Disclaimer: I do not own Jareth, the Labyrinth, or any of its inhabitants. I do own anything/ anyone/ anyplace that I created in this fanfic… which I also own… XP nah!
I also do not own Aminta or Mikel. They were both created by Eriks leadinglady and belong to her.
Summary: War is brewing in the Underground and it seems as though Sarah's favorite Goblin King is in the center of it. Alliances are being formed quickly but also broken just as fast. Tension rises in the continuation of Heal Me, Hurt Me!
Warning: Jareth is totally out of character. So is Sarah.
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Last Time:
"One… two… three!" Sarah tensed and a heartbeat later her feet were out from under her and his toothpick was at her neck. She blinked in confusion as Meta sighed.
"Sarah… you tensed…"
"… what just happened?"
Jareth let out a snort of laughter, a grin on his face as Venus burst into hysterical laughter. Meta sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is gonna take some work…"
He helped Sarah to her feet. "Let's try once more. This time, relax."
"Kay." She got into her stance and shook out her limbs.
"Ready Venus?"
She nodded. "One… two… three!" Both bystanders burst into laughter as Sarah once again found herself staring at the ceiling.
She sighed heavily. Ceiling… I have a feeling we're going to be hanging out a lot more often.
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Heal Me, Hurt Me – Part II
By: Kadasa Mori
Chapter 3 (January 10th)
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Stepping through the trees and brushing snow off her long sleeved shirt, Cleo immediately spotted her target lounging on a thick blanket beneath the snow covered tree. She bent down and brushed the snow around the tree beside her away from the base of the trunk, quickly finding a small pebble. She glanced into the paddock and found the irritable Budyonny grazing in a weirdly un-snowed area of grass. Cleo rolled her eyes knowing the brunette had melted the snow for him despite her repeated rants about how annoying he was.
She bounced the pebble in her hand, eyes flickering between the brunette, the snowy limbs and where she stood. After a minute she took three steps to the right and pelted the small stone. It collided with one branch, hit the bottom of another and rocketed into the last, finally dropping harmlessly into the snow below it.
The effect was instantaneous. The brunette looked upward with a "huh?" and the three branches the pebble smacked quivered in anger, snow falling from them.
Sarah screamed as the snow fell onto her head. Cleo walked over, arms crossed behind her back and smirking, just as Sarah burrowed out from underneath her new snowy mountain. "Hello Sarah."
Sarah's eyes flashed angrily, cheeks flushed bright red in cold and inner fury. "Cleo…" she ground out. "What the hell?"
Cleo pulled up her innocent look. "What is hell? Well, I'm quite sure it's where I'm going."
"No doubt about that!" Sarah grunted as she pulled the rest of her body from her snowy prison. She pitched a handful of snow at the centaur who ducked then sidestepped the next three.
"Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Aren't snowballs a little childish?"
Letting out a scream of fury, Sarah leapt at her, racing after her and yelling death threats at the top of her lungs. Cleopatra laughed and hurried away from her.
"CARMEN!" Cleo looked back over her shoulder as Sarah clambered up onto Carmen's back, the horse whinnying and racing after her. Grinning, the centaur took off. Carmen had to focus on not letting Sarah fall and Sarah had to focus on staying on Carmen while trying to hit her with snowballs. Cleo just had to pitch the snowballs and not worry about falling so it was safe to say she quickly won the battle. Carmen sat down after fifteen minutes of getting pelted in the face and Sarah shrieked, landing in a snowdrift.
"Next time Sarah, try to actually aim for her face?" Carmen asked, nudging her head.
Sarah pouted. "I hate the both of you."
Cleo grinned widely and Carmen snorted. "I'm cold so I'm heading to the barn. You staying?"
"Yeah. We're gonna chat."
"Kay. Make sure you come visit tomorrow. It's been boring lately."
"All right." She pat his nose. "Be good till then."
"You know I won't."
She giggled. "Night Carmen." He nickered and trotted back to the barn.
Cleo grinned at her. "Aw…. Sarah! You're so cute!"
Sarah scowled at her. "Shuddup." Cleo bit her lip, Sarah glaring at her. There was silence for about fifteen seconds before Cleo squealed. Sarah growled at leapt at her. "Imma gonna kill you Cleo!!!"
"I do wish you wouldn't. I rather like staying alive."
"Cleopatra." The centaur turned towards Anor who was watching her.
