Jay paused and looked back. "Now hold on Rukiea. Obviously you don't know what I'm going to say or else you wouldn't have said that." Climbing on, he turned the horse around. He couldn't believe that he made her think that. No, he couldn't believe that he wanted to make her think that he never wanted to be with him. "Here," He said, p*censored*ing back her sword. "In case any guards show up." He started the horse off at a gallop. "When we get back to the others we will talk time to talk. Until then, just be quiet. I don't want anyone to here us."

 Ooc: I'll get my other post up later tonight.

Ooc: okay. I'll edit too when you get yours up, but i gotta shower and want to at least reply.

Rukiea took her sword, latching it back into place at her hip. She was a little suprised at what Jay had said. She felt al ittle more tense, but tried not to show it. She gingerly began to wrap her arms around Jay, not wanting to fall for one, but also not wanting to cling to him. She didn't want to seem like her old self, wanting to cling to Jay at every moment she got. She was finally able to get her arms around Jay even though she was sccared and shaking a little. She laced her fingers toegther and helf in tightly. She put her cheek on his back, being able to hear his heartbeat through his back. She let her eyes close slightly, wanting to fall asleep.

Jay tensed slightly as she wrapped her arms around him but soon relaxed. The bigger surprise was when she rested her head on his back. Feeling that, he smiled to himself. This is how it should always be. Hopefully he could enjoy this for the rest of the ride. And if things finally got worked out, maybe for a lot more rides in the future.

Rukiea felt Jay tense and relax, causing her to relax. Maybe Jay was the one she should choose, she stabbed Zane... But he was the only one who didn't say his only goal was to overthrow the king, being the fuel that sparked her anger at the King. She looked down, her eyes welling with tears again. She blinked them out and looked around, trees flashing before her eyes and a few leaves colored white. She knew where they were going. She remembered this hideout and she felt safer here although she was a bit conflicted. She would see the two she hurt. One who she hurt by stabbing who never hurt her. And the one she first fell in love with, her brother stabbed, and put her last to the King.

He walked out. "Alright, get in there and help save my friend." He gently led Leita into the closet and he walked back to the group, placing his hand on Zane's head. He walked to a small sink, filling a little cup with warm water. He walked to the other side, pulling out a small rag. He put the water on the rag, wrung it out and placed it on Zane's head. Wanting to warm him up a little.

They weren't too far from the cave now. Slowing the horse down, Jay looked back and smiled. He didn't want to cause her any stress as he knew how much she was already under. "I said we would talk. Now it's up to you if you want to talk here or back at the cave or if you want to wait until tomorrow since it's been such a long day."

Rukiea looked at Jay. "I rather talk now.. I can't sleep under stress.. I'll end up waking up and running off... I don't like being under so much stress Jay... I know neither of you want to share me, although I'm all for it just to keep you both happy... But you guys don't want that.. You put me last to the King and I stabbed Zane because I was being stupid with my anger.." She got off the horse, sat on a rock, her sword placed next to her. "Jay.. Please help me.. I'm scared and I'm worried... I don't want to loose either of you.." Tears fell from her eyes, sadness and anger mixing together. She wiped her cheeks, red with embarras.sment. "I-I'm sorry for crying so much.."

Jake walked outside, squeezing through the crack. He saw on the edge and breathed in the mountain air. No matter how you looked, trees covered every inch of the hideout and of the surroundings. Nobody could see them. The crack was natural but unnatural inside. He isghed, wondering if Rukiea was okay. Maybe she ended it all already. But then again, he was sure Jay got to her.

Jay swung himself off the horse. "Rukiea," He shook his head. "Rukiea you aren't going to loose either of us." He took the few steps that separated them. "And it's okay to cry." He hesitated but finally moved his arm to wipe away some of her tears. "I know you wish we could share you but I was raised with the belief of one true love for everyone. And I hope that you are that one for me. That's why I think the though of sharing you is disgusting." He sat on the ground in front of her and smiled slightly. "Bet you never thought I would ever say something that corny."

Leita began to crush the herbs. It wasn't long until they were ready for her use. "Alright Zane, I need you to swallow this." She murmured, though she doubt he could hear. Motioning for Sam to open his mouth, Leita pushed the herbs in and forced him to swallow. "Now we have to wait a few minutes."

Sam stood back. "So what exactly is that supposed to do?" He asked while watching her look at the book again.

"It basically makes it so that when we pull out the dagger, not as much blood will gush out."

Rukiea laughed slightly. "Heh.. I really didn't think you would." She gave a slight smile. "I wasn't raised with that belief because my father cheated on my mother so long that's why me and Jake are half-silblings.. But my mom raised Jake like her own.. So i wasn't really taught that there was one person for everyone.. That's why I rather share you guys.. But it's already like this.. and it's already been so much stress." She looked down, her hair falling to block her face. She let tears fall without wiping them. She clentched her fists on her lap and let out a small wimper. "W-Where is my brother?"

Jake felt a sudden sadness and he stood up, jumping down and onto a tree limb. He walked along the branches and noticed Jay and Rukiea. He looked down at them, wanting to see what would happen. Hiding his prescence from Rukie. Come on Jay... You can do it... I know you'll be the one to win the unwinnable...

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. "Jake? He should be back at the cave. And he is probably expected us soon." He struggled to stand. "Come on, we can continue our talk later. But I want to get back to the others soon. We've been lucky not to have been caught by any guards while we have sat out here." He walked over to the horse with one question gnawing at him. He set his hand on the back of the horse but restrained from getting on. "Rukiea," He said, getting ready to ask the question although he wasn't sure if he should, "Are you sure you are actually in love with both of us or have you just tricked yourself into thinking that so you can avoid someone?" He shook his head. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that. I shouldn't have asked in the first place."

