Although the sun shined bright that day, it proved to pierce through the thick leaves with little success. It made me glad to not be walking through the woods, and out in the clearing of the road. I enjoyed the sun on my face in the fine spring day, although the hood of my cloak sadly worked to shadow half of my face.

Both Theo and I were in our natural forms. Theo, to keep on his guard, and ready for any dangers we might encounter on our journey. And I, to make haste with my healing. Our cloak and and hoods hid our "unique features" from passing eyes.

I personally quite enjoy walks through nature, but walking for hours on end was not something I found as an ideal pleasure. The refreshing sun began to grow hot as the hours passed, and the black of our cloaks were very welcoming to the heat.

I usually do not tire out easily after the extensive training with Theo for a month, but as the sun was creeping close to the horizon, my legs felt like jelly beneath me. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep walking. I looked up at Theo to see how he was fairing from the travel, and he looked untouched. Aside from a shine of sweat across his forehead, he looked as if he could walk for hours more. I don't understand how someone could have energy like that! I had decided to hold back my desires to stop until night fall.

Theo finally announced our stop for the night as the sun was setting. With no hesitation, I collapsed to the ground, giving my legs a desperately needed break. I laid down on the grass a produced a genuine yawn.

Theo's gaze circled the perimeter before settling on me. I looked up at him through tired eye lids.

"Don't get comfortable just quite yet. There's still work to be done." He said in response to my obvious urge to curl up into sleep. I released a sigh and propped myself up on my elbows as he continued to speak. "I'm going to go see if I can find any fresh water. Meanwhile, I'm putting you in charge of gathering fire wood. Afterwards we'll meet up here for the night. You got that?" I have him a nod as he held out a hand, and lifted me up to my feet in one good tug.

I wiped off stray grass from my skirt as I examined the bordering trees. I set off without hesitation, wanting to get finished before I lost all light, not that it would do much against the dense forest. But still, it was at least something. I also wanted to hurry so I could finally get some sleep.

I kept as close to the clearing that Theo and I had resigned in as possible, while still being able to find a decent amount of wood. The thick, dark woods sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but find myself making a connection between them and Mirkwood in Middle Earth.

Once my arms were full of fallen twigs and branches, I gladly headed back to the small meadow. As I reached the edge of the forest, a chilled breeze found its way into my cloak. I attempted to pull my cloak closer around me with on hand while still cradling the wood in my arms. This didn't do much against the sudden wind.

I hurried over to Theo after the last drops of golden sun slid down behind the mountains. Dumping the branches down at my feet, and tugged my cloak around me as Theo began to build a fire. Once it began to burn, I knelt beside the fire to feel the radiating heat. Theo came and sat crisscross right by me, pulling his cloak closer around him as well.

Theo handed me some more bread and cheese for dinner, and I gladly accepted. Although I enjoyed the food, it didn't satisfy my growling stomach as much as I would've liked.

"So Skyler,"

"Hmm?" I answered while watching the flames dance in front of me.

"You never answered my question when I asked about your life before you came here."

"No, I actually did. You apparently aren't that great of a listener."

"You said it's boring. That doesn't tell me much."

"Why are you so interested in my past?" I drew my gaze from the fire and on to him. My eyes instantly locked with his. I realized that he'd been watching me before hand, and it made me wonder how long he'd been doing so. I silently prayed I wasn't blushing right now, because if I was, he had full view of it in the fire light. I don't know why I couldn't look away, all I knew was his eyes were like magnets, drawing me in.

"I've known you for a month now, yet I hardly know anything about you. So what was your life like before you came here?" I was a little surprised by his response. In my life there had been very few guys who honestly wanted to get to know me better after they'd ment me.

"Well..." I began, "I'm a Junior in high school, have a best friend named Jennifer, and... I once had a dog named fluff." I rambled, not really knowing what to say. I had no idea why I mentioned Fluff, it was just the first thing that popped into my mind.

"Fluff? How'd come up with that one?"

"It was the best a nine year old could come up with. But, to be fair, he was quite fluffy." A small smile formed on his lips. "Any more questions?"

"Not tonight," he sighed, "You need to get some sleep."

"What about you?"

"We need to keep watch in a place like this. I'll take the first shift, and wake you up when I need you to take over." I pulled my cloak tighter around me as a small gust of wind whipped through. "By the way, you'll be warmer if you change into a wolf." He tipped me.

