New chapter! This time it's one really awkward camping trip! I swear, last one before we're back to main plot! Camping trip, camping trip, they're always fun!

Setsuna gasped and his eyes snapped open. Tieria was still asleep. He needed some fresh air. It was nice how these dorms didn't have bunk beds and actually had separate quarters. That's why it struck him odd how the two beds juxtaposed each other in one room. He quietly got out from under his covers to slide open the window after undoing the electric lock. Spring was beginning to come and the plants were all flourishing, but there was still the chill of winter. He leaned over the sill, careful not to trip the sensor as he inhaled and exhaled. He was not in Krugis anymore. No more fighting. His mind unwillingly flickered back to unpleasant memories and the skin around a scar on his stomach ached.

"Can you close the window?"

Setsuna jumped and did as Tieria asked. He must've been louder than he thought. His training was really starting to slip, not that he was sad about it or anything. The lock chirped to show it was armed and he went to sit on his bed, facing Tieria.

"Sorry."

"No, I don't mind," Tieria droned wearily, "was it another nightmare?"

Setsuna nodded.

"Nothing too big…"

He was such a liar. Killing your parents was a big thing. He had let himself be swayed by the sweet words and promises so easily. Was he really that weak? What if, someday he met thatperson again, and went out of control-

"Setsuna, you're fading."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize; the nightmares are increasing, aren't they? Why?"

He shook his head, completely baffled. It was something akin to a sixth sense. He could feel something bad coming, something horrible ready to rip this idyllic life apart by the seams and break him into pieces for a second time without any intention of letting him glue the pieces back together. It was a frightening sensation; to know danger was in the near future without any way to go around it or hide out.

"Tieria?"

"What is it?"

"I'm scared. Something's coming."

Tieria groaned.

"Why are you worried? Everyone's going to protect you," he mumbled as he settled down into the covers.

"Really?" Setsuna asked, clearly elated.

Tieria nodded half asleep once more.

Setsuna was brighter somehow. Allelujah had noticed how gloomy Setsuna was but was glad when he brightened up again. He also learned another reason for Setsuna's improved mood.

"The bio classes are having a camping trip in a forest an hour's bus ride away? But what about right next door?"

Tieria shrugged.

"Rich people need to waste money to feel like it's worth it. Setsuna's pretty happy about it. I told him to be careful though."

"Figures."

"Did you see Setsuna's face today?"

"Oh god, what happened?"

Tieria gave an exasperated sigh.

"Setsuna noticed Feldt was crying early this morning. Asked her what was wrong. She slapped him hard enough to leave fingerprints and nick him in the face with her nails before screaming it was 'all his fault'."

Allelujah frowned.

"Lyle is dead."

"Allelujah?"

"Lyle is so freaking dead. What the hell did that damn idiot do?"

"Broke up with her."

It was times like these where he wished Tieria wasn't so straightforward.

"I'm calling him right now."

"Don't do that. Send him a message."

Allelujah quickly typed out a question and within minutes Lyle replied. It turns out he did dump her in the most spectacular way possible. From behind a locked door. Allelujah groaned.

"I took a peek at the info he got. The bomber died in the explosion. He's probably pissed off about that."

"Should Setsuna tell him, what he wants to tell?"

"Just let him relax. Tell him Lyle broke up with Feldt, nothing else."

"Got it. We're packing tonight anyway."

Allelujah watched Tieria walk away and wondered how the hell he got caught up in drama like this. There was always worse, but still…

"Setsuna, Lyle broke up with Feldt."

Setsuna stopped trying to shove a sweater into his duffel bag and stared at Tieria.

"Why did she say it was my fault though?"

Tieria winced at the bandage on Setsuna's face and shrugged.

"I'm not sure. You're actually quite close to her."

Setsuna blushed. Tieria stared right back.

"What do you mean?"

"She went to you first about her problems, got you that music box, and went shopping with you two times. That's already more dates than Lyle's had with her. Face it: she's more comfortable around you and the same thing is true for you," he babbled on, realizing and understanding as he spoke.

His roommate looked back down at his bag and seemed very interested in trying to fit in a book to read. He could have put it in his backpack really. Tieria smiled. So he really wasn't all that dense after all.

The bus ride was loud to say the least, but an enjoyable sort of clamor; one that was lively and excited. Setsuna looked out the window and tested to see if he could read any of the billboards going by at breakneck speed.

They reached the camp fairly soon and each went to pick out a tent with their roommates or partners.

"It's cold," Setsuna noted. Tieria nodded in agreement.

"The sky's going to be really clear here though."

Setsuna wondered what Tieria meant by that, when Feldt passed by that moment. Tieria's words echoed in his ears and Feldt suddenly stopped walking.

