Author's Note: Omg I'm like the world's worst procrastinator ever… another ULTRA late update… DX if any old readers is still here reading this… thank ya'll SO MUCH! And I promise you the next update will definitely be MUCH faster, as I've already finished writing it… :)
)DEVILZ CHIK( - Haha I know, same here! I nearly forgotten who was married to whom as I write… :P but that what happens with time, ne? Your memories wears off slowly… and of course I'm gonna incorporate that idea into they story… XD naww, I got what's opposite of this "senioritis"… definitely NOT feeling lazy… or at least not my friends and I… we're trying to get into highly competitive programs… and we've been working our butts off! Thus the lack of sleep… and everything that comes out of our mouth is mathematically/sciency… :P
)Nicktrugs( - Wow, thank you so much! And I'm glad you like this story so much! Don't worry, by the end of "Wanted" everything will be… will sort it out (for better or worse) for "Love"… though I can't say the same for "Wanted"… :sweatdrop: ah, I swear I'm so a lot more addicted to writing "Love"… XD
)White Trinity( - Thanks! :) I like writing long chapters too, because I enjoy reading long chapters. XD
)waterlilies52( - ah you're SO right! I noticed that myself… I was trying to make this story one that moves along medium-paced, not a fast-paced one… but it's become too slow… DX this'll be one chapter to sorta sort thing out and then plot will unfold one by one…
)Amy Ishida( - Wow you did gr 12 chem? Now THAT'S amazing! O.o it's so hard for me! I don't know why but there are just these section in chem. I just don't get! (the m, n, l, s stuff about stupid atoms and their electrons… DX) Eng was actually so fun! And even more fun now that I have a double spare in the morning for every other day XD (original had eng, spare… now spare spare! :D)
)BiskElle( - Wow, I am very flattered! Yay 2 reviews! :) You ask very good questions… but you'll probably worry a lot less about Touya after you read the next chapter… XD right now my main problem is Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling… seriously I don't even know how am I gonna sort this out… and of course, poor Chiika… ;.;
)Elizabeth Eclair Rose( - Lol don't worry you didn't miss too much… nothing happened with Touya and Kaho afterwards… he sorta just let her go since he is married… but something will happen this and next chap :) and I didn't get your email… it didn't show up… :( could you give it again but replace the "at" sign…? Thanks!
)Cassie-Hime( - I agreed with you completely! I know I write VERY OOC… that's what happens when you've been writing fanfics for too long… you twist their personality little by little… till they're practically your OCs… but I can't help it… ;.; I'm trying to keep up with some of their original personalities but somehow they still deviates… T.T
Thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews! n.n
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Chapter Fifteen
Connection
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Weeks passed since Sakura's attempted escape. Now that all necessary words has been exchanged, the King no longer feels quite as flustered about his feelings, and Sakura felt much more at ease, and less lonely.
She was granted special permission to be allowed entry to every room of the castle, to be able to visit the King when she wanted, and she was even given power equal to that of a princess.
King Syaoran had kept up his end of the bargain quite well—despite giving Sakura permission to see him anytime she wanted, she has yet to catching him even once with another woman. Though she never voiced it, deep inside, she was giddy and happy.
Of course she never told anyone of her special privileges, and mostly told her friends she was simply wondering around the castle, or just getting some fresh air.
And to her delight, she has a few times caught scenes of women being sent home, though never of new women being sent in.
On this day, Sakura smiled happily clasping her hands together, watching from her window, as four more young women were being sent home. All four of them were bawling their eyes out and begging the guard to convince the King to reconsider, but needless to say, the guard simply ushered them onto their carriage and rode away into the forest. Sakura touched her heart. "Don't you worry my dears, and don't you cry. Your days are about to get a lot better, trust me." She closed her eyes. And even though a lot of times she told herself of the success of her plan, she couldn't help but to also frown at the thought that perhaps she was the one who stole the competition from them… after all, wouldn't they have a much better chance of getting him had she not come…? But she shook her head at such thoughts.
Closing the door softly behind her, she headed off towards the King's library. Surprisingly, he was actually a very educated ruler, and besides women, he loved reading best.
