Jake listened as Sasha spoke, and whilest the guys where speaking to her, he was soaking up all the dirrections, he looked the way he had been told to go and nodded as he began to guide Sasha the way he had been told to go, when they made it to the bottom of the temple stairs, Jake ignored the beauty, he seemed desperate to get Sasha to a safe place, he saw the old man and nodded a thank you as he made his way up to him.

Tagging along behind Jake, Sasha found herself smiling. He was so sweet to help her so gently up the long set of stairs. The air here smelled of spring and flowers, the tempurature was perfect, and Sasha could hear the slow trickle of the stream around the temple. When they reached the top, Sasha spoke again, looking down to her feet since she didn't know where the old man was. "Hello," she said with a bow, "I'm Sasha, this is Jake. He can't speak for the time being. We're looking for a safe place to spend a few days, maybe a week, until our injuries have healed. Might you have a place for us?"

The old man smiled up at them, excited to have the compay. "Of course you two can stay here!" He said pulling at Jake's arm to lead them towards the temple. "The only thing I require is that you help out around the temple until you leave. Sasha, I would normally require a woman to do some cooking and cleaning as well, but no one in your condition will be required to do so." He paused before laughing, "So Jake, it will all be up to you! I know you can do it, you're a strapping young lad!" He was laughing again.

The old man had lead them into the portion of his temple where the kitchen, dining room, and living room of sorts was. "I am Suji Takamoto. My home is yours, so you are welcome to pick wichever rooms you like."

"Thank you very much," Sasha said, as she bowed again. The old man eyed Jake for a moment. "Well sonny boy, get to work!" And with that the old man handed Jake a broom, "The temple floors need sweeping," he said as he dissapeared laughing. He certainly was a kind and humorous old man.

Jake smiled and bowed as Sasha said his name, he the heard the old man talk, and to hear all the chores would dumped on him he grummbled a bit and reluctantly followed the man. this was not going to be easy for Jake, but for as long as it meant Sasha could rest he would work as hard as he could, once they was in the kitchen Jake too a look around taking in where he would be working.

A smile was on his face as he accepted the broom and bowed as the old man walked off growling, once out of ear shot her growled a little and began to do as he had been ordered to and began sweeping the floor in the kitchen, he sighed a little as he looked at Sasha and grumbled something un-understandable

Sasha heard the old man leave the room, and then heard a grumble from Jake. She laughed as she made her way towards where she heard the sweeping, placing her hand on the broom to stop the sweeping. She untied her bandages now that they were inside, letting them fall around her neck as she looked up at Jake, the small glow eminating from her eyes. "Don't worry Jake, I'll help you," she said.

She blinked up at him for a moment. There was more color in her vision now, but it was still a neon glow, fuzzy, but better than before. She was healing, and for that she was thankful. Before she could say anything else, the old man was in the room again. He was holding a scroll. Handing it to Jake as is plopped open and rolled out into the floor, he smiled, "Well sonny, there is the list of chores that need done around the temple, I'm off for a bath!" And he was gone again.

Sasha chuckled again. The list certainly was long, no wonder his guests didn't stay here long. The list read, "Sweeping, mopping, raking, dusting, laundry, gardening, cooking, dishes...." it went on and on. Taking the broom from Jake, Sasha smiled. "Get started on something else, we can have these things knocked out in no time. At least we have a safe place to stay," she added. She was a positive and optimistic kind of girl. Sasha began to sweep, humming quietly as she looked forward to dinner and a bath for herself.

Jake looked at her and pulled a pouty sort of face as she stopped him from brooming and then took it from him, he really didn't want her using her eyes because he felt it wasn't right, he about to take it back when he turned hearing someone coming, then he saw the list and his jaw dropped and his eye twitched a little, this old guy was beginning to bother him alot.

Once the man was gone again he began to serch the list, with a sigh he took the broom from Sasha just as she started sweeping, he pointed to her then the part on the list saying cooking, then he pointed to himself and shook his head hoping she would understand he was trying to explain he wasn't good at cooking.

Blinking owlishly towards Jake when he stole her broom, Sasha looked down at the scroll to where he was pointing. She squinted hard to try and read the jumble of letters next to his finger. Booking, looking, cooking! Oh! Sasha laughed, "What Jake, you can't cook?" She gave him a little nudge and made the short walk into the kitchen that they had been standing so near. Feeling around for some pots, pans and other cooking utensils before opening the fridge and feeling around for foods that she used her nose to determine, Sasha began to cook.

An hour later, dinner was almost ready. Sasha was sure Jake was finished sweeping and mopping by now and she wondered where he was and how his throat was healing. The delicious aroma filled the temple air as Sasha put the finishing touches on the meal, waiting for Jake and the old man to return.

