Ch 6: Memories of the lost
Soft snores stirred the tendrils of ebony along the nape of his neck sending shivers down his spine, he felt the slight movement of her soft lips move against the sensitive skin as she moved her face pressing it firmly into the crook of his neck. He focused on the stone path ahead shifting her weight within his hands so she was fitted in a secure fashion across his broad shoulders, her limp arms swaying with each movement her mumbles tracing goosebumps along his flesh
'She cannot handle a drink well, not like the head herbalist.' he mused making a mental note to go drinking with the eccentric herbalist, knowing he better save coin; the women could almost out drink him. Naoki shifted in his arms brushing her lips against the side of his throat, pressing herself forward along his back. He sighed and continued on his goal to deposit her in her assigned corridors, his mind wandered to her last words before her face slammed forward into the polished oak table.
She had a cute pout to her lips as she managed to snag a mug, she looked triumphant and petulant like a child with a smirk that curled the corners of her lips. She brandished the mug, holding her treasure before she chugged the contents in an unladylike manner wiping the froth clinging to her lips on her arm, she hiccuped before a groggy looked passed over her eyes, Obi simply shook his head laughter bubbling past his lips.
"I-I ish shhh-silent ass a shreeee..no no ..one ..tow." She resumed the counting tapping her forefinger in a stuttered rhythm "a Tree!." she exclaimed as her voice became more slurred and breathly. Obi reached over to shake her out of her stupor as her eyes fluttered shut and she pitched forward before he could reach her feeling the movement of air like butterfly wings whisper across his fingertips, the bone jarring crack ricocheted in their little bubble of solitude electing a few stray stares from other patrons. Obi just stared not knowing how to react until a soft snore rumbled from the prone girl, her plait round along her neck and shoulder pinning her in place as the heavy metal ring clattered against the table, laying in an innocent fashion. He could feel a tick forming in his eye and with a futile effort to shake her he proceed to drape her body across his shoulders and back.
He found himself in front of her door, He glared into the very grain of the wood he knew what she said and those very words invoked a demon that spun with moonlight glittering off of a wicked metal ring rimmed with sharp fangs and eyes that glowed a bloodthirsty hue imbuing dread as it stalked its prey the long braid swayed like a hangman's noose. He blinked screwing his eye shut refusing to be drawn back to that battle, a battle where his tongue was coated with more than just his blood.
"Sir Obi you never did say how you knew that I was an assassin." Her soft voice made him jump and the edginess of that long ago battle pulsed through his veins like his own heartbeat, he drew in a steady breath as he bowed low allowing her to slip from the cradle he created against his back. Obi knew she was staring holes into his back awaiting his response, he stood to his full imposing height and gave her a sidelong look; a look he knew reflected the dangerous emotions that rolled through him as memories rose up like hands of long ago skeletons wanting to drag him down beneath the soil. He narrowed those golden eyes that reminded her of a wolf stalking its prey, they almost glowed in the shadows as he looked her over Naoki swallowed feeling weak and rooted in that very spot. The wolf blocking her way to safely that loomed only within a handful of footsteps, his eerie eyes tracking her every movement even the pulse at her throat that danced erratically.
"Knowledge is power little assassin and I'm not willing to part with it just yet." He turned looming over her. "Now sleep you have 4 more secrets to provide and within that span to inspire a trust within your actions." Obi replied coolly and walked off a black cloud of emotions swirling around him as he distanced himself from her, she invoked to much rage.
Naoki trembled the fear that held her in its choking embrace unfurled its icy fingers letting her break away and rush to her room, feeling jubilation at the sound of his receding footfalls. She threw herself on into her bed feeling shame and sweat crawl along her skin. 'I do not want him as my enemy.' she shivered and hastily wrapped herself in the comforter 'I won't back down dammit!' she balled her fist reigniting the fire that drove her here, letting its flames flare within giving it a new direction. 'I will prove you wrong Obi, I'm not just an assassin I am more then that...I am Naoki! and I will be Shirayuki's guard.'
