Keeping Secrets *Mitsuhide x OC*(COMPLETE)

Rainy Days

Reila is a little upset today. When I woke her up in the library this morning, she noticed it was raining so it means that we can't work on her swords skills and she can't fight with Obi either. She asked me if we could anyway but I told her that I couldn't risk her getting sick so she finally caved and went to get ready for the day. She asked me to wait in the library for her since she plans on spending the day in here after breakfast because I won't let her outside. I lean against the wall near the doors to wait as I suppress a yawn. Thanks to Obi annoying me at every turn, I couldn't get myself to sleep last night. The rain isn't helping either. I hear her voice in the corridor and scowl, figuring it to be Obi but I pause as I realize it's someone much worse.

"Hello Miss Canswen."

"H-Hello Prince Izana, it's nice to see you." She sounds slightly terrified.

"I was wondering how things are going with my brother. I hope he is treating you well."

Oh no. Please don't mention anything...

"Things are going really well. I hate that he had to leave, I miss him terribly, but I understand his duties as a prince."

"That's wonderful." There's his condescending tone again. "I hope that things work out, not only for our kingdom, but for your family as well. I know about your family's situation, so I know how important it is that you make it work. I'd hate for something to happen because you couldn't gain a marriage proposal."

"Yes, Prince Izana. Thank you for your concern."

Reila enters the library a few minutes later and takes a deep calming breath before turning to me, plastering a fake smile on her face. She asks if I'm ready to go eat but I lightly catch her forearm before she can walk out. I ask if she's alright and she nods but her eyes avoid mine. I release her arm with a sigh and go to follow her out but she wraps her arms around my torso and hides her face in my shirt. I tense before slowly moving my arms to hug her in return. That weird fluttery feeling is back.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask softly. "This doesn't quite seem like something people who are okay do."

Despite her sniffling, I feel her giggle slightly before she pulls away. Her eyes are filled with unshed tears that she tries to blink away. She wipes her face with the sleeves of her top and attempts a smile anyway.

"I'm alright, really."

"Would you like to have breakfast here in the library today?" I ask, trying to change the topic.

I know she's lying, I know that she is upset by whatever Izana was talking about but I don't want to continue to push her and make it worse. She enjoys being here in the library so perhaps this will lighten her mood. We can hide in here all day if it makes her feel better.

"That sounds nice, actually."

She goes to follow me out but I tell her that she can stay and search for her book for the day. I'd bring the food back for us.

When I return to the library with our food I find Obi sitting beside her, his arm draped across the back of the couch behind her. I exhale through my nose as I fix the back of his head with a glare. I bump his feet off the table and hand a plate to Reila before sitting in a chair with my own.

"Where's my food?" Obi asks as he cuts me a mischievous smirk.

"Somewhere far away. Perhaps you should go find it." I mumble.

"That's rude."

"Obi, if I give you a piece of bacon and my toast, would that suffice?" Reila asks.

"You don't have to give up your food for Obi, Miss. He's capable of getting his own."

"You are just so sweet Miss Reila. I am unworthy of your kindness." Obi purrs as he lifts her free hand and gently kisses it while maintaining eye contact with me.

As he pulls away from her, he takes a piece of toast and a slice of bacon from her plate as he gets to his feet.

"Thank you for your kindness Miss. I hope to spend more quality time with you." He winks at her and casts me a look over his shoulder as he wanders out.

I glare at his back before turning to look at her. "Did he bother you?"

"No more than usual, Obi is rather harmless. Thank you for the food though."

Reila and I are settled on the couch as she reads aloud. Her back is resting against my forearm and the contact has given me a strange feeling, though it's not the flutter that I'd felt before. I'm not sure what this is. Her book today is about a young boy who falls in love with a girl from a rival family and from the way it sounds, someone is going to end up dead. It's a lovely story though. That or it's just her voice as she reads. The rain is still pattering against the windows and the world outside is washed in grey. It's incredibly peaceful. I notice her voice starting to trail off here and there and her head drifting toward the back of the couch but she jolts herself awake each time. I chuckle lightly.

"Miss Reila, if you're tired you could always take a short nap."

"No... No... I'm-" She pauses as a yawn escapes. "I'm awake Mitsuhide."

She shifts so she is sitting with her back against the couch again and shakes her head in an effort to wake herself up, but I can see the slight dazed look in her eyes as she starts to read again.

"-Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, but be sworn... my love, And I'll no longer be..."

Her voice trails off again and I look over a moment later to find her asleep, her finger still pointing to the line that she left off of. I smile softly and carefully take the book from her lap and mark the page before getting to my feet. Without waking her, I lift her into my arms and carry her back to her room. Perhaps she can get some much needed rest. Her eyes had started to show faint circles from lack of sleep these past few days. I gently lay her on her bed and cover her with the blankets. As I move to straighten and leave, I brush her hair from her eyes and gently kiss her forehead. Why did I just do that? Oh no, no, no, no. I should not have done that. I back away and pray that she doesn't wake up. I'll just... forget it happened. Yes, good idea Mitsuhide. Better than your idea to kiss her forehead! I bite my lip and turn around but tense as I hear her shift.

"Are you leaving Mitsuhide...?" She asks softly, her voice very light and quiet. "Could you stay for a while...?"

I turn around slowly, hoping that perhaps she's simply talking in her sleep, but her eyes are half-open as she stares up at me hopefully.

"Uh- sure, Miss Reila."