Lament

Disclaimer: Despite desparately wanting to, I don't own Breath of Fire, nor do I own the characters. They belong to Capcom. This is for entertainment purposes only; I'm not making any money off this.

~*~

Ryu was singing sofly as they travelled. At first Lin paid no attention to what he sang- it was obviously for him to pass the time quicker as they walked. Until Nina gave an unhappy squack. Lin tunred her gaze to Ryu out of the corner of her eye, listening intently:

"... everybody hates me-"

"Hey!" Lin protested. Ryu looked at her and grinned, continuing: "-I guess I'll go eat worms. Fat ones, skinny ones-"

"Knock that off!"

"Short ones, long ones, little tiny itsy bitsy worms-"

Nina made another discontented sound and Lin stopped, snatching the sleeve of Ryu's jacket. "Can't you think of anything else to sing?"

He gave a short chuckle. "Down goes the first one-"

"Ryu!"

"Geeze, Lin, calm down!" Ryu finally cut off his song. "I wasn't serious-"

"Yes, but you were upsetting Nina," Lin scoffed at him. "And me. So knock it off."

"All right, all right... Sheesh..."

It had been two days since they emerged from Sheldar. At first the young Ranger was in a state of shock, following the two girls almost instinctually. As they got further away form the underground shelter, though, Ryu came back to himself, even gaining a sense of humor he had distinctly lacked in their quest for the sky. Immature as it was, it did nothing to quell the feelings Lin had for her younger companion; if anything, it strengthened them.

For a long while, Lin had denied to herself that she was in love with the young man. She loved him like a brother, she told herself, ignoring the funny twisty feeling in her stomach when he looked at her. Yes, he was attractive, but he was too young, she told herself firmly.

After the last battle with Bosch, however, she couldn't deny it anymore: she was very much in love with Ryu, and there wasn't much she could do about it. She doubted he would even miss her had it been just him and Nina; the boy seemed to focus all of his energy on the girl. If she didn't know better, she'd say he was in love with her.

Which was possible, she supposed. It wasn't much worse for him to love Nina as it was for her to love him.

What a twisted love triangle, she thought to herself sardonically as she stared at Ryu. His gaze was on the sky, admiringly. He turned back to his companions and declared that they should set up camp for the night, before it got dark. The three set about their tasks in getting the group as comfortable as possible for nightfall. Nina cleared a small patch of ground for a fire while Ryu gathered kindling for it, and Lin wandered off to hunt.

They needed to start thinking about clothing and shelter, and soon; judging by the crisp quality to the air, winter was coming. They all feared the cold would drive them back to Sheldar, something none of them wanted to do. But, as Ryu so eloquently put it, they'd be damned if they'd die now, after everything they'd been through.

Hunting was a short business in the woods where they were. She returned to camp bearing rabbits enough for the three of them to eat well tonight; Ryu examined them, declaring that perhaps they should save the skins to make blankets from then on.

The evening went uneventfully; Ryu cleaned his sword by a creek that provided them with fresh water, Lin sang lullabies to Nina while the girl drifted off to sleep. At some point, Ryu returned to the fireside, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest, watching Nina sleep with a sullen expression on his face.

Lin let him be for a while; when he didn't move, she stood and walked to him. "You okay?" she asked, concerned.

He nodded, paused, then shook his head. "I have no one left, Lin."

"What do you mean, you have no one?" Lin said in a whisper, lest she wake Nina. "You have me and Nina-"

Ryu gave a short laugh. "I never knew my parents. Their D-Ratios were much lower than mine."

"I didn't know my parents, either."

He ignored her. "Captain Zeno was the closest thing to a mother that I had. And I killed her. Bosch had always been my best friend. And I killed him." He uncrossed his arms and looked at his gloved hands. "Yes, I have you and Nina. But Nina can't give me what I need and I doubt you will."

"Try me," came the hot response. "Quit being so selfish, Ryu, it isn't becoming of you-"

"Selfish?" Ryu looked up at her, scowling. "Easy for you to say! You didn't know them-"

"What do you need, Ryu?"

