Tag

Soft as a feather the light dappled the clearing. The stream gently gurgled. The grass grew a strong green, and the trees rustled as the wind gently blew them. A lone girl sat in solitude upon the rocks lining the stream, her legs clutched desperately to her chest.

"Tag, you're it," A pair of strong arms encircled her. Immediately she leaded back into the warm embrace. "You weren't at the tree. Why?"

"Dunno." A small silence ensued.

"I though it was your favorite place."

"It is. Just. . . unless I know you will be there, I can't stay. It is our place." she emphatically declared.

"You know I will always come for you. I swore on my honor to protect you."

"One day you will no there to protect me. What then?"

"Then you shall protect yourself. I shall teach you to. I know many ways to protect oneself." He replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Now?!" The girl shot up and spun to face him, her excitement billowing off her in waves. He could see it in her every gesture, movement, and expression.

For half a heart beat, he stood, frozen in the slight girl's beauty. The child-like anticipation and joy radiated from her person with near blinding force. Almost depressingly he softly told her, "Not now."

"B-but why?" She visibly deflated. No tears gathered in her eyes, but her lower lip quivered imperceptibly and disappointment was evident in her voice and face.

"You trust me, right?"

Without a second of hesitation or uncertainty, she replied, "Of course. How could I not?"

His chuckle filled the clearing. "Trust me now." the soft smile he gave her he filled with with love and adoration. "Now, I do believe you are it." With that mirthful statement, he took off running through the woods.