Rombart rode on the carriage, going past pine trees. His expression was that of a stoic man refusing to acknowledge the boiling anger within his mind.

  There were how many of them? And they still couldn't catch Kenji? Sure, they were blinded by the rain, but so was he. I swear, these men would be useless without me. I am the only one who can truly serve this empire.

  Rombart and his convoy approached the great walls of Praestantia. Made from stone and steel, they were true pillars of strength. They towered over even the forest surrounding them. The two guards standing out front saw Rombart approaching and began opening the gate – large doors made spruce wood with a curved top to match the arch of its frame.

  The convoy rode through the town's streets, made of smoothed stone with a cobbled pattern. Many commoners stood in awe after quickly stepping out of the street to let the convoy through. They watched as they noticed Commander Rombart Fugent leading the convoy – a man to respect and fear. Some, however, gave neither fear nor respect to the man as they scoffed at him and continued onto their daily activities – such is their right in the Regalis Empire.

  Scoff all you want. You'll see soon enough I am to not be taken lightly. Hell, I may even be a ruler one day. Then no one can ridicule me.

  Rombart's convoy stopped once they reached the military station within the city. He got off the carriage and entered a large building made from stone bricks. In there, he spotted someone – General Mavis Treyguard. The general stood tall and well-postured, with his hands held behind his back in an upright stance. His face was visibly aged with gray hair made into a short cut. He seemed to be talking to a woman – a maid as she was wearing a brown dress, the attire of maids. She seemed to be in delightful conversation with him. After all, he was a celebrated general who happened to be quite attractive – any woman would have done anything to be his wife.

  Upon noticing him, Treyguard turned toward Rombart. There was still a smile on his face, though it seemed forced now.

  "Commander Fugent, what brings you to town. Last I checked, you were in Castellum."

  "I was. Then a criminal escaped after killed a few guards in the prison. I'm currently hunting him down."

  "At least, you're staying busy."

  "Oh, much more than that. This criminal is the same Kenji Remora that slaughtered that village of innocents in elven territory. A bonified war criminal."

  "It's hardly a war crime anymore. Ever since that happened, elves and humans alike have started slaughtering innocents."

  "Indeed, Treyguard. And now I will bring him in for a retrial on those crimes. Seeing as he's still causing trouble, it's clear his punishment wasn't enough from that."

  "Quite altruistic, and if I'm honest, uncharacteristic."

  Rombart's tone began to change, as if offended. "How do you mean?"

  "I read your evaluation when you became a commander. You showed a lot of narcissistic tendencies. And, as for that incident involving Kenji Remora, one mustn't forget the role you played."

  "You mean the rumors?"

  "That you were the one who sent Remora to slaughter those elves? Yes. Those rumors."

  "All lies."

  "Lies with a good backing from truth, Fugent. Remora was noted as being a fiercely loyal soldier of the empire, and you were the captain of the crew he was on. Not to mention, the very same girl you fonded over and repeatedly advanced toward was, at the time, closely bonded with Remora."

  "Don't bring her up again, Treyguard. I may have fallen for someone, but I would risk innocent lives in the name of love."

  "I disagree. From the little time I've known you, as well as your evaluation, I don't know whether or not that'd be above you. Some days, I wonder who you're really loyal to – the empire..." Treyguard drew closer to him, looking into his eyes with a stern ferocity. "...or Rombart."

  "Listen here, Treyguard. I serve the Regalis Empire far more than any other has."

  "I assume you're referring to the mission that granted you the position as commander."

  "Indeed. I'm quite proud of myself."

  "Nice to know you're happy many of your crew died."

  "They knew the dangers. And in the end, they won. Their sacrifice wasn't in vein. And I rightfully earned my position as commander."

  "Hm. Personally, I would have denied you. Just your evaluation alone. Plus, I've read your plan for that mission, and you practically used part of your crew as a meat shield."

  "I did not!"

  "Yes... you did."

  "I am the only hope this empire has of winning war, Treyguard," Rombart said through clenched teeth. "And once I catch Kenji, I will be celebrated."

