wanted to leave. But he couldn't. He was till a part of that mercenary group, despite all the changes and separations that had occurred. He became the only one left who still believed in that group and he would die for it. So it came to pass that opportunity arose."
"The man and several others were sent on a mission. They failed, and he had a choice. He could die for a group, for men and women who no longer cared. Or he could live and keep the group, those men and women who still cared alive. He was all set up to take the first choice, but.something happened to change his mind.
"The girl he was supposed to capture talked to him. Her words and concern got through his thick skull, and she convinced him to stay alive. But she did more than that." Mark smiled again. "For you see, that young man fell in love with her." Mark sighed again, shaking his head. "Yukari, I can't pretend I know what you're going through. But I want to help you."
A hand touched his arm. "That's very sweet."
Startled, Mark lifted his head and found himself staring straight into a pair of red eyes. "Uh." He was momentarily speechless. "I'm sorry about coming into your room and all, but-"
Yukari pressed a finger to his lips. "It's alright." She said softly. "It doesn't matter anymore. I've worked through my temper. Now, all I am is sad." She sighed, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Mark wiped it away. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Then maybe you could talk to me about it?" Yukari hesitated. "My sister always told me that 'a problem shared is a problem halved."
"Your sister is very wise." Yukari smiled for the first time in two days. "Alright". Her stomach let out a loud growl, startling both teens. She blushed. "I guess I'm kind of hungry too."
There came a tentative knock at the door. Mark walked opened it, revealing the servant he'd run into before. Only this time, he was carrying a platter full of food. Meats, cheese, grapes, vegetables, and breads all adorned the plate, and Yukari got a ravenous look in her eyes. Seeing this, the servant hastily pushed the food into Mark's arms and then ran like hell.
After handing the plate to Yukari, Mark sat down on the bed and waited while she ate away two days worth of hunger. A chunk of cheese disappeared, closely followed by a side of meat. She washed her meal down with a large glass of water, and, when she was finished, sighed in relief.
"You feel better?" Yukari nodded. "Chesta always said 'If you're going to be miserable, be miserable on a full stomach.'"
"Are you still miserable?"
"No, not really. I did a lot of thinking while I was in a mindless rage" she ignored chuckling from Mark, "And.well I guess I was feeling kind of guilty."
Mark blinked a few times, not sure he'd heard right. "Guilty?"
Yukari nodded. "Guilty. Look, they're my parents. I love them. And when that.that". Her hand clenched and her eye was starting to twitch.
"Bastard?" Mark suggested hastily.
Yukari nodded and seemed to calm down. "Well, I was just so upset that I couldn't have helped them. I'll tell you one thing Mark, feeling helpless.it eats away at you, never lets you rest. You keep thinking how you could have changed things, and you come up with nothing!"
"If there's nothing you can do, then why bother worrying over it?"
Here, Yukari smiled bitterly. "That's the trick, trying to convince yourself of that. But even that I could deal with." Yukari lost the smile and shuddered. "The worst part was the feeling of being alone."
Mark didn't say anything, so Yukari continued.
"Even when I was little, I've hated being alone. I guess I must have got it from my father. Can you imagine it? The daughter of the Diabolical Adonis himself scared to death of being alone. Ha!" Yukari laughed her voice harsh with emotion. "I look like an ironclad fighter bitch, but I'm just a scared little girl on the inside."
"But Yukari" Mark was desperate to get her out of this depression. "You can never be alone! Look how many people love you! Look how many people care for you! You have loads of friends." He ticked them off on his fingers. "Setto, Van, Folken, the Dragonslayers, and your mom and dad. With all of us with you, there's no way you could be alone!"
Yukari hugged herself and shivered if cold. "I know that too. But losing your parents scares you Mark. Your parents are always there for you, night and day. If you lose them it feels like everyone else will follow soon. Then it's just you and the darkness." She buried her face in her hands.
Seeing that he was losing her, Mark wrapped his arms around Yukari and held her to him gently. "Even if all of those other people leave you, I won't Yukari Albatou! I care about you too much too leave you."
