2 weeks had passed since Kaku and Kate started their jobs. On her days off, Kate would run errands and tidy up their place. Weekends were spent exploring the island together, whether it be checking out popular restaurants or simply going for a walk. It was bliss.
Cutter had walked Kate back to the Inn after every shift. He still didn't understand why he did it, but while most of the walk was spent in silence- he enjoyed the short conversations they'd sometimes have.
The knight looked to the sky as Kate said her goodbyes to the kids.
It looks like it's going to rain...
Cutter turned to the young woman, stopping himself from staring at her too long. She was wearing a periwinkle sleeveless spaghetti strapped sun dress that hugged her bottom. "Kate, do you have an umbrella? I think it's going to rain..." he looked to the sky again.
Kate shook her head. It was so hot that she hadn't thought to bring one.
I need to be better prepared on this island...the weather is so unpredictable!
Cutter scoffed as he started to walk. "Don't worry; I know a shortcut."
After a few minutes of walking, they reached a dark alley with nothing but a few small bars.
Cutter pointed down the path. "I don't know why I didn't think of this before. If we walk this way, it'll cut the time in half." In truth; he had thought of it before...but it always took a few minutes before Kate gave into the awkward silence and started asking him a question. He wanted to make the walk as long as possible. Cutter had convinced himself it was purely out of curiosity..nothing else.
Kate's body began to tremble, flashbacks of that horrid day filling her mind. She had been so distracted for the past few weeks that she hadn't had time to think about it...until now. The thoughts came rushing in so fast and so vividly, that Kate felt as if she were drowning.
Cutter's calm demeanor was broken by Kate's pale and trembling figure. He grabbed her shoulders, having seen the same look on fellow knights experiencing PTSD after large battles. "Kate, Kate!" He growled, not receiving an answer. He knew that he had to say something that would snap her out of her trance... "I like horses!" He wanted to punch himself.
Really?! Oh yeah, that'll DEFINITELY snap her out of her trance...dumbass
The General gasped as Kate's trembling stopped, and she looked up at him slowly. "You like horses?" Cutter never rarely voluntarily gave information about himself, and this fact was enough to bring Kate back.
What the hell?! I guess it worked...
He led her to a nearby bench, giving her some water from his canteen. "I'm not the type of guy who likes to sugar coat things. You're an adult. What the hell was that about?" He didn't want to make it obvious how worried he truly was.
Is she breathing okay? She doesn't seem to be shaking anymore...can she walk? Dammit...
Kate wiped some water from her mouth. "I don't know if I should tell you this but...I trust you." She took a deep breath before she proceeded to tell him what had happened with Nash. She told him about who Nash was, his family's company, what he wanted, and what he did...
After hearing Kate talk about what happened, Cutter felt like going on a rampage. He hated criminals, but especially criminals like Nash who were able to use status to omit their crimes. "I would've killed him!" He paced slightly, clenching his fists.
Kate shook her head. "I'm glad Kaku didn't do it. He's so...pure. I would hate myself if he changed because of me." She bit her lip. "I just hate being so defenseless...if only I knew martial arts or..."
Cutter growled. "You'd need to train for at least a year before you saw any results...just..." He reached into the back of his boot and pulled a small switchblade, then removed a revolver from his holster. He held them out to Kate. "Only use these if you absolutely need to. Fear is the number one advantage an enemy could have on a person. You can't let fear, or your lack of confidence be stronger than your will to live." He closed his holster. "You don't seem to be afraid of me, so you'd better not be afraid of some low life punk. " He huffed, a small smirk on his face.
Kate hesitated before taking the weapons. "Don't you need them?" She wasn't sure if she was genuinely concerned he'd be unarmed, or if she didn't want them.
He shook his head, holding the weapons closer to her. Kate took a deep breath, nodding at Cutter as she placed them into her purse. "You're right. Thank you, Cutter. I promise I'll only use these to protect myself and those I care about." She smiled, engraving the promise into her mind.
The general motioned for her to follow him as they took the long route back. He made sure he would be ready to catch her should she faint.
Kate entered the inn with Cutter behind her. Cutter decided he would continue to walk Kate to the Inn, but would also make sure she got in safely from now on.
Kaku had just arrived from work, his smile for Kate dropping once he saw Cutter. She had told him that Cutter had been walking her home since her first day.
That was my job...
The carpenter put his jealousy aside and acted as if it wasn't a big deal. He wasn't able to walk her home, and Cutter being with her would prevent anyone like Nash from trying anything. He didn't want Kate to go through that ever again.
Kate turned to Cutter, giving him a small bow. "Thank you for walking me back here." She looked up at him and smiled.
His face remained unchanged. "It's a lot easier than if anything bad were to happen to you. Later." Cutter nodded at Kaku and the Inn keeper before leaving.
Nothing like that will ever happen to you again. Not on my watch.
Kate smiled at Kaku once their eyes met. "Hi! I was in the courtyard with the kids all day, so I'm just going to quickly wash up. I'll get dinner started." She ran up the stairs to their room. Kate decided she wouldn't tell Kaku about the gun nor the knife. She knew he would panic, and probably feel bad that he had brought her to an island where she felt she needed to carry a weapon.
Kaku stood there feeling a bit dumb founded. There was something about Cutter that rubbed him the wrong way, and this aggravated him further.
The innkeeper laughed, noticing Kaku deep in thought.
