Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 28

As quickly as the man was on the table he was released and Sayomi was leaving with the whole teahouse watching her in shock. She passed the wild red man that interrupted. "I hate you, just so you know."

He laughed. "No you don't, you like this teahouse." I went after her and he roughly grabbed my arm and I was in the same position as the man earlier without the knife.

Sayomi smirked over her shoulder. "Aw Keiji... jealous?"

He slowly looked at her, then me. "Maybe a little."

She let out a little sigh and disappeared outside. "Leave the Lord alone, I have my messes to clean."

He let me go as he chuckled. "Of course." I brushed past him and frowned when she was nowhere in sight. "The little lady is in the cart."

I turned to him. "She called you Keiji?"

He smirked. "That's what she called me, so that is my name...."

I glanced at the cart. Okay... so may not actually be his name. "Ryoma."

He gave a single nod. "Well, Lord Ryoma, get in or she will make me leave you."

I looked at where the horses were... or were supposed to be. "Wha-"

He was already taking the reigns and I hopped in the back. "Took you long enough... not stylish enough for you?"

I glanced around, it was a transport cart, filled with different food items. She was laying on her back, legs crossed, one foot tapping in the air. If I wasn't standing taller than the cargo I wouldn't have seen her even then I had to move closer to see her head resting in her arms and eyes closed. "First, the horses..."

"Went home."

I glanced around. "Wh-"

She peered at me through one eye. "You'll find out. Sit back, relax, we should be there in a day or so."

I leaned against the wall, watching her. She was completely at ease, even when we were stopped, she didn't budge. I enjoyed the sight and figured she was sleeping as I thought about the teahouse. "Why are you staring?"

I looked away from her. "Were you really going to cut off that guy's finger?"

She opened her eyes and smirked at me. "I don't know."

I frowned. "You don't know?"

She shrugged. She's serious... "Could I have taken his finger... easily, but when Keiji came it was no longer called for. I guess we will never know."

I heaved a breath. That's a yes... "So... where are we going?"

She met my gaze, serious. "Now that I can't tell you."

I blinked. "Why not?"

She turned her eyes to the sky. "Safehouses are no longer safe if you know where to find them."

The cart stopped and she finally moved, standing in one fluid motion. Graceful is an understatement... Keiji could be heard coming around and he threw back the curtains. I heard popping as he reached for the sky. "I leave you here."

I stiffly stood and got out to help Sayomi down. She looked entertained and dropped to the ground on her own, making me frown and the other man chuckle. "Same old, same old huh?"

She offered him a smile as she pulled out a coin purse. So... familiar... "You didn't expect me to change did you? Your payment."

My eyes tracked it as it looked like a hefty sum. He didn't even bother to make sure it was all there as he nodded and handed her a sack. "The items you requested. The horses will be waiting when you finish."

She nodded and turned toward the trees. Are we... in Wei already? "Many thanks, Old Friend."

He turned to me as I stopped looking around and went to follow. "You can't protect her you know?"

That gave me pause. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged his eyes watching her back, concerned. "You'll find out soon enough." I couldn't ask any more questions as she disappeared and I had a feeling she really would leave me behind. Keji returned to his cart and set off as I got her back in my sights.

Her demeanor had changed. Where she was relaxed before, now she was on high alert. It passed the further we got, but I followed in silence, not exactly sure how she was navigating through nothing but trees and shrubbery. Her steps were silent and where I was getting caught in branches and bushes she mindlessly avoided them all. Seems... I have a lot to learn.