Story: Crimson Regret (chapter 3)

Authors: Shadowflame66

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Chapter 3

Title: Chapter 3: Moving Forward Slowly

[Author's notes: Chapter 3, in which things start moving in more ways than one.]

Chapter 3: Moving Forward Slowly

“Even if it shouldn’t be a habit, it is. It’s just one of the many, many things you’ll have to accept if you want me as a friend.”

“I do,” the monk replied with a nod. “But not accept.” She tilted her head. “Fix.”

IXH

 

Haruka was a little worried as she moved through the town as quickly as she dared, carrying the bleeding Isabella in her arms. While some types of monks had the ability to channel their Chakra into another person to heal them, Haruka could only do so to poison, damage or kill. This meant that the only thing she could do for Isabella was to find her a healer or doctor. On a festival day, she was worried that might be difficult. She had her hand pressed against Bella’s side, pressing a bunched-up part of her robe into it, but it was a tear so the bleeding was only slowed. Already her hands were covered in blood.

Isabella had stopped attempting to reassure her a few minutes ago and was now simply focusing on keeping her eyes open. Haruka didn’t know it but the voices were helping her there, speaking to her to keep her mind active. You remember that incident it Myunn, Bella? Bale said in a slightly wistful tone.

Isabella managed a weak smile. The thing with the priests or the thing with the dogs?

The… wow, both of them. I can’t believe I forgot about the dogs.

I can’t believe you two are fondly reminiscing about humiliating men of the cloth, Bai interrupted in a haughtier tone.

They had it coming. It’s hard to feel sorry for them.

She’s right, Bai. And Bale, how could you forget about the dogs? That was my favorite part.

Maybe it was the best for you, but the look on their faces when you-

“Bella.”

Isabella realized her eyes had fallen closed while reminiscing. She hadn’t noticed it, but Haruka’s look reminded her that she didn’t know she was having a conversation in her head; to her she probably looked like she was falling asleep. “I’m okay, Ruki,” she assured her quietly, focusing on keeping her eyes open again. “Just getting a bit tired is all.” She wasn’t nearly as worried as Haruka looked, but then, it was hard to keep getting worried over injuries after two centuries of getting them constantly.

Haruka knew that getting tired was never a good sign. Fortunately luck, God or fate was on her side as she saw a sign denoting a doctor’s practice. She headed for it and kicked open the door without hesitation. Fortune continued to shine on her as the doctor was inside, writing something at a desk; she must not have been the type to enjoy crowds. The woman had red hair in a casual, tousled look, and wore a light brown robe as well as reading glasses that she removed as she stood up at the sound of the door bursting open, taking in the sight before her.

“Side room,” she said quickly, moving to open a door. Haruka went through it and laid Isabella on the clean bed inside. The doctor immediately pulled a cart of tools and supplies over, as well as a chair. After washing her hands she took a seat and set to moving the robe out of the way. Haruka had never much thought about modesty but for some reason she instantly looked away as the robe was pulled from Isabella’s body. She did notice a large number of scars on the bare skin before she managed to avert her eyes, however.

The doctor took in the scars as she began to clean the blood away. “Injured in a fight, I assume?”

Isabella gave a wry smile. “What… gave it away?”

“The fact that your body looks like a collection of every scar from an entire military regiment was a big clue.” She inspected the wound. “What exactly did this?”

“Shadow,” Haruka informed her, half looking over her shoulder. “Magic. Formed spear.”

“That explains the fact that it’s already becoming infected,” the doctor said with a sigh, turning to her supplies and rooting around, pulling out first one bottle and then another. “First things first, then.” She turned to Haruka, holding out a bottle of blue liquid. “You, help her drink this.” After Haruka took it with a nod the doctor opened the other bottle, one with white liquid. “This is going to hurt quite a bit.” She poured it over the wound and steam rose from it, along with a hissing sound like cold water falling on a hot radiator. Isabella didn’t react with anything more than a sigh, however; the doctor didn’t seem surprised, and given the scars it was easy to see why.

Haruka moved to the other side of the bed, trying to keep her eyes focused on Isabella’s face. Bella watched her and gave her a weak grin. “What’s wrong, Haru? Haven’t you seen a naked woman before?”

Haruka blushed, fixing her eyes on the grey ones watching her. “Yes.”

“Just not one as… hot as me, huh?”

Haruka smirked, opening the bottle. “Body injured… Confidence? Fine.”

Isabella laughed softly and Haruka lifted her head, helping her drink the blue liquid. She coughed as she finished it. “Ugh… Oh, God, what was that?”

“It will help your body fight off the infection from the inside,” the doctor said as she finished cleaning the wound. She grinned at Isabella’s reaction. “So the disinfectant burning your open wound is fine, but medicine with a bad taste is too far?”

