Akaya tried to stay conscious as Tajek walked slowly beside her, holding her up with his shoulder. Her ankle throbbed with each agonizing step. The pain was overwhelming at times. Tajek could tell even though Akaya kept it bottled up inside that she was in serious pain. Without realizing it, she had leaned her head on his shoulder blade to relieve the pressure that built up in her head. She slowly closed her eyes as they continued. Exhaustion had taken over her body, and there was nothing she could do about it other than keep walking slowly and stay awake. And she was doing both painfully so.

Tajek smiled at her unyielding determination. She was a lot stronger than he'd thought she'd be by now. Tajek heard a rustle in the trees and suddenly stopped to survey the area. As he stopped, Akaya collapsed. She heard his voice calling her name frantically, but it faded quickly. Everything went black. Tajek sighed. He had hoped she would have lasted longer than she had. He had realized early on that her energy had been drained from her encounter. She wouldn't admit it, but she was in intense pain afterwards. Still, as he looked down at her now, he couldn't help but smile. She looked so peaceful lying there. She was always worrying about something, but now, she was in a state a simple tranquility. Her body needed the break.

Tajek bent down and lifted her bridal-style into his arms. There was no use in trying to wake her up. She was out cold, and she would probably stay that way for the next few days. He knew why too. Shin Ryu had taken his request to heart. Shin Ryu was tough in his training, even his father had said so. She must have gotten to her third lesson by now. He smirked as he briefly glanced down at her. He could tell that she had gotten immensely tougher, but her skin still felt smooth against his.

"Kid, I was beginning to think that you really weren't coming back."

Shin Ryu stood against a tree behind Tajek. It amazed Tajek how calm Shin always was about everything. Even though Shin hadn't seen him in over two years, he was collected in their first interaction. His voice's tone was smooth and silky.

"That was you back there, wasn't it?"

Shin simply nodded and smiled as if he had been reacquainted with a close friend. In retrospect, he was. Shin looked at Akaya's face. She looked completely lifeless, and her coloring was fading fast. But then again, this was her third lesson. She had embraced her fear better than he thought she would. Tears were a natural occurrence and at that, exhausting.

"Tajek, you're lucky to find a woman like her. They're as rare as it gets. She's loyal, committed, and hard-working." He paused and sighed as he gently wiped dirt out of her hair. "She's in bad shape. Come here."

Tajek nodded and did as he was told. Shin grabbed a hold of the two teenagers, and he started to focus his chakra to flow evenly through his body. "Tajek, if you have to throw up, hold it until the process is done."

Shin looked up at the sky briefly before closing his eyes.

"What process?" Suddenly, everything went black around Tajek, and his legs went numb. This numbness, however, was a different feeling to him. It was as if the world around him was spinning rapidly. Within a few moments, his vision came back. They were standing in front of the building of the Mizukage. "How the fuck did…"

Shin glanced harshly at Tajek. "There is no need for such language. That process was part of another ability available to me as a demon. Sesoni has this ability as well. It can instantly take me back to the two places I've visited the most over my lifetime. It is an excellent technique really."

He smiled showing his two demon fangs on his top row of teeth. "I might even teach it to a mortal one of these days." He sighed as he approached his building. Unlike the Hokage's building, this one seemed like a home. "You know, I built this when I was young. It's been awhile since then."

Tajek closely followed Shin, holding Akaya firmly in his arms. She fit so perfectly there. She nuzzled up against his chest finally showing a sign of life after passing out. Shin and Tajek quickly walked inside the building and into a nearby bedroom. "She can stay here for now."

Tajek gave no evident reply. He simply approached the futon at the far end of the room. He lightly placed her down into it. She looked like a complete mess, but she looked calm and content. The way she had been before he had to leave the village. It was virtually against his own will, but without leaving, the village would have been in grave danger. He stood there looking down at Akaya not sure how their next conversation was going to go. She'd have plenty of questions for him. He was absolutely sure of that. She always wanted to be informed about things as much as she could. That was one of many things that made her cute to him.

Shin stood in the doorway. He knew that feeling of longing. The thought of being so close yet so far away. "So how long has it been for the two of you?"

Tajek tried to smile, but the concern did not seem to leave. He knew she'd be fine, but there was always that slight chance that she wouldn't be. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if that happened. "It's been two years, three months, and five days since we've seen each other."

He counted every day they were apart. It was weird to him at first, but after some time, it was what kept him going. She was the small hope and joy that was left in his life.

()

Akaya awoke with her eyes filled with an immense haze. Her head ached severely as she tried to rubbed her eyes to get rid of the haziness. She sat up in the futon and glanced around the room. It was awkward waking up in a place she'd never been before. A place she didn't recognize.

Still, it was a quaint, pretty, little room that was decorated with beautiful silk curtains and rich velvet sheets. She was on a spring futon that was the color of the ocean's deepest blue. It made her feel as if she was being swallowed up whole, destined to drown in its comfort. She didn't particularly like it, but it was a refreshingly new atmosphere. She planned to enjoy it.

"How long have I been out?"

She knew that someone was standing right outside her door sill. Akira was playing with their shadow as it bled through the creak. Akaya giggled at the sight. Akira looked so innocent that it was scary.

Tajek slowly entered the room. To reveal a bag of dried fruits. "You've been out for about four days now." He looked at her tenderly, "But you were supposed to be out for another week minimum. You're something amazing, Akaya."

He tossed the bag to her, and she caught it with ease. "Oh, but you need to see Shin as soon as possible. He said that it is extremely important."

With those words, he kissed her on the forehead and left. Akaya slowly stood up but fell to the floor on her first attempt. She pushed herself up and hurried out of the room.

"Going somewhere?" Shin stood behind her, firmly gripping her shoulder to prevent her from moving. "Your training isn't over yet."

He let go of her shoulder and walked in front of her. She eagerly followed. She was silent and exhausted, and she knew this day was not going to be easy.