Well, guess what? With the latest reviewer, that brings me to 7 reviews! And, if I recall correctly, I promised an additional chapter after 5! So, with that, I give you another!

This one IS short, and as some recent constructive critique has pointed out, that is one of my weaknesses! In the future, I am going to try and make the chapters a bit longer, try and add more details perhaps. Take note however, that I have 14 total chapters completed, I just update weekly! This is partially to make up for my missing the Monday update and to reward your very helpful and encouraging reviews!

With that, enjoy this short humorous chapter.


James awoke as he felt the breeze of the morning air blow past him. Man, he'd slept way better than the night before. More so, his back felt great!

But heavy for some reason… James strained his neck, glancing over his shoulder, eyes going wide as he saw what was actually on his back. Meru. Sleeping. Very soundly, he noticed. James didn't know what to do… Should he wake her up? He didn't have the heart. She looked so comfortable. Plus, even he had to admit it; it was actually fairly comfy having a warm body cuddling up on him. At this thought, James felt his ears go red.

Meru moved in her sleep, digging her head into his back, to which James could only lay motionless. His mind raced as he tried to think of something to do. Would she be mad? He didn't see why, she was the one who fell asleep there! Though they'd have been in town if it wasn't for him…

James just placed his head down on his jacket again, allowing time to fly by as Meru slumbered. It was comfortable, if highly embarrassing.

"Come to think of it… She is rather cute when she sleeps." He mused, speaking his thoughts aloud. After what felt like an hour pass, James caught a small giggle escape from his back. James quickly craned his neck again and glared at the 'snoozing' girl.

"How long have you been awake?!" He said, to which she only giggled again, pushing off his back, though kindly using it as a chair instead of a bed.

"Oh, just at the 'cute' part." She said, smiling sweetly at him. James felt his ears burn red again. She just giggled once more before hopping off and skipping over to her gear. James pushed himself off his little blanket-bed, stretching. His back really did feel better, and the soreness of his legs had mostly subsided. He gave another indignant glare at the mischievous girl, who'd taken to humming as she packed up her gear. James quickly did the same, still far too embarrassed to say anything. He'd just been musing…

The pair had gathered their gear and continued along the road, though their usual conversation was fairly quiet, James still too embarrassed to actually speak. After a while, Meru grew bored of this. She reached over and poked him in the rib.

"Hey!" He yelled, jerking as she prodded him. She just smiled, continuing to look straight ahead. James frowned, before smirking. He reached over and poked her back. She jerked similarly, before glaring back at him. She poked him again. He poked back. It was not long later that they had gone into an all out "poking war", the two sides prodding and poking at whatever they could, laughter quickly breaking out as the two had their mischief.

Finally, the pair grew tired, their laughter leaving them breathless, but beaming great smiles. James felt the awkwardness and embarrassment slide away.

"I have a surprise for you!" Meru said, grinning a toothy smile at him. He cocked his head curiously. She suddenly pointed over the hill he'd just noticed they were climbing. He glanced over it… and saw the town.

"We're here!" She declared, taking a dramatic pointing pose, her smile strong and steady. James felt himself smiling too, in the back of his mind glad they'd actually have a bed to sleep in. Yes… Here, here was the first step in is journey.

He'd be home soon, he could just feel it.