Here's the second Chapter. Enjoy, Tira and Marron fans. For the rest of you if you don't like that couple then do not proceed any farther into this story since I don't want to be responsible for what happens to you.

Samanda

P.S. those two really are perfect for each other. Two beautiful people who are hurting and hiding behind masks. sighs Their intelligence and caring towards each other will heal the hurt.

Disclaimer: No I do not own Sorcerer Hunters.

Can A Broken Heart Mend?

Chapter Two

Things between Marron and I changed that day. At the time it seemed like everything was fine and our working relationship, camaraderie or whatever you would like to call it wasn't affected.

But that's before things started to heat up between my sister and Carrot. And I had to watch Carrot realize his feelings for her then do something about it. Chocolate was overjoyed.

But I was not.

In my heart I had given up all hope of Carrot's love and had accepted that he would pursue his own happiness with my sister. But I still loved him enough to let him go.

Wise people say that if you love someone enough you'll let them go. Does that mean I loved Carrot more than Chocolate? Chocolate loves Carrot until it's almost an obsession but I never did try to ask her and compare my love to hers. It was too painful of a subject.

But the situation was unbearable to me. When the five of us grouped together for a mission I had to watch them all over each other. It was almost as bad when they were separated since I had to watch Carrot moping around.

I can admit that I wasn't a pleasure to be around at the time. I didn't snap at Gateau or Marron but the same courtesy wasn't offered to the love birds. I was hurt, angry, jealous and lovelorn. Can you blame me?

I was stuck. Carrot couldn't join my sister and Gateau on their travels because he needed Marron's ofudas to shape change. I couldn't just transfer to Gateau's group because Marron needed me emotionally. So I was stuck.

So I asked Big Mama for a vacation.

Big Mama looked at me with kind eyes. "Running away from your problems solves nothing, Tira."

I looked into her eyes and nodded. There was a hint of old pain in her eyes and I knew it was further confirmation of my private theory. Big Mama knew my pain intimately since she had loved Sacher Torte and from the far away look on her face she probably still did.

Big Mama is a great woman. Her pain was greater than mine but she came to terms with his betrayal and moved on though she still loved him. She hadn't tried to run away. Instead she focused on what needed to be done.

But her next words shocked me.

"I will grant your request." She said softly. Seeing my face she continued. "I once ran away from my problems but it did me no good. You simply have to face them again."

"But why are you approving my request then?" I found my voice.

Big Mama smiled. "I was young once too. You need to find your balance within the group as it will become so I will send someone with you."

I know I tensed up because she gave a soft laugh. "Don't worry. I'm sending Marron with you. He is under as much stress as you are and together you might find something that individually you might not."

Big Mama's face took on a thoughtful expression. "In some ways you and Marron are the heart of your little group. Yes, yes, I know Carrot is the God of Destruction that needs to be protected at all costs and all of you have a degree of love or lust for him in some manner. But Marron and you are the consciences of the group. You are the more aggressive while Marron is more passive but you keep the other three on the straightest path you can manage."

I blushed. "Thank you, Big Mama."

She waved it away. "Just come back to us when you have found your feet again, Tira."

I should have known when I saw the calculating look in her eyes to be wary. Big Mama's plans never fail and she never does anything without a reason.

**********************

Big Mama phased me back to our camp near the town of Pelsa where we had just killed another sorcerer guilty of abusing his villagers. Gateau was pestering Marron as he tried to read a book and ignore both Gateau and the lovebirds who were yet again all over each other.

The hem of my drab robe swished against my feet as I walked to Marron and Gateau. I chose to sit in the grass near Marron rather than the log Gateau was perched on. I leaned against the tree as I craned my head to see what he was reading.

"Ah, Plum Crisp's Ancient Magic and Lore." I observed and out of the corner of my eyes I saw him blush. "Hardly light reading on such a beautiful day."

"Hey!" Gateau whined. "How come you can do that Tira and I can't?"

I smirked at him and cuddled into Marron's left side just to see Gateau's outraged expression. "Because I don't have designs on Marron's body."

Gateau huffed then got up to bug Carrot. Marron looked over to me and I saw his eyebrows rise behind the pair of reading glasses he wore. I gave him a small smile.

"Are we on such intimate terms, Tira?" He said in his usual soft voice.

I caught myself thinking that his voice sounded like a cool mountain breeze and I blushed then looked away. I started to move away but his right hand caught my left one and held me still. I looked up into his eyes and saw emotions flitting through his eyes rapidly. The rest of the world seemed unimportant right now when I looked at him. His golden eyes seemed fathomless at that moment but I couldn't tell what emotion he was in the grips of. All I knew was that he was in need of something otherwise he would have let me go. I figured it had something to do with his brother.

So I stopped resisting and let myself be drawn back against his body as he put his left arm around my shoulders. It felt strange for a few moments but the feeling was replaced by a warmth that came from deep inside my heart and warmed my body. I had forgotten what it felt like to be warm.

I remembered his question. "You are my best friend, Marron. Of course we are on intimate terms."

His golden eyes blinked but the emotions didn't drain from them as he changed the subject. "Well what did you ask Big Mama?"

I know I looked sheepish as I replied. "Oh, hehe. Well the two of us are going on vacation."