Very early in the morning Ayu was allowed to get back into the familiar area of the East Continent. Not that Dende grounded her or anything, she knew that the Guardian didn't feel right about her venturing on her own. Things usually would happen then... Bad things. But what was wrong with some herb-picking session? With her trusted basket full of notes, jars, and other useful stuff, she put on a thick cloak. The weather was tricky and Ayu decided to spend the whole day here. She couldn't remember when was the last time she decided to collect some herbs - just for the peace of her mind. If she could make them with her Ki looking for healing plants in the mountains was losing its meaning but Ayu very much enjoyed the walk. And she needed time to think, just on her own...

Or maybe not? It seemed that fate had something else planned for her today and Ayu felt obligated to go along with it.

Because she heard it. A loud, pained sobbing, the faint echo slowly resonating through the area nearby. Stopping in her tracks Ayu raised her head, focusing on the sound that made her heart hurt... In the quiet forest, it was unusual to hear something like that. It took but a moment and then she felt this energy, a presence so frail that she started to fear it will fade away at any given moment now. There was someone out there - guided by the whisper of trees and the Ki she sensed, Ayu hastened her steps in that very direction. Soon enough she slowed down because she reached the spot where she saw a heartbreaking scene. Under the shade of a tree, a small silhouette was trembling, sobbing so much that her body was shivering. Ayu saw a girl with a skin hue reminding her of coffee with milk, and light blonde yet disheveled hair - and face wet from tears. Maybe it wasn't so weird but she was reminded of how many times she herself was wandering through the forest, crying her heart out through the sleepless nights. There were times when she was in pain and wished to see someone, anyone but no one ever came so... It wouldn't be of any good if she would stand there idly, would it?

"Excuse me..." she finally spoke in a soft tone, trying not to raise her voice too much to not startle a visibly distressed girl. No matter what happened it was hard to turn away from this sight because the energy, albeit weak, gave of confusion, faint hope, and pain. It was hard to think about what this poor thing went through. Ayu quietly placed her full basket on the ground and started untying her cloak. The heavy fabric slipped from her back and she held it over her arm. She walked up to the curled stranger with both hands up, showing that she didn't have any ill intentions. As Ayu got close enough, she got down on one knee, gently covering the girl's shoulders with her warm cape. "Are you lost..?" she asked with a kind, concerned tone, carefully tying the ribbon of the mantle so the girl could wrap the fabric around herself. Maybe the season was changing but the weather at this hour could be insidious and her body seemed chilled. The tree she was sitting under told her that the presence here stayed next to its roots for long enough to get cold. She couldn't have it, could she?

Sitting down on the grass in front of her, she could now spot more details. The feathers and unkempt hair, the worn-out clothes and stains of dirt here and there. Her small face had tears smeared all over so Ayu reached into her pocket and handed her a handkerchief. She was also very thin... No doubt that her energy felt so frail, the girl indeed was weak. What was she doing all alone here, in the middle of the wilderness right by the foot of the mountain? This place was full of beasts and dinosaurs - though maybe it wasn't as dangerous as before, granted that the Saiyans were hunting down wild game for their meals. But for someone of the constitution as delicate as her, being here on her own was already risky enough. They should find a safer spot soon, and Ayu needed to make sure that this one would get back home safe and sound.

"I'm sorry if I startled you... I'm Ayu," she placed her hand on her chest and smiled warmly. "What's your name..?"

---

Power Level - 288,912 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 767

There was something unusual about this reaction. Ayu felt like she wasn't the one Sobi expected or hoped for and in a way like her presence wasn't... Important enough? The way her face dropped when she got a good look at her face told her enough. Though it didn't matter. She needed help and Ayu wanted to give as much as she could - she wasn't doing it for approval or gratitude. Just leaving her here would be cruel, and her heart was cracking at the sole thought of walking away from Sobi. And yet... Something has caught the girl's attention. She reached out to her so desperately asking about a man she never heard of before. And she gazed at her with hope so intense in tear-filled eyes it was hard to admit that she didn't know anything.

"I'm sorry, I am n-not familiar with him..." she said but Ayu wasn't sure if Sobi was able to hear her. The girl's heartbreaking sobbing turned into even more pained weeping when she broke into tears again. Calling her mother, and father, apologizing and begging... That would be enough to shake any person who had even a shred of decency. What else should she do when someone clung to her so desperately, shaken by tears and despair? Ayu softly wrapped her arms around Sobi, resting her trembling head on her chest. "I'm sure he knows that you're grateful," she assured her, fondly brushing away a strand of blonde hair from her face. Lightly stroking Sobi's head and back, she held her, letting all those emotions loose... It was better to cry it all out than to hold everything inside until one would break. She knew it from experience. Ayu did not wish to hush or silence the girl because the pain she felt was real - and it needed to be heard. Even if the only witnesses to her sorrow would be her and the silent woods of Mountain Paozu.

