Guys! I need to let you all know that I am in college/university. That means that I am busy a majority of the time. This shouldn't be read in a stern tone as if I'm scolding you guys. I just want to make it clear that I'm typically busy and unfortunately don't have time to resume entertaining you all with consistent and constant chapters. And for that, I'm so sorry.
Another thing- when I try to look for this story in the anime/manga section of "Akagami no Shirayukihime" and it's not there. I can't even retrieve it when using the search box. If someone can figure this out for me, that would be beautiful (I would myself, but college is tough, man :c)
ALSO: I might be making another ObiYuki fanfic buuuuuut I only have ONE question: should it be in modern time or in the original story's timeline during widespread monarchy? Let me know in the reviews (please leave LOTS of reviews, ty!)
But thank you all who still have this favorited, followed, and still find it to be a good story. I'm so glad you guys enjoy it, it makes me smile so much to read the reviews- it keeps me wanting to finishing this piece I've started for you all. Thank you so much and please enjoy!
- darrion
SIXTY-ONE - Free
6 Days Until The Wedding
"He's being released!"
A maid (who clearly couldn't keep her tongue) had rushed over giddily to inform Garak of the news. Coincidentally, Ryu had been in her office too, discussing the medicines he's making in preparation for the Royal Wedding. But his words dissolve as soon as he hears about Obi's suspended arrest.
"Obi?" Garak asks, freeing her hands of the empty vials she had. Her eyebrows were raised with a sort of glow in her eyes, with a dash of hope in them. "He's being released?" The maid nods. "Right now?" She nods again with more vigor.
Ryu had stood there, frozen. He was confused at first, thinking about how Shirayuki or anyone had managed to get Obi's arrest suspended. But then his blue eyes widened, realizing he mustn't waste any more time. He has to see Obi and Shirayuki immediately.
Placing the materials in his hands down, Ryu quickly bolted towards the doorway. Garak calls out to him, "where are you going, Ryu?" But Ryu resumed his quick stride out of the room and set his aim for the kitchen. He knew that Obi would definitely need something down in his stomach.
"That boy," Garak begins with a small sigh. But she smiles right after, organizing her desk for a moment before meeting eyes with the maid again. "Thank you for informing me." The maid bows before her with respect. "I'll close up here and be in my way to see Obi."
With that, the maid excuses herself and Garak begins for the door to go meet up with the rest.
Obi...
Shirayuki's quick steps on the ground were harsh and loud.
I'm coming to get you out!
She could feel her heart pound faster with the adrenaline surging through her body. She could feel her own excitement bubble inside, but she had to keep herself leveled. She didn't know if there could potentially be a condition proceeding Obi's release. But by the sound of it, Zen added nothing more than just getting Obi out and then having a discussion between just the two of them.
Her emerald orbs shifted between the backs of Mitsuhide and Kiki, who were just as in a rush as she was to get this man out of his room. Mitsuhide had made a stop to grab a seemingly heavy metallic tool used to remove boarded slabs of wood. Shirayuki couldn't pinpoint the name of the object, but it didn't matter to her at the moment.
Right now, she needed to make sure her lover was in her arms again.
"Where is his quarters again?" Mitsuhide asked, having Shirayuki speed up to get in front of him in order to lead. Kiki smiled. Of course Shirayuki would know where Obi's quarters were. She was spending these last for doors leaning against his very door as that was the closest she could get to touch him.
"H-here!"
Shirayuki's shout had moved Obi, but the flinch was dreadful. Moving had been painful, seeing as Obi was dehydrated and starving. But even with this pain, his lovers excited tongue had filled him up with hope. He could hear the running footsteps, sounding of a mini army as Obi lifted his head.
"M-Miss?" Obi's weak voice quietly sounds, knowing they weren't close nor quiet enough to hear him. But then he saw shadows stop right before the door, his eyes threatening to close but too hopeful to let them.
