Not even Phoenix's brothers could snap him out of his nightly trances. Zappary was the first to notice when he was trying to fix the wall clock.

  "Hey, Phoenix, can you hand me that screwdriver?" asked Zappary as Phoenix drowned a plant.

  No response.

  "Phoenix!" The middle repeated firmly.

  Nothing.

  Zappary jumped down from his stool and walked over to the youngest with two fingers charged up. He placed them on Phoenix's neck and gave him a light shock.

  "Ow!" said Phoenix, dropping the watering can.

  "Next time I try to fix something, I'm making Shadow my helper."

  "Nah," said Shadow, nose deep in a book.

  Phoenix sat down with a brush, and Koma jumped onto his lap.

  "Did you hear news about the Aurum bandits?" asked Zappary. "They took over a town to the west."

  "Ugh, of all humans they are the worst," Shadow coughed.

  "Yeah, uh-huh," Phoenix nodded absentmindedly, not realizing Koma ran off and he was brushing empty air.

  "You wanna smack him awake or should I tase him again?" asked Zappary.

  "Leave him be." said the eldest.

  "He's been like this all week and it's getting worse. You think he might be sick?"

  "No," Shadow lowered his voice and turned Zappary towards him. "But he has been off, he has been practicing his violin for longer periods of time."

  "He's been taming his lion for longer periods of time? But he leaves Neko here with us sometimes!"

  "Zappary, focus, he has been late for dinner every night this past week, something is up."

  "What do you think it is?"

  "I do not know, but I really want to."

  "Should we hold him down and tickle him until he tells us?"

  "No, I trust he will tell us eventually."

  Another day went by, and Phoenix met with Sunny again. This time she was the one who brought the day's activity, as well as some whoopie pies.

  "Wanna guess what I brought?" she asked.

  "More whoopie pies?" replied Phoenix.

  "One of my favorite books."

  "Oh!"

  "I thought you might like it. It's called, A Hero's Revival, it's about a young warrior who returns to life in the future, and he has to save his new friends from a villain that's also been brought back to life."

  "I-I like it already!"

  "You sound nervous, why?"

  "W-well, I-I like how the book s-sounds, b-but to tell you the t-truth Sunny..." Phoenix paused to take a breath and get his thoughts together. "I can't read all that well."

  "But I've seen you read here before."

  "Yeah, simple books with large print, s-stuff that's... easy to read..."

  "I'm surprised."

  "Well, I-I know what big words mean an-and I know how to use them, I-I just can't read or write them very well."

  "Don't you have glasses?"

  "They don't work for me."

  Sunny opened the book and placed it in between her lap and Phoenix's, "Then I'll read it to you, and you can follow along." They read together, occasionally the young girl let Phoenix have a turn reading aloud. He noticed how her eyes sparkled when she laughed at a funny part. He again felt that same warmth in his chest again. After a while, they stopped.

  "This was nice," she sighed

  "It was." Phoenix nodded.

  Sunny looked closer at Phoenix, "Is everything okay? You seem distracted."

  Phoenix hesitates, "Just... thinking."

  "Do you want to talk about it?"

  Phoenix shook his head, "No, it's okay. I'll be fine."

  "Alright." Sunny held the book out to Phoenix. "Here, take it, I want you to finish it."

  Phoenix took the book, "Thank you, I'll try my best."

  Sunny stood up, "I should probably go now. My brother is waiting for me."

  Phoenix stood up, "Thanks again for the book. I'll take good care of it."

  Sunny smiled as she walked off, "I know you will. Bye!"

  Phoenix watched her leave, "See ya."

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  As Sunny disappeared from view, Phoenix felt that warmth again.

  "Am I getting sick?" he wondered.

  The next day.

  "You read through all of this in one night?" asked Sunny, her mouth full of carrot cake. "It's three-hundred pages!"

  "It wasn't easy, and I didn't read all of it," said Phoenix as he rubbed his eyes. "I wanted to read the last chapter with you."

