I wish this site had an edit button for already published stuff. I'm one of those people who, after submitting something, goes back and edits like, 5 or 10 more times LOL. Ithe last chapter, I think "uncooperative" describes Flippy more than defiant. :s

Feedback/comments/help appreciated as usual ^^ Sorry for the wait D: and if I have lapses in updating in the future; school is pretty busy and sometimes I don't feel like writing haha XD And thanks if you're still reading and made reviews :D

Huff… huff… huff…

Flaky was running, trees whipping past her. Her heart was pumping wildly, and she could barely see in the darkening light of the cool, waning afternoon. Branches were smacking every part of her body, which was still in her earlier outfit, but she could barely feel the stinging. And her bare feet were stumbling over the ground covered by broken twigs and sometimes things that shouldn't be in a forest – worn stuffed toys that looked vaguely familiar, dirty old photos…

She didn't know why she was running so urgently. When she tried to remember anything, her memories felt hazy. But whatever it was, Flaky seemed set on running full speed, whether it was something she was running towards… or running from. After what seemed like hours, a light was visible at the horizon. Her heart filled with relief, and the light flooded her vision. When her eyes adjusted, she saw a vague figure in a clearing. Flaky started towards it, slowing down, but then the light blinded her again until she could see nothing but pure white.

Flaky sat up in surprise, shading her eyes from the morning light shining into her room. For a while she just sat there, struggling to remember and piece together the events of her dream. What was that all about? It felt so real, she pondered, as she stretched her arms, yawning as she got out of bed and brushed her teeth in the bathroom. Then she changed out of her pajamas into a casual scarlet sweater and blue skirt. She peeked downstairs at her couch, and there was Flippy, now sitting and fiddling with his dog tags.

"Good morning," she greeted, waving at Flippy.

He glanced up. "Morning."

"I guess we should get the car to the repairs," Flaky mused, walking to the phone. Then she paused before her hand touched a button. "Oh, wait! Did you have any luggage?"

"Yeah, some. I'm feeling a little better now, but not enough to stand."

"I'll get it. Sorry about that," she said hurriedly, dashing outside. The black car was a sorry sight, now that she could see it clearly in the light. Flaky went over to the rear and tried pulling the trunk door open with no success. After a few more attempts and panting, she looked back at the house to see Flippy smirking and holding his keys up. She went back to the house, flushed, and snatched them. When Flaky got the trunk open she saw only a large, dark green suitcase. It was heavy, and standing up it was as tall as her waist, but with effort Flaky lugged it back to the house. With an exhale, she gently dropped it in front of Flippy.

"Thanks, Flakes," he said, and she nodded, still flushed. Then she went to the phone, calling the car repairs. Out of the corner of her eye, Flaky noticed Flippy opening the suit case and pulling out a small cylinder. A pill bottle? He shook a couple pills into his mouth and put the bottle back. Flaky hung up and turned back to Flippy. "Now we wait."

Flaky made some breakfast for them as they waited. She dropped eggs and bacon into a sizzling pan, and tossed bread into the toaster. The two ate and watched from the couch as a truck, driven by a familiar blue haired man, carried away the car. Flippy sighed. "Maybe I should just get a new car.

"Don't worry, it'll only take about a week," Flaky said, between bites of toast. "As I said, it's perfectly fine with me for you to stay here as long as you need." She tried to smile reassuringly, but Flippy continued to eat quietly, saying nothing. Flaky quickly went back to her toast, face burning a little. When they finished, they both awkwardly sat on the couch for a while. Then Flaky sat up suddenly. "I almost forgot! The others want to see you," she said, getting up brightly and smoothing her skirt out. "I'm not sure if Giggles was going to come here, or-"

The doorbell rang, and Flaky jumped in surprise. "Never mind," she said, walking to the door next to the couch. Right when she opened it, a flash of pink appeared and suddenly Flaky was struggling to breathe.

"Flakyyy!" Giggles exclaimed while he squeezed her. Flaky could only choke in reply, dark spots starting to appear in her sight, and Giggles let go with a giggle. When her vision cleared, Flaky could make out some people behind her. She could see Cuddles, Petunia, Handy, and Toothy, craning their heads trying to find Flippy. "Sorry, we were gonna leave you guys alone for a bit longer, but I just couldn't wait to see you guys!"

"Oh, it's all right," Flaky said, laughing. It was getting awkward alone with Flippy, she added in her head. What's with him? "Come on in!"

Her friends walked, taking off their shoes, and as they came in, Flippy widened his eyes as he recognized them. Then they saw him as well, and soon there were greetings and chatter filling up the room. When they closed in around him, he put on a smile, but he seemed to shoot a look at Flaky that screamed, YOU DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS. Flaky shrugged sheepishly, as if to reply, I forgot, and Flippy had no choice but to turn his attention to everyone else. Flippy still looked aloof and cagey, but he seemed to be happy to see everyone, if not tired still. Flaky stood nearby, talking occasionally, but the focus was on Flippy, the friend they thought would never come back. She was just happy they all could meet and be together again.

Flaky got out a plate of snacks, filled with cookies and crackers, and some packs of soda. They all gathered and settled in her living room, still chatting.

"Ooh, so what about your experiences in the war, Flippy?" Petunia asked, sipping her Coke. She was looking clean and prim as usual, her electric blue hair with light highlights tied in a pony tail.

"Uh huh, we'd love to know, if it's all right with you!" Giggles added. Her short hair bobbed slightly. "I bet you have some interesting stories to tell."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that…" Flippy said, his brow furrowing and his eyes hard to read, as Flaky guessed he was remembering the past. "But it's all right." He shifted in his seat on the couch, which he still couldn't get up from, and took a deep breath. Everyone seemed to lean forward, listening intently now, silent.

"It was… bloody, to say the least. I've watched children and my fellow soldiers die before my eyes. Sometimes I could hear them in my sleep. …I suppose I still do. Once, we had to set fire to a whole village because too risky to let the enemy escape. Of course, it was impossible to guarantee the safety of the innocent living there. But it was necessary, no? A few lives to save the rest." He continued to sit there, lost in his thoughts, a faint smirk on his face. The others were still quiet.

Flaky was thinking over his words, realization dawning of the magnitude of what Flippy faced. Flippy, alone from his friends, watching so much destruction and dying. And she thought she had it bad, sulking every day after he left. She suddenly was ashamed of her selfishness, compared to what Flippy experienced.

"You must have been so strong, Flippy," Flaky finally whispered, breaking the silence. Flippy turned and fixed his eyes on hers in slight surprise and wondering.

"Yeah, I don't think any of us could have done that," Cuddles said, looking thoughtful too in his yellow sweatshirt. The others nodded.

Flippy smiled more genuinely. "Thanks, guys."

The chatter slowly filled the room again, and soon everyone was cheerful again; but Flaky didn't think Flippy's words had dissolved completely from the air.