Wings: Guess what!

Heart: ...

Wings: Come on! Guess!

Heart: What?

Wings: It's (music plays) Review time! REVIEW TIME, REVIEW TIME! NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA! REVIEW TIME!

Heart: You've made a... theme song?

Wings: REVIEW TIME!

Heart: Great...

REVIEWS

Sakura Irving: Thanks for all of the Reviews! The Massacre has not happened yet (as I already have said). My Fic is a little off time wise. O Well. I'm glad you liked my last chapter!

Broken Time - Shattered Dreams (Now: Gary is my better half)- Hey sis! LOL, Thanks for the review. Uh... My sister's telling me right now to check out her new fic. It's called Threat.

That'sAUnderstatement: Thanks! Thanks for your vote! (By the way the polls have closed.) I do agree, they have chemistry.

Black Nights: It is a tough choice. Gah! I asked my sisters (I have 2) and they both said that they couldn't decide. But I think I've made up my decision. It's going to be pretty obvious in this chapter if it isn't already. And for those of you who cant figure it out, you'll have to wait and see.

Tootsipopgurl: LOL, I think Tibarn's hot too don't worry. Thanks for the review.

Wings: I love Reviewers!

Heart: ... You're really weird.

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 5

Zihark's Choice

The Shelves formed a labyrinth, a labyrinth of stories and knowledge, myths and history. The library was Narya's favorite room in the castle. It was a place she could escape to. There was always a quiet place in the maze of book cases where she could sit to think or read. This day was different though. This day Narya wasn't there to be alone. She was there with Tibarn.

"How would you like to spend your last day on Phoenicis?" Tibarn asked his daughter. Tibarn sat behind a desk in the back of the Library bent over a pile of papers. Narya sat in an armchair opposite him.

"I don't know. Anything." She responded as she flipped threw a green bound book.

"There has to be something," He said looking at the young woman.

Narya opened her mouth to reply but suddenly Januff ran up to the pair. He seemed to be in quite a hurry.

"King Tibarn! I've been looking everywhere for you. You have a visitor." He spoke quickly. Narya could have laughed at how flustered the young hawk was.

Tibarn smiled "I told you, Januff. Today is Narya's last day before returning to Serenes for the fall, I'm going to..."

"Please sir, "Januff interrupted "It's King Kilva." Januff shot a pleading look toward Tibarn. Everyone knew that he hated Naesala, The sooner Januff could get him off the island the better.

Tibarn looked at his daughter then Januff. "It's alright," Narya said. "I'll wait for you to be finished."

Tibarn nodded. "If I do not finish with Naesala in thirty minutes than wait no longer." He looked sadly at his daughter. "I'm very sorry Narya."

"It's alright."

Tibarn stood his massive form casting a shadow upon Januff who made way for the Hawk king.

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What am I to do? Zihark wondered to himself. I can stay...but what will I do with myself? He rubbed his head in frustration. And the girl...Narya. I can't become attached to her...I have become attached to her. Does she care about me? "No, She's the kings daughter...you've only known her a month..." He reminded himself aloud. But I care about her...that's why I have to leave.

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Narya paced back and forth, her feet keeping a steady rhythmic beat on the tiled floor. She could hear the soft murmur of voices coming from the room. Her Father had a visitor. A Visitor she was not to fond of. Naesala, King of Kilva, The Crow himself. Whenever he visited Phoenicis it meant that he wanted something.

She Had waited by the door to her fathers room for quite a while. An hour at least.

"Narya, Your father told me to make sure you were not still waiting after forty-five minutes." A woman's voice said from behind. It was all to familiar. Narya turned to see a tall hawk woman standing behind her. She was tall with Curly Raven hair and Deep brown wings. Her eyes were kind and gentle, but her voice was firm. It was Takanshi. Takanshi served as Narya's nanny when she was little, she was like a mother to her. She used to play with her and take her to the gardens when her father was busy. She was always looking after the Navy haired teenager.

"I know I shouldn't be here, but Naesala makes me nervous." She said in a hushed whisper. "If only I could..." her voice trailed off but she made a motion drawing her finger across her neck. Takanshi gave Narya a warning look then shot a quick glance at the door.

"I was only joking." Narya said as Takanshi took her hand and pulled her down the hall.

