Fantasy Moments in Time

"I can start. " said Sen, happy to see her happy. " Who cuts your hair, Minnie?"

"Seifer but I run from him whenever he takes out the curler." Minnie grinned sheepishly, leaning in a bit and turning her head. Plumping her cheek for a kiss.

"If you could rename the street you live on, what would you rename it?" She asked.

Zer0

Sen laughed, his usual one that differed from his brother's in that you could sing to it as though it were a rolling melody. "I can imagine him chasing you around Renee's garden."

He perked up and embraced her, giving her cheek a smooch. " That is interesting. Hmmm . . . I'd rename the street at Kingsbury the Assassin's Wedlock, the one in my mom's town the Bombed Square, and the one at the port town would be Fish Street!"

He looked at Minnie amorously then puckered out his lips like a goldfish. The only problem was that the moment Minnie would kiss him it was as though there was glue because Sen couldn't stop. Finally mumbling out distractedly as he paused for a short breath. "What --- mmm --- mmish your favorite book --- smooch --- Minniemmm?~"

Katsuya

Minnie brightened up. She absolutely loves hearing Sen's laughter. Oh how she can hear birds singing their morning spring song whenever he laughed like this. . .

Embracing back, she leaned on his chest with hers as she listened on and laughed her chirpy laugh. "F-Fish street in a port town? Heheheh!" Seeing his lips pucker, the little gunner kissed his expecting lips and groaned when he didn't stop. Taking her breathe away. Opening her dazed eyes, half-lidded, on the short pause, Minnie answered back in a breathy manner.

"M- my favorite book isssh - mhhh~ - Grim-grimm tales a-ansh any of Whakesphere's workssss~" She continued to kiss and kiss and kiss some more, feeling like his lips are ambrosia of the olympic gods and she couldn't stop taking more bites.

"Hmm~ Wha-what ish leh weirdest th-thiiiiing youuu have seen 'n someone else’s home?" She didn't pause on her kisses, getting drunk and dazed.

She didn't know if they continued on their questioning or not, she couldn't tell since they didn't stop kissing each other. All she knew was that the game lead them under the blankets, canoodling and exchanging warmth with precious warmth. It wasn't until someone (A maid, dazed Minnie believes,) had knocked on their door and mentioned about lunch time before her heels clacked away in faded echo of the long hallways.

The tiny sniper lazily traced Sen's scars that he has gained over the years, mumbling affection as she snuggled on top of him. Literally. She's literally on top of him as her fuzzied head concentrated on the small details she finds by touch.

". . . me thinks . . . leh game ish too fun~" Minnie purred quietly, hot breath hit Sen's neck as she continued to nibble his jutting collarbone. ". . . maybe we should have more rules next time~ or limits~"

Zer0

"Seifer's throne toilet on a podium." muttered Sen distractedly.

There was some enthusiastic chandelier shaking on the ceiling beneath their room after that. Feeling like a caterpillar all snug under the warm blankets, Sen popped his tousled head out as he hugged Minnie.

"Or maybe we should play another game, Minnie? This one's too distracting for us to get to know each other better, though you're right about it being fun." He chuckled, still a little bit out of breath.

"Do you still like me even though I don't know you well? Making love together, do you still like it?"


Katsuya

Gathering her fuzzed thoughts, Minnie hummed before she nuzzled under his chin. Only her nose is peeking out of the warm blankets. "It doesn't stop me from liking you." She stated. Brows furrowed as she gazed at him.

"I'll be honest: I am sad and frustrated that we don't know each other well . . . but better late then never." She optimistically said, shaking the blankets off her head, revealing her fluffy wild kitten-like hair.

Zer0

Though Sen was sad too, he couldn't help but stifle a chuckle when Minnie revealed her fluffy wild kitten hair. She was cute.

He helped pull the blanket down, making sure to tuck around her shoulders to keep the lingering chill from the early rains out. He embraced her comfortingly.

"Minnie, you at least know that I care about you, right?" There was a bit of that worried tone again, and his hug tightened a bit more as though he was afraid she might go far from him in heart.

Katsuya

Melting from the sweet action of tucking her under the blanket, Minnie smiled affectionately. She pecked loving kisses on his cheeks.

"Of course I know, Sen. You just tucked me in and if that's not enough, you are still planning on making my arm better. If that's not caring, then I don't know what is." She whispered on his skin, lips teasing lightly, and sending tingles. After squeezing and hugging her inventor, the tiny gunner suggested on eating their lunch; which were left outside of their room on a small food cart. For the rest of the day, Minnie stayed close to Sen, talking and asking random and funny questions to know more about him. There were moments where she'd gently peck his wounded shoulder as if she wanted him to feel better.

Meanwhile, with a sleepy ninja and musician, the blonde of the pair snuggled close to her beau and sighed happily; the chilly air cooling her heated wounds as a light drizzle rained down. The sleepy couple is sheltered by the willow tree and it's long and flourished branches.

