They went out walking one day, which they had been doing everyday, and it seemed that the day went by very fast. As they walked, they were talking about how everything in Aleu’s life had been going ever since she joined the clan. But it first started out with her child hood memories of her siblings, her parents, and how hopeless it seemed then to try to deal with getting along with her father. They laughed about it. Niju didn’t talk much, or try to, when ever she asked him about his child hood. Regardless, he let her do all the talking.

            When it started to get dark, they had already started to head towards the cave Niju was staying in. As they were walking, they noticed the sun rise over the town. When they noticed it, they ran towards the end of the forest and stared upon it.

Aleu: Oh, Niju. Look at that. Isn’t it beautiful? 

            The sky was orange but then yellow when the color reached the sun. The thin clouds were high above them. They stood right beside each other then sat down as they watched. As Aleu was starring into the sunset, Niju took his eyes off the sky, and looked at her. Aleu was smiling and that made him do the same.

Niju: Yeah. It isbeautiful.

            Aleu tilted her head to the side until it met Niju’s shoulder, still looking at the sunset. When Niju noticed that she was leaning against his shoulder, he was a little surprised, but in a good way. It was somewhat strange to him, how fast they were becoming such close friends and so fast. But no matter how strange it was, it felt great knowing that Aleu considered him as a close friend. Niju laid his head on hers as they both gazed into the setting sun.

_

            When it got darker, Aleu and Niju walked back to the cave. They weren’t far from where they were so it didn’t get too dark when they got there. They didn’t talk much walking back. When they reached the entrance, Niju turned around facing Aleu to tell her goodnight.

Niju: Well, here’s my stop. 

Aleu: Yeah. Well thanks for walking with me. It was nice.

Niju: Any time.

Aleu: So, I’ll see you tomorrow maybe?

Niju: Yeah, of course. 

            Aleu walked up to him and nuzzled him a little bit against his neck. Niju, first being a little shocked again, then closed his eyes and nuzzled back.

Aleu: Good night, Niju

Niju: (Almost whispering) Good night, Aleu.

            Aleu then turned around, with her eyes still on him, then turned her head around and started to walk home. Niju started to think quickly for a second. He thought maybe Aleu could stay the night. But then, he remembered that he didn’t think it through earlier. He didn’t know what she was going to say. But he had no time to think, this may be his only chance, he thought.

Niju: Aleu, wait!

            Niju quickly ran up to her and stood beside her. Aleu looked back at him with a worried look.

Aleu: Niju what’s wrong.

Niju: Oh, nothing. It’s just… Uh, ok this may seem a bit weird but, um… Since we have been friends for some while now… I don’t know, um m-maybe… you can stay the night for tonight… I- if it’s ok with you of course.

            Niju gave a little laugh after words. But then felt a little embarrassed when he saw her expression. She looked a little surprised and confused at the same time.

Niju: O-ok, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-

Aleu: No, no, it’s ok.

            Niju started to feel like an idiot. This isn’t the way to ask someone to stay with you, he thought.

Niju: (with a sigh) Alright, look, can I start over?

            Aleu turned around and sat down in front of him.

Aleu: Sure. I’m listening

Niju: Alright.

            Niju took a deep breath.

Niju: Would you… stay with me tonight.

            Aleu’s eyes widened. She knew what he had asked before, but she was almost shocked when he found out that Niju was sure about this. It was a little sudden, but she didn’t really see the harm in it.

Niju: I mean, it wouldn’t be a date or anything. It’s just that I’ve… never had some one stay the night with me before.

            Niju started to talk a little quietly and controllably. He started to seem a little less nervous and a little more emotional.

Niju: In fact I… never have had a friend with me before. 

            Aleu started to feel a little flattered, and touched at the same time. She thought what he was doing was very sweet. Ah, what the heck. Aleu thought. I’m sure the clan won’t mind.

Niju: So I was thinking, if it was alright with you, we could-

Aleu: Yes.

            Niju’s ears perked up as soon as he heard the word “yes”.

Aleu: I’d love to.

            Niju was taken back a bit by her answer. He was speechless for a moment.

Niju: Really? I mean, are you sure?

            Aleu was staring right into his eyes, touched by his offer.

Aleu: Yeah, of course I’m sure.

            Niju’s face started to slowly form a smile. Aleu chuckled a little bit when she saw his face.

Niju: (motioning towards the cave) well, would you like to come inside?  Or are you hungry?

Aleu: A little bit.

Niju: Ok, then we can go by the water.

            Aleu nodded her head.

Aleu: I would like that.

            They both shared a moment, looking at each other. They both laughed, and then they were off.

Chapter 16

            The sun was on the edge of the ground, slowly taking it’s time to make way for the night. Farris sat on the edge of the boat, watching the sun go down. He glared as if he looked like he hadn’t had another thought on his mind. But he had no other thought than why Aleu hadn’t come back yet. He sat quietly, wondering where she could be, and in a very faint whisper he broke the silence.

Farris: Where is she?  

            Farris looked around him to see if he was alone. As he turned his head, he spotted Balto, sitting right beside him; but at not much of a surprise. He just sat there smiling, gazing into the distance.

Balto: Beautiful, isn’t it?

            Farris turned his head back and looked at the sunset.

Farris: Yeah, sure is.

Balto: You know, sometimes I thought, before I met Jenna, how I could compare this to anything. The sunset, I thought would be the most gorgeous thing I would ever lay my eyes on. But when I met Jenna, it became the second most gorgeous, then a while after that, it became the third.

            Farris looked at him, wondering what could have made it be the third. He had a thought, which brought him back to Aleu.

Farris: Do you know where Aleu went.

Balto: No, haven’t seen hersince noon.

Farris: I wonder where she could be.

            Balto turned his head towards Farris.

Balto: You seemed so troubled.  

Farris: Well, I’m worried.

            Balto laughed a bit and turned his head back towards the sunset.

Farris: What’s so funny?

Balto: Oh, nothing. You’re just starting to sound like me; that’s all. I used to always worry about her. But it’s alright; she can take care of herself.

Farris: I just can’t stopworrying about her.

            Farris looked back at Balto.

Farris: You think there’s something wrong with me? You know, since I’m worrying about her a lot.

Balto: No.

            Balto stood up and started walking the other way. 

Balto: You’ll be fine.

            Balto turned his head back to say one more thing.