The Thunder Rolls

[pumkin-b-tch]

Song: The Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks

I do not own this song, it belongs to its respective owners!

This is a songfic dedicated mainly to Tiley (RileyxThorn) yet again. But there are plenty of mentions of Zilly, Lain, Lenney, Okai, and a relatively new one, Dit(DuskxKit). This story, along with many, many more fanfictions and artwork for Tiley and the other couples can be found on the fansite, tileylove(dot)webs(dot)com. Enjoy!

--

Three thirty in the morning,
Not a soul in sight,
The city's lookin' like a ghost town
On a moonless summer night.

--

Lightning struck. Thunder rolled. The broken city didn’t respond with anything but more crumbling concrete. The moonless night let the Earth be bathed in darkness. The place seemed dead of all life, barely able to sustain the moss and creeping vines that covered the buildings. The wind howled angrily, and the few trees within the city swayed, their leaves whispering to each other harshly. The lightning flashed, briefly illuminating shadows upon the ground. Human shadows, with wings. If one looked close enough, the lead shadow displayed frightful, icy blue eyes that were narrowed into deadly slits. The rain that usually deterred flying creatures didn’t seem to bother these creatures as they sore above the ruins. Their conquest. For now. War had been declared, and she would win. Even if her opponent had broken her heart, she swore she would not be the loser in their war to the death. Even if it meant betraying her still-yearning heart, her hate had clouded any nice feelings she might have had. She would win, if it was the last thing she did.

--

Raindrops on the windshield,
There's a storm moving in.
He's headin' back from somewhere
That he never should have been.
And the thunder rolls.
And the thunder rolls.

--

Riley landed gently on the balcony, standing quickly. She shifted uneasily, knowing that she walked on eggshells. She opened the door to the bedroom, quietly slinking into the dark room. A candle flickered on, and Riley straightened. “Riley Marie Callihan,” a gun cocked, “What do you think you’re doing here?” The woman pointed the gun at Riley’s forehead. Riley sighed, “Autumn, can’t we drop the hostilities?” she asked hopefully. Autumn glared hotly, red eyes alight with fury as she moved her finger to the trigger, “Not since you broke my heart, Riley.” Riley held her hands up defensively, “I only wanted to talk. I want an alliance between our families, you know?” Riley relaxed when Autumn lowered the gun, though didn’t set it down. Autumn studied her, “The Callihan clan-the Blue clan-in alliance with the Red clan? Why would you want-” Autumn cut herself off as realization flashed into her eyes. “You think I’m going to declare war on the Black clan?” though she said it as a question, she didn’t expect an answer.

Riley nodded, “Thorn leads the Black clan, and I know you have…Hostilities against her,” Riley tried to choose her words very carefully. Autumn laughed, and the gun was set upon her bed, “Hostilities! Ha! After she stole your heart from me?” Autumn sniffed in pure distaste. Riley resisted a scowl, “You were going to use me to unite our clans, so you could have power,” she corrected, hating to remember such a thing. Autumn considered Riley a moment, “Yes, well,” she moved the gun to her night stand, sitting on her bed. Autumn grinned, “I will accept your offer, for, oh, a couple more romps in the sheets? For old times sake?” Autumn patted her bed as she lay back. Riley flinched, hesitating greatly. The war that could be declared upon her love was one she knew the Black clan could not win well enough. She didn’t want that to be her fault. She closed her eyes, and imagined the same question from the lips of a beautiful woman, with enchanting mismatched eyes. Riley knew what she had to do, as she moved toward the bed.

--

Every light is burnin'
In a house across town.
She's pacin' by the telephone
In her faded flannel gown.

