Chapter 11: New Friends

After the incident , Dilan had finally caught up with Ienzo and , to his annoyance , spent the last hour making sure he was okay. It took a lot to convince the protective man he was fine and let him go. But before Ienzo left he had been asked one more thing "Where did they go?"

He knew he couldn't tell Dilan the truth about how he actually befriended Isa and Lea. Not even that he helped them escape through an extra room on the 1st floor. Ienzo did the safe thing, he shrugged saying "I really don't know. May I go now?"

Dilan sighed at the youngsters bright smile "Fine, but be very careful."

He had sprinted to the courtyard and was now lying on his back beside the large oak tree in the nice, cool shade. Sun shone brightly down and the sky was cloudless and very blue. The grass tickled his skin where his jean shorts and gray t-shirt didn't cover.

A beautiful day.

Ienzo starred at the sky, going through today's past events in his head. He couldn't stop thinking about the two older boys he met earlier. About how they were so nice to him. In a since though, he was jealous of them.

Jealous that he would never have a friend like that. One to laugh and joke with , one to be by your side all the time. The people here at this castle rarely acted like that with him. 'Big brother doesn't count either... nor does my dad, Ansem. ' Ienzo thought.

Sitting up he tucked his knees against his chest, resting his head on top. Soft breezes blew by every once in a while awakening him from his daze. Were they really friends or was he just another person to them?

Ienzo closed his blue eyes, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Birds chirped somewhere in the tree and wind rustled the half dead leaves on the ground. He suddenly wished he could stay like this forever. Forever in the peace that this world brings, but know the same feeling of friendship that those two felt.

Maybe the others could figure out a way to stop time for a while. In a time where no one would age or die. No one to agitate the peaceful environment of not just this world, but all the worlds. Ienzo wouldn't be young forever, he is only six for one year. Then its on to seven, then eight and nine. A blink of an eye and he would be an adult.

The thought made him shiver. 'I won't be able to spend time with Dad and Brother again... at least not like I have these past few years.' Ienzo tilted his head up to look into the blank sky and frowned slightly. Why do people have to die?

Suddenly, a small rustling sound was heard on the other side of the concrete wall that surrounded the entire estate. Voices soon followed after "Come on Isa!"

"Wow.." another voice whispered obviously in awe "Impressive wall structure... How tall is this?"

"I dunno... maybe seven foot? Wait, what does it matter anyway? ! "

Ienzo recognized these voices . He stood up and overheard the two bickering about who should go first.

"Me of course!" Lea tried not to yell.

Ienzo swore he could tell Isa was rolling his eyes "Yes, of course." Isa replied sarcastically.

Mean while, he awaited impatiently on the other side of the concrete slab. It was irritating to know that the only two people who called you a friend was two that you couldn't even reach out to. If Ienzo had it his way, he would have taken a bomb and blown up the entire wall.

Red spikes stuck out over the wall now, followed by a full body. Lea was climbing over the wall and Isa had helped him. Lea stopped when he was on top of the ledge and reached down his hand to pull his friend up.

Once they were both on the ledge, in unison they dropped off. Apparently neither had noticed Ienzo starring at them in amazement. He couldn't help but think about the excitements of scaling a wall with your friend.

Before they could notice Ienzo, he tip toed quietly behind the large oak and peeked his head out to watch the two for a moment. They brushed nonexistent dirt off their clothes then looked around the large courtyard.

Lea whistled "I've never been in the courtyard before."

"Should we really be doing this?" Isa questioned.

"Yeah, we gotta thank that kid that helped us out earlier."

"You mean Ienzo?"

Lea nodded "Without him, we wouldn't have been able to escape."

Isa returned the nod. Then when everything seemed right again he couldn't help but smirk "You know this is very unlike you , Lea."

"Eh? What do you mean?" he shot back.

The other snickered and walked by his friend "Oh... never mind."

"If you have something to say then say it!" Lea held his hands on his hips and glared at the other. Suddenly, Isa turned toward the oak where Ienzo was hiding " Come on out, Ienzo. I know your hiding."

Ienzo felt a jerk in his stomach as he turned back against the tree. Isa had caught him. Should he go out and confront them or just stay here and act like he wasn't even there? A larger hand on his shoulder broke his thought and scared the daylights out of him.

He jumped back and turned toward whoever had touched him. Concerned faces greeted him as Isa and Lea stood three feet apart to where Ienzo was

"Sorry." Isa said politely.

Ienzo watched them quietly as he calmed down a bit and finally sighed "Its okay." Isa smiled at how easily he had been forgiven.

"Why did you come here?" Ienzo spoke up a little curious.

"We came here to thank you!" Lea said happily.

"Thank me..?"

"Yeah, for helping us."

Silence lingered for a moment until Ienzo smiled "I don't get many 'thank yous' much." he said almost in a daze.

"Why? Don't you have any friends?" Lea asked then took a seat on the ground, crossing his legs in an Indian style.

"No. Not really , since I don't go outside the castle much."

Lea and Isa locked eyes for a moment as if having a silent conversation before turning back to Ienzo "We are your friends." They both spoke in unison.

Ienzo jerked his head up from the grass "R-really?"

"Of course!" Lea practically yelled.

"The truth is, after we met, me and Lea felt the need to come back and tell you 'thanks'. We also got the feeling that you would be here in the courtyard... It is very odd."

"I-I've never had friends." Ienzo said.

"Well, you do now!" Lea replied happily once again.

With in the next few hours, all three of them sat behind the oak tree and talked about each of their lives for ever it seemed. Ienzo learned that Lea and Isa where actually twelve years old and had been friends in Radiant Garden since they were young.

They also shared that every Saturday they would all meet up in this courtyard at 3 o'clock sharp. Ienzo learned so much about them as they did about him in just a short amount of time. Laughs were exchanged and words were shared, just like friends should be.

So sweet, no? I hope everyone seemed in character. Reviews are welcomed!