Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Winged Warrior ❯ Learning from The Past ( Chapter 12 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: hellhoundhavoc 
WELL...
HAPPY NEW YEAR?! :D?
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.30.2010 | Pages: 2 | Words: 8.7K | Visits: 117 | Status: Work In Progress
WELL...
HAPPY NEW YEAR?! :D?
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.30.2010 | Pages: 2 | Words: 8.7K | Visits: 117 | Status: Work In Progress
The pounding of his feet reached his heart and translated into a banging in his ears. He slowed as he got closer to the source of the sound. The source—or rather person was standing in front of the manor. But He slowed the pace of his massive body so not to topple over the person if he was so inclined to gallop over to them. His eyes narrowed in utter curiosity of the person who held their back to him. From just the contour of her figure, he thought he was supposed to know her but he wasn’t positive until she took off her wig and let her blond hair fall naturally in its short but beautiful style. He felt his lips part slightly as if to get ready to say something but instead, as he stood frozen, he let the edge of his parted lips curl up into his smile. “No flipping way.” He spoke in a low husky voice so that the only man that could hear him was himself. His feet took him over with such speed that he didn’t have much control over himself. He did manage stop just short of her and reached forward with his large hand; he gently tapped her smooth shoulder and forced his grin down until she turned around to greet him. “Alexandra Oceana, why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” He asked her while spreading his arms out for the hug that he had promised her only an hour or so before. Of course, she smiled at him mostly because he was already beaming like a thousand suns while looking at her standing there. With the smallest giggle she could muster, she spread out her arms for him to hug her. “Aw come ‘ere.” He bent his knees and put his arms just so on her body lifting her up in a big hug while her arms clung onto his neck for her own form of bodily support. All the while, she laughed in the joyous reunion. He held her where she was just a smidgeon taller than he was naturally and continued to just let off his signature grin at her. For a very brief moment, they also shared the promised kiss. The small sweet ode to love was the best they could do for this greeting. “I thought you were going to be staying down in Amara for a few more days.”
“I wanted this to be a surprise.” She said moving just the slightest bit of hair from his face. “Otherwise you would have been all up in arms for my return; now where’s the fun in that?” Her rosy lips were pulled into a little smile; she’d gotten the better of him today. She knew that she had and that he would allow her this victory or she would be taking it. He didn’t have a choice in the matter really, but she would allow him to think that he did- to boost his ego or something like that. She didn’t know the official reason why she let him think that, but what she had would suffice. “Besides, our drama teacher sent me a text that was far too… delectable to resist.” She went searching through her pockets for her cell phone, ready to tell him all about this new project at school. Alas, she couldn’t remember which pocket she’d placed her cell phone. “Crap, hold on a second.” She started to check ever pocket. As she dug through the front two, River just chuckled a little bit to himself. “Oh pipe it, Musha.”
“One, I didn’t even know we had a drama teacher and two, this wouldn’t be so much of a problem if you just carried a purse like ‘normal girls’ “ he scolded like an elderly lady- actually mimicking one that had scolded Alex for ‘leaving her purse at home’ while going through the store with him on one occasion. Alex never owned a purse, nor would she probably ever use one, maybe a coin purse but something bulky just didn’t seem like her style. “I could buy you one for- god what holiday is next?” he rubbed his head before she slugged his arm hard. “Well, ow.” He smiled just a little bit. “So no purse?” He joked lightly, she just gave him her signature ‘get real’ glare and he smiled his crooked grin while small chuckles escaped his mighty chest. She gave him a little push but smiled none the less. “Aw, but I could have gotten you one of those yellow poka dotted ones that the girls at school have.”
“If you show up with one of those, River Jafar Musha, you’ll be wearing it, and not on your arm…” Alex said finally getting a hold of her cell phone. “I don’t believe I need to say much more about that, now do I?” Alex gave him an innocent little smile as his humored grin faded into a more solemn and even a tad shocked face. “Of come on, I’d never hurt you.”
“While I was conscious…” he replied with one jokingly untrusting eye. She just laughed at his jester like actions. “Okay, okay, I’ll be serious now. Let’s see what’s going on that got you all relied up to get home- besides your loving winged boy, of course.” He smiled a cheesy grin, totally unserious. He’d been getting more joking about himself lately. Perhaps it was just life letting him be a child again, and one thing good about being a child was that they could laugh at themselves no matter what they did. He enjoyed that free spirit so much that he never wanted to let it go but he knew that eventually he was going to have to do so. He had to grow up eventually and that meant maybe letting go a shred of himself that he never really wanted to let go at all. “Anyway, what is it?”
“Here,” She handed her cell phone to him. His eyes went a bit wide when he saw the message on the screen. She stood in utter silence, her way of telling him that his reaction had no way of keeping her from making him do exactly what she wanted from him.
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes.”
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The auditorium was partially filled with young hopefuls and the others were there because, like River, their girlfriends dragged them along. River was helpless to the little hand that pulled him along. He whined and whimpered and tried his excuses but Alex had wit over him. He couldn’t even get an excuse out before she had it debunked and laying in his stock pile of unusable comments. He just resigned to his unfortunate fate. He often glanced to the door and Alex elbowed him. “Oh this will amuse me.” He said simply taking the script from her. “Amara has to wear a dress.”
“I’m not trying out for Amara.” Alex replied rolling her eyes.
“oh, so you’re going to let me kiss another girl?” River tilted his head. He saw a section of her face twitch and he almost burst into laughter. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, and the next thing he knew, his script was snatched out of his hand. “Change of heart?”
“Sometimes I hate you River Musha.” She replied as she looked over the script. He leaned over and put his arms around one of hers, putting his head on her shoulder. There was a spout of silence between them. “And if they come in the night?”
“Then they will come,” River spoke in a low voice half sleepy. “And you will sit in your prissy little den while real men go out and fight.”
“You did that far too well for your own good.” Alex raised an eyebrow at him. He just chuckled, “your acting skills are obviously too superior for me.” She rolled her eyes putting the back of her hand to her forehead and leaning away dramatically. “Then again, maybe I should go to a more appropriate spot…”
“I don’t know, she seems a little reluctant throughout the first act.” River rubbed his head.
“I can’t imagine why.” Alex replied rather dry glancing to River. He just contained a laugh then rubbed his cheek against her shoulder where it had been resting. “Tenshi, there is something wrong with Enzeru.” She said in a low voice, it held deep with concern well into character on her part. River didn’t even bother sitting up for this, quite content in his position.
“Oh, there is always something wrong with Enzeru. What is it now?” he asked a bit annoyed. He didn’t need the rest of the script to know that his fore-father had been rather peeved at the woman that would one day become his wife when she interrupt his work to talk to him about his best friend—the very same best friend that would betray him. He felt Alex shift around uncomfortably as she found herself even deeper into character. Her brow was tightened and she was focusing on the words on the page as if they were life or death.
“He’s acting strange, Tenshi. I don’t know what he might do, but I fear him… if not for myself then for you… talk to him, Tenshi please.” She urged; desperation was thick in her voice. “No.” Alex broke character suddenly with made River shake Tenshi out of his head. “I’m not good enough for this role.” She handed the script back to him. He just stared at her with his mouth ajar. “What?”
“Take the script and get your butt on stage.” River said when they were called up. He wouldn’t take no as an answer this time and they were up there together in no time. The drama teacher was amused to see them, as her lips pursed into a light smile at the sight of the two of them on stage together. Alex looked to River unsure while his confidence overwhelmed the auditorium. She was unsure while he was definitely ready. He walked over and picked her up by the waist putting her over his shoulder and heading off screen. “Act One. Scene Two.” River announced. Alex quickly flipped to it and got it into her mind quickly. He set her down on her feet and then presented his wrist. “Stop pulling!” he boomed as she headed out a few feet in front of him and he tried to stop her with little luck. She tugged along.
“Don’t be such a child.” She scolded sharply. “You are the reason I am wet right now and you will escort me home so that I can find dry clothes.” River as Tenshi rolled his eyes dramatically and then rubbed his head with his one hand as she huffed then tugged him along. He made little whining sounds at the movement. “Quit complaining.” She snapped.
“I suppose this means you’ll have me, a common man, seeing you in your undergarments?” he stifled a laugh. Amara’s(Alex’s) face contorted as if she hadn’t thought of that, as the script told her to do. “Very well then, may I go home?”
