Author's Note: Hello, all! Here is a new, much longer chapter that really pushes the plot. This has been a long time coming and I am sorry that the last couple have been sillier filler chapters. My sincerest apologies for any poor formatting on my part, I intend to clean it up later with some editing, but as things are right now, I really need to focus on math homework. Thank you all for your continued support; you cannot imagine how awesome you all are. Without further ado... Chapter 21.

Somewhere around midday, Kenji takes a sharp right, bringing us to the edge of the forest.

"Alright," he says, breathing deeply. "We lost them in the forest. Probably. Now, we run through the streets."

Mischievous grins are a trademark of Kenji, or so I'm learning, but never he has never had such a smirk as he does this moment. Kenji acts so juvenile, and I wonder, as I have so many times before, how he can be so laid back in such a world as this. I suppose, though, this this is just how Kenji is. On base, with Warner, and under whatever circumstances he lived before the army Kenji had to be reserved, controlled, and perfect at all times.

This is his vacation.

Stressful as it is, it is the first true situation in what has likely been years where he can truly be himself. So, I play along. We run through old streets, our backs against crumbling walls when we can likely roam as we please. Kenji whips his head back and forth, giving me secondhand whiplash. He shuffles through back alleys, he darts across open spaces, he squats behind moldy boxes, all whilst humming something he identifies as the 'Mission Impossible' theme song.

It is an old movie, he claims. Everyone in this world, it seems, is an enigma, but Kenji is the most mysterious of all. He own such a vast wealth of information on the lives of our predecessors, and yet he also knows exactly how to navigate our own time. I wonder if he knows just how jealous he makes me. While this man infuriates me, I would do anything to have his expanse of knowledge. I have such an amazing power, or so they claim, and yet I have none of the tools to use it.

"Can you climb a fence?"

I stare at Kenji. Then at the fence. Then back at Kenji.

"No? Didn't think so. Did Warner have to make this so damn hard?"

Kenji bends down, one knee falling into the mud. It is vaguely reminiscent of the salute I witnessed back on base.

"Alright," interlocking his fingers, he looks me in the eye. "Your foot goes here."

He nods to the cradle he has created. He is a madman. I have spent my life trying to downplay my juvenile delinquent status. I have tried to stay out of the way and to never step on anyone's toes. I did all that I could to keep in good graces with those who help my life in their hands. Despite my past, and perhaps partially because of it, I step up, my hand resting on his shoulder.

"Now," he instructs, "I'm going to count to three. When I get there, you are going to straighten your leg, and I'm going to stand up. Grab the top of the fence and vault over. Can you do that?"

"Probably not," I second guess myself.

"Great," he says, unflinching. "One, two…."

I get ready, bouncing on my other foot to build momentum. I am terrified I will not make it to the other side. Or, rather, that I will, likely acquiring an incapacitating injury upon landing.

I don't have time to worry about any of this, though, because Kenji is yelling, "THREE," and launching me toward the sky.

He throws me high, catching both my feet at about shoulder height so the top of the fence meets my waist. I catch it. Kenji pushes my legs up yet again, this time releasing them to the forces of gravity. I swing them over to the best of my ability. The pocket of my pants catches on the chain link and tears, but I don't mind. The rush is exhilarating. I am flying and I am weightless. I feel like my own bird.

My feet touch down. My knees bend to absorb the impact. I roll forward and finally stand.

The entire event is over in three, surprisingly painless, seconds, but I feel about one hundred years old.

I glance over all my limbs, confirming that they are all still where they are meant to be. Run my tongue over all my teeth. Touch my nose, my eyes. Stand astonished with my small forms power. I suddenly remember a quote, one of many they screamed at us during gym class. "Your body will not go anywhere your mind does not push it." I had always hated hearing that. Surely it cannot be that simple. At some point there must be a collapse, a breaking point where the will of the mind simply cannot make up for the exhaustion of the body.

But now.

Now, I feel invincible.

"I did it," I turn toward my counterpart. "I did it!"

Kenji is having none of it. "That is great, princess. But now it's my turn."

He takes two steps back, runs at the fence until I'm sure he will break his face on it, and scales it in one step. His form flies over the top and falls silently to the ground.

Dramatically, he raises his head. "That," he gesticulates in the general direction of the fence. "is how it is done."

I roll my eyes. He cannot take this moment from me, no matter how impressive his 'ninja skills' are.

Abruptly, he changes the subject, disallowing me further celebration of my rebellion, "Did Warner give you a tracker when he brought you to base?"

