Another Passing Day ＊ REVISED ＊

Chapter Eight ＊ REVISED ＊

Arietta

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I looked fondly at Silva and smiled brightly. He was really nice! Maybe a bit shy, but... Yeah! Once I got to know him, he was a lot better!

He gave me an knowing glance, one that still didn't differ much from his other faces, but it was a nice change.

"So... Silva!" I started out, almost squeaking, "Will you go with me on my journey?"

Honestly, I didn't know whether he was shocked or torn. I think it was a mix, though. He lifted his eyes to mine, and replaced his slightly different face with his normal look.

"No, I must do my job and go home." Short and simple.

It made me frown, "Don't be a party pooper!" I waited a moment or two for him to respond, and then pouted, "You have to come to York New City next week, okay?"

Only when I saw a slight nod was I satisfied.

"Okay! I'll see you at York New City next week!" I cheered.

"See you." Said Silva as he waved his hand ever so slightly as he walked away.

He was so serious. I mean, really!

Then when I turned to the boys, Pariston was suddenly glaring daggers at me. I flinched a bit-since when did he become so hostile?

His mom put a hand on my shoulder, and then whispered something to me. I gave her a grin and a thumbs up.

"Okay! Thanks!" I called excitedly.

"Sure thing, sweetie!" Pariston's mother sweetly called back.

I turned to Jahan, ignoring Pariston completely. My eyes gleamed with a desire for adventure.

"Hey Jahan, wanna go together on a journ-"

"No, and my name is Ging!" He yelled at me.

"So? Big deal! Don't be a Pariston and be a turd ball!" I countered.

"Since when is someone's name a light issue? It's their identity!"

"And? You will never have a great name." I refused to back down.

"I will! Just you wait!"

"Uh huh." I retorted.

"Grr... Whatever, I'll be heading out." He muttered as he began to walk away.

"Jahan! Meet me at York New City next week!"

"I'll see..." He returned.

"You better come!"

Our little chat was done, and Pariston was slightly expecting me to ask him to come, but I simply walked past him. I flashed him a scowl that was the best I could manage to give him.

"Leave me alone." I growled in my deepest voice when he tried to reach out to me.

Pariston's eyebrows went up, as he was startled by my actions. His reaction was so funny!

I picked up my stuff and waved to my 'mom', heading out, when I overheard some failed contestants talking about "Nen". That got my ears perked.

"Apparently it's the final exam for the contestants who passed." Was all I heard as I passed.

Interesting! 'Nen', huh? Sounds like a fun challenge for me!

Then I headed off towards a forest nearby. I would search for someone to teach me tomorrow. Today I will practice fighting.

Alright! Right punch, left punch, right kick, left kick, right punch.....

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Soon enough, my muscles began to ache, and my breath became ragged after a few more hours. When I finally looked up, the sun was going down, and the moon up. Then I fainted from dehydration and hunger.

When I opened my eyes again, it was about 10 in the morning. I guessed the time by the direction of the sun.

Trying to find water on my wobbly legs, I finally found a stream, and some minnows. After trying to catch some for a few minutes, I finally decided I would just eat something from my backpack.

"How smart of me! Haha, I'm an idiot(and I'm talking to myself)." I laughed out loud.

Chomping down of some bread, I furrowed my brow in thought. How would I find my way to York New City? The only reason I knew about it was because of TV.

Okay, so I'll go back the way I came from, and then find my way to a town or something.

Sniffing the air softly, I picked up my bag and headed off in the direction I had come from. When I reached the original road I started off in the direction of many people. Meaning I was still using my nose. And my ears.

After an hour of following a trail, I got to a town. It was really small, so I decided I would move on to the next town.

But my plans changed after I met Xi-Rim.

Xi-Rim probably has white or gray hair by now, but he used to have seaweed green hair and orange-brown eyes. The thing is, he looked foreign, like he wasn't from this country. It's really hard to get out of Japon because of the Dark Continent. I guess I'm an exception to that, though.

He may or may not have decided to teach me Nen. I still don't know. All I know is that he discipled me to make me stronger, and that made me want to stay in Japon.

It was two days after I had met him, and Xi-Rim decided to teach me about Nen after my constant nagging and pouting. I chuckle now when I think about it, Xi-Rim is so pitiful. Anyways, he began to teach me about the basics, and finally after another three days, I told Xi-Rim that I had to go to York New City in the next day or so.

Then the smarty just had to decide that we were both going on a trip-really? He really just wants free food.

Xi-Rim said he'll teach me Nen as we travel and when we get there. Trying to act so tough, turd ball. I have to pay for all his fees, too!

I smiled when I thought of meeting my friends again. It was exciting to think that I had actual friends.

Although I do remember one friend I had... I forget his name, but he was really stiff and never spoke much.

Except with me. We used to always tell each other our dreams and sometimes just sleep on the hill. He had so much pressure from his parents to be who they wanted him to be.

I smiled painfully while I reminisced.

"Come away, we don't have to stay here. We can go anywhere." I softly whispered the words that he had said before he left me.