"Obi!" Shirayuki called his name, her voice vibrant and new, like it was reborn. Obi had never been so happy to hear the high pitch tone of his Mistress. His heart was swinging off of vines in his love forest, unsure as to how he's still alive to experience all this. "Get away from the door- Mitsuhide is opening it!"
Obliging, Obi forces his body to move away from the oak door and deeper into the darkness of his room. He emitted a few coughs, causing Shirayuki to anxiously rub her hands together. Kiki revealed her sword from its sheath, hearing the shrill sound of metal part ways with the leather holster. With a few strikes, she marks where Mitsuhide should begin to pry and he didn't waste a second.
The sound of wood being chipped and ripped off the door had sounded through the corridors, alerting guards every which way. Mitsuhide was essentially ruining the door with the way he jabbed in so forcefully without really realizing how strong he was. But there was only one goal in mind, so it didn't matter too much to any of them if the door gets ruined.
A door is replaceable. Obi isn't.
"Stop right this instance!" A guard hisses, rushing into the corridor with his backup trailing right behind him. The guards marched without missing a single beat, having Mitsuhide halt his deconstruction to leer at them. His brown eyes watch them get closer and closer, slowly realizing that they're going to rush him. But Kiki wouldn't dare allow it.
Shirayuki pressed her hands to her chest, standing by Mitsuhide with her frightened eyes shut. She braces herself for impact, but noticed that time kept resuming and her body was still in tact. All she could hear were the light steps of Kiki's boots as she found herself before the two and revealed her sword once more.
The sound of the guards' heels dragging against the floor as the coordinated a stop in their rush. Kiki looks at them and glares, "and who do you believe you were attempting to rush? Hmm, Sir. Ikku?"
The guard who was taking charge hesitated. His composure had completely changed from a fighting stance to one attempting to back off. His pupils widened while Kiki had simply stared at him with those intimidating blue eyes. It was a wonder how Kiki's eyes could freeze a whole party without her needing to say a single word. Shirayuki watched the aide, admiring her strength and realizing the work that the blonde had to go through in order to achieve this kind of respect and honor- not only from her fellow knights, but by several monarchs and lords.
"P-Prince Zen did not order a release!" The guard spat out, his bottom lip the shade of burgundy and happened to be quivering with nerves. Kiki just stared. "W-without permission, the prisoner cannot be released!"
"He's not a prisoner!" Shirayuki hissed, having Mitsuhide place a strong hand on her shoulder. He understood the way she felt, but he knew she shouldn't put her feelings between a staff interaction like this one.
"We just came from his office with permission and a to-do list," Kiki began calmly. In a flash, she rose her sword and held it feet before the leading guards throat. He gulps anxiously. "First, we have to unground our friend." She jabs it closer, the point threatening to close the small space between it and the flesh-covered Adams Apple. "Then, we have to provide him a meal and access to a working shower to clean himself up."
The guard caught on to her method, and tried to back off, but Kiki didn't let him loose so easy. She sword followed as he tried to back off, allowing it to just gently dent into his flesh. Nerves begin to boil as the guard sweat drops. The guards behind him watched in fear, unable to do a thing. A viridian vein protrudes from Kiki's temple; annoyance being raised by the second.
"Finally," Kiki continues, "we have to escort him to the Prince after he is prepared and allowed some free time. Don't you ever attempt to rush my fellow aide and disrespect me in front of my men ever again!"
Her words seem to have released a wave because soon after her threat, all the guards got on their knees and began to gently spew apologies. Sir. Ikku was still in the victim position of having a sword threatening to slit his throat. Kiki wouldn't let him go, causing him to tremble as she slowly dragged the sword up to tap right below his chin.
Both Shirayuki and Mitsuhide were in shock, seeing how intense Kiki's dominance can be. Shirayuki mentally added more reasons not to get on Kiki's bad side while Mitsuhide was gradually just admiring her.
