The Village: Season Two

[Liamane]

Season 2 Premiere

Nighttime fell upon the village as the moon and the stars from the heaven lit the darkness that took over the land. "This was a great idea Kohana!" Jiro said stuffing fish and rice in his mouth. "Camping out here in the great outdoors, eating a feast in front of a cozy fire and spending time with the women... this is the life!"

"I've been wanting to do this for a long time!" Kohana said excitedly. "We never had this much company to do anything so this was the right time to do it I guess."

"You know, since Samuru and the Fuwa clan is gone, there will be more people coming in and out of this village." Naomi said taking a bite of meat. After she swallowed it, she continued. "It's ok now but I'm sure new enemies will surface."

"Well I guess that could be a problem but with people coming to this place, that's good for business right?" Tidus asked thinking about his job. "I'm sure that we'll be able to defeat those who try to do anything, right Vincent?"

Vincent looked at Tidus and gave an assuring nod and then looked over to everyone else. "So this is what it feels like." the Turk whispered. Miyo looked over to everyone else talking to each other laughing and smiling and celebrating victory. The woman smiled and waved her hand in her lover's face. "Lost in thought I see." she said to him. "Care to share?"

"This feeling I have." He said with a smirk. "I never had this even with my own friends. Here we can just relax and not have to talk about other problems. I feel closer to you all than my friends back in Kalm. I feel as if everyone here is part of my family."



Back with the sibings...
"Can we get 2 rooms for the night please?" Skye asked sweetly to the innkeeper. The male innkeeper couldn't resist the fact that this woman was beautiful from head to toe and allowed the duo to stay for not only one night but two at no cost. Waking inside the room that was given to her, Skye looked around and considered the room to be boring and dull.

"This place needs a woman's touch." she said putting her things on a chair. Taking a seat on the bed, Skye removed her outside clothing and looked over to the window. "This will have to do for now I guess. Hopefully tomorrow will be a great start to my new life here in Riyona Village. I'll make every man's dream come true by having them worshiping me as the goddess that I am and they'll get me anything that I want."

[Liamane]

In the opposite room, Skye's younger brother, Rian, sat upon the bed and looked about the room. The man sighed as he fixed his gaze upon the oak floor beneath his feet. "I believe my beloved sister is happy with her accommodation," he said in a soft tone while crossing his arms. Although he appeared frail, Rian was agile and merciless in battle. On the outside, the twenty two year old seemed to be bright and cheerful, but inside his body, a dark energy loomed about his mysterious heart.

A grin crossed his face as he laid flat on the bed and gazed up at the ceiling. "And as long as Skye is content, then I also share her delight," Rian whispered as his eyes thinned. "My dear sister's well being is my sole concern and purpose in life. Skye... is my life."

---

Meanwhile, as the night pressed on, Vincent's eyes became heavier. After a long day of battling demons and shadow creatures, drowsiness seemed to be conquering the Turk. The man dipped his head several times as sleep began to quickly overwhelm him. He let out a soft groan and rested his head upon his knees.

"I think sleep is getting the better of me," the Turk said softly to Miyo with a short laugh. "I don't think my body is going to permit me to stay up much longer. I think I should get a bit of sleep, don't you agree, my love?"

[Liamane]

