Chapter 26

Carry on, and I will forever

Longing drives bad memories away

And still I carry on, and I will forever

When I see you smile I dare to believe again…

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"Come on, Danny!" Tifa called, running up the steep hill just outside of their hometown Kalm with an enthusiasm she only reserved for events she was really excited about. Danny looked up at her, a slightly puzzled expression on his face. He wasn't in any rush and didn't intend to be coerced into a different state of mind.

"Did you forget that monsters roam about outside Kalm? Run too fast and you'll find yourself face-to-face with one." Danny responded, continuing to climb until they were both at the top of the hill. Apparently Tifa wanted to go further, as she was preparing to walk carefully down the just as steep downside of the hill, of which Danny could see around six or seven in succession after this one.

"We shouldn't stray too far from Kalm, Tifa, your parents will be furious when they find out you've been so far out of town!" Danny's legs were aching a little already, he really needed to get into better shape. He hadn't been doing much since he had moved out of his foster parents house, school was over. He had applied for the Kalm army, and assumed that once he got in he would begin getting fitter. He needed the money to pay the rent, anyhow. This month he was going to use the money he had collected when he had a part-time job as a young boy helping the postman do his rounds. He doubted there was a lot left, but there would hopefully be enough for this month at least. If he didn't get into the army, then he would be in trouble.

"Oh listen to yourself." Tifa rolled her eyes. "Little Danny scared of a few monsters? Jeez, I have my gun, you have a dagger or two on you I'm sure. We can take down a monster easily enough." She began descending down the other side of the hill, breaking into a fast run as she got closer to the bottom. Danny followed, a little quicker, murmuring curses and praying that they didn't meet more than one monster. If they did, then they would need a lot of luck, and more than a couple of daggers and a small pistol. He gripped the handle of the dagger at his side. They were specifically designed for close-combat, and compared to the sword he was learning to use, were a rather weak weapon. Besides, he didn't want to get close to a monster. The sun was going down, it would soon be turning to night, and that was the most dangerous time. The hills themselves were in fact a quite safe area, the monsters preferred hiding in woodlands and marshes. The hills were near woodlands and marshes, but monsters rarely advanced into these areas. Nonetheless, if nothing else Danny prided himself on being cautious at all times. One had to be, in such violent times. He often heard of riots and violent protests being waged in other towns, resentful of the ALIEN presence that had seeped into the town. 'Like a virus', Tifa had called it. She hadn't tried an attack on the ALIEN building in Kalm in over a month, Danny figured she was either getting lazy… or planning something really big. The latter made him wary, and a little afraid. They continued going up and down the hills, Danny complaining after each one was cleared, but still following. Finally, when they got to the last hill, Tifa sat down. She was completely out of breath, and so was he. He walked over to the edge of the hill and looked down.

At the bottom of the hill was a flowing river, which opened out into the sea. The water was sparkling from the setting sun reflecting on it. The sun was lazily setting behind the horizon, and soon they would be in darkness. Though it appeared the night would be cloudless, as Danny could not detect a cloud in sight. He sat down next to Tifa, stretching out. She drew her knees up to her chest and looked out over the sea, smiling a little.

"It's beautiful, don't you think?" Her gaze was now set on the horizon, where the sun was making its final bow. Danny shrugged, yawning.

"It's okay I guess."

"Okay?" She looked at him. "The river is so pretty at this time… and the sea is so… so amazing… almost makes you forget about everything else."

"Not for me." Danny said nonchalantly, laying back and looking up at the slowly darkening sky. He could see a few stars fading into view, as a shade of black began to invade the light. There was a warm air, and the faint smell of the sea, coupled with the grass and flowers surrounding them, made for an interesting and relaxing aroma.

"Oh, you're so… unromantic." She folded her arms, shaking her head.

"No I'm not." He turned his head, seeing a daffodil growing a few feet away. He reached his hand over and plucked it, handing it to her. "Here."

"Thank you very much." She took it and laughed a little. Danny's gesture was sweet, he often did little things that to him meant nothing, things that to him simply kept her happy, but to her, they meant a lot, and she found herself more attracted to him now than any time before. She'd hoped being out here would have weakened his inhibitions a little, but that didn't seem to be the case. He was acting just as if they were surrounded by a huge crowd, watching their every movement. Maybe that's just how he was.

