Forced Emotions
Maya's Big Secret
Walking back toward his room, Rue was caught deep in thought, replaying everything that just happened in his head. Claire and Rod. Rod and Claire. They did make a cute, happy couple, Rue had to admit. And, Claire hadn't been seen that happy ever since he had brought her back from the dead by using the Dewprism. Rue wasn't jealous: he was just happy to see Claire so happy. But there was one thing that bothered Rue a lot: he thought Rod had a girlfriend. He remembered Rod telling him about how hard it was when he first started making weapons, then never giving up because of what his girlfriend....what was her name...?......Lu...? Loo?....something that started out like Lu....told him.
Rue stopped walking, a frightening thought surfacing from his world of thoughts and endless possibilities.... (What if Rod was still with that other woman, even though he just kissed Claire...?) Rue thought, his eyes opening very wide. Trying to shake the awful thought from his mind, Rue reminded himself that Rod hadn't seen her in a long time, so she had probably moved on by now.... Right?
(No, Rod wouldn't toy with Claire's feelings, if he was still seeing that other woman or not...) Rue thought, opening the door to his room, seeing that no one else but him and Mint where up, not including Rod or Claire since they were busy. There was nothing to do. Rue just stood staring out his window, where the moon was slowly fading, and the sun was just arising.
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(Phew, now what am I gonna do?) Mint thought, slumping herself into her desk chair, sitting in the chair backward and resting her arms and chin on the back of the wooden chair. Mint was still asking herself, 'How the heck am I gonna explain everything?' Gritting her teeth, Mint thought, (Why didn't you think ahead, plan a speech, or think of something smart!!!?)
Seeing as no one was up yet, Mint was stuck thinking about how she was gonna explain the whole tournament thing to everyone. The tournament was to be held in a few days from now, and Mint didn't think that any of the guys would be willing to help out with her plan. (Why did you think up such a pathetic plan, you moron!!!?) Mint yet again yelled to herself. (You could have been training harder, so no man could be able to beat you, just in case you were wrong at being the strongest around!!!) Hmph. That was the question of the day: why, why, why, why, WHY!!!? Why did everything have to be so complicated!? So impossible!?
Sighing, Mint closed her eyes, wondering if her plan would even work. (Oh well...) the princess thought to herself. (Guess I'll just have to wait and see how things turn out...)
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Groaning, Mode Master, rolled over, laying the side of her forehead on Trap Master's bare arm, and putting her left arm over his blanket covered torso. A small grin showed up on Mode Master's lips. Last night had been fantastic. She loved Trap Master, but she had never had the guts or courage to tell him, afraid he would reject her. Then Mint showed her that that was a risk you had to take, even if the results were good or bad. When she saw how Mint was crying, wanting to be able to choose her own path in life, Mode Master felt terrible at what she had just done. Kissing Trap Master in front of Mint had really upset her feelings, wanting the position she and Trap Master were in, only with Rue.
Although a little weak from last night, Trap Master startled Mode Master by rolling toward her face, still fast asleep, breathing silently. Yes, last night was a night to remember. It was so many words, Mode Master could think up twenty, probably more. Fantastic was one; others could be entertaining, unforgettable, romantic, exciting, unpredictable, enjoyable, long lasting, painful, yet what everyone needs at some point in life. Mode Master nuzzled against Trap Master's bare chest, holding him tight, afraid he might perish and be gone forever if she let go. Trap Master embraced Mode Master, making her grin.
Looking up, Mode Master heard Trap Master say, "I love you..." then sealed his words with a passionate kiss.
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"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!!!?" Maya yelled at Gramps, (throwing a hair brush at him,) who was merely trying to calm the out of control princess down.
"Princess Maya! *crash* *duck* Please stop at once!*crash* *duck again*" Gramps begged, dodging every item Maya threw at him.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE YOU OLD BASTARD!!!!" Maaya yelled back, chasing Gramps around her room with her Book of Cosmos, even though there was no power left in it.
"I beg of you, Princess! Stop!!!" Gramps whimpered, running out of Maya's room, giving up.
"AND DON'T BOTHER ME AGAIN!!!!!!!" Maya screamed, slamming her door shut and sliding against it. As you all know, Maya had gotten her period, which could explain what had just happened. Maya was already in a bad enough mood, and her period just made it worse.
(God, why can't I be queen of East Heaven?! That bitchy sister of mine doesn't deserve to be the next ruler!!! I won't allow it!!!!!) Maya thought to herself, jumping to her feet and storming to the other side of her room. Maya looked out her window, (which oversaw the gate to the castle,) and nearly fell out it when she saw the banner that was hanging from the very tall gate entrance.
Stomping her foot, Maya screamed, "NO!!! NO WAY IS MINT HAVING A TOURNAMENT!!! NOT WHILE I'M AROUND!!!" Maya read more of the banner. It read: Tournament to be held in the honor of Princess Mint, who will be the final challenge to those who get past all of the opponents. Tournament begins in three days from today. Whomever beats Princess Mint will get her hand in marriage. If no one is capable of beating Princess Mint, then she shall rule the kingdom without anyone by her side.
"?! NO!!! EITHER WAY SHE'LL RULE THE KINGDOM!!!" Maaya screamed again in a higher pitch than before. "I'LL KILL HER MYSELF!!!" Maaya finished, storming out of her room, where a servant with a brown dress that had a hood covering up his face stood before her door.
Taking a deep breath in, Maya yelled, "WHAT DO YOU WANT!!?! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I DON'T WANT ANYONE IN MY WAY!!!?" The hooded servant didn't move, flinch, or say anything back.
"AT LEAST SAY SOMETHING!!!" Maya demanded. The servant did as he was told.
"It's been a while, Maya," came the gentle voice of the servant.
"?! WHO ARE YOU?!" Maya said, taking a few steps back to where she was in her room. The hooded servant followed her in, and closed the door behind him, locking it.
"GET OUT! GET OUT!!! GET OUT OF-" Maya started, but the servant lunged at her and covered her mouth, pinning her to the ground as well.
"?!" Maya struggled to get free of the person's strong, yet gentle grasp, who she knew now wasn't a servant.
"Sshh! It's okay!" a more familiar voice than before said.
"!!!" Maya knew right as the stranger finished who he was, and stopped struggling. He removed his hand from her mouth and held out his hand to help her up, which she took.
"What are you doing here?! I told you not to come here! You'll get put to death if you are caught being in here with only me!!!" Maya said in a surprised and frantic whisper. Taking off his hood, the man revealed some silver/white hair, that was covered up by a striped bandana. A strand of hair stuck up on the back of his head, and their was a blue diamond that was barely visible, (it only half showing,) under his bandana. It was a shard of the Dewprism.
"I'm sorry! But I had to see you again! I couldn't live another day without you!" Ruenis whispered back.
"Of course you can live without me! We can't stay together! I'm royalty, and my father would never let us be together!" Maya whispered, her and Ruenis's hands finding each other. Both of their hands trembled from the shock of seeing one another, although Maya's shook more violently.
"What happened to you?! Did someone hurt you?!" Ruenis asked frantically, looking at what a mess Maya was.
"?! Oh no! My father is allowing Mint to become queen, and I wanted to be queen, and not her, and-" Maya rushed, tears forming in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks as Ruenis layed a gentle finger upon her lips, then embracing her in a hug.
"You don't have to say another word. I understand..." Ruenis comforted Maya, holding her close to him. He still couldn't believe that he had managed to come all the way to East Heaven, just to see Maya! Ruenis had missed Maya ever since their encounter at Ruenis's 'birth place'. It was Maya who had discovered Ruenis in the first place. Maya was browsing through a set of Aeon ruins, searching for an item that was said to bring power back to the Book of Cosmos, and stumbled upon a Doll of Valen, (which was Ruenis.) That's kind of how he got his name. Ruin didn't sound all that great, for he was also a Doll of Valen, so they wanted 'Rue' to be a part of the name, thus coming up with 'Ruenis'.
Now, just in case you wonder why Ruenis is here to see Maya, this might clear that question:
*When Ruenis was discovered...*
"You have to be here somewhere..." Maya mumbled to herself, searching around for an ancient item called the Kosumosu Ishi, (aka: Cosmos Stone,) at the Ruins of Skwell, which was once a very powerful kingdom. Turning over pieces of debris, not finding the Cosmos Stone, Maya sat on a fallen column, and sighed a sigh of frustration.
"Where can you be?! Come out already!" Maya said to herself, getting tired of searching. Maya had been searching for the past three days, and she, (not with the help of the soldiers guarding her,) had almost covered every square inch of the city ruins, and with no luck of finding the Cosmos Stone. Maya shook her head, got up, (ready to give up looking,) but saw a small hole in an old, (cracked at some places,) wall, that was just big enough to have Maya fit through.
"..."
Flinching slightly, Maya got off her makeshift chair and walked over to the hole.
(...What the heck...) Maya thought, pushing herself into the hole.
"Ow!!!" Maya cryed in pain as she passed through the hole. Looking at her left arm, there was a cut in her favorite attire, [just the shirt,] which was her usual white and blue long sleeved shirt and pants, that she wore with her funky white and blue hat, and also with her brown leather gloves and boots,) as well as a gash on her arm, that revealed blood that started oozing out. Maya quickly tore a piece of fabric off of her left arm, and wrapped it around her wound.
"It's okay... It's nothing you can't handle..." Maya said to herself, taking a few steps into her new surroundings. It was dark, and the hole was the only 'window' that let light into the cavern. In the middle of the cave, (surrounded by water,) were a few steps, that led up to a coffin looking box.
"...Why not? The Cosmos Stone might be there..." Maya said aloud, walking cautiously over to the box. Maya stopped at the beginning of the steps, then began up them after she took in a breath, holding it until she reached the top. Looking over the box, Maya gasped and jumped a little at what she had discovered. There, in the box, lay a boy, looking to be about her age, (which was 13.) He wore brown, leather gloves and boots, a white and golden long sleeved shirt, white and blue pants, was probably a few inches taller than Maya, with a striped white and golden bandana covering some silver/white hair, and a blue mineral of some sort. Maya's heart was pounding against her rib cage, waiting to see if the boy would move or not. Not even thinking, Maya rested her right hand on top of the glass lid, and it began to glow around the edges. Although frightened, Maya kept her hand on the lid, until it disappeared, and put her hand back by her side when it did. The boy in the coffin moved, and he floated up, with the help of some magic that made him float. Maya wanted to run more than ever from the boy, (not knowing if he was a threat or not,) but also wanted dearly to find out who he was.
The boy opened his eyelids, (revealing a pair of dark, dark brown eyes,) blinked a few times, and set his gaze upon the young princess.
"...Who are you?" the boy asked in a soft, gentle voice, that you could sense having a little bit of fear in it. (Who is this stranger? Has she come to...rescue me? To help me?)
Maya didn't know what to do. The boy didn't seem to be a threat, but Maya kept her guard up, just in case.
