Chapter 44

Rean came out a few minutes later and gestured her to follow him, both headed to the back entrance gate of Jurai. It was the same place she had been practicing yesterday when he stopped her and ordered her to relax. It had been for nothing since they hadn't gotten into a battle at the church. He had a hold of her sheathed Cutlass in his hand, in its holder, while they walked and once he stopped, she did too, waiting for him to hand her weapon over for the sparring.

Studying her for a moment, Rean lightly tossed the Cutlass towards her, watching as her hand wrapped around the hilt and caught it without hesitation. He took the defense stance, raising an eyebrow at her. Even when she got close enough to her father, there was no guarantee she was getting back out. McBurn might try to kill her, or worse and there were things worse than death, especially a woman. She was going to have to fight like her life depended on it and it did.

A second later, he had swung his Tachi, the blow meant to take her head off and she parried it.

This was a test. Rean was testing her to see if she could hold her own against someone of his caliber. Granted, he wasn't on McBurn's level – nobody was. He was truly a terrifying species and she was convinced he wasn't even human either. Melyssa fought back, keeping her focus and channeling her strength, each move precise and fluid. No words were spoken between them, just the sounds of their weapons clashing together echoing around them in the clearing.

Melyssa loved the sound of swords clashing, it always sent tingles throughout her body and lit a fire inside of her. Rean went to swing his Tachi again and she did the splits, nailing him right in the stomach like she did with the monsters she faced with Ash and Crow. Luckily, Rean dodged out of the way and she was on her feet instantly, slamming her Cutlass against his Tachi as they stood there, both trying to gain strength on the other before pushing back at the same time. Her adrenaline was pumping now and she felt exhilarated, not believing she had stood her ground against the Ashen Chevalier and Divine Blade of the Eight Leaves. They both stood there, their weapons in their hands, breathing heavily and sweat caked their bodies from head to toe. Without realizing it, they had sparred for two hours straight, having a lot of aggression to let out.

Not saying a word, – he couldn't, he was breathing too heavily – Rean peeled off his soaked shirt, using a small dry corner to mop at his face before tossing it aside. He took her hand, tugging her down onto the ground with him, sheathing his Tachi and letting it rest on the ground alongside them. Melyssa was just as red and sweaty as he was, her breathing just as hard as his. He didn't think she'd manage to survive if McBurn tried to kill her, but she wouldn't go down easy either.

Melyssa had no idea why he wanted her to sit with him in the grass, but she wasn't against it either. She had sheathed her Cutlass and set it down in front of her, trying to catch her breath. Maybe they should have brought water with them before starting this.

"Thanks, Instructor." She finally broke the silence between them, placing her hands in her lap and took a few more deep breaths, the redness in her face slowly subsiding. "After what happened last night, I really needed this." Even though he had changed his demeanor to be more strict with his students, deep down, Rean was still the same man she had gelato with under the stars. The same man who gave her the starry pendant around her neck for her birthday. "And it looks like you did too."

"Yeah, I did. We did." Rean admitted, his brow furrowing as he dropped backwards into the grass with a grunt. "Emma means well, but she can't have it both ways." He ran a hand down his face, groaning.

Rean shouldn't have said that out loud. He was supposed to be the Instructor and she was a first year who could not be his friend, should not. Crow was going to beat him down after the end of the school year, he knew because Crow had already warned him it was coming.

"I'm sorry, that was out of line."

Melyssa looked down at him, the sun peeking through the trees making his sweaty skin glisten on his chest, including his scar. "Why was it out of line? You're just being truthful. I think what Emma was trying to say was not to let any of your students argue against your decisions. I don't think she meant for you to completely change who you are and how you treat us." She looked away from him and began plucking at the grass thoughtfully. "Juna was out of line saying what she did to you. She constantly rebels against what you want to do with Class VII, what YOUR decisions are and that's not how a student should act. She was being disrespectful towards you and the entire class as a whole. I think you can be both Instructor and friend, but you have to learn how to balance both. You can be a friend, but don't let your students walk all over you and dictate to you how things SHOULD be done. You are the teacher, we are the students and that's why I'm not fighting against anything you want to do. I trust your judgment as my Instructor and they should too, regardless of what you've been through together. They need to believe and trust in your judgment and decisions, Instructor." Looking back at him as he sat up a little to lean on his elbows, softer teal eyes met burning fuchsia and it made Melyssa's stomach clench. "I know I do."

