The rain finally let up the following morning, much to Ashe's delight. The sun was starting to rise, and the temperature was already beginning to be muggy and sticky.

Making things better was the water had receded to an almost non-existent state. Both herself and Vaan got out of their safe house early that morning and went about doing their own business. Of course, Ashe wanted to get back to Gilmore Jungle and get in touch with the others, but Vaan had been quick to point out that that would be dangerous. Even though the storm was over, they had to worry about the Vipers being out. With their dens flooded temporarily, they would be out and in numbers. Ashe realized the dangers, and as much as she wanted to disagree with him, Vaan was right. She hated to admit that fact. Ever since the night before, when she and Vaan had that argument she refused to talk to him, at most points even look at him. She hated defeat, it felt like each loss was her fault alone and she grew to think of winning as the only meaningful thing in life. Beating the Empire was the only thing that mattered to Ashe.

Vaan gathered what supplies they had left, and it was dismal to say the least. They had virtually nothing left to eat except for some slices of bread that were somewhat soggy. No way that would count as edible, Vaan thought, throwing the bread into a bush with disgust. He then came to the more obvious conclusion as to what had to be done next. "We'd best be off to get something to eat."

Ashe, who had been sitting on the edge of the window of the fallen tower, jumped off to have her bare feet hit the dry ground. "And why should I go with you? Surely you can find them yourself?"

Vaan noticed her tone, and promptly ignored it, "Well, the first thing I noticed is there's a natural lake just down river. Natural lakes mean there's drinkable water, as well as good food. I've traveled a little to know that there should be plenty to gather. I won't be able to do it by myself."

Ashe crossed her arms over her chest, not too pleased by the fact that by moving down river they'd be moving away from the Jungle, where their friends would obviously be looking for them.

Knowing this little field trip was not going to set well with the princess, Vaan stood up and put the strap of his rough sack over his shoulder. "Besides, if I leave you here what's not to say you'll take off for Gilmore once I turn the corner?"

The princess cursed him under her breath, she'd be lying if she said that there was no truth in his words.

"Figured as much. Anyway, we'll go down there and get back here by nightfall, alright?"
She nodded once, but refused to speak to Vaan as she grabbed her boots and started to put them on. Once she had done this, she walked past Vaan, still not saying anything as she led the way.

Vaan sighed once, before he gathered his things and began to follow the still irate woman.

The place that Vaan had told her about was definitely a sight for sore eyes in Ashe's opinion. This area had a few trees, some large boulders on land as well as in the shallow water of the lake. The lake itself wasn't very big, but it had really fresh water that was cool to the touch. Just looking at it made the princess' mouth water, having had nothing to drink for almost a day. Vaan didn't protest when Ashe began to drink up the water with her hands, instead he offered her one of the canteens he had been carrying around. "This one's yours."

She took it with silent thanks and as she began to fill the metal container up, Ashe noticed the dirt on her hands come on off easily. Looking at the rest of her arms and her legs, which were caked in dirt, Ashe just had one thing to say, "By the gods am I filthy..."
Vaan heard her and shrugged, "You want to take a bath?"

Ashe stood up, closing the lid on the canteen as she did. "Funny how you bring that up. It's like you want me to take one."

Vaan missed the sarcasm, that or he ignored it, "...okay, well, I was going to go and check around for some berries. I thought you'd want to take it while I am gone-"

"Then go about your business, leave me be," Ashe said, not caring that her tone was rude.
Vaan sighed again, this time in frustration, "Ashe, I know you're still mad at me for the other night, but cut me some slack. I'm just not one to let you go and get yourself killed in the name of revenge."

"You're one to talk. You wanted to take vengeance on Basch when you believed that he was the murderer of your brother, and now you seem like a good ally to him."

Vaan put the strap of his sack over his shoulder, now ready for some gathering of berries, hearing the words Ashe was now telling him. "Yeah, but unlike you I found out the truth and moved on. You could at least do the same, right?"

'But you didn't lose a kingdom...or your father...or even the love of your life one right after the other like I did,' Ashe thought putting her hands to her cheeks. Oh how much she wanted to scream at him, to tell him how much she hurt on the inside, but she wouldn't waste her time on it when she was certain he would not understand. So, she'd be straight on point.

