Carrot felt a pang in his heart, as he stared into the dancing fire. Placing his hand on his chest, he looked into the dense woodland, the top of the trees swaying softly in response to the whispering wind. Something was wrong, he was sure of that.

Tira couldn't help but notice how quiet Carrot was. Two seconds ago, he was complaining how hungry he was, and wished that Marron would return soon with something to eat. It was after the two of them were finally able to drag Chocolate off the older Glace that they noticed that Marron had left.

But that was a while ago. It was completely dark now. Marron had gone while there was still some light. It wasn't like him to be gone that long.

The magenta-haired girl watched as her sister scooted closer to Carrot. "Darling," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, "what's wrong? You're quiet tonight. Do you want me to cheer you up?"

But the normally wild teen said nothing. Tira was surprised that he wasn't even trying to pry Chocolate off him. But, on a closer observation, she doubted that Carrot was even aware of her sister's presence. His onyx eyes seemed to be someplace else.

Finally, after sometime, Carrot closed his eyes, and calmly took hold of Chocolate's arms, removing them from her hold around his neck. It surprised even Chocolate. It was so different in contrast to the way he normally rid himself of her, by pushing her away harshly. All of them there were expecting him to do it that way, all the while screaming in her face to get lost.

Chocolate had actually wanted him to do that. If he had, then he would have been his usual self, and she wouldn't have to think that there was something wrong.

Suddenly, he stood up. They all looked at him as he started to go off.

"Where are you going?" Gateau asked, taking a sip of the contents in his mug.

He said nothing. He simply stopped to pick up his sword.

"Carrot," Tira said, "it's getting dark. You might get lost."

"Marron's not back yet," he said quietly.

"Darling, I'm sure your brother is just fine," Chocolate said, going up to him. She took hold of his arm. "He's probably just taking his time."

"No. There's something wrong. I know there is."

Gateau scoffed. "I'm sure you're just paranoid. Marron's fine. He can handle himself."

He placed his hand over his heart again. 'No. I know there's something wrong. I can feel it.'

Tira noticed the sad expression in his eyes. She bit her bottom lip. There was no way that Carrot would be making this up. Something could have been wrong. She stood too.

"Maybe we should look for him," she said. "Just in case."

Carrot looked at her, thanking her with a slight nod. She smiled in reply.

Gateau placed his mug on the ground, getting up with a sigh. "All right," he said.

Chocolate snuggled up to the dark-haired teen. "We should go in twos," she suggested. "That way, we can search more ground."

Carrot nodded. "That's a good idea."

"Great! I get to go with Darling!"

"Sister!"

"I don't think so, Chocolate."

"Oh, Darling, why not? Here, let me help you change your mind. . ."

"CHOCOLATE, STOP THAT!"

"SISTER!"

Gateau gave out an agitated sigh. 'This could take a while. . .'

Tira followed behind Carrot quietly. After some debating, they had finally arranged it so that Tira and Carrot went one way, and Gateau and Chocolate went the other. After Carrot and Tira had reasoned with the cross Chocolate, they were able to get on their way.

Tira had no idea where the man in front of her was heading. She wondered if HE knew where he was going. Even if his little brother was in trouble, would he really be able to find him? Especially since it was so dark.

She really hoped that Carrot was wrong. Even though it was a short conversation, when she had asked him about why he wanted to find Marron so badly, the answer was pretty clear.

"Something happened," Carrot said, walking quickly ahead of the red-haired Misu.

"How do you know, Carrot?" Tira asked, jogging just to try and keep up. "For all we know, Marron could be back at camp, wondering where the rest of us are."

He placed a hand to his heart again, shaking his head. "No. Somehow, I doubt that he would be able to go back to camp."

Her heart seemed to have skipped a beat. Grabbing his hand, she forced him to stop and look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Marron's in trouble somewhere," he replied hesitantly.

"What do you mean? What kind of trouble?"

"I don't know. That's why I need to find him as soon as possible."

"But, Carrot. . . how do you expect to find him at night?"

He pulled his arm away from her. "I don't know. But I'll have to try. I need to find my brother no matter what."

Tira became aware that Carrot had stopped walking. She looked up at him, to see him standing there, looking at the ground.

"What's wrong, Carrot?" She asked, walking up next to him. He held his arm in front of her, halting her in her tracks.

"Look down," he said. As she looked, she noted a giant ditch.

"What's that?"

"A hunting trap. It was probably used for catching an animal of some kind."

"Luckily you saw it, Carrot. I wouldn't have noticed until I fell in."

He nodded slowly, then ushered her around the hole. Unfortunately, even with his keen night vision, Carrot wasn't able to clearly see what was in the hole.

At the bottom, a pale hand, stained with dirt and blood, lightly clutched a magic charm.

TBC