Twice a Day

Chapter 6: Fairy Night

 --Author's Note: A day late, I'm sorry! Hope you guys enjoy the belated chapter!--

"It is late. We set up before the sun sets. The alternative is pitching a tent in the dark."

You nodded seriously. "Never a good time."

He hummed in agreement, scanning the area nearby. "It is warm enough without a fire, so we can camp in the shade of the trees."

"For cover?" You were learning, as evidenced by his curt nod. He guided you through a few bushes, pointing (concerningly with the hand holding his sword) towards a dry spot between two heavy oaks. "Good thinking."

Goemon took the compliment surprisingly well this time. "I do this frequently."

"So you can set up a tent without any help from me, too?"

Now he was floundering. "Ah... Um... Yes, but... Well..."

With minimal effort, the tent was ready. A sturdy thing, too, and it worked all the better in your favor. Goemon was right about the temperature being fine during the day, but in a thinner tent in these mountains, the chill would have sliced you faster than his own blade. Of course, if it did prove to get chilly, you had a hot water bottle named Goemon sharing it with you.

It was an indisputable fact. After all, he WAS right there, squatting awkwardly as you sat cross-legged on the bumpy tent floor, unrolling your sleeping bag. However, Goemon was intent on being as solitary as he could.

"Here, you can put yours by mine, and we'll leave the packs on the corner over there. Nothing's more uncomfy than rolling on top of a backpack in your sleep." Not that you were speaking from experience, but you assumed the cold zippers and stiff fabric would be a less than exemplary pillow.

Goemon sat beside you, slowly taking off his bag with purpose. "By... Yours?"

"Where else?" you asked. It was an innocent enough question.

"Where else," he repeated to himself, staring intently at the floor. "Where else?" It was weaker the second time around, and he turned his attention to the ceiling as if expecting an answer to fall from the sky.

"And, to be honest, I don't want to accidentally get stabbed by your sword in my sleep."

His mood changed considerably. "Zantetsuken does not spill pure and innocent blood."

You blinked at each other for a moment. "You think I'm pure?"

Goemon bristled. "I am going to set up my mat outside."

"No, no!" You laughed, pulling him back by the sleeve. "I'm teasing. Stay with me!"

He blushed yet again at the plea. "You are hardly better than my normal company."

You smiled, wide and unapologetic. "So they rope you into things a lot, huh?"

More than you could possibly know, he thought. "Often, yes. A-are you done already?"

"Hmm? Oh!" You definitely hadn't just got lost in thought staring at his face. "Of course! You just roll it out."

Goemon shook his head. "If you want to sleep with rocks poking your abdomen." He reached for another blanket he'd stashed in your bag and a small mat, rolled just like the bag was. He unfurled it with a flourish, one so sharp you thought the tent beams would snap, and set it down on the opposite side of the tent. "Place it above that." He paused. "Um, please."

You did as told. "And the other?"

"This goes under the bag, above you. The sleeping bag seals in heat, but it is not very comfy. This solves that."

Okay, sleeping 101 with Goemon. "So you'd do the same?" He nodded, and set down his mat...

Across the whole width of the tent from you.

"Goemon."

"I do not wish to disturb your sleep."

"Yeah? Goemon, look at me."

"I--... I am fine looking in this direction." You could hear the strain in his voice, and you were sure he could hear the smile in yours. "You should be getting rest."

You gave in. "Oh, alright. Don't think you've won this battle." You lifted the blanket and slid inside, immediately understanding what Goemon meant about the proper warmth. It felt like a loose, but soothing hug. "It's harder to get your attention from across the room, though."

"No worries, you always have my attention." The lack of a sputtered recovery made it clear Goemon didn't catch on the heartwarming implications of his words. You grinned, cheeks warm, and settled further into your little nest. "Is that your only concern?"

No, it wasn't, but you decided if he really didn't want to be close, it wasn't going to kill you. "I guess so. As long as you're okay."

"I am so long as you are."

"I am! So... Good night, Goemon." You buried your face into your pillow, noticing how it smelled vaguely like the creek from earlier.

"Good night."

It was colder when you woke than it was when you fell asleep, which seemed backwards to you. The sun had risen, so why was the breeze so sharp? Why did hiding deeper in your sleeping bag seem to do nothing in your favor?

Unable to sleep anymore, you sat up and immediately shrieked. Goemon was already awake, standing outside the tent. It was funny, being able to see him from inside the tent. Although, that did tend to happen when you found your tent had been shredded.

On each side, chaotic claw-like rips mauled the fabric, some strips cut off entirely while others flew in the wind, connected to the tent only by threads. Goemon looked stern. Had he seen the culprit? Was the tent murderer nearby?

"What... uh, good morning," you began nervously. "What happened?"

He turned to you, the stone-cold expression unchanged. "A warning. We have to go."

You pulled yourself out of the bag, hurriedly gathering the items that had strangely been untouched. "They didn't take anything. They didn't hurt you, did they? I'm not hurt."

"They are not trying to rob us. They want us off their trail."

You stuffed the last into the pack, standing shakily as your legs were still heavy with sleep. "Why didn't you wake me earlier? We could have left!"

"You needed rest."

"But-- How long have you been up?"

"Long enough. Nothing was going to harm you while you slept. But now, we really have to leave." He'd already had his bag ready, picking it up from the grass beside him.

You started to ask about the tent, but quickly changed your mind. It was practically unsalvageable, worthless, and what a shame too! But you were thankful it was only your tent that had been slashed as opposed to your neck.

You started on the path, looking back at him for directions. "So, now what?"

"That much is up to you."