Whoadie: ^^;;; Today's me birthday!! Well by the time I upload this chapter it won't be, but it was on 9/16 ^_^ Mmmkay! x.x I feel so dead today...gah well anyways, here's your chapter 4! ^__________^
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"..." Will be talking
'...' Will be thinking
Torn Apart
Chapter 4 -
She fell to her knees, slowly the rest of her body followed her to the ground. She panted as she struggled to push herself up till she was on all fours. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, falling to the ground in little droplets. Her mouth took in heavy gasps of air as she willed herself to go on.
Using her very will to keep her together, she stood.
"Now...again."
She grabbed her fallen sword and lunged at him. He parried her attack easily, attacking with as much force and power he used on his enemy. He would not go easy on her, there was no reason too. He slashed at her mercilessly, enjoying the way her arms trembled under his harsh blows. The most appeasing feature, were the growing horror in her eyes when she came to realize that she was going to lose.
"If you're only going to switch from attack to defense after one blow, then I'm afraid this fight is over."
He knocked away her sword with the flat of his sword. The sword flew out of her hands and onto the floor. She rubbed her throbbing hands, she had been doing this for 3 hours straight. Every fight had the same miserable ending.
"Dead." He declared it proudly as he raised his sword to her neck. Was that the hundredth time he beat her? Or was it a hundred and one, now?
"Why are you doing this? I'm not a warrior..."
He walked away from her as she talked, leaning down to pick up her sword. He picked it up but gripped it blade first. "Not yet, but you will be when the days done."
The sword hilt was thrust into her aching hands again. She winced as she felt blisters burn when it touched the cool metal. She hesitated before holding the sword up into a defense stance. "Again, why is this important? You have other Slayers to teach, why waste your time on me?"
He growled, he was getting fed up with her constant complaining. "What I do with my time is my business! Your only concern is to fight!" He hit the back of her legs with his sword. When she fell forward he only kicked her back onto the flat of her back.
She groaned from getting the breath knocked out of her. Her muscles were screaming for her to stop but she ignored their constant pleas. She had no choice. "Well it concerns ME so of course I have a damn right to poke into your business!"
Her hand shot up, smacking away the blade that was pointed at her face. She didn't care that it had cut a deep gash into her hand, she couldn't feel it. She forced herself to stand. She fed off of the anger and frustration she felt, using it as motivation to fight better.
She might have been a beginner but when it came to speed, she was the expert. Her skills on the track were unlike any other, so why not put them to use in a fight?
He struck again, outraged that she would just knock aside his victory. "You have no rights! Your under MY orders now!"
She sprinted to the right, avoiding his attack easily. She kept her feet moving, not once did she let them stay still. Her adrenaline was running, so this was the thrill of being in a fight. The fear of being killed yet the excitement of the battle itself rushed through her.
No wonder Van fought so much. This was almost like an addiction. She flew around him, her feet flying on the ground. She grabbed another sword when she passed the rack. The heaviness of the sword lowered her speed a little but she pushed on.
There he spotted her, she had been moving pretty quickly he had almost lost her. Almost. He smirked as he dove at her, slashing his sword down at her stomach.
Weird. She saw the attack coming this time, her will to fight was truly amazing. She was able to block it with her sword, she even stepped into him, challenging his strength.
Big mistake.
Strength was his advantage, she should have stuck with speed. He knocked her away easily, once again placing the sword at her neck. He looked down at her with the same bored look, but there was something else there. Hunger? Hunger for what?
She had almost outdone him in his own game. How'd she know that attack was coming? He knew she had the makings of a soldier, now he was determined to get her into battle. Especially, the long anticipated fight with his ultimate foe.
'She's quick on her feet. A nice trait for sword fighting. Now if I can enhance her sword ability, it would go nicely with her foot work.' His eyes bore down at her. His eyes scaled over her sweaty features, the rise and fall of her breasts from heavy breathing made him blush. He quickly avoided all eye contact.
"We're done for today. You may go shower and join the rest of the Slayers in the Mess Hall." He walked away from her, sheathing his sword into the discarded sheath on his jacket. He threw the jacket over his shoulder so that it hung off his back.
"Wait! Where's the-" The closing door cut off her question. She finished it quietly to herself, "Mess hall..." She sighed to herself as she was ignored again.
