He sighed as the waves moved the boat, on the deck leaning against the frame of the stern of the boat, it has been a couple of days since he started but now he was sure that perhaps it was a bad idea to left the castle in such a rush, Saizo had barely time to enlist his loyal subject for that journey, and now looking at the shore in the dim light of the dawn it had a somewhat bitter effect on him. Looking at the wave he remembered the days when everyone visited the southern islands, just a couple of hours on a boat and Takumi was already dizzy, as Hinoka and Sakura were playing with Kamui on the desk with Mikoto and Sumeragi, the faint echoes of their voices resonated in his mind as a familiar figure approached.
"Milord, it a pleasure to have you back," Sachiko said as Ryoma invited her to join him. "It´s truly delightful that at least one of you visit our islands, not that we don't appreciate Lady Azura visit but, this old lady barely remember the times when all of you took your summer vacations in our islands."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Sachiko, I appreciate that you´re welcoming us on such short notice," The prince said, bowing as Sachiko dismissed him with her hand.
"Please, Lord Ryoma, Sachiko is fine. Ohh I remember how little Lord Kamui struggled to say my name," the lady giggled with her hand on her mouth. "How he was all about 'Noka this, Noka that' in his first visit."
"Yeah… he did," Ryoma let out a faint chuckle as well. "I'm sorry that I can't bring all my family again but there are some issues that we need to fix as soon as possible."
"I understand. Don't worry, Lord Ryoma, all in the southern islands understand your feelings about what….what happened to…." She sighed for a moment as her smile disappeared. Ryoma placed his hand on her shoulder. "Thanks milord….it's just… I can't believe that Queen Mikoto is no longer with us….I'm sorry for my rudeness but she was really dear to me…..to all of us…." She shook her head. "I can barely imagine how Lord Kamui feels."
"You have no idea," he sighed, scratching the back of his head. "What´s important is that he is safe now, and that we are doing our best to protect him and Hoshido from any harm."
"Milord," Saizo appeared behind them, bowing. "If I may, I have the reports."
"Oh! Saizo old friend, it´s good to…." Sachiko stopped as Saizo didn't move from his position. "…I...I see, I better prepare the crew for your arrival milord, I´ll leave you to your duty."
It was just when she was out of sight that Ryoma sighed "….that was rude, Saizo."
"There´s no time for that milord, we need to discuss the scouts' report," Saizo stood with the parchments on his hand.
"Ok, so what do we have?" Ryoma inquired as Saizo took a small table and unfolded the parchments, a single map of Hoshido, reports of the supplies and the report of the southern islands.
"The north fortress is holding up for the time being, they may need support of the Kinshi raiders. I believe Reina is already aware of that, so we only need to hold for the next months and we can defend our ports and forest without problems. Although outside the border there are rumors of cavaliers and Wyvern Riders preparing for something we can't assure that is a rebellion inside Nohr or if they're preparing to invade Hoshido. Normally we should expect reports inside Nohr, but all our lines has been silenced," Saizo said as his hand moved from one side to another across the map, the abyss where they found Kamui was one of the sites the ninja pointed to, regardless of how uneasy he felt he let the ninja continue. "The report of the new recruits are outstanding, as some have a lack of experience, there are some that already know how to counter or cast the magic of the cards. Perhaps we can have more battalions by the end of spring, but that is just wishful thinking from our trainers," he stopped as Ryoma read the reports and raised an eyebrow.
"Saizo?" he inquired as Saizo frowned, he bowed again.
"I'm sorry Milord, but even when we searched the forest for any trace, we couldn't find anything odd, no trail or sign of Azura or any other of those people inside Kamui´s group."
"I see…" He sighed, reading the parchment of the report. No mark on the forest or in the docks of the southern island, they had to check the report of the village but it was unlikely that Azura was there, she needed a boat to get pass the ocean otherwise she would be dragged by the force of the flow. Regardless of her bluntness she couldn't possibly be so stubborn to try to cross the ocean by herself, so there was only one option left "…..So, do you think someone helped her?"
"I'm sure that once we land we´ll find our answer milord, I only have the reports of the pegasi knights but they're hardly qualified to track someone as elusive as her."
"Any suspect among the villagers?"
"That lady is the main suspect," Saizo said, folding the parchments as Ryoma handed him one. "I wasn't expecting much from the scouts, but she was saying that Azura was here a few weeks ago just after the events at the castle, it's too convenient for Yukimura."
"…..They will be fine. We need to focus in our task at hand, and besides, if something happens then Kagero will call for us, until then we need to solve this," he said with a sigh, walking on the desk as Saizo just stared at his liege, he walked to the frame of the stern of the boat. Just when Ryoma was speaking again with some of the crew he looked back as the in the forest near the dock at the horizon had some birds flying away, with a frown Saizo disappeared.
From the forest beside of the dock where Ryoma was a few hours ago, a kinshi warrior was knocked out as another ninja burned a single parchment in his hand with the seal of the Hoshidan family.
