AN : New chapter! Yay~! Really glad to see you guys again. I've hit 2.5k views on this. You're amazing! One more good news : Zed is coming back next chapter. Wooo, wonder what will happen? Also, warning. Tons of feels at the end of this chapter. We get to see bonding between two deadly and sexy ninjas of the order, so be prepared. Also, just so you know, almost two years have passed since Akyo's trial! Dun! I had so much fun tiping this, so enjoy!
Disclaimer : Dilly-dally. Come on,go on!
The Shadows of her memories chapter 10
The sun was shining brightly, the cerulean blue sky, with puffy white clouds here and there, brought peace and calm to the ground below. The Kinkou Order stood proud, surrounded by the seemengly never ending forest. The forest itself was quiet, only the slight chirping of the birds, or the huffed sound of small paws running fast across the ground breaking the silence. The wind blew sofly, moving the grass into a hypnotising dance. It seemed like the perfect day scenario. However...
Somewhere hidden within the forest, there was a small clearing. Soft green grass covered the ground, while in the middle there was dirt covering the ground, as well as two logs on each side of the circular form. Just as you enter the clearing it's impossible to not notice the big oak tree standing proudly in one side of the clearing. And today, two figures stood in front of it, at the shelter of it's shadow. One young girl, looking to be around fourteen of fifteen, dressed in black, had her legs crossed and her hands joined, standing motionless with her eyes closed. The other figure however, didn't seemed to be so peaceful. Dressed in a purple suit, and looking around nine or ten years old, he kept shifting his weight, his brows furrowing once in a while. After a few minutes, he talked to his companion.
''Tell me, what is this called again?'' Kennen almost whined, bored out of his wits. Akyo slowly opened her eyes, and kept her cool. This yordle was annoying her more than she showed sometimes.
''It's called meditation, Kennen. It helps you gain patience, and your focus will be better too.'' she answered in a flat tone, looking forward. The yordle made a face a child would have if he was obliged to do something they despised. Akyo merely let out one soft sigh.
''This is boring.'' he said in a dejected tone, his ears flattening. He too let out a sigh before speaking again.
''How do you do this? I mean, you don't get bored?! C'mon, I can see now what you and Shen have in common.'' he almost muttered the last part. Akyo arched an eyebrow at the yordle.
''Well Kennen, Shen and I seem to have something you're surely missing. It's called patience. Ever heard of it?'' she emphasised the word 'patience' while looking at the yordle, her eyes slightly narrowing. Kennen let out a dejected puff of air, and seemed close to tears out of boredom. Akyo just rolled her eyes, and spoke.
''Alright, it seems this isn't your type of stuff. So, what would get you to stop sighing like a little kid obliged to eat vegetables?'' she said, and regretted asking him that question. He instantly turned to face her, and she could see in his big eyes a hopeful glint. She herself let her eyes slowly widen.
'For the love of...' she tought.
''Well, there is one thing...'' he said, and Akyo's eyes widened more ( if that's even possible ), before she started shaking her head rapidly.
''NO! I'm not going to chase you around the order AGAIN.'' she said, watching as the yordle simply looked at her like she was the one acting childish.
''I didn't meant that, altho I kind of miss you trying to catch me.'' he said, his eyes dreamingly remembering that day. Akyo's eyes narrowed again, and glazed holes in the side of the yordle's face.
''Then what?'' she asked, the anger and annoyance in her tone gone. She was a pro after all.
''Training, duhh?'' he said like it was the most obvious thing in the entire world. ''I really, really miss training with you. You're like, the only one who can keep their eyes on me more than two seconds when I'm in my lightning form.'' he explained to her, and she only sent deadpanned look in her eyes at him.
''Really? Training?'' she sighed and then rised to her feet. ''Since it seems I can't make you meditate, I'll have to fight you to keep you from running all around this place.'' Kennen immediately followed, and as they made their way out of the clearing, and just as they reached the training grounds, a tall man, looking close to his twenties approaced them.