  "And that's what's important in the end, is it not. Don't think I don't know what your ambition is. You and I both know I'll be retiring soon, and, thus, my position will be open. You're hoping to become a general, aren't you, Fugent?"

  "Indeed, I am."

  Treyguard put his face mere inches from Rombart's. "Well, know this. I will personally tell them to blacklist you from holding any position higher than your current."

  Treyguard stood up straight and walked away, leaving Rombart stewing in his own anger. His fists tightened, and his teeth clenched.

  That son of a bleeding whore. I'll show him. And then, I'll take what's mine.

  Meanwhile, Kenji and the girl walked off path through pine trees. Kenji stayed alert as he continued to walk, his eyes glancing at each bird and every leaf shook by the wind. He kept his hand on Mokuteki's hilt with every step he took. The girl looked at his belt, her eyes locking on his knife. She looked past the trees on their right as if she had heard something in the distance. She slowly reached her hand out towards his knife. Suddenly, Kenji halted in his movement and immediately drew his katana. His ears perked as he focused on the sounds — low growls in the rustling of leaves. He quickly grabbed the girl by the sleeve and tossed her onto a branch. She held onto the branch tightly as she pulled herself to sit on it. Kenji faced his back to the tree as he held his blade out. Five gray wolves emerged around him — two flanking his left and right sides and three facing his front. Their teeth dripped saliva as they growled. Sweat built up as Kenji's mind raced to find a strategy. One wolf lunged at him, but he quickstepped to its side as he made a downward slash onto its body, separating its back half. The wolf hit the ground, its intestines pouring from its body. Kenji quickly faced his back to the tree again as another lunged at him. He dodged and managed to make a side swipe at its face. The wolf whimpered as it ran away before taking stance by one of its allies. Another wolf lunging with an upward slash severing its head. Kenji held a glance at one of the wolves that hadn't attacked. It howled, immediately signaling itself as the alpha. The alpha lunged at Kenji, but he quickstepped with his katana slashing at its body, creating a bloody gash in its side. It whimpered as it began circling Kenji.

  We will see who the apex is.

  The girl watched below as one wolf circled around Kenji and approached the tree. Her heart began pacing as it jumped up to grab her with its bloodthirsty teeth. Kenji shoved his blade into its back, causing it to howl in pain. He drew his blade out of it, and it fell dead. The girl looked confused as she was guessing Kenji's intentions. Suddenly, a bite to the leg. Kenji let out a furious shout as he felt the wolf's teeth sink into the flesh of his left calf. As it gnawed on him, he slammed his blade down into the wolf's head. It ceased its feeding and fell dead, but then the alpha lunged forward. Kenji quickly placed his arm forward, allowing the wolf to bit down on it as it tackled him onto the ground. He dropped his katana and grabbed his knife, then he plunged it into the alpha's neck. It whimpered as Kenji pulled the knife down, cutting threw its throat as it continued to gnaw on his arm. After a few seconds, its mouth loosened, and the alpha fell limp. Kenji let out heavy breathes, then he stood up and attempted to wipe the blood off his armor. He looked up to see the girl — she was safe.

  The girl climbed carefully down the tree and slowly approached Kenji. Her head was down, but it seemed she was waiting to follow Kenji. Suddenly, he grunted, looking down at his left leg. Blood covered his calf, leaking through the teeth holes in his armor. Unfortunately, unlike his forearms, his calves weren't well protected by the armor. He limped slightly forward into the forest as the girl followed close behind.

  It may be risky, but Fortuna is close up ahead. Hopefully, they have some bandages and ointments. At least, the girl seems to be more accepting of me now. Though, she may need at least some protection.

  Kenji began gutting the wolves with his knife, then he pulled out a bone and sat down, carving it into a blade. He took out some leather strips and string to make the hilt, then he handed it to the girl, but held her hand and nodded, as if to tell her nit was only for emergencies.

