Chapter 19

"That's because I didn't have all the specifics at the time."

Rean was glad she wasn't taking what he had said personally. That was the downside to being both the teacher and the friend, as an Instructor he had to put the class as a whole first. Now, if by chance this thing with Crow and Melyssa also somehow tied into Ouroboros, that would be a whole new ballgame, but what were the odds?

"There's been some odd occurrences in Jurai, political mostly, but some are economical, and if not checked, they have the ability to destabilize the zone." Which was something Ouroboros would do, it was one of their specialties, destabilizing areas and causing chaos.

Why would she take it personally? Business came first and she understood that. Helping Crow was a priority, but not at the top of her list when it came to the academy. Ouroboros was very dangerous and if they were trying to destabilize Jurai, something had to be done. What worried her was Rean saying there were political issues within Jurai since it was an economic zone through the Imperial government. There wasn't a Mayor or 'leader' or anything, just the Railway Military Police, headed by Major Claire Rieveldt and the Imperial guard in general. "Do you know which member of the Society we're investigating?" Melyssa was almost afraid to ask since they were all dangerous, but two stood out to her above all else.

"Enforcer No. 0 Campanella, the Fool and Enforcer No. 1 McBurn, the Almighty Conflagration."

Those were the topmost dangerous members in Ouroboros and nobody had seen or heard from McBurn or Campanella since the Twilight was stopped. "Oh wow."

"Yeah, wow, so first we need to determine if there is active Ouroboros presence in Jurai, and then we'll address how we determine what exactly they are up too." Which… was a lot for one weekend, and he knew time was the enemy here because it wasn't like they could just go out and start asking a million questions.

Rean also knew that their presence, Class VII, was going to raise some questions anyway. A lot of them had been a part of the civil war and other bits in one way or another. They would be working from sunup to sundown for the three days they were in Jurai. There would be no stone left unturned, there wouldn't be any time for excursions outside of the field study unless…it was after the day ended.

"If it's political, that's definitely going to raise eyebrows and suspicions. You don't think Ouroboros is trying to start another civil war between the Nobles and the Imperial government, do you?" During the first civil war, Ouroboros worked closely with the Noble Faction, which created the Noble Alliance.

"It wouldn't surprise me. While we're at peace, it's still new and one wrong thing could set it all sliding back." Rean admitted with a heavy sigh. "There's a lot of tension and bad blood on either side, stirring that up wouldn't be too hard, but Ouroboros will be cunning about it."

Considering they had operated for centuries in the shadows, they had this down to an art. He rather admired the ability they had and the power they wielded from said shadows, but it was the same admiration he had for a deadly beast. Rean appreciated the raw power, he recognized it had to be put down.

"We'll figure it out. This is Class VII and we have the best Instructor with us. We won't fail." Melyssa winked, trying to ease the tension a little and wondered what Crow was up to.

She wanted to go talk to him, but at the same time, she didn't want to bother him. That's all she felt like lately was a big bother to Crow, for some reason. Things were complicated and she almost wished she hadn't said anything to him about them knowing each other as children. He hadn't been standoffish with her or distant until the revelation. Maybe he really didn't want anything to do with his past, including the people he knew like her. It would break her heart if that was the case and Melyssa immediately stopped going down that dark road, needing to stay positive.

As if reading her mind, actually it was more of her face, Rean decided to ask about her and Crow. "How's it going with Crow?" She confirmed it was that with the way her face shifted. "Not so good?" He draped his arm back along the seat rest, staring down at her intently. "He doesn't remember anything, does he?"

And maybe he never would, he wondered if Melyssa had acknowledged that yet or even started preparing herself for that potential outcome. If Crow never regained those memories, regained his knowledge of her, how would that affect her? Concern shone in his eyes.

