Jeez...sorry it took so long to update this thing. I have to admit I completely forgot about it -- Well I put in a little extra effort this time around to make up for it, I'm really close to being done with the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I own Akina and everything else that I make-up, thats it.

Chapter 4 Interrogations, Miracles, and Agreements

I was in the mountains of Barr, training. Fighting everything I saw, beating all of them effortlessly. I came across an air dragon. I knew it wasn't a good idea to fight one especially not on your own. It was massive. I was searching for a way around the creature, when I heard someone coming up behind me. It was someone that looked a lot like Albel but...I was sure it wasn't. He walked past me as if I wasn't even there, went right up to the air dragon and took out his katana. He started yelling at it and fighting it. He was losing, it was injuring him badly. But his own rage was pushing him on. I heard someone else coming I swung around...it was a teenage boy, and then I realized that the man that was fighting the dragon must've been Albel's father. I knew in my heart that this boy was Albel. Again he never even noticed me there. He took out his own sword and went to help his father. The dragon noticed the boy running at him and suddenly lost all interest in Albel's father. It went straight for him mouth open ready to kill him with it's fire breath. Albel never stopped running, until I noticed his father get up and run in front of his son. I gasped as I watched the dragon shoot fire out on his father. Albel reached out to him but his arm hit the flame burning it badly...he pulled back. I started to cry when I saw Albel fall to the ground, paralyzed from fear. He too, was crying, looking at his father dead on the ground before him. He looked up at the dragon, it just flew off, sparing Albel's life. He screamed at it to come back...but it never did. Then it appeared that Albel was looking right at me, crying still. Just as I was. "Don't be like me..." he said "...be able to protect the people you care about most."

I woke up to someone banging on my door. I must've been crying in my sleep...my cheeks were wet. Then my door swung open, Albel charging inside.

"Get up fool. You need to start moving so your wounds heal as quickly as possible."

"You actually want me to get better now?" I asked. Albel's face got really defensive. Not wanting me to think he actually cared about someone other than himself.

"Bah, I only want you to get better so we can leave to take care of my little problem, in case you forgot fool."

"Who said I'm even going to go with you. I haven't made my decision yet." I said. Albel didn't say a word but I knew he was wondering if he just blew any chance of me going with him. It took me a while to notice that he was staring at me.

"Yes?"

"You've been crying in your sleep all night. Why? It's bothersome." He asked. I wiped my cheeks realizing that they were still wet.

"Ah, so you do care a little about me." Albel flinched when he heard me say that, then quickly answered,

"Not at all, worm. Just wanted to know so I can make you stop. So I can actually get some sleep." He was blushing, slightly. I was about to tell him...but then I realized I couldn't tell him. Not without having me go red in the face too.

"Well?" He asked, getting impatient with me.

"Nightmares."

"Nightmares? Of what?"

"I can't...tell you." Albel heard that and suddenly became very interested in knowing what my nightmares were about. He was questioning me. He wouldn't let it go. He really wanted to know just because I said that I wouldn't tell him.

"You really don't like it when people say you can't know something, don't you?" I asked, irritated

"Yes, that and the fact that I love to argue with people till they reach their breaking point." He said, laughing

"You're horrible."

"I try to be."

"Albel? Why are you in here?" Woltar asked. Woltar and Saku were coming up to check on me. Albel never answered, just stared at him. I noticed that Saku had some bandages in her hand.

"Was he bothering you?" Woltar asked. Albel looked at me. It was like he was begging me to say no.

"No, not really" I said. Albel exhaled, relieved that I had been kind enough to cover for him. But Woltar saw right through it, I could tell.

"Okay, as long as he's not bothering you, he can stay and help." Woltar said

"Help...with what?" Albel asked

"Rebandaging the wounds that you inflicted on the poor girl, you brute." Saku said. Albel's eyes narrowed.

"I did what needed to be done, and nothing more."

"Oh, so you needed to hurt her like this?" Saku asked

"Yes, to let her know who she was dealing with." He said as Saku began to undo the bandages.

"Albel, don't just stand there, get over here and help, it's the least you can do for her." Saku said sharply. Albel stood there for a moment before answering

"Fine..but don't think think this means you can order me around" Albel said

"Well, you say you needed to show me who I was dealing with. You accomplished your goal, I know now that I'm dealing with a stubborn, ruthless, and self-centered man." I said. Albel nodded his head as he walked over to me and he started to unwrap the bandage on my wrist.

"As long as you understand." he said, looking right at me. I couldn't help but wonder why he wanted people to think of him that way. Why he thought he had to prove himself by fighting. Why he wanted people to hate him.

"I don't believe this..." Saku said

"What?" I asked

"They're gone...all of the wounds are...gone. Look." She was right. I didn't believe it myself. Albel finished unwrapping the bandage on my wrist and that one was gone too.

"But how?" Albel asked

"I don't know." I said

"Is there any pain?" Saku asked

"No, there isn't any pain at all." I said

"What a mysterious woman you are...well, that means you need to make up your mind today what your going to do." Albel said

"Yeah...okay." I said as he left the room with Saku. I was still trying to figure out how I healed so fast. After I had made my decision, that night I got changed into my normal clothes. When I was ready I went down into the audience chamber. Both Albel and Woltar were there.

"Have you made a decision?" Woltar asked

"I have."

"And?" Albel said, anxious to know what I had decided.

"After careful consideration…I decided…that I'll help you." I said. I don't think I've ever seen Albel look so pleased.

"That's wonderful! I'm glad. Is there anything you need for the trip?" Woltar asked. I suddenly remembered that I needed to go to Aqios to buy that sword, I told him what I needed and Albel said that we would head there tomorrow morning.

I know, waited a long time for a little chapter. but like I said before, next chapter is REALLY close and again PLEASE leave a review! It really doesn't take that long, five minutes tops! C'mon is it so much to ask? I'd do it for you