Alatáriël: is in tears It... got... deleted...

Chichiri: looks scared

Kate: looks irritated I don't wanna do it again.

Alatáriël: Me either, but... sobs It mush be done.

Chichiri: hesitantly pats her on the back There there, no da... It won't be that bad, no da...

Alatáriël: sobs again while nodding and puts her fingers to the keyboard

Chapter 19: A New Friend In A River of Tears

Kate twitched awake. A horrible sound met her ears that sounded like a bird getting tortured in a train's smoke stack. Trying to wake up fully, Kate wiped her eyes tiredly while at the same time trying to get out of a bed she didn't recall crawling into. Too late, she noticed she was in the top bunk bed and ended up, blankets and all, on the ground of the barn.

Coughing, due to the cloud of dust that had flown into the air, she tried to sit up and unravel herself of her cloth cocoon. As she got up and dusted herself off she looked over to see what had awoken her in the first place, and therefore deserved her wrath.

Glaring evilly she saw Suzaku was on the bottom bunk where Chichiri had been the night before. Suzaku's mouth was wade open, drool covering his lower chin. A sudden screeching echoed from his throat. It was he who had waken her up with his demonic snoring!

She wanted to strange the bird brain with the very sheets in her hands, but she thought better of it and walked over to the fire. After she was sure Chichiri was no where around she quickly changed into her now dry clothes.

After getting dressed she sat by the fire and poked at it with a stick. Evil thoughts began to turn in her head of the flaming stick and a certain snoring chicken. KFC was only one of them. She wanted to go looking for Chichiri, but stopped herself from doing so. The memory of last night's conversation with Suzaku was still fresh in her mind and she didn't think she could keep her cool around Chichiri at the moment.

But she wouldn't have to worry about that very long as she heard the crunching of footsteps nearing the barn thirty minutes later. Chichiri peeked in quickly to see if it was safe to enter before coming in. "Good morning Kate-chan! I have a surprise for you!", he greeted.

Kate rose an eyebrow, "You don't say...". Chichiri nodded and pulled Josh inside the barn. "JOSH!", Kate gasped and quickly ran to her friend. Josh grumbled a sleepy "hi" before sitting down next to the fire. He wasn't awake yet.

One of Suzaku's horrible snores caught Josh's attention and he spun in it's direction. When he say Suzaku he just stared. "Who the hell is he?", he asked not angrily, but just with annoyance. Kate blinked, "Why that's our breakfast... Anyone up for chicken?".

Suzaku suddenly twitched and jumped up, "I'M A PHOENIX, DAMN IT!". Kate jumped. She could have swore he was fast asleep not ten minutes before. "Good morning, Suzaku-sama, no da!", Chichiri greeted and sat down next to Josh.

Suzaku huffed and sat back down on the bunk bead, looking redder than normal. "Yeah yeah yeah. Whatever", Kate said off-handedly as she walked over to the fire. Suddenly Suzaku spoke up, "I'm hungry!". Kate's eye twitched, "What do you want me to do about it?".

Suzaku puffed up, "I'm a god! You are here to serve me!". Kate growled, "Serve yourself". Josh looked at Kate silently. Kate rose an eyebrow at him,"What?". Josh just got up silently and walked over to the ladder and climbed up. "Josh?", Kate asked, following him.

Looking around the attic Kate noticed the food was gone. "Coffee", was all Josh said as he grabbed a bag and walked back down again. Kate followed, worried. "Chichiri, did you take the last of the beans?", she asked. Chichiri looked confused, "Not me, no da".

Kate glared at Suzaku. The Bird God should have had a halo for the look he was giving her. "You", was all Kate said with a glare. Suzaku blinked, "I didn't do anything!". Kate glared, but didn't say anything. Her stomach growled just then and she blushed. "I'm not moving one step further before I've eaten!", Suzaku declared. "Then go back to the Universe of the Four Gods!", Kate growled. Suzaku huffed, "I need energy to do that... and you'll all have to come with me. It's the forth day". Kate frowned.

"Well, since the food is gone maybe we can go fishing, no da!", Chichiri said happily, ignoring Suzaku's comments. Kate frowned, "I don't know... If we get caught... It's illegal to fish or hunt here". Chichiri cocked an eyebrow, "Really, no da?". Kate nodded, "This is a national park. We can't disturb anything... But there should be a camp ground nearby...".

Chichiri looked confused, "Can we fish there?". Kate shrugged, "I'm not sure... If not we could at least raid the snack machines...". Chichiri nodded,"It's a plan then... Where is this camp site?". Kate looked a little stressed, "One mile...". Chichiri nodded, "Let's go then, no da!"

Before Kate could register the information that she had just been set up she found herself being drug out of the barn by Chichiri. Josh and Suzaku waved from inside the barn. What the heck was going on?

Kate and Chichiri walked down the path in silence. Both had their own thoughts to attend to, but that was fine. Both of their thoughts rested on the other. Kate frowned to herself as she walked. Chichiri falling for her just wouldn't do. He was a monk. Wasn't there a law or something that prevented that? 'I wonder if Suzaku was telling the truth', she thought.

