Ok, sorry about taking so long. Otakon was this weekend, and I was working on my other fanfic. O: Speaking of, I still need to write the second chapter of that. Don't worry though! It's all in my head! -points at skull- 8D So, enjoy this one while I write the other. This one's more lax than my other, so I may enjoy writing this one a little more. However, the lack of details and length, makes me enjoy the other… now I'm rambling. Please, continue!

Chapter VI – The Witch and the Enemy

Hikari's invisibility spell had worn off quite a while ago. She slept, but woke up at dawn. She knew that her disappearance would be found out soon, and she didn't want to be able to be found that early in her adventure. She hurried across the forest that surrounded her Kingdom. Her Kingdom of File was surrounded by what the people fondly called, The Island of Forests. All the way around for many miles, a forest stood. Across the forest, was a giant plain that led to another forest that blocked the way to the Kingdom of Server. Like a triangle, the two Kingdoms made a base for the mountains in the north, that they called the Infinity Mountains. It was a home for not only fire ogres, dragons, and many other fire-loving beasts, but also the Kingdom of System. They were peaceful people, living away from all the hazardous creatures, and many sought the Kingdom for salvation whilst among the mountains. However, beyond those mountains….

Hikari shook her head. She caught many glimpses of the continent map when she passed it in the Royal Library; however, that one spot was always empty. She didn't know if it's because no one explored it yet, or what….

She continued on into the forest and wandered around. She felt that she was nearing the edge of the lush green, but she wasn't sure. Just as she was going to stop for a rest, she noticed something unusual. That should not be there… she thought, as she spotted a cottage in a small clearing of the forest. She knew that it wasn't unusual for straggling peasants or travelers to live in the Island of Forests, or that there would be clearings, but the fact that there were feelings of intense magic surrounding the clearing made her shiver slightly.

Hikari walked up the cottage, being careful not to step on the flower garden that led up to the door. She was holding a hand up to knock on it, when she hesitated. What if was a witch that cast spells on people for disturbing their peace? Is that why whoever lived here was in the Island of Forests? Her eyes widened in shock as her wild imagination skipped around her mind, coming up with hundreds of impossible outcomes.

"Well, don't just stand out there, come in!" Hikari heard a voice coming from inside, and nearly jumped out of her skin. She shook her head to relieve herself of the shock, and started to open the door.

The first thing she saw was a very cozy living room that looked like it was made to accommodate at least two or three people. There was a fireplace and several comfortable looking chairs surrounding a table. She saw stairs off to her right and a door next to it. In front of her, Hikari saw a doorway.

"Come in, I said! Come right through here, please. I'm making tea," the same voice said, coming through the doorway. Hikari felt compelled to oblige and promptly walked through.

She saw immediately who was speaking to her. The woman was about a head taller than her, with long lilac hair that rested loosely down her back. Her brown eyes were sitting behind large spectacles that rested on her nose. She wore a big grin, and even bigger black robes. She was pouring steaming water into cups and handed one to Hikari who graciously took it. With a waving motion towards the table that sat in the kitchen, Hikari and the woman took a seat.

"Hello Princess Hikari, you must be tired. Allow me to introduce myself! I'm Miyako, it's a pleasure to meet you," Miyako said slightly excited and rushed, before taking a small sip of her own tea.

"Wait… how did you know who I was?" Hikari asked, slightly startled.

"Please, I'm a witch of course I know who you are!" Miyako said, waving a hand, as if it explained everything.

"I didn't know you were a witch," Hikari started to pout.

Miyako looked at Hikari startled for a second, and then looked back to her tea with her eyes closed, "Well, of course you didn't, how could you, I just told you!"

Hikari stared at Miyako, wondering if she was indeed really a witch, or was just pulling the Princess' leg. But, she did seem very nice. Even though Miyako knew that Hikari was a Princess, she had yet to use honorifics or treat her like she was royalty, or even worse, a child that didn't know anything. However, there were questions that Hikari would like answered, so she felt that she as the Princess of File; she needed to ask.

"Excuse me…what exactly are you doing in the Island of Forests?" Hikari asked, feeling quite timid.

Miyako looked up and raised her pointer finger, "Well, first off, this forest is an excellent place to look for ingredients for spells. And second off, I'm hiding something." Miyako winked at Hikari.

"Hiding something?" Hikari lowered her cup. "From who?"

Just as Miyako was about to answer, her eyes narrowed. She placed her cup back on the table and walked outside. Hikari followed after her quickly.

"Stay away from my house!" Miyako shouted out of the now open door.

"Ah… but Lady Miyako… you have something that we need," Hikari heard a low voice coming from outside. She saw a window next to the door, and snuck a peek outside. She saw a figure in a large black robe, standing just on the edge of the clearing. The face was covered with a hood, and its cloak was fluttering slightly in the wind. Hikari felt shivers run down her back when she looked at it.

"I don't care if you need it. It doesn't belong to you, and you're not going to get it!" Miyako bravely answered, putting both hands on her hips.

"Someday, we will find a way to break down your barrier, Miyako. Then, there will be nothing to stop us from taking what we need. In fact… we're very close already."

Miyako briefly looked startled and then scrunched up her face to retort. Before she could do so, however, the figure in black disappeared, rather anti-climatically, in a ball of black smoke.