September 30, 2006

Disclaimer: I do not own Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Title: The Forest of Purity

Author: PurificationArrow

Rated: Teen

Genre: Romance/General

Summary: While in the Toxic Jungle, Nausicaä and Asbel's feelings for each other start to grow. They also find a strange tree that is protected by an electric barrier. Suddenly, a new problem begins to stir: someone is also after Nausicaä's heart, but who?

Notes: Sorry this took so long. I really haven't been feeling well, and all that stuff. But I'll try to make this chapter as good as I can.

Chapter 6: Back to the Beginning

Last chapter: Than shook his head, "No, she is more than that. You certainly have noticed Prince of Pejite. She is a very beautiful, kind, and caring woman. Just what this kingdom... and I both need."

Asbel bristled, and his fists were clenched tight. He bit his tongue to stop him from letting out a colorful stream of curses at the Prince of Harasa. "You..." He growled, disbelieving at what the man had just said.

Nausicaä hadn't said anything as of now, and Than was quiet waiting for someone, other than Asbel, to say something other than, 'You' over and over again.

The Princess of the Wind looked at Asbel, startled to see his reaction to Than's words so... violent. She gathered herself up, and placed a gentle hand on Asbel's shoulder. His bristling stopped, and brown eyes looked at her, confused.

Than still remained quiet, eyes still boring holes into Nausicaä's back.

Nausicaä took in a deep breath, then faced the other Prince who straightened slightly under her gaze. "I'm flattered that you feel that way about me..." She murmured as Asbel watched her, eyes beginning to slowly fill with panic.

"But I can't accept them... I'm sorry." Nausicaä whispered.

Than's eyes closed, and Asbel watched the man's face carefully, surprised at the lack of emotion on it.

The silence made Asbel's spine tingle, and the air seem to crackle with anticipation. He was willing to bet his crown that one of them wanted to say something, but everyone remained as silent as the night.

--- Nausicaä's P.O.V. ---

Although my face gave away nothing, my emotions underneath were like a storm, mixing and swirling.

Nothing like this had ever happened to me, not even as a child. My brothers and sisters all died because of the poison from the Toxic Jungle. For some strange reason, I was the only one spared, and perhaps it was for that reason that my mother despised me.

While growing up, I had no siblings, or even friends my own age to play around with.

This was something totally new, and before I had time to seriously think this over, I heard myself say that I could not accept the feelings that Than had for me.

It felt as though I were trapped behind glass, unable to make decisions of my own free will.

For all I know, marrying him would help my people, and perhaps I would learn to love him. That is what my head told me.

But my heart was another story. It was almost like I coudl hear its words in my head, saying that it would never happen. That I had already given my heart and soul to another.

Somehow, I think that I knew who I really loved, I just wouldn't accept the reality of it.

"I'm terribly sorry you feel that way Princess." Than said, reminding me that he and Asbel were still in the room. Asbel looked up as did I, both startled.

"But you aren't going to let us leave?" Asbel asked, slowly inching closer to me.

"I admit, you've caught with my hands red." A smirk covered Than's face, and he chuckled. His hand went up, and he snapped.

A marchig sound filled my ears, and within seconds, Asbel and I were surrounded by his knights, one of which I recognized to be the one whom I had injured.

I looked at Than, waiting his next moves.

He raised his hand towards up, his fingers assuming the position of a snap. Then, when they were facing us, he snapped again, and the kngihts went forward, and hooked their arms around Asbel and I.

As if by instinct, I began to attempt to struggle out of their grasp, which reminded me of the time when I had been captured by the men of Pejite near the city. It was just like that time, Asbel was helpless, and nothing good was going to come of this. "Stop this!" I managed to drag an arm away from a knight, "Please."

Dark eyes glared at me, and froze me in my tracks.

"Please forgive me Princess," He approached, "But this is the only way that I can save my kingdom. Besides, something good might come of this."

With that, the man left, and the knights resumed their business of taking us away.

---

I sat in the room where I was trapped once more, I stared out the window, hopign that some brilliant plan would come to me.

Still, no matter how much I wished, nothing came to mind, and I continued to sit there.

A knock sounded at the door, but I ignored that, not feeling the need to even turn my head. The door opened, and in came the knight, who apparently was Than's right-hand man.

He carried a tray of food, and set it on the table next to me.

"You should eat," He advised, "The Master will not be pleased if you fall ill." Then, something occured to me. "Hold on... Why do you obey him? Even you know that this is wrong... so why?"

Finally, as I spoke, I turned my head and looked at him, as if the answer would appear right on his face.

He looked away, and at the window where I had been staring, "He... is special to me Princess. Very special. Perhaps I will tell you more, in time. But as for now, my duty calls. Forgive me." He crossed an arm over his stomach and bowed.

Then, he left, and me with more questions than I had begun with.

The bustle of the city underneath me seemed to pick up, so I focused my attention back on that.

Eyes narrowing, I murmured, "So why?"

---

Okay, okay. I know! I feel really bad. As an answer to some of your questions, no, I have not given up on this story. School has been keeping me as busy as... well, really busy. Sorry. Updates won't come frequently (not that they ever did), and will be slow, and agonizing. I'm really truly sorry. Please focus on your studies, while I focus on mine as well as writing my stories. But as for now, bye! Oh yeah, and you can tell the angry mobs they can visit my house now.

-PurificationArrow