''Lady Akyo?'' the man asked in a flat tone.
''Yes?'' she asked in a cautious tone. This can't be good.
''Please follow me.'' the man said, and then turned around. Akyo and Kennen exchanged looks, but she followed the man none the less. He guided her trough the order, on a very familiar path. When they stopped she was sure where they were : Master's Office. He stepped aside and motioned her to go in. Opening the door, Akyo looked in front of her, and saw Youken sitting in his usual place, but this time they weren't alone.
A tall, beautiful if she might add, around her age looking girl was standing on the desk's left side. She had long black hair kept up in a ponytail, and green eyes. Her features were covered by a green mask, just like the rest of her rather revealing suit. The two girls made eye contact, and instead of feeling her usual uneasiness, whenever she met somebody new, when she gazed into the other girl's eyes she felt... calm. Like they knew eachother for a lifetime, and yet this was the first time she ever saw the girl. And she could say she felt the same.
She stepped next to her, and heard the door close behind them. The master observed the two girls taking eachother's presence. The silence around them wasn't awkward as he expected. Yet it felt like the two girls were exchanging information trough their eyes, rather than their mouths.
''You can leave now.'' he said to the man, who bowed and left the office. He watched the girls for a few more minutes before clearing his troath and getting both's attention.
''So let me guess the presentations had yet to be made.'' he said, while watching the girls in the eyes one at the time. ''However, there is enough time for those. Do you know why I have called you here girls?''
''Either we have a mission to accomplish, either we are in trouble.'' Akyo heard the girl say, her tone smooth yet firm.
''I do hope it's the first one.'' Akyo completed the other girl, with a small amused smile behind her mask. She swore she heard an amused 'hmph' from the other girl.
The old man slowly shook his head before speaking again. ''Sometimes I do forget to whom I'm speaking with.'' he said watching with slight raised eyebrows at the girls, before speakign again. ''In truth yes, I have called both of you to send you on a 'job' to do. You're the most capable ninjas I have disponible now.''
''What are we required to do sensei?'' Akyo asked, and saw from the corner of her eye the other girl arching an eyebrow.
''The job itself is simple, yet to make sure of our success I decided to send two of my most stealthed ninjas. Bilgewater pirates are wreacking havoc upon an Ionian port, too far away from civilitation. The man who had reported this incident said that this had been going on for almost two weeks, too much in my opinion. Your job is simple, make sure those pirates leave the port.''
''Dead or alive?'' the other girl asked. The man fixated both of them with a cold stare.
''If they agree to leave, altho I don't believe they will, let them alive, but if they don't...''
''If they're smart enough they'll ran for their lives, if not they'll die.'' Akyo simply said. She wasn't okay with killing people, guilty or not. But she was required to do so. The Kinkou's job was to maintain the balance trough the world with all the necessary means. The ones foolish enough to prove themselves as a threat, dissappeared quickly from the view.
The master nodded his head, and then handed Akyo a scroll. Opening it in such a way both she and the other girl could see, the scroll contained the location of the port, the ones implicated, and also a picture of the man they WILL have to take down. The captain, who anchored his ship on the port. He was in all means of the word ugly. He had messy brown bangs, a scar going down his face, across his right eye down to his cheek. He looked around his fourties, and didn't even bothered to shave a short brown beard which only brought more attention to his face. Gladly his mouth was closed.
Akyo glanced at the other girl and she nodded, pointing they were ready to leave. The journey to the port wouldn't take more than a half day of walking. Running or in Akyo's case, moving trough the shadows, would halven the time. Rolling the scroll back, and handing it to the master, the both girls bowed, before turning to leave. Akyo opened the door and let the other girl pass, before she exited and closed the door behind her.
She had observed the girl had no weapons whatsoever, but she did observed the leather green outfit she wore was a little bit too revealing for her tastes. The two walked side by side, surrounded in silence. Once coming to a hallway that split in two, Akyo turned to the other girl, and extended a hand.
