Soft light from the flames of their small campfire danced along the walls of the ramshackle building. Home sweet dirt floor home. After finding the abandoned storehouse, both had wordlessly fallen into training protocol; Kuai gathering wood and securing the perimeter, she rationing out provisions and water like there was a Girl Scout badge on the line . For lack of Netflix or anything to say, both were staring at the fire. Night brought a chill into dilapidated building but Cass pushed it out of her mind. Cold didn't make the top 10 of her worries right now.
It was Kuai who finally broke the comfortable silence. "Rest, Cassandra. Your mother is a fiercesome warrior. I have every faith in her ability to find us."
Another of the general's fanboys. Sigh. Eyes locked on the fire, "Dad will be here, too. He's no slouch at the rescue game."
"Your father is a jackass. But I concede that he has his strengths."
Choking back a laugh brought it out as a snort. Where was the lie though? "The jokes are his way of dealing with things." Sorry, Dad, best I can do.
"We should leave at sun up. It will make us harder to find but we are not safe staying here too long."
No argument there. "The forests are probably patrolled." Because duh, villagers were freaked over the Imperial Army dropping in. "But just two of us, should be able to travel undetected." In theory.
"Try to rest. I will keep watch for awhile." Kuai sounded.. Tired?
"I'll do first watch, you sleep." From his voice, dude probably needed shut eye worse than her right now. When he started to object, she shook her head. " No backtalk, muscles. I need you strong." Yes, she could hold her own in a fight but Cass wasn't kidding herself on her skill versus The Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.
"Cassandra, I…." She glanced up to see him also staring at their fire, brow furrowed. The warrior was… struggling with something. The fuck? "I give you my vow: no matter what, I will protect you. With my dying breath."
Oh. Um. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that, right?" Getting into dangerous territory here. "Kuai..when, y'know,..this is over, I think..." Ugh, stammering like a dork over here. "We should probably ..talk."
"Agreed. There is much that needs to be discussed when our situation is not so precarious."
Anyway….Cass tucked her chin to her knees and compressed herself tighter.
"You are cold." he stated simply. Kinda, yea. But it wasn't too bad. Definitely went through worse in training. "Come here, we will share body heat." His tall body lie back and stretched out against the ground.
Well….it wasn't like they were breaking new ground. And she hadn't filled her quota of bad life choices for the day. Tucking herself against Kuai, little spoon style, it was definitely warmer. Might even be able to nap like this, head pillowed on his bicep.
One more for the quota. " Kuai". He didn't answer but settled his arm over her waist. "The thing with your clan? Was it about me?" Please say no.
A soft brush of lips over her ear and a barely audible, "Yes."
Cass fought her way from the warm, sleepy haze. Heavy legs were tangled with her own and the feeling of a hand loosely holding her boob immediately registered. But it was outside where the faintest sound of steps in the foliage jolted her awake like a 4 am car alarm. Shiiiit.
The palm against her breast shot up to press over her mouth. "Cassandra, we are not alone." Kuai whispered.