I want to apologize for the long wait, but I managed to get some more time, as I'm home from work due to pneumonia.

Don't worry, it's not serious, but I wanted to make sure you guys get this while I still had some spare time.

I thank you for your patience.

Enjoy.

"What did you say!?"

"I...er...Yan was defeated...I'm the only survivor out of the group."

"Unbelievable! He was defeated by a mere boy!?"

"B-But sir! The boy wielded the Susano! We never stood a chance!"

"No excuses! You have failed my orders, so you know the price!"

"P-Please sir! He isn't any regular warrior! He defeated the Prince, so he-"

"I said no excuses! Take him away!"

"N-No, please,Your Majesty! I beg you!"

"Begging is for women! Guards, Kill him!"

"No please, I-AAAAAGGHH!"

"..."

"We will need to do something about this boy."

"M-Might I suggest something, Your Highness?"

"Go on. Any plans to conquer the Four Kingdoms will do."

Q

It had been several days since the encounter with Yan and his men, and everything seemed to return to normal.

Well, for most of everyone at least.

"Come on, Cupa, It was unintentional!" Joe yelled across his yard, to a steamed Cupa crossing her arms. He had Yaebi with him, as they were making what seemed like furniture.

"I'm not going to talk to you." She replied, not turning her head.

"Please tell me I almost died for this..." Joe sighed.

"Why don't you go marry your 'fiance' then?" The steamed Cupa growled.

Yep. Joe had told them the whole story.

Joe then slumped his head and sighed.

"Are you going to marry that girl, Joe?" Yaebi asked.

"Well, for one, no. It was a mutual agreement that we wouldn't. And two, I was kinda forced into it. I was captured, and had to fight my way to escape." Joe explained, returning to his work.

"Wow...that's so cool!" Yaebi excitedly said.

"I was almost killed a few times. But a weird power helped me out. I'm not even sure how I survived." Joe continued, still focused on his work. "I just kinda wish Cupa would take me almost dying into consideration, rather than me being almost forced into marriage."

"She does look angry..." Yaebi said, looking over at the angered Cupa. "Perhaps I could talk to her?"

Joe sighed. "If it'll help..."

Yaebi then nodded, as he stood up, letting his work in front of Joe.

He then walked over to Cupa, and tapped her shoulder.

"Uhm...Miss Cupa?"

Cupa then turned to the young boy. "Oh, Yaebi. Is there anything you need?" She asked.

"Well, Joe wanted me to talk to you, since you won't listen to him."

Cupa's face then went back to anger.

"Oh. Really."

The young boy nervously nodded.

"He just wanted to say that he couldn't help it. It was either fight or die for him, he was a prisoner." Yaebi said, nervously.

"I know it's not consensual, but...Yaebi, can I tell you something?" Cupa asked.

The young boy nodded in return.

Cupa looked over to Joe, to make sure he wasn't paying attention to them, then turned back to Yaebi.

"It's just...The thought of having someone engaged to him, intentional or not, just...Upsets me..." She said, looking down.

"I can understand that...But he just wants some consideration that he risked his life against Yan to bring you back here. You did see how he was against him, right?" Yaebi asked.

"W-Well yeah...But it was thanks to you that he won..." Cupa replied.

"But he still took him on. With my help or not, he still fought for you." He added.

Cupa was a little silent, but looked at Yaebi.

"I guess you're right..." She said, her hand on her opposite arm.

"Maybe some time alone might help you two out?" He suggested.

Cupa went a tad red at this.

"You mean...like a date?"

Yaebi realized what he said and quickly regretted it. "I-If you want to think of it that way..." He said, twiddling his fingers.

Cupa thought to herself for a bit, lost in her thoughts.

She imagined her and Joe enjoying each others company, both enjoying a picnic near the lakeside, with her cuddling his arm.

A starry night, with the reflection of the moon in the water, with fireflies buzzing around the water...

