Authors note: Recap:
Kimiko and Ashura are training in the castle where he has seemingly forever trapped her in the madness. Kimiko plans and trains every day to kill all of her once loved friends. When Kid and the others were nearing the castle they realized they weren't prepared what was waiting for them with the terror of Ashura. They practiced a skill they failed to do earlier with Stein and Maka ran off in frustration. Ayame went after her and brought her back to the group where they finally completed connecting their souls. Night came quickly and they found a cave to stay in for the night. And that's where I left you off.
*Kids POV*
I woke up with the mist from the humid morning covering the cave floor like a cloud or thick blanket. I stood up and stretched out my arms. As I walked the mist swirled in miniature spirals by my ankles. I moved the rock that had been covering our door out of the way and stepped outside. The fresh cool air hit my face and gave me chills. The fog hung low in the trees and you couldn't see more than 30 feet in front of you. I heard somewhere out in the distance Soul and Maka talking and I think Crona was there too when I heard a pathetic whimper to stop picking on them and pulling their hair.
Black Star and Tsubaki weren't in the cave so I figured they were off training somewhere like they did every morning. I looked up into the sky and it seemed to be around 8:00 AM. I moved the rock again but pushed it completely off the cave opening to let the sunshine in. The light showed Ayame, Liz, and Patty bundled up together in the furthest corner of the cave.
“Alright guys it's time to wake up” I yelled into the cave as I clapped my hands. All of their eyes slowly opened up and they yawned and rubbed their eyes. “There we go” I said as I walked back out of the cave. “Maka, Soul, and Crona were heading out in about 30 minutes when the fog clears. I yelled into their general direction even though I still couldn’t see them. “Kay!” I heard back from Maka. Liz and Patty came out of the cave and each put their arm on my shoulder.
“Why did you have to wake us up if we're not even leaving yet? “ Liz moaned as she continued to try and wipe the sleep out of her eyes. “Just making sure you will be ready” I said still staring off into the distance. Patty jumped up and threw her arms in the air. “ OH MY GOSH KID I’M SO EXCITED ARE WE GOING TO GO SEE KIMIKO TODAY!” She yelled as she pranced around me humming a tune to a song. “I sure do hope so…” I said and looked down at the ground and stepped away from Liz to get her arm off of me. Liz gave me a concerned look but I just looked down at the ground. You guys go find Maka, Soul, and Crona and tell them that the fog is clearing so they should head back.” I said and waved my hand in their direction. “AYE-AYE CAPTAIN” Patty yelled and grabbed a hold of Liz’s wrist and pulled her off leaving a lane of torn up grass and broken tree limbs in their path.
I sat down on the rock I pushed away from the cave and looked up at the sky. The fog was clearing now and I could start to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. “Kimiko.” I whispered to myself and closed my eyes with my face still up to the sky. I felt a gentle grip on my shoulder and opened my eyes to see Ayames smile and bright blue eyes. “ You know you don’t have to worry about her right?” She said cheerfully. “ Why not? How do I know something bad hasn’t happened to her? How do I know she's even at the castle the monster told us about?” I looked off through the trees and could see the silhouette of the others coming back this way. “Because you have to believe that Kimiko is STRONG. You have to have faith that she can take care of herself and trust me I know she can.” Ayame said and patted me on the back and took a few steps in the direction of the others to welcome them.
“WE FOUND EM WE FOUND EM AHAHAHAHAHAHAH.” Patty exclaimed running up to me and waving her arms. To my surprise Black Star was with them too. “ Alright now that we are all back and the fog has cleared we can continue, lets go guys.” I said motioning toward the direction we were heading yesterday to the castle. The trees were becoming thinner and it didn’t seem like we were in a tropical forest any more. The fog had completely cleared now and the castle was only about a mile away now.