“No” she demanded. “I will not walk alone back and forth between my home and that filthy bar.” Tenshi seemed bored for the most part, entirely in character, up until she said the words ‘filthy bar’.
“That filthy bar is my home and the sole provider for my family.” He raged walk after her as she walked ahead of him. “You have a lot of nerve calling an honest establishment like that filthy, you and your blood money, you’re the filthy one.” He looked so mad and then Amara slapped him.
“You are of the common wealth, dear, it doesn’t matter what you think.” She straightened the invisible glove on her hand and walked off stage, leaving him there alone. He stood where he was for a grand few seconds before he finally tilted his head back. His eyes were lit with the same passion that Tenshi must have had after that fateful walk with Amara. He was bitter at first and he kicked the ground in front of him. He ran a hand back through his hair in anger and then looked back towards where she’d gone off to before him.
“You’re of the common wealth,” He spat towards the ground. “It doesn’t matter what you think! Bah! It doesn’t matter what you think you WENCH!” He yelled after her and it resounded through the auditorium. He stalked back and forth grumbling and puffing out his chest like he was a hotshot or an angered rooster. “You know what! I’ll DEFY the COMMON WEALTH!” He yelled. “I defy YOU—JUST YOU WAIT!” then he stormed off stage and the sound of clapping could be heard throughout the gym. Free of the character, River laughed and ran around backstage but he couldn’t find Alex. Then suddenly, she jumped on his back and ruffled his hair.
“You did so GOOD” She smiled and hugged around his neck laughing. “If you don’t get the part our drama teacher is stupid.” Alex smiled and then kissed his cheek. He just smiled and turned on his heel holding her on his back still. He then set her down on her feet and walked out to the crowd still clapping. The drama teacher told them that Tenshi and Amara were cast but they were welcome to try out for another role. She paid no attention to those who complained, she simply would not waste her time when she already knew who she was going to cast. She had Alex and River sit with her as the other roles were paraded in front of them. Few were very note worthy; there was one kid that was so nervous when he got on stage that he eventually ran off stage redder than a tomato. Then there was an old friend—well Alex’s best friend of the male variety, or so he’d established throughout the school year.
He wasn’t like River, he was about as tall as Alex though and with the reddest hair that they’d ever seen. He wasn’t a warrior, something that by normal standards would be considered almost a social crime. It wasn’t something that was by choice, he had his wings burned off when he was a child running back into a burning building to save his family, a glory that had brought him great acclaim. His name was Leon Voyage and that alone made people leave him alone about his otherwise questionable behaviors. It wasn’t poor behavior; on the contrary, he was a class a citizen but he wasn’t into things that most boys were interested in. Theater happened to be one of the things he was very enthusiastic about as well as choir. He and River had once been in the boy band together and unfortunately at one point in time, he said something to River that enraged him to punch out his front teeth out. That was one of the vaguest memories that River had now. He wasn’t a well built man but he wasn’t too tubby, he had a bit of a stomach on him. He wasn’t the beefy kind of guy, he was just average. He had a thin face though, it was slightly feminine in some aspects—he was a pretty boy that was the best way to put it. Leon’s green eyes shimmered when he got up on stage. His normally fiery hair was black, it was a wig or a poor job at spraying it, there were still little spots of red on as if he’d rushed to get it on. River let out a chuckle. “Trying out for Enzeru, Leon?”
“Yes I am, River.” He smiled a little bit. His grin was just one that was waiting to be mischievous. He cleared his throat and started in on one of Enzeru’s most conflicted monologues. His display of emotion was enough to make the mind confused as to where to lay their sympathies, but obviously the Tenshi clan people would view it as Enzeru slowly losing his mind with the amount of power he and Tenshi now held in their hands and wanting more. It was no surprise when he was cast on the spot just like the other pair. The main roles were cast and the supports were quickly being filled. With a tad bit of reluctance, the lot of them accepted their roles no matter how big or small they happened to be. Leon and Alex often chuckled together at scenes were River had to make a fool of himself but then the boys would get to sneer across the stage at Alex who was unenthusiastically being fitted for a dress in one scene. River often found that a punch would be place upon his arm for enjoying it too much. He couldn’t help but laugh at her antics. He knew he’d done nothing wrong but there was little he could do about that. The practices seemed to drag on forever though, and often the world of the play blended into reality and River would often catch himself reciting out a line in normal conversation.
Luckily, the play approached rather fast and the practices would cease after their three nights of performances. It was night one a calm spring evening with a light rain tapping delicately on the roof of the auditorium. The movable set pieces were being set up by the stage crew and the cast were lounged bored in the backroom playing cards for the next few minutes before places were called. The various extras were all spread out and some of them to themselves while the three mains went over things over and over again. The fight had been well coordinated, specifically so that River wouldn’t break Leon in half. They practiced that a lot backstage, especially right now. It was a good thing that they cast the only Tenshi clan teenager to know the pain of losing one’s wings for the role of Enzeru when Tenshi stripped his once best friend of them. The Tenshi story was actually rather sad, at first about unrequited love and classism, then about friendship and building a great society and then betrayal and the budding of romance. There was a side to the story that was both happy and sad at the same time. Tenshi lose his best friend but gains the love of his life... if only he could have been less complex of a man. If only it could have been as simple as the many children stories that they’d all been forced to read before the production. If he was just the man who had a dream of becoming a king then it would be an easy story to tell, but then you’d look over Amara, and Enzeru, who was as much a part of the history of the Tenshi clan as Tenshi was, he just got kicked out of town.
The infamous Enzeru Buke had once been Tenshi’s best friend but the moment he became the enemy, everyone forgot about those fond memories and this was the only way to remind people that Enzeru had been a warrior but had chosen a path less favorable and thus, he got the unfavorable fame. Places were called before River could dive into theories of how things would be if Enzeru had won the fight against Tenshi, though his mind told him that Enzeru didn’t have the physical or mental strength to hurt his friend, he still couldn’t imagine the ‘what if’. The first scene began rather loud… the town’s affluent were all gathered in the Musha’s pub… and they were loud but the voices dulled as River walked onto the stage. He glanced out at the audience but couldn’t make out a single face. “I lived in this house my whole life, and I’ve had the same job every day.” He started the same as Tenshi once started a journal essay. His voice stayed informative as he went on to slip around the people at the table. “I know every hiding space in this bar. I know every creak and groan of the floor boards and today… well today is Lord Royal’s birthday. If he didn’t have so much money, I’d have half a mind to kick him out.” Then the scene broadened and the once detached Tenshi was thrown back into his world.
These first scenes were half comical; Tenshi’s life at first seemed to be a comedy. Of course, Amara’s father had this huge party at the tavern. Tenshi had gone out to collect water as he had been the water boy at the time. Ironically, Tenshi towered over his father both in reality and in this play, much like River and Rex. For a little man, Tenshi’s father, Tyson had been fierce. He had little patience for his youngest son, Tenshi and often yelled at him for his misfortunes. The first scene was one of the comical acts of Tenshi that was recorded in his journal. He had tripped when entering the pub and not only drenched himself but covered Amara in water. Naturally, anger ensued and the scene that River and Alex used to try out followed. Leon was making an excellent Enzeru during out it all; he seemed out of his own element and in a new man’s body. One would almost mistake him for someone else if it weren’t for his voice.
The first act in a nutshell was Tenshi finally deciding that he had enough of being abused by the Royal family and having enough of trying to please his father. He would leave home with his friend and finally begin something that was more than any of them could imagine. After all, the kingdom that Tenshi and Enzeru built was still standing, years and years later. The second act showed the beginning of the Village and the beginning of the end for Tenshi and Enzeru’s friendship. There was little significance to the other parts of the second act, other than showing a progression of feelings from Amara to Tenshi. A lot of the interactions seemed funny now in retrospect. According to River, there was a lot that would seem comical when one was looking back on them. Of course, there was a moment that truly defined what happened between Tenshi and Enzeru.
