Prophetic Entities (Complete)

Chapter 12

About two hours went by before Takumi decided that maybe it was time she took some action. It was just after dark now, and the inn was going to get pretty quiet soon enough. After talking with Rikku and Sasha more and taking time to get some air, she gathered up what courage she had in her and started making her way through the halls.

She noticed Angeal first. "Hey, Angeal." Angeal glanced over at her. "Have you seen Zack anywhere?"

"...His room." Angeal replied simply after clearing his throat. "Down the hall, first door on the right." Just as Takumi had nodded her thanks and started making her way there, Angeal sighed. "Takumi."

She looked back at him. "Yes?"

"...Did you say something to him?"

"What... do you mean?"

"...Never mind. It may not be very important at this time..." With that, Angeal went on ahead again. She raised an eyebrow.

"That's strange..." She made her way through the halls again and then approached Zack's door.

Zack had been in his room, swinging around his broadsword tactfully to calm his nerves, but even after so long, he still felt worked up.

Takumi would never do something like that. Emma was only trying to get under his skin. But for what reason? She didn't really seem to have anything against him, and she seemed like a decently good person if it didn't involve Takumi. So why would she lie?

He knew he didn't have to worry about it. Takumi was sweet, but shy in her own way, when it came to showing her feelings. She had been fighting his advances for days, but they were closer now. She did... seem to show sudden interest out of nowhere, though... No build up or anything, just suddenly she kissed him after pushing so hard.

It didn't matter. She was obviously nervous. What Emma told him didn't make sense. Takumi wouldn't just... up and confess like that. She didn't seem the type. He knew he had nothing to worry about. So, why was he so worried regardless?

'Don't think about what you're going to say... not too much anyways. You can do this...' She reached up a hand and then knocked on the door a bit.

Another swing out, hitting nothing but air. He was about to jab, when he heard a knock at the door, slightly startling him in his current state. Slowly, he put his sword away, walked to the door, and opened it.

When he saw Takumi, he felt himself regain a part of his hope, just by seeing her. He wondered what she was coming to him for so late at night. "H-Hey, Takumi..."

"Can... I talk to you...?" She said softly. She could feel her body shaking out of nerves alone. She wondered over and over if this was right.

"...Sure." He nodded, attempting a smile, stepping aside to let her in, "Is everything... okay?"

"U-Um..." Takumi stepped inside of the room, face reddening a bit, closing the door behind her. "I don't... really have the best idea on how to explain much... Or how to put this into words, but... You know how these last few days, we've been getting... close?"

Zack felt his heart quicken slightly, unsure of how to deal with this. Why would she logically bring this up all of a sudden? Emma had just warned him about it... Could it be true? But why now? He hoped she decided on coming clean with her plan... telling him what had been going on, to stop it before it got any worse... He swallowed lightly. "...I do." He answered with as much of a calm voice he could muster. "...Why do you ask?"

"I-I... I did a lot of thinking, and... I realize... that I care a lot about you... You're the only person, even outside of this place, back in my own world... that's gotten me to be this open, this settled... Even in a matter of days, it-it feels so strange for me to even take something like this into consideration..." Her eyes averted towards the ground, and she could feel her words beginning to get caught in her throat, but she continued to force them out. "I guess... what I'm trying to say is that... I really..." She swallowed before she looked up at him. "I really... care about you. I think I may even... love you..."