Changing Our Ways (KIRA)

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was taken aback. I was shocked. Saga's outburst rendered me speechless as well as confused and a little hurt. I knew that something was wrong, that much was definite now. But I was hurt that Saga could think I only saw her like that. I didn't, I cared about her. I knew I didn't know her that well but that's because I never had the chance to do so.

I tried to think of what to say. I could tell that she was really hurt, that much was obvious. But I needed to do something now. I wanted to reach out to her but I couldn't do that. "Saga... I'm sorry..." I didn't know what else to say...

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. He said something. I'd said not to. I didn't want his apologies. I turned my glare on him and pushed past him. "I told you not to. I don't want you apologising. The last thing I need it your sympathy!" I put a bit of distance between the both of us but I could tell he followed me. I felt the hand on my arm and I lost it. I stopped dead in the middle of the kitchen. My fists clenched together and I remember my training; the one thing I was good at, quick thinking. I spun round and landed a solid punch square on his nose. As he doubled back in shock I literally yelled at him, "I told you don't! Was that not clear?!" (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I clutched my nose. She could pack a punch alright, especially for someone who had been out of training so long. But I was shocked that she had done it.

My face throbbed greatly. I stared back at Saga, I knew she didn't want me to help but I couldn't have just ignored it. What else was I supposed to do? I just stared at her, eyes wide and nose throbbing. I knew better than to say anything now, although I really did want to apologise.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. I stared back at him with what I knew were cold, pained eyes. He just didn't get it and I guess he never would. He had a high life, no one beat him up unless it was in training. He could handle himself. He may have troubles, but he was always so arrogant! I felt more tears start to flow down my cheeks as I said, "I wouldn't have done that. I haven't done that in a long time. I just told you to leave it. So why can't you leave it? Do you just like making people suffer? I don't want to talk so can't you..." But I was cut off with something very unexpected and dreadful. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I stared at Saga, drawing my hands away from my injured nose. It hurt to see her like this, to hear what she was saying. It wasn't true, I didn't want her to suffer at all. Not even the slightest bit. I felt awful. I wanted to comfort her and make everything better.

I stared at Saga, she was beautiful. I didn't know why I was thinking like that after she had just punched me. But I kept on staring. I didn't even realise what I was doing until I'd lent in and kissed her.

It was too rough, I realised that afterwards. It was too sudden.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. I didn't even see it coming. I didn't even know why it was happening. We were hardly friends, yet alone anything more. Yet, still his lips were on mine, roughly kissing me. I didn't kiss him back though. He obviously realised how unexpected and wrong it was when he quickly withdrew. All I could do was stare at him. I saw him in a different light, but whatever this new version was I had no clue. I didn't know what to do. I was at a complete loss. I saw his mouth moving but I couldn't hear a word of what he was saying. He advanced and that caught my attention. I moved out of his way and around him. At the edge of the kitchen I turned back to look at him, see the place where he kissed me. I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I turned away. I flung open the front door and ran. I ran, blinded by the tears in my eyes, to somewhere I had no reason in going to. I ran through the gates and stopped still in the middle of the training arena. Why had I come here? I sunk down to my knees and put my head in my hands, crying. What had just happened? (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was stunned at myself, at what I had gone and done. I pulled away as soon as I had realised it. I stared at Saga, completely shocked. She pulled away from me and that was when I knew I'd gone and ruined everything. I started to apologise but she walked away. She was crying.

And then she had gone.

I looked up and Saga had left. The front door was still open. I didn't know where she had gone. I ran out after Saga but she'd already turned a corner; if I knew which way she had gone then I would have been able to catch up with her. I knew that I could. But I didn't know where she would have gone.

I thought for a moment and decided that I should start at the bookstore first. I ran off in that direction.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. I didn't know how long I'd been crouched on the floor of the training arena crying, but it had been a while because my knees were seizing up from not moving and being struck in a cramped position. I finally looked up and wiped my eyes, taking in the arena. I hadn't been here in years so why on earth, when I was this upset, did I take myself here? I stood up slowly and turned around, taking in the size of the place. It wasn't as big as I remembered it, but maybe that's because I was smaller back then. I was thinking about anything and everything that would let me forget what had just happened, in my own home. And now the thought had come back, along with the anger and confusion that I hadn't been able to feel before because of my tears. I stormed over to the first rack I saw. There wasn't much on there, but I found it very stress relieving to push everything off one end of the shelf. It was very therapeutic. But then and only then did I hear the sarcastic clapping from behind me. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

She wasn't at the bookstore. I'd run all the way there, but I hadn't seen her and no one else had either. I stopped and tried to think about where else she might be.

