Kiyo Nakamoto

(The sky grows light with brightness of the full moon’s glow. The wind is slowly picking up. The sound of leaves can be heard thought the royal city. Kiyo and Nini enjoy the beautiful garden under the moon. They smell the sweet aroma of the blossoming roses. A woman with a dark blue cloak and a hood stands hidden in a tree. She throws a kunai at Kiyo’s head. The kunai is inches away from Kiyo… Kiyo is still staring at the garden. He doesn’t notice the kunai. Everyone is sound asleep in their rooms. No one is around to help him. The Kunai is less than an inch away from Kiyo. Kiyo disappears. The knife stabs into the ground. The woman is confused. She is revealed to be Aiko.)

Aiko: (Whispers) Where did he go?

(Kiyo is standing in the shadows behind Aiko.)

Kiyo: Behind you…

(Aiko quickly pulls a knife out at an amazing speed and turns around to stab Kiyo. Before she can make a full turn, Kiyo punches Aiko in the face with a fire punch. Aiko falls out of the tree and lands in the garden. Aiko’s hood falls off. Her hair is very short and dark brown. She looks up at Kiyo. Kiyo has a serious look in his eyes. He crosses his arms and glares at Aiko. Aiko equips a dagger. Kiyo sets his fist on fire and jumps at Aiko to punch her again. Aiko pulls her sword out and puts it up to her face to guard. Kiyo opens his palm and throws a small amount of fire at Aiko. Aiko lets out a tiny squeal and stumbles back a little bit. As she closes her eyes, Kiyo grabs Aiko’s sword by the blade, while he’s still in midair, and pulls the sword out of her hand, as he flips over her body. Kiyo throws the sword into the grass a few feet away.)

Kiyo: (Serious) I don’t want to hurt you; please don’t make me have to.

Aiko: (A bit angry the whole time) You almost burned my face off you jerk! Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you!

Kiyo: I showed you generosity by not burning your face.

Aiko: Fine. I suppose you do have a point. Now tell me what you want.

Kiyo: I want you to leave and never return.

Aiko: My master has given me orders to kill the Emperor Roki. Sorry, but letting him down is not an option.

(Aiko throws several kunai at Kiyo all at once. Kiyo crosses his arms and creates a wall of fire in front of him. The kunai go into the fire. The wall of fire disappears and the kunai are on fire. He uses his mind to throw the knives back at Aiko. Aiko jumps out of the way and rolls to the side. She stands on one knee.)

Aiko: (Thinking) This guy must have cursed blood abilities. (Stands and grins) This should be an interesting fight.

(Aiko pulls out a kunai and spins it around her index finger. She looks toward Kiyo, but he’s nowhere to be seen.)

Aiko: (Thinking) This guy is even faster than I am. I didn’t even detect his movements. (Cautiously looks at her surroundings.) Where is he…?

(Aiko quickly throws the kunai into a bush. Nini runs out of the bush and runs away.)

Aiko: It was only that cute little fox. (Tightens focus)

(Aiko quickly puts out her last kunai and quickly completely turns around to stab Kiyo in the side of the face. Kiyo catches it in between his index and middle fingers. Aiko uses her other hand to punch Kiyo in the stomach. Kiyo catches her fist. Aiko grins and a hidden blade comes out of her sleeve and stabs through Kiyo’s wrist. Aiko throws Kiyo back a few feet. Her blade retracts.)

Kiyo: (Smiles) That’s a very handy trick you got there. I better stay on my toes.

Aiko: (Smiles) You and me are a lot alike. I can tell you’re a strategist like me. Accept not as good of course.

Kiyo: I don’t consider myself a strategist. But I do look at various angles of a fight. That’s something my master taught me.

Aiko: I’m sure you know that this is my last Kunai. You used your little fox partner to make me waste one of my kunai knives, so you’ll know if it was my last.

Kiyo: Maybe… maybe not… I’m just enjoying this short match with you.

