(A/N) A.S. Amalon thank you lots for reviewing. Well seeing as how I have
no life, here is the update you asked for. And yes, Stella and Ax staying
together just might amount to some trouble. MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Written in the Stars
Chapter 2: When Ax Met Stella
Later that evening, before Stella and I were to go back to the woods, Prince Jake took me aside and spoke to me.
"Are you sure that you're all right with this arrangement Ax? I mean, the whole Stella staying with you thing."
{ It is not for me to question the orders of my prince, Prince Jake. }
"Don't call me Prince. And I don't care if it's for you to question me or not. What I'm asking is it okay for you, just you, personally?"
{ As I said before, I do not trust her and I do not believe that I would be comfortable with her. But what is done is done. There is no where else for Stella to stay. }
"Okay Ax, if you're sure. But can I ask you to do something for me?"
{ Of course Prince Jake. }
"Keep an eye on Stella. Make sure she doesn't try anything. I'm not entirely sure of her myself."
{ As you wish. }
As the two of us left Cassie's barn Marco spoke to me one last time.
"Be good Ax. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He said. There was a mischievous grin on his face the whole time.
Cassie and Rachel both stared at me. Then they stared at Stella, then back at me. Then they both began to giggle insanely.
{ Marco, that is just plain wrong! } Tobias said, though I could sense that he was laughing in his own way.
{ I am confused. Forgive me, but I sense that Marco is referring to something dishonorable. } I said.
{Ax-man, what Marco's referring to is about as dishonorable as they come. } Tobias answered. Even prince Jake was laughing by now.
Tobias flew out of the barn ahead of us and Stella and I followed. The laughter of the other Animorphs followed us out into the night.
{ I do not understand, Tobias. What were you all talking about back there? }
{ Trust me on this one Ax. You don't want to know. } Tobias said as he flew on ahead, back to his meadow.
"Soooooooooo.... Where exactly in the woods do you sleep?" Stella asked me.
{ No where in specific. Normally I just find a quiet spot in the forest and sleep. I have thought about building a scoop but I have not put much effort into that thought. }
Stella was silent after that. We simply walked on through the forest together. She was now carrying what the humans call a sleeping bag and Cassie had given her a few changes of clothing and other odd assortments that humans need. Finally we reached a spot in the woods, not as deep in the forest as I would have liked but I didn't think that Stella could go that far and I wasn't willing to ask her to morph an Andalite so that we could make the journey. I was still a little bit shocked from having seen her morph into me. Stella was certainly bold. That I would have to admit. We needed boldness against the Yeerks just now.
{ This place will work for tonight. } I told her.
"Okay." She replied. Then she began to role out the sleeping bag. When it was ready she climbed into it. I took a position far enough away from her and shut my main eyes and let my tail droop to the forest floor. I kept one stalk eye turned in the direction of the deeper forest and the other I kept on Stella. Prince Jake had given me orders after all.
For a long while she lay facing away from me. Just when I was finally convinced that she was asleep she jerked up from the sleeping bag and into a sitting position.
"Will you stop staring at me!" she glared furiously.
{ I have my orders Stella. } I told her gently.
"Huh?"
{ Prince Jake told me to keep an eye on you, and that is what I intend to do. }
"Aaaarrgh! Why am I not surprised? No one ever trusted me before this either."
{ Well you haven't given us much reason to trust you Stella. }
"Well that just figures now doesn't it!" she grouched as she lay back down and turned away from me.
{ What is the matter Stella? }I asked her, but she ignored me. I figured that I had angered her somehow. Humans can be so complex sometimes. If you say one thing wrong they can take it the wrong way and everything can get so mixed up.
We didn't speak for the rest of the night.
* * *
The next morning I awoke early and completed the morning ritual. As I stood by the stream thinking about what I could do that day Tobias flew up to me.
{ So how did it go? } he asked.
{ We had a fight. } I said. I knew that he could tell that I did not wish to talk about it anymore.
{ Where's Stella now? }
{ She is still asleep. }
{ I wouldn't be so sure about that. }
{ What do you mean? } Suddenly I heard a voice from behind me.
"Hi Tobias, hi Ax." Stella said as she knelt by the stream. She cupped her hands and filled them with water and splashed her face with it. She lifted her face up to the rising sun and let the droplets of water run down her face and into her tangled black hair, which flowed down her back. The water droplets caught the light of the sun and it looked as if she was wearing starlight in her hair.
Where did that come from?
{ Is that some sort of ritual? } I asked her.