Isabella grimaced in disgust. “’Bad’ is an understatement. That was… horrid. Unfair, even. Unfit for human consumption.”

“Not human,” Haruka said with an amused smile.

“I heard one say it once. And it doesn’t matter, that taste was never meant for any living creature.”

“Keep whining and I’ll give you a double dose.” The doctor began to sew the wound closed as best she could. “This is pretty bad. If I were you I wouldn’t do anything strenuous for a few weeks.”

Isabella sighed. “That might not be an option. And not by choice.”

“Then just be careful. Protect the spot. It’s a big wound so these stitches will easily burst until the skin knits together. If your body wasn’t in such good shape I wouldn’t even recommend getting out of bed.”

“Trying to keep things together is the story of my life,” Isabella muttered to herself, barely loud enough to be heard. She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the increasing distress in her body. Her condition had been bothering her already until she took the hit; combining that with blood loss was not helping.

Haruka frowned at Isabella’s face, noticing beads of sweat. She put her hand on Isabella’s forehead and was surprised at the heat she felt there. She looked at the doctor. “Fever?”

“Fever?” The doctor looked up, looking over Isabella. “That’s not good… That could mean the infection spread faster than I’d thought.”

Haruka shrugged. “Already sick,” she stated. “Part of that?”

“She’s sick?” The doctor looked at Isabella. “What are you sick with? This is important.”

Isabella looked at her blearily. She was obviously out of it now, barely able to focus. “What am I…? There’s… no word for it. Just… a condition.”

“What condition?”

“Nothing… to worry about.”

The doctor sighed. “There is nothing more frustrating than a stubborn patient. Alright, since I don’t know if this fever is caused by a preexisting condition or by infection, I’m just going to have to keep you here for a day and see how it progresses.”

Isabella nodded. “That’s understandable. Thank you… I’ve got plenty to pay,” she said, motioning to a bag tied to her belt.

“That’s good to know. I wouldn’t turn you away, but I don’t particularly like working for free.”

Isabella smiled. “You’re kind, doctor…?”

“Vivian Heart.”

Haruka blinked. “Dr. Heart?”

“I’ve heard all the jokes,” she said with a smirk.

“I’ll let you know if I think of a unique one,” Isabella said quietly. “I’m Isabella Enyo… My friend is Haruka Saito.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both, though it would be moreso under better circumstances.” She looked at Haruka. “I’m done with the stitching. Help her sit up so I can bandage her.”

Haruka nodded, gently taking Isabella’s shoulders, though she seemed to be able to sit up under her own power. Haruka helped the doctor wrap around Bella’s waist, trying to keep her eyes focused only on her stomach, which seemed to amuse Isabella and Vivian both. After it was done the doctor cleaned the area again and then stood up to wash her hands in a nearby basin. “That bed’s bloody now, I’ll need to wash the sheets. You’ll rest in another room.”

Haruka easily lifted Isabella again as they moved rooms. She was placed in a new, more comfortable bed. Vivian brought a more comfortable chair into the room. “Let me know if you feel any worse or if the wound gets a different feeling; Shadow magic can have odd effects.” She looked at Haruka. “And you let me know if anything changes.”

Haruka nodded, taking a seat as the doctor left. Isabella’s bloody robe was taken to be washed with the sheets and she was given a soft, simple one to wear. She looked at Haruka as the woman pulled the blanket over her. “Sorry the day was kind of ruined.”

Ruka raised an eyebrow. “Sorry? After me.”

“I know they were after you, but… Well it still feels like my fault.”

“Blame yourself,” Haruka said with a sigh, “for everything.”

“I’ll try not to.” She turned onto her uninjured side to look at Haruka. “Think we’ll ever get a break where neither of us is injured?”

Haruka reached out to brush dark blue locks from Bella’s sweaty forehead, giving her a dry smile. “No.”

Isabella sighed. “I didn’t think so.” She closed her eyes, smiling as she felt the hand remain in her hair. “I hope you aren’t blaming yourself for this whole incident…”

Haruka smiled, her fingers playing lightly in Bella’s hair. “Right choice,” she stated with conviction. “Dangerous… Troublesome…” She gave a shrug. “Worth it.”

Isabella opened her eyes to study her. “What’s worth it? The freedom? Me?” Haruka gave her a look and she couldn’t hold it, looking away. “I don’t see how I’m worth it.”

“Stop,” Haruka said firmly. “Annoying.”

The knight smiled. “Alright. I’ll try to think better of myself like you seem to do. It’s just… Old habits die hard, you know?”

“Shouldn’t be.”

“Even if it shouldn’t be a habit, it is. It’s just one of the many, many things you’ll have to accept if you want me as a friend.”

“I do,” the monk replied with a nod. “But not accept.” She tilted her head. “Fix.”

“You think you’re going to fix everything that’s wrong with me?”