As the day continued, Kamui was in his room, looking dumbfounded at the horizon, sitting on his legs and looking at the void. He had a silly smile on his face as his finger touched his lips remembering his dream, the lingering smell of her perfume on his nose remained. No matter how vivid his dreams were, that was the first time he experienced something so real, his heart instead of aching in angst, felt soothed and calm, for days his eyelids felt heavier or sore with the time, now it was the first time in a while that he could maintain his vision or eyes open, no tiredness, sadness or nervousness, just….normal.
It was normal at all? He was suffering just a few hours ago, and now looking at the light on the horizon fill him with peace, his breath was calm as that recurrent headache was gone, just the tenderness of her embrace, her soft hair and silk skin against his. He blinked a couple of time when he hear someone giggling beside him.
"My, You look happy today, Kamui," Reina commented as she carefully massaged his back. He was reluctant to be touched before, but now under her touch he let her continue for her surprise, no frown or pushing her hand away, just a sigh as she continued. "I´ll assume that you had a wo-oh?" she was delighted to see that instead of walking away he used her lap as a pillow with another sigh, her lips curled as she dared to do something bolder, ruffling his hair, instead of surprise or a complain, he let her continue to her heart's content. "Oh my~ what´s with you today? Not that I complain, but you´re awfully docile now."
"I don't know…." Kamui said, looking at his hand. "….I just….don't know….." fortunately the bed was big enough to handle the space he required to lay the way he was, and just now noticed the warm, secure presence of Reina's, and the way her fingers moved through his hair, with care and in a motherly way "…..I…just what happened? I was with…Kagero? And then…that dream…"
Reina frowned as she continued pampering him. 'He might not remember what happened before,'Orochi warning resonated in her head. 'So no matter what, you can't stress him, he´ll be dazed for a while. The moment he´s aware of what happened it´ll be easier for Yukimura to provoke another episode like that. We can't afford to stress his body like that again,' she sighed "What´d you mean? Did you have a bad dream perhaps?"
"No….actually….." he stopped for a moment when Reina massaged the back of his ears as he relaxed his tense muscles. "….I….want to….." he closed his eyes as in minutes she could feel his weak breath and calm posture, she carefully pulled the sheet covering him as he mumbled some words. "…..i…ise...dont…..go….."
"Ise?" Reina wondered as she carefully moved him, although the sun was rising and soon the maids would arrive, she couldn't miss the chance to calm him. Now with his head on her bosom and again caressing his head, she continued to soothe him. "There, there…..return to whatever dream you had, return to you haven and rest."
"…So I assume that he´ll be sleeping for a little while?" Another voice whispered, Reina gently covered his ears making sure that his dream wouldn't be disturbed.
"As long he´s calm, the spell will keep him out of Yukimura influence" She looked back at the figure near the bed "…are you alright? Oboro?"
The lancer fidgeted for a moment, scratching the back of her neck. Although most of her bangs covered them, one could see how some bandages were showing through her cobalt hair. "Yeah, I am now, so, that´s it? We´re going to just wait and stay here?"
"The most important thing for a warrior is to rest, to lick his wounds and to prepare for the next battle. We can't go on if there is a shadow of hesitation in his recovery and of course, if there´s an unhealed wound," she slowly moved her bangs to see Oboro´s bandages, she was about to walk back but feeling how Reina assured that there was no problem with it was somewhat soothing. "thats goes for both of you."
"It´s not like I can stay in the barracks anymore,"she looked away, ashamed.
"Heh….I heard your little incursion to Yukimura´s room."
"…." Oboro stayed silent for a moment as Reina just calmly laughed.
"Do you regret doing that?"
"Of course not, I'm rather mad that I couldn't do something better,"she clicked her tongue, crossing her arms "…it´s frustrating."
"I know, we all know,"Reina said looking down at Kamui´s calm face, by now he had the same color he had in his first return to Hoshido "….we need to be extra careful, Orochi couldn't say how long it will last, or if there will be another chance."
"About what? The little trick with the music box?" Oboro looked at the desk, a small white music box, golden lines around it and the small key aside to turn the gears inside. The box was rather simple but at the same time enigmatic, it was for sheer luck that Kagero suggested using it to calm down Kamui. If Yukimura was using his fears and angst to control him, perhaps they could shackle off those chains using something familiar. All Mikoto´s last belongings weren't with Yukimura, fortunately. Oboro walked to the music box and turned its key, opening it and letting the small piece of music play. It had a rather similar tune than Azura used in her song, but they were different, the moment the music started she looked back to see how once more Kamui´s breathing relaxed. "…..Even gone, Lady Mikoto is more useful than us….."
"That's a mother duty, Oboro," Reina said as she took the chance to wrap him with his sheets. "….I wonder…..would he….."
"Mmm? What´s it?"
"…No….nothing" she shook her head "it's just….wishful thinking….at least for now," she looked at her with a curl in her lips. "So, anything useful from your last visit?"
"Oh yeah," Oboro smirked, taking a pair of parchment sheets from under her yukata, "I'm so in in this, that asshole is going to pay for all what he´s done."
"There´s nothing you can do, Hinoka, just...return to your room for now," Orochi's voice resonated in her head.