Miyo smiled and gave Vincent a nod. "Yes you need to rest up. Sleep as long as you want." she replied in the same tone. "We'll all be here. I'll be here by your side."

~~~~~~~~~

As the morning sun covered the land of Riyona, the villagers gathered their products and produce for selling or items for working out in the fields. The sounds of the people putting up their stands at the village market and their doors open for the shops filled the air, as the eyes of the young Skye opened. "Ahh... This feels a bit... refreshing." she said softly to herself sitting up in the bed. "The bed looks like crap but somehow it's comfortable to sleep on."

"Sister! I brought you some breakfast." Rian shouted through the door. He allowed himself inside the room and placed a tray of fruits and other breakfast food on the nightstand beside the bed. He grabbed a pear and began to eat it. "So, how was your sleep?"

"It was fine. What is this stuff you brought up here?" Skye replied looking at the food strangely. "I've never seen this type of food before."

"Well, we're not of this land but the innkeeper's maid said that it was good to eat. She also said that the people of Riyona eat them in morning because it gives them lots of energy for the day." Rian answered. He finished the pear and threw it away, placed Skye's things on the nearby table, and took a seat in the chair. "I went to the tavern next door and overheard somethings about what recently happened here."

"Oh really? What did you hear my dear brother." Skye said with a nonchalant stuck-up tone. "I hope this is related to me because all the men couldn't keep there eyes off of me last night."

Rian awkwardly looked at his sister and then turned away looking out the window. "No." he replied simply feeling a little nervous about Skye's reaction. "She reacts so cold if anything isn't about her." the young man thought. "She's been that way for the longest."

She thinned her eyes at her brother and tightened her lips. After a moment Skye started cleaning her already clean fingernails and asked, "So if they're not talking about me, then what or who are they talking about?"

"Oh well.. umm.. " Rian said softly, surprised at his sister's reaction. He cleared his throat and spoke louder saying, "Well they were saying something about a clan that came to this land but a man with dark hair and red eyes destroyed them and their leader. They were saying that someone saw him with a few others from a distance while in the forest yesterday."

"A dark haired man with red eyes?" Skye asked intrigued by Rian's words. "He must be really powerful to destroy a spirit. Is he a demon? I wonder if he's handsome."

"I'm not sure about all that; this is the only information I know." Rian stated handing over some fruit to his sister. Getting up he turned back to his sister when reaching the door and said, "You eat something and we'll go to the village market in a while. I'm going to see if I could find out more information."

[Liamane]

"Word on the circuit is that Vincent Valentine and his group of pests destroyed this so called powerful demon." Axel said in a highly sarcastic tone, "What a poor soul to have arrived at such a discomforting end." Axel smirked and laughed. He knocked on the frame of the open door to the siblings' room and said, "Oops, knock knock?"

---------------------------------

Tidus looked over at Naomi, dying to ask her what happened to her in the forest. He felt a presence inside of her that told him something mazing happend to her, but he didn't feel it necessary to bring it up at this moment. After all, they had all been through a lot the previous day, assuming Naomi had been doing more than hiding, and they needed as much time of peace as they could get before the next disaster struck. When it came to the forces of evil, Tidus was never an optimist. He knew that for every evil destroyed, another would take its place; just like Sin.....

Naomi turned her head towards Tidus, dying for him to hold her in his arms. She knew this couldn't be, because even though his heart felt something here; in this place, his heart truly belonged to another woman, somewhere else. This thought plagued her. Tidus had never mentioned anyone else, but she could just sense that someone still lingered with him; something that Naomi felt that he found in her.....

Ms. Kiro plucked leave off of growing flowers in her shop, wondering where Naomi had been the past few days. Her best worker hadn't shown in in so long, she was beginning to worry. She was about to travel to Miyo's house, to see if anyone had seen her, when a man arrived. She stopped and smiled, saying, "May I help you?"

Then man grinned and replied, "Yes, I believe you may......."

[Liamane]