A tracker. I hadn't even considered that. I rifle through my memories, wincing at quite a few. None of them involve a tracker, but I spent far more of my time on base unconscious than I would have liked. Truly, I can never really know. Warner was kind to me before I left; he was kind enough to let me leave, but when I first arrived….

I shake my head, "I don't know."

"That means no. Fortunately," Kenji says, flashing back to what must be an unpleasant memory, "you would know. It involves a huge ass hypodermic needle and quite a few manly tears."

I giggle, but soon realize what this means.

"So," my voice is severe, "Someone is sitting on that base watching our every move? And you didn't think it was a good idea to warn me before now? Didn't think it was smart to dispose of it until now?"

"Well, of course I have, princess," Kenji yells, defensive. "Problem is, they are smart. The tracker isn't some metal chunk in seam of my pants. It isn't even something I can cut out of my skin. It's in my blood. Hence, the needle."

My mind is racing, but I manage to pin down the information I have on the circulatory system, which, admittedly, isn't much.

"Doesn't the serum get filtered out somewhere along the line?"

Kenji sighs, squats down. With his hands on his knees, he just stares at me, "I don't know, J. I really don't."

"There are theories," he offers. "But, unfortunately nothing is steadfast in this world. Least of all technology. At any rate," Kenji stands, gestures around, "we are here. Kent thought he was so brilliant. When he came to me with his escape plan, the first thing he said was, 'Dude! I can confuse the tracker!' As if I don't already know about it. Dumbass…"

"C'mon, Kenji," I'm not much of an Adam fan these days, but this is ridiculous. "How could you have known? Wait….did you say confuse the tracker? So we have a chance?"

"I've said it before, I'll say it again: there is much for you to learn about Kenji Kishimoto. Just not today. 'Course we have a chance."

"How?"

"This was the site of a nuclear power plant about a decade ago. Then, it exploded, making the entire area radioactive and practically useless as far as the Reestablishment was concerned. I mean, sure, they would love to stick a couple innocent families right in a nuclear hot spot, but it doesn't really make for good press when you're first starting out."

My arms automatically hold themselves tight to my sides. I feel contaminated, like I should take a shower for the rest of my life. I know enough to know what radiation does.

"Isn't it dangerous? Shouldn't we leave?" My voice drips of desperation, but Kenji simply shrugs.

"I've been here plenty of times. Kent has been here plenty of times. It simply disables the tracker. I look dead, they assume you are too. That's all. Besides- God, I am so psyched to show you this; you will freak out- we have these adorable little miracle workers on base. Any illness, just gone. " This last comment piques my interest, but, like so many other times on this trip, I have to suppress my curiosity.

"Does Warner know about this tricking-the-tracker business?"

"Perhaps. Doesn't change much, does it?"

"It changes everything if he think we died!"

Kenji's face twists into a grin I don't like.

"And why's that?"

I don't respond.

"I'm serious. Let's think about this. If even Warner thinks we are dead, then we are free and clear, right?" His smile broadens. "Now why on Earth would we want anything different?"

I bite my lip. Refuse to speak. Refuse to look at his idiotic face. God, why is it so easy for him to read me?

Adam has known me since the earliest years of my life, and still he asked me questions. Still he wanted to learn about me. Warner ask me questions all the time. What does my power feel like? How can I have such astounding self control? They both tried to unravel me. Kenji, on the other hand, makes one comment and I am putty in his hands.

Damn him.

"I'm just messing with you, J. This life can certainly be confusing." I allow myself a small smile. Kenji chuckles under his breath. "The classic love triangle. Does the heroine choose the man who abandoned her, or the one who tortured her? Man, I really don't get women."

We make it to the other side of this clearing, and jump the fence before settling in for our next night. Kenji takes his food and leans against a tree about twenty feet from our camp. In front of him, he spread maps and makes little markings. I wonder how he could possibly have acquired all of this stuff. I dare not ask, lest I be greeted with another, "There is much you don't know about my, Juliette," speech. Instead, I promise myself I will pay more attention from now on. Clearly, he does a lot when I'm not looking. Maybe it will help me decipher this strange boy.

I attempt to look over his shoulder once or twice, but he simply shoos me away, saying, "I'm trying to get my bearings," and, when that didn't discourage me, "I have a nice view of your assets from here."

Eventually, I give up and settle into my sleeping bag. Kenji does the same shortly after.

"Kenji?" I say, not bothering to make eye contact.

"Yeah?"

