Three days have passed since the group's camping trip. Shirayuki was able to find nice herbs to make medicine and possibly new flowers and weeds for experimenting. After chatting with the red head and Ryuu for awhile, Obi began wandering around the castle grounds.
"Huh. Where did she go?" He mumbled to himself as he scanned the areas.
After the incident in the small pond, Kana grew quiet and distant around him. She didn't utter a word when she woke up and found him lying right below her. She even rode back in silence with Mitsuhide. The older man thought her silence was strange, but he kept quiet. When they arrived back, Kana had a quiet conversation with Zen and quickly disappeared without a word.
"Could it be... What she said, 'One last time...' What did that-"
Obi bit his lip and broke into a run as he hurried into Zen's office. He bursted through the doors causing Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Zen to look at him bewildered.
"Is Shirayuki okay?" Zen quickly questioned.
"Mistress is fine, Master," Obi panted as he closed the door.
"Jeez," Zen sighed as he sunk back into his chair in relief. "Don't barge in here in a panic, Obi!"
"Sorry Master.." Obi apologized as he glanced around the room and found Kana nowhere in sight.
Mitsuhide and Kiki glanced at one another and both looked at the dark-haired man with concerned eyes.
"Obi, are you perhaps looking for Kana?" asked Mitsuhide.
"Uh, well, no, not particularly-"
"She's not here as you can see," said Kiki.
Obi slightly chuckled at the obvious. He then glanced at Zen who raised an eyebrow at his messenger.
"What? She didn't tell you?" the prince wondered. "Are you two fighting? You were awfully quiet with one another on our trip."
"No not fighting," Obi mumbled, glancing away.
"So she didn't tell you?" questioned Mitsuhide in surprise.
"Tell me what?"
Zen sighed and muttered something under his breath in irritation.
"This brother of mine wants her to be one of his aides. Izana took her. Said something about needing her for something."
"I see.." Obi mumbled quietly. "She didn't say anything."
"Meanwhile, while caring for his Majesty, her father is bringing in suitors into the castle to meet with her as marriage candidates," added Kiki nonchalantly.
"WHAT?!" Zen and Mitsuhide shouted simultaneously.
Obi glanced up at Kiki in astonishment. That he definitely didn't hear about.
"Why are you glaring at me, Obi?" Kiki questioned.
"Eh? Am I? I'm sorry, Miss. That wasn't intentional!"
"Obi-"
"Excuse me," Obi pardoned as he began to walk out of the room. "I think I'll go bother the guards."
Zen sweat-dropped.
"Bother the guards for what...?"
Obi exercised his hands, opening and closing his fists, as he began to walk down the hallway. Why didn't Kana mention anything to him? Then again, why does he care? If she were to get married, things might get easier for him and he won't have to feel this way. The feeling of pain stabbing through his heart.
"It's good-" trying to convince himself when in the corner of his eye, he noticed jet black hair flowing from the corner.
Obi felt his pace quicken as he neared the turn. To his delight, she stood there staring out into the garden wearing a beautiful noble red dress with her hair down and wavy. She had a smile on her face that seemed as if she was on the verge of laughing. Suddenly, Kana let out a small giggle and Obi couldn't help but feel a smile spread across his face. It's been a long time since he's heard her laugh.
"Kana," Obi finally called out after watching for awhile.
She slowly turned to him in surprise.
"O-Obi..."
"It's been awhile since I've heard you laugh. What's out there?" he wondered as he inched closer to her.
She blushed. How long had he been standing there?
"Oh, uh, Cocoa," she replied, avoiding Obi's gaze and glancing back at your dog. "He was trying to chase a butterfly and accidentally ran into a bush. He even knocked over one of the guards patrolling!"
"He's a good dog. He found you right away when you were kidnapped," Obi smiled, still staring at her.
"Yes, he was trained to do that," she said, eyeing him from the corner of her eye.
"You're dressed like that just to watch your dog play?" Obi wondered.
"Eh? Oh no. I was... Uh. I was meeting with someone before you arrived."
"A marriage candidate?"
Kana turned to him in surprise as he leaned over the railway still gazing at her.
"How did you-"
"Miss Kiki mentioned it. They also told me you were no longer part of the team."
Kana could see sadness in his eyes, but it was something that she couldn't bear to see. It was misleading and it hurt too much to keep following his lead. Kana let out a sigh.
"I told you..."
"Really? 'One last time...' are the words you say to tell me you're leaving?" Obi questioned with a harsh tone.
Kana bit her lip. She was speechless.
"I-"
"Lady Kana."
Kana turned around to find Shuuto standing a few feet away from them.
