FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Note to say sorry for delay, if you read my recent shout box, I had an... accident.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3 - Sentimental Feeling

Dawn was just breaking when Rafeile awoke his vision was blurred, he grasped his head with his paw like hand and rubbed his eyes a few times, feeling extremely groggy.

'(Breaths deeply) uhhhh... Huh? Amber? ...Amber!' He stood quickly altered to the fact his lover was not present, panic stricken he thought back to the previous night and recollected what had taken place.

'Oh yeah, now I remember.' He scratched the back of his head and inhaled deeply through his nostrils, catching the scent of his musk he hesitated as if dreading to look down at himself. Swaying himself into doing it he moaned, the remains of last nights 'experience' were left all over him, dust had collected and stuck upon the dried patches of semen all up the front of his shell and sheath.

This made him think more of Amber, which lead him to yet more confusal what could he have done that was so wrong... was it something he said? But what was really eating at him was the fact it was him who had made her cry so heart fully.

But he knew deep down no matter how much he wanted to put things right, to see her he couldn't, not with Myron's trial pending his very life at jeopardy. He had to concentrate otherwise there would be no hope and he would never be able to forgive himself. Though he couldn't go in the state he was in, so he started to remove his shell, and was half way done when he heard a distinctive giggling.

'Hey there big boy'.

Hurrying he finished removing his shell and darted his head around trying to locate the source of the noise, and he met the stare of one of the seductive females from the day before.

'That's the second time I've seen you naked in one week, careful now or people may think your and exobishinist and it may make me like you more.' She battered her eyes at him.

Rafeile retorted as though offended by her remark, 'Do I have to remind you that I am already dedicated to someone?'

Looking at him she smirks and advances into the cave, 'What? Do you mean Amber? Heh, that's not the way I see it...'

Quick on the defence Rafeile flared up and without meaning to snarls back, 'is that some sort of threat!?

'No not really, it's a fact,' Shrugging her shoulder she starts idly look around the cave, 'oh it was terrible, we just couldn't get her to stop crying she would not allow herself to be calmed, I don't think I've ever seen someone so upset.'

Rafeile winced, 'she couldn't stop crying?' All of his aggression subsided into an overpowering feeling of guilt. And his mind embedded a solid picture of Amber in a beetle position cuddling her legs, crying her heart out in the worst imaginable way.

'Yeah and that's not the half of it,' he could tell this female was sincere, there was a tone in her voice that acted as a sort of half proof. 'She thinks you're the most insensitive, rock headed arse of a man she's ever met... but to tell you the truth I don't think she meant it she is just so distraught about what she said happened last night.'

Rafeile hung his head in shame a feeling of utter most sorrow engulfing his senses and the words that passed his lips were barley above a whisper. 'She really said that? ... I don't even know what it was I did that was so wrong, was it something I said?'

The female looked upon him making him feel very small, her eyes became as cold as bare stone, 'You really are thick headed aren't you? From what she tells me you guys did and how you did it, she made it painfully obvious.' Pausing she inspected him trying to make out if she was having any effect on him, his face remained blank like a pup who has yet to be taught of life, 'You still don't get it do you?'

The water type shook his head slowly embarrassed he dared not lift his head to meet the stare of the female looming over him. 'No.'

'Ok' She said rubbing her temples with her fore fingers, 'I'll spell it out for you, the reason she was so upset was because, she. wanted. to. be. YOUR MATE!' She sounded very much as though she was talking to an idiot.

Rafeile took this not into account as his head shot up, nearly unable to make sense of what he had just heard, 'what!? Are you sure, I mean it's only been like four days since I met her!'

His heart pounded, it felt like it waned to jump right out of his chest, could her feeling for him really be that strong?

The female took his arm and led him to the bed where she sat him and herself, she took a deep breath then huffed in a manner that Rafeile had only seen his mother do when she was about to lecture him about something... usually something he had done wrong or irrational.

