Behind Enemy Lines

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra stopped as she looked at the deep, yet clear Narcisii Lake. In the distance the Silver City loomed over. Even though Kyra had already crossed past enemy lines, she dared not head into the Silver City, at least not now, for that was where most of those that had sided with Heiseph lived, plus she had heard that the Mistress of the Rain was also in the Silver City. She turned to Serriah.[/glow]

"A simple herb, I can show you later, if you really must know."


[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra jumped to the ground, and from that height most would have either fallen or created a huge commotion, but she didn't. She used her powers that control the wind to soften her landing, and she made no noise when her feet landed upon the ground. [/glow]

"Make no noise, I would not underestimate any of the people that live here to already be on our trail and know we are here."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra walked to the edge of the lake and looked at the deep and clear water. The white fox ears on her head twitched for any noise besides whatever noise she or Serriah made. [/glow]

[glow=blue,2,300]'I have to stay aware of anyone, anyone could sneak up on us...'[/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah's eyes gazed out over the glassy lake. The water was crystal clear, and beautiful. They were now in wind territory. Anyone, and everyone could be on our trail. Serriah shivered at the thought. Kyra warned her to be quiet. Serriah brought in her wings, in order to look less obvious then she already did. In her head, she was prepared to whip out her wings at any second and grab Kyra and fly them high, into safety. She had forgotten, though to tell Kyra about her sometimes, lack of control over her wings. Lately she had grasped more control over them, but if she got really scared she wasn't sure if she could keep them in. It was sometimes painful to do so.

"There's one thing I didn't tell you. Sometimes when I get really scared (that's when its the hardest to control, during fear) I can't keep my wings in my back, and if I can, not for an extremely long time because its painful. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Serriah whispered. She hoped this didn't make to much of a difference.

Serriah glanced around, taking in her surroundings. This beautiful land in front of her eyes, that she was standing in, could cause her death.

You can't think that way. You have to stay calm. You are a speed flyer, you can get yourself and Kyra out of here in the blink of an eye, if necessary. Serriah thought-yelled at herself for a moment, and then looked around again. She was surprised that it had taken such little time to get here, although her and Kyra had traveled somewhat fast. This land had been so close to her home, all a long.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked to Serriah as she spoke, her fox ears were upright as she listened.[/glow]

"That is your own problem. I will rely on my own strength if we get into trouble. I will not need your wings, I will rely on my legs and stealth. You seem to have already forgotten: I hate flying..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked back over at the Silver City, she would eventually wander into there, but not with Serriah. She didn't think that Serriah would know how to act in a situation such as that. She would go into the Silver City on her own if she ever did. As for the time being, she would watch the city and try to know it's ins and outs and stay outside of its boundaries.[/glow]

"We will stay here, it's almost nightfall. It will be dangerous to wander about when the night casts its shadow, plus any closer to the Silver City and we will alert that guards. Besides, there is heavy forest here, we can hide if need be and with the lake nearby, we can bathe and catch some fish to eat, unless you want me to go out hunting and get something..."

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah felt somewhat offended to Kyra's response to her. She knew it was her problem, she just thought that it was something Kyra should know.

I guess Kyra is used to being alone. She'll come aroiund I hope.

Kyra told Serriah that they would be sleeping there somewhere by the lake, and that they could bathe and catch fish in the lake. Serriah loves fish. Her father would only get them twice a year if she was lucky. Her father made her immediately think of Lorrina.

I wonder how she's doing. Good, I hope.
"Well I guess we should start looking for a good place to sleep right? How about somewhere over there?"

Serriah pointed off to the left near some brush and willow trees. There were also a few ferns, and maple trees. They were tall, probably millions of years old. Serriah had never really stopped to appreciate the beauty around her before. It was nice. This place she was, it was nice.

But don't get too comfortable. She reminded herself.That's when they'll catch you offguard. You can't let that happen.

Serriah knew that if she didn't get too comfortable, she could take care of herself. Through her years off silence she had learned better usage of her senses. Specifically hearing and vision. The sun turned the edge of the sky to a deep red, and the colors lightened the farther they got from the ground. They needed to find a place, fast, before it was too dark to see.

[Kyra Hitomi]

"That's fine, the brush is thick there..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra nodded towards Serriah. Kyra slipped her blue and slightly tattered cloak off her shoulders. Her black outfit gave her the look of a spy or ninja because most of it was black, except for the thick blue ribbon that was tied around her waist. The blue ribbon around her waist however was the only thing that showed off her true figure underneath the somewhat baggy clothes that she wore. Her slender yet strong legs could now be seen since the cloak was not covering them and she had shorts on.

Kyra sat down near the lake and slipped her shoes off and slipped her feet into the placid water. The water was cool, but felt good since the air was still warm with the sun's heat. She kicked her legs gently back and forth. The fish that were in the lake were slightly scared at first, but once they figured she meant no harm they came closer and eased up on their defenses. That was what Kyra was waiting for, for the fish to come closer, with lowered defenses. They would be easier to catch that way. Kyra's emotionless eyes were set on the surface of the water, she was in deep thought as she sat there and watched the fish swim about.[/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

As Kyra fished in the lake, Serriah walked over to where she had wanted to sleep tonight. It was nice, to say the least. It was canopy. Underneath the willow tree there were flowers blanketing the ground, and the tree seemed confident to her somehow. She walked out from underneath it, and saw a tree with extremely large leaves. They would be perfect for fixing a bed. She took a few steps, and then bent over and picked up a few leaves. three of them together were the size of her blanket back home. She knew exactly what to do. She picked up three leaves and then a small sharp stick. She set the big leaves underneath the willow and walked over towards Kyra. She stepped quietly and took small steps toward her new friend. Then she reached out and lightly tapped Kyra on the shoulder.

"I know your not a mouse or anything, but I was wondering if you could possibly chew a hole through the top part of the stick so that I could use it like a needle to set up our beds. I found some great materials to use. Well can you?"

Serriah gazed down at Kyra hoping, praying that she wouldn't take Serriah's questions offensively. The beautiful sunset was fading. Fast. And Serriah needed to get these done while she could still see.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked at Serriah and sighed. She took the stick from Serriah and pulled her feet out of the water. She shook her feet lightly to get the excess water off her feet, then went to a rock. She rubbed the stick hard against the rock. The wood began strip off the stick and the point became more obvious. [/glow]

"Here, that way I don't have to chew like a beaver to get you a sharpened stick..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra handed Serriah the stick so that she could make their beds. Kyra got back up and went back over to the lake side, slipping her feet in. She began to watch the fish once more, once one got close she reached in the water quickly and pulled out a fish. She tossed it onto the ground behind her and quickly grabbed another fish, tossing it as well on to the ground behind her. The fish flopped on the ground gasping for breath. Kyra got out of the water and went to the fish. She whispered something before taking the fishs' necks and snapped them. The fish would die anyway and besides just letting them flop and suffocate to death, Kyra decided it would be best to put them out of their mercy.[/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

It was nice that Kyra had made the stick pointy for Serriah, but what she really needed was a hole that went through the stick. Kyra suddenly started throwing fish out of the water as she caught them. Serriah watched them flop for a few seconds, and then walked back towards the willow tree. She sat in the y bend of the tree, and looked around for something sharp enough to penetrate through the stick. She went to jump out of the tree, stumbled, and fell. She was wearing black pants that billowed at her ankles, and a green t-shirt. She had a black cardigan tied around her waist. She hit the ground, she felt something hard in her cardigan's pocket. It grazed her hip. It was small, but hard. She stood up and brushed off her knees. She felt into her pocket and pulled out a compacted metal trinket. She attempted to open it, and to her surprise, she found it was a pocket knife. Actually it was the pocket knife that was traditionally passed down through the oldest sons in every generation of her family. Byron must have slipped it into her pocket when they were saying good-bye. Come to think of it, he always had it with him everywhere and she did see him reach into his pocket as she was hugging her father.