As the morning sun's light slowly crept over the village's high trees and onto Vincent's sleeping face, the Turk drowsily opened his eyes to the new day. The man sat up and stretched his arms wide. He turned to his sleeping lover, who laid beside him just as she had promised, and a smile crossed his face. With a silent greeting, he leaned toward Miyo and kissed her sleeping eyes.

Vincent lifted his intense red eyes to gaze at the rest of his new family still sleeping in the sun's basking light. His smile broadened and his shifted his attention to the pond behind him. The clear water's surface shimmered in the sunlight and provided a natural feast for the Turk's eyes.

The man brought a knee to his chest and let out a dreamy sigh as he took in a fresh breath of the crisp morning. "Another wonderful day in Riyona," Vincent said in a soft whisper as watched a pair of mourning doves ((random birdies XDD)) dart across the blue sky. "It's a wonderful day... to be alive."

[Liamane]

"It sure is." Jiro replied still in the same position. He opened his eyes and sat up facing the Turk playing with the grass in front of him. "You know, I never got the chance to say thank you. I mean all this time you helped me become a better person. I didn't really notice it before and I guess being the way that I am I just didn't pay attention until you died."

_________________________________________________

"Vincent is his name?" Rian asked Axel. "The guy that everyone has been talking about?"

" I don't know much about anything beside the things I hear when drunks come in from the tavern next door." The man replied looking around the room. "Travelers tell their own stories as well so it's hard to keep up with everything. If you want some info then it comes at a special price."

"I'm sure that your information is valuable but it can't be worth as much since you do hear lots of things." the young man stated walking out the door. "Thank you for the information you supplied me. I'll shall be on my way."


Skye studied the man in the room, and got dressed ready to go and explore what the village of Riyona offered. "Dark hair... red eyes." she said softly watching her brother leave the inn from the window. "Why do I have this strong feeling about what my sibing said?"

Hearing a knock at the door, the woman looked back at the door, walked over, and opened it. She saw a very simple-face girl with a bucket of cleaning products in her hand. "Good day ma'am." the young girl about 14 years old said with a shy smile. "I am Liyah, the maid of this inn and if you're in need of something please called for me."

Skye grilled the girl with a smug look and replied with a cheerful stuck-up tone, "My child please come in. I am in need of something and I'm sure you know a lot about what's going on here lately."

"Well I hear lots of things." Liyah replied softly looking down at the floor. Skye opened the door and allow the girl to come inside. She offered Liyah a seat and the young girl sat down playing with her fingers. "There are travelers and the people of this village that stay at the inn everyday so lots of rumors have been going around."

"Ah I see now." Skye replied with a scheme in mind. "Well any special ones you've been hearing lately? Something about a man with dark hair and red eyes?"

Liyah looked up at Skye then instantly turned away. "I'm not allowed to say anything regarding that unless there's a negotiation involved." she said with a serious tone. "If you want to know about him then are you willing to pay?"

"My dear Liyah." replying with a sly smile. "I know you desire attention and pure love, so with my help your wish will be granted. Now tell me what you know."

[Liamane]

Vincent smiled as he looked over to the young man and offered him a nod. "There's no need to thank me, Jiro," the Turk replied as he stood from his position while looking out at the water. "You became a better person on your own. It was buried deep inside of you, and I only helped you to awaken your better side."

The man lowered his head and let out a sigh. After a moment of silence, Vincent raised his head once more and looked up at the sky. "When I was about your age, I had a conversation with my father," he continued as he glanced over at Jiro. "You see, I never spent time with my father because he was always away from home. I would see him once or perhaps twice a year, but we would rarely exchange words. I remember I would sneak into his study when no one was around, and I would look at the large portrait of himself that hung over the mantle of the fireplace. I would always look into his red eyes- the eyes that I shared- and I would pretend that he was standing in front of me.

"Anyway, like I said, one day, my father called me to his study," he continued as he walked over to the young man and sat beside him. "We spoke with each other for an hour, and I enjoyed every moment with him. At the very end of our conversation, he told me something I'll never forget: 'You've become an excellent man, Vincent Valentine, and you've made me proud.'"