'Listen to me Rafeile and listen well coz I'm only gonna say this once, and I'm only doin so because I'm Amber's best friend' her eyes were fixed on him her gaze seeming to burn into and embed in his subconscious.

'It doesn't matter if it's been four days, four weeks or even four years! From what I heard happened in the forest between the two of you, well it makes it sound like there can't be a pair more suited for each other. The way you sacrificed your own well being so she wouldn't get hurt even though she was a complete stranger, you just don't see that in a man anymore.' Her words carried through the air and stuck to him. 'And Amber... The way she stayed with you even when she could have easily left you for dead, then brought you here to be cared for properly. Did you know while you were out she stayed with you for the full three days? She slept next to you, and only left when you needed water, can you understand now why she was so upset? She put her heart on the line only for it to meet your stone wall of a soul.'

Rafeile's throat was dry as he answered. 'I-I didn't know she stayed with me...' His voice was racked with guilt, for the first time ever he hated himself, all that time she had spent had been wasted on a pitiful excuse of life like him, what made it worse is all he could think about the day before was mating with her, without consciously meaning to he had treated her like a piece of meat.

He stood and gripped his hands into tight fists, 'I have to talk to her, tell her I'm sorry and how much I love her,' He was firm in his disposition walking for the entrance he intended to find her straight away and directly attack the problem, he stopped when he felt his arm being tugged backwards and turned to see the female looking at him smiling.

'You do know your still naked right?

'Wha?... O shit!' he realised at that point he had been having the entire conversation with his shell off, and he was quite happy about to walk out into the open naked. He hastened to his shell and gave it a quick hose down with his cannons and squeezed back into it.

'Oh and before you go' Rafeile halted again, 'Amber did leave just before me, said she would be back after the trial, which by the way is in about half an hour, she wouldn't say where she was goin though...'

'What do you mean the trials in half an hour!?' He became alarmed.

'Well yeah it is midday after all,' the tint of playfulness returned to her words, 'aren't you going then? How bad would it look if it started and there was no-one to defend Myron?'

Rafeile ran for the entrance and stopped as he passed through the arch; putting one hand on the wall he looked back embarrassed, 'Um, I sorta don't now where it is.'

'Oh dear lord' She clasped her hand over the front of her face. 'Let me see... right, since it's short Sunday today (Sunday) it is most likely going to be in the market place, oh... and it will be an open trial so don't make an arse of yourself!' She had to shout the last few words as Rafeile had sprinted out of the entrance and started his way down the mountain at a staggering speed.

'Well Amber you sure can pick em, (sigh) why can't all men be like him?'

__________________________________________________________________________

As Rafeile ran down the side of the mountain, he kept close to the mountain not wanting to get to close to the edges for fear of falling off again, and at the speed he was travelling that would be fatal. He moved as a bright shining blur, each of his muscles polished to perfection by the water dripping down his hide, this is when he felt himself once again being pierced by the unwelcoming stares of every single Charizard he passed, and he realised that it must look odd to them that a dripping wet Blastoise was running at break neck speeds down the mountain looking rather stupid. It made him feel unnerved and he could not shake the feeling of embarrassment that was eating at his courage.

As he rounded the next corner he came to a halt as he saw someone he recognised walking not thirty feet in front at a slow pace with her head hung. It was Naomi, Myron's mate, he quickened his stride and came to an eventual walk as he came to her side.

'Excuse me' Rafeile politely got the attention of the clearly distressed female, this fact showed by her slumped shoulders, the way she almost dragged her feet and the expression of utter most despair. 'It's Naomi isn't it?' His heart saddened as he met the glancing look she met him with, her eyes glassy and weak like all the vigour and hope had been long evaporated.

'Th-thank you' It sounded like her voice had trouble leaving her throat.

