The place that she had followed this girl, wasn't what she was expecting.

Both of the people that had been mentioned to her, it was specifically said that the two the child had knew, held knowledge of martial arts. Something which she had wanted to try seeing for herself, with the kind of benefits doing so would give her. There was never going to be a loss in watching someone fight, other than not being able to do so herself, due to a large difference in power between her and the person.

She was expecting a dojo of some sorts, for both of the people whose names were brought up to her, but instead, she had tracked down and led to what seemed to be an herb shop. If not for the ability to sense ki, and generally not believing in making mistakes, she wouldn't have bothered trying to enter.

Such places held interesting scents, which only reminded her of the tea that her master preferred to drink. It was not the most pleasant thing to come across, but too much possible incentive to back out.

Knocking on the door and waiting, hadn't taken too long. When it had opened up, she wasn't sure whether or not to expect an Asuka, or a Netto, knowing that an herb shop could have been owned by either gender.

But it must have been more of the latter, looking at the man who opened the door, informing her that not only were they closed, but he was going to be somewhere else for a few days. It was pretty obvious, that this guy wasn't like the girl, seeing how there was not a sight of pink flesh anywhere on his body.

Which made the odds of the other individual she was supposed to meet, also less likely to be the same. Those kind of humanoids were certainly not a common sight, compared to other beings around.

"You're mistaken, I'm not here to buy anything."

He seemed pretty hasty to leave for whatever trip he was going on, but she wasn't one to really give up too easily. Especially not when the cause of her current injuries, she could feel was inside.

Compensation was meant to be had, in the form of the promised introduction she had been given. What she could feel of his power, was a lot like the younger girl, but way more than she would have expected.

It was astounding to really believe the kid considered herself the strongest, when there was this man here. If they had sparred at all, like it was implied to her, him losing though could do the trick into encouraging that belief. But she couldn't also imagine he'd really try against someone that young.

While she did do her best to bring attention to her injuries, by slightly backing up, he seemed to realize himself there was a deeper reason to her being here, other than someone who was a typical customer.

She was welcomed into the place, making it much more obvious of the kind of healing properties, which this place must have been filled with. But she persisted through it all, just like she would with her master, following after the man as he went on to essentially apologize for what had happened to her.

She hadn't even been looking for an apology. But such things were still something that felt nice to receive, as the idea of being right in some form, tended to do for her, intentional or not.

There was a lot of things explained to her, one of them being what race the girl was, something which she didn't have much knowledge of, compared to some other more notable races that were out there.

But it was an interesting thing nonetheless to really hear of. The child was apparently not from this planet, going by his words. That and the behavior he spoke of, would explain some things.

"Apologies aren't necessary. It was a spar I requested, and things could have gone much worse."

She returned his bow out of politeness, though it was something that could have easily been missed, if he was really busy. The level of regeneration the girl had, she was very assured was one she didn't want to be on the opposing end of. Not without really being in a position where she could have really handled herself.

Once she had reached the kind of level that would have her surpass those of her school, it was steadily aiming for beings of power like the child and this man. Their ki signatures was something she was really trying to ingrain into her memory, knowing they would serve as motivation for her to aim.

"If it's sweetened tea, then yes. My experience with more traditional ones, haven't been the best."

There were a lot of claims her master had tried to impose onto her and others, that what her instructor had preferred, was something that would help heal the body and soul of the person drinking it.

Whether or not that was even remotely true, the fact was, she had to really force herself to down it, when there were so many different beverages that were better tasting. It was only out of respect she did so.

"I was actually interested in meeting you, and perhaps with some guidance if you're aware of her location, this Asuka your daughter had mentioned. She said you two knew martial arts, and as a practitioner of a style myself, I was hoping to schedule something in the future."

There was a lot more to it than this, which she had yet to say. The most obvious had primarily been because of his adoptive daughter, but she was certain that he could have also easily answered things himself.

People weren't generally born with this kind of power, unless they were lucky. It took her nearly a decade to gather what she currently had, which was immeasurable with the lack of a scouter.

"Thank you, but I'll endure it until I can stop by some friends in the city for the night. It's a certain belief of the school we hail from, to take on these kind of hardships."

Nothing which would really bother her too much. Exhausted muscles would heal and be able to bear more than what she was already capable of. The only misfortune she saw beyond recovery time, was how long it would likely be, before she would ask that child for a rematch. She would need to do so much to overcome her.

"I could offer some help in exchange for the answer of some questions? Meeting your daughter has me curious of what resources you guys have, to really possess that kind of power. It's unfortunate there's no public place allowing anyone to train to be on that level."