  After about an hour of walking, Kenji and the girl managed to reach the noble town of Fortuna. The town was one long street with several buildings lining across it, most being houses. Each house was at least two floors and each was well-made — an ode to the rich nobles that come to live here as an escape from the bothersome peasants. As he walked into the town, a paper swept at his feet. He picked it up, his vision a bit blurry — an result of the lack of sleep and blood loss. He was able to make out the details, though he wasn't pleased. He got a frustrated expression across his face as he realized it was his bounty poster. He couldn't read the amount on the page, but he knew any amount wasn't good.

  Fuck. Rombart wasted no time. Knowing him, this was probably his plan from the start.

  Kenji crouched behind a bush, holding in a grunt of pain from his calf. The girl stayed hidden with him. They attempted to cross a noble's yawn to hide behind his house. Kenji's breathe was heavy and his vision swayed. Suddenly, a door opened and a man walked outside. Kenji was far too exhausted to react, or even make out the figure in front of him.

  "Hey, you are from the bounty posted," he said as Kenji slowly stood up, his hand on the hilt of his sheathed katana. "Don't worry. You can trust me. Come in and I'll explain."

  Kenji looked at the man, then down at the girl, then back at the man. "Fine."

  Kenji and the girl entered the man's house, noticing the lovely decor. The man was a hefty person with his black hair tied in a knot and a bushy beard. He wore a blue tunic with what seemed to resemble waves designing it. The tunic was joined by blue pants of similar design.

  "I know you're not really criminals," he stated. "That government tells more lies than troublesome child. My name is David, by the way."

  "Hi..." Kenji said with a heavy breath.

  "Ah, you must be exhausted, and that wound seems to be less than convenient. I have some bandages around here. Take a seat on that chair there."

  David grabbed a bottle and some bandages. He pulled up Kenji's leggings and poured some alcohol onto Kenji's leg. Kenji grunted loudly, but he held himself steady as David wrapped his leg in bandages.

  "Try standing."

  Kenji stood up, tilting slightly as he steadied himself. "Thanks."

  "Come, I have a place you can sleep," David insisted as he walked down a hallway.

  Kenji followed and entered a room with a comfortable-looking bed. He took note of the window, which was directly opposite of the bedroom entrance.

  "Get some rest."

  Kenji nodded and fell onto the bed.

  I know I shouldn't be so trusting... but I'm just so tired. He turned his head to look at the girl, who sat on the floor playing with some tiny wooden horse. She's not likely to run away, though I honestly don't care at this moment.

  Kenji felt as his exhaustion caused his body to completely collapse. His eyelids fell and sleep gave him no option in its taking of him.

  A young Kenji sat at the table, though he had no food in front of him. His hands fidgeted a loose thread of his green shirt. Behind him, a modest fire crackled softly, its warmth radiating across the room. Suspended above it was a pot — steam wafted from its surface, bringing a pleasant smell of venison. Pans, ladles, and spatulas hung neatly along the wall like an organized constellation of tools. To one side of the firepit, there was a sturdy door. On the opposite side, just ten feet away, there was a staircase. The entire home, from the walls to the furniture, was crafted from jungle wood, its rich, golden-brown hues giving the space an earthy, comforting glow.

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  Kenji shifted uncomfortably as he listened to his parents talk upstairs. Though not steeped in anger, there was tension in their voices. They were in clear disagreement, but about what? Kenji managed to catch snatches of their conversation. His heart sank — they were talking about him. He fought back tears as they argued.

  "Hiro, he is still growing," his mother pleaded. "He'll learn in time, but you need to be patient."

  "I understand, but I have been patient. More than patient, Yin. But he still struggles with the bow. By the time I was twelve, I had mastered it, yet he can't even learn it, and he's already ten. The other boys have already started shooting apples, but he has yet to even hit the target board."

  Yin sighed. "You're going to push him away. I know the others are doing well with the bow, but Kenji has far surpassed them in swordplay. Can't you see that?"

  "That's not enough. A samurai has to know the bow. It's essential. No bow means no range. No range means death."