The series of events occurred when Tenshi and Amara were left along together after he brought her to the new kingdom. He explained to her about the laws of the new kingdoms, including how all had equal rights. There was a small scene that gave everyone a hint that Amara may have been beginning to fall in love with Tenshi. Amara would stay with him that night, after racing him home and having a rather comical scene where they argued about what she would wear the next day after Tenshi wouldn’t leave long enough for her to change. He told her to wear what was comfortable, that she could wear a dress, his clothes, or even go naked for all he cared. Enzeru had not been pleased with Tenshi who had been quick to forgive the woman. Imagine his surprise the next day when Amara arrive sporting Tenshi’s clothing. Amara had made some snide comments when Enzeru acted less than appealing, including suggestion that Tenshi and Enzeru were lovers. Of course, Tenshi reacted as only Tenshi could, freak out. Amara told him to prove that they weren’t both ‘queens’ which resulted in him kissing her which ultimately got caught by Enzeru. Amara bolted before he could talk to the both of them. Tenshi admitted that he might be in love with Amara.
Enzeru had been alone in his own home. The set had been similar to Tenshi’s home with the furniture slightly moved. He was staring off into the distance, pondering, his body half draped across the chair, his elbow resting against the arm, and his cheek against his knuckles. “My best friend is in love.” He finally said something; he seemed somewhat hurt. “In Love! Of course, in love with the girl that he wanted to crush,” Leon scoffed fitting the character of Enzeru perfectly in this moment. He moved his whole body, sitting forward in the chair and running both hands down his face. “Oh Tenshi, Tenshi, Tenshi what am I going to do with you? You couldn’t be in-love with her—no be in love with the baker’s daughter. She’s a lovely nice girl, have her. The maiden of the Fox house, have her, but not Amara.” Enzeru’s body twisted as he urged the air around him. He took in a heavy breath. “This will not be pretty.” He groaned pulling himself out of the chair and walking to the fireplace. “No, Tenshi chose another girl—hell chose a man! Just not Amara.” He rested his head against the mantel. “You were supposed to break her Tenshi, crush her… then I could pick up the pieces…” Enzeru stopped. “Forget about her, Tenshi, that girl was supposed to be mine.” He lifted his head and looked at his door. “Anyone but her, anyone will do. Just not her.” He turned his head and growled into space.” “Not her, it’s all I ask. We cannot let a woman turn us into animals.” He walked over and while running his hand along his bed, his eyes seemed to get darker as did his expression. “But if I must, I shall.”
There was a little bit of dramatic music, but it was nothing that people didn’t expect. They did have a nice orchestra back up to Enzeru’s descent into darkness. Of course, Tenshi and Amara stayed none the wiser. However, it was then that Enzeru started to act ‘weird’, as he had according to Tenshi’s journey. His friend was becoming distant and it began to hurt him as they grew apart until the ultimate divide. Amara started to notice the change far before Tenshi did. That was what started the argument, the argument that would not only change the definition of Tenshi and Amara’s relationship but Alex and River’s as well.
“Tenshi.” She spoke first in this situation. The king was sitting on the floor reading when she entered the room. “I’m worried.” Amara went to him, resting next to him on the ground looking to him with big concerned eyes. Tenshi marked his location in the book and then his amber eyes looked to her with a dull and almost completely emotionless expression on his face. The events leading up to this conflict happened to involve a lot of Amara coming to him, being worried about something. Tenshi legitimately cared for a while, but when she would tell him, he often laughed it off. She had been on this concerned streak for quite a while and Tenshi never did anything just blamed it on foolish resentments that Amara still had towards both he and Enzeru. He figured it was mostly towards him and she was trying to make a fool out of him by blatantly accusing his friend of something based on the feelings of a woman who used to hate him.
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least bit.” It was becoming apparent that the more Tenshi was a king, the more he tried to educate himself. There were books spread out by where he was resting next to the fire place, never quite breaking his way to laying on the bed; especially because they had yet to build a house for Amara and she still needed a place to rest at night. Tenshi had figured that, by the way Enzeru acted, that his friend would kill not only her but him for even suggesting that she balance her time between the two kings’ homes. “You’ve been worried for the last few days about everything and coming to me to express your worries.” He seemed slightly cold in his comments about her suspicions. “I will not hear it.” He said simply before getting up after setting his book down with the rest of the stacks.
“You will not hear it?” Amara retorted quickly getting up faster than he had. Tenshi had since glided across the room. He looked back at her with distant eyes; all Musha men had those distant eyes. “Will you ever listen to me at all!” At that moment, the argument transcended time. River had a hard time deciding if that was aimed at him or at Tenshi. He’d forgotten the script for just a moment and then he regained his composure. It was good that Tenshi had a moment of thought before he would reply or else he would have looked like an idiot up on stage.
“I HAVE listened to you! You’ve told me nothing besides your FEELINGS! There is no evidence in feelings!” Tenshi replied sharply; again, the debate went over time. The rest of the script had been practiced but would be easily forgotten; the fight was on and this time in a very public manner. “What do you want from me!”
“I want you to REALY listen for once Tenshi Musha!” Amara retorted. In truth, Alex had to think for a second before she called him River on accident. The school paper would eat that up—the news paper would eat that up; relationship problems between the ever loved prince and his commoner girlfriend. “Think about what’s happening! Don’t you understand that you could get hurt?”She grabbed a hold of his sleeve. “Tenshi this could be devastating… think about more than yourself for once.”
“Think about more than myself!” He returned. The amber eyes were like the sun in their new inferno, “Stupid girl if was thinking about only myself I would have confront him a long time ago!” Tenshi rubbed his head. “Don’t you even stop to think what could happen if I confronted him without proof? We built a kingdom together for god sake! Am I supposed to throw that out the window?”
“I never said you had to walk up to him and punch him in the jaw!” She returned angrily. “Just talk to him! Do anything!” She threw her arms in the air. “I should have known this wouldn’t work, a conversation with you is like talking to a stone wall; dull and without intelligence!” She started towards the door and Tenshi rushed around her.
“How DARE YOU!” He barked loudly. She backed up as the intimidating figure stared her down. “After how I’ve treated you in the last few months compared to what you did to me when our roles were reversed! How DARE you think that you have any right to speak to me as such!” The audience was just watching. The intensity of the young actors was frightening in some respects and later people would say it looked like River was really about to lay her out. His fists were both tightly clenched and his figure approached her like a lion on the hunt. “I have done EVERYTHING in my power to be kind to you and this is how you repay me!” he yelled. The Musha temper hadn’t seemed to weed out of the family tree either. “Are you afraid that you will be hurt?” he asked promptly
“Yes, Tenshi! He’s not acting—” It wouldn’t surprise Amara that she was not allowed to finish this thought before the boisterous and proud Tenshi Musha would open his mouth once more; however, this was beginning to frighten Alex at River pure passion and anger not knowing if he was truly in character of if he’d gone off the deep end.
“You don’t even know Enzeru! Don’t even say he isn’t acting normal!” The fire in his eyes was burning bright that night. “And how could you be afraid that someone will hurt you! I am here!”
“YES TENSHI BUT YOU WILL NOT ALWAYS BE HERE! AND WHAT AM I TO DO THEN!” She shoved him back out of the way and for the first time, the large and angry man seemed dumbfounded. “What if I am right and you are wrong?” Amara asked, tears were starting to form now. She had been scared and only now while he was away did her emotions start to bubble and the anger start to cause her eyes to water. It was not Tenshi’s heart breaking at this vision though; it was River’s, he had to avoid the gaze he had to keep character though everything told him to run up and hug her. “you couldn’t possibly understand; how could you, you’re just a stupid boy inside!” She went to push past him and he grabbed her wrist. It was said that Tenshi nearly broke Amara’s wrist, but simply popped it out of case in her luck; on the other hand, River refused to do such a thing. His breath stopped when she cringed, but she had to do that, and the wince/wink of her eye guaranteed that she was okay as that had always been their sign.
“Amara, I love you.” Who knew why Tenshi picked that moment of all times to tell her that, “I will do anything, but please, please don’t ask me to do this…” As Amara slipped her hand away from Tenshi’s grip and backed up; it was a lesson for River to learn. He watched her recoil and for the first time, he saw just how delicate she was, she wouldn’t look him in the eye. “Did I hurt you?” He shook a bit, angry at himself. She shook her head, holding her injured wrist to her chest. “M-May I see it?” It was easy for her to shake her head at him. It was very easy for her to deny him. It wasn’t Amara anymore though, not in River’s mind. He was realizing just how frail Alex was compared to him, even with the tough show she put on—trying to tell him that she could do anything he could do; in truth, she was Amara, backing away from a mighty man that could barely control himself. He had to back away; how could he have hurt her so? Okay, so he hadn’t actually hurt her but the possibility fell into his head.
