Chapter Text
The path was dark and silent, nothing but crickets and other nocturnal creatures could be heard wandering through the tall grass. It was a full moon that night; its gray brilliance seemed cold and glaring. A cold gust of wind shook the wild pine trees with an almost melodic sound.
The horse galloped down the dirt path, its rider slumped over the reins, his head bowed low. At a glance, it seemed as if the man was fatally wounded and the horse was trying to rescue him.
The rider urged the horse to a stop, one hand clutching his chest as he squeezed. Chizuru’s face lingered in the back of his mind. A wound that would never heal.
An owl hooted nearby, as if mocking his pathetic state. A sharp, forceful exhale escaped the horse’s nostrils, and its ears pricked in alert.
The rider’s keen senses caught the sound of hooves; another galloping rider was coming his way. He remained still for a moment, closing his eyes and straining to hear—a method for identifying the traveler without the need to see. The sound of a stifled sob echoed in his mind… a woman? Shifting slightly in the saddle, he focused; a heady odor of lilies wafted through the air.
Taking a deep breath, he waited.
The desolate path behind him looked like a surreal void, an abyss that would swallow life in a second. As the thudding of hooves grew louder, a slight figure came into view. A pale brunette woman with eyes the striking dark color of cherry blossom petals. Her horse seemed to be saddled with heavy packs.
The man’s lips formed a thin smile that barely touched his eyes. “Princess Sen of Yase, fancy meeting you here tonight.”
The woman urged her horse to a stop, acknowledging his presence with a sneer. “Can’t say the same. What ill fate must have befallen me to meet you tonight, Chikage Kazama.”
Kazama leaned back slightly and crossed his arms, fully trusting the black stallion not to let him sway. “Come now, Princess, belligerence does not suit you.”
A smirk spread across Sen’s face. “I disagree. I’m at my absolute best when I silence the likes of you.”
Kazama did not respond, he focused on the packs she carried. One of them had a loose string, and the one nearest her leaned to the side. One slight movement and its contents would spill onto the ground. Her shoes are unkempt, ready to fall apart. It was quite pathetic to allow herself to be seen in such a state.
“Are you going somewhere?” his voice slightly softened.
Sen flinched, a tremor spreading through her body. Avoiding his striking red eyes, she stood her ground.
“That’s none of your concern. Now, if you will, I must take my leave.” Sen nudged her horse forward, eyes focused on the road ahead. However, when she attempted to pass Kazama, she felt his cold fingers grip her forearm.
Sen recoiled at his touch, snatching her arm back. “Don’t touch me,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. For the barest fraction of a second, something in Kazama’s face changed, but it was gone just as quickly.
“What happened?” he asked. Silence settled between them as he remained still, focused on her.
Taking a deep breath, her eyes glanced up at the moon, as if searching for an answer that evaded her.
“My people aren’t doing so well. A storm destroyed our homes; we can no longer grow crops, and…” Tears prickled her eyes, but she held them back. “We have to find somewhere else to live.” A sense of constriction rose in her chest. “Stop pestering me; I need to move.” However, the authoritative tone came off weak; deep down, she cursed herself for that.
She nudged her horse into a walk for a few steps, then braced herself, locking her feet close.
“Wait!” A single murmur, one a human wouldn’t have heard, stopped her. She froze and waited for him to continue.
“We have built our permanent home in a meadow far away from human eyes,” Kazama said. “There is enough space for your people to stay.”
Sen took a quick glance at the blond devil, her breathing slowing. “Are you sure?” she asked.
Kazama ran his fingers through his golden locks. “My pride as a devil won’t allow me to see my kin humiliated like this. I’m returning home—you should join me.” His heels coaxed the horse forward until he stood abreast of the princess and waited.
Words evaded Sen; a cold shiver ran through her at the sight of those red eyes.
“Name your price,” she said, breaking the silence as she crossed her arms.
Kazama tilted his head slightly. “Are you so unfit as a leader that you aren’t willing to accept help?”
Sen’s brows furrowed, her fingers twitching for a moment toward the daggers at her hip. “The absolute insolence,” she said, her voice dropping.
A smirk tugged at his lips; he straightened his posture and braced himself. “Hurry up. The road is still long.” He did not wait for her answer, spurring the stallion into a full gallop.
Sen clenched her fists; her breathing came in short huffs. However, staying still was not ideal. She urged her horse into a canter, following the blond devil at a distance along the desolate road. A few minutes into the ride, a cluster of clouds gathered in the night sky, casting a surreal crimson tint over the forest. It took only a moment before Kazama felt raindrops touch his hair; A storm was approaching. He took a quick glance behind him; the princess was keeping pace in silence. A flash of lightning drenched the world in brilliant light, and Sen’s horse slowed and let out a scream.
Startled, Sen leaned over the reins and petted her white mare’s neck. “Easy, girl.”
Still sensing the horse’s agitation, she dismounted and checked her packs for the water supplies. Thunder roared in the distance, and Sen felt a tremor in the ground. She rolled her eyes, then returned to searching for water to give the horse.
