Yay! New chapter! This one actually has a bit of fluff in it (finally)!


Aria lied on the shore, her head resting on the sand as she watched the lapping waves. It had been quiet since she'd left the other two at the rocks. She was surprised that Sonata hadn't come after her, but honestly, she was glad she didn't.

After being alone for the past twenty minutes, what had happened before came flooding back to her. She winced. She had yelled at Sonata. Again. And for no reason. She had only been trying to help. Aria closed her eyes and let out a short whimper/sigh. She didn't know what happened. It's like…she hadn't been herself at that moment. Like something else had become temporarily dominant within her. She huffed in disbelief, considering how far-fetched and crazy it sounded. She thought back to what had happened. She had seen the dolphin. She had seen it. It was undeniable. Unquestionable! How could it have not been there?! She wouldn't yell at something that wasn't there! Maybe Sonata had made a mistake. Yeah, that had to be it! Aria was the most level-headed of the sirens. She'd be the last one to start seeing things.

Suddenly, Aria shuddered. She didn't know why, but a chill ran up her spine. It was a similar feeling to how she felt when she'd come face-to-face with her other self. She winced at the remembrance of 'other Aria's' voice in her head earlier when she'd been yelling. Then, as if on cue, the echoic voice returned.

"Soon…very soon…" It whispered again, causing another chill to rack Aria's body. She snarled. It was the same words it had spoken before. What does it want from me? Why can't it just leave me alone?! She thought that her encounter in her dream with the ghastly figure would be the last she'd see or hear of it. Why is it continuing to pester me?! It can't be real! It was just…a dream…right? How could I…possibly become that?! It can't be real! "Very soon, my dear…" Aria could no longer take the surprising amount of anger and confusion this whole situation was causing her, so she finally decided to question it.

"What do you want?" She growled. Laughter suddenly began echoing in her mind. Psychotic laughter. "Answer me, you wretched thing!" Aria snarled. The laughter died down after a bit, and the voice finally answered.

"What's wrong, Aria, dear?" It said mockingly. Aria narrowed her eyes.

"Why must you pester me so?!" She snarled. "Just go away and leave me alone!"

"But how can I leave you alone?" The voice echoed calmly. "I am you…" Aria shook her head rapidly.

"No, I am nothing like you, and I never will be! Just go away!"

"Oh, but I can't do that. You see, this is just too fun…" It whispered. "And just wait to see what I have in store for you…" Aria growled.

"Shut up!"

"And don't forget about poor, poor Sonata…"

"I said shut UP!" She snarled.

"A-ari?"

"Go away!"

"B-but…" Aria blinked, coming out of her rage as she noticed that this voice sounded sweeter and brought a warm feeling to her chest. Her head whipped around, and she gasped when she saw Sonata sitting there a few feet away, looking hurt and scared. Aria's eyes widened, and she immediately dashed over to her, bring her into an embrace of sorts. Sonata blinked in surprise at this sudden advance, but then fell into it, smiling as Aria nuzzled her. She nuzzled her back with a sigh of relief. "Oh, Aria…" She breathed, the relief obvious in her tone. She heard Aria sniffle, so she pushed herself further against her comfortingly.

"I'm sorry, Sonata…" Aria muttered after a bit. Sonata pulled from the embrace to look her in the eyes. She saw tears in them.

"About what?" She asked softly. Aria looked away.

"I yelled at you…when all you were trying to do was help…" She muttered, a couple tears falling onto her cheeks. She then looked up, looking at Sonata with pleading eyes. "I called you and Adagio sorry excuses for sirens. I was so awful. Can you forgive me?" Sonata smiled sweetly and tenderly licked the tears from Aria's face.

"Who says I haven't already…?" She whispered, rubbing her cheek against Aria's. The purple siren smiled and nuzzled her back, a small purr rumbling in her chest. After a bit, Sonata's smile disappeared as she remembered the display she'd witness when she first arrived. Aria had been yelling at nothing. Again. She became worried, and a small, unintentional whimper escaped her throat. Aria heard this and pulled back, looking at Sonata's face.

"Sonata? What's wrong?" She asked. The blue siren looked down with a sigh.

"You were doing it again…" She muttered. Aria gave her a confused look.

"What?" Sonata looked up at her sadly.

"Aria, you were talking to nothing, again. I-I'm sorry to bring it up again, but it's just r-really scaring me. I'm worried about you, Aria. I don't think you're okay…" She said. Aria looked away. She didn't even know what was going on, and it worried her, too. But she didn't want to lay her worries on Sonata. It wasn't her problem to deal with. She sighed.

"So, you do think I'm crazy, huh?" She asked, the slightest hint of playfulness in her tone. Sonata's eyes widened in both shock and worry.

"N-no! Not like that! I…I-I didn't mean…please don't fly away, again!" She stuttered, moving in closer to Aria. The purple siren gave Sonata a soft look before taking one of her forelegs and putting it around her neck, bring Sonata's head to rest on her chest. She rested her head on top of Sonata's with a sigh, smiling slightly.

"Don't worry, Dusky." She muttered. "I'm not going anywhere." Sonata buried her face into the crook of Aria's neck affectionately. "And don't worry about me. It's not your problem."

"But it's my job to worry about you, Ari. I love you." She said. "And I know you like doing things on your own, but you can also accept others' help, you know."

"I know, Sonata. But I'm serious. It's nothing you need to worry about. Really." Sonata sighed.

"Are you sure there's nothing I can do?" She asked. Aria looked to the side, trying to hide her fear and doubts.

"Yes, I'm sure…" She whispered, nuzzling Sonata lovingly. Sonata sighed unsurely before cuddling closer to Aria.

"Okay, Ari…only if you're sure…" She muttered.


Pig-headed Aria just can accept the fact that, sometimes, it's okay to accept other peoples' help.