Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 42

I was miserable all morning.  No amount of swordplay or anything really could lift the weight on my chest.  If she just... I hate that fucking empress.  She was just opening up to me.

I could still feel her lips moving against mine, the taste of citrus etched on my tongue.  I closed my eyes.  I finally took that step and she didn't fight me...  I saw as Sayomi was following Asami out of the palace and my feet moved on their own.  "Are you okay?"

Sayomi's head tilted, she didn't look like she was crying earlier in the least.  Far more graceful the the princess's hysterics, but still.  "Why do you ask?"

I could see the worry on Asami's face, but also the relief. "Well Horuma tried to marry Ryoma..."

Her head shook. "I'm not interested remember? Besides he is engaged."

I frowned, that was definitely not the signals I got in the last few hours, but she had to be unaffected or...  the princess simply nodded. "That's true."

"Ryoma!"  Fear gripped me as Ayama sped past the duo.  I caught her mid flight and set her on her feet.  "Wh-"

I shook my head.  "I really can't afford this right now."

"... girlfriend."

Asami's head whipped to her as mine did.  No, she can't think...  "Please, just not now..."

She blinked confused.  "Wow... I really misjudged that."

"Sunako... how was it?

Ayama glanced back, frowning.  "She doesn't even."

I saw the girls were occupied with Shika and looked at her.  "Ayama, I get you're upset, but... this is not the time to toy with Sayomi.  I can't..."

She scoffed.  "Sayomi... what is this?"

She immediately grabbed the princess and pulled her away.  "Not too close, Asami.  It's called-"

Ayama smirked and ran up to them.  "An alpaca!"  She stopped in her tracks as the princess turned to her curious.  "There are two of you?!"

I grimaced as Sayomi pursed her lips, but Asami beamed.  "He's cute!"

I didn't notice that the other handmaiden was stalking around the Shika, but Sayomi was gone in an instant and the sound of steel rang through the air.  I gaped as she dragged her friends covered in spit, away.  How did...

I never saw either draw a weapon and Sayomi moved too fast for anyone to register anything.  Ayama was the first of us to recover, figuring out her pet was almost killed.  "How dare you?!"

I never thought I'd see the girl be more than a little indifferent, but she was enraged as she glared at her.  "How dare I? How about you control your beast before I kill it."

Sayomi smirked, clearly entertained as she tried to calm her friend. "Maybe you shouldn't have offended him!" Ayama sauntered over to Shika and gave him a hug. "He's adorable... unlike the two of you."

Sayomi began to tow her friend away, giggling and teasing her.  "Come on. You need a bath."

She glanced back to see her princess excitedly talking to Ayama about Shika and passed me without sparing a glance.  I turned to watch her go, though she was joking with Sunako.  I still saw the sadness in her eyes.  Her friend looked ready to kill though and I shook my head.

I followed after a time.  There was only one place they could possibly be headed.  I paused at their door.  "Were you spit on by a deformed horse? No, I'm going to kill it."

Despite everything going on, even I couldn't deny this was entertaining.  So, she does have a personality...  "We can't go around causing trouble."

She truly sounded entertained now.  "I didn't start it and who is that girl anyway?"

"Ayama, Ryoma's girlfriend."

There was a pause.  "That was more obsession than relationship there."

I smiled and went to to find Youta, he would find thus funny.  He also probably would have let Sunako kill it, since they had a very rocky relationship.  Though, he gifted Shika to Ayama... after she became attached the beast became protective and possessive of the princess.  It wasn't rare for him to come back in the same shape that Sunako was in now.

I knocked on his door.  "Enter..."

He arched a brow when I came in.  "So... Shika almost got killed."

He smirked and gestured for me to come in.  "Was it Keiko?  Tell me she succeeded."

I chuckled.  "She actually saved him.  It was her friend... he... spit on her."

He laughed.  "So it's not just me?  She could have killed him though... I can find Ayama a better pet."

I sighed and sat across from him.  "Sayomi... she won't look at or speak to me.  I don't know what to do..."

He sat back.  "Considering she was very not interested last I checked..."

I frowned.  "Well, apparently that changed."

He held my gaze.  "What happened... when you sparred?"

I blinked.  "We fought, she disarmed me..."  He just stared and I sighed.  "We kissed, that's all."

His gaze slowly went to the door.  "Rumor is... it was more..."

I frowned.  "I would ne-"

He sighed.  "I know this, the people of Wu know this.  I am not deaf to the whispers that woman has started or blind to the trouble she has tried to cause for... Sayomi."

His reluctance to say the name made my head tilt.  "That... it's the name she woke up to, Youta."

He pursed his lips.  "It's the name she carries as she suffers as well.  But... Homura is hurting my cousin, trying to convince others she is a promiscuous, have her...  I don't know how much longer before she succeeds."

I nodded.  "I actually witnessed it, but Sayomi didn't seem fazed.  I hate that this... all of it, is her normal."

Youta arched a brow.  "Doesn't seem to make a difference if..."

I glared at him.  "I've laid with others, Youta.  It changes nothing."

He shrugged.  "I wouldn't know either way, but it's nice to know."

I scowled.  "Throw your purity into this, why don't you?"

He rolled his eyes.  "You didn't lose yours until after the brothel, don't play with me."

I paused, it was true.  The very thought that she had slept with another man made me forget myself.  Then, once I started...  "To be honest, I can't tell... she can seduce, I know that, but..."

Again, he shrugged.  "Not my business.  I love her either way, no matter what she is.  I just want the one person trying to kill her dead."

I sat back, heaving a breath.  "I don't know how to fix this..."

He thought a moment.  "Sometimes... it's better to let girls come to you.  Go home, if she has any intention of moving forward, she has to think about it without your hovering."

I bit my lip.  "Bu-"

He shook his head.  "It's her choice.  You constantly being around only hurts her more.  Let her decide."

I closed my eyes, feeling exhausted.  "Yeah... I guess."