"i'll keep you updated" she called to nick half in tears, but, while she walked out of the forest a young japanese woman slowly walked into the forest, she hadnt known where she was or how long she was staying, all she knew was that she recognized Satoshi, but barely. She looked over at nick then at julian "hello" she spoke with a thick accent "w-where am i?"

Nick dropped his head into his hands. not ANOTHER ONE. "Thats it.. its offical..this section of the woods is cursed EVERY TIME.. " he continued muttering and sometimes slipping into demonic as he tried to calm himself down by swearing.

this frightened ai, she looked him over and placed a trembling hand on his shoulder muttering something about it isnt her fault, that she was nervous enough without an angry gay man yelling at her "i'm sorry? did i do something to offend you?" she seemed concerned unable to believe that satoshi survived.

Satoshi was more focused on getting the blood stains out of his close then noticing the new arrival.

"what year is it?" when ai asked this she had trouble pronouncing the words, she saw nick was in an aggrivated mood and decided it was best she leave him alone "i'm sorry for bothering you" she sighed wondering to the pond and soaking her feet in it after of course taking her tabi socks off and removing her shoes "i wonder if he's near here" she mused to herself "why was that man so angry?" she asked herself slowly pulling her hair out of the traditional bun.

Satoshi cursed at the blood stains in his clothes and laid on his back to rest before trying to get the rest of the blood out.

hearing sounds of rustling Ai was on her feet and investigating it, that's when she found him, waist deep in the water and scrubbing his clothes "no way" she squeeled blushing deeply and adverting her eyes "sa-satoshi?"

Julian laid back on the cool moss staring up at the night sky watching as the clouds moved by pushing the stars out of sight.

Satoshi heard someone say his name and looked over in the direction of the noise. He saw a girl sitting in the water.

"Ai?"

"yeah" she laughed ruffling her light brown hair, it was in spiral curls as always "you're alive...? What about arketsu?" when she said his name her voice trembled with sorrow, already aware of his fate.

When Satoshi heard the name he just shook head.

"H...How did you get here?"

"i-i dont know" she mumbled "i tried visiting the chopping block.. and found lots of blood i was crying when suddenly i'm here" she bither lower lip, chewing on it thinking of what became of the man she wanted to marry "w-was it swift? he didnt suffer did he..?"

Satoshi looked away.

"No... He didn't suffer."

she nodded slowly sitting down, she shivered and stared at him "how long have you been here..?" she was staring down at the ring arketsu placed on her finger just weeks before he was killed.

"I think I've been here for about a week."

Satoshi went back to cleaning his clothes.

she nodded, and slipped the ring off placing it on a thin string around her neck "you know washing your clothes in warm water isnt going to get the blood out" she giggled "turn the water cold, it'll help"

Satoshi put his hand in the water and it almost froze, but when he started washing his clothes the blood came out significantly easier.

"Thank you, if you hadn't told me that I would probably would have been sitting here for hours."

she laughed and nodded "like always" she sighed and pulled off the kimono, now in what looked like a pair of shorts and a tank top, she waded her way into the water, while she did it began to steam.

Satoshi smiled.

"I forgot, you control the element of fire."

"how could you? remember when we were six and you grabbed my hand?" she giggled remembering when little satoshi grabbed her hand in an effort to 'sway' her, he screamed and ran off screaming things about how women are sopposed to be cold like him.

Satoshi looked down at his hand.

"Yeah, I remember that. It also burned like hell."

"i also remembering you calling me a freak and refusing to talk to me for several weeks after then" she laughed to herself "i've learned how to control it" the water ceased bubbling and returned to it's cool temperature, she lightly pressed her palm to his face while smiling widely, her temperature had dropped to his "thankfully that's the one thing my father was good for"

"You know, I never actually knew your father."

she with drew her hand her smile suddenly fading "because i knew better than to put you through that, he nearly killed arketsu when he broke the news of our engagement.."

Satoshi knew better than to keep the subject of the conversation on Arketsu.

"Hey do you want to meet the others?"

"i met one of the men in your tibe and he was.. well he was angry i dont know why but he took it out on me a little" she sighed "or at least i think so" she laughed softly looking over at him, she finally swam out into deeper water floating on her back