Chapter Text
She's running through the forest, her Samurai X armor clinking with each hurried step, giving away her location.
A figure darts past her, catching up quickly, moving silently despite being fully armored.
Nya skids to a halt, turns and stares hard at the shadowed form of Jay.
"How are we going to catch them? We don't know where they're heading."
Jay looks at her, expressionless, but there is something about the way he moves, the fluidity of his motions, the lack of effort. It sends a chill down her spine.
"They aren't going anywhere until they've reached the end point, wherever that may be." His words are soulless and vague.
Nya tenses, instinctively knowing something is off. "So why haven't they stopped?"
Jay's features soften, almost sad. "Because they can't."
She frowns, trying to understand what he means.
He walks toward her, each step feeling like a drop of water rippling in a lake and making her stomach churn with panic. His palms crackle with lightning.
"Why not?" she asks, backing away from him, not wanting to test her luck with his elemental power right now.
He stops a few feet from her, close enough to reach out and grab her. Close enough to kiss her senseless. But instead, he reaches out and touches her cheek, brushing her hair back with his thumb.
It feels good, warm and comforting, yet painful at the same time.
She closes her eyes tightly, hoping that this moment will pass without incident, but when she opens them again, his face is inches from hers and he is smiling. That smile that makes her insides turn upside-down and twist into knots.
"Your eyes," she whispers hoarsely, unable to tear herself away from those mesmerizing irises, electric blue and shimmering bright. There is something off about his eyes. It's Jay, but it isn't, and her gut is sounding the alarm, but she ignores it.
His fingers trail along her jawline, caressing the sensitive spot below her ear, sending chills throughout her body.
"What about my eyes?"
Tears well up, stinging painfully, and she takes a shuddery breath. "They look different."
His gaze sharpens, becoming intent.
"Different how?"
"Like I'm looking at someone else . . . "
"That doesn't sound good."
There's something sinister behind the fake concern in his voice. Nya can feel her pulse racing through her veins.
"Maybe we need to take you somewhere safe . . ."
He steps closer, looming over her. His face comes dangerously near her own. She can smell the scent of leather and ozone clinging to him, mixed with sweat and dirt. She tries to pull away but he grips her chin firmly, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"Don't worry. This won't hurt," he says softly.
Before she knows what's happening, he leans forward, pressing his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. Their mouths brush gently, tentatively.
And then everything goes white.
She wakes up slowly, staring at the forest canopy. Her head pounds with a dull ache and she rolls over to stand up, brushing off the twigs and leaves that stuck to her uniform.
Morning light spills through treetops, lighting up the forest floor with a warm glow. Birds chirp happily, welcoming the new day.
A terrible feeling of dread stings the pit of her stomach.
"You better run," an ominous voice booms and echoes throughout the trees.
Nya whips around, searching for whoever said that but finds only empty space. She blinks rapidly several times, clearing her vision, trying to focus. Everything seems hazy, like she hasn't slept in days.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
She swallows hard, suddenly terrified, wondering who or what might be lurking nearby.
"Answer me!"
Again, silence.
This is insane! She needs to get back to camp, tell them what happened, maybe even let someone examine her for signs of poison from the enemy. She grabs her sword and starts walking briskly toward the village, but a flash of light catches her eye and she pauses.
Another explosion rocks the sky and dust rains down upon the earth.
An ambush?
The thought sends a chill down her spine and she runs faster, sprinting towards the safety of the village gates. She is low on projectile weapons, and the blade of her katana is getting dull.
A shadowy figure whizzes above and she slides to a stop, panting wildly.
"You should have run faster," says the voice.
Nya spins around, weapon drawn, and sees Jay standing in front there, his arms crossed, smirking at her.
"Where did you come from?!"
"Right here, silly girl," he replies, pointing at himself.
She glares at him, furious at his audacity, especially after the stunt he pulled moments earlier.
"Get out of my way!" she snarls and pushes past him.
But he blocks her path with ease. She tries pushing harder, shoving him aside, but he barely budges.
"I'm serious," he growls, grabbing her arm and holding it tight. A bolt of electricity shoots down her wrist and she cries out in agony, dropping her sword.
"Ow!" she yelps, clutching her hand. "What's wrong with you?"
Jay releases her abruptly, stepping back, his eyes wild, his nostrils flared.
"Don't you mean, what's right with me?"
She narrows her eyes, taking in the sight of him. He looks like a madman, eyes glowing bright blue, his face flushed with feverish excitement. He is beautiful in his own strange sort of way. It makes her heart ache.
Maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought. Maybe it's better that they broke up. But part of her is still attracted to him, even now while he is acting strange. Un-Jay like. It's thrilling, and she slightly ashamed for thinking so.
He has been through hell and back these last few months. She understands his reaction, but she can't help but wonder if she is partly responsible for causing it.
She puts the thoughts aside, knowing that they'll eat at her mind until she figures out exactly what is happening.
"You're not yourself," she murmurs quietly, watching his every move like a hawk.
He shakes his head vehemently, waving his hands in the air.
"No, I am myself. Just fine."
"Look at you," she continues. "You look like you're high on something."
"Me? No! Why do you think I'd ever try drugs? I don't even drink alcohol."
"Well, I guess you wouldn't, since you're dead inside."
Jay scowls at her. "Dead inside? And what type of event would do that to me, hmmm?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that—"
"Yes, you did!" he shouts at her. "You're so oblivious sometimes, Nya."
Those words sting. Not because they are true—they are completely accurate. But because it hurts to hear someone say that about her. Especially Jay. The one person in all the world that she never wants to disappoint. Ever.
He sighs heavily and crosses his arms, his expression darkening once more.
"So are you going to keep running, or take a stand and fight?" he asks gruffly.
She hesitates for a long minute before answering. What does he want her to do? Run? Or fight? Literally or figuratively? Is this it then? Are they giving up on any chance of repairing the relationship?
She looks up at him, studying his handsome features, remembering the taste of his lips, the softness of his touch.
Her cheeks flush with heat, and she averts her eyes from his penetrating stare.
"I don't know what to do anymore."
Jay tilts his head curiously. "About us?"
"Everything. You know?"
He nods, rubbing his temples with two fingers, looking tired and worn out.
"Yeah, I know."
Nya bites her lip, unsure whether or not to ask, but she forces the words out anyway. "Do you miss me?"
"Miss you? Of course I do."
She smiles faintly, relieved by his answer. "Good, 'cause I kind of missed you too, but something's not right with you."
"No, it's not."
Panic creeps into the pit of her stomach. Jay's smile grows devious and wide.
"You better run."
She freezes, her eyes widening.
"What are you waiting for?" He lifts his hand up, blue lightning jittering around his glove. "A cattle prod to get you moving?" He cocks his head to the side, "Don't tell me you like it too much, I might capture you and never let you go."
Heat rushes up the sides of her face as her heart sinks.
She backs away quickly, tripping over her own feet as she turns tail and flees.
She races across the grassy field, dodging tree trunks and leaping over fallen logs. She can hear his sinister laughter echoing through the branches. She's not sure if she can out run him. His lightning makes him fast.
He's already catching up with her, his footsteps pounding loudly on the ground.
"Come on, slowpoke, hurry up and run," he taunts.
She keeps running, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.
"Hurry up, I'm losing patience!" he yells at her, gaining distance between them.
Nya skids to a halt, turning around, ready to defend herself, but Jay is gone.
She darts her head around, scanning the trees, gasping for breath.
This game of cat and mouse isn't fun anymore.
It is terrifying.