!PRIVATE! Marchen: The Journey

[Aki Ameko]

"You're not an old man, but you're still dirty. I feel sooooo much better..." Aki was still fixing Ryuu with a pouty expression, and only getting more and more irritated as time went on. Her fear seemed to have almost vanished now. "A blood rune?" Ryuu had actually stated something that caught some of Aki's interest. "No, can't say I've ever heard of them... But...wouldn't that take a specific type of blood to...?" She trailed off, realizing what territory her words were going into. That's just back to my initial question of what he is... Which I already know he won't tell me. Best change the subject... It was then that she remembered something else he said.

"Wait...I started crying...and what?" This time she actually tugged on his sleeve and stopped midwalk. He didn't actually feel sorry for me, did he? Aki wondered. ...A woman crying really affects him that much...?

[SilverDragonetsu]

'I am not dirty! I took a bath just yesterday...', he huffed in silence. It didn't surprise him when Aki said she hadn't heardof a Blood Rune before, just as he'd suspected. But she seemed to know somethign about them. Needed specific blood and such. He glanced sideways, hoping she wouldn't press Further, which strangely she didn't.

Instead she hung onto his comments about the tears, all while stopping him in midstride by tugging on his sleeve. He had to stop to see what the fuss was, but only came face to face with a blank , curious drawl or a stare. he frowned and shook his head gently. He pushed her hand from his sleeve.

"Aw Naw...Don't gimme that puppy dog look.", he shook his head gently and backed away. He tried not to look at her. That face...that LOOK. Egads...the things it did to him. But he looked. He had started walking again but hadn't gone two steps when he looked over his shoulder to Aki, just a peek. The look. That blank stare of a puppy dog face.

"What? what do you want me to say? You started crying and...I...Just..you know...", he tried gesturing with his hands as to what he meant. It didnt' work. He huffed and crossed his arms, ploping cross legge don the ground. "I'm...A...Er...I'm...a sucker for tears..."

[Aki Ameko]

Try as he might to hide it, Aki caught exactly what he said. He's a sucker for tears? Well that's a useful bit of information... She relished the devillish thought before taking another glance at the pouting Ryuu on the ground. ...But you know, that's actually a rather gentlemanly quality... ...I...suppose I really have been too hard on him... ...But he's still an a**.

Aki crouched down to Ryuu's eye level, wearing a much softer expression of kindness. "You know, Ryuu...that's actually kind of sweet." She smiled, feeling a great deal warmer than she had before. "I...suppose a thanks should be in order. So...thank you." And with that, Aki leaned in close and gave him a peck on the cheek.

[SilverDragonetsu]

Ryuu scrowered his skull with his finger tips. Why why why!? She'll use it against you now! She's know your weakness! 'but...the look! she used the look! You know I ca't resist the look...'

Glancing up form his sitting posture, realising for the first time that Aki had brought herself to his level, He frowned, suspicious of her actions. What was she up to? Hanging his arm over one knee and supporting himself on the other arm beside him. What was she getting at? Was she being serious? It caught him off gaurd that she was being so nice and friendly all of the sudden. But that was just the the short end of the stick, in a sence.

If he thougth he'd been caught of gaurd with the sincerety, he was greatly mistaken. All sheilds fell. A great flash of red streeked across his face, pale skin turnt rosey red in the cheeks in a flash. That kiss was the last thing he'd expected from this little hellion.

The first chance given, Ryuu silently stood from the ground, brushing himself off with little effort. He pulled on his coat his his back turnt to the Curess, and clearing his now rather dry throat. what was he to think of that? His mind was a buzz and nothing more as he face burned scarlet. Words, he had to say something. He felt student just standing there with nothing to say in responce. It took him a moment or two, thought he finanly found his voice. It was dry and rasp, but a quick cough fixed that rigth quick.
"Ah...eh hem...u-uhm...Y-you're...quite Welcome, Lady Ameko." He held his fist to his lips as though clearing his throat, all in a miserable attempt to hide the flushed color in his face, all while trying his very best to play it cool.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki smiled sweetly and stood up next to Ryuu. That one hit harder than expected... Oh well, just as well for me. Time to tip the tables on this journey in my favor...

"So, any idea when Suke will be back? And I...think it might be best if you taught me how to ride now." She blushed in mock guilty innocence. "Heh, I've just been making it harder for myself, haven't I? I should've just let you teach me from the start..." ...I should have cracked your skull in from the start. But eh, maybe another time...

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Mm...Suke?", He tried not to glance down to Aki, intent to keep the red in his face hidden until he was sure it had vanished. that's right, that damned Horgon is still missing. "Not sure. Either Haru is still skittish and running, or they've stopped someplace and have yet to come back."
So pretty much they were on foot until they say some sign of either mare or horgon.
"You're really up to it now?", he questioned, glancing towards the elf, though quickly deverted his glance. His face still felt warm. "Yeah, you should have! I mean, It would have been easier on you." He toned his voice down in a rush.
"As soon as we find suke and Haru, does that suit you?" Ryuu searched for his gloves, retrieving them from his belt. He pulled his gloves on over his hands, hiding away those claws. It was best if they were kept hidden. Just incase.

