Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 46

It felt like I left my heart when I left her side, but I went straight for her room, ignoring the wandering gazes of the empress's servants. I scooped up her belongings and stood for a moment. She said... they were an extension of herself...

I shook the thought and went to Youta's room, knocking lightly. "If you ha-"

I pushed open the door and he rushed to me. "Wait..."

I closed it and sighed, speaking softly "Someone could be listening, so..."

He nodded and led me to his bedroom where I plopped in a chair. "Is she..."

I rubbed my face in frustration. "She's fine... just..."

As what I saw ran through my mind again, he grabbed me. "Just what?"

I pulled his hands away. "We got there in time... that's all that matters."

Using her words was the only way I could see him not going to murder the empress himself. "Which means?" I stared at him and he started to pace. That's not good... "That fucking... but they are okay now?"

I nodded. "Yes, she sent me back for these and to keep up the charade. Youta, I don't know how to convince her that she doesn't have to live like this."

He took a slow breath that did little to calm him. "I know, but if we can get the empress somehow then it won't be as bad right?"

I shrugged. "I... can't answer that honestly, but she insisted that I join the search and be seen."

He slumped in a chair. "What's she planning?"

I stood, now that he knew she was at least back and safe, there was little else I could do. "I don't know, but we have to trust her."

He sighed in defeat. "Keiko always had a plan, so... I guess so."

I fruitless walked around until I went to the stables. "Careful or careless, not exactly sure which yet."

I tensed as I slowly turned surprised by who greeted me. "Sh-"

Kakashi waved his hand dismissively. "The girl has survived much worse." He knows? How? "But to carry her things out in the open... careless..."

I tried to step out of his reach, but he somehow got the swords and flute, hiding the on my person effortlessly. "You... thank you."

He shrugged. "They're Katana's... I'm happy she has a flute that suits her now. She was a bit lost when the old one was broken."

I glanced around. "Whe-"

"You ask a lot of questions, working as you should be. Now go, the girl is not so foolish as to be caught. I have to trust her judgment that you will do the same."

I frowned. "You never come ou-"

He smirked. "I'm just a shadow, everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but always where I'm needed. Go."

I was dazed leaving him. A shadow? She's said similar things... the disappearing acts make sense ... I guess... "Ryoma!" I tensed. What is she... I caught Ayame as she went to hug me and she pout. "You act like you're not happy to see me."

"Why are you here?"

She frowned. "Still looking for the princess and her handmaiden? Figures..." She ushered me into the castle. "Since you can't find them..."

I resisted when she tried to get me into her room. "Ayame..."

Her voice dropped. "Just do it, Stupid." She smirked. "Scared?"

I sighed and went in. "This better be worth my time."

She closed the door, smiling. "Looks like it is working so far." I watched her carefully. "Relax, I was sent. Any news?"

I blinked, slightly confused. "Uh... I have her things..."

She nodded. "Good, you need to behave and I will... see what I can get out of people and go back when it's time."

I relaxed. "But she's..."

Her eyes rolled. "You need to have a little more faith in her. She's strong, that's what Asami told me."

I paused. "So, that's why you're nice to her all of the sudden?"

She pursed her lips. "She told me... Sayomi was the best and most loyal sister she could ever have and that... she doesn't want her life to be in danger any more. She couldn't tell me what she does, she's left in dark about a lot of things, but she said her sister does the dark stuff so she can stay in the light."

I looked at the floor. "It's not fair to her..."

"But it was her choice." I looked at her stunned. "Even before Homura... she said she would go off to do things and she always worried if she would come back alive, but after..." She sighed as she looked out of the window. "She said after, it wasn't like she became darker or anything... just more herself, her own person rather than what everyone thought she should be."

I pursed my lips. "Like... a palace born princess..."

She nodded. "Asami would let her take the throne if that's what she wanted... I worry that she depends on her too much, but that can change. Just a push in the right direction from someone different, I suppose."

My head was reeling. "Someone different?"

She nodded as she headed for the door. "Yup. Apparently, Sayomi has been trying to prepare her for the throne, but she's like a crutch, so..."

I followed her out noting that some girls were watching down the hall. "Yeah..."

She turned and pretended to kiss me on the cheek. "See you later."

I forced myself to act natural. Maybe this whole acting is a girl thing...