Shadow shifted, trying not to bump into anyone. She was brimming with contained excitement, as she was getting ready to go on the field trip she had been looking forward to. They were going to some ruins that seemed to have a mix of Chinese and Japanese origin. Even Scientists didn't seem to know why they were there. There seemed to be a main shrine worshiping two forest spirits; one seemed to be a kitsune and the other looked to be a deer. The researchers on sight said that the two men seemed to be depicted as friends, so Shadow knew they were lovers. As she went to sit down on the front of the bus (she wanted to be the first off.) she felt something surge inside of her, as though something important was going to happen today. The trip was going to be long so she brought some dotinos, spicy nacho her favorite, and some spicy sweet ones. She didn't know why, she just brought it with.

As she was snacking, she couldn't help but wonder about her strange impulses lately. She had been buying random cute things, like a LOT of cute things, like some cute pens, she was even thinking about buying a new pastel bed. Even though Shadow appreciated adorable things (people included.) she didn't really buy them too often. She had even bought some cute outfits that all seemed to be in the same size. As she drank from her water bottle, she put in her headphones.

As the bus came to a halt, waking up Shadow, she got up and quickly got out of the bus. Being the first out, she had to wait for the rest of the class to get off. As the rest of the class slowly filed out, a tour guide came to introduce themselves. "Good morning students!" The guide stated cheerfully. "I'm Dr. Sanguina, and I will be guiding you through these amazing ruins! I hope we can get along!"

A little while later, the tour guide had gotten lost in her speech of the explanation of the ruins, and of course Shadow had clung to every word. "Okay kids, it is officially 11 o'clock, so you may start lunch at our picnic area! Have fun!" The doctor told the teens. Maybe I can take a closer look at the ruins.  Shadow mischievously thought. I'll just take a few pictures, not touch anything, and head back. So, Shadow silently got her camera and went into the forest for cover, not too deep, she didn't want to get lost of course. As she crept quickly and quietly through the forest. She noticed something off, as when she turned around after walking for about five seconds. She could no longer see the picnic site or any of the ruins. Huh, well shit.

Shadow analysed her surroundings, hoping to see some sort of sign of life, and tried to remember which way she came in, but she couldn't. She tried pulling out her phone but to no avail, No service. Of course.I am alone in the middle of an old forest. I guess I'm gonna be the main character in some crappy horror movie in 20 years. That is, if my body gets found. A cold chill went down her spine at her last thought. As she started to walk in a direction that she was almost certain was the way she came, (Spoiler, it wasn't the right way) she tried to focus on getting out, rather than think about what would happen if she didn't. As she heard a twig snap behind her, she jumped, knowing it wasn't from her. She turned around quickly grabbing a nearby branch holding it at a semi threatening angle. She backed away from where she heard the noise, hoping it was a small animal. But when she heard a bigger twig snap, she knew it wasn't. Backing up, Shadow was terrified, knowing that if she made a wrong move that whatever was there would most likely attack.

She slowly backed up, hoping she wouldn't bump into anything she did. She fell on the ground, terrified. You know that terror you felt when you missed that one stair step? That absolute dread you felt for a split second? Yeah, imagine that but for a good thirty seconds. That is how Shadow felt. But when she fell, nothing attacked, instead, she was met with a kind voice.

"Oh my goodness! Are you okay?" The voice asked, sounding very concerned. "I am so sorry if I scared you! I never know how to introduce myself."

When Shadow looked up to investigate, she saw that the figure wasn't scary, in fact they looked like they wouldn't hurt a fly. The figure had tri-colored hair, ocean teal eyes, tan skin, a button nose, and gorgeous silk robes. Shadow couldn't help but blush a little. Can you blame her? This cutie just asked if she was alright.

"Uh, y-yeah I'm fine." The person offered their hand to which Shadow hesitantly accepted. The person's touch was strange, yet comforting, like hugging a loving mother. It felt so familiar, and yet... "Do I know you?" She blurted. The stranger blinked, looking faintly surprised.

"Perhaps," They conceded, "My name is Wisteria, I look forward to getting to know you, Shadow."

    "Wait, how do you know my name?" Shadow backed up once more and got into a sparring position.

    "Oh, um," Wisteria looked slightly flustered. "Lucky guess?" They said, but it sounded like a question.

    "Fine, whatever, but why are you here? This area is sealed off to the public. Are you trying to steal an artifact?"

    "No, no of course not, why would I steal something from these ancient ruins?" Wisteria said with a saddened expression.