Kazama stood still, giving his stallion a chance to relax. He opened his palms and watched the raindrops stain his skin. The angry creases around his eyes loosened slightly.
Sen whispered a curse behind him.
“Need help, Princess?” he asked, guiding his horse to face her.
Her eyes focused on the horse as it leaned into the canteen for a drink. “You can go ahead without me. I can follow your tracks; I will be fine.”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting into utter amusement, but he did not move.
The petrichor smell wafted through the air. Lightning flashed, and his heart gave a brief stutter. Kazama’s red eyes shimmered gold for a moment as he swayed slightly. He looked past the thick shrubs and the curved pine trees, their forms hunched like silhouettes in the crimson haze of the storm. “Princess, we should move before the storm worsens.”
Sen was about to argue back, but then she noticed the strange look in his eyes, and the words died in her throat.
“Give me a second,” she murmured, then started to fix the straps of her packs. She held onto the reins and lifted herself onto the white mare. Without another word, the two galloped onward as the stippling rain turned steady. In the middle of the night, they reached Kazama Village at last.
At the village entrance stood two lithe cherry-blossom trees that seemed to be windswept in a direction that hid the village from sight. Two young men wearing kasa stood abreast, guarding the path. Kazama stopped before them, rain rivuleting down his cheeks. Sen was a few feet behind him, her hair clinging to her face, her damp clothes chafing with the slightest movement.
“My Lord Kazama!” The slightly shorter of the two couldn’t hide his surprise. “You didn’t anticipate the storm?”
The other guard cleared his throat and spoke loudly. “Welcome home, my lord!”
Kazama let out a sigh. “You need to bring a blanket for both of us, now.”
The shorter guard bowed slightly and took off running inside.
“Let’s just go inside,” Sen said, breaking the silence.
The guard smiled in her direction. “I apologize for the delay, my lady; it’s best to get you warm and covered.”
“He is correct,” Kazama said. “You should have some dignity not to be seen in such a state.”
Silence followed, broken only by the roar of thunder.
“What was that back there?” The princess inquired. “Did you see something?”
Kazama wiped his wet face. “Do you want to linger in the rain?”
Sen rolled her eyes and chose to remain silent for the time being.
A moment later, a man with auburn hair tied into a ponytail arrived, holding a gray blanket within his clothes. “Welcome, my lord. You weren’t expected at such an hour.” He bowed before Kazama.
“Circumstances changed, Haru. Now please take Lady Sen’s luggage and prepare a room for her to rest. Ask Lady Himari to prepare some warm tea for her.”
Sen softened slightly. “I… don’t need all of that. I need to send a message for—”
Kazama raised his palm, stopping her. “You are a guest, and you will be treated accordingly.”
The shorter guard returned and handed Kazama the blanket. The blond devil dismounted and draped it over himself. Sen swung down from her mare and accepted the blanket from Haru, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Then a servant took the reins of her horse and guided it toward the stables.
The guards stepped aside for them, and Kazama entered first. Sen followed behind.
She paused at the entrance, her eyes twinkling in awe.
The village was built in a wide meadow, a ring of vibrant trees encircling it like a shroud from prying eyes. From the entrance stretched a well-maintained dirt path flanked by hundreds of flowers—roses, lilies, and many more. Beyond them stood rows of charming houses, some with tiled roofs and others with gabled ones. At the end of the path stood a majestic manor built on slightly higher ground, crowned with a great hip roof.
Near the manor, she spotted three cats wandering about. Sen let out a soft chuckle.
The village was quiet, save for a few figures watching the storm from open windows or shoji doors. She wanted to say something, but Kazama did not wait and continued toward his manor. Sen lingered for a moment, watching him go. The instant he climbed the steps toward his manor, the cats bolted and swarmed around his legs.
“That’s… something,” Sen whispered.
A second later, Haru approached, carrying her heavy trunks. “This way, milady,” he said, turning left and leading her deeper among the houses. He stopped in front of a small, secluded home near a well. Sen noticed a wide open space nearby, nothing but well-maintained grass. Perfect to house her people temporarily.
Haru entered first and set her trunks down. “Rest easy, my lady,” he said with a smile. “Tea will be coming shortly.”
“Thank you, Lord Haru,” she replied, then stepped inside. It was a modest space, one room she assumed to be a bedchamber, and another to sit in.
“All right… time to write a message for my people.”
….
Kazama sat before the glimmering fire of the irori. He had changed into fresh, dry clothes—a much-needed warmth. The rain drummed relentlessly against the roof, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the entire manor.
“My lord?” a man called from outside the screen door.
“Come in!” he answered.
Haru entered, holding a tray in his hand. The sweet aroma of tea wafted through the air immediately. He bowed and placed the tray beside the blond devil.
“Is there anything else you wish?” Haru said. “Perhaps it would be best if you rest; the hour is late.”
“Rest, huh?” Kazama kept still, not meeting his servant’s eyes. An uncomfortable silence stretched for what felt like hours. “Perhaps you are correct. It has been a long journey.”
“Yes, my lord,” Haru said, then excused himself.
Thank you for reading. Do let me know what you think.