Chapter 6: Aftermath
"Is he going to be alright?" a female voice asked.
"I believe that he'll be fine now. He just needs some rest. Watch over him and let me know if anything else comes up. I have a lot more patients to treat." The older lady sighed. "It's a shame that his parents aren't here for him."
"Yeah, I know. I can't imagine how it must feel to have lost your parents. But, I'll be here for him when he wakes up. Thanks, Mom."
The words barely registered in Ryo's mind as consciousness seeped back into him. Life suddenly began to flow back into his body. Ryo's hand tightened in reflex to his consciousness. He felt in his own hand the smooth, soft touch of another person's hand, a feminine hand. He slowly began to open his eyes and light began to flood his darkened world. Numbness left his body and feeling returned to his nerves and limbs. The room was dimly lit, the scent of herbs and burning candles permeating the air. He soon became aware of a presence sitting close to him and a hand stroking his forehead. Ryo opened his eyes and beheld a familiar countenance overshadowing his own. A friendly smile greeted his weary eyes.
"Tinaro...?" Ryo's voice was hoarse, a mere whisper from his dry throat. Her eyes, brimming with relief and concern, searched his face. The sight of her brought a sense of peace to him. Her eyes widened and she leaned closer to him, her hand never leaving his forehead.
"You're awake," she soothed, her voice a soft melody that seemed to mollify the last of his pain. "Thank the heavens."
Ryo blinked, trying to clear the fog from his vision. He took in the unfamiliar surroundings, the walls adorned with tapestries and the gentle scent of lavender hung in the air. His gaze fell upon Tinaro, and the events of the harvest festival rushed back to him in a torrent of fiery memories. The ninjas, the destruction, the fear in Tinaro's eyes when she was taken...
"Where am I?" he croaked, his voice a harsh whisper in the quiet room.
"You're at my house," Tinaro reassured, her voice filled with a mix of relief and trepidation. "You've been in a coma for nearly three days, Ryo."
Three days! The words echoed in his mind, a stark reminder of the time that had been stolen from him. "Three days? I need to get up…!" Ryo struggled to sit up, his body protesting with every movement. The room spun around him, a kaleidoscope of colors that made his head throb. He clutched at the blankets, willing the world to still. The voices grew clearer, their tones urgent and hushed.
"Ryo, please. What you need to do is rest," Tinaro urged, her grip on his shoulder firm but gentle as she helped him back down. "You've been through a lot."
Ryo sighed as a myriad of questions swirled in his mind. How had he come to be here, in her house? What had happened after he had lost consciousness? What happened to his parents? Did he really command fire or had he imagined it? The last thing he remembered was the fiery rage that had consumed him, the power that had surged through his veins like a living creature, demanding to be released. And Tinaro, her eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear, looked at him as if he were something she didn't quite recognize.
"First thing… How did I get here?" he asked finally in a whisper of its former strength. "The last thing I remember was... Tyson took you away, and then..." His voice trailed off, the memory of his collapse a hazy blur.
Tinaro took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving his. "After you... after everything, I mean… Tyson and I brought you here," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "You collapsed from exhaustion and extreme fever. But given what happened, we… no, I couldn't risk taking you anywhere else, not with everyone... afraid of you."
Her words hit him like a blow to the gut. "Afraid of me?" Ryo echoed, his voice hoarse with disbelief. "Why would people be afraid of me?"
Tinaro inhaled and then exhaled deeply, her eyes downcast. "Because of what you did," she replied frankly, her voice a soft whisper. "The power you used, it was... it was something else. And now, people are whispering about what happened. Calling it an explosion at the festival… it's all people seem to be talking about now." She paused, searching for the right words. "But, that doesn't matter now. What matters is that you're here and that you're safe."
Ryo's gaze drifted to the floor, his mind racing with the implications of his newfound power. An explosion? The release of his fire powers was… an explosion? The thought of people fearing him, a farm boy, was almost comical. It was ludicrous, especially when all he wanted was to protect them. To protect Tinaro. "But it does matter," he retorted. "If they find out, if they know what I'm capable of..."