“I’ll try.”

“That’s…” Isabella sighed. “It’s hard to explain how grateful I am that you’re even willing to try. You know, Haru… I’ve never had a friend. Not a real one. Certainly not one that cares like you do. It may sound silly, but… If you go for long enough with no one else caring about you, you stop caring about yourself, too.” She saw that Haruka was paying close attention to her words so she continued, making sure she spoke honestly. “I’ve just been… waiting, I guess, for a long time. Waiting around. Emotionally, I mean. Life has been pretty stagnant these last twenty years.”

Haruka made note of that date, believing it was important. Now, though, was not the time to ask about it, as Isabella continued, “Something changed the moment I met you. It’s too soon to understand what, exactly… All I know is that I care what happens to me now. For the first time, I want to keep going, I want to see what happens next, I want to experience more.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “I apologize if this is… sudden, or too personal. But I just want you to know you’re giving me something to live for, and that’s something I’ve never had.” She opened her eyes, attempting a light-hearted smile. “No pressure, though.”

There really wasn’t a response to such a heartfelt expression of emotions. Being told you were that important to someone was not something most people experienced, let alone Haruka. Isabella was an intense woman; her emotions were strong and she shared them readily, an action that was obviously a result of her never having had anyone to share them with before. Suddenly Haruka felt glad that she was the one to be opened up to, as someone else could easily take advantage of that. She smiled gratefully, speaking softly in a tone that she hoped would carry her own emotion. “That’s… important,” she said thickly. “To me.”

Isabella sighed in contentment, setting her hand on Haruka’s and squeezing it before allowing herself to fall asleep, which, at this point, only took a few seconds. Haruka adjusted her position in the chair, keeping her hand in Isabella’s as she rested her head on her free one and watched her sleep. She was more sure than ever that she’d made the right choice; things were getting interesting.

IXH

It was raining that night when she awoke. The absolute darkness confused her tired mind for a few moments until her memory came back and she relaxed, listening to the weather. A storm had blown in from the east and unleashed all its power on the small town of Stahl, lashing the wooden buildings in sheets. Bella had no idea what time it was when the incredible thunder woke her, shaking the house, but she knew it was dark, even pitch black in the room. The only light came from the occasional brilliant flash of lightning preceding a near-deafening crack of thunder.

During one of these flashes she caught the glint of green eyes and realized Haruka was awake. That wasn’t surprising, as sleeping through the thunder would be quite a feat. “Haru?” she said softly, as if afraid to add her voice to the sounds of nature’s fury.

“Awake?” Haruka’s voice replied in a similar tone. It was an odd thing speaking to someone in total darkness with a thunderstorm raging outside; an odd combination of quiet and loud. Somehow the storm outside made it seem like everything outside of their room was far way, distant, separate even. The separation from all else made it more intimate, and the darkness not only added to this but seemed like it laid everything bare, in a way, and left openness and honesty; it felt like there was no reason to hide, after all, when you were already hidden in the dark.

“Of course I’m awake,” Isabella responded. “Who could sleep through the apocalypse going on out there?”

“You,” Haruka said, and Bella couldn’t explain how but she knew Haruka was smirking, “for an hour.”

“Really?” Isabella pulled the sheet up to her chin and noticed there was an additional blanked on top. “What time is it? Do you know?”

“Midnight?” The brunette guessed. “Close to.”

“I’ve been sleeping for hours, then.” Isabella yawned, her head moving deeper into the pillow, thick blue hair spilled around her. She peeked back over the blanket towards the spot Haruka’s voice came from. “You don’t have to spend all night in that chair, you know… This bed is big enough.”

There was silence for a moment, and then an unsure, “Awkward…?”

“Please,” Isabella responded with a teasing tone, “If we’re going to be travelling together I’m sure we’ll share a bed more than once.”

After a few moments of nothing the bed finally creaked, and Bella moved over as she felt Haruka climbing in. She then scooted back cautiously until she touched her, then turned onto her side to face her. “Hi,” she said quietly.

Again that unseen smirk in the darkness, amusement. “Hi.”

Isabella yawned again before curling up just enough for her head to rest on Haruka’s shoulder. “Better. Would’ve felt guilty the whole time if you slept in that chair.”

Haruka decided not to mention all the places and positions she could easily sleep in with little trouble. Besides, this was better anyway; what was there to complain about? Haruka sighed as she pulled the blankets back up. “Is better.”

Bella smiled. “I’m glad you think so. It doesn’t look like you’re one of those people afraid of storms, though.”

Haruka shook her head. “Are you?”

Bella laughed softly. “No. Especially not… Well, I mean, they’ve always made me feel even lonelier than normal since they make everything feel so cut off… Now, though, it’s just nice. Kind of fun even.”

The monk gave a smile. “Glad it changed,” she stated quietly. “Sleep better now?”

