Chapter 03.
Ayeka lay awake in her bed; she looked over at Toushiro who sat feet away from her. He sat up against the wall clenching his sword between his hands as it rested on his shoulder. She looked at him admiringly. He had sworn to stay awake, but with the exhaustion of the day on his shoulders, he fell asleep in less than an hour. It was not the norm that he would stay and watch her in her room while she slept, but she was no longer safe.
She turned her head toward the window, he was here. She walked outside casually, her silky robe danced around her legs in the wind. Her hair reflected the light from the moon, giving off an effervescent glow that surrounded her. The scene could be compared to that of an angel appearing down from heaven. And there he stood.
His head was down, his eyes cast down to the mucky earth. His frayed bangs covered his glasses, leaving a dark shadow over the brim of his nose. All that could be seen clearly was the daunting, clown-like smile plastered across his face. His teeth shining back at her mockingly. From a distance, one might claim to have seen the power of good and evil in a face off. The static in the air was intense, and almost intoxicating.
"Hello Isien." She spoke first, without caution.
"Why my dear Princess, it's been too long. You'll have to excuse my inhuman composure, for I've changed quite a bit."
His smiled remained, as his head cocked up to stare at her. She brushed off his threatening words and studied him well, it had been a while. She stepped forward, he didn't flinch. With his silent permission she stepped closer, and stared into his eyes. He did not become uncomfortable or hesitant like so many others, he had nothing to fear. She looked into his very soul to see if there was anything left of Isien to save. Suddenly a ZanBakTou sliced through the air and into the ground angrily in the spot where Isien once stood. He had quickly dogged and moved behind her. He hovered above her shoulder and whispered into her ear.
"15 love, my serve again…"
He almost sang the words, like a tease a child would use, and then vanished into thin air. Toushiro approached to retrieve his ZanBakTou from the ground.
"I didn't mean to scare him off…he just got a little too close." Toushiro withdrew his sword and looked to Ayeka with an apologetic smirk. Ayeka returned his remark with a frown of her own, as she looked up into the stars.
"Isien is gone. He is merely a marionette, and for this I can morn no longer. But I am worried there will be others…"
"The others are loyal to you, and to each other! They will not make the same mistake Isien did!"
"Some are more loyal to their captains who raised them, then to me. What about Momo? She would die for Isien, even after knowing what has become of him…"
Toushiro is silenced by the mentioning of his sister, whose loyalty to Isien is undeniable. Even his "fake death" which he set up almost tore her to pieces.
"I'm sorry. Things will be alright…"
She touched his cheek and brought his eyes to hers.
"I have a few tricks of my own…"
She winked at him, making him blush. But he smiled at his new found hope.