Well this was good news. She picked up the stick (she droped it when she fell) and slowly pushed the knife in cirles around it. Finally she had made a big enough hole in it to thread it with the vines on the tree next to the willow. She ripped some off, it was strong. She threaded the stick and then used it to weave the two large leaves together. Then she poked holes in the sides of each leaf and got more vine off the tree. She took the vine and the holy (holes in it) leaves up into the tree with her. Where the two bracnches were parallel, she wrapped the vine in and out of the holes, and around each branch. when it was all finished, Serriah tied the end of the vines to upper branches to hold it up, just in case. Then Serriah, with her wings still out climbed into the makeshift hammock. It was actually quite comfortable. Both she and Kyra could sleep up here, or take shifts on lookout/sleeping. Serriah jumped and floated down to the ground. She then went and gathered about six more large leaves, and laid them down under the willow tree. They could use those for warmth, and/or as a place to sit. When Serriah was satisfied, she walked back over towards where Kyra was.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra went into the woods to gather wood for a fire. She picked a few twigs then went for bigger logs as she bundled them up in her arms.

~ ~"Ryou, this enough?" Kyra asked her brother as she held up a handful of twigs.

"Yea, we'll have a fire for about 3 minutes.." Ryou told Kyra, "You need logs like this," he said as he held up a big log that was about twelve inches in diameter.

Kyra began to rummage through the forest's brush for a larger log. According to Ryou, their father would be visiting them tonight and Ryou wanted a big dinner for when he came. She grasped onto a large log, it was about the same width, but not the same length. Where as Ryou's was about a foot in length, Kyra's was about three times that size. She placed her tiny hands on it and began to try and pick it up, only straining and not moving the log an inch.

"Ryou, I need help!" Kyra cried for her brother.

Ryou picked up his head and began to brush branches out of his way to find his sister. It was getting dark though and hard to see. Ryou's heightened senses could find her, but only by smell, but with Kyra being so young, she ran everywhere and the smells were meshed together.

"Kyra, where ya at?" Ryou called.

Kyra called back to her brother, but Ryou couldn't see her and it was difficult to locate her. She got upset, her brother couldn't find her and at night some of the bandits came out and Kyra began to cry. Ryou could easily find his sister now as he followed her crying. He sat the logs down as he brushed a couple branches out of the way and found Kyra.

"Silly, don't do that, I couldn't find you..." Ryou picked up his sister and embraced her so she would stop crying. Kyra muffled her cries as she held on to her brother. ~ ~

Kyra picked up a few more logs and went back to where Serriah was. She sat the logs down and pulled up a spot of grass so that the wet grass wouldn't interfere with the fire. She began to rub the sticks together, while blowing on the sticks so that the fire would have some oxygen for when the fire began to grow.[/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah saw Kyra start to build a fire, and start one, so Serriah decided that it would be a good idea to go look for some extra fire wood. She, Nyaren, Byron, and Lorrina always used to runa around in the woods while they were supposed to be looking for firewood. That was, until it got dark, and then they scrambled around together searching for anything they could use. They would then bring it home, and their father would use it for the fireplace, or sometimes, he would give some to the neighbors. Ahh, memories. Serriah missed her family, but she still felt good about what she was doing. She hoped that she wouldn't regret what she was doing later.

Logs seemed to be scarce around the willow tree, but they were abundant near the ferns. Serriah picked up a few logs, and carried them back out to where Kyra was. She was carrying about five or six thick logs, and they were very heavy. She slowly and gently set them down on the soft ground near Kyra. Then she squatted on her hams near Kyra.

"I got some more firewood, just in case we needed extra, and I made us a sort of Hammock over in that willow tree over there. I'm going to go tidy it up, unless you need any help with anything else."

Serriah stood up, and looked at Kyra. she watched Kyra, the way she moved, and then took in the way she was dressed. She was very strange, but very kind.

Who am I to think that she is strange? I'm probably pretty strange to her.

Serriah glance shifted as she stared out on the water. She liked the way the sinking sun reflected off the surface and became an almost glassy-looking texture.

[Kyra Hitomi]

"That's fine, we are going to need as much as we can get."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra backed up slightly as the fire grew in size. She tossed more logs onto the growing flame. She took a longer and skinnier stick as she poked at the logs that were beginning to burn.

The night had taken on it's heavy and shimmering blanket as the stars began to shimmer in the deep blue of the sky. The light dusting of clouds and space called the Milky Way gave the sky and even more dreamy mood to it.

Kyra's emotionless eyes had a warmer sense as the fire reflected in them. Her white ears were against her head as small ashes flew about on the current of the wind that surround her. The breeze made her hair whip around her face, luckily she was far enough away from the fire that her hair didn't go close to it.

Kyra looked over at Serriah as she gazed upon the placid lake.[/glow]

"You can sleep first, I'll take the first watch. I wake you up when the moon hits the spot of high noon in the sky..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra took her sword out of her belt and sat it at her side. She turned back to the fire as she shifted a log. She then grabbed two sticks and stuck the fish on them. Then she stuck the sticks in the ground as the fire licked at the fishs' scales. [/glow]

"Besides the fish might take awhile until they are cooked fully."

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah got to sleep first.

"Okay. I'll be in that tree over there, the Weeping Willow. I'll be sleeping in the sort of Hammock I made for us. So, I guess I'll see you when you wake me up. Thanks for making us fish, and thanks again for letting me come on this trip with you."

Serriah bowed her head, and then turned and silently walked back to the world underneath her willow tree. Although she felt sticky, she decided, she would let Kyra be alone if she wanted to bathe now, and Serriah would bathe when it was her turn to keep watch.

The night air gave a cool breeze that came through her cardigan. Her baggy oants blew around her ankles in the breeze. She flew up to the first branch, and then climbed her way into the hammock. Still, somewhat nervously, Serriah got in and laid on her stomach. That way, if it did break, she could easily just bring out her wings. She crossed her arms underneath her cheek, and her skin was hott against her cool cheek. It felt relaxing. She slowly let her eye lids close, and her mind relaxed as a dream began.

