CHAPTER 12

With a mouthful of fluffy pancakes, Pit happily complimented Palutena's cooking skills.

"They're much better than that one time." Smirking, Pit's face was then suddenly met with a hot pancake.

"Oh it was one time. Sure veggies tried to take over Skyworld but hey, at least they were edible afterwards." Taking a bowl of fresh fruit Palutena sat down with a grin upon her tender lips. The two beings recalled the memory and shared a humble laugh. However, Pit's visage became steadily more serious as he begun to visualize the near future.

"Hey Palutena? About this whole Hades plan.. When were you planning on executing it?" Swallowing her chilled watermelon, Palutena wiped the sticky juice from her face and replied with a tone of equal seriousness.

"I wanted to depart as soon as you were able. I knew that you wouldn't wish for me go by myself."

"I appreciate that Palutena. Another day and I should be able to walk again."

"I'm happy to hear that.." Blankly staring down at her half-depleted bowel of fruit she sat there in silence as if all the answers could be acquired from the lonely fruit. Moving closer in attempt to read her expression Pit finally asked,

"What's wrong?" Looking pitifully at him she replied quietly,

"I don't want to see you get hurt in the Underworld." Smiling once more Pit slowly walked over to Palutena on the opposite side of the counter and embraced her tightly.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise. Besides-" breaking the warm hug Pit gave a cocky smile. "I am the leader of your army!" Palutena gave a slight chuckle as her easygoing smile returned.

"I will go prepare the troops for defending the temple before we depart tomorrow. However I'll wait until we're finished eating," Pit informed.

"Alright I'll clean up here and I will make Poseidon and Zeus aware of our plans." Pit held his hand up in protest.

"Why don't I clean for a change? You always take care of me." Smiling he busted the dishes and began to wash them by hand. Looking back at the oddly responsible angel, Palutena placed her warm hand with concern atop of Pit's shoulder.

"Pit, we need to talk." Rinsing the soap off of the last plate he dried his hands and looked worriedly back.

"What is it? Have I done something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing like that. You've simply been acting strange since you've come back home. You tell me. Is there something wrong?" Pit slowly returned to his seat in order to relive the pain within his side before he responded. Starting at her beautifully long green hair and deep, sensitive eyes he felt his heart ache with longing.

"I've simply realized what truly matters to me. I was certain that I was going to die that day. I thought of all the simple things that made life wonderful. Whether it was food, water, comfort, sunlight, warmth, or even kindness I was always thinking how grateful I should have been to have those things. I refuse to take things for granted." Palutena looked back at Pit with a deep level of empathy.

"I understand, thank you for telling me." A long stretch of silence found its way into the air, hanging ever still.

"Palutena?" Pit bit his lip nervously and clasped his hands together, gripping them increasingly.

"Yes, what is it Pit?" Gazing straight into her eyes Pit pressed on, clasping his hands tightly.

"I.." Pausing for a moment he looked her over softly. His heart began to beat at a marvelous rate and his palms began to stick with sweat. He recognized this familiar feeling; adrenalin. Why am I so nervous about asking her? It's unlike she will physically harm me. She knows me.. Then why am I physically reacting this way?

"Pit? What's wrong?" Walking over to Pit she stroked his shoulder in attempt to comfort him as she did many times before.

"Never mind I suppose, it was nothing. I'm- going to go prep the Centurions." Pit then left the dining area, inducing Palutena to worriedly gaze after Pit. Stepping away from the green- haired Goddess he angrily grunted to himself, "Why couldn't I do it?! Why couldn't I tell her how I feel?!" Outraged, he let the anger flow through his body and out his hand in which made contact with the nearest wall. Naturally he couldn't steady himself and fell forwards.

"Pit!" Palutena called after him. Running over, she tried to help him up, only to be rejected.

"I can get up on my own." Pushing her away he stood upon his feet, partially shaking.

"Why won't you let me help you?" Palutena questioned utterly shocked. Pit had never rejected Palutena before and she never expected him to revolt like this.

"I don't want it! I was too weak before. I can't be dependent on other people! I can't…" Tearing his gaze away from Palutena and held his side, trying to comfort his own wounds.

"You don't have to be alone.." Reaching out to try once more, she faced an identical reaction.

"I have to be stronger.. I want to be able protect.. I want to be able to protect myself.. And also you!"

"Who says I need protection? I'm a Goddess Pit. I can take care of myself you know!"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Pit's temper peaking he finally shouted, "If you're so able to protect yourself then why am I here?! Am I just here to run errands for you, is that it? Or maybe you just like the feeling of control?" A stinging sensation was then present upon Pit's left cheek due to the hard slap he had just received.

"Why would you think that?!" Holding onto his uncomfortable cheek Pit then bellowed,

"You didn't answer my question! You never open up to me! Why am I even here?!"

"You're here because of the debt you owe me, Pit." Her voice was sharp and cold, unlike Pit had heard it before. Caught off guard, Pit flapped his wings in frustration and stomped off without the use of his cane. Marching off, Palutena sat by the pool of water within the temple. "Pit.." Looking sadly at her reflection she immediately felt a growing guilt emanating from her gut.

"It's not your fault you know. He just holds himself to too high of standards." Alarmed by the somewhat unfamiliar voice, she quickly arose. Dark Pit approached Lady Palutena with a somewhat cocky smile.

"What bring you here?" Palutena asked sharply.

"I have to keep an eye on ol Pitty here. Didn't he tell you? I'm the very being who saved him." Laughing a hearty laugh Palutena quickly pinned him squarely to the nearest wall.

"Liar, why would you want to save Pit? You're working for Hades, what motive could you possibly have to go against his will?"

"So scary! What's the big old mama Goddess gonna-" Dark Pit's sentence broke due to the lack of air. Palutena's soft hands gripped his neck fiercely, unshaken. A deadly look penetrated Palutena's eyes which were fixed on Dark Pit's.

"If you have done anything to harm him…" Dark Pit hastily tapped Palutena's shoulder. Easing up but still gripping, she lifted an eyebrow in question.

"I- couldn't hurt him.. If I wanted to," Loosening her grip, she maintained eye contact and still held the cold stare within her green eyes. "We're two sides of the same coin..If he dies I die too. I felt him at death's door; I was at death's door." A gap of silence breeched its way between them.