Angel of Light: Okay Cody! I'm putting you in this chapter!

Cody: ……..

Angel of Light: I don't make empty promises.

Cody: Could have fooled me…

Angel of Light: Don't be such a pessimist! By the way, the mother thing at the end was meant to be sarcastic.

Tai was up before most of the others. He hadn't slept well that night, not that anybody slept well, but he was especially bothered by the memories of his past. Images of people he once knew haunted him. He worried about what had happened to T.K., for his sister's sake. He wondered about what Kari was doing, if she had heard anything about him, or T.K. Then there was Sora. The one who plagued his mind the most. He longed to see her, and hoped she hadn't given up on him. The visions of her taunted him, with what he wanted most but knew he could not have. He waited silently for the others to wake.

Their captors found no need in feeding the captives breakfast, for they were busy planning their own affairs. This had mostly to do with the selling of the slaves. The men who were involved with this task were each given authority over a group of the slaves. They betted each other how much would be made over this, and they argued over who would make the most money.

Tai sat alone, until at last, their newfound friend Izzy had woken up.

"Morning", Tai said dully.

"You seem full of life", the red head answered back sarcastically.

"Aren't we all?" came the reply.

Izzy just smirked.

"So, when does this selling us off thing start?" The brunette asked, changing the subject.

"I'm not sure. I haven't been keeping track of how many days I've been here, so I've lost track of the date. Judging by the sudden change in the mood though, I'd say it's soon."

Tai only nodded.

The two sat silently, watching the other slaves as they began to rise. Some were still lucky enough to be sleeping.

While they sat there, a thought came to Tai. He leaned over close to Izzy, and whispered to him in a husked tone.

"During this auction thing, do you think we could get the chance to get away?"

Izzy looked at him, wide-eyed, "If you were caught, which would mostly be likely, they'd kill you."

"But, do you think they would drop their guard?"

He shook his head, "No. If anything, they'll up it."

Tai sank back, slightly disappointed.

At this time, the others began to wake.

*~*~*~*

T.K. looked at the nurse, "My Mom? Are you sure?"

She looked down at the list again, checking it. "Yes, I'm sure."

The nurse took a piece of paper from her clipboard, and handed it to T.K. He took it, and she exited the room.

He was almost afraid to unfold the paper. He hadn't talked to his mother, much less seen her in quite a while. To his knowledge, she didn't even know about his engagement. He wasn't sure if she would be mad at him, or just happy to see him again. But there was one question that bothered him most; Why was his mother contacting him after so long? The last time he checked, she wanted nothing to do with him.

T.K. decided that the only way to answer his questions was to unfold the paper. Slowly, as if afraid that the message itself would explode.

Takeru,

I know it's been a long time, but I just thought I'd let you know I'm coming to town. I hope you're in good health, and I'll see you soon.

Mom.

The blonde haired boy looked it over again and again. He was still confused as to why she was doing this. It seemed to have no strings attached, but you never know.

As he was reading, Kari popped in.

"What's that?" she asked him.

"This? It's a telegram from my Mom." he replied, not taking his eyes off it.

"Really? I've never met your Mom before…"

"I know."

"You don't sound very happy that she's coming. I'd do anything just to see my Mom again….."she commented almost sadly.

T.K. sighed, "Well, it's just that she hasn't been a part of my life for the past few years. Sure I love her and everything, but she's just a distant memory to me now. I'm not sure why she's here, but I guess I'll have no choice. Another thing is that I don't know how she'll react to, us. I don't think she knows about it."

Kari nodded understandingly. "We don't have to tell her right away, you know. Just introduce me as a friend, and see what happens."

He was silent, "I guess that'll have to do."

Kari watched him for a moment, slightly concerned. "Well, I just dropped into see how you were, and I have to go back to work. I'll hopefully be back to see you later."

"Alright." he replied with a smile.

Kari rolled her eyes, and left. He could be so odd sometimes. He'd be in one mood one moment, then a totally different one later. She went off to file some papers.

*~*~*~*

Sora wandered down the path that would lead her to the mountains. It was late afternoon, and she had been walking all day. Her feet were tired, and it was hot. There were no trees to give shade, only small rocks. A few shrubs littered the ground, and every once and a while a small animal would cross her path. Every so often a bird would fly overhead, but that was all the life she could see. The redhead noticed some cart tracks, but it was impossible to tell which direction they were headed.

She couldn't take it ay more. No matter how hot it was, she needed to find somewhere to rest. She found a medium sized boulder, and leaned against it. The girl felt like a ragged doll. All her limbs were like jelly, and she couldn't be bothered to move. Sora managed to open her canteen, and lift it to her mouth. There wasn't much water left, and she had to make it last. The bartender had told her that there was at least one more town before the mountains, so that gave her a sliver of hope.

Without realizing it, Sora drifted off to sleep. Sleep was something she hadn't been getting a lot of lately, and she needed it desperately.

Sora lay there for the remainder of the afternoon, and just unto dusk. She was woken up by the sound of hoof beats.

