In the middle of the night as everyone was asleep, a shadow slipped in between the trees. Carefully observing the group, the shadow crept closer, closer, almost on top of them with a glimmer shining in the moonlight. Just then Varick shot up and looked around. 'Did I imagine that just now?'
Varick decided to stay up and guard Kirin, something pulled him to her. His soft gaze landed on her perfect body, seeing her chest rise and fall with each breath she took. He scanned her her full length, he slightly paused at her cute little pink lips that were slightly apart and then he gulped a bit. Turning away and clearing his naughty thought quickly he scanned the area again.
'What was I thinking just now! Ugh, I barely know her! For all I know she's betrothed of something in this crazy world. It isn't impossible right?'
Looking at her again, he couldn't help but wonder what might happen if he made a move to court her. She wasn't just gorgeous, she had brains, talent, strength… she was perfect. She was real when she was around others. Kirin never once pretended to act to gain attention from anyone. She doesn't even see herself as being better than anyone else.
'Most of the time she refuses the compliments, she really is adorable, why couldn't I have met her in my world instead?'
'What if… what if I'm sent back?'
'Will I ever see her again if that happens?'
'Ugh.. I should not be thinking about that. It is already enough to know her now right? And besides, I may never find a way back… maybe… maybe I don't want to go back…' *Sigh* "It is what it is I guess…" Varick looked at her again with a gentle smile, he lightly moved a stray hair from her face and placed it behind her ear. Retracting his gaze he kept a vigilant watch the rest of the night. To keep her safe.
The next morning, while everyone began to stir, Varick already had breakfast ready. He kept stealing glances at Kirin from time to time then sighing out his frustrations. Once breakfast was over they began to pack up camp to move on. Shou mentioned a festival was planned in the next town by nightfall, it was a yearly custom in that village.
"Hey Ruishi, Shou, can I um.. can I talk to you?" Varick asked as he began to walk away from the group. The two looked at each other then followed him.
"There was a shadow that came into the camp last night. I can't be sure but I thought I saw him carry a knife towards Kirin. By the time I sat up it was gone but I stayed awake by her side until dawn. Just in case."
"This is a problem, we weren't expecting assassins this soon… Shou! Be on guard and tell Jun."
"En, I'm on it Shishi!"
"Varick, I am going to have to ask you to stick close to her while I guard the rear, Shou and Jun will take point. It will be up to you and Ze to guard her sides ok?"
Varick nodded at Ruishi, not that he'd mind anyways as he plastered a stupid grin on his face without realizing it. Ruishi picked up on that though and shot him a questioning glance which made Varick recompose his features and shake his head.
"All right Varick, let's see what else I can teach you eh? Come, come… don't be shy!" An intense glint surfaced in Ruishi's eyes, he knew what this kid could do, he was determined to make him better! 'I finally can have a partner I can trust to help me guard my master. I won't allow that incident to happen again… never again…'
Without further ado, Varick's excitement for the sparring match and knowledge heightened, and off he went full bore against Ruishi all over again. As each twist, turn, slash, kick, and punch became faster and faster, it was to a point that they became a blur to anyone watching them. Which of course had every eye on the pair not only from the group, but that same shadow was lurking. He knew he couldn't do anything last night thanks to that boy.
But who exactly was he?
This… didn't look like anyone he could go up against!
They are monsters! Plain and simple monsters!
Just who thought they could easily go up against this group!?
The shadow decided to slip away unnoticed, he made his way back to the one who hired him, this mission was impossible.
As the shadow slipped away he happened to not notice that he was seen, a glint of malice surfaced in Jun's eyes as he happened to see that shadow out of the corner of his eye. He called out to Shou quickly and sent her after it.
By the time she got back carrying a pouch, the sparring match ended in a draw with two heavily panting, yet smiling males. They rinsed off the sweat and joined everyone for breakfast in an elated mood. Everyone else just shook their heads at the pair, it was obvious they had fun exerting all of their energy in the morning. They never before stupid grin on Ruishi's face sort of took everyone aback as they gawkingly stared at him with the most complicated expressions plastered on their faces. Once Ruishi noticed the looks he quickly recomposed himself to that ever present stoic and aloof expression.
This of course caused a round of giggles from the ladies present. Which in turn made the pair turn scarlet red with embarrassment. Once the round of teasing and laughter ended they finished their breakfast and set off.
Shou strode up to Jun and showed him the pouch…
"This is all he had on him, don't worry he's dead now. But take a look at this? I have never seen weapons like these… what do you suppose they are?"
Looking at them he had no clue so he called Varick over. Once Varick took a look, all the blood drained from his face instantly.
"This… where… how?... where did you get this!" He exclaimed, staring at the weapons, he knew exactly what they were! There was no mistaking them… they came from his world!