"They won't," Tinaro assured him, her voice steady despite the sadness that lingered in her eyes. "I won't let them. Your secret is safe with me."
But Ryo couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his gut. Especially when Tyson was the first person who found them. He knew Tyson wasn't one to be easily fooled. His suspicion had been tangible, his gaze sharp and probing even as he had helped Tinaro to safety. And that word, "monster," had cut deep, resonating in the quiet of his mind like a mournful bell tolling the end of innocence. The truth was, Ryo didn't know what he had become. The power that had surged through him was alien and terrifying. Was he really a monster? Was that what his destiny held for him?
"I think Tyson suspects, something," Ryo mused. "I mean, when he found us, he called me a monster. He looked at me like he was… afraid."
The memory of Tyson's horrified expression and accusatory words cut through the fog in Ryo's mind like a knife. He had left him there, in the midst of the chaos, thinking him a monster. And he tried to take Tinaro away from him. If Tyson thought him a monster, then did Tinaro also think that? Did everyone in town think him a monster? The realization hit him like a punch to the gut, and he felt a cold, hard lump form in his throat.
Tinaro's grip tightened, and she gave him a small, comforting smile. "I know what he said," she consoled softly. "But he doesn't understand, Ryo. None of them do. I mean, I did have to convince Tyson to bring you here, to keep you safe. But still, I know you're not a monster. You were just protecting me."
Her voice was barely a whisper, and Ryo could see the unshed tears glistening in her eyes. He reached out to take her hand, his own hand trembling slightly. "Thank you," he blushed, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for believing in me."
Tinaro gave him a beaming smile. "Of course I do," she confirmed, her voice stronger now. "I know you're not a monster, Ryo. You're... something else. Someone, who is very special to me."
He looked down at his hands, the same hands that had once held a plough, now capable of such destruction. The memory of the power that had surged through him was still fresh: the sensation of the flames that had danced around his fingertips, the wind that had bent to his will. He had felt like a god, invincible and all-powerful; yet now, as he felt his bandaged body, he felt more human than ever. The fabric was stiff and unyielding, a stark reminder of his vulnerability. As much as he had dreamt about having elemental powers, he never could have imagined that this is how it would manifest. His thoughts suddenly shifted to the moments before the "explosion" of his power. How Vaan had sacrificed himself to give them a chance. He had so many questions for him about his powers. But even as he asked his question, he already knew the answer.
"What… what happened to my parents? To Vann…" he inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.
Tinaro took a deep, trembling breath, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "They didn't make it, Ryo," she disclosed softly, her voice thick with grief. "Vaan... he sacrificed himself to save us. To give us a chance to escape."
Ryo felt as if the air had been punched from his lungs. His heart hammered in his chest, a painful rhythm that seemed to echo the words she had just spoken. He had hoped that Vaan had survived… somehow. He had so many more questions that he needed answers to. "And my mom?" he rasped, his throat dry and tight.
Tinaro's hand tightened on his shoulder, her eyes never leaving his. "Alcenia... she was found in your house. She didn't make it either, Ryo," she replied, her voice breaking on his name.
Ryo felt the weight of the world press down on him. His father, his mother, both gone. The last things he had said to them played over and over in his mind, each word a dagger in his heart. Despite the revelation that they weren't his real parents, anger still bubbled up inside him, anger at the fate that had taken them from him so cruelly, so unfairly. He had never even had the chance to tell his father the truth, to thank him for the love and guidance he had given him. To ask him more questions about his past. About his real parents. But now he was gone, leaving Ryo with nothing but a name and a mysterious legacy he hadn't asked for.
"I... I told him I didn't want his pity," Ryo muttered, the words tasting bitter on his tongue as he bowed his head and dropped his eyes. "Even though he wasn't my real father, the last thing I said to him was that I didn't need his pity."
Tinaro reached out and lifted his chin to allow his saddened eyes to meet her eyes. Her gaze offered him a warmth that seemed to cut through the shadows of regret. "Ryo, you had no way of knowing," she consoled gently, her voice soothing like a balm on his raw emotions. "You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
He took a moment to ruminate on her words, his mind racing with even more questions. But he felt grief the more he thought about it. He shook his head as if trying to shake out his grief and rattle out the overwhelming emotions he felt.
