Don't Look Back – Chapter 15

Sons of Kentoku

((Amaya's POV))

Chihiro and I looked at each other, then at Perun and Haku. They looked just as confused as us. I mean, come on, who wouldn't be a little confused? Haku and Perun obviously haven't met one another before this. But to look to closely alike... they would have to be related right?

"As you know, I'm one of the commanding generals of the League from the first Druid War. Sadly, I was captured and presumed dead." Kentoku began, "I am a wind spirit that had the honor of marrying a water spirit. She's long dead thanks to the Druids. We had two sons. One with just her element, and one with both."

"Haku and Perun." I said simply, letting this all soak in.

"If we are brothers, then how come we don't remember each other?" Perun asked, turning to the silent warrior.

Kentoku inclined his head, "The Druids were determined that I would no longer be a threat to them, so they attacked at dawn. They killed your mother, and took one of you and myself. My other son… I had no knowledge of his fate. But, I do know now. It seems that he had been doing fine up to now."

"With a few bumps along the way." Haku muttered.

"Well, you're alive. That's better than dead." Kentoku said in a monotone voice.

Chihiro tilted her head to the side. "So let me get this straight. You're Haku and Perun's father?"

"It's a lot to take in at once, but they look exactly like their mother to the point where it's no laughing matter."

"But they don't remember each other… how old were they when the Druids attacked your family?" She continued.

Kentoku nodded, "It would make sense that they don't remember one another, seeing as they were only born a year before."

"Just a year before? But how long ago was the first Druid War?"

"A little more than a hundred years ago. Spirits live a lot longer than humans little one." Kentoku said kindly.

"I know that, I was simply asking." Chihiro replied.

I knew then that these two weren't going to get along, at least not yet. I looked over at Perun. Our eyes met and he seemed to get my drift. Then my gaze drifted to Haku. He didn't seem to notice that they were about to butt heads… but I figured that he would find out pretty soon. The sliding door opened to reveal Yubaba, ending Chihiro and Kentoku's starring match.

"Your rooms are ready Lord Kentoku," she said, giving a wobbly curtsy, "Is there anything else you require?"

"Yes. I believe you have a Marking on my son? I wish you to remove it."

Her eyes widened, "Ah yes, of course. Come here please Perun."

He stepped forward, and her white band began to shine with brilliance. It slowly unwound itself and faded into nothing. Yubaba turned to me and took mine away as well. Haku turned to look at his newfound brother and began to unwrap his Marking band.

"You gave your own brother one Kohaku?" Kentoku asked, astounded.

"I did not know he was my brother, other wise I would have not given him one." He replied simply.

I met Perun's navy blue eyes, and he smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. Kentoku cleared his throat, and once again the room's attention focused back onto him. "I suggest everyone get some rest. Fighting isn't easy… and I'm ready to admit that I could use an hour or two of some sleep…" He nodded to the room, and followed Yuababa out of the room.

I looked back at the two men, and laughed. I couldn't help it. Could things get any more ironic? I'm freed from Kallisto, a great hero returns, and Perun and Haku are brothers? Does anything else need to pop out while I'm still braced for another surprise?

Chihiro began to giggle, and Haku smiled. Perun looked at the three of us like we just sprouted two heads. I just laughed harder, and so did Chihiro. Haku's smiled faded to a look of confusion.

"What's so funny?" Perun asked him.

"I have no idea… I guess they really need some sleep don't they?" Haku asked.

"Agreed. All right, ladies, to bed for the both of you!"

"Aw, come on!" I gasped, "We're fine!"

"You're hysterical, and it's damn scary." Perun said firmly.

We just laughed harder, and the boys sighed. "BED." They said in unison. I tried to stand up, but I was laughing to hard. Perun sighed but I saw a faint smile on his lips. "Don't make me carry you Amaya…"

Haku didn't even talk to Chihiro before he swept her into his arms. She squeaked, which caused him to chuckle. He went to the door, slid it open with his foot and left. Perun hauled me to my feet, and helped me walk back down the hall.