The Turk looked up at the blue sky above him and he gained a calm face. "When you fought Samuru's henchmen yesterday while fighting for the people you hold dear, Jiro the Fuwa spy was no longer present," the man said as he shifted his eyes at the young man and he placed a hand upon his shoulder. "I only saw Jiro, the man, fighting alongside Tidus. I know I'm not your father, Jiro... but you've made me proud of the wonderful man you've become."

[Liamane]

Jiro lowered his head and could help but smile. "I've never heard those words from anyone, not even the man who I thought was the greatest person alive told me that." the young man replied to Vincent. He looked over to Kikyo and brushed away strands of hair that covered his face. "I guess I had to get shot in the leg to realize how great I could become."

"This sun is hot." Kohana said rubbing her eyes and sitting up. She looked over to see Vincent looking toward the sky and instantly blushed a little. "MIYOOOO!!" she yelled waking her sister. Miyo slowly opened her eyes and looked over to her sister. "Ha! You're awake now."

"Yes, thanks for waking me." Miyo said smirking. The woman looked over to see her love staring down at her. Sitting up as well, her hair stood up randomly and she yawn a little. "Good morning Mr. Valentine. Sleep well?"

[Liamane]

Vincent smiled and made his way behind his beloved. "Good morning, my love," he replied softly as he placed his arms around her waist and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "I slept just fine. I'm assuming you slept pleasantly as well?" A grin crossed the Turk's face as his fingers smoothly combed through her sleek hair. "Pretty soon I'll be calling you Mrs. Valentine, my dear... Miyo Valentine. I like the sound of that, don't you?"

The man looked over his shoulder at Kohana and gave her a wide smile. "Good morning, Kohana," he said in a cheerful manner. "How'd you sleep last night?"

[Liamane]

"Mrs. Valentine..." Miyo said softly repeating her lover's words. "I like it too. Now I know Kohana slept good, she was the loudest one here."

"Ha ha!! Very funny" Kohana said sticking her tongue out and blushing a bit. "Miyo I wasn't loud at all. I don't snore or anything. I'm the most quiet one but you! You tend to wake up everyone with your snoring."

"I don't snore." Miyo said laughing. She looked over to Jiro who was messing with Kikyo. "Jiro I didn't notice that you were up too. Good morning!"

"Good morning to you too." Jiro said with a sly grin. He took a strand of Kikyo's hair and placed it in her nose. "Seems like everyone is in a good mood."

"Hey now, leave her alone." Miyo stated lightly slapping the boy's hand. "She's still sleep."

"No, I'm up now thanks to this loser." Kikyo said in a groggy voice. Her stomach grumbled a little as she got up and stretched. "Mornin' everyone! Jiro you're always messing with me!!"

"Is that a problem?" He asked hugging her from behind. He then whispered to her. "We all know that you like it."

Instantly Kikyo's eyes widened and she blushed. "How about we get some breakfast!?!" She said loudly trying to avoid Jiro's flirting. "I'm starving!!"

[Liamane]

Vincent smirked at the two young teenagers flirting and held Miyo tightly in his arms. "I like the sound of that, Kikyo," the Turk replied as he leaned in and kissed his beloved's shoulder. He looked at his lover and offered her a gentle smile. "How about it, my love? I think a little food is bound to get all of us going, no?"

Miyo grinned and nodded as she stood from her position. "That sounds like a good idea," she said softly while heading to the house. "I'll get breakfast started right away. Maybe we can all do something fun today." As she proceeded to advance toward the house, she was interrupted by the sound of Vincent's voice. The young woman turned around to her lover who pulled himself to his feet.

"I believe you're going to need help cooking for all these people, Miyo," the man said as he walked over and stood next to his beloved, taking her hand. "Come on, my love. I'll be more than happy to help you. And if I'm not mistaken, I still need to learn how to cook. Am I right?"

The young woman gave out a little laugh and pulled her lover along the path to the house. "I believe so," Miyo said as she lightly pressed her lips upon Vincent's cheek. She looked over to her friends and gave them a nod. "We'll call you once breakfast is ready. It shouldn't take that long! Hold on for just a bit longer!" With that, the two lovers pulled each other along to the house to begin their new day in Riyona.

[Liamane]

"Ok now so put that in to the bowl and stir it until it gets lumpy." Miyo said helping her lover with some batter. A few minutes ago the couple started cooking breakfast for everyone and enjoying each other's company. As the time passed a little, the smell of all kinds of food filled the air, when two lovers heard footsteps coming toward the kitchen. "Wow, all this food looks great Miyo!" Kikyo said walking in and looking at the cooked food. "You really did a wonderful job and you too Vincent! I'm sure that you did a lot as well."

