So how do we feel about another Obiyuki fic after I finish this one? I don't actually have any ideas but I'm feeling it. Let me know how you guys feel! (maybe another fic about LoZ or KH or Teen Titans idk)

SIXTY - Just Give In

6 Days Until The Wedding

Obi had never imagined that he'd grow such an intense hatred for the darkness.

Years he had spent doing missions in the dark, practically blending into the night. He felt at ease when the dark had covered up his body and face, only to leave his amber eyes daunting anyone that seeks into the night. It had kept him protected to years until this very moment where he is forced to be in the dark.

It wasn't scaring him, but it did bother him to only have the light of a simple candle. He tried keeping his mind distracted with it rather than think about all the other flaws that went about. He stomach howled with pain, his throat was desperate for a drink. He could feel his mind go insane with the throbbing headaches and the light-headed state he was in.

But he knew that the Master wasn't intending to kill him. No, if that were the plan, he wouldn't have kept Obi in such a dark room. Darkness is cooling, and the room was fairly cold. If he were right beneath the sun all these days, Obi would have been dead on the very 3rd day. But alas, here he was, 4 days in without food or water in his system.

Not that it really puts him at ease anyways. He's bound to wither soon.

Obi felt his body yearning to give out, but the hand holding his beneath the door kept his spirits high. Shirayuki, the very light of his life, was residing right behind him, with her hold on his fingers still tight and never even attempting to let go, with only bathroom breaks as her excuse. He would hear Ryu and a few maidens offer her food and water but Shirayuki had refused it all. It didn't keep them from leaving the plates of food by her anyways. Instead of eating, she's been keeping her life busy by reading the scrolls out loud to Obi.

It helped her memorize them and it kept Obi's mind distracted from the true direness of the situation. He could feel Shirayuki's hands shake in hunger and dehydration, the way they've been becoming somewhat bony overtime. He could hear how tired she was getting, with her voice sometimes going quiet and the repetition of sentences she had just read. He knew he was dying, but Shirayuki's pain was actually killing him.

"'If this remedy does not work initially, you can add jasmine and a pinch of-'"

"Shirayuki."

"Yes?" Her voice was weak. She was straining herself.

"Please eat something." Obi's voice was at its very peak of gentle. He was desperate now, extremely anxious to think that she will fall before he does. After all, Shirayuki was a woman and her body is not as strong as Obi's. "You have to eat something."

"If you can't, I won't." Her voice was breaking. It was dry and raspy, being forced out from the very pit of her stomach.

"Shirayuki, please just listen-"

"If you can't eat, I won't eat," Shirayuki repeats herself, attempting to make her lifeless voice more forceful. "If you can't drink, I won't drink."

"Please…"

"No."

"Shirayuki!" Obi raises his tongue at her, feeling her hand tremble in his fingers. He lets out a weak sigh, feeling his head throb from his loudness. "I don't want you to die before I do."

"Then I'll make sure you die first."

A new voice appeared from a distance and Obi's mind was already dancing in recognition. Shirayuki weakly turned over to see one of the last people she had wanted to see: Elizabeth. Her pretentious being joined the corridor in a blousy dandelion-colored dress and crystal heels. Her brown hair was forced into wavy curls with her deep blue eyes as daunting as ever. Had Obi been out right now would he have already intimidated her with his rare orbs.

"Over my dead body," Shirayuki growls. The young herbalist glares up at the Princess, genuinely taking her aback. This behavior was candid, practically unimaginable by the usually-kind court herbalist. "I don't think you want to try it."

"Ooh," Elizabeth hums, observing the girl like she were an animal. "This one's got some bite. Has starvation turned you animalistic? Should you be checked for rabies?"

Obi couldn't care less over Elizabeth's existence right now. Since the day she forced her hand on his lover, Obi has put her on his list of enemies. She could say what she wants but if she even dares places a finger on Shirayuki, the door is gone. He's praying, though, that Shirayuki doesn't end up pouncing on her and ends up in the same cruel punishment as him.

"What do you seek down here?" Shirayuki quietly questions, turning her attention down to her hand on Obi's. "Shouldn't you be at a fitting to ensure your dress fits you properly?"

"Thanks for your concern, but the dress fits me perfectly," Elizabeth hisses, a conniving smirk playing at her lips. "It's a beautiful dress made with only the best silks any kingdom would pay all sorts of ore for." Shirayuki could only scoff, lacking interest in her words. "It would be you had he not met a real Princess like me."

Shirayuki remains silent. "This day would have been all yours. The attention, the dress, the food, the crown. Oh, and of course, Prince Charming."

