Lexi couldn’t sleep. She wasn’t sure if it was the treatment she had undergone earlier, the gentle sound of Makina’s soft snores, the unrelenting dread of whatever horrible prank Banksy and Romeo were no doubt scheming to pull, or simply being in a bed that was not her own.

Though, it was unlikely to be that last one. Lexi was used to sleeping in different places. Her Hunter’s lifestyle often led her to spend many long and lonely nights away from the guildhall. In some ways she liked it that way. She never had to deal with anyone interrupting her sleep, nor listen to any complaints about her pre-sleep beauty regiment, or lack thereof.

A small smile graced her face as she remembered the first time, she had spent an overnight trip with Servilia. When Lexi had announced she was simply ‘going to sleep’ Servilia had given her such a look of pity that Lexi, out of guilt, had gone through the complete routine with Servilia.

All twenty-eight excruciatingly long steps.

Shaking her head fondly at the memory she came to the conclusion that sleep was unlikely to come any time soon. Slipping from the covers, she silently touched her feet to the ground and panned her eyed across the darkened room.

Makina stirred slightly, letting out a loud snort as she rolled back and forth for a moment before grabbing a pillow and pulling it tightly to her chest. Her long, silver hair fanned out around her like a messy halo and a long line of drool dribbled down her cheek and was beginning to pool against the pillow.

Off in the corner Misa remained still as stone. If Lexi did not know where the Elf was, she would have completely missed her. Everything about her was composed, even in slumber. Her breath was so soft that Lexi couldn’t even discern it amongst the ambient noise in the room. Unlike Makina, who had requested more pillows than any single person could possibly need, Misa had simply laid down on the floor, propping her head up on one arm and waved away any attempts at being offered any form of bedding.

Lexi fondly watched the pair for a moment longer before gliding out of the room, muffling her footsteps with pools of shadow beneath her feet. It was a strange feeling, the coldness of the shadow against her flesh, but one that she found more than comforting.

Dispelling the shadow as she made her way outside, she let out a rather loud exhale before stretching out her arms above her head, reaching, reaching, reaching… Until her spine cracked with a pop and she let out a long sigh of relief.

To her left she heard footsteps approaching. She didn’t bother turning her head to confirm who it was. She was well acquainted with that lethargic pace. Each footstep almost dragging into the next, using the minimum amount of energy possible to propel themselves forward.

“Can’t sleep?” Lexi said softly as Cross stopped beside her.

“Seems like it,” Cross’s voice was rough, as though he had just woken. Lexi turned to look at him. His hair was mused and his robe hung haphazardly off one shoulder.

“What happened to you?”

“Romeo and Banksy are doing… something. Their cackling woke me up and my paranoia won’t let me fall back asleep as long as they have access to my room so… yeah.”

“Banksy has access to any room.”

“I’m well aware.”

“You have to sleep eventually.”

“I’m not tired.”

“Liar.”

“I…” Cross started to respond in kind, but a raised eyebrow from Lexi was enough to shut him up. Letting out a sigh he roughly rubbed at his temple. “I’m tired.”

“You could sleep in my room. I’m sure Misa would be most comfortable sleeping with you.” Quick as a whip Lexi’s fist shot out and struck Cross in the ribs. The punch wasn’t particularly powerful, but it still wouldn’t be what anyone would describe as pleasant. “Care to explain that one, Cross Drachen?”

“Full name, really?” Cross rubbed his ribs gently. “Right, then.”

Seeing that there wasn’t going to be an escape from this conversation Cross told Lexi everything. How Misa resided in the forest, keeping the Spirit within safe. How he had been trapped by the weather and forced to wait out the flooding, sleeping inside of the massive trees and living amongst the many, many animals. How Misa had forced him to train, helping him focus and hone his Sight.

Well, maybe not everything.

He decided to avoid mentioning some things, such as Misa attempting to kill him, that they had bathed together, or the fact that their sleeping arrangement had often been somewhat more intimate than simply ‘we slept inside of the trees’.

“I see.” Lexi nodded to herself. “Is that it, then…?”

“What?”

Lexi shook her head and looked up at the sky, her large, dark eyes reflecting the soft starlight. Cross stared at her, struck for a moment by how serene she looked, the night air gently caressing her hair. He had a sudden and overpowering urge for the moment to last. To last from now until eternity. That he could stay there, eternally at peace.