"Well actually it wasn't really me doing a whole lot." Miyo replied grinning as she gave Vincent, who was chopping fruit, a hug from behind. "It was all Vincent that did most of the work. We're just about done so if you can help with the food? That'll be great."

"Sure! Oh but I almost forgot to tell you two. Remember what Naomi said about more people coming to Riyona?" Kikyo asked with concern in her voice. Vincent turned around with Miyo still attached to him. ((lol wow.. attached? idk :B)) They both answered by nodding to her as the priestess continued. "Well I was thinking about what she said before going to sleep last night and I have a feeling. I'm not really sure of what it is; it's almost like a blur. I sense that it relates to you two though."

______________________________________

Liyah looked a Skye with a little bit of fear and took a stood up from the seat. "This woman is scary." [the young girl thought. "She's beautiful on the outside but her heart is black and cold as ice. It seems like she get what she wants though.... maybe I should just play along."

"He's name is Vincent." Liyah said softly playing with her fingers again. "Vincent Valentine. He's not from this world and has been here for almost 2 weeks now."

"For such a young girl you know a lot more than what others say." Axel said a little shocked. "Any other information that you'll like to supply us with?"

"Well I only know because the woman have their fun with the clan that Vincent destroyed would come back and sell their information for money." Liyah replied sighing a little. "I saw Vincent for the first time at the village market and he's really handsome as well. I'm sure that he didn't noticed all woman and girls starring at him because he was with one already."

"He's with another woman?" Skye asked with a frown. "Who is this woman."

"That's all the infomation that I have."

"You tell me you little-"

"That's enough, Skye." Axel said with a stern voice. He walked over to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder giving her a few coins. "Thank you for your information, I think that you should finish up your chores now."

"Uh, thanks." Liyah said glancing back at Skye. She then grabbed her cleaning products and left the room. "Nice kid." Axel said fixing his eyes on the woman. "You must want to know why I'm here right?"

[Liamane]

Vincent raised a brow as he ceased cutting fruit and put the sharp blade that he was using down. "Us?" the Turk asked as he turned around and wrapped his arms around Miyo in a loving embrace. He paused for a brief moment recalling Naomi's words that she had stated the previous night. The man looked down at his beloved and offered her a small grin. He then shifted his eyes to Kikyo and offered her an assuring nod. "No matter what new foe comes to the village, I'll be certain to protect all of you."

The Turk looked down at his lover once again. "Besides, I have someone worth fighting for," Vincent said softly as he placed a light kiss upon his beloved's lips and gave her a wink. "And I would never want anything to happen to this special someone, because I love her with all of my heart."

[Liamane]

Before Miyo could get a word out, Kikyo smiled and responded by saying, "Of course but just know that you're not alone. We'll all do our part as well. Now, everyone is waiting for these feast you too prepared. How about we take this food in?"

In allusion, Vincent and Miyo nodded at the same time and with the help of Kikyo, they all went to the dining area with a variety of foods. All eyes lid up with a look of amazement, as they all gathered at the table and sat down. "Wow, look at all this food!! We could barely put our plates on the table." Kohana said sliding the bowls of food near her toward the middle of the table. Miyo giggled a little and scratched her head. "Well we got a lot done in such a short time I didn't realize we cooked this much food." the woman said looking at the Turk. She then looked around to see no one touching the food. "Well let's eat!!"

____________________________________________

Rian taking a stroll around the village looking at the people being active in their work and looking at children playing with a ball in a small area. "This village is a lot better than what we've seen on our travels here." he thought to himself. "Everything here seems more calm and the people here are more cheerful."

The man continued to watch the children and saw that one of the boys kicked the ball over to him. Dodging the ball, instead of stopping it, the ball bounced off a door of someone's home and back to the children. Rian looked back at the children and watched them run away with the ball, as the door opened and a young girl opened it. "May I help you?" she asked sweetly. The smells from inside crept out and aroused Rian's nose giving him a small hunger. "Are you here to pick up an order?"

