It was quiet, incredibly so, and it hadn't been lost on Ameko. She avoided making eye contact with anyone as she helped pack up breakfast, preparing to continue their trek toward Ijihima. She didn't know how Nikado was doing, for she had avoided him most of all, feeling guilty. It had been him that she had come to rely on the most, even over the couple of weeks she'd been with the caravan, and to her it hurt the most to have her discover who she was. It was a nice dream, I guess. To let Ameko Satoka die and just be Ame. But I guess I can't hide no matter what I do. I just--
Her depressing thoughts were interrupted by Talira's voice. "Hey, Ame?"
"Huh?" She turned around and was swiftly dealt a kick in the face.
"Talira!" she heard Nikado shout in horror as she fell to the ground, putting a hand to her face.
"You stay out of this," she snapped at her twin before regarding the older woman, hands on her hips. "Are you done moping? It's hella aggravating and I've just about had enough. So that bastard blabbed your oh so big secret. Nobody cares. We don't roll that way, sweetheart, and if you can get that through your thick, overdeveloped skull, we'd like to have you get your ass in gear. We've got a town to make."
Ameko rubbed at her face, grimacing as she felt a tender spot on her cheek. "Did you really have to kick me?"
"Of course I did. You're fucking dense, same as that brother of mine. No wonder you two get along," she huffed. "You ain't got no sense and neither does he."
"All right, I get it," she grumbled, getting to her feet. "Don't kick me again."
"I won't kick you again if you stop being a dumbass about this. Fair?"
She nodded agreement. "Good," Talira said in satisfaction. "Now onto business. Are you mad at my brother?"
"Just the opposite. How could I be mad at him? He saved me."
"Well, that's not exactly the obvious conclusion to draw, considering you've been acting like he kicked your puppy or something," Talira pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
"It's not that. I just...I'll talk to him, okay?"
"Good. You two guard our ass for today, I'll take the front with Jer," Talira told her before turning on her heel, flouncing off.
"That woman is very difficult," Ameko grumbled, trying not to rub at her cheek again as Nikado walked over to her.
"You're not hurt, are you?" he asked in concern. "I'm sorry, she gets an idea in her head and then she just does it and there's no dissuading her."
"Nothing's broken, and I probably deserved it, anyway." She moved toward the back of the caravan, which was starting to move, gesturing for Nikado to follow. "It's not you."
"What's not me?"
"Why I've been avoiding you, if that's what you were thinking."
"It was what I was thinking," he sighed. "I told myself I'd never use my power in that sort of mood. It's dangerous, because I usually don't regret it."
"There are a lot of people that would have done the same if they were in your shoes, Nikado."
"I'm not a lot of people. I'm just me. And it's not acceptable to me," he sighed. "It's one thing to fight to protect or in self-defense, but that was just spite."
"It was the best you could do in the situation. Honestly," she snorted, "here I am trying to forgive you and you won't even forgive yourself. This conversation isn't going to get far."
He managed a slight smile at that. "Well, sorry for being such a downer. You seem like you're in better spirits, at least."
"No. Not really." She sighed. "It's...nice to know that no one here sees me differently because of my name, because of what I was born into. I've never been looked at by people like that in my entire life. But...it doesn't change the facts. My being here is a danger to you all. I would never be able to forgive myself if one of you died because of me."
"We're taking it slow," Nikado told her, "we won't make Ihijima for a couple of days at the least. We have time to think of something."
"He knows I'm here, Nikado. The most powerful man in the world knows where I am. There isn't anything that could stop him from coming to get me," she sighed. "I was hoping to stay hidden long enough to make it to a convent, but they're still too far away, even moreso now. I don't have any options left to me."
"There's always a way," he reassured her. "Stay with us, Ame. You're a part of this family now, and we could never just let you run off without a fight. It'd be against everything we live for. You weren't the only one running from a past. We all fight against the nature of the world to live freely. I really believe that if you stay with us, we can still continue to live the way we want."
"I'm sorry, but I don't have your confidence," she sighed. "This is the king we're talking about. Have you met him?"
