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Within a flash, the oatmeal was gone, and A'Hallei stared at his empty bowl with sorrow, food had been great, better than he remembered, and he still felt as though he wanted more. He drained his cocoa and stared at the mug- it helped, but not much. The rain still had not abated, and to occupy himself, he began straightening up, folding the blankets and unused cots, and hanging his clothes to dry- for once not immediately slipping back into his armor.

A'Hallei nodded as he continued to straighten up, plugging what few holes he could find with woodputty retrieved from his toolbox. Such a handy thing it was- hell, they were slowly but surely turning this into a piece of prime real estate. It was really fortunate no one had happened upon them thus far. But, something occured to him. He wandered over to his friend and prodded him gently, making the motion for writing with his hands. Why had Makenna stopped drawing?

Watching Makenna, A'Hallei jumped to action, grabbing a bowl of rainwater that had drained off the roof. It was clear, and cold, just what was needed to soothe a burn. Something had been bothering Makenna lately, and as hard as A'Hallei tried, he could not place what it was. Concern creeped into his face, into those vivid and vibrant green eyes, as he watched Makenna, bowl outstretched. He wanted his friend to be happy, and could not for the life of him determine how to ensure it was so. Was it still his growing older that concerned him? He'd thought that had been resolved already.

Perhaps...

Was it him? Maybe Makenna needed to go home, and he was just staying here to help A'Hallei, to keep him out of trouble and alive. Maybe this treehouse business was wearing on him. Yes, that must be it. He was homesick, or tired of needing to be more mature than his age, and...No...Yes...? He was so confused! Makenna!

A'Hallei was silent for a long time. He watched with endless curiosity the ripples of water that danced around Makenna's hand by the slighest of movements, even as subtle as the boy's pulse. It was a steady reminder that he was alive, a welcome and warm feeling. Silver hair blew in the wind around him, dancing threads appearing almost alive. He was here- he was alive- he was consistant.

A quieting told him that the rain was abating. Looking then to the window, The ghostly boy gathered up some rope, his wheelbarrow, and his armour, clipping himself in securely- there was a lumberyard near the park at the edge of the forrest, with readily usable fine quality wood he could use to outfit the treehouse.

The clouds blew overhead at high speeds, and a dark heavy shadow loomed to the horison- the rain would not cease for long- he had to hurry.
"I'll return." A'Hallei said as he decended by the rope ladder, wheelbarrow tied to his back. As soon as he hit the floor he took off running to the lumberyard, no telling how long the rain would cease- and he did not want to construct with wet wood.

The scent of pine assaulted him as he neared the yard- fresh and dry as the entire stock was protected by heavy tin roofing. Most of the pieces were far too large for him to use, but he found excellent siding wood, which was thinner but wide and still strong. A'Hallei spent nearly an hour lashing the pieces to the wheelbarrow, under a paintcan of waterproof finish. It was an exhausting race back to the treehouse, the mud causing him to slide, and brambles and whip like vines belonging to the underbrush made progress slow, the cloud was overhead now.

A crack- the sky lit up, lightning flashed in the distance, followed by a rumbling assault of thunder- it had begun. Pushing himself more, A'hallei ignored the mud and the brambles and the rocks, he had to return, he had to return to the one waiting for him, to his friend, Makenna.
He stopped underneath the treehouse, parking the wheelbarrow where the wood would be safe from the rain and scaled the ladder- for once. He was sopping wet yet again as thick drops of rain clattered on the structure, but happy. Mission accomplished.

A'Hallei climbed the ladder shortly afterward, a grin spread wide across his face, he was spotted with mud, and little scratches grazed his unprotected skin, but he had proved once again why his existance was not useless. neon green eyes scanning the room, his grin faded when he saw Makenna, curled in the corner and humming a song to himself. He looked uneasy, but for what reason? Had he seen a spider, or something? Another flash of lightning ignited the sky, followed by the roar of thunder that quaked the floor of the house. A'hallei could nearly see him cringe.

Thunder was just the sky's cries of pain, and something the boy could relate to. He did not fear storms. At least, not yet. He walked loudly to alert the boy to his presense, smiling yet again. A'hallei rubbed his stomach, he was hungry again, what was there to eat?

As the ghostly child's eyes examined Makenna's form. His friend spared but one glance to him before the flash caused him to cringe in terror, tensing up and rocking back and forth, whimpering. It was pitiful, but A'Hallei was not one to make such judgements, for he himself was seen in that condition too. A'Hallei returned to the hole in the floor, pulling up the ladder and folding it neatly by the enterance. Turning around, he ignored his hunger in favor of providing security to his friend.

Shucking his muddied armor, the ghostly child slid to the floor, wrapping himself protectively around Makenna, stilling him so the only movement he would feel was him, his breath, his heart.
"I am here." He whispered comfortingly, casting a watchful gaze around their house...their home.

A'Hallei smiled in a protective way that was almost what could be considered maternal as his friend sought comfort from him, clinging to him as though the lightning might rip them apart, and send them sprawling to opposite sides of the universe, never to set eyes on one another again. Such a thought caused the pale boy to enclose his arms around Makenna tighter. He'd die before they'd be torn apart in such a way. Makenna's breath was warm against his neck, brushing down his shirt collar onto his chest. Cold fingers lightly grazed Makenna's arms, revelling in the satiny texture of his skin.

Lightly pink lips pressed to the top of Makenna's head, lovingly. He wanted to whisper sweet nothings and comforts in his ear, to tell him that everything would be okay, to not worry, but his mind was a whirl, the fog seeping painfully in through the windows of his mind. His pulse fluttered then, neon eyes becoming hazy and unfocused. He was struggling with his own madness then, fighting for conciousness, posession over his own body.

A'Hallei was largely unresponsive, his body slack though his mind railed back. He wanted to respond to his name being spoken, to return to the land he loved, but his body wouldn't have any of it, wouldn't move. He was shaken, head bobbing back so he stared blankly at the ceiling. His breath came in short and shallow for a while, almost as though he were gasping for breath. And just as suddenly as the fit started, it ceased.

The only sound that could be heard from him was the drumming on the roof of the rain. Even his heart stopped, chilled into ceasing for a few moments. For all intents and purposes, A'Hallei had just died, eyes wide open to the heavens above him. A click, a start, and he was breathing again, heart beating again, and smoldering emerald eyes lowered down to Makenna sitting curled about him with the blanket, seeming much smaller than he had remembered.

Looking down, A'Hallei realized just how much he towered over his young friend. No wonder Makenna had worried! A'Hallei's spiderweb like hair draped over the two of them, caressing them with the flaxen strands. A'Hallei reached down and pulled Makenna up closer to him, nuzzling into the black hair.