"You said…" Ryo inhaled and swallowed the emotions he felt down. "You said you brought me here. But, why not take me to your mom's clinic? Why bring me here?" Ryo asked, trying to distract his racing mind.
Tinaro took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, or perhaps tears already shed, with more at the precipice. "We did take you to the clinic to treat your wounds, but… I was afraid for you. Given what people were saying. I asked my mom to move you here so I could continue to watch over you… But, you were burning up still," she sniffled, her voice shaking. "And your back… your back…" She trailed off, her hand reaching up to touch the bandages that covered his back.
Ryo's gaze followed her hand, and he swallowed hard. The memory of the fire that had been a part of him was still so vivid, so real. He could almost feel the flames licking at his skin, the heat of them searing through his very soul. "My back?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The burns on your back," Tinaro explained, her voice cracking slightly. "They were... terrible. Your whole back was covered in burns. There was even melted steel on your back. I don't know how… Mom and I did our best to treat them, but we weren't sure if... that first night... between the burns and your high fever... we weren't sure if you were going to make it." She paused, tears now dripping from her eyes as she choked out the words, as if reliving a nightmare.
Ryo felt a cold chill run down his spine, his mind reeling with the horror of what Tinaro had just described and experienced. He couldn't imagine what was going through her mind as she was treating his wounds, all the while wondering if he would survive. And right after they had confessed feelings for each other, sharing such an intimate moment together. His heart felt heavy with guilt for the pain he had caused her, both physically and emotionally. He had never wanted to be a burden, especially not to someone who had become so dear to him.
"But I'm okay now," he assured her, his voice a little stronger. "Thanks to you and your mom." Whatever this newfound power that had manifested, he knew that he had to accept it, and somehow learn to control it. That way, it would not blaze out of control again. He didn't want to cause Tinaro any more worry, pain, or anxiety because of his unchecked, untamed power.
Her grip tightened on his hand, and she nodded, her eyes still brimming with tears. "I didn't know what to do," she confessed, her voice shaking as she wiped her face. "But I had to believe that you would be okay. I prayed for you every moment you were asleep."
Ryo felt a lump form in his throat and he squeezed her hand in return. "You did?" he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. He had never felt so touched by anyone's kindness before. The idea that Tinaro had spent her days and nights worrying for him was overwhelming. It spoke of their deeply rooted bond for each other. His voice cracked with emotion. "You didn't give up on me?"
Tinaro shook her head as a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. "I could never give up on you, Ryo," she affirmed. "You're too important to me."
The weight of her words settled on him, a warmth spreading through his chest. He had always known Tinaro was special to him, too; but to hear her say it aloud was something else entirely. It was like the first time he had felt the warmth of the sun on a cold winter's day, a feeling that brought a sudden burst of hope amidst the gloom. Ryo felt a swell of gratitude and affection for Tinaro that seemed to fill the very air around them. It was a bond that had been forged in the crucible of danger and fear, tempered by the flames of his own power; and now, it felt unbreakable. He squeezed her hand tighter, offered an affectionate smile, and wiped the tear from her face.
Tinaro's eyes searched his, and she took a deep, shaky breath. "Ryo, there's something else you need to know." She paused, biting her lip. "When I was praying for you, I felt... something." Her voice grew softer, almost a whisper. "It was like... a warmth, a connection. I don't know how to explain it."
Ryo stared at her, his heart racing. Could it be that their bond was stronger than he had ever dared to believe? "What do you mean?" he managed to ask.
Tinaro took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving him. "When I prayed for you, Ryo," she began, her voice trembling, "It was as if I could feel you, your pain. And I prayed for it all to be washed away. For you to get better."
Ryo stared at her, his heart racing with hope and awe. The idea that their bond was more than just friendship was something he had longed for but never dared to voice. "What are you saying?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"It was as if... as if my prayers had some kind of power. A couple times I thought I saw a blue aura around me and particles of light entering your body... I don't know." Tinaro laughed. "Sounds kind of silly now that I'm saying it out loud." Her embarrassment flushed across her facial features.
