Celine threw a large rock into the middle of the stream, watching the resulting splash with intense fascination. Chris was wading in the shallow water a little ways away. Claude and Rena were lying on the beach facing each other, talking softly. Only Ashton and Chisato were missing, which was the topic of conversation at the waterfront.

"It's a shame we're missing a couple people", Celine yelled, picking up another rock.

"Yes, I wonder what they're doing", Claude added.

"Think we should go try to find out?" Chris asked them.

"No! Give them their privacy!" Celine snapped.

"But you're not just a little curious?" Chris asked back.

"Maybe it's something personal, Chris", Celine insisted.

Claude smiled. "Now I want to find out evermore so."

Rena's eyes grew wide. "Claude!" she said, and then whispered in his ear.

Claude nodded reluctantly. "I guess. But you can't say that you aren't a LITTLE curious."

Rena blushed the slightest shade of pink. "Maybe just a little."

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This wasn't exactly what Chisato had in mind. Her leg really was hurt, but she didn't need the hot pack, the cold pack and the blanket that bundled her up like a cocoon If I wanted to be pampered, she thought, I'd just go back home to mom. She shuddered at the thought. Now, Ashton is making her soup. God damn it, Ashton, stop being my mother!

The tent flap was pulled back and Ashton crawled in with a large cup of potato soup. She could see out the door that it was almost night time, and she could feel it in the air. She also noticed by Ashton's body movement that he was nervous, and stood a little distance from her. She knew why: He felt like he was the reason her leg was hurt, so he thought she was mad at him. Well, I'm going to be, if you don't become the owner of the parts Tria gave you. For goodness sake, Ashton, be a MAN about this! You've got a damsel in distress here!

She didn't say that though. She just smiled and said "Thank you" and accepted the soup. It was good, she had to admit that. She didn't though…she didn't want soup, and she didn't want to be cooped up in this tent any longer.

"I'd better go, to let you get your res-" Ashton began, starting to get up.

That was too much for Chisato. She put down her soup, threw off the blankets and packs, braced herself as she stood and jumped across the tent into Ashton. Unprepared, Ashton stumbled backwards thought the wall of the tent. The both tumbled down the hill together, seemingly for forever through the chaos.

They finally reached the bottom, rolling a little farther on the ground due to the weight of them being together. Ashton was seemingly in shock; his eyes were open as was his mouth, breathing heavily. Chisato simply lay next to him, holding him tightly.

Ashton's mouth began to work again. "Ch-Chi…:: Heh-huh::..Chis…"

"I'm not really tired, Ashton, but thank you." She held him even tighter after that, tugging Ashton deeper into speechlessness. "You don't have to say or even feel anything, Ashton. If you want to make me feel better, what with my leg and all, then take away the coldness of this evening, and I don't mean with blankets or hot packs."

Ashton was too flabbergasted to say anything. Ever since he'd landed, his arms had been practically glued to his sides. Gyoro took this as an opportunity to gently tug Ashton's arm upwards. Chisato quickly was at Ashton's side, snuggling close like a kitten would. She curled closer and laid her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Make me happy, too…", and then fell asleep under the moonlight.

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Ashton, however, couldn't exactly just poof to sleep like Chisato did. His mind was racing a mile a minute. I've always wanted a girl to love, he thought to himself, but Chisato? She wants me to make her happy? How can I do that…I can't even make myself happy!

He looked at her. Her red hair looked like it always did, as did he Nedian ears. The only difference between the Chisato now and the Chisato back when he met her was now her leg was once again curled around his, her arms were wrapped against his chest, and her head was against his shoulder.

He placed his arm around her. He might as well try to grant her request. But they couldn't sleep down here. This plain is well used by humans and animals alike…they needed to get back to the tent. But how, exactly?

He didn't think he was strong enough to lift her, and he didn't want to wake her. But he had to try. He pulled Urunun close and whispered into his ear; he in turn quietly squawked something to Gyoro. They bent down to the ground near Chisato and waited. Ashton slowly moved her sleeping body onto the dragon's strong neck. Once they had her on their support, they slowly lifted her and Ashton transferred the weight to his own arms. She was lighter then he thought, and he was able to fairly easily lift back up the hill.

When they reached the tent, Chisato's arms crawled up around Ashton's neck and her eyes opened.

"Chisato! I woke you! I'm so sorry!"

"Ashton…stop apologizing."

"But you.-"

She bent up and touched her lips to his. "Shh, Ashton…"

He placed her down gently on her mat, but she refused to remove her hands from behind his neck, in result, he laid down next to her, and she inched yet closer.

"Why…Chisato, why me? Why now?"

She let out a small breath and moved a little bit. "Ashton…always trying to find a reason, something is always your fault, never making your own decisions. Until you learn to accept things the way they are..." She trailed off and moved close enough that their noses were touching.

"I can't explain it, Ashton…I'm asking you. Can you…make me happy? Can I help you feel less empty?"

"I don't-"

"Then try." She kissed him.

As the moon began to rise, somewhere, in the distance, they could hear crickets chirping softly.

~