Well, who's ready to find out what happens next? It just so happens
that our friends are going to move on, but what new dangers await them? I
love it when things twine together! You are about to witness the most
interesting of twists in this story, and these things I must warn you are
my specialty! Will romance be able to screw things up for our heroes, or
will death ensue? Sora's going to be pushed to the brink this time, but
how strong is she, can it be possible that she's her own worst enemy? No
one is perfect, and we all have at least one weakness, but will Sora's be
within her heart? Make sure to give me lots of tasty reviews!!! Oh, and I
had a slight cold when I wrote this so I was really in the mood for writing
this. You're in for a bit of a long read, so I expect my reviews to be
worthwhile. Enjoy yourselves!
Chapter 14,
To Trust or Not to Trust,
That is the Question!
Author's Note: To trust or not to trust, that is the question, but is love the answer?
Ian was sweating as he stood in the night's silence. He nervously cast a quick glance down at the shadow of his captor, hoping that it would give him an idea of what he was up against. The shadow was long, and tall, it resembled that of one of the Shrikans! Judging by the feminism of the voice he assumed it was either Flamejaw or Rose.
Ian: I was just going back to the dojo, I found something important!
Unknown voice: Uh huh, you're going to have to find your head in a minute Rion.
Ian: (turning boldly, with an irritated expression on his face) Is it impossible for you guys to stay on a first name basis, or do you just hate my first name?
Cha-CLICK! Ian froze as he realized that he wasn't looking into the eyes of Flamejaw or Rose, but straight down the cocked barrel of one of Sora's custom handguns! She wore a black cloak around her shoulders, which billowed out, giving her shadow the looks of a Shrikan.
Sora: I trust you remember what I said earlier. About what would happen to you should I catch you sneaking around?
Ian: Now calm down, I found something important that you all need to see!
Sora: Ok convince me, give me one good reason why I shouldn't just blow you away right now! Ian: Over by the well, I found this; it's the location of our next trial.
Sora: (starring at the scrap of paper) Hah! So it is. Thanks for the information, but I just don't like you. Shooting you now would save me a lot of trouble in long run, but I guess you're going to be lucky again tonight. I don't feel like wasting one of my good bullets on your worthless hide. Goodnight Ian, I'll expect you to be ready to move at first light, you can walk ahead of the rest of us, just in case any traps should be laid for our arrival!
Ian: (with extreme sarcasm) Oh joy.
Sora: (whirling on him and pressing her body against his she held the gun under his chin) Don't EVER take that tone with me again, I'm not in a good mood right now, so don't mess with me.
And with that she left him to stand in the yard. She headed to her room and was surprised to find Rose there.
Rose: I heard you tell the story today.
She sounded close to tears.
Sora: What's wrong little flower?
Rose: Why am I named after such a terrible woman?
Sora: (smiling with confidence) Her name was Rose Alae Mitana, yours is Rose Makeeta Bloodwake, I see nothing similar about them!
Rose: But why do we share the same first name?
Sora: You were named for the beautiful flower, blossoming with radiance and power, she was named for the thorns that forever surrounded her black heart.
Rose: What happened with you and Ian outside tonight?
Sora: I was merely threatening that young cockroaches life.
Rose: You shouldn't be so hard on him, remember, I can see the future and he must live for there is still good for him to do in this world.
Sora: If only you could speak of your visions,
Rose: You know just as well as I that if ever I spoke of what I saw then I would die.
Sora: Yes, that's my fault I suppose, I should've chosen better DNA for you.
Rose: I like seeing the future though it's helpful.
Sora: Yes, but I still think it's quite a large burden for you to carry.
Rose: Not really, Ripfang is in the training room with Razor and my parents, they wish for you to train with them for a bit.
Sora: I'll go join them then.
Upon reaching the room her "family" sat ready and awaiting her command to begin.
Ripfang: (flicking her braided hair playfully) Are you all right?
Sora: (throwing him into a headlock) Of course silly! Are you ready to train?
Phantom: He had better be! I will truly be disappointed if I should have a son who couldn't fight.
Ripfang: You won't be sorry dad!
