Chapter 4
The Betrayal
(Main Character Point of View)
"So is it possible for you to do this?"
"Yeah sure, but it will take awhile."
"How long?"
"Hum... let's say one week. Unless you're in a hurry, in that case we can-"
"No, no problem, one week is more than enough, thank you. How much will I owe you?"
"Oh sweetie, don't be silly, we have the most delight in doing this for you."
"But-"
"Money is not something a young one should worry about."
*sigh* "Fine, but I'll make it up to you somehow."
"You already do darling, you already do"
Ok, one problem solved, one more to go.
It all started a few days ago when Ahri had a change of mind.
"Huh? You won't be able to go? W-why?"
"Well, you see. I have a small problem... or should I say nine small problems?"
She pointed back at her tails.
"Oh, I see. Yeah that's an inconvenient but... give me some time, I'll figure something out."
"Listen, you don't need to-"
"Just trust me will ya? Hehe."
I have that taken care of... I hope. And now... the other one. I've been avoiding this for too long. It was time to go to the Kinkou Order and apologize to Master Shen. My whole body was shaking just by the thought of it. What should I say? How should I explain myself? Oh god... I don't know if I can do this... NO, I have to. I told Ahri that I was gonna be late today, she understood, although she seemed rather upset. But, oh well, what could I do? I mustered courage and started walking towards Ionia.
...
Ok. Point of situation: Entrance of the Kinkou Order... Check. My feet can't move... Check. I would rather be fighting a vicious beast with my hands tight than doing this...? Yup. Do I dare to go back...? Nope.
I took a deep breath. And another. And another... and another... aaaaand another.
Ok, enough stalling for time. I took the first step and passed the entrance hall, the Kinkou Order despite being quite old was rather beautiful. Red walls and a three story building, I had never passed from the first floor where the training rooms where. I can only imagine what was on those other floors. Rooms perhaps. It had a bunch of stairs until I could get to the door. Hundred to be exact, yes, I once took the time to count them. I had nothing better to do at the time to be honest.
I had just climbed a few steps when a guard stopped me.
"Hey Tom, how's it going? Looking for Master Shen?"
"Huh? Oh, hi, y-yeah, isn't he here?"
"No, sorry he left just moments ago."
"Oh, ok, do you know where did he go?"
"No, sorry. Do you want to leave some message?"
"Hum... ah... N-no thanks."
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. I have to go, bye."
"See ya."
In the past I used to be here most of my time, it's no wonder some of the guards already know me. But now, this is a problem, I don't think Ahri will let me of the hook again so easily. Should I go look for Master Shen? Hum... Well, better than nothing, I guess.
I walked aimlessly trough the streets of Ionia.
"Now, where the hell are you?"
On second thought I should've asked Akali. Well, not going back now. I passed trough various temples and shrines, richly decorated buildings, dojos, but still, no sign of him.
I was passing trough a rather deserted street when, in the corner of my eye I catched the glimpse of a man in blue armor. Could it be...?
(? ? ? ? ? Point of View)
He chased him, Shen was fast, it took him a while to catch up, but he managed to do it. Shen was leaning against a wall, looking into some dark busy street. He worked out the courage to take the first step.
"M-Master Shen... H-hi..."
"Huh? Who? What are you doing here?"
"I... needed to talk to you about-"
Shen rushed towards him and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
"No, you listen, you-"
Shen's eyes suddenly widen.
"Tchh, I'm sorry."
"Wha-"
He felt a huge pain in his stomach.
"Agh!"
He fell down to his knees. He tried to look up but Shen immediately hit his jaw with his knee. No time for reaction.
"Gh!"
His head was spinning, he couldn't make sense of what was happening. He only felt pain and the cold from the ground. Shen picked him up by his neck and threw him into a wall. He hit his head, and suddenly everything around him started buzzing, his vision got blurred. He couldn't hear anything but a constant buzzing.
"...et...y...om...ere...ry"
He couldn't make sense of what Shen was saying, his head just... He couldn't even stand. His whole body was shacking.
Shen then suddenly started running in the direction that he came from.
He tried his best to focus, that's when a man with a huge scar on his face appeared in front of him. The man looked in the direction Shen went. The man started laughing... or at least it seemed so. He just heard the buzzing. The man just glanced at him, no words, or at least words that he could hear. The man disappeared into the crowded street.
He took his time getting up, his whole body was still shacking, he had his hair in front of his face,
"I... have to hurry... Ahri will... get mad if I... am late again... ha... yeah... that's it...I have... to hurry..."
His whole mind was shattered.
(Ahri Point of View)
"Ok so, first of all. What's your name?"
"M-My name?"
