Hmm, I feel like I should have worked on this a little more, but it's just so hot here... the laptop is melting my fingertips away :((( I typed half of this on my phone... so...like... excuse any spelling errors *blows kiss*

Hope you enjoy?

~ Even the purest of hearts will devour darkness when starving. ~

Vivian rested her hands on her knees, bending over. Her legs were shaking slightly and she became a little dizzy when she straightened up again. There was some rustling behind her and as she turned her head around, a spear passed right by her head. She took a second to gulp and draw in one more breath before she sprinted. Leafs were flying around her as she jumped through bushes, some of the sturdier branches leaving red little marks on her exposed face. She heard a grunt behind her and willed her tired legs to go faster, but they refused to cooperate. One thing was certain, she couldn't keep running for long.

She needed a plan.

She was useless at climbing trees, didn't really know the terrain and had absolutely no clue how to lay traps. All she could do, and did until that very moment, was run around in circles so it would be a little harder for the grounder to track her. It had been a great idea so far, but she needed a new one fast, before her legs completely gave in. She saw an old dried up tree white still running like fer life depended on it and a thought sparked to life in her head.

She ran as fast as she could up to a different tree, then quickly doubled back. She dusted the new pair of tracks and threw fallen leaves and sticks around in hopes it would look natural, then hid in the hollowed tree trunk. It was nasty. It smelled foul and some odd resin stuck to her clothes and hair. Well, at least there were no bugs. It wasn't the best plan ever, but she didn't need to fight him. All she had to do was lose him, then get back as quickly as possible to the cave. Of corse, it proved to be easier said than done...

She listened carefully for any sound, but her drumming heart was all she could hear. Taking a few deep breaths and exhaling slowly, Vivian tried to steady her heart beats. After a few moments she closed her eyes, her lids heavy, but snapped them open just as fast as they had shut. There was no time for resting. She had to bee alert at all times. Peering trough the smaller holes in the trunk she watched the tree line carefully to locate her pursuer. Nothing. Not a movement, not a sound.

It was both terrifying and soothing. She was finally able to relax for a moment, but what if she was a sitting duck? What if her location was known and he was just waiting her her to get out, her guard down thinking he was long gone. As her mind was racing with the endless possibilities, she heard a soft rustling outside her smelly hiding place. She lowered her head to peep trough a smaller hole, just in case he found the decaying tree suspicious. If he did as little as glance her way, she'd bolt the other way and hope he was at least a little tired as well.

The grounder was outside, crouching with his back to her tree. He seemed to be following the false trail she had made earlier. A small smile crept on her lips then widened when he moved even further. He looked up the tree she had stopped with the tracks in font of. The foliage was sparse enough for him to see no one was hiding up there. His eyes moved around the other trees for a while before running off in a different direction. A long breath escaped her lips when she could no longer see him. She was safe. Her head fell backwards and she rested to on the sticky tree bark, not really carrying how incredibly slimy it was. She needed a bath regardless of the yellow goo she was getting on herself. Thinking she should still wait a bit longer before making her way back, she did the one thing she was not supposed to do. She let her guard down. She was not entirely sure where the hand that grabbed her by the collar of her jacket came from. One moment she was resting in the hollowed tree, the next she was being thrown down on the dirt, a spear pressed between her shoulder blades.

"You're dead. Congratulations. " She rolled over when the pressure of the blade was lifted. Roan was looking at her mightily irritated.

"I almost had you."

"Not even close. " He offered her a hand and she took it with the little energy she had left. He had to steady her after he pulled her up too fast, the forest spinning with her.

"You knew the entire time that I was hiding there?" When he nodded she felt the blood rushing to her head but wether it was from embarrassment or fatigue she couldn't tell. "What gave me away?"

"I saw you." She sighed in defeat. She knew he had been holding up; if he had indeed wanted to, he could have captured her, dead or alive, hours ago. Even with the headstart he had granted her. But she had hoped until the last minute that she hadn't been completely outmatched. She scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest; she felt like a little kid playing at the grown ups' table.

"Fine. You win." He raised an eyebrow and gave her that look again, the one she hated, the one that suggested he thought she was all sorts of stupid. Vivian had a strong desire to punch him square in his nose and deal with the consequences later.

"This was not supposed to be a game."

"I know, I know. I took it seriously, I swear. But let's face it. I'm no match to you, or any other grounder out there."

