Breath of Fire II : The Gathering

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Disclaimer :

Death's Head - I don't own Breath of Fire II and never will. I won a copy of the game, that's it.

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At the Windia tavern/inn :

Ryu and Nina sat next to each other in the common area of the inn. Katt had retired to her room.

"Okay Nina, it`s just you and me here. Now tell me why you were crying back in the castle after we had returned Mina to her home."

Nina took a deep breath before starting to tell her story for Ryu.

"It began about eighteen years ago. There was a legend that there would be a child born to the royal family, this child would not have the white wings of her family and people. She would be born with........black wings. The legend told that the child with black wings would bring about the end of the country of Windia. So that was why," Nina looked at Ryu "I was sent to hometown. If I had stayed here I would of been sacrificed to try and prevent the destruction of Windia."

"You mean, you are a princess?" Ryu asked.

Nina nodded slowly.

Ryu looked thoughtful. "Nina, if what you are saying is true," Ryu turned to her "Your life is in danger."

Nina looked at him, fear was in her eyes.

Ryu held her close to him "Nina, I am going to protect you. No one will ever, ever harm you. I promise."

Ryu and Nina kissed each other.

"I`ll walk you to your room." Ryu said as he stood up.

Outside Nina`s room.

"Ryu, could you sleep, in my room, with me tonight?"

Ryu looked at her.

"It`s just that I would feel more safer with you near me." Nina said.

Ryu and Nina entered the room and kissed each other again.

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The next morning :

"Yawn, I need more sleep. Shouldn`t have drank that much ale. Ugh!" Katt walked up to Ryu`s room and knocked on the door.

No answer.

"Hmm, no answer so let`s pick the lock." Katt poked her index finger`s nail into the look and jiggled it around in the lock.

She heard a snick. The door swung open.

Ryu`s room was empty. His clothes and equipment weren`t there.

"I`ll check on Nina."

She walked over to Nina`s room and knocked on the door.

Nina opened the door.

"Good morning sleepyhead." Katt grinned.

"Good morning Katt."

"Have you seen Ryu? He`s not in his room and I was...." Katt saw Ryu sitting on the window sill cleaning his sword.

"Morning Katt."

"Uhh, what happened here?"

"I`ll tell you later." Nina told her "Come in."

Katt came in and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Hey you two, check this monkey out."

Katt and Nina walked over to him and looked out the window.

Down below was a highlander, one of the desert mercenaries who were always made fun of because of their long arms, and also because they looked like simians. This one was doing a magic trick.

Katt smiled "Let`s go have a look huh?"

Soon the trio were standing outside the tavern/inn

"Step right up. Step right up and watch a magic trick of phenomenal proportions." The highlander turned and looked at the trio "You sir, would you care to step this way and jump into this box. Come on forward, you don't want to look like a coward in front of the two beautiful ladies."

The highlander came up to Ryu and forced him into the box.

Next minute the box had vanished.

"Folks I, the magnificent Sten, have made the young man disappear. That is all for now folks. Have a pleasant day."

Nina grabbed Sten "what have you done to Ryu!!"

"Whoa baby, take it easy. What was he to you, a lover?" Sten guessed.

"That.........that is no concern of yours, just bring him back here.........now!!!!!!" Nina ordered.

"Nina let me."katt said as she strode forward. She proceeded to punch and kick Sten. He fought back.

While this was going on Nina looked and saw a hole appear in the ground and...

"Ryu!!" Nina ran forward and threw her arms around her lover. He returned the gesture by kissing her passionately on her lips.

Sten and Katt stopped and looked at them both.

"Well, now you can stop hitting me now young lady." Sten said as he pushed her off of him. He accidentally grabbed Katt`s breasts. He never knew what happened next.

"Aaarrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!"

"How dare you touch me!!!"

Katt raised her staff to hit Sten in the head again when...

"Katt don`t." Ryu asked her.

Katt glared at Sten "You are one lucky, lucky monkey Sten!!"

Sten grovelled up to Ryu "Thank you kind sir, thank you. My life is in your hands."

"Sten I can`t accept....."

Sten stood up with a proud look on his face "You cannot deny my request, boss. It is a part of my clan. Whoever saves the live of a highlander, shall have that highlander as a follower until the day that the highlander dies. I give you an oath : that I shall now and forever be in your service and your children`s service until the day I die. I give you my word of honour."

" Very well Sten grab your equipment and prepare to leave Windia. Meet us at the outskirts of town in thirty minutes."

"Yes boss." Sten hurriedly left to get his equipment.

An hour later.

"Here comes monkey boy. Late, very late." Katt sneered as Sten approached.

"Okay Sten take point. Katt," Ryu motioned to her "Follow him and watch him very carefully. Understand?"

"You bet."

Katt followed after Sten.

"Well Nina let`s go."

"I`m with you, Ryu."

Ryu and Nina walked after Katt and Sten along the path towards the town of Capitan.

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Death's Head - Another day/week/month, another chapter up. The reason I put Ryu and Nina together, is that they are the only recurring characters throughout the series, and besides, I prefer this couple. R&R please.