Water and Wind

By: Padfoot-chan

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the GS characters. I only own Okami, Yoru, Ryou, Daisuke, and Mamoru. Aoshi belongs to Ivan and Kanata and Amiko belong to Hoshi (aka Felix-chan ^^).

Notes: Shonen-ai warning! Don't like, don't read. Flames shall be handed to Okami and he shall throw them in the fires of Hell where they belong.

Thanks for the reviews, Hoshi-chan, Ammy-san. I am so glad that you liked it. I was going to write more, but I was starting to fall asleep. Okay! On with the story! In addition, a little heads-up, Okami's dream sequence is weird…really weird, just warning you.

R/R please ^^

Padfoot-chan's comment for the chapter: I am such a cornball.

Chapter Three: Complex emotions

Robin and Ivan met up with Okami outside of the Inn. The sun had already gone down and the torches around the small village were being lit just as the three Energists headed toward the Mayor's house to meet up with Robin's friends, "Are you sure that you do not mind Okami and me tagging along with you?" Ivan was saying to Robin as they passed a large tree, "We would not want to be a burden to you, I am sure that you have a lot to do already."

Okami looked back at Ivan, shaking his head, "We have to go to the elemental lighthouses regardless, Ivan, it would be better to go in a large group. There is no telling what awaits us once we reach the Mercury Lighthouse." he said calmly. Robin nodded in agreement.

"Besides, I do not think that you would burden me at all." smiled Robin. Ivan turned away, trying to hide the blush that had crept onto his cheeks. It seemed that he was doing that a lot around the young Earth Energist.

"Robin, I want to thank you for everything that you have done for me." whispered Ivan, pausing and looking down at his shoes. Robin stopped and turned around to look back at him, slightly puzzled at his behavior, "I probably would not have been able to get Lord Hammet's Rod back if it have not been for you."

"I didn't do much," said Robin, "Okami did most of the work, and you fought as well."

"Yes…but still, it is only proper for me to truly thank you for what you have done for me. You did not have to help me, but you did and you even had something more important to do at the time…" Ivan shook his head and looked up at Robin, his violet eyes shinning in the firelight, "Robin, I…"

"Oof!" Robin and Ivan spun around to see that Okami had tripped over a small, white animal that resembled a cat at first glance. Upon closer inspection, this white little kitten had a fluffy rabbit-like tail where a cattail should have been instead. Okami sat up, slightly disgruntled. He turned around, lifted the animal by the back of its neck, and set it on a barrel to his side, "What an odd animal."

Robin and Ivan blinked before turning back to one another, "What were you going to say, Ivan?" asked the Earth Energist, giving Ivan a cheerful smile. Ivan blushed deep red and looked down at his feet again.

"N-nothing…as I was saying," he started, "I wanted to thank you…so…Thank you, Robin." Robin blinked as Ivan walked past him, dragging his feet along the ground and mumbling to himself. He could tell that there was something else that Ivan had wanted to say to him, but as to what that was he hadn't a clue.

Robin let out a soft sigh and hurried after Ivan.

Just as the Earth Energist opened the door to the Mayor's house, he was greeted by four voices at the same time. Mamoru and Amiko were cheering happily to see him, Kanata was complaining about Gerald and Gerald was yelling at him for leaving them behind, "We got lost thanks to you!" he yelled once the others were done. Robin stared at him, eyes wide with surprise, "Do you know how long it took us to find the path again after we wandered off into the forest?"

"I thought that you would have been able to handle walking a few miles by yourself." said Robin calmly, "Was I wrong to trust you with something as simple as that, Gerald?" The Fire Energist opened his mouth to say something but there did not seem to be anything he could say after that.

Ivan and Okami exchanged a quick glance at each other before turning to Robin's friends. Okami bowed to them first, "I am Okami, who are all of you, if you do not mind me asking." Kanata smiled.

"Not at all, I am Kanata, this is Mamoru and Amiko." she said pointing to the two Earth Energists who were now hugging Robin, "And the hothead's name is Gerald, if you don't watch him all the time, he might get himself into a lot of trouble so watch out for him."

Gerald harrumphed and turned away, "Is it bash Gerald day or something?"

Robin smiled at his friend's plight and shook his head, "Well, it does not seem that anyone is hurt, and for that, at the very least, we should be glad." he said, receiving a nod of agreement from Kanata, Mamoru, and Kanata. Gerald harrumphed again and offered a grumbled whatever to the young Earth Energist's comment. Robin turned to Ivan, smiling, "Ivan…I do not think that we will be able to leave now. It has gotten late and after that battle, I am sure that everyone is tiered. Plus with what Kanata and the others went though, I doubt that they are in the mood to set out and travel again."

Ivan turned to Okami, who nodded, before he turned back to Robin, "The Mayor has extra room…I am sure that if you were to ask him, he would be able to let you stay here. After all, you did help him out more than you could ever imagine, Robin. He is indebted to you."

"I do not want him to be indebted to me, Ivan," said Robin, laughing as Okami started talking with Kanata, "I did what I had to do. I could not just leave town after Okami saved my life and then you nursed me back to health." A pale reddish tinge colored Ivan's cheers and he turned to look over at the fire crackling in the fireplace. Robin leaned to the side, placing his hand on Ivan's shoulder, "Ivan? Is there something wrong? You have been acting odd around me lately."

The Air Energist shrugged his shoulders. He did not know what to say. If he said something now, it could come out all wrong. It would either make him sound rude or…or…something else. These thoughts did not seem to help him out in the least and he shook his head, trying to get control over his thoughts again.

"I suppose that I am just happy to have been able to get Lord Hammet's rod back for him, and then Okami and I are going to go to Lunpa to try to save him…" Ivan smiled weakly, "Yes, I do believe that is what is wrong with me. In addition, the fact that I am not much of a fighter and just got into a fight would probably add to what is making me act this way. Okami is the fighter. He always has been, really. I have never really been much for fights."

"You could have fooled me." smiled Robin, lifting his hand off Ivan's shoulder and ruffling his soft, dirty blond locks, "You fought very well, if you asked me. I understand that sometimes it would seem evil to fight, but if you have a very good reason it would not seem so bad, don't you agree?"

