HEY EVERYONE! THIS STORY ISN'T DEAD, AND NEITHER AM I! JUST HAD A LOT OF SHIT I HAD TO DO, AND CAN RARELY GET TO MY COMPUTER NOW AND DAYS. ANYWAYS, HERE IT IS: CHAPTER 15!
Chapter 15
Jaxson saw Jaune's axe coming down on him. He punched it dead on with his new weapon, which he named the Gravity Claws. They were a pair of gauntlets with claws and had them created for both his hands and feet, making full use of his close combat skills. His gauntlets covered his entire hand, and some of his lower arm, and still allowed for full use of his open palm strike. There were two major things Jaxson wanted on the Gravity Claws: claws where his fingers were, making him more deadly than before, and a retractable blade for when things get dicey. And on his feet were two spikes on each boot. He had to get new boots made, and had two spikes on them: one at the toe pointing to the sky, and the other was actually on the back, and it ran down the back of his leg, and into the ground, attached to a spring system that was able to allow greater movement capabilities without sacrificing most of his normal moves. And it was easy to attach, as it fit onto the bottom of any type of shoe. He also had a staff, but he wasn't done flushing out the details, so it wasn't in use.
"Damn! And I thought it would be easy to face something that unwieldy," Jaxson commented, punching the side of the axe, kicking back, getting plenty of distance. "Has a major flaw though."
"And what would that be?" Jaune asked, seeing Jaxson use the springs again, getting right into her personal space, her axe now useless.
"This," Jaxson informed, punching her abdomen, sending her flying due to the speed of the impact of his fist. "I think we are done here."
As Jaxson was turning, he heard movement behind him, and turned, seeing Jaune badly bruised, but not down.
"Even with that wrap, I'm amazed that you can still see well enough to nail me like that," Jaune spoke, using part of her axe as a crutch.
"Don't bother with an attack. Trust me. I'd rather not impale you," Jaxson added, getting onto his left knee, working on removing the spike springs. "That was an excellent match by the way. Gave me a run for my money back there. Only one other person can give me a run for my money."
"And I assume that is me?" Éclair asked, Jaxson nodding.
"Nailed it sweetheart," Jaxson confirmed, going to work on removing the left spike.
"I'm a bit disappointed that I don't get to see what a meteor hammer looks like," Jaune admitted, seeing Jaxson remove the left spike. "How do you even remove the other armor?"
"It's not all steel. Leather for the straps that hold the armor in place. Armor Basics 101," Jaxson answered, removing the gauntlets. "Also fitted them to make sure nothing went wrong in putting them on and taking them off. Had to make fingerless gloves to do that."
"Enough chit-chat. We have a date, remember?" Éclair reminded Jaxson.
"Right. Sorry," Jaxson apologized, packing up his gear. He slung his bag over his shoulder, and hopped onto the cercle, knowing that they had to return, get ready and then leave. Following right behind Éclair, Jaxson was wondering what the date would consist of, since it was almost eleven. Once in Biscotti, they returned the cercles to the castle, and started to walk home.
"Jaxson! Éclair!" Ricotta called.
"Hey sis, what's up?" Jaxson asked the inventor.
"Just wondering what you two were up to," Ricotta answered.
"Sex," Jaxson replied, not even hesitating. That earned him a smack to the back of the head from Éclair (since this happens a lot, think of NCIS leader Gibbs hitting DiNozzo's head. Same movement).
"We are going to get ready for a date later today," Éclair answered. "Why must you say things like that? Don't you regret saying those things?"
"I regret nothing," Jaxson informed.
"Of course you don't. Let me guess, unprofessional?" Éclair assumed.
"Actually no. Life is too short to regret things. That, and I kind of find your head smacks nice," Jaxson informed, seeing Ricotta's eyes sparkle. "Not like that. It's and NCIS thing."
"NCIS?" Ricotta asked.
"What is that?" Éclair also wondered.
"Naval Crime Investigative Service. It's a real agency in America, but there is a show, fictional-ish, about some of the cases, and there is a character, Anthony DiNozzo, who always gets his head smacked by Gibbs, his boss, because of his antics," Jaxson explained.
"Sounds unprofessional," Éclair answered.
