Taoreta's POV

  In a fsh, the whole group appeared inside the building that we had first visited when we entered the first yer. It was kinda tight now that a full group was in there.

  But that didn't stay a problem for long since they started to head downstairs from the entrance of this room. I gnced around, and I could tell that some things had been moved. Or was it the familiar dark pce that was getting to my head? Hell, if I knew.

  More importantly, I wondered how Kishi was doing right then. I knew that the mission should have been the most important thing at the moment, but I couldn't change who I was.

  All inside of my head was Kishi and Kishi only.

  Was it a little worrying? Maybe...

  Did I need professional help since I tunnel vision whenever he's in danger and everything and everyone is nothing but a bck blur that doesn't concern me AND I rush in, trying to save the very person who's precious to me and my very being? Perhaps... but I would sleep on it.

  Was it a problem that I needed to sort out in my spare time? ...Nope.

  With all of these fws I had as a human being, while I was trying my very best to be the girl who started caring for others as much as Kishi's well-being, I didn't think my viewpoint would ever change any time soon. It was a bit selfish and a bit rude if anyone heard my personal opinion on the matter, but my answer remained the same.

  With that thought in mind, I did care about David and Riley's well-being as well.

  That went for the Supernaturals since they treated Kishi as a human being instead of something to be feared. That in itself put my faith in humanity a bit more than ever. Without them being kind to him, I doubted I would have even stuck around with them if I was being truthful right then. I was starting to think that what I was today was a result of what happened to me in the past. Be that as it may, I didn't think I would change myself fully. I would always be cautious about the people around me. I wouldn't open myself to just ANYONE just because they're friendly. It might be a cruel thought, but it's true. And I won't change my mind about it either.

  But at any rate, I thought it was time to head out alongside the others as well.

  I gnced at the window that was inside of the same room. I could tell from there that the sky was changing.

  I wasn't sure about the weather conditions, but I knew that the environment wasn't on our side. If you wanted my opinion of it, it seemed almost alive....

  Though that was just specution on my part.

  "Hey, Tao!" I heard a familiar voice calling to me. I looked in the direction and saw Kuma smiling at me while waving. "We're leaving, so get your head in the game, will ya'?! You'll meet your prince once we get home!" Kuma teased with a cheeky grin.

  That statement did make me react, and I wanted to jump at Kuma and say: "THAT'S WRONG!" all mightily and stuff, almost like a lion savoring her meal before killing it at long st.

  ... Okay. Maybe that example was a bit darker than I originally thought.

  Well, regardless, the point was, I restrained myself, but the blood that already flowed through my bloodstream and into my cheeks revealed some hint of red. I could feel it as my cheeks were burning like they're on fire.

  I pced my index finger on top of my upper lip, and the rest of my fingers were covering my mouth.

  A princess, huh.

  I'd admit, being called a princess isn't so bad when you know the context- argh! What am I thinking?! Focus Taoreta! Focus!

  I shook my head intensely and then spped my cheeks with both hands.

  Good! My body is still hot for Ki- I-I mean, burning up due to me thinking about Kishi, but I can still function!

  With an intense nod, I began walking forward.

  "You're right. The others are waiting, yes? It's best that we're on our way."

  I saw Kujira's head pop up at the side of the door.

  "Let me guess, you're thinking about Kib?" Kujira teased.

  For a girl who's cold and serious all the time, you sure know how to cut to the point of things, huh?

  Of course, I didn't say that and just ughed it off.

  And anyway, she wasn't wrong.

  "Only because of his safety. We're all here while he's with the other adults, so I figure that he might be lonely right now," I answered honestly.

  That was what I really thought, to be honest.

  Of course, I didn't say everything on my mind, but that was fine. I didn't think they needed to know that anyway. Once I returned my sight to reality, I was by the door, about to walk past Kujira and Kuma.

  "So you're not denying that he's on your mind." Kuma jumped in once more while holding my shoulder as the three of us were heading towards the others downstairs. "I would be lying if I said 'no', so yeah, he is. What's wrong with that?"

  "Nothing," Kuma and Kujira said at the same time.

  Yeah, they were really having fun teasing me. And while I sometimes wanted to rebel, it didn't make any difference to me in the end. What they're saying is the truth, so why should I try to deny it?

  But I wouldn't lie and say that I hadn't thought about anything else with Kishi.

