Yuzu stood there, frozen in fear, as the giant black-and-white creature loomed over her. The creature looked down with a sinister grin as he approached the little girl.
"Oh my god..." Yuzu thought, terrified. "He's so big and scary. I'm so scared..." Yuzu stepped back and shook her head rapidly. "No, it's okay! I was trained for situations like this." Yuzu stepped forward and glared at the monster. The monster raised an eye at this. Yuzu reached into her hoodie and pulled out... nothing.
Yuzu blinked twice, repeatedly gripping her hand, touching nothing but air. She was confused for a moment before coming to a realization.
'LINN-SAN STILL HAS MY LADLE!!' Yuzu comically screamed in her head, her eyes whited out.
The creature stared at Yuzu and then laughed evilly. ''What's the matter, little girl? Don't have anything to defend yourself with?'' the creature moved closer to Yuzu.
''N-no...'' Yuzu said, frightened, dropping to her knees with tears in her eyes.
''That makes it easier to do this!'' The creature lunged at Yuzu.
''KYAHH!!'' Yuzu closed her eyes and screamed.
*pow*
Yuzu opened her eyes after hearing a sound. She looked up to see Linn standing before her, his fist outstretched, and the creature lying on the ground a few feet away.
''Linn-san!'' Yuzu said surprised. Linn turned around to Yuzu and smiled.
''Hey there, are you ok?'' Linn said. He put his hand out.
''Yes,'' Yuzu said, wiping her tears and grabbing Linn's hand. Linn picked her up off the floor.
''Sorry I was late; trying to lose those people was harder than I thought,'' Linn said, rubbing his head.
Yuzu shook her head and hugged Linn ''No, I'm fine knowing that you're here now and you are okay.''
''Woah, hey now, it's ok,'' Linn said, a little embarrassed. The moment was then interrupted by a roar from the creature.
The creature glared at Linn as he stood up, rubbing his jaw.
''YOU DARE GET IN MY WAY, BRAT!!'' The monster yelled angrily. Linn broke the hug with Yuzu and turned his attention to the black and white creature.
''That's right'' Linn said. ''I won't let you lay a finger on Yuzu!'' Linn took a fighting stance.
Just then, a voice could be heard.
''Master!''
Everyone turned to the sound of the voice. It was Tomodachi, running at full speed towards Linn.
''Tomo?'' Linn said, confused.
"Master!" Tomo said, ''I'm back from my nap and ready to help you fight.'' Tomo was still running as fast as he could and didn't appear to be stopping. Linn noticed this and began to panic.
''Wait, Tomo! You're going too fast!!" Linn said, waving his hands in front of him. Tomodachi notices this and gets stars in his eyes, still running.
''Oh, master! You're welcoming me back even though I completely abandoned- I mean, took a well-rested nap?! Oh, master, you're too kind!'' Tomodachi said, crying comical tears.
''Tomodachi! Listen to me! Slow down!'' Linn urged.
''Master!''
''Tomo stop-''
*crash *
Tomodachi collided with Linn, sending the two rolling down the ground and falling into a heap.
Yuzu sweatdropped at the scene. The creature just laughed.
''Well, that takes care of him. Now where was I-'' the creature was interrupted by Linn punching him in the face again, sending him flying.
''Don't count me out just yet!'' Linn smiled. Meanwhile, Yuzu thought, 'Linn-san is amazing. I was too scared to move, and Linn-san was fighting this scary monster like it was nothing. Isn't he afraid?' The creature stood up and glared at Linn.
''Ok, kid,'' the creature sneered. ''Now you're starting to annoy me.''
''There's more where that came from if you don't leave this place.'' Linn threatened.
The creature laughed. ''You got balls, brat, I like that. What's your name?''
''Linn Tsukiyomi, the hero!'' Linn proclaimed. ''And who or what are you?''
''I am Detriment.'' the creature now known as Detriment said. He then smirked. ''As for what I am? Hell if I know, but I like it.''
