Stargazer

Chapter Seven: The Creeping Shadows Jay

Present time.

It's been a couple of days after we had to escape from that town we were staying in. We'd made a camp sight a couple of hours away from where we're supposed to meet the others.

But something's wrong. Instead of the usual chatter around the camp site it was complete silence an uncomfortable silence.

What's going around here? Even the boss is acting strange!

I noticed that she was watching brother a little bit more than usual. She would stare at him for minutes at a time as if waiting for something. He would catch her in the act though and she'd look away obviously embarrassed.

Snow, too, was acting strange. He was quieter than usual, spent most of his time brooding over something like he was currently, sitting on a log staring into the fire with his arms propped on his knees.

Could something have happened between them?

"Is something wrong, Jay?" Asks Avi, putting down the weapon he was sharpening. "I can practically hear you thinking."

I sit upright on the tree branch I was hanging from. I swing my legs in the air. "Did something happen between the boss and Snow?"

He lifts one eyebrow, as he looks up at me. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know... Things seem a little," I pause for a moment trying to think of an appropriate word, "tense."

Avi snorts picking up the weapon, and begins sharpening it again. "Yeah, you'd have to be a fool not to see it. I think she's actually thinking of letting him join officially without having him watched." He looks over at the boss. "He did prove himself by defeating those mercenaries."

"That's true. But he hasn't said anything about them. Even when she asked."

Avi shrugs his shoulders. "He may have his reasons, but it is strange. I wonder what he's hiding?" He says with a strange gleam in his eyes.

I jump from the tree and head over in the direction of Darrion. I plop down beside him, but there is no reaction.

I wave my hand in front of his face.

Nothing, not a blink or twitch.

"Darrion!" I say waving my hands again.

He blinks rapidly and then looks at me. "Is something wrong, Jay?"

I take my seat again. "I was wondering if something happened between you and the boss?"

He smiles. "No, nothing happened," he says ruffling my hair. "Why?"

"Because you're barely talking and the boss is staring at you like you've grown another head."

He chuckles. "I've just got a lot on my mind, nothing to worry about."

"Okay." And then I turn around on the log to face him. "Say, about the fight you had! I bet it was awesome, can you tell me about it? you've said nothing! Were they easy to defeat? Did-"

"Jay! Come here for a second!" Says the boss.

I groan.

He chuckles, again. "Maybe later, our fearless leader needs you, little fox." He stands up ruffling my hair again. "Now, go."

"You better tell me later!" I say crossing my arms.

He nods.

I run up to the boss who's leaning up against a tree. "What's up, Boss?"

She smiles. "Hey, I need to ask you a question,"

"Okay!"

Her expression turns serious again. "What do you think of Darrion?"

I lean up against the tree like the boss and look over at Darrion who had joined Avi and was talking with him while they both sharpened weapons.

"I think he's awesome, a badass!" She gives me the look. "Sorry, sorry, he's a nice person."

She sighs. "Do you trust him?"

"Yeah, he saved our buts back at the town and helped me out." I push myself off of the tree and throw a couple of false punches. "Plus, he can teach me how to do all of that cool stuff I saw him do back at the tavern!"

She laughs. "Slow down there tiger! I don't think your ready for advanced stuff quite like that yet!" She removes herself from the tree. "You're right his skills are valuable, I've never seen anyone fight quite like him."

I narrow my eyes. What is she thinking? Unless...

"Are you going to let him officially join us?" I ask.

Please let that be the answer!

She smirks. "Yes. He seems harmless enough to us at least."

I jump up with one fist in the air. "Yes!"

Now I can learn hand to hand fighting instead of all of that sword crap!

"Now come on, we've got to get moving if we want to meet the others before sun set." She says ruffling my hair lightly, walking towards Avi and Darrion.

I begin to follow her when I feel a prickle on the back of my neck. I turn around, to face the forest and there was nothing there.

What is this feeling?

"Jay, come on!" Says the boss.

"Coming!" I say running towards them, when I start to pack up my things. I feel a hand on my shoulder.

It's Darrion.

"Is something the matter, Jay?"

"No, I just had a weird feeling," I tell him shaking my head. "It might have just been an animal or something, that I was feeling."

"Right..."

I pack up my bag and begin walking towards the horses where Avi and the boss were already getting mounted. I secure my bag on my horse and then mount as well.

"Snow, what are you doing? Let's go! We don't have all evening." Says the boss.

I look over to see Darrion still looking out at the woods, he turns around without another word with his things and quickly mounts.

"Sorry, I thought I'd dropped something." He says, an apologetic smile on his face.

The boss nods once and then we're on the move.

Even as we leave I still feel the prickling on the back of my neck.
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Hello again! Sorry if this chapter seemed a little short! I hope you like reading in Jays POV. Let me know if I should do more of this in the future! Until next time! ^_^
The song above is from the a Noragami soundtrack.
-Flowereader230