((Another leap into the past, bear with me. There is a bridge to the present in here somewhere. :giggle: ))

Moyasu had just pulled the red hikari crystal from the ledge beneath the raging waterfall that deafened her and nearly blinded her. I wonder what this thing is? she thought to herself, swimming carefully back into the shallows of the pond and climbing out to dry off for the night. Lighting a fire, Moyasu soon fell asleep while watching the flames dance and the wood crackle. She was still sitting upright, her arms wrapped across her knees with the stone she had retrieved still in her loose grasp.

"The crystal seems to have chosen you as its master, young Chi girl, but you have not passed my test yet. If you fail it, I will kill you." A soft voice called forth, resonating within Moyasu's mind until she was woken from her slumber. Before her now, across from the fire she had built, she saw a young boy about the same age as herself. He stood there watching her, a longbow almost as big as he was over one shoulder and clothing Moyasu had never seen before, nor could identify. It came from no tribe she knew of, yet it was earthly enough.

"Did you hear me, Moyasu?" The boy asked, unmoving.

"I think so. What's so important about this rock? I just thought it was pretty." Moyasu replied, soon realizing the boy had called her by name and yet she was sure she hadn't told him what it was. "How did you know my name? Are you a spy from the Sendo, sent to kill me?" She didn't have any means to protect herself, so Moyasu didn't even bother to move away as the boy came closer and sat about three feet from her.

"I'm not Sendo, and that there is a crystal you hold, not just a pretty rock. It has been my job for many moons to watch over it until it chose a master for itself, and it chose you. That means you must be tested to see if you deserve to possess it."

"Well, why would you have to kill me if I didn't pass your test?"

"No one must know the location of the crystal without being worthy of its possession. I will kill you to keep the secret. Also, the crystal is a very powerful and sacred tool, much good or evil could be done with it."

"You sure are being nice for a person who wants to kill me."

"I don't want to. I hope you pass, actually. After the crystal has a master, I can leave and return to my home to my brothers and sisters."

"Well, what is your test then? No use waiting around. If you're going to kill me it might as well be now. There's no guarantee a Sendo soldier won't find me and kill me tomorrow anyway." Moyasu rested her chin on her knees, sadness from her village's massacre resurfacing.

"Moyasu. Let me look at the crystal." Moyasu hands it over and he returns it to her. "You've passed the test." Moyasu stared at him. "I have seen the crystal many times, and gazed upon its beauty. If it had been tainted by an unworthy master, it would become dull and filled with malice. You are very sad, Moyasu, but you are not evil. Therefore, you pass."

****

Moyasu awoke from her slumber to the sounds of men shouting up at her. She had taken refuge in a tall tree near the Mikomi village after following Hitori and the others back, and accidentally fallen asleep because of the pleasant weather. She now looked downward to see at least seven Mikomi villagers calling up to her.

"Are you alright? How did you get up that far?" One man called, the others asking more of where she had gotten her clothes and from which tribe she hailed. Blinking, she realized she had climbed a tree with sparce branches near the bottom. It would confuse them how she got there, wouldn't it. She was just happy they didn't try and shoot her down on sight or something. Waving, she tried to make them believe she was okay.

"I'm well ... just taking a ... midday rest ... no need to worry ..." She hoped they would leave soon. This was mighty embarassing.