Back in time

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Minori’s POV

Tossing and turning on the soft bed, I gave a little sigh as I came to the realisation that sleep has evaded me for the first time in my life.

The cackling sound of burning firewood was the only sound that could be heard in this otherwise silent night. The warm light cast by in the tent by the lighted fireplace that usually lulled me to sleep now seemed to mock me for my insomniac state.

Perhaps a little of the cooling night breeze might be what I need to go back to sleep.

With a resigned sigh, I got off the bed and grabbed the outer coat that I have discarded at the side of the table when I got on the bed earlier on.

Fastening the belt of the coat, I took a step out into the dark Mongolian night.

The night was devoid of human activity, a complete juxtaposition to the festivity that occurred earlier on in the day, silent except for the occasional sound of footsteps of the maids that scurried around with orders of the masters that they served and the heavier footsteps created by the heavy boots on the patrolling guards.

With a deep inhalation of the night air, I tried to calm the turmoil and chaos that resounded in my head.

Wandering away from the rest of the tents, I could not help but feel conflicted by the turn of events that occurred thus far.

What was the purpose of this second time travelling journey that the GODS put me through? My first journey was to teach me the lesson that I never did learn from my parent’s own failed marriage-that true love does not exist. What about this? A cruel reminder of the foolishness that I was to commit again?

I could not deny it, my heart was starting to beat for Kame.

Again.

The scent of anemone flowers stopped me in my tracks, alerting me to just where exactly my feet had led me to.

The irony of the situation was not lost to me as a wry smile crept up my lips.

Traitorous body. Have you not learned from your lesson ? Or perhaps, I am secretly a masochist that finds pleasure in being tormented even further?

“Miya…?”

His voice called out to me hesitantly, alerting me of his presence that I would not have otherwise noticed.

He was slumped against the trunk of a huge tree, hidden under the thick canopy of leaves that surrounded it. Moonlight , or rather the lack thereof moonlight, kept him hidden well in the shadows of the night. Yet, despite the lack of light to illuminate his presence, he was unmistakable in the royal blue cloak he has on.

“What are you doing out here so late in the night? You should be sleeping right now!” Kame called out, rising to his feet as he made his way towards me.

Taking a few steps backwards, I replied, “I could not sleep back in the tent.”

“Why? Do you feel too lonely alone in the tent to fall asleep by yourself? Perhaps my presence in your bed is what you are craving?” Kame drew out lazily  with a seductive smirk on his face.

“Wh-wha-what are you saying? Don’t get so familiar with me. We’re not that close!” I stuttered as my stupid traitorous heart pounded after hearing the words that he spoke.

“Really? Miya, you’re such a dishonest little girl. We have done sooo much more than that to have you acting so innocently now.” Kame replied again in that lazy voice as he closed in on to me like a predator hunting his prey.

 Reacting as though facing a ferocious wild beast about to pounce at any given moment, I slowly backed away from him with my eyes still trained on him.

“Wh-what are you talking about? We did no such thing. I am still a virgin!” I exclaimed , the words flying out of my lips even before my frenzied mind could even process what I had just said.

That stopped Kame in his tracks.

That stopped me in my tracks as well as my brain finally got around to process what I have just said. If I were not in such a situation as such right now, I would have slapped myself in the face over what I have just exclaimed.

“ Sorry, that came out the wrong way. What I mean is... what I mean is… what I mean is…” What exactly did I mean?

It was very clear that my mortified brain was not working at the moment.

“My, my. I never knew that my Miya is such a naughty little girl. You do know that you can always ask if you want me to bring you to bed.” Kame responded with a Cheshire grin on his face.

Before I had even realised, Kame has closed in the distance between the two of us.

With a gentle finger, he lifted my chin up towards his face. His warm breath fanned across my face, a gentle tickle that made my already dazed brain more muddled than before.

Bending his back slightly, he brought his lips onto mine.

My heart fluttered wildly as his tongue coached myself into opening myself up to him, stealing my breath and all the other misgivings I had against him away from him at that very moment. It was an action of tenderness, a reminder of all the other tender kisses that we have shared previously.

“I missed you Miya.” He whispered tenderly as he gazed upon my face after we finally broke away for air.

And that became the bucket of cold water that woke me up from the daze.

The pain and disappointment came crashing back to me, reminding me that I should stay away from this person before me.

With a big shove, I pushed him away from me.

“Stop acting so familiar with me. The Miya you know is dead, don’t you remember? You killed her yourself.”  I said coldly.

A pained look crossed his face as he gave a bitter laugh.

“You will never forgive me for that will you? Indeed, the selfishness of my old self deserves all of your anger. But, are you going to forsake all the happier memories that we had together as well? Even the memories of how we first met ?”

“Yes, I will. Once bitten, twice shy. I must learn from the mistakes that I have made before. Perhaps it might be best for me to learn how to forget those memories. It will be best if you learn to forget them too. Perhaps then might I be able to face you normally again.” I replied with what I hoped was determination in my voice.

But even then, I could not help the memories of our past that came back to me as I turned away from him.