a/n: finished my next chapter. don't have much else to say. grrrÉ. The format toolbar isn't working!! That's why nothing's bold or somethingÉ bored. enjoy

Chapter 6, Safe?

Abby blinked and noticed Girafa lying beside her, her head resting on her front legs. She felt as if she'd slept for days. It was only dusk. She carefully slipped out of her awkward position against the tree and shuffled past her pokemon. Girafa, sensing her waking trainer, whinnied and trotted after Abby. Suddenly realizing the absence of food and the call of hunger, she pulled out a pack of sushi from her sack.

She felt a tingle as the breeze brushed her legs. But something was different. The air was distinctly warn and pleasant and it carried a sweet smell with it. Like blossoms. Abby sniffed the air; Girafa mimicked her trainer. Girafa's ears pricked up and she glanced around with quick movements of her head. Without further thought she turned to face the opposite direction and ran off. Abby turned around swiftly. She tried to hide her shock but failed.

"Sorry to startle you. Did you want to see your sister?" the boy asked.

Abby spoke ahead of herself. "Who are you? And why are you following me?

The boy blushed. "I'm Alvar. I'm notÉ" he stopped as though finding that his explanation wasn't good enough. "Well I am. But it's for your own safety.

Abby was about to cry, do you know how many times I've heard that? then remembered ashamedly that it was her own voice scolding her sister, Leen.

It was Abby's turn to blush. She was now self-conscious of her actions. Like a young girl too shy to speak to a young boy so only stares at him, she took a moment to stop and look at him.

Beauty struck her and she instantly wished she could hide. His eyes were a magnificent shade of green as if he'd captured the sea in them. His hair was the color of almonds and shone in the last rays of the sun. He was slender, gorgeous, she almost wished to hug him then and there and take him away with her. His skin was lightly tanned and she recognized the faint smell of blossoms drifting through the air.

AlvarÉ she whispered to herself. She searched for her senses and pulled them back to her. "For my safety? Why? I'm looking for my sister, that's all.

Alvar sighed and looked away. "Your sister is the whole reason you're in danger." He turned to face her again and Abby barely managed to keep a straight face. She thought a moment. It made no sense. She should be able to find her, bring her home and that would be the end. "What's endangering me?

"It's too complicated to explain right now." He put his fingers to his mouth and proceeded to make a sharp whistle. From a patch of trees behind him there came an orange glow and Abby spotted flamed. Soon she noted that the flames were part of his pokemon, his fire horse. The horse cautiously approached Alvar but did not continue to meet Abby.

"This is Rapidash," Alvar introduced then calmed the creature by rubbing his hand on her muzzle. He comforted her with small sounds under his breath then took Abby's hand and guided it through the horses' mane. Abby winced and gritted her teeth, prepared for the burning sensation. Surprisingly, no such sensation followed. Alvary released her hand and she stroked the creature's mane.

"She's beautiful," Abby said in a daze. Small sparks flew from the pokemon and the horses' eyes blended into the night surrounding them.

Abby reluctantly snapped out of her daze and whistled to her own pokemon. The short giraffe playfully jumped from the nearby bush and cantered straight up to Alvar. Rapidash dug his powerful hoof into the ground and snorted. Frightened, Girafa whinnied, slowly backed away then ran back to Abby.

Abby fell to her knees and hugged Girafa. Alvar laughed sincerely. Then he seemed to compose himself and mounted his horse. "We should be going if you wish to see your sister," he advised.

Abby nodded and hopped on Girafa and only afterward did she notice the great difference in their height.

"Night is the best time to ride. Our destination should remain hidden. Just follow Rapidash's trail. If your Girafarig has any trouble keeping up, whistle and I'll stop." And without further instruction, he kicked Rapidash, waited for Abby to do the same and galloped off into the dark.