They been at Marla's for two days.Danielle woke up an hour after Rain when they first arrived there.Justin was up before the others on the second day.He sighed and looked out the window of his and Jake's room.Marla's house only had three bedrooms, so Elena and Cylde decided that they'd sleep on the futon in the living room.Justin walked out of his and Jake's room and into the hall.He wasn't wearing a shirt just dark blue pajama bottoms.Justin sighed, he felt so empty and alone even though he was with his friends.
Danielle came out and tapped him on the shoulder."Justin,"she said softly.
"Hmm?"Justin said.
"Whats the matter with you?You haven't been your self lately,"she said.He shook his head making his hair glide back and forth.
"I know and I donno whats the matter with me,"Justin replied.Danielle yawned and nodded."Didn't know you cared so much,"Justin said with a smile.
"I don't really care...its just I never seen you this way.I was just curious,"Danielle said turning her back on him.Justin smiled and leaned against the wall.She turned back to him and her green eyes looked into his dark blue ones.She bit her lip like she was trying to think of what to say.Justin smiled at her.
"You don't have to say anything and you can leave if you want,"Justin said.
"Nah..I'll stay right here until I figure out whats going on,"Danielle said.Justin laughed and shook his head.She leaned against the opposite wall and closed her eyes.
"Danielle, you don't need to figure anything out..I'll get over it soon,"Justin said.Danielle reopened her eyes and studied Justin.Danielle was wearing black pajama bottoms and a long black tea shirt that almost drowned her and her dark hair was a mess."Coffee?"Justin asked Danielle.She nodded and they snuck out to the kitchen.Justin filled the coffee pot with water and put the coffee beans into place.Danielle sat down and Justin sat on the opposite end.
"Justin, when do you think we'll be back in 'our home'?"Danielle asked.
"I donno..why are you home sick?"Justin replied.
"I guess,"Danielle said.Justin gave a small laugh."Do you miss her?"Danielle asked.
"Who?"Justin asked.
"Dianna,"Danielle said.Justin rested his head on his left hand.
"A little,"he said.Danielle nodded.A few minutes later the coffee was done.Justin got him and Danielle cups.Justin poured the coffee into Danielle's cup first,then his.Danielle put vaniella coffee mate and a few spoon full of sugar into her cup.Justin did the same and looked over at Danielle.Justin felt like he was falling away from Danielle and into a black hole that never had a bottom.'Whats wrong with me?'Justin asked himself.
"Justin, you alright?"Danielle asked and came to his side.Justin covered his face with his left hand and his elbow was still on the table.He felt tears coming up,he tryed to hold them back he didn't want Danielle to see him crying.He felt Danielle holding him and storking his hair, almost motherly.He put his free arm around her."Justin,"she said still stroking his hair.
"Danielle..I don't know whats going on I just feel so empty,"he muttered.
"Go ahead and cry let it all out...its alright I don't think your weak, I'm the one thats weak not leting people know how I'm feeling..I don't even know,"Danielle said.Justin wraped his other arm around her and cryed into her stomach.They sat there like this for five minutes before Justin pulled away.He wiped his eyes with his hand and looked up at Danielle.Her shirt was wet from his tears and she looked down at him.
"Danielle...thanks,"Justin sighed.Danielle nodded and returned to her seat.She took a big gulp out of her coffee and looked back over at Justin like she was unsure.
"Don't expect that again,"Danielle said.Justin laughed and took a drink out of his coffee.He felt a little better now.Justin finshed the rest of his coffee and put his cup in the sink.He turned on the water and splashed some on his face and then he cleaned his cup."Hey clean mine too,"Danielle said handing him her cup.Justin cleaned her cup and sat back down.Cylde came into the kithen.His brown hair was messy and he was wearing a white t-shirt and blue pajama bottoms."Morning,"he said with a yawn.
"Morning Cylde,"Justin and Danielle greeted.Cylde got a cup of coffee and sat between Danielle and Justin.
"Sleep ok?"Cylde asked them."Kinda, Rain kept groaning in her sleep and muttering stuff,"Danielle replied.'Wonder what she's been dreaming about,"Justin thought but decided to drop the subject.
"I slept ok,"Justin replied.
"Cylde, come help me with the funton,"Elena's voice came from the front room.
"I'll be right back,"Cylde said and went out into the front room.
"Hey Danielle, its your turn to let out your feelings,"Justin said teasingly.
"Can I take my fustration on you?"Danielle asked raising her fist.