She picked up her fallen sword and crawled over to the sword rack on bruised and aching limbs. Her hands retreated from the rack when she put her weapon up. She heard the opening and closing door, thinking it was Dilandau she didn't bother to turn around. "Right, so where's the Mess Hall? You didn't tell me be-"
Her eyes focused on the new body in the room. She had been slowly turning her spinning head not expecting anyone other than her new boss. "Oh I'm sorry...I'll leave in a minute."
"Would you like me to show you to the Mess Hall?"
She would have taken the offer without hesitation if it weren't that sparkle in his eye that made her a little nervous. "Um...didn't you need to use this room? I'm sure that's why you came in, I don't want to be a bother."
He shook his head, dark green locks of hair flew. Beneath his thick locks of unruly hair, sharp silver eyes stared at her. He ran a hand through his hair, "Your new, so I'll give you a break..." He turned his back to her while smirking.
She couldn't take her eyes away from his eyes, silver eyes were so uncommon...especially on earth. She noticed that when he smiled, they swirled with a little blue. His eyes could change color, how unreal...
She didn't know alot of the Slayers but she was able to tell who was new and who wasn't. This guy was definitely new, she could tell by the way he would adjust his armor every now and then or check if his sword was still in place. While the more recognizable Slayers didn't bother with checking, they knew and were confident that they would be ready if battle were to start up at any given moment.
"Um..What's your name?" She didn't like the way his eyes kept looking back at her, as if waiting for her to attack him. He probably was a very lonely person. He didn't seem to trust his anyone, not even his own shadow.
"Raiku." His voice was even and stone cold.
She shivered as his voice crept down her spine. "Oh, that's a nice name. May I call you Rai?"
He stopped.
She fidgeted with her hands as she kept her eyes on the ground. Did she say something to offend him? She watched his boots come towards her. She gulped the lump of fright that gathered in her throat. Was she destined to always be afraid?
No.
She raised her eyes, ready to take what he was about to do to her. If she said something that offended him, then he should say so and she would apologize. If not, well then there's nothing to fear, right?
He glared down at her with such hatred that she felt like she could feel her skin slowly prickle and her stomach drop to the ground. Anything to get away from that dark stare.
"I...Did I say something to offend you?" She saw his hand raise, she flinched from reflex. "If I said anything to make you angry, I'm sorry!!" She closed her eyes as the words poured out quickly.
The expected slap never came.
Instead, she felt the hand caress her bruised cheek. She slowly opened an eye to peek out. He was staring at the bruises forming on her face with such tender, caring eyes. "Who did this to you?"
So...he wasn't mad after all. She sighed inwardly from being relieved. This place always made her feel so tense and on the edge. She was in ,after all, the enemies headquarters. No, they were her allies now. She had to remember that, ever since HE brought her here...she was just another one of his soldiers.
"Oh, it must have came from the duel I was in earlier."
"With who?" His eyes sharpened.
She winced as his finger stroked the purple skin. "Dilandau."
His eyes widened with shock, "Lord Dilandau?!"
She noticed that his eyes started to turn a light green then amber. "Yes...He was training me."
"I see..." He sighed, removing his hand from her cheek. Was that a spark of possessiveness in his eyes? She could have sworn she saw it.
He turned his back towards her, giving her a more tender smile this time. "Come on, let's hurry the other Slayers must be almost done with dinner!"
She didn't move from where she was. Confusion was painted all over her face. He sure was weird. A true enigma with what he was feeling and thinking.
"Oh...and my answer is yes."
She raised an eyebrow, "Yes for what?" She hurried to catch up with him.
"You may call me Rai."
Damnit! How could he be so stupid!
CRASH!
SNAP!
A pitcher of water flew across the room and smashed into the opposite wall. "What's WRONG with me! It's all that damn woman's fault! HER AND HER WITCHERY!"
He fell to his knees while clutching his head to him. She must have put a spell on him, by using those seducing powers of hers. That was it. She was seducing him, just like she seduced that damn king.
It all made sense now. He smiled sadistically as he let go of his head. She came back to torment him and use him for whatever scheme she had going within that scrawny little head of hers. Scrawny yet well defined with lovely honey brown hair and a well shaped neck. Those green orbs...he could just lose himself in those...GAH!
He threw the closest thing to him which was, unfortunately, a chair. The chair broke into long wooden splinters when it slammed into the wall. There he went again...What was she doing to him? He hadn't felt this intimidated since...
He sighed as he ran a hand through his sweaty hair. Why did he have to feel these emotions again? These churning of emotions that affected his body so?