Groggily, she sat up. She could make out the figure of a person on a horse. Sora couldn't tell much, as she wasn't really coherent, but she could hear sounds. She heard the hoof beats stop, which was followed by voices. One seemed to be that of an elderly man, and that of a young boy. She became fully awake when she felt a hand on her.

Startled, she looked at them wide-eyed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss. We didn't think you were awake." said the man.

"Yeah, I-I'm awake." she replied.

"What are you doing all the way out here? It's not wise to travel here alone. During the day, it's too hot, and at night, there are robbers. If you were to travel alone, you should at least have a horse."

"I was-" he cut her off.

"You can explain later. It's getting to the time when the animals and the thieves come out. You can come to our house and rest. You look weary and tired."

Before she could object, the man was already heading back to his horse. Sora decided that it would be best to comply with the man's requests, as they seemed to be for her own good.

"This is my grandson, Cody. You can ride with him."

Sora turned, to find a young teenaged boy upon a scraggily mare. He looked rather serious, and that intimidated her. Hesitantly, she went over.

"Don't worry, Cody's a good boy. Just doesn't trust too many people. He'll be nice though."

Sora nodded, and mounted. She sat behind him. He moved up farther, and it seemed that he wanted to be as fare away as possible. She stayed far back, as not to bother him.

They rode off down the path.

Not long after they set off, what looked to be a small town appeared on the horizon. That was obviously their destination.

They rode through the main street of the town, and took a few turns until they were in a less dense area. The place reminded Sora of her own home. A small smile crept upon her lips as the memories came flooding back. In fact, Sora was so out of it, that she didn't even notice that Cody and his grandfather had gotten off their horses, and were waiting for her to dismounts as well. When she did realize this, she blushed heavily and got off quickly.

"I'm sorry….." she said.

"Think nothing of it," replied the old man, "we all do such things. Now, come inside, you look like you could use a good meal.

Obediently, Sora followed.

"Nina (I don't know Cody's mom's name, sorry!) we have a guest tonight. Prepare an extra place if you could."

Sora waited in the doorway.

"What have I said about bringing in people? Some day you're going to bring one home, and they'll run off with all out stuff!" she scolded.

"Oh, but she's only a young girl. She's got nothing and is harmless." he said defensively.

Nina sighed, "Alright, but I don't want to see anymore of these people. It's a good thing I just happened to prepare some extra meat."

"Alright. Cody, could you o get out guest?"

The boy nodded obediently, and went out to get Sora.

"Um, come in here. Dinner is ready." Once he said that, he disappeared back into the kitchen.

Timidly, she went on. She saw an empty place next to the boy's grandfather, and sat down.

The old an smiled, "Let's say the blessing."

The little family bowed their head and closed their eyes. Sora saw this, and figured she'd do the same.

"Father", began the man, "I pray that You would bless this food before us. I thank You for keeping us safe on our journey, and giving us a good day. Amen."

Sora figured that this was the cue to start eating. She slowly picked up the fork and knife.

"So, what brings you all the way out here? I don't believe I've ever seen you before." It was Cody's mother that had asked.

"Well, I'm looking for my husband. He, he disappeared after going to war." She replied softly.

The others seemed rather intrigued by this. "You're searching for your husband? Why would you come all the way out here to do that?" This time it was Cody.

"Well, I've heard rumours that there is some sort of slave camp around here, and with the pieces I have, it seems that that's the only place he could be. I'll do anything to find him, I just want him back."

"You must care for him a lot." The old man commented.

Sora nodded.

"Well, I don't think that you should go up to the camp. It is up there, that's a known fact. Still, don't be going there."

The redhead looked at him quizzically.

"First of all, it's a horrible place. If they found you, you would be used as a slave. Also, women are very scarce around there, and it would be very dangerous for one, especially one as beautiful as you, to go up there. I'm sure you catch my drift."

Sora blushed.

"Secondly," he continued, "there is a slave auction held once a year. They are the slaves that are captured from war. Not many people from the local towns buy them, but people who have travelled a long way. Some of the slaves here are the best. What I'm trying to say is, that if you went up, you might miss them. You'd have a better chance of finding him if you stayed here. We are the first town that they come to."

She nodded.

The meal was finished in silence, except for the occasional 'pass the salt'. Cody's mom cleaned up the plates, and Sora sat still. She wasn't sure what to do.

"Don't worry, you can spend the night. There's an extra room here."

"Thank you, but I don't want to be a bother."

"Oh, don't be silly. You're no trouble at all. You can stay as long as you wish."

Sora decided that there was no use in refusing. The old man brought her upstairs to a small room, filled only with a single bed and a chair. There was also a small rug on the floor.

"You can sleep here."

Sora thanked him, as he left.

That night, she slept better than she had since Tai left. It still wasn't the same without him, but she was glad to be with such kind people.

Angel of Light: See Cody! You're in this chapter! And you'll be in the next one too! I told you so!