(It's okay xD no worries)

"Hn?" he titled his head towards her. "Attention?... No.. it shouldn't. Almost all creatures fear the pheonix, if one is present even if the thought of one is present sends creatures scattering. Pheonix are known to burn down forests, villages... anything creatures do not wish to be cause in the blaze and perish so." He moved closer to her seeing she was still very cold. "Pheonix are also known as the Knights of Mortals... guardians of the people. Their burning anger though is what caused mortals to turn on their own guardians." He shook his head with disgust. "Most pheonix are extinct... though a few remain... the Burning forest of the west is the nest of the great red fire bird, while the islands to the far, far south belong to the mighty blue pheonix and..." he looked towards the skies. "The smokey clouds of the heavens... is where the white pheonix roosts..." He sighed, giving off a great smile with a little laughter. "This may warm you... as you seem so frozen.." He transformed himself into a lion, one ten times the size of a regular lion with great tan colored and feathered wings extending from his back. He laid his massive body down behind Aiden... scooping her up into his paws and using his great mane as a warm blanket he laid his head down on his other paw, careful not to smother her or shinta in the fur. "This ought to keep you warm..." he rumbled, large golden eyes staring to her. "Perhaps it will even keep the Lamia away... to see part of their own kind laying here."

Aiden looked at the massive body that was now Miyabi. She couldn't help but pet his large mane in a loving way.

"So this is what a Lamia looks like? They looks like big cuddley animals to me!"

She leaned forward and hugged him gently letting out a soft giggle. It was true, her body was a lot warmer and even Shinta abandoned her for the comfy fur, he wrapped himself around a nice patch of fur and slithered closer to Miyabi's flesh beneath the coat. Aiden let a sigh surpass her lips as she nuzzled into the big beast's chest. She let her head rest against him listening to the loud pounding of his heart, very different than a human's heart. Her mind could only imagine how huge his heart was and how loud his heart beat was. She began to wonder if the loud beating was normal or if he was anxious for something to happen. Either way, to comfort him she stretched her arms out around him as much as possible and gave him a hug while nuzzling her cheek into the side of his head. A soft smile caressed her face as she looked up into his large eyes.

"No.." he grumbled. "This is only a Lamia cub..." The long tail flicked back and forth as his golden eyes became heavy, closing so he might rest for the night. The large furry ears remained perked and observant for sounds, though all he could hear were the crickets and locusts as their songs dueled through the hours of the night. "Aiden..." His voice seem eerily worried. "What will happen... if you can no longer travel with me?" He didn't want to open his eyes to show her his worry instead he concentraited on keeping his body warm so she might be able to relax. "...This journey has already been very long and hard for me and though i've fought through most of it alone...I am facing some of the hardest tasks of my quest. Without your ability to fight.. I may not be able to return Guai Keung to his throne..." His eyes opened only slight to watch the fire move with each exhale of his breath, some of his long whiskers being singed from the flames. "I would love.. for you to experience the world as it once was.. how it is supposed to be. It was so wonderful... where the clouds never seemed too far away to touch and the oceans never too deep or violent to swim in... it all seems like it was a dream a beautiful dream and that I am the only one dreaming it any more. Though I am very afraid I am... even the elders as they grow senile are begining to forget of the wonders that once were. From the golden coasts of the east to the dark forests of the west... whom ever used to remember has forgotten of what a beautiful world it was..." his eyes finally closed again as his body relaxed the large ears laying back into a content position. "...maybe it really was a dream and Guai Keung... was just a passing thought..."

She looked up at the beast and placed her hand along his temple rubbing it soothingly. Her mind wondered back to the thoughts she had earlier about hibernation.

"I will be here as long as you need me Miyabi. I believe in you and your goal. Ever since you showed me what was and how I compare it to what is now, I want the what was to come back. The only fear I have is..."

She let out a soft sigh and thought of the words and how they could be taken before speaking again.

"I was afraid you would leave my side if I told you this, but in the late fall and through out winter, snakes hibernate. Shinta will go into hibernation but since I only have some DNA of a snake, I can stay awake, but I'm weak and tired most of the day. As long as I am cold I will curl up and want to go to sleep."

She felt a bit ashamed of herself because she knew she would become useless at some points to him and she tried to think of a way around these problems. The only solution is for her to stay warm.