Yukari looked up into Mark's blue eyes, tilting her face towards his. "Mark don't ever say something like that if you don't mean it. It would kill me!"
Mark leaned forward, whispering into her ear. "Then I guess it's a good thing that I mean it with all my heart." He kissed her cheek and Yukari shivered at the feeling of his skin pressed to hers. "I love you Yukari. And I'm never going to leave you."
"Mark!" For the first time in two days, happiness swelled in the heart of Yukari Albatou. She threw caution to the winds and kissed him passionately.
Mark met her kiss with all of his stored up anticipation.
Giddy new sensations blasted through the teens like electricity through a copper wire. Their lips pressed together hungrily, exploring, tasting. Yukari's drifted closed, lost in the sweetness of the tender kiss as Mark ran a hand up and down her back. She let out a soft moan as his tongue traced the edge of her lip, and he likewise moaned as she pressed her fully endowed body up against his. Their heads swam in an ocean of endless bliss.
Driven by lack of oxygen, they slowly and with great reluctance, broke their kiss, leaving so much to the imagination. Red eyes met blue ones as Mark and Yukari panted heavily for breath.
"Mark, I love you." Yukari said once she'd got her breath back. "And I'm dead serious about that. You're sweet, sensitive, patient, generous, thoughtful."
"Yukari, I love YOU." Mark copied with a smile. "And I'm even deader serious about that. You're brave, smart, cheerful, open, honest."
She smacked him lightly on the arm. "Don't steal my lines."
"Violent." Mark added, rubbing his arm.
The two stayed like that for some time, talking, laughing, and murmuring promises to each other. Eventually, however, the sun set below the horizon and the buildings cast their shadows into the room. Mark had tucked Yukari into bed and had turned to go when.
"Mark, wait".
The ex-mercenary stopped at the door. He turned and walked back to his lover and knelt by her side. "What's wrong?"
Yukari hesitated. "I'm still scared of being alone. Will you stay with me? Just for tonight?"
Mark smiled. "I could never refuse you anything." He lay down on the bed next to her. Yukari snuggled up against him, covering them both with the blankets. She rested her head against his chest and sighed as she hugged him about the waist. "Goodnight Mark" she murmured.
Mark kissed his love on the top of the head. "Goodnight Yukari". He closed his eyes and soon their breathing was smooth and even.
(Dilandau-with-a-cowboy-hat is warming his hands in front of a fire)
Dilandau-with-a-cowboy-hat: Ah fire. Warper of steel tubing, toaster of marshmallows. (Gets crazy grin) Eradicator of dead wood.
Magicman: As you can see, he shares the same attributes as Dilandau. Just in a different way. Thank you for telling me what onna means! And now, on with the fic!
Everyone dealt with the abduction of Hitomi and Dilandau in their own unique ways.
Van spent most of the next two days in the guards training room, venting his anger and frustration upon them to such a degree that they eventually avoided their enraged sovereign altogether.
Folken locked himself in the library, spending his time doing God- knows-what.
The Dragonslayers hung out in the city most of the time, with the exception of Chesta who joined Van in the training room.
Setto disappeared. He was found two days later by Sabrina, who had been looking for him. The brunette found him lying asleep on the roof of a bar. From the empty bottles and the smell surrounding him, he'd been there for some time.
Yes, everyone felt pain at the horrible news. They had all been close to the couple in one way or another. But none of them had as interesting a way of showing it as Yukari.
The night it had been announced what had happened, Yukari had shut herself in her room and refused to come out. From behind the thick wooden door came the sounds of pure destruction caused in the insane fury of grief. Accompanying the crashes, smashes, shattering, and ripping noises came a cacophony of insane screaming. The wordless tones promised agonising misery and death to whoever had done this.
Only one person was brave enough to approach Yukari while she was obviously in such a bad mood. Folken had waited for the crashing and general sounds of destruction to stop before entering her room. He assumed that since she had stopped breaking things, she had calmed down. What he found out quickly was that Yukari had stopped destroying things because she had run out of things to destroy. Folken was bodily hurled from the room, with his shirt and cloak jerseyed up over his head.