He grinned. Maybe Hitomi could be of use to him in more ways than one.
Yet, little did he know that somewhere else inside of him something was activated again. Something more pure and fragile than life itself. Something that was hurt all those years ago and laid dormant. Waiting.
It pumped in his chest quietly, not wanting to let itself be known yet.
Just a bit longer.
Then it would make itself noticeable again. It was too early in the game.
Catcalls and whistles were made when she passed by. Some were crude and some were harsh. She took them in with her head held high. She now had a new goal. She would make them all respect her. They would all see that she wasn't some useless girl who always needed protection.
No.
They would see that she could be something more than some object used for lust, power, and a tool. She would be more than just some woman with fate in her hands.
She would become a warrior.
She smiled at the thought of being in fables to come, myths to be, legends to be told. A heroine of battle and fatigue.
"Hey Hitomi!"
She shook her head out of the trance she was in when she heard her name. She turned her head towards the caller. She smiled and waved back to the waving Chesta. He waved Rai and herself over to their table.
"What's up, Chesta?"
"Nothing, hey it looks like your looking better. Everything going ok?" He either didn't take notice of Rai or ignored his presence altogether.
Rai sensed this uneasy isolation and decided it was better to leave. "Hey, Hitomi was it? I'll see you later..." He grinned over at Chesta before bowing and kissing Hitomi's hand. "M'lady."
Chesta growled at Rai's laughing silver eyes as he walked off. He glared at his back the whole time, Rai made his way across the Mess Hall to his own table. 'I never liked that new Slayer. He's trouble, I know it'
Dallet elbowed Chesta in the side. He leaned over, whispering lightly into his ear so that Miguel and Hitomi wouldn't hear. "Cool it...He wants you to be jealous."
Miguel and Hitomi were both engrossed in conversation over guymelefs. Hitomi, being her, didn't know a thing when it came to piloting these machines. Miguel, being him, found it a great honor to spread his vast knowledge on the subject with her. Showing his clever and intelligent side on the topic and yet at the same time showing that he liked the praise he was getting.
"Keep an eye out on Raiku, he's known to be persistent and hot headed when it comes to what he wants." Dallet sighed as he watched his friend continue to fume. 'That guy shows up outta the blue, knows where everything is, and acts as if he's lived here all his life. Just what's he playing at by taking interest in Hitomi all of a sudden?'
With these thoughts in mind, Dallet began to ponder quietly. Ignoring Chesta's silent curses and threats towards the good-looking flirt.
"Do you think I'll be able to pilot one?"
Miguel shrugged, a smug grin planted on his lips. "Maybe..."
She leaned forward on the table, "It sounds like fun! Oh please put in a good with Dilandau for me! I KNOW I can do it!"
He laughed at her excited face, just like a little kid. Weird how a pacifist like her wanted to dive right into a machine that nearly killed her and her once love on countless occasions. Old habits really did die hard.
"Well it's not something you can just ask for, it takes time and practice. Not to mention alot of skill and maneuver ability."
She nodded her head, soaking up every word that fell from Miguel's mouth. This is where she wanted to end up. In a machine on the battlefield. Feeling warm embers licking her face, sweat pouring down her head, and being trapped inside a killing device that almost brought the end of Gaea.
How the thrill of the fight changed her whole mood towards battles.
She could feel the race of her heart speed up when Miguel talked about an upcoming battle. She never knew she could feel this way over a oppugn. ((A/N: No that's not a spelling error))
"Who are we attacking?"
Miguel shrugged lightly, "We didn't get the news yet, but according to the rumors we're going to attack Fanelia." He didn't realize he had told the wrong person this information till after he saw Hitomi's face pale incredibly. "Uh uh uh of course these are just rumors, no one can really say if we're going to attack! It would be suicide to head into battle with them now."
"Not if we take their numbers out from the inside..."
Every Dragon Slayer in the Mess Hall turned their head. They didn't even hear him come in, they scrambled to their feet. Straightening their postures and leveling their faces, they saluted him.
"Did everyone hear that? We're attacking Fanelia four days from now." He turned to Hitomi with an odd smile on his face then left.
"We're attacking Fanelia? That's crazy!"
"Hush Dallet! Lord Dilandau knows what he's doing. He wouldn't just throw us into an impossible situation."
Chesta felt eyes on him, he moved his eyes over the heads of Slayers trying to catch an eye. He saw it.
