Chapter rewritten 19th June 2004.
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Chapter 37
One of THOSE Days...
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It's going to be a strange day today...I can just sense it.
Andrew walked down the stairs of the South Window Inn. He looked rather disgruntled, thoughts of the events in Kuskus plaguing his mind.
I need to go somewhere else...somewhere to think...oh, I know where I can go...it's been too long since I went there.
He grabbed his cape from the hat-stand in the corner and clipped it on. Andrew waved hello to some of the others as he exited the Inn. He made for the exit quickly; hoping no-one would see him leave.
"So where are you off to in such a rush?"
Andrew froze on the spot, and turned back round to the entrance of South Window to see Kahri lying on the grass, wearing glasses with black tinted lenses.
"Must be pretty important, but I'm supposed to tell Flik if anybody leaves South Window."
Andrew looked down at Kahri. "You can't tell him...oh, I guess there's no harm in saying. I'm just going somewhere quiet to think. Just a nearby cave."
Kahri removed the glasses. "You don't look your usual chipper self. Something wrong?"
Andrew turned away. "Chipper? Anyway, it's nothing you should be concerned about."
Kahri shrugged, and put the glasses back on. "Well, if it's bothering you so much...I won't tell Flik where you're going. Just don't stay gone too long. But really, today isn't a day to worry. It's a day to relax, enjoy the sunshine and the peace...while they last...oh, you've gone already..."
Kahri stared at the space Andrew had been only seconds before. He got up, and quickly dismissed any thoughts of following him. Like I'd know where to go...I've never been this far away from home before...
Great time to be homesick...I hope everyone back home is okay.
Abandoning the sun, Kahri walked back into South Window. It's going to be one of those days, I can just feel it. Brilliant, Andrew's depression must be contagious.
He passed by the Item Shop, and watched as Warren went in. Kahri was about to follow him in, when he saw Viktor walking up to the city exit, with Riou, Nanami, Eilie and a man Kahri hadn't seen before following behind him.
Kahri walked up to Viktor, who was quite likely twice the size of him, "Hey, where you guys going?"
Viktor grumbled something about "going to North Window with Freed Yamamoto, representative of South Window." before he stormed off, the others in tow.
Kahri looked even more confused. Why are they going there? It's just the remains of the old castle...
"Hey Kahri, what's up?"
Kahri turned around to see Malcolm walking out of the inn. Malcolm winced as the bright sunlight shone on his eyes, and hastily used his hand to block out the sunbeam.
"It's a beautiful day, everything seems peaceful," Kahri shrugged, "Something's going to ruin it. I can just tell. And the way Viktor's sounding, it's started already."
"Oh, that. Something about girls going missing around the ruins of North Window," Malcolm looked upset about it, "Viktor comes from there, so he got the dubious task of investigating."
"But it's just ruins now," Kahri thought back to his teachings back at Sajah Village, "It's been that way since...um...some attack or another. Oh, I can't remember the details. Nobody in the city survived...that much I remember."
"I should have gone with them when I had the chance," Malcolm lamented, hindsight kicking him squarely in the ass, "Oh well, I guess we'll hear all about it when they get back."
"Well, Flik did ask me to tell him if anybody left the city," Kahri shrugged, "Guess I'd better go tell him."
"Flik knows about Viktor's mission," Malcolm smiled, "He would have gone too, but Rina caught him and dragged him away for some tea."
"Oh, well in that case," Kahri rubbed his stomach, "I'm going to get something to eat. All that sunshine is making me hungry."
"Fine, I guess I'll take over watch then," Malcolm offered, "But if I'm going to be out in the sun, I'm borrowing these."
Malcolm swiftly plucked Kahri's sunglasses off and put them on. Kahri didn't object, and made his way back to the inn. As soon as Kahri entered the inn, Elaine walked out. She saw Malcolm and walked over to him.
"I guess I should thank you for this." Elaine had walked over, pointing to the bandage on her shoulder "Where'd you learn how to dress wounds like that?"
Malcolm sighed, "Back home...it's been a while though..."
Elaine sat down on a nearby bench. "What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Watch duty. Nothing's happening, but you just know something's up. It's that kind of day."
Elaine looked around, "Where's everybody else? There's only a few people in the inn."
Malcolm thought about it for a second. "Well, Riou and Nanami went off with Viktor and Eilie, and some South Window representative...Freed something...to check out some disturbances in the remains of North Window City...Kahri's hungry...enough said there..."
"Oh, Elaine, before I forget," Kahri popped his head out of the door, "Andrew said he was going to some cave near here. Perfect chance for the two of you to get some alone time."
