Chapter 3: Night Troubles
Well, at least one of his guardians has finally been released, thought Volxx. He glanced warily at Sakura, who was now resting on the sleeping form of Ren. The white orb was seated comfortably as Ren's chest rose and fell to each slow breath. Volxx looked over and saw Coud curled up beside the bed, and he gently walked out into his own adjoining room.
Volxx cupped his hands around the dozing bee on his shoulder and set him onto the cabinet before he himself dropped onto his own bed. It had been an exhausting day, and he really needed to sleep before going on any more. Slowly, his eyelids closed, but not before gazing out the window towards the single oak tree in the front of his cottage.
Ren shot up from where she was, knocking Sakura from her peaceful slumber onto the ground. Sweat soaked through her black dress, which was she was still uncomfortably wearing. A pounding headache made her fall back onto the welcoming pillow. Sakura angrily rose up and launched herself onto Ren for disturbing her from her sleep, and then drifted off towards where Coud was still curled on the ground. Ren followed Sakura with her eyes, and she darted towards the boy on the ground, despite the worsening headache.
As she neared, Ren felt his aura, and was comforted, but began to fall in exhaustion on Coud's foot. The sudden movement startled Coud into waking up.
"Ren!"
Coud moved to catch her, but instead found himself toppled on top of her, squishing Sakura between them. Strangled squeaks were muffled under the pile of bodies, and when Volxx trudged into the room, yawning and glaring at the same time, all three of them were still struggling to rearrange themselves.
"What are you doing at this time of night?" demanded Volxx.
Coud looked and gulped. He felt a menacing aura around Volxx, and decided to avoid any explanation.
"H-Hi, Volxx! D-Did we wake you up?"
"…"
The anger seemed to be building up, and Coud looked around quickly and begged with his eyes for Ren to help.
"I'm sorry!" exclaimed Ren, and with that she prostrated herself in front of Volxx.
Volxx glanced down in surprise, and Coud felt the foreboding aura begin to ebb away, and he sighed in relief.
"It's no real problem, just try to get some sleep," mumbled Volxx, and he trudged back to his own adjoining room to get back to sleep.
Coud turned to Ren, and thanked her profusely. She blushed, and returned to the bed to sleep, but suddenly turned back to Coud in horror.
"I can't sleep on your bed, master! You must sleep there, and I will sleep on the floor!"
"What are you talking about?" Coud asked and looked at her incredulously.
"Master Coud can't do this much for Ren, Ren hasn't done anything to deserve this…"
"No, you need to rest. I order you to sleep on the bed."
Ren opened her mouth in preparation to protest, but closed it and went back towards the bed in resignation. Coud smiled as he watched her walk. Sakura followed the Guardian and settled on the cushioned pillow.
"And, Ren, you don't have to call me Master, just call me Coud."
The morning light filtered through the tattered shades, and Coud reluctantly opened his eyes. They scanned the room until landing upon an empty bed.
"VOLXX!"
I decided to leave this update with a cliffhanger, so I can force myself to continue this. I keep on forgetting to add to it, even though I promised to myself I would.