TWENTY – Love Expressed By A Breathing Mystery

Obi strolled himself back quietly, the only sound he could truly hear were the heels of his boots with every step he took. His head felt heavy, his brain throbbing with the thought of what had just occurred. He's never felt so sick, so horrified and disgusted by his Master and by the words that slid right off his tongue. His amber eyes diverted down to see his palms, making him part his lips in mere shock.

The things he was capable of doing for this girl was beyond him.

Kiki and Mitsuhide hadn't bothered trying to stop him for more words over the affair between their Highness and the sweet herbalist. Obi was glad they hadn't, for he didn't think he'd be able to say any more than what he's already said. Going into detail would crash him, and he just wanted to see his Miss so bad, it hurt.

Corridor after corridor, Obi tried to make his velocity an appropriate amount as he led himself to Shirayuki's room. He had greeted several guards kindly as well as maids, giving them small smiles as he passed them. But to his dismay, he saw a crowd of maids piling in front of Shirayuki's room, and that caught Obi completely off-guard.

"What's happening?" Obi shouted, dashing down the corridor to reach the room within seconds. "Excuse me!" Maids moved away so Obi could press his hands against the wooden door. He placed his ear on it, hearing painful cries emit from it. "Why is Miss crying? Why is she crying?"

The maids gave him a horrified expression, and Obi was running low on patience.

"Why is she crying?" Obi screamed, twisting the doorknob to find it locked. He kept twisting it frantically, nerves collecting as he was jingling it. "Miss? MISS!" He kept punching the door with his fist, each hit becoming stronger.

"W-we heard it just a few minutes ago, if that helps…" One of the maids squeaked, having Obi nod in gratitude as he kept hitting the door. Shirayuki only kept crying, having Obi mentally melt that she wouldn't respond to him. "Should we get a guard?"

"No, that's alright," Obi muttered, waving his arms at them to insinuate them to back off. The maids moved, their hands resting on their chests in worry and fear. He formed a fist with his hand once more before punching the door again. He was smashing his fist against the strong wood, hoping Shirayuki would realize and open the door. "Miss, please open up!"

No response came through, and that made Obi more uneasy. His knuckles were getting their flesh peeled off as he kept hitting the wooden door. Blood was gushing from his knuckles, but Obi was far too desperate to be preoccupied with the pain. His bone began breaking some of the wood as well, resulting in a small dent on the door and a few splinters in the boys hand.

"Miss, please open up!" Obi cried, slamming his hands on the door several times before pausing to listen to her whimper. It was shaky and a little quieter, having Obi be able to hear her harsh breaths with a side of her constant sniffling. "Miss, it's Obi. I can come in, right?"

She still refused to respond, having Obi grit his teeth in frustration before stuffing his hand in his pocket. Fishing inside briefly, he conjured one of his knives and bent down. His eyes met with the locks hole and began picking it starting from the tip of the knife. He kept shaking it to the left, then the right. But he realized the knife got bigger the deeper he put it in, and it wasn't going to prove to be suffice.

Obi let out a gruesome string of inappropriate words as he tossed the knife to the side. He sat on his bottom, with his knees bent and his legs barely straight. Both legs formed obtuse angles as Obi planted his elbows on his knees and interlocked his hands by the fingers. The tips of his feet were pressed against the door as he stared at it in frustration.

"Miss," Obi cooed, feeling blood seep out of his hands as he stared at the dark oak door. It was slowly killing Obi that she wasn't responding or letting him in. He didn't know why and couldn't understand why. All he wants to do is take care of her, love her. Give her all that he his and guarantee her safety not only for her sake, but for his own. "Please…"

As Obi let out his words of desperation, he found himself feeling an internal pain ensuing. His hands quickly rested upon his chest where his heart resided, feeling as each beat produced a jolt of pain. Maids crowded him, questions pooling in the air as his hearing began to fade. Obi was feeling sick as his heart throbbed, unsure where this pain was coming from. But he knew for a fact that it could not have been a physical infliction.