  "Just don't be harsh, Hiro. He's still your son."

  "Sometimes, tough love is necessary, Yin. You have to understand. This is how boys become men," Hiro paused for a few seconds, then sighed. "I just want a son I can be proud of."

  Kenji felt a sudden jolt of pain, but it wasn't physical. It was like someone twisted a knife into his frail heart. Those words echoed in his head as he struggled to hold back the tears. His breathing became frantic as he tried to will himself not to cry. But, nonetheless, tears fell, and sobbing ensued.

  "Fine," Yin said, defeated. "Go on. Teach him then."

  "We will discuss this later."

  Hiro came downstairs and immediately bolted for the door. "Come, Kenji." He ordered quite sternly, but Kenji sat frozen. "Now!"

  Kenji quickly shot up from the chair and followed his father outdoors. Hiro handed him his longbow and gave him an arrow. Hiro moved with heavy frustration as he grabbed the target board and hung it from a jungle tree branch.

  "You're going to shoot at this until you get in the center of the target. is that understood?" Hiro asked, but Kenji hesitated to answer. "Hey! Is that understood?!"

  "Y-yes, sir."

  "Then shoot."

  Kenji held the bow up and examined the target. He made sure to watch it carefully, making sure to line up his shot perfectly. His eyes stayed on the target, knowing that he must succeed — he must make the shot. If he doesn't make the shot carefully, then he knows he will be scolded.

  "Today, Kenji! Enough hesitation! If this was war, you'd be dead by now! When I say shoot the board, you pick up your bow and SHOOT THE DAMN BOARD!"

  Tears fell slightly as Kenji took the shot, missing the board completely.

  "Again!"

  Kenji fired an arrow, but only managed to hit the outside layer of the target, though he had felt happy for a moment as he had never hit the board before.

  "Not good enough! Try again!"

  More tears streamed down his face as he took aim and fired. This time, he missed the board with his shot.

  "AGAIN!"

  Kenji began audibly crying by this point as he shot another arrow, missing the board.

  "Dammit! Kenji!" Hiro cursed, but then the realization hit, his son was crying. Not just sobbing, but fully crying. He listened to his sniffles and gasps as Kenji moaned.

  "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, father... I'm sorry..."

  Hiro paused, then he turned toward his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. He let out a deep exhale as Kenji kept his gaze low.

  "No. I'm sorry. Perhaps, I was too harsh."

  "I-I-I just w-want you to l-love m-me..."

  "Kenji... I... look, you are my son. That will never change. I just want to make sure you're ready. I have seen close friends meet their end in that jungle. I've seen them get torn apart by serpentfolk. I just don't want that to happen to you."

  "B-but I heard y-you tell Mother you're n-not p-p-proud of me."

  "I..." he sighed. "You are a great warrior, Kenji. I just want to make sure you live up to your full potential, son. I believe in you. I know you can do it. Look, I'll never be that harsh again. I promise. But I want you to practice. Everyday, for an hour. Practice. It doesn't matter how long it takes. I know you'll become great. You were always meant to."

  Kenji's crying calmed, aside from some sniffles and eye-rubs. "R-really?"

  "Really. Now, come, let's get some stew. A man needs as much protein as he can get."

  Kenji began following his father into the house. "Yes, Father."

  Suddenly, as the door opened, sea water began flooding into Hiro and Kenji, causing Kenji to startle himself awake, noticing the girl was shaking his arm as if to wake him. Kenji pressed his palm to his forehead, then he heard it — talking coming from outside the room. Quickly, he got up and snuck to the door. He pressed his ear to the door — it sounded like someone was interrogating David. Then he heard one say to search the house.

  Acting with urgency, Kenji grabbed the girl a slid her under the bed, then he ran over to the window and opened it. He opened the door, though he kept himself hidden behind it.

  A Regalis soldier turned to the door. "Huh? Did that door... just open?"