"True." Vivian's eyes found the ground. She said the words herself, but hearing him agree brought a different kind of disappointment. She wanted him to believe in her, in the stubbornness to achieve what her mind was set on despite all odds. She needed him to support her when she lost faith in herself. His fingered grasped her chin and lifted her head, forcing her to look at him. "But you're getting better. I'll make a warrior out of you soon enough."

His words made her feel giddy on the inside. She smiled at him and gave a curt nod as a response, not fully trusting her voice. He released her chin and brushed away a stray lock of hair. She would've thought the gesture sweet, hadn't his fingers gotten stuck in the yellow resin that covered her from head to toe. He pulled a bit, already frowning at the situation.

"Ah, about that..."

"I get there was not much dirt on that Ark of yours."

"Nope, not really. Mostly sparkly steel walls and floors."

"That explains why you love getting dirty so much." He surprised her with a low chuckle that rumbled in his throat. She felt her face heating and wished he wasn't standing so incredibly close to her. He could probably hear the her drumming heart and she really didn't want to give the grounder another reason to tease her.

"Let me." She brought her own hands to tug at her hair, but Roan had somehow managed to coil her hair around two of his fingers. The goo was sticky and held her tassels firmly. "How on Earth did you get it so tangled?" It had been stuck rather close to her face so it was hard to actually see what she had to do.

"You're doing it wrong and only hurting yourself." His other hand joined in the mess and pushed her hands away. He was surprisingly gentle. For some reason she envisioned him getting angry and just pulling his stuck hand away. But Roan took with care small portions of the glued hair and pulled it slowly. Vivian could only stare at his face, his lips pressed tight, his eyes sharp and brows slightly furrowed in concentration. She eyed the crescent scars on his temples and wished her hands were not so dirty so she could trace them. When he was done, he tossed it over her shoulder. "You should wash that before it dries off."

His eyes traveled over her, probably assessing the damage and nothing more, but Vivian was suddenly aware of how incredibly disgusting she must have looked. Sweaty, red faced and covered in some yellow tree puke that she didn't care to know what exactly it was. Knowing her luck it was most likely something disturbing. But Roan was inches away from her, his icy blues peering into her very soul and she couldn't look away. Why was he so ruggedly handsome and strong? If she took a step towards him she could glue her body to his; at least something good would come out of all that 'training'. When his eyes closed and he took a deep breath Vivian felt a small pang of pain and took a step back. Her eyes lowered once again to the ground and she had to clear her throat before speaking.

"Yeah, I should go clean myself up." She started walking and was a bit startled when he joined besides her.

"Don't take too long."

"Why?" She eyed him suspiciously, one brow lifted. The smirk playing on his lips spoke of mischief and torture awaiting for her.

"We have more training to do. The day is young."

"But we've been running around all morning? Are not even a little tired?"

"I thought you'd be more excited. After we eat I was thinking I'd show you some defense moves you could use."

"Like... close quarters? Hand to hand combat?" His laugh was ever so enchanting. His hand reached her but backed away at the last moment and Vivian thought he might have wanted to ruffle her hair like he seemed to enjoy doing, but stopped due to the resin she was covered in.

"Combat is a big word for suck a little sky girl."

"Again with the 'little'. I'm only a couple of years younger and you know it!"

"You're a newborn compared to me, little sky girl." She was angry, but Roan had such a calm and cheerful expression that she couldn't stay so for long. He was only teasing, she knew that. She sometimes wondered if he even saw her as a woman or just a little girl. He was confusing. He's look at her like wanted to eat her alive and then, in a blink of her eyes, it would all be gone. He'd caress her face making her dream of his touch, then ruffle her hair like a child's. What was she supposed to understand? It was already difficult for her to understand her own feelings. His mixed signals were driving her insane. "What are you thinking of with such conviction?" Oh, if only he knew...

"Huh? Umm, I was wondering...when you throw sharp things at me, is there even a small chance you might actually impale me? Just curious. "

"You doubt my precision?"

"No, no, I would never. But I was sort of picturing you getting bored of pretending to miss me." His brow lifted and Vivian thought he was trying to look offended, but was failing miserably. The proud smirk was a dead give-away that he could have landed a spear or even a dagger in her skull if the chase had been for real. The rest of the walk to the cave was friendly banter and one too many joke about the state of her clothes and hair. After she gathered some changes, Vi hurried to the river to wash quickly. Unbeknownst to her, steel eyes followed her retreating form until she dissipated between the trees.

