Chapter Thirteen

Imprisonment

Reo smiled a tiny bit as he felt Jade's soft gentle hands rub against his tense shoulders, the lilac haired teen sighed, slightly annoyed, not at Reo but at the fact he wouldn't take a SINGLE break. Not one. "Reo you've been working for two days straight, you need to come out of this room some time." She said, leaning down, her hair brushing his cheek as she pretty much talks into his ear.

"I can't, I have to plan the perfect attack before Vexel gets to us." Reo blinked away the pleasure of Jade's massage as he leant back over yet another scroll, to add to his mountain that already almost reached the ceiling. Jade took the scroll from under him with a frown as Reo blinked "…I was about to write on that."

"No you're not, take a break, come outside on the balcony with us? please? Firno and Piper miss you're intelligent conversation." Jade said with a slight smile and a chuckle; Reo rubbed the bridge of his nose, but reluctantly agreed.

Reo loved Jade, no doubt about it; but sometimes he couldn't help feeling like she didn't understand what was going on around here; he couldn't just 'take a break', Vexel defiantly won't be taking any time off in order to get to him and Firno and if they were going to beat the Queen to it, he had to plan faster, he couldn't afford to stop.

*

That night, Reo worked twice as hard to come up with his Master Plan to defeat Vexel, Jade couldn't stop him seen as she was fast asleep by this point, so without her distracting him he was completely focused at the task in hand; he had to defeat her; it wasn't a choice, there was no other way around it, he and Firno had calculated the scenario with their mother hundreds of times and in the end the outcome was the same: she had to die! He stopped…all these thoughts of her death and destruction of her army…he sighed as he raked a hand through his hair; just thinking about this reminded him of Cyclonis and her talons…was he no better then either of them? Their goals of war and bloodshed…did he have to follow them in order to gain peace?

"Am I…exactly the same?" He whispered aloud…

There was a sudden that shriek echoed around the ship that made Firno startle and fall out of bed and Reo jump in his chair in surprise. "What the hell was that?!" Firno yelled as he stood up wide-eyed; ironically holding his bare chest as if he had a heart attack.

"It sounded like it came from the shadows…" Reo murmured

"It must be a trick from Vexel, we can't risk going in-"

There was another scream, this one was familiar…and a lot more significant and it rang bells in Reo's head…"Jade!" Reo dived out of his chair, the desk almost toppling over as he physically shoved it out the way in order to run out of the room.

"Brother wait for-" Firno said, shoving on a t-shirt before he sighed "Me…" He finished as he hurriedly chased after his brother.

"No Firno, stay here. If I'm not back in ten minutes, come after me." Roe ordered looking determined.

Firno hesitated, but didn't have time to answer as Reo ran into the shadows…

Reo looked around Horizon, nothing, just the comforting blackness, begging him to dissapate and-

"Help!" Jade yelled again; Reo hesitated at that; he had to stop and think about this; was this a trap? He was ninety percent certain it was, and he was foolish enough not to check Jade's bedroom first. He decided it was best to wait…but after possibly the longest 5 minutes of his life, and Firno not calling him back saying she was safe (since his younger brother would have the sense to see if Jade wasn't in the Realm) he pushed onwards to the opening of the Shadow Realm.

When he got there he practically growled at the scene; the Royal Shadow Army (RSA) quickly surrounded him, though Reo could sense the fear in their eyes; Reo was royalty and he was a pure shadow that made him far stronger than most.

Jade was gagged with a cloth, her eyes streaming, her complexion slightly green from the illness she would have received from the atmosphere of the Realm but what really pissed Reo off was the sight of Jades back, blood sliding down it and soaking into her cloths, a masked soldier holding a bloody whip, as well as Vexel's pointed smile grinning at him.

"You bitch!" Reo was about to charge but received pointed blades at his throat, Reo didn't waver; in a flash of silver and red, Reo was twirling his blades in his palms, never taken them off his back except for rest; the soldiers didn't stand a chance.

In a few seconds all of the soldiers collapsed unconscious on the floor, including Jade's punisher. Reo felt his eyesight blank out for a millisecond, things became redefined and focused…he suddenly remembered from all the way back in Cyclonia, the crystal would often make his eyes seem improved when the colour of them changed slightly; despite not having worn the crystals for months now the crystal must have had an after affect on him.

Vexel clapped her hands mockingly at him, Jade by her side, the girl would have run had she not been so scared "Well done, Araxta, you'll make a fine King."

"Don't count on it Vexel!" Reo sprinted at his Mother, leaping as he was about to attack…Vexel pushed him back using a shield of darkness, with a laugh she watched him skid back onto his feet; Jade screamed over the gag but her words were muffled.

"Don't be a fool!" She giggled menacingly, sounding like pebbles being rattled in a metal bucket.

"Let her go, she's nothing to do with this!" Reo yelled.