  Sometimes, I want to say it in my mind, but I'm afraid that I'll weird him out or even reveal one of the secrets. Emily, Kuma, and Kujira know due to the check-up that was mandatory. I told them not to say a word to Kishi about it. And it seemed like they would.

  At least that was good news.

  I instinctively touched my stomach and went slightly lower. I gripped and grunted out of sadness. Remembering something that Mato said to me about-

  Argh! Come on, Taoreta! Get your head in the game! I had to hurry and go downstairs. And so, I sped up my movement, and Kuma and Kujira followed suit and matched my pace.

  Later.

  We all met up with the others downstairs.

  There was chatter everywhere I looked.

  I could tell that the others were either excited or even nervous about this mission.

  Soon, I saw Yosei getting ready to set off to do her part of the mission.

  Before that, though, she stood in the middle of the room and cpped her hands together.

  "Alright, alright! Settle down, people!" Yosei announced in a loud voice that had authority in it.

  She then pced her hands on her hips as she narrowed her eyes.

  "This mission is VERY important, so please pay attention."

  The room became silent.

  "Thank you."

  Yosei coughed into her fist and then smiled at everyone.

  "As you all know, I will be soloing the other side of this yer. But don't worry, I'll be extra careful and use my powers sparingly. You guys, on the other hand, must stick with my teammates like your life depends on it!.... Because it does."

  Yosei stepped forward with her hands out.

  "I know I sound like a broken record by doing this for all of you and your families! And I won't say, 'Some of you will die, but that's the sacrifice I'm willing to make.' None of that stuff!"

  "Hey! I know that movie!" a male soldier said with a bright smile.

  "Yeah, the movies are such a childhood to me despite it being from America! That Scottish accent from that ogre really hits different!" a female soldier added.

  "At any rate, good luck out there and stay safe! I will pray for your success!"

  Yosei leaped out of the middle of the room and nded lightly towards us.

  I was going to ask WHY she did it, but looking back at the huge crowd back there, yeah, it made sense why she leaped over here instead of walking normally.

  "Okay, I'm off now." Yosei slowly raised her hand.

  "You sure that you'll be okay on your own?" Kuma asked in a worrisome way.

  "I'll be fine, Kuma. Just trust your sister, okay?" Yosei roughed up Kuma's blue hair.

  "I still have questions about that," I added.

  "You mean me being Kuma's sister? Yeah, I'll expin once the mission is over, promise." Yosei let go of Kuma's hair and slowly walked past the supernaturals.

  "Yosei. Please be careful. Just because you're strong doesn't mean you're the strongest out here." Kujira mentioned with her eyes closed. She then opened them and turned serious. "The creatures, Foribbidens, and more will be challenging as you progress so-"

  "Don't worry! I got this!" Yosei held up her arms and flexed her "muscles" to show that she could handle it. But that was more of a guy's way to show that you're alright. Or was I completely wrong? I wasn't sure....

  Either way, I was still nervous about this pn.

  Before any of us could speak, Yosei turned around.

  "Well then! See ya'!"

  Whoosh!

  In a blink, Yosei disappeared into thin air.

  "Whoa!" I flinched.

  Did she vanish?!

  "She didn't vanish, Tao. She's only using her speed to get to the other side of the yer without being detected." Kujira said, almost as if she could read my mind.

  "Wait, how did you-?"

  "-Know what you were thinking? Yeah, it's not that hard to figure out when you make a face like that, Tao." Kujira chuckled.

  "All of us can do that. But don't let that fool you. That speed won't be enough to keep up with the monsters of this world. But it can help at least trace where their next move is going to be." Kuma commented as she pced her hands behind her back.

  "So even I can do that?" I raised my brows.

  "Anyone can do it. Even a human. But human learning that is very rare and time-consuming. You'll need to at least know magic as well." Kujira pced her hands in front of her.

  "I see..." I nodded.

  Interesting. Interesting indeed.

  And as much as I would have loved to learn more about it-

  "At any rate, let's get moving. It's going to be a long night, so it's best that we start as soon as possible." Kuma suggested.

  "Right," Kujira nodded.

  "That's true." I nodded to Kuma.

  Yeah, that sounded about right. Before anything, the mission came first. Of course, I would always think about Kishi; in order to get to him quickly, I had to complete this task first and foremost.

  For his sake, let's hope it'll be successful.