I got good news and bad news: the good news are that I'll get my laptop in a few weeks, and they started a "writing-club" in school. The bad news are the same as the good: OMG, a few weeks can turn into a few months! And the "writing-club" will stop my fanfiction writing...

Oh, and this chapter will be focusing more on Manny, more of his thoughts...and a mad Ellie...

Anyway... Here's chapter 3!

This is the quietest migration I've ever been on, Manny thought. It was about an hour since he spoke- no, argued- with Diego. It felt much longer. Diego walked first, silently leading them. Next came Ellie, with Sid, Eddie and Crash sleeping on her back. Last was Manny, with Peaches on his back. He grimaced. It was not his idea. Like, how many mammoths had their children sleeping on their back? Because all of them was asleep was of course one reason why it was quiet. Ellie had tried to speak a few times, but when no one answered her, she fell silent as well. It wasn't that friendly, comfortable silence they were used to. No, it was an awkward silence.

And Manny knew why. He shot a glance at the saber in front of him. Diego walked proudly, showing no emotions at all. Manny frowned. It reminded all to much of when he first met him. When he still was with that pack... How did he endure to be around them? Manny wouldn't…

He sighed. He was ashamed that he lost his temper. He knew how Diego always tensed at the mention of his family, but it didn't stop him from shouting he didn't have any… But…he did have a family: the herd…right? And why did he say the last thing?

He knew that he at least should apologize, but…Why are these things always so hard? And Ellie…Manny fought back the urge to grimace. She would ask about it as soon as possible. And she would be…mad. More than mad.

"I'm going to check the area", Diegos voice shook him from his thoughts. Manny shook himself and stared at the saber, trying to focus. Diego raised an eyebrow at the lack of reply, then simply shrugged and sprinted away. Great, Manny thought grimly. Now I'm alone with Ellie…

"So…" Ellie begun walking at his left side. "Now when Diego is gone, care to tell me what happened?" What did I say?

"Uh…Diego and I had an…err.. argument."

"About…?" she pressed.

"Just…just a conversation…we had some…disagreements."

"Manfred", she warned. Manny tried to not groan. She wouldn't leave it before she knew… Maybe the easiest thing is just to tell her…I can't stand that stare anymore…

"Well…Diego told me that wolves actually live here…"

"Oh", she mumbled, a worried look on her face. Then she sighed. "Well, it's not good news, but I'm not really surprised."

How can she be so calm?.. Guess Sid doesn't call me 'Manny the moody mammoth' for no reason…

"But", Ellie begun, eyes narrowing "that's not the whole story."

"Uh…I lost my temper, mentioned his family, said a few insulting things, okay?" he said quickly. Maaybe a bit rashly…

"You what?" she exclaimed. Manny groaned. Ellie was extremely sensitive about things like that. She forbid the herd to tease Sid for being leaved behind by his own family. They were not allowed to speak too much of the possums- and her- dead mother. And they all knew to not talk about Mannys family. But it was only Ellie who noticed Diegos discomfort when his pack or family were mentioned. Knowing that the saber didn't want to speak of feelings or family, she only whispered it to Manny.

"Look, Ellie-"

"I can't believe it!" she said, voice slowly rising. "I told you to not say a word about his family! Would you be happy if I begun yelling about your family?"

"That's not the same", Manny protested. "Diego's-" he stopped. Diego's what? Icy? Uncaring? That's not the right word… Apparently Ellie thought the same.

"So you mean you can say whatever you want, just because he's a saber?"she hissed.

"No, that's not what I said!"

"Then what? Because he doesn't show his emotions? Because he's so calm all the time? But I tell you what; you can hide your emotions, try to bury your feelings, but they'll never leave you!"

"Oh, for pitys sake, Ellie, I know what I did!" he finally snapped. His voice became softer. "It's just…I'm afraid of losing another family."

Ellies face softened as well. "Oh, Manny", she sighed. "I know…But you can't blame Diego for leading us here. Like, what choice had we, anyway? He only tried to help us."

"I know. Believe me, I know", he mumbled. "I guess you're right: he seems unemotional, and then it's easy to-" he stopped again. Easy to lose his temper? Yell at him? That's not something you say to Ellie… She seemed to understand, and sighed again.

"When people gets harmed…many turns mad. Other cries. And then there's people like Diego: They gets colder, harder to read, and locking away all signs of hurt they actually do feel. And then they only show a stone face, making others believe that they are uncaring."

They walked in silence for a while.

"So…are you going to apologize?"

"Err…"

She rolled her eyes. "You can't just leave it like that."

"Oh, can't I?" he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Ellies eyes flashed dangerous.

"Nothing! I just don't think- ah, never mind…"

"Manny!"

"Come on, I already told you: guys don't talk to guys-"

"Don't even say it", she sighed.

""Remember last time you wanted me to talk to him? He left us!"

"He came back!"

"He still-"

"And you think yelling at him is better?"

"That's not what I said!"

"Then what did you say?" By now the two mammoths had stopped, standing face to face.

"I already told you; I'm afraid of losing another family!"

"Which gives you the right to-"

"That's not what I-"

"STOP saying that!" she yelled. "And you're going to apologize, or-"

"FINE, I'll do it!" he barked.

"Umm… Am I interrupting something?" came a voice. The mammoths whirled around. Diego stood on a rock above them, staring at them with a raised eyebrow.

"D-Diego", Manny stuttered. "Oh, no no, we just-"

Don't worry about that", Ellie said with her normal warm, gentle voice. "Was it something you wanted?"

Diego shrugged. "I just found a safe shelter. I guess everyone need some sleep. Besides of them, of course", he added, tilting his head to the sleeping figures. "I hope you don't mind, but it's a cave again-"

"That sounds great", Ellie answered with a smile.

"Then follow me", Diego jumped down, and walked in front of them again.

Ellie leaned closer to Manny when she walked past him "You better apologize soon", she whispered. Manny groaned. Why do I let myself be talked into this?

…Seems like everyone have some "emotional-breakdown"…

Err, yeah, they reeeally have some kind of "emotional-breakdown", Manny... Poor guys...

Well, rewiews are- hold on a sec, am I supposed to tell ya' that I love rewiews every single time? I think you get that...