Kai scolded herself for speaking aloud, but kept her composure. "I'd appreciate that."
Daine bit her lip. "It's hard to start..." She took a deep breath. "Well, when I was little, my parents died and I was taken in by another family.... Where they live, there's no one like me...." She tucked her hair behind her long ears. "My mother left me this necklace, and my father left me my bow... Kaze was a gift from my foster parents on the day they told me who was I was... Needless to say that the kids weren't too fond of me... Kaze was my only friend... This necklace allows me to talk to animals I'm close with, and it amplifies my magic... I don't like to use my magic since I don't have control...I- I don't think you need someone like me tagging along with you..."
"Um... Before we continue..." Daine hesitated and only continued after a nudge from Kaze. "I have to tell you all something..."
Hatusmi sighed. "Sorry, Michiko..." She muttered. Michiko didn't say anything. "I'll teach you Michiko. That way you can go as easy as you want." Hinata said. Michiko nodded. "Okay..."
Daine kissed Kaze's nose and then looked at Link. "Have any idea where he went?"
Kai looked at her hands. "I can't use too much..." She muttered. "The same thing that happened with my light migh happen with this..." Garxena had a feeling Silax was keeping something from her, but she shook it off and rested her head against his chest. Haku... You were right.... She shut her eyes tightly.
"I told you: I wanna be the Hokage! Tree climbing should be something I can do easy, right?" Hatsumi grinned. Michiko rolled her eyes. "Can't you just be something else? Hokage's too hard." "That's why I'll always be better than you; you have no motivation." Hatsumi said. "Do to!" Michiko argued. "Oh yeah? Tell me then." Hatusmi stopped and folded her arms. "I-" Michiko paused. "I'm gonna.... um... I'm gonna.... uuuum..." "See! You don't even know what you want to be!" Hatsumi knew she had Michiko pinned. Hinata looked at Naruto. "More than sibling rivalry, wouldn't you say?"
Daine smiled gratefully at Zelda. "Thank you, Princess." She took the bit of cloth from Zelda and tied it across Kaze's wound, under one leg, and behind his neck to make sure it stayed. The gelding whickered. "I know, but if I don't do anything it'll just get worse." Daine told Kaze. "Deal with it for now." Kaze blew out his nose. "Later." Daine stood and rubbed the gelding's neck.
Michiko pouted. "I'm no good." Hinata kept pace alongside Naruto. "You'll get better." She told Michiko. "Come on!" Hatsumi was anxious to get up the trees. Sakura gave Sasuke a small nod.
"It's Kaze I'm worried about." Daine said, not mentioning her enormous headache. She called to her gelding and he came to her at a slow pace. Daine knelt and placed a hand on Kaze's chest. "It's not too deep but if it doesn't get wrapped, the blood loss will be bad." Tears stung her eyes. "Kaze, you idiot..." The gelding lipped at Daine's hair. "You are not fine. You should have listened to me." Kaze burred. "Shush. I don't like it when you talk like that."
Hinata smiled. "Right." Michiko started to lag behind Hatsumi. "Haiyaku!" Hatusmi shouted back to Michiko. "You're too slow!" Sakura kissed Sasuke back. Thank goodness he's staying. It'd kill me to see him go again.
Daine was about to fire again, but lowered her bow. "No, I don't." She said. She looked at Zelda. "Are you alright, Princess?"
Garxena managed to get herself under control. She rubbed her tongue on the roof of her mouth. Feeling that she hadn't bit herself too hard, she looked up at Silax. "Why...? Why is Kai doing this...?" Kai came out of the portal with Telren but walked away from him. Idiot! Why'd you'd tell Silax?! She yelled at herself in her mind. I've got to keep this secure.
Hatsumi ran ahead, closely followed by Michiko. "Tree climbing?" Hinata smiled. "Aren't they a bit young?" "I know you will." Sakura said quietly. But you don't have to go... You're good enough already... She added to herself.
"You're not ugly." Daine said. She fired an arrow at one of the last of the darknuts. "Now's not the time for me to say anything about myself."
Daine shook her head, not wanting to be reminded of her past. "It's nothing."
"Yes..." Sakura replied. She wondered if it would be easier if she didn't understand. "Oh yeah?" Hatsumi put her hands on her hips. Michiko peaked from under her hands. When she saw Hatsumi, she copied her pose. Hinata smiled. Michiko really tries to impress Hatusmi, but Hatsumi just doesn't see it. I wonder if she will.
"Why can't you just stay here?" Sakura gripped Sasuke's hand hoping that if she held onto him, he wouldn't leave. "Sorry." Hinata kissed Naruto's forehead. Hatsumi stuck out her tongue. "Blech." Michiko covered her eyes. Seeing the girls, Hinata smiled. They won't think that for long.
Daine ran in front of Kaze and sternly told him to back away and leave the fight to her. The gelding shook his head. "I said go!" Daine yelled, angry at herself for getting angry at Kaze. "Please, Kaze; I don't want to be alone!" Her tone changed to a plead. Kaze lowered his head and went away from the fight.
Kai shook her head. "Too risky." She turned and followed Telren through the portal. Tears came to Garxena's eyes. "Kai! Don't go!"
