Cure
Act I
It started when the leaves began to fall and the air became significantly cooler than usual in Wistal. It wasn't as cold as Lyrias but the air definitely had a chill to it at night.
She remembered the day clearly because it was the first fight she'd ever had with Obi. Well, she supposed it wasn't even a fight - perhaps a disagreement? There was no yelling and it wasn't really a fight per se.
Shirayuki had received a letter from her father and it was then she decided she should go visit him.
She'd found Obi out in the soldier courtyard as he'd just dismissed his men after a rather hard training session.
"I can't leave, Miss," he said as he grabbed the towel from her hand that she had offered and wiped his face with it.
The words shocked her but she wasn't angry or upset about it. How could she be when he looked so forlorn and guilty about saying them.
Of course, she knew it was because of his duties since he was a knight now. He had soldiers that worked under him and plus, he was still Prince Zen's guard and 'messenger' - above all else.
He had officially stopped being her body guard the moment Zen's engagement was announced to a lovely girl from Wilant - a daughter of a very rich and prominent Lord.
However, despite this, Obi had never stopped seeing her when he could. And vice versa. They were inseparable when time permitted, treating her like he always had when he was her body guard, and Ryuu often came over to Shirayuki's apartment (now in the Herbalist quarters with Garrack) to have dinner and sometimes stay the night.
There was a story behind Zen's engagement but this wasn't the issue right now and at least eighteen months had passed since then, anyway.
She opened her mouth to say something but she just realised she hadn't even asked him to go with her; he had assumed she wanted him to go, which of course, she did.
Well, that was a change. It was always her that had to ask him...convince him that she wanted him to go with her.
"I...I understand but surely I can go ask Zen-"
"Miss, he would say yes but I have to train fifty soldiers before next month, then I have to go to Wilant to organise Lugis' troupe and then I have to come back and I have paperwork...paperwork Miss!"
Shirayuki's eyes were wide because he actually was angry or was it just annoyance? No...it was stress. Obi was stressed and she understood it and yet she was frustrated and annoyed too because she just wanted him to go away with her. Like a sort of holiday, she supposed, and it would be good for him too.
And usually she would never feel annoyed at Obi, even if he snapped at her. She always just returned a smile and nodded in understanding.
For some reason, she wanted to introduce Obi to her father as...well...as what exactly? She wasn't sure. Her father knew him from years earlier when she had just been rescued but not properly. She wasn't even sure Obi had spoken to him.
"I understand, Obi but-"
"No...you don't, actually," he began, pulling a hand through his hair at the back, looking to the ground.
She didn't know why she felt a little miffed about his refusal to come but she was just so used to being his first priority, perhaps that was it? Was that why she just felt like...balling like a spoilt child?
No. She wouldn't do that. Poor Obi, he was under stress and here she was about to ask him to go away with her. Maybe...maybe she should wait for a while.
He was always making time for her after training his men and then also doing his job as Zen's aide and it was draining him; she was draining him.
Shirayuki sighed and gave him a smile, just like she always did.
"I do. And Obi, I'm sorry, okay? I should let you go back to work."
He watched her walk off with a small wave and he just let out a breath. He wanted to call out to her to tell her he was sorry for snapping at her but he just didn't have the damn time.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A few days later, it happened again.
It was during dinner and luckily Ryuu hadn't been present at the time.
"...you'd like it there, I know you would-"
He groaned, putting down his cup of tea to stare at her from across the table. "Miss, talking about it isn't going to convince me," he sighed.
Shirayuki stopped doing the dishes and turned to look at him with incredulity. "I-That wasn't my intention, Obi...I'm sorry, I won't talk about it. How was your day, then?" she asked, trying to lighten his mood.
Obi looked away, guilty again. He knew he was just taking out his stress on her and it wasn't right and there she went apologising again.
"At this rate, they'll never scale a wall, that's for sure," said Obi, picking up his cup again.
His auburn eyes moved to Shirayuki and he noticed how long her hair had gotten. It was probably a few inches below her shoulders now and it was just getting longer.