Vexel tutted and shook a finger at him "Ah, but she is…how about I'll make a deal with you Araxta…" Reo growled in his throat, he knew what Vexel would say and he knew what this meant; Jade was a bribe…

"Stay here and train to be a fine King of this Realm…and Jade can go home safe…of course if you refuse, you can watch her die before we force you to the Palace…which will it be?" Vexel grinned her toothy shark-like smile; Jade was shaking her head, still crying; the last thing she wanted was to be used as a bribe against her boyfriend; Reo felt a little bit of panic in his chest. She got me!

"Don't hurt Jade…" Reo whispered. "Send her back…I'll be the next King…as long as you promise she or anyone else in my family, including my friends, won't be harmed." It shamed him to say it, but he had no choice, this was blackmail, and he couldn't bare to lose one of the only people that loved him and understood him other than his brother.

"I can grant you that, as long as you're a good boy." Vexel laughed cruelly again as Reo hung his head feeling almost lost, Jade screaming what could only be "no!" behind the gag; she didn't want to lose him!

"I'll let you say goodbye to you're little girlfriend…" Vexel said with a smirk as she untied Jade and released her gag, the scared lilac haired girl ran over to Reo painfully, punching his chest lightly.

"Stupid, stupid! What about the others?!" Jade sobbed, Reo grabbed her forearms and just cuddled her gently taking care not to touch her back as the human cried in his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Jade…truly I am…but we have no choice." Reo whispered, deep sadness riding through his voice; it was obvious he didn't want to go and if Reo had a heart it would be breaking at the thought of making Jade cry like this.

"I love you, I can't let you go, I can't let you do this!" She sobbed harder; Reo sighed softly a she pulled her closer to him and stroked her soft velvety hair lovingly…

"I'll find my way back…I promise." Reo whispered so quietly even Jade struggled to hear, and he was right in his ear; Jade heard it though and she quieted down and nodded ever so slightly; she believed in Reo…she trusted him, and he always kept his promises.

"Enough, time to go Araxta." Vexel snapped impatiently. Reo glared at Vexel out the corners of his eyes before looking back at Jade. "I love you…so much…Jade Rotaski…"

Jade struggled and screamed as she was dragged away by more guards back into Atmos "Reo! No, please! REO!" She couldn't stop the tears, the streamed down her face like rivers, she couldn't lose him…

"Tell Brother I love him for me will you…" Reo tried to smile bravely but he felt something strange against his cheek…

Jade gasped a bit as she watched a black tear fall down Reo's pale cheek.

*

One Year Later

Prince Araxta Vasska looked out at his Kingdom from his balcony window; his long, tatterd and ripped deep red cloak flapping around his ankles as the cold wond blew past him; he wore a blue tunic above white leggings and scarlet shirt, a belt around his hips and a collar to shield his neck; gloves covered his palms and his boots almost reached up to his knees; it was his sixty first birthday in just under a month…

Sixty-one may not seem important to Atmos, in fact, it wasn't important to normal Shadows either, but to the Royal family, it was one of the most important dates on a Prince or Princess' calendar; it was their Coming of Age.

After the ceremony, the Prince or Princess has six months before being given the throne; however it depressed Reo so much; here, he was only addressed as "Your Highness" or "Araxta." he wasn't allowed to show emotion, when most nights he just wanted to collapse and curl up under the covers. He missed his family his REALY family, Jade and Firno even his father even though eh didn't know him so well, he missed them all so much…it had been well over a year now…he had no choice but to stay after learning every punishment inflicted on him will be felt by Jade too, a dirty trick.

He sighed deeply, walking back into his room and shutting the doors behind him, shielding the glass sliders with a curtain before throwing his cape on the chair near by and laying on his large bed, as he spent the rest of the night remembering.

*

Reo War was looking at the crowds of happy shadows, dancing to music with partners while he watched high above on his throne; his mother was sitting on the throne beside him.

"Have you not found a suitable partner, Araxta?" Vexel asked, tilting her head towards her molded son; in her eyes her now perfect son perfect for being her hier…

"Apologies, Mother, but it seems I have not…" Roe responded dully; it was the only way to speak and not gain any punishments from his mother, then again her felt as depressed as he sounded.

"No worries, I have chosen the perfect partner for you." Vexel clapped her hands twice and the music stopped, thenhe highly favored and rich shadows parted to form a gap, as the doors the doors swung open.

Reo froze as he stared; time seemed to stop, standing with two guards either side of her, in a long elegant thin strapped black dress, her make-up perfect and hair made into a beautiful style…was Jade Rotaski. Reo wanted to sprint over and just hold her…but couldn't forget Vexel's stare.

"She will be here for the night, consider this a gift." Vexel smiled broadly.

"Thank you so much mother…I appreciate it." Reo said softly as he stood, and for the first time, he actually meant it. He walked over to Jade, still stunned by how beautiful she was…

"Reo…?" Jade whispered, kind of shocked by the stony face, she felt her heart sink; had Vexel already changed him that much? However when the guards left and the music and dancing started up again, Reo smiled, with his back to Vexel.

Jade's heart skipped a beat feeling relived to look at that soft smile again, so he was still there…she smiled and almost cried with relief. Reo took her by the hand and waist and started slow-dancing around the dance floor with the other dancers, Vexel also dancing with the General of the highest ranking, who could basically be just one stage below a Prince, standard wise.

