True Meaning

Chapter Two: Something Different

Nu slept easy. Ragna invaded every space of her mind, her fantasies running wild. She tossed and turned, reveling in her dreams. All she wanted was to be happy with Ragna, why couldn't he see that? Suddenly, her right eye began to feel warm. Nu awoke violently, knowing what that feeling meant.

"Ragna!" Nu exclaimed, and ran outside with her apparatus in tow. She looked franticly from side to side, trying to find out which direction Ragna was. As she looked to the right, the warmth grew, and she started to run. She apparently was causing quite the commotion, as many people started to turn on their lights and open their windows. At long last, she found him. Ragna turned to see what was going on, and instantly drew his sword. Without a moment's pause, he jabbed at her with he tip of her blade, causing many bystanders to gasp in shock. Nu adorned her Murakumo armor, yet did not return the attack. Instead, she cupped her head in her hands.

"Oh Ragna! I remember the first time you thrusted at me like that! I was so amazed!" She moaned loudly after speaking, and everyone nearby cast their gaze on Ragna in confusion.

"S-Shut up! You were dead, I saw you die! Twice in fact!" Ragna yelled, sword at the ready.

"I came back for you Ragna! The Cauldron is dead, so now we can be together. Forever." Nu slowly hovered towards Ragna, her blades down low to show she did not want to engage. Ragna did not let his guard down, "I'm free Ragna. My programming belongs to me now, I don't want you to die." As Nu spoke, she returned her armor to the apparatus, standing, completely defenseless, in front of Ragna.

"What do you want Nu?" Ragna asked, slightly dropping his guard, wondering if maybe Nu was changed now that the Cauldron she was meant to protect was gone. He noticed Nu blush slightly.

"I...I want a chance. I want to try and show you how I really feel." Nu whispered. At this point, the townsfolk had returned to their homes, leaving the two alone on the dark, moonlit street.

Ragna wasn't sure what to do. Should he just walk away? Or take Nu out, on a date? Ragna couldn't decide. Nu was dangerous, and has tried to kill him before, but was she really different now? Come on Ragna, you're a man! A little thing like this won't mean anything. Not like I'm going to change the way I see her."

"Alright fine. I'll take you out to dinner or something. No promises!" Ragna said, making sure Nu knew he wasn't interested. Nu didn't seem to care, and tightly wrapped her arms around him.

"Oh thank you Ragna!" She moaned, and Ragna pulled her off him.

"Get off! I'll only do this if there is no unauthorized hugs." Ragna laid down a rule, trying to make the upcoming experience bearable. Without a word, Ragna turned towards the opposite end of the street, where a restaurant was open all day and night. Nu grabbed his coat.

"I don't want to eat, I just want to be alone with you." Nu said, staring at the floor. Ragna looked at her more closely, realizing that she was very different than before.

"Alright. The park then." As Ragna spoke, Nu held his arm tightly. Ragna sighed, and didn't even bother to tell her to get off.

Ragna and Nu walked through the dark streets of Orient Town to a nearby park. Ragna assumed this would be a good place for them to be alone, dreadful as it would be. Nu pulled Ragna to a large tree on a hill, and sat down. Ragna, deciding to be nice, sat down next to her. He noticed she was shivering, and could hear her teeth chatter. He took off his coat, and wrapped it around her. Nu looked up into his eyes, and smiled.

"This is why I love you Ragna, you seem mean, but you really do care for people" Ragna blushed slightly, and turned his head, "Ragna. Can I... tell you something?"

"I guess, depends on what it is."

"It's about my past. I want to tell you, so you know why." Even with Ragna's coat, Nu was still cold, not used to the outside world. Ragna scooted closer to her, transferring body heat. Nu sighed, and began to speak, "When I was made, I was constantly tested on. The pain was unbearable, I wanted to die. I tried to scream, to tell them to stop. But they never did. All I had to comfort me, was memories of you." Nu stared into his eyes, "You kept me alive Ragna. I love you. All I want, is to be loved."

Ragna was speechless. He had no idea that Nu had such a terrible past. Ragna, strangely, felt horrible for how he had been treating her. He should let her have a chance.

"Nu?" Ragna began, drawing her attention, "I'm sorry. If it wasn't for your sacrifice, I wouldn't have been able to bring Terumi down. I came back, kind of hoping you would be here."

"Really Ragna?!" Nu couldn't believe that Ragna had come back for her, "You came back here to find me?" Nu became confused as Ragna sighed heavily.

Then, with a gentle hand placed on the back of her head, Ragna pulled Nu in close, and kissed her. Nu's eyes widened in surprise, amazed and in ecstasy simultaneously. Nu, finally understanding, wrapped her arms around Ragna's neck. Nu moaned softly as Ragna slid his tongue into her mouth, causing her to return the movement. Ragna placed his other hand on her thigh, holding her tightly. They sat there in each other's embrace for several minutes. Nu was more happy than anyone could possibly be. She was finally with Ragna, the one who kept her alive during the torture she had gone through. After several long, lustful minutes, Ragna pulled away from Nu.

"Ragna." Nu whispered into his ear. Her body felt so warm, and she could barely contain her desires. Ragna held her tightly, and they sat there again in silence.

"It's okay Nu. I think I finally understand your feelings now. I'm sorry." Ragna hugged her tightly, whispering into her ear, "I'm so sorry." Nu wrapped her arms around him.

"It's okay Ragna. I forgive you. Remember what I said, 'Nu will be with you forever Ragna'. I meant that. I love you Ragna. I want you."

"I want you to Nu. I think, that deep down inside, I always did."

"Oh, Ragna." Nu rested her head on his shoulder, tired, warm, and happy.

Ragna stood up, holding Nu in his arms. She had fallen asleep, and Ragna looked at her face. She seemed so peaceful when she was sleeping, as if she was no threat to anyone. Ragna, moving at a quick pace, walked off towards the outskirts of the city. He was taking her to a small house he built to keep a low profile when he returned to the city. Ragna began to think, and he believed hope, that him and Nu would end up staying there. He looked once again at Nu's sleeping face, and noticed a innocent smile on her face. As he walked out of the city, he wondered what the next step would be.