She knocked softly on the door, before a servant opened the door for her. "The King is inside, Lady Sakura."
She bowed politely before walking—nearly running—inside, her dress fluttering behind her. "King Syaoran!" She called out, seeing him deep in thought, staring out the window.
He turned around, as a smile appeared on his face. "Sakura." He nodded.
Her face was radiant as she smiled shyly. "Y-You, you sent Sheila, May, Dally, and Angelina home today…"
He raised an eyebrow. "Well you seem exceptionally happy…"
"I—ah—I'm just glad t-they'll be getting home…"
He laughed, pulling the chair out beside him, as she walked over to take a seat. "Are you sure that's the only reason?" He teased.
"I—ah—of course! Well, maybe some others…" She blushed prettily. "Listen, ah, I was actually wondering… it's been a while since I'd read it and I really want to… so… would you be interested to continue on "Love"?"
He looked thoughtful for a bit. "Oh… that book…" he finally said, grudgingly. "If you wanted to read it, why didn't you?"
"Well, I knew you wouldn't want to miss any part of it." She replied with a smile.
"Really, I wouldn't go that far."
"Well you certainly never complained about all our reading sessions!"
"Well, true… but there are other reasons to that…" he coughed.
"Hmm? And what would they be?"
"Well… you do have a very mesmerizing voice…"
"I'll take that as a yes then!" She exclaimed brightly, taking out her booklet out from behind her.
"Always come prepared, I see…" he muttered. But no matter, he smiled as he leaned back. He always enjoyed it when she was happy—she looked ever so innocent and radiant. Glowing with a special light women and men alike on this earth lacked.
"Let's see… where were we… yes… Lilia had just escaped the castle after hearing Reyn's confession to her… I wonder what she would do now…"
She began to read.
Lilia woke up to a small, familiar hut. Groaning slightly, she got up from the slightly uncomfortable bed. "Reyn…" was the first thing she muttered, clutching at her aching head. "Where are we…?"
"LILIA!"
Her eyes snapped open as a man drew her into a breathtaking hug. "Oh, Lilia, my love, I thought I had lost you forever. Do not ever do this me again, sweetheart, truly it is too much for my health… when I found you in barely alive in the fields of that dreadful, dreadful place! You must tell me, what had happened? Did he harm you? Was he the one who left you there? Did he try to kill you? For goodness sakes you were bleeding! Around the neck no less! Did he touch you?"
Lilia sat there groggily listening to his words, unsure of what was happening. But suddenly, the voice clicked in her head. Jayx-Ln. Tears welled up in her eyes. This was the man she chose to be with. This was the man she loved above all, despite his lack of fame and fortune. She had always thought she made the right decision, choosing love before everything else. But thinking back now, as Reyn's powerful form appeared over and over again in her mind, as his final words echoed through her head, she was beginning to doubt her decision. Closing her eyes, a tear slipped down her cheek. "Reyn…" She muttered.
Jayx drew back and looked at her with worry upon his features. "Lilia, are you all right? Honey, what's wrong? Are you uncomfortable? You do still recognize me, don't you?"
Lilia forced a smile. "Of course, my Love. My Jayx. How could I ever forget you?"
He let out a sigh of relief. "Oh Lilia, my Lilia!" He cried, hugging her tightly. "We can finally start our dream… we will finally have our very own happy family…" He whispered, kissing her passionately on the lips.
Lilia was uncertain at first, but repeatedly she told herself, this is the man you love, this is the man you swore to be with for the rest of eternity. Reyn is gone. No matter, Jayx is the one you love. And she kissed him back fiercely, fervently. Despite what Reyn told her, despite what Reyn has done for her, he has caused her so much pain… but this is her one chance to start over, with Jayx, in a simple, but joyful life. "I love you, Jayx…" she whispered.
"Oh my Lilia, and you of course know, I you too."