'I must ask you to forgi... wait what?' Rafeile stopped mid sentence in surprise to Naomi's response, especially since it was him who had put her into that state. (Kind of)

'Thank you for appealing for Myron, you could have left him to fend for himself, yet you act like you're his lifelong friend, it is the most selfless thing I have even known, I can't express in words how grateful I am.' Her words where almost desperate, she approached him and hugged him it was a compassionate one meant to show that magnitude of how thankful she really was.

'It is no problem at all, I jumped at the chance to help him,' he broke the hug leaving his hands on her shoulders, 'Myron... he's not a bad guy, he's just had bad things happen to him,' he wiped a tear from Naomi's face, 'he has to much to live for, you, your son and his whole life, I just couldn't watch such a wonderful gift go to waste.'

Naomi stifled her tears, she could not believe how well Rafeile had understood their situation, he was nearly a complete stranger yet his act of outright chivalry had made him feel like family.

'Now come on wipe your eyes, show everyone how brave you are you have nothing to fear it will al turn out for the best.' His tone was solemn yet gentle, he gestured for them to continue the walk down the mountain. Smiling with renewed faith that he had helped another, and glad he would not arrive at the trial alone.

The market place was a buzz with life, activity and the sounds of the Charizard population, mixed with the odd grunt or growl at the sparse few other species of Pokemon that dotted the crowd. Most were having conversations about this trial and how I would compare to previous ones.

'SILENCE!'

The sounds of voices died out almost instantly as an extremely large Male Charizard stood to full height roaring his command. Shuffling feet and scurrying paws found their way into an order, most sat in a sort of semi-circle while others, Rafeile presumed where the elders sat in a straight line at the front facing inwards, all at the trail sat silently awaiting the next speech or order.

A very old and wrinkled Charizard near the middle of the line pushed himself up fumbling slightly and clearing his throat in an authorised manner. 'Ahem, we have gathered here today at the most sacred of times for our species to judge the case of the Charizard Myron and his heinous crimes committed against the gathered populace.' His age was evident even in his voice wispy and faded as it was, 'is the prosecutor present?'

A light orange Charizard slightly smaller than Rafeile stepped forward, 'present' his stance proud with his chest out, showing off his toned muscles.

'And what of the defence?'

'Here' Rafeile stepped forward, introducing himself in a less formal way, he winked at Naomi who smiled in return, and with that he strode out to the middle of the semi-circle and taking his position next to the prosecutor.

As he did low murmurs spread through the crowds gradually growing louder until there was some shouting about how this was "blasphemy".

'SILENCE!'

All went deadly quiet again, this time Rafeile got a good look at the Charizard with the commanding aura. He was at least eighteen feet tall and massively muscled, the long scars on his torso served as badges to his numerous victories and his wing span spread about twelve feet across. There was a feeling of overpowering heat radiating from the male as his eyes hardened, none in the crowd dared meet his iron stare.

The elders turned to the upright fire type and grappled his attention, 'Kalos, are you sure this is a good idea, it does not reflect well on any of us or our standings.'

Rafeile stood pondering over where he had heard that name before, 'Kalos...' the name echoed within the recesses of his mind, when finally he remembered he nearly slapped himself, 'damn that's Amber's dad!?' He shuffled his feet nervously, he knew he Kalos was supposed to be Chieftain, but to be eighteen feet tall? Rafeile felt that he had been put into an odd position.

'How can you defend that scum?'

Rafeile snapped out of his trance and looked up seeing the face of the "prosecutor" staring level back at him flexing his muscles and cracking his neck in a threatening manner.

Growling Rafeile retorted coldly, 'he is not scum' he gave a disgusted snort, 'I know your type just by looking at you.'

'Oh really? How quaint, look at me then and "make your informed opinion".' Rafeile could tell this Charizard was mocking him, treating him like some sort of lower, less intelligent life form.

'You.' He stopped for a second thinking over his answer, 'you are the type who jumps to conclusions, never stopping to consider the truth because your pride is on the line... that and the fact you're just plain ignorant.'

