Chapter 3: Two Fighters and a Healer

The group meets a few people from the Plant Clan who decides to help them in their quest.

Finally, after about 15 minutes, Ashburn and Skyla showed up. When Ashburn saw Kaba, he grabbed Kaba’s arm and pulled him up off the ground. “What were you thinking!? Don’t EVER do that again, okay!? Hey, are you listening to me!?” Kaba seemed dazed and distracted. Skyla leaned against the tree and decided to change the subject. “You still have to tell me what you found out from the Shadow Clan. Well?” Ashburn looked at her and said “Oh yea. There’s been a rumor going around that one person from each clan is teaming up to steal all the jewels and release him…That’s all I could gather. And now, I don’t think we should be helping you out anymore.” He eyed her suspiciously. She replied “First of all, that’s the only information you could gather?” Ashburn nodded. She sighed and continued “Second, I didn’t ask you for your help. You can blame your brother for that matter. Third, I’m not a thief, so don’t you even go there.” Kaba, who finally seemed to be listening again, looked up at the two bickering, and said “I’m…still going to help you…”

Ashburn dragged Kaba off the ground again with sheer anger in his eyes. He yelled at his younger brother, saying “No! We have our own matters and have helped them enough!” Kaba argued “Shut up, I can do what I want! I’m old enough!” Ashburn raised his hand and punched his own brother across the face down on the ground. Skyla’s eyes widened. She could never imagine hurting her own sibling, if she had one. Ashburn realized this was a mistake right after, and he started apologizing. “Oh Kaba I’m sorry…” Kaba cut him off. “You’re the worst brother ever. I hate you.” He got up to run off, but remembered his mission and resisted running away. Instead, he turned his back on Kaba and faced Skyla. “Let’s go find the Mist Emerald…I think we should search that way.” He pointed in a direction, and Skyla wondered why he seemed so sure about it.

They left the area, and Ashburn stood there watching them go. He looked down at the ground full of shame and sympathy. He thought about going after to still protect Kaba, because Skyla didn’t seem to care about what happened to them at all. Ash decided to follow them secretly, so as not to stir up more commotion. For all he knew, Skyla could be one of the ones after the Emerald, or the other jewels, and may kill Kaba if he gets in the way. He clenched his fists at the thought of that and followed them, stopping every now and then behind the trees.

After a couple of minutes, Skyla asked “Kaba, where are we going? Why are you so sure it’s in this direction?” Kaba didn’t respond, and Skyla continued to wonder. Ashburn was curious as well. This wasn’t the way Kaba usually acted. His mind filled with questions that he couldn’t answer.
Next thing they know, they come out of the forest to find a beautiful pond, with fish in different shapes and colors leaping out of the water. Skyla’s eyes shined and she whispered “It’s gorgeous...” Kaba couldn’t help smiling himself despite the situation he was in. The view took their minds off their worries and helped them to relax. A girl with short light brown hair about Kaba’s age sat next to the pond, feeding the fish bread. She looked up and her eyes shined with the spirit of joy. One look at her and Kaba blushed and turned away so she would not see his face. The girl smiled and asked “Can I help you? Sis, come meet some new faces!”
Another girl came, who looked a little older than the one next to the pond. This one had a darker brown hair that was longer, and she looked at the group with a worried look. The first girl said “My name’s Miyuki, and this is my sister Takara. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Takara kneeled down next to Miyuki and muttered “Shouldn’t we get Forrest? The girl there looks kind of scary, and they could be invaders...” Miyuki shook her head.
Kaba greeted them saying “I’m Kaba from the Fire Clan and this is...” Skyla interrupted “I can introduce myself thanks. I’m Skyla from the Wind Clan.” Miyuki’s smile grew and Skyla was jealous of her joyfulness and carefree attitude. Takara stood up and helped Miyuki up and said “It’s nice to meet you. We’re from the Plant Clan.” Miyuki asked “And who’s your other friend?” Skyla and Kaba looked at each other confused. Miyuki giggled and continued “The boy behind the tree.” Ashburn was busted.
             Ashburn came out trying to look cool, but everyone noticed he was nervous and ashamed for getting caught. Kaba looked down at the ground awkwardly, and Skyla stood there not know what she should do. Ashburn introduced himself, saying “My name’s Ashburn and I am Kaba’s older brother.” Takara stared at him in amazement, and Skyla felt anger towards her. She didn’t know why though. Miyuki asked “Well what are two different clans traveling together for, and why come here?” Kaba began answering “Haven’t you heard the rumors about the people from...” Skyla shushed him and cupped his hand over his mouth. Takara became suspicious, but Miyuki laughed. Skyla cleared her throat and said “We’re just passing through. I lost an important item that’s all...” “Oh you mean the Mist Emerald that was stolen?” Miyuki asked. Skyla slumped over like an old lady with a cane, and questioned “How does everyone know about this...?” Takara answered “The jewels are really important. If one goes missing, well the news spreads as fast as a forest fire.”

            "Well are we just going to stand around here or look for the jewel?" Kaba asked. Skyla nodded, but right before they left Takara said "Wait, my brother and I are also going to search for the emerald...and the Nature Opal, which was also stolen recently from ours...Maybe it would be best if we went together." Skyla's heart thumped, and worried how many jewels have been stolen so far. The least would be two. A moment later, a boy came to the pond, who seemed to be about Ash's age. He carried a backpack and looked around at everyone. "What's going on here?"

Takara and Miyuki greeted him. Miyuki introduced Forrest and the others together. "Things are getting bad, we should go Takara." Forrest insisted. Takara nodded, and said "I think it would be good if we accompanied these three." Forrest studied Skyla, Ash, and Kaba for a moment. Miyuki asked "Can I come too? I can help as well!" Skyla didn't want anyone to come from the beginning, and now it seemed as if a whole group was forming to go with her. Takara shook her head at Miyuki "No this is too dangerous." Scratching the back of his head for a solution to make everyone happy, Forrest disagreed. "I think we could split up as groups. Maybe...Skyla, Ashburn, and Takara can go as one, and me, Miyuki, and Kaba as the other." Kaba smiled at the thought of going with Miyuki, but then shouted "No it won't work!" Everyone stared at him in surprise.

"I mean...I...Don't...Know you two very well...And Takara doesn't know the others...so..." Everyone except for Miyuki could tell he was trying to hide something. Forrest was about to bring up vines to seize him and make him tell them what he was hiding, but decided not to. He knew Ashburn would get protective of his younger brother, and he didn't want to start a fight. Instead, he nodded in agreement. "You're right...Then we should go as a group, because then we would be stronger if any enemies appeared." Kaba was frustrated, but he said nothing. He decided that he would have to get Skyla away from everyone else. Forrest added "Also, me and my sisters are plant users. Takara and I use offensive abilities, though I've had more experience with it." Ashburn asked "So what does Miyuki do then?" Forrest smiled and answered "She is great with creating herbs and medicine from plants. She's an expert healer."