With silent steps they tried their best to navigate over the roofs of the city. They had snuck out right after Akali brought the terrifying news that even now haunted Zed's mind. What made them know? Did he trigger a trap and did not notice? Did somebody see him but didn't alarm anyone else? Or was it that he had showed off too much in his fight with Shen? Whatever it was, he had to focus on the present.

Looking over his shoulder , he watched his girlfriend follow but still keep a safe distance between them . They would be easily noticed otherwise. . He thought about telling her he was glad she didn't think twice back in his room and climbed with him out of his window. He considered of saying something to her, but then reminded himself what was on the line. They must not get caught under any circumstances.

After about ten minutes they arrived at the side of the clan complex, bordering a deep and old forest. If they could get there, there was no way that they would ever be found again. If they could get there.

Biting his lip, Zed dashed faster, his feet hitting the ground harder than they should, making more noise than he should He was so close to his goal. There was no way he could stop now. While they flew over the roofs, the boy could hear various noises, from shifting to people talking. It made his nerves even more strained than they already were.

His breath grew heavy as more and more adrenaline shot through his veins in turn his head suddenly felt much lighter, the world strangely seeming further away as he felt his body reaction to the sudden jump of energy, propelling him even faster. It felt so alien to jump over the roofs, as if he had never done this before. He knew he will now leave this place forever… or at least he would not return for a very long time.

It was strange, looking back and seeing the buildings he had known since he was born and now leaving it all behind…

His feet hit the first branch of a bordering tree, Akali landing right next to him as the both of them looked back at their former home. "Strange, isn't it?" Her inquiry only confirmed Zed's thoughts. He simply nodded before jumping to the next branch, only saying: "Come; let's continue, orthey will find us."

The sound of the night mainly consisted of the chirping of night birds and insects and the crackling of the small campfire in the middle of the forest, where Akali and Zed sat cuddled together under a blanket, warming each other in a tight embrace. His head rested on hers, while she nuzzled into his chest.

For the moment they were silent, enjoying each other's presence, eyes both open and closed while the campfire illuminated their faces. "How did you know about the scroll?" Zed's voice suddenly ripped through the silence of the night. Akali's eyes shot open, the female ninja shifting uncomfortably before sitting upright. Her expression was was a mix of sadness and amusement as she responded, "That question was bound to happen, huh?" A small huff escaped her lips before she turned to the side, laying on Zed's lap with eyelids lowered shut

"You know, the title I'd have gotten and that my mother currently holds? Fist of the Shadow. The Scroll holds the secret of the shadows… and it was shown to me once. That's why I knew; where it was, and that it existed."

An eyebrow cocked, Zed pondered over those words before opening his mouth with the intention to ask:, "why you would show it to me then?" But before he could do anything he felt her finger press against his lips, her own soft pink pair forming a slight smile. "Don't question it, I just wanted to help."

Another moment of silence passed between them for a few minutes. It did not take long until he hears Akali's breath becoming softer and slower, and it did not take a genius to figure out that she had fallen asleep. He smiled a bit, leaning back to look at the stars, staring past the green mattress of leaves above him. What would the future bring? He was kind of scared...