ACT I - SCENE 6

[Later one day, we see Jack and Ashi in the river, accompanied by several townswomen, including the Empress and The Girl. Jack has restored his traditional kimono. Ashi is still in her black, Aku-corrupted bodysuit. The remaining woman have applied some repair to their rags. Jack explains.]

Jack: In the future, during the final battle, Aku infected and corrupted Ashi to where he controlled her every thought, every move. When I screamed for her, she was able to overcome the hateful infection.

Ashi: But now, I want to be rid of this hideous suit. Since it was infected by Aku, we both concluded that the sword is the best thing to get rid of it.

[The women all look at each other confused and worried.]

Jack: Be ready to help tend to Ashi if necessary.

Ashi: Tend to me?

Jack: It has been binded to her skin. I do not know why it has not vanished. Neither do I know how it will affect you when I start to shave it off.

[Ashi, a little concerned, thinks for a moment. But, she dismisses the thought.]

Ashi: Just do it, Jack.

Empress: Jack?

Jack: It is a long story, Mother. I'll tell you later.

[Jack unsheathes the sword.]

[The women look on in awe.]

[The Girl looks on, not really feeling one way or the other.]

[Jack brings the sword to Ashi's back. Ashi stands tall and still, her eyes closed.]

[Jack lines up the blade to the back of Ashi's neck. The blade barely touches the neck where the blackness starts, and the black matter starts burning off. Ashi giggles a little.]

Ashi: (giggles) It tickles.

[Jack, seeing this, scowls a little bit. He continues.]

Jack: Remain still, my love.

Ashi: Yes, Jack.

[We see Jack's blade grace Ashi's back. Every inch of black matter that the blade touches burns off and dissipates. Ashi giggles a little again.]

[The women, including The Girl, are wide-eyed in amazement.]

[We see several images of the blade gracing several spots of Ashi's body, including her legs, arms, and stomach. All the black matter that the blade touches burns off and dissipates. Ashi giggles as this happens.]

[The camera focuses on the women, still in awe, as the blade sounds stop.]

[The Girl's eyes, seeing the sight before her, grows green with envy. We hear Jack inquire.]

Jack: Is it all gone?

Ashi: Just down there.

[The camera stays on The Girl as we hear another blade swipe, along with Ashi giggling briefly.]

Ashi: That's it.

[The camera goes back to the women as Jack extends his hand.]

Jack: Kimono?

[A woman hands Jack a green kimono with white trim. We hear clothing rustling.]

[Jack stands back from his bride, and shows off Ashi to the women. Ashi is checking out the kimono, which she enjoys wearing.]

Jack: There. That's better.

Ashi: Oh, yes. Much better. Thank you, Jack.

[Ashi kisses Jack's cheek. She goes to the women, and Jack follows out of the river.]

[The Girl, controlling her jealousy, calmly walks to Jack.]

The Girl: Your Highness?

Jack: Oh, um, yes?

The Girl: It has been several years for you, but do you remember me?

[Jack thinks for a moment, but draws a blank.]

Jack: Oh, ummm….I, uh, I canno-

[Jack is stopped when The Girl shows him the origami cricket he gave to her.]

[Jack gasps, and is elated. Laughing in jubilation, he embraces the The happy, giggling Girl, who smiles as she feels Jack's strong hug.]

Jack: (laughing) Cricket? Cricket?! Oh, it's you! Yes! Yes, it's you! Oh, yes! Yes, yes!

[Ashi, hearing Jack laugh and The Girl giggle, looks back, past the women. She gets concerned.]

[Jack breaks the hug, even though The Girl didn't want to.]

Jack: Oh, my. It's so good to see you again!

The Girl: And you too, Your Highness!

[Ashi interjects, gently.]

Ashi: Jack, who is this?

Jack: Oh, yes. Ashi, this is a friend of mine. Before Aku came, we used to play in the fields, chasing crickets, playing ball….

[Ashi, a little curious, stands before The Girl.]

Ashi: Oh. Well, it's nice to meet a friend of Jack.

[The Girl, being polite, offers a slight bow to Ashi.]

The Girl: And it's nice to meet the Prince's future Bride.

[Ashi is a little confused by The Girl's greeting.]

Ashi: Uh, I'm sorry. What is she doing?

Jack: In our land, it is polite to greet someone with a bow.

Ashi: Oh, well she can stand.

Jack: You must bow too, Ashi. It's polite.

Ashi: Ooooh-kaaay.

[Ashi bows to The Girl. They both rise. The Girl notices the women have walked on.]

The Girl: Oh, yes. Perhaps we should catch up…

[Jack, Ashi and The Girl start walking to catch up with the women.]

Jack: Yes, indeed.

Ashi: Yes. So, Jack, you said you two chased crickets?

Jack: Yes, yes. A fun little game for children.

[The Girl shows Ashi the origami cricket, confusing Ashi.]

The Girl: During our first chase together, Our Prince gave me this.

Ashi: A paper cricket?

Jack: It was just something I had. I spent a few hours making it the morning before, and when we couldn't catch a cricket that day, I gave her one instead.

The Girl: It was very nice of you.

Jack: I am very surprised that you kept it after all these years.

The Girl: It was the first gift any boy had ever given me. And it came from Our Prince! Of course I kept it. Even Aku couldn't take this from me.

Ashi: I'm sorry, I'm still confused. Why is this piece of parchment such a great thing?

The Girl: Ashi, The Prince didn't have to give me the cricket, but he did. Even though we were just children, gift-giving is a sign of admiration, or love.

Ashi: Love?

Jack: Yes, well, not in the way that I love you, Ashi.

Ashi: Really?! Another kind of love?! I had no idea that love could have so many….so many….ways.

The Girl: It is a rather complicated subject, but others have said it can be so simple sometimes.

Jack: (chuckling) Well, well, now….shall we go?

[Judging by Ashi's face, she's feeling a slight hint of jealousy.]

Ashi: Yes, let's go.

[The Girl notices she got through to Ashi.]

The Girl: Did I hear that you two are going out soon for supplies and shelter?

Ashi: Yes, but you understand that you're not coming with us.

The Girl: Well, someone has to stay behind and tend to the elders!

Ashi: Well, someone has to find the wood for the new shelters, right?!

[Jack interjects between the two heated women, who check their emotions and regain themselves.]

Jack: Stop this, please. What is going on?

Ashi: Oh, nothing.

The Girl: Nothing, My Prince.

Ashi: She's right. It is right that some stay behind to help those that need help.

The Girl: She's right, too. Someone has to harvest the supplies so we can rebuild the Kingdom.

Jack: Um, right.

The Girl: Oh, we're falling behind again.

[The Girl continues on, leaving Jack confused and Ashi a little irritated.]

Ashi: Why don't I like her?

Jack: Indeed. Why do you not?

Ashi: (sighs) I'm not sure. She seems nice, but…. Oh, I don't know.

[Jack kisses Ashi's cheek, making her smile.]

Ashi: Thanks again for shaving the suit off of me.

Jack: You're welcome. Come, my love.

[Jack and Ashi walk off from in front of the camera. The image fades to Scene 7.]