"Besides that problem I will stay and help even if it costs me my life. These humans need to be put in their place..."

Her anger was starting to over come her but she took a few deep breaths and remembered that right now, she needed to comfort Miyabi and assure him everything was ok as long as he could put up with her.

Miyabi understood how she must hibernate, but he himself even if he was to take a snake form would have no need for hibernation.. no need to sleep as she might. Yet he couldn't carry her around while she slept and if he stopped every time she must sleep they would get nowhere fast. He had to think of a way... that would keep her warm even through the cold winter months. Some sort of fire that would keep her and Shinta from having to be left behind. His thoughts reeled through all of the forms he knew, perhaps for a few months he could be a pheonix... and stick close to her to keep her warm.. but to be such a beast took alot of energy for him and he could not hold that form for that long. There wasn't a form in the world that he knew of that he could maintain for the length of time that fall and winter lasted. Fire imps, dazzling fairies, blazing pixies, pheonix, and even the mighty dragon form of the volcanic ash... was impossible for him to hold for that long. "I will think of something, I can't leave you behind or it might cost me my own life..." He breathed in deep, his massive chest expanding and shrinking with each exhale until the fire had been blown out, though by now it was already down to a mere fizzle. He had fallen asleep, his head spinning with various ideas and dreams of how to keep this woman with him.. how to keep her warm. He awoke in the soft sunlight of dawn, letting out a great yawn, until his whole body rumbled with a deep growl. He stood, standing over Aiden like a mother might over her pups when threatened. A small but armed tribe of Lamia had found them and were debating over wether the 'cub' was a true Lamia or a traitor.

"Young one!" one called out, a well armored male stepped forth, his head and torso of a man and great body of a lion. "Prove to us you are like us, tell us why you protect this girl!" Miyabi looked down to Aiden, bitting back his tongue from saying something foolish. 'What would a Lamia say in this situtation...what would they do...' He thought. "Her intellect, was my dinner for the night. I thought perhaps I might keep her for morning as it was so good..." He gulped back a sense of unease, hoping that Aiden would not wake to prove him wrong. "She was very smart, I know there is still something left for me eat..." The tribe of Lamia laughed, laughing at him like he was a foolish cub. "Ah, dear cub how naive you are! When you take their intelligence you are taking all of their mind, she is no better than a vegtable now! She ought make a better meal for a wolf now than one of us."

Aiden began to gain consciousness when she heard the voices that seemed to be coming from behind her. She didn't dare open an eye or make a move, though an itch inconveniently planted itself on the tip of her nose. Her nose started to wrinkle at the feeling of the tickle and she tried so hard not to let it get to her. She tried not to think too much because she figured they could sense her intelligence, she just simply listened to the conversation going on between Miyabi and the Lamia. She tried not to think of it, but she couldn't help but think of a plan that could get them out of this mess. The only idea she really had was to sit there and play stupid, literally. Her body began to go numb just lying there on the ground, her body tingled a little as it missed Miyabi's warm fur that caressed her body.

Suddenly, she felt something along her stomach. It was cool and smooth, it even tickled a little, her body began to twitch uncontrollably. It was probably Shinta slithering up to her to hide himself as if Aiden were a rock that could protect him. Aiden's brows narrowed slightly as she couldn't help but think to herself...

Snake! You're going to get us killed!

Miyabi hoped with the deepest part of himself that Aiden would remain asleep. Several of the Lamia were whispering between themselves. "Cub child, where is your tribe? Do you travel alone or have you been lost from your own?" Miyabi sighed internally... they were believing it. Was he that good of an actor? "I left in search of better lands and better feeding... where I come from we are desolate.. but my tribe is stubborn and refuses to move on." His eyes caught the twitches coming from Aiden as it had caught the attention of several of the others. He placed a large paw over her, not so much to crush her but to hide her movements, being as gentle as he could be. "She is obviously having a very rough time dealing with her loss of intellect..." He gulped back. They were beginning to question him as the armored leader approached him..."What is your name cub?" Miyabi fell back on his hind legs, the threatening eyes of the lamia terrifying him to his core. He knew their codes, their language, their movements... but names. The lamia were so discreate with their names. "I..I have not been given one, as my parents knew not what to call me.." the leader roared out. "Liar! Liar! We are all named as we are born, named for the days which we are born! Liar, liar!" Miyabi paniced... how could he have screwed up? He lifted his pay from Aiden in a flash transforming himself into the magestic form of a centaur and scooping her up into his arms as he attempted to run off into the forest. "A shifter?" they mumbled to each other as he reared up from being blocked off by several of the Lamia, turning to run in the other way to be surrounded. "...We've done nothing wrong..."

