The next morning the eight brave warriors awoke and were greeted by a villages cheers and celebration. People from the small country ruled by Ryuuzaki have come to wish the heroes good luck and bid them farewell on their quest.

"Thank you, your so kind," Oishi bowed to a woman who had given him a few of the finest herbs in the country.

Fuji was being admired by woman of all ages as he passed by them, and some of their husbands glared all the while.

"Don't mind them Fujiko," Eiji comforted his new friend, who smiled and nodded.

"Why is everyone out here anyway?" Kawamura asked. "Its not certain that we will succeed this mission in the first place."

This caught the attention of a few people.

"Because," Ryuuzaki came out of the crowd and walked to the group, the villagers all stepping out of her way and to the side. "Ryoma is the one who can stop the evil taking over the Southern land and that is spreading to the other bordering kingdoms. And I'm sure you all will do fine on this mission. Besides you all have one thing in common. You hate to lose. And I think that's what'll help you get through this, true you all may not make it, and may end up hurt, scarred, or severely injured, but I think it'll be a very interesting experience for all of you."

The group was quiet for a while.

"So who's thinking about just going back home?" Momo face palmed.

"Now, now. Don't be a baby, go. This is a long journey so don't waste time."

"Right." Tezuka led the group out of the village gates, the rest of the village following close behind.

"Alright, lets get this party started. Hey Viper I bet after this I'll be the best known swordsman in all the land!" Momo gloated proudly. Kaidoh snorted.

"Yah right you Peach. You'll the most stupid swordsman in all the land."

"What was that Viper?"

"I said you'll be the most stupid swordsman in all the land. Has your stupidity affected your hearing now too?" Kaidoh hissed when Momo balled his first in Kaidoh's shirt, Kaidoh then did the same.

"You wanna fight?" Momo grinned dangerously. Then Fuji walked in with his carefree smile on his face.

"Now, now. Lets all settle down."

"Why should we," Momo challenged which wasn't a good idea. Fuji opened his eyes to reveal icy blue orbs that bore into his very soul. Momo shivered and immediately let go of Kaidoh, and they both stepped back.

When Fuji walked away Inui came up behind them.

"There is a strong percentage that neither of you will become great swordsman." He said.

"What? Why?" Momo asked as Kaidoh hissed.

"Because you two are too alike. And there's the possibility of Fuji killing you before you can."

He walked away leaving a pale Momo and Kaidoh just had his usual face on, but inside he was scared.

"Alright!" Ryuuzaki emerged from the crowd once again. "Since you all were chosen especially I will give you something that no one had ever gotten when going on this journey."

The groups looked curious at this.

Ryuuzaki then searched through her pocket and took out a small, silver whistle.

"What's this nya?" Eiji asked staring at the thing with wide, curious eyes. Ryuuzaki smirked and blew into it, though no sound came, and nothing happened for a while.

"Uhhh… I think its broken…" Momo stated. Ryuuzaki shook her head.

"Wait." No one made a sound. Then from the sky a shape was taking form, it got bigger, and bigger, until the creature landed in front of the group. They stared at the creature in wonder.

"It's a cat!" Eiji jumped and ran to the large cat that could probably fit all of them and a few more if needed.

"A cat?" Kawamura asked.

"Yes, this is a very special cat."

"Yah its bigger than most…" Momo mumbled under his breath.

"Yes, but that's because her master allowed her to grow as much as she wanted." Ryuuzaki gave the cat a warm smile.

"What do you mean?" Oishi asked.

"This is Karupin. Ryoma Echizen's cat, and very dear friend."

"What? For real!" Eiji gaped at Ryuuzaki while hugging the cat.

"How is she still alive?" Momo asked bewildered.

"Ryoma never restricted Karupin from anything, she was free with him. She made her own choices, and one of them was to live. Live until her master's life has ended. She wont leave Ryoma, and this is our evidence that Ryoma is alive. The sound the whistle makes is only for her ears to hear, made especially by Ryoma for her." Ryuuzaki explained.

"Yes I've heard of this, they are connected by a strong spell casted on them by Nanjirou Echizen, isn't that right," Inui stated.

"Yes, and Karupin will now be your travel companion."

"What can she do?" Kaidoh asked.

"She can fly." There was a chorus of "oh"s and "ah"s.

"Then this should be all. We've got everything we need, we'll be off." Tezuka said and bowed to Ryuuzaki followed by the others. Ryuuzaki watched the group climb onto the large cat, occasionally stumbling, and finally setting off the floating piece of land.

Now this realm isn't just lands on the ground as it would normally be, no. This world consists of floating lands, kingdoms, and the occasional forests. But the forest in which Ryoma sleeps is hidden deep within the clouds and very hard to find, those who have gone were lucky enough to find it, or unlucky if you want to put it that way.

"This isnt very comfortable…" Momo complained. The group was huddled on top of Karupin and since there were so many of them, they were tangled.

"Deal with it," Kaidoh hissed and held onto Fuji, who was in front of him. Momo was behind him.

"Don't make me push you off this cat Mamushi."

"Shut it you annoying peach."

"What was that, you wanna fight?"

"Bring it!"

"Now now, if you start fighting you'll send us all plummeting down to our death, and if you do, I will personally give you both a slow painful death." Fuji gave them a smile and turned back around. The two didn't say anything for the rest of the ride, along with anyone else.

When day turned to night they landed on one deserted piece of land. Karupin curled into a ball and stayed quiet.

"Poor thing. Misses her master probably." Oishi said.

"Yah…" Kawamura stared at the creature with sad eyes. "But soon her master will be back!"

Kawamura's enthusiasm caught the attention of the others.

"How are you so sure?" Inui asked.

"Because, Like Ryuuzaki said, we were chosen. And I think it was for a reason."

"That's a good point…" Momo mumbled. He turned to Karupin to find Kaidoh there, asleep while Karupin snuggled next to him.

"I guess she took a liking to Kaidoh," Fuji laughed. Eiji and Oishi joined in.

"I think it's time for us to go to sleep too. All we've done so far is fly. Tomorrow will probably be longer, we need rest." Eiji said.

"Everyone, to sleep." Tezuka said his voice stern. Fuji smiled.

"Yes sir," he said and Eiji laughed. Tezuka gave Fuji a slight glare. Fuji, on the other hand, brushed it off with a smile and laid down on Karupin's giant paw. The others followed and soon all of them were plunged into their own dreams.