((Perun's POV))

I didn't lead her back to her room like I said that I would. Instead, I took her outside. It was safe, considering Haku was on an adrenaline rush and surrounded the bathhouse with a 20-foot wall of water. Once we stepped out on the bridge, her red eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Whoa!"

"Look at Haku, not me." I said with a smile, taking her by the hand.

"There was NO way Haku did this by himself!"

I smirked, "Okay, he didn't. I provided most of the water. His wind element is mostly holding it up."

"Right... so… why are we out here?"

"No reason really," I said with a shrug, "But if you go to bed, that means I have no one to talk to."

"You could talk to Haku." She pointed out, walking along the bridge with me at a slow pace.

I stopped, and leaned back against the rail. She crossed her arms and leaned them against the railing, looking out at the bluish green wall. "That's true, I could. But… I think I just need time to think about all that I've just been told. It's a lot to take at once. It just needs to soak in."

Amaya nodded, "I understand. So… do I get to listen to you talk now?"

I chuckled, "No, I'm not going to bore you to death."

She snorted, "Well, that's a first." I smiled, and we fell into an uncomfortable silence. I was struggling to find something to say, but she fixed the problem for me. "Do you think that I might be able to do something like that wall of water someday?"

I looked over my shoulder at the creation, "Well, I assume you would. Now, I doubt if it would be a wall of water, but yeah… I really think that you could."

She blushed, "Thanks."

I stood up, "For what? I'm only saying what's true?"

"Sometimes I don't think that I'll ever be that powerful," she whispered, looking down at the ocean below, "It's… it's just comforting to hear that I might be able to one day, even if I never do."

I shook my head, and placed my hands on her waist, "I know you'll do it one day Amaya. I know you will."

Her body stiffened at my touch, and I instantly regretted my action. What in the world possessed me to do that anyway? My regret turned into joy when she stood up and leaned into me. I smiled, and fully wrapped my arms around her waist. "Do you want to play a round of 20 Questions?" I asked.

She groaned, "Perun, you know I suck at that game…"

I laughed, "Aw, you're not that bad! Please?"

"Whatever… what am I asking the 20 questions on?"

My insides flipped; I didn't think that she would actually go for it. Okay, I got myself into this; I'm going to get myself out. "Let's see… try to figure out who I like the most."

Amaya rolled her eyes, "Perun, that's seriously over clichéd."

"You have a better idea?"

She sighed, "Good point. We'll alternate asking questions."

"Huh?"

"You try to figure out who I like as well."

"Oh come on! This was my idea!"

She laughed, "If you want me to play, we play by my terms."

"Fine." I grumbled, and she giggled. "Let's see… is she a Druid?"

"Nope."

Amaya looked up at me, "Really?"

"I'm serious." I replied. "Now for me… have you known him for a long time?"

"Yes I have." Amaya answered, and smiled. "Do I know your crush?"

"… Yes… yes you do." I said softly. Damn, this wasn't going to be as long as I planned it to be… "Now, do I know you're crush?"

"You can't ask me the same question that I asked you!" She giggled, and I rolled my eyes.

"Fine… is your crush one of your men?"

"EWWW! No!" She cried with a shudder, "Having an affair with one of my men… oh that grosses me out." I laughed, and she leaned her head back against my chest. My heart did a few flips. We've never been this close before… and evidently she doesn't know how much I'm enjoying her standing here and not the game. Let's hope it stays that way, shall we?

It was her turn, but I had to ask this one question. "Is your crush a Druid leader?"

She didn't seem to notice my second question. She blushed and mumbled a yes. After a few seconds of silence, she asked me her question. "Perun, am I your crush?" I tensed. How in the world did she come up with that? Well, it's right… but I haven't even asked ten questions yet! "Perun… is it me?" she asked softly.

I hugged her close, and rested my chin on top of her head, "Is… is it that obvious?"

She turned around to face me completely. "So I'm your crush? Just your crush?"

I looked down at her, and smiled. "No. No, you're not just my crush."

And then I did it. Why? Good question. I'll let you know when I figure out the answer.

