Journey to a Better End II

Chapter 21

I can't stop listening to Kradness songs while I write...I need help...also, sorry about the late update. I really have no excuse this time...
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        Paradox hadn't said anything about any other time anomalies that had to be taken care of even after two days. Ryu decided he'd keep Ran just like Ara kept Eun. He said it was to learn more about his plans to make sure no one was in danger but Ara was sure he was just curious to know what it was like to have an evil partner during battle. For some reason, he still considered Eun evil which bothered the fox greatly.

        Add was in a better mood now that he was much better. That and he got to spend time with his mother without her trying to kill him, insult him, or otherwise. That just left Ara feeling sort of lost. She didn't want to visit her own mother just yet and she didn't want to bother Add despite her urge to be near him. Instead she kept herself secluded from everyone whenever possible.

        Paradox was the only one who didn't respect her wish to be alone and often searched for her whenever she disappeared into the bamboo forest just behind Add's home. This time was no different as Ara sat in the midst of bamboo that afternoon. The spot she chose had been cleared enough for her and four others to sit with her but no one else was around. Things were starting to calm down and she was thinking about what she and Add had been through as well as what they'd face in the future.

        "You should stop disappearing like this. Add gets worried," Paradox said from behind her. He sat down with his back facing hers but she said nothing. "Paradox thinks you're sad but I told him you just like the bamboo," Paradox continued. "I'm fine. You can go back now and tell Add that I'm just doing a little thinking. He'll understand," Ara sighed. "You're acting like Ara did before I last saw her. I don't like that. Now that I've been forced to remeber these things thanks to that garden outside of Ruben, I keep having the urge to protect you and I don't like that either," Paradox muttered.

        Ara glanced back at him. He'd been a lot less hostile towards her and even Add these past couple days. Could the changing of the timeline and his sudden recollection of memories have been the cause? "You mean...there was an Ara Haan in your team just like me?" Ara asked him, also curious since it wasn't often that Paradox willingly told about his past. "Yes. It's of no concern to you though. It's best to think about your own worries than to worry about mine," Paradox suddenly snapped.

        Ara flinched at his sudden change in attitude but such was to be expected from him. "Right...I was doing that until you showed up and ruined it," Ara muttered with a sigh. Paradox seemed like he was about to say something but looked away from Ara as if he was ashamed. "I don't have time for this. I'm not doing Add any more favors, I mean that Paradox," Paradox muttered to himself. Ara looked at him, tlrather puzzled but not surprised in the slightest.

         Paradox suddenly opened a portal above them and Add suddenly dropped down out of it with a yelp of surprise. Unfortunately for him, he landed flat on his face right in front of Ara. "Really Paradox? You could have given me a warning," Add growled as he sat up and brushed himself off. He was startled to find Ara there when he got up and also immediately found himself flustered.

        "Someone's in a bad mood," Ara giggled which only worsed Add's state of being. "You asked me to find her so I did, now tell her what you wanted to. I'm done doing you favors," Paradox said before he disappeared. His words left Ara in wonder as Add seemed to be composing himself to talk about something serious. "If it's about my mother, I'm still thinking about it. Please don't rush me to go see her," Ara said. Add's concentration broke but he shook his head at her. "That's not it. I...there's some things I think we should talk about since we're...you know..." he muttered, refusing to meet Ara's gaze.