(This starts out with Aniza being about 10 and Alternis a year or two older. I do own Aniza but I do NOT own Alternis Dim and am merely writing this for fun.)

Today was the day Aniza had waited for! Braev Templar, her father, finally was going to let Alternis show her how to fly an Airship! He seemed rather reluctant but knew the sooner she learned, the better off she would be in the future!

She hurriedly got on her normal outfit with a small smile on her face as she hummed a tune. Aniza's long black hair was soon braided and rested against her back as she adjusted it to make sure it would be out of the way. She had to stay focused and do good today, or else her father might be disappointed in her.... again. She sighed softly to herself as she looked out her frosted window at the cold morning sunlight barely illuminating the only home she had ever known. Her father and her were.... distant at best, all he wanted was a well trained soldier, but what he got was her. She tried to keep the tears from her eyes as the sudden noise of the door opening startled her, whipping around on the window seat she sat on, surrounded with her favorite stuffed animals, she saw a smiling or smirking, she could never tell, Alternis stride in with his usual arrogant air about him.

"Alternis! Knock first before walking into a lady's room!" Aniza squeaked, grabbing one of her stuffed animals and throwing it at him before realizing it was her brother's stuffed animal! The stuffed animal bounced harmlessly off Alternis' chest and fell to the ground where he carefully scooped it up despite Aniza rushing to grab it, " F-forgive me Aniza, I didn't mean... I thought you might still be asleep so I came to wake you up." His face reddened with embarrassment as he gently held out the worn fuzzy white plush bunny to Aniza who quickly snatched it out of his hands as if she thought he would hurt her most valued possession.

  Honestly, Aniza didn't like Alternis too much, even though he was the only other kid that was practically part of the family. Except her father seemed to like him more, he spoke funny, most of the time he wore black armor, and he always had this bright smile on his face when he didn't wear his helmet. Sometimes his hair bothered her too, but not much, it was kind of nice, and she liked his accent, just not how formal he always sounded. As she had drifted off into thought, he had stepped closer to her, "Aniza?" He asked, a slight hint of worry in his tone which made her snap back and hurriedly place the bunny back in its spot, "Alright, let's go."

The pair walked in silence down the halls to the Airship the Grand Marshal was allowing the two to take, having warned Alternis to keep close supervision of his daughter and make sure she stayed safe. Braev was so protective of Aniza, Alternis could only assume because of what happened to her brother..... he vowed to never let his Aniza be killed. His? He put on his helmet as they walked to hide his blush which didn't seem to bother Aniza from her brooding thoughts. Why did he think that?! Ugh... This crush started forming on her since probably when he first saw her and she is all he worries about, well also her family! Anyone close to her was his top priority which he hid within his heart and journal entries; he found that writing made him feel a bit better, knowing he could now never forget a single thing about his angel. Stop that brain!

While Alternis was having his internal argument with himself about his love for Aniza, the girl of his affection was having a more somber one in her own mind. Dad... Father.... Marshal? Whatever, he doesn't like me anyways. The only way I can get his attention is if I do something he sees bad, like making my hair this new color. She had seen it in a store when she went into town with Heinkel who was to watch over her while they were there. It was easy to ask to go the bathroom in the cafe they had stopped at for lunch and snuck out one of the high windows, grateful for the snow to soften her fall. She had always wanted black hair! Quickly, she ran into the store, asserting her position as the daughter of the Grand Marshal, and had her white snow blonde hair turned to a dark pool of black.

She had been so overjoyed with her new hair! Spinning around and giggling happily as the workers watched her with a smile, that is until Heinkel stormed in, completely stressed out as he asked if the precious daughter of the Templar had wandered in. He didn't look at her until they claimed she was Aniza. No, no! This can't be her! The knight stared at her for a moment before swiftly kneeling next to her, hands cupping her face. Eyes are the same, clothes are the same.... Oh heavens! The Templar will have my head for this! Gently, he scooped up the young Aniza in his arms and ran back to their home, holding her tightly to his chest as his heartbeat raced wildly with panic, young little Aniza holding onto his shoulders as he ran before he plopped her down on her bed, "Do you know what you have done?!" He exclaimed with anger and worry mixed into his voice, "What am I supposed to tell you father?!"

