Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction ❯ Just Visiting ❯ Take Off ( Chapter 11 )

<Authors Notes: Wa! I'm such a bad writer! You guys have been update less for so long! Procrastination is the Bain of all readers! Boo-urns. Create my dry skinned hands Create!

 

You know what's great about visiting a fandom for several months? Coming back and finding some pretty neat stories. ^-^ I've been revitalized-for the moment. Filled with the urge to herbal-I mean work on my own Rayearth fics. I realize this chapter's fairly short but chapter twelve will be much longer I promise. So without further a due, I give you the next installment of: Just Visiting's chapter 10, Take Off.>

 

 

He was lying down across their two beds. His head on her bare lap, she smiled as she stroked his hair. She'd planned on bathing but he'd caught her messaging her leg and asked what had happened. When she told him it was just a leg cramp, his hands had somehow made their way around her thigh and began kneading the muscle. It was uncomfortable at first but the more he worked her muscles, the nicer his touch became.

 

“Better?” He asked when she'd purred.

 

She tilted his head to see his face. “Yes. Very, much, thank you.”

 

He stopped when she inched closer, leaned down and lightly traced her lips over his. They fell back into the mattress, continuing to kiss in this fashion. When they broke apart, they were both lying on their side. He touched her cheek, softly stroking her skin.

 

“I love you,” he whispered.

 

Her cheeks were warm with a blush.

 

“And I, you,” she declared. Remembering he'd said those same words to her after she'd first admitted her feelings. With that, she sat up and made her way off the bed.

 

“Hey.” He rolled over, propping himself up on his elbows. “Where are you going?”

 

“Nowhere really, just going to wash up.”

 

He got off the bed, on his way over to her. “Need some help?”

 

 

Hikaru expected it was somewhere around mid morning by the time her and Lantis had headed out of the room. She would have liked to hold his hand for the short distance they walked to the small dining area of the inn, but didn't as public affection beyond a certain extent, was not something she was generally comfortable with.

 

Lantis, pulled out her chair for her. He seemed to glow with happiness, a rarity for him. Of course his expression didn't reflect this, but Hikaru could tell. He seated himself and it was the old man who came up to them to inform them of what the meals of the day were.

 

Lantis' mood dampened a bit seeing as the old man kept looking back and forth at the two of them when he brought their food. He answered the man with an icy glare; which came very easily to him.

 

“Is there something the matter?” The old man said nervously under the glare.

 

“I was wondering that myself.”

 

“I, I'd thought the young lady a young man last night,” he blurted out.

 

Lantis went to stand, offended at the old man's words, and it was likely that he would have hit the old man, had Hikaru's hand not desperately grabbed for his arm.

 

“That's alright. Really,” she said with a laugh. “It's not the first time I've been mistaken for a boy.”

 

“Had you said something last evening, I would have arranged for a separate room for the young lady.”

 

“The accommodations that were provided for us were sufficient.” Lantis said gruffly. “How would this one be able to effectively protect this fair young lady from the dangers of this town if she was to reside elsewhere without this one's company?”

 

“My apologies, good sir.” The old man began, excusing himself.

 

Hikaru took a moment to let that sink in. “Weren't you a little hard on him?”

 

“Perhaps,” Lantis said as he buttered some toast. “However, it is no concern of his as to what we do or do not do and I did not appreciate what he said about you.”

 

“I feel bad for him though.”

 

“It couldn't be helped.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“I'm very protective of you.”

 

She couldn't help but smile.

 

They ate with little conversation, though she sent him glances of adoration. They were returned with the makings of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

 

It was a little sad when the meal finished. Lantis paid his dues to the Inn's owner and then they were off to speak with the elder of this dying village. The plus side was that once outside, Hikaru's senses were hit with the scent of morning dew blowing around them on a soft, chilly breeze.

 

Their walk to the village's “Hall”, where most political and social dealings were discussed, was a brisk but short journey. They stood outside for only a minute or so while they were being announced before they were let in.

 

“Ah, Sir Lantis I presume. It is a true honor to have your power working in this village's interests. I am told you are one of our country's finest …” he noticed Hikaru then. “And who is this?”

 

“She is the magic knight of fire,” Lantis said.

 

“Oh?” the older man said in surprise.

 

“Hi. I'm Hikaru, Hikaru Shidou.”

 

He bowed, “What a pleasure!” the man said, brimming with happiness.

 

“Shall we move on?” Lantis cut in.

 

“Oh, yes, yes, yes. There's much to be said-and to be done. “Come let us talk in peace.”

 

He hobbled about and led them to a secluded room. There was a round table and several chairs.

 

“Sit where you please.”

 

Hikaru moved towards one of the chairs and Lantis pulled it out for her.

 

“Thank you,” she said sitting down gracefully. He pushed it in and took a seat for himself beside her.

 

“Have you had time to asses our situation at all?”

 

“Somewhat,” Lantis replied. “Our travels took us through the forest.”

 

“I see.”

 

Hikaru looked back and forth between Lantis and the elder.

 

“If I am correct, in the report initially sent to the palace, your specifications were only that the monsters began appearing in Valnartian's forest three months ago.”

 

“Yes. There were few at first and our own soldiers were more than capable in removing them. However, as the weeks wore on, we noticed that they were becoming greater in numbers. They were much stronger and one night, they entered this village and attacked. We were able to repel them but only because we were able to use our sacred scriptures to bring forth a purifying barrier.”

 

“Oh?” Lantis asked.

 

“We are unable to retain the barrier any further, however. Our sorcerers are growing weak, and as a result, many of my inhabitants have retreated to safer grounds.”

 

“I see,” Lantis declared and stood up. He turned to Hikaru. “Shall we go?”

 

She nodded and stood. The other man not expecting this rose as well. “What-excuse me? Is don't you want to hear the rest?”

 

“No. That's enough. We'll return to the forest for investigation.”

 

“Be careful then.” The man urged.

 

“Bye,” Hikaru offered and the both of them headed out.