Sigh just finished chapter 11. It's a tad bit short, but I think it ends at a good spot. Special thanks to Shadow Hand Zealot and Batsu Simisu-Chan. So you guys were the only replies to chap. 10 so far, but they made me feel a lot better. Reviews just about make my day. hehe. I hope you like chapter 11, I'll get to writing chapter 12 soon, (but not too soon, I have other stories to write. haha) I know the last chapter and this one are kind of just average stuff, but it can't all be action. Enjoii!

- sunlit insomnia

11

The sounds of the night and early morning echoed in Misaki's ears. It was really starting to sink in that she was away from her home. But she was realizing even more, was that what she was calling home, never really felt like home. Home felt more like being here with Daiki. Although she missed Saburo deeply, she couldn't wait to see what this adventure would bring.

Sitting up in her sleeping bag, Misaki glanced down at Daiki, who was fast asleep. She wasn't used to not having to wake up about three times each night, and her mind was elsewhere. Misaki studied Daiki's chest as it rose and fell rhythmically. It kind of reminded her that she was still living.

Misaki shuffled out of her sleeping bag and rose to her feet. She glanced down at the peaceful Daiki one last time and stepped into the forest.

Her pace was slow as she watched her step, making sure not to step on too many leaves. Every now and then she would glance over her shoulder to make sure wasn't going too far from camp.

Gazing up at each trees she passed, Misaki finally stopped when she spotted one that held a big nest. Misaki reached up and grabbed onto the lowest branch she could find. She swung herself up a few times and then launched herself in the air. She flipped over the branch and feel onto the top of the it.

Perched like a bird on the branch, Misaki glanced up at the one that held the bird's nest. As she slowly stood up, the branch jiggled precariously under her feet. Quickly, Misaki leapt from the branch and groped for the limb that contained the nest. Her hands scrapped against the thick bark. For moment she struggled to stay on the branch. Nervous with a fear of falling, she kicked her legs fiercely in order to get a better grip on the limb.

Misaki sighed and licked her cracking lips. With just one slip, she could have fell to the ground. Again she started swinging herself and flew over the top of the branch. She landed on it with a thud, cracking the limb's bark . Misaki scrambled to pick up all the eggs and shove them in the deep pockets of her dress.

The branch slowly began splitting in half, forcing Misaki to jump up and grab onto a higher branch, before that one crumbled under her feet. She now hung about ten feet above the ground. Annoyed yet humored, Misaki blew a piece of hair out of her face.

Crunching echoed in Misaki's ears. She froze. Someone was there. She jerked her head around, not sure if the sound was coming from where her and Daiki had made camp or the other way. Her messy brown hair stubbornly kept falling in front of her face, blocking her view.

"What are you doing up there?" a voice chuckled.

Misaki sighed, relieved when she turned to see Daiki standing there. Although she was completely embarrassed, she hid it and was just happy that it wasn't someone else. Misaki hung her head, her hair again falling over her eyes, and couldn't help but laugh.

"I was trying to get us breakfast," she confessed.

"Couldn't you have just earth bended a stand up to there?" Daiki asked.

Misaki blushed, I look so stupid. "It would have made too much noise. I didn't want wake you."

"Yeah, I was kind of woken up by the sound of a tree snapping in half," he laughed.

Misaki rolled her eyes and sighed. At least Daiki had a good start to his day. She let go with one hand, Daiki hesitating when she let go.

"Relax, this time I at least know what I'm doing."

Misaki pulled her arm up, tightening her fist as she brought it up. A small platform made of earth flew put of the ground. Misaki gingerly stepped onto the thin pole of earth. Once on it, she smirked at Daiki and clenched her toes together. The platform fiercely dropped to the ground, leaving a ring of dust around her.

Daiki coughed and covered his eyes. When the dust cleared, Misaki stood there with her arms crossed and a crooked smile on her face.

"You sure are one different girl," Daiki smiled.

Misaki walked by proudly and strutted back to camp. She bit her lips as she tried to contain herself from bursting out in laughs. That was the first time in years where she had managed to look stupid, make up for it, be admired and be able to laugh about it all at once. Something about the way everything had happened made her wish moments like that could happen more often. She was only human after all.