The young girl's eyes watered and yet even at this young age, she was already trying to be tough and so she held her chin high and retorted, "Tell him what you want! I love my hair this way!" At that moment, her dear mother opened the door, staring in shock before breaking into tears and- she snaps out of her memory as an arm wrapped around her waist and arms. It took her a moment to realize that the arm belonged to Alternis who pulled her back from the ledge she nearly walked off of, holding her tight against his chest. There was a pause of the two breathing, Alternis' sounding greater due to his helmet, both hearts racing in fear and surprise.

"Are you okay Aniza?" Alternis whispers gently, still holding her close, his heart pounding as he held the love of his life against him, her eyes, they are so pretty... I want to just hug her close forever... he nearly jumped out of his skin when Aniza nodded, he had thought time had stopped when he was looking at her! He let her go with embarrassment and she seemed to straighten up and hurry on to the ship.

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

Aniza was having fun learning how to fly with Alternis, even if he was a bit annoying, he was a lot kinder of a teacher than her father would be. She suppressed a smile as she steered with Alternis right by her side giving tips and making sure nothing bad happened. It was all going well, especially for her first time! Alternis was about to compliment her again for doing so well when an odd rattle was heard from within the airship which caused the dark knight to frown behind his helmet, "Aniza, just keep a steady course, I will go see what that was." Before the nervous girl could protest, Alternis was off to the depths of the ship.

Aniza sighed with a slight hint of worry, "He is supposed to be watching after me, I'm pretty sure him leaving me to fly alone does not count as watching me..." she was trying to hide the fear she felt flying alone, it scared her and she silently begged for the knight's presence to return quickly.

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

Alternis sighed as he brushed a feather out of his hair, "Stupid birds, alwaaaaa!" He smacks into the wall of the hall he was taking to get back to the deck, the whole ship was leaning! Aniza, she needs me! Slowly, the dark knight struggles to the deck as the ship is headed for the ground, Aniza had a tight grip on the wheel, tears running down her faces. His heart raced quickly, Aniza could get hurt! Or... die... "Aniza! Aniza, pull up! Pull the ship up!" That's when he could see her body shaking, she was in shock. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around her, I have to act quickly, he took the wheel, pulling up as the hull hit the ground and everything was fuzzy from there.

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

Aniza groans as she wakes up, huh? She was... in an airship... the Airship! She sits up with wide eyes, groaning as a wave of pain ran through her head.

"Aniza, lay back down, you need to rest."

She looked over at the voice, it was Master Kamizumii, but... "W-where are we? Alternis... the Airship.."

Master Kamizumii sighed, sitting next to his student, "You two crashed outside of Starkfort, once your Father got news, he immediately sent me, he is very worried about you. Alternis is resting, we found you both unconscious next to the ship, Alternis had wrapped himself around you to keep you safe but you hit your head pretty good, it's going to be a big bruise. We are flying back now, rest Aniza."

The young girl tries to argue but is quickly off to sleep. Her Master sighs, gently kissing the unbruised part of her forehead, "Sweet dreams dear."

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

It's been a week, the Grand Marshal has decided to never let Aniza try and learn how to fly again, afraid to death of losing her. Aniza spends a lot of time with her mother as she heals, but deep down, she wonders why Alternis hadn't been around. After the incident, she hasn't seen him, she asked her mom, but she said she didn't know... "Elusive as usual I guess..." she mutters unhappily, sighing as she looks over at her brother's bunny. A small little note lay folded against the stuffed animal and immediately, she snatched it up, curious to see what it was.

Dear Aniza, I am sorry I did not protect you from getting hurt. I took responsibility for the crash, and I will be away until I can protect you no matter what. -Alternis Dim

Tears hit the paper as she crumbled up the letter and quietly curled up tight in bed with the stuffed bunny, vowing to forget the dark knight she had come to know as a friend. Maybe if she pretended it had never happened, then maybe it wouldn't hurt.