This one's emotional. And lucky for Obi, his cure opens the door right in front of him.

"Obi?" Shirayuki's soft, tender voice kissed Obi's words back to life. Obi looked at her, studying her face with ease.

Her face, completely flushed with her cheeks being the rosiest part. Her eyes were developing bags, having them seem like sockets of pink irritation. Her eyes were coated with tears, with a stream going down her cheeks like a waterfall. And her lips—they were cut and chapped, as though she were gnawing on them harshly. But Obi could finally see her, and the pain in his heart was easily soothed.

Extending his arms, Obi was quick to pounce Shirayuki into her room. Shirayuki was completely shocked as Obi held her in his arms and rolled them in. He was careful not to fall on her, but rather sat up and had her waist down between his extended legs. She held her torso up with her hands on the floor, allowing Obi to keep his hold on her without slipping down. She could feel his hands pull at her clothing as he held her, allowing herself to press her face into his chest. Obi nuzzled his face into her red hair and took a deep whiff, intoxicating himself with her strawberry scent.

"O-Obi, are you okay?" Shirayuki asked quietly, having Obi smile widely at the tone of her voice. It may have been more of a cry, and slightly broken, but it was hers. And that's all Obi needed.

"You may go now," Obi muttered, diverting his amber eyes towards the maids, who were peeking through the doorway. A few of them began waving their hands in their face, whispering 'moe' and such things. He smirked, giving the girls a wink before one of them reached for the doorknob and closed the door. The closing of it was gentle, but still sent vibration through the floor and managed to touch the two breathing souls by it. That's when Obi held her tighter, closing his eyes as he nuzzled his face into her hair again.

"Obi?" Shirayuki asked, her voice muffled by his jacket. "Did something happen?"

"You wouldn't open the door," Obi murmured upon her scalp, feeling strands of hair tickle his chapped lips. He grabbed her garment stronger, mentally apologizing for wrinkling the white silk covering her body. "I got scared that something might've happened to you."

Shirayuki's heart skipped a bit, widening her eyes from Obi's words. She had always known that Obi held words of sentiment, but he never got this overworked before. He'd just smile and be glad that she was alright, nothing more, nothing less. But now he was there, holding her in his strong arms, on her floor, his hands slightly shaky while gripping onto her clothing. She could feel his heartbeat go faster than usual, feeling the rhythm gently on her forehead.

"Hey, it's okay," Shirayuki comforted, her gentle voice sounding like violins on a summer day. Obi allowed her to pull away a bit, having his arms slide down to the middle of her back. He couldn't dare go any lower. Shirayuki gave Obi a bright smile, and Obi knew that he would be okay. Guaranteed. "I'm okay."

"I see that," Obi replied warmly, seeing as her emerald eyes twinkle from the certainty in her tone. Shirayuki was glad to have calmed him down, her hands reached to his to hold them. But her thumbs dug between his palm and her side, having her accidentally press his palm to produce pain. Obi winced, and that's when Shirayuki reeled her hands away. "I'm sorry—are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just," Obi began, pulling his hands away to look at them. Flesh cuts in the shape of crescent moons resided on his lower palms, having him shake his head and let out a shaky sigh. They finally stopped bleeding, but the scabs likely hold infection-producing infections. "Hurt myself earlier. No biggie."

Shirayuki gave him a curious look before quickly grabbing his hands by the main fingers. Obi tried to take them back, but Shirayuki had a strong grip. She knew, Obi thought, smirking at how wise his Mistress truly was. She sat up, her shins and knees being the only thing to touch the floor as her legs were bent. She pulled his hands onto her thighs, widening her eyes to see the dents Obi had created in his hands.

"What happened?" She whispered, looking up to find blood sucked into his jacket by his heart. Her heart suddenly began racing as she began taking off his jacket. Obi was stunned by her motions, but allowed her to strip him until his torso was revealed. "Oh my god, I thought you were bleeding from there."

"Oh, no!" Obi quickly denied, seeing Shirayuki's worried expression at Obi's fine torso. He lifted his hands up to her once more and flipped them to reveal the damage done at his knuckles. "It was just my blood smeared from my hands, really."

