Ninja Love Story

Chapter 17

I hesitantly looked to Hyuga, who mirrored my exact expression. "Well," he said lamely. "I hope you're not planning on making me your butler and dressing me in a frilly pink bonnet."

I lit up excitedly. "Oh please!? Oh my goodness, you'd look so adorable!" I squealed and clapped my hands giddily. 

"Tch. You, Princess, are out of your mind," Hyuga rolled his eyes at me. I smiled despite his demeanor. Even though Hyuga and I haven't really had the time to be as close like Hanzo has, I considered him to be a great part of my life thus far. However, I still didn't really know what he thought of me.

"Hey Hyuga...?," I asked in a hesitant voice.

Without even breaking his gaze off the path ahead of him, he acknowledged my prompt. "Mhmm?"

"I know I haven't always been the easiest person to watch over, especially before my memories returned, and I'd like to apologize for that-"

"It's alright-"

"And," I interjected, "I would really appreciate it if you told me if I ever overstep any boundaries with anything. All of you have done so much for me and I-"

"Stop," Hyuga stopped his horse and fixated his gaze squarely on me. "Sheeta, do you recall all the times when I say it's a rare thing for Kazemasa to be so nice to anyone, especially a lady?" I nodded. "It's because I see Kazemasa act completely different with you. I can tell you make that man happy. Whether or not you meant for it to happen, you're a part of our little family now," He smirked at me. "True, I wasn't ecstatic to have you on board at first, but now that you are, I wouldn't trade it for the world."

I smiled, nearly grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you, Hyuga. I can't tell you what that means to me."

Hyuga shook the reins on his horse, gently urging him forward. I followed suit. "Of course, though, I could only be saying that because of your spectacular cooking," He winked at me. I laughed at that. 

"I'm glad a 'noble princess' cooking' still sounds appetizing to you," I joked. Just then, Hyosuke and Enya came back down the road. "Hey guys," Hyosuke called. "Kazemasa found a cave close by. Yoshitsune and him are already waiting."

"Alright, we're coming"

The sound of rain echoed within the small confines of the dark cave, but that somehow made it more cozy. Enya had started a small fire, casting shadows of the horses and rest of the men on the walls.

I took in my surroundings and took a brush out of my satchel. I made my way to the horses and made sure they were comfortable, combing their manes and gently brushing the dust off of their backs. I hummed as quietly as I could so as not to spook them.

Peering out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Hyuga sitting on the cave floor with his eyes closed and arms crossed. Enya was twirling a small blade in his hands absent-mindedly, his gaze staring off in space. Hyosuke had taken to grabbing a small rice cake out of our rations and sat next to the fire nibbling his snack. Yoshitsune and Hanzo were overlooking a map of the surrounding area. I could hear very faintly that they were talking, I just wasn't exactly sure about what.

I honestly can say I wouldn't want my life any other way at this moment in time. I felt the corner of my mouth perk up from my thoughts. Of course I miss my parents, I always will. I looked out at the rain, my fingers numbly weaving the hair of the horse beside me. But I feel in my core that they wouldn't want me to dwell on their passing. I have a life to live, they'd tell me. I continued humming a lullaby my mother used to sing to me when I felt the air behind me stir and heat radiate off my back.

"I must say," I heard Enya speak, "On top of your cooking, your hostess skills, and your beauty, I didn't really think there was another aspect of you that could entice me so much. How wrong I was..." I glanced over my shoulder to see Enya give me his "smolder" and I couldn't help but let out a small giggle. "You, sir, are wasting your flattery. But thank you for the compliments." I fished out another brush and handed it to Enya, who promptly went to the horse's flank to brush his tail out.

"Your voice is nothing short of wondrous, Sheeta. There is no mere flattery in that, it's fact." Enya didn't meet my eyes when he said this but his face held no playful demeanor. It seems like he means it genuinely... "Again, thank you for saying so. Now what is it that you want?" I smiled knowingly.

Enya's amber eyes shot up in surprise and he put his hand on his forehead dramatically. "Why my dear lady! I am truly shocked and appalled you would think I have some ulterior motive-"

I looked at him lamely.

"Alright, alright," he grinned. "Truly, there is nothing at the moment that I want. I just wanted to come over here to keep you company. And..." his gaze flickered to the fire and back to mine, "to keep you warm if you should so desire."

I shook my head at his play and jokingly reprimanded him. "Enya, mind your manners. We came out here for a reason." I moved past him to the next horse in line.

"Bah, there ya go again, ruining my fun," he stuck his tongue out at me.

"But of course, " I answered, "I'm nothing if not a stick-in-the-mud."

"Now, we all know that's a lie," Hanzo said beside me. I nearly jumped out of my skin yet again from being surprised at his presence. Luckily, I saw no one take notice.

"Hello Hanzo," I said. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course. I just wanted to tell you two that the rain will let up soon." I glanced at the cave's mouth to see that Hanzo was right: the rain was slowing down and I could plainly see the forest's outline. "So get ready to move out. We have a treasure to track down." I nodded at Hanzo. But from my corner sight, I had noticed Enya turn a light shade of red and furrow his brow.