Shirayuki still remained silent, practically motionless. Elizabeth raises her eyebrows in interest, her heels clicking the ground to get closer to her. Shirayuki doesn't even flinch, allowing this girl to get as close as she wants to be. She feels her bend down, her shadow swallowing the young woman whole. Then, Shirayuki felt the sudden touch of a petite hand go and grab her face. Her fingers and thumb dent into Shirayuki's face, her nails threatening to cut her.

Obi felt this action and squeezed Shirayuki's hand. "Don't touch her."

"Your Knight in Shining Armor is rather brave for someone under arrest," Elizabeth hisses, having Shirayuki still wordless. Elizabeth then forces Shirayuki to face her, but her eyes still remained elsewhere. "Look at me… Look at me!"

The nails dig into her cheeks, feeling her flesh prepared to be ripped. Shirayuki's eyes look into Elizabeth's, pupils dilating widely but refusing to waver. "You have nothing here, Shirayuki. No Prince to love you or a Knight to protect you. You've only got a few left until your body decides to deteriorate itself." Elizabeth's eyes widen demonically. "And then poof- you'll become just rotting flesh and bone."

Right then, Obi bashes his back against the door, causing Elizabeth to flinch away from Shirayuki. "Keep your words to yourself if you value your life."

Elizabeth stares at the door, before suddenly erupting in laughter. "You're kidding, right?" Shirayuki closes her eyes, feeling the stinging of the barely-deep nail cuts in her cheeks. "You're threatening me from behind a door? You can't even get out and face me!"

"Is that a request?" Obi threatens. "Princess."

Elizabeth couldn't explain it, but the corridor suddenly had an ominous feel that she did not feel before. Even though this man was under arrest and clearly could not flee his situation, there was something about his tone that made her slightly doubt her confidence. Guards were even around and still. Without another word, Elizabeth turns around and leaves the corridor, leaving Shirayuki and Obi to themselves once more (subtracting the minor detail of the guards around).

"Did she hurt you?" Obi's tone switched to concerned as he gives his lovers hand a squeeze. "I know she put her hands on you."

"Just a scratch," Shirayuki murmurs, feeling blood beginning to seep down her face. She smiles, "nothing serious. Thank you for protecting me, Obi."

Obi nods to himself before dissolving himself in his thoughts. He was wondering what the Princess was doing in the corridor. What brought her down here? There was no reason to. She didn't need to taunt Shirayuki, considering that she's already marrying the Prince and Shirayuki had Obi. It seems like she felt the need to come down and check on them, almost like she felt some sort of satisfaction from the sight of two people hurting together.

Could she have…? No. There's no way. She wasn't the Princess yet- she couldn't possibly have ordered this punishment. And she isn't smart enough to convince Master to do such an act. Unless…

Disgraceful.

"Filthy girl…" Obi mumbles to himself. He figured it was right under his breath, but Shirayuki heard it as clear as day.

"The Princess?" Shirayuki questions.

"Absolutely."

But Obi suddenly couldn't be bothered with that now, seeing the situation at hand. To Hell with Master and his disgraceful betrothed. Shirayuki is probably prepared to go unconscious in seconds. Her breath is low and wheezy, and her words are clearly being forced out. And it was clear that the Princess had bestowed a wound to her, through he doesn't know where.

"Shirayuki." He's becoming fond of calling her that, Shirayuki notices that. "I need you to eat something right now." His voice is also much more stern than usual. He sounded also a bit… desperate. More so than he usually is begging her to eat.

"What?" Shirayuki had put her scroll down. "Why?"

"I need to get out of here immediately and you're the only one who can help me."

Shirayuki only knew so much about what this man was plotting. It was clear his ploy included her eating so he wouldn't feel so much pain in his heart for her slow death, but what did he believe she can do? Shirayuki can't talk to Zen- she doesn't want to anyways.

"Obi, I don't think I can face him alone…" Shirayuki whispers dreadfully. "You'll be down here and his quarters are upstairs…"

"Kiki and Mitsuhide will be there," Obi encourages. "They won't let anything happen to you and I am pretty positive that they don't want me in here just as much as you don't." Shirayuki was still reticent, as Obi felt her hold tighten around his bony fingers. "Please…"

Shirayuki still seemed unsure. She just barely shifts, but Obi can hear the struggle in her grunts and the shakiness in her hand. He couldn't deal with this anymore. The imprisonment was going to get to him soon, and he wasn't particularly into dying without seeing his lover one last night.

