FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

My ears were the first thing to start working as I slowly woke up, the sounds of breathing in front of me were not the most comforting things to hear. I peeked through my eyelids to see two bright red eyes staring back at me.

"Good morning." His voice flowed through my mind as he smiled.

I sat up, looking around. I was laying in a bed in Aluxes's house, a small, three room affair. The room we were in was the back room of his house, unusually large compared to how it looked from outside. This bed was resting underneath a small window set high in the wall, sunlight shining through onto the expertly woven rug covering most of the wooden floor. There were several potted plants arranged around the room, and another window directly across from the bed. A dresser was positioned on the wall to the right of the bed. The bed itself took up a lot of space, probably about as big as a queen or king size. The sheets were very smooth, seeming to be silk but even softer, if that was even possible.

Aluxes was lying in bed next to me, propped up on one elbow and watching me. I stared back at him before realizing he must have slept the entire night next to me. My face plunged into a deep red blush, and I looked away trying to hide it.

"Clement, is something the matter?"

"Nothing..." I murmured, my face feeling as though it were about to catch fire. I hopped out of bed and stretched. I heard some noises and turned to see Aluxes holding a towel and another of the long white dress that he was wearing.

"If you'll excuse me, I am going to go bathe."

"O-of course."

He smiled to me. "I'll be back soon."

He crossed the room and exited through the door behind me. As he passed, I felt his hand caress my cheek, causing my blush to deepen further. He walked into the other room and closed the door.

I wandered into the main room of his house and looked around. It was larger than the bedroom was, some chairs, a large couch and more plants to one side and a sort of kitchen/dining area to the right. I sat on the large couch and waited for him patiently.

"Hey, Clement."

I looked around wildly for a moment.

"Are-are you in the bath?" I questioned.

"Yes, I am."

My imagination quickly produced a mental image, causing me to blush. I shook my head trying to clear it before Aluxes noticed. I could hear a sudden splash from the bathroom.

"I wanted to ask you something Clement." He didn't sound like he noticed anything, but I knew he had.

"...go ahead..." I said quietly.

"I just wanted to know if your parents were waiting for you at your home."

I shot up off the couch, before remembering they were gone on a business trip.

"No. They've been on a business trip for a couple of days now and they won't be getting back until next weekend."

"Alright, just making sure."

His voice disappeared from my mind as I sank back onto the couch, wishing I could .

He appeared several minutes later, his hair hanging in a wet disarray around his head. As soon as I saw him, I started giggling uncontrollably. He came over and sat beside me, giving me a funny look.

"H-hi Aluxes." I smiled up at him.

"So, I assume your hair always looks perfect when you are done bathing?"

"It's short, so yeah, pretty much." I shrugged.

He raised an eyebrow and I stuck out my tongue.

"Anyways," he started, "what would you like to do today?"

"I was just about to ask what we were doing."

"It is up to you."

"What am I allowed to do without getting in trouble with the Elder?" I had learned to call him that from Aluxes last night.

"We could talk a walk through the village."

"Sure, why not?"

He leaned closer to me. "Oh, and, Clement?"

"Yes?"

"When we are around others, try to control your thoughts. We as a species are highly perceptive to a being's feelings and emotions."

I shrank back, blushing deeply and mumbling in agreement.

He grinned. "Come." He said, pulling me up by the hand. "I have much to show you."

****************

Euthymius came bounding through the doorway as I walked into the main room.

"Good morning!"

I grunted and rubbed my eyes.

He grinned. "You look like you were up all night."

"You are not too far off."

His grin fell off his face. "What?"

I yawned. "I had another almost sleepless night."

I shuffled forward and sat upon one of the cushions resting on the floor. I motioned for Euthymius to join me. He fell on one directly across from me. He settled, cross-legged with his hands on his lap, staring at me questioningly.

"Do you know how many humans have been in our village before?"

He shook his head.

I held up my hand, curving my fingers to form a zero. He tilted his head to one side.