The head quickly looked away from him, but the look he sent at Chesta's table and at Dilandau was very perturbed.
He would have to watch this one carefully. He looked over at Hitomi and watched her take in struggled breaths. 'Not only for our sake.'
"What's he THINKING! Attack Fanelia!! GRR! That bastard!"
"Please, calm yourself Hitomi!" Dallet and Miguel struggled in trying to keep Hitomi seated and calm. She was quivering like a leaf.
Dallet sighed, "It's not like we're going head on in, this will take some strategy."
"A ball for instance."
They all looked at the contemplating Miguel. "What?"
He cleared his throat then started again, "Now don't take me seriously because I'm not sure. But I overheard Lord Dilandau saying something about going in disguise and going to some Fanelian ball."
"Why would Fanelia have a ball?"
He looked uneasily at his fidgeting hands then up at Hitomi. "It's uh...It's a banquet held in honor for the new Fanelian bride to be."
Hitomi turned her face away from them. Not liking how they stared at her, waiting for her reaction to this bit of news. "So...Are we going in disguise or hiding in our guymelefs? What?"
The Slayers looked at her oddly, "So your okay with this?"
"I have to get over it some time, this remedy might be my only way out of the sickness I've created upon myself."
They all nodded.
"Well...I was thinking."
They all turned to Dallet, a little surprised. "Shut up! I can think ya know!"
They laughed at his heated glare. "Well anyways..." He looked at Hitomi, his eyes wandered up and down her body. Then seemed to go glossy in thought.
Chesta fidgeted in his seat from this action.
"Hey relax...I'm not taking your woman."
"She's not my woman!"
"Hn. Whatever. Hitomi...Do you think we could...Sortof send you in as a guest? We'll disguise you and everything! You'd be the perfect spy!"
"I dunno Dallet...Your asking a bit much."
"Well when the time comes and we find out we're really attending some ball will you atleast consider it?"
"I'll think about it."
"Excellent! Then boys, how about we hit the sack!"
The Slayers nodded in agreement while showing their signs of fatigue. "Coming Hitomi?"
"No, I'm going to stay here awhile longer..."
Chesta stopped and looked like he was going to stay also but Miguel grabbed his arm while Dallet pushed from behind. They replied at the same time, "Come on Chesta, we still have a lovely conversation to continue from the earlier incident in the hospital wing."
Hitomi shook her head while giggling as she heard protest and struggle all the way down the hall. What would she do? What COULD she do? When the time finally comes for her to join the fight, would she back out? Just because...of him?
She sighed over the restricting powers he still had over her heart. He even moved on and got himself a wife. Figures. But this might have been more the council's doing than his own freewill. He wouldn't be able to have his usual palace whores, now would he?
"What's that smile for?"
She looked over, she didn't notice that Rai had stayed behind. "Oh nothing, just thinking."
"About me? Yea I know I'm fine." He did a dramatic pose.
She laughed while play punching his arm. "You wish..."
He let his bottom lip slip out, putting on his best doggy pout. "I'm allowed, aren't I?"
This only caused Hitomi to laugh even more. "Hey, where are you from? It feels as if I've known you from somewhere."
His eyes flashed amber. Did she know? No, of course she didn't. His eyes returned to their cool shade of light blue with silver. "Just off the boundary line of Palas."
"Oh I see."
"Where are you from?"
She shifted in her seat, would she be able to tell him? "Er...You would think it a dark and desolate place."
"Oh come on...tell me! It's not like your from the Mystic Moon or anything, right?"
She didn't answer him. Oh, how she would love to just die right there. Lying was one of her weaknesses, everyone could catch her when she tried to lie. "I...well...er..."
"YOU ARE?!" He stood up quickly, his bench made a screeching noise when it rubbed against the floor.
She waited for the threats and horrible comments over her home. They never came.
"So it's true? Hey wow!" He sat down next to her, with a more thoughtful smile on his face. "Dark and desolate yes, but still mind boggling. Especially if such a horrid place could produce such a lovely creature like yourself."
She stared down at the table cracks, her cheeks were burning. He almost sounded like...
His hand turned her face towards him, his finger stroked the curve of her cheek while his thumb caressed her chin. His eyes were staring at her lips in a yearning way. He couldn't help himself anymore. His head moved in towards hers.
All she could do was sit there in a shocked phase. She felt weak from the way his eyes poured into her, like she couldn't move. How she wanted to run but was held by his gaze alone. She closed her eyes, hoping someone would walk in at any given moment and break his spell.