~Serriah was alone. Alone in a cold forest. It was pitch black. She couldn't see her hand if she waved it in front of her face. It was a new moon, and no light whatsoever shone down from the sky, although the trees canopy was quite thick anyway. She took a step forward. and ran face first into a tree. Then as she turned around, she decided that it would be safer if she stretched her arms out in front of her. She took a few steps to test her method, and just as her confidence was building in strength, she stepped on cold metal. Within milliseconds, it snapped up and grapped her ankle. She fell slowly towards the ground. She tried and tried but no matter how hard, she couldn't break free. ~

Serriah sat stragiht up. She grabbed her ankle, and felt up along her leg. She was fine, it was just a dream. She took a deep breath, and sighed. Then she relaxed hre tensed and tight muscles, and layed back on her hammock bed. She crossed her arms behind her head, and let her eyes close once more.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra nodded her head in response to Serriah and watched her as she headed into the weeping willow. She situated herself upon the soft grass as she looked at the fire. She then turned her head to the fish and peeled one open, it was still mushy inside and she knew it wasn't done as she stuck it back near the fire.

Kyra's mind drifted as the stars above flashed with their heavenly glow. She leaned back in the grass her black and silver hair spread upon the grass and softened the grass that her head sat on. Her eyes began to drift and she picked up her hand and the claws upon her slender fingers lit up as the moon light hit them. Their sharpened edges looked even more like a sword blade as the moonlight illuminated their edges. She pinched herself lightly on the arm to keep herself awake. Which it did as she bolted up.[/glow]

"How sadistic of me..."

[glow=blue,2,300]She looked at her arm, the claw mark in her arm and the velvety red color blood run down her arm slightly. It was only a little, but the fact that she tried to keep herself awake and the only thing she could do was hurt herself to keep consciousness. She licked the blood away from the small wound and it was small enough that it had stopped bleeding at that little expense. She reached in the pouch that was tied to her waist and pulled out her wooden flute.

She lightly parted her lips and blew into the instrument. The flute sang as she blew into it lightly and her fingers danced upon the holes of the flute. The sweet tune she played filled the air as she closed her eyes and allowed her mind to play the tune from memory, the tune that Ryou had enjoyed to hear his young sister play. [/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah slept soundly, not fretting, but in deep relaxation in the willow tree. It was warm and moist outside, but the breeze sent a slight chill. Perfect whether for swimming. Serriah awoke, sweating, and dying to swim in the lake with the cool water lapping against her skin. She parted the branches above her, and looked up into the moon, it was nearly half way risen. Only about an hour, and she would have her shift. She layed and watched the bright moon glimmering in the sky.

And then a soft song played through her mind. She did not know of it, nor remember it, but it was quite lovely and realxing to listen to. After lying and listening for a feew minutes, Serriah finally realized that it was not in her mind, it was being played by someone. Serriah climbed down a few branches, and peered between the willows thick blanket of leaves. It was Kyra. As Serriah watched Kyra play, the melody turned to a bitter-sweet lullaby, as the song began to sound sad to Serriah. She would have gone out and sat by Kyra to listen, except that she didn't want to risk causing Kyra to stop. The song was just too lulling. The song made her eyes sleepy again, as she truned and climbed back up to the hammock. She lay with her eyes closed, picturing the moon in her mind, and listening to the beautiful music lulling her to sleep. Life is a song, full of sorrow, and hard decisions, but every now and then the song's melody is joyful and happy. I hope that the path I am on, will lead me to happiness.
Finally, with that last thought she rolled on her side to sleep.

[~::-Akari-::~]

An angelic figure soared under the moonlight as the air current helped the white feathered wings drift among the sky. Akari had grown tired and so had his wings. He has been traveling from about yesterday’s setting sun. All that time he had yet to eat, or stop by the many water sources he had flown over. His white eyes gazed through the night sky. Akari, though very tired and hungry, was at peace and relaxed. The stars, who watched over him from above, set a placid mood. His arms were by his side as his angelic wings flapped in the night. Akari then looked down at the ground to find a good place to stay. Confusion filled his eyes as he gaped at the territory. The territory he was currently soaring over was not at all familiar. Akari felt lost, these environments were not at all usual to Akari.

As he flew, he flashed back to all of the water sources he had flown over. His eyes with silver linings widened as a though crossed his mind. Akari brought up a hand to his forehead and smacked it. He had gone way out of his goddess’s kingdom. A conclusion came to his head and stuck firmly by it.

“I guess…I’m in the water territory. That is just great. Well…”

Akari looked down at the ground and started to descend. His faithful pair of wings that were connected to his back lay against his side so he was more aerodynamic. His body slanted downwards to the ground and he continued to pick up speed. His eyes concentrated on the distance he was from the ground so he could open his angelic wings to catch the breeze and bring him safely to the ground, without a big crash.

“…I better land here. There’s no use on returning to my territory this late at night.”

When he was a few feet away, Akari spread his wings out and flapped, catching the air and bringing him slowly on to the ground. His arms were raised up as his feet gently placed on the ground. His wings draped gracefully down and so did his arms. Akari was by a forest of some kind. He began to walk to a tree trunk to rest his wings and feet until a scent flowed to into his nose. It smelled so tempting to him. Curiosity got the best of him so he looked to the left of him following the scent path. As he walked quietly, not wanting to be heard, Akari saw a glint of fire. The scent seemed to be coming from there. He looked up at his wings and slowly drew them back into his body with a flash of light.

Akari walked slowly and carefully, dodging any trees, or stumps that have fallen. As he drew closer to the fire, his eyes glowed deeper with curiosity and astound. A gently harmony, a song floated into his ears, it lured him closer. Though Akari was indeed attracted, he was still going to be cautious. When he was two or three, maybe four yards away from the fire, he peered through the willow tree branches that concealed him. His white eyes gazed upon a young woman with a flute in hand. Akari drifted off into his mind from the music.

A rustle in the willow tree branches brought him back to reality. He quickly looked over on his left and saw there was not only one young lady, but two. The second one was only a few feet away from his current location. Panic overcame his heart, but he stayed calm. He did not want to be seen. For all he knew, these two strangers could be his enemy. With this thought in mind, Akari went on guard. Both of his hands moved to his sides, gripping firmly to his razored fans. Akari did not wish to get in a fight, but if he had to, he would. Akari slowly stood up and moved farther right, moving slowly and undetectable away from the almost asleep woman.

He pushed willow branches out of his way, and wanted to get away from this sight. His feet stepped lightly. Akari thought he was stepping on egg shells because of how cautious he was being. His hands were still on guard and as he moved he paid close attention to where he stepped. Akari was almost in a better location to hide his presence, but his attention was moved to the flute song, it knocked his off guard on where he was stepping. Akari stepped and a twig snapped underneath his foot. Akari’s glance moved to the twig and saw it broken in half. His breathing became shallow and his heart beat quickened. His white eyes moved to the glow of the fire and the flute player. The grip on his weapons tightened. He was ready, that noise was more than loud enough to catch anyone’s attention especially since it was night time and quiet, all except for the flute.

Time to see if their friend…or foe.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's wide fox ears observed the wind's gentle current, but something was disturbing the gentle flow of the earth's breath. Kyra's fingers knew the tune too well as she payed more attention to the scent her keen nose had picked up. [/glow]

"Someone's watching us and apparently thinks I do not know of their presence, but I can smell where they are at and every movement they make."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra continued playing her flute, glancing every once and a while towards her faithful companion, her sharpened blade. Kyra's head however snapped to attention as a twig snapped. That had just confirmed her suspicions. She placed her flute gently back into her pouch, ever so calmly as if she never heard the branch snap beneath the person's weight. Kyra grabbed her sword and slid it back to her side, but her hand wearily sat on it's hilt. Kyra's sharp eyes looked towards the fire.[/glow]

"Damn it! I just put a bulls-eye on our backs. Anybody could see that fire and whoever is now following us, could be of the water territory. How could I be so foolish! I let my guard slip letting that fire burn longer than it should!"