All four of them squared off against Sora. She held her fists up in position, ready for their onslaught. They struck fast and hard, she blocked and parried, driving each one back one step at a time. But her skills were only as advanced as her human form, being only half the height and quite a bit lighter than most of them she eventually was knocked to the floor by her superior trainers. They headed off to bed for the night and rose early, ready for another hard day's trek. They reached the spot where they were to meet their next challenge, but no one was there. Not even the Shrikans could find any shred of other human life in the immediate area.
Yusuke: Do you think we beat them here?
Hiei: I would say yes, they're most likely taking their own sweet time getting here. It's getting late; we should pitch camp and settle in for the night.
Razor: There is rain and storm on the wind, we should try and keep our shelters someplace dry.
Everyone worked hard to help get a few shelters put up where they would be able to safely wait out the coming weather. Flamejaw got a few campfires going and they settled in for the night. Sora volunteered to take first watch and she headed out into the oncoming storm. The rest of her friends put out their fires and fell asleep just as the first drops began to fall. Sora stood beneath a large oak tree, and lifted her face towards the sky; closing her eyes as the first cool droplets of icy water hit her face. The rain felt good, and she began to think back to the previous day. She loved her friends dearly, but not even they would ever know the whole truth. She had still not told them of how her husband and son were killed. She would never tell anyone, for that was the one memory that was too painful for even the ears of sleeping children to hear about.
~ Flashback!!! ~
A/N: Sorry, but this happens a lot during this story, I'll try to cut back on them from now on!
She had just left her home after finishing the clean up from her family slaughtering. For months on end she wandered in a daze, until she met him. That one special man that took her in and within a year's time begged her on one knee for the permission to call her his own. They were so happy, and she brought him back with her to her home. They had their son, and things were so perfect. She could remember their smiles, their voices, and their faces. But it was that one fateful night, when her past finally caught up with her. Coronsoe and his monstrous troops stormed her home, her husband fought to the death shielding his wife and only child from their assailants. She could remember scooping up her son and running, running so fast to get away. But it was no use, they caught up to her, and in a last attempt to save her family she transformed and told her son to run and hide. She fought them so long, and so hard, and then Coronsoe himself came before her. He took on his own demon form, and they fought. But that was where her memories ended; all she could remember was the pain, and the overwhelming unconsciousness that consumed her. Their fight had ended in a tie, and after realizing that their leader was hurt his men drug him away. But upon waking and healing herself Sora wished they had killed her. Her husband was dead, her son, had served as a meal for Coronsoe's bloodthirsty hounds! Even after all her hard years of training she still was too weak to defend those that she loved and cared for. She refused to flee this time though, and then the detectives had found her, and now here she was.
~ End Flashback!!! ~
Sora was brought crashing back to reality as lightning struck overhead. Hot tears mingled with the raindrops on Sora's face. How long she had stood there she did not know, but she was completely soaked and numb. Sora knew she was not well, her jaw chattered from the cold, but she refused to return to her shelter. Her watch wasn't up yet and she was not about to turn in early. Little did she know that someone stirred in their sleep. It was Ian! His demon senses had picked up her energy signal as he slept, and it was dangerously low. If something happened to her before Coronsoe got to her he was going to be in big trouble so he rushed out into the storm to see what was wrong. There she was standing in the rain.
Ian: (calling softly to her and walking in her direction) Sora what are you still doing out here? It's past your watch you need to get some rest!
She looked at him and snorted, she wasn't about to show any signs of weakness in front of him.
Sora: (weakly) I'm fine, go back to bed.
Ian: (he was right behind her) You're shaking all over, come into the tent where it's warm!
Sora: No.
Ian: (beginning to get irritated) You know, I'm not sure whether you're stubborn or just plain stupid! Go inside, you're obviously not well.
Sora: (her legs felt like jello, and she tried to steady herself against the tree as she turned to face him) I don't need your help now go away.
Ian: (reaching out to her) Please, just come in and dry off at least.
In an attempt to pull away from him she let go of the tree, and her legs buckled beneath her. Sora slumped down onto the ground still frowning at him and tried quickly to stand back up.
Ian: This is ridiculous!
And with that he bent over and picked her up almost falling over backwards because he hadn't thought that she would be so light! Sora wanted to fight, struggle, anything to get away. She didn't trust let alone like Ian, but she couldn't even muster a scream, her energy was completely drained. The other thing that worried Ian was her temperature, it was dangerously low and he hurried off to his shelter, talking to her to keep her awake as he went.
Ian: How much do you weigh; goodness you're lighter than air!