Aiden tensed up as she felt the conversation going south. She jumped when she felt Miyabi scoop her up into his arms. Her eyes snapped open as she saw he had turned into a centaur and started to run off. Aiden clung to him tightly as they raced through the forest until they were blocked off by a wall of Lamia. Shinta slithered to Aiden's shoulders as if to say 'protect me' when really their cover wouldn't have been blown if it wasn't for him. After hearing Miyabi's words to the Lamia she nodded frantically to the Lamia.

"We promise you, we are just passing by and will be out of this forest very soon. As far as dinner, you wouldn't want my intellect, I'm actually more bronze than brain."

For a minute she thought of offering Shinta up as a snack considering she was so irritated with him for causing their cover to be blown. She was sure that if they lived through this she would be sure to punish the snake, no meat for a month, that would teach him. She didn't understand, Shinta was always so smart as to not blow someone's cover like that. She was beginning to think the Lamia took his intellect while they were asleep. After the annoying thoughts of Shinta flowed through her head she watched the Lamia almost pleadingly to let them go.

'Lamia... Lamia what is a Lamia's worst enemy.. what do they hate and despise more than anything. What brings them fear... He could feel their greedy minds trying to prob his mind, attempting to keep his thoughts away from them... ahead of their grasp he hugged Aiden close, there were too many of them to fight... they were too big and too fast.. so what did they fear? His eyes snapped open as he set Aiden to the ground. "Stay put, cover your ears... and stay put. Don't even blink. You too shinta." There was one thing Lamia hated... one thing they couldn't stand, something that was worse than a tick or flee to the furry lion bodies of a Lamia.

Pixies. Miyabi transformed into himself once more, reaching into one of his satchels that carried the various roots and weeds he needed for his magic as he crushed a red and purple powder together sending small pixie replicas scattering into the air. Their voices were worse than that of screaming locust and june bugs and their buzzing wings only made it worse. The Lamia roared, violently swinging their pole arms and swords to get rid of the nuisense. He grabbed hold of Aiden, making a run in any direction that was open.. it was their only chance to escape while the Lamia were distracted. "They are going to be so angry at me..." he gulped back, still running as fast he could... he could feel the earth shaking under him and he looked back to see the tribe leader in pursuit of them. "No, no, no... Run faster!"

Aiden did as Miyabi had told her until they started to run. She had a bad feeling about this, though it was probably their best bet to get away from the Lamia. She kept up with Miyabi as they ran through the forest. Looking back she saw the leader and could only hope that the edge of the forest was coming soon. Her gaze turned back to Miyabi as her breath was heavy and jittery from all the running.

"Got any other great ideas?!"

Suddenly, almost as soon as she had spoke there was a break in the trees and a sharp drop, beyond the drop was clear open fields and a village just ahead before the trail to their destination. It was all looking great until they came upon the drop which could send them to their doom if they were to fall over it, not a good ending to her story that Miyabi would want to tell to further generations. Aiden looked around trying to figure out what to do in this situation since they were either minutes away from tumbling to their death or breakfast for a Lamia.

He flailed as they came to the edge of the cliff, stepping back he looked back between the drop and the leader, he paced for several moments trying to think of something but he could still feel the Lamia trying to eat away at his intellect. Why his mind?... Of course.. she was the brute strength of this trio of misfits. "...what if..." he muttered, looking towards the cliff. He knew from the long distance that it looked as though the trees cut off straight into the field... perhaps the Lamia's eyes would play tricks on them. "Aiden, when I say duck... duck." He panted, acting as if he was worn out and completly out of breath, as if giving in to the Lamia's will. He watched it draw closer... and closer until he the thunderous paws were nearly upon them and he screamed out the trigger word, throwing himself to the ground as the great beast skidded, finally realizing the trees did not disperse into just a field.. but his weight was too great and his speed too fast for the Leader to stop in time as he tumbled over the side of the cliff, crashing to the bottom with a heavy thud. He let out a might roar in pain... he was broken but not beaten... surprising how such intellectual creatures were so stupid sometimes. "I can't believe that worked!" Miyabi looked over the cliff at the battered Lamia leader. "You must be lady luck Aiden... I don't think that would have worked otherwise..." The great leader roared out again and Miyabi's elated expression grew solemn. "...maybe... we should put him out of his misery?.." he questioned towards Aiden, looking for a way for them to get down safely.