Then, with her hand slowly stroking Sobi's back, Ayu was able to fully sense her presence. And it made her eyes narrow with a feeling of concern growing stronger. Under her fingertips her energy slowly resonated, giving off a very faint aura of something... Irregular and unwell. Just what it was? The girl's body was weak and sick. Was it this illness she was crying about..? She couldn't pinpoint where and why something in her body has caused her organism to be so frail but she didn't like it one bit. Especially because Ayu couldn't tell what it was, and that reminded her of her own state. Or at least about the first month when she was growing weaker, full of fear, not knowing what was happening to her... And that excess of energy, this unholy amalgamation of Ki and magic that was fueling her power, was always growing, always putting a painful strain on her body. In a way, Sobi's situation reminded her of her own. Ayu gently read her signature, reaching one conclusion - something definitely weakened her to the point that she got sick like that. Maybe if her body was a little stronger then it could withstand whatever was going on inside her soul and energy. Her expression softened.

Ayu's fingertips lit up with a soft glow. The warmth seeped from her hands gently, slowly, as she focused on healing and mending the fatigued body. With her eyes closed, she concentrated on the Ki circulating through Sobi's like a second bloodstream, making sure that the whole process was harmless and delicate so as to not cause any discomfort. Poor thing was through enough already and the last thing she would want was to bring her more distress. Though the healing method wasn't easy - Ayu frowned a little, and a drop of sweat formed above her brow. There simply was so much to heal that it was unbelievable to think that one's body could be so frail... But she wasn't going to stop until Ayu was sure that the girl weeping in her arms was healed - as much as it was possible in the current situation.

---

Power Level - 288,912 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 685
Total Word Count - 1,452

She was so glad it worked. Since what happened in South City Ayu hasn't got a chance to use her healing ability. Not that she wished to have an actual need to restore the health of anyone if that would mean putting them in danger first to have some practice... Ugh, that thought was awful enough on its own. Still, truth was that since the Heal backfired when she was trying to save Callion, she wasn't so sure about this ability. Ayu practiced, and it all looked well, so maybe once her energy was running haywire she couldn't use it as she intended. That seemed the most reasonable... So it was alright to use this technique when she was in control, though there still was uneasiness creeping in, dark thoughts knocking inside Ayu's mind to let the doubt in. But she wasn't going to be defeated so easily.

Seeing Sobi's poor state, both emotional and physical, she couldn't stay indifferent - she had to try. The relief she felt when Ayu noticed her body getting better was immeasurable... It worked. The light-haired girl leaned back to look at her in shock and she couldn't help but give her a comforting smile, catching her right back into her embrace when she threw her arms around her. Her heart felt like it was growing.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better," Ayu said warmly and chuckled, gently stroking the girl's soft hair as she embraced her in a hug full of gratitude. It felt good to see her so happy and full of life instead of tears and misery. Yet, she wasn't fully satisfied, something still felt off in her life signature but Ayu couldn't quite tell what. She should give it a more careful look - so far she was just pleased that Sobi wasn't in pain anymore. So glad the blonde girl was that she started to talk out loud about how she was similar to that man... Was there someone like that in this world? Then she got worried that her words were too straightforward. "Don't worry, it wasn't mean in a-" Ayu tried to ease the misunderstanding when she heard that Sobi was worried about being rude, but she stopped her words suddenly. Her warm, glad expression turned first into pure confusion that then betrayed her embarrassment and dread. Because the girl she just helped so naturally fell on her knees and bowed her head, hiding her face in a posture full of devotion and subjection. That was enough to make her worry again.

Ayu's face flushed with a nervous blush as she kneeled next to the girl, stroking her back softly. Something hurt her chest when she looked at her. Did she scare her with this ability? Or was her patient thinking that it was the only way of showing proper gratitude by lowering herself in front of her like that? Ayu didn't like that - she wanted Sobi to feel more comfortable rather than showing this... Worship? She didn't deserve it. Yes, she had some special abilities but that was only that. She wasn't that different than her, with her worries and anxieties...