"Then, why is there a human here now?"

"The Elder agreed to let him stay here under supervision and if he is deemed trustworthy, we shall let him keep his memories of this place and pass freely through our village."

He furrowed his brow. "Why?"

I sighed. "That is what I was trying to figure out. I assume it is because Aluxes has taken a liking to him. Does he not know what he is jeopardizing with this human?"

Euthymius shrugged. "I think he does. I mean, when has Aluxes made a bad decision?"

I glared at him. "You are supposed to be on my side."

He grinned apologetically. "I am just saying that we should have a little faith in Aluxes. Is it that hard to deal with a human?"

I fell back against the floor, staring up at the ceiling. Euthymius crawled over and poked his head over mine.

"No matter. Today is our day off, we should go and do something to take our minds off this."

"If only it were that easy."

Euthymius jumped up towards the door. "Come on!"

I dragged myself off the ground as he disappeared around the side of the house. He was already down the ladder and shouting up at me by the time I emerged into the bright sunlight outside. I squinted and made my way to the rope ladder.

I reached the bottom moments later, Euthymius quivering with anticipation. I came to a halt in front of him.

"So, why am I being dragged outside again?"

He grinned. "Well, I decided to talk a walk into the forest earlier today to see what was out there, and I came across an especially lovely area. I wanted to share it with you."

"Let us get going then."

He turned and set off towards the forest, me following closely. He took us onto a path I had not known existed. The trees created a canopy over the path, letting only small amounts of sunlight trickle through the dense leaves.

We followed the path for a good hour before we came upon a clearing. There was a small stream running through the clearing on the far side, with lush grass surrounding the stream on either side. The sunlight poured through and illuminated the clearing brightly.

"Is it not wonderful out here?" Euthymius called back to me as he walked towards the stream.

I wandered over to a large boulder sitting amongst the grass, sitting upon it. I sprawled out over the boulder, letting my legs dangle over the edge of it. Euthymius was sitting by the stream, letting the water flow over his hand.

"How did you come across such a place?"

"Like I said, I was mindlessly wandering until I happened across the path that lead here."

"You could have become lost."

"If I had strayed farther, yes. Thanks to your training though, I was able to concentrate and pick up on your thoughts. They helped me learn that the path lead back to the village."

I watched the clouds lazily crawl along the sky. Euthymius came to sit beside me on the boulder.

"What do you think?"

"I think I am still worrying about the human." I sighed.

"Just give it some time, you will eventually come to not notice it anymore."

I snorted. Euthymius sighed and then stiffened, sitting straight up and looking back towards the direction of the village.

"Hercilia?"

I glanced at him. "Yes?"

"Would you mind terribly much if I went back to the village? One of my friends wishes to see me."

I waved a hand. "Go ahead. I would like some alone time here anyways."

He stood up. "I will see you back in the village, okay?"

"Alright."

He bounded off down the trail, calling out a good-bye as he went.

I sighed and closed my eyes, letting my mind wander as I slowly felt myself losing consciousness.

****************

We arrived back at Aluxes's house, the sun hanging low in the sky. I walked in and flopped down on his couch, thoroughly tired from walking around the village all day. Aluxes glided in and sat on the opposite end of the couch, turning to face me.

I had learned a lot today, Aluxes had spared almost nothing in trying to educate me about his species and culture. I had learned that when they came to build this village, they did so in the trees to avoid wild animals and such. They had cut the wood and transported it using their telekinetic powers.

I also learned that the lamps that illuminated the village at night had compressed psychic energy in them. How they did this was apparently a secret, since Aluxes wouldn't tell me no matter how hard I begged. I learned that they previously lived across the Great Sea before migrating to the Mainlands almost 200 years ago. Aluxes wasn't alive then, but was taught this by the Elder.

I also learned that Aluxes was only about 17 years old, which surprised me. I had assumed he was much older, for whatever reason. I also learned that a few of his species had developed their powers and could teleport themselves and others using their minds. I found this fascinating, but Aluxes again would not explain further.

