Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 5

Dealing with Keiko or Kaida as she wanted to be called was difficult.  She offered no information then would threaten anyone who would get her to a point where she felt she could not answer.  Chiyo, honestly, was the person who got the most out of her for some reason.  She was somehow able to talk around her riddles and even understand them, where it would stump the others.

It was frustrating, on top of her being caught not in the bed as she should be.  I was halfway thankful it was her leg that was injured, anywhere else and she would have been out of the window easily.  Anytime I visited, all talking ceased, she clearly didn't trust me so I had to leave it to staff to attend to her and visit when she was unaware and sleeping.

Why is she so difficult... it's not like I stole the sword...  I passed by her room to hear her giving the nurse a hard time... I think, she sounded afraid at least.  "... if you don't..."

I pushed the door open.  "You shouldn't scare her, she's only trying to help."  I took the cup, noting this one was younger and turning red for some reason.  "You may go, I'll take care of it."

I turned to see a smirk on Kaida's lips.  "She likes you, you know.  Keep that up and she'll need the nurse."

I frowned, I wasn't interested.  Was that a joke?  "Drink this, I won't ask again.

She childishly crossed her arms and pouted.  "You didn't ask me the first time."  I slowly approached and she huffed.  She's... acting different... "Fine, I'll take it on one condition... I want out of this room."

I fought not to smile.  That didn't take much.  "Fine."  She snatched the medicine and took it in one swallow.  Does she drink?  My small victory made me smirk.  "No one was ever confining you to this room."

She beamed and it gave me pause.  That's the first time she's smiled for me...  The thought was short lived as she sprang from the bed.  "Great." I got in her way and she pouted again.  "You said I'm not confined."

I looked at the window and arched a brow.  "Most princesses request an escort this late at night."

She scowled at me. "Never said I was a princess." I almost chuckled as she brushed past me and froze at the door.  "Unless your requesting to be my escort."

I smirked. Guess the maze does still have its uses.  "As you wish my lady."

She gave me a curious look before waving at the halls.  "So... which way?"

"Just follow me." I took her hand to lead her through the maze, but she quickly pulled away.  Shy?

I looked back at her curiously and she looked away, her cheeks pink. "I can just follow."

I started to walk again.  It couldn't have been her, yet... "You are very quiet."

I could see the wheels turning in her head. I feel like she is cheating.  "Just following."

I shrugged, knowing she would remember the way on her own. "Let me know if you have any questions." Her eyes widened as we made it outside and I knew why as I watched her.  With her safety in mind, the entire estate was built; there were few places to hide, trees to run through, and those that were there were nowhere near the walls.  "Is there a problem?"

She took a few steps away from me, blush returning.  "No, no problem.  So exactly what am I confined to?"

My heart sank.  Planning her escape already..."How far would you like to go?"

I didn't mean to falter, but she didn't seem to notice as she glanced around.  "You said you found me by a lake. Take me there."

I couldn't hide my sadness as I watched her calculating.  "This way."

As we left the estate she glanced back curiously. "That isn't the imperial palace."

I couldn't face her, knowing she'd see I was upset. "How would you know if you've never been to one?"

"Never said I hadn't." Maybe... I smiled as I looked back at her, hearing the smugness in her voice and she quickly averted her gaze, scowling.  It was cute.

I turned back around.  Maybe she isn't completely immune.  Good... "It's my estate."

"Estate?!"

I couldn't help as I chuckled, thinking of who I built it for. "It was built with someone special in mind."

"Is she gone?"  She truly sounded curious.

I looked at the ground, speaking under my breath. I can't tell her... "No, not really."

When I felt her hand grab mine, my heart raced. "Then, there's still hope."

A smile emerged as I looked at her.  Just maybe... "There just might be."

She glanced at our hands, surprised and quickly retracted hers.  It stung, but her face lit up as she looked ahead.  "Look the lake!"

She began to run and I tried to keep up.  She acts like her leg isn't injured.  "Slow down, Kaida!" That made her run faster.  What in the hell?

She looked radiant as she turned to me, smiling.   "We made it." With that she spun and gracefully fell on her back.  Only my little tiger...

I gave her a curious look as she broke away from her facade. "Never seen a lady so happy to run and lay in the grass."

Her grin was impish as she looked at me.  "Never said I was a lady."

I sat beside her, elated that finally she was getting comfortable, sad that I missed so many years of her life and had to start all over.  "You're pretty when you smile, didn't know you had it in you."

Her head whipped up to looked at me, surprised as she turned red and stood.  So... she really is shy.  "What's that supposed to mean?"

As much as I enjoyed seeing her blush, I didn't want her to shut down again.  "Your leg okay?  You really should be more careful, it was in bad shape when I found you here."

She looked up at the sky, a far away look in her eyes. "Is the moon waxing or waning now?"

Did she even hear me...  I remained where I was as she moved closer to water and sat again.  "Waning. Why do you ask?"

I saw her searching the air.  What's she...  "How many days have I lost here?"

I went to join her so I could see her face clearly, the worry in her voice was concerning. "Five."  I couldn't hold it in any longer, this was the closest I'd get to some type of answer.  "What happened in the Wei Kingdom?"

She turned her gaze to me as she thought of what to say, as though she was deciding something.  Please tell me something...  "The Wei Kingdom?  Where is that?"

I searched her face, trying to understand her position.   I needed answers to keep her safe, but she had something to protect.  "The reward from the Shu Kingdom... it said that the princess's life was in danger and that she escaped. I just don't understand why, if she is okay, she wouldn't have returned home."

She held my gaze as her eyes saddened. "Sometimes home isn't the safest place for someone to be without protection."

I didn't know any words that could convince her she was safe here as she got up and slowly walked along the shore.  I wanted her smiling and happy again, but whatever she was thinking about... it clearly upset her.  So, she is protecting someone, the princess hasn't been found, but she doesn't seemed too concerned about that.  My thoughts wandered to a 7 year old girl, tasting the princess's food before she allowed her to eat.  Of course the princess, but... she isn't frantically searching.  That empress...

That woman was hateful and vile, but surely she couldn't trying to harm their crown princess.  It was treason.  However, putting her in harm's way wasn't.  I heaved a breath coming to my conclusion.  She had to be thinking of how she would keep the princess safe.  I bit my lip, trying to hold composure when all I wanted to do was keep her safe, the princess mattered little to me, especially now.  She'll vanish again, I can feel it.  I'll do everything in my power to keep her here, but if she really wanted to.  She could do it...