"Forget it." He turned to move away, but Lin reached out and pinned one shoulder to the tree he was against. He knocked her hand away, only to have the other reach up to the other shoulder and hold him still. "Let. Go."

"Not until you tell me what you meant by that."

"By what?"

"Are you intentionally being stupid?"

Ryu's scowl deepened. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Lin's hand dropped. "You're not even going to give me a chance, are you?"

The Ranger sighed, running a hand through his bangs. "I'd prefer to not give a chance than to be disappointed."

"I'd give you a chance, if it were me."

"But you don't have anything you need from me," he said, a touch of bitterness in his voice.

Lin took a deep breath, and gulped. She couldn't believe she was about to say this... "Yes, I do, Ryu."

Ryu looked up at her, surprised. "Really? What?"

"I'd rather not give a chance than be disappointed," she mocked him, crossing her arms over her chest and turning away.

Now it was his hand on her shoulder. "Don't be like that," he said softly. "You just said that you'd give me a chance, if it were you."

Lin turned to face him again, taking another deep breath. "Trust me, Ryu, you do not want to know," she said in a low voice, sliding her gaze to Nina. The girl still slept soundly.

"If it's something I can help with, I do want to know. Just name it."

"You'll regret it."

"I doubt it."

"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you. I- I- I lo-" Suddenly too frightened to get the words out, Lin lunged forward and kissed Ryu's lips, hard.

Ryu's eyes widened in shock before closing, his hands going to Lin's face. Caressing her gently, the kiss deepened and something in Ryu snapped; the Ranger suppressed a sob as a tear leaked from the corner of one eye.

Lin's hands had wandered to his own face, and as the tear touched her hand she gasped and pulled away sharply. Ryu was shaking now; horrified, Lin let go. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"

"No," he choked out, grabbing her hands. "Don't be, please don't-"

"What's wrong?" she asked, letting him pull her hand back to his face as he wiped another tear off his cheek with it.

"I just told you," he replied, putting her hand against his cheek and holding it there. "Everyone I've loved, I've killed. I-"

Lin pulled her hand away and held Ryu's shoulders, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Listen to me, Ryu," she said quietly, but firmly. "It's over. We're free. There's no more killing. Odjn is gone. There's only you, me, and Nina. There's no one to threaten us. No one."

"What if Odjn comes back?"

"Then we deal with it." Lin pulled the young man in a tight embrace, bracing herself for what she was going to say. "You don't know how much I love you, Ryu. Whatever happens, we will deal with it." Lin pulled away slightly to look him in the eyes. "I love you."

Ryu's only response was to wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her, gently at first, then with growing passion. The Ranger leaned back against the tree as Lin kissed back, arms locking behind his head. Ryu's jacket was the first article of clothing discarded. The two sank to the forest floor together as Lin's mouth moved to Ryu's neck, elliciting a low moan from the Ranger. Lin's hand flew up to his mouth, covering it as she looked back at Nina, who gratefully still slept soundly. "Sorry," Ryu whispered, his face flushing.

"Don't be," Lin whispered back, resuming her ministrations. Ryu managed to keep it down until Lin's hands strayed below the belt, feeling and rubbing against the erection straining against his pants. Ryu put the side of his hand in his mouth and bit, forcing back another moan.

Then his pants were undone, his shirt off and then the pants and Lin's mouth was on his cock, licking in time with the little whimpers coming from Ryu. He shuddered as her tongue swirled around him, and his hands went to her hair, gently stroking. He tried to hold still but the sensation was too much and he began thrusting his hips upward ever so slightly, then with more force.

Lin choked at first, then adjusted to the new movement quickly and resumed. After a few minutes, Ryu gave a sharp gasp. "Lin, stop!"

The woman did so immediately, pulling up and looking up at him, concerned. "What's wrong?"

"I- I was just about to-" Ryu's flushed face reddened more, and he motioned for her to come up to him. She slid forward, making sure to rub her belly against his erection as she went (scoring another shudder from Ryu) and kissed his ear before whispering, "What do you want?"