"I can't die here without seeing your face once more, Mistress," Obi whispers. "And I certainly do not want to live to feel you go limp in my hand. I absolutely do not want that so please, my one and only love…"

Shirayuki bit her bottom lip, her mind anxiously spinning around thoughts and nerves. Her thumb kept dragging against the tip of Obi's fingers, seeing the way they've become more bony than ever. He needed to eat, to drink some water. He needed to walk and see the daylight again. Obi needed to hold Shirayuki in his arms again and she knew that she needed that just as much as he did. And honestly, she would rather be alive with her lover than dead with him.

In seconds, Obi suddenly heard really loud chewing. "Mistress?"

"Mmm?" If Obi could see her right now, he'd be in a fit of laughter. Without much care, Shirayuki used her free hand to stuff pieces of omelet in her mouth. Obi would be the only person that would understand how amazing it was to taste food. Her stomach had been so desperate for a meal and she was sure she could eat anything and her tummy would be just as sated.

"Are you stuffing food in your mouth?" Obi questioned. She confirmed with a hum, causing him to let out a weak chuckle. "You can take your time, you know."

"I don't want to waste any more minutes," Shirayuki replied while swallowing a big amount of food down her throat. She lifted her luke warm cup of water and drank it desperately. In minutes, her food was completely consumed and her stomach was filled to the brim. She emitted a few burps, disregarding how un-ladylike she was. It even provided Obi a few more laughs. "Alright…" She begins, picking up her napkin to clean her face and hands. She flips the napkin a few times to a clean side to dab her afflicted skin. "I'm ready to go."

"Are you sure?" Obi begins quietly. "You really don't have to if you really don't want to."

"I really have to," Shirayuki insists. "Living won't mean anything if I'm not with you." Her energy was back up to its bare minimum. Her body could move with more ease and her headache was gradually subduing. She grabbed his hand again and squeezed it. "I can't afford being scared of anyone or anything so long as I have you. The only thing I fear is losing you."

Obi gave her hand a tight squeeze, his lips quivering. His body was threatening tears, but his heart was desperately fighting back to keep the emotions from overflowing. "I love you, Shirayuki. I really hope you know that."

Shirayuki took the emotional stab for both of them, tears welling up in her eyes and steaming down her cheeks. She winced from the pain of the salt water entering her new wounds, but she didn't care enough to acknowledge the pain. She had a Prince to see and a Knight to release. "I love you more, Obi. I'll be right back, I promise."

Obi listens as his lover takes off, not missing a beat with his heart- who was practically ready to burst from the anxiety. But he trusted her. He trusted her with everything- including his life.

After all, it belonged to her.

Zen's quarters were particularly quiet during the day time hours. With the tension going on between him and his aides, Zen kept from speaking with them. But he felt incredibly uncomfortable not speaking with them, especially Kiki. As Mitsuhide minded his own and looked away, Kiki puts in the energy to glare at the young man from her post by the door. Zen knew what she was doing and it was working.

He knew Kiki disagreed with that he was doing. She'd be scolding him right now if she had the right to. But she was also smart and knew that scolding is not as painful as pure silence. She has yet to even emit a breath and Zen is unsure if he could distinguish her for a statue.

While she leers at him, he attempts to resume doing his work. The only thing to be heard in that room is his quill being dragged upon several scrolls and pieces of parchment. Kiki watched him dip its tip into the small container of ink before continuing his writing along the loose sheet. This cycle seemed endless, until it suddenly wasn't.

Mitsuhide flinched when he heard the door being banged harshly behind him. Kiki remained still, but removed her sight upon Zen. She watched the door intently, not really thinking too much about who could possibly be behind it. Without asking, she simply opened the doors, with Zen looking up in shock that she did so.

And then there he saw her: his ex lover.

Zen's azure orbs eyed her up and down, seeing the lifelessness in her skin. Her face was pale and her lips were dried and chapped. But he noticed crumbs remained by them, and her emerald eyes were full of pain and fire. He's seen this face before- this face of determination and fight. Shirayuki has always had bite in her, he just never expected to be on the other side of it.

"Shirayuki?" Mitsuhide called, surprised that she's conscious and charged up. Kiki was just watching her, strands of blond hair tickling her nose a bit. She could tell that Shirayuki hadn't slept a wink, with her bags heavy and colored a deep gray. Her red hair was a mess, no brush being passed through it in days. Her hands were bundled up in fists, practically shaking as her nails were digging into her palms, threatening to pierce through.

