Led by the Wind through the Sky

Up for Grabs

Rena was wondering why she still came to the races. The excitement she felt from watching had all but disappeared. She was standing alone, away from the crowd, just observing the atmosphere.

"Rena, darling."

She tensed up at the familiar voice. Prapai wasn't the only guy that picked up nighttime companions at the races. This guy had been particularly persistent when Rena first started attending the races. Luckily, she had met Prapai and - not wanting to piss off Pakin's best racer - the creep eventually left her alone. It had been a while since she had seen him around.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone, Gun."

"Ah, but circumstances have changed, haven't they?"

Gun ran his finger down her arm, and she stepped away from him.

Apparently, she wasn't the only one who had noticed Prapai's lack of interest.

"No."

"Come now, pretty girl. Aren't you lonely now Prapai won't even look at you anymore? I'd be happy to keep you company."

"I'm good, thanks."

Rena hoped her short answers and obvious lack of interest would put him off, but it seemed to do the opposite. Gun smiled in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.

"So cold. I think you need warming up. I can help with that."

"I don't need your help."

He took a step towards her, and she held her ground not wanting him to give him the satisfaction of seeing how nervous she was.

"Careful. You're no longer under Prapai's protection. You don't want to upset anyone. You might not like the consequences."

"Who says she's not under my protection?"

Rena and Gun both spin around to see Prapai standing behind them with his arms crossed. He was smiling, but his eyes were dark.

"Prapai!"

She tried to move towards the racer, but Gun threw an arm over her shoulder to hold her in place.

"Ah, ah, Prapai. Everyone's heard about how you've settled down. This one's free game now. Unless you want to swap her for your pretty boyfriend?"

"I suggest you let her go while I'm still asking nicely."

Rena was sure if it was obvious to Gun, but she knew Prapai well enough to know how angry he was. Bringing up Sky was a big mistake on Gun's part. Prapai's jaw was clenched tight, and she was sure that he was holding himself back from making a scene.

She felt Gun's arm move and for a moment she felt relief thinking that he was going to let her go, but then he gripped her shoulders with both hands and leaned in to whisper into her ear.

"I'll see you again, soon, pretty girl."

Her heart was hammering in her chest when Gun finally let her go. She knew that his words were a promise, and it was likely that Prapai wouldn't always be around to save her.

It didn't even register that Prapai had led her away until they were between the shipping containers that brought the bikes and the sound of the races faded away.

Prapai put his hands on her shoulders as he looked her over.

"Are you okay? Did do anything to you?"

As she looked up at his face, Rena wondered why the racer looked so concerned. Although he wasn't rude, Prapai had never been particularly caring towards her. It caused the emotions that were simmering beneath the surface to bubble up.

"I'm fine. You got there before he tried anything."

"Thank god. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I - I -"

Rena couldn't stop the tears from leaking out.

"Oh, come here."

Prapai pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried. She calmed down as he stroked her hair.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to -"

"You have nothing to apologise for."

Rena suddenly realised that she was still in the racer's arms and quickly pulled back and stepped away.

"You didn't have to do that."

"Do what? Protect you from that guy? Of course, I did. What would Sky say if I let you get hurt?"

The warmth that had risen in her chest suddenly vanished and she mumbled to herself.

"You did it for Sky... of course you did."

"Huh? What was that?"

"Thank you, P'Pai, but I don't need rescuing by you. Not for Sky's sake. He probably wouldn't care anyway."

Despite trailing off into a whisper at the end, Prapai still caught Rena's words.

"What? Why would you think that? Rena, Sky told me -"

"I should go. I want to go home."

"Rena, wait!"

"Leave me alone, P'Prapai."

Prapai ran his hand through his hair as he watched Rena practically run away from him. That was not what he expected, and he realised that perhaps putting Sky's plan into action wasn't going to be as easy as he thought.