Gathering her courage, Maya said, "I am Princess Maya of the East Heaven Kingdom, and I have come here in search of the Cosmos Stone."
(He doesn't.......seem dangerous. After all, you DID get him out of that box, for who knows how long he has been trapped in that thing, so he should show you some gratitude!)
The boy just stared at her, unmoving. This made Maya very uncomfortable, so she decided to speak up.
"And who might you be?"
"..." The boy didn't say anything. He just stared at her, mesmerized.
"Okay... Well, sir, would you mind helping me?" Maya asked.
"I am sorry, but I must go about my duty," the boy finally replied.
"? Duty? Maybe I can be of some assistance," Maya offered.
"That would be very kind of you, miss. I am in search of the Dewprism."
"!!!"
"I must do everything in my power to get to the Dewprism, so my master, Valen, can come back to this world and reign over the universe," the boy said.
"No! Are you... A Doll of Valen?" Maya said, taking a step downward.
"Yes, I am. Will you help me?" the doll asked.
"Help you?! I am sorry, sir, but the Dewprism no longer exists in this world," Maya said quickly, going down another step.
"No longer exists? How can this be?!" the doll said in shock.
"Well, you can blame my sister for that. She sought out for the Dewprism only months ago, and when she beat Valen, he took the Dewprism with him, most likely to another dimension," Maya told the doll.
"?! Someone is capable of beating the almighty Valen?! A mortal?!" the doll said, floating down to the top step.
"Plus, even if the Dewprism was still in this world, I would not allow you to get it! I would stop you at all costs!" Maya threatened.
"But...... my duty......." the doll said, lowering himself into a sitting position on the step. "What will I do? If the Dewprism is truely gone, then........then what meaning does my life have..?" the doll said to himself, hanging his head. Now, seeing this, Maya felt really bad about what she just said.
"...Why not forget about your duty to bring Valen back into the present?" Maya said, not moving. Looking up into her eyes, the doll looked confused.
"Forget about my duty? But I cannot do that! I owe everything to my creator, Valen!" the doll protested.
"Listen to me: I once knew a Doll made by Valen just like you, set on getting the Dewprism, not letting anything get in his way. He was Ruecian. But I also knew another Doll of Valen; Rue. He didn't care about his duty to resurrect Valen. At the same time, they both sought out for the Dewprism; Ruecian, or Doll Master as he called himself, went to resurrect Valen, while Rue went to revive his friend, which Doll Master had killed when he went to ask Rue to help him resurrect Valen, for his life stone did not work. The two of them battled, and Rue won, beating Doll Master, with the power of his will," Maya finished.
"...By the power of his will?" the doll asked, listening carefully, hanging onto every word that came out of the princess's mouth.
"Yes, by the power of his will. Rue ignored his duty, and he prevailed, getting to the Dewprism and bringing his friend back from the dead. Doll Master, on the other hand, died trying to complete his duty. Now, do you see the outcome of both of them? That not fullfilling your duty will let you have a prosperous life, and that making your duty a reality will make you die in vain?" Maya concluded, hoping that the doll would not try to resurrect Valen.
"... But if I don't fullfil my duty, what meaning in life do I have? I would be without a task to complete, wasting what life I have that I could use to resurrect Valen," the doll said, shattering Maya's hope, leaving only a tiny shard of it left.
"You don't understand! We humans live life the way we want; by our own free will. We do what we need to live a great life, by finding a meaning and sticking with it to the bitter end. Yes, we have duties, but we can choose whether or not to fullfill them."
"..." The doll was thinking hard, Maya's most recent words sinking into his soul. "...Was Rue's wanting to revive his friend...did that wish come from his will?"
"Yes, I believe so," Maya answered.
"...I don't know if I could find a will as strong as friendship..." the doll said solemly.
"Of course you can!" Maya blurted out, startling the doll.
"How can I?" the doll asked desperately.
"B-by finding a friend... That could be a start!" Maya said, forcing a half smile.
The doll looked deeper into Maya's eyes, and said these words, "Will......will you be my friend?"
Shocked, (and not knowing what to say,) Maya forced a response, not wanting the doll to go back to his duty.
"I'd be happy to!" Maya said, smiling. This must have made the doll happy, because he smiled back.
"Here," Maya said, holding out her hand, "let's go."
Walking down a step, the doll took her hand, and they walked down the remaining steps.
"Wait," the doll said as Maya walked a few steps forward.
Turning around, Maya asked, "What is it?"
"I..... I am without a name....." the doll answered quietly.
"Oh..." Maya said. "....How about we give you a name?"
"?! Y-you'd do that?!" the doll said, very surprised.
"Of course! That's what friends do!" Maya responded, smiling.
(Wow... She is a really nice friend!) the doll thought to himself, cracking a smile too.
"Let's see....." Maya started.
"Can.....can it be like Rue?" the doll asked.
"I can't say why not! But, how about......" Maya said, thinking, and then nodding at the doll. "How about Ruenis?"
"I... I like that..." Ruenis said, very very slightly blushing. Maya joined him, although her redness was more visible.
"Shall we?" Maya said, holding out her hand to Ruenis.
Grinning, Ruenis walked forward and held her hand, saying, "Let's..."
The two new friends squeezed through the hole which Maya had come in from before, and were greeted by the sun's bright rays.
"Wow..." Ruenis said, astonished. He walked around, looking at the little plant life there was, as well as all of the destroyed houses and buildings.
"These are the Ruins of Skwell," Maya said, walking a few steps diagonally behind Ruenis.
"What happened? Why is everything destroyed?" Ruenis asked curiously.
"Skwell was once a very powerful kingdom. Then, they went to war with a neighboring kingdom, Jaona, and Jaona won, with hardly any deathes. East Heaven, where I'm from, tryed to help Skwell, but our soldiers couldn't even get past Jaona's forces that guarded the entrance to Skwell. This was all before my time, but I learned about it in my ancient literature class," Maya told Ruenis.
"I see..." Ruenis said, picturing what the war would look like in his mind. The two began walking again, in silence, until it was broken by Maya.
"?! Oh no! I cannot bring you with me! My father is against all Dolls of Valen, and will have those found with royalty, (like me,) executed! I don't want you to end up dead!" Maya said in a hurry.
With fear in his eyes, Ruenis said, "Then...then let's escape!" (Crazy idea! Crazy idea! She can't escape from a whole kingdom!!! Especially her own!) Ruenis thought after his words were spoken.
"Escape..?! Do....do you think I can do it?" Maya said, not even thinking about how angry her father would be when he found out she had ran away. (Should I?) Maya thought, looking into Ruenis's eyes. They were gentle eyes, that made Maya weak in the knees.
(...Yes. I'll do it!) "I have my own will, and running away is where it's leading me!!!" Maya anounced, making Ruenis breathe a sigh of relief. (...Everyone needs a friend...)
"But first..." Maya said, plotting at how she could run away without the guards watching over her notice. "We need to get my horse. Follow me until I stop, and be quiet and stay where I stop, so I can get my horse without the guards getting suspicious, alright?"
"Alright," Ruenis said, nodding. The princess and the doll ran toward the entrance of the city, where the soldiers/guards had set up camp, Maya taking the lead. Stopping, Ruenis bumping into her from behind. They both blushed tremendously, and Ruenis mouthed a 'sorry' to Maya. She smiled, then turned a slight shade of crimson, thinking, (Now he probably thinks you liked that and him for smiling!!!) as Ruenis thought, (...Does she like me since she smiled?) Ruenis stayed where the two had collided, and Maya walked into the soldiers sight.
"Princess, are you ready to go? Did you find the Cosmos Stone?" the head soldier asked, walking up to Maya and kneeling.
"No, not yet. But I am getting quite tired of walking. Do fetch me my horse," Maya ordered.
"Yes Your Highness!" the soldier said, getting up and motioning one of his men to get Maya's horse.
"Will you need any of us to accompany you, Princess?" a soldier asked.
Shaking her head, Maya responded, "Do you think that I am not capable of taking a walk through some ruins?"
"N-no! O-of course not, Princess!" the soldier studdered, kneeling down before her and getting up.
"Good," Maya said, a soldier bringing up her horse to her. "Thank you."
"Be careful, Your Highness," the soldier who had brought her horse said, kneeling. The soldier got up, and held out his armoured hand to help Maya onto the horse, which she accepted and got onto the horse's back.
"ACHOO!!!!!" Ruenis accidently sneezed, gathering the attention of the soldiers. Maya kicked off of the soldier that had brought the Albino horse to her and started running off toward Ruenis.
"Princess!!!!" all of the soldiers said in unison, quickly getting onto their own horses and chasing after Maya.
Stopping by Ruenis, and lending out her hand to him, Maya yelled "C'mon! Get on!!!" Ruenis quickly grabbed hold of Maya's extended hand, and hurled himself onto the frightened horse. Maya steered the horse toward the exit of the city, (although it was quite a ways away,) Ruenis wrapping his arms around her waist so he wouldn't fall off.
Looking over his shoulder, Ruenis saw five men on horseback, (the soldiers,) and yelled to Maya, "They're right behind us!!!"
Thinking fast, Maya unclasped Ruenis's hands that were around her waist and thrust the reins into them, and swung herself behind Ruenis.
"?!"
"Take the reins! I'll make sure they don't get any closer!!!" Maya told Ruenis, who nodded. Maya was now facing the soldiers, (backward on the horse,) using her left arm to hold onto Ruenis's waist, while her right hand formed some of her magic, (the arrow like one that looks like this ,) aiming it at one of the soldiers, and fired as he went flying off his horse, obviously injured.
The soldiers didn't even bother trying to get Maya's attention; they thought that Ruenis was holding her hostage, (demanding her to us her magic against them,) so they kept on galloping on their horses. Using the same magic, Maya shot another soldier, but he managed to stay on his horse. Although this was Ruenis's first horse ride, he managed to handle the horse like a pro.
A low tree was heading their way, and Ruenis yelled to warn Maya.
"Duck!!!" Ruenis yelled, Maya doing so, although one of the soldiers behind them did not, and probably broke his jaw on the impact, his horse topppling over him. Three soldiers remained, one of them gaining more speed and coming right beside Maya and Ruenis.
"You fiend! Release Princess Maya!!!" the soldier ordered, drawing his sword.
"I order you to leave!!!" Maya barked back, trying to punch the soldier, but him grabbing her wrist and thrusting her onto his horse.
The soldiers slowed down, even as they heard Ruenis's cry to give her back.
"Are you alright--" the soldier that had Maya asked, but couldn't finish his sentence because Maya used her magic right on his back, knocking him off and riding the soldier's horse to catch up with Ruenis.
"Hurry!!!" Ruenis told her, speeding off toward the exit. She did so, as well as the two other soldiers. One soldier ran after Maya, the other after Ruenis. The soldier chasing Maya got right beside her, knocking her off the horse with a forceful shove.
