1001 Nights In Their Garden

The Third Day- Garden Tour

Authors Note- It's not just his garden, not anymore.

My name is Spinel, and I am conflicted. He's here to save his planet. He's here because I have him trapped. He is here to save his planet… right?

This frustrated me to no end. Stars, why did he have to be so… so… understanding. I tugged at my pig tails. I just wasn't in the mood for vandalism.

A grove of fruit trees had sprung up overnight. I picked a few and brought them to the merry moron who was still fast asleep.

Human beings are weird, disgusting animals. This one was making strange noises as he slept.

"Squatch, shoo, Squaaatch, shoo!" A stream of drool ran down his mouth… disgusting.

I attempted to plug the offensive holes with my hands and fingers, but all that did was wake him up. He coughed a little.

"Good morning Spinel."

"Yeah, yeah… whatever." I crossed my arms once twice and a third time to emphasize how little I cared.

But you do care?

"Oh pipe down!" She shouted to the air.

"Huh?"

"I wasn't talking to ya." Both paused for a moment, Steven yawned.

His eyes widened when he saw the fruit. "Guess you do care." He smiled at me.

"Not wanting you to die is far from caring. Anyway, what story are you going to tell?"

"Let me think about it," he stretched a little, and looked around. "Wow this place sure has changed. You too."

"Say what?" I walked to a nearby pool and stared into pool. The difference was subtle, but there. Something about my face was a little bit softer. I wouldn't ever be that ditz from before but… no, no, no, you hate him. I splashed the water sending ripples that distorted the image.

Steven was already behind me. He patted my back and said, "Don't worry, everything will be." I cut him off and knocked him down.

"Everything will be fine, huh?" I shoved my foot against his chest. I thought about beating him, but then I stopped. I saw the worry in his face. "You're pitying me?"

He stood and brushed off the dust, "maybe we should walk through the garden." I didn't respond I just took his hand and let him lead.

The garden was much bigger than it was when Pink had it. Many times bigger, no clue why. I felt warm, does that make sense? Gems don't get cold, but everything was so easy that day. We passed a statue that was new.

"Whose the human riding the lion?"

"Oh that's Connie, she's my best friend back on Earth."

"I don't like her."

"Oh."

"And besides."

"Besides what."

I smiled for him. "I'm your best friend." Then added, "I'm your only friend." Yeah that will teach the miserable clod.

He chuckled awkwardly, "I suppose your right." He went back to being silent.

Now we passed another one. "Universe, who is this fat over weight slob?"

"That's my dad."

"So he's the reason Pink's gone huh?"

"Yeah, when it comes right down to it." He sighed, "I just wish mom hadn't left so many loose threads."

I found this hilarious, "I guess that I'll have to think him one day for des…" Suddenly I checked myself, but why?

She abandoned you! She abandoned you, you clod! She had a son who she left all her worries to. I kept it together, barely.

Then we came to the next statue, and I wished my gem would shatter. "No, no, no, no, no." He couldn't know who that is.

I grabbed him by the shirt and pointed at it, "What is she doing here? Huh?" Tears started flowing down my cheeks. Betrayed. Betrayed. And all for some sick joke.

"Spinel, you gotta believe me. I have no idea who she is." He shuddered in fear. Reluctantly, I let go.

"No, I guess she never mentioned me at all, did she?"

He shrugged, "No one told me. They might've thought they were protecting me, or saving you. I just don't know."

It was only then that I realized something, "Guess you were kept in the dark too, huh?" Our eyes met then shifted just as quickly. "She was great Steven, she's gone though. Just as well… she was only here once."

I offered him a hand up, and refused to look at the statue again. He took the lead, and I was okay with it. He led me to a new part of the garden where bright azaleas bloomed.

The flowers bloomed in large stone boxes along the cobblestone pathway. A gentle wind blew through the air. It carried with it small butterflies, and one landed on my nose. There was a gentle gurgle from a fountain in the center of the courtyard. It was peaceful.

"Say Steven?"

"Yeah Spinel?"

"Can I tell ya something?"

"Sure."

"You can neveh go home?"

"I know."

"I-I'm I'm glad you're here."

For just a little bit, it felt like the good old days. The days that I will always treasure. I hate her for leaving, hate her for forgetting, hate her for leaving me here alone, but in the end I could never hate those sweet memories of Pink, and the games we used to play.

We spent the rest of that day playing games, I juggled for him and showed him how the whole garden could resonate with music.

Then he asked me to dance, and I ran away. I didn't think about stretching away. You wanted him to catch ya, silly. I could practically hear that sickly sweet giggling. That's not who I am, it's not.

"It's not!"

"What!" he called out.

The sun was setting, and he was gaining on me. I slowed, still trying to comprehend why. We fell into the wet grass and he landed on top of me.

In spite of myself, I laughed. "Guess I'm it now!"

Steven rolled over and laughed, in between breathing heavily, "All that running, should've known it was just another game. Guess what?"

"What?"

"You win." He added.

"Oh, and what do I get?"

"How about my eternal servitude?"

"Not interested in buyin' what I already have, try again."

"How about a story?"

"Now yer talkin'!"

-Steven-

I adjusted my spyglass to focus on the little pink fox. "Ah yes, I can see her, absolutely stunning!"

I offered the spyglass to Pearl, my companion on this hunt. "Ah yes, I see her too. A word of caution milord, that fox has outsmarted every trapper from here to the old homestead."

"I know, but that's the beauty of it! What a prize. What a prize!"

Next Time- The Hunt I

Author's Note- A very special thanks for all the positive reviews.