Chapter 6

"Understanding and Trust"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sanibel jumped over one body, slipped past the next, and jumped over another. "I can't believe that everyone slept over!" Sanibel was making her way to Avalon through the maze of people sprawled out sleeping on the living room floor. She finally managed to find the young lady among the group. "Hey, Eva, you awake?" No answer. "Yo, Avalon…wakey, wakey!" Sanibel chewed down on Avalon's hand.

"Eeeeeyaaaaa!" Avalon shouted, jumping up and clutching her hand. "San, what the hell are you thinking waking me up like that!?" She grabbed the pup and ruffled her fur all over the place.

"Hey, nock it off. You need to wake up, it's already 1:30 in the afternoon. How late did you guys stay up last night?" Sanibel questioned.

"Oh Sanibel, nock it off. This is summer…and summer is meant for sleeping in and relaxing," Avalon answered.

"Yah, sure, whatever. And before you know it the summer will be over and you'll be complaining that you never got a chance to do anything," Sanibel said eyeing the girl.

"You know what, with you, who needs a mom?" Avalon said giggling. "Alright, you win, I'm getting up now. But let everyone sleep for a bit, I want to pick up a little." Avalon got up and headed for the kitchen. She grabbed a garbage bag and started to pick up the mess they had made the previous night. When Avalon was finished with picking up the soda cans, chip bags, and other wrappers, she started on the dishes. We're gonna need these for breakfast, she though.

Avalon didn't notice Neo standing behind her. He quietly snuck up on her and put his arms around her waist. Avalon let out a little "eep" but then realized it was Neo and leaned into his embrace. "Morning, Sunshine."

"It's a little late for that saying, don't you think?" Avalon turned around and gave him a little peck on the lips. "So did you have fun last night?" She asked while finishing up with the last of the dishes.

"Yah, I guess I did. Everyone is really nice," Neo started.

"Even Darien?" Came another voice from the doorway. It was Raye. She walked in and grabbed a soda from the fridge. She then stood waiting for her question to be answered.

"Yah, he's nice, but it doesn't mean I have to like the guy," Neo said walking over to Raye. "Anyone who messes with Eva goes on my shit list."

"Awe, how sweet," Raye said rolling her eyes.

By this time Avalon had had enough. "Okay you guys, lets just drop the subject. So, what do you think everyone will want, breakfast or lunch?" Avalon said, a sweat drop forming on her head.

"How about brunch!" Came another voice. This time it was Lina. "I'll cook what ever anyone wants!"

"Hey, I want to cook too!" Lita shouted getting up from her sleeping spot on the floor.

"Sounds good, get over her and grab a spatula!" Lina said giggling.

By this time everyone was pretty much awake…except for Serena. She still was snoring away on the couch. Lita and Lina were in the kitchen cooking, Mina and Stella were playing a card game, Eva and Neo sat together on the loveseat, Amy and Sanibel discussed the enemy, and Raye and Darien talked. And Serena snored on.

"Make the madness stop!" Cried Mina, looking up from her card game. The only response she got was another loud snore from Serena. "That's it!" She jumped up and grabbed a pillow from off the floor. She ran over to where Serena was sleeping and slammed the pillow down on her face.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!" Serena jumped about a mile high, not knowing what hit her. She looked around frantically, hearing people giggling, and then landed her eyes on the girl with the pillow. "Why you!!!!….." She jumped up and grabbed a pillow for herself. Mina and Serena chased around the room.

"Hehe, this looks like fun!" Stella grabbed a pillow and slammed Raye and Darien. She then ran over to Avalon and Neo, hitting them as well. In no time everyone was in the fight. Pillows and feathers were flying everywhere. So much for cleaning up, Avalon though.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Mother! Did you see what happened yesterday!? Hehe, that girls mom is never going to forgive her!" Yume said giggling.

"Is that so?" Urami said. "Then look here," Lady Urami led Yume to a bowl of water. She chanted some spell and an image started to appear…

"Mom, I'm so sorry…I don't know what happened to it!" A girl was crying. "I blacked out and the next thing I knew was that the pin was gone." "It's okay, dear. I understand that you are sorry. Maybe we'll even be able to find it, okay?" With that the mother gave her daughter a big hug.

