To Tom Valor: Thanks for the advice.
To the rest of you: Well here it is, my next chap, I got a bit mushy when I wrote this so forgive me. Enjoy!
Chapter 3
The sight of a party greeted Ace and Kat as they entered Archer Village. Music could be heard throughout and several decorations were put up amongst the trees and various plants there.
"So this is where all the people are...", Kat said in awe.
"Yep! Someone leaked that there was going to be a party here. I decided to bring you along. Seems like you need it!", Ace shouted over the music.
"Thanks Ace! Let's go!", she pecked him on the cheek, pulling him towards the party place. There, in the middle, were a group of dancers and bards performing.
Kat just started dancing to the beat of the music.
"Isn't that a bit much for a priestess such as yourself miss Lockheart?" Ace smirked, joining her.
She put her arms around him his neck and told him, "I'm not a priestess tonight Ace..." she smiled knowingly.
"Ah yes..." Ace put his arms around her waist. Then a new song started, this time slower.
"A slow dance...Great...I'm not good at these..." Ace thought, flashing a smile at Kat to which she smiled back. She was enjoying the dance, mostly because Ace was there. She didn't want this to end yet. And it didn't.
The two took in each other's appearance, quietly appraising each other. They danced into the next song, a love song. They swayed along with the rhythm. His hands separated and he placed them on her waist. Kat's hands moved to his chest. They were savoring each other's touch, and wanted more.
Their heads were getting nearer and nearer, inch by inch. One of Kat's hands moved to the back of Ace's head, pulling hi closer. Ace pulled her and claimed her lips. He slowed his pace and let her enjoy this moment. Then he felt a slow caress on his lips. He smiled inwardly and accepted her tongue.
Ace set his own tongue to work, lovingly touching hers, as if it was the most fragile thing in the world. She moaned into the kiss, showing how much she loved this. Her hands began to pull Ace closer when he stepped back for air. Kat groaned at this. The sage smiled at her and went back to kissing her.
His hands started the exploration of her body. He started with her waist, moving down to her hips, getting her to lightly moan. Ace's hands found their way to her back. He rubbed her there a long while. It seemed to relax her so he continued. After a few more minutes, his hands moved to her neck. When he touched her there, she pulled back a bit.
She looked into his eyes, trying to find something in them. Finally she found it. She had been trying to look for this for a long time. Love. Trust. Ace's eyes showed it. He really loves me, she thought. She moved in again for a third kiss to which Ace offered no resistance at all, making her smile. As the song ended, the kiss ended. Both of them feeling happy and satisfied. They hugged each other and found a seat under a tree.
"Did you enjoy that Kat?" Ace asked her as he stared up at that stars.
"Yes…Very much…" Kat replied, looking at the stars herself. Except that these stars were reflected in Ace's eyes. Then Ace looked at her and placed a quick kiss on her lips. The two stood up and walked back to the inn. They stopped at Kat's door and said good night to each other. Kat went inside and slept, still thinking about what had happened.
Morning
Once again, Jack is the first to wake up. He groaned in pain, partly because his wounds haven't healed yet. He went to wash his face; yelps of pain came from his mouth. After he had finished, he went to Ace's door. Three knocks like the day before.
"Strange…No sound. He didn't even yell," Jack said to himself. He shrugged and went to see if the hunter was awake. Nicholas' door stood ajar, with no one inside. Jack went outside to see if he could find him. There, near the temple, was Nicholas, sitting down, feeding his falcon. Arrows were sprawled all over the ground.
"What you up to Wolfe?" Jack asked as he neared the hunter.
"Oh, hi Jack. Nothing much…Just practicing with my bow," Nicholas replied, Then Jack got an idea.
"Mind if I join you?" Jack had a big grin on his face.
"Huh? How? I thought rogues used daggers and swords?" Nicholas seemed confused.
"Of course we do. But that doesn't stop us from mastering other weapons right?" the grin never left the rogue's face.
"Hm…Alright rogue…Show me what you got," Nicholas stood up, gathering his things, while Jack ran in to get his bow.
-Inside-
Ace awake to the noise of hurried footsteps outside his door.
"Ugh…Stupid rogue…What is he doing runnin' around at this hour…" Ace mumbled. He took off his covers and proceeded to the bathroom to take a bath. After he had finished, he put on a loose white shirt and a pair of pants. He went to Kat's door only to find it open. He peered inside to see of she was awake.
"Hey, no peeking!" came a girl's voice as Ace's head appeared behind the door. The sage quickly closed the door, blood rushing to his face. Moments later, Kat came out to see a still blushing Ace.
"S-sorry Kat! I didn't mean to see you er…like that. I just went to see if you were awake," Ace explained.
"No problem Ace," she looked up at him, smiling. He breathed a sigh of relief. Kat took his arm and dragged him downstairs to eat.
-Outside-
WOOSH!
An arrow whizzed across the grounds, straight at the bull's eye.
"Not bad rogue, not bad at all," the hunter complimented Jack.