"How so?" asked Ivan, thoughtfully.

"Say a friend of yours was captured by an evil lord or thief from another land, wouldn't you go rushing off to save them regardless of the fact that you do not like to fight? If you have the abilities to save them and are the only one who is willing to fight to save them, wouldn't you?" asked Robin. Ivan cocked his head to the side, contemplating what the Earth Energist had just told him.

"I…suppose that would be the right thing to do and if no one were able to do it but you…" Ivan nodded, smiling now, "Yes, fighting does have its purposes in the end if you think about it hard enough."

Okami walked over to them, "Hey, I just spoke with the Mayor…he said that we can spend the night here because of what Robin did for him and his family." The cross-Energist smiled, "Imagine having five teenagers and four preteens in the same house. Ivan, since we haven't much room, this is how the sleeping arrangements are going to be, if there is no problem with you…"

"Who is sleeping with who…?" asked Ivan, glancing at Robin for a second. Okami smirked as he caught the innocent glance and decided to change the sleeping arrangements around a little.

"Well, considering that I have just found one of the other Legendary Warriors," started Okami, glancing over at Kanata with an evil smile. She turned away from Okami and looked from Robin and Ivan before returning Okami's grin, "I am going to be sharing my room with her so we can talk about the elemental lighthouses, the Elemental Stars, and all that sort of Legendary Warrior nonsense. Anyway, Mamoru will share a room with the Mayor's grandson and Amiko will share a room with his granddaughter, since they are the same age, I thought that that would be the best arrangement for them. Gerald will have to take a room to himself because there is only one left and as for Robin, he can sleep in your room, Ivan."

Ivan's violet eyes widened at the same time Robin's light blue ones nearly doubled in size. The two looked at each other before turning back to Okami, ready to complete to the cross-Energist. He shook a finger at them before they even had a chance to argue with his sleeping arrangements, "Come now, don't you trust me? It isn't like the two of your are planning to do anything tonight…are you? Because if you are, we could just switch it around."

"N-no, that's quite alright." muttered Ivan, his face reddening worse than ever, "The arrangements that you have made are just fine, Okami." Okami clapped his hands together.

"Good, then if everything is settled, I shall show Mamoru, Amiko, Kanata, and Gerald where they are to sleep, and you can take care of Robin, can't you, Ivan?" The Air Energist nodded and Okami led the others through the living room and up the stairs to the rooms, leaving Robin and Ivan alone next to the fireplace.

For a long moment, neither of the two spoke to each other, merely staring off at the fire or at something that they had suddenly found quite interesting. Robin finally cleared his throat once he decided that he could no longer take the nearly painful silence that had fallen between them. Ivan jumped slightly at the unanticipated sound from Robin and turned back to look at the older teen with a questioning look lightening his violet eyes, "Yes…?"

"Shouldn't we go now?" Robin had nearly said something else but had saved himself from that, knowing that his teenage mind would have taken that thought elsewhere and with an Air Energist around that could have easily read his every thought without hesitation, he did not want his mind doing or thinking about anything his mind had no right to think about.

Ivan nodded; unaware of the mental battle that Robin was going through with himself and led the Earth Energist through the house and up to his room.

-~-~-~-

The sky overhead had turned from a clear blue to a stormy gray in a matter of seconds. Strong gusts of wind blew branches of dead trees from side to side, creating eerie shadows on the dying grass and the pale dirt path that had faded away into near nothingness.

Atop a large hill was a gray, stone castle, surrounded by an ominous air that warned something bad would soon happen within its seemingly silent walls. One figure stood outside of the castle doors, arms at his sides, head bent slightly in a searching manor, wearing a long, black cape over a black tunic, dark gray, long-sleeved shirt, and dark gray pants. His dirty blond hair was blown to the side, giving off a perfect view of his deep blue eyes.

Okami looked up now, his eyes glancing from the windows on either side of the giant double doors to the knocker in the shape of an odd little creature with fangs and devil ears. He reached up with a shaking, gloved hand and grabbed the end of the knocker, banging it against the door three times before there was the sound of moaning from within the castle walls, sending a shiver down his spine.

The cross-Energist turned around, suddenly suspicious that there would be someone behind him, waiting for him to let his guard down for an ideal time to attack him. He fought against the urge to summon his sword and turned back around just at the double doors creaked open to reveal the dark insides of the castle.

Okami poked his head inside, eyes glowing in a faint firelight from somewhere inside the castle. He heard the moaning again, this time it sounded as if the person moaning was in some sort of pain. The sound had come from somewhere further within the castle, most likely somewhere within the upper chambers. So, Okami headed to the stone steps that were directly in front of him.

The steps led straight up through the floors, all the way up to the top floor where the sounds were drifting down to Okami. When he reached the fourth floor of the castle, a strange scent invaded his senses. The smell was foreign at first, but it seemed to bring back memories from Okami's past life. Memories that he had hoped to have been rid of for the rest of his life. However, the scent was too strong and he soon remembered the smell. The metallic smell of blood invading his senses, surrounding him and enveloping him until he started to see red and only red, a crimson glow that would not let up on him.

Okami stumbled about on the steps until he found the railing and leaned against it, grabbing the edges tightly in his gloved hands and taking deep, strangled breaths to try to get rid of the horrid smell of blood. He closed his eyes and shook his head, leaning back away from the railing and looking up through the levels of the castle, thoughts rushing around through his mind, making him more confused than he had been when he first entered the castle.

Questions beginning with why, how, what and where flew through his head faster than he had time to comprehend them, making him dizzy with the confounding thoughts. This was a reverie. That was the only explanation for the peculiarity of it all. Hadn't he been talking with Kanata one moment about the Elemental Stars and the elemental lighthouses and then laying him down to sleep the next moment before he found himself in this abnormal land, wearing a bizarre outfit as well.

Then again, knowing the unpredictability of his powers, he might have inadvertently cast a transformation spell to alter his clothes for one thing to another and then teleported himself to an odd continent somewhere far from his beloved Weiard. These thoughts did not seem to aid in his growing plight, they only abetted in making everything worse for him.

