The moon was bright red, a quick chill filling the air as it gave its signal for autumn to begin. The trees rustled, muting our footsteps as silence took our lips. I walked close to him, watching what I could of my feet as we breathed slowly, yet heavily. My heart took all evening to finally slow to its average pace after watching the expressions of Kybe as he stood in front of me hours before.
He was silent, holding his mouth open when those words spilled out. I had bitten my tongue after, regretting what I said, and without anymore verbal communication, I was following him back to Fang.
As for Kybe, he walked in a human form, one that held his features, but hid his tail well in case of encountering any other humans on the way. We had about 2 hours of walking to go.
My eyes would linger to his figure, causing the rhythm of my footsteps to faulter. He would take notice, and glare down at my feet when it happened.
His arms were crossed over his chest, feet and hands bare for the first time. Yet, I wanted him to turn back to normal.
I thought about what I had said, and remembered how I was surprised myself for what poured out from my lips. I knew I was marked to subconsciously love him, but in a way, I didn't care if I was marked or not, I did indead love him.
"Christina," he mumbled, voice cracking from long absence of speech. I jolted, turning my head up to try to look at his face. He had apparently stopped a few feet behind me, looking at me with his arms at his sides. I turned my whole body and slowly walked up. "We need to stay hiden for now, we are near Fang and I don't want him to know you are here."
"R-right, but what should we do? Your kind has a keen sense of smell." I said. He sighed, pushing his hand through his hair.
"I know, but if you can mask your scent..." My eyes followed his, looking down at a pile of mud that was formed from past rain in the area. Without question, I snatched large handfuls and rubbed the mud on my skin, onto my hair, under and on my clothes. Within five minutes, Kybe sniffed around, even up close to finally reveal a small smile. "Perfect,"
Perfect.
We continued walking, the trees growing thinner with each step. The dirts was drying, and had smelled horrid, like a dying animal. Maybe it wasn't mud after all, acid forming in my throat as I thought.
Ending my train of thoughts, I had noticed Kybe walking closer beside me, our hands touching with each step. It took every muscle in my arm to fight the urge of grabbing onto it. I looked up at him, curiously inspecting his face for any sign of emotion, but it held nothing, only the look of thinking held on strongly.
"Kybe," I instinctivley said, biting my tongue after. He looked down at me. "What will happen if we are able to stop the plan?"
"If we can stop it, then my kind will leave."
"Can I come?"
"Why?"
"Because I want to-" I stopped myself. I want to stay with you.
He stared down at me, patiently waiting for a response.
When I looked away, my heart had stopped when I felt the warmth of his skin wrapping around my neck. His arms held my head close to his chest, his mouth close to my ear. I was too stunned to move or speak.
"You are an idiot," he whispered. "Don't go saying stupid things."
My muscles came loose, an ache filling my chest. My mind was racing though, constantly thinking of what he could mean. Finally, I sighed and lifted my arms to hold hom, enjoying the moment that I wish could last.
Within the darkness, he was my only light, the one I could truly follow, but would soon fade before I knew it.
That time would come.