"Not really. It's more like something to wake me up."
For awhile after that there was a long silence between the three of us. Then Stella spoke again.
"The other Animorphs are at school. So what are we going to do today?"
{ I'm not sure. Jake said that there was no new Yeerk activity to look into. I guess I'll just spend the day hunting. } Tobias told her.
"I've got a better idea. Tobias, where do you think the tallest cliff around here is?"
{ It's at least an hour's flight from here. Why Stella? }
"You'll see." She said mischievously as she began to morph. We had gone to Cassie's farm yesterday and Stella had acquired some new morphs. Now I could see that she was using her falcon morph. Quickly she flapped up into the trees to join Tobias.
{ Aren't you coming Ax? } she asked impatiently.
{ Coming where? Where are you going? }
{ I told you you'll find out. Just morph already. }
I decided against arguing and began to morph my northern harrier. Finally we were all ready and Tobias led the way to Stella's chosen destination. Along the way we talked a little bit.
{ Listen Ax. } she said to me privately. { I'm sorry about last night. I thought about it and I guess you're right. You don't have any reason to trust me yet. But anyway, I'm sorry. }
This caught me by surprise. From what I had seen of humans they tended to hold a grudge for much longer than that. What was she up to? Was Stella being sincere in her apology? I decided that it was best to be cautious. I hadn't seen enough of her personality to judge on whether or not I could trust her.
{ It is all right. } I said slowly.
{ Why do you call him Prince Jake. I wanted to ask you last night but I was too mad. }
{ Every Aristh must have a Prince over him. While I am on Earth I have taken Jake as my Prince. } I answered.
Finally we reached the cliff that Stella had asked about. It was a place where the land rose up out of the ocean for at least five hundred earth feet.
{ And why are we here? } Tobias asked her.
{ I figure that I should try out these new morphs of mine. } she said as she morphed back to human.
"Besides, I've always wanted to do this." She said as she stepped up to the edge of the cliff. She turned to face Tobias and I. I was still in bird morph. She spread her arms wide and before either of us could stop her she let herself tumble off of the cliff backwards.
{ NOOOOOOOOOO! } Tobias shrieked as he darted over the edge after her. I quickly followed him but there was little that we could do to save her.
But as Tobias and I careened down the cliff face I began to see changes in Stella. I saw feathers and talons sprout and she was shrinking rapidly. Finally, to my immense relief, she was a falcon and just as she was about to hit the water she spread her wings and shot out over the waves.
{YAAAAA-HOOOOOOO! } I heard her screaming in sheer delight.
When we had all flown back up to the cliff Tobias started to scold Stella.
{ Why on Earth did you do that Stella? You had me and Ax scared half to death. You could have died. Someone might have seen you! }
{ No one saw me Tobias. I don't know if you remember but we've already scouted the area pretty darn thoroughly. }
{ Oy! I don't know if you understand the seriousness of your powers but if Jake finds out that you've been morphing for fun he is going to be mad. }
{ Oh well, that's nice. Now Tobias, if you're done rambling I think I'll do that again. You want to join me? }she asked as she demorphed.
{ Okay, whatever, but I've done it a million times. }
"How about you Ax?" she asked me.
{I am not certain. It seems very dangerous. }
"Okay fine, be a coward." She said as she stepped back to the edge of the cliff.
That did it.
{ No one calls Aximili Esgarrouth Isthill a coward and lives. } I said, trying to use the human concept of sarcasm. I was getting better at it. I demorphed and joined her at the edge. { What do we do? } I asked.
"Just spread your arms out and let yourself fall. Then after awhile you morph."
{ All right. } I said nervously as I spread my arms.
Before I even had time for a second thought Stella pushed me over the side and jumped right after me. For a moment I was scared. The breath had been completely sucked from my lungs. But after a few seconds I began to enjoy the feeling of free falling. I looked over at Stella and saw that she was smiling in pure joy.
{ Why are we doing this? What is the point of this training? }
"Training? This is just for fun!" she yelled back to me as she began to morph.
{ You've got to get out more often Ax-man. You know, fun! } Tobias said as he plunged to the water right along with us. His voice had lost it's edge and he was enjoying himself now.
We spent the rest of the day falling off of the cliff. By the end of the day I was really getting to enjoy myself.
{ Guys, the sun is starting to set. We should probably be heading back. } Tobias noted worriedly.
So we flew back to Cassie's barn. Before Stella and I demorphed and entered we heard the other four talking inside.
