Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 10

"Fine," Luke mock-sighed, not rolling his eyes since he though it might look weird coming from him. He let her have the bit of his load she took good-naturedly, since he couldn't bring herself to try and tell her what to do unless it was very important. His small bit of pride was a bit hurt, but he hid it well.

"Let's just see what he has to say." Joey said. "Won't help to go in blind."

"Going in blind is so much more fun." Jamie said blankly.

Kira smiled slightly, before continuing. "Good. 'Cuz I doubt you wouldn't have any trouble dragging me back to the forest. If someone has to trip and hit their head, we'd probably be better off with it being me," she explained, trying to fix whatever of Luke's pride she might have damaged.

"Yeah, maybe," Luke replied with a shy smile, remembering the time he ended up carting Kira and Nathan from the training room when they were in the tournament.

Kira giggled, starting towards the forest. "C'mon, let's get going."

"I'm trying!" Luke protested, chuckling as he followed Kira away from the lake.

Kira stuck her tongue out at Luke childishly.

"Careful," Luke warned jokingly.

"I'm always careful," Kira shot back, a playful tone in her voice.

"Oh I don't know about that~" Luke replied in a tuneful sing-song voice.

Kira chuckled, raising an eyebrow and daring Luke to continue.

Luke stared blankly, not sure what she was hinting at him to do.

Kira laughed some more. "Go on, what am I not careful with?"

"Boo!" Luke suddenly exclaimed, making a funny face and waving his arms at her.

Kira screamed, jumping back and dropping all of her things. "Luke!"

"Only if you plan on dying." Al deadpanned.

"Oi! Quit your yapping!" Ty yelled back at them.

"Not careful around scary monsters," Luke replied loftily, dusting himself up and picking some but not all of the stuff Kira had taken from him.

Joey just sweatdropped, before turning to Luke and Ty. "Lead the way."

Kira quickly gathered up what she had been carrying before Luke could take any more of it. "I am careful around scary monsters. You're not a scary monster."

Ty and Luke lead the group to a small encampment of sorts. Most of the 'houses' were tents made out of ripped up cloth and other scavenged materials. People walked around or did jobs, stopping to stare as they passed by, expecially at the chimera. A few of the smaller kids yelled and were about to run up to the creature before being pulled or yanked away by older kids.

A few minutes passed by until the Ty lead them to the only building in the area, an old cabin of sorts. Luke knocked on the door, waiting patiently until he heard a soft yet distinct croak of "enter."

"You never what might be a scary monster. You should be careful around me too," Luke replied, failing to suppress a mixture of a sniffer and a snort.

"But I know you're not a scary monster," Kira repeated, frowning, and hugging her bundle tightly.

"Should always be careful," Luke replied, mock-seriously.

Joey stepped forward, ready to see this Elder.

Time to see what this person had to say.