Jake had been mopping for a while, the time seem to be non-existant to him, the brooming had been done, and once the mopping had been he let out a ver odd sounding sigh as he looked to the kitchen dirrection. His nose has detected a aroma which smelt like a very good meal, and Jake hadn't had a good meal all his life.

Smelling the delicious aroma Jake put the mop away having finished with it, he then began to follow the smell, letting his nose be the guide as it continued leading him. Once he had reached the smells location he smiled at Sasha and attempted "hi" which came out as a very bad gargle, he growled again and shook his head.

Sasha had just finished setting the table when Jake came in. It didn't look perfect, but what could they expect from a partially blind girl? When he grumbled a hi Sasha smiled up at him before putting the last of the chopsticks and napkins on the table and taking his hand. She looked up into his eyes and sincerely spoke, "Thank you Jake, for watching over me," she said, "I really mean it. If not for you, I would be dead. I owe you my life," she added with a slight bow.

Just then, the old man arrived. "What's that heavenly smell?" he asked in his old man voice. "I know you didn't cook this up Jake!" he said with a howl of a laugh. He certainly was an old coot. Looking to Sasha he spoke, "Well I guess I didn't realize you weren't all blind. It's for the better though, I suppose it's only a temporary injury then?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Sasha replied respectfully, quickly dropping Jake's hand in embarrassment. "Please sit and dig in!" she said with a humble smile, making her way around the table and sitting in front of it.

Jake let her take his hand without blushing this time, his eyes no longer contained a loving stare, they contained a protective glint, he had decided, it was better for him to focus more on protecting her and push all feelings aside "I am only doing that of which I am promised" he thought and shook his head knowing he couldn't talk, he looked at the old guy with a blank stare as he moved to the table and sat down.

Jake stared at the old man a little longer and was considering leaving the temple "this guy will get a punch before i leave" he thought to himself, knowing the food was the old guys, he pushed his bowl forward refusing to eat and having to owe the old guy anything. Picking up a quill, he turned the job list over and begin writing 'Forget it old man, I have had it with you, Sasha can sleep inside, but tonight I will be sleeping outside under a tree' and he pushed it front of the male before walking out of the kitchen.

Sasha and the old man had begun to eat when Sasha realized Jake was exiting the temple. She was confused, but then the old man spoke, "Well I'll be! It seems your man friend can't hang with the chores!" he said with a large belly laugh. Sasha looked in the direction that Jake headed wondering if she should follow, but she was starving. She would take him some food when she had finished eating, she did after all need to remain healthy. The old man spoke again, "It seems he wants you to sleep inside and he is going to stay out there." The old man shrugged before raising an eyebrow at Sasha, "I guess this means we'll have to be roomies tonight!" he said with another crazy cackle of a laugh.

Frowning deeply, Sasha's eyebrow twitched as she clocked the old man on the head. "Right," he said, "I was only kidding! Sheesh you hit hard," he said as he rubbed the newly formed knot on his head. Gathering up a bowl of food the old man headed towards Jake, glancing back over his shoulder to Sasha, "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable in one of the guest rooms down the hall to the right. The spa is directly across the hall." And he was gone. Spotting Jake sitting under a tree, the old man sat next to him, placing the bowl down for Jake and staring up at the night sky. "It sure is peaceful out here," he said to Jake, "and lonely," he added. "I don't mean to bother you sonny, an old man like me just needs a lot of help, and a strapping young man like yourself is just the person to do it. Please, come back inside the temple to rest," he said.

In the mean time Sasha had finished eating and cleared the table, knowing that the old man had taken food to Jake. Making her way down the hall and into a room, Sasha flopped down onto the bed, she was exhausted. The next moment was a blur, there was a crashing sound as the roof above her began to cave in. A giant bird, an eagle of sorts stood perched on the edge of the large hole, and next to it stood a cynical looking man, who glared down at Sasha with a mischeivious smile. "I've heard of you, Sasha," he said, "You are the one who can see the pieces of the jewel, when no one else can. You are mine now, you will help me gather the jewels for myself..." And with that, the large bird reached in and grabbed her with his large claw and the three of them flew off into the night, only a scream could be heard from the temple as Sasha yelled for Jake. They dissapeared into the night.

Jake sat under the tree after storming out and began to draw a image in the dirt of what seemed to be a dragon, he sighed a little and stabbed the picture with a deep growl before he noticed the old man, he looked at the food then at the man as he began to speak, once the old man had finished, Jake opened his mouth and another gargle came out. Sighing a bit Jake picked up the food and was just about to taste it before he heard Sasha scream.

Hearing Sasha scream, Jake stood up fast dropping the food on the floor as he picked up his dagger looking up to see a large bird shape, Jake growled and turned to the man pointing as if asking where it could be heading, he still had his dagger in his hand as he pointed with it to the bird.