Sora: I'm not your average demon you know I only weight 94 pounds.
Upon reaching his shelter, Ian wrapped her swiftly in several blankets and re-lit his fire. He touched his hand to her forehead; she had a terrible fever, but the rest of her was very cold with pneumonia. She sat shivering in front of the fire, water dripping from her hair and she watched numbly as Ian mixed some medicine into a drink for her.
Sora: I hope that's not for me.
Ian: Well, too bad because it is and you have to take it if you want to live to see the sun rise.
He brought the hot liquid over to her.
Sora: How do I know that it isn't poison? Ian: Just trust me on this ok.
Sora: (reluctantly taking the drink from him) Why should I?
Ian: Ugh! Because it's what friends do!
Sora: Are we friends?
Ian: Just drink the medicine!
Sora: Fine, fine geese don't get so upset.
She took the medicine and sat for a moment, Ian starred at the fire and an awkward silence ensued.
Sora: So what kind of demon are you?
Ian: A deadly one.
Sora: So am I, but what can you do.
Ian: Well, I'm actually only half demon, and it just so happens that the only demon traits I inherited were the ones that keep me young and ageless. Other than that I'm no different from Kuwabara or Sano, unless I just need more training in order to discover any more powers.
Sora: Well that stinks, so no cool explosion moves or anything?
Ian: Not that I know of.
Sora looked over at him, a weak smile played about her face. For the first time she saw him as something more than just another carcass for her to baby-sit. For the first time part of her actually respected him, and she was intrigued by his presence. Something about him though was still forbidding, and she was still unsure of whether or not she could trust him. Warmth began to seep back into her as the fire glowed in front of her, and sleep began to overcome her. She lay down and fell asleep, and Ian watched her for a moment, feeling her forehead again he was relieved to find that the fever was receding. But her hair and clothes were still wet so just to make sure that her temperature didn't drop too low he spread his own blanket over her and scooped her up into his arms. He held her as he slept, his added body warmth at that moment was the only thing keeping her alive. Sometime in the night though Sora awoke and starred about, all was quiet and everyone slept peacefully. Realizing that she was in Ian's arms she hurriedly took the blankets off and left for her spot under the tree, trying earnestly not to wake Ian. The sun was going to be rising soon anyway so she saw no point in going back to bed. A few moments later though, Ian awoke and was surprised to find that Sora was gone, he followed her tracks to the tree and then back a ways into the woods. They stopped at the edge of a clearing where a small waterfall with a pool at the bottom of it swelled with the night's rain. There she was swimming in the water, floating on her back (yes she was fully clothed for all of those perverted minds out there!).
Ian: I thought you were sick.
Sora: My immune system is outstanding, besides I wasn't sick I was just sleep deprived.
Ian: Uh huh, sure.
She swam over to the edge and reached up, waiting for him to take her hand and help her out of the water. Ian strode forward and took her hand, realizing too soon that he had fallen right into her trap. Upon taking her hand she gave him that sly smile and pulled him forward. He easily slipped on the wet stones and fell in.
Ian: (coughing and spitting out water) What was that for!?!
Sora: That was for helping me against my will last night.
Ian: A thank-you would've been much nicer.
Sora had turned her back on him for a split second and he took advantage of the moment and dunked her underwater. But she didn't come back up and he looked hurriedly for her. Then all of a sudden she surfaced behind him and threw her arms about his neck and planted a delicate kiss on his cheek.
Sora: And that was for helping me against my will last night, even when I was too thick headed to accept it.
He paused for a minute, as though shocked by what had just happened, and then very gently, he took her hand and pulled her around so that she faced him.
Ian: That was definitely better than a thank-you.
Sora: I thought you might say something like that! All right I'm heading back to camp.
She turned to leave and Ian stopped her, she turned and looked at him as though telling him not to push his luck, but he pulled her close to him anyway.
Sora: Ian, I
He quickly shut her up with another kiss, but this time it was longer. At first Sora's body went stiff and she tried to pull away, but then her muscles relaxed and she leaned against him. After a moment she pulled away from him and closed her eyes as she spoke as if her patience was wearing thin.
Sora: Ian, I think we should head back to camp now. She climbed out of the water and Ian followed, but as they came around the last corner they were horrorstricken by what they saw. There was their camp, still under the heavy influence of sleep and there stood Coronsoe's men, silently creeping in on it!