"But Jayx, I must ask. How did you find me? The last thing I remember was fainting in the garden near the castle…"
He smiled gently, caressing her face lovingly. "You never really thought I ever left did you? After they released me, I wondered around the castle daily, biding my time for when I could go in and rescue you from that madman. And suddenly, one morning, it was as if the Gods answered my prayers! As I once again, went to investigate the castle, I suddenly found you! All alone, lying in middle of a grass field, oh but bleeding so terribly! At first I couldn't believe it—after all, what were the chances? But one glance at your face, I knew it had to be you. Only you could still look like an angel even after nearing death." He looked terrified as he continued to speak. "Oh, but I was so afraid… I carried you all the way back, making money doing whatever possible, and using that money to send you to doctors to do whatever necessary to keep you alive… I was so scared I would lose you, Lilia."
Lilia's eyes stun as she cupped his cheeks, then felt her way down to his neck, his shoulders, and his arms. "You've thinned much, my love…" she whispered. "Was it all because of me?"
He took her hand and kissed them. "No matter. Anything for you is worth it. You are an angel sent to me from God—you accepted me despite my banishment from all of society, you loved me despite how the world looked down on me. I would gladly die for you, Lilia."
More tears fell down her cheek as Lilia heard his each word. She knew she made the right decision. She was right. Jayx gave her the life she wanted—a life full of love. "Oh my love, you shan't speak such foolish words ever again, you shall never speak of death again. We are bound together till death due us apart… except not even death will due us apart. If anything were to happen to you, I would follow you without a second thought into the underworld."
"Lilia…" Jayx breathed kissing her bottom lip slowly. The night was still young, and their wedding night had not been completed. Slowly, she fell down against the bed as he fell on top of her.
"This is the wedding night we never had, Jayx…" she whispered.
He kissed her lips softly. "Are you sure, Lilia? You are still weak, and tired…"
But Lilia shook her head. Every moment delayed is another moment spent being Reyn's wife. She wanted to forget him forever. This was her new life. "We've waited for this for too long…" she murmured, unbuttoning his shirt.
Jayx smiled. "From this moment on, you finally officially belong to me." He said, before claiming her lips in a fervent kiss.
—
Lilia greeted the next morning with a bright smile on her face. She wrapped the bed sheets around her as she headed out their little hut to find Jayx.
When she spotted him near the lake, starring off into the distance, she walked up to him quietly, as she hugged him from behind. "What's on your mind, love?"
He smiled feeling her touch, as he spun around slowly, hugging her close to him as he look her over. Even dressing in mere bed sheets, she looked radiant. "I was making an oath to the Gods and Goddesses above."
"Oh? About what?"
"That I would love you and take care of you for the rest of eternity. And if I shall ever displease you; may lightning strike me down for ever daring to be unworthy and selfish and disgusting."
"That shall never happen…" she murmured happily. "You are the joy I've searched for all my life, and I love you above all…"
"I also made another oath… that I shall harm anyone who has harmed you…"
At those words, Lilia became a little uneasy. She could sense the change of tone in his voice, and the way his body tensed slightly. "Jayx, honey, no one has harmed me…"
He shook his head slightly as he guided her to sit down among the flowers next to him. "Lilia…" he said slowly, his handing caressing her face, his eyes staring deeply into hers, looking for any sign of pain. "That man at the castle…" Lilia tensed. "Who was he?"
By instinct, she looked away. "No one." She replied. She had hoped that by becoming Jayx's wife, life would start anew, Reyn would become only a distant memory—but no, this has to happen. She knew she was being punished for breaking two binding oaths to Reyn—but wasn't the last few weeks enough pain?
"Lilia… tell me, who is he? Why did he hurt you? What does he want with you? Why does he have so many men obeying him?"
"Jayx, I told you, he is no one…" she said softly. "And he didn't hurt me… the cut on my neck… that was my own fault…"
"Oh, you see? He has driven you insane with rage that you rather to end your own life!"
"No! Jayx!" She cried in frustration, staring at him in the eyes, telling him silently, don't press anymore, my love… forget that incident, and we'll be happy forever. "I told you, he is no one." She repeated.
But of course, Jayx's curiosity has always been his biggest flaws. "No Lilia. You're hiding something from me. Husband and wife share all secrets! Are you that scared of him?"