"No, I've never seen him."
"He's terrifying," she confessed, drawing her arms around herself. "His very presence is...cold, like a pillar of ice. It's almost like he isn't human and he doesn't see others as human. I'm scared of him. Scared of his power and of being trapped by him. If I became Queen...I might end up killing myself, if he didn't kill me first."
"Don't talk like that," Nikado told her, giving her a shake. "I'm not giving up and neither should you."
"Nikado, he's the king. Even your magic isn't enough against him. I don't know if there's a power in the world strong enough."
"I'll be strong," he reassured her. "I become as strong as I need to be. If I have to fight the king himself, then so be it. I'm prepared."
"Stop it!" she shouted at him, causing a few stragglers to look back at them. "Just stop...Nikado. I cannot hurt you more than I already have. I've already sacrificed my own father just for my own survival. I can't sacrifice you as well!"
"Then don't give up!" he told her, giving her a shake of her shoulders.
"But what am I supposed to do?"
"I don't have an answer to that yet," he told her, "but we'll think of something. Okay?" He leaned forward, giving her a quick, soft kiss on the forehead. "I'm going to go check with Aizaem, you stay here for a moment."
Ameko watched him go, feeling her despair worsen. It wasn't enough that she couldn't escape, now she would be dragging someone else down to her inescapable hell because she couldn't make him leave her. Why do the ones around me always get hurt? Why was I born under this cursed prophecy? If it didn't exist, I could have lived happily. If it didn't exist...I could have married him. Damn it all, I love him, I really do, she moaned to herself. I can't let him die, I can't, no matter what.
"All right, I'm back," he told her, reappearing with canteen in hand. "I just wanted to make sure he was okay after yesterday. What's wrong?"
"I...." She felt desperate, and the words came forth. "Nikado, I want you to marry me."
He almost dropped the canteen, caught completely off-guard. "Huh, what? What do you mean, marry you? Like, marry marry?"
"Yes."
"That sort of marry?"
"Nikado, I'm scared to face him alone. I need your strength," she said softly, looking down at the ground. "You must know about the prophecy, right? If you're a hero, we'll have fate on our side, and we could win. We might have a chance, Nikado. I want you to marry me and become the hero in the prophecy."
He looked at her for a long moment, not speaking, but there was a flicker of some emotion in his eyes. "I'm sorry, but I refuse," he told her in a low tone.
It hadn't been the answer she had been expecting to ever hear, least of all from him. "Nikado, but why?"
"Honestly, what kind of proposal is that?" he huffed, crossing his arms. "Is it so wrong to expect something a little more romantic? I'm not a hero, Ameko. That's not my dream. How would marrying you for your prophecy make me any different than all the spoiled nobles that fought over you? A union like that would just make us both unhappy in the end," he told her, turning his back to her. "I want to save myself for the woman that will bear my children. The one that will live with me in a small house and smile when I bring her flowers. Someone who's wise and full of love. This isn't what either of us really wants, Ameko."
She stared at him, mouth open to protest, but nothing would come out. Of course he didn't love her, he barely knew her, and why would a modest traveler like him want with a complicated, cursed princess. "I-I need to go check on the rest of the group," she managed, brushing past him.
"Girl, you look pathetic."
Ameko had found a small pool among the rocks, and had taken a moment to observe her ragged, tear streaked face, the bruise on her cheek starting to show. It certainly wasn't the face that noblemen from all around the world had struggled for. "I'm so stupid," she moaned, taking a seat by the rocks and covering her face. "Of all the men in the world to fall in love with, I choose the one that doesn't feel the same way. I'm so stupid."
She never got to tell him that she did love him. And now, she wasn't sure if she would; despite her letter of reassurances, she had started back the way they had come, starting to make her way back to the central duchy, the home of Shiou, the king. Nothing mattered any more, she thought to herself. Her father, her only love. She'd lost one and was losing the other quickly, so what else mattered? What reason did she really have to live, other than spite and to cause others further suffering? What a selfish person she was, throwing away the life of her own father to ensure her own. Hadn't it occured to her that he would suffer if she left Rahiro? Leaving had only brought her more grief. Was that what her fate was supposed to be?
