• Mandari was nothing less that mortified. She held the blanket in front of her as she walked through the uneven forest. I'm practically naked! Didn't he think we'd need some spare clothes if we were going to run? This is too embarrassing She fumbled with the blanket as she stepped over some uneven shrubs. Junpei was still ahead, and seemed angry. Zero followed him quietly, hanging his head. Something is going on here...and he won't tell me what. Mandari cleared her throat. "It's almost sundown, are we close to the ridge?". Junpei nodded abruptly "Yeah, it should be up ahead any minute". The sun sank slowly over the treetops and the night breeze whistled softly. They came to a ragged platform of rocks, and Junpei stopped. "It's just over this formation. Here, I'll push you up first, and then follow." Mandari blushed and thought about her situation. "Erm how about you climb up first and help pull me up". Junpei had to stop and think about why she would suggest that. Finally, he nodded awkwardly and climbed the rock to it's lowest ledge. "Ok, grab my hand and dig your feet into the rock." Mandari grabbed a hold tight and pressed her foot onto the foundation. Her blackened feet gained hold and she kicked off, landing onto the ledge. Junpei smiled a bit. "Only two more ledges and we're over" Mandari rubbed her foot. "What's over the ridge we need to get to?" she asked, pulling the towel tight around her neck. "A cave I prepared just in case the Ninkin came to search my house. I store a portion of my food there so I am supplied for a long period of time." Mandari shook her head. "It's hard to believe you've got all this planned out."

    In only a few short minutes Mandari was staring down the platform and into the mouth of a cave that seemed to lead straight into the center of the earth. Things are never normal around here