Disclaimer: Power Rangers belong to Saban and Disney. Characters you recognize are not mine, but characters you don't recognize, the plot and the idea are mine!

A/N:here comes one of my favorite chapters. Why is he coming that soon? Because this has been ready for decades (just like the very last chapter). The next chapter will take some time, though:D Enjoy!

Phantom Rogue: Ashley's fury is deadly :D yay!

puasluoma: Why not? The guy has been living in her house for about a week and she didn't get anything either. It's not very clear it's him….yet:D (scroll down..)

C.C.C.: it did suck lots:) but I don't care, as long as chapter 11 is here. I gave my email but fanfiction is a bitch:D so umm.. it's: talrulez and my account is on gmail. :)

Slytherin-Angel44: scroll down, and hurry:D

the power of love: fast enough? ;)

zeopurple: ha! There ya go:D

AH/AY: boring more like it :P

In the Clearing of the Forest
by DarkHonda aka Tal

Chapter eleven

It was a chilly night, the skies were dark blue, yet not black. The Abale, the moon that circled KO-35, was now donning a yellow aura, almost in the pale shade of orange. She was laying on her yellow bed in her soon-to-be home, she couldn't deny how it already felt like home, when she thought of Kadan Castle, she had a dazzling cozy feeling wrapping her slowly. Kadan Castle was home in so many ways, yet it was so different from her real home, from Hammond Hall. It was restricting, as the Kadan tribe was conservative and uptight more than it seemed; men were not allowed to talk to her, not unless they were Tiaren, Andros, Zhane, TJ, Carlos or Coran. It was a mystery to her why, yet she decided she wouldn't be mad at them for it, if it was a Kadan custom, she would never insult it or them.

Yes, they were her friends now; Tiaren was more like a father, he always had time for her and always told her he would do anything to make her happy. 'Anything but canceling my marriage to his son,' she knew, but she already got used to idea she would marry Andros of Kadan, whoever he may be. He was avoiding her constantly, now she was finally curious to see how does he look like and she was very surprised when she heard a few portraits of him were removed before her arrival. Andros. 'Who is he?' she thought frustrated, maybe even a little scared, not that she was willing to admit it. Without knowing what he looked like, she was lost in a river of guessing and speculations, a sea of what if's, and sometimes she could feel herself breaking, wanting to burst into tears.

It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair she didn't know him, it wasn't fair that all his friends and even his family were nice to her and all she could think of was 'who is this guy?' She knew he had to be amazing, considering his friends, that were awesome, he had to be special. But how could he be special, when all she can think about is Coran?

She hated herself so much for giving into Coran, for his ability to sweep her off her feet, for his good looks and amazing wits, 'what have you done to me, Coran?' she wondered, her head resting on a pale yellow pillow. Reluctantly she got up and decided she needed out, she needed thinking clearly and she knew a cup of milk would do the job. She jumped out of bed and quietly moved to the wooden door, she slipped away quietly and felt a little relief, that room wasn't big enough to contain her thoughts, she walked bare on the stone floor. The cool of the stones teasing her legs, she was absorbed in her thoughts, her feelings, her problems… how could she marry Andros when she was in love with Coran? She was contemplating on the day he saved her when she crashed into a warm something. She looked up to see him, shirtless, wearing nothing but crimson sailor's pants, long slacks tied up to the wastes with a simple rope. She gave him a once over, gulping, her eyes finally resting in front of his amused ones.

"Like what you see?" he teased and she blushed, 'thank Abale it's dark,' she thought and crossed her arms. He smiled at her, looking at her gentle form wrapped with white wrap pants that were, basically, a large cloth wrapped around her legs and a yellow wrap shirt, which was a smaller cloth wrapped from her ribcage and up, it exposed her perfect flat abs, tanned skin and the only thing that crossed the sensation that held him captive was, 'thank Abale it's dark,' as he was gulping.

"What are you doing up?" she asked gently and smiled shyly, the blush hasn't gone from her cheeks. He gave her a sly grin, a zhane-ish kind of grin, one that sparkled with mischief and sneakiness, she giggled. "What are you up to?" she asked again and he made an innocent face, looking incredible handsome as his hair was finally fully down and the Kadan stripes glittering as the silver light of the Abale touched it. He was breathtaking in every bit of the word. He was beautiful.

"I was about to ask you the same question, what are you doing up?" he inquired and she was smiled sweetly, 'he's perfect,' she sighed as she brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.

