Reborn

7: Amongst You (Rewritten!)

Breaks:

[L1,2 or 3] represents the beginning of a flashback to one of Elena's past lives. There is more than one past life, which is why I have put up the numbers. Though, these memories are usually told as she sleeps and Elena herself cannot remember them.

[/L1,2 or 3] represents the end of a flashback to one of Elena's past lives.

[P] represents the beginning of a retelling of a memory in Elena's current life.

[/P] represents the end of a retelling of a memory in Elena's current life.

~3~ is just a timeskip

AN: Enjoy the story!

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Cut fruits put into sliced kokonut husks were lined up on the table. There was enough to feed Moon and I several times over by the time that Yugo was satisfied the meal would feed all of his friends, himself and us (though Moon was snacking a lot while we set up the table, so it might have been only me instead of Moon and I). The sweet water from said kokonuts were collected into the cauldron and placed over the fire, where it was stirred with some of my more aromatic herbs and stewed with a few vegetables until it had thickened into a hearty soup.

...I had no idea if it would actually taste nice. On my part, things were just added in there but Yugo seemed optimistic about it.

"Wow, something smells great." a tired voice sleepily drawled as I entered the main room, arms filled with some of my healing supplies. I noticed how Yugo's attention was immediately diverted from the soup that he was stirring and to the person who had spoken and shook my head at how he'd dropped the wooden spoon in his distraction. Following where his gaze had gone, Amalia rubbed at her eyes lightly as she entered the room and wandered over to the low table. She sat down on her knees and looked from the food to Yugo, "morning. Were you the one who did all this?"

He nodded, "I helped." was his reply, a grin on his face. His arm began to move again, as though to continue stirring, only for him to finally notice the missing spoon. Alarmed, he leaned forward to look into the pot only to let out a low curse.

Curiously Amalia tilted her head to one side at him before she suddenly spotted me.

"Hey, it's you!" Amalia declared brightly, then faltered as she tried to remember my name. "Um...?"

"Elena." I stated, not really bothered that she had forgotten. I had forgotten most of her friends names too.

"Elena! Yes, that's right." The teen nodded before her expression gained a questioning look. "We were looking all over for you! Where have you been?"

A bit startled, I furrowed my brows. "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why... why would you look for me?" I queried. The only reason why someone would actively search me out drew up bad conclusions for me and I was instantly on edge because of it. Before I could open my mouth to defend myself though, she'd already begun to answer me.

"Well, this is where you live isn't it? I know Botan Ficus said it was alright if we just stayed here, but I wasn't entirely sure that it would be alright without your permission." she stated, and Yugo shot her a look of surprise that she either didn't notice or chose to ignore. "I know it's a bit late, but would it be alright if we continued to stay here, at least until the village can accommodate us or maybe until our boat has been rebuilt?"

Surprised, I blinked at Amalia for a moment, unsure what to do with the sudden mix of soothed and pleased feelings within me. It was odd being asked permission for something. I liked the feeling it gave me.