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Bee-uty & the Beast

Kraen

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Chapter Six

Hani buried her face into the pillow she clung to and slid her feet gingerly on the hard wooden floor. She had found a safe haven in her room, sitting cross-legged next to her fire pit with its warm and entrancing flames. It helped to calm her mind and the hot tea she sipped, eased her fears.

With slow and steady breaths, she thought back on how she had reacted in the hot springs. Like a scared child – frozen and unable to move. She blushed with embarrassment as she remembered Gai's face. He was concerned – worried. Then he had helped her, taken her away from what she feared most. And how did she react? Again, like a child – a snot-nosed brat who ran away. She should have been grateful to him. She was thankful, but couldn't bring herself to admit to what had happened. To admit it meant that she would have to confess to her fears – admit she wasn't as strong as she tried to come across.

She pulled away from the soft fabric of her pillow and reached for her cup of tea; its sweet chamomile aroma filled her senses as she brought it to her mouth. She took a small drink, letting the hot liquid roll soothingly down her sore throat. But before she returned her tea to the table, she held it gently before her face. As she looked into the depths of the cup her mind drifted to a time many years earlier …

--/--

"Mama," cried a young, high-pitched voice. "The ice is going to break!"

"Not if you do it right," said an irritated, feminine voice.

"But Mama! I hear it cracking!"

A tall, dark-haired woman, dressed in an expensive kimono, pulled her fur shawl tighter around her shoulders. "I've told you a dozen times, Child. When a lady walks, they should be as light as a feather. If you do this right, you shouldn't have any trouble walking across this frozen pond." She adjusted her gloves, "You hardly weight 30lbs, even if you fail – the ice should not break."

The young, blonde girl took another apprehensive step towards the shore; gasping as the ice squeaked painfully under her weight. She gave her mother a pleading look, but the woman was too busy preening in a small mirror.

Hani tried to swallow but her throat was far too tight from fear and the cold. She twisted her hands tighter into her scarf, trying to build courage to take another step. With a small bite to her lip, she willed herself to move her foot again. She slid it out slowly; there was no crack or movement in the ice. She gave a sigh of relief as she brought her feet together.

Before Hani or anyone could react, the ice below her immediately gave way, causing Hani to drop like a lead weight; the freezing water shocked Hani into a panic. She flailed wildly, trying to bring herself to the surface but water-logged winter clothing weighed down her small frame. She looked below her, hoping she was lucky enough to be in a shallow part of the pond, but all she could see was utter darkness; darkness that hungered to consume her. The sight and the realization of her death caused her to scream – forcing her to lose the last bit of her precious air.

With one last attempt, she tried to swim towards the surface, but her freezing joints wouldn't allow her to reach her freedom. At that point, she gave up all attempts at saving her own life and let her body float into the blackness of the lake's bottom.

Just as Hani reached her limit, a strong hand gripped her wrist. She opened pained eyes and watched as a dark figure swam at a maddening pace towards the surface. Within seconds, she and her rescuer burst through the water and landed safely on the pond's shore.

Hani's body wracked as she coughed-up ice-cold pond water.

"That'a girl," came a kind but concerned voice. "Get it all out."

The child tried to open her eyes, but the freezing water made them feel like they had been rubbed with sandpaper.

"Oh, thank goodness you were in the area!" came her mother's voice. "If you hadn't been here, she may not have made it."

There was no response, but even Hani, at her age, could sense the anger in her rescuer.

"You see what happens? She is such a handful! I can't keep her from getting into these messes, she just won't listen!" her mother came closer. "None of this would happen if you were around."

The man who had pulled Hani from the river stood, holding the child tightly in his arms. "Kisaki," came his rough, deep voice. "We have been through this before. I am married."

"But she is your daughter!" came her mother's angered voice. "Do you know how hard it is to raise a child on your own?"

The man sighed, "Do you think you are the only woman in the whole village that is in your situation? There are many widows who raise their children by themselves. It is the life of a shinobi."

"But my child's father isn't dead!"

The man sighed deeply, "Kisaki, you know what you are asking is impossible."

The woman grunted, dissatisfied.

Hani felt herself be lowered to her feet.

"Are you alright, Hani?" asked her father.

She was a bit wobbly and shaky, but stable enough to stand on her own. She rubbed at her painful and blurry eyes. Her vision hadn't returned enough for her to make out the face of the man who had saved her.

"Now," instructed her father. "Take her home and warm her up. If she becomes ill, take her to the hospital immediately."

Kisaki made no reply.

"And if you try something like this again," said her father, a hint of venom in his voice. "I will take her away from you – contract or no!" With that, the man was gone.

--/--

Hani put down her teacup and stood. She walked to her bed and redressed herself in her kimono, making sure everything was perfectly in place. She then checked her face in the mirror to touch up her make-up. Once she was satisfied with her appearance she walked to her door and built up the courage and humility to do what was appropriate.

--/--

Gai walked heavy footed to his room. He was grateful Oda had returned to him to help him find his way, otherwise he would have easily gotten lost in the maze of the mansion. If he had to stop and ask for directions, people would have gotten suspicious and might catch-on to Gai being an imposter.

