Black Roses

Chapter 9

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Ace sighed, "Look, I'm sorry."

"Oh whatever for? You're Ace Blakwood, are you sure you know what sorry even means?"

"Hell Zaria! It was a joke! It's not like I was planning on hurting him. He seemed to be fine with me."

Shade? Normal with anyone wasn't common. He usually only listened to Zaria and ignored any other presence. Silence filled up the space between her and Ace, only Shade's moving hooves could be heard.

"Stop, this is good," Zaria hopped down the saddle. "You came here to hunt, right? So we'll do that."

"Are you gonna watch me or...?" Ace's words fell from his lips as Zaria brought out her knives, she still kept three hidden, one in each boot and the other under her sleeve. Hunting wasn't her thing, she had more skills setting up snares and traps, but a little aim practice could do her well.

"Oh Ace, I can't believe you asked me that. I've never felt so flattered in my life. But I couldn't possibly risk melting my eyes of such glory!" She batted her eyes and gave Ace mocking smile.

"Well, all I can say is that you're missing out. Don't blame me later," Drawing out his bow and arrow he slowly made this way through the forest.

Finally, some peace. Zaria set her posture straight, tilted her body side wards and threw her arm. Blades were flying, so fast you could hear the tip diving its way through air and sound. The sun played with each knives' reflection, glinting the blades, but never once catching Zaria out of focus.

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Ace had hoped that Zaria would be with him hunting, but in the mood she was in now, he didn't dare to even think of asking her again. Despite this, he really preferred hunting in solitude unless Splinter was in the picture.

He loved the sound the leaves made when they were trampled on, how the sunlight would filter through the branches dancing on rocks and stones and just how everything in nature worked together without hardly any guidance.

Suddenly Ace spotted a twitch, one slight movement. He scanned the area only smiling when he finally found two long ears sticking out of a bush. He angled his arrow, closed one eye, just to be sure of distance, drew back his arm, stretching back his shoulder and let his weapon soar. He wouldn't be needing any money to spend on lunch or dinner today.

Ace grabbed the hare by the ears and happily whistled as he walked back to Zaria. Skinning and cleaning his catch may have not been the situation in which he wanted to talk to Zaria to, but it was all he had. At this moment he wanted to know about her necklace more than anything else, he had spent long enough trying to earn her trust. But at least they had some sort of connection.

He gradually stopped whistling, slowing his pace and lightly treading across the forest. Surprising Zaria was most definitely not the best idea, but he wanted to try to lighten and ease the mood. He could hear a horse chewing on grass close by, Zaria must not be too far then. He was just about to turn around when two swords clashed around his neck.

"Best be careful Ace, never let your guard down. I expected much more from you."

Ace felt the heat in cheeks, his face slowly turned the colour of the poppies that grew near the town. Show nothing. He forced his mind to focus on those two words and turn to the cloak figure.

"What the hell are you doing here? Someone could see! At least go behind this tree. And you tell me that I was the one that always disappoints." Ace's blood was boiling but he was more relaxed now.

"First of all, you are. Second, we need to know, is that her?"

Ace turned away.

"Look, I don't know yet. I have my suspicions, but she also has hers. I need to be delicate and go at a slow pace. Now get lost!"

"You better stride faster, they're getting restless."

"You can go tell those vultures to go and kiss my- "

"Shut it Blakwood! I may have come alone, but they still have ears and eyes on you. Just be careful, promise me."

Whenever Kai took such tone in his voice it was hard for Ace to retaliate, nonetheless, this was one of the rare times where they both actually agreed. Ace nodded a goodbye and put on his usual laid-back facade. Show nothing.

Both Kai and Ace left without another word. Kai back to his cloak and and shadows and Ace off to find Zaria and Shade.

<<< 'Kay so I lied about the weekly thing, at least I'm uploading though, right? What did you guys think of Kai??? I've decided that I'm going to be writing and uploading whenever I can, so yeah you might see two or three chapters one week and then only one next week. I don't know! I'll be back soon, promise! Vote, comment and share!!! Byeeeeeee! >>>