Even though she tormented the bird and vice versa she did trust him... at least to some extent. Innocent till proven guilty, she guessed, but she had a gut feeling he had stolen the food. For what purpose she didn't know.

Suddenly Chichiri stopped. He was just ahead of her so she almost hit him, but luckily she had fast reflexes so she didn't hit him. "Look, Kate-chan! A short cut, no da!", He said as he pointed down the hill they were on the top off. Indeed. It would be a short cut. She could see the trail just threw the trees under them. 'It might even cut off half a mile!', she thought as she looked at the trail ahead of her.

"You first", Kate said with a grin. She was actually quite surprised when he did proceed first and slid down the hill with ease, never hitting the trees or anything. Kate gulped. 'If he can do it... I can do it', she thought and moved down. She was doing ok until she got about halfway and tripped. "WHOA!", She gasped as the ground gave way and she found herself falling down the incline.

Luckily, or non-luckily depending how you looked at it, Chichiri was able to catch her before she broke her neck. Her body weight sent him off balance and before either one of them knew what had hit them they were covered in mud and dirt.

For a moment Kate was in shock. It was weird. Here she was, just fallen and saved by her monk friend. Mud covered them both. Both shocked stiff... and all she could think about was how warm he was under her in contrast to the cold mud above her.

Her thoughts were broken, however as her body lifted itself off of her friend. "Oops", Kate heard herself say but her mind was somewhere else entirely at the moment. Chichiri lifted himself up on an elbow and Kate lent her hand to him, "Are you ok?", she asked. Chichiri smiled, or seemed to 'damn that mask!', Kate thought momentarily.

"I should be asking you that, no da. I'm sorry Kate-chan.. I thought it looked safe, no da", Chichiri said. Kate found herself smiling, "It's ok... But look at us". Chichiri blinked and looked himself over. They looked like they had been playing in a pig pen.

Chichiri laughed and dusted off his cape only to smear the mud. Suddenly struck with an evil thought Kate reached down and grabbed a handful of mud. "Oh Chichiri, dear", She said in a sing song voice.

He looked up at her, curious, when he suddenly got hit with a "mud ball" right in the chest. He stared at her. Kate laughed and picked up another scoopful of mud. Chichiri leaned over and grabbed some too. "It's on, no da", he said and suddenly rushed at her.

Twenty minutes later the duo found themselves standing at the entrance to the camp ground. They were both laughing quietly to themselves and were completely covered head to toe in mud. Kate was leaning on her knees slightly and breathing hard while Chichiri rested on his staff more than usual. His bangs laid limp, having been weighed down with mud. They made a very interesting sight indeed.

"I'm going to go check out the snack machines and check this place out... Want to go see if you can locate the river and see if you can fish?", Kate asked. Chichiri nodded, grinning. "Ok! See you soon", Kate said and practically skipped off in a random direction to find the snack machines.

After the first few camp sites Kate noticed she was getting odd stares from everyone who passed her. After the forth stare she noticed that they were looking at her because of the mud. With a grin she began to peal off the now drying mud. It wasn't working too well, but it proved a weird sort of entertainment to herself and some of the people around the camp.

After a while she saw what looked like to be a gazebo. Walking over to it she soon spotted the snack machines and made her way inside. The place looked very run down and unused. Luckily though, the snack machines were full and looked welcoming.

How machines could look welcoming was beyond her, but she shrugged it off and began pushing buttons hoping for a free snack. When none came she tried shaking the machine, praying a park ranger didn't come around the corner at that moment.

After a few good shakes (and almost tipping over the machine) later she sighed. It wasn't going to give her anything. Just as she contemplated breaking into it with a very large stick/ club a hand reached into her view and touched the machine. Looking at the hand she thought it was Chichiri's. The white sleeves and pale skin was a give away. Looking down she noticed his black shoes. Those she's notice anywhere.

Just as she was going to turn around and say something cocky she felt him step up to the point his body was touching hers. "Chichiri?", she asked uncertainly. This wasn't like him... What WAS he doing, anyhow? Thoughts ran a dead line in her head.

She felt, what she thought, were his lips against her hair. She hadn't noticed she had been holding her breath until his presence left her suddenly. She spun around, wide eyed. He wasn't there. She ran to the outside of the gazebo. He wasn't there either.

Scared and disoriented, she headed back inside. Something was different. She walked up to the snack machine and gasped. A huge pile of snacks sat at the bottom. "I'm so hungry i'm delusional...", she said out loud trying to convince herself what she said was true, but she couldn't ignore that she could still feel his lips on her hair.

"I'm insane... Stupid fangirl fantasies... That's all", she said but the more she tried to convince herself of this the more she questioned herself. Could she love him? Could he love her? With these thoughts in mind she crouched down and began scooping snacks into her oversized pockets. What she couldn't fit she carried and headed outside.

Not wanting to go find Chichiri just yet and still out of it, she headed deeper into the camp ground. She paid no attention to the people around her as she walked. She wanted to run. She wanted to scream in frustration, but she was forced to walk.

Eventually she made her way to the river. Well, it was more like a small lake really. She sat down her food and opened a candy bar, eating silently. She watched the water as she ate. It seemed strangely calm and clear despite the rain last night.

