The week was spent with their new followers, the younger trolls and them some others. All of them were ready for change. Faith grew stronger between the bonds of their small family, together they would rise up. As their week drew to a close and they prepared to go home the Signless went to address the ten new followers he had gained.

"My trolls, you're eyes have been opened. I thank you for your help, but me and my kin must be leaving. We will travel elsewhere to open the eyes of others, so it is up to you to see for this town. Tell your friends, your enemies. Spread the word of hope." He spoke to them. Many of their faces looked fallen at news of his leaving. "Fret not," he continued. "I will return to you. Until then, thank you for listening." Signless moved through them not, grasping hands and touching shoulders. The trolls cried out their goodbyes in return, some kissing his cheeks, some reaching out just to touch him. With a wave, the Signless, Disciple, Dolorosa, and Psiioniic were leaving on their cart once more.

It wasn't too far out of town that they breathed fresh are again. Psiioniic inhaled sharply. "I thought I would never smell again!" He rejoiced as they passed through a field of flowers and grass. Disciple leaped from the cart and rolled through the fragrance gracing her senses. The grass tickled her face, as green as her blood and wild as her hair. Signless was not far behind, rolling through the grass just as she did. The cart was moving slow enough for them to easily catch up, Psiioniic and Dolorosa stayed in it chatting about the success of their week.

Signless rolled over to look at the Disciple who was already watching him. Black lips turned up in a smile, inviting and kind. He gave her a smile of their own and she ran a hand gently down his cheek, humming a song her recognized as the one she hummed when he had fallen ill. Sometimes he would hear it flowing in the wind as she gardening, sometimes when she was writing or drawing something; it seemed she was always doing that. Sometimes he could hear it when he passed by the stream and she was filling the water basket. The simple song he could hear as he fell asleep, and he always thought of her. So he held her hand there, simply enjoying the softness of her small hands. His eyes fell shut and the two of them just lay there. Signless could enjoy this for now, the closeness of her to him. The smell of the flowers around them. Her humming voice. He felt her in him, filling his soul, giving him hope for the future. Her very existence shaking him to the core.

It was in this moment the Signless realized he was in love with the Disciple.

A love more than any he had learned of, more than pity, hate, pacification. He felt a part of her, as if he could not live without this olive girl he had met as a boy in the forest. His insides swelled, shaking with this realization. The danger of these feelings.

He would be prosecuted for his preaching. Signless knew his ideas were dangerous, many would be angered. He would be wanted dead, they would want to tear all hope away from him. They would take her away. Signless couldn't stand the thought. His smile turned to a frown, his hand grew tight around hers before taking it away from his face and opening his crimson eyes. Hers were filled with worry at his sudden change in demeanor. Her beautiful eyes.

Signless sat up in the field. The stars and heavens stared down into their souls, the twinkling lights so far away. The pink and green moons were full and shown down on them, illuminating the field.

It was decided, he would not put her in more danger just for his feelings. She gazed up at him. "Signless..." His name dripped from her lips. He turned to look at her, his face so open and full of emotion.

Signless stood. "We should get home." He spoke rather flatly. Then he stood and walked to the cart, leaving her alone on the ground worried and confused.

The ride home Signless stayed silent. Most of the conversation was lead by Psiioniic and Dolorosa with the occasional comment from Disciple. Yet Signless stayed silent in thought.

The while they stayed planning for their next town the Signless stayed away from Disciple as best as he could. Planning as a group wasn't an issue, he would completely set aside any feelings while they discussed things much more important. It was during idle times. Disciple took notice, the way he would be in the same room alone with her, the way he only invited Psiioniic or Dolorosa to fill the water basket with him, the way he would barely speak to her. She was hurt. So it was then she went to see the Dolorosa.

It was after dinner and the Signless offered to take the dishes to be washed with the Psiioniic. Now alone in the small hive the Dolorosa and Disciple tidied the cooking area.

"Dolorosa?" Disciple began.

"Yes, dear?" She replied while scrubbing the table.

"Do you think Signless is mad at me?" Her voice broke a little and Disciple cursed herself for sounding weak. Dolorosa perked up.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," She sighed. "Ever since we got back he's been acting so strangely around me. He's fine with you and Psiioniic, but with me... he can't even look at me." She pressure building behind her eyes and bit her lip, urging the tears not to fall. The Dolorosa saw this and quietly drew Disciple into a gentle hug. She lost the battle with her tears and they began to fall as she surrendered to the hug. "I just don't know what I did."

"You didn't do anything darling. I'm not sure what is wrong with him but I'll make sure to find out." The Dolorosa replied in a motherly tone, but by the end of her sentence she sounded like a lusus scolding their child and Disciple knew Signless was in for something.

"Oh please don't tell him I'm fretting over this!" The cried out. "He would probably just be disgusted or something."

"Oh, I know my son and I know he isn't disgusted with you. I don't know what's going on, but there is no way he could feel such a thing about you. You are one of his dearest friends, there is something else going on here." Dolorosa patted her back. Disciple drew back and nodded, wiping the green tears from her face.