"Couldn't sleep, you?" she answered truthfully, there was no use in lying, after all he was Coran and somehow, he knew her as much as she knew herself. It was amazing how he could read her, and she loved it about him; the fact he could understand her without having to say even one word to him. He sighed sadly and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Couldn't either," he blurted out and looked rather bothered, he was frowning at her, "are you uncomfortable staying here?" he asked and realization dawned her; he thought she was uncomfortable in his castle! 'Oh how sweet,' she thought, melting, 'he really does care for me!' she immediately reached out and hugged him, his warm body hard against her and his arms wrapped her automatically, protecting her, offering her comfort and relaxation. Her head was resting against his shoulder, he almost crushed her, yet she didn't protest. She loved being in his arms, the feeling he gave her was divine, he was everything she dreamt of in a human form.
Yet she could feel his reluctance to hear her answer, it bothered him more than he could admit, she understood that, he didn't want to push her but was eager to know the answer. She smiled.

"Have a lot on my mind lately," she murmured to his chest, "the room isn't big enough to contain my thoughts," she could feel him relax a bit, he wasn't so tense anymore.

"Anything you want to tell me about?" she shook her head, "what are you doing here, anyway?" he asked and she smiled and pushed him away from her playfully, he growled in protest. She giggled, she liked how he always wanted to be with her, Coran was almost the exact opposite from Andros: he was smart, beautiful, skilled with a sword (even though she beat him, and more than once), excellent archer, funny, honest and his temper was almost equivalent to her own. They fitted so much that it hurt.

"Finding my way to the kitchens?" she asked him playfully and he collapsed in laughter, his hand resting on his chest. "Is there a problem, Kadan?" she asked with an arrogant sneer and he nodded, still laughing his guts. She waited for him to relax, leaning on the cold stone wall, her expression unreadable. She watched him relax slowly, his laughter became softer until it ceased.

"Dressed like this?" he asked her indicating on her exposing shirt, she blushed. And bit her bottom lip.

"Er.. well, I haven't noticed I was er…" she stuttered and he laughed again, this time, shortly. She turned around to go back to her room, rolling her eyes, a little hurt. His hand rested on her shoulder, and he turned her around gently.

"Don't go, Ashley, I was just kidding around," he calmed her, slowly pulling her over to him, hugging her tightly, Ashley felt herself forgetting the rest of the world. His touch was the best thing she ever known. "Give me a second to fetch you something to wear, if one of my d- master Tiaren's men would see us this way… it won't be good," he whispered softly, his breath tingled on her ear and chills ran on her back. He was a sensation boring through her, she knew. He waited for her response as she slowly nodded her agreement and slipped away from his warm embrace and disappeared in the hall in front of her.

She sighed, 'how can one man be that perfect?' she wondered in the 1000th time, and desperately tried to suppress the sadness when she knew she could never have him. 'Him. A simple servant yet more noble than any other Kadan I've ever met,' she thought bitterly and leaned on the cold wall again, contemplating. She told him the truth, the room couldn't contain her thoughts, her regret and her guilt conscience. She knew Andros didn't deserve it, in his own home she was hugging and kissing his servant, but she couldn't stop. She was addicted to Coran, to his masculine yet gentle smell, his soft warm touch and his amazing smile and caring eyes that always followed her when she was in his presence.
'Oh, Abale,' she thought gloomily, 'why did it have to be Coran? Why couldn't it be Andros?' she was desperate. She felt so much for Coran but her duty was to Andros first, 'the same Andros who ignores you from day one,' a voice in her exclaimed, 'he doesn't deserve you! Coran does… why are you loyal to Andros!' her mind screamed, true, rejecting Andros would be the fair thing to do yet it wasn't the right thing to.
If Coran was right, and he was right in most cases, she and Andros were meant to be, meant to get married and have children and live miserably ever after. She was stunned to realize that she never considered the possibility of marrying someone she didn't love, and deep inside, she knew she wasn't ready for it, because eventually, Andros would figure she loves Coran, 'and then what?' she mused gloomily.

"Ashley?" she heard Coran whispering her name and she immediately stood up again and walked to him; he was holding a crimson blood cloak with a hood, he simply flung it around her shoulders and tied it loosely. She was smiling with gratitude and relief when he suddenly caught her palm, his fingers entwined with hers and gently pulled her with him down the stairs toward the dark reception hall.
She followed him willingly as they descended the stairs quietly, his hazel eyes sparkling in the night and his smile was soft, 'why is it have to be wrong to love him so much?' she wondered and took a long breath, she had to talk to him about it, about this whole situation, she couldn't let Coran mislead her or herself misleading Coran when it was obvious that they're going the wrong way. She followed his shadowed figure, he knew his way in the castle and sooner than she thought they were in a giant, deserted kitchen.

