Chapter 4: Torrent/Mercury

Shin was walking along the river that was outside the castle just enjoying the peacefulness that had filled the air. Taking advantage of the fact that everyone else was occupied inside or doing other duties, he removed his tunic then shirt. His boots followed not far behind before he got into the water and his entire body felt as though it were energizing just with sitting in the water.

Opening his sea green eyes, he stood up and dove in the rest of the way. Swimming so far that he could touch the bottom of the river. With the ability to hold his breath for so long, he closed his eyes as he started swimming backwards in the water.

What he didn't realize was Princess Mercury had exited the castle with the same mission in mind.

Looking around, she checked to see if anyone was around before she slid off her robe, setting it aside. She dove into the water. Swimming through the water, she was just beginning to relax when her head collided into something. She surfaced letting out a yelp, holding her head. "What…" Shin muttered when he surfaced. He looked to see what he collided into when he realized that he was staring into the eyes of Princess Mercury. "Princess! I apologize, I had no idea you would be here!" he exclaimed, his red turning red.

He swam back to shore and got out. Mercury's cheeks turned just as red when she saw his naked torso, turning away. She swam back to shore and Shin quickly turned around so she could get decent. She tied her robe back on as he pulled his shirt back on, looking back at her. "I had no idea that anyone was going to be out here," he told her.

"Neither did I, it's not often I get time alone," Mercury answered.

"Me either," he agreed.

She rubbed her arms, letting out a deep breath. "Are you cold?" he asked, noticing that she was shivering a bit.

"I'm alright," she answered.

Pulling on his boots, he made his way onto the other side of the river, placing his tunic around her to try to warm her just a bit. "Thank you," she said softly as she sat down.

"I guess I should have realized that anyone would come out here," he answered as he sat on the ground.

Mercury kept his tunic wrapped tightly around herself as she looked down at him. "What's it like? Living the life as a warrior?" she asked, making him look up. Shin leaned back against the rock as he started mulling her question over.

"It's a different adventure with every task we are given," he answered.

"Do you have family?" she asked.

Shin smiled a little. "I have me mum and sister," he answered, "Me dad was killed in one of the final wars before I was born." Mercury frowned.

"Oh…I'm so sorry," she said softly.

She couldn't help but feel slightly relieved when he didn't reveal if there was a woman in his life. "It was a long time ago," he murmured. Mercury frowned when she could see that something was troubling him. "Me mum is sick you see, the healers say she has a heart sickness. She's a potter, so she makes pots for anyone back home. Sometimes though, her heart acts up, we don't know why but the healers just tell her to rest for several days. After about a week, she will be alright again," he explained.

She saw the sadness in his eyes. "I would like to be a healer," she said suddenly, making him look up.

"Really?" he asked, "A princess, a sailor scout, and a healer."

"I like to help people," she answered.

Shin smiled softly. "You have the kind heart, I'm sure you would be an incredible healer," he told her.

"If only women were allowed," she answered.

She found herself suddenly moving her fingers through his hair. When she realized what she was doing she stopped and flushed. "You didn't have to stop," he murmured. His cheeks were flushed as he said the words. "Sorry, that wasn't proper of me," he answered, standing up.

"Shin," she called to him, making him stop and turn around, "I would like it if you stayed."

He stared at her surprised. "I may have many friends, but…I feel like they don't understand me like you do," she said softly.

"My lady, I have only been here a couple of weeks and you speak as though we have known each other for years," he commented.

"It feels that way," she answered.

Walking back over, he sat in front of her. "What's it like to be a Princess and a Sailor Scout?" he asked.

"Tasking," she replied, "Difficult, but honorable work."

He smiled a little as he leaned back against the rock staring at the river. It was so calm it looked like glass. The two of them sat in silence for a while, it was relaxing for both of them as her hand was moving through his hair again. "You know…it's a warm day out," she said suddenly as she removed his tunic and her robe again. Shin's face turned bright pink and he turned his head.

Mercury looked over at him. "Won't you join me?" she asked, her cheeks flushing as she walked into the water.

"I don't think that's proper…" he said slowly.

"I'm inviting you, and we are clothed," she answered, her voice soft.

He smiled as he stood up and they both went into the water together. As Shin resurfaced, he felt a splash to his face and Mercury was off to the side giggling like a little child. "You think that was funny?" he asked.

"It was!" she answered still giggling.

He suddenly dove under the water and she looked around. "Shin?" she called out. She suddenly let out a shriek when she felt hands on her waist lifting her up out of the water. Shin smirked as he playfully tossed her into the water and she shrieked as she went under.

Resurfacing again, the two of them were laughing and splashing at each other like a couple of children.

They swam back to shore after a while and were lying in the sun, staring up at the sky as they were drying off. "Did you have any dreams before you became a warrior?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Did you always want to be a Warrior?" she asked, rolling over onto her side to look at him.

