A/N: So long, no update! I apologize… Transition chapters are a pain for me to do and there were a few different ways I could have went with this chapter. Each would have slightly altered how the rest of the story was set up. That being said, it took a few months and distractions with real life but here's the chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 6: Changing Tides

There was silence for a few seconds. Arielle blinked her eyes a few time. She thought that being unconscious for who knows how long would let her tear ducts back to proper order. She never been less pleased that it was so dry here.

That was one of the last things the blond was worried about right now. Her focus went on the smaller woman in front of her. She was glad that Larissa was alright. The whole point of going in town was to make sure of it. Now, it looked like she was the one that saved her.

"What happened?" she asked again. She reached up and locked her fingers around a strand of hair. A nervous smile flashed in return. "Come on, it can't be any worse than already is done with now. Tell me." Arielle did not mean to be brash but the other woman flinched. "Sorry."

Anger flashed in blue eyes for a second. It disappeared before she could register it. "It's fine." Larissa gently grabbed her friend's hand from her hand, massaging the fingers lightly. It was Arielle's turn to flinch, drawing her fingers back. The grip remained strong, going back to massaging them. "Sorry, I think you burned your hands a bit when you collapsed. Not really a good idea, catching your fall with burning ground."

"It is not my face at least." She mumbled under her breath. Arielle gave a penetrating gaze before raising her eyebrow.

"I am not sure what happened." Larissa started slowly. Her voice was soft. Arielle could tell that it was hard for her; it was hard for both of them. She wanted to move over and give an embrace. She stayed where she was. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh at the gentle caress of her fingers.

"I arrived to town late. I – I got caught up doing a couple things at home. When I saw the fire, I was worried about you first off. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Funny, that was how I felt when I went looking for you." They shared a brief look, sharing thoughts that did not need to be shared. That it was an act of loyalty and idiocy to go in to look for each other when both were outside from the start.

"I looked for you but I don't know the area as well so got lost in the smoke. When I reached the square I was terrified nobody else was there, alive, and that I was too late." The massage on her fingers stopped. Larissa's hands balled into fists. She looked more nervous and scared over being angry. "There were a few bodies there and when I saw you collapse I was scared…" She paused reaching out and grabbed her hand again. A gentle squeeze, a reassuring smile shared. "You just went down though. I knew you had to be alright." Her voice came out a little forced.

Arielle failed to notice any bodies when she went in the square. Her mind had been too focused on finding the other woman. She shivered, wrapping her free arm over her stomach. Her reflex was to bring over her other arm but the soft touch on her fingers brought more comfort that she could offer herself. She knew a large portion of the town's population. She did not to think that any of them were done. Gulping down fresh air, she squeezed her eyes shut. The world will get dizzy if she allowed it.

She thought for a moment, "Did you see anyone else? Alive, I mean?"

Larissa shook her head. "No, I'm sure that anybody there got out before standing around."

"Hmm," Arielle remembered trying to see who else was there. It made her feel uncomfortable. Why hadn't someone else tried to help her? Besides the obvious fact, that nobody saw her. "Whatever," she muttered under her breath.

Brushing her hair back she looked around the surroundings for the first time. Most of the focus had been on the woman in front of her. Now she noticed that they weren't inside, rather they were in a small patch of land surrounded by trees. She failed to recognize the area at all.

"Where are we?"

"Uh, well, I had to get you somewhere safe and I didn't know where you lived…" The aqua haired woman seemed nervous on the simple question.

"Why not going to your home? I'm sure no one will have minded."

"That does not concern you." The snapping tone startled Arielle along with making her nervous. She moved closer, drawing her arm from the hold and wrapping it around the smaller woman.

"Is something wrong?" Silence hung in the air. Larissa closed her eyes, shifting her position to let her head rest in the nook of her friend's neck. The warm breath on her neck made her blush. Nevertheless, she tightened her one-armed hug. She lowered her head to whisper in her ear, "I'm here, trust me."

The smaller woman stiffened momentarily before letting out a long sigh. "I can't go home."

