Cross watched impassively as Misa notched four arrows onto her bow. The tips gleamed wickedly, smeared with sap from a tree that Misa assured him would cause unimaginable pain were they to even scratch his skin. She seemed to know of many plants with similar effects, a fact that had left him constantly wary of the meals she had supplied him, many containing plants and berries that he had next to no knowledge about. Though, to be entirely fair to the Elf, part of Cross’s lack of knowledge was his own general dislike of fruits and vegetables.

Cross shifted his weight slightly as Misa drew the bowstring back and trained the arrows on his chest. The rain slapped against his head and shoulders, but he had nearly grown used to the feeling. He pushed his wet hair out of his face as the bow creaked.

His mind went blank as his eyes dropped, but did not fully close.

With a sharp twang, Misa released all of the arrows.

Two would head towards his chest, one his head, and the fourth would go off wide.

With a sharp twang, Misa released the arrows.

Cross's eyes opened fully. He could already see it, the changing future as Misa altered her plan. He slid forward and twisted passed the first two arrows that she had released.

Misa drew her arm back and released the third. Cross dropped to his knees and slid along the rain-slicked branch, the arrow passing harmlessly above him and whisking off into the distance. He popped back to his feet just as she released the fourth arrow. With a deft move he brought up his armored wrist and deflected the arrow before pouncing on Misa.

A thorn appeared in her left hand and she thrust at him. Cross sidestepped the attack, and then ducked under the reversal. Spinning, he came up behind her. His hand was up to block her kick before she had even begun to move. He trapped her ankle with his hand and tugged her off balance. She spun around, allowing him to hold her weight as she brought up her other foot in a kick towards his head. Cross's arm blocked the attack, but he was forced to release Misa and she flipped back, landing on her feet in a light crouch.

Cross brought his fists up, ready for the next round, when he felt something warm run down his face. Blinking, he stepped back and reached his fingers up to his nose.

Blood.

Blood was slowly dripping from his nose. Cross shook his head as a sharp, sudden throb went through his temple. He was closing in on his limit.

Misa's posture relaxed slightly and she lowered the thorn.

"How do you feel?" she called out.

"I'm…" Black spots appeared on Cross's vision and he tried to blink them away, but he wasn't doing a very good job. He tasted copper in his mouth. Maybe he had passed his limit. "I'm alright."

Misa let the thorn drop to the rushing flood below them and walked over towards Cross. "I believe that is enough for today."

"No, I'm fine," Cross said. He wiped the blood away with his sleeve, but more quickly replaced it. The crimson liquid dripped down his chin and onto his shirt before being quickly washed away by the ever-driving rain.

Misa stared at him through narrowed eyes.

"I'm fine," Cross repeated. He resisted reaching up to touch his temple. "Let's keep going."

"No, you are not," Misa said, but a long spear appeared in her hand.

She charged forward and lead with a thrust. Cross saw the movement before Misa's arm had begun to cock back. He slid his left foot back, allowing his body to twist to the side and let the spear pass in front of him. Misa swiped to the side to throw him off balance, but he nimbly ducked under the shaft. Misa continued with the momentum of her swing, gaining power and speed.

Cross could see it clearly, even as the blood roared in his ears and the pressure in his head began to build towards and unbearable level.

She would come to a sudden stop and pull back before driving forward. The spear would be aimed for his chest. She would expect him to twist away again and in that moment, she would slide forward to deliver a kick to his side.

Misa's spear swung around but before it made contact, she came to a sudden stop. She pulled back a step before driving forward, putting all of her weight behind the strike. Cross twisted away from the attack and Misa slide forward. Cross swung his fist around to catch her off guard before she could follow up with her kick, but Misa was already ducking under his attack, the spear slipping from her fingers. She came up behind him, a short, flat, razor-sharp thorn in either hand.

Cross cried out in pain and surprise as Misa brought both the leaves down in a crisscrossing motion across his back, sheering through his tunic and raking the tips against his skin. He tried to keep his balance, but Misa delivered a sharp kick to the back of his knee. Unable to support his weight, Cross collapsed and the match came to a bloody end.

"You couldn't see it?" Misa thrust her hand down and Cross took it without hesitation. She pulled Cross to his feet, her grip strong as she kept him from stumbling.

"I saw it, but it happened too fast," Cross coughed out with a healthy amount of blood. He could barely hear Misa speaking over the ringing in his ears. "Got double vision. Future and present. I couldn't follow both of them."

