Yuji and Marlene sat by the stream most of the day, talking about many things. Sometimes they just held each other, thinking about what they were to do. The sun was going down behind the hills when they decided to go back to the house.

When they walked in, Arisu was already cooking dinner. Marlene noticed that time moved very quickly in this civilization, or seemed to move very quickly. "Ah, it's so nice to see you, my children. I'm making stir-fry with fresh vegetables tonight. It should be delicious. How have you been?"

Yuji sighed, "Not exciting, we just sat by the stream."

"Oh, did you meet any of the locals?"

Marlene rested her head in her hands. "One."

"One? Who was it?"

"A little girl. Her name was Emi. She gave me a flower." She showed Arisu the flower, which had been in her hand all day.

"Here," Arisu said, and she took a glass out of the cupboard and poured some water in it. "Put the flower in here, it will look nice." Marlene placed the flower in the glass and thought of Emi's kindness.

Arisu broke the silence, which was present again. "Emi... I think, yes, I know her. She's such a sweet little girl. I know her mother, Hitomi."

"Hitomi?" Yuji asked.

"Yes, she gave birth to Emi, and then the Blue attacked our village, like I told you the other day. Her husband was killed, and she was forced to take care of Emi by herself. She's still grieving."

"How long ago was that attack?"

"Seven years. No one has been the same since."

"That's so depressing," Marlene said. "I feel so sorry for her."

"Yes, but never tell her that! Hitomi doesn't like pity."

"Oh... well, I wish I could do something..."

"Don't we all?"

"I suppose so," Yuji leaned on Marlene. "But these people in town are so uptight with us here. They think we are monsters."

Arisu dropped a plate; the sound was so disturbing as it shattered. She looked at Yuji with cold, cold eyes. "We are all monsters, deep inside." Then, she took down three bowls and filled them with stir-fry. She set a bowl down at each of their places and then handed each of them some utensils. She smiled. "Now, go on, it's all right. Eat, eat!"

And so, they ate. Marlene was wondering what she could do to help the village. If only they could see that they weren't a threat. After dinner, there was a knock on the door. Arisu answered it, but neither Yuji nor Marlene could see who it was. Arisu took her cloak and wrapped it around her.

"Where are you going?" Yuji asked.

"It's nothing to worry about. You two stay here; I'll be back as soon as I can." She opened the door and left. Marlene could see a faint glow behind the curtains, probably from a candle. Then the glow was gone, along with Arisu and the villager who had come.

Marlene held Yuji's hand. "That's a little strange," He said.

"Yes, I know. I think we have a right to know what's going on."

"Well, maybe it isn't our business."

They went back into the kitchen, still debating on whether they should eavesdrop or not. They poured some coffee for themselves. Arisu appeared roughly fifteen minutes later, cheeks pink from the cold. She set her cloak up, and poured some coffee to drink as well.

"I had to deliver a baby boy to Datchi and his wife. It was a quick birth, but stressful on Mayama. She has such a tiny figure!" Yuji and Marlene were slightly confused. Arisu sighed, "Oh, I didn't tell you! I deliver the children in this village, I have for many years."

Yuji looked at Marlene, then back at Arisu. "That's interesting. You see, we forgot to tell you, but Marlene is pregnant. We just found that out a week or so ago."

"Really? Well that's just great! I think you two will be very good parents."

"And we hope that our family will bloom beautiful in this village," Marlene said.

Yuji nodded. "That is, if the village can accept us."

Arisu beamed. "I'm sure that everyone will be glad to. I'll talk to Reichen, our leader - well, sort-of leader - and he will help us. Now, it's getting late. I'm going to turn in, and I will see you in the morning."

In unison, Yuji and Marlene said, "Good night."