There was only one option open to him at this point in time, he may not have liked it very much, but there was nothing else for him to do but charge forward to see whether it was a dream or not. He could usually tell the difference between dreams and reality, but for some reason, this one just felt so real, from the smell of the blood, to the cool, rough feel of the stone railing against his gloved hands. He could even feel a slight breeze blowing up around him, lifting his dirty blond hair and the long, black cape that hung from his slender shoulders.

Okami shook his head and continued up the stairs, determined to find the underlying cause of this odd dream or whatever it was. He could now sense things around him, things that should not be there, then again, he should not be there either. There was a force pushing against him increasingly as he ascended the stone steps to the very top of the castle. The force was powerful and intimidating to even a Legendary Warrior as skilled as Okami. He was tempted to heed the warnings of this powerful force, but he could not just turn back now, where was he to go? He would have to play out this dream, if it was even a dream. Okami's eye twitched and he let out an exasperated thought. Maybe it would be better to just shut up before he drove himself insane.

When there were only two flights of stairs between him and the top floor, Okami suddenly became dizzy once more, but this time it was from an overwhelming force, probably the same force he had felt before. It was overpowering his own aura, driving it out, making it hide deep within Okami where it would not be a threat. The cross-Energist felt his breath leave him for a moment and he throught he was about to fall backwards when another force from behind him pushed against the first force, fighting to push it back. This gave Okami enough time to catch his breath and save himself from falling backwards down the stairs. He spun around to see who had helped him but there was no one standing in the darkness of the castle.

Okami's eyes narrowed as he rose a few more steps slowly before running up the last two flights, not wanting a repeat of what had just happened, there was no telling what would happen in the second round and he did not feel like finding out. He knew that rushing in would be just as stupid as standing around waiting for whatever it was to come to him or having his aura pushed back into him where he would have a hard time getting to it but he had no other choice.

The cross-Energist finally made it to the top floor, his breath was labored but there would be no problems not that he was on level ground. Or so he thought. There was only one way to go, he discovered as he turned to his left first to find a dead end and then to his right to find a short hallway and a door slightly ajar at the end of the hallway.

Breathing a sigh of relief for a moment, Okami turned to his right, making his way for the door when suddenly the ground beneath him began to shake and he was thrown into the wall to his side. He grabbed onto the side of the wall, as his knees buckled and gave out. The earthquake had stopped as soon as it had started and Okami was able to right himself soon after, but when he made for the door at the end of the hallway, he was forced to pause.

Two things had changed in the room now. One was a very big change, the hallway seemed to have expanded and now the door was even farther than before. The second change nearly caught Okami by surprise when he finally noticed it. A giant sphinx-like creature was kneeling in front of him, as if preparing to pounce on him at any moment. The sphinx was blocking his way to the door.

Okami smirked slightly, leaning against the wall and gazing up at the sphinx with his sweetest expression of innocence that he could muster. He had been told many times that he looked like an angel but his personality was far from that of an angels and his looks could easily deceive anyone. However, this sphinx did not seem fooled by his feigned innocence and crouched down further, "If you wish to pass," started the sphinx in a feminine voice, "you will have to answer my riddle."

The cross-Energist merely smiled to this and nodded, "Very well, I love riddles. How many are you going to ask me, Lady Sphinx? I suggest that you should ask a lot of riddles if you wish to beat me." The sphinx smiled in return.

"He does not want you to lose, Okami." This caught Okami off guard and he straightened against the wall, surveying the sphinx in an altered light now, "I shall only ask you one riddle, one that you will get on the first try. After this, there will be no one obstacles in your way, except the one that awaits you at the end of the hall…through the door. What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?"

Okami frowned at the simple riddle, "Man." he replied and as soon as he had done so, the sphinx bowed to him and disappeared in a burst of light, leaving the way to the door unblocked. Okami moved forward, glancing back at where the sphinx had stood only moments ago, "Okay, this has to be a dream. Reality is not this messed up."

It did not take him long before he finally reached the door. The odd sounds had begun to pick up again, this time with an edge of familiarity to them. He paused as he reached the door; hand out to push the door open all the way. There was the sound of movement drifting out through the crack in the door and whispers filtered out to Okami, his ears twitching every now and then. He was hesitant at what he would find now. Maybe if he just stayed put, he would wake up from this strange dream and could forget all about ever having it. He knew that it was not that easy and someone had given him this dream to prove a point, either that he was powerless to stop something or that he needed someone's help in stopping something.

Either way, there was no turning back now. Okami pushed the door open and blushed at the sight that met his eyes. Robin and Ivan were sitting down on a bed, arms wrapping around each other as they kissed each other passionately. He tried to avert his eyes but movement from Robin stopped him. The Earth Energist turned his head slightly and pulled away from Ivan. Okami was about to mutter an apology when Robin lifted his right hand away from Ivan and waved it to Okami.

Ragnarok.

Okami's eyes widened as a giant, golden sword appeared above Robin, pointed directly at Okami. He stood frozen in place, shocked by this action from his newfound friend as he turned back to Ivan. He barely had time to throw up his arms in an attempt to protect himself from the powerful Psynergy attack.

-~-~-~-

Deep blue eyes flew open and Okami sat up with a start, drenched in a cold sweat. He pushed his wet bangs out of his eyes and looked around the small room. Kanata had taken his bed and he was sleeping on a futon on the wooden floor. Clouds moved outside of the window next to him and the room was bathed in a silvery light. Okami drew his knees to his chest and rested his head in his hand, messaging his temples.

'How odd,' he thought monotonously, thinking back to the dream he had just had. Okami blushed slightly when he remembered Robin and Ivan sitting on the bed in his dream. Why would someone want him to dream about that? Did someone want to not trust Robin and Ivan? Was he being warned that they might betray him? He did not know Robin too well, but he was well intentioned and he did not seem like the type of person who would easily betray someone. Okami had known Ivan for most of his life and they had been through a lot together, he knew that Ivan would rather die than even think of betraying him. So, what was the meaning of this dream?

Lingering on the dream did not seem to make things any clearer, if anything thinking about the dream was making things worse. His head was beginning to pound as unanswered questions ran around his mind, flirting with dangerous thoughts of betrayal and other misleading answers.

