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Moon swiftly galloped to their destination, never seeming to tire. They soon reached the forest near Mount Seiitsu, the burial place of Takara's parents. It was getting dark, and it was dangerous to travel around these parts at night. Moon stopped in a meadow and Takara dismounted to gather sticks to start a fire.

"We'll have to stop for the night, it's very easy to get lost here during the day, nevermind when its dark. We'll arrive there around late-afternoon tomorrow."

Takara smiled and started the fire before pulling some waybread from one of the packs. Moon snickered in her special horse-like-way.

"Aww, that's cute."

"As charming as usual. Some day you're going to meet a nice stallion and you won't be able to tease me."

"Right, maybe when pigs fly."

A flying pig chose that moment to fly directly about them. Takara softly laughed.

"You forgot this is an enchanted forest, Moon."

Moon gave no reply other than a snort and decided to graze.

"Thanks, Tochi. Catch."

Takara tossed some bread to Tochi from her spot near the fire and absently ate her piece, staring into the fire.

Once she was finished eating, she walked around the camp, making sure the circle contained Moon, Tochi, and the fire. When the circle was completely, a ring glowed around them for a moment before disappearing.

"The barrier will conceal out camp and keep away any wild creatures. You should get some sleep, we'll start early tomorrow morning."

She sat down again and stared up at the sky, staying awake out of habit. She rarely slept during the time around the new moon since that was when the hunters were after her the most.

Takara took out a flute to pass the time with something other than worrying and played a soft, soothing melody.

Takara tucked away her flute and walked over to stand next to Tochi, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Is something bothering you? You seem quite tense..."

Takara nodded and sat back down, leaning against a tree. She took out a blood-red stone from a pocket and stared at it, running her fingers over its smooth surface.

If worse comes to worse, it may be time to use this, Nani. Forgive me...

The stone had been in Nani's possession, the she-wolf that had taken care of Takara, and was given to Takara at her death. It had the power to free her, but at a great price. She had been warned to use it as a last resort, when she would be unable to control her dark side. Takara's eyes slowly closed and she fell into a light, uneasy sleep, tightly clutching the stone.

Takara awoke, just before the sun's first rays shown over the horizon. She got up, stretching, and noticed Tochi sitting nearby. She smiled upon seeing him and turned away to the small stream that ran through the edge of the meadow, opening up the barrier around them. She cold water refreshed her and fully woke her mind up. She went back and scattered the ashes of their fire, sweeping dirt over them to be sure a fire wouldn't start from some small spark that had managed to live. She woke Moon, who was too groggy to make comments, and replaced the packs on her. She went over to Tochi and tapped his shoulder as Moon got a drink.

"We're ready to leave."