Was this the model for their relationship? The foundation of it was fragile and if he didn’t start changing, he very well could punch holes in the poorly laid concrete base they’d made. The moves he made were like a bull’s horns clashing with fine china. How could he have been so foolish? As he considered her, Amara’s words echoed in his head. He couldn’t always be there; and somehow he was going to have to accept that. This is what got Tenshi and Amara to fit; it wasn’t that Tenshi didn’t want to protect her; he did, but he didn’t know how to do it. He couldn’t always protect her and just as he learned this, he realized her weaknesses. He’d been acting like she was some harden exteriored woman who could take whatever he said and whatever he dealt but just watching her there. He realized that he couldn’t do that, he wasn’t looking at things in the grand scheme. He’d been so focused on himself and the war that he’d forgotten to look at her and see what was going on with her. Admittedly, River had been an awful boyfriend and why she had cared so much about him and mopped about him; he couldn’t understand but in all of his buddying around with her, he’d forgotten to boil it down to its deepest components. She was still a girl and just like everyone else in the world, she still had feelings; and she would feel them somewhat deeper than him because of her extra hormones. The next thing he knew arms were being wrapped around his neck and her forehead was pressed against his throat where his heart had been caught. He couldn’t touch her, not just yet. “I should call for a doct” two of her fingers went over his lips brushing them. He just stopped talking and she leaned up and kissed him, slowly he closed his eyes and forgot about the audience… they cheered none the less.
River hadn’t been the only one realizing such things. Tenshi’s outburst and River’s fanatical eyes showed Alex something about this play and about the men of the Musha family. They were passionate and uncontrollable once they were on a mission. Once they found what they thought was right, far be it for a woman to try to come in and divert their attention to something completely irrelevant. She particularly paid attention to the fact that despite her best efforts (or rather Amara’s best efforts) she could not curve his enthusiasm. Perhaps the greatest thing she was learning from this experience was that there were just some things that were out of River’s hands—for Tenshi, it had been the relationship with Enzeru and Amara’s feelings, he couldn’t act on them without just cause; therefore, in River’s case, he would never be able to stop going out to fight. River was prince of the clan and if he wasn’t going out what image did that show of the royal family? The Musha men had too much pride to let such a thing happen on the front lines and though the women were more refined, Alex doubted that if one of the boys had only daughters that one of them wouldn’t be a war hawk just like her father. “here, hold this hand while I fix my wrist.” Amara had come back strong now letting go of Tenshi and presenting the hand with the damaged wrist. Tenshi looked at her as though she’d lost her mind.
Amara used her other hand and brought Tenshi’s up, she rested the hand in his palm and then gently wrapped his mighty fingers around her hand. Tenshi’s eyes were worried and he almost wanted to pull his hand back. He had been the one to hurt her wrist after all. “Are you sure about th”
“Don’t squeeze” She answered before he could complete his thought and then it appeared as though she popped the wrist back in place, then she recoiled in pain. Tenshi was quick to the draw: he grabbed wrap and a temporary stint. Amara watched him with softened eyes. He placed it against her wrist as gently as she had moved his hand and then started to the same with the wrap. “How often do you touch anyone?”
“Almost never.” He answered embarrassed, what man wanted to expose his weaknesses? He finished wrapping her wrist and she hugged him tight. It was this that started the truth of the relationship between Tenshi and Amara; dysfunctional as it was. There was something to be said about learning from history; and this was one of the cases. If they could learn from the facts of Tenshi and Amara, they themselves would be stronger. Yet what were they really learning from all of this? They were learning something about each other that even glimpsing at the past didn’t help them understand, that practicing this scene over and over again didn’t make them see.
All was better back before they were launched back into this world—their world. Alex had fallen in love with and wanted the River Musha who was a normal teenager and with the exception of playing on the local high school football team, didn’t have anything about him so special that it would cause a gap in between them. River had been discontent with this life style for a long time, but he never let it show; when he found out who he was, it was like the pieces of the puzzle were found and put together. Though his royal status wasn’t something he scoffed about, his importance made sense and while occasionally humble, his ego inflated. However, with the kind of power he had, he also had obligations that were just out of his control and for a long time, he and Alex fought about these obligations, particularly the war. No one wanted their loved ones to go out to war, no one wanted them to put themselves n harm’s way; the thing about the warrior was not that they were heavily supported and pushed out the door, it was that they believed in the cause so much that despite the arguments and the disapproval they went out and they fought anyway.
Amara said herself in her later days that her experience with Tenshi was that no matter what she said, no matter who she quoted, and even despite all the things she threatened, it was his choice to listen or not and it was his choice whether or not he would go. In the end, she said that her comments only sent him into confusion about what he was obligated to do and how he wanted to please his wife—in those days of the war though, if not for Tenshi, they would have lost.
However, it was never Amara’s fault that Tenshi’s attentions were split. In fact, the fault fell with the only person able to control the first King—Tenshi Musha. If there was anything that River needed to learn from his great great great great grandfather; it was that he couldn’t do everything; he was physically unable to please Alex, fight in the war, protect Alex, and continue to keep a sound mental basis. This strife he put on himself and to try to excuse himself from his self inflicted responsibility he demanded that Alex stay away from the battle ground, which only caused a conflict of interest as it never pleased her that he thought he could control her as such.
No part of the play after the argument scene had a profound impact on either of them. In fact, they spent most of the rest of it in a dream like haze. They remembered their lines but there wasn’t a thing that really stuck with them. There were congratulations that, though thanks were given, went relatively unheard by the pair. Even the car ride home was rather a bizarre dream. “Do you mind if I come inside?” River finally asked to break the long awkward silence as he came out of his delusional state. For a moment she looked at him not quite processing what he asked, probably because he rarely asked he usually just followed.
“oh… yeah, of course.” She replied while he put the car in park and then slipped out of the car. Alex noticed a change in his eyes, there was something different about him; then again, she was quite use to things become different at a moment’s notice. This was deeper though, she couldn’t put her finger on it but it was there. He opened her door for her when she didn’t move for a while and when she snapped out of her thoughts, he was giving her his crooked grin and for the first time in a long time, he seemed genuinely happy. It wasn’t just a grin to please others; it was one to say that something had just released him from something that had caused so much strife in his life. He walked with her step for step up to her door and after they opened the door, they discovered that they were alone. Normally this would be any teens fantasy, but neither one of them made any sort of move to go up to her bedroom. “Let’s just sit in the living room… you know my mom might try to shoot you if she finds us in my room.”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” River chuckled; he skipped the steps and then looked up at her. “Want a lift?” the young man asked with a wink. Alex simply laughed and then braced her hands on his shoulders leaping down on her own. He didn’t make a smart comment on her actions though; it was almost out of character. Yet River just chuckled when she did this and leaned over kissing her cheek, Alex reached over and checked his head. Surely there was something going on with the prince, but she couldn’t feel any difference; of course, her feeling of his head only made River laugh.
Together they sat in the living room, side by side, and not once did he make any move to attempt anything indecent. He was choosing his words in his mind and very carefully obviously. He carefully reached over and slipped his fingers into the hand that just over a half an hour ago during the production he had wrapped due to Tenshi’s strength. “So what did you want to talk about? You’ve been scarily quiet.”
“Alex, can you promise me something?” River finally spoke looking to her. Normally this would be the time that he asked her to stay away from the war. This was where he was supposed to restrict her and then he gently squeezed her hand. She nodded watching him carefully as he took in a deep breath. “Promise me, that no matter what, when it comes to the war…” He paused and then she leaned in ready to roll her eyes. He didn’t learn a thing tonight, did he? “That you can take care of yourself,” The only emotion that passed through her was pure and utter stun.
“wait what?”
“Promise me that you can take care of yourself in battle. I’ve told you that I don’t want you to get hurt and you don’t want me to get hurt but there is nothing I can do that will stop you from wanting to go out after me.” He looked to her. “You know, one of the reasons I fell for you was because you were so independent and it wasn’t until now that I realized that all I’ve done is try to restrict that independence.” He had finally been blessed with insight and left her dumbfounded with it. “You know what, I think you should train with me. That could be interesting.”
