Rebirth (Trinity Blood Fanfic)

Chapter 15: "You're Not A Burden"

At the sound of the voice behind her, Cam had to fight the smile that was trying to play on her lips. Instead, she kept the focus on her target and listened to the voice whispering in her ear. She reached for an arrow in the pile that was on the ground beside her and took hold of it between her fingers, positioning it on the bow.

"Wait," Hugue's deep voice whispered in her ear. He was knelt down behind her and had taken hold of her elbow. "Straighten yourself, your shoulders. Relax your elbow, not so high," he instructed, gently molding her into the ideal posture. Cam allowed him to move her without exerting any force against him. "Keep your sights locked on your target. Do not let your sight waver, be still."

"Will you be talking the whole time?" Cam whispered back, feeling his face edging closer to hers. There was a time when she would apologize for her impulsive remarks, but she was now beyond that. Although, there was once a time when Hugue would ignore her deliberate teasing, but it seemed that he, too, had gone past that point.

"Do you want to learn to shoot or not?" Hugue shot back quietly, which earned him a quick glance from his student. He had to fight the urge to smile. "Eyes on your target."

Cam cheekily shot a side glance at Hugue before her gaze immediately shot back to the rabbit in the distance. It was still peacefully chewing on the grass before it, having detected no threat whatsoever.

A warmth grew within Hugue and he felt his lips trying to tremble into a smile but he fought to remain composed. "Keep your eyes on your target. Rely on that, not your fingers," the Captain said as he edged his hand over Cam's, also taking hold of the arrow. This was the first time Hugue had ever made any intimate form of physical contact and Cam wasn't sure if he was only guiding her as a proof of dominance. She jerked her hand slightly to see if he would maintain contact but his grip remained firm. Still, she kept her focus but her breathing became slightly unsteady. It was then that she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Cam winced but remained in her position, unmoving and focused as she felt Hugue's eyes dart immediately towards her. "I'm fine," Cam reassured softly but there was no movement, no indication from Hugue that he had heard her at all. Cam couldn't help but notice that Hugue's lips were now only centimeters from her ear and she couldn't help but think that they had never been this close before. She had to suppress the idea that she might actually be enjoying herself. It's just guilt, Cam. Nothing more.

"Now, pull back..." Cam held her breath as she obeyed. At the same time, she felt Hugue's hand following through, guiding her. "...And breathe."

Cam took a breath and released. It was only after a split second that the rabbit collapsed onto the ground, the wooden stalk of the arrow sticking out of its head.

"Yes!" Cam exclaimed joyfully as she stood. She had forgotten that Hugue's head was still resting above her shoulder and her sudden movement caused her to bash into him. "Ah, oh I'm so sorry!"

Hugue was still crouched on the ground, rubbing the bottom half of his face. Mostly, it was to relieve the pain but it was partly also to hide the smile that he could no longer control.

Cam continued watching him with a deep concern as Hugue began to approach the rabbit. She followed him through the grass of the woodland and stood beside him over the carcass of her target. She was surprised at how squarely she had hit the centre of its head.

Hugue bent down once again to inspect her work. "A clean shot on your first proper try. Impressive," he uttered as he yanked the arrow out of the rabbit's head. "Seems like a suitable breakfast." Hugue took the end of his shirt and was going to wipe the blood off the arrowhead.

"Wait!" Cam quickly crouched beside him and produced a handkerchief from the pocket of her tattered trousers. "We can't have the Captain of the Empress' Army sullying himself on rabbit's blood." She cleaned the blood off the arrowhead while it was still in Hugue's hand and didn't notice that he was staring at her.