"Wait here," he whispered and walked around in the darkness, a few moments later he came back with a long candle which lit his face in orangey light, making her smile. He was too cute like that and too sweet for them both own good. 'How can I stay away from him?' she wondered helplessly as he was pulling her gently next to him guiding her way to a table. She sat next to it quietly, her eyes not leaving his muscled form, as he walked around the room, opening drawers and cups; he was clearly trying to cook something.
A few minutes later he put a cup of some hot browny liquid in front of her, he was holding another one as he sat in front of her.

"Drink it," he whispered, "it's good for you, and it tastes great," he smiled and she decided to take his dare, carefully she raised he cup to her mouth and sipped a little. As the hot sweet liquid went down her throat she could feel herself being warmed from the inside. That… drink's taste was addicting, so good and sweet, 'that's amazing,' she thought and looked over at Coran who smiled broadly. "What do you think?" he ask and she smiled.

"Wow…." She said blushing, "That's really good.. what is it?" she frowned, the blush still in her cheeks. He chuckled as she took another sip, "I don't think I ever drank something so good," she admitted shyly and his smile grew even wider, he was obviously content from her answer.

"It's called hot chocolate," he said quietly, "It's a Terran drink, my-master's- Andros' nanny was from Terran origin and she used to make it for us," he explained and she smiled faintly. 'I have to talk to him,' she told herself, 'it can't go on like this, I can't do this anymore,' she knew. Yet she didn't know how to start the conversation, she didn't know how can she tell the only man she would ever love, that she can't be with him. Not anymore. She sighed miserably.

"Ashley?" he asked gently as he touched her hand lightly, "Is there something wrong?" she put the cup down and looked him in the eye.

"I can't…do this anymore, Coran," she said quietly, watching as the expression on his handsome face turned to a confused one, his hazel eyes were shining with wonder in Abale's pale silver light. "I can't kiss you and I can't let you touch me. Not now, not ever." She sighed, "I…like you, Coran, I really do, but I can't betray him like this.."

"-Betray who?" Coran cut in and Ashley looked puzzled for a moment and diverted her gaze from his eyes.

"Andros," she sighed in pain, "I can't do this to him, or my father," she stopped for a moment, examining his reaction, his eyes glittered and he bit his lip. "My father promised me to Andros and even though I don't know him or even want to marry him, I won't go against my father's will, I will not disgrace him." She quietly explained. 'Oh Abale,' she wanted to cry, 'if there's one thing in the world I don't want to do, it's making Coran go away but…' she closed her eyes, trying to prevent her tears that threaten to burst out.

"Ashley.." he whispered to her but she got up almost immediately, and slowly walked her way toward the exit. "Ashley, please, hear me out," he begged but she couldn't, she couldn't let him talk her into doing something her conscience didn't allow her. He went after her quickly and held her hand gently, preventing her from walking away.

"I don't want to hear it, any of it," she whispered and the pain in her eyes almost punctured his heart. "Please, Coran, let me go," she begged to his now decisive expression.

"No, Ashley, I've been wanting to tell you something for a very long time now, please let me just.. say it." he said and she nodded, a tear slowly crossing her cheek. "Ashley, I never wanted it to reach that far, I only wanted you to like me and that we would know each other better, I never meant to hurt you like this, ever. I just wanted a chance for both of us and I..." he began stuttering and she didn't understand.

"What are you saying?" she cut him and he just lowered his gaze into her eyes. she could hear him taking a long breath before he spoke and wondered what on KO-35 could make him that tense, that scared…

"I'm saying that, I am the guy you were so scared to meet, Ashley, I'm saying I am A-" but before he could finish the sentence a figure stepped into the kitchen and stood in front of them.

"What are you two doing here this late?" asked the figure, now as he stepped into the light she could see he was one of Tiaren's warriors, he was very tall with short brown hair, yet the blond stripes that decorated his hair were obvious. He was wearing a dark blue cloak on his bare chest and green pants, just like Coran's.

"Couldn't sleep, Elores, what are you doing up?" Coran asked and Ashley slowly snuck out of the kitchen almost running to her room, she could still hear Elores' answer (something about his wife's crazy night cravings for chocolate) but she couldn't care less…

A/N: This one is definitely one of my favorite chapters in this whole story:)
Review!