"I'm sorry for… hitting you."

"It's fine."

"Alright then."

She hurried with her bags to her own tent and Tieria was struggling to hold back his laughter.

"That was awkward," he said innocently. Setsuna decided this was the only time he'd ever hit Tieria and punched him in the gut.

Tieria recovered surprisingly fast and the two made it to their tent in no time.

"Tieria, what did you mean by the sky being 'clear'?"

"I'll give you a hint. Tonight, go outside and just look up. You won't regret it."

That night, he unzipped the tent and gazed at the sky. His breath caught as he noticed how many stars there were and how amazingly bright there were. It was the first time in his life that he had clearly seen the moon and stars.

"Pretty, am I right?"

Setsuna nodded, but still looked at the sky. He could hear Tieria walk up next to him.

"I… never really saw the sky in Krugis."

"Setsuna?"

"There was always smoke, or fighting, or blood."

Tieria was silent. Blood, huh?

"Whose blood was it?"

"My own, or someone else's."

"Let's go to sleep."

"Okay."

The weather here was strange. Setsuna found himself changing clothes twice a day or more. It'd be so cold in the morning, then unexpectedly heat up around the afternoon and then dip below again into the night. The beginning of the day started with breakfast, then a nature hike where plants would be pointed out and the significance of its place in the ecosystem. Then there would be a bit heavier hiking to look for animal dens or nests. One thing was for sure: they were getting a lot of exercise. And after the lessons, it was basically the rest of the day all to themselves with periodic checkpoints.

"Setsuna, let's go swimming."

He agreed, since it had been a while since he last went. When they got to the lake, Setsuna's eyes widened. It was quite large and reflected the mountain adjoined to it almost perfectly. Another thing that made him laugh was how it looked like there was gold mixed in with the sand.

"It's just pyrite," Tieria explained. The water was ice cold, but after a while everyone who had decided to go swimming got used to it.

"Tieria, Tieria! There's fish!"

TIeria's head snapped towards Setsuna when he heard him call and then tripped underwater as silvery silhouettes brushed against his feet. At least Setsuna was laughi-wait.

Setsuna was… laughing? Camera camera camera camera camera- there, it was still looped to his wrist and luckily the thing about it being shock-proof and waterproof was completely true. He hurriedly snapped several candid shots of Setsuna's laughing and carefree expression and jabbed the save button. He glanced over them and to his relief they were all fine.

"Are you alright Tieria?"

"Um- yeah, I am. And Feldt is coming over."

"Oh, Setsuna, you're swimming too?"

He nodded.

"I hope I get used to how cold the water is though."

"Everyone else did."

"I guess."

"About Lyle- I'm sorry."

She looked like she was going to cry for a few moments, than relaxed.

"No, its okay, I kind of noticed, that it wasn't going anywhere."

TIeria almost winced at how awkward the conversation turned. Well, he didn't feel like interfering in any way. They'd have to work everything out themselves.

After they showered they took random walks around and even used the small zip line the park had. As dinner rolled around, they realized how hungry they were. Setsuna's stomach growled strangely.

"I think I'm getting hungry."

"Your stomach sort of sounds like purring cat that's choking at the same time."

The dinner bell started to ring but when they got to the line it already was backed to up to the bathrooms. After waiting for what seemed half an hour they didn't really care what they were eating; they just needed to eat.

"That took a while."

Setsuna nodded. The food tasted good. Then he noticed Feldt leaving and throwing away almost half of her dinner. He was conflicted. The girl or food?

"Setsuna," Tieria muttered, "aren't you going to go talk to her?"

Dammit, no food. He got up and dumped his dinner and went out after her.

"Feldt, where are you going?"

She was crying.

"Setsuna… It's none of your business."

"Lyle?"

"Yeah."

He sighed, then walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Look up."

They both turned toward the heavens and she rubbed her red eyes. Her crying slowed.

"It's pretty."

She suddenly realized how close they were and blushed.

"Thanks, you've been so nice; even after I slapped you."

"Try to be happier from now on," he said, just as entranced by the stars.

Feldt paused. Now was the time to take a risk.

"I think I will be. I think I still like Lyle, but he never liked me. But now, I realized there was someone I liked so much that I didn't mind being around that person. Even though I was so shy."

"Who was it?"

"You."

Setsuna blinked at her.

"I-I'm sorry, that was so cheesy."

"I don't… mind?"

"Huh?"

"I'll go out with you."

She stared back at him for a few moments, then hugged him.

Oh my god, most retarded ending EVER. I couldn't think of anything, and I don't know what's wrong I just couldn't write anything. Grrr, back to the main plot!