"?! MAYA!!!!!" Ruenis yelled as he heard her body fall to the ground. Ruenis slowed his horse down and jumped off it, (the horse running away,) not caring if one of the soldiers caught him. Ruenis ran in the direction of Maya, and just as he was a few feet away from her, the soldier that had knocked Maya off ran right in front of his path, making Ruenis stop.
"Back away!!!" the soldier warned, drawing his sword and putting the tip of it right under Ruenis's chin. "And maybe we'll let you live."
Darting his eyes to Maya, Ruenis saw that she was breathing heavily, and noticed right away the spear that went right through her stomache. Seeing Ruenis look at Maya made the soldier swing back his sword with a very audible 'wooosh', and he would have decapitated Ruenis, but the sword shattered as it made impact on Ruenis's neck. This really spooked the horse, and it bucked and sent the soldier flying, hitting the ground and making a very nasty crunching noise, not getting up. Ruenis moved the horse out of his way and ran and fell by Maya's side.
"Are you alright?!" Ruenis asked, trying to find a way to stop the bleeding. He quickly took off his bandana so he could stop Maya from bleeding, not pulling the blood smeared spear out of her, for her wound would just bleed faster if he did.
".....agh......Ru.....Ruenis......." Maya managed, her mouth filling with her own blood.
"?!" Ruenis startled himself, for he started to glow, (like how Rue had glown when Claire had been hit by Doll Master.) Her head shaking violently, Maya looked up and saw Ruenis glowing, and whispered, "Ruenis..." one last time before spitting out some blood that kept filling in her mouth. The remaining soldier charged at Ruenis, but Ruenis spun around and held up his hand. The soldier stopped, thinking that Ruenis might destroy him if he moved any closer.
"Leave. This was Maya's choice, not mine," Ruenis ordered, lowering his hand.
"Y....yes.......l..l..leave...." Maya choked out, letting her blood drip out of her mouth.
"I-in the name o-of Princess Maya, I-I can't allow that!!!" the soldier spat back, lunging forward with his sword. Ruenis held up his hands in defense, and the sword shattered just like before.
"?! Your a Doll of Valen!!!?" the soldier said, falling backward as he noticed the shard of Dewprism on Ruenis's forehead.
"..." Ruenis didn't know what else to say, so he said nothing as the soldier ran off to get some help for Maya.
Still glowing, Ruenis sat down next Maya, thinking of what he should do.
"....Th......thank.........you........." Maya managed, spitting out more blood. A red circle had formed under her mouth from her spitting the blood up.
"No... If it wasn't for me, you would have never ended up like this!" Ruenis protested.
Very faintly smiling, Maya replied, ".....No........Thank you............for...........being........such a............a.......good friend........ Anyone......else.......might of........left me......here........knowing......that........that I would................. just........die........but..........you stayed..........of your own............free..........will............." Maya finished, moving her hand along the ground and finding Ruenis's hand. The moment she took his hand in her's, the spear went flying out of her innards, making her gasp. Then, Ruenis's glowing went off of him, and onto Maya, spreading around her wound inside and out.
"?! Maya!!!" Ruenis cryed out in surprise and joy, getting her into a sitting position up against his chest, her face facing away from him. After the 'healing glow' vanished, it revealed Maya, not even a scratch found where her wound just was.
"...Ruenis?" Maya whispered out, fluttering her eyes open, not believing what had just happened.
"Maya! You're alright! You're alright!!!" Ruenis said happily, helping himself and Maya to their feet.
"H-how???" Maya asked as they got up.
"I don't know..." Ruenis confessed, steadying Maya.
"You..." Maya said, facing Ruenis and looking up into his eyes. "You helped save me..."
"I did, but I have no idea how!" Ruenis exclaimed in joy, tears filling in his eyes.
"Ruenis..." Maya said, moving her delicate finger up toward Ruenis's face and wiping a fallen tear off his cheek. "Why are you crying? I am right here..."
"I almost lost you...my first friend... On the day we met! And to see that you're okay, that makes me...... happy......" Ruenis replied, embracing Maya in a hug, which she accepted. Ruenis's kind words made Maya cry as well, and the two sobbing friends stayed there, hugging, frozen in time as it looked.
Pulling away from the hug, Ruenis asked, "Where to now?"
"Hmm... I know! Do you want to go see Rue? I think it would really help you if you saw him, since you were hesitant at deciding whether or not to do your duty," Maya offered.
"That would be great!" Ruenis said cheerfully. Just as Ruenis finished his sentence, one of the soldiers' horse came up behind Maya, and started nuzzling her, but scared the life out of her instead, jumping into Ruenis's arms and the two of them falling to the ground, laughing.
"Well, I guess we know how to get to Rue's!" Maya said, still laughing slightly. As Ruenis continued laughing, Maya stopped, and rolled off of Ruenis, turning away from him and turning crimson again.
"Heh-heh!...? Maya? Are you alright?" Ruenis asked after he noticed that Maya was no longer on top of him.
"S-sorry...." Maya studdered.
"For wha-oh!" Ruenis stopped as he already knew why, and he starting turning a shade of red as well, turning his head away from Maya and looking at the ground.
"Yeah........that......" Maya replied. (Although........I kind of felt........safer, there......)
"Uh-huh........um..........it's okay........" Ruenis said just above a whisper. (But.......I wish.........that she hadn't gotten up.......) The horse stomped it's foot, wanting to go somewhere. Maya and Ruenis got up in silence, and Ruenis helped Maya get onto the horse's back, then thrusting his body behind her, wrapping his shaking hands around Maya's waist. Maya barely kicked the horse in it's side to get it to move, and they were off as the sun began to set.
*About an hour later...*
"We have to stop and make camp. Traveling at night it very dangerous, and who knows what could happen, especially around the Ruins of Skwell," Maya told Ruenis, stopping the horse by a nearby stream.
"Alright," Ruenis replied, getting off of the horse and helping Maya off as well. Maya took the horse's reins and walked over to a low tree branch, tieing the reins to the branch. Ruenis looked around, and wondered how they would make camp.
"Maya, how will we make camp?"
"Well..." Maya said, looking around at their surroundings and thinking of what to do. There were a few trees without their leaves grown on, the stream, and a very large log.
"Maybe we could stay inside that log?" Maya suggested, the two walking over to the fallen tree. Peering inside the hollow log, Maya and Ruenis twisted their faces in discomfort, for the log that they had hoped would provide them shelter had a million bugs crawling all over the inside of it.
"Drat... This log is probably the best shelter we can get, seeing as though there is nothing else in this area..." Maya said solemly.
"...Why don't we use the horse's blanket to keep ourselves warm?" Ruenis suggested.
"What a great idea!" Maya said happily, going over to the horse and undoing it's saddle. Now, this was a pretty big horse, so the saddle had to be rather heavy and large for it to fit onto the horse's back properly. Maya, (just thinking about the horse's blanket,) unbuckled the saddle, and tryed to pull it over to one side, (her side,) but she could not withstand the saddle's weight.
"Oh!!!" Maya cryed out as the saddle came down very fast, since it weighed so much.
"!!!" Ruenis saw this and hurried over to help his friend steady the saddle.
"Phew...thanks..." Maya said with relief.
"You're welcome..." Ruenis said, him and Maya both setting the saddle down on the ground, where Maya sat down as well. Ruenis got the blanket, and put it over Maya, who just blushed. Ruenis plopped down beside her, (having barely any blanket to cover him,) not even attempting to get under the blanket with Maya.
"? What's wrong? You'll surely catch a cold if you don't keep warm enough," Maya said to Ruenis.
"I'm.....I'm alright...... There is only room enough for one of us, and I think you need it more......" Ruenis said, glueing his eyes to the dirt in front of him.
"..." Maya admired Ruenis's kindness so much. Even though they had just met, he offered to be without the blanket, for her sake. Maya felt uncomfortable under the blanket, alone. Heck, she felt warmer, (not to menchon safer,) when she had fallen over Ruenis.
Maya stared at Ruenis, who only stared at the ground. This made Maya very sad; Ruenis looked so lost, alone.....with no one to be with. He was just staring at the boring ground, (silent as can be,) only breathing silent breaths every few seconds.
Maya quickly turned her gaze onto the night sky, ashamed of herself.
(Maya! You were checking him out!!! How could you?! He just wants to be friends, nothing more!!!) Maya told herself, although, deep down inside of her heart, she didn't want to be friends with him...... She wanted.......
"Nonsense! Of course we can both fit! If you cannot, than I won't cover up with it either!" Maya said suddenly, jerking Ruenis's eyes from the ground, them coming to rest on her.
"No! I'm fine! Really..." Ruenis protested, although he thought: (What's the matter with me?! She's just being nice, considerate... Worrying about your well-being more than her's! She doesn't want to.......)
Blushing, Ruenis added, "You need it more than I do..." Shaking her head, not listening to what Ruenis just said, Maya scooted closer to Ruenis, and put most of the blanket onto Ruenis, who turned crimson with surprise at how close Maya was to him, (a few inches away from his face.)
"Um.....this.......I......." Ruenis fumbled with his words, afraid. Breathing heavily, Maya realized what she had just done, and blushed along with Ruenis. (He only wants to be friends! He only wants to be friends!!!)
"I'm......I'm sorry..........but you just looked colder than I am, and......." Maya was filled with embarassment, not able to finish her sentence.
(She's your friend, nothing more. She's your friend, nothing more...) Ruenis thought, although his hand closest to Maya would not obey. Maya saw Ruenis's hand move under the blanket, and she started to tremble. The two of them just looked at Ruenis's hand, that was ever so slowly inching it's way to Maya's. After what had seemed like an eternity, Ruenis's shaking hand met Maya's trembling one. Then, Maya's hand clasped Ruenis's fingers with her's.
Silence rolled on for a mere ten seconds, then both Maya and Ruenis, (at the same time,) s-l-o-w-l-y guided their eyes up toward the other's. When the two pairs of eyes saw the other, they sent brain waves to their brain, telling the brain that it was alright; that their was no danger ahead, and that it could move closer....closer........
Not one of them breathing, the princess and the doll both inched closer to the other. Just as their lips were about to make contact, Maya stopped; stopped going toward Ruenis, who waited for an action to happen. Maya was frightened; very fightened. She knew that she and Ruenis had only been friends for not even a full day, but she felt like she and Ruenis had been friends for years. To Maya, they had been together that long.
"My heart aches to find out what will happen now, but it also hurts; afraid of what is going to happen..." Ruenis whispered, breaking Maya's thoughts and pulling her back into reality.
Still staring at each other, Maya replied, "I can fix that..." and drew closer to Ruenis, their lips finally making contact. It was a sweet kiss, that lasted for around thirty seconds, before ending.
(What am I....?) Ruenis thought, astonished that Maya would kiss him, a Doll of Valen, who had only known her for a few hours.
