My apologies for the wait but the problem of it is called "Life". It has a habit of teasing me...


Scroll Xlll: Stuttering

More than once had she been in search of the demon. Once a week she'd set herself out with Emi outside the walls and would venture back to the creek. That was always her first spot to check; if not she journeyed more. Caution was always on her side. The girl even knew some hiding spots in case of danger. She could immediately tell he wasn't going to be easy to find.

Or maybe he doesn't want to be found?

Her feet ached as she sketched through the trees, it was noon and the sun was high. Her father was out on another one of his trips; leaving Takemaru with her. This gave her an advantage to journey into the Servant Quarters at a much earlier schedule. Just a little white lie and some reasoning and he was wrapped around her finger. It made her teasingly smirk. The princess thought of it as payback from his little jokes when they were younger. Before she was locked inside those accursed walls 24/7, she remembers faintly of those memories but to actually come back to familiar spots of her childhood outside the walls was very warming. In a way it made her feel free and refreshed!

An hour it had been since she left Emi in the village. From what Izayoi had discovered Emi was actually younger than her, 14. Izayoi expected both Emi and Chi to be around her age but not younger. It made her realize that Emi did have that soft young streak to her timid features, it was her words that made her seem older. Therefore it wasn't that surprising when Izayoi saw Emi's family. They seemed to have been though a lot of struggle; granting them an extra dose of wisdom and maturity for their ages.

Her thoughts were cut off when she heard some ruckus out in the opening. Some guards were riding by on horses; she jumps to the nearest shade, hiding. A slave may have permission to travel outside the walls but this far out of the palace was forbidden. Her back arches on the tree as she hears shouting, "Leave now, y-ye have no business here!"

Stuttering?

Poking her head out she notes the guards directing themselves towards the wall of trees across from her. One of the guards began having problems with his horse as the creature wanted to back up and run. You wouldn't blame the animal as Izayoi shifts her pupils to see the intruder walking out of the edge of the forest. It was him, that demon, he held a glare, and not a pleasant one. Why was he appearing himself to the guards, did he want to talk to them. He never spoke but he surely held his ground.

"Damn it I said go! " one of the guards swung arm in anger about ready to grab his sword. Sighting the violent act and his intentions she, out of panic, grabbed a few large pebbles. Her immediate act made her throw the largest rock, it popped on the horses rear making the angry soldier almost lose his hold on the horses reins as the creature neighed; lifting up its two front legs out of fear. The other man snaps his head at the sudden occurrence and backs his horse up. Cussing flows from the angry man's mouth as Izayoi views back at the demon.

He was gone.

Well he certainly doesn't waste his time.

Amazed at the fact of how fast he moved, or teleported, she didn't relize at the sudden silence of the forest. Her eyes widen she clings her back to the tree yet again looking at the forest now ahead of her. A sweat rolls down her forehead as she hears the soldiers behind her head back to the palace. The gallop of hooves and voices fading of in the distance as she her eyes stuck to any sight of movement in the trees. How come the atmosphere was so alarming? Her chest rapidly went up and down, swallowing, breathing, trying to stay calm. No movement, not a word. Slowly she raises her head up to the branches seeing the bright glow of green.

The chirp of a bird.

Fluttering of wings.

Thumping her head to the bark she blows out a breath.

You are such a fool Izayoi….

Brown orbs reopen.

Probably a good time to return.


Not long but it felt like a good place to stop. I'm just glad I have the amount of time to write this little bit. :) Just stay tuned for the next chapter!

And reviews are much appreciated!