"I- I- I want to- be- be inside.. you..."

Lin nodded; Ryu wrapped his arms around her and rolled over so he was on top of her. They kissed, his tongue pressing against her lips. She yielded and their tongues danced as Ryu rocked his hips back and forth against her womanhood, then pulled away and looked at her pleadingly. Lin nodded once again and Ryu thrust inside her, elliciting a loud moan.

It was Ryu's turn to cover her mouth as he looked over his shoulder at the still sleeping girl; Lin whispered as soon as Ryu removed his hand, "Maybe this isn't such a good ide-" Her words were cut off by another, lower moan as Ryu moved inside her ever so slightly, just enough to give her a jolt of sensation. Lin wrapped her arms around him and her legs entwined with his; her protests quelled, Ryu began thrusting in and out, gently at first then working up to a near-frenzied pace. Lin buried her face in Ryu's shoulder as he moved, holding her breath to suppress her moans of pleasure as the pressure inside her built, finally exploding in a wave of pleasure that shook the woman. Lin managed to keep quiet, emitting a sharp gasp as she climaxed, then tightened her hold around Ryu to stop his motions.

Ryu kissed her face a number of times before asking, "Are you all right?"

"Never been better. Is Nina still asleep?"

"I hope so," Ryu said nervously, looking over his shoulder at the girl. She had rolled over to face away from them, her back steadily rising and falling. "I can't tell. I think so."

Lin looked around Ryu at Nina as well. "I think so too. Well, there's no point in worrying about if she's awake or not now."

"Lin!"

"Hush." Using her element of surprise, Lin rolled Ryu over and on top of him in one smooth motion, rocking her hips against him. He moaned quietly, reaching up to bite his hand again. "Warn me when you're about to come," she leaned down and whispered to him as she started moving on top of him.

Ryu nodded and gasped at the new sensation, tilting his head back. Lin took the opportunity to kiss and suck at his neck as he gave a low growl and reached up to fondle her breasts. It didn't take long for Lin to shudder in pleasure again and lean forward, exhausted. Ryu took the initiative and began thrusting upwards, wrapping his arms around her and gasping into her shoulder.

After several minutes, Ryu gave a low moan. "Lin, I'm- I-"

The woman sat up quickly and moved off of him. Ryu's protesting whimper became a sharp gasp as Lin began mouthing his erection again, earnestly. The way she tongued him pulled his orgasm from him, and he bit down on his hand hard to stifle a scream as he came in her mouth, drawing blood.

Lin gulped down his come in several mouthfuls, then slid up to kiss him hard on the lips. Ryu kissed back then pulled away, wincing and gazing at his injured hand. "I'll get a heal kit for that," Lin whispered, starting to move away.

Ryu wrapped his good arm around her and pulled her back down, licking the bite on his hand gingerly. "I'm okay. I can handle it tomorrow."

"You sure? Bites get infected easily-"

"I'm sure. Just stay with me for now."

Lin laid back down, her head resting on his chest. "I can't believe Nina slept through that," she giggled.

"I'm glad she did," came the reply. "Do you want to explain this to her? I don't."

"We're going to have to, eventually."

Ryu rolled his eyes before closing them. "Preferably when she realizes I'm a human being and not her superhero."

"Mm. It'd break her heart."

The two laid silent then, drifting to sleep. Ryu roused himself enough to raise his head and look at Lin; he nudged her gently. "Lin?"

"Mm?"

"I love you too."

"Mm." Lin snuggled closer to Ryu and fell back asleep. Sighing, Ryu leaned his head back again and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him.

~*~

The lovers were awake before Nina. They both gave their thanks to whatever deity had allowed this after their tryst that should have exhausted them both until high noon as they dressed, preparing cheerfully for breakfast.

When Nina awoke, she refused to meet either of their gazes, outright ignoring them when she could. Lin and Ryu exchanged looks as she took her breakfast- rabbit left over from the previous night- and sat as far from the campsite as she could. Ryu nodded in the direction of the lake and headed for it; Lin followed.