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's thoughts raced in her head, pounding against the sides telling her to move quickly and evacuate to the trees near Serriah, but her body knew better. She gently kicked dirt upon the fire and watched it sizzle out. The half moon would be their only light. She bent down quietly, but sent a straight-forward sign she knew their visitor was there, as she stared right where he was.

Her slender fingers wrapped around her dark blue cloak as she threw it upon her shoulders and over her shimmering white ears. This cloak now made whoever was watching her, some difficulty as she used her stealth to make it to the tree unnoticed and her wind powers to land gently in the tree with no sound where Serriah peacefully lay. Kyra gently kneeled down next to Serriah and cover Serriah's mouth as she shook her awake. Kyra then grasped for her sword and pulled it out of it's protective sheath. She, however, was careful that the blade made no sound as it was release from its bind and that it was also kept out of the light of the moon which would show the blade's fang.

Kyra looked down at Serriah for when she eventually would wake from her slumber, Kyra took her hand off Serriah's mouth and place it to her parted lips signaling that Serriah should keep peace, for Kyra didn't want their visitor to find them. [/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah's eyes opened to the moonlight. Kyra was kneeling over her. Her first thought was that it was time for her shift, but as she rubbed her eyes and they focused more clearly, she saw Kyra holding a finger to her lips. Somwthing was wrong. Serriah's whole body could now sense that something was wrong. At first, Serriah told herself not to move, but then she realized that the person was probably going to find them anyway, and she could be quite. Serriah slowly lifted herself and set herself down on the ground. She grabbed her pocket knife from the inside of her cardigan, and opened up the blade. She waved it, careful to not reflect any movement, and attempted to get Kyra's attention. Once she had it, she turned her gaze toward the ground, and stabbed at the loose dirt and wrote,

I promise to be quiet, what is it?

then Serriah gently lay her knife by the words so that Kyra could write her a response. Serriah's mind began thinking, It must be a person, otherwise, what would be the problem, and why would we have to bequiet? Assuming it is a person, does she have prove they are an enemy? I mean, it is most likely because we are in water territory, but maybe like Kyra and I it is someone passing through, and staying here for the night. Either way, we can't know for sure yet.

Serriah peered through the willow branches out into the night, looking to see if there was another pair of eyes in sight. As she was about to take her sight back toward the ground, she thought she saw something near a bush. A glint of something in the moonlight. Maybe not. It is probably just my mind playing tricks on me. Serriah thought against her eyes, but still did not shift her gaze for a few more seconds. then she let her chin down and glanced at the dirt response.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari watched the flute player carefully. His eyes glowed with interest. He watched her as she placed her instrument into its pouch. Akari stood still, as still as a statue. The woman’s next actions is what shot thoughts through his head. These thoughts were saying to him, she knew of his presence. The way she started grabbing for her weapon once the twig snapped. Akari then glanced over to the sleeping woman. Right now she was not a threat at all, but she might soon become one.

His white eyes moved back to the woman by the fire. She was attempting to put the fire out. Its fiery glow dimmed and was finally put out by the kicked up dirt. His eyes quickly adjusted to the little light the moon had to offer. Akari steeped back a little bit in shock and cursed under his breath. The glare he got from her was intimidating, but it was not going to stop him. She knew of his presence so there was no use of just walking away and leaving.

Akari blinked to the thought of his eyes playing tricks on him. One second he thought he saw her figure, the next, it was like she vanished. Akari quickly turned his head to the slight sound of a person kneeling on the ground. Akari’s eyes widened in anxiety. He did not even see her move over there. He was completely amazed with her skill. Akari narrowed his eyes to see what the girl was now doing. He could barely make out her movements, but he managed. She was waking her comrade.

The girl who was once sleeping finally awoke from her slumber. That was enough movement and action from his supposed enemies for him. Akari, with this in mind, then decided to make his move. He slowly unclipped his black vest and laid it silently on the ground. He gave it a chance to soak in the scent of the environment for more camouflage. He continued to undress by unclipping his white undershirt next. He slid his arms out of its sleeves and hung it on a low branch of the willow tree he hid behind.

Akari bent down to pick up his vest and put it back on him without the white undershirt. This should give him more covering. Since it is harder to see people at night, especially if they are wearing black, Akari should gain somewhat of an advantage of sight.

Reaching his arm back, Akari grabbed the one foot staff. He looked up the moon and made sure he was completely in the shadows so he could continue on with the plan he had concocted. With a swift flick of the wrist, the concealed blade slid out of its hiding without a noise or reflection. Akari looked at the blade and brought it up to his hand. He began to squint, preparing for the swift pain he was about to feel. He quickly slid the blade across his hand causing blood to run down. The scent of his blood was now in the air. Akari squeezed his hand, forcing more blood to run. He then carefully placed his hand on the trunk of the tree and glided it downward. The tree was marked with his scent and blood.

To throw off the enemy, Akari left his staff weapon there so his scent remains in that spot. His eyes moved down to see a small puddle of water. He knelt down and slowly broke the surface of the water. He washed the blood away, and poured a handful of water on his head, attempting and hopefully prevailing to somewhat conceal his scent. With this all accomplished, Akari silently stood up and walked slowly, carefully away from where his diversion was. He bent the air under his feet so he could run swiftly and silently through the environment, weaving and dodging any obstacles. Akari kept his eyes on the two women as he ran. Thoughts maneuvered in his head.

By the time they realized it’s a trap, I would have already gotten behind them.

Akari smiled and opened his razor bladed fans. He moved silently and gracefully around the lake, while still being concealed by the trees and bushes. His left leg pushed off the ground and in a flash he was behind the one who was playing the flute. His reflexes of fighting kicked in and his arm grabbed hers, pulling them backwards in a strangling position. Akari within the next second then had his weapon right by her neck. It was so close to her vital that even the slightest movement could cut her.

Akari’s white eyes that made him look blind drifted to the once slumbering woman. He gazed right into her eyes. Saying in a whispering, yet threatening manner, Akari warned the flute player’s companion and the one who was now binded.

“Don’t move.”

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked at Serriah's message and picked up her head. She couldn't hear their visitor and it worried her. Her sense of smell, however told her that whoever it was, was still here. Kyra's eyes though were not as keen as her other senses and even though her sight was bad.

What caught her attention was the scent of blood though. Why, would there be blood, was this visitor a masochist or something, unless on of the other forest creatures got him, but that would make noise. Kyra's sense of smell was overwhelmed by the scent of blood.[/glow]

"Damnit.."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra whispered under her breath, unless he made noise, she was completely out of luck. She could see very well, her keen nose was useless, and her hearing was useless unless whoever it was ran into a tree or something.

Kyra froze as she felt the chill of the blade to her neck and the man grab her.[/glow]

"Don't move."