  "Aww," Sunny took the bookmark out and flipped to the page.

  They sat down, and Sunny read aloud. Captivated by the way she read, he let his ears do the work and kept his eyes on her. When she finished the final chapter, she gently closed the book and placed it on her lap.

  "Did you like the ending?" asked Sunny as she turned to see him sleeping on her shoulder. "Well, he did stay up all night reading."

  Not wanting to wake him up, she gently shifted her position so Phoenix's head was more comfortable on her shoulder. Sunny gently brushed his hair away from his forehead, wanting to see his eyes again when he woke up. Half an hour passed before Phoenix finally opened his eyes. As soon as he saw Sunny, he pulled his head away.

  "Sorry" said Phoenix, rubbing his eyes. "I guess I should have slept a little more."

  Sunny chuckled softly. "It's okay."

  Phoenix stood up and looked away, "I should probably head back."

  "Did his eyes just change color?" Sunny thought before handing the book to Phoenix. "Keep it in case you wanna do some rereading. See you tomorrow?"

  "Definitely, I'll bring the cubs too."

  As per usual, Sunny went back home for dinner.

  "So, how was another day at the river with Phoenix?" asked Chao, washing his plate.

  "You know?" asked Sunny, drying off a spoon.

  "You're a terrible liar."

  "So you're not mad?"

  "No, I'm livid, but I also know there's nothing stopping you. I just haven't said anything because you've been coming home safe, but don't think I'm gonna bail you out of trouble without saying I told you so."

  "You're a terrible liar too."

  "Okay, fine I'll still bail you out."

  Sunny grinned.

  "So how was it?"

  "It was nice."

  "You've been spending a lot of time with him lately. Do you like him?"

  "I don't know... He's really kind."

  "Last I remember you said he's always alone, right? Do you know why?"

  "No, he doesn't say much about his personal life. He has some pets and two brothers, but he never tells me anything else. He's pretty quiet."

  "Maybe he just needs someone to bring him out of his shell. Why don't you invite him for dinner here?"

  "Oh no," declined Sunny. "Phoenix stays away from the village."

  Chao paused in the middle of chewing and covered his mouth, "Sunny. Are you sure he has a good reason for that?"

  "That's just the way he likes it."

  Chao swallowed the rest of his food, "Are you positive he's... safe?"

  "Of course he is. I mean I have been hanging out with him for the past month."

  "You sure he's not dangerous?"

  "How can you ask me that?"

  "If you're so defensive, then you should have no problem introducing me to him."

  "He's not dangerous, but he is shy."

  "I really think I should meet him."

  "No. No. No! He was barely open to me at first, I could hardly get him to say more than five words to me! There's no telling how he'll react with you."

  "Then I'm sorry, Sunny, but I don't know if I can let you keep going to meet him in good conscience."

  "That didn't stop me the first time, it's not gonna stop me this time."

  "No, I mean if you don't listen to me this time, you're gonna go out and start selling stuff with Mom and Dad."

  "What?"

  "I've been handling the shop here by myself while Mom and Dad have been getting ready for the summer sale trip. To make up for the work you haven't been doing, and to make sure you stay safe, we're going instead of Mom and Dad for the summer."

  "But I don't want to go!"

  "It's the only way I can make sure you stay safe, I just don't trust that boy."

  "But I trust him, and Phoenix is different from anyone I've ever met. When I think of him I can actually picture his face."

  "I know you have trouble with that, but have you ever stopped to think he might be alone for a reason?"

  "Don't you trust me?"

  "It's this Phoenix kid I don't trust. I don't know what you're doing with him, and it's not like I can just drop everything to check on you!"

  Sunny, seeing no other way out of this, she groans, "Fine, if I let you meet him and promise to help out with the shop again, will you let me stay?"

  "Alright." Chao hugged his little sister and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm not doing this to be mean, I just don't want you to get hurt."

  "I know, but let me bring it up gently."

