Shangri La Pt. 1

93: Ravenous

After traveling an entire day while heading directly towards the West to the Todoroki Kingdom, the Sun finally came to set and Katsuki pulled the reins for his horse to come to a complete stop. 

"That's all the riding we're doin' today. Hm?" 

When he glanced down at the greenette–that was in front of him on the same saddle–he wasn't expecting to see just how tired she truly was as she rested her head against his chest and was making a subtle snore. 

'Ah– Hmph... Cute.' 

But of course the moment didn't last long as Izumi felt herself wake up noticing how they weren't moving and got curious. 

"Hm? We stopped. K-Katsuki, any reason why we–" 

Without even thinking, Izumi lifted her head upwards only to be mere centimeters from the blond's lips when she looked up at him. 

"Ah– I– I'm so sorry! I-I didn't mean to do that on purpose!" she squealed, automatically thinking she made a mistake.

But this was the Captain of the Todoroki Knights she was riding a horse with, so this was nothing he would be offended about. 

"Hmph– It's fine, but we stopped cause we're not going any farther today." he answered as he swiftly started to get off the saddle of the horse. 

"Ah– We're not... going any farther? But there's still light out." 

"Yeah, but that's the sunset, and I'm not to travel through the night with a helpless girl like yourself. Not to mention, my sword's broken, so I can't really fight anyone like this." 

"O-Oh right... I forgot about your sword." 

"Hah~ it's fine, we stopped right in front of a cave and we can just set up a small camp for the night and leave in the morning. Not just that, but there's a creek somewhere not far from here that you can wash in, and I'll go off hunting to find dinner for us." 

"Ah– I see. But wait– you– you said you'll... hunt? But your sword's broken?"

And with that, Katsuki effortlessly revealed a bow and a quiver full of arrows to her as she was still on the horse. 

"A– A bow?" 

"You didn't think I just relied on a sword, did you?" 

"N-Not... Entirely..." 

"Hmph, hold still." 

He paused as he reached his hands out to her and then rested them on both sides of her hips for her to clench up again as he carefully lifted her off the horse and then gently set her back onto the ground. 

"There, happy you're on the ground now?" 

"M-Mn. T-Thank you... again." 

"Alright, go get some wood that you can carry on your own and bring it back here. Once you get enough wood, just make a pile and I'll make it into a campfire and then go off hunting for food. You can go to the creek and wash up to get all that blood off you, and if you think you hear something bad, just scream for help and I'll be there." he sighed as he sweetly patted the top of her head before walking off. 

'Ah– Did he just... pat my head?'

So after collecting a good portion of firewood capable of her to carry without any help, Izumi exhaled from all the work she was forcing her body to do in such a short span of time. 

'Phew~ I haven't worked like this in a bit, and since my body is still injured, things are much more difficult for me to do. Hm? Didn't he say he was going to light the wood and then go hunting? Maybe he was going to find something first and then start the fire so the food will be ready when I get back? Erm– No need to worry about him when he can handle things on his own, it's me who should be careful. I'll just have to be very alert when I wash up at the creek. Where did he say it was?'