Okay, I just got back from my weekend at the Army National Gaurd, and I felt like typing up the next chapter. This is where things pick up, so continue on!


It is late evening, and everyone is just finishing up eating dinner. Shinji and Kyoko go to the outhouse, and Kaname and Sousuke start on dishes.

"Hey, Sousuke," Kaname says in a wondering tone, "What do you think of camping so far?"

"Definitely a unique experience," Sousuke responds, still focused on the dishes, "I still don't understand why were are going to sleep in tents. I could construct a much better shelter, given the supplies."

Kaname sighs, wiping dry a plate.

Shinji and Kyoko get a little lost on their way back from the outhouse.

"Where are we?" Kyoko whines.

"I'm not sure," Shinji says quietly.

"We're lost," she squeals, beginning to panic, "And it's getting dark!"

Shinji keeps his cool. "We may have an easier time finding our way back that way."

"How can you say that! If it's dark out, we can't see! If we can't see, we won't be able to find the camp!"

"Fire," Shinji explains calmly, "The light from the fire will travel farther in the dark, making it easier to see. With any luck, we'll spot it."

Kyoko calms down. "That sounds like a pretty good idea...You're so together Shinji. Almost as much as Sousuke is. Well, when he's not causing trouble, anyway."

"Really?" he says, confused, "I don't think so..."

"But you are! You knew what you were doing when we put up that tent. And now, you have the only idea of how to get back to the camp!"

"Well, I guess it's from going camping with my dad all those years ago. Now, let's find that campground!"

Shinji leads as they walk through the woods, looking for any sign of people...

Back at the camp, Sousuke is asking everybody if they'd seen Shinji. No one did. Kaname approaches him.

"I'm sure they're fine. I'll bet they'll be back any minute. You should get to bed, it's late."

"But what if they're in danger?"

"They're not. There's nothing around here that can hurt them. No other people, no large predators, nothing."

"Alright then," Sousuke still sounds worried, "Goodnight."

Kaname say goodnight and goes to her tent, Sousuke to his. But he rests uneasy. For an hour, Sousuke tries to sleep, but to no avail. Soon, he hears voices outside his tent.

"Which one?" a male voice whispers.

"I think Kaname's in that one," a female responds.

Intruders! They're here for Kaname!

He grabs his gun, and opens his tent. Two people in the dark are walking towards the sleeping Kaname's tent. Sousuke aims his silenced gun...

Thoot!

The rubber bullet hits one in the knee! He falls forward into the other, who turns around to look. They both go down and Sousuke rushes up.

"Don't move," Sousuke whispers harshly. He turns on a small flashlight to see Shinji fallen on Kyoko, his head on her breast, hand on the other. He is wincing in pain, while Kyoko lay perfectly still, looking at Shinji and blushing. Sousuke lowers his gun.

"Finally, you're ba-" Sousuke starts to say.

"Asshole!" Shinji shouts at him, "You shot me! Who let you bring that gun on the trip anyway! "I can't believe you!"

Everybody wakes up. They all look outside to see Shinji grabbing Sousuke by the collar and shaking him wildly. Kaname walks over to investigate.

"What happened?"

"So-Sousuke shot Sh-Shinji," Kyoko murmurs, "Shinji f-fell on me, and n-now..."

"I see..." Kaname says, still a little confused, "I'd go trash him myself, but Shinji's doing a pretty good job."

Kyoko remains silent. Both the girls watch as Shinji shakes Sousuke until he is out of breath. Sousuke falls backward, dizzy. Shinji stops to catch his breath.

"Bastard...I'll take my bags outside. I'm sleeping out here."

"That could be dangerous," warns Sousuke.

"I'll take my chances. I just don't want to be near you right now."

"Shinji..." Sousuke starts to argue, but stops abruptly.

Shinji ignores him and walks to the tent to get his things. Sousuke looks at his feet.

I really messed up this time...

Shinji puts his stuff down away from all the tents. Everybody has gone back to bed. Shinji lays down and tries to sleep, alone. A few minutes pass, and someone approaches him.

"Shinji," it's Kyoko's voice, "I thought you may want some company."

"Yeah," Shinji responds, trying to see her face in the dark.

The two talk for a while, until they fall asleep.


Wow, what could happen now? Hehehe...I won't tell you. You'll just have to read the next chapter...when I update that is.

Too many elipses...Damn!Another one!