Linn glared at the monster. ''And what do you want with Yuzu?'' Linn asked.
''Ah, now that is none of your business,'' Detriment chuckled. ''Now, are you going to hand her over, or am I going to have to get violent?"
Linn said nothing as he got into a fighting stance. The creature saw this and laughed.
''Violent it is!'' Said Detriment as he rushed towards Linn. Detriment slashed at Linn with his claws twice. Linn dodged both attacks and threw a punch at Detriment. Detriment caught Linn's hand, picked him up, and smashed him into the ground. And while holding him, threw him through the air.
Linn landed on his feet, rushed towards Detriment, and landed a swift kick to the creature's stomach. Detriment reeled back from the attack, clutching his stomach. Detriment roared and charged at Linn, slashing his claws rapidly, with Linn dodging each attack and delivering a straight punch to the creature's skull.
Detriment stopped, clutching his face as Linn stepped back and raised his fists.
''You're pretty strong for a human and a kid.'' Detriment snarled. ''But now it's time I got serious!''
Detriment jumped into the air, sprouted wings, and flew 30 feet in the air, coming to a stop.
'He can't hit me from up here,' thought Detriment. He then put his hands together, and a black energy swirled through his palm.
''Ha ha ha ha!'' Detriment laughed evilly ''I'll destroy this village, the girl and you! Prepare yourself, Linn Tsukiyomi!
Linn and Yuzu looked up at the creature, gathering energy.
''Oh no!'' Yuzu cried out, ''He will destroy the village at this rate! What are we going to do?!''
'Hmm,' Linn remembered something he did while running from the villagers.
''That's it!'' He exclaimed. Yuzu looked at Linn curiously.
''What is it?'' Yuzu asked.
''I have an idea but need your help, Yuzu,'' Linn said.
Yuzu looked at Linn, confused. She then nodded.
''Ok,'' Yuzu said, ''I'll do whatever it takes to protect everyone.''
Linn smiled. ''that's the spirit! Now all you have to do-'' Linn begins saying as Yuzu listens eagerly.
-is to pick me up and launch me at the creature!''
The wind slowly blows as a tumbleweed runs past.
...Eh?'' Yuzu said, eyes whited out
''I need you to launch me at the creature!'' Linn said again
Yuzu sighed and gave Linn a deadpan gaze.
''Linn-san,'' Yuzu begins saying, ''There are a few things wrong with that plan.'' Yuzu started to list the problems with her fingers.'' one Detriment is 30 feet in the air. Two, I'm sure you noticed, but I'm a small, petite 11-year-old girl. I can't possibly lift you. And three, even if I can lift and throw you, there one major problem…'' Yuzu beckons Linn to come closer to whisper in his ear.
Linn came closer and cupped his ear. Yuzu grabbed it.
''...YOU CAN'T FLY!!!'' Yuzu screamed in Linn's ear.
Linn stumbled back, holding his ear in pain.
''Ow!'' Linn said, rubbing his sore ear. ''No! This could work! I did something when the villagers chased me, and I think I could do it again.''
''But…'' Yuzu said, concerned.
''Don't worry,'' Linn said. ''You don't need to throw me; I need a little boost to get a few feet Into the air. I'll take care of the rest.''
''But…'' Yuzu said again, still concerned. Meanwhile, Detriment is still gathering energy, and the sky is suddenly darker. Linn notices this and pleads to Yuzu.
''There's no time for this! Yuzu, please!''
Yuzu looked at the sky and noticed it growing darker. She panics.
''Ok, ok! I'll do anything!'' Yuzu said.
'' Linn said,'' Just put your hands together, and I'll run up, and then you boost me up as hard as you can.''
''Like this?'' Yuzu said, putting her hands together.
''Perfect,'' Linn said, moving back to get a running start. He then ran towards Yuzu and jumped into Yuzu's hands. Yuzu boosted Linn as hard as she could. Linn was launched into the air as Yuzu, with Linn's running start and weight being too much for her tiny body, landed on her butt.
