FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I apologize to any readers, who actually were waiting for this. This one's completely on me, I'm afraid. I completely forgot to post what I wrote (Don't ask how. I just did) But without further delay, here's the story!

(Sorry for the wait X_X)

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Jack needed to charge up the ship's core, so we didn't take off. Instead, Raven was told to immediately report to the core to rev it up with some thunder.

Zach was very impressed by the ship, once he had a little tour. His jaw dropped - almost permanently - as he met Draco, the talking raptor. The poor kid couldn't stop staring at the grinning raptor, who then roared playfully. This caused a 'mild' freak out.

Draco chuckled for the rest of the day, commenting on the 'lively child onboard' wherever he could.

We told Zach not to panic, that Draco wasn't a loose beast. The coyote started calling Draco 'Bluefangs' after seeing the raptor eat a bowl of blueberries, which amused the rest of us. Seeing a raptor gulp down a whole bowl of berries was quite hilarious.

After clowning around with Draco and Zach, things took a more serious turn. Jack and Raven had both come up in the mess-hall, after setting the ship to re-charge on its own. Lulu started asking questions first, as she was the most curious one in the lot.

"So... Gluttony's the father of this one?" She asked, blatantly pointing at Zach.

The kid snapped at the mouse. "No." His expression switched from a curious puppy, to an extremely hostile hound. "He may have been called my 'father', but I refuse to call 'Gluttony' my father!" He slammed his palm on the table.

Lulu kept her cool, despite the outburst. "Do you know how he became like that?"

"No..." Zach sighed, letting his head drop. I could see a small trickle of tears forming in his eyes.

"Hey..." Shay placed her hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's fine. We can take you to a-"

"No." He looked up again. "I want to go with you. I want to help you." He seemed determined, yes, but he was way too young. Even I was only 16, don't really know how old the rest were, but Zach was too young, maybe 13, 14 at most.

River let out a chuckle. The shark must've scared Zach with his flashing teeth. "You are not old, strong, or even smart enough to-"

"I am the last Guardian left." He almost whispered. Zach's head seemed to drop a little. That's odd... Was he ashamed of that? Well... To me, the term 'Guardian', had little meaning. But to the rest, it seemed to be all the world, judging from their frozen faces.

"You were trained already?" Lulu asked, losing her poker-face.

"Not completely..." He started. "But well enough to hide and shield myself from two of The Seven."

At that, both River and Lulu nodded. Then River spoke up.

"It is likely that we meet more of them." He inched in closer to the boy, now trying to scare him off. "I want you to think very carefully about this. Do you understand?"

The scaring-attempt wasn't successful. "I made my decision, when I saw my home being flattened." Then he went silent and didn't speak up anymore.

We finished our meal in a very creepy silence. River, Lulu and Jack kept on whispering and exchanging looks with each other. It was getting late, and after Zach had been given a room - smaller than my current one - everyone else retired to their own. I decided to take a stroll. It has been a while, since I last took a walk on ground. I could use fresh air to clear up my thoughts.

It was beautiful. The stars were out, no clouds at all. The moon, itself, was gorgeous. It all reminded me of a certain someone.

Wimp. Prothero laughed. I dismissed his accusations of me being a 'wimp' just because I like a girl.

I sighed and sat on the fresh grass, then slowly lied down with my belly up, my eyes gazing up at the stars. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift to think about the whole day.

We had met The Seven for the first time. I had been hoping for some new information, like how they fight, based on what I had heard. That, also, was a problem. We didn't take any real hits. Weren't they supposed to be the elite? Yet even I, a newcomer, could bring down one of them. Is this the real Seven? The one everyone is supposed to fear? I hit the guy and he fell down, for crying out loud! They had been toying with us, for sure. I felt them bringing a whole village down to its knees in a few seconds, so why hold back with us?

Argh... Too many questions, not enough time... I sighed and rolled to my side. Then I felt a presence. I almost jumped, but recognized this one in no time. I didn't even bother to open my eyes.

"You're over-thinking it." Iris's voice came softly from above me. I opened my eyes and looked up at her's. The moon was framing her like a halo, making her look like an angel with her wings. She looked so human, yet so divine at the same time. I made sure that all of my thoughts were shielded, in case she didn't feel comfortable with my feelings.

Oh God, she was beautiful. Her blonde hair only looked more angelic, with the stars reflecting their lights on it. Her slender frame was gorgeous against the moon's silhouette.

At last, I managed to speak up. She had sat down next to me, and I had sat up.

"Maybe. Just so much new stuff. That's all." I sighed.

"Want me to explain something for you?" She smiled, inching a bit closer. I could almost feel her breath against the scales on my cheek.

"Uhm..." I coughed. "That eye-thingy from before?"

She smiled again, then lifted her necklace - creepy eye necklace, as I like to call it - up to her palm.

"This is an amplifier. Somewhat like yours, actually." She pointed at my necklace. "Yours is just a bit more extreme than mine."

"I'd think so." I smiled sheepishly.

"What do you mean?" She cocked her head slightly.

"If I take this off, I die, right? So yes, that's a little extreme." I laughed.

She covered her mouth and looked very apologetic. "Oh... I didn't mean... I'm sorry!"

"Hey, hey! I'm okay with this." I tapped her shoulder.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." I smiled again and poked her. "You worry too much."

She poked back. "With people like you, I have to."

"Oh? What's that supposed to mean?" I kept on poking her.

"Reckless people." She smiled again.

We sat there, just laughing and poking at each other. I relaxed completely in her company. I found myself just looking at her, admiring her beauty. Her laughter was cute, she was gorgeous like an angel. I... I think that... No. I love her so- ... Shit.

