DISCLAIMER: I do not own Snow white with the red hair

Ch 3: Reasons for Lies

Her skills were blinding like a learned dance full of emotion, it was moving but he knew that dance seen it one too many times in his long past adventures, it was reviving the copper taste of blood on his tongue. Obi toyed with the dagger, the one he pressed to her throat and watched as its edge rode the wave of her pulse, he would not let that women near Shirayuki even her proclamation wasn't enough, will never be enough to erase what that damned silver ring could do. He watched her closely, he could tell she wore her emotions on her sleeve even tracked how the brown depths of her eyes would darken and melt in a heartbeat; he bore witness to her play of emotions as he pressed his dagger close 'this women is dangerous'

Zen looked upon the would-be guard, her skills impressed and even pushed him harder meeting that weapon blow for blow but his trusted servant whose nonchalance and teasing nature turned him into a wolf on the hunt made the prince pause. He would not discredit his loyal servant, Obi's instincts were too strong but something in his gut whispered to him that she would protect his love, he hardened his eyes 'no this is about letting someone that powerful near Shirayuki, no he would not allow a whim to best judgement.' Striding to the women he met her gaze.

"I will allow a chance for you to prove your loyalties" He held a hand up to squash the murmur of protest on the lips of his servants " You will accompany me for the week as my guard, Obi will preside over you and if he senses a modicum of deceit you will be purged from this castle."

Naoki gracefully stepped into a low bow her thick bangs covering her expression "Understood Prince, I shall comply and prove to you no deceit is in my intentions"

Zen nodded with a thoughtful look and peered over at Obi "Will that be ok with you Obi?"

Obi looked at the girl and sighed giving his master a rueful smirk "It is, I shall abide by my master and watch her carefully."

"good the guards shall appoint you to your quarters" Zen turned on his heel, upon passing Obi whispered " Be watchful and honest with me." Obi nodded, and watched as Kiki fell into step behind Zen and matched her stride alongside Mitsuhide who looked back at the girl with apprehension.

Naoki straightened her form, meeting those cold eyes once more, she would not falter she wanted her new beginning and she will fight tooth and nail to finally achieve that dream, a dream away from her chains.

"Did you see that cute girl with the long braid!" A baby face guarded exclaimed his eye twinkled as he approached his fellow guard, said guard sighed.

"I did, I let her through while your predecessor waited for shift change." His expression turned sour as a squeal emitted from the overtly happy guard.

"Rumor is she is to protect our fair princess to be, Shirayuki!" He gripped his halberd and hugged it to his chest with enthusiasm as his fellow guard held his brow shaking his head in exasperation.

"yes but the girl must prove herself first, so don't get all hyped up just yet she may very well be dismissed and leave on the marrow." The baby faced guard stiffened before rounding on his friend with a visible pout

"don't say such things! She will be Princess Shirayuki's guard and become fast friends" He growled before stiffly assuming his post, his friend scratched the back of his head 'he has a way of making me feel like the villain' with a defeated sigh he relented.

"Maybe so, all we can do is hope for the best."

'The properties of its roots emits a low dose of pain suppressants' She tapped her chin thoughtfully as her green eyes looked up from her text, notes spread out across the mahogany desk and said sample sitting in a glass vial, she perused its twisting tan roots that looked thick with a film of green. 'Certainly is a rare plant, I wonder what other properties it would give when exposed to different elements' Shirayuki held the glass vial loosely turning it as she caught the difference nuances of the plants appearance 'hmmm.' A doors hinge squeaked in protest sending a shiver through Shirayuki, nearly dropping the vial as she scrambled to gain a better hold, she breathed a sigh of relief as she looked up into the most perfect pair of blue eyes, hers soften in return."Zen"

"Hello Shirayuki, I hope I'm not disturbing you" His soft gaze danced with humor. A delicate blush darkened her cheeks, her heart raced to a gallop as her eyes greedily looked upon her love's face taking in every detail from the silver of his hair to the strong jawline. He made her feel like she was falling with the wind beating at her as she plummeted, she felt like this each time he gave her that smile and melted when she watched that lovely emotion of adoration and love graced his features. gently placing the vial down she shook her apple red head.

"No prince, I am just jotting down notes on the roots of this plant's properties." She smiled in earnest her enthusiasm for this marvel coloring her voice and simply melted the Prince's heart for her more. Feeling his own blush grow he coughed into his fist.

"You don't need to call me by prince anymore Shirayuki after all we are" His blush deepened as he looked to the side "betrothed" Her heart picked up speed as she looked down smiling to herself "Yes, we are" she mused "It's just a habit, I'll be sure to stop it." She looked up at him with a gentle smile, he looked back at her his eyes widening as his blush deepened 'she needs to stop being so-so beautiful' swallowing he walked over and peered down at her disarray of notes.

"Your paperwork may soon rival my own"

She giggled and smoothed her fingers over the various requests "speaking of which did you finish your pile today?" she watched him stiffen and get a sullen look.

"I will, I swear Mitsuhide finds ways to make that stack tower over me" He gave a shudder "sometimes I have nightmares of drowning in paperwork." He leaned his brow upon her shoulder as he mumbled about the misery that is paperwork, she smothered the laugh and massage her fingers through his hair, humming to herself as they fell into a relaxed state.

Mitsuhide leaned against the doorframe as he watched Kiki return a volume to its proper place on the self, his arms folded in contemplation. "What do you think of miss Naoki?"

Kiki look over her shoulder at him, eyes glazing over in thought."Honestly I can't discredit what Obi said and that has me wondering about her reasons to be Shirayuki's guard" She tapped her finger against the book's spine " And yet she won the gambit that was posed in the kingdoms of both Tanbarun and Clarines."

Mitsuhide nodded and rested his head back on the frame, "I received word that to choose a royal guard for her, both lands wanted to create a gambit to ensure a strong bond between the two kingdoms" He closed his eyes "I was informed yesterday that a winner was chosen and set with the formal letter, I can't imagine a true assassin going through the trouble of a tournament, to only openly agree to such an accusation."

Kiki digested his thoughts as hers formed on her tongue. "If we look at it from an assassin's viewpoint, infiltrating the palace under a ruse would give her access to any noble head here and seeing her skills I am not entirely convinced we could stand against that metal ring of hers if she was serious." He peeked at her through half-lidded eyes watching her mind conjure the different scenarios.

" I do agree with that she would be formidable, but it still bugs me, why reveal she was an assassin...All because Obi confronted her? couldn't a seasoned assassin lie?" Kiki turned her full attention on Mitsuhide. "Yes, but our trust is in Obi, she could use the truth to her advantage to deepen the ruse" a look of contemplation played across her face. " Or it is not a ruse and she truly left the life and wished to be Shirayuki's guard through honest means."

Mitsuhide grumbled as he tightened his shoulders "either way, we will keep a close watch along with Obi before she even meets Shirayuki, We won't let undue risk befall her or Prince Zen for that matter."

Kiki nodded "I agree, we will make sure to discover her true intentions."

AAAAaand ch 3 because im feeling generous please review and comment :)