Ryo, however, felt a strange sense of wonder. "No, it doesn't sound silly at all," he countered. In fact, he seemed to recall a blue aura enveloping his body right before he unleased his wind power… and his fire… "In fact, it makes a strange sort of sense. Especially given what I did…" He paused, trying to process everything that had happened. The power that had surged through him, the way he had felt connected to the elements, and now Tinaro's revelation. What could it all mean?
"Anyways, let's change the bandages," she suggested gently, breaking the silence. "They need to be checked."
Ryo nodded, sitting up slowly. With trembling hands, Tinaro began to unwrap the bandages from his back, her movements tender and precise. They were stiff with dried herbal paste and blood, sticking slightly to his skin as she peeled them away. With each layer removed, Ryo held his breath, bracing for the sting of exposed wounds. But, oddly enough, it never came. Instead, he felt a coolness, a gentle caress of air that seemed to soothe him. As the last piece of fabric peeled away, revealing his bare skin, Tinaro gasped.
Her hand flew to her mouth, and she stared in disbelief. His back was not a canvas of charred, blistered flesh and open wounds as she had expected. Instead, there was a tapestry of unblemished skin, not a single scar to be seen. His skin was smooth, untouched by the fiery agony he had suffered. The room was silent, save for the crackling of the fire in the hearth.
Ryo looked over his shoulder. "What is it?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"Ryo... your back," she whispered, her voice shaking with a mix of wonder and intrigue. "It's... it's healed!"
Ryo reached behind him and felt his back. Indeed, it felt… normal. No blistering or burn feeling at all. He felt a cold sweat break out over his body as he looked at her. "What? But how?" His voice was a raspy croak, the reality of what she was saying not quite sinking in despite the evidence.
Tinaro's eyes were wide with wonder. She took a deep, shaky breath. "It's true," she breathed, her hand hovering over his back. "I don't know how, but your burns are gone. It's like they never even existed."
Not trusting his sense of touch, he turned slightly to look at his back in the mirror attached to the closet door in the room. He again reached back tentatively, his own fingers brushing against his skin. It was smooth, unmarred by the fiery embrace and liquid metal he had endured. "I don't believe it…" he stammered.
Tinaro's eyes searched his back. "Lean forward a bit."
Ryo looked over his shoulder again, his eyes seeing hers in the mirror of the room. He could see the reflection of her face, a mix of wonder and curiosity.
Tinaro's hand hovered over his back, her breath hitching as she reached out to touch it. The moment her fingers met his skin, a jolt of energy seemed to pass between them. The room grew still, as if the very air was holding its breath, waiting for them to speak. Tinaro seemed to be listening in the quiet tension that filled the room, as if hearing secrets that only she could hear.
He felt the warmth of her palm, and the goosebumps that rose on his skin as her fingers traced the contours of his back. Her touch not only sent jolts of exhilaration through him, but also offered him comfort. It was as if her touch had the power to soothe the ragged edges of his soul.
" I remember the fire... the pain... How?" he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of awe and trepidation. "How can it be healed?"
Tinaro looked at him with wide eyes, her hand resting his back. "I don't know," she breathed. "But Mom and I both saw the burns, Ryo. They were deep and terrible." Her words continued with an undertone of bewilderment yet relief. "We tried everything we could think of, but... now, it's like they never even existed!"
Ryo's mind raced with questions, but he couldn't find the words to ask them. How could his wounds have healed so completely? Was it Tinaro's touch, her prayers, or something else? Maybe, it was those mystical berries? He felt a warmth spread through him, a sense of gratitude and wonder, but something else manifested too. Something… akin to fear.
"Maybe it was your mystical berries…" he suggested with a smirk. "Or maybe your prayers were more than just words. Maybe there's some kind of magic in them after all." He sat up and turned to look at her, his gaze meeting hers. The amusement in her eyes at his comments soon turned into something more amorous. The space between them grew smaller until their faces were only inches apart. The world seemed to fade away, and all that remained was the reflection in the mirror of their entwined hands and the fierce connection that bound them.