Ian: Do you have a plan?
Sora: (pulling out her twin guns) Yeah, it's called survival of the fittest.
Ian: Ok, so what do you want me to do?
Without looking at him she handed him a short knife.
Ian: Ok, and I'm going to kill them with this how?
Sora: Look it's really quite simple, knife goes into throat, knife comes out of throat, and victim falls on ground got it?
Ian: Yeah, whatever.
She moved quickly through the brush, and let off two shots, which easily found their marks. Everyone began to stir and all of Coronsoe's men had their backs to the camp, starring into the trees. Now they were surrounded, but Sora was angered to find that Coronsoe, of course, was not among them.
Sora: (whispering to Ian) Wait a minute now, and watch carefully, you'll soon see why Coronsoe values my Shrikans so greatly.
Before anyone else was ready to fight, the one tent in the center of the camp combusted and five grouchy Shrikans emerged from the flames, ready for battle.
Phantom: My friends it has been a while since we have had fresh meat and blood to line our stomachs has it not?
Rose: I'll say, heehee, koobaja mehatora narakeeta! (Let us see the colors of their innards!)
And with that they attacked, no longer was that same silly look shinning in the eyes of the three young warriors. They, along with their parents, roared out their battle cry and laughed at the terrified glances they received from the men. Even Ian, who wasn't about to be ripped to shreds by bloodthirsty beasts, felt a chill run down his spine at the sight and sound of them.
Shrikans: BLOOOOOOOOOOOODWAAAAAAAAAAKE!
Phantom led the charge and met head on with the enemy, and he took four men down with one move. His claws dug into one man's gut, his jaws closed on another's head, he brought his left foot up (balancing on his right) and pressed it against one man's chest and stabbed his center claw into the man's throat dragging it downwards, and brought his poison tipped tail down into another man's back! Terror reigned over the once quiet camp as man after man fell before the bloodthirsty wrath of the hungry Shrikans.
Ok, just so that you all know, that wasn't the second trial, that was just a morning ambush. And how about that Ian and Sora thing huh? I told you things would start to heat up, but we have yet to find out whether or not Sora really went for that kiss. As of now I'd say she, well, I won't tell you what I think because then that would give away more stuff about my future chapters!!! Give me some nice reviews or you'll have to wait extra long for the next chapter, oh and tell your friends to come read this too! As of late I seem to only have two reviewers that ever bother reviewing!!! What has happened to everyone, what have I done to chase you all away? Oh well, if you don't read this then it's your loss!
Chapter 14,
To Trust or Not to Trust,
That is the Question!
Author's Note: To trust or not to trust, that is the question, but is love the answer?
Ian was sweating as he stood in the night's silence. He nervously cast a quick glance down at the shadow of his captor, hoping that it would give him an idea of what he was up against. The shadow was long, and tall, it resembled that of one of the Shrikans! Judging by the feminism of the voice he assumed it was either Flamejaw or Rose.
Ian: I was just going back to the dojo, I found something important!
Unknown voice: Uh huh, you're going to have to find your head in a minute Rion.
Ian: (turning boldly, with an irritated expression on his face) Is it impossible for you guys to stay on a first name basis, or do you just hate my first name?
Cha-CLICK! Ian froze as he realized that he wasn't looking into the eyes of Flamejaw or Rose, but straight down the cocked barrel of one of Sora's custom handguns! She wore a black cloak around her shoulders, which billowed out, giving her shadow the looks of a Shrikan.
Sora: I trust you remember what I said earlier. About what would happen to you should I catch you sneaking around?
Ian: Now calm down, I found something important that you all need to see!
Sora: Ok convince me, give me one good reason why I shouldn't just blow you away right now! Ian: Over by the well, I found this; it's the location of our next trial.
Sora: (starring at the scrap of paper) Hah! So it is. Thanks for the information, but I just don't like you. Shooting you now would save me a lot of trouble in long run, but I guess you're going to be lucky again tonight. I don't feel like wasting one of my good bullets on your worthless hide. Goodnight Ian, I'll expect you to be ready to move at first light, you can walk ahead of the rest of us, just in case any traps should be laid for our arrival!
Ian: (with extreme sarcasm) Oh joy.
Sora: (whirling on him and pressing her body against his she held the gun under his chin) Don't EVER take that tone with me again, I'm not in a good mood right now, so don't mess with me.
