Mind of War (On Hold)

True Feelings

"I'm not 100% on execution, but I was stemming some ideas. The Shadows have a plan, whatever it is and we don't, so the first order of business is finding out what they want." Song explained.

"That makes sense and the perfect place to start is Capital Q."

"Why there?" Song inquired.

"You're the only person I've ever told this. My parents had a hunch that Capital Q could possibly be a feeding ground for the Shadows." Onyx explained.

"What do you mean?"

"They said it like this, the Shadows have their dimensions and we have ours. What is the purpose of them coming every night to consume souls? It's not like we are traveling there, we aren't bothering them. It is common for every once in a while to have stray Shadows, that's what the Gate and the Guardians are for because just one Shadow is a danger in itself. So something has to be drawing them."

"Okay there are two problems with that. The first thing is it's a sensible hunch, but how are we going to investigate this and prove it true? And most importantly part two, if Capital Q is the summoning ground for Shadows, we're in trouble," Song groaned.

"What do you mean?"

"Hello! We sent Bliss there to get treatment. This could possibly be a two-fold problem, if the Shadows are there she's not going to recover and if we bust her out we can't cure her soul. Why didn't you say anything when Free brought the idea up?"

"Well, I wasn't intending on blowing my cover. The SSS opposed my parents on that issue. Free is the granddaughter of the SSS leader. If I told you, you would have questioned her, and that would have gotten back to the society. I couldn't chance that. But, we could cure her soul, with the good old fashion mind war, don't you think." Onyx reminded her.

"Yes we could, but Bliss has been struggling with this infection for a long time, so are we going to challenge her to a mind war every time? At some point the effectiveness is going to wear off."

"Song let's agree to this, we had a lead, so let's follow it. Let's see where it takes us. We still aren't sure what we're up against, so there's no point in trying to grab at all the answers right now. The first step in the plan is to investigate, so we will do just that." Onyx suggested.

"I like your train of thought. We'll do that, so exactly when will we do our investigation?" Song asked.

"I'm fine with whatever you decide." He replied.

"I mean, while we're gone, you're going to have to leave Aura with someone." Song reminded him.

"Oh, that's right, our parents are outlaws. I have to think." He rubbed his chin.

"Maybe Free can watch her." Song suggested.

"Wait, so they're not coming?"

"Not, if you need someone to look after Aura. And Kai can be on guard, you know he will fight if anything goes awry."

"Well, she knows Free so that could work." Onyx reflected over what Song just said. "Song, I have to be really careful, the Shadows know that I'm in line to be the next Guardian. They won't spare a chance to consume my soul or my sister's in exchange for mine, just to draw our parents out."

"That's why you're so protective."

"Yes, I love my sister and I'll do anything to keep her safe. My parents are counting on me."

"Onyx you don't have to feel like you have to explain yourself to me."

"I know you're understanding and patient, that's why I don't want to take that for granted. I hated myself for feeling like I had betrayed you. I couldn't stand feeling as if you didn't trust me."

"I was a little upset at first, but I understand now. And I'm so proud of what you're becoming." Song smiled.

Onyx looked into Song's eyes for a long time, "Thanks, Song you should get home, come back tomorrow after I ask Free if she doesn't mind watching my sister for a day. I want you to be home well before the Shadows start running amuck this evening." He pulled her into him for a hug.

Song hugged Onyx back. She could hear his heart beating as she accepted the warmth that radiated from his body. She pulled away slowly. Onyx walked her to the door and Song left.

She walked home, but as she went Song had the feeling that someone was watching her, she looked around, but saw no one. Onyx was right she did need to be careful. Song decided to quicken her pace. Running, it didn't take long for her to get home. Right before she reached the steps of her house, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Song quickly grabbed the hand and locked the wrist. As she turned around, she was shocked to see Creed.

"Woman, quit!" He yelled as Song immediately released him.

"Why were you following me?" Song demanded.

"I wasn't! Can we go inside? Please!" He pleaded.

Song nodded and let both of them in the house.

"I'm sorry for storming off like that earlier, a lot of things are going on in my head right now. So, I have to be honest with you, I'm my own team. And I'm still trying to figure everything out. I care about you, honestly, Song I do. I would tell you that I like you more than just a friend, but I can't. We don't work well together, we're constantly butting heads over the smallest things. It's like we're on completely different channels. It would be a lie to say that my feelings aren't there, but right now I don't know if this is practical. I would put more time into figuring it all out, but this is war, and I don't have time."

"Is that what you really feel," Song said, sensing that Creed really wanted to tell her something else.

"Song, it might be best if you just believe this," he said with glassy eyes. Creed turned to leave, but, as she promised herself, this time she would not let him go so easily.

Grabbing his hand and turning him to face her, she looked him in his gray eyes and said, "You can go, it's your life and you own it. But you owe me the full and complete truth. You sought me out by name, walked into my life, and followed me to my house, so you owe me the truth. Then you can leave and never see me again, but before I accept that, out of respect, you're obliged to tell me. And if you don't, take everything you ever said about caring for me back, right now! If I'm not worth the truth, I'm not worth your care and consideration either."

Creed's mouth dropped as she spoke those words to him, he hadn't considered any of that. But, upon reflection, she was right. It was either tell her the truth she deserved to hear or lie to himself by taking back every word of care that he fed to her. With amber eyes burning through his gray ones, he sighed.