Linn was soaring into the air… about two feet in the air and was coming back down.
'Ok, here goes nothing,' Linn thought. While he was still a foot in the air, he kicked the air as hard as he could. The next thing he knew, he went soaring straight to Detriment.
''What!?'' Detriment screamed, eyes widening as Linn charged at him like a bullet. Linn collided with Detriment, breaking the creature's concentration. The energy he was gathering vanished, and the sky cleared up. Linn delivered a backflip kick to Detriment's chin, stunning the beast.
''Ugh,'' Detriment staggered. Linn then climbed onto Detriment's back and grabbed his wings. With his wings in Linn's hands, he stopped flying and began plummeting to the ground.
''Uuhh,'' Detriment groaned as he hit the pavement hard while Linn was on top of him, the creature softening his fall. Linn then got off of Detriment and grabbed his legs.
''Wha…?'' Detriment gasped in surprise before being lifted by his legs. Linn put Detriment's legs under his arms and began spinning in circles.
''AHHH!'' Detriment screams while being swung around. This goes on for five minutes straight until Linn finally gives a good and powerful swing and sends Detriment soaring through the air.
''NOOOOO!'' Detriment roared as he sailed through the air until he became a twinkle in the sky. And like that, Detriment was gone.
''It's finally over,'' Linn said, sitting down, dizzy from the swing. Yuzu ran up to Linn and glomped him.
''Linn-san! Are you ok?! Are you hurt?!'' Yuzu said, fussing like a mother hen, checking for injuries and peppering him with kisses.
''Y-yuzu! Cut it out! What's gotten into you?'' Linn pushed Yuzu off gently, slightly unnerved by her behavior.
''Oh'' Yuzu snapped out of it ''I'm sorry, Linn-san!'' Yuzu put her hands on her lap and closed her eyes. ''I'm just so relieved that my baby boy is alright.''
Linn blinked. ''baby boy?''
Yuzu opened her eyes and waved her hands frantically ''No, no! I meant that you're alright. He he.'' Linn sweatdropped.
Tomodachi walked over to the two. ''Well done, master, you saved the village.''
''Uh thanks'' Linn said. 'And where were you this whole time?' Linn thought.
''There he is!''
The three turned to the right to find the villagers standing there and glaring daggers at Linn.
''You can't escape this time!'' the male villager with the bad back said.
''I can't get married now because of you! I'll make you pay, you little pervert!'' the female villager said with tears in her eyes.
''Give me back my cabbages!'' The whinny merchant whined.
'Uh oh,' Linn thought.
''Yuzu-Chan!''
The three turned to the entrance to find Martha, the two men, and Hendrick and his men, all healed up now standing there.
''Martha-san! What are you doing here?'' Yuzu questioned, surprised.
Martha ran up to Yuzu and hugged her. ''These guys said they saw you at the entrance and then saw the monster coming in this direction, and I got worried.''
''I'm glad to see that you're alright,'' the first man said.
''The sky suddenly grew dark, and the monster appeared again. We couldn't help but worry,'' the second man said.
Hendrick and his men were searching for the monster. After finding no trace of the creature, he checked up on Yuzu and his wife, only to spot Linn.
''AH, IT'S YOU!'' Hendrick yelled, startling everyone present. ''YOU'RE THAT BOY FROM BEFORE!''
''Uh hi?'' Linn nervously chuckled.
''Because of you, that thief got away, and you humiliated us. I underestimated you because you were a child, but now I'm serious. Men! Ready to attack!' Hendrick said as he and his men brought out their weapons.
''Not so fast, Hendrick-san, he's ours!'' the bad back villager said.
''He has to be punished for looking up my skirt!' the female villager said.
''And for destroying my cabbages!'' The whiny merchant whined...again.
