She was never good enough; she was never.. herself. But when Rue finds her.. things occur. Rue x Mint.

I do not own Threads of Fate, nor any of its places or characters.

Hidden Between Lies

Chapter One: Learn To Run

--x

It wasn't fair. When was it ever fair? It never was. She was never 'pretty', just 'okay'. She was never 'smart', she was just 'okay'. She was never 'strong', she was always, always, always 'okay'! She was sickened by the very thought of her flaws. Every inch of her body covered in the filth of her imperfection, biting, nipping, clawing at her until she was but no more. She had no savior; she had to rescue herself. Always. Mint was not your average girl.. not even your average princess.. she was more than what she seemed. Hidden behind lies, facades, masks.. whatever you wanted to call them. It was her right, her privilege, her own prerogative and the only thing she had to herself.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she let the rain caress her body; a minimal reward for her pain. Slipping into her true self, her strawberry hair fell from its messy bun, dark auburn eyes turning to meet the skies in a delicate grace. The material clung to her body, pale ghost white with a sash as pink as her shimmering hair. Then, all in one sensitive, quick, fluid moment, skin met skin as she crashed into a form. A gasp was heard from her, turning her body 'round fast and quick as to hide her identity. Mint felt her face grow warm, shaded with tints of pink and scarlet. The person's breathing was heavy, and she determined that it was a man, and he had been running, but skidded to a stop for her twirling figure.

She turned on her facade once again, adamant nature making her scowl and turn around. Eyes angry and acrimonious, her thoughts were harsh and biting. Who the hell does he think he is, running into ME like THAT? grumbling under her breath, she gave the man an accusing glance and raising a rough hand to slap him. Adept, he quickly caught her rushing hand right before it struck him, earning a hateful look from Mint. Jerking it away, she looked up at him, eyes curious yet spiteful.

" Who are you? " her voice was soft, stern, and demanding.

" Mint.. " he breathed her name out, and she gulped.

" R-rue? " It wasn't possible.

Turning on her heel, she ran quickly, but didn't hear him follow. She ran on, and on, but she didn't know where. Her beating heart willed her to move until her lungs were on fire and her feet were sore and cut. Falling onto the wet grass, she held herself up on her knees by her hands, limbs, body, and heart all shaking. A sob escaped from her form, a heart-wrenching sound. Shakily her hand held her chest where her heart would be, old wounds reopening and memories flooding back. Of their journey two years ago..

Rue laughed, hugging Claire and Mint, and leaving the older woman a kiss on her cheek. Rage burned, but since she was young, Mint didn't know why. Her heart ached and she wanted to cry. But that was before he thanked her, and laced his fingers with Claire, giving her a passionate lovers' kiss, that made her dizzy from all the pain. She shoved back the tears, forced on a disgusted face, and spat.

" You two disgust me! " Forcing a laugh like she always would..

" Well, I'll see you two another time. Goodbye. "

And she ran. Just like she did now. She ran again.. like she always does. Like the failure that she was and always will be. She would never be perfect like Claire. She would always have these painful flaws..

Letting herself cry, Mint pounded the ground and screamed. Louder than anything she herself had ever heard. It was a scream of agony, pain, and it would make the strongest of people break down and cry. She clawed at herself, hitting, smacking, biting, scratching, inflicting any form of pain onto herself that she could. Finally, weak and out of breath, she let her body slump to the ground, the skies crying with her as thunder called. No lightning crackled, but the thunder screamed with her, the rain cried with her, and the sky... was imperfect like her. Thoughts ran at her. They made her scream, they made her cry, they made her want to tear down every inch of flesh she could until she was physically skinless and even uglier than before. If that's even possible, the voice taunted.

" Shut up... " she whispered.

" Mint.. ? "

To be continued...