Sometime about mid-afternoon, we came back to Aluxes's house to eat, something I sorely needed to do. He had made a sort of stuffed pepper type of dish that was extremely delicious. I had gotten him to write the recipe down so I could attempt to make it when I got home. He had very neat handwriting, and he knew how to write in English. I asked him about this and he said he had picked it up from studying humans' minds for so long.

I cleared my throat. "So."

"Hmm?"

"That was fun."

He smiled. "I am glad you enjoyed it."

"I do wish you would have explained more about a few things."

"Only if you were of our species could I do that."

I crossed my arms and pouted. "Do it anyways."

He laughed softly. "I would if I could."

"Uh-huh."

He slid over and wrapped his arms around me. "I truly am sorry I can not tell you."

I blushed slightly as I embraced him. "I know."

We sat for a moment in each others arms, me wondering how his skin was so smooth, him looking out at the door.

"So..."

He turned towards me. "Yes?"

"What do we do now?"

He looked again to the door. "It is getting fairly dark, I think we should report in to the Elder."

"Oh yeah! I completely forgot about that..." I trailed off.

He grinned. "Would you be able to do anything without me?"

"I got along just fine for 16 years without you, thank you very much."

He stood, bringing me up with him as he let his arms fall from around me.

"Come."

We set off out the door, climbing down the rope ladder and crossing the village towards the Elder's house. The sun was hanging especially low in the sky, casting its reddish glow onto the forest. The trees filtered much of the sunlight, so it was a lot darker in the village than it would have been in town.

We climbed up the rope ladder and entered the Elder's house. The Elder was sitting on the floor, a low table in front of him upon which rested several books and assorted papers. He looked up from his work as we entered.

"Aluxes. Clement. How may I help you two?"

Aluxes stepped ahead of me. "You have instructed us to return here at dusk to meet with you everyday, correct?"

"Ah, yes." He stood and approached us. "Well, we are keeping an eye on you, Clement, in order to determine whether or not we shall erase your memories of this place."

I nodded and gulped.

"I have recently met with a couple of my advisors, and we have agreed that you seem able to be trusted with the secret of our village's location."

I grinned.

"However! Only one day has passed so far. We cannot easily deem, especially for a human, a being trustworthy or not after such a short amount of time. Therefore, you will be required to stay in our village for a few days longer so we may be sure in our judgment."

I bowed. "It would be my pleasure. I find it to be quite nice here, very secluded."

He smiled as I straightened. "That was the effect we were going for. You are free to leave now."

Aluxes and I turned to leave, but as we were heading to the door, the Elder stopped us.

"Aluxes, I would like you to remain here for a moment so I can speak to you in private."

*******************

I nodded and looked over to Clement.

"Go back to the house, I will be there shortly."

He nodded and traveled outside. I strolled over to Aristarchus, him gesturing towards the floor cushions. We sat down upon them.

"Aluxes, I have some news."

"What is it?"

"I doubt the severity of this situation, but it is still a situation all the same. Hercilia was seen traveling into the forest today and has yet to emerge."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"Like I said, I do not think this is anything to get upset about. I am sure she has simply taken to a particular spot and is enjoying the aloneness of the forest."

I nodded, biting my upper lip.

"Aluxes, you have also been trained to track somewhat. I would like you to see if you could possibly find her."

I nodded once more, standing.

"May I go back and tell Clement?"

He was silent a moment. "Yes, that would be a good idea."

I bowed and turned on my heel, taking long strides to the door and quickly scrambling down the rope ladder. As I headed towards the house, I noticed Clement was talking to Euthymius, Hercilia's understudy. I altered my direction towards them, hoping to get a chance to talk with Euthymius about this situation.

****************

"She is?" I gaped.

Euthymius nodded.

"Is she in any danger?"

"I do not think so, but you never know. I was just on my way to go check on her though."

"That might be a good idea."