"Order?" the man asked the young girl. "What do you mean?"

"From our garden of course! You're not here for that?"

"Uh.. no I'm not." Rian said curious but a little flustered from the girl's response. He looked around and turned back to the girl. "So are you selling food? It smells wonderful inside."

"Well no, not now. It's a kinda late breakfast for us since stuff happened yesterday-"

"Kohana, who's at the door?" a woman said walking up behind her sibling. She looked over to see a man standing in front of Kohana and smiled. "Hello, is there a problem? Are you here to buy something from the garden?"

"Miyo he said he didn't want anything." Kohana responded for Rian. "He was asking about us selling our breakfast."

"Well it does smell good." the man said with a grumble in his stomach. He blushed a little and gave slouch bow in front of them. "I'm sorry my stomach has a mind of its own."

"Ah, no need to bow, we have plenty of food!" Kohana said grabbing the man's hand and pulling him inside. " My sister is the best cook in Riyona!!"

"I wouldn't say all that but I guess we could let you inside. We can't let someone stay hungry!" Miyo said walking back to the table. "Did you have a name?"

"Rian." the man said simply following. "The name is Rian."

[Liamane]

After Miyo sat down next to her lover, the Turk repeated the man's name as his intense red eyes stared him down. "Rian..." he uttered in a soft whisper as he put an arm around his beloved. As Vincent looked at the young man, he noticed an unusually powerful aura about him and a dark energy loomed around him that made him feel uncomfortable. "So... Rian, you're not from these parts?"

The young man eyed an available chair and slowly sat himself down. "Indeed," he replied as his eyes scanned about the table. "I come from... a far away location, I can assure you that." Rian's green eyes gazed up at Vincent and narrowed as they caught sight of his foreign red eyes- the eyes he had heard about from the various rumors. "You also do not originate from this area, correct, sir?"

Vincent nodded and was silent for a moment. "That's right," he simply snapped as he exchanged a mixed look with Miyo.

The young man pursed his lips and rested his chin upon his hand. "Tell me, good sir, what is your name?" he asked in a wry tone as a smirk crossed his face. "Surely, you must also have a name that others call you by."

The Turk was silent once more and he let out a sigh. "Valentine," he stated reluctantly as he closed his eyes. "It's Vincent Valentine. That is my name."

A delighted smile crooked Rian's face as the name rung through his head. This was not the first time he had heard the name, for it was in the tales of the drunkards next to the inn. "It's an honor, Mr. Valentine," he said as he dipped his head to conceal the conniving look upon his face. "I'm certain we'll get along famously."

[Liamane]

Kikyo studied Rian while he was talking to Vincent and sensed a negative aura around him. A concern expression grew on her face as she looked down at her food and continued to eat. "Well if you're not from here then are you from another world?" Kohana asked breaking a small silence that filled the air. "There's a few that came here from another world."

"I guess you can say that I'm a traveler." Rian answered with a convincing smile. "I am of this world but I don't say in one place for long."

"Is that so? Well I hope that you enjoy Riyona." Miyo said before exchanging looks with her love. She noticed how uncomfortable Vincent became and placed her hand on top of his shoulder lightly stroking it. "There's lots of things to do here and I'm sure that you'll love to stay longer."

"I'm sure that I will." Rian said lifting his head up. He noticed the loving touch that Miyo placed upon the Turk and her warm eyes looking at him. The young man then looked away as he started eating his food and silence came over once again.

"So what are we doing today?" Jiro said breaking the silence. He looked around the table and his eyes stopped at Vincent. "Hey Vincent, we could, y'know... hold a contest today? I know what you're going to say but come on man!!! It won't hurt anyone and it's not even that serious!! We gotta make the most out of the day!"

[Liamane]

The Turk rolled his eyes and let out a sarcastic laugh. "I don't think so, Jiro," the man said as he looked over to the former spy. "How about you and Tidus have a little contest? I'm sure he's more of a challenge than I am. You two would have a great time, I'm certain of that. He and Naomi are still outside."

