Dear Readers: I'm sorry it had to be so boring up until now. I promise you that this story shall be more adventurous and exciting from now on…. Well, mostly.

If anyone has any critiques or suggestions, don't be afraid! I really appreciate the readers and the reviews.

Also, please read my bio page for updates on this story.

Thank you.

Chapter 7: Cecile Hatches a Plan

Cecile rolled her eyes as Juan sat down next to her.

"Koroku's been doing a nice job protecting the place while you've been away." He said nonchalantly.

"I'm back on duty now so you don't have to come here and insult me." She said hotheadedly.

"Hey, I didn't mean it like that."

Cecile huffed as she dropped down onto the ground in front of the wall. "I'm going to go now, if you don't mind."

"Then I guess Koroku's going to have to take your place again…"

Cecil's eyes furrowed. "Why did you come here anyway? It seems like you've been hanging around me a lot lately. Why?"

"I dunno." He glanced at her, and then looked away, flipping the grass between his teeth. Cecile sighed as she leaned against the wall.

"Actually, I have a confession to make."

"Oh... yeah?" Oh Cheese. He's so irritating.

"Well… I guess I'm just lonely."

"Oh." Cecile suddenly felt bad for rejecting him. She should have been his friend, like they always have been... kind of.

"This girl… Well, see… This gal I like doesn't want to be with me."

Cecile was confused. He can't be talking about Emily.

"She wants to be with some other guy." Juan looked at the ground, kind of sad.

"Oh. I'm sorry." She said, half sympathetically. If he were ever interested in her, she would have scorned him on the spot. Or was it a secret but then she ran away to be a great champion but she fell in love… Or…?

"She's young and stubborn, but a real sweetheart too."

"I see." She said with concern.

"Yeah… It really rankles my nerves 'cause I think she's only with him 'cause he runs a business and owns a huge house with servants and stuff. Some son of a rich dead guy." Juan looked out at the grass. "Oh well. Serves me right for teasing her so much."

Cecile froze.

"Well, I'll see ya later ok?" He hopped down onto the grass with her. Juan and Cecile looked at each other as he put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't get sick again being in the fall chill." He smiled, sort of, and flipped the grass up.

Cecile raised her eyebrows and smiled with her teeth. "Ok, I won't."

Juan lifted his hand, as a small hint of sadness lethargically gleamed across his eyes. He turned slowly and walked away,

Cecile looked out at the field and put her hands over her face. She slid down the wall and sat on the grass. There's no way. He's just yankin' my chain again.

After a moment of horror, she heard the sweet, saintly sounds of four feet thrumping toward her. She looked up. Koroku barked at her happily as he ran up to her and enthusiastically licked her face. Cecile laughed and exclaimed how slobberish and gross it was. Suddenly, Cecile had an idea. "Koroku, you've been doing a good job while I've been gone right?"

Koroku looked at her happily.

"Well, I think I'll put you in charge for a little while longer. I think I need a vacation myself... Away from Juan anyway." She grinned to herself.

Koroku tilted his head, perplexed.

"But we'll have to wait until nightfall." Cecile smiled slyly to herself. She got up suddenly. "Come with me Koroku! We've got some planning to do!"

Koroku yipped excitedly and hopped around in a circle as Cecile marched off toward the castle.

Juan looked back at her from afar. He flipped the grass in his mouth and hummed as he breathed out, feeling as incurious as ever.

--: --

As the moon rose high into the sky, shining down on the ghostly castle, a small bulky person in a dark cloak made its way around the buildings. As graceful as a phantom; silently making an escape from the walls of Budehuc.

Suddenly, the person tripped on the edge of its cloak. It fumbled to stand upright; but then accidentally dropped a large bag, and scrambled to pick it up. The person stood and straightened out its cloak, obviously indignit about the incidents.

The person then made its way to the gate, where it noticed a dog was sleeping. Knowing that the dog would bark loudly and wake everyone, the person knelt down and gave Koroku a treat, patted his head, and was off. Koroku had little objection.

The person walked out into the field, each blade of grass glowing with the moonlight, moving slowly in the wind. If you could have seen this person walking through this grass, you probably would have compared it to the magic of walking through blessed water.

Out towards the adventure of the night.