A young blond girl quietly sat in the woods, watching. "Moving slowly, aren't they?" She thought to herself as she watched the two women struggle through the over-grown path. "Maybe I should go help them?" She asked herself. Finally, she decided. "Might as well, I really don't have anything better to do right now."
The young woman stood up out of the crouch she was in, and quickly made her way through the bush, surprising the two strangely dressed women. Immediately, the one wearing with brown hair stepped in front of the shorter blond.
"Konnichiwa," the newcomer said easily. "I am Bara. I noticed you had some difficulties getting around. I live near here, I thought I might offer my help guiding you ..." Bara trailed off, not sure how to deal with the two women, who both still looked suspicious.
"I am looking for someone with a character somewhere on their body," the blond one began, "do you know anyone like that?" Bara thought briefly, and nodded.
"Yes, actually I do," she replied, smiling. "Please, follow me, and I can take you there." The blond woman grinned happily in anticipation, but the brown haired woman still looked suspicious.
Bara led them out of the forest, and towards a small village. As they entered the village, Bara slowed to a halt and called out to someone.
"ONEECHAN!" She waved frantically, and began to speed up. The two women following Bara exchanged glances and followed.
A young woman, with brown hair and brown eyes and a cute smile, turned at Bara's call. There was no resemblance at all, and both Bara and the newcomer could see the confusion on the two women's faces..
"What do you need, Bara-chan?"
"These woman wanted to see you!" Bara answered, excitedly.
"Me?" Bara's sister had a surprised expression on her face. She looked carefully at the women standing behind her younger sister. "Why would you want to see me?" She asked.
"I am Tasuki No Miko," the blond woman began, "and I'm looking for my Nijuusanseishi. I asked Bara-san if she knew anyone with a character on their body, and she brought us to you." The woman's eyebrows raised in reply.
"So, Tasuki No Miko has finally arrived, as foretold in the legend ..." The woman stared off into space, lost in thought. "Took you long enough," she finally continued.
The woman turned to Tasuki No Miko and smiled. "I am Tasuki Nijuusanseishi Nobaraboshi. I am ready to help."
Tasuki No Miko jumped for joy. "Yatta! Two down! This is easier than I thought it would be."
The other woman pulled Tasuki No Miko a short distance away, and spoke cautiously in her ear. "This seems almost *too* easy ... and why would any of the Nijuusanseishi have families here? We all come from the real world! Don't we ... "
Nobara smiled, overhearing the conversation between the two woman. She strolled over. "I am what I say I am. I was walking in a park one day, and started to feel rather faint. I passed out ... When I woke up, I was here. I have been here for the last two years. Bara's family has adopted me - and that's why she calls me her 'sister'." Tasuki No Miko noddedly, happily, ready to move onto the third Nijuusanseishi.
"Okay. I'll accept that. Now what do you do?" Nobara smiled.
"You are positively delightful company. I have super senses. Sort of like Ashitare ... but not so animalistic." Nobara replied complancently.
"So that's why you overheard us, even though we were whispering! I'm Cat. Nice to meet you," The two women shook hands.
"I suggest we be on our way," Nobara hinted.
"Let's head out!" Tasuki No Miko exclaimed, leading the other two women
on, to continue their search.