Aiko: (Sighs) You’re so cute. It’s too bad I have to kill you.

Kiyo: I thought we were just having a nice friendly battle, but obviously, you have darker intentions.

Aiko: Before I kill you, tell me your name.

Kiyo: I’m Kiyo.

Aiko: Kiyo…

Kiyo: You may know my sister, Kiyomi.

Aiko: I’ve been hired to assassinate her as well.

Kiyo: You have no idea how powerful Kiyomi really is.

Aiko: I’m sure she is powerful, but I know her weakness: Masumi. Masumi is her dark side.

Kiyo: I know who she is! Don’t mention that name to me.

Aiko: Ooh, it seems there’s a soft spot under that tough guy attitude of yours.

Kiyo: ENOUGH!

(Kiyo creates a flamethrower from his punch. The flames follow Aiko as she quickly sprints through the garden. Kiyo’s fire is touching all the plants in the garden, but they do not catch fire or get harmed in any way.)

Aiko: (Thinking) Gotcha!

(Aiko falls to the ground and lies on her stomach. The flames go over her. She throws her last kunai at Kiyo. Kiyo doesn’t see the knife and it stabs him in the side of his stomach. Kiyo quickly throws something in the air and stops his flamethrower. Aiko charges at Kiyo at an amazing speed. The blade of a dagger comes out of Aiko’s palm. She is about to stab Kiyo in the face, but stops inches away, when she senses something fall from the sky and almost land on her neck. Kiyo catches is inches away from her neck. It’s a kunai.)

Aiko: (Shaking) When…? When did you get that?

Kiyo: Nini and I came up with a plan. You know that me and Nini were together when we started this fight. We planned for you to throw a kunai in the bush, so that you would think that you scared Nini away. Because you thought she was gone, you focused all your attention on me. Nini went into the bush and gave me the knife when I was using my flamethrower.

Aiko: So when I went under your flames, you planned that?

Kiyo: I sure did. And when you threw your knife at me, I made it hit my side and avoid any major organs. I know how quick you are so I estimated your speed, and the time it would take you to charge at me and make your move. I also know how quick your reflexes are.

Aiko: So you used my agility and reflexes against me. I like that. You knew exactly when to throw the knife in the air, and you knew I would stop once I saw it. You knew I would stop the blade in your face. (Smiles) Cute and smart…

Kiyo: You have your blade to my face; I have my blade to your neck, which technically is your blade too, but whatever.

Aiko: So who’s gonna make the first move?

Kiyo: If you kill me; I kill you. So maybe we should just call this fight a draw.

Aiko: I think I win. You see, my kunai are all covered with a special type of poison. It’s dry on the blade, but once it gets wet, the poison is once again deadly. You have only a few minutes to live.

Kiyo: Now I know you’re bluffing.

Aiko: (Grins) Oh am I?

Kiyo: I have a Kunai to your neck. Now that I know that I’m going to die anyway, I should just stab you and take you with me.

Aiko: Yes, but I have the cure you see. It’s right in my pouch.

(Nini climbs on Kiyo’s shoulders and holds the small antidote, while she giggles at Aiko.)

Aiko: What?! Hey, no fair, give that back to me you little rat!

Kiyo: (Chuckles and smiles) Say the magic words…

Aiko: (Groans) I will not lower myself and say please to someone like you!

Kiyo: I guess no cure for you then.

Aiko: I’m not the one who needs it so (Sticks tongue out).

Kiyo: Haha, you will need it after this.

(Kiyo barely stabs Aiko in the neck, but he does penetrate her skin. Aiko tries to move a step forward to stab Kiyo in the face. Aiko loses her balance and falls forward. Kiyo moves out of the way and Aiko hits her face on the grass.)

Aiko: Ouch, what happened?

Kiyo: While I was explaining to you my strategy, Nini tied vines from one of the trees around your ankles. Nini moves pretty quickly and is very gentle at what she does. You didn’t feel a thing.

