ABSOLUTE ROYALTY (Seijuro Akashi fanfiction)

Chapter 15

We rode together away from the hideout, until a few huts came into our sight. We slowed down. I got off my horse and so did Seijuro.

" We're here! " I exclaimed.

Leaving our horses behind, we decided to walk together. I jumped and twirled as I walked. This was the first time I left the woods and it felt amazing.

The cobblestones were wet with the night's rain and made slippery by the wintry temperature, casting the water film into ice.

My worn shoes slipped and bent. Were there any sharp edges I would feel them though my thinning grey boots.

The road was one carriage wide with slim pavements at the edge.

I walked in the middle of the street. The crocked houses that were built without gaps, saved the odd alley to the long gardens behind.  The homes were either redbrick with bare ivy tendrils reaching the rooftops or the tudor style, white with dark beams.

The winter wind welcomed us into the town, and the smile on my face seemed indestructible. I've never felt this free before. 

" Sei chan? " I spoke up.

His eyes widened for a moment, but he responded. "hmm? "

"I'm so happy" I said. Tears threatened to fall. But I held them in.

He smiled in response.

Wait. He smiled!! That was the first time I ever saw him smile. It transformed him from someone menacing to someone you wished you knew. It took less than a second, for me to return it.

The footpaths were crowded with stalls selling sacks of nuts and dried fruit, or meat roasting on roasting skewers. Powdered spices lay in rust red and dusty yellow piles, or spilled bright green from sacks as large as feed bags. Rich and unfamiliar scents cut through the thick misty winter air, so heavy I  could taste them in my mouth. It was the winter fare.

As we walked on, I found a stall full of clothes on the left. I dragged Seijuro in, and surprisingly, he didn't protest. The woman who owned the stall, welcomed us with a warm smile which I returned. I pawned over clothes made of different fabrics and textures. I tried on new boots, and forced Sei to buy a new pair too. 

He paid the stall owner with a bunch of gold coins. I wonder where he got them from. I never knew he had money.

I changed into my new clothes in the room she offered and so did he. We walked out into the lane only to find a group of girls looking at us.

They were eying Seijuro from head to toe. Their eyes flicked from me to him and back again. I scooted closer to him as we walked in their direction. 

They whispered in each other's ears and giggled. Seijuro turned to look at them and they all squealed in unison.

" Oh my god he looked at us " whisper screamed one of them.   " he is so handsome "   ,    " he must be a soldier"   ,  " he looks like a prince" ,   " but who is she? " ,   " why is she with him? "

I stood and furrowed my eye brows and glared at the group .  Seijuro grabbed my elbow and dragged me forward. His steps were quick, so I had to run a little to keep up.  Once we were far enough from the group, he released my hand. 

We walked in silence for a few seconds, before an old man came our way. He had a fringe of grey-white hair around his balding, mottled scalp. He had a wizened face and a back slightly hunched. With each movement there was the creak of old bones. 

He had the resigned look of one who knows that at his age life has stopped giving and only takes away.

" Visitors huh? " he questioned.

"  Yes " Seijuro answered.

"  Would you like to play a game young girl? " he asked, as he turned towards me.

I looked at Seijuro, and he gave me a nod. I grinned at the old man, " I'd love to! " I cheered.

The aged individual walked towards his stall full of games and we followed. Excitement rushed through my veins. 

He handed me a bow and an arrow which had a blunt wooden edge.

" You see that target dear? " he asked. I nodded.

" Aim for it. If you make three shots, you win a reward. You have five chances. Go! " he gave me a reassuring smile .

I positioned myself and aimed towards my target. I've never handled bows and arrows before. I pulled the string back and released the arrow.

Woooshhhh... I missed.

I had four more chances left. I needed to nail three of them. I pulled the bow back once more and released.

Well, no surprises. I missed. I frowned and closed my eyes. My lips were pressed in a hard line. Three more to go, and I'm sure I'll miss them too.

I kept my arrow at the ready. I pulled it back and aimed for the third time. Right when I was about to release, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I widened my eyes. 

I could smell him. It was Seijuro.

  He held the bow with his left hand . His fingers were perfectly placed between mine. His well toned chest was pressed against my back.

My breathing quickened, as his breath hit my neck.

" Sei-ju-ro.. " I whispered.

" Keeping your teeth and lip together is essential to get consistent arrow height " he spoke against my neck.

I tried to respond, or at least nod, so that he would know I was listening. But I couldn't. My body was frozen in place.

I gripped the bow tighter. He wrapped his right palm around mine, and helped me hold the arrow in place. I bit my lip, and tried to concentrate.

" Don't put a finger on top of the arrow. If you shoot like that, it'll hurt ".  He spoke again. His breath tickled my ear.

" I- It will miss " I stumbled on my own words.

" No. It won't " he said.

" How can you be so sure? " I questioned. This time my voice sounded a bit more confident.

" I'm sure because it's me who is shooting " he said.

He pulled both my arm as well as the string backwards, and released the arrow.  It shot forward and swiftly cut through the air.  I shut my eyes tight for a second, and opened it when I heard the sound of wood hitting wood.

It didn't miss. The arrow pierced right through the centre of the target. We nailed the first. 

He helped me shoot the next two arrows, the same way.

My heart was beating like it would break through my ribcage anytime.  Once the third arrow was stuck, I quickly got out of his embrace.

It took me a while to relax, but I'm pretty sure that the pink tint on my cheeks remained evident.

The old man handed me a small wooden box as a reward and said " Use it wisely". I bowed and grinned at him for the third time today.

I opened it and found a cute metal ring which spelt " Be mine". I smiled at the sight, and looked up at Sei who raised his brow at me. He tried to peek and take a look at what was inside, but I moved my head from left to right and closed the box.