With the stealth and agility of seasoned forest dwellers, the children sprinted through the forest like wild creatures born to those woods. They leapt from branch to branch, bodies flowing in perfect silence avoiding detection.

  Closing in on the lagoon, its presence pulled at them through gaps in the foliage. The scent of the flowing water mingled with the damp earth and the cypress trees parted into an open space ahead.

  Arriving at the forest's edge, the group sought cover, disappearing behind thick fern clusters and moss-covered boulders. Five pairs of eyes peered through the greenery, scanning their surroundings.

  "Look,...over there to the left." Yasushi whispered, extending one finger toward the lagoon's far shore.

  On beat, Sachiko, Taichi, Koba and Megumi swiveled in sync, following Yasushi's finger. Their hazed vision outlined the shadows and vegetation. As their eyes adjusted, three silhouettes gradually took shape.

  The younger adult woman came into focus first. Her short, brown highlighted hair framed a face dominated by striking violet eyes. Beside her stood an elderly woman, her broadly hunched frame speaking to years of wisdom and hardship. Her hair faded to dull ashy black with dark brown eyes, lacking the vibrancy of her younger companion.

  Both wore prussian blue robes that absorbed light, the gold threading traced the Chika clan symbol across the fabric in intricate patterns. Its heavy material blended their forms into the pre-dawn murk, making them appear more like spirits than flesh and blood.

  The third figure knelt among a patch of wildflowers, her small frame bent over the colorful blooms. The prussian blue fabric pooled around her legs, the Chika clan emblem shimmering in gold thread across her back. A hood concealed her hair while a delicate mask hid her face.

  The children held their breath, eyes locked onto the enigmatic trio. Water lapped against smooth stones with gentle whispers. Leaves stirred overhead in the morning breeze. The three figures spoke in voices too soft to understand, creating a sense of euneirophrenia.

  The crunch of Taichi eating a granola bar broke the spell. "Is that her?" he chewed, watching the masked child carefully pluck from the flower bed.

  "Yeah, that's her…" Yasushi nodded, his voice colored with pride, prompting his cheeks to burn.

  Sachiko squirmed against the damp earth, dead leaves crinkling under his weight as he strained for a clearer view. "Why is she covered up?" he softly inquired, curiosity leaking through his hushed words.

  Koba shoved Sachiko's head to one side, claiming the better vantage point for himself. "Stupid, that's a dumb question. Isn't it obvious? She must be ugly."

  "No! You idiot, that's not the reason at all!" Yasushi hissed out between clenched teeth.

  Taichi caught the dangerous edge in Yasushi's tone, swiftly intervening to defuse the situation. "Let's get closer and get a better look."

  His hand gestured toward the lagoon's edge and the group split apart like water around a stone. Each child picked their own route through the thick undergrowth, bodies pressed low to the ground. Using fallen logs and clusters of ferns to obscure their presence, they carefully advanced inch by inch towards the trio.

  As they drew nearer, the breeze carried snippets of conversation to their eager ears. Voices, once mere whispers, became distinct words. From their new positions, additional hidden details surfaced. The elder's hands twisted like ancient roots when she gestured, yet maintained surprisingly graceful strength. The younger woman's physique encapsulated advanced training as a warrior, standing toned and tall with perfect posture.

  "Elder, do you think it's wise to be out here so early? The dew hasn't even settled yet," she respectfully challenged, rubbing the moisture from her robe.

  Age roughened the Elder's voice, words scraping from her throat like bark against stone. "The early hours are when the flowers speak most clearly, Etsuyo. And this little one here needs to learn their language."

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  The masked child obediently examined the flowers, her palm swiping across its petals with incredible care.

  The pre-dusk darkness swallowed the lagoon's edge, broken only by dying starlight, barely touching the water's surface.

  "You see, Kaname," the Elder continued, pointing to a delicate flower. "This flower right here is called a georia. It only blossoms around this time of morning and we use it to treat burns. Be careful while plucking it. Its thorns are very sharp."

  Etsuyo sighed pacing back and forth, muttering frustrations under her breath, her complaints growing louder by the second. "Geez! Where is the Captain? He's late! I bet that fucker is still sleeping."

