TAoP Chapter 24

Regrets and Explanations

The sun glared in Penny's eyes, demanding her to wake up. She groaned and shifted on the branch when she felt someone close to her. She slowly grabbed her dagger and then sprang quickly into action. But it was only Tarzan, who grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Oh!" Penny cried in surprise. She put her dagger away as the memories of yesterday came flooding back.

"Everyone looking for you. Good thing I did," he said as Penny stretched.

"Why? So they can all yell at me again?"

"But they friends. They worry."

"Yea, well, Jayden should've thought of that before he went all crazy on me."

"Do you really think that? Aren't you being a bit harsh?" A female voice asked.

Penny looked down, already guessing who it was. A lady wearing a light yellow shirt with a faded green skirt climbed up to sit with them. She had a slight accent and straight brown hair.

"Jane." Tarzan introduced as Penny flinched at the power.

"Ah, Tarzan, why don't you go back and let the boys know we found her," Jane sat next to Penny.

"Alright, but don't take too long." He swung away on some vines.

They sat in silence as Penny put her beads and necklace back on. As soon as she did, all the Heart's feelings and thoughts flooded in, making her head hurt. She also let Midnight back in her head but he hasn't said anything.

"So do you want to talk about it for just continue sitting her in silence?" Jane asked.

"Sorry, but not really," Penny answered as she pulled her knees to her chest, staring at the horizon.

"Alright, your friends explained to me about the Hearts. I believe you're supposed to give me something."

"Okay." Penny reached into her pouch and grabbed the beads. "You're supposed to put some of yourself into this so that we can always be connected. And I give you one, so you should wear it as a necklace or something like that." She handed one bead over to Jane. Once again she was tying another bead into her hair. My head will be so colorful by the time I meet them all.

"Thank you. I shall have to find some string to put this on. Now I'm sure you are hungry, why don't we go back to the campsite to grab something and see everyone?"

Penny thought for awhile and sighed, "Okay, but if Jay starts yelling again, I'm leaving."

The campsite was just as Penny last saw it, only Illiana was back. Penny ran over to her as Midnight ran to her and tackled her to the ground.

There you are! He started licking her face.

She laughed, Yes, I'm fine! Sorry to worry you! It won't happen again. I promise. I had Star with me so I was safe.

I think Jayden feels really bad. I heard him explain everything to Max.

I hope so…

Midnight finally let Penny up when Illiana came over.

"Penny, I have to apologize to you," she said.

"Why? You didn't do anything wrong," Penny sat up as Jane brought some fruit over. "Thanks!" She took a huge bite of a random fruit.

"There are some things I have to explain to you. After we eat, Jane is taking us to a place where we can bathe. I will explain everything then."

"Okay, if you say so." The boys came out of the tent and spotted the girls.

"Glad that Tarzan found ya, Penny!" Max ruffled her hair and stole her food.

"Oi! That's mine! Get your own!" She snatched it back and licked it all around.

"Ewwww! Penny that's gross!"

"Then don't touch."

"Penny…" Jayden began, "I just want to say, sorry for the way I acted. It was stupid of me. So still friends?" He put his hand out for a handshake.

Penny looked at it, "Nay, not friends." Jayden looked shocked. "We're family. You guys are my brothers and sister! Much like the Lost Boys."

"Thanks, Pen," He also ruffled her hair, "Right, down to business. Max, if you please."

"Got it. So there are no messages for us here, but we have visited lots of worlds already. So my suggestion would be to visit a couple of worlds before we head home and refresh ourselves," Max proposed.

"Home! How I miss it!" Illiana stretched.

Penny raised her hand with a look of confusion.

"Yes, Penny?" Max looked at her.

"When you say home, do you mean Fantasia?"

"It's your home too. Think about what Minnie would say if you didn't come back."

"Oh…right." She looked disappointed.

They are right. It is your home too. Midnight said, putting his head on her lap.

I know that. But I just wanted to see Peter and to explain everything to him. Let him know I'm okay.