I thought she might be at the woods, where we'd gone before. But then, why would she go somewhere that I had taken her? She was mad at me, really mad.

But, I didn't know anywhere that she would go for herself. I was lost.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. I turned round slowly to see every single one of my bullies in a group by the gates. All sneering and making snide comments. I felt my eyes widen, they'd never come as the whole group before. I mean, for a big gang, five wasn't a lot, but for someone like me it was pretty much a death wish. Then again, they weren't attaching me when I was truly vulnerable. I had anger and adrenaline running through my body, pumping me up for whatever they had to throw at me. I did think about trying to run for it, but they were blocking the main exit and I couldn't remember where the others were. Besides, it was better to stay out in the open rather than getting cornered trying to find an exit. Two of them advanced, while the leader stayed behind. As those two advanced, I noticed Ash standing at the back, but it wasn't Ash, just someone who looked slightly scared and a lot like Ash. That confused me more than anything which meant I missed the first blow that cam my way. I was brought back to the attention of the two brutes in front of me. "Come on then. Let's get this over with." I said, surprisingly without any fear showing in my tone at all. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was at a loss. I had no idea where Saga might be, I needed to find her. I needed to make things better. I'd hurt her, I knew that I had.

I tried to think about what I should do but no matter how much I tried I couldn't see where she would be. I just didn't know what else to do, so I started running again. I just picked a direction and ran.

I found myself near the training area, I doubted that she would be here, but I kept on going anyway. As I grew closer I could see a group of careers and somehow that filled me with dread. There was someone smaller in the middle. and then I saw Lawson.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. It was turning into one heck of a fight, and yes I was taking multiple hits here and there which was making cuts and bruises all over me. But at that moment I couldn't feel the pain. All my anger had been directed towards these careers. Now another one advanced and joined in the fight. I couldn't stay in the midst of the so called battle with three of them on me so I started withdrawing back. That only gained comments from the leader; who was still being a coward and hanging back. I ducked as I missed a punch that would have hit me straight in the face. As I ducked I swivelled and ran to the next shelf, but there was nothing useful for me to use there. I heard from behind me, "She's looking for something to use against us! What an idiot!" Then I found something that was incredibly useful, not a weapon as the careers knew them, but a wooden staff that would come in just as handy. They were advancing again and I saw the look on the face as I turned back round. I swung with all my strength and that's when the fight got nastier. They picked up my strategy and now it wasn't just using our hands to fight. A lot more damage was being done. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

The closer I got the more I could see what was happening. This group of careers were attacking someone, I couldn't see who it was but I knew it wasn't a training exercise to have five on one. I started to advance forward, I could still see Lawson hanging back, he wasn't fighting yet but I knew that he would. I was angry at him for getting involved.

I walked forward slowly so they wouldn't see me coming. But I stopped still. It was Saga! They were attacking Saga! Lawson was attacking Saga!

I could feel the anger welling up inside me. They had swords, maces, spears and all sorts of training weapons. Saga has a stick and she wasn't a career! I ran forward.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" I screamed at them. I ran and yanked the guy closest to me back, pulling the weapon out of his hands and punching him square in the face. I wasn't going to let them do this to her again.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. I was doing okay for that fact that I hadn't been training for any of this stuff in years. But the careers knew where the real weapons were, so when they came out I knew I wouldn't last much longer. At least the end would have me putting up a good fight and maybe I'd be remembered for that. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw someone slink away, but who it was I didn't have a clue. I hit one of them squarely round the face with the staff and he went down to the floor holding his face, but that wouldn't stop him for long. Then everything went wrong. I heard yelling and I looked up to see someone running up to the brawl. I saw one of the brutes go down with a force so hard his head hit the floor with a loud thud. I then caught sight of who it was. It was Ash! That god damn boy was going to ruin everything! He'd seen me fighting with anger in me. What would he think now? I lowered the staff and as I did so I got shoved backwards as Ash and I caught eyes. I drew my attention back to the brute who was my main attacker, but I was too late. He grabbed my staff and yanked me forwards. As I stumbled forwards, he brought his fist into contact with my nose. Hard. I was momentarily blinded, and when my vision came back I had tears in my eyes and felt the blood flowing freely. He pushed me backwards and I stumbled. He pushed me again, I tried to defend but my feet went from underneath me. I hit the floor and he was on top of me, holding my neck. My feet kicked under him and I flailed, trying to do something. Anything. One thought and one thought only crossed my mind; this was the end. I couldn't breathe and there were black spots starting to appear in my vision. I cried out as best I could and all I heard was a laugh. Then I heard the shouting again and I felt the brutes grip loosen. But he wouldn't let up. He swirled his sword around and smashed the handle of it into the side of my head with the words of, "Don't want it to be quick do we?" The last thing I saw was his smirk before he was yanked off of me. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I kicked the career that had gone down as I ran past him and onto the next one. Lawson wasn't fighting just yet and I was glad for that; I didn't want to have to face him again. But now my thoughts were on Saga. I needed to rescue her.

