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Disclaimer: I do not own Monster Rancher.

Speed of the Wind

My mission was stated as simple, but I knew better. They chose me over the others for this laborious task, which meant nothing less of dangerous and demanding. It's my abilities they wanted; my powers of the Wind, swift legs, and keen eyes have always been desirable traits for a messenger.

Therefore, I run. Crossing the desert on these four legs of mine has never been an easy task. It is made more of a challenge now that I am being chased by the enemy. They're close. I can hear them snarling at their failure to match my speed. After all, they're too slow for the Wind.

My goal is in sight; I must reach my recipient. If I fail then punishment will be delivered and my chance for freedom will wither. If I fail I won't be able to see him. My hopes will be reduced to mere thoughts dispersed on the high winds of the desert.

With my legs willing or not, I will run. I will run and I will not stop until I reach him. Even if I have lost all faith in myself he has not. For his sake alone I push onward and across the land. For him my legs will hold out and the dry desert air has no chance of defeating me.

There has yet to exist a greater thrill than my freedom from confinement. I serve as a messenger and gopher. My life is now bound to duty. I place my life on the line and grasp the temporary freedom of travel, but in the end all I receive is a quiet pat on the head and more time in that blasted cage until I am needed again.

I never asked for this, but I had no hesitation upon accepting the job. After all, it was to save him. My life for his - and I chose to free him.

I am Tiger of the Wind. I am strong, persevering, stubborn Tiger of the Wind. I will complete my mission, even if it costs me my life in the end.

Besides, he is my recipient. To lay eyes on him for the first time in years must be a divine blessing. Even if it is brief, it will be worth it.

The Winds have shifted; the enemy has devised a plan. It is a plan I already see in my mind's eye. They have underestimated my abilities and for that they will fail. The canyon ahead that provides my path to the glades is crumbling. The jagged stones are descending quickly and with a burst of energy and Wind I become a blur to their eyes and surge onwards. My body slips through the skinny canyon walls and I leap along knobby rocks to avoid the sharp pebbles of the canyon floor.

They were foolish to think such a simple plan could ruin me. Their curses of dismay mean nothing to my ears. I am no child.

The grassy glades are much more welcoming than the bothersome pebbles of the canyon floor. In the past I would have taken the cool grass for granted, but not in the present. My feet know the punishment of long journeys now and they are thankful for the lush blades.

My journey is nearly complete. After these hundreds of miles covered and the thought of a job to soon be completed I am compelled forward. I will find him and deliver my message.

And maybe, just maybe, he'll still care.

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e. 4.22.07