Arms of Darkness

By: Haruka-chan

 

Chapter 3: Test of trust

 

Riho let out a gasp as he pulled her on, Riho held on his shoulder tight and shut her eyes, and it was when she heard laughter did she slowly open her eyes. When she opened her eyes she was greeted with Shido's handsome face laughing. Riho looked at the landscape around them, and listen to the water's soft sounds as the gondola sailed through it.

 

"Breath taking" she said.

 

"I agree" Shido whispered.

 

Riho then took noticed of Shido's arms around her waist, and their sudden closeness, she blushed at the feeling of their bodies so close. This is the first time she was this close to man.

 

"Lady Riho are you all right?" he asked.

 

Riho felt his breath on her cheeks and felt her cheeks burn with heat. "Please do not let go, I do not wish to fall," she whispered.

 

"There isn't any chance of that," he said.

 

Riho looked up at his beautiful green/blue eyes and felt his arms tighten around her. Shido looked down at her beautiful face, she was so close. He had the sudden urge to taste her lips on his, but held back.

 

"Lord Shido shall I turn back?" asked the gondolier.

 

"Yes, I believe Lady Riho would like that" he said as he stared at the young woman holding on to him for dear life. The gondolier brought them near shore; Shido picked Riho off the boat and on to the stone steps. He nodded at gondolier and he slowly sailed away.

 

"Lady Riho" he said.

 

Riho looked around and saw that they were no longer on the water but on land. Riho pulled away and in the process pushing Shido in to the lake. "Oh My God! Lord Shido!"

 

Shido climbed back up. Riho was sure he was going to yell at her, or be angry with her, but he just laughed.

 

‘Oh! I made him go insane’ thought Riho as she watched Shido sit there laughing. "Lord Shido?" she asked getting down to her knees to see if he was all right. What she didn't expect was to get splashed with water.

 

Shido's laughter grew as Riho sat there staring at him in utter disbelief.

 

[AN: retarded aren't we?]

 

It took her a few second before she cupped her hands and took some water and threw it against him. Before they knew it a little water fight broke out between them. Riho found herself laughing along with Shido, laughing like she never has before. Here she was a 17-year-old girl sitting splashing water at a man. No not a man a Lord and ironically it felt wonderful. This new freedom and feeling of joy was many more then any riches she ever had.

 

"I think I proved my point Lady Riho," said Shido.

 

Riho stopped for a second to catch her breath, "Prove what Lord Shido?"

 

He looked at her and smiled, "How it is actions that show your true feelings, and not words." 

 

Riho gave him a blank look. "Lord Shido do you mean to accuse me of pushing you in on purpose?"

 

"No, Lady Riho I don't" he said getting up and holding a hand out to her.

 

Riho looked at his hand for a second and then up at his face. Riho stood on her own and looked down at her dress.

 

"I am sorry Lady Riho I have ruined your dress," he said.

 

"No it's quite all right," she said.

 

"Come now we must go inside and dry ourselves before we catch a cold" he said.

 

"Yes" she said.

 

Shido walked ahead inside where he heard voices heading towards him. ‘Guni must be back...and so soon?’ he thought with a smile.

 

"Lord Shido you are all wet" said an all to familiar voice to Shido.

 

Shido turned to the face a woman at the age of 20, she had raven color hair highlighted with violet. She had violet eyes [An: There is two versions of Yayoi, one she has red hair, another she had raven color hair, I'm going to go with raven. I'm not sure if she has violet eyes or not but she does in this story] She was in a fancy red gown, which showed much cleavage.

 

"Lady Yayoi, I was not expecting you" he said with a smile.

 

Guni who was behind her laughed at her wet master.

 

[AN: I don't feel that Guni is a servant to him, but as the story goes on you will understand what I mean]

 

"My Lord what has happened?" she asked giggling.

 

Shido also laughed "I fell in to the water" he said.

 

"I am afraid I am to blame for that" said Riho walking in with a smile.

 

"Lady Riho you’re all wet also" said Guni.

 

Riho blushed, she thought her face would dry from the heat coming from it. Shido turned to look at her, the droplets on her face looked beautiful tinted with the color of her blush. Yayoi on the other hand looked like predator looking at its prey.