(...) Maya didn't think anything at all. Instead, she led Ruenis's hand to her hip, letting go of it as it rested their, unmoving. Then, Maya guided both of her hands up to Ruenis's cheeks, drawing him closer for a second kiss. This one didn't last as long as the first one, and didn't go any further, either. Ruenis drew back a little from Maya after the kiss ended, who looked a little hurt.
"I don't know what to do.... I have never gotten this close to anyone........." Ruenis whispered, starting to pull his hand back to him, but it being stopped by Maya's gentle touch.
"........I haven't either........" Maya confessed, just holding onto Ruenis's hand, not attempting to put it back on her side. But to her surprise, Ruenis pushed his hand forward, resting it upon her hip, and putting his other hand under Maya's other hip, that rested on the ground, and went back to kissing Maya.
Maya opened her mouth, which made Ruenis's eyes blink open at Maya doing such a thing. Maya opened her eyes as well, seeing as Ruenis didn't open his mouth.
"...W-we don't have to go that far..." Maya whispered, ready to pull back from Ruenis's gentle grasp.
Barely shaking his head, Ruenis answered, "I will only if you want to..." This made Maya happy, and she closed in the gap between her and Ruenis, going faster than she had before, and kissing Ruenis with just a tad bit more force. Frightened, surprised, and very very happy, Ruenis was the first to open his mouth, his tongue touching Maya's as soon as she opened her mouth, too.
Maya moved her hands up, (pulling off her hat and tossing it aside, Ruenis doing the same with his bandana,) Ruenis pulling her closer to him, their bodies rubbing up against each other. Maya started to wrap her arms around Ruenis's neck, and before long, Maya had rolled on top of Ruenis, pushing the blanket aside, her and Ruenis kissing each other with a lot of force.
Ruenis moved his hands to go around Maya's waist, rubbing his hands against her bare back in a massaging matter. Maya, (not stopping him,) found her hands up the front of Ruenis's shirt. This new position surprised the both of them, and they both stopped, frozen in time.
"....Aren't we too young to do this?" Ruenis asked.
Shaking her head left and right, Maya said, "You can do this at whatever age, as long as you really love the person..."
"Then.......I think I love you......" Ruenis replied, dropping a kiss on Maya's lips, then pulling back to see what she had to say.
"I know.......and I think I love you too......." Maya said smiling, starting to rub Ruenis's chest and kiss him some more.
The two lovers made out for hours on end, finally falling asleep in the safe protection of the other's arms. They awoke the next morning, Maya coming to a decision.
"Ruenis?"
"Yes?" Ruenis said, finishing putting his shirt over his head and looking up to Maya, who was putting her hat back on.
"Um...h-how should I say this...?" Maya started.
Walking over to Maya with a worried expression on his face, Ruenis asked, "What is it? is something wrong?"
"Well.....I........." Maya's eyes started to blur a little from the tears she was trying to fight back.
"?" Ruenis stood silent, not forcing Maya to continue talking.
"I.........I..............I CAN'T GO WITH YOU!!!" Maya yelled, running away with her tears strolling down her cheeks.
"?! MAYA!!!" Ruenis ran after Maya as fast as he could, finally catching up to Maya. "STOP!!! Please, Maya, stop!!!"
Maya just shook her head, even more tears forming in her eyes and rolling onto her face. Ruenis continued running along side Maya, until he finally got the guts to reach out and grab her hand, for he was having a hard time breathing.
"?! No! Ruenis, let go!!!" Maya pleaded, strugling to get away.
"No, I can't!" Ruenis protested, catching his breath.
"You don't understand!!! We can't.....*sob*We can't..!" Maya finally gave up on strugling and just fell into Ruenis's arms, sobbing.
"It's......it's okay....... I'm...here....." Ruenis whispered gently into Maya's ear. Maya started to calm down and stop crying, but wouldn't leave Ruenis's arms.
".....W-what did you mean back there?" Ruenis asked, although he already knew what the answer was, and didn't like it one bit.
"Oh Ruenis! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have ran off like that, and shouldn't have fallen in love with you! I just made things worse!!!" Maya rushed, clutching Ruenis tightly with her shaking hands.
"?!......Wh....... Why, n-not?" Ruenis asked in disbelief, pulling Maya back, resting his hands on her shoulders and looking into her frightened eyes.
Shaking her head and trying not to look into Ruenis's safe, pleading eyes, Maya replied, "My.....my father would never allow us to see each other......." Ruenis started to slowly slide his hands off of Maya, saddened at Maya's words. "We could never be together......... Never start a family together......."
Putting his hands by his side, Ruenis didn't say anything. He just looked off to the side, his eyes closing and them filling with tears ever so slowly.
"...........If.............. If you really, really, love someone........" Ruenis started, looking back to Maya with his blured vision, "Then doesn't it not matter what others think? Even your family?"
"?!..............No........... I would believe that, if only I were not royalty. If you are of royal blood, then you have to, no matter what the circumstances, marry another also of royal blood......" Maya said in a pitch just above a whisper. Hearing this, Ruenis let the tears come out, his heart broken from Maya's words. Maya let some more tears come as well, feeling so horrible at what she had to do in order to keep Ruenis safe from harm.
"But........." Maya started, Ruenis's eyes sparking up, hoping that she had changed her mind. Maya thrust herself into Ruenis's arms, wrapping her own around his neck and embracing him in a goodbye kiss. "But I promise, that I will see you again. When my father comes to understanding that we should be together......then and only then will I go search for you......." These words mended to Ruenis's heart, patching up a few places that were hurt.
"I.......... I will come find you........when I think that you are in need of my comfort......" Ruenis said solemly, kissing Maya one, last, final time, before leading her back to their camp.
"I will drop you off at Rue's place," Maya said, gathering the blanket up in her arms. Maya just starked at the blanket for about ten seconds, before putting it onto the horse.
"..." Ruenis just helped Maya with putting the saddle on the horse, then helping her up onto it, and positioning himself behind her, clasping his hands around her waist, although he did not want to touch her. He just wanted to leave as soon as possible, not wanting to hurt anymore by being around Maya.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
"We're here...." Maya finally said after a one hour, no pit stop ride. There was a clearing, where a small log cabin was built, birds hovering over the sky above it. The scent of pine trees was smelled, as there were many already around, probably extending for miles.
".......Do you think they are home?" Ruenis asked, finally coming off being mute.
"I don't know........ Let's go see......." Maya said, starting to slowly walk toward the cabin's entrance, Ruenis following several steps behind her.
Knocking the wooden door, Maya called out, "Rue? Are you here? It is Maya..." Footsteps were heard, and the door opened, revealing a very surprised Rue.
"M.......Maya???" Rue asked, obviously puzzled. Claire came to Rue's side, and smiled, happy to see Maya.
"Yes........ It's me......" Maya said, turning toward Ruenis, who stopped walking and forced a crooked half smile. "Rue, this is Ruenis. He's come here with me to ask for your help..."
"Oh....... Are you another Doll of Valen?" Rue asked Ruenis.
"Yes, I am........." Ruenis replied, not smiling anymore.
"You're not going to.........fulfill our duty.......are you?" Rue asked.
"I........I came here to have you help me with that...... Maya told me you could help me," Ruenis answered, looking at Maya instead of Rue, then putting his gaze on the dirt covered ground.
"...........W-well!" Rue stammered, (smiling,) bringing Ruenis's gaze back onto him. "I'd be happy to help you!"
"Yes! We don't mind having you stay with us!" Claire added with a smile.
Rue walked out to Ruenis and held out his hand for a handshake. Ruenis looked from Rue to his hand, then took it in his own, forming a smile as well.
"Thank you......." Ruenis said gratefully, happy that Rue didn't refuse.
"I'll........... I'll be on my way, then........" Maya said, starting to walk over to the horse.
Ruenis thought so quickly, he scared himself when he whispered to Rue, "When you first met your friend you brought back to life with the Dewprism, did it seem like you've known each other forever?"
Rue was surprised at the question, but whispered back anyway.
"Yes. That was exactly how I felt........and still do," Rue amswered, looking back at Claire. "I do..."
Ruenis let go of Rue's hand, and ran to Maya, who was having a hard time getting onto the horse.
"Maya...!" Ruenis called out to Maya, making her jerk her head violently at Ruenis running to her.
"?! Ruenis?!" Maya asked, backing away from the horse as Ruenis came right up to her face.
"When we first met, did it seem like you had known me already?" Ruenis rushed, his heart slowly mending and quickening it's pace.
"Y-yes! Yes it did! Very much, in fact!" Maya said, taking a baby step toward Ruenis.
"I did too. So I will see you again, for certain, no matter what!" Ruenis said joyfully, hugging Maya, surprising her and himself. "I will!"
"......Y-you're right! We will! In the distant future, we will!" Maya said excitedly, hugging him back. The two embraced for a few seconds that seemed to last forever, before backing away.
"I love you..." Ruenis whispered to Maya.
"As do I..." Maya said, smiling. "I love you..." Maya waved to Rue and Claire, and took one last glance at Ruenis, before galloping off on the Albino horse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
"Princess Maya!!!" a few guards from outside Maya's bedroom door yelled, banging against the door that Ruenis had locked.
"!!!" Ruenis and Maya both jumped back to reality as they heard the annoying bags from the guards. Pointing over behind her bed, Maya motioned for Ruenis to hide behind it, and replied, "Yes?" very calmly at the soldier guards, starting to walk over to the door. Ruenis quickly dashed behind Maya's bed, staying very silent.
Opening the door, Maya asked, "What is it? Why are you knocking on my door so loudly?"
"Princess!" the guard who had been banging on her door answered, him and two other guards kneeling down before Maya's fet and coming back up. "You had yelled out very loud, sounding like you were in danger!"
"Well, I was only yelling to a servant that walked into my quarters while I was dressing," Maya replied calmly.
"Are you sure, Princess?" the guard asked.
"What? You think that I would decline your offer of help if there was something wrong? Is that how you always think, Johnathan? That I can't take care of myself?" Maya responded, folding her arms. The guard was obviously the one that had ran off to get reinforcments and aid for Maya when she and Ruenis were trying to escape.
"N-no! No, Your Majesty!" Johnathan said, him and his fellow guards bowing, then moving off to their own business. Closing the door, Maya called out in a tone around a whisper, "It's safe now."
Ruenis got up from his hiding place, holding up a ragged, old horse's blanket. Maya blushed, knowing Ruenis knew as well as she knew why such a ratty thing was in her room.
"You keeped it?" Ruenis said smiling, him and Maya walking over to each other, (which was in the center of the room.
"Of course I kept it. No one else deserved to use it.......but us......." Maya said, her redness fading and replaced by a smile.
"Tell me..." Ruenis said, draping the blanket around Maya's shoulders, "Has your father come to an understanding, yet?"
"No... Not yet. But I have a plan that might clear that one obstacle from not letting us be together..." Maya said, pulling Ruenis closer to herself and kissing him. "And I am certain that it will work..."
