Falling Away

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Author's Note: Mmm…that's a good point, gangsta. 8D Anyone like my new name? I thought of it in my math class today (yeah, that's what I do in math class. Daydream and doodle. Oh, and write. Can you believe that I always, without fail, get my best ideas in that notebook? Poor thing is a third filled because I ripped out the pages that weren't math related…) and I figured it stuck. 8D By the way, to any loving fans (…who am I even kidding?) go to my profile and read it. There's a tidbit at the end that applies to you guys. Maybe.
ANYWAYS, enjoy the new chapter!

~x~

Chapter Three: Meeting Elie, Part III

"Let?"

"What, Julia?"

"Are you sure…about this?"

"I am."

"What if he finds us?"

"If he does, then I'll kill him. He'll never touch you again."

Silence.

"Let?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Those soft words were spoken quietly into the night, by two young adults on a small ship that was currently heading south of the Song continent mainland. Unlike the others on board, the two were huddled together in the lowest level of the ship, sitting in the dark, unable to see. It was not the best of conditions, but they would have gladly taken this over the alternative.

Let and Julia, a couple that would be attending college online away from the noise in the city, had been on the boat for three days now, talking rarely and not eating. It was, oddly enough, by choice that the two were enduring this.

Though neither of them would say the words out loud, they were escaping. Escaping from the world they had been born in and into a world filled with humans and other oddly smelling life. Let said that they were fugitives for lack of a better word, though that was not entirely true. They had been framed for a crime that had nearly cost them their lives.

"Let…Julia? Are you there?" a voice said suddenly, cutting through the dark. Let tensed, tightening his hold on Julia slightly. "We're nearing Garage. I'm leaving a bag in the doorway for you both – it has enough money for a small apartment and a couple days worth of clothes until you can get jobs. Your laptops are also set up, and I've left cards with your account to get onto the college site in there."

Footsteps, and then the speaker was gone. Julia sighed in relief, pulling free of Let's arms. "We owe him a great deal, Let," she said, standing up shakily. Let watched her carefully, unsure if he could stand up himself – it had been three days, after all. "Serbia and Anis…it's a shame that they had to leave Makai to come help us."

"It was their decision. When they return to Makai, they will simply claim that we forced them to help, and will only receive minimum punishment," he said hoarsely, standing slowly. In the dark, Julia groped around, trying to get a feel of where they were.

Several minutes passed, and a red light appeared on the wall, followed by another one, and another, until the room was filled with dim red light. Both of them shielded their eyes automatically, the light being the first they had seen. "It must be to help us get ready for the light out there," Julia said, opening her eyes slowly. "The lights are going to get gradually brighter, until it'll just be waking up and being blinded."

Let nodded, walking forward and wrapping his arms around his beloved. "Relax. We're safe now," he whispered in her ear, flinching as the lights suddenly got brighter. "Are you ever not right?" he asked, chuckling.

"Of course not. One of us has to call the shots," she replied, smirking. Let felt his heart swell at that smirk – it was one he had not been able to see lately. "God, I missed being able to see," she complained, laughing again.

The two stood in silence for a few moments longer, basking in the ability to see. "We're getting nearer," Let said suddenly, straightening up. The light brightened again, but both of their eyes were already adjusted enough for this to not be much a problem. Julia glanced to the door, nodding. "Whatever happens, it's in our hands."

"Damn right," she muttered, turning to him and grabbing his hand. "Ready to live among the humans?"

Let scowled, squeezing her hand gently. "Not at all. But, if it is what must be done, I shall do it," he said seriously, sighing. Julia smiled, and led him out, grabbing the bag. "Maybe I won't even talk to any humans…"

Julia laughed, pausing as she went to open the door. "Good thing we aren't in actual classes then," she said softly, opening the door. Bright light filled their eyes, and they turned away. "We're safe now, Let. The Makai people won't find us." She said it, but she wasn't sure. The crime they were accused of was definitely worth coming out to find them, even in the human world.

As they left the little cabin, both turned and looked at the captain and the sole crew member – Anis and Serbia. The two bowed deeply, stuttering out a thank you. The two simply laughed, telling them not to worry. "Let, Julia," Anis said confidently, "the four of us have been friends since we were little. The Makai people won't find you here, honest."