"If you were me, if you were in my position, rather, with this 'love triangle', as you call it, and everything else, what would you do?"

"Don't you mean who?"

"Huh?"

"Who would you do, like, ah, forget it. Well, princess, who knows. First of all, I would realize just how lucky I was. To have such an extraordinary power, to have such a dedicated following. Never having a normal life has its fair share of dilemmas, but you, my friend, will go on to do things that people of the past couldn't imagine. That would be my first order of business. As far as your love life, I would choose whoever makes you happy. You find them both attractive, yes?"

I blush, positive that it's rubbing off on my sheets. "Yes…"

"Warner is a raging psychopath," I start to roll over, prepared to scold him, but Kenji extends his arm. "Just personal opinion. But Kent can be a dick as well."

I look to the sky, regretting seeking Kenji out for advice.

"Hey, you asked. Now, enough of that eye rolling crap. I'm under the assumption that you have been looking at both of these guys as if they are saints. Adam, with the tortured past, Warner with the tortured, albeit spoiled, present. I am only telling you this because you have been comparing all the good things about them. Maybe you need another perspective."

"Always such a help, Kenji… so what's the plan?" I shift gears, more pressing matters fluttering into my mind. "How long until we arrive wherever we are headed?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"We have some decisions to make." He expounds when I don't reply, "As promised, I can deliver you to Adam and we can all depart together. Seeing as the Reestablishment assumes we are all together, we might as well be. Or, if you aren't on good terms, we can go without him."

I ponder this for a moment. I know nothing of Adam's living arrangements, but I do know that he is tenacious. Adam would have materials, equipment to help us get on our way. He might even be tempted to come with. I glance around. No signs of civilisation, but the landscape has become strange in the last couple generations. One can never expect where the frozen tundra will end and the beach will begin. Similarly, it is easy, from what I have gathered, to stumble upon pockets of civilisation. Perhaps we will find Adam in one. Perhaps we will find people who can help us.

"Do you think Adam could help us?"

"The boy is scrappy. Dramatic as Hell, but he can take care of himself."

"Fine," I concede. "We add Adam to our expedition."

And with that, the decision has been made. I fall asleep before I allow myself to rethink it. I don't think about what Adam might say when he sees me. My mind blocks out the thoughts that ask me what he will do when he learns just how much danger we have put him in with our escape. Above all, I do not consider what he will think of me when he learns that I was more willing to leave with Kenji than with himself.

Kenji gives me a time limit this morning. With Adam added, under the best conditions, we should arrive at his safe haven tomorrow in the afternoon. He warns that this day will likely be the most dangerous.

"Lots of time spent in open areas. On top of that, the Supreme Commander will be royally sick of our shit right about now, so this place will be crawling with soldiers." Kenji indicates the space before us with his free hand.

We are squatting in the shadow of a small building, one I assume was once a house. I want to investigate the buildings, more for relics of the past than anything useful, but Kenji insists that there is no time, and I know he is right. I want to suggest that we come back to look after getting settled in our new home, but I know that it will be too late by then.

This is how the Reestablishment did it, I think. We ran so far and so long from them that they had time to leave only the memory of our shattered history in their wake.

We begin our trek across this concrete jungle almost silently in the cool, dark early morning. It is almost easy to believe, in this complete darkness, that there are still people living here. They are sleeping still, destined to wake after two or more hours of needed rest, kiss their wife on the cheek, and pass their white picket fence. It is during the day, when there are no lights, no cars roving the streets, that it becomes blatantly obvious that this area has been ravaged by our new government.

As we pass, I look in window after window. The insides of the houses are abandoned, everything left behind. Sometimes, when things are abandoned, it is just a shell of what it once was, all the important things having been retrieved. This, however, was a mass exodus. Dishes still lie on tables from breakfast, lunch, dinner, some meal they were in the midst of enjoying. Blankets are strewn across bed and floor, books are lying open, their binding permanently compromised. Most heart-wrenching is a porcelain doll, an antique, clearly very expensive with what I can only imagine to be an exorbitant amount of sentimental value. Part of her head is missing, cracks thin as hairs snaking and jag their way across the pale surface. I wonder when we began to value control and conformity over happiness.

Kenji seems to be in no rush, though he picks up pace more and more as the sun crosses the horizon. By noon we are at a jog. We have established a routine by now. Run, mostly in silence, pause only to listen or look for incoming threats, and eat when necessary, with no true schedule.

"I'm proud of you, princess." Kenji announces this around 1:00 with no preface.

"Care to tell me why?"