"I know that, sweet." She said still whispering "But Naesala may not." When they stopped Takanshi turned around and Narya saw the shadow of a smile on her lips. "I would do it if only I had the chance."

"We wouldn't have the guts." Narya said with a laugh. "But Januff would." Both girls laughed again.

"Would you like me to stay with you?" Takanshi asked.

"No, it's alright. Thank you Takanshi." replied Narya. With a nod the laguz woman left the girl.

Narya walked over to her window and opened it. A cool breeze hit her face and stirred the curtains. Narya looked down at the busy town. Some Hawks were rushing from shop to shop making purchases, others talked with their friends. It was a rustling sea of brown wings and feathers. She smiled as she looked out across the town. It has grown since she had first seen it nine years ago.

A flash of color caught her eye, but almost as soon as she had seen it, it was gone. After waiting a few moments she saw it again. Blue. Zihark had just stepped out of a shop.

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Narya made her way through the lively streets, nodding at a random passerby now and again. She walked for quite a ways admiring the wooden shops. Many of them sold food, or trinkets, some sold clothes. But unlike a beorc city no store sold weapons, for weapons were in short demand in the laguz nations.

Zihark left the bakery with his two loaves of bread. He blinked in the bright sun and turned west toward his home. As he walked he saw some familiar faces. Though he personally knew none of their owners. That is until he ran into Narya. Or until she had ran into him.

She had sidestepped to avoid bumping into a rather large man and in the process, she stepped on Ziharks foot. "I'm sorr.." She began. A smile spread across her face when she came face to face with the beorc. "Zihark! I'm sorry. Let me help you with that."

"I've got it. It's quite all right." He replied. He smiled at the girl. "What are you doing here? Are you supposed to be packing?"

Narya shook her blue head. "No I took care of that last night. I have the remainder of my day to be as lazy as I wish."

He laughed "As long as you don't get to lazy."

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"Home. Would you like to come for a drink?" He asked before he could stop himself. You were supposed to avoid her today. Not invite her into your house. How are you supposed to tell her that you are leaving?

"Sure, I would love to." She said with a smile.

They both headed off in the direction of Zihark's home. They shared a few discussions on various topics, but Ziharks mind was somewhere else. Narya took noticed.

"Are you alright?" Her voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked at her and thought he saw concern on her face, but he quickly pushed that thought away.

"Yes, I'm fine." He replied. "Here we are." He said as he turned to a house on the outskirts of the town. It was a small house. Two rooms at most. But it was nice, It's windows were small, with red shutters and it's door was large enough to admit any man.

Zihark held the door open for the girl and then entered himself. The house was poorly lit but had a warm comforting feel to it, it was hard to believe that the man had only lived there for a short while.

Zihark crossed the small room and laid his sack on the table. Nary noticed that it was stuffed with supplies. Food, water, vulnnary...Why does he need Vulnnary?

"What would you like?" he asked walking into the kitchen.

"Anything's alright with me." She said looking up from the oak table.

He re-entered the room moments later carrying two cups of a strange liquid. He sat at the table after removing the sack from it. Narya sat opposite from him and excepted the drink from him. She trusted him enough to drink the liquid without question.

It pored down her throat, the liquid soothed her insides and left a tingling feeling in her stomach.

Zihark sipped from his wooden cup without looking at the girl. How do I say it? He wondered.

"Why so much food?" Narya questioned, motioning to the sack at Ziharks feet.

"Supplies." Zihark answered.

They were both quiet for a moment. They could here the bustle of the village outside.

"You're leaving...aren't you?" Narya asked.

"...Yes..." Zihark still didn't look at the girl.

"Why!" She exclaimed. "Why are you leaving? I know you've never been one to stay in one place but... Why don't you give Phoenicis a chance?"

Zihark became silent. He sat tall in his chair looking at Narya, his face betrayed nothing. He stood and went into the kitchen.

I always knew he would leave... but I never thought it would be so soon. Narya thought to herself.

"What are you afraid of, Zihark?" Narya asked quietly, but He heard.

Zihark grew nervous. Did she suspect. "Nothing."

"Zihark, I know that..."

"No you don't." He cut her off. "Don't pretend you do, Narya. Your father will find you another teacher. Don't worry about that."

Narya grew angry her face grew red and her hands began to shake, though not nearly as bad as her voice. "I wasn't worried about losing a teacher." She said angrily, "I was worried about losing a freind. Forgive me for being naive enough to think of you as one." She stood up to leave the house.

