Another chapter out- boom!

EIGHTY-ONE - Taking on Damage

Shirayuki didn't think much of her request for space away from Obi. She intended on avoiding him for a few days, focusing on her father and practising her craft. But she didn't really prepare herself for Obi's consideration over her request.

That rest of that day, Obi was nowhere in her sight. She was not escorted anywhere, nor back to her room at night. She slept alone on a cold bed, not really enjoying that aspect of wanting space. And the next morning that came, she received a knock on the door, anticipating Obi's face, only to be met with disappointment. Mitsuhide's* face.

"Mitsuhide?" Shirayuki hums quietly, rubbing her eyes as it was 8 in the morning, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm your new personal knight for a little bit," Mitsuhide informs.

Shirayuki blinks in disbelief, "what? B-but why? Where's Obi?"

Mitsuhide looks away before answering her questions, "Obi has requested a few days off. He says that you two needed some distance and figured that would be difficult if he were still performing his duties as your personal guard."

Shirayuki wasn't sure how to take this but Mitsuhide tried to lighten it up, "we only switched positions. Obi is still in the castle, but he'll be upstairs with Zen and Kiki." She looked at Mitsuhide, who was trying his best to make it seem like everything was fine. But last night had actually taken a toll on Obi.

After their dispute, Obi followed Zen out of the office and became like one of the guards. He was silent, and only faced forward until he was spoken to. Spending time with Zen and the fellow aides, he did not laugh at any jokes or joined in on their conversations. He addressed everyone formally, and bowed with a 'thank you' upon being told to do something or being dismissed.

Zen told Mitsuhide and Kiki what happened, and the two weren't sure what to do. But Mitsuhide took charge and insisted that they left him alone. "If Obi wants to talk to us, he will." So Zen carried on, readying for his ex-fiance's parents to come and pick her up while Kiki continued to ensure that the Princess remained as healthy and safe as she could be. But when Obi and Mitsuhide walked with one another back to the rooms, Obi suddenly started to cry.

Getting behind closed doors, Obi admitted that he was suffering from Shirayuki's request. He didn't have to try to respect her, but he was hurting the second she asked for space. He felt like he ruined everything between them, and that things won't ever go back to the way they were. But when Mitsuhide commented on his very apathetic behavior, Obi admitted something else even more interesting.

When he is unable to deal with an influx of intense sadness, he reverts back to the way he was before it was possible for him to become that sad. He went back to addressing her as Mistress, completely eliminating the progress they've made as a couple. It's the only way he can cope, or so he claims.

He would tell Shirayuki, but Obi begged Mitsuhide not to. He didn't want her worrying about him. It was "nobody's concern" and that he's always helped himself before. He's never needed anyone for anything, and that still stands. But Obi didn't need to explain himself; his face expressed how broken he was. Mitsuhide wants to help, but if Obi wants things this way, then he will oblige.

But Shirayuki carried on with her day with Obi's place holder. Mitsuhide followed her, and kept her safe but it didn't feel right. There was no warmth, and the feeling of a puppy following her every move. There weren't constant eyes on whatever she was working on, nor the vocal fascination of the things she would show him. Although she asked for it, she was slightly regretting it.

But she was distracted by caring over her father to think much of it. Well, whenever he wouldn't mention Obi anyways.

"Shirayuki, please don't be angry with Obi over my decisions," Mukaze tried to explain. Ryu and Mitsuhide stood there silently as Shirayuki and Mukaze attacked their family matters. "Obi was just doing what I asked- he didn't mean to hurt or offend you in any way."

"Father, it doesn't matter," she spews quietly.

"It does, actually," Mukaze pipes, refusing to back down from defending Obi. "That young man was only doing what I requested. I specifically asked him not to tell you."

"He also knew that keeping such a secret from me wasn't right," Shirayuki huffs as she thumbs her father's cheeks. "My father is dying and he didn't tell me."

"I'm not dying," Mukaze states before coughing a bit. Shirayuki gave him a blank look and Mukaze started chuckling, "it's just a cough. I've been having much more energy after Ryu's treatments and tea."

Shirayuki looked over warmly at Ryu, who didn't seemed phased by the comment. She definitely owed him something for treating her father in her place. And really, with Ryu's intelligence, she was sure that he was treating her father better than she ever could. Obi had made a smart decision in bringing her father to Ryu's care.

"Plus, before I get going today, I need to make sure you're no longer angry with Obi," Mukaze explains.

Shirayuki looks at him confused, "you're leaving today?"

Mukaze nods, "the Lions desperately want to be back with the rest of them. Plus, it isn't good for me to leave for too long. They start getting worried." Shirayuki nodded in understanding. "So please, daughter… be mad at me rather than Obi. He was just listening to an old man's plea."

"Father…"

"I got your medicines packed." Ryu interrupts by turning around with a small package in his hands. It was a mini basket, which really was the size of a slab of concrete. "There's the tea I've made, a few vials full of liquid vitamins you should take once a day, and a small bottle of honey. You can put in some honey each time you make tea."

