A/N: Hello! I'm really sorry for the delay, but my laptop broke down, which meant I lost half the new chapter I had already written. That seriously dismotivated me to write xD Anyway, I have a new chapter! In answer to a recent review questioning Peter's age, I actually thought that Wendy had been thirteen and Peter fourteen, so I'm really sorry about that mistake. I did not guide this by the book, but by the movie, also. Feel free to point out any other mistakes you may find, and suggestions are always welcomed!

Chapter Nine

Wendy's eyes widened as another rather large cannon ball nearly missed her, drawing another large whole on the fluffy cloud she had been on. She remembered wondering if they were as fluffy as cotton candy, when she was younger. And she remembered having been thirteen, and thinking that they were far better than cotton candy. Momentarily lost in nostalgic thoughts, Wendy was nearly hit by another cannon ball, and decided to move. Peter was soon by her side, reaching out for her hand and smirking, barely paying much attention to her. His eyes were focused on the ship, a bright, rebellious twinkle in his eyes. It made him look fearless and… alive. It was so brilliant to see him like this, it made something swarm up and melt at the same time, inside her.

She wrapped her fingers around his hand tightly, and Peter sped forwards, without another glance at her. Wendy couldn't help but feel a bit distant, but she realized this wasn't the best time to feel like that. They were about to run into battle, she assumed, though she'd feel more comfortable about that if she could have a sword. Apparently, that wasn't Peter's plan, which he should have already disclosed to Wendy. He dived, missing the water by inches, and did a quick flip, making them fly to close to the ship, she could smell wet, old wood. They reached the top of the ship and saw an awfully lot of pirates with a rather surprised expression. On the front was Hook, who immediately drew out his sword and pointed it straight at them. However, Peter did not stop, and continued to lead Wendy up, smirking and snorting at how astonished the pirates looked.

"We should find the Lost Boys," he told Wendy, sounding excited.

"But Peter, I – " she refrained from saying that she was the one that had taken them away, and instead she said, "- they came with me back to England." This had not the effect of deception she had assumed Peter would get. He didn't seem bothered at all.

"Oh, Wendy, there are always Lost Boys." Wendy looked at him confused, but he said no other word, and they were quickly above land, that was now bright and colourful. She was too occupied looking around and assembling everything she saw. She seemed to see quick figures move between the trees, but when she focused her sight, she couldn't see anything else but the wind. The flora was as exotic as ever, and there was the softest bird singing in the air. Everything seemed to glow, even. Maybe the fairies had decided to sprinkle pixie dust around? She rather doubted that, it wasn't something they'd waist. Which reminded her, Tink!

She was about to question Peter about it, when he suddenly dived down and they settled, standing in front of a very familiar, enormous tree. Of course she remembered what was underneath it. Without letting go of her hand, Peter walked to one of the entries, and glanced inside.

"D'you reckon we'll fit?" Wendy questioned, grinning.

"I supposed we'll have to," he replied, matching her grin and juggling himself into the small opening. They were not meant for old teenagers like them, clearly. She heard him swish down the entering, and then she shuffled herself in, squirming as her hair got tangled in some branches. After taking a few seconds to get all clear, she felt the air swish beneath her and she was sliding downwards, barely fitting in the opening. Well, if Peter had gone in, she certainly fit too, considering he was taller and bulkier than her.

Soon, her toes touched the ground and she stumbled upwards, laughing. It was so much fun, entering the hide out. "Hey Peter, are the-" she started questioning, taking a few steps before looking up. Now she had noticed that there was barely any light in the underground hiding, and then she noticed there was actually no one in there. For what seemed like a rather long time.

Peter had stopped full ahead of her, looking desolated. This had been his home for all his life, and he expected it to be as warm and alive as it had been when he left it. But no, there were even cobwebs on some things, and a considerable amount of dust. Wendy felt herself stammer something and then stopped quickly. Making pointless questions didn't look like the right decision right now. She felt her heart break ever so slightly at the look on Peter's face. Any sparkle that had been there before appeared to have been drained out. His expression was a mixture of astonishment with desolation and sadness, and his skin seemed paler, even if she could barely see his features.

Silently, Wendy approached him and slid her hand into his, entwining their fingers. He glanced at her, as if he hadn't noticed she was there, and smiled sadly, standing up straighter. "Alright, seems like we'll have to search for them. It was probably wise of them not to be here. Maybe they didn't even know about it, though I'd trust the fairies would have told them," he pondered a loud.

"Yes, okay. We'll find them," she stated as reassuringly as she could manage. She assumed Peter would be feeling terrible right now. He had left when he was to be guiding mentor of all the new Lost Boys. He was the leader of the Lost Boys, he was Neverland itself. And Wendy had made him leave it.

With a small sigh, Peter turned around and let go of Wendy's hand, moving to the exit. He didn't even want to stay there anymore, it was so… wrong. Everything was wrong. They climbed out, and there was the sudden breathe of fresh air. Wendy took a deep breath, and was ready to ask where should they go first then, but something stopped her. Peter had turned around and was staring intently at a tree.

"Peter, what's wr-?" She started questioning, but he motioned for her to be quiet. With quick moves, Peter turned around the tree and came back holding a sword and a little to it's point.

"Who are you?" He questioned.

The boy looked fairly frightened, his eyebrows had furred into a worried expression and his lower lip was quivering slightly. "I'm – I'm-" she stuttered.

"Come out with it!" Peter demanded in a brusque voice.

"Peter-" Wendy started, feeling obviously sorry for the little boy that could be no older than ten.

"I'm- I'm- Jelly," he replied. "I'm a Lost Boy."