"I-I'm not afraid of him!" She cried as in frustration as she stood up to leave. "You, You don't understand!"
"Of course I don't! You refuse to tell me anything at all!" He cried, following her every pace heatedly.
"No, I mean you wouldn't understand even if I told you!"
"Try me."
"No! I know you wouldn't!"
Sighing in frustration, he grabbed her wrist and spun her around. "Lilia, do you trust me so little? Were all your words to me yesterday… lies?"
"Jayx…" she muttered, her heart aching. "How could you accuse me of such a thing? I'd never lie about my feelings towards you… my love for you is real and true, and it runs deep within me… so much that I couldn't rid of it even if I wished to…"
"Then please, let me share your burden…"
Lilia sighed, frowning deeply, as she searched in his eyes for answer. "Jayx…" she said slowly. "Are you familiar with the term, King?"
He was mildly surprised. "Why yes. But why bring up such a childish thing? I've heard about them in fairy tales that were read to Lynetta as a child."
Lilia shook her head slightly. She loved how oblivious he was, his innocence. Why did he have to force her to take all his best traits away? "Jayx… they're not only from fairytales…"
"Lilia…?"
"That man… he… he is King Reyn Lin III of the Kingdom of Gwendolin Rea. His great, great, great… well, grandmother and grandfather from 149 generations ago fought their way through enemy fires and conquered lands, and as well as discovering new. They are the legendary, honorable Lady Gwendolin Rose-Maria XII and her husband, King Rea Lin. As they died, their Kingdom was passed down from generation, to generations. Each always ruled fairly, and had many sons, and always chose the most appropriate to pass this Kingdom onto. As the years went by, Queen Genevieve and King Reyn Lin II received the honourable title, and they ruled fairly for a very long time. But as they are getting old, they have chosen a son to carry on their family's greatest treasure, and he is King Reyn Lin III."
Jayx stared at her in disbelief. "Y-You're kidding, right…?" He finally stuttered.
Lilia chuckled. "I told you, you wouldn't understand…"
"No, I-I…" he took a deep breath. "Lilia, I believe you, every word you said. That would explain his servants. But what does any of that have to do with us?"
She sighed. "This very land that we currently step on, treads on the edge of his Kingdom."
"WHAT? That is absurd! How come I have never heard of this?"
"Because, the Kingdom of Gwendolin Rea runs on for many, many lands and villages. Those close to the Kingdom know of the greatness of their King, but as the distance increases, the less the villages are affected by the King, and the less they know and care of the King. Until here, where it is at the boundary before crossing into the Kingdom of Earlitir, the people are so far away from their Kings they feel no need to speak of them. That tradition gets carried out for a few generations, and their King is completely forgotten…"
Jayx stared at her in utter shock. "S-So, that madman… he is my King?"
Lilia chuckled at Jayx's choice of name for Reyn. "Yes, darling, that 'madman' is your King." She replied, touching him gently.
"So i-is that why he took me that night? He was unhappy for our dishonour towards him! Because I am a banished man! And I dare to marry and be happy!"
Lilia laughed, shaking her head. "No, Jayx, he is not that kind of a man. The King is fair, and he would never do that…"
"Then what did he want with you? With me? And why did he raid every nearby village, kidnapping men?"
"It… it had nothing to do with you, or the other men…" she whispered.
"Then it was…?" His voiced dropped a notch. "Lilia… what did he want with you?"
"Nothing, Jayx…" she mumbled.
"Lilia…"
"It doesn't matter… it's all over…"
"Lilia… if he is this almighty 'King' that you speak of, how do you know him?"
"I… Family ties…"
"Does that make you… a Queen?"
Lilia nearly choked, but she managed an awkward laugh. "Oh Jayx, not everyone related to the King is automatically considered a Queen!"
Luckily she had interpreted his misunderstanding correctly. "Oh, is that so?" He laughed. "Guess I should've studied those fairytales more as a kid."