"A good lesson to remember. Your ability to use this in combat is extremely limited. You should not put faith in it alone." Misa said, she reached up touched his ear. Her fingertips came back stained with blood. "Come. You need to rest now."

Cross didn't argue this time and followed Misa back into the tree. He stumbled over the threshold and dropped to the floor, ignoring the fact that he left a trail of blood that was already seeping into the wood. Weeks of training had taught him it mattered very little. The tree would absorb the blood later. For what purpose, Cross didn't bother asking.

"You are training harder than I expected you would," Misa said as she kneeled down beside him. She deftly pulled the shredded remains of his tunic aside to investigate the wounds she had left on his back. She ran a finger across one of the lacerations, drawing a hiss of pain from Cross. "Why?"

"Not like I have much else to do while I'm stuck here," Cross gritted out as she repeated the action on the other cut. "Besides, you don't really hold back much. I don't think you'd let me slack off."

"True. It is still a surprise."

Cross shrugged as best he could given his position and injuries.

"So," Cross tilted his head to glance at the elf kneeling behind him. "Are you ever gonna tell me why you're bothering to train me anyways?"

Misa pulled her hand back and stood up. "Your wounds need to be washed."

This reaction did not surprise Cross. Misa had a very direct and matter of a fact way of speaking. Asking her a question head on was the best way to get information. That only worked, however, if it was a question that Misa felt like answering. If she did not feel like answering then she simply would not. To press the issue was nothing more than an exercise in futility

"Yeah, I know," Cross pushed himself onto his knees, already giving up on getting an answer out of her today. He glanced up at Misa and just as quickly let his gaze drop back down to the floor as she removed her rain drenched shirt and let it fall to the floor. The skirt soon followed.

This was yet another quirk of Misa that Cross had become to grow accustomed to, though not overly so. Modesty was apparently not a trait that Elves were overly concerned with. This, along with a poor understanding of personal space, had led to more than one awkward exchange for Cross during his time in the forest.

"You don't need to avert your eyes any longer," Misa said, drawing Cross to lift his head back up to look at her. She was draped in a fluffy green towel-like wrap that he knew was more for his benefit than hers. The towel was like all other clothing that Misa created, green and with a pleasant, fresh scent. Her eyes held a glint that Cross was mildly sure was amusement at his discomfort.

He had never seen Misa smile, with her default facial feature appearing to a blank slate, or at most a scowl. At times like this, however, he swore she was smiling at him through her eyes, even if her face stayed passive as ever.

"Come," Misa ordered as she reached down and pulled up Cross by the arm.

Cross grunted a response and stood as well, tugging his tunic free from his body and letting it fall to the floor just as Misa had done. Like his blood, the tree would absorb it and Misa would later create a replacement. She had been kind enough to replace all his clothes in this manner, though the shoes had been difficult for her, with the first few attempts coming out as amorphous, useless blobs of leaves and vines.

Cross assumed the difficulty came from her lack of experience. Misa did not wear shoes. She had encouraged Cross to do the same, but Cross had politely declined. Slipping from a rain slick tree branch due to lack of traction was not high on his list of things to do.

He followed Misa to a lower level of the tree where a large basin had been formed. Water flowed into the basin from a hollow branch that jutted from the wall. At the bottom of the basin, through the clear water, three glowing stones could be seen. Powered by some form of magic, they kept the water blissfully warm.

The amenities in the tree were surprising, to say the least, and they rivaled, if not surpassed some of the nicest hotels Cross had stayed at, even in size. He had yet to explore it fully, but he knew it connected to at least two other trees, one of which he had seen movement inside of through the large window-like openings. Misa had explained many animals took refuge in the tress when the storms came.

The forest protected its own.

Which still left him wondering, as he dipped into the water, why Misa was so intent on training him. Not that he was complaining by this point. His frequent headaches had reduced dramatically over the last few weeks, and he couldn't deny a rejuvenated feeling of strength. However, the question always lingered.

He was so engrossed with his thoughts that he didn't notice Misa slip behind him until she pressed a washcloth against the cuts on his back. Whatever she had soaked the cloth in burned. Cross let out a yelp of surprise and spun around to glare at her, but only ended up shuffling back with his eyes fixed firmly above her head.

"Your wounds must be cleaned or they will become infected," Misa put a hand on his shoulder and forcefully spun him around. The washcloth was pressed against his skin again. It hurt less this time, but it still caused enough discomfort to make Cross wince.

