Hatashi had arrived at the entrance of the forest looking very energized and not tired in anyway. He then walked up to Kaitara and asked her how her own journey went.

  “It….it…went well” Kaitara stammered with a shy tone.

  “How did yours go?” she asks almost immediately after answering him.

  “I don’t want to talk about it” Hatashi said looking very shy. When he said this Kaitara was shocked because of two things.

  Firstly, Hatashi had never been secretive about anything before, especially to her and Tiatsuri and secondly, for the first time Hatashi was shy when talking to her. This made her realize Hatashi realize that Hatashi liked her, but she wasn’t totally sure. So, she decided to use her secret weapon to get the answer out of him.

  Furthermore, she held his arm tightly then looked at him straight in the eye. She looked so cute while doing it. No matter how much he tried he couldn’t look away from her glistening eyes and cute face and finally, he gave in.

  “Ok fine I’ll tell you”

  “Yay!!!!!” she exclaimed triumphantly then she left his hand then they

  sat on the grass. When they sat down, Hatashi took a deep breath and

  began his story.

  In Hatashi’s, part of the forest he just walked around. The

  forest breeze blew around trying to find his fear but found none. He had overcome the forest’s power. He was truly fearless. To him the forest was very boring and he wanted to leave immediately as it had nothing to offer him except helping him cycle through his thoughts.

  Furthermore, at the end of the story Kaitara felt jealous and unsatisfied. Simply because he had less trouble in his part of the forest than her but never the less, she still thought he was cool.

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  “I wasn’t expecting for your story to be so short and boring” Kaitara said looking unsatisfied.

  “I warned you that it was boring but you didn’t listen to me” Hatashi said feeling deflated but Kaitara had not finished yet.

  “I’m not done yet” Kaitara said then she continued. “That kinda makes me think your much cooler than I thought”

  “Thanks, Kaitara” Hatashi replied with a wide grin. “I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me”

  “yeah” Kaitara said while blushing then she looked at him then smiled and he smiled back at her. Then they began holding hands lovingly.

  “How would the world be if we were to get married and have children together” Kaitara asked then looked away while she still blushed.

  “I believe it would be very wonderful to live in a world where me and you were together” Hatashi said then turned her head slightly in order to maintain eye contact with her.

  “Really?” Kaitara asked then his hand left her face.

  “yeah” Hatashi said then they prepared to kiss each other but just before their lips touched, they heard a rustling sound come through the leaves then they and sensei Hashiro prepared to attack who or what ever came through the bushes.

  Moments later, the bushes exploded, and Tiatsuri stumbled out—bruised, smoking, and very much alive.

  “How did you get that injured?!” Kaitara cried, rushing to heal him.

  “Now I have to heal your weak sorry ass” she scolded as she continued to heal him

  “you’re speaking as though I got these injuries on purpose” Tiatsuri argued while he was yet on the floor.

  “Why can’t you be more like Hatashi” Kaitara said. “He didn’t get any injuries”

  While, Tiatsuri was yet on the ground he turned to look at Hatashi in order to verify her claims.

  Furthermore, when he saw Kaitara was telling the truth he then looked at her and prepared to continue the argument

  “at least that means my trial was harder than his” Tiatsuri argued.

  “Well, I’ll have you know that…” Kaitara said then couldn’t her sentence because she heard Sensei Hashiro feign clearing his throat while standing up from his reading position

  Hashiro stood, stretching. “Congratulations. You’ve all passed the test of courage.”

  He looked toward the forest, eyes narrowing slightly. “But the real trials are still ahead.”

  Shortly after, they gathered their materials together and set out on their journey to Karuta village where they would fight the serpent

  Demon.

  Nevertheless, their journey was put stopped before it even began when a strange masked figure wearing a black robe appeared in front of them.

  “I knew you would come” Hashiro said then grinned

  “What do you mean sensei?” Kaitara asked looking very confused

  “Yeah, what do you mean sensei?” Tiatsuri asked also looking very puzzled.

  “Who is he?” Tiatsuri asked

  “The serpent demon of Karuta village” Sensei Hashiro said as they all stared at the masked figure in preparation for battle.