[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

**Excellent Ichi-kun, it's great to have you back!**

TATSU

The pale moonlight adorned the majesty of the city hidden within the barrier. Tall buildings towered over others, shadows encroached the land, flashing lights and signs were all about. Though the city was disguised as a barren wasteland, inside it appeared as a desert and forest mixed together, large evergreen trees were growing peacefully in the sand. All the technology of this place looked very advanced.

"I can't believe a place like this was hidden here." My surprise spoke for me.
"Yes I know, it is something isn't it? If it wasn't for this place, and the kindness of Aisha, I think I wouldn't have survived in this world"

I land Gana on the outer edge of town. Climbing off onto flat land was a relief. We had been traveling for so long my body ached. I helped Nozomi get down, she threw herself into my arms.

"Well that's one way of getting off." I laughed a bit. Though Nozomi just gave a smile.
"So where is this Aisha's house?" I said scratching my chin.
"I'm not sure, I don't recognize this area. We might have to look around, it's been awhile for me."

We began our walk and headed for the city. With every step my stomach ached with hunger pains. My eyes watered with tiredness, and I felt my energy dwindling.

I checked my pouch, we didn't have a single gold piece. We were totally broke. So even if we wanted to we couldn't stop and get something to eat. Being in that prison, the guards made sure to take all our money from us. What a drag.
I pulled up my hood from my cloak as we hit the streets. Vendors were on corners selling their product. Kids were running around with toys filled with laughter.

This brought a smile to my face. I hadn't seen kids run around so freely in years. Hidden within this dome, these citizens have no fear of the dragons and lived in peace. I couldn't help but feel envious of them, but it was for the best that they stayed here like this, and that I was merely a passerby.
I could hear Nozomi start to complain. "Oooh! I'm so hungry!! I want some food!" Hehe it was just like her to complain like this. Suddenly, she ran in front of me to a vendor standing at a corner.

"Hey mister! These look so good!" Her mouth was watering as she stared at skewered kebabs. My eyes widened. What the hell is she doing? Running over to some random person like this? We should be keeping quite not drawing attention. I started to slowly walk over to her, and calmly grabbed her forearm. "Nozomi come on, we have no cash." I whispered.
"oh! But I want one!" The vendor gave a smile, well little lady, you are in luck, I was just about to close my shop since night has fallen and I want to head home now, here these are extra from the day."
The man handed her a plethora of juicy kebabs. "Wow! Really! Thanks so much sir!" She grabbed the meat and skipped into the streets.

My stomach growled as I watched her eat all the meats, the oils glistened on her moist lips. She gave me a sideways glance. "I'm so sorry Tatsu, I totally forgot to give you one!" She stuck out her hand in front of face with a succulent piece of meat in her grasp. Leave it to Nozomi to use her charms without even knowing it to swoon over some street vendor.

I graciously and happily devoured the meat she had offered me. This satisfied my appetite a bit. "Hey those are really good."

We continued to walk around in search of Aisha's house. We saw people from all walks of life doing their daily things and going through their routines. I hadn't seen so many elderly and the young in one place like this before. Usually the young are in the big towns training to be warriors, and the elderly have retreated to a forest home to escape the war and live their last days in peace. This was a pleasant surprise for me.

"I think this in it." Nozomi stopped randomly in front of an old house crammed between two fancy looking buildings.
"Are you sure ? This place looks like a decorated shack..." We stayed quite for a moment.

The roof looked like it was patched together from old shingles. The lighting on the porch was dim, the stairs had holes in them. One window was boarded up and another was cracked.

"Yeah! This is totally Aisha's place!" Nozomi ran up the steps and started banging on the door.

"Aisha! Heee~y! Aisha! It's me Nozomi! I've come back to visit you!"

After a couple of seconds, I could hear a female voice speaking from within and the front door started to slowly creak open.