AN: hey guys, I'm finally updating! I know, it took me forever, but I couldn't figure out what to write!! Sorry! Okay, okay, here are the replies, and then the story!
Replies!
WhiteFlower200: Thank you for reviewing! Okay, I don't think the link will show up, so, here's how to get to the site! Go to Google, and type in Scribbles n Such, and then it should appear. It's pink, so that should help ya out. If you like it, and you register, go to the Front Door place at the bottom, and make a new thread. Say you're name, and say that Mandi invited you, okay? Then I get some points!! Lol, thanks! I know you're going to like it! And, watch, the first two days, you're going to get tons of posts!! Everyone is nice, so it's all good. Hope to see you there!
Strawberrylover: My twin!! Aw, thanks! I hope I win, that'd be cool. You should come to the mainland!! That'd be awesome!! I hope you continue to read this!
StunGun Millie: Thanks! I hope you continue to like it!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything you recognize.
Feeling Concern
"Are we all ready?" Atio asked, joining everyone outside of their hut, Maki and Kaede counting all their supplies, and Fumo sharpening their weapons.
"Looks like it," Kaede said, just finishing counting the medical equipment.
"How much should we bring at a time?" Maki asked.
"As much as we can carry," Fumo said, placing down his sword and standing up, stretching his back out. "But not too much where we're taking breaks every hour because it's too heavy."
"So enough for a bagful," Kaede said, nodding her agreement. "Then let's pack up, and we can head out in the morning."
The sun was beginning to set, and Fumo gathered some weapons together in a pile, his back sore from sitting down all day. Kaede brought as much as she could back from her time, and it took quite a few trips to bring them over to the hut. It had been a busy day, but no one complained. They were willing to do this work to save their families.
Fumo glanced up, spotting Kaede shoving some med-packs into her mother's old yellow backpack. He saw the determined look in her eyes as they shown through her tired face, her dark hair falling down around her cheeks. Feeling a weird sense he had never felt before, he shook his mind, returning his mind back to the matter at hand. Now was not the time to stare at the only girl who could cause his stomach to turn.
"Okay, is that everything?" Kaede asked, looking around, seeing bags stuffed full with equipment.
"I guess so," Atio said.
"Good, let's go to bed," Maki said, already lying down on her blanket. Atio smiled and joined her.
Fumo smiled at his brother and sister-in-law as the snuggled close together under their blanket, Atio holding onto her tightly as she whimpered for her children. With a sigh, he turned around and walked towards the old tree. The tree made him feel safe, and warm. When he was little, that was where he used to go when something was bothering him, or when he just wanted to think. Even as a young man, he continues to sit by that old tree, holding Nenene in his lap, telling her stories about his adventures, and even his parents' adventures.
He sat down on the damp grass, resting his wrists on his knees as he looked up through the leaves and into the clear, dark blue sky. Just thinking about Nenene was enough to break his heart, knowing that she could be far away from him. He did not fear for her safety, for he knew in his heart that she would be safe. However, he feared for his heart.
"Aren't you going to bed?" Came a voice behind him.
He looked up, seeing Kaede leaning over him. "Oh, no. I can't sleep."
She sat next to him, "You're thinking about Nenene, aren't you?"
He smiled, "I can't say that I'm not."
She turned to face him. "Tell me, what's bothering you."
He sighed, his smile still on his face. "After loosing my wife, Nenene became everything to me. I thought just loosing my wife was hard enough, but now, without Nenene, I really feel alone in the world."
"But you're not alone in the world. Maki, Atio, and I are here with you. We will find Nenene. I will bring her back to you."
He turned to face her, seeing the sincere look in her eyes, "I know you will."
Kaede smiled, her smile bringing warmth to his heart. She patted his shoulder as she stood up. "You'd better get some sleep. We've got a big trip in the morning."
He nodded, "You should rest, too. And don't worry, stress ages," he smiled.
She laughed, "Well, I don't want to grow up too fast, then. See you in the morning."
"'Night."
--
Fumo groaned loudly as the sun hit his face. He reached over to cover his eyes as they adjusted to the bright light, his forehead clammy from a restless night's sleep. Even though he didn't work hard the other day, he felt as though he had been working for weeks, and his body was now screaming at him in revenge.
Shaking all thoughts of pain out of his mind, he tried to sit up, glancing around him as he spotted Kaede already double-checking a bag, and throwing it onto her back. Her black hair was slicked back, dripping wet. She must have taken a wash in the lake already, he thought. He could hardly see her silver streaks in her wet hair, but knew that wouldn't last long. As soon as the sun dried it, it would flow down, shining like diamonds.
He shook his head, getting rid of the thoughts invading his mind. With another groan escaping, he stood; his hand making it's way to his aching back. "Do you need help?" He called over to her, catching her eyes as she looked up at him.
"It's about time you wake up," she said, a smile creeping on her lips. "Yeah, can you help me get these organized?"
He walked over, grabbing one of the sacks, checking to make sure everything was in it's right place, tight and secure. "Everything's fine. I thought you had all this organized last night already, though?"
She made a face, "I thought I did, too. But, when I was finally awake and aware of my senses, it didn't look right at all."
Fumo laughed, "That's alright. So when did you want to head out?"
"As soon as everyone is ready," she answered without hesitation, throwing a glance at the still sleeping forms of Maki and Atio. "We need to get some miles gone before sunset."
Fumo watched her, her eyes explaining everything. She was concerned for her family, and she was determined to get them back safely. He felt the same way, in a sense. Concern for his parents and his daughter were his prime feelings, and not knowing where they were made it even harder for him to bear. Just from her eyes, he could tell Kaede felt the same way as he.
"Then we better wake them up," he said. "They can sleep in pretty late."
