Paine and Baralai made their way to the gates that led into the forest. Strangely the gates had no guards standing about them. They slowly opened the gates so not to make a sound, and stepped through.

The wood was dark with the exception of moonlight peeping through the trees. Baralai stopped Paine and pointed to the ground. Footprints. Hundreds of them.

"We're close." Baralai whispered. They continued not much farther when they heard screams, and battle crys. Every now and then there would be a grunt followed by a thud. When Baralai and Paine looked in the direction they saw all the bandits fighting. At first, it seemed like a simple brawl, but then they saw what was going on. Nooj was in the midst of them all, fighting quite vigorously.

Paine and Baralai cut through the crowd to find that Gippal was with Nooj as well. They began to fight along-side their companions when Paine looked over to the distance. There stood a figure. I'll bet he's pulling the strings.. Paine thought.

"I'll be back!" she yelled to her companions. "Just keep fighting!" She ran to the spot where she had seen him. I know someone was here. She looked around her; it was dark. Suddenly she felt a hand cover her mouth. The other hand held her arms tightly. She started to put up a fight, but the person soon over-powered her. He then brought his face close to hers. She struggled at the feel of his hot breath. Then he whispered,

"I'm back." Paine's eyes widened as she lost her normal center. NO! Her mind went wild. She felt him pushing a pressure point on her back. She couldn't think straight. Her vision got blury then her body went numb. Darkness.

Baralai, Nooj and Gippal stood in the midst of all the bandits. Their bodies littered the ground. They weren't dead, just merely, defeated. They didn't look around. They knew that Paine was gone. They knew her kidnapper. They knew that Shuyin would never die. He would never leave them alone.

"Hey! I got a lead!" Gippal cried as he inspected the ground where Paine was last. Drag marks. Baralai thought. He found he and Nooj looking at the tracks on the ground.

"We have to go now, before Paine leaves us." Nooj said as he limped ahead on his cane.

Baralai found himself walking down a row of tents as quietly as possible. He listened carefully as he wlked by each tent. Nooj and Gippal followed closely behind. Baralai stopped so quickly that Gippal ran into him. Nooj was a bit smarter and refrained from the embarassment. Baralai opened the flap to the tent and stepped in. He saw Paine laying on the ground, sleeping. He looked back at Nooj and Gippal.

"Go back to the Celsius and wait for us there." He said quietly. "It will prevent us all from revealing our presence." Nooj turned and walked dragging a reluctant Gippal behind him.

Baralai took a step toward Paine. She almost imediately woke.

"Wha....?" She looked at him and smiled. "Where am I?" she asked, still in a daze.

"No time to explain. We have to get out of here before -" The flap of the tent opened behind Baralai. He turned. There before him, stood Shuyin.

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ok sooo how was it? Is my spelling getting better? Is that how you spell Shuyin? I know, I know Paine has not yet told of her deppression. In good time, I promise. This was a boring chapter to me so I won't be suprised if you didn't like it. Now lets see. RyRy you are an excellent help, just a little too giving on your flames, but please do keep it up!!! Dragon Girl thanks for your uplifting reveiw! It made me feel so much better. Okay then. i know this is short soI will definently try to get the next chappie up in a few days.

Sango