It was time to get on with taking care of Zane. She nodded at Sam, who took a deep breath then pulled the dagger. Blood started to pour out, but thanks to what they had fed him earlier, it wasn't nearly as bad as it should have been. Leita quickly started to press the rags to the wound, hoping the pressure would quickly stop the bleeding or at least slow it down.

Ooc: Sorry it takes forever to reply. This week has been urgh. Do you know what has happened with Maybell?

Rukiea's eyes widened. Her hands began to tremble and she felt numb with Jay's words. She loed them both. She loved Jay first and more but after what he said to her, she was loving Zane as well and a little more than Jay. She stood up. "Just go back with them Jay... I've heard enough of all this... I didn't plan on running, but this is already to much.." He voice cracked and tears spilled from her eyes. "I-If that's all you want to know.. Go ask Jake.." She began to run but was quickly stopped when Jake grabbed her arm.

Jake held on tightly, his nails digging into her skin like a vice grip. "You idiot... WHy do you always have to run away when you don't get it your way.. He is trying very hard to apologize for all he's caused and done.. But you shut him out like an idiot... I can barely stand to see him like thing... Zane is special to you. But Jay is your love.. You've talked about nothing but him.." Jake caught Rukiea as she collapsed. He carried her and walked over to the horse, getting on, still holding Rukiea as he cradled her. "Jay... How about you take her and I;ll guide the horse..." He offered Rukiea to him, her eyes shut like she was asleep and her body trembling like a new born child fresh from the womb. Her hands her clucthing her brother's shirt.

(and i do not know what happened to Maybell.. I rmailed her a while ago...)

Jay nodded slightly, taking her when Jake offered. It had bothered him slightly when Jake appeared, obviously meaning he had been listening but oddly enough, Jay realized he was grateful. Jake had after all stopped Rukiea from once again running off and he had even defended Jay. Coming out of his thoughts, he reached up and carefully made Rukiea let go of Jake's shirt.

Sam watched with concern as Leita attempted to slow the bleeding down. There wasn't much for him to do. He would occasionally hand her clean rags or anything else she needed. When she let up slightly on the pressure, Sam knew that it was time. He handed her a needle and thread, worried about the slight shake of her hand. Something seemed to have overcome her though, because as soon as she grabbed it, Leita stopped shaking and quickly got to work, sewing Zane back together.

Rukiea's hand let go of her brother's shirt, but she immediately grabbed Jay's shirt. She felt safer and warmer. Her hands trembling and her body shaking with the cold she had and all the pain she's gone through. She sneezed and curled up a little, pressing up against Jay as close as she could. Her head was on his chest, her wet hair sticking to her tear striken cheeks. She coughed and clung to Jay.

Jake got off the horse and began to lead it up the slope as gently as he could so that Jay and Rukiea wouldn't rock to much. He walked up and when they reached the ledge, Jake helped Jay get off. He looked around and then back at Jay. "Jay... You need to go in through that crack and rest Rukiea in the back room. It's big enough for two beds and I want you to stay there with her, taking care of her cold.."

It was killing him to see her like this. He had always seen Rukiea as being strong and independent and now she looked, well he wasn't sure what described her right now. Broken perhaps. Yes, Jay realized that she seemed broken now. As he got off the horse with Jake's help, he listened to what he was told. "You not coming in?" Actually, he didn't care one way or the other right now, he just wanted to take care of Rukiea. "Well, if you aren't, come in soon at least." He went into the cave, straight back to the room Jake told him about. Laying her on one of the beds, he leaned against the wall and sighed.

Leita was putting the last few stitches in when Jay had walked by. At the time, she didn't realize who it was, consumed with keeping Zane alive. It wasn't until she finished up that Sam told her that it was Jay and Rukiea. "I'm glad that both of them are back. I had my doubts on whether or not Jay would be able to do it."

Rukiea felt her head hit a pillow and she immediately sat up, knowing that she was wet. She sneexed several times before looking at Jay. She stood up and walked over to a dresser, she grabbed everything. All warm and unwet clothing. She removed her clothes and replaced them with new ones. Some tights, the same design top she was wearing and the same pull over. She clipped her sword to her belt and she adjusted her clothing. It was all the same, except that it was all a different color. She grabbed a towel and began to dry her hair. "Why do you want to continue wanting me when you already said what you did... The King comes first... Then love.." She looked at Jay. Her eyes dull and her broken spirit no longer there. She felt like an empty shell though.

Jake walked the horse toward the back of the mountain where it stepped down again. He walked down and removed the reigns, letting the horse roam in the pasture that was just behind the mountain, belonging to the older couple just beyong the fence. THey knew the two siblings and often came to visit. Jake smiled when he saw them. He waved slightly and let his horse roam away from him and toward the couple. He began his walk back up toward the hideout. He couldn't help but feel a sudden dread fall over him.

"I think a better question is why I was asked to take care of you when I have no idea how to take care of myself." He teased lightly as he watched her dry her hair. "And I continue to want you and I always will because I love you." He sat next to her and stopped her from taking care of her hair. "Rukiea, I thought you of all people would have known that I lied. Of course killing the King is one of the most important things in my life right now but it will always come second to you. Back there, I said what I said because I couldn't stand to see you tear yourself up with choosing someone. I wanted to make it easy for you so you could stop worrying about hurting someone. And I never should have done that. I should have continued to fight for you. That's what I'm going to be doing from now on, fighting for you."