Lilia laughed with him, loving the sound of his carefree, and innocent laughter. There is no reason to burden this man with her dark, twisted past. "Who knew, hmm? But as it does not matter, let the story of King Reyn stay where it should—in Fairytales." She reached up and caressed his face. "Jayx, believe me, he is gone and shall never return… so why revolve our lives around him? Why burden ourselves constantly with him daily? Let us instead enjoy life the way we want to, hmm?" She whispered, kissing him gently.
He seemed slightly uncertain. "Are you sure he will not harm you again…?"
"I promise…" she whispered against his lips, her body against his.
"There are still unanswered questions I am dying to ask…" he whispered. "But all that matters is you're safe…"
Curiosity killed the cat… Lilia thought softly to herself, as she wrapped her arm around her—finally able to call him by this title—husband. And I'm not ready to lose you yet…
—
The days went by blissfully, and Lilia lived in true joy with her husband. As time passed, her guilt towards Reyn faded along with any memories of him. Within time, she forgot about him completely. And it seemed their love and happiness shielded Jayx's questioning as well.
Truly, this was the life Lilia dreamt of living. And this was the woman Jayx had waited his whole life for.
It would almost seem that life was perfect. Their live stocks were healthy and well, their crops growing fine and tall, even the weather was cooperating with their soaring mood. Fall turned into winter, winter turned into spring, and as the weather was starting to ablaze, during late spring, beginning of summer, came an ill omen.
During a warm day, right after a fresh night rain, with the morning dew glistening outside, Lilia woke up to anxious pounding on the door. She yawned and rubbed her eyes sleepily as she got up to answer the door. Who could possibly find them here? She asked herself.
"Lilia… where you going…?" her husband moaned softly, grabbing onto her arm, his eyes still closed.
"Don't worry my love, I'll be back in a few minutes…" she replied, kissing him on the forehead. He loosened his grip around her wrist as she smiled lightly, heading towards the door.
The pounding came louder and louder, more and more anxious. "Who is it?" Lilia called out, very curious.
"It's me! Open up!"
Lilia smiled at the darling voice, as she opened the door slowly, revealing a bright-eyed and excited Lynetta. "You'll never believe what I heard!" She cried, twirling around joyously. "I had visited a good friend of my from a rather far away land a few days ago, and she has informed me the most exciting news I've heard all my life! As you should know, dear Lilia, our town is very quiet, and rarely anything happens… but oh, in their town! I've heard something marvelous." Her eyes widened slightly. "It would seem that my friend lives in a place ruled by Kings and Queens!"
Lilia laughed softly. "Truly, that does seem rather outrageous."
"For sure! I had thought they only existed in fairytales! But that's not all, their King is a fair, and handsome Bachelor, who has started a competition! He is looking for a wife!" She gushed, handing Lilia a poster with a huge smile on her face. "Now keep it on the hush? I wasn't supposed to take this poster off the wall, but…" she blushed slightly. "I just couldn't help it! He's so handsome! And he's single and looking!"
Lilia took the poster as she glanced down slowly. In that single instance the smile was wiped from her face, her colour paling dramatically. Reyn.
Trying to keep her head's swirling at a minimum she quickly forced a small smile, pushing Lynetta outside the door. "Shh, we shall talk about this elsewhere; Jayx is sleeping, let us not disturb him."
They left the hut together, closing the door behind them gently. "Lynetta," Lilia said sternly but gently. "Honey, you're married, are you not?"
"Oh, I know, I know!" Lynetta replied, pouting slightly as she hugged the poster tightly against her chest. "But how I wish I weren't! The King, oh he is oh-so-handsome, and most of all, he is single and looking—this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a dream to come true! What woman wouldn't want to live as a Queen?"
"Yeah…" Lilia said softly, staring into the distance. Reyn… my Reyn… have you forgotten me so soon? Will you so quickly have a new woman sleeping by you at night? Was I really worth so little? She thought. What happened to that infinite love you claimed you had for me? Do you forget them so easily?
"Lilia?" Lynetta asked, waving a hand in front of her face. "Aww, don't tell me, are you daydreaming about the King too?" She teased with a laugh.
"Never." Lilia replied firmly, without a trace of humour.
Lynetta's laughter died out slowly. "I was only kidding, Lilia, I know you and Jayx love each other to death—quite literally too."