She scowled. "Wha-eep!" Sarah yelped as she collided with the centaur and fell into a pile on the ground. Cleo smirked at her then turned to Anor. "What?"
"You are needed back at the herd."
Her eyes narrowed then she sighed. "I'm sorry Sarah. We'll have to continue our session another time."
"So is she." They both turned and looked at the golden centaur who was looking at the ground.
"What?" Cleo asked quietly. "Sarah?"
He nodded. "Lord Jareth requested she be present."
Sarah looked confused. "Present for what?"
Cleo knelt next to her. "Climb on."
Anor raised his gaze sharply, a scowl on his features. "Cleopatra."
Cleo shot him a glare. "What? I will not make her walk to the herd."
He whinnied angrily, stomping over. "And you will not let her ride on your back like a common mule." He turned, kneeling next to Sarah. "On. Now."
Sarah looked at Cleo who sent her a sorry look before she bowed lightly to Anor. "Thank you Anor."
He glanced at her in surprise then ignored it. "Just hurry."
When she was settled he began running towards the forest, Cleo hurrying beside him. "Why do you think I'm needed Cleo?" Sarah asked.
"I don't know. No human has ever been to a centaur's meeting before… Lord Jareth is hardly ever required unless it is a serious matter."
"All of our matters are serious," Anor murmured. Sarah was positive he was being sarcastic and only said it to make Cleo scowl, which of course, she did.
"Thank you Anor."
"I'm about to become Horus, Ithil." Cleo frowned.
"Huh?" Sarah asked.
"My centaur name is Horus, Lady Sarah," Anor said. "Most centaurs have a different name they use within human society. You are not to call me Anor when we're in council. Cleopatra's name is Lady Ithil."
"Wait… not Lord Horus?"
"No. Ithil is princess of the centaur herd." Sarah's eyes widened and she looked over a Cleo who was looking away.
"Wow. Cl-Lady Ithil. You're royalty." The dark haired centaur glanced her way. "Surprising considering your oh so grateful attitude." Cleo's eyes widened as if she'd been expecting something different, though she probably shouldn't have expected any different. This is was Sarah.
Anor's whinny of laughter startled both of them as the golden centaur shook his head. "She's going to bode well with the council."
Cleo smiled too. "Yes. This will be interesting." Her smile suddenly faded. "Here goes nothing." Anor's face fell into a stoic mask again as they trotted into a clearing. Cleo had gone from comfy teen to regal princess in three seconds, head held high and shoulders straight, not running anymore.
Anor stood half a step behind her. Sarah slid off before anyone could see her and walked alongside them. Anor glanced back at her in confusion. She winked and mouthed 'stupid mule.' His lips turned upwards in a short smile before falling back down.
"Princess Ithil!" a voice called. Sarah turned to find an elder centaur, lines marring his face. He was a deep rich maroon color with amber gold eyes and dark red hair speckled with gray pulled into a neat braid, a short red goatee on his face. A shimmering golden crown sat atop his head.
She bowed her head. "Father…" Sarah blinked then immediately hated him, but kept all emotion off her face. This was the king that ordered his wife's death… Cleo's mother's death.
"What took you so long? King Jareth was beginning to worry."
Cleo glanced over to see Jareth standing next to him. Sarah sighed as Jareth's gaze flew over her for injuries like normal. Overprotective jerk…
"Is this the human?" the centaur asked stepping forward and examining her. "She looks like a normal human…" She held back the angry twitch at begin called human twice.
Sarah held her chin high. "I suppose that's because I am a normal human good sir." He took a step back, eyes wide. Jareth sent her a warning look. "I'd appreciate it if I was not called 'human.' It's as rude as me calling you all 'centaur' instead of your given name. My name is Sarah. May I ask yours?" she said coolly.
He blinked. She saw Cleopatra staring at her, jaw dropped, Anor looking away quickly as though to hide a smile. He regained himself and plastered a smile on his features. "My name is King Ambitio, my lady Sarah. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard much from Lord Jareth and my daughter Ithil about you."
Sarah smiled coldly. "Thank you. I hope it was all good?"
"Very much so." His eyes flickered to Cleo then narrowed. "Ithil. Where is your crown?" She raised a hand to her head then looked about. "You silly girl. Go find it." Her eyes fell to the ground and she nodded, trotting off towards the village. "Anor. Go assist her." He nodded once and hurried after her.
Sarah grabbed Jareth's elbow while Ambitio was turned and dragged him close, hissing in his ear. "Why the hell didn't you warn me about this?"