  "Phoenix," said Sunny, scratching both of the cubs' heads as they slept on her lap. "Can I ask you something?

  "Sure," responded Phoenix as he continued to sketch and snack on a piece of apple pie.

  "I've... told my brother quite a lot about you. He wants to meet you."

  Phoenix paused for a moment, "I-I'm... not sure th-that's a good idea."

  "Why not?" already worried.

  "I-It's just that...I'm not v-very good with people."

  "I don't think you have to worry about that. Chao is really nice, and I'm sure he'll like you once he gets to know you."

  "I-I-I just don't think it's a good idea."

  "Okay... I guess it was just wishful thinking."

  "...I guess I should head back." Phoenix stood up.

  "Oh why?" Sunny stood up.

  "I bet your b-brother's pr-probably worried about you, I don't want him to think you're in any trouble."

  "Oh you're sweet."

  Phoenix hid his face, Sunny giggled and went for a hug. Phoenix turned at just the right moment, his hand ended up keeping Sunny's face away.

  "...Whatcha doing?" asked Phoenix.

  "Trying to hug you?" said Sunny.

  Phoenix pulled his hand away, "Oh sorry!"

  Sunny fell to the ground, "Ow!"

  "Sorry!" Phoenix knelt down to help Sunny up, but felt something touch his shoulder.

  "Hey, what do you think you're doing!?" yelled Chao before everything turned upside down.

  Sunny's older brother hit the ground with a loud thud, gasping for air.

  "Who are you?" asked Phoenix.

  "Chao!?" cried Sunny.

  "You know him?"

  "He's my older brother!"

  Phoenix let go, "Oh my Gods." he picked up his satchel. "I have to go."

  Wait!" cried Sunny. "It was an accident!"

  "See!?" asked Chao. "He's dangerous! That's not natural!"

  As Chao stood, Phoenix retreated but fell to the ground.

  The older brother glared at Phoenix with suspicion, "Who are you, and what are you plotting with my sister?"

  Phoenix stammered, trying to find the right words to say. "I-I didn't mean–"

  "That's not good enough!" exclaimed Chao. "I want to know who you really are!"

  "Chao, stop!" cried Sunny.

  Neko and Koma ran in front of Phoenix, growling and barking at Sunny's older brother.

  "What are those things!?" asked Chao.

  "They're not dangerous Chao, calm down, please!" Sunny pleaded.

  Phoenix crawled forward, grabbed the cubs, and ran.

  "Phoenix, wait!" Sunny cried as Phoenix disappeared.

  "You knew this would happen, and you did it anyway!" his mind raced. "Why? Why did you care about her!? She's human! She's just another human! She's just like all the rest! She'll believe what he says! He'll convince her that you're a monster. Just like the rest! You don't need her! You don't need her! You don't need her!" He stopped in front of the door to his cottage, Koma and Neko jumped down and pawed at his legs. "Could I ever see her again?"

  He blankly walked into the house all the way to his room. Zappary and Shadow see him, but exchange a look. Phoenix entered his room, gently closed the door, and went to the mirror. His eyes were still the same, one red, one blue. He slumped against the wall, his breathing quivering. His furry companions ran up to him, Neko nudged the boy's hand with his nose while Koma rubbed his head against Phoenix's leg.

  After a few minutes, he picked up his violin. A melancholic tune filled the room, Neko and Koma listened intently. When Phoenix dropped the bow, he collapsed to his knees and groaned into his hands.

  "How could you be so cruel to Phoenix!?" asked Sunny. "He's done nothing wrong!"

  Chao remained adamant, "Sunny, he hurt you!"

  Sunny shook her head in disbelief. "On accident! I was the one who surprised him! You don't even know him!"

  "If there is a slight chance of something happening to you I am not gonna take it."

  Sunny stomped into her room, "I'm going to go talk to Phoenix tomorrow and make things right, and from now on, I don't even want you near him!" She slammed the door.

  "You're not going back even if I have to lock you in that room forever!"