--

Thorn couldn’t help but worry. Her nightgown whispered against the floorboards of her room. The clouds rumbled threateningly outside in the dark of the night, the full moon high overhead. It was the kind of weather only the stupid would fly in. That was what kept Riley away, right? She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s ok, it’s just the weather, that’s all,” Thorn muttered to herself. She looked up to the guard stationed by her door, “What do you think, Zero?” she asked, the worry easily seen in her eyes. Zero considered her a moment, black eyes unreadable as he brushed back some more wild black hair, “I do not know, my friend,” he admitted after a moment, shaking his head. Thorn sighed again, continuing her pacing as she used her fangs to nibble on her bottom lip. Every now and again, she’d look back outside, hoping to see a shape flying high, the glowing blue eyes always easily spotted. Every time she looked, she sighed in dismay, and paced more.

--

Askin' for a miracle,
Hopin' she's not right,
Prayin' it's the weather
That's kept him out all night.
And the thunder rolls.
And the thunder rolls.

--

Thorn looked around in disbelief, “Again?” she asked, a hand over her heart. Kit, eyes turned black by the fallen sun, nodded solemnly, “I saw her leave around sunset, said she had another meeting,” the blonde supplied hopefully, but knew it was to no avail. Thorn sighed heavily, turning to sadly walk to her room. She paused a bit, hearing yelling, and noticed Akai storming angrily away from Okami. “You cheated on me! I can’t believe you!” Akai was howling, and when Okami moved to speak or follow, Akai launched the nearest object at her. Thorn left them to their business. No one was very happy, it seemed. Thorn closed the door to her room, placing her head against the wooden door. It couldn’t have been…? She shook that thought away quickly. No, Riley would never do that. Riley was loyal, Riley loved her…Didn’t she? Thorn braced her back against the wood, crossing her arms in thought. A week, Riley had been out all night. Always for business. And Riley rarely ever wanted to make love anymore, and Thorn was lucky to steal a kiss from the seemingly sleep-deprived woman. Thorn held in a sob, sliding down the door as she pushed her crying eyes against her kneecaps.

--
The thunder rolls
And the lightnin' strikes.
Another love grows cold
On a sleepless night,

--

Thorn resisted the urge to punch him. She threw a glance at where Billy was distracted by a very livid Zero. “You said you loved me!” Zero wore a steely glare that no one had ever seen on him before. “I do!” Billy threw back, getting just as riled up as was obvious in his green eyes. “Then be my mate! You said we would have kids, and have a wedding!” Zero had his fists balled up tight. Billy flushed and looked around at the crowd they were gathering, “That was said in a private moment!” Billy returned, obviously trying to retain some pride amongst the crowd. “You jerk!” Zero shouted angrily, along with a string of foreign curses as he threw a punch at the blonde. Thorn glanced back at the man before her, and knew in the tucked away alley shielded them from view, and knew the argument between men kept bystanders away. She tilted her chin up, “Why should I believe you?” she asked slowly. Jason grinned, silver eyes flashing dangerously, “I have pictures, she’s two-timing you,” he taunted. Thorn froze, and tears leaked down her cheeks. Thorn lowered her head a bit, trying to stop her shuddering shoulders. “Come, darling,” Jason wiped one of her tears and put an arm around her gently, “Dry those tears.”

Thorn shook her head, putting her hands on his chest to push him away. Jason’s eyes flashed to the right of them, before his gaze went back to Thorn. “I’ll help you with those tears,” Jason whispered as he leaned a little closer to her face. Thorn shook her head again, “No. You broke my heart once, I won’t let you-” Thorn was cut off when Jason locked their lips. A camera flashed, a pair of laughing red eyes vanishing into the shadows. Thorn pushed her lips away, “Let go of me!” she demanded angrily as she twisted in his grip. Jason pulled her flush against him, grabbing her chin a bit harshly. “No, Darling, you do not seem to understand. She abandoned you, and I am going to help you pick up the pieces of that beautiful little heart. And if you don’t, well, then the Blue clan will suffer an assassin attack on its raven-haired leader,” Jason grinned at Thorn’s evident fear. Thorn lowered her head, why did everything have to hurt her? Tears of sorrow and pain trailed down her cheeks as she forced herself to relax against Jason, and allowed him to walk her toward what was no doubt his palace.

--

As the storm blows on
Out of control
Deep in her heart
The thunder rolls.