Burring his head in his hands Zihark sighed.

Pausing in the doorway Narya turned around to look at the man. "Have a nice Journey, Zihark."

Zihark looked up at the girl and met her eyes. They were sad, disappointed even. Disappointed in him. Why had he said that? Was he that afraid?

Then she turned and left. Zihark ran to the door to catch her. He couldn't let it end this way, even if it was for the better. He couldn't let her hate him. By the time he reached the door she had disappeared into the mob outside.

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Narya lied face down on her bed. She wasn't crying, only cursing herself for her stupidity.

"No you don't" "Don't pretend you do, Narya. " The words echoed in her head. What was he afraid of? Why did he act like that? Then it hit her. That was probably the last time she would ever see Zihark again. She sat straight up. She couldn't believe she had just left, she couldn't believe that she had said what she had. She didn't know what was going on. She didn't know what he had been through. Maybe he had to leave.

She looked out her window. It' was getting dark, the sun was setting ,casting a brightglow across the sky. Stupid! So Stupid, Narya! Why did I have to do that! I should have left him alone! I have to go and apologize! But what if he's already left?

Narya stood and rushed across the purple rugged floor to the door. She yanked it open quickly and let out a startled yell. Standing there was TakanshiHer hand raised about to knock.

Takanshi gave the girl a strange look. "You... um... you have a visitor, sweet." She said taking the girls hand and leading her off. This seemed to have become a habit of the raven haired woman. Narya pulled away from the Hawk and shook her head.

Takanshi looked at her, eyebrows raised. "He says it's urgent, love. We shouldn't dilly-dally."

"I can't... I-I have to g-go to..." Narya stuttered trying to voice the importance of visiting Zihark.

"Well, that can wait." Takanshi took the girls hand once again and started off down the southern hall in the direction of the library.

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Takanshi opened the heavy wooden doors to the library and held them for Narya, who entered reluctantly. There were torches lit along the walls casting an eerie glow upon the worn books. Narya heard a thud of the door closing behind her. Takanshi walked in the through an opening in the maze of books.

"This way." she called to Narya.

Narya shot another glance at the door than turned to follow Takanshi. They made their way quickly through the labyrinth, giving Narya the feeling that the older woman had hidden herself in the library as many times as Narya herself.

Finally they reached the back of the library where Narya had spent the morning with her father.

The moon shone through the 10 foot window illuminating the area and the man in it. Standing behind the desk looking out the window was Zihark. His blue hair glowing brightly in the moonlight. He didn't move until Takanshi spoke.

"Sir?"

He turned and spotted the two immediately. Bowing he thanked her for bringing Narya so quickly. After Takanshi left He stood there looking at Narya. He didn't know what to say. Neither did she.

He approached the girl, and without warning he wrapped his arms around her. Narya's stomach did a flip."I'm sorry, Narya." He murmured, "I never meant it...any of it."

"I'm sorry too." She whispered after the shock wore off. She hugged him back. "When do you leave?" She asked dreading the answer.

"In an hour." He answered. She nodded. He could feel her warm breath on his neck. They stood there for a long time. Neither of them said anything else. The silence was a comfort at that moment. It was a blanket from the reality of there parting. As were his arms.

"Will...Will I ever see you again?" She asked.

"...no." He answered after a few moments. "...I don't think so."

She nodded again. He held her closer. Does she care? He wondered.

Finally he let her go. "I have to leave now. " He whispered.

She gave him a weak smile. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

He nodded and left. Turning to get a last look at the Navy haired beauty before he parted.

Wings: sniff...he...he...he actually left her!

Heart: Get over it.

Wings: but...sniff it's so sad!

Heart: (rolls eyes) BWSH is a softy, this won't be the last time they see each other.

BWSH: blows nose HEY! Who says!

Wings: Re-Review please (bursts into sobs)

Authors note:

Yeah, I know. The transitions were a little off in this chapter. The mood changes too suddenly also. I think I got the Idea of the chapter across though. But you have to give me props! THE CHAPTER IS LONG!

Well...longer than my other ones. smiles

What's that? Will they see each other again? rolls eyes Well, you'll have to see for yourself, but you guys are smart. You can figure it out.

-BWSH