The old man jumped to his feet at the sound of the girl scream, in time to see her being carried off by a large bird of prey. He knew of the duo he had heard of them before. Responding to Jake's obvious question, although he had not spoken, the old man looked off into the distance, "They're probably taking her to the mountains. I heard there is a large cave in the top of that one, there," he pointed towards the mountains in the distance, singling out the tallest and most treacherous one. The old man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vile. "Here Jake, this will give you super human speed and strength, but only for a short time. Use it to get to and up the mountain quickly, hurry go!"

The question was, what did the man plan to do with Sasha, and why had he kidnapped her? What was Jake to find upon entering the massive cave?

((all will be revealed in Kats x DJake episode 2 XD))

Jake looked at where the old man had been pointing, he smiled now knowing the location, he then looked back to the man and took the vial with a thankfull bow, he then gave the man ten gold coins as he drank the potion and was off like a rocket. He planned on wasting no time as he zoomed to the mountain and was up it in a shot. But unluckily for him once at the enterance the power faded, with a roll of his eyes he drew his trusted blade and entered into the mouth the den, he had no clue on who or what he would find, but he was ready for a certainly expected battle ahead.

((Lol! You're funny! :D))

The bird landed in the entrance of the cave, dropping Sasha onto the floor. "Ow!" she exclaimed, "You big pigeon!" The bird glared down at her as his master jumped down to the cave floor. Looking up to the bird Sasha realized he had pieces of the jewel within his body, one, two, three pieces!? Sasha frowned deeply. It would be nearly impossible to fight this beast and relieve him of the jewels.

The man knelt down to Sasha, grabbing her face to look into her glowing eyes. "Why do your eyes glow like this?" he asked her, "You are blind?" Sasha frowned again, "Let go of me you oaf," she said. The man frowned down at her now, displeased with her reply. "I can heal you, Sasha," he said, as he held his hand out, a piece of the jewel suddenly appearing in the palm of his hand. Sasha's vision was blurry, but she could clearly see the jewel. "I don't want your help, my vision will return on it's own," she said standing and backing away from him.

His eyes darkened as he looked angrily to her. "You will help me Sasha, and you will like it." In the blink of an eye he was standing before her, looking down at her with a mischevious smile on his face. She gasped and took a step back, "What are you?" she asked. But in the next instant his hand was around her throat. "Please, let go of me," Sasha begged as she reached up trying to pry him from her. "Eat this, now," he said, as he put the piece of the jewel into her mouth forcing her to swallow it, before releasing her.

Choking, Sasha fell to the floor as Jake appeared at the entrance of the cave. "Jake!" The evil man smiled towards Jake, "Ah, you're just in time," he said. With those words, Sasha began to shake, "What have you done to me?" she asked, scared. Her vision returned, as she looked around the cave, in the next moment, something happened in her heart and her brain as she reached to put her hands over her face. The man began to laugh evily as he watched the transformation begin.

Jake stood with his sword drawn, but when he saw Sasha beginning to change he knew what was happening "but where is the jewel... oh no!" he thought know it had to be in her, the only was of removing it was to slice her open resulting in certain death, he couldn't beleive it, he had failed to protect Sasha and was now going to have to kill her to save the human race. Pull out his dagger he inspected it, he then pulled out a vial of green liquid, pouring a little on the time he sighed a little, it was serpant poison, garunteed to kill any living creature and ever undead ones with in seconds.

Once he had a little of the poison on the tip of his dagger he fought back a tear turning back to see the male still there and Sasha still mutating "I am sorry" he managed to speak in a very weakened and raspy voice while looking to Sasha, he had no other choice but to fight them all and hope the poison was enough to win him the battle, preparing for one to come at him he was ready to do all that he had too to retreive all the stone peices.

Within seconds Sasha's hair became black as night, her eyes burned red, her fingernails grew into sharp weapons, and she stood, laughing mischeiviously at Jake as he poured the serpent poison over his sword. The man spoke to Jake as he moved to stand beside Sasha, "You think a poison like that will be enough to stop us? The bird maybe, but not me. And your dear Sasha? You could save her, but the only person who can is myself, so if you kill me, your precious Sasha will surely parish."

The man looked at Sasha with a grin, "Kill him," he commanded. Replying with a dark smile, "Yes master," Sasha said. And with that, she ran at Jake, slicing at him with her claws.

Jake listened to the man and then at that point he remembered he had forgot to give a piece of the stone to Sasha, but seeing her run towards him, he quickly dodged to the side, once in the clear he launched his dagger striking the mans bird as he grinned "oh? and what if i run away with this" he said in his weak graspy voice showing the stone peice as he quickly put it back into the bag, he could swallow it but he didn't wish to risk loosing his head like Sasha did.

With a quick grin and wave to them both he quickly made his way out of the cave, if never seeing Sasha again would save the world it was a sacrifise he had to make, he slowly began to climb his way down then mountain, it was slow, but also surely.

