The night passed, but none of them could sleep because of what happened. In the morning everyone was called into the inn by Fugaku to discuss and sort out the punishment for those that were present at the event. Some suspects were in the inn listening and agreeing from shadows to everything being said. The ones that they knew about were not present, they went into the forest to gather resources.

  Everyone in the room saw exiling them from the village as a fit punishment for the events they committed. As a last call to everyone in the room, Fugaku asked to step in those who were at the Ryuji's house if they wished to stay in the village. But no one moved, everyone acted normal, even those that were guilty.

  Then they all returned to their chores and continued the day, some of the villagers waiting for those to return from the forest.

  *Horse neighing*

  *Cart stopping*

  (Nobuyuki) - What happened?

  (Mitoshi Fugaku) - You know very well what happened, do you need a reminder of last night's events?

  (Kitchirou) - Last night's events? What is this all about?

  (Mitoshi Fugaku) - It looks like it was too dark for you to see what you did last night, let's go to Yoshimoto's house to remind you.

  *Cart started moving*

  Nobuyuki and Kitchirou were looking at each other not knowing what to say and how to lie about what they'd done. When they arrived they tried their best to look shocked, but it was clear on their faces that they were lying.

  *Drop*

  *Crack*

  (Mitoshi Fugaku) - You are still here?

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Yes, I am trying to salvage everything I can.

  (Mitoshi Fugaku) - I brought you some friends, you might recognize them.

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I don't have time for this, and I do not wish to do something that I would regret.

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I will let the punishment we all decided to take care of them, it should be enough.

  (Nobuyuki) - What punishment?

  (Kitchirou) - What is he talking about?

  (Mitoshi Fugaku) - Do not tell me you thought that after doing such things you will walk free as if nothing happened.

  (Kitchirou) - We would never do such a thing.

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  *His face was sweating*

  (Nobuyuki) - What proof does he have that we did this?

  (Mitoshi Fugaku) - I think what happened here is enough proof to believe him.

  They were trying their best to convince anyone in the village they have not done it, and even their accomplices were refusing to help them in any way. Fugaku told them the punishment and gave them the rest of the day to take everything they have and leave. And if they were not gone by morning they would face even harsher punishments.

  There was nothing they could do anymore, and with every moment spent packing things up their hate towards the Ryuji grew even bigger.

  The next day they left the village on foot because they did not have enough money to buy a cart and a horse. And the villagers were helping Ryuji rebuild the house little by little.

  Ryuji had to go into the forest and gather some more wood and herbs to trade for materials that he needed to repair the house. Fugaku told him not to hurry and take his time because there was no issue for them to remain at the inn, but Ryuji was young and impatient and tried his best to solve everything as fast as he could.

  He borrowed a cart and a horse and went into the forest in the morning. It was early in the morning and the sun was still waking up. Upon entering the forest he noticed something unusual, but that did not stop him from his mission.

  *Ties the horses*

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Stay here, until I am back.

  *Horse neighing*

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Good boy.

  *Pat*

  *Step*

  *Step*

  *Distant crack*

  Ryuji felt that someone was following him in the forest, but he was not sure who. The last time something moved in the forest was the trees, and he would not be surprised to see a walking tree in the middle of the day.

  *Noises*

  *Yelling*

  *Started running*

  When Ryuji got close to the place he heard a yell, and two people started laughing.

  (Nobuyuki) - Look who we have here.

  (Kitchirou) - The one that got us exiled.

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - You got yourself in this situation, I did nothing.

  (Nobuyuki) - Then how did everyone from the village know who were the ones that burned your house, if you haven't told them?

  (Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I never said I haven't told them, but you had no reason to do such a thing.

  (Kitchirou) - We also have no reason to kill you, but we might just do that right now.

  *Step*

  *Step*

  *Started running*

  Ryuji ran, he ran as fast as he could, and they were after him. He could feel it in the air that they had no intention of letting him leave the forest alive.

  Ryuji had no idea where he was heading, he didn't have time to think about how to get back, or what would happen if they would catch him.

  After a while of running, he got tired, he looked behind and they were nowhere. They must have also got tired of chasing. Ryuji arrive in a strange place, there was a little lake and everything was surrounded by rocks. At first, he found it strange, but while he was catching his breath he remembered the maps and papers with the red circle. He thought that was a place that he haven't yet been to and found by mistake.

  Behind a bunch of rocks, there was a little cottage. A sign on the door, but it resembled the same language that he found in the room under the stables. Unfortunately, he didn't remember what most of the letters meant. Ryuji slowly opened the door, and no one was inside. The furniture inside was just enough for one person to live. A bed, a chair, a table, and some cabinets to store things.

  It was getting darker outside so Ryuji decided to wait there and meet the person that was living there. He walked around and gathered some food, and started cooking something.

  It was pitch black outside, but no sign of life around. Maybe the cottage was abandoned. Whatever the case, Ryuji ate and went to sleep. There was a lot of noise outside as if the forest was crying. When he fell asleep he had a very strange dream of a huge man, with a big axe that was following him to the cottage, banging on the door. Then the ground was shaking and there was a noise outside. When he looked out the window the man was gone and there was a tree walking around the cottage.