Fuming, Kai stormed into the woods, unsure whether or not he was going to return to Lumiere’s house. He walked around for awhile, full aware he was going in a circle.

“Kai!” he heard someone call in the distance. “Kai, where are you? Please answer me!” the person continued yelling. Kai knew who was calling his name. He kept walking as he debated if he should show himself. He heard rustling behind him and picked up the pace a little. “Kai!” The voice sounded dangerously close. Kai stopped and didn’t move. He heard the bushes begin to rustle, but this time the noise was moving away. Kai exhaled before he resumed his walking.

*

Crestfallen, Kaia made her way back to Lumiere’s house after a fruitless search.

“No luck?” Ray asked when he saw Kaia enter the house. Kaia shook her head.

“I’m going to go get some sleep,” she muttered as she started heading to the bedrooms. Ray glanced at Hilary, who had fallen asleep next to him. He smoothed her hair once before getting up and following Kaia.

***

Kai climbed up the porch steps as the sun started to peek over the horizon. As he reached to open the door, the door opened to reveal Kaia. They looked at each other warily.

“Can we talk?” Kaia said quietly, motioning to the porch swing sitting on the porch. Kai didn’t say anything, but moved to sit on the porch swing nonetheless. He sat on one end and Kai sat on the other. “Look,” she began, swinging her red hair over one shoulder to create a curtain between her and Kai. “After what Lumiere told us, I’m sure you have half a mind to go back home. But I wanted to remind you that I don’t want you to go despite the fact that Lumiere basically said that it’s pointless for us to have come here because we won’t get back in time. Kai let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m going to tell you what I’ve said before. I’m not going to leave. I’ve told you that,” he reminded. Kai scooted close enough to Kaia to pull her hair back to look at her face. She was looking at him warily. He continued speaking. “I may have been mad last night and yes I was close to leaving, but even that won’t convince me to break a promise I made to myself.” Kai paused, subconsciously leaning closer to Kaia. “And I’m sorry for nearly attacking you. I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s okay,” she softly assured. As they stared at each other, Kaia became aware of how close Kai was to her. Her eyes flickered to his lips and back to his eyes. Just then, the front door opened and out poured Ray, Hilary, and Erin. Kai and Kaia jumped; Kai quickly scooted away from Kaia. Ray saw their actions and eyed them oddly.

“Kaia, Lumiere wants you to help her cook breakfast,” Hilary chimed as she stretched. Kaia got up wordlessly and headed inside.

“There you are. Let’s get cooking,” Lumiere said as soon as Kaia stepped into the kitchen. Lumiere had Kaia start to cut vegetables. After a few moments, when she was watching Kaia peel from potatoes, Lumiere said, “You love him, don’t you?” Kaia froze, feeling a blush coming to her face, knowing who Lumiere was talking about.

“I- I don’t know what you mean,” she stammered.

“Oh don’t play dumb with me. I’ve been watching the two of you the little time you’ve been here. It’s obvious that you two have feelings for each other.” Kaia glanced at Kai, who was sitting in the living room with Ray, Hilary, and Erin. Kaia shook her head.

“That’s impossible. We- I can’t love him. I’m a Fire warrior. He’s an Ice warrior. It… It just can’t happen. If it were true, that is,” Kaia protested.

“Let me tell you something, young lady. You’re looking at someone who didn’t fall in love with someone of her own kind.” Kaia looked at her, surprised. “It’s true. And I happened to fall in love with someone who comes from the most hated kind of warrior.”

“You fell in love with a Shadow warrior?” Kaia whispered in shock. Lumiere nodded.

“I did. But I don’t regret it one bit. The years spent with my Ombre will be years I will never forget.”

“What happened to him?” Lumiere’s eyes glazed over with tears.

“He was killed by someone of his own kind.” Kaia bit her lip, hesitating to ask her next question.

“Is that why Sinistra listened to what you told her?” she finally asked.

“Yes and no. There’s more to that story, but now’s not the time.” Lumiere turned around and started a fire under the stove as she added, “Now you don’t go telling me you can’t possibly be in love with that young man over there just because he’s an Ice warrior.”

“But it’s more complicated than that,” Kaia sighed. “And besides, I’m not in love with him.” Lumiere didn’t say a thing, dropping the subject for the time being. At that moment, Erin chose to strut into the kitchen.

“Need any help?” he asked, looking at Kaia.

“No,” she replied, not looking up from the potatoes. He stared at her for a moment before grabbing an apple that was sitting next to Lumiere and leaning against the counter, still watching Kaia.

“Kaia, why don’t you go join the others?” Lumiere suggested.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Go on now.” Kaia finished peeling the potato she was doing, left the things she was using in their place, and walked out to the living room. Erin was right behind her.

“You know, you’d think that staying here for a few days might make a person feel somewhat relieved. But I’m actually anxious to get out of here. It feels like the Shadow warriors might show up any second,” Hilary admitted once Kaia and Erin sat down.

“I know what you mean,” agreed Ray. “I’m just waiting for that split second when we have to run again.”“I hope that second doesn’t com,” Kaia grumbled. Taking a deep breath, Kaia said, “You guys do realize that we’re close to the Light castle, right?”“Meaning that we’ll be enemies again soon,” Hilary said softly, unintentionally throwing a glance at Ray. He gave her a small reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry about,” he dismissed. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes.”

“As far as I’m concerned, the three of you were always an enemy,” Erin said, looking at Ray, Hilary, and Kai. Kaia bit her lip, urging herself not to say anything.

“Well you weren’t much of an ally yourself,” Ray retorted. Erin glared at him. Ray met his gaze evenly, not flinching away.

“Kaia, can I tell you something? It’s something that’s making me feel guilty,” Hilary said as she and Kaia watched Ray and Kai. It was just a little after a dinner. The sun was barely starting to set, casting a red glow over everything. Kai and Ray were in front of the house, practicing their fighting skills. Kaia and Hilary were sitting on the porch steps, watching the two boys. Erin had disappeared.

“Hm?” Kaia prodded, sounding as if she was being shaken out of a train of thought. “What is it?” Hilary shifted around uncomfortably for a moment.

“Well.. You know how I told you about Aero?” Kaia nodded. “I’m kind of worried. I think I…. I might… might have some feelings for Ray.” Kaia’s eyes widened as she turned to face Hilary.

“You aren’t serious, right?” she asked, eyeing Hilary. Hilary bit her lip.

“I am serious, that’s the problem.” Kaia sighed, running a hand through her hair as she tossed Kai a glance. “But I know that Aero is the one. It’s just…. That well….. Ugh,” Hilary groaned as she buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know what to do,” she mumbled into her hands.

“We all have problems with love,” Kaia murmured wistfully. She shook her head, pushing those thoughts of her head. She stood up, placing a hand on her hip. “How’d you figure this out?” she asked.

“Whenever I’m alone with Ray, I get this feeling… like…. Like…..” Hilary struggled to find the right words.

“No need to go further into detail.” Kaia straightened up. “Just do what you think you ought to do,” Kaia advised as she turned around and headed inside. Hilary huffed and rested her chin on her hands, wondering what in the world to do.