((Amaya's POV))

"No. No, you're not just my crush." He whispered. My brow furrowed in confusion; wait… but he just said that he liked me! Did his opinion change that quickly?

That wasn't the answer. He leaned down and kissed me. Whoa… I've been kissed before, but this is a whole knew area for me. There was NO way I had this much fun kissing someone before. Not to mention it didn't feel this… right. I fully leaned into him, and one of his hands drifted up my back and played with my now blonde hair. I wrapped my arms around my neck, which actually took some effort on my part. Of all the things that had to change, why did my height have to change? Suddenly, his hands grabbed my waist, and he lifted me to sit on the railing. I smiled against his lips, and he chuckled. Now I was about two inches taller than him, which was just fine with me. We eventually broke apart, and I slid to the ground. Perun looked down at me with his navy blue eyes… I've decided that I love those eyes. He smiled, and kissed my forehead.

"Perun… how come you never said anything until now?" I asked softly, suddenly wanting to know the answer.

He tilted my chin upward, "It's going to sound stupid… but I was afraid that you didn't feel the same. I didn't want to ruin our friendship with saying something about it."

"That's not a stupid reason, that makes perfect sense." I whispered, and kissed him on the cheek. I grabbed his hand, and he intertwined our fingers. "Come on, they're going to be looking for us soon."

((Haku's POV))

Well, we didn't make it back to her room. She kept on saying that she was fine and needed to get started on the work that she missed. I told her that it could wait until she got some sleep… but she just shook her head at me and kept on saying that she couldn't sleep right now even if she wanted to. I guess I can't really blame her.

So, she was at work doing whatever Yubaba had set aside for her to look at when she was feeling better. I suppose it was something to do with supplies and weapons for the upcoming battles. While she was engrossed in that, I was sitting on the futon deep in thought.

Why did Kallisto want us? I knew that we would be the ideal people to capture as hostages… but there has to be a bigger reason than that. I must have been thinking a lot more than I thought I was because I didn't even notice when Chihiro stood up. She came over and kneeled down in front of me. She rested her elbows on my knees, and tilted her head to the side.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

I jerked out of my thoughts and blushed, "Oh… nothing is wrong. I'm just thinking."

"About what? Don't tell me that you're thinking about what Kallisto's goals are!" She said firmly, and I starred at her in shock. She waved a hand, "I swear that's all you think about now. The information will show up when it comes along. If you're that worried, go ask your father and see if he knows anything."

I smiled sadly, "I doubt he knows anything that we don't know."

"It can't hurt to ask Haku."

I sighed, "I know… but I've heard stories about him. He's not one to think in battle, he just goes."

"Well be glad that you're not talking to him in the middle of a battle huh?" Chihiro asked, giggling. "But really Haku, he's your father. You shouldn't be afraid to talk to him. Go before I kick you out of here."

"He's probably sleeping now, I'll go ask him in an hour or so."

"Oh good! Then you can help me with my paperwork!"

"You need to take a break Chihiro." I said slyly, pulling her into my lap.

"And what kind of break would you have in mind?" she asked innocently. I growled, and kissed her gently. Well… it didn't really stay that way for long though. We broke apart, the both of us panting slightly. She leaned her head against my shoulder, and I held her close. I laid down on the futon, her small and beautiful self on top of me. I felt her giggle and snuggle down for a nap, and I soon followed her.

A/N: I AM SO SORRY. This took me FOREVER to get up, and I'm SOOOO sorry! I have only one week of school left, so hopefully there won't be such a delay next time! I'M SO SORRY!

personwholikesgettingRs
steff potter
angelofblades543 ((I hope you like Kentoku so far... you see more of him next chapter, promise!))
Tailz the Great
Helena of Athens ((I re-read the battle scene last chapter... and it's pretty bad. Don't worry, I'll get better at them, I promise!))
Kit Kat 13
XxLil-AngelxX
Priestess Kohana
annoying-little-girl
AnimeFreakKatie
StrugglingArtist
Addicted to Manga
green.jungle.fairy
Wings of Tears
Giddyupgal

Thank you so much for hanging there with me you guys! I SWEAR this won't happen again!

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-