God she was beautiful.
He'd been such bad company lately and his Miss just took it all. She wanted to visit her father in the Tanbarun mountains and Christ, he wanted to go. He really wanted to go. But how could he? The work kept piling up, word of bandits moving from various areas of the country and attacked without discrimination gave the King a wary distrust and so, he had pushed all his Captains and Knights to train soldiers and get ready in case something happened.
And it had fallen to Zen to ensure that this new regime was implemented without fail.
Therefore, he had put a lot of stress on Obi to fulfill the King's expectations while also doing some recon jobs for Zen and that also meant his own paperwork was piling up too.
When had his life turned out this way? What happened to those times where he could just laze around and have a nap in a tree, while always having a close eye on his Miss? Now he barely saw her during the day and it was only at night where he could relax and just be with her and Ryuu.
But she always had dinner on the table for him and he wondered, could he really get used to this?
"Yuzuri and Suzu are coming to visit soon! Tomorrow in fact-" began Shirayuki but Obi had zoned out for a moment.
Since when? And where were they going to stay?
"Huh?"
"I told you last week, remember?" prompted Shirayuki, turning her head to look at him with her hands still in the water.
"Yeah...sorry, I've been busy," said Obi blankly, trying to remember but for the life of him he just couldn't. "Where are they gonna stay, Miss? I mean, cos then if they stay here, where will I-"
He stopped himself for a moment. He did have his own room but he'd stopped using it a year ago.
Shirayuki stiffened because she hadn't even thought of that! "Well, there are rooms down town at the inn-"
"Miss, its okay. I can just go back to my room in the castle," he said with a frustrated sigh. There goes his relaxing sleep.
"Oh, no Obi its okay, honestly-"
"No, Miss. Besides, I'll be able to get some work done while they're here," he said which caused Shirayuki to fully turn her body, her hands at her sides with suds and water dripping on the ground.
"Why...do I...do I distract you?" she asked quietly, her forest green orbs filled with guilt.
God, what was with his tactless words lately?
"Shit...no Miss, I didn't mean-I just...she's your best friend so you should spend time with her."
He got up from his chair and put his empty mug into the soapy water in the sink and then turned, putting his hands on her shoulders, closing the distance between them.
For a brief second, he wondered how he had gotten the courage to touch her like this. But it was okay now and she never had pushed him away.
"And yeah, maybe you do distract me sometimes. But its a good distraction."
Her lips upturned slightly and she looked up at him as she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his torso. He let out a breath, with his chin resting on top of her head, and his arm snaked around the back of her small frame.
"Alright, but I'll miss you."
"Me too."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yuzuri and Suzu had been in Wistal for about two weeks now and when they found out that Shirayuki was planning on going to stay with the Mountain's Lions for a while, they were so intrigued, that they kept talking about it.
"Amazing. I'd love to go there one day, Yuki," smiled Yuzuri, her turquoise eyes looking up into the sky, just imagining Tanbarun's landscapes.
Shirayuki smiled and nodded. "You could come next time if you want?"
Suzu sighed. "Is that cos lover boy is going with you this time?"
Yuzuri giggled and watched as Shirayuki's cheeks lit up.
"Well...I'm hoping but, he said he can't go. But that was a few weeks ago so I'm hoping to leave the conversation for a while and then ask when he seems less stressed," she said with a hopeful expression and then turned to smile at Yuzuri.
The light blue haired girl raised an unimpressed eyebrow and then locked eyes with Suzu who was on the same wavelength.
Shirayuki could see where this was going and grabbed Yuzuri's arm and shook her head. "Don't bring it up with him. He's got a lot going on at the moment-"
"Oh? More important than you? I don't think so!" shrilled Yuzuri in annoyance.
Suzu nodded in agreement.
They sat outside under a tree near the forest's entrance. In fact, it was near the spot where Zen had told her he loved her all those years ago.
The sun was about to set on a gorgeous, fun filled day.
They had explored the forest where Shirayuki had showed Yuzuri, the Botanist, some wonderful Clarinese native flowers which she had catalogued and Suzu was interested in how their properties were useful in Herbalism.
