Into the Darkness (OCXOBI)

Part 7

*Obi's POV*

I wrapped my arm tightly around Arisa's waist, who was sitting in front of me, trying to let her know she wasn't alone.

I wasn't sure what to say to her, because what could you really say to someone who just lost everything?

I still didn't know much about her, but it felt like a rock was sitting on my chest just watching her cry.

I was growing rather fond of the girl, but I couldn't really understand why. By the time we reached the village Arisa was asleep with tears still staining her red face. I took her to her room and covered her up.

Before I really knew what I was doing, I ran my thumb across her cheek and leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forhead.

After scolding myself for the spontanious action, I went back to meet up with the others.

Mukaze and Shirayuki were the only ones still awake. They were sitting outside at a table talking about what had happened in town today.

"I'm not sure why that man wanted to hurt Arisa today...but do you think he could have had something to do with the fire?" Shirayuki looked at Mukaze and put her fist to her chin while thinking.

"I know one thing for sure, it was no accident, Miss." I chimed in. "He had made it clear he didn't want her around."

"Well, to be honest. I believe it was him, along with a few others, that destoryed her home." Mukaze said, looking to the ground. "There are some people who thought pretty badly about her mother, that is one of the reasons she has always stayed in the mountains, she feared that people wouldn't take to kindly to her either."

"Why is that? She seems like a good person to me." Shirayuki said. "I can't figure out why that guy would call her a demon and threaten her just because of her eye color."

"It's really not my place to say much about it..." Mukaze paused for a moment. "She will tell you everything when she is ready. I trust her. However, I don't think she should stay here in Tanbarun because those people won't stop until they find her."

My mind flashed back to earlier when we were in town. The things that the crazy guy said were starting to come back to me, making my blood boil.

Are they really trying to kill her?

"We should bring her back with us to Clarines, I'm sure that Zen will understand. We will talk to him more about the situation when we get there, but I just couldn't forgive myself if something bad were to happen to her." Skirayuki said with a determined look in her eyes.

"I'm sure The Master would have said the same thing himself, Miss." I looked to her and smiled, remembering how he did something similar for a certain red-head I knew. She just blushed and looked away.

"I think that it a fine idea, Shirayuki. It would be safer for her to leave this place and start somewhere new. I'll talk to her about it in the morning." Mukaze said standing to leave, giving a small wave.

Shirayuki and I both headed of to our rooms for the night, walking side by side.

"Obi... can I ask you something?" Her voice was shy.

"Sure Miss, what's up?" I said putting my hands behind my head.

"Do you like Arisa?" She looked over to me with a little smile.

Why on earth would she ask something like that?! I couldn't possibly like her, could I?

"I'm not sure what you mean, Miss." I kept my usual aloof expression, trying to calm my nerves.

"Oh come on Obi, I see the way you stare at her. I have eyes you know!" She said crossing her arms. "But if you insist on acting like you have no idea what I'm talking about then fine." She pouted.

I wonder if you ever noticed the way I look at you, Miss...

I just stared ahead, not knowing how to responde to the question for a moment. Then I stopped pulling my partially gloved hand in front of my face.

"I'm not sure how I feel to be honest." I held her ealier, but I suddenly felt my heart rate pick up a little thinking about it.

"Well, Arisa is a very interesting girl, and she's beautiful, don't you think Obi?" She offered a gentle smile. "I think that you two would be good together."

"You think so?" I asked in an airly voice. "I guess I really haven't gave it much thought with everything going on." I gave a small laugh. "Still I don't think that she would ever give me a second look, Miss."

We finally made it to our separate rooms. I laid there, tossing and turning, thinking about what Shirayuki asked me on the walk here.

I wondered if Arisa would want to come to Clarines with us, or if I would ever see her again if she decided to stay here. I wanted her to go with us... I wanted her to go me.

I wanted to protect her and see her laugh again. More than anything, I wanted to be near her all the time, so maybe I did feel something for her.

For now I would keep these thoughts to myself, because I'm still unsure about so many things.

I'm unsure if she would share those feeling for me in the same way. Do I even deserve to have someone like her care for me, even if I had feelings for someone else? Someone I could never have...

I pulled out a small bag from my pocket and opened it, taking out the contents of the box I held it up to the moonlight shinning through the window.

The ruby necklace that Arisa was looking at in town gleamed brightly. I'll give it to her soon, when the time is right.