Hello everyone; sorry for the long time between updates. Finals plus my daughter's birthday made for a very busy time. Now that all of that is behind me; I can finally get back to writing again. This update is rather short but the next one will be longer, I promise!

Arisu walked out of the room and through the hallways getting ready to leave the building. As she stepped out, she was greeted by Kaname's group of followers.

"Princess," Aido bowed towards her.

She slipped the few stray hairs back behind her ear. "I'm no different than I was before; so please don't start treating me differently." She continued walking past them and into the trees nearby. She had to get a handle of her new abilities before her fight with Rido.

Arisu was being followed. She focused and used her wind to carry her fast deep within the forest. 'Let's see if they can keep up.'

The followers slowed to a halt. "She ran off in a hurry," Shiki commented tonelessly.

Rima sighed, turning around, "she clearly doesn't want to be followed."

"But what if something were to happen to her?" Ruka questioned.

Akatsuki turned to her, "she can handle herself. If she needs us she can easily call us."

Aido didn't say anything as he left his friends to follow after Arisu. He tore through the forest and came upon Arisu leaning against a tree. "Princess…"

"Please stop calling me that," she snapped; her voice harsh. She kept her back to him. The last thing she needed was for someone to see her cry. The fear of the impeding fight had sunk in once she had seen the others. Kaname was long gone off doing his own thing. Her abilities were great; but would it be enough to defeat Rido?

"Sorry," Aido apologized quickly. He took a step forward; but quickly stopped himself from going any further. He was in the presence of the Pure Blood Princess, he had to tread lightly.

"I'm sorry Aido," she pushed herself off of her tree.

"W…why are you apologizing to me?" Aido was shocked at her words.

"I'm not acting correctly. I just need a minute to clear my head." She ran her hand through her hair while taking a deep breath. She quickly turned around, her face a little red from crying. "Throw everything you have at me." Her voice was calm and serious.

"What? There's no way I can do that!" Aido replied quickly.

She glared at him, "I need to practice using my power. I can't just attack the air. I have to get ready for the impending fight."

"Fight?"

"I don't want to have to use my power over you to get you to fight me." Arisu sighed, looking the blond over.

"Fine…" Aido submitted. He threw a half-hearted ice shot at her.

She blocked it effortlessly with a gust of wind. "You need to be serious about this." She took an impending step towards him. "Now attack."

Aido felt compelled as he tossed a more powerful freezing move at her. Just as it left he started to panic at the intensity of it.

It was almost on impulse when she defended herself from Aido's attack. The wind surrounded her, blocking the ice.

"Woa," he commented, stunned at her block.

Arisu couldn't be surprised; it was just instinct that protected her. That wouldn't be enough to defeat Rido. "Again."