Ah it's been so long, and after my long problem of being in the hospital due to my weak immune system I'm trying to get back into writing. So to try and do that I decided to do something a little bit different.

I do not and probably will not own ToS, however I do own the OCs. This chapter is mainly in Light's POV.

Chapter Thirteen:

After arriving in the poor man's resting area Emil begrudgingly set me down. Tina had followed us to the door and had stayed outside however. I had questioned her about coming in but she told me she didn't like cramped rooms. That had been fine, I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. I leaned against the table for a minute before blinking quizzically as the man finally came to. It wasn't the man's doing, but the atmosphere seemed thick at the moment. As if the Mana in the small room was crushing down around us. No one else seemed to notice and maybe it was just from me being low on the precious energy but I shook my head softly and closed my eyes in thought.

"—ght...Light?" Eyes snapping open I glanced to Genis, his worried face watching my every move.

Even after my outburst a few days before he didn't seem that upset. I gave him a small smile, something I was used to doing by that time. Zoning back into the conversation I was startled when Emil threw a fit. I really needed to pay more attention to conversations. Maybe I wouldn't be so lost all the time.

"Hey Emi—!" I was cut short of Marta's voice.

"It's okay Emil, we can just go get the fish!" She chirped happily.

I was shoved aside as she moved in-between us. An action causing slight annoyance to flare just beneath the surface. Why was I upset? I didn't really know but the way she acted around me was starting to get on my nerves. Everything was about her—at least that was how she saw it and even though her healing abilities were a great advantage to have in battle, her constant attitude was agitating me to no end.

I saw Emil glance at me from in front of Marta and then shift his focus back to her. The red in his forest green hues had dissipated and he blushed in embarrassment from her being so close.

"Y-yes of course!" He agreed.

Sometimes I wondered if I was the only one to see his red eyes but the other's must just ignore it. Might have to bring it up later. Shifting once again I stood straight.

"We should get going then," I began not looking in the two's direction. "But first, we should free Regal right?"

I got a chorus of nods and turned to walk to the door. Something about Emil's and Marta's interaction was leaving a pit in my stomach. What was wrong with me? I sighed mentally and opened the door to find Tina had disappeared. Probably decided to go back to her group. A pang of sadness pulled at my heart but I wasn't going to drag her back. Thinking it over I glanced back at the others.

"Also—I don't care what you say. I'm coming with you and that's final."

If saying I wasn't going to be the weak damsel in distress anymore was an understatement then I had a lot I had to work on. Humming to myself in thought I found it amusing how my mood kept fluctuating. I heard soft footsteps behind me, signaling I was indeed being followed by those I had long since considered friends.

Heaving a sigh we reached the jail in no time at all, it being only a short distance from that man's house.

"...Anyone here...?" I called pushing the door open with the help of Emil.

That metal thing was heavy! When I had first tried it had ended up only moving a slight fraction of what it should have. When Emil helped however I barely did anything. It seems that small cowardice boy was growing stronger and that brought a small smile to my face. I had known him for such a short time but it was great—he could finally stick up for himself.

"Thanks...Emil...," I told him a light pink dusting my cheeks, which I mentally scolded myself for looking so dumb.

This wasn't the other Emil. So he only smiled and returned his attention back to Marta. Again something stirred a heavy heart from me. Was it Jealousy? It could very well be but then again I could be imagining it like everything else.

I went over to the guard and told him the story. As he went for the keys after opening the cell door he paled.

"I-...I can't find the keys!" The man panicked looking everywhere for them to avail.

Regal sighed before smiling then as if breaking a toothpick he broke the shackles holding him. My crimson orbs watched him as the rusted metal snapped and crumbled.

"W-What?!" The guard gawked in worry and awe.

"I didn't want to cause property damage but maybe next time you can use my company's handcuffs? They are made of the best material and at a cheap price...," he turned to us voicing his thanks.

Genis grinned stupidly and both him and Raine talked to Regal as if they were old buddies. From what had been said before they were. I was alone again due to Emil being with Marta. Looking away I missed the glance from Emil, missed the change in color they held and the sadness that followed. I pulled myself out of that small Jail into the fresh air to breath. Something about Emil was making my heart flutter, but it was more Ratatosk-Mode Emil. Something...just didn't seem right though. Marta had liked him much longer than I and I didn't want to intrude on that. Even so, I still felt my heart race—something I had tried to ignore up till now—and hammer in my chest at every glance and look. At the thought a dark blush crossed my features and I placed a hand to my face.

A gentle hand was placed on my shoulders and my head turned in surprise. Emil was standing there and my heart felt like it had stopped. Such a calm smile on his face, and his green eyes bore into mine. It was the other Emil but Emil was Emil no matter what. I returned the smile hiding my sadness.

"Are you alright Light?" he asked gently.

I nodded. "Of course...why wouldn't I be?"

I couldn't let him worry, I shouldn't let him worry. Though it seemed my normal facade couldn't fool him anymore. His features grew to that of worry and I brought a hand up to touch his—an action causing his face to turn a ripe shade of red. This brought out a small chuckled from my lips.

"Don't worry Emil, I'm fine. I promise. Besides I'd tell you if something was wrong," I told him simply pulling his hand from my shoulder and then turning holding his soft hand with mine.

Emil blushed furiously at this and looked away. "I-...I-!"

It was funny how he couldn't get his words out, but at Marta's look I let go and pulled away from him.

"I'm going to the beach to cool out at the water!" I announced when things had settled down a bit, "decide what you guys are going to do and come find me after!"

Emil was about to squeak out a protest but something pulsed from him, forcing him to stop. Everyone turned their eyes to him as he held his head. I moved to comfort him, whispering soft things to soothe whatever was wrong but I didn't get too far. When my hand made contact with his arm, I found myself shoved harshly against the ground. He had—! Emil had pushed me away! Confusion enveloped the dominate emotion in my head and I stared in shock as he realized who exactly it was who he pushed.

"I-I—...I'm so sorry Light! I-I didn't mean to!" The look of panic on his face was enough to mirror my confusion.

Something about that shove had something behind it, whether it was intentional or not. That something caused fear to form inside me. I scrambled up breathing short and shallow. Something was not right. Turning on my heel I bolted from the area and directly to the beach and into the water. As it splashed against my legs I let myself slowly take in the calming water. Slowly I sunk to my knees. I laughed softly after a few minutes passed and sat back letting my head tilt toward the sky. The burning dying sky.

"Why...why did I run?"