Aiden's heart raced at the experience, she herself didn't think it would work though the thought crossed her mind and it seemed too easy. Lady luck huh? She thought. She never got that title at home when she was younger, she was always considered the cursed one. The image of the boy popped back into her head as she quickly shook her head releasing the image. Her gaze went down to the Lamia as she felt very sorry for him, she couldn't help but feel tears swell in her eyes. Though he was planning on having her intellect for breakfast, she felt very upset at what they had done to the poor beast. Without a word to Miyabi she found a spot that seemed easy enough to slide down to the bottom. She used her razor like nails to cling to the wall of the cliff. The whole way down she couldn't help but gaze at the creature as it heaved a few of its last breaths. Once to the ground Aiden approached him slowly to show she wasn't going to harm him any further. Once she was in reaching distance she placed a hand on his temple and rubbed it gently. The tears that were being held back in her eyes were pouring over now as she spoke softly to the beast that stared up at her almost confused.

"I'm sorry... That we did this to you..."

She knelt down next to him and stared into his dieing eyes as she felt his pain just from looking at him. Though she knew she was in danger of having her intellect stolen from the beast, she couldn't help but feel the need to be near the creature during his last few minutes. Aiden took a deep breath and sighed trying to smooth out her voice that was slightly shaky.

"Please, tell me what you want us to do... If you wish for us to put you out of your misery or take you to a better place to rest? Just tell me..."

She couldn't help but feel in debt to the beast, because he too was a living thing and had just the same amount of right to live just like she did.

Miyabi couldn't cling to the cliff like her and made himself into a small hummingbird once more as he arrived by her side, approaching the creature. He really did hate fighting... he didn't like death and for such a great beast as a Lamia to die was very disheartening to him. Though they were cruel creatures he still had a great respect for them. He didn't speak... as Aiden had said all that needed to be said, her eyes showing their sorrow for the situation they had put this beast into. The Lamia's eyes glistened as if pools of water, watching the both of them not with caution but a sort of lonesom solitude as he reached the understanding that he was living out his last minutes. "Your kindness... why so kind? Why so gentle..." the beast breathed out, gasping in for another. His eyes closed, opening gently once more. "I am fine.. to lay rest here." he uttered. "I have lived long, and been outwitted by the best it appears. Beyond this cliff is the great mountains, and above me is where my rule was law. You both, have great minds... do not.. let them go to waste..." he breathed in, groaning with pain. "Shifter..." His eyes looked towards Miyabi. "...You are clever, or lucky... no matter which...... i know your powers. Please... take my memories and thoughts. It would be Guai Keungs wishes..." Miyabi fell to his knees, hugging his arms around the massive beasts chest. "...You remember him. You remembered Guai Keung..." he closed his eyes as the Lamia let him into his mind to raid his thoughts and memories. The lamia looked towards Aiden with a gentle smile. "what a strange, but wonderful creature you are... I couldn't even get into your mind as if it was sealed shut. Who, or what ever guards you... is very protective of what is locked in there." he laughed slightly, weezing for more air so he might hold on a little longer. "Take my flesh dear woman, you will require it more than myself now. Use of me what you need..." He laid his head down onto the earth, surrendering to the lapses of pain as Miyabi turned away from him tears streaming down his face. "Please great Guai Keung... bring this beast to your arms..."

Aiden couldn't help but feel that all this was wrong, that she shouldn't even think of skinning this beast for his beautiful fur, even if it was of no use to him. It almost felt like she was dishonoring him even though he had offered it to her. She looked at Miyabi for his opinion on the matter.

Then her mind wondered to what he said about her mind being locked up. She herself was still trying to figure out herself and what she could and couldn't do, this was something completely new, she had the ability to block off the attack of a Lamia. What protected her mind? Was it Shinta? Could Shinta be hiding more than she knew or is he just as ignorant as she? So many questions that she hoped to figure out herself on this journey. Being with Miyabi has unlocked many things about her that she had never knew existed within her, and she knew as long as she continued to travel with him she would continue to learn about herself and her purpose in life. She even thought she may find out who Shinta really is, where he has come from and how he came into existance.

