This story is a revision of An Old Friend.

Aerrow

Kai

It's hard to explain the feeling of excitement. Was it an over-hyped version of fear? The curiosity that followed the unknown? A gut-wrenching feeling we called butterflies? What if it was pain? Or even sadness… A longing for someone we once loved, someone that left for months, even years at a time…

I knew from the very beginning, once it was all said and done, neither of us would be able to let go. I had been torn in too many different directions for too long and it had begun to wear me down. That night I was finally able to say goodbye threw us both into a downward spiral. I knew the team would never be the same again.

But the journey we took to get there was much more interesting.

There was to be a gathering in town; I was told it wasn't important and kids didn't need to bother themselves with "useless" politics. Useless being my word, of course. I knew what was going on, thanks to a pair of ears and stealthy eavesdropping skills.

They said a group of Sky Knights were showing up. They were just a bunch of egotistical, autograph-signing people. I knew better than to step foot around them. The Rex Guardians, I assumed they were the ones showing up, had a way about them that manipulated others. It wasn't right… Heroes? More like show-offs…

How long I would have to stay lying in the field would depend on the length of their stay. My stomach screamed, calling out for the next meal. Critters that roamed the forest would make a great meal, and I'd even brought a weapon. But hunger didn't justify murder—they were alive and deserved to live out their term just as any other creature. However, if someone were to pass by and kill them, I wouldn't hesitate to test their pulse and light a fire if pronounced deceased…

My laugh carried through the breeze as thoughts of an off-chance meal. I closed my eyes and let the long grass lick at my sides in the wind.

"Seems kind of boring being out here…"

Startled, I opened my eyes. A strange, red-headed boy stood looming over me, a bright smiled crawling over his features as we made eye-contact. "It depends on your point of view."

Standing up straight, staring off past the horizon, the boy let out a sigh. "I'll pretend the grass is tickling you and ignore the prominent insanity."

Sitting up, I took in a head rush. "I resent that," I denied in a whisper. "It's only obvious insanity. I would know if it reached prominent status."

He laughed quietly, taking a seat next to me.

"You don't live here, do you?" I asked, brushing my bangs out of my eyes, only to have them fall back with help from the breeze.

He shook his head. "I don't come here that often anymore. I'm a little busy in the skies." A sense of unwillingness filled the air. The boy was being vague… Was it to hide facts, or to protect himself?

"You're a bit young to travel…"

"You're a bit young to be sitting out here alone, don't you think?"

I smiled, turning my head away from him. "I'm not alone anymore. You're here."

As he picked up on an argument that could potentially travel in circles, he changed the subject. "My friends and I are here for a few supplies…," he muttered, propping himself up with his hands behind him, crossing his legs.

"Shouldn't you be helping them?" I turned my gaze towards the awfully cheery young man.

"They lost a bet," he winked. "So, I get to rest while they do all the work. Of course, next time I'll help out."

"Nice teamwork," I rolled my eyes.

With the sudden chance to make friends standing before me, I back-pedaled. Though I wasn't much of an introvert, he seemed a little too friendly for comfort. An ulterior motive seemed hidden behind his smile.

My intentions changed from friendly conversation to reserved and quiet.

As silence filled the air, he caught the uneasiness and awkward feeling I brought on. "Oh…," he sighed. "I guess… when you put it that way, it seems a little unfair."

I looked at him. I had yet to really insert my opinion about him leaving his friends to the work. Had he read my mind? He looked human… I doubt he could read my thoughts.

I watched as the sun silently reached toward the horizon, calling the end of the day along with it. "I bet they're wondering where you went, anyway."

"I've only been gone an hour," he shrugged. That meant he'd been running his grimy hands all over my home terra for fifty minutes before he settled himself down next to me. I shuddered with the thought.

"You should probably go home. I heard this place gets dangerous after dark."

I looked at him, my expression flat. "This is terra Atmosia. The only kind of action we get is the occasional visit from the egotistical Sky Knights."

Another awkward silence separated our words.

Standing up, the boy held a hand outward to help me up as well. "I should get going, then."

Reluctantly, I accepted his offer and rose to my feet with little effort, him taking on the bulk of my weight.

"We're staying here for a few nights to get some decent rest, so I guess I'll see you around. I'll take your advice and go help the other egotistical kids in my squadron."

I clenched my teeth, looking away. So he was the Sky Knight visiting?

Everything aside, the boy still found it in his heart to forgive me with a kind smile. "It was nice meeting you, Miss …."

"Kai," I squinted with the light from the setting sun, brushing my bangs from my eyes once more.

"Aerrow," he spoke quietly, smiling softly.