Her breath hitched, and Ryo felt his own chest tighten. The intensity of their chemistry was undeniable. He leaned closer, drawn to the warmth of her touch, the sweetness of her breath, the allure of her scent. The room grew hazy, as if the very air was charged with the electricity of their chemistry. Tinaro's hand remained on his back, the contact sending shivers down his spine.
Tinaro leaned in, her eyes searching his. "Your eyes," she observed. "There's something different about them. A strength that wasn't there before…" Her gaze searched his, seeking answers he didn't have.
Ryo felt a jolt of energy pass between them. He reached up to brush his thumb across her soft cheek, his thumb lingering there. "I don't know what's happening, Tinaro," he whispered. "But I know I'd do anything to protect you."
The fear in her eyes began fading slowly, replaced by something else. Something that made his heart race faster than the wind that had once danced around his fingertips. "I know," she agreed, her voice barely audible, a tremulous smile playing on her lips. "And I'd do anything for you too."
Their eyes locked, and Ryo felt as though time had stopped. The warmth of the room closed in around them, and their breaths mingled in the space between their faces. It was as if the very air itself was holding its breath, waiting for the moment when their lips would meet. And then, just as their gazes grew too intense to bear, the door to the cottage burst open with a bang, and Tyson came barreling in.
The tension snapped like a bowstring, and Ryo felt Tinaro's hand jerk away from his back as they both spun to face the intrusion. Tyson's eyes fell on Ryo, and the fiery gaze that had once been directed at him was now replaced with something else. Suspicion, perhaps. Or was it fear? Ryo couldn't be sure.
"Tinaro, can I speak with you outside? Privately?" Tyson's voice was gruff, his eyes not leaving Ryo's for a moment. Tinaro looked at Ryo, her own eyes filled with concern and a hint of something else that he couldn't quite read.
Ryo nodded, his heart still pounding in his chest from their interrupted moment. "It's okay. I'll be fine. Don't worry." He then motioned for her to leave and continued with a smile, "Go on. It seems as if you are needed. Besides, I don't think that I'm going anywhere anytime soon. I need my rest." He knew he had to trust her, that she would handle whatever Tyson had to say.
As they left, Tyson gave a swift glance at the teen resting comfortably in the bed. Ryo would have missed it, but his focus left Tinaro for a moment to notice the discontented glare from the soldier. He watched her leave the room, his eyes lingering on the doorframe long after she had disappeared from view. The silence that followed was deafening, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the distant wailing of the wind.
Something's, not right… Ryo thought. Instead of resting like he should have, Ryo carefully got out of bed. His muscles still protested his movements, but he carefully scuttled toward the door, hoping to overhear the conversation that apparently was only intended for Tinaro.
He leaned against the wooden frame, his breathing shallow and uneven. The floorboards creaked slightly under his weight, a reminder that he was still in Tinaro's house, a place that had once been his sanctuary but now felt like a prison of doubt and fear. He strained to listen to the hushed conversation outside.
He began to hear the familiar voice of Tinaro and the voice of the soldier Tyson. The sounds were muffled, but he could hear them nonetheless. But it seemed quieter than any typical conversation. Almost as if they were whispering. Ryo placed his ear to the door and was able to eavesdrop on their conversation. The conversation had already begun, and Tyson was already in mid-response to an apparent statement from Tinaro about Ryo's condition.
"No burns? Are you sure?"
"Yeah! I saw him myself. He seems almost completely healed! Isn't that great?"
"Tinaro, you don't understand. This isn't great. It's terrifying!" Tyson's voice grew sharp, his words cutting through the air like a knife. Ryo's heart thudded in his chest, his grip on the doorframe tightening.
"What are you talking about?" she replied, the confusion in her voice palpable even through the barrier of the thick wooden door.
"You heard me, Tinaro. That boy is dangerous. He can't be trusted. What were you thinking, bringing him here?" Tyson's words were harsh, but there was a tremor of fear beneath the anger.
Tinaro's voice grew defensive. "I had to do something! He was hurt, and you know as well as I do that no one else would have helped him! Besides, look at him now. He's fine. Better than fine, actually."
