Chapter 3: The True Art of Nature's Paint Brush

I couldn't help but take in the beauty of our surroundings as we walked: the sky was illuminated with the warmth of the sun and the trees rustled softly in the cool breeze that rolled in off the river waters; birds chipped happily in the trees; the water gurgled and grumbled as it crashed against rocks and low-hanging tree branches that hung like curtains over the banks. I heard a twig snap behind me, pulling my thoughts back to where I was and what I was doing.

By the time we stopped for the night I felt as though my legs would fall off. I plopped down on the ground letting my bag drop beside me:

"Come on Ichigo," Mint teased. "Even I'm not tired from that walk." Zakuro patted her on the shoulder, saying she was impressed. Of course, the hand on her shoulder sent Mint's body slumping to the ground beside mine. We laughed.

"You girls set up the tarps while we make dinner," smiled Akasaka-sama.

"It's so beautiful here," Retasu murmured.

"Yeah," added Purin, "the sky looks like its on fire."

"Funny how nature can make all those colors flow together flawlessly…" smiled Zakuro.

"Hey, Akasaka-sama," said Lettuce suddenly. "There are only two tarps here. We forgot the rest."

"No, there's only two," replied Ami. "Four people per tarp. It makes the load easier to carry. Besides, it gets cold out at night. You'll be thankful to curl up with other warm bodies." She rejoined Akasaka-sama at the gas lit stove.

"You didn't decide who was sleeping where too, did you?" I asked nervously. Some how, I felt I knew the answer.

"Groups share a tarp with one other group. Keiichiro and I are in one tent with Purin and Retasu. You and Ryou are in the other tarp with Mint and Zakuro." I could have died right then and there.

Shirogane quietly walked over and picked up one of the tarps and some rope. "Here," he said, "I'll take care of it." A shiver ran through me as his hand brushed against mine as it reached for the rope. For a moment, it seemed like he paused before retreating, but I couldn't really be sure. Before the idea of the sleeping arrangement could really settle in and irk me, I shivered. Ami wasn't kidding: for a early summer evening, it was starting to get a little chilly.

BED TIME

Shirogane seemed a little uncomfortable with the situation himself, so I decided not to take my frustrations at it out on him. Truth be told, I didn't think I would mind so much… I blushed and quickly buried my head into the pillow. Dad would freak if he knew this, I thought. I heard a hushed squeal of terror beside me. Mint all but jumped into my sleeping bag.

"There is a huge… gigantic… monstrous…"

"Bug." Grumbled Zakuro. She held up the beetle to Mint, who promptly squealed again.

"Get off of me," whined Shirogane. I hardly realized that both Mint and I had jumped onto his sleeping bag when Zakuro presented the bug. Zakuro laughed at us and released the beetle outside of the tarp. Mint crawled into her own bag and zipped it all the way over her head.

"Mint you look ridiculous," tease Zakuro as she slipped back into her own sleeping bag.

"Maybe so," came Mint's muffled voice, "but I feel bug proof in here!"

"Good night guys," called Akasaka-sama. "We're getting up at dawn so I'd suggest you get some sleep."

Silence. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of breathing around me; the sound of the water rushing in the distance; the leaves rustling in the breeze; it was all very relaxing. I opened one eye and looked around, trying to adjust to the lack of light. There was a faint yellow glow outside our tarp from the moonlight that seemed inviting, so I quietly slipped out of my sleeping bag and crawled outside.

The moonlit sky was magnificent. I don't think I've even seen the stars so clearly before. I sat on a rock overlooking the city below. Everything seemed so small… insignificant. I felt small and insignificant. Suddenly, I didn't feel so bad about Aoyama and me breaking up. What was first love in the grand scheme of life anyway? Every thing seemed to be in perspective for that brief moment in time.

I crawled back into my sleeping bag and yawned. If the next day was going to be the same as that day, I would need my sleep. Mint and Zakuro were completely dead asleep, curled up on the other side of the tarp. I glanced over at Shirogane. He looked like a little boy all curled up with wisps of golden hair in his face. My heart thumped. Blushing, I buried myself in the sleeping bag and let myself drift off towards sleep.

6 A.M.

The suns rays warmed my face, alerting me that the night had ended. I glanced around. A few bodies were stirring, but no one seemed to be up yet. I stretched and rolled over.

"Good morning Ichigo," whispered Shirogane. We were lying face to face. I blushed but couldn't bring myself to move: if I freaked, every one would wake up and that would be much, much, worse.

"Are the others up yet?" I shook my head. He smiled happily at me. I couldn't remember a time when he seemed to glow so much. I couldn't help but wonder why he was so happy. I wouldn't have time to ask though. He quietly got up and snuck out of the tarp.

"Wanna take a quick swim?" he extended his hand to me. My mind was screaming at me to say no… to say I was too tired… to say anything… Yet something else, something stronger willed, made me reach out and accept his hand.

By the time we had changed and begun the short walk to the river, Akasaka-sama and Ami were starting to get up. It was 6:30 a.m. Breakfast was at 7.

"Oh my god this is cold," I whimpered as I slipped into the water. Shirogane laughed and jumped right it. I stood there, shivering waist deep in water, dripping from my head all the way back into the river. He laughed at me, floating on his back in the cold river. "I hate you so much," I glared.

"You'll get over it. You always do." He teased, walking over to me.

"What are you doing," I asked suspiciously; he had a strange, mischievous grin on his face that was making me more than a little uncomfortable. Before it really registered, two strong arms lifted me up and chucked me deeper into the river where Shirogane had just been floating. I squealed and began treading water while forcing my now sopping wet hair out of my face. He was outright laughing now and, much to my amusement, had his guard down. I moved quickly and, before he knew what hit him, had jumped onto his shoulders and forced him under the water.

"Oh, so we're going to play that game are we," he said with a smirk after coming back up for air. The look in his face made me smile and I started to swim away, pretending to be scared silly.

"What are you so happy about anyway?"

We were standing on the flat, rocky bank of the river now, drying off a little before heading back in to camp. He paused for a moment and, if I didn't know better, was blushing just a little.

"It's nothing okay." He looked back towards camp. "We shouldn't stay down here too long…" I sighed but nodded. As I walked away, I could have sworn I heard him whisper something. I paused and turned back to him.

"What did you say?" Shirogane sighed and walked up to me. He tussled my hair and smiled:

"It's nothing. Let's go get something to eat. Think Keiichiro can cook? You haven't tried Ami's pancakes yet!"