[glow=blue,2,300]His words went through her as she stood there, the slightest movement and she would be drowning in her own blood from a cut to the throat. Kyra still held on to her sword, though, not that it would do her much good. She had no blades, but her weapon of words could work. Kyra had a small smirk upon her face, thank the gods that she was a fox and had the intelligence of a fox and her cunning wit was an advantage she had. [/glow]

"Do you plan on killing me? Not that it matters to me or anything, I have nothing left to live for anyway. You plan on slaying an innocent woman like me, with no remorse? And I thought, I was a cruel and heartless..."

[Serriah Mileynou]

Out of nowhere he snuck up from behind Kyra. Fast. Serriah didn't even see him coming. It was nerwrecking. He held a blade to the thin of her neck. Serriah's eyes opened wide. Her jaw started to drop too, but she caught it, swallowed deep and just stared thinking of what she could possibly do. Surprisingly enough, she wasn't even that scared until he told her not to move. Being told what to do, always scared Serriah. She tried not to move as she tried desperately to keep her wings in through the fear.

The pressure was building. She wrapped her arms around her body slowly and pinched her arms. She held her breath, and then came up for shallow air. She tried and tried, but couldn't hold them in anymore. Her wings protruded from her back as she hunched over. They outstretched themselves to the fullest length. She released her air, and then realizing how much more danger she might be in now, grabbed her soft wings, and attempted to pin them behind her back. But, it was pointless. This stranger had obviously already seen her neon wings. So she let them go. At Kyra's next words, she winced. Kyra didn't care if she died. Gathering up her courage, Serriah replied,

"What do you want with us?"

Serriah examined him to her best judgement. He didn't seem angry, maybe just defensive. She couldn't really tell, his expression wasn't very readable. Serriah then, dropped from her knees to sit cross-legged. She saw no reason to be afraid anymore. I mean, yes, he did seem a little angry, maybe, but she figured that her shifting her seating arrangement wouldn't make him kill her. Or at least she hoped.

So it was a person. Kyra knew, that's why she came to wake me. I can't believe I didn't see him coming. I guess my sight isn't very good at night. Oh well, it's too late now to be mad at myself. Serriah let out a deep sigh, and propped her elbows up on her thighs. She set her chin in her hands.

Is he a human? Because if he is, he shouldn't be here either. Well, if he trieds anything, on me, I am outta here, right through those clouds. She watched Kyra's face, and she wished she could read her mind, or talk telepathically to her. Then, at least, they could come up with a plan together on what to do about this stranger.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari kept the blade of the fan by her neck steadily; he did not move his stress on her arms either. He did, however become a little flustered at the woman calling him cruel and heartless. He leaned in close to her side of face and began talking in a calm manner, making sure that the both of them could hear his words.

“I am not cruel, nor am I heartless. So, I do not plan on slaying you. I just figured that I should make the first move before I m double teamed. And besides, if you, young lady,”

Akari looked over to her straight in the eyes.

“…have nothing else to live for,”

Akari turned his head and whispered softly into her ear. He made sure that only she could hear the words coming out of his mouth at this time.

“…then why do you play such a song of beauty as if wanting someone to hear you?”

Akari pulled his head away and spoke normally to finish his come back speech.

“Such sly words will not work on me. Especially when those words come from one so dumb enough to allow a fire to burn brightly under the moonlit sky.”

His lips finally came to a halt and Akari felt bad for what he had just said. He realized it was harsh, but he needed to stay strong. He knew he needed to prove to her that he was not a weakling. Akari must prove to her that he was not about to back down on his threatening position he had put them both, the two young ladies, in. As he stared contently into space, but while still being on guard, Akari’s eyes moved to the moon reflecting off the blades of his fan. His hand moved on its own, when Akari’s attention was drawn. The hand moved away, pulling the life threatening weapon an inch or two away from the hostage’s neck.

In the corner of Akari’s eyes he saw the other girl struggling with something. It was as if she was in pain or trying to keep something concealed. She was hunched over and pinching. His grip tightened around his fans to prepare for anything. Only this anything, he was not expecting.

Akari’s reflexes snapped to action without his approval. His blind eyes went into distress and shock. The sudden impact of wings coming out of the girl’s body threw him completely in a loop. The reflexes in his body made him jump away, leaving the hostage behind.

Wings?!

His legs jumped away and landed back a few feet from the supposed enemies.

Don’t tell me these people are from water territory and have wings?!

Thoughts raced through his head, so fast that he did not get the chance to contemplate the question appointed to him.

How is that possible?! Dammit…

Akari’s attention broke suddenly from his thoughts into reality. His head shot a glance towards the young lady he had by the neck. He let her go!

“Dammit!”

I just gave her an opportunity!

Akari gripped his fans and slung them open with haste. He went in offense mode and took a stance. A foot slid out in front of his body with his right arm crossed over his left. His left arm was stretched out horizontally. The weapons of war were open and ready for attack. The fan in his left hand was facing down towards the ground, and the other up towards the sky.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked at Serriah and gave a heavy sigh.[/glow]

"Gee some help she is. Can't she see it's a trap, though I really don't have much to live for..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra winced slightly at the cool blade against her flesh. Her snow white fox ears twitched as the man spoke to her. Apparently he enjoyed her playing, but her emotionless stature couldn't take what he had said next. [/glow]

"...then why do you play such a song of beauty as if wanting someone to hear you?"

[glow=blue,2,300]She smiled slightly, her outer image still stayed the same, but her inner wasn't as she started to have a mental breakdown inside. She sighed and began to spoke in her monotone, emotionless voice.[/glow]

"Maybe it's because the one I play for, is no longer of this world..."

[glow=blue,2,300]But then the man took a wrong turn and called Kyra dumb, well not her directly, but her action, she scoffed.[/glow]

"Well geez, can't I make one mistake, sorry, that I'm not perfect.."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked to her captor as he watched Serriah. She then looked to Serriah as her wings came out of her body. This must have startled him because he let go of her. Kyra was finally able to move as the man took a defensive stand behind her.

Kyra kicked her sword and flipped it up with her foot and she caught it in mid-air. She turned to him and looked at him, as she flipped her sword upon her shoulder.[/glow]

"So she scared you? Well I'm slightly relieved of that.."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra rubbed her gloved hand across her neck rubbing the spot where the blade had been against her flesh a few seconds ago. She sighed as she paced slightly in front of the man. She stopped in front of the man and dug her heels into the ground. She placed her left hand out in front of her, her fingers dangled lightly.[/glow]

"I don't take threats lightly, actually I don't take any threats at all."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's eyes averted to where Serriah sat, a slight anger was hinted in her eyes and she spat venom as she talked.[/glow]

"Serriah, you will stay out of this battle and stay there. There is no reason for you to get involved, much less when you don't know my plans.."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's eyes turned back to the man. Kyra's fingers made a swirling motion and the wind began to pick up slightly. Kyra pushed her hair back with her left hand and then placed it to her side as she looked at the man across from her. She took her sword and placed it level. The point of the sword was pointed towards the man, her eyes however never narrowed, but stayed the same emotionless state. [/glow]

"Well come at me, if you so wish..."

