Chapter 12: Adventure

"Let's goooooo," Misaki whined like a child. "If we don't get going now, it'll get dark!"

Takumi chuckled, taking her hand, "We have time, Misa. Let the food settle, then we'll go up to our room and back our bags."

Misaki grabbed his hand, pulling him off his chair, "Let's go now! That way we can get back early."

"All right, all right," He let himself get pulled up. "Let's go pack." He led her up the large stairs, turning left. They turned into the second floor foyer. They walked past a couple of large marble columns and past a set of grand redwood door. Misaki walked directly into their walk-in closet, picking out hiking boots for them both and a fresh shirt and cargo shorts. Takumi went into a smaller closet, grabbing two hiking bags. Misaki threw his change of shirt and cargo shorts on the bed and his hiking boots on the ground. She locked the door and started to change, humming excitedly.

"Well someone's excited," Takumi laughed.

"You should change too!" Misaki replied, through the closed door. "We should set out as soon as possible!"

Takumi laughed, taking off his shirt and grabbing the one that was already on the bed, "Alright, alright. Make sure you bring a jacket in case it gets cold."

"Already have that," Misaki opened the door, with two jackets in hand.

Takumi cocked an eyebrow, "Smart."

"Of course," Misaki laughed, sitting down next to their bags, checking if they needed to add anything. "First aid kit, check. Flashlight, check. Matches, check. Map and compass, check. Water, check. Knife, check."

Takumi sat down next to her in his freshly changed hiking gear, "Knife?"

Misaki rolled her eyes, "Yes, Takumi. A knife."

"Don't hurt yourself," Takumi laughed, "Or me."

The burnett stuck her tongue out at him, "Shut up." She reverted her attention back to the bag, "Snacks and energy bars, check. Is there anything else?"

"Not that I can think of," Takumi leaned his head on her shoulder.

Misaki abruptly got up, "Alright! Let's go!" She pulled Takumi up, grabbing their bags. Hand in hand, the couple rushed down the stairs and out the door. They hopped into a car that was waiting for them outside. After a 15 minute ride, they approached the jungle.

They slipped out of the car, taking a deep breath, smelling the fresh air. "It's hot," Takumi frowned.

"It's supposed to be like this," Misaki laughed, tugging him along, following a trail. "I wonder how did Gerald find this place. It's amazing!" She batted a thin low hanging tree branch away, "There's the ocean and there's also a rain forest! It's seriously awesome!"

Takumi let out a laugh, hearing her enthusiasm, "Slow down, Misa. Look around."

They stopped, looking around them. The tall slim trees that were surrounding them blocked out most of the sunlight, however tiny slivers of the bright sun still escaped past the green umbrella. The trail was still damp from the most recent rainfall. As if taking their silence as a cue, the colorful birds around them started to sing again. "Woah," Misaki awed. Her eyes glistened with curiosity.

"See?" Takumi mused, "I knew you'd like it."

As they wander deeper and deeper into the forest, they would whisper to each other, commenting on an interesting animal or plant. "The flower is so bright!" Misaki would whispered enthusiastically. Takumi, in return, would chuckle at his wife.

"It's getting dark soon," Misaki observed, looking up, through the trees and catching a glimpse of the orange sky. "We should head back."

Takumi frowned, "Yeah, before it appears."

"It?" Misaki raised an eyebrow.

The blonde looked down, his emerald eyes bounced with uncertainty, "People say that a lost soul wanders here."

His wife laughed, "Oh come on, Takumi. You, out of all people, actually buy that?"

He took her hand in his, gently tugging her along, "I believe the pictures that were taken."

"Y-you're not actually serious, are you?" Misaki felt a chill run down her spine. The blonde gave her a look, his eyes steady and showed no signs of joking. "Then we should get out of here quickly before the sun goes down!" Unconsciously, she gripped Takumi's hand tighter.

The couple turned around, walking towards the direction they came from. After a while, Takumi stopped, "This isn't good."

Misaki felt her heart drop, "Takumi… Don't tell me that we're lost."

"Sorry honey," Takumi frowned, looking around. "That seems like the case." Misaki could feel the blood from her face drain. The blonde squeezed her hand reassuringly, "Can you pull out the map?"

