Stepping into the garden, autumn's sharp bite met Taichi and Yasushi's skin, washing away the stale palace air clinging to them. Yasushi inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp freshness and momentary quiet as he fixed his eyes on the distant palace gates. Florid lanterns dotted the curved pathway like silent guardians, their cold surfaces catching the first hints of dawn. "Come on, someone might spot us."

  Following his lead, Taichi navigated through the garden, its lush greenery creating natural barriers from watchful eyes. Their footsteps, deliberately soft on the gravel path. Rounding a bend near towering bamboo stalks, Taichi paused beside a cluster of flowering jasmine and retied his dress shoes. His right foot found the stone edging of the pathway and began tapping in a deliberate rhythm.

  Three quick taps, pause, two slow taps, pause, three quick again.

  The vibrations pulsed through the earth beneath the garden's maze while his movements stirred the air currents around the jasmine blossoms, sending their sweet fragrance swirling in unnatural patterns. From deep within the bamboo grove, Koba's head lifted as the familiar vibrations reached his feet through the ground. He nudged Sachiko, who had already caught the scent disturbance carried on the shifting air currents. They exchanged knowing grins and melted into the garden's maze, keeping parallel to Taichi's position.

  Unaware, Yasushi continued ahead. Taichi straightened and caught up, fighting to hold back the satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

  The garden expanded into a wide balcony draped in climbing vines and exotic foliage. Palace gates dominated the view beyond, massive wooden beams and iron reinforcements rising against the wall of green forest.

  Yasushi's gaze locked onto movement near the gates. Two women and a small child made their way out of the palace grounds, heading toward the forest. Recognition slammed into his chest.

  That Must Be Her!

  He sprang into motion, his feet hammering against the balcony boards as he raced toward the gates. Taichi jerked in surprise, quickly matching his pace and staying close behind. Koba and Sachiko sunk deeper into the garden's foliage, maintaining their distance while keeping the pair in sight.

  Closing the distance, Kaname's form became unmistakable. Her chin touched her chest while her footstep dragged as though her legs carried impossible weight. Despair radiated from her small frame like heat from a forge. The usual morning birdsong faded to whispered chirps, sensing the gloom surrounding her.

  The Elder and royal guard flanking her exchanged worried glances, hovering near her without knowing what to do.

  As they approached the palace gates, the Elder's voice glided through the morning quiet. Her tone carried gentle warmth mixed with concern, drawing Kaname's attention upward.

  "My dear… Why are you so withdrawn this morning? Are you not feeling well?"

  Kaname's eyes lifted for a heartbeat then dropped back to the ground, her silence holding more weight than any word spoken.

  The Elder's expression softened further into tenderness. "Captain Haru will arrive soon. Once lessons finish for the day, how about I make you a strawberry cake?"

  Her mouth curved upward into a small, genuine as they exited the gates. The slight relaxation of her demeanor struck like sunlight piercing through dark clouds, relieving the Elder of her perturbation.

  Yasushi and Taichi reached the side entrance, perpendicular to the palace's main exit. Crouching behind a cluster of ornamental bushes, their eyes locked on the guards standing watch at the gate.

  Alert and watchful, Itou and Pioto maintained their positions, oblivious to the boys’ presence.

  Yasushi's forehead creased studying the situation. "How do we get past the guards?"

  A mischievous glint sparked in Taichi's eyes as he bent down, his fingers closing around small pebbles scattered on the ground. "Easy!" he huffed, still catching his breath from the unexpected sprint. "With a distraction."

  Yasushi's face brightened in comprehension. "Hehe! Got it."

  The guards held their posts with backs straight and heads high, their gazes sweeping across the palace grounds with trained efficiency. As Taichi approached the gates, Itou gruffed. "Oi! Stop right there! Whatcha doin out here so damn early in the morning?"

  Pioto chimed in, his tone gentler but equally commanding. "Go back inside the palace, kid."

  Taichi placed both arms behind him. His shoulders hunched forward and eyes welled up with tears. "I'm so sorry to bother you, prestigious officers," his voice quavered convincingly as he drew closer. "But I am in need of your assistance."

  Charmed by Taichi's flattery, Pioto's stern countenance dissolved. "Aww, is everything alright? What can we do for you?"

  "It's really embarrassing, but I'm kinda lost. Can you help me get back to the room I'm staying in?" Taichi rubbed his eyes with his sleeves, mimicking the picture of innocence.

  The guards turned to each other, confused. LOST?!

  While their attention was diverted, Taichi released the pebbles from his hand, manipulating it to float behind him. With a subtle flick of his index finger, he launched one into the nearby wall.