"Oh, thanks." I got up and shape shifted into a wolf, then returned to my place besides Theo. My fur brushed against his legs as I laid beside him. I comfortably laid my head atop my paws lazily beginning to drift off into sleep, but never quite reached it when Theo slightly shifted his position, causing him to move closer to me. I could feel him pressing softly against my side. It felt like static electricity raced through my body for a second.

I wondered if he had ment to move closer or not. The question played on repeat, but I came out unsure every time. I pushed away the question for the time being, I needed to sleep.

I was actually kind of glad he was as close as he was. It was reassuring to know he was right beside me. I find myself scooting even closer to him before falling off to sleep.

I was shaken awake by Theo in the middle of the night. The fire was out and a bright crescent moon lit up the sky.

"I need you to take watch for me." Theo said once he could see I was awake. Although I couldn't see his face well, I could tell he was exhausted. I stood up and took on my natural form.

"What time is it?"

"Around two. Wake me up once it's light." He changed into a lion, then took his place beside me.

I pulled my cloak closer around me, and inhaled the night air. I could smell moisture in the breeze. I looked up at the sky, searching for signs of rain. Not a cloud in the sky.

A gust of wind found its way into my cloak making me shiver. At least the cold would keep me from accidentally falling asleep.

I patrolled the darkness around me with my eyes. There was nothing, and I began to get bored quickly after about a hour and a half of trying to entertain myself by singing every song I could think of in my head, and playing grass wars against myself.

Letting out a sigh, I stretched my legs and back. I could feel my body yearning to lean back, and I was beginning to give into it. I put my hands behind my back, and propped myself up on them. My finger tips brushed against Theo's furry back.

I looked over my shoulder at the sleeping lion behind me. He had a sandy gold coat, with a matching mane that was streaked with dark brown. Looking at his fur, I wondered how soft it was, and how it would feel if I stroked it. Was it weird that I had the urge to pet him right now?

Turning my body to face his back, hovered a hand over his coat. With a bit of hesitation, I began to gently stroke his fur. It was smooth and soft underneath my touch. Heat kissed my hand as I pet his fur. I ran my fingers along his side, leaving small trails behind my finger tips. I smoothed out the tiny grooves with my palm, but froze when Theo began to rustle in his sleep. I moved my hand away as he began to move. Theo rolled over, burying my lap underneath him. He exhaled a breath of air that ruffled the grass by his nose, then was still.

I gently tried pushing him off my legs but didn't find much success. I didn't know how to get him off me without waking him.

I had two choices, wake him up in order to get him off me, or let it be. My eyes moved to his face. He was wearing a look of peaceful sleep, and I could feel his soft breaths as his chest rose and fell. I didn't want to disrupt his sleep when he looked so calm. He was keeping my lap warm anyways, which I was perfectly happy with.

We stayed in that position until about an hour before sun rise, when he decided to finally roll over again. I stretched out my legs once they could breath again, and waited for light.

I lifted my head to the sound of thunder roaring in the distance. I hadn't even realized the sky. Grey storm clouds thundered in the distance. No matter how much I loved the rain, I was not looking forward to traveling while soaked to the bone.

I shook Theo awake, and received a soft growl in protest, but he eventually gave out with my constant shoving. He got up and stretched into a yawn. Misty rain streaked the sky north of us. I watched the rain fall while Theo transformed.

The rain reminded me of Jennifer. It had rained on her birthday every year since we were kids. This often led to us snuggled up with hot chocolate and cookies watching a movie while the thunder roared. I couldn't wait to see her again... if I ever see her again. I had no idea what my plans were after all this was over. My old life seems so distant, and it's hard to think of me going back to it. How would I explain everything that's happened? Questions about where I've been would surely pop up, and would be unavailable. How would I answer them?

I was pulled out of thought by Theo gently squeezing my arm.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, fine. Why do you ask?"

"You just looked a little worried and confused."

"Oh, I was just lost in thought, that's all."

"Is something troubling you?"

I folded my arms around my stomach, and replied, "No, it's nothing." Theo still seemed concerned, but he didn't push the question any further.

"How are your shoulders doing?" He changed the subject. I actually hadn't thought about my injuries. My finger burned slightly, but my shoulders seemed fine. I lightly pushed down on my shoulder, and received a small sting of pain.

"They're doing fine. The pain is almost completely gone." I replied in slight wonder.