"Reo…I missed you so much…" Jade whispered softly as they danced together; she couldn't take her eyes off him; eh looked handsome in his royal uniform…yet he looked sad, she could tell eh wasn't happy here.

"I missed you too…I'm so sorry for not escaping. I-I couldn't…" Reo sighed slightly feeling ashamed; he'd always thought himself so strong and capable of protecting Jade and helping his brother…but he'd been beaten by his won mother.

"It's okay…we couldn't do anything either, no matter what we tried to get you out of there, it was no use, Finro and Zexion couldn't even get into the shadow realm"

"That doesn't matter now…I have an idea of how to get out within the next six months…" Reo smiled, but he still doubted this plan highly.

Jade smiled softly; it was just like Reo to always plan ahead "Let's not worry about that for a second…I was so scared when the guards came for me, but as long as it lead me to seeing you again, I didn't care…can I kiss you here?"

"I don't think you can even hug me in public…we'll head for my room after this last dance…it's kind of tradition to do so anyway." Reo blushed a tiny bit, barely noticeable unless you were as close as Jade, who giggled.

"What, to do…you know?" Jade tried not to have a giggle fit at the thought of it while she blushed a bit herself; she's been having a lot of thought like that…

"Y-yeah…heh. But we need to plan."

"You're right…"

Did Reo sense a light disappointment in her tone?

*

Jade looked around the royal bedrooms in awe; it was so big! She could easily spend the rest of her life here, it was like a small apartment completely with a walk in wardrobe and bathroom. Reo took off his formal cape and tunic, leaving him in slightly baggier leggings and a neat shirt.

Jade sat down next to him, she pulled the clips out of her hair letting her hair fall down past her shoulders and back into her old style as she listened intently to Reo's plan, occasionally dropping some of her own ideas. She had to try hard not to let her feelings get the better of her…

"I'll talk to Firno about it tomorrow, he'll be excited to hear from you, he really misses you…"

"I miss him too…and Father…and even the Storm Hawks…" Reo twitched his ears and looked up, as a moment later someone started knocking on his door.

"Miss Rotaski?" A friendly female voice spoke, but was interrupted by harsh whispers.

Reo had to snigger slightly. "Poor Hillisan, she must have forgotten I was in here too. The guards must have convinced her we're doing something naughty." Reo laughed slightly.

Jade stared at him and before she could stop her brain thinking it and her mouth running away with her, she couldn't help but say it. "Why aren't we?"

"…Huh?" Reo did a double take.

"Never mind…" Jade said as she looked away and played with her dress embarrassed she let that slip.

"I better be going then…let me take you to your room-" Reo stood up, but Jade held onto his wrist.

"Reo please…don't leave me alone…I don't want to sleep alone…" She whispered; Jade had spent a whole year by herself she missed his presence; Reo melted slightly on the inside and sat back down.

"O-Okay Jade…you can stay here for the night with me…"

Reo was taken aback however as he was suddenly kissed by Jade, but no way did he complain; he hadn't felt her lips against his in over a year, and he missed these moments and he kissed her back, deeper then before.

The kissing soon lead to playing with the others hair softly, but that soon ended as things got a little bit more frisky. Reo soon returned to reality when he felt Jade sink into the covers, him on top, and her soft lips kissing down his neck.

"J-Jade." Reo raised himself off panting; why did he feel so strange? "We can't…"

"Why not…?" Jade sat up on her elbows, a slightly disappointed look on her face.

"W-Well we just can't…we're not the same."

"Oh…but can't we just-" Jade said with a slight blush when she figured out what he meant

"Jade…if my…uh-" Reo cleared his throat and blushes a bit "Man Shadow, as a better term, doesn't kill you it will most likely make a pained child…"

"Huh? Don't you shadows have protection?" Jade tilted her head curiously.

"Of course not, the woman shadow can always chose if the Man Shadow will impregnate her or not. If not, she can just let it melt away into her…we could be in trouble if we continue if you fall pregnant."

"Reo…it doesn't matter…I want your child, no matter how he or she turns out…" Jade kissed him again softly and stroked his cheek; she couldn't force him into anything more would she want to but she felt ready, and that was all it took.

Reo melted softly into the kiss; he had read the anatomy books that Jade hadn't had the heart to teach him way back on Cyclonia; but knowing this and experiencing it was completely different, he was nervous and excited and…something else he couldn't quite put his finger on all at the same time

When Jade started taking his cloths of he almost stopped her completely; Jade had only ever seen him shirtless never anything more than that hell ehs barely gotten that naked before…then again he'd never seen Jade naked either and when he did the both of them blushed at the same time.

It was a magical night despite the awkwardness sin the beginning the relaxed and began to enjoy it, there was no hurry or rush and they took their time just being together touching and exploring each other. By the end of the night at LEAST a few hours later Jade was exhauster and fell asleep cuddling up to Reos side whiel Reo stares at the ceiling wide awake and smiling over the experience.

Incredible…Reo thought as he looked at his lover sleeping against his chest, he reche dout and stroked Jades hair as the smile faded a little But what happens now?