HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sorry guys, I had a lot to do in the last weeks, and you know, family, work, study…..geez, a lot to do in just a couple of days xD
ANYWAY! Im happy to be back with a new chapter, I hope you enjoy it, see ya at the end!
SHIDESU! OUT!
"…It has been a while since the last time we visited your village….I'm sorry about that, this was Mother's favorite place aside from the castle…" Ryoma said as he looked at the small town, the entrance was simple and the houses were Hoshidan style, but a little bigger and for the look, sturdier that the ones at the capital, being a small town near the coast and a lot of small rivers passing through it made it necessary, they walked in following Sachiko lead while she chuckled.
"Nonsense, Lord Ryoma, we all understand that you´re having a hard time with the war and all, it´s a pleasure to welcome you once more in these difficult times" Sachiko said as she greeted the local who bowed and saluted the caravan. "It´s such a shame that only you could join us, we wanted to see Lady Mikoto one last time….."
"…I'm sure she feels the same about your town, the southern islands have been having a hard time this year."
"Worry not about us, Lord Ryoma, our little affairs are nothing compared with what's happening at the castle," Sachiko said looking at him. "We pray that this whole issue will be solved as soon as possible."
"Thanks," Ryoma sighed as they finally reached the main building, a kind of fortress near the mountain at the west side of the town "…..Lady Sachiko, if I may, could we get what we came for? As much I would like to stay, we need to return to the capital as soon as possible"
"Aren't you staying for the next days?"
"Just for tonight, I'm sure if my men and I read all the reports, we will be ready to leave the day after tomorrow."
"Such a shame, you won't be here for our own festival."
"I apologize, Lady Sachiko," Ryoma said, sighing with crossed arms. "But we need to return as soon as possible, we won't take much of your time, or hospitality."
"Don't worry, Lord Ryoma," Sachiko clapped her hands as the main door opened. "You´ll be back before the weekend."
Chapter 21: Fall is ending. Part 2
"Waaaaaaaait a minute," Miyu said as Kamui was eating his breakfast, more likely that Oboro was feeding him again, both of them looked at the maid that was suspiciously away from them "Are you telling me that you haven't taken a trip around the plaza?"
"Uh…. Dead tattoo, curse of my life, can't leave the castle, remember?" Kamui said with a hint of disappointment in his voice as Oboro chuckled. "How am I supposed to 'take a trip' if every time I step into the hallway I'm about to die?" he sighed, facepalming. "Besides…..it's not like I want to take a stroll."
"mmm….. We should fix that problem," Miyu said, thinking with her fingertip on her lip. "Perhaps we could…..get some of the stalls inside?"
"I think that could be problematic," Oboro thought for a moment. "The games stalls aren´t really easy to set if we want to set them in the hallways, and food stalls aren't the best options as the smell would linger for a while, not to mention that the steam from the pots and pans could damage the supporting beams."
"Mmm…..then what about a play? We can get the scenario and stuff here in a couple of days."
"So, you´re going to ignore me, uh?" Kamui sighed as he was about to take a boiled egg with his bare hands "then I´ll he-ouch!" he was stopped as Oboro smacked his finger with the chopsticks.
"Are you serious? Even the streets actors are too noisy or proud" Oboro said as if nothing happened "We cant have a lot of people here, and any actor would say that their act should be displayed for everyone in sight, at least the ones in the autumn festival"
"What about normal competitions? I'm sure we c-" Miyu was talking as Kamui tried again to pick a piece of food, stopped again for the same chopsticks.
"We have a big room, but it´s use for jogging mostly, we can't move a lot of things to set up the space, too small for normal competitions and same problem with the actors, the people wouldn't like to stay indoors for something outdoors."
"Oh well, it´s looks like I will miss this festival, what a shame," Kamui said while he was massaging his hurt fingers. "If only I could have, oh, I don't know, left my body for another one and have fun outside? such a shame, i was diying to do things outside but that´s life, now that´s settled, can we finish our breakfast?"
"Wait! That´s it! Kamui, you´re a genius!" Miyu laughed as Kamui deadpanned while Oboro looked confused "We can do that!"
"…..I was being sarcastic, I d-"
"Oh! Right!, we can do that, but wouldn't it be hard?" Oboro replied as Kamui glared at her with a 'really?' face.
