Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
The group departed early in the morning for Kyoto. Wind whipped the leaves around in circles and the trees danced under the red dawn. Everyone ended up walking except for Ari who rode on Ren's horse, asleep. Ren was guiding the reins. Horohoro yawned. "So how long is this going to take anyway?" he complained. "Why can't I ride on the horse?"
They walked for several hours until Ari woke up and decided to walk too, next to Ren. Horohoro didn't look very happy with this, but for some reason kept his mouth shut. Instead, he fell behind next to Yoh who chuckled. "Aren't you going to say something about those two?" Yoh teased Horohoro.
"I will in a minute, but I need a word with you," Horohoro said, lowering his voice to a whisper. Manta tried to eavesdrop. "We're being followed."
"I knew that yesterday; was talking with Ren," Yoh answered casually as Horohoro became awestruck.
"Hey! Why didn't you tell me?" he yelled a little too loudly. Ari and Ren turned around.
"It's normal to keep secrets from you," Ren said, snickering.
"How did you know we were talking?" Horohoro said, confused.
"Someone two miles from hear could have heard you," Ren mocked Horohoro
Something in the trees rustled and Ari turned around. "Anything wrong? I'll protect you!" said Horohoro as he knocked Ren out of the way. Ren grumbled and oddly decided to not push back.
"No, nothing's wrong," said Ari as she concentrated on her walking. A dark figure spied on the group from the tree.
That night, they camped out on top of a hill overlooking a clear lake. Horohoro gulped down his bowl of soup. "Wow Ari, you really know how to cook a good camping meal."
"No, I'm just used to this sort of thing," she said as she looked away and blushed. Finally, everyone climbed into bed. Horohoro, Yoh, and Manta fell asleep instantly as Ren closed his eyes. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep.
Ren woke in the middle of the night to find Ari's sleeping bag empty. Panicking, he slid quietly out of his own sleeping bag and found Ari by the lakeside, staring into the clear water.
"Hey," he said, "What are you doing out here, you could catch a cold." Ren sat down beside Ari. She seemed to be deep in thought.
"You know don't you… How's it like to be all alone?" Ari said while still staring into the lake as if in a trance.
"Before I met Yoh, yes, I have been alone… but not anymore," Ren replied quietly. "It's so amazing how friendship erases anger."
Ari smiled sadly. "I wonder how it would be like… after I return. I don't know what I want. I can't possibly have revenge against the nobles who tried to murder me; I'm not strong enough. I always wondered if I will ever find someplace quiet and free." Silent tears fell down her cheek.
Ren had no idea what to say. "You're not alone. We're all be right here rooting you on. You'll be okay at the end…" he said, trying to comfort her.
"You really think so?" Ari turned to look at Ren. Their eyes met.
"Yes I do," Ren said. Ari turned back to watch the lake. After a time, she leaned against Ren, asleep. He carried her back to her bed…