The biggest smile appeared on her face imagining this scenario.

Meanwhile, Yaebi witnessing her dazed state, wondering if she was still of this world.

"Er...Miss Cupa?" Yaebi asked, waving a hand in front of her face.

Cupa quickly snapped to reality, shaking her head.

"S-Sorry...Yeah, that sounds like a good idea!" She chirped.

Yaebi was a tad surprised at the sudden answer, but shrugged it off.

"Ok, so we'll need to make a plan about this then..." Yaebi said, his hand on his chin.

Cupa thought to herself, then snapped her fingers.

"I think I've got it!"

A few hours had passed since then, and Joe had moved onto another project.

He was working more onto his garden/irrigation system, when the young Yaebi walked up to him.

"Hey, Joe. Whatcha working on?" He asked.

"Oh, Yaebi. How did the talk with Cupa go? Does she still hate me?" Joe asked, with a slight sense of worry.

"Oh, no no, shes moved on from that. Quick question though…" Yaebi asked.

Joe cocked an eyebrow at Yaebi's words.

"What are your plans for later today?" he asked.

Joe's eyes widened at this, as he pulled his hand to his chin in thought.

"Well, I've got to mine a little more iron for a minecart and a mining system, maybe try and practice my swordsmanship in case we get attacked, and I was going to go out and try to get ingredients for different food." Joe said.

"W-Well...Maybe you could spare the rest of the day for something?" Yaebi asked.

Joe titled his head at this question, as he thought to himself.

"I dunno…" He said. "I guess they are kinda impractical, and I can just finish them another time…"

"So, is that a yes?" Yaebi asked.

"You know what? Sure. I'm game." Joe asked, putting down his tools.

"Great! Alright, me and Miss Cupa were going to go exploring out in a part of a forest in a few moments, but since you are joining, it could be a little more funner and safer." Yaebi said, smiling.

"Exploring, huh? I guess I really haven't done that in a bit either." Joe chuckled.

"Yes, so if you could also help us set up a picnic, or at least some snacks, we could be going in at least an hour." Yaebi replied.

Joe's eyebrow raised after hearing this.

"An hour? Why so long?"

"W-Well, we were also going to try and prepare some other supplies, just in case we can find anything we can harvest or collect." Yaebi replied, emphasizing his words with his hands.

"Oh? Well I still have some spare tools. I could grab those, and we could-"

"W-We also were planning on visiting the village!" Yaebi suddenly interrupted.

Joe was left frozen at this, suprised at Yaebi's sudden outburst.

"O-Oh, ok then. I could go do that, while you guys get the tools." Joe said in return, nervously chuckling.

Yaebi then nodded. "Ok, we will meet up with you in a little bit then."

Joe smiled and made a thumbs-up, as he turned around and started walking towards the village.

Meanwhile, Yaebi turned his head around, to see a Cupa peeking around the corner of a tree.

He made a quick thumbs up towards her, as she smiled and made a thumbs-up back in return.

About an hour had passed, as Joe had returned from the village, with plenty of supplies in hand.

He walked over towards the entrance of his house, to see Cupa out in front, leaning against the outside of the house.

She seemed to be waiting, as she was looking around her surrounding area.

"Did I keep ya waiting?" Joe asked, as he walked towards her.

Cupa then looked over towards Joe, and smiled.

"No, you're just in time." She chirped.

"Where's Yaebi?" Joe asked, looking around for the boy.

"He said he will catch up to us. I'll make a trail for him to follow." Cupa replied.

Joe nodded in return. "All right, in that case, lead the way then."

Cupa smiled brightly at this, as she turned, and practically hopped along the way, with Joe following after.

They walked for a few moments, deep in the forest area, with Cupa leaving sticks in specific places to make a trail.

Joe pondered these actions to himself, but quickly dismissed them as they walked along their way.

They walked for about half an hour, until Joe spoke out:

"How come Yaebi hasn't found us yet?" He said.