"No, but we could go get you a punching bag and you can take it out on that,"Justin replied.
"Ok,"Danielle said.
"Well have you felt anymore emotions?"Justin asked.
"No not really...most of the time I feel ok,"Danielle replied.
"Ok,"Justin said.
"Umm..I'm gonna go change and brush my hair,"Danielle said and went off.
"I'm gonna go get ready too,"Justin said and headed back to his and Jake's room.Jake was still sleeping, he looked like he was having good ones.Justin put on a white short sleeved shirt with a light blue, short sleeved button up shirt,except he left it unbuttoned and he put on tan pants.He brushed his hair and put on his shoes.
Jake sat up and yawned."Morning Jake,"Justin said.
"Morning,"Jake said and got out of bed.
"Were you dreaming about Rain?"Justin asked with a smirk on his face.
"I don't know what your talking about...I can't remeber,"Jake said and started looking though his stuff.Justin left the room and ran into Rain.
"Sorry Justin,"Rain said and smiled up at him.
"Its alright,"Justin said.Rain was wearing a blue tank top and tan pants, her hair was down as usual.Sunlight came in though the window making her hair shimmer in the light.She looked really pretty and Justin couldn't help thinking,'Jake would've loved this.' At that exact moment Jake walked out.
"Morning Jake,"Rain said moving a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Morning sexy,"Jake said.
"Don't call me that,"Rain said and walked off.Jake was laughing and admiring her retreating form at the same time.Justin chuckled and headed for the front room.Elena was siting on the funton with Clyde.She was wearing levi shorts and a dark blue t-shirt and Cylde was wering dark blue baggy pants and a white short sleeved shirt.Jake was wearing black baggy pants and a black shirt.Justin sat down in one of the chairs and rested his eyes.
'Why can't we go home now..I'm ready to take the risk,'Justin thought.He stop thinking for a minute and he ended back up in the bright place where he talked to Dianna.He looked around and saw Dianna come forward."Dianna, I thought-,"Justin started but she put a finger on his lips to silence him.
"I couldn't stay away from you...I can't stop missing you and loving you,"Dianna said.
"Dianna,"Justin said.
"I know you feel the same way,"Dianna said and a tear escaped from her eye.
"Dianna listen,"Justin said and held her hands in his,"We can't keep leaving our world's just to see each other...we could die and not know it and we wouldn't be able to go to the otherworld."
"I can't go on with out you,"Dianna said more tears flowing down her face.
"Yes you can, theirs more fish in the sea besides me and I need to exept that too.We need to go on with our lives not dwell in the past,"Justin said.Justin cupped her face in his hands and looked her straight in the eye."This is end and the beginning of a new adventure and this is the final chapter of our story together,"Justin said and placed a kiss on her lips.His lips left hers and his arms dropped back down to his side.Dianna looked down at the ground and looked back up at Justin like a newborn.
"Ok I understand this is our final goodbye,"Dianna said solemly.
"Good,"Justin said.Dianna flung her arms around his neck and kissed him one more time.
"Farewell Justin,"Dianna said and dispered.
"Farewell,"Justin said and he returned to reality.Justin opened his eyes and saw Marla hovering over him.
"Ok he's back,"Marla said looking back at the others, giggling.She wore a white tank top and a brown skirt that went all the way to feet.Her hair was shoulder lenth and it was curled."Who were you talking to in the place?"she asked.
"Dianna,"Danielle replied.
"Yeah thats correct I was talking to my ex-girlfriend..and we decided not to see each other again,"Justin said and looked over at Danielle.She was wearing a black shirt and black levi's.
"Are you feeling better?"Danielle asked.
"Yeah much better,"Justin said.
"Good, hope you'll be your normal self again,"Danielle said, smiling.
"I'm sure I will,"Justin replied.
"Umm..whats going on here?"Elena asked.
"He's been acting weird lately and this morning he had a nervous break down...well kinda,"Danielle replied.
"...Ok,"Elena said.
"Well he seems ok now,"Marla said, smiling.Justin smiled at her.She smiled back and headed towards the kitchen.Justin stood up and started heading back to his and Jake's room.
"Where you going?"Cylde asked.
"I'm kinda tired..so wake me up when breakfast is ready,"Justin said.He went into the room and layed down on the bed.He closed his eyes.'I hope we're going back soon, I think Marla is hiting on me, theres nothing wrong with her, but I don't think I should be hooking up with anybody for awhile. As soon as we return I think I'm going to find a job..maybe,"Justin thought to himself.He reopened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.'I want to travel again, cause now with all this free time..I have loads of time to think,'Justin thought.