"What?" She received a glare. Giving an uneasy glance, Arielle waited for her friend to open up.

"I don't know what happened. The first thing I did after making sure you were alright was go home. I left you in a nest of ferns a little way away from my house where I knew it would be safe. When I got home nobody was there. It was unusual since most of the time somebody was there and made sure I didn't get in trouble. The whole place looked like it had been ransacked. I was too tense to call out but I accidently knocked something over and heard noise upstairs. That was when I left and brought you back here." Larissa curled up, bringing her knees closer to her chest.

"I was terrified at that point to see what was wrong. I feel like a coward." She always enjoyed the new freedom she got going outside and getting away from home it was a hard blow to realize how much she depended on that support. The seventeen year old was utterly lost, the sense of direction gone now that there wasn't a solid point to return to.

Strong arms wrapped around her and she looked up to Arielle's clear green eyes. She gave a shaky smile before getting comfortable in the embrace.

"I'm glad you came back. I don't know how confused and hurt I would be without you." This clearly was not the exact words to make her at ease. Larissa closed her eyes, tearing out some of the grass.

"I should have figured out what was wrong. They're my family."

Arielle's gaze darkened slightly before she stood up. Holding her hand out, she pulled the other woman to her feet. "Let's go back then. I will be right there for you, I promise." Blue met green for a split second, receiving a nod in response.

XXX

Arielle followed the young woman to her home, seeing the large house tucked away in the few trees in the area. The blonde tried not to feel envious of her friend's better standing because that was clearly far from the case right now. On the outside, it looked fine. She paused momentarily on the steps, the smaller woman having to mention her to come in.

The house was not ransacked in the type that the culprit was looking for something. The mess was consistent throughout with nothing standing out in what the motivation was. It was just… ruined. A dry sob came from next to her and she squeezed Larissa's shoulder in comfort.

She let her walk around and take in the damage in her thoughts. Staying by the door, she kept on the lookout. A few minutes later Larissa returned to her, grabbing her sleeve and dragging her across to the stairs. "I want to see my room."

Her room looked like the same as the rest of the house. Things were turned over, loose papers scattered and things from the wall knocked down. It seemed like the whole purpose was to ruin the place for the sake of it. The feeling set an unsettling feeling in her stomach.

Instead of staying by the door, she took more effort to see where the aqua haired woman lived. Walking over to one of the knocked down paintings, she took a couple of them in her sights, spotting the same consistent style. She turned around, addressing the smaller woman as she put a variety of items in her bag. "Did you do all of these?" Larissa looked up from her task, glanced at the remains of the paintings and nodded. Arielle wondered if her throat was tight from being here as she said nothing.

She spent a minute staring out the window. Her attention went back to the paintings as she spotted one in the middle of the room. Unable to pick it up, the other woman snatched it from the ground, stuffing it in her bag. "You can't look at that one?" Her voice was tight.

"Why not?"

"It is not finished." That was the only answered she got, despite prodding for a couple more minutes. She growled in frustration, giving up. It was one of the paintings the smaller woman stored in her bag so she could always steal a peak later.

"What are you doing?" She positioned herself behind her friend, suddenly feeling very uneasy. She wanted to leave soon. Blue eyes looked up at her before back at her bag.

"I can't stay here even if I put everything back in order it won't be the same. Too awkward… too lonely," she hugged the bag to her chest. Her eyes looked over at Arielle, swimming with hurt emotions. Letting a sympathetic sound come from her throat she pulled her into another hug.

"So I'm just grabbing things I would need and things to remind me of home." She looked into her bag, sighing, and tying it shut. Then she walked into the bathroom, fingers brushing up against the rim of the tub. It was comforting taking long, relaxing baths after a long day.

Arielle gave an uneasy glance over her shoulder as she heard movement downstairs. "We should get going." She felt a tight squeeze on her hand as Larissa swung her bag over her shoulder. She was terrified. A strong paternal feeling overcame her and she tugged the smaller woman closer.

