Two travelers were walking through the woods companionably; enjoying the cool breeze that swept thought the bright sunny day. The vast forest echoed with the animated tones of the two youths as they wandered about, the way they had done for the past few days of their journey. One of the travelers, a lovely young girl with bright red eyes, strolled merrily alongside her companion, a tall young man with dark brown eyes and knee-length hair. The young man, whose handsome face was clearly seen through his dark bangs, was narrating a story to his younger companion.

"Really? It seriously happened?" Kisa exclaimed excitedly, her eyes wide and sparkling with delight. "Sugoi!"

Conrad laughed with amusement, nodding his head at his now good friend. "Yes, we soldiers had a big laugh at that."

The pair had been traveling for several days since their departure from the Serpent Clan, and in this span of time, Kisa took full advantage of having a serpent clansman for a companion. She and Conrad spent most of their day talking to one another, for the young girl wanted to learn as much as she could about her companion and his clan. She constantly bombarded him with her enthusiastic inquiries on the clan that had once been her ancestor's home, and he, on the other hand, was pleased to answer her every question. Lucky for her, he was very knowledgeable about almost all the aspects of his clan, for his father had forced an extensive education on him since childhood.

While they were happily walking and talking, there suddenly came the thudding sound of a wolf's paws followed by a low growling noise. The disturbance quickly made the two travelers cut their conversation short and draw their weapons out hastily.

"It's a wolf..." Conrad whispered to Kisa. She nodded and remained still, straining to hear the stray intruder.

"It gone," she murmured after a while, quite puzzled.

Conrad frowned and lowered his weapon. "Strange," he said. He knew that any wild wolf would normally attack any nearby group, especially at such a distance as theirs.

Kisa glanced about, fully aware of the haunting silence of the woods around them. "This is not how wild wolves behave," she murmured to Conrad, who was visibly relieved.

"Let's just move on ahead, okay? Waiting around here won't do us much good" He said, standing up. Kisa sighed reluctantly, but soon trudged forward with her companion.

After walking a short distance, they reached a wide clear lake where they decided to stop and rest. "I'll just go and walk around the edge of the lake, okay? It looks so pretty…" Kisa told Conrad, starting of towards the lake's clear blue surface.

"Alright, but don't wander too far away. I might have to go and search for you in that case."

As Kisa wandered about, enjoying the beautiful scenic view, she suddenly heard the distinct movement of a creature a few paces away from her. She cautiously slipped behind a tree, readying her weapon for protection. She finally heard the pacing stop by the lakeside and carefully, she pushed aside a cluster of branches that obscured her view of the newcomer. She stopped abruptly, frozen in place by the sight that greeted her unusual eyes.

There, on the lakeside, standing alone with a single wolf by her side, was a red-headed girl, wearing clothing that was clearly of the Wolf Clan's. She had her back to Kisa, making the weapon strapped behind her clear to Kisa's view. She seemed intent on whatever she was doing or thinking. She had one hand on the wolf's head, seemingly in an effort to comfort the wolf that seemed concerned about its master's disposition. The girl's other hand was tightly clutching something, and Kisa, curious as ever, looked closer.

The young dragon's eyes widened in shock at the familiarity of the object the stranger was holding. Just as the other girl was about to launch it into the water, she called out, "Don't!"

The girl immediately turned around, startled by the interruption. Her wolf turned as well, giving the Dragon an unwelcoming growl. Kisa continued, "Please don't throw that necklace away," The girl was puzzled, but she put her hand out to calm the wolf as she looked at Kisa, bewildered.

"Gomenasai, I mean, I'm sorry to disturb you, good friend," Kisa tried to explain, "but I just couldn't let you throw that necklace away. It looks awfully like a very valuable possession my mother had once lost. If that necklace means nothing to you, I beg you please give it to me, it would mean a lot," she observed the expression of the other, but the stranger still seemed bewildered by her, "You have no reason to believe me, I know..." But before Kisa could finish her last statement, the other girl stepped closer and offered her the necklace.

"Keep it then. It means nothing to me now. I would've thrown it either way," She tossed the necklace to Kisa then turned around, preparing to leave. Kisa, however, was not about to let her go, for this was the first time she had ever came face to face with a member of the wolf clan.

"Thank you, my name is Kisa of the Dragon Clan," She said, attempting to get her attention, "This was the necklace of my mother. She promised to give it to me, but then it got lost in battle. We were afraid it was gone forever. I had no idea it was in the Wolf Clan all this time," She paused, waiting for the other to turn back around, "May I ask, what is your name?"

The stranger looked back and studied Kisa with her green eyes, as though a little surprised at the openness of this young dragon. Kisa stood patiently, a friendly and honest smile on her face. The girl shrugged. "My name is Celeste," she then gestured to her pet, "And this is LongTail."

Kisa's face filled with delight. "Hi LongTail!" She yelped excitedly, approaching to touch the wolf. She enveloped the tamed wolf in a big hug and buried her face in its thick, beautiful fur. "Sugoi" She muttered for the second time that day, "Kawaii!" The other girl watched silently, a small smile on her face.

Suddenly, they heard a loud, male voice calling in the distance, "KISA…?!"

The girl in question winced and raised her head, "Ooops!"

Celeste turned to her with a questioning expression, and Kisa stood up sheepishly.

"Kisa! Where are you?" The branches surrounding them suddenly parted to reveal Conrad, who at the sight of Kisa looked visibly relieved. Looking at the young dragon, he began, "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for..." he stopped abruptly as soon as he noticed the other girl. "Kisa...?" Conrad looked very puzzled as he stared at the girl so obviously from the Wolf Clan, judging whether or not to be alarmed at her presence.

"I'm really sorry Conrad," Kisa said, apologetically, bowing her head a little, "I didn't mean to stray too far of...but I got a little carried away, I suppose." She smiled then gestured towards the red-headed girl. "This is Celeste, by the way,"

Conrad studied the girl solemnly and heard Kisa's voice mention happily, "She was very kind to me."

"Then I have nothing to worry about." Gallantly, he stepped back and gave Celeste a deep bow. "My name is Conrad, of the Serpent Clan. Delighted to make your acquaintance,"

Celeste nodded towards him in acknowledgement. But before either the Wolf or the Serpent clansman could make another move, the girl from the Dragon cheerfully took control of the conversation.

Turning to the other girl, she smilingly queried, "What are you doing so far from your clan, and all alone at that?"

"I...felt I had to leave the territory for a while,"

Kisa's smile widened as an idea popped into her head. "Why don't you stay with us then? We are on our way to the Dragon Clan, but since we have a long way to go, you can come with us in the meantime,"

The two people in her company stared at her with wide eyes and unmasked surprise. Kisa nodded at them both, "Why not? I think it would be most beneficial, because then I could somehow repay your kindness for returning the necklace and at the same time you can help us travel faster, since you must be familiar with this area,"

She smiled sweetly at her two companions, "Don't you guys think so?"

The other girl shook her head, "You need not worry over the return of the necklace, for it was yours in the first place. But I will stay, nonetheless. If..." She looked up at Conrad, "You don't mind, of course,"

The Serpent shrugged, "If Kisa's fine with it, then I don't mind,"

So, the three set off, with their new companion's wolf following faithfully at their heels.