The opposing male just stood grinning, 'ha, you've got spunk turtle... I hate spunk.' Lowering his voice he said something that Rafeile could not hear but he got the idea that I was not a complement. His suspicions were concluded when the Charizard shot him a cold glare, any normal Pokemon would have flinched under that sort of scrutiny, but Rafeile hardly blinked.

'Prosecution stand forward.'

They both snapped back into reality, Rafeile had almost forgotten he was in the middle of a crowd, it had felt like he and the prosecutor were the only ones there for those few seconds.

Before shooting a sort of childish 'ha ha' look at Raf the prosecutor strode out towards the now fully seated elder council.

On the brink of bursting at the infuriating display of down right shittyness that male had shown him, he turned and almost tripping over a smaller female sat near the front he took a seat near the back hoping to avoid the eyes of... everyone.

For a full ten minutes he sat slumped head held on his hand his thoughts started to drift. '(Sigh) Amber...' All he could picture was he sat in a corner somewhere crying because he was such a block head and not showing her the affection she truly deserved.

'Wow that was a deep sigh, was it really that bad?'

Alerted Rafeile nearly fell forwards at the sound of a familiar voice so close, regaining his balance he turned his he left to where he heard the voice and discovered that Dante was seated cross legged next to him.

'Oh hi Dante, whaddya mean was it that bad?' He didn't show it but inside he was glad to have a friend in this sea of orange and red.

'Ya know the whole thing last night.' Rafeile tried to restrain any emotions, but he could not help wonder if he knew about the trouble between himself and Amber, so to try to cover it up he kept a blank face.

'Don't pay dumb, she ran right past where I was sleeping woke me up with all the cryin, looked a right state too.' Apparently he hit a nerve, Rafeile crumpled slightly wincing at how badly he had made her cry.

'Look I don't want to talk about it, it's a... sensitive matter.'

'Dude I saved your life, the least you can do is be a bit more open with me and not try to cover it up with all this sentimental crap your shovelling on me.' He coughed and looked to Rafeile for a reaction.

Feeling honour bound, and the fact he considered Dante a friend his mind wanted to tell Dante what had happened, but his heart said otherwise it was screaming out "it's not your business, but out you fucking dick!" In this his mind prevailed. 'Dante can I trust that you won't say anything to anyone, until I say you can?'

'I don't know can I trust that I'm probably the only white Nidoking in the whole bloody world? Course you can trust me.' the sarcastic comment made Rafeile chuckle.

'Ok, I just had to be sure.' He cleared his throat and leaned in closer to Dante, 'The reason that Amber is so upset is... um excuse me can I help you?' the last part of the conversation was directed at a female Charmelon who had turned round and looked intrigued at them.

'Why are you talking about my sister?' She had large kind of cute looking eyes, and her skin was an unusually light colour red, almost pink.

'Your sister? that can't be right Amber's an only child she told me.' Rafeile completely forgot about what he was about to say to Dante, he was completely focused on this young female.

'Oh I know, she's not my real sister, she just said we could be sisters sorta pretend... coz none of the other girls will play with me, since I'm a freak.' towards the end of her sentence her voice quietened, like she had suddenly become sad for some reason.

'Now what makes them call you a freak? I think your very pretty, and I don't say that to just anyone.' he sensed she was upset by her nickname so he complimented her in hopes to soothe her.

She just blushed, 'But I can't be pretty they said I was ugly.' It was apparent this child was very misled.

'Ugly? Who called you ugly?' Not knowing why he became angry, he couldn't abide watching smaller Pokemon picked on because they were considered "odd". (Read the next few Chaps and you'll see why.)

'The other girls, they said my skin is weird it's pink now, but it should be red.' She started to rub her arm, it seemed she was becoming embarrassed in front of Rafeile.

'Hmmm...' Rafeile sounded thoughtful, 'What's your name?'

