Shadow angels

 She was walking the long trek back to her bunk, after training, as Storm flew up behind her. he swung himself to land facing her, she giggled.

"Hello Storm." She breathed. He pinched a stray strand of her navel length black hair, and twirled it around his finger.

"Hello my precious shadow." He leaned in.

"I've told you I am not your's. W-We wouldn't work- I'm only a foot soldier. You would get dishonorably discharged." His answering grin was feral.

"Don't tell me you can't feel that we're mates?" Her face fell.

"I'm truly sorry Storm but I can't. I must be on my way so that I can have time to change before lunch and my next training session. Goodbye." She stated, walking around him and continuing on to her bunk. He used his inhuman speed to cut her off.

"You're lying so I won't get D-Ded." He growled almost like he was trying to convince himself as much as her. She shook her head mournfully.

"No Storm, I'm not lying. I see you as a brother nothing more-" His lips met hers. She went to jerk away but he held her firmly to himself. Slowly he pulled away.

"Do you still feel nothing?" He asked her, and she slapped him.

"I told you I see you as a brother nothing more and you kissed me! I now feel nothing but a loathing for you!" The man hiding in the bushes- that neither was aware of- was secretly pleased by this. She shoved Storm aside and started walking again. The man in hiding wanted to step out and tell her that they were truly mates. That what the other young man- his twin brother though the other didn't know it- felt was just a trace mockery of what flowed through his veins. He knew that if she ever met him that it

 would slip into place and they would be inseparable. Even though temptation was at war within himself he let her go, knowing that she still had some learning to do before they could be together. So he stood quietly and walked away. She had put on speed quickly trying to run from the dirty feeling Storm kissing her had left. Once she reached her bunk she undressed tearing some of her gear as she went. She ran nearly tripping over herself in her rush to get to her shower. As she scrubbed away the thought of her life long friend ruining their friendship she wished that she could cry- but she couldn't. She had long since taught herself not to cry, to hold in her feelings, and to uphold her little warrior's face. she hated the apocalypse. The ruthlessly killing humans. She turned her thoughts to this to ease her mind before going in front of the others. After showering she quickly put on her water skins and over clothes- hoping she still had time to stop for a quick bite before going out for a round of deep waters fighting. As she had yet to manifest a pair of wings- most did by age four and she was nineteen- she was perfect for deep sea fighting. This was because she had no need to worry if the water pressure was too much for her wings, or if she should pull them in, and so on and so forth. She slipped out her bunk door breaking into a sprint. As she got close to the mess she saw it was still jam packed with angels. She moved past them and heard the usual names of: flightless freak, angel abomination, and a bird of no feathers. She sighed having long ago stopped caring what they thought. A stray slice of pizza hit her in the shoulder. She shrugged, she knew she was good. She also knew that the only class halting her from getting a perfect score all round was high altitude fighting class. Which was just to show you how to fight in the air and avoid getting your wings cut. She sat down at her favorite

 table. All her usual influences where there. Snow with her hip length silver hair, white silver eyes, and quick wit. Thunder with her shoulder length golden brown hair, emerald green eyes, and a love for a fiery girl and her brother Storm. Dragon- he had fire red hair with orange tips; constantly trimmed and spiked, eyes of liquid gold, and a delightfully wicked humor. Fireflower the only fire angel in their group had shoulder length hair a deep crimson red, with matching eyes ringed with gold, and a great love for her mate Thunder. The last person was Storm himself- brown haired green and yellow eyed. He sat alone at one corner of the table. Usually the center of attention it was odd to see him sitting so far away. She ignored him and sat by the others. It seemed as though everyone had silently agreed that it was to be life as usual. Thunder and Fireflower sat close holding hands and whispering sweet nothings. While Dragon and Snow fought verbally, flinging words at each other with precision. each knowing the other well enough to brandish their words like the dangerous weapons they were. She knew that Dragon secretly liked Snow. She plucked a fry from Snow's plate. Snow held one finger up to Dragon and turned to her.

"What the hell happened?!" She questioned sharply effectively drawing the attention of the rest of the group's attention. She grimaced reaching for another fry, Snow smacked her.

"No more fries or any other food till I know why that golden haired, emerald eyed hottie walked in looking like he could strike us all down with one bolt of lightning. and then you come in here... late." She quirks an eyebrow expectantly. Shadow looked down at her hands folding them nervously.