"Not too shabby yourself hunter. I'm done shooting arrows for the day. I'll be taking my bath now," Jack announced.
"Alright, good idea. I'll take on myself," Jack helped Nicholas stand and they proceeded inside the inn. As they walked inside, someone called out to them.
"Hey guys! Come join us!" a priestess yelled out, a sage by her side.
"I guess the bath can wait!" Jack said as he rushed to the table. The hunter shook his head, shrugged and went back to his room.
"My, you look – oh bacon and eggs thanks – you look cheery today Kat," Jack said as he ordered his food. "Something happen?" the rogue got curious.
"Oh n-nothing Jack…" the priestess tried hiding the red appearing on her face.
"Jack, there's your food. Eat and go take a bath, you smell," Ace told him making Jack scowl at him.
"Alright, fine…" Jack grumbled, eating his food quick. He stood up, put some zeny on the table and walked to his room to take a bath. After he was gone, the two started talking again.
"Thanks…" Kat whispered.
"For what Kat?" Ace asked back.
"For back there with Jack…and for last night…" Kat's voice got softer and softer, all the while blushing fiercely as her thoughts went back to last night.
"Think nothing of it love…" Ace whispered in her ear, making her shiver. She liked how he talked like that.
"So, what's up guys?" Nicholas now approached the table.
"Nothing much, you?" Ace went back to his seat.
"Just a little shooting practice with the rogue. Man, can he shoot with a bow. I always thought rogues weren't good at that kind of thing," Nicholas told Ace, while eating his food.
"You didn't know?" the sage asked flatly.
"Was I supposed to?" the hunter countered making Ace laugh.
Soon all four were outside, basking in the sun's golden rays. So peaceful, so quiet, so…
"KAAAAAATTT!!!"
"Ugh so loud…" Ace sighed.
Kat was whirled around by a pair of hands.
"H-huh?" Kat was a bit surprised.
"Don't you remember me? It's me, Regan!" a blonde haired dancer smiled at Kat.
"R-regan…Oh yeah! I remember now! Back at the academy," Kat smiled back as she recalled the memories of Regan.
"So Kat, how've you been? Who are all these cute guys with you? Is one of them you boyfriend? Did you two do it yet?" Regan fired question after question, making Kat, and surprisingly Ace, blush. The dancer smiled at Kat and the sage, who was now in front of Kat.
"You guys wait here, I'll go call someone, okay?" Regan walked away, her hips swaying, earning wolf calls and stares from the men around. Including a particular rogue, and his hunter friend.
"W-wow…" Nicholas was speechless and so was Jack as their eyes followed Regan.
"Kat, you can stop hiding behind me now, she's gone," Ace told the girl behind him.
"I know that Ace…C-can I stay here for awhile though? Your back is warm…" Kat answered, her face buried in Ace's robes.
"Uh, sure Kat…No problem, take your time," Ace felt hands hug him. He placed his hands over hers. The two stayed like this until Regan came back with a handsome bard beside her.
"Guys, this is Lance Calypso," Regan introduced her friend to the group.
"Hiya," Lance said, smiling warmly.
"Forgot to introduce ourselves. I'm Jack Nols," Jack shook the bard's hand.
"I'm Nicholas Wolfe, and this is my falcon, Uno," he said, pointing to the falcon on his shoulder.
"Hm…Calypso…I know that name…" Ace whispered to himself.
"Katherine Lockheart, call me Kat…" the priestess shyly said.
"What about you cutie? What's your name?" Regan approached Ace.
"Oh sorry…I was thinking of something…I'm Ace, Ace Algiz," he bowed.
"Nice name handsome. Oh and nice pick for your girlfriend," this last part she whispered in his ear. He laughed nervously. She just giggled, returning to his partner's side.
"Mind if we join your group? It gets kinda lonely with only the two of us," Regan asked sweetly.
"N-no problem Miss Regan," Jack immediately replied.
"Thanks sweetie!" Regan bowed her thanks. This gave Jack a view to remember. She showed him a very good show of her chest. The rogue took his time.
"Naughty boy," Regan looked up and put on a face of mock anger. She waved a finger at him and went off with Lance to get their things. The rest of them turned to face Jack.
"Perv…" Ace said as he walked back to the inn, Kat tagging along with him.
"Nice one man…" Nicholas actually congratulated Jack and gave a pat on the back. They both smirked and went off to shoot some more arrows.
After about an hour, the six of them were outside the inn, all things packed.
"So where to guys?" Regan asked expectantly. No one came up with an answer causing her to sigh. While they were thinking, they didn't notice a man, specifically a wizard, walking up to them.
"Excuse me, which one of you is Mister Ace Algiz?" the wizard asked the group.
"Er..I am," Ace stepped forward and bowed.
"Oh so YOU are the Ace Algiz…May I ask something of you good sir?" the wizard requested.
"Sure go ahead," Ace answered him, flashing a cautious look at Kat. She shrugged.
"Would you like to join my guild, The Zenith sir?"
I'll post the next chapter in a few hours. My fingers hurt now.