"I'm not good at balancing that line, Melyssa." Rean confessed what everyone already knew and then being called out on it in front of everyone. Emma had basically called him out and forced his hand, had he been saving face? "Can I tell you something?" He asked, moving to sit on his knees, closer to her, their faces only inches apart. "As a friend." A sheepish grin tugged the corner of his lips when she gave him a nod. "When the war was going on, it was the same then. No matter what I did, or how hard I tried, I was always being told I had to do this, or that, or be this, or be that and to be honest… it sucks." He had thought that would end… no, not really. "I can't be one or the other and I probably should have made Juna do 500 push-ups because that was REALLY out of line." He blinked at the look on her face, the sheepish grin broadening. "Us 'heroes' worry and have the same 'little people' problems." Hero was a horrible word and he hated it.

"Then stop listening to what everyone else says. Stop listening to criticism or what others think or believe." Melyssa reached up to cup his sweaty face in her hands, her eyes not leaving his and could feel that strong connection to him all over again. "What do YOU believe, Rean? What do YOU want to do? You have to do what YOU feel is best, even if people don't agree with it. That's what being an adult is all about – making choices and sticking to your guns on those choices. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He could be their friend OUTSIDE of class, but once IN class and IN the battlefield, he had to be their Instructor. "Don't let anyone change you just because of an opinion or ridicule."

"You sound just like your Mom." Rean informed her, smirking when she blinked and then kissed her.

He was going to wind up getting his head knocked off and he knew it, sending crazy signals. First being her friend, then cutting that off -for less than 24 hours, he had totally aced that- and being the 'Instructor', and now… now he didn't know. All he knew was that she was gorgeous, still pink and damp, her breathing still somewhat labored and her lips were begging him to try them, pink and luscious. She tasted sweet, almost like cherries, but not quite, and he was dying for a proper taste, his tongue swiping against her lips as he felt her hands coming up. She was probably going to box his ears.

Or take his head off with her Cutlass.

This had to be a dream. Any second, Melyssa was going to wake up in the warehouse, in her bed, instead of out in this beautiful clearing with Rean. She didn't wake up and the shock quickly wore off as she kissed him back, her hands leaving his face to wrap her arms around his neck. It did not register in her passion hazed brain who exactly she was kissing. Rean wasn't just a friend. He was her INSTRUCTOR. She was kissing her Instructor and it felt incredible, especially when she opened her mouth for him to properly taste her. They were still on their knees and her fingers had delved in his black hair, soft moans somewhat muffled by his mouth on hers. This kiss was completely different from the ones she shared with Crow. There was so much more fire and passion with Rean than Crow…and Melyssa finally heard the alarm bells ring in her head. They had managed to cut through the passion haze and Melyssa pulled back, her hands pressed against his sweaty chest, the kiss breaking.

"W-Why?" She stammered, not pulling away from him and even if she wanted to, his arms were encircled around her. "R-Rean…" Goddess, forgive me, he's my Instructor and I want to kiss him again. Not waiting for an answer or for him to get his own thoughts in order, Melyssa kissed him this time and felt herself completely melt against him.

There was the why. Because there was something here. He had been feeling it for a while, but always dismissed it. Ever since that night they had eaten gelato under the stars he had been looking at Melyssa in a different light and he knew it was wrong. Rean was taking advantage of her youth and adoration for the Ashen Chevalier. He was the reason they had rules in place at Thors, so students COULDN'T be taken advantage of. When she had asked him that question, his heart had begun singing, but he had shut it down quick, knowing… he was losing his train of thought as her lithe, tight little body pressed against his.

"Goddess… you're killing me."

Melyssa didn't care about his titles, only the man behind them and she had felt the connection with him since the night in Leeves. He was so down to earth and listened to what she had to say, offering his own opinion without any judgment. She could not feel his arousal since they were still on their knees or else that would have freaked her out, more than likely. Melyssa had never felt a man's erection before and how she wished Rean could have been her first kiss. She heard what he said and slowly pulled back, both of them breathing raggedly now.