I glanced to the side and to my surprise, saw Aluxes heading towards us.

"Maybe Aluxes can help." I suggested.

"It could not hurt."

Aluxes arrived at where we were standing a moment later.

"Clement."

I raised a hand. "Let me guess, Hercilia is gone?"

He looked at me questioningly. "Did Euthymius fill you in?"

I nodded. He turned to Euthymius.

"Euthymius, do you know where Hercilia went?"

He shrugged. "I know where she was when I left the forest, but I do not know if she is still there."

"I will go and check, can you show me where in the forest?"

Euthymius nodded, then closed his eyes and was silent. Aluxes was staring blankly at nothing while he did this.

After a moment, Euthymius opened his eyes and Aluxes nodded.

"Alright."

"Are you sure you do not want me to help?"

"It is okay Euthymius, I will handle this."

He nodded reluctantly and started walking away. Aluxes then turned to me.

"Clement, I am going into the forest to look for Hercilia. Please, go to the house and wait for me there."

"But-"

He cut me off. "No. Go to the house and wait."

"What if something happens to you?"

He smiled. "Do you not think I am capable of defending myself?"

"Yeah, but-"

He cut me off once more. "Please, I need to hurry in case she is in danger."

I sighed. "Alright."

He smiled and pulled me in for a quick embrace. He let me go and spun towards the forest, taking off at almost a run for the trees, disappearing into them not too long afterward. I sighed and trudged off towards Aluxes's house.

*******************

I emerged onto the trail Euthymius had shown me in his mind. I traveled along the path at a quick pace, anxious as to whether I would find Hercilia at the end of the trail or not. The forest was steadily darkening, which would make my task slightly harder as I would have to rely upon only my psychic tracking abilities, which were not the greatest.

As I traversed the path, I tried to focus my mind on any thoughts that could belong to Hercilia. Unfortunately, I was unable to concentrate enough while walking, so I gave that idea up and continued along the path.

I reached the trail's end several minutes later, emerging into a small clearing. The clearing was just as dark as the rest of the forest, due to the fact that the sun was now severely low in the sky. Inside this clearing was a small stream flowing through the far side, and a humongous boulder resting near the center, upon which lay the sleeping Hercilia.

I breathed a sigh of relief upon finding her and proceeded to wake her up. I did not have to try hard, as her eyes started to slowly open after I had barely shook her.

"Hercilia?" I attempted.

"Huh?"

"Is this where you have been all day?"

She looked around groggily.

"Yes..."

I smiled. "Do you mind coming back to the village now?"

She looked at me. "Actually, I had been doing some thinking while laying here, and would like to talk with you."

"Absolutely." I stepped closer to her. "What would you like to talk about?"

"I would like to talk about that human of yours."

"Clement?"

She waived a hand. "Yeah yeah, what exactly IS he to you?"

"He is the One for me." I stated simply.

"How can you be so sure?!" She hopped down off the rock and stalked towards me. "You have not even known him but for a few days!"

"I have been watching him for almost a year before this."

Her eyes widened. "Is that what you were doing?"

I nodded and she snarled. "Dammit Aluxes! What are you even thinking in choosing that human as your One?!"

"Hercilia-"

"Shut up!" She screamed, her eyes sparkling. "Did you not even consider how I would feel about this?!"

"What does this have to do with you?" I retorted, getting slightly defensive.

She turned away. "I.." She stopped.

"You what?"

"I... I thought you were the One for me!" She yelled into my mind, rounding on me, the rage and emotional pain showing all too clear upon her face.

"Hercilia..."

"But no! You had to go and find a stupid human! You even brought him into our village, jeopardizing our safety within these trees!"

"I trust him!" I yelled back.

"How?! He's human! Humans are weak willed, backstabbing pieces of filth!"

I stepped towards her, growling. "You shall not speak about Clement that way."

"Make me." She snarled, also taking a step.

