Eh, I took the poll down guys. Besides. I have already made my decision.

Carry on. : )

-Exception-

-Dai Lin's POV-

-Flashback-

Day 410 of the search. I haven't lost hope. I wish I did. But I haven't.

Meaningless stories, I've heard. Many embraces I've received, none of them welcomed. I didn't want people to feel bad for me. I wanted them to tell me where she was.

I was scared of going through this village. Not exactly scared, just disturbed. Just foul stenches and bad people. But I knew I couldn't save them all. Trash covered the streets. Factory smoke polluted the air. I started asking around the kinder people if they have seen anyone like Tigress. They all answered with a no or go away, or in a more annoying note, a hug.

I came up to a small house, and knocked on the door that would rot off anytime soon. A small elderly sheep walked out, broken glasses, and a hat with stains and a burn mark down the side of it. Her small brown eyes were surrounded by dried up tears.

"Ma'am, I don't mean to bother you…" I said gently.

"No matter young man, what will it be? A gift for your parents, or perhaps your girlfriend?" She asked in a light wise tone. I looked at her questionably. She pointed to the sign on her door. "Nini and Balu's Wooden Figurine Shop."

"Oh I see. Well, uh, I just had a question actually-"

"Let's take this inside, it's not safe to speak out here." She whispered, gently taking my wrist and guiding me inside.

Before I knew it, I was surrounded by little wooden figurines of many people, things, and places. They packed much talent into their artwork. I admired the very sight of it all.

"So, what is it you want to ask me?" She said gently.

"Um, well, I've been going around asking this. But, over a year ago, a dear friend of mine went missing. I'm out on the search for her and I was just wondering if you have seen her. She's an orange and black Bengal Tiger, last time I see her, she wore a black cropped hoodie, her eyes are crimson red."

"Hm… ya' know, many people come and go through this village. Most of them blend in with the scene, either they be runaways or running away from the law. And so on so forth. But by the description of your lady friend , I'd say she'd stick out in the crowd. She sounds pretty nice looking, so I don't believe she would live a few minutes in this village with all the freaks roaming around." She stated sadly.

I flinched at the very thought. Then tried to ease the slight anger and worry with reminding myself of the fact that she was a skilled master at Kung Fu. And she was no ordinary pretty woman.

"But, if it makes you feel better darling, I would have seen such a tiger in these parts, but I have not." She said shaking her head.

I sighed in short relief and nodded. And being as curious as I was, I pondered at the figurines around me.

No Dai Lin. I'm busy here.

I looked at one that was a wheel buried halfway in the ground, flowers grew from around it. Most of the figurines were painted. But the colors repeated themselves, due to lack of paint.

Stop. You got to walk out. You're just asking for it now, D.

"These are really impressive, how long did it take you to do these?"
Damn.

She looked at me sadly and shook her head. "I didn't make those."

I cocked my head, "Then who did?" She looked out of the small window to see anyone who might be listening in. "Follow me."

We walked out her back door, and walked down an easier path. I looked around, there were still thieves and violence around staring at the poor helpless woman in front of me. I stared them dead in their eyes and growled a low rumbling growl. They swiftly looked at my size and turned away.

We finally reached a spot in the outskirts of town. No houses, and only a small bit of the stench coming from the walled village behind us. We reached an area that was surrounded by chairs and in front of those chairs was a tree. I questioned why we were here.

Until I walked around the tree.

A rope wrapped around the larger branch of a tree. And there swinging in the breeze, was a male sheep. He wore a hat that covered his lifeless eyes.

I looked to the elderly woman, who refused to look at her dead companion swinging from the tree.

I shook my head ashamed. "How long."

"…Just this morning. He had more food stashed for us that could feed at least three other families for a week. He was hung for how… greedy he was." Her soft voice broke. That pain-wrenching pain hit my gut again.

"He was the one who kept food on our table anyways, selling his famous figurines for such a low price. "Now I'm selling what he has left behind. But when those figurines run out…" She began to tear up. I closed my eyes, attempting to think of something that would cheer up an old lady.

I looked over to the patch of yellow flowers past the tree.

"You like picking flowers, miss?"

"Excuse me?" She asked curiously. "Those flowers?" I said, pointing to the patch.

"W-well, I suppose-"

"Give me fifteen minutes while you pick those flowers. But don't look over here." I said with a slight smile.

"Well, if you say so sir…" She said and waddled her way to the patch of flowers.

I kneeled down, setting my bag on the ground. I reached in and pulled out two pieces of wood, and a sharp knife with dull designs. I looked up to the male hanging from the tree, scheduled to be buried soon I assumed. He must have been Mr. Balu. I attempted to see under his hat and see his eyes. I got much of what I could.

Looking at the lady ahead, she sat in the patch of those flowers. Staring at the sky.

-20 Minutes Later-

"Miss, sorry it took me a bit longer than expected." I said, waving her over my way.

She walked over slowly. "What is this all about?" She asked, staring at my hands that were hiding behind my back.

I pulled from behind my back, a figurine as tall as the length of my forearm.

Mr. Balu, alive and happy, standing next to the tree he's actually hanging from. But the tree he is hanging from is dead and lifeless. But the tree I carved next to him was full of life and carved with detail in the leaves. Mr. Balu smiled with his hat on, and held out a flower. Much like the ones she was picking.

She stares at it. Her lip quivered. And the tears poured over. "It's for you. See, I know a thing or two about carving figurines, miss." I said with a cocky smile. "Maybe not as much as him, but I know something."

She slowly takes it from me and stares at the detail. "I don't… I don't know…" She tried.

"There's a note in the small slot on the bottom. Don't open it, don't read the not until I'm gone, out of sight, and you are safely in your home." I said and tried with a promising look.

She was speechless as I guided her back to her place. I thanked her for being so kind to me. She pulled me in to a gently hug. One I allowed and actually appreciated out of the year. "No Daze, Thank you." Mrs. Nini said. I Walked out of her shop, and sprinted to the next village I would be searching.

Dear Mrs. Nini,

To be honest, I don't know if I'll ever find her. The thing that drives me is hope. I'm sorry for your loss. I learned that things could be worse. Like having no hope at all. I'm sure Mr. Balu was a fine man. And he could probably teach me a thing or two about wood crafting. But I knew enough to make this for you.

This statuette, is yours to keep. Do not put it on the shelves with the rest to be sold.

Every two weeks, you'll get two packages from a trusted mailman. Inside those boxes, will be the crafts that I carved for you to keep selling, for money for food. And it will also contain money, enough to hire a trusted guard that will live with you to keep you safe. I met him before I met you, and he is buff, but very trusted.

Take care of yourself, Mrs. Nini.

-D.

-End Flashback-

I sat out by Seytu's tree and carved the last figurine for the two weeks. I carefully placed it in one of the two boxes and latched both of them. I would mail them out tomorrow from Maru's mail office like it has ever two weeks since I left Mrs. Nini's village.

I looked back at the house where Seytu and Tigress were soundly asleep. Such friends with slumber. I would have to gain that relation too, I was too sleepy. The moon was bright and white, the breeze was cool enough to give me shivers. I would soon rest my head and wrap myself In the fluffy covers of Tigress' guest room. Or my room.

Protection. That was my job here, just like it was Ban Dejou's to watch over Mrs. Nini.

Peace rocked my bones, for once in my lifetime. How short did I expect this peace to last? But I won't think of it tonight, or anytime soon.

Because everything is alright, for right now.

Thanks for reading guys. I plan to post more chapters of his journey later. Lol, SPOILER ALERT. Haha, just kidding. Goodnight guys.