By the time her and Lunar got back to the camp, some of the elfes had started to get ready for the trip.
"Are you really sure you want to stay?" Lunar looked sort of worried,
"Yeah, I'm sure, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Plus your not gonna be gone for that long, I don't know why you're so worried,"
'it's not like him to be this worried, I wonder what wrong. He's probably just paranoid because there have been more attacks from the rogues.'
"Cause your gonna be alone, and you heard what the other tribes were saying, there have been more and more attacks from the rogues," Lunar said as he grabbed his bow and started to prepare for the meeting, "I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all."
"Well I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. So try not to think about it too much." Lunar sighed, "Fine, just be careful, and if anyone, and I really mean anyone approaches you, don't listen to him, please."
"Come on Lunar, We're leaving," Moon called out as he started to lead the tribe. Lunar glanced one more time at Serai before joining the others. 'Don't listen to him? Who's "him"? Is Lunar thinking about someone in specific? It would make more sense that he's so worried if he's thinking about someone in specific.'
"Hm, whatever, he's probably just paranoid." 'what should I do? I've never been alone at camp before. I'm just gonna go for a walk and gather some firewood, it's kinda cold.' Serai walked into the woods, wandering from tree to tree gathering wood, taking her time. 'The forest is so peaceful at night, I should go for a night walk with Lunar sometime. I bet he would like it. maybe tomorrow night.' After about an hour or so, Serai started to head back to camp. When Serai got back to the tents, she saw someone sitting at the fireplace, 'who is that? Did someone else stay behind with me? No, they would have told me, is that the person that Lunar was thinking about? Should I run away?' Serai tried to see if she could recognize the person, but the lighting made it difficult to see any of their features.
"I know you're there. Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you, I'm part of this tribe." The elfes voice made Serai drop the firewood that she was carrying, 'how did he know I was here?'
"W-who are you?" Serai could feel her heart racing as she spoke.
"So my dear old brother never talked about me? How rude of him. My name is Shi Hana, and I'm Lunars brother." Shi Hanas deep voice sent chills down Serais spine. 'W-what? Lunar has a brother? Why didn't he tell me? Wait, Lunar told me to not listen to "him" so if this is the guy that he was thinking about, I should be cautious around him.'
"Don't you know it's rude to not sit down with someone when you're talking with them? You unmannered little girl," Shi grinned a little bit as he made space for Serai to sit down next to him. When Serai sat down, she recognized him, 'no way!' he was the elf that she saw at the meeting and by her tent last night. 'It's really him!' He looked even better up close, his eyes were ice blue, and his long hair was pitch black, he had much longer canine teeth than the other elfes, and his skin was pale as snow. He was a bit taller than Lunar too.
"W-well if your part of this tribe, then why didn't you go with them to the meeting?"
"Well, unlike my selfish brother, I rather miss a meeting than put someone like you in danger. I wouldn't want you getting hurt or kidnapped by rogues now would I?" Shi smirked,
"Don't talk about Lunar like that! He's anything but selfish!" Serai snapped.
"Oh? Has he fooled you, or are you just blind?" Shi Hanas gaze darkened.
"What do you mean? Ever since I've met him he's been nothing but kind!"
"Well you don't know him like I do! He's just putting on an act when you're around, I've known him all my life, and trust me when I say that he's is nothing but selfish and heartless! He doesn't care about anybody but himself, he doesn't even give a shit about his own brother!" Shi looked sad as he snapped at Serai. 'Does he know something that I don't? Is Lunar really just playing a fake act when I'm around?'
"T-there's no way. Your lying!" 'There's no way that would be true!'
"Aw, pour Serai, did you seriously believe him?" Shi chuckled, "he really has you wrapped around his little finger! I can't believe you bought the whole act he was playing. I thought you would have caught on by now."
"NO! I don't believe you! There's no way Lunar's like that!"
"Do you really think that you know my own brother better than I do?" 'I mean he's right, I've barely known Lunar for a year, and they've known each other for their whole lives,'
"I... I just can't believe that he would do something like that,"
'No, I don't want to believe him, I shouldn't believe him...But why do I feel like he's telling the truth, I feel like I should trust him, why do I feel like this?'
"Aw, don't be sad, come here." Shi took Serai into his arms,
"B-but why, why would he lie?" Serai sobbed.
"Because he knew that if you would know the truth, you would leave him, and you would be no good to him if you would leave," Shi whispered into Serais ear,
"Would you leave someone if you found out they lied to you? If you found out that they were not kind, but cruel and selfish?" Shi asked. 'Would I leave Lunar? If I knew the real him, and he was faking everything all along, will I leave him?'
"Yes, yes I will,"