''I'm Akyo, nice to meet you.'' the other girl grabbed her hand and shook it, while speaking.
''Akali. Nice to meet you too.'' she said before letting go of Akyo's hand. The two just stared at one another before Akali spoke.
''Since this shouldn't take longer than a day or two, I'll just grab my weapons and leave. I guess you should do the same.''
''Ah, there is no need for that. I got everything I need.'' Akyo said, taking a small pause before speaking again. ''I guess I'll just wait for you at the entrace?''
Akali nodded and turned around, going on the right path of the hallway. Akyo went the other way, until she reached the doors. She opened them, and saw a rather bored Kennen sitting on the stairs, with his head supported by his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. Upon hearing the doors open, his ears perked up and he turned around. Seeing Akyo, he jumped to his feet and joined her at the top of the stairs.
''So, what happened? You got into trouble?'' he asked her, not even giving her time to explain. Akyo raised one hand to demand his silence before speaking.
''Actually, no. Master had assigned me with another ninja to complete a small job. Pirates wreacking havoc in a far away port. We should be back by tommorow anyway.'' she said and saw the yordle's energy dim.
''Y-you're leaving already?'' he let out a dejected sigh, as his eyes turned to look at the ground. Akyo let a small amused smile pass her lips before she crouched so she would be on the same eye level with the yordle.
''I'm leaving just for a day. I'm sure you can find somebody else to annoy until tommorow.'' she said in a soft tone, watching amusedly as Kennen raised his eyes to meet hers, having a lost puppy look on his face.
''B-but...'' he said before Akyo interupted him.
''I know. I'm your favorite person to annoy. But you wont die one day.'' she said, before she saw the doors open. Akali had two kamas strapped against both of her hips and looked rather surprised. Akyo raised to her feet, and looked at Akali. Kennen himself looked surprised.
''Akali, I tought you were in another mission?'' Kennen asked Akali, before she slowly shook her head.
''I just came back this morning.'' she explained, and Kennen let out a small 'oh'. Akali turned her attention to Akyo.
''Shall we leave then?'' she asked, and Akyo nodded. The two girls walked again side by side, until they dissapeared behind the Order's entrace gates.
~(o-o)~
As the two girls walked trough the forest, Akyo felt a little awkward. Even if she was sure it was just in her head, she had no idea why she felt this way. Akali herself didn't seemed to be needing anykind of conversation, as she just looked forward, focused on their mission. Even if they were on a mission, that didn't meant they can't socialize. Now, that was a mined teritory for Akyo. She really was bad at doing such a thing. Yet, there was no harm in trying to make some friends now, wasn't it?
''So...'' she simply said, just to fill the silence. Akali didn't turned her head but answered.
''Hmm?'' she said, and waited for Akyo to continue speaking.
''I've never seen you around before...'' Akyo said, trying to find her words.
''And?''
''And I was wondering when you joined the order?'' she simply asked and turned to look at Akali. Akali looked forward, and looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking.
''I've always saw the order as my home. As to answer your question, I officially joined the order after I had passed the trial for The Fist of Shadow.'' she simply said, and Akyo's eyes slightly widened. So she was... The Fist of Shadow.
''That's nice, I guess...'' Akyo said trailing off. Well that had been amazing hadn't it? She found out she had been paired with one of the best assasins in the order. As she fumbled her mind for another subject, just as she opened her mouth and took a breath to speak, Akali held one hand up, silencing her.
''Look, I know what you're trying to do, and it's cute. But our job is to get to the port, take care of the pirates and then leave. You, trying to socialise with me will only slow us down.'' she said while looking at Akyo. Akyo had her mouth open behind her mask, but nothing came out of it. Akali turned her direction to the road in front of them, and no other words were spoken.