"Remove your cloak," he instructed, "Let me take a look at them." I did as he said, and he undid the bandages on my shoulders. A small breeze touched my bare skin, increasing the heat from Theo's fingers tips as he traced along my wounds. "In a day or two they should be completely healed." He said while he finished buttoning my dress back up. I flipped my cloak back over my shoulders as his hands drew away.

"Looks like we're going to be traveling wet today." I sighed as a low rumble of thunder sounded off.

"A little rain won't hurt."

"Let's hope it's a little."

"What do you have against the rain?"

"It's not what I have against the rain, but what I have against being wet and cold all day."

"I see you're not much of a morning person." He paused for a moment, but not long enough for me to reply. He continued on, "We better get moving if we don't want this entire journey to be for nothing." The satchel lightly bounced at his hip as he walked towards the road. I released a small sigh as I began to tread on behind him.

The morning went by with me watching the dark storm clouds roll in, eating away at the blue sky, as I walked along side Theo. As the sky turned grey, the chilling wind picked up. It eventually began to sprinkle, allowing ice droplets to slowly beat at my shielding cloak, causing a shiver to creep over me as the rain got harder.

Theo looked down at me as I shivered beside him as we walked. I glanced up at him for a moment, then continued to watch the road ahead, but I could tell his eyes had never left me.

"What?" I finally asked. It was then that he finally looked back to the road.

"We should talk." He relics after a short pause.

"About?"

"Anything. We should just talk. It would distract from the cold." I scanned my brain for anything to talk about, thinking that I needed some sort of distraction, and I would gladly try out his suggestion if it gave the results he promised.

"Well... last night I told you three things about myself, now tell me three things about you." He glanced over at me, then hugged his wet cloak closer to himself.

"Is there something specific you would like to know?"

"Anything would suffice."

"I'm am highly trained at using thirty different weapons."

"Didn't you do anything that didn't involve training?" He didn't respond. I raised an eyebrow at him that was meant to say 'really?'.

"Okay," he continued, "I enjoy horse riding and dancing."

"Dancing?"

"Yes, I love to dance."

"Well that's... interesting."

"What? Is there a problem with me liking to dance?"

"Oh, no, it's just that it's something I wouldn't have guessed you enjoying."

"And why is that?" A smirk played at his lips. He was obviously amused with my responses.

"Well, I mean your just so..." My pace slowed as I tried to think of the right words to say. He slowed with me, his smirk still gleaming on his face.

"Just so what?" We had now come to a complete stop.

"Your just so strong and athletic that I wouldn't have pegged you for the type that would be into something as graceful as dancing." I finally blurted out.

"You think I'm strong and athletic?" His smirk grew into a small grin. Even though it was now close to poring, and I was soaked to the bone, despite all he cold, heat managed to sizzle beneath my cheeks.

"I didn't mean it like that." I began to get frustrated with my own embarrassment.

Theo accompanied a raised eyebrow with his grin. "You didn't mean it like what?"

"You know what I mean!" I said now also frustrated with him.

"Care to elaborate." Okay, now he was pushing it. I rolled my eyes, and turned my attention towards the road saying, "We should keep moving." I walked along the road at a speedy pace, while hugging my body against the rain, attempting to walk off my anger.

Theo covered the small distance I managed to get between us, in easy strides. He didn't say anything else, which I was thankful for, but the conversation between us had managed to work as a distraction as he promised. Now I was now fully aware of the chilling rain.

We continued to walk on, the scenery around us gradually changing. The woods were now not nearly as they once were. The trees were now mostly filled with tall and skinny trees, with the occasional thick tree.

In the foggy rain in the distance ahead of us I could make out the shape of something that appeared to be a small cottage. As we got closer, we could see that it was a house with grey smoke pumping out of a short chimney. I let out a sigh, wishing I had my own little house, and could, at this moment, huddled up close to my own fire. Dry and warm. There was a bit of farm land in a meadow near by. We came across more and more houses similar to the first, until we reached the heart of the village.

The farm land was gone and replaced by a small town square. I looked over it and spotted a blacksmith, a market place, a town hall, and an inn, with regular cottages dotting around. Small roads darted off from the main, like streams trailing off from a river. The inn was brightly lit from the inside in the dreary atmosphere. The rain had stopped periodically, but never long enough to get dry, and this made me almost like a moth to the inn light.

Theo slows next to the inn, while the rain was coming down particularly hard. A small smile appeared on my face as I guessed his words.

"We'll stop here for a break. Hopefully the rain will die down by the time we're back out." I wasted no time in heading towards the door, happy to get out of the April showers, but was pulled back by my cloak before I could reach it.