She had expected these questions and so Ryuu had been with them earlier, explaining it all. Of course, Shirayuki could too but Ryuu enjoyed it more than she.
Garrack had given her today off and called it a 'inter-cultural work experience day'. And for the past two weeks, Suzu and Yuzuri were able to provide them with some interesting discussions about both Herbalism and Botany - as well as a lot of laughs.
"Please don't mention it...I don't want him to think I'm trying to pressure him-"
"Obi? Pressure? Don't make me laugh, Shirayuki. He's the most laid back guy I've ever met!" said Suzu, rolling his eyes.
Shirayuki sighed. "Look. Don't tell anyone but lately, he's been a little...how do I put it...annoyed. I think its something I said, I'm not sure. Its the pressure of his higher duties too. Back in Lyrias, he only had to worry about me but now he has taken on the responsibilities of a knight to the fullest degree, he has been under the pump. And you know him, he never shows his emotions like that."
Yuzuri looked thoughtful and Suzu puzzled.
"Wow, man, would never have thought it, hey Yuzuri?"
She smirked and shook her head.
"Oh dear, Shirayuki...tell me. Have you heard about the honeymoon stage in a relationship?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Shirayuki's cheeks were blushed and had been for the last half an hour. A relationship? Her and Obi?
Well, yes, it was but platonically. He would never think of her that way and to say that it was anything but that was just assumptions!
"You're saying that we're in a relationship and that we've passed the honeymoon stage and yet...we're not..."
"Damn it girl! You cook him dinner, clean and he sleeps in the same bed with you every night! You can't tell me that's not a romantic relationship," exclaimed Yuzuri, absolutely appalled that Shirayuki was denying it. "And by the way, most married couples don't even sleep in the same bed and nor have sex anymore!"
She thought about that and though it did seem that way...it just wasn't. They all reached Shirayuki's apartment.
"Look, I know what you're saying Yuzu but the point is, please just don't bring it up when Obi comes over," she said, opening the door but looking at Yuzuri as she entered.
Not even realising the candles were already on.
Suzu stopped dead and tapped Shirayuki on the shoulder.
"Don't bring what up?" said a curious voice from the kitchen.
Obi had an apple in his hand, which he had just taken a bite of, but now had an eyebrow raised. He was wearing his black uniform but had taken off the jacket, with only a black t-shirt underneath and black trousers - but was barefoot with his boots off. The first thing he always did when he walked in the door was take his uniform off but since Yuzuri and Suzu were visiting, he didn't take off anything else.
Today had been particularly taxing since some Lords had visited today, so he had to look respectable and also meet with some of them, along with some other Captains and Knights.
"O-Oh, Obi. I'm sorry I didn't have dinner ready, we got so distracted-"
"Nar its okay," he smiled, his eyes flicking down to Shirayuki's with a wink.
He curbed the urge to hug her in front of their friends since he didn't want them to get the wrong idea about them. Plus, Yuzuri was a notorious big mouth and gossiper and he didn't want to put his Miss in a difficult and awkward position.
"So...what were you saying?" he asked, pointedly looking at Suzu.
Suzu's sandy blonde hair was a mess as usual, looking like he'd just gotten out of bed, and he brought a hand up to the back and rubbed his neck, awkwardly dodging Obi's gaze.
"Oh...nothing really," he said and then caught Shirayuki's gaze, warning him not to open his mouth.
Yuzuri rolled her eyes. "Screw this. Obi, why aren't you taking your 'Miss' to the Tanbarun mountains, do you know how long she's waited?"
Silence enveloped the room. He was shocked but then that shock soon turned to annoyance.
Shirayuki could see it in his eyes. Oh god, why Yuzuri, why?
And Obi, poor sweet Obi had been working so hard and now he'll think she's pestering him.
"I'm sure Miss has told you I can't," he said quietly, looking down at her once more.
She nodded. "Of course. That's why I asked them not to bring it up!"
Obi took another bite of his apple and then narrowed his eyes over at Yuzuri. They still stood in the entrance of the apartment but luckily the door was closed.