"Oh, Lynetta, but you have your other half too."
She sighed. "Maybe I should enter this competition… I know the chances are slim, but what if… what IF I am chosen?" She pondered.
"Lynetta! How could think of doing this to your husband? Think about how heartbroken he would be!"
"No, he wouldn't…" she said softly. "Truth be told… we haven't been… getting along too well lately…" she said sadly.
Lilia looked at the poor child as she wrapped her arms around her. Why is the gap between Love and Marriage so great? She wondered. Why did the two not come hand-in-hand as it was meant to? "Honey, I'm sorry… but running to another man is no solution… especially not a man loved by thousands of women… the chances of him loving you back becomes slim to none, leaving you only more heartbroken…" Then shouldn't I be considered lucky? Of everyone in this far and wide land… he loves me… She shook her head. Right, this competition shows exactly how much he loves me…
"I know, Lilia, I know…" she replied, dejected. "But sleeping every night beside a man who feels nothing for you, you can't help but to dream of foreign fantasy to conquer the loneliness deep within your heart…"
"I know, Lynetta, I know…" I know that feeling from sleeping next to Reyn all those years… "Listen, you mustn't speak of what you have just told me to anyone, not even Jayx, alright? In fact, I think it would be best if none of us mentioned this to Jayx at all…"
"But… why?"
Lilia patted her softly on the head. "Please?" She whispered.
Lynetta was confused at the reaction she received from dear Lilia, but nevertheless, she nodded.
"Well?" Sakura asked with a sly smile. "Do you still find the book so despicable?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Well, unless I am mistaken, I do believe King Reyn's tactics are… quite similar to yours…"
King Syaoran scoffed. "I never had any problems with the King—in fact I agree with his every move and desire, with the exception of him begging after the queen like that, of course. It is the overall story, and especially that treacherous Queen I am displeased with."
Sakura smiled faintly. "But I find the Queen's dilemma quite close to my own…" she murmured softly.
But the King caught her every word. A frown came upon his face. "And what is that suppose to mean?"
She shook her head quickly. "Nothing, nothing at all… It is such a waste to be staying inside on such a beautiful day! Let's take a walk outside!" She chirped happily.
The King raised an eyebrow at her sudden enthusiasm. "But you were the one insisting on strapping me down to hear and listen to that tale you enjoy so much… besides, I'd much prefer staying inside."
"Oh come on… please?"
"No."
"Pretty please…?"
"No!"
Sakura pouted. "Maybe it's because of all this lack of fresh air and sunshine that you're so grumpy all the time…" she mumbled.
"I beg your pardon?"
Sakura giggled. "C'mon, for me? Please?" She begged cutely, holding out her hand.
He sighed. "Fine, fine…" And slowly he got up from his seat. And to her surprised, as he straightened, he swept her right off her feet as he carried her away from the room.
Sakura squealed in surprised as she wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing joyously, her eyes sparkling with delight. It was so easy for him to distract her from her predicament.
—
It was near dusk and the sun was setting. Touya had just finished dinner and was tucking his daughter, Chiika into bed, when rapidly pounding came at the door.
He kissed his daughter on the forehead softly before he went to answer the door.
As the door swung open, he came face to face with 16 fully armored soldiers, each carrying a sword or a spear. "May I help you?" He asked tersely.
"We're wondering if you've seen this woman?" A soldier asked, shoving a piece of paper at him.
Touya glanced at the painting quickly and had to stifle a gasp. It was Kaho. Definitely Kaho. "Not sure…" he said slowly, as if bored and uninterested.
"50 000 gold for the person to turn her in." The soldier added.
Touya eye's widened. 50 000 gold? What on earth did she do to deserve such a heavy bounty? "Could I get a name or something?"
"No you cannot."
"Umm… any last name? Family members? Relatives?"
The guard was getting annoyed. "Look buddy, you know her or not? Stop wastin' our time here."
"All right, all right." Touya said quickly. "Could you at least tell me what was her crime?"
