Newton led his Tribe to the Gathering island but halted just before the stream. "Slick," he ordered and Kifu walked up to his side, panting.

"Yessir?"

"See if we don't have to cross such rapids. I'll check the Water side, though I doubt I'll be able to cross. You check the Fire side."

"Yessir," Kifu said, bowing. With that she ran off.


Fire Tribe stopped a few yards from the island. "Flooded," Jones cried. "Hope everyone can jump long distances!" Suddenly she sprinted forward and hurled her body across the stream. Her feet lost traction and she skitted onto her butt. "A little wet," she informed Tanya, "but possible."

"Right," Tanya said. She turned around to face the Tribe. "You heard her--if you don't want wet feet, you better jump far!" Then she turned around and jumped safely across, landing on her knee, foot and with both hands on the ground.

Nicoma cocked her head to judge the distance of the jump. She stepped back a bit, looked at the water and stepped back a little more. She bent her legs a bit and pushed off, running as hard as she could to the edge of the water. Just as she hit the edge she jump, landing safe and dry, her legs bent so her knees were almost at her shoulders, her hands pressed on the ground to steady herself.


Clay stood with the rest of his Tribe, waiting to see if they would get across the water without getting wet. He kind of doubted it, the water seemed pretty far up the bed, but you never knew!

Kifu ran back to her Tribe and tapped Clay's shoulder. "Come," she said, loudly enough for most of everyone to hear, "We'll follow the Fire Tribe across."

"Keef?" Eljah asked, pushing through a couple people. "Now how do we cross the river between us to get to their side?"

"Just follow me!" Kifu cried, and she ran off again.

"Kifuu!" Eljah puffed. She switched her gaze to Clay. "Man, you've got one stubborn mentor."

Clay smiled. "I know!" Still grinning he followed Kifu to the Fire Tribe border. He saw that the Fire Tribe was jumping over the water, many had already made it across. he tried to scan the crowd for Nicoma, but couldn't see her.

She must already be across. he thought to himself.

Kifu climbed a stout tree and balanced across a sturdy branch. "This way," she called to Eljah, who led the Airs. Once near the tip of its usefulness she jumped, landing lightly on the other bank. "Careful!"

Eljah walked up to the tree, but couldn't find any foot or hand holds. "Keef, how'd you climb up?"

Kifu rolled her eyes and walked as close as so could to the roaring water. "Ya have to jump, Eljah. Walk around the back and there's a network of small branches; use those to lift yourself up."

Nodding, Eljah did as her friend told her. Once she was on the largest branch she crawled across over the stream.

"Now jump," Kifu called. She could sense the fear that Eljah was feeling, and she knew that she was rooted to the branch. "Common, Eljah; we've been through a lot worse!"

Gathering up enough strength, Eljah leaped from the branch and landed with a thud right next to Kifu. Kifu held out her hand for Eljah to take. Then she switched her gaze over to Clay. "Your turn now, Clay. Do exactly as Eljah did, except with a softer landing. I'll be right here for you."

Clay didn't bother answering, just started to climb the tree. He crawled over the last branch, looking down at the water under him. He reached the edge and jumped. He landed alright, having to bend his knees pretty far to steady himself before he could stand up again.

Kifu smiled as Clay appeared next to her. "Go ahead and follow what the Fire Tribe's doing. I have to stay here and make sure the rest of our Tribe makes it over safe." With that she turned and faced the next person in line. "Brooks," she said. "Do as Wafter and Hykist did. I'll be over here."

"I know what to do!" Brooks snapped, skipping the small branches altogether. He leaped right up and onto the branch. With a graceful movement he was beside the Head Huntstress. "Sorry, but you're a little..." He trailed off, looking for a word.

"Obnoxious?" Eljah prodded.

Brooks nodded, a sly smile spready across his face. "That'd be a word, I guess."

"Oh just shut up and leave, Eljah! Brooks, I need you to stay by me, just in case someone hurts themself in the process."

"I do believe I have more power over you...."

"Whatever."

"And! What the hell am I supposed to do if someone does bash their head? It's not like I carry a backpack of solutions, Slick."

"Whatever."

Brooks crossed his arms, but stayed by Kifu. "Uh-huh."

Eljah caught up with Clay. "Kifu got brought back down to earth!" she squealed happily. Kifu was her friend, but she enjoyed when Kifu got a lecture every now and again.