But the moment would pass and fade away. Like so many moments before. There was nowhere to go but forward, no matter how much he wanted to remain still.

His hands slowly clenched into fists and he took in a nearly silent breath. The answer to a question he had been avoiding finally took form. He winced, eyes screwing shut as he prepared for the fall… But it never came. The weights that had been holding him down suddenly released and he realized that they hadn’t been weights at all. They had been pillars, holding him in place, keeping him from drifting away.

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A purgatory made with his own hands.

“So that’s how it is,” Cross said softly as he opened his eyes. His hands relaxed and his shoulders slumped. A strange smile played across his face as Lexi brought her eyes down to look at him.

“Cross?”

He shook his head and took in a deep breath. “Hey, do you want to see something interesting?”

xXx

“This is where Tenchi was created,” Cross said lowly as they stepped onto a large square of stone. It had been chiseled flat and worn smooth over generations of footsteps. Cross dropped down to one knee at the center and pressed his hand flat against the ground. “It’s the center point of the island.”

Lexi kneeled down beside him and copied his movements. She tilted her head as her fingers brushed the stone. Despite the cold weather… “It’s warm?”

“Master Ten remained here for over thirty days in deep meditation, becoming one with the natural energy of the island. Beneath this spot is a river of magma. By listening to how the magma coursed through the earth, she came to understand how the chi flowed through her own body. She followed the path of energy to where the magma erupted from the earth. Just as the Magma flows from the earth, so flows Chi from our body. She was the first Master of the Tenchi style, and the strongest practitioner.”

“Amazing.” Lexi gave a reverent nod. “Can you feel it?”

“Only just.” Cross closed his eyes and pressed his other hand to the ground. “The stone is incredibly thick. If I was not told, there is no way I would have ever noticed.” His eyes flicked open and he grinned. “I suppose that’s why I am an apprentice and she was the Master.”

Lexi nudged his arm. “Don’t sell yourself short. You were a runner up in the Dance of Blades.”

“Is that pity from the winner? Or a challenge?” Cross glanced her way.

“Simply a compliment.” Lexi waved him off, but there was a glint in her eye.

“You know,” Cross slowly rose to his feet. “If someone were to beat you, that would make them the Champion, wouldn’t it?”

“It would take quite a foolish person to challenge me.” Lexi stood up as well. “Especially is that person could be defeated by a simple kiss.”

Cross’s face flushed slightly, but he recovered quickly. “Oh? Are you planning to adopt that strategy?”

This time it was Lexi’s turn to struggle to keep a straight face. “I… I don’t believe I will ever have to stoop to such measures. I’m quite confident in my abilities as they are.”

Cross held her gaze for a moment before his composure broke and he let out a soft laugh. Lexi only lasted a moment longer before she too began to giggle. Despite the levity, a sudden and heavy silence quickly fell upon the pair.

It was Lexi who finally broke the silence.

“Cross?”

“Mmm?”

Lexi took a step towards him. Her voice was gentle. “Fight me?”.

He took a moment to let her words wash over him before he let out a soft sigh. “It always comes back to that, eh?”

“It’s all I can do.”

“What does the winner get?”

“The truth.”

Cross let out a quiet breath of laughter. That was Lexi for you. Perceptive as always. Still, he couldn’t help but push the game one more step.

“About what?”

“Something’s wrong.” Lexi took a step closer. If he reached out, he could touch her. “Something has been wrong for a long time, hasn’t it?”

Cross laced both his hands behind his head and looked up. “I wonder…”

“And it’s getting worse, isn’t it?”

“Who knows.”

“You said you’d tell me. When you couldn’t manage it anymore. You promised.”

“Am I not managing it?”

Lexi was silent for a long moment. “I don’t know. You never… You’ve been different, Cross.”

“Different, huh.” He felt like he was hearing that more and more. “I suppose so. But is that so bad?”

“Cross…”

Shaking his head Cross dropped his eyes back down to Lexi. “You sure you want to do this? I do technically have homefield advantage.”

“I do.”

“Right, then.” Cross’s hands lowered down to his side and he looked at Lexi. “Winner takes all.”

Lexi nodded, lowering center of gravity ever so slightly. Her hands opened up and she tilted her body to one side, slimming down her exposed profile. Cross watched her; his body still seemingly relaxed.

And suddenly he wasn’t.

It would be too far to say that Lexi was shocked, but the barest hint of surprise did cross her face as Cross appeared in front of her. She did not falter, taking a step forward and knocking away his fist. Cross did not relent, throwing another quick jab intended to force her back.