Maya's Big Secret
Walking back toward his room, Rue was caught deep in thought, replaying everything that just happened in his head. Claire and Rod. Rod and Claire. They did make a cute, happy couple, Rue had to admit. And, Claire hadn't been seen that happy ever since he had brought her back from the dead by using the Dewprism. Rue wasn't jealous: he was just happy to see Claire so happy. But there was one thing that bothered Rue a lot: he thought Rod had a girlfriend. He remembered Rod telling him about how hard it was when he first started making weapons, then never giving up because of what his girlfriend....what was her name...?......Lu...? Loo?....something that started out like Lu....told him.
Rue stopped walking, a frightening thought surfacing from his world of thoughts and endless possibilities.... (What if Rod was still with that other woman, even though he just kissed Claire...?) Rue thought, his eyes opening very wide. Trying to shake the awful thought from his mind, Rue reminded himself that Rod hadn't seen her in a long time, so she had probably moved on by now.... Right?
(No, Rod wouldn't toy with Claire's feelings, if he was still seeing that other woman or not...) Rue thought, opening the door to his room, seeing that no one else but him and Mint where up, not including Rod or Claire since they were busy. There was nothing to do. Rue just stood staring out his window, where the moon was slowly fading, and the sun was just arising.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
(Phew, now what am I gonna do?) Mint thought, slumping herself into her desk chair, sitting in the chair backward and resting her arms and chin on the back of the wooden chair. Mint was still asking herself, 'How the heck am I gonna explain everything?' Gritting her teeth, Mint thought, (Why didn't you think ahead, plan a speech, or think of something smart!!!?)
Seeing as no one was up yet, Mint was stuck thinking about how she was gonna explain the whole tournament thing to everyone. The tournament was to be held in a few days from now, and Mint didn't think that any of the guys would be willing to help out with her plan. (Why did you think up such a pathetic plan, you moron!!!?) Mint yet again yelled to herself. (You could have been training harder, so no man could be able to beat you, just in case you were wrong at being the strongest around!!!) Hmph. That was the question of the day: why, why, why, why, WHY!!!? Why did everything have to be so complicated!? So impossible!?
Sighing, Mint closed her eyes, wondering if her plan would even work. (Oh well...) the princess thought to herself. (Guess I'll just have to wait and see how things turn out...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Groaning, Mode Master, rolled over, laying the side of her forehead on Trap Master's bare arm, and putting her left arm over his blanket covered torso. A small grin showed up on Mode Master's lips. Last night had been fantastic. She loved Trap Master, but she had never had the guts or courage to tell him, afraid he would reject her. Then Mint showed her that that was a risk you had to take, even if the results were good or bad. When she saw how Mint was crying, wanting to be able to choose her own path in life, Mode Master felt terrible at what she had just done. Kissing Trap Master in front of Mint had really upset her feelings, wanting the position she and Trap Master were in, only with Rue.
Although a little weak from last night, Trap Master startled Mode Master by rolling toward her face, still fast asleep, breathing silently. Yes, last night was a night to remember. It was so many words, Mode Master could think up twenty, probably more. Fantastic was one; others could be entertaining, unforgettable, romantic, exciting, unpredictable, enjoyable, long lasting, painful, yet what everyone needs at some point in life. Mode Master nuzzled against Trap Master's bare chest, holding him tight, afraid he might perish and be gone forever if she let go. Trap Master embraced Mode Master, making her grin.
Looking up, Mode Master heard Trap Master say, "I love you..." then sealed his words with a passionate kiss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!!!?" Maya yelled at Gramps, (throwing a hair brush at him,) who was merely trying to calm the out of control princess down.
"Princess Maya! *crash* *duck* Please stop at once!*crash* *duck again*" Gramps begged, dodging every item Maya threw at him.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE YOU OLD BASTARD!!!!" Maaya yelled back, chasing Gramps around her room with her Book of Cosmos, even though there was no power left in it.
"I beg of you, Princess! Stop!!!" Gramps whimpered, running out of Maya's room, giving up.
"AND DON'T BOTHER ME AGAIN!!!!!!!" Maya screamed, slamming her door shut and sliding against it. As you all know, Maya had gotten her period, which could explain what had just happened. Maya was already in a bad enough mood, and her period just made it worse.
(God, why can't I be queen of East Heaven?! That bitchy sister of mine doesn't deserve to be the next ruler!!! I won't allow it!!!!!) Maya thought to herself, jumping to her feet and storming to the other side of her room. Maya looked out her window, (which oversaw the gate to the castle,) and nearly fell out it when she saw the banner that was hanging from the very tall gate entrance.
Stomping her foot, Maya screamed, "NO!!! NO WAY IS MINT HAVING A TOURNAMENT!!! NOT WHILE I'M AROUND!!!" Maya read more of the banner. It read: Tournament to be held in the honor of Princess Mint, who will be the final challenge to those who get past all of the opponents. Tournament begins in three days from today. Whomever beats Princess Mint will get her hand in marriage. If no one is capable of beating Princess Mint, then she shall rule the kingdom without anyone by her side.
"?! NO!!! EITHER WAY SHE'LL RULE THE KINGDOM!!!" Maaya screamed again in a higher pitch than before. "I'LL KILL HER MYSELF!!!" Maaya finished, storming out of her room, where a servant with a brown dress that had a hood covering up his face stood before her door.
Taking a deep breath in, Maya yelled, "WHAT DO YOU WANT!!?! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I DON'T WANT ANYONE IN MY WAY!!!?" The hooded servant didn't move, flinch, or say anything back.
"AT LEAST SAY SOMETHING!!!" Maya demanded. The servant did as he was told.
"It's been a while, Maya," came the gentle voice of the servant.
"?! WHO ARE YOU?!" Maya said, taking a few steps back to where she was in her room. The hooded servant followed her in, and closed the door behind him, locking it.
"GET OUT! GET OUT!!! GET OUT OF-" Maya started, but the servant lunged at her and covered her mouth, pinning her to the ground as well.
"?!" Maya struggled to get free of the person's strong, yet gentle grasp, who she knew now wasn't a servant.
"Sshh! It's okay!" a more familiar voice than before said.
"!!!" Maya knew right as the stranger finished who he was, and stopped struggling. He removed his hand from her mouth and held out his hand to help her up, which she took.
"What are you doing here?! I told you not to come here! You'll get put to death if you are caught being in here with only me!!!" Maya said in a surprised and frantic whisper. Taking off his hood, the man revealed some silver/white hair, that was covered up by a striped bandana. A strand of hair stuck up on the back of his head, and their was a blue diamond that was barely visible, (it only half showing,) under his bandana. It was a shard of the Dewprism.
"I'm sorry! But I had to see you again! I couldn't live another day without you!" Ruenis whispered back.
"Of course you can live without me! We can't stay together! I'm royalty, and my father would never let us be together!" Maya whispered, her and Ruenis's hands finding each other. Both of their hands trembled from the shock of seeing one another, although Maya's shook more violently.
"What happened to you?! Did someone hurt you?!" Ruenis asked frantically, looking at what a mess Maya was.
"?! Oh no! My father is allowing Mint to become queen, and I wanted to be queen, and not her, and-" Maya rushed, tears forming in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks as Ruenis layed a gentle finger upon her lips, then embracing her in a hug.
"You don't have to say another word. I understand..." Ruenis comforted Maya, holding her close to him. He still couldn't believe that he had managed to come all the way to East Heaven, just to see Maya! Ruenis had missed Maya ever since their encounter at Ruenis's 'birth place'. It was Maya who had discovered Ruenis in the first place. Maya was browsing through a set of Aeon ruins, searching for an item that was said to bring power back to the Book of Cosmos, and stumbled upon a Doll of Valen, (which was Ruenis.) That's kind of how he got his name. Ruin didn't sound all that great, for he was also a Doll of Valen, so they wanted 'Rue' to be a part of the name, thus coming up with 'Ruenis'.
Now, just in case you wonder why Ruenis is here to see Maya, this might clear that question:
*When Ruenis was discovered...*
"You have to be here somewhere..." Maya mumbled to herself, searching around for an ancient item called the Kosumosu Ishi, (aka: Cosmos Stone,) at the Ruins of Skwell, which was once a very powerful kingdom. Turning over pieces of debris, not finding the Cosmos Stone, Maya sat on a fallen column, and sighed a sigh of frustration.
"Where can you be?! Come out already!" Maya said to herself, getting tired of searching. Maya had been searching for the past three days, and she, (not with the help of the soldiers guarding her,) had almost covered every square inch of the city ruins, and with no luck of finding the Cosmos Stone. Maya shook her head, got up, (ready to give up looking,) but saw a small hole in an old, (cracked at some places,) wall, that was just big enough to have Maya fit through.
"..."
Flinching slightly, Maya got off her makeshift chair and walked over to the hole.
(...What the heck...) Maya thought, pushing herself into the hole.
"Ow!!!" Maya cryed in pain as she passed through the hole. Looking at her left arm, there was a cut in her favorite attire, [just the shirt,] which was her usual white and blue long sleeved shirt and pants, that she wore with her funky white and blue hat, and also with her brown leather gloves and boots,) as well as a gash on her arm, that revealed blood that started oozing out. Maya quickly tore a piece of fabric off of her left arm, and wrapped it around her wound.
"It's okay... It's nothing you can't handle..." Maya said to herself, taking a few steps into her new surroundings. It was dark, and the hole was the only 'window' that let light into the cavern. In the middle of the cave, (surrounded by water,) were a few steps, that led up to a coffin looking box.
"...Why not? The Cosmos Stone might be there..." Maya said aloud, walking cautiously over to the box. Maya stopped at the beginning of the steps, then began up them after she took in a breath, holding it until she reached the top. Looking over the box, Maya gasped and jumped a little at what she had discovered. There, in the box, lay a boy, looking to be about her age, (which was 13.) He wore brown, leather gloves and boots, a white and golden long sleeved shirt, white and blue pants, was probably a few inches taller than Maya, with a striped white and golden bandana covering some silver/white hair, and a blue mineral of some sort. Maya's heart was pounding against her rib cage, waiting to see if the boy would move or not. Not even thinking, Maya rested her right hand on top of the glass lid, and it began to glow around the edges. Although frightened, Maya kept her hand on the lid, until it disappeared, and put her hand back by her side when it did. The boy in the coffin moved, and he floated up, with the help of some magic that made him float. Maya wanted to run more than ever from the boy, (not knowing if he was a threat or not,) but also wanted dearly to find out who he was.
The boy opened his eyelids, (revealing a pair of dark, dark brown eyes,) blinked a few times, and set his gaze upon the young princess.
"...Who are you?" the boy asked in a soft, gentle voice, that you could sense having a little bit of fear in it. (Who is this stranger? Has she come to...rescue me? To help me?)
Maya didn't know what to do. The boy didn't seem to be a threat, but Maya kept her guard up, just in case.