Vincent turned his head to Miyo and offered her a wide grin as he leaned in to grace her cheek with a kiss. "However, I agree that we have to make the most of the day," he said softly as the Turk placed his hand on top of his love's. A bright smile crossed the man's face and he began to stroke her hand. "What do you say, Miyo? How about you and I spend the day together? We could do whatever your heart pleases and I'll take you wherever. How would you like that, my love?"

[Liamane]

"As long as I'm with you it doesn't matter where we go." Miyo said with a glow in her eyes. Realizing that she had work to do, since it was the beginning of the week, she snapped out of it a little and took in a deep breath. "I was thinking about the garden. It has almost been a week and we've didn't maintain it like we regularly would. Since you all are here I could sell at the market instead of home."

"Oooh! That way we could sell more than we ever would!" Kohana added. "I'm sure then we could have more fun."

Looking outside Rian finished up his plate and stood up. "Thank you Miyo and everyone for allowing me to sit and dine in your presence. Everything tasted amazing." the man said bowing. "I appreciate your kindness to a stranger but I must be off now."

"Well do visit us again, Rian!" Miyo said standing up as well. "Maybe we'll see you soon?"

"Indeed, I shall make another visit very soon." Rian said walking to the door. "I'll bring my older sister with me, I'm sure that she'll love to visit you all as well."


Closing the door, Miyo had a nervous feeling about Rian but shook it off. Walking a back to the table she took a seat and locked her hand with Vincent's. "Did anyone sense something odd about Rian?" Kikyo asked. "It was this negative energy from him; a sort of evil energy that was around him."

Vincent looked at Kikyo and nodded in agreement and everyone else. "I thought it was something wrong the way the man was talking to Vincent like that." Naomi responded first, as she and Tidus came inside. "I heard him when he was outside, and even at the door something didn't feel right."

"We should keep a close eye on him." Jiro said with a serious tone. "He might had a reason to stop by. Last night I checked the local tavern and they were talking about the demon we destroyed. All kinds of stories were being talked about."

"If he's just a traveler then it shouldn't be a problem, right?" Miyo asked softly. "He'll just pass along and there won't be a reason to do anything to him. I'm sorry to bring this up but when I was with I with Yac- I mean Ryo at the village circle, I felt the same feeling in Rian when I first talked to him as well. It was like something was inside of him was telling him, 'get what you want, get what you deserve.' but when he sat down and started talking to Vincent, something different."

"Almost as if he knew about you Vincent." Jiro said rubbing his chin. "You notice him lower his head? What was that about?"

"Hey!!! This is suppose to be a good day!" Kohana said standing up. "How about we worry about this later and have some fun!"

Everyone looked at Kohana and laughed. She gave a confused look before laughing herself as Miyo stood up and started cleaning up. "Well since we're all done here, how about we clean up and start our day."

__________

"Miyo, isn't Kohana old enough to began her studies?" Naomi asked pulling her friend to the side away from everyone. Naomi then looked at the confused Tidus, glanced over to Jiro who was making hand motions to him, and then turned to Kohana. "I'm sure that you want to learn a lot of new things and make new friends right?"

"I have all my friends right here!" Kohana said a little troubled as she began to cling on to Vincent's arm. "I have Vincent, you, Kikyo, Jiro, and Tidus. Who else could there be?"

"Well, how about the children at school?" Naomi suggested. "They have lots of children your age and I'm sure that you'll fit in just fine."

"School is a good idea, Naomi. Personally, I had a tutor, but you have a good chance of learning lots of new things, Kohana."

"I want a tutor too!" Kohana said pouting a little. She looked at everyone and thought that all eyes were on her staring like she didn't belong. "If Miyo had a tutor then it's only fair that I get one."

"I had a tutor because there was no one my age. They didn't want to waste learning time with 1 student when they could do the same thing with 10 other students at the same time." Miyo explained. She reached over Vincent and placed her fingertips on her sibling's chin lifting her face and forcing Kohana to make eye contact. "You have plenty of kids your age and I'm sure that if you go, you'll enjoy everything about it. I always wanted the opportunity to learn with others and you have that chance. Maybe you could even go to the Riyona Academy. You went there, right Naomi?"

"Uh...yeah," Naomi nervously responded, "But it was really difficult to get in to."

"I'm full Miyo and I would like to be excused." Kohana said politely. Miyo nodded giving her sister approval and then turned to Vincent as she was walking toward her room. Miyo took in a sigh and looked over to her love. "Am I doing the right thing?" she whispered softly. "I wish only the best for her."

