Selfish Journey-another path(private.)

Zero slept tight his mind very calm. He drifted into a soft dream. He found himself standing in a dark misty area when he heard a voice. "You let them take me." a shaded figure spoke to him. "You said we would never be seperated, yet..."

Zero averted his gaze from the figure. "There was nothing i could do..." the figure just seemed to be staring at him. There was a long silence between them. Zero woke up. His eye's shot open. He looked at the clear night sky. The fire was still burning. He then looked over to Meiko she seemed to be sleeping soundly herself. He smiled sadly looking at her. 'There's something about her.' he said as he squinted his eyes.

He sighed. He still wasn't sure about her, but...she seemed shrouded in mystery, and there was something else he just really couldn't explain. He sat up against the tree trunk looking at the clear night sky. It took him quite a while before he fell asleep. Soon he was awaken, by the suns warm rays. He got up stretching with a yawn. He lazily scanned the area. Meiko already seemed to be moving around.

Zero thought for a moment about all the things they took. The main things were his sword. And...He thought of the black diamond stone that he held onto until the very last minute it released itself from his hand as a swift kick connected with his stomach.He looked up even if she knew what it was she wouldn't know what it meant. He pulled his arm back from her in a playful manner smiling as he did so. He took no offense by what she said. He was very aware that he was a prince, and didn't know much about the outside world. His parents always told him he'd been blessed to come into a family that had many luxuries, and to never think that he knew anything of the world outside from just reading books. He always kep that in mind. So each time Meiko was ready to teach he made sure to pay attention. He nodded and caused ice to form in the canteen. on her request, for her to melt the ice leaving them with ice cold water. He took a drink. "mmmm....i never knew that water could taste so good." He grabbed some of the deer meat. He was glad he'd already skinned, and cleaned it, it saved time, and he was real hungry. As he finished he sat back. "Oh, right what i lost...my weapon is a two handed sword, but they took a necklace that my mother gave me, but what's really important is a small black diamond they took. If nothing else i have to get that. Intensity filled his eye's, but only for a moment. The intense look fadded after a few moments. He looked at the tree behind him. The branch was so far up... He just leaned up against the tree. "I think i'll sleep here tonight." He smiled at her a soft smile. He then curled up, and turned around. When suddenly he sat up. He took off his cloak. He smiled at her. "Here it might get cold tonight i can feel it." He handed her the cloak. He then rolled back around. He spoke quietly knowing she could hear him. "If you are going to help me then, you'll have to let me help you." He fell into a quick slumber.[center][/center]

He got caught pulling the diamonds from behind from his ears. He was surprised at her utter determination to pay for herself. He tired to explain that it was really nothing. He had this for just such an instance as this, but it was useless she wouldn't hear of it. He wasn't even able to put up a good argument he was utterly shut down in his tracks. He released a sigh. There was no point. He nodded ok.

Then she continued on about how she wanted to help him. It made him feel good that she was so willing to help, but he couldn't allow her to get hurt, and without his sword...he couldn't necessarily protect her against multiple enemies. He realized it was going to be difficult, but once he got his sword to use as a medium he could pull forth the offense ice attacks that he'd practiced. He'd never used them in real battles, but he didn't have a choice. He thought about the difficult situation approaching. He'd been so excited about getting there. He hadn't given as much thought to getting his items back.

He smiled at her he could see her stubborn attitude shine through her kind smile. "Of course." He smiled back falsely. "But once we get there we should rest." The sun was beginning to set. Zero suggested they sit down have some more deer, and arive in town about mid day tomorrow. He smiled as she handed him the flint, and a knife. He did it in only 8 times this go round. He breathed heavy. "Sorry it took me so long. Hopefully you're as hungry as i am."

As they settled into the cave Zero gave a long yawn and rested up against the cave walls. Zero was relieved to hear her say that they'd be there in a few more hours. He knew he didn't smell so ripe, but the river was far to cold to wash in, he needed heated water. And he'd hopefully be able to find the guys who took his belongings. They were probably living it up. They stole a sizable amount of money from him more than enough to take care of a single person for many months easily. But...his eye's veered over to Meiko. Had that not happened he wouldn't have met his new friend. "Well once we get into town, my first goal is to find those who took my belongings, and take them back. He looked at her very seriously. "They stole something very precious to me...i must have it back." His eye's grew intense, but just for a moment. They softened up again rather quickly.

