The Coming Darkness

Silver's face remained the way it had been as he hugged her; saddened, filled with slight disappointment. Though, hearing him say she was a good person and how lucky he was to have her made her feel better. She hugged him back, just as tight as he had hugged her, and sighed. He was right, what happened in the past doesn't define her. Just because her father wasn't exactly.. A good person, didn't mean she wasn't either. She smiled more when he told her to take him along next time. She didn't doubt he was stronger than he looked; a lot of people around here were. But it was really more she didn't want him to get hurt, especially because of her. She stopped hugging him and looked back to where the others were, noting that JD was right; everyone was gone. She had wondered where they ran off to.

Meanwhile, David had come back in from outside and seen that Silver and JD had apparently finished speaking. He looked around, seeing Voltaire was nowhere in sight, and sighed. Okay, now is the time to tell her about what just happened. She needs to know. With some hesitation, he walked up to the couple, not looking at either of them directly. "Uh.. Sorry to um.. Interrupt.. Silver, we need to have a little chat.. In private." He looked to JD when he said the word 'private'. He didn't mean to come off as rude or anything, but this was kind of important. Silver looked to him and noticed his face, how serious it looked, and then looked back to JD to see if it was alright.

As she admired the newly renewed petals beneath her hand, she felt a sudden smack against her back, followed by the bitter cold that came with it. "Ai~!" The blonde squealed, jumping to her feet and looking around with rapid eyes. But surprisingly, not a soul was in view.

"Who's there?" Eos called out, assuming that they were now hiding. "Is that you, JD?" He was the type to pull pranks on her like this so that was her first assumption.

It was then she saw the tree behind her and thought that maybe they were hiding behind there, she pressed herself against it and quickly poked her head around, "Gotcha!" But sighed only to realize nobody was there. "Hmmm....?"

Volitaire laughed, moving from behind the tree. "Am I that hard to find, love?" He had his hands in his pockets with a quivering lip from holding back some more laughter.

JD sighed as David approached- he figured this would happen. Oh sweet moments why do you not last longer~? He mused as he offered the bespectacled boy a glance and then turned his attention back to his girlfriend- the same girlfriend he never saw anymore. Then David stated their conversation was ‘private’ and he near about hissed and crooned like a woe begotten feline. “Really- private?” Pale silvery eyes flicked over to Silver and she very much gave him a look that implored him to allow them to chat. “Fine- just keep your bloody mitts to yourself- don’t like you, don’t trust you, but Silver does. And I guess- bloody-“ JD stammered off. “I’ll be in the training room- need to practice a bit. Don’t want to get rusty.” He chortled afterwards at the bit of a pun considering his power. Yet before he left he leaned in and gave her a sharp peck on the lips, and sauntered away- hands in pockets.

“‘Private’ my limey ass.” JD grumbled under his breath as he mused his way into the training room. There were an innumerable amount of crunches, pull-ups, and stretching to do; it was much needed especially considering there wasn’t much to do around here with invocating the wrath of someone or something.

Sudden laughter caught her attention, making her take a step back. When she realized it was Volitaire she felt a mix of emotions. Excitement because he was alright, but anger because he startled her.

"Voli! Don't do that!" She grinned, picking up snow and threatening to throw it at him before realizing he was in a pretty roughed up condition. "You... okay?"

He nodded, but didn't look too sure. He knew physically he was hurt, emotionally he was worried about a lot of things. "Where to start...Enzo is acting strange, I'm still wrapping my head around last night, that guy Seraph is a sociopath, I've been worried about activating this ring too. I don't really know what it all means. Aside from all my worries I'm just sore all over the place. I'm just glad I made sure Silver didn't get hurt during that fight. JD would've killed me." He chuckled, trying to make humor out of it and lighten up the mood. "Oh yeah, sorry about the snowball...I thought it would be funny." He looked to the ground a little embarrassed.

With a sigh she walked up to him, slow ball still in hand. "I have my work cut out for me, don't I?" Eos spoke in reference to her healing as she wrapped her arms around him. "I really need to give you a good once over before you go off and end up putting yourself in worse condition..." And truthfully, she wanted to talk to him more about his worries. It was already comforting to know that he could tell he what was going on in his head, especially since he used to be such a closed book.

"Oh, right... that Seraph bloke, I saw him leave with the others last night when I stayed behind..." She was too wrapped up in herself and her worries the night before, and didn't really get a good look at the guy.

She paused and kissed his jawline, "Oh, it was funny... and so is this." In that moment she looped her finger around his belt and yanked it forward, dropping the snow ball down the front of his pants.

He shrieked and shivered like he was being shocked. The cold on such a sensitive area drove his body into a frenzy. "Aaah!! E!!" He hopped around fiddling with his pants to make the snow fall down. "You clever little thing.." He let a shadow scoop up another ball of snow and tossed it at her chest. "Now we're even!" He said uncomfortably swerving his hips.

