Here would be the next chapter of this story. This particular part of the story gave me trouble because it upset me a bit. I had to stop and start, but in the end, the result was worth it. It did veer slightly from my original idea. Heck, the whole story veered from my original idea. What I didn't mention in the first chapter is that originally when I started this story, I got 3 pages into it and decided it sucked hardcore. So I decided to rewrite it and the new version ended up flowing easily. I think you'll enjoy it as well.

It was well into the night when Aaeru woke suddenly from her slumber. She had been sleeping in the main living area on a feather mattress. She sat up, unable to sleep for some reason. She rubbed her eyes sleepily. She saw a dim light flickering from Neviril's room. Neviril should have been sleeping too. Aaeru wondered if perhaps she couldn't sleep as well. Her bare feet padded across the cool wooden floor, and her hand quietly pushed open the door. "Couldn't sleep either, Nev—" Aaeru stopped mid-name. There sat Neviril, naked, in a tub of hot water, while Amuria sponged her backside, mouth next to Neviril's ear.

The silence in the room was stifling. None of them spoke, and the seconds continued to tick by. Aaeru didn't know what to think of the scene before her. "I…I'm sorry," she apologized finally, backing out of the room and returning to her bed. She pulled the blanket over her head and pretended to sleep. She wished she had never seen what she'd just witnessed, but she wasn't sure why.

"Now Aaeru probably thinks something happened," spoke Neviril softly.

"Nothing did."

"That's not what she saw!"

"I was whispering to you so I wouldn't wake her."

Neviril lowered her head. "She doesn't know that."

"What's so bad about her seeing us?"

"Amuria! You don't mean to say…"

"Would it really be so bad if something did happen?" asked Amuria, letting the question hang in the air.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true!"

"It is not, Amuria," replied Neviril. She looked up, only to notice Amuria leaning closer. "Don't…"

Amuria moved closer. "Tell me you don't want it," she whispered softly. "And I'll stop."

Neviril could feel Amuria's warm breath tickling her skin. Every second brought her slowly closer. Was Amuria right? Was this what she wanted? She… An image of Aaeru popped into her mind. Aaeru, confessing that she loved her. Herself, kissing the cell wall, longing for Aaeru. Her eyes widened, and she stood, throwing Amuria off balance in the process. Water dripped from her skin, which met the cold air. She shivered, but she needed to be away. "I don't want it," she stated calmly.

Sighing, Amuria stood as well. She looked at Neviril and handed her a towel. Neviril dried off, and began putting on the tan tunic and pants Amuria had provided for her. Amuria didn't say another word, dumping the bath water out one of the windows. She then picked up the basin and removed it from the room.

Neviril took a deep breath. She had to speak to Aaeru. She would not let this drive a wedge between them. She wasn't sure what Aaeru was thinking, only that it wasn't fair to her. Gathering her courage, she slipped out of the room, making her way to where Aaeru slept. She found the blanket pulled over Aaeru's head, and for a moment, considered leaving her alone. No, she wouldn't back away like a coward. "Aaeru?" she called softly. She saw movement beneath the blanket. "Aaeru?"

The blanket stirred once more and the top slowly slid down. A crop of blonde hair peeked out. Neviril reached out, pulling the blanket down to uncover Aaeru's face. She saw the fear reflected in those bright green eyes, and knew that she had caused it, even if Aaeru had no idea what she felt. She smiled softly. "Can we talk?"

"I guess so," replied Aaeru. She sat up, drawing her knees up.

"It's not what you think…what you saw in there," began Neviril. She realized it sounded as though she were making excuses for her behavior. She reached out for Aaeru's hand, but Aaeru pulled back.

"What was it?" asked Aaeru.

The truth. She would tell the truth. "I felt disgusting. I've laid in bed since we got here, and I felt dirty. Amuria prepared a bath for me when she saw me awake. She was only helping me, nothing more."

"Why couldn't you do it yourself?"

"What?"

"Why couldn't you bathe yourself?"

Aaeru had a point. Why had Amuria been helping her? Because Amuria had offered and she had accepted without thinking. "Amuria offered to. I didn't think my answer through before I told her yes."

"You still like her, don't you?" It wasn't as much of a question, as it was a statement.

"I do," replied Neviril honestly. She realized how terrible that sounded. "But it's you I love, Aaeru."

Silence settled over the room. Aaeru didn't answer, and Neviril was afraid she wouldn't answer. "I'm not sure you do."

Neviril's eyes went wide. "That's…that's not true."

"When you thought she was dead, it was. Now that you know she's alive, you don't know. Maybe you always wanted her. I don't know," replied Aaeru softly, looking away.