"That's my point!" Tyson raised his voice but quickly realized the elevated volume and continued in a quieter tone, likely so Ryo wouldn't hear. "He was severely burned from the explosion during the attack. You saw it! Yet now he is fine? There's something about him that's not right, can't you see that!?" Tyson took a deep breath and again lowered his tone. "We found on either side of the explosion two charred bodies that have been identified as two of the attackers. They were so badly burned that they barely looked human. That could have only happened because of Ryo. And you're saying that even with that evidence he's not dangerous?"
There was a pause, and Ryo could almost see the exchange of glances between the two outside, filled with meaning that was lost to him. He wished he could read the expressions on their faces, gauge the situation more clearly. But he was trapped here, his ear pressed to the door, his heart racing as if it were about to burst out of his chest.
"What were you doing just now with him anyways?" Tyson's voice grew gruff, the accusation in his tone unmistakable.
Tinaro took a step back, her eyes flashing with defiance. "What does it look like I was doing? I was changing his bandages!" she exclaimed defensively. "Besides, why does that matter to you?"
"It doesn't." Tyson let out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of something he was holding back. "But it sure looked a lot more than that," he said, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "But, like I said, it doesn't matter anymore. I have my orders."
Tinaro's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a cold dread wash over her. "Orders?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "What are you talking about?"
"I shouldn't even be telling you this, but..." Tyson's eyes grew hard, and he nodded. "The council has deemed Ryo a threat to the town," he said, his voice low and serious. "They believe he's responsible for the explosion, and for the destruction it caused. I... I have orders to detain him for questioning."
Tinaro's protest was immediate. "But that's ridiculous!" she exclaimed, stepping closer to Tyson. "Ryo saved my life! Without him, I would have been killed! I owe him my life!"
"But with him, you nearly were killed!" Tyson's gaze didn't waver from hers, his expression a mix of pity and resolve. "Tinaro," he hushed, "keep your voice down. You're not supposed to know these things."
"These 'things'? Wait… Is there more?!" she asked in utter shock. What more could be brought against Ryo's report?
"Well, yeah, but please! Will you keep your voice down?!" He paused to listen if anyone had heard the girl's exclamation. His eyes fell upon the door where Ryo was, and casually took a step toward it to hear any sort of ruffling of bedding. After he was satisfied, he continued speaking in his hushed tone. "You don't understand. The council has received multiple tips that the attackers were specifically after him. One even said he was involved. His presence in our town is a threat to our safety."
Tinaro felt a chill run down her spine, but she wasn't about to let fear dictate her beliefs. "Ryo is not the enemy!" she hissed, her eyes flashing. "He protected me, he protected everyone here! He's the one who stopped the attack!"
But Tyson's expression remained stoic, his eyes dark with a mix of duty and regret. "I know you care for him, Tinaro," he began firmly. "But I have orders. If he's found to be involved in any way, he'll face the consequences. And that could be... severe."
"No! This isn't fair! He was defending my life…" Tinaro trailed off, shocked at this new revelation. Her mouth gaped open and she leaned heavily against the wall due to the shock and sheer magnitude of the crimes charged to Ryo's account. How could they do this? Who would accuse him of such things?
On the other side of the door, Ryo covered his gaping mouth with his hands and backed away from the door slightly. Sweat dripped from his body. I haven't done anything… He thought in shock at the accusations. In fact, he had saved a life. He should not be tried for crimes he did not commit; but rather, he should be celebrated as a hero for the life that still lives because of his efforts!
The thought of running away crossed his mind as his eyes fell upon the nearby open window. If I try to run, they'll catch me. But if I stay here then they'll still catch me and take me in. Either way, it sounds like I'm being blamed… The voices outside of the door continued again, instantly drawing Ryo closer to it. Listening intently, Ryo readied himself for what was said next.
"Are you… g-going to t-take him now?" Tinaro sniffled, tears streaming down her face. She had almost lost Ryo once and now she was threatened with the loss of him once again. It was too much for her to bear.
Tyson looked at the trembling girl before him and gave her a warm, loving smile. She obviously cared for Ryo more than she had made evident before. "Here." He reached into his satchel and pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her.
She accepted it and wiped the tears from her beautiful, tear-stained face. After she blew her nose, she looked pleadingly into his dark brown eyes, hoping that he would answer her.