Her eyes focused in on the beast as she approached him one more time before he passed and Miyabi took his thoughts. She placed a hand on Miyabi's shoulder to stop him real quick, she had one more question for the Lamia before he died.

"Please, tell me, what is your name?"

Miyabi looked up to her, placing his hand over hers as he couldn't hold back his tears, his regret for doing such a thing to this creature, he almost wished he'd been killed instead by some how.. when he looked into the Lamia's eyes it was as if the creature knew Miyabi's goal, and knew that his death was almost for the better. "...My name... is January." Miyabi's eyes widened once more as the thoughts he had received from this great beast were being put in order and he covered his face with his own hands. "January, january... you are Janus, Guai Keungs great mount... the beast he would take to battle." He was now filled with a million questions, questions that couldn't be answered by mere memories. He grabbed onto the great beasts fur, trying to will him awake but he couldn't hear him breath, feel his heart pulse, or get his eyes to open. "No! You have to answer me! please!..." He collapsed into the fur of the beast, hugging onto it tightly. "... Janus." He gritted his teeth, bitting back his tears. "I'm a horrible person, i'm horrible... How could I have let him die?! Why didn't i know it was him... Janus.." He looked towards Aiden, his hands shaking and quivering. "...He probably knew more about you... then anyone else in this world... He was the oldest of the Lamia and his knowledge... was unsurpassed." He was choked up and found it hard to speak, his eyes sore from the tears and his head throbbing from the idea that he had murdered Janua.. Guai Keungs battle steed. "...A Lamia's fur... is like an inferno when worn...I suppose that is why he offered it to you, to warm you when you might need it." He turned back towards the beast, curling up amoung the masses of fur. "...I am sorry great one... when Guai Keung is returned to his throne.. perhaps you can walk once again." not all hope was lost for him, but Miyabi's heartache was growing deep. He always thought... cats landed on all four paws. "I will tell your story great one.... for as long as I carry on."

Aiden knelt down next to Miyabi and hugged him to comfort him in any ways she could. This made it even harder to think of skinning this poor creature. She bit her lower lip and knew it was too early to ask how to do the deed of skinning him. She placed her hand on the Lamia and pet him gently even though he had already passed. She knew though that Miyabi would want to get to taking his memories while they were still fresh, so she stepped back a few steps and nodded to Miyabi. After this experience she knew that she had to continue to help Miyabi no matter what it cost. She needed to help Guai Keung take his throne once more and she needed to find out what she is. Just as Miyabi said, he would have been the one to tell her all the secrets she needed to know, but she should have known it was all too easy.

Maybe in time, we will meet again and all the things I do not know yet, you will be able to tell me.

Aiden watched Miyabi as she knew this was tearing him up more than it was her. She couldn't help but think, the leader knew that Miyabi was a shape shifter, he knew he had a mission to help restore Guai Keung, was he chasing after them just to talk? It wouldn't seem reasonable for him to chase after them for dinner if he knew his purpose and supported it. Her eyes locked onto the beast as Miyabi took his memories. Her thoughts were of the kind of memories this creature had, she was interested to hear later when Miyabi had settled down, some of his stories. She sat down and opened her bag, from her bag she withdrew a knife. She placed the knife on a rock near by for later to get the fur. Right now, she needed to focus on Miyabi and what he needed her to do to help in any way.

Miyabi finished with taking the great beasts thoughts, relinquishing him of his memories as he sat back, staring at the creature. "His fur, will surely help to keep you warm in the depths of the mountains." He stood, seeing the knife that she had set out he reached for it, his hand trembling horribly as he held onto it. He took hold of the massive paw, keeping his knife in hand he pushed the beast onto his side. He ran his fingers over the leather pads on the bottom of his paw, touching the long and sharp claws. Truely they wouldn't need all of his fur... he was such a large creature that just the fur from one leg, or his stomach could provide enough clothing for the both of them. Not like he was properly dressed to go trecking through the mountains anyways. Shirtless with white pants, shoes, and a jacket was hardly enough to keep even his naturally warm body from freezing over. "I should have known it was him..." He muttered, as he punctured the knife into the chest of the beast, cutting to the stomach. He took his time... taking the best of care of the skin he stripped from the beast. This beast had lived longer than him, though not by too much, and he knew many secrets... he didn't want to cause any more harm to him then what was already done. He only took the flesh from the chest and stomach, removing the small pieces of muscle with great care he rolled it up and with a couple ties made of the same flesh he strapped it to his back. He couldn't make them clothes here, not with this unprocessed hide.. it still had to be washed and dried and other various things before it could be worn. "If there is anything else you think we need... let's get it now. I... I really don't want to return here."