[Serriah Mileynou]

With Kyra's actions. Serriah became angry, at both of them. She was outraged that neither considered her much of anything. This stranger hadn't bothered to capture her, and then Kyra wanted to exclude her, Serriah didn't agree with any of it. Serriah was generally a quiet and calm person. But she had words now, and she planned to use them. She couldn't remember the last time she had been angry. Not in a long time, but she had seen Lorrina angry numerous times.

"OK, first of all..." Serriah stood bringing herself and her rising anger upward. "I am NOT INVISIBLE! I know that I may not be much of a fighter, but I still do not appreciate the fact that nobody EVER TAKES ME SERIOUSLY! I AM TIRED OF BEING IGNORED! For just one minute, would you please just listen to me." Serriah took a deep breath, surprising herself at her own outburst. Then when she felt she had received their attention, she continued. She took a few steps closer to the two of them.

"Second of all, I believe that if you two are so set on fighting, that we should first introduce ourselves, to get our stories straight. My name is Serriah, and I am pledged to the goddess of wind, even though I am, as of now, in the water territory. If you two absolutely have to fight, then you may as well know who you are fighting first. You, Mr. Strange Attacker. What's your name and what is your corner? Serriah awaited a reply, and when she didn't hear anything, she lost cautiousness in anger, and strode right up to him.

"I BELIEVE that I asked you a question. What the HELL is your name?
By this point Serriah was so infuriated that she hadn't even realized that if this stranger was a threat she had just put herself in danger. But, she kind of liked this outgoing side of herself. Realizing what she was doing, she took two steps back to where she was, and stared at the stranger awaiting their reply.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari scuffed while in his stance. His eyes watched her carefully. He analyzed her every movement, the way she handled her sword, and her eyes of hidden emotion. The thought crossed his mind. She was definitely a well trained swordsman. Akari began to read her, well, tried to read her. It was hard.

I can’t read her too much, but…I can get an idea. Her stance isn’t all that bad either; her defenses are up even though it doesn’t look like it. Tricky.

A smirk crossed Akari’s lips. She was angry with her comrade. Akari scuffed at the woman’s remark.

“More like surprised and I did not mean to threaten you.”

Akari felt the wind picking up. It was about to begin. His heart raced as her pointed sword drew towards him. She was getting ready to spring her attack. It was time for his move now. Akari knew what he had to do. No, he knew he was not the best air bender but he had his skill. Akari focused his energy and began to manipulate the atmosphere around him. It swirled around his legs and up his body in a spiral. It moved up over his body causing his hair to stand on end. His clothes fluttered and his white eyes stayed easily focused on both his opponent and energy.

His eyes lit up as he was about to bolt forward in attack. The air sped up under his feet. Akari’s tight foot left the ground, but quickly was slammed back down as he was thrown completely off balance by a loud voice. His eyes went wide as the girl walked right up to his figure. Akari blinked several times in surprise as his fans became closed and off to his sides.

Akari stood there in a few moments of silence and confusion. He blinked again and backed away from her body as she yelled for his name again. Akari clenched his teeth and acted quickly to shut this girl, Serriah is what he had heard her name be, up once he noticed what territory she was from. He stepped quickly towards her and reached his hand out cupping Serriah’s mouth. He maneuvered behind her figure and whispered in a low, harsh tone to make Serriah hear him.

“Do want us to get caught; we’re not even in our territory!”

Akari gently let go of her and walked away from the both of them. His back was towards them as he twirled the concealed fans back into their straps. He lifted his head to the stars that surrounded the moon.

“I too am from the territory that is ruled upon by the goddess of the wind. But I shall not give my identity up just yet, not until I know the spirited one’s name.”

He turned and looked at the woman who was pointing at him with a blade straight in the eyes. Akari then slowly blinked and walked over to where he was hidden in the trees. He spoke softly as he walked.

“But, if she does not wish to give up her name by her own willing, then I shall remain nameless to you both.”

Akari reached the tree and bent down. He picked up his white shirt and bloody staff. Not one word left his lips as he did as he wanted. Akari remained silent. His eyes watched the blood, his blood, glisten under the moon as he slowly and quietly strode to the edge of the lake. Akari just stood there watching contently at the moon’s reflection ripple in the lake’s mirror.

He continued to stand there with his white shirt dangling from his arm and the staff in his hand. Akari was then reminded of his stunt. His hand rose in front of his eyes and a snicker left his mouth as he saw blood still oozing out of the cut he had made for a diversion. Akari ignored it for now; he could heal it whenever he wanted to. Besides, it was not that bad, in fact he thought it would have stopped bleeding a minute or two after he had created it.

Akari snapped out of it and dropped his hand back down to his side. He steadily stood there relaxing from the reflection. He couldn’t believe he had just called war on someone who could be an ally. He did not know what he was doing anymore, he became clouded. He wants to be strong and not as full of emotion as he was before. Akari was weak before the casting out of his village and right after it. He grew on his own after being nurtured by his mother for a few years, but now he was on his own. He needed to be strong for his own sake. Akari shook his head and the clouds that were constricting his mind. All he knew now was that maybe he was waiting for some response, possibly a name of an ally…or friend.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's eyes watched her opponent as he began to control the atmosphere around him.[/glow]

"He's controlling the wind, meaning he's an ally, unless the water denizens are trying to confuse me by putting a air bender on their side."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra kept her sword, not sure whether he was an ally now, or if he was a foe. As he approached her, her grip tightened on the hilt of her sword as she watched, but he stopped and was caught off guard, as was Kyra. Serriah was yelling at both her and her opponent. [/glow]

"You fool, do you want me to slice your throat now or later?"

[glow=blue,2,300]Serriah had just blown their cover completely if any enemies were nearby. Kyra's threat was empty, but it would make anyone shut up. Kyra turned, her eyes ablaze with anger at Serriah's foolishness, but the man she had been facing had the same thought as her, as he cupped his hand over Serriah's mouth. Kyra slid the sword she had handled back in it's hilt, once he said that he was on their side.[/glow]

“I too am from the territory that is ruled upon by the goddess of the wind. But I shall not give my identity up just yet, not until I know the spirited one’s name.”

"Spirited one? Must be me, he's looking at me, I'll give him my name, just as soon as I speak my mind to Serriah..."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked and nodded towards the man, acknowledging him. Then she walked over to Serriah, her fox ears back against her head with disappointment and rage.[/glow]

"Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again. You endangered us all, had there been any enemies nearby. I admit, I made a mistake, by letting the fire go too long, but that endangered me and me alone, since you were in the tree. Your little stunt, endanger us all and put us in harm's way. If you ever do it again, I will personally kill you."

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra's voice was a deathly calm as she spoke, enough to send chills up anybody's spine. This was what gave her that killer's apperance, was her unusually calm voice and attitude.

She turned to the man, her eyes lightened up.[/glow]

"I normally don't give my name first either, but having shut up my foolish comrade, I will grace you first. It's Kyra, yours?"

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah realized as the last few words of her speech slipped out that she had been a little too loud. She wasn't too mad at herself though because she knew number one that she would never make the mistake again, and number two, that considering she had never really gotten angry before, and had just started speaking again yesterday, she didn't think she should be too harsh on herself.

