A/N

I finished early, so I decided to upload it early. I also chose this over a half-finished essay due tomorrow, so that'll be fun. I decided to introduce an Arya POV early to kind of get used to it. Anyways, R&R please.

Chapter 5

Arya

Her V6 was just over idle as the line of cars moved to the graveyard. The funeral was huge, almost as big as her father's. It was very similar, she thought, too similar. Her father taught her how to drive less than a month before when he was murdered by a very accurate drive by.

It was at her father's funeral that her mother forced her to have a couple of bodyguard. Fäolin was one of the two and she met him in a very similar fashion that she met Eragon. He was eighteen years old and drove a cherry red Aston Martin V12 Vantage, giving her a distraction from the sadness. It was a gorgeous car until-no. This isn't the time nor the place, she told herself. I'm just sick of funerals.

Snapping from her thoughts, she saw intersection upon intersection blocked by police, guiding them to the burial site. They pulled into the grim graveyard, with headstones and tombstones covering majority of the grass.d

As she parked her GT-R and got out, she looked around for possible exit routes. You never know when one is needed, especially with all of these people here. There were too many unknowns.

As she approached, she noticed the stereotypical bodyguards her mother took with her. They were scattered around in black suits and black sunglasses, each of them were looking around for something. Anything. She continued walking until she found herself looking at the two caskets. Beside her were her mother, Ajihad, Hrothgar, and their respective children. They all had sunglasses on, as the sun was in their eyes. Brom, Eragon, Eragon's cousin, and his cousin's girlfriend were the closest to the caskets. The latter two were crying, but the former two were just staring.

She watched as Eragon stepped forward, knelt before his mother's casket, and began moving his lips. Arya couldn't make out most of it, but she saw him say "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve this…."

She expect him to cry. After all, he was an average high school senior who barely knew what the word "loss" truly meant. He was, after all, innocent and naive when compared to her. But he never cried. He slowly rose and looked Arya in the eyes, his eyes filled with emotions, before dropping them and moving to stand by Brom. A man stepped beside the caskets and spoke some final words.

The family spoke during the ceremony, just before heading here. When asked, Eragon merely shook his head. Now, though, something changed in his demeanor as he turned around, then froze. Following his eyes, Arya saw a man with red hair and red eyes in the back, a half smirk plastered in his face as if he succeeded with some proud achievement. Shit. Arya nonchalantly got her mother's attention with a nudge and directed her attention to Eragon, then to the man. Durza.

Islanzadí spoke up, "we can talk about this later. Go make sure Eragon doesn't do something rash," then proceeded to tell the security to watch the man. Arya began walking towards Eragon before he walked off, stopping behind the crowd of people that gathered. As Arya walked by, she could tell the man speaking was closing his speech. She worked her way through the crowd to Eragon. She was about to reach him when the crowd began to disperse. The funeral was over.

When Arya arrived, Eragon spoke first, saying "I feel like there is a man involved in this." Arya merely looked at him, unsure of where he was going. He continued, "I don't know who is he or how he is involved, but this man with red hair and red eyes has popped up several times, starting the day before…" he stopped, unable to finish his original sentence. A moment later, he finished, "the shooting. I thought it was a coincidence, but now I'm sure he is involved. Who smiles at a funeral?"

By now, the graveyard was empty except for Brom, her mother, Eragon's cousin, his girlfriend, Ajihad, Hrothgar, Nasuada and Orik. Eragon's cousin and his girlfriend were in conversation, looking at his father's casket, while the others were off to the side, in a much deeper conversation.

Arya, attempting to change the subject, asked "so, what are you and Brom going to do now?"

Eragon responded, but still seemed deep in thought, with "we are moving. He said I would be attending Varden High School."

Without thinking, Arya spoke again, asking "if you get the address of your new house, we could ride together." She paused for a second, then added, as extra incentive, "you could even drive for a bit if you want." Why did I just say that? She berated herself. Most of her wanted him to decline, but part of her, a part that hasn't existed in a long time, wanted him to accept.

"I'd love to, but I'll have to ask my dad first. He might want some company after...today," Eragon answered.

"I understand," keeping her voice and face emotionless, she replied with a mixture of happiness and disappointment. What is wrong with me? This is my third conversation with him.

Arya saw Brom signal them over. Her mother, not giving her any signal, must have gotten an all clear from her men and women. As they arrived by the six men and women, Brom spoke, saying "I guess it's time to hit the road, we've got a ways to go."

Eragon nodded, then said "Arya said I could ride with her, and I was wondering if I could." Islanzadí immediately gave Arya a look that said "we're talking about this later, young lady."

Brom considered it for a moment before deciding. When he spoke, he said "no, there are some things we need to discuss that can't wait until we get there. Plus, it will be easier to explain in person." Eragon nodded again.

After this conversation, everyone started to leave. Arya was about to leave too, when Eragon spoke to her again "may I have your phone number? Then you could show me around or something."

Arya turned, fully facing him. "Yeah, hand me your phone," she agreed. Eragon watched her as she put three numbers in: her own, Orik's, and Nasuada's. When she finished, she added "there ya go. See you then, Eragon."

He responded with "can't wait to see you again," flushed heavily, then walked away. Arya, confused, just walked away.

When she got into her car, she asked herself what was that? 'Can't wait to see you again.' He must be confused with the funeral...she trailed off, started her car, then drove off, refusing to think about it anymore. To her disappointment, however, thoughts of Fäolin filled her brain.

Eragon

As soon as the words came out, he regretted not thinking before he spoke. It's gotta be emotions from today getting to me, he falsely justified. Despite his justification, he couldn't get Arya out of the back of his mind.

By then, everyone who as gone except for him, Brom Roran, Katrina, and an extremely patient limo driver. The four of them decided it was time to go, getting back into the limousine to get their vehicles from the funeral home.

The ride was mostly quiet, with conversations only to distract them from the day. Once they arrived at their vehicles, Roran spoke up. "I've decided that I won't stay in your home, Brom, but that you for the offer." Brom merely nodded, understanding.

After that, an awkward silence fell over the four before his father realized it was time for goodbyes. "We better leave. I need to get to work on some things as soon as possible." Brom reached forward, shaking Roran's hand, as Katrina pulled Eragon into a hug.

She whispered into his ear, "I hope you find someone there. Someone who you can talk to about what has happened recently," then she backed away and spoke aloud, "Arya was pretty. Plus she's into cars, that's a rare combo." Eragon felt his face flush. He attempted to cover it by switching with Brom to talk to Roran when Roran pulled Eragon into a bear hug as he spoke, so all four could hear, "we all saw you gawking at her and her car," they drew back. "Don't even try to hide it."

Attempting to change the subject, Eragon asked "hey dad, can I drive?" As Roran and Katrina gave him knowing looks.

Brom tossed him the keys. "Yeah, let's hit the road. See you guys, good luck with everything." With that, they drove off to enter a whole new world. And Eragon was completely unprepared.

A/N

Asnari-I plan on finishing it. When summer break rolls around, I'd like to say I'll update 3-4 times a week, but my schedule gets sporadic in the summer. Thanks for the review.

At the end of the Arya POV, I wrote it and rewrote it probably 20 times and I'm still not content with it. It doesn't fit her, but, at the same time, I wanted to get a "what just happened?" kind of reaction. I'm loosely(very loosely) keeping up with the books. If you have any characterization problems with what I wrote, don't be afraid to contact me somehow. I'll at least consider changing it.