I lunged for her as she flew to one side. I landed in a crouch and turned to face her. I noticed her arms were raised and I felt something collide with my temple a moment later. I looked to the side to see a fist size rock falling towards the ground with blood spattered on one side. I raised my hand to my temple and felt the blood oozing out of the wound.

"Hercilia..." I thought as I fell to the side, losing consciousness as I fell.

****************

I sat on the couch in Aluxes's living room, lightly drumming my fingers on my knee. The sun was sinking lower on the horizon, causing me to worry even more that he had not made it back by now.

I stood and walked over to the door, leaning against the frame before I suddenly saw a figure burst from the forest and run full speed towards the house. At first I thought it to be Aluxes, but as it got closer, I saw that it was much shorter than he was.

He quickly scrambled up the rope ladder and I got a good look at him.

"Euthymius?!"

"Clement! You have to come with me! Aluxes is in danger!" He forced into my mind as he panted.

"What?!"

"I followed him as he went into the forest in case he needed my help. He came to find Hercilia, they got into an argument, and Aluxes is hurt. Hercilia attacked him and that's when I ran back here."

I was at a loss for words for a moment. "What do you want me to do?!"

"I thought it better not to involve the Elder since it would only complicate things."

"But what am I supposed to DO?"

"I do not know, but I am sure you would want to help Aluxes in any way that you could!"

I nodded. "Of course. Can you lead me to them?"

"Yes, but we need to hurry!"

He led me back down the rope ladder and to the forest's edge. We were almost running as we burst through the wall of trees and emerged onto a trail winding its way deep into the forest. There was hardly any illumination left, as the sun had sunk extremely low by now.

We took off running down the trail, me following Euthymius. Several minutes later, he told me to keep to the trail and that he was going to hide in the trees around the clearing that Hercilia and Aluxes were in. He would try to disable her psychic powers somehow, I didn't catch the details on how he was going to do it.

The trail sharply turned around a tree and emerged into a small clearing, a large boulder in the middle upon which lay the unconscious Aluxes. Behind the boulder, standing above a small stream that wound its way through the far side of the clearing was Hercilia.

"Clement." Euthymius's voice crept into my mind.

I almost spoke, but he stopped me. "Go back around the tree and hide yourself for now."

I did as I was told and his voice came to me again. "Good. Now, if I have done this correctly, Hercilia should not be able to use her telekinesis, which means she can not use her mind to move objects. She can no longer restrain you with her mind or pick up a rock and throw it at you with her mind. Also, I have established a fairly good connection with your mind, so if you want to tell me something, just think the words."

Like this? I thought.

"Precisely. Now, what I want you to do is walk into the clearing and address Hercilia. Be careful though, as she has almost been driven mad by the rage she feels towards Aluxes right now. Try to talk to her, but if it comes to a fight, be alert. She is a skilled fighter, but not as good once her telekinetic powers are not being used. Just try to knock her unconscious if she tries to attack you, okay?"

Alright. Here I go.

I stepped into the clearing.

"Hercilia." I announced.

She rounded and upon seeing me, her eyes shrank into a glare.

"You..." she hissed into my mind.

"Hercilia, listen to me." Euthymius's words echoing in my mind. "I am sorry that Aluxes has chosen me."

"What?!"

"I did not ask for his attention, he was the one who came to me."

"Do you think that matters?!" She spat. "He chose you, nothing can change that now! Unless..."

"Careful Clement..." Euthymius warned.

Hercilia had lowered into a prowl and was slowly advancing towards me.

"Unless... the object were to be removed..." she mused, stopping next to the boulder.

I stepped back. "What do you mean?"

She grinned evilly and suddenly her arm shot upward, her hand extended and her face hard in concentration.

Nothing happened.

"What is this?! Where did my power go?!"

"Clement." Euthymius whispered. "There is a rock next to your left foot. Move over a little so you are blocking it, and pick it up while she is busy trying to figure out what happened to her power."

