Chapter 17:

Dancing Before Walking

"... You can't run now, but sometimes not being able to run is a good thing. You can face your fears better that way. You can fight since you know you can't run away." He sighed"I guess everyone just thinks I'm this pompous ass of a jock sports boy who likes sports girls." He chuckled, and her voice was mere a whisper.

"You didn't answer my question. Why do you ask me to go with you" She stuck the flower in her hair and looked at him with a smile. Cid was still behind the wall, he wasn't sure if he should run and tell his mother, or if he should stay, he stuck the second hot dog in his mouth, and looked at the two again.

"... Hmm... Because you're a damsel in distress and I'm a hero." He grinned obviously making a joke. "I donno, maybe some people just need to get away…. I want to help you."

"Well, Cherry, wouldn't you get into trouble by saving a damsel in distress? You would, huh" she smiled wider. "If you're like your father, then I'll take the blame. I simply say I seduced you to do that...but it wouldn't make good sense if a person in a chair would say that. The…the doctors said that I might be able to walk, but they're not sure." She shoved some hair strands behind her ear. I wanted to make sure Kyksae was safe. I would have gotten the blame if she wasn't."

"No you wouldn't have... No one can blame you if Kyksae was hurt, especially if it had been by a long ranged weapon. Unless you were the holder of the gun." He cocked an eyebrow up and laughed at the strange joke. "I want to help you. I want to give you what you deserve even if you don't think you deserve it."

"What DO I deserve? Some Korean guy telling me he wants to take me to Korea? I'm still a little confused about your actions and why you do them." She looked at him, and saw him stand to dust off imaginary dust. He held out his hand,

"Do you trust me" She looked at him, then his hand, she smiled, and took his hand.

"Y…yes." Slowly, without knowing that Kyksae, Cloud, Mira, and Steve were walking towards the girl and her twin was watching from afar, he pulled her from the chair and put her arm around his neck, holding her up on her feet. He slowly moved one of his feet and took small steps. "Are you sure about this? I'm not to heavy" She was trying to walk, but held on to him, she was scared. "I'm scared, you won't let me fall." she stared at him, but then smiled. She reached up to his ear by trying to follow his steps. "I love you..." She held herself on his shoulders. He was surprised to be truthful, but he was concentrating too hard on helping her walk that he couldn't figure out something witty to say back to her besides,

"I won't let you fall; I'll fall before you." Mira and Steve merely exchanged looks, and Cloud looked quite forlorn and almost saddened at the two younger teens. They had found love in hurt and pain and yet he was left with nothing. Meanwhile no one noticed as Cid choked on the hamburger he had gotten for Kai. She felt like sinking, but didn't let it happen she tried her hardest, until she asked him to let go.

"Let me try it alone." He backed off slowly, but not to far. She stood by herself. Then she took a right and then a left. She fell into Sean, but stood back up, she wouldn't give up now. Maybe in her next life but not now.

"Kai…can walk" Cid looked at her, tears in his eyes. "They look like they're dancing."

"I... Don't think you're ready to walk on your own but, maybe if I come over and help you for a few days... You'll be able to… you know... maybe stretch and slowly ease off the paralysis" He pulled her up and held her gently making sure she didn't fall. Steve watched in amazement. Just the other day the boy had been causing all sorts of trouble and here he was, teaching someone to walk again. Both Sean and his mother scratched the back of their heads and mumbled something about food at the same time. Mira snickered and Steve shook his head. Kyksae hadn't wanted to ruin the girl's shining moment so she had left around the corner, looking for a place to rest.

…………………………….

Cloud had followed Kyksae

"This seat free"

"Look Kyksae I know I'm not the greatest guy out there. That's the bad thing about me, but...I'm sorry, because of making you run away and everything. Lately my mind had been on so many things, and I'm sorry if I hurt you somehow." He bent down in front of her. "I'm so sorry." Kyksae's gentle eyes frightened him a little. They seemed so strange, so different from the fight.

"You didn't do anything, I was just tired." She ran her hand through his hair and sighed slightly, her bangs hid her face. "Cloud? How... Why can Kai step forward and walk and I can't"

"Huh? You can...I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

"It's nothing. Don't worry. Just a passing thought." She smiled at him.

"You're scaring me. Please tell me what your thinking." he brushed her strands away.

"I... I just want to know how people can stand and walk without any regrets." She looked away from him, not wanting to talk about the incident during the fight.

"Some have the strength to and others don't." he sat beside her, taking her hand, and smiled. "You are like that from what I saw." his eyes saddened. "You have the strength to, you just can't see it yet." He felt like crying. He thought he'd loose her somehow, if he hadn't lost her yet. He tried to be strong, but it was only to be in front of Kyksae, she never saw the down low side of him. Sure, he looked strong and tough, but it was like a mask. Kyksae sighed. It was strange to hear her soft voice so full of sorrow and regret.

"Cloud, when this is all over, I want... I want to stay with you." It had been the first time she voiced anything she wanted and yet it wasn't something like money or jewelry like all the other girls. She just wanted him. It was then that Cloud realized how much all of them had grown. Kyksae was no longer a sweet innocent angel child. She was a woman now, a gentle, loving, caring woman and he of all people, had changed too... He kissed her, and pulled her close. "Kyksae...nothing would make me happier. I wouldn't want anyone else beside me." he rested his forehead on hers smiling. Mira had seen them both, but she was not the only one watching. Alex had been hiding in corners, of the arena. He thought that if he would shoot the girl the family would break apart. 'The woman and that girl… Kai? Both keep that family together.' He always had an eye for Mira, but he would break the family. 'If I can get Steve to leave her, by creating an argument over the red head leaving the girl, I could win. She is head over heels for that Korean boy, but there has to be a way to separate them.' He stepped back and disappeared in the darkness.

…………………………………..

The door creaked open, and the woman stepped in to the house, trying to be as silent as possible, not trying to wake the kids up. She slid around the corner into the kitchen, and poured herself a glass of water. She wondered if Steve would forgive her for having gotten into that small argument earlier. She couldn't even remember what it was over. Steve rolled over on the couch.

"You think you could be any louder" She could hear the playful snicker in the man's voice. She almost choked on the water, turning around quickly.

"Will you hush-Gosh." She turned back, finishing the glass, and walking over to him. "You look like you need some sleep Steve Fox." She smiled, pushing some of his hair aside.

"How can I sleep without you" It betrayed him in two ways: it showed his irritableness from the argument and his playful mood. It also told her he was trying to think things out for once.

"Easy," she pushed him back. "Close your eyes and start counting sheep." She laid next to him and folded her right hand in his. When she pulled back, she smiled. He grunted slightly and sighed.

"Kyksae has to fight Christie tomorrow..." Mira froze.

"The Brazilian girl that Eddy trained? Oh man, and what about you." She paused then added another question "Why are you up still when you have to fight tomorrow"

"Eh... I got Eddy." He grinned slightly as the thought of master vs. master and student vs. student.

"You still haven't told me why you're still awake." He shrugged slightly.

"You're right." He turned over slightly and with anticipation, fell asleep.