...I really can't think of anything to say. I write almost all of the author notes, and I can't think of anything to say...

Just read the chapter, 'kay?

AKITO and HILDE are walking on the seaweed trellises (these are rectangular fences slightly protruding from the ocean to protect the seaweed from monsters. Since most of the resources such as food, clothing, etc. are made from it, this is very important). AKITO turns around to retrieve something from her knapsack. She freezes, eyes wide.

AKITO

Um…Hilde? We have a problem.

HILDE is singing, then stops.

What?

AKITO

They're back. And chasing us.

Cut to SETH and EMORY. EMORY is talking to SETH, pointing at the girls.

HILDE

Oh, *# $%&!

AKITO

Yep. Let's run.

AKITO turns and sprints away, leaping from trellis to trellis. HILDE follows.

EMORY (starting to run)

Wait!

AKITO

Why do people always say that? Has anyone ever actually waited?

HILDE (singing enthusiastically again)

Follow the…yellow…trellis things!

AKITO

We really need to get out of here, Hilde. Hurry!

HILDE

I am running…along the yellow things!

EMORY

We really need to clear things up!

HILDE

Because, because, because, because, because! We don't want to clear things up!

EMORY

You must stop! This isn't what you think!

AKITO

How do you know?

HILDE

Howwow, do I know? How, oh how, do I knowwwwwwwwwwww!

EMORY jumps forward, tackling HILDE and landing them both in the water.

HILDE

Agh! Your hands! They sting like beeeeees! In treeeeeeees! I like cheeeeeeeeeeeeese! We are in the seeeeeeeeeeeeea!

AKITO puts on a burst of speed, dodging and turning so as to loose SETH. He follows her, nearly loosing his balance along the edge of the trellis. His longer legs and endurance help him start to catch up to AKITO, but she keeps dodging around so it's hard to see and follow her. SETH catches up and grabs AKITO's arm. she twists out of his grip, and brings her leg up to kick him in the side of the head.

SETH

#$*&

He falls into the water with a large splash, but grabs AKITO's ankle and pulls her in too.

While both of them are underwater, SETH makes another attempt to grab AKITO. She doges in plenty of time; his arm is slowed by the water. He grabs his spear strapped to his back. AKITO draws her katanas and slashes with her right one. SETH manages to block with his spear, but AKITO slashes with her left, and the water around his right hip turns red with blood. He lashes out again, but AKITO blocks it with her right katana, slashing again at his unexposed shoulder. he brings the other end of his spear to block, shoving her sword away. Abruptly, AKITO kicks her legs, shooting upward to the surface for air. SETH grabs her ankle, pulling her back down. She kicks at his face but the water slows the force of it down considerably, and SETH dodges in time. AKITO attempts to breath in, but her asphyxiation only worsens. Her whole body shudders, and her struggles cease. Her eyes close.

AKITO and HILDE are sitting tied, leaning against a rock. They are both soaking wet, and AKITO has just resumed consciousness. SETH and EMORY are both wet as well. SETH has bandaged his wounds.

EMORY

Oh, good. Akito is awake. I was starting to worry….

HILDE

Just spit it out, already. Now that she's awake, your excuse for not telling me is null and void. Why did you come back?

EMORY

Well, something came up….

HILDE

Just say it.

SETH

We now know that Akito is the daughter of King Krarliin.

HILDE

Who?

(general sigh)

EMORY

King Krarliin is the ruler of the wolf-warriors. They inhabit one of the islands surrounding Joharta.

HILDE

I know who the wolf-warriors are. And I know that Akito is one. What I still don't get is why you care who her dad is.

(sigh)

SETH

We are the Krigare. It is our duty to defend our nation against the guild of kings who are trying to invade it.

HILDE

Oh, right. Dammit.

EMORY

Well, what do you say to this, Akito? Are you a spy, working against us?

AKITO

…

HILDE

Is it true, Akito?

AKITO

No. I am not a spy. Use your head, idiot. It doesn't make sense. (This was directed at EMORY). But, there is no denying that I am a wolf-warrior. It is an easily identifiable trait, one that I did not think would go unnoticed by authority even this long.

EMORY

But it was not just your walk that distinguished you, Akito. You are special. The daughter of the king of a country we will soon be at war with. If this fact were publicly known, it would cause serious outcry among the officials of this nation.

AKITO

What proof do you have

EMORY

What?

AKITO

What proof of my identity do you possess?

SETH

You are named Akito. The daughter of Krarliin is named Akito. You skillfully wield the traditional katanas of the wolf-warriors. You are a werewolf.

(Akito snarls)

AKITO

And? Do you know for sure that no one else in the world is named Akito? Are you a qualified enough expert to prove in court that I am a wolf-warrior? And does anyone know for sure that these are really the traditional katanas of my people?

EMORY

But…you just admitted that you are who we think you are! You just said it yourself!

AKITO

Did I? and can you prove it? No one knows what really happened here. It will just be my word against yours. Unless you think Hilde will do you another favor…

(cut to Hilde, who-as usual- is glaring at Emory)

SETH

Fine. but as a wolf-warrior, we still want you on our team. We need you, Akito.

AKITO

No. I already told you, I cannot join your organization. Your threat of exposure is meaningless, anyway.

SETH

All right, if you won't join to save yourself-will you join us to save Hilde?

AKITO

Hilde? What did she do wrong?

(general derisive snort)

EMORY

Well..

She hasn't paid taxes in over a year-

HILDE

Hey, I haven't paid taxes in over 10 years!

EMORY

-she has stolen over 25 valuable state treasures, as well as numerous thefts of…chocolate ice cream?

HILDE

I am often hungry! And that statue really was mine! I just, like, forgot to tell you guys before I took it back…

EMORY

-she has set fire to countless establishments, including 36 holy temples, 82 pubs, and the National State Senate. ( pauses and looks at HILDE before continuing) And with an astonishing amount of 133 charges of breaking and entering, we can pretty much conclusively state that if you do not join our cause, Hilde may spend the rest of her life in jail.

SETH

Um, Emory? You forgot, she also has been found guilty of jaywalking.*

HILDE

I get it, you guys. You will put me in jail for the rest of my life if I don't join the Krigare or whatever. But frankly, do you even think that if I get put in jail, Akito or some of my other buddies won't just bust me out? Sure you can put me in jail- if you make it that far. I'm betting that you can't keep me for more than a week- especially with the war going on and all that. Akito, can just waltz in and we will be on our merry way. Incidentally, thanks, Emory for trying to convince Akito first- I probably would have been more worried about getting out of jail if I still thought that Akito was that worried about breaking the law.

SETH

Well actually…considering your record, we decided that if you were to go to jail, it would be in the local army prison...in the same camp as Emory and I. there, we would have the authority to, say, put you is a high-security cell. Or put a restraining order on Akito so she couldn't visit you...

HILDE and AKITO look at each other meaningfully for a moment.

HILDE

Okay. We'll do it.

*Yes, Jaywalking can't exist if there are no cars, but it's a funny line anyway. And, because it was Nadja's brilliant idea, I couldn't convince her to let me get rid of it.