CARLOS MAKES A REQUEST

"Left, right, slash! Come on Carlos keep up, Left, right, slash That's it!"

Carlos smiled as he expertly sent the pole Belleza had been using as a sword out of her hands and over the railing, before sheathing his Serpent Strike.

Belleza returned the smile. She couldn't help it when she looked at him. He had grown so much since they had been thrown from their home all those years ago. He had grown more confident, although still quite shy at the same time.

As the letter had predicted, he was very good with a sword, especially for someone of his age, his work with pistols even more so.

Belleza herself was developing into a beautiful young woman herself. Now fifteen, she had been told many a time by Carlos she was the most beautiful girl in all of Lower City, although he didn't like the looks some of the people they had to live with gave her, especially when they were looking at her in ways they shouldn't.

"I think we'll stop for today," Belleza smiled wearily as she took his hand.

Carlos smiled as he gently lent against Belleza's arm, walking towards the local Bar to see if they could earn some food.

As they walked, they headed past the Barbed wire fence that surrounded Valuan Navel Academy. As they walked past, Carlos felt himself slowing down as he watched several cadets go through drills.

Feeling her friend slow down, Belleza stopped and looked down at Carlos, only to follow his gaze to the navel soldiers.

"Belleza?" Carlos suddenly asked.

"Yes?"

"Why don't we join the navy?"

Belleza had to do a double-take.

"Say what?"

Carlos looked up at her with his big blue eyes, "Why don't we join the navy? I'm sure we could," he looked back to the Academy, "They get clean clothes, a warm bed, three square meals a day, It would really help us out."

"But it's the navy," Belleza was looking uncomfortable, "If we hadn't had the navy, out parents wouldn't be dead."

Carlos looked down in thought, "I guess so, but it would beat living on the streets."

Belleza gazed uneasily, "But we'd be separated. They don't exactly let guys and girls sleep in the same barracks you know, and after we're done, we're sure to be posted on different ships."

"I know," Carlos looked up at her, "but I think it's what our dads would've wanted. I mean, they were in the navy, maybe we could find out what happened to them?"

Belleza still looked uncomfortable. Finally she relented.

"Oh all right," she sighed, "At least it'll beat having to fend out of trashcans."

Carlos smiled and tightly embraced Belleza's waist (For that was all he reach, feeling security as she gently ruffled his hair.

Belleza smiled as she gently detached herself from the boy, "Come on, We'll join up tomorrow, right now, let's see if we can't earn some food around here.

I'm stuck for ideas at the moment, but I've decided to hold off on LoAS until i've finished this, keep reviewing.

Dearing