"Why?" she asked in a voice that trembled, addressing her reflection. "You're the worst, Ameko Satoka. Why did you have to be so weak? You couldn't protect your father, you couldn't protect him, you couldn't even protect yourself. You were a woman who valued your strength. You valued what you could do. What happened to that? Why can't you do anything anymore?"
Dejected, she splashed a hand against the surface, disturbing the reflection. I hate this. I hate this part of me that can't do anything, that cries and gives in when things get tough. I want to have the strength to do what I need to do, what I want to do. I want to be strong.
The sound of a rock falling made her turn, putting a hand on her sword, and then she saw it. From higher up among the rocks, a monster was staring down at her, the massive beast swishing its tail in anticipation of its human meal. She may not have recognized the vaugely cat-like creature, but the eyes she could recall, the image burned into her memory. "So, you've come back for me," she said slowly, running a hand along her stomach as she drew her sword.
In a few moments, her world had suddenly become very simple. Either she became strong and killed the monster, or if she remained weak, it would kill her. It was her own choice and those were her only options. "Sorry," she said softly, looking up at it, "but I don't want to lose to you or anyone else."
It roared, rattling the stones with the sound, and then jumped down for her. Anticipating the movement, she backed out of the way, scoring a hit along its shoulder. The impact was jarring, sending vibrations up her hands, almost as if she'd struck the rock instead, but she could see a small slice in the beast's pelt. So it's got hard skin, she noted as she jumped back, the beast swiping at her. That will make it harder. How smart is it?
With a snarl, it pressed forward, snapping its teeth at her. This time she was prepared, grabbing some loose rocks and throwing them into its mouth and down its throat. While it hacked and coughed from the sudden onslaught, she ducked underneath, slicing at its throat. Turning around the stamping paws, she next aimed a blow at its side, toward its abdomen. Two more slices appeared, not large enough to stab properly, and her hands felt like they were already ready to fall of. Ignoring them, she backed away as the monster cleared its throat, charging for her again with an open mouth.
So it didn't learn. She tossed another handful of rocks, the creature snapping at her, and she aimed for the two spots again, making her cuts wider. Snarling as she scooped up another handful, it charged again.
This time after choking it with rocks, she went straight for the abdomen, slicing again and stabbing her sword deep. The creature let out a squeal, rearing up and wrenching the sword from her hands. Undeterred, she drew a knife from her boot, eyeing the sword and watching to see if she could grab it again.
The monster wasn't going to give her an opportunity. This time it leapt forward with a closed mouth, and opened it just fast enough to bite down on her arm. She couldn't help but scream as she felt flesh and bone give way, her vision becoming hazy.
Not yet! she thought to herself, eyes snapping into focus. Her vision narrowed down to the one spot she wanted to strike, the one blow she had left to give. Before, holding her weapon had given the monster an advantage. Now, holding her arm, it was giving her an advantage. Using her close proximity, she thrust the knife forward into the hole in its pelt she had opened, burying it in the creature's throat.
It opened its mouth to cry again, but it only came out as a gurgle, blood gushing around the knife. Ameko pulled back hastily, cradling her injured arm as the creature came crashing down, the light in its eyes becoming dull before going out.
"Ameko!" She was aware of Nikado calling her name, putting hands on her and jostling her injured arm. "Oh god, Ameko, hang in there!"
"Hi Nikado," she managed woozily. "I brought us supper."
"Are you kidding, we can't eat that," Talira said from nearby.
"Yes we can, once I purify it. It's still a thing with meat," Ameko insisted, wobbling.
"We need to bind her arm up. Talira, find me some sticks, something. Ameko, this is going to hurt a little, all right?" He laid her down before trying to straighten out her broken arm.
"You liar," she moaned, "that does not hurt a little."
I know. I'm sorry. Talira, hurry."
"We're in the crags, there's no sticks up here," she said with a frown. "We'll have to take her back to camp as she is."