Gathering her courage, Maya said, "I am Princess Maya of the East Heaven Kingdom, and I have come here in search of the Cosmos Stone."
(He doesn't.......seem dangerous. After all, you DID get him out of that box, for who knows how long he has been trapped in that thing, so he should show you some gratitude!)
The boy just stared at her, unmoving. This made Maya very uncomfortable, so she decided to speak up.
"And who might you be?"
"..." The boy didn't say anything. He just stared at her, mesmerized.
"Okay... Well, sir, would you mind helping me?" Maya asked.
"I am sorry, but I must go about my duty," the boy finally replied.
"? Duty? Maybe I can be of some assistance," Maya offered.
"That would be very kind of you, miss. I am in search of the Dewprism."
"!!!"
"I must do everything in my power to get to the Dewprism, so my master, Valen, can come back to this world and reign over the universe," the boy said.
"No! Are you... A Doll of Valen?" Maya said, taking a step downward.
"Yes, I am. Will you help me?" the doll asked.
"Help you?! I am sorry, sir, but the Dewprism no longer exists in this world," Maya said quickly, going down another step.
"No longer exists? How can this be?!" the doll said in shock.
"Well, you can blame my sister for that. She sought out for the Dewprism only months ago, and when she beat Valen, he took the Dewprism with him, most likely to another dimension," Maya told the doll.
"?! Someone is capable of beating the almighty Valen?! A mortal?!" the doll said, floating down to the top step.
"Plus, even if the Dewprism was still in this world, I would not allow you to get it! I would stop you at all costs!" Maya threatened.
"But...... my duty......." the doll said, lowering himself into a sitting position on the step. "What will I do? If the Dewprism is truely gone, then........then what meaning does my life have..?" the doll said to himself, hanging his head. Now, seeing this, Maya felt really bad about what she just said.
"...Why not forget about your duty to bring Valen back into the present?" Maya said, not moving. Looking up into her eyes, the doll looked confused.
"Forget about my duty? But I cannot do that! I owe everything to my creator, Valen!" the doll protested.
"Listen to me: I once knew a Doll made by Valen just like you, set on getting the Dewprism, not letting anything get in his way. He was Ruecian. But I also knew another Doll of Valen; Rue. He didn't care about his duty to resurrect Valen. At the same time, they both sought out for the Dewprism; Ruecian, or Doll Master as he called himself, went to resurrect Valen, while Rue went to revive his friend, which Doll Master had killed when he went to ask Rue to help him resurrect Valen, for his life stone did not work. The two of them battled, and Rue won, beating Doll Master, with the power of his will," Maya finished.
"...By the power of his will?" the doll asked, listening carefully, hanging onto every word that came out of the princess's mouth.
"Yes, by the power of his will. Rue ignored his duty, and he prevailed, getting to the Dewprism and bringing his friend back from the dead. Doll Master, on the other hand, died trying to complete his duty. Now, do you see the outcome of both of them? That not fullfilling your duty will let you have a prosperous life, and that making your duty a reality will make you die in vain?" Maya concluded, hoping that the doll would not try to resurrect Valen.
"... But if I don't fullfil my duty, what meaning in life do I have? I would be without a task to complete, wasting what life I have that I could use to resurrect Valen," the doll said, shattering Maya's hope, leaving only a tiny shard of it left.
"You don't understand! We humans live life the way we want; by our own free will. We do what we need to live a great life, by finding a meaning and sticking with it to the bitter end. Yes, we have duties, but we can choose whether or not to fullfill them."
"..." The doll was thinking hard, Maya's most recent words sinking into his soul. "...Was Rue's wanting to revive his friend...did that wish come from his will?"
"Yes, I believe so," Maya answered.
"...I don't know if I could find a will as strong as friendship..." the doll said solemly.
"Of course you can!" Maya blurted out, startling the doll.
"How can I?" the doll asked desperately.
"B-by finding a friend... That could be a start!" Maya said, forcing a half smile.
The doll looked deeper into Maya's eyes, and said these words, "Will......will you be my friend?"
Shocked, (and not knowing what to say,) Maya forced a response, not wanting the doll to go back to his duty.
"I'd be happy to!" Maya said, smiling. This must have made the doll happy, because he smiled back.
"Here," Maya said, holding out her hand, "let's go."
Walking down a step, the doll took her hand, and they walked down the remaining steps.
"Wait," the doll said as Maya walked a few steps forward.
Turning around, Maya asked, "What is it?"
"I..... I am without a name....." the doll answered quietly.
"Oh..." Maya said. "....How about we give you a name?"
"?! Y-you'd do that?!" the doll said, very surprised.
"Of course! That's what friends do!" Maya responded, smiling.
(Wow... She is a really nice friend!) the doll thought to himself, cracking a smile too.
"Let's see....." Maya started.
"Can.....can it be like Rue?" the doll asked.
"I can't say why not! But, how about......" Maya said, thinking, and then nodding at the doll. "How about Ruenis?"
"I... I like that..." Ruenis said, very very slightly blushing. Maya joined him, although her redness was more visible.
"Shall we?" Maya said, holding out her hand to Ruenis.
Grinning, Ruenis walked forward and held her hand, saying, "Let's..."
The two new friends squeezed through the hole which Maya had come in from before, and were greeted by the sun's bright rays.
"Wow..." Ruenis said, astonished. He walked around, looking at the little plant life there was, as well as all of the destroyed houses and buildings.
"These are the Ruins of Skwell," Maya said, walking a few steps diagonally behind Ruenis.
"What happened? Why is everything destroyed?" Ruenis asked curiously.
"Skwell was once a very powerful kingdom. Then, they went to war with a neighboring kingdom, Jaona, and Jaona won, with hardly any deathes. East Heaven, where I'm from, tryed to help Skwell, but our soldiers couldn't even get past Jaona's forces that guarded the entrance to Skwell. This was all before my time, but I learned about it in my ancient literature class," Maya told Ruenis.
"I see..." Ruenis said, picturing what the war would look like in his mind. The two began walking again, in silence, until it was broken by Maya.
"?! Oh no! I cannot bring you with me! My father is against all Dolls of Valen, and will have those found with royalty, (like me,) executed! I don't want you to end up dead!" Maya said in a hurry.
With fear in his eyes, Ruenis said, "Then...then let's escape!" (Crazy idea! Crazy idea! She can't escape from a whole kingdom!!! Especially her own!) Ruenis thought after his words were spoken.
"Escape..?! Do....do you think I can do it?" Maya said, not even thinking about how angry her father would be when he found out she had ran away. (Should I?) Maya thought, looking into Ruenis's eyes. They were gentle eyes, that made Maya weak in the knees.
(...Yes. I'll do it!) "I have my own will, and running away is where it's leading me!!!" Maya anounced, making Ruenis breathe a sigh of relief. (...Everyone needs a friend...)
"But first..." Maya said, plotting at how she could run away without the guards watching over her notice. "We need to get my horse. Follow me until I stop, and be quiet and stay where I stop, so I can get my horse without the guards getting suspicious, alright?"
"Alright," Ruenis said, nodding. The princess and the doll ran toward the entrance of the city, where the soldiers/guards had set up camp, Maya taking the lead. Stopping, Ruenis bumping into her from behind. They both blushed tremendously, and Ruenis mouthed a 'sorry' to Maya. She smiled, then turned a slight shade of crimson, thinking, (Now he probably thinks you liked that and him for smiling!!!) as Ruenis thought, (...Does she like me since she smiled?) Ruenis stayed where the two had collided, and Maya walked into the soldiers sight.
"Princess, are you ready to go? Did you find the Cosmos Stone?" the head soldier asked, walking up to Maya and kneeling.
"No, not yet. But I am getting quite tired of walking. Do fetch me my horse," Maya ordered.
"Yes Your Highness!" the soldier said, getting up and motioning one of his men to get Maya's horse.
"Will you need any of us to accompany you, Princess?" a soldier asked.
Shaking her head, Maya responded, "Do you think that I am not capable of taking a walk through some ruins?"
"N-no! O-of course not, Princess!" the soldier studdered, kneeling down before her and getting up.
"Good," Maya said, a soldier bringing up her horse to her. "Thank you."
"Be careful, Your Highness," the soldier who had brought her horse said, kneeling. The soldier got up, and held out his armoured hand to help Maya onto the horse, which she accepted and got onto the horse's back.
"ACHOO!!!!!" Ruenis accidently sneezed, gathering the attention of the soldiers. Maya kicked off of the soldier that had brought the Albino horse to her and started running off toward Ruenis.
"Princess!!!!" all of the soldiers said in unison, quickly getting onto their own horses and chasing after Maya.
Stopping by Ruenis, and lending out her hand to him, Maya yelled "C'mon! Get on!!!" Ruenis quickly grabbed hold of Maya's extended hand, and hurled himself onto the frightened horse. Maya steered the horse toward the exit of the city, (although it was quite a ways away,) Ruenis wrapping his arms around her waist so he wouldn't fall off.
Looking over his shoulder, Ruenis saw five men on horseback, (the soldiers,) and yelled to Maya, "They're right behind us!!!"
Thinking fast, Maya unclasped Ruenis's hands that were around her waist and thrust the reins into them, and swung herself behind Ruenis.
"?!"
"Take the reins! I'll make sure they don't get any closer!!!" Maya told Ruenis, who nodded. Maya was now facing the soldiers, (backward on the horse,) using her left arm to hold onto Ruenis's waist, while her right hand formed some of her magic, (the arrow like one that looks like this ,) aiming it at one of the soldiers, and fired as he went flying off his horse, obviously injured.
The soldiers didn't even bother trying to get Maya's attention; they thought that Ruenis was holding her hostage, (demanding her to us her magic against them,) so they kept on galloping on their horses. Using the same magic, Maya shot another soldier, but he managed to stay on his horse. Although this was Ruenis's first horse ride, he managed to handle the horse like a pro.
A low tree was heading their way, and Ruenis yelled to warn Maya.
"Duck!!!" Ruenis yelled, Maya doing so, although one of the soldiers behind them did not, and probably broke his jaw on the impact, his horse topppling over him. Three soldiers remained, one of them gaining more speed and coming right beside Maya and Ruenis.
"You fiend! Release Princess Maya!!!" the soldier ordered, drawing his sword.
"I order you to leave!!!" Maya barked back, trying to punch the soldier, but him grabbing her wrist and thrusting her onto his horse.
The soldiers slowed down, even as they heard Ruenis's cry to give her back.
"Are you alright--" the soldier that had Maya asked, but couldn't finish his sentence because Maya used her magic right on his back, knocking him off and riding the soldier's horse to catch up with Ruenis.
"Hurry!!!" Ruenis told her, speeding off toward the exit. She did so, as well as the two other soldiers. One soldier ran after Maya, the other after Ruenis. The soldier chasing Maya got right beside her, knocking her off the horse with a forceful shove.
