| "So when will you want to depart back with the rest? The tournament should be today, if I remember right. And it's still way before sunrise." Dylina blinked. "How do you know that the sun isn't out right now?" Ren paused for a moment. "I went outside not too long ago, and the sky was still filled with night." She yawned and nodded. She felt a second weight press against her, and as she looked, she saw the other girl laying against her, her arms wrapped around Meg. Dylina smiled down at her as the girl closed her eyes and dosed off into sleep. Dylina wrapped one arm around Meg and the other around the girl as she hugged both against her. "Her name's Yugi. She's been traumatized, so she'll rarely speak. It was more than an effort for me just to get her name." Ren scratched his head for a moment before he focused back in on the book in his hands. "Traumatized?....." Dylina felt sorry for Yugi, stroking Yugi's hair softly. Meg slowly rose off her, standing up and stretching her limbs before she took a seat by her friend instead of on her. Ren took out a small bag from his backpack and tossed it in front of her as Meg searched through, taking out a roll of bread as well as a few bottles of water. "We can leave right now if you both desire. It won't be too hard for me to carry Yugi back." Ren put his book away and looked up at both of them, waiting for an answer. Meg looked to her friend as Dylina shrugged, then nodded. It might be a good idea to show up before things start up, she thought to herself as she smiled down at Yugi once again. Ren started to finish up his packing as Dylina and Meg ate most of the food, putting the rest back into the bag for him to pack up. It wasn't long, however, until he finished the packing, pulling the Yugi-sized backpack over his shoulders. Ren walked over to her and scooped Yugi from the ground and off her as Dylina's legs finally got a good stretch as she stood. "Oh yeah, I found a way out that doesn't involve water." Ren led both Dylina and Meg through the hideout and tunnels for what seemed like an eternity before they came to an exit that was completely covered by brush. Dylina moved the brush out of the way for Ren as he adjusted his hold on the sleeping Yugi. She then took the lead as the other two followed her. I wonder what my life is gonna be like when I return? ---------------------------- The sun was up in the morning sky when Dylina returned to her village. She held Meg's hand in one hand and Yugi's hand in the other as she took a nervous glance at Ren who was trailing all three. He doesn't seem worried at all... and I don't know what my father will do to him? She shook off the thought and focused back on the houses, glancing around as she led the group to her house. Dylina searched around the door with her hands until she found the hidden key her father had for the door. She took it and unlocked it slowly, returning the key back in its place once the door was open. She then shut the door after Ren came in, taking a quick glance outside beforehand. A sigh of relief came out of her as Dylina soaked up the familiar surroundings. She wanted to go to her room, but she didn't want to creep up the steps and past her parent's room, so instead she entered the living room, double checking the drapes on the windows to make sure no one could see in. She pulled out all three chairs, beckoning for the others to take a seat, but Ren declined. "You can have the seat. I'll sit on the floor, if that's alright. " All three girls took a seat as Ren sat in front of them on the floor, removing his backpack and setting it aside. He closed his eyes as Dylina watched Yugi scoot closer to him while Meg scooted closer to her. She wrapped her arm around Meg and laid her head against Meg's shoulder, closing her eyes and smiling softly. The walk had made her tired, and slowly she began to lose herself in thought. "Dylina, is that you?" sounded a familiar voice from the stairway. Dylina slowly opened her eyes again to see her mom standing on the stairway. At first she nearly shouted, but she controlled herself and sighed happily. She released her arms around Meg and stood, walking to her mother as her mom descended down the stairs. The two embraced as Dylina buried her face in her mom's chest, letting tears of happiness flow down her cheeks. "I missed you, mother......" "I missed you too, Dylina." Her mother held her tightly against her as she sobbed into Dylina's hair. I must have worried her to death. I can't believe I ran away...... Dylina slowly pushed herself away from her mom's bear hug, smiling. Her heart sank, however, as her mom's face turned from happiness into shock as she set her sights upon Ren. "Wha.... what.... what is he doing here?" "Mom, this is Ren..... he saved me and the other two girls from the kidnappers. He stayed with us on the way back here to watch over us..." Don't think she needs to know that he saved me from the clanmen when I ran away. Her mom slowly emptied her lungs. "Thank.... thank you, Ren." Ren opened his eyes for a moment and nodded. "Welcome." Dylina glanced at her mother nervously as she ascended up the stairs, watching Ren closely. She felt uneasy about his presence now as she slowly watched for her mother to return with her father. Life slowly returned to that before she ran away while she awaited at the base of the stairs. Her father slowly descended down the stairs with the help of her mother as she blinked in shock. What happened to my father that he needs help to stand? she wondered as she walked up the stairs to her father to help out. Upon closer examination she saw his eye bandaged as well as a leg brace on his right leg as he smiled weakly at her. "Hello, my dear.... I am happy to see you safe." "Father, what happened?" "Come on, my sweet daughter.... let me get downstairs before I sit down and tell you my story...." Dylina watched her father pause for a moment. "Is it true that a human saved you and the two others that were taken two days ago, and that he is here now?" Dylina lowered her head. "Yes, father." "Don't act so shamed. I should thank him for doing what I failed to do." "Father?" Dylina helped her father down the stairs and to her chair, giving him a hand as he took a seat. She then took her traditional position behind her father as he looked at Ren with curiousity. Ren's eyes were closed again, as he sat on the ground in a meditative position. "I would shake your hand right now for saving my daughter, but I'm afraid that I'm not in a very good condition right now. I'm not sure if you are aware of it, but my people hold a slight grudge against humans. Not to say that there isn't a just reason, its just that times change. You are welcome to stay in the house for the day, but when the night is past the full moon, I will have to ask for you to leave. It wouldn't be safe for you otherwise." Dylina wanted to object, but her mother pulled her aside. "Let's get you ready for tonight, my daughter." She closed her eyes and sighed as she followed her mom up the stairs and to her room, where a dress that was prepared by her mother waited on her bed. Hesistantly, she removed her old clothes and put on the new dress, rubbing a hand against the silk. I'm dressed up so nicely for what will be just a farce. Like it or not, I'm stuck marrying him. Dylina slowly exited the room and descended down the stairs as a few sharp knocks sounded on the door. Before she could get to the door, however, Meg opened the door to a crack. "Who is it?" She watched her friend nearly get hit by the door as it was hit open. Outside stood her brash 'soon to be husband', Margrimm, as he burst through the door. Only a few years older than her, he had reached limits of power unimaginable by any around him. That was why this tournament was a farce. He ran a hand through his black hair as he looked at her with a grin. "Greetings, my soon to be wife. I'm glad that someone found you for tonight. I would have hated to fight without you to see me win." "Get lost," growled Dylina. "That isn't a way to treat me now, is it? Besides, now that your father can't fight me, no one even wants to oppose me, and so there won't be any tournament anyway. So how is the old man?" She pointed at the entrance to the living room as Meg entered it. Margrimm shrugged for a moment before he entered the room, Dylina following behind him. She watched him look at Ren and her father with curiousity before his gaze setteled on Ren. Ren opened his eyes and smiled, looking at her for a few moments before he turned and faced Margrimm. "I'll fight you." |