Kana slowly opened her eyes as she woke up from the chirping of the birds. She stared up at the sky and it was still slightly dark, but from the bright glow from the east, the sun was about to rise. She suddenly felt Obi's arms tighten around her as he groaned and buried his face at the crook of her neck.
"O-Obi..." Kana whispered, tapping on his arm.
"Hmm...?"
"It's morning... W-We should go..."
"Too early- oh!"
Obi had finally opened his eyes and quickly released Kana from his arms. She kept looking away from him, hoping that the blush on her face would disappear.
"You sure are comfortable to lean on, Kana," Obi chuckled lightly as he stood up. "Shall we head out?"
Kana nodded, still turned away from him. Obi untied her horse and handed her the reins. He held out his hand and once again helped her up on the horse. He covered the firewood with snow and then got on his horse.
"Ready?" he asked, smiling.
"Ready!"
The two of them continued their journey to the North. After a couple of hours of riding, Obi rode up beside her to get her attention.
"Where are we going anyways?" he asked.
"Aishi City in the north!" She yelled back. "The city of..."
"What?" Obi shouted, not hearing the last part.
Kana slowed her horse as she reached a brick path towards the entrance of the city. Obi stopped beside her at the entrance and the two of them looked up at the sign on the arch.
"Aishi City," Kana said.
"The city of..." Obi sweat-dropped. "Love...?"
He looked at her in amusement.
"Where did Master send us?" Obi laughed.
"Who knows? Ask him yourself when we return..." Kana sighed.
The two of them brought their horses to the journeymen's stables and decided to explore the city.
"Ever been here?" Obi asked, looking around.
"Nope. You?"
"Nope. Especially if the town is called 'The City of Love'..." Obi chuckled.
"I figured as much," Kana laughed.
As the two approached the center of the city, an older lady stopped them in your steps. Kana and Obi exchanged looks and then stared at the elderly lady.
"My my, you two look new," she said. "Are you a couple?"
"E-Eh?" Kana cried, looking at Obi. "Well, n-"
Obi covered her mouth.
"We are a couple!" He smiled innocently.
Kana gave him a look of disbelief. What was he saying? He turned her head so she could see the elderly woman's expression. She was staring at the them suspiciously. Kana sweat-dropped.
"Err.. Uh.. Yes," Kana agreed, grabbing Obi's arm and turning bright red. "We are a couple!"
"Really? It doesn't seem like it," she eyed her intently. "Let's see you two kiss."
Kana and Obi gaped at her in shock. What is this old lady saying?
"Wa-Wait a minute, ma'am. We don't believe in Public Display of Affection..."
"But if you are in love, it wouldn't matter," she replied nonchalantly.
"But-"
"Kana, come here," Obi said, pulling on her waist and turning her towards him.
"Eh?"
"We can't get away from her if we don't do what she says," he whispered.
"But-"
"It's fine."
"It's my first kiss!"
"Mine too," he mumbled, slightly blushing.
He cupped her face in his hands and slightly caressed it as he leaned in closer. Kana felt her face warm up as if it was about to let out steam. Obi blinked at her .
"Close your eyes!" he demanded, embarrassed.
"O-Okay," Kana mumbled, closing your eyes.
Next thing the girl knew, she felt Obi's warm lips against her own. She felt him slightly part hers to deepen the kiss. After a few seconds, Obi broke away blushing and slightly panting. Kana also tried to catch her breath, her face bright red, before turning to the old lady. She grinned at them.
"Oh how nice! Young romance blooming. You two make a wonderful looking couple," she told them before walking away.
Once she was gone, Kana let out a sigh as she leaned against Obi.
"What a crazy old lady," she mumbled.
"Your lips are nice," smiled Obi.
Kana turned to him and noticed the slight blush on his cheeks. He was avoiding eye contact though. She giggled.
"Did it make your heart beat faster?" Kana asked jokingly.
Obi stared at you as if she had read his mind.
"E-Eh?" Kana blushed in astonishment.
"C'mon let's go try to look for that guy," he beckoned, walking away.
Kana ran after him, walking silently as they observed the city. She then suddenly heard a type of shimmering from what seems like an abandoned house, several feet away from the edge of the city. She grabbed Obi's arm and pointed towards the direction.
