HALO: CROSSROADS

Under The Same Sky

She had to get used to the armor, although it had been a little easier than she thought and despite the fact that the workouts were still less and less hard, which helped a lot each time she had been sent to a mission with 'Vadum.

Her relations had improved even more, having her as a battle colleague had forged a link between her and many sangheili who now considered her to be strong and with honor, the only one who resisted was Xeem.

During the last days the only missions she had  was accompanying the Arbiter in his political meetings to provide protection to him and the rest of the diplomats, until then he had no need to protect them from anything, but she had to defend herself of the constant attacks and provocations of Xeem 'Thasan, it was clearer that he would never accept her but it wasn't something that worried Nuray.

Also her relation with The 'Vadam had progressed, lately she spent a lot of time with him because of her assignments, they train together from time to time and both were much more open to each other, 'Vadam now had a lot of confidence in her strengthened by what she did for him in Zeijan, and she... well she was living something strange.

In fact that night she was in the 'Vadam Tower, she was standing on a balcony that was right in the center of a great corridor, she leaned over the rail and looked towards the starry sky with the two moons Suban and Qikost standing out in the firmament, she remembered a particular situation that lived with the Arbiter.

FLASHBACK

-Are you okay?, You should bring a doctor, that doesn't look good at all-, Nuray followed the Arbiter to his room.

-No! I'm fine, it's just a minor wound-

Nuray looked at the cut on the side of the Arbiter's abdomen, -A minor wound? You're bleeding and a lot-

-I said I'm fine, and you can leave now-

-But I know that you're not and I won't go anywhere, if you don't want to call a doctor is fine-, Nuray said defiantly while taking a bowl and emptying the contained on a table, Thel only snorted resigned.

-Do you have any cloth?-

The Arbiter pointed to one of the two drawers who stood before him while he sat on his bed. Nuray took some towels, filled the bowl with water and began to moisten one of the cloths.

-You will have to take off your armor to see how you are-

Without saying a word Thel simply agreed to the request, got rid of the torso armor pieces and unfastened the mesh to his hip. Nuray put the wet handkerchief and cleaned the wound little by little, when the cloth stopped dye purple due to bleeding Nuray left the room and returned with some more things in her hands.

-Maybe this hurts, or maybe not ... you're quite rude, you'll endure it-, She took a small device and placed it on wound to close it, once finished she put the device to the side and continued to checking that the wound was contained, passed one of her hands over the cut which evidently caused some reaction in the Arbiter 'cause he took by her hand inmedustly to stop her touch.

-I'm sorry if I hurt you, I just wanted to make sure everything would be fine-

He left her hand and continued brushing her fingers on Thel's skin, at that moment he was vulnerable, it was strange to see him without his armor and that got Nuray's attention. She noticed that his skin was warm and his muscles were well marked, after her gaze drifted upward her eyes went over the mark that the Arbiter have on his chest and apparently he realized 'cause he automatically moved and raised his mesh again .

-We're done-, He said sharp.

Nuray was distressed, stood up and headed for the door, -If you need anything...-

-Wait... I appreciate it-

Nuray smiled gently as she made a slight nod.

END OF FLASHBACK

Remembering that moment, but above all remembering being so close to the Arbiter caused her to let out a great sigh.

-What are you thinking? -
It seemed that she had called him with her mind because Thel ‘Vadam appeared behind her. He felt her face getting hot and thought she had blushed.

She shook her thoughts, -Ammm nothing special, I was just here appreciating the panorama... You have an amazing home, why leave all this for High Charity?-

He placed aside of Nuray keeping him company, -You're right, we made a mistake by blindly trusting in the Prophets and we are paying the price of our ignorance-

-But now they have you- he said with a smile, -You know? You are a great leader, you are only looking for the well-being of your people, someone who wants to achieve good How could fail?-

The Arbiter was silent for a moment, he looked thoughtful, -How did you do it?-

-What?-

-Forgive us... forgive me-

Nuray sighed, -Actually I don't know if I did it, I haven't thought about that for a long time but... At first wasn't easy and my situation isn't common either, that is, getting into all this mess with the sangheilis because of my irresponsible acts was what brought me here in the first place but, thanks to that I could realize that we're not really so different, at least now I understand the reasons why this war began, when I was a child and my planet fell I asked it myself all the time, I was wondering why the Covenant did what did and I cursed all of you for years but now ... I'm a little confused, I can't hate you but I'm not sure if I already forgive-

-Something else we agree on-

-What are you talking about?-

-We all hurt each other a lot during that war without cause, you say that you are confused and I'm too, I guess some feelings are the cause-

-Feelings about what?-

-About my relation with humans and with you-

Nuray blushed instantly, -What do you mean?-

-Forget it, it's not important-, he said with a smile as He was about to leave.

-Wait!- She say while instantly Nuray had put her hand on the Arbiter, although realizing what she had done she withdrawal it quickly distressed,
-I... I just wanted to tell you that... despite everything in the past, now I consider you someone important to me-

Thel was surprised by the young woman's words but after assimilating what he had said he smiled calmly and withdrew to the door.

-Me too- he said to himself as he looked at Nuray sideways.