As nice as it would be, she didn't fully believe in the idea of offering such a thing. But she wanted to at least bring some kind of sympathy across to her own situation. Someone of her age wasn't supposed to hold less power than a young girl. Not every human might have taken the path she did, but those who did could have really used that kind of power, for far better than what a child could have really done with it.

All she needed was a chance to show it.

WC: 1,238, TWC: 2,157, Netto White

Tea or no tea, she understood his gesture.

The whole change in hospitality, was something which had its humor. One which while she didn't particularly agree with, knew her instructor would have. So many of their conversations, there were all sorts of things that she could have done better, which hearing it be said, didn't mean she couldn't defend herself.

Their way of philosophy, was something which required finesse. The beings of power that were out there, a portion of them were ones who had used what power they had, to become heroes. Decided their lives were something worth risking, even though there more qualified individuals, who did what they wanted.

People with resources these groups likely didn't even have. Zeni was something earned, and while those who were practitioners of ki, were likely to have an easier time in certain areas, there would also be others who prevented them from climbing their way to riches. A big reason she was careful with her money.

Even when she was able to get a decent amount, for what would have been rent in the city, 10,000 zeni wasn't even half of what it cost to buy equipment and other useful resources for training.

With a little more saving, at best, she could have gotten some gear to use, but such things were hardly anything which would help her situation. Life might not have been fair, though to be aware of that and have the capability to change it, but a lack of opportunity to do so, was beyond infuriating.

Something which had somewhat ended, since she was now allowed to freely travel away from her school, and hang around for however long she had liked. It was just her own choice to continue sticking around, due to a lack of power, that had her keep returning to her school, while knowing those she knew had already left.

The action itself was a constant reminder she wanted to enforce. Something that had assured her the sights were going to be what she saw everyday, so long as there was no progression happening on her part.

Managing to even be here, where she was told of things that were apparently normal for those living here, it wasn't the kind of situation to mess up. Which was easy to pull off, when her beliefs could be seen as controversial. She fully believed in the idea that those who saw themselves as heroes, deserved their deaths, if they winded up falling in battle. Praise for them, she had no real place to comment on, not likely to know someone on such a level, but that wasn't her attitude for everything of this matter.

The kind of individuals who believed they had some duty to save others, were the kind of people who were also most likely to expect someone like her to do the same. But they would be sorely mistaken.

In normal circumstances in her eyes, she had no issues with letting others deal with their own, so long as there was nothing to gain from assisting them. Acknowledgment on the small level of praise, wasn't what she was looking for. Something like that wouldn't come close to changing any way of living for others.

There was the argument of heroism serving as a way to be that change, but it wasn't one she was looking for. To make a difference in life, the honors should first go to the work put into doing so.

Reaping the rewards as a benefactor, and considering the options for others later. In a situation like this, where she was in someone's home, and being shown this kind of hospitality, it was just far easier to go on with things like any other person would. Differences lying in what she could gain out of it.

She wasn't going to outright ask a reward, without offering some kind of work in exchange for doing so. Not necessarily an illusion of choice, but to show that there was good faith. That she could be trusted.

Even back when she had met this man's adoptive daughter, and had wished to gain favor from the shopkeep, in exchange for her assistance, she hadn't really taken the loss as something she just had to get.

It was a long con, to work to the level she dreamed of having for herself, which meant fully considering better options, and not caring too much for more trivial ones like the good word of a shopkeep.

"So she doesn't train at all? She had said as much, but hearing it from someone her age, it's hard to believe, even knowing she's alien in nature."

Exaggeration was what she had thought all that girl was. But here this man was, telling her that what she had felt, was something which was all natural, and not possibly a byproduct of training.

If it wasn't for her own experience with practicing ki at a young age, the idea of someone young training, would have been more doubtful, even with the knowledge that people did have that kind of upbringing if they had chosen it. And beyond the idea of natural strength, training was the only reason she saw, someone young could have easily surpassed her, who had been fighting for nearly two decades and managed little.

Though she wouldn't be surprised either, if she had heard there really wasn't much of any. It served as one reason aliens were more capable than humans, and she should have really been more relieved that this wasn't someone near her own age. The kind of decision that girl made, it was too careless.

"I figured there was a chance you might have been someone important, if you were really looking after someone so strong, but young. Not many people really would expect anything, with how covert a place like this is."

This whole group that he was explaining he was apart of, the news of it made her eyes widen just a bit, but it wasn't anything that didn't add up, considering the circumstances. With the kind of reputation that this group must have built, if power was any indication, they must have been decently well off.

Something which made her wonder if they had already met others, who were already defending the planet. Their goals were noble enough, and while the beliefs were something she didn't agree with, there was no malice, so long as she didn't see any reason for one. They were all individuals in life.