  The soldier entered the room only to be grabbed by Kenji and stabbed in the throat. Kenji slammed the soldier onto the ground with a heavy thud, ripping his knife out in an arch of blood that trailed to the open window. He quickly crawled under the bed as three soldiers ran to the room.

  "By the gods, he's dead!" one soldier cried before turning his attention toward the window. "Quick, he escaped out the window!"

  The soldiers climbed out the window, and Kenji grabbed the girl, and they ran upstairs, much to the fright of David. They reached an upstairs window and Kenji helped the girl climb onto the roof with himself following after. Atop the roof, they can both see that the whole town, in broad daylight, is swarming with Regalis soldiers. He also noticed many were holding bounty posters, most likely his.

  Shit... shit, shit, shit, shit. I have to think fast.

  Kenji grabbed the girl under one arm and held her as he backed up for a running start. He sprint forth, leaping across to the next rooftop. He immediately tossed the girl as he landed as he almost didn't make it himself. Suddenly, he felt his feet slide as the roof's shingles became loose. he moved more onto the roof, kicking the shingles down below.

  "Hey! Who's up there?!" A soldier yelled out. "Someone's on the rooftops!!"

  Dammit.

  Kenji scooped up the girl again and leaped across the rooftop, tossing the girl to ensure she makes it. However, as he lands, Kenji slips off the edge, quickly grabbing the roof with both hands. He grunted as he looked up at the girl, pleading silently as his eyes widened. She looked frightened and confused as she hesitated, then Kenji noticed a small detail — his knife was in her hand.

  Dammit. Damn child. His grip was losing. Fuck...

  Kenji fell to the ground, landing directly on his wounded leg with a snap. He dropped to the ground with a face stunned in pain — wide eyes, gritted teeth, and grunts as if he was holding back a scream. After a few seconds, he tried to stand up, using the side of the house as leverage. He attempted to put weight onto his foot, but pain shot through him as his mouth opened, desperate to cry out, but there was only hard-fought silence. He recognized he was in the backyard of the house and limped toward the right side of it. Peeking around, there were no soldiers, so he crept to the front and tried to scan the town — several soldiers, too many to count, and many of them have crossbows. Then he saw a soldier go onto the left side of the house. Immediately, he limped onto the left side, where he saw the soldier turn back around. Kenji drew his katana and crept towards the soldier. While he does this, he makes notes of where each other soldier he can see is located. Kenji thrusted his blade through the soldier's back with only a sharp gasp coming out of the soldier as he lungs deflated.

  This is it. Either I live or die.

  Kenji dashed forward into town, with each limp being like a thrust towards a leap. Immediately, soldiers began crying out and firing crossbows at him, with Kenji using the man on his blade as shield, twisting and turning as he blocked each bolt from hitting him, though a few managed to graze him and even one managed to pierce his shoulder. He noticed the girl up ahead with two soldiers running after her. He pushed quickly, thrusting himself toward her. A bolt struck him in the back, causing him to grunt loudly in pain. Then another struck him in his thigh, slowing his movements, making it harder to not only run, but also block further shots. A soldier stood in front of Kenji, blocking the entrance to one of the houses. Kenji shoved the man off his blade into the soldier, knocking him prone. Then, he slammed into the door, busting it open, shocking the couple inside. Kenji heard high-pitched screaming and immediately looked right to see out the window — the girl was being held by a soldier. She was kicking and creaming, then she stabbed him in the hand, causing him to grunt as he dropped her. She ran into the woods and, the soldier turned around to chase her, but when he reached the end of the house, Kenji swiftly decapitated him. Kenji immediately began running after the girl, limping with each step. heavy breathes kept escaping him as he forced himself forward, leaving a small trail of blood behind him.

  "HEY! WAIT!" Kenji called out as he could still see the girl up ahead.

  All of a sudden, a sharp pain shot through his side of his abdomen — a knife. Kenji collapsed onto the forest floor. He looked up and saw Rombart standing above him.