Neviril felt her heart tearing in two. She wanted to reach out and comfort Aaeru. She wanted to hold her close and not let go. A tear slid down her cheek, followed by more. She sobbed softly, feeling that the few inches separating the two was so much more.

Aaeru heard Neviril crying, and forced herself not to look. She couldn't… the sound began to get to her and her mood began to change, the heavy feeling settling in her stomach. She reached up to rub her eyes, and realized her face was wet too. She was crying. She looked at Neviril, astonished at her own reaction. Neviril reached out again, and this time, Aaeru did not pull away. Instead, she settled against Neviril, who wrapped her arms around her body. Each of them cried with the other, no words spoken. Though they had seen much in their short lives, they had yet to really experience the full range of human emotions, and it was taking a toll on their bodies.

Amuria listened for a few moments from the doorway. This wasn't something that could be helped. She turned and walked slowly, slipping out the back door. The cool air touched her exposed skin and she shivered. She considered going back inside, but decided against it. Aaeru and Neviril needed the time to themselves to talk. Amuria looked to the sky, wishing she had someone she could speak to. She had never really made a close friend with the villagers, and had never really sought to. She had adjusted to their way of life, and mourned for the loss of the girl she had loved.

In truth, she had never expected to see Neviril again. She had arrived in this place without a Simoun, and had been badly injured from her fall. The villagers had taken her in and helped to mend her body. As time passed, and she realized the extent of the consequences of the Emerald Ri Majon, she was forced to move on, whether she wanted to or not.

Now, she was faced with Neviril once more. Amuria wasn't sure what had brought it about. She knew that if Neviril were to analyze it, she would say that it was the will of Tempus Spatium. But Amuria didn't believe in Tempus Spatium. She couldn't explain the reasons, and preferred not to bring logic to the events. When she had first seen Neviril, she had had hope that perhaps the girl still felt the same way she did, that perhaps they could be together again.

Aaeru complicated matters. Amuria had quickly learned that this spunky girl was Neviril's new love, and Amuria had felt betrayed and replaced. It had taken every ounce of willpower she had to remind herself that she was believed to be dead and that Neviril had moved on. However, Neviril's actions toward her made her realize that perhaps Neviril was confused about a few things, and how she truly felt toward Amuria. Amuria felt as though their story was not completely at an end. There was still more to be written.

She began walking, letting the light of the full moon guide her down the path. She could not do anything Neviril did not want. Perhaps she could help Neviril to work through her emotions and figure out if it was indeed Aaeru that she loved. There still could be the possibility that Neviril still cared and loved her as well. However, Amuria would not force her. She might encourage advances, but she would not forcefully take Neviril. Power over someone else was a line she dared not cross.

Aaeru slept fitfully, tossing and turning in her sleep. Every so often, she'd mumble something incomprehensible and then roll over. Neviril woke when Aaeru's hand smacked her in the face. She was surprised at being woken, but more surprised when she saw how restless Aaeru was. She reached out to grab her so that she could wake her, but as her hands touched Aaeru's skin, she realized what was wrong. Aaeru had come down with whatever Neviril had caught.

Quickly, Neviril rose to her feet. She would seek Amuria. Amuria knew what to do to begin breaking the fever, which was the worst part of the illness. "Amuria? Amuria!" called Neviril, trying not to let any sort of panic seep into her voice. The illness was not fatal, but she couldn't help being concerned nonetheless.

Amuria was returning to the cabin when she heard Neviril's call. Night was beginning to fade and she knew the sun would be rising soon. She wondered if something had happened to Neviril, and quickened her pace. As she opened the back door, she came face to face with a concerned Neviril. "What's happened?"

"It's Aaeru. She's sick. I know you know what to do."

Amuria nodded. Now was not the time to argue or fuss. She quickly went to the cabinet where she stored the dried herbs. She began mixing various things together, creating a paste that she then mixed with various liquids. She was quick and precise; after all, she had been trained by one of the villagers as a crude medic of sorts. "Neviril, take the cloth next to the basin and wet it. You'll need to wipe her face. I'll try to get her to drink this. Bring that bowl by the basin as well."

The two girls knelt on either side of Aaeru, who still thrashed in her sleep. They worked to shake her gently into consciousness, but her eyes darted wildly about the room. Amuria placed the cup of medicine against the girl's lips and forced her to swallow most of the liquid. Some of it spilled over, but she was able to get most of it inside. While Amuria worked, Neviril used the cool, wet cloth to pat the exposed skin on Aaeru's body. She paused in her work, and Aaeru stopped moving momentarily.