"What?" I turned to face Theo.

"You're forgetting something." I thought for a second, thinking over anything I could possibly have forgotten. Then it finally came to me.

"Oh yeah." I replied after a long moment.

We walked over to the side of the inn, using it as extra protection to any unseen eyes, and then changed back into our human forms.

We turned the corner and headed into the inn, heat covering us as we entered through the door. We took off our dripping cloaks and took a seat at a small table near the blazing fire. I turned my chair to face the fire, letting the heat dry my soaked cloths. I rubbed my numb hands together attempting to allow them to get some warmth into them.

I turned my head at voices on Theo's side of the table. He was talking to a petite girl that didn't seem much older than myself. She twirled the end of her raven black braid, with a girlish smile imprinted on her mouth, as Theo spoke to her. I felt my eyebrows lower as I watched her.

"Of course." She said after Theo had finished speaking. She flashed him one last smile before turning and heading off. She walked off in a way that was meant to grab the attention of Theo. She peaked over her shoulder as she was about to turn out of our line of view, and a small look of disappointment came over her as her eyes settled on Theo then me.

I quickly turned my eyes away once she looked at me, and turned to face Theo instead. I was a little surprised when I found him watching me. The corner of his mouth turned up just slightly. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

The girl returned carrying two plates each caring a couple slices of meat, some cheese, and a roll.

"Here you are, sir." She had a warm smile as she handed a plate to Theo. Her smile cooled as she turned to me. I returned to her a thin lipped smile myself, as I received the second plate from her. Theo handed her a few coins, then continued to look at me. Once the serving girl was out of range, I said to him, "Why do you keep giving me weird looks?"

"Why did you keep giving her weird looks?" He nudged his head in the direction of the serving girl.

"I asked the question first." He leaned back in his seat and responded, "I find it amusing that you looked so threatened by that girl attempting to flirt with me."

The realization of what he was accusing me of struck me with surprise.

"Wait, you think... no. No, no, no, no." Did he really think I liked him? Me, liking Theo, seemed so far out of my mind that it almost seemed laughable. The thoughts I had on the subject escaped my lips in the form of a laugh. But I quickly stopped once I realized the laugh seemed more nervous than anything. I really didn't handle situations like this very well.

Theo's smile widened.

"Nervous?" His eyebrow jumped up a notch.

"No." I responded, keeping my voice sounding strong and sure. "And contrary to what you might think, I can assure you that I have no feelings for you in that regard."

"Then you should have no problem with any girl who tries to flirt with me."

"And I don't." I added in.

"Then why did you have a problem today?"

"Because the last thing we needed was you falling for some local girl."

He let out an honest laugh, and replied, "I can promise you that will never happen."

I tilted my head towards the fire, rested my cheek on my fist, and gazed into the fire, listening to the rain pound puddles into the dirt out side. Fragments of mine and Theo's conversation drifted around in my head. I put myself, once again, in awe at how Theo could do something as ridiculous as accuse me of having feelings for him.

But then again, I could see how the situation was interpreted that way. And I should probably get use to seeing girls fawn over him. He's quite charming... in some perspectives; kind, tall, strong, courageous, and unbelievably handsome. I really couldn't blame any girl for falling for him.

I let out a sigh. Maybe it wouldn't be so ridiculous, if I had feelings for him, after all.

"Skyler." Theo's voice pulled me out of thought.

"Hmm?" I turned to look at him.

"Eat." Was all he said.

"Oh, right." I had forgotten that there was food.

As we finished eating, the rain outside had faded from a pounding, to a tapping, to nothing at all. I felt my cloths. They had gone from dripping, to merely damp in the close proximity of the fire.

Theo and I rose from our seats, ready to get on the road again, when a man breathlessly barged in through the door. The inn keeper shot him a dirty look as the young man carelessly splashed thick gooey mud on his newly mopped floor.

I saw the floor wasn't the only thing dirty. The man himself was half covered in mud. This wasn't the only thing disheveled about his appearance. His dark chocolate hair was poking up from every side, and shirt in partial shreds. I noticed dark red seeping through the man's mud blanketed trousers. He was bleeding. Theo must have caught this as well, because he moved to the man's side to catch him before he collapsed to the ground.

"What has happened?" Theo questioned the man as he helped him to a chair.

"Grievers," he said through hasty breaths, "On the north side of th village. There's been an attack!" Murmurs filled the room from the little crowd. I heard most of them run along the lines of "Not another one," and " Hope nothing terribly bad happens this time." Griever attacks must happen often around here.