And with that she left him to stand in the yard. She headed to her room and was surprised to find Rose there.
Rose: I heard you tell the story today.
She sounded close to tears.
Sora: What's wrong little flower?
Rose: Why am I named after such a terrible woman?
Sora: (smiling with confidence) Her name was Rose Alae Mitana, yours is Rose Makeeta Bloodwake, I see nothing similar about them!
Rose: But why do we share the same first name?
Sora: You were named for the beautiful flower, blossoming with radiance and power, she was named for the thorns that forever surrounded her black heart.
Rose: What happened with you and Ian outside tonight?
Sora: I was merely threatening that young cockroaches life.
Rose: You shouldn't be so hard on him, remember, I can see the future and he must live for there is still good for him to do in this world.
Sora: If only you could speak of your visions,
Rose: You know just as well as I that if ever I spoke of what I saw then I would die.
Sora: Yes, that's my fault I suppose, I should've chosen better DNA for you.
Rose: I like seeing the future though it's helpful.
Sora: Yes, but I still think it's quite a large burden for you to carry.
Rose: Not really, Ripfang is in the training room with Razor and my parents, they wish for you to train with them for a bit.
Sora: I'll go join them then.
Upon reaching the room her "family" sat ready and awaiting her command to begin.
Ripfang: (flicking her braided hair playfully) Are you all right?
Sora: (throwing him into a headlock) Of course silly! Are you ready to train?
Phantom: He had better be! I will truly be disappointed if I should have a son who couldn't fight.
Ripfang: You won't be sorry dad!
All four of them squared off against Sora. She held her fists up in position, ready for their onslaught. They struck fast and hard, she blocked and parried, driving each one back one step at a time. But her skills were only as advanced as her human form, being only half the height and quite a bit lighter than most of them she eventually was knocked to the floor by her superior trainers. They headed off to bed for the night and rose early, ready for another hard day's trek. They reached the spot where they were to meet their next challenge, but no one was there. Not even the Shrikans could find any shred of other human life in the immediate area.
Yusuke: Do you think we beat them here?
Hiei: I would say yes, they're most likely taking their own sweet time getting here. It's getting late; we should pitch camp and settle in for the night.
Razor: There is rain and storm on the wind, we should try and keep our shelters someplace dry.
Everyone worked hard to help get a few shelters put up where they would be able to safely wait out the coming weather. Flamejaw got a few campfires going and they settled in for the night. Sora volunteered to take first watch and she headed out into the oncoming storm. The rest of her friends put out their fires and fell asleep just as the first drops began to fall. Sora stood beneath a large oak tree, and lifted her face towards the sky; closing her eyes as the first cool droplets of icy water hit her face. The rain felt good, and she began to think back to the previous day. She loved her friends dearly, but not even they would ever know the whole truth. She had still not told them of how her husband and son were killed. She would never tell anyone, for that was the one memory that was too painful for even the ears of sleeping children to hear about.
~ Flashback!!! ~
A/N: Sorry, but this happens a lot during this story, I'll try to cut back on them from now on!
She had just left her home after finishing the clean up from her family slaughtering. For months on end she wandered in a daze, until she met him. That one special man that took her in and within a year's time begged her on one knee for the permission to call her his own. They were so happy, and she brought him back with her to her home. They had their son, and things were so perfect. She could remember their smiles, their voices, and their faces. But it was that one fateful night, when her past finally caught up with her. Coronsoe and his monstrous troops stormed her home, her husband fought to the death shielding his wife and only child from their assailants. She could remember scooping up her son and running, running so fast to get away. But it was no use, they caught up to her, and in a last attempt to save her family she transformed and told her son to run and hide. She fought them so long, and so hard, and then Coronsoe himself came before her. He took on his own demon form, and they fought. But that was where her memories ended; all she could remember was the pain, and the overwhelming unconsciousness that consumed her. Their fight had ended in a tie, and after realizing that their leader was hurt his men drug him away. But upon waking and healing herself Sora wished they had killed her. Her husband was dead, her son, had served as a meal for Coronsoe's bloodthirsty hounds! Even after all her hard years of training she still was too weak to defend those that she loved and cared for. She refused to flee this time though, and then the detectives had found her, and now here she was.
