((a lot shorter and pretty slow story wise compared to the last chapter. and a little less editing so y'all should let me know if there's anything funny sounding in there okay? whelp sorry for popping in and hope you enjoy =u=; ))

Two days had passed since Marceline had last seen that girl. Or had it been three? Time had never really seemed to matter to her. But with every passing minute, she'd wondered when she'd come back. 'If she'd ever come back...'

Bonnibel. A beautiful name in her opinion. And even more fitting to see whom it belonged to. Though, a few minutes of knowing her isn't nearly enough to call her a friend. Or even an accomplice for that matter. Marceline needed to remember that she was still just a stranger. 'Right,' she had thought to herself, 'a stranger... That's all she is...'

It was tough for her to think that way. Her hybrid form did eventually recede itself, but she couldn't catch any sleep. And she wasn't as hungry as often, like she normally was, due to her constant mental preoccupations. Would she really ever see her again? That question was bugging her far more than it should be.

Without putting much thought to the outside world, she'd eventually found herself basking in the bright, morning sun. Much like the other day, but a tad cooler. Marceline sat up on the high branch, legs swinging freely. She looked down, staring blankly at the ground and was still stuck daydreaming of Bonnibel's return. Her daydreams were always rather vivid, thanks to her years of practice. Her voice still echoed and her scent was still strong. A little too strong for a daydream. Then it hit her. It was real. That refreshing aroma that she'd been waiting for. And it was coming from the opposite direction than it was before.

Marceline, still looking below, watched diligently, as she could hear the footsteps coming closer. Meanwhile, her tail had returned and was already set in motion. As soon as she caught a glimpse of the vibrant red from earlier that week, she hopped off and landed appropriately on the soft, green grass.

The hooded girl jolted and turned immediately. "Wh-what?" she said with a hand placed over her quick beating heart.

"Hello again," Marceline said with a sly sort of grin.

"Oh, it's just you," Bonnibel sighed in a breath of relief. "Um, did you come out of a tree just now?"

"Well, yeah," she answered, "I practically live up there. Most everything I ever need's in the trees anyways. Y'know, food, shelter, protection..."

"Uh huh..."

"Hey, just 'cuz I'm a dog, doesn't mean I can't climb," Marceline smirked.

"That's not what I was thinking," Bonnibel cracked a faint smile.

They stood staring at each other for a while. A slight breeze caught on. Bonnibel readjusted the lumber held at her right underarm. 'Wait. Lumber?' It was only then that Marceline had noticed the change of cargo.

"Aaany reason why you're carrying wood?"

"Oh! Well I-" Marceline inhaled deeply through her nose and picked up a different scent. It was remarkably subtle, but it was definitely there. She interrupted her before she could even give an answer.

"And why do you have the scent of another person on you?" she was unconsciously becoming aggressive, and Bonnibel could see it.

"What does it matter to you?" she responded in an irked voice.

"Just wanted to know if you've been hanging out with any more 'unsettling' people who happen to um," she quickly glanced at the wood and back, "sell lumber."

Bonnibel was perplexed by this streak of jealousy, concern, or whatever it was and continued. "You know, we've only known each other for a fraction of a day, right?"

"Well, yeah, but..." Marceline couldn't think of a valid reason for her questioning that didn't seem too pushy. It wasn't a very pleasant fact to bring to mind.

"For your information," she began to explain, "it's from my brother. He's a carpenter."

And there was the answer to her questions. But Marceline could only think up more. "Why would your brother be living in the middle of the forest then? Doesn't he know how dangerous it can be out here?"

"Like I said, the books back in the village said that this place was empty. And judging by the fact that you said your pack owns this side of the river, it seems to me that the book was even more inaccurate than I could've imagined."

Bonnibel moved the lumber to a position in which she can hold them in both hands, as it was becoming a little uncomfortable. "And as for why he's way out here," she said with a sigh, "my brother always had this crazy idea that the best quality firewood comes from 'deeper within the heart of a forest as vast as this.'" Bonnibel spoke jokingly and chuckled. "Though I'll never understand his love for trees and nature. He chops all them up and throws them into the furnace, for crying out loud." They both laughed.

"And not only that, but he's pretty much the only lumber vendor in our village so there's no reason to be so concerned for 'firewood quality' without the competition." Bonnibel hadn't noticed that she'd already warmed up to her again. Though Marceline had, and it was a rather pleasant feeling. The atmosphere somehow felt lively. And even in the momentary silence did she feel comfortable.

"Oh," Marceline had remembered the situation at hand from the other day, "so, how's it been going, with that creep following you and all?"

"Right..." Bonnibel wasn't too happy to hear the reminder. "Well, he hasn't been looking around for me so far. I just hope he doesn't do so anytime soon..."

"Can I get a name?"

"He never gave it to me; not like I'd want to know it anyways. The only thing I know about him (or at least I think I do) is that he's apparently some kind of farmer." Bonnibel was still unsure.

"Farmer, huh?" Marceline's ears twitched as she expressed a curious agitation.

"You really shouldn't worry about him though. There is that rule about the affairs of humans and supernatural beings needing to remain separated."

"Oh, really? I thought that was unspoken." She got another glare.

"Thank you for your concern, but at the moment, it's nothing we should be getting hung up on..." Bonnibel's arms looked like they'd been carrying the wood for quite some time now.

"Ah... you need me to carry any of that for you?" Marceline asked with a chuckle.

"I'm fine," she readjusted the lumber again. "I'm a whole lot stronger than I might seem. I thought you would've been able to figure that out by now, judging by my being prepared the other day."

"Hah, oh yeah, you really looked like you were about to mug me back there," she snickered.

"I try my best," Bonnibel bragged sarcastically. It was still rather early judging by the sun's proximity to the horizon, but she knew she had to go. "Hey, Marceline. Sorry, but I don't think I can stay any longer," she apologized. "My brother's always eager to earn more money from the village as soon as possible. He says that eating a warm dinner every few nights is what gives him his strength to haul in the best trees." They laughed again.

"It's cool." Marceline poked around her head for any sorts of closing thoughts. "…Sorry about the little interrogation from earlier."

"You were only worried. Don't sweat it." Bonnibel turned her body while still looking back. "But I gotta get going."

Once again, she didn't like having to see her leave. "Um... See you later?"

"Sure thing," she smiled. Just what Marceline wanted to hear. 'Great. Now I can wait in agonizing anticipation for her to come back,' she thought to herself sarcastically.

Bonnibel pushed on, constantly repositioning the splintering wood in her arms. Her awkward movements made Marceline chuckle. She was happy to see her again. Though, she'd wondered whether the small conversations would be enough for her, or if she'd wanted more.