Okami pushed the covers away from him and grabbed his cloak from the back of a chair. He wrapped it around his body and headed toward the door, opening it as quietly as possible so he would not wake Kanata. Okami was making his way through the hallway, toward the stairs when he noticed a light on in Ivan's room and voices drifting out through the bottom of the door. There was the quick sound of laughter, a pause and then more laughter.

Frowning, Okami tiptoed over to the door and lifted his fist to knock. He paused for a moment, wondering if it was any of his business what the two teens were doing in the first place. He did not want to seem like a pest. It was hard for him to make friends, he did not want to lose the closet one he had, and Robin seemed like someone that he could trust with anything, he did not want to risk losing him as a friend as well.

He bit his bottom lip and turned away, hurrying past the door and slipping down the steps without making too much noise. He could hear snores from the rooms around him, soothing him into a state of comfort for a moment before he stepped out into the night air, closing the door soundly behind him.

The torches around the town had been doused hours ago, but the smell still seemed fresh in the crisp air. As a breeze blew past, picking up Okami's hair and cooling him off, he shivered slightly. It was nice out, though. He had to admit that. There was a full moon out, lighting the whole village with a serene light. For a moment, Okami wished that he could stay in Vault for a little longer. The thought seemed a little absurd when he thought about it. He had never been one to stay in one village for very long. Even when he was in Karei Town, he was always looking for excuses to leave and go on an adventure, usually taking Yoru along with him.

Okami sat down on the grass in front of the mayor's house and leaned back against the smooth wall. Even if he really did want to stay in one place for a long time now, he could not. He still had to make sure that the Elemental Stars were returned to Sol Sanctum, even though he felt that it would better if all of the Elemental Stars were returned to the Legendary Warriors were they would be better protected. It was not as if anyone had tried to steal the Stars when they were in the hands of the Legendary Warriors, even if someone did, they would never have managed to actually steal the Elemental Stars from them in the end.

When he stopped to think about it really, he did not know much of anything about the Elemental Stars nor the elemental lighthouses. He did not even know very much about cross-Energists when he thought about that as well. Why did only four Energists out of probably hundreds end up with two different elements instead of one like the others? Why did they have to protect the elemental lighthouses? They had to have been lit at one point in time and Weyard was still standing, nothing seemingly bad had happened to their beloved land.

Maybe that strange Water Energist from earlier was right about the elemental lighthouses. But what would he want with the elemental lighthouses? He did seem to know about the yamis and about the Legendary Warriors, so why would he want to fire the beacons if it was just going to release such dangers upon the world.

'I wonder what Yoru is doing right now…' thought Okami suddenly. He had not thought about the older teen in a while and now he was suddenly worried that something bad had happened to him. Okami did leave without saying anything to him and knowing Yoru, he probably had done something drastic, 'Please be safe…'

-The next day-

Robin was rose early the following morning, he was a little saddened that he would have to part ways with Ivan but the thought of meeting up with the young Air Energist made that emotion go away soon enough. Ivan was still sleeping in his bed, curled up in a little ball, hugging one of his pillows. Robin smiled to himself as he watched the younger teen sleeping, his chest rising and lowering slowly as he breathed. He knew that he really should not be staring, but he could not help himself.

Ivan was like no one he had ever met before. Robin found him very amusing; from his personality to the way he carried himself and how he used his powers over Air. He did not know why, but he was merely captivated by everything that the young Air Energist did. Robin turned away, knowing that if he were to watch Ivan any longer, he might end up doing something that he would regret for the rest of his life, no matter how much he wanted to. Ivan was just so adorable when he was sleeping, though…

Robin shook his head and climbed off his bed, grabbing his shirt from the corner of a chair and pulling it over his head. He walked over to the door and was about to slip out of the room when a movement on Ivan's bed caught his attention and the youth muttered something under his breath. The Earth Energist turned around slowly and crossed the distance from the door to Ivan's bed in a few swift strides. He leaned over Ivan and whispered, "What is it, Ivan?"

"Robin…" muttered Ivan, hugging his pillow tighter, squeezing his eyes shut, "don't…" Ivan relaxed now, returning to his normal state making Robin sigh. He straightened up and looked down at Ivan, wondering what he was trying to say in his sleep.

He shrugged it off and exited the room, hoping that Ivan would be able to get some sleep. Robin was about to head down the stairs when he heard the front door open and a couple of moments later; Okami ascended the stairs, his hair disheveled and a slightly confused look on his face when he noticed Robin.

The Earth Energist smiled down at Okami quickly, "Sorry, I don't feel like going back to sleep." he said, "And I didn't want to wake Ivan up by staying there and watching him sleep would not be very fun." Okami smiled, nodding to Robin.

"I think that Hitomi is up already, I heard someone cooking in the kitchen when I came in and I think that she may be cooking breakfast for everyone." explained Okami, turning back around and walking down the steps. Robin breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, watching Ivan sleep had not been so bad; it was what he might have done if he kept watching him sleep that was starting to scare him. Robin descended the steps after Okami and tried to listen to him while he thought about the new emotions he was beginning to feel for Ivan.

He never had been a very passionate person; he was far too busy worrying about taking care of both his mother and Mamoru that he had never had time to date anyone, not that he had ever been interested in anyone. Felix had teased him about it when they were younger, saying that Robin would die an old, miserable hermit while Felix would have hundreds of grandchildren to tell stories too. That was before his father had died, even then he had not been interested in anyone, he did have time for people but no one ever caught his eye.

Robin had been told that he was very good-looking by many people when he was growing up and many girls had made advances on him, only to be turned away in the end. He definitely did not have time for anyone now, but Ivan…he could make an excuse for Ivan. He wanted to be around Ivan, it was as if he felt whole around the young Air Energist, finally complete, an emotion that he had not felt in his entire life. There always seemed to be something missing in his life, no matter how hard he tried to find out what that something was. It always seemed to elude him.

It had been so easy to find Ivan, though and now that he felt whole, he did not want to lose that feeling. He could not live like that, not now that he finally found the person who made he feel like he mattered, like there was something left to live for, someone to live for.