She had a stick and was doing ok, but they were too strong for her and they had swords. She wouldn't be able to keep them off herself for much longer.

I snatched up the sword of the kid I knocked down and charged at the next career. There were still two attacking Saga but I tried to focus my actions on this one guy. I swung my sword high but he blocked it. Training kicked in for both of us as we parried. I managed to start pushing him back and away from Saga. He swung at me again and knicked the side of my arm. A blinding pain ran through me, I gritted my teeth and tried to focus. I could feel the warm blood but a quick glance showed me that it wasn't all that bad. I could cope with this. I swung back at him, up high so as his attention was focused on the sword I was able to kick his leg out from underneath him. I hit the butt end of the sword into his stomach and watched him fall.

I turned away from the career and headed over to help Saga, there was only one left. I saw the other retreating along with Lawson. Cowards!

But the leader was choking Saga! He was going to kill her! I couldn't let him do that. She wasn't going to die. I dropped my sword and ran at me. I yanked him off of her hard. But it was too late, he'd hit her. I punched him hard. "I. Said. LEAVE. HER. ALONE!" I shouted at him. I kneed him hard in the stomach. He groaned loudly but took a swing at me. I punched him in the face again before dropping him roughly to the floor. Unconscious and bleeding.

I ran to Saga. "Saga?! Saga?! Can you hear me?!" I was panicked, she was bleeding from her temple. I scooped her up in my arms and began to run. I needed to get her to the hospital quickly. My arm ached badly.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. Things were coming back into focus now and all I could feel was pain all over, especially around my head. it was also difficult to breathe and I wondered why. I didn't really know. I fidgeted slightly and felt myself in someone's arms, but who's? I had no clue. My mind was working, and I could twitch my fingers, but my eyes wouldn't open. I concentrated on that thought and that thought alone; willing my eyes to open. To see where I was and who I was with. It worked, after a little while and I opened my eyes to an incredibly bright, sterile white light. Slowly the light dimmed down a bit and I saw a face above me. Then everything came back to me. I knew why I could hardly breathe. I fidgeted and due to my sudden movement the person holding me; the person who I assumed had the name of Ash seeing that those memories came back when I saw him, dropped me. I fell to the floor with a thud and I heard curse words and mumbles coming from above me. I felt someone reaching out for me but I pushed away from them. I crawled away and tried to stand up and run. I got to my feet and fell down again. Where the hell was I?! It was all unfamiliar territory! I got to my feet again and wobbled a little. I saw that person coming towards me again and I shouted out jumbled words, not really knowing what I was saying. I felt a prick and the floor came zooming up to hit me with full force. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I had run as fast as I could manage with Saga in my arms. I got to the hospital in a panic. I could barely explain what had happened to the doctors. My arm was throbbing and it hadn't stopped bleeding.

I was still carrying Saga as the doctors ushered us aside and into a room. They were talking at me, asking questions. I couldn't come up with the right, coherent answers quick enough.

Then she started moving, wriggling about. I looked down, Saga was awake. I tried to calm her but she started to thrash and my bad arm gave out. She fell from my grasp. I panicked and tried to pick her up. Saga backed away from me.

The doctors acted quickly. They had medication at the ready and then she was sedated. I stared at her in shock. They put Saga on the bed and made me sit down. I winced as they looked at my wound but my mind was on Saga.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. Again, the world started becoming clearer again. I could hear things around me and I could feel things all over me. People were prodding and poking me; making words into sentences. I tried to open my eyes but they were too heavy. I tried to speak, but no noise came out. I panicked. What was happening to me? I knew what had happened, I remembered now, but what was happening now? Not more pain and torture, surely? My eyes suddenly flew open and that bright, sterile white light blinded me. I tried to sit up but I was restrained. I looked around and the room was empty other than for the face that was right in front of me. Someone I didn't recognise. Someone wearing a white coat. I tried to make words again, but the person shook his head as he said, "Don't try just yet. You've been through a lot and it'll will be difficult to speak for a little bit. You in good hands now okay? Relax and don't panic. We'll get you all patched up in now time." He smiled what was supposed to be a comforting smile but all it did was scare me. Why was I alone with this person?! (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was too panicked about Saga to sit still. I wanted to go with her but the doctors wouldn't let me. I was too anxious about Saga that I stopped feeling the pain in my arm. But then other doctors were telling me to sit still.