"Dunno, maybe I need to check it, we can do it right now!"
"AHEM!" The three looked at the table an annoyed Reina who looked the plate with food, altought she was reading a book, she was fully aware of what they were doing, Oboro scratched the back of her head as Miyu whistle looking away.
"R-Right, sorry, Kamui, let's finish and then we can get to business, that´s if you would allow us to find a way to cheer him up," Reina chuckled nodding.
"Really? You need to ask her for my pe-pfg!" Kamui was complaining as Oboro shoved some fried rice in his mouth.
"Well mister, you´ll only be gloomy if I ask, so let's finish quickly!" Oboro didn't give any chance for a counterargument as Kamui ate his food at her pace, just when he gulped the portion of food Oboro shoved another one, in minutes they were done as Kamui was gasping for air.
"A-Are you nutz?! Some of that was still hot!" Kamui gasped as Miyu pulled him from his left arm. "W-Wait, I need water, or tea, or wh-"
"No time to waste, Lord Kamui! Quick! Time waits for no man or dragon!" Miyu said as he was forced to stand and follow the ninja, Oboro pushing him from his back.
"We'll be back in two hours or so, don't worry Reina, we´ll be back at noon!" Oboro said, looking at Reina.
"Very well, dear, have fun, and no funny business like the massage, am I clear?" Oboro blushed, looking away, looking away and with a loud 'thud' closing the door, they were gone. Reina sighed, leaving the book on the table, leaning on the chair and with crossed arms she frowned with another sigh. "….Kaze, let's begin," the ninja appeared in front of her with another five ninjas, all of them kneeling.
"Are you sure?" Kaze asked while the other ninjas started looking around the room, picking up furniture and placing some parchments behind.
"I know it's bad that we´re doing this behind his back," Reina said,frowning further while she watched the ninjas doing their work, making sure that everything they moved was in its rightful place, not before leaving another parchment to hide it "as her….. Closest retainer, I will do whatever I can to save him, even if…. I have to betray his trust…."
"Making a golden birdcage?"
"….. A sanctuary for him" she said as her fingertips touched his belongings he left on the edge of the bed. "He should be free to dream even if that means…. He doesn't want to stay awake with us."
"You´re doing this for Lady Mikoto's promise?"
"No…." she shook her head "I'm doing this because I want to, I want to see him smile again, to make sure that the only one who saw his smile is not lady Mikoto, that we can make things right, even after she´s gone…" she sighed.
"….you sound like you´re his mother."
"….. I will never have that honor, Kaze….." she looked at the ninja with a warm smile. "But thank you."
"…..she´s taking her time….." Oboro said with a shaky voice.
"She sure is" Kamui said still leaning on his palm as both of them were sit on the floor of the room they used for their exercise sessions.
"…."
"…"
'Dammit Miyu, why did you leave us like this?' she thought as her eyes were dizzy, they were alone and not especially in a good mood. Miyu just left them and ran away with a wink towards her while she was without a clue of the ninja´s plan.
"….if she´s not back in a minute, I´ll go," Kamui sighed.
"Oh, c´mon Lord Kamui, it's not that bad, we could use this time to stir up, besides, we could use this chance to know each other better," she said too quickly for her taste, although she felt embarrassed for Reina and Miyu comments, Kamui wasn't affected, he sighed again.
"Why? It doesn't matter where I am, it's the same, so why stay here instead of my mother's room?" he laid on the ground with his arms under his head looking at the roof. "…. It's just the same with everyone."
"Kamui…..that´s not true."
"It isn't? I'm just a glorified prisoner, it's what Takumi, your LIEGE, said before, nothing more than wood for the fire like Yukimura said, so it doesn't matter who is with me right now….."
"But I want to be with you, I re-"
"No, you don't," Kamui sighed, massaging his temples with his right hand. "You just feel guilty for whatever happened a week ago, or for what has been happening lately, feeling that you need to stay because you feel uneasy it doesn't make it true, so do us a favor and leave me alone."
"I can't leave you alone and you know it," Oboro puffed her cheeks for a moment looking at the albino. "And I REALLY want to stay with you, not because I feel guilty."
"Sigh*, I´ll say it in another way. I'm never alone, even if you or Reina aren't with me. There is always a ninja, or guard, or whatever looking at me all the time, so there´s no big change if I'm with or without you, but I prefer to be 'alone', so c-ouch!" Oboro punched his shoulder. It wasn't that strong but it was enough to move him. "Hey, what´s wrong with you?"
