A/N: – Double-checks calendar – What a surprise! It's been less than a month, and I have an update for you! How awesome is that? On a side note, this theme, and theme 9 follow theme 7 (Fight), and should be treated as a kind of mini-trilogy. Do tell me how well I've done Phineas; he was hard for me to write for some odd reason… Anyway, enjoy!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place after Theme 7)

Theme 8: Guilt

Briarwood Forest, November 23, 2006, 5:10 PM – Briarwood, CA, USA

Xander's POV

"I am such an idiot… God, why did I go and pull that up?! V trusted me with that and I blurted it out to the world… damn it!" I cursed as I tripped over a root and, getting to my feet kept running through the woods, not bothering to wonder in which direction I was running in. I didn't care; all that mattered to me now was finding Vida and apologizing to her for my stupidity.

In fact, I was so concentrated on finding Vida that I didn't see the shadow in front of me until I ran into it. I landed on my butt and backed up a few feet, noting that the thing I had run into was doing the same thing.

"Who goes there?" I demanded cursing as my voice contained a hint of fear in it. Honestly, you would think that being the Green Mystic Force Ranger would me how to control my emotions from taking over my voice, but I had obviously not mastered this skill. The form got to its feet, and came closer, which meant that I backed up further.

"Whoa there, buddy. What's the rush?" came a voice that I instantly recognized as Phineas's. Sighing in relief, I got to my feet and moved closer to the shadow that I was now able to identify as Phineas due to the sunlight that the forest filtered through its branches.

"Phineas! Thank God, it's you! Have you seen Vida?" I asked; worry slipping into my voice without my permission.

Phineas cocked his head to the side and replied, "Vida? Who's Vida? Some kind of new tree?"

I groaned and said, "No, Phineas, Vida isn't a tree. She's my friend; you know, wears pink?"

Phineas though for a minute and said, "Nope, haven't seen her. Although, I did just see someone about your age run through here with a cloak and bag; you know her?"

My heart leapt into my throat unbidden. "Yes! That's Vida; where'd she go?"

Phineas cocked his head and thought for a minute, hand under his chin. Then, beckoning me closer he said, "You know, umm, this is in strictest confidence; understand?" I nodded, which was a signal for Phineas to continue. "She told me to not let anyone get near her; promised me usin' the Troblin pledge, don' you know."

I looked at him and said, "Phineas aren't you the only Troblin?"

He looked at me and said, "So? There will always exist the Troblin pledge. So, umm, why do you want to find this girl?"

I rubbed the back of neck and said sheepishly, "Well, umm, Vida and I just had a fight and I said something I shouldn't have and I really need to apologize to her."

Phineas stared at me and said, "So, why do you need to talk to this girl?" He then proceeded to continue staring at me until I snapped and glared at him.

We had a staring contest until I gave up and, groaning put my face in my hands. "I feel bad about what I said to Vida, okay? I shouldn't have said what I did to her."

Phineas remarked casually, "So, you feel guilty for what you said?"

I stared at him and, realizing that Phineas had once more unknowingly helped us I said, "Yes, yes, Phineas, you're right, you're absolutely right. I do feel guilty about what I said to Vida. I, I shouldn't have done that; I shouldn't have revealed her secret when she trusted me with it. I am such a fool and I don't deserve to be her friend!"

Phineas grinned and said, "I see, friend. In that case the girl you're looking for told me to not let you find her but, umm, in strictest confidence I can give ya a hint." I leaned closer, eager to know where Vida was. "I asked her where she was goin' and that girl, man was she running fast, said somethin' 'bout a lookout of some kind."

I slapped a hand to my head and said, "Duh! Man, am I dumb! Thanks Phineas, for everything!" I ran off to find Vida, leaving Phineas behind me, most likely scratching his head, talking to his invisible friend about something concerning mushrooms or the Troblin pledge.