A/N: Thank you, everyone, for all of you're awesome reviews! As I promised, here is another chappy!

Chapter 4

Just A Two-Bit Theif

"So how's the kid?"

"Meh…Better than how you left him."

"So my healing tactics are saving yet another life?"

"Heh heh…yup."

"Ha! Once again, Saikoro Umatsu is proving to the world that he is far too good for it! All shall bow down to me at least once before I die! Count on it, my friend!" a guy with long auburn hair shouted excitedly. Two markings on either of his cheek were etched from the bottom of his jaw to below his ginger eyes. His auburn bangs hung shaggily over his carefully plucked eyebrows and his pert, turned-up nose gave him a sassy look brightened by almond-shaped, fox-like reddish eyes. The boy appeared to wear a perpetual pout, but his frequent dimpled smiles softened his face.

Murtagh grinned at him. "I won't hold my breath, Koro," he laughed.

"Hmph…" Saikoro put his hands on his hips. "You'll see…even you, Murtagh, will someday worship the ground I walk on…"

"You already have half the population falling at your feet! I swear, it's like women have never seen a guy with red hair with red eyes."

"Ugh! It's not red! It's auburn!"

Murtagh laughed again. "Whatever…Until the day comes when everyone bows to you and kisses your ass, will you stop yelling? Tornac is still asleep!"

"Oh yeah, that's right…Well when will he wake up! He still has yet to thank me for saving his sorry ass…Hee hee…I plan to get close and personal…"

Murtagh shook his head and sighed. "You lecher…"

Saikoro shrugged. "I've been called worse…And why are we in the kitchen? Let's go out and see Tornac!"

The two friends were at the kitchen bar, sitting on stools. Maids were racing in every direction to clean the empty dishes while cooks prepared food. A few servants were lounging at one of the many tables, watching the maids and cooks.

"Nuh uh! I don't trust you to be around Tornac when he's asleep and defenseless!" Murtagh stated protectively.

"Ah, how I do love the vulnerable…But seriously, though! I'm not like that! Besides, you trusted me enough to heal him when he was unconscious!"

"Yeah, but there were people around…and you are the best magik user I know…"

Saikoro chuckled at the praise Murtagh was giving him. "And don't you forget it…!" he muttered.

Suddenly Arisa strode by with dirty plates stacked together, topped with used glasses. Walking over to a sink, she handed the dishes to the maid scrubbing other dishes with soap and water, then turned back around and headed to the main room. Saikoro eyed her wickedly before putting on a boyish grin and calling out to her.

"Yo! Arisa!" he waved. "Get that cute ass of yours over here!"

Arisa rolled her eyes. "Fuck off…!" she shouted before heading into the main room.

Saikoro sighed and hung his head, dejected. "Hey Murtagh…Why does she hate me?"

Murtagh rolled his eyes. "'Cuz you groped her ass and blamed it on me…"

Saikoro's head snapped up in surprise. "…What…? Ah! You mean that was Arisa!"

Murtagh sighed. "Koro, you nymphomaniac…"

Saikoro stared at Murtagh with a blank look plastered to his face. "I have no idea what you're saying…"

"To put it bluntly…you lecher…"

Tornac rolled over on his side, trying to find a pose more comfortable. He missed the weight on the side of his bed that Murtagh had provided. He missed seeing his familiar face, and missed the feeling of safety that left along with Murtagh.

He could hear voices coming from outside a door on the other side of the guestroom (didn't Murtagh say that was the kitchen door?). Tornac felt torn between the longing to get up and see what was on the other side of that door and the need to stay curled up in the bed he was in. After a few minutes of trying to decide what to do, Tornac felt that his longing to open that door outweighed his need for shelter.

Getting up slowly, Tornac shivered when the blankets fell off of his chest, exposing his torso to the merciless cool air. It was then that he noticed that he wasn't wearing a shirt. His nimble legs were covered by loose pajama bottoms that seemed to be a size too big for him.

Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he shivered when his feet touched the cold, wooden flooring. Wrapping the blankets around his slim body, Tornac got up and stretched. His muscles (what muscles?) were sore from staying curled up for so long.

Tornac faced the door and contemplated whether he should really open the door or just get back in bed. His yearning to move and do something made him inch toward the door.

Slowly, he made his way over to the door. Grabbing the cool, brass knob, Tornac braced himself for whatever was lying on the other side.

"So what did Galbatorix want from you?" Murtagh asked Saikoro. Saikoro just shrugged.

"Meh…he was pissed off because the Varden were able to get supplies this month."

Murtagh sighed. "Shouldn't he know by now that now matter how many soldiers he sends to destroy the Varden's supply ships, the Varden will still get their supplies? Heh, if I was the commander, I'd just capture the people onboard the Varden's ships and force them to tell me where the Varden get their supplies."

"But you're not, my friend, so why don't you just—" Saikoro's looked up and stopped. His jaw dropped and his eyes grew wider.

"So why don't I just what?" Murtagh asked playfully. But Saikoro didn't answer.

"Koro?"

Suddenly Saikoro broke out in a grin.

"Hey kid! It's about time you got up!" Saikoro yelled, waving to the other side of the kitchen.

"What is wrong with you?" Murtagh asked.

"Look! Murtagh, it's sleeping beauty!" Saikoro laughed and pointed to the guestroom door. Murtagh's eyes followed Saikoro's pointing finger and gasped as he saw Tornac's head draw back into the guestroom, the door closing behind the half-elf.

Tornac couldn't catch his breath. So he just stood there, his head leaning against the closed door. He still couldn't believe what he just did. Right after he opened the door, he looked around.

There were so many people…he thought to himself. And they were all buzzing around the room…Ugh…I'm so dizzy…

With his head still rested against the door, Tornac took a deep breath to steady himself. He hadn't wanted to be seen. He just wanted to look around and maybe find Murtagh. Tornac knew from experience that if people knew about you, it only meant trouble.

I should've just stayed in bed…I was safe there, and alone. But I was just so curious…

But now, as Tornac heard footfalls coming towards the guestroom and as he ran back to his bed for security, he couldn't stop thinking of a really clichéd line—

—'Curiosity killed the cat'…

Tornac pounced on his bed, and just as the door was opening, turned on his side to face the wall opposite of the door, pretending to be asleep (Ya know, like how when you were a little kid and you were supposed to be taking a nap, but you couldn't sleep, so you secretly got up to play, but when someone finds out and comes to 'check on you', you rush back to the bed and pretend to be asleep, just as the person enters you room. sigh Good time, good time…). The door opened and the footfalls entered the room. Tornac heard the door close again.

"Yahhhhhhhhh!" yelled an abrupt noise.

Suddenly, a heavy object landed on his bed, jolting Tornac onto his back. Tornac squeezed his eyes shut in fear, the line 'Curiosity killed the cat' running over and over again in his mind.

But the weight was shifted off of Tornac's bed. Tornac prepared himself for the real assault, but it never came. Instead, a very familiar and welcoming voice made Tornac open his eyes.

"Koro! Knock it off! You're scaring him!"

Tornac opened his eyes to see the one person he was desperate to see: Murtagh. A small smile of relief etched it's way across Tornac's face as he watched Murtagh trying to restrain a boy with unique markings and reddish-brown hair.

"Dammit, Koro! Get—off—him!" Murtagh tugged 'Koro' off the bed with one last wild yank. Just as abruptly as it appeared, the weight was suddenly lifted off the bed.

"Heh heh…so sorry, ya know? Just got a little…carried away?" Saikoro looked between Murtagh and Tornac apologetically, before laughing lightheartedly. Murtagh gave him a look of warning.

"Okay, okay!" Saikoro held his hands up defensively. "I'll behave…"

When Murtagh still looked skeptical, Saikoro sighed. "I promise, alright?"