Justin got up and looked into the mirror.He had messed his hair up again, so he combed though it again.He touched his face and then touched the mirror. "What am I doing?"Justin asked himself and shook his head.He started pacing around the room."I need excitment, adventure, I just need to find something worth while to do,"Justin said mentally to himself.The door opened and Rain stood there.
"Excitment, huh? You should enter in the Gunsman contest,"Rain suggested.
"What?"Justin asked.
"Well you want excitement..the gunsman contest tests your skill and has lots of other stuff in it for gunsmen like you,"Rain said.
"Ok..where and when is it being held?"Justin asked, feeling excited.
"Tomarrow, on the outskirts of the city,"Rain said.
"I'm entering!"Justin said exitedly.
"Ok after breakfast I'll take you where your supposed to sign up,"Rain said.
"Great!"Justin said and let out a whoop of excitment.
"Come on..breakfast is ready,"Rain said and they headed to the kitchen.They ate and Rain and Justin left to go sign Justin up.
"Thanks for the idea Rain,"Justin said.
"No probelm sounds exciteing,"Rain said.
"Rain, your the best,"Justin said.He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up for a second.He put her down and she started looking around.
"There!"Rain said, pointing at a booth."Well go on!"Rain said, pushing him forward.Justin stood in line and waited for his turn.He put down his name once he was up there.He strolled back over to Rain and hugged her again."Justin!"Rain yelled.
"Sorry I'm just so happy,"Justin said.
"I see this,"Rain said.
"OH! I'm gonna buy Danielle a punching bag!"Justin said and ran into the shop.He bought one and said,"Ok I'm ready to go!"
"Alright,"Rain said.They returned to the house and Justin went starit up to Danielle.
"Happy Birthday!"Justin said smileing at her.
"Its not my birthday..but thanks anyway,"Danielle said cooly.Danielle looked down at it and ran for her and Rain's room.
"I knew she'd like it,"Justin said cheerfully and sat down on the chair.
"Justin, I can't believe you actually got me one thanks!"Danielle said and gave him a small hug and went back over to sit with Rain.
The next day..
"Justin, get up you have to get ready!"Rain said as she shook him.
"Rain,I don't wanna,"Justin said.
"Fine..miss out on excitement,"Rain said.
"Fine I'm up I'm up,"Justin said.
"Here,"Rain said handing him his usual clouths.
"Thanks,"Justin said and Rain left the room.He got dressed and put on his shoes.He brushed his hair real quick, then ran out to the kitchen to have breakfast.He ate real quick and the party went to the place where the contest was being held.Justin had all his guns in his overcoat, he was definetly ready for this.
"All contenders over here!"a deep voice boomed.He went over to where all the people were."Ok in the first round you'll be shoting all these beer bottles.Your score deepens on your performance,"said a guy in a black cowboy hat.
'Who would where those things?'Justin asked himself and laughed to himself.
"Ok wait over there until your name is called,"said the guy in the black cowboy hat.Justin sat down on the bench and he looked at the other contenders.Most of them sat in the shadows, so Justin couldn't make out any of them.Except for the woman who just sat down.She had alot of freckles.She wore tan pants, a white t-shirt, and a tan vest.Her hair was light brown and she had it in a braid.
"Hello my names Julia,"she said with her hand outstreched.
"I'm Justin,"Justin said and shook her hand.
"Where's your gun?"she asked.
" 'Guns'..and there somewhere in side my coat..yours?"Justin replied.
"Right here,"she said as she drew it out of her gun pocket thing.
"Cool,"Justin said.
"Geogre Mcocolnly!"a voice rang from somewhere.Justin looked up to see a guy with a tan cowboy hat walked forward.The guy drew out his guns from his pocket thing and started shoting.He shot all of them with out missing."Hmm..We'll give Geogre a 7 out of ten points,"said a voice.The guy returned to the bench.A few more names were called."Julia Burnside,"the voice boomed.
"Good luck,"Justin called.She just smiled back at him and headed off.She did a front flip, drew her guns in the middle of the flip, and started shoting.She hit them all perfectly."A 10 for Miss Burnside,"the voice boomed.She came back and sat back down.
"Good job,"Justin said giving her a thumbs up.
"Thanks,'Julia said.