The next day was pretty hectic as preparations for the concert tonight have begun. Shades of blue streamers decorated the city as they lead to the long bridge and towards the concert hall that's built on a small island.

The concert hall is actually an old colosseum, now used for theatre dramas and comedies with a graceful arch ceiling over the stage itself. The stone benches were raised up further back and curved around the stage, now having pillowy seat cushions. The entrance of the concert hall had similar architecture as the temple of wisdom: high ceilings that arched and large windows until they reach the concert hall itself with statues of different angels. One of which the twins and Serena will recognize: Ath'ens looking curious as ever.

Serena took a small break from practice with Milk, who went off to check on the security around the concert hall. When she went to the back where all the stage costumes and set-ups are held, she couldn't help but run up to Minnie and squeeze her pink cheeks.

"You look so cute!!! Is this your disguise!?" Serena coo-ed, smiling wide in amusement. "It's perfect!"

The tiny gunner dully stared at the excited blonde, her brow twitched.

". . . You suggested this, didn't you?"

"Of course, I did. We needed to make sure the citizens don't mistake you to Princess Milk." She answered, obviously amused, as she turned to the twins.

"What do you guys think? - Spin, Minnie."

With a huff, Minnie spun in place slowly, showing off . . . the chick costume. Long and orange striped sleeves easily flared like feathered wings. The skirt also flared a bit when she spun, revealing puffy white shorts that resemble closely to a chicks leg feathers with dark grey stockings underneath. Yellow ankle boots has tiny blue wings attached. Her yellow puffy hat, that tucked her long blue hair under, has an angry chick face with tiny wings sprouting out; as if it was about to take flight.


Zer0

Seth burst out laughing. "Seriously, why this, Serena?! Hahahaha!"

Sen made a weird cough that was half a snort, before he clapped his hands to his mouth, looking way and stifling a giggle. "I --- I'm sorry, Minnie, but that hat . . . and your grumpy face ---" his shoulders shook with mirth. He looked back at her, smiling apologetically. "You look like an angry omelette, my chikadee."

The twins were dressed alike as baron jokers of spades; even had matching brown eyes. Only their beaus could tell them apart easily: Seth with his more carefree manner, and Sen with his busier stride.

"You look cute." Sen patted the grumpy birdie hat, grinning at her.

"Ahhh, to think this is our conversation before we head off to stop the you-know-what." chuckled Seth. "This is why I love you guys; so chill."

Katsuya

Her face turned red when Seth didn't stop laughing. Her cheeks puffed up when Sen patted her angry hat. Her quiet and wounded pride demands vengeance. So like an angry chick, Minnie poked the twins' ticklish sides. Not letting them catch a break.

"Color theory!" Serena chimed, not acknowledging the funny scene in front of her. Minnie looks like she's pecking the twins with the way her dress puffed up, similar to how Renee's feathers puff up when she's angry. How cute-! "By using a bright shade of yellow, no one will suspect that Minnie look similar to the princess. Since the princess is mostly seen with blues and purples herself."

At least there was a reason, Minnie thought, but she still wasn't satisfied with tickling the twins. So she aimed to tickle Serena too. The blonde cackled as she tried to run away only to be quickly caught by an angry and cute chickadee.

Zer0

The twins fell over into a laughing heap. Their boisterous voices attracting attention as they jammed their hands into their armpits and wedged their elbows close to their bodies to block the angry chikadee Minnie's vengeance tickles. "Oh, Serena, watch out!" laughed Seth, but too late she was caught.

"We give up, Minnie, we give up!" said Sen, stifling his laughter for real now; Seth was enjoying Serena's laughter. "I think we should get into positions now." added Sen, still smiling. And here he gathered them for one last group meeting to go over their plans and make sure they didn't miss anything.

Katsuya

"Hmph!" Minnie crossed her arms, listening in their plans, and double checking that everyone knows what their roles are before leaving.

Since Serena is performing with Princess Milk tonight, she will be guarding the princess. Placing her shields up as extra precaution and making sure their routine isn't so easy for the assassins to aim at her. In other words, she's making Princess Milk move around the stage. Standing still will make her an easy target to aim.

"Make sure you guys kick butt for me too, okay?" Serena cheered.

". . . Yea and you stay safe out there too, Serena." Minnie replied, seeing the blonde nodding before hugging Seth very close, muttering sweet nothings only for his ears.

Her teal blue eyes roamed at Sen as she held his hand comfortingly and rubbed noses. As if she wanted to let him know she'll come back to his side with just a whisper of his name, his beau squeezed his hand and didn't let go until they had to, riding their way to their designated temples. While Serena went back to her practice with Milk, the band, and the chorus. As much the blonde wanted to go with them and face the assassins too, she has to watch over the Princess in case anything goes wrong in their plans.



The sun sets as the excited buzz filled the sea air, mummers of the citizens can be heard even within the old temples of three guardian angels. The bridge had street light lamps leading the carriages and horses to the concert hall, the brightest it has ever been. Even brighter then the soft glowing temples.