Murtagh shrugged and smiled. "Whatever…just stop attacking people, k? It freaks them out…And you have to be calm around Tornac. He's been through a lot."

"Heh, haven't we all…?" Saikoro mumbled.

Murtagh turned away and looked down at Tornac. "Are you alright? Did you need anything?"

"Ah…! Um…no, I was just…um…it's nothing…"

"Well I don't believe you!"

"Oh!" Saikoro chimed in. "You must be hungry? Am I right?"

"Meh! Koro!" Murtagh turned to Saikoro.

"Whaaaat…?" he whined in response.

"Aheh, you're great!" Murtagh exclaimed. He turned away from his stunned friend to Tornac again. "I'm so sorry, Tornac! You must be hungry! I'll have Yoko make you something!" Murtagh turned to leave, but a hand grabbed the sleeve of his chemise, making him stop in his tracks. It was Tornac.

"…Murtagh…It's alright…I'm fine….Before, I was…I was just restless…I'm sorry…I should've just stayed put…"

"Don't worry about it! You're welcome to do whatever you want here!" Murtagh reassured the half-elf. "Hey Saikoro, go tell Yoko to whip up some beef stew for our guest!"

Tornac instantly paled at what Murtagh said.

"Ah! Y-you don't like that? Well…how's chicken? Do you like chicken!" Murtagh asked desperately. Tornac turned even whiter and his eyes grew wide in horror.

"Ack! You don't like that either!" Murtagh clenched his fists in frustration. "Well…we have other things…Turkey? Um…Pork? Ahhh! Saikoro! Help me!"

Saikoro had sat down on the floor and was twiddling his thumbs impatiently. "Um…Murtagh…buddy…he's a vegetarian…Am I right, kid?"

"Uh…" Tornac just stared at Saikoro with wide eyes.

Murtagh slapped his hand to his forehead. "Eh! I didn't even think about that…Is that true, Tornac?"

Tornac looked up at Murtagh, before returning his gaze to Saikoro. Very slowly, he nodded.

"Okay! Do you like yams? Because Yoko makes the best yam stew!"

"…Sure…" Tornac said meekly.

"Koro! Go tell Yoko to make some gouza for Tornac, alright?"

"Okay…" Saikoro got up from the floor and headed towards the door.

"Here it is!" Saikoro announced walking though the door after a short wait. "Some of Mrs. Yoko's famous gouza, fresh from the pot and made just for Tornac!"

Tornac was sitting up, cross-legged on the bed. Next to him, leaning on the frame of the bed, was Murtagh. Saikoro waltzed over to the half-elf with as much grace he could muster, and held the steaming bowl in front of him. Tornac just stared at him and the bowl blankly.

"You can take it now…My hand's getting kinda tired, ya know?"

"Ah! I-I'm so sor—…um…thank you…" Tornac stuttered.

Saikoro grinned foxishly. "Eat up!"

But when Tornac took the bowl, a small gasp of pain escaped his lips.

"Yah!" he cried out when he touched the blazing china. His hands jerked, causing drops of the yam stew to splatter everywhere. Murtagh straightened immediately and Saikoro bent down next to Tornac.

"Kid!"

"No…I'm sorry…I made such a mess…" Tornac whimpered.

"Don't worry about that, Tornac…How's your hands?" Murtagh asked, examining the half-elf's red hands.

Tornac offered a weak smile. "It's…it's nothing…"

Saikoro stood and shrugged. "Meh…look's like you got yourself a pretty bad burn…Maybe even 2nd degree…"

"Think you can heal him, Koro?"

"Haha! There is nothing the great Saikoro can't heal! Now give me you're hands, kid." Saikoro reached out for Tornac's scalded hands. Tornac obeyed without a word of consent and gave Saikoro his hands. The older boy closed his eyes and suddenly his and Tornac's intertwined hands started to glow. Tingles were sent through every nerve in Tornac's body, causing him to shiver.