"The back door downstairs will be best." She was surprised that none of the fear showed in Larissa's voice and her admiration of her doubled.

Walking to the exit, Arielle kept her eyes out for whoever was here. She was pushing the younger woman toward the doors understanding that she was in the most danger here. There were no obvious signs of a struggle but they failed to see the whole house. Something had to happen to everybody here and she hated to think what would happen to her friend.

They headed outside without any trouble, scanning the yard. The blond stepped ahead almost immediately regretting it, hearing a cry behind her. Her green eyes widened in shock, seeing a cloaked figure grabbing Larissa's hair. Time slowed and she hardly registered what was happening. A wind picked up around her colliding with the intruder, knocking the person back to the walls of the house. A second later a wave of exhaustion overcame her. She stumbled, moving forward and grabbing her friend's hands before moving away. Her ears pricked, Arielle could hear a voice cursing into the night telling by the tone it was male.

A few dozen yards away she tripped over a tree root. A gentle embrace caught her fall, staring up she could see the Larissa's worried and curious face over her. Pushing herself to her feet, she smiled reassuringly. "Let's get going…"

It was a half hour until the two felt safe enough to slow down. Larissa knew the area around her home and Arielle suddenly felt immensely tuned to the land that they lost any pursuers. Arielle collapsed to the ground, gripping the ground, dirt digging into her fingernails. The burst of wind cost her. It seeped deep into her energy levels though she could not even remember conjuring it.

A soft hand touched her shoulder. The pressure brought her back to reality. She smiled, falling into the warm embrace. She expected some questions to come or something involving what had happened. None came, her back received a light rub and she closed her eyes. She opened them again, noticing a small cut on the smaller woman's side. "When…?"

"When we were escaping the house," she answered quietly. Larissa already grabbed the few medical supplies she put in her bag earlier.

All Arielle could think was that she wasn't quick enough. She groaned, leaning into the smaller woman and obscuring her chances of taking care of her wound. A shove pushed her away.

Her green gaze stared into the distance aware that the other woman was there by the contact of their fingers. "I want to check my home," her voice sounded distant and strained. Larissa stood up while giving a brief nod of understanding. A softer emotion reflected in her eyes, something akin to worry.

"Are you sure you got your strength back up?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

XXX

"Do you know where you're going?" Larissa asked. Her hand rested on the taller woman's shoulder keeping her steady. She knew Arielle was still tired even if she tried to deny it. "You still have injuries from the fire."

Response delayed for a moment then, "Yeah… and I promise I am fine." She shook her head irritably to counteract her statement. She was tired, yes, but she was not letting that to get to her. She should have gone home right after she woke up. Though, looking over at her friend, there was no way she would have left her. Silence hung in the air. She bumped her shoulder against the smaller woman trying to defuse some of the tension.

"So… you know you can stay with me until you figure out where to live." Larissa rubbed a strand of aqua hair between her fingers.

"Uh…" she shifted, facing the other direction.

"I'm not kidding. I can't let you fumble for a place to live." Arielle went on afraid the other woman was going to deny her offer. She had no idea why she was being insistent on it. There was plenty of reason to enjoy her company and she wanted her to have someplace to go. Giving a nervous smile, she winced. The pain in her burns still hurt and she was exhausted.

This did not go unnoticed. "Come on, let's go."

They continued walking for a few minutes until they came across a familiar road. Arielle let out a sigh of relief. It was only then that she noticed Larissa did not reply to her offer. Her heart sank. Something different besides her pride hurt with the thought that she did not want to.

The blond quickened her pace, only to trip on empty air. Giggles erupted around her and she was hauled to her feet. Larissa's hand stayed on her arm, she received a warm smile.

"It is good to hear your laugh." Blue eyes widened in shock and Arielle blushed. Instead of letting her words meaning get to her she continued walking. "Come on, almost there."

XXX

She walked out of her room green eyes narrowed in confusion. Everything was in order but it was completely deserted. Hands tightened in fist as she kicked a table leg lightly.