Nervously, Misaki pulled out a map from a small pocket on the side of her bag. She handed the paper to Takumi, who skillfully unfolded it and silently scanned his eyes through. While Takumi was studying the map, Misaki looked around. Suddenly, her eye caught something strange. "T-Takumi?" She grabbed onto his shirt, her eyes not leaving the place where she caught eye of the strange being.

"What is it?" Takumi's eyes looked at where Misaki was staring. A while flowing silhouette stood behind a tree.

"Takumi," Misaki's voice trembled with fear. "D-do you see it?" He responded with a low hum. His eyebrows furrowed together as he craned his neck to get a better look. Takumi's arm instinctively wrapped around Misaki's shoulder, pulling her closer to him.

"Who's there?" He raised his voice, directing it to the silhouette. No answer was heard. He took a step forward but was stopped his Misaki.

"Takumi, don't," Her large amber eyes were watery. She clutched onto his shirt tightly, refusing to let him go.

Takumi patted her head, giving her a reassuring smile. Hesitantly, Misaki followed him. When the two got closer to the silhouette, the figure straightened up, as if it was hunching over the whole time. Misaki yelped at the sudden movement, hugging Takumi's arm. "Well well, it's rare to see people around here," a voice came from the silhouette. An old lady, wearing a white dress, stood before them. In her hand, she held a basket that contained wild berries and other plants. Seeing Misaki's frightened state, the old lady chuckled, "Now now, don't be afraid. I am no ghost."

"Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking," Takumi spoke out. "Why do you live here in the jungle alone?"

The old lady laughed, "Oh I'm just an old lady living here in seclusion. No one dares to enter the forest to visit me." She looked up at the sky, "It's getting dark." Her gentle eyes settled on the couple, "It seems like you are lost. Might you care to join me tonight as my guest?"

Takumi bowed, Misaki quickly followed his suit, "Thank you for your kindness, ma'am."

The old lady laughed, "Oh no, no. Call me Esther." She led them through the damp bushes, water droplets still resting on the leaves. Esther walked confidently in front of the couple. It seems like she already knew the whole jungle by heart. After a few minutes, she led them to an open area. In the middle stood alone a small cottage. "Welcome to my humble home," The old lady laughed. The couple followed her inside.

Though it looked shabby and old on the outside, the vibe that the cottage gave off on the inside was warm and welcoming. "Sorry for the intrusion," Misaki said quietly. She looked at the walls that hung old looking quilts that seem to be hand sown. The windows, like small doors, were open, letting the damp jungle air into the cottage.

Esther led the two into a small room, "Sorry there is no bed. I never expected anyone to visit. The cabinet over there has some extra blankets and quilts, if you two don't mind sleeping on the ground tonight."

"This is great, thank you Esther," Misaki smiled.

Esther nodded her head, walking out of the room with her hands folded behind her back, "You two get settled. I'll call you out once supper is ready."

Takumi gave her a small bow as she walked pass him, "Thank you." He sighed, setting his bag down next to Misaki. She was already setting up the blankets and quilts, laying them on the ground.

"I feel bad for her," Misaki suddenly said, laying on their temporary bed.

Takumi raised an eyebrow, laying down on the ground next to Misaki, "Why?"

The amber eyed girl sighed, staring at the lain out blankets, "She's all by herself in the middle of the jungle."

"She seems fine though," Takumi leaned his head on her shoulder.

Misaki rolled her eyes, gently hitting Takumi's head, "Are you stupid? How can someone not get lonely?" She rest her head on his, "She seems so happy to finally being able to talk to someone after all these years."

Takumi raised an eyebrow, "Then why haven't she left the jungle already?" Unable to answer, Misaki sighed and closed her eyes. The blonde did the same, and soon enough, fatigue consumed the couple, letting them drop into deep sleep.

"Hey you two," Esther knocked on the door. "Supper is ready." When she didn't hear an answer, she decided to open to door and see for herself. Her eyes scanned the room, finally settling down on the couple snuggling close together on the floor. A chuckle escapes from her lips, "Alright, you two. You better wake up now or you won't be able to fall asleep later tonight."

Misaki groggily sat up, propping herself up with her elbow, "Huh? Oh, Esther…" She rubbed her sleepy eyes, using her other hand to shake Takumi awake. As the blonde slowly sits up, Misaki was already following Esther out the door.

"Misaaaa," Takumi whined. "Wait for me."

Misaki looked back, "Hurry up."