Aiko: (Puts face in ground) I’ve never felt so humiliated before in my life. (Looks at Kiyo with a mean face) You’re a meanie.

Kiyo: Hey, I’m just having fun is all. Maybe you should try it sometime.

Aiko: I do have fun. I have fun killing people! Killing is my only purpose in life!

Kiyo: You don’t know what you want, Aiko.

Aiko: You don’t know me… You don’t know what I’ve been through! My parents left me when I was still a child. They died right in front of me… Do you have any idea what that’s like?! No you don’t! So don’t pretend like you know what I want.

Kiyo: (Kneels down next to Aiko) Well then, Aiko, why not talk to me? Tell me what you’re feeling. Cause like you, I too lost my so called parents. They were killed right in front of me. After I was unconscious, my mind was somehow able to see through the flames of my burning home. A man named Phantom killed them both. I spent the last 10 years of my life, preparing for the day I fight him, but then… Everything I worked for was all in vain. I found out my parents were fake. Now deep down, my primary goal is to find them and ask them why they did what they did. My real parents I mean.

Aiko: (Looks down in sadness.) I’ve always kept it a secret. I never even told Jason the truth of what I know. I was so scared that he would leave me and never come back. I was afraid that he would die, trying to protect me. I know who killed my parents… But I can’t do anything to get back at him for his cruelty.

(Aiko rolls over and a tear falls from her left eye. Kiyo wipes it and gives Aiko a smile. Aiko looks at Kiyo for a few seconds, but doesn’t smile back. She then turns to look at the stars in the sky. Kiyo lies down in his back next to her. Nini curls up on his chest.)

Aiko: I think it’s funny how we were just fighting a second ago, then all of a sudden, we’re lying in the grass together.

Kiyo: You and I are alike in many ways, Aiko. We’re kindred spirits.

Aiko: The only reason why I don’t kill you is because my feet are tied together. (Smiles) Which by the way are very cute.

Kiyo: I guess… Anyway, I’ll let you go if you tell me about your past. I told you mine, so I think it’s only fair that you tell me yours.

Aiko: (Sticks tongue out, crosses arms, and then looks away.) I don’t wanna!

Kiyo: Come on, tell me please? I spared your life when we fought; you owe me.

Aiko: (Looks at Kiyo) I didn’t ask you to spare me! I owe you nothing!

Kiyo: Kiyomi will eventually find you out here in the grass alone. And when she does, she won’t hesitate to end your life.

Aiko: I’ll untie myself and break free, then I’ll deal with her too. Huh, what are you doing?!

(Kiyo just drunk the entire bottle of antidote. He has a smile on his face.)

Kiyo: Ah, that was refreshing.

Aiko: (Scared) That was the only bottle of antidote I had on me…

Kiyo: Oh well, I guess you’re gonna die.

(Kiyo stands up and walks away.)

Kiyo: You should’ve just told me the tale of your past. Things would’ve worked out better for you.

Aiko: You’re just gonna leave me here alone to die?!

Kiyo: Pretty much. Bye. (Kiyo leaves)

Aiko: No wait…

(Aiko rolls over and puts her face in the grass. Her body begins to shake and she begins to slightly cry.)

Aiko: How could I let this happen to me? I feel so humiliated. I am one of the top assassins… How could I let it end like this? Jason…

(Aiko makes a smiley face in the dirt in front of her with her finger.)

Aiko: Jason… Why aren’t you with me? Where are you when I desperately need you? This poison is going to kill me within a few minutes. That’s not enough time to make it back to the hideout for more. Not even at my full speed, can I make it there.

(Aiko looks up and Kiyo is sitting in front of her with his legs crossed.)

Aiko: Have you come to watch me die? My entire life has been about taking the lives of others and watching them take their last breath. But someone watching me take my last breath is… very… unsettling, I guess you can say.

Kiyo: Before you die, tell me about your past. I am very eager to know.

Aiko: You are mean to me. I don’t wanna tell you anything. You’re scary to me.