Robin blushed as these thoughts crossed his mind. He had never been an emotional person and suddenly thoughts of being needed by someone, living for just one person were starting to fill his head. It was not so bad; he had always wanted something to live for, which is why he had jumped at the chance of going out on a journey to get back the Elemental Stars. He would be doing something important, people were depending on him getting the Stars back to Sol Sanctum safely and he liked that thought.

Robin and Okami finally reached the kitchen where Hitomi, the mayor's wife, was standing in front of the stove, cooking breakfast for everyone. She smiled and greeted the two Energists. Okami gave her a cheery greeting in return and Robin offered her a halfhearted smile. He was too lost in his thoughts to do much of anything now.

Okami noticed this and frowned, "Robin, is there something troubling you? You have not been very enthusiastic since I saw you last." he smirked, "Is it something with Ivan." They heard a small giggle from Hitomi but she made no further comment on what Okami had just said.

Robin blushed and shook his head, but it was no use lying to Okami, he was Ivan's friend and half Air Energist. If Okami really wanted to know, he could just read Robin's mind, "Sort of…" started Robin, sitting down at the table across from Okami, "I was just thinking about something but I am not sure what to make of it myself."

"I understand." said Okami softly, "I will not press any further. Your thoughts are you own from now on. However, I suggest that you tell Ivan once you understand your feelings, he deserves to know, and who knows, it could turn out for the best in the end instead of just killing yourself over it in the long run. I have a feeling that you and Ivan are going to become very close in the near future. Just make sure that you take good care of him or you will have to deal with me."

Robin smiled in spite of himself, "Well, with a threat like that, I can assure you that Ivan is in very good hands." Okami looked up from the table and waved to someone standing in the doorway behind Robin. Turning around he spotted Ivan standing there, still looking a little tiered with his hair almost as messy as Okami's.

He waved back to Okami as he walked over to the table and took the empty seat next to a blushing Robin, "What are you two doing up so early? I am still tiered and sore from that battle that we had yesterday. How can you stand it?"

"Practice." said Okami thoughtfully, "Don't worry, there are going to be a lot of battles on the way to the Mercury Lighthouse and that is where the people who stole the Elemental Stars are headed for sure. Plus, we are probably going to have to fight them for the Stars as well." Ivan groaned, folded his arms across the table in front of him and rested his chin on his arms.

"I am not sure how I should look at that statement, Okami." he said softly, "You know that I do not like fighting."

"Sometimes that is the only way out of things, Ivan," replied Robin, hopefully, "Not everything can be settled through talking, just as not everything can be settled through fighting. It all depends on the situation." Ivan nodded, glancing at Robin before burying his face in his arms. Okami nodded at Robin before standing up.

"I am going to wake the others up." he said before walking out of the kitchen. Robin flushed, wondering why Okami had just left the kitchen. Hitomi turned around from the stove and caught Okami's hint.

"Robin, would you be a dear and watch the breakfast for me? I want to make sure that there is warm water for everyones shower." Without waiting for an answer from Robin, Hitomi rushed out of the kitchen and up the stairs after Okami. Robin stared after the woman, a loss for words. He glanced back at Ivan just as he lifted his head and looked around the room, slightly confused.

"Where did everyone go?"

"Uh…um…well, Hitomi just went off to make sure that we all had warm water for our shower," Robin blushed when he said this but quickly shook it off, "And Okami left before her to make sure that everyone was awake." Ivan nodded and stood up walking over to the stove to check on the food. They sat in uncomfortable silence, both think about the same thing. Each other.

'What a weird dream,' thought Ivan as he flipped over the pancakes to make sure that they would not burn, 'why would I have a dream about someone that I just met? And why Robin of all people…?' The Air Energist blushed as he turned around to look at the back of Robin's head, 'But there is something different about him, something that draws me to him. What is it that makes him different from everyone else that I have met? Maybe I should talk to Okami about this. He would not laugh at me and it might help to talk it over with someone…'

Robin stared down at his hands, not really seeing him as he thought about Ivan, 'Could it be that I am falling in love with…Ivan?' The thought crossed his mind so quickly that he decided that that could not possibly be the reason he was thinking about the young Air Energist or why he was feeling strangely around him. However, he kept coming back to that idea and each time, it seemed increasingly possible that that was the reason, 'How could I be falling for someone who I just met? I do not even know him…and he is a he! What would my mother think? What would this do to Mamoru if he found out about this? And what about Ivan? I seriously do not think that he is into guys.'

Robin groaned and planted his face on the table with a rather loud bang, startling Ivan. Ivan turned around and looked at Robin, eyes full of concern before he walked over to the Earth Energist and tapped his shoulder. Images of Robin's memory quickly flashed through Ivan's mind before Robin lifted his head from the table and looked up at the Air Energist, "Is there something wrong, Robin?" asked Ivan, breathlessly. There was something different about Robin now, a new emotion is his pale blue eyes as he looked up at Ivan.

The Earth Energist smiled weakly, taking Ivan's hand in his own, "Yeah, but I don't think that anyone can help me with these sort of problems." Ivan blushed as he glanced from their entwined hands to Robin, "Thanks for your concern, though, it means a lot to me."

Ivan nodded slowly, "What are friends for…are you sure that I cannot help you with whatever is troubling you? I really do not like to see you worried like this. It is not healthy for one to worry." Robin turned away, finally letting go of Ivan's hand. The Air Energist sat back down in the seat next to Robin and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

Robin opened his mouth to say something as he turned to Ivan but paused, "Well," he started in a whisper, leaning forward as well until his and Ivan's face were mere inches apart, neither wanting to draw away, "now that you mention it…maybe there is something that you can do that will help me…"

Ivan blushed even more as Robin leaned in closer, "Is that so…" he whispered back, closing his eyes and moving forward as well. Just as their lips were about to meet in a sweet, chaste kiss, footsteps were heard coming from the stairs and voices drifted through the house, reaching the kitchen.

Robin and Ivan pulled away quickly and both turned to the doorway, blushing crimson. Kanata walked into the kitchen followed shortly by Gerald, Mamoru, and Amiko, the four of them talking to each other happily. Ivan stood up and walked over to the stove again before Robin even had a chance to stop them. The Earth Energist glared at his friends, mentally cursing them for their horrible timing. He was just about to kiss Ivan and the Air Energist was actually going to let him! Why did his friends have to have such bad timing?