Akyo closed her mouth and looked down slightly dejected. She knew she was bad at making friends, if SHE was the one trying to. She just stole a small glance at Akali before letting out a soft sigh and turning her focus on the road ahead of them. The two kept walking.
~(o-o)~
Just as the port came into view, the sun was settling down once again, the sky darkening already. At the doc of the port, a big ship was anchored, and both of the girls were sure who was there. Pirates wtih swords and guns patrolled around, ensuring the security.
The two girls found a place to hide in the shadows behind a small cottage, not far from the doc. They observed five or six pirates only down, patrolling around the place. Akyo and Akali were peeking from one side of the cottage, Akyo trying to formulate a way onto the ship.
''We'll have to be careful in out steps. The guys on the ground seem completely awake unlike their friends on the ship.'' Akali remarked and Akyo nodded. Three pirates were gathered at the ship, making small talk, while two others were in separate ways, looking around bored.
''I can take those two guys out easily.'' Akyo said, and saw Akali nod her head. Akali glanced behind her but Akyo was long gone.
One funny thing about being a shadow born, it meant that, as long as there is darkness, there is place to go undetected. The pirate she snucked onto was standing not far away from some crates, a lantern in his hands. Akyo softly tip toed behind the man, and flexed her fingers. Grabbing the staff from the holster and making long to it's full leght, Akyo slowly rised it in the air, and hit the pirate down on his head hard. The man didn't even had the time to scream before he fell unconcious. Akyo grabbed him and turned off his lantern. Hiding him behind the crates, she moved onto her next target.
This one was boredly walking around the port, trough a small village, if three of four cottages along with what seemed like a postal office could be considered a village. He held his lantern in front of him, his sword and pistol ready to be drawed. Akyo was observing from atop of a cottage, and he didn't saw her. She softly leaped behind him and ran to the next wall, just in time as the pirate turned around with his lantern. She held her breath. Once he turned around she softly let it out.
Snucking up behind him, with a stealth that would put any proffesional thief to shame, she softly grabbed her staff from the holster. As her steps grew slower and slower as she approached the target, suddenly a gunshot could be heard in the distance. The pirate instantly turned away, and Akyo's eyes slowly widened.
Acting on reflex, before he could reach for any of his weapons, she hit him across the head, and then used her staff to trip his balance, sending him on the ground. The pirate was knocked out cold, and proceeded with him just as she did with the last one. Now that they were gone, she had to find Akali and find out what was that gunshot all about. Breaking into a small sprint, she headed towards the ship.
Upon reaching it, she already saw the three pirates sitting there minutes prior, down on the ground slashes onto their bodies, blood dripping out of them. Akyo arched an eyebrow. So Akali was a swift one wasn't she? Taking a guess that she already was on the ship, she swiftly started making her way trough.
Akali observed from the shelter of the shadows, the ship's captain. He had descended in the amunition room, where she had dispatched two more pirates minutes prior. He had his sword ready in his right hand, and a pistol on his right hip. A lantern resided in his other hand as he scanned the room.
She had found a place somehwere behind some crates in the corner of the room. She waited patiently, and took a slow breath to block away the pain from her right arm. A pirate had tried shooting her down but it resulted in the bullet to leave something alike to a slash on the upper part of her right arm. Refocusing on the target, she slowly stepped from behind the crates, making her way silently to the captain.
As the captain scanned the room in small steps, and watched every angle with is still good eye, he suddenly stopped and heard a small creacking sound behind him. Staying unmoved for a few seconds, he instantly turned around and blocked just in time a deadly kama meant for his head.
His attacker had no more than fifteen years, yet she looked pretty to his eye with that revealing green suit. She retracted a few steps away, watching him in the eyes. He tried focusing on her, rather than her somehow revealed chest.
''What do you lil' prick want?'' he asked in a rough tone, and saw the girl didn't even flinch. Instead she pointed a kama at him and spoke.