What am I doing?

The thought cut through Cross’s mind as he ducked a kick from Lexi. He tried to sweep out her remaining leg, but she deftly flipped over his leg, landing straight into her next attack. Lexi’s pale skin practically shone against the dark night as she pressed on, managing to land a handful of punches to Cross’s stomach before he chased her back.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why can’t I just tell her?

They were tumbling across the ground now. Lexi’s sharp elbow managed to crack against his cheek and they split apart. She was first to her feet, coming at him with a kick that he just managed to block. He rolled back as she went for another, her heel swinging down to crush him.

Of course, Cross knew the answer to this question.

The moment he opened his mouth. The moment the words took life, it would become real. It was a step down a path that only had one end. He didn’t want that. He never wanted that. He had done so much, to bury it deep, to hide it away. To make sure it never happened.

But no matter how much he looked away it wouldn’t matter. The flow of time could not be stopped, nor slowed. He knew that.

And yet… he still couldn’t take that final leap.

I’m such a coward.

Baring his teeth, Cross charged at Lexi, throwing a quick combination, looking for any opening in her defense. Lexi held her ground and returned with a lightning quick strike that Cross met full on, his fist crashing against hers.

The loud crack of bone on bone filled the night air, echoing softly. When the sound subsided the pair still remained, hands locked in place, knuckles flush.

Lexi pressed harder and Cross slipped back an inch. A bead of blood dribbled down his nose before breaking free and crashing to the ground.

“Cross…” Lexi’s strength laxed for a moment.

‘Han!’

Lexi’s eyes widened as her arm was abruptly blown to the side. Slamming his foot down, Cross lunged closer and struck his other hand against her stomach.

‘Han!’

The air bent and Lexi was violently thrown backwards. She managed to stay on her feet, but only just. Her hand dropped to her stomach, her fingers reaching through the small hole to gingerly touch her bruised stomach. Lifting her eyes, she watched as Cross dropped down to one knee, his breathing coming ragged.

“Cross!”

He didn’t reply as he pushed himself back onto his feet, his balled hands rising up. Lexi stared at him for a moment before nodding. Taking in a soft breath she took one step towards him, then another and another until she broke out into a full sprint.

She attacked him with a flurry of blows that he weathered with uncanny precision, but with every move she could feel him becoming slower. A tightness formed in her chest, but she pushed it down as she fought on. She fought until she lost track of how many times she had been struck and home many times she had struck back. Until her hands were caked in blood and her breath came in short, painful bursts.

She honestly couldn’t remember the last time Cross had lasted so long against her. They both knew he wasn’t capable of beating her, so more often than not he would go down early and feign that he had given it his all. But this…

This was different.

Her fist connected with his cheek and he staggered back a step, but he didn’t fall. Balling her fist tighter, she struck him again and again and again, but he still refused to fall.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why won’t he just fall?

He was fighting like his life truly depended on it.

Roaring Cross blocked her next strike and went to counter, but he was too slow. Lexi caught his arm and moved in close, slamming her knee into his stomach. With a gasp, the air in Cross’s lungs was forcibly expelled. Try as he might, he could do no more than double over, his body hanging limply before Lexi.

Staring down at his exposed back, Lexi knew that one final strike would end this. Slowly she lifted her arm above her head.

And there it remained.

Legs no longer able to support his own weight, Cross dropped to his knees and tilted to the side. His head landed lightly against Lexi’s thigh, his blood staining her robe.

Lexi’s arm slowly dropped down until her hand landed lightly on Cross’s head. Her fingers ran through his sweat slicked hair before she dropped down next to him. She pressed her forehead against his.

“Cross.”

“I’m sorry,” Cross breathed out the words, his voice trembling. “I’m so sorry, Lex.”

Her hand found his, fingers interlacing. She said nothing as he slipped down further, his head landing on her shoulder.

“It’s alright.”

“It’s my loss.” Cross spoke the words so quiet Lexi barely heard them.

“Yes.”

“You’re not going to like it.”

“I know.”

“You’re going to be mad.”

“I know.”

She heard him suck in a shaky breath. “Winner takes all. Too late to back out now.”

Lexi’s arm came up to tightly wrap around Cross, pulling him close. She pressed her face against his hair. “I will.”

“Right, then…” Taking in one final breath, Cross began to speak.