He had always been captivated by Kiki, but right at this very moment, was something to remember. Her conviction earned its keep with her skill so noted that nobody dares strike against her. She kept her composure perfect, as if she were fresh out of her knight training. And still, he knew that Kiki does everything she does because her heart is incomparably big.
Kiki leans into the handle of the sword, her chin close to touch her hand. She locks eyes with the guard, seeing the fear waver in his sullen eyes. "Go," was all Kiki had to mouth for the guard to completely turn around and stomp to get his men up and filed away from the corridor.
A few minutes pass when the hall was empty once more and Mitsuhide could resume his prying.
But as Kiki turned around, she noticed that Mitsuhide was no longer giving attention to the door. He was admiring Kiki, finally being able to indulge in her face and the way her blonde locks stick on her face by the individual strand. Her blue eyes were lightening up and relaxing, like a flaring sun after a tragic storm.
"What are you looking at?" Kiki growls, having Mitsuhide shake his head before displaying a small smile.
"You," he swoons, his eyes glimmering at the sight of the woman he adores. Kiki rolls her eyes and expresses playful disgust. She then raises her sword immediately and scowls.
"You want me to point this at you as well?"
Mitsuhide immediately raised his arms and began to laugh nervously. "Don't threaten me with a good time now…" The couple smile at one another, which warms Shirayuki's heart but her mind was on her main goal.
"As cute as this is," Shirayuki finally inputs, "we need to get Obi out. Like, now."
The two put themselves back together as Mitsuhide bashes against the door once again. Wooden chips are flying everywhere as the two ladies watch him take the wooden boards off. As soon as they were all off, he tosses the metallic tool to the side and opens the door. Shirayuki was the first to rush inside and investigate. The light became her guide as Shirayuki's emerald orbs began to water up.
There was her lover, sitting weakly in the middle of the room. The room didn't stink too much, but there was definitely a musty scent and feeling inside. Obi cowers at the light, the brightness paining his sunken eyes. Shirayuki could see his body just slightly underweight. He was much more thin than usual, with his clothes appearing much more baggier and loose.
Obi moves his forearm slightly as soon as he adjusted to the light. And this only lead to a wide smile as he realizes that the shadow swallowing him was none other than Shirayuki herself. Before he could even let out a word, Shirayuki had thrown herself on top of him.
"M-Miss…" Obi was taken aback, his voice raspy and low but still audible. Shirayuki had wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. For their comfort, Obi musters up enough strength to hold her in the little hole of his crossed legs. He holds her back and the bottom of her knees with his arms and allows her to sob in his neck.
Shirayuki begins to breathe him in, taking in the scent she was stripped of for a few days. The tips of her fingers were tickling his skin with fondness of its familiarity. She moved back to look at him good and well, her hands snaking up to reach his oily black hair. She could see the starvation in his hollow cheeks. Her hands slowly dragged themselves to cup his cheeks, looking into his sleep-deprived eyes.
"Obi?" Shirayuki whispers, her eyes practically drowning in tears. "Are you okay?"
"Am I okay?" Obi says quietly, his voice straining out the sound. "Who wouldn't be? I have the most beautiful girl in the entire world sitting in my arms right now." Shirayuki blushes until she notices Obi's eyes fall back and his loosening grip on her body. "But that's just my heart… my body and my heart aren't meeting eye-to-eye too much."
"We need to get you something to eat," Mitsuhide begins as he enters the room. He begins to open the window and allow some light in again as well as to let some of the outside air in. Kiki was leaning against the doorway with a smile.
"You okay over there, Obi?" Kiki pokes fun.
Obi rolls his eyes, "never been better." But with that statement, he falls back and begins to lie down on the floor. Shirayuki shrieks, her hands on the floor as she looked down at Obi. She begins to quietly panic as she shakes Obi's chest. Obi can only shake his head and weakly chuckle, a few explicit words of disbelief escaping from his agape lips.
