Too Close To Tell You
Chapter 5 – Seeking Prey
AN: Don't own it, never will; I stopped crying in chapter 3. (Sniffle)
She stepped into the palace, not caring that she stood on bodies. Not giving them any kind of respect, instead her gaze fixated on her brother, sitting on the floor in the center of the room.
'Did you kill them?' He asked somberly, slowly standing up to greet his darling sister.
She shook her head. 'No. They didn't escape the Gallery at the waterfront, but villagers saw a young man carrying a young lady fleeing from the city near the Queens Crucifix.'
He nodded. 'Our little rats had a map obviously, you know what to do.'
'Already done.' She answered. 'I have sent Arushka after them; after all she is the best of my bounty hunters. What have you been doing Lutin?' She wondered brushing back her long dark hair.
He laughed, 'I, dearest Lania have been sucking the souls from these corpses, can't let them go to waste now can I?'
'Certainly not.' She laughed. 'I will keep you up to date then, oh and brother?'
'Yes darling sister?' He chimed.
She straightened the short skirt, 'I want the child's corpse. His spirit will be very useful to me.' With that she left, her laugh filling the empty halls of the Winter Palace.
In the shadows the figure moved swiftly, following her prey. Waiting for the right moment to strike. She had her orders. 'Kill the man, but take the girl to Lutin.' He stumbled through the snow only a hundred yards away. He was right to go slower, the road was sleety and every footstep was a struggle. She had been warned of his impressive skills as a swordsman, and his hearing. She was sure that she was far enough away, but they way he moved through the forests…he was aware of her presence.
That forced her to move back farther, so he was just in sight. She followed him half the night. Impressively he had carried the girl the whole time. He didn't stop to rest; not once through his ordeal. Why was it so important to kill the man? He was rather handsome, and well built. Obviously very strong and with a will that would be fun to break, he would make a fabulous ally.
'TOOOOOOOOOOOT!'
The sound broke her thoughts. The man had straightened; he began to jog now towards the sound. 'No!' She said begging to follow him closer now. He had made a risky move, pushing himself faster on such a slippery surface, yet he miraculously managed to keep his footing. She on the other hand had nearly lost it several times, but she still had to catch him before he escaped.
He turned through the forest trying to find the sound. She chased him now, trying to close the distance between them across the sleety forest floor.
Suddenly he collapsed on the cold concrete floor of an almost invisible platform in the night, and she was forced to stop also. A lot of people gathered around him and carried them onto the train. She hissed her annoyance at being hampered from making a move. Silently she crept around the side and climbed into the very last carriage. She would have to wait until they were alone together, and couples were always alone at one time or another.
The young man stalked his way up and down the train. He quietly chatted with the people along the way, making sure that they were okay. The reason for his patrol however was not making sure that people were unhurt. That was the doctor's job, his search was for the malevolent voice that kept whispering, 'Die, die, kill, and kill.'
He scoured up and down the train trying to find it, but to no avail. His skill was not that precise. Finally he gave up and decided to go and see if Kurando and Anastasia as he called her were all right. He opened the door to see the young man all crouched in the corner. Doctor Maya was checking her over. 'Hey doc!' He said leaning in the doorway.
'Halley.' She answered. 'Well you are right, Mr. Inugami, it is definitely amnesia, and I would expect that it was caused from that nasty fall that you said she took.'
He nodded somberly at the comment. 'How long will she be like this?' He asked concern in his voice.
'Who knows? Could be hours, could be years before she regains any kind of memory. Head injuries are serious and more often than not unpredictable. For all we know, she may never regain her memory.'
Again Kurando nodded. 'Thank you.'
'Well Anastasia will probably need some rest, Halley if you could bring her some water so she can wash herself, and if you can a change of clothes.
'Give this to Anastasia, it's her favorite. She said a beautiful and mysterious widow gave it to her.'
'Alexei…' He whispered. He suddenly stood up. 'She has a change of clothes, here.' He reached inside his traditional Hakama top and pulled the softest autumn colored fabric out and handed it to her. She took it for a moment; a troubled look came over her face, as if the worst head ache in the world had hit her. 'I'm sorry. I think I remember this, but I can't quite put my finger on it.' She laid it out in front of her and smiled, 'It is very beautiful though isn't it.'
Kurando nodded. 'Yeah, but it looks even more beautiful on you.'
She blushed. 'Thank you Mr. Inugami.'
'Just Kurando, please?' He asked smiling gently.
She nodded at him. 'Kurando… I like that name.'
The doctor stood up and stretched, 'Well I shall be making my rounds now. I have many sick and injured patients.' She said with a yawn. 'When you bring Anastasia her water could you please help me with the old woman in carriage three? She had a terrible infection last night.' Maya said picking up her old and worn bag. 'This war has just turned extremely brutal; if you are traveling Mr. Inugami I would suggest extreme caution. It's not just the soldiers taking bullets any more.'
'Thank you for your time.' Kurando said standing up and bowing to her respectfully. 'I guess that I should leave you to rest now, Anastasia.'
She looked at the small garment before her. 'Please stay for a little while at least? I have some questions.'
The doctor shrugged and left the room, followed by Halley. 'Doc! Wait up!' He yelled as the door closed behind him.
He sat on the edge of her bed and clutched his chest again.
'Are you in some kind of pain?' She asked quite gently touching his hand with two of her delicate fingers.
'It's nothing.' He answered. 'Just a little tired that's all.'
The features on her face twisted a little, but she didn't comment on it again. 'Who am I? Please be honest… I really want to know.'
He hesitated. 'Your name is Princess Anastasia Romanov.' He answered.
Anastasia nodded, 'How old am I?'
'You'll be 17 in two weeks, on the 15th of October.'
'One more question.' She hesitated this time. 'Are we lovers?'
He paused, his eyes threatened to spill tears again. 'I-…'
She kept those brilliant emerald eyes on him, and said nothing; she just waited very patiently for his answer.
A single tear slipped down his cheek. 'W-we both…' He started. 'I-I mean… we,' He turned his head unable to answer such a painful question.
She had noticed he'd begun to shake; quickly she reached up and wiped the offending tear away. 'Tell me, did we love each other?'
Kurando nodded. 'W-we...ahhh.' He laughed nervously and stood up. 'I don't want to seem like I'm taking advantage of you Anastasia, so I will say this. I love you; I have always loved you and will always love you. I know you cannot possibly remember if you feel the same way about me, but if I have to I'll… I'll win your heart again.'
She felt her eyes begin to water, she felt so helpless sitting there watching this handsome young man in anguish and it was all her fault. 'I'm sorry.'
'No don't apologise.' He answered. 'I don't want that, not at all.' He sat beside her on the bed; he took her hands into his own. 'You once told me that more than any thing you should always look at the brighter side of life, even if it hurts the most. I'm doing that now Anastasia and I will be your pillar of strength again. I swear that to you.'
To his surprise she began to sob into his chest. 'Thank you.'
She stalked silently through the carriage, knowing now that she would have to be more careful from now on. That young man that called himself Halley was aware of her presence and had nearly caught her several times. She would have to leave her search for the handsome trophy and his princess until she was in a less compromising position… she would wait until Halley slept and then she would take her prey as an owl may snatch a mouse in the night. Yes, like an owl…