“I can take care of myself River.” Alex smiled at him moving hair from his face. “That’s always been the problem hasn’t it?” His eyes asked the questions for once. “You didn’t know if I could protect myself in this case, and because of me asking you not to go and following when you left, you had a confliction. It’s in your nature to try to protect me River, which while sweet can be really annoying.”
“I know.” He replied with a snicker as he took in another deep breath; he looked like something had been lifted off of him. “It has been MY problem.” He replied simply. “It’s some old chivalrous notion, that’s both sexist and inaccurate that says that the damsel in distress needs her knight in shining armor to swoop in and save the day, even when she put herself in danger.” River twisted in his seat, looking to her. “I can’t always protect you. I’ve known this for so long but something in my has tried to fight it, and with the fighting has caused me to be irritable and snap at you… and Alex, that’s not fair to you.”
“Thanks River.” She smiled at him. “What’s going on in your head Are you getting sick?” she asked teasingly feeling his head once more. He gently took her hand and leaned over giving her a long kiss.
“No.” He replied once their lips parted. Once more he smile, his lips hooking up to the right. “I’m just growing up.”
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“I wanted this to be a surprise.” She said moving just the slightest bit of hair from his face. “Otherwise you would have been all up in arms for my return; now where’s the fun in that?” Her rosy lips were pulled into a little smile; she’d gotten the better of him today. She knew that she had and that he would allow her this victory or she would be taking it. He didn’t have a choice in the matter really, but she would allow him to think that he did- to boost his ego or something like that. She didn’t know the official reason why she let him think that, but what she had would suffice. “Besides, our drama teacher sent me a text that was far too… delectable to resist.” She went searching through her pockets for her cell phone, ready to tell him all about this new project at school. Alas, she couldn’t remember which pocket she’d placed her cell phone. “Crap, hold on a second.” She started to check ever pocket. As she dug through the front two, River just chuckled a little bit to himself. “Oh pipe it, Musha.”
“One, I didn’t even know we had a drama teacher and two, this wouldn’t be so much of a problem if you just carried a purse like ‘normal girls’ “ he scolded like an elderly lady- actually mimicking one that had scolded Alex for ‘leaving her purse at home’ while going through the store with him on one occasion. Alex never owned a purse, nor would she probably ever use one, maybe a coin purse but something bulky just didn’t seem like her style. “I could buy you one for- god what holiday is next?” he rubbed his head before she slugged his arm hard. “Well, ow.” He smiled just a little bit. “So no purse?” He joked lightly, she just gave him her signature ‘get real’ glare and he smiled his crooked grin while small chuckles escaped his mighty chest. She gave him a little push but smiled none the less. “Aw, but I could have gotten you one of those yellow poka dotted ones that the girls at school have.”
“If you show up with one of those, River Jafar Musha, you’ll be wearing it, and not on your arm…” Alex said finally getting a hold of her cell phone. “I don’t believe I need to say much more about that, now do I?” Alex gave him an innocent little smile as his humored grin faded into a more solemn and even a tad shocked face. “Of come on, I’d never hurt you.”
“While I was conscious…” he replied with one jokingly untrusting eye. She just laughed at his jester like actions. “Okay, okay, I’ll be serious now. Let’s see what’s going on that got you all relied up to get home- besides your loving winged boy, of course.” He smiled a cheesy grin, totally unserious. He’d been getting more joking about himself lately. Perhaps it was just life letting him be a child again, and one thing good about being a child was that they could laugh at themselves no matter what they did. He enjoyed that free spirit so much that he never wanted to let it go but he knew that eventually he was going to have to do so. He had to grow up eventually and that meant maybe letting go a shred of himself that he never really wanted to let go at all. “Anyway, what is it?”
“Here,” She handed her cell phone to him. His eyes went a bit wide when he saw the message on the screen. She stood in utter silence, her way of telling him that his reaction had no way of keeping her from making him do exactly what she wanted from him.
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes.”
--------------------------------------
The auditorium was partially filled with young hopefuls and the others were there because, like River, their girlfriends dragged them along. River was helpless to the little hand that pulled him along. He whined and whimpered and tried his excuses but Alex had wit over him. He couldn’t even get an excuse out before she had it debunked and laying in his stock pile of unusable comments. He just resigned to his unfortunate fate. He often glanced to the door and Alex elbowed him. “Oh this will amuse me.” He said simply taking the script from her. “Amara has to wear a dress.”
“I’m not trying out for Amara.” Alex replied rolling her eyes.
“oh, so you’re going to let me kiss another girl?” River tilted his head. He saw a section of her face twitch and he almost burst into laughter. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, and the next thing he knew, his script was snatched out of his hand. “Change of heart?”
“Sometimes I hate you River Musha.” She replied as she looked over the script. He leaned over and put his arms around one of hers, putting his head on her shoulder. There was a spout of silence between them. “And if they come in the night?”
“Then they will come,” River spoke in a low voice half sleepy. “And you will sit in your prissy little den while real men go out and fight.”
“You did that far too well for your own good.” Alex raised an eyebrow at him. He just chuckled, “your acting skills are obviously too superior for me.” She rolled her eyes putting the back of her hand to her forehead and leaning away dramatically. “Then again, maybe I should go to a more appropriate spot…”
“I don’t know, she seems a little reluctant throughout the first act.” River rubbed his head.
“I can’t imagine why.” Alex replied rather dry glancing to River. He just contained a laugh then rubbed his cheek against her shoulder where it had been resting. “Tenshi, there is something wrong with Enzeru.” She said in a low voice, it held deep with concern well into character on her part. River didn’t even bother sitting up for this, quite content in his position.
“Oh, there is always something wrong with Enzeru. What is it now?” he asked a bit annoyed. He didn’t need the rest of the script to know that his fore-father had been rather peeved at the woman that would one day become his wife when she interrupt his work to talk to him about his best friend—the very same best friend that would betray him. He felt Alex shift around uncomfortably as she found herself even deeper into character. Her brow was tightened and she was focusing on the words on the page as if they were life or death.
“He’s acting strange, Tenshi. I don’t know what he might do, but I fear him… if not for myself then for you… talk to him, Tenshi please.” She urged; desperation was thick in her voice. “No.” Alex broke character suddenly with made River shake Tenshi out of his head. “I’m not good enough for this role.” She handed the script back to him. He just stared at her with his mouth ajar. “What?”
“Take the script and get your butt on stage.” River said when they were called up. He wouldn’t take no as an answer this time and they were up there together in no time. The drama teacher was amused to see them, as her lips pursed into a light smile at the sight of the two of them on stage together. Alex looked to River unsure while his confidence overwhelmed the auditorium. She was unsure while he was definitely ready. He walked over and picked her up by the waist putting her over his shoulder and heading off screen. “Act One. Scene Two.” River announced. Alex quickly flipped to it and got it into her mind quickly. He set her down on her feet and then presented his wrist. “Stop pulling!” he boomed as she headed out a few feet in front of him and he tried to stop her with little luck. She tugged along.
“Don’t be such a child.” She scolded sharply. “You are the reason I am wet right now and you will escort me home so that I can find dry clothes.” River as Tenshi rolled his eyes dramatically and then rubbed his head with his one hand as she huffed then tugged him along. He made little whining sounds at the movement. “Quit complaining.” She snapped.
“I suppose this means you’ll have me, a common man, seeing you in your undergarments?” he stifled a laugh. Amara’s(Alex’s) face contorted as if she hadn’t thought of that, as the script told her to do. “Very well then, may I go home?”
“No” she demanded. “I will not walk alone back and forth between my home and that filthy bar.” Tenshi seemed bored for the most part, entirely in character, up until she said the words ‘filthy bar’.
“That filthy bar is my home and the sole provider for my family.” He raged walk after her as she walked ahead of him. “You have a lot of nerve calling an honest establishment like that filthy, you and your blood money, you’re the filthy one.” He looked so mad and then Amara slapped him.
“You are of the common wealth, dear, it doesn’t matter what you think.” She straightened the invisible glove on her hand and walked off stage, leaving him there alone. He stood where he was for a grand few seconds before he finally tilted his head back. His eyes were lit with the same passion that Tenshi must have had after that fateful walk with Amara. He was bitter at first and he kicked the ground in front of him. He ran a hand back through his hair in anger and then looked back towards where she’d gone off to before him.
