China Rose

While I adored spending time with Jun (she was an excellent conservationist and her travels allowed us common interests for our discussions), I soon began to grow weary of her constant shadowing, and I also found that there was little others in the hideout who enjoyed my presence as much as she did. After only a few nights; there was an attempt on my life, though Jun was able to placate the would-be murderer, there was little she could do in terms of reinforcements, or even a repeat attack some nights later should they try again.

She refused to even apprehend any of the culprits who did attempted to kill me, insisting that a good portion of their training was in preparation for events like this – when strangers entered the hideout. In fact, she mostly praised them for being able to reach so close to me, much to my own dismay. But, I was still exceedingly blasé with my surroundings and predicament, so Jun started my training earlier than expected – as I had been so swift to adjust.

Though my lessons differed slightly to any novices, as I was not being trained into the order; simply to survive long enough to reach far enough West that I would no longer be searched for. First lessons were that of detection and stealth, being taught that the greatest defence was an enemy's ignorance.

"If they do not know you are there; how can they capture you?" Jun's voice rang through the training hall. Some dummies had been set around the room in specific groups, and my job was to pass between them with agility and stealth. Something I had finding increasingly difficult to achieve as the session wore on.

"No! Keep your head down! Guards will suspect a hood, only if they notice it first." She shouted from across the room, while I ducked down as quickly as I dared, almost tripping in the process. "Do not give them the chance."

I sighed, standing and using the respite to take deep breaths – my tall stature only meant that I was constantly crouching slightly, and it was this that took most of my energy. "Oh, sure! I'll just stroll past and wait for them to notice me, shall I!" I growled, though not quite daring to look at my mentor when speaking.

"Well, then maybe you would want to venture the hideout by yourself, and see how you fare." Her voice was low but not angry, or aggressive – calm, though I would not question it, after a few days by her side I could usually tell when to press a subject and when not to. "We shall see if the Masters recognise you or not."

"No!" I jumped forward, closer to her as she turned, stopping, she looked back to me. Undeterred, I continued on. "I'm sorry, please. I'm just tired."

"I never said this would be easy." She whispered, stepping forward towards me and taking my hood in her hands on either side of my face. She then pushed it behind me head, to rest on my back and across my shoulders. "But you must finish, if you wish to survive. Come, it will be easier without your hood."

Meanwhile, I'm rooted to the spot with how desperately close she is, so much so that I could feel her breath ghosting my cheek, and take in her sweet, overly Oriental floral scent. It was at this point I realised my desire in being familiar with this woman; after years of travelling, I'd missed companionship and mutual friendship, it was something I had found for a short while at the brothel, but, since I would never return, I wanted to befriend Jun.

Ever since meeting her I could see how she wielded experience and skill, even in her daily life – and how she needn't ask for respect; it was given to her readily and heartily. Her resoluteness had affected myself in a way I had not realised; in our first meeting, I stood vis-à-vis with my kidnapper, and yet I offered her the dignity she deserved, as she had done with me.

So as I stood there, trembling from fatigue, drenched in my own sweat, fiercely attempting to shake the immovable memory of her aroma from my mind – I was unable to notice her approach me once more, only grasping the location of her presence when she placed a hand on my cheek, which lingered for a moment until she then pressed it against my forehead.

"Flavia." I looked up to see her gazing into my face. "We will finish now. I'll draw you a bath when we return to my room."

I nodded, following her slowly as she walked to the door. Even now, walking was aching me and it was an immense effort, but the thought of rest was too valuable to pass up, and I jogged a few metres to catch up with her, almost regretting the decision when I slowed to a walk again.

I turned to her, grinning already; "Same again tomorrow?"

We laughed simultaneously, and I risked taking her arm in mine. Though, when she did not resist, I leaned close to her: "You won't bathe with me?"

Her face beaming with amusement, the woman shook her head in response, looking to my eyes before speaking. "I'm afraid my bathtub is a little small."

I was more than used to bathing with other woman by this point; it was commonplace in the Orient, and I had often bathed with the ladies of the brothel for monetary concerns. It was a wonderful way of bonding with them, as we all relaxed when bathing together. Though, at Jun's answer, my brow furrowed and I pouted my mouth a little (already I was ashamed at such childish behaviour, but I had come this far).

"I don't mind the size; I was a cortigiana, you remember?" I laughed, attempting to keep the mood light, squeezing her arm and moving ever closer.

She was silent a moment, then I felt pressure on my arm, and she spoke: "Alright, alright. But let's eat, first."

I didn't respond in voice to her, only sent another squeeze of her arm and pressed against her side, giggling with her.