"The real NCIS is actually very professional. In the show they are also professional and have their own personality quirks, but just not that strange. I hope. Never met anyone from NCIS before. CIA and Homeland Security though, I could write a book on those stiffs," Jaxson added.
"I assume those are more American agencies?" Éclair assumed.
"Correct. I might say some of the run-ins I've had with them another time," Jaxson finished.
"So, when is the date Éclair? What are you going to let Jaxson rip off your body tonight?" Ricotta asked, Jaxson sighing.
'Please stop making everything about sex Ricotta,' Jaxson ironically thought.
"That is a secret," Éclair smirked, Jaxson whipping his head to look at Éclair.
'What the fuck? She isn't serious, is she?' Jaxson mentally panicked, trying to figure out what Éclair was planning. However, Jaxson isn't quite sure what he was reading from her.
"And so is where we are going. Éclair won't tell me anything," Jaxson added.
"Éclair, you realize that Jaxson might not have anything to wear, and will most likely have to find something, and then patch any holes in it, right?" Ricotta spoke, Éclair realizing this.
"You might want to get something that can soaked and not be uncomfortable," Éclair informed Jaxson, who nodded, heading out to find something.
"I'll also find something formal so that I won't have to later," Jaxson replied, heading out to get something that matched the description Éclair gave him. "Wetsuit seems like a good choice if trunks aren't available."
/-/3 Hours Later\-\
"So, can you tell me where we are going already?" Jaxson asked, Éclair simply smiling. "Please? I'm completely clueless, and I swear this place seems familiar."
"Just a little more. You did bring the bag I hope," Éclair responded, completely dodging the question, which Jaxson did notice.
"I did bring the bag. But that doesn't mean you need to dodge the question," Jaxson commented, Éclair pulling him out to a part of the river he hadn't seen, and there was a small hut on the other side, Jaxson realizing that they were in a secluded spot.
"I see why you didn't tell me about this place. It's breathtaking," Jaxson spoke, not caring that they were alone. "We should come here more often. Clear water, rocks on one side and I can see some fine sand on the other side near the hut. I kind of want to know how you found this place."
"We actually trained here during the summer once. It was just Yuki, Noir, Shinku and myself. It's not that far from where we met up a few days ago," Éclair informed.
Jaxson backed up to the tree line, and broke into a sprint. Right before his foot would have hit the water, he jumped over the river, doing a little flip just to add some style, landing on the soft sand. He placed the bag down, and took off his shirt, showing Éclair his toned body again. He had on swim trunks, the last pair that they had without a hole near his rear. It was mainly white, with two blue lines on his left side, not even going all the way across, each one going part way around the front and back. Éclair saw the scar on his back, and was wondering about it.
"How did you get that scar?" Éclair asked, joining Jaxson.
"Oh, this ol' thing? Since I tried to lay low at school, I got into a fight, and the guy pulled a knife on me, and I didn't react fast enough and he got me. No epic behind it," Jaxson informed, revealing the story behind the scar on his back. "Though with the scar that will be left behind by the lycanthrope will be one for the books."
"Does it hurt? Your back?" Éclair continued.
"Happened during middle school. About four, five years ago. I only know it is there because I can somewhat feel it when touch it," Jaxson informed. "But no pain at all. Well, not anymore. First year it hurt like a bitch, the following six months it stung whenever something touched it."
"So what you're saying is that it is fully healed and you don't have to worry about it, right?" Éclair confirmed.
"I was in two war games, a demon skirmish, and training. I'm pretty sure that it is fully recovered," Jaxson answered, looking at the water, judging how deep it was. Deepest was at his waist about, and he smiled. "Oh, should we eat here or at home?"
"There are some fish upstream that we can catch for dinner," Éclair informed.
"Excellent. Time to actually put this to use," Jaxson spoke, walking into the stream, falling into the water, floating to the top, relaxing on his back. The stream wasn't that strong, so he stayed where he was, closing his good eye to avoid losing his vision before regaining it. He closed both eyes, but it was only noticeable on one side. Éclair took off her shirt and shorts wearing a white top and white shorts. She walked over to Jaxson, and decided to play a little. She pushed his stomach down, causing him to open his eyes, seeing a mischievous smile on Éclair's face. He wasn't moved that much, as he was still floating. He pulled Éclair down, sinking both of them, Éclair on top of Jaxson under the water, both emerging for air second after as it caught them off guard.
