Ch 5: I am not Drunk!
If she was alone, Naoki would be crying out loud pounding her fists into to the dirt like a spoiled child, screaming 'unfair' at the top of her lungs, but no she took the mature route and glared daggers at Obi 'He shall find a worm in his brew the moment I can dig a few up!' she vowed her own kind of revenge as he lounged against the tree trunk in the courtyard a smirk on his lips, he was purposely adding insult to injury! 'Bastard' she growled in her mind. She just barely kept herself from stomping over there, she stood before him looking up at him due to him being a mountain compared to her, she met his gaze and sighed "Deal's a deal after we are done with the night patrol I will give you a secret and all the alcohol you can consume."
Obi closed his eyes as he tsked at her"Uh huh little assassin you are are to provide me with alcohol and a secret per night for the next 5 days." he gave a wink and laughed at her droll expression.
'I did mention he was a bastard right?' her mind supplied as she simply growled at him and cursed herself for ever dreaming up such a bet.
The morning patrol was calm, nothing to cause alarm only small chirps from birds and hoof beats of riders delivering various messages would break the calm air. It was truly a wonderful place all the servants had a genuine smile split their faces and the chittering of gossip was all abound from the latest newcomer to conspired rumors, you just had to walk amongst the help to become updated on all the on goings in the castle. She felt warm in this place, there was an air of respect and honor that flooded the halls and made every person to wade through its water straighten their spin and put a confident edge to every step. She chatted with a few guards smiling at their jesting and enjoyed the light hearted teasing she endured, her shadow never far from her side if their was any political or militant conversations he made sure they were hushed around her, she would grumble but knew the reason it was only day one and trust isn't won with pretty looks or whims it was earned. Their pace became swift after Obi looked wide eyed at the position of the sun, he mumbled something akin to "Master will punish us if we are late." She kept in step with him as they approach the prince's office, throwing open the wide doors she walked in and took in a most humorous scene.
Zen's fist was clenched as he shook it at Mitsuhide comically, Mitsuhide however was laughing as he continued on about something, mentioning horrible 'paper people.' and making funny faces to prove his point. Zen growled and stood from his desk muttering, his neat stack of unfinished paperwork flutter off the enormous desk with his swift movement, a frustrated growl escaped him as he scampered after the papers. Mitsuhide finished laughing at Zen's expense and proceeded to bend down and help organize the never ending pile of white dotting the floor like new fallen snow. Kiki relinquished her hand on a volume she was buried in during the two's shenanigans and bent down to help, Obi chuckled and joined into the fray for the purpose to tease Zen as he helped with the mess, he brought up a hand to block Zens playful punch making idle threats of punishment while the first genuine smile graced Obi's lips. Naoki was floored, stunned this was more of a warm family then servants and prince they were happy in their musings picking up page after page working together to assemble the mess. Her face heated as she realized she wasn't lifting a finger, she was just standing there awestruck at the comfortable scene playing before her. She felt awkward as she was out of her depth thoughts of her family only sprung forth the feeling of metal at her throat and a dull ache in her fingertips. She shyly set forth grabbing the papers that slide farthest away from the group and plucked at them as she became lost in thought, her mind turning over the shadows that would slither in and usher in nightmares, she didn't even notice she had an audience watching her efforts.
Zen watched Naoki carefully seeing such a sad look on her face, her brown eyes darken to hard he looked at Mitsuhide who merely shrugged. "Did you say something mean to miss Naoki Obi?" Mitsuhide hissed
Obi looked up wide eyed and looked over at her sullen expression."She lost a bet with me actually, I didn't say anything mean Mitsuhide." Obi whispered back as he stood along with others with their own piles of paper. Ignoring Mitsuhide's flustered response and demands to explain said bet, he eyed her as she stood, a fair blush coating the apples of her cheeks as she silently placed the papers down and looked at everyone wide eyed
"Did I do something strange?" She asked almost in horror
Kiki walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder as she turned an icy glare to all the males standing almost dumbly in their place as if they were rooted to the floor, sewing discomfort in the new girl with their stares. "Ignore them, stupidity seems to be infecting all of them today." Kiki Braced a hand on her hip "Such an infection that I don't think Shirayuki could cure them of it."
Zen gave a childish pout along with Mitsuhide as they both apologized graciously and added their pile to the desk, Obi gave a smirk as he shook his head before adding his apology to the mix along with his pile of papers. Kiki nodded her head like a matron accepting her charges apologies for their misbehavior, she gave Naoki a small pat on her shoulder along with a rare smile before returning to the book she was engrossed in.