"Honestly, Let, lighten up. This is your new life, so make the best of it," Serbia said cheerfully. The other two smiled, rising. "Here's the address for your new house. Town is small, so you should be able to find your way fairly fast."

The two bowed once more, departing the boat. "Anis…Serbia…" Let said, half-turned, "if there is ever anything the two of you need, please…contact us." Without another word, the two were stepping down to the beach, leaving their oldest friends behind him.

Even the beach was small and quiet – only three other people were in sight. They seemed to be teenagers, maybe just entering high school. Let only glanced at them for a second before turning and beginning to head to the road leading to town. "Hey, Let…one of those kids is coming over," Julia whispered, grabbing his arm to stop him.

"Hiya," a young girl said. Both turned to stare down at her, unaware of how gaunt they looked. The girl, however, did notice this. "Wow, you guys look you could use a good meal. Ha, maybe you should go see Gemma-san!"

The two were silent. "Um…hi," Julia finally said, "We could use a good meal, yes. Where is this…Gemma, exactly?" she asked, smiling down at her. The girl considered, running a hand through her rather long bronze-brown hair.

Suddenly, the girl laughed, shrugging. "I dunno. Haru and Musica do, though. They go there all the time!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands behind her back. Next to her, Julia could feel Let's distaste, though he stayed silent. "Stay here, OK? I'll go and get them."

Before they could stop her, she had ran off to the other two people she had been with, pointing to them and speaking. "She's eccentric, isn't she?" Julia whispered, smiling. Let scoffed, staying silent with his arms crossed against his chest. "Jesus, relax. It's a little girl, you could definitely take her if she tried to attack us."

The three teenagers appeared again, the other two standing next to the girl rather protectively. The one on the right had messy white hair, and light purple eyes narrowed in determination while the one of the left had long black hair and three piercings. "You guys are looking for Gemma?" the silver haired one said when they were close. The girl nodded, laughing.

"Not exactly, Haru. They look hungry, and Gemma can make some really good food you said!" she explained cheerfully. The silver haired one – Haru – sighed, and scratched the back of his head. Noticing this, the girl crossed her arms against her chest and turned to stare at me. "I'm just saying what you said!"

The other one chuckled. "Elie," he said in amusement, "Gemma makes drinks. Damn good drinks, but a drink definitely won't fill these two up." Elie blinked, staring at Let and Julia. The two had remained still in their shock, and Julia could practically feel herself start to like these two, though Let seemed to be remaining persistent in his dislike.

"Oh, really? Hmm…" she said, tapping her lip as she tried to decide, "Oh, I know! You could come back to Haru's house with us! His older sister Cattleya is one of the best chefs on the whole island!"

Haru sighed loudly, shaking his head. "Can you get anything right? Cattleya can't cook to save her life! What you two want," he said turning to them, "is stop by the grocery store. The restaraunts are good and all, but just buying groceries is a lot cheaper."

"I'm sorry, but who are you kids?" Let asked suddenly, his eyes narrowed. Julia smirked, placing her hands on her rather dirty hips. Screw the food, she needed a shower.

Elie giggled. "Well, I'm Elie, and this guy here is Haru," she said, pointing. "He just turned fifteen, but I still have to wait until January. That means we're starting high school finally!" Haru nodded with a grin. "And this guy is Musica," she said, pointing to the other one, "he's almost eighteen and he's going into his third year."

The two older ones exchanged a look – far too young. "I'm Julia, and this is Let. We're starting our first year at college this August," she introduced cheerfully. Let nodded stiffly next to her, and the three others grinned.

"Wanna go get some food together?" Elie asked happily, already turning to leave. The two boys stared at her in surprise, not moving. Realizing that no one was following her, Elie turned and frowned at them all. "Come on guys! All the good places are gonna start getting all busy, so it'll take too long for these two to get a decent meal!"

Let and Julia were touched. This little girl – she was only fourteen! – cared enough to treat them to the first meal they had had in three long days. The two boys sighed, and turned to follow her. "We can pay for our own meal," Let said, slowly following. Julia nodded, patting the bag.