Kiyo: I’ll make you a deal. If you promise to tell me about your past, I promise to make the princess heal you.

Aiko: What?! No… I do not fall under my enemies’ control, and I do not sip tea with them and pretend that everything is alright! I know… That Jason will save me…

Kiyo: You’re not sure about that, now are you?

Aiko: He’s always been there for me… He’s like my biggest brother. He makes me feel very happy. He’s taught me to never forget my emotions.

Kiyo: Tell me what happened, Aiko.

Aiko: (Closes eyes) Fine, I’ll tell you…

(10 years ago)

(It is early in the morning and the sun has not finished rising. Aiko and her two parents are hiding in a forest. The three of them are scared. A cabin has just burned to the ground in a small open field. Angel, Osmodeus, and Phantom, are all talking to each other. Angel is examining the body of a dead woman by a tree. A man’s body is in front of the cabin.)

Phantom: For a woman, you don’t seem squeamish around dead bodies.

Angel: The next sexist word to come out of your mouth will be your last, Phantom.

Phantom: Oh come now, Angel. I few harmless words shouldn’t get you wild up.

Angel: (Stands up with her back toward Phantom and Osmo.) It is my understand that the depths of your abilities enables you to resurrect those who have unfortunately suffered death’s embrace.

Phantom: This is correct.

Angel: You will demonstrate to me your power. Bring these two back from death.

Phantom: Soul resurrection is something I’m not too familiar with. I haven’t had much time to practice.

Angel: Make it happen, or I will kill you where you stand.

Phantom: No need to get pushy. I’ll see what I can do. (Walks up to the two bodies) So their names are Adam and Lillian Nakamoto…

Angel: The Nakamoto clan is very dangerous…

(Present)

Aiko: That’s all I remember from before my accident. I hurt my head and become childish forever.

Kiyo: You mean your mentality is stuck and you have the mind of a child?

Aiko: Yeah.

Kiyo: Adam and Lillian Nakamoto were my parents. They were killed in front of the cabin. I never even knew what happened to their bodies… Please continue.

(10 years ago)

(It is dark. The rain storm is heavy. Aiko and her family are inside of a garden house. They’re all watching the rain. The garden house is surrounded by a huge beautiful forest. Aiko’s parents are very kind and keep a huge smile on their face.)

Aiko: I love the rain, mommy.

Mother: (Smiles) Oh really? I like the rain too. What do you like best about it?

Aiko: Uh… How blue it is!

Mother: Haha that’s wonderful.

Dad: Would you like it if we played together for a little while? In the rain I mean?

Aiko: Yes, daddy, I would really, really, really, really, love that!

Daddy: Okay, sweetheart, get your coat and I’ll be ready in a minute to take you outside.

Aiko: Okay, daddy!

(Aiko runs away with excitement.)

Mom: (Whispers) How long do you think we can keep running, Dan?

Dan: (Whispers) I don’t know, Tesla. But those people are after us. Our entire clan has been wiped out because of them. We have no choice but to keep running, for Aiko. Aiko has a special gift, and we can’t let them get to her.

Tess: That Angel girl… How is it possible that she’s an adult? I mean she was just a little girl when we last saw her.

Dan: I don’t know… Angel was just a little girl, but then she learned to harness the power of her clan’s secret swords. Once she did that, her age somehow changed. It’s like her future body took place.

Tess: It could be any number of things...

Aiko: Mommy…

(Aiko is standing next to her parents with her coat on. She looks sad.)

Aiko: Mommy, why are you running for?

Tess: Aiko... Your father and I we’re just having a grownup talk okay. (Walks up to Aiko and hugs her.) You have nothing to worry about, honey, I promise. (Hugs tighter)

Dan: I’m going to get my coat so we can play, Aiko.

Aiko: Okay, daddy.

Tess: (Stops hugging) I’ll go make us some special soup.

Dan: Sounds good.

Aiko: (Runs up to Dan) Daddy, can I go with you?