“From now on, probably,” Isabella said contently. “Goodnight.”

“Night,” Haruka said quickly, hearing the fading tone. She chuckled to herself as she heard Bella asleep only seconds later despite the cracking thunder, making a soft, almost snoring sound. Honestly, the woman was even endearing while unconscious.

IXH

Haruka awoke in the morning to notice a couple things. First of all, the storm seemed to have abated somewhat, as she heard steady rain rather than torrential, and only distant thunder. The light from the room’s sole window was dim and grey, lending a lazy feeling to the morning. The second – and arguably more important – thing she noticed was that she was virtually being used as a stuffed animal by Isabella, who not only had her head on her chest, but her arms around her and body close.

Haru didn’t mind it in the least, of course – enjoyed it even – but the way Bella did it just drove home her former loneliness. She was practically clinging to her, as if she expected the monk to disappear in the middle of the night. It might take some convincing, Haruka thought to herself, to make her believe I’m here to stay.

After a few minutes Isabella stirred, waking up and blinking blearily. Her eyes looked around and she blushed as she realized her position. She started to move but Haruka laid a hand on her shoulder, pushing her back down. “You’re fine.”

Isabella smiled, laying her head back down. “I slept… really well,” she said with a hint of surprise. “What about you?”

Haruka thought it over and realized she was right; she’d expected the situation to feel uncomfortable, having always been a solitary person and certainly never sleeping so close to another. “I did,” she replied. “Unusual.”

Isabella gave a teasing smile. “Maybe it’s because you tried a bed instead of a chair.”

Haru smirked. “Maybe,” she said, doubting it. “Unlikely.”

Isabella shifted her head, watching her. Haruka couldn’t tell what the other woman was thinking but she could tell it was something important, something that she was even nervous to say. Isabella leaned herself up on one elbow and Haruka watched her gather up the courage to speak, looking down at her. “There’s something…” Bella swallowed, looking in the brunette’s eyes. “Haruka, I-“

“So how’s my favorite patient today?” Vivian said as she threw open the door.

The two women shot apart in surprise and Haruka practically threw herself out of the bed, tripping over the chair beside it and knocking it over as she fell to the floor. Isabella sat up worriedly. “Ruki, are you alright?!”

Haruka sat up, rubbing her head with an intensely annoyed and embarrassed expression. “Fine.”

Their attention turned back to the doctor and they blushed deeply as she smirked. “These beds are for healing only, you know.”

Isabella attempted to stammer out a reply, only coming up with, “W-we weren’t-“

“Mhmm,” Vivian said disbelievingly, moving over to the bed. “I’m just here to check your injury, nothing more.”

Haruka stood and picked up the chair, taking a seat as the doctor examined her companion. Isabella’s face was red; she certainly wasn’t used to being embarrassed like that, apparently. She was mostly quiet as the doctor checked her wounds, really only replying to questions. Haru was certain that, whatever kind of moment they had just had, it was gone. She was left to wonder just what it was Isabella had been about to say.

Isabella seemed to get shy when embarrassed; Haruka usually got angry, which is why she reminded herself not to try to punch the good doctor for her intrusion into… whatever that was. It isn’t like she knew something was going on, she told herself. Wait… Was something going on? What was going on? What did she interrupt? Damn it, this was why she shouldn’t have intruded.

Okay, so her attempts to ward off violence only encouraged her towards it. Frustration had a habit of doing that. She had to calm down; after all, Isabella would surely say what she had intended to say later. Except that she’d seemed very nervous about it, and this might have scared her out of saying it at all. Haruka tried not to glare at Vivian. Two minutes. You couldn’t have come in two minutes later.

The doctor stood up, smiling. “Well, good news, you’re clear to leave if you want. Your sickness seems to have subsided and the infection was defeated, so you just need to be careful what you do for awhile.”

Isabella smiled, standing up from the bed and showing no signs of the fatigue or weakness she had the day before. “Thank you, Dr. Heart. I’m grateful for your saving my life.”

“As you should be,” she said with a smile. She retrieved Bella’s now-clean golden robe as the blue-haired knight counted out a sum of money. She accepted it without bothering to count it as she laid the robe on the bed, smiling. “As with all of my patients, I hope I won’t have to treat you again, but I won’t complain if I do. It’s a compromise between greed and care. Do try to be a bit more careful, though.”

“Believe me, I’m trying,” Isabella said as the woman left the room. She then turned and smiled at Haruka. “And you… The one that really saved my life,” she said, continuing softly, “in more ways than one…” She switched to a grin. “We missed some… most… pretty much all of the festival, but focusing on the bright side, we get to travel now!”

Haruka stood and stretched. “Get to, have to… Same thing.”

“Yes, but that’s not optimism!”

“Realism.”

