138 The Twitter Of Birds and Whisper of Trees

Silver Fingers.

This name raced in the back of my mind as we made our way near Tama forest. I had so many questions and so few answers. Why did Ren and my father think I was dead? Who told them? How could this be used to my advantage with my own plans?

I still very much wanted to dethrone the kings of Tama and Vance. The damage they had done and continued to do had been irreparable in my mind.

I clenched my fist slowly before I took a breath.

My family, friends and even Tama and Vance themselves had all been affected by the two kings tyranny. I looked over at Nathan briefly.

[ I wonder how he is coping…]

I watched as a bird flew past the carriage. A warm breeze making it's way past my ears. The carriage was rather packed. It should have only been able to fit 6 people but having Bela with us made seven so it was a rather tight fit. I almost began to miss the days when Kibbles could curl up in my lap.

Since Heyu and Loki were the tallest they were riding in the front and driving the carriage.

Kibbles was asleep on Undines shoulder as Undine was reading a book. Nathan and Sora were next to me. Nathan scribbling in a leatherback journal and Sora cleaning his weapon. Bela was right near the end of the cart guarding our rear.

"Nathan, how are you holding up?" I said quietly.

Nathan looked at me from his book and smiled.

" I am well Yuki, and you?" He said in his regal tone.

I looked at Nathan's purple and black hair before staring into his pale eyes and sighed.

" That is not what I mean.. Do you.. Want to go home?" I inquired.

Nathan paled for a moment his face in deep thought. He seemed to want to stare through me before he nodded once.

" After we find Ren and my father I guess we will all split up then," I said in return.

The carriage air seemed to change.

It was as if I could hear a pin drop.

It had been an unspoken truth that no one wanted to mention but we were all probably thinking about it. Nathan, Sora, Undine and Heyu would all probably leave to their respective posts and I would be left to make plans with Loki, Kibbles and Ren.

" Don't look so sad," Sora said abruptly.

Nathan looked at Sora before laughing.

" Says the boy who has gone five shades lighter" finished Nathan between giggles.

" I am just going to report that I am alive and check on Prince Romeo," Heyu said without turning around.

" Then I have some important business with Yuki" He finished on.

"Important... Business?" I said surprised.

" Mm very important.. I plan to" Heyu said before he was cut off by Loki.

" Don't worry Heyu you can start your business after I am finished with him!" Loki said before smiling at me.

" Nope me first!" Nathan said as he put down his book.

[ Are they going to help me dethrone the kings?]

" Probably not that," Kibbles said telepathically to me through half opened eyes. He was wearing a smile which was closer to a smirk.

[ You going to tell me what they mean or? ]

" God you're dense," Kibbles responded before falling back asleep.

[ Thanks for your help?]

I clicked my tongue and watched Kibbles go back to resting.

" What sort of business is it?" I said scratching my head.

" You will have to find out when we are ready," Nathan said almost diplomatically.

Everyone seemed to nod in agreement before Bela laughed.

" It seems you are very well liked Yuki Akiyo" Bela said before giggling again.

" Huh?"

" Shut it Bel," Sora said with a menacing glare.

[ Could they… No way they are straight! I'm not pining over a straight person ever again!]

My cheeks burned bright red as I shook the image out of my head.

" Hey, Yuki.." Sora said with a cheeky grin.

" Uh yes?" I replied as I shook the embarrassing thoughts off.

" What were you just thinking about?" Sora said as he came up closer to my face.

" Nothing.. Nothing at all" I replied with a poker face.

" Well that nothing expression of yours was pretty cute. You should think about nothing more" Sora said boldly.

The words caught in my throat stopped and my brain fried for a moment causing me to be paralysed.

" He is just teasing you, you can hide closer to me if you need to escape that boorish moss head," Nathan said as he opened his arm out.

[ .................]

I looked at Sora who was laughing before I stare at Nathan's almost expectant face.

" At this rate, I think you're safer with me," Bela said as she tapped the spot next to her. Like a cheetah, I rushed over and sat down next to her before poking my tongue out at Nathan and Sora.

[ My heart can't take this nonsense!!!]

Considering I had never had a partner in this life or the previous I still struggled to gauge what was a joke or not. They went too far and my heart couldn't stop beating wildly. Like a wounded kitten I laid my head on Bela's legs and looked out of the window.

" You scared him away Nathan!" Sora said upset.

" You started it!" Nathan said in retorted.

" Actually it was Heyu" Loki butted in.

" Heyu you jerk head!" Sora said and pouted.

I did my best to ignore then Bela was laughing as she stroked my head.

" Master told me a Mis Ki used to do this for you. I hope you don't mind" She said quietly.

" Not at all" I responded.

Her fingers were small and delicate. She was rather small. I didn't realise how small until my head took up most of her lap.

" STOP THE CARRIAGE!" A grumpy voice called.

" Heyu what is it?" I called to the front.

" Bandits…" Heyu said unphased.

This was the fourth attempt at hijacking that this carriage had experienced since we had owned it. Due to the high taxation, most people had taken to thievery to get by.

" Undine or Kibbles it's your turn," I said without lifting my head.

" I guess." Undine said as he got up and walked past me.

The carriage had come to a complete stop and Undine jumped out.

" Just one of you? Are your friends a pack of AHHHHHHH! "

Bang!

Crack!

" Don't kill them" Loki shouted.

" I'll try not to" Undine called back.

"AHHHHHHH!"

" No please!"

" Retreat!!!"

It wasn't long before undine was back in the carriage a small patch of blood was on his leather clothing which Kibbles promptly wiped off and we were back on our way to meet silver fingers.

With Bela running her hands through my hair all my worries started to drift away.

My eyes became heavy and my vision dark and the sounds of birds and the whisper of the trees gently rocked me to sleep.

[ I guess I can worry about the future when it comes.]