"Thank you, Dolorosa." She said, giving her another hug before heading back to her sleeping area to write.

The Dolorosa watched her go before stepping out into the night. In the distance she saw the two boys approaching the hive.

"Hello, mom." Signless said once close to her. She took the plates from his hands and handed them to Psiioniic.

"Take these inside, honey." She said to him. He nodded and stepped inside. "You," She addressed to Signless who now held his hands up in surrender. "I need to speak with you." Her bottom lip was set and she glared a bit. The two of them stepped into the garden.

"Why have you been treating the Disciple like this?" She accused.

"Like what? I haven't been treating her like anything!" He yelled defensively.

"Exactly! You have been ignoring her as if she were the dirt beneath your shoes." Dolorosa pointed to the black boots in question furiously.

"I have not! Just because maybe we don't talk as much-" Signless was faltering.

"You are lying and I know it, what is really going on, Signless?" Her voice started angry but ended in a kind way.

Signless sighed. "I just, with all of this, don't want anything to happen to her."

Dolorosa raised her brows.

"When I look at her, I see life. I see hope for a new world. With every loving gesture she gives me breath and my heart-" He stalled. "I can't stand the thought of losing her."

"How is ignoring her going to help?"

"I've become a target. Not only am I a mutant, but I am leading a revolution. If I let her too close to me they will target her that much more to get to me."

"She knows exactly what she is getting into, as do the rest of us!" Dolorosa yelled. "If she didn't she wouldn't be here beside you, but she does! And now you're pushing her away."

"Only because I love her!"

"So you hurt her?"

"My rejection is much better than what any high blood will do to her!"

"You underestimate this girl." Dolorosa hissed. "She offers you exactly what you want, love and life and hope, yet you throw it away in fear!"

Signless faltered.

"She knows what she's getting into. Have faith, my son." Dolorosa placed a comforting hand on her sons shoulder before leaving him in the garden.

Signless spat angrily. How could she not understand? Throwing himself against the wall of their hive the Signless slide to the ground. He grasped at his hair and clenched his teeth, the Dolorosa's words echoing in his mind.

But she was right.

He stayed that way for a while, weighing his options. The heavens stared down at him, and he gazed right back. Finally he took off his hood, black hair gently blowing in the breeze. He felt in his fists and his feet and his heart and everywhere the love for this girl. He would fight for her while he could, until the day he fell to his knees. A crack of lightning shattered the sky and blinded the world. Signless stood, shaking in resolution. He turned to the hive.

"Where is Disciple?" He asked the two trolls at the table. Psiioniic looked to his friend.

"She said she was going for a walk."

Signless left without a word and stepped into the woods.

She sat on the small island, the world around her glowing white. It was the mystical place Signless had taken her what seemed like forever ago. Her body felt deflated and every breath forced. A rumbling echoed through the small cavern; thunder from outside. She lay back and dipped her feet into the water. It seemed like she stayed that way for hours. She might have even fell asleep, the occasional rumble stirring her. It was the loudest one that sent her upright. The storm was right above her now. A light streamed in from the small hole in the top and an instant crash louder than anything erupted. Disciple stared in awe. Moments later another crashed around her. It was so loud she didn't hear the splash of a surfacing troll.

"Disciple," a low voice said once the silence had fallen. Disciple gave such a jump it made the Signless jump as well. He crawled up to her, still partly in the glowing water.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I came to tell you-" the rest of the sentence was drowned out by the crashing of thunder and lightning. It echoed for a while in the cavern.

"What?" Disciple yelled, the thunder still echoing.

"I said-" Another thunderous crack.

Disciple called out again but could barely hear herself over the echoes. The Disciple gave a visible sigh in preparation.

Suddenly he was inches away from her. Disciple drew in a breath as Signless closed the distance between them. Another thunderous crash and he was kissing her. His face held in his large hands, still partly in the glowing water. She positioned herself closer to him, heart beating faster than ever. He moved his hands around her waist and drew her into his body while lips moved against each other. Her hands explored his raspy face, stubble grazing against her soft hands. If the thunder hadn't been so incredibly loud Signless would have heard the soft moans coming from Disciple. He broke the kiss as silence finally fell.

Her eyes were still closed but slowly fluttered open. "I came to tell you that I love you." Signless gasped for breath, smiling. Disciple kissed him all over his face, the tip of his nose, his forehead, both cheeks, all across his jawline, and his lips. He let out a soft laugh at her affection.

"I love you too, I love you so much." She said between kisses. Once she captured his mouth again he deepened their kiss. This time his tongue ventured into her mouth and he could feel her shiver against him as he probed her mouth. She lunged forward a bit as she started to explore his mouth as well and they fell backwards into the glowing water. The two didn't break the kiss quite yet though, even underwater Signless held her to him. A muffled crash was heard underwater as lightning flew across the sky again. Soon enough they both had to come up for air gasping. But Signless knew this would be the beginning of something beautiful, and with her in his arms they just stayed that way for a while, lightning illuminating the sky above.

Finally! They kissed! Yeah!
Thank you to all those who keep up with this story, I'm so happy. Really, thank you.