Aiden turned away as Miyabi took the fur, though she has skinned animals before for food, she couldn't bare to watch this. Even though she had just met the beast she couldn't help but feel close to him and hurt to see what all they did to him. She turned to look over to the nearest village just ahead placing her hand over her mouth she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. She was starting to feel sick to her stomach until a cool breeze swept over her making her feel a little bit better. Shinta, who could feel her pain and sorrow, nuzzled up to Aiden trying to comfort her in any way he could. Her anger towards him had subsided, and when the thought came to her mind, she just let it go for the time being. She knew though, his punishment was going to be the lack of meat in his diet for the next week or two.

After hearing what Miyabi said about supplies, she tried to think if she needed anything. Of course food was the obvious, but she would wait until they were into town for that, the current situation made her loose her appetite. Aiden thought they would probably need more medical supplies for the pansy Miyabi (XP). She wasn't sure if Miyabi wanted to get the hide done in town or if he was going to do it himself. She looked at her money supply and saw it was getting a bit low, she would have to earn some more. Shinta dreaded this though, he felt so used when Aiden would work for money playing as a snake charmer with a pipe. It normally got a lot of attention and tips considering the people of these lands have never seen anything quite like it before. While in town she also wanted to find something to keep them entertained, because even though Aiden and Shinta were used to being on their own and having their own company, she knew there would be times around a camp fire or something that things would get quiet and awkward without conversation. It also worked well as a time passer. She had these thoughts in mind but wasn't going to speak them until they were in the village, give Miyabi some time to cool down.

"We can get some stuff in the village, lets go Miyabi."

Aiden placed a hand on Miyabi's back trying to comfort him leading him towards the village.

Miyabi wasn't counting the seconds or minutes it took them to reach the village as each step for him seemed to take centuries. All he could think about was the beasts corpse that lay behind them... he wasn't a killer, he wasn't a murderer. He always tried his hardest to save a life if he could manage to save it. Though he wasn't a doctor he knew some healing magic.. though minimal as it was. He was sure there was going to be some sort of karmic wrath for this... some sort of reprucutions for having slain this beast without a purpose. It was still early morning yet, the sun was barely rising over the tops of the trees and the villagers were still starting to rise as they entered into their humble village. He realized as some of the villagers were opening their windows and doors and looking to them, they were shutting them just as fast it was then he remembered that he was still not a part of this world, his hair, eyes... even the markings of his body were not accepted by the common people. He removed the roll of Lamia hide from his back, handing it to Aiden for a moment as he transformed his body into that of a painted horse complete with bridle and reigns. "This will be less shocking to them... until we can find a better way to disguise myself..." He murmured. "You can toss the hide onto my back so you don't have to carry it..." His walk became that of a trot, looking towards the signs that hung out into the streets... a tavern, an inn, blacksmith... 'Perhaps... we will need some weaponry before going into the mountains...' He thought to himself, looking to Aiden to see what she carried other than her snake Shinta... surely even he got tired of fighting. He knew she didn't understand horse, instead he trasmitted his thoughts to her through a subtle form of telepathy. "Before we leave here, we ought to pick up some better weapons... perhaps even I should carry something to defend myself with... maybe even a small sword or dagger. When we find a place to rest... I will start preperation on the skin so I can fashion them into clothes to keep us warm."

Aiden blinked at the new form Miyabi took, she would have thought she would be used to this by now. She grabbed a hold of the reigns and threw the hide over his back. Before she forgot she also pulled her hood over her head so she wouldn't draw any more attention to herself. Aiden looked at Miyabi and began to think wondering if he could hear her thoughts.

So what kind of memories did you obtain from him? If you don't mind my asking.

