Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 9

"Now that you mention it, we didn't," Luke replied, used to missing meals. "And yeah, sure, that'd be great. Any ideas as to what to have?"

Kira frowned, looking back and forth between the direction of the icebox and the village. "I don't know... Toast would be easy enough."

"Toast sounds good," Luke nodded. "Pretty easy alright."

"I'll get the bread, you build the fire?" Kira asked, a vine taking them both out of the tree house.

"Sounds good," Luke nodded, going to look for firewood. He did cast an eye in the direction of the Flow and heat that they had both sensed, but decided that there was no point getting worked up over it.

Kira got the loaf of bread from the icebox, humming to herself as she walked back to the fire pit. She didn't take much notice to the Flow or heat. Not leaving the forest for four years had almost given her the idea that it was a separate, safe world, even if that safety had been violated before.

Luke clicked his fingers to get the fire started, getting a knife to cut the bread with from his throwing-knife belt.

Kira walked over to Luke, holding the bread. "I won't cut myself this time," she promised.

"That's what you said last time," Luke teased with a grin.

Kira stuck her tongue out childishly at Luke. "I was trying to trick you last time! Yeah...it was a trick!" she retorted, pouting.

"Oh yeah?" Luke replied, raising a sceptical eyebrow. He had an amused expression on his face.

Kira nodded firmly, though it was quite obvious she was lying. She was a horrible liar.

"Hm," Luke nodded seriously, before sticking his tongue out. "I don't believe you~"

"I-I-I, uh, um, I-I," Kira stuttered in a weak form of protest.

"Loaf please," Luke replied smugly, holding out his free hand.

Kira reluctantly handed Luke the loaf of bread, feeling a bit useless. "I can cut bread..." she muttered to herself.

"Yes, but I hate seeing you hurt. Plus, so," Luke replied, cutting her a slice of bread. "Can I."

"It's not like I like seeing you hurt, either. And I get cuts everyday, anyway, what's one more?" Kira asked, still pouting a little. She didn't want Luke to have to baby her like he had during the tournament; she was all grown up now.

"Not a lot, but put it this way: Which would you prefer, to have a cut or not have a cut?" Luke asked. They were his knives, he knew every notch and imperfection on them.

Kira fell quiet for a few seconds. "...I'd just rather not feel useless...if that means getting hurt..." she mumbled. She didn't want Luke to get angry with her, but she felt that it was best to just say what you felt.

"Considering you're the reason we don't starve, I didn't think that was much of a risk, but if that's how you feel, okay," Luke replied, flipping the knife around and offering her both the loaf and knife. He himself felt the same as him most of the time, but Kira had put his fears to bed earlier.

Kira hesitantly took both, feeling even worse for putting up such a fuss over something so little. She cut a slice off, managing not to cut herself this time. "Sorry, I-I'll take the loaf back to the icebox..." she mumbled, setting the knife down.

"If you think we've got enough," Luke replied, trying to set her at her ease. It wasn't that easy, he reflected.

Kira blinked, looking down at the loaf in her hands, before handing it back to Luke.

"Oookay," Luke replied slowly and confusedly, taking it back from her.