 "He and I got into a small fight. He- He um- he kissed me after I told him that I see him as a brother. I tried to push him away and he wouldn't let me. when i finally got out of his arms he asked if I still felt nothing, and I-I " For the first time in a long time tears welled in her eyes, and her voice cracked. "I slapped him saying that I loathe him. But I don't. I just don't know what to do... Can you help me Snow? Cause I'm scared." She stared at Snow helplessly. Snow's jaw dropped as she pushed her tray towards Shadow. Having lost her appetite she placed her hands in her lap waiting for Snow to answer. Snow cleared her throat.

"Well... Um...Well-"

"That's fucked up dude!" Dragon cut in. Snow slapped him upside the head. "Ow!" He cringed rubbing his neck. He looked at her. "What?" He asked shrugging.

"Not helping." She growled. He scooted to the other edge of his seat.

"Okay. Okay. I'll shut up... Geez the nerve of some people." He muttered, then a pile of snow appeared on top of his head. he sighed in defeat. She giggled quietly to herself and shot a smug look to his snow covered frame. Then she became very serious turning back to Shadow. She was almost surprised to see just that- a shadow.

"Oh! Sweetie! It's okay calm down you're fine it's okay."

"What am I going to do!.." Her broken sob floating out of the shadowy form grated on Snow's ears.

"Breathe Shadow breathe." she whispered calmly until Shadow slowly came back into focus. "There you go... There you go."

"What do I do..." Shadow asked her voice shaking.

 "I kinda think you should apologize to him. Maybe give it a try." She shrugged regretfully.

"I would but what about the threat of being dishonorably discharged. I just couldn't do that to him!"

"Actually..." Snow said. "While you and him were out fighting each other today there was an announcement that the king has removed that rule because he wants us to be free to be with those we love." Shadows eye's widened.

"Oh my. I guess I will give it a try then." Slowly she stood up, snagged another fry and sashayed over to Storm. She sat down next to him and carefully slipped her arm through his. He grunted and went to slip away from her.

"Wait!" She breathed. He slowly sat back down. She sighed in relief. They sat in silence for a bit. "I would like to speak with you tonight. If you will agree to listen to me then come to my bunk after supper." She stood up stiffly and walked to training. He watched her go a new wonderment in his eyes. He got up deciding he wanted to drop in and watch her next class. By the time he got there the class was in the water. He counted a total of twenty- one heads floating and waiting for instructions. He noted that Susan was floating above the water and her students. Her foam wings had taken on a greenish hue. She spotted him and waved him over. He stepped up to the bank.

"I'm contemplating-" She called to him. "Whom to pair with whom." He grinned.

"Well you have an odd number so you'll have to fight one of them." She shook her head.

"NOPE!" She laughed. "You will."

 "Then give me your worst!"

"Okay. You're paired with Shadow." He was surprised. Shadow was her strongest student. He shrugged, and leaped into the water. He made his way over to her grinning maniacally. She giggled and splashed him in the face. The whistle blew and she disappeared. He took a deep breath then dived down after her. He reached over his shoulders and grabbed his twin Katanas, as he searched for her. He squinted his eyes as he willed his wings out of existence. Soon the pressure was next to nothing on him so he swam deeper knowing that was where she would go. A shadow passed near his left Katana. He twirled to his right having taught her that maneuver. He caught a flash of her grin before she dissipated again. He felt something slice his upper calf. He swirled around in the water suddenly remembering that she fought with shurikens and throwing knifes. Quickly he created a small underwater hurricane around himself. Doing the opposite of what she would expect he swam deeper. He swam until his feet touched the ground. He stood there waiting. Suddenly he was in a headlock. Her legs wrapped around his waist, one arm hooked around his throat , that hand tucked into the crook of the other arm. He thrashed trying to throw her off but she only tightened her grip. He tried to kick backwards but then he felt blades slide deep into his thighs. Slowly he gave up and his hurricane disappeared. He felt her silent laugh vibrate through his back and grinned. Then they were drifting upwards, he hung limp letting her do the work. As soon as his head broke the surface he gasped in a deep breath. The first thing he heard was her bell like laugh. He bared his teeth in a smile and violently shook his hair out. She squealed and her heard a quiet splash. Feeling a gentle tug on his ankle he took a deep

 breath before the tug became more insistent and he was pulled under. He went still as he was dragged slowly deeper and deeper. Suddenly the hand on his ankle disappeared, just as two new ones appeared on his shoulders. He opened his eyes and was face to face with a smirking Shadow. She slid her right hand down his arm and into his own. She lifted their arms and began to lead him in a simple four step dance. He followed her relishing the smooth touch of her fingers and losing himself in her aquamarine blue eyes. Too soon he was dipping her and their dance was over. They kicked off the ground and swam for the surface.