And luckily, with amazing timing, Ryu appears by the doorway beside Kiki.
"Did somebody request food?" Ryu says nonchalantly as he curiously peers over Shirayuki to see how Obi was doing. It had bothered him a lot during these last few days that the two people he trusts the most were suffering just above his quarters. He couldn't stand knowing that Obi was being treated as a prisoner and Shirayuki's love only extends her into that suffering. As much as he wanted to understand that kind of love, he realizes that that is the one poison he will never conquer his fear over.
He gets close, having Shirayuki begin to move as she tugged at Obi's forearms and began sitting him up again. Ryu took a seat beside them and watched Shirayuki struggle with getting her lover sitting up. Mitsuhide and Kiki watched as well, offering no assistance whatsoever.
But Shirayuki was a strong girl. It's a matter of time, but before everyone knew it, she had Obi sitting up and ready to eat. She sat behind him and allowed him to lean his back on hers. This kept him stable, bringing too much joy into his heart as Ryu offered him the filled plate of food.
"I love you guys so much," Obi quietly begins as he shakily holds his fork. He looks down to the floor, his ambar eyes threatening to well up with tears. "Thank you… for saving me."
Ryu grins as he shoves the plate right at Obi's chest, "are you going to eat it or not?"
"You don't have to tell me twice." Obi took the plate eagerly and immediately stuffed his mouth. Ryu had managed to get Obi a fantastic meal, one with everything he would need to recuperate in just an hours time.
Ryu gathered up a medium-rare flank steak garnished with a herbal risotto, a small pile of vegetables, and a brownie that was wrapped in a plastic to keep it from mixing with the meal. Ryu also took out a bottle of water he got as Obi had already downed half his plate.
"Feeling better?" Mitsuhide asks as he bends down to reach the man's height. Obi remains speechless, with only reassuring and relieving nods and his cheeks full of chewed up food. Mitsuhide smiled and nodded. "Thank goodness we didn't lose you."
"As if you would," Obi teases with his famous, taunting grin. "Can't get rid of me that easy, you know. You can definitely try, though."
"Oh yeah?" Mitsuhide chuckles, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "How are you so confident?"
Obi lowers the plate from his face, picking up a napkin to wipe his lips of any food residue. As he finishes, he glances behind him to feel his lover's back pressed up against his own. He could feel her gentle breaths as he realizes his Mistress is sound asleep behind him. He could see the strands of hair matted on her face, with a few of them flying in front of her mouth each time she exhales gently. The feeling of her heart beating gently gave Obi an incredible dosage of solace as he loosens the tension in his shoulders and smiles stupidly.
"When you have someone who needs you just as much as you need them," Obi begins quietly. He places the plate down and gently leans his head on hers. "You truly see no other option but to remain." Mitsuhide simply stares at Obi, in which Obi leaves his eyes to meet with Kiki's. "I think you know the feeling extremely well, Mitsuhide."
Kiki only grins before exiting the room. Mitsuhide listens to her footsteps dissolve in the distance, smiling happily to himself. He nods at Obi and gives Ryu a little ruffling in his hair before he stands back up again and trails after his love.
Obi smiles at their wake before picking the plate up again to eat. He looks over at Ryu, who is staring at the floor distantly. This boy was mature, but his social skills were definitely still lacking. Obi prepares a fork full of food and offers it to the young boy. "Here."
"Oh no, I'm not-"
"Just take a bite." Ryu's big blue eyes simply stared at the small bite prepared for him. Obi resumed his offer, smiling before the young boy quietly accepted the small bite. "Thank you," he replies with his mouth full. Obi chuckles, shaking his head before preparing another bite.
"No," Obi disagrees, "thank you." Ryu looks away, a curt smile teasing his lips as Obi looks back at the red-haired beauty keeping him up. He smiles warmly then, rubbing her head with his cheek. "And thank you, Little Miss, for keeping me living in this world with you."