"Where the heck are those guys anyway? They should have been here hours ago." Cassie wondered out loud.
"Maybe we should fly back over the forest and see if we can spot them." Prince Jake suggested.
"We've already checked the forest a dozen times over. They are obviously not there. I'll bet anything that it was Stella who led them away. I never trusted her to begin with. She's probably in league with the Yeerks. If she led Tobias and Ax into a trap she'll live to regret it!" Rachel was fuming.
"Rachel calm down. Stella can't be in league with the Yeerks, otherwise they would have the morphing cube already." Prince Jake reasoned.
Suddenly Stella demorphed and stalked into the barn.
"I did lead them away but you don't have to worry about any traps." She told Rachel.
"Where are Ax and Tobias? What have you done to them!?" Rachel demanded of Stella.
{ Rachel we're right here. Calm down. } Tobias pleaded with her as the two of us entered the barn.
"Oh." She said softly.
"Where have you three been all day?" Prince Jake demanded. His voice was a deadly whisper.
{ We were- } I started to say.
"Out practicing morphing." Stella finished.
"Where?"
"Where no one could see us." She replied hotly.
"You're hiding something from me." Prince Jake said accusingly.
{ You want to know where we were? We were out along the coastline doing some cliff diving. } Tobias told him, trying to stop Prince Jake and Stella from fighting.
"WHAT?!" Rachel shouted angrily.
{ We were jumping off of some cliffs and then morphing birds at the last minute. At least that's what Ax and Stella were doing. I was just along for the falls. }
Prince Jake turned to Stella. Every move that he made told me that he was angry with her.
"Morphing isn't a game. Someone might have seen you. It's too risky to play games with your life like that Stella. It's especially dangerous for you to be seen. The Yeerks know who you are and if they ever see your face your dead."
Stella just stared defiantly back at Prince Jake.
" And you Ax, You're supposed to be keeping her in line. What got into you?"
{ I....well...I } for once I had no answer. My stalk eyes drooped in shame.
"I'll give you one last chance Stella. This isn't a game." Prince Jake was silent after that.
"Yeah, well, anyway, we wanted to find you all because we heard about some new Yeerk activity that we could check out." Marco told us, trying to break the silence.
{ When? } Tobias asked him.
"Tomorrow night. It's another meeting of the Sharing. We're thinking it might have something to do with Stella." Cassie explained.
{ In that case, we had better be getting some sleep. } Tobias said.
With that he flew out of the barn. Stella and I followed, not speaking the whole way back through the forest.
As she was getting ready to sleep by the light of her lantern she spoke to me again.
"Can I ask you something Ax?"
{ That depends what it is that you wish to ask. }
"You told me earlier today that while you're on Earth you've taken Jake as your Prince. I was wondering, who was your Prince before you came to Earth?"
I shut my eyes tightly against her inquisitive glance. Suddenly all the pain of losing Elfangor came rushing back.
{ Elfangor was my Prince. }
"Oh, your brother right?"
{ Yes. } I answered sadly.
"I'm sorry. I know how you feel."
{ Your parents? }
"Yes, them, and also not them. I had a sister once. But she's dead too." I could hear the sadness in her voice.
{ What happened to her? }
"I...I don't.... I don't really want to talk about it right now."
I finally turned back to her and when I looked, I saw a single tear fall down her face. Tears puzzle me greatly. Humans are the first species that I have encountered that cry in such a strange way. I had already learned that tears were an expression of horrible pain and sadness.
As I stood watching her I suddenly felt the breath leave my lungs. The lantern cast a strange glow all about her body. Her wild black hair hung loosely down her back. She was trembling. I could see that she was trying to hold back her tears. I suddenly felt a need to be by her side. In my time on Earth I had learned that humans liked to be touched when they were upset. I went over to her and put my hand on her cheek. For a moment she stood there. She closed her eyes and I saw that she was smiling. I saw more tears streak down her face. She brought up her own hand and placed it on mine. She opened her eyes again and for an instant she smiled. But just as suddenly she jerked away from me.
"Um..... We should..... uh.... probably be getting to sleep." She said. I took her tone of voice to mean either sickness or embarrassment.
She climbed into her sleeping bag and switched off the lantern. When I was convinced that she was asleep I left her and ran through the forest. Very deep into the forest. Somewhere where I could think privately.
What had just happened back there? What were those feelings that I had had? I had never felt anything like it. Even in my true Andalite body I felt it. It wasn't a felling of companionship. It was different. I had never felt that way around Rachel or Cassie, or anyone for that matter. What was happening to me? What was this strange attraction?