Tyson, the hardened soldier he had become after his combat training, couldn't resist the assault of the beautiful woman's gaze. It was so intense that he had to avert his eyes. Her gaze pierced his soul, and her emotions were clear. If he denied her request, any chance of spending time with her, getting closer, would be out of the question. As much as he wanted to agree, he couldn't defy his orders either. It might cost him his job. His livelihood.
He gave her question considerable thought and finally came to a decision, relenting to her request, even if that decision meant delaying the orders given to him by his superiors. If it meant he had any chance of a future with her by delaying his capture of Ryo, then he was willing to do it.
"I tell you what. I'll give you the rest of the afternoon. But tonight, I'm coming for him."
Tinaro's eyes lit up at his generosity, but Tyson raised one finger, indicating that he was adding a stipulation. "I'll only do this if, and only if, you don't tell him what I've told you. The moment he knows, I'll be forced to take him into custody. All right?"
Gratefully, Tinaro wrapped her arms around him in a big hug, with her fingers crossed and replied, "Thank you, Tyson. I owe you one." She released him from her hug and smiled. She was about to walk back to where Ryo was but was stopped by Tyson.
"Hold on… Don't make it look like you were crying. I don't know what he'll think; but, if he thinks that something is wrong with you, then I may have to detain him right now." Tinaro wiped her eyes and face with Tyson's handkerchief and handed it back to him. After gaining his approval that she looked fine, Tinaro reached for the door handle to spend what could quite possibly be the last moments that she and Ryo would have together.
Ryo, who was on the other side of the door, heard everything and was moved with compassion by what Tinaro had done for him. He was also moved with rage at such outrageous charges. However, he now had a bigger problem on his hands. The authorities wanted him and, for whatever reason, they wanted to take him out quietly. This was evidenced by the fact that only one soldier was sent to take him into custody.
I have until tonight before they will come for me. I don't know what's going on, but one thing is certain: they will take me into custody. I may never find out who attacked our city or the truth behind my past. I'm not about to stay here and wait this thing out. Ryo thought to himself as he slowly traveled to the bed and lay down. Why would they make false accusations against me anyway? But also, who would do such a thing? This makes no sense to me at all.
Just then, the door opened, and Tinaro walked into the room, beaming with her usual bright and cheerful smile. But Ryo knew the truth behind that façade. Ryo caught a glimpse of Tyson, who seemed to be smiling at him. Smiling? But why? Tinaro turned her back on Ryo and made eye contact with Tyson, who nodded as she shut the door rather slowly. Was he… smiling? Ryo wondered. He then turned his attention to Tinaro, who now looked just a little bit shaken. She won't tell me, even if I ask. I'd better be prepared to make a midnight run tonight. But I'll have to keep my plans for tonight a secret, even from her. But, what would I need? His mind began planning for the things he would need to leave town.
"Is everything okay?" Ryo asked, trying to get confirmation on what he already knew.
Tinaro wanted to warn Ryo so badly that it hurt. But she knew that if she enlightened Ryo with the news now, he would certainly be captured by Tyson and interrogated immediately. She would probably also be captured and sentenced for helping a criminal. However, his punishment loomed in her mind, but she made a promise and intended to keep it. At least until she could tell him secretly. She imagined that Tyson probably was listening very closely. So for the moment, she lied to him, until the time would be right.
"Ohh. Everything's fine. Tyson just asked me if everything's alright and told me that they are still investigating the cause of the attack," she said with her back still facing him. She could not look Ryo in the eyes and openly lie to him. Instead, she faced the door and glared through the door almost as if she could see exactly what the soldier was doing… listening. I'll tell him when I know that the soldiers won't be around to hear me tell him. Tinaro thought to herself. She then turned around and smiled at Ryo.
I knew it. But I do respect her for keeping her word. I'll need to stock up on some supplies before I leave tonight. And I'll need some new clothes and armor, so I'll need to go home. I'll also need a sword. A real one. Ryo stroked his chin as he soon became lost in his own thoughts. I wonder if they confiscated the swords from that night. Maybe the one I had from… hmm… Tinaro might know something.
"Hey, Tinaro…"
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