"P-Please, d-don't bow in front of me," she asked all flustered, trying to gently raise Sobi's arms so she could gaze at her face. She wasn't so pale anymore, that was good... And there were no more shivers. "Sobi, can you look at me? Please? I think there's a misunderstanding. I don't know anyone else who has green hair and unusual eyes like me, I never met the person you asked me about..." Ayu took a deep breath and reached for Sobi's hands, holding them in her palms gently. It was a very weird and uncomfortable situation. Whoever she was getting mixed with, helped this girl so much to the point she felt overwhelming devotion towards him... And the similarity of their appearances was making it harder to explain everything. Was there actually a person that looked like hair in some aspects? It wasn't impossible. "At least, I don't know if I have met him. Could you please tell me more about Sankishin? Maybe I know anything but can't recall it. And please, you don't have to lower your face like that... You're a pretty girl, there's no reason to hide, alright?" She said with a warm, motherly-like tone, looking at her with care.

The first thing she wanted to do was to make sure that Sobi was safe and relaxed, then she could start pondering about details. Who she was, why she was here, who she needed to find... The most pressing matter was, why was a person as weak and frail as her, out here in the woods alone?

---

Power Level - 288,912 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 784
Total Word Count - 2,236

The more Ayu listened to Sobi, the more she was beginning to have doubts. Of course, there was no way she could hesitate when she heard the poor soul speaking - the honesty falling from her lips was coming from the heart. Just... The whole situation was a bit offputting. It simply raised more concerns. How could someone set Sobi out into the world when this girl was so frail and delicate..? With every gentle stroke on her back, Ayu could feel the thin skin and lacking muscles. And trembling. Her conscience was held tight by empathy and worry - at that sight in general. Just how... Even if it was something akin to an attempt to help someone learn to swim by pushing them into deep water, it felt like too much. Alone, on her own, in this world? Ayu knew very well how one's mind could affect physical abilities and she understood the anxiety too well. Add to that weak body and the green-skinned woman clearly heard the voice within saying that it was far from right. Maybe Ayu understood too little to give judgment, though it wouldn't be enough to stop her from acting.

Sobi needed care. There was that sensation deep in her body, weaved through weakened bones, burned into the flesh and melancholic soul. How could Ayu describe it? She knew that she healed her and yet, she couldn't heal Sobi completely. It felt like the young woman in front of her was a leaking vessel, life energy running out through the cracks no matter how much she poured inside - as if the Ki itself wasn't, hmm... Absorbed? Attaching? Strengthening her..? It wasn't an issue with her Healing technique. Ayu thought so not due to selfishness, but because the concerns, like shadows, only started to grow. The world of fighters, other races, Ki, and magic wasn't that new to her now and yet there was so much for her to learn. Surely Dende would know about this unnatural ailment that weakened both body and life energy, right? She needed to borrow his wisdom.

Ayu made sure that the cloak was staying neatly wrapped around the girl, keeping her warm. She sat by Sobi, stroking her back gently, trying to take at once this flood of information. Slowly wrapping one arm around her, she helped her rest her cheek on her shoulder, supporting her side. Gods only know what she had to endure before their meeting. Even with everything Ayu heard, she could understand that Sankishin was very important to this girl and that, perhaps, he wasn't of typical, mortal origins. And his lack of presence seemed to hurt her more than the physical pain, huh... That thought, as sharp as a needle, pricked Ayu's chest. She knew that feeling too, didn't she? Wherever they were, she hoped they were safe - as much as it was possible.

"If I may say so," she softly interrupted Sobi's pouting, brushing away a lock of hair from the girl's face. "I think when he mentioned stories and learning, he didn't mean books, not literally." Her gaze slipped for a moment at the sky and the line of dark trees around them. "I think, and pardon me because it's just a guess - that he'd like to hear from you your stories. Your own." She waited for a moment, giving her just enough time to ponder about Ayu's suggestion. "What places have you seen, what tales have you heard, what people have you met. Everything," a warm smile curled her lips softly. Huh, that felt a bit odd as Sobi couldn't be that much younger than her, and yet... Well, when undergoing her first transformation Ayu's body wasn't the only thing that grew more mature. "I think, he wanted you to live so you could convey to him everything you experienced on your own."

She had a hunch. Maybe there still was doubt and a sense of uneasiness about this Sankishin person, yet Ayu felt, that perhaps, he meant it that way. That Sobi should grow as a person by learning how to live in every way possible - maybe even the hard way. That made her chest raise in a soft sigh.

Something about this girl reminded her of a delicate young bird, and thus, she needed to treat her as such. Carefully and softly.