''Oh please'' Hendrick scoffed. ''Those are only minor nuisances,'' he pointed to the bad-back villager. ''You always complain about your back.'' he pointed to the female villager. ''Everyone in the village has already seen under your skirt.'' he pointed to the cabbage merchant. ''And your cabbages aren't even that good.''
''WHAT DID YOU SAY???'' The three villagers yelled.
''You think my back problems are minor!?'' The bad back villager yelled.
''You think looking under my skirt is a nuisance!?'' The female villager screamed.
''You don't like my cabbages…?'' The whiny merchant cried.
''Look,'' Hendrick said. ''We all want the boy. Let's share him.''
The villagers looked at each other and then at Hendrick. They all nodded.
''Ok,'' they agreed. Everyone else just sweatdropped.
''Good! Let's get him!'' Hendrick said.
''Yea!'' The villagers, Hendrick, and his men began charging at Linn. Linn got up and tried to run away, only to fall back down because he had been sitting down for too long, and his legs had fallen asleep.
'ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!' Linn comically screamed in his head.
The villagers, Hendrick, and his men were closing in on Linn as Linn braced for impact.
''STOP!!''
The villagers and Hendrick and his men stopped at the sound of the voice. Linn looked to find Yuzu standing before him, arms outstretched protectively.
''Don't hurt Linn-san!'' Yuzu said. The villagers and Hendrick and his men looked at each other. Hendrick stepped forward.
''Yuzu-Chan,'' Hendrick said. ''This boy has caused nothing but trouble since he arrived here. Not to mention, he attacked me and my men. He is a problem in our village, and as the village chief, it's my job to solve it and punish the boy.'' Linn looked down in guilt.
''That is true'' Yuzu said. ''But he also saved me and the entire village by defeating that monster.''
''What? He defeated that beast?'' Hendrick said, surprised. The villagers were all murmuring, shocked, and surprised.
''That's right'' Yuzu said. ''We owe him our thanks, not our scorn.'' Yuzu looked at Linn and smiled.
The crowd was still murmuring. Hendrick put his hand up to silence them.
''Ahem,'' Hendrick cleared his throat. ''Be that as it may, it doesn't change the fact that he attacked us and caused property damage and distress to the villagers.''
''In that case,'' Yuzu put a hand to her chest ''I'll take full responsibility for Linn-san and pay for the damage he caused.'' Yuzu took out the brown bag she received from Martha and gave it to Hendrick.
Hendrick gazed at the bag, lost in thought. His wife approached him and asked him to speak in private. Hendrick nodded, and the two stepped away from the crowd. After a moment, they returned. Hendrick cleared his throat.
''Ok, Yuzu-Chan'' Hendrick said. ''I'll accept this and let you decide what to do with the boy.''
''Thank you, Hendrick-san'' Yuzu beamed.
''OK Everyone! Get back to the village.'' the Hendrick ordered. All the villagers disappeared into the village except for three particular villagers.
''Hey, wait a second'' the bad back villager said ''what about my bad back?''
''What about my skirt problem?'' The female villager questioned.
''What about the cabbages?'' The whiny merchant questioned.
Hendrick just sighed and rubbed his temple. Yuzu walked up to the three villagers.
''Don't worry, I'll massage your back like always,'' She said to the bad-back villager.
''Linn-san only ran under your skirt; he didn't actually see anything, so you're still pure,'' she told the female villager.
''I'll buy and replace all your cabbages,'' She told the whiny merchant.
''Really?'' The three questioned.
''Really,'' Yuzu said sweetly.
The three villagers all cheered and cried comical tears.
''My back will be fixed!'' the bad back villager cheered.
''I can still get married!'' The female villager cheered.
''My cabbages are saved!'' the whiny merchant cheered.
Everyone else except for Yuzu sweatdropped.
''Just get back to the village…''Hendrick ordered.
''Yes, sir!'' All three said as they comically ran towards the village.
Hendrick sighed and rubbed his temple again. He then turned towards the rest of the group.
