The spirit at the entrance back into Aetheri was the same one who had been there when they'd left. Yoshi and Shinobu waved their day passes at them while Vlad and Luu hovered smilingly on either side; they waved the group through with a sneer.

"That's adorable. She's standing right where we left her."

Liya was indeed standing on the sidewalk near the brick wall with her hands in her pockets, as though she'd been there since they'd left. Deep shadows slanted across the ground and walls; where there weren't shadows, the setting sun colored everything a livid pink-orange.

Luu gave Yoshi a little salute, and Vlad patted her on the shoulder, saying, "Keep your chin up, hon."

As they left, Yoshi looked to see Shinobu standing at her shoulder, frowning slightly. They stared at each other for a moment in a terse silence.

"Shinobu," Yoshi said finally, quietly, "Do you really think I can't learn to--"

"Of course you can," Shinobu interrupted. She laid a paw on Yoshi's arm and leaned forward to murmur, "I think the world of you, you know. I do. Even," she admitted, "when my foot is firmly lodged in my mouth. I promise."

Yoshi hugged her. "Thanks, Shinobu," she whispered. "Love you."

Shinobu rested her chin on Yoshi's shoulder, closing her eyes briefly. "I love you too, child."

As they separated and Yoshi turned away to join Liya, Shinobu called after her, "And visit more often!"

"All right, all right," Yoshi replied. Shinobu watched as she walked away, Liya talking excitedly about the exploring she'd done that day as they went.