On the left is the temple of Wisdom, glowing it's soft calming blue. Sen would notice how as the sky gets darker, he can still see inside because of the soft glow from the outer walls of the temple; it's light coming through the large windows. The golden rings above Father Time gleamed from the light bouncing off of it. In the other hallways, there were more golden rings hanging at the top, some had rotating orbs and the inventive twin can tell that these rings are supposed to be the planets in their solar system with it's moons. Star maps in one hall while in the others are the large collection of different inventions: failed and successful ones.

He might not have noticed before when he first visited the temple, but now that he's alone, he might have felt as if the angel of this temple is supporting whatever inventions or traps he plans to use; with the way the light hits the statue's face, Ath'ens looks more mischievous than curious.

On the right side of the bridge, forking in another path, is the temple of Family and Ideals. Glowing it's comfortable warm peach color. Despite having similar architecture, Seth can tell there are some differences between the temples. The most obvious is the different glowing colors now that he can see it's blue Ath'ens is glowing, not white. Aphro'ite's temple, that's situated behind the concert hall, is glowing a sweet and attractive pink. Must be the same with the other two temples: seemingly glowing white in the day and at night, a color.

Another obvious difference is how the temple of Family and Ideals have no large doors, only a large archway as if inviting any wary traveler to come in. Inside, he would see the paintings to be more about families. People talking happily with kids playing around or eating together or someone doing hard work. There were more open windows here then at Ath'ens, with benches for people to sit comfortably. Moss and grass growing at the edges of the windows and entrance way. The floor tiles are slowly aging, eroding away the edges from the outside elements. There were nests tucked away in nook and crannies inside the temple, unlike Ath'ens that only has birds nests by the windows. The calming sounds of the water fountains pouring water down to the ground echoed, if Seth tried the water, he'll know that it's actually fresh and sweet; free from sea salt.

Standing proudly in the middle of the circular main room and on a large podium is a statue of a woman with a double bladed axe, reaching up high to the sky. Her large wings reached low behind her, curled around the podium where he can see engravings of kids playing. It was like she wanted to protect them as they have their fun, watching over them and their futures. With a closer look, he can see a crown around her head, delicately woven around her head with an orange jewel in the center. Her expression is that of determined woman who only wants what's best for her people, even if it means to lunge around a heavy weapon like an axe.

On the plaque, it reads : 'I fight, I hope, I give my all for those I carve a path for. Thus my ideal path of life.' - He'ra

There are three other hallways that leads to more paintings and scrolls. All of them filled with education and survival tips. It's like He'ra wants to give all she knows to let others live their lives. Like a mom passing down traditions and treasures of the family and making sure they were comfortable. There are more seating areas with cushions and chairs-! With warm blankets stuffed in aged woven baskets nearby the shelves. Candles stacked nearby for anyone to use and weirdly enough . . . it smelled of pancakes with syrup.

This whole temple felt like home and safety thanks to He'ra's protective stance.

Once the twins hear music playing from the concert hall, they can hear a light tapping. For Sen, the opening and closing of the doors along with a delightful hum. For Seth, an annoying screeching noise of metal scratching the floor. Familiar red cloaks billowed from the sea winds as they got closer to the statues themselves.

Teal blue eyes stared into the statue's own playful gaze, taking in the enamored face she's creating for everyone who steps inside her temple.

Minnie now wished she saw Ath'ens and He'ra's temples, wanting to see how different the statues are. She stood at the bottom of the stairs that leads to another room, just staring at the stoned woman above the arched doorway. Her wings coyly curled it's feathers as if to lure in people with it's magnificent beauty. Aphro'ite herself doesn't look smug about her own beauty either; in fact the woman looked like she's admiring Minnie's beauty, which was a weird feeling to have considering it's a statue and not a living person.

What made the feeling intense was that the statue was covering her teasing smile with her delicate hand as if she knew Minnie felt odd and wanted to tease some more.

Feeling like she's wasting precious time on not hiding, the gunwoman climbed up the walls to reach up high to the windows where she can see the concert. The seats are filling up quickly. Her blue eyes peeked back at the statue and - yep, even from up here, Aphro'ite is still staring at her.

". . . What? " She asked quietly, already knowing the statue won't answer back. Shaking her head, she sighed, rubbing the metal plates of her arm gently as her thoughts filled with Sen's green eyes once more that day. The quote she saw on the plaque whispered in her mind.

". . . Your happiness is more important then my own . . . hmm . . ." Minnie repeated again, wondering if that is true about love. She does feel happy and complete whenever Sen smiles or laughs. She wonders if he feels the same whenever she laughed or smiled at him . . .

The creaky door opening followed by the harsh slamming woke Minnie back to the present, peering down as she readied her arm at the red figure below. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously when she saw how the figure walked - - - more like stumbling to the violin playing from Serena in the concert - - - thinking if this person was drunk or something. 'No matter.' She thought as she spotted what the assassin had brought with him: a large sniper rifle.

The mission to stop the assassination attempt starts now.