"With me? I'm telling you that I don't mind being with you, but you just are so rude sometimes," Oboro said while she delivered another set of light punches.
"Hey, stop it!" he tried to grab her wrist but she just took his arms and pushed him down. "Get off!"
"Make me" she snickered while Kamui sighed, trying to push her off it was clear that laying down was a mistake if he wanted to respond the way he did, now he was struggling to move as Oboro was (once again) on top of him, with a devilish smile as he couldn't move.
"…..I can feel your bosom on my chest…."
"Wh-Whatever!" Oboro groaned, still with a firm hold on his arms "I'm not letting you go until you apologize!"
"…"
"….."
"…do you…." She hesitated, "hate us that much?"
Kamui groaned. "Let me be clear, I hate to be in this place, I really hate to be here…" Oboro bit her lower lip, seeing that Kamui sighed and looked away for a moment, "….but I don't hate you, or Reina….." Oboro stared for a moment just to chuckle afterwards.
"…"
"….."
"…you know, if you wanted to do this, I could get you a room," both of them looked at the right to see a kneeled Miyu with a silly smile. "I didn't know you had this kinky fetish, Lord Kamui."
"…could you just get off me now?" Kamui groaned looking away from the ninja.
"No, until, you, apologize," Oboro said while in each word she shoved her fingertips on his chest, finally releasing his arms.
"…fine, I'm sorry"
"…..no, I don't believe you," Oboro crossed arms as Kamui looked at her, she had a frown. "I want to hear an apology, a REAL one, one that you mean it."
"….sigh*" after some moments, instead of a frown, he had a pleading face "…I'm sorry…for making you feel…..bad."
"….I'll take it" Oboro smiled getting off, Miyu snickered while Kamui sighed again massaging his temples. "soooo, what have you got for us?"
"Oh! You're gonna love this!" Miyu took out some parchments and with a few movements of her hands she deployed in front of them a set of doll, human size, without face or any human trace, just like mannequins "We can use these!"
"…..how so?" Kamui deadpanned as Oboro looked closely at one of mannequins, examining its body.
"It's rather simple, Lord Kamui, we can use this 'Replicas' so you can go outside. We just need to set some clothes, some paint, and nobody will see the difference."
"….." Kamui facepalmed while Oboro chuckled "…..believe or not, I don't think you can 'trick' the curse with a used dolland paint, it´s not like it's a guard that can be dodged….."
"No, no, no, that´s not what she meant," Oboro said. "I think what she means is that you could try to learn the 'replica' skill", that way you could get out of the palace without dying in the attempt," Kamui saw the replicas, they were too simple, taking the hand of one he felt the texture of its skin, pale as a pearl, his head hurt as he could swear that for a moment he saw Elise hand on his, he frowned as the image disappeared.
"Oh right, I remember Kaze using one of these before he…" he frowned looking away for a moment "…..anyway, I don't believe that they would let me use this thing, a prisoner can´t use weapons….."
"But these are for training Lord Kamui" Miyu said taking one and opening it´s arms, just some gears and for what he could guess were the 'bones' of the replica "it´s a fancy dummy, so if you learn to use this, there won't be a lot of complains from the others, replicas can't talk, you won't be able to attack or harm others without weapons, and in case you 'want' to use brute force any ninja can disarm it"
"Great, so I just swap my cursed body for a fake one that won't let me speak, eat or any kind of human feeling. Great improvement." Kamui said with a snarky tone.
"Oh, c´mon Lord Kamui, where´s your spirit of adventure? Besides, if you train to use a replica, you´ll be able to explore the palace and the surroundings, even if it´s not your real body. You could get a break whenever you want."
"Do you realize that seeing you with my own eyes and through the replica could get me the worst headache ever, right?"
"Oh! But you won´t see me, Lord Kamui. These one are for practice, so they can only be used if your original body is 'asleep' or concentrated to control it, so you get to rest a little as bonus, of course using for a long time cause some mental fatigue, not to mention that…"
"This keeps getting better and better," Kamui sighed, facepalming while Miyu was still talking without noticing that they stopped listening a few moments ago. Oboro placed her hand on his shoulder, when he looked at her she smiled with a warm curl.
