I felt that I was betraying Kikuri s feelings and trust as I was kissing her thinking on the person that always made my heart tremble. Do not take me wrong! I loved what was happening between me and Kikuri, and appreciated the fact she loved me; I just wanted, before deepening my relation with her, to make sure I solved for once and all that subject of mine that was still stuck in my chest to make sure everything was taken out of the closet that not anything ever existed with that special someone
That decided, how was I going to stop the kiss and avoid talking about the subject with Kikuri until I managed to patch things up? I needed to think something fast and do it in a manner as not to hurt her feelings that was when destiny, once again, helped me! Kikuri forgot the state of my back and accidentally placed her small paw over the wound and a pain howl left my mouth in the middle of the kiss:
-!
-SORRY RICHARD! I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THAT! I HAD NO INTENTION OF TOUCHING THERE! FORGIVE ME PLEASE!
-It is alright - I said with a pained face, but finding the opportunity I needed Kikuri, would you mind if we resumed this subject once i went to the reunion with the city folk and be completely healed? I do not want something this important to be interrupted by stuff like that, right? I wanted this to be without interruptions like that -O-Of course! Nodded a calmer Kikuri I understand I already got today much more than I could actually dream of when you think you are ready to talk about this, seek me I will always serve you with all my love and care even if you don t want anything aside this
Those words touched deep inside me Kikuri planned serving with all her love and care even if I didn t want anything more serious with her? Was that the true love people speak about? Now I was even more eager to solve my problems, I really owed it to her
I rambled about that when I heard sniffs and sobs sounds that seemed like weeping, and that made me, Kikuri as well, intrigued; where did those sounds come from and whose it belong to? Before we managed to go investigate, one person left the shadows, the same blond blue-eye usagimimi! Enmie was back already? Did we talk for so long? I was thinking about that when she answered our questions herself.
-For starters, I would like to apologize she began as I was biased and erroneous on my judgment, so please forgive my deplorable behavior said while bowing.
-S-sure Enmie - I replied still a little lost on the sudden change of heart.
-What happened? Kikuri asked; trying to regain composure what made you change opinion so sudden?
-Kikuri, sorry, I didn t mean to eavesdrop what you were saying, I was getting ready to go to the city when I remembered I still had a spare antiseptic bottle here, I was coming back to give resume our treatment when I noticed a serious talk underway, so I decided not to interrupt and let it roll.
-I understand so you heard everything that was said, correct? I asked.
-Yes, and I am sorry for that, but listening to what Kikuri had to say add what happened afterwards, made me notice that what you said was true and that made me sad for my ignorance slaves can be trained to be perfect, forced to act in a way that makes people believe they doing it on their own -However she kept going even trained for that, they cannot mimic feelings that aren t true that even the worst spanking can force them gain feelings for their master, so it means Kikuri s feelings are legit -Wow! I commented you speak with wisdom rare to find nowadays! Thanks for giving us a chance to show you our true intentions.
-Don t worry Richard, what is right always prevail over what is wrong she said, sitting beside me preparing the antiseptic even more when one try to solve all their problems before making important decisions, taking into consideration other people s feelings is also scarce.
I felt a chill as soon as Enmie said that, I felt clearly that sentence to be directed to me; actually thinking about it, even if Kikuri couldn t comprehend it completely, the message would still make sense to her; as she believed that the usagimimi was referring to my wound and the meeting that was to happen; but I did notice that Enmie was referring to something that was going on inside my heart; her touch and the medicine she was applying made me forget those thoughts, she asked then:
-Richard, what made an important noble like you go through these places by car? As I do not wish to make de same mistake again of pre judging you; why did you choose a automobile over an helicopter?
-Because I was going to a meeting at North Verona, I have a proposal to them and I am sure they won t turn it down!
-About the mine concessions for mining? Enmie said, but without the bitter sound of voice from before I am afraid it will be hard to move them from there, they live there for over 20 generations and the latest noble s threats didn t help out at all.
-It was on that exact point where others made mistakes Enmie, which was trying to take them out of that place. In my proposal, I will buy the right to mine their jewels and as part of the contract, give priority for hiring the locals
The surprise at Enmie s face was growing by the minute, even though I was completely contorted to look her face, I noticed that every word of mine her amazement was bigger; and giving my speech continuity, I kept going:
- and even if there isn t enough people with qualifications for work in there, we will proved proper training for those who want to work there; the infrastructure will be renewed, one school, hospital and ER will be built and they will be free for locals; to finish it we building a community college I stopped to recover my breath do you think this as a good enough proposal?