After finishing her candy bar she wiped her hands on her pants, which only made them more dirty, and got to her feet. She walked over to the lake's edge and put her hands in the water. It was really cold, but felt good. She washed her face and hands of the mud and anything else that might have been clinging to her skin.

As she brought a fresh handful of water to her face she noticed a fish. She thought it was strange the fish would come so close to her, but was too fascinated to give it much thought. Suddenly a strange impulse over took her and she slipped off her shoes and emptied her pockets near her.

She didn't give it a second thought as she dove into the water and after the fish. Only after she found herself in a violent undertow did she realize her mistake. Kicking hard she realized her baggy pants were extremely heavy and almost impossible to swim in. "HELP!", she screamed when her head surfaced.

No sooner had she screamed then she was pulled under again. 'Is this how I shall die?', Kate thought sadly when suddenly someone grabbed her hand! (AN: Wanna guess who? I'll give you a hint... It's not who you think it is!)

Kate gasped for breath as she was pulled from the water. "Are you ok?!", her savior asked. Kate looked up, coughing, at the person who saved her. She had reddish blonde hair that was tied into a braid and green eyes. She seemed almost unnaturally pale and looked about her height. "I- I'm ok... That you so much!", Kate gasped. The girl nodded happily, "My pleasure... You have me quite a scare! Diving into a river after a strom!... Anyhow, my name is Alatáriël", the girl said and extended her hand.

Kate nodded and took her hand, "Kate... Say... What were you doing over here in my time of need anyhow?". Alatáriël shrugged, "I'm just a figment of your imagination. I really don't exist". Kate stared at her for a moment before smiling, "Who would have thought? Well, my dear imagination, you wouldn't happen to know how to get back over the the other side of the river would you?", Kate asked.

Alatáriël gave her an evil grin. Kate quickly added, "That doesn't involve going into the river again". Alatáriël laughed, "Suzaku-sama knows I wouldn't do that! There is a bridge just down the river. Come on!". Kate gasped and walked with Alatáriël. "You're a Fushigi Yuugi fan?!", Kate asked.

Alatáriël laughed, "Yes, and I suppose this means you are to! What a small world... Who's your favorite character?". The two girls talked as they walked to the bridge. Each happy for the others company for their own reasons.

Kate didn't mention Chichiri for fear of scaring her new friend off so she talked about other things like her family and friends. It seemed Alatáriël had just moved here and claimed to be here with her mom and dog. She had no clue where they were, and didn't seem to care as she talked with Kate. Apparently she ran off often to be by herself.

Soon the two girls made it to the bridge Alatáriël had lead her too. Kate, not wanting to lose her new friend quite yet, invited her to walk down to the river with her for snacks as a way to say thank you. Alatáriël accepted and walked with the girl to the river.

When they got there both were in for a shock. Chichiri was there. Three fish lay forgotten at his feet, having been dropped to the ground. He stood staring at the items before him in horror, his face pale. Kate held her breath, suddenly recalling her "hallucination". Chichiri didn't seem to notice he had company.

His mask was crumbled in his left hand and he was shaking slightly. "Chichiri?... The M&M's aren't going to bite, you know?", Kate called after him quitely. Chichiri looked up in shock at Kate. "Kate?", was all he said as he stummbled over to her at a near run. When he got within arms length he pulled her into a hug. "I thought...", was all he could say before his body shook with sobs.

Kate, not sure how to handle this, returned the hug. "Shhh... I'm ok... I'm just fine", she whispered. Neither one of them noticed Alatáriël smile to herself and retreat into the forest. If one looked closer at the back pack her wore, however, one would have noticed two can like shapes and a jar in her backpack.

"I'm sorry, Chichiri", Kate said. It didn't take a genius to know what he had thought. He had thought he had drowned in the river. "I heard you scream", he said shakkily. Kate nodded into his shirt, "It's ok..". "I thought I was too late... Kate, I thought I had lost you", he said saddly. He wasn't shakking now, but didn't seem to be able to let go yet. "You really think a river could keep me from you?... Fat chance", Kate said trying to make him feel better.

Chichiri looked into her eyes, confused, "What?". Kate just smiled slightly, tears now in her eyes. "You won't lose me", she said and placed her hands on either side of his face. He looked down at her uncertain as she got on her tip toes and kissed him softly on the lips. It was an innocent kiss. Full of both happiness and fear of what was to come... What that was neither one of them knew. With that Chichiri retured the kiss.

Alatáriël: Wow! That was alot better than what this origionally was! It's not about quantity it's about quality.

Kate: blushes It's definiently more embarrasing!

Chichiri: nods in agreement You should write romace novels!

Alatáriël: gags Don't say that!

Kate: laughs

Alatáriël: rolls eyes You know very well I love my drama more than romance, but... shrugs I write what comes to me.

Kate: grins Yeah, and what comes to you is dirty thoughts!

Alatáriël: glares at her Shut up!... Anyhow... Sorry everyone, but I REALLY don't want to do reviews after my last chapter. I hope you understand. ;; Hope the kiss made up for it!

Kate: Suck up...

Chichiri: DA!