Toshi, ever the watchful eye, watches everyone rush off. "The temple?! I was just there!" he thinks to himself, annoyed. He glances quickly at the halfling. So it seems his companions have found Perrin Highhill, or Highhill has found them. The mission is to escort this person and his artifact back to Olera. Why is everyone rushing off to recover this unknown artifact without sparing a thought for the other half of the mission - that of protecting the archaeologist? Ever the doubter, Toshi wonders further, what do we really know about this Highhill? For all we know he could be behind this mayhem. His oh-so-noble staying behind to 'help' might be nothing but a clever ruse. Toshi decides to stay behind and follow Perrin. If the halfling is on the level then he'll need someone watching his back. Otherwise, well...
It is autumn. Toshi and his sister Aki play among the flurries of amber leaves. The world is golden. Laughing, Aki strays too far and stumbles into the path of a gang of human boys. Toshi, remembering their parents' stern warnings against crossing paths with humans, fears the worst, and bares his claws in anticipation. But the boys help Aki up and invite the siblings to join them at play. "We love cats! You two are good at climbing, right? Come on, we'll show you our secret hideout - you can join our gang!" Toshi has never had friends, let alone a gang. Naive and stupid, he agrees. And takes Aki, sweet Aki, along for the adventure. The humans take them to the docks - the hideout protects their favorite fishing spot, they said. The siblings, stern warnings forgotten, are so happy! Toshi is skipping stones across the river with Kite, the gang leader, when a sack is pulled roughly over his head. He can hear Aki's muffled mewling close by. Toshi lashes out with his claws, and connects. There is loud cursing from the victim, laughing from the rest of the boys. A splash, as something, probably the sack containing Aki, is tossed in the water. Kicks and punches. Screaming as Toshi's claws find another boy's face. Weightlessness, and another splash, and he is fighting for his life in the icy water...
The crash of a nearby structure collapsing brings Toshi back to the here and now. All his companions are gone. Where has Perrin gone? There! Toshi makes to shadow the halfling, wondering where destiny will lead him this night.