Chapter 13

At least this town still seems peaceful. No signs of demons nearby. A few animals need taking care of, but the people seem to be doing okay. I wonder if we can set something up to help the strays...

Keira wandered through town, keeping her eyes peeled. She stopped at a flower shop and smelled a few sweet flowers on display outside.

I have to make sure this place stays this way.

"I-I think flowers suit you."

Keira's shoulders jumped, and she turned to Aki, holding a single red rose out to her. "I'm not sure how you'd come to that conclusion unless the flower was made of ice, I suppose." She sighed.

He swallowed hard, still holding the rose out. "Your magic is ice-based, and people may see you that way, but you're quite warm and beautiful, just like this rose. And you can protect yourself, also like the rose." He laughed nervously as the thorns poked his fingers.

What...? "You can't just take those."

"W-what? I didn't. I paid for it already. I bought it for you... with my money."

"Oh..."

He held the flower closer.

"But..." What am I supposed to do with it? It'll die in a few days, anyway.

His eyes glowed, and his green fire surrounded the rose for a moment.

Keira raised an eyebrow. "What did you do to it?"

"Used a little magic to preserve it. It should last as long as the magic isn't sapped from it."

A forever rose? Interesting.

"Please take it as a gift. I know it's not much, but something tells me..." He trailed off, not sure if he should say his thoughts out loud.

"Something tells you what?"

"W-well, I was thinking no one has really had the chance to give you a flower, that's all. But I have no basis to say it, so I thought it best not to."

"Hmph. I've had people try to give me flowers at the king's parties, but I've never accepted any. I always assumed they had an agenda." She took the rose, and his eyes widened. "Thank you." She closed her eyes, taking in the sweet, floral scent. Surprised his magic didn't change the scent.

"You're welcome." Aki smiled and bit his lip as he watched her.

She finally looked up from the flower. "So, how'd you find me? You haven't been following me around, have you?"

"No! I was inside the shop buying the flower, and when I came back out, there you were. Almost like fate." He sighed.

Guess it wasn't him. He seems to be attached to the idea of fate... Not sure why anyone would want to share one with me. It would be certain to end in disaster.

"Um, would you like to take a stroll around town?" Aki asked, offering his elbow as he willed himself to keep steady.

"I've already scouted the town for danger, and it seems safe." Outside of whoever was following me.

"Oh." He laughed awkwardly. "That's great and all, but I was asking more if you wanted to go on a leisurely stroll or shopping while we have the chance."

Keira frowned. Is he serious? He's certain to have a better time without me there. "I'm not much help with shopping. Ask Rui, he's better with it."

"We don't have to shop, but I was..." He cleared his throat. "Hoping to spend more time with you."

"I doubt that'll last long while we're stuck on this quest together. You'll get tired of me quick enough, so it's best to enjoy your freedom while you have it."

Aki pouted. "Not exactly... Arg." He scratched the back of his head. "What I mean to say is, will you accompany me through town on a date?"

Keira froze, her face unreadable as her thoughts ran. He is insane. Who in their right mind would want to date the Ice Queen?

"Keira?" Aki called to her when she didn't reply. "Is that a no?"

"I..." I don't know. She glanced at the setting sun.

"Oh, is it too late?"

"I suppose not. I'm sometimes busy until the sun starts rising while I fight demons, but I don't know about... dates." I should say no. We don't have time for dating. The mission comes before the rest.

"It's not like we have to do much, just enjoy each other's company, and maybe even enjoy the sunset or stars."

"We should head back soon. Tarou probably has our food ready."

Aki's shoulders slumped. "I see. I didn't think about that, sorry."

"Oh." Keira looked between him and the rose. He really is like a sad puppy right now. "I suppose we can stroll around town for a few minutes before heading back to the inn."

"Really?" He perked up, eyes sparkling.

"Yeah, sure." What am I saying? Why did I agree? Keira took a deep breath and took his arm. Must be the puppy-dog look. One of my weaknesses.

"Is there anything Sora might like?" Aki asked as they walked by the stalls, getting ready to close for the day.

"I already bought her some food."

"What about a new brush?"

"Mine works fine."

"By the way, you weren't wearing that cloak when you left, were you?" Aki asked.

"No, but I wanted to use it to blend in, since I felt someone following me."

"What? Oh, is that why you asked earlier?" Aki came to a stop, forcing foot traffic to go around him. "Wait, are they still following you? Should we be worried? Maybe you shouldn't be out on your own."

Keira couldn't help but laugh. "You remember who I am, right? I can take care of myself; I don't need someone to protect me."

