Quicky A/N: Of course I used you're idea, paladin2007! I always try to utilize suggestions, and that made for a pretty funny scenario, I thought anywayz. So thanks for all the suggestions and reviews, guys! And don't worry about Kent being paired with someone you don't like. I guarantee you'll be ok with the pairing ;)

Now on with the story!

Chapter 15

The group had been traveling most of the day before Eliwood got a chance to talk with Sain and Andraya again. Lyn had reprimanded him for hours about telling the group about splitting up, but Eliwood was beginning to disagree with the tactician. They had taken out a good number of bandits, how many more could there possibly be? Needing a break from the argument, he hung back a minute to walk alongside Sain's horse. Andraya looked down at him, noticing immediately that there was something on his mind.

"Eliwood, what's wrong?"

The lord's head snapped up. "What makes you think something is wrong?"

"You look worried."

"Perhaps I'm worried about you two wandering off again."

Andraya stifled a smile. "Oh, let it go, Eliwood. It was no big deal!"

"Listen," he said sternly, lowering his voice so only she and Sain could hear. "I can see that you two obviously have…feelings for each other. I'm not blind to these things, you know."

"Hmph," Andraya muttered, turning away. Sain took one of his hands off the reins to hold her hand. Eliwood didn't see.

"Now, I'm sympathetic to that fact, to a certain degree. However, you two will not wander off again, unless it can be safely assumed that the entire group is completely out of danger. Now is that understood?" Eliwood continued to glare sternly at the couple.

"Yeah, sure," Sain said, staring straight ahead. How can he say something like that to her? I can't imagine he never knew…

"This is not a carefree situation, Sain," Eliwood said louder. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." With that, Sain rode further into the group, leaving Eliwood to walk alone. With one final glare, Eliwood caught up with the front of the party again.

Sain gently squeezed Andraya's hand. "You okay back there?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said softly. "How…how long until we reach Nisea?

"Sometime tomorrow, I think." He glanced back at her, a look of pure compassion on his face. "Are you sure you're alright with going there?"

Andraya smiled slightly at him. "I told you I'm fine. It's just gonna be a little weird for me…seeing it rebuilt and all."

Sain squeezed her hand again before taking hold of the reins. Andraya rested her head against his shoulder and sighed, a gesture he was now getting used to. That didn't stop him from enjoying it even more each time, though. After a few moments he heard Andraya's breathing slow, and looked back to find her asleep. He smiled, watching her dream peacefully. She really does look like an angel…so peaceful…

"Sain?"

"Oh! Hey, Kent! Sorry, buddy, didn't see ya there!"

"Yes, apparently," Kent said, slight amusement in his eyes.

Sain blushed, looking at the ground away from the other cavalier.

"Um…everything good with Andraya?"

Sain smiled and looked back at her again. "Yeah…it's perfect…"

"That's good." Kent sighed and looked up at the clouds. "Sain…do you think…do you think I'll ever find…someone like, you know…"

"Someone to love?"

Kent blushed and looked away. "Hypothetically, of course."

"Of course." Sain smiled. "Hey! Who knew anyone would ever come to me for love advice!" he said cheerfully, earning a glare from Kent.

"Sain, I'm serious."

"Well…I'm sure you'll find someone someday…just stop being so uptight, I mean, you're always so serious. Have a little fun!" Sain reached over and slapped his friend lightly on the back.

Kent looked at him oddly. "Perhaps I don't really wish to be in love after all. I wouldn't want to turn out crazy like you." This only caused Sain to laugh harder than he already was from Kent's expression.

"Uhn…Sain, you gotta learn to respect a lady's beauty sleep," Andraya said groggily, wakened by Sain's movement.

You don't need any beauty sleep, he thought. "Sorry," is all he said, smiling at her.

Andraya lightly punched him on the arm, turning her head the other way and attempting to sleep again. Kent mouthed "Later?" to Sain, who simply nodded before riding away.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Alright, everyone, I'm sorry I didn't finish saying this earlier." The group had stopped for the night in a clearing alongside the road, and was currently gathered around a fire, listening to Eliwood speak. He had finally allowed the tactician to get his way and split up the group at Nisea, just to be sure the pursuers were dealt with.

"We're going to have to split the group into two parties before we move on from Nisea."

Everyone immediately began whispering amongst themselves, more curiously than angrily. Eventually, they quieted down again, allowing Eliwood to go on.

"We need to continue pursuing the Black Fang group we've been hunting down, so one group will take a day's rest in Nisea before continuing on to the coast to learn more about the group's whereabouts. The other group will stay behind in Nisea to keep any remaining Black Fang members following us from relaying our own whereabouts to higher up officials…as well as to serve as protection to the village itself."

Andraya flinched at the thought of Nisea being plundered again. Memories began flooding her vision, broken only by Eliwood's next words…

"I have agreed with the tactician that all those with a horse, pegasus, or wyvern should make up the group to continue to the coast, as they can travel faster. All those on foot should remain behind to protect the village."

Andraya's eyes grew wide at the thought of not only bearing the burden of protecting her hometown from harm again, but at the thought of being separated from Sain. She glanced at him standing beside her, but he seemed frozen in place, staring at the fire.

"Eliwood, that's ridiculous. I doubt the tactician came up with that idea. We need to equally spread our forces! What if the group in Nisea is attacked by a group of wyverns and cavaliers? We'll be sitting ducks!" Lyn said angrily, taking a step towards Eliwood.

"Um, if I may," the tactician said, stepping forward. "I simply offered it as a suggestion, my first notion was to send a small group representing cavaliers, mages, pegasus knights, and sword masters to the coast, since they're only going to gather information, and really only need the force to protect themselves. We will need more strength in the town…I do believe it will be attacked."

"We took out so many bandits, how many more can there be?" Eliwood said sternly.

"Plenty. We have no way of knowing how many are following us. They could have already sent for reinforcements. Who knows!" the tactician retorted.

"Alright, guys, let's calm down. We'll discuss this when we get to Nisea. The main thing is that we're splitting up," Lyn said to the group. "Perhaps you should all think about who should go where," she added, glancing knowingly at Sain and Andraya before walking away. The rest of the group went their separate ways to their tents, talking amongst themselves about who would wind up heading to the coast.

"Sain," Andraya said softly, touching the cavalier's arm lightly. He hadn't moved since the announcement about splitting up.

"They can't split us up. I won't let them," he whispered, not taking his gaze off the fire.

Andraya smiled and looked at the ground. It was nice to have someone who cared so much…

"What do you think is wrong with him, anyway?"

"Huh?"

"There's something wrong with Eliwood. Haven't you noticed he's acting rather…angry?"

"Oh, I guess so," Andraya said, looking up at Sain. The fire reflected in his eyes, attempting to defy the seriousness the rest of his features conveyed.

"Would you go with me?"

"What?"

"If I was told to go to the coast, would you go with me? 'Cuz I mean, if you want to stay with Nisea and guard it that's completely understandable. But from what the tactician said, I think it's pretty safe to say that I'm going to the coast."

"Sain…" Andraya looked away. "I…I don't…"

"It's okay, 'Draya…" Sain stood, turning away from the fire.

"Sain…" Andraya said again, standing and wrapping her arms around him. He hugged her back, and they stood like this for a long time, not wanting to break the moment.

And who knows, this could be the last time they held each other for a while…

A/N: Ooh, that came out interesting. A little cliffhanger, eh? ^_^ Evil, I know. But I'm working on the next chapter and it's coming soon! So don't kill me yet!