Akagami No Shirayukihime - Obi x (OC) The Visitor

Chapter 14 - Training Decisions

A/N - TWO CHAPTERS IN A DAY PEOPLE!!!!  I'm on a role huh XD  I had it written so I thought, hey why not post it and I'm already starting on chapter 15 so that will be coming within tomorrow or the next few days.  Listening to different music really help the creativity flow you know XD  Anywho, I hope you enjoy Alice's little experience with the new routine of things to come!  

I'm also sorry this is so much shorter than my normal chappies!  >~<'' I hope you don't hold it against me my lovelies!!!

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"Miss Alice! I'm glad you could make it!" A guard, dressed in the standard dress-code for the castle, approached Alice as they ran past Zen and practically ignored Shirayuki. At this, other guards behind him gathered around Alice, all asking what she would teach them, how would she do it, and when she could. Being bombarded with all the questions at one, with an annoying lack of personal space between her and the flock of guards, her crossed arms snapped down to her sides and she took a breath before shouting.

"All of you, be silent!" Shirayuki and Zen, who had found themselves behind the group, both jumped at the sounds of how her normally kind voice, boomed throughout the outside air. Alice sighed as she brought a hand to her forehead and pinched the bridge of her nose between her brows. "Alright," she began and brought her hand back down making eye contact all around with the guards, "here's the deal. If you all could ask me personally, without having to go through Zen, to help you all then I'll agree to it. Simply as that." Her seriousness seemed to mellow down as she placed her hands on her hips and smiled a bit. "It's okay to come and talk to me, I won't bite. I'm just another person, so if you ever need anything, just ask. No need to be shy."

The guards all gathered together in front of her, muttering about it and then they all came up with smiles and all nodded. They all faced Alice and bowed in one motion, and shouted in unision. "Please, Miss Alice, would you help us with our combat training?!" They said it with such determination that Alice laughed and happily accepted their agreement.

"You see, what about that was so difficult?" Alice merely chuckled at the embarrassed faces of the men, then spoke again. "Your training will begin tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM for only half of you, the other half will be attending their everyday post; it'd be bad if I took all the guards for a day. I'll assign those attending tomorrow, and anyone who is late will be pushed to exceed their fellow trainees, no exceptions. Oh, and wear something you don't mind getting dirty and sweaty." The men all simultaneously agreed and were dismissed after knowing who is training and who is not, before going back to their posts until the night shift guards took over.

Shirayuki and Zen made their way over to Alice's side and Zen back her back a solid pat, earning her attention. Shirayuki looked at her like a toddler would their mother, her eyes sparkling.

"That was impressive, I haven't seen anyone handle the guards that way, they were rather rowdy, but you snapped them into shape quite easily." Zen complemented her as Shirayuki took hold of her hands and smiled.

"You're amazing Alice! That was so cool, the way you organized it, and got everyone enthusiastic for it! You're like star, shining brightly and affecting everyone who sees you!" Alice sheepishly scratched her head as she laughed, brushing it off as 'it was nothing.' Eventually the couple had to leave, Shirayuki to make sure the pharmacy was cleaned and ready to close, and Zen to return to his study before Mitsuhide got really angry. Alice then decided to go into the open courts for a view of a change of scenery.

Along the way, Teto had made his way to Alice and climbing her arm, resting upon her shoulder. She looked at the palm-top tiger and gently scratched his head. "I haven't seen you around, have you been with Ryuu?" Teto let out a happy mewl in response, he had taken quite a liking to Ryuu and would spend a lot of time around him. "It seems we both met someone special here haven't we?" Teto responded with a slightly confused mewl and nuzzled her neck, his fur tickling her slightly.

She then took off in a dead sprint, her boot clad feet pushing hard against the stone walkway as she passed through corridor after corridor, avoiding anyone who she threatened to run into, one being Lord Haruka, who shouted after her and she merely laughed back to him and continued on. Her crimson hair flew behind her and she sped and eventually made it to the open field she wanted. She let out her heavy puffs of air and walked over to an empty patch of grass and lay down, her rosary she had received the morning after the festival in town with Obi, dangled around her neck and gleamed off the evening sun. She closed her eyes and Teto rested on her chest, curled up as he was rather tired. She smiled and let out a content sigh, little did she know that someone was watching her from not too far away.