"I wish I wouldn't have told him who I really am. Before I did, he was carefree and friendly, but now…I don't know." Melyssa sighed heavily and leaned back against the seat, this time reading Rean's mind without realizing it. "Maybe I just have to face the cold truth of the matter. Crow may never get his memories back of me, of his time in Jurai, and I have to accept that. It's reality." She looked up at Rean, seeing the relief flash across his face at her words. "Don't worry, I won't fall apart over it. He's alive and I can always make new memories with him." As long as he wanted to make them with her anyway.

"He's distant towards you, isn't he?" Rean asked curiously, not surprised to see her nod almost helplessly. Yeah, that would suck, having that closeness prior, but then… yeah. He shook his head, looking out the window for a moment before back down at her. "Maybe he's trying to remember things." He suggested finally, knowing Crow would come around -if ever- when he wanted and on his own terms; that was just how Crow was. "Well if you need anything, I'm always here, Melyssa. Someone to talk too, hang out… shoulder to cry on." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled again. "I'm not just your Instructor."

Her very desirable Instructor that she had erotic dreams about. They were the reason she refused to go back into the bath at the dorm and stuck to showers instead. "Thank you." There were just SOME things she could NOT confide to Rean about, such as what she'd already told Ash. Never had a boyfriend, never even kissed a guy before…she really was a mutant. "Please don't say anything to Crow about this. I don't need him losing focus on the field study. When we get back to Leeves, I'll talk to him about it, but not while we're in Jurai. Will you do that for me, friend?" Now she cracked a smile back at him.

"I'm not going to say a word to him, I doubt anything I would say would help the situation." Rean promised easily enough. "Now, on the other hand, if he comes to me and talks about the situation, I'm not going to send him away. I'm his friend too." His best friend actually and the way she nodded told him Melyssa understood. "You're flushed again." He used his hand on her forehead once more, frowning slightly before leaning in. A second later, his lips were firmly pressed against her forehead. "Mmm."

"I-I meant about how I feel…"

What was he doing?! Melyssa didn't move an inch, frozen in her seat and her breathing had quickened a little, along with her heartrate. What was it about Rean Schwarzer that made her insides quake?

"Rean, um…" Her mouth was dry and her throat had locked up, causing her vocal cords to stop working temporarily. He pulled back and their eyes locked, their lips mere not even an inch apart. "I don't…"

A knock sounded at her door, jolting both of them apart and she stood up instantly while Rean went to the window. Sliding open the door, a pair of deep crimson eyes stared back at her and Melyssa felt actual relief flood her at the sight of Crow. Crow stood there, his eyes moving back and forth between the pair. Melyssa's cheeks were rosy and Rean's eyes were slightly dilated, his lips parted just a fraction.

"Am I interrupting?" He asked curiously, his tone light and friendly, though fire was now simmering in his red eyes.

"No, not at all, we were just discussing the trip." Rean grinned broadly, stepping back to make room. "I was actually getting ready to leave, I need to check in on a few others before I finally find my own room." He sidled past Crow and out the door.

Melyssa did not dare watch Rean leave and stepped aside for Crow to enter, the door closing behind her. She really had to get a hold of her emotions and had to wonder if Rean was about to kiss her before Crow decided to interrupt them. Why would he press his lips to her forehead? She wasn't sick or anything…Melyssa could not figure him out and pushed it out of her mind, her focus going back to Crow.

"Hi." That sounded lame and she could tell Crow wasn't amused to find their Instructor in here alone with her. "What's on your mind, roomie?"

Rean kept doing it because she kept flushing and the only reason he could think of for that was sickness. Or perhaps embarrassment, but what would Melyssa have to be embarrassed about. It occurred to him that he would like to see her flushed under certain circumstances and he cleared his throat, slipping into his room.

"Just wanted to check in on you, it feels weird, having my own room." Crow laughed, moving to take Rean's seat though he didn't sit as close. "What'd the Instructor want? Something about why we're there?"