Dan: Sure, sweetheart.

(Aiko and Dan hold hands and walk toward a cabin behind the garden house.)

Tess: (Thinking) Aiko will have to learn the truth sooner or later. Let’s hope later. I wish I could say that her knowing is not inevitable… I wish so much.

(Aiko and Dan are talking to each other while they walk in the rain.)

Aiko: Daddy, I had a dream about a scary man who told me about a pretty rock. He said it was called something Croy.

Dan: (Freezes in fear) Croy?! The Gem of Croy?!

Aiko: Yes, that’s what it was called.

Dan: (Cautiously looks around) What did this man look like, Aiko. It is very important that you tell me!

Aiko: He talked to me through the darkness. I couldn’t see him.

Dan: (Thinking) That wasn’t a dream… That man was here. He had the chance to kill us all, but he didn’t. Why didn’t he kill Aiko?

(A man with an all black cloak is standing 10 feet from them. His face cannot be seen because of his hood.)

Dan: Run inside Aiko!

(An extremely long sword comes out of the man’s hand and stretches over to Dan. It stabs him in the stomach. Aiko screams.)

Aiko: Daddy, No!

Dan: Run, Aiko. Don’t stop, just go… (Coughs up blood) I’ll always love you.

Aiko: (Crying) D-daddy…

(The man raises is hand up to the sky. The sword coming out of him hand lifts up Dan. He throws Dan into the garden house and the whole thing comes crashing down. Aiko can’t help but to stare in fear. Tess throws various objects off herself and Dan through the ruble. She begins to cry once she sees Dan dying. The man retracts the sword back into his hand. Aiko runs up to her dad.)

Tess: No, Dan, you have to be strong! We cannot lose you. I need you, your daughter needs you.

Dan: I love you both, Tess… But I’m not going to make it. That man is going to kill us all. And there’s nothing I can do to protect my family. You have no idea how much this hurts…

(The man pulls a sword blade out of his arm. He throws it Tess to try and kill her. Tess sees the blade at the last second but cannot dodge it. Aiko pushes her mom out of the way, and the blade slashes Aiko across her face. Aiko falls to the ground, crying in pain.)

Dan: AIKO!

(Dan sits up to try and quickly crawl to Aiko, The man throws a spiked metal chain-whip at Dan to try and cut his head off. Aiko gets up and pushes her father’s head into the ground. The chain-whip slashes through Aiko’s chest. Aiko falls to the ground. She’s in too much pain to scream.)

Aiko: (Shivering) I… Won’t let you… Hurt my mommy, and daddy…

Dan: (Crying) It’s not your job to protect us, Honey… (Smiles) You have a brave heart… You have a gift… (Desperately crawls to Aiko and holds her hand.) You have a pure heart. A heart of kindness and purity… that can never be tainted by evil… You put others before yourself. (Kisses hand)

Aiko: I don’t wanna die, daddy… Please help me.

Dan: We’re all going to a better place, sweetie. a place… where you never have to worry or feel frightened again. (Smiles) You can play with other kids and… (Face hits the ground.)

Aiko: Dad… Daddy, wake up. Please, dad, wake up…

(Tess holds Aiko in her arms and hugs her.)

Tess: You’re father’s gone, Aiko. He’s no longer with us… (Crying) I’m so sorry.

(The heavy rain drops fall upon them with much sorrow. The air grows silent…)

Tess: I’m sorry we couldn’t save you Aiko. But I want you to know that I lo-

(The man cuts her head off before she can finish her sentence. The blood sprays all over the emotionally scarred Aiko. Tess’ body falls to the ground. Aiko is in shock and cannot move.)

Man: This is the moment when you die little girl. I can feel your fear, your sorrow, your pain. Your spirit will forever be consumed by fear and hatred for me.

(Dan wakes up and startles the man. Dan uses all of his strength to grab Aiko by the collar and throw her as far as he can. Aiko is thrown down a hill that’s in the forest. She stumbles down and hits many rocks and trees on the way down. When she gets to the bottom, she slams her head onto a rock. She is unconscious.)