"It won't mess up the potency of the tea?" Mukaze questions as he takes the basket from the young man.

Ryu shakes his head, "I added one more herb in there that fixes it. Just don't put a lot of honey- it shouldn't be very sweet."

"Yes, sir," Mukaze hums, having Ryu slightly embarrassed before turning back around to his desk. "Thank you very much for everything, young man." Mukaze gratefully pats Ryu's back a bit, receiving a nod in return.

"Papa, I don't plan on being upset with Obi for long," Shirayuki insists. "In fact, I'm not mad. I just… can't believe you wouldn't tell me something so important but instead you told my lover. Who also didn't tell me."

Mukaze frowns, "I know, and I'm sorry. It's a mistake I'll never be able to go back and fix, and I wish I had just been honest with you right then and there. I can only hope that you'll forgive me."

Shirayuki shakes her head. As soon as Mukaze rises from the stool, she quickly wraps her arms around him. She embraces her father tightly, hiding her face into his chest, "of course I forgive you. How could I not?"

Mukaze hugs her back and plants a kiss on her head, "but I need you to forgive Obi, too. I'd hate to leave knowing my son-in-law won't become my son-in-law." Shirayuki flushes up immediately, the heat crawling right up to her ears. Mukaze chuckles and lets her go, ruffling her hair in attempts to dissolve the embarrassment.

Before any more words were exchanged, a guard knocks on the office door and Mitsuhide lets him in. "Yes?" Mitsuhide answers.

"The Mountain Lions are packed up and ready to leave, Sir," the guard informs. "They're waiting at the front of the castle with Prince Zen and his aides." Mitsuhide nods, thanking the guard before allowing him to leave.

"Let's get this show on the road then, hm?" Mukaze begins.

"I'll walk him to the front," Mitsuhide insists, "you can stay here, Shirayuki."

"Are you crazy? I have to see my father leave," Shirayuki begins. Mitsuhide chuckles worriedly at her stubbornness as they begin to file out of the office. Mukaze shakes Ryu's hand before going and all 3 of them are off down the corridors towards the front of the castle.

Mitsuhide walked behind the two, mentally cursing at himself. He didn't want to keep Shirayuki from going because of any absurd reason. He wanted to keep her from seeing Obi and vice versa. He didn't really know the extent of Obi's emotional damage, but he knew that it wouldn't help if he saw Shirayuki anytime soon. But alas, there was no stopping Shirayuki as soon as she put her mind to quite literally anything.

As they turned the corner into the corridor where the front of the castle was, Shirayuki's breath hitches to find the rest of the Mountain Lions, Zen, Kiki, and Obi. Her emerald eyes quickly glued themselves on Obi, who was interacting with little Kazuki. It seemed like Obi was play-fighting with him, teaching him little tricks when Obi was a rogue ninja.

"But what if it's an unfair fight?" Kazuki groans in worry. "What if I'm up against a swordsman without any sort of weapon?"

"You can outfight a swordsman, Kazuki," Obi persuades. He points down to his feet, "if you become light on your feet with quick instincts, you're bound to outfight anyone. It's just a matter of trusting yourself and your ability to do so."

"Have you outfought anyone, Obi?"

Obi glances over at Zen, who gives him a playful glare, "I've managed my way out of many sticky situations before. It's just a matter of using your head."

Kazuki eyes Obi up and down and notices that he wears no armor like the other guards and knights do, "is that why you don't wear armor?"

Obi nods, "precisely. It adds weight, and can be a nuisance if you're trying to sneak around." Obi then punches the air around Kazuki, flaunting how much speed he has due to having no extra weight on him. "Being quick is an amazing trait to have, and it has proven me well so far."

Kazuki ogles up at Obi, admiring him as a sort of role model. But Mukaze is quick to put an end to the session as they approach them. "That's enough, Obi. Any more lessons and Kazuki will start stealing from the kitchen cabin."

"I wouldn't!" Kazuki begins, turning around to see Mukaze, Shirayuki, and Mitsuhide. "Shirayuki! Did you come to see us off?"

Shirayuki quickly meets eyes with Obi as soon as he diverts his attention to her. But he quickly looks straight again, arms folded behind his back. Shirayuki widened her eyes at his actions, but then put her attention to Kazuki, who asked her a question. "Yes, I did."

Kazuki then jumps into Shirayuki's arms, "I hate that we couldn't spend more time together, but please visit us again as soon as possible."

Shirayuki smiles, ruffling his now short hair, "I will, Kazuki. I promise."

"And bring Obi, too. He still has a lot to teach me about being strong." Shirayuki also nods. She wasn't too enthusiastic about how their relationship was right now, but she swore to herself that it will be fixed. Mitsuhide walks over to Obi and nudges him as Shirayuki walks Mukaze and Kazuki to the rest of the Mountain Lions outside.

"Are you alright?" Mitsuhide whispers to the man. Zen eavesdrops in front of them as Obi simply nods.

"Yes, Sir Mitsuhide," Obi says monotonously. "Are you alright?"

Mitsuhide nods, "yes, but why are you acting for formal? With me of all people?"