That was just something too easily forgotten, and unseen until more tense circumstances. People often said certain situations brought out the best in some, but the complete worse in others.

She knew for certain at least, if someone like this was so comfortable with this kind of life, he wasn't someone she wanted to be on the opposing end of anytime soon. Not without being capable of defending herself. There were lot of different way she could have had an early death, but this would be too easy.

"Your group is a lot more well off, compared to much smaller ones you could hear of. Which makes me wonder if you've met other defenders of this planet. Not the ones near my level, but those as strong as what you must be capable of. Your status should allow you to."

When the tea had finished up, she was given a cup to drink from, along with what would have made it sweeter. Materials she had used and let sit inside the cup, while he had listed off what were essentially accomplishments, hearing what kind of facilities he had. A base right outside earth's own atmosphere.

Which meant that he was also able to afford a ship, that could take him and everyone else within this group there. The way he spoke of it so naturally, was something amazing. These commodities were hardly everyday.

"I'm not one to reject an opportunity on this level. What you've said only has me more curious. From what I hear, it's common for personalities to clash within a group. I was raised differently by the school whose style I represent, so there's a couple of uncertain matters I have on my mind."

An offer to join, was the very thing that showcased how much he believed in his cause. The qualifications that he was looking for, didn't sound too difficult either. But there was still the one very plan she had in mind, when she had acquired what zeni she could, to put such a thing into fruition.

She was a leader of her own, and there was only the lack of power, not even half of what he had, that she wanted to acquire for herself. Something which she knew would be enough to win most tournaments.

It was the only obstacle that stopped her from having zeni pour, in a similar manner to how he talked so nonchalantly about what resources he had. From there, it was nothing but progression.

Drinking the tea for the first time since he had given it, the sweet mixture was something she savored far more than what this drink had consisted of alone. Accomplishment was of such essence.

"There's no reason I should be the delay of your expedition. We can talk about my concerns on the way there, and if nothing else, I'll just continue trying to move away from the dependence of my school on my own."

Shaking his hand was no issue for her, just like how if she didn't wind up joining this group, things would really be over. She had her own beliefs, and her own independence to make and uphold.

To move away from those beliefs was change, though it was questionable of what kind.

WC: 1,632, TWC: 3,789, Netto White

There could have easily been a lot of confusion on her part.

With how most of her life had revolved around staying more on the school grounds, than being somewhere like within the city, there would have normally been some disconnect to the more outside world.

It might have been true for certain other martial art schools, but her own had the kind of education that anyone else in the city would have. So she was familiar with several locations and their landmarks, even if she had never really been there herself. To be at a loss for something so simple like the lack of awareness with surroundings, was a weakness that could have been excused, though one that shouldn't cause panic.

Especially now that her and others of the school, could use their ki and head towards a presence, or even fly through the manipulation of their ki. There were dangers in doing so, knowing that a presence out somewhere unknown, wouldn't mean they were friendly. But that was the point of learning martial arts.

The names that were being rattled off to her she was aware of, mostly due to just how ancient they were. Like the Crane and Turtle school, with the vast reputation they had, anything that could have been as old as time, was at least something one of her instructors went on about, at least once in their learning.

There were a lot of interpretations to these lessons, with no right or wrong answer. They had just needed to prove that the assumptions they made, had truth to it, which wasn't too hard, given the chance to actually think about it. Places like these had their own historical importance even if it wasn't obvious.

She had learned about it being a method of training, trying to climb the tower, rather than fly up there. But either approach would have exhausted what oxygen there was, even reaching such heights.

Reputable as the place was, it was used more as a marker than anything, in this explanation of just what this man was looking for. If it hadn't been just some kind of fruit they were after, the easiest thing to have said about something more material, was that it must have been long gone by now.

Rough terrain or not, she highly doubted it would have stopped the devoted from gathering something as special as an object. This was a fruit, and with how those could be regrown, the only danger beyond misdirection, was someone eager to eat the fruit. It could have been something worth going back to.

"Sounds like you thought about going here for awhile."

There were a lot of simple reasons that could have kept him from doing so before, but someone with his kind of life, she had doubts about there being anything simple. He really sounded more normal than he should have, going on about their whole plan for this whole expedition, when he had a bigger reputation.

If not for herself coming along, just to possibly build some kind of payoff for herself, he was more than likely able to handle things himself. But she wasn't going to turn down an opportunity like this.

There were things about this fruit that he seemed to have a lot of knowledge of, nothing which was particularly unusual, with the kind of interest he had in the fruit. Though it really did show just how prepared he really was. Animals weren't something she'd worry about, with their comparably weaker strength.

Even in large numbers, anyone who was capable of manipulating ki, would have a fair time against them. And from the sound of things, this was different than just facing off against something large like dinosaurs.

