#kaltrops

   Kina watched as the morning sun crested over the trees in the distance.  The sun's rays were a stark contrast scattered across the morning sky.  It wasn't often that she found herself up to enjoy this view,  but in her heart,  she felt it to be underwhelming.  It was early.  Much too early for her,  but nightmares plagued her sleep.  She found herself pacing around the patio for awhile in a desperate attempt to shut herself down,  but ultimately,  it was a waste of time.  She retired back to the mess of blankets and pillows strewn about her room,  carefully putting everything back in its place and meditating.

   Pointless.  It was all so utterly pointless.

   And now she found herself at the edge of the woods,  fond memories of camping trips and drunken nights flooding her head.  Cat drunkenly singing along to whatever song she copped off of some rickety old tavern's bard,  Valerie snuggled up next to Kina by an open fire,  and the s'mores.  The goddamn s'mores.  Kina's mouth ran dry at the thought of it and she huffed.  It's been far too long.

   She pressed on,  twigs and leaves crunching under her feet.  She carefully stepped over a fallen tree,  cursing to herself as a family of rabbits scattered off further into the woods.

"You don't have to run!  I'm friendly!"

   The fattest of the bunch came to a full stop,  the babies falling in line shortly after.  It popped back around and Kina gasped softly as she slowly approached them.  She extended a hand,  kneeling far enough to make them comfortable.

"See?  Friends,  right?"

   The fat rabbit cautiously approached her.  Sniff.  Kina swore in that moment that she was glowing brighter than the sun itself.  Twigs.  The rabbit's ears perked up and as the babies scattered to the underbrush,  the fat one slipped away.  Kina groaned.

"You're up early."

   She jumped with a loud squeak as Rikius slinked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.  She inhaled.  Something earthy,  but spicy.  No mistaking that.  Her ears drooped as she caught her breath.

"I couldn't sleep,"  she turned to embrace him.  "And don't sneak up on me,  goddammit!"

   She playfully punched him in the ribs.  He quietly apologized,  pressing a kiss to her cheek.  She couldn't stay mad even if she tried.

"You of all people can't sleep?  That's surprising."    She rolled her eyes.  "A cat joke?  Really?" "No,"  he scoffed.  "You tend to sleep a lot."

   Kina felt the blush coat her face and she quickly turned her gaze elsewhere in case he noticed.  Of course,  he noticed.  He always fucking noticed.  As soon as she composed herself enough to look back at him,  he slipped away.  It took everything in her not to whine,  desperate to cling onto that warmth,  but she perked up as he slipped his hand in her own.

"Well,  if you're up,  you might as well keep me company." "Oh,  is the lone wolf feeling a little lonely today?"

   Rikius shot a look down at her.  He squinted and she snorted.

"Relax,"  she slapped his arm.  "I'm just fucking with you." "Is that so?  I'd be very careful if I were you." "This early and you're already trying to threaten me?" "Not threatening,  Kina.  Simply warning you." "Where was that warning months ago?"

   At that,  Rikius laughed.  She quietly let him guide her through the thicker parts of the woods,  glancing up through the canopy as a flock of birds flew by.  Robins.  Their morning song felt so calming.  Inviting almost.  They walked on until they hit a clearing surrounding a large tree.  Its branches twisted around itself in a beautiful display,  leaves as lively as ever in the springtime bloom.  Rikius carefully peeled his bow from his body and set it against its trunk,  taking a seat against the tree himself.

   He pulled Kina onto his lap and she happily curled up with him.  Her fingers entwined with his as they both sat comfortably in the shade,  listening as the world went by around them.  She laughed to herself and Rikius gave her hand a squeeze.

"What's so amusing?" "You know,  it's pretty rare to find a woman who would gladly thank a strange man for dragging her into the woods alone these days."

   Rikius let out a disgusted noise.

"You think I'm strange?" "Well,  you willingly shacked up with me,  so you already have that working against you." "Ah,  fair point.  I am out of your league,  after all."

   He braced for impact as she feigned offense,  connecting with his ribs again.  He grinned.

"You really have trouble keeping your hands to yourself,"  he took hold of her wrists.  "I can fix that." "Yeah,  good luck with that one!" "Is that a challenge?" Kina smiled and bit down on her lip.  "Maybe."

   She closed her eyes as they moved in close.  His lips brushed against hers and she held her breath.  The moment never came and instead quick hands attacked her sides.  She nearly lost her balance as she collapsed against him in a fit of laughter.  She desperately tried to pry him away from her body,  whimpering when he held on strong.  She pouted.

"Rikius..."

   A mischievous grin was plastered on his face as his hands ghosted from her sides and to her belly.

"Don't you fucking dar-"

   She yelled out his name again,  laughing harder as she toppled backwards onto the grass.  Desperate for an escape,  she whined as he got on top and pinned her to the dirt.  He continued his attack as soft hands tried to swat him away.  After a few more minutes of torment,  he pulled his hands away.  She let out a strangled breath and he smiled.

"You know,  first one's free,"  she blew her mane out of her face.  "But next time,  I'm totally kicking your ass." "Mhm.  And how many times have you told me that same exact thing now?"

