A/N- So peoples! Who likes the wait? My good friend finally convinced me to get off my lazy ass and start writing again. Even so, it took days… So, as a fellow reviewer (Savannah Silverstone) told me, I'll go get rid of a few confusions. Hopefully.

First, this was a joint account. Until my other friend forgot about it, and my other-other friend doesn't feel like writing. So, it's currently mine. :D

Second, I have a real friend named Gilan. Too good a chance to miss, so I'll keep him there as a normal, not universe-traveling human. My cat is named Yarrow. XD

Also… betas have something to do with the DocX thing, right? I have a volunteer, but honestly don't have any idea what we're supposed to do. –is shot- So… yeah. Oh! I don't owe Ranger's Apprentice. Otherwise, this won't be a fanfiction. Sorry for long author's note.

Neigh…

Hmmmnnn…

Snort…

What's with the noise…? Upon thinking this, I sat up. I was awake now, and I didn't see a point in lying there any longer. It's not as if I were to go back asleep, now that my curiosity's aroused. Looking though the gap between the windows, I judged that it was still dark. A quick look to the clock confirmed it.

2:37?! I've never heard horses this early! Sure, there's an open field nearby, but it's not close enough to hear things going on, though I've heard the people riding the horses there. But two in the morning?! Who wakes up this early?

You, apparently.

I swung a look around the room. I saw Shannon's dog. I glared at it, searching for its name. It seems as if I forgot to leave it outside. Ah! I remember! The shiba was called Yarrow! Well, I continued glaring at her.

Done looking?

I gave a little start of surprise. It was the dog, after all. Already, I was wondering how Shannon managed to live with this beast. Sometimes, I'm glad me only pets are the calm, patient koi in the pond outside. They never talked rudely to you when you are the one who feeds them. That is, if they ever talk at all. I drew a breath to answer, but was cut off by Yarrow.

If you're awake, might as well take me outside. And a FYI, I am potty trained. That's why you bed's still dry and cozy.

I sighed. Although it's just a dog, it seems to deem itself in charge of my life. Hope it's wrong. I definitely hope it's wrong.

Pushing the blankets off, I yelped a little. It was surprisingly cold outside the blankets. Reluctantly, I pulled myself out of the comforting heap of soft, fluffy, cloth. Well, cloth covering the blanket.

It seems my eyes were already used to the darkness, as I manage to find some socks without cracking my head against the wall. I was grateful for that. I slowly closed the drawer, wincing at the slow, high-pitched squeaking of the runway thingy. Then I dug through the closet, and found a reasonably thick-ish jacket. I pulled it over my pajamas.

All the while, I couldn't help wondering about the horse. Maybe the owner decided that they should go early? (Very early)And then the horse might have got a pebble stuck in the shoe or something, resulting in them having to stop in front of what happened to be my house. Yes, that was semi-logical. More so than someone purposely making noises to annoy me.

I lead Yarrow down the stairs, sneaking past the master bedroom. Sadly, there were no carpets in the hallway. The dog's nails clicked on the cold, wooden floor. Upon reaching the living room, I called it to a halt. She walked too fast. Coming level to her, I dragged her to the left.

I stood in front of the glass panel sliding door, eyes intent on the task of finding the right key. I slid it in, turned it, and heard a click.

"Come on, Yarrow," I said. She ran into the cold, chilly winter air. At least it's not snowing. Yet.

"GAHHH!" My head snapped up. I looked around in the lawn, but saw nothing. Then I swung my gaze to the left, and saw an orange bundle of fur, posed in a rather threatening position, growling at… a black and white dog. And even more to the left, there were two horses. And two bushes that I don't remember planting. Normally. I would've wondered at the current situation. But Shannon trusted me with Yarrow and I can't let her get hurt.

"Yarrow! Come back!" I commanded. Instantly, she darted back to my heels and sat down.

Looking meaningfully at the two suspicious bushes, I asked, "Who's there?"

No answer. "I see the newly placed bushes! If you don't want me to call the government for trespassing, show yourself!" I hope I sounded braver that I felt. I was quite sure that those people could hear the sound of my heart. Not sure if it's a good thing.