"Don't worry Charles, we'll take care of them for ya." A bulky man with a long scruffy beard stood from his chair.

"There's something else," Charles said, "There not... normal grievers." Theo and I exchanged knowing glances. They must be like the grievers we encountered in Mendrick.

Theo turned from Charles, and to the inn keeper.

"Have this man cleaned up and his wounds tended to. We know of the creatures he speaks of, and they're much more dangerous than any regular griever. We can take care of them for you." I stood next to Theo as he spoke to the bulky man.

"We appreciate your offer, kid, but I think we can handle our own problems." The man hastily lead I think five other men out of the common room.

I looked up at Theo expectantly, wondering our next course of action.

"Come on." We walked out of the inn together, once again taking path along the muddy road. We began heading to the boarder of the town. As we neared the edge of the town, we could hear the remnants of the griever battle in the distance, and moving close. There was a moment of silence, and we paused. A woman's scream sounded off and she came dashing into the road in front of us. Her wide eye terrified as she rapidly scanned behind her.

I then heard a rustling in the ground and getting louder. I nervously freed my blade from its sheath. At that moment, a strong beast came pouncing from inside the ground, breaking the earth around it, and spewing mud into the air. The beast dived at the woman, she attempted to jump out of the way. The creature skimmed her arm with its massive claws as it dived past her. It landed and turned towards her.

I could see it clearly. It was a dog like griever with giant front claws.

The griever ran at the woman, but Theo tackled it out of the way before the woman could even produce a second scream. He drove one of his short swords through it's side. It let out a a shrill cry, then lost it's life. Theo stood up as the beast fell into ashes. I was at the woman's side, helping her up. She was shaking as she slowly stood, watching the pile of black, as if she were expecting the beast to reform, and jump at her.

"What's your name?" Theo asked.

"Rena."

"Are there any more, Rena?"

"I don't know. There was a battle, and one of them went astray and chased me. I don't know if there are any left."

"Well, let's get you out of the road."

We began helping her out of the muddy road when a grievers shriek echoed from behind the houses. There was a rumbling digging around in the dirt. I drew the blade from my back as a dog-like griever came pouncing from inside the Earth at me. The animal tackles me to the ground, snapping its monster teeth snapping at my throat. My arms at its neck was the only thing keeping the white daggers from reaching their target. My small attempt to hold the creature back was fading. I closed my eyes as the beast screeched, to afraid to think of way to get off the death set path I was taking.

The griever suddenly fell limp on top of me. Theo drew a short sword from the monster and kicked it off from me. He then turned just in time to kill one springing throughout the air.

I got up to help fight off two more that came toward us. Theo caught one pounding towards Rena while I took on the last, and we watched as they collapsed into dust.

There of the town's guards came out from behind the houses running.

"Are there any more?" Theo asked breathlessly. One of the men shook his head while looking around at the piles of ash.

"Thank you for taking care of those last few for us." Another man said. Theo was crouching down by the ash.

"Have you ever encountered any kind of griever like this before?" Theo asked. "Any more of these dog like ones?"

"Never before. This is the first time I've seen any other type." The other men nodded in agreement.

One of the men moved towards Rena, and began to help her away to a place she could be healed.

"Let's go Sky." Theo began to walk on.

"Wait." Rena stopped him. " I wanted to thank you for saving my life... and to give you this. " She pulled from around her neck a pendant on a leather cord. The small round pendant had an interact design etched into it. "May it protect you on your journey." Theo bowed his head as she put it around his neck.

"Thank you for your gift, and may the Gods be with you as well." Theo replied. Rena bowed her head then began to walk back with the men.

As we made our way out of the town, I interrogate Theo on the content of the pendant. "What does the symbol on the pendant mean?"

"It's a symbol for the Sith Othwan." The Sith Othwan sounded familiar to me but I couldn't think of where I'd heard it before, then it hit me.

"Our parents?"

"Not exactly.... the Sith Othwan are old powerful being's that are considered gods to most people. They brought peace and balance to the world. Our parents are a symbol for that and people began to call them the Sith Othwan."

I responded with a small "Hmm" as I dropped into thought. It might be interesting learning about the mythology of the Sith Othwan. Especially if my mom was a symbol of it.

These thoughts floated through my brain as we walked on under a cracked cement clouds that poured out a new blue sky.

A/N: Please remember to vote, and thanks for reading!