I am such a bad updater. Well I promise that I'll be updating as much as I can these next few days! And if I can, I'll finish the story some time this week!

-A few days later-

The days passed normally, nothing special. But Ember's words had hit me. Was I really beginning to think like a thief? I mean, snooping isn't stealing…but you don't steal something until you've snooped around for the good stuff. So maybe I was thinking like a thief…No. I've always been a good boy, a rebel yes, but I'm not evil!

"But thieves aren't evil." A voice said in my head.

"Yeah well they aren't exactly saints." I told it.

"But even if they aren't, so what?" the voice asked me.

"It um…I…I…STUPID VOICE!" I couldn't argue with it if I tried. So Ember's words had hit home; I really was becoming a thief. But, then again, I had to have known that would happen going into this…right? I mean, I'm not stupid…right? But I also fell for Ember's original disguise, so maybe I am stupid…Wait, No! EVERYONE fell for it at first! I'm not stupid!

"Rai what the hell are you doing?" Ember asked as she walked into the room, a soda can in hand.

"Huh? What?" I looked around. Oh. Silly me. I was sitting on the couch starring at an off T.V. I was just so spaced out in my little "world" that I didn't notice how weird I looked. "Oh, right." I laughed and turned on the T.V.

She sat down next to me and pulled the tab on the soda. It made the familiar noise as the fizz bubbled out. She took a sip and handed it to me, I eagerly took it; it was early and I hadn't eaten or drank anything.

"I was thinking about going into town later…" Ember slowly.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Uh-huh." She nodded. "I think you should come. Desert Creek is really nice."

"Desert Creek? Is that what's the town called?"

"Yup."

"Cool."

-A few hours later-

"So this is the town?" I asked as we neared a small, sandy area filled with shops and stalls. Ember nodded. She was in her "gothic" outfit again; the people in town probably knew her and she didn't want them to know she was "the Phoenix." She also had her back-pack on. She never left that bag unguarded.

"So what are we doing here anyway?" I asked, eyeing the bag.

"Selling wu." She said. "And visiting an old friend." She added with a devilish grin and a wicked look in her eyes. I was a little scared about her face, but didn't say anything. Ember's vague with answers, and asking questions doesn't really get you anywhere.

We neared a large store with the words "Charley's Butcher shop" on it. It was simple, but something irked me about it. I just wasn't sure what. Ember walked right in and up to the counter, where a man was waiting for our order. There was no one else in the store; business was slow.

"So how ya doin' darling?" Ember asked in a seemingly-mocking manor as she approached the man. Wait darling? Ember's MY girlfriend! (A/N: Possessive much, Rai!)

The guy, who had been starring at the counter, perked up and then saw Ember. His face drooped. "You're not Ted…" was all he said.

"Aw. Someone misses his wittle boyfriend! Eh Charley?" Ember said and laughed.

"Mary Leigh Smith, what can I do for you?" Charley asked, his words filled with venom. His arms were outstretched on the counter and he was resting his head on them; he looked bored.

"That's Ember to you." She growled and grabbed his arms with her un-gloved hands. I could tell he was in pain, but he tried to hide it. He didn't cry out or try and move.

"Fine. Ember then." He said through gritted teeth.

"Ember what?" She demanded to know.

"What can I do for you, Ember?" He seethed. This was practically painful to watch. I knew Ember could be cruel, but this was unnecessary.

"You can fix my roof; it's kind of leaky." Ember said calmly, releasing his arms.

"You can't black-mail me forever…I'll figure out some way to turn you in with out the cops knowing. I will." Charley declared.

"Sure you will." She said sarcastically. "Come on Rai." She nodded to the door. "Oh and Charley, tell your wife I said hi." Ember said.

"Get out!" Charley shot back.

We left the store and stood there in silence for a minute.

"So…your middle name is Leigh?" I asked. Ember scowled at me and started out for another shop.

"I'm gonna sell the rest of the wu. You can head home if you know the way." Ember told me. I did know the way, but I didn't go. I wanted to be with her.

For the first time since our "journey" things were going great. And I actually began to believe that we might be able to do this. We COULD do this.

If only things didn't get so screwed up…

Just so you know, Desert Creek is just a town I made up. If there's actually a town called that, then cool, but I didn't base it on anything, in case you were wondering. I thought it would be cool to have Rai meet the butcher that owned Ember's house. Okay well all reviewers are showered with love!