Vaan could sense some tension brewing and he didn't like it. Since he spoke his mind at the moment, he thought it'd be best to just leave now before it got too out of control. "I'll be back before too long. Stay here."

As he started to walk away, Ashe spoke, "Where else would I go?"

Vaan waved a hand, "Nowhere I wouldn't be able to find you. Just don't make me go after you."

Vaan went on a few yards and found a trail that led to more heavily forested part that was with large bushes full of berries. From what his friend Penelo had told him, there weren't any poisonous fruits in Dalmasca so he started picking them like crazy, even chomping down on a handful here and there as he went.

Of course, he moved on to other bushes, gathering up whatever he could. But there was one other thing he noticed as he went about his work. There were some plants with purple flowers around the edges of the bushes.

Ashe got undressed as soon as Vaan was gone and got into the water. It was slightly colder than she had expected, but she got used to it easily, feeling that cool water was better than no water at all. So, with what spare time she had before Vaan came back she went out into the deeper part of the lake, diving under to do a swim or two while she was at it, thinking it'd calm that fire inside her if the water itself failed to do the job for her.

Still, she couldn't help but feel that intensity remain even after she returned to the surface to get her breath back. Returning to the shore, Ashe realized that she had nothing to dry herself off with. And she would've been curing up a storm if the echo of the area didn't go so far.

"I hate myself right now," she thought, seething tone in her voice. Instead, she grabbed the blanket she had used the night before and went to a more secluded area. Then, after feeling that she had no other alternatives and forced herself to swallow her pride, she laid down on the blanket, intending for the sun to dry her skin for her and her clothes on top of that. Closing her eyes at the silence that filled her ears, the rebel princess slowly exhaled, finally relaxing after being agitated that morning.

I think…this is the best pleasure I have had in quite some time," she said, folding her arms under her breasts as a gentle yet cool breeze hit her body, causing her to shiver as her skin was still somewhat wet.

And that was how Vaan discovered her. He had returned earlier than expected to where he had left Ashe before at the lake but when he saw that she was gone as well as her clothes he assumed that she had taken off for the Jungle. Then he started to look around to make sure and now he had stumbled onto the captivating sight. While he would probably never say it to her face to face, Vaan had to admit that Ashe was the most gorgeous woman he had ever lay eyes on.

Vaan decided to back up and return to camp and let the princess have her private time, also hopping that Ashe would be a bit forgiving if she ever found out about him-

"Hey!"

Vaan stopped and turned to see Ashe standing up where she had been laying and looking right at him. Vaan felt his legs wanting to move, but for some reason he couldn't move. Even as Ashe grabbed her clothes and covered herself with them, Vaan turned his head away to avoid her glare which he knew was looking right him. He was caught though, plain and simple. Still he felt the urge to defend himself, "I'm sorry, I thought you went off-"

He was waiting for Ashe to scream at him, instead he saw that she had moved up to stand in front of him, blanket covering her front. However, he knew it was coming and promptly raised his right arm. Sure enough, Ashe's hand came at him but Vaan had grabbed it and just out of being very annoyed he grabbed her by the shoulders and pressed her against the tree he was standing next to.

Ashe gave a groan of surprise or pain, and she continued to glare at Vaan, "Let me go."

"Then would you knock it off with attacking me? You're not as mature as you try to be," Vaan said, lowering his hands but remaining on her arms. He was suddenly overtaken by the glow coming from Ashe. Maybe it was the sunlight on her skin, shining off the water that remained from her bath as well as the shine on her wet hair, but Vaan was now quite taken with the realization that there was a beautiful woman inches from him.

Ashe noticed the pause in Vaan and tried to not guess what he was thinking. His eyes seemed lost in whatever he was looking at, but when they made contact with her own she thought she saw something...familiar in his eyes and for a split second she was frightened. "Please, Vaan, release me," she spoke in a low tender tone, almost pleading.

Vaan shook his head quickly, then dropped his hands, "Sorry about that." He really meant what he said, and Ashe believed him.

Feeling her cheeks go red and hot, Ashe ran around to the other side of the tree, "I'll get dressed...please leave!"

And without complaining, Vaan left the area, still a bit confused as to what just happened between him and the princess.