A Complicated Meeting (Open to Ray)

(by the way, Tsuki is at the cart... so Akane couldn't be petting her, lol ^^) Akari sighed, staring at the water. "Tsuki's wounds reminded me of something in my past... My brother had injuries similar to Tsuki's. It just made me think of my past, which is not something I enjoy remembering. I've been trying to stop thinking about it, but when the memories come... it's hard to bar them from coming. That's all. I've got a depressing past... bet that's a shock, huh? People always tell me I don't act like that... But I guess everyone's got a secret they like to hide about themselves... You have one too, don't you?" Akari said bluntly. "Oh! Sorry, I don't mean to pry." Akari realized how close she had come to blowing her cover. If that had happened it would be a disaster.

Akane looked around nervously “No, I can’t say that I do have any secrets” he said “But it’s not really a shock that you have a despressing pass….most people DO have their secrets…just not me.” Akane put his hand on Akari’s shoulder “Don’t get so down about your brother. You act like it’s your fault, and even if you think it is, it’s probably not.” he said.

Akari sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. "I know it wasn't my fault... it just... feels like it is. I'm sorry, it's stupid." She stood up and looked around. Well, this guy definitely had his secrets, from her at least. "I think our break's over." She commented, noticing that the cart was moving again. And you know what else is over? Me being open with you. She thought at Akane. In less than two days she had almost told this guy everything about her past. How could she be so stupid? She hardly knew him, let alone knew if he was trustworthy or not. She had to get a grip, no matter how nice he was.

Akane stretched and walked back to the cart following Akari. 'That was close' he thought 'She asked about my past...it's like she knew. I'll definitely have to keep an eye on this one..how could I let my guard down with her so easy? What is it about her? Am I getting soft?' Akane thought about this while walking. His entire life he had resisted all women, except for one, and that one woman was dead. Now this one girl bumps into him in a bar and all of a sudden he's opening up to a complete stranger, what was this? Akane couldn't quiet grasp it, nor did he want to at the moment. Akane's thoughts were cut short by a small disturbance, he stopped in his tracks suddenly, and put his hand on his sword. "Akari" he said softly and calmly "Did you hear that?"

Akari had been lost in her thoughts, glaring at the ground. Then she heard Akane say, "Akari, did you hear that?" She turned toward him and shook her head.
"I can't say I did..." Akari said softly, wondering what it was. All she wanted to do right now was get back to the cart and figure out a plan. She didn't have time to deal with strange noises, especially if they came from something dangerous.
She started looking around, drawing her swords out of their sheaths and holding them in front of her. She didn't send her flame through them yet, and she hoped she wouldn't have to.

Akane slowly drew his sword "I heard movement" he said "Towards were the cart was...I think we're being followed." Akane stopped as scanned the area, but it all suddenly went quiet "Hmph" he said "It's gone..keep an eye out though..and if anything happens. Get my back, okay?" Akane walked towards the cart and kept alert, he was on a mission and he was undercover. Even if he really didn't care what happened to the people of his former nation, especially if those people wanted him dead, he couldn't just abandon his disguise and his mission.

Akari stared after Akane, wondering what was up with him. He seemed tense and distant, making Akari uncomfortable. She looked around one more time and followed, replacing her swords. Once she reached the cart she checked up on Tsuki, who had tried to drag himself off his seat and towards Akari. She smiled and stroked his fur, completely absorbed in her own little world again. She was thinking about her brother, and when she first met Tsuki. Her brother had been against keeping a cat at first, but in the end Tsuki was able to stay (due to Akari having several melt-downs and temper-tantrums). Suddenly a picture of Akane swarmed into her mind and she jerked, breaking away from her memories. Shaking her head, Akari glared daggers at Akane, trying to figure what it was that made her think of him. Clamping down on her memories for now, Akari stood up and started doing her job again, protecting the cart.

Akane felt Akari glare at his back. He rolled his eyes ‘Why is she being so cold and critical all of a sudden?’ he thought to himself ‘She was acting all nice a little while ago. I was just trying to return the compliments. I guess I’m never doing that again….but, why does it bug me so much what she thinks of me?’ Akane thought of this, but quickly broke from his trail of thought. He jumped and did a back flip as he pulled his sword and blocked 3 arrows. Akane landed and heard a thump as a fourth arrow hit the cart. Akane glanced over his shoulder quickly and saw the arrow, he stood up and faced where the arrows came from, raising his sword defensively. “Akari!” he shouted “Get the cart and get out of here! I’ll catch up!”

Akari pulled out her swords, realizing the danger. "No way! We'll take them on together!" She shouted. She was shocked at her words: normally she would have taken the reigns and driven away, like she had been told to- it was the most sensible option. Why was she suddenly deciding to stay now. Running flame through her blades, she stayed close to the cart, burning any arrows that got near, waiting for the ambush-ers to jump out. She glanced at Akane and saw him deflecting arrows also, and tried to get her mind back on the battle. An instant too late, and arrow grazed her side and hit the cart, causing Akari to gasp, and also successfully putting her mind back where it was needed.

Akane could sense three people in the bushes. They weren't coming out any time soon though. "Akari" he said "Step back a bit. I'm gonna need some room." Akane put two fingers in his mouth and made a loud whistling noise. He waited for a bit as he kept deflecting arrows "I'll need Garuda to kick up some dust and reveal our attackers..." he said quietly. Akane blocked a few more arrows and jumped in the air as large screech filled the air, followed by a bird shape shadow that covered everything below. Akane landed gracefully on the back of a large brown hawk. "Garuda!" he shouted "Let's rip it up shall we?"