Elaine raised her eyebrows. "A cave?"
"Yeah, he said he wanted to go somewhere quiet, so he could think about stuff." Kahri said, "Stuff that probably involves you."
"He probably went to the Cave of the Wind," Malcolm offered, "It's the only cave near here."
"Where is it?" Elaine asked.
Kahri thought about it, "Hmm...well, he headed west...so I guess it's that way. Hey, where are you going?"
But Elaine had already ran off. Leaving Kahri looking utterly confused. Malcolm simply shrugged, "At least you pointed her in the right direction."
"You're...welcome?" Kahri sighed as he went back into the inn. Malcolm managed to overhear the tail end of his rant, "Why's everyone in such a rush today? Did someone announce the apocalypse or something?"
It was inside the inn that Kahri saw Pilika. She looked as though she had been crying. Nobody else seemed to be around, and she seemed to be feeling lonely. Kahri looked at the child with sympathy in his eyes. "You're...waiting for Jowy to come...aren't you?"
Pilika closed her eyes and nodded softly. Kahri's heart broke, the poor child...how can I tell her Jowy's not coming?
"Tell you what, how about we go explore the city for a while. Maybe Jowy will be back by then? It's better than waiting around here, right?"
Pilika seemed to think about it, before wrapping her tiny hand around Kahri's.
Hopefully this'll take her mind of off things...and if not, at least it might cheer her up a small bit.
"Hey Malcolm," Kahri called out, "Forget watch duty, we've got a more important job to do."
"Really? Whatever could that be?" Malcolm looked down at Pilika and smiled, "Oh, babysitting. That's totally fine."
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Andrew stared at the entrance to the cave. Rocks had blocked it up. They must've done that recently...last time I was here it was wide open. Guess some kids must've got in trouble or something in there...guess I won't be exploring it again for a while.
Andrew sat down beside the entrance, letting his head fall backwards to rest on the rocky surface. His mind wandered back to Kuskus...
"Get down you stupid fool!"
She saved me, I would've become a Shish Kebab if she hadn't taken that arrow for me...But why would she do that...?
Unless she does have feelings for me...but, then...what's stopping her from saying so. I can't imagine her being shy...maybe it's something from her past? You never can tell with Assassins...maybe she got hired to kill her boyfriend once. Business before pleasure, I guess...but still...
Is she worried that if she falls in love...something will happen? Oh, it's impossible to think like her...she's too unique. And...well...if only she'd open up more. But then, I don't see that happening either. Urgh, trust me to fall in love with the one person I can't figure out.
Perhaps...that's the reason I do love her? Well, I don't care what she'll say...I'm gonna love her anyway. She knows how I feel...right? Well, of course she does...I mean, we almost kissed once...she must know how I feel. Maybe I should tell her? But then she won't let me tell her; she'll just push me away again.
Great, instead of things clearing up...I now have a massive migraine.
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"Gah...I never thought the damn cave would be so bloody far away...fantastic, my feet hurt like hell."
Elaine grumbled as she walked along the western path, hoping that she hadn't missed the cave on the way. She suddenly wished that there was somebody around to yell at, it wouldn't help her sore feet but it would still make her feel better. Where's Avara when you really need him...Bah, I hope he got out okay, I haven't even begun to yell at him yet.
Elaine had been walking for the better part of an hour; it was taking so long because of all the Flyers, squirrel like creatures, and Dark Bunnies that attacked her. Attacking Elaine was a very fatal, and thus their last, mistake as Elaine simple cut them down with her knife. No time for finesse, I'm in a hurry.
Then she stopped, WHY am I in a hurry? Why am I even going to this stupid cave...oh right, to set the record straight with Andrew. What will I tell him, what must he think? I mean, I take the damn arrow in the shoulder...She winced at the memory...and save him...I couldn't let him die, not when...
Dammit, no! I don't have time to be in love.
Her thoughts began clashing with each other...
But you do love him, you admit that right?
No! Well...
I knew it. You just want to stride up to him and smother him with kisses, don't you!
Shut up! I can't let that happen!
Why not?
.....
You don't have a good reason not to love him...typical Elaine.
She was so busy arguing with her own thoughts that she tripped up over a Flyer who was eating nuts on the road. She fell to the ground with a thump, and the Flyer took off - smartly realising that if it stayed around much longer then it wouldn't have much of a future...Elaine grimaced as she got back up...
And then she saw the cave in the distance. Elaine silently thanked any deities that happened to be listening and headed right for the mysterious cave.
