~hurrrah fifty chapters...I honestly didn't think I could write this much. Enjoy!

Chapter Fifty

Soft light dappled from the afternoon sun in the forest as he walked along the path. He usually meditated at the temple near his home, or the dojo, but he really wanted to stick by. Rowen still seemed a little out of it, but he figured he was making strides. He was at least talking to him again, and training. He would even joke a little, Sage could tell that part was forced but at least he was trying.

Birds chirped as he walked along, he wasn't look for a specific place but he figured he would find it soon. It was late autumn, so the weather was cool but not cold.

He climbed to the top of the hill and looked around the dense forest. It was darker here, which didn't bother him in the slightest. He rather enjoyed the dark forest.

As he looked around, and decided to keep going. He really didn't know where he was heading but the weather was nice enough. Then he saw her and he recognized her instantly.

Baroness.

He gulped as he looked on. She was near a small stream, asleep. Her hands tucked under her head, and her tail swishing back and forth. He had never seen her anthropomorphic form, but she was really pretty. Almost a perfect mix of lion and human. Her golden hair was draped over shoulder, and her fur glittered in the dappled sunlight.

He walked closer and her red gold eyes opened instantly to look at him.

"Hello, Halo," she greeted as she sat up. She looked harmless, but he knew otherwise.

He looked her over, "Baroness..."

She nodded, and held up her hands, "I'm not here to do any harm to you..."

"No you've already done that," he quipped angrily. Him and Hoshi weren't the best of friends but she was definitely not deserving the fate that she got.

"...I deserve that," she nodded but she didn't move. "But alas, I was only following orders."

"From whom," he asked as he started walking to her. He supposed she remained sitting so that she wouldn't be dominant looking. However, he realized she was still some sort of mix of lion and probably could rip out his throat with ease. He didn't have his armor either, he was feeling really stupid.

She shook her golden haired head, "I couldn't tell you...it was a real long time ago. I just knew I had to...I know you were close to her..."

"Very much so," he replied as he stood near her. She wore a very think white smock of dress, trimmed in gold pieces. "Hoshi was like a sister to me."

"I am very sorry for your loss, Halo," she answered and noticed how uneasy he was. She sighed and held up her own transformation orb, which was still cracked, "I am of no danger to you, my armor is still healing from severe damage still."

He looked at her with his lavender eyes and said, "lions are dangerous whether or not they ware armor."

"So are ronins."

"Well said," he replied to her as she swished her tail.

"Would I look less formidable like this," she said as she motioned to herself. Her form sparkled a moment, and she became very human looking but she still kept her tail and claws.

"What is they say about wolves in sheep's clothing?"

"You have a real snotty attitude, Halo," she snarled and ran a hand through the water, bringing her cupped hand to her mouth.

"Excuse me for not wanting to be your best friend."

She snickered and starred at him with her intense eyes. He didn't see her as she pounced and pushed him to the ground. She straddled him and pinned his hands next to his head, "it's not wise to poke a lion with a stick."

He remained calm, although he was sure she could rip out his throat, "are you going to do me in as well because of 'orders'?"

She snarled a deep growl and bared her still very sharp teeth, and whispered between gritted teeth, "you have a lot of gall, Halo. Please, tell me why I shouldn't rip out your throat? A human shouldn't dare to talk a Trickster this way!"

He starred up at the beautiful and terrifying being, "because you won't have a chance to redeem yourself."

She pulled back and sat up almost instantly. She starred at him curiously as he propped himself up on his elbow. She seemed shocked at his words, "and how do you propose such a thing?"

"You are going to lead us back to the nether realm."

"Without your armors?"

"Perhaps," he paused, she was still straddling his waist. If she wasn't some nether creature, he might have found her attractive. "If it's necessary."

She starred at him, "you're a fool."

"The least of the bad things I have been called," he smiled softly as she swished her tail back in forth. She was looking less terrifying to him, and more like a big kitten. "Can you let me up if you're not going to rip out my throat?"

She shrugged and climbed off of him, "there's still that possibility."

He saw her go back to the seat by the water, "so, will you do this?"

She nodded, "I will, the rifts are getting worse. I'm sure if I can go through this way, we can back."

He nodded as he watched her look at her reflection. He saw the light dapple down, and her saw her reflection change for just a brief second. He rubbed his eyes, he didn't know what he had seen. "Will you return with me?"

She looked up at him, "well, I will, but I'm going to ask a favor."

"I don't think you're in the position to."

"If you're comrades decide to 'punish' me, you must fight as my champion," she smiled showing her teeth as she stood.

"Against my own friends?"

"If you really wish to bring her back to Strata, it is a price you must pay."

He starred up into the tall being's eyes, "you really are a trickster."

"I do believe so," she said with a soft smile and a twitch of her tail.