I inched a little to the left and started slowly lowering, until my hand collided with the rock and I wrapped my fingers around it. I quickly straightened and kept my hands behind my back as she suddenly looked up.

"Well, if I can not do it that way, I must resort to a much cruder method."

"She is going to lunge for you. Step to the side and swing at her temple with the rock when I say to. Understand?"

Yes.

"Good." He said, his voice leaving my head.

Hercilia had lowered herself into a crouch again. She was glaring up at me with a snarl etched into her mouth.

"Die human!" she screamed into my mind, lunging for me as Euthymius's voice yelled "Now!" into my head.

I stepped to the side quickly and brought my hand up. The rock smashed into Hercilia's head as she collided with me, knocking me off my feet and sending us flying into the trees behind me. I was smashed into a tree and we slid to the ground, her unconscious laying on me.

I pushed her off, dropped the rock, and quickly walked to Aluxes as Euthymius emerged from the trees.

"You have quick reflexes, Clement." He said, studying Hercilia on the ground.

I was too busy with Aluxes to even acknowledge him. Blood was very slowly flowing from his temple, a pool formed on the boulder. I hugged him around the middle and laid my head against his stomach, tears beginning to well up in my eyes. Euthymius came over and closed his eyes for a moment.

"He is still alive, but we need to wrap his head with something so we can get him back to the village..."

I straightened, still sobbing, and pulled off my shirt. The cool air crept around me, chilling me almost instantly. I handed the shirt to Euthymius as I shivered slightly.

He took it and wrapped it around Aluxes's head, tying off the ends tightly.

"Can you carry either of them?"

"I... I think so..."

He thought for a moment. "You should carry Hercilia. She's lighter than Aluxes."

I nodded and bent down next to her. I pulled her over my back, putting her chest spike over my shoulder so it wouldn't stab me while I carried her. I straightened up to see Euthymius with Aluxes strung across his arms.

We ran back along the path, the sun sinking ever lower in the sky. As we reached the village, the sun had almost completely set, enveloping the forest in darkness and causing the village lights to spring to life.

We arrived at the rope ladder for the Elder's house, and I had to hold the rope ladder out at an angle so Euthymius could scale it while pushing Aluxes up ahead of him. He came back down and retrieved Hercilia. I followed him up after he had Hercilia up there. We entered the Elder's house and laid the two on a few of the floor cushions. The Elder rose quickly and walked over to us.

"What has happened to Aluxes and Hercilia?"

"A fight."

The Elder's eyes narrowed.

"Aluxes went to find Hercilia, and I tailed him through the forest, staying hidden in the trees. When he had found her, Hercilia started an argument and attacked Aluxes, hitting him in the temple with a rock. Clement here went to help Aluxes, and Hercilia attacked him too. He managed to knock her out by hitting her with a rock."

The Elder nodded slowly and kneeled next to the two.

"Euthymius, go retrieve the healer. Tell her I sent you."

"Yes, Elder." He bowed and quickly fled.

"Clement."

I straightened. "Yes?"

"Come here."

I walked over and kneeled alongside him.

"Take Hercilia into the back room."

I gave him a puzzled look.

"I will explain later."

I nodded and picked her up. I brought her into the back room and laid her on the bed that was there.

As I emerged into the front room once again, Euthymius was back with another Gardevoir, who I assumed was the healer. They had unwrapped Aluxes's head and was examining his wound. A moment later, the healer looked to the Elder, who nodded. The healer began working on Aluxes as the Elder approached me.

"Clement, Euthymius, come with me to the back room."

We followed the Elder into the back room. I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. The Elder and Euthymius remained standing. The Elder motioned for our attention.

"Now, why exactly did Hercilia attack Aluxes?"

"Hercilia had gotten angered over Aluxes's choosing of Clement as the One for him." Euthymius explained.

The Elder smiled sadly. "That is usually how these kinds of things happen."

I looked up. "What does that mean?"

The Elder looked at me. "What does what mean?"

"The One for him or whatever."

