Um, just a quick authors note before I begin. I have a beta... BUT I can't remember who it is! I'm such an idiot... I can't remember their name. If you are my beta and you are reading this LET ME KNOW. Thank you.

Disclaimer: Do I really need to do this?

Chapter 12: Endurance

Jen told the other to about what Wish had told her. It upset them to know that he was weakening. But it also encouraged them to go faster than ever before.

Jen and Antauri seemed to have limitless energy. Mandarin, how ever, became tiered rather quickly. Jen took notice and stopped. She crouched, giving him her back. "Climb on. I'll carry you."

Mandarin complied. He pressed his chest against her warm back. He wrapped his arms loosely about her neck. Jen took hold of his legs and stood up. Hesitantly Mandarin rested his head against hers and wrapped his tail around her waist.

Antauri was watching from a few feet ahead of them. He was patient, knowing that his brother never did have much stamina. But he had expected Jen to be the same. She was, after all, just a child. He stiffened suddenly and strained his ears. He could have sworn he heard Chiro calling to him.

Jen ran up to the black monkey. "Okay, all set to go." She announced and they started off again. They were on a mission. A mission to save someone dear to them. This wasn't one of those movies or books where the ill child gets better miraculously in no time. This was a real living, human, child they were dealing with.

As they traveled along they came across a stream. They stopped beside it for a short break. They drank their fill from the crystal clear water and ate plants that Jen had pointed out as edible.

Jen took out the map and studied it while the other two rested. She confirmed that they were heading in the right direction to the mountain. Upon further studying she determined the distance to that mountain.

"That's Long Mountain over there." Jen pointed to a tall mountain to the east. "According to the map we are approximately 3 miles away. We should get there in a little over a half hour if we continue at our pace."

Mandarin raised an invisible eyebrow at her. He crossed his arms over his chest. His ruby eyes watched her inquiringly.

"What?" Jen demanded

" 'According?' 'Approximately?' Since when did you talk like that? You actually sound smart." He teased.

"I'm smart," she returned defiantly. "I just don't like to let on that I'm smart. Did you notice people don't hound me for information? It's because they don't think I'm intelligent. Besides you have to be intelligent to read a holographic map."

She stood and stretched her stiff muscles. "We're wasting time, let's go." The other two got to their feet and stretched themselves. Jen turned her back to Mandarin and crouched. He immediately climbed on and the girl stood. They started off again in the direction of the mountain.

When they reached the mountain's base Jen groaned. It was tall and covered by forests. Jen forced herself not to complain. They had to get to the top. The trio began their long climb up the mountain.

By nightfall they found a nice flat spot that was covered with grass and surrounded by trees and underbrush. It was perfect for a resting place. It was sheltered and would be more comfortable then the rocky mountainside they had been climbing.

When Mandarin had climbed off her back, Jen aloud herself to collapse upon the ground. Her legs throbbed from the climb and she had a feeling it would be worse tomorrow. Though she was surprised she had held out as long as she had.

The group ate and drank some of the water and plants Jen had saved from their stop at the stream. Jen curled up in a ball almost right after she had finished her "meal." She yawned and shivered slightly at the slight chill of the night.

Mandarin wiggled into the girl's arms and snuggled against her. Jen pulled him tighter to herself, grateful for his warmth. Antauri soon joined them, snuggling himself up against her back. Jen relaxed and was glad for the warmth they provided before slipping of to sleep.

Not long after Mandarin followed suite. Only Antauri remained awake. He was alert, listening to the sounds around him. After a few minutes he surrendered to the much-needed sleep, not noticing the pair of eyes watching the trio.

Dream

Jennifer slowly opened her eyes. Where was she? What was she? Who was she? Why couldn't she remember anything? What was going on?

She looked around, taking in her surroundings. She was in a glass tube of sorts. Beyond the glass that confined her was a room filled with machines. Thick cables attached the bottom of her tube to those machines. They were monitoring her, keeping close tabs on her status.

Upon further observation she noted that the room was a gray color. In fact the walls, ceiling, floor, and walls were all made of metal. As she continued to survey the room a man and a woman caught her eye. They were smiling in at her.

The man had dark hair, almost black, with dark brown eyes. He wore a navy blue T-shirt and jean pants. In one hand was what looked like a violet covered book. The woman on the other hand had light brown hair that was cropped to chin length. Her eyes were an emerald green. She wore a pair of jeans and a light blue shirt. In her arms was a pink bundle.

The man reached out and pressed a button on the closest machine. There was a hissing sound and some of the glass shifted to the side of the tube, forming a door. Jennifer stepped out hesitantly, he violet robes fluttered about her ankles.

Jennifer's curiosity got the best of her and she cautiously approached the other female. She stood on her toes and tried to peer into the pink bundle. The woman chuckled and tilted the bundle so Jennifer could see. Inside was a small baby.

The baby's eyes were blue and the hair was a dark blonde. "Her name is Jessica." The woman said in a gentle tone, almost as though she were talking to a 2-year-old.

"Jessica…?" Jennifer repeated slowly.

"Yes hat's right. What's your name?"

Jennifer looked away from the baby to look into the woman's eyes. She paused a moment before responding. "Jennifer." That was all she could remember. Other then her name her mind was blank.

"Jennifer? That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you."

"Do you want to come with us Jennifer?" the man asked and she looked at him. "We could be your parents."

"Parents?" Jennifer tilted her head in confusion.

"Yes, people who take care of you and love you. Would you like that?"

Jennifer nodded. "Yes that would be…nice."

"I'm to be called "Mom" and he is to be called "Dad." Do you understand?" the woman asked.

"Yes."

"Let's go home. It'll be odd for a while. You won't age for the next 14yrs according to the notes left by the Alchemist. But that doesn't matter." Together they left the room.

End Dream

I finished another chapter! I'll try to put chap. 13 up sometime this week.

Reply Reviews:

love-writer: I've update!

Chiro4eva: I'm glad you like it. I've updated ASAP

shamaru1: Yeah, I know. It pulled at my heart too. It was hard to write chap 10. It was harder to write chap 17. Yeah I'm writing ahead. I'm so far on chapter 19. I have too much free time.

princess moon shadow: I'm glad you like it!

4Evermonkeyfan: Thanks. I didn't realize it take someone brave to write about death. I guess I've read so many books and stories with it I didn't think about it. But I'll admit it was hard to write about our favorite little monkey boy dying. And of course Wish is on his side. She's loyal to her friends whether they're in need or not.

purplewriter22: I'm glad you tought this was good. Don't feel bad. Pretty much everyone told me they felt for Chiro. You'll have to wait and see what happens in the end though!

spdgirl: I'm glad you thought the chapter was okay. I like to hear that from my readers.

Crystal Persian: I'm happy knowing that you liked the chapter. And if you recal our deal earlier you know what'll happen.