''I got to check on the village. I leave the rest to you guys.'' Hendrick said as he and his men went to the village.
Martha walked towards Yuzu. ''I got to get back to the Tavern. Are you sure you're ok, dear?'' Martha asked worriedly.
''I'm fine, Martha-san,'' Yuzu replied.
''I'll go back home then.'' the first man said.
''I'll come with you,'' the second man said.
As the two men turned around and began to walk, Martha grabbed them by their ears.
''Oh no, you don't!'' Martha growled. ''You boys haven't paid for your bar tabs yet. You're coming to the Tavern with me.''
''Ow ow! I'm sorry, Martha-san'' the first man whined in pain ''I-I was going to pay, honest.''
''Yea, me two,'' the second man said, also whining in pain. ''Have mercy on us! Ow!''
Martha hmphed, turned to Yuzu, and smiled. ''I'll see you later, Yuzu-chan,'' Martha said as she dragged the two men to the tavern.
Yuzu waved goodbye and turned her attention to Linn and Tomodachi, who was helping Linn up.
''Are you ok, Linn-san?'' Yuzu asked.
'I'm fine,''' Linn said, rubbing his head sheepishly. ''Thanks for saving my butt back there, Yuzu. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there.''
''Your welcome'' Yuzu smiled. ''Now, we must discuss the matter of your punishment.''
Linn froze in place. ''….What?''
Yuzu put her hands on her hips. ''Don't 'what' me, young man,' Yuzu said sternly. ''I'm grateful that you saved me and the village, but Hendrick-san was right; you did cause a lot of trouble for the village. So you need to be punished.''
''But I…'' Linn began saying before stopping and seeing the look Yuzu was giving him. ''Oh ok…''Linn sighed, giving up.
''That's better,'' Yuzu said.
Tomodachi patted his master back ''Don't worry, master, I'm sure it won't be that bad. You got this!'' Tomo gave him a thumbs up.
''You're not helping, Tomo,'' Linn deadpanned.
Yuzu giggled before she remembered something. ''Oh, that's right!'' Yuzu walked up to Linn.
''Linn-san'' Yuzu said. Linn and Tomo are looking at her. ''you still have my ladle. I'll like it back, please?''
Linn was confused for a second, but then he remembered.
Oh yea,'' Linn said. ''I did say I'll give it back to you.'' Linn reached into his pockets as Yuzu outstretched her hand.
''Its right….here?'' Linn said, feeling nothing in his pocket. He reached into his other pocket and found nothing. He began searching his entire body and came up empty.
''What's wrong, master?.'' Tomodachi asked, slightly concerned.
''I…'' Linn said, rubbing his head.'' Might have lost your ladle when the villagers were chasing me.'' he laughed nervously, and Tomodachi gaped at him. They looked towards Yuzu.
Yuzu was standing there smiling, eyes closed, and hand outstretched.
''Um, Yu-''Linn stopped as he saw a red fiery aura engulf her.
''Liiiinnn-saaaan…'' Yuzu said in a demonic voice. An angry tick mark appeared on her head.
''Oh, look at the time; it's time to nap again. See you!'' Tomodachi ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
''Wait!'' Linn said ''Take me with you-ahh!'' Linn tried to run, but Yuzu grabbed him by the ear.
''NOT SO FAST, MISTER!'' Yuzu yelled angrily as she pulled on Linn's ear harshly. ''DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU CAUSED ME TODAY!?''
''Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Yuzu, I'm sorry, please forgive me!'' Linn pleaded as Yuzu began dragging him along.
"You are grounded for a week, mister," Yuzu said sternly. "You are going to help me find my ladle and apologize to all the villagers. And then you will pay me back by helping with the tavern for a week."
''A week?!'' Linn cried out ''I can't stay here for a week!'' Yuzu tugged on Linn's ear harder.
''That's too bad,'' Yuzu said, "That's what it means to be grounded. Now hush up and come on!" Yuzu dragged Linn by the ear while Linn cried comical tears and cursed his fate.
