Rage

5 - Crystal Waters

AN: Back to back chapters? Wow, I'm so cool.

TW: None! (Please tell me if I missed any!)

As the horse led them down the road, Marlin and Rain looked around at the scenery. Because they had always stayed in the forest, until now they had never seen the plains, or the mountains beyond them. A brightly colored flower everywhere you looked, the rays of the sun mixed with the blue sky, and a refreshing breeze. The girls sat laughing as they passed jokes between each other and took in the sights with awe. The foggy frame of a mountain in the distance. The soft snow that lay upon its peak. The green grass and the small creatures scurrying around in it. Every now and then, a rabbit would dash across the dirt path, or a bird would fly past, whistling a merry tune as the cart bumped up and down.

"It's really nice out here, don't you think?" Rain said after her laugh that had been summoned by one of Marlins jokes had slowly died down to a stop.

"Yeah." Marlin said, staring up at the sky which well resembled her blue eyes. She turned her head toward Rain and smiled, then looked back out to the side of the cart. Suddenly her eyes lit up, and she called for Yuliab to stop the horse, as Rain tilted her head forward and gazed in the direction Marlin had been looking. Then she saw it.

A clear stream with a sandy bank. The one they had seen at camp was small and could only fit her hand. This one could fit multiple people, and the water looked still, for the most part. Rain felt the weight of the cart decrease, as Marlin had jumped off and started towards Yuliab, who had also left from his seat to inspect the stream. Rain slowly stood up and braced herself for the impact when her feet hit the floor, moving her legs so she wouldn't tumble over when she landed.

When her feet were on the ground, they weren't still for long, as she started running to catch up to Marlin and Yuliab. She had seen the mountains in the distance and the snow that rested on their tips, but she hadn't thought of the possibility of streams, even though it was a realistic thought, seeing how the snow could easily melt and form one. That's when it hit her. They had been living on a mountain the entire time. She didn't know why this was important to her, but deep down, it was nice to have more knowledge of her past home, even if she had let go of it.

She shook off her shock of realization as she arrived at the stream. Marlin had taken a step in, and was kicking water towards Yuliab, who acted like he was bothered by it, but in all reality, was smiling and biting back a laugh. Rain snickered and went down stream, where she carefully crossed, trying to stay somewhat dry, and walked back to where Marlin was still trying to splash Yuliab, and was still, against her best efforts, failing.

Yuliab looked towards Rain, eyebrow raised. Rain put a finger up to her lips, signifying silence. Yuliab caught on, and nodded, his face once again rose into a smile. Luckily, Marlin had not seen this interaction. She was still trying to hit the man with the water. Rain quietly stepped into the water, and lowered herself until the water was up to her chin. She waited for her body to adjust to the temperature, took a breath, and lowered herself farther down, this time the water reaching just below her eyes. She slowly made her way toward Marlin, and when she arrived behind the tall redhead, grabbed her leg, and pulled.

Rain hadn't pulled too hard. Just enough to scare Marlin half to death, thinking there was some kind of creature who had tried to drag her in. Rain popped out of the water and joined in Yuliabs chorus of laughter. The panic on Marlins face quickly faded, and was replaced with an annoyed look.

"Rain?" She said in a playfully serious voice. "Never. Again."

"Alright, alright." Rain chuckled as she wiped a tear that had escaped her eye due to her fit of laughter. They played in the stream for a while, splashing back and forth, laughing, going under water, and seeing who could last the longest before the need for air overcame the need for victory.

Sadly, all things must come to an end, both good and bad, so eventually they had to get out of the cool stream, climb back onto the cart, and continue on their journey, Marlin and Rain sitting on the back, squeezing all the water they could out of their clothes while still having them on. They both looked wistfully in the direction of the stream, though it was well out of sight by now.

Rain suddenly remembered the discovery she had made and shared it with Marlin. Marlin wasn't as shocked as Rain had been, but she was still surprised to some degree. As the cart bumped up and down, and the horse trotted along the path, the girls continued their chatter, still giggling at each other's stupid little jokes. Yuliab smiled hearing this. He was glad that they were so close. He had lost that opportunity when he decided to travel alone. He turned towards the road and set his mind on their destination. They had to make it to town by tonight, after all.

WC: 906