"Then why dwell on it?" he asked when he'd finished his mouthful.
"Because, isn't she more important than work? Surely you've earned a break! If you ask the Prince-"
But he'd stopped listening. He was trying to keep his anger at bay...his annoyance but it was getting harder to focus on that the more that girl dribbled on.
Kai was no where near ready to go out into the field, another group could hardly throw daggers straight and he was due to go on a mission tomorrow. Did he have time to deal with Shirayuki's friend tonight?
No, not really.
Yuzuri was his friend too but man, she was really grating on his nerves.
"She can go on her own, you know. I don't have to be with her. I'm not stopping her...I'm not her body guard anymore," he said in annoyance.
He didn't yell but it was the way he said it.
Shirayuki's eyes widened and Yuzuri shut her mouth so fast, it was like it was never open. And Suzu groaned because what he'd said was meant to shut Yuzuri up - it wasn't meant to hurt the one girl he knew that Obi loved.
Obi shocked himself too and as soon as he'd said it, his eyes went to Shirayuki who was looking at the ground now, some of her red locks hid her expression so he couldn't tell what she was thinking.
Tactless. Man he was so tactless. He did blame it on the pressure from his job but ultimately, it was his own fault. He opened his mouth to apologise but she beat him to it.
"You're right, I'm sorry about all this Obi," she spoke softly but she wasn't looking at him (why wouldn't she look at him?). "I just remembered, there was something Garrack asked me to do at the office. Please excuse me."
And then she was gone.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
He never found her that night because she hid in a place he'd never look. Zen's office.
"So...you want some leave..." he asked, puzzled by the sudden motivation to go on a holiday.
He shot a look at Mitsuhide who shrugged and Kiki simply smiled.
"Well deserved, I think," she said in her normal taciturn voice but held a very small smile.
"Hmm but you know that Obi is under a lot of pressure lately-"
"Oh yes! I know, I'll be going on my own," she said suddenly but she averted her gaze, remembering Obi's words earlier.
Mitsuhide frowned at this and Kiki even raised an eyebrow.
"Are you having a tiff? Since when does that happen?" asked Zen suspiciously.
Shirayuki sighed. How would she get Zen to just approve it when she looked so down like this?
She wondered, what would Obi do?
Oh yes, deflect with a joke. A really bad one where people would wonder if it were true or not.
"The truth is, we had sex, I'm pregnant and now I'm running off to the Tanbarun mountains to hide it from him."
Zen's eyes practically popped out from its sockets. Kiki coughed and Mitsuhide seemed to have trouble breathing.
"WHAT?!" they all exclaimed at once.
But she laughed. Just their reactions alone were amusing.
Ah yes, now she knew why Obi said such things.
"I'm sorry, Zen...Mitsuhide and Kiki. I'm just joking," she said with a sheepish smile.
Mitsuhide breathed a sigh of relief, Kiki smiled and shook her head and Zen just stared at her in disbelief. Was this the Shirayuki he knew?
"Now, could you please approve the leave?"
Zen had never processed a document so fast in his entire life.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"I'm so excited, Yuki! We're going to-" began Yuzuri but then saw Shirayuki putting an index finger to her lips.
"Why are we keeping it from him? He said himself he didn't care if you went," said Suzu with a shrug, as he zipped up his rack sack, ready for travel.
Yuzuri looked at Suzu, scowling at him. She loved the guy but seriously, he was so dense in the ways of romance and also rejection. She put a hand on Shirayuki's back, rubbing circles around it comfortingly.
"I'm so sorry, Yuki...its my fault, I know I shouldn't have brought it up," she said softly, resting her head on Shirayuki's shoulder as her hand snaked its way across her back and into a small hug.
Shirayuki shook her head and it was now that she had tears in her eyes. She wasn't sure why because Obi had just said what she already knew; it wasn't his fault and she deserved it, really.
But when those words came out of his mouth, she had an epiphany. She knew exactly why she had wanted him to come so adamantly, it made her heart ache.
