♦⊱ Chapter 5 - Attack ⊰♦

This chapter is dedicated to akatsuki_tsukuyomi! Happy reading!

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Ruka pov:

I blew warm air into my hands while I took one last glance over the fields. It was a chilly twilight, winter having set in almost in full swing. We couldn't stay without at least three layers of clothes and a sweater or shawl on top of them.

I held my hand up with a smile and a sparrow landed on my finger. Animals and birds didn't easily approach humans in my time but they seemed quite comfortable hanging around close to humans here, even perching on them and accepting food that was offered to them.

The sparrow flew away after a few chirps and I waited for only a few moments before Miyuki san arrived for her shift of watching over the fields before night. Just before she was close enough for us to talk, I noticed small white flakes of snow falling from the sky. I looked up, my smile wide and my breath coming out white when I laughed.

"The first snow!" I chimed and stuck out my tongue to taste a few of the flakes that fell.

"It's really pretty, isn't it?" Miyuki san said, having come to a stop two feet from me. She wrapped a thick shawl around my shivering frame and I thanked her, glad for the extra layer.

"It is," I answered, holding up my hand this time to catch a few flakes on my palm. They liquefied immediately.

"Of course, it's pretty to you," she added, sounding teasing. "It signifies the perfect time for young love."

I regarded her comment with an awkward smile, "I guess...anyway, I'll head back now. Take care on your shift."

With a chaste bow, I excused myself to head to the dojo. I walked at a comfortable pace, greeting the other villagers on the way and even stopping once to pet a stray puppy. It was fifteen minutes later that I reached the dojo. I took off my shoes at the entrance while taking the support of the door frame. Keeping my shoes aside neatly, I then shut the door, put on my indoor slippers and walked to where Lady Kana would usually be.

However, I found her in one of the rooms in the residential wing of the dojo with Akari pouting in front of her. The latter seemed agitated when she spoke, "But, Lady Kana, I want to see him!"

"Akari, why are you being so stubborn? He said he doesn't want to see anyone now. Besides, he's injured and you should leave him alone to rest," Lady Kana said in response.

When I stepped into the room, both Akari and Lady Kana looked at me. Both of them seemed really upset and I asked, "Is there any problem, Lady Kana?"

Akari shot me a glare like always but Lady Kana seemed a little hopeful. She smiled and ushered me to come closer, "I was waiting for you to return, Ruka. You see, Tomoki has returned from the war."

"Really?" My eyes lit up and I smiled, "That's great! Does that mean the war is coming to an end?"

"No, you idiot!" spat Akari. "It means-"

"That's enough of your attitude, Akari!" scolded Lady Kana with a sharp look. Akari turned away with a scowl and Lady Kana met my eyes again, "I'm afraid it's quite the opposite of what you said, Ruka. The war is getting worse by the day and has reached our province now. Tomoki was badly injured in the knee during battle so he was sent back. He can barely walk now."

I clenched my fists, my heart skipped a beat, "He...he can't walk?"

"Don't look so disheartened, Ruka. I'm sure that he will be able to walk again if he rests enough. But that doesn't change the fact that he will not be able to return to normal completely – he won't be able to return to the others who are fighting the war. He's really upset about it and he's making a fuss now that he doesn't want to talk to anyone but you."

I blinked dumbly for a moment and then pointed to myself, "He wants to talk to me?"

Lady Kana nodded and placed a hand on my back to guide me to the inner room. Before I could enter though, Akari threw a fit, "Why does he want to see her and not me?! I want to see him too! Let me see him too!"

"Go home, Akari," Lady Kana said icily this time making Akari flinch. I too was surprised by how harsh Lady Kana was being but I remained silent. Tears welled in Akari's eyes but she glared at me and stomped out of the room. Lady kana sighed, "She finally decided to leave...that stubborn side of her is tough to handle. Anyway, go in, Ruka."

I entered the inner room hesitantly and soon spotted Tomo kun sitting on a mattress a little away from the door and leaning against the wall. One of his legs was outstretched in front of him wrapped in stiff bandages. He was staring at his leg with a deep frown, deep disappointment and anger visible in his eyes.

"T-Tomo kun?" I said weakly and he snapped out of his thoughts.

His eyes softened when he met my gaze and he forced a smile, "Hey, Ruka chan, you're back. Come, sit down."

I took a seat next to him, keeping my eyes on the floor. I chewed on my bottom lip unsure of what to say to him. Lady Kana had said that he wanted to see me specifically but I couldn't think of why he would want to see me. I didn't know what to say and I was hesitant to say anything that could upset him more than he already was.

Still, I saw the need to say something, "H-How are you feeling?"

