• It was almost time for me and Akio to go and visit The Royals. I was really nervous, not just because of The Royals, because I wasn't outside at all, not once after that night. The night that changed. Ai didn't have to pack much, all she packed was some clothes and 2 blankets, one for each of us. Ai wasn't going on the trip because she had her own stuff to do around the house and she had to help one of her friends with something, I don’t know I don't speak 'fox' yet. and Choko well...she was passed, she rather spend time with her friends. I wanted Etsuka to come but I didn't want her involved with The Royals, and Yori and I were cool but I'd rather have Etsuka along. The reason the Ai didn't have to pack much was because there's supposedly a river, a long river to the Royals, and they wanted me to eat like a regular fox eat fish, raw. and drink out of the lake, literally. What I think I'm gonna do is when I drink I won't look at it, and think of something else. Jiro, no I will be sad and start crying, Nina..uhh...no...
    "How about not thinking of what you are doing and think whatever pops in ur head first!" yelled Choko.
    "Sorry!" I yelled back. How did I do that? I think I put thoughts in Choko's head more than she tells us. That’s probably why she's always annoyed with me.
    "Aria," called Akio. "It's time to go." I took a deep breath and walked to the door.
    "You ready?" Akio asked.
    "Not really," I answered.
    "I won't let hurt you," he responded.
    "It's not that, its just I haven't been outside for awhile." I explained.
    "I see, C'mon you'll be fine," He assured me. He walked out the door first. I took my time and I stuck my head out of the door. I could smell pine from the tress, fresh air, and I could hear rain and the wind blowing through the trees. When I felt that there was no danger, I took a step outside. When my body was completely out of the doorway, I closed the door behind me. I walked down the stone steps, onto the grass. I could feel the rain on my face, and the rain soaking in my feet, I'm bare-footed, and on my hair/ears. I ran to Akio.
    "Which way is it?" I asked.
    "That way." He pointed North West. "You want to run?"
    "Yep!!" I answered. I felt like running. I wanted to feel the wind on my face, I wanted to run and feel free. I wanted to get soaked by the rain.
    Akio giggled, he heard what I was thinking, if i only knew how I do it. He cut my thoughts short by saying, "Comes with the Fox side-effects." He laughed again.
    We were running, passing through trees, the ground flying beneath us, getting soaked, feeling the wind on our faces and through our hair. I was enjoying myself! After many hours of running I was getting tired. How long is it to the Royals anyway?? I was waiting for Akio to hear my thoughts but he showed no sign of hearing me. I was soaked from head to toe..I mean tail. But I didn't mind it.
    "Akio," I said.
    "Hmmmm," he said, trying to catch his breath.
    "How long is it to The Royals??" I asked.
    "We'll be there very soon." He said. I heard my stomach grumble. Akio heard it too.
    "I'll go get you something to eat," He said. "But we have time to eat it up, oh to give you a heads-up it won't be like eating on of Ai's fish." He added.
    "OK." I said.
    "Stay here." Akio ordered.
    "Yes, sir!" I saluted him. He laughed then disappeared into the forest.