“Realism is depressing. I’m excited.” She pointed at the door. “Now get out of here so I can change.” She tilted her head. “Or…” She grinned. “I mean, if you want to stay and watch…”

Isabella probably expected her to flee in embarrassment. Knowing that, Haruka sat backed down and lifted her legs onto the bed, crossing them and keeping her gaze on Bella with a raised eyebrow. Two could play this bluffing game.

Isabella blinked, and then a smile spread across her face. “Oh, I see how it is. Calling my bluff. Well…” Isabella lifted a hand to the top of her robe. “What if I… call your bluff?” She smiled at Haruka’s blinking stare as she undid the tie, sliding her hand down the center of the robe slowly, but not opening it fully; just enough to show some skin. “Because you know… I really have no problem undressing right here.”

The game seemed to have backfired on both of them, as now Haruka couldn’t bring herself to look away, her eyes locked on Isabella’s wandering hand. Isabella noticed this change and her self-satisfied smile was unabashed. “Bold,” she said. “But how bold is Haruka…?” She turned her back to Haruka, looking over her shoulder as she pulled the robe off her shoulders, letting it slide down until it barely hung off her hips. With everything above her waist bare, only the way she was facing hid anything.

Haruka couldn’t help the eyes that wandered down, travelling over Isabella’s skin. She noticed some of the scars the doctor had spoken of now; dozens, hundreds of lines showed where long-healed scars had once been, and there were more that didn’t heal, including several nasty slash or stab marks that left raised lines or deep gouges marring her skin. All of it just made her more attractive; damaged, but strong, surviving the injuries that had marked her so permanently. And her figure wasn’t ruined at all, quite the opposite, but once Haruka found herself focusing on her body, her curves, the toned and subtle hints of the experienced muscle beneath, her thoughts headed down an entirely different trail.

That was, of course, too much, and Isabella laughed softly as Haruka forcibly clamped her eyes shut followed by turning her whole chair the opposite direction. She let the rest of the robe fall then, walking over to slip into her own golden one. “You’re getting tougher, Ruki, but you’re still too easy.”

IXH

Two hours later, Isabella and Haruka rode out of the town of Stahl on two fine horses. Stahl was too far outside the Empire to find vehicles, or any technology really, but that was best, as Bella was nervous around such things since her homeland of Areya was still at a ‘horse and cart’ level of technology. They planned to ride all day. They had to get as far away from the city as they could since it was where the Black Sun would look for them first, so they road east. Stahl was fairly close to the coast, and it was only two days’ travel or so to the port down of Daubin.

From there they would book passage on a ship to the south. In the more populous lands of the Ravakan Empire they would find it easier to lose pursuers. Nature seemed to be against them, though; they seemed to be riding into the storm. It grew worse the further they got until they weren’t even sure they were near the road anymore. The lightning above them seemed ridiculous as it sparked between clouds with unnatural frequency, blinding them if they looked up. Both started to get a bad feeling about it, and after a total of five hours of travel their feelings were proven right.

A massive bolt of lightning hit the ground in front of Isabella’s horse. The animal reared in terror, tossing Bella off. She managed to twist and land on her feet but the horse took off in a random direction. Going after it would have to wait, as the air in front of her was shifting as if it was collecting energy from the lightning strike. A vaguely humanoid-like form appeared from chunks of rock and flowing electricity and wind, emitting an unearthly screech that hurt their ears.

“Storm Elemental,” Isabella called out as she pulled her sword from her belt. She had never fought one in the state she was in now, and she didn’t think it would go well this time.

Haruka, who had been about to ride after Bella’s horse, untied the packs from her horse and let them drop to the ground, then leapt off her own mount to help as she couldn’t leave her alone against such an entity. What she’d be able to do against it was probably limited, but they had to stand together.

The thing was like a collection of floating rock chained together by lightning and swirling wind. It “stood” about twelve feet tall, forming hands out of the pieces of rock as it flew forward with a sound like thunder, swinging a “fist” at Isabella. She dodged to the side, striking at one of the rocks floating along its “arm”. Her strike knocked it away and the arm collapsed, but this, she knew, was false progress; it would take one specific strike to defeat it in any meaningful manner.

A bolt of lightning shot out from the elemental, striking her in the chest. She had her armor on so she wasn’t burned, but the gold was all too great a conductor, electrocuting her as she was sent flying and skidding through the mud. Haruka took the opportunity to leap forward and strike three rocks in the center of the creature before a backhand from its remaining “arm” knocked her away. A Death Mark appeared on each rock and the explosion scattered a large amount of the creature’s composition, earning a screech from it.

Unfortunately it simply pulled itself together after that and came at her. She cursed, doing her best to dodge and evade its strikes, but a whirlwind of rock and lightning was difficult to dodge at the best of times and she found herself struck several times before she made it away from the thing. Isabella came back in, flowing around a lightning bolt and hacking away at pieces that came at her. Finally she saw it; a small, round rock floating just under the “neck” bearing a very soft glow and a white rune.

