Author's note: Hey thanks for all the reviews! You guys keep me going. I'm glad you found chapter 2 interesting…thanks for fuming for me, the la-la idiot! You sure made me laugh. Anyway, lets get on to chapter 3. I hope you will enjoy it, and do check out snow-angel-Anna's story as well.
Chapter 3- Dark Secrets
The rising sun covered the sky with colors of red, orange, gold and purple. It was silent except for the occasional chirping of a bird, a silence broken only by the occasional singing of a songbird. It was dawn, the beginning of a new day. Sunlight shone through the window of an inn, casting its light on the sleeping figure of a slim girl with blonde hair.
Kaede opened her hazel eyes and blinked as they focused, then sat up and took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh morning air. Suddenly, the peaceful silence of the morning was broken by a small shout. Kaede turned and saw Lyn tossing and turning on her bed, as if having a nightmare. "Lyn…" Kaede murmured worriedly. Lyn had still been awake, staring out the window when she had gone to sleep.
"NO! FATHER! MOTHER!" Lyn shouted in anguish as she saw her house in flames in front of her. Then, she saw Him on the burning roof, laughing. "You..." She growled, grabbing Heartblade from the ground and jumping onto the roof in one smooth motion. She thrust for His heart, but her expression changed from one of anger to one of horror as He disappeared. Before she knew what had hit her, she felt His sword pierce her from behind. She looked down and saw the end of the sword sticking out from her chest. "I told you not to get in my way…" He said, smirking as her limp body slumped to the ground.
Lyn jerked awake and blinked when she saw light flooding the room. It had only been a nightmare. Lyn sat up and wiped cold sweat from her forehead, then stared at her trembling hands. She could feel her heart pounding so hard her chest hurt. That nightmare might just become a reality if she continued her mission. But no matter the price, she would not give up. He had taken far too many lives, caused far too much pain already. She had to stop him…somehow.
"Are you alright?" Lyn gave a start, jerked out of her thoughts by that concerned voice, then realised that it was only Kaede, staring anxiously down at her. "Yea…I'm fine…" Lyn replied, sliding to the edge of the bed and trying to stand up. "Ugh…" She grunted in pain and fell back down onto the bed. She waved Kaede's hand away and stood up again, gritting her teeth.
Kaede stared anxiously at Lyn as she limped to the corner where they had placed their belongings. Archangel appeared next to Lyn in his spirit form, frowning worriedly at her. Lyn bent down and picked up Kaede's projectile weapon and sling bag and handed them to Kaede. She then took the special scabbard for Heartblade and slung it over her back before sheathing Heartblade into its scabbard. Finally, she grabbed the small clip-on pouch with her equipment and belongings and clipped it onto the scabbard. Kaede whistled and White Dragon flew down from the top of the cupboard onto her shoulder, blinking at her with its ruby red eyes.
Lyn limped out the door, but stopped when she saw Ren and Hao leaning on either side of the door, waiting for them. "Are you alright? You shouldn't be carrying so many things." Hao said, straightening. He held out a hand to help her carry her scabbard, but she waved his hand away, then limped towards the stairs. When she limped past Ren, she saw a flash of concern in his eyes. "I'm fine…I don't need to be carried…" She said, grinning.
Ren followed closely behind Lyn as she limped towards the stairs, his every muscle tense, ready to jump and catch her if she fell. His eyes widened in surprise as she hopped onto the banisters and slid down them, then dismounted smoothly on her right leg at the foot of the stairs. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see Hao laughing. "She's really different from other girls, isn't she?"
Anna stood outside the inn, tapping her foot impatiently. A hot desert wind blew and she let out and exasperated sigh. "What's taking them so long? If they aren't here soon, we're leaving without them!" "Relax, Anna. We're here." Yoh looked up and saw Hao walking out of the inn, a wide grin on his face. A second later, Lyn limped out with Kaede at her side, holding a hand out in case Lyn fell. Ren followed behind them, his arms folded. Yoh looked at Ren and realised with some surprise that his eyes were concerned. "Finally…now let's get going…" Anna said impatiently.
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Lyn removed her scabbard and put it down in a corner of her room at the En Inn. She then limped over to the study table and sat down. When Yoh and Hao had found out that she was transferring over to the high school in the Funbari prefecture, and that it was within the vicinity of the En Inn, they had invited her to stay with them at the inn, which had now been extended so that it consisted of the main house and the inn.
At the American airport, they had bid goodbye to Choco Love, Lyzerg and the Hanagumi. Lyzerg, Marion, Machi and Kanna were returning to their home countries to continue their studies, while Choco Love was going to New York to pursue his career as a comedian. They had then been picked up by the Tao family's private jet.