"Shuu.."
"His Majesty is asking for you," he told her, eyeing Obi.
"Of course..."
Kana glanced back at Obi who looked a bit disappointed and angry for the interruption. It was the most she'd talked to him for awhile.
"Bye Obi..." Kana mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
She called over Cocoa and followed Shuuto to Izana's throne room.
Shuuto opened the doors for her and followed her in as she approached Izana.
"Your Majesty," Kana greeted with a curtsy.
"Kana," Izana smiled. "You look quite elegant."
"Not my choice of wardrobe," she muttered in annoyance. "Did you need something?"
"Yes, I have a... job for you," Izana explained with slight hesitation. "Your little brother, Ryuu, will be heading out to Lyrias soon to continue his training, correct?"
"Yes, I believe so," she replied with slight confusion.
"You and Shuuto will go with him and Shirayuki."
"Eh?!" Kana cried happily in astonishment. "You're letting me follow Ryuu?"
Izana chuckled and rustled her hair.
"I like your brother complex."
"I don't have one," Kana growled, shoving his hands away.
"Lady Kana, watch your tone with his Majesty," warned Shuuto.
"It's okay, Shuuto!" Izana laughed. "We've known each other since we were little. She's always treated me this way and I don't want it to change just because I'm King, right?"
"Hmph."
"Anyways, I have a duty for you up there," Izana stated more seriously. "I need you to scout the border for enemy countries."
"Eh...?" Kana hesitated.
"Your Majesty!" Shuuto protested. "Lady Kana is not a soldier-"
"She is my best marksman. Just scouting will do."
"You want me in the front lines?" she asked shakily.
"But your Majesty-"
Izana raised a hand to silence Shuuto.
"I'm not asking you to put your life in danger, but I believe you're the only one qualified for it without getting harmed."
"Do we even have enemies?" Kana asked.
"Not yet."
She contemplated on the situation. If it's just scouting it's okay. She could do it without putting her life at risk. Then again, guarding the brothers were quite risky already.
"You need a partner of course," said Izana, interrupting her thoughts.
"Partner? But Shuu-"
"It's dangerous out there, Kana. So I thought you should have the second best."
"Second best?" Kana wondered, thinking of Obi.
"Come on in," Izana called out and the doors opened.
Kana and Shuuto glanced at one another and then back at the opened doors. Kana's eyes grew wide. Not in shock, but in fear. As the young man from her past strode inside, she stepped back behind Shuuto.
"No.." she whispered shakily.
The doors suddenly bursted open again and Zen and his aides, including Obi, walked into the room.
"Brother!" Zen called out angrily.
"Hey, is that-" muttered Mitsuhide and then glanced at her who still haven't noticed them.
"No!" Kana cried aloud, catching everyone in the room in surprise. "Why him?!"
"Kana, I know-" Izana tried to explain.
"Do you know?!" she shouted angrily, Shuuto trying to hold her back. "Let me go, Shuu! I'm not going near him, Izana!"
"He's changed, Kana," Izana defended in a more serious tone.
"What's going on?" whispered Obi, surprised to see Kana shouting at the King. "Who is that guy?"
"Well, uh-" hesitated Mitsuhide. "It's complicated..."
"Is that Haru?" Zen hissed. "What is he doing here?"
"Who's Haru?" Obi asked.
"He's-" began Kiki.
"He STABBED me!" Kana exclaim to Izana. "Or do you not remember?"
"I remember fairly well."
"You remember me almost bleeding to death because of his jealousy?! I have a scar on my back to prove it!"
"I wasn't jealous," piped up Haru.
Kana glared at him. Hearing his voice made her fume in anger. Then, as she stared at the young man, tears began to develop in her eyes.
"I trusted you... I trusted you with my life and you stab me in the back... You were my partner!"
"Kana, calm down," suggested Mitsuhide as he closed in on her. "Why would you do this to her...?"
Izana watched Kana intently.
"Because I care about her safety and he's the second best to her."
Kana glared at Izana as she shook in Mitsuhide's arms.
"I won't do it. I won't go near him."
"You have a few days to get acquainted before you have to go," Izana told her.
Kana stared at one another intensely. The she pushed away from Mitsuhide gently and stomped out of the room followed by Shuuto.
"Brother, why would you do this to her?" Zen demanded, glaring at Haru.
Izana glanced at Haru who quietly stood his ground and then at his younger brother.
"It was a request."
That jerk Izana. Now it's not like I don't like the guy himself, but still we all have to admit Zen is better than him :D :D Anyway, let's see what happens in the next chapter, shall we?