V+O; in the Alternate Universe **Completed**

Chapter 16

O stuck to the shadows as she made her way back to the tree loft, eager to avoid eyes. It seemed oddly busy for so early an hour.

The clothes she pulled on were made from some sort of animal hide, deer maybe? She wasn't too sure. She couldn't find a long sleeve shirt to cover her marks, but as she continued to dig through the armour she recognized arm guards, the kind used while firing bow and arrow. Pulled them on and pulled the lacing tight hiding the black and blue etchings that shone bright on her pale skin.

Then buckled her sword and knife into place and headed back down to the ground, where JungKook stood, back to the tree one foot pressing flat against the giant trunk.

"Ready?" He was all dressed in black again loose fitting pants and a black shirt with a black leather looking jacket.

All O could do was nod, his presence had surprised her; a kind smile was plastered onto his face.

"Is archery something you're interested in working on?" JungKook asked.

"HUH?" She spoke looking at him like he was insane, immediately feeling stupid afterward as he pointed at her arm.

"You're wearing bracers?"

"Oh right, yea, I guess, I mean, I don't know, yea, maybe?" Her mind was 9 billion miles away thinking about what had happened this morning with V. Would the same thing happen if she touched JungKook while trying to channel? Would it happen if she touched anyone while trying to use her ability? Did they have to be using their ability as she did her? There were so many questions, and she found herself wondering if she could go find Lenanne, somehow. She was the most likely person to have answers for her.

JungKook laughed at the indecisive matter of her answer, "You sound confident." He said with teasing tone. "I guess we'll have to find out."

O glanced over seeing the smile still stuck to his face, and it made her smile ever so slightly. Even though she was not even close to being a morning person his mood was contagious and she was far from immune.

He led the way through town, eventually they took a side road, and that was being polite, it was a beaten path. The trees grew thickly all around and if it weren't for the path they'd have been ripped to shreds by the branches hungry talons. Needle-like leaves crunched and rolled beneath her bare feet.

The silence as they walked was pleasant and comfortable, there was no electricity in the air, but the vibe of his company kept her grounded and worry free. JungKook glanced over his shoulder as if to check if she were still there.

The clearing they came into was a completely perfect rectangle, she guessed to be 40 by 60 meters. Most of the rectangle was soft green grass, another section was water littered with perfectly placed boulders. The same side was bordered by a skyscraper of a cliff. The outcropping of rock seemed artificial in some way, as if geographically it had no right to be there. To one side were targets, everything from human looking ones to just plain old circles.

"Welcome to my favourite place in this entire country." JungKook said arms outstretched as if to help her take it all in. A gleeful smile ran across his face from ear to ear, much like a Cheshire cat, teeth on full display. He practically floated towards a small hut she had just noticed and began to pull out all kinds of weapons and lay them out. He was truly a kid in a candy shop. The way his eyes lit up at the sight of every blade, bow, and mace left O feeling amused.

She felt a bit like a lost child just following and watching him, practically drool over each weapon. Spinning on his heels, facing her, arms outstretched a bow and quiver in hand.

"Let's try this first."

O shrugged, seeming unexcited, in an attempt to keep her energy low. She couldn't let herself absorb his magic, carefully without touching him she took the set. It wasn't the first time she'd used a bow, she slung the quiver over her shoulder, and marched towards a target. Pulled an arrow, knocked it, and released. She missed; by a long shot. Looking over at JK only to see him encouragingly smile at her to try again. When she did fire and miss again he strode over, reaching his arm out in an attempt to fix her hold. At the sight of his hand approaching she jumped backward. The shock and hurt on JungKooks's face made her twitch; a reaction she hadn't anticipated.