''You have been causing havoc in this port, had taken it over, and killed innocent people. You have two options left. Either you leave now alive, or remain dead.'' she simply said, in a cold tone. The captain smirked and revealed his yellow and some missing teeth.
''Not happening today, ya lil chick.'' he simply said, and not long after he spoke, she charged for him, her kamas clashing against his sword. Letting the lantern drop on the ground, it's fire dying out, he switched hands, so his sword was on his left hand and the other grabbed his pistol. As Akali let herself being engulfed by the shadows again, the captain waited.
The light creaking of wood was the only thing breaking the silence. The captain stood ready to fight this little girl, who wanted to take his life. As he let his eye roam across the room, it was late when he heard shifting behind him. A foot came to connect with his face just as he turned around. But the captain wasn't backing down. Taking aim and firing his pistol, he heard a satistfying cry of pain.
Even if he was down on the ground, he quickly recovered, and raised to his feet. Moonlight was falling down on the floor, from an opening in the rooftop, where the girl stood, clenching her right arm in pain. She had her eyes closed, but as she heard his clenching boots on the ground, she opened them to glare at him. The captain had a stupid smirk plastered across his face, looking down at the girl.
''Well, well. Not so brave now, are ya?'' he asked her, bending down to point the sharp edge of his sword at her neck. Akali just kept glaring, but she knew he had her now. ''Now I'm going to show ya lil prick some respect.'' the capitain said, before he raised his sword high.
Akali closed her eyes. She couldn't believe she was going to die at the hands of a stupid pirate. Only if she had waited for that girl... What was her name again? Ah, yes. Akyo. She had tried to chat with her during their way here, but Akali just cut her off. She wasn't a very trustful person. The only persons she had complete trust in were her mother, the master, Shen and Kennen. Her inability to trust other people was not one of her finer qualities. Maybe if she wouldn't had been so cold with Akyo, she wouldn't have to die right now. She opened her eyes and looked straight into the pirate's one. Atleast she would die showing no weaknesses.
''Say good night.'' he said, but before he could do anything however, Akali saw a sharp spike with red runes coming trough his head, between his eyes. The man stopped mid air, his mouth open, before the spike retarcted from his head. Akali sa whe was going to come to the ground so she quickly rolled on her right just in time before the man dropped on the ground. Looking up, she saw Akyo with a slight look of disgust on her face, a bright red runic staff in her right hand. She shortened it, and wiped the blood from it on the captain's clothes. After that she turned her attention to Akali.
Running up to her, and crouching down, Akyo looked worriedly in Akali's eyes.
''Are you alright? I heard the gunshot when I killed the second guard, but by the time I reached the ship you were gone. When I was making my way here I heard a second gunshot, louder this time and you scream. You have NO idea how worried I was.'' she said and even went as far as to hug the other girl.
Akali stood dumbfounded, still holding her right arm. Even after she had been cold and rude to her, Akyo was acting like they were best friends ever since. She did not understood why would she be that way towards her. Sensing her confusion, Akyo let go and looked at Akali, the moonlight making the blood on her right arm visible.
''Why...?'' was everything Akali could get out. Akyo slightly giggled, and looked amusedly at Akali.
''You might not be my friend, but you are a fellow ninja. People just have to prove themselves worthy of your trust, for you to befriend them, isn't that right?'' she asked and saw Akali's confusion turn into a slight sadness. Akyo raised to her feet and held a hand for Akali.
''So, Miss Fist of Shadow, have I deemed myself worthy of your trust?'' she asked, and saw Akali arching an eyebrow at her, making Akyo let out a small laugh.
''If I say no I guess you'd leave me here, and that also be a lie.'' Akali said, as she grabbed with her left hand Akyo's outstretched one. Once she was on her feet, she hold her right arm again, as Akyo stood on her left, and put o hand across her small back, to help her walk.
''Alright. Let's take care of that ugly wound you got there.'' she said, as the two girls made their way out of the ship.