"No, I don't need you to repay me, though..." Ayu smiled a little again. "A hug in return would be nice, wouldn't it?" She raised her other arm, welcoming Sobi into another embrace as a sneaky means to keep her warmer, and once in a while transfer a bit of her Ki. Just to support her body, just in case. How frail she was even..? Ayu's eyes remained warm and calm, yet the worry was settling in. "It's alright, it's no one's fault that we seem to look alike. I'm sure that when you'd meet him you could tell him all about our encounter today." And if that day arrives, Ayu would like to have a word with him too. Not in a malicious way, simply to ask about his reasoning behind all this. Yet, races and cultures were so different, as much as people's minds and sometimes... Sometimes not understanding the core values could lead to worldviews clashing. Wasn't that right, Liari..?

"Can you tell me, do you have a place to stay Sobi?" Finally asking the most important question, Ayu wondered about it. The forest was thick, the nearest settlement quite far away too...

---

Power Level - 288,912 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 918
Total Word Count - 3,154

This individual that Sobi spoke of, Sankishin, was quite elusive. Ayu couldn't even begin to find a rhyme or reason in the thoughts behind Sobi's situation - but then again, who was she to judge? She didn't know the whole story, and couldn't guess the emotions and grounds that led to this decision. Considering what she was aware of, leaving Sobi alone and in that state could have been not only unwise but simply cruel. And yet, as she learned not so long ago, on her own skin, people's views on worlds were very different. So miscellaneous that what's for one person was black, the other saw in pure white - not to mention all the shades of greys in-betweens. Though where in this scale was a thing that was simply wrong? Because Ayu's conscience was pretty confidently telling her that once she started taking care of someone, she had to keep doing so until they could take care of themself. Leaving a person in need alone was out of the question. If she would ever have a chance to meet this mysterious person, she wanted to ask Sankishin about a few things...

"Who knows?" She softly replied to Sobi's concerns. "Maybe he would find something interesting in things others would deem boring?" After all, if he was, hmm... Dark and spooky, he might have been a demon. Or a wizard. Or perhaps a very original person with a unique taste in clothing. "Give it time. You haven't seen much yet, have you? Sometimes you encounter and see amazing things when you least expect it." Ayu stroked her back. "I know I did," she smiled, trying to reassure her with her experience. It was by chance that she ran into Liari when she was still a little blue Majin, or that she met so many people while taking strolls around the forest. Never would have Ayu expected to learn magic and techniques that allowed her to use inner energy - she didn't even know what Ki exactly was... It really felt like a different lifetime, everything changed so much.

She gently pulled Sobi closer, holding her in a warm embrace. Feeling how she placed her head on her shoulder, Ayu gently rested her cheek on the top of her head. Her light hair was delicate and thin, feather-like... Was she human or not exactly? It's not like Ayu was one to ask but she knew that she was an Earthling. Anyway, she wasn't the one to just push with more questions, especially with how exhausted and frail her new companion was. Holding her, making sure that the cape was covering her all, Ayu's energy was slowly seeping in and part of it was staying in, healing Sobi - and the rest was bleeding out. Hm... In that case, how could she find a way to keep her health intact for longer? The answer would be a dose of healing energy that would be gradually entering her body. It could work if she'd have a medium to transfer her Ki into, so Sobi could every time she needed it, absorb a required amount.

The question surprised her, though Ayu couldn't call it unexpected. It must have been bothering her so much she didn't answer her question about a safe place to stay - or maybe Sobi simply didn't want to think of that right now.

"... Do I need a reason?" She smiled warmly, her tone lighter but not in any way less gentle. With a small sigh, Ayu stroked Sobi's hair, her voice changing into a more melancholic one. She didn't have a reason, there wasn't one - as simple as that. "I could sense that you were in need and I didn't want to leave without trying to ease your burden, even a little." Ayu was honest. There was nothing more to that. Surely, she could be thinking that it was because she was in a similar situation in the past, and help never came - so knowing the taste of hopelessness, Ayu wanted to help. Or maybe, that when she failed to save Liari, she thought she might have repaid her sins by helping others... Or perhaps, taking into consideration her Guardian's disciple's duties, she wanted to do a good deed... No, it wasn't that deep. Ayu was a very sensitive and empathic person and she couldn't stand harm. Especially the one that made others cry.

"If you'd like and if you don't know where to go, I could help you find a safe place to stay," she suggested, trying to learn if the girl had a shelter or a place she could return to. Maybe her family was looking for her? Or was there a village nearby?

Three things needed to be done. First, making sure that Sobi was in a safe place, second, that she had an object with Ayu's Ki... Third, she will visit her every couple of days to make sure her energy is in the best condition possible.

It seemed only right.

---

Power Level - 288,912 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 832
Total Word Count - 3,985