Attraction? Is that what it was?
* * *
Written in the Stars
Chapter 2: When Ax Met Stella
Later that evening, before Stella and I were to go back to the woods, Prince Jake took me aside and spoke to me.
"Are you sure that you're all right with this arrangement Ax? I mean, the whole Stella staying with you thing."
{ It is not for me to question the orders of my prince, Prince Jake. }
"Don't call me Prince. And I don't care if it's for you to question me or not. What I'm asking is it okay for you, just you, personally?"
{ As I said before, I do not trust her and I do not believe that I would be comfortable with her. But what is done is done. There is no where else for Stella to stay. }
"Okay Ax, if you're sure. But can I ask you to do something for me?"
{ Of course Prince Jake. }
"Keep an eye on Stella. Make sure she doesn't try anything. I'm not entirely sure of her myself."
{ As you wish. }
As the two of us left Cassie's barn Marco spoke to me one last time.
"Be good Ax. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He said. There was a mischievous grin on his face the whole time.
Cassie and Rachel both stared at me. Then they stared at Stella, then back at me. Then they both began to giggle insanely.
{ Marco, that is just plain wrong! } Tobias said, though I could sense that he was laughing in his own way.
{ I am confused. Forgive me, but I sense that Marco is referring to something dishonorable. } I said.
{Ax-man, what Marco's referring to is about as dishonorable as they come. } Tobias answered. Even prince Jake was laughing by now.
Tobias flew out of the barn ahead of us and Stella and I followed. The laughter of the other Animorphs followed us out into the night.
{ I do not understand, Tobias. What were you all talking about back there? }
{ Trust me on this one Ax. You don't want to know. } Tobias said as he flew on ahead, back to his meadow.
"Soooooooooo.... Where exactly in the woods do you sleep?" Stella asked me.
{ No where in specific. Normally I just find a quiet spot in the forest and sleep. I have thought about building a scoop but I have not put much effort into that thought. }
Stella was silent after that. We simply walked on through the forest together. She was now carrying what the humans call a sleeping bag and Cassie had given her a few changes of clothing and other odd assortments that humans need. Finally we reached a spot in the woods, not as deep in the forest as I would have liked but I didn't think that Stella could go that far and I wasn't willing to ask her to morph an Andalite so that we could make the journey. I was still a little bit shocked from having seen her morph into me. Stella was certainly bold. That I would have to admit. We needed boldness against the Yeerks just now.
{ This place will work for tonight. } I told her.
"Okay." She replied. Then she began to role out the sleeping bag. When it was ready she climbed into it. I took a position far enough away from her and shut my main eyes and let my tail droop to the forest floor. I kept one stalk eye turned in the direction of the deeper forest and the other I kept on Stella. Prince Jake had given me orders after all.
For a long while she lay facing away from me. Just when I was finally convinced that she was asleep she jerked up from the sleeping bag and into a sitting position.
"Will you stop staring at me!" she glared furiously.
{ I have my orders Stella. } I told her gently.
"Huh?"
{ Prince Jake told me to keep an eye on you, and that is what I intend to do. }
"Aaaarrgh! Why am I not surprised? No one ever trusted me before this either."
{ Well you haven't given us much reason to trust you Stella. }
"Well that just figures now doesn't it!" she grouched as she lay back down and turned away from me.
{ What is the matter Stella? }I asked her, but she ignored me. I figured that I had angered her somehow. Humans can be so complex sometimes. If you say one thing wrong they can take it the wrong way and everything can get so mixed up.
We didn't speak for the rest of the night.
* * *
The next morning I awoke early and completed the morning ritual. As I stood by the stream thinking about what I could do that day Tobias flew up to me.
{ So how did it go? } he asked.
{ We had a fight. } I said. I knew that he could tell that I did not wish to talk about it anymore.
{ Where's Stella now? }
{ She is still asleep. }
{ I wouldn't be so sure about that. }
{ What do you mean? } Suddenly I heard a voice from behind me.
"Hi Tobias, hi Ax." Stella said as she knelt by the stream. She cupped her hands and filled them with water and splashed her face with it. She lifted her face up to the rising sun and let the droplets of water run down her face and into her tangled black hair, which flowed down her back. The water droplets caught the light of the sun and it looked as if she was wearing starlight in her hair.
Where did that come from?
{ Is that some sort of ritual? } I asked her.
"Not really. It's more like something to wake me up."
For awhile after that there was a long silence between the three of us. Then Stella spoke again.