"Yeah."
"T-Tom."
"That's a rather unusual name."
"Yeah... I guess..."
"...Tell me, do you find me scary?"
"N-No, it's just...er... you see-"
"So you do, *sigh* it's ok I guess..."
"Sorry..."
*Yawn* This is boring, I know I told him he could be late today but... it gets kind of lonely when he's not around... Am I... to attached to him?
"Humpf, that idiot... I hope he hurries up."
I heard footsteps from afar. I stood in behind a tree for a short while until I could see who it was. The footsteps were slow, almost dragging themselves. I looked. It was him.
"Hey! What took you so long? It was getting bor-"
I noticed he was dirty and full of injuries.
"W-what happened?"
No response.
"Is everything ok?"
"Yes... everything's fine... nothing changed..."
He looked at me but his eyes were almost empty, like he was looking trough me.
"Are you sure?"
"...Yes..."
"You know that you can count on me for anything right?"
No answer.
"Well...let's just... I don't know... let's take a walk yes?"
As soon as I turn my back I felt him suddenly grabbing my arm.
"Ahri..."
I turned around, he was crying.
"...help me."
His hands were shacking and his face covered in tears.
"Come here."
My body moved on its own. I gave him a hug. He fell down to its knees and let out a silent scream, It was the most terrifying sound that I had ever heard... silence.
"It's ok..."
There was nothing I could say, nothing... i felt useless.
"I'm here."
That was the only thing that I could think of.
...
We stayed there, I don't know how long. We did not said anything else. I just kept stroking his hair, he seemed to be liking it, and, to be honest, I did like it too. To care for someone other than myself, it was a thing I did not do since... well... a long time ago.
"It's getting dark, do y-"
"Sorry... You're right ... I have to go..."
"You sure? You can stay with me if you want."
"... Thank you Ahri..."
He really didn't seem to hear me, I decided to follow him, I don't want him to do anything he would regret.
He walked and walked, his head always down, looking at the ground, always the same, no sound, nothing. He suddenly stopped, leaned against a tree and buried his face on his knees.
Once again I found myself feeling sorry for him, once again I found myself no more than a single spectactor in the advents of life, once again I found myself not knowing what to do.
I just walked up to him, as normal as I could.
"Listen... come with me will you?"
"..."
"You want to be alone, is that it?"
"..."
"Well, if you change your mind... you know where to find me. Just promise me that you're not gonna stay here ok? Please?"
"Sure..."
"Thank you."
I walked back, it was getting dark, as much as I wanted to stay with him I knew that I needed to respect his wish.
...
One hour passed, still nothing, I was still waiting inside my tent when it started raining. That damn rain, it was raining in that day many years ago, it was raining in the day I met him, and it is raining today. This damn rain, it looks like it can't bring nothing but bad things.
"Hey..."
Suddenly he appeared in front of my tent, soaking wet from the rain, his hair in front of his eyes.
"Hey...come on in."
He entered almost dragging himself in.
"Take off your clothes, you're soaking wet."
"Sure..."
As he took of his clothes I noticed his torso full of bruises.
"Wh-What happened?"
"Nothing..."
"PLEASE TELL ME!"
"I SAID IT WAS NOTHING OK? PLEASE... it's nothing, really."
"But-"
"Ahri please... I don't want to talk about it."
"Ok, I'm sorry."
I didn't like the way he looked but, honestly, there was nothing I could've done.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Hum?"
"You could've gone home, yet you chose to come here... why?"
"Would it matter, they do not care about me..."
"Your parents?"
"Yeah. They do not tolerate failure and... well, I think you know the rest of the story."
"Yes, I do. But, you know that I'm here right? If you ever need anything just-"
"I know, thank you."
He smiled, finaly. He pushed his hair back revealing his eyes, red from crying.
"Thank you for everything."
He then stood up and hugged me out of nowhere.
"Huh... I... It's... er... I..."
I felt myself blushing and in need of what to say or think.
"Yo... You're welcome."
We then stood there in silence not knowing what to say.
"Er... I'm tired, I better get going."
"Wait... Hum, you see. It's really late and... it's raining. I wouldn't mind if you... spent the night... here... with me."
Oh god what the hell am I saying?
"Like... I have extra space in here so... if you want to... it's ok..."
Just shut up, you're just embarrassing yourself.
"Oh... er... s-sure. I would appreciate it, thanks"
"Oh ok... Wait what?"
"Yeah, well it's... way better than going home right now I guess."
I had completely forgot that.
"Oh, yeah you're right."
"..."
"..."
"Soooooo? Can I...?"
"Oh, yeah sure, sorry come on in."