~ End Flashback!!! ~
Sora was brought crashing back to reality as lightning struck overhead. Hot tears mingled with the raindrops on Sora's face. How long she had stood there she did not know, but she was completely soaked and numb. Sora knew she was not well, her jaw chattered from the cold, but she refused to return to her shelter. Her watch wasn't up yet and she was not about to turn in early. Little did she know that someone stirred in their sleep. It was Ian! His demon senses had picked up her energy signal as he slept, and it was dangerously low. If something happened to her before Coronsoe got to her he was going to be in big trouble so he rushed out into the storm to see what was wrong. There she was standing in the rain.
Ian: (calling softly to her and walking in her direction) Sora what are you still doing out here? It's past your watch you need to get some rest!
She looked at him and snorted, she wasn't about to show any signs of weakness in front of him.
Sora: (weakly) I'm fine, go back to bed.
Ian: (he was right behind her) You're shaking all over, come into the tent where it's warm!
Sora: No.
Ian: (beginning to get irritated) You know, I'm not sure whether you're stubborn or just plain stupid! Go inside, you're obviously not well.
Sora: (her legs felt like jello, and she tried to steady herself against the tree as she turned to face him) I don't need your help now go away.
Ian: (reaching out to her) Please, just come in and dry off at least.
In an attempt to pull away from him she let go of the tree, and her legs buckled beneath her. Sora slumped down onto the ground still frowning at him and tried quickly to stand back up.
Ian: This is ridiculous!
And with that he bent over and picked her up almost falling over backwards because he hadn't thought that she would be so light! Sora wanted to fight, struggle, anything to get away. She didn't trust let alone like Ian, but she couldn't even muster a scream, her energy was completely drained. The other thing that worried Ian was her temperature, it was dangerously low and he hurried off to his shelter, talking to her to keep her awake as he went.
Ian: How much do you weigh; goodness you're lighter than air!
Sora: I'm not your average demon you know I only weight 94 pounds.
Upon reaching his shelter, Ian wrapped her swiftly in several blankets and re-lit his fire. He touched his hand to her forehead; she had a terrible fever, but the rest of her was very cold with pneumonia. She sat shivering in front of the fire, water dripping from her hair and she watched numbly as Ian mixed some medicine into a drink for her.
Sora: I hope that's not for me.
Ian: Well, too bad because it is and you have to take it if you want to live to see the sun rise.
He brought the hot liquid over to her.
Sora: How do I know that it isn't poison? Ian: Just trust me on this ok.
Sora: (reluctantly taking the drink from him) Why should I?
Ian: Ugh! Because it's what friends do!
Sora: Are we friends?
Ian: Just drink the medicine!
Sora: Fine, fine geese don't get so upset.
She took the medicine and sat for a moment, Ian starred at the fire and an awkward silence ensued.
Sora: So what kind of demon are you?
Ian: A deadly one.
Sora: So am I, but what can you do.
Ian: Well, I'm actually only half demon, and it just so happens that the only demon traits I inherited were the ones that keep me young and ageless. Other than that I'm no different from Kuwabara or Sano, unless I just need more training in order to discover any more powers.
Sora: Well that stinks, so no cool explosion moves or anything?
Ian: Not that I know of.
Sora looked over at him, a weak smile played about her face. For the first time she saw him as something more than just another carcass for her to baby-sit. For the first time part of her actually respected him, and she was intrigued by his presence. Something about him though was still forbidding, and she was still unsure of whether or not she could trust him. Warmth began to seep back into her as the fire glowed in front of her, and sleep began to overcome her. She lay down and fell asleep, and Ian watched her for a moment, feeling her forehead again he was relieved to find that the fever was receding. But her hair and clothes were still wet so just to make sure that her temperature didn't drop too low he spread his own blanket over her and scooped her up into his arms. He held her as he slept, his added body warmth at that moment was the only thing keeping her alive. Sometime in the night though Sora awoke and starred about, all was quiet and everyone slept peacefully. Realizing that she was in Ian's arms she hurriedly took the blankets off and left for her spot under the tree, trying earnestly not to wake Ian. The sun was going to be rising soon anyway so she saw no point in going back to bed. A few moments later though, Ian awoke and was surprised to find that Sora was gone, he followed her tracks to the tree and then back a ways into the woods. They stopped at the edge of a clearing where a small waterfall with a pool at the bottom of it swelled with the night's rain. There she was swimming in the water, floating on her back (yes she was fully clothed for all of those perverted minds out there!).
