Arcanum

Chapter 24: Aiyana

I leaned against my favourite tree, while munching on a sandwich.

"Yum." I grinned, as I took a bite of the sandwich. The delicious taste filled my mouth, and I giggled, staring out at the beautiful jungle ahead of me. After I finished eating the sandwich, a large yawn escaped my lips and I leaned my head back against the tree. "I think I'm just going to take a little cat nap." I mumbled, as my eyes shut.

I was awoken to the sound of footsteps, and my eyes flung open. When I looked to the bottom of the tree, I saw the General staring at me with a small smirk on his face,

"What are you looking at?!" I hissed, and he instantly noticed me staring at him,

"Sorry." He chuckled, and I leaped down from the tree and landed beside him,

"May I ask, why are you here?" The General scratched his neck,

"No reason." He said, and I could tell his was lying,

"Great excuse." I rolled my eyes, and he looked at me,

"Since it is a human matter, I can't tell you." He admitted, and I placed my hands on my hips, my cat tail swishing violently in annoyance,

"Listen mister, this better not be to do with the war." I growled, and he blinked in surprise,

"How do you-"

"We have spies too."

"Right." Lucas blushed, and I punched him in the arm,

"Don't think I'm letting you go back, you were in the village, weren't you?"

"Like I would tell you." He sighed, and I glared,

"I know things, smarty." I heard bushes rustling ahead and the sound of armour,

"Seriously?" I groaned, and pushed myself into Lucas. The two of us landed on the ground with a thump, but I paid no attention to the fact that I had landed right on top of the General.

"What are you-" I slammed my palm against Lucas's mouth,

"Shh! They'll hear us!" I growled, and used my freehand to brush away some of the bushes in front of us, so I could see if the humans were still there. "Crap!" I whispered when I noticed a human approaching us, and I pressed myself closer to Lucas, hoping the man wouldn't see me. The soldier walked toward us, but then turned around,

"There's no one here, sir." The knight explained, and walked away. I listened to the sounds of the soldiers leaving, and then turned my head to look at Lucas, who was blushing furiously.

"Um, can you get off me now?" He asked, and I pulled myself to my feet, brushing off my leggings. Lucas got up beside me, and I watched him try to sprint off. I grabbed his shirt collar before he could,

"I'm not letting you leave." I said, and watched the guy struggle under my tight grasp,

"Let me go, Princess." He growled, and I sighed,

"As if." I let out a yawn, and tugged the guy behind me,

"Where are we going?" He asked, and I grinned,

"You'll see." I winked.

---

Lucas growled at me as I pushed him into a bedroom in my old home.

"I knew it." He sighed, and I smiled,

"Since it's a distance from our real village, if the soldiers were to find you, my village would be in no danger." Lucas sighed and suddenly threw his fist at my head. I ducked, and grinned, pulling out a pair of handcuffs, and putting them around the boy's wrist. Lucas groaned and I led him over to the bed,

"You might as well relax." I giggled, and he glared at me, before sitting down. I chuckled softly as I looked at his annoyed expression. Then, I sat beside him, and tied the chain of the handcuffs around the bed. "There is no way you're leaving now." I said, and rose to my feet,

"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go find something for us to eat. Okay?" I grinned, and Lucas let out a loud sigh,

"Fine. I'm getting out of here soon though." He said, and I shook my head,

"Oh, don't be so sure."

---

I lied about going hunting, and instead rushed to my village. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be fine, and it made me relax. As I wandered the streets, I walked up to Kenji's door and knocked.
The black haired guy answered the door, his black hair a mess,

"Hi, looks like someone just got up." I chuckled, and Kenji smiled at me,

"Hey Princess, what's up?"

"Well, I may have captured the General." The guy grinned,

"Great! So, I'm assuming you want me to guard?"

"Yes, and possibly Akira too. Is he here?"

"Yeah." Kenji nodded, and called out his brother's name. Akira appeared beside Kenji, his white hair neat and tidy. I couldn't help but giggle at the twins differences.

"Let's head out." I told them, but on the way out I collected some clothes, and brought Charlene along with us.

---

"Hello!" I called out through my house, and walked into the bedroom Lucas was in. The boy laid there, with a pained expression on his face.

"Are you alright?" I asked him, and he looked up at me,

"Like I'm going to discuss this with my enemy." He growled, and I sat down beside him, and rested my hand on top of his.

"We don't have to be enemies, Lucas." I smiled warmly, and the guy sighed,

"You're a Catori. We can never be friends." Lucas snapped, and turned his back away. I sighed,

"I know it's probably impossible, but you know, we have many things in common, I bet." I said, and Lucas looked at me,

"Like what?!" He spat,

"I can tell you have lost someone." My eyes softened, and Luke looked surprised,

"How would you know?"

"I have lost someone too, and I know that pain." I smiled at the boy, and I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around Lucas. I pulled him close to me, and gave him a warm hug. I knew we were different races, but maybe we could be friends.