Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 29

I was growing weary and didn't want it to show, but we were headed towards nothing as far as I could tell. "Do you know where we're going?"

She smirked back at me. "Yes." For the millionth time, I looked around trying to pinpoint anything, but came up short. She's testing me. Has to be.

However, she looked to be enjoying our trek, unfazed as creatures scurried around us. I was jumping anytime a bush rustled or branched creaked, but she just kept moving. She looked to her right then back at me. "Follow me, we'll rest for a bit." Like I have a choice.

She brought me to a small stream and set down her things to splash water in her face. "How did you know this was here?" Okay, maybe she knows where we're going.

She turned to me, face still dripping. "Easy, if you know what to listen for."

I noticed how thirsty I was as she drank the water, but there was no way it was clean. "Is that sanitary?"

I thought she was ignoring me as she looked ahead. "Have you ever been alone while traveling?"

I was certain she was about to kill me as she pulled out a dagger. "Why do you ask?"

I prepared to fight, but her arm flashed out and I saw it buried in a rabbit. "You don't know how to navigate, how to find a good water supply, and probably don't know how to hunt or fish."

I looked back at her amazed. "How did you..."

She stood and hopped across to get the body. "I need to know these things in order to pack as little as possible."

She came back and knelt to the ground. I grimaced as she began to mutilate the poor creature. Wait... she's preparing it to be eaten. Never had rabbit before. "No, I don't know how to do any of those things." I sat beside her and she gave me a curious look. "Can you show me?"

Her expression went from curious to shock. Really? Is it that hard to believe? "Show you?" I held her gaze, serious and she sighed. "There's no way to learn these things overnight, but we can start with the basics I suppose."

She set aside the rabbit and began to glance around. "We'll need a fire."

I stood instantly, I've seen plenty of fires built. "That should be easy enough."

I should have known her chuckle meant this would not be easy. She showed me not just any wood would due. It had to be dry at the very least. Next, dry grass and leaves, she said so the fire would catch. Then, she didn't have matches, but a stone that she called flint and the knife she killed our soon to be meal with. She struck the stone and sparks flew, but when I tried it took forever to get the sparks and an eternity for the stuff to catch and burn.

She didn't make fun of me, but her face and voice said she was amused. She was a good and patient teacher, much to my surprise. If she never left, the castle would be dust by the time she taught Ayama her craft.

I was famished by the time she had her kill over the fire and the smell of cooking meat hit my nose. "Was it as easy as you thought?"

I had a newfound respect for the girl in front of me, she could live out here, no problems. "I never knew there was that much."

She blushed as she averted her gaze, a slight pout on her lips. "You wouldn't survive on your own."

That was a little offensive, but true. "But I can learn. Like how did you know there was water here?"

She recovered and look to the water. "Close your eyes." I did so, this seemed useful. "Tell me what you hear."

My brow furrowed as I heard nothing of note and looked at her. She's toying with me now. "Nothing."

The corner of her mouth lifted. "Try again." Reluctantly, I shut my eyes. "Listen to the water as it moves downstream. You can also hear the animals running along the ground and the birds in the trees."

As she talked about it, yes, I could hear all of those things. Okay, maybe I judged too soon. "So you listen for these things."

She didn't answer, but the cold steel on my shoulder startled me. "You're not listening hard enough."

I frowned as she sheathed her blade, smirking. "You are a dangerous person."

Her nod was full of pride. "You have no idea. Now I have a question for you."

I arched a brow. "Which is?"

Her eyes seemed to stare into my soul. "How do you know me?"

Now, both of my brows shot up. Oh shit... "I found you by the..."

"Lie."

She pinned that pretty fast... "I met you in a clearing in the Yao Lin Kingdom 3 years ago."

She didn't buy it. I could tell that even though her face remained passive. "Another lie."

Okay... another tactic. "What do you know?"

She looked across the creek and I followed her gaze to see a deer. When did that... "You called me little tiger when I came to and stayed with me while I was sick. You recognized this..."

She took out Phoenix blade, eyes dancing with love as she gazed at it. It filled my heart with joy to see it was dear to her. It was my birthday gift to her before she disappeared, soon after she agreed to our union. Now that she was asking questions, I couldn't lie. I could only hope the truth would help me win her back. "It was forged in the land of Wu along with a twin blade. That's also where you are from, but you vanished 11 years ago."

She slowly looked up at me. "So..."

I bit my lip, not wanting to give too much and scare her. "They were your fifth birthday presents. You and your parents went to visit another kingdom and never came back... until now that is."

She searched my face. "Yet... you don't seem very surprised, nor the prince or king for that matter."

I sighed. "We knew you were in Shu and had lost your memory. It seemed wrong to take you from the only family you knew."

She went silent for a moment as her eyes seemed to be pinned just above my shoulder. "So... that's where she's from..."

"Wha-"

She shook her head and stood. "We need to keep moving if we are to be there on time."