A Chance Granted By the Blue Moon [Yamazaki x OC Fanfic]

17

            “For being spring, it’s pretty chilly out tonight. Right, Tsuki?”

            My horse found her way to me, worried after all of the commotion. She blended into the night, the single white mark on her head sticking out a bit. I sat near her hooves; she stood over me protectively, dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

            “I apologize; I took longer than I expected.”

            “It’s fine. I had Tsuki.” He offered his hand and I gently took it, pulling myself to my feet. “Can we head back to my camp? It’s getting late and actually quite cold, but I have a blanket at my camp to keep warm.” I wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing at my upper arms. “…I assume you’re staying with me, by the way?”

            He only nodded gently. “I had to go and ask Hijikata.”

            “I see. Thanks, Susumu.” Tsuki nudged my back as we walked, earning a confused gaze from Yamazaki. “She wants me to ride her, that’s all.”

            “Then why don’t you?”

            “Because, that’d be rude. To let my legs rest and make you walk, I mean.” I shrugged and kept walking.

            “You’re injured, Ayamei. I assure you, I wouldn’t consider it rude at all. You need the rest.”

            I glanced up at Tsuki, then over at Yamazaki. “You’re sure you’re alright with it?”

            “Positive.”

            “Alright.” I grabbed at the horn of Tsuki’s saddle and put one foot in the stirrup. I tried to pull myself up, but my body was still a bit sore. Suddenly, however, I felt something pushing against my other foot, helping me lift myself up and over Tsuki. I looked down, smiling at Yamazaki. “Thank-you.”

            He just smiled back up at me. “She’s a big horse; I figured you might have some trouble is all.”

            “Yeah. Kazama cut me up pretty bad. It’ll heal really soon, obviously, but it still hurts a bit.”

            “All the more reason you should be riding your horse.”

            I didn’t bother holding the reins tightly; I knew that Tsuki knew where to go to get back to my small camp. Instead, I wrapped my arms around her neck and rested against it. “Thank-you, Tsuki.” She pushed back a bit on her neck, acknowledging me. I leaned back again, reaching down and into the bag strapped to Tsuki. My cat plush, Maki, sat snugly in the pouch. “Susumu?”

            “Hm?”

            “Do you know who I’ll be sparring with tomorrow?”

            “I’m sure it’ll be with one of the captains.”

            “Alright.” That sounded fine to me; I didn’t really think that they’d hurt me. If anything, I’d be deemed unworthy and told to not bother with the Watch.

            We finally found our way back to the camp. I sat atop Tsuki for a while, pondering how I was going to get off of her. Yamazaki look up at me and, stepping closer, waited for me. I felt a bit weak, considering it was the second time I’d be requiring his assistance. I swung one foot around, putting it in the same stirrup as my other foot. I then grabbed on to the horn of the saddle and removed my left foot from the stirrup, landing softly on the ground. I removed my other foot and let go of the horn. I didn’t need his help, that time, but he was there in case I did.