Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 5 - Attack ⊰♦

This chapter is dedicated to akatsuki_tsukuyomi! Happy reading!

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Ruka pov:

I blew warm air into my hands while I took one last glance over the fields. It was a chilly twilight, winter having set in almost in full swing. We couldn't stay without at least three layers of clothes and a sweater or shawl on top of them.

I held my hand up with a smile and a sparrow landed on my finger. Animals and birds didn't easily approach humans in my time but they seemed quite comfortable hanging around close to humans here, even perching on them and accepting food that was offered to them.

The sparrow flew away after a few chirps and I waited for only a few moments before Miyuki san arrived for her shift of watching over the fields before night. Just before she was close enough for us to talk, I noticed small white flakes of snow falling from the sky. I looked up, my smile wide and my breath coming out white when I laughed.

"The first snow!" I chimed and stuck out my tongue to taste a few of the flakes that fell.

"It's really pretty, isn't it?" Miyuki san said, having come to a stop two feet from me. She wrapped a thick shawl around my shivering frame and I thanked her, glad for the extra layer.

"It is," I answered, holding up my hand this time to catch a few flakes on my palm. They liquefied immediately.

"Of course, it's pretty to you," she added, sounding teasing. "It signifies the perfect time for young love."

I regarded her comment with an awkward smile, "I guess...anyway, I'll head back now. Take care on your shift."

With a chaste bow, I excused myself to head to the dojo. I walked at a comfortable pace, greeting the other villagers on the way and even stopping once to pet a stray puppy. It was fifteen minutes later that I reached the dojo. I took off my shoes at the entrance while taking the support of the door frame. Keeping my shoes aside neatly, I then shut the door, put on my indoor slippers and walked to where Lady Kana would usually be.

However, I found her in one of the rooms in the residential wing of the dojo with Akari pouting in front of her. The latter seemed agitated when she spoke, "But, Lady Kana, I want to see him!"

"Akari, why are you being so stubborn? He said he doesn't want to see anyone now. Besides, he's injured and you should leave him alone to rest," Lady Kana said in response.

When I stepped into the room, both Akari and Lady Kana looked at me. Both of them seemed really upset and I asked, "Is there any problem, Lady Kana?"

Akari shot me a glare like always but Lady Kana seemed a little hopeful. She smiled and ushered me to come closer, "I was waiting for you to return, Ruka. You see, Tomoki has returned from the war."

"Really?" My eyes lit up and I smiled, "That's great! Does that mean the war is coming to an end?"

"No, you idiot!" spat Akari. "It means-"

"That's enough of your attitude, Akari!" scolded Lady Kana with a sharp look. Akari turned away with a scowl and Lady Kana met my eyes again, "I'm afraid it's quite the opposite of what you said, Ruka. The war is getting worse by the day and has reached our province now. Tomoki was badly injured in the knee during battle so he was sent back. He can barely walk now."

I clenched my fists, my heart skipped a beat, "He...he can't walk?"

"Don't look so disheartened, Ruka. I'm sure that he will be able to walk again if he rests enough. But that doesn't change the fact that he will not be able to return to normal completely – he won't be able to return to the others who are fighting the war. He's really upset about it and he's making a fuss now that he doesn't want to talk to anyone but you."