Yume looked up at her mother, not knowing what to say. "Does that look like hate to you?" Urami said gritting her teeth. "If anything it looks like they are closer!!!" Urami swung her hand and hit Yume across the cheek. "What are you doing with my time!? I want you to spread hate, not love and understanding!" Urami swung around and walked toward her thrown.

Yume began to tear up. "Mother, I'm sorry! I thought it would work! I was wrong…sorry!"

"And you think I'm just going to take you into a loving embrace and accept your failure?" Urami asked while clicking her nails on the arm rests of her chair.

"N..No! I will make you happy by doing another mission! I will prove to you I'm not a failure…I promise!" Yume said bowing down to her mother.

"Fine, get out of here."

Yume turned and ran off. She started to cry, she just wanted to please her mother. It was scary having her mad at her. Yume vowed she wouldn't come back until she had a good plan to get rid of Avalon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was 4:37 and everyone had finally cleared out of the apartment. Stella was taking a shower, Lina was cleaning up the kitchen, Avalon was in her room getting ready to go out, and Neo was watching T.V.

"Hey Eva, you sure you don't want to come to dinner with us?" Neo shouted.

"Yah, I'll be fine. I think I'm going to take a nice walk. And don't you dare have Sanibel follow me! Do you hear that Sani!?" Avalon shouted out of her room.

"Wa..what are you talking about!?" Sanibel started. "It was just coincidence that we met up before, hehe."

"Yah, sure…" Avalon said as she stepped out of her room. She had on khaki shorts and a purple tank. "So where are you guys going for dinner?"

"We're not sure, we might go to this new restaurant that opened up," Lina told.

"Yah, it's supposed to have great Italian," Stella added.

"Well, lets get going before it gets crowded," Neo said offering his arms to Stella and Lina. They put their arms through his and started to walk out the door. "This is you're last chance Eva, you coming?" Neo asked again.

"Nope, I'll be fine, have fun!" Avalon answered with a smile. And with that they were gone. Avalon turned around and looked at Sanibel. "I set out some food for you, I'll see you in a bit!" Avalon said.

"Oh, okay, yah, see you later," Sanibel said looking down at her paws. When she looked up Avalon was already out the door. "Wa! I want to go out!"

Avalon took about two steps out the door and turned right around. She opened it up and saw Sanibel sulking to the kitchen. "Hey San, get your tail over here!" Sanibel looked up and smiled. She ran over to Avalon where she was picked up and carried out the door. "Lets have a nice evening together," Avalon said to here little companion.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Avalon and Sanibel had had a great little dinner in the park and were now headed home. Suddenly a little boy ran into Avalon.

"Ouch!" cried the little boy. He had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore a red t-shirt and jeans.

"Are you okay?" Avalon asked looking down at the boy.

The boy looked up and started to cry. "I'm lost, I can't find my mommy anywhere!" He rubbed his eyes and sniffed.

"Oh, I understand. Let me help you, okay?" Avalon reached out her hand.

"I'm not supposed to go with strangers," The little boy said.

"Um, okay," Avalon crouched down and was now at the little boys level. "My name is Avalon, and this is my little dog, Sanibel," Avalon said first pointing to herself and then to Sani. "What's your name?"

"Otaru," said the boy.

"There, now that we're introduced, we're not strangers!" Avalon said smiling and again held out her hand. This time Otaru took her hand. "There, now lets go find you mom, okay?"

Yume had been watching Avalon for a while when the scene unfolded before here. She remembered the scene of how the mother was so understanding of her daughter. And now, how the boy and Avalon were so trusting of each other. That was it! People were too trusting. Yume had an amazing idea. She would befriend Avalon and get to her from the inside. It was perfect. Yume sat there smiling, still planning out how she was going to accomplish her mission. "You'll see mother, I will get Avalon and her friends no matter what!"

To Be Continued...