" Tao dont you leave like this! " Akuhei kept a steady running pace so that she could keep up with Tao's long stride.
" Leave me be child. " Tao smirked. He drew his cape near his chest and stopped suddenly, turning to face her.
He looked at her, her dark marroon eyes shimmering in the moonlight and her cheeks rosy and pale from the cool evening. Her cinnamon colored lips curved into a frown as he sighed heavily.
" Tao...This is not a game." She grabbed his belt and drew him near her.
Tao could only roll his eyes and pant hard beneath the breeze above them, " Games are made by foolish children, like you. I have to take this path on my own."

Akuhei felt a pang of sorrow beat at her chest. He didn't really think of her as a child did he? After all the training and late night talks they had? They had drawn close, so close between these past months. Surely he didn't still think she was this naive. Akuhei loosened her grip on his belt and bit her bottom lip as she gazed into his heavy dark eyes that pooled with sorrow. She could not read him, he was usually a blunt and honest man, but not tonight.

" I am not naive. You have taught me so many things, and to be naive is not one of them Tao." She let go completely of his belt and lowered her head, she could not bear to stare into his eyes any longer.
" I dont want to think of you as a woman Akuhei. If I did, things might change. And I cannot afford that. I cannot let myself be drawn to you." Tao let the words slip from his mouth unexpectedly, but he did not regret them.
" You have feelings for me?" Akuhei stepped forward her hands closing around his.
" I am not sure, but i cannot let myself find out. I must go." And with one small kiss, Tao had disappeared into the mists...into the depths of the woods.

" I will see you again." Akuhei traced her fingers along her lips and smiled lightly, " Whether it's in battle or just a mere coincidence... our paths are bound to meet... and we are destined to fight alongside eachother....you will see." And with that, Akuhei clutched her cloak and walked back to the tent to gather orders for their first mission...

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Mitsukai strugged to her feet once more, but failure was the only option at this moment. Her sighs and grunts could be heard from miles as she tried to ignore the pain that was increasing as she fought to stand. Her hands were torn from the bark and her face was covered in sweat. Though night had fallen and had cooled her body, she was still fighting up a storm of heat.

The King who laid against the other side of the tree was still unconscious, and Mitsukai could not blame him. After her attempt to kill him he had saved both thier lives...

Mitsukai jumped when she heard a noise somewhere in the woods, a deep crackling sound against the grass....

The breaking of branches were drawing near...and Mitsukai new that some one was coming...