The Strongest Promise - A Songs of War FanFiction (So Much In Common Sequel)

Chapter Five - Promises

Nitsuke was in her room, reading one of her old books. Free time was scarce during this time, and she needed something to do while Kiyoshi was busy. It helped her not to worry too much as well. It was something she could do in his absence, something to take her mind off of the anxiety.

She had just settled into a chair with a book when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She tilted her head up, but the figure vanished before she could get a good look. Tilting her head slightly, Nitsuke closed the book and set it on the table next to her, standing up and walking towards where she had seen the small head outside the door.

"Rai?" she called out, her tone soft. "Is that you?" She could've sworn it was him. She reached the door frame and peeked her head out, noticing the boy leaning against the wall.

"Hi," she greeted, smiling. The boy acted like he was trying to avoid being seen even if she had already clearly spotted him, his body cowering slightly away from her as if shy. He stared at his fingers as they ran across the dirt wall of the tunnel, bits of loose gravel falling at his feet.

He finally looked up, a ghost of a mischievous smile on his face. Nitsuke grinned back, going through the doorway and kneeling in front of him. "What's happening?"

Rai simply stared at her in response, pushing strands of messy grey hair out of his eyes.

"Are you doing alright?"

The boy nodded.

Nitsuke smiled. "Well, that's good to hear," she said. "What have you been up to?"

Rai raised a finger, brushing her collarbone. She beamed. "Were you looking for me?"

He nodded.

Nitsuke laughed slightly. "Well, looks like you found me."

He met her eyes once more, big green-grey eyes that screamed curiosity at her. "What were you looking for me for, Rai?"

The boy finally spoke. "I'm bored," he answered candidly.

Nitsuke almost laughed at the bluntness of his manner. "Oh, I see. Too much adult stuff going on, huh?"

Raiko nodded, his eyes lighting up at the recognition that there was someone here he could confide in. Nitsuke beamed at his expression. She was grateful that the boy didn't seem incredibly troubled, at least not now. And, in her heart, she knew she would strive to help him stay that way.

"Well, I think I know just the solution," she reassured him. "You like exploring, Raiko?"

The young Felina looked up at her and nodded after a moment of contemplation. She stood and reached out her hand for him to take it. He looked at it for a pause before taking it, not having to reach very high up. "I know a nice quiet place."

*****

The two had ended up outside the tunnels, along the banks of the river where Nitsuke remembered she had come with Kiyoshi not so long ago. The sounds of the river and the birds in the tall jungle canopies were welcome to her ears, singing despite all this turmoil, carrying on as though there were nothing wrong with the world. The Chronicler carried on likewise, making conversation with the boy that grasped her hand, kicking at dirt and stooping to inspect critters every so often that scurried across their path. A part of her wished for a better life, not just for him but for them all, but she pushed those thoughts aside. There was no use wishing for something that would not come at her beck and call. If it was going to come, action would presume it.

It had been nearly an hour since Rai had come to her, but Nitsuke was grateful that he seemed so much more easy-going than before, his ears perked, his eyes bright. It had been easier to make conversation than she anticipated. The boy was shy but not incapable of social interaction.