Even If It Kills Me ¦ Kozume Kenma

Chapter Three

When the sun was beginning to set, [name] went to the river to wash her face. She had been thinking of how she’ll act around Kenma and Tetsurou, and concluded that she should start from square one again. Grabbing a few more apples for the journey, she went back to camp, finding Kenma stirring awake already.

“Good morning, Kenma,” [name] greets the male with a smile on her face. It was the same smile she wore on the first day they met, the same smile that had lured Kenma in and resulted in him befriending the assassin in an undercover mission to save him.

The smile was real, Kenma knew. He’s known her for years, and he knows that she really meant it because the corner of her eyes wrinkled in a way only she could do unknowingly. “.. Morning,” Kenma responds back, mentally cursing himself for being so observant and having these thoughts just because of her smile.

“Slept well, I hope?” [Name] asks next. “We have a long journey ahead of us. Breakfast?” She offers him an apple, which the male eagerly accepted.

As [name] walked up to him, she carefully hands him the apple. The slight feel of their skin together sent Kenma a jolt of happiness. He gripped at the apple, and slowly bit into it.

[Name] approaches the sleeping figure of Tetsurou next. She made sure to not be too close to him, reminding herself that she has to regain his trust as well for them to be able to survive together. “Tetsurou? Wake up, it’s time to go.”

It took awhile for Tetsurou to even stir awake, but [name] smiles when Tetsurou gradually stood up to stretch and have a yawn leave his lips. “Good morning, sir. Are you ready to leave now?” The assassin politely asked.

Tetsurou hums a reply, “Where will we be heading?” He asks her curiously.

“If I remember correctly, which I do, there will be a town not too far west. We’ll be able to get much more proper food for us there, and then we’ll head off more to the east,” she reveals her plan to them honestly. She wouldn’t lie to them now, so she’ll stay as honest as possible to them to be able to regain their trust fair and square.

“Why the east side?” Kenma asks their supposed leader. He raises his eyebrows in question, not really sure what is there to find in the east side of the world.

[Name] begins to move forward, beckoning for the two to follow her quickly. “The east is being ruled by the Crows, Kenma,” she informs him politely. “If you had been listening to your history lessons, you’ll remember that the Cats and the Crows have an alliance together. Presenting yourself as the Cat’s new leader would surely make them agree to help you until you’re back on your feet,” she sends him a smile as she explains to him.

Tetsurou clears his throat, “The Owls can help us, too, you know,” he notifies the female. “Kenma and I are well known there, too. We’re friends with the inheritor of the group?” He suggests, but deep inside he would rather go with his idea.

“Ah,” [name] chuckles, nodding her head. “Yes, I’m familiar, Tetsurou. Bokuto and Akaashi, right? I had met them on their last visit. That is a nice idea, but it would take much longer to go to the north side, and the Snakes know that we have connections with them. So it’s better to play safe and be smarter than them, which is siding with our old allies.”

With a dejected sigh, Tetsurou simply gives in. Kenma mentally snickers, finding their conversation amusing to hear.

It took about four hours for them to be able to see the next town up ahead. The trio cheers at their accomplishment and resumes to pace towards the town.

Upon arriving at the town, [name] quickly finds themselves some food. She purchases them with the money she stole from the hunter she killed last night.