responding to her bekon he moved over to her probably a little closer than he should've, but he didn't realize. He watched closely as she began to strike her weapon against the sword. He saw small sparks appear, but all he was thinking is she's going to dull her blade. But in a scrape a flicker and the dried wood was on fire creating a warmth through the cool cave. He nodded to her. I think i see. "Can i try..." He was a little disapointed when she suggested they wait till mourn, but not heartbroken. He had something to look forward to come mourn. He snoticed she scooted away a little he wondered if he smelled. He backed up as well. "sorry..." he smiled shyly. He moved to the other side of the cave resting against the wall, but with the warm flame his cloak was unecissary with the rest of his clothes on. He untied it from around himself, and folded it placing it beside him. His eye's closed, andhis ears twitched lightly as he listened for anything outside that might be a danger. He could hear nothing. He stretched, and released another yawn. "good night friend." he said leaning up against the wall, and closing his eye's to fall asleep. ' tomorrow i will get it back.' He thought to himself. Before he knew it he was opening his eye's to the morning. Meiko was still sleep. This was his chance to pay her back maybe he could make a fire, and cook something for her. He set out early. Before he left he placed his cloak still folded under her head, and brushed some hair from her face. 'what was i thinking this morning?' he thought to himself. why would he do something like that?

it took him a while, but he gathered some fruits, and was able to catch a baby dear. It was way more meat than they needed for breakfast, but they might have it for lunch as well, and dinner, and breakfast...
He hurried back as quickly as he could after cleaning the dear with his bear hands, and seperating it into pieces to be cooked. He looked up at the clear sky it was already so late. The morning was nearly noon. He hurried back to the cave with what he had gathered.

"You don't need to thank me, it's my pleasure to travel with you, as you can see out in the wild i'm pretty much useless." He let out a small laugh. "Before you'd come along it'd been a while since i had meat i've been living off of fruits, and vegetables which aren't bad, but...i sometimes want meat ya know." He said with a grin. Her nudged help continue the light flow of conversation lift the tension, but like the train wreck of a speaker Zero was he couldn't leave well enough alone, and continued to compliment her.
"i'm sure i'll love you..." There was an awkward pause as Zero let the words part his lips. It took him a second to recover..."Ah...i mean your cooking, and more so you company...i mean that's what i'd love." He said tripping over his togue this was becoming more, and more difficult. would he really be alright. He was so busty stumbling over his words he ended up not paying attention where he was going, and tripped over a root. He caught himself from hitting the ground hard. She gave him a hand, and helped him up. He'd hoped that she'd laugh and forget what he said. It was a diversion tactic." hopefully it would also once again lighten the mood, and it would stay like that as long as he kept his big stupid mouth shut. "i'm sorry i'm a bit uncoordinated." He laughed lightly. The sun was still rather high up they still had plenty of daylight, and despite their playing around they were making more than fair time.

Zero wasn't expecting her to ask about his family he wondered where the question had appeared from it seemed very random. Zero moved into the shade a bit. Today was a bit warmer the sun was shining very brightly, and the cool wind seemed to be sparce. He began to contemplate whether or not to tell her the truth, and exactly how much truth did he need to tell. He loooked up at her with a soft smile. "I'm rather lucky when it comes to family."My father is gone..." he said with a saddened smile, but he turned the smile back up. "But my mother, younger sister, and brother are all or should i say will be fine." his smiled seemed genuine, and false at the same time. Zero made sure to keep his ears up listening for anything that might be wrong, any change in weather, or any danger. HE made sure to even listen for shallow heavy breathing having learned his lesson from the previous night. It would be bad to get ambushed again. The walk became dull, and he found himself getting tired. Maybe he'd take advantage of actually having someone around. He stopped and gently grabbed ahold of her wrist loosely. He smiled at her easily. "wanna do something fun?" He knew this might be a mistake later, but he was bored, and it'd be fun for both of them. He closed his eye's, and concentrated his hands were closed together as he pulled them apart the blue orb formed. He smiled. A small bit of sweat dropped down his face this took a bit of energy. The ball he held now was formed it was completely see through. He was breathing heavily. "There's a way to have fun with this technique since it's so hot. He pulled his hand back, and slammed it into the ground. The earth shook lightly. He was still breathing heavy. At first nothing happened, but in a few moment the dirt road before them froze over like a solid sheet of ice, and only the walkway. A few pieces of grass on the edges of the walk path had frost, but nothing to bad. HE stepped onto the ice infront of him. "It won't last to long, but i think this'd be more fun than walking." He held out his hand for her to join him on the ice. As she joined him he took off. "I'll race you to the tree." He said pointing to a tree far in the distance. It was a lone tree on the side of the walkway in a grassy field. He took a moment to catch his breath. He stood up. "ready....Go!" he shouted, and took off. He had the lead, but she was quickly coming up behind him.

