Amazing.

Ruka had no other words to describe the scene he saw.

Everywhere, dozens, no, hundreds of green leaf-pod houses like the one from which he had emerged from, could be seen. Did he mention that they were nestled amongst the TREES? And not only that, but there were people EVERYWHERE! It was remarkable for a civilization as unadvanced as this one.

Running around on tree branches, swinging on vines, laughing, talking, playing, and staring at him like he was an exotic animal.

He now knew what the animals in the zoo felt like. And just like an animal in the zoo, he stared back. They weren't like the people he was used to seeing. Besides the obvious clothing differences (sarcasm), he saw that their eyes and hair colors were all extremely unusual. It didn't just apply to his "guide". Exotic colored eyes, in all shades of purple, red, blue, green, silver, gold, and orange. The people's hair were also tinted, the better to blend in with their environment, he supposed. Adaption in order to better survive. At one point, he even saw a girl with dark green-tinted hair.

He shook his head in wonder. 'Natsume would fit in perfectly with these people, coloring-wise,' he thought with an amused grin.

Finally, his… less-than-friendly guide stopped in front of a pod. She gestured impatiently for him to enter. Ruka blinked and looked blankly at her. How was he supposed to get in? he didn't know how, and there weren't exactly instructions stuck to the pod!

Hotaru rolled her eyes exasperatedly, then yanked up a leaf and shoved him inside.

The pod he stumbled into was a total contrast to the pod he had woken up in. this one was decorated, and obviously the pod of a woman. Lots of weavings and intricately knotted rugs hung on the leaves and near the hammock. But Ruka didn't have time to look around, for he heard a loud squeal from behind.

Ruka turned around just in time to see a silver haired young girl dash forward and toss herself at Imai. She caught the girl easily and he heard them talking in a low, melodious language, and watched as Imai gestured towards himself, after which the girl turned to greet him.

She wasn't a young girl at all, he realized. She may have been slender and petite, but there was a slight curve to her body that suggested that she was older than she looked.

"Hi! I'm Mikan Sakura!" She introduced herself happily. "You probably want to see your friend, right?"

"Hello, I'm Ruka Nogi, and yes, I would, if it's okay with you?" He confirmed with an easy smile.

Mikan smiled widely and grabbed his hand, lightly leading him to the hammock where and drew back the gauzy curtains, showing a sleeping Natsume lying on the hammock.

"He's a lot better now," she commented quietly. Pulling over a stool, she tenderly stroked his dark damp hair of his brow, which caused an eyebrow to rise in interest from Ruka.

"He had a fever last night," she continued. "No infections, luckily; his wounds were more severe than yours, however, so it'll be several days before he can walk again, and he won't be able to remove the bandages until he's told that he can. But he should wake up soon, since he woke up earlier, briefly, but you're welcome to stay here by his side for a while if you want to." She smiled kindly at him and rose from the stool, motioning for Ruka to sit.

Ruka shook his head politely.

"It's okay," he said. "I'm sure Natsume, that's this guy's name, by the way; will be fine, if you say so. Um… May I go look around?" he asked, somewhat shyly.

"Sure!" the girl chirped. "You're welcome to come by whenever you want, but I bet you'd like to eat, or maybe wash up?" she asked knowingly.

Just then, Ruka felt, and heard, his stomach grumble. Loudly.

He blushed.

"I am awfully hungry…." He admitted. "But I'd like to wash first, if I may."

Mikan laughed. "Hotaru will show you! Won't you, Hotaru?"

He turned towards Imai; his eyes were unknowingly making puppy eyes at her. Very cute ones, as it happened. Not even she could resist that.

No woman could.

"….Fine," she relented.

He smiled at her, a wide bright smile that made her heart beat faster and a funny feeling to occur in her stomach, but she refused to let a blush color her cheeks or acknowledge the feeling.

She turned on her heel and marched to the door; he followed her eagerly only to bump into her back when the stoic girl paused at the doorway. Said girl turned back towards Mikan.

"Will you be coming with us?" She inquired.

Mikan shook her head slightly. "I'm going to stay here, " She murmured. "I have to watch over him in case something happens." She explained, suddenly switching to her native tongue. Then she smiled brightly and said, teasing, "Besides, wouldn't you rather be alone with him? He's very handsome with that golden hair and big, gorgeous blue eyes…."

The raven head could only glower at her best friend. Mikan laughed softly as her friend sniffed and strode out the door, ignoring the laughing girl. And Ruka followed her.

I know it seems like I've been focusing solely on Ruka and Hotaru, but Natsume hasn't woken up yet, and I'm not gonna have Mikan suddenly molest him in his sleep… No matter how much he'd enjoy that… XD

So please! Review! Or else Natsume will never wake up and Mikan will die a virgin and Natsume will turn into a vegetable…. WAH!

REVIEW….