“You’re of the common wealth,” He spat towards the ground. “It doesn’t matter what you think! Bah! It doesn’t matter what you think you WENCH!” He yelled after her and it resounded through the auditorium. He stalked back and forth grumbling and puffing out his chest like he was a hotshot or an angered rooster. “You know what! I’ll DEFY the COMMON WEALTH!” He yelled. “I defy YOU—JUST YOU WAIT!” then he stormed off stage and the sound of clapping could be heard throughout the gym. Free of the character, River laughed and ran around backstage but he couldn’t find Alex. Then suddenly, she jumped on his back and ruffled his hair.
“You did so GOOD” She smiled and hugged around his neck laughing. “If you don’t get the part our drama teacher is stupid.” Alex smiled and then kissed his cheek. He just smiled and turned on his heel holding her on his back still. He then set her down on her feet and walked out to the crowd still clapping. The drama teacher told them that Tenshi and Amara were cast but they were welcome to try out for another role. She paid no attention to those who complained, she simply would not waste her time when she already knew who she was going to cast. She had Alex and River sit with her as the other roles were paraded in front of them. Few were very note worthy; there was one kid that was so nervous when he got on stage that he eventually ran off stage redder than a tomato. Then there was an old friend—well Alex’s best friend of the male variety, or so he’d established throughout the school year.
He wasn’t like River, he was about as tall as Alex though and with the reddest hair that they’d ever seen. He wasn’t a warrior, something that by normal standards would be considered almost a social crime. It wasn’t something that was by choice, he had his wings burned off when he was a child running back into a burning building to save his family, a glory that had brought him great acclaim. His name was Leon Voyage and that alone made people leave him alone about his otherwise questionable behaviors. It wasn’t poor behavior; on the contrary, he was a class a citizen but he wasn’t into things that most boys were interested in. Theater happened to be one of the things he was very enthusiastic about as well as choir. He and River had once been in the boy band together and unfortunately at one point in time, he said something to River that enraged him to punch out his front teeth out. That was one of the vaguest memories that River had now. He wasn’t a well built man but he wasn’t too tubby, he had a bit of a stomach on him. He wasn’t the beefy kind of guy, he was just average. He had a thin face though, it was slightly feminine in some aspects—he was a pretty boy that was the best way to put it. Leon’s green eyes shimmered when he got up on stage. His normally fiery hair was black, it was a wig or a poor job at spraying it, there were still little spots of red on as if he’d rushed to get it on. River let out a chuckle. “Trying out for Enzeru, Leon?”
“Yes I am, River.” He smiled a little bit. His grin was just one that was waiting to be mischievous. He cleared his throat and started in on one of Enzeru’s most conflicted monologues. His display of emotion was enough to make the mind confused as to where to lay their sympathies, but obviously the Tenshi clan people would view it as Enzeru slowly losing his mind with the amount of power he and Tenshi now held in their hands and wanting more. It was no surprise when he was cast on the spot just like the other pair. The main roles were cast and the supports were quickly being filled. With a tad bit of reluctance, the lot of them accepted their roles no matter how big or small they happened to be. Leon and Alex often chuckled together at scenes were River had to make a fool of himself but then the boys would get to sneer across the stage at Alex who was unenthusiastically being fitted for a dress in one scene. River often found that a punch would be place upon his arm for enjoying it too much. He couldn’t help but laugh at her antics. He knew he’d done nothing wrong but there was little he could do about that. The practices seemed to drag on forever though, and often the world of the play blended into reality and River would often catch himself reciting out a line in normal conversation.
Luckily, the play approached rather fast and the practices would cease after their three nights of performances. It was night one a calm spring evening with a light rain tapping delicately on the roof of the auditorium. The movable set pieces were being set up by the stage crew and the cast were lounged bored in the backroom playing cards for the next few minutes before places were called. The various extras were all spread out and some of them to themselves while the three mains went over things over and over again. The fight had been well coordinated, specifically so that River wouldn’t break Leon in half. They practiced that a lot backstage, especially right now. It was a good thing that they cast the only Tenshi clan teenager to know the pain of losing one’s wings for the role of Enzeru when Tenshi stripped his once best friend of them. The Tenshi story was actually rather sad, at first about unrequited love and classism, then about friendship and building a great society and then betrayal and the budding of romance. There was a side to the story that was both happy and sad at the same time. Tenshi lose his best friend but gains the love of his life... if only he could have been less complex of a man. If only it could have been as simple as the many children stories that they’d all been forced to read before the production. If he was just the man who had a dream of becoming a king then it would be an easy story to tell, but then you’d look over Amara, and Enzeru, who was as much a part of the history of the Tenshi clan as Tenshi was, he just got kicked out of town.
The infamous Enzeru Buke had once been Tenshi’s best friend but the moment he became the enemy, everyone forgot about those fond memories and this was the only way to remind people that Enzeru had been a warrior but had chosen a path less favorable and thus, he got the unfavorable fame. Places were called before River could dive into theories of how things would be if Enzeru had won the fight against Tenshi, though his mind told him that Enzeru didn’t have the physical or mental strength to hurt his friend, he still couldn’t imagine the ‘what if’. The first scene began rather loud… the town’s affluent were all gathered in the Musha’s pub… and they were loud but the voices dulled as River walked onto the stage. He glanced out at the audience but couldn’t make out a single face. “I lived in this house my whole life, and I’ve had the same job every day.” He started the same as Tenshi once started a journal essay. His voice stayed informative as he went on to slip around the people at the table. “I know every hiding space in this bar. I know every creak and groan of the floor boards and today… well today is Lord Royal’s birthday. If he didn’t have so much money, I’d have half a mind to kick him out.” Then the scene broadened and the once detached Tenshi was thrown back into his world.
These first scenes were half comical; Tenshi’s life at first seemed to be a comedy. Of course, Amara’s father had this huge party at the tavern. Tenshi had gone out to collect water as he had been the water boy at the time. Ironically, Tenshi towered over his father both in reality and in this play, much like River and Rex. For a little man, Tenshi’s father, Tyson had been fierce. He had little patience for his youngest son, Tenshi and often yelled at him for his misfortunes. The first scene was one of the comical acts of Tenshi that was recorded in his journal. He had tripped when entering the pub and not only drenched himself but covered Amara in water. Naturally, anger ensued and the scene that River and Alex used to try out followed. Leon was making an excellent Enzeru during out it all; he seemed out of his own element and in a new man’s body. One would almost mistake him for someone else if it weren’t for his voice.
The first act in a nutshell was Tenshi finally deciding that he had enough of being abused by the Royal family and having enough of trying to please his father. He would leave home with his friend and finally begin something that was more than any of them could imagine. After all, the kingdom that Tenshi and Enzeru built was still standing, years and years later. The second act showed the beginning of the Village and the beginning of the end for Tenshi and Enzeru’s friendship. There was little significance to the other parts of the second act, other than showing a progression of feelings from Amara to Tenshi. A lot of the interactions seemed funny now in retrospect. According to River, there was a lot that would seem comical when one was looking back on them. Of course, there was a moment that truly defined what happened between Tenshi and Enzeru.
The series of events occurred when Tenshi and Amara were left along together after he brought her to the new kingdom. He explained to her about the laws of the new kingdoms, including how all had equal rights. There was a small scene that gave everyone a hint that Amara may have been beginning to fall in love with Tenshi. Amara would stay with him that night, after racing him home and having a rather comical scene where they argued about what she would wear the next day after Tenshi wouldn’t leave long enough for her to change. He told her to wear what was comfortable, that she could wear a dress, his clothes, or even go naked for all he cared. Enzeru had not been pleased with Tenshi who had been quick to forgive the woman. Imagine his surprise the next day when Amara arrive sporting Tenshi’s clothing. Amara had made some snide comments when Enzeru acted less than appealing, including suggestion that Tenshi and Enzeru were lovers. Of course, Tenshi reacted as only Tenshi could, freak out. Amara told him to prove that they weren’t both ‘queens’ which resulted in him kissing her which ultimately got caught by Enzeru. Amara bolted before he could talk to the both of them. Tenshi admitted that he might be in love with Amara.
