The Chains That Bind Us

Chapter 3

Semiramis was stirred awake by movement next to her. She opened her eyes groggily to watch as Shirou slipped out of the bed. She found herself reaching out to try and grab onto the man.

When her hand reached his she saw the man stiffen. She immediately started to pull away, a soft apology spilling from her lips. She whimpered and hung her head. She was already screwing things up and she hadn't even been with Shirou for a day.

Shirou turned to look at Semiramis. His amber eyes softened immediately and he gently pushed her back into bed,"Go back to sleep. You don't need to be up this early."

Semiramis looked up at Shirou and she once again reached for the man. She didn't know why she was being this persistent. She was half asleep. The part of her mind that was awake was screaming for her to stop.

Shirou sighed before moving back into bed,"Fine. Fine. Just don't look at me like that." He hesitantly draped an arm over the woman.

He was warm and gentle. Semiramis felt herself move closer to Shirou and curl up against him. She closed her eyes again and soon she was asleep again.

When Semiramis woke up again, she found it to the steady rhythm of a heartbeat.

She didn't want to move away from the warmth surrounding her but knew she needed to. She shifted slightly to move away and then the warmth was immediately gone.

Shirou was sitting up and looking away from Semiramis. His face had a slight flush to it and he coughed awkwardly,"You like sleeping close to people, huh?"

Semiramis felt embarrassment form on her face. She looked down at the blankets and took a shaky breath. "I-I've never had anyone be that gentle with me. I apologize for keeping you here... You can leave if you'd like."

Neither one made anymore movements to leave the bed. They were at a standstill. Silence was awkward between them. What were you supposed to say to someone who had just held you? They were complete strangers.

"Well..." Shirou rubbed the back of his neck and he looked at Semiramis,"Should I start with the introductions? It might be good to get everything out on the table since you'll be living with me from now on."

Semiramis nodded and she looked at Shirou. She wanted to know more about him. Why was he so kind? How exactly was his hair white?

Shirou cleared his throat and seemed to ponder on what he wanted to say. After a few seconds, he nodded slightly and started talking.

"I lived on the streets until I was ten. That's when Luther and his group found me. I was trained to fight and left here."

That was strangely simple. Semiramis found herself expecting more from the man. He looked like there was more to the story. Maybe he didn't want to talk about it?

"Now it's your turn." Shirou said simply an folded his hands in his lap. His amber eyes had locked onto the woman.

Semiramis found herself shying away from his gaze. She gripped at the blankets tightly for awhile. The fabric was surprisingly soft in her hands. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

That's when there was a knock at the door. She looked at the door for a second. Was she supposed to answer it? She turned her gaze to Shirou only to find that the man had stood up and started to walk over to the door.

He opened it and immediately frowned,"Hello Luther."

Luther pushed past Shirou into the small room and he smiled brightly,"Hello there! Are you two settling in alright?"

He held a bag in one hand and set it down on the table. He gestured towards Semiramis,"For the lady." He turned to Shirou.

"You and I need to talk. Let's move to the hallway, I'm sure you'd want to let your woman change in peace."

Shirou looked at Semiramis for a second. It was almost like he didn't want to leave her alone in the room again. Then he simply shook his head and walked out.

Luther winked at Semiramis,"We'll just be a moment, sweetheart." He slipped out of the door and shut it.

Semiramis did a double take. This Luther was entirely different then the one she met last night. She stood up on shaky legs and walked over to the bag. She opened it and was immediately met with the disgusting smell of cheap perfume again.

She looked in the bag. Inside was a toothbrush, hairbrush, and some clothes. She pulled out the clothes and immediately felt sick.

These weren't any better then what she already had on.  The 'clothes' she was given didn't leave much to the imagination. It was almost like they wanted people to see her and think that she was a-

She threw the clothes back in the bag and jumped when she heard the door open again. She watched Shirou step back inside and look at her.

She knew he saw the bruises by the look on his face.

Shirou crossed over to Semiramis and he opened his mouth to say something when the door opened again. The young man quickly hid Semiramis behind him.

Luther looked at the two and he chuckled,"Already going back to undressing her, Shirou?"

"Just leave, Luther." Shirou said warningly, his fists starting to clench.

"I'm leaving! Your lady will be going through some tests soon though. We may come in and take her away in a few days." Luther said before leaving.

The door shutting was the only sound in the room for awhile.

Then Shirou walked over to his dresser,"I doubt they gave you actual clothes." He pulled out a large shirt and tossed it over to Semiramis.

"Put that on. The last thing we need is someone going after you."

Semiramis caught the fabric and she quickly slipped it on. The shirt only went to her thighs but it was better then what she had been wearing. She looked at Shirou again.

The man had put on another shirt and had picked up a pair of jeans. He looked at Semiramis' waist before putting them away.

"Your waist is too small." He said before his eyes widened slightly,"Not that it's a bad thing. I mean-"

"It's fine." Semiramis said softly,"You didn't offend me." She rubbed her arms and looked away. She was more worried about what Shirou would say with what he knew now.

She heard footsteps walk over to her and she looked up at Shirou. She swallowed thickly and was tempted to step back. The man was so close to her.

Shirou's eyes were serious. His voice was gentle when he talked though.

"Where did you get bruises like that?"