"The other Animorphs are at school. So what are we going to do today?"
{ I'm not sure. Jake said that there was no new Yeerk activity to look into. I guess I'll just spend the day hunting. } Tobias told her.
"I've got a better idea. Tobias, where do you think the tallest cliff around here is?"
{ It's at least an hour's flight from here. Why Stella? }
"You'll see." She said mischievously as she began to morph. We had gone to Cassie's farm yesterday and Stella had acquired some new morphs. Now I could see that she was using her falcon morph. Quickly she flapped up into the trees to join Tobias.
{ Aren't you coming Ax? } she asked impatiently.
{ Coming where? Where are you going? }
{ I told you you'll find out. Just morph already. }
I decided against arguing and began to morph my northern harrier. Finally we were all ready and Tobias led the way to Stella's chosen destination. Along the way we talked a little bit.
{ Listen Ax. } she said to me privately. { I'm sorry about last night. I thought about it and I guess you're right. You don't have any reason to trust me yet. But anyway, I'm sorry. }
This caught me by surprise. From what I had seen of humans they tended to hold a grudge for much longer than that. What was she up to? Was Stella being sincere in her apology? I decided that it was best to be cautious. I hadn't seen enough of her personality to judge on whether or not I could trust her.
{ It is all right. } I said slowly.
{ Why do you call him Prince Jake. I wanted to ask you last night but I was too mad. }
{ Every Aristh must have a Prince over him. While I am on Earth I have taken Jake as my Prince. } I answered.
Finally we reached the cliff that Stella had asked about. It was a place where the land rose up out of the ocean for at least five hundred earth feet.
{ And why are we here? } Tobias asked her.
{ I figure that I should try out these new morphs of mine. } she said as she morphed back to human.
"Besides, I've always wanted to do this." She said as she stepped up to the edge of the cliff. She turned to face Tobias and I. I was still in bird morph. She spread her arms wide and before either of us could stop her she let herself tumble off of the cliff backwards.
{ NOOOOOOOOOO! } Tobias shrieked as he darted over the edge after her. I quickly followed him but there was little that we could do to save her.
But as Tobias and I careened down the cliff face I began to see changes in Stella. I saw feathers and talons sprout and she was shrinking rapidly. Finally, to my immense relief, she was a falcon and just as she was about to hit the water she spread her wings and shot out over the waves.
{YAAAAA-HOOOOOOO! } I heard her screaming in sheer delight.
When we had all flown back up to the cliff Tobias started to scold Stella.
{ Why on Earth did you do that Stella? You had me and Ax scared half to death. You could have died. Someone might have seen you! }
{ No one saw me Tobias. I don't know if you remember but we've already scouted the area pretty darn thoroughly. }
{ Oy! I don't know if you understand the seriousness of your powers but if Jake finds out that you've been morphing for fun he is going to be mad. }
{ Oh well, that's nice. Now Tobias, if you're done rambling I think I'll do that again. You want to join me? }she asked as she demorphed.
{ Okay, whatever, but I've done it a million times. }
"How about you Ax?" she asked me.
{I am not certain. It seems very dangerous. }
"Okay fine, be a coward." She said as she stepped back to the edge of the cliff.
That did it.
{ No one calls Aximili Esgarrouth Isthill a coward and lives. } I said, trying to use the human concept of sarcasm. I was getting better at it. I demorphed and joined her at the edge. { What do we do? } I asked.
"Just spread your arms out and let yourself fall. Then after awhile you morph."
{ All right. } I said nervously as I spread my arms.
Before I even had time for a second thought Stella pushed me over the side and jumped right after me. For a moment I was scared. The breath had been completely sucked from my lungs. But after a few seconds I began to enjoy the feeling of free falling. I looked over at Stella and saw that she was smiling in pure joy.
{ Why are we doing this? What is the point of this training? }
"Training? This is just for fun!" she yelled back to me as she began to morph.
{ You've got to get out more often Ax-man. You know, fun! } Tobias said as he plunged to the water right along with us. His voice had lost it's edge and he was enjoying himself now.
We spent the rest of the day falling off of the cliff. By the end of the day I was really getting to enjoy myself.
{ Guys, the sun is starting to set. We should probably be heading back. } Tobias noted worriedly.
So we flew back to Cassie's barn. Before Stella and I demorphed and entered we heard the other four talking inside.
"Where the heck are those guys anyway? They should have been here hours ago." Cassie wondered out loud.