~(o-o)~
After that, let's say uneventful mission, Akali and Akyo were inseparable. The two girls were always together, training, lunch, missions, anything. Considering the fact that both were born to be assasins.
Akyo really enjoyed Akali's friendship. She really missed talking to a girl, ever since the relationship between she and her sister went sour. There were things she just couldn't talk with her mother, and having a girl friend around her age, made her life a lot better. Akali herself seemed to enjoy the company of another female ninja, the two girls simply enjoying eachother's presence.
Akali really liked Akyo's personality. At first sight she seemed cold and motionless just like she was. But if you gave her a chance, she would show you a warm and soft side of her, that would make you like her istantly. Probably that's why they bonded so fast. Because they were alike in personalities. Aside that, Akali could leave her cold shell at the door when around only Akyo, and show her girl-ish side. That went for Akyo too.
In fact, the two had made a pact. One night once a month, Akyo would invite Akali over to her quarters, the two girls leaving their ninja selves at the door, and for one night act like normal girls. The first night this took place was still fresh in Akali's mind.
After she welcomed her in, Akali removed her sneakers, and entered the living. It was a normal living, with a soft red round carpet in the middle and a big same color couch. She had like Akyo a blouse along with white pants, only her blouse was green, while Akyo's was blue. There was a table that probably used to stay in front of the couch, but it had been moved so the girls had the big soft carpet free for themselves.
There were pillows, blankets and some plushies Akyo had brought on the couch. She sat with her legs crossed on the soft carpet, and Akali followed her soon. Then they just stayed there in silence.
Leaning her back against the couch and letting her head fall backwards, Akali spoke.
''So, what are we actually suposed to do?'' she asked and silence greeted her.
''I...don't know. What do normal girls do?'' Akyo asked slightly amused. Akali looked at her with the same amusement.
''I don't know that either...'' she said while looking down on the carpet, the smile she had still in place.
''Probably because were not normal girls... And we've never been.'' Akyo answered filosophically, and Akali looked at her with one arched eyebrow that sent Akyo into a small giggle.
''I mean come on, look what we've been trough. I saw my mother die before my eyes, my own sister rejected me, and your mother had trained you mercilessly, my own mother's methods of training paling in comparison.'' she said and looked at Akali. She slowly nodded, and thought about it, before Akyo spoke again.
''And since we do not know what we are suposed to do, I guess we can try to have an intelligent conversation between two intelligent on their way to be women.'' Akyo said having a snobby look on her face, her tone being one a high society person would use, and Akali giggled before repling.
''I guess you are correct, indeed, my friend. For thus we have no ideea what ordinary girls do, we can still find interesting subject of conversation.'' Akali said following Akyo's example. The two stood like that for a few seconds, and tried to keep their laughter down. After one minute of starring awkwardly at one another, the girls erupted in laughter.
Laughing so freely was truly something out of the ordinary for them. They were used to keep a straight face, and show no emotion whatsoever, but taking a break from it surely felt good. When their laughter fit slowly started to subdue, the girls tried to look at one another without bursting into laughter again. But upon making eye contact they failed horrible, now clutching their bellies and small tears at the end of their eyes.
After their second wave of laughter faded, the girls wiped the tears from their eyes and tried to regain their breaths. That broke whatever ice was between them, and after than the night flowed soflty. They would talk about this and that, even went as far as to try some fight moves, but not too noisy. Both girls put their masks away, and the girl-ish sides of them got the better of them.
After a few hours of chit-chatting, showing fight moves, eating some snacks and more chit-chatting, Akyo was almost done fixing up Akali's hair. She had suddenly wondered how she would look with pigtails, and she was almost done with the second one. Leaning back to gaze at her work, Akyo let a proud smirk over her face, and let out a small gigle. She looked plainly adorable.
However, she didn't escaped the hair fixing either. Akali had made her two braided tails, and she looked like a five years old with them. The girls gazed at their artwork proudly.
