Whew this chapter has everything! Action and.. some implied stuff! ooooh yesh! I did say implied, didn't i. hehehe!
Reverie
Chapter Five: Brief Battle
I had all but given up on finding
The one that I could fall into
On the day before you
I was ready settled for
Less than love and not much more
There was no such thing as a dream come true
Oh, but that was all the day before you
Now you're here and everything changes
Suddenly life means so much
I can't wait to wake up tomorrow
And find out this promise is true
I would never have to go back to
The day before you
In your eyes I see forever
Makes me wish that my life never knew
The day before you
The Heaven knows those years without you
Shaping my heart for the that day I found you
You're the reason for all that I've been through
Then I'm thankful for the day before you
We knew the path to through the Ymir forest by heart. Not by instinct, but through long hard practice and trials. Every step I took on the wet moss reminded me of the past that lingered on both of our minds. The late night camps we'd have. The four of us. But that was before life turned serious, and we were forced to save the declining world. And that cost Martel her life, and cost Yuan the love of his life.
And for me it meant nothing, nothing at the time it is. But now, it meant that I had to see the one I care about be hurt more than words can explain. Sometimes words can't explain everything, but you can always try. Glancing upwards, I watched as Yuan took a seat next to the middle of the Ymir forest, and placed a hand in the lake. Cocking an eyebrow, I increased my pace and took a seat next to him.
"Tired?" I asked timidly. If we were tired, I'd protest until we got to rest. I didn't want Yuan exerting to much energy and later blaming it on me. He had a tendency of doing that to me sometimes. Yuan glanced up from his trance on the water, and gave a meek smile.
"No, just thirsty." Yuan whispered. A light smirk crossed my lips, and unfortunately Yuan had caught sight of it before I could push it away. Turning a dark scarlet, I turned away and pushed my bangs over my right eye, and took a deep breath. I had to chill, this was a mission, not a joyride. "What's wrong?" Yuan asked with that concerning voice he got once in awhile.
"It's just different to see you thirsty." I whispered back, letting my hand travel across the water. Each ripple caused a shiver to run down my spine. It was cold, but felt relaxing at the same time. It was like trust... cold but mellow at the same time.
"You seem tired, now that I look at you." Yuan noticed, placing his hands behind his head and leaned backwards, trying to relax. A snort of laughter overcame, but I turned it into a silent chuckle that Yuan couldn't even hear.
"Of course not. Once we arrive at Heimdall, maybe I'll be." I replied.
"Hey, Kratos." Yuan whispered, looking down at the water, hands retreating from his head.
"Yes?" I asked, unsure why he had changed from relaxed to tense all of a sudden.
"I want to make you a promise." He whispered. Heart beating rapidly, I nodded sharply and withdrew my hand from the water the moment he placed his hand in. Shaking the water off it, I starred intently at him. Was he shaking, perhaps?
"Go ahead." Trying not to stutter, I edged him on.
"If there's life after this, I'll be there to meet you."
... Those were the most sincere words I had ever heard from him. I gulped, holding back any sudden feelings that ever whelmed up. Now was the time.. I had to tell him. Clearing my throat I turned to Yuan, my face turning a light pale from becoming light-headed.
"If that is so, then I will make you a promise too." I smiled as he looked over at me, completely stunned.
"What is it?" He seemed eager to find out, and that was good.
"If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm always here. I might not be the perfect person to get advice from, but I've had my own sharing of grief and unsurity. Feel free to talk to me about anything, I'll be open and understanding." Ok, maybe it wasn't my confession but I was getting there.
"Thanks Kratos." Yuan whispered, looking at me. His eyes seemed to glitter. Now was the time.. those lips. Slowly I looked at him, beginning to rock forward. I was so close, but I saw fear flash in Yuan's eyes and I stopped myself before I got to close.
"Yuan?..." I asked, unsure why he had just arose fear. So he didn't share the same feelings. I was devasted but the look of fear remained in his eyes. Cocking my head, I cleared my throat and waved my hand into front of his vision.
"Yuan, are you all right?" His glance was fixed on whatever was behind me. Just then I felt a pang of unsurity. Something was behind, wasn't it. But then I felt overjoyed, it wasn't my attempts to kiss him that made him so frightened, just my timing. I had almost forgotten his fear when he grabbed my hand and my eyes widened.
"Kratos... don't move." Yuan whispered. If it wasn't for whatever was behind me, I'd be in paradise. Yuan slowly arose to his feet, helping me up. I was afraid to turn around, so I didn't. My eyes were peeled on Yuan who was starring with fear.
