I think I'll take a nap until something worthwhile happens. I'm sure the writer can wake me in time for that. See ya.

Natsumi kept her personal notebook tucked underneath her class notes so she could peek at them and think when she was bored with the lesson. Her eyes grazed over the small chart again.

Hints from him:

· Soldier (couldn't go to college, not a college student)

· Older than me (18-21?)

· I know him (someone from my past but I can't remember him)

· Red and skulls (?)

Hints from my dreams:

· Deep voice

· Campfire and red tent (odd obsession with the backyard? Memories?)

· Sweet potatoes (?) (Maybe cooked them for me in the past)

· Battles and guns (supports the soldier fact)

· Searching for him (I almost remember him? I need to see him again?)

She was tempted to erase some of her side notes. If this guy was a part of her past and she needed to see him then why didn't she remember him? She tried to think a little harder about her recent dream. It felt much more real than any other dream; as if it might have been a memory. His deep voice was all she had to go on.

"Natsumi…" She had to figure it out.

"Natsumi…" Maybe she did have the memories.

"NATSUMI!" The deep voice she heard in her head transformed to the feminine voice of,

"Koyuki? What's wrong?" Natsumi sighed as her body relaxed from jumping a couple inches out of her seat.

"Class has been out for ten minutes now. You've been staring at that paper all day." Koyuki pointed to the short list. "What's going on Natsumi? I know something's bothering you."

Natsumi closed her eyes and thought for a moment before standing and looking her friend sternly in her eyes.

"There is something up, and it's easier to show you than to explain." She grabbed the ninja's friend and started charging out of the school. Koyuki didn't object and immediately kept to her pace.

It didn't take long for them to get to Natsumi's street, but as soon as she turned onto it Natsumi crashed into something. She rubbed her cheek and looked to find she had bumped into a tall man. He was wearing a red tank top and baggy dark blue jeans. The sunlight shaded his face but highlighted his short and fluffy blonde hair. Before he was able to offer his hand to help her up or even give an apology, Natsumi jumped to her feet and quickly bowed.

"I am so sorry but I'm in a hurry!" She dashed around him and continued to her house. Koyuki dashed atop the fences and barely gave the man a second glance. The tall stranger blushed when he knew their attention was lost.

"I knew I should have come sooner. That was too close." With that he turned back and ran around the corner and away from the two girls.

Natsumi stopped in front of her mailbox and shuffled through the pile for the expected red envelope. Koyuki waited curiously watching. When the red head had the letter in hand she held it out for Koyuki to see.

"This is the reason I'm so distracted. This is what's wrong with me lately." She pulled it close to her once again and stared at it.

"Let's go inside." Koyuki clasped her friend's hand and dragged her into the house. After ditching their shoes at the door they went into the living room. Koyuki carefully set her bag against the couch as Natsumi just dropped everything on the table like yesterday with her eyes fixed on the envelope. "How did you know it would be here?"

"I've gotten one every time I come home over the last couple of days. This is the third one." Natsumi turned it over and traced the skull sticker.

"Hey that looks just like-"

"Yeah. Like the ones I've been sketching for the last year and a half."

"No, I meant it looks like mine."

Natsumi shot her wide eyes to the ninja.

"What?!"

"Yeah. I got one two days ago. I didn't think it was too dangerous so I didn't want to worry you with it." Koyuki opened her bag and pulled out a light blue envelope with a yellow ninja star sticker on the back. The front was labeled: To Miss Koyuki Azumaya. "Here read it."

Natsumi grabbed it carefully and slid out the smooth and delicate parchment. It had an ancient handmade look to it. Upon it were words scribed with an unusual ink.

Dear Miss Koyuki,

You have yet to remember me but I am a trustworthy friend of yours. We have been through much and I apologize for having to leave you. Meet me up on the South Mountain. I wish to meditate with you once again in hopes you won't completely forget me like everyone seems to do.

I have faith in you to be strong enough and remember all of the good times we had.

-D

"Wow. Are you sure this guy isn't a creep?" Natsumi looked at her friend handing envelope and letter back.

"It's fine. I met with him and meditated for hours. He didn't even move. He left first too so I didn't have to worry about him following me home." She looked down a little with a hint of disappointment. "Sadly I couldn't remember anything during the session. We're going to meditate again and see what happens."

"You didn't think to just ask him what he wanted? If he could just tell you what you're 'supposedly' going to remember?" Natsumi leaned closer to Koyuki who leaned slightly back with her hand rubbing the back of her head. She smiled again.

"I did but he said it might be dangerous if he just told me, and I believed him. He was very kind and I couldn't get any signs to be suspicious of him. What about yours? Did you meet him?" Koyuki widened her eyes once again with curiosity.

"No. He didn't even suggest meeting up with me. He seems really scared that he'll intimidate me or something." Natsumi pulled out her notebook and added it to the list of hints she got from the letters. "I want to figure out who he is though. He just gives me hints with each letter about him."

"Well read the new one then. Maybe he'll give you something better to track him with." Koyuki pointed to the envelope on the table.

Natsumi picked up the red envelope and pulled out the slightly wrinkled page. Her eyes drifted over the words carefully.

Dear Miss Natsumi Hinata,

I hope my last hint didn't creep you out. If any other older men started writing and leaving you strange unlabeled letters in your mailbox I swear I will shoot them.

Natsumi could tell how intense and truthful the statement was by how hard he pressed the pen into the paper.

Moving on.

I know this whole process is probably making you mad but there are actual consequences if you remember too fast. To find equal ground between telling you everything and spacing everything out over a long period of time, I've decided to give you two hints in this letter.

Hint #3: The sweetest thing I'll admittedly eat is a sweet potato.

Hint #4: I'm adjusted to sleeping in a tent and camping outside.

I hope these help.

-G

Two chaps in one day. I hope you feel a little lucky cause I probably won't update any more of my stories for a little while. New hobbies and what not, but I won't abandon them as I have originally promised. The one way to be sure that I post again sooner is to review and motivate me... yeah i know it's annoying to read that in just about every story and even every chapter you read but really reviews are what keep us writers going. Support your favorite authors; show how much you care about their stories.

ok I'll shut up now. BYE! :D