Chapter Eight: Haru's Gift

Haru was sitting on a log chair outside the large tent that Yuki spent most of her time, and a sizable crowd had gathered around her, to soak in her healing music.

The tall blonde nurse was standing at the opening of the tent, looking inside with shock. "If you keep this up, Haru, I'll be out of a job."

"Should I stop?" her friend asked; concerned for Yuki's livelihood.

The other people shook their heads as the slim brunette felt a familiar hand on her shoulder.

"Actually, it might be best if you took a break for a while, Haru. Your arms are starting to shake."

The young girl laughed a little guiltily while finishing the song with a trill, not quite sure of what would happen if she just broke off the song.

An older woman sighed happily. "I haven't felt this good in years. Our thanks, Miss Haru."

The brunette smiled uneasily, remembering all the damage Baron had said she had done over the years. Just how much good was she doing, when compared to all the terrible things she had done. How could all these people just forgive her without a second thought? Was it because of her tawny friend, who now gave the orders around the camp?

Baron wrapped a dark navy cloak around her after she gently set her father's instrument in its case like the nobleman had shown her to do, loosening the strings first so that they wouldn't wear faster. The blonde nobleman snuck another hug from her as the crowd around them dispersed in order to fulfill their separate duties. She could see her uncles grinning wickedly at her as Baron firmly linked arms, making her blush without wanting to.

'Uh oh. My uncles are teaming up. This can only mean trouble. Does it have anything to do with Baron?' She shook her head at herself as Baron tightened his grip on her slightly, still reluctant to be too far from her. 'Knock it off. He's the same guy you knew before. Nothing's changed.'

Haru knew that if she had voiced that thought aloud, people would have just laughed at her. Everything had changed, including her uncles (though not by much). It was strange; people always acted a little weird when Baron was with her when she was younger, but now, it was like they couldn't wait to leave them alone. Was there some sort of unspoken message that she had completely missed?

Or, even stranger; did this have something to do with the talk her mother had given her when she was eleven about growing up and boys? The very thought of that embarrassing talk made her blush harder as Baron pulled her close, to escort her to the mess tent. She had always thought that the name was appropriate, considering the mess Uncle Muta could make when he entered it, ready for a meal. The thought of watching her fat uncle pig out made her giggle and calm down. But what she saw through the corner of her eye left a strange hole in her soul.

Prince Lune was extending his arm to Yuki, who took it with a giggle and kissed his cheek. The crown prince blushed with pleasure, making Haru think carefully about her own treatment of Baron. Was it acceptable? They were still friends, right?

Somehow, she knew they were, but something had still been changed.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A few hours later, Haru and Yuki were slipping between the covers of the bed they were now sharing; posted guards outside to ensure that nothing would happen to them.

The brunette laughed again. "Sorry for intruding your tent like this, Yuki."

"Don't mention it. I actually feel better about this than being alone. You know I've always been a little afraid of the dark, and I've missed you terribly."

Haru smiled at the old memory and gripped her friend's hand. "I'm not afraid, and I'm right here. I'll protect you."

Yuki laughed softly, already feeling drowsy. "I've missed hearing you say that, from when our parents would let us sleep over. I was always jealous of you, you know."

Haru blinked, since she had always been jealous of Yuki for always being so patient and kind-hearted. What qualities could she possibly have to make the beautiful blonde jealous? "Are you kidding? Why?"

The tall blonde shrugged, wiggling deeper underneath the covers for warmth. "You're brave without being stupid. I may be three months older than you, but you always felt like a big sister to me. It's so strange to finally be taller than you, and for you to think that you're still twelve, but still be braver than me."

Haru was stunned. She gripped Yuki's hand a little harder. "I don't feel brave, and I've done some pretty stupid things over the years; ones that I'm glad I don't remember doing. But… I think I found something that terrifies me."

Yuki opened one blue eye and smiled. "Well, eighteen years isn't long for some people, I suppose. What is it?"

"I… think I remember what Lune's dad is like, and I know he's not happy about what Baron did. He'll try to come for me again."

Yuki stiffened underneath the sturdy quilt. "Why did he take you in the first place?"

The slim brunette thought about her dream earlier that day, and about the cat baron's strange words to the feline monarch. "I think he's scared of me, but I can't imagine why. I don't remember how to fight, and my music isn't exactly lethal."

Yuki sighed and squeezed her surrogate sister's hand. "Try to sleep, Haru. Tomorrow's going to be a long day. Baron says we need to move again."

The brunette's thoughts immediately made a U-turn away from the king. She wanted to ask Yuki more about the man who had taken over her father's position after Hasho's death, but the beautiful blonde was already asleep. Inhaling deeply, Haru shifted around so that she could watch the slight shadows cast on the tent by the five guards Baron had placed around to keep her safe.

"Haru will be the one to defeat you, not I."

What could she do to defeat the king? Did she have some information, gathered as Shadow that could defeat the king if she could just remember it?

Her eyes widened, and her heart started pounding. 'Defeat' didn't exactly mean 'kill'. Was there a way to take down the king without killing him, but ensure that he wouldn't be a problem later? Haru hoped never to kill again, now that she had a say in whether she did or not, but would she do it, if she had no choice? Was Shadow still a part of her, although the collar was broken?

And what about her ability to heal people with her father's instrument? Was that a final gift from her father, even though he was dead? Could she do more than heal, if she tried? She sighed and tried to silence her thoughts in order to join her friend in slumber. Whatever happens, she must be in full control of her senses.