She'd never been needy. She accepted it when Izana had sent her to Lyrias, knowing that she wouldn't see Zen for at least two years and she had missed Zen terribly then but it didn't break her heart.
Why is it now that she was going to see her father that her heart is aching, knowing that Obi wasn't coming with her? And it wouldn't even be for as long Lyrias, no, probably a few months.
Did she really love him that much?
Her eyes widened. And there it was...her epiphany. The creeping emotion that had grown gradually over the course of all the years she'd known the skillful, ninja warrior.
Always making her laugh, helping her, watching over her, sleeping in her bed...making her feel so elated and happy it was killing her.
"No, its not your fault Yuzuri. This is what's best. He...he'll be able to focus more when I'm gone and trust me, he'll be glad for the reprieve."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"You look like shit," laughed Mitsuhide, sword in his hand, pointing it at him.
Obi glared at him but smiled that fake smile he always put on and rushed toward him.
"Was it cos you're fighting with Shirayuki?" he asked, dodging Obi's sword easily.
The ninja stopped and glared at him. "What?" All pretenses and fake smiles were dropped and only genuine confusion was left.
Now Mitsuhide was puzzled and lowered his wooden sword. "Didn't you see her off this morning?"
Obi's heart started to pound in his chest. What the hell? His Miss wouldn't leave without telling him...but then again, after what he said, he didn't blame her.
"Oh...did she leave?"
Mitsuhide was stunned. Shit, they must have been fighting...badly.
"When?"
Now he wasn't sure he should tell Obi, maybe Shirayuki didn't want him to know?
And then Obi was closer and had his wooden sword pointing at his throat with a dangerous look in his eye. "Tell me."
The sword expert sighed, using his index and middle finger to point the sword away from him with a glare. "About now."
He knew that Obi was quick on his feet but Mitsuhide swore he blinked and then suddenly, the guy was gone.
Obi raced to her apartment, using his spare key, he opened the door to find that she had indeed packed up and left. The kitchen was spotless and in her room, draws were half opened and emptied.
When he came out into the dining room, he saw an envelope sitting on the table with his name on it. He swiped it, pocketed it and then ran out, shutting and locking the door behind him.
He raced out to the stables where he saw a stable boy, cleaning up some hay.
"Did you see Shirayuki?"
The boy frowned. "The girl with the red hair."
"Oh yeah Mista, yeah. She left about twenty minutes ago with two others. Pretty she was."
Obi looked down the path from the stable which lead into the horizon, past the Royal gates.
"Yeah...yeah she is."
"Hey Mista. She left this for you."
Obi turned and the boy held out a round container. It was the salve she always rubbed into his cuts and bruises. He grasped it and muttered a thank you to the stable boy but as he left, he couldn't help thinking how it could have been him riding with her. Just the two of them. And even though she was hurt by his words, she still managed to care for him.
He looked at the jar of salve in his hand.
When had he ever cared for a job like this? When had it ever been his top priority?
He knew it was better than he'd ever had it, when he lived day by day and job by job but still. He'd always told himself this was temporary.
But then Shirayuki came along and he wanted to stay. He'd always told himself and he'd even actually said to her that he'd follow her anywhere.
And look at him now...a promise he hadn't kept.
All she wanted was to go see her father with him and he knew she held it off so long because she was waiting for him to come around. He'd just never had the time and then he'd practically told her to go without him. She probably thought he didn't care...like he didn't want to go but he did.
He'd go anywhere with her and usually by now he'd think she didn't need him but it was clear that she did. After Zen had decided to become engaged to someone else, he'd expected Shirayuki to turn him away too.
Obi had waited and waited for the day when she would tell him to leave...but she never did. In the end, it was him that had told her to go.
What a fool he was because he hadn't even meant it!
And she always looked after him, spent time with him and looked after his wounds - listened to all his gripes about his men and how horrible his day was. She was too good for him and there was no way he deserved everything she did for him and yet...he wanted it so badly.
Fuck it. He was going to go. It might not be today but he was going to get leave and go to her.