She was knocked back by a pelting of heavy stones before she could hit it, but she made her way to Haruka to share the discovery. “There’s a single stone inside it with a white rune on it. It can move it around so it’s hard to find, and even harder to get to, but if we can destroy that stone, it will collapse.”

Haruka nodded and both women broke into a run, splitting up when near it to attack both sides. It was a frustrating fight where skill and strength meant nothing and reaction time was the only important thing. There were no moves or counters for fighting flying rocks and electricity, only wild dodges and struggling to reach one specific stone that kept moving and getting lost in the whirlwind of debris and light.

When they got close the creature transitioned into a tornado-like form, spinning rapidly and sending both flying with bruises and electrical burns. Another strike came from the heavens and hit the creature, followed by another, and another. Each time it grew in size and ferocity as if it was enraged, and each time their chances of winning shrank. Now twenty feet tall and composed of several near-boulders as well as the chained lightning and large amount of debris, the Storm Elemental headed for Haruka, who could only do her best to dodge what she could.

Isabella stood panting for breath, covered in mud and soaked through. She knew she only had one option. She lifted her sword, pulling away the grey cloth strap that held it tied into its scabbard. Bai…

Yes?

I want to protect her, Isabella said as she watched Haruka narrowly avoid a hurled boulder.

…Then protect her we will. I will give it my all. Will you?

Isabella drew the blade with determination. “Always.” The ensuing scream and burst of light drew the attention of both the elemental and Haruka, the latter of which stared in surprise and confusion as Isabella was lifted into the air and her hair and eyes became a shining gold. Her sword turned bright silver, and a light transferred from it to her left hand where it formed into a golden shield bearing the symbol of a living tree on the front. The light ripped around her in a cyclone of power, emitting a high-pitched keen as it shredded the ground and air at the same time.

“It’s been… a long time,” she said softly, feeling the power flowing through her as her feet touched back on the ground. It excited her, drove up her adrenaline and battle lust, and she fought to control it and retain her true thoughts. There was a different look in her eyes, a hungry and threatening one that dimmed only slightly as she fought her desires. Her voice was different as well, colder and bearing an underlying fury that was even more terrifying because it seemed so repressed, invisible in her hard expression.

Isabella began walking forward, her eyes fixed on the elemental. Her sword lit with white flame and she broke into a jog, followed by a run. The elemental turned its attention fully on her and flew at her, stone and lightning whirling to meet her charge. She didn’t slow but sped up, even as it flung a bolt of lightning at her. She brought her shield up and deflected it, then launched herself into the air, cleaving through the creature and coming through to the other side.

Rocks shattered in her passage and two of the boulders splintered into tiny pieces before she landed beside Haruka. She stood and turned golden eyes on the monk, who still had no idea what to think. “We need to deal with this creature quickly.”

Haruka blinked, taking in her new appearance. “What… I don’t…”

“Haruka!” she said sharply, snapping the brunette out of her confused daze. “Now is not the time for questions. We must kill the beast first, and then we can talk.”

Haruka nodded, pushing aside her confusion and curiosity. She looked at the large entity that was moving towards them again. “You first… Block first strikes…” She looked at Isabella. “Then me. Explode… Knock away defense.” Her eyes moved back to the creature. “Then you… go for the kill.”

Isabella nodded, taking a step forward. “A wise course of action. Stay right behind be!” She took off running and Haruka listened, keeping right on her heels. Their steps fell into a rhythm and they ran as one straight into the heart of the storm. Isabella raised her shield as the creature reacted, launching rocks and lightning at them. She knocked away rocks, hacked bigger ones apart with her sword and deflected the lightning with her shield, weathering the volley.

As soon as it was done Haruka leapt up and Bella raised her shield over her head. They didn’t need to talk about it; Haruka stepped on the shield and launched herself forward into the center of the beast. She struck in every direction, her hands a blur as she hit every rock, stone and boulder within reach. After a few seconds she was finally flung out of the whirlwind, but her job was done. She flipped to land on her feet and watched as the ensuing explosions scattered the parts of the creature in every direction.

Isabella gathered her strength and jumped straight up as soon as the explosions started. She entered the field of dust and debris, clear of the usual defenses. There; the runed stone hung suspended, turning slowly, unguarded. Her sword shot out and split it in half. She immediately brought her shield up between it and her, a memory triggering the reaction. Fortunate, as it exploded with energy that sent her flying. The impact would have hurt, but Haruka caught her, skidding back in the mud from the force but taking no damage.

