Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 17

I found little relief at the palace and the sun was peeking over the horizon as I returned. As I entered Chiyo stopped me. "She wasn't in her room. We've been looking everywhere since we found out."

My heart sank. Don't tell me... I turned on my heel and rushed towards the lake. Please be there, I just figured out what you are up to kind of...

I froze as I saw a pelt of white striped with black. What the hell is a tiger doing here? I slowly drew my blade and approached, it was sleeping so maybe I could scare it. My heart stilled when I saw blue and red at its side. No...

The tiger turned to look in my direction and began to growl, I braced myself. I wouldn't leave her body for him to feast on if...

When it rose, I saw Kaida looked unharmed, she was sleeping actually, apparently curled into its side. It got louder and I saw her blink awake and look up, curious, but wary. I guess she realized that it wasn't her that set the beast off and her eyes rested on me as she sat up, interested in my reaction. "What are you doing here?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and glanced at her seemingly at ease as it continued to threaten me if I got any closer. "You never returned to your room last night."

She looked at the tiger uncertain, voice calm. "Well as you can see me and my friend were enjoying each other's company, how rude of you to interrupt. As you can see it is clearly upset by your disturbance."

I know she was trying to make light of my situation, but a full grown tiger was about to kill me and I couldn't find any humor in it. "Could you... calm it down?"

Her smile was apologetic as she shrugged. "Never met this creature before in my life, don't know how."

My already sour expression worsened as I found that hard to believe. "Could you at least try?"

She stood, noting its size as it moved closer to her in defense. She warily touched it. That's not strange at all... "It's okay, he won't hurt me."

She said it softly, as though to soothe it and it turned its head in recognition and the growling ceased. So... she has animal friends... that's cute when they aren't attacking me. I put away my weapon as not to provoke it further as its eyes never actually left me. "Why would you sleep here?"

I cautiously moved forward as I scratched my head, nervous. She frowned and crossed her arms , which made the beast tense so I froze. "Wouldn't know that if you hadn't been trying to watch me sleep, Pervert."

That wounded me. I didn't even do that... this time. "I just wanted to check on you."

She looked appreciatively at her protector. "I think I was safe."

I guess it sensed she was now at ease because it bumped its nose against one of her hands. I watched amazed as she didn't even think about petting it. Its eyes closed in bliss as it seemed to purr. "You sure you don't know this beast?"

She smiled softly down at it. "No, never before last night." Her eyes shifted to the sky, her hand now scratching behind an ear. "It's going to rain soon..."

I was too frightened to move closer, but glanced up. How does she know that? "We should head back." You better not stay with the fucking tiger...

She nodded and smiled at the tiger, cupping its jaw so it would look at her. Her movements were so natural, I wasn't sure if she aware how dangerously close she was to its teeth. "I have to go now, I'll come back soon."

She looked saddened as it started for the trees. It paused and sent me a disgruntled huff before disappearing. I mean... I like me better too. I looked at her not liking the small frown on her lips as she stared after it. She maybe could have invited it to come? But... that wouldn't go over very well.

She let out a soft sigh and came towards me. "I suggest... not acting like you're going to kill it if it shows back up. The tiger didn't like that very much."

I managed a small chuckle. "I'll keep that in mind."