Zer0

"Hai! We will kick many buttocks, general!" saluted Seth, his easy laugh harmonizing with Serena's cheer. He welcomed her embrace and hugged her back tight, the warmth of his steady, sleek body pressed against hers. He smiled at her, listening to her sweet nothings, then whispered into her ear his own poetic blessings for her safety, protection, and to knock out the crowd and get that peace treaty.

When they pulled away, there was a bit of concern in Seth's eyes and Serena would know it was becaus of being obviously close to the assassination target.

Seth knew she'd be taken out first or taken out together with the princess. And knowing his girlfriend, she wouldn't batt an eyelash at giving her life for the greater good --- goodness, was this how she felt whenever she worried about him when he was out thieving years ago? But he wasn't the type to despair, he believed in her, and his concern gave way to that of assurance. He kissed Serena softly on the cheek and gave her a determined nod. "Fight, win, Serena."

Meanwhile, Sen a bit awkwardly held Minnie's hand. To know that they were very close but sort of strangers had been eye opening in a surprising, sad, but good way. Like he knew what they are now and where they actually stood, but he was having some trouble being close and reconnecting with his feelings for Minnie.

Affection felt a bit superficial now that he realized it wasn't based on knowing her. But as she comfortingly held his hand and rubbed noses with him, he could tell that she was trying to show care, and Sen returned it by stepping forward and giving Minnie an honest hug.

Now that they were facing danger. He felt a kind of urgency he hadn't felt before, to know Minnie before it's too late. "When this is over, let's get to know each other more, okay, Minnie?" he murmured into her hair, squeezing her hand back which he hadn't let go off either.

And in her sweet silence he knew she'd come back to his side with just a whisper of his name.

"It's kinda good you have this hat." He chuckled, pulling it a bit lower to cover her face a bit more for protection ---though really the chickadee outfit kinda stands out. "At least it covers your face a bit." he tucked in her blue hair away inside so that it wouldn't show and removed the black baron neck scarf around his neck to wrap it around hers and cover the bottom of her face.

"There! You're a bit more unrecognizable!" he grinned.

When Seth told the two it was time to go, Sen also reluctantly let go of Minnie's hand and rode close to her as they galloped to their respective temples. They had a couple of Seth's smoke bombs of different colors and improved with some flash powder. They were to use this to signal each other, and the twins also had blow horns in case they were fighting indoors.

Sen looked back at Minnie's retreating form when they separated. Really, if he were to be honest, he was more driven to stop the assassination to protect Minnie more than the princess who just happened to look like her.


That sunset, Sen gazed at the mischievous look the goddess of wisdom had. It was weird and yet comforting in a way. As though he wasn't alone in here.

He gave her a nod.

He had a solid belief of the ancient gods after all he's seen in the war, and whispered a quick prayer as he held his trap controls securely against his chest.

"Goddess Ath'ens, please take care of Minnie. She's wearing a bright yellow very-obvious chicken dress and I'm afraid it won't hide her much. Please make her safe, and my brother and Serena too. Please don't let them die."

No sooner than he finished his prayer, he heard the opening and closing of doors accompanied by a delightful hum. What was that?

Sen steadied himself in his hiding place which was in a dark corner of the arching roof, then pressed a button on his zap board the moment he saw the cloaked red figure.

Meanwhile, Seth was enjoying the temple of family and ideals. He felt like the Goddess He'ra was teaching him a lesson of what was important.

'I fight, I hope, I give my all for those I carve a path for. Thus my ideal path of life.'

Seth stared at this after he took a refreshing drink of water from the fountain and filled his waterskin quickly and then melded into the shadows.

It reminded him of how he cared more about himself, choosing the life of a thief years ago. Comparing adventure to Serena, Serena was a happier choice and he smiled at the thought of her cackling face.

When the music started, he partly wished he could be there below the stage normally like the other people, watching his girlfriend play and cheering for her, with a face towel, a nice cold drink and flowers ready after the concert.

If he was being honest he cared more about keeping the assassins from hurting Serena than the princess. But his cackling madwoman girlfriend was strong and he was confident she was going to burn her enemies before they could get her.

With this in mind, Seth breathed easily. Suddenly he heard the screeching of metal. He flitted from shadow to shadow, a non-reflective dagger out, as he stalked the red cloaked figure that appeared and headed towards the statue.

Katsuya

As Milk and Serena made their appearance in front of the crowd, the violinist's thoughts stayed with her love and friends. As much she lets people believe she's brave, the blonde is not. She's scared. She's scared right now, wary of anything strange. Her azure eyes gazing past the concert hall's walls to see the three temples, worried but believing the trio to come back.

Her ears didn't catch what the announcer said nor did she minded the choir behind her shuffling around. All she did was lift her bow over the strings of her violin and make Seth proud by playing. It is, after all, her job . . .

As soon Serena started to play, Milk started to sing melodiously. Looking worried herself but believing in the three who came to help with the blonde beside her.




