Author's Note: So.. I'm back. To deliver the first chapter since the prolouge got 'bout three reviews. u.u Hopefully this'll do better.

Time After Time

Chapter one.

The two girls trudged about in the dark, stumbling over random objects laying haphazardly in their path. One hummed a happy, cheerful tune while the other pouted, apparently not as joyous.

"One more street. I swear I can find it, man. It's my house.. I know where I live." The first girl said happily, no doubt evident in her voice. It had been hours since they had left Peach's house, and the sky had grown dark, the bright orange sun now resting it's warm rays on someone else.

The change hadn't bothered Noel at all. In fact, she rather welcomed it. How was she to have a proper Halloween in broad daylight? Didn't seem very logical to her.. The pirate outfits they adorned were not just for decoration.. Okay. Maybe they were, but they had a purpose. Peach wasn't thrilled at the idea of dressing up this year. They were sixteen already, and should have given up such childish, frivolous activities long ago. But at the persistance of Noel, she had reluctantly agreed.

She now regretted it, angrily scratching at the old, irritating material of her pirates outfit. It was smelly and torn in several places.. And it truly looked like the ones in the movie. Peach had to admit, Noel did have a knack for finding things like this, though Peach didn't know where or how.. She tossed a glance over to Noel, who had shoved a piece of candy into her mouth, pillowcase in hand, backpack strap strung on her shoulder.

"You sound so sure of yourself.."

" Because I am, man. Quit judging me. Look! Over there!" She pointed to a large house, shaded by several tall trees. "My house."

"Finally.. It took you long enough."

" Funny, funny. Wait.. That isn't my house." Noel frowned. She had been so sure too.. Ah well. They'd just have to walk a bit more.

Without another word spoken between the two, they continued on.

~*~

It seemed as if they had been walking forever. Their feet and legs ached, causing the two friends to mutter and swear under their breath. By now, they were completely and utterly lost. Noel had a notion that they had wandered out of the city, for the abundant shops and scurrying children had dissapeared. Candy wrappers no longer littered the ground, and flashing lights had diminished.

From the corner of her eye, Noel spotted the sparkling gleam of water, and knew her assumption was correct. They were out of city limits, and were now approaching the ancient docks that were not in use today. Noel knew why.. They looked as if they would fall apart and sink to the bottom at any time.

Noel sighed, turning to Peach. "Sorry?" Once again, she faced the water. At the end of a pole.. Right across the docks, something glimmered. And this time, it wasn't the water.

Before Peach could retort, Noel was already rushing over to the docks. Carefully, she stepped on the wooden planks, and the wood groaned in protest. 'Come on now.. I don't weigh THAT much..' Once it had settled, and Noel felt it was safe to continue, she padded her way over to the edge of the dock slowly, making sure not to press to heavy on the boards.

Peach stared at the girl who was making her way to the water. What was wrong with her? Didn't she know she could fall in and drown? Peach growled.. Noel's true ignorance was showing right about now, and most likely, Peach would be the one to knock some sense into her.. Hesitating for a bit, Peach stole after the girl, following her onto the docks as the planks moaned and complained.

Noel grinned. She had made it to the edge of the dock without any problems. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the area as she tried to find the object she had spotted prior. Her eyes fell to rest on the glimmering object, just a few feet away from her. Bending down, she picked up the small trinket.

It was round, and cool to the touch. A bit excited, Noel opened her hand, her fingers uncurling from around it. That enthusiastic look on her face fell immediately. In her small hand lay a button. Yes.. A button. A very old button. Growling, she pitched the thing into the water, where it landed with a nice 'plop.'

Oooh. She was going to get her. Peach didn't know HOW Noel managed to get across these broken boards so quickly. Some were jagged, pointing out at odd angles and leaving spaces where she could have easily caught her foot. By the time she reached Noel, she was practically growling.

Noel stood there, looking rather bored. All Peach could do was stare. All she was doing was standing there? She didn't have a reason for coming out on these dangerous things and almost risking their lives?

Noel quickly recognized the glare, and smiled timidly, making her way to her friend. Her face was apologetic, but she knew it wouldn't get her very far.

" Uh.. Sorry?"

"Sorry?! You're alwa-" Peach paused mid sentance. Noel frowned, wondering why she had stopped. Both their eyes widened as they heard the sound of cracking wood. At first, they didn't move. But as the sound grew in their ears, they panicked. They both moved suddenly, quickly, their jerking motions causing the wood to split and crumble.

The two girls plunged into the water, alongside many pieces of shattered wood. The water was deep.. A little too deep. And the wood surrounding them didn't help much. They swallowed water, tasting the salt and choking. Under they went, into the dark water. The two girls flailed about madly, trying to reach the surface, but it seemed just above their reach. Still gulping down seawater, the girls sank..

Two strong hands wrenched them out of the dark, cold water, pulling them onto the secure and sturdy docks. Once again able to keep air in their lungs, they sputtered and coughed, spitting out water as they tried to gasp for air at the same time. The sun hit their soaked bodies, warming them slightly, but still, they coughed and choked. The same hands that had pulled them both out of the water patted their backs lightly.

"Ye alright there lasses?"