Fiddling around with her new bow, Ashni set off to look for her love, Kohaku. He was planning to become a Mage, so she set off to Ellina to find him. The thought of seeing Kohaku warmed her soul once more. As she fought her way to Ellina, she found that killing monsters with her bow was easier than with a sword back in Maple Island. She effectively killed most of the snails surrounding her. The rest fled for their lives. As she got deeper into the forest, the monsters grew stronger and harder to kill.

Without warning, a green mushroom pops out behind her and slammed her down, knocking her out cold. Her eyes dimmed, only able to see a shadow pick her up. Kohaku? Her mind entered the realm of unconsciousness.

~~A Strange Dream~~~
Ashni sat up, finding herself in an unfamiliar room. A figure caught her sight. She gasped. Kohaku! Her voice never reached his ears. She was suddenly immersed in Kohaku’s soft singing, his handsome features fading away:

Where’d you go
I miss you so
Seems like it’s been forever
That you’ve been gone
Please come back home
~Fort Minor, Where’d You Go

[i]I’m here Kohaku![i] She tried to shout out to him, but her voice was not heard again. Ashni watched as Kohaku walked out the room, with tears rolling down his eyes. He dropped a photo of their first snail kill together. She glanced at the photo. Kohaku had torn the picture in half, dividing him and Ashni.

Kohaku!

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

Ashni’s vision blurred. She blinked and her eyesight instantly cleared up. Above her was a concerned face.

“Miss, you are awake!” he exclaimed, “You have been unconscious for several days now.”
“Who are you?” she asked wearily, “Where am I?”
“My apologizes, miss,” he said sheepishly, “My name is Kazuki and you are in my house right now. Ellina, if that helps.”

Ellina! Ashni got up and tried walking to door but ended out leaning against the wall. Kazuki was instantly by her side and laid her back down.

“You still need to recover from your incident with the mushroom,” he said, concerned, “By the way, what is your name, my fair damsel?”
She flashed him a minute smile. “My name is Ashni. I am looking for someone by the name of Kohaku. The only thing I remember is that I was looking for someone by that name. Have you heard of him?”

Kazuki looked downcast. “I am sorry, Ashni, never heard of someone by that name. No worries, we will get your memories back! After you get better, maybe you and I could train together. You want to?” He fiddled with the button on his shirt.
“Sure,” she said, her mind on something else.
His eyes instantly lightened up. This was going to be the start of something good, he thought. “Okay!”

It’s the start of somethin’ new
It feels so right to be here with you – oh
And now lookin’ in your eyes
I feel in my heart
That it’s the start of something new
It feels so right
~High School Musical, Start of Something New

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

Kazuki and Ashni set out to train so she would become stronger. She grew to enjoy Kazuki’s company, and was wherever he was. Her mind was set on one thing: training. In the mist of Kazuki and training, she slowly forgot about her quest to revive her lost memories.

Kazuki’s passion grew everyday as he and Ashni relentlessly trained. Her long, black hair, attractive black eyes and twinkly laugh made everyday…a great day. He cared for her like an older brother, but deep within his heart, she was more than that. Yet he never had the courage to tell her. She was the only person he had eyes for.

I don’t know if we’re in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
~Frank Sinatra, I Only Have Eyes For You

Accidentally tripping over a root, Ashni was about to pummel down head first to the ground, when suddenly, Kazuki caught her in his arms. For the first time, he looked her in the eyes. She turned crimson red and looked away from his relentless stare. His eyes are emerald, she thought.

That wonderful moment when Kazuki caught Ashni in his arms was the memory he will always remember. He stare intently at her and caught sight of her eyes. He was lost in her dark eyes…

So tonight I’ll ask the stars above,
“How did I ever win your love?”
What did I do?
What did I say,
to turn your angel eyes my way?
~The Jeff Healey Band, Angel Eyes

Ashni noticed that with each passing day, Kazuki grew weaker and weaker. He mood became sullen and his mind off to somewhere else. One day, she crept over to Kazuki’s room, and found him red in the face, lost in a dream. She touched his forehand; it was burning hot. Grabbing out her communicator, she asked her newly-found cleric friend, Mai, to come and cure Kazuki. She got up, but Kazuki held her hand tight. She gave a gasp of surprise and turned to him.

“Don’t leave me…”he croaked.
Ashni blushed and said, “Don’t worry, Kazuki, don’t worry.” With those words, he fell into a deep sleep once more.