''I must say, you should wear your hair like this. It suits you.'' Akali said to Akyo, and she amusedly rolled her eyes.
''Yes, I could say the same about you. Everybody would tremble in fear facing you. I can even see a new name for you. Akali, The Pigtails of Shadow.'' Akyo said while making a gesture with her hand, like she could see it written in the air. It was Akali's turn to roll her eyes and shake her head. Suddenly something popped in Akali's mind.
''Akyo?''
''Hmm?''
''Why did Zed opened the Box of Shadows?'' Akali simply asked, and silence dawned upon the room. Akyo simply gazed at her, her mouth slightly opened, and sadness obvious in her eyes. Akali felt suddenly sorry for asking such a question, remembering how she reacted the day it happened.
''I'm so-...''
''No, it's alright. I must say neither I do not know why he did it...'' Akyo said looking at the ground.
''But weren't you guys friends?'' Akali asked her. Akyo nodded softly.
''Yes, we were. But the two weeks following my trial, something had changed. One year prior to my trial, I met him, I guess I can say by accident in a clearing in the woods. He said he wanted to help me win the trial, since he detested my sister, and I accepted. Soon, I offered to guide him trough the art of meditation, so he could gain better control over his powers.'' she took a deep breath and continued.
''We started getting closer and closer over the months we spent training together. He was starting to change, to become a much more cool and kinder person. He slowly became my first friend and we even went together to the Lunar Revel Festival. I avoided him a few weeks after that, because of a ...strange dream I had, but after mother died before my eyes, he had been there to comfort me. When I tought I was alone, he gave me this.'' she said and showed Akali the good luck charm she always had with her.''And remembered me I wasn't alone. He calmed me the day before my trial, and it helped me the next day. After that, it was probably the fact that I was gone, that he returned to his old self...'' she said trailing off. Her head was hunging low, her eyes sticked to the carpet. Tears were softly flowing down her cheeks, and she could stop them.
Akali watched the girl with a tender look on her face. She was obviously in pain, not only because she lost her first friend, but she was sure it was something more to this.
''He wasn't just a friend for you, wasn't he?'' she asked in a soft tone, and saw Akyo slightly freeze. She raised her head as well as her eyes, and used her palms to wipe the tears from her cheeks and eyes. She soflty nodded to Akali's question.
''I...'' she trailed off, not finding the courage. If she admited it loud, her heart might start bleeding again. And she was scared of that. It hurt. It hurt a lot.
Akali raised to her feet, and sat down next to the saddened girl. She put her hands on her shoulder on a comforting manner, looking softly into her eyes.
''I trusted you, now it's your turn to trust me. I'm here Akyo. It's easier to go trough pain with somebody rather than facing it alone.'' she said to the girl, and saw her lower lip softly tremble. Akyo took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as she could feel more tears coming.
''I love him.'' she simply said, as she shutted her eyes close, in a weak attempt to stop her tears. Akali just hugged the girl and let her head rest on her shoulder. Akyo returned the gesture, grateful she had somebody to rely on, when she was in a weak state of mind. While the tears fell from her eyes, she herself was quitet. When she was sure her voice wouldn't crack she spoke.
''Thank you, Akali.'' she simply said, her voice sightly muffled.
''No need to. This is what friends are for.'' she replied, while tightening the hug around Akyo.
AN: Oh, I just love sis romance. This is the longest chapter I've written so far, probably because Akali is my favorite Kinkou ninja, and because I wanted to make her Akyo's new sister, to call it that way. So, let's get down to bussines. The next chapter will be the last but one chapter ( probably. It depends on how evil I feel *evil grin* ). I'm sorry to say that, since I really, really fell in love with you guys. I promise the sequel will be on it's way soon after I finish this, so you better stay tuned. Reviews are as always appreciated.
So, to get an ideea about what will happen in the next chapter there you go:
The Shadows of her Memories Chapter 11: The fall of the Order!
Love you guys~!