Obi watched the stars from his perch in a forlong tree that stood sentinel to the dense forest, he listened to the night's lullaby blending himself within its notes, clenching a dagger Obi shoved it roughly into the bark embedding the tip into its grain with a soft thunk. 'never thought I would have to resort to this.' he mused with a chuckle, tracing his fingertip along the handle before releasing it feeling like a modicum of control was slipping through his grasp almost as elusive as thread. He unfolded his frame and looked into the starry night breathing in the scent of dew and moss 'A storms on its way.' Angry engorged black clouds outlined the horizon rambling to Clarines like greedy fingers outstretched to grasp its beauty within its fist, Wind whipped through the forest rustling leaves and threading through his short ebony hair like a lovers touch. The reflection displayed upon the heavens put him on edge, it was too poetically similar with the coming of that little assassin.
The rain pelted the windows in a rhythmic song that drew Naoki from her slumber, she cracked open an eyelid waiting for the haze of sleep to clear as she muffled a yawn and began the task of unwinding herself from the comforter cocoon she created as she tossed and turned throughout the night. Molten eyes of liquid gold danced within the the edge of her conscious mind, haunting her as it chased away sleep leaving her feeling antsy and in need of the bitter brew of coffee. Standing she stretched feeling the cracks of used muscles uncoil, she looked upon the dreary gloom of the day dusted with hues of grey and dull blues, rain poured from puffy clouds like unshed tears drowning the land within its sad grasp, she leaned against the window feeling the dichotomy of the situation, a weary smile upon her lips ' Weather has a way of reflecting one's mood after all it's alive like us.' she thought and gently worked snares from her braid smooth coils while breathing in the intoxicating smell of fallen rain and wet earth.
Zen trudged down the hall dark smudges under his eyes that marred his pale flesh, he groaned and rubbed at the remaining sleep. 'I was up all night but I got all my paperwork done!' he felt some form of energy attempt to bubble, he smothered a yawn 'I am determined to have my day spent with Shirayuki!' not even the dark forecast will sunder his plans, a more determined energy bounded through him pushing away the lingering fatigue. He headed to his beloved's quarters at a brisk pace a soft smile reflecting the warmth in his heart.
Shirayuki mumbled incoherently while her eyes burned from lack of sleep, she was shackled to her desk with the orders and requests that grew over the previous day, it glared at her demanding she finished every request. Her mumbling continued to rattle on as she attempted with fatigue to speak the orders out loud for herself but it only sounded distorted and fuzzy, she scrubbed at her eyes that felt dry and itchy. 'You can do this only a few more Shirayuki!' she chided herself as she signed her name in a scribble instead of her elegant script using sheer will power to keep the quill moving, sighing she leaned back and gave her cheeks a quick slap with both hands willing the slight sting to fire her synapses, in the end she just earned red cheeks and a pulsating headache that ebbed with the sting. 'This must be how Zen feels' she laid her head back against her solid chair feeling heavy, she almost didn't hear the movement at the entrance her eyes flicked over to the archway seeing a violet hair women peeking around the corner, her eyes looked strained as they roamed around the contents of the office, taking in the various plants that litter the tops of bookcases and large windowsill, bottled samples occupied many shelves along with various large volumes that had multiple bookmarks poking up from the pages. Those eyes landed on Shirayuki, a blush dusted the girls round face as she walked in fully, Shirayuki gave a gentle smile. "Hello there are do you need some help?"
Nakoi looked at the flame red hair, it was so beautiful shimmering like flames in the faint raising sun, she mentally shook herself as she entered the cozy room enjoying the litter of notes and piles of sketches across the carpet and various desks, she returned the smile.
" I hate to admit this but I had a bit too much alcohol last night and a splitting headache seems to be persistent this morning." She replied with a weak voice as said headache decided to send spikes of pain at her temples, she pinched the bridge of her nose trying to stem the piercing pain. Humor flickered in the evergreen eyes of the flame haired beauty as she ambled forward with a thoughtful tap to her chin.
