Chapter 2: Goodbye

Meanwhile, all was well in Norune Village. Almost one year ago, Toan, Xiao, Goro, Ruby, Ungaga, and Osmand had defeated Flag and the Dark Genie. Even though they were good friends, they all had cities to protect, and went their separate ways. However, Toan, Xiao, and Steve had stayed together. They were all too good friends, and besides- Xiao and Steve had no place to go, and no matter how human Xiao got she was still Toan's cat.

Toan and Xiao were just sitting on their steps outside, staring at the hazy sun and sad happenings across the street...

"Wow, Toan..." Xiao said. "I can't believe its already been a year since we defeated the Dark Genie...can you?"

"..."

"Toanie?"

"..."

"TOAN!!!!!"

"WHA?!?!?" Toan exclaimed, jumping a few inches. "Xiao! Nani ten da ya?!?!?"

"Sorry, Toan. I didn't know you were sleeping."

"I...I wasn't sleeping, Xiao. I was just...taking my last look at Paige."

And sure enough, across the street one of Toan's best friends was packing to move. Paige and her father Pike were moving far away to the coastal city of Queens. It was a sad sight in the eyes of Toan...

Even a year after the Dark Genie's defeat, Pike had feared another attack on Norune. Not knowing that Queens had been attacked as well, Pike began packing just a few days after Toan brought them out of the Atla. No matter how much Paige pleaded to her father to stay in Norune Village, Pike was a fisherman and needed the ocean...and so-called safety.

"Why don'cha go say goodbye to her?" Xiao suggested, getting up and jumping off their staircase onto the porch. "C'mon, I'll come with you for moral support!"

"Well..." Toan grumbled, looking at the sunset. Suddenly, his ears poked up and his eyes grew wide.

"SAIAKU!!!!!" He yelled, running down the stairs toward Paige. "Paige leaves at dusk!!!! I've got to hurry, before its too late!!!!!!"

Toan scampered over to Paige, holding his hat down and yelling frantically; Xiao following close behind.

Paige had a very somber look on her face as she picked up her suitcase. However, Pike was already in his wagon, eagerly awaiting his daughter, happy as can be.

Even after Toan had arrived in front of her Paige looked as if she was about to break down and cry.

"Hi, Paige..." Toan said softly.

"Hello, Toan..." Paige replied, sighing.

"Paige..."

"Yes Toan?"

"Paige..."

"Toan?!?"

"Paige..."

"Toan, what is it? My father is waiting!"

"Paige...we came to say...we'll see you later...and...we'll miss you..." Xiao said, realizing that Toan couldn't say it himself without crying.

"Oh, Xiao!" Paige cried, dropping to her knees. "I DON'T want to go, I really DON'T!!!"

"We know, Paige...we know..." Xiao coaxed, comforting her friend with a hug. Toan also comforted Paige, and spoke softly to her.

"Paige, I just want you to know that-''

"PAAAAAAIIIIGE!" Toan was cut off by the sound of Pike's impatient call for his daughter. "Paige, come on! I want to get to Queens by early morning so I can get some fishing in after we're settled!"

Paige got up. "Dad, can I PLEASE say goodbye to my friends?!?!?!? I MAY never see them again!!!"

"Oh, fine! But could you PLEASE hurry?!?"

Paige turned back to face Toan and Xiao again. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't keep my dad waiting much longer. I'm really sorry that I have to go, but..." Tears welled up in her eyes. "But I hope you know........................desu ne no chan!"

And with that, Paige turned back around and trudged slowly toward her father's wagon, suitcase in hand, but heart still in Norune. Though there would be lots of water in Queens, there wouldn't be a Toan. There wouldn't be a Xiao. There wouldn't be a Renee. There wouldn't be a Claude or a Gaffer or a Gina. Though the Machos' cousin was the sheriff in Queens, Paige would even miss the brothers' constant bickering.

As the moon peeked above the mountains, Pike waved goodbye to Toan and Xiao and flicked the horses' reins, and they were off.

"Chan...forever." They could hear Paige whisper.

Soon the cart was past Toan, Xiao, and Renee's house. It went past Claude's house. It went past the Machos' house . It went past Gina's house. And finally, it went past the Gaffer's wagon, around the mountainous corner, never to be seen in the likes of Norune Village again.

"Chan forever, Paige..." Toan whispered, wiping his eyes.

"Toan, let's go- your mom is calling us for dinner..." Xiao said, grabbing Toan's arm and patting him on the back.

"A-All right, Xiao."

* * *

Though dinner was excellent, Toan didn't have the heart to eat. He found it hard to believe that just one day before Paige and Pike had joined Toan, Xiao, and Renee for dinner. Paige had even sat right next to Toan, and that seat was now empty. Not many people besides Paige and Pike would come over Toan's house for dinner...

"Toan, is everything all right?" Renee asked at dinner.

"Yes, Mom." Toan muttered, poking at his dumpling.

"You seem a bit out of it tonight. Are you sure you're all right? Are you catching a cold?"

"Mom, I'm FINE!"

"Oh..."

All was silent for a minute, except for the small clatter of forks.

"Listen, Toan," Renee said, breaking the silence, "I know that you didn't want Paige to go. She didn't want to go either. But she promises to write-"

"And how are they to get here?!? If you haven't noticed, Mom, WE LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!!!!!!" Toan snapped, getting up from his seat in anger.

"Cool it, Toanie!" Xiao retorted. "Just because you miss Paige doesn't mean you can take it out on us!"

Toan glared at them, but then sighed and sat back down.

"I'm sorry." He grumbled.

:Its okay, son. I know how it feels to loose a good friend." Renee replied.

* * *

After dinner, Toan helped his mother clean up andwent up to his room with Xiao afterward. However, when Toan got up to his room, he found it locked from the inside.

"STEVE! Open the freakin` door!" Xiao yelled, slamming on the door.

"Oh, sure thin Xiao!" Came a faint voice from inside the room.

Steve was a talking slingshot, and one of Xiao's best friends- not to mention weapon. Since he was a slingshot, he doesn't have legs, which made it kind of hard for him to climb up Toan' dresser to open the door.

"Next time we put him in there, remind me to bring my spare key..." Toan grumbled.

More banging and thumping could be heard before Toan and Xiao saw the doorknob rattle back and forth.

"I...got...it!"

And with that, the door flung open, sending Steve flying back down the stairs.

Xiao ran as fast as she could down the stairs, but she was a second too late- she heard a cracking sound, followed by Steve's small, gasping cry.

"Oh, dear me!" Renee exclaimed. She had picked up Steve and found a small crack in his side.

"No, Steve!" Xiao cried, grabbing her slingshot and clutching him tight. "You're cracked!"

Toan ran down the stairs, taking off his hat.

"Don't worry, Xiao...we can go down to the Gaffer's wagon tomorrow to see if there's anything he can do for Steve!" He comforted, putting Steve in his hat.

"Oh, no...I'm so sorry, Xiao!" Renee exclaimed.

"What is it, Renee?" Xiao asked.

"Our new neighbors are moving in tomorrow, and I promised myself we would help them unpack and invite them to dinner!"

"Oh...well, can you wait two days, Steve?"

"Of course, Xiao..." Steve replied.

"Well, Toan, I suppose you two should get to bed. We have to get up early tomorrow." Renee said.

"All right, Mom..." Toan replied.

So Toan went to bed that night, thinking that if there was a kid his age moving to Norune tomorrow, that still wouldn't replace Paige.

And boy, he was wrong.

---------------------------

Japanese Guide

Saiaku: Devastating interjection

Nani ten da ya: What the hell?

Desu ne: You are

No: Mine

Chan: Friend