My sincerest apologies for not updating. If you're reading this you're probably tired of the same thing over and over again, but at the same time you're probably one of the many people who have stuck with me and given me reviews or favs that encouraged me to rewrite chapter 7, the half of which was prewritten was lost when my laptop crashed the day a major 4000-word essay was due.
Without further a due, here is chapter 7.
--
Allen's claw swung forward, slashing out to carry out its purpose; destroying the akuma within Allen. This time, however, Linaly stood in harm's way.
Linaly turned a moment too late as the claw came soaring in her direction. All she had the time to do was to shut her eyes tight and brace herself for the impact.
"NO!"
Ravi's voice echoed in the silence.
The pain of Allen's razor sharp claws piercing her flesh and tearing her apart from limb to limb never came. With her eyes shut tight enough to see angry white stars explode in her vision, Linaly acknowledged this. The panic subsided and she slowly began thinking again. The first thing she felt was something big, warm and protective in front of her.
Her heart fluttered in panic. She knew this sick feeling weighing down her chest. Like some sort of twisted film, scenes from a gruesome past flashed before her. A loving mother. A kind father. Them watching protectively over the two of them as she played with her brother. Her clamoring at her brother's shirt as his arms trembled around her, both watching their father die in an attempt to fight for his beloved. The warmth of their mother's back when she stood in front of them and faced the blow of the akuma. That familiar, protective warmth.
She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was a fluttering glimpse of reddish-orange hair. A sickly chill ran down her spine. Not again, she prayed, not again.
She realized she was trembling as she reached out to touch Ravi's back. Her hand stuck to his back, soaked with sweat, and the flesh under it was quivering with tension. Linaly swallowed, and finally found the voice to break the silence.
"Ravi," she blurted out.
Through clenched teeth, Ravi grunted in response. Managing to glance over his shoulder, he said, "hurry, get out from back there."
Hesitating, afraid of what she might see, she finally leaped out to the side after an added "hurry," from Ravi.
Allen's claws dug in to Ravi's abdomen, prevented from disemboweling him only by the hilt of Ravi's hammer; he had managed to guard himself with what was a difference of a split second that saved him. Relief released the anxiety welling up inside her, and Linaly found tears streaming down her cheeks. She had expected the worst.
"Allen, oi, that hurts," Ravi joked, a shadow of his usual jovial smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Contrary to his joking words, his grip on the hammer tightened. With a grunt, Ravi pushed with his hammer and managed to shove a reasonable distance between himself and Allen. Breathing heavily with his shoulders, he stumbles back, struggling to keep a steady hold on his weapon. It was when his body began to feel heavy with the thought of this being a never-ending battle that a subtle breeze played across his face. He looked up to find Linaly standing strong and tall, feet firmly planted in to the soil with determination. Her arms were spread wide, showing that what she promised was not aggression, but trust and love.
It was a noble, yet suicidal gesture.
Allen, controlled by the akuma, lunged forward with his claw in close pursuit.
Linaly closed her eyes, not in fear, but grief.
"Allen, I'm your friend, aren't I?"
Something flickered behind Allen's eyes. Ravi didn't miss it.
Throwing himself forward to meet Allen in midair, he discarded the hammer in his hand and grabbed fistfuls of Allen's coat. The collision sent them tumbling on the ground, and when they came to a stop, Ravi shoved Allen to the ground below him.
"Baka, wake up," Ravi muttered through clenched teeth, taking hold of the cuff of Allen's shirt. "The one thing you just can't do on the battle field, man, is make your buddies cry."
--
Something warm dropped on to Allen's cheek and slid down. Allen blinked.
"Ravi…?"
Ravi and Linaly fell silent in disbelief.
"Allen-kun?"
"Yes?"
"…God," said Ravi, and with a huge sigh he let go of Allen and rolled over to lie on the ground, spread-eagled. As for Linaly, as soon as Ravi had gotten out of the way she had thrown herself on Allen, hugging him and telling him over and over that he was baka.
To Be Continued…
Sorry for such a serious chapter but there's the end of this battle scene. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you review it will make me prance around in joy. :D