"But her arm, if we don't keep it still--"
"I'll be fine," she insisted. "I won't complain, I promise."
"You're so reckless," he complained, picking her up in his arms as gently as he could. "You're going to give me grays before I'm thirty."
"Sorry," she mumbled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I'm done thinking. I'm ready to go back now."
When she woke, she was in the infirmary cart again, Aizaem standing nearby as he worked on something. "Is it back in one piece?" she asked slowly, opening an eye.
"More or less, though I'd advise against letting a monster do that again. You could have caused permanent damage," he said with a frown. "You know, you've only been with us a few weeks and you've been here twice. That's not a good record."
"Sorry," she said with a slight smile. "I'll do better."
"I'm going to hold you to that." Aizaem walked over to the bed, examining her arm. "Now hold still. I need to work on your arm again, and I'd prefer not to knock you unconscious again."
"I thought it was healed?" she whimpered as he leaned over her, placing both hands on her arm. "Oh god. I guess it's not."
"I have to heal this slowly and give you time to heal naturally as well," he told her, "otherwise you could have permanent damage. It serves you right for going up against a monster by yourself."
"It wasn't like I planned it," she protested it. "It just happened."
"So don't let it happen again," he replied calmly as he removed the pressure from Ameko's arm. "That's it for the moment. Now get some rest."
"I don't want to," she complained. "How long has it been?"
He considered, then sighed. "Fine, I suppose you should try and eat something, if you're careful with that arm. Let me prop it up so you can sit up." He pulled out a few pillows from under the bed, gently lifting her arm and setting it on the pillows. "All right, slide yourself up carefully."
She did so, leaning her back against the headrest. "Don't move that arm. I mean it," he warned, bringing her a canteen. "Now take it slow."
"Yes, sir," she grumbled, taking a drink. "Where are Nikado and Talira?"
"Hauling back the thing you killed. We're taking a camp here since we're not in any particular hurry," he said with a shrug. "The skin and teeth on that thing might be worth something. And you said you could purify it, though I'm not letting you try any such thing with that arm."
"I can do it with one arm," she countered.
"I didn't say you couldn't, I said I wasn't letting you. Now stop arguing and eat."
She munched at the dried bread she was offered, washing it down with more water. "Thanks for the help, Aizaem. I'm sorry to be such a problem."
"You weren't the first one," he said with a shrug.
She raised an eyebrow. "Nikado, I'm guessing?"
"You're guessing correct. He's got quite the collection of scars himself, though that wasn't what I was referring to. This was a trade caravan like any other, before he and his sister came to us. It wasn't until after that we began to act like a family. I don't think it's coincidence he came to us any more than I think it's coincidence you came to us."
She lowered the canteen. "What do you mean by that?"
The healer shrugged. "Perhaps he and you are preparing us for something. He changed us from the inside. Perhaps you're going to change the outside. What do you think your purpose in this world is?"
"My...purpose?" She frowned as she thought about it. "It's not something I've ever really considered. What do you think your purpose is?"
"Support, most likely," he said with another shrug. "Whatever's going to happen, it could be violent. The healing bloodline in my family hasn't actually shown up in four generations. I'm guessing that's the fate I was born with. Of course, what to do with it is my choice."
"I guess my purpose is to find the right husband," Ameko said slowly. "At least, that's what it's always seemed to be."
"Hm? Oh, you mean that prophecy," Aizaem realized. "I don't see why you think that. It doesn't even address you."
"It addresses that I'm getting married," she pointed out. "I would imagine that's about me."
"Would you have gotten married if you'd never had such a prophecy?"
Ameko blinked. "Well...I suppose so. I mean, it's not like I'm opposed to the idea or anything."
"Then how is it telling you anything you don't already know? If it'd said you were going to grow up to be a woman, would you have protested that as well?"
"You make things sound so simple," she sighed.
"I have years of experience arguing with an idiot. Don't underestimate my experience," he told her, drinking from his own canteen.
"I can imagine."
