Author's Notes: Hello. Just to let you know, this is the first story I've ever written.

I honestly hope it's good.

But... I can't say for sure. It's one of the reasons I've thought on and off about writing this.

But I decided to try. After all, what's the worst that could happen?

Please review, and don't go easy on criticism. I need advice more than ever.

Cheers.

oOoOoOo

Zulf had gotten over the depression. He'd just gotten bored now.

He tried to hold a grudge against them longer, for everything they'd done against the Ura...

But the more he looked at em', sitting by the fire, the more he realized he couldn't.

Ever since Kid hit the Evacuation option, Zulf hasn't been lookin' too good. Only person that understood him was Kid's squirt. He looked at the squirt, wondering if he'd know what he was going through. He just looked back at him with that curious wide-eyed expression they always wore when they weren't angry.

He felt bad for not joining them. Haven't they done enough? Kid saved his life, even after he sent about two hundred Uras after him. Rucks never tried to continue the calamity, all of his efforts were to try to recover what's left. And Zia... she hasn't even spoken to him or bothered him since she introduced herself.

He sat up. He should at least check up on 'em, at least talk to them, just so he could get the guilt off his chest.

As he walked towards the fire, he faked a small smile. Zia gave a genuine smile back. Kid stopped talkin' to Rucks to see what she was smilin' at, only to give him a grin. Rucks just crossed his arms and looked at him, expecting some sort of apology.

Zulf sat down and looked from face to face, trying to think of a proper way to break the silence.

"... Hi."

Kid's grin went down to a smile and nodded. Zia gave a small laugh and responded cheerfully. "Hi."

Another small silence ensued, broken only by Rucks.

"So... What made you decide to come out here?"

He eyed Zulf in a suspicious way, trying to decide whether to keep a hold of a grudge or not.

"Well..." Zulf said, trying to place his words carefully. "I feel guilty. For not repaying you for everything you've done for me, not even in common courtesy. I've been a bitter racist, for assuming that both of you supported the 'final solution' ... I'm sorry." He looked at the ground after the last sentence.

A larger silence ensued. Rucks seemed like he was thinking it over. Suddenly, he smiled.

"... Ahhh, I forgive ya. And personally, I wanna say I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. All three of you." He looked at Zia and Kid, who were now holding hands. Then he looked back to Zulf.

"I was a fool. I thought the Kid would restore the place. 'Cause that's what I wanted. Thought that was what he wanted too." He shook his head, motioned Zulf towards the both of 'em. "It wasn't."

Zulf looked at them holding hands, confused. Were they... dating? To be fair, he hadn't really kept in touch, and the four of 'em have been travelling for a while now. But he hadn't expected such a big event to have gone under his nose.

"So... you two are..?"

"Yep." said Kid, with a grin. "For about a week. It was... sudden, but we pulled it off." He looked at Zia, who gave a smile back.

"Right." Zulf said, trying to piece things together. "So, how did it start? What's the... well, story behind it?"

Rucks clapped his hands and laughed, which made Zulf jump. "So, you want a STORY, huh?" Rucks gave him a toothy grin. "Y'know, I got some experience tellin' stories, and this one's a good one!" Rucks lightly punched him on the shoulder as a show of excitement.

Zulf rubbed his shoulder. He wasn't as tough as when he was younger. "Yes actually... I'd like a story." He gave a genuine smile, hoping he wouldn't regret this.

"ALRIGHT! Let's get started! So... let's start you off somewhere familiar. Right when you got here..." As he begins the story, Zulf relaxed. This didn't turn out too bad. Everybody seems happy. He was glad he decided to sit down, and glad they accepted him with open arms.

And, he wasn't bored anymore. Which was a plus.