"Arielle…" she turned to the voice, trying to offer reassurance. Larissa waited outside not wanting to impose. Now she stood by the doorway blue eyes shown with worry.

"Nobody's here…" she was shaking. After being at her friend's house an anxious worry started eating away at her. Arielle wanted to know everything was alright at home. Nothing else was so she wanted something to return to. She shook slightly, biting her lip to try to get control back.

Warm arms wrapped around her. The pent up energy from stress dissipated; attracted to the comforting embrace she pulled the smaller woman closer.

"It's alright… we can wait here. There's no reason they just left to go do something. Nothing's wrong." Arielle wanted to push her away by the confident, soothing voice. This was not something to brush aside as nothing. That turmoil died inside her. There was no point to take it out on her friend. She was trying to calm her down and she had a harder day than her.

"Ok…" she let out a small puff of air. Being in comfortable surroundings, she realized how worn down she was. Her burns ached, the smoke plus the strain of everything that happened, her eyes wanted nothing more than to close and sleep. Her body was not that far behind.

Arielle showed her friend her room before pushing her on the bed. "Here, you can sleep with me."

Larissa squeaked while crossing her arms defensively over her chest. In spite of it all, Arielle laughed at her defensive posture. "You don't have to undress or anything, idiot. I'm not suggesting anything." The pillow went from the bed to her face in a second. The smaller woman huffed, laying down and facing the opposite direction.

"Now what?" she asked, annoyed.

"I am not an idiot." Arielle rolled her eyes. Settling down beside her, she rested her head down on her pillow. Larissa stiffened for a moment. She was about to pull away when she relaxed and she gave a victorious smile. They stayed in the embrace, the soothing touch offering a good substitute as a blanket.

XXX

Larissa blinked blue eyes open. Strong arms wrapped around her slender form. Fear replaced the comfort until she remembered what happened in the last day. She adjusted her position until she faced the blond who was still sleeping. She smiled at the peaceful face, glad she was finally getting some rest. Brushing her bangs back got no response. Taking in the view for a moment longer she closed her eyes. A little more sleep wouldn't hurt.

A sound came over from the next room. Arielle moved in her arms before sitting up. She was alert and tense; Larissa squeezed her hand to keep her grounded. Several things happened in a short course of time making it too easy to overreact to something.

In response, the taller woman touched her lips to keep her quiet before moving out of the room. Larissa stood up. She reached behind her to rub her back. No offense to her friend's bed but she was used to something more comfortable. She blushed almost as quickly as the thought crossed her mind remembering that it was relaxing sleeping with the other woman.

She rested her head in her hands, trying to think of all that happened. The fire, finding her home almost completely destroyed and now budding conflict of emotions over her close friend. She knew she should think it through before festering inside. Not addressing things in her mind immediately had experience of becoming worse in the long run. Still, she could not do it. Tired eyes closed, hands pushing against her lids.

It was a few moments until she stood up, not hearing anything in the next room. Worry pricked at her but she told herself if something crazy happened it would make some noise. She ran fingers through tangled aqua hair. It was a complete mess. She frowned, tossing it over her shoulder and exited the room.

She stopped, seeing surprise and shock marking the taller woman's face. She followed her gaze, seeing a young woman standing a little ways away.

She was about the same height as the blonde, clear blue eyes looking at the two of them in interest. Silver hair cascaded down her back in loose curls, and a deep blue simple dress going down to the floor. Her face was neutral but a tug turned her lips up momentarily when she saw both of them.

"Greetings, my name is Selenity."

A/N: A lot of embraces and contact for the chapter. It is completely out of giving comfort to a friend, so no dirty thoughts please. Have to wait a bit longer for that, I'm sorry.

Anyway, the next chapter will most likely be explanatory and mostly boring points but I have a few ideas to spice it up. Hopefully, I'll catch up on a few chapters before my fall semester starts.

Please review! Feedback is gold and will be more motivation to update. I will not resort to begging but you know you want to… =D