No one did.
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Whoadie: Eh...No comment. ^_^ Review Review!
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"..." Will be talking
'...' Will be thinking
Torn Apart
Chapter 4 -
She fell to her knees, slowly the rest of her body followed her to the ground. She panted as she struggled to push herself up till she was on all fours. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, falling to the ground in little droplets. Her mouth took in heavy gasps of air as she willed herself to go on.
Using her very will to keep her together, she stood.
"Now...again."
She grabbed her fallen sword and lunged at him. He parried her attack easily, attacking with as much force and power he used on his enemy. He would not go easy on her, there was no reason too. He slashed at her mercilessly, enjoying the way her arms trembled under his harsh blows. The most appeasing feature, were the growing horror in her eyes when she came to realize that she was going to lose.
"If you're only going to switch from attack to defense after one blow, then I'm afraid this fight is over."
He knocked away her sword with the flat of his sword. The sword flew out of her hands and onto the floor. She rubbed her throbbing hands, she had been doing this for 3 hours straight. Every fight had the same miserable ending.
"Dead." He declared it proudly as he raised his sword to her neck. Was that the hundredth time he beat her? Or was it a hundred and one, now?
"Why are you doing this? I'm not a warrior..."
He walked away from her as she talked, leaning down to pick up her sword. He picked it up but gripped it blade first. "Not yet, but you will be when the days done."
The sword hilt was thrust into her aching hands again. She winced as she felt blisters burn when it touched the cool metal. She hesitated before holding the sword up into a defense stance. "Again, why is this important? You have other Slayers to teach, why waste your time on me?"
He growled, he was getting fed up with her constant complaining. "What I do with my time is my business! Your only concern is to fight!" He hit the back of her legs with his sword. When she fell forward he only kicked her back onto the flat of her back.
She groaned from getting the breath knocked out of her. Her muscles were screaming for her to stop but she ignored their constant pleas. She had no choice. "Well it concerns ME so of course I have a damn right to poke into your business!"
Her hand shot up, smacking away the blade that was pointed at her face. She didn't care that it had cut a deep gash into her hand, she couldn't feel it. She forced herself to stand. She fed off of the anger and frustration she felt, using it as motivation to fight better.
She might have been a beginner but when it came to speed, she was the expert. Her skills on the track were unlike any other, so why not put them to use in a fight?
He struck again, outraged that she would just knock aside his victory. "You have no rights! Your under MY orders now!"
She sprinted to the right, avoiding his attack easily. She kept her feet moving, not once did she let them stay still. Her adrenaline was running, so this was the thrill of being in a fight. The fear of being killed yet the excitement of the battle itself rushed through her.
No wonder Van fought so much. This was almost like an addiction. She flew around him, her feet flying on the ground. She grabbed another sword when she passed the rack. The heaviness of the sword lowered her speed a little but she pushed on.
There he spotted her, she had been moving pretty quickly he had almost lost her. Almost. He smirked as he dove at her, slashing his sword down at her stomach.
Weird. She saw the attack coming this time, her will to fight was truly amazing. She was able to block it with her sword, she even stepped into him, challenging his strength.
Big mistake.
Strength was his advantage, she should have stuck with speed. He knocked her away easily, once again placing the sword at her neck. He looked down at her with the same bored look, but there was something else there. Hunger? Hunger for what?
She had almost outdone him in his own game. How'd she know that attack was coming? He knew she had the makings of a soldier, now he was determined to get her into battle. Especially, the long anticipated fight with his ultimate foe.
'She's quick on her feet. A nice trait for sword fighting. Now if I can enhance her sword ability, it would go nicely with her foot work.' His eyes bore down at her. His eyes scaled over her sweaty features, the rise and fall of her breasts from heavy breathing made him blush. He quickly avoided all eye contact.
"We're done for today. You may go shower and join the rest of the Slayers in the Mess Hall." He walked away from her, sheathing his sword into the discarded sheath on his jacket. He threw the jacket over his shoulder so that it hung off his back.
"Wait! Where's the-" The closing door cut off her question. She finished it quietly to herself, "Mess hall..." She sighed to herself as she was ignored again.
