Yay! Chapter two! Thank you for your nice comments, everyone. Sorry it took me so unbelievably long to put this up. I had writers block/memory lapse/I've been really sidetracked. So, so, so sorry! Please enjoy this chapter.

Kratos's hands clenched at his side. "What did you say?"

The blue hologram flickered, threatening to make the clear picture of Yggdrasil vanish. "I'm sending Kvar to remove her exsphere. She's been alive too long."

Kratos showed no emotion, hiding what he felt. He had been with Anna for six months already. Six dream-like months…

"Something wrong with that?" A cruel edge had crawled into Yggdrasil's voice.

Kratos didn't reply. "…no." He lied through his teeth, unclenching his hands only to tighten them again a second later.

"Good, then he'll be there tonight." Yggdrasil nodded and the picture vanished. Kratos stood alone outside, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Noishe whimpered beside him, his thick tail swinging to and fro leisurely. Kratos stood, staring straight ahead at the dark sky. "Looks like it's about to storm…"

He sighed and kneeled next to Noishe. "What should I do?" He mumbled, feeling a bit silly talking to a dog, "I can't let them just kill her…" His brow furrowed. His own words didn't surprise him anymore.

Noishe barked and jumped up on his knee, tilting his small head from side to side. It was amazing how fast Noishe was growing under Anna's care. Almost abnormal. Kratos still wouldn't admit to himself that the large eared creature was a dog, though.

Thunder rumbled off in the distance, threatening rain once more. At a loss, Kratos sat and stared at the structure that contained Anna. Kvar was coming to kill her, and there was nothing he could do.

The angel stood abruptly, knocking Noishe off balance. "No, I won't…I can't let them harm her." He almost dreaded the price he may have to pay, but he would dread it for Anna far more.

The door was thrown open with unnecessary force. Anna jumped, turning partially to glare at Kratos. "You just can't make a peaceful entrance, can you?"

Kratos didn't answer. Anna's own face became serious. "Kratos?" Silence. "Kratos, what's wrong?" She stepped towards him, showing concern that Kratos wasn't accustomed too.

For a split second, Kratos second-guessed himself. "N-nothing."

"Liar." Anna made a face, "Anyone could tell by looking at you that something's wrong." She paused, her brow knitting together in worry, "What is it?" She pleaded quietly, "I've never seen you look like this."

Kratos stared at her a second before stepping away from the doorway. "Yggdrasill is sending someone to remove your exsphere…tonight. If you do not run, they will kill you." He took a slow breath, "And…I can't allow that."

He had never pictured himself saying this six months ago. There were times where he almost could have killed her himself. But none of that mattered anymore. Nothing except Anna being safe.

Anna caught her breath. "Wh-what?"

"Anna, they want to kill you."

Tears began to form in the woman's large eyes. "Kratos…"

"Go! Before they come!" Kratos cut her off fiercely, "I may be able to hold them off."

The woman began slowly to creep towards the exit, but stopped in the gaping doorway, tears creating visible tracks on her face. "Kratos, why are you doing this for me?" She demanded quietly between gasps holding back open sobs.

Kratos knew the answer. Did he know how to tell her? There, even the great Lord Kratos was stumped. He looked away. "Just hurry. Now."

He truly didn't want to see her leave. He never envisioned himself actually missing her six months ago. Now, it was far too real. The angel could hear Anna step outside into the open air. He silently wished she would just leave and put him out of his misery.

"I…I can't."

Kratos turned his head with a jerk, seeing Anna standing outside the door, her hands clasped near her exsphere. "Kratos, I'm afraid. I-I have nowhere to go, no one to turn to." She turned, her hands clenched at her sides. "Please, Kratos, I need you with me!"

Kratos was stunned by her outburst. Anna had put on such a serene, cheeky face before. Yet here…she appeared delicate and weak. Her whole body was shaking with fear of the unknown that lay beyond her. Kratos dropped his eyes to the ground. 'She needs me…for the first time someone wants me. And I know…I…'

In his naturally rough nature, Kratos stalked foreword and gripped her small hand in his larger one, half dragging her along. "Come, we may have already lost time."

Anna seemed stunned for a few seconds, but she soon caught her balance beneath her and managed to run a step or two to catch up to Kratos's long strides. "Y-you'll go with me?' She asked weakly, her joy even hard to mask in weakness.

Kratos nodded stiffly. "Mithos…shall hate me, perhaps." He thought aloud. He had never really agreed with Mithos's twisted ideals, but when it came to the cost of Anna…

Anna said nothing. A small whine was heard near to them, followed by the sound of a twig snapping in half. Anna looked back. "Noise…"

"Let him run along. He's little, but he's strong."

Anna didn't argue, though if the situation had been any different, Kratos didn't doubt she would have. They both had became rather attached to the little 'dog'.

Lightning illuminated the forest for a split second before draping it back in darkness, followed by a low rumble that seemed to shake the ground. It was at that point the rain began to fall.

He could feel Anna struggle as he held fast to her hand. He wished he could fly to go faster, but he didn't dare. Not with Kvar coming. He would be spotted in a second.

Kratos became thoroughly soaked in the rain. Anna's weak laugh surprised him after another crack of thunder. "You just can't stay out of the rain, can you?" She whispered hoarsely. Kratos frowned.

Flashback

The heavy metal door was flung open once more. Kratos entered, ducking slightly under the door as he walked in, Noishe prancing at his heels. Anna was already there to slam the door shut in order to block out the pouring rain.

"You don't understand the concept of closing the door, do you?"

Kratos turned to glare at her. 'It's been a month. How much longer am I going to be tortured with her…' "You don't understand the concept of being quiet."

She rolled her eyes in an almost childish way. "Sorry, oh Lord Kratos."

Kratos scowled. She had fallen in the habit of mocking him. "It rains a lot here." He growled, flapping his wings gently.

Anna paused before nodding. "I suppose it does." She shrugged, "But we are on an island. I guess that has something to do with it…"

"Whatever the reason, its unbearable."

Anna planted her fists on her hips, giving Kratos that defiant glare that had come to irk him. "You don't appreciate anything, do you?"

"How can you enjoy it?" He challenged, tired already of arguing.

"Didn't I tell you? Sometimes you have to look beyond what happens in a storm to what happens after, when everything is flourishing. But you…" She smirked, "Just try to stay out of it as long as you have to come in here, OK?"

End Flashback

The angel stopped short, causing Anna to run into him. "What?" Her voice had turned to a terrified squeak.

Kratos stared blankly at the rushing water. "We're on an island, remember?"

Anna stared past him, rain dripping down her face. Noishe stumbled up to them out of the brush, panting in exertion. They were trapped and they knew it.

"What can we do?" Anna asked, falling to the ground beside her pet. She picked Noishe up as if to comfort her, cradling him in her arms.

Kratos flinched as the water glowed with the appearance of lightning. He turned to stare back the way they had come. 'Kvar is probably here already…' "We'll have to take a chance."

Anna looked up in confusion. Kratos stared across the water. "Luin isn't too far from here. It isn't exactly close, but maybe we can make it."

"But we can't even get to the mainland." Anna argued, "Much less to Luin."

"I can fly. It will be hard since the storm, but I can…perhaps carry you with me." The last part was added a bit awkwardly.

Anna stood, still clinging to Noishe. "Please…just get me out of here."

His mind was made up. He couldn't go back to Mithos now. Maybe never. Easily, Kratos picked up the weak woman, exhausted from panic, Noishe still resting against her. His transparent blue wings spread and he managed to take off amidst the storm.

Cliffhanger! Sorry if this chapter kind of…stinks. I wanted to get it posted. Thank you for your patience.