Zane nodded, pulling himself out of the water. He frowned. "I don't think I'll ever be completely dry again," he muttered, trying to twist some of the water out of his boxers without actually removing them. He pushed his bangs out of his face and grabbed his jeans, putting them on and wincing at how they felt against his damp skin. "I hope we can find some clothes in the wreckage."

-----

Allen had stopped squirming and twisted his head around to look at Shadow. "Zane's with Taylor?" he ask, looking like he couldn't believe it. Yuri just shrugged and continued to drag him along the path as he followed Shadow, Vic closely behind him.

Taylor wrung her hair out and tried to rub most of the moisture out of her damp clothes. She stepped to Zane's side. "We should get back now," She said, though she didn't want to leave. She was at peace here with Zane. She remembered last night and her eyes welled up with tears. She didn't know why, but she felt...happy. She felt like she still had some hope even if she was stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere with no hope of getting out. She felt safe with Zane.

--

Shadow tried to hide his wolfy grin. "Yes, Zane is with Taylor and she is enjoying herself." He said and knew Allen was going to have fun with this information. He turned again and padded back down the trail, ruffling his dark black wings.

Zane nodded and looked up at Taylor. "Hey," he said, standing up, "why are you crying?" He wondered if he had done something to offend her. He sure hoped not. He pulled on his shirt before brushing one of the tears away and giving her a concerned look. 

-----

Allen grinned like a maniac. "Finally!!!" he shouted, pumping his fist into the air. Yuri rolled his eyes. He knew Allen was taking Shadow's statement differently. "Don't encourage him," Yuri said. 

-Taylor looked up at him and a broken laugh escaped her lips. "Nothing's wrong with you. I'm just...happy." She said and leaned into him. "I really enjoy being around you Zane. Your so down to earth and if i'm ever in trouble, I know you'll be there." She wrapped her arms around him and sighed.

--

Shadow flicked his tail in front of Yuri's mouth. "Let him have his fun. Those two need some humility," He said. They were almost to the clearing.

Zane blinked in surprise at Taylor's affection, but simply sighed and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her back. Unfortunately, it was at that exact moment when Allen and Yuri appeared into view.

"ZANE!" Allen shouted, scrambling out of Yuri's grip to stand up and stare at them. Whether he yelled just to get a reaction or because he was seriously surprised, only he and Yuri knew. 

Zane immediately released Taylor, taking a step back and almost falling into the lake. He managed not to fall and stood right on the edge of the bank. "Allen!" he gasped. "What are you doing here?" he glared at his brother.

"Me? What are you doing?" Allen retorted. "This is hardly the place to hook up!"

Zane stared at him, trying to figure out what he had just said. "I--we are not hooking up! You're insane!"

Both boy's continued to glare at each other while Yuri and Vic tried not to fall over laughing. 

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Is that all guys think about? You guys are so simple-minded," She said and looked at Allen. "You missed it, Allen. I was just teaching Zane to swim," She said. "Here. You want to take a dip?" She asked and raised her hand. A blue aura surrounded Allen and he was lifted off the ground. Taylor flicked her wrist and he moved to hover over the lake. She wasn't really going to drop him in. She was just trying to have some fun with him.

--

Shadow watched Taylor lift Allen up and hold him over the lake. He sent approving thoughts to her and she flashed him a smile. She put Allen back down on the ground and the blue aura dissappeared.

--

((Snoweh. i don't know how to respond to your post. lol))

Allen blinked. "Wait, Zane doesn't know how to--" he was cut off when an invisible force picked him up and lifted him up over the lake. He struggled for a few moments before the invisible force returned him to the ground. "Wow!" he exclaimed, "That was awesome!" He jumped up onto his feet and ran up to Taylor. "Did you really just do that?" he asked excitedly. 

Zane frowned. "He's the one who said it." he glared at Allen. His brother had never known he couldn't swim and Zane hoped he would forget it.

(( I'm a bit brain-dead too. It really is contagious D: ))

Taylor rolled her eyes again. "No, my pet unicorn just did it," She said and smiled. "Of course I did it. I've been practicing most of the night and let's just say Zane took an unexpected dip when I first tried it," She said, chuckling.

Shadow sat and watched the two. He noticed the look of anger from Zane's glare to Allen and he chuckled. He cocked his head to one side, trying to understand what Taylor saw in this human. He sighed, feeling he would never understand the human's lives and a small knot of guilt formed in his stomach. These humans didn't need to be stuck here in the middle of a war that had nothing to do with them. He glanced away from them and locked his thoughts away.

Shadow let out a low grumble from his throat and Taylor glanced at him. Shadow spoke. "Taylor, we were planning on going to scavenge from past shipwrecks." He said and Taylor nodded. "Okay. We shouldn't waste any time," She said.

(( Lol, I saw that. It confused the heck out of me at first cuz I was only paying attention to he Avi's and not the names XD )) 

"So that's why he looks like a drowned cat!" Allen said, continuing to tease his brother. He enjoyed annoying Zane, it was practically his job after all and ever since they got on this island, he noticed that Zane had been acting a little more normal. 

"Hey, I take offence to that," Yuri said in mock-offence, padding over to his partner and swatting at his side playfully. 

Zane sighed. Yuri was like the friend that Allen had always wanted and he was glad for that, but he now hoped they wouldn't be ganging up on him. "That sounds like a good idea, Shadow. Hopefully some useful items have survived."  

Taylor smiled. "Alright, then let's go." She walked from Zane and climbed onto Shadow's back. He nuzzled her as she pa.ssed and she flashed him a smile.

--

Shadow watched the young human tease his brother. Even though Yuri was an elder in human years, he was still almost as young as Allen in their years. Either that, or he just acted like that. Shadow's chuckle was a rumble deep in his throat and his eyes sparkled mischeviously. He was glad that his island actually had a chance of surviving. Even if it meant that Taylor would have to lose everything she knew. Along with everyone else. The same guilt pierced him again and the twinkle died from his eyes.

A thought occured to him. If Lunar perished, the fortress surrounding the island would dissappear. The binds holding the humans here would loosen and fall slack and the spirits would regain their former power. The humans could choose to leave, but if they wanted to stay, they had to give up everything. Their soul could never leave this island and they would be affected by the hate and rage in the world. If the world was at peace, they would be strong, but if the world was in terrible chaos, they could perish. He had to explain this to them when the time was right, even if losing his bond with Taylor could shatter him.

((fail post DX))

((Rawr. Don't make me bring my ninja out on you guys!!!))

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((too late....i did.))