While Lugo was busy getting ready, Tsugi went to check on Ellie. Entering her room, Ellie was surprisingly still fast asleep.

Wow, she never sleeps in.

Tsugi shook her awake, chuckling as she watched Ellie stretch and rub her tired eyes, gazing up at Tsugi.

{Well, good-afternoon.} Tsugi smiled. {This is the first time you've slept in so late. Are you okay?}

{Yeah, I think I’m going to have my period soon. I’ve just been so tired lately and now it’s just caught up to me.}

{Damn it. That means that my cycle is probably coming up too then!} Tsugi pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply. {Then again it’s never regular.} She shrugs. {Anyway, the moonlight festival is tonight, will you be joining us?}

{Of course! I’m not going to leave you alone with him! I don’t trust him.}

{He’s not a bad person.} Tsugi rolled her eyes.

{Maybe, but I still don’t know him well enough to trust him.} She lifted her nose into the air all haughty like and strutted to her bag to dig out clothes. {You have cloth for when you’re on your period right?}

{Yes, mother.} Tsugi rolled her eyes, chuckling when she received a punch to her arm from Ellie.

{You better watch yourself missy.}

Tsugi laughed, shaking her head. {We don’t need to wear anything fancy right?}

{No. This isn’t a formal event so you’re fine. But you know what, one of these days I will get you into a dress.}

{Uh, no you won’t. If you do, everyone will know that I’m a woman. So, thanks, but no thanks.} Tsugi gave her a wry smile.

{I’ll think of something.} Ellie chuckled and changed into a dress.

{Stop trying to come up with schemes to get me into a dress.}

{How was last night with him? Did he do anything to you?}

Tsugi shrugs. {I don’t know. I spent the night in the barn with Ruzo.}

{Really? It was cold last night.}

{I huddled up next to Ruzo. He was very fluffy and warm, so I was fine.}

{So you’re just going to be sleeping in the barn with Ruzo until we are done with the mission then?}

{I don’t know.} Tsugi shrugged one shoulder. {Maybe? I haven’t quite decided yet. You know, I feel like you are more protective than Yamo.} Tsugi chuckled.

{Of course! We grew up together for fourteen years. You’re like a younger sister to me.}

Tsugi gasped. {You consider me a sister?}

Ellie narrowed her eyes. {Are you being sarcastic or are you being serious?}

{No, I’m serious!} Tsugi chuckled. {You really consider me your sister?}

{Well, yes. Don’t you? I mean, growing up, I always looked after you like you’re my sister. I just thought, maybe you felt the same way too.}

{Of course I do. I just…never thought you felt that way too. I’m proud to have a sister like you.} She smiled.

Ellie rolled her eyes. {You need to stop thinking that people don't care about you.}

Oh if only Ellie knew all the things about her. Would she still say the same thing?

-“No one would ever love a weak, worthless child like you!” Sir Gorou's voice rang in her ears.

The night Lugo found out about the things she did to people, flashed through her mind. -"Tsugi…” Lugo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “The things that you guys do, whether it was a part of a job or not, it’s just evil."

Tsugi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The memories continued to resurface, no matter how much she shoved them away. She forced on a smile and looked at Ellie. {I'm starving, let's get something to eat.}

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

***

{Sometimes you amaze me by how much you can eat.} Ellie signed as they strolled through the town. {I just don't know where you put it all.}

{I'm very active and I burn a lot of energy, so I need to replenish it.} Tsugi shrugged nonchalantly.

"What do you two keep talking about?" Lugo said.

{None of your business. Nosy!} Ellie huffed, pursing her lips.

{Be nice.} Tsugi chuckled, shaking her head as she turned toward Lugo. "She was just saying that sometimes she's surprised by how much I can eat."

"Why not? I can believe it. I mean…like I said, you've gotten fat since I saw you fourteen years ago."

Tsugi gasped and shoved him. "I am not fat!"

"What?" He chuckled. "It's true. I know you're just wearing a big shirt to hide the fat."

{Did he just call you fat?} Ellie laughed.

{Yes! Rude!} Tsugi sneered at him.

{Well, I guess I could see why he thinks that way. Your big shirt makes you look fat. If only he actually sees how sexy you look, he might just drop dead.}

Tsugi laughed hysterically. {You're so funny.} Her dramatic smile immediately disappears as she glares at Ellie. {Not. If he were to drop dead it would be because he found out I'm a girl.}

Ellie smacked her arm, hard. {What did I say about your self doubt! Stop it!}

Tsugi sighed. "Yes mother."