--

Thorn slowly opened her eyes when the bed sank. She felt Riley lay down with a tired sigh, and she bit her lip. “I,” Thorn paused, “Kit and Dusk left each other tonight,” she wanted to hit herself. That wasn’t even close to what she wanted to say. Riley shrugged off her wet shirt, “Really?” her voice told how physically exhausted she was. “Yea,” Thorn managed, still with her back to Riley. There were a few minutes where one could only hear Riley shedding her wet clothes and shoes. Riley lay down on the bed with a grateful sigh, “I saw Lilly and Lenne fighting when I got into the palace,” she admitted quietly, not able to face Thorn, knowing what she had done to her love. “Really?” Thorn resisted the urge to face Riley, “What happened?”she asked then. Riley pulled the covers over herself, “Lilly was upset, something about hearing Lenne talking about using her. Lilly stormed off,” Riley adjusted the pillow uncomfortably. Thorn’s lips twitched a bit, before she rolled over to face Riley’s back.

“Riley, I love you. I love you more than anything in this whole world,” Thorn gently put a hand on Riley’s shoulder. Riley felt a pang in her heart and bristled, “I love you too, Thorn,” she spoke with love, but couldn’t bear to face Thorn. She wasn’t sure if she could bear her own life anymore if she saw Thorn after those words. The obvious love in the words would have torn Riley to even more pieces. Thorn silently bit her lip, before turning back to face away from Riley. Was she really that unbearable to look at? Was it her scars? She traced the reminders of her childhood abuse. She should have known. Was it her age? Was she getting older, too old for Riley? Vampires like herself were practically young forever, but maybe she was showing a few too many wrinkles. Or maybe she had been a game to Riley all along. Maybe…Maybe Jason would be worth returning to. The man had beaten her when they had been lovers long ago, but maybe he had changed.

--

She's waitin' by the window
When he pulls into the drive
She rushes out to hold him
Thankful he's alive

--

Thorn waited up for Riley. She had dark bags underneath her eyes, and looked very weary. She had a robe on over her nightgown, her hands gripping opposite shoulders. She heard something on her balcony, and quickly got up from the bed. She saw Riley open the doors and close them, hoping to keep the rain at bay as the thunder boomed overhead. Thorn smiled slightly, approaching Riley hopefully. Maybe there was still time. She wanted to try a little bit longer. She wrapped her arms around Riley, nuzzling the raven-haired woman. Riley widened her eyes, feeling Thorn tense against her. Thorn sniffed again, taking a step back as she looked at Riley in shock. “Is that…Perfume?” she asked slowly. Riley cringed, and her eyes went down. Thorn took a few more steps back, and held back her tears. “Thorn, I-,” Riley was stopped when Thorn held up a hand. Thorn tightened her robe, turning to walk toward her bedroom door. She stopped, one hand going limp on the doorknob. She was shocked when she was spun around forcefully.

--

Through all the wind and rain
A strange new perfume blows
And the lightnin' flashes in her eyes
And he knows that she knows
And the thunder rolls
And the thunder rolls

--

Riley narrowed her eyes, glad she hadn’t let Thorn storm out of the room. She pulled Thorn close by the shoulders, sniffing. Anger filled her eyes, “Cologne!” she growled, before pushing Thorn away. “You cheated on me!” Thorn shouted in defense. “I wasn’t the only cheater!” Riley shouted back. Thorn growled through her tears, glaring at Riley, “I couldn’t stand you leaving me!” she didn’t think she could stop the angry words. Riley balled her fingers into fists, “You don’t even know why I cheated!” she defended as best she could. Thorn shook her head, “I shouldn’t have to know! I trusted you with my heart, and you threw it away!” she accented each yell with violent waves of her hands. Riley grit her teeth, “What about you?! You’re out banging some other guy!” she waved her hand outward. Thorn glared, and looked like she was mustering a scream. However, only a sob broke her lips as more tears manifested. After a moment, she found her voice again, “I hate you,” she ground low, and a pang in her heart called her a big liar. Riley’s eyes flashed, and within a moment her hand connected with Thorn’s cheek.