  *Bang*

  The impact shattered the morning calm. Both guards' hands flew to their weapons, muscles coiling for action.

  "What was that?" Itou's eyes darted around, searching for the source of the disturbance.

  *Bang*

  *Bang*

  *Bang*

  The sounds echoed in quick succession, each one amplifying the guards' alarm.

  "We're under attack," Pioto shouted, his earlier gentleness vanishing in the face of perceived danger.

  Itou's training took control, his voice slicing through the chaos. "It's coming from the East, let's go!" He then dismissively waved at Taichi, running alongside Pioto. "Hey kid, head back the way you came and ask one of the royal servants, we're busy."

  The guards sprinted toward the disturbance source, their armor clanged disappearing around the palace's eastern wing. Taichi's innocent facade crumbled, waiting until their footsteps faded. A wicked grin stretched across his face as he reached into his chest pocket, pulling out a chicken biscuit wrapped in cloth."The coast is clear," he triumphantly announced through a mouthful of flaky pastry and tender meat.

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  Yasushi burst from the ornamental bushes, twigs and leaves tangled in his dark hair. He brushed debris from his sleeves, slipping through the unguarded gate. Taichi jogged to catch up, cramming the remainder of his biscuit into his mouth.

  Suddenly, a sharp snap emulated behind them. Yasushi skidded to a halt, his body rigidly whirling around to survey their surroundings.

  "Where to now?" Taichi asked, attempting to distract him from his growing unease.

  Scanning the maze of tree trunks and fern clusters for any sign of movement, malaise gnawed at Yasushi's chest.

  "During this time of day, Kaname studies local herbs and remedies with the elder and her guard. They should be at the lagoon by now."

  Taichi nodded, wiping the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Who's the guard with her?"

  "Most likely Etsuyo," Yasushi explained, ducking under a low-hanging branch draped with moss. "She's more of an apprentice than anything else. Still learning the ropes to become an Elder one day."

  Taichi murmured, eyes nervously shifting side to side. "...Ah… makes sense."

  Yasushi resumed his pace as his words tumbled out faster, concealing the pent up.

  "Normally Captain Haru supervises their lessons and comes along, but I didn't spot him back there." He tilted his head to the side, dodging clusters of birch saplings and closed in on the looming forest ahead, “The lagoon is still our clan's territory and close enough to the palace that if trouble breaks out, those two idiots can quickly reach us. Not that it's needed. The Elder and Etsuyo are really strong. They can fend for themselves,”

  Taichi agreed, his eyes going between Yasushi and the surrounding forest. "Yeah. I get it… From a defense standpoint and all…"

  A crickling sound rippled by thick maple grove to their right, bringing both boys to an abrupt stop. Yasushi's head whipped toward the noise, his body tense, heart racing.

  But… There's no wind!

  Gauging his reaction, Taichi hastily interrupted his thoughts. "Are we going or what, Yasushi? Ha ha ha! You keep stopping for nothing. We'll never get there at this rate."

  Yasushi managed a weak chuckle, narrowing his eyes. "Yeah... sorry. I just thought I heard something weird." He shook his head, turning back around. "Follow me. We're getting close."

  Launching into a rapid jog, advancing them deeper into the woodland, the boys leapt over exposed roots and moss-covered stones while branches brushed past his shoulders. Time blurred into a rhythm of pounding footsteps and ragged breathing. Gradually, the suffocating wall of trees began to open up, drifting the scent of fresh water towards them.

  The lagoon emerged ahead through the thinning undergrowth, its crystalline surface reflecting the forest canopy like polished glass.

  As relief started to bloom amongst the boys, another sharp crickle split the silence behind them. Yasushi's arm shot out, catching Taichi across the chest, forcing him to freeze mid-step. They stood like statues, their ears straining for the slightest movement.

  “Whoever is following us, show yourself now!" Yasushi shouted, his words bouncing off tree bark and fading into emptiness.

  Silence responded, broken only by wind stirring through dry leaves.

  He raised both hands, fingers spread wide toward the sky as energy surged up from his core, radiating a pale blue light from his fingertips. Water rose from the ground and gathered above his palm, forming perfect spheres spinning in place.

  "Since you won't come out... I'll force you."

  He dropped into a fighting stance, plantint his feet apart with knees bent for combat. The floating orbs doubled in size as both hands turned toward the sound's direction. Raw energy vapored around his body, molding a liquid barrier.

  "Wait! Stop!" Taichi screeched, lunging forward and slamming into Yasushi's shoulder.