"How was the morning patrol?" Zen asked as he swirled his quill in the ink pot for longer than necessary before pressing the tip to the parchment and being another grueling afternoon of endless signatures.
"it was very pleasant, the guards are very punctual and inviting. I got the basic lay of the land for the outer walls and surrounding defenses." Naoki replied with a soft smile betraying the very militant pose she assumed.
Obi looked over at her noting the gentle expression as she spoke about the palace, he shuffled a stack together before laying it on top of the rest ignoring how Zen stiffened with more work piled upon even more work. "Nothing note worthy master, is there any missions that need our attention."
Zen grumbled as he looked at the small dismal 'finished' pile before looking up at Obi, his expression was strained in thought. "Actually there is a mission i must request of you both, it's a simple matter but unless this paperwork magically writes itself. I must request your assistance."
"Of course master whatever you need us to do we shall."
Zen nodded and scribbled across another paper."It's just a few errands, I have some orders I need delivered to a few different shops." He pulled out a handful of parchment and handed them to Obi who flipped through them, scanning each destination.
"I see alcohol on here, were you thinking of me master?" Zen growled at Obi's teasing and shooed him away effectively dismissing the duo as he turned his focus back on to his task that he tackled with new vigor. As the door closed with a finite click the prince looked up to sly eyes, he grimaced as Mitsuhide already knew his ploy.
"Sneaky way of showing her around the town, Zen."
A figure cloaked in the shadows nimbly leapt through the darkness, never chancing a glimpse of who they were as they avoid the revealing rays of sunlight breaking through the shingles on the roof, the person basked in the dark alleyways as it tracked its prey licking their lips they grinned maliciously, almost tasting the scent of the hunt.
"You should have never crossed the Ravens of shadow child." It hissed watching as their prey checked the various notes in hand, drumming their fingers against a curved hip. That person didn't know the shadows were about to begin the hunt.
"Thank you miss." A Rotund man with an infectious smile took the slip from Naoki as he pursed the request. "I hope you don't mind young lady but I will need a signature to get this through the castle gate." She felt cold wash over her and a panic that threaded its webs within her chest, her fingers twitched, she forced a smile as she looked over at Obi. She swallowed a shriek as a blackened mask with a bird's beak and shaggy fur acting as its plumage was mere inches from her face, she felt the puff of laughter from its owner and vowed a bloody retribution.
"How does it make me look?" Obi teased, he took off the mask chuckling at the parlor of her complexion, even the owner gave a hearty laugh. Her cheeks reddened to a most becoming hue as she glared daggers at him. "ah a bit too much guess just my face is good enough."
Naoki sighed rubbing her temple as a headache began to throb 'what is he doing trying to do, kill me with fright." she groused as she motioned him over and forced the quill in his hand. "He needs a secondary signature to fulfill the order."
She walked to look over the stores stock, he heard her stray grumbles and smothered a laugh as she glared at the mask he previously donned. He quite enjoyed teasing the little assassin, he wasn't planning on the merriment but it happened naturally, almost every chance he got within their task he would push to see her response. Its origin was to simply test and see what murderous monster lurked beneath those melting brown eyes, but he was surprised to find not a monster but an innocent women with a sharp wit. She would match him toe to toe with the jests, and would pout if she floundered at a response. She wore her emotions on her sleeve and he could track the humor, fire and innocence, this little assassin was either an actress of the highest caliber or a dangerous child taught to wield a weapon, his thoughts on her was conflicting but each time that ring caught the rays of the sun, rage would flood through him. A comfortable day in her presence will not win him so easily 'Our bet may tip the odds in your favor little assassin.' He thought wearily, He signed where the shop's owner pointed to and gave a polite bow before rounding up said 'little assassin.'
"That was the last order form we need to get back to master." Obi looked up into weaving lavender and orange sky, fingers of sunlight receding upon the mountains crest 'it took longer than I anticipated.' he mused "We need to do our nightly rounds before I empty you of your coin purse and a secret." He gave her a sly wink before his long legs started to devour the walk in large strides.