--

The thunder rolls
And the lightnin' strikes.
Another love grows cold
On a sleepless night,

--

Thorn held her cheek, glaring as she watched from her balcony, her friends watching on either side of her. Riley glanced back from the gate of the palace, a simple bag slung over her shoulder. Her friends shuffled out around her, carting their own belongings along with them. Thorn tiled her head higher, hands going to grip the railing of the balcony. Her look was as stony as she could manage, trying to keep her sorrow at bay. Riley glared back equally as harsh, holding Thorn’s gaze as the metal gates closed on her, locking firmly shut. Thorn saw Riley still glaring through the gate, and she sniffed in distaste. “From this day on!” Thorn announced loudly, eyes roving over parts of her clan gathering below her balcony, “We are at war with the Blue clan! Let the Gods acknowledge this rivalry, and let our victory be swift!” When she finished the short announcement, a cheer of warcries met her ears, and she leveled another look at Riley. Riley turned away at last, and her heart darkened with hate and a deep, scarring betrayal.

--

As the storm blows on
Out of control
Deep in her heart
The thunder rolls.

--

Thorn gave grunts as she twirled, swords slicing in her hands. More of the Blue clan dropped. Blood coated her hands. Her eyes were alight with fury she had never known. The lightning struck around them, heavy and harsh rain pelting the warriors almost painfully. She saw her friends holding their own as well, thankfully. She panted heavily, looking around the battlefield that had once been a city of the Blue clan. The Blue clan had taken out one of their cities, it was just time to return the favor. The war had been going on for years now, and had been drawing blood for two years now. Thorn dodged a sword aimed for her belly, and with a swipe of her sharp blade she was sprayed with fresh blood all other again. She looked up again, before gasping and bolting in one direction, “Akai!” she called in shock and horror. She reached her fallen friend, not noticing a horrified Okami trying to make her way over. Akai offered a bloody smile, the red liquid coating her lips and pouring from the corners of her mouth.

A dagger jutted from her belly, blood pooling behind her. Thorn looked up in surprise when she saw Okami kneel there in worry, “Akai? Madre de dios! Mi Corazon!” Okami carefully brushed some hair out of Akai’s face. Akai blinked blearily, coughing before giving a pained gasp. Her eyes were blank, and fading fast. “Okami,” she whispered as she looked around. “I’m here, Akai,” Okami told her, gently grasping the navy-haired girl by the hand. Akai kept trying to look around, “Okami…I need to tell Okami…” she coughed up more blood. Okami let hot tears mix with Akai’s blood, opening her mouth though she couldn’t muster any words. Akai took in a shaky breath, letting her head rest so her blank eyes rested on Okami. “Need to tell Okami…I…Sorry, so s-sorry…Love her,” Akai muttered slowly, before she gave a slow exhale, and she was lost forever. Okami shook her head, “No!” she refused to believe what her eyes had just seen. Okami leaned down, and put a kiss to Akai’s lips for the last time. Thorn jumped when a shot echoed, and Okami slumped limply over Akai’s body. Thorn turned with a glare, pulled a dagger from her bodice and throwing it with dead-on accuracy.

Riley slashed and hacked her way easily, stepping over the bodies of Rain and Leah, both pierced with each other’s daggers in the heart. She didn’t have time to mourn before she spotted Dusk having some trouble with a group of the Black clan. She cut her way through, “Need some help?” she asked with a few grunts as she stabbed a few of the other clan. Dusk snorted, “Mind your own business!” she returned angrily. Dusk turned, before locking swords with a short, but fiery blonde girl. Kit grinned a bit, “Finally got to sword fight with me, right?” she growled out, before pulling her sword away to thrust it forth. Dusk locked their swords together again, “Yea, wonder who will win?” she managed before jumping back before swiping her sword sideways. Kit ducked, before jumping up and mimicking the slice. She caught Dusk by the throat, and the albino woman dropped to her knees, blood pouring from her open neck. Kit let tears form, before she chose to follow Dusk, and she slit her own throat.

