Never Alone

Chapter 2: Part 1

A month had passed since the encounter with Lu and Gem had gotten back to work, going up to the surface, succeeding in missions, and training in the gymnasiums. She had finally been getting enough sleep at night after training, boosting her performance, and letting go of what happened with Lu back in September. Gem had not seen Lu since she left her at the dorm, figuring she had moved on, too, and was avoiding her. Although, it had piqued Gem's curiosity a few times as to what section of training Lu specialized in, considering she was a recruit. Lu was obviously not stable enough to be on the surface, so what section was she in?

Snap. Snap. "AYE! Are you focusing, Makeworth!?" Yelled a coyote snapping her fingers in front of Gem's face, trying to get her attention, waking Gem from her zone. "Yeah, that's right, pay attention, bunny." She said with a smirk and suddenly came at Gem with her sword drawn.

Gem's eyes widened and then narrowed, blocking the coyote's attack with her red ruby sword. Their weapons slammed together with force, then Gem slid under the Coyote's legs, going behind her and trying to land a blow, but the coyote quickly turned around and crashed her sword against Gem's. Her opponent suddenly kneed Gem hard in the gut, making the bunny fall to her knees and hold her stomach. "AUGH! WHAT THE FUCK!?" She yelled. "This is a DUEL! You don't play dirty like that!"

The coyote had her sword pointed at Gem, "demons don't play fair. You of all people should know that." She said, then walked away snickering.

Gem groaned in annoyance, then stood to her feet and walked over to the bleachers to sit down for a breath and drink water from her water bottle. "Cheating coyotes, Jesus..." As she drank, her ears suddenly perked high up as she could hear faint bleating from outside the gymnasium. She rose to her feet and walked out of the gym, looking to the right of the hallway where a flight of stairs led down to one of the lower levels. But halfway down the steps, there was a coalition of lions corning Lu and teasing her with a shiny blue and black compound bow. She was bleating in frustration as that was all she could muster.

"Aww, is the panda having trouble getting her bow back? C'mon, show us some of that jaw strength you pandas love to try and show off."

"Give it back!" Lu demanded with a squeak to her voice.

All of the lions started laughing and holding the bow high as she tried to reach, but was too short. "Oh please," Gem said as she walked down the steps, grabbing the lions' attention. "Is that the best you have to bully someone? Bravo! I'm now staring at the most pathetic group of lions in the underground. Personally, if I was bullying someone, I would be giving in a bit more effort to look tough, you really need to work on that."

Lu looked at Gem and a blush covered her cheeks, but the lions all growled at Gem with anger. "And who are you, little bunny? Shouldn't you be up on the surface farming carrots and cowering in a burrow?" One said with a narrowing of his eyes.

Gem snickered, "and shouldn't you boys be in a pride with females like normal lions or is there something fruity going on that the underground should know about," she said, which set their anger ablaze.

"SHUT YOUR TINY MOUTH, RABBIT!" One yelled as he suddenly attacked her. But, with the swiftness of her feet, she quickly zipped away from their blows and between their legs, slashing her sword into one's back and making him bleed.

Lu quickly covered her eyes in fear and Gem stood in front of her protectively with her eyes now a beautiful shimmering gold that glowed like soft candles. The lion roared in pain and the others glared at Gem. "For your information, I'm a bunny." Gem's voice slowly sunk deep with a growl behind her words. "Now get out."

The lions just narrowed their eyes and growled threateningly. "Fine. And take back your girlfriend's piece of junk." One said and threw the bow on the ground. "Not like she will survive long with or without it anyways."

After they left, Gem picked up Lu's bow, dusted it off, then handed it to her. "Here, your name is Lu, right?" Gem offered with a smile. Lu's face glowed red as she shakily took it and held it close to her chest. Her heart was beating a mile per minute and all she could do was reply with a stutter and nod as a response. Gem took note of her fluster and chuckled, "It's been a minute since I have seen you, panda. What have you been up to?"

Lu stared at the ground and tapped her foot, not replying to Gem's question. Gem looked off to the side, "shit, this is awkward... What else do I say? 'Hey remember me? You stalked me, so I nearly cut off your head? Yeah, how ya been, friend!? Jesus... What now?!"

Gem cleared her throat, "nice bow, where'd you get it?" she asked, trying hard to break the ice.

"Oh, I got it from my father's collection... He used to have a whole room of bows and arrows, new ones and old ones, this was one of his favorites... It's the best for practice and has a lesser chance of breaking..." Lu replied.

Gem was relieved Lu had decided to engage back in the conversation. "An entire room for his collection? That is a lot, he must really like them. But, you said it is best for practice, so that must mean you are in the archery track, right? I have a few friends there."

Lu nodded and tapped her foot. "Archery is the only thing I consider myself good at..."

"I wouldn't mind seeing some of your skills," Gem said, gaining Lu's gaze. "Yeah, I wouldn't mind coming and seeing what you can do. If it's good enough that a pack of lions picks on you, then it's worth seeing, right?"

Lu shrugged, "that happens all the time after practice; people come after me because I beat them or their partners in training, so they either beat me up or take my bow. I've gotten used to it if I'm honest... Feels like it happens every day..."

Gem raised an eyebrow, "and you haven't punched one in the muzzle or at least told the commander? You can't let them do that kind of shit, it's pathetic."

Lu shrugged once more, "I'm sorry, but I HAVE tried to fight them off, but I'm not very strong..."

"So shoot one or bite them! That lion pointed out that pandas have good jaw strength, so use it!"

Lu stared at Gem, "I- I can't SHOOT someone! And I can't bite them either! That's not right! Just because they hurt me doesn't mean I have to hurt them back, I'm not like that! I don't know why ANYONE would want to resolve things in violence! They are no better than demons!"

Gem stared at Lu as she spoke, then remembered how she hurt Lu as a result of violence against her. Gem sighed, "I understand, I'm sorry. You don't have to get violent, but don't let them think you are weak, ya feel me?"

Lu nodded in reply and Gem inhaled in relief. "So, would you care if I came to see you at practice tomorrow? I would love to watch and see what you got," she said with a smile

Lu stuttered, "I- I've never had anyone want to see me perform before. Are you saying you're... actually interested..? In ME?"

Gem paused and pretended to think momentarily with her fingers on her chin, "hmm... Well, I guess I am, panda," she chuckled, leaning close to Lu.

Lu turned blood red. "Oh! Well- I- uh- that's great!" she said in a panic, causing Gem to feel confused. "Anyways, thank you for saving me, but I have to go! See you at 5 o'clock tomorrow!" Lu quickly ran away, leaving Gem standing there in turmoil about what had just happened. Lu ran up the steps and through the halls towards her dorm, but when she was far enough away, she stopped to regain her breath. She held her heart as her legs were shaking and her cheeks were hot. "Interested in ME!? She wants to watch ME practice!? Why!?" She thought, "I stalked her for 2 years and she wants to see me tomorrow!? Is she actually wanting to be my friend or am I just overthinking? HER? ME? FRIENDS!? I thought she would want nothing to do with me after what I've done! Did she really forgive me...?"