Kohaku gave up and headed downstairs to eat. She greeted everyone in the dining hall with a sullen attitude, sitting down at the end of the table where some bread and water were waiting for her. Just some hours ago, she was sitting with Rigel– even he was having a great time, eating his salmon just like everyone else.
She let out a depressed breath through her nose, fingering at the dagger. This didn't have to happen…
Naoki came with a strong wicker wood basket and asked Kohaku, "I'm running a little short on firewood today… I'm sorry to bother you, but will you be willing to get some for me?"
"No problem…" She grumbled, grabbing the basket and heading out. She needed the fresh air anyway.
Rigel let out a puff of smoke, closing his eyes and shivering more. It was so cold, and his clothes were soaked with icy cold water. He wanted to be back beside Kohaku’s warmth, back with everyone else.
She wandered off down the path that went down by the mountain river where the others were fishing the other day. I guess he just wants branches or something, she thought dimly.
Kohaku was busy picking up a few loose branches when she picked up something else– the familiar scent of smoke.
Rigel blew out another puff of smoke, bending the metal from his own entertainment. He twirled it around his knuckles, reflected shining light as he twirled it.
Kohaku followed the waft of smoke tickling her small black nose. I know that smell of smoke anywhere… She made sure not to dillydally too much, picking up wood along the way. She was afraid to call out, but she did anyway– for the sake of both lives– "Rigel?"
He nearly jumped out of his skin, the metal around his fingers morphing into protective daggers within the second, “W-Who’s there?” He called back nervously, shivering from both the cold and fear.
Kohaku was happy to hear from him— it hasn't even been a day and she already missed his voice. "I–It's Kohaku," She said cautiously. She still could smell the tinge of smoke, but she couldn't see him. "Where are you?"
“K-Kohaku?” A wave of relief washed through Rigel at her familiar voice, “I’m-I’m over here!” He called, wrapping his arms around himself in attempt to stop shivering. He was so dang cold… “Where are you?”
She frantically shuffled through the bushes, leaving the firewood behind on the ground. "Rigel!" Kohaku saw him under the tree, shivering like a sick, wet dog. "Rigel…." She came to him, sitting close to him. "You won't believe how much I missed you…"
Kohaku gave him a heat-inducing hug, arms tight around his neck– although he was nearly frozen and also soaked, she kept close to him. I can't believe you're living like this now…. It's not right. It's just not right.
Rigel hugged her tightly, her warmth so relieving and comforting that he found himself not letting go of the hug, “Gosh I missed you……” It was like she filled him with light, taking away the burden on his shoulders.
Her ears twitched at the coldness. "I can't believe you're living like this…. Out in the cold…" She nuzzled her nose against his pale neck. "I tried so hard to reason with Daichi, but his answer was always the same…" Humans will be humans… Kohaku dispised the stereotype. Rigel was absolutely nothing like history described humans. He'd never kill…
"….I just want you to come back…"
“I want to go home too…” Rigel confessed quietly as a tear slipped out of his eyes before he could stop it. “I missed you…” He savored the warmth she gave him, savored that feeling of being loved.
"I-I missed you too," Kohaku sighed, her tail flicking. There has to be a way to get him back in Naoki's house, or somewhere. I won't let him stay in the cold…
She curled up next to him, snuggling against his side warmly. "I don't want to ever have to leave you again…"
Just as she said that, a voice called out from the house, "Kohaku!! Where'd you go???"
Rigel tensed, not wanting to let go of Kohaku just yet, but he said anyways, “You need to go…” I need to go… “Besides, he’s somewhere out here you’re safer with everyone else.” Rigel pointed out as he peered through the woods as if Peter would jump out any second.
Kohaku sat up. "I know, but I don't want you to leave…"
"Kohaku?? Where are you??" By the sound of it, it sounded like Naoki was calling for her, which gave her a sigh of relief.
"Can you promise to stay near the village, though?" She took his cold hand. "Just so I can see you when I get the chance?"
“I…” I need to go, I really should, but… “Alright, I will.” He promised, nodding his head as if to affirm it. He gave her warm hand a squeeze, before pulling her into another hug. “Stay safe, okay?”
"I promise…." She touched noses with him– like a small canine kiss– and was on her way. Kohaku went back through the bushes where her wood was, and unexpextedly ran into Naoki.
She gasped. "Naoki!!"
"There you are," He nodded, "I was wondering where you went…." He glanced down at what she gathered. "That's very nice…."
He went on and on, and she glanced back, noticing that Rigel was gone.
Rigel was left breathless, something fluttering in his chest. He smiled to himself, her warmth lingering within him. He sniffed out his cigarette and slipped it into his pocket, new life breathed into him.
Naoki grinned sheepishly. "You didn't have to come all the way down here for wood– I was talking about the wood out by the back of the house."
Kohaku felt a bit stupid, but it was all worth it in the end. "Well, I'm sorry… I just needed to get out of the house anyway…."
He really had a good look at her expression, and he couldn't help but ask, "Is there something wrong?"
Rigel took a deep breath of fresh air, looking up at the sky. He couldn’t leave now, there wasn’t a chance- his heart wouldn’t let him. I love Kohaku… The thought shot him out of his bliss. What am I thinking?!? No, no, no, I meant it platonically… But his heart still fluttered in his chest.
"Rigel didn't have to leave us…." She frowned. "Daichi was just overreacting."
"Oh…" Naoki shook his head. "I see… But, I need to have a word with him."
Kohaku glared at him. "How come?"
"The guests aren't allowed to dismiss other guests– only the host is allowed to do that, and that's me."
Kohaku let the light of hope shine on her. Maybe he has a second chance at staying…
(Are they close enough for Rigel to overhear the conversation?)
(I mean I thought he moved on somewhere else, but sure. He is, I guess)
(Nah, let’s say he moved)
Rigel continued walking in between the trees, his metal levitating not much farther behind him. He still felt a tingle in his chest from when Kohaku had found him, from the memory of her arms hugging him… He tried to push away the thoughts, focusing on where he was going instead.
(Okay, that's fine too :) )
Naoki and Kohaku returned back to the house along with what wood she managed to get. Naoki invited Daichi to a secluded spot in the house, and Kohaku sat at the end of the table where her food was waiting.
She tore it in half, eating a piece. Does he really have a second chance???