She picked up her fallen sword and crawled over to the sword rack on bruised and aching limbs. Her hands retreated from the rack when she put her weapon up. She heard the opening and closing door, thinking it was Dilandau she didn't bother to turn around. "Right, so where's the Mess Hall? You didn't tell me be-"
Her eyes focused on the new body in the room. She had been slowly turning her spinning head not expecting anyone other than her new boss. "Oh I'm sorry...I'll leave in a minute."
"Would you like me to show you to the Mess Hall?"
She would have taken the offer without hesitation if it weren't that sparkle in his eye that made her a little nervous. "Um...didn't you need to use this room? I'm sure that's why you came in, I don't want to be a bother."
He shook his head, dark green locks of hair flew. Beneath his thick locks of unruly hair, sharp silver eyes stared at her. He ran a hand through his hair, "Your new, so I'll give you a break..." He turned his back to her while smirking.
She couldn't take her eyes away from his eyes, silver eyes were so uncommon...especially on earth. She noticed that when he smiled, they swirled with a little blue. His eyes could change color, how unreal...
She didn't know alot of the Slayers but she was able to tell who was new and who wasn't. This guy was definitely new, she could tell by the way he would adjust his armor every now and then or check if his sword was still in place. While the more recognizable Slayers didn't bother with checking, they knew and were confident that they would be ready if battle were to start up at any given moment.
"Um..What's your name?" She didn't like the way his eyes kept looking back at her, as if waiting for her to attack him. He probably was a very lonely person. He didn't seem to trust his anyone, not even his own shadow.
"Raiku." His voice was even and stone cold.
She shivered as his voice crept down her spine. "Oh, that's a nice name. May I call you Rai?"
He stopped.
She fidgeted with her hands as she kept her eyes on the ground. Did she say something to offend him? She watched his boots come towards her. She gulped the lump of fright that gathered in her throat. Was she destined to always be afraid?
No.
She raised her eyes, ready to take what he was about to do to her. If she said something that offended him, then he should say so and she would apologize. If not, well then there's nothing to fear, right?
He glared down at her with such hatred that she felt like she could feel her skin slowly prickle and her stomach drop to the ground. Anything to get away from that dark stare.
"I...Did I say something to offend you?" She saw his hand raise, she flinched from reflex. "If I said anything to make you angry, I'm sorry!!" She closed her eyes as the words poured out quickly.
The expected slap never came.
Instead, she felt the hand caress her bruised cheek. She slowly opened an eye to peek out. He was staring at the bruises forming on her face with such tender, caring eyes. "Who did this to you?"
So...he wasn't mad after all. She sighed inwardly from being relieved. This place always made her feel so tense and on the edge. She was in ,after all, the enemies headquarters. No, they were her allies now. She had to remember that, ever since HE brought her here...she was just another one of his soldiers.
"Oh, it must have came from the duel I was in earlier."
"With who?" His eyes sharpened.
She winced as his finger stroked the purple skin. "Dilandau."
His eyes widened with shock, "Lord Dilandau?!"
She noticed that his eyes started to turn a light green then amber. "Yes...He was training me."
"I see..." He sighed, removing his hand from her cheek. Was that a spark of possessiveness in his eyes? She could have sworn she saw it.
He turned his back towards her, giving her a more tender smile this time. "Come on, let's hurry the other Slayers must be almost done with dinner!"
She didn't move from where she was. Confusion was painted all over her face. He sure was weird. A true enigma with what he was feeling and thinking.
"Oh...and my answer is yes."
She raised an eyebrow, "Yes for what?" She hurried to catch up with him.
"You may call me Rai."
Damnit! How could he be so stupid!
CRASH!
SNAP!
A pitcher of water flew across the room and smashed into the opposite wall. "What's WRONG with me! It's all that damn woman's fault! HER AND HER WITCHERY!"
He fell to his knees while clutching his head to him. She must have put a spell on him, by using those seducing powers of hers. That was it. She was seducing him, just like she seduced that damn king.
It all made sense now. He smiled sadistically as he let go of his head. She came back to torment him and use him for whatever scheme she had going within that scrawny little head of hers. Scrawny yet well defined with lovely honey brown hair and a well shaped neck. Those green orbs...he could just lose himself in those...GAH!
He threw the closest thing to him which was, unfortunately, a chair. The chair broke into long wooden splinters when it slammed into the wall. There he went again...What was she doing to him? He hadn't felt this intimidated since...
He sighed as he ran a hand through his sweaty hair. Why did he have to feel these emotions again? These churning of emotions that affected his body so?
He grinned. Maybe Hitomi could be of use to him in more ways than one.
