It was about an hour and a half before school started. Cynthia Westin had gotten up early so she could practice a little more for the upcoming competition. The forest clan girl notched an arrow to her long bow and aimed. Once again, her aim was true, as the projectile was soon lodged into the center of the target.

Another bullseye... not bad!

Cynthia's tail was waving in delight as she notched another arrow.

Ladon... the upcoming competetion... We're going to be up against the team from HighFort... It's gonna be tough...

The forest clanswoman let her arrow go. This time, she bounced it off of various objects that were scattered along the range. Again, she hit the bullseye, just a millimeter above where her first arrow was lodged in.

It's a shame... Jason's not here anymore... Damn, he was one of the best archers I had ever seen! I wonder though... why was he forced off the team?

Cynthia shook her head lightly, causing her chocolate brown hair to swirl a bit. She pushed some of her hair out of her eyes before taking another arrow from her quiver.

Jason was one of the best... I swear... it's a shame... he's got natural talent, sort of like me... Though I outclassed him when it came to trick shots...

The forest clanswoman pulled the arrow back and let go. This time, she fired low. The arrow skimmed the ground before bouncing off it and up, and hit the center of her target.

His temper got in the way... If he could have controlled it, he would have probably been able to beat me... I wonder though... everytime I looked at him... fire burned behind his eyes... Like something was wrong...

Cynthia put her bow down for a second and took a seat on the grass.

Okay... relax now... then back at it. That's what dad taught me... and what grandmom taught me as well...

Heh... Archery runs true in my family... dad was a great hunter in his day, Grandma Basilan was as well... Then her father, and his father before that. My talent comes from way back then... The first destined cycle... Bo... I wish he could see me perform...

The archer stood up, stretched, and grabbed her bow again.

Bo was quite the hunter, according to my family history... Hell, he even helped the first Ryu... I remember reading about that... and the stories passed down. I've become as good a hunter as he was...

Cynthia notched one last arrow, pulled it back, and let go. Her tail was wagging happily as she watched it spiral toward the center of the target. This time, it hit the back of another arrow and shattered it before it planted itself into the target.

Well... that's enough practice this morning... I'd better hit the showers and change into my uniform. I'd never live it down if I was late for school, even though I was at school...

Cynthia batted an ear as she picked up her bow and arrows. She turned to head into the gym.

The forest clanswoman stretched lightly. "Bo..." She said quietly. "Please give me luck... This one is for you..."

Cynthia jogged into the gym, and then into the woman's locker room.