(FANG POV)

I sighed. The wind felt good on my skin. I enjoyed flying, the carefree, stress-free feeling.

Except without Max, my joy had left my body.

I felt like a walking corpse. Dead. Lonely. Sure, I had the rest of the Flock, but will that even compare to Max? No.

We were heading North, based on my gut urging me to. The Flock's whole hope was based into me. How did Max handle this leader job? I know I am not cut out for it.

Nudge was blabbing away, as usual. I guess to fill up the silence that fell between us. "...I wonder where they took Max and Rose. Do they feed them? I don't know what I'd do if I was in Max's place. I'd probably go crazy. And what about Ari? What's up with him? He can't like, like like Max, you know? That's just wrong. Isn't Ari supposed to be Max's brother or something? Because I mean, like, wouldn't that be awkward for them? I'm not saying that there is a 'thing' between them, but I'm just saying that-"

I couldn't take it. I cut her off. "Nudge. Please. Shut the hell up."

She looked a little hurt, so I flew over to her and held her shoulder. "Its..just that I need time...and quiet to think. Okay?"

She looked a little better. She nodded and looked forward. I flew back to the front and rubbed my temples. Killer headache.

The Voice. That's why I had the headache.

'Where do you think Max is?'

'I don't know. Somewhere in this forest?'

'...Actually, yes. You're very close.'

I was stunned. The Voice gave me a straight answer! And there's no twist or anything to it,...right?

'No. No twist. But another headache when I leave. I only helped you out because Max still needs to save the world, you know.'

The Voice ebbed away, and I groaned when the pain shot throughout my head. Damn that stupid Voice. But...at least it gave me a hint or two.

"Guys, I think I know where Max is."

Just as I said that, a tiny, but warm blur ran into me. I cursed, but held it. What the hell was it?

Finally it came into focus. Rose had tear-stained cheeks and she pointed a small finger in a direction.

"Mommy," She whispered.

(MAX POV)

I slowly opened my eyes and gasped. Ari! He was carrying me piggy back style, which was uncomfortable, because he was doing it backwards. My legs were spread and wrapped around his waist, my head on his chest. His heart was beating rapidly. Again, was I doing that?

Okay, so how do I make my getaway? A kick in the crotch should buy me enough time, but how do I get him to let go of me?

I yawned and stretched, making my face only inches from his. I hated what I was about to do. Actually, I wanted to kill myself for it.

"Hi, Ari." I breathed, feigning innocence.

"Hmmm, you're awake." He was gruff. His mouth turned down at the corners of his mouth, with some obvious effort. He was upset with me. Looks like I'll have to fix that.

"How long have I been sleeping?" I asked, weaving my fingers into his hair. I winced. Why was I doing this?

"A-about a few hours?" He stuttered, his eyes clouding with lust. Good, his walls were coming down. Just a little more.

"Awww, Ari! You carried me for a few hours? That must be hurting your back by now." I leaned in, our lips a whisper apart. "Can you please let me down?" And I kissed him, a little peck.i pulle away, and then I came back and pressed my lips harder aginst his. This was disgusting. Revolting. What the hell was wrong with me?

He pulled away, catious. I pretended to pout and I put my head on his shoulder.

Suddenly, I saw it. The Flock! They were coming for me! Fang was leading, and he was holding Rose. He stopped, and put Rose into Iggy's arms. He probably said something like: "Watch her with your life." I smiled, knowing this hell will be over in a matter of minutes.

Ari stopped walking. No! I couldn't let him figure out Fang was here! I...I'll have to distract him.

I took my head off his shoulder, and kissed him again. Again, my fingers came back into his hair. I pressed my lips to his, holding him in place. Keeping him from turning around. Keeping him from seeing Fang.

It didn't work. He pulled his lips away, and I had to do the one (of many) things I rather die than do.

I forcefully pulled his head back to mine. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fang coming nearer, and his horrified expression.

I looked Ari in the eyes before I did this. Good. All I saw was lust. I pressed my mouth to his, an slid my tongue into his mouth. He froze, and then returned the favor. I had to put my acting skills to the test, so I sensually moaned. He groaned, and I felt him grind his hips into me. Where was Fang? This made me want to curl up into a corner and die. My personal he'll was here, and I didn't want to kiss Ari anymore.

So, just in case he was watching, with the hand behind Ari's head, I motioned the general sign of 'Come Forward!' He ha to see this. Fang. Please.

Ari kissed me back with a passion not far from violence. His hands were groping my body, and that was the last straw. Nobody touches me there without my permission.

I pulled away, grinning for what I was about to do. I untangled my legs from around his waist, and I kicked away from him. Like you'd see the swim team doing kicks off the walls, for more speed? I was doing that merely to attack him.

I landed a few feet away, rolling to a stop, breathing heavily. Ari looked at me with hatred in his eyes. There were boot prints on his shirt where my feet had been. He started stalking towards me, hands balled up into fists. His wings flare out behind him, warning me that if I tried to fly, he'd stop me with his clumsy wings.

I looks around me wildly. I gulped. Where the hell was Fang?