"Get the bowl," instructed Amuria.

"Why?" asked Neviril, grabbing it from beside her. Amuria took it and held it under Aaeru's chin.

"Because she's going to be sick," replied Amuria, as Aaeru threw up into the bowl.

The sun was nearing its zenith by the time Neviril found time to be alone the next morning. It had taken hours to get Aaeru settled. Amuria said that she had been much the same when Aaeru had first brought Neviril to the village. Aaeru finally slept peacefully in the room that had been Neviril's. Amuria had said it was all right for Neviril to be up and about, as long as she didn't tire herself or do too much. Neviril had chosen a warm spot in the sun, stretching her legs over the edge of the porch. The warmth felt good against her skin and she closed her eyes, losing herself in thought.

Her mind wandered to right before Aaeru was sick, and the exchange between them. Her heart dropped at the memory. Aaeru knew something wasn't right and she was beginning to pull away from Neviril. Neviril wasn't sure what she should think. Neither of the two knew the torture her soul was going through. She had chosen not to speak of her thoughts because she wasn't really sure of her own thinking. She couldn't imagine what either girl would say. She didn't think they'd force her to choose and make a decision, but the thoughts were still about each of them.

Amuria had hinted already about them being together again, but she had never forced Neviril. It had taken every ounce of willpower to stop herself from kissing Amuria back. Had she wanted to? Had some small part of her wondered what it would be like to kiss her again, and relive the feelings and emotions that the kiss would bring? She couldn't bring herself to answer her own question, for she feared the answer would be yes.

Opening her eyes, she looked up toward the blue sky. Was this the will of Tempus Spatium? Was she meant to cross paths with Amuria once more? Did the deity want her to choose between the old and the new? Surely, Tempus Spatium would not be so cruel that it would approve of such a thing. Perhaps, though, there was another path for her to take, and that was why she was struggling to grasp at an answer.

An image of her first meeting with Amuria surfaced. She recalled meeting the girl for the first time, and how Amuria had boldly kissed her, claiming her as her new pair. In the relationship that had followed, Amuria had always provided the inner strength. Wherever they had gone, she knew that Amuria would always be right behind her, keeping her upright if she dared to fall. She fed off the strength, and in turn it fueled her passion as a leader. She had no qualms about leading a Chor and having eleven other girls rely on her. Amuria was always there.

In turn, the image dissipated, and became replaced with one of Aaeru. The first time they had met, Aaeru had been cocky and wanting to be with the best. The obvious choice had been Neviril. Aaeru had forced Neviril to try new things, from being sagitta to pulling herself from the black pit she had created. Aaeru had wanted to be her pair and wanted them to fly together, sharing the sky. Aaeru had given her a different strength, showing her that together they were at their strongest. Aaeru had placed her trust in Neviril and Neviril had learned to do the same. Aaeru hadn't changed or treated Amuria with contempt. She had accepted the change of events and trusted Neviril. Neviril owed her the same in return. Aaeru may have guessed that things wouldn't change, or had an idea that things could. Amuria wasn't a threat to her, or so she had thought.

Neviril was certain that Aaeru was beginning to realize that Amuria could be a threat. It had been painful to watch Aaeru pull away from her. Yet, Aaeru had sensed in some sense that Neviril was struggling inside. All Neviril could do was listen to her own thoughts. She could not tell Aaeru how she felt. She wasn't even quite sure herself how she felt. Was this something she even should have to think about? The answer was obvious, wasn't it?

No, it wasn't. Whether she liked it or not, she would be making a choice. Her chest felt heavy when she realized what the consequences of that could very well mean. Tempus Spatium… is this your will? She wondered. Footsteps echoed on the wood and she looked up. Amuria's head peeked out of the cabin.

"I've made lunch. Will you join me?"

"I'd rather eat alone, thank you."

Amuria frowned and stepped onto the porch, moving toward Neviril. Neviril began to back away in fear. Feelings were beginning to seep into her brain, feelings she'd rather not have. The past was creeping up on the present.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Neviril. I'd just like some company for lunch." Neviril halted, looking up at Amuria. Amuria offered her a soft smile and held out a hand. "You need to eat something. Aaeru's still asleep. I just checked on her."

One more chapter to go. I think you'll find the resolution to be interesting. I should mention that I have another idea for a oneshot fic and it will focus on Aaeru. The prompt would be: What would Aaeru do if she were blinded? That is all I'm going to give about it. I think it'll be fun, but I have to finish up another tiny bit of my secret project first. For now though, I hope you're enjoying this particular story!