AN: Second chapter's up! I'm going fast with this one. Try to keep up. I actually have a semblence of a plan this time. It'll probably change about a gazillion times as I write this, but that's how my stories work, so whatever. Of course, the plan is only three bullets long, so there's plenty of room for me to mess around in. Review!

Chapter Two: Sappy Music, Moonlight, and Horse Crap

On the 18th of Heat Moon, my older sister got banished, my older sister's boyfriend officially became a hermit, and my boyfriend got kidnapped.

I should probably break this down a bit so you don't get overwhelmed.

Alex left for Archenland, which was crappy, 'cause my sixteenth birthday was in two weeks and I would really have liked her to be there. Anyway, sappy sentimental stuff isn't really my thing. Peter went into seclusion as soon as Alex left. Just went into his room and stayed there. His dinner was getting cold so I ate it for him. What can I say? I'm a growing girl, and I train most of it off. Now, the Ed getting kidnapped part? That's a bit more complicated.

While Peter was shunning everyone, Ed and I decided to take a walk.

I don't know why. We just did.

So we were walking through the forest, holding hands, saying nothing. The only way it would've gotten more romantic was if there was sappy music playing and moonlight on the path, illuminating the lovely piles of horse crap. I know, mushy, right? Oh man, that was a bad pun.

Anyway, we were walking along, silent as the grave, when I heard a noise. A twig snapping, muffled swearing.

"Hey Ed. Did you hear that?"

"No."

I shrugged and we kept walking, but I wasn't as relaxed. I had no older sister to help me if it really was something. I'll admit it – I was scared.

Another twig snapped. Soft rustling. Louder swearing.

"Okay, I heard it now," Ed whispered. "Phoenix?" he asked.

"Phoenix."

We stepped into the middle of the path and stopped, facing each other. I waited, hands on my long knives. His were on Shafelm and his other sword, Mafren.

I heard footsteps on the path and closed my eyes, taking a breath.

"Ten," Ed whispered.

"Nine." I waited, grip tightening.

"Eight." Swords coming out of sheaths. Not ours. Theirs.

"Seven. Six. Five. Four." Heavy breathing, deep growly laughs.

"Three. Two." Ed's hands on the hilt of my longknives. My hands on the hilts of his swords.

"One." My turn.

"Avra."

Swords drawn. Fire on the blades. Back to back. Yells, some high, girly screams.

Oh man, do I love the Phoenix trick.

Then blackness.

AN: Don't you just hate my cliffhangers? I, personally, love them. Review!