The stranger then, even though she was done speaking, flet the need to cover her mouth with his hand. When he removed it, she spit on the ground in disgust. How dare he touch me? There was no purpose and he still hasn't even told me his name! It's ridiculous how people act these days. People become so defensive these days that they forget how to live there lives with manners. Serriah was still angry as Kyra spat her thick and unemotional words at her. Does he practice threatening people or something? She seemed totally different when I met her. Serriah's entire body was crawling with anger, but she knew Kyra's words to be true enough that she didn't say anything back, instead she bolted off through the willow. She stayed low to the ground, but she flew fast off around trees and through there boughs.

She was so angry that tears welled up in her eyes. She was furious, and sad at the same time. She didn't want to stop traveling with Kyra, but she didn't feel wanted anymore. Actually, I've never really been wanted by anyone. As a little kid, I was the wuiet shy one no one liked, and then as I got older, I experienced that horrible thing, and then could not speak, therefore making people resent me for my weakness. Now that I finally can talk again, no one wants me too. Well, they aren't going to get what they want. I am not dumb enough to not figure out that I was too loud, and should never do that again, but Kyra seemed a totally different person. You can tell by watching her when she doesn't know it, that she is lonely and emotionally burdened, but for her to push everyone away, and snap at them, not caring at all about what anyone else thinks, is just cold.

Deep inside Serriah didn't believe that Kyra was that way because she liked to be, she just seemed to act that way because it was easiest to show no emoition sometimes. Serriah knew the feeling of being emotionally numb, and she also knew that in the end it hurt you the most. Serriah perched herself in a high bough of a tree. She covered her face with her hands and silently heaved and sobbed to herself.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari paid no attention to the two women’s movements after he had turned his eyes to the lake. He was just listening closely, very closely. His ears listened to the fox’s speech to Serriah, but failed to catch any of the terminology. Akari waited patiently by the edge of the lake. His legs stood firmly as the water drifted over the sandy shore and his feet. White hair waved as Akari quickly shifted his head his head to look behind. He saw Serriah run off into the woods on her own. Reacting to that, Akari reached out a hand to call out to the running girl and took a step forward, but he stopped his voice and movement. His eyes gazed for a second, wanting to stop her for her own safety, but then he transferred his sights to the glistening lake as a flashback penetrated his mind. Akari sighed and his eyes drooped as he remembered the sound of her spitting after his hand pulled away.

She doesn’t want anything to do with me now.

As the thought crossed his mind, Akari fell to the ground. He descended on to the ground in a position where his knees were bent and he is seated, but with his feet still planted. Akari released a bit of a moan in the sigh he released. He wrapped his arms around his legs and stared at the sky’s reflection. Akari’s white eyes continued to stare contently as the fox woman’s voiced sliced calmly through the still night air. When she asked for his name, Akari reflected on hers for a moment and then spoke in a soothing, calm, and whispering tone.

“My name is of no value. However, my lady, I shall bestow it upon you since I did promise to speak of it once you spoke of yours.”

Akari closed his eyes and inhaled the pure air. While exhaling a sigh, his white eyes slowly opened back up to see the moonlight. Lips parted and his voice continued with no regret or worry within it.

“My name…is Akari.”

The night time breeze gently stroked his hair. Akari let it flow freely. He did not stop it from tangling, nor did he brush it out of his eyes. His hands set his white shirt and staff aside, to lay undisturbed in the fine sand of the lakeshore. Regrettably, Akari released another sigh and slowly blinked his eyes when he thought of the wrong he did. Poor Akari was exhaling a lot in sighs.

“My apologies, dear Kyra. For I have offended your friend. I did not mean to hurt her. I just…I just did not want to risk my, or any of our lives.”

Akari let silence fill the air for a while. He did not know what to say. He brought the slit hand up to his face, reminding himself to care for it. So, he did. Akari leaned forward shifting his weight, to land in a kneeling situation. His legs landed in the shallows of the water. The refreshingly cool water soaked into his pants, just the front, and lower half. Akari slowly dipped his hand in the water, watching his crimson blood swirl and mix with the aqua. It burned slightly as the water entered the wound, but it did not last long. He broke the surface of the water with his other hand and waved it over the lesion underwater. Akari healed the gash, emitting a light golden glow from his waving hand. He brought the no longer sliced hand up from the water to see it finishing the healing process. The flesh closed together, stopping the flowing blood with a slight sizzle.

His eyes relaxed with the results and a calmingly warm smile played across his lips. Akari was a fantastic healer. He had been practicing this aptitude ever since his beloved mother taught him when he was just a little child. While reflecting upon his past, Akari sat back into his former position.

His hand slowly reached to the side of him and grabbed his weapon, the staff. Akari held it firmly and turned it downward so the revealed blade was down. Reaching out far enough, not to hit himself, Akari thrusted the blade into the earth that was run over by the freshwater hoping to cleanse the blood away.

Akari sat peacefully, allowing his albino white hair to tussle freely in the calm wind. His eyes contently rested on the ripples that were softly propelled when the lake water caressed the pole in the sandy ground. He not only listened to the night’s calling, but his breathing and heartbeat, along with Kyra’s steady breathing and silent voice.

[Kyra Hitomi]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra watched as Serriah headed into the thick woods. She tossed her black hair out of her face as Serriah left and sighed. It was Serriah’s choice that she needed time alone, so Kyra would not interrupt it. She looked towards the man, he had meant no harm and yet Serriah was furious with both him and her, but what could she do. Serriah had chosen to shout in enemy territory and she had to deal with Kyra’s lecturing and this man’s actions.

Kyra’s white ears perked up at hearing the man talk. [/glow]

“His name is of no value? If it is so, then what do I call him? ‘It’? ‘Hey you’? Even I wouldn’t be so disrespectful.”

[glow=blue,2,300]Her ears perked up once again at hearing his name and his apology.[/glow]

“Akari...so that is his name, well it seems he and I think a lot alike, well at least in the past situation..”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra looked to Akari, her eyes still emotionless as she spoke in her cold tone. [/glow]

“It is of no value to me, your apology that is. Serriah was foolish at the moment and I would have done the same had she done it to me. There is no apology needed.”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra watched as Akari turned to the lake and looked at his hand. The wound was fresh enough that when he placed it into the glassy clear water, it turned to a rusty color. She went to the forest edge to find the herb that would heal his wound quickly, but by the time she turned around Akari’s gash was gone. [/glow]

“He’s a healer, well he will be quite useful on this journey, especially if Serriah is as accident prone as she led on.”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra placed the herb into her side pouch, for a later use. Her head snapped up at her final realization. She looked to Akari’s cut and then his weapon.[/glow]

“That is how you overwhelmed my senses. You left your weapon with the blood on it. It confused me, because I smelled your weapon, but yet there was a trail of it in the forest as you walked about. All I could smell was blood, but I could not pinpoint your location by that. You certainly think on your feet.”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra felt the wind pick up slightly as it blew her hair about and her ears flattened slightly. She looked to the sky and at the heavenly body that governed the sky. [/glow]

“The moon is almost at the horizon, meaning morning will be coming in a few hours and I have no sleep, well to be perfectly honest, no of us probably have.”[/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra walked over to a tree near the border of the forest. She slowly sat down and leaned her head against the tree bark. She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. [/glow]

“It will be hard to run on such little energy...”