Jane watched them as they discussed their plans, until she interrupted them, "Why don't you boys go do whatever you need to do while I take the girls to a bath. When we are done, you are welcome to take one too."

"Good idea, Jane. We'll collect more food," Jayden said.

"Fantastic! Follow me girls." Jane led them down a path that seemed less traveled than the others. Penny, Midnight, and Illiana followed closely so they wouldn't get lost. The girl watched the birds fly around, collecting twigs and such for their nests. They were chatting about a big storm that was coming soon.

Penny listened and finally brought it up, "The birds keep talking about a huge storm that is coming."

"Really?" Jane looked up at the sky. "Well, I'll take your word for it. We should move quickly then."

Few minutes more and they stumbled up a small little pond, perfect for baths. There were even some big rocks to sit on in the water. Midnight had already jumped into the water, too impatient for the girls. He had managed to splash them all as he jumped.

"Ahh! Midnight!" Illiana yelled as her clothes were getting soaked.

Penn laughed and was about to jump in with him when Illiana grabbed her.

"Wait! Take off your clothes."

"Ehhh? But I'm not taking a bath!" Penny struggled out of her hold but couldn't.

"Oh yes you are! You need to take one."

"No!" Penny took off her shirt and managed to escape Illiana's grasp. She turned around with a wicked grin and with a wave of her right hand, she splashed Illiana again.

"Ergh! Penny, that's cold!"

"Hahaha! You can't get me!" she taunted as Jane snuck up and pushed her into the water. "Yikes that is cold!" Penny stuck her left hand in and started to heat up the water for the other girls. Once it was the right temperature, the others got in and started to chat. Illiana got soap out from her bag and started to wash her hair. Penny noticed her hair only went a little bit past her shoulders. After listening to them talk, she grew bored and decided to watch the fish swim past her underwater. But somebody grabbed her.

"What now?" she sputtered water out of her mouth and glared at Illiana.

"I have to wash your hair. And explain what is going on."

"Fine." Penny sat in front of her and waited impatiently to be done. They never took baths in Neverland.

"My, she is a lively one, isn't she?" Jane observed as Illiana washed.

"You have no idea." Illiana took her time lathering the soap into the short hair as she collected her thoughts. "Penny, have you ever heard of love?"

"It's when a man has feelings for a woman, right?" she wrinkled her nose at the thought.

"Er…right, kinda. Where did you learn that?"

"Jasmine tried to explain, but couldn't really do it."

"Right, well, let's just say that me and Jayden have liked each other for a long time, but haven't really…ummm talked about it."

"Why?" Penny started to make bubbles, not really paying attention.

"Well, it's because this mission demands so much attention that we don't have much time to talk."

"So what?"

"Jayden just gets impatient. So don't mind him if he's in one of his moods. It's just how he is."

"Okay, no problem!" Penny ducked underwater to get rid of the soap in her hair as the rain came down.

"Ahh, of course it would start to come down now," Jane complained, "And you handled that well."

"Yea, but I think Penny didn't really understand it because she never has felt it." Illiana got out, but couldn't find her towel. "Curses! Penny a little help."

"What can I do?" Penny got out of the water and stood there.

"First cover up! Nobody wants to see you in your….umm chest cloth."

"You didn't mind before!"

"But what if someone comes? Then can you use your heat to dry the water?"

"I can try." Penny walked over to her, while grabbing her shirt from the ground. She waved her left hand around Illiana while imagining hot air blowing. In a few seconds, Illiana was completely dry. Until the rain came down harder.

"Wow! Much faster than a hair dryer. Can you do something about this rain?"

"What am I? Your magic servant?"

"Do you want the practice or not?"

Penny grumbled as she created a giant bubble around them. The water rolled down the sides and the girls were dry.

"Well done. Can you dry me next?" Jane asked. Penny did her too as Midnight came in the bubble and shook himself dry.

"Midnight! Not in here!" Illiana yelled.

Oops! Sorry.

Penny laughed as something rustled in the bushes behind them, "What was that?" Jane asked.

"I dunno, but you better stay behind me," Penny pushed Jane behind her and was about to grab her sword when something tackled her.