She placed a hand on his long neck and rubbed it soothingly. She didn't want to upset him but she couldn't help but feel curious about the memories that he obtained. To think a creature with that long of a life span and so many memories, she wondered how Miyabi could contain them all and still have room for more. That must have been a heavy burden, so many memories, memories that make one laugh and memories that make one cry. In her mind, he must have at one point have been drove insane by select memories, but he doesn't let them bother him. Going deeper into her thoughts she felt her eyes start to sting with the feeling of tears forming in her eyes. Before they could spill over she shut her eyes and hugged the horse's neck as if to say sorry. He had no clue what thoughts were going through her mind but she had a decent cover up with her asking him about the memories.

"The memories..." he thought. He had absorbed them... but not looked into their content. He was almost afraid of what they held and had quickly locked them away into one the volumes of his mind. "I haven't really examined them, he had alot of memories to give up and it is going to take a while to go through them all..." He lowered his head so she might have a better grip of his neck, trying to act his best like a loyal horse to it's rider. "The kinds of memories though... he has seen alot he even remembered the true form of Guai Keung as he was still a powerful creator... when the memories came to me... I saw the creatures he had loved, the wars he had fought in, and even the family he had raised... he was a 20th generaction grand father. His entire tribe was his family..." His head nuzzled against Aidens side to try to calm her... having made the bond with her he could sense her tears and wanted to offer her comfort. "Don't cry... his last memory is of us. His final memory is the only one i've looked into so far... it is a memory that fills me with the happiness he felt. I don't know why he was happy... but he was... when I look into it through his eyes he saw us guiding angels... and was happy that he did not die alone..." He shook his head to get rid of an itch, his long multi-colored mane flying from side to side. "I think... he knew it was his time to go.." As they moved toward the center of town where there was a church and the beginings of a rotunda market where merchents were setting up their stalls and getting their produce ready for the day he stopped, looking to her for further instruction. "We will need food, the journey will be long and this may be the last town for a long while... weapons, and clothes... those will be useful to. I... I have other things I must pick up before we go. Will it be alright if I leave your side for a while?"

In most towns... there was a small ghetto... a place where the desolate beggers and creatures who could pass as mal-formed beings lived. It was in these parts where he knew he could purchase the items he needed to continue his magic. "I can hope... they will have a book store as well.." He hooved the ground, prancing a bit in place. "Do you need my assisstance for anything before I go?"

Aiden shook her head and smiled up at Miyabi.

No, you go on ahead, if I need any help I'll just wait for you to come back.

The only thing she would really need help with was carrying the supplies, but she was fairly used to this by now. She tried to think of things to take with her that wouldn't go bad and small things so she could carry more with her. Aiden went about town looking at the various foods, though Shinta starved for meat, Aiden remembered his punishment and the fact that they wouldn't be able to keep the meat for more than a couple of days at the most. After a while most of Aiden's picks were dried foods and grains. For herself and maybe Shinta if he was good, she bought some beef jerky. She kind of felt bad that she didn't buy Miyabi anything, but she had to keep reminding herself that Miyabi didn't eat like she does. He ate the thoughts and dreams of people, like that wasn't strange at all. A small smile crept over her face every time she thought of the strange ability and how amusing it was as a simple thought. Aiden came across a booth that sold toys and games, she looked around the various games wondering if she could find one to keep them amused on their journey through the mountains. She found a little tube of weaved grasses, the grasses were strong and the tube was able to stretch. The owner of the booth showed her how to use the strange object by placing both index fingers into either side of the tube. Aiden found this stupid after a while and tried to remove her fingers but couldn't. She strained over and over again trying to release her fingers from the grip of the tube but it was useless. She held out her hands in defeat to the booth owner and he laughed while removing it from her fingers. Though it caused her troubles she bought it any way, just something a little fun to torture Miyabi with. The only other thing she could find at the booth that was of amusement was a portable game of Go. She bought the game and went on her merry way to find Miyabi.