"I didn't know myself till thirty minutes ago…" She gave him a confused glance but Ambitio had turned back and she was forced to release him quickly.
Ambitio shook his head. "I apologize for her rudeness."
"She wasn't rude at all," Sarah replied quickly. "I do hope you'll allow her longer visits in the future. She is quite pleasant company and has been schooling me in the constellations."
"Has she?"
"She has. Very interesting, the stars."
"There is must to learn from centaurs. Perhaps she can officially teach you our ways."
"Perhaps…"
Cleo returned, a heavy looking silver crown, smaller than her father's but still gaudy, on her head. "Ah. Finally. Now that we're finally ready…" He turned, waving an arm behind him. "Welcome to the Council of the Centaur of the Labyrinth Forest. Please, come take a seat. We have much to discuss."
Sarah turned to Jareth who held out a hand, eyes silently warning her to hold her tongue. She of course glared but took his hand and followed them to a small clearing. Two seats were placed on the edge of the clearing, some centaur already standing about in a circle.
"If you will," Ambitio said, motioning to the seats. Jareth nodded his thanks and lead her to the throne-like chairs, both seating themselves in them. "Centaurs of the Labyrinth Forest! Please welcome Lord Jareth, the Goblin King and Lady Sarah to the council." There were a few nods directed in their direction. "First on the agenda, a roll count please. Amber, if you'll start?"
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Sarah stared at the grass. She'd gotten up to eight hundred and ninety-three and Jareth had shifted, distracting her and she hadn't had the patience to start counting again. Roll call had taken nearly a half an hour, followed by petite little tiffs here and there that really didn't need her sitting there listening and so she'd drifted off for the first hour and a half, only tuning in when there was a pause in the drone.
"Now… centaurs of Labyrinth Forest. We must decide on war." There was a hum of chatter in the clearing. "Lord Jareth here will relay the most recent events and then we'll discuss possible outcomes."
Sarah turned to Jareth, only hearing his nearly inaudible sigh because she was so close as he got to his feet. As he talked about the past year of events, she looked around the clearing. Most of the centaurs were listening intently, but a few looked completely repulsed. She frowned softly. Didn't they understand that the war was coming here?
"And just two months ago, they kidnapped Lady Sarah and Lady Samra of Fog Mountain. Luckily we caught the one responsible for the act and rescued both. He outright told us that war was upon our shoulders. The vampires following Daederath have agreed to help on our side as well as a huge portion of the council."
Jareth took his seat again and Ambitio nodded his thanks. "Centaurs. We must now discuss."
A few had mixed opinions that were stated, a few for, a few against, but all were pretty tame in their opinions. One however, stood out. "Why should we have to involve ourselves in this war?!" A bronze colored centaur with a tanned face and short hair shouted. "It is not our war to begin with!"
Sarah scowled and glanced at Jareth who was sitting there lazily, looking like he was daydreaming.
"Keep your tongue, Tibor." Cleo spat. "We will decide the fate of this war and if it rests upon our shoulders."
"Well I say we leave the worthless beings to deal with it. We have never played pawns to their will. Why should we now?" Sarah was starting to get annoyed, fingers twitching to get around someone's throat. She felt Jareth's gaze turn to her and she glanced at him as if daring him to say something but he stayed silent. "Maybe all fae are just as weak as that human."
"That's it!" she cried and jumped to her feet, everyone falling silent and looking at her in surprise. "I have put up with your scathing remarks all night long. I am not here of free will. I was called upon to help with ideas. If you do not want to help with the war then leave. You can go prance about like happy pony for all I care!" Several centaurs stomped at this. "Shut up!" she shouted at them and turned back to him.
"This war is coming whether you like it or not. Forces are gathering, armies are training, people are planning. It will come and it will destroy lives, most likely those who didn't want it in the first place; in other words, you. So let me tell you now, even if you don't involve yourself in the war, even if you don't help out, what's going to happen when those 'weak fae' lose and the stronger take over? Do you think the rule of the Labyrinth will stay the same? Do you think you'll have the same freedoms, same leaders? Your friends will die, you will die. It is inevitable unless we band together and try to fight off this evil."
She held up her hands flopping back into her seat. "But hey! I'm just a weak, stupid, simple minded human. I have no idea what I'm talking about and therefore you probably should just run through the flowery fields like the happy-go-lucky, for peace pony that you are. I'll enjoy seeing your carcass being eaten out by ravens after we win and you die from lack of loyalty, bravery and all things that makes someone something in this world, even if that is a pawn. At least they died trying instead of rolling over, being a coward like you are, you stupid. Mindless. Mule."