The environment sounded like it should have really held less danger though, if food was really something that was lacking. Other than cannibalism, she couldn't see how those who didn't wander inside this cave, would have really survived for that long. They had more limited options than actual people.

"It wouldn't be a challenge without anything eventful."

With how he was going about things, it seemed like the option of avoiding the treacherous path was there. But if he was really as prepared as he was making himself out to be, he probably had something in mind about how she could prove herself with all of this. The easy way wasn't going to be it.

The map was placed away, soon after his explanation, and she was passed over a backpack for this journey. This forest must have really been something else, if he had really planned to be away for days.

Though she guessed there wasn't really much choice, without just destroying the environment itself. Nothing which anyone in their right mind would do for some fruit. Even if it did have these kind of properties.

"There's no need, really. We're old enough to accommodate for something like this."

Besides, having to pay back anyone for such a simple thing, even if it wasn't in some kind of monetary value, would have been unnecessary on her part. She could see herself getting along well enough, but her policy was still something that was going to remain to be, even after whatever came out of this.

No matter the resources, she questioned how much growth she could even get out of meeting someone too frequently. With how this base of theirs were in space, she was somewhat dependent on him or the others within this group, to even get up there. It wasn't really an ideal situation for her.

If anything, the best thing to do would have been to make the most out of such resources, knowing her beliefs when it came to encounters. The tea that she had been offered, it was easy to have down throughout the overview she had been given, about what they were doing, and the circumstances behind it all.

She would wait until they had really started moving, to really bring up any of her more personal concerns. Something like a shared space, was hardly going to be an issue, when there were more important things.

She supposed these bags were going to be stuffed full of those fruits, when they found it.

WC: 1,045, TWC: 4,834

He really wasn't kidding about the preparation.

All of the stuff that was in this thing, it wasn't anything that sounded like this was some kind of short trip. It couldn't have been some kind of overestimation, seeing how well he seemed to know the forest.

But it was because of that fact, was this whole thing a lot bigger than what she thought it would be. There was a difference between spending just a night, and spending a few days within the forest.

The former wasn't too bad, while the latter required comfort to be created. It was a bit more than a few clothes, if they really had the time to stop by where she had lived. When she had agreed to go onto this expedition, it had been under the assumption that things weren't going to actually take that long.

The main reason why she tried not to take up too much time, having to go for actions that would have delayed this trip. But they must have really had room, if he was actually offering to do so.

Something that made it really difficult to read the situation here. She figured he might have been somewhat nonchalant, with the way he talked about the resources he had, but this was on a whole different level.

A simple thing might have been the cause for it, but it was precisely because of that, was there a chance that it might not have been as bad as she would have thought. She was hoping anyway.

These differing thoughts could have been nothing more than observations, but what she saw was still leniency despite the circumstances. Which made it curious he was ever in a rush in the first place.

"Thank you. This has certainly developed into an opportunity I hadn't expected."

There were still topics she wanted to address, but she wasn't going to reject his assumption that she had fully agreed to things already. Even with the precaution of a leader supporting the idea of her being within the group, she still held concern for actually being apart of it, without some kind of nonsense happening, which could delay her own plans. She had a vision for herself on what she wanted to accomplish.

Something that couldn't be if there was really going to be trouble for her. She was an individual, and desired a certain kind of independence for herself. Ground rules had to be established here.

"Then it's best if we get some food first. There's some things I'll have to decide on, if we're also going to stop by my place."

What she needed to entertain herself being the primary thing. She would slowly recover on her own, even if she was injured like this, scuffs and little abrasions everywhere. Without the proper knowledge for it, or the right resources, it wasn't as if these injuries were something that would go away instantly.

Until then, having this expedition ontop of things, really only served to be some preparation of her own. Entertainment wasn't something easy while injured, and as viable as it was to try meditation, to do so for the next couple of days would have been the kind of routine too familiar for her.

Working the way she did to make a departure from her school, was meant to also be a departure from seeing the same things over again. Something she had accomplished a bit of from all of the individuals she met.

There were a few things she had in mind in what to make use of to entertain herself with, but time might also pass quicker than she might realize, once this expedition had really gone and kicked off.

If he did any training at all, that would have also helped out. She could see just as well, that with the kind of thought he had put into things, there was a chance there might not be much idle time at all.

This whole thing was meant to prove herself, after all. Of the things he had mentioned being within this backpack, there were different ways to showcase that kind of thing, if it had came to busy work.

She strapped the bag over her shoulders, being the first to walk outside again. If the place wasn't something close by, she would follow after. It might have been the reason he had asked about her ability to fly, beyond reaching the way towards this forest a lot quicker than, walking or a car could give.

WC: 756, TWC: 5,590