Forever and Always

Part VI : It's Okay

Zen was running through the forest searching everywhere for Shirayuki. "Shirayuki!" he would call out. He was beginning to loose hope but then he came upon a small clearing in the trees. There stood Shirayuki with her backed turned to Zen.
     "Shirayuki! I've been looking everywhere for you." Zen said with a worried expression.
     Shirayuki dropped to her knees and just kept saying "I'm sorry." while trying to hold back her tears.
     "There's nothing to be sorry about." Zen said in a calm voice walking closer to her. When he finally got to her he wrapped his arms around her waist. Shirayuki started to cry.
     "I didn't want you to find out like this." Shirayuki said through her sobs. "You mean so much to me, and I don't want you to think I don't trust you since I never told you."
     "It's okay. I promise this won't change how I feel about you." Zen said and Shirayuki turned around and hugged him.
     "And how do you feel about me. I want to hear you say it." Shirayuki said finally stopping crying.
     "I love you, more than anything in this world." Zen said in his usual calm composure.
     "Thanks I needed to hear that." Shirayuki responded.
     "Now I have a question for you." Zen said. Shirayuki nodded. "Why did they call you Phoenix?"
     "I guess you deserve to know.  When King Soba took the four of us in, he gave us all a name since we didn't have one, at least that's what he assumed. I was given the name Phoenix because my red hair reminded him of the fire bird. But the name Shirayuki was given to me by some one very special. While living with King soba she was the only person who brought me happiness. She helped me escape from lKing soba and was thrown in prison for treason.  She gave me the name Shirayuki because she would always make fun of my red hair." Shirayuki said and ended with a slight giggle. "She was the first person I ever trusted."
     "So can I assume everything they said was true?" Zen asked
     "Sadly yes," Shirayuki started
"When the four of us were just 7 years old, King Soba at the age of 10 came and sought us out. When he found us, he told us that as mages we deserved to be treated like gods. We were young and naive and we agreed. When we started living in the castle with King soba, it became clear he saw us as nothing more than his slaves. Well at least the other three. He treated me like I was his sword and shield, and I gladly accepted that position. All I ever wanted was to be useful so somebody."
     They just stood there for a while In each other's embrace.  The winded started blowing, and Shirayuki started to shiver. Zen removed his cape and put it around her. Shirayuki slowly drifted off into sleep.  Zen picked her up bridal style and Shirayuki's eyes fluttered open. "You must be tired." Zen said as Shirayuki gazed into his mesmerizing eyes and just gave a small smile and nodded.
     Being the sneaky little people they are, Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi all listened the conversation Shirayuki and zen had.
     When Zen and Shirayuki got back to the castle (Zen is still holding Shirayuki) King Izana was waiting for them at the gate. "You have a lot of explaining to do, Shirayuki." He said. Shirayuki jumped out of Zen's arms and said
     "All you need to know at the moment is that I have decided to ally my self with Clarines, and will tell you everything when the time is right."
     "Fair enough," Izana said. With that, Shirayuki walked off to her room alone.
     Later in the middle of the night, Zen came knocking on Shirayuki's door. Shirayuki didn't open the door, so Zen got worried and walked right in. Shirayuki was asleep sitting on her balcony, so Zen picked her up and layer her in her bed and say next to you.  "I don't know what I'm suppose to do now." Shirayuki said hiding her head under a pillow.
     "It's okay, everything will work out." Zen said in a sad calm tone.
     "I don't want to leave you, I love being with you." Shirayuki said in a soft tone.
     "You don't have to," zen said but before he could finish Shirayuki was asleep. Zen got under the covers with Shirayuki and whispered "good night, my love," And with that they were both fast asleep.

A/N
   Sorry for not updating as often as I would like to, but since school has started I have had to write so many papers. Well bear with me, and tell me what you think of the story and if you like the way it's going so far!! Thanks!