It was never an intention thing to be allowed to happen, but the words had cut in deep and doubt had been planted, from the seed grew the flower, and then they pulled away from everyone. It didn't go unnoticed of course, being a common sight among them all, to have it so suddenly leave caught all of their attentions.

When Akeelah withdrew, she did so completely, leaving others to watch her silent retreat in worry and confusion.

But the flower of doubt had bloomed into something beautiful and she turned away from them all.

The Morningstar had gone to her former guardian in concern, Jeremiah had tried to think of another time this had occurred but wasn't able to, there was none that came to mind, and the Choir Master left with the same amount of concern he had when he'd first come asking.

Captain and Commander exchanged looks from across the lines, both wondering the same thing, feeling worry fill within at the absence of the fledgling that never missed a Wednesday to help them train the legions. As the day grew on, as did the sea of worry, when she failed to make a single appearance.

The Messenger had turned to his Second, and Zaveriel had shook his head, equal parts upset at her lack of visits and it did nothing to alleviate the Messenger of his sorrow at her absence.

The Healer took in the Infirmary as a whole, the third time in an hour, and frowned when he did not capture a single glance of the troublemaker who had an affinity for stealing his peaches from the garden. He worry grew as the minutes passed and day turned to evening, the sun lowering to the west, and still no sign of her emerged.

It had been the Gardener that drew all of their attention. The soft-spoken caretaker who told them of the ruckus that had been made in his garden the other day. Informed them of the doubts that had been planted into the fledglings mind by those expressing jealousy to the attentions she gained from the older ones. Joshua had not been able to give them names, not having gained them for himself, they had already fled when they heard him approach and the little fledgling had declined his inquiry. He was the only one who could point them in the right direction of the one in question, leading them down a stone path, through thick trees, to a small knoll they had none was there.

"Be mindful." the gardener spoke up softly "What was said really afflicted her."

They nodded in thanks and stepped into the clearing. They were clearly not heard as they approached, the fledgling back still facing them as she sat there, curled around her knees, little face hidden from them.

Messenger and messenger sat to her right.

Commander and Captain before her.

Healer to her left.

And her master knelt in front of her, curling a hand around her small cheek, causing her head to raise. They sat on edge at the tear tracks that glistened on the smooth skin, vowing revenge on any responsible for their being there, and the Morningstar rubbed his thumb through one to wipe it away.

"What happened?"

"Do you love me?" her voice was so small, smaller then they had ever heard it, and it made them all break just a bit on the inside "Or do you just keep me 'round cause you feel bad?"

"Is this a trick question?" The messenger cut in before anyone else could, and they all turned to look at him with surprise, Zaveriel paid them no mind as he stared at his friend "Because I keep you around cause you're my best friend. We get into trouble together and stand up together and do practically everything together. Who brought this on?' as was the question on all their minds.

"I, for one, speak for myself and the Powers." The Captain raised his hand slightly "And I speak for all of us when I say we adore you and that is why we keep you in our ranks. No offense meant sir" he nodded at his Commander who returned the gesture with a knowing nod of his own "But we would go to war for you if asked us to. I agree with Zaveriel, who planted this foul seed into your mind?"

She didn't make any notion to answer the inquiry, but did grant them both a small smile, names would be something they came back to once the flower had been dug from the garden and planted elsewhere.

The oldest of them nodded in time with both of the youngers, "Indeed. I keep you at my side because I cannot imagine you anywhere else. I care for you beyond expression of words. You bring a light with you that fills me with such hope." Beside him the Messenger nodded in time "Nugget, I love you beyond words can describe, I would do anything you asked. Within reason obviously, but anything, just to see you smile. I can't imagine having a flock without you being a part of it."

She smiled at them wetly, rubbing the back of her hands over her eyes to wipe away the wetness, and slowly uncurled from herself at their reassurance.

"I for one, cannot describe the joy you bring with mere words alone." The Healer leaned forward slightly to pass her a small cloth to rub her eyes dry with "I keep you with me because you show me there is still goodness to be found in the smallest of places. You are my companion, my friend, my fledgling."

Her Choir Master rubbed his thumb over her cheek again and she looked back up at him "I keep you with me because I would be lost without you. I adore you in ways I cannot describe in words alone."

She slowly continued to unfold from herself, crawling over the soft grass to hug them all slowly and carefully, "I love you guys too."

"The feeling is indeed returned in favor, little one, now about those names?"