Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai deeper Kyo or any of the characters except for "Aniku" because she is made up by me.

"SASUKE! KOTARO! WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?" A young girl shouted looking for the boys. They always seemed to be running off together. Usually she could find them in the tallest tree she could find, or chasing each other around the forest, but today she just couldn't find them.

She let out a sigh of irritation. It was just like those boys to disregard the warnings that the Elders gave. She Herself longed to run free and carelessly as they did, but being bound to duty prevented her from doing so.

"Hey Aniku! Catch us is you can!" On of the young boys yelled out. Kotaro, the boy with seeming gravity defying blonde hair, blue eyes, and a thirst for adventure. He was the leader of the two boys, always filling the other one's mind with crazy ideas of greatness or power.

"Yah Aniku, catch us!" Sasuke, the other boy, said. He was younger than Kotaro, silver hair and golden eyes made him seem like a devil child, but he was always filled with joy and like for his friends that you knew he was sweet.

"I don't feel like catching you today. The elders wanted me to make sure that you don't go near the boundaries or the forest and the pure land again." Aniku sighed. She hated having to tell then that, but she had to. The pure land would kill them. That had been what the elders had said. Because of that, they had to be isolated in this damp dark forest of hate, betrayal, and blood. It was the only way to live.

"Aww man. I hate the stupid elders. I don't see how you can take orders from them. Why can't we just peek out at the pride lands? It wouldn't kill us." Kotaro complained.

"Yah! We have a right to see the sun too! " Sasuke yelled out.

"I know you hate it, I do too. But the elders said so." Aniku said.

"I hate the elders! All they ever do is order us around and sit on their chairs in their shining white castle with all the sun they want! It's not fair!" Kotaro yelled.

He was right, and Aniku knew it. She let out a sigh and said, "I know. They think that just because they are immortal it gives them the right to dictate how we live our lives." Aniku pondered for a second and said, "I'll tell you what, If you take me to the border of the forest and show me around there, I won't tell the elders. AND, I will help you guys improve your utsemi technique! " Aniku said.

"REALLY?" Sasuke said.

"Yep! Well what do ya say?" Aniku said.

"ALL RIGHT THEN! LETS GO!" Kotaro said as he led them all t the border.

"Hey Aniku… Why are you the only one allowed to go outside to meet the elders." Sasuke asked. As night started to fall.

"Well… I suppose it's because I'm not from here… I was born in the pride lands and raised there until I was about 4. Then I ran away because…. Well… I can't remember why." Aniku said packing up some stuff to visit the elders again.

"Wow… that must have been difficult…" Sasuke said.

"It was. But I have no regrets. I met you two didn't I?" Aniku stood up and gave them all a smile.

"Yah. Hurry back okay? Who know what will happen when you leave." Kotaro joked.

Aniku nodded then headed of towards Mibu castle to meet with the elders.

"Hey Kotaro… I was wondering… have you ever though of leaving the forest… and going out to explore the pride lands?" Sasuke asked nervously.

"Of course. But how can I hope to be the red king if I leave? And if you left who would be my servant?" Kotaro grinned.

"uhh… yah…" Sasuke said looking down.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well… I just wanted to know what it was like. And what type of world Aniku lived in and hated so much that she would come here." Sasuke mumbled.

"Hmm…." Kotaro mused.

Suddenly they both heard a loud crash and they both snapped around to see one of the other forest dwellers. It had a hungry look about it and it held up its sword and prepared to strike at the boys.

Aniku knelt down in front of the elder Muramassa.

"Something is troubling you, isn't it Aniku?" Muramassa said.

Aniku jerked her head up to meet the eyes of the man. She gave a small smile and said, "I do not like to leave Kotaro and Sasuke alone when there is a rumor of a killing beast on the loose."

"Ah, of course. Then I will make this short. I have decided to leave the Mibu Clan." Aniku Gave him a shocked look and he continued, "I do not believe in what they want to accomplish."

"I see… I will miss you Lord Muramassa…" Aniku said.

"I will miss you too. The reason I have called you here is to tell you to be free. Take your friends and lead them out of the forest. Live."

Aniku was shocked. He had just told them to go, leave the forest and go into the pride lands… the place that would kill them. "Muramassa --"

"Shinrei, please escort Aniku out of the castle." Muramassa said and a young boy came up to Aniku. "Please be well." Muramassa said.

"KOTARO!" Sasuke yelled, petrified with fear.

Kotaro lay motionless on the ground, a huge gash was on his stomach and he was bleeding out onto the ground. Tears were stinging the young boys' eyes and he held his broken sword out in front of him. The rampaging forest dweller was dead, but at a cost.

Afraid that the monster would come back to life, Sasuke got up and ran toward the border.

"Kotaro! Sasuke! I'm back with good news! The Elders have allowed us to leav—KOTARO!" Aniku saw the motionless body on the earth floor and picked it up into her arms. "KOTARO! KOTARO PLEASE WAKE UP!" Aniku suddenly had tears racing down her cheeks and she wondered where Sasuke was. She put Kotaro down and then decided to fallow the trail that Sasuke had left. "He must be in really bad shape if he left a trail. I though I taught him better…" Aniku thought going after Sasuke.

"That's it, I'm done for." Sasuke said and fell.

A man with Flowing black hair, blue eyes, and a kimono type thing stood in front of him and said, "Come." Sasuke looked up at the man as he said, "Won't you come with me?"

"You have the smell of an outsider. What are you doing in the forest? Come any closer and I'll kill you." Sasuke said trying to get up.

Just then Aniku saw the boy and man and hid behind a bush to watch and make sure nothing happened.

"Well then, LET ME GIVE YOU A HUG!" The man charged at Sasuke, but the young boy avoided the man.

"What kind of attack was that?" Sasuke asked.

"Hee hee. All I wanted to do is give you a hug. Aww… it's just… you looked like you were going to cry."

"Wha…" Sasuke trembled staring at the man, shocked.

"It's true. Like a little bird without a nest."

"Huh…bird?"

"Yes. A bird can fly the sky wherever it wants, whenever it wants. But no bird can fly forever. If it tried it would tire and die. Thus, all a bird needs is a nest. You're tiered. You need a nest… or a friend. It's written on your face. Of course I could be wrong. What is your name?"

"Huh…s-Sasuke."

"SASUKE?"

"What's it to you?"

"Forgive me… It's a good name, honor it. From today on you are Sarutobi Sasuke!"

"Saru…what?" Sasuke asked.

"Come Sarutobi Sasuke. Lets leave this forest together. Spread your wings as wide as you wish. I'm Sanada Yukimura, fly with me." Yukimura held out his hand and Sasuke was baffled.

Aniku smiled from behind the tree and said, "Go, be free."

Sasuke's eyes widened at his friends voice and he got up and reached for Yukimuras' hand.

Sasuke said a quiet thank you and good bye and Aniku watched them go. Across the border. She smiled and knew that he would be safe now.