"You complained less the first time I did this," Misa said as she worked.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't like this the other day either."

"Not then," Misa dragged the cloth across his skin. Cross couldn't be sure, but he felt as though she pressed harder than was necessary.

"What?"

"The first time. When you first entered the forest.”

"You mean when you shot me?"

"Yes."

"Why did you shoot me?" Cross said, before shaking his head. "Actually, better question. Why didn't you shoot me this time?"

"I did shoot you," Misa said.

"No, you shot at me," Cross countered. "And you gave me a warning shot first. You didn't give me a warning shot the first time, you just shot me. I remember that much."

Misa's movements stopped, but only for a moment. "I acted improperly. I apologize."

"Well… it's fine, I guess," Cross said. He hadn't been expecting an apology. "It just surprised me this time, is all."

"I strive to protect the forest," Misa said quietly. "As my mother did."

The air in the room grew thick as Misa stopped talking, though her hands continued to work.

"I do not enjoy causing pain. Not even to humans," Misa said after what felt like an eternity. "I now do my best to avoid killing, and to preserve life."

'Now'

The word hung so heavy in the air it nearly drowned out Cross’s voice, but he had to ask. "Were you always like that?"

"I was not.”

"What changed," Cross knew it was risky to ask with Misa already voluntarily giving up this much information, but by this point he was all in.

"Someone…." Misa hesitated. "Someone very dear was taken from me. They believed that all life was precious. Losing them… it helped me to fully understand just how precious life is in a way I could not before. I do not wish that loss on anyone else. "

"The person…It was your mother?"

Cross was sure she wasn't going to answer as he felt her shift back and the washcloth slipped away from his skin. Very slowly, he turned around. Misa was staring at him with those vivid green eyes, but they were unseeing, looking through him, into a distant memory.

"Yes," Misa said. Her voice was quiet and her tone was even as ever, but so much anguish emanated from the single utterance that Cross nearly flinched.

"I'm sorry," Cross said after a long time of silence. He felt like he should say something more, but there was nothing to be said. No words of comfort that he could impart on the girl.

Misa gave him a slow nod before lifting herself from the water and retrieving her wrap. Out of respect, Cross turned away and waited until she had left the room to leave the warmth of the water and slowly dress himself.

Misa was waiting in what constituted as a bedroom. It was located on the lowest level of the tree, somewhere just above ground level. It lacked any openings, but still Cross could hear the storm raging on outside, mingling with the sound of rushing water. Misa was already lying on the floor, her head resting on the side of a great wolf that was already fast asleep. Spread out around her was a smattering of wolf pups. One twitched in its sleep and Misa reached over to soothe it with a gentle brush of her hand.

The room was colder than the rest, but Misa seemed to prefer it that way. She watched Cross out of the corner of her eye as he settled onto the sleeping mat she had grown for him. In the early days she had encouraged him to sleep against one of the many animals that would trot into the tree and lay down to rest. The warmth, she assured him, was extremely comforting.

Cross had dealt with Dante enough times to know that his luck with animals was limited at best, and while he had yet to see one of them so much as glance at Misa, he felt no need to press his luck. Especially with an animal that was bigger than him.

The sleeping mat was more than comfortable enough for him, even if it was slightly too chilly for his tastes. A point that was made clear as a shiver ran through his body. He should have taken more time to dry his hair out.

"You're going to catch a cold," Misa called out softly, so as not to disturb the wolves around her.

"I'll be fine," Cross said, wrapping his arms tightly around his chest and closing his eyes.

"No, you won't." Misa's voice was suddenly very close. He turned his head and was met with a faceful of choppy, black hair. He almost voiced a concern, but Misa seemed to radiate heat as she pressed her back against his and settled down to sleep. He couldn't find it in himself to complain. A sudden pitter-pattering of claws against wood informed Cross that a few of the wolf pups had also moved places, wanting to be closer to the displaced Misa. One pressed itself against his leg and Cross made a mental note not to kick it on accident.

"Right, then," Cross sighed as he closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep to prepare for another day of training. However, though his bones were weary and his body was sore, sleep still managed to elude him. For a moment, he considered getting up, but with Misa pressed firmly against his back, any chance of getting up without waking her were slim to none. That wasn't even considering the wolf. Cross doubted if he accidentally were to step on one of the pups scattered around the room that even Misa would be able to do anything to stop the mother from ripping him to shreds.

"Would you like to hear a story?" Misa asked suddenly.