"The way I see it," he told her, leaning against the wall, "since that prophecy doesn't actually address you, it's no different than anyone else that hasn't been born under one."
She looked over at him. "That is somehow very liberating. Thank you, Aizaem."
He looked out through the window as he heard shouts from outside. "Ah, seems like they're back. Excuse me for one moment." He moved to the door of the cart, locking it.
Ameko raised an eyebrow, but didn't have time to question the move before there was a thump against the door. "Aizaaaaaem," Nikado's pleading voice came from outside. "Let me in pleeeeease."
"Go away," Aizaem told him smoothly. "You're disturbing the patient's rest."
Ameko tried not to giggle as Nikado continued to plead from outside the door. "I'll be quiet! Just let me in! Or...I'll cry, damn it, you know I will!"
Aizaem raised his eyebrows at the door. "Is that a threat or a promise? What do you think, Ameko, should we make a grown man cry?"
"Better let him in," she laughed, "he might make a mess out there."
"Remember, you encouraged this," he warned her before unlocking the door, standing back.
Nikado quickly opened the door, expression brightening as he saw the woman in bed. "Ameko! Hi, Aizaem. How's your arm, Ameko?"
"On the mend, though Aizaem can tell you better how long it'll be before it's fully healed," she reassured him. "So you got the monster back here?"
"Yeah, though it wasn't easy," he said with a nod as Aizaem exited the infirmary cart, shutting the door behind him. "That thing is massive. I can't believe you took it out by yourself. We've never managed to get them down solo."
"Well, I hope I don't have any reason to do it again any time soon," she said with a shake of her head. "It wasn't as fun as it looked."
"I can imagine. So are you feeling better?"
"Actually, I feel really good," she told him with a smile. "Maybe better than I've ever felt. Well, my arm might disagree, but.... I'm glad it came after me. I wanted to prove to myself that it could be done. I wanted to bet on that with my life."
He sighed, sitting down in Aizaem's chair. "I'm not. You really scared me, you know."
"I didn't mean to?" she offered. "I'm sorry about what I said yesterday."
"Don't be. I understand why you said it," he reassured her. "You were scared. Anyone would have--"
"Nikado, I'm in love with you," she told him bluntly.
He gave her a surprised look, and she sighed, rubbing at her shoulder nervously. "You know...once I wondered what kind of man I would marry, if I could really choose. I wanted someone that was strong, but kind. Someone that could make me smile. And you do all of that, but it's not just that, Nikado. It's everything about you that just makes me feel like I have hope for the future. Half of the reason why I love you so much, I can't even explain. What I do know is that you gave me the opportunity for a dream. You told me yours, and then I wanted it too, and I began to wonder if it was possible for someone in my position to have such a thing. I've never been able to be more than my prophecy, and I've never been able to stand on my own without support, without someone to shelter me and make me think I'm strong. But now I feel like I can do both, because I met you. I...don't want to be scared of Shiou anymore, Nikado, or of anyone else. I want to be strong enough to protect what I love, and I'm not going to run away from that any longer. I'll stand up to Shiou, face to face if I have to. I don't want to be scared of anything anymore. If I was, the only thing I would fear was that you would leave me. I love you so much, it hurts. I feel like I can be strong on my own, but I don't want to be alone. I....I just love you, Nikado. It's what I feel."
He sat down on the bed for a moment, then reached out, putting a hand on her cheek. "That's what I wanted to hear," he said softly, smiling. "If you asked again...I'd say yes, this time."
She put her hand to his own, taking in the feel of his rough skin, the scent of earthen spice and smoke on him. "Are you saying...."
"I'm not so good with words," he mumbled, a bit embarrassed. "But yeah, I do. I have for a while, now. I just thought that you look so beautiful when you have that spark in your eyes. It's like being surrounded by a great wind. Something that's strong and fierce, but can be soothing on your skin. Ameko....let's get married."
"Then will you ask me this time?" she said, turning her head coyly.
"Anything for you," he chuckled. "Ameko, will you marry me? Will you be my life partner to the end of our days and beyond, no matter what happens? Can we be husband and wife like all that romantic stuff in the books?"
