Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I am still working on getting back to my rhythm; it's a lot harder than I anticipated. I am going to finish this story, the updates might be slower but it's only because I don't want to rush through and then make it not so good. Thank you for being patient.

Plans Falling Through and Going Forward

They had been traveling for about a week already and he still wasn't exactly sure where the girls needed to get to. Sky knew that he needed to get home soon enough; though he was dreading it. The moment he went home would be the moment all was gone. Soon he would end up meeting the person he was going to marry. He didn't like that idea at all. He wished he could have some choice in the matter, but his parents had things planned a certain way and he couldn't go against it. That was just how things were done.

Still avoiding going home just to wander around with two girls who couldn't decide anything, it was beyond frustrating. He really wished he hadn't been the one to find them. Sure he had rescued them and since he was injured had been able to prolong his time away from reality. But reality was there waiting for him and he couldn't let it wait much longer.

He looked at the two girls in front of him. The younger one, the blonde one, was so…positive and sweet, it really would get to him sometimes. She was sweet, and innocent it seemed. And plus it did seem as though everything was coming from her older sister. She was the real frustrating one. She just acted like she knew everything. It wouldn't be so bad if she was wrong about everything, but it was obvious that she was aware of quite a few things and she did have a brain that she used. It wasn't that the other girl didn't, but Z…she was interesting at times.

He shook himself from those thoughts. He wasn't going to get caught up in two obvious run a ways. He shouldn't still be helping them. Who knew what or who they were running away from? Then again if they were innocent in the whole thing, he couldn't just let them go, they could end up running into big trouble.

The next thought came a bit obvious, they could end up dead. No matter what, he couldn't let that happen. He was sure that his parents would understand if he stayed with them until their destination. Of course that would mean he would need to try and get them to tell him their destination. If it was just he and Syd then he was sure he'd be able to get it out of her. However Z was very reluctant, and stubborn. Probably about as stubborn as he was. Which meant he wouldn't be able to get it out of her unless she was more willing, although that didn't mean he wasn't going to continue trying.

Juneston sat down sullenly in his tent. It was getting plain ridiculous. He wanted to find Syd and bring her back. He would be a hero and would have Syd as his wife and gain control of the kingdom. It would finally be his, instead of that pathetic King.

He looked down at the map and the newly crossed 'x' that lay across another square. Frustrated he pushed back from the table causing his chair to fall on the ground. He knew they had to be somewhere along here. There was no explanation as to why they would have ended up anywhere else.

Syd wasn't smart enough. Z…well that brat he would be able to deal with well enough on his own. She just simply wouldn't be able to make it back. A tragic accident would befall her. And Syd overcome with grief wouldn't be able to do anything else but stay with her and help her out.

A smile graced his lips, it would work out perfectly. If only he could find the girls. The only other thing that kept coming to his mind was that they could be dead and buried. Or eaten.

He hoped it wasn't those because that wouldn't help him in the slightest. He needed to get his plan finished so he could go on. Where were those stupid girls?

Z looked over at her sister, she was tired, that much was obvious. They had been riding for a few hours without a break, but the horses would need a break soon enough. If she were to say something Sky would then toss it in her face about how she shouldn't be out here since she obviously couldn't handle it. Just because he lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods and ended up helping her and Syd out of that mess didn't mean he knew more than she did. She realized that he was intelligent…if you were able to get past his arrogance.

She really wished that someone else had been able to find them. Someone who would have let them go, or if they had insisted on coming along would have at least been pleasurable company.

But no. Instead they found him. She frowned; of course really he had found them, but that aside, couldn't he just go home?

"What's wrong with you?"

His voice broke through her thoughts and she looked to him. He was good looking, she did agree with that. "Nothing, it's just…Syd is getting tired."

He looked over Z at Syd who was staring off into space, "I see. Well…I suppose we could stop here."

"That's so thoughtful." Z replied sarcastically.

She watched as his jaw clenched, "Just thinking of how unequipped you are to traveling."

"I can travel just fine thank you."

"Of course you can."

"I have been fine this entire time. If you can't see that it's not my problem."

"Guys, do you have to argue?" Her sister asked.

"We're just…discussing." Z said.

"Sure. It was a discussion." He stopped his horse, "This is a good place to stop." She heard a sigh from Syd as the sisters both stopped their horses. Sky spoke again, "I'm going to have a look around."

"Alright." Syd said even though Sky had already disappeared into the woods. She then looked at Z, "Have you said anything yet?"

"Not yet, but I wanted to get further west before we head down. If Juneston is still looking for you he might still be on the east side."

"You think he's still going to look for me?"

"He kidnapped you Syd, who's to say what he will or won't do? I'll get you home safe, I promise."

"Thanks, but I want you home safe too you know?"

"I know."

"Is another reason you're ready to head south because we might run across Jack?"

She knew that it was a possibility and that was one she didn't want to cross. Jack would help she thought, but then again her last meeting with him wasn't of the best and she just didn't want to have to deal with that while she had another guy to deal with, "Maybe. Look one step at a time alright?"

"Sure Z. I trust you."

"Thanks. Now I'm going to go and get some wood."

"I'll…set up camp." Syd said. But as Z turned around Syd began speaking again, "Can you and Sky try to get along?"

Z's mouth dropped open, it wasn't her fault Sky was so arrogant. She turned around, "Why are you placing blame on me?"

Her sister shrugged, "It's not just on you. It's just we do have a long journey, wouldn't it be easier if we all got along?"

"I get along with you. And Sky…well he's Sky, what do you want me to do about that?"

The blonde shook her head, "I don't know. Just…never mind."

"Like I said before I'm getting wood. I'll be back."

Before Syd could say anything else Z had turned and went to get some wood, she didn't feel like continuing on that conversation. Anything involving getting along with their over confident companion was something she definitely did not want to discuss. In fact it was highly unlikely things would ever get better with him. She couldn't wait until he was no longer traveling with them.