"I do believe I might have a remedy, besides watching how much you drink." She gave a wink with a small chuckle.
Naoki felt her blush deepen, as she nodded and waited patiently as the women shifted through different bottles of herbs that varied in many colors and unique form, she watched curiously as the women pulled the cork to sniff a few letting her sense dictate which herb would be incorporated in the remedy, with a satisfied smile she shuffled back to her desk and began mixing her selection with such elegance and precise movements. Naoki was mesmerised by her practised movements as she blended and crushed each in an order producing a sticky green pulp, she felt her stomach turn at the fat green mush. The women pushed back her hair with swift fingers, as she poured that mush that sickened Naoki's poor stomach upon a cloth draped over a glass bottle, the green substance rolled with an elastic bounce. The women worked the ooze to shift through the cloth becoming loose, falling into the jar like ribbons. Wiping sweat from her brow she brandished a tea kettle from the recess of her desk, filled it with water and set it upon the lick of an open flame.
"Oh I am so sorry I never did introduce myself, I get so focused while working." The women smiled warmly and with a slight bowed introduced herself " I am Shira-"
A loud crash cut her off as a frantic Zen rushed through the doorway, he gulped down breathes as he skidded across the wood floor, he had a wild look pulling at his features with wind blown hair that stood at attention in spikes, he looked desperately around before his cobalt eyes rested upon the object of his desire he heaved a sigh as he composed himself and pulled his love with in his embrace.
"I found you Shirayuki."
Obi rapped his knuckles against his charges door, he didn't trust she would be on time for the mourning patrol, she had one too many drinks last night and with that lightweight deposition of hers said alcohol will be reaping its vengeance upon her.
"Naoki, it's time for morning patrol!" He listened intently, hearing not even a rustle of fabric his eyes narrowed as he turned the handle feeling the lock release with a soundless ease. Guilt threaded through him, he did not want to intrude upon the woman's privacy but their duties spurred his actions as he stepped across the threshold and into her dimly light room, the filtered light of dawn from the overhung clouds illuminated the lifeless room confirming his suspicions, it was vacant and missing a vital person snuggled beneath the duvet. Alarm bloomed in his chest as his thoughts spun tales of her dark nature rearing its ugly head to betray his master and her.. Someone he struggled to not claim within the confines of his mind 'Shirayuki.' He whipped his lean form into action as he pumped his long legs ripping through the halls like a violent gale. Anger focused his mind to a pinpoint releasing the memories that flashed like a dagger whenever he viewed that woman's weapon.
The night air was crisp and autumn leaves danced upon the soft breeze, he stood stagnant upon a tall building he dug his boots into the terracotta red shingles, he looked upon the firefly lights of the town that speckled the night giving it a gentle glow as they shimmered upon the horizon. It was a balm to the gallop of his heart, it was a simple mission with a group of similarly skilled individuals, the delivery of a message with sharp tips and a metallic taste coating the tongue. A shrill sound crawled upon his skin as his team gathered round the roof they perched upon, their faces masked by the night's shadows, stretching over eyes and nose giving them a phantom vistage. Their mouths moved but no words reached his ears, words that held no sound echoed in the night.
Obi's memory shivered, rippled upon the surface of his mind muddling the finer details it rushed through the events before the song of that metal ring piercing the still of the night. The steel becoming coated in blood as its razor teeth edges embedded themselves within the bodies of his comrades, The fray was confused as the weapon danced in arcs breaking defenses and bouncing off raised weapons, it was hungry for flesh as it dug those sharp teeth in pilate limbs, cutting down such skilled individuals with ease. Terror rolled down his spine like sweat, chilling him to the bone as he was to take a chance at the demon, with his dagger raised he charged forward deftly moving to avoid the dance of the blade.
An old wound burned across his abdomen, pulsing with his footfalls as he drew closer to the apothecary, knowing the dedicated worker that Shirayuki is his best bet is to try where she lingers on sleepless nights. 'Prove me wrong little assassin, don't be a demon.'