At his reaction she giggled uncontrollably, grabbing her stomach and almost doubling over in laughter. "Oh, Voli... I didn't know you could dance!" She teased, before finding herself with a chest full of the white fluffy stuff. "Ai~! C-c-cold!!" She shook at her dress and wiggled around a bit, trying to pull out bits of snow before puffing out her cheeks and making another snow ball. "No fair! You're using magic!" Tossing it toward him, she quickly ran away - trying to avoid another fist full of snow.

"Nuh uh!! You took a vantage point!" He shook his hips a little more letting whatever snow was left trickle out. Now it was just water...it looked like a wet spot. After noticing he covered his pants with the edge of his shirt. "Oh now you run? Pffft, fine. I can't really do all of that right now. I kinda hurt my side." He looked under his shirt to see how bad it may have gotten. There was still a red blotch under his bandage, it made him wonder if it would still bleed if he took it off. He did take a pretty hard kick.

By now, Enzo and Enki had made their way back to the campus, and were walking by this point. Enki had shed some light into Enzo's mood. On the way to the school, he stopped and saw both Volitaire and Eos having a snowball fight. "Ahh, look, Sky! Volitaire and Eos are over there. Let's go say hi!" Enki suggested as he changed direction, heading towards the garden.


Enzo put up his hands "No no no!" He called out. "This.." He lowered his hands and watched the two with a smile. "This is something that's been put off for a while, don't you think, Enki?"


The red haired boy had returned to Enzo, but looked back at the young couple. "You're right, Sky. Let's not bother them. Maybe we should see how everyone else is doing?" Enzo nodded at the suggestion, and the two of them continued into the school.

It was then that Eos had realized he was no match for her, he was just attempting to have some fun - despite his condition. "Well, you could of fooled me." She stopped, making her way back toward him - her eyes in saddened disbelief of his wounds. "You always put up such a good front..." Her fingertips softly touched the bandage before retracting, "We should go to my room. I can take care of this there..."

He nodded. "You know I put up my front so others don't worry so much..but yeah, I'll go. You defeated me anyway." He gave her a peck on the cheek and held her hand. "Lead the way, I kinda forgot the direction to your dorm." He smiled nervously.

She smiled, lacing her fingers with his. "You know you can't be goin' around so selfless all the time." Opening the door to the dorms she led him inside. "But I suppose you've got me now so you'll have someone to take care of you when you forget to." Her laugh stopped short when she turned the corner. "Alright, can you transfer yourself to that shadow by my room? Once I get to the door you go in quick so nobody notices... I don't want you getting in trouble." Eos spoke in a whisper, knowing that it was a busy time of day on campus.

He did as she told and warped right into it and sat down in it. He waved at her and waited for her to enter. He peered his head out the window, distracted by a few birds. He did hope he wouldn't get her in trouble though. It made him a little nervous. "Hrmmm.."

At the signal, she casually walked toward her room. Well - if you can call looking around and whistling suspiciously casual. Let's just say Eos isn't the most skilled when it comes to being stealthy.

Once she made it to the door, she walked in and left it open long enough for her dark haired counter part to make his way in.

"Hi, Dr. Eos~! What treatment do I get today?" He asked with a shy giggle. He watched her come in and was swooned by her beauty all over again. After going through a lot it felt nice coming back to someone he cared about so much. He felt like a different person now.

Closing the door behind her, she let her back fall against it and eyed him across the room. "We're playin' doctor now, are we?" With a wink and another giggle she felt herself blushing "If you want I can lay your clothes out on the heater. I didn't mean to get you all wet." With a laugh she eyed the frost that had melted on his clothes, "I happened to borrow an outfit of JD's earlier so you'll have something to change into..." She felt her teenage flirtations sparking off inside her head as she approached him thinking, although I wouldn't mind a half naked Volitaire in my room. But she immediately scolded herself for such thoughts, No no, focus on what he's here for. Your healing touch.

Maya plodded out of the dorms after a long nap. She noted Ryuu's close proximity, and how he had been watching her friends as she slept. He laid casually under the shade of the trees, in such a position that it was hard to stumble upon him by accident. Ryuu had made himself known as Maya's property, so that he wouldn't be bothered by any more mere students. Still, there were some that didn't want him around. He growled a greeting in her mind. Things were becoming slightly more civil between the two. Or, so it seemed.

She stretched as she walked, still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. It was hard to tell, because she wore very similar outfits everyday anyways. She quickly began to peg the locations of her nearby friends, first noticing Enzo and Enki, as usual. She sighed, briskly walking afterward. "Enzo! ... Enki."

Maria walked a little further and noticed Maya and smiled, picking up speed any running full speed at her. " MAYA~!" she yelled in excitement, tackling her to the ground and nuzzling her affectionately. " I missed you "she said softly before looking up and seeing Enzo." Oh... hello " She said scratching the back of her eat in embarrassment.