That made her laugh. "I didn't know you read romances, Nikado."
"I, uh...actually, I can't read at all," he admitted.
She stopped laughing for a moment. "You're serious?"
He nodded miserably.
That made her laugh again. "Oh, you silly thing. Somehow, I'm not surprised. Well, we'll just have to teach you."
"Who's silly," he huffed, crossing his arms. "I'd say you're a fair bit sillier than I am! You're the one that went off challenging a monster by yourself."
"Hey, it found me," she protested, "not the other way around. And how did this conversation become about that, anyway? Stop talking and kiss me."
He blinked as she grabbed him by the shirt with her good hand, pulling him close and taking a taste of his lips. Putting a hand on the wall to steady himself, he kissed her back, if a bit clumsily. "You're mean," he murmured after she let him go, their faces only a few inches apart. "That was my first kiss."
"Then hold still," she warned him. "I'm about to steal your second kiss, too."
As evening fell, Aizaem had apparently gotten tired of his restless patient, and had fixed her a sling for her arm, making sure the damaged bone and muscle was set firmly in place and would not move. "You had better be careful," he warned her in a tone that promised dire consequences if she didn't. "Otherwise I'm opting for the easy way out."
"Dare I ask it, but what's the easy way out?"
"Amputation."
"I'll be good," she promised before stepping outside, taking in the evening air. It lifted her spirits even higher, taking in the sight of the camp and its usual fire, set against a backdrop of hills, the city of Ijihima visible in the distance. "Ah, you've been set free," Jer observed as he studied some maps he had unfurled in front of him. "Come have something to drink and we'll toast to your good health."
"Ame daaaaaarling," Anko's voice rang out as she latched onto the taller woman's waist, mindful of her injured arm. "So good to see you again, I missed you~"
She sighed, giving the enthusiastic woman a pat on the head. "Where's Talira? Did she run off with her twin?"
"Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Talira said from Jer's other side, raising a challenging eyebrow. "My, what dirty minds you nobles have, thinking such things about an innocent young woman such as I!"
"Oh, stuff it. You're more likely to run off with half a dozen men at once," Ameko snorted as Talira handed her a cup.
"No, that'd be me," Anko chirped.
"A toast, then," Jer said, raising his glass. "To your swift recovery."
"I have your younger brother to thank for that," Ameko said, touching his glass with her own before taking a drink. "Everyone seems in a good mood."
"That beast you took down has got coins in everyone's eyes," Talira laughed. "If you can purify it like you say, then we can make quite a bit off it. Not to mention we'll be set on meat for a while."
"Sure, I can do that. In fact, I can do it right now, unless my healer disagrees?" She looked around for Aizaem.
"He snoozes, he loses," Talira said, gesturing for Ameko to follow her.
The massive monster was toward an edge of the camp, several of the men eyeing it and trying to figure out how to possibly take it apart. "I think we should start with the skin, then the meat," one of the men was saying to Nikado. "We should be able to fix drying racks to the tops of the wagons, we've done it before."
"Yeah, I agree. As long as we can do something about the smell. Oh, hi, Ameko," he greeted, noticing her. "Talira, too."
Annoyed at being an afterthought, Talira gave her twin a swift kick in the face. "'Talira too', nothing! Have more care for your one and only twin! Lovers are a dime a dozen, but there's only one me!"
"Don't be like that," Nikado protested, rubbing at his face from his new sitting position on the ground. "You know there's always a special place in my heart for you."
"I'm sorry, but you're going to have to suck up to me better than that."
"How about I get this thing purified so you can start to take it apart?" Ameko interrupted, walking over to the beast.
"That'd be great. Hey, tell us how you took it down, it's amazing," one of the men said.
"I'll give you the full story over dinner, how about that?" Putting her good hand against the thing's side, she called the silvery light to her fingers, letting it twine around her hand as she drove the dark nature of the thing away. "Hm, that was easier than I thought, actually," she mused, removing her hand at last. "That should do it."