Clay glanced at the girl next to him without stopping. "Is Kifu like that a lot?" he glanced over his shoulder at his mentor, who was fading away as he walked farther from her.


"I see her as stubborn, but that is what makes her a good mentor."

Eljah thought a second before answering. "Kifu?" she suddenly exclaimed. "You don't call her Slick? Well, that's very interesting. Keef's never taken to a first-stage apprentice before. Heck! She rarely even takes to anyone her age. Keel, Rose and I are rarities in the Air Tribe. Leonard Plant's... well, they're lovers. I never thought she would have that in her." She thought for a second more before actually answering the apprentice's question. "Normally she's silent. She likes to keep to herself. But when she's a mentor, she sort of forced to speak so... only when she's a mentor is she really like this. During Gatherings she's a loosy goosy."

She suddenly stopped. "I'm Eljah Hykist, by the way. And you...?"

"Clay Wafter," Clay smiled slightly, "Nice to meet you Hykist!"

Eljah bowed her head. "Nice to meet you, Wafter." She resumed walking. Once they reached the Fire Tribe she asked the nearest member, "I'm from the Air Tribe, and we found a short area across the stream to your land. Now how do we get from here to the Gathering island?"

The Fire Member pointed to the next person waiting to jump over. "You have to run and gather enough speed, and then launch yourself over the stream. Normally we could just wade through this, but everything flooded."

"Thanks," Eljah said. She waited for everyone to get across. Each time a Fire Tribe member went across, another Air Tribe member came to wait in line.

CLay waited in line next to Hykist, still looking for Nicoma. Finally it was his turn to jump across. He pushed off as hard as he could and ran to the water. He jumped quickly, just making it across without getting wet.

"Clay!! You made it!" Clay was nearly bowled over by Nicoma. She hugged him tightly and pulled him away from the water.

"Yes, and it wasn't easy." Clay smiled at her.

"I know! All this water...it's crazy!" Nicoma shook her head. More people were coming across and the space next to the water was getting crowded.

"Let's move Nicoma, it's getting packed, and people need the room." Clay led her from the waters edge, still smiling.

Finally Kifu got everyone from the Air Tribe over to the Fire Tribe. She then had to wait again to cross the smaller stream to the Gathering island. Her heart thumped harder in her chest. She couldn't wait to see Leonard again.

Brooks took a running start and flew effortlessly into the air. He landed softly on the other side and smiled to Kifu. "Oh, I hope you can make it across, Slick. The jump's a little far."

"Shut up, Brooks," Kifu snarled and backed up a few steps. She took a deep breath and sprinted forward. Brooks moved quickly out of her way and smiled at her speed. Kifu reached the edge of the stream and leaped over the water and landed in a roll.

"You've got a little dirt on your back," Brooks joked and sidestepped a punch.

"Thanks for noticing," Kifu huffed and went to the center of the island, looking for Leonard.

She searched a long time before she noticed he wasn't present. Concerned, she walked up to Nicoma, who was with Clay. "Nicoma, do you know why Leonard isn't here?"

Nicoma looked around, she hadn't even noticed that he wasn't there.

"Um, no Kifu, couldn't tell you. I'd ask Picoli, she might know."

Kifu nodded. "Haven't you been in contact with him? I thought he was your main mentor?" Without waiting for an answer she stalked off to find Picoli.

Picoli was lounging in the shade, waiting for the leaders to make their announcements.

"Picoli, I need to ask you a question."

"Whaddya need, Slick?" Picoli asked. She wasn't used to talking to her. Slick normally kept to her friends... or just Leonard. Suddenly it hit her. "Leonard's... uh...."

"What?" Kifu snapped, suddenly afraid. What did he get himself into?

"No, no. Don't jump to conclusions." Tanya held up her hands. "It's just he's been in a bad mood the past moon."

"Leonard's never in a bad mood."

"I know. The only thing is, he won't tell me why. He's antisocial."

"Leonard antisocial? He's the leader of socialism!"

Picoli laughed, trying to releive the tension between her and Slick. "I won't ask you why, since you're probably the reason he's in this mood. But that's where Leonard is."

"Thanks," Kifu said and walked away to the border of the island. She debated whether or not she should go find Leonard. Was it worth getting caught again?