The humming cloaked figure stopped skipping as they reached the sitting statue, looking up for a couple of minutes. As if she were searching for something and found it with a loud 'Ah-ha!' at the side of the statue's waist. There, Sen can see from his spot, is a blue sapphire gem, pinning up the dress Ath'ens is wearing.

"There it is-! Must~ Press~ Button~" She sang out loud, reaching up to start climbing up the podium. "Th-Then I can have mooorrreee~ Hm?" She dodged the zap trap and quickly searched.

"Come out, come out. Whatever you arrrre~"



The tall figure stopped in front of the statue of He'ra, the screeching ended. He looked up and quickly aimed the metal thing - - - a large club with embedded nails - - - as if he wanted to throw it at the head of the protective angel. Unaware of the hidden ninja in the shadows.

Until he dodged, the heavy swing helping him spin around. Barely missed He'ra's head.


A fine blue brow raised up as Minnie watched the stumbling gun-trotting assassin prepped their rifle . . . aiming it at the chest of the angel statue. Was the assassin trying to destroy the statue? Or was it something else?

Either way, she didn't like how he or she is aiming at the teasing angel. So Minnie waited, taking a deep breathe underneath Sen's scarf, steadying her arm . . . and fired her gun arm with fiery bullets rapidly at the stumbling assassin. Most of the fiery bullets missed but she can see that one or two have hit his arms as he turned around.



Zer0

'Why does the song sound like something princess Milk and Cadbury could probably relate to?' thought Seth, momentarily distracted by an admiration of the princess' voice and Serena's magnificent playing. Meanwhile, at the other side of his mind he wondered what this assassin was doing. He wasn't going for a sniping position for the princess at all. Was this person a decoy while someone else positioned himself somewhere for the kill?

He waited for a while, stalking like a predator with daggers for fangs, seeing if someone else would appear. Then, for some reason, as the assassin lifted his club, Seth had this odd feeling that something bad was going to happen if He'ra's statue was harmed. Suddenly, Seth hurled a fan of knives from the darkness, the gleaming silver blades reflecting on the polished statue and in a slow motion heartbeat, he saw a look of recognition on the assassin, and his prey dodged, the knives embedding like hammered nails on the statue.

No time to wait, another rain of knives --- he struck! Blood spurting on the silver blades that had pierced the man's chest. Seth emerged, a blurry streak from the dark, dagger whipping forward for the assassin's stomach.



Sen startled when he heard the crack of Minnie's gunshot, amplified when his trap sprung too early and the assassin --- a woman --- dodged it. His heart began to hammer. A direct confrontation would mean a quick death for him especially without his inventions. Not speaking and staying focused, he pressed another button on his board, and this time there was a loud BOOM as a plume of smoke erupted from a fake gem on Ath'ens dress.

'Gotcha!' Sen pumped his fist quietly.



Katsuya

The large assassin grunted as knives struck on his chest, splurging red blood. Dropping his nailed club, he bended forward, seeing the blood on the floor tiles and swung his arms. Hoping to swipe Seth away from him.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Sen can hear a woman scream as the smoke disperse, the hood of her cloak revealing her identity. It was the same snobby woman who bumped into him two days ago, the red haired woman with dark eyes. Only now . . . now her hair is sticky and white, globby as it melted over her shoulders. Her dark eyes narrowed in displeasure, growling as she searched around the statue, wanting to find who set up this horrible trap.

"You brat! Where are you?!" She screeched, taking out a fan of shiny and pointy knives.

Sen's elbow accidentally bonked a brass owl's beak, the clang resounding all over the quiet temple loudly. For a moment there was a blossom of fear and shock in his face, before sick crunching thumps hit his front, and he fell back with a cry, stumbling over the open window beside his hiding place, knives protruding from his chest.

Sen plummeted from the tower. His hands clawing on the walls desperately, before his arm shot out and grabbed the wood of a temple banner. Sen's cries of pain were drowned by the concert music, as his body slammed against the wall, blades pressing further inside him. He was dangling out in the open, the dark gaping forest spread hundreds of feet beneath him.

His trap board clattered as it tumbled further below, buttons getting accidentally pressed and traps getting set off at random. It got caught in the wings of a statue. "Minnie!" he called desperately, as warm blood trickled down his chest, soaking his clothes and the banner. He gasped, it hurt. It hurt so bad. Sen fumbled with one hand searching his vest, the other gripping on to the wood for dear life. He found the horn they had kept and blew on it with all his might. Desperately. Calling for help.



Seth was thrown backwards. He rolled with the fall, then relentlessly sprang up, a peppers smokebomb in hand. He hurled it at his quarry as he got ready to make a dive roll slash and come up from his enemy's side.



Katsuya

Loud coughing bursts into pained gurgles as Seth's sharp blade slashed the big lug's side. The ninja trained courier can hear thuds of heavy knees hitting the titles before a bigger thud hit the floor.

The smoke dispersed.