He walked in and lay down next to me.
"Tired?"
"A bit, yeah."
"..."
"..."
We just stared at each other in silence, neither of us seemed to be able to say
anything.
He suddenly blushed and turn to the other side.
"Er... Hum... G-good night."
"He, good night."
I closed my eyes.
...
I tried to sleep but I couldn't, every time I closed my eyes I saw the bruises on his body, and wondered what had happened to him. He didn't tell me where he had been so I have no clue. Should I try to ask him again? Should I leave it? What should I do?
The rain outside continued pouring, it was cold, and I couldn't stop thinking about him. *sigh* What else is going to happen today?
"Huff... pff...rtttt"
"Huh? Tom? Are you ok?"
"Huh? Oh s-sorry, did I ...huff... Did i woke you up?"
"No, it's ok I... wait are you cold?"
"N-No, It-It's just-"
"Yes you are."
"Hehe, yeah it looks like it's getting a bit cold."
I extended to him three of my tails and put them over his torso.
"Here."
"Huh, you don't need to-"
"Humpf, are you saying you don't like them, is it?"
"N-no, I just-"
"Hehe just kidding."
"Er... He, you dumb fox."
He laid down and closed his eyes.
"Huh... Ahri?"
He opened his eyes and made an embarrassed look.
"It's ok if I... well... er... hug... one of... your tails? Like...er... please? Huh, never mind it was dum-"
"Y-yeah sure, here."
"Y-you sure, it doesn't hurt you?"
"No, not at all. It's ok."
To be honest, it did hurt a bit but, I think that, taking into account all the pain he must've been trough today, this is nothing.
"Ahri?"
"Yes?"
"I know I've said this a lot of today but... thank you, thank you for everything."
"Every time. Now close your eyes and go to sleep. You must be tired. See you in the morning."
He closed his eyes and, out of nowhere he started stroking my tail.
"Hum... so fluffy."
I felt myself blushing. I felt his hand passing trough my tail. I felt my heart racing.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
(? ? ? ? ? Point of View)
"Hey buddy, I know that you are going trough a tough time but, remember this, it's always dark before the dawn. Just trust me, even if the whole world abandons you, I'm here for you, forever and ever, well... me and her of course. You can't forget about her now can you? Of course you can't, you like her don't you? But how much? That's what I'm curious to see, well I guess we'll see it eventually. Just remember, you can always count on me and... Oh... This is embarrassing. You can't hear me yet now can you? I don't know if you'll ever be able to. *sigh* Well... er... Just... trust in her, and everything will be ok."
(Tom Point of View)
*Yamn*
Hum...I had a strange dream last night, I dreamt that I had fallen asleep in Ahri's... Wait a minute what the hell? I AM in Ahri's tent, then, it... it wasn't a dream? Then that means that...
I looked around, there was no sign of Ahri. Maybe I... sleepwalked?
"Hello sleepyhead."
"Hum? Oh, hi... er... Good morning Ahri."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah I did, thanks."
Ahri held up a dead squirrel.
"Breakfast?"
"Er... sure?"
I watched as Ahri ate half of the squirrel, like a lion she sank her teeth into the squirrel and ripped all the meat there was. Honestly it made me sick, but, fortunately I couldn't eat that, it was raw.
"Hum? Mhot humry?"
There was still blood running from her mouth while she was speaking. Oh god I'm gonna puke.
"N-No, not really, I... don't really eat in the morning. Yeah that's it."
*Gulp* "Well if you say so... can I eat your part then?"
"Er, yeah sure."
I tried to look away while she ate but the tough of her eating that gave me nausea.
I had to think of something else to avoid puking.
"S-So, er... the Blood Moon Festival is in two weeks."
*Gulp* "Oh yeah, that's right. Are you sure that I'm gonna be able to go?"
"Yes I am. What do I always tell you?"
*Sigh* "To trust you."
"To trust me, that's it, hehe."
I got up to leave.
"Listen Ahri... again, thank you for everything. I don't know what I would've done without you, really."
"Just... you don't need to thank me. I... Just don't put yourself in danger again like that ok? It worries me."
"It's... it's ok... hopefully this was... the last time I met him..."
"Oh, sorry I didn't want to-"
"It's ok, no problem. Well I better get going."
"W-Wait. I... er... Thank you for keeping me company and, you know just talking to me and stuff."
"He."
I held up two fingers and gave a small flick on the head.
"You dumb fox."
"Humpf, idiot."
"..."
"..."
"Hehe."
"Hahaha."
"Well see you soon."
"Yeah goodbye."
The blood moon festival was in two days time, I had already ordered Ahri's dress, now, what should I wear?