A/N: Sorry for late update I've been quite busy (remember i have to go to work and college).
And thanks for speedy964 for posting a review, but i didn't managed to put what you suggested in this chapter. But no worries it will be in the next chapter.
Any review are welcome.
Joel opened his eyes; Ellie was nowhere to be seen.
Was what happened yesterday a dream?
But he saw a note near his bed.
"I went out to see Kaze.
Ellie"
He was relieved to see that.
While lying on the bed he could see that it was already day.
Quickly Joel got up and put on some winter clothes, he wanted to tell Tommy the good news and check if there was any work to be done.
"Ellie?"
No answer. She still hasn't returned.
Joel quickly headed to the door, he wanted to finish this so he could spend more time with his baby girl.
There were a quite few people moving around the street: some guards, people carrying all kinds of tools, others were distributing rations to the families.
Some people were staring at him, some of them were afraid of him, others didn't like him.
He sometimes could hear people talking things about him and Ellie. Part of the people knew that Joel and Ellie weren't relatives; he could hear some talking some gossip shit.
Joel took out these thoughts out his mind, what really mattered is that Ellie was safe and happy.
A very cold wind passed making Joel walk faster; he wanted the winter to end soon.
After a couple of minutes that felt like ages, Joel finally reached Tommy's house. It was a simple but beautiful house.
He knocked the door and waited. After a few seconds he heard the sound of footsteps coming closer to the door.
It wasn't Tommy or the sound would be heavier, but the sound of footsteps didn't belong to Maria.
So who could-?
The door opened and a teenage girl with green eyes appeared.
"Joel?"
"Ellie? I thought you were with Kaze"
"Oh he's here too, now come in it's freezing"
It was a unexpected but pleasant coincidence.
Kaze POV
A few minutes earlier….
He knocked the door and after a few seconds it opened.
It was Tommy's wife. What was her name anyway? Kaze wondered trying to remember.
"Hi Maria" said Ellie
"Never mind now I remember" he thought.
"Hi Ellie"
"Tom wanted to see me?" Kaze asked
"Yeah, he's waiting at the living room. But what about you Ellie?" She asked while the two entered the house.
Kaze noted that Maria was looking at him, she was probably wondering why he had an black eye.
"I just want to talk to him"
Some seconds later they were in the living room. Tom could be seen writing on a paper, probably checking the amount of supplies. After all being the leader wasn't easy; a leader had to manage supplies, people, tools, etc...
"Wanted to see me Boss?"
"Just call me Tommy, take a seat I'm just finishing this" he said without taking his eyes out of the paper.
Kaze sat on the sofa and crossed his arms.
On the other side of the room Maria went near Ellie
"Ellie can you help me at the kitchen?"
"Sure"
Maria's POV
Once arriving at the kitchen Maria stopped walking and looked at Ellie.
"Ellie, why Kaze is with a black eye? And why his hands are wrapped with bandages?"
"Well, hummmm... I... did that" Ellie said hesitantly.
"Why? Did he tried to attack you or something?" Maria whispered
"No, he wouldn't try to hurt me, it's just... Complicated"
Maria knew Ellie wouldn't hurt somebody like that without a good reason.
"Ellie, there is no need to be afraid of him. If he tried something just tell me"
"He is not a bad person, I'm the problem"
"What do you mean?" Asked Maria confused.
Ellie took a deep breath and explained what happened that morning.
After Ellie finished talking there was only silence.
Maria didn't know what to say, she knew that Ellie had to pass through hard situations but she never imagined something like David.
She could see the sadness in Ellie's face, it has been 2 years but somehow the past always came back.
"Ellie I'm sorry" Maria said as she hugged her.
But Ellie didn't cried.
Did she got stronger?
"It's okay Maria, at least Kaze and I end up well"
"What do you mean?"
"We... Just... You know... Kissed today" She said a little embarrassed.
"How that happened?"
Maria couldn't understand Ellie just beat the guy but he they kissed? Did he forgive her?
"He promised me that no matter what he would still continue to love me, then you know. We kissed. It was so fucking cool." She said while smiling.
Maria smiled
"You know this kind of thing remembers me and Tommy when we were younger."