"On the count of three.. turn around and attack with me." Yuan whispered. However, he never did let go of my hand. Sweat rolling down my face I slowly reached for my sword, unsure what I was going to face. Blood rising to my face, my legs became jelly. I hated not knowing what I was going up against.
"One." Yuan whispered.
"Two." We said in unison, as his tight on my hand tightened.
"Three." We said once more as I turned around, letting go of his hand and swinging with all my might.
However, what greeted me wasn't of my best interest. There, standing tall and bold was Forcystus, one of the half-elves Yggdrasill had hired to take control over the human ranches. This wasn't good. Behind him was several men clothed in red. His minions I assumed. And by their number, thirty I assumed, he wasn't here for tea.
"Yuan, get out of here." I snapped.
"No," Yuan snapped, grabbing my hand once more. And taking his weapon out. "I'm not letting you be the hero, and make me look like the weak ass."
"That's not what I'm trying to do." I argued but was halted by Forcystus grinning with that sinister look.
"Kratos Aurion." He spoke and the men behind him rose their weapons. This was it, this was going to be a fight to the death. Gulping once more, I glared down Forcystus. So he knew me did he? Well, if he wanted to take my life, he'd better be a hell of a fighter.
"Why are you here?" I demanded.
"I see Yggdrasill was right, you did side with that filth." He said as he pointed with his left arm at Yuan. Becoming defensive, I shook off Yuan's hand off mine and gripped my sword with both hands, starring him down.
"You have no reason to be here. Leave at once!" I hollered.
"Now Kratos, don't be like this. Are you really going to side against Cruxis?" Forcystus snickered, with that menacing look in his two eyes. Both were the shade of Yuan's and he bore that sly posture about him.
"I hope you don't care too much about your life, because you're not getting out of here alive. I gave you your warning." I grunted, I almost forgot I wasn't alone when Yuan took a step forward, holding that swallow he called his own,
"And you're not getting through me either." he snapped. "You pathetic weaklings." He continued smugly.
"Yggdrasill was right, you two are really pathetic." Forcystus shrugged and unsheathed two swords from their halter. Eyes widening, I just starred in almost awe as he swung them freely in the air, slicing the tense air between them. "Men, fall back and take care of the ranch. I'll handle these two myself." He addressed, without taking his eyes off me.
"Is that really such a good idea?" I glared, tightening my grasp on my blade. I hadn't fought in so long, and the chance of a fight really sounded intriguing. But if I did right, Yggdrasill would have the ok to end my life, or worse, take me away from Yuan. But I couldn't let Yuan be taken like this from this ass. I had to stop him and show him I was still a skilled warrior.
"Don't hold back." Was his final words as he lunged forward at me, sending both blades in opposites directions at me.
It would have been bad if I wasn't prepared for the full throttle attack, because I sent my blade on an angle to block the parried attack, and then countered it with a jab upward trying to knock him off balance. It did fairly well, as he took a step backwards, holding both swords tightly.
It was Yuan's turn, as he begun to rapidly swing the swallow forward at him. Sadly, Yuan didn't have the speed to accompany his power, as Forcystus easily blocked each blow dealt to him. Now was time to get serious. Biting down my bottom lip, I lunged forward once more sending a well deserved demon fang at him.
Side-stepping to the left, the green-haired half-elf managed to avoid the attack with a single hit. Grunting angrily, I silently cursed Yggdrasill for hiring someone of these skills. As I slowly took a step forward to try my hand at sword rain, I watched in horror as Forcystus cast grave upon my companion sending him spiraling backwards into the river.
"Yuan!" I hollered, and turned my head to see him fall weakly. My recklessness caused me to by dealt a sharp jab in the left arm. Wincing in pain, I fought on, swinging a furious beast at my offender. He stumbled backwards, clenching his left arm in pain. Smirking, I lunged forward again, to be blocked.
"You're pretty good for a human." He voiced as we entered a duel of the sword. There was no gap between the swinging and blocking as we entered the ten minute mark of the fight.
"And you're pretty fair for a bastard." I remarked, sending a grave blade at him, causing him to fly upwards and fall on the ground. Proudly, I turned back to where Yuan was. Forgetting the fight that had just occurred, I ran to the lake and pulled his weak body out. He was bleeding and he was half-awake.
"Kratos..?" He whispered, regaining power.