 

[AN: Yes, Yayoi is lusting for Shido and Riho is in her way. I told you this is a different kind of story. I have nothing against Yayoi. I love her character but in this story she is a bitch. Sorry it has to be this way J]

 

Yayoi rushed towards Shido. "Oh Lord Shido are you all right?"

 

"I am quite all right Lady Yayoi" he said.

 

Guni "humped" and walked towards Riho who looked confused and embarrassed.

 

"I do not think we have met yet" said Yayoi.

 

"I am Riho" said Riho not titling herself.

 

"Riho?" asked Yayoi.

 

Riho nodded and smiled, this had to be the first time she heard her name being called by a stranger without any title or formality.

 

"It is 'Lady' Riho, she will be staying with us for while" said Guni. Shido nodded and smiled.

 

"Lady Riho? Lord Shido why have you not informed me that you have a guest?" asked Yayoi hitting Shido’s arm playfully.

 

"Lady Riho joined us last night, and we could not inform anyone" said Guni.

 

"Excuse me Lord Shido, Lady Yayoi" said Riho.

 

Shido looked towards for her to continue.

 

"I am quite tired and I would like to change my dress. So I bid you both good night" said Riho and bowed.

 

Shido was about to protest to her turning in so early, but both Yayoi and Guni interrupted.

 

"Lord Shido I have something to discuss with you, and we should get you dry before you catch a cold" said Yayoi.

 

"Come lady Riho I shall help you with your dress" said Guni. Riho bowed once more and followed after Guni.

 

Shido smiled and watched Riho look at Guni with fascination as they discussed some matter.

 

"Lord Shido shall we go to the patio?" asked Yayoi.

 

"Yes, Lady Yayoi" said Shido following Yayoi in to the patio.

 

Riho and Guni walked in to her 'current' bedroom.

 

"Lady Yayoi?" asked Riho.

 

"Yes, she is the daughter of a one of the Lords that Lord Shido is acquainted with, she has been trying to get Lord Shido to paint her portrait for as long as she has known him" said Guni.

 

"Why won't he paint her? And I thought no one knew that he painted" said Riho stripping out of the dress.

 

"I really don't know, he never paints anyone, and one does. It was that one afternoon that he was painting in the patio, that she came in and pronounced him as the best artist. Asking him to paint her portrait" said Guni.

 

"Strange man Lord Shido" said Riho as she got in to light sleeveless nightgown.

 

"He is but he is handsome no?" said Guni smiling.

 

"I suppose, but I have seen better" said Riho.

 

"Sure you have" said Guni.

 

Riho laughed "How was the city?"

 

"Oh it was all right, I went to order a few things for you. Lord Shido told me of your stay with us" said Guni.

 

"Really what kind of things?" asked Riho.

 

"Oh dresses and such, you can't go wearing these old things" said Guni.

 

"I don't mind, Lord Shido and you have shown me much generosity" said Riho.

 

"Lord Shido insisted that you do" said Guni.

 

"Who does those clothing belong to?" asked Riho.

 

"I believe his mother, she was about the same size as you are when she was young" said Guni.

 

Riho blushed ‘Oh he must not want me to soil his mothers clothing’ she thought.

 

"Tomorrow you shall go to the city with me, and we shall spend the whole day shopping" said Guni.

 

Riho smiled "That would be delightful" she said as she let down her hair.

 

"I shall leave you to sleep now" said Guni.

 

Riho nodded. "Good night then" said Riho as Guni smiled and closed the door. Riho sighed and got under the silk sheets. "This isn't so bad at all" she whispered before sleep over took her.

 

Guni closed Riho's door and was heading towards her own room when Shido walked towards her with a smile. "Has Lady Riho changed?" he asked.

 

"Yes, she has and she has already gone to bed. I think the day’s entire event took much out of her" said Guni.

 

"I see" said Shido with slight disappointment.

 

"Where you planning to do something my Lord?" asked Guni.

 

"No, I will retire as well" he said.

 

Guni nodded "Then good-night" she said and bowed. Shido nodded and walked towards the way Guni had just come back. Guni smiled when she saw him make a turn. ‘I see he will visit her. I can tell he wants her, time to get my plan together’ she thought before entering her own room.

 

II

 

Shido stopped in front of Riho's bedroom and looked at the door for a while before knocking. When he heard no response to his knock he slowly opened the door and walked in to the dark room, the only light visible was the light of the fireplace across form the bed.

