DISCLAIMER: Do people actually read these? Even if they do, why do they? They're always the same, I own nothing. Characters belong to Tamora Pierce. Blah blah blah...

A/N: I'm soooooooo sorry about this chapter's lateness. I'm having serious writer's block issues.

Chapter 2: Daine Grows Up and Picks Berries

Narrator: And so, TTRNGP took little Auroradaine to Tortall and raised her as their own. To hide the baby's identity, they called her simply "Daine". Those three lovely ladies hardly ever argued, and when they did they solved it peacefully.

Alanna: So, who's changing Daine's diaper today?

Onua and Thayet: NOT ME!

Alanna: Thayet, I think it's your turn.

Thayet: No way! It's Onua's turn!

Onua: AS IF! Alanna's just trying to get out of it! [an argument ensues, sometime during which Alanna turns Onua into a cat, forcing Thayet to lock them both in their rooms until they could calm down]

Narrator: When Daine was about 4 years old, she began to ask why she had three aunties to raise her when everyone else had a mommy and daddy.

Daine: Auntie Alanna? Why do I have you and Auntie Thayet and Auntie Onua and not a Ma and Da?

Alanna: Well, dear...the stormwing brought you in his beak to us!

Daine: Why?

Alanna: Because that's what stormwings do! They put babies in sacks and carry them to people who want babies! I don't know why the stormwing brought you to us, he just did.

Thayet: Alanna? Don't you mean the stork?

Alanna: Whatever.

Narrator: As years passed, Onua taught Daine how to shape-shift, and talk to animals mind-to-mind. One day when Daine was 15, TTRNGP sent her to pick berries in the forest.

Daine: [walks into the forest] Gee, it's rather scary in here...

Neal: [pops out of nowhere] NEVER FEAR! NEAL IS HERE!

Daine: Who are YOU?

Neal: Can't you hear? I'm NEAL! And I have the world's biggest crush on you.

Daine: Ew. Are you even born yet?

Neal: C'mon, I'm not THAT much younger than you! Why, in this story, the Almighty Author made us the same age.

Daine: I don't like this Almighty Author person...

Neal: Can I ask your Da for your hand?

Daine: Sure. But you'd have to chop it off me first.

Neal: REALLY?

Daine: [sticks hand behind back quickly before Neal can chop one off] I was joking.

Neal: Oh. But can I ask your Da if I can marry you?

Daine: I don't HAVE a Da. Well, unless you count that stormwing from that stupid story Aunt Alanna tells me...

Neal: Stormwing? Do you mean the stork?

Daine: That's what Aunt Thayet says, too.

Neal: THAYET? [starts drooling]

Daine: You sicko. [walks farther into the forest]

Neal: [follows]

Daine: [walks into someone] Who are you?

Arram: Er...my name is...um...Numair. Numair...Salmalin. And you are?

Daine: My name is Daine...um...Stormwing.

Numair: Stormwing? OK...and is that your boyfriend?

Neal: YES! [jumps up and kisses Daine]

Random People: Awww! Kodak moment!

Numair: Why are Random People in the woods? GO AWAY!

Random People: First Garetha, now HIM. [they leave]

Daine: [shoves Neal off] EW! Get away from me!

Numair: So, I'm taking it that it's a one-sided relationship?

Daine: Exactly. [suddenly she gets a dreamy look in her eyes] Do I know you?

Numair: [has the same dreamy look] Why...I believe you do...once upon a dream.

Neal: Huh?

Daine: [turns harshly to Neal] NEAL SHUT UP! [turns back to Numair, dreamy eyed once more] That's so poetic.

Numair: I'm glad you think so. [suddenly they start dancing around the clearing to music that came out of nowhere]

Neal: Ugh. This is so mushy I think I'll drown. Hello? DO EITHER OF YOU REMEMBER I'M HERE? It's me, NEAL!

Daine and Numair: [still gazing into each others eyes and dancing]

Neal: Ick. And I thought I was a romantic. [the music suddenly stops]

Daine: Oh, Numy darling, I must see you again! Tell me when!

Numair: Tomorrow at noon, my dear. Goodbye! [they kiss]

Neal: I'll have to complain to the Almighty Author about this. It's just sickening! [Daine and Numair break their kiss and run off in opposite directions] Well. I guess no one remembers poor old Neal. [sniffs] I'M SO UNLOVED! [suddenly sits up straight] Didn't Daine say her Aunt was Thayet? [runs after Daine] HEY! Wait up!

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A/N: I know that was a little short. Sorry. To Zella: No, Stephen wasn't in the books, he was in Sleeping Beauty. I used him since I only needed him for 2 lines.

To anyone who wonders why Arram told Daine his name was Numair: Arram was thinking that all he needed was one more person bowing and calling him "Your Royal Highness". The Almighty Author was thinking it was a Sleeping Beauty plot essential that Daine didn't know that he was really the prince.

Any of you who have read Cinderalanna will recognize the Kodak Moment joke. If you don't get it, then either read Cinderalanna or just let it go.

OK, the next chapter will be up in one week, on August 15. This is because I'll be on vacation in Indiana from the 10th to the 14th. I'll have time to check reviews on my laptop, but not enough time to write another chapter. Sorry! Thank you to all my reviewers, I love you! See you next week!