"You know, you can't blame other men if they go after that wife of yours. In fairness- it isn't obvious she's married.. Not to mention she's so young." He sorted several keys, placing them on their designated hooks. "You should take it as a compliment! No one is going after my wife, that's for sure!" He began to laugh loudly.
Kaku looked at him defensively. "But that guy knows for a fact we're married!". He held an arm out towards the door, failing to hide his frustration.
The innkeeper continued to laugh. "I'm just saying. The way things look- you could just be saying it. That's all." There was something that the Innkeeper had always wondered, but wouldn't ask. There was something missing. He locked the door of the cabinet holding the keys and grabbed his jacket. "I'm done for the day. Let the night shift know if you need anything." He waved a hand back as he left.
Kaku continued to ponder. "Isn't obvious, huh?" His eyes lit up as he came to a realization. He quickly ran out the door.
Kate looked at her watch. It was almost 9:00PM and Kaku still hadn't come up.
Maybe he went to meet someone?
She panicked. What if Cutter had told him about the gun?
Kate sighed as she cleaned up the dinner she had saved for him.
It was a cold night, and Kaku had only been wearing his work uniform when she saw him.
She grabbed a long black coat she had bought for him the other day and headed outside.
Kate found Kaku standing on the main stone bridge in town, looking down at the river. She smiled as a sense of relief came over her.
"Please don't jump. You know I'd try to save you, but I can't swim.". She walked towards him.
Kaku jumped up, startled by Kate. He quickly shoved his right hand into his pocket.
"Kate! Why are you out here?" He looked at her as she held out his jacket. He hadn't noticed the change in temperature, nor the time. "Kate, I'm so sorry..I just got a little caught up in something is all..." He grabbed the jacket hesitantly, embarrassed by his absent mindedness. He had been on that bridge for almost 2 hours.
I even missed dinner...
Kate leaned over the ledge beside him. "It's okay. I'm just happy you're safe." She continued to smile. "So, what were you doing out here anyways?" She hoped she wasn't prying. They were roommates, friends, and that was it. He wasn't obligated to tell her anything.
Please don't be annoyed...
He pulled his hand out nervously. "Just needed to think a few things over, is all..." He nervously put his hand back into his pocket.
Kate nodded, feeling as if he was hiding something from her. "Anyways, I'm sorry for startling you. I'll see you back at the inn." She turned to leave, but was stopped by Kaku's hand on her wrist.
She looked at him, causing him to let go of her.
Why is he being so weird?!
He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I... Gosh.. Why is this so hard?" He turned around trying to hide the blush forming on his face. He took a few breaths before facing Kate again. "I had something made for us, I mean.. For the mission.. Well... It's for us, but for the mission.. That's not really a mission but... Um.." his ears began to burn. "If you don't like it that's fine, we don't have to use it...but.." he fumbled in his pocket, hiding whatever he had pulled out in a fist. "I just thought it'd be good, ya know.. To make things a bit clearer for other folks..." He took Kate's left hand, hesitantly grazing one of her fingers before placing whatever was in his hand into hers.
Kate couldn't help but smile at Kaku whenever he was flustered.
He's so sweet.
She laughed as she watched Kaku close his eyes before she opened her hand. Kate gasped, not expecting what she saw.
It was a paisley silver wedding band with the design of waves around it.
She examined it carefully, and noticed that 'Kate' had even been engraved inside it.
"Kaku..this is so sweet. It even has my name!" She held up the ring.
Kaku's eyes shot open as he quickly grabbed the ring from her hand, leaving her confused.
He fumbled around in his pocket once more. "Sorry, that one is mine. This one is yours." His face was now a dark red, as he clumsily dropped both rings into her hand.
Oh Kaku! You darn clutz!
Kate looked at the rings in shock. They were a set.
She examined her ring, blushing as she read 'Kaku' engraved in it. She looked up at him and tried to hold in her panic as she noticed how red he had gotten.
Is he going to be okay?!
She laughed at the rare sight of him so flustered. "These are lovely, Kaku. Are you going to help me put it on?" She tried to keep her cool, as she was afraid her assumption of what these rings were supposed to be might be wrong. This was a discreet way of finding out...
Kaku nodded and carefully grabbed the rings. He held her left hand and shakily slid the ring onto her finger.
They are wedding bands...
Kate took the other ring from his left hand and held it gingerly in hers before sliding his wedding band on.
She held her hand up, showing off the ring. "This was a great idea. Thank you, Kaku." She felt as if she were as red as Kaku.
He continued to blush. "Just trying to make it more obvious is all. Shall we head back?" Kate nodded as she walked ahead of him towards the inn.
Kaku heard footsteps and saw a few men come out of a bar. The words of the innkeeper ran through his head. "It isn't obvious."
He ran beside Kate, grabbing her right hand as they walked past the men. Kaku smiled as he noticed one of the men look at Kate's wedding ring.
Kate squeezed Kaku's hand gently. "Is everything alright, Kaku?". She blushed as he held onto her hand.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?! He's holding my hand?!
He beamed. "Sure is!" He squeezed her hand. "Lots of folks watching. It'd be strange for a man to not hold his wife's hand while walking home at night." He mentally hit himself in the head, unsure of what had gotten into him. "But if.."
Kate held his hand tighter. "I like this."
They smiled as they walked back to the inn without speaking a single word.
Kaku tried to savor the moment. He knew it wouldn't last forever.
Kate laid in bed smiling as she stared at her wedding band. Little did she know that Kaku was on the other side doing the same.