A/N: this chapter is shorter than Toboe! Dx

Toboe: Hey! )':


.:Chapter Three:.

Amaya kept her gaze on the road ahead. "Don't follow me." she said, voice firm and cold.

Hige and Toboe weren't deterred.

"A girl along in a place like this could get seriously hurt or worse! You should stay with us!" Hige pushed.

"I don't need protecting, trust me."

"Well, yeah, you kicked our asses, but-"

"I know you're fine on your own, but you would be accepted among us. Whyever those dogs left you alone would never happen with us," Toboe said, interrupting Hige, "Come with us, to Paradise."

"And what if it doesn't exist?"

"Then we'll die, without ever finding it." Kiba said, voice cool but determined. "We'll never know if we don't look. You're free to come with us, but we won't make you. We're going to Paradise, all of us, and whomever else wants to can come."

"You sure all four of you are going?" Amaya responded, voice slick, her eyes on Tsume as he walked away from the others, his own sights only on the road ahead.

"Tsume!" Toboe called, running after him, "Don't leave! We're just now making new friends!"

"I don't need friends." Tsume kept walking, not even glancing back at Toboe.

"Tsume… you don't have to be alone anymore."

"It doesn't matter though, does it? We're always alone!" Tsume retaliated, voice a sharp growl.

"But Tsume…" Toboe grabbed one of Tsume's arms, trying to pull him back to the group.

"Get off me!" Tsume roared, tossing Toboe to the ground and staring at him for a second in mild surprise. "And don't follow me." He began running, away from the others, and away from himself.

The whole time, Amaya just watched.