"I-I am?" How was she killing him? Her lips were swollen, along with his and the desire coursing through their eyes spoke volumes.

Aidios, she was a virgin. On some level Rean had already known that since Crow had sort of stolen her first kiss and her reaction to Crow's immediate issues afterwards. However, her innocent question and the way the curious confusion in those darkened teal eyes had him groaning in a combination of lust and 'oh crap'. "I've been trying not to think of you as anything, but my friend and student, Melyssa," He breathed, his palms wrapped gently around her upper arms. "Goddess help me, I want you."

Even SHE knew what that meant and Melyssa felt her cheeks heat up, the roses blooming in them. "I want you too, Rean…" Her hands continued caressing his broad, muscular shoulders and chest, feeling his grip on her tighten slightly. "I've been feeling it too, this…connection, whatever it is, between us since the night we ate gelato together under the stars in Leeves. You've invaded my thoughts and my dreams…" Before he could kiss her again, however, Melyssa's demeanor changed and she hated herself for being the rational one. Someone had to be, however. "But as much as I want you, I know it's not possible." Not right now anyway. "You're my Instructor and I'm your student…and you just admitted you have a hard time separating being a friend and Instructor with Class VII. If we tried being together, your judgment would be clouded and you wouldn't make the right decisions for the greater good of the class and Thors. And I won't break the rules in Thors, no matter how much I do want you."

Her education and the way of the sword had to come first. She pecked his lips, seeing the sadness in his fuchsia eyes and extricated herself from his arms, putting space between them. Sometimes, Melyssa REALLY hated being the voice of reason, but she also knew she did the right thing by stopping this before it went any further.

"Head back inside." It was in theory an order, but came out soft and husky. "Please." Rean whispered when she didn't immediately go. "I'll follow shortly."

He needed a moment by himself to get both his body and mind in order. Rejection, even with her valid reasons, felt terrible and his body hadn't caught on just yet. When he finally heard Melyssa's footsteps fading away he slumped down, letting his head hang. Melyssa wanted to go back to him, to jump in his arms and to say to hell with the rules, but…she couldn't. Jurai and her mother were too important not to have their full focus and attention on.

Maybe when they returned to Leeves, after this situation was solved…Melyssa shook her head, knowing it wasn't possible. Rumors would be flying around about Rean and he didn't need to deal with that. She also didn't need others, including her own classmates, thinking Rean was going easy on her just because they were in a relationship. No, it would be very messy and complicated.

I'm sorry, Rean, I really am. Please don't hate me for this, she silently prayed, taking her time to get back to the warehouse and instead of going inside, she opted to sit out on the docks. Goddess, I hope I didn't just make a huge mistake with him.

And now Melyssa knew how Crow had felt. Sort of. Having what they deemed a valid reason didn't necessarily mean the other person would see it that way. Kind of like when he had thought she was underage and he was taking advantage. Crow was beneath the docks with a line out, bare from the waist up. At the end of the line was a net Miranda had put out the day before and even though that woman had gotten the worst possible news ever she had still sent him out to 'bring in their supper'. Grunting, he pulled himself up onto the dock, his red eyes wide in surprise when he saw her and went right back down.

That right there told Melyssa that Crow wanted nothing to do with her and she was surprisingly fine with it. She hadn't spotted him beneath the dock fishing or else she would've headed right back into the warehouse. Walking in, Melyssa didn't greet anyone and went straight to the shower room to wash away the intense sparring and make out session with Rean. She stepped out twenty minutes later, clean and changed, laying back down in her bed since her appetite was gone. It should have been increased from the sparring, but after everything she'd been through lately…Melyssa shut her eyes and was asleep within minutes.

Damn it, Crow inwardly cursed himself when he surfaced and Melyssa was nowhere in sight. He had come up, one hand holding that net, with all those heavy fish and seeing her there had shocked him. It was an embarrassing moment, but she wasn't there to witness him in all his red-faced glory. By the time he lugged the fish inside, Miranda informed him Melyssa had already gone to bed. He spotted Rean coming in, raising an eyebrow.

"You smell like fish."

"I need a shower."