Starlit

**I would like feedback if you have any! I really would because this is my first story on aff! whoo! Kay, now have fun.**

Mayla sat by the fire, face hidden in her hands. Her hair glowed purple and pink in the light cast by the fire, moon and stars. ‘Where is Arashi?’ she thought to herself. What was so important for him to look for without her and leave her all by her self where bandits, and even worse, bugs could get her without his protection? A small chirp sounded off to her right and she jumped, green eyes now searching the darkness for the evil bug that had made the noise. She would not go look for it without someone to take care of it, bugs were SCARY!!!

The fire sparked and an ember floated out and towards Mayla, she yelped and scrambled away from the fire, not caring that the night was rather cool and she would rather be by the warm fire. But without Arashi there to keep her safe, she would not risk it. Stupid Ursula! Ursula was Mayla’s identical twin, but for the fact that she was tough and mean and the only one that Mayla had trusted before she had been left with the mysterious stranger, now known as Arashi. Where Mayla was a powerful healer, she could not touch weapons; the danger of hurting herself was scary. Ursula however had been a fighter, grateful for Mayla’s healing when she got into a tight spot at taverns and fighting arenas.

The chirping sound was closer now and Mayla could make out a large insect with hairy legs crawling across the ground toward the fire. “ARASHI!” she cried, jumping up and running into the night where she had seen him disappear.

* * *

Arashi felt the warm water through his elf senses before he came upon the hot spring. The fight three days ago with the bandits had left him sore, and though Mayla was a very talented healer, nothing was as good as a hot bath at times like these. He grinned down at the water, this was a treat. He had actually expected to find a cold stream or something icy cool, but this was much better.

Quickly shedding his clothes he slipped into the water, letting it relax his tense muscles. He knew that he shouldn’t have left Mayla by the fire all alone, she was afraid of everything. But he would not have enjoyed her sitting there and talking away, like she was prone to do, with her back turned as he took a bath. She may be very innocent, but she was more curious than someone with that amount of fear usually was. But now was not the time to worry about that. He had hot water and time to enjoy it.

* * *

Mayla hugged herself against the cold air that had come around her since leaving the camp ground. She had left all their stuff, not wanting to stick around for the bug to bite her or crawl on her with its icky legs. She could see where Arashi had walked clearly, her elfin eyes working well in the dark. He hadn’t thought she would follow, or he wouldn’t have left a trace. He kind of wandered a bit, first going one way then the other. Suddenly the trail went straight, and Mayla could sense hot water nearby. Why had he needed that…? She began to giggle.

He had wanted a bath! He should have said so; she would have been a good girl and endured the sparking fire and crawly bugs to let him take one. She turned to go… It was so dark back that way! How could she go back now? There was a course of chirps rising, and she could feel the bugs moving in on her. Panicking she turned and followed Arashi’s trail. She would just hide and wait near him, and then he could take her back to the fire.

The air got a bit warmer as she neared the place where she could feel the water, and now Arashi’s presence. Good thing her senses went further than his because of her magic, or he would know she was there as soon as she knew where he was.

Looking up from the trail she could see his red hair, glowing in the moonlight and she froze. He was taking a bath… she really should leave… but the BUGS!!!

Spying some boulders she dove behind them noiselessly. She sat there, listing to the small sounds of splashing water and hoping that no bugs would come and give her away. What if a bug came and she squeaked? Arashi’s hearing was very good, and he would know someone was there. Would he get out of the water and come see who was spying on him? Would he bring his scary sword incase it was a bad guy? What did he look like without a shirt on and not injured?

Mayla almost squeaked at the thought, she covered her mouth with both hands. She could feel the blood rush to her face as the thoughts wouldn’t stop. She had noticed that he was very handsome, and very strong and gentle at the same time. She wondered what his skin would look like in the moonlight, was it softer than his callused hands? She had feelings for him… But why would she think about all of this now, when he was so close…

She may never get another chance to see him like this. Mayla shook her head at the thought. Arashi and Ursula both told her how she was much too curious for her own good… but seriously, how would he ever know if she just peeked?