'My name? err...' the blush on her rounded cheeks brightened, 'Felicity.'

Smiling warmly Rafeile put his hand down the front of his shell and pulled out a small rock, as it rested in the palm of his open hand it started to glow white dimly. He place it into her hands, (because she had small hands so it required both) and she stared at it as though it where alive and moving.

'What is it?' she eagerly asked becoming attached to it.

'To start with it's yours now' She looked up excited and giggled, a very girlish but in no way annoying giggle sort of sweet actually. 'This is a very special stone, see how it glows? It only does that around important and special people, it is called a Moon stone.'

Her eyes lit up, and noticeably her tailflame grew, 'you think I'm special?'

'I wouldn't give that to anyone I didn't think was special, I went through a lot to get that, but right now... you deserve it more, no-one is a freak ok? We are all different, that is what makes us, us.' Rafeile didn't clearly understand what he was saying it all seemed to flow freely from his mouth.

Felicity's face glowed with pride and joy, she had never been treated this way before, except by her parents. 'Thank you mister.' She got up and ran off towards the cave dwellings.

'So you do have a heart so it can't be that then... I wonder... nope I'm stumped.'

Rafeile turned back to Dante, a smiling widely Dante, 'you my friend have just become more mature,' Rafeile just smiled back and put his hand to his chin and stroked like he had a long beard.

'(Impersonation of an Alakazam) Like young grasshopper said it is not end of the journey that is important, but the knowledge you have gained upon the journey.' Dante looked dumbfounded for about three seconds, before both Pokemon threw back their heads and roared with laughter.

This attracted the attention of a few of the closer Char's but with raised eyebrows they turned back thinking them simply rude.

'Heh... I needed that; I can't stand being here in stiff country... Anyway I still want to know what happened between you and Amber.'

Before Rafeile could answer, or for that matter react to Dante's abruptness, the out right annoying voice of the elder Charizard rang out.

'Defence stand forward.'

Almost immediately Rafeile stood straight up and directed his focus to where the sound had come from, what he saw was far from encouraging, the elder stood looking extremely annoyed glaring at him, apparently he had not shown the up most fondness of Rafeile having any say within the court, but Kalos's word was law.

'Before you present your, ahem, case do you have anything you would like the court to take into account?'

Rafeile went into deep thought, he scanned the court and his eyes came to rest on Myron, held in place by three other males. His head hung Myron looked a sorry state there were bruises all up his front, Rafeile realised he had been beaten, 'yes, yes I do, is it so wrong to care for those you love? To put your very existence at risk for that which you believe in?'

The entire court took on a look of complete confusal, and perplexed Charizards swapped gestures with each other trying to make the slightest bit of sense of the paradox. Dante thought it through from Rafeile's point, a grin spreading across his face, 'smart ass' he said under his breath.

The elder looked to Kalos who sat with his arms folded, not showing any emotion despite a particular glint in his eye, 'is that all?' the elder inquired. Rafeile nodded, 'good, now the accused has confessed his guilt, is there anything you can put forward to null this?'

Rafeile started to pace, formally he noted where each Charizard sat, including those of the elder council, before bowing deeply to Kalos and stretching readying himself, 'I will get right to the point, the reason for his actions and his so-called crimes... you' he pointed his finger at the elders and moved it in an arching motion over all of them even daring to point at Kalos, after which Kalos studied the young Blastoise and raising an eyebrow.

This of course caused uproar in the court each member of the council practically jumping to their feet, 'How dare you! You would accuse us of being the reason for this-this criminal's actions?! His savagery was not influenced by anyone here but himself!' His withered tailflame flared up and he turned to Kalos, 'Kalos you cannot allow this to continue! It is the most absurd disrespect for tradition I have ever seen, to even think that corruption could spread to us!' Continuing to rant on about "his day" the elder tried to implore the chieftain to discontinue the trial.