When they had landed at Funbari airport, Kaede had called her father and found out that they were transferring her over to the same school as Lyn, then Jun had dropped a bombshell by adding that Ren was going to transfer to that school too. Horo Horo had transferred to the domestic flight bound for Hokkaido with Pillica, and after sending them off, they had all returned to the En Inn for dinner.
Lyn's stomach rumbled, reminding her just how hungry she was. Just then, she heard a knock on the door. She stood up and limped over to the door, sliding it open. She saw Hao standing there, giving her a wide grin, and Kaede, who had already changed out of her jeans and was now wearing a white skirt. "You didn't change? Are you ready for dinner?" Hao asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yea…I'm ready…" Lyn said, leaving her room and sliding the door shut behind her.
Hao watched Lyn from the corner of his eye as she limped towards the stairs. She was already panting slightly from the effort. When they reached the stairs, she made as if to hop down the stairs, but before she could move, Hao scooped her up in his arms bridal style and carried her down the stairs and into the dining room.
"PUT ME DOWN!" Yoh looked up in surprise when he heard someone yelling, and he saw Hao walk into the dining room, carrying Lyn in his arms. Hao set Lyn down, then sat down next to her. Lyn glared at him and he smirked. SMACK! Hao stared at Lyn in shock when she whacked his head with her hand, and Yoh began laughing.
Kaede peered at Lyn over the top of the rice bowl. She had felt a twinge of jealousy when Hao had carried Lyn down the stairs, but she had no idea why. His every smile was a gentle tug on her heartstrings, but she could not explain why.
After dinner, they all sat around the table, talking. Yoh and Ren were talking about the finals of the Shaman fight and Faust was discussing the En Inn with Anna while Hao told Kaede and Lyn about the ghosts which had lingered around the inn before Anna had succeeded in chasing them out.
"Tell that old man to give it up and stop sending assassins after me…" As Lyn suddenly recalled what He had said, fear passed through her eyes. "Umm…may I use the phone?" Lyn asked, standing up. Yea…sure…it's just down the hall, in front of the toilet. Here. I'll show you…" Hao said, making as if to stand up. "I'll show her…I need to use the toilet anyway…" Ren interrupted, standing up.
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"So as soon as your ankle heals, you'll come back to get your stuff?" Lyn sighed in exasperation. They had been through similar situations several times already, but no matter how she reassured her parents that she could look after herself, they still insisted on treating her like a child. But that was not why she had called them. "Father…stop sending assassins after Him. I can handle it on my own. Please. Stop putting your life and mother's life at risk." Lyn begged her father.
Lyn's father protested and they argued for awhile, but she finally convinced him to see things from her perspective. She put the phone receiver down, breathing a sigh of relief, but that sigh of relief turned into a gasp of horror when she saw Ren staring at her, eyes wide with shock.
"How long have you been standing there?" Lyn asked, her voice shaking. "I heard…everything. What are you trying to do which is so dangerous?" Ren asked, his eyes flooded with concern. "It's a small family…problem…nothing to be worried about…" Lyn replied, walking away.
Ren stared at Lyn's back as she walked away. Just what was going on? Lyn was involved in something dangerous. He was sure of that. But what? One thing was for sure…he would not let her come to any harm. He didn't understand the tenderness he felt for her, but he would protect her with his life.
You were there for me
You were listening silently
You didn't force the answers out
So, maybe now…my turn has come
To listen to you
To comfort you
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Yoh was nodding off to sleep when Ren came bursting into the dining room. "Ah…Ren…just in time…shall we…" "Jun…you head back to the apartment first. I'm going to be late. Do any of you know where Lyn went?" Ren cut in before Jun could complete her sentence. There was a sense of urgency in his voice which Yoh had never heard before. Hao frowned and stood up. "What happened to her? I'll go talk…" "She said something about going to the park." Anna interrupted and Ren immediately ran out the front door.
"Stop it, Hao. I get the feeling that we should just leave the two of them alone for now." Yoh said when he saw Hao stand up and walk to the front door. Hao scowled but stopped anyway. "I'm heading to my room…" He growled, before walking out of the dining room. "Jun…we should get going too. I'm sure Ren will be able to take care of himself." Jun nodded when Pai Long said this. "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Anna." Jun said before walking out the front door with Pai Long.
