Finally leaving the vicinity, they trudge along quietly, with Mikan quietly hugging the penguin. Thankfully, due to Amy's shield, no one was hurt and were protected from the wild whip of roots and vines.

However, mikan felt guilty. She understands why Natsume's anger from earlier- recalling everything, mikan feel regretful and said, " I'm so sorry, amy-san, senpai... Ruka... Natsume, I'm sorry..." she said, with a voice so low and sad. Natsume who was fuming with anger until just now just glanced at mikan before looking away.

Amy just smiled at their interaction. This is one of the moments in the manga that Amy truly cherish- when there's growth in their relationship and understanding. The only reason why she didn't interfere as much is that she was hoping that this will help them grow even more as a person and as friends.

Because fate isn't truly kind for them nor will they wait.

--

They barely escaped their fate from turning into stone. As Tsubasa explained Tono's amplification Alice stone that he gave to mikan, amy decided to look after Ruka's and Natsume's leg- to check if they have accidentally sprain or twisted their ankle.

Seeing that it was not swollen or in pain, she nodded- satisfy that it was alright. Then she said,

"Thankfully it was alright... however, we can't go on like this."

"You're right, the sun is about to set. We might need to camp out tonight first. But, we still don't have any concrete lead though"

"Yeah... on a side note, I keep on noticing something weird. For some reason the animals keep on bringing fruits, but, there aren't any trees that bore those fruits though- at least not around us"

Realization suddenly dawns on Natsume's face when he immediately instructs Ruka to asked the animals for any wormhole. He explains that perhaps there's a different wormhole that the Z used, and as they used the gun, maybe the animals can sniff any trace of gunpowder so that they can follow their trails to the nearest wormhole.

As they eagerly discuss with Ruka swiftly using his Alice, Amy turned her face away from them as she picked up a call from her earrings.

"Hello, bzzt .... Amy-nee?"

"Bzzt... Yusaku? Why did... call me?"

"I'm so sorry...bzzt..., it's just that Narumi-sensei already...bzzt"

Then the call suddenly cut off. Amy just heaved a sigh. It seems that the coverage isn't really strong for the earrings. She may need to upgrade this one too later.

"Amy?"

"Ahh, sorry, sorry. I was ... doing something. So what happened?"

"Well, it seems that we have to find the solid lead, but we may need to rest for the night. We will head there where it's located near the lake" Tsubasa explained as he pointed out a well-shaded area with Natsume and Ruka already dispersed to different away. Meanwhile, Mikan and Penguin were about to head to the lake when Amy stop her.

"Oh! Mikan, please take this bottle. It's a bottle with a purifier inside it. You can use this to take some water in the lake" Mikan nodded happily- thanking Amy before headed back to the lake.

"Say, is that supposed to be a Doraemon pocket or something?" Tsubasa asked, puzzled by the endless amount of things she pulled out from it.

"Haha, no, it's just the wonders of a woman's bag. There's always something in here and things you don't want to know..."

"Ahahah, you're joking right?"

Amy just replies to that question with a smile, causing Tsubasa's laugh to falter and only gulped.

--

"Hmm, never knew you were a stalking type, Natsume"

"Hnn, could say the same to you..."

"Guilty as charged..." she held both her hands up as if surrendering to the straightforward comment as she takes a seat beside him. Then, after a brief moment of silence, Natsume in a low voice, look forward to the lake,

"...thanks" he murmurs.

"Hmm?" she asked, looking back at Natsume.

"The help. And the medicine. Thanks" Natsume added. At this Amy just plastered a small grin as she said,

"Ahh, I just did what every other sane person will do"

"Then, I guess you're the only sane person then"

"Maybe... or maybe not..." she replied wistfully. Natsume then looks at his hand as he lit up a ball of fire.

"You know, at first, I felt like threatening you, perhaps burned you to crisp- you're suspicious from the start... with being sneaky and all..." then he absolved the flame as he looks directly into Amy's eyes. Trying to gauge Amy's true self. Her true intention behind all of her acts.

"But, whenever I saw you with your family, I can't deny, that perhaps, you're a really good but suspicious person..." There's a momentarily painful feeling flashed in his eyes before he removes his gaze from Amy and again back to the moon as he continued,

"I don't know why you're doing all this, but you better stop from stepping in more if you don't want to drag your siblings into this mess. You of all people should know this... That's why you always hide, assimilate to the background. Trying not to show much... that's why you asked me to look after that idiot who somehow becomes the centre of attention..." At this, Amy just shook her head as she firmly explained,

"I appreciate it, but emo flamey boy, let me make something clear here. One, my purpose of having you look after Mikan is definitely not because I want you to look after her. She is not that weak, remember that. And secondly..." her expression immediately darkened, with her face no longer smiling. She continued, with a tone so dark it gives goosebumps to those who listen to it.

"You're definitely mistaken if you think I'm not in the abbys yet..."

Natsume's eyes widened at the sudden declaration. She then changed her face to a cheery smile as she stands up,

"And that's all for today! Fufu, it seems that Ruka is heading back to the camp, probably looking for me and you. You should stay here for a bit. I will head back first" With a wink, Amy stepped away as she left him by the lakeside, leaving him flustered at the sudden change.

Natsume wanted to stop her to ask more questions when he heard rustles from his right. And a girl with a puzzled expression popped out of the bushes, with the moonlight shone on her, giving off the image of a fairy.

"Natsume?"

--

"Amy? What happened?"

"Ahaha, welcome back Mikan, and Natsume. You see, hmm, they're already like this by the time I arrived..." she just reply with an exasperated look. In the end, they still ate it. Amy could just let herself stare at a distance, refuse to deal with the commotion that occurred by the drunken Ruka hugging Mikan.

After a little scuffle here and there, they all finally settled down, with both Natsume and Ruka falling asleep- surrounded by animals. It was so cute that amy and mikan exchange nods of satisfaction- truly eye candy worthy.

Then, after ushering mikan to sleep near the tree hollow and covering her with a blanket she brought, amy finally settled down beside Tsubasa.

"You should go to sleep amy"

"I'm alright, I will stay awake with you. Having someone to talk with will at least help both of us to stay alert all night"

Listening to amy, he finally relents and decided a company will be good. Ensuring that the others have asleep, Tsubasa asked,

"Hey, who are you actually?"

Amy gives him a questioning look, urging him to explain more. Tsubasa then recollects himself, and about to explain himself when they heard a loud cough. Lo and behold, a crouching figure, scooting away from Ruka as he suppressed himself from coughing more- with blood visibly trickled from his hand.

"Natsume!"