Enzeru had been alone in his own home. The set had been similar to Tenshi’s home with the furniture slightly moved. He was staring off into the distance, pondering, his body half draped across the chair, his elbow resting against the arm, and his cheek against his knuckles. “My best friend is in love.” He finally said something; he seemed somewhat hurt. “In Love! Of course, in love with the girl that he wanted to crush,” Leon scoffed fitting the character of Enzeru perfectly in this moment. He moved his whole body, sitting forward in the chair and running both hands down his face. “Oh Tenshi, Tenshi, Tenshi what am I going to do with you? You couldn’t be in-love with her—no be in love with the baker’s daughter. She’s a lovely nice girl, have her. The maiden of the Fox house, have her, but not Amara.” Enzeru’s body twisted as he urged the air around him. He took in a heavy breath. “This will not be pretty.” He groaned pulling himself out of the chair and walking to the fireplace. “No, Tenshi chose another girl—hell chose a man! Just not Amara.” He rested his head against the mantel. “You were supposed to break her Tenshi, crush her… then I could pick up the pieces…” Enzeru stopped. “Forget about her, Tenshi, that girl was supposed to be mine.” He lifted his head and looked at his door. “Anyone but her, anyone will do. Just not her.” He turned his head and growled into space.” “Not her, it’s all I ask. We cannot let a woman turn us into animals.” He walked over and while running his hand along his bed, his eyes seemed to get darker as did his expression. “But if I must, I shall.”
There was a little bit of dramatic music, but it was nothing that people didn’t expect. They did have a nice orchestra back up to Enzeru’s descent into darkness. Of course, Tenshi and Amara stayed none the wiser. However, it was then that Enzeru started to act ‘weird’, as he had according to Tenshi’s journey. His friend was becoming distant and it began to hurt him as they grew apart until the ultimate divide. Amara started to notice the change far before Tenshi did. That was what started the argument, the argument that would not only change the definition of Tenshi and Amara’s relationship but Alex and River’s as well.
“Tenshi.” She spoke first in this situation. The king was sitting on the floor reading when she entered the room. “I’m worried.” Amara went to him, resting next to him on the ground looking to him with big concerned eyes. Tenshi marked his location in the book and then his amber eyes looked to her with a dull and almost completely emotionless expression on his face. The events leading up to this conflict happened to involve a lot of Amara coming to him, being worried about something. Tenshi legitimately cared for a while, but when she would tell him, he often laughed it off. She had been on this concerned streak for quite a while and Tenshi never did anything just blamed it on foolish resentments that Amara still had towards both he and Enzeru. He figured it was mostly towards him and she was trying to make a fool out of him by blatantly accusing his friend of something based on the feelings of a woman who used to hate him.
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least bit.” It was becoming apparent that the more Tenshi was a king, the more he tried to educate himself. There were books spread out by where he was resting next to the fire place, never quite breaking his way to laying on the bed; especially because they had yet to build a house for Amara and she still needed a place to rest at night. Tenshi had figured that, by the way Enzeru acted, that his friend would kill not only her but him for even suggesting that she balance her time between the two kings’ homes. “You’ve been worried for the last few days about everything and coming to me to express your worries.” He seemed slightly cold in his comments about her suspicions. “I will not hear it.” He said simply before getting up after setting his book down with the rest of the stacks.
“You will not hear it?” Amara retorted quickly getting up faster than he had. Tenshi had since glided across the room. He looked back at her with distant eyes; all Musha men had those distant eyes. “Will you ever listen to me at all!” At that moment, the argument transcended time. River had a hard time deciding if that was aimed at him or at Tenshi. He’d forgotten the script for just a moment and then he regained his composure. It was good that Tenshi had a moment of thought before he would reply or else he would have looked like an idiot up on stage.
“I HAVE listened to you! You’ve told me nothing besides your FEELINGS! There is no evidence in feelings!” Tenshi replied sharply; again, the debate went over time. The rest of the script had been practiced but would be easily forgotten; the fight was on and this time in a very public manner. “What do you want from me!”
“I want you to REALY listen for once Tenshi Musha!” Amara retorted. In truth, Alex had to think for a second before she called him River on accident. The school paper would eat that up—the news paper would eat that up; relationship problems between the ever loved prince and his commoner girlfriend. “Think about what’s happening! Don’t you understand that you could get hurt?”She grabbed a hold of his sleeve. “Tenshi this could be devastating… think about more than yourself for once.”
“Think about more than myself!” He returned. The amber eyes were like the sun in their new inferno, “Stupid girl if was thinking about only myself I would have confront him a long time ago!” Tenshi rubbed his head. “Don’t you even stop to think what could happen if I confronted him without proof? We built a kingdom together for god sake! Am I supposed to throw that out the window?”
“I never said you had to walk up to him and punch him in the jaw!” She returned angrily. “Just talk to him! Do anything!” She threw her arms in the air. “I should have known this wouldn’t work, a conversation with you is like talking to a stone wall; dull and without intelligence!” She started towards the door and Tenshi rushed around her.
“How DARE YOU!” He barked loudly. She backed up as the intimidating figure stared her down. “After how I’ve treated you in the last few months compared to what you did to me when our roles were reversed! How DARE you think that you have any right to speak to me as such!” The audience was just watching. The intensity of the young actors was frightening in some respects and later people would say it looked like River was really about to lay her out. His fists were both tightly clenched and his figure approached her like a lion on the hunt. “I have done EVERYTHING in my power to be kind to you and this is how you repay me!” he yelled. The Musha temper hadn’t seemed to weed out of the family tree either. “Are you afraid that you will be hurt?” he asked promptly
“Yes, Tenshi! He’s not acting—” It wouldn’t surprise Amara that she was not allowed to finish this thought before the boisterous and proud Tenshi Musha would open his mouth once more; however, this was beginning to frighten Alex at River pure passion and anger not knowing if he was truly in character of if he’d gone off the deep end.
“You don’t even know Enzeru! Don’t even say he isn’t acting normal!” The fire in his eyes was burning bright that night. “And how could you be afraid that someone will hurt you! I am here!”
“YES TENSHI BUT YOU WILL NOT ALWAYS BE HERE! AND WHAT AM I TO DO THEN!” She shoved him back out of the way and for the first time, the large and angry man seemed dumbfounded. “What if I am right and you are wrong?” Amara asked, tears were starting to form now. She had been scared and only now while he was away did her emotions start to bubble and the anger start to cause her eyes to water. It was not Tenshi’s heart breaking at this vision though; it was River’s, he had to avoid the gaze he had to keep character though everything told him to run up and hug her. “you couldn’t possibly understand; how could you, you’re just a stupid boy inside!” She went to push past him and he grabbed her wrist. It was said that Tenshi nearly broke Amara’s wrist, but simply popped it out of case in her luck; on the other hand, River refused to do such a thing. His breath stopped when she cringed, but she had to do that, and the wince/wink of her eye guaranteed that she was okay as that had always been their sign.
“Amara, I love you.” Who knew why Tenshi picked that moment of all times to tell her that, “I will do anything, but please, please don’t ask me to do this…” As Amara slipped her hand away from Tenshi’s grip and backed up; it was a lesson for River to learn. He watched her recoil and for the first time, he saw just how delicate she was, she wouldn’t look him in the eye. “Did I hurt you?” He shook a bit, angry at himself. She shook her head, holding her injured wrist to her chest. “M-May I see it?” It was easy for her to shake her head at him. It was very easy for her to deny him. It wasn’t Amara anymore though, not in River’s mind. He was realizing just how frail Alex was compared to him, even with the tough show she put on—trying to tell him that she could do anything he could do; in truth, she was Amara, backing away from a mighty man that could barely control himself. He had to back away; how could he have hurt her so? Okay, so he hadn’t actually hurt her but the possibility fell into his head.
Was this the model for their relationship? The foundation of it was fragile and if he didn’t start changing, he very well could punch holes in the poorly laid concrete base they’d made. The moves he made were like a bull’s horns clashing with fine china. How could he have been so foolish? As he considered her, Amara’s words echoed in his head. He couldn’t always be there; and somehow he was going to have to accept that. This is what got Tenshi and Amara to fit; it wasn’t that Tenshi didn’t want to protect her; he did, but he didn’t know how to do it. He couldn’t always protect her and just as he learned this, he realized her weaknesses. He’d been acting like she was some harden exteriored woman who could take whatever he said and whatever he dealt but just watching her there. He realized that he couldn’t do that, he wasn’t looking at things in the grand scheme. He’d been so focused on himself and the war that he’d forgotten to look at her and see what was going on with her. Admittedly, River had been an awful boyfriend and why she had cared so much about him and mopped about him; he couldn’t understand but in all of his buddying around with her, he’d forgotten to boil it down to its deepest components. She was still a girl and just like everyone else in the world, she still had feelings; and she would feel them somewhat deeper than him because of her extra hormones. The next thing he knew arms were being wrapped around his neck and her forehead was pressed against his throat where his heart had been caught. He couldn’t touch her, not just yet. “I should call for a doct” two of her fingers went over his lips brushing them. He just stopped talking and she leaned up and kissed him, slowly he closed his eyes and forgot about the audience… they cheered none the less.