Yet, little did he know that somewhere else inside of him something was activated again. Something more pure and fragile than life itself. Something that was hurt all those years ago and laid dormant. Waiting.
It pumped in his chest quietly, not wanting to let itself be known yet.
Just a bit longer.
Then it would make itself noticeable again. It was too early in the game.
Catcalls and whistles were made when she passed by. Some were crude and some were harsh. She took them in with her head held high. She now had a new goal. She would make them all respect her. They would all see that she wasn't some useless girl who always needed protection.
No.
They would see that she could be something more than some object used for lust, power, and a tool. She would be more than just some woman with fate in her hands.
She would become a warrior.
She smiled at the thought of being in fables to come, myths to be, legends to be told. A heroine of battle and fatigue.
"Hey Hitomi!"
She shook her head out of the trance she was in when she heard her name. She turned her head towards the caller. She smiled and waved back to the waving Chesta. He waved Rai and herself over to their table.
"What's up, Chesta?"
"Nothing, hey it looks like your looking better. Everything going ok?" He either didn't take notice of Rai or ignored his presence altogether.
Rai sensed this uneasy isolation and decided it was better to leave. "Hey, Hitomi was it? I'll see you later..." He grinned over at Chesta before bowing and kissing Hitomi's hand. "M'lady."
Chesta growled at Rai's laughing silver eyes as he walked off. He glared at his back the whole time, Rai made his way across the Mess Hall to his own table. 'I never liked that new Slayer. He's trouble, I know it'
Dallet elbowed Chesta in the side. He leaned over, whispering lightly into his ear so that Miguel and Hitomi wouldn't hear. "Cool it...He wants you to be jealous."
Miguel and Hitomi were both engrossed in conversation over guymelefs. Hitomi, being her, didn't know a thing when it came to piloting these machines. Miguel, being him, found it a great honor to spread his vast knowledge on the subject with her. Showing his clever and intelligent side on the topic and yet at the same time showing that he liked the praise he was getting.
"Keep an eye out on Raiku, he's known to be persistent and hot headed when it comes to what he wants." Dallet sighed as he watched his friend continue to fume. 'That guy shows up outta the blue, knows where everything is, and acts as if he's lived here all his life. Just what's he playing at by taking interest in Hitomi all of a sudden?'
With these thoughts in mind, Dallet began to ponder quietly. Ignoring Chesta's silent curses and threats towards the good-looking flirt.
"Do you think I'll be able to pilot one?"
Miguel shrugged, a smug grin planted on his lips. "Maybe..."
She leaned forward on the table, "It sounds like fun! Oh please put in a good with Dilandau for me! I KNOW I can do it!"
He laughed at her excited face, just like a little kid. Weird how a pacifist like her wanted to dive right into a machine that nearly killed her and her once love on countless occasions. Old habits really did die hard.
"Well it's not something you can just ask for, it takes time and practice. Not to mention alot of skill and maneuver ability."
She nodded her head, soaking up every word that fell from Miguel's mouth. This is where she wanted to end up. In a machine on the battlefield. Feeling warm embers licking her face, sweat pouring down her head, and being trapped inside a killing device that almost brought the end of Gaea.
How the thrill of the fight changed her whole mood towards battles.
She could feel the race of her heart speed up when Miguel talked about an upcoming battle. She never knew she could feel this way over a oppugn. ((A/N: No that's not a spelling error))
"Who are we attacking?"
Miguel shrugged lightly, "We didn't get the news yet, but according to the rumors we're going to attack Fanelia." He didn't realize he had told the wrong person this information till after he saw Hitomi's face pale incredibly. "Uh uh uh of course these are just rumors, no one can really say if we're going to attack! It would be suicide to head into battle with them now."
"Not if we take their numbers out from the inside..."
Every Dragon Slayer in the Mess Hall turned their head. They didn't even hear him come in, they scrambled to their feet. Straightening their postures and leveling their faces, they saluted him.
"Did everyone hear that? We're attacking Fanelia four days from now." He turned to Hitomi with an odd smile on his face then left.
"We're attacking Fanelia? That's crazy!"
"Hush Dallet! Lord Dilandau knows what he's doing. He wouldn't just throw us into an impossible situation."
Chesta felt eyes on him, he moved his eyes over the heads of Slayers trying to catch an eye. He saw it.
The head quickly looked away from him, but the look he sent at Chesta's table and at Dilandau was very perturbed.