000
One week later
tavern room
Linn collapsed on the tavern room bed, face down with his butt in the air
''I'm so tired…''Linn muffled out from his pillow.
''They still had you busing tables?'' Tomodachi said, sitting crossed legs on the other side of the same bed.
Linn sat up ''Yeah, and worst of all, I still had to wear that stupid waitress outfit.''
''Don't they have male uniforms?'' Tomodachi asked.
''No, Miss Martha said that she only hires girls, and because of that, she only has waitress uniforms,'' Linn said. ''I don't understand how Yuzu can wear that all the time. I kept getting creepy stares from the men, and even if they found out I was a boy, some of them still gave me those looks.'' Linn shuddered.
''Speaking of Yuzu'' Tomodachi said. ''I still can't believe you let an 11-year-old girl ground you like this,'' Tomodachi laughed. Linn threw his pillow at him.
''It's not funny, Tomo!'' Linn yelled. ''she's very scary when she's angry; I couldn't say no.'' Linn straightened up. ''Besides, I did cause her and the village some trouble; it's the least I could do.''
Tomo dropped the pillow from his face and smiled. ''Well, this was the last day of your 'grounding...' Tomodachi couldn't help but chuckle. Linn glared at him. Tomodachi waved it off and continued, ''But we'll be leaving and on our way to find the girls.''
Linn couldn't help but think about Kaila and Erica. He wondered what they were doing now and if they were okay.
''Yea!'' Linn said, pumped up. ''We got sidetracked, but our mission's still the same. To recuse Kaila and Erica and go back home!''
''Speaking of that,'' Tomodachi said. ''I've been meaning to ask you something.''
''Yes?'' Linn said.
''Even if we do find Kaila and Erica. How are we going to get home?'' Tomodachi asked.
Linn froze; he had no answer. He was concerned about finding his best friends, so he hadn't considered what to do afterward.
Linn shook his head ''That doesn't matter right now. Finding Kaila and Erica is our top priority; we'll worry about the details later.''
''As you wish, master,'' Tomodachi said.
''Ok, ''Linn said. ''Now go to sleep. We are leaving first thing in the morning.''
''Yes, master,'' Tomo laid down on the bed dog style. Linn raised his eyebrows.
''You know Tomo…''Linn began saying. Tomo's ears perked up.
''Yes, master?'' Tomodachi questioned.
"I know we talked about this, but there's a bed right over there," he said, pointing to a bed on the other side of the room. "You don't have to sleep in the same bed as me."
At that, Tomo shot up and cried comical tears.
''You mean you don't want me to sleep with you anymore?!'' Tomo said ''why?! You know I can't sleep if I'm not lying beside you!''
Linn put his hands defensively. ''I-I know, but that's when you were a dog,'' Linn said. Trying to calm Tomo down, ''You're human now, so it feels kinda awkward to sleep in the same bed with another boy.''
Tomodachi had a comical, shocked expression on his face. He then slumped down, depressed.
''Noooo! My master doesn't love me anymore!! Wah!! Tomo cried a waterfall of tears.
Linn blocked the tears with his hands.'' That is not it, Tomo! It's just…'' Linn's words were brushed aside as Tomo was still crying.
''Ok, ok! You can sleep with me from now on; stop crying!'' Linn said.
''Really?'' Tomodachi sniffed.
''Yes, Tomo'' Linn said
'' yayyyy!'' Tomodachi hugged Linn. ''I love you, master,'' Tomo said with stars in his eyes.
Linn smiled and patted Tomo's head ''I love you too, boy, now go to sleep.
Tomodachi laid down dog style as Linn laid down, too. After a moment or two, the boys were fast asleep.
Unbeknownst to the boys, the door was slightly open, and a brown eye was peering through. The door then closed, and a small figure could be seen darting away.
Morning
Kido village
Linn and Tomodachi stood outside the tavern with Hendrick and Martha, who provided them with supplies for their journey.
