Fan Fiction ❯ The Twins of Tasogare ❯ Chapter 4

Author's Note: Right, this is the last one done for now. I have half of the next chapter done, I just need to console my books. For those who read The Songstress, no updates for a while. I have no motivaton for that right now. For those who have read the prolouge to Ruby and the Seven Sisters, I have half of the first chapter of that done. Sit tight, and enjoy what you have so far.

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"Well, this seems cozy," Mana said as she walked into the small hut. Jake walked in behind her. The hut was just one big room. It had a couch set in front of a fireplace and a single bed in the corner. There was a small area for cooking and eating as well. As Mana took in her surroundings, Jake started the fire. "There's only one bed," she stated. Jake looked up.

"I'll sleep on the couch. The duke's daughter deserves the comfort of a bed," he replied with a tint of scorn in his voice. Mana looked at him. Jake almost seemed to hate her.

"I'm sorry for intruding, but I have nowhere else to go and Ember hoped you could teach me to use my magic...You can take the bed if you want," Mana explained. Jake just glared and sat down on the couch, watching the fire. "You know, the least you could do is try to like me. It's not like I chose to have magic." Jake looked over at the whining girl and sighed.

"Fine. I'll try. It would be easier if I didn't know that it was your uncle who outlawed magic. It's his fault that we're both stuck here. You can expect me to be a bit upset at this." Mana nodded in understanding and sat down next to him. For hours they just watched the fire, until Mana got curious. She reached out her hand and the flames leapt from the fireplace and created a ball on her hand. Jake's eyes widened at this. "Lady Mayonaka, please put the fire back in the fire place..." Mana looked over at him and then back at the fire in her hand. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the fire was where it belonged.

"I'm so-so sorry about that..." she stuttered, stepping back a bit. Jake laughed to himself.

"Don't worry about it, m'lady. You know, I think we'll get along better than I had expected," he said to her. Mana looked over at him.

"What do you mean? And please, call me Mana." Jake stood up and walked over to her. He took one of her hands in both of his and ran his fingers over it. Mana blushed slightly at this. Having lived a sheltered life in the castle, she hadn't been around many guys, except for palace guards, but they were mostly drunks or married. Jake was neither of those. She looked up from their hands to his face only to find herself lost in his deep blue eyes. He smirked.

"You aren't like most of those who are of noble blood. You seem more gentle...and kind," he said, dropping her hands, "You take the bed. I could never deprive such a beautiful maiden of her beauty sleep." Jake smirked and walked into the cooking area. Mana was still stunned from his words to notice what he was doing. Moments later, she smelt something cooking. She broke out of her trance and looked over at Jake. He was stirring something inside a pot, over a fire. She was curious as to what he was cooking so she walked over him and looked in the pot.

"Where'd you get the chicken and the vegetables?" she asked. He smirked.

"Magic," he said simply. She giggled lightly and sat on a small stool. Despite the fact that she may never see her sister or friends again, things sure were looking up.