Tainted Pink Blossom (Book 3: The Pink Blossom Series)

Troubled Hearts

We crossed a poster, nailed to a tree. I saw a face on it, that looked familiar. "Isn't that you?"

Kenshi's eyes widened. "Oh no! I'm sorry, but you will have to be on your own. I don't mean to break our deal, but I have to go!" Expressing such urgency. He took off, leaving me alone once more.

I was curious, so I read the poster. 'Wanted: For thievery, impersonation, and interfering with government affairs. All who associate with him, will be detained. If you resist, you will be punished by death.' That seems extreme. It is no wonder he left in a hurry.

Well, I guess back to my original plan then. It was still a great distance and it was getting dark. I rode through the forest, until my horse came to a halt. "What is the matter?" A shadow under threat grew in my mind, we weren't alone. I heard the gnashing of teeth, from all corners of my view. I was surrounded. Of course, it couldn't get any easier could it! I could imagine my father saying to me now, 'It is the world, there will always be adversity.' What would mom do? "STAY BACK! T-THIS is...my territ...!" The creature jumped at me from the shadows. I am nothing like you, mother. My horse reared up, I clung to him, but the wolf had bit my horse's leg, and he fell over, crushing my leg under his weight. My sword was stuck too. Why does this always seem to happen? A flaming arrow landed right infront of me. I now saw the monsters face to face. They suddenly dispersed. "Oh, so you're afraid of a little fire!" I yelled.

A man on a horse, stopped before me. "Are you alright?"

"I am now, thanks to you. But I am stuck."

"The wound isn't bad, your horse will be fine. Steady, steady." He managed to coax the stallion onto his feet, dragging me up with him. "Anything broken?"

"No, just a bit sore."

"A young girl, shouldn't be out here all alone. You act like you have never seen a wolf before. Then you must not be from around these parts. Those things are always terrorizing the local farmers."

"How did you know I was here or even in trouble?"

"I was out here hunting those beasts. Lucky for you."

"I realize that I find myself, relying on people like you. More than I would like."

"Well duh! How old are you?" He asked the question, not actually wanting an answer. "Kids have no business being out this late and unsupervised." He spoke wryly.

"Maybe that is true, but I don't have any other choice."

"I will take you to an inn."

"I can't, this is my chance to save my friend."

"Where is this friend of yours? You think you can save him all by yourself? You've got guts kid, I'll give you that."

"It's nothing I can't handle."

"Right, and a moment ago, you couldn't even defend yourself against a pack of wolves." He sighed, a cuss slipped from under his breath, he seemed to look defeated. "Fine, but you aren't doing it alone."

"Your going to help me?"

"Let's go, before I change my mind!"

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They were riding through the forest. Which has been a constant scene lately.

"Zen, you have to get some rest! You have been going like this for days. What are you going to do when we find her? You'll be too exhausted to help her!" Mitsuhide reasoned.

"What are we going to do, if we arrive too late? I can rest when I find her." Zen was not ready to put everything on hold.

"Pretty soon, you won't even be able to stay on a horse. What good will you be then?"