I felt the pain when they stitched my arm up. But after that it was a dull ache. I paced outside Saga's room for what felt like hours. Waiting anxiuosly to be let back in.

[Lotus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: C0C0C0, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Fitting into a crowd is a challenge... But the outside is even more so...I am who I am and I chose the outside. I felt another prick in my arm and the person in the white coat asked if I could feel any pain. I shook my head and he smiled; again. I saw him motion outside and more people in white coats wandered in. The all looked me over and I wanted to close my eyes and when I opened them I'd be safe back in my bed at home with Jaida cuddled up under my arm. But this was happening. I was being pulled all over the place, being pawed mainly around my face. Not that I felt anything, it was just tugging here there and everywhere. It just seemed to go on forever, with no end. There was an end though and when they stepped back I was, according to them 'all patched up'. I felt around and my head a so many bandages and patches all over it. There was probably more over the rest of my body. My hands even had bandages wrapped round them. I wanted to ask so many questions, but the person in white just simply shook his head. (c) what the stark ?! of rpg-d

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[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

I was anxious and tired of waiting. I was so worried about Saga but the doctors had said I had to leave her alone to recover. Everything had happened so quickly that at the time I hadn't thought about what had actually happened. But now I just kept on seeing Saga with one of Lawson's friends on top of her, smashing her head in. I couldn't shake the image from my mind, no matter how much I tried.

Then I started thinking about Lawson. He didn't know that I cared about Saga, but even so why would he do that anyway? Why would he be so cruel to let his friends attack her?

I flexed my bad arm, trying to stretch it out. It was just a constant dull ache now. My mimd wandered back to the image of the unconscious Saga and I knew I couldn't wait much longer.

[Lotus]

{OOC:Until I figure out V5 I'll leave my template for the time being :S So confusing}

SAGA GREGORIO

The person in white walked away from me and out of the door. Finally I was left in peace and I rested my head back into the pillow. For the time being I couldn't feel any pain, just a dull ache all over my body; especially my head. I didn't want to think back to what had happened but I couldn't stop the images that came flowing back to me. Why were all the worst ones in so much detail and vibrancy? It wasn't fair! I had so many more nasty memories than any of the good ones.

I felt a tear fall down my face when I heard talking outside my door. I turned my head to look and saw Ash standing there trying to get into me. The people in white weren't letting him though and I couldn't understand why. Why couldn't he be at my side; just for a little comfort? I looked desperately over to him and could tell there was pain and longing in my eyes.

That's when I remembered what started all of this! He kissed me! I turned my head away quickly and covered my face with my arms. Why had all this happened?

[Deleted]

Being tough is only a facade,

but it's become a facade that acts like my personality.

The doctors left Saga's room. I stood up and looked at them, they didn't answer my questions at first. But then a nurse told me that she was awake. But they wouldn't let me into her room. I tried to get past them, I neefed to talk to her, after what had happened before she was attack.

I tried to look at Saga through the door after the doctors had made it clear I wasn't going in because I wasn't family. But Saga was turned away from me. I was really worried about her so much. I knew that I needed to talk to her about the kiss, if she remembered what had happened.

[Lotus]

SAGA GREGORIO

I didn't know what I wanted any more from the life I had. I knew I'd always wanted to go into design like my parents, but could I ever rid myself of the brutes that hurt me? I'd never get anywhere if I was always stopped achieving by them. I sighed and looked out of the door to see Ash being pushed away. I saw the lingering look on his face and felt another tear roll down my cheek. I owed him everything.

I owed him my life.

The thought dwelled and I realised how much I needed to see him. To speak to him. If it hadn't have been for him I would be dead on the arena floor with nothing to show for my short lived life. I felt more tears come as I tried to reach out for him as he disappeared around the corner. My parents wouldn't know I was here yet. I just needed someone to hold me and tell me everything would be okay.

[Deleted]

Ash Faulkner~~

They tried to push me away, they wanted me to move so that Saga couldn't see me. I wasn't family, I wasn't allowed to see her. But I needed to see her, I needed to talk to her. I needed to check that she was OK, not just what the doctors said but actually speak to her. Saga needed somewhere there to talk to, to be care about her.

I couldn't just wait in this cold, hard chair until the doctors told me I could see her. I wasn't going to wait. I stood up and walked back round the corner. I looked about me, I couldn't see the nurses or the doctors. I walked up to her door and looked in. I could see Saga but she wasn't looking at me.

I walked into her room slowly, "Saga?" I said gently, I walked over to the side of her bed and knelt down. I waited for her to reply and look at me.