Finally, two figures rose from their crouched positions. A deep, gruff voice called out, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

I stared at them. Even when I knew where they were, they still seemed to be shimmering were they stood. Wherever they bought those cloak things, I need to get one. I bet Gilan's dad would be more than enthusiastic to get one. He was a more than an avid hunter, after all.

"I think it is I who should be asking the questions. After all, you are the ones who in my yard ion the night." I could see them share a glance. Then they answered.

"Halt Arratay and Will Barton."

I frowned a little at this. Are they serious? Feigning book characters? Surly they don't expect me to believe they're rangers. Araluen never even existed! Still, I didn't expect them to answer so quickly. The dog moved to stand by the two… humans. Seeing so, I made up my mind.

"Come Yarrow," I called, and she heeled back from where she was sharing greetings with the other dog.

"Stay out of trouble," I told the other two intruders. I stuck my head back in and closed the door.

"Isabel!" My mom called me awake. Thank god it was winter break. And there was still roughly two weeks left. After leaving the two men outside, I had went back inside and fell asleep again.

"What?" I answered, albeit groggily. Though I was sure I already knew the answer.

Yet again my mom's voice cut through the air. "Who are these people in the yard? And do they have… Horses?" She added the last sentence almost to herself. I sighed. The dog looked from where she had settled herself previously. She came up.

Can we play with the other dog?

I shrugged. How was I supposed to know? It seems as she took it for a yes, as she then padded to the door, nosing her way out through a crack. I sighed again. I reached to the socks I threw to the floor, putting on my jacket afterwards. I followed Yarrow.

When I reached the kitchen, it seems as my mother had invited the two self-proclaimed rangers inside. Probably having something to do with the fact that she was always friendly to visitors. If they could be called visitors, at least.

They were sitting at the table, nursing steaming cups of coffee. I didn't even know we had such amounts of coffee. There it was, in a big pot of brown liquid. Mom always said caffeine is bad for you. Whatever reason why, I don't know. But she didn't let me question it. Sneaker.

The two guests raised their heads at the sound of my feet shuffling through the floor.

"Ah, it's you." The younger one said. A mop of curly brown hair fell over his face. His companion had messy, salt-pepper gray hair, finally revealed from the cowl of his… cloak. Who wear's cloaks these days?

Down near the ground, it seems as if we got another visitor. Upon closer inspection, the dog was a female border collie, with multicolored eyes. Interesting.

"Where's the horses?" I asked.

My mom glanced at me, "They're still in the back."

I must admit that was glad to hear it. I can't imagine horses, no matter how small, inside our house. Even if they could fit. I think I need to call my friends over… Meh. I'll do that later. Right now, I had more pressing matters to worry about.

Breakfast.

"Mom," I asked, "Can I eat?" She nodded. I went over to the toaster and made myself a sandwich. Yarrow, it seemed, had already went with the other dog to who-knows-where.

I looked at the younger of the two.

"What's your dog's name?" I asked.

He tilted his head and answered. "Ebony. What's yours?"

He seemed nice enough, so I told him. "Yarrow. And she's my friend's,"

Right at the moment, the doorbell rang. Mom hurried to answer it. A minute or so later, Elizabeth burst into the room.

"Isabel! How could you not tell me?"

I stared at her. "What do you mean?" Now she walked over to the couch and dropped onto it. She was panting. Or just really excited. Looking back at the table, she pointed at the newcomers.

"Them," she said.

"Oh, I just found out two in the morning, letting the dog out. You were probably asleep. Now, I just woke up. So I take my mom told you?" I answered, a trifle amused. It wasn't everyday you see the calm, un-pester-able Elizabeth flushed in the cheeks. I gave her a glass of water. I've forgot how obsessed she was with Ranger's Apprentice.

Calm now, she looked at me.

"We've got to tell Gilan,"

A/N – Review, my lovely readers! XD Constructive criticism welcome. Cyber coffee if you do! I tried my best this time… I'll go fix the first chapter sometime. Later. Very later.