Kanata caught the look and withered under the scathing look. Robin could be scaring when he was angry, even when you were not the target of his anger, it was still scary, but being on the receiving end of his wrath was far worse. She tried to avoid the look of hatred on her friend's face but there was no escaping it. She sat down in the seat at one of the table and shrugged at Robin, "What?" she asked, "What did I do?"

Robin groaned, muttered a quick nothing and got up from the table, walking over to the stove, partly to see if Ivan wanted any help and partly to see if there was any chance of saving his sanity before he completely lost it. "Ivan," he started in a low whisper so that the others who not be able to hear their conversation. Ivan turned to him, smiling quickly, "Well…"

"It's okay, Robin, I understand. We can talk about it later."

"But…we have to be heading out soon." pressed Robin as Ivan handed him the spatula so that he could flip the pancakes now, "We might not have to time to talk about it. The others are not exactly going to leave us alone while we are on the road." Ivan shrugged his shoulders elegantly, making Robin smile.

"I know, but it is a good two days walk before we reach the pass the road that leads to Lunpa and you are going to have to come with us so you can reach the road that will take you to Goma Cave." explained Ivan calmly as if he were talking about the weather or some other daily subject. "The others are going to want to came out, I am sure, and then you could send them off to get firewood or something else. Okami will go with them to make sure that they do not get lost and I am sure by that time, Mamoru and Amiko are going to be too tiered to stay up. We will be able talk about whatever you want then."

Robin blinked at Ivan before laughing, "You thought about this before, haven't you?" Ivan shook his head.

"Okami just taught me how to think on my feet, imagine if you did not know what to do in a battle with a strong adversary." smiled Ivan; "It is just always a wise idea to be prepared for anything."

"Even something like this?" teased Robin, poking Ivan in the side with the end of the spatula. Ivan made a little squeaking noise, "Aw, that's so cute." Ivan blushed.

Gerald glanced at Robin and Ivan before turning to Kanata and whispering to her, "Have you noticed anything strange going on with Robin and that Ivan-kid?" Kanata looked over at the two and shrugged her shoulders turning back to watch Mamoru and Amiko climb into the chairs at the table.

"You are probably just imagining things like usual, Gerald." she said smiling, "But Ivan is very polite, don't you think? So is Okami, I am a little surprised to have met another cross-Energist." Gerald harrumphed and turned away from his friend. She smiled at him, knowingly, "Are we jealous, Gerald?"

"Of Robin? I think not."

"Well," started Kanata softly, hoping that Robin would not hear her, "you know that there is a lot to be jealous of. Robin does not get lost when he goes out, he was chosen to be the leader, a lot of people depend on him, and he is very good looking…" Gerald's jaw dropped.

"Not you to!" Okami and Hitomi chose that moment to walk back into the kitchen.

"What is going on?" asked Okami, sitting down in his chair again. His hair was combed now, tied back in a short ponytail in hopes that he could actually tame his unruly locks for once, "I thought that everyone would have wanted to take a shower first."

"Yes, but Amiko and Mamoru were hungry and there is really no disagreeing with Earth Energists when they want something." said Kanata, smiling. Robin coughed at this statement and shot Kanata an odd look. She shrugged it off as more of his odd behavior and turned to Hitomi, "Is there anything that I can help out with?"

"I would not want my guests to do any work," she said before looking at Okami, "You on the other hand, mister, I want you to set the table."

"Ah, come on, Hitomi, I'm a guest too." laughed Okami, getting back to his feet and walking over to the cabinet. Hitomi hit him lightly on the back on the head, messing up his hair.

"Yes, but I have a feeling that you are going to come back here more than Robin and his friends." Hitomi turned to Ivan and walked over to him, pulling the young Air Energist into a tight hug, "But I am going to miss having all of your around with me."

"Yes, but you still have Xenos and Andromeda to keep you company." said Ivan as Hitomi released her hold on Ivan.

"Ah, but they are going to have to go back to their parents in a couple of weeks. They are finally finished with their travels and are coming back for their son and daughter," explained Hitomi with a sigh, "I am going to miss them as well."

Okami frowned, "Would it be very wise to do that with Xenos? Your son and daughter live all the way in Raripero Town, near the Venus Lighthouse, a lot could happen from Vault to Raripero. It takes one month to get there by carriage, two if you are walking." Hitomi sighed.

"Yes, but there is nothing we can do."

"Tell me when your son and daughter come to pick Xenos and Andromeda up, if I am finished with the Elemental Stars by then, maybe I could escort them back to Raripero Town. I have business in the Venus Lighthouse anyway, so I will be headed out that way as soon as I can." said Okami, "I have a feeling that Xenos is going to very important in the future, once he looks a little more control over his powers."

"Xenos having control over his powers is a scary thought," commented Hitomi. Okami smiled, shaking his head as he placed the dishes on the table.

"Maybe so, but it is better than him not having any control over his powers."

-~-~-~-

After everyone was fed and washed, they were ready to leave Vault behind and continue with their journey. After saying their goodbyes, the two groups set out on the same path leading out of the small village. Okami and Kanata had gotten ahead of the group, talking about anything that seemed to come up, while Gerald, Mamoru, and Amiko were following closely behind them. Robin and Ivan had fallen behind on purpose, so that they could talk without the others hearing their conversation, even though they were not talking about anything important.

"So your father died three years ago?" asked Ivan, solemnly, "I am so sorry…" Robin shook his head.

"Don't be sorry, I'm not," admitted Robin. Now that he stopped to think about it, he was not sorry about what had happened. If Kyle had never died, then he would never had become interested in Alchemy, would never have gone to Sol Sanctum and the Elemental Stars would not have been stolen, but he probably would not have met Ivan. It was worth it in the end, just to have met the Air Energist, "The way I look at it is if my father had never died, then I would never have become the person that I am today."

"I suppose that that is a better way of looking at it," muttered Ivan, smiling, "Robin, do you think that you will be able to get the Elemental Stars back before those people who stole them are able to fire the beacons?"