  "You thought you could escape me, huh?" Rombart remarked before delivering a swift kick to Kenji's stomach. Blood dripped from Kenji's mouth following the kick. "How's it taste, Kenji?" He delivered another kick to the stomach. "How does it feel to be defeated by your superior?! Huh?! You fucking worthless piece of shit! Don't have anything to say?!"

  Kenji spit a bunch of blood onto the ground, then looked up at Rombart through gritted teeth. "Fuck... you..."

  "That's just disrespectful." Rombart kicked Kenji in the head. Kenji's vision grew blurry as his brain bounced around in his skull. "I'm going to beat you to death, then I'm going to kill that little brat." Rombart laughed as he continued kicking Kenji in the stomach and stomped on his injured leg. Kenji began screaming in complete agony. Rombart kneeled down and stabbed Kenji repeatedly in the side, taking pure delight in every scream and yell that escaped Kenji.

  As the girl continued running, something caught her ear — it was Kenji. He was screaming as if begging for an escape from the pure agony he was experiencing. The girl held her eyes shut tightly as she put her fingers in her ears, but it didn't work, and she couldn't walk away.

  Rombart continued his merciless beating when he suddenly screamed as a knife plunged into his heel. The girl quickly grabbed Kenji, trying to help him stand, but he was really hurt. Rombart ripped the knife from his heel and fell immediately, landing on top of Kenji. He held the knife to Kenji's throat, but Kenji's hand grasped Rombart's grip. He used all of his strength to push the knife away from his throat, then the girl came in with Rombart's knife and stabbed him in the eye. Rombart shouted in agony as he tried to pry the knife from his eye socket. Kenji managed to stand up, though he almost fell before the girl grabbed him and helped him walk.

  They moved as quickly as they could — slightly faster than a walk. After about ten minutes, the girl had to drag an unconscious Kenji through the forest, struggling and needing multiple breaks. She did this for about four hours with nightfall creeping close though she had made considerable distance from Fortuna. She sat Kenji against a tree and took a long look at him — she wasn't even sure he was still alive. She saw the several knife wounds in his side, blooding covering his torso. She placed her hand on them, with her eyes fighting back tears in trying to understand the pain he endured. Then she noticed that under her touch, the wounds twitched. She immediately pulled away, scared. She slowly put her hand toward the wounds again, with them twitching more, even before she touched them. More skin seemed to begin covering the whole slowly. She did this for half an hour, managing to completely heal on knife wound.

  I can do the rest, but I need to get ready for the dark.

  She saw a dirt patch in front of Kenji. She remembered how he would find patches like these for fires. She began gathering wooden sticks in the patch, then she took the flint from Kenji's back and started using the knife to ignite sparks onto the wood. It took awhile, but she eventually had a small fire going. Her eyes widened and a rare, genuine smile grew across her face as she proudly watched the flames flicker — her first fire. She began gathering berries, but avoided yellow ones as Kenji had stopped her before from eating them. Instead, she went with red ones, which the pine forest had plenty of. She sat down and began eating them as she waited for Kenji to wake up — if he was still alive.

  After a couple hours, Kenji's eyes opened, quite to the delight of the girl, but Kenji only looked at her with a stern, focused look — his eyes seemed to pierce right through her. She sat uncomfortably as her gaze stayed on the fire.

  "You listened here," Kenji said, cutting through the sound of crackling flames. "I almost died. You almost died. If we're going to make it through this, we need to work together. UNDERSTAND?!" The sudden rise in his voice shook her. He quickly searched the ground for his knife, eventually finding it. "You see this?!" he held it towards her. "This MY KNIFE! MY FUCKING KNIFE! NOT YOURS! THAT'S WHY I MADE YOU ONE!" Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Damn it! Why?! Why don't you trust me?! I'm trying to protect you! Can't you see that?!" He slammed his fists on the ground as he tried to move his legs, but the pain was fat too intense. "Aah! Is it because I killed those people?! Is that it?! Fine. Fine! I'm sorry! I think about that every damn day! Every damn day! I'm sorry!"

