her his fish last time, how he risked getting caught by her father just to see her, even though he had just seen her that morning. She didn’t want to flatter herself, but it’s just the way it seemed.

            Niju thought about making small contact a few times while they were heading back to his cave. Half the time they walked, he peeked over at her to see if she still had that look of embarrassment on her face. Unfortunately, she still did, but it wasn’t as bad. Though as time passed, the worse Niju felt about Aleu. He was almost a little mad at himself for the reaction he gave her when she kissed him. Although it was kind of what he wanted all along, it was unexpected. He was surprised, but in a good way. He would have never thought that she would be the first one to make a move. And mixed in with how bad he felt, he also felt glad to know that she had feelings for him. That kiss couldn’t have just been a friendly thing, not if she was as embarrassed as she was and for how long. He thought that tonight, if he could get the timing right, he could return the favor for Aleu, and finally let her know how he felt.

            Aleu and Niju finally reached the cave. When they got to the entrance, Niju stopped.  Aleu turned around to face him. The sun was almost set, so she faced him to say good-bye.

 

 

 

Aleu: Well, I need to get home.

 

 

 

Niju: Ok.

 

 

 

Aleu: I’ll see you later, maybe… Have a good night.

 

 

 

Niju: You too.

 

 

 

            Aleu went up to him and gave him a hug. Niju hugged her back, passionately. When Aleu pulled away, he looked into her eyes, trying to reassure that they were still ok. There was something different in her expression. It was less embarrassed and more… sad, as if she thought that he didn’t like her because of what she did. He wanted so badly to take that pain away.

 

 

 

Aleu: …bye.

 

 

 

Niju: Bye.

 

 

 

            As Aleu walked away, Niju thought he’d missed his chance. But he knew he hadn’t come all this way to just see her walk away. He had to tell her. He had to let it out. This was it.

 

 

 

Niju: Aleu.

 

 

 

            Aleu turned around slowly.

 

 

 

Aleu: Yeah?

 

 

 

Niju: Don’t…

 

 

 

            Niju tried to gather up what he was going to say.

 

 

 

Niju: Just don’t feel bad about what happened back at the creek…

 

 

 

            Aleu turned around completely to face him.

 

 

 

Aleu: What?

 

 

 

Niju: I’m glad you did it…

 

 

 

            Aleu looked touched by his comment. The corner of her mouth slowly formed a half smile.

 

 

 

Aleu: Really.

 

 

 

Niju: Yeah… If you hadn’t of done it… I would have.

 

 

 

Aleu: (smiling)…Do you really mean that, Niju?

 

 

 

Niju: (smiling) Yeah… I do… I really do.

 

 

 

            Not a second after he said it, Aleu’s face brightened ten times more, and so did Niju’s. Aleu ran up to him, and gave him the very kiss that Niju wanted to return. Niju had waited so long for this moment, and now it had come true. This was the happiest day of his life. He could now proudly say that he was in love with Aleu, and so could she with him. That moment couldn’t have felt any more right than any moment in both of their lives. It was too good to be true. Niju’s life was now officially changed. His heart was now whole.

            With the passionate kiss, they held each other for the longest time, and they never wanted to let go. But it was dark, and Aleu needed to get home like she promised the clan. But the clan was one thing Niju cared less about. In fact, at that moment, he could have cared less about anything in the world as long as they were together.

            Aleu pulled away from the kiss gently, and looking at Niju with loving eyes, only to have him look at her with the same eyes.

 

 

 

Niju: I’ve thought it enough, and now I have to say it… I want to be with you, Aleu.

 

 

 

            Aleu lit up right after he said it. She couldn’t believe it. He was in love with her in the first place. This day couldn’t have been more perfect, she thought.

 

 

 

Aleu: Oh, Niju.

 

 

 

            Aleu gave him one last kiss before she had to depart.

 

 

 

Aleu: I have to go.

 

 

 

Niju: I wish you could stay.

 

 

 

Aleu: So do I…  I promised the clan.

 

 

 

            Niju leaned in and hugged her passionately. He really didn’t want her to go. He wished that night could have lasted forever. Aleu hugged him back and whispered in his ear.

 

 

 

Aleu: But I promise you that I’ll see you tomorrow. Alright?

 

 

 

Niju: (whispering) Alright.

 

 

 

            Aleu pulled away and they looked at each other in the eyes one more time. Aleu gave a reassuring, loving smile, Niju smiling back. Aleu turned and began to walk back towards the town, after a few steps, she looked back at Niju with a smirk, then turned around again and trotted away. The corner of Niju’s mouth formed a half smile as he watched the love of his life head back to her home. He was so glad to know that she could finally say that, even if it was too soon to be saying things like that. They both felt the same way about each other, so it didn’t matter. He loved her, and she loved him. They both felt that it was meant to be, and that’s all that mattered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 41

 

 

 

 

            For a while, Aleu taking walks in the woods started to seem like an everyday thing. At first, the clan thought it was nothing. She just must be anxious to get back out there again. They thought. But the more they thought about it, and the more it happened, the more they began to realize that something was going on. One way or another, whether she was keeping something from the clan or if it was just a phase, something was up. And no one thought more than Sarah. She was starting to worry about Aleu. She seemed to end up taking her place a lot at the time. But every now and then, Aleu tended to stay with the clan and do something with them and her father, so she tried not to worry about it too much.

            One day, Aleu and Balto went back up to the medical center to check on Farris. He seemed to be doing pretty well. Of course Steven and his Father were there with them.

 

 

 

Aleu: How are you holding in there?

 

 

 

Farris: Pretty good. I think I should be out of here some time soon.

 

 

 

Aleu: That’s good.

 

 

 

Farris: Yeah, but I still have to catch up with my sleep though.

 

 

 

Aleu: I agree. Try not to move around too much. You don’t want to increase your chances of having to stay here for a few more days.

 

 

 

Farris: Yeah, I know. I’ll be careful.

 

 

 

Aleu: Ok.

 

 

 

            Aleu smiled and looked at Farris. It was pretty good to see that he was doing so well. He smiled back at him. Aleu hoped that he would keep that smile. She thought about Niju, and how both the clan and her father didn’t even know about him yet. She began to worry a little bit about his safety, and what they would think of her for hiding it for so long. She figured that she needed to tell them about him soon. But if anyone had to know, it’s Balto. She couldn’t go and tell the clan about Niju and have him not know about it. He was her father, and he had enough years of life experience to know how she should handle the situation. But she couldn’t tell anyone just yet. She had to talk to Niju.

 

 

 

Aleu: Well, it’s great to see you.

 

 

 

Farris: You too. I’ll be out soon, I promise.

 

 

 

Aleu: Alright.

 

 

 

            Aleu walked forward and have him a little nuzzle before she left. He nuzzled back happily.

 

 

 

Balto: Be sure to be careful until you’re able to return to us, Farris. 

 

 

 

Farris: Will do. Thanks, guys.

 

 

 

            Aleu and Balto said their good-byes and returned back to the boat. It was getting pretty late already and the clan decided to go to bed early. Balto had Jenna over to join them again.

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