He glanced at the doors to Hani's room. It was dark, save for the light from her small fire pit. He frowned out of concern and confusion for her behavior. Had he done something wrong? She was clearly frightened by something, but what? And why did she react to him the way she had? Was he suppose to have left her in there? Just dump her on the bench and walk away?

Gai shook his head, 'Women – will man ever figure them out?'

He took a shower to cool off from the hot springs and dressed himself in a comfortable, simple yukata, not wanting to mess with the hassle of a traditional kimono. It took him a good fifteen minutes to figure out how Hani had styled his hair to match that of Hakanza. At one point, he wanted to fling the comb across the room, but he held back, fearing the damage he would cause.

After settling for less than perfect, he left his bathroom and began pacing his room. It hadn't occurred to him before, but there was very little for him to do while on this mission; a lot of "down time". Something Gai always had a hard time adapting to. After a few minutes, his pacing began to resemble that of a caged animal.

He was grateful when there was a soft knock on his door and maybe a little too eager for something to do. He didn't just open the door; he opened it like it was the last obstacle in his bit for freedom.

Oda jumped as the shouji doors flung open before him and cowered under Gai's intense stare. "My Lord?" squeaked Oda.

"Oh, Oda!" blushed Gai. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a bit worked up – still trying to adjust to this new lifestyle."

The servant smiled, "I had always figured it would be luxurious to live as a noble, but I guess I was mistaken."

Gai scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"The captain has requested that you look at the guard roster, placement assignments and rotations. He wants your expertise on the subject," winked Oda.

"Ah!" laughed Gai. "I'm grateful for the distraction."

"Excellent," bowed Oda. "I've left the file on your desk."

"Thank you," nodded Gai.

Once Oda had left and Gai had shut the doors (more gently this time) he walked to the dresser, found his backpack and rooted-around for a small object that he quickly stuffed into the folds of his robe. He quietly left his room and walked peacefully to the office where he found the fire and the lamp lit. He looked around the room and noted the extravagant furniture; the desk especially. Carved and inlaid with gold. 'Why spend so much money on a desk that very few would actually see?' Gai shook his head as he sat down. Even the chair was gaudy, with its down-stuffed cushions and silk fabric.

Honestly, Gai felt like a bull in a ceramic's shop. He feared to move even slightly or else break something priceless. The desk, for instance, had an ornate, hand-painted glass oil lamp on one corner. There was a master craftsman letter-opener in the front center. A very expensive looking ink and brush set sat on the other corner. Gai eyed the ink set's delicate brush and knew if he had to touch it, it would break under pressure from his strong grip.

After settling into the chair and noting where everything valuable lay, he opened the envelop Oda had left for him. There were numerous papers, each with a great deal of detailed information. Rosters, rotations, shifts, routes, security information, everything a captain of a house guard could ever be concerned with. He looked around the room cautiously before reaching into his robes and retrieving the object he had grabbed earlier. It was a small, black case, about the same size as his hand. He pried it opened and revealed a pair of metal glasses. He took them out gingerly and with great care, placed them on his face. He then picked up the papers and went about his work.

A few minutes later, there was another soft knock on the door. Instinctually, Gai snatched the glasses from his face and stuck them up the sleeve of his yukata.

"Come in!" he called, not knowing how Hakanza would usually respond.

The door opened slowly and closed quietly behind the visitor.

Gai relaxed, "Hani. Are you feeling better?"

She walked silently to the front of the desk and bowed deeply.

Gai didn't know how to react, "Hani?"

"I'm sorry, for how I reacted earlier." She bit her lip, "I behaved inappropriately, and I am asking for your forgiveness."

"Forgive you?" asked Gai, in bewilderment. "Might I ask – what was bothering you?"

She blushed, "I was … I was frightened."

"By what?"

"By," she hid her face. "I'm an aquaphobic. Whenever I'm near deep water, I lock up." Tears were threatening to revolt against her eyes. "I know it's ridiculous and I'm sorry. Please don't think that I am weak and will jeopardize the mission."

Gai furrowed his brows as he stood and quickly walked to Hani's side. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder and gave her a comforting squeeze. "Hani, there is nothing wrong with having fears."

"But, it means that I am weak –"

"Weak?! Nonsense!" he chuckled. "There are MANY ninja who have phobias and fears. How you deal with those fears, is what makes you strong or weak."

She looked into his eyes, "Do you have any fears?"

He stood back and smiled sheepishly. "I would like to say 'No', but I would be lying, and Maito Gai doesn't lie."

"Then, what do you fear?"

Gai reached into his sleeve and slowly returned his glasses to their place.

Hani tilted her head slightly – they made him look more … distinguished.

He sighed, "Gerascophobia."

"I'm sorry, Gera-what?" asked Hani.

"Gerascophobia, the fear of growing old," he chuckled. "I shout about youth and all its glory, but no matter how loud I yell, I can't scare away the effects time has on me."

Hani couldn't help but smile. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I'm a strong believer in: you're only as old as you feel."

Gai smiled in return. "I would agree with you, but how I train … there are days I feel like I'm 300!"

They both chuckled.

"I'm – I'm really sorry, Gai. Do you forgive me?"

He winked, "Already have."

They both laughed, grateful that at least one barrier between them had finally been torn down.

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Thank you, for reading!