"?! MAYA!!!!!" Ruenis yelled as he heard her body fall to the ground. Ruenis slowed his horse down and jumped off it, (the horse running away,) not caring if one of the soldiers caught him. Ruenis ran in the direction of Maya, and just as he was a few feet away from her, the soldier that had knocked Maya off ran right in front of his path, making Ruenis stop.
"Back away!!!" the soldier warned, drawing his sword and putting the tip of it right under Ruenis's chin. "And maybe we'll let you live."
Darting his eyes to Maya, Ruenis saw that she was breathing heavily, and noticed right away the spear that went right through her stomache. Seeing Ruenis look at Maya made the soldier swing back his sword with a very audible 'wooosh', and he would have decapitated Ruenis, but the sword shattered as it made impact on Ruenis's neck. This really spooked the horse, and it bucked and sent the soldier flying, hitting the ground and making a very nasty crunching noise, not getting up. Ruenis moved the horse out of his way and ran and fell by Maya's side.
"Are you alright?!" Ruenis asked, trying to find a way to stop the bleeding. He quickly took off his bandana so he could stop Maya from bleeding, not pulling the blood smeared spear out of her, for her wound would just bleed faster if he did.
".....agh......Ru.....Ruenis......." Maya managed, her mouth filling with her own blood.
"?!" Ruenis startled himself, for he started to glow, (like how Rue had glown when Claire had been hit by Doll Master.) Her head shaking violently, Maya looked up and saw Ruenis glowing, and whispered, "Ruenis..." one last time before spitting out some blood that kept filling in her mouth. The remaining soldier charged at Ruenis, but Ruenis spun around and held up his hand. The soldier stopped, thinking that Ruenis might destroy him if he moved any closer.
"Leave. This was Maya's choice, not mine," Ruenis ordered, lowering his hand.
"Y....yes.......l..l..leave...." Maya choked out, letting her blood drip out of her mouth.
"I-in the name o-of Princess Maya, I-I can't allow that!!!" the soldier spat back, lunging forward with his sword. Ruenis held up his hands in defense, and the sword shattered just like before.
"?! Your a Doll of Valen!!!?" the soldier said, falling backward as he noticed the shard of Dewprism on Ruenis's forehead.
"..." Ruenis didn't know what else to say, so he said nothing as the soldier ran off to get some help for Maya.
Still glowing, Ruenis sat down next Maya, thinking of what he should do.
"....Th......thank.........you........." Maya managed, spitting out more blood. A red circle had formed under her mouth from her spitting the blood up.
"No... If it wasn't for me, you would have never ended up like this!" Ruenis protested.
Very faintly smiling, Maya replied, ".....No........Thank you............for...........being........such a............a.......good friend........ Anyone......else.......might of........left me......here........knowing......that........that I would................. just........die........but..........you stayed..........of your own............free..........will............." Maya finished, moving her hand along the ground and finding Ruenis's hand. The moment she took his hand in her's, the spear went flying out of her innards, making her gasp. Then, Ruenis's glowing went off of him, and onto Maya, spreading around her wound inside and out.
"?! Maya!!!" Ruenis cryed out in surprise and joy, getting her into a sitting position up against his chest, her face facing away from him. After the 'healing glow' vanished, it revealed Maya, not even a scratch found where her wound just was.
"...Ruenis?" Maya whispered out, fluttering her eyes open, not believing what had just happened.
"Maya! You're alright! You're alright!!!" Ruenis said happily, helping himself and Maya to their feet.
"H-how???" Maya asked as they got up.
"I don't know..." Ruenis confessed, steadying Maya.
"You..." Maya said, facing Ruenis and looking up into his eyes. "You helped save me..."
"I did, but I have no idea how!" Ruenis exclaimed in joy, tears filling in his eyes.
"Ruenis..." Maya said, moving her delicate finger up toward Ruenis's face and wiping a fallen tear off his cheek. "Why are you crying? I am right here..."
"I almost lost you...my first friend... On the day we met! And to see that you're okay, that makes me...... happy......" Ruenis replied, embracing Maya in a hug, which she accepted. Ruenis's kind words made Maya cry as well, and the two sobbing friends stayed there, hugging, frozen in time as it looked.
Pulling away from the hug, Ruenis asked, "Where to now?"
"Hmm... I know! Do you want to go see Rue? I think it would really help you if you saw him, since you were hesitant at deciding whether or not to do your duty," Maya offered.
"That would be great!" Ruenis said cheerfully. Just as Ruenis finished his sentence, one of the soldiers' horse came up behind Maya, and started nuzzling her, but scared the life out of her instead, jumping into Ruenis's arms and the two of them falling to the ground, laughing.
"Well, I guess we know how to get to Rue's!" Maya said, still laughing slightly. As Ruenis continued laughing, Maya stopped, and rolled off of Ruenis, turning away from him and turning crimson again.
"Heh-heh!...? Maya? Are you alright?" Ruenis asked after he noticed that Maya was no longer on top of him.
"S-sorry...." Maya studdered.
"For wha-oh!" Ruenis stopped as he already knew why, and he starting turning a shade of red as well, turning his head away from Maya and looking at the ground.
"Yeah........that......" Maya replied. (Although........I kind of felt........safer, there......)
"Uh-huh........um..........it's okay........" Ruenis said just above a whisper. (But.......I wish.........that she hadn't gotten up.......) The horse stomped it's foot, wanting to go somewhere. Maya and Ruenis got up in silence, and Ruenis helped Maya get onto the horse's back, then thrusting his body behind her, wrapping his shaking hands around Maya's waist. Maya barely kicked the horse in it's side to get it to move, and they were off as the sun began to set.
*About an hour later...*
"We have to stop and make camp. Traveling at night it very dangerous, and who knows what could happen, especially around the Ruins of Skwell," Maya told Ruenis, stopping the horse by a nearby stream.
"Alright," Ruenis replied, getting off of the horse and helping Maya off as well. Maya took the horse's reins and walked over to a low tree branch, tieing the reins to the branch. Ruenis looked around, and wondered how they would make camp.
"Maya, how will we make camp?"
"Well..." Maya said, looking around at their surroundings and thinking of what to do. There were a few trees without their leaves grown on, the stream, and a very large log.
"Maybe we could stay inside that log?" Maya suggested, the two walking over to the fallen tree. Peering inside the hollow log, Maya and Ruenis twisted their faces in discomfort, for the log that they had hoped would provide them shelter had a million bugs crawling all over the inside of it.
"Drat... This log is probably the best shelter we can get, seeing as though there is nothing else in this area..." Maya said solemly.
"...Why don't we use the horse's blanket to keep ourselves warm?" Ruenis suggested.
"What a great idea!" Maya said happily, going over to the horse and undoing it's saddle. Now, this was a pretty big horse, so the saddle had to be rather heavy and large for it to fit onto the horse's back properly. Maya, (just thinking about the horse's blanket,) unbuckled the saddle, and tryed to pull it over to one side, (her side,) but she could not withstand the saddle's weight.
"Oh!!!" Maya cryed out as the saddle came down very fast, since it weighed so much.
"!!!" Ruenis saw this and hurried over to help his friend steady the saddle.
"Phew...thanks..." Maya said with relief.
"You're welcome..." Ruenis said, him and Maya both setting the saddle down on the ground, where Maya sat down as well. Ruenis got the blanket, and put it over Maya, who just blushed. Ruenis plopped down beside her, (having barely any blanket to cover him,) not even attempting to get under the blanket with Maya.
"? What's wrong? You'll surely catch a cold if you don't keep warm enough," Maya said to Ruenis.
"I'm.....I'm alright...... There is only room enough for one of us, and I think you need it more......" Ruenis said, glueing his eyes to the dirt in front of him.
"..." Maya admired Ruenis's kindness so much. Even though they had just met, he offered to be without the blanket, for her sake. Maya felt uncomfortable under the blanket, alone. Heck, she felt warmer, (not to menchon safer,) when she had fallen over Ruenis.
Maya stared at Ruenis, who only stared at the ground. This made Maya very sad; Ruenis looked so lost, alone.....with no one to be with. He was just staring at the boring ground, (silent as can be,) only breathing silent breaths every few seconds.
Maya quickly turned her gaze onto the night sky, ashamed of herself.
(Maya! You were checking him out!!! How could you?! He just wants to be friends, nothing more!!!) Maya told herself, although, deep down inside of her heart, she didn't want to be friends with him...... She wanted.......
"Nonsense! Of course we can both fit! If you cannot, than I won't cover up with it either!" Maya said suddenly, jerking Ruenis's eyes from the ground, them coming to rest on her.
"No! I'm fine! Really..." Ruenis protested, although he thought: (What's the matter with me?! She's just being nice, considerate... Worrying about your well-being more than her's! She doesn't want to.......)
Blushing, Ruenis added, "You need it more than I do..." Shaking her head, not listening to what Ruenis just said, Maya scooted closer to Ruenis, and put most of the blanket onto Ruenis, who turned crimson with surprise at how close Maya was to him, (a few inches away from his face.)
"Um.....this.......I......." Ruenis fumbled with his words, afraid. Breathing heavily, Maya realized what she had just done, and blushed along with Ruenis. (He only wants to be friends! He only wants to be friends!!!)
"I'm......I'm sorry..........but you just looked colder than I am, and......." Maya was filled with embarassment, not able to finish her sentence.
(She's your friend, nothing more. She's your friend, nothing more...) Ruenis thought, although his hand closest to Maya would not obey. Maya saw Ruenis's hand move under the blanket, and she started to tremble. The two of them just looked at Ruenis's hand, that was ever so slowly inching it's way to Maya's. After what had seemed like an eternity, Ruenis's shaking hand met Maya's trembling one. Then, Maya's hand clasped Ruenis's fingers with her's.
Silence rolled on for a mere ten seconds, then both Maya and Ruenis, (at the same time,) s-l-o-w-l-y guided their eyes up toward the other's. When the two pairs of eyes saw the other, they sent brain waves to their brain, telling the brain that it was alright; that their was no danger ahead, and that it could move closer....closer........
Not one of them breathing, the princess and the doll both inched closer to the other. Just as their lips were about to make contact, Maya stopped; stopped going toward Ruenis, who waited for an action to happen. Maya was frightened; very fightened. She knew that she and Ruenis had only been friends for not even a full day, but she felt like she and Ruenis had been friends for years. To Maya, they had been together that long.
"My heart aches to find out what will happen now, but it also hurts; afraid of what is going to happen..." Ruenis whispered, breaking Maya's thoughts and pulling her back into reality.
Still staring at each other, Maya replied, "I can fix that..." and drew closer to Ruenis, their lips finally making contact. It was a sweet kiss, that lasted for around thirty seconds, before ending.
(What am I....?) Ruenis thought, astonished that Maya would kiss him, a Doll of Valen, who had only known her for a few hours.