   Kina tried to glare at him,  but cracked into a cheesy grin only a few seconds later.

"You're an asshole." "And yet you still love me.  Strange,  isn't it?"

   He helped her to her feet,  watching in amusement as she batted a few stray leaves from her mane.  As she retired to the base of the tree,  he picked up his bow and mentally marked a nearby tree as his target.  The brisk air stung her lungs as she took it in.  The fresh air was a nice change of pace from all the strange scents she was becoming accustomed to in the military.  Whether it be the amalgamation of cheap perfumes and body odor in meeting rooms or the stench of something long since dead,  it was enough to make the fresh air seem divine.

   Somewhere back at the manor,  Cupcake was barking wildly.  A group of crows scattered across the canopy as the barks echoed through the trees.  She listened closely to the river nearby as its water rushed over smooth stones and pebbles.  It was enough to lull her back off to sleep,  but she couldn't help but let her gaze fall back on Rikius.  She watched as practiced hands nocked another arrow,  his body shifting back into position.  The way his muscles flexed as he pulled back and released the arrow.  She watched closely as he pulled another one from his quiver.

   The sight of his fingers working the arrow into place was driving Kina’s imagination wild.  She could feel herself growing hot despite the cold air around her.  To say she felt uncomfortable would be an understatement.  All she wanted was for him to turn around and have those fingers working on her.

“Something on your mind?”

   Kina nearly jumped out of her skin.  She straightened herself up.  Those icy eyes were somehow managing to burn a hole right through her.

“Just...admiring the view.”

   She mentally hit herself as her voice cracked.  There was a glint of something in Rikius’s eyes now.  She couldn’t tell what.  Whatever it was,  he looked quite proud of himself.

“Is that so?”

   In those few short moments,  she swore she had about three heart attacks and a full on aneurysm as Rikius made quick work of his shirt and tossed it off to the side.  It was hard for her to avert her eyes as they found themselves locked on his arms.  All the better to hold her down with.  His expression didn’t change as he moved back into place and finished nocking the next arrow.

“Better,”  he glanced back at Kina.  “I’d say so by that look on your face.”

   It was at this moment she realized that her cat-like reflexes couldn’t save her from everything.  Some things,  like a freight train full of embarrassment;  were obstacles in life that were entirely unavoidable.  She hid her face behind her hands,  yelling something incomprehensible as she realized trying to hide it at this point was useless.  She dragged her hands down her face with an exasperated sigh.

   But with embarrassment came an idea.  Maybe not her best idea,  but it was an idea nonetheless.  As she very noticeably admired his body,  every inch and scar from head to toe;  she inhaled deeply and huffed.

“Two can play at this game.” “Did you say somethin-”

   Rikius’s eyes widened as she stood up.  She reached back,  undoing the tie of her dress and letting it fall to her ankles.  All he could see was inches of skin he wanted to explore,  covered only by a tiny bit of cotton and lace.  She dramatically looked at the pile of fabric on the ground,  slapping a hand to her mouth.  She locked eyes with him,  giving him a small wink and a giggle.

“Oops!”

   He swallowed hard.  She wasn’t sure who was sweating more in this instance.  Choking down whatever dignity she had left,  she kicked the dress off to the side and sauntered over.  She circled him like a wolf circling its prey,  her tongue clicking against the roof of her mouth as she whispered something in her mother tongue.  She took her place by his side,  placing her hands on her hips.

“You know,  I’ve always wanted to learn how to use a bow.  Maybe you could...teach me?”

   Rikius squinted.  He cleared his throat,  hoping it’d be enough to chase away whatever dirty thoughts were clouding his mind now.

“Fancy yourself an archer now,”  he quirked a brow.  “Alright,  fine.  Pay close attention.”

   Kina grinned stupidly.  She laid down the trap and he was falling right into it.  Internally,  she was panicking,  but also thrilled.  Rikius pulled out another arrow,  making sure her attention was on him as he carefully explained the process to her.  She nodded.  With the arrow nocked,  he kept his sight on the tree ahead.  Swiftly and dare he say dangerously,  her tail brushed up against him and his mind couldn’t help but race.

“Okay,  so,”  he released the arrow and missed.  “That’s...embarrassing.” “What’s wrong?”

   She smiled sheepishly as he glanced over at her.  His eyes flashed with annoyance,  but he blinked it away and sighed.

“I can’t concentrate.” “Hmm.  Probably cuz you’re wound up tighter than a dragon’s asshole.”

   Rikius stared at her very hard.  He looked somewhat perturbed with her choice of words,  but he shook his head and blinked hard.  Unfortunately not enough to wipe that from his memory.

“What?” Kina shrugged.  “I don’t know.  Granny used to say it all the time.” “Fascinating,”  he said sarcastically.  “You all have such a way with words.” Kina laughed.  “No,  but really,  you need to relax.” “I am relaxed.”

   Kina ran her hand down his spine,  smirking as he tensed under her touch.  Dead giveaway.  He looked up above and sighed,  silently cursing himself.