But after a few seconds of the pulsations, the prickling ceased. Tornac let out the breath that he didn't know he had been holding.

Saikoro took a deep breath and released Tornac's hands.

"It's done…" he said, brushing his hands off and trying to regain his posture.

Tornac suppressed another shiver and brought his hands back, hugging himself protectively. "It…it really wasn't…wasn't worth it…"

Saikoro shrugged and said, "Hey, I saved you from a lot of pain in the ass blisters…"

"But you wasted all that energy…And on me…you shouldn't have…I'm not worth it…" Tornac stuttered. He held himself tighter and hung his head…which pissed Saikoro off…

"God, will you get more self esteem! I'm so tired of you treating yourself like trash! Yes, I must agree that many are not worthy of my powers…but it was my choice to heal you! So stop beating yourself up like you made a big mistake!" Saikoro yelled.

Tornac seemed to cower at his anger.

"Koro…" Murtagh interrupted calmly. "You said you'd keep your behavior in check around Tornac. Don't forget, you have to be patient around him…"

Saikoro sighed heavily. "Whatever! Murtagh, tell him to eat, okay? I'm tired of being so calm! I need to, like, get rid of this energy somehow!"

Murtagh smiled. "Right. Go ahead, Koro. I'll give Tornac a tour of the west wing. You go have fun."

Tornac looked up at Murtagh innocently, cobalt eyes wide with abrupt surprise. "A…a tour? That—Murtagh, that isn't…it's not necessary…is it?"

"Well of course it is!" Murtagh said, smiling.

"Okay…I can see when I'm not wanted…" Saikoro said playfully behind Murtagh. Then he very dramatically waltzed over to a tall window at the foot of Tornac's bed and flung it open.

"Saikoro…you're not…" Murtagh said cautiously as he began to realize what his friend was about to do.

Saikoro turned his back to the window to face Murtagh and Tornac; Tornac was watching him carefully, worry and disbelief gradually starting to spread across his face. Raising the back of his hand to his forehead in another dramatic gesture, Saikoro closed his eyes, a lighthearted smile dancing on his lips.

"Good bye forever, dear friends! The world shall miss me once I am gone!" With that last statement, Saikoro leaned backwards, falling back-first out of the open window behind him. Murtagh shook his head as he heard Saikoro's laughter from out the window.

"Can't he just use the door like an actual person?" Murtagh looked over at Tornac to see what his reaction was. Just as he had expected, Tornac's eyes were as big as saucers and hadn't left the place where Saikoro had just been. The half-elf glanced at Murtagh with a shocked look, before running towards the open window.

When Tornac looked over the edge, a small gasp escaped his lips before a rush of relief seeped through him. Standing on the ground almost 30 feet below the window was Saikoro. He was totally unscathed.

"…Ah…" Tornac said foolishly.

Murtagh walked over next to him, laughing.

"Heh, you should've seen the look on your face, Tornac! He does this all the time. Ever since he mastered the ability to manage gravity, he's been flying out windows non-stop. The looks people give him are so funny. In fact…I don't think Koro has used a window since his control over gravity…Sometimes it freaks people out though…I didn't really want him to be jumping out windows in front of you. Heh, he'll have to apologize later…"

Tornac clutched his chest and let out a deep breath that he had apparently been holding. "No…no, no! It's fine! I was just surprised…And what do you mean by, 'he mastered gravity'?"

"Meh, it was something he was born with…but it was only a little while ago that he's was able to actually direct his powers on command. Before, things would just randomly happen. I think that might be one of the reasons he doesn't like people very much…I mean, people already treat him like scum. If they knew what he could do, they would shun him completely…" Murtagh watched as Saikoro wandered into the gardens.

"What…what is he…?" Tornac asked cautiously.

Murtagh laughed. "Tornac, I've been trying to figure that out for a while, now…"

A/N: Review, or I'll eat your children! ;D