"I heard something," she said, then caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure. "There, you saw it?"
"Yeah I did. Good eye. Let's sneak over."
Kana and Obi stealthily approached the abandoned building. It was a gray, square building and slightly old with some broken windows. Kana grabbed the knife from the pocket on her leg and inched closer to the door. Obi reached out to her and gestured upwards. She nodded and helped him hop up onto the roof. He gave a thumbs up and observed the top.
Kana peeked in the doorway. It was too dark inside to see anything, but she heard shuffling. The person must have been inside. Kana was at a bit of a disadvantage since the person could see her silhouette from the door, but hopefully Obi will come to the rescue when she need him.
She held tightly to her knife as she scanned the room and turned her head left to right. Nothing. Meanwhile, on the roof, Obi noticed two glass panels in which he can see into the building. He glanced down and saw her walk inside, checking the building. He then looked at the other glass panel and his eyes widened.
"Kana..." He gritted as he saw the unfamiliar silhouette approaching her.
Kana heard more shuffling, this time she was able to tell the direction. She grabbed several of her knives and spun around, releasing her knives to the other side of the room.
"Ugh!"
Crash!
Kana shielded herself from the falling glass as she heard Obi landed lightly inside.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" she cried.
"The guy was about to attack you," muttered Obi, glancing around.
"I already got him!"
"Eh?"
Obi looked at her dumbfounded as she glared at him in frustration.
"You did?" He asked.
"Yes! There!" Kana pointed.
She followed Obi in the dark and saw the silhouette of a man pinned against the wall. Obi grabbed the man, pulled out her knives and dragged him out into the light. He then pinned the man himself against the wall with his arm.
"You're the accomplice, aren't you?" He growled.
Kana stared at Obi. She'd never seen him angry before.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" yelled the man, frightened. "Who are you?!"
"Liar! I smelled poison in that building. You're the accomplice to the man who tried to shoot down my Master, Prince Zen!"
The man perked up at the name, which showed that he was guilty. Kana handed Obi rope while he checked the man for any weapons. He then tied the man up and placed him against the post.
"Good work!" Kana congratulated with a smile.
Obi didn't smile or respond to that. He strode over quietly and pulled her into his arms.
"O-Obi...?" Kana whispered in surprise.
"You made my heart beat faster..." He whispered. "I thought he was going to hurt you..."
Kana pushed back from him slightly to stare up into his face.
"I'm okay," she smiled. "I was able to take care of myself!"
Obi smiled slightly.
"I suppose so."
The two of them brought the man to the stables in order to bring him back to the castle. Obi helped her up on her horse and then had the man sit on his. He rode in front the man and glanced at Kana.
"Ready?" Obi asked.
"Yeah but are you sure you're alright with him there?" she wondered.
"It's fine," muttered Obi.
Kana nodded and started the horse at a gallop.
"Hey," she heard Obi call out.
"Yeah?"
"My heart is still beating fast," he grinned, making Kana blush.
"Let's go Obi!" she called out to him as she sped up the horse.
The duo arrived at Clarines castle by evening since they didn't stop for a break. Zen, Mitsuhide, and Kiki met them at the entrance and Kana hopped off of her horse to greet them.
"Good work," smiled Zen. "Bring the man to the guards, Mitsuhide."
"Yes."
Mitsuhide helped Obi with the man and brought him to the guards to be put in jail.
"Hey Master," Obi greeted tiredly.
"Hey Obi. Good work," saidZen. "You two better get some rest. You can tell me about 'The City of Love' later."
An angry tick appeared on Kana's head and Obi sighed.
"Master, did you send us there on purpose?"
"How could I? It was just a coincidence!" Zen laughed heartily. "Good night!"
"Good night..." Kana mumbled, annoyed.
"Good night, Master."
When they disappeared and Kana and Obi were alone again, she turned to him and looked up at the sky.
"You're right. You can't really see the stars here," she said.
Obi smiled, but didn't say anything.
"Well, we should get going," Kana turned your back to him.
Suddenly, she felt his hand wrap around her arm.
"Kana?"
"Y-Yes?"
"It was nice working with you again," Obi smiled, his eyes glowing with cheerfulness.
"Good night, Obi," she smiled.
"Good night, Kana."