Hinoka sat in front of her desk with a sulking expression on her face. Seeing her red eyes and black bags weren't a good sign, all her hair was a mess, her night yukata was almost open with her right shoulder falling, a trembling lip when she looked at her own reflect on the mirror. She tasted how dry her mouth was, without much energy she was about to grab her comb when a voice in her head resonated.
'Papa, how did you marry Mommy?"
She heard her own voice resonate in her head, her younger voice, she bit her lip as she started combing her hair.
'Mmm? Why you ask that, dear?'
Her father voice resonated as she frowned, seeing in the mirror the figure of Sumeragi, with Mikoto beside him with a wide smile.
'Well….you said that you married mommy because you wanted to stay with her…..and I want to stay with Kamui more than anything in the world.'
She could remember how she looked down for a moment playing with her fingers, as she felt her father hand on her head, looking up as he was laughing.
'But Hinoka, your mother and I are toguether because... Look, it's different dear'
'Really?'
'Yes dear, I wouldn't tell you so if it wasn't like that, maybe we can talk about this later, ok? Look, Kamui is waiting for you at the entrance.'
She remembered that part of her childhood, with melancholy for a moment, then with a frown as a letter remained on the desk, she bit her lip until she could taste the iron on her tongue.
'He´s the enemy now, you must forget about him, that´s an order, Hinoka,'her heart sank as she looked at the mirror with widened eyes, seeing how Yukimura was frowning in front of her. 'He´s nothing, less than nothing, he´s a traitor and the only reason he´s alive is because he´s useful, he´s only fuel for the barrier, that's all.'
Her heartbeat rose as her anger burst. Little by little her shock was replaced by sheer hatred in her face, her knuckles where white as she could only see Yukimura's face with empty eyes.
'Soon you´ll forget about him, he´s nothing more than a black stain in our history. Get over it.'
Hinoka couldn't handle it anymore when she saw in the mirror the same image that haunted her dreams, how Kamui was laying on that bed almost lifeless. She couldn't bear it for another second. She felt the blood falling from her knuckles as the mirror fell apart under the sudden impact, only a small piece remained in its place as she could see her left eye.
'…Noka….' Her eyes softened as her hand trembled, with a blink she could see Kamui in front of her, playing with his feet, nervous, '…um…..here…..'she looked down as she held that white comb shaped like a wing '….umm….it´s not much… but mama told me that you would like it,'she held it tighter to her chest as she felt the tears falling from her eyes placing her forehead on the desk, 'it´s because….you´re always protecting me….that´s ´cause you want to stay with me, right? Whatever happen' his toothy smile on her memories just made her cry louder, 'I want that too, Noka.'
"Umm, Lady Hinoka? It´s everything alright there? I heard something breaking," One of the servants asked outside as Hinoka tried to clean her face, failing as she couldn't stop the tears. She was still holding the comb that Kamui gave her so many years ago, she quickly grabbed a towel when she noticed that some of her blood was staining the handle. "Lady Hinoka?"
She looked at the letter on the desk and brushed away the shards on top of it. She couldn't believe that a single letter could change everything so drastically. She saw her face and at first she chuckled a few times, then a spirited laugh scratching her head with her other hand. "Man….I eure am a mess…" she told herself.
"L-Lady Hinoka? A-Are y-"
"I'm fine" she finally replied, leaving the comb on the desk and taking the letter, hiding it under her clothes, only after as she made sure it was clean. "Prepare my bath please, I want to talk with Reina later, so please tell her and Orochi that I need something to discuss with them," she said, walking to her door, settling her Yukata and trying the best way to comb her hair with one hand, she opened as the servant was waiting outside, she gasped taking her hand.
"L-Lady Hinoka! You´re hurt! We need to fetch a healer an-"
"I'm fine, just a small cut, see?" she wrapped the cloth that the servant used to clean the blood from her fist "I´ll just ask Sakura to heal me, I'm going to her room right now actually."
"L-lady Hinoka? Are you sure you´re alright?"
"Mmm? Why you ask?"
"W-Well, forgive me if I'm rude but…..you look…..happier than before."
"Mmm? I guess I am….I just realized something silly, something that I should have done a long time ago."
"If I may ask, about what, milady?" the servant asked, following after the princess.
"Well, is embarrassing, but I must have realized about my feelings…..and I need life counseling about it as soon as possible, so I´ll speak with Sakura, please inform Setsuna that I´ll be a little late for our morning trap detector class, and tell Tsubaki that I need him to stay at her side for the time being" she tilted her head for a moment "actually, put in hold all the other stuff I have to do, all the training with the new recruits can be done by Tsubaki and Setsuna if they don't have anything more to do now."
"M-Milady? Wh-what is so important that you´ll postpone all your duties?"
"Love," She said so bluntly that the servant stopped. She walked away with a pleased smile on her face, continuing with a hint of a spring in each step as she never stopped smiling.
Chapter 19: Forgotten bonds.
AAAAAAAAAAAAND THAT´S ALL FOR NOW!
Sorry for the delay guys, you know, life.
Anyway! Hope you enjoyed, leave your comment and review, until next time!
Shidesu! Out!