With that she fell silent and silence broke out over the clearing. Jareth was watching her with a raised eyebrow. A noise drew their attention to the stoic Anor whose head was bowed before he burst out laughing. Cleo, who never agreed with him on anything, also started giggling and soon both were on the ground leaning against each other in hysterics, crying they were laughing so hard. Elena had both hands clasped over her mouth, tears streaming down her face as she tried to hold in her giggles. A few centaurs were grinning widely, trying desperately not to laugh but the twitches and spasms proved they couldn't hold it in entirely. Others had given in like Cleo and Anor, holding their sides and laughing while some glared darkly at Sarah as though she'd just sentenced them to rot in hell.
"Well…" Ambitio said. "I guess we've decided…" He bowed to Jareth making everyone else bow as well except Cleo and Anor who were still on the ground giggling. "We go to war my lord."
Jareth stood and bowed back. "I thank you King Ambitio, and all of the centaurs of these woods."
"This meeting is adjourned." As centaurs began leaving, the noise level increasing dramatically, Elena helping her brother up off the ground, then Cleo, Ambitio walked over to Jareth. "Perhaps you and I can speak? Ithil will take the lovely Ms. Sarah back."
Jareth nodded. "Sarah?"
"Sure." She bowed lightly to Ambitio then hurried over to Cleo. "You're supposed to bring me back."
"Okay…" she grinned widely. "Let's go." Anor was trying desperately to wipe his face clean of emotion but the grin kept returning. Elena kept squeaking, trying to muffle her laughter and Cleo had no problem sniggering here and there as they all walked back towards the Goblin Castle.
"Sarah." Anor grinned. "You have some powerful words there little human."
Sarah giggled, hopping onto Cleo's back once they were far enough away. "I try."
"Sarah…" Cleo said. "That was the best speech in the history of speeches anywhere! I so need to remember that… happy-go-lucky, for peace pony." Cleo giggled then moaned and held her stomach. "Can't laugh. Hurts…" Elena squeaked, slapping her hands over her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Sarah giggled at them and Anor started laughing as well, holding his stomach tightly. "Just think of Tibor's face when you called him a mule!" That started another round of violent laughing and they had to stop to catch their breath. They eventually made it to the paddock and Sarah hopped off, landing on the path back to the castle. "Thanks for an awesomely entertaining evening."
"Thank you for the awesomely entertaining evening," Cleo shot back with a grin. "It looks like we'll be seeing more of each other in the upcoming months."
Sarah frowned. "Huh?"
"Well… because I was the first one to chat with you, and have the most connections with Goblin Castle, I'll probably be the one bringing letters back and forth and whatnot."
Elena grinned. "And Anor or I will get to come cause we're her bodyguards!"
Anor let out a heavy sigh. "That's not something to be proud of Elena."
Cleo shot him a dirty look and Sarah giggled, patting her side. "It's okay Cleo. Just think of him as the happy-go-lucky, for peace pony prancing through the flowery fields." She didn't get past "peace" before all three started laughing again.
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It was nearly twenty minutes later that Sarah and the three centaurs had finally calmed down enough to say their goodnights and head back home. Sarah stretched on her way to her room, about to pass by Jareth's office when all of the sudden a hand on her arm made her turn and she was dragged into a bone-crunching hug from Jareth who let out a cry and spun her around.
"Thank you Sarah! You have no idea how much that just gave us an advantage!"
"Wha… what?"
He kissed her then pulled away. "You got King Ambitio to agree to go to war on our side! He's the cousin of the king of centaurs! That means he can get the king of centaurs to agree which means every centaur tribe in every allies' lands will be at war! That's at least 5,000 strong arms between my lands, Jason's, Honou's and Toroku's! That doesn't even count Kaku's! She has the largest population of centaurs in her lands! Kira has a smaller amount but still a good chuck! Washi and Taka had a good number and Ryuu has several dozen troops! We could have well over 15,000 strong hands added to the war because of what you just did."
Her eyes widened. "Fi… fifteen thousand?!"
He grinned and grabbed her waist lifting her into the air and swinging her around. "Fifteen thousand!" She let out a cry of happiness and hugged him tightly. He kissed her again. "Why are you so brilliant?"
"Oh are you just noticing?" she asked with a grin.
