Karai grew cold and warm all at once, terrified by the responsibility he invited her to partake of, elated by the namesake he was so quick to use, neesan, inspiring protectiveness in her embrace even as her eyes drifted shut to savor the moment's intimacy.
She'd become a child who'd been offered a first look at her newborn brother, getting a sense of his form, warmth, and vulnerability, all the while in awe of his nuanced perfection.
And as any child would, Karai had a host of questions eager to be heard. Nestled in her arms was the promise of answers to come, but under the heavy carapace at his back, she could still feel Leonardo shaking.
He knew as well she did the brilliant place he'd brought her to could only last so long.
Karai drew away. Her hands nevertheless found a place on Leonardo's shoulders to rest on as she searched his face, willing him to look at her, and to listen.
"I may not have given you reason to before, but-"
Karai caught herself, falling silent and recollecting her thoughts carefully as she slid palms down his arms to take his hands into her own. Studying them, thumbing at the rough knuckles she found there, her heart focusing on him again, only him, and then a half remembered Tang Shen. It didn't matter if the sea swallowed itself and the sky was snuffed out by city lights. The mere thought that the world about them could disappear seemed inconsequential when its creator leaned so heavily into her arms.
He needed strength. Not guidance, never that, for Leonardo was a North Star if she'd ever seen one, but the role of an Atlas didn't suit him.
"I need you to believe in me. Trust in my sword," she said, even as her grip became almost unbearably tight and she tugged the boy closer. "I've found my truth. You've given me a new purpose to live for, and this changes everything, but-"
A hand slipped away and pressed open-palmed to her chest.
"I'm still angry."
More than angry. Furious. Enraged and eager to make Saki regret having ever attempted against her family-but the waves were gentle, and the sky still beautifully luminous. Even they were not enough to sway her ire, but Leonardo was. Breath catching, Karai was forced to steel herself against a sudden onslaught of grief at the thought of being parted from him even one more night.
'The day I desert is the day I order a death sentence on them all.'
"I have to go back." A clipped voice that had gone dissonant as she continued. "Any change in my regimen is bound to be noticed-and questioned. I may hold high rank, but it seems I've been nothing more than a pawn to him from the very beginning."
She paused, searching gaze still riveted intently upon her brother.
"I promised my protection to our family. I need you to promise your trust in me. Until we can find a way to rid ourselves of him once and for all, we'll have to keep our distances a while longer."
An uncharacteristically hesitant smile curved her mouth as she touched knuckles lightly against Leonardo's chin.
"It's not like we've ever had trouble finding each other before."