Naoki bristled at the male imagining a target painted on his back, she itched to practice throwing knives. She dragged her legs forward already dreading the feeling of her coin purse becoming limp instead of staying heavy 'damn him and his height...damn me and my cockiness!' she watched her booted feet crunch against the cobblestone, she smiled it was fun exploring the markets today and meeting with the friendly townsfolk they were so warm and inviting, she enjoyed the idle chatter and how the warmth of the land was mirrored within the castle walls. The beauty of Clarines could be felt far and wide, but she was still surprised by the sheer size of the kingdom it stretched across the land dotting the regal woods with cute homes and beautiful built spires, ivory and furnished wood graced the land with its masterworks and the hues of flowers and strong trees welcomed the Kingdoms land within its breast. She felt oddly at home here, in just the timespan of a breath she fell in love with Clarines and felt her chains loosen for just a moment.
The brew was bitter and coated his tongue, burning down his throat, he smacked his lips grinning impishly watching as Naoki gulped down a generous amount 'she has only had one and already becoming drunk.'it was humorous to him to watch her cheeks deepen to a red, small giggles were already bursting through her soft pink lips along with a few stray hiccups.
"So want to tell me why you didn't want to sign that slip for the owner?" Obi asked as he brought the mug to his lips the foam teasing.
She ran her finger around the brim her mug, humming as she thought on his words. "Will that be the secret for the night?" She giggled turning her finger down alongside the length of the mug in a languid motion, dancing the finger tip against the cool glass, her mind felt foggy she was never one to hold her liquor well but she knew her limit...at least she would like to imagine that she knew.
Obi watched her ministrations and arched an eyebrow, before he swallowed more of the amber liquid greedily effectively draining the glass with a satisfied murmur. "If it's a secret to tell, then we can start with that for tonight." He watched as a somber expression welled in her chestnut eyes, a play of memories seeping through- he almost regretted asking her this secret.
"Training for my fighting style required a boon for the ability." Her lips felt chapped and she licked them as her throat seized and fought to strangle her with a paralyzing fear " I never learned how to write due to my fingers constantly being broken if I didn't c-catch the ring properly." Her voice turned to a whisper but Obi heard every syllable and set the mug that was traveling to his lips down as a strained expression furrowed his brow and set his mouth into a hard line, his hand trembled slightly. Rage was boiling hot in him like molten lava coursing in his veins as wounds ached reminding him of a past best left to drown in secrets.
"I am sorry miss Naoki."
She looked up from her mug and shook her head before she tipping it back to down the liquid courage. "Why be? the past is the past and I am here now." She gave a hiccup that burned in her chest " I will prove my loyalty to becoming Miss shira...Shira..." She blinked several times and looked at her fingers as she seemed to tick off an imaginary list as she wiggled the appendages. "One two... Ah Shirayuki!" She giggled and resumed a counting till she hit ten and pushed both hands into Obi's face, He looked at her strangely not following her train of thought. He opened his mouth to ask and she shushed him with a slurred edge to her voice as she began the count again tapping her fingers on her mug for each number.
"Uh.. why are you counting?"
"Shh zhatsss sanother secret."She giggled. "Oh wait I owes ya a ss-ssecret tonight."
'She was drunk, definitely drunk.'He looked at the enigma that was to be his partner she was nothing he expected nor what he would ask of a partner but her presence was entertaining none the less, he still wouldn't fall prey to her charisma and give her that title , but her forgetfulness ensued a manipulation he was happy to pounce upon. "Why yes please do tell."
She tapped her chin before she leaned back into her chair. "I learned to read by numbers, I would count syllables and learned how they felt on my tongue." She said as she drummed her fingers "Mastery of weapons came first, knowledge came second but only pertinent information." her somber expression gave him pause, she wasn't slurring or seemingly drunk, she looked like a strong women reflecting on a memory that danced the thin line of painful and warm. She scrubbed a hand through her choppy hair giving a wide grin on her lips before reaching for another mug. Obi grabbed her hand in a gentle motion and halted her pursuit.
"I think you have had enough little assassin." His gaze direct in her warm chocolate eyes that were melting into an almost caramel color, He watched as they widen at the contact before she looked away quickly grumbling about how she's an adult with a pout, he chuckled snatching the mug away to sip on its contents. Naoki growled at him as she reached for her stolen drink only to catch air as he moved nimbly away from her grabby hands, she balled her fists and pounded them against the wooden table.
"You remind me of a spoiled child." At her glare he smiled and finished the rest of the stolen drink before he leaned close to her " Now each time I see you the imagine of you throwing a fit will be what I see." He stood watching as her mouth floundered, forming words with no substance just sputtered sounds of rage, he laughed at her feeble retort before patting her head in that condescending manner that grated on her nerves.
"Bastard!"