"Yes.. I'm sorry I let him hurt you." I spoke, looking downward, however Yuan's expression didn't change.
"Kratos." He spoke.
"Yes?"
"Kratos!" Yuan voiced, as I was dealt a powerful blast to the back. Falling onto the ground in a painful burst, I lay there, crumbled in misery.
"You sick son of a-" Yuan growled, continuing the fight. It was all blurry and hard to remember, but I knew Yuan took much damage but managed to cause more damage to the enemy. Especially to his already weak left arm, and a piece of metal to his right eye, which caused him to scream out in pain. I guessed he'd lost his sight seeing he fell onto his knees and teleported quickly.
And everything after that abrupt battle was blurry, but I trusted Yuan.. trusted that he'd save me, and I'd awake somewhere better. Whether it be the great beyond or in hell.. I was prepared to lose my life...
"Do you really need me to answer that?"
His smirk was followed by a silencing kiss upon my lips. Even though I was on top of him, he continued to fight as if this was game, and he was the reigning champion. But I couldn't complain. He reached up, drawing me closer as he nagged at my shirt causing it to come off after many attempts.
"Happy now?" I smirked, but was once again silenced but a violent kiss, as he grabbed me by the head and pulled me down on top of him. It felt great just to be on top for once and feel his shaking body underneath me.
"There's your answer." Yuan rasped, running his hands through my already messy hair. Furrowing my brows, I looked away and breathed a few quick breaths.
"Yuan?" I asked. He stopped and looked at me with the utmost care. "Do you... love me?"
"..." He looked away and went silent. I rolled off him and looked the other way, awaiting his answer. Was it truly love, or just lust getting the better of us. It was another moment of silence before Yuan reached out and grabbed my hand. Turning my head I watched his eyes twinkled with that familiar innocent look.
"Do you really think I'm in this just to get laid?" He snickered. Only he could pull off such a thing. Heart feeling wonderful at this moment, I lay next to him, holding his hand tightly. He buried his head into my shoulder, and I swore he was breathing heavily, and just laid there, taking in my scent as we rest peacefully." I love you Kratos Aurion."
"Kratos?"
Scrunching my nose, I felt a tinge of blood present in my mouth. But that didn't bother me. My whole body was sweating and the thoughts of my dream were still strongly burned into my mind. My worst fear was eliminated and I knew he wasn't in it just for petty pleasures. But that was just a dream, and none of that really happened, and that's what really got me down.
"Kratos?"
I felt a hand run through my hair across the left side of my face. That touch, it was so warm and inviting. I laid there, eyes tightly shut. Each time the hand was passed through my hair, I felt a prick on my scalp and I just lay there in bliss. Maybe this was as good as a dream.
"K-kratos?.."
The stroking stopped and was replied but a choking of my name. Becoming alarmed, I cracked open an eye. Unexpectedly, I saw the figure of Yuan sitting next to me on what looked like a bed. But it wasn't my bed, nor his. Now confused for many reasons, I just shut my eyes and tried to make myself try to imagine what just happened. How long was Yuan standing there, and did he hear me--dream? I felt sick in the stomach.
"Please.. wake up! I don't want to lose you like Martel! I-" He began but I opened my eyes and he immediately silenced himself when he noticed I was awake. A little disappointed that I had cut him off at such an interesting subject, I beamed at him. He was in a bad condition, but he still had that elegant look upon his figure.
"Kratos." He almost squeaked and let go of my hand. I hadn't noticed his was tightly intertwined with mine before he let go. Blinking a few times, a heavy head ache over came me and a sharp pain escaped my back as I tried to move." No, don't move." Yuan advised.
"What happened?" I grumbled, coughing up a few drops of blood. My images were blurry, but Yuan was slowly coming into perfect focus. At least he hadn't abandoned me. And that enough of a healing art for me.
"You were knocked out when you helped me out of the lake. I taught that S.O.B. a lesson in fighting and managed to cause severe damage to his arm, and he probably won't be seeing out of that eye either." Yuan replied with a smug look. Smiling a bit, I brushed my bangs out of my eyes and starred up at him, seeing I wanted to lay flat on the bed.
"Thank you." I managed, coughing at the end. Yuan seemed a bit unnerved as he picked up a glass of water from the countertable and passed it to me. Limply, I took it in my hand and placed the brim to my lips. Trying to sit up to drink, a sharp pain cause me to come crashing back down. "Shit.." I groaned, closing my eyes in pain. Sighing, I disobeyed the rules of drinking and drank the water whilst lying down.
