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(OOC| A thread for Xavior and I to RP the journey of Jasper and Shadow to the Sprite gathering at Fin'a Ridge, just south of Thakii Range. The time; a week before Winter Solstice, December 12th)

Shadow nodded at Jaspers wise words and dimounted quickly. He patted Anio Chevvat which meant Fleet One and drove a stake ino the ground. He then romoved his briddle and allowed him to roam free fro the night an hung the briddle on the stake."Let them be, they'll be here in the morning. They know where the fod and protection is. he said with a smile

Shadow then began to busy himself with preparing a fire when he heard Jaspers exclamation."you left your tent? Hahaha, that's funny. Well...I guess we could share mine. It may be a tight fit but t's better then you sleeping out int the cold. Or you could have it and I'll sleep outside. I don't mind, I'm used to it. he said with a smile as he rubbed his hands togther over a pile of fire wood and created a large flame out of the air. He then looked over at Jasper and smiled as the fire light danced across her features. "It's your choice."

Shadow shook his head as he listened to Jasper tell him that she would sleep outside. "No, I will not allow such a thing." Shadow said as he pitched the tent and then walked over to Jasper as she lay on her bedroll. He then lifted her up gently and carried her into the tent. After that, he walked back out and sat next to the fire and took out his katana.

Shadow smiled softly as he smelled the clear winter air as he ran a whett stone up and down the edge of his blade and then tested it. It was a good night to sit watch. Not to cold but not overly warm for winter. He as glad to be back out in the wide open nature.

Shadow was lost in thought as he sared into the fire with a distant look in his eye. He remember past battles and wars. He felt the heat of battle and heard the cries of the ying and wscared. He also heard sometihng that cause a chill to run up his spin, a sadistic laugh that he knew all to well as to be his own. But he then began to remember happier times. Lie the day he had first come to Rai High. The day he had meet his wife, and the day that he had asked her to be his in marriage. But then came the pain and anger once more as he remmebered her horrible death.

Jaspers soft kiss snapped Shadow back into reality and he smiled up at her as she offered to take watch."I'm fine out here. I'll just sleep for a short while. You can take watch if you want, or you can sleep . Either one is fine with me." he told her as he began to sharppen his blade again and then looked up at her once more and smiled.

The warmth of the fire was still strong though the flames seemed to have died down a bit so he stopped his work and tossed another long on the fire and listened to crackle of the pine wood meet the fire and took in the enchanting aroma.

Shadow smiled as he closed his eyes and agreed to slep for a short time."Alright, I'll sleep for a short time. wake me at dawn though." he tld her as he felt the soft weight of her head upon her shoulder. He then became very aware of the warmth from the camp fire and felt himself drift way to sleep as he heard Jasper mention about the unfriendly vilagers. He attempted to respond but sleep over took him and a drifted off.

Shadow smiled slightly in his sleep for the frist time in a long time. He hadnever slept very comfortabl but now he felt that he could. He then let his head fall onto the top of Jaspers head as he moved slightly in his sleep but did not wake as he continued to sleep happily.

Two hours after Shadow had fallen asleep, he suddenly awoke from a gust of wind that caused the hair onhis neck to stand. He looked around quickly to see where Jasper had gone off to because he realized immediately that her scent was too faint for her to be in the camp site. He cursed softly under his breathe at letting himself get left behind. It was novice mistake. Something he should have known better then to do.

He quickly turned around and heard a rushing noice all about him. It was just then that he realized that he was encased in a giant dome of wind. He raised his hands and brought his palms togeather. He then closed his eyes and slowly dropped his hands down to his chest and as he did so, the dowe deminished. He then snapped his fingers and the camp fire went out with a hiss and puff of smoke.. He then gave out two swift whistles and upon the second, Anio Chevvat came galloping over to his side. He quickly bridalled him an jumped on his back.

"Run swiftly my friend." he whispered softly into his steeds ear as he gave him his full head and allowed him to gallop at hi leasure. Shadow knew that his only way to find Jasper was to follow Jaspers scent. He sniffed the air as his hrse raced across the plains at a neck breaking speed.

He continued to urge Anio Cheevat on with encouraging words. He had picked up Jaspers trial and turned the horse towards the on coming dawn. He had been riding for two hours and stillhad not come across her or her horse. Shdaow urged his horse to go faster and faster, and without efforet Anio Cheevat answered. He was truel built for speed and endurance. He galloped along and every stride was smooth and effortless. Shadow looked around urgently but found no sight of Jasper.

Shadow and Anio Cheevat raced onwards until Shadow felt a presence in the wind. He heard a voice alling out to him through the air and he knew that Anio felt it too because he beganto toss his head in anger at the unseen force as he raced on in th direction from which it came.

Shadow took one last sniff of the air to make sure that he still had Jaspers scent and continued in the direction that he was headed in. However, he knew that if he traveled on foot, he would be get along much faster, but he refused to leave Anio Cheevat behind. He has learned to trust the steed and felt bad leaving it.

Shadow looked around fervently as he noticed that Jaspers scent had grown much stronger as he went on as I began to scan the horizan. After a moment, he caught a glimps of her off at a distance and urged Anio Cheevat to hurry towards he. He had to find out what was so urgent for her to leave him behind in the middle of the night.What could it have been? he thought to himself as Jaspers figure grew closer and closer.

Shadow smiled as he saw Jasper walking towards him. He then urged Anio Cheevat to gallop faster and once he was close enough and he jumped off and allowed him to race towards Tuono as he ran to Jasper and picked her up gently and spun her around with a smile. There was a soft breeze that ruffled her hair and played his neat black hair.

"what happened? Did I scare you off or something?" he asked her with a smile and a laugh. He placed her back on the ground and looked over at Anio Cheevat as he saw him nuzzle Tuono lovingly and realized that their horse were much like them. young and cared for eachother. He smiled and winked at Anio who seemed to do the same.