The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

The In-Between

Song: The In-Between - In This Moment

 After I'm finished drawing the symbols on our bodies with soot, I look around to compare it to the others. It's almost perfect... as long as Mitsuhide stops touching his. I smack his hand away and hiss at him to leave it alone. I sigh as I realize that even with the mark there's no way Mitsuhide would be allowed in with the way he is dressed right now.

"Mitsuhide, how attached are you to your clothes?"

"They're removable so not exactly-"

"I'm going to hurt you." I sigh, dragging a hand down my face. "We need to change your clothes, Hide. You look too castle lackey for where we're going."

"What about you?"

I arch a brow and he nods, admitting his defeat.

Twenty minutes later, Mitsuhide is dressed in street clothes, having bartered his outfit throughout the market. Now all we have to do is make it to the entrance and get inside. Mitsuhide has to not die or get lost or sold and I have to keep him from being killed, lost, or sold. I remind him to stay close and not touch anything or talk to anyone. He sighs and follows me through the crowds and noise while I silently curse the balmy weather. In the sea of stalls, tents, and storefronts, I notice a small black tent with the flaps closed around it. The market shoppers seem to all keep a wide arc around it on all sides, except the few that make their way inside.

"Is that it? It seems rather small for what you've talked it up to." Mitsuhide whispers.

"That's just the entrance." I retort. "Remember, keep quiet and stay close. Don't touch anything, no eye contact either."

"I feel like you're bossier than Zen."

"Is that a problem? I could always leave you out here or let you get taken, sold, killed, or eaten once we're inside. Do you know how much a kidney sells for down there?"

"Eaten?"

"Anything can happen in The Death Market." I shrug.

"Woah, woah, wait a second. You never said this place was called a death market."

"Because it's not A death market. It's The Death Market." I smirk and pull back the flap before shoving him inside the tent.

As I enter the tent behind him, we're plunged into darkness once the flap falls back into place. My eyes adjust quickly and I step in front of Mitsuhide immediately after noticing two hooded figures standing near a set of stairs leading into the ground between them. I eye them evenly and after a tense silence, one asks for the key. I lift my sleeve and show them the mark on my forearm and Mitsuhide does the same. They don't move after and I ready myself to grab a dagger if needed, but the left one speaks.

"If I drink, I die. If I eat, I am fine. What am I?"

"Fire?" I answer after a moment.

"Welcome to The Death Market." They say in unison before stepping aside to allow us entrance.

I lead Mitsuhide down the stairs into a cave like tunnel in the ground, lit only by a few spaced out candles here and there. The tunnel is tall enough for us to stand with only a slight bending of our heads. Thankfully the walls and ceiling are smooth. I can feel the childlike excitement pouring off of Mitsuhide as we walk and I resist the urge to burst his bubble further.

"Just remember to stay close and don't touch anything. Words can also count as contracts so don't speak to anyone for any reason. Never give your name either."

"You make this place sound like something in a twisted fairy tale."

"But it's reality. Don't forget that."

Almost ten minutes later, we reach the end of the tunnel and I climb the earthen stairs up into another tent.

"Where are we now?" He asks quietly.

"In the middle of The Death Market."

Mitsuhide and I leave the tent and are immediately greeted by dozens of different sights and smells. There are market stalls as far as the eye can see, all set up along the wooden decking spanning the area. I remind him again of my rules before starting to scan the stalls for the jewel we're supposed to be finding. The sun is reflecting off the water surrounding us, making the salty breeze feel even warmer.

"Nanaki?"

"Yes Hide?"

"Are we on an island?"

"Yes we are."

"Nanaki?"

I sigh and look up from an intricately carved sword. "Yes?"

"Is that a lung?"

I turn and glance at the jar he's staring at, his face paling. "Yes. Not human though."

"Nanaki?"

"What is it now Hide?"

"Who is that?"

I turn and follow his gaze to the next row over where a young woman is walking by, the crowds parting down the middle to make room for her. She's tall and rather thin, her skin super pale and her eyes gold. Her hair is unusual, wavy and black but what's different are the blood red and faded green streaks throughout. Dressed all in black, she fits in with the crowd, but with her presence, she stands out like a beacon. Her steps don't falter, but as she passes even with us, her eyes cut over to meet mine and a small smirk tugs at her lips. I follow her retreating back with my eyes until I can no longer see her, then finally look away.

"I have no idea Hide."

"She seemed scary. I wonder if she's an assassin."

"It's entirely possible. There are people from all walks of life here. Keep that in mind and don't make eye contact."

"You act like I'm going to do something stupid."

"Well..." I sigh. "You're about to touch a human heart. I'd count that as stupid."

He withdraws his hand quickly and moves closer to me.

"Point taken."