Obi doesn't even flicker his eyes at him, "a personal knight and aide to the Second Prince should always address the rest of the castle staff with respect."

Kiki quickly steps up and punches Obi's shoulder. He flinches and backs up a bit, losing his footing from the sudden impact. "Cut it out, Obi. You're upsetting me."

Obi looks down and sniffs a bit. He's forcing himself not to cry right then and there. Behind his back, he was clenching his hands into hard fists. His nails were digging into his palms, not enough to carve through the flesh though. He nods and looks up again, his eyes straight and lips stern. "M'sorry, Miss Kiki."

Kiki rolls her eyes and nudges Obi's shoulder gently. An unexpected action ensues; she leans her head on his shoulder and pats his upper back. "It's gonna be okay, Obi. Please stop this though- you're gonna make my heart feel heavy." Obi, Mitsuhide, and Zen don't usually see Kiki act so soft and gentle. But with the recent emotions flying sporadically in the castle, nobody can keep themselves from getting super sympathetic.

"I can try."

Zen walks down the stairs and pays each Mountain Lion farewell. Mukaze pulls him in for a hug, still recognizing Zen as a good man for everything he's done not only for his daughter, but for the Mountain Lions. This gives Zen redemption, and a bit of hope as he's been down for quite a while.

"Take care of yourself, yes?" Mukaze requests as he lets Zen go and clamps his hand over his shoulder. Zen nods, receiving a wide smile from Mukaze. "I'll try to visit again soon. Or, if you can, you're always welcome to visit the Mountain Lions."

"I'll be sure to do that, Mukaze," Zen smiles warmly.

"Until then, Your Highness," Mukaze jokes. He bows before Zen, who returns the bow. Mukaze then points to Obi and gestures him over, having him look over at his fellow aides before awkwardly going towards him. Shirayuki watches him walk past her and stands before Mukaze, giving him a bow.

"Be safe on your journey back," Obi Mukaze wasn't having any of his formality. He pulls him by the shoulders and forces him into an embrace.

People must keep in mind that Obi wasn't used to a familial love like this. Being born a bastard wasn't easy, and Obi didn't care too much about love and sentiments when it came to survival. He wasn't someone who cared too much about things, and didn't get attached to anyone. Even Torou couldn't get to him, and they often worked together in the past.

But Mukaze was different. He learned about the few awful things Obi has done, and still wanted him around. He already accepted him as his daughter's lovers, and already wants him as his proper son-in-law. Mukaze became this father figure that was surface-level, yet cut so deeply in Obi's heart. He's never had a father, let alone a parental figure. He needed Zen, a man who is younger than him, to put him on the right track. And now he was fortunate to have Mukaze, someone who is keeping him on that track and giving him things he never had growing up.

"I'll see you soon, son," Mukaze mumbles, taking Obi aback with the way he addressed him. Son. He was seeing him as his child. "Continue loving my daughter the way you are."

"Yes, sir," Obi whispers, hugging the man back tightly. Mukaze pats his hard very hard and Obi quickly sweatdropped. "I mean father." Mukaze lets go and smiles, keeping his hold on the young man's shoulders. Obi forces a smile, but Mukaze could tell it was still sad and untruthful.

"She'll come around, I promise," Mukaze winks. He leans over to his ear and whispers, "she's just like her mother." Obi chuckles quietly at Mukaze's reassurance. He nods, paying Mukaze one last farewell before he goes to Shirayuki and gives her another hug.

"Bye, papa," Shirayuki says quietly, "I will see you again soon."

"If you plan to see me again soon," Mukaze begins, "be sure to have a ring on your finger, yes?"

Shirayuki flushes up again, backing off from her father before shooing him away. Mukaze laughs and waves his hand over to Kiki and Mitsuhide, "take care, you too. Prince Zen, be sure to tell your mother I said goodbye."

Before Zen spoke, Haruto was already walking down the stairs and joining the rest of them outside. "There's no need." She walks past Zen and the aides and smiles up at Mukaze. She reaches over to take Mukaze's hands in hers and gives them a squeeze. "You and your daughter have taught my sons and I a lot, and for that, I'm so grateful to you two."

Mukaze only nods, "there's no need. Thank you very much for hosting me and my men during our visit. And thank you to your court herbalist, Ryu, who has been treating me for my condition during my stay. I came here initially to speak with your son but ended up being a patient in real need of being treated."

Haruto smiles, "I'm glad my kingdom treated you well while you were here. Please feel free to visit whenever you'd like. I'm sure my sons don't mind hosting you."

"I will, thank you." They exchange one last proper smile before Mukaze lets Haruto go and joins Kazuki and the rest of the Mountain Lions. They all watch them leave, with the guards guiding them to the front gates. But as they were leaving, the gates were already opening, much earlier than it would be opened.

Zen squints to see a carriage being pulled by a white horse towards the front of the castle. Mukaze and the Mountain Lions watch them enter as they exit the castle grounds, unsure what was going on. But the blue colors and the flag made it impossible to mistake.

Elizabeth's parents were finally here to pick her up.