The assassin in He'ra temple is down and unconscious.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Sen can hear a loud witchy cackle from above him. It wasn't like Serena's warm amused unique cackle, it was more like a rattlesnake's rattle with a hiss at the end. The lady assassin stood by the window he fell from, grinning maliciously at him. Dark eyes promising to enjoy his pain. Her marshmallow hair dripping down her face but she ignored it as she aimed her knife at the inventive twin.

Then he blew his horn urgently.

"Ha-! Call all you like, twerp!" She mocked, tossing another knife at him and it missed.

She tossed another and it missed. Each knife throw was getting closer and closer . . .

"No one will be able to hear you~"

The Assassin cackled when he continued to blow the horn, about to toss another when suddenly a loud and familiar bang was heard. Followed by five more loud bangs that echoed within the temple. The red cloaked figure wobbled for a moment and she fell forward, going past Sen, and disappearing under the trees' canopy.

"SEN!!!" Minnie screamed from inside the temple, desperate to find her beau.


Zer0

A wave of relief washed over Sen when the assassin's body tumbled down the depths below. He kept blowing his horn, feeling his strength ebb away with each passing second, grip on the banner loosening as red warmth continued to flow down his chest. He wheezed, letting the horn hang from his wrist, his other hand shooting up for a stronger grip on the banner as he felt a deathly coldness creep up on him. Sen was coughing up blood.

"M-Minnie." he croaked. It hurt to inhale. He tried to lift his leg over the banner. He didn't trust only one hand to keep himself up, but will Minnie be able to find him? "Outside! Southern wall! M-Minnie --- cough, cough."

A finger started to slip.

Darkness was clouding his vision.

Unbearably heavy was his body, and Sen did not notice his grip failing. Lightness, as though he were on a cloud. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was a smaller statue of the Goddess Ath'ens, who for some reason looked at him like he had nothing to worry about.

But that can't be, thought Sen, as time seemed to still, the darkness like a welcome embrace. There was a lot to worry about. He didn't know Minnie. It happened so fast. They were --- they were just starting to get to know each other for real. And a pain, not from the wounds, but from his heart ached deeply within him, more painful than the blades: regret. Why, why did he spend so much time with his inventions when he could have spend it with Minnie. All those machines seemed so pointless now when he could have spent them being with her, not talking bout work, but with just each other. So much wasted time. This can't be it.

Sen sobbed. "Minnie . . ." Oh what a fool he had been, being distracted by pointless things.

Katsuya

Unbeknownst to Sen, sounds of bending metals from within can be heard.

Gasping and out of breathe, Minnie ran outside and around the temple until she spotted the red cloak of the dead assassin. Roughly stopping, she looked up high to see a figure dangling from the temple's wall past the tree canopy. Then mustering as much of her barely used magic, the gunner swung her arms forward and up with a loud yell. The transparent white tendrils that followed her fluidly swayed around her, pulling something heavy and causing a racket of rustles and breaking a few branches.

Bursting from the dark blue-ish trees are streams of thick and long golden metals with a few metal orbs, going up and swirled around the inventive twin. Forming into a small bowl to cradle him with and was brought back down just as gently as a mother would carry her baby.

"Sen!!" Minnie cried out, gasping hard and sweating as she made the metal to bend to the sides. Quickly ripping her sleeves and dress into ribbons of yellow, the sniffling gunner wrapped Sen's injuries, muttering prayers and Sen's name over and over again.

"Please stay awake! Please stay awake!" Minnie prayed. "We promised! We promised, Sen! So stay awake!"

The next time he woke up, Sen would find himself in the healer's den, wrapped in bandages. With a sleeping Minnie holding his left hand tight, her neck is also wrapped in bandages and her metal arm is missing.

Zer0

Sen, for the first time, had joined one of Minnie and Seifer's hunting trips. Over the years, their contests had grown from shooting stationary targets to who could bring home the best catch during hunting season. It was raining, and Sen was staying still shivering under a netting of leaves where they were waiting, camouflaged, for prey to pass by. ". . ." He had none of his inventions to make him comfortable, and it wasn't really 'hunting' and enjoying the outdoors if he brought something convenient out here.

A peaceful silence rained, but for the past hour Sen had been wondering how to ask Minnie if they could go back to camp already.

He just didn't want to ruin her fun.

But to him, right now. It was kinda boring.

And yet he had said yes to this so that they can spend time together.

Sen's snot dripped a little down and he huddled close to Minnie's back for warmth.

Minnie, for the umpteeth time, secretly peeked over her shoulder to see how Sen is doing before going back to concentrate on the hunt.

This was the first time he ever asked her to let him come with and it made her excited. Maybe Sen will like hunting too? Is what she thought at first.

Then she noticed how he slowly went from curious to bored. Minnie wondered if maybe he wanted to go back. . . Yet he didn't say anything. She was used to the cold and rainy weather since she tends to hunt competitions against Seifer . . .

But is Sen used to the cold? Maybe she should . . . She jumped a bit when she felt him huddle closer to her, her cheeks turning red. Completely forgetting of the doe that's in front of her. "Sen? Do you want to-" A few rustles from the bushes alarmed her attention and she whipped her head around to see the doe is gone.

