"I'm afraid I've gotten off the beaten path yet again. Fortunately the food I bought should stay fresh: it's bitterly cold here, almost as cold as that winter I spent in Okinawa." "It looks like I won't be home for Christmas. I'm sorry. I tried not to get lost but I failed. Again."

"So, when are you taking the antidote?" "That question makes a big assumption," she said coolly. "Huh?" "The correct question is 'are you going to take the antidote'"

Ryoga, ashen-faced, turned to face Kasumi and bowed. "I deeply apologize but I'm afraid we might have gotten a bit off the path." "Oh my." Kasumi didn't look the least bit perturbed. "It's a good thing I brought the backpack then, isn't it?" Current Chapter: The two wake up in an unexpected place, get clean, and meet an old acquaintance.