Her mouth fell open at such a blatant loving display, her hands slammed across her eyes as her cheeks became aflame she felt embarrassed as the two lovers embraced, even as her temples pulsed in protest at her violent response something was tickling at the back of her mind, she couldn't quite place what she needed to know. Naoki kept her eyes firmly covered to give them proper privacy and to keep at bay a jealousy from surfacing, she has never known love like that but she had a burning desire to feel it one day when she was free from her shackles and could shuck the sins of her past. She breathed noisily from her mouth, her fingers squishing her nose as she waited patiently for them to be done, in the dim of her muddled brain the whistle of a tea kettle felt like a saving grace.
Shirayuki looked at her frantic love, he looked out of breath and desperate to keep her close 'Did something happen?' she mused as she shyly returned the embrace before a deep blush marred her cheeks, they were not alone a patient was mere feet from her and Zen with a squeak she gently pushed out of his strong arms feeling her heartbeat gallop.
"Zen wait, what happened is something wrong?" Her frayed psyche dizzy from the heated embrace.
Zen opened his mouth to respond only to have it flounder as it caught sight of Naoki, her hands squashed across her face like a child hiding from punishment, a displeased frown pulling upon her lips. "Naoki?"
The piercing shriek of a tea kettle broke the tension, Shirayuki gasped paying no heed to Zen's flabbergasted expression as she hurried over to the pot to pour a generous amount of the steaming liquid into a cup, with her deft fingers she coaxed the green pulp into the bubbling water watching it gurgle and swell. Using a spoon, she stirred the fatty green substance and watched as the pulp dispersed itself into a green film across the top, she gave a satisfied smile seeing the potion come together. Puffing a cooling breath over the rim of the cup she brought it over to her patient, Shirayuki stilled as she looked upon Naoki's vistage, she looked like the epitome of embarrassment. She and Zen shared a look of perplextion followed by held in laughter as both their cheeks puffed out to hold in the amusement at the obviously distressed girl. Composing herself and knowing full well that their entertainment at the poor girl's expense was rude, Shirayuki slapped a hand over Zen's tempting lips and wagged her finger at him, his strong hand tapped her shoulder knowingly as he walked over to a shelf to aimlessly search the various books, little bubbles of laughter still spilling from those lips of his. Shirayuki shook her head not knowing what to do with her prince...her prince, just that thought sent her over taxed mind over the edge Deepening the already prominent blush as her forest green eyes glazed over in thought, her fingers still cupping the remedy.
"Shirayuki!" Obi slid into the room, breath bouncing in his chest as he gasped out her name with sheer force. His expression thunderous before taking in the scene before him, a laughing Zen with his nose buried in the book looked up to only snort out more at Obi's dumbstruck expression. "What happened here master?"
Obi took in the dreamy look upon Shirayuki's face, feeling an uncomfortable thump in his chest as he gazed upon her soft eyes and gentle smile that graced delicate pink lips. He shifted his gaze taking note of a cup that she held with curling slips of steam rising from its contents to Naoki, his composure slipped and a loud bark of laughter echoed within the small confines of the room bouncing in everyone's ears, he could see the tips of the little assassins ear turn a bright pink and the tension of her hands as the pressed harder against her small face. He snickered unable to hold back the petals of laughter bursting from his lips, even her hands seemed to take on a blush before she ripped them off her face with eyes closed tightly she gave out a disgruntled sound.
"Can I please get the hangover remedy!"She begged feeling her heartbeat throb in her ears, her whole face felt hot and her chest tight.
"Obi!" Shirayuki chastised her guard watching as he finally muffled his amusement, she shook herself out of her reverie and brought the cup to the girl prompting her hands to close over the ceramic as she refused to open her eyes, Shirayuki shook her head watching as both men finally composed themselves, she leveled them both with a glare of steel erasing the vestiges of a smile from their mouths. They did themselves a favor to look mildly discomforted, as she eyed them and sat next to the violet haired girl to soothe her with a gentle touch upon her shoulder.
