Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 55

She let me hold her hand after she bid Asami farewell, Sunako already leaving to prepare for whatever they had planned. Try as I might I could think of no way to convince her to stay, heartbreaking as we made it to the stables. "Why do you have to do this?" She looked at the night sky silent. Maybe... just maybe... "Let's make a wager."

She watched as I stepped away and drew my sword. "A wager?"

She didn't move to do the same, watching me curiously. I know I can beat you, for this... I will... "A spar... if I win, you stay."

She sadly looked back at the sky, resigning to her fate. "And if I refuse?"

I slowly advanced, but she stood motionless. "That's not an option."

"So, I disarm you and you'll let me go, that's all?"

I nodded, knowing she had to accept. "Draw your weapons."

Her eyes were sad as she met my gaze again. "The thing is... I don't need to."

I blinked, confused as she laced her fingers behind her back and walked over to me. "What is this..."

She nudged the steel aside and held my face in her hands. When her lips met mine, I knew I failed and clutched her to my chest, blade forgotten. She broke away for air, searching my face. "I win."

She pulled away and went back to stargazing as my heart shattered, tears spilling from my eyes. "Then let me go with you."

She wouldn't face me as her eyes glistened. She wants to live... she wants to stay... why can't she just... "You can't, I will fail if you go. I have to focus on the task at hand. As long as she lives none of us are safe."

I wrapped my arms around her, at a loss. "I can't make you stay, I can't go with you, so what do you expect me to do?"

She sighed softly as she leaned back into my chest. "Wait for me. Coming here, I didn't care if this ended in my death, but things have changed. I have no intentions of dying tonight."

I chuckled. "No intentions doesn't mean you won't."

She smiled up at me. "That's the benefit of having friends in high and low places, nothing is certain, but there is a chance."

I searched her face. Then, I'll have to take that chance... "I waited 11 years for you to come home, just for you to leave me again."

Her gaze lowered. "You don't have to wait, you know. Fall in love with someone more suited for you, start a family, grow old together, have all the things that I can't promise to you and more."

The very thought of it pained me. "I don't want any of those things, if it's not with you. I've waited this long a little longer won't hurt."

The fucking hawk screeched and her arm went out automatically. Not yet... just a little more time. I couldn't understand the code they spoke in as I tried to gain something from the note she read. Why? Why can you give me nothing to aid? "It's time." She stepped away to look at me. "Protect Asami for me?"

All I could do was nod. This... is the person you choose to give your life for. I can do this at least. "Yeah."

Her eyes closed as she turned away and mounted Raden. I wanted her to glance back, just to take a second to reconsider, but she didn't. She let the horse run freely and he took my whole heart with him. You came back to me once... I have to believe you'll do it again...