Her laughter seemed to hit a brick wall. It stopped completely and I know why. My mental shields had failed me completely. How?! I was focusing so hard on-

"Calm down!" She placed a hand on the left knee of my crossed legs. "When you have... Uhm. Strong emotions, the shield needs a different kind of focal-point... I should've thought you how to shield your emotions, before protecting your thoughts..."

Silence.

During that small window of silence, a million thoughts were running through my mind. And she was in each and every one of them.

"I'm sor-"

"Don't be sorry, silly." She poked my chest and smiled at me. Then she suddenly hugged me. I don't know what she was thinking. I tried to prod her thoughts, but the only thing I found, was a hell of a strong wall... "If you want to know what I'm thinking, why not ask?"

"Umm... Well..." I was at a complete loss of words. I didn't know what I wanted to know. I just wanted to hold her. That's all.

"I can do that." She smiled at me. God. I could see her pretty neck arch so, that her head was tilted up towards me, as she held me tighter.

We stayed still for a moment. A moment turned into minutes, minutes into a dozen. Then the silence was broken. Not by either of us though. I was about to open my mouth, but the sound of booming thunder tore up my ears. Then the rain began to fall.

That's strange... I didn't see any clouds forming...

Iris tilted her head up at the sky, then back at me. I heard her thoughts in my head.

It's okay. Nothing to worry about. Let's go inside, before we're soaking.

Sounds like a plan to me. I grinned, knowing she could hear my thoughts. She'd have to teach me how to shield my emotions too, since they seem to allow her to read me like an open book.

It's not that difficult. She smiled and got up.

Iris offered her hand at me, but I didn't notice, until I was already standing on my own two feet. We ran up to the ship quickly and didn't exchange any words, until I had offered to walk her to her room.

"I can walk on my own, thank you very much." She laughed at me, but then smiled and nodded approvingly.

"I never doubted your ability to walk. I was just trying to be polite." I didn't mean to sound as mean as I obviously did. I could see that she was confused by my words, so I quickly apologized. "No offense, of course?"

"None taken!" She shook her head and walked up ahead of me. We chatted about mundane stuff. Like where we were headed next - neither of us knew, so it was wasting breath, really - as well as what to do with Zach.

"Well," she started, "we could always say that we can't teach him and hand him to Lulu?"

"I don't think so." I didn't disagree. The thought was genius! But there was a slight problem.

"Why not?"

"Think about it. She's already under enough stress, and she takes it out on us. Right?"

"I guess so." She cocked her head. I bet that she knew where I was headed with, but was playing polite.

"He's only 13 and already under a lot of stress. If that psycho-mouse lashes out at him, who knows what would happen." I was joking, obviously. But there was a point in it too.

She wasn't amused at my joke. Not one bit. "You're the one dealing with multiple-personalities, here. And she is a good teacher, you know."

"I never questioned her ability-"

"Yes. You just did. Now," she stopped. We were at her room's door. Damnit. I didn't mean to piss her off... "Here. Good night, Ryu."

"Wait." I couldn't let her go. Not yet. My mind reminded me of a question that I never asked, never answered.

"What?" She looked into my eyes.

I couldn't mutter out a word, so I let down any shields in my mind, that were left.

Do you... What did you think about my... Feelings?

She sighed. I waited. More. I could feel my heart beat heavily in my chest. Then she smiled and placed a hand on my left shoulder.

I feel the same... Ryu.

I saw her blushing, but only for a mere moment. Then she gave me a quick peck on the cheek and closed the door, still locking eyes with mine.

"Good night."

I love you... She continued, as if she was afraid to say it out loud. For now, I couldn't even speak, so I did the same.

I love you too, Iris... Good night.

It felt good. Even as the door closed, separating us from each other, I couldn't help but smile. I didn't have the patience to walk down to my quarters, so I slipped into a shadow and appeared in my own little cabin.

I sat down on the edge of my bed and I had a sheepish grin, painting my crimson face - most likely, also blushing. I removed my black fleece and tank top routinely and lay down with my face to the ceiling. I placed my hands on my stomach and tapped. I wasn't nervous. I just couldn't wait until I could see her again.

I reached out with my mind and felt her presence. She was in her own room, getting ready to sleep. Judging from her 'aura', she most likely was asleep already.

I felt like messing around and prodded around the ship with my newfound 'gift'. First, I went for Jack. His mind wasn't capable of shielding itself, so he should be the easiest.

As I thought. He's on the command-deck, as usual. He wasn't alone though. And lacked clothe-

Skipping that.

Oh! Shay. That's strange. Why would she be in a position like tha-

Skipping that too. Geez. Why is everyone being so... So... Well. Like that?

I didn't bother reaching out to Raven or Shin. Not that I wasn't curious, I just couldn't bare see anymore. I would need mind soap already, provided we had any.

Then I noticed Zach. He was still awake. I almost decided to go up to calm him. But I noticed something strange in his aura. It was still. Usually - as much as I know - aura is the 'flow of life', as Shay puts it. Everyone's aura flows. But in some cases, as Iris pointed out, a person can slow the flow, thus calming body and spirit. This is supposed to be a method of calming down before or after a battle. So Zach was doing a good job calming himself down already. I would still have to ask, if one could use one's own aura to attack people...

I rolled over to my side. I was tired. Thinking kept me awake. Not that I could help it. I was just curious. I didn't dare prod Lulu's or River's heads. They would know who was there, and neither would be forgiving.

My mind drifted to Iris' calm eyes, which seemed to see through anything. I hope that she wouldn't let these feelings aside though... I couldn't imagine anything worse, than having my own feelings ignored by someone, who matters to me. With these thoughts, I lay my head to rest. And with these thoughts, I quickly gave in to the world of dreams.