Jaxson looked at Éclair, seeing her in her swimwear. Éclair noticed this, and decided to play to it. She struck a pose, looking at Jaxson, Jaxson smiling, and started to laugh, Éclair fuming once he started to laugh. A quick smack to the head fixed it, Jaxson calming down.
"Sorry. I just wasn't expecting that. Talk about hitting it deep in left field," Jaxson apologized. "I was confused, and unsure. Laughing was not the best option. But you did look nice doing that. But you know you don't need to try so hard around me."
Jaxson pulled Éclair close, and kissed her, Éclair happily returning it. They were engaged in a make out session, their tongues dancing, exploring the other's mouth.
"You go girl!" a female called out, causing them to break apart.
"Goddamn it Ricot- Millhiore?" Jaxson cursed, surprised to see her here.
"Hime-sama? What are you doing here?" Éclair asked, surprised to see her there.
Jaxson saw Shinku emerging from the tree line. "Hero," he sourly spoke, not liking that they just ruined a moment they were having.
"Assassin," Shinku replied with a tone just as friendly.
"Touchy," Jaxson responded..
"What?" Shinku asked, confused.
"What?" Jaxson spoke with no hesitation, Tactical nuke in 3…
"So, what brings you two out here?" Éclair asked again, since she was interrupted by her white haired mate. 2…
"We thought we would come here and enjoy the scenery," Shinku answered. 1…
"Afraid I might have made an untimely entrance, resulting in my second act of coitus interruptus?" Jaxson asked, Éclair smacking the back of his head. Jaxson's face had a smile on it, regretting nothing. When he looked up, he noticed that they were blushing and looking away from each other. "That was meant to be a joke. One where you wouldn't act like I was right."
More silence.
"Ricotta?" Jaxson asked.
"Right before it," Millhiore confirmed.
"Note to self, remove surveillance spiders and revoke tablet," Jaxson spoke to himself, only Éclair hearing him, earning him another smack. "I bugged it once, and forgot to remove my equipment. I'll do it tomorrow," he whispered to Éclair.
"So, what are you two up to out here all alone making out?" Millhiore asked, trying to embarrass Jaxson.
"Enjoying nature and each other's company," Jaxson answered before Éclair could make them think otherwise. "A date."
/-/3 Hours Later\-\
Jaxson was standing in the stream with a spear, Shinku sitting on a rock with a fishing rod. Right now, they were fishing, Jaxson preferring spear fishing over using a rod.
"So, what do you like about Éclair?" Shinku asked Jaxson.
"She looks at me like I'm a human and not a monster, despite knowing my past," Jaxson answered, keeping his eye on the stream for any fish swimming close enough to spear. "She's kind, cute, and being around her just, feels right."
"Just cute?" Shinku questioned.
"Cute isn't a word I throw around easily. Beautiful I've thrown around many times," Jaxson explained.
"Usually it's the other way around," Shinku commented.
"And you would be right. However, as a former assassin, I would have to go undercover at times as a date for a girl who was close to my target," Jaxson started. "But I was training to do that naturally, as it was a problem for me. Guess I won't need that skill anymore."
"True," Shinku spoke simply, Jaxson thrusting the spear in the water and back out before he could even blink, spearing two fish at once. "That is actually impressive."
"My record stands at three at once. I almost matched the record just now," Jaxson informed.
"Another question, why do you prefer spear fishing?" Shinku asked.
"It requires more patience than the way you are doing it. Also a way for the mind and body to become one for some, or so I've heard," Jaxson explained. "Time to cook these guys."
"So, how are things with Jaxson?" Millhiore asked Éclair, curious as to their relationship.
"We are actually getting along great. Though he says and does stupid things every now and then, it is part of his awkward charm," Éclair answered. "He seems to know just what to say when I'm feeling down or when I'm mad at him. But it still feels like he's keeping his distance."
"How? He seems like he is always there for you and loves you unconditionally," Millhiore commented.
"I know. But it seems like he is hiding something, or he's just keeping his distance should I somehow hurt him," Éclair answered.