"Yes, yes~" He let his word trail off in a playful tone. He felt a little nervous stripping down in front of her, though he was feeling a bit cold. He tapped his lip, and looked over at the heater. "I didn't bring a jacket, also walking around in the cold with a already wet shirt is going to make me sick faster than I can say it..." He gave in and unbuttoned his shirt and left it over Eos' heater and his his face under his hair. "Y-...Yeah, I'd get sick going out in the cold with a wet shirt. Also with no jacket." He held one of his bandages as a way of covering himself.

Maya was in full shock. For a moment, this person was unfamiliar, and her instincts stirred. After a few seconds of torture, Maya realized who it was. "Maria!" She smiled, hugging Maria back even tighter. "My little sister I never had!" She grinned widely, almost never so glad to have seen a person in her life. "Where have you been?" She crooned, hugging her more. Her grip lessened when she realized she had been trying to catch Enzo and Enki's attention just a moment before. Her smile turned into a very awkward one.

She smiled devilishly upon his agreement, her eyes watching as he undid every button to reveal more skin. Her lips parted as she noticed how many bandages he had covering himself. "Voli..." Coming forward she reached out and took hold of his hand that was hovering over the bandage that was beginning to bleed through. "I had no idea it was this bad..." And with that she pressed her lips against his collar bone - releasing that familiar warm tingly feeling through his body. She wasn't ready to truly heal him yet, but none the less felt she should at least numb his present pain with her sedative like spell.

"Let me undress your bandages..." She spoke, pulling at the bloodied fabric.

Maria smiled more and scratched the back of her head more. " Oh you know the normal, people were after me but I'm okay I got away from those good for nothing scientists and got some good new things too" She said with a hint of excitement in her voice and her eyes sparkling. She let Maya get up and took her hand pulling her towards Enzo and Enki and giggled a little. "Hello Enzo, long time no see ... who are you.. " She said hiding behind Maya and looking at Enki shyly.

He felt a little more relaxed with the kiss on his collar bone. He turned away in shame and embarrassment, wishing he didn't look so bad. But he figured it as taking it for the team, so to speak. It made him wonder how Montesque was doing. He took a bad hit also. "I'm sorry..I just worried about Silver and all. I promised myself and made another self promise to JD that she would make it out as safely as possible. So, I kinda took as much damage as I could." His cheeks turned warm as her being so close. "She probably thinks I'm a glutton for pain.."

"Maya!" Enzo replied in his shocked manner. He saw Maria nearly tackle her from left court. "Maria!" He said in the same tone as before. Enki stayed silent, but sported a smile as if he were witnessing kittens wrestling. "H-hi.." Enzo was glad neither of the two girls had seen the incident before.

"Am I going to have to murder someone?" Maya replied in a serious tone.
She heard Enzo, and noticed something was off about him. "Hey, you, are you okay?" She asked, tilting her head and looking at Enzo. The edges of her lips were up slightly, like she was a puppy who only wanted happiness. Seeing Maria again had brought it out in her, if only for a little bit. "Oh, and, this handsome boy here is Enki." She continued, realizing that Enki was still silent. She put an arm around Enki and smiled, trying to show that Maria shouldn't be afraid.

She almost winced at the sight of his wounds, letting the last bits of bandaging fall to the floor. "I hope JD thanks you at the very least..." She wondered at the condition Silver was in, but remembered she had seen her amongst the others that morning so she mustn't be doing too badly.

"Alright, now come lay down." She brought him to the bed and helped him back so her pillow supported his head. "Now... I won't be able to do this without leaving the scar behind, but I should be able to get you back into working order." She hated seeing him like this, but knew from the first time she healed him it wouldn't be the last.

As she focused her energy, she tried to channel a calming thought - remembering the first time she came upon her power. "You remind me of the tomcat that roamed the same streets as JD and I..." A smile came to her pink lips, "It was all black, with bright eyes that were always on the defensive. I always tried to get him to stay with us by offering him treats, but he would always manage to disappear. And every time he would come back to me with a new wound or a new scar. It was one night when I was petting him - he finally let me hold him in my lap. And in that moment, i saw this glow come from my hands and start to absorb into him. I had healed him.." As she spoke, her hands were glowing a warm honey like gold that lit up his body. "... But he never learned. He continued to fight with other animals. Like it was in his blood. And every time I would scoop him up in my arms and heal his wounds." Her eyes looked deeply into Volitaire's, "I remember being really upset that the tomcat was always in such a state... kind of like how I feel when I see you coming back from a fight." Pulling her hands away she let the power absorb into his body, the wounds closing up in seconds. "But the truth is... I love being needed like this, and I love being the person you go to for help." She looked down and smiled to herself - blushing furiously.