Shin frowned as he stared back up at the sky. "I didn't pick this life, Mercury. It picked me," he replied softly, "I was too young really to decide what I wanted in my life." Mercury frowned as she leaned against her hand. "I guess having a life outside of the temple walls would've been a start. Learn who I am," he answered.

"Sounds like a quest of your own," she commented.

He looked over at her. "I guess," he answered, "This is all I have ever known."

"None of you have ever ventured past the Ancient's walls to discover who you are?" she asked.

"He is our guide, our teacher. He let us all go out on our own journeys once before we were to see which armor chose us," he answered.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

He looked at her. "I went to the ocean," he replied. Smiling at the memory, he let out a sigh. "I remember the way the smell of the water filled my senses. I felt at home, I felt free. I stayed there for three days just exploring the water," he said softly, "Then I went home to me mum and sister."

"I'm sure they were so happy to see you," she answered.

"They were, but I came home to a brother-in-law and a nephew," he replied as he sat up, "I almost felt forgotten because I had no idea that my sister had met someone let alone married."

"I'm sure your family hadn't forgotten you," she said softly.

"No…but another man was doing what I was supposed to do. Protecting my family, taking care of my mother. Those were my responsibilities," he answered.

Mercury frowned, her hand moving over his arm. "It took me so long to realize that I was actually jealous of him…because he and my sister had a family and I did not. A boy of my own," he murmured. Seeing the sadness in his eyes, she kept her hand on his arm.

"Then what made you come back?" she asked.

Shin sat up and let out a deep breath. "My mother had told me how my father had hoped for a son. A son that would grow up to be a strong, courageous man. She had told me that my father would've been beyond proud to know his son grew up to be a Warrior. That the Ancient came and offered everything he had dreamt of me having and not just the life as a fisherman's son," he explained. Mercury suddenly had a thought as she had a bit of courage build up inside her. She suddenly moved so she was lying above him.

"You are quite the selfless man, Shin," she whispered.

Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his. Shin kissed her back, his hand resting on the back of her neck before he moved so he was lying above her. His hands rested on her shoulders before moving down to her waist as their kiss deepened.

Later that evening, Shin made his way back inside and saw Seiji sitting in the gardens talking softly to Jupiter who was resting her head on his shoulder. "Don't tell me you fell for it too!" Touma exclaimed. Shin stared at Shu and Touma who were staring at him.

"Like we didn't pick our lives as warriors, we didn't pick this," Shin answered, "I shall take my leave for the evening."

They watched as Shin made his way to his quarters. "Now what, Touma?" Shu asked.

"We stick to the vows we made," Touma replied.

Shu let out a deep breath before they went back to their quarters.

That night, Shin was lying awake in his bed staring at his ceiling when there was a soft knock on the door. Slowly, he got out of bed and made his way over to his door. "Who is it?" he asked.

"Mercury," she answered.

Opening the door, he was surprised to see her standing there in her robe. She flushed to see his naked chest again. "Sorry, I should go," she said softly.

"No, you are fine, come in," he answered as he pulled a shirt on.

She walked in and sat down in a chair. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I just couldn't sleep," she replied.

He sat across from her, clasping his hands in front of him. "Shin, I know that a relationship between us is impossible, because your armor could be taken away," she told him softly. Shin frowned as he looked at the blue orb sitting by the window before looking back at her.

"All of a sudden, I don't care," he replied softly.

Standing up, he made his way over to her and had her stand up from the chair. "For the first time in my life, I am truly free and I am truly happy," he added. She rested her hands on his chest as his fingers moved through her short blue hair. "You are my life, Mercury," he said softly.

"After only knowing each other for a few weeks?" she sked.

"What can I say…I have never met a woman like you," he replied before he tilted her chin up.

She smiled softly as her blue eyes locked with his sea-green. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers as her arms went up and around his neck. Shin knew what Seiji was talking about
now, just being around her and holding Mercury in his arms suddenly made him feel like he could take on this evil threat by himself. She energized him more than any body of water ever could.

Pulling away, Shin rested his forehead against hers as his Trust symbol and her Mercury symbol appeared and melded together. Their fingers were entwined together and the princess suddenly let out a gasp. "What is it?" he asked suddenly concerned that he hurt her. She gestured to their hands and he saw a blue energy coming up from between their fingertips.

"We are one," she whispered.

Smiling, he leaned forward and kissed her again, the blue energy growing brighter as they held each other close.

Their kiss ended and they were both lying on his small bed. For the first time ever they both had no cares about what was proper. Mercury was stroking his shoulder-length auburn hair with a gentle smile, relishing how his hair felt between her fingertips. "Shin…" she said softly.

"Yes?" he answered, growing tired.

"Do you believe in destiny?" she asked.

Turning to look at her, his thumb moved along her smooth cheek. "I didn't before…but I do now," he replied. Leaning forward, he kissed her tenderly. Mercury kissed him back before they pulled away and fell asleep in each other's arms.