Yuzuri and Suzu settled into their quarters that one of the elder women of the village had arranged for them, near where Zen, Mitsuhide, Kiki and herself had stayed last time but was just out of the village centre.
Shirayuki had already put her bag into a single bungalow that was near her father's in the village. The rooms were nice enough and she couldn't be more grateful but she couldn't wait to go exploring and to find out more about the village and its people.
She couldn't help but be proud of what her father had established, despite the fact he did all this but sacrificed knowing his daughter. But she didn't mind that anymore because no one could change the past, and who would she be if it were different?
Would she have met Zen, Mitsuhide, Kiki, Raj...Obi?
There her heart went again. Just thinking about him made her miss him.
"So," began Mukaze, awkwardly, sitting on a chair at the bar.
Suzu and Yuzuri were talking animatedly to a local next to her but her father's voice brought her out of her thoughts, thankfully.
"So...what have you been up to?" asked Shirayuki, conversationally. She looked up at him next to her with a smile.
He shrugged. "Oh you know-"
"I heard there's another bandit problem, dad, is that true?"
Mukaze pursed his lips, wondering if he should tell her or not.
"Come on. The King of Clarines knows, therefore, I do because I work there," she said with a roll of the eyes.
He narrowed his eyes down at her as he took a sip of his rum. "Or is it because of that Prince?"
Shirayuki looked taken aback but then she remembered, her father probably hadn't heard of Zen's engagement or that she wasn't with him anymore.
"Father...we're not together anymore. Not that we ever were officially or anything," explained Shirayuki as she took a sip of her own rum.
It seemed all they sold there was rum and ale so there wasn't much choice really.
Mukaze nodded as he downed the rest of his pint.
"I figured that since he wasn't with you and that you hadn't mentioned him yet. There's someone else though, isn't there?"
Shirayuki almost spat out her drink. Since when did he become so intuitive? Isn't that a mother's trait?
"Ah, who is it? Its not that Mitsu-what ever guy is it?" he asked suspiciously, eying her cautiously.
"Oh god...no!" she laughed, pink tinting her cheeks.
Mukaze looked away for a moment, putting an index finger and thumb to his chin in deep thought.
"Don't tell me its that dangerous fellow. The one who defeated Itoya..." began Mukaze whose gaze went to his daughter again, shaking his head. "Now he is a warrior. And lets not forget how far he went to get you...on his own."
Shirayuki went silent and took a quiet sip of her rum.
"No," she lied. "No. He's not even my guard anymore."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A week had passed and Suzu and Yuzuri were in their element. Apparently there was a need of Herbalists because their healer had recently fallen ill and was at an age where they couldn't work properly anyway.
She was quite a woman though, feisty and curt but they were finally getting used to her.
Chiyo was her name and she had been in the village for a long time. Mukaze had saved her from some human trafficking bandits, before the Claw had come into their radar.
"Young people...do you not know finesse at all?! Your fingers feel like ice and are like metal prongs!" she snapped at Yuzuri.
Shirayuki laughed at how she scowled at the old woman and even called her an 'old hag', which only made Chiyo laugh loudly in her face.
Suzu had retreated off with some of the villagers they had come to know, including Kazuki, to find some much needed herbs.
"Say girl, does your young man have any fighting skills?" asked Chiyo to Yuzuri.
The light blue haired girl shook her head. "Not really."
Chiyo looked over at Shirayuki and shook her head. "A shame. The bandits are around the area, can't be too careful. And all good young men should know these things! You've got a useless one there!"
And then she cackled, causing Yuzuri to lose her temper again but when she stopped, Shirayuki saw a seriousness to her expression. It was a warning.
Yuzuri had gone with Mukaze to meet the villagers and Suzu and Shirayuki remained with Chiyo.
The old woman had greying lilac hair, so she imagined in her day it would have been a much more vivid color. She had slender hands and although she was a little overweight now, she could imagine that she would have been quite the beauty back in her day.
She laid in bed with her long hair in a loose plait on one side, a white sleeping kimono covered her body and Shirayuki noticed Chiyo's blue orbs staring at her.
