Notes:
Yahoo! After surviving a whirlwind of school I've been on a well deserved break. That actually gave me some time to write. So here we have another action packed chapter (or as action packed as shonen-ai fics get). I like writing. I'm so glad I took it up again.

I don't Fire Emblem or any of its characters.

Chapter Three:
From Nowhere to Somewhere

Ordinary days aren't always so ordinary.

An orange glow filled the sky as the sun began to set. Wil spent the day nursing Rath back to health. Although the nomad was still knocked out his condition improved immensely. The remedies Wil applied had closed Rath's wound. It was only a matter of time before he regained consciousness.

Wil stroked Rath's head absentmindedly. "It's too bad you're not awake. The sun is so pretty."

The young archer lost himself in thought. Rath barely talked and yet Wil felt like the luckiest guy alive. It was a strange feeling for Wil. Whenever Rath was around life seemed perfect.

"It's too bad you never lived with me in Pherae. I could've introduced you to all the cool people in town. Like Rebbecca and Dan and those cute girls though..." Wil trailed off, seized with horror. "...they aren't as cute as you...In two days, I have had more feelings for you than Ellen, Rebbecca, Natasha, and Lyn all put together. Rath, I always want to be by your side."

"Mmhm of course." Wil yelped. Did Rath hear everything he just said?

"Thank you Lyn." Wil let a out a sigh of relief. Rath was only sleep talking. There was nothing to fear.

"It's an honor to fight beside such a beautiful warrior." Wil cursed so loudly he startled Rath's horse. It whinnied and almost took off. Rath grumbled and rubbed his eyes. The nomad was finally awake.

"Rath! Are you alright?"

"Yeah...I'll be fine." The nomad rose to his feet and went to comfort his horse.

"I'm glad. I'm sorry about what happened earlier. If only I were paying more attention. I could've protected you better."

"No...don't apologize. You acted heroically under pressure. If anything, I am the one who is at fault."

"You?" Wil was surprised. "But you're so perfect and everything."

Rath laughed softly. "Thanks but that's not true. I was wrong to judge you so quickly and harshly. I should've treated you more like a companion."

"Thanks Rath! I promise I'll be better from now on."

Rath changed the subject. "Why don't we meditate together when we get back to camp?"

"Really?"

"Yes. It's the least I could do for the man who saved me."

Wil blushed heavily. "It was nothing."

"Shh, I sense the enemy. Get behind this tree."

Wil obeyed and the two companions watched the sky. They saw a clumsy figure barreling towards them. Wil clutched a small dagger he had in his pocket. There was no way he would fail Rath a second time.

"Umm...Wil? Is that you?" A shy young girl descended from an equally shy pegasus.

"Florina!" Wil forget about Rath for a moment and went to greet rider. "It's so nice to see you! Where are the others?"

"I...um...well I-"

"That's ok Florina," Lyn interrupted. "I'll talk to Wil."

"Lady Lyndis," Wil hid his contempt. "How're you?"

Lyn smiled. "Fantastic. The battle went smoothly and everyone is now resting. We found Ninian, Nil's sister and..." Wil could not focus on the conversation. He was too annoyed with Lyn for stealing Rath.

"...I'm so happy to see you both are alive and well! Everyone was worried. Why don't we head back to the castle? It's been a long day."

"Sounds like a good idea Lyn," Rath said.

"But what about Rath's horse?" Wil asked.

"Hmm," Lyn thought. "I have an idea. Wil, why don't you ride back with Florina and I can accompany Rath on his horse. I do have some horsemanship experience."

Wil wanted to tell Lyn to jump off a cliff. What he actually said was, "That sounds like a good idea but isn't Florina scared of men? Wouldn't it be better if you go back with her, so she doesn't get so distracted that she falls or something?"

"Um...I really enjoy riding with you Lyn," Florina added.

Lyn sighed with disappointment. "Ok then. We'll meet you guys back there. Oh, Dorcas is cooking again, so dinner will be good." Lyn and Florina mounted the Pegasus and flew away.

"Wait!" Wil called out nervously. "They never told us where they were."

Rath smiled. "Lyn had given explicit instructions. Didn't you listen?"

"Are you mocking me again?" Wil pouted.

"I'm only admiring your affinity for directions."

-o-o-o-o-o-

Sain sat impatiently while his partner Kent served dinner. He fought all day and had nothing to eat since breakfast.

"Come on Kent. When will I get my food?"

"Aren't you the one who's always reminding me to 'serve the fair maidens' and 'be a chivalrous knight'?"

Sain glared at Kent. "How are knights like ourselves supposed to protect fair maidens if we die of starvation?"

"Fine, fine." Kent relented and served his impatient friend. Usually Sain was easy going but when it came to food the green cavalier could get grouchy.

"Sain, you shoulda saw how heroic Erky was today! Why when that awful man attacked I surely thought I was a goner." Sain was too busy checking Serra out to listen to her rambling story. The cleric was fairly attractive. She wore a long pink gown with elaborate illustrations of religious icons. The outfit was complemented by her pink hair and adorable dimples.

"Um, yes. Maiden Serra, do you think I was heroic today?"

She giggled. "Heehee, maybe."

"Thank you." Sain rolled his eyes. Serra was as beautiful as she was hard to get. He would have to try again later.