[Liamane]

Vincent offered his beloved a sweet smile as he approached her and stoked her arm. "Of course you are," he gently replied to her in a whisper. "You're doing the best thing possible for Kohana by offering her an education and allowing her to meet children her age. She may think it's a drag now, but one day she'll thank you for giving her this opportunity. I'm certain your parents would want the same thing for her, too."

The Turk turned his head to Kohana's room and he let out a sigh. "Maybe I should talk to her," the man continued as he turned his attention back to Miyo, and he winked and smirked at her. "You know, a talk between good friends. I think I should work my charm on her. Perhaps I'll be able to talk her into it." Vincent let out a small laugh and placed his hand under her chin. "I know that my little charm happens to work on you, my love. If I'm lucky, Kohana will fall for it, too."

[Liamane]

Miyo showed off a broad smile to her lover and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I think you should talk to her, too, Vincent," she stated as she brushed away a strand of hair from his face. "If anyone can talk to Kohana, it's you." The young woman let out a small laugh and her eyes shimmered. "I'm sure that your charm will work wonders on her."

Vincent sported a parallel smile as he left the dining area and walked to the young girl's bedroom door. "Kohana?" he asked as he lightly knocked on her door. "Could I come in and talk to you for a moment?"

The young girl's ears perked as she sat on the edge of her bed and let out a sigh. "Come in, Vincent," she replied timidly as the man slowly opened the door and walked into her room. Kohana looked up at her friend and quickly lowered her gaze.

The Turk offered her a smile while he sat down upon the side of her bed. "I guess you know why I'm here to talk to you," he said leisurely while staring at her with his intense red eyes. "Kohana, you know that school is a gre--"

"Oh, please, Vincent!" she quickly interjected after jumping off her bed to face her soon-to-be brother. "I don't want to go to school! I want to stay home with you and Miyo! I'm happy, and I don't need any more friends!"

Vincent raised a brow while leaning forward to move closer to the girl. "Kohana, why don't you want to go?" he asked her as he placed a hand under her chin. "You don't think you're going to have fun there? ...Are you afraid of going to a new place with new people?"

Slowly, the girl nodded while she calmed down and sat down beside the man. "A little," she replied shyly as she lowered her head. "I'm scared of what other kids will think of me... What if they don't like me? What if I don't make any friends?"

The Turk smiled and placed an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sure you'll make a ton of new friends, kiddo ((hehe XDD))," Vincent said softly as his grin widened. "You're a great person, and you're bound to make new friends instantly. What's not to like about you? You're funny, you're sweet, and you're fun to be with."

A small smile grew upon the young girl's face after she looked up at her friend. "Do I still have to go, Vincent?" she insisted softly. "Can't I get a tutor like Miyo did? Pretty please?"

The man let out a small laugh placed a hand upon her shoulder. "Kohana, Miyo's giving you the opportunity to get a great education and to make new friends," he replied as he looked at her eyes. "She told me that was alone when she was younger, and she had no one to talk to. Your sister loves you very much, and she doesn't want the same fate for you. She's only wants what's best for you."

Kohana was silent for a long moment and reflected on his words. She looked up at the Turk and gave him a nod. "Alright... I'll go," she concluded while she began to play with her fingers. "Hey Vincent...? Don't tell Miyo I was scared, ok?"

Vincent tilted his head a little and raised a brow. "Kohana... it's ok to be scared," he said softly. "Being afraid is just another part of life that we all must endure. Even grown ups get scared. I know I do... Yesterday, when I fought Ryo, I was afraid because I didn't know if I would see you and Miyo ever again." Miyo's sister responded with a tiny gasp and the Turk replied with a little laugh. "Yeah, the big, bad Vincent Valentine got scared.

"As long as you’re yourself, Kohana, I know that the other children at school will adore you," he continued as he gave the young girl a hug and a kiss upon her forehead. “I promise you that if you show them the Kohana I know and love, you’ll do just fine. Of course, it’ll be scary at first. But remember, if you act like yourself and show them who you really are, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Hey, you might even be able to go to that academy. You could learn much more there, I would assume.”