[Aki Ameko]

Great... Aki thought irritably. I don't fancy being on foot. Ryuu's so ignorant that he hasn't realized that I usually ride a broom, thus why I didn't need a horse. Can't tell anyone that though... Some people can be really superstitious.

Aki hid her irritation and pretended all was well. "Why yes, I'm pretty sure I'm up to it now. It has been pretty silly of me to have gone so long without knowing how anyway. I'd be glad if you would teach me." She smiled sweetly at Ryuu, but on the inside she was rather wishing that she could have been anywhere else but there.

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Great. I'll have to show you how to ride bareback too.", He rambled this off to himself, more as a note to if they ever got to the point of which he would be teaching her all different forms of horse back riding.

~And because I can and seem to be leading this story line in the first place, wahahaha, I proclaim a time skip!~

They'd been walking in silence for some time now. It had been at least a half hour since they'd started off down the road. And all the while through the silenc, Ryuu would glance suspciously over his shoulder. though in a secretive manner before his eyes would wander back to the path ahead.
They've been folowing us for some time. What are they after? Ryuu rose hsi head at the sound a content whinny. "That's Suke.", he stated. he reconised the Horgons whinny anywhere. Jogging up the road around bend, Sure enoughhe foudn Haru grazing about the grass. Suke stood in the shallows of a pond, nosing in the water.

[Aki Ameko]

((Oh yes Silv, go ahead and keep thinking you're in control... ;3 ))

Aki had been observing Ryuu intently throughout their walk. What does he keep glancing at? She wondered, and was about to voice her question when Ryuu spoke.

"Oh, we found Suke already? That didn't take as long as I--HEY!" She yelled before jogging after Ryuu, and lagging behind due to their height difference.

Finally she caught up with Ryuu and slowed as he did. Huffing and puffing again, she tried resume her sweet smile as she spoke. "Oh...good..we found...them..." She gasped. "Would you...like to...teach me...how to ride...now?"

[SilverDragonetsu]

Still there? I'd best keep an eye out. May try to ambush us...
"Yes. Lets get on that. But first, You sound worn out. Talk a breather and have a drink." Ryuu came to Haru and rummaged through the travel bag he'd given Aki. Of the two canteens inside, He found one and took it over the the Curess, offering it to her.
(Curse the shortness.)

[Aki Ameko]

((Edward don't like being cursed, Ryuu-rin. X3 ))

Aki blushed slightly at his show of kindness. "Oh...thank...you..." She said, taking the canteen and plopping down on a nearbye rock. Her face was rather flushed from the strain of the walk, and she was still breathing heavily from it as she took a drink. The cool liquid working its way down her throat felt extremely refreshing. "Thanks...Ryuu...this is good..." She smiled weakly, not realizing that some of the water had spilled over onto the ground. But not much to be worried about.

[SilverDragonetsu]

(Le-Gasp! IT READS MINDS TOO!)

"You're very welcome. As soon as you feel relaxed and rested enough, let me know. It may not seem it, But Riding a horse isn't just about sitting there while the mare does all the running. It takes some of your own mucsle work, the faster you ride." They would have been half way to the next town some fifty-sixty miles or so off yet. Though, Ryuu had kept them to a low speed until Aki would have decided to take some lessons from Him.

What are you waiting for? You want me to let my gaurd down? But I already know your there...Ryuu returned to the Mare, adjusting her saddle and checking the saddle bags over. Everything was in tact and ready for a good long and hard ride. He then went to suke whom was standing in the waters of the lake. He reared his up from the water. High abouve his head a fish had been thrown like a rag doll. He caught the fish as is came falling desperately back to the waters. It was quickly gobbled down.

"Nice catch RyuunoSuke. Think you could catch us something later?" He joked, laughing at the thought. Aki and Ryuu had rations, or rather Aki did. They were hers after all, yet meant for two. Seeing as Ryuu had given them to her, they were very much her's to do with as she pleased.

Walking into the water himself, Ryuu stood at sukes side, checking the Horgons saddle and saddle bags as well.

[Aki Ameko]

((...I'm not an 'it'... cry ))

After a few more sips of water, Aki's breathing began to slow down, and she was feeling much more relaxed. She looked casually around to see Ryuu standing in the water by Ryuunosuke.

"What are you doing out there, Ryuu?" Aki called out curiously. "And do you think we'll be off soon? I don't think I care much either way... It's rather nice here." Psh, of course I care. I don't want anything to do with this guy, and the sooner I ditch him, the better.

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Just making sure we didn't loose anything." That was half the truth. He was prepairing for something.
"I think we might be off sooner than expected. Come on over, and lets get you up there on that saddle." Ryuunosuke gave a heafty whiny of a sigh, appearing fidgety as he paced through the water antiously. Snorting, he lowered his head to the water for a drink, appearing otherwise calm and quant.

Leavig the water, Ryuu summoned Aki to the mare whom he himself was approching.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki looked at Ryuu curiously. Hmm, that's kind of sudden... Oh well, the sooner the better. Aki rose somewhat reluctantly and joined Ryuu by the mare.

Aki blushed slightly as she stared at the horse, glancing slightly at Ryuu, then quickly back to the horse. "Um..." Oh crap, I hope he doesn't have to put me up there EVERY time...