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Elaine saw Andrew sitting by the blocked up cave entrance, he looked like he was in a trance or something. He didn't even hear her approach, but that might be because of her stealthy Assassin like approach. Elaine reprimanded herself for approaching like the assassin, I'm not here to kill him...just break his heart...again.
Elaine sat down beside Andrew, who still hadn't moved or acknowledged her presence, and it took Elaine a few seconds to figure out why...
He was fast asleep...
Elaine tried not to laugh, instead contorting her face to one of a sarcastic nature. She picked up a nearby rock, and tossed it forwards. It gracefully landed on Andrew's head. He awoke with a start, springing up with his sword unsheathed. Elaine raised an eyebrow.
"It's only me, so unless you plan to cut my head off with that sword, put it away."
Andrew turned around, and when he saw it was Elaine he hastily put his sword back in its scabbard. He tried not to look confused.
"Am I dreaming?"
Elaine stood up and pinched him on the cheek. Andrew let out a yelp of pain, before he fell down to the ground in a heap. Elaine smirked.
"Not dreaming, unless you're even that klutzy in your dreams."
Andrew stood up again, well since my pride is already severely bruised today, matching my ass, now's as good a time as any.
"Why did you do it? Save me from that arrow in Kuskus." He asked, not daring to look at Elaine.
But if he did, he would've noticed a small pink hint on her otherwise pale skinned cheek. She too looked away.
"Because...if the arrow had hit you, I wouldn't have anyone to yell at anymore."
Elaine mentally kicked herself, Idiot! I don't even believe that line!
Andrew turned back to look at her. "How'd you find me anyway? Not many people know about this place anymore."
"Oh, Kahri said you had gone...so I threatened him until he told me where." She replied, hazily staring at the sky, "I'm kidding, for the record. He was thinking with his stomach rather than his brain."
"Which brings up the question of why you followed me here." Andrew said, a hint of hope in his voice.
Elaine must've missed it. "I guessed you'd be thinking about what happened in Kuskus...so I came here to set the record straight as to why I saved you."
She walked towards Andrew, not quite sure what she was actually going to tell him.
It's now or never Elaine - what you say here will sink you or save you.
Shut up. I have enough problems without arguing with myself right now.
Just tell him you love him and I'll stop bothering you.
Can I get that in writing...?
Elaine finally looked up at Andrew's face, that pink hint returning to her cheek. She prayed silently he didn't notice it as she stopped.
"Well, the reason I saved you is because...well...I...didn't want blood splattered everywhere...dammit! The reason I saved you was because.....I really, really like..."
"What are you two doing here? Hope we're not interruptin' anything romantic like." Came a deep gruff voice.
Elaine cursed all things Viktor, "...Fish! Yes, that's right...I really like fish! There, I said it."
Elaine felt herself floundering and quickly turned away from everybody. She could feel the disappointment emanating from the general direction of Andrew. She flicked away the tear before anybody saw it and turned back around to face everyone.
Viktor had a confused look on his face. "Well, yeah...fish is nice and all..."
A much smaller, but thankfully nicely dressed, man with glasses approached Viktor. "We do not have time for this, we must venture into the Cave of Wind to retrieve..."
Viktor waved him off, "Yeah, yeah, I know. Stand back, I'm gonna make us a nice little entrance..."
Everyone stood back as Viktor set down some dynamite to blow open the entrance.
BOOM
Eilie walked over, Riou and Nanami not far behind. "Crude, but effective."
Nanami nudged Riou gently. "Kinda like Viktor's swordsmanship...or lack of thereof."
Viktor ignored Nanami and turned around to face Andrew. "So are you coming with us or what?"
Andrew scratched his head. "Um...why are you going in there anyway?"
Viktor had a faraway look in his eyes. "I need to get something I left in here a few years back...ever heard of Neclord, kid?"
Andrew nodded, "But I thought he was destroyed three years ago..."
Viktor looked at him sadly, and before he walked into the cave, he simply said "So did I...so did I..."
The guy with the glasses followed Viktor in, followed by Eilie, Riou and Nanami.
"Well, we might as well help them, right Elaine?" Andrew turned around.
To face nothing but the open wide area...she had gone again.
"Dammit!" Andrew said, before turning and heading into the Cave of Wind with Viktor and the others.
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Elaine watched him go in from the tree she had taken refuge behind. "So Neclord's back huh...he must be at those ruins in North Window city...Well, not for long."
Irrationality clouding her judgement, what with her pent up frustration at not being able to tell Andrew the truth, mixed with hatred for all things Viktor, she stormed off in the general direction of the remains of North Window...
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