A Nagas tale

A new home

"Oh my, this spring will be very fruitful." The chief comments as Kogen offers to give me a piggyback. I shyly refused feeling like this Yukata might rip from how tight it was. He gives me a thoughtful look before picking me up like a toddler again. I shake my head "c...can I walk?" I ask not wanting to bother him. He shakes his head "It's crowded, once we get to a less crowded place I'll put you down." he offers. I look around at the people watching us, its then I notice how the large majority of these people looked Asian. I look back at Kogen seeing his very nordic features. His strong jaw and very prominent nose. His cheekbones are very pronounced and his cheeks are slim making them more prominent. I lower my gaze feeling like a creep just checking him out like this. " Alright, thanks then," I whisper holding onto his shoulder to keep myself a bit stable. He turns to walk out of the main house. I did not like how people whispered and talked. I noticed how he towered over some of these men 'he's freakishly large.' I note down. My ears picked up their favorite words which are 'monster and murder.' I look at the people confused by their words. I look at Kogen who is not paying any attention to the people. I do as he does ignore them and focus on what I am going to do. I did not want to put the pressure of marriage on this guy but, I feel it's safer to stick to somebody I had time to meet. Yyvonne pokes my face from her spot hanging off his back. "Are you going to stay Audrey?" she asks curiously. I couldn't help but notice how worried she sounded. I nod "If I am allowed to stay," I answer her question honestly. 'I do not hold any hope that Kogen would fall for me. I simply wish to hold a simple friendly relationship where I can be safe.' I rest my head on Kogen's shoulder as he walks past the large group of people. I saw a few men who seemed to cheer and set bets amongst each other. I sigh closing my eyes and breathe in some of the sharp cold air. 'When did I start to notice this smell?' I wondered as I tried my hardest not to fall asleep. 'why does it feel comforting?' 

Audrey's head jerks as she fights off sleep. I peek up at her as she rests her head against mine. I should give her a better spot. I moved my shoulder to let her know I was moving her. She lifts her head and I pull her down cradling her with both my arms so she has a somewhat more comfortable resting spot. She lets out a soft huff before resting her head on my shoulder near my neck. She takes in a deep drag of air before settling down. Her eyes struggled to stay open as I walked into the village. 'I always heard the men talk about pheromones and scent bonding.' I turn to Yyvonne as she climbs onto my right shoulder. "Audrey fell asleep." she whispers while putting her finger up to her lips. 'could this be a trauma response to nearly dying three times?' I wondered as I walked up to the shop of my good friend and brother-in-law. "Oh! Kogen!" he greets me as I walk up. Yyvonne quickly hushed him to not wake Audrey up. "what are you looking for?" he asked in a hushed tone. I nod "Clothes that will fit her." I look at Audrey as she rests. "A new girl? are you taking her to the chief?" He asks. I shake my head "This is..." I look at my sister as she walks out of the back room. "My wife." the phrase is foreign to my tongue. His eyes widen "What!? Did they force another one!?" He demands. I flinch hearing Audrey groan in her sleep. "Shhhh" Yyvonne hisses. "hm... what is all the shouting.." Audrey whispers as she rubs the sleep out of her eyes. "hmm, it's nothing go back to sleep." I try to assure her there is nothing important for her to wake up. "Mmm, why is it loud?" she asks falling back on my shoulder. I look at Otani my long-time friend "I..." he clears his throat. "Sorry, I did not mean to wake her up." he mutters. "Hold on! did you say your wife?" Missy my sister asks shoving her husband out of the way. I step back not happy with the attention these two are putting on the situation. Audrey has not said a thing despite Yyvonnes chatting. "w..w..." She stammers quietly. I look down at her seeing her face is a deep shade of red. "Audrey, you're turning into a tomato." Yyvonne points out. She covers her face "shhh." Audrey hushes Yyvonne. 'is she conscious of the word?' I wonder as I look at my waiting sister. "She is my wife." I repeat what I said before. Audrey quickly puts her hands over my mouth. I can smell blood from her right palm. "I...uh!!" she looks so overwhelmed. "hmm it seems she is a forced bride." Otani sighs. The look of panic and delight in her eyes told me a lot. I free my mouth from her hands "Hmm, does it bother you?" I ask Audrey "That I called you my wife?" I ask honestly curious. 'If I trust my gut then this is a good way to gauge how much my gut picked up on.' A portion of it was to tease her a bit. The look of delight quickly fades replaced with panic and uncertainty. "I... Uhm..." she tries to find her words. "Audrey, do you like Kogen?" Yyvonne asks deviously. Audrey's face turns a darker shade of red. "w..what kind of question!?" she asks Yvonne before looking away from me. I can't tell if her reactions were based on her efforts to hide attraction or if it was insulting to her. "Of course I do!..." she shakes her head "Like he's nice! And he helped me so how can I not like him?" I flinch at her outburst "Ri.. right!" she points to herself. "I..I...me...ugh... fuck!" she seems to get flustered. "I...wanted to say, that I understand if Kogen does not want me as a wife." Her eyes looked everywhere but me. "I was gonna ask if he wouldn't mind me living with you guys." she states what I felt she would at some point."I.. I don't trust anyone here... I don't know anyone here... I... just... until Kogen says so." She deflates as she murmurs the end. I chuckle at her blubbering as she covers her face. 'It's cute she is trying to consider me.' I nod "I figured it was something like that." I answer putting my hand on her back so she wouldn't fall. "I... I don't want to push anything on you... so... I...if you want me to go..." she sounds sad as she uncovers her face. I set her down offering my arm for her to lean on. "I wouldn't have agreed if I was just going to toss you out." I mutter as I go on to buy what I need.