Not really a chapter 2. Just something i wanted to write.

They had walked in silence since they escaped the prison. The heat of the desert Blistered jacks skin. Ashi was still wearing his robe cause otherwise she'd be indecent. They could barely make eye contact with one another due to what occurred hours earlier. Jack was unsure where they stood now. He had never been intimate with a woman and never learned much in the ways of male/female relationships and dynamics besides incredibly basic information. Ashi herself must also be confused, most likely more than himself, she clearly has developed feelings but might have a hard time understanding them fully. Fortunately, fate had smiled upon them as they happened upon another Oasis. Without so much as a glance they both broke into a sprint to the nearby oasis. The two warriors drank greedily from the small pool of cool liquid providing much needed refreshment. Ashi tapped Jack on the shoulder to grab his attention.

"You can have your robe back, there's a small bit of greenery here so I can make a new outfit." she said in the process of removing his Gi in front of him.

"Ehh..Ashi.." Jack said looking away from her. She realized what she was doing and decided it really wasn't a big deal. She tossed the robe onto the Samurai and walked off to the small bit of forest. Jack removed his Gi from his head and saw a glimpse of Ashi's nude form before she disappeared into the grass. With a sigh Jack redid his Gi which provided relief from the blazing sun. He moved to sit by the Oasis and pondered for the first time in decades, the future. Looking into his reflection in the pool of a man he thought no longer existed.

"I don't know if being involved with her is a good idea." Jack said outloud to no one. Jack realized even if he manages to defeat Aku he still needs to get home. And defeating aku might have effects beyond Jacks understanding. He put a hand to his chin pondering. Jack had grown to care about his former assailant. She saved him from himself when he was at his lowest point. Jack smiled at the thought. The former assassin came out of the shrubbery revealing a new yet similar grass outfit.

"Its nice but when we find another city I suggest we find you some proper clothes." he stated.

"As long as it's practical, I don't really care." she said with a shrug. Following this there was a long silence between the two deadly vagabonds. Ashi drank some water. And went to sit in the shade of the greenery, she motioned her hand to call jack over. While he was hesitant he eventually caved and moved to shade with the leaf girl. Jack made sure to not be too close as to not get into her personal space. This made Ashi raise an eyebrow.

With a sigh Jack started "Um..Ashi, I know you might be feeling a multitude of feelings you might not fully comprehend and if you have questions I'll answer them to the best of my ability." Ashi stared at him, then looked down with a questioning look on her face.

"I don't know a lot about..kissing and stuff but what I do know is I want to do it again and I want to be by your side...for as long as I'm able." she responded honestly. Jack was taken aback by her honesty. He then began to explain certain concepts such as kissing and caring and love. Jack knew he cared about Ashi, but was it love? He'd never been in love before and had nothing to compare his current feelings to.

"So, love is when two individuals care about each other beyond the confines of friendship and support each other unwaveringly and when they're not with the other person they feel incomplete?" she said with her head tilted to the side.

"Something like that. I'm just saying it as I learned it from my own parents, but people have different interpretations of it." Jack said nervously. Ashi was lost in thought probably attempting to make sense of the things Jack told her.

"Well, I do care about you a lot and I want you to succeed in defeating Aku and i'm willing to do what I can to help see that goal become a reality. So...do I love you?" Ashi questioned innocently." Jack was shocked at her nonchalance. Trying to hide the blush on his face he responded.

"Uhh...I'm afraid only you can answer that question."

"That's understandable" Ashi started. "Well, how do you feel about me?"

"Well, um…" Jack took a deep breath. The very question he had been cogitating over. Speaking from the heart is the best approach he figured. "Ashi, you saved me from myself. When I was at my lowest point you could have left me to die, but you came and helped me see a truth that I had long since forgotten: That I am the only one who can end this nightmare and abandoning the people of this world would be a far greater sin than anything I may have committed in the past. And while I was meditating to find my sword you put your life on the line for someone who almost killed you and killed...your sisters. So I do care about you Ashi, You have made me the man I once was and I am indebted to you." Ashi could only stare wide eyed at the Samurais words. She felt the emotional weight behind them and they hit her like a punch to the gut. Such emotions were foreign to Ashi and yet she found herself tearing up. Jack was disquieted by her sudden show of emotions, Ashi usually wore her emotions on her sleeve but this was new.

"I'm Sorry if I said something to offend you." Jack said hastily. Ashi Wiped her eyes and before Jack could speak again she lurched into a hug against him. Jack was surprised at the small woman in his lap her face against his Gi. He found himself hugging her back.

Ashi lifted her face from his Gi. "Don't you remember what I said in the graveyard? You saved me as well. Showing me I'm not just a weapon, i'm my own person." In that moment, Jack realized he did care for her more than he realized. Jack put his forehead to Ashi's in an attempt to calm her. Ashi eyed the samurai so close to her face wondering why she felt these emotions for him, after attempting to kill him she almost felt she didn't deserve to be happy. But she realized she'd do anything to keep this feeling, kill anyone for him and that scared her. Jack removed his face from hers.

"We have a ways to go, we should keep moving."

"Okay." Ashi wasn't sure if it was love she felt but she did know she would fight to keep these feelings, no matter the cost.