Escape
Why?
Kuga Natsuki ran as fast as her legs would carry her, a spectral blur streaking through the forest. She cared not as invisible bushes and low braches snagged her clothes; they whipped and cut her skin: her arms, her legs, her face, her sides. She moved too quickly to avoid the attack of the forest, and was too wired to feel any indignation. Her heart pumped crazily; loud in her ears. Her body was adrenaline charged and electrified and still it was not enough. Angry tears blurred her vision and soaked her cheeks.
Why?
By the time they noticed her absence, she would be long gone. The alarm would not be raised until the following morn, and they would not suspect her leave to be more than temporary. To make sure though, she had – despite her haste – taken the time to arrange her sheets and pillows in the form of her sleeping self, knowing there was always a late night check on her person. And knowing how late the stable hands worked, she had dared only to leave on foot.
Why?
She willed herself faster, breaths quick, hair whipped back. The pearly hue of the moon streamed through the treetops, just barely lighting the way. Her reckless charge broke the silence in the air as she crashed her way through the forest. Unbeknownst to her, the wildlife hastily darted out of the way, hidden by the low bushes and ferns. The forest was wide awake and terrified of getting in her path.
Why?
Against her will, the memory, fresh in her mind, played out before her eyes once more.
Natsuki never liked secrecy, especially from her parents. It did not help that she had figured out from an early age how to tell if they were lying; but never had she actually told them that. And Natsuki had discovered that to find out her parents' plans, spying on their late evening chats was the best way to go about it. That was where she was now, listening in, with quiet, slow breaths, and her ear pressed to the door. She dared not lean on it, just in case it happened not to be locked and she fell inside; and carefully she had positioned herself so the soft glow of the blazing lantern mounted on the wall would not cast her shadow. She waited.
Eventually, her ears became attuned to their voices – currently, her father was speaking. "… will be a great idea. This was a task by no means light, but I have the greatest faith we have our solution. Do you not think so?"
What are they talking about? She wondered. She waited for her mother to speak, unsure as to why the normally very opinionated woman had taken so long to reply. "I am not so convinced just yet. So far, all we have to go by is a letter; and that is easily fabricated when the sender happens to be a noble."
She frowned. A noble? What fuss was there to be made over them? "You are concerned for her safety. And rightly so – however, I have already inquired with our friends in the Capital, and know this is a gentleman not prone to violence against women. Indeed, he …" Natsuki no longer heard the conversation as her head swam. Impossible, she thought, surely they wouldn't…
The thought had trailed away she realized that yes, they would.
The furious girl increased her pace. How could they, knowing her as they did? Why was it so important that they would overlook her wishes? Why, when she was still so young? Why?
WHY?