"I'm sorry I didn't save you before he got to you." Yuan grimaced, tapping his toes on the ground. The only way I knew was because I heard the small 'thump' every few seconds. Glancing around, while remaining still, I wondered where we were. Well, best to ask I suppose.
"Where did you bring me?" I asked, in a weakened tone.
"Heimdall Inn. I already talked the Elf Elder about our organization and explained what they're capable of doing, and telling him what they did to you." Yuan explained, taking the water from my shaking hand and placing it back on the counter.
"Oh." Was all I said as I closed my eyes and pondered why my dreams kept coming to me, so clear and so feeling. And as it seemed, Yuan didn't hear any of my dream, seeing he hadn't asked about it yet. And that was a very good thing indeed.
"I'll let you rest." Yuan spoke, standing up from his seat and turning his back. Thing was, I didn't want him to go. Reaching out, I grabbed his hand in mine. In that instance he turned around and glanced down at me, with a flicker of the eyes. A light smile crossed his lips.
"No... don't. Stay here-" Was all I managed before I coughed once more. "I don't want you to leave..." Had I just said that out loud. Gulping, I held Yuan's hand tightly.
"All right... just don't think you can get away with bossing me around. This is only because you're hurt." Yuan grinned, and sat back down. Heart being washed over with a relaxing melody, I closed my eyes and nodded my head.
"Thank you..."
I awoke in the middle of the night. Cracking open an eye, I noticed Yuan was slouched in the chair next to me, passed out. A grin passed my lips and I pushed myself up on the bed so I was sitting up. The pain was almost gone, and I felt relieved. I hated pain, especially physical kind. Glancing around as my eyes adjusted to the midnight lights, I wondered what thoughts were occurring in Yuan's head. What did he think with all my attempts to hold his hand?
Slowly, I crept out of my bed from the other side and passed slowly across the room into the bathroom. I had a small limp, but I was ok. Trust me, I had suffered worse. Wondering why I had awaken at such an hour, I reached out to the sink faucet and turned it. When the water trickled, I grabbed a paper cup from the counter and let the water trickle in.
Placing it to my lips, I gulped it down and felt a rush of relief. Taking a few deep breaths, I turned my back and took a step back into the main room. There was Yuan, still uncomfortably in the chair, bound by my request to stay by my side. Feeling a bit sorry, I walked over to him and lightly lifted his slender body on to the bed. If Yuan wasn't such a hard-sleeper I'd never attempt this. For any light-sleeper's they'd awake immediately.
A smile passed my lips once more as I noticed Yuan can comfortably switched positions and lay like a small fragile kitten in the bed. Closing my eyes, I realized I myself had no place to sleep. Screwed. Biting down my lip, I glanced around.
"Kratos?.. Is that you?"
I glanced down at Yuan as he opened his eyes.
"Yes." I replied softly. Blinking a few times, Yuan glanced up at me then at the bed he lay at. Utterly confused, a blush passed his face as he covered it up with a intense stare.
"Why did you?" Yuan began but I sat down on the small coach on the other side of the room.
"Just go to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow." I promised him.
"K-kratos." Yuan spoke a few minutes later. Tilting my head, I walked over to him and noticed he was sleeping, Not intrigued completely I sat down in the chair next to the bed and watched as a smile passed his sleeping body. He rarely smiled, even in his sleep. "Mmm." Yuan whispered, nudging his face into the pillow.
My heart fell as I remembered the dream from earlier. That image of Yuan nestling into my arms, saying that it was true love that twisted us together, not the temptation of sex that made so many couples fall apart. But that was a dream, like I had stated earlier.
"Don't go." The tables had turned as I watched Yuan sleep peacefully calling out in his sleep. "Stay-.. with me... don't...leave me again." Yuan whispered, wincing and then twitched his eyelids. "You... don't understand!" He called out.
I just stood there, listening to everything Yuan was saying.
"Understand.. that I-" Yuan began but rolled over and coughed. Slightly disappointed, I turned around and laid down on the coach. Tomorrow we'd head back to Home. The place I knew where everything could be shared. A bright smile crossed my fading focus as I fell asleep, hoping to have dreams about a certain half-elf.
AN:
Oh yea, betcha you are happy now! Action, implied lemons in a way, fluff, and plot twisties at the same time. (ish happy herself) Find out what happens next when I get the urge to actually upload these chapters. Seeing I have a lot of these already written. yay for staying up late!