The Color Of Fate

Chapter 3

-Obi-

I grabbed her bridal style and jumped into a tree going from branch to branch.

"You can't hide from us forever!"

-Zen-

I kept going. Faster. Faster. Get to Shirayuki. That was all I was thinking. We came upon a distant campfire. I pulled the reins, stopping the horse.

"I'll go ahead. You two stay back." I said, moving forward. I sighed, seeing a wagon, then noticed she wasn't there. "You." I pointed to a man with filthy brown hair. "Wheres the girl with the red hair?"

"Oh her? She went into the woods a half an hour ago and I haven't seen her since. Probably got carried away. I warned her not to go into the forest alone. Anyways she went that way."

I hopped off of my horse, running into the woods quietly. I noticed a spot with big footprints and destroyed plants. Obi, you'd better keep her safe. I ran in the direction of the footprints and heard.

"You can't hide from us forever."

I looked and saw Obi standing protectively in front of Shirayuki. The man went to swing a sword down. I moved quickly, jumping in front of it, using my sword case to block his swing. He jumped back.

"It's not them who should hide."

"Zen?!" Shirayuki said suprised.

"I knew you'd come sooner or later." Obi smiled, staying hesitant of our surroundings.

"A talk for later." I turned my gaze to the man. "Now tell me, why are you attacking my friend?"

"So you do belong to someone. Well then. Too bad. I wanted another toy around my place. It's so boring nowdays."

"You worthless-"

"Zen, let me handle this. It was me he wanted anyways." Shirayuki walked past me, placing her hand on my hand that was holding the hilt of my sword. My hand released the grip.

"You going to choose me over him? I may make a good toy of you yet."

She stopped in front of him, his men laughing. "No." She reached back and brought her hand down on his face, slapping him. "Girls aren't just toys you play around with. We are people just like you."

"You damn girl!" He yelled, stepping closer to her. I stepped closer as well.

"Zen, don't."

"Zen?" One of the others asked. "As in the second prince?"

I heard whispers amongst the men. Mitsuhide stepped out behind me along with Kiki.

"Obi, get Shirayuki to safety. We'll signal you when it's safe."

"Prince or not. I don't care who you are. I always get what I want." He said, licking his lips.

I tightened my grip on my sword.

"Zen, calm down." Mitsuhide said, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Don't do anything you'll regret."

I stepped forward, looking at the man. "People like you shouldn't deserve to live in this world."

I charged straight on, meeting my blade with his. Behind me the others had began their attacks. I swung again, then moved to jab him in the stomach with my hilt. He doubled over in pain, giving me a chance to strike. I brought the blade of my sword down on his neck.

"Zen!"

I looked at the man who stared up at me in pure horror. My sword rested on his neck. I looked over and saw Mitsuhide standing there, straight faced.

"You should show more respect to the prince of your country."

The mans scared expression turned into a smirk, "Prince? The real prince is your brother, isn't it?" He laughed. "You'll never even begin to amount to him. You're just a pawn, ready for disposal."

My eyes widened in shock. No one had ever spoken to me this way before. My anger bubbled up, but I held it down, sighing.

"You know, I don't really appreciate my master getting talked to that way by a piece of trash like you." Obi jumped in from behind him, punching him in the face.

"Obi!" Mitsuhide yelled.

"No, Mitsuhide, you and Kiki go to Shirayuki. Keep her safe until we return."

"Z-Zen..."

"Obi, take care of him then return to us." I said, following them.

Obi smiled, "As you wish, master."

I heard a scream and smiled on the inside, but on the outside I still wore a deadpan expression.

"Zen!" Shirayuki yelled, running to me, wrapping her arms around me in a hug. I let go of the thought of the man and hugged her back.