Recap: Shun reads the package Sho had left for him. It indicated that he and Alice would have to go to Disneyland, California. The relationship between Isaac and Shun got much better than it had before. Shun called Steve and Freda to ask them to pick him and Alice up from Anika's home.

Alice Pov.

Watching Shun's last minutes with the children gave me an ache in the heart. Not only did he and Isaac finally get comfortable with each other, they had formed a bond that would have usually taken years to make. It was like watching a father play with his little boy for the last time before disappearing forever. But I knew it wouldn't be forever until they met again. Shun promised Isaac that they would indeed see each other again, and I believed him. Shun never broke promises. Never.

Even Anika seemed sad that we were leaving. She'd shed her firm exterior and replaced it who she really was; a caring, motherly figure who only hoped the best for Isaac and Grace. By the last few minutes of our departure, I could have sworn there was a little more moisture in her glittering eyes.

As I was making sure we had the last of our luggage, I felt a tug on back of my shirt. Behind me stood Grace, trying to hide something carefully behind her back. It was adorable, but what made it more adorable was the fact that an object was sticking out to the side very clear for me to see. I ignored the fact, and decide to ask, "What's up, Grace?"

"Well... do you have some extra space in your bag?" she asked. Standing on her little toes, Grace peered into my purse. There was very little space left, but she didn't seem to care for she grinned and handed me a little baggie. "From me and Isaac to you and Shun!"

"Can I open it now?" She nodded, and I untied the little string that kept it closed at the top. It was so well done, I could only guess that Anika had helped them. Inside the bag was a little flower, a couple drawings and two cards, one addressed to Shun and one for myself. The letter E in my name was written backwards like a three. I was about to open the card up, but Grace stopped me. "You can open the bag here, but you can't look at the card yet! Read it on the airplane!"

"Oh alright," I said, and placed it in my purse while taking out the Polaroid camera. Grace looked puzzled, as if like she'd never seen a Polaroid camera before. "This is a Polaroid camera. It takes pictures and makes them so that you can keep one for yourself."

"Can we take a picture?" she asked. "I want to keep one so I can remember you forever and ever!"

I smiled, and extended a hand for her to hold.

"Of course."

Shun Pov.

Leaving was hard, but we eventually did what had to be done. A few tears were shed as the final words of goodbye left hanging from our mouths.

While I had enjoyed Steve's humor on the way to Odrupele, I was relieved to see it was just Freda who had come to take us to airport. The woman was quiet and while she did ask a few questions of our time in Uganda, she did not bother to press us. I was grateful.

Boarding our flight went by in a breeze, unlike our slight dilemma at the airport in Paris. We got a one way ticket to Anaheim, the home of Disneyland.

The moment we settled ourselves into our seats of the plane, Alice fell swiftly asleep. Eyes closed, she looked like an angel. I dared to push some of her curls out of her face, smiling as I did. She really was precious to me.

But did precious really sum up my feelings for her?

She was one of a kind, and I knew that. I knew that without her on this trip with me, I would be completely lost. I also knew that I'd risk just about anything for her. What I didn't know was what she was to me.

She was definitely more than a friend, probably closer to best friend. But was she more? Were my feelings pushing for more than friendship? Was there something more, something romantic-?

No.

Who was I kidding?

Shaking my head, I knew that these thoughts only meant that I had too much space to think. I chose a couple movies by random and watched them absentmindedly, my thoughts continuing to wander off.

Alice Pov.

Disneyland! Oh, the thrill to be at the happiest place on Earth!

Because we had landed on a Saturday morning, I knew that we'd have nearly three days until we would meet a specific Minnie Mouse at Goofy's Kitchen. While I knew that our main reason for being there was because of Shun's father, I knew it would be important to take advantage of our time in Disneyland.

During our first two days we spent much of it rushing from ride to ride and getting autographs from the characters. We stuffed ourselves with treats and bought matching T-shirts. It was like I was five all over again, and I was sure Shun was feeling similar.

When Monday rolled along, all those feelings of careless joy vanished.

"Shun?" He snapped his head up in alert. We were sitting at a table in Goofy's Kitchen, a buffet that was part of the Disneyland hotel. It was filled with families with smiling faces, none looking as grim as Shun and I. I sighed. "Look, sitting here in agony isn't going to do us any good. I'm sure Sho would agree. Shouldn't we get up and at least grab ourselves some food?"

He nodded and shoved his photograph into his pocket. But even the piles of food on our plates could not hide our nerves.

"Oh look, some special guests have arrived!"

Those special guests were characters. Aladdin ran into the room first, signing autograph books of little boys and girls. Closely behind him was Goofy, Donald, Pluto and-

"Minnie," Shun whispered. He was clutching his photograph tightly with a pen gripped tightly in his other fist. Only when I placed a hand on his did his grip loosen. His eyes stayed glued on Minnie as she went from table to table, taking pictures and signing autograph books.

When she finally came around to our table, Shun shoved the photograph into her gloved hands. For a moment she froze, her character crumbling away. But it only took her a second to regain her happy-go-lucky Minnie Mouse composure as she quickly signed the photograph, blowing Shun and I a kiss as she skipped her way to another table.

As expected was a signature of the character, decorated with a little heart. However, there was a little note under that. It said:

Paradise Pier Hotel. Floor 5. Room 124. Midnight.

This chapter was short and rushed, as will the next few be. But I really want to get to the juicy action, as you probably do as well.

Wow, this story has already continued for 25 chapters. Can you believe it? I'm thinking of ending the story at around 32, or at least that's what I'm aiming for. Originally I'd wanted it to be finished around 25, but obviously you can tell it hasn't happened.

For those who've kept on reading, thank you. And to those who just started reading, thanks for reading too. Your reviews actually mean a lot to me :). Especially these days when I have absolutely no motivation to even get out of bed.

I mentioned it last chapter, but I've made a new fanfiction account. This one will be kept for Bakugan and Pokémon. So far I've just posted a Harry Potter story on that account, so if you're into Harry Potter check out saltedcaramel!

I can't promise you when the next update will be, but I'll try to write it as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!