S a s h a

My fingers slid across rocks, something I had never felt before ever in my life. They were cool, rough, and not Nether bricks or hot...

Laurance was sitting with (y/n)'s head on his lap. He was exhausted from carrying her.

She wasn't that heavy... I'd pick her up if I wasn't a fraidy cat.

No.. offense (y/n).

I softly giggled to myself as I looked up into the tree. He watched me.

"Never seen a tree before?" He chuckled.

"Only in books." I simply replied. "(y/n) remembered some trees and stuff like this but... the rest was..." I popped my lips as I imitated a mini explosion.

He chuckled. "Huh. So it was poofed?"

"Exactly." I smiled as I ran my fingers over the rough bark.

"Why is it called bark? Isn't that the sound a puppy makes?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged. "No clue. It's either bark or rough." He joked.

I looked at him. "A dog says ruff too dork." I corrected.

He chuckled as he sighed. "We should get moving before nightfall.." He said as he picked up (y/n).

I nodded quietly before my fingers ran over my sword hilt.

He started walking before I quietly followed.

I watched (y/n) carefully. She had hidden her ears and tail before we had suddenly left the house... They didn't seem visible... Don't know how Mr. Crazy-Over-There would react when he saw her ears and tail.

He sighed as he walked. Mostly in impatience.

From the sound of it, with himself..

"You okay?" I curiously asked.

"Yes." He simply said just as I said my question.

"Ya sure?"

"I'm sure." He said again.

It was quiet the rest of the way.

(y/n) was still unconscious. Her breathing was still ragged but at least she was alive...

"Laurance!" A woman said as a figure ran to us.

She smiled before she stopped. "You..." She instantly looked at me and (y/n), her sword drawn.

"Taylor, calm down." Laurance sighed. "They. Are. Okay. In stranger wise." He added.

The girl named Taylor was quiet before she nodded. "Where the frick frack were you!?"

"Aphmau and I got stuck in the Nether... And she left before I did..."

"Aphmau was gone before you? She isn't here..." Taylor instantly said.

Laurance's expression contorted with confusion. "Well, we have to help this girl. With or without Lord Aphmau." He said.

"Laurance... She'll get mad... You saw what happened when Aaron-" Taylor was cut off by Laurance. "She tried to help. The least we can do is help her." He strictly said.

Taylor looked at me before back at Laurance with a nod. "Okay... Come on. Zoey is still in Bright Port so.. we need to talk to Donna."

Laurance nodded. "Alright." He said.

She started to lead us into the village.

She seemed really uneasy with me there, but she didn't say anything at all.

I was quiet before we got to a place that looked like a guard station, then, I was stopped.

"Come with me." Taylor said.

I shook my head. "I'm staying with (y/n)." I said.

Taylor looked at her. "If not many people know you, you aren't allowed there unless you are injured." She said again, seriousness in her tone.

I didn't want to leave (y/n), but I didn't have any choice.

Taylor led me away to another place. It was a small home on a small side of the village. A new looking part of the village.

"You are going to stay here while you are here in Phoenix Drop." She said as she turned around.

I gently nodded. "Okay..." I quietly said.

She gently put her hand on my shoulder. "Hey. You aren't as bad as I'm acting you are. Just when you are around me with others, I'm going to act like I hate you. If I don't, I'm dead."

I confusingly looked at her. "Okay..."

She smiled before leading me inside. "I'll come by around dusk to bring food here for you. I don't want anyone hurting you for being a Shadow Knight." She said calmly.

I looked around the room after she explained. "It's a nice house."

She chuckled. "Yeah."

I smiled before realizing I completely ignored her at first. "Wait. Oops..."

"Oops what?" She asked.

"I just um... Ignored you..." I softly said.

She giggled. "Okay. Well, what I said was I'll bring food here around dusk for you. I don't want you hurt by others for being a Shadow Knight."

I gently nodded. "Mkay. Thanks... Again." I giggled.

"No problem. I'll see you later." Taylor said before walking out and back to the guard station.

I was really worried. I don't want (y/n) to be hurt...

If people hurt us for being Shadow Knights... Then I hope she doesn't...

(y/n)

I groaned quietly, sitting up. At first, I grabbed my head, thinking I was dead.

But the seering pain made me feel even worse.

"Ow..." I mumbled softly.

"You should lay down, hun." A gentle voice said.

It was so foreign to me. It wasn't Sasha...

I shot off of the thing I was on in a fighting stance, facing the person.

The person looked of authority, which made me even more alert.

The pain beated in my ears but I didn't relax. If this is one of his tricks... I am not falling for it.

The person chuckled as I realized it was a young man.

"Who are you and where is Sasha." I half yelled in a stern voice.

"My name is Garroth. And your friend Sasha is in a home in the village." The man said. "Please calm down. You're hurt-"

"I'm fine." I interrupted but was lying.

He frowned. "No you are not." He gently moved towards me, making me step back.

Every time he took a step, I would take a step. Soon enough, I hit the wall. Even worse, a corner.

He smiled lightly as he stood a few steps away. "Miss... Please. I'm only trying to help." He said.

He looked sincere...

I only half relaxed. He gently reached his hand out to me and looked at my side. "Laurance was right.. You were best up pretty well."

I was quiet as I just looked at him, mesmerized. "That's what happens when someone throws you into a wall..."

He chuckled softly, kneeling down and touching my wrapped ankle.

I yelped, pulling my leg up slightly in pain.

Garroth looked at me. "Is it okay if I look at it...?"

I looked at him, scared. "You're just gonna hurt me..." I said softly, the obvious fear relevant in my voice.

He smiled lightly. "I know. But it's gonna sting if we're going to help it heal.."

It was strange. People were trying to help?

He gently reached a hand to me after he stood up. "I'll help you sit down."

"How do I know that's what you're doing..." I said.

"It's either that or I want to shake your hand." He smiled.

My gut instinct was telling me it was okay, but my mind was saying no.

It was a trap.

But I trusted my gut. I let him help me over.

Maybe it will be okay?

I just don't feel right...

To be Continued.