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.

Kidnapped

A couple days later

"I think we should head back north just a little bit." Z said.

Sky shook his head, "That doesn't make sense. I think heading south is the best option at this point. Unless there is something you want to tell me?"

The brunette rolled her eyes, "You don't need to know where we are from. As soon as we get close you can leave."

The man pursed his lips before speaking to her, "I don't think so. I'm not leaving your company until I hand you back to your mother and father."

"I am not a child thank you very much."

"Then perhaps you should stop acting like one."

Z stopped her horse, "Excuse me? I am not acting like a child."

"Then deal with the fact that I am going to be bringing you home. All the way home. You need to stop this nonsense."

"Nonsense? Really?"

This time both Syd and Sky stopped their horses and Sky looked back, "Yes nonsense. Just deal with it."

"I don't have to do anything that you tell me too."

Syd decided it was time to intervene, "Can we stop for a break? I'm really tired and hungry."

The bickering companions turned to Syd. Z's face relaxed a bit, "Sure, we can do that." Then she flashed a look at Sky daring him to contradict her, but instead he nodded.

The three found a clearing and got off their horses. Once the horses were tied up Sky departed to check the area around the camp while Z started working on a fire.

Syd looked around, it was a nice place. In a forest area, it concealed them. She realized that soon Sky would be back and then the bickering would start. Sure she was convinced that the two really liked each other, but it didn't mean she liked being around all their constant bickering.

"Z, I'm going to go down to the stream that we passed by and get some water."

"Sure, but be careful alright?"

"Of course I will be. Don't worry."

"I mean it."

"Alright. I will be."

Syd left her sister behind and headed towards the beautiful stream. It was mostly quiet except for some birds singing. It was really quite beautiful, it reminded her of where she and Bridge had spent a lot of time. Sighing she thought again about the handsome man who had helped her and…well he was more to her than just a friend. A frown crossed her features as she realized that she would probably never get to see him again. She shook her head, she was being silly, Z had just promised her she would bring her back home. Syd would hold onto that idea.

Z looked up as Sky finally came back, "Took you long en—" She paused as he held up a dead rabbit in his hand, "oh, that's why."

"Yes, this is why. I figured it would be a bit different than having just the bread and cheese."

"It will be a nice change." Z admitted. She watched as he moved across the fire from her and sat down.

"Where's Syd?"

"She went to get some water, and I'm sure just enjoy herself for a bit. She'll be back soon enough."

Sky's eyes looked down at the fire then to Z's face and then back to the rabbit that he was skinning, "Nice fire."

"Thanks. You know I have done fires before."

"Yes."

"Is it so hard to admit when someone else can do something?" Maybe that was the deal with him, perhaps Sky just liked being able to do everything. She hadn't thought about that before.

"Is it so hard for you to listen to others?"

Z opened her mouth but stopped when Sky looked up. The two just stared at each other for a while before they both looked back down. Z knew she had some trouble in listening to others. It was just that she knew what needed to get down and how things should be taken care of. Wasn't that similar to what she had just asked Sky about? Did that mean…

Before Z could continue in that thought process she heard a scream. Sky looked up and the two locked eyes, "Syd!" Z gasped. The two got up and quickly made their way down to the stream.

Z wasn't sure what she was going to find, but she didn't expect what was presented before her and Sky's eyes. The stream was there, a beautiful clear blue with trees on either side and flowers here and there along both of the banks.

But that was it.

Syd was not there.

At all.

"Syd!" Z yelled.

Sky grabbed Z, "Hold on."

"Syd could be hurt."

"I know, but…look."

He pointed over to the water skins that were carelessly on the bank of the river. They both hurried over to them. As Z reached down to pick it up she noticed that a piece of Syd's dress had been ripped off and was laying halfway in the water. "Do you think…" Z trailed off unable to finish. Had Juneston found them all the way out here? That didn't make any sense.

Sky picked up the water skins and began filling them with water. Once done he stood up and looked at Z, "Let's get back to camp."

The brunette felt horror wash over her as she realized that there might not be any horses now…they camp could have been ruined. As they were making their way back Z felt a sinking feeling, she hadn't protected her sister. Her sister could end up dead and she would never see her again. Would there have been a difference if she had been able to listen to them and head South and go home?

"They're still here." Sky murmured.

Z looked up and saw the three horses, "Lucky us. Three horses."

"Look, it's a good thing, that will mean that when we get Syd back she'll still be able to ride."

"How do you know it's a when and not if?"

"We'll find her. Between the two of us, I think we can handle it." Sky walked over to his horse and pulled out some cloth, as he began wrapping it he started talking again, "We'll get going back down to the river, then we'll figure out which direction from there. We don't have too much time. Daylight is burning away."