  Distracted by her thoughts, she stubbed her foot against a boulder, triggering the release of her vexation. Angrily picking it up, she hurled the boulder into the lagoon with explosive force.

  "AHHHH! TODAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY DAY OFF!!!! THAT DRUNK, STUCK UP BASTARD!"

  She held her fist in the air, clenching it tight with murderous intent. "Just wait til he gets here! He's gonna get a piece of my mind I tell ya. "

  A small sound of pain cut through Etsuyo's ranting. "Tsk..."

  The Elder's attention snapped away from her companion's tantrum. "Kaname, I told you to be careful. Ugh... Let me see."

  She bent downward, examining her finger. The children's hearts stopped and time crawled as her hands reached for Kaname's hood. The fabric whispered being pulled off, releasing an ombre silver hair. Each braid shined, rendering the lagoon's shimmer pale in comparison. She then lifted her mask.

  Amongst the undergrowth, only Koba, Taichi, and Yasushi held positions placing in the line of sight of Kaname. Their faces flushed red, mesmerized by her celestial-like features.

  Taichi shook off his stunned speechlessness, staring at her. "So, …that's your wife, hmm..."

  Pride swelled in Yasushi's chest. "Yup, that's my Kaname," he arrogantly grinned, his eyes refusing to leave her radiant form. "That's my girl."

  Across from them, Sachiko and Megumi wrestled for a better position like competing animals.

  "Hey move over! I wanna see too!" Megumi growled, her palm repeatedly cracking against Sachiko's shoulder blade.

  Koba's mouth opened, ready to offer his own commentary when ice flooded his veins. A chill ran down his spine sensing a malevolent presence approaching. He rushed toward Megumi and Sachiko, urgently signaling to Taichi who’d simultaneously became aware of the incoming threat.

  Malice thicker than fog rolled into the forest. Too late to run, the children flattened against the earth like insects, desperately trying to conceal their presence.

  Terror clawed at Yasushi's throat, pressing himself into the dirt. His eyes darted between Koba and Taichi, questioning their next move. Both boys stared back, their grim expressions offering no answers.

  Ice water replaced the blood in Yasushi's veins as he watched the intruders’ cold eyes locked onto the women.

  "Well, well, well, look who we finally found, Lei," a voice chuckled, his tone slithering with sinister amusement.

  The Elder's hand moved backward without her eyes leaving the men, her fingers delivering a silent command. Kaname instantly complied, swiftly putting her mask on and pulling up her hood, blending her back into the shadows.

  Etsuyo's body rebounded into an attack stance next to the Elder, ensuring Kaname remained hidden in the shadows. Approaching with an unnerving calm, two figures materialized from the tree line wearing blood soaked yukatas, its splatter patterned too fresh to be accidental. The muscular one towered over the other, chest enshrouded in flame like scars. His short, spiky hair framing a ruggedly handsome face marred by a name carved into his forehead: Z E I.

  The second intruder epitomized cruelty given flesh and bone. Vertical twin scars travelled from the back of his bald head, slashing deep jagged trenches down both his eyes. His bright orange eyes burned in his skull like twin flames, seeking to torch everything he sees.

  The Elder rose to her full height, age falling away from her frame and replaced with authority.

  "This is Chika territory! You're trespassing! Leave at once!"

  Lei's face contorted at the Elder's insolence. "Oh... that's no way to greet a guest," he sneered , drawing out his blade. The steel sang against leather as energy crackled around his body like lightning seeking ground. "I need to teach you some manners, you despicable hag!"

  Etsuyo's mind raced, pondering their options.

  DAMNIT! WHAT SHOULD WE DO? WHERE THE HELL ARE THE GUARDS?!

  Aware of the vast difference in strength, Etsuyo flickered between the two attackers, measuring their mana.

  SOO MUCH MANA!! … THEIR TOO STRONG!!!

  Yasushi's fingernails dug into the soil forming white-knuckled fists. He trembled as fear battled with his desire to help Kaname.

  Pale with panic, Taichi placed his body weight onto Yasushi, restraining his pursuit.

  Koba covered Megumi and Sachiko, encircling their rattled bodies. His eyes wide, struggling between self-preservation and the urge to protect.

  Directing his slender body towards Etsuyo, Lei smiled, showing teeth filed to points.

  “You look like fun cutie, Wanna play?”