Miyabi had nodded and left Aidens side as he strolled into an alley and formed himself into a mouse where he scurried along the buildings and into the pits of the ghetto where he felt free to transform into himself once more. He entered into a small building where there was a small symbol carved into the brick and wood that held it up, a sign that he was welcome for entry. He opened the door, moving inside to the dark room where a old woman gazed up at him, holding a crooked cane, with a bulding left eye and an eyepatch over her right. Her hair was wild and untamed and her back hunched into the most awkward of positions. "Ah.. traveler... what have you come looking for here?" Miyabi fell down onto one knee and lowered his head to her. "Mistress... though my magic is not great, and my skills very minimal..." He felt the cane of the old woman come to rest on his shoulder. "Don't speak any further shifter... I know what you are looking for." He had dragged the Lamia hide all the way here, carrying it with him inside the building... and as the woman saw it she knew what he was looking for. "Follow me shifter... It is all in the preparation... for whom have you slain this beast and taken it's flesh for?" she questioned. "A young woman..." he answered back. "She is fair, and kind... but she requires the heat this fur will provide in order to survive our journey together." He offered up the skins to the woman and she rolled them out across a table. "I see, I see... and what of this woman makes you travel so far with her that you might need this to warm you?" The woman tapped her cane to the skins, sprinklings sands and sawdust over it. "The fact that she has what I lack... she is a great warrior, and yet kind at heart..." He moved around the room, browsing through bottles of mixtures and things, taking down and measuring out the kinds of thing he needed for his magic. As he browsed, the elder woman worked feverishly yet effortlessly on the clothes that would get them through the cold of the mountains and winter. He set down small jars filled with his powders and some filled with new mixtures he wanted to try, and yet even some.. containing things that no human could imagine being used for magic. "Along with the skins, I will take these." he said as the woman held up a long cloak. "This is for your, young lady... so she does not get cold." she bundled the cloak up and tied with a red ribbon, as she held up a Jacket similar to the one he wore now yet it was adorned with a hood. "And this one for you... so you do not suffer the chills." she bundled that one up as well along with two sets of the Lamia skin gloves. She had fashioned a hat for him as well... so he might hide his ruby hair. "You are a wise shifter, don't fail on your journey... or us hags may never see the light of day again." He smiled, kneeling down and giving the elder woman a kiss to her cheek. "I can wish to see your kind in the sunlight once more, as I know this is not the real you." He gathered up the new garments and his new potions and bottles, heading back out into town. He stopped into a book store where yet another hag greeted him, though a normal human might be terrified of these woman he knew they were not truely as ugly as they seemed. "I am looking for empty books..." The hag smiled, and opened her arms out wide. "Take your pick shifter.. these are all empty, as empty as the head of a cyclops." She cackled and moved back behind her counter.

Aiden stood near the spot that she left Miyabi at. Her eyes darted around the crowd anxiously waiting for a sign of his return. A couple of times she look through her bags and made sure she had everything she needed. Her mind ran through a mental list of supplies that they needed. She gathered food, medical supplies, entertainment, and other supplies needed for the trip. The bags were quite heavy and she knew that she would need help carrying the supplies. Looking down at the bags she felt kind of bad for the thought that he would have to help carry her things when he wouldn't even have the need for it. She continued to stare off into the crowd and started playing a little game with the things she saw. On the thought of Miyabi she searched through out the crowds and picked a person and tried to imagine their memories, and what they would be like. It was quite a strange thought to think when looking at someone who looked so cheery and tried to imagine them crying, or seeing a husband and wife and imagining them fighting. Aiden began to think she was just looking into the typical lives of people and seeing beyond the faces that they plaster on for the public. The topic started to depress her as she shook it from her mind and muttered to herself.

"Miaybi... Where are you?"

Miyabi couldn't carry his things back as a simple door mouse or rat, none the less he didn't want to be squashed so he had disguised himself as the handsome man once more, the same disguise he had taken to fool the waitress girl at the inn. He hopped up behind Aiden with a smile, wrapping his arms around her with a friendly hug. "I am right here... and I have everything I need and then some." He released her from his grasp and moved around so to face her, taking some of the bags from her hands. "Wah... you really went all out... look at all of this stuff." He was kneeling to the ground, digging through the bags of foods and toys. In his own bag was a heavy collection of three dense books, their pages filled with absolute nothing. He had also purchased a bottle of ink and a new writing pen which he carried on his person. "I thought this look fit a bit better and made it easier for me to get around town.. do you think we should pick up any extra weaponry?... Oh!" He stood up holding out the gift wrapped cloak with matching gloves that was made from the skin of the Lamia. "...I had this made for you, I have a jacket for myself. There are ties on the inside so it won't fly open in the wind so it will be like a big hooded fire for you... that way you won't get cold even in the toughest of storms."