Flame frowned, went back to where Ashton was, and said, "See? That Japanese girl is [i]not[/i] a nice person."

Ashton nodded as he listened to both Yuuki and Mono and said, "Oh, right! Hopefully we can retrace our steps and stick to the main roads while it's light out. Let's go, Flame."

The brown-haired boy then took Flame's wrist and dragged him outside, knowing that the latter might not be able to resist being nasty to Chieko. Nevertheless, Ashton noted Captain Crunch talking to the girl, Aki, and a suddenly free Wisp, and decided not to be there when the inevitable chase scene began.

Instead, the two boyfriends began to make their way back to the Donovan clinic, with Flame asking Ashton, "So, can't wait to learn the basics of Demi-Human biology?"

The smile from Ashton spoke volumes about everything. "Oh, yes! This is going to count as free practice for my medical degree! And you, want to experiment with exotic herbs?"

Flame frowned, "You make me look like a druggie." A pause and a smile. "But yes; it seems new horizons await us all."

"Heh!" Ashton smiled, "Whatever happens, we're going to find our own path, blaze our own destiny!"

The passive demeanor had faded somewhat, now Ashton was expressing infectious optimism as he walked. He then said to Flame, "That said, there is still a mystery behind this somewhere. Keep your guard up and don't get distracted by petty arguments."

Flame turned to Ashton as they went closer and closer to Doctor Donovan's place, assuming they had been given the directions. "Petty arguments aside, that girl burns with ambition, as we do. She's also a mean-spirited, selfish, and prideful brat... Who nevertheless has the drive to get the importance and power that she wants. And my actions have opened a breach with her early." A pause. "Not that I don't regret it, but I get what you mean; we shouldn't make [i]too[/i] many enemies."

Ashton nodded as they finally arrived to where Doctor Donovan was supposed to be, noticing the Warrior Monks that Flame had apologized to earlier. Grinning in mischief, showing his teeth, the young man said to Flame, "Hey, look, here are your friends!"