  Kenji found himself calming down as a melancholic expression took over his face. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone. Anyone innocent, at least. I was just doing a job. I was just following orders." His voice cracked a bit. "I was just following orders of that... SON OF A BITCH, ROMBART!" The girl shook once more. "You really hate me?!" Kenji held a pointed finger to his chest. "Well, guess what? I hate me, too!"

  His words hung in the air for a bit. "I didn't mean to kill your family. Or caretakers. Or whoever they were... and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He looked down at his bloodstained hands. "Somehow, I always end up with blood on my hands."

  The girl kept looking down, with a few tears dropping to the ground. Kenji took notice of this, yet it seemed to anger him. "What? You feel bad, too? Well, you shouldn't. You're a victim in all of this." He gripped his fists tightly as he gritted his teeth and growled. "And me? I'm the cause of every single FUCKING thing that has happened to you! And I don't see that changing!"

  Kenji relaxed himself once more, shaking his head in defeat. "What's the point? You can't even understand a damn word I'm saying." He sighed.

  A heavy silence settles between them, broken only by the crackling of the fire. After a long moment, the girl stood up and slowly approached Kenji. He lifted his head slightly to look at her. With her every move cautious, she kneeled before him and held out her palm — a gesture Kenji knew was an apology. he studied her for a moment, then accepted, laying his rough, calloused palm against hers, then he slid his hand away and turned his own palm upwards as if to also apologize. She doesn't hesitate and lays her small, soft palm against his. Despite the forgiveness, Kenji's still appears burdened, his eyes shadowed with lingering guilt and weariness.

  "Aasha," she said.

  Kenji looked at her puzzled. "What?"

  She points at herself and repeats. "Aasha."

  "Aasha," he replied.

  "Nahi! A-osh-ah," she corrected.

  "Oh. Aasha."

  She smiled at him, her smile small, yet sincere, as if a tiny light had found its way into his grim world.

  "Kenji," he said whilst pointing to himself.

  "Ken-ji," she replied, her smile growing. Kenji almost smiled back, yet something seemed to stop him. Suppose it was the softer cadence her voice gave to his name. Then she suddenly clasped his left hand with both of hers as if to seal their connection. Kenji felt a strange warmth cut through the cold distance he had tried to maintain. For a fleeting moment, Kenji's stern face softened.

  Kenji exhaled deeply as he scanned the area for his bag. Spotting it where Aasha had been sitting, he pointed towards it. Understanding, Aasha picked it up and brought it to him. He rummaged through it, pulling out strips of cloth. He held a stick up to Aasha and wiggled it as if to signal he needed more. Aasha brought him some sturdy sticks, and Kenji began wrapping his injured foot, crafting a makeshift brace. He stood up slowly, testing his weight on the foot. It still hurt a lot, and he'll need to let it heal for a while.

  Aasha approached, her hands cupped, holding freshly picked berries. Kenji's lips curled into a faint smile as he accepted them. He ate slowly, savoring the nourishment. Once finished, she handed him his waterskin, filled and ready. He took a sip but spit it out immediately, a grimace crossing his face.

  Holding up a finger to signal her to wait, Kenji rummaged through his bag again. He pulled out a piece of cloth and began grinding a piece of charcoal over it. With one hand holding the cloth, he used his other hand to take the waterskin from Aasha. He quickly poured water onto the charcoal-dusted cloth, catching the filtered water as it dripped through, pouring it back into the waterskin.

  Kenji takes a deep sip from the waterskin, the cool liquid refreshing him. He handed it to Aasha, who took a tentative sip. Her eyes brightened, surprised by the cleaner taste.

  Kenji leaned back against the tree, exhaustion settling in his bones. He knew he would have to rest here for at least six weeks to heal, just enough to make the rest of their journey. Until then, he could still hunt small animals, and he had enough supplies to get him through that time. He watched Aasha, now resting, the firelight flickering softly on her face. A quiet yawn escaped him, his eyelids heavy. Slowly, he closed his eyes, letting the weight of sleep take over.