"So let's see if I understood you correctly," Yellow pinched the bridge of his nose. "You found this strange woman being attacked by- Enigma, was it?- and you decided that she just had to come with us?"
"Is that a problem?" Blue asked in a distant voice. Yellow shook his head.
"No, I'm just trying to figure out why we keep adding people to our group. Don't you think our army is big enough?"
Erika, who had been standing beside Blue while Yellow carried on with his rant, moved behind Blue as if it would protect her from Yellow's words. This action earned Yellow a growl from Blue. No one was going to make her feel like she was in any kind of danger.
"I can leave if my being here is going to cause problems," Erika spoke softly. Blue jerked his head toward her and was about to tell her that he wouldn't allow her to wander off by herself, but Misty took Erika's arm and pulled her off to the side before he could say a word. Blue turned his attention back to Yellow.
"She will stay with us for as long as she desires and that is final."
"You're not staking a claim on her are you?"
"No! What makes you think that I want anything sexual to do with her?"
Yellow smiled. "Good because she's actually kind of cute."
With one swift and fluid motion, Blue had Yellow pinned to the nearest tree. He had already somehow unsheathed his dagger and was now pressing it against his comrade's throat. Yellow did not struggle, for he knew that if he did it would just provoke Blue further. That sudden, cold wind engulfed the two "You as so much as touch her and I will rip your damn throat out. Understand?" Blue snarled.
"I understand that you are interested in this woman," Yellow replied with a smirk. Blue suddenly realized that his friend had never intended to do anything with Erika and released him. The wind quickly dissipated.
"That wind is freezing," Yellow complained. Blue shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't fuck with me like that and you won't ever have to experience it again."
Yellow began to walk toward the two women, only to be stopped by Red. "Sorry friend, but Misty told me to keep their privacy private. So, I can't let you get any closer."
"And do you always do what Misty tells you to do?"
"Yes." Red answered without hesitation. Yellow rolled his eyes and walked away while whispering something about Red being whipped. Blue wanted to ask what Red thought they were talking about, but Krystal and her crew interrupted.
"We should probably keep moving," Krystal said, her tone implying that there was danger near. Blue stiffened.
"We picked up a strange scent, and it's heading this way fast." Maroon. Blue nodded his head, and called his comrades to him. Moments later they were on the pathway toward Azelea town. Because of their acute sense of smell, the three legendary dogs lead the pack, hoping to sniff out any danger beforehand.
The entourage arrived in the small village before dusk set in. Luckily, nothing had attempted an attack, but Krystal revealed that they were being followed. For what reason, Blue could not guess. Maybe Enigma was following them to see if they obtained an item, and would make his move then. Whatever the case, Blue was prepared for anything.
"We should find somewhere to stay," Green advised. "It won't be safe wandering in the dark, especially around these parts. I've heard strange things about this area when night falls."
When he didn't elaborate, Yellow stepped up and asked what he meant. A shake of the head was Green's reply.
Dark fell quickly, and Blue and his team had found an inn to shelter them for the night. Blue had divided the four rooms that they had gotten, making sure that he and Erika shared one alone. Naturally, Krystal, Maroon, and Goldenrod were assigned to one room; Yellow and Green were forced to share a room; and Red and Misty happily took the other room. Yellow began to protest his sharing of a room, but when Blue flashed his say-one-word-and-I-will-slit-your-throat-while-you-sleep eyes, Yellow quickly shut up and accepted the fact that he had to bunk with Green.
Erika had already entered the room. Blue was close behind, secretly hoping that there was only one bed and that they would have to share it. His hopes were broken when he saw two queen-sized beds occupying the space by the walls. Brown curtains blocked out any light coming from outside. Erika gently sat at the end of the bed nearest to the window, as if afraid that it would collapse under her weight. She then folded her hands in her lap and turned her attention to Blue. Elegance radiated from her. In the 50-some-odd-years that Blue had been alive he had never met anyone quite like her. She was sophistication, ecstasy, and beauty all wrapped in one pretty little package. Blue must have been staring more intently than he had intended because Erika began to blush. This snapped him back to reality. There was no way he could have her, no matter how much he wanted. The coldness of his wind would surely kill her, as it had his past lovers.
Blue dropped his bag by the bed adjacent to Erika's and flopped down on it. He was in the process of taking off his boots when Erika spoke.
"So why did you want a room with me?" She asked innocently. Blue froze; his heart began to pound faster and faster. How could she not know the reason he wanted a room alone with her? No. She knew. She just wanted to hear the words from his mouth. Those words, however, would never leave his mouth because he could never have her. So, what was he to tell her? He couldn't bring himself to lie to her. He finished untying his boot and tossed it aside before he answered.
"It's just the way it happened," he replied shortly. Why had he chose to share a room with her? He knew he couldn't get too attached to her, yet something inside him yearned to be around her. He knew sharing this room with her would just cause him pain, yet he did it anyway. A small chuckle left Erika.
"Please. I'm not stupid. You purposely divided us up this way. You could have had me and Krystal stay in a room together, but instead you purposely put us together. Why is that?" Blue could not find and answer. "Do you desire me?"
Blue jumped to his feet. "No!" He shouted. While he meant to answer Erika, the reply was more to his self than anything. He did not desire her. Couldn't. Erika removed the pink flower from her hair-never breaking eye contact with Blue- and set it down on the nightstand next to her bed.
"That's a shame," she replied with a sigh. Blue was taken aback. She had feelings for him? He wanted to push the issue further, but she lay down on the bed and pulled the blankets over her. There would be no more talking this night.