Your Love Frees Me

15, The Rescue Mission

"You did what!?" Shirayuki approached Obi, boiling with rage. But he didn't look at her. "Obi, look at me right now!" She demanded. He glanced at her. "How could you just leave her like that!? You love her, don't you!?" Obi remained silent. "A slave... that would explain a lot about her behavior," Mitsuhide said, thinking out loud. Zen nodded, "it would, you're right. Still, this is unacceptable, and something needs to be done about the human trafficking problem once and for all; the number of incidences has decreased drastically since we took care of the Claw of the Sea a few years ago, but it seems some instances still slip through the cracks..." Shirayuki nodded, looking towards Zen. "But Zen, Shirayuki, your honeymoon," Mitsuhide began. Kiki came through the doors just then. "She's gone. Reports have been made of her leaving the castle with her bag. Also, it appears she left this," Kiki drew the rose pin from her pocket. Obi snapped his head towards Kiki, his eyes wide with shock, as he locked onto the pin.

She wasn't supposed to leave.

Shirayuki looked at Zen; the newlyweds communicated with no words. They grinned at each other, looking to Mitsuhide, "I can't think of a better way to start our honeymoon, than by going on a rescue mission," Zen stated. Shirayuki nodded, "right, Obi?"

Obi stood, his fists balled up, a serious determination in his eyes. He was still mad. Furious. Hurt, most of all. But they were right. He couldn't just leave her. He still loved her. He nodded, "right."

The rain was really coming down now. They were nearly to the bakery, the thin rain drops stinging their faces as they rode. A storm of emotions had been clashing within Obi the entire ride so far. He was nearly ready to implode. He needed to save her. To see her face once again. To make it right.

There was a small boy outside the bakery, huddled against the wall, his knees drawn to his chest as he tried to keep warm. "Koji?" Obi hopped off his horse, and Koji looked up. The poor boy was shivering and sobbing. "Who are you?" He sniffed, wiping the snot from his face. "I'm Obi, I'm a friend. I know your sister," he answered as he approached. "Oh my goodness," Shirayuki approached him next, taking him into her arms as she examined him. "He's coming down with pneumonia, and his wound needs to be dressed right away." "Koji, what is going on out here!?" Rheul came outside, but promptly froze when she saw everyone. Obi thrusted her to the wall, his face in hers, his eyes wild.

Lightning struck nearby.

"Where is she!?" He demanded. Rhuel had never been so terrified. "I-I sold her, she's long gone by now." "Which way!?" Rhuel pointed, and with the next flash of lightening, Obi was gone.

"Rhuel, you are under arrest for child abuse, human trafficking, and human enslavement. Kiki, I leave her in your hands. Shirayuki, you stay with Kiki and look to the boy's wounds." Shirayuki nodded, "leave it to me." "Mitsuhide, you and I will catch up to Obi, and aide in Hana's rescue. They couldn't have gone too far on horse in this weather."

It wasn't long before Obi caught up to them, jumping through the trees. There were more of them now. Six. The man had no doubt met up with his friends along the way. He scanned them all, noting their weapons. And then he saw her. Flung over the back of a horse, tied, as if she were nothing but a damned piece of luggage. His pupils dilated. Rage continued to pile up inside. He growled, thrusting his daggers at his prey.

Gero fell over. The group immediately halted, angry and ready for a fight. They would not give up their prize so easily. Gero's horse reared violently as its rider fell to the ground. Hana screamed, terrified and confused, as she was flown off from the frightened horse. She squeezed her eyes shut, her breath still, expecting to be trampled, whether it be by the horses, or all the men scrambling around, ready for blood.

"Obi! Get her to safety! We'll take care of the rest of them!"

It was Zen's voice.

Hana opened her eyes and gasped for air when she heard his voice. She felt disoriented. She was moving quickly through the woods; the sight of the trees flashing by her was confusing. She realized then, that she was not moving on her own. She looked up, her eyes wide, "Obi!" She gasped. She was within his arms. Obi glanced down at her.

His emotions were still mixed up inside. He stopped, jumping from the tree to the ground, his eyes locked with hers. He was still hurt and angry. At her. At himself. At the situation. But holding her here, right now, he was also relieved. He knelt down, nestling her within his lap. "There," he cut the rope binding her wrists and ankles, keeping his hands gently wrapped around her raw wrists.

Once her hands were free, Hana immediately cupped his face, still feeling so desperate and shaken up. "Obi, I-I am so sorry, Obi," her voice was shaky, and tears ran down, mixing in with the rain and blood that also dripped down her face. "I hope you can forgive me," she balled her fists, burying her head into his chest as she sobbed.

Obi's anger suddenly melted away. He had her back. She was safe, and right now, that was all that mattered. He pressed his hand against the back of her head, resting his chin atop her head. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He stood up, and Hana looked at him, her large purple eyes desperate. "You've done nothing wrong, none of this was your fault, Hana." Hana threw her arms around him, "thank you so much, Obi," she sniffled.

He set her down, keeping his arm around her waist, their bodies touching. He brought his other hand up to the base of her head, entangling his fingers through her hair, pushing her bangs back behind her ear, and pulling the rose pin from his pocket, put it back in for her. "You forgot that," he said as he gazed lovingly upon her for a moment, grazing her cheeks with his hands, and cupping her face, kissed her, thankful to have her back in his arms. Nothing else mattered.

The rain stopped.

"Oh!" She collapsed, her legs giving way. She felt so weak and unsteady. "Are you okay, Hana?" Obi asked, his voice full of concern. Hana nodded, "yes, but I... I haven't the strength to even stand right now," she tittered. Obi smiled, lifting her onto his back, "I'll take care of that." Hana wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder as she breathed in deeply, taking his scent in.

She had never felt so safe.