"Well, we should be going to bed too…" Yoh said as he stood up and stretched. "But…Lyn…" Kaede protested, biting her lip. "She'll be fine. She's strong, isn't she?" Anna said as she stood up and left the dining room. Kaede sat at the table, unsure of what to do. "Don't worry…she'll be fine." Yoh said, flashing her a grin. Kaede slowly nodded her head and walked up to her room."
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Ren ran around the park, looking out for Lyn. Suddenly, a white figure with a glowing aura caught his eye. It was Archangel, looking down worriedly at his mistress. Lyn was sitting on a grassy field, hugging her legs towards her chest, head on her knees. "Lyn…" Ren walked towards Lyn silently. When he was standing beside her, he put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off and turned her body away. Ren growled and sat down next to her with a sigh.
"Leave me alone…" Lyn growled, her voice muffled. "No. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a girl to be out alone at this time of the night?" Ren said, trying to make his voice cheerful. "I can DAMN WELL take care of myself and you BLOODY WELL know it!" Lyn shouted in anger. Ren looked up in shock and saw that Lyn's eyes were red, as if she had been crying. "You were…crying?" Ren asked in disbelief.
"So I was crying…what's it to you?" Lyn said coldly as she stood up and started to walk away, but Ren reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back.
"You told me that you believe that if people don't say anything about their problems, it's because they are not ready. I agree with you. But sometimes, people don't say anything because they are afraid that others will not understand or that others will not want to listen. Sometimes, just sometimes, people need a push in the right direction. Whatever it is, I just want you to know that I'm ready to listen, anytime." Ren flushed when he finished his sentence.
This is so unlike me
I never used to say such tender words
There's just something about you
That makes me want to give you my heart
Lyn stared at Ren in a stunned silence, then sat back down beside him. "I will not put anyone else at risk…" She mumbled to herself. Ren looked at her, raising an eyebrow questioningly. "I can't tell you what I'm doing…that will only get you involved and put you at risk. This is MY problem, and MINE alone, and I will not implicate anyone else." Lyn told him, her voice and face determined. Ren stared at Lyn in silence.
At that moment, you looked so determined
And I saw how strong you were
And yet, your eyes were scared
And I realised how fragile you were
And I vowed never to let any harm come to that strong yet fragile heart.
"Let's look at the stars…" Lyn looked at Ren in surprise. "What!" "Let's look at the stars and see what we can find…" Ren repeated himself, then lay down on the grass.
"See that group of stars over there? That's Taurus. And that group over there? That's Gemini." Ren told Lyn, pointing out the groups of stars. "I do know the constellations…" Lyn told him quietly. They lay there in awkward silence for awhile.
"Sorry. I'm just upset. What is your favourite constellation? Mine is Orion. I think that it looks a little like a hunter." Ren looked at the peaceful smile on Lyn's face, the look of awe in her eyes. "I really like Leo. It looks just like a lion. But right now, my favourite star is the one lying next to me. Sure, it's a little dull now, but I believe that soon, it will begin shining again, brighter than ever." Ren said, grinning when Lyn punched his arm.
Ren looked at Lyn and saw her looking at the stars with a dreamy expression on her face. He turned his head back and looked up towards the sky, deep in thought.
What is this tender feeling inside of me
For you who caused it to be
It seems so alien, so foreign in me
And yet it fits in perfectly
"Well, we should be heading back now…come on…I'll escort you back to the inn…" Ren turned Lyn when there was no reply, and saw that she was fast asleep, a small smile on her lips. He smiled and gently scooped Lyn up in his arms and walked out of the park slowly, making sure not to wake her.
"I have never seen master so gentle to anyone, even Miss Jun, before." Bason appeared next to Ren suddenly, and Ren gave a start and slipped, nearly losing his footing. He regained his balance and continued walking, flushing furiously. "Shut up, Bason…"
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Hao felt a twist in his stomach when he saw Ren approaching the inn with Lyn in his arms. He could have been the one to comfort her. He now knew for sure that what he felt for her was not simply the love for a younger sister. The jealousy came too often when Ren managed to make her smile for it to be that. He would win her heart, whatever it took.
It makes me happy to see you smile
It makes me sad to see you down
I want to be the one you love
The one who gives you reason to smile
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He watched as Lyn was carried back to the inn by a kid with purple spiked hair. So she had warned the old man not to send assassins after him anymore. He had known that she would be a good little girl and see it his way.
No matter the courage with which she declared "I will handle it", she was slowly crumbling inside. She would be broken soon.
First, he would put an end to her peaceful and happy life. And that was only the beginning. The beginning of hell for her. He laughed, an evil laugh which sent chills down a person's spine.