"I don't know. I sure hope so." sighed Robin, "If you are able to save Lord Hammet, are you going to be able to join us?" Ivan blushed and nodded.

"I was originally supposed to leave with Okami, but then Lord Hammet told me on that caravan and it pretty much messed up Okami's plans." explained Ivan, "But as soon as we are able to get Dodonpa to release Lord Hammet, we will head over to the Mercury Lighthouse." Robin smiled.

"Then I hope that you and Okami are able to save Lord Hammet soon." Robin leaned over Ivan and whispered into his ear, "I don't think that I am going to be able to stand not being around you for long." Ivan made a small squeaking noise and looked down at his boots so Robin would not see him blushing.

-~-~-~-

Night had begun to fall when the group finally decided to make camp. Kanata went off to get firewood, while Gerald and Okami volunteered to walk around the area to make sure that there were no monsters around that would attack them in their sleep. Mamoru and Amiko were still up; both of them hanging around Robin so he and Ivan did not have a chance to talk to each other about more…personal matters.

Ivan was sitting on the ground, leaning back against a tree trunk as Robin knelt in front of him watching Mamoru and Amiko as they told Robin about what had happened with Gerald. "And then Gerald turned off the path and into the forest even though Kanata told him not to so she had to go in after him and took us with her so nothing would happen to us while she went off to make sure Gerald did not get lost." explained Mamoru.

Robin shook his head, sighing, "I told Gerald to not go off the trail," he muttered, "But I am glad that none of you were hurt. It would have been my fault for wanting to split up back there. I should not have done that. It was poor judgment on my part."

"It is still Gerald fault," Ivan spoke up, "You warned him not to leave the trail, and going against your orders, he did just that. He should have known better than to do something like that." Robin nodded, sitting on the ground now.

"I suppose but I still should not have left them alone like that."

Kanata came back a few minutes later, followed shortly by Okami and Gerald. Okami looked a little distressed for some reason, "What is it, Okami?" asked Ivan.

"I can sense something headed our way." he said quickly, "Something very powerful, something not normal. I do not have any idea what it could be, though. I am a little worried that I might not be able to do anything to stop it, though."

"What could it be?" asked Kanata dropped the firewood she had gathered on the ground. Gerald lifted his hand and a fire shot up out of the wood, lighting the area in a warm glow. Okami shook his head.

"I have no idea…but we should be ready for anything." As soon as Okami had finished saying this, something shook the earth beneath him, sending the young cross-Energist flying backward into a bush.

"Okami!" The sky overhead darkened and loud thunderclaps sounded from nearby, soon followed by bright flashes of light. Okami reappeared, twigs sticking out from his dirty blond hair.

"It's here," he gasped, running back over to his companions. Gerald was about to take out his sword when Okami yelled, "Don't take out your sword! This is an unnatural storm. Whoever is behind us is going to attack with this storm and if you have your sword out, you could get yourself killed."

Kanata knelt down on the ground next to Mamoru and Amiko, throwing her arms around them protectively. Robin grabbed Ivan's hand and pulled him close, not worried about what the others would say now. Okami lifted his hands into the air and a barrier appeared, "This is not going to last for long," he said weakly, "but this is all that I can do for now."

There were a few more thunderclaps and more bolts of lightning but nothing threatening, not until…

A bolt of lightning suddenly hit Okami's barrier, destroying it on impact and throwing everyone who was standing onto the ground. Gerald was slammed against a tree, nearly knocking him unconscious. The Fire Energist felt the back of his head and discovered a long trail of blood sliding down from where he was hit. Okami managed to avoid hitting any more trees or bushes but the front of his shirt was torn from sliding against the ground.

"There has to be something that we can do," whispered Ivan, his voice muffled against Robin's shirt.

"How can we fight against nature?" asked Robin, looking down at the Air Energist for a moment.

"We control nature all the time, Robin, there has to be something we can do to stop this storm." said Ivan, "We won't know until we try something." The Earth Energist turned away for a moment, wondering if it was truly worth the risk. His grip on Ivan loosened and Ivan rose to his feet, lifting his hands into the air.

"Ivan, what are you doing!?" Okami tried to yell over the wind, but it did not see that his friend had heard him. For a moment, whatever Ivan was doing seemed to be working, the storm was being pushed back. However, Ivan was not strong enough to push back the storms completely. Just as it looked that Ivan had overcome the storm, a bolt of blue lighting struck the Air Energist. He cried out in pain, his hands going to his heart and felt to the ground. Robin rushed forward to catch him.

"Ivan!" Ivan winched visibly as the wind picked up around them more, slowly turning into a whirlwind. Okami got to his feet and began to run over to Robin and Ivan.

"You have to heal him!" gasped Okami as he dodged a rather large tree branch that had been torn off its tree. Robin looked back at Okami frantically.

"But I can't heal yet! I don't know how!" Okami started to yell something else but his voice was lost in the wind. A second later, a tree branch connected with the back of Robin's head and the world went black.

-~-~-~-

It seemed like hours later before Robin woke up again. His head was pounding and he was having trouble getting his eyes to focus. There was an unnatural weight in his lap and when he looked down, he spotted Ivan lying there, paler than normal. The Earth Energist sat up and tried to wake Ivan up by shaking him gently. It was no use, he was out cold.

Checking his wrist for a pulse, Robin was relieved to find that he still had one, but Ivan's breathing was shallow and his pulse was slower than usual, "Ivan," he said in a pained voice, alien to his own ears. Tears welled up in his eyes and he fought against them, "Ivan, please wake up…don't leave me…"

Robin silently cursed himself for not being able to use healing skills, something that was basic for every Earth Energist. He wished he had taken the Great Healer up on his offer of teaching him how to heal when he had the chance. Now, Ivan was dying in his arms and there was nothing he could do about it. Thinking like that only made the tears harder to control, but he did not care anymore.

He hugged Ivan close to him, crying into the Air Energist's tunic, "Ivan…please…"

"Un…R-Robin…" Ivan moved around in Robin's arms, and Robin let go.

"Ivan! You-you're all right!" Robin paused for a moment, "You are…all right, aren't you?" Ivan was about to say something when he slumped against Robin's chest, holding onto the older teens shoulders for support.