Man: You should never have interfered! (Stabs Dan through the head)

(Aiko wakes up seconds later. A young boy covered in blood is standing over Aiko. He shows no emotion and he has short white hair.)

Aiko: Who are you? What happen to me?

Jason: Your eyes are like mine. You lost your parents too. I promise to protect you, because you are like me. Let me heal you.

(The man walks up to Aiko and Jason. He takes his hood off and is revealed as Nissa.)

Jason: (Thinking) This man killed my family in front of me. I know it was him.

Nissa: You children look lost.

(Jason puts Aiko over his shoulders and walks away.)

Nissa: (Thinking) Both of those kids have a strong heart and they were both committed to saving their families; even if that meant them dying. Those two are what I need in my assassination team. Recruiting them won’t be hard if I play my cards right.

(Present)

Aiko: After a few months, I got my memory of my parents back. I knew that Nissa killed them. I decided to work my whole life, training and getting stronger, so that I could kill him. I have to bow down to him, and obey his every order! I am his slave. Do you have any idea what that feels like?! (Crying)

Kiyo: (Serious) Thank you for telling me the truth. Only the three of us will know about this. I promise not to tell a soul.

Aiko: What does it matter? I’m going to die anyway!

Kiyo: I surrounded the kunai with my energy when I stabbed you. You were never poisoned.

Aiko: W-What?!

Kiyo: You are special, Aiko; I could never kill you.

Aiko: (Covers her face in her arm) Thank you.

Kiyo: Now come inside.

Aiko: Inside where?

Kiyo: (Smiles) The royal palace, silly. After what I just heard, I refuse to let Nissa have any more power over you. You are my new friend, and I promise to help you defeat Nissa in every way I can.

Aiko: (Thinking) I’ll agree to be his friend for now, but once I get inside, I’ll kill Kiyomi and Rokia.

(10 minutes have passed. Aiko and Kiyo are walking down the quiet hallway together.)

Kiyo: (Yawns) It is getting pretty late. Nini and I are heading to bed okay. We’ll see you in the morning.

Aiko: (Smiles) Okay, sure.

Kiyo: You need any help finding your room?

Aiko: No, I think I’ll be fine, thanks.

Kiyo: Okay. (Walks away) Just don’t let anyone know you’re here. If Kiyomi or Eli see you, there’s gonna be a major throw down haha.

(Aiko walks down the quiet hall for 10 seconds. A door slightly cracks open next to Aiko. Aiko keeps walking but is cautious. Jason quickly jumps out of the room and the side of his giant sword opens up. He slams Aiko into the wall behind her and her neck is pinned by the gap in the sword.)

Aiko: Ouch, Jason, why you do that? You gave me Ouchy.

Jason: I still remember that day, Aiko. That day that Nissa killed both our parents.

Aiko: You know about him killing my parents?

Jason: Shut up and listen! Since that day we meet, I only used you to fill in the gap of my loneliness.

Aiko: Why are you so angry? I’ve never seen you show emotion before.

(Jason punches Aiko in the face.)

Aiko: (Sad) Jason…

Jason: After Nissa killed our parents, I was there to heal you and help you live, so that I wouldn’t be alone! But after weeks of having to fend for ourselves in the wilderness, I gave up on you. I hated you. I never liked you. You disgust me down to my very core. I wish you would just die!

Aiko: If this is some kind of joke, Jason, it isn’t funny. You’re making me feel bad.

Jason: This is no joke, Aiko. I hate you with such passion.

Aiko: (Crying a little) After my parents died, I was scarred for life. I was a disturbed child; I was only 7. Through my entire life, you were there to save me from giving up, and you saved me from falling into darkness. You always made me smile and you were always there to protect me when I needed you. I love you, Jason. You’re my big brother. I promised to always be by your side; and you promised to be by mine. The reason why you joined Nissa’s assassin team was so that you and I didn’t have to live in fear of him finding us. You chose a life of killing and deception to keep us safe. When I had to take a life, you were there to comfort me and tell me that everything was going to be okay. You made everything okay. I had a deep fear of rain after what happened, but you made me face that fear, and conquer those dark memories that it brought back.