Since then, the servants had ignored the room like death.
***
Mark sweated as he tightened a bolt. To reach that position, he was forced to stretch himself in an excruciatingly painful position. Eventually, however, he managed to fix the damaged piece of machinery to his satisfaction.
Wiping a hand off his brow, Mark stretched, working out the kinks as he surveyed the machine he was working on.
After the battle she had been barely alive. The frame was twisted, the joints had overheated, the armour had melted, and the circuitry was completely fried. But Mark loved a challenge. And he had always admired the graceful power of Akagi, even as he loathed and despised the man who had piloted her. He had been trained to pilot a guymelef, but he was always too poor to afford one. But when Van's technicians salvaged the remains of the once mighty machine from the explosion the rocked Escaflowne's shrine, he had been unable to resist. He asked Van if he could have it. Van had said, "If you can fix it, sure." And so, the next few days were booked for Mark.
Over the next two days, while Van and Chesta were trying to beat the living snot out of each other, Setto was nursing a remarkably bad hangover, and Yukari was destroying things, Mark had been hard at work restoring the mangled 'melef.
Stepping back, the would-be mechanic smiled. It was really coming along! Turning, he began to wash his hands. But while he did so, thoughts came to him.
Inevitably, Mark's thoughts turned to Yukari. His mind went back to the night that it had happened. The night that Yukari Albatou had cracked. He could recall only too vividly the look on her tear-streaked face as she rushed from the main hall. He heard about what had happened to Folken. Now, whenever he passed her room, he could hear only a deep silence.
Mark sifted through his memories to try to find one that could help understand what she was going through. Not one, no matter how tragic, how miserable, could come close to comparing to what Yukari had gone through.
Mark sighed as he wiped his hands on his pants. It broke his heart to see the strong confident woman reduced to such misery.
He didn't understand how Yukari felt. Not really.
But he could help her through this time.
Filled with sudden resolve, Mark turned on his heel. He marched out of the 'melef shed, through the streets, into the castle, and right up to Yukari's door without ever noticing it, so lost was he in his resolve.
The room was silent. Almost eerily so. Not a single sound drifted through the closed door, and Mark hesitated. Clenching his fears and throwing them in the garbage bin of the mind, he lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
No answer.
Mark knocked again. There was still no answer. Hesitantly, he reached for the doorknob. Grasping it firmly, he twisted the handle and opened the door.
Mark was astounded at the sight. Not even Dilandau Albatou with a flame-thrower could have caused such mass destruction as this!
Every inch of the floor was covered with broken glass, splintered wood, or torn cloth. Amidst this flotsam stood the remains of the rooms furniture. Chairs had been overturned; their legs scattered across the room. The large bed still stood, but only because it was too heavy for one person to lift. Instead, Yukari had gone after the wardrobe. It looked as though it had been struck repeatedly by something large and heavy. Probably one of the chair legs. The delicate crystal figurines and glasses had, of course, been broken, their legacy, a few fragments of glass, sparkling prettily as they lay among the mass destruction.
Mark walked into the room slowly so as not to gash his leg on a piece of wood. He carefully made his way across the room until he stood on front of the washroom. The door was closed. Mark opened the door and took a step inside
Yukari lay on the floor eyes closed in a sleep that was far from peaceful. The girl was curled up, whimpering quietly to herself. Mark thought he caught the words, "No. Don't leave me!"
"Oh my God, Yukari!" Mark's voice was a low whisper. Gingerly, he touched her. "Yukari". Gently, he lifted her into his arms. She clung to herself even more desperately, her whimpering growing louder. "Mother! Father!" Tears trickled down her sleeping face. "Come back!"
"Shhh" Mark whispered. "It's okay Yukari. I'm here. It's okay." The words seemed to calm her. She stopped her whimpering and ceased to shake.
Mark carried her to the bed; the least damaged part of the room, and lay her down on the soft cushions. Taking off his jacket, her lay it over top of her. He heard a slight gasp by the door. Turning, he saw a wide- mouthed servant gaping like a fish.
"Well?" he growled, "What are standing there for? Get the girl some food!"