"Maybe he took a little longer to do what he needed to do." Cupa answered back, placing more sticks.

Joe looked over the piles, lost in thought.

"I just don't know if he might be following the trail right. He might be lost…" Joe said, looking back on the trail they were walking from.

"He'll be fine, I'm sure he just got caught up" CUpa said.

"Maybe I should go back and look for him-"

"Joe-kun."

Joe nearly jumped at this, and looked back at a fumed Cupa, crossing her arms.

"He's not gonna learn if you just keep helping him you know." Cupa said.

"I-I know, but he-"

"He joined us so that he could get a good footing on life. And he's not going to get anywhere if you keep babysitting him like this." Cupa explained.

Joe was surprised at Cupa's words, but ultimately agreed with them.

"I...Guess you're right…" Joe said.

In that moment, Cupa grabbed Joe's arm, embracing it.

"Although its sweet that you care for him so much." She said, smiling.

Joe went red at this, and started scratching his head.

"Well, I...er…"

Cupa giggled, and let go of his arm.

"Now, on with the trail!" She said, as she led on.

Joe was left to question what just happened, but he dismissed it with a sigh.

"Man, I don't get her sometimes…"

After a few more moments of walking, the sun seemed to be setting.

"It seems to be getting dark out, maybe we should-"

"Keep going? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing!" Cupa said, as she kept on.

Joe blinked in disbelief at this.

"I was going to say, get back to the house, but I guess that works." Joe said with gritted teeth, as he kept following suit.

They eventually reached the shore-side of a small lake, in which Cupa decided to stop.

"Heres a good place to stop." Cupa said, as she let down her bag to the ground.

Joe examined his and Cupa's surrounding area.

A night-time picnic next to a lake, surrounded by….

Fireflies?

He could also see the full moon, as there was nothing blocking the view from it.

"What makes you want to stop here?" Joe asked.

Cupa was already done setting up the sheet when he asked this.

"I dunno. It just seems kinda nice."

After hearing this, Joe's mind then flashed to the last time he was at a picnic.

A great view of the lake…

Great food to eat…

Amazing company to enjoy it with…

Cupa nearly kissing him…

...Wait.

Joe immediately red after remembering this, and looked over at Cupa.

Uh oh…. He thought to himself.

"So? Gonna join me?"

Joe snapped back to reality, as he looked over to Cupa, who was sitting on the blanket, offering him a seat, looking at him.

He could feel his heart jump at this, as he slowly and timidly joined her.

They were quiet for a while, until Cupa spoke up.

"Its a wonderful view, isn't it?"

That was something he couldn't disagree with.

"Yeah, its great…" He said, partially hypnotized by the atmosphere.

While Joe was busy with the view, Cupa took this time to take action.

She scooted closer to Joe, touching legs and knees with him.

She could feel him jump a tad, in which she giggled to herself.

Meanwhile, Joe was trying all he can to keep himself contained, and not to faint from embarrassment.

Keep it together Joe, it's just Cupa, there's nothing to be afraid of…

At that moment, Cupa then grabbed his arm again, and rested her head on his shoulder.

Ok, now's the time to panic!

"Hey, Joe-kun?"

Joe nearly jumped at this.

"Y-Yeah?"

"Have you ever wondered what like….A world other than this would be like?"

Joe's eyes widened at this.

"A...Another world?"

"Yeah...A world thats….Different than this…"

Joe's mind immediately went back to his home back at his world.

He could remember his city, his apartment, everything from his world.

His mind then sparked back to the dream he had of Cupa.

His mind slightly settled at this, as he could feel his breathe regulating.

"Yeah...I wonder about it all the time."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Like, What if there were a more advanced world than this? To where we wouldn't have for fend for ourselves…"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know redstone, right?" Joe asked.

"Yeah?"

"Well, Imagine a much, much more advanced system than that."

Cupa let her thoughts take her, as she leaned more into Joe.