Ian: I thought you were sick.
Sora: My immune system is outstanding, besides I wasn't sick I was just sleep deprived.
Ian: Uh huh, sure.
She swam over to the edge and reached up, waiting for him to take her hand and help her out of the water. Ian strode forward and took her hand, realizing too soon that he had fallen right into her trap. Upon taking her hand she gave him that sly smile and pulled him forward. He easily slipped on the wet stones and fell in.
Ian: (coughing and spitting out water) What was that for!?!
Sora: That was for helping me against my will last night.
Ian: A thank-you would've been much nicer.
Sora had turned her back on him for a split second and he took advantage of the moment and dunked her underwater. But she didn't come back up and he looked hurriedly for her. Then all of a sudden she surfaced behind him and threw her arms about his neck and planted a delicate kiss on his cheek.
Sora: And that was for helping me against my will last night, even when I was too thick headed to accept it.
He paused for a minute, as though shocked by what had just happened, and then very gently, he took her hand and pulled her around so that she faced him.
Ian: That was definitely better than a thank-you.
Sora: I thought you might say something like that! All right I'm heading back to camp.
She turned to leave and Ian stopped her, she turned and looked at him as though telling him not to push his luck, but he pulled her close to him anyway.
Sora: Ian, I
He quickly shut her up with another kiss, but this time it was longer. At first Sora's body went stiff and she tried to pull away, but then her muscles relaxed and she leaned against him. After a moment she pulled away from him and closed her eyes as she spoke as if her patience was wearing thin.
Sora: Ian, I think we should head back to camp now. She climbed out of the water and Ian followed, but as they came around the last corner they were horrorstricken by what they saw. There was their camp, still under the heavy influence of sleep and there stood Coronsoe's men, silently creeping in on it!
Ian: Do you have a plan?
Sora: (pulling out her twin guns) Yeah, it's called survival of the fittest.
Ian: Ok, so what do you want me to do?
Without looking at him she handed him a short knife.
Ian: Ok, and I'm going to kill them with this how?
Sora: Look it's really quite simple, knife goes into throat, knife comes out of throat, and victim falls on ground got it?
Ian: Yeah, whatever.
She moved quickly through the brush, and let off two shots, which easily found their marks. Everyone began to stir and all of Coronsoe's men had their backs to the camp, starring into the trees. Now they were surrounded, but Sora was angered to find that Coronsoe, of course, was not among them.
Sora: (whispering to Ian) Wait a minute now, and watch carefully, you'll soon see why Coronsoe values my Shrikans so greatly.
Before anyone else was ready to fight, the one tent in the center of the camp combusted and five grouchy Shrikans emerged from the flames, ready for battle.
Phantom: My friends it has been a while since we have had fresh meat and blood to line our stomachs has it not?
Rose: I'll say, heehee, koobaja mehatora narakeeta! (Let us see the colors of their innards!)
And with that they attacked, no longer was that same silly look shinning in the eyes of the three young warriors. They, along with their parents, roared out their battle cry and laughed at the terrified glances they received from the men. Even Ian, who wasn't about to be ripped to shreds by bloodthirsty beasts, felt a chill run down his spine at the sight and sound of them.
Shrikans: BLOOOOOOOOOOOODWAAAAAAAAAAKE!
Phantom led the charge and met head on with the enemy, and he took four men down with one move. His claws dug into one man's gut, his jaws closed on another's head, he brought his left foot up (balancing on his right) and pressed it against one man's chest and stabbed his center claw into the man's throat dragging it downwards, and brought his poison tipped tail down into another man's back! Terror reigned over the once quiet camp as man after man fell before the bloodthirsty wrath of the hungry Shrikans.
Ok, just so that you all know, that wasn't the second trial, that was just a morning ambush. And how about that Ian and Sora thing huh? I told you things would start to heat up, but we have yet to find out whether or not Sora really went for that kiss. As of now I'd say she, well, I won't tell you what I think because then that would give away more stuff about my future chapters!!! Give me some nice reviews or you'll have to wait extra long for the next chapter, oh and tell your friends to come read this too! As of late I seem to only have two reviewers that ever bother reviewing!!! What has happened to everyone, what have I done to chase you all away? Oh well, if you don't read this then it's your loss!