Friends Forever

Feudal Era: This is just the beginning

"Okay so today, we get into pairs and explore the forest. Alright?" Makoto, the leader, said as she chalked out the plan for that day.

"Pairs?" Five voices echoed.

"Yes pairs. We all will all get into separate ways and meet here again after the sun shifts indicating noon."

The group of six was sitting on the wooden floor of the small hut enough to fit in a bunch of teens.

"So how do we do the pairing?" A thickheaded Haruo asked playing with the handle of his sword.

BONK! "Owwwhhommfff!" Everyone sweat dropped at the sight. Haruo was lying face-flat on the ground and a very irritated Emiko was shaking her head at his stupidity. She had hit him on the head with her fist.

"Stupid fox, you've been annoying me with your stupid questions ever since you've arrived."

Makoto, Kiyoko, Ryouta, Daisuke exchanged a look. They had to stop them before another set of bickering started. Neither of the two could tolerate the other. Both hated one another to the point of not being able to tolerate the other's presence at all.

"What do you think you are, wolf?! The most intelligent person in the world?" Haruo countered.

Before Emiko could reply, Ryouta had placed a charm on the two of them that'd stop them from talking. Both simultaneously glared at Ryouta and a low growl emitted from their throats. Daisuke snickered.

"Learn to control your emotions and temper" Makoto warned them. Without wasting a moment, she continued,, "I've decided the pairs. Haruo and Emiko, Daisuke and Kiyoko, Ryouta and me." She said in a flat tone, which no one dared to counter.

It had six months since the group had assembled at the Ayasaki Forest. They hadn't sensed anything unusual as of now. Today they'd go deeper into the woods. Who knows what might lay in the darkness?

And so the pairs separated, each going their own chosen path.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm kinda worried about Emiko and that Haru.." Kiyoko wondered out loud to Daisuke.

"Leaving those two alone means a disaster. I have no idea why Makoto paired them up." Daisuke shook his head at the very thought of seeing a bruised Haru after a while.

"But honestly I'm sure those two will end up together some day. They bicker just like old married couple.." Kiyoko trailed off giggling.

Daisuke chuckled as his face lit up, "So it's not only Ryouta and I who feel this?"

"We've noticed this for quite a while now. This was Makoto-san's plan. She has a strong belief they'll fall for each other soon"

Daisuke smiled as Kiyoko rambled on. He had been attracted to her ever since he first day he came to this camp. Suddenly, he stopped and sniffed. Being a full-youkai he could easily sense when something was wrong nearby.

"A wild boar.. but something is wrong about him.. he smells of smoke and burnt stuff" Daisuke mumbled covered his nose at the strong stench.

"What?" Kiyoko stiffened as a loud rustling of leaves was heard.

"It's coming" Daisuke strained his ears to catch the direction from which it was coming.

"Kiyo, get behind me. And while I distract him, use your miko powers to detect his weak points. Put a charm on yourself so that he isn't able to detect the presence of a human."

Nodding, she closed her eyes and chanted something and a light pink barrier formed around her. Daisuke showed her a 'thumbs-up' as a sign that her aura and scent couldn't be traced now.