"Oh, Obi…" Shirayuki's breath was practically taken, taking his hands back on her lap as she began dragging her index finger on his knuckles. Obi briefly winced, feeling an uncomfortable pain jolt through his hand as her smooth finger grazed it. She hadn't meant to hurt him—rather, she just wanted to feel how much damage was inflicted on his rough flesh. "Was this from banging on the door?"

"This, yeah," Obi confirmed. He quickly flipped his hands to show the palms. "These were from earlier when I went to speak with the Master."

"You spoke with Zen?" Shirayuki asked, her tone gushing with curiosity as she stared at Obi attentively. He hated whenever Shirayuki slightly boosted her energy when talking about the Master. "What'd you two speak about—if you don't mind me asking."

"I told him that what he was doing to you was not okay," Obi whispered, gritting his teeth recalling the way Zen had been acting stupid. It pissed him off beyond belief, but he was trying his best to restrain himself. "And how improper his expression of love to you was."

"Oh Obi, you didn't have to do that for me," Shirayuki whispered, giving him a small smile. She had been overly gracious for Obi's kindness and consideration. He even stood up to Zen for her by confronting him of his wrong doings. It made Shirayuki feel so nice inside. She looked down at his damaged palms once more and grew more sorrow. "You really didn't."

"But I wanted to," Obi began, having Shirayuki look up to see his stern stare. His lips were together and pursed, his jawline evident and tense. He stared into Shirayuki's eyes intensely, but Shirayuki found familiar warmth in his amber eyes from his stare. The genuine, kind man she had the pleasure of being protected by did something for her because he wanted to. "I'll do anything to protect you."

I'll do anything to express my love for you.

Shirayuki glanced down at his hands once more, and slowly placed hers in them. Obi felt goosebumps crawl along his arms as her smooth touch was felt on his damaged hands. She then removed them, and gently grabbed his right wrist. Obi watched with pure awe as she held his large hand between both of hers and bring it to her face. Gently, Obi felt as Shirayuki pressed his damaged palm against her lips and kissed his hurting wounds. She went ahead and did the same with his left hand.

"Let me go get something to mend this for you," Shirayuki said quietly, giving him a reassuring smile as she let go of his hands and rose from the ground. Obi watched her move, her sweet, creamy legs guiding her towards her closet. She bent down to reveal a large basket that resided on the ground, before taking it by the handle and going back to Obi. She sat back down where she was and placed the basket next to Obi's leg. "As thanks for doing this for me."

Obi nodded, allowing her to do what she does best. The only sound that stood was the tampering Shirayuki had been doing in the basket. Obi listened to glass hit glass as he turned away from her to stare out her window. He looked at the sun and how ever so slowly it was descending from view. The land was still being kissed by its rays of light and warmth, thankfully. Within the minutes, Obi was trying to distract himself from the pain being produced from infection cleansing, stiches, and a series of bandages on his hands. It was painful.

"All done."

Shirayuki took her time putting the vials and medicinal tools away, allowing Obi time to admire her. Even with a battered up face of woe, Shirayuki still looked so beautiful. It wasn't even the wisps of fiery red hair. It was her rosy, button nose and the way she crinkled it whenever it was itchy. It was the way her bottom lip always stuck out like she was constantly pouting. It was the way she cared for him, and how delicate her hands were and the consideration. Her kindness is a given, but sometimes it was beyond what Obi could handle. And my God, her smile.

"Oh Obi, you still have another small cut." Shirayuki's concerned voice popped Obi's trance as he looked down at his right hand. She held it in hers, showing the small cut on his palm by his thumb. Quickly Shirayuki retrieved a small container of ointment and took out a small dollop of it in her index finger. She gently rubbed it upon Obi's cut, having him slightly hiss in pain as she coated his hand with the thick substance. "There we go."