The man seemed to have lost his wits at seeing the forbidden door open, and its demonic occupant pacified. "Er, what sir?"
"She hasn't eaten in two days! Gods man, get her some food!" That sent the servant off, supposedly to hid duties. Mark sighed and turned back to Yukari.
Minutes passed. Still Mark stood there, watching the girl sleep. He noticed every detail. Her cheek rested on her hand, and her breathing was slow and even. 'She's so beautiful' Mark thought wistfully.
As he stood and watched the sleeping girl, Mark became aware of a cramp in his legs. Gingerly, he rubbed them. Walking over to the bed, he sat down carefully, so as not to disturb Yukari. Sighing with relief at being able to sit down, he returned to gazing at Yukari. Her sandy brown hair lay in her face, tickling her nose. Gently, he reached down and removed the strand from her face. Almost without thinking, his hand stroked her cheek. Catching his breath, Mark waited, afraid she might wake.
Yukari didn't. She merely sighed and rolled onto her back.
As he watched Yukari, Mark began to talk.
"So, it's finally happened. Something's finally got to you." Mark sighed and shook his head. "It's a terrible way to find out that you're human, that you have feelings and emotions. That you're not invincible".
Mark looked away from Yukari and concentrated on the floor. "I'll tell you a story Yukari. It's about a young man. He joined a mercenary group to try to bring some money in for his family. He had three sisters, you see, and they were very dear to him." He smiled slightly.
"Along the way, it became more than just a job to him. He began to believe in the principles and customs of this group. They were the ones who taught him to fight, you see. They made sure he didn't get himself killed for some stupid reason. They provided for his sisters because he was one of them, and they cared for each other. But then it all changed." Here, Mark's voice turned bitter.
"The group was changed. They no longer cared about anyone, whether they were family of members or a part of the group itself. The man wanted to leave. But he couldn't. He was till a part of that mercenary group, despite all the changes and separations that had occurred. He became the only one left who still believed in that group and he would die for it. So it came to pass that opportunity arose."
"The man and several others were sent on a mission. They failed, and he had a choice. He could die for a group, for men and women who no longer cared. Or he could live and keep the group, those men and women who still cared alive. He was all set up to take the first choice, but.something happened to change his mind.
"The girl he was supposed to capture talked to him. Her words and concern got through his thick skull, and she convinced him to stay alive. But she did more than that." Mark smiled again. "For you see, that young man fell in love with her." Mark sighed again, shaking his head. "Yukari, I can't pretend I know what you're going through. But I want to help you."
A hand touched his arm. "That's very sweet."
Startled, Mark lifted his head and found himself staring straight into a pair of red eyes. "Uh." He was momentarily speechless. "I'm sorry about coming into your room and all, but-"
Yukari pressed a finger to his lips. "It's alright." She said softly. "It doesn't matter anymore. I've worked through my temper. Now, all I am is sad." She sighed, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Mark wiped it away. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Then maybe you could talk to me about it?" Yukari hesitated. "My sister always told me that 'a problem shared is a problem halved."
"Your sister is very wise." Yukari smiled for the first time in two days. "Alright". Her stomach let out a loud growl, startling both teens. She blushed. "I guess I'm kind of hungry too."
There came a tentative knock at the door. Mark walked opened it, revealing the servant he'd run into before. Only this time, he was carrying a platter full of food. Meats, cheese, grapes, vegetables, and breads all adorned the plate, and Yukari got a ravenous look in her eyes. Seeing this, the servant hastily pushed the food into Mark's arms and then ran like hell.
After handing the plate to Yukari, Mark sat down on the bed and waited while she ate away two days worth of hunger. A chunk of cheese disappeared, closely followed by a side of meat. She washed her meal down with a large glass of water, and, when she was finished, sighed in relief.
"You feel better?" Yukari nodded. "Chesta always said 'If you're going to be miserable, be miserable on a full stomach.'"
"Are you still miserable?"
"No, not really. I did a lot of thinking while I was in a mindless rage" she ignored chuckling from Mark, "And.well I guess I was feeling kind of guilty."
