AN: Whoo-hoo! Another chapter up and ready for consumption. Thank you to those who have reviewed and here's to those who will follow! On with the update!

Chapter 4: Laughing Tree?

"It's beautiful­— ah!" Amariah drifted among the giant tree's branches and she giggled when the light beams seemed to sing in appreciation of her remark. "I think she heard me, Craven."

"Do you realize that you just called the tree a 'she'? Any reason why," he asked from his observation point among the massive root system. Amariah glanced downwards at Craven and noticed that he'd brought his laptop out of his Suit's pack and was trying to scan the tree's mysterious energy emissions. She thought about his question for a moment before answering. Floating upside down sometimes helped her think clearly, so she easily reversed herself in the air. Flying seemed to be her favorite ability so far.

"You know, I'm not sure why I think of her as female, but there's just some kind of maternal aura about her. It's like her limbs were meant to cradle and her leaves to protect..." A half-muffled sound brought Amariah from her musings. Looking down the tree, she saw Craven trying very hard not to let his laughter escape. By the way his face was changing from its normal ruddy brown to a deep cherry color; Craven was going to have an aneurism before that happened. "Oh, just let it out, man," she snapped. When he did let the laughing jag loose, Amariah had to smile despite the fact that he was laughing at her. As Crown Prince of the House of the Uprising Tides, the poor guy had been harassed since childhood to have perfect decorum and to never show more emotion than a statue. Being his perfect opposite having been raised in the House of the Fallen Flame where wild emotions ran riot, Amariah was glad to see that his emotional crippling wasn't going to be permanent. Hell, after two years trapped with anyone from the Fallen Flame, one was either part of the fun or a raving lunatic.

Amariah realized that the lights from within the tree were suddenly brighter and beaming down in quicker bursts. With Craven's laughter still rolling, Amariah was shocked to realize that the tree was laughing right along with him! Great Flames, what had they discovered?

"What are you doing to Tsunami," demanded a frightened-but-trying-to-sound-brave voice. Both Craven and Amariah whipped around to stare at the small pink haired child that had emerged from nowhere to stand in the middle of the great cathedral. For a moment, Craven thought that the child was female because of its high pitched voice and long hair, but there was a small knot on the throat that revealed him to be a pre-adolescent male.

"Her name is Tsunami?" The child started because he hadn't seen Amariah floating upside-down among the great tree's branches. The female space pirate phased out and landed right-side up beside her partner. The boy's eyes widened to the size of saucers and he took a few steps backwards. Tsunami the tree beamed a few musical streams of light and the boy cocked his head to the side as if he could understand her. Apparently he could because what ever she said made him relax and smile.

"She says that you are worthy beings. I am Prince Ryoshu, the third son of the Grand King of the Planet Jurai." The introduction sounded like one he'd been taught from his crib. It was the same way Craven and Amariah had once had to rattle off their own titles. Ryoshu still blushed when he had to say the bit about being the third son. Craven suddenly knew that he was going to like the kid.

"You can call me Craven, and this is my partner Amariah," he said as he crossed the floor to shake hands. "It's nice that your tree was willing to vouch for us."

"I always trust Tsunami, even when she kidnapped me and brought me out here to meet you."

"Do what?"

"Well, she didn't say you specifically, but she said that the Guardians would meet us before we got into any real trouble." Craven turned back to look at Amariah. She had a weird expression on her face, but shook her head in confusion. Just what had they stumbled into?

AN: Are you beginning to see the connection here? Perhaps Washu's line has a far off connection...I won't ruin more of my surprise. You'll just have to read and review to get more! Hope you all are enjoying it.  Later!