So she sighed and groaned in disappointment.

Sen groaned too. "That was close. Do I want to what?" he sniffed, rubbing his nose with an already soaked hanky.

Not caring about making noise now, Minnie turned around and used her sleeve to wipe his nose. Smiling gently at Sen. "Should we go back and warm up from the rain?" She asked.

"No." said Sen too quickly. "We haven't caught anything, Seifer will win."


"I'm okay."

"This is fun."

He tried to smile, but it ended up looking like a grimace.

"Seifer can take the win. I rather you stay healthy more then the stupid win." Minnie shrugged her shoulders. "I'll just have to win two times over next time."

" . . . But I promised to stay here with you and you can just ignore me if I can't keep up."(edited)

Sen seemed bothered about not keeping his word. But at the same time there was hope in his voice that they were going to go back.(edited)

"Sen, there's no way I can ignore you." She said, cupping his rosy cheeks and checking if he developed a fever. "And you did stay with me. You kept your promise until we couldn't anymore." She gently smiled. "Come on, Sen. I can already hear the hot cocoa calling our names right now. It's yelling for us . . . 'Seeen~ Minnnie~ drink me~" She voiced playfully.

Sen chuckled.

"Alright, to be honest, I was getting bored."

Minnie perked up at his chuckle and shook her head a bit. Rubbing his cheeks with her thumbs. "You could have just told me, Sen. You didn't need to force yourself, you know?:

"But you always do things for me. I wanted to do something for you." he said dutifully. He stood up with her and started gathering the netting and folding it neatly into his backpack. The rain was cold, and Sen glued his side to Minnie for warmth again. As they walked under the downpour back to camp. He suddenly felt bothered by something though he did not know what.

Minnie grinned, her red cheeks blooming redder then before. "Thank you, Sen. I'm happy that you wanted to try hunting with me." As they walked together and huddled close for warmth, Minnie looked up to see Sen's expression. She tilted her head curiously. ". . . What's the matter, Sen?"

"I don't know . . . my chest hurts for some reason. . ." he muttered, rubbing his front. There was silence for a bit. Sen awkwardly realized he didn't have anything to talk about. They had agreed not to talk about work during this trip.


Sen looked at Minnie. She was very beautiful. Somehow, messy suits her. " . . ." he's told her she's pretty a lot, so, no, not that for a conversation topic.

" . . ."

"Hm? Your chest?" Minnie took a closer look at his chest. ". . . But i don't see anything. Hmm. Perhaps you're feeling numb from the cold?"

"Maybe . . ."

"Yep! A hot cup of cocoa should wake you up."

"Uh-huh." More silence. This was new. What to converse about.

"Cocoa takes about five minutes to make with the water boiling, right?" he asked lamely.

"Yep~" Minnie chimed before giggling a bit. "It's rather funny actually. Seifer stole some from Renee's stash of cocoa."

"Why would he steal when they are together?"

"She's only drinking cocoa with everything." Minnie pointed out. "And its actually bad for her since she's pregnant."

"So he took some to make her drink something else."

"Oh, one of those craving things."

"Yeah, sis likes cocoa."

"Uh-huh~" Minnie replied. "And that's why we have cocoa here. Thanks to Seifer."

Sen nodded, still rubbing his chest. "Hmm, Minnie, we've been together for six years right? Do you find it weird that we aren't married yet?"

Minnie raised a brow when she saw him rubbing his chest. "No, not really. Seifer and Renee were together for longer and haven't married until recently. . . But i do find it weird that we barely talk to each other."

"It's like we don't know what to talk about and trying to force a topic." She pointed out, pausing in her steps. ". . . . Sen?"

Sen had suddenly stopped. It felt like they had this conversation before. The pain in his chest throbbed dully. It was starting to hurt bad. "Yeah. Have we had this conversation before?"

"No?" Minnie questioned. "De'ja vu?"

"I think so." said Sen, then he suddenly remembered. In a bedroom in Spades castle. His chest seared with pain. They had started to get to know each other. Where was this place? This wasn't right. It got hard to breathe. He clutched his chest and was horrified to feel blades there. He looked down he was bleeding. So much blood. "M-Minnie?!" he said bewildered and desperate, as goosebumps erupted all over his skin. He was going to die. He coughed. The fall . . . the assassin . . . He remembered closing his eyes. Wait, was this a dream? He stared at Minnie as darkness once more started to engulf him. Wait, no, not again! Not like this! He had a lot more to say to her! "MInnie!" he cried as suddenly the woods in the trees started to rush forward speeding him away from the little gunner. He reached for her hand desperately. "Minnie! No! I don't want to leave! Minnie!"


In the healer's Den, Sen's hand gripped Minnie's hand tight as he struggled on the bed yelling her name.