As Sain excused himself from dinner he noticed Wil was missing. He's so much fun to be around, thought Sain. Wil always has good jokes and stories.

Sain saw Wil sitting in dimly lit room by himself. The green cavalier recognized Wil's predicament immediately. Love sickness. Trying to contain his enthusiasm Sain went to great his lonely comrade.

"Sir Wil," the cavalier began, "may I join you?"

"Uh sure Sain," Wil responded. He was less perky than usual and clearly distracted.

"Ah yes, it was a most glorious day of combat. It feels so great to right the wrongs in the world. Don't ya think?"

"Yeah sure," Wil muttered.

"In fact, we even saved a beautiful woman." Sain added a little emphasis woman.

"Who, um yeah. Ninian. Right." Wil was definitely out of it.

The cavalier smirked. "Sir Wil, would you care to tell me about your love sickness?"

"Love what?" Wil immediately got defensive. "I'm fine Sain. I'm just tired. Believe it or not, I'm not an endless source of energy."

"You're not fooling me Sir Wil." Sain pressed on. "I'd recognize that look anywhere."

"Damn it Sain!" Wil snapped. "I'm not lovesick. I almost died today! My companion almost died today! I'm exhausted and just need a little time to myself."

"No need to get defensive sir Wil."

"Can't you ever mind your damn business?"

"Hmph!" Sain was offended. "I suppose you don't want my help then. Too bad because I'm an expert on love."

"Oh really? Is hitting on every girl in existence your definition of love?"

"I treat all beautiful woman with the utmost respect."

Wil laughed. "Sure you do. And look at all the success you have. You don't even have the emotional sensitivity to know I want to be left alone."

Sain glared at Wil. "I was only trying to be a good friend and fellow companion."

"Yeah, well, I've met bloodthirsty bandits who are better friends than you do."

The cavalier calmed himself. "Sir Wil, I was only trying to help. You aren't acting like your normal self."

"Maybe because I need some time alone?"

"But the sir Wil I've grown to know hates alone time."

Wil spat. "Yeah, I almost died today. Don't you think that's enough of a reason for alone time?"

"No," Sain said plainly. "You've had your share close calls and laughed them off. I think you're upset over a lover. I've acted this way too many times to not see it."

"So what if I am? It's not your business."

"Sir Wil," Sain began. "I am sorry. I had lost my temper and it's not right. I will take my leave if you wish. However, you are my friend and I want to help you. Besides, I am in your debt for all those great stories and jokes you tell."

"S-See," Wil stuttered. "I'm sorry for being such a jerk. It's just there's this...person I realize that I-"

"Have become enamored with," Sain finished for him. "So it seems you have your eyes on a lovely lass. Maybe I could help you."

"Well, it's not e-exactly a lass."

"Then who? Unless..."

Sain smiled wickedly. "Sir Wil, do you fancy me?"

"No," Wil nearly yelled. "I mean, that'd never work ever."

"I bet you'd love it if I slept with you."

"Ye-NO!"

"Then who?" the cavalier pressed on. "It's obviously not a maiden."

"Rath." Wil felt dirty as the name slid out his mouth.

"Of course!" Sain smacked himself in the head. "It's so obvious."

"It is?" Wil sounded nervous.

"Well to me it is. I told you I'm an expert on love."

"Right. Um, sorry for being so mean before," Wil apologized. "Between that and the nearly dying it's kind of taken a lot out of me."

"Understandable sir Wil."

"Wait, you don't have a problem with uh...me. Do you?"

Sain chuckled. "Of course not sir Wil. I've met many men in my day who fancy men. It always seemed quite silly to me to only fancy men. But alas, I wasn't put on this Earth to understand such a peculiar thing."

"Thanks." Wil impulsively hugged his companion.

"Excuse me," Sain pushed Wil away. "That was sweet but I think we need to discuss the matter at hand."

"Of course." Wil withdrew, feeling embarrassed.

"First of all, what does sir Rath think about you?"

"Rath used to not like me but today he apologized."

"What'd he say?"

Wil smiled. "Rath told me that he was wrong to judge me so quickly. He looked so much happier today. I mean, he still hardly talks but it was..."

"Magical?"

"Yeah, I suppose so." Wil blushed.

"What you need to do," Sain instructed, "is first to keep fighting by sir Rath's side. Talk to him and get to know him better, which shouldn't be a problem for you. Now, what you need to do is ask sir Rath to spend time with you alone."

"Like a date? " Wil was nervous.

"Precisely! Ask sir Rath to go for a walk with you, practice archery, or partake in some other satisfying activity. The closer you get to him the more intimate you can get."

"Rath did ask me to mediate with him." Wil looked away. "But I haven't been on a real date before. How am I supposed to get Rath to like me? What if Rath doesn't even like other guys that way? What if he hates me?"

"No more questions," Sain commanded. "Firstly, I shall train you. Tomorrow morning bright and early. Secondly, I'll do some digging and send one of my associates to get more information about sir Rath."

"What?" Wil was confused. "What're you? A marquess?"

"No. Lady Serra and I have become good friends. Although she's a difficult one to woo."

"Um...right. So what is this 'training' and how will it get me ready?"

Sain grinned. "Well..."

(Possibly) Humorous Endnotes:
Will Sain's training by inane or insane?