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra sighed and looked to Akari, he seemed to be enjoying the night. Kyra did as well, but not at the expense of sleep. She would need at least an hour or so to run normally. She felt her eyelids getting heavy and she shook her head tossing her midnight black hair about.[/glow]

“No I have to...stay.........awake....”[/i]

[glow=blue,2,300]Kyra felt her eyelids close completely and her head hang as she fell into a deep slumber.[/glow]

[Serriah Mileynou]

Serriah cried to her heart's content. She cried about the past,, the present, and the unceasingly similar future she was sure would come. All she wanted was for one person in her life to love her just he way she was, and teach her how to fight for herself. She wanted the chance to change, and for someone willing to help her do it. She needed protection while she learned to protect herself.

Finally, when Serriah could cry no more tears, she looked up to the moonlight. Through watery eyes the light was smeared and blurry, but beautiful all the same. Why can't someone see me like the moon. Always there trying to help, beautiful no matter what the circumstances, and abstract. There is more to me than even I realize. I need someone to help me discover that.

Serriah blinked the remaining moisture out of her eyelashes, and kept her gaze on the moon. Self-pity hung in the air like a death warrant, and that alone made Serriah angry. She became more angry at herself than anyone else. She wiped her eyes. Then, she fretfully fell into a light sleep.

After what was probably about three hours, Serriah fluttered her twitching eyelids open to a soft, pink sky. It was morning, and Serriah was both determined, and hungry. She dismounted from the tree, and walked over to the edge of the water, about 100 feet from where Kyra had been last night. She splashed a handful of water on her face, and then stretched. She stood, and then moved swiftly farther from where she had last seen their late night visitor. She found a part of the lake surrounded by tall pussy-willow reeds that was somewhat secluded. She didn't think anyone would be able to see her, so she peeled off her dark cardigan and pants, followed by her green top, and she waded into the water. She dove silently underneath the surface and let the cool tingling feeling of cold soothing water against her sticky skin, sink in. She let out a silent breath of relief. Then she lay floating on her back, and thinking.

I need to learn to fight. It is something vital, that I was never taught. I was never taught to do anything except fly., and I basically taught myself. After I find myself something to eat, I will go back to Kyra's and my old camp and apologize for my actions. Then I will ask her for some much needed advice. Hopefully she won't attempt to kill me, but you never really know with her. Serriah sighed, a little more loudly then she would have liked to.

[~::-Akari-::~]

Akari stayed silent as Kyra explained her no apology needed theory. He continued to look out at the lake and the reflection glistening on it. His eyes were targeting the staff embedded into the sandy ground that was trod on by the lake water. He watched the blood, little by little, wash away. The blade would soon be clean and then he would put it back into its holding. The ripples were emitted out into the lake’s deep end constantly as it brushed against the hilt.

Akari let a small kind, warm-hearted smile cross his lips to Kyra’s compliment. He did not speak back to her, he was relaxed and he did not want to silent the silence. Though not through speaking, Akari did acknowledge her flattering remark. He turned his somewhat pale face to hers and gave a smile of gratefulness of her realizing his aptitudes and talents in the art of fighting and strategizing. As noticed how the wind gracefully caressed her hair to flow in a majestic matter, she was definitely one of wind. He could tell by the way she knelt down to the beauty and importance of the breeze of the night. He continued to watch her essence, watching contently on how she strode over to the tree and relaxed.

With that, Akari turned his head away back to the manifestation, assuming she was about to fall asleep. He sat there silently; enjoying what was left of the night. He glanced back towards Kyra to find her eyelids fell heavily, putting her into a slumber. She looked so peaceful, he smiled but at the same time he was frowning. It was so peaceful in these areas when there was an actual war heading their way, a terrible war of death and destruction. Akari slowly rose to his feet, grabbing his white cuffed undershirt at the same time and inhaled a deep breath; relaxing all parts of his body, inside and outside.

He shook the sand particles out of his chemise and slowly walked over to where Kyra was serenely sleeping. He made sure to be extra quiet as he knelt down beside her. Akari opened the shirt which he held and placed the opening on top of Kyra’s upper body. Trying not to wake her, Akari wrapped the cloth around her and whispered softly.

“Sleep well, my friend.”

Wonders started filling his head as he stood back up straight. He looked around his surroundings to see if he could see Serriah at all. He was a little worried of her safety being out there all alone. But then the thought of she needed time alone entered his mind. It was probably best; he did not want to affront her anymore than he already did. Akari looked to the sky and saw the moon was about to disappear to the morning light. Calculations were working in his head, about three hours till the light of morning approached. Akari shrugged and figured he might as well take advantage, since both females are either no where to be found, or are sound asleep.

Silently as possible, Akari moved back to the lake to where he had stabbed the earth. His hands moved down his black vest, unclipping the fastenings from their holdings. He allowed the vest to fall to the ground in a bundle and stepped lightly in the lake’s water, leaving his black pants on. Akari was not about to risk Kyra waking up to his body in birth state. Before he dove fully into the water, he unhooked the razor bladed fans and left them with his black vest.

He waded slowly into the deep end of the lake. Akari shivered a bit as the water rose up to his bare waist. It was cool to the skin, but very refreshing. He took in a gulp of oxygen and dove under, completely immersing his body underwater. His hair floated in the water and waved gracefully as he swam deeper to the sandy bottom of the lake. His white eyes remained open underwater since the water was so pure and crystal clean. He stretched out his hands and pushed himself forward to hit the bottom. There was a strong patch of seaweed growing in the ground, perfect for the fish, even though he had seen none at all. He moved his body so his feet were under him. Akari felt the tickling of the water plants below around his ankles. His knees bent and his leg muscles tightened as he was about to push up for more air. Releasing the tightness, Akari pushed off the ground feeling the sand in between his toes.

Akari was jolted as he pushed up; he was suddenly held back from breaking the surface. Akari swiftly shot a look downward to his feet. They were entangled in the seaweed. Thinking it was no big deal; Akari kept his calm and used his arms to anchor himself down, so he could reach the bonding. First attempting, Akari grabbed his ankle and pulled, unfortunately the wrapped weed did not budge. A little panic filled his emotions, as he continued to run low on air. Akari refused to give up though. He reached down further to grab the plant himself. He clenched tightly but quickly and violently let go as a bit of his blood mixed with the lake’s water. Thorns! He did not feel the thorns digging into his ankles until he actually looked at them and closely examined them. He finally realized the blood swirling in the water, and pain shot through him.

Both his ankles were bound together with the thorny seaweed. They were deep into this skin and blood swirled through the crystal clear water. Akari continued to struggle ferociously. His air level dropped abruptly low as Akari accidentally opened his mouth from another wave of pain. He struggled and wrestled with the seaweed as it tore at his flesh peeling it, and scraping it for more blood to flow out. Akari quickly looked up to the surface, hoping somehow, Kyra would smell the great sudden amount of blood. She did say his scent of blood overwhelmed her senses.

Please Kyra! Wake up…I can’t…I can’t breathe. Kyra!

The thorn dugs deeper into his flesh and he couldn’t help but wince and continue to tear at the barbed weed with his hands, tearing skin even more from his hands. The emotion of panic was now fully there. Akari didn’t want to die, not yet. He refused, he was too determined for a fresh breath of air to give up.

Kyra!