Esther sat down at the food filled table, a smile playing on her thin lips. As Takumi stumbles out to the dinner table, he quickly sits down next to Misaki. "Thanks for the food," the couple gave Esther a small nod. The old lady just waved her hand in dismissal,"Eat up."

There was a variety of vegetables and roots, such as cassavas, were laid out in small wooden plates. Some form of grain, about half the size of a rice grain, was steamed with nuts were packed tightly in a small bowl. "All organic," Esther joked.

Misaki took a bite out of her bowl, "This is delicious!" Her eyes lit up as she stared at Esther in awe. "I can definitely tell that there's no artificial ingredients. Did you find all this in the jungle?"

Esther chuckled at the younger woman's enthusiasm, "Yes, yes I did." She slowly munched on her own food as she happily smiled to herself. After the three had a hearty meal, Misaki helped Esther wash the dishes while Takumi helped dispose the leftovers into a small ditch near a large tree a few yards away from the cottage. He dumped the remaining food into the ditch and covered it up with dirt.

When he returned to the cottage, he found the two women sitting down at the dinner table across from each other. Their hands both held a cup of warm herbal tea. "Sure, it gets lonely," Esther sighed. "But it's a too late for me to go back out there. I'm too behind."

Misaki shook her head, "No Esther, that's not true. You can learn."

"Ah, it's been too long. I'd miss these old trees." The old lady chuckled, looking down at her tea. "What good would I be anyway?"

"Actually you would made a great tour guide," Takumi interrupted. He rinsed his hand with some of the water in the bucket. Drying his wet hands off with a towel, he said, "I am planning to make this island a tourist attraction. You can work as a tour guide for the jungles."

Esther's eyes narrows, "Tourists?"

Takumi folded his hands, "I understand that you want to protect these jungles. There will only be a certain amount of tourists allowed in each time. We will also make sure that they do not destroy the natural scenery as they spend their time here."

Esther sighed, rubbing her hands together, "I don't know." She sighed, looking up at the couple, "I'm just too old."

"Esther," Misaki begged. "You're not! You said yourself how it gets lonely out here. Why won't you leave to jungle?" She leaned forward, "You're not even leaving it. If you work as a tourist, you can come back often. You don't even have to be working when you visit."

"Honey," Takumi put a hand on her back.

The old lady laughed, "Dear me. Someone cares for this little old lady." Her eyes formed a small crescent moon as she took Misaki's hand into her own. "If it would please you that much, then I shall accept."

"Really?" Misaki widened her eyes in surprise. "You would?"

Esther patted Misaki's hand one last time before getting up. "I don't mind," she chuckled. "As long as accepting me is no trouble."

Misaki turned to Takumi, grinning from ear to ear, "She can come with us!"

The blonde chuckled, giving her pat on the head. "We should set out early tomorrow morning," Takumi said, standing up. "Esther, you should pack whatever you need. When we get back, I'll send people to come back here to help you move the rest of your belongings." He grabbed Misaki's hand, tugging her out of her chair.

"Taku-?"

"We should get some rest," Takumi smiled at Esther as he started to pull Misaki with him down the hall. Esther watched the couple disappear into their room. An amused smile spread across her face, "I should leave them alone."

"Takumi?" Misaki's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "What's going on?"

After closing their door, Takumi turned around, "I did what you wanted."

"What?"

Takumi gave her a pointed look, "Esther's coming with us."

The brunette nodded, "Right…?"

"I didn't have to," He said.

Misaki raised an eyebrow, "Yes, and that was very kind of you to help her." Takumi stared at her without speaking. He mirrored her expression, his eyes staring into hers. "Takumi, I don't know what this is about."

He sighed, walking past her and sitting down on their bed, "Of course, being the airhead wife you are."

"Takumi," Misaki sat down next to him. "I really don't know what you're sulking about." Suddenly, Takumi grabbed her arm, pulling her down. He flipped himself over her. Misaki's breath quickened, "W-what are you doing?"

"Misa," Takumi whined. "Where's my thank you?"

Misaki blushed, "Is this what this is about?" He raised his eyebrow. "Okay, thank you."

"You don't mean it," Takumi grumbled.

"Takumii!" Misaki covered her beet red face with her hands.

Laughing, Takumi removed her hands, pinning them down above her head. He grinned, lowering his voice, "Say it like you mean it." Misaki scowled, glaring at him. "Aw Misa, that's not a nice way to look at your husband."