(( lol Kiyoko is cravin' some one-eyed swordsman. ))
Hotaru found himself staring up at the morning sky. He recalled just laying there, thinking, but he did not really remember waking up. Had he even fallen asleep? He pulled himself slowly upwards into a sitting position, turning his head to the side as he rubbed his eyes. His gaze rested upon Aiko, lying beside him beneath the large maroon blanket which the two of them had shared.
He remembered that originally, Aiko was not even supposed to be accompanying him on the trip. Then the thought occurred to him, how much different would it be without her there with him? Of course, he would not have been any more lonely; the Estukoes were still there to keep him company.
Aiko...please don't make me regret allowing you to come with me...If anything bad were to happen to you, I would blame no one but myself.
Turning his head in the other direction, he saw Lynx approaching. Behind him, Hotaru could see the rest of the group, gathered together.
"I see everyone is awake..." Hotaru said, standing up to face Lynx. "Are we heading off immediately?"