"Tell me, do you love someone, Shirayuki?"
Chiyo's voice was soft and almost...sweet and nostalgic.
"Yes."
"They're not here, though, are they?"
Shirayuki shook her head as she wrung out a white towel, walked over and placed it on top of Chiyo's head. "No."
"Ah, yes. I could see it in your eyes. You didn't have it before, when you came with the Prince and the others, but I can see it now."
She shook her head in disagreement. "You're wrong, Chiyo. I loved Zen, then."
Chiyo raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps, but it wasn't the same love as you have now."
Now she could feel the frustration that Yuzuri had before, but she held it at bay. "I disagree-"
But the older woman held a finger up, stopping Shirayuki's words and her eyes widened a little in surprise. "Girl, you're young so you probably don't know the difference. There are two types of romantic love. One is infatuation. Your heart pounds when you're around them, you think about them and you want to be with them but you can live without them. The second is true love. Your heart and your body ache for them, you want to be with them but you can't live without them."
Shirayuki's eyes widened. She couldn't believe it but...perhaps Chiyo was right? Was this what she felt?
She shook her head, tears coming to her eyes just thinking about it, because it was a tragic tale, wasn't it? Obi...he could live without her. He told her that she should go without him so he...she wasn't like that to him.
"You're right," she smiled through her tears. "But he just...he doesn't-"
"ATTACK!"
Shirayuki and Chiyo immediately looked outside. "Stay here! I'll check it out," gasped Shirayuki, squeezing Chiyo's hand before getting up and running to the window to firstly try and spot what was going on from where she was.
"Don't go out there!" warned Chiyo, but Shirayuki was already out the door.
Dear Obi
As you may have already suspected, I've gone to the Tanbarun mountains. I just wanted to leave this letter but please only read it when you have the time, I know you've been under a lot of pressure and I bothered you unnecessarily with my wishes.
I'm so terribly sorry about last night. I've no words but I'll say this. I told Yuzuri in confidence about my wish to go see my father and I didn't want it to be something that pushed you to anger.
I know that I should have just gone but I suppose I really wanted you to come if you were able to. The reason I didn't was because I wanted you to meet my father, I think you would get on with him since you both are fighters (he has also met you once) and because I don't see myself bringing anyone but you.
Don't feel guilty about what you said to me (you may have already forgotten) but I just want you to know that I understand and what you said is true. You are Zen's knight first and foremost. I suppose I was pampered with your presence so often that I forget that you're no longer my body guard but to me, you are my closest and most treasured friend.
I know these past months I have probably asked too much of you, giving your schedule and higher duties, for that I apologise.
Remember to put on that salve at night and in the morning if you get a cut or bruise. You are free to use my apartment if you want to as you told me its in a much more convenient spot (and most of your clothes are here anyway). I won't be there to cook you meals but just go to the castle kitchen, they cook much better than I do anyway.
I'll be back in a few months and maybe when I get back we could spend the day together if you're not busy but I understand if you can't.
I will miss you,
Shirayuki
He stared at the piece of parchment, placing it back onto Shirayuki's dining table. A week had passed and before he'd even read the letter, he was staying here - although, he'd just gotten back from Wilant to help Lugis with his soldiers.
She apologised like it was her fault and he felt so guilty. He'd never gotten the chance to apologise or tell her how much he didn't mean those words.
Although the part about him not being her guard anymore was true, the rest wasn't. He'd never wanted her to go without him in fact, he never wanted her to travel anywhere without him.
If she wanted him around, he would always want to be by her side.
He sank into the chair with his head in his hands. Never before in his life had a woman made him feel like this.
He thought about her constantly and when he did, his insides churned and his heart beat so fast he thought his chest would explode. But it hadn't always been this way.
When he knew he had no chance to have her, it wasn't this bad. He kept his distance easily, even encouraged Zen to be with her and gave him tips on how to woo her for gods sake.
As soon as he realised Zen had given her away, it was like all that hard work just fell away with a single line.
"Obi...will you stay with me?"