"Yeah….that sounds nice…" She said, as she watched the fireflies buzz around the water line.

Joe couldn't help but watch along with her.

He then looked at Cupa's hand, which was wrapped around his arm.

He gulped to himself, as he looked at his own hand.

He inched his own hand towards his arm, just barely touching Cupa's.

When she felt his hand, he could see her hand open up, as if it was inviting him.

He then held Cupa's hand, in which she crossed fingers with him.

His heartbeat skyrocketed at this, as he could feel her soft hand.

Meanwhile, Cupa was enjoying the feel of Joe's large, strong hand, as she watched the view.

"Joe-kun…"

"Y-Yeah?"

He looked over and the sight nearly made him jump.

Cupa was extremely close to his face, and she seemed to have her lips slightly puckered, her eyes closed.

"C-C….Cupa…" He said.

He was red as a cherry seeing this, as he was lost in thought.

His mind then made itself up, as he closed his own eyes.

He then slightly puckered his own lips, and inched his face towards hers.

And just whenthey were mere centimeters from meeting, a sudden clack could be heard.

Joe heard this, and immediately knew what it was.

"Cupa."

"Y...Yes?"

At that moment, another clack could be heard, along with the sound of a string pulled.

"Get down!" Joe yelled, as he wrapped his arms around cupa, and dove to the ground.

A sudden sound of a streaming object flew by, as Joe looked over to where the sound came from.

A skeleton was hiding behind a tree, with its bow out, and was preparing another arrow.

Joe immediately went into action, as he dove towards the bag, and looked for a weapon to use.

All he could find was a simple iron shovel.

"You gotta be kidding me…" Joe said, as he readied his weapon at the skeleton.

The skeleton shot its next arrow at Joe, in which Joe easily deflected it, and charged for the skeleton.

It didn't take long for Joe to reach it, as he swung the shovel, knocking the skeleton's head clean off its spine.

The body of the skeleton went limp, collapsing into a pile of bones.

When the dust settled, Joe went over to Cupa, who watched the whole thing.

"Need help?" He asked, offering his hand.

Cupa sighed in relief, as she took his hand, and helped her to her feet.

"Man, that was a close one." Joe chuckled.

Cupa remained silent.

Joe noticed this, and looked at her.

"Cupa?"

"Its my fault…"

"Sorry?"

Cupa shook her head in anger.

"Its my fault! We should have left when you said it was dark…" Cupa said, with a guily tone.

Joe only looked at Cupa, then made a half-smile.

He then placed his hand in her head, while she sobbed.

"Calm down, calm down. Its alright." He said.

"It...It is?" Cupa sniveled.

"Of course. I can understand if you wanted to keep going. It was a great time. I'm just glad you're ok." Joe said, smiling.

Cupa went a tad red at this, as she smiled back.

"Thanks…" She said.

Joe then wiped the tears from Cupa's face.

"Just the thought of you being safe makes me happy already." He said.

"J-Joe-kun…" Cupa said, amazed at Joe's action.

"Now lets get going. We don't want any other monsters coming out." Joe said, as he looked around his area.

Cupa nodded at this, as she went to collect her bag and the picnic.

"I'll keep guard. You hold onto my hand. It'll get pretty dark." He said, offering his hand.

Cupa looked at Joe's hand, as she smiled, and took it, holding it tight.

"Lead the way…" She said.

Joe then smiled back, as he led on into the darkness of the forrest.

Meanwhile, Cupa's mind flashed to the situation mere minutes ago.

The thought of them almost sharing a kiss, under the exact atmosphere she wanted.

I almost got him...but at least I can still have this moment with him…

Phew...I finally got this out…

And I have some news for you guys.

I will be updating To LoveEd very soon, along with Path of the Skull heart and Moon of Hearts. And there might even be a brand new fic soon!

I'm done rambling, I thank you for your patience, and I will see you in the next chapter.