Chapter two and I updated relatively quick, how about that! God, these two...just...I want to go "Aw!" and pinch their cheeks.
Just a Taste and You'll Be Hooked
Sabri plucked a canister of cinnamon from a high shelf in the store and tossed it in the basket hanging from Asira's arm. She smiled gratefully and began scanning the shelves for another spice. She hadn't said much today and it was a little odd. She was normally quite talkative. "Something on your mind, Asira?"
She looked up again and shrugged. "Not much. I guess."
She didn't look angry or upset, just contemplative. He nodded and followed her around until she checked the final item off her supply list and paid for them. He followed her out of the store, a few steps behind. Her long black braid swung slowly as she walked. When he first saw her that day all those years ago, he hair was cut short, tangled and dirty.
He had a hard time connecting the old Asira with the new by appearance only. Back then she was scrawny and smudged in dirt. Today, she was...erm, well, physically grown up and groomed prettily by Lynell. She was still the same though. Her personality was more mature, but it never changed and he was glad.
"Sabri?" she finally spoke up. They both stopped and she turned to face him.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you become an assassin? You just...you don't fit the mould. I can't picture you doing the things they do."
He thought for a moment. "You remember when I told you about my sister?" She nodded, shifting her basket to her other arm. "I did it for revenge. You know how that tired old story goes. The problem," he said, putting an arm around her shoulder and continuing down the street, "Is that I was never suited for that kind of job. You're right to have the opinion you do. When it comes down to it, I couldn't kill anyone. I failed my first job because of that."
"So you've never actually killed anyone?"
He smiled. "No, not a single person. When you met me, I had only just become an assassin. I only had two jobs under my belt. The one I failed, and the one I was currently on." He paused, wondering if he really ought to tell her any more. However, the past was the past, was it not?
She obviously could not help but ask. "What sort of job was it?"
"You see, since I failed my first job, I was demoted. Then I, and three others, were hired to catch and kill a very troublesome thief." Asira's feet suddenly planted themselves in place, refusing to budge anymore. She stared up at him, eyes wide in realization.
"We had some trouble so I figured I would lure her out. It worked and I caught her. So, I led her into the desert and to my little oasis. All I had to do now was kill her...but I couldn't. Pathetic excuse for an assassin, don't you think?"
"You--you were supposed to k-kill me?" she stammered.
"Supposed to, but I didn't. The three I was working with knew I wouldn't so they were actually trying to kill me. After me, they'd have gone after you, so I sent you away." After a few minutes of standing in silence, she seemed to make up her mind about something. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along. "You aren't mad?" he asked. He thought she would be.
"No. You didn't kill me, you saved me. I was right about you and I don't really care about the past now. Just that we're both here, alive and well." Dark eyes looked to him without an accusatory glare. She had forgiven him without a second thought. He actually expected her to be a little bit angry for telling her that she was a target.
"You're right." He leaned down, kissing her softly, hands gently caressing her face. The sound of his cane clattering against the ground seemed distant. When he pulled away, her face was a shade of scarlet he didn't think was possible for a person to turn. Her mouth was slightly agape in what seemed to be shock.
After a moment, she recovered a little. "You...d-dropped...your cane." She picked it up from the ground and held it out to him. "We should, erm, get back. Lynell is, um, probably wondering where I am."
"After you," he grinned. She was undeniably adorable.
