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Teishoku gaped. Did you just.. he thought, nor really believing someone was already hitting on his student. I didn't even want the dam girl... He thought, suddenly annoyed about the entire situation. Meitei, eyes on me. I'm still the older one. That much hasn't changed. He said, sternly. You've got a lot to speak up for, but you probably wouldn't have risked walking into this forest just to 'catch up'. What do you want. Its very dangerous for you to be here. Loud crashes in the distance only served to reinforce his words. It sounded like the Ents were moving.

Aiko ran through the forest, eager to eat her meal and return back to Teishoku and Meitei. I might learn something better from him. She giggled as her thoughts took a turn for the worst. Her shadow swooped low above her head, letting her know that her prey was close. She nodded and ran a little more carefully, careful not to hit too many loose tree limbs.

Aiko crashed through the trees into a small clearing, where the rabbit and foxes were left, broken but breathing. Her shadow crept up behind her in the shape of a large cat. She patted its head and nodded her thanks. The shadow cat nodded in acknowldgement. After a quick, silent prayer of thanks to Fede, she dug in, draining all three animals dry. While she ate, her shadow dug three small wholes, where she buried each of them.

Aiko ran back to her teacher and Meitei, her shadow by her side, questions running through her mind. There was a faint groaning and crashing throughout the forest, as if something large and old was making its way around. Ents! Really need to be at teacher's side, now. With that in mind, she put on a little burst of vampire speed in her step and flew faster through the forest then ever before. Aiko stopped directly behind Teishoku, almost knocking him over, and smiled rediculously as she saw her shadow phase right through them.
"So. What exactly did I miss? Why the grim faces, guys?"

Teishoku was still staring at his brother, who had somehow actually 'transformed' before his eyes. He didn't answer he automatically. He waited and weighed his options. Three ents walked out from the forest with their heads to the sky and disgust on their tree like faces. Who was that and what was he doing there The largest of the Ent asked.

That was my brother, and you're about to piss me off. Leave. now. He said, turning on the Ents. His status as the Naturia Sage was well known within the forest and the Ents were more or less his to command. They paused at the small man bossing them around. Then looked at each other and walked back into the forest.

After they'd walked back in and their footsteps were no longer heard. Teishoku turned to his Apprentice. No, it didn't have anything to do with the dark or fire lords. I don't know why you would want to know that, however, 'Vampire'. He said the word vampire with some contempt, for he still didn't really know who she was, what she wanted, or what she could to. He was stopping by to say hello. As you probably heard, that was my brother. We had a fight and now my tree friends don't really like him. Sorry, but thats the best I can tell you right now.

Teishoku sat on the ground and stared at her. He was wrapping his beggar sash back around his waist and he was slightly irritated about the whole procession of things that had happened since she'd shown up. Now this is what's going to happen. I'm going to sit here, and you're going to tell me your whole story. Why you showed up in my forest, who you 'really' are, and what you 'really' want from me. Next, you're going to explain your strange shadow and tell me exactly how it works. After that, we will spar so that I may see what you're capable of and if i deem you worthy, you will accompany me on my travels.

He paused and thought for a second. You can either do that, or take a hike. I'm allowing you the option of leaving. Right now. This is your last chance. If you go, there will be no hard feelings, but you won't be allowed in my forest. My Ents 'will' kill you. If you stay, you are mine. Any other course of action will result in me or someone I know, killing you. What do you choose? He stopped talking because he was tired of hearing his own voice. He gave her time to make up her mind and decide what she was going to do.

Teishoku's gaped. The dark lord's sister... He thought, slightly in awe. He watched her walk away and stood up. Eh, Maybe she's decided to leave. Ok by me. I wonder where Durzo is. I sent him to the wind nation ages ago... He thought, already losing focus on the task at hand. He decided that he was going to go see what was the hold up. He sat back down on the ground and began to meditate. He was directing his physical energy from his mind down to his feet. It slowed his brain activity down, but he'd learned how to moderate it, from the times when he'd practiced.

The energy of his torso and arms went next, directing itself with ease down his body and into his feet. They began to glow. He stood up, his feet vibrating actively and glowing slightly. He forcefully controlled the speed of his body, slowing it down significantly although all of his energy was aching to launch him into blinding speed. He walked over to Aiko, with some difficulty. Have you made your choice? If you have, then tell me so that I may know for sure. I am a beggar....a nomad. There isn't a very high chance of us meeting up again any time soon. He focused to control the energy quivering in his legs. He would wait for her answer before leaving.

Teishoku smiled, but only a little. That 'second to my brother' part was bothering him. He would have to figure out about that. Fine....I suppose that will be fair. Stay here. Do as you wish. I have to find my servant. Within a second he was gone, dust covering everything, and the energy of his feet finally being released. His feet flew across the earth as he ran towards the Wind empire in search for the mysterious Durzo Blint

Aiko collapsed on her back in the softest green grass she's ever known. She was breathing heavily, exausted from her hours of sparring with her shadow. If only he was actually here. I could actally do something interesting. Her shadow shifted into the form of a cat and curled up on her stomach. Her thoughts slowly shifted to her brother. I still think something's wrong with the two kingdoms. Something's not right about Teishoku, so he might've lied about it. She wanted to go, but remembered his last words to her was for her to stay there. She sighed and closed her eyes against the bright sun.

Her shadow peered at her, then shifted into a bird. It flew to a great height, examining many trees. Finally, it perched on a single limb and pulled off a large leaf and carried it back to Aiko.

Aiko smiled when she saw her shadow fly back towards her. "I'm so glad you're so smart" she said as it landed right beside her. She took the leaf from it in one hand and held a finger on the other to her shadow. It jabbed at it repeatedly, until her finger was budding with blood. Quickly and neatly, she wrote 'In Dakuando Be Back Soon' with her bloody finger. She laid the leaf carefully on a large boulder, then laid a small rock on top of it to hold it in place. She looked down at her shadow and smiled at its preening. "Let's go see brother, friend." She then took off through the woods, retracing her steps back to her brother's kingdom.