Soko's POV

The rays of the sun filtered in through the leaves of the tree, hitting my face and waking me. I opened my golden eyes and looked to my right to the source of the light. {Stupid sun. that dream was getting interesting…} I sit up. Running my fingers through my hair, I begin to plan my day. {I need to go back and stash my loot. I'll go to home and leave it there, but with my injury, I could be easily captured. Better get some company.}

I crawl onto the branch and revert my bed back to a seed. I put it away and jump to the ground. {Maybe Xhi and Mag will go with me…} I walk to the house and peeking in the window before going in. I find Mag and Xhi at the breakfast table, eating bagels and pancakes with milk. "Good morning!", the two girls greet. I nod and sit down between them. I stack my plate with pancakes. As I apply the butter and syrup, I tell my plan to my newly found friends. "I need to go back into the forest and relocate the mirror. I need someone to accompany me because of my wound.", I say, stuffing a pancake into my mouth. Honestly, I was still hungry. The girls looked at me. "So we're going on an adventure that could very well get us killed. We'll be following you and we'll be dealing with stolen treasure. Cool.", Xhi said, trying to keep the excitement from her voice. I smirk. "That's about the size of it.", I say. Mag puts her fork down. "Why do you want us to go? Do you trust us that much to ask us to be, in essence, your bodyguards?" I look at her quizzically. "Well… yeah. Of all the people in the world, you are the two people who don't want to kill me, other than Yoko, of course…", I say, leaving my sentence unfinished as I began to think of my… fox friend. Mag nodded, most likely agreeing with my answer.

We finish our meal and get packed up to go. Mag, Xhi and I head out into the forest, beginning our first adventure.

~*~

Xhi's POV

We stop outside the freakily dark forest and Mag and I peered around Soko's shoulder so we could gaze inside. "So," I say. "Who wants to go into the scary, demon ridden – no offence – dark forest first?" "I will.", Soko said rolling her eyes and entering. She then walked back out and grabbed us and pulled us in. "Eeep!", I squeaked as I was dragged into the forest. "So where exactly did you hide the treasure?", Mag asked. "Good question.", Soko said with a frown on her face. "You don't know?", I ask exasperated. "Well I'm sorry. I didn't have that much time.", she snapped while looking around. "Ok, come on. I found the path we need to take." We followed her down the path. Suddenly, a weird demon like thing leapt out at us. "Ahh!", Mag and I cried jumping back. Soko rolled her eyes and quickly killed the demon. "Heh heh," I laughed nervously. "Thanks." "No problem.", she said grinning. "Jeesh, scared of a meager low-class demon…", she teased. "Whatever.", I muttered. "Now children, stop arguing.", Mag said in a mockingly high voice. We all laughed. "Turn this way.", Soko said and we followed her. "Now, we have to be quiet. Who knows what could be listening to us." We all fell silent.

We silently crept along behind her. A twig snapped to the right of me. I moved in closer to Soko. She glanced in that direction but didn't stop. There was a thump. Mag looked at Soko. "Shhh!", she whispered nervously. "Ow…", came a soft curse as there was another thump. "I don't think it's a bounty hunter.", she whispered. "Too loud." We made our way to the center of a clearing. "Come out!", Soko called with authority. Silence. "Oh sure, nobody listen to Soko…", she muttered to herself. "Of course.", came a loud voice as a figure came out from behind the tree to our left. "You!", Soko said incredulously. "Yes, me. Aren't you glad to see me?", the boy said smiling broadly. "Not particularly.", she said flatly. "Tsk tsk. That's not very nice." "Who told you I was nice? They obviously lied to you." "Easy Soko.", Mag says. "So who's he?" "An old friend.", the boy said. "You wish.", the fox muttered. "Oh shush.", he said grinning. "That's all well and good, but who are you?" "Well little one…", he trailed off when he saw my face. I stared at him. {LITTLE ONE?! HOW DARE HE! THE IDIOT!} "Smooth.", Soko smirked. "Ok.", I said brightly. "I'm okay now. Who are you?" "I am… Karasu!"

~*~

Mag's POV

For some unknown reason, a chill ran up my spine. I glanced uncertainly at Soko. Her eyes were daggers. Mouth curved into a scowl she hissed, "What are you doing here?" Joy danced in Karasu's eyes as he answered, "Come on now… S…" Soko cringed at the name. "I thought you of all people would know." Soko's bemused expression faded. "You didn't.", she started. Mouth spread wide into a wolf-like grin, he replied, "Oh… yes… I think you'll find I did."

Conscious not to make any sudden movements, I slowly scratched my nose, not that it itched, it was just a nervous habit. Suddenly, I sneezed a huge sneeze. My three companions froze. {Darn it.}, I thought. {Cat hair. I really have to change Hippocrates' formula…} He's lying! I don't know how I knew, I just did. I thought of a way to get it to Soko but I couldn't think of one that would go unnoticed. Her face was still strict with disbelieving horror. Xhi looked just as sarcastic as ever. Wow, they have no idea about what I can do, what Karasu is planning to do. These thoughts danced in my head, then… all went black.

~*~