He would have to watch this one carefully. He looked over at Hitomi and watched her take in struggled breaths. 'Not only for our sake.'
"What's he THINKING! Attack Fanelia!! GRR! That bastard!"
"Please, calm yourself Hitomi!" Dallet and Miguel struggled in trying to keep Hitomi seated and calm. She was quivering like a leaf.
Dallet sighed, "It's not like we're going head on in, this will take some strategy."
"A ball for instance."
They all looked at the contemplating Miguel. "What?"
He cleared his throat then started again, "Now don't take me seriously because I'm not sure. But I overheard Lord Dilandau saying something about going in disguise and going to some Fanelian ball."
"Why would Fanelia have a ball?"
He looked uneasily at his fidgeting hands then up at Hitomi. "It's uh...It's a banquet held in honor for the new Fanelian bride to be."
Hitomi turned her face away from them. Not liking how they stared at her, waiting for her reaction to this bit of news. "So...Are we going in disguise or hiding in our guymelefs? What?"
The Slayers looked at her oddly, "So your okay with this?"
"I have to get over it some time, this remedy might be my only way out of the sickness I've created upon myself."
They all nodded.
"Well...I was thinking."
They all turned to Dallet, a little surprised. "Shut up! I can think ya know!"
They laughed at his heated glare. "Well anyways..." He looked at Hitomi, his eyes wandered up and down her body. Then seemed to go glossy in thought.
Chesta fidgeted in his seat from this action.
"Hey relax...I'm not taking your woman."
"She's not my woman!"
"Hn. Whatever. Hitomi...Do you think we could...Sortof send you in as a guest? We'll disguise you and everything! You'd be the perfect spy!"
"I dunno Dallet...Your asking a bit much."
"Well when the time comes and we find out we're really attending some ball will you atleast consider it?"
"I'll think about it."
"Excellent! Then boys, how about we hit the sack!"
The Slayers nodded in agreement while showing their signs of fatigue. "Coming Hitomi?"
"No, I'm going to stay here awhile longer..."
Chesta stopped and looked like he was going to stay also but Miguel grabbed his arm while Dallet pushed from behind. They replied at the same time, "Come on Chesta, we still have a lovely conversation to continue from the earlier incident in the hospital wing."
Hitomi shook her head while giggling as she heard protest and struggle all the way down the hall. What would she do? What COULD she do? When the time finally comes for her to join the fight, would she back out? Just because...of him?
She sighed over the restricting powers he still had over her heart. He even moved on and got himself a wife. Figures. But this might have been more the council's doing than his own freewill. He wouldn't be able to have his usual palace whores, now would he?
"What's that smile for?"
She looked over, she didn't notice that Rai had stayed behind. "Oh nothing, just thinking."
"About me? Yea I know I'm fine." He did a dramatic pose.
She laughed while play punching his arm. "You wish..."
He let his bottom lip slip out, putting on his best doggy pout. "I'm allowed, aren't I?"
This only caused Hitomi to laugh even more. "Hey, where are you from? It feels as if I've known you from somewhere."
His eyes flashed amber. Did she know? No, of course she didn't. His eyes returned to their cool shade of light blue with silver. "Just off the boundary line of Palas."
"Oh I see."
"Where are you from?"
She shifted in her seat, would she be able to tell him? "Er...You would think it a dark and desolate place."
"Oh come on...tell me! It's not like your from the Mystic Moon or anything, right?"
She didn't answer him. Oh, how she would love to just die right there. Lying was one of her weaknesses, everyone could catch her when she tried to lie. "I...well...er..."
"YOU ARE?!" He stood up quickly, his bench made a screeching noise when it rubbed against the floor.
She waited for the threats and horrible comments over her home. They never came.
"So it's true? Hey wow!" He sat down next to her, with a more thoughtful smile on his face. "Dark and desolate yes, but still mind boggling. Especially if such a horrid place could produce such a lovely creature like yourself."
She stared down at the table cracks, her cheeks were burning. He almost sounded like...
His hand turned her face towards him, his finger stroked the curve of her cheek while his thumb caressed her chin. His eyes were staring at her lips in a yearning way. He couldn't help himself anymore. His head moved in towards hers.
All she could do was sit there in a shocked phase. She felt weak from the way his eyes poured into her, like she couldn't move. How she wanted to run but was held by his gaze alone. She closed her eyes, hoping someone would walk in at any given moment and break his spell.
No one did.
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