Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

That day everyone packed for the journey. All they did was throw several clothes into a backpack each. Horohoro carried all the food. Ari watched the others as they packed. Occasionally she would ask questions such as "What is that?" (Points at the table.) At noontime, everyone sat down for lunch. Pirika and Tamao were to stay behind to take care of the inn.

"Yum, this is good," Ari said as she gulped down the rice. Anna had lent her a kimono with a blue sash as Ari's old one was very faded. Yoh thought of something fun to do during the late afternoon.

"I know! Why don't we go into the city and shop?" Yoh announced. "It might be the only time you can see some real cool stuff from our time."

"Um, okay," muttered Ari, looking down.

"Great! Who wants to come?" Yoh yelled happily.

"I'll go!" Horohoro and Manta said at once. The other girls declined with a look from Anna. Only Ren was left.

"I'm coming," he muttered, looking away from everyone's stares. About an hour later everyone skipped to town. Horohoro walked next to Ari, trying to make a conversation.

"So, how's life back then?" he asked energetically.

"Not much. If you were a noble you gambled from waking till sleeping. If you were a peasant, than you would work in the fields from when the sun rises from the horizon until it crashes down upon the sea."

"No fights or shamans then?"

"There are plenty of samurai who fight for show. The real battles were between shamans. Mother once told me that Father disapproved of fighting, but if he wanted to he could have easily defeated all of the other shamans. He performed many exorcisms and handled countless spirits so his mana was very powerful." While Ari talked with Horohoro, Ren walked behind them, catching every word.

At the city, a particular shop caught Ari's eye. There were many wooden swords and staffs. Ari picked up a silver wooden staff. The salesperson eyed her choice. "100,000 yen, if you want to buy it. Free if you can defeat me in a match with it," he snickered.

"Okay," said Ari cheerfully as the two went outside.

"Are you crazy!" Ren and Horohoro yelled. Ari looked at them with her purple eyes.

"I'll be okay," Ari reassured them. The salesperson laughed.

"I'm the best there is when it comes to staff fighting. Bring it on!" He swung at Ari. His staff hit air. A silver staff came from below and tripped the man. He fell heavily. The man got slowly to his feet. "Wow you're good, but I'm only getting warmed up." They swung at each other for another five minutes. Ari dodged every blow the man threw at her and she tripped the guy ten times. "That's it. You win. I give up," the man said.

Tamao saw Ari's prize during dinner. "Wow, how much did it cost?" she asked. Horohoro broke off describing the amazing battle (from his point of view). After dinner everyone went off to bed. Yoh motioned for Ren to go outside with him.

"Did you feel it?" Yoh muttered.

"Yes, I did… Someone is here… from another time…" Ren answered as he thought he saw Ari on the roof. At that moment the bushes moved. They ran to catch the culprit but found nothing. Ren looked back at the roof and no one was there…