Rafeile released a long huff, he knew this was going to go on for a while, but something caught his attention and gave him an idea that may well turn the trial around, 'excuse me...' he had hoped to get Kalos's attention, but the large Charizard was distracted, listening to the flurry of protests flung at him, looking bored. 'Err... excuse me' again his attempts to make contact proved futile. He began to lose his temper, 'OI! I'm talking here!'

All matter of talking ceased and everyone gazed at the upright Blastoise, some seemed surprised others almost horrified, the wrinkled old Charizard scowled but was appeased by Kalos as he rose, 'Young Blastoise you are new to the concept of court ruling so I will let your rudeness slip, that and the fact you have showed good knowledge of our culture, even rescued my daughter from a terrible fate for which I am very grateful, but speak out of turn again and I will have no choice but to have you removed, understood?' He was quiet, and it was this that made all that where weak of heart shiver at its sound, it was a tone that needed not to be shout because you knew you were in the wrong.

Rafeile nodded in acknowledgement, he felt cold as he was forced to be assaulted by the menacingly stare of the prosecutor, 'So since what you need to say is so important that you must interrupt me, please by all means continue.'

Clearing his throat Rafeile embraced the stare of the entire crowd and opened his mouth to speak, 'I know this may sound a little unorthodox, but may I call forth a witness?'

Before anyone could concur, or so much as portray any sort of argument Kalos spoke out, 'Yes you may, though I must first know... whom?'

'Amber' pointing his finger at a cluster of bushes and evergreen trees, but he kept facing forward not following the line he was creating, all others heads turned including Kalos.

Amber froze as she heard her name be spoken out, and as soon as she saw Rafeile pointing towards her, (or rather her hiding place) her heart skipped a beat. 'How did he know where I was?' looking around she noticed her tail flame was a lot brighter than she had intended it to be, it had brightened when she had seen Rafeile but she did not know why, so she was she of her hatred of him, yet still her body and mind yearned for him. (Poetry =D)

As soon as she was sure that everyone knew she was there and there was no chance of escape she timidly stepped forward from her hiding place, drawing near more murmurs broke out spreading along like a Mexican wave.

Amber stood as close to her farther as possible looking like a child on their first day to school, wanting to draw as little attention to herself as a blush appeared on her already flushed cheeks. This was, of curse the total opposite of what was happening, everyone except Rafeile had their eyes set firmly upon her, Rafeile hated putting her through this but he knew it was his only chance of clearing Myron's name.

Kalos a bit dazed himself addressed Amber, 'Amber go stand with... err...' He looked to Rafeile, 'your name?'

'Rafeile... sir' he added the sir to the end of his answer not wanting to impose on the ground he had managed to gain.

'Rafeile... a strong name, we will see if you can live up to it.' Rafeile smiled, Kalos thought he had a good name, 'Amber stand with Rafeile.'

'B-But farther!' Amber tried to put on the most pathetic face imaginable, but Kalos would not be swayed, not at least in front of everyone.

'Amber...' Again he introduced that dark quiet tone into his voice; there was no going against that and reluctantly Amber dragged her feet over to Rafeile, and stood pouting next to him, even though one side of her consciousness was screaming out for her to be with him.

'Please excuse my daughter's behaviour and continue Rafeile.' Kalos implied silencing everyone else who still dared to whisper in the court.

Turning to Amber, Rafeile acted as maturely as the situation would allow, 'Amber about four days ago where were you at about midday?' He returned to looking forwards away from Amber.

'In the woods about two miles south of here...' She desperately wanted Rafeile to acknowledge her, or at least let their eyes connect, but he would not even glance at her.

'And who were you with?'

'... You'

Rafeile went silent, and walked over towards Myron and looked s though he studied him for a second. Then he returned to his place next to a miserable looking Amber, 'when we were confronted by the two raiders and Myron, did Myron make any sort of threatening implications or advances?'