When they stood at the shore, Ryu turned and looked Lin in the eyes. "She knows."

"I figured that," Lin replied sullenly. "What do we do now?"

"I think I should deal with it," Ryu sighed, running a hand through his bangs. "I'm the one she's probably angry with."

"Are you sure? She might listen better to me-"

Ryu cut her off with a kiss. "I'm sure, Lin. Although you should probably stay out of the crossfire for now."

"I understand." Lin kissed back, gently. "Be careful, Ryu. She's probably so heartbroken. Try not to make it worse."

"I have no intention of making it worse," Ryu replied, giving Lin's hand a squeeze before heading back to the camp and walking straight up to Nina, whose back was still to the camp. "Nina."

Nina jumped, startled, and turned to look up at him before scowling and looking away again. Ryu crouched next to her, offering a hand; she ignored it and he sighed. "We need to talk."

Nina made an unhappy growling noise and stood, glaring at him before turning and walking away. "Nina!" When the girl didn't respond, he rushed forward and grabbed a thin arm; Nina yanked away with a yell, but Ryu just tightened his grip. Nina started yanking as hard as she could, using her other hand to strike out at him. The Ranger grabbed her other hand to prevent her from hitting him. "Hey!" he hollored at her. "Stop it! I just want to talk!"

If Nina could speak, he would've sworn the girl would be cursing him out with the venomous look she glowered at him. She yanked away again, but Ryu's grip didn't yield. Defeated, her shoulders slumped and she looked away, her breathing heavy from her tantrum.

Ryu tried to catch her eyes with his, but she kept her gaze firmly away from him and he wouldn't risk letting go to nudge her face upward, so he just started talking. "I'm sorry, Nina. We didn't mean to hurt you." She fidgeted uneasily, pulling on her wrists to see if he'd let go yet. He didn't. Ryu lowered his head slightly, still trying to catch her eyes. "I don't expect you to understand, but I'm asking you too. God knows you can, I know you can. I love her. She loves me. We love you, too, but not the same way. I love you, Nina. I can't imagine my life without you. But it's not the same kind of love."

Nina looked up at him now, eyes shimmering with tears. The girl sobbed and lunged forward; Ryu let go of her wrists just in time for her to fling herself into his arms, crying hard. Ryu shot a helpless look to Lin, who had inched closer to the scene, as he put his arms around the girl sobbing into his chest. Nina's hands clutched his shirt, tightening into fists as she cried. Lin shook her head sadly, wiping her eyes as she watched. Ryu shook his head, then bowed it, closing his eyes and stroking Nina's hair gently, whispering reassurances to her.

Nina looked up at him as he opened his eyes. Their gaze met for a few seconds before Nina stood on her toes and kissed him very gingerly on the cheek. She then looked over to where Lin was and motioned for the woman to come to them; Nina reached out with one arm and took Lin's as Ryu reached for her as well, and the two pulled Lin into their embrace, Nina's sobs quieting to hiccups.

The three sank to the ground, Nina eventually falling into an exhausted sleep across their laps. Ryu and Lin looked at each other, then back at the girl. "Well, that went well," Ryu said sullenly, brushing Nina's bangs away from her face.

"I wish she could communicate better," Lin replied, stroking the girl's cheek. "I think she forgave us, but we can't be sure."

"I think she did. She wouldn't have wanted you near if she didn't."

"That's true."

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, before Ryu looked up at Lin again. "I was thinking, this is a nice spot for us to settle down. It's a good distance from Sheldar, it's sheltered, there's fresh water here. You and I could build a cottage or something-"

"That sounds nice," Lin replied with a smile. "I can hike back to Sheldar and see if any of Trinity would help us-"

"Nuh-uh. Not right now." Ryu leaned over and kissed Lin gently on the neck. "I want you to myself for a while... and there's no telling what the reaction will be to us returning."

"Us?"

Ryu looked shocked. "You don't think I'd let you go alone, do you?"

Lin smiled sheepishly. "No, of course not."