(...) Maya didn't think anything at all. Instead, she led Ruenis's hand to her hip, letting go of it as it rested their, unmoving. Then, Maya guided both of her hands up to Ruenis's cheeks, drawing him closer for a second kiss. This one didn't last as long as the first one, and didn't go any further, either. Ruenis drew back a little from Maya after the kiss ended, who looked a little hurt.
"I don't know what to do.... I have never gotten this close to anyone........." Ruenis whispered, starting to pull his hand back to him, but it being stopped by Maya's gentle touch.
"........I haven't either........" Maya confessed, just holding onto Ruenis's hand, not attempting to put it back on her side. But to her surprise, Ruenis pushed his hand forward, resting it upon her hip, and putting his other hand under Maya's other hip, that rested on the ground, and went back to kissing Maya.
Maya opened her mouth, which made Ruenis's eyes blink open at Maya doing such a thing. Maya opened her eyes as well, seeing as Ruenis didn't open his mouth.
"...W-we don't have to go that far..." Maya whispered, ready to pull back from Ruenis's gentle grasp.
Barely shaking his head, Ruenis answered, "I will only if you want to..." This made Maya happy, and she closed in the gap between her and Ruenis, going faster than she had before, and kissing Ruenis with just a tad bit more force. Frightened, surprised, and very very happy, Ruenis was the first to open his mouth, his tongue touching Maya's as soon as she opened her mouth, too.
Maya moved her hands up, (pulling off her hat and tossing it aside, Ruenis doing the same with his bandana,) Ruenis pulling her closer to him, their bodies rubbing up against each other. Maya started to wrap her arms around Ruenis's neck, and before long, Maya had rolled on top of Ruenis, pushing the blanket aside, her and Ruenis kissing each other with a lot of force.
Ruenis moved his hands to go around Maya's waist, rubbing his hands against her bare back in a massaging matter. Maya, (not stopping him,) found her hands up the front of Ruenis's shirt. This new position surprised the both of them, and they both stopped, frozen in time.
"....Aren't we too young to do this?" Ruenis asked.
Shaking her head left and right, Maya said, "You can do this at whatever age, as long as you really love the person..."
"Then.......I think I love you......" Ruenis replied, dropping a kiss on Maya's lips, then pulling back to see what she had to say.
"I know.......and I think I love you too......." Maya said smiling, starting to rub Ruenis's chest and kiss him some more.
The two lovers made out for hours on end, finally falling asleep in the safe protection of the other's arms. They awoke the next morning, Maya coming to a decision.
"Ruenis?"
"Yes?" Ruenis said, finishing putting his shirt over his head and looking up to Maya, who was putting her hat back on.
"Um...h-how should I say this...?" Maya started.
Walking over to Maya with a worried expression on his face, Ruenis asked, "What is it? is something wrong?"
"Well.....I........." Maya's eyes started to blur a little from the tears she was trying to fight back.
"?" Ruenis stood silent, not forcing Maya to continue talking.
"I.........I..............I CAN'T GO WITH YOU!!!" Maya yelled, running away with her tears strolling down her cheeks.
"?! MAYA!!!" Ruenis ran after Maya as fast as he could, finally catching up to Maya. "STOP!!! Please, Maya, stop!!!"
Maya just shook her head, even more tears forming in her eyes and rolling onto her face. Ruenis continued running along side Maya, until he finally got the guts to reach out and grab her hand, for he was having a hard time breathing.
"?! No! Ruenis, let go!!!" Maya pleaded, strugling to get away.
"No, I can't!" Ruenis protested, catching his breath.
"You don't understand!!! We can't.....*sob*We can't..!" Maya finally gave up on strugling and just fell into Ruenis's arms, sobbing.
"It's......it's okay....... I'm...here....." Ruenis whispered gently into Maya's ear. Maya started to calm down and stop crying, but wouldn't leave Ruenis's arms.
".....W-what did you mean back there?" Ruenis asked, although he already knew what the answer was, and didn't like it one bit.
"Oh Ruenis! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have ran off like that, and shouldn't have fallen in love with you! I just made things worse!!!" Maya rushed, clutching Ruenis tightly with her shaking hands.
"?!......Wh....... Why, n-not?" Ruenis asked in disbelief, pulling Maya back, resting his hands on her shoulders and looking into her frightened eyes.
Shaking her head and trying not to look into Ruenis's safe, pleading eyes, Maya replied, "My.....my father would never allow us to see each other......." Ruenis started to slowly slide his hands off of Maya, saddened at Maya's words. "We could never be together......... Never start a family together......."
Putting his hands by his side, Ruenis didn't say anything. He just looked off to the side, his eyes closing and them filling with tears ever so slowly.
"...........If.............. If you really, really, love someone........" Ruenis started, looking back to Maya with his blured vision, "Then doesn't it not matter what others think? Even your family?"
"?!..............No........... I would believe that, if only I were not royalty. If you are of royal blood, then you have to, no matter what the circumstances, marry another also of royal blood......" Maya said in a pitch just above a whisper. Hearing this, Ruenis let the tears come out, his heart broken from Maya's words. Maya let some more tears come as well, feeling so horrible at what she had to do in order to keep Ruenis safe from harm.
"But........." Maya started, Ruenis's eyes sparking up, hoping that she had changed her mind. Maya thrust herself into Ruenis's arms, wrapping her own around his neck and embracing him in a goodbye kiss. "But I promise, that I will see you again. When my father comes to understanding that we should be together......then and only then will I go search for you......." These words mended to Ruenis's heart, patching up a few places that were hurt.
"I.......... I will come find you........when I think that you are in need of my comfort......" Ruenis said solemly, kissing Maya one, last, final time, before leading her back to their camp.
"I will drop you off at Rue's place," Maya said, gathering the blanket up in her arms. Maya just starked at the blanket for about ten seconds, before putting it onto the horse.
"..." Ruenis just helped Maya with putting the saddle on the horse, then helping her up onto it, and positioning himself behind her, clasping his hands around her waist, although he did not want to touch her. He just wanted to leave as soon as possible, not wanting to hurt anymore by being around Maya.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
"We're here...." Maya finally said after a one hour, no pit stop ride. There was a clearing, where a small log cabin was built, birds hovering over the sky above it. The scent of pine trees was smelled, as there were many already around, probably extending for miles.
".......Do you think they are home?" Ruenis asked, finally coming off being mute.
"I don't know........ Let's go see......." Maya said, starting to slowly walk toward the cabin's entrance, Ruenis following several steps behind her.
Knocking the wooden door, Maya called out, "Rue? Are you here? It is Maya..." Footsteps were heard, and the door opened, revealing a very surprised Rue.
"M.......Maya???" Rue asked, obviously puzzled. Claire came to Rue's side, and smiled, happy to see Maya.
"Yes........ It's me......" Maya said, turning toward Ruenis, who stopped walking and forced a crooked half smile. "Rue, this is Ruenis. He's come here with me to ask for your help..."
"Oh....... Are you another Doll of Valen?" Rue asked Ruenis.
"Yes, I am........." Ruenis replied, not smiling anymore.
"You're not going to.........fulfill our duty.......are you?" Rue asked.
"I........I came here to have you help me with that...... Maya told me you could help me," Ruenis answered, looking at Maya instead of Rue, then putting his gaze on the dirt covered ground.
"...........W-well!" Rue stammered, (smiling,) bringing Ruenis's gaze back onto him. "I'd be happy to help you!"
"Yes! We don't mind having you stay with us!" Claire added with a smile.
Rue walked out to Ruenis and held out his hand for a handshake. Ruenis looked from Rue to his hand, then took it in his own, forming a smile as well.
"Thank you......." Ruenis said gratefully, happy that Rue didn't refuse.
"I'll........... I'll be on my way, then........" Maya said, starting to walk over to the horse.
Ruenis thought so quickly, he scared himself when he whispered to Rue, "When you first met your friend you brought back to life with the Dewprism, did it seem like you've known each other forever?"
Rue was surprised at the question, but whispered back anyway.
"Yes. That was exactly how I felt........and still do," Rue amswered, looking back at Claire. "I do..."
Ruenis let go of Rue's hand, and ran to Maya, who was having a hard time getting onto the horse.
"Maya...!" Ruenis called out to Maya, making her jerk her head violently at Ruenis running to her.
"?! Ruenis?!" Maya asked, backing away from the horse as Ruenis came right up to her face.
"When we first met, did it seem like you had known me already?" Ruenis rushed, his heart slowly mending and quickening it's pace.
"Y-yes! Yes it did! Very much, in fact!" Maya said, taking a baby step toward Ruenis.
"I did too. So I will see you again, for certain, no matter what!" Ruenis said joyfully, hugging Maya, surprising her and himself. "I will!"
"......Y-you're right! We will! In the distant future, we will!" Maya said excitedly, hugging him back. The two embraced for a few seconds that seemed to last forever, before backing away.
"I love you..." Ruenis whispered to Maya.
"As do I..." Maya said, smiling. "I love you..." Maya waved to Rue and Claire, and took one last glance at Ruenis, before galloping off on the Albino horse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
"Princess Maya!!!" a few guards from outside Maya's bedroom door yelled, banging against the door that Ruenis had locked.
"!!!" Ruenis and Maya both jumped back to reality as they heard the annoying bags from the guards. Pointing over behind her bed, Maya motioned for Ruenis to hide behind it, and replied, "Yes?" very calmly at the soldier guards, starting to walk over to the door. Ruenis quickly dashed behind Maya's bed, staying very silent.
Opening the door, Maya asked, "What is it? Why are you knocking on my door so loudly?"
"Princess!" the guard who had been banging on her door answered, him and two other guards kneeling down before Maya's fet and coming back up. "You had yelled out very loud, sounding like you were in danger!"
"Well, I was only yelling to a servant that walked into my quarters while I was dressing," Maya replied calmly.
"Are you sure, Princess?" the guard asked.
"What? You think that I would decline your offer of help if there was something wrong? Is that how you always think, Johnathan? That I can't take care of myself?" Maya responded, folding her arms. The guard was obviously the one that had ran off to get reinforcments and aid for Maya when she and Ruenis were trying to escape.
"N-no! No, Your Majesty!" Johnathan said, him and his fellow guards bowing, then moving off to their own business. Closing the door, Maya called out in a tone around a whisper, "It's safe now."
Ruenis got up from his hiding place, holding up a ragged, old horse's blanket. Maya blushed, knowing Ruenis knew as well as she knew why such a ratty thing was in her room.
"You keeped it?" Ruenis said smiling, him and Maya walking over to each other, (which was in the center of the room.
"Of course I kept it. No one else deserved to use it.......but us......." Maya said, her redness fading and replaced by a smile.
"Tell me..." Ruenis said, draping the blanket around Maya's shoulders, "Has your father come to an understanding, yet?"
"No... Not yet. But I have a plan that might clear that one obstacle from not letting us be together..." Maya said, pulling Ruenis closer to herself and kissing him. "And I am certain that it will work..."