The bird shrank back to his normal size with the stone gone, but he was badly injured. The man only smiled, he had so many jewels, he could turn anyone and anything into a puppet if he so pleased. "Sasha," he said, "Do not go after him, the coward is running away. Let us hunt for more jewels." And with that, he motioned to the back of the cave where many beasts lay, for one to come forth. A large wolf, five times normal size walked to stand before them. Sasha hopped onto the beasts back. "Go," the man ordered, "go and seek out my jewel pieces!"

The beast lept from the cave, bounding effortlessly down the mountain towards the next villiage. They arrived in mere minutes, as Sasha hopped down from the beast, her eyes dark, a mischevious smile on her face as she began summoning fireballs in the palm of her hands and throwing them upon the villiage. "Hand over your jewel pieces and I shall spare your pitiful lives," she ordered.

Jake was still climbing down the mountain when he saw the wolf bounding past "oh that is just greeeeat" he said, he was a little confused, he had a peice of the jewel yet the male let him flee, once down at the foot of the mountain he helplessly watch the new Sasha burning downn the houses of innocent people "thats not the Sasha I knew... She is dead to me now" he thought as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Blinking the tears that were in his eyes he turned and began to walk away from the scene into a forest, it was a peacefull forest and it was well known for the fact it contained no beasts, with a sigh he sat on a rock large enough to be a stool and drew his blade, he looked down at its hand carved decorations and smiled a little, he stuck in into the ground and hung his head in shame.

The townspeople begged for mercy and gave up their jewels. "That was easy," Sasha bragged, but then something happened inside her. Her true self was fighting the evil that resided in her body. She looked around the villiage for a moment as tears began to fill her eyes. What had she done? And in the next moment, the evil overcame her again, as she shook away the old Sasha and hopped back onto the wolf.

Meanwhile the evil man was keeping track of Jake, waiting for the perfect time to attack and steal his jewel. The time was now. With movements as quick as lightening, he was standing in front of Jake in the forest, his own sword drawn. "Stand and fight me like a man," he said, "I seek that jewel you hold, and I will not be leaving without it."

Jake was a little shocked and he stood up looking at the man, he pulled his sword from the ground and gave a very blank stare, he spun his sword around his body at a very fast pace, that of a very skilled swordsman "I will only fight you on one condition, no magic, the only weapon you use is you sword" he thought knowing the guy could hear peoples minds, Jake then got into a ready stance, he closed his eyes and the he used his mind to fully focus on any sounds that he heard, the sound of a sword slicing through the air would be his time to pary the attack.

The evil man smirked at Jake, "I will use no magic, I won't need it for the likes of you." The winds swirled up around them angrily as they stared into eachothers eyes in a sort of stand off. And in the next moment he attacked, still smiling mischeiviously as he sliced at Jake's body. "Give up now boy and hand over your jewels, and I will spare your life."

Jake listen to the male and grinned, the male had clearly underestimated him as they stood motionless staring into each others eyes, But with his eyes closed and feeling the wind on his skin Jake noticed a sudden rush as he opened his eyes and dodged the attacks at a little speed, but it was clear his journy had weakened him, but he grinned at the males comment as he continued to dodge with skill.

By this time Sasha had already been to another villiage, destroyed and pilliaged it, and stolen the jewels of the people. She was on the large wolf, headed quickly towards where he sensed her master. When they reached Jake and the evil man, they appeared to be in a great battle.

The evil man's smile had long faded, it seemed he truly had underestimated this Jake. He was quickly growing tired and had many cuts among his body where he narrowly escaped Jake's sword. When he saw Sasha approach he jumped back to stand beside her as she hopped down from the large beast. "Sasha," he said, "Attack!"

Sasha obeyed her creator immediately, lunging at Jake with her long blade like claws. For a moment, their eyes met, and Sasha stopped, "Jake?" What was happening to her? She didn't want to hurt Jake, she loved Jake, she wished she would have told him when she had the chance. Now, she was waging an internal battle against her good and evil sides. In the next moment the evil took hold once more and she continued advancing, slashing across Jake's chest with her claws.

Jake continued to battle as he chuckled at how easy the evil man actually was "What's the matter wimp? No good at fighting?" he taunted in his mind as he continued, but when he saw the man retreat to Sasha and order her to attack he let out a tear as he dropped his sword refusing to harm her, even if he tried to convince himself it wasn't her, he couldn't harm her.

Feeling a sudden pain in his chest as he refused to dodge he let out a few more tears, he had wanted to die in battle, but not at the hand of the girl he loved "I... Love... you" He managed to gasp as he stumbled back a little and felt to his knees looking down at the floor "Why today?... Why this way?" He asked clenching his fist waiting to see if she would finish him.