''That should be all'' Martha said.
''Thank you so much, Miss Martha!'' Linn said. Linn had a green backpack full of supplies.
''You're welcome, hon,'' Martha said. ''Do you have to leave so soon? I had doubts, but you weren't so bad with the clientele. If only you were a girl, I would hire you full-time.''
Linn nervously chuckled ''Thank you…''
'If I have to see that waitress outfit again, it would be too soon,' Linn thought.
Hendrick stepped to Linn and put a hand on his shoulder. ''Well, boy, even though we had differences, you stepped up and took your punishment like a man. I respect that.''
''Thank you, sir,'' Linn bowed. ''I'm sorry I attacked you and your men.''
''It's fine,'' Hendrick reassured. ''I figured you would assume the worst from seeing that scene.''
Hendrick let go of Linn's shoulder. ''But I must say, lad, to best both me and the beast. You're no ordinary boy. What do you say about going another round?''
''Oh no, thanks, sir,'' Linn denied. ''I do have to get going, and I don't want to get in trouble again.''
''Nonsense!'' Hendrick said. ''It will just be a little spar, come on.'' Hendrick got into a fighting stance.
''But…
''Come on,'' Hendrick got closer.
''I really shouldn't…''
''Come on!'' Hendrick got closer.
''I can't…''
''Come on!'' Hendrick was in Linn's face, scaring Linn out of his wits. Martha pulled Hendrick away, grabbing him by the ear.
''Would you cut it out?! You're scaring the poor boy!'' Martha scolded.
''Ow, ow, Martha, that hurts! I was just kidding!'' Hendrick said.
Martha huffed and released his ear, Hendrick rubbing it as she walked toward Linn and bent down to his eye level.
''Don't worry about my fool of a husband, hon.'' Martha said sweetly ''you just go along and do what you got to do.''
"Thank you, Miss Martha." Linn began to look around and noticed that a particular person was missing.
''Hey, where's Yuzu?'' Linn asked ''I thought she would like to see us off.''
Martha stiffed a little and said. ''Yuzu-Chan had to take care of some things, but she told me to tell you to take care of yourself and to stay out of trouble.''
''Oh ok…'' Linn said somewhat down ''Well thank you for everything, goodbye.''
Linn and Tomodachi started walking towards the entrance. Martha stood up and began to cry slowly. Hendrick walked up to Martha and held her hand. Martha looked up at her husband, and Hendrick just nodded and led Martha back to the tavern. Martha looked toward Linn's figure as she hurried away.
''Take care of her, Linn-kun.'' Martha said before she and Hendrick walked into the tavern.
000
Linn and Tomodachi walked towards the entrance. Several of the villagers were saying goodbye to them. A specific bad-back villager, whose back was feeling better, gave him a thumbs-up, which Linn returned in kind. A particular female villager blew Linn a kiss, which caused Linn to blush. A certain whiny merchant tossed a cabbage that Linn caught and placed in his backpack.
''Wow,'' Tomodachi said, amazed. ''It's amazing how fast humans can change. Just a week ago, they were out for your blood, and now they like you.''
''I guess…'' Linn said crestfallen.
''What's wrong, master?'' Tomodachi said, worried.
''I mean, glad that everyone likes me now. It's just… everyone is saying goodbye except for Yuzu.''
''Oh I see'' Tomodachi said. ''But master, why do you care? We were stuck here for a week because of her.''
''I know,' Linn said.'' But because of her, we managed to straighten everything in the village. I feel like I owe her my thanks. But she didn't show up to say goodbye.''
''Oh,'' Tomodachi said.
The two were at the entrance. They spotted a short blond-haired girl with a pink backpack looking out into the distance.
''Yuzu!'' Linn said, surprised. Yuzu turned around and smiled.
''Linn-san! There you are!'' Yuzu said back.
Linn rushed towards Yuzu, with Tomodachi following behind.
