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My breath was forced and my eyes were wide as I quickly pushed myself out of my covers. My hands shook, and the ache in my lungs was unbearable. As I coughed fiercely into my palm, desperate for air, my fist gripped my garments around my heart.
My breathing gradually became more relaxed, and the discomfort in my lungs subsided, allowing my hands to fall to the sides. My gasps became less frequent, and my shaking subsided for the time being.
'Another dream,' I massaged my temples and fell back down on my futon, my arms covering my eyes as I sighed.
The owl's song rang through the garden as the sun barely rose over the mountainous valley. Sanemi was still healing in Shinobu's estate, so there was no movement inside the mansion, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
The crisp air pricked at my warm flesh, which had been hidden beneath my futon covers for the majority of the night. My eyes had bags under them, evidence of my scarred body's lack of sleep. The room was dark as the first light had only just risen into the sky, and the night's shadows still ruled over the estate.
As an awful ringing begins to extend throughout my hearing, I groan as I slowly sit up and cover my ears. My brows furrow in irritation, and my eyes cling together as if they don't want to let go.
My palms are still hugging my ears as I draw my knees to my chest and lean my head on them, attempting to stop the sound. As the ringing continues, I sigh and cringe slightly as the noise causes a headache in my head.
The ringing fades after a few moments, and I let my hands fall from my ears, then wrap my arms around my legs and bring them closer to my chest, closing in on myself.
Outside light gently rises on my walls, but it refuses to fall on my lone form as it continues to spread into the room, shedding its warm rays on everything except my figure. My bed was shaded by a large willow, which kept the sun from shining on my shape and kept me in the freezing crisp air of the night and morning combined.
I lifted my head from my knees and gazed towards the Oji doors which let light in from the brilliant garden outside. The sun's bright rays and the muffled morning songs of birds rang through my relief-filled ears.
I looked down to my hand and furrowed my brows, then looked down to my chest and gently rested my palm where the gaping hole in the dream used to be.
I breathed a sigh of relief and closed my eyes as I was enveloped in a warm embrace of darkness that made me softly smile and greet the ebony with open arms, my head still resting on my knees.
Like so many other times before, the gorgeous image of Kanae's smile entered my mind once more. Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured her warm embraces, her kind words, and, most importantly, her bright and gentle smiles. Even now, when she is no longer here, her kindness and warmth were always refreshing and soothing to my constantly busy mind and wildly beating heart.
I gradually stood up from my comfortable futon after hesitantly opening my eyes. I walked into the warm light of the early sun, which brightened my previously dark eyes.
My room was cluttered and overflowing with unnecessary goods and rubbish, as it always was. I strolled up to the Oji door leading to the hallway and softly opened it.
I then tiredly proceeded out the door and down the long corridors, which reminded me too much of Jomei's estate in all of its glory when it was in its prime.
My footsteps echoed down the corridor in the quiet and desolate estate. I strolled through the sunshine that slowly rose over the mountains and through the spotless windows that were all in close proximity to each other, passing by a window every now and again. Since some of the kakushi had gone home early for the night, meaning some of the windows were still covered by curtains, blocking any light from entering the large and lengthy corridor.
Once I reached the end of the hall, where the kitchen lay, I opened the door and frowned when the scent of the usual ohagi was missing. I sighed and walked towards the island in the middle of the room, which held two large bowls of fruit.
I reached over to grab a green apple and slowly bit into it, savoring the sweet flavor of the fruits found in the garden.
I sighed when I felt a sudden presence by the door and turned towards it while holding back a smile.
The door burst open with a bang and Uzui's tall and muscular frame stood in the doorway.
He scanned the room until his eyes landed on me and he grinned widely. "(Y/N)!" He exclaimed as he made his way over to me. I nodded to him in greeting as I continued to bite into my apple. Uzui stopped once he was in front of me and stared into my deep (e/c) eyes as he continued to grin. He suddenly began to ruffle my hair, making me deadpan and frown in annoyance. "It's good to see you again, (Y/N)." His headpiece swung around as he continued to ruffle my hair.
I pulled away from him and straightened out my hair while giving him a glare. "As much as I hate to say it..I missed you too." I spoke quietly, not wanting to actually admit it.
He swung an arm around my shoulder as his grin widened. "Don't act like you don't love me." He moved his lips next to my ear, making me tense. "It's too obvious that you do." He whispered huskily against my ear. His hot breath fanned against the side of my face and neck, making me lightly redden from contact.
I looked away from him as I continued to bite into my apple. "I don't think you know the difference between love and annoyance" I spoke tiredly as he removed his arm from around my shoulder and appeared right in front of my face. "What are you even here for in the first place?" I questioned as he grabbed my apple from my palm and threw the fruit so it landed in the bin. There were inches between our two faces and my eyes widened as he placed an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him so our bodies were touching, making me unconsciously blush.
He looked me dead in the eye as he spoke. "I'm going on a mission and you're coming with me."
He used his arm around my waist and hauled me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, making me screech. "PUT ME DOWN, YOU IDIOT!" I screamed as he began walking out of the estate like it was an average day for him.
He smirked. "Nah, I'm good." I gritted my teeth, the blush still prominent on my face. "Besides, you'd never go if I asked politely." He was right, which made me sigh and grit my teeth with annoyance laced through my features. "Alright, now you're not complaining, let's get going!"