"Like a traitor." His answer was immediate, his voice sharp. His fist on his injured leg was clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white, "I feel like someone who ran away with his tail between his legs while still in the middle of an important battle."

I glimpsed at his face briefly, feeling a painful tug in my chest at how crestfallen he looked. It was obvious that he was very disappointed with how things had turned out for him...but it wasn't his fault.

"You shouldn't feel that way, Tomo kun. You fought your hardest to protect the people of our provinces, to protect us. Isn't dying and causing the people who care about you pain worse than fighting the best you could and staying alive?" When I looked at him, his eyes were wide he was surprised by my words but I wasn't sure if I was making him feel better or rubbing salt on his wounds. Still, I continued, "All of us in the village are proud of you for fighting so hard and protecting us. I'm sure those who fought by your side too are proud of you because you risked your life to protect so many others. But others aside, I'm definitely proud of you."

I smiled in an attempt to show that I meant every word I said. He noticeably blushed, then averted his eyes while covering the lower half of his face with his hand.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Tomo kun," I added. "Just trust that perhaps this was how things were meant to be. All you need to think about right now is to heal. You may not be able to fight in the war again, but you can still help all of us here in the village right?"

"Still," he mumbled, his voice soft and hesitant.

"You know what, I think you need a change," I said with a wider smile. "How about I make you some sushi? Lady Kana has taught me to cook all kinds of food and I must say, I've become a pretty good cook."

"Look at you boasting off already," Tomo kun said with a chuckle. He looked better than before, a little relaxed even, and gazed at me gladly, "I knew you were the best person to talk to right now."

"Let's talk more after you've got something into your stomach. I'll be right back, okay?" I said and excused myself to head to the kitchen to prepare Sushi.

Lady Kana and I ate dinner with Tomo kun in the room. Post dinner, his mood had lightened and he wished to take a walk through the dojo. Lady Kana left to take care of cleaning while I supported Tomo kun, one of his arms over my shoulder as he limped through the hallways.

The next day, I was confronted by a fuming Akari and her friend Maya – I was yelled at for being close to Tomo kun when he didn't like me and deserved much better than me. Most of what she had said wasn't true but I ignored it because she yelled at me out of jealousy. I doubted that they would do anything more than yell at me. Even if they did try something more dire, like yanking my hair or trying to slap me, I would use my basic self-defense karate to show them that I wasn't easy to deal with.

They didn't do anything though and was spared from any embarrassment.

As the days passed, Tomo kun healed well. He spent most of his time indoors brooding, perhaps still upset about his injury and his inability to fight but, on Lady Kana's insistence, I spoke words of encouragement to him to help him heal mentally. He seemed to listen well to me rather than anyone else and I felt really honored to be able to help someone feel better. Kiyo, Yuri and Akira oftentimes told me that I had the ability to make others feel at ease, that my concern and unhesitant affection could make people feel like their problems weren't as bad as they seemed. It appeared that, that side of me was appreciated by the people here too.

Oddly enough though, Tomo kun requested me to stay beside him until he fell asleep every night. I assumed that he didn't want to feel alone so I complied with his request and left his room as quietly as possible after he fell asleep every night.

"What are you smiling to yourself about, Ruka chan?" I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Tomo kun. I paused hanging the clothes to dry and looked at him to find him standing in the hallway with a cheeky grin.

"Good to see that you're up and about on your own," I said, glancing briefly at the single crutch he was using for support.

I walked up to him with the empty laundry basket, having finished hanging all the clothes to dry. I had become his personal caretaker in a way – I got him meals, spent time with him and helped him walk around when he was bored. Although, I had noticed that he had been acting a little strange off late, a little too attached to me. It was a little different than the usual friendly side he showed me. Besides, I didn't remember my other guy friends from back home being this clingy to me.

I didn't think too much of it though, assuming that I was just making a big deal out of nothing.

"So, what next?" he asked and I shrugged.

"The laundry is done so I have to help Lady Kana in the kitchen now," I said with a sigh. The daily routine of cooking and cleaning had got a little boring actually, having been doing it for more than a year now. But I couldn't really complain – what had to be done, had to be done.

"You don't seem to be in the mood for it though," stated Tomo kun, chuckling. "What do you say we go around the village for a bit?"

"Nice try, but you're still healing and you need to rest. Walking in the dojo is fine but I don't think you should strain yourself by walking through the village."

"Aww, c'mon, Ruka chan. I really bored staying in the dojo all day for the past week! Let's go out for just a little while. I promise I won't strain myself so please?" he coaxed, pouting playfully.