"Hey, wait." Obi paused her from packing up the ointment. Shirayuki watched as he used his pinkie to take a dollop of it himself. She watched his shaky hand lift in the air and proceed to go towards her face. Her wide eyes watched as he delicately pressed his pink upon the center of her bottom lip. Nervously, Obi smeared the ointment on her bottom lip slowly, from left to right. He felt the raggedness of it due to her bites and cuts as well as peeling, dead skin. He then went to her top lip and finished the job before dropping his hand down and staring at her embarrassingly. "I-I'm sorry, it's just that y-you had cuts on your lips and I w-wanted to mend you back. As a thank you as well."

Shirayuki was breathless, her lips slightly parted as the air began to make her mouth dry. She watched Obi, seeing how his cheeks flushed up from embarrassment. His warm, amber eyes were gentle, his pupils fatter as he was calm and not angry. She liked those state of his eyes very much. She wished to cherish them every time she saw them.

"Mm." Was all Shirayuki replied with as she flashed him a genuinely large smile. Obi widened his eyes at the sight, seeing as he hasn't seen that smile in a long while. The beauty in it lingered and the sincerity was incredibly evident. It shot an arrow right at Obi's heart to see such a lovely thing in the flesh again. Such a rare sight that gave Obi more than just happiness. It gave him hope.

Then Obi's eyes diverted down to the mark upon Shirayuki's lovely neck. It vexed him still, seeing that disgusting bruise engraved in her neck. Surely, it was shrinking and fading, but it currently still exists and is written down in history. Shirayuki noticed this and quickly cupped it with her hand. Obi saw her flush immediately and smirked at how cute she was.

"Here, close your eyes," Obi began, receiving a confused stare from Shirayuki.

"Why?"

"Just do it." Trusting him, Shirayuki's eyes come to a close to enter a world of darkness. Obi gulped, having Shirayuki immediately sense his nerves and unleash a small smile. Obi looked behind and reached up her nightstand. He retrieved his green scarf from the table and held it in both of his hands. Eyeing Shirayuki's closed eyes for a moment, Obi brought the scarf up to his nose and took a silent whiff. He found himself feeling slightly lightheaded from the scent. It smelled of her, and he adored it.

Kindly, Obi removed Shirayuki's hand from her neck before pulled the scarf down her head and sitting it on her shoulders.

Shirayuki opened her eyes, her hands quickly feeling the scarf that was now wrapped around her neck. She dragged her hands upon the wool object, feeling the overwhelming security that came with it. She closed her eyes and let out a euphoric hum, having Obi smile fondly at the girl. She looked at ease, and that made him feel just at ease. This moment, seeing Shirayuki like this on the floor with him, he felt absolutely fortunate.

"Trouvaille," Obi uttered, having Shirayuki open her eyes to stare at the mysterious man smiling. His eyes were absolutely shining at this point, his smile lighting up the room. Shirayuki stared at him, wondering over the word that had escaped his mouth.

"What's that mean?" She asked quietly.

"It's a word from a different state I picked up," Obi said simply as he began rubbing his bandaged hands. He glanced down at them for a moment before returning his eyes back up into the girls. "It means 'lucky find' over there."

"O-oh! I-I see…" Obi chuckled from the way her cheeks became a dark hue of crimson. She was adorable whenever she received compliments. But it felt even better that her blush was now more spread and darker. It's like Obi's words did a great deal now, and that made him happy. "Th-thank you…"

"Nah, thank you," Obi began as he took her hands into his damaged ones. Their eyes met and locked, the lemon and lime eyes tempted to swirl into one. He made her touch his bandaged wounds, the one she mended for him from her warm hands and genuine desire to care for him. "I'm so lucky to have met you, Miss."

"Same to you," Shirayuki whispered, the two exchanged fond smiles as they held hands. Shirayuki then diverted her eyes lower to his exposed torso and flushed up really quick. "You're still uh… shirtless." Obi looked down and flushed as well, letting out a nervous sigh as he looked over at his loose shirt and jacket.

"I'd like to point out that you were the cause of this," Obi began, having Shirayuki flush madly as Obi let out a heartfelt laugh.