Enmie opened her mouth, but closed afterwards; she was totally blown away! It was patent she never expected a noble so different from his kin! Actually if Kikuri hadn t confirmed it herself, he wouldn t have believed that what Richard said was true! It was visible she didn t know what to say in that situation, after some moments she stated:
-Alright, the preliminary treatment is complete said, now making me surprised as I didn t even feel her touching me.
-Complete?!?!? said Kikuri so fast?
-Yes, the burn, even though was really severe, was only superficial; charring only a thin skin layer right above the muscles; with a bit of luck, as he seems a healthy person, I think 3 days are more than enough for his total recovery!
-Thanks Enmie how can I repay for every good deed you did to me? I asked.
-Richard, I ask you to just let me go to the city for that reunion, I wanted to check if what you told me is real; would that bother you? I need to go there for the weekly visit anyway.
-Deal Enmie I said as soon as we are able to go to the city, will you give us the honor of your company?
-S-Sure replied Enmie, blushing slightly it would be my pleasure. Now I ask you to stay still until I say it is ok for you to move, ok?
The days passed slowly, four days passed without me moving at all, Enmie came massage my wound every 3 hours to reinforce the flow of blood and turn it into regeneration . The weirdest part was that it wouldn t hurt anymore, making me worry if it was a more serious matter than what I imagined; Enmie would say that was normal and that everything would be alright, and I just needed to give bide my time.
By the end of the 4th day of rest; in which both girls slept on improvised ground mats; I was given the ok to actually stand, and did that without any kind of pain, although the skin on my back did seem like it was going to snap in some places. Enmie warned me that it was normal and that the massages were to strengthen that same skin and so it wouldn t break at this time. Even though I never heard anything about a burn wound to heal so fast, I credited that as Enmie s treatment skill plus the herbs she used little did I know
We were getting ready to leave when Enmie and Kikuri turned their attention to the right side of the house, taking into consideration the front door; I was going to ask what happened and Enmie made a hand signal asking for silence; followed for the sentence: We have company
-Free Richard Montecchio and we will spare your lives, evil kidnappers! shouted one familiar voice.
-Kidnappers? Richard did you call them? asked a confused Enmie.
-No Enmie replied Kikuri this is a regular procedure when a noble is missing for longer than three days without updating his status, it is formed a search party to go look for him. In our case we have authorization to look from him as we would never trust his well being on stranger hands!
-I understand, is that voice familiar to you Richard?
-Yes, that is Stephan s voice, my oldest worker now. He always find me! But this time we were very far how he managed to come to the exact place? I said while going to the doors direction, wanting to find out.
I left the place and walked a few feet away, wearing only my pants and noticed some people hiding on the bushes nearby. I felt tension when they noticed I saw them; I looked at their direction and using a hand signal beckoned them to come near; which was promptly accepted on their behalf.
Right afterwards, a battalion of people stormed out of there and jumped at me in a frenzied group hug, right from the start I couldn t recognize who was in there, but as they began saying, even though it was all at once, I managed to know who was who.
-Oh my GOD! You almost scared me to death me sweetie! - said the blond nekomimi, Yumi you disappeared without a sign! You want me to get my hair all white before my thirties? I won t forgive you if you do it again!
-Richard! I missed you so much! I had no one to take care! I felt all alone! said the small dark haired girl, Akira do not be away from me again ok?
-Do not take me wrong Richard said the dark haired inumimi, Dusk I am only doing what Dawn asked me to when they found you.
-Good to see you again boy said Stephan, being the only one that didn t jump me.
So Dusk was with them! So it wasn t a surprise them to find me, they probably found the car wreck and just followed my smell; and considering it didn t rain on these days, my scent was still on the air and for an inumimi, finding someone that trace was easy, due to their heighted smelling sense.
After the necessary explanation of what happened, I got to know that the citizens were still waiting for me, so I decided to go to that city as soon as possible together with my loyal search group members, Kikuri and Enmie, that made everyone get in awe not to mention Akira . That tried to grab the always moving rabbit tail.
I began wondering if life had any more surprises in store for me, as this trip had already transformed itself on a box full of surprises and I didn t want anything else bothering me I knew that something was waiting me at the city, I just didn t know what and the proximity of Kikuri with that person on my thoughts left me really worried