Chapter XII: Encounter

Waking up in the morning, Ushio felt her back stiff from sleeping on the ground. She joined Pacha as they went to the river to wash their faces.

"Uh, hey." a voice called out. The llama walked over to the two as he sat down and gave Pacha his poncho back. "So, uh, who's the new girl?"

"Um, I'm Ushio." she replied, noting the weird tension between the two.

"Kuzco." the llama said almost as an aside. "So, the poncho. Thanks. It's nice"

"My wife made it." Pacha responded.

"Nice."

"Thanks."

Ushio side eyed the two as they continued their awkward chatter.

"Alright already, I can see it. Just say what you need to say." she egged them on.

"Okay, okay." Kuzco said. "So I was thinking that when o got back to the city, we'd uh…I mean, there's lots of hilltops, and maybe I might, you know, I-I might…"

"Are you saying…"you've changed your mind?" Pacha asked.

"Oh, well, I-I…"

"Because you know that means you're doing something nice for someone else."

"No, I know that. I know."

"And you're all right with that?"

"Yes."

Pacha stared at Kuzco as he offered his hand to the llama.

"Don't shake unless you mean it."

Kuzco shook his hand as Pacha's face grew into a smile.

"See, isn't it great when you make up." Ushio remarked as she patted both of them on their backs.

"Let's get you back to the palace." Pacha said. "Oh, by the way, thanks."

"No, thank you." said Kuzco with a mischievous grin.

As the trio continued to walk, Kuzco pointed a comment at the sole girl in the group.

"So, Upeeo was it? Why are you coming along too?"

"I'm just out here on my own journey without a destination in mind really. When I came across you guys, I felt you could you the help." she stated. "It's Ushio, not Upeeo or whatever."

—

Reaching a large hill, Ushio looked out in the distance. Further in front a while away laid a town on a mountaintop with an ornate palace atop it. Just seeing it, she couldn't help but be amazed.

"Is that?"

"Yup, my palace. Great, huh?" Kuzco bragged.

"Ok. Once we cross this bridge, it's only an hour to the palace." Pacha stated.

"Good, because believe it or not, I think I need a bath." Kuzco added.

The trio started walking across the bridge, Pacha taking the lead while Ushio had the rear. Taking a step, the wooden planks gave away as Pacha fell. Luckily for him, vines snagged him and suspended him from the bridge.

"Whoa! Kuzco! Ushio!" he cried out.

Ushio grew alert as Kuzco pondered the situation. To her dismay, a band of Powerwilds began to emerge from behind them.

"Kuzco, you help Pacha. I'll keep us safe."

"Okay, whatever you say." Kuzco dismisses her.

Running off the bridge, she stared down the creatures. She couldn't let a single one into the bridge with the others were still on it. Swing her weapon at the first one, it was soon no more. Continuing to hit them, she overheard the conversation on the bridge.

"Quick, help me up!" Pacha let out.

"No, I don't think I will."

"Why that little…" Ushio murmured.

However, that momentary distraction proved enough as the Heartless attacked her. Feeling their claws scrap her, the sensation of pain brought her attention back to them. As much as she needed to help Pacha and give Kuzco a piece of her mind, this was the more pressing matter for her.

A second snap of the bridge sounded out as Ushio dispatch another of the monkeys. The group was fading, but they still posed a threat. Her Keyblade at work, at last the final one was destroyed.

Despite her victory, a loud snap rang out again as the bridge was demolished. She ran as fast as she could, but was unable to grab anything as the man and llama fell.

"No."

"How unfortunate." came a voice from behind. Stepping out of a Corridor, a familiar looking white haired man came into view as she turned around.

"You! You're the one who there the night my home was attack." Ushio pointed.

"It's good you remember that much at least, Ushio." he said.

"Wait, how did you get my na-"

"All in good time." he said. "Though I suppose you don't remember mine. My name is Iwa."

"So Iwa, why exactly are you here?"

"The Neo Seekers tasked with meeting up with you. So, here I am. Might I add, you're becoming better at handling your Keyblade since last we truly met and talked."

"Well, do you want to see them for yourself? Really up close?" Ushio said in an aggressive tone.

"Now, now. I'm not here to fight you." said Iwa. "I merely sought to reintroduce myself. I have no doubt we'll run into each other again. If you'll excuse me, I believe you have some cohorts you might want to attend to." Directing Ushio's attention towards the cliff, he took the opportunity to escape back into the purple portal.

Looking over one last time to see him disappear, Ushio spotted two figures growing closer with smaller shapes around them. With the speed and force they had, she stepped back as Pacha and Kuzco flew down in front of the cliff. Looking at one another, they let out a relieved laugh.

A sudden rumble began as the ground beneath Pacha gave way. Ushio started to reach out as Kuzco grabbed him and pulled him up.

"You just saved my life." Pacha let out as Kuzco mocked the ground and praised his action.

"Huh? So?"

"I knew it. There is some good in you after all. Admit it."

"Wrong."

"Hey, you could have let me fall."

"Come on, what's the big deal? Nobody's that heartless." Kuzco spat back. Realizing what he said, he quickly covered for himself. "Don't read too much into it. It was a one time thing."

"Right. Sure." Pacha said, smiling.

"So, I heard what happened." Ushio joined in. Do you want me to punch him for not helping you in the first place?"

"No. That's in the past." he said. "No need to do so." Taking another look at the bridge, Pacha turned around.

"Well, better get going. With that bridge out, it's a four day walk to the palace."

"Great." Ushio sighed as she started walking. "I know I agreed to accompany them, but this place sure is a bunch of walking."

"It's not that bad." Pacha said as he patted her on the back.

"Wait." Kuzco spoke up. "You mean you're still taking me back?"

"I shook on it, didn't I?" Pacha responded.

"Well, yeah, but I hope you realize that doesn't change a thing. I'm still building Kuzcotopia when I get back."

"Well, four days is a long time. Who knows? Maybe you'll change your mind."

The trio started off again on their walk as Ushio sides up beside Kuzco.

"Just so you know, I don't want to see you pull that again." she said. "If there's one thing my mother and father taught me, it's that you never abandon a friend in need, no matter the circumstances."