Naoki peeked from under her lashes finding relief that she no longer was a subject of amusement, with a calming breath she took a sip of the brew before sputtering.
"Obi!...Shirayuki...Prince Zen!" Her mouth floundered as she realized the bodies that occupied the room, the haze of embarrassment cleared to be replaced by shame, even her headache took pause as realization settled in. "Please let this be a bad dream!" She groaned flopping her body forward, her head hanging between her legs limply. She pressed her fingers to her temple and released another groan ' I have thoroughly embarrassed myself not only in front of someone I'm suppose to be the future guard of but Prince Zen and Obi! I want to crawl under the covers of my bed now.' her body shook with a new wave of shame. Naoki could feel the bitter taste coat her tongue, shame a feeling that rolled through her like a wave trudging up memories.
She felt the sting of metal against bone as her small hands tried to grasp the metal ring, but faltered bringing forth a bright streak of pain flashing in her brain, cradling her her small hand she whimpered. Before she could think to act otherwise that sharp crack of a hand against her cheek whipped her head to the side, she didn't act accordingly, she didn't catch the ring, she showed weakness. She tasted copper upon her tongue along with the shame, she needed to catch the ring just like she needed to breathe failure meant a feeling of suffocation.
"Don't dissapoint me little seed."
A voice so filled with cruel intentions that it crawled across her skin, each word deepening the shame till it filled her mouth, drowning her in its bitter flavor.
The gentle hand that awoke Naoki from her ill childhood memories, rubbed gentle circles on her shoulder, she straightened her form and looked to find the beautiful flame haired princess attending to her with such a kind expression. She felt ashamed once more but mixed with the familiar feelings blossoming in her chest a happiness bloomed, she was cared for even just briefly and it felt wonderful.
"Naoki is it?" At her nod Shirayuki gave her a stunning smile that melted the cold shame clinging to her. "Don't feel bad we tend to be a bit lively around here, though I do believe I share your curiosity as to why both Obi and Zen rampaged in here like a wild boar was on their heels." She gave them a displeased look that earned a sheepish grin from both men. "Now Zen please explain why you are here and then Obi I hope you will be able to fill in your excuse too."
Both men looked at each other with a restrained shiver, the docile princess has a fire inside that can be quite scary when roused.
Zen coughed into his fist, dispelling the perturbed feeling. "I found time to enjoy your company and wanted to take you out to stroll the markets, but when I saw you weren't in your chambers I got worried and rushed down here." A small blush dusted the handsome prince cheeks, a soft smile graced his beloved's lips as she looked upon him with adoration.
"That makes me very happy Zen." She beamed at him enjoying the return of love within the sea blue of his eyes "But next time don't worry so much, I'm never too far from being at my desk."
Obi grunted interrupting the cumbersome atmosphere, he enjoys seeing the love between his master and charge grow, but a sadness that danced along of the edge of his heart squeezes the organ and seeps in like winter's breath leaving him feeling cold. "I was attempting to rouse Naoki for morning patrol but found that she too was not in her chambers and assumed from her lack of will to hold alcohol she might of been in need of a herbalist." His lie was smooth and full of mirth and that did not go unnoticed by the little assassin, her baring of teeth and lethal glare was her acknowledgement.
Zen leveled an authoritative look upon Obi, that made him flinch . "Was this part of the Bet I heard of?"
Obi gave a sheepish look before scratching his chin in a guilty fashion, Naoki huffed before gulping down the surprisingly floral tasting potion, with a smack of her lips she felt the cooling tendrils of the herbs already massaging away the throbbing ache in her temples, it alleviated the strain and allowed coherent thoughts to form with ease. She looked over at the imposing male with the feral eyes and growled.
"The deal was if he beat me in a foot race I would have to provide for him for 5 days of both a secret a night and alcohol."
Both Zen and Shirayuki sighed knowing full well few could ever hope to beat Obi on foot, the bet was purely one sided, the poor girl had no true hope of achieving a boon from the male.
Shirayuki looked over the girl as questions formed. " Why are you on patrol with Obi? And how do you know Zen?"