"What?" Cross was sure she had been asleep.

"Would you like to hear a story?" Misa repeated. "Since you cannot sleep. A story may help you."

"Oh… okay, I guess," Cross said slowly. The absurdity of the offer almost brought a smile to his face.

"Once, there was a Spirit who lived alone in a forest," Misa began, unfazed by Cross's obvious surprise. "He was a kind, and noble spirit. Under his protection and guidance, the forest grew to be great, and prosperous.

"For ages, it continued like this and all was well in the forest. But, as all storms must pass, so must happiness also come to a similar end. It started out small, as it always does. Things were taken from the forest. First it was only a few trees. Lumber to build. The Spirit understood this need, and he allowed it. Then, it was the animals. Their bodies needed for meat to feed. Their skins for clothe. Again, the Spirit understood this need, and he allowed it, even though it pained him greatly.

“Again and again this happened. More and more they took, until the forest had been reduced to nothing more than a shadow of what it once was."

Misa stopped for a long time and Cross wasn't sure if she would continue or not.

"The Spirit grew angry. His kindness had been abused. So, he fought back. However, his power had waned with the forest and when he tried to protect that which he loved so dearly… it was too late. They set fire to his beloved trees. They slaughtered his children as they fled. They burned him down to nothing.

"He began to fade away, and he would have, had it not been for a young maiden who stumbled into the last vestiges of his realm. She marveled in wonder at the beauty of the forest, even as small as it had become. She ran with the wolves and sang with the birds, and when she came upon the Spirit, who had all but given up on this life, she smiled.

“'Why are you so sad?' she asked the spirit. 'Why do you lay here and wait to die when there is so much life around you? So many who need you?'

"The Spirit had no answer to give her. He wished to be alone. To hide in shame. But the maiden would not allow it. She drug him from his hiding place and made him walk among the trees. When he was too weak to go on, she carried him on her back. When he wanted to quit, she would not allow it. She showed him the world he had built and the world that still very much needed him and she said.

“'This forest will always need a guardian. I know it seems scary, to have to begin again after having lost so much. I know it seems impossible that it could ever be as great as it once was. I know that you are weak and that you are tired. So, I will stay here and I will protect you, until the day you no longer need me.'

"And as she spoke, the Spirit felt something that he had not felt in many long, long years. He felt hope. With this hope he grew stronger, and the forest flourished and it seemed as though all would be well. But one day, outsiders came to the forest. Unlike the ones from before, they had no interest in the forest or the animals, but rather the maiden. In the dead of night, they stole her away from the forest, tearing her from the place that had been her home for so many years."

Again, Misa stopped. Cross felt her take in a silent breath that rattled shakily through her frame.

"The Spirit's pain from losing the maiden was great, and for a time the forest seemed as though it would once again die. But in the wake of the stolen maiden stood another. Though she was small, and she was brash, she loved the forest greatly, and would gladly give her life to keep it safe. She took the frightened Spirit under her protection and vowed to continue the task that the maiden had started. She would stay with the Spirit until he was strong enough to stand on his own and to this day she remains."

"Who took her… your moth… the maiden?" Cross asked softly.

"I do not know who took the maiden, only that they were humans," Misa said. "It was likely for her blood. Many believe that the blood of elves holds the key to their magic. Of course, that is foolishness."

'She's dead?'

The words almost slipped free from Cross's lips, but he managed to catch himself at the last moment. The answer didn't matter at the moment. Either way, Misa's mother had been taken from her.

Taken by humans.

Her vengeful attitude towards them… Cross could understand it now, but that still left him with a question burning on his tongue, but he could not ask it. Not now.

Uselessly he clenched his hands together, willing something, anything worth saying to come to his mind, but nothing did. With his eyes screwed shut Cross could do nothing but listen to the soft, trembling breath coming from the Elf pressed again his back.

It was then, in that single moment, that Cross realized how small Misa really was.

Just one small girl, alone in a massive forest. A monumental task weighing on her shoulders that she had freely accepted. Isolated in world that had scorned and destroyed her kind, and taken what little she had left.

“I’m sorry, Misa.” Cross finally managed to say, though the words came out so soft, so pathetic, so useless, he felt ashamed for even uttering them. “I’m so sorry.”

He was given no response.

In the silence that followed he quickly surrendered to the exhaustion his body felt. In those last, dying moments of consciousness, he did not notice as Misa pressed herself ever so slightly tighter to his back.