"I don't know…" he said hoarsely, "Wha…what happened after I tried to stop that storm?" Robin shook his head.

"You were hit by lightning and then Okami started to say something but I passed out after being hit in the back of my head." Robin looked around the area. He did not know where they were, he could see an unfamiliar mountain range off in the distance, a large forest off to his right and what looked to be a small mound to the north. There was no sign of Okami or the others, "I don't know where we are, Ivan…"

Ivan buried his head in Robin's chest, holding onto his tighter, "We have to find a village then." he whispered.

"I don't want to risk moving you." said Robin, shaking his head again.

"If we get to a village," started Ivan, "then we can get to the healer there and he can heal me."

"I don't want to risk it." said Robin again, "We don't even know where the nearest village is. It could be days away, what if you-" Ivan pulled away from Robin and looked up at him with blurry, violet eyes.

"You can't heal, right?" asked Ivan, "Then we have to get the nearest village. You are hurt as well." The Air Energist lifted his right hand away from Robin's shoulder, brushes it against the back of Robin's head and showed him the blood. Robin was wondering why he felt so lightheaded. Ivan reached for the yellow scarf around Robin's neck and undid the knot. He tied the scarf around Robin's head, hoping that it would be able to stop the bleeding, "Come on, Robin…"

Robin bit his lower lip but slipped one of his arms under Ivan's legs and slipped his other arms around Ivan's back before getting to his feet, "Which way should we go?" he asked, trying to sound brave for Ivan's sake. Ivan closed his eyes and looked around the open field.

"We are near Bilibin," he said, turning back to look at Robin, "It is only a half a days walk from here if we hurry." He pointed over to the structure that Robin had thought was a small mound, "That is Bilibin. Okami and the others will most likely head there if they were taken there."

Robin looked at Ivan, eyes full of concern, "Are you sure about this, Ivan?" The Air Energist nodded and Robin began walking, awkwardly at first, not used to carrying someone.

-~-~-~-

Robin and Ivan reached Bilibin before night had fallen, but when they entered the small village, it was oddly quiet. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Robin hurried to the Sanctum and set Ivan down on the ground, trying to open the doors of the Sanctum only to find them locked, "Oh, Venus, no…" he whispered, before banging his fists against the wooden doors, "Is someone in there!?" he yelled, kicking at the doors ever so often, "Please! I need your help!" Nothing, "Dammit!" cursed Robin, sliding to the ground and punching the door one last time.

"I am so sorry, Ivan." cried Robin, tears staining his cheeks. He unsheathed his sword for a moment, ready to break into the Sanctum.

"Robin, don't!" gasped Ivan, reaching out for the Earth Energist. Robin dropped his sword on the ground and knelt next to Ivan, holding onto Ivan, "It is going to be okay, Robin…I can make last until tomorrow morning." whispered Ivan, rubbing circles into Robin's back.

"The healer should be here." muttered Robin, resting his forehead against Ivan's shoulder, "What are we going to do until morning? We can't just wait outside all night." Ivan looked around until he found the Inn.

"We can stay at the Inn until tomorrow." Robin nodded, hiccoughing as he drew away from the Air Energist. He sheathed his sword and lifted Ivan off the ground again, making his way to the Inn.

After getting a room, Robin laid Ivan on the bed and tucked the Air Energist in, hoping that he would not be uncomfortable, "Are you sure that you can wait until tomorrow? I am sure that I could get the healer out of bed with a little force." Ivan laughed at this.

"And have everyone in Bilibin calling you a troublemaker?" he asked, taking Robin's hand, "I will be just fine for now, Robin, there is nothing to worry about." Ivan flinched, tightening his grip on Robins' hand until the pressure was almost painful. Robin did not pull away, though, he gave Ivan's hand a gentle squeeze and scooted closer to him.

"Ivan, I…" started Robin, turning away for a moment before turning back, "Ivan, I like you. I really like you." he whispered, leaning close to the Air Energist so he was now lying on the bed next to him. Ivan turned his head and looked up into Robin's eyes, slightly shocked.

"Are you just saying that…because I am dying here…?" asked Ivan, closing his eyes against the pain. Robin shook his head and leaned in closer, brushing his lips against Ivan's. Ivan smiled weakly, "That was nice…"

"I wish that there was something I could do for you…" whispered Robin, "I feel so helpless right now. I wish I could heal…"

Robin squeezed Ivan's hand again when a voice spoke to him in his head. For a second he thought he had finally gone insane, when he suddenly recognized the voice as Okami's.

'Robin.'

'Okami…?'

'Yes, it's me. Is Ivan with you? His aura is fading and I cannot sense yours for some reason. Where are you?'

'I am with Ivan…in Bilibin…why?'

'I am with the others, two days walk away from Bilibin. We are on our way to Imil as I speak.' there was a slight pause as Okami thought for a moment, 'How is Ivan?'

'Ivan…he's dying, Okami, and the healer is not in the Sanctum. He said that he can hold on until tomorrow morning, but I have my doubts. What should I do?'

'The healer cannot heal him. You are the only one who can heal him, Robin. Herbs cannot help him now. He was hurt by an Energist and only an Energist can heal him. I cannot teleport on what little Psynergy I have left from summoning a barrier that would protect against that storm, so it is up to you.'

'But I can't heal, Okami-'

'Yes, you can. Remember when I healed you back in Vault? I healed you with Earth Psynergy but at the same time, I taught you how to use Cure. So you can heal Ivan…if it is not too late.'

'What do I do?'

'Just concentrate on something warm, something good and pure and you will be able to heal Ivan. I have to go. Please just heal Ivan and rest up. When you are fully rested, join us in Imil.'

Robin sat up on the bed and looked down at Ivan, wondering if he could really do it. He lifted his hands and placed them an inch away from Ivan's chest. The Air Energist had fallen asleep while he was talking to Okami, his chest rising and fallen slowly, 'Ivan…'

Cure.

'Please…I cannot lose you now…'

-TBC-

Not what I had planned…but oh well, I may end up changing it later on but this sounds pretty good to me. I think that I went a little fast…if I did, please tell me. R/R please!

Robin: *crying* Ivan!
…You okay?