ACT II – Scene 9

[In the Kingdom, we see the male army working on Archery skills.]

[We see the Army with bows drawn towards the skies.]

[Jack, with his sword in hand, talks to the Army.]

Jack: If you want dinner, you must aim for it.

[Jack waves his sword towards the top of the palace.]

[The Girl, pearched on the edge of the Palace roof with the women army, sees the signals.]

The Girl: GO!

[The female Army starts throwing fruit into the air towards the Army below.]

[The men see the flying fruit, and unleash their arrows.]

[In the air, we see about half of the arrows hitting a fruit and start falling toward the ground.]

[On the ground, we see the unhit fruit falling to the ground along with the arrows that have fruit attached. The missed arrows fall in the distance.]

[The Army, some smiling and the others disappointed, look at the results. Jack nods in assurance.]

Jack: It's not quite where we need it to be, but at least some of us will not go to bed hungry.

[A moment later, The Girl it with the female army, all armed with bows and arrows, ready to shoot.]

The Girl: About half of the men did not earn dinner. Show them how to get it.

[The Girl waves towards the top of the Palace.]

Jack: GO!

[The male Army starts throwing fruit in the air towards the female army's direction.]

[We see the arms of the female army draw their arrows towards the air, and let loose the arrows.]

[In the air, a lot of arrows hit fruit, but some still miss.]

[On the ground, we see a lot of arrows hit the ground with fruit attached. However, some fruit still falls unattached and some arrows still fly away.]

[The Girl nods at what she sees.]

The Girl: We are getting better.

[A moment later, the Men and Women are feasting on their dinner around a bonfire just outside the Kingdom.]

[We see Masako not eating, probably due to no luck with the bow. Narato, eating from his arrow, shares a piece of fruit with Masako, who takes it gratefully.]

Masako: Thank you.

[Narato nods.]

[The Girl is sitting among the women as they feast. She looks around. She spots something.]

[We see Jack sitting next to a tree, facing away from the bonfire, in deep meditation.]

[The camera gently zooms in on Jack as he meditates deep.]

[FLASH! We see a colorful memory of Jack, Ashi and The Girl playing ball in the streets, followed by an image of The Girl leading a chase of crickets across the fields as she is followed by Ashi and Jack. FLASH! Another memory shows Jack practicing sword battle with Ashi and The Girl, both women tagging up against Jack. The simulated battle shows that Jack is holding his own easily against the smiling women.]

[FLASH! Jack finds himself face to face with Ashi, who is more visible than transparent this time.]

Jack: I've missed you.

Ashi: I never left.

Jack: How can I love again when the true-

Ashi: You are always capable of love. Have been and always. There's no need or reason for guilt. The only thing to be guilty of is if you choose to not love again.

[Jack has tears rolling up in his eyes. Ashi strokes his cheek gingerly, which Jack shutters at for he feels it.]

Ashi: I love you.

Jack: I love you.

[Ashi smiles as she leans her head in, to kiss. Just before Jack and Ashi's lips meet, FLASH! The white ambience parts to show The Girl is kissing Jack at the lips.]

[The Girl breaks the kiss. Then, Jack slowly opens his eyes, smiling.]

The Girl: How is she?

[Jack smiles. He knows what she means.]

Jack: At peace.

[The Girl smiles.]

The Girl: And you?

Jack: The same.

[Jack and The Girl kiss again.]

[The volunteers look on, admiring.]

Masako: Is that what you call-?

Narato: Pity? No, it seems too genuine to me.

Masako: But, is it hard to not pity the Prince?

[During Narato's speech, Masako moves closer to Narato, intrigued.]

Narato: Of course. When you lose the loved one that helped you save the world, it must be devastating. It could cripple or kill a weaker man. However, it doesn't mean he can't open his heart to another. Besides, you cannot live all of your life in loneliness. It can make you sick, bitter, weak. And-

[Narato stops when he realizes that Masako has approached him very closely. She's deeply intrigued by his statements.]

Masako: I am Masako.

Narato: Um, I'm Narato.

Masako: I can cook a delicious lamb with rice. Can I see you tonight at my home?

Narato: Um, very well. Before dusk?

Masako: Yes.

Narato: I will see you then.

[Masako retreats, leaving Narato perplexed. He gets a few brotherly pats on the shoulder from his fellow volunteers.]