"Come on Kamui, it's not that bad," Oboro commented shaking him a little "Where´s the harm? And hey, if you don't like this, you can drop it whenever you want."
Kamui looked at her, he was about to complain just before a strand of the cotton on her head showed off, he carefully flicked her forehead and fixed her bandages "…..I´ll give it a try just to make sure you don't hurt yourself anymore with stupid stuff," he said in a tone that if someone else listened, they could think that he was groaning, but for Oboro and Miyu faces, it was the first time that Kamui accepted to do something more than sleep and eat, at least they were making progress.
"Oh! I get it! Sooo, if you turn right heeeeeere, and then to the lefty just a couple of miles, I will see a village where we can re-suply, right?" Peri said while Haru groaned, with an ink pen and a map in front of them.
"No, Lady Peri, for the last time, you need to AVOID that village. Look at this, there´s a forest and a river just two miles away, your party can hunt and forage whatever you need," the servant said marking with a black circle the part he meant, Peri just frowned puffing her cheeks and crossing her arms.
"But why do we need to avoid the village? And why would Peri hunt her dinner if she has gold? It's not even Nohrian gold, regular gold is fine, right?"
"No, No, NO! You NEED to avoid the village and fetch new supplies because in the village won't trade with you, if you go right there then you´ll get struck down for invading Hoshido."
"B-But you and that Akemi girl said that since Peri and her servants could pass it we don't have nothing to worry about," she puffed further her cheeks while Silas chuckled nervously.
"This will take a while….." Flora said massaging her temples, then she looked at Silas. "…..In any case, Silas, could you patrol the camp? We need to get ready as soon Lady Peri….agrees with the route"
"I think it's silly that we have to take such big detour!" Peri said with a more disappointed rather than angry tone.
"Fine, I´ll get everyone ready for tomorrow," Silas chuckled, leaving the tent with the new trio of friends, although Akemi is a noble woman, it was somewhat odd that someone like her encountered them. Eve more so when she acted so carefree, unlike his parents who in his eyes were too open in Nohr, not to mention other nobles. Maybe they were too kind for their good? As he walked around the camp, a familiar silhouette caught the edge of his eyesight. A familiar woman at the edge of the river sat looking at the half-moon in the sky. He sighed and approached, however, she didn't look back to greet him, instead she just keep washing her arms "And that´s explains why they knew our names…..it has been a while, Azura."
"…." She didn't say anything. Now she was washing her long hair, Silas scratched the back of his head.
"…you know, we were worried about you….about what ha-"
"You don't have to lie, Silas," Azura interrupted him still without looking at him. "At least, not for her…."
"I´m not lying….well…..not about me at least….and if it mean something, I don't think that what you got back in Nohr was nearly fair…."
She sighed finally standing and giving her hair a last pull to undo all the knots "I don't blame or hate you Silas, but I don't believe in what Camilla said, even when I know she only said that for sheer sadness….but thanks…." She said with a soft smile, it disappeared in seconds.
"…you know anything about the others? Do yo-"
"If you want to know anything about my….. husband, then no, as soon they struck us down, I lost contact with him, as I said in front of Xander and the others…." She looked more distressed than before.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I just wanted to….. make talk, it was stupid for me…."
"Kaze made his decision when he decided to betray Kamui´s trust, there´s nothing more to say."
"Alright, sorry, I won't ask again. I'm sorry if I offended you."
"Your ideas or comments hardly offend me, but you know me better than this, Silas, at least try not to ask me this topic again."
"…sorry…and you know something about…Kamui?"
"No, I haven't seen him since that day….but I assure you that he´ll need us sooner than you expect," she pushed her hair away, placing a pouch on his hands and walking away. "For now, I have done everything I can…..I must ask you that this will be the last time we speak….until we have cleared everything from that day."
Silas nodded, looking inside the pouch. He arched his eyebrows and before he could ask, Azura was gone, he sighed, looking at the stones inside the pouch. "…This is going to be hard to explain…."
AAAAAAAAAAAND THAT´S ALL FOR NOW!
Sorry for the delay guys, you know, stuff and life xD
Anyway! I hope you enjoyed the new chapter of the year, as always your comments, reviews and pm are welcome, have a great new year and a happy weekend!
SHIDESU! OUT!