"You don't sound like you're dying when you run anymore. Finally built some endurance. You are finally a respectable ninja."

For some strange reason, a sense of pride fills me. "Thank you."

We continue on. Kenji points out various buildings along the way. An old school, a church, a slaughterhouse. These things are so incongruous, I wonder how a society could function with these things at its forefront. People actually valued education and religion. Now, people have to fight just to live.

We break into a new world. A neighborhood of sorts resides on the other side of a particularly tall building. People are out in the daylight. Some are scavenging, some seem to have places to be. All of them look underweight and miserable. I can only imagine the life they lead out here. Technically illegal, they are residing outside the jurisdiction of Sector 45, but, as evidenced by the ease with which these people stroll, no soldiers ever come around here to apprehend them. I can't help but smile. It is the first evidence of unrestricted life I have seen since I was a child. No doubt life is hard, but if there is one pocket of rebellion, there are likely others. There is hope.

Suddenly, Kenji shoves his arm into my chest. He forces me to tear my eyes away from the people, earning him an evil glance. The look on his face terrifies me. Kenji squints into the distance, but before I can follow his gaze, we are running along the street. I don't understand. My mind races a million miles an hour but I still don't understand what is happening. The people are yelling, screaming, crying, there is a deafening roar coming from speakers attached to telephone poles above our heads. I had assumed they were long since dead.

"CURFEW IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR HOMES IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE ROGUE REBELS IN THE AREA."

They continue to scream, people run rampant across the pavement. I follow Kenji's gaze. Massive tanks are rolling down the street not 30 yards away. Kenji tackles me, pulling me down into the gutter.

A squeak slips from my throat.

Kenji shushes me, his voice very near to my neck. We are both lying on our sides, I can feel Kenji's hand resting, likely unnecessarily, on my hip. He makes no moves though, and I don't ask him to. Soldiers are marching down the center of the crumbling street. There are no commoners in sight anymore. Kenji managed to land us in a ditch, but it is nothing short of miraculous that they haven't yet spotted us.

Finally, the majority of the mass has passed. Following up behind is another tank, one with the top popped open daringly and a dashingly dressed man leaning out. He his one hand braced on the edge of the opening, and the other held to his eyes, shading them from the light. He glances our direction and the light flashes across his face. Green. Emerald green eyes. Blonde hair, emerald green eyes, strong jaw.

"Warner," Pure shock drags the word out of me.

I feel a betrayal I have not felt in a long time. On base, he always stood above his soldiers. He always wielded the power and it always felt like us against them. Now, however, I stand on the other side. He and his army walk together, bear the same symbols and colors and strongly compose the them side. Meanwhile, Kenji and I huddle in the gutter, effectively dooming the us party.

"Princess," Kenji says, his breath brushing my ear, "You need to shut up."

I start to turn, ever so slowly to prevent any noise. Unsure of what I intend to do, I twist my body to face my partner in crime. Except I don't see anything. Kenji is missing and it is just like my dream all over again. I am all alone and the enemy army is standing right in the periphery, threatening me. They will take me back, they will take me back and Warner won't be able to save me and they will kill me. My mind races through all sorts of ridiculous possibilities. Kenji was simply a figment of my imagination. He never existed. I planned this all by myself. I am insane, still huddled in my cell. This world is not real. Nothing is real nothing is real nothing is real.

And then I raise my hand to wipe the tears from my eyes. And I have no hand. And I scream. Loudly.

I look at my body, the place my arms should be, my hypothetical waist, and newly discovered legs. I gasp and hyperventilate and scream, shaken with a fear I have never known. This is real life and how am I going to get out? I exist but I don't exist. I have a consciousness but I have no physical proof. I have died and I have no idea what is happening anymore.

I am up. I am moving. Away, on legs with a mind that has no destination.

My body is visible again. I nearly collapse. Then I do, but it isn't my fault. Yet again, Kenji has tackled me, shoving his clothed sleeve into my open mouth.

"Goddamn it, Juliette!"

Then it all goes silent. There are no birds, of course. There have never been any birds, but my brain makes this connection anyway. The wind does not blow, and the only footsteps are far down the road. In the midst of all this nothingness, I glance up.

The tank has stopped.

Right in the middle of the road, the metal beast has stopped dead, my golden haired companion of the past few weeks is turned directly toward me. Our eyes are locked and neither of us knows what to do. Kenji looks away from my face, locating the object of my intent focus.

Then, without warning, he plunges back into invisibility, taking me with him.