"Ah, fine, fine." The guard replied, irritated. "She's just some woman dat entered da King's comp'tition for wife or whatev. Then she escapes the castle after he cleaaly forbad her. So ends up with her charged as disobeying direct order from the King. Real serious punishment. King was lotta furious and wants her back no matta how long it takes."
Touya nodded slowly. So that's what it is. I remember her mentioning her escape from the castle… though never thought she would be brave enough to disobey a direct order to obtain her freedom… he thought with a touch of admiration. "Well if you don't mind me saying, I find that rather silly. The King's got tons of women, so one escapes, why not just let her go?"
"Look have you seen 'er or not dammit? Who da hell do you tink you are to comment on the King's or'das, ay boy?"
"'Course, 'course, my deepest apologies. But sorry, nope," he said, handing the sketch back to them. "Never seen her around here."
The guard growled. "Coulda said dat sooner…" he mumbled. "MOVING OUT!" And he walked away, with all the other soldiers following.
Touya closed the door quickly, as he leaned on it, closing his eyes. It's not safe for her to be alone out there with those things running lose trying to chase her down… He opened his eyes, they were bright, and shining with determination. I must find her.
In long strides he quickly marched to a nearby stable where he asked to rent a riding horse for a day. He mounted the horse quickly as he paced back and forth around the village. Where could she be…? The fact that the soldiers are here means she mustn't've gotten far, so she must still be within this area. After all a woman like her could never travel to the nearest village alike in her condition, and especially on foot. To the north there is nothing… to the south are great grazing areas… but she wouldn't want to go there in the wide open space… so… It suddenly hit him. The cave. To the east there is a relatively small but secure and secretive cave. She must've stumbled upon there sometime and decided to stay there for a few days… it's been… 3 weeks? She should still be there… after all, it's secluded and relatively warm, with plenty of fruits and fungi for food nearby.
But at that very thought he felt his stomach twisting. Kaho, Kaho, Kaho… why did you leave? Is that really so much better than when you were able to share proper food with me…? He shook he head quickly. Pointless thoughts. What mattered now was that he had to find her before the King's soldiers found her. I'm coming, Kaho…
—
The past few days had just gotten worse. Kaho sighed as she leaned against the damp wall, nibbling on some small berries. She had wanted to stay here for a few days to regain her strength before she continued her journey. But within a week's time, soldiers had come in droves, with none leaving; simply hovering nearby, waiting, preying.
But her strength was beginning to fade and every part of her body ached from this uncomfortably place. She felt scared. Truly, she'd rather die than to end up under the mercy of that King.
She picked up her dress weakly as she came out of the cave to gather some more branches to keep her small fire going. "What if… what if I went back to Touya…?" she mumbled, before quickly shaking her head. "No, absolutely not. If he was caught hiding me severe punishment shall befall him for withholding information. I cannot let myself burden him like that."
She picked up any branches, leaves, semi-edible items she could find on the ground, and gathered them in a big pocket on the front of her skirt.
"When did I become this pathetic…?" she whispered softly, wiping at the dirt on her cheek. "How did this happen…?" she sniffed, feeling the sting in her eyes.
"No, no, I must be strong! I must! It'll all be over soon… I just have to survive through this and wait for all the King's soldiers to leave…"
But suddenly, from the far distance, she heard the sound of horses.
Fear instantly replaced all expressions on her face. "Oh no!" Anxiously, with her heart pounding rapidly, she ran with all her might. But the sound of horses was approaching much, much too quickly.
"No, please… I don't want to go back… please!" As she pleaded, a majestic black horse suddenly jumps into the air out of the thick trees behind her.
"AHH!" She screamed in fear watching the horse hovering over her, terrified where it might land.
She twists her foot from the uneven ground, tripping, as she found herself literally flying through the air. She hit the ground painfully, rolling down the steep hill.
Each contact of her skin against rocks hurt like hell. But she could only squeeze her eyes shut as all around her, the earth spun around and around.
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Author's Note: Okay, okay I admit… this was a bit of a filler chapter… I need to get a move on with this story, and so I need to catch "Love" up with "Wanted", and figure the whole Kaho / Touya out… next chap will def. get more exciting… I promise… DX
5924 Words.