Zero paid close attention to her as she spoke looking for any possible holes in her story. Lonely...was a key word. That most certainly wasn't a lie if anything he knew that was true just for taking a second to look for her eye's. As she finished her story. He remembered that she didn't want any pity so he was sure not to give her any. He finished eating. He sat looking at her thinking. He began giving a companion a second thought. Not because of her story, but more because of her desire for a companion, and ontop of everything she might help him speed up. She might have lost her memory, but if she lived in this land it would be better than traveling blind. The possibility raced through his mind for a second disturbing him from his original line of thought. He gave a soft blush. If he was going to consider this he'd have to be able to prove to himself he could concentrate just as well. It suddenly occured to him he seemed to be eyeing her up, and down without realizing it. He turned his head blushing more when she said she liked traveling with him. He seemed to be deep in thought for a little while. After a few moments he stood up. "Thank you this was very good, but we should be getting going." he kicked dirt over the flames. As they were getting up. He was running what she said through his mind. He often blanked everything out once he began thinking, and contemplating. Then he realized she had asked him another question. "Your Birthday?, When is it? that would be a true oppurturne chance for me to truly show you my gratitude."

He smiled as she began to talk to him, and what's more tell her something about herself. Though he was trying to find out only what was necessary. It made him feel good to know that she trusted him enough to tell him something like that, and that she would talk to him. He smiled wide as she began to talk to him. That is until she brought up the fact he lied to her face.

He didn't technically lie he just didn't answer the question.But he also wasn't completely elf either. He tried to let her draw her own conclusion just for such occasions as this. He could say he didn't technically lie. He didn't though. He gently released a sigh. 'seeing as her memory was gone he figured he'd explain just enough. he didn't want to insult her, or get caught in a lie again.

"To tell you the truth i wasn't sure how tolerant of elves you were. Elves are not always the most well received in this land. I hope you'll forgive my rudeness to lie from you." He ran his fingers through his hair nervously. "But if you don't mind me saying you are very powerful Even with your looks attracting attention.You should have no problem taking care of yourself. I won't be mad, but i'd really like to know. Do you have an alternative reason for wishing to travel with me? " He stared into her beautiful golden eye's almost hypnotized as he waited for his answer. She'd given him the opening to ask more questions which is a chance he wasn't about to pass up. He bit into his fish, but their eye's remained locked.

Zero could tell from her kurt manner of speaking as well as her general attitude that she was still very upset. He had forgotten that she had some fis. She had probably caught them while down at the river. He should at least compliment them, and thank her for it." He took a bite, and chewed as she handed him a fish. The best part it was filleted so there was no bones, and he could eat without worry of bones. "Not at all Did you catch these this morning while you were at the river? You must've woken up even earlier than i thought to have cleaned, and caught the fish" he said without thinking. He was merely trying to get a conversation going. He didn't want to leave her side without her realizing that he meant no disrespect. "I'm sorry if i offended you earlier, it's just i suddenly lost my appetite." Suddenly something occurred to him. He back tracked in his speech, but couldn't find that he'd said anything wrong, but he couldn't shake the feeling he released more information than he meant to. Then it suddenly hit him. He slowly turned to Meiko.

Zero noticed Meiko annoyed, and irritated disposition the moment she joined him on the road. It wasn't so much as joined as just happened to be walking beside. He wondered what had happened to her attitude between finishing eating, and meeting him. He was about to ask when she made it clear by disregaurding him when he asked what's wrong that it was his fault with just a glance. He backed up a little. Though he tried to be careful to avoid it. Did his actions of the morning come across as rude, and disrespectful? He began to raise his hand to apologize to her. But in the end the best thing to do was leave well enough alone. She would go her way, and he would go his that was all there was to it. However he had a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't feel right acting this way after all she had done for him.

He argued back, and forth with himself. He was ahead of her he stopped suddenly with a soft smile on his face. "um...would you like to stop?, I could find us something for lunch. As a way to pay you back for breakfast this morning."