*Kai*

Alice put her hands on her hips. "So, who's going to take the first driving shift?"

"Could one of you girls go first?" Kai asked. "I'd like to take a later shift."

"I don't mind being up front. I'd like to get some fresh air," Alice said.

"Can I sit up front, too?" Sky asked.

"Go ahead," Allie said.

"I don't mind, either," Lulu said. "You can get Allie to yourself for a few hours."

Kai helped Lulu into the wagon before turning to look at his wife.

Star had Chi in one arm as he blew his sister a kiss.

"I love you, too." Vi kissed the top of their son's head. "Mommy is going to miss her Chi very much."

Chi gave his mom a wet kiss on the cheek.

Enji gave the frowning Star a pat on the head.

Kai helped his wife into the back of the carriage before getting in himself.

Chi started crying as the wagon began to drive away.

"Don't cry, Chi!" Kai called out. "You'll make Mommy and Daddy cry!"

The sniveling baby waved at his parents.

Star swayed the baby in his arms.

Kai stroked his wife's back as he helped her onto the wagon.

Lulu draped a blanket over Vi before she sat down.

"Thanks, Lulu." Vi smiled weakly as she squeezed her husband's hand. "I was up late last night, so I'm going to take a nap. Will you take the second shift?"

"Will you sit up front with me when I take it?" Kai asked.

Vi kissed her husband on the lips. "I would love to, honey."

Kai stroked his wife's hair until she finally fell asleep.

He grinned like a fool as he watched her sleep. He had the best wife ever. What had he done for De to consider him worthy of the blessings that were his wife and their son? Maybe they could try to make another one after they helped Lulu complete her task.

Kai looked back at the map. It would take them two weeks or so for them to reach the border with Sursland. From there, they had to be careful. Vi might have ended the war between the four nations, but things weren't exactly peaceful.

Come to think of it, had that been a reason why Vi stayed up late? It had been eight years. Were her bad memories flooding back. Although how did Kai and his siblings not notice that? Vi was extremely attuned to her little brothers and sisters' moods.

A sigh escaped from his lips. Sky and the girls should be okay since they weren't old enough to be a part of the war. Still, Vi was at the center of the conflict. She would probably need an alias for her own safety. And Kai should consider the same thing.

Kai felt a pat on the back. Vi's eyes looked glazed over. "Come to bed, honey."

Kai looked over and saw Lulu smiling as she covered her big brother with another blanket. "Sweet dreams, big brother."

"I love you, Lulu."

***

Kai yawned and stretched when he woke up. Vi was slowly waking up beside him.

Lulu smiled at the couple. "Did you guys have a nice nap?"

"Yeah." Vi folded the blanket she had been using. "I feel a lot better."

Kai shook his head. He should ask her about what she was doing last night when the others are out of earshot. He wanted clear, honest answers from her.

The carriage came to a stop.

"We should probably stop and have lunch," Alice said. "I would also like stretch my legs."

Vi edged toward the back of the wagon. "Sounds good."

Lulu grabbed a nearby box. "It was nice of Myrtle to send us off with some bread."

Vi hopped down. "Yeah. We really owe her for her generosity."

Kai nodded.

Vi nodded. "Betty's suggestion about the myths and legends was super helpful. I really need to thank her for her help."

"Tell her I said that, too," Lulu said.

"Of course, I will," Vi said.

Sky smiled as he passed out the bread to his siblings.

"Who is going to take the next shift?" Alice asked.

"I will," Kai said.

Vi kissed her husband again. "And I promised that I would ride up front with him."

Sky rubbed his hands after he finished his piece of bread. "I'll be right back."

"Holler if you run into trouble," Vi said.

Sky waved before he ran off.

"What do you think he has to do?" Alice asked.

"Answer nature's call probably," Vi replied. "I wouldn't think about it too much."

"Do you think I could practice with a lantern?" Lulu asked.

"I would wait until we get back on the wagon," Alice said. "I don't mind if you do that, and I doubt Sky will, either."

Lulu hung her head. "Okay..."

Kai patted his little sister's head. "Just be a little patient, okay?"

Sky then came back. "Okay. If you guys are ready to go, then I am, too."

"Sounds good," Alice said.

Kai offered his wife his hand before helping her onto the wagon. Once he was in the driver's seat, he flicked the horse's reins.

Kai bit his lip. He might as well get it over with.

"Are you okay?" he shouted.

Vi nearly fell off the wagon. "What are you going on about, you big oaf?"

"What happened last night?"

"You're overthinking things, dear. I was simply talking to your dad and my sister." She glanced over her shoulder.

"Is it about Lucy?" Kai whispered.

"That and how your old memories were haunting you."

"Did something happen up there?" Alice called from the back.

Vi shook her head. "No, everything is fine. Your big brother is just making a fool of himself."

"You wanna drive, Vi?" Alice asked.

"No, I'm fine waiting for my shift."

"Alright," Alice said.

Vi pinched her husband's ear. "You can be really embarrassing, you know that?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I should have said it better, but I was worried about you." Kai flinched. "Did something happen last night?"

"Goodness, Kai." Vi sighed. "What made you think that?"

"You haven't been staying up late since we left home."

"Honestly, honey, you were overthinking it. I hid in the closet after your siblings went to bed, so I could text him without disturbing them."

Kai slapped his forehead. "To talk to him about Lulu?"

"Yeah." She stroked his back. "What were you worried about in the first place?"

"That your old memories were haunting you."

"What were you thinking about in the back to prompt that?"

"I was thinking about how we're going to get to the border soon. You should probably use a fake name."

"I was already thinking about that. We still have a couple weeks for you and I to set up our safeguards."

"Alright."

"Just drive for now, and we can enjoy each other's company."

***

Thoughts? Theories? Predictions?

~Shino out!