"Who won?" Susan asked with a dimpled smile.

"She did every time-" He said squinting her and the setting sun.

"Well..." She said. "I'm not surprised." He shook his head.

"Me either. I'm going back to my bunk to change then get dinner you in Shadow?"

She pursed her lips thinking about it.

"Sure." She said. "I'd love to. But first I gotta head back to my bunk and change." "Why don't you just come to my bunk... I have something for you anyway."

"My hair's soaking wet. What if it gets on your stuff? You know how my hair can be." "I do know; but i also have a towel with your name on it." She shrugged.

"Okay then." She stated resigning her arguments, and slipping into place next to him.

She carefully placed her hand in his own. She loved the well cared for calluses that covered it. She softly fingered each one, thinking maybe she could get used to this. To being cared for as well as he cared for his own hands. He turned to look at her.

"What?" She asked. He smiled shaking his head.

 "Nothing." She shrugged and kept on walking. Soon they reached his bunk.

"Wait out here so I can get you that towel."

"Kay." She said as he disappeared through the door. She heard him shuffling stuff

around. When he stepped back out he didn't only have a towel, he also had a little box. She took the towel first vigorously drying her hair. She didn't stop till it no longer dripped. When she handed him the towel he gave her the box. She smiled shyly.

"When should I open it?" She asked.

"When you're ready to open it." He said beckoning her into his bunk. She tiptoed in after him.

"What is it?" She questioned.

"You really want to know?" She nodded. "Open it and you'll find out." She sat on his floor and watched as he went to his closet and pulled out two simple outfits. Handing her one he began to strip out of his wet clothes. She stood following suit. When she got down to her bra and panties they were soaked as well. Without thinking she walked to his dresser and picked out a pair of his boxers. She then walked back to her pile of wet clothes and shimmied out of her panties dropping them on her other clothes and pulled on his boxers. She undid her bra clasp dropping it on the pile as well. She slipped on his T- shirt and jeans. When she looked up he was staring at her wide eyed.

"What?" She asked confused. He just shook his head and grabbed their clothes. He walked out a side door and into his laundry room. She followed leaning on the door frame as she watched him place their clothes in the dryer and start it. When he turned around and saw her his face flushed crimson. She swirled in place, grabbed her gift,

 and walked out his bunk door. He went silently after. once they ordered dinner they sat at their table side by side, across from Snow and Dragon. Dragon sat eyes wide looking between Shadow, Storm, and Snow. To Shadow he began to look like a cartoon character as his movements sped up and suddenly came to a stop on Snow his arms and eyebrows raised questioningly. Snow rolled her eyes and Shadow laughed. Dragon pretended to pout and snow instantly covered his frame his spit turned to ice. He glared quietly at Snow his mouth frozen into silence. Snow giggled and Storm shrugged when Dragons eyes landed on him for help. He growled but it was so quiet it came out sounding more like a purr. Without a care in the world Shadow laid her head on Storm's Shoulder. He gently slipped his arm around her and lowered his hand to her hip, pulling her closer. She sighed happily. Soon Snow and Dragon were heading to their respective bunks. Shadow got up and Storm followed her to her bunk. They sat side by side on her bed. She carefully unwrapped her present. What she pulled out was a shadow bracelet. Her breath caught in her throat.

"How did you get this? They are so rare... How am I going to fulfill this debt?" He shook his head.

"It was nothing. I just saw it and thought you might like it." He whispered. Slowly she realized something.

"How long have you had this? I only just accepted your request today." He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"I've had it since we were preteens... I was gonna give it to you for your fourteenth birthday, and ask you to be my girlfriend. But then they umped my rank and I knew you

 would care too much to let me throw my life away at the time so I put it away... For a time when you might except it." He heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry if I've been pushy lately... I just- I feel as though we're mates. Like I would die if you where ever parted from me." She gently laid the bracelet back into its box, before setting it aside. Slowly she stood and curled into his lap. He took a shaking breath and held her to him in a way that brought more truth to his words then anything else ever could. She burrowed deeper into his embrace, and he rested his chin on her head. After a while he stood cradling her to his chest then turned to place her in her bed. When he went to stand she clung to his chest afraid to be alone for the first time in a long time.

"Please don't go." Her voice cracked bringing him back in time to a younger her tugging on his shirt and whispering the same three words, night after night. Just as he had then till the day he was banned from doing so- he climbed in. She cowered in close to him. He carefully slid one arm underneath her pulling her closer to himself. She made a quiet noise of happiness and laid her head on his chest. Soon they had both drifted off to sleep.