Chapter 4
Last nights visit with Bane was thankfully uneventful. I stood in the shadows to allow them some privacy like I had before. Their conversational topics mostly consisted of her training and his recuperation. Though, they did have a short conversation about me. In which Talia explained to Bane that she trusts me and that I wouldn't harm her. Which was true, though Bane didn't seem convinced. After Talia let out a big yawn I stepped out of the shadows.
Knowing that this meant we were leaving, Talia and Bane said their goodnights. Talia walked over to me and grabbed my hand. I glanced at Bane and when my eyes met his I felt a shock run up my spine. Not quite sure what this feeling was, I quickly glanced away from him, hoping to rid myself of this oddity. Clutching Talia's hand I escorted her to her room and briskly walked to mine. Even though she'd only slept in the same bed as me once before, I felt emptier than usual without Talia curled up next to me last night. I'm used to this feeling though, so it didn't take long for me to surrender to the eternal blackness of my dreams.
This morning, as it is every morning, I was woken from slumber by the gong. Like always, I get up braiding, binding, and covering. I slip on my combat boots and head towards the door. Walking down the stone corridor, currently lit up by the sun roof, I walk into the mess hall and spot Talia already seated at our table. I grab my tray and sit down next to her. She smiles up at me before she returns her full attention to her own breakfast. I look down at my bland bowl of porridge and glass of water and also start eating.
When we both had finished our meals we walk side by side and return our dirty trays before going to our separate training rooms. I push myself harder today, my muscles constantly straining and burning with protest. I wanted to momentarily forget about my confusing and unnameable feelings that were developing for not only Talia, but surprising, also for Bane. I hoped that by letting my training consume me, I could distract myself from these growing feelings. I was sadly disappointed. My mind repeatedly drifted to thoughts of Bane and Talia. I think Bane's curious stares were finally getting to me.
The gong sounded, meaning training was over and dinner was ready. I take my time walking to the mess hall, trying to relax my muscles. I grab my dinner of chicken and maize and take my seat next to Talia. She was to busy eating at first, so she didn't notice me when I silently sat next to her. When she finally realized I was sitting next to she smiled up at me.
"May we go see Bane after dinner?" she asks.
I don't really want to see Bane right now with my feelings still unsettled, so I think of an excuse.
"We have both been exerting ourselves in training today and you look like you're half asleep. Maybe we should wait until tomorrow before we go and visit Bane. I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate our sweaty smell disturbing him."
Now she's looking at me with the most adorable pleading look I have ever seen. Even though I am trained to resist, I don't think it's possible for anyone to deny her wishes while she's making that face.
"Fine," I say in exasperation, "we can go see Bane tonight, but we both need to take showers first."
She looks up to me and gives me a thankful smile and we both continue eating. We finish our meals and go to take our much needed showers. I release a sigh upon entering my room and kicking my shoes off. I start stripping while walking to the bathroom and leave a trail behind me. I turn on my shower and wait for it to become scalding hot. When the bathroom is filled with so much steam that I can barely see anything three feet in front of me, I step into the shower. At first my muscles tense before slowly becoming relaxed while I get used to the blistering water. I scrub myself with my lavender scented soap and wash all the sweat and grime off.
After looking myself over and feeling satisfied that I am no longer dirty, I step out and dry myself off with my black towel. I wrap the towel around myself and fix it so that it won't fall off. I comb all the knots out of my easily tangled hair and walk out of the bathroom. Sitting on the bed is none other than Bane. Dangling my makeshift bra from his outstretched hand.
"I believe you owe me an explanation," he states slowly raising his eyes to meet mine, "though as much as I admire the view I would rather you clothe yourself first."
I had momentarily forgotten that I was standing in nothing but a towel. Cursing myself for forgetting to bring my clothes with me to the bathroom, I hurriedly grab them off my bed and make my way back to said room. I put on my sleep clothes and walk out readying myself for my upcoming interrogation.
Looking up at me he asks his first question, "Do you mind explaining this", gesturing to myself by motioning his hand up and down while it's directed at me, "to me?"
I take in a big breath of air, "My actual name is Serenity. When I was a child The League of Shadows came to my home. After the betrayal of my father and the death of both of my parents. I was left alone with one man, who tried to kill me. Instead I killed him and Ra's decided to offer me a position in The League. I accepted, not wanting to die. At first he didn't know I was a girl, but eventually it became obvious. He ordered me to keep this a secret and I agreed."
He nods his head in acknowledgment before continuing, "What is your business with Talia?"
"I don't have any ill intentions towards Talia. She was simply put under my watch while Ra's went to retrieve you and we have slowly bonded."
"If you harm her in any way I will not hesitate to kill you."
"I expected as much."
Before he could reply to my statement, there was a rapid knock at the door.
"Come in," we both called out in unison.
The door slowly creaked open revealing the confused face of Talia. At first she glanced at me, but she then noticed Bane and rushed to his side.
"I'm glad to see you are no longer on bed rest," she said while hugging him.
Still practically sitting on his lap, she beckoned me over. I cautiously sat next to them on the bed and she clutches my hand. Bane glances bemusedly at me over her head. I stare back into his concentrated gaze, before I can no longer take the intensity of it and break my eyes away from his. I look down at Talia, who is currently looking up at the both of us with a happy and content smile lighting up her features and as much as it unsettles me I feel content too.
Author's Note: I normally don't like to get personal in my author's notes, but I feel like I owe you guys an explanation. I was typing out this chapter on my moms laptop and I was finally done revising it when it died. The charger was not working at all. So being hopeful I unplugged my flash drive and plugged it into the dinosaur sitting on our desk, but, with my luck, it did not save anything I had just typed. So, my mom told me we would go and get a charger for it last weekend, but when we went to Wal-Mart (a department store) their cheapest one was $50.00 and my mom said and I quote "I don't have fifty dollars just lying around to spend on a charger." So, I mentioned the fact that I really needed the chapter it didn't save and then she proceeded to glare at me. So, then I had to retype the whole chapter on the dinosaur. I'm terribly sorry for the long wait.