Nikado leaned forward, giving the thing a sniff. "Well, it doesn't smell anymore. I think we're good to go! Let's start with the skinning."
"It never smelled to begin with, you weirdo."
"It did! Didn't it, Ameko?" Nikado gave her a pleading look.
"Well, to be honest, I didn't notice," she said with a shrug. "I was paying attention to its teeth and claws, not its stench."
"Great, nobody's going to believe me," he sighed.
"I believe you, bro," Talira reassured. "All right, this bad boy is going to take some knives. Let's get to work!"
Ameko took a seat, watching as the twins and several of the men set to work, turning the beast over and beginning the skinning process. As they worked, the organs were removed and placed in jars, and the meat began to be sliced away from the bones. Several others joined in, Anko taking a seat next to Ameko as they watched the work. "You don't want to give them a hand?" Ameko questioned.
"Someone's got to keep an eye on you," she laughed. "Besides, it's not my thing."
"So what is your 'thing'? I don't think I've ever been very clear on that."
"Lies and deception, darling," Anko declared. "This is a face that could get away with murder, or sweettalk you into doing it for me."
"Uh huh. I think I'll believe that when I see it."
By the time the job was done, it was night, and the crew was sweaty and covered in monster blood. Fortunately, there was a river not too far from camp where they proceeded to migrate to, washing the blood off their bodies and their clothes. Ameko sat down at the bank, enjoying the feel of the water and the sand against her bare feet.
Nikado's head popped up near her as he moved toward her feet. "A fish is coming to bite your toes, Ameko!"
"It's a good thing that fish gives a warning, or he might have gotten kicked in the face. Again," she added after a thought.
"That is the reason the fish gave the warning." Nikado pulled himself up onto the rock, wringing a little water out of his ponytail. "Ah, that felt good. It's a shame you can't come in with us."
"There'll be other streams," she reassured.
He smiled, then laughed as he watched his sister drag Jer underneath the water. "This is what living is about, I think. Being around people you care for and enjoying yourselves. It doesn't have to be a fancy or complicated life."
"That's true, but at the same time, I think we can't avoid being complicated in a world like this," she said. "But that's okay, too. You resist and struggle to hold onto your happiness with all of your might. That's what I think living is about."
He looked over at her, then leaned his head on her shoulder, letting out a soft sigh. "You say things like that and I worry that you're going to leave me."
"I'm not going to leave you. I'm not that foolish anymore. Nikado, let's not go to Ijihima."
"Not go?"
"Well, I mean, if everyone wanted to go, that's one thing," she told him. "But I don't want us to go because some man told us to."
"Okay, I'll make sure Jer knows that. Then what?"
"Then what?" She thought about it. "You tell me. Where does everyone want to go?"
"Where the wind takes us. But I don't think that's what you have in mind. You're going to challenge Shiou, aren't you?"
She let out a soft sigh through her nose. "No. Not yet, anyway. The difference in our power is still too vast. I need to get stronger, and think about what I'm going to do."
"So you are planning it." He gave her hand a squeeze. "Then I'm going to train myself and get stronger as well. We all will."
"Only if that's what they want to do. I'm not going to force other people to fight my battles."
"You're part of our family; it's everyone's battle. We're already marked if we turn away from Ijihima. But that's all right. That's a risk we all know about, and one thing we don't like is people trying to bully us into what they want us to do. We're perfectly capable of resisting and struggling like hell to live our lives how we want."
"That's right, princess," Talira called from the water. "Don't think you're going to go around fighting our battles for us. We live the way we want."
"Thank you, Talira." Ameko stood, pulling her feet from the water. "I should probably let Aizaem work on my arm one last time and get some rest. Hopefully I'll be able to use it in the morning."
"I'll come with you," Nikado told her, picking up his wet clothing from the rocks.
"I'm just going back to the infirmary," she protested.
"I know."
"It's like a grand total of three feet to the bed."
"I know."
"Aizaem's going to kick you out."
"I'll sneak back in."
She looked at him, then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Okay, but only if the doctor says yes."