"And do you?" Millhiore asked.
"Of course not. At least not intentionally. The point is I would never knowingly hurt him. I want to help him, but I can't," Éclair informed.
"Hey!" Jaxson called, waving to the two girls, grabbing their attention.
"Huh. I guess Jaxson does spear fish," Éclair noticed, seeing two fish on his spear.
"Is there anything he can't do?" Millhiore questioned.
"Knowing him, he might say bearing a child, or something that only us females can do," Éclair smiled.
"How's everything going? Did we keep you waiting too long?" Jaxson asked.
"Nope. Just out of curiosity, is there anything you can't do?" Millhiore questioned.
"Take a dick in a vagina, since I have no vagina," Jaxson answered, earning him a head smack. A smile was on his face after he was smacked, knowing that that answer would earn him one.
"Can you not say something like that?" Éclair asked.
"I could, but that would make you wonder if I were really myself," Jaxson informed. "Let's get this dinner cooking, shall we?"
"Don't think that you won't pay for that answer when we get home," Éclair whispered.
"Kinky," Jaxson replied, earning him his fourth smack that day alone.
/-/1 Hour After Dinner\-\
"So," Jaxson asked, a towel wrapped around his waist. "Are we heading back? Or staying here tonight? Sun's already gone for the day."
"We should stay here. Not risk monsters attacking up on our way back at night," Éclair answered, the couple heading into the hut.
"Let me just get rid of these then," Jaxson spoke, removing the swim trunks he had on. He now was almost completely naked, and all it would take is a mishap with the towel to cause him to be exposed.
"Can you please put something on? I don't want that on my rear while sleeping," Éclair asked, Jaxson opening the bag. He knew that should they be a while, and extra set of clothes would be a good idea. He took out a tank top and boxers, putting them on before removing the towel. "Thank you."
"You might want to change as well. Don't want to get sick while sleeping, now do we. I'll turn around," Jaxson suggested, turning around.
There was a silence, Jaxson sighing. "You didn't think to bring an extra set of clothes, did you?"
"I thought we would be home by then," Éclair answered.
"Luckily for you, I thought ahead. I packed some in the bag," Jaxson answered, Éclair looking in the bag, and saw an extra set of clothes for her, quickly changing.
"Jaxson?" Éclair started, Jaxson turning around. "Is there something stopping you from a relationship with me?"
"Why would you think that? I love you, I truly mean that," Jaxson answered.
"I know. But it just feels like there is a wall still there at times. Why is that?" Éclair asked.
Jaxson was genuinely confused, and his face showed it. It took him a second before answering. "Sure I had my walls up when first coming here, as well as yourself. But after my walls came down I've never hidden anything from you. That would hurt more than I would ever want. If it were up to me, I'd never hurt you intentionally."
"But we spar, and with you training us, a scratch or two is expected," Éclair replied. "But it still feels like there is something you're not telling me."
"I'm not aware of anything like that. I told you about my now deceased sister, my old life, and those were the only things I know of that are important," Jaxson explained.
"What about the other stuff? What you were like when you weren't killing?" Éclair asked.
"I was training for the next job. I didn't really have much else to do. Not only did they take me in, but they gave me a home when I had none. On occasion I listened to music. Anything that caught my ear. I'm not that picky when it comes to music," Jaxson answered. "Can we not talk about this anymore? I love you, and would give my life for you if it ever comes down to that."
"Okay. It seems like I was worried about nothing," Éclair sighed, walking up to Jaxosn, kissing his cheek. "I love you too Jaxy."
"Please never call me that again," Jaxson requested. "It sounded bad."
"It sounded better in my head," Éclair admitted. "But I do love you. We should probably get to bed now if we want to get back at a decent hour tomorrow."
"Okay love," Jaxson agreed, the two laying down, cuddling each other, soon falling asleep.
AND DONE! I HOPE THIS WAS AS GOOD AT READ AS IT WAS TO WRITE! SORRY ABOUT THE WEIRD ENDING OF THIS CHAPTER. BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO THE STORY'S PLOT! EVERYTHING WILL BE EXPLAINED LATER. MUCH LATER. UNTIL NEXT TIME!