Jason: Nissa ordered me to kill you, Aiko. We’ve been talking about it for a while now. I’m so glad it’s me that gets to do it. Cause again: I hate your guts; I hate you down to your very soul. You are weak and you are useless. I wish you were never born, so you wouldn’t have to ruin everyone’s life who comes in contact with you! Everyone you cross or even talk to has to suffer the presents of you being alive in this world. I’m doing the world a favor by killing you.

(Aiko feels the same way she did when she lost her parents. She is frozen, and once again emotionally scarred.)

Jason: If you have nothing to say, then I guess I’ll kill you right now.

Aiko: I want you to know, that I’ll always love you. Those are the last words my mom said to me; those are the words I say to you.

(A blade comes out of Aiko’s hand stabs Jason in the heart. Jason falls back a few feet and pulls his sword. Jason throws a blast out of his sword and sends Aiko flying out of the wall. She falls 20 feet to the ground. Before she hits the ground, she is caught by Kiyo. Aiko looks into Kiyo’s eyes, then passes out. Jason jumps down to Kiyo.)

Kiyo: That was rather cruel, don’t you think?

Jason: I don’t think; I feel. A small fraction of my emotions have returned to the surface. I realize how much I love Aiko. I sacrificed my freedom, my conscience, and my purity, all so that she could live to become stronger and kill Nissa. At my full strength, I am stronger than Nissa and I can kill him. But by doing so, I’m taking away Aiko’s purpose for living. She must learn to be strong and do whatever it takes to survive and accomplish her ambition. I wanted her to work for Nissa so that I could keep an eye on both of them and she wouldn’t have to live in fear. If Aiko wishes to defeat Nissa, she must defeat me first. She must fill her heart with hatred for me.

Kiyo: Why are you telling me this?

Jason: Because you’re the only one I trust. When Aiko told you the story of her past, she had a look in her eye. It was a special look. She sees herself in your eyes. She just doesn’t know it yet. Because of what I said, Aiko’s mentality is unpredictable. You are like her and you can help fix her and put her on the right path.

Kiyo: I will do what I can.

(Kiyo looks at Aiko’s face and sees the scar.)

Kiyo: That scar was never there before.

Jason: I used a special technique on her which covers up her scar. Only those who truly accept her can see it.

Kiyo: I will do what I can to take care of her.

Jason: (Grins) You better. Aiko has learned everything she possible can with the assassins. Now she must follow a new path and learn to become even stronger.

Kiyo: I promise not to tell Aiko the truth about you loving her. (Making a joke) I promise to make her hate your guts like a turkey on thanksgiving.

Jason: (Chuckles) I’m looking forward to it.

(Hours have passed and Aiko is sitting in the garden next to Kiyo. She smells the roses.)

Aiko: They smell good. They remind me of the garden house my parents died in.

Kiyo: Me, Eli, and Kiyomi, are all one family. How would you like to become a member of our family?

Aiko: Well…

Kiyo: (Smiles) I’m not taking no for an answer.

Aiko: It’s too soon right now, but I have no one else. I’ll travel with the three of you and become the next member of your group.

Kiyo: To be a member, you have to be a part of the family.

Aiko: (Cracks a smile) Fine, I’ll be a member. But my emotions are a bit foggy.

(Kiyo hugs Aiko.)

Kiyo: We’re family now. We won’t force you to show us you care. When you’re ready, you’ll show us.

Aiko: (Hugs Kiyo back tightly) Thank you, Kiyo. (Thinking) What is this feeling? I’ve never felt this before… It’s a similar feeling I had to Jason, but… It’s different. Is this what romance feels like?

TO BE CONTINUED…