"Maybe we should fly back over the forest and see if we can spot them." Prince Jake suggested.
"We've already checked the forest a dozen times over. They are obviously not there. I'll bet anything that it was Stella who led them away. I never trusted her to begin with. She's probably in league with the Yeerks. If she led Tobias and Ax into a trap she'll live to regret it!" Rachel was fuming.
"Rachel calm down. Stella can't be in league with the Yeerks, otherwise they would have the morphing cube already." Prince Jake reasoned.
Suddenly Stella demorphed and stalked into the barn.
"I did lead them away but you don't have to worry about any traps." She told Rachel.
"Where are Ax and Tobias? What have you done to them!?" Rachel demanded of Stella.
{ Rachel we're right here. Calm down. } Tobias pleaded with her as the two of us entered the barn.
"Oh." She said softly.
"Where have you three been all day?" Prince Jake demanded. His voice was a deadly whisper.
{ We were- } I started to say.
"Out practicing morphing." Stella finished.
"Where?"
"Where no one could see us." She replied hotly.
"You're hiding something from me." Prince Jake said accusingly.
{ You want to know where we were? We were out along the coastline doing some cliff diving. } Tobias told him, trying to stop Prince Jake and Stella from fighting.
"WHAT?!" Rachel shouted angrily.
{ We were jumping off of some cliffs and then morphing birds at the last minute. At least that's what Ax and Stella were doing. I was just along for the falls. }
Prince Jake turned to Stella. Every move that he made told me that he was angry with her.
"Morphing isn't a game. Someone might have seen you. It's too risky to play games with your life like that Stella. It's especially dangerous for you to be seen. The Yeerks know who you are and if they ever see your face your dead."
Stella just stared defiantly back at Prince Jake.
" And you Ax, You're supposed to be keeping her in line. What got into you?"
{ I....well...I } for once I had no answer. My stalk eyes drooped in shame.
"I'll give you one last chance Stella. This isn't a game." Prince Jake was silent after that.
"Yeah, well, anyway, we wanted to find you all because we heard about some new Yeerk activity that we could check out." Marco told us, trying to break the silence.
{ When? } Tobias asked him.
"Tomorrow night. It's another meeting of the Sharing. We're thinking it might have something to do with Stella." Cassie explained.
{ In that case, we had better be getting some sleep. } Tobias said.
With that he flew out of the barn. Stella and I followed, not speaking the whole way back through the forest.
As she was getting ready to sleep by the light of her lantern she spoke to me again.
"Can I ask you something Ax?"
{ That depends what it is that you wish to ask. }
"You told me earlier today that while you're on Earth you've taken Jake as your Prince. I was wondering, who was your Prince before you came to Earth?"
I shut my eyes tightly against her inquisitive glance. Suddenly all the pain of losing Elfangor came rushing back.
{ Elfangor was my Prince. }
"Oh, your brother right?"
{ Yes. } I answered sadly.
"I'm sorry. I know how you feel."
{ Your parents? }
"Yes, them, and also not them. I had a sister once. But she's dead too." I could hear the sadness in her voice.
{ What happened to her? }
"I...I don't.... I don't really want to talk about it right now."
I finally turned back to her and when I looked, I saw a single tear fall down her face. Tears puzzle me greatly. Humans are the first species that I have encountered that cry in such a strange way. I had already learned that tears were an expression of horrible pain and sadness.
As I stood watching her I suddenly felt the breath leave my lungs. The lantern cast a strange glow all about her body. Her wild black hair hung loosely down her back. She was trembling. I could see that she was trying to hold back her tears. I suddenly felt a need to be by her side. In my time on Earth I had learned that humans liked to be touched when they were upset. I went over to her and put my hand on her cheek. For a moment she stood there. She closed her eyes and I saw that she was smiling. I saw more tears streak down her face. She brought up her own hand and placed it on mine. She opened her eyes again and for an instant she smiled. But just as suddenly she jerked away from me.
"Um..... We should..... uh.... probably be getting to sleep." She said. I took her tone of voice to mean either sickness or embarrassment.
She climbed into her sleeping bag and switched off the lantern. When I was convinced that she was asleep I left her and ran through the forest. Very deep into the forest. Somewhere where I could think privately.
What had just happened back there? What were those feelings that I had had? I had never felt anything like it. Even in my true Andalite body I felt it. It wasn't a felling of companionship. It was different. I had never felt that way around Rachel or Cassie, or anyone for that matter. What was happening to me? What was this strange attraction?
Attraction? Is that what it was?
* * *