"Well of course. Your idiot-ness was covering it up for the past few years."
She scowled and put her hands on her hips. "You'd better take that back Mr. Goblin King."
"Oh? Are you gonna do something about it Lady Idiot?"
"Yes I am!" She glanced at the pillow on the couch beside her. "And you'll regret ever messing with me!"
"Oh?" he asked with a smirk.
"Yes," she replied, grinning back, hands inching towards the pillow. She glanced at it then at him before shrieking, diving behind the couch and just missing the pillow he'd pitched.
Grabbing the pillow beside her, she flung it through the air. He growled as it missed his ear by half an inch and threw the next pillow, smacking her square in the face. She pulled it off and flung it at him.
He ducked and but heard the sound of it colliding with someone. He turned towards the sound and paled. Sarah peered over the couch when there was no retaliation and paled as well as the pillow slowly slid off of Glorificus' face.
The man didn't lose his stoic look, merely blinking slowly. "I can see that the maturity level has dropped since my last visit," he drawled. Sarah glanced at Jareth who twitched slightly. "But I do have to congratulate you on the recent addition to the forces." They nodded their thanks slowly. He looked about the room before walking over to the fireplace and tapping a rather breakable looking vase. "There. I believe you can't break anything now." With that he walked back over to the door. "Continue as you were," he said before closing the door behind him.
Sarah blinked. "What the hell?" She yelped as a pillow smacked her in the face. "What the hell?!"
Jareth straightened his shirt. "You made me look bad in front of my father. Now you must be punished."
She scowled. "It's not my fault! You threw the first pillow!"
"I would never commit such a crime."
"You would too you jerk!"
"I would not."
"Would too!"
"Would not."
"Would so totally!"
"I think you're mistaken Sarah."
"No I'm not!!!"
"You just proved my innocence."
She blinked, mouth that had been open to argue shutting in confusion. "What?"
"I was on the 'no' side and you were on the 'yes' side so therefore by you saying 'no' and 'not' I am hereby cleared of all charges of suspicion of pillow throw-oomph!"
He turned slowly as she smirked at him, pillow in her hand. "You were saying?" A slow smirk on his face turned her smirk into a look of horror.
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Kira and Alan were sitting in the library, enjoying a quiet chat with Kara and Evie when screaming was heard. Sarah tore into the room, a water gun in her hand and hair sopping wet. "Don't tell him where I am!" she shouted and tore out the opposite door.
They all blinked after her then turned to the first door as Jareth tore in and looked around. "Where is she?"
Kira pointed to the door she'd disappeared through and he raced after her.
There were a few seconds of total silence then, "AUUUGH!!! KIRA YOU JERK!!!"
Kira smirked as Kara and Evie shot her a grin and Alan sighed heavily. "And people say I'm nothing like my brother…"
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To all Heal Me, Hurt Me Readers and Reviewers,
So we've got vampires, plus centaurs, plus panthers, plus dragons from Ryuu and phoenixes from Honou… what else should there be? Oh! Werewolves… must remember wolves… (jots on palm) Any other awesome critters I can use?
And, yeah. I've had Sarah's rant against the centaurs planned since… two chapters after Cleo came into being? Just needed the perfect time. So here it is!!! Ranting time! All throughout it, I kept imagining this pale pink centaur with flowers drifting from the sky, skipping along a flowery field of goodness giving me the peace sign… good lord what am I on?! XDD
Let's see… I haven't got much to comment on this chapter… Happy Leap Year everyone! I was so confused cause everyone's like "yay! Leap year!" and I was like "Um… not it's not… February has 29 days." and my friend just kinda shot me this odd look and I redid the math and… yeah… Yay Leap Year!
Kadasa Mori
1. "directed in their direction"… doesn't that just sound cool? Directed in their direction. Directed in their direction! XD Wow… I'm way too tired to be doing this…
Next Chapter Preview: Chapter 4
"So! What's new Kara?"
"Nothing. You?"
"Not much here. Quite boring if I do say so myself."
She snorted and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Be glad it's boring. When it's not, there's usually blood being shed."
"True, true."
She glanced at him. "You're not going into repeat yourself day are you?"
"Huh? No… that was last Monday!"
"Good. Besides, that was annoying."
"Was not, not!"
She scowled. "Jason…"
He grinned wickedly, putting his hands behind his head. "Yes?"
She scoffed and crossed her arms irritably. "You're a jerk."
"I know!"