"I... I don't agree with that." He shifted to take her hand, and they started walking again. "I think everyone deserves to be protected sometimes, no matter how strong they are. I know I can't compare to you, especially in a fight, but I'll do what I can to protect you." His grip on her hand tightened.

Generally, the only one to protect me is Rui. "I think you've already done that before, haven't you? Giving me energy is a way to protect me, because it allows me to keep fighting in top shape."

"Oh, look, a small bookstore! Do you like to read?" Aki asked, bouncing a bit, itching to go in.

Surprised there's one in this town. "I used to read when I was younger. Now, it's hard to find time for it. If you wish to peruse before they close, we can."

"O-only if you're interested."

"Sure, it's been a while." Keira shrugged. He'd better not try to buy a ton of books, though. He seems the type that would have a giant pile of them ready to read at home.

"Great!" He hummed, an extra pep in his step as he led her into the bookstore. "What kind of books do you read?"

"None these days. When I was little, I read all sorts of fairy tales." And eventually books on strategy and war...

"Fairy tales?" He nodded.

"But I don't have time to read unless it's about how to fix the seals, so you can look for something you want to read."

Aki eagerly pulled her along to the fiction section off to the side, which included several fairy tales, right next to the history section.

Keira's eyes skimmed the titles and landed on one named 'Ice Queen'. That better not be about me.

"Ah, a hero's tale." He pulled the book out with a character on the cover that looked suspiciously like her. "Would you like this one? It's quite the tale of a beautiful warrior out to save the world on her own, only to be saved by love." He swooned.

Love? Yeah, right... "I'll pass."

"Oh, okay. If you're ever interested, I have it back home."

"I won't have time for a story now, but maybe you can just lend me your favourite after our mission." If we survive.

"What a splendid idea! I'd love to." He sighed. "How I've longed to share literature with—"

"Is there anything that might be useful on the trip? Medicinal herbs or the like."

"Over here they have quite a few books on herbs, farming, magic, and healing."

"Pick out one of those, then." She pulled out a thin book with weathered pages. "Mixing Magic and Herbs."

"Oh, now that looks like a good find. I've never seen it before." Aki leaned in close as she flicked through the book.

"Want it?" Keira asked.

"Uh, well. I wanted to get something for you—"

"So you do? Then let's get it." Might come in handy for the mission. Who knows what ailments demons might inflict on us? She took it straight to the front and paid for it. "Here you go." She handed the book back.

"Thank you..."

"Something wrong?"

"Nope." He hugged the book to his chest. "T-thank you."

"It looks like it's getting late already. We should get back before Tarou thinks I don't appreciate the preparations he's making."

"Oh, okay." He reached for her hand again.

"Hmm?" He seems to like holding hands for some reason. Maybe he feels safer that way. She took his hand, and he smiled.

---

"Look who's finally back," Rui said as Keira and Aki entered the inn. "And you two are... together?" He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Thank you for today." Aki bowed to Keira and scurried past Rui, still hugging the book to his chest.

"Thank you as well." Keira kept her rose in hand.

"Wow, I never thought I'd actually see the day you'd go out on a date." Rui clapped.

A sharp scent caught her nose. "Were you out drinking again?" Keira asked.

"Uh... You're just avoiding telling me what happened."

Keira leaned in closer to him and sniffed. "Yup, you've been drinking. And no, I'm not avoiding anything. He asked for a date, so I went with him. We walked around and went to a bookstore; that's it."

"Honestly, I didn't think he had it in him. At least, not this early in our journey. Has more guts than most men to ask you out."

Can't argue with him there.

"I might be more surprised you agreed than that he asked you, though."

Keira shrugged.

"Interesting."

"You're drunk, aren't you?"

"Nope. I didn't have enough to get drunk, but apparently, Fiona can't handle one drink."

Keira's expression fell. "Where's Fiona?"

"In bed..."

"Is she okay?"

"She's asleep."

"That's not really answering the question."

Rui sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "She got super drunk off of a little bit of some fruity drink. I brought her straight here afterward, got some water into her, and Aria helped her into bed."

"I see."

"Oh no, don't do that. I hate it when you say that." Rui noticed her hand and smirked. "Hey, what's with the rose? Did Aki give it to you?"

"Yes, why?"

"He... never mind. I kinda feel bad for him," Rui mumbled.

"What was that?" She narrowed her eyes.

"How about we grab some grub? Tarou already had a table set up for us."

"Sure." She rubbed her tummy. "I could go for a bite."