Ok guys, sorry about the delay. I've been meaning to put up the chapters, but school work has gotten in the way. Here's Chapter 2. The next chapter should be up soon

Again, the events take place right before Destinies Collide. Review please! I've tried taking people's reviews into account in my writing, because I really want to learn how to write well.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Eugene padded quietly through the forest, scanning his surroundings warily. The air would have been nice and calm, if not for Cass stomping around with her armor clanging.

"Could you quiet down!"

"Nah."

They trudged through the forest for quite some time. Eugene tried climbing trees to get a better view of the forest, but he couldn't see an animal in sight. Maybe if they spotted a river, they could try swordfishing.

After a while, the quietness was annoying Eugene, and, as usual, he felt the urge to talk.

"So, Cassandra, where did you go back in the weird creepy old house?"

She kept walking, showing no sign of having heard him.

Eugene rolled his eyes. Of course she wouldn't tell him. He had hoped that she had finally warmed up to him, because of course, no one could resist his extreme charm anyway. But after the events of the House, Cass had shut everyone out, and Eugene, frankly, was worried about her.

He sighed. "Look, I know we've never really got along, but I just want you to know that, under all of the witty and ingenious insults I throw at you, I do in fact consider you as my friend."

She nodded, but kept walking. If anything, her expression seemed even more guarded.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

Cass grimaced. "Eugene, I've never been good at talking stuff out, with anyone. Rapunzel has tried too. I just, well, I guess I just don't work that way."

Eugene nodded. He understood. Not everyone was as good as opening up as Rapunzel was. He had to respect that.

He remembered how long he'd kept his own walls up, using the persona of swashbuckling rogue Flynn Rider, as a shield to guard the vulnerable Eugene hiding inside. It wasn't until Rapunzel came along that he learned that sometimes, being vulnerable is what truly makes you strong.

"I want you to know though, that I am glad I have you as a friend. But I can't promise that I can open up to you." Cass avoided his eyes while saying this, and Eugene thought he saw guilt flashing on her face. He figured the conversation was getting too difficult for her.

"I understand Cass. And now, let's focus on the real reason behind our lovely walk in the woods." They trudged onwards.

Eugene thought of one of the lessons he had learned during his many times in the wilderness: finding water equals finding food. He spotted a stream, and motioned Cass to follow him.

The two crouched behind a bush, looking through the leaves.

"There! Cass, look!"

A deer was kneeling by the river, and by its calm demeanor, Eugene figured they still had time before it spotted them.

"I see it!"

Cass drew her bow, and took aim. She wasn't as good with a bow as with her sword, and that was evident, when she saw her arrow miss its target by more than a few feet. The deer, startled by the commotion, galloped away.

Cass said some colorful words that would've made the Stabbingtons blush like girls.

"Language, Cassandra. That was quite a miss though."

A sudden voice called out, "Oh yeah, definitely needs work."

Eugene and Cass whirled around, startled by the unknown voice. Both of them drew their swords.

"Who are you!" Cass yelled, "Show yourself!'

The figure hopped out of the shadows. He had his hands up.

"I don't want to fight!" He lowered his hood, revealing wide eyes and a young face. He was a kid, about 16 or 17.

"Sorry about that. Just seemed like the cool thing to do. The name's Aris." He stuck his hand out.

Eugene scanned the boy's dark eyes. They were warm and trusting.

The eyes never lied. "Eugene."

The kid held his hand out to Cass, but of course, she walked away. He put his hand down.

"Oh, okay."

"Don't worry. It takes her a while to warm up to strangers." Eugene noticed that the boy's clothes were tattered and torn, and he felt a pang of sympathy. He knew what it was like not to have good clothes.

"So kid, what brings you to this part of the woods?"

Aris unslung his bow. "Same as you. Hunting. I was tracking the deer you guys were trying to hit."

Cass glared at him. "Like you could've hit it any better."

Eugene rolled his eyes. "Lighten up Cass, he's a little kid."

"I'm 16, thanks!"

"You know what kid, if you're any good at hunting, would you mind helping us get the deer?"

Aris looked unconvinced. "What's in it for me?"

Cass bent down to pick up her wayward arrow. "We can give you a safe place to sleep for the night. It's going to get dark, and there's no other shelter close by."

The kid thought about it, then nodded. "Fair trade." He bent down to examine the deer tracks, still for a moment, then got up again.

"Let's move."