Roan frowned as soon as Vivian was out of the cave. He looked after her for a while, his gaze landing on her behind more than a few times. He shook his head and with a sigh he sat down. He felt the little control he had slipping away with every batting of her lashes, with every bounce of her hips and every silly laughter. It was loneliness, he knew that; there was a void inside him and she could fill it for a while perfectly. But what would happen after that? After he went back to be the prince of his nation. He'd have to leave her behind. He was training her for that exact moment when she'd either be on her own or have to return to her own people where she belonged.

He unpacked the meat that was left from that morning's game and tried to keep his mind busy, but everything around that cave was reminding him of his feisty sky girl. His. A curse escaped his lips and he brushed his hand over his hair. He wanted to reason with himself, come to the final and correct conclusion that she was not for him. Vivian was not his anything; not his kin and definitely not his woman! But the more he sorted though his feelings the more he thought about her. He envisioned her big gentle eyes and warm smile, the way she'd shiver sometimes when he brushed his hand past her soft skin and how she'd bite that quivering lip when she was lost in thought or overwhelmed. He punched the hard stone wall; he had to stop placing her on a pedestal. She was not even half as beautiful as the women in the Ice Nation.

That notion, along with the pain in his knuckles, made his train of thoughts stop. Why did he think that? What exactly made her less beautiful, less worthy of appraise? She was not as strong as the women he was used to seeing, that much was true. She was training hard, though, and sooner or later she would be a match for any grounder. But, other than that, what was flawed? He couldn't care less for scars or bruises. In fact, Vivian could use some more, but that could easily be resolved. Her face was pretty and once his eyes would fall on her pouty lips he could hardly think of anything other than kissing them. He dreamt of burying his face in the crook of her neck and nuzzle her silky hair. He would lay in his cot at night and wish she'd be just a little closer so his arms could snatch her and cage her body against his.

"Hey! Are you okay?" His eye, that closed shut at some point, widened in surprise at the sound of her voice. The image before him did little to help the already lost battle he was fighting with himself. She cleaned up rather nicely, the new shirt she was wearing already wet on the shoulder where drips fell from her hair. It was a black mess of tangled teasels, but she looked ravishing nevertheless. What had ever made him think she was anything less than beautiful? "Roan?"

"Yes, I'm fine. You sure took your time." He turned and sat in his usual spot, taking some of the meat and passing the rest to her. He had to calm his raging mind before he did something they'd both regret later.

"What are you talking about? It wouldn't have been humanly possibly to get done any sooner." Her small fingers brushed innocently against his as she took the food. Or was she perhaps doing it on purpose?

"Is that so?"

"You had to see how freaking hard it was to get that stupid goo out of my hair." Had to see? Her naked, her hands roaming her body, droplets of water rolling down her skin? He smirked, the image of Vivian bathing persisting in the back of his head.

"You should have said you wanted my help. It wouldn't have been a burden." She pursed her lips and blushed, looking lost for a second. Vulnerable and bashful. He could so easily have her.

"I believe it's not part of your 'training program'."

"No, it's not. But other thing are." He got up and made his way outside. He reasoned that he had to focus on the important thing, her training. Vivian made her way to him, gathering her hair in a high ponytail. It suited her, though he liked her best with it loose. For the thousandth time that day, Roan struggled to concentrate. "There are a few moves you could use if you're ever caught. You're not too tall and fairly weak-"

"Jee, thanks for the vote of confidence..." She roller her eyes and folded her arms. She tried to look unaffected, but she always sulked a little when he reminded her how frail she really was. He shook his head and continued.

"But you can use that to your advantage. Imagine I'm coming at you." He lifted his arms as if to grab her but didn't move his feet. "What do you do in this situation?"

"I run like hell?"

"How did that work out for you today?"

"Fine, smart guy. What do I do?"

"You duck. Big, scary enemy will think you'll run, so you lower your body and strike for his chin. Come on, try it out." She bit that damn lip pf hers before taking one step towards him and doing as he instructed. Her palm barely touched his chin before retreating.

"Like that?"