Euthymius and the Elder glanced at each other.

"Well," the Elder began, "do you know how humans believe in something called a soul mate?"

I nodded.

"That concept is fairly close to what the One for us is."

"Except," Euthymius cut in, "that our One is a little more serious than a human's 'soul mate'. Humans would call the emotion love, but for our One, it is much deeper than that."

My eyes widened and my face sank into a crimson blush. I looked down at the floor. The healer suddenly poked her head into the room. The Elder followed her out, leaving Euthymius and I alone with Hercilia. Euthymius came to sit by me at the end of the bed.

"You know, you are quite lucky."

I looked up at him. "How?"

"You are someone's One."

"Oh..."

"I hope I can find mine one day."

"Euthymius, how old are you?"

"I am thirteen, by human standards, why?"

"Just curious..." I mumbled.

"Ah."

We sat in silence for a few minutes before the Elder called us back into the main room. He was sitting on a floor cushion, along with Aluxes, who was awake now and staring up at me. As soon as I saw him, I started to cry and rushed to him, falling to the floor and wrapping my arms around him.

"Oh thank god you're okay!" I sobbed.

He wrapped his arms softly around me. "I could say the same to you. I heard about what you did."

I looked up at him through the tears. "Are you mad I hurt her?"

He hugged me tighter. "No, I would have done the same if she had not have acted so quickly. No, I am mad because you put yourself in danger."

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't sit around while you were in trouble."

He smiled. "I know." He kissed the top of my head.

"Excuse me." the Elder suddenly spoke.

We both turned to look at him.

"I would like you to know that Hercilia shall be kept under imprisonment in her house for as long as your are here Clement."

I nodded.

"Furthermore, I would like you to rest for a while Aluxes. Do not do anything too strenuous and do not use your psychic powers."

Aluxes nodded.

"You may leave. Euthymius, I would like you to stay for a moment..."

Aluxes and I were out the door and heading down the rope ladder. We walked back towards Aluxes's house at a slow, steady pace, each with an arm wrapped around the other.

"Aluxes?"

"Hmm?"

"How come your species is so warm?"

He laughed softly. "We, as a species, used to live in the colder regions and up in mountains. We adapted by having a higher internal temperature."

"Ah."

We reached his house several minutes later. We climbed up the ladder and walked inside.

"I do not know about you, but I am extremely tired."

"I could use some sleep..." I agreed, trailing off into a yawn.

Aluxes smiled and led me by the hand to the bed, closing the door and pulling the blackout sheet over the window. I threw off my shoes and collapsed onto the soft bed, Aluxes sliding in beside me. I rolled onto my side and wrapped my arms around him, with him doing so to me.

"Aluxes?"

"Yes, Clement?"

"When I saw you hurt in the clearing, it tore me up inside. I wanted to help but I knew I could do nothing for you aside from provide the cloth for your bandage."

"Is that why you are shirtless?"

I nodded. "What I'm trying to say is that you mean the world to me Aluxes, and losing you would be losing any reason I have to live for. I love you with all my heart, and I hope that you feel the same way about me."

He pulled me tighter into him.

"Of course I feel the same way about you Clement. That is why I was mad that you put yourself in danger. I never would have forgiven myself if you had gotten seriously injured. In just the past few days we have been around each other, my whole life has shifted to focus around you. You mean more to me than anything I have ever known and shall know."

He suddenly brought his mouth down next to my ear and whispered, "I...love...you...", carefully forming the words with his lips so as to pronounce them as clearly as possible. His voice was even more wonderful than I thought it would be, it came soft and smooth, the emotion behind the words woven flawlessly through.

I stared at him in shock and then started crying happily. I buried my face in his chest as he held me, his face against my hair. I could feel myself start to drift into sleep, so I shifted to get comfortable and wiped the tears from my face. He whispered it once more and I sighed, closing my eyes. I ran through the events of my life and for once felt glad, as they had all led up to us meeting and me following him to his village.