Another unnatural shriek filled the air as the stone and lightning flew about madly. Light flared up brightly for one final second before everything just stopped in an instant. All the remaining rocks fell to the ground, as inert as they had always been. The storm in the skies above them immediately relinquished; the lightning and thunder faded with one last sound and, only seconds later, all that was left was a light, calm rain.

Haruka steadied Isabella, who smiled. “Sometimes it’s worth it.” She lifted her sword and scabbard, staring for a few seconds in indecision. She looked… regretful, as if she truly didn’t want to sheathe the blade. Her hand shook for a moment before sliding the blade into the sheath. She shuddered as the light faded; her hair turned back to its normal dark blue color and her eyes returned to grey. In the next instant pain shot through her and she collapsed in a spasm of agony. Haruka was at her side but could do nothing; fortunately the pain didn’t last for too long.

The fatigue was immediate, though, and irreversible. Haruka looked around but, as expected, neither horse was anywhere to be seen. Luck was with them in one thing, however; her packs were still fine. She hooked them over her shoulder and then carefully picked up Isabella, and headed towards the forest just to the north of them. Inside she found a clearing big enough and set the other woman down. First thing to do was obvious; she set up the tent they’d brought, grateful that had been with her packs. The blankets had managed not to get soaked through so she tossed those inside as well.

Isabella washed all the mud off of her armor that she could before she eventually gave up. She pulled off her armor just inside the tent, setting it outside the entrance. Now clad in a simple sleeveless white shirt and shorts she fell onto one of the blankets, staring up at the “roof”. Haruka followed her example, removing her longcoat, boots and gloves. She joined Isabella inside, sitting on her own blanket but choosing to stare at her companion. “What?” Isabella asked irritably, getting a raised eyebrow from Haruka.

It wasn’t that it was wrong to be irritable. It just seemed wrong for Bella to be irritable. “What was that?” she said, deciding to ask her questions anyway. “Back there?”

Isabella sighed, laying her arm over her eyes. “That was me. Sort of. I told you I was a second-generation fallen. The mixing of my parents’ angelic and demonic blood had… odd effects. They don’t mix, really, that’s the effect. To keep me from being overloaded - or overtaken - by it, they tied the power into a release; my sword. In other words, if I draw my sword, I take on one of two forms.”

Haruka frowned. “Effects?”

“It’s not important. It’s just a weapon I can use if I really need to. I don’t like to for multiple reasons.” She moved her arm to look at Haruka. “None of which I want to talk about.”

Haruka sighed, shrugging and turning to lie down. Both of them remained in a tense silence for the first time until Isabella gave a frustrated groan, sitting up and looking at the monk. “Look, it’s been a… really long time since I’ve felt that power. Years. It’s kind of… intoxicating. Sometimes it’s hard to turn back, which is bad because I’m not really me when using it. My refusal to kill? That can disappear. Feelings for allies or discerning between friend and foe? That’s sometimes lost as well. It’s dangerous and not a good option to use if I have an option, but sometimes it’s the only thing I can do.”

She looked out the crack in the tent flap at the light rain. Haruka just watched her quietly, listening. “And right now part of me is angry at myself for using it, another part is angry at me for giving it up, and another part is angry at that second part for being angry about giving it up. At the same time I feel like an addict who just took a hit of something she’d been off for years; all the cravings are back, the pain from giving it up, and it… kind of aggravates my sickness,” she said, looking away.

Haruka pushed herself up on her elbows, studying her. “Why use it, then?” She shook her head. “Shouldn’t have.”

“Yeah, well, I did. Okay? I did.” Isabella lay back down on her side, facing away from Haruka. “Just… Shut up and go to sleep,” she muttered. “I’m tired of talking.”

Haruka clicked her tongue in thought, watching her for a few seconds longer before falling back to the blanket. They’d left that morning in high spirits, but so far this trip was not going well at all. Neither of them was in a good mood and Bella, well, she was obviously keeping a lot of things to herself. Trying to get her to talk about them now would only anger her further, though, and the last thing they needed was to be further apart. She just hoped they’d get over this; she hoped it was just a short thing brought about by them both being cold, wet and hurt, having lost both their mounts and half their supplies. Haruka closed her eyes, praying the next day would be better.

And it was; Haruka actually woke to a smell other than damp clothing and dirt, the scent of food. Not good food, but food. Sitting up she noticed she was alone in the tent and Isabella’s blanket was on top of her. She slipped out of the tent, relieved to see it had stopped raining and sun had actually replaced most of the clouds for the first time in several days. Looking over she saw Isabella had set up a campfire and was on her knees before it at the moment, blowing at something in the pot suspended above it. “No, no, no, stop… Stop that! Ohhhh, not another one…” She sighed in dismay, pulling something from the pot and tossing it into the bushes. She looked up as Haruka approached. “Oh, Ruki!” She wore an embarrassed expression and Ruka could tell she was thinking of the night before. “Haruka, I’m…”

The monk held up a hand and shook her head, physically waving away the apology. She moved behind Isabella, leaning over her to look into the pot. “Making… black things?”