'No he was the only one who didn't,' her tailflame began to wane, she could not stand this, being so close as to touch him, yet he was pretty much ignoring her.

'Oh come-on!' The prosecutor stood and strode out to meet Rafeile face on, 'what does this have to do with anything? The criminal has already confessed his guilt, what more is there? And to be honest this seems a little... rehearsed, aren't you in fact this scum's friend?' He had gone too far.

'HE IS NOT SCUM!' Rafeile almost roared, Amber covered her ears it was a deafening sound, he was breathing heavily and looked like he was about to rip this guys head off, who the hell does he think he is?

Then some thing happened only Dante and Amber seemed to notice, the dark harking on Rafeile's shoulder was glowing bright red, and small sparks of blue energy were formulating all over his body. That's when Dante intervened, he knew exactly what was happening and that if Raf was not taken some quiet, there would be serious trouble.

Almost jumping Dante sprang forward and grabbed the back of Rafeile's shell like collar, 'please excuse me chief Kalos' and before anyone could object Dante hauled the struggling Pokemon away from the dynamic scene, leaving the prosecutor grinning.

__________________________________________________________________________

'What are you doing?! Let go of me I have to get back there!' Rafeile was screaming his protests all the way back up the mountain, and into the cave he was staying in. He was quickly silenced once inside by a painless but shocking punch to the face by Dante.

'You are not goin anywhere until you calm down!' Dante pushed him against the side of the cave and released his hold.

Rafeile regained his footing and stood for a second before falling onto his arse with his head buried in his hands, '...what is happening to me?'

Dante became relaxed as soon as he saw Rafeile un-tense, 'well I have it in my expertise... I have absolutely no idea, but I think it's triggered by certain emotions, I think anger is your best answer.' he placed his white paw, of Raf's back and patted gently in a fatherly like manner. 'you have a visitor Rafeile.'

'There is only one person I want to see, and she hates me, all because I was so blind and selfish.'

'Well she obviously doesn't hate you that much... I think I'll go now, tell the court you may b a while.' As Dante left he walked past the newcomer and whispered to her, 'you're the one he needs right now, just talk to him, you have to understand he loves you and would do anything for you.' Of course Rafeile heard nothing of this.

Dante left behind an eerie silence, it took a few seconds for Rafeile to even bother lifting his head to see who was there, but when he did he was glad of it, for standing there, he wings tightly folded behind her back and her hands held together, looking all around... ashamed was Amber.

Feeling through duty Rafeile rose and inhaled to say something to break the ice, but words failed him.

'I'm so sorry Rafeile, p-please forgive me.'

He exhaled as Amber spoke in a small voice, partly he was thankful she had spoken first, but o the other hand he felt guilty that he had left it to the female to do his job, so mustering all his courage he walked slowly up to Amber, took her hands and held them within his own. 'You have no right to apologize, the fault is mine, I was to blind, to stupid to see what was right there in front of me, now I have lost it... you have every right to hate me and I will not resent you for it.'

'I don't hate you... I love you.'

'You-you don't hate me?' Rafeile sounded surprised and overjoyed at the same time.

'How could I?' Her beautiful eyes started to swell up with tears once more, 'you have given me so much, shown others there is good in the world and stood up for what is right, I shouldn't have tried to rush into anything until I knew you were comfortable about it.'

'Why didn't you just tell me?' He pulled her close embracing her in a hug, and loving the fact he still had a chance, a chance at true love, then breaking the hug he brought himself down to a sort of kneel. 'I'm going to do what I should have done last night.'

'Rafeile?' Amber looked hopeful, he could tell.

'Amber, will you be my mate?'

All she could manage was a tearful 'Yes!' before she threw herself at him, making out with him passionately, but this was different from the other times, this was... well it was hot! Amber had decided to "heat" things up a little and let some flames dance on the inside of her mouth.

And all that passed through Rafeile's mind was, 'I finally did it'...

To be continued...