Mark blinked a few times, not sure he'd heard right. "Guilty?"
Yukari nodded. "Guilty. Look, they're my parents. I love them. And when that.that". Her hand clenched and her eye was starting to twitch.
"Bastard?" Mark suggested hastily.
Yukari nodded and seemed to calm down. "Well, I was just so upset that I couldn't have helped them. I'll tell you one thing Mark, feeling helpless.it eats away at you, never lets you rest. You keep thinking how you could have changed things, and you come up with nothing!"
"If there's nothing you can do, then why bother worrying over it?"
Here, Yukari smiled bitterly. "That's the trick, trying to convince yourself of that. But even that I could deal with." Yukari lost the smile and shuddered. "The worst part was the feeling of being alone."
Mark didn't say anything, so Yukari continued.
"Even when I was little, I've hated being alone. I guess I must have got it from my father. Can you imagine it? The daughter of the Diabolical Adonis himself scared to death of being alone. Ha!" Yukari laughed her voice harsh with emotion. "I look like an ironclad fighter bitch, but I'm just a scared little girl on the inside."
"But Yukari" Mark was desperate to get her out of this depression. "You can never be alone! Look how many people love you! Look how many people care for you! You have loads of friends." He ticked them off on his fingers. "Setto, Van, Folken, the Dragonslayers, and your mom and dad. With all of us with you, there's no way you could be alone!"
Yukari hugged herself and shivered if cold. "I know that too. But losing your parents scares you Mark. Your parents are always there for you, night and day. If you lose them it feels like everyone else will follow soon. Then it's just you and the darkness." She buried her face in her hands.
Seeing that he was losing her, Mark wrapped his arms around Yukari and held her to him gently. "Even if all of those other people leave you, I won't Yukari Albatou! I care about you too much too leave you."
Yukari looked up into Mark's blue eyes, tilting her face towards his. "Mark don't ever say something like that if you don't mean it. It would kill me!"
Mark leaned forward, whispering into her ear. "Then I guess it's a good thing that I mean it with all my heart." He kissed her cheek and Yukari shivered at the feeling of his skin pressed to hers. "I love you Yukari. And I'm never going to leave you."
"Mark!" For the first time in two days, happiness swelled in the heart of Yukari Albatou. She threw caution to the winds and kissed him passionately.
Mark met her kiss with all of his stored up anticipation.
Giddy new sensations blasted through the teens like electricity through a copper wire. Their lips pressed together hungrily, exploring, tasting. Yukari's drifted closed, lost in the sweetness of the tender kiss as Mark ran a hand up and down her back. She let out a soft moan as his tongue traced the edge of her lip, and he likewise moaned as she pressed her fully endowed body up against his. Their heads swam in an ocean of endless bliss.
Driven by lack of oxygen, they slowly and with great reluctance, broke their kiss, leaving so much to the imagination. Red eyes met blue ones as Mark and Yukari panted heavily for breath.
"Mark, I love you." Yukari said once she'd got her breath back. "And I'm dead serious about that. You're sweet, sensitive, patient, generous, thoughtful."
"Yukari, I love YOU." Mark copied with a smile. "And I'm even deader serious about that. You're brave, smart, cheerful, open, honest."
She smacked him lightly on the arm. "Don't steal my lines."
"Violent." Mark added, rubbing his arm.
The two stayed like that for some time, talking, laughing, and murmuring promises to each other. Eventually, however, the sun set below the horizon and the buildings cast their shadows into the room. Mark had tucked Yukari into bed and had turned to go when.
"Mark, wait".
The ex-mercenary stopped at the door. He turned and walked back to his lover and knelt by her side. "What's wrong?"
Yukari hesitated. "I'm still scared of being alone. Will you stay with me? Just for tonight?"
Mark smiled. "I could never refuse you anything." He lay down on the bed next to her. Yukari snuggled up against him, covering them both with the blankets. She rested her head against his chest and sighed as she hugged him about the waist. "Goodnight Mark" she murmured.
Mark kissed his love on the top of the head. "Goodnight Yukari". He closed his eyes and soon their breathing was smooth and even.