"Ah, I don't like it when you pout! It makes it so difficult to say no!" I cringed. But I was also kind of glad he wanted to take a stroll in the village – I'd get a break from the routine for a while. "I'll just tell Lady Kana and we can head out."

Instead of strolling through the village, Tomo kun and I headed to a small meadow that was just outside the village. There were flowers of all colors and vividly colored butterflies fluttering about. We spent a good amount of time there just talking about things that had happened over the year, most of it lighthearted and jovial.

Post lazing around in the meadow, we had a light snack at a small restaurant with the money Tomo kun had sneaked when we left the dojo. After the delicious meal, we took our own time walking back to the dojo, though mostly in silence.

I made sure I walked at a pace that was comfortable for Tomo kun to keep up with. I linked my hands behind my back as I walked, tilting my head up slightly to enjoy the caresses of the gentle breeze. I had a small smile of content playing on my lips as I recalled the pleasant memories I had made today.

"Ruka chan," Tomo kun called and I stopped walking to look at him. We had stopped a little away from the dojo and I felt a little uneasy under the seriousness of his stare. He averted his eyes momentarily in silence. He seemed to contemplate about something, inhaled deeply and met my eyes again, "Ruka chan, there's something I have been meaning to tell you."

"What is it, Tomo kun?" I asked.

"I really like you, Ruka chan. I've liked you more than a friend for quite some time now. I know that we only spent a few months together before I left for the war but I fell in love with you then. I want you to be my bride."

My eyes went wide. Not even in the slightest had I imagined that I would be proposed to by Tomo kun or anyone in this world. I was even more surprised and tensed when he limped towards me, put his free arm around my shoulders and embraced me.

"I love you, Ruka chan, and I want you to marry me. I promise I'll take good care of you. I'll always keep you happy," he added.

I squirmed and broke free of his embrace. "I-I..." I stuttered, unsure of what to say, "Tomo kun, this is a little sudden. I mean, aren't we too young to get married?"

He appeared mildly disappointed but smiled, "No, you're close to sixteen, aren't you? And I'm eighteen – it's the perfect age for us to get married."

"Well, I...I don't know, Tomo kun. I've never really thought about marriage..." I mumbled awkwardly, averting my eyes to the side.

"It's because I'm crippled, isn't it?" he asked, his voice low and sharp. I looked at him only to see him watching me with a deep frown, "You don't want to marry me because I'm crippled, isn't that right? Who would want a crippled man as a husband? Without the normal functioning of my leg, I'm useless now! Just say it! Say you don't like me because I'm crippled and I'll leave!"

"N-no! No, that's not the reason!" I hollered immediately, feeling guilty for making him feel bad about himself like he was feeling before.

"Then what is the reason?" he pressed. "If me being crippled isn't the reason, then what is?"

"I-I just thought it was very sudden. I've never really liked anyone before and I've never been proposed to like this before. I had a lot of friends who were boys when I was still in my village and I grew up like a boy myself. So, I'm not really sure how to react or respond."

I didn't want to straight out reject him even though I didn't see him the way he saw me. He was a good friend but a husband, let alone a boyfriend? I didn't even know how to picture that – I couldn't picture that! I was worried that he would hate me if I rejected him so I gave him an answer that was neither positive nor negative. Although, perhaps it wouldn't hurt trying to get to know him better. Since I saw him as a good friend, there was the possibility of liking him more and maybe even returning his feelings.

But there was still the occasional thought of whether I would go home sometime...

"I see," Tomo kun said, breaking my train of thought. He was watching me in deep thought and I felt awkward. I opened my mouth to speak but was cut short by Tomo kun looking behind me, "Who...?"

I followed his gaze but my eyes went wide in shock at the sight of a man wearing armor limping towards us, his clothes soaked in blood. Tomo kun grabbed my wrist roughly and shoved me behind himself protectively while I gagged, doing my best not to throw up from what I had just seen.

"He's one of our men," mumbled Tomo kun. "Why is he here? Why is he wounded so badly?!"

I flinched when I heard a thud – the man had probably collapsed dead. I didn't want to look at him but I peeked from behind Tomo kun's shoulder when I heard the sound of horses. Five men on horses had come into our line of vision. While four of the horses were brown, the one at the center was black. Seated upon the black stallion was a man clad in high-caliber armor.

Tomo kun tensed and took steps back, pushing me back in the process. I glanced at him, uneasiness bubbling in the pit of my stomach, "Tomo kun, who are they?"

"That man...it's him. It's Lord Kurai."

I sucked in a sharp breath and my blood ran cold as I looked at the Emperor of Darkness.

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Welp...thing just got serious. And it looks like what's about to happen next isn't going to be pleasant.

Good luck, Ruka chan...

Vote!

CoMmEnT!!!

:D