There was that laughter, that carefree attitude Crow had prior to finding out who she truly was. "He came to check on me because he knows I'm nervous about going to Jurai. He also told me the members of Ouroboros that are possibly in the region." She sat down next to him, resting her hands in her lap and slowly looked at him, into those crimson eyes. Melyssa could have confronted him right here and now, but like she told Rean, she wanted Crow's focus to be on the field study. "We really have our work cut out for us for our first field study."

"Yeah, we do."

So that meant, even if it wouldn't have caused issues between her and family, they weren't going to have the time to go exploring for those missing memories. Crow wasn't sure if he felt disappointed or relieved. He didn't know why the disappointment was there, when Melyssa obviously treasured their childhood friendship, so… what was his deal?

"So, I'm sure you think I've been a royal jerk lately." Ever since the night he had pulled his pistol out on her. "And I'm sorry."

"No. I've never thought you were a jerk, Crow. But…I've come to the realization that you may never regain the memories of us. And I regret telling you who I really am because it's just made things awkward between us."

He wasn't spontaneous like he'd been the night he danced with her in their room or fell asleep spooned up against her. Melyssa missed those moments and it was all because of her big mouth and belief Crow would somehow regain the memory of her. She'd been selfish, inconsiderate and wrong to tell him or anyone, for that matter.

"You seemed like you wanted to be left alone, so that's why I haven't bothered you."

"I'm trying to remember the things you want me too." He said after a moment, frowning slightly. She regret telling him. "I always had this weird feeling around you, like a nagging in my gut, trying to tell me something and now I know what it is. I just wish I could remember. I guess… it feels different now around you because you remember some kid and I don't…" Obviously it was coming back, slowly, and things like that nightmare he had had proved he had memories that were there deep in his subconscious.

"But I know you aren't a kid anymore. And I certainly don't see you that way either." Melyssa grabbed his hand and set it on her skirt covered thigh, teal eyes full of warmth and plea. "The past is the past. I just...I miss the connection we had before I told you who I am. I don't want anything to change or be different with us. I want to get to know you all over again. I am glad you still kept your love for games, though. But I want to get to know the you in the present, right here and now, instead of living in the past. I will still help you and answer any questions you have, but I also want us to move forward." Goddess, she hoped she didn't sound pushy or manipulative.

Crow was somewhat confused. She was angry with him because of their past, his 'death and resurrection', and then she was sad because he didn't remember anything about their childhood together, and now she wanted to move on and not dwell on the past. He was beyond confused actually. His palm was also tingling as he looked down, realizing where she had set his hand and acted instinctively, his fingers flexing and tightening for a moment before relaxing. He was about two seconds away from caressing her or something, realizing this was the closest they had been with each other in a while. He really had been distant lately.

Melyssa wasn't angry anymore. She was sad, but that would pass in due time. Crow being distant made her realize that pushing him to remember the past and putting this pressure on him just drove him away. When he squeezed her thigh, her hand on top of his, Melyssa felt the muscles jump instinctively, her cheeks flushing all over again. What was going through his mind right now? He didn't speak a word and had flexed his fingers, but she had no idea what that meant. What was Crow trying to tell her without using words?

"Are you okay?" She asked softly, after several minutes of silence flew by between them. "Please, say something, Crow."

"I don't know. Yeah, I guess."

He pulled his hand away, knowing she was too virginal to realize that that was a pretty intimate gesture. Well, maybe she did know, there were rumors about her and Ash Carbide, which he didn't believe for a second because she had better taste than that. She was HIS friend, after all. However, he also knew he couldn't really assume anything about her experience with intimacy, even though everything about her screamed virgin in big, flashing letters.

Goddess, where did those thoughts come from? He had been musing about the distance between them since she had revealed what she knew about him, about them being friends in Jurai. How her parents had basically babysat him and then he had been thinking about Melyssa not as a friend, but as something else entirely. As a woman… a woman, it dawned on him almost stupidly because he couldn't believe he was surprised by this, he was interested in on a physical level.