At the beginning Tommy and her didn't got along very well, but they end up seeing they true selves.
Then somebody knocked the door.
"I'll go check the door" Ellie said as she started walking before Maria could argue.
Kaze POV
"What happened to you?" Tommy asked while looking at Kaze injuries.
"Shit" he thought.
Kaze needed to think in something really quick.
"Well I and Ellie were practicing... Hand to hand combat"
"And you got beaten by a 17 year girl?" Tom said while laughing a little.
"I told her to hit me hard, guess Joel teach her pretty well"
"Well my big brother survived all these 22 years for a reason"
At least it looked like Tommy believed the lie; Kaze didn't wanted to explain the complicated morning he had.
"So what did you wanted to talk with me?" Kaze asked wanting to go straight to the point.
Tommy cleared his throat.
"How are the Fireflies? What about Marlene? The Colonel of yours didn't wanted to answer all my questions"
"First: the Fireflies are not going to last much longer, supplies were running low, most of their vehicles aren't working and Morale was low. So basically they are fighting a losing war.
Second: Marlene is history"
"What? How she died?"
Kaze didn't want to put Joel in hard situation; he knew that the Texan killed her in cold blood.
"She died while crossing the country, most of her men didn't make it" Kaze said. It wasn't a total lie.
"I see. So... Why did you quit the Fireflies?" Tommy asked.
He could see some sadness in Tommy's eyes.
"They were no different from the military or the bandits; they are all greedy bastards looking for more power"
"What about this town?"
"It's a nice place, I'm pretty happy that I'll be able to live here.
This is what I like to see: a united group just trying to live like civilized people"
"Well I found a house that you and your squad can live, problem is: it need some repairs"
"No problem we will find a place to sleep in the meantime"
"You could sleep in my house you know" Ellie talked as she appeared out of nowhere with Joel.
"Ellie..." Joel said as he was trying to argue with Ellie.
"Comon Joel, Please?" She asked while making her cute innocent looking girl face.
Joel gave a sigh, by the look of his face Kaze knew he wouldn't say no
"But he didn't even said if he wanted that"
"Do you want to stay in my house Kaze?"
"Why not?"
Kaze didn't agreed with the idea at first; he wanted to give Ellie and Joel some privacy. But if staying in her house would make her happy he would do it.
"Okay okay, he can stay. But I'll keep an eye on you Boy" Joel said firmly while staring at Kaze.
Kaze stared back with no fear.
"So Ellie did you wanted to talk something with me?" Tommy asked while Ellie sat near Kaze and Joel sat near her.
"Well it's about the school..."
"Let me guess, you want to quit" Tommy said
"I'm old enough for that besides your history teacher sucks" Ellie said in a serious tone
"Ellie you know how important school is? Besides it's almost over" Joel said trying to argue.
"Joel you know that I can't stand those stupid boys and the fucking boring classes, many of those things they are teaching are useless"
"It's only a few history lessons and it's going to be over in month" Tommy said
"I'm going to die from boredom" Ellie muttered
"How about I teach history to Ellie?" Kaze interrupted.
"Do you really know history?" Tommy asked.
"The Colonel teach me a lot of things, I have sufficient amounts of knowledge to keep Ellie busy for at least 2 years"
"I don't know if it is a good idea" Joel said
"Joel I'm pretty sure Kaze can be a better teacher than the other one, besides I would have killed classes anyways"
Joel stopped to think for a moment.
"Okay but only if I approve his methods"
"Thank you Joel" Ellie couldn't hide her smile.
The rest of the conversation was about things that needed to be done in the town, after that they ate lunch.
Minutes later...
Joel, Ellie and Kaze were exiting Tommy's house.
"We could make reunions like more often you know" Maria suggested to them.
"Well i'm going to end up fat" Ellie Joked.
And they laughed.
Kaze was impressed how Ellie managed to eat all that amount of food.
"Have a nice day brother, and take care of Maria"
"You too big brother"
"Bye" said Ellie
"See you next time boss" said Kaze
And they started walking in the direction of their home.
Home.
A place Kaze never imagined he would have before.