Obviously, Elie wasn't having that. "Save it for another day. Think of this as our welcome to Garage Island present, OK?!" she said, smiling cheerfully and rushing away. The two made to protest again, but Musica shook his head.

"What Elie says, Elie does. No changing that," he said under his breath, following her. The other three sighed, following them as well.

* * *

The meal was long, though it was mostly Julia and Let that ate. The other three sat with them, talking happily and even including the other two in the conversation. "If there aren't any colleges here, how are you guys going?" Haru asked curiously after a bit, leaning his elbow on the table.

"Online courses," they answered in unison, sucking down their third drink. Elie had fallen strangely quiet, and they wondered if she was worried about her money supply. "Elie," Let said softly, "we can really pay for our own food."

The little girl looked up as if she had been ripped from a trance. "Huh? Oh…oh, no, it's fine. I have enough," she said, smiling. An awkward silence fell over the five, and Elie sat there and stirred the ice-cubes in her drink. Musica and Haru exchanged a look, as did Let and Julia. All four of them were silently demanding that the one they were looking at ask her what was wrong.

"If you don't mind me asking," Julia finally said, breaking the silence tactfully, "is there anything bothering you, Elie? You look troubled," she asked, putting her drink down. Let did the same, looking at her patiently.

Elie looked between Let and Julia, as if she was trying to figure out what to say. "My foster Mom is sick," she explained, shrugging. "And the agency is running out good families to stick me with." Haru and Musica looked down, as if they had known this was coming. Looking up, Elie smiled again at their confusion. "I've only been with her for a couple months, but I really like her."

"How many families have you been with?" Julia asked before she could decide whether or not that question was sensitive. Elie, however, laughed, shrugging. The older woman's eyes flickered to Haru, who had turned away. His eyes were only seen for a second before his head was down, but Julia was positive that this was not a subject he enjoyed visiting.

Elie shrugging again, ticking off her fingers, "By the time I got here when I was six, I had been to…twelve families and a foster home. When I met Musica when I was eleven, I had gone through another twelve. So, that's twenty four different families and one foster home already. It's been three years since then, and another…seven families. Thirty one families and one foster home, to date," she said. Her voice was light and casual, but her eyes betrayed her – they had tightened with the effort of not crying.

Let and Julia were stunned. "Only five of the families Elie's lived with on the island were actual residents before adopting her, though. The other fourteen were asked to come in and live with her instead," Musica added softly, leaning forward.

"How…how can you be…?" Let tried to ask, his voice closing in on him. Julia tried to ask the same question, but found she was unable to ask it. Guessing, Elie smiled cheerfully, the look in her eyes vanished. Let and Julia had been run from their country, but at least they had lived with one family their entire life. In her short fourteen and a half years, Elie had lived in thirty two homes. Thirty two!

"Because I don't need parents! I realized that when I was really little. As long as I have Musica and Haru, I can be happy," she explained, laughing. Let stared, his mouth open slightly. Haru looked up then, that determined look in his eyes again.

Let stared at Haru, trying to decipher his expression. "And if the two of you stick around, that'll make five!" he exclaimed, laughing. Elie and Musica nodded cheerfully, all seriousness lost.
"We…we'd love to be around you three," Let mumbled, squeezing Julia's hand under the table. The three silenced, staring at them.

Julia smiled, nodding. "Definitely energetic enough for me," she proclaimed, smirking. The three smiled widely at one another, chatting happily. Let did not speak, but Julia could feel his new resolve – he would make sure that these three had something to smile about. He'd never let that look return to Haru's eyes, or tears return – as they had obviously had been there numerous times – onto Elie's cheeks.

They'd make sure of that.

~x~

Author's Note: I'm horrible. xD I wonder if Elie knows that she's my favorite character in the series, and that I do all of this out of love…er, probably not. OH, and what Julia and Let got accused of will be revealed LATER. When Jegan appears. Mwuhahaha. Again, this chapter is longer than I wanted, but it's fine. Just preparing you guys for the next chapters, will be much longer. Love, love. By the way, this is the last 'Meeting Elie, Part X' chapter for a while. Thanks for reading~