"If you need me to get on my knees and beg, I will." Shirayuki begins, no strain or hesitance in her voice. "You know exactly what I am here for and I'm not leaving until I get what I want."

Shirayuki's eyes were practically stabbing into Zen's heart, her diction widening his eyes. This was the girl he knew, with her words using similar fight as they did before when she and him were lovers. Her tone was the exact same when she defended their love from his tricky older brother. Zen was extremely positive that this would be the Shirayuki that would have fought his mother for her blessing.

"You want me to release Obi?" Zen questions, being aloof. "Why?"

"He needs to eat, to drink water," Shirayuki starts to plead. Her fists only tightened more, "he needs to get out of his room, take a whiff of fresh air again. He needs to be touched by the sunlight and spend more happy times with Ryu. He must be hanging from trees and taking naps in the warm grass. He needs to be back here…" Shirayuki looked down, biting her bottom lip. "With me in his arms."

Zen could only stare longingly, wishing those words were about him. They remind him how much he hates his position as a Prince and how badly he wanted to rush up and kiss Shirayuki. But these words were not about him, they were about his damn prisoner. The man he took in and trusted him with a higher up position without making him start small. He let this man into his kingdom, a threat, and gave him a roof over his head and food in his stomach. Thinking about it now enrages him.

"Obi has chosen to betray me," Zen murmurs. "I've let him betray me long enough without punishment. He now needs to pay for it."

"How did he betray you?" Shirayuki fights. "What did Obi do?"

"He thought it was okay to take the love of my life," Zen starts with a sigh. "After I have given him a new life, a new start… he pays me back by taking you away from me."

"I apologize Your Highness, but don't twist the facts," Shirayuki hisses. "Obi did not take me away from you; you let me go."

"I didn't want to-"

"But you admit that you did," Shirayuki caught his tongue. "Isn't that right, Your Highness?"

I hate you calling me that, Zen thinks. I hate everything about this right now. "So what if it is? Damn the truth!" Shirayuki's eyes widen as she watches Zen slowly losing his control. "I can't stand seeing him have something that's mine!"

"She's not yours and don't you dare get yourself confused about that again."

Shirayuki knew she did not utter those words and turned to see the woman who did. Kiki stood there, a vein protruding from her temple. They all watched as she walked over to stand next to Shirayuki, giving her a small smile. She knew that the two were on her side, but she didn't think they would stand up with her.

"You're rather brave to use your tongue like that at me, Kiki," Zen hums.

"I'm not brave if I know I get to use it the way I did," Kiki says quietly. "Now I'm to provide advice as that's what you've hired me for. So, if I may…" Kiki takes one of Shirayuki's fists and unravels it to weave her fingers between hers. "I would advise releasing Obi. He's proven himself countless times that he is worthy to be here and remain at your side as your Knight."

Kiki gives Shirayuki's hand a squeeze before letting it go and walking up to Zen. She gets close, straining her neck to go and whisper into Zen's ear, her proceeding words causing a beat to skip in his chest.

"Better she love a man you know than a man you don't," Kiki whispers. "There's going to come a day where she leaves and she will not come back and you will never see that face in this kingdom ever again. You should find solace in Obi being by her side than her alone and susceptible to unknown harm."

Zen hated Kiki for being his aide. He hated her advice because she was always right. He hated her heart because it knew nothing of evil. He hated her mind because he knows that he will never amount to being even half as smart as she is. He hated Kiki for working so hard to make him a better man.

He takes one more good look at Shirayuki to realize how much pain he's truly brought to this girls life. Her heart has been forced to hold the unrelenting weight of hurt due to his choice of letting her go. He broke her and he knows it. The only thing he can do is make sure another man can come around and fix her back up again.

Zen turns away from everyone, his eyes studying the blue sky. He folds his hands together behind his back and releases a defeating sigh. "Let him out. Have our chefs prep 2 amazing meals and send Obi up to my quarters shortly. Tell him to get dressed and do what he must before coming up to see me. Let's say around 14:00?"

Kiki doesn't let another second waste as she nods and heads for the door. Shirayuki stands there as she listens to Mitsuhide and Kiki wait by the door for her. Before anyone would expect it, Zen listens to Shirayuki bend down with her arms strictly to her sides. "Thank you, Zen… thank you so very much!"

The joy in her voice and her tongue saying his name finally took a toll as Zen waited for the 3 to rush out the room and close the doors behind them. As soon as they were gone and Zen was back alone, the silence finally entertained his emotion out.

Alone, he lets out his tears of pain and begins to prepare for his discussion with Obi.