Riley gaped at the fallen women, before a cut to her shoulder made her turn and slash again.”Lenne!” Riley made her way over as best she could. Lenne didn’t turn, “What?!” she shouted back. “Have you seen Billy?” Riley grunted as she jumped over a low swipe. Lenne paused, sparing Riley a glance, before she returned to fighting. Riley knew what the silence meant, and took out her anger on the enclosing Black clan soldiers. “How’d he go?” Riley managed through grit teeth, though wasn’t sure if she wanted to know how her brother had been killed. “Zero took him out with a bullet, then Zero shot himself,” Lenne shouted back, before she realized she saw Lilly. She moved to go through the people, but fell to a hit to her head. “Lenne!” Lenne noticed Lilly’s voice, before a sword created a gap between her head and body. Lilly, eyes blurred with tears, gave blind swipes to the one who had killed Lenne, though it was her own that she fought now. Of course, once with was noticed by the other fighters, Lilly earned herself a swift shot through the heart.

--

She runs back down the hallway
To the bedroom door
She reaches for the pistol
Kept in the dresser drawer

--

Thorn panted, dropping her swords to the ground and grabbing a gun from a fallen warrior. She glared, coated in blood, across the empty battlefield. Well, almost empty. Her feet carried her forward, over the dead bodies that couldn’t be told whom was of the Blue clan, and whom of the Black clan. The rain pelting the Earth began washing away the blood in many rivers, the lighting unforgiving in its siege against the ground as the thunder gave roars of victory and anger. The full moon shone through the storm clouds, giving a halo of sorrow over all the lives lost for reasons that should never have arisen. Thorn stood upon a small hill amidst the battlefield, the dead grass untouched by the rivers of blood. She evened a look at Riley, and threw down the helmet upon her head. She shucked her armor, and threw her swords into the dead bodies around her. She let her hair down, standing with pride and elegance.

--

Tells the lady in the mirror
He won't do this again
Cause tonight will be the last time
She'll wonder where he's been

--

Riley panted, her sword shaking in her aching hands. She swallowed , watching Thorn walk up onto the hill. She let her own sword drop as well, finding a gun amongst the body. She knew what Thorn was thinking. Even after all these years, she knew the woman better than Thorn probably knew herself. She approached as well, and wanting to keep the odds fair, began discarding her armor and spare weapons. Her heart thudded heavily in her ears, and she felt her heart tighten. She stepped upon the hill, until she and Thorn were arms length from each other. In the past, she might have flinched at the harsh look on Thorn’s face. But she knew that her own expression was none-too gentle either. When you were betrayed and as hurt as she was, you wouldn’t have been any different. She took a calming breath, inhaling the smells around them of death, blood, and a countless amount of tears shed in the name of betrayed love.

--

The thunder rolls
And the lightnin' strikes.
Another love grows cold
On a sleepless night,

--

There was a painful silence between the two women. In unison, they raised their guns to each other’s foreheads. “This is the end,” Thorn muttered with just a hint of sorrow lacing her tone. “Yea. Seems we finally end this,” Riley agreed, their eyes locked together in an unbreakable stare. The raid above wiped them both clean of blood, as if cleansing them of their sins. A tree nearby fell at a crash of lightning, the Earth shaking at the force. “How’s Autumn?” Thorn asked as she cocked the gun. “Fine. How’s Jason?” Riley cocked her own gun. “Fine,” Thorn put her finger on the trigger. “That’s good,” Riley mimicked Thorn, finger curling around the trigger. There was another long, deafening silence between them. “I love you,” both their voices joined in unison. Two bullets fired. Two bodies thudded to the ground. The thunder howled in victory, the winds slowly edging it away. Lightning struck down two more trees, uncaring what it took from the Earth. The war had ended. The storm that had hovered for years over the two clans, had finally rolled on. And all that was left were the dead bodies, their sorrow, and what little love their broken souls had managed at the last moment.

--

As the storm blows on
Out of control
Deep in her heart
The thunder rolls…
The thunder rolls…