She laughed and scratched him behind his ears. Then she turned to the ground he had loosened for her and began to mark out with little colored flags what plants would go where. When she was done, she turned to him and said, I need a fish. Can you turn into one? That way I will have fertilizer... just kidding! She laughed. I'm going to head over to those woods across the field and hunt for some plants that weren't available in town as well as go fishing. I'll save planting for closer to sunset.

West barked happily and leaned into her touch when she scratched him. He then helped started to sniffed the ground as she panted flags and when he heard her he let out a slight growl and and then shook his head. He then shifted back into his human form and smiled, "if you want I could help you, I have a exelent nose and I am great when it comes to fishing you wont find anyone better." he said as he smiled at her.

She laughed, Okay. Come on then. She turned and started walking out across the field. It wasn't too far until they were in the woods. She sighed enjoying the cool breeze here, then looked around. Seeing some plants that she wanted clustered under a tree, she walked over and carefully dug them out. Wrapping the roots in paper, she placed them in her backpack.

West smiled as he walked with her and then slowly turned into a dog. His nose was pressed to the ground and he slowly sniffed around still he found some herbs. Digging around it gently he carefully brought it over to her and placed it down at her feet before barking to her.

She laughed and carefully wrapped them in paper and placed them in paper. After a few more minutes of finding and picking up herbs, she turned and grinned at him. Alright West, how about some fish? I am not planting these without proper fertilization. She stood and brushed off her hands.

west barked happily and then pointed in the direction that the river was at. He then wagged his tail before barking again and heading off into the direction. After walking for a little while they came to a decent looking diver and West jumped over at into the water though in mid air he changed into a otter and dove into the water. He soon swam up to the surface and squeaked at her as she floated on the surface, slowly floating down the stream.

Laughing, Serenity splashed into and around the water. It was a first for her. She giggled and plopped underwater. Then she came back up and laughed some more. This was kinda fun. She hadn't felt like a kid in ages. Her father would be horrified if he saw her now. That only made her smile more. She turned towards West and pushed him under the water.

West was surprised when she pushed him under and he soon came up to the surface only as a man. He then smirked at her and swam over to her, "oh, I am so going to get you back." he said as he smiled at her and then started to splash her. Sure the fish were gone but he was hacing fun.

She splashed him back and laughed. This was kinda fun. She was so glad she had run away. It was against society to do what she had done. Horror stories were circulated of those that had. Yet she had gotten lucky. Things were going to be okay.

West laughed as he got splashed and was glad to be having fun for once. He hadn't played or laughed like this in a long time and just wanted to stay like this. He then splashed her again and smiled, "I am guessing we are going to be fishing later." he said as he smiled and then swam around her.

She grinned and dove under the water. She grabbed one of his legs and pulled him down. The she shot back up to the surface. Yep, the fish were definitely scared away now. They had all afternoon though so it wasn't a problem. She wondered vaguely what measures her father had taken to find her. He would never find her in these woods that was for sure. Looking around at the trees, dirt, and brush it was hard to imagine anyone of her status being willing to come here. No one knew her that well though.

West laughed and quickly pulled some air into his lunges before he went under. Shotting back to the surface he then splashed her as he laughed. "oh, your going to get it." he said and then he turned into a duck. He quickly flew up into the air and once high enough he turned into a hippo. When he came crashing down a huge splash was made and hit her.

She used her arms to block the cascading water. Shaking droplets from her face, she grinned over at him. "Nice. Alright I think we should go find some fish." she said laughing.

West changed back into his human form and looked over at her, "well that will be hard since I doubt any fish are near." he said as he smirked and swam around her.

She grinned, that is why we head upstream silly.

Meanwhile on a train approaching the town they had been at mere hours before, five shadowy figures sat hunched. They were responding to a tip left by a lady who had felt herself scorned.

West nodded, "okay, then lets go." he said as he swam over to the side of hte river and got out. He then smield at her, "come on, there is a nice spot down the river that is perfect for fishing." he aid as he waited for her to follow him.

She swam through the gentle running water to the mossy edge and gracefully pulled herself out. Pulling her hair to one side and wringing it out, she smoothly followed West. Serenity found that he was really easy going. That was kinda nice.

West smiled at her as she started to wring out her hair and had to say that she looked pretty cute. He then nodded to his right, "the good fishing spot is right down this way." he said as he smiled at her.

She smiled and followed. She figured she might as well braid it out of the way. Watching where she was stepping, she deftly braided it back and left it out of the way. Following him, she wondered what he did in his spare time. So, you live alone. For obvious reasons now. What do you do all day long? Do you have any hobbies?

West smiled at her and looked at her, "well I go hunting, I scavenge anything I can from around the tracks, build what I can and read when I can." he said as he looked at her and smiled. "I usually do what ever I can think of to keep me busy during hte day. But most of the time I scavange, build and read a book if I find one." he said as he looked at her and smiled. "what about you? have any hobbies?"

She thought about it a moment then slowly said, "Well, I had a governess who believed that physical education was healthy for females. So I have been instructed in gymnastics. It was a lot of fun. So I like to keep it up. I can do floor routines, ribbon routine, uneven bars, and routines with a ball. I like to keep up those skills from time to time when I am not studying or working with my plants."

She looked around. Seeing the calm pool they were nearing, she smiled. It was a lovely place.

West nodded as he listed to her and smiled as they got to the small pool that the river made. You could see all the fish in it and he smiled at her, "well that all sounds fun but I think I would be bored out of my mid if I had to do anything like studying." he said and then smiled as he got to the waters edge before turning back and looking at her. "want to see who can catch the most fish? loser makes dinner?" he asked as he looked at her and smiled.

She laughed, "Why do I get the feeling I am going to lose anyways? Alright, your on. From what you said easlier, I won't mind losing. So I don't have to eat your cooking. She winked and stepped quietly into a shallow pool, slid her hands carefully into the water to wait for some of the fish to regain their courage and come near.

West smirked, "who knows maybe I wont get lucky." he said as he headed over to t he side of the river. He then slowly turned into a tiger. he crouched low to the ground and watched the water intensely. When he saw one come by he swiped his paw into the water and frowned when he didn't get it. Going back into position he waited again.

She felt one and gently tickled its side. As it slowed, she grabbed it and tossed it on the bank. You said you weren't a good cook. You want to lose? Your a tiger, how could you miss?" She slipped her hands back into the water and patiently waited, feeling, tickling, and then the tossing out a second fish. She stood and grinned at him, my plants are going to love me more. I'm getting them more food than you are. She winked and slipped her hands back into the water.