  Sachiko jutted out of the underbrush frightened, rolling on the ground to evade Yasushi's pending attack.

  Yasushi's mouth fell open, dropping his arms to his side. "Sai...SACHIKO???!!!"

  His voice cracked like thunder through the trees, startling a flock of birds into flight from their perches. The water spheres collapsed back to the ground, soaking the soil.

  "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

  Sachiko nervously chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh... surprise?"

  “We were following you, idiot!" Koba retorted, stepping out from behind a massive oak, arms folded across his chest.

  "YOU'RE HERE TOO, KOBA???!!!" Yasushi bellowed, his voice swaying the tree branches.

  Koba smirked, tilting his head in the opposite directions. "Not just me... right, Megumi?"

  On cue, she lifted herself out of the bushes. "Damnit! Couldn't you guys follow more quietly?" She huffed, punching Sachiko in the arm. "What amateurs."

  "How??... But... Uhh... What?...Yasushi stuttered, working his jaw up and down. “Why me… why are you following me?!"

  "We're curious!" Koba, Megumi, and Sachiko answered in perfect unison, nonchalantly shrugging their shoulders.

  Yasushi stumbled, heat flooding his cheeks as their casual response sank in.

  "But how did you know?”

  Sachiko, Koba and Megumi looked at Taichi, his face crumpling with an awkward guilt. "Well... you see..." he muttered, his index fingers pressed together eluding Yasushi's eyes. “It was kinda…my idea.”

  Koba jumped in, pointing an accusing finger. "It's your fault we got curious about this Kaname girl in the first place!” he roared. “You were all uptight and boring during the festival!! Taichi said it had to be true cause why else would you act like that! He wanted to prove it so we decided to tag along."

  Yasushi's astonishment twisted into anger, stepping toward Koba, fists clenching at his sides. "Why couldn't you just mind your own damn business?!"

  Koba's eyes flared. He moved forward, meeting his challenge head-on. "Take some responsibility, asshole! I already told ya we were curious! If you never wanted us to know about her, then you shoulda kept your mouth shut!”

  As boys squared off, Sachiko blushed. His lips curving into a pink-cheeked grin. "Calm down. You guys are arguing like lovers."

  "LOVERS?!" Megumi screeched, arms spread wide throwing herself between Koba and Yasushi.

  Chaos erupted, devolving Sachiko, Koba, Megumi, and Yasushi into a heated argument. Four voices overlapped each other, gesticulating a cacophony of bickering voices. Words tangled together in a mess of accusations and denials. Hands waved wildly through the air as each tried to out-shout the others.

  Taichi leaned against a nearby tree trunk, watching the confrontation unfold. His initial amusement quickly souring into pure annoyance. He folded his arms and drummed his fingers against his bicep, waiting for them to exhaust themselves. Minutes ticked by with no end in sight. His tummy growled as his patience reached its limit.

  "EVERYONE, SHUT DA HELL UP!!" His voice exploded through the clearing, shattering his self-control.

  All four fell immediately silent, gaping at him in shock.

  Taichi dragged air into his lungs, forcing his voice back to normal levels edged with irritation.

  "Yasushi, we're already here. Let us take a quick peek and we'll be on our way, okay?"

  Yasushi's body deflated like a punctured balloon, dropping his shoulders. He dragged his fingers through his hair and released a long, defeated breath.

  "Sheesh! Fine..." he conceded. "But only a peek, got it? We're going back as soon as we see her."

  "Kay!" Taichi, Sachiko, Megumi, and Koba chorused in unison, their voices blending into a single, enthusiastic affirmation.

  Yasushi's head moved back and forth in disbelief. Despite his attempt to appear annoyed, his lips betrayed him, revealing a winsome smile. "You guys are impossible, you know that?"

  Taichi clapped his palm against Yasushi's shoulder. "Come on, you know you love us."

  "Yeah, yeah," Yasushi playfully uttered under his breath. Taking another breath, air filled his chest as he straightened his spine like a soldier preparing for war.

  "Alright, let's do this! But remember, we're just looking. No interaction, no drawing attention to ourselves. Got it?"

  Four heads bobbed in solemn agreement, verve sparking in their eyes.

  Koba swept his arm toward the lagoon with theatrical flourish. "Lead the way, oh fearless leader."

  The air buzzed with anticipation as the sounds of the forest gradually returned around them. White mist clung to branches overhead, creating ghostly fingers swallowing the forest floor.

  Yasushi rolled his eyes and broke into a run. The others fell into formation behind him, moving with exaggerated care like children embodying spies.