River hadn’t been the only one realizing such things. Tenshi’s outburst and River’s fanatical eyes showed Alex something about this play and about the men of the Musha family. They were passionate and uncontrollable once they were on a mission. Once they found what they thought was right, far be it for a woman to try to come in and divert their attention to something completely irrelevant. She particularly paid attention to the fact that despite her best efforts (or rather Amara’s best efforts) she could not curve his enthusiasm. Perhaps the greatest thing she was learning from this experience was that there were just some things that were out of River’s hands—for Tenshi, it had been the relationship with Enzeru and Amara’s feelings, he couldn’t act on them without just cause; therefore, in River’s case, he would never be able to stop going out to fight. River was prince of the clan and if he wasn’t going out what image did that show of the royal family? The Musha men had too much pride to let such a thing happen on the front lines and though the women were more refined, Alex doubted that if one of the boys had only daughters that one of them wouldn’t be a war hawk just like her father. “here, hold this hand while I fix my wrist.” Amara had come back strong now letting go of Tenshi and presenting the hand with the damaged wrist. Tenshi looked at her as though she’d lost her mind.
Amara used her other hand and brought Tenshi’s up, she rested the hand in his palm and then gently wrapped his mighty fingers around her hand. Tenshi’s eyes were worried and he almost wanted to pull his hand back. He had been the one to hurt her wrist after all. “Are you sure about th”
“Don’t squeeze” She answered before he could complete his thought and then it appeared as though she popped the wrist back in place, then she recoiled in pain. Tenshi was quick to the draw: he grabbed wrap and a temporary stint. Amara watched him with softened eyes. He placed it against her wrist as gently as she had moved his hand and then started to the same with the wrap. “How often do you touch anyone?”
“Almost never.” He answered embarrassed, what man wanted to expose his weaknesses? He finished wrapping her wrist and she hugged him tight. It was this that started the truth of the relationship between Tenshi and Amara; dysfunctional as it was. There was something to be said about learning from history; and this was one of the cases. If they could learn from the facts of Tenshi and Amara, they themselves would be stronger. Yet what were they really learning from all of this? They were learning something about each other that even glimpsing at the past didn’t help them understand, that practicing this scene over and over again didn’t make them see.
All was better back before they were launched back into this world—their world. Alex had fallen in love with and wanted the River Musha who was a normal teenager and with the exception of playing on the local high school football team, didn’t have anything about him so special that it would cause a gap in between them. River had been discontent with this life style for a long time, but he never let it show; when he found out who he was, it was like the pieces of the puzzle were found and put together. Though his royal status wasn’t something he scoffed about, his importance made sense and while occasionally humble, his ego inflated. However, with the kind of power he had, he also had obligations that were just out of his control and for a long time, he and Alex fought about these obligations, particularly the war. No one wanted their loved ones to go out to war, no one wanted them to put themselves n harm’s way; the thing about the warrior was not that they were heavily supported and pushed out the door, it was that they believed in the cause so much that despite the arguments and the disapproval they went out and they fought anyway.
Amara said herself in her later days that her experience with Tenshi was that no matter what she said, no matter who she quoted, and even despite all the things she threatened, it was his choice to listen or not and it was his choice whether or not he would go. In the end, she said that her comments only sent him into confusion about what he was obligated to do and how he wanted to please his wife—in those days of the war though, if not for Tenshi, they would have lost.
However, it was never Amara’s fault that Tenshi’s attentions were split. In fact, the fault fell with the only person able to control the first King—Tenshi Musha. If there was anything that River needed to learn from his great great great great grandfather; it was that he couldn’t do everything; he was physically unable to please Alex, fight in the war, protect Alex, and continue to keep a sound mental basis. This strife he put on himself and to try to excuse himself from his self inflicted responsibility he demanded that Alex stay away from the battle ground, which only caused a conflict of interest as it never pleased her that he thought he could control her as such.
No part of the play after the argument scene had a profound impact on either of them. In fact, they spent most of the rest of it in a dream like haze. They remembered their lines but there wasn’t a thing that really stuck with them. There were congratulations that, though thanks were given, went relatively unheard by the pair. Even the car ride home was rather a bizarre dream. “Do you mind if I come inside?” River finally asked to break the long awkward silence as he came out of his delusional state. For a moment she looked at him not quite processing what he asked, probably because he rarely asked he usually just followed.
“oh… yeah, of course.” She replied while he put the car in park and then slipped out of the car. Alex noticed a change in his eyes, there was something different about him; then again, she was quite use to things become different at a moment’s notice. This was deeper though, she couldn’t put her finger on it but it was there. He opened her door for her when she didn’t move for a while and when she snapped out of her thoughts, he was giving her his crooked grin and for the first time in a long time, he seemed genuinely happy. It wasn’t just a grin to please others; it was one to say that something had just released him from something that had caused so much strife in his life. He walked with her step for step up to her door and after they opened the door, they discovered that they were alone. Normally this would be any teens fantasy, but neither one of them made any sort of move to go up to her bedroom. “Let’s just sit in the living room… you know my mom might try to shoot you if she finds us in my room.”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” River chuckled; he skipped the steps and then looked up at her. “Want a lift?” the young man asked with a wink. Alex simply laughed and then braced her hands on his shoulders leaping down on her own. He didn’t make a smart comment on her actions though; it was almost out of character. Yet River just chuckled when she did this and leaned over kissing her cheek, Alex reached over and checked his head. Surely there was something going on with the prince, but she couldn’t feel any difference; of course, her feeling of his head only made River laugh.
Together they sat in the living room, side by side, and not once did he make any move to attempt anything indecent. He was choosing his words in his mind and very carefully obviously. He carefully reached over and slipped his fingers into the hand that just over a half an hour ago during the production he had wrapped due to Tenshi’s strength. “So what did you want to talk about? You’ve been scarily quiet.”
“Alex, can you promise me something?” River finally spoke looking to her. Normally this would be the time that he asked her to stay away from the war. This was where he was supposed to restrict her and then he gently squeezed her hand. She nodded watching him carefully as he took in a deep breath. “Promise me, that no matter what, when it comes to the war…” He paused and then she leaned in ready to roll her eyes. He didn’t learn a thing tonight, did he? “That you can take care of yourself,” The only emotion that passed through her was pure and utter stun.
“wait what?”
“Promise me that you can take care of yourself in battle. I’ve told you that I don’t want you to get hurt and you don’t want me to get hurt but there is nothing I can do that will stop you from wanting to go out after me.” He looked to her. “You know, one of the reasons I fell for you was because you were so independent and it wasn’t until now that I realized that all I’ve done is try to restrict that independence.” He had finally been blessed with insight and left her dumbfounded with it. “You know what, I think you should train with me. That could be interesting.”
“I can take care of myself River.” Alex smiled at him moving hair from his face. “That’s always been the problem hasn’t it?” His eyes asked the questions for once. “You didn’t know if I could protect myself in this case, and because of me asking you not to go and following when you left, you had a confliction. It’s in your nature to try to protect me River, which while sweet can be really annoying.”
“I know.” He replied with a snicker as he took in another deep breath; he looked like something had been lifted off of him. “It has been MY problem.” He replied simply. “It’s some old chivalrous notion, that’s both sexist and inaccurate that says that the damsel in distress needs her knight in shining armor to swoop in and save the day, even when she put herself in danger.” River twisted in his seat, looking to her. “I can’t always protect you. I’ve known this for so long but something in my has tried to fight it, and with the fighting has caused me to be irritable and snap at you… and Alex, that’s not fair to you.”
“Thanks River.” She smiled at him. “What’s going on in your head Are you getting sick?” she asked teasingly feeling his head once more. He gently took her hand and leaned over giving her a long kiss.
“No.” He replied once their lips parted. Once more he smile, his lips hooking up to the right. “I’m just growing up.”
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