Ellie smacked her again, harder this time. {Did you forget I can read lips!}

Tsugi pouted. {No. I said it on purpose.}

"Watch out!"

Tsugi quickly raised her hands to catch the falling string of lanterns, but Lugo had already caught it, since he was much taller.

"You need help?" He called to the boy in the tree.

"That would be great!" The boy yelled back.

Lugo jumped up and grabbed onto the branch. He hoisted himself up onto the tree like he was as light as a feather, as he perched on the branch and secured the string to it.

"Wow! You make that look so easy!" The boy said in astonishment. "Can you help me with the rest of it?"

"Of course I can." Lugo smiled and looked down at Tsugi and Ellie. "You guys want to help?"

"No." Tsugi said. Both Tsugi and Ellie frowned and shook their heads like they rehearsed it before breaking into laughter. "Of course we'll help."

Leaping from branch to branch and tree to tree, they finished securing all the lanterns throughout the city.

Night neared as the town prepared for their festivities: the musicians tuned their instruments in the town square; the delicious aroma of the food wafted through the air; the children laughed as they ran past them, each one carrying a lantern in their arms.

{Why are they carrying lanterns?} Tsugi watched in awe after the gleeful children.

{It's part of the festival.} Ellie answered. {They write their wishes onto the lantern, then they light it and send it into the sky. Their belief is that the moon goddess will watch over them and grant their wish.}

{Wishes…} Tsugi shook her head. {That's all they are, just wishes. The only way they can make their wishes come true, is to do it themselves.}

Ellie rolled her eyes and shook her head. {Will your negativity never end? You're so…exasperating.}

{I'm only speaking the truth. I didn't get to where I am today because of “wishes”.} Tsugi frowns.

"Here!" Lugo ran up to them holding three lanterns. “They were selling lanterns nearby.”

"No. You two go ahead." Tsugi shook her head. "I don't believe in wishes."

"What? Why not?" He handed one to Ellie, who happily accepted and held one out to Tsugi, who refused to take it.

"I've had my fair share of wishes and none of them came true. I was the one that worked my ass off for it. Wishes and I don't see eye to eye." Tsugi smiles wryly.

"Well, I already bought it. Just humor me this once."

Ellie tapped Tsugi on the shoulder. {Can you just not be so negative today and smile? Please?}

Tsugi frowned and let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine." She mumbled, taking the lantern from Lugo. "I don't even know what to wish for."

"Anything. Perhaps you can make a wish to stop being such a pessimist." He smirked.

Tsugi frowned and glared at him. Is she really being a pessimist? To her, it only seemed like she was just being honest with herself. The more realistic and honest she was, the less hurt she would be when things go bad. – Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

She sighed and took the quill from Lugo, writing on the lantern:

[I wish that just for one just day, I wouldn't feel or remember any of the pain and suffering.]

She had a hint of hope that lit in her chest, bringing a slight smile to her face as she stared upon the writing on the lantern.

"Looks like you found a good wish." Lugo muttered.

Tsugi cleared her throat. "More or less."

The music rang from the town square.

{The festival is starting! Let's go!} Ellie pulled on Tsugi's arm and dragged her toward the crowd of people..

Everyone gathered in the town square and lit the lanterns, sending them off like dancing fireflies. Tsugi lit her lantern and watched as the glimmering lanterns joined the millions of stars in the midnight-blue sky.

{Dance!} Ellie locked her arm around Tsugi’s, refusing to let her go.

The villagers were laughing and singing, engaged in a rhythmic dance as they twirled arm in arm to the sound of the music.

{I…I don't know how to dance!} She panicked as Ellie dragged her onto the dance floor.

{I don't either, just watch them and follow their movements.} Ellie laughs, dragging her into the circle.

Tsugi tried to move her body, but she was stiff, hesitant and unsure. Lugo was also amongst the circle, laughing and dancing away. He wasn't a very good dancer either, but he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.

"Care for a drink?" A few of the villagers walked around with drinks on trays offering them to everyone.

Ellie quickly took two and handed one to Tsugi. {Only one sip!} She held up one finger. {Take it slow! Remember, only one sip to loosen you up."

"Ugh." Tsugi took a sip of the delicious, red wine, swirling it around her tongue before swallowing it. The taste of the wine was divine as it warmed her from the inside.

The drums and music blared through the air, reaching her eardrums and resounded in her chest.