"No problem." He laid back down, staring at the sky in silence. She wondered what was on his mind. He was pretty secretive, and she didn't know too much about him, despite knowing him for at least four years now. Of course she knew his personality and basic shared friend information very well, but when it came to his personal tastes, preferences and fears, she knew very little indeed.

"Got a reply from the army yet?" She asked, laying back with her arms behind her head, watching the sky transform as the sun disappeared.

"No, not yet… I expect I'll get a reply this week. If not, it'll be next week."

"Why do you want to join the army?" She tried not to sound concerned, more curious, but it didn't come through very well. He looked over, raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Good pay, and the training looks pretty decent. Why? You don't want me to?"

"It's your choice. I was just curious!" She said, laying back down and trying to calm down. Her outburst left Danny a little surprised, but he shrugged and resumed gazing at the sky. A few minutes passed before Tifa spoke again.

"Just be careful. I don't want you to die."

Danny laughed, shaking his head.

"I won't, okay? It's not like a huge war's gonna start any time soon."

Tifa nodded, trying to feel as confident as Danny did, but she had an uneasy feeling she couldn't get rid of. She hated the thought of Danny being in the army. She wanted him to find a simple job and perhaps get an apprenticeship… but he had to pick the most dangerous job.

"You're quiet… what are you thinking about?" She queried, sitting up and stretching a little. Despite her uneasiness she was really enjoying being here. She loved everything from the view to the smells. It was her perfect place. As the darkness descended upon them and the night rolled across the hills, a colder breeze began to appear. Tifa shivered, rubbing her arms. She wished now that she had thought to bring a jacket, she was wearing a light blue sleeveless top, and was getting a little cold.

"Not much." Danny looked over, seeing her shivering. "You cold?"

"Yeah… strange how fast it gets cold around here." She replied, her voice shaking slightly from the drop in temperature.

"Here… I'm not cold." Danny took off his jacket and handed it to her. His navy t-shirt offered little more protection from the cold than her top, but he seemed unbothered by the cold.

"Thanks!" She smiled at him and put on his jacket, immediately feeling much warmer. She looked at his arm and then back at him. "Your arms sure are getting bigger, are you going to a gym or something?"

"No…" Danny looked at his arm and rubbed it self-consciously. "I noticed that too… must be a growth spurt or something. They're getting a lot bigger than before… it's weird… but I'm not complaining."

"Yeah, you have been getting bigger lately… and your eyes…"

"My eyes?" He turned his head away from her, looking at the ground. She giggled and poked his arm gently.

"Don't be so embarrassed. I was just saying, they seem to… I don't know… glow, recently. It's nice… I like it."

"If you say so." He turned his head up and looked out to the sea. By now the sun had completely disappeared from view and the sky was completely black. The stars shone beautifully above them, and the moon hung gracefully over the sea, casting a soft shade of light upon them.

"So pretty…" She took a deep breath and slowly laid her head on his shoulder. She felt him stiffen up a bit and shuffle uncomfortably.

"Uh… you tired?" He said, more than a little nervousness in his voice. He cleared his throat accordingly.

"No…" She replied simply, watching the darkened sea with him. They sat there in silence for a while, for Tifa, time no longer meant anything. To Danny it felt like forever. He was feeling extremely uncomfortable at this point, and was continually shuffling and wondering what Tifa was doing. Was she trying to come onto him? Did she like him as more than a friend? Or was he overreacting?

"Tifa… was Jim really feeling unwell tonight?"

It seemed Danny was beginning to work things out. Tifa giggled, she had told Danny Jim wasn't feeling well, and that was why it was only them going. That had been a slight lie. She had never contacted Jim. She liked him, as a friend, but she needed to be alone with Danny.

"You'll have to ask him." She replied, sitting up off his shoulder and looking at him. He didn't turn to face her. "Danny, look at me."

"Why?"

"Look at me!"

"What?" As he turned round, she took his face in her hands and leaned in to kiss him. She wasn't sure how long the kiss lasted, but when she broke away she was breathless. She blushed a little, looking at Danny, who was visibly shocked, and stood up, brushing herself off.

"So… um… let's get back to Kalm." She turned away from him and began walking back down the hill, to the town. Confused and surprised, Danny scrambled up off the floor and followed her. They walked back in silence, an uneasy yet romantic air around them.