chapter 29

(Svens POV)

I lay on the couch, my arms folded behind my head. I look up to see Rinslette move the curtains apart and look out the window. " The fogs getting thick, I can barely see the car." She shuts the curtains and turns to look at us.

"This is boring." Whitney whines.

"yeah well there's nothing we can do about that..." I sigh. "No one can navigate through that soup, we'll leave when it clears."

"Where are Glen and the other sweepers?" Asks Rinslette as she sits down.

"They took a different route and they're heading to the port. They need time to gather enough weapons and amunitions." I explain.

"So have you decided to join them or not?" More questions, my mind so full of thought that I say the first thing that comes to mind.

"I'm not going to make any decisions until I find Train, and Ara." A gust of wind speeds by our window and I look up with worry. Train please keep Ara safe.

(Ara's POV)

I woke up suddenly laying under a tree. That's right I went looking for Train I sigh and slowly let my eyes droop. The fire sure is nice... wait a minute... fire? I sat up and watched as Kevin McDougall piled on another log and set two on the side of him. He looks up at me and smirks.

"I see you're doing well." He sits down. "To answer your question I ran into you on our way to the port, I told the other sweepers I'd look after you since you look cold, and I made a fire."

"Thanks, but I don't need your help this time." I go to get up but fall over exhausted.

"You obviously need to take a break. Let me help this time. You're headed towards the port right?" I sat quietly and looked away.

"No... I'm looking for someone." I say.

"Without that overbaring boyfriend?" I cringed a little. "Oh you're looking for him." He saw through me.

"Look I don't need help I can do this by myself. Why does everyone think I'm a fragile girl?" I say angrily.

Kevin sighs. "Well for starters you're a girl and second we care about you a lot Ara." I looked at him noticing that he was next to me. "I mean I care about you a lot." He leaned into me and I jumped away quickly.

"I appreciate that but you should probably catch up with the others. I'll meet you there once I find my boyfriend." I kept my head turned away.

"I'm sorry, " He sighed. " That I put you in an awkward posistion.' I didn't turn around. "But allow me this one favor." I stayed silent. "Please let me take care of you until you're well enough to search for him in the morning. It'll put my heart at ease."

"Fine." I finally say sitting across form him and leaning against a tree. "But you have to take off when I leave in the morning, and not bother me or Train."

"Deal." He smirks, something about that smirk seem to be hidign something more well planned out and devious but I was too tired to say anything, and found myself falling asleep. I was having a beautiful dream about Train. I punched him hard enough it sent him flying. That'll teach him to leave again.

(Train's POV)

The mist began to roll in as I wandered throught the rock path. I twas getting thicker with every step. I heard someone laugh and looked in that general direction. A girl in a kimono walked by, she was holding a lantern. My eyes widen at her. "Saya?" I question. She continues to walk away and I ran after her. I know that has to be... "Saya..." as I round the corner I get slugged in the face.

"Ow Okay Ara, I probably deserve that one..." I mumble rubbing my face, and look up to see a girl in the spitting image of Saya. I couldn't tear my gaze from her.

"Uh... whoops, I'm so sorry I hit you. You woke up so quickly my reflexes took over." she says frantically, I sit up to look at her. "Well drink up." She sits a cup in front of me. "It's herbal tea." She pauses. "Your body tempurature must be low from being outside all night. The tea will not only warm you up, it'll help you go to sleep too." She pauses again. " I couldn't believe my eyes when I found you passed out in front of my door this morning. I actuallyhad to drag you inside all by myself." She grunts and starts hitting her shoulder with her fist. "But I was able to manage, working in the mountains has made me really strong, check it out." She points to her bicep. "I don't like it when you stare at me like that. It makes me uncomfortable." I finally look away.

"Oh sorry." I say quietly.

"Ah it's okay. My name is Saki." Huh... that's strange almost like...

"Yeah?"I question her.

"Yup... so what's your naem?" She drags out her words for emphasis.

"I'm Train. Train Heartnet." I answer her and keep my gaze away from her.

"Train Heartnet... " She repeats. "Are you an adventurer?" She asks rhetorically. " How fun." I sit in silence thinkinga bout everything that's happen so far. I wonder if Saya was from her village. I couldn't ask her that.

"It wasn't so smart to go through taht fog. You could've been killed. Especially if you're by yourself." She says breaking the silence.

I turned my head sheepishly away. "All I wanted to do was reach the port by this morning. "

"What's so special about this morning. Life isn't meant to be rushed. It'll just make you look stressed out and tired." She stands up. "Now drink that tea and try to get some more sleep." She demands.

"And you said it was herbal Tea?"

"Hm... that's right." She says.

" okay... well... " I look at it as the steam from the hot tea rolls off the top and inot the air as it acends and evaporates away. I quickly picked it up and gulped it down. Instant disatisfactory. "Yugh... why's it so bitter!" She starts laughing.

"Because it's medicine silly, but it will sure do the trick." She got up and I was falling asleep.

"Train?" I spun around and looked up at Cat she was smiling at me with that sparkle in her beautiful green eyes.

"Ara..." I started walking closer, her smile faded and was overtaken by and pessimist glare.

"Train, what do you think you're doing? There's a reason we were tied together, but I guess that doesn't mean much to you does it." I see that spikey haired guy from before walk to her side.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her." She smirks as she turns into him like she's about to...

"Ara!" I scream rolling off the edge of my bed and waking up fully. Oh good it's just a dream. I sit up rubbing my forehead. "I'll be with you soon." I whisper as I get up. "Just be there when I get back."