"And I think all these feelings... I think they mean... that I love you..."

Maria blushed at Maya's comment and looked at him curiously for a few seconds before smiling. " I see, Okay " She said smiling and looking towards Enzo. " So what's happened since I left? I'm keen to get back into things " She said creating fists with her hands and putting them up and laughing. She looked at Maya for reassurance every now and then looking back at Enki still not sure if she should trust him or not, but thinking it's better to leave it seeing as Maya did.

"Oh, i'm fine!" Enzo exclaimed. He felt as if she knew right away that not even an hour ago, he was in a sorrowful state.

Enki's face flushed red. "'Handsome'?" Enki echoed. "You don't have to say that.." He lowered his glance to the ground to avoid eye contact with them.

"We've just gotten into lots of trouble and stuff... really long story." Maya laughed at Maria's gesture, and peaked over at Enzo. She gave him a look that meant she knew something was up, but wasn't going to press into it. She also ruffled Enki's hair a little and said, "Don't be embarassed, you are. I would point out Enzo to be handsome as well, but I'll leave that for Sasha." She cracked a smile again. "Also something you missed out on, Maria."

His relaxation from all the healing turned into a racing heart and becoming immobilized. He hasn't been told someone loved him since his brother died, but this felt different. It wasn't typical family love that he was so used to. He was still new to having a significant other, and hearing that it made it this far made him happy beyond belief. He grinned from ear to ear nearly and leaned upwards to Eos, a easier task now all his wounds were closed. The story also softened him up. It did sound a lot like him...it made him thought about back when he was younger, trying to prove his sense of justice. It made him think of how he met Enzo again. He left his thoughts alone and sat strait up. "Eos..I love you too. To be honest, I nearly died during that fight... What you said ringed in my head and I came back to life. I could say, what that power I obtained was because of you. Thank you, Eos. You made this terrible time a lot more bearable." He pulled her into a long and tight hug, leaning his head into her shoulder.

"hm what was it?" She asked looking at both of them and feeling a little worried she'd missed out of something super important. She walked over and hugged Maya's arm for comfort and looked up at her questionably.

Confessing such a strong feeling as love made her body tingle with nervousness, but those feelings were cooled the moment he told her that he returned her love. "Wait... you nearly... died?" A worry fell from her lips, wrapping her arms tightly around him - thankful that he was here with her. "So that man... he is gone? And you're safe now?" She looked up into his eyes, wondering if his life would no longer be as dangerous as it has been.

Maya put her arm comfortably around Maria's waist. Everything was so simple and innocent with her. Maya never needed to worry about the complicated friendships like she had with everyone else. Also, she had a great deal of affection for this friend, as she had not seen her in a while.

Maya looked down at her and tilted her head again. "Enzo got a girlfriend, Silver got a boyfriend, ehhh..." She smiled. "Also, we all have nearly killed each other a couple of times. No biggie." She shrugged, looking back at Enzo and Enki. Maya was in a very good mood now, feeling as if nothing could bring her down.

Volitaire nodded and let his ring flare. "Because of you, I unlocked this. It gave me what I needed to beat him, and I finally gained some sort of closure.." He leaned down and let their foreheads touch, giving her a eskimo kiss. "You don't have to worry. That part of my life is over now. Now I can start a newer one with you, E."

Enzo narrowed his eyes at Maya. "Sasha isn't my girlfriend!" He shouted, more out of anger then embarrassment. He let out a long sigh. He really needed to stop thinking about what he had said to her at the restaurant.

Maya raised an eyebrow at him. Had this been any other time someone had yelled at her, she would have been prepared to fight on the spot. But now, she had to be calm. "You, Enzo, need to take a day off." She looked back at the school. "In fact, we all should." She looked back at Enzo, not willing to take no for an answer. "We all need to catch up anyways." She left out the fact that she had been taking 'days off' from school ever since she had arrived.

Maria looked at enzo and blinked. " you got a girlfriend? " She asked trying to hide the faint taunting in her voice then looked around. " and you all nearly died with out me, oh damn it " She said pouting a little and sighing, sad to have missed out on all the fun. " I guess this is school life huh? " She said wondering what it would be like to be in a relationship and then shaking the thought out of her mind. She was a little surprised by Enzo's out burst but cheered up at Maya's request. " I love the sound of that, can we eat cake? " She asked childishly and being shy again.

Her eyes fell toward his ring, admiring it's beauty. "You unlocked it..? Will I eventually unlock the power within mine?" She questioned, unsure if their really was an answer. She heard Enki speak of the rings power before, but was still lost regarding the topic.

But in all honesty, Eos felt herself light headed - realizing that all the power she put forth to heal his extensive wounds had taken a lot out of her. She let her head rest on his shoulder and leaned into him, closing her eyes. "Promise? No matter what happens in the future... you'll love me?" Her voice was now soft and a little weak.