Slowly, so as not to make a sound, she turned around and lifted herself up till her eyes could see over the boulders. All she could really see was his red hair as at the moment he was in the water up to his neck and his back was turned to her. She thanked the gods for that one, his vision was better than hers as well. All she had on him was magic and sixth sense.

Her curiosity was not satisfied. She hoisted herself up a bit further to get a better view of the bathing elf. Arashi was moving a bit now, he stood part way and grabbed a cloth from beside his clothes. Mayla watched in fascination as he moved. He moved with grace, but she could still see his muscles beneath his slick skin. She could make out scars from past battles along his shoulders, back and arms. His fingers were strong and sure as he washed the dirt from his skin.

Mayla noticed that one of his ears kept twitching in her general direction, and she remembered to control her breathing. She also noticed that as she had observed him, she had somehow come to sit on top of the boulder that had been hiding her moments before. And then he spoke…

“Is there any particular reason you feel you should be spying on me while I take a bath, Mayla?” His tone was slightly amused and slightly exasperated. She yelped and fell forward off the rock, landing on her face.

What would he do now? She heard him hop out of the water and she covered her head with her arms, keeping her face in the dirt. “I’m so sorry Arashi!” her words were muffled by her position. She waited for him to yell, or hit her or something but after a few minutes, no sounds could be heard. Slowly she lifted up her head to see him sitting on his heals observing her. He had put on his pants, but his chest was bare and shone with water in the starlit night, his hair clinging in wet strands to his face. He WAS very handsome.

“What are you doing?” He asked gently.

“Hiding from your wrath…” she squeaked. Why was he not angry? This was almost as scary.

“Why would I be angry? I don’t know why you’re here yet.” He used the same soft tone. It was unnerving and made her want to blush.

She sat up slowly and looked into his eyes, “I don’t know… Because even though I should have stayed hidden behind the boulder like I planned, I watched you take a bath…” Her breath was coming quicker. Was he leaning closer?

“Why did you want to watch me bathe? All I was doing was cleaning the dirt off my body.” He WAS leaning closer, his knees were touching the ground now, his brown eyes getting larger, the blackness in them expanding as he took in the sight of her. She could see her own green eyes reflected in his. His wet hair was dripping onto her, she leaned back a bit, her breath coming faster still and now her cheeks heating.

“I… I was just curious… I don’t know…” He was leaning so close, and her back was to the boulder now. She had to look away. She put her head down and had her bangs fall in front of her eyes. She could feel him lean closer and put his left hand on the rock beside her head. His right came and lifted her chin up before gently brushing her pink-blue bangs from her face, his hand stroking her cheek. He was so close…

“Mayla…” it was a whispered breath and it sent shivers up her spine, making her close her eyes with delight. Never had she imagined that he would return her feelings, for surely he must if he was so close… touching her so gently. She felt a soft brush against her lips and she realized that he was kissing her! She tentatively pressed her lips against his… and then they were gone. She waited expectantly for a moment more, and then opened her eyes, only to find she was looking at the stars from her back…

It had all been a dream… She sighed; it hadn’t been the first either. Ever since they had left the last town and the bandits behind, she had had one dream like it a night. She turned on her side and looked at Arashi. What did it mean? He looked tense in his sleep, probably dreaming about another battle long past. Turning her back to him, she tried to go to sleep, it took a long time.

* * *

Arashi relaxed only when Mayla’s breathing had returned to normal. That had been close. Every night since he had almost lost her in the battle with the bandits, he had snuck a goodnight kiss while she slept. This was the first time though that he had almost been caught. So influenced by his emotions he had actually whispered her name before kissing her this night. If she ever found out about his kisses… He didn’t want to think about the rejection he might face. Rolling onto his back to look at the stars, he drifted to sleep thinking about how soft her lips had been, and how he had imagined her kissing him back. If only it could be…