Black Water

Chapter 8

Kyoko woke up in bed once again, her leg back in splints and a constant pain shooting up her ankle. She thinks back and remembers the following the old Indian and Lory down the hall then nothing. 'I hope everyone's okay.' She thinks as she struggles to get out of bed. Interrupting her efforts a knock sounds at the door.

"Come in." She says. Lory enters a strained smile on his face.

"How are you feeling my dear?" He asks taking his normal seat beside her.

"There is more pain than before but I'm fine, is everyone okay?" Kyoko asks worry seeping into her voice. "I don't remember what happened after I followed you and Mr. White Cloud out of the room in my disguise."

"Nothing to fear child, they left without any problems and I must say you are quite the actress" Lory complements his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"No, I was just acting as a boy I knew as a child." Kyoko replied looking down, a slight twinge of pink across her cheeks not knowing how to take the compliment.

Lory pressed on his expression turning more serious.

"While you were unconscious I sent that telegram I mentioned before and I just got a reply but I'm afraid it will not be what you want to hear." Lory said his lips forming a thin frown.

Kyoko nodded her understanding and took the piece of paper with some hesitation. It read thus:

Sho Fuwa Sulphur Springs to Kyoko Mogami LME Ranch

Kyoko go back home/I don't need you if there is no luggage/Heal there if you want then leave/

Don't cause trouble/Don't come here/

Kyoko read it again not believing it, yet the words remained. She reread the damning words again her anger boiling. 'He didn't need her if there was no luggage... What did he see her as, a pack horse! A servant!!' She always knew Shotaro was self-centered but he was never a bad person. A man had died to get her to him, she was injured and searched for by Indians; yet all he cared about was his damned luggage! All these years of being by his side and supporting him against his family, everything up until now felt like such a waste now. She had given her love to the wrong person.' As those thoughts filtered through her mind tears began to sting her eyes but before they fell she closed her eyes tight and made a vow. The love she had felt being pushed down deep, buried and locked tightly away with many locks.

'I will never love or allow myself to be used again!' When her eyes opened the tears had vanished and her golden eyes were clear and determined. Lory was amazed by the young woman again expecting to be her shoulder but worried that this had ended so easily. A knock came from the doorway and Yukihito walked in carrying a tray of food from the earlier table.

"I thought you would be hungry so Sebastian put a little bit of everything on here for when you woke up." Lory excused himself and went to seek out Ren. He found him on the porch watching the horizon and the fading sunset.

"She's awake and does not seem to be in too much pain but I'm worried." Lory told Ren about the telegram he sent and the one Shotaro Fuwa sent back and about Kyoko's reaction to it. Ren listened barely able to control his building anger at the Fuwa person. His hand clenched tightly itching to punch this man. He vaguely remembered the good looking boy Kyoko had been friends with as a child. He'd never met the boy but Kyoko had gushed about him as her prince and he felt his stomach clench.

'Some prince.' He thought darkly pushing the anger he felt back under control, knowing anger and violence was not what the young woman needed now.