Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 43

If I thought returning to my estate was hard... waiting was hell.  I paced, wandered, sliced the air, and repeated since stepping foot here.  I was in agony.  There was no telling if Sayomi would come or what was going through her mind.

Except... she knew I was engaged to someone, just not who.  Someone knocked on my door and my heart stilled as I pulled it open.  Chiyo, the nurse, had a stern look on her face.  "Yes?"

Her frown deepened.  "You've been restless since coming here.  I don't care what you did, you fix it or you let the girl go."

I gaped.  "Bu-"

She shook her head.  "I don't want your excuses she has been through enough.  When she is too afraid to even knock on this door... there is a problem."

My heart hit my throat.  "She's here?"

She turned on her heel.  "I meant what I said, My Lord."

I gulped, she was serious, but she couldn't understand.  I steeled myself and went into the halls only to freeze.  She never said where Sayomi was.  I sighed and went to the dining room, it would be the most open space.

When I pushed open the door, my heart stilled.  Sayomi turned on her heel, pacing, playing with the flute in her hand.  Her eyes widened when she saw me and I immediately hugged her as relief flooded me.  "You came..."

She tensed before stepping away from me.  She was looking off to the side at the floor when she extended the flute to me.  "I came to return this."

My temper flared as I saw why she came. "No."

Fear and shock painted her features as her head snapped to me.  "I can't accept this gift..."

I turned on my heel, she wouldn't erase me that easily, she still didn't know her twin blades or the original came from me... but this she did.  "I won't take it back, you payed for it when you played for me."

My lungs failed me as I felt my sleeve catch. "But..."

I turned and engulfed her in my arms again.  Don't do this...  "I won't take it back. I won't take any of it back. I love you."

My shirt dampened where her face was. "But we can't. You're already engaged."

I shook my head and held her tighter. "I love the memory of a girl I once knew, but she's gone now. We were betrothed as children. I'm in love with you."

She turned her face up mine. "If you break your engagement..."

I gently stroked the tears from her cheeks.  When you finally agree again, it won't be pain that brings you to tears.  "I will deal with that."

She hid her face in my chest gently sobbing. "We'll never work, our worlds are too different."

I urged her chin up to meet my gaze. "I don't care."

I captured her lips still sweet, but salted with tears this time.  She didn't resist and I carried her to a chair, sitting with her in my lap.  I broke away to clean her face with kisses until she relaxed, confused.   I sighed, heart mending as I placed my head on top of hers, never letting go as she processed.

Her breaths became labored and I closed my eyes, grateful.  She came and stayed... now the matter of never letting go.  I got an arm under her knees and carefully took her to her room.  I sat beside her and laced my fingers through hers to watch her sleep.

I smiled softly.  This is how you returned to me, Little Tiger.  You came here hurt and I was able to stay by your side until you woke.  This time will be different.

At some point sleep claimed me too because the gentle feeling of her hand trying to leave mine made me wake.  She searched my face and I knew she wouldn't stay here, not with Asami out of her reach.  "Let's go back to the palace."  She only nodded and let me lead her back out.

I blinked as the black stallion beat the ground with his hoof outside.  She broke away from me and pet his muzzle.  "Ready to go back, Raden?"

His head nodded, but his eyes never left mine.  She talked to the fucking horse first... but she came...

We rode in silence and I felt the only reason Raden didn't trample me was because Sayomi was here.  Genkai was no better, watching me with hate in his eyes as we arrived.  "Lady Sayomi..."

She gave him a curious look.  "Genkai?"

He frowned in my direction and she sighed.  "I... I don't know..."

He snatched the reigns from me and led the horses in.  "Not happy..."

She watched after him.  "They'll be fine."

I took her hand again and she let it stay that way until we reached her room.  I faced her, taking the flute from my robes.  "Don't try to give this back again."  She gently lifted it from my hands, but didn't say anything.  "Promise."

She smiled softly.  "I paid for it, right?"

The corners of my lips lifted, I wanted to kiss her again, but anyone could be watching.  "That's right."

I let her in the room and as the door was closing, I heard a voice.  "You have a good time?"

I froze, not sure what to do.  There was nothing I could do without angering the girl more.  I closed my eyes.  "Maybe... if you keep this up.  She'll stay."  I slowly walked to my room, feeling better, but still not completely at ease.  Still a long shot...