''Hey, I thought I would miss you walking out,'' Linn said.
Yuzu giggled ''Sorry, but I had things to take care of. I'm sure I told Martha-san to tell you.''
''Well yeah, she did, but I was still worried I wouldn't see you,'' Linn said. ''What are you doing here, and what with the backpack?''
''What, this? Yuzu said, showing her backpack. ''Well, the thing is, I decided to go on a journey myself.''
''WHAT?'' Linn yelled in shock. Yuzu giggled.
''What? Is it that surprising?'' Yuzu said.
''Well, kinda' 'Linn said ''why do you want to leave your village?''
''Well, I thought I'd go out and see the world. Let's say I'm not the type of girl to stay in one place.''
''Oh ok'' Linn said ''where are you going?''
''Wherever you're going'' Yuzu replied.
A small wind blows through the area.
…..eh?'' Linn said, confused.
''I said I'm going wherever you're going.''
''And what does that mean'' Linn said, still confused.
Yuzu put her hands on her hips. "Geez, Linn-san, you're so slow on the uptake. I mean, you guys are going to find your friends, and I want to come with you."
''Ohh'' Linn said ''why?''
Yuzu looked down and said in a somber tone. ''After our encounter with Detriment, I realized that I'm powerless to save my loved ones when it matters. And You, a random person, had to come and save me and my village. That's when I realized that I needed to get stronger, and the only way to do that was to go out and explore the world and help people in need. ''
''I see,'' Linn said.
''Not to mention,'' Yuzu continued, ''you guys came from another world. You don't know anything about this world, and I would be worried if I let you guys go off, at least without a guide. So Linn-san, I beg you to take me with you,'' Yuzu pleaded.
''I don't know ,Yuzu'' Linn said, hesitate. ''If there are creatures like Detriment out there, then I wouldn't want you in harm's way.''
''I'll be fine.'' Yuzu reached into her sweater hoodie, pulled out her ladle, and spun it around a few times. ''I may not look it, but I'm pretty handy in a fight… as long as I have my ladle, of course.''
''I still don't know…'' Linn said.
''I can cook your meals. I'm an excellent cook!'' Yuzu said, proud of herself.
''That's not exactly…''Linn started to say before Tomodachi tapped him on the shoulder.
''Master, if I may have a word with you.'' Tomodachi pulled Linn to the side.
''She seems like she doesn't mean any harm to us, and she is willing to help and guide us through this world. I say we take her with us.''
''I understand that, Tomo,'' Linn said, ''but I don't want her to get hurt. Plus, she's not the most stable girl out there. If you catch my drift.''
''Yes, but she's more like 'I want to help and care about you' than 'I will destroy you all.'
''You know I can hear you both, right?'' Yuzu said, an angry tick mark on her head. ''You're being loud and rude.''
''Yes, yes, we'll get to you in a second,'' Tomodachi said, pulling Linn farther away from Yuzu as Yuzu pouted.
''As I was saying,'' Tomodachi said. ''Master, we don't know anything about this world, and If we want to save Kaila and Erica, we need to learn more about this place. If she is willing to help and guide us, I say let's go for it.''
''Hmm, I do see your point,'' Linn said.
''And besides,'' Tomodachi said before drooling, ''Think of all the food we can eat!''
Linn sweatdropped. 'Who are you kidding? You just want the food,' Linn thought.
Linn and Tomodachi walked towards Yuzu, And Yuzu was there waiting for their response.
Linn looked to Tomo. Tomo nodded. Linn then sighed and said.
''OK, you can come with us.''
Yuzu put her hands to her mouth and teared up. She rushed towards Linn and hugged him.
''Thank you Linn-san!'' Yuzu said.
Linn patted her head ''You're welcome, Yuzu. Just promise me you'll be alright.''
''I will!'' Yuzu replied.
Linn and Tomodachi, now with Yuzu, continue the journey to save their friends. What new adventures await the trio? Stay tuned to find out.