"Justin Leonheart,"the voice boomed.Julia gave him a thumbs up.Justin drew his guns and twirled them in his hands as he walked forward.He stoped twirling them once he came to the white line and started shoting, not missing one."A 9 for Justin,"the voice boomed.He returned to the bench."Ok for the second task is to shoot all of the moving objects..there are ten targets and how many you hit is your score,"said the guy from before.They all nodded.Justin was called secound this time and he shot down 9 targets."A 9 for Justin again!"the voice boomed.
Other guys were being called then it was Julia.She shot down 7 of the targets."A 7 for Miss Julia,"the voice boomed.No one was able to shot all the targets."Ok for this next task you all have to kill some fiends...at the same time and we'll give you your score privatly,"the guy from before said."How many tasks are there?"Julia asked.
"Only one more after this one,"the guy replied.
"Whys there only four?"Justin asked.
"Cause..we couldn't think of anymore,"the guy replied honestly.
"Oh ok,"Justin said.
"All contenderes report to the ring,"a voice boomed.They all went over to the ring and fiends appered.Justin took out his guns and started shooting them down one by one.Justin looked over and saw Julia taking out some.'She's pretty good,'Justin thought and a fiend came chargeing at him.Justin shot it in the head.He whirled around and shot another one in the head.
"Not bad, Justin,"Julia said.Justin just smiled and continued to shoot at the fiends.All the fiends were dead and taken away.
"Everyone sit down...and we'll come over there and tell you your scores,"the voice boomed and they went to the benchs.A guy with bright red hair came down and started whispering in the other contenders ears.He came to Justin."Your score is 14 out of 15,"the guy whispered.
"What did you get?"Julia asked him.
"Umm..a 14,"Justin replied.
"I got a 15,"Julia said prouldly.
"Cool,"Justin said.
"Ok the next task you'll have to were these,"the guy from before said holding up some black jacket.
"Why?"the guy named Geogre asked.
"Cause it'll protect you so you won't get injured, but you'll probely get a little bit roughed up,"the guy said.
"So what is this task?"Julia asked.
"All of you are going to fight each other..no aiming for the head or you'll get dismissed,"the guy said as he passed out the jackets.
"So we're going to fight each other until when?"Julia asked.
"Theres a time limit of five minutes and we'll give you your score after,"the guy said and trailed off.They put on the jackets and headed for the ring.They were told to spread out and start attacking when the whistle was blown and to stop when the whisltle was blowen.The whistle blew and people started shooting.Justin shot at two guys at once and then turned to shoot a guy behind him.Someone shot in his direction and he ducked and shot in the direction of the person who tryed to shoot him.Justin got up and shot Julia around where the jacket was so he wouldn't injure her.Then he saw a bullet heading somewhere around her head.Justin pushed her over and they both fell.
"Thanks Justin,"Julia said.Justin stood up and nodded.He continued shooting, he shot Julia a few times and she shot him as well.The whistle blew and everyone stoped shooting.Justin went strait for the bench and leaned back.
"Julia got 18 out of 20,"the voice boomed.Justin didn't care to listen until he's name was called."Justin you got a 20 out of 20,"the voice boomed.Julia gave him a thumbs up."Ok we'll announce the winner in a minute,"the voice boomed.Justin looked up and waited."In third place Paul Renfield.And in secound place Justin Leonheart.And the grand prize winner is Julia Burnside!"the voice boomed.Julia walked forward and congratulation ribbons came down and fireworks went off.A guy handed her something that Justin didn't see and then the guy came over to Justin.He handed him a check that had five-hundred gil on it.Julia came back and hugged Justin.
"I think you should of got first place Justin,"Julia said after she let go of him.
"Nah..I didn't have very fancy moves like you,"Justin said.
"Well you have lots of skill Justin...and you always seem to hit the target,"she complemented.
"Thanks,"Justin said.
"Well I gotta go now and get my stuff packed for tomarrow..I'm going home,"Julia said.
"It was nice meeting you..your very skilled yourself,"Justin said.
"Thanks and it was nice meeting you too,"Julia said.She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Maybe we'll meet again,"Justin said and laughed.
"I hope so, bye Justin,"Julia said and walked off.Justin watched her until she dispered.The others were by him now.
"Congrats Justin,"Rain said giving him a small hug.
"Yeah..congrats,"Danielle said from a corner.Jake hit Justin on the back and gave him a thumbs up.
"That was a great performance Justin,"Elena said.
Cylde smiled and gave him a thumbs up."Great moves out there,"Marla said and started walking off.Justin smiled to himself and they headed to Marla's house.