Assassin's Eye

Chapter 5.

Nemos awoke to find himself in the alleyway, with Lucy's head resting on his shoulder peacefully. He blinked wearily for a while, taking in the situation, then silently cursed himself for being off his guard. How careless to fall asleep in a dark alleyway. Anything could have happened. After a moment, Nemos tried to recall what had woken him, then after a moment, he didn't have to try.

"Nemos? Lucy? If you guys are out there let me hear you!" A voice that sounded almost exactly like his rang out.

"Nemos, where the hell are you?" Another voice echoed.

After a moment, another voice said louder, "Nemos would not do something like that! You'll see those two aren't... I mean..."

"Just keep looking! We'll see just what's going on."

Nemos's face turned bright red as he realized what the person meant. He glanced flusteredly at the opposite end of the alleyway, and at that precise moment wanted to be anywhere but there. Footsteps thudded down the alleyway, and Nemos glanced quickly down at Lucy's still-sleeping form warily. She looked almost delicate, nothing like the fighter he had faced earlier the day before. Lucy shifted slightly, mumbling something almost inaudible, before settling once again with her hand on her stomach. Nemos smiled, then remembered that they were looking for them. Hoping she wouldn't wake up, Nemos slid his hands under her knees and shoulders and lifted her gently. He carried her through the streets and back towards the voices.

Aryn appeared a moment later, and saw Lucy's somehow-still-sleeping figure. He smiled, and raised an eyebrow suspiciously, to which Nemos rolled his eyes and shook his head. Aryn laughed softly and motioned for Nemos to follow him. Nemos grumbled in protest but went with his brother anyways, being careful to not wake Lucy.

Lucy, awake and seeing what was going on, gripped a handful of Nemos's shirt in her fist, feeling how warm he was. She smiled quietly and closed her eyes again, falling back asleep once more. Nemos glanced down at her, and smiled as well, feeling oddly at peace.

Soon afterward, they reached the barn, and found Kath and Seili perched in the loft. Seili slid down the ladder quickly and came over to the three approaching. She glanced quickly at Lucy, and back up at Nemos and shot him a withering glare. Aryn nodded at her and smiled, shrugging.

The duo made threesome made their way back to the barn, Nemos carrying Lucy gently, and found Kath and Seili perched on the loft, looking out through the city and waiting for them to return. Kath saw Lucy in Nemos's arms and turned bright red with fury for a moment before taking a calm breath and settling. Seili tapped Kath's arm and whispered something and laughed quietly, making Kath turn bright red again, out of embarrassment. Kath shot Seili a glare and the two dropped onto the street in front of the approaching group.

"And where the hell have you been all night?" Kath spat at Nemos. She was turning red again, her pale skin not helping with that.

"I was—" Nemos began, but Aryn cut him off.

"He was with Lucy," Aryn smirked, and Kath narrowed her eyes.

"You were, were you?" She said suspiciously. "And why is she unconscious in your arms?" Nemos shrugged.

"We fell asleep, and I heard you guys looking for us, so I just decided to let her sleep more. That's all."

Kath glared at him some more, and Nemos shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I think she's had enough sleep, don't you?" She said harshly.

Nemos furrowed his brow. "What do you mean—"

Kath walked up to Nemos and bent down to Lucy's ear. She suddenly shouted, "Get up," and Lucy jumped, somehow managing to fall out of Nemos's arms and hit the street with a painful thud.