Shirayuki ran around the castle trying to gather the remaining herbs for the next shipment. She was trying to keep herself busy and trying not to think of the battle that Zen had left to take charge of. Taking Obi, Mitsuhide, and Kiki with him. She had tried not to dwell on the worst-case scenario that they could be dead but Zen's brother, Izana asked for at least a weekly status report of what was happening.
However, she was given the news as well of all there safe and that they were currently winning the war. The last that she heard from them was that they had driven back the enemy troops and were maintaining the line of defense. While Izana started negotiation to end th war but those were not going as equally as good.
"Shirayuki?" Ryuu called out to her.
"Hmm. Yes, Ryuu." Shirayuki said as she stopped what she was doing to look at her friend.
"You don't need that many." Ryuu said pointing to her basket. Shirayuki looked down and blushed as she noticed she did, in fact, take to many.
"Sorry Ryuu." Shirayuki said.
"It's no big deal, just be more careful. Now let's get back so we can start making this ointment." Ryuu said.
"Right," Shirayuki said following him. ' I have to try and not worry about Zen, Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi are by his side. I'm sure he will be fine.' she thought.
A few weeks passed when she got another notice from Zen's camp and it had said that he was gravely wounded and he was being sent back from the front lines. Izana tried to keep this to only members of his court but it spread until it got to Shirayuki's ears.
"Is Zen okay?" Shirayuki asked as she got an audience with Shirayuki.
"He is fine, Shirayuki. It was not serious as the rumors make it out to be he managed to break his leg but he is fine." Izana said.
Shirayuki ket out a sigh in relief that she did not know she was holding in.
"And the delegations have been successful so he shall be returning home in three weeks," Izana told her.
Shirayuki felt her heart soar at his words, she would get to be with Zen soon.
