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"Let's get settled, then," Setsuko said, passing out the blankets. After getting the kids situated, particularly young Yuumi and Li, Setsuko was more than happy to allow sleep to claim her.

Kuilak, however, was a different story altogether. He sat awake atop his blanket, gazing at the leaves where normally a sky would be, worrying about what had become of poor Sumi.

While Tess would've loved to stay with Misaki, she flet the urge to sleep beside her mother and father. She walked over to them, carrying her own blanket. They welcomed her, and she snuggled down in between them, her eyes closing drowsily.

Rue wrapped one arm around Tess, her hand resting on Tariq's forearm.


Maddy ignored the cold, brisk wind that always blew this far up, staring at the ground in silence. Her arms remained wrapped around her chest, and she spotted a flock of birds. She was tempted by the urge to join them, to soar with them in the dark skies. But she resisted, flying in solitude.

Kuilak remained awake as the others drifted into sleep. Tire seeped through his body and he longed to join them, but somehow, he just couldn't.

Sumi flew through the cooling air as the sun sank lower into the distant he flew in silence for so long that he just about lost his sense of direction, teetering slightly. He shook his head to clear it and continued on as straight as he could.

Maddy looked down, the setting sun casting long shadows over the ground. She decided she had flown long enough; she could keep her composure now. She turned, and soon found herself skidding to a halt where the others were either sleeping, or falling asleep. She pulled in her wings, glad of the heat that seeped through her feathers and into her skin. She laid down unthinkingly, stopping only to grab a blanket.

Sumi finally landed, finding himself high on a lonely boulder. The a breeze fluttered by, winding through his thick, windblown hair. He sighed heavily and plopped down on the rock, his mind and emotional disaster. Now there was really nothing left to do but sleep, even on the uncomfortable stone on which Sumi had landed.

Maddy stayed awake for a while, though she normally fell asleep easily and quickly; it was probably due to that huge arguement. She pulled her blanket tighter around her body as Sumi's words echoed through her mind, "Yeah, fly away! No one wants you here..."
She would've loved to believe that to be wrong, but that pessimistic side of her brain refused to be convinced. It seemed to be forever until she fell asleep, and her dreams were intruded by both Sumi and Ayumu, who chased her off screaming at her to fly away.

Beams of light cracked at the sky as the sun again rose. Kuilak groaned as he saw a few penetrate the trees. He had not slept at all over the course of the night; his eyes were dull and tired, his think hair was scrambled due to his occasional attempts at sleep as well as to the wind that fluttered through the night. He felt sore all over. Even his brain felt uncomfortable and aching. Everyone else had slept for the full night, even Setsuko, who most nights was often wakened by Li's hungry cries. But no, last night Kuilak had taken care of all that, tending to his son's needs with the bottle, which contents were running low. It would have to be refilled soon. Setsuko roused slowly as the sunbeams reached her eyes. Seeing Kuilak still sitting, tired and worried, she asked, "Kuilak...are you alright, sweetheart?" Her night's sleep had worked miracles on her mind; she was feeling much better, even to the point of giving her husband "sweetie" names. "Yeah," he replied, his voice scratchy and distant. Setsuko sat up completely, looking at him with worry and care in her gaze that transferred to her tone. "No, you're not. What's wrong?" No response.

Sumi stirred, his back feeling sore after having slumbered a dreamless sleep on the boulder. He stood stiffly, still rather sleepy, and surveyed his surroundings. He was still a bit unsure about where he was, but he finally decided that it would be better if he started looking for the temporary camp again as soon as possible. He unfurled his gilder and flew off in the opposite direction that he had come; the first few yards he flew were wobbly, but his brain soon got back into it and he was soaring smoothly once again.

Maddy woke up first, somehow managing to crack open her eyes. She felt a stronge urge to roll over and fall back asleep, but sat up groggily instead, yawning heavily.

Rue was stirred by both Maddy's loud yawn, and Setsuko and Kuilak's voices. She sat up carefully; Tess was still asleep, and she wanted her to remain like that. She stretched her muscles subtly, sliding out from under the blanket.

Tariq blearily opened his eyes, blinking a few times to get his mind in order. Satisfied nothing was happening tha required any action on his part, he shifted, closing his eyes again. He would get up when he was required to.

Gale mumbled something, then sat straight up, a wild look in his eyes. Looking around, he breathing a light sigh of relief as he saw familiar faces. He saw his father trying to fall back asleep, and Tess curled up beside him, blonde curls covering most of her face.

ooc--When did Maddy get back? :o

~~

Kuilak sighed, wishing not to answer the question. But he did anyway. "It's Sumi," he admitted. "Not even I have seen him that mad. I'm worried about him." Setsuko put a comforting hand on Kuilak's back. "I'm worried too, believe me. There's never a time that I'm not worried about my children!" She added with a slight chuckle. "You know that. But Sumi's fourteen, I think he can handle himself this once. You and I both know well how he is...he'll cool off and come back before you know it." Kuilak sighed. "I hope so," he murmured.

Ooc:// The post is there...

Rue stifled another yawn, looking over at Setsuko and Kuilak. Kuilak looked exhausted and worried; she had to wonder if he had slept at all last night. Then she looked at Maddy.

Rue had fallen asleep before Maddy had come home; even though she knew her daughter would soon fly back, it had been a relief to see her when Rue had woken up.

Maddy wrapped her blanket around her, heading towards her mom and dad. "Morning," she muttered sheepishly, hoping they wouldn`t bring up the events of last night.

After a long time of flying, Sumi finally again found the clearing. He landed, and, noticing Maddy, narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. "Natsumi! You're back!" Kuilak excalimed in relief. "I was fine, Dad," Sumi insisted, a bit grumpy irritable after having slept on the uncomfortable rock.

Maddy purposefully avoided looking at Natsumi, trying to fight down the anger that boiled up inside of her again. Tess had woken up, followed by a rleculant Tariq, upon Sumi's arrival.

Setsuko turned to Kuilak. "Do you think you could get an hour or so of sleep now? You're going to need it before we go to..." she paused, remembering the Caverns and Ayumu's request. She didn't finish her sentence.

A result of having just woken up, Rue had forgotten. A pang of worry shot through her as she remembered, her brown eyes suddenly concerned and exhausted, despite her rest. "When should we leave?" she asked, turning to Setsuko. It sounded like a few hours, considering she wanted Kuilak to rest a bit before going.

"Whenever Kuilak's ready, I suppose," Setsuko replied. Kuilak nodded gratefully and lay his head on the soft grass; now that he was sure Sumi was ok, he was grateful to at last meet with sleep.

Misaki felt her stomach growl. "Mama, I'm hungry," she whined. "Yeah, me too," Kanna added. "I kinda am as well," Kya agreed. "Food!" Exclaimed Yuumi. Setsuko exchanged a glance with Rue.