"You got the move, but try adding a little force to it." She sighed and went at it again, this time pushing his head backwards. Her body came closer to his and his lips quirked into a sad smile. He was digging his own grave, wasn't he? "Good. Now there are other things you can do when the opponent is stronger than you. Go for the eyes or throat. Even bite the ears if you have to." She looked at him like he was crazy for suggesting such a barbarous thing, making him frown. Before he had the chance of scolding her she sighed loudly.

"Okay, I get it. Even if they seem like cheap blows."

"The fight is already unfair since you were not properly prepared for it. Now, if you're caught from behind." He grabbed her arm and spun her around earning a small yelp from her. Her back pressed to his chest distracted him for a moment, her squirming only making his pants tighten. "That's not effective. What you want to do is bring your elbow backwards to hit me in the face."

"You can read a woman mind, can't you?" Her tone was jovial as she did as instructed. His first instinct was to play along and tease her. but he knew it would be a terrible idea. Her behind was firmer than he expected against him and he had to loosen his hold on her, pushing her a bit forward and holding her hands behind her. "You can go for the legs if your arms are caught and once you get free, hit hard in the face with the elbow."

She was a good little sky warrior. She listened to him and did exactly as told. Roan showed her a few more techniques, walking her trough the basics. Her cheeks were flushed and her brows were furrowed in concentration as she took his arm and twisted it. Well, he let her twist it. She was grinning ear to ear when she had finally gotten the move. He just couldn't resist countering it. Breaking free from her delicate hands, he turned to face her and pinned her arms behind with one hand. His other hand unhooked the small knife from his belt and brought it to her neck. She looked at him with a mixture of annoyance and bewilderment.

"Now, that wasn't nice. You could have warned me." Her mouth moved, instantly catching his attention. He trailed the blade on the tender skin and she gulped. So close, her face inches from his. Her lips were inviting and he thought she was thinking of the same thing, as she kept glancing down and biting those lips as she always did when trying to decide on something. Her voice broke the spell, bringing his glazed ones to her serious stare.

"I'd headbutt you, but I don't want to hurt you…or myself." Oh, but her words brought a different kind of pain. Roan was torn between laughing and showing her how a proper headbutt was done. He ended up doing neither, just glared at her like she said the most stupid thing ever. "You don't have to look at me like that, I was kidding. You could teach me how to headbutt without breaking anything of my own, though." Roan rolled his eyes and smacked his head lightly to hers, dropping the blade and pushing her with his left hand. Vivian was taken aback and stumbled on her own feet before falling on her ass.

"You're dead again." Roan pinched the bridge of his nose. She was getting under his skin. Scratch that, she was already under there, making him imagine all sorts of sinful activities he'd do with her. She was weak and needed him to teach her how to survive, not fuck her. That lone thought brought a series of questions and images he had no time for at that particular moment. He grunted, annoyed at the effect Vivian had on him lately.

"Well, at lest it was by your hands." She dramatically placed the back of her hand to her forehead and feigned dying with a soft whimper, sprawled on the dry ground. He cursed under his breath. The sounds she could make while his hands traveled that body. He would make her moan and beg for him and he'd obey her every little desire. Would it be that bad? He could even take her with him. She'd never be queen, but she'd be at his side. Safe and his. Before he could act on his desires, the image of his mother driving a knife in Vivian's chest stopped his train of thoughts. She'd be dead the second his mother would take notice of the little sky girl; it was a fact. He kicked her in her side not too gently and she let out a different kind of squeal.

"It's not time for rest yet. What do you think it's most important when fighting?"

"Hmm, not falling? "

"Wrong."

"Of course I am wrong. When am I ever ri-"

"Everyone is bested sooner or later, everyone has a bad day and finds himself with his face in the dirt. The trick is getting back up." Roan offered her a hand and as she took it and got to her feet, he braced himself for a long day of training. He managed to stay level headed, pushing away all thoughts about Vivian's curvy ass and pouty lips. The notion of the Ice Nation queen putting an end to the sky girl's life killed any desire that arose when she was close to him. For a short while at least.

As the moon replaced the sun in their sky and Roan was once again in his cot, he found an even longer night awaited him.

So, it was very hard for me to write this since I only wanted to write the next chapter :)) But, yeah, hope it came out alright.

Let me know how weird and all over the place this was :P

Also, If any of you are actually reading the names of the chapters... the answer is "Yes, I kept the color blue just for Blue Balls" He he :))