In the healer's den, Minnie snapped her head up at Sen's yells, panicked and angry that anybody tried something while she's around Only to find out that he was dreaming. With a huge and relieved sigh, Minnie squeezed his hand back and mumbled Sen's name.

"Sen? Sen, wake up. You're safe now." Her thumb rubbed his hand as she sat down on the bed now. Brows furrowed as she didn't want him to re-open his wounds. "Sen, I'm here."

Sen's eyes opened, and he bolted upright, instantly regretting it with a cry of pain as his chest ached. "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" he lay back on the bed. Minnie?" he squeezed her hand, the other reaching to cup her cheek. Then lightly pinched her cheek. "Are you real?" He was now squishing both her cheeks and moving them.


Katsuya

Minnie leaned in his hand only to feel her cheeks being squished and moved around.

"Wesh, um weal." She shook his hands off her pink cheeks and leaned forward (and careful to not touch his chest wounds), lightly bumping foreheads. He can feel her warm sigh on his skin as she went to cup his cheek ever so tenderly. Her thumb adoringly rubbing his warm cheek and hand trailing down to his shoulder and arm to knead comfortingly. As if she wanted to not just reassure him that she's real, but to also make sure he's really awake.

Sea colored eyes gazed in jade greens. Revealing immense relief, extreme worries, and unadulterated happiness that shined the brightest in her precious pools of blue.

"Sen . . . Oh Sen . . . " Words fueled by emotions, pure and raw like an open wound. It poured over in her relieved smile as the tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. "Sen, I-I've never been more happy to see your eyes open then I am right now."



Zer0

Sen's hands stopped squishing, but in a slightly hurt, but stubborn and begging way he kept them on her cheeks, very lightly so as not to offend Minnie, but still glued with a tinge of distress, as though he didn't want to ever let go.

The twin let out a sigh of relief when they bumped foreheads, eyes fluttering, soothed. His skin was moist and feverish, and he melted under Minnie's caresses, comforted. His thumb rubbed her cheek gently, as he tenderly listened, wishing to comfort her. "Oh, Minnie." he whispered, wiping the edges of her eyes, as he smiled and nodded in agreement. "I'm happy to see you too."

He wrapped his arms around her neck, wincing a little from the pain, and squeezed as though he missed her. He inhaled her scent, keeping his nose in her hair as he caressed her. He looked into her eyes again. "You saved me . . . heard your gunshots; saw the assassin fall . . . Thank you . . . I think . . . I'm okay now. It just hurts a lot." he looked at his bandages. "All I need is some rest, I think?" he winced as he lowered his arms, unable to keep them lifted. His hand found hers and entwined them. "What happened? Are Seth and Serena okay?"

Katsuya

Hissing from the added pressure around her bandaged neck, Minnie let Sen squeeze her close. Also desperate to stay near and as close as possible, she nuzzled under his chin as he sniffed her hair. Then she looked up into his jade green again and nodded a bit.

"Yea" She muttered, nuzzling his arms as he lowered them and giving peck on his wrists. Squeezing his hand back with hers, his tiny beau laid down next to him, and wiggled over. Still wanting to stay as close as possible, she brought their hands over to her cheek and nuzzled with her cheeks. "The healers managed to stitch your wounds."

"Serena is fine and so is Seth despite having a few bruises. We were more scared about you making through the night since your chest was . . . . ." Minnie stopped there, her eyes landed on his chest before looking up in his again. He can see that the room is dark with the morning's dawning light just peeking through the curtained windows. She explained, the concert continued to thrive without a hitch, seemingly stopping the assassination attempt. Two of the three assassins died and the last one is in another jail cell.

"Seth caught him and tied him up before meeting up with me at the bridge - Oh Sen." Minnie lightly curled her body around his, one of her legs touching his, and she tenderly squeezed his hand. It was like she needed his touch to stay as calm as she possibly could.

Zer0

"Ah! Sorry!" Sen quickly released her neck. He paused. Maybe he was a selfish person. He saw her bandages but insisted on hugging her neck when he should be caring for her injuries. Is that why he spent more time with his inventions and not really getting to know Minnie? He does care about her, but maybe it's only when he doesn't need to put himself first. No, no, he does care, but it's . . . not the one she deserves if he insisted on hugging her neck. He was afraid he'd lost her and wanted to hug her, but still, she was injured.

He carefully budged up to make space. Thinking, he made more space so that Minnie was wholly comfortable. He had this desire to give her care justice. "Mmm." he nodded, when she told him about the healers. He had a distracted look about him, a weird guilty look and he pushed his blanket towards Minnie so that she'd have more of it, wincing again from moving his chest.

"You can use me as a pillow if you like, Minnie." said Sen encouragingly, ducking a leg under hers so that she could slung her leg over it comfortably. "That's good . . . That's good everyone is safe." He brought his hands back to her cheeks. He could feel Minnie loves him very much. He now focused on her, just her. He remembered the feeling of regret and for the first time, and he just realized this, he just made her number one in his head.

"What's wrong, Minnie? Did something more happen?" he asked, concerned.


Katsuya