Asuka: Island of Shadows

chapter 6

    Chapter 5

I walked back up to our room, cursing myself for my idiocy. I knew I was just protecting Hikairi, and she knew it too, but at the same time, I had felt great pleasure in being able to put my arms around her.

I had felt her stiffen, and I understood her horror, but I still inside felt joy at the thought of holding her in my arms, feeling her heartbeat, and the softness of her silky brown hair.

I had ordered her favorite meal, and I hoped she would see it as a peace offering, because I really couldn’t stand it if she never spoke to me.

It wasn’t like I was like her, I couldn’t have a one way conversation like she could.

“Hikairi,” I called outside of our door. “Hikairi, I’m coming in. Do you want to go and eat? Hana made your favorite food.”

I walked into the room. Hikairi wasn’t there. I turned in a full circle to make sure she wasn’t hiding in a corner or something.

She really wasn’t there. I walked further into the room, examining the floor and the beds.

She had been standing next to one of the windows when we were arguing, and when I left, it looked like she had sat down, or was kneeling.

Someone had entered our room. I smelled a faintly sweet scent. A cloth was on the floor, and I picked it up.

It smelled like the drug they had used on Keiji and I when they had captured us. I felt fear and anger fill me.

I almost cursed, but remembered in time that I disliked cursing. I gathered up all of our things, straightened the bed covers, and left the room, locking the door behind me.

I headed down the stairs. “Hana, can I save that dinner for another day? I can’t find Hikairi. Did you see her pass?” I asked quietly, not letting my anxiety show.

Hana shook her head. “Sorry Satoru. I didn’t see her. I’ll save the dinner as long as I can, which is a very long time. And Satoru, a Senshi Guard did come in, and he went up when you came down and came over here to talk to me. He left while we were still talking.”

I felt a cold chill run through me. The Guard we had been talking to earlier. No.

“Thank you Hana. I will see you around the village.” I told her, bowing respectfully.

I ran out of the inn, my mind centered on one thought. The thought of finding Keiji and having him help me find her. Keiji would know what to do.

Unfortunately, my home was on the other side of the village. It was close to evening now, and Keiji would be trying to get them to go to bed. By the time I got there, he would be the only one up. He would be standing guard.

Good thing even he hadn’t ever been able to catch me when I didn’t want to be caught.

Except for the Guards that one night. That one night when everything else had gone wrong. I closed my eyes and let the memory fill my mind.

                                ~  ~

“Satoru, why are we out here?” Akemi whispered behind me. I was clutching her fingers tightly.

“To meet Keiji, Akiyo, Benjirou, and Naoya. I don’t know why. He sent me a note to bring you, and come outside the village to Hapi hill.”

Akemi giggled, like she did every time I said the ridiculous name of the hill overlooking the village. It sounded like I was calling it happy hill. Akemi only laughed when I said it though. I didn’t know why.