Finally, everyone else had seen the truth. Akira wasn't crazy. She wasn't making a big deal over nothing. Maria was gone, and everyone finally found the focus to go after her. Well, all but one...

"Dear Akira! Will you bear my child?" [i]Deep breath Akira.[/i] She rolled her eyes as she turned to face the monk. [i]Not the worst proposition I've ever received.[/i] She circled Takeshi as a wolf circles its prey. Her eyes studied his form, the lines, the scars. She stopped abruptly in front of him. "Maybe one day." She said while straightening the monk's robe. "But it won't be easy, and it definitely won't be any time soon." She pulled away and began walking in the direction So'kein had pointed and the scream had come from. "For now, one of my companions has gone missing and I'll be damned if I let another of my friends die."

Takeshi followed, as did So'kien. Soon after the entire group. [i]Bowstring theory. Works every time. As one end pulls the other feels the force and is pulled along with it. The force between people is a funny thing.[/i]

Out of nowhere So'kein broke out. "Then what happened to dear Edward..?" Akira exchanged glances with Marren. [i] I'm not answering that. If he wants to go into it, he's going to have to make it quick.[/i] The scent of campfires was on the air and the morning twilight revealed the bandits camp just over the next ledge.