Can a Carp and a Rose work?
I don't own any copyrighted material, except my own OC's: anyone else's OC's will be acknowledged in their introduction chapter
Cao solemnly brought an unconscious Ruby back to the wagon but didn't say a word of what happened in the cave. When he arrived back, he found an exhausted Testuo being bandaged up by Velvet. After this the two samurai flipped the wagon back onto its feet and spent the rest of the day tracking down the horses. Though they miraculously managed to find them, it was past midnight when they finally arrived back. Ruby lay in a bedroll still unconscious with Velvet watching over her. The two Ronin however were at critical exhaustion levels, and barely able to stand by the time they tied the horses up for the night.
"Fuck me I'm tired." Cao said as he fell onto his bedroll
"Your telling me. That fucking Oni didn't go down easy. Thank the fortunes Velvet had her necklace." Testuo added as he slumped against the rabbit faunus
"It was nothing. I'm just glad everything is back to normal now." Velvet said with a blush
"Normal is not the word I would use, but I'm too tired to care. Right now, we all should just get sleep." Cao yawned
"Best idea you've ever had." Testuo said before going to his bedroll and falling asleep
The three went into a very deep sleep and didn't wake even as full light hit their faces. Only Ruby woke up at their normal time, finally recovering from the shock of what Cao said. However, thinking about it made her blush, and very conflicted inside. Though the Ronin was able to figure out his feelings, she hadn't. Ruby stood up and sighed before starting a fire.
'What am I going to do? What are my real feelings on him? I wish Yang were here. She would know what to do.' Ruby thought and outwardly sighed, then stared into the growing fire
She made herself a small breakfast to pass the time. That decision proved to be a good one as the other three woke up several hours later at almost 11:00 in the morning. Even then they were sore, groggy, and sluggish to an insane degree. Cao and Testuo especially were out of it when they woke up. Ruby then made them tea and a hearty breakfast to try and give them some energy back.
"Thanks Ruby." Cao said with a groggy and hoarse voice
"O-of course C-Cao…" Ruby said nervously, and ever her body shook as she said this
"You okay Ruby?" Velvet asked as she rubbed her eyes
"Y-yes. W-why wouldn't I be." Ruby said as she shakily poured Cao his tea
"Your stammering a lot. Its not like you." Testuo added after a yawn
"I'm just tired is all…" Ruby nervously said and shakily put the teapot down
After breakfast everyone got back into the wagon and they were off. However, unlike usual, Ruby stayed in the back of the wagon instead of the shotgun position. It went so far as she was avoiding Cao when he came back for something. Not even a single glance went his way from her grey eyes. This caused Cao to gradually feel more hurt and dejected at this. It also made him wonder if telling Ruby his feelings for her was a big mistake. As the day dragged on that nagged in the back of his head, eating away at his confidence and morale like a termite eating through a beam.
"What's going on between you and Ruby?" Testuo asked as he peeled a apple with his tanto
"Your guess is good as mine. I followed your advice. I worked up the courage to tell her." Cao explained with a sigh
"When exactly did you tell her this?" Testuo asked with a raise of his right eyebrow
"After I saved her from the blue oni." Cao said, confused
"What was the state she was in?" Testuo asked, taking a bite out of his apple
"She was crying in the corner and screaming for help. She was naked, dirty and in a state no woman should ever be in. If I hadn't gotten their when I did, I shudder to think what that monster would have done to her." Cao said solemnly, looking down as these less than ideal memories come through
"Of course, you fucking told her then." Testuo sighed and shook his head in exasperation
"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" Cao shot at him
"In that kind of unstable mental state, you don't tell someone something big like that. What did you expect was going to happen? We aren't in the poems and stories you know." Testuo said sternly
"It just came out. I got the feeling in my gut to say it then, or I would never be able to bring myself to say it." Cao said with a fierce tone
"You need to get your gut checked if that's what it told you. For a guy that relies on talking to make a living, your terrible at saying the right things at the right time." Testuo remarked
"That's a tall order from a guy who don't have the balls to tell how he feels to the woman he loves." Cao said, and he could tell that hit home immediately as Testuo remained silent
Cao had a bit of a smirk at that, proving both Testuo's statement wrong, and reminding himself that he still can use words to his advantage. However, this victory was short lived and ultimately hollow for him as Testuo's words began to hit home. As much as he didn't want to admit it, but his fellow Ronin was right. It wasn't the best or appropriate time to lay that on Ruby, and he could tell now in hindsight it put her in a bad way. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. The time he finally develops real feelings for a woman, and he fucked it up royally.
Ruby sat behind a large crate in the back of the way, intentionally staying away from everyone else. Internally she was a mess, and really she didn't know what to think. Cao could be rude, stubborn, and had a anger streak as long as the regions coast. However, he had never failed to protect her, cared for her diligently, and could be nice at times. She ran her hands through her hair in frustration. This was the first time she ever felt like this for a man and sat their confused.
By the end of the day they arrived in a roadside tavern. After getting everything settled and secured in the wagon they went inside, and Cao paid for food and board for the night. The 4 sat by a roaring fire as the cold of the night began to settle in. Despite the warmth of the fire and sake for them, both Cao and Ruby held a large amount of nervous tension between them. Testuo and Velvet exchanged glances but didn't say a thing. This continued through dinner before finally they went to their rooms. Ruby and Cao in one room and Testuo and Velvet in the other. Thankfully for the two, there were two bed bedrooms available. Despite this, it did little to solve the tension problem.
"Ruby I'm sorry." Cao finally said, sitting on his bed and had his eyes to the ground
"What?" Ruby asked, startled as his words broke her out of her train of thought
"I'm sorry." Cao simply repeated, his voice hesitant to even utter such a simple phrase
"What are you sorry about?" Ruby asked him, confusion and curiosity setting in
"For putting my feelings on you in the cave. I shouldn't have done that then. It was inappropriate." Cao said solemnly
"I-It's fine. R-Really it is…" Ruby stammered out, trying to keep her composure
"Ruby I can tell that I've put a lot on you at that moment, and I can tell your having to deal with a lot of emotions you don't know how to handle. I really am sorry for that, but if it helps you figure things out know this. I meant ever word and I still do." Cao explained
"Cao…" Ruby tried to say, but Cao cut her off
"Good night ruby. Sleep well tonight. We should reach the Asahina provinces border tomorrow." Cao said, cutting her off before going to bed
This left Ruby awkwardly sitting on her bed. Again, Cao was upfront with her and had meant every word. That kind of openness and forwardness coming from him threw her off. For as long as she had known him he was a enigma. He hid his truth thoughts and feelings through charm, honeyed words and good deeds. Now she got a glimpse into who he really is, and she didn't know what to think about it. All it left her was more confused feelings, nervous tension, and a whole lot more to still think about. Despite being in the home stretch of their journey, Ruby felt like it was still only just beginning.
This one is shorter than other chapters, but I promise you this will not be a trend. Next time Ruby will try and decide on her feelings for Cao. All while navigating the Wei's society, customs, and territory without causing an uproar. See you all next time and have a great day.