And then of course, he'd said: "Always, Miss."
How could that beautiful, little woman just weave her way into his heart like this? How could she make him say and do things he'd never dreamed of?
Also, he'd never been the sweet, romantic type either. But he always found himself saying how beautiful she was or telling her that she made his heart beat fast and never stopped. When he slept with her, he'd never touch her, not once did he make sexual advances even when he wanted to...so much. She would cuddle against him sometimes, and that killed him, but he did it.
And he had screwed so many others - albeit before meeting Zen and Shirayuki - but had never much cared for being romantic...it was just a need.
So why...what was it that had changed? But no, it wasn't what changed; she had changed him.
That was love, wasn't it?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
His knee touched the red carpet as he knelt in front of his King. Prince Zen seated on his other side and Haki on his right.
If he'd known this was a formal meeting, he probably would have worn his black uniform with his cape.
"Your leave isn't approved, by the way," said Izana, his blue orbs piercing into Obi's.
Obi frowned. Why the hell not?
"Your highness?" questioned Obi and then his eyes flickered to Zen.
"It isn't approved, however, we need you to travel to the Tanbarun mountains. I'm assuming that's where you wanted to holiday to anyway, Sir Obi, is that correct?"
Now he was confused. His leave wasn't approved but they were going to send him there?
"Yes, that's correct. May I ask why?"
Izana smiled but Zen wasn't. He looked worried, in fact.
"Its the bandits. The Mountain's Lions have been trying to eradicate them but two days ago, they were attacked."
Obi's eyes widened and his first thought was of Shirayuki.
"We don't know what has happened but if they can send word then we assume they're okay. We need you to investigate because it seems like their base might be around there or perhaps they're targeting the Lion's now that they know they are enemies. However, you cannot leave for another week because I need you to ensure the army is up to scratch, in case of an attack here."
After Izana had finished talking, he gauged Obi's reaction. Surprisingly, the knight seemed to be taking it well.
Pity Izana didn't know what was actually going on inside Obi's head.
"Dismissed."
Obi got up and bowed his head before passing a pointed look at Zen and then turned on his heel. Once he was out of the throne room, Izana turned to Zen.
"I'm glad you didn't pipe up with anything smart then, Zen."
Zen was seething, his anger was clearly at a boiling point when he snapped his gaze to his brother.
"You should have told him-"
"What? Of Shirayuki?"
Prince Zen's jaw tightened, his fists clenched on the arm rests of the seat on the left of Izana.
"You know what, King Brother."
"If I'd told him that, he would have disobeyed orders."
Zen bristled. "Does she mean that little to you that you wouldn't let him? I know she's just a commoner," spat Zen, glaring at Izana. "But Shirayuki was seen running into the forest surrounding their village but she hasn't returned and if something happens to her..."
His face drained a little of color, just thinking about it. Not only would he miss her but...
"What?" asked Izana, wondering if Zen was more fond of her than he was letting on.
"If something happens to her we'll have more enemies."
"Ah yes. The Prince of Tanbarun or are you talking about her father, the leader of the Lions?"
Haki stared on quietly, watching the two converse. She knew who Zen was referring to...the reason Zen's face looked pale in fear of them.
"A person who has loved her for a long time...who holds her dear to his heart and the only man who we should fear," said Zen quietly, his blue orbs clouded as he thought deeply on how this could all turn out.
Izana was puzzled and he felt a small, soft hand on his forearm. His gaze went to Haki and she gave him a sad smile, shaking her head.
"Its Sir Obi."
Zen nodded when Izana looked at him with confusion. "Him?"
"He's one of my closest friends and the best damn fighter I've ever seen...which is why I know the lengths he'll go. If she dies, no one will save us."
Izana thought for a moment and with a sigh, he leaned back in his throne. "There's no point telling him now. He's loyal to us...to you, I don't think you're giving him enough credit."
Zen shrugged. "Maybe he wouldn't seek revenge if she died but he would never help us again, knowing that we could have sent him earlier. But to be honest, I'd like to go too...right now...if I weren't the Prince of Clarines, that is."