Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 19 - Unwanted Expectations ⊰♦

Ruka pov:

I woke up with a groan, uncomfortable with the uneven surface I was asleep on. I opened my eyes only to see a dark ceiling – one I didn't recognize. I sat up with a start, momentarily alarmed by my unrecognizable surroundings but everything that happened last evening rushed through my mind.

I was tense for a few moments but relaxed with a sigh soon enough. I undid my hair tie to run my fingers through my hair a few times. Detangling it as best as I could, I then braided it. I got up from the mattress and walked to the entrance of the cave-room I was in. I looked on either side of the deserted tunnel, contemplating on using this chance to escape and return to Kichiro sama's side...if I ever managed to find my way out of this labyrinth and find him, that is.

I decided to take a chance. I picked a random direction and walked through the tunnels, taking turns here and there while hoping that I wasn't getting more lost than I already was. I didn't know what time it was but I hoped it was a time when no one would hinder my escape.

Luckily, after several more confusing turns, I actually reached the entrance of the cave. Gentle moonlight fell in from the outside, urging me to pick up my pace of walking. I mentally cheered but froze in my tracks just few feet short of the entrance when I heard a voice.

"Where are you going?"

Turning, I saw none other than Tomo kun a few feet from me, watching me with cold, scrutinizing eyes. He had a paper package in his hands and it had crinkled under how tightly he was holding it. I mentally cursed for getting caught but smiled while racking my brain to come up with a believable explanation to this satiation.

"Oh, T-Tomo kun, I just woke up and couldn't go back to sleep so I thought of exploring the cave – you know, exploring for exploring sake," I bumbled like an idiot. He's so not buying this, I thought, but continued, "And I just thought it would be great to take a bath! I haven't washed up since yesterday morning after all."

The annoyance in his eyes was clear but he smiled. He walked up to me and said, "I see. I'm sorry I didn't think of your convenience. I will accompany you to where you can bathe."

As he walked past me, I said awkwardly, "Um, Tomo kun, wouldn't it be better if another girl went with me? I mean, it's, you know..."

He stopped at the entrance of the cave, turning to gaze at me with a rather malicious smile. I couldn't stop from flinching but he ignored it as he said, "It's not safe to go outside alone. Only I will be able to protect you...don't worry though, I won't peek when you're bathing."

He walked out of the cave without another word. I sighed deeply, more in annoyance than anything else. With a shake of my head, I followed him to a clear stream that was just beyond a line of trees. He took a seat at the base of one of the trees and looked up at me while holding out the package in his hands.

"I'll stay here while you bathe. Here's a towel and a new yukata for you."

"Oh, thank you," I responded halfheartedly and took the package from him. I hesitated a bit before walking to the other side of the trees and to the stream. I glanced at the tree behind which Tomo kun was sitting, biting on my lip in uneasiness. I sighed deeply and undressed but couldn't stop from saying, "No peeking!"

"I won't," he answered with a short laugh.

I stepped into the water with a shiver at the coolness of it. I got used to it soon though and waded to the middle where it was about shoulder deep. Everything was silent while I washed off the dirt and sweat on my body and then just soaked. I watched the rippling reflection of the moon and involuntarily reached up to touch the pendant of the chain I had bought merely a few hours ago...I remembered Kichiro sama only to feel the stinging tightness in my chest once again as I longed to see him.