“They’re not supposed to be black,” Isabella moaned, poking at one of things that, Haruka guessed, used to be some sort of bread. It was a guess. “They’re supposed to be a lovely brown. Mother used to say they were a simple way to have an easy breakfast that tasted like it took more work. For once I’m trying to convince myself she was lying.”

Haruka smirked, failing to hold back a chuckle and receiving a glare for the sound. She held up her hands, backing away. “Not making fun. Not funny.” She folded her hands and bowed her head. “Somber. Serious.”

“Uh-huh.” Isabella tilted her head, noticing something that caused her to smile and softly say, “You’re not wearing your mask…”

Haruka grew self-conscious, looking to the side. “Had a promise.”

Isabella stood up and cupped her scarred cheek in one hand, turning her head to meet her gaze. “I’m glad,” she said with an affectionate smile.

Haruka matched the smile, leaning into the hand for a moment before looking down towards the pot. “Teach you?”

“Me?” Isabella raised an eyebrow incredulously. “You want to try teaching me to cook? Ruki, I just burnt bread. Bread.”

Haruka snickered, ruffling Bella’s hair playfully. “I like challenge.”

“Hey!” Isabella tried to fix her hair. “I’m not a child.”

“Lies.”’

“In fact, I think I’m older than you.”

“Falsehoods.”

“At the very least I’m more mature.”

“Fabrications.”

“What are you saying? Who even talks like that?”

“Smart people.”

“Are you saying I’m stupid?”

“Your words.”

“You could at least argue with me.”

“You’re right.”

“Thank you. Wait. Am I right about you arguing or about me being stupid?”

“One of those.”

“Which one?”

“Just proved.”

“You’re driving me crazy.”

“Short drive.”

“Haruka, I’m going to count to three, and by the time I get there you’re going to have apologized.”

“Count that high?”

“One…”

“Scary.”

“Two…”

“Terrified.”

“…Two and a half…”

“Keep going…”

“…Two and three quarters…”

“Well?”

“Um… Two and… five eighths?”

“Three.”

“You can’t say three! I’m supposed to say three!”

“Say it then.”

“…You’re impossible.”

“You like me.”

“Now who’s lying?”

“You like me.”

“Say it as much as you want, it won’t make it true.”

“You like me.”

Isabella stared at Haruka’s smug smile with her arms crossed. She had to wipe it off… it was way too smug… Unfortunately wit abandoned her, if she’d ever had it. “Fine. You win again.”

“Skill.”

“Yeah, yeah, skill. I still say you’re cheating.”

“Skill at cheating.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be teaching me how to cook?”

“Take years.”

“I’m done with you. Just, done. I’m going to go walking off in…” Isabella turned slowly before pointing a random way. “That direction. And I’m going to  walk until I meet someone nicer than you.”

Haruka chuckled, taking a seat beside the fire. “Nicer, maybe,” she said, smiling in amusement at Bella. “Not as fun.”

“Darn.” Bella sat down beside her. “Okay. You get to keep me for now.”

Haruka smiled. “Then I’m lucky.”

Isabella blushed lightly. “That was actually sweet. Where has that been during all the insults?” she said teasingly.

“Insults are fun,” she stated simply, cleaning out the pot for reuse. “Playful. Sharing feelings…” she coughed, feeling a bit of pain already from talking so much. “…is Important.”

“Is that so?” Isabella tilted her head. “What kinds of feelings is it important to share?”

“All kinds.”

“In that case…” She smiled. “I should tell you that after several hours of riding in heavy rain, an intense fight with an elemental, a whole lot of mud and then sleeping outside… It is simply unfair how surprisingly beautiful you look.” A deep blush colored Haruka’s cheeks that she ducked her head to hide. Isabella grinned, leaning her head to the side to see her face. “I wish you wouldn’t hide, you’re adorable when you blush.”

Haruka cleared her throat, really having no idea how to handle such compliments. She looked at the happy Isabella and saw the sincerity in her expression, and the fact that she meant what she said just added that much more to the remarks. Here, away from cities and people, where it was just the two of them, she realized that she would never find it difficult to go without the mask. Isabella only saw the scars as a sign of strength, and somehow they even increased her attractiveness in Bella’s eyes. It was probably the fact that Isabella seemed to consider every part of the picture she was looking at; she couldn’t separate scars from their meaning, or physical beauty from the personality beneath it. Haruka hoped that would never change, because it was rare.

She felt Isabella’s fingers in her hair and her eyes refocused to see the curious smile on her face. “You drifted into thought, there. Something on your mind, Ruki?”

Haruka considered how to respond before deciding on honesty, giving her a smile. “Just you.”

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