 

Shido closed the door behind him and walked towards the bed. [AN: No he is going to rape her, even though you want him to] Shido's breath caught in his throat, he painted many beautiful things, and knew true beauty or he thought, and things that could possibly take one's breath away, but the vision before him made his paintings fall apart like the sun pushing the pain away.

 

There lie Riho with the red silk sheets up to her waist, one of her hands at her side while the other was by her face, her sleeping and peaceful face a with an unbelievable shade of gold cast on it mixing with the natural blush she had on her cheeks. The light nightgown did nothing to cover her curves from his eyes. As her long silky hair fell all round her. Shido found himself frozen in place, staring at her face, her small perfect lips, the rise and fall of her chest, everything about her made him feel strange.

 

Never had he ever felt this for any woman. Riho opened her eyes, she thought she heard a knock at the door. When her blue eyes opened the whole picture was complete.

 

"Lord Shido?" asked Riho.

 

"I am sorry for waking you I came to wish you good night" he whispered.

 

Riho smiled, "Thank you I wish you good-night as well" said Riho and closed her eyes.

 

Shido smiled and shook his head. He looked back once more at her sleeping form. ‘I must be catching a cold’ he thought as he headed out the door.

 

Riho opened her eyes, her breathing quickened. ‘He came to wish me good night?...he looked wonderfully handsome’ she thought as a warm blush appeared over her face. Riho smiled once more, even if these new feelings confused her, she liked them.

 

II

 

Shido sat on a chair and stared at the blank canvas. ‘You know what you want to paint’ he thought as another flash of Riho's sleeping form came in to his minds eyes.

 

"No, I will not paint her" he said as he put down the brush and walked out of the room.

 

Shido walked in to the balcony that was in his room. The cool night's air of Florence helped calm him. One of the reasons why he decided to live in Florence. It had everything...now.

 

II

 

Morning came too soon for both Shido and Riho. For their dreams filled with new awaking feelings and each other. The dream world so much safer and wonderful then the real world where things were less painful and hurtful.

 

"Lady Riho, are you up?" asked Guni walking through the door.

 

Riho sat up "Yes, I am." 

 

Guni smiled "Breakfast is ready, and Lord Shido will be waiting" she said.

 

Riho blushed at the mention of Lord Shido. Her dreams were filled with him. Riho got up and got dressed in to a peach color gown which had a full skirt, the top match her curves and had white lacing around the neckline. The sleeves came up to her wrist and also had lace around it. Guni did her hair in to a loose braid with some hair loose in the front.

 

"There you are ready" said Guni.

 

"Will we eating outside?" asked Riho.

 

"No, we will be in the dining hall" said Guni.

 

Riho nodded as she and Guni walked towards the dining hall. Riho looked around the large dining hall, just like the rest of the palace, it fluoresced with elegance and beauty. Riho's eyes then landed on Shido. He was dressed as he was the night before his beautiful hair tied lose near the edge. Riho found herself staring at him once more.

 

"Lady Riho good morning" she heard him say.

 

Riho blushed "Good morning Lord Shido" she said as she bowed.

 

Shido stood and pulled a chair out for her.  Riho smiled and sat down.

 

"I hope you had a pleasant night" he said.

 

Riho nodded as her mind wondered to the dreams she had. "Very, I hope that yours was as well" she said.

 

Shido put down the cup of tea and nodded. "It was a challenge but, it was quite pleasant also" he said.

 

Riho stared in to his eyes, those beautiful green/blue orbs, which seem to hold so much mischief yet they were gentle and strong. Riho found herself unable to look away, it was when Shido turned away from her did she finally blink. Riho decided not to look at him for her own good, so she looked down at her food.

 

"Lady Riho are you looking for something in there?" asked Shido.

 

"Umm...no. I apologize for my rudeness Lord Shido" said Riho.

 

Shido chuckled and took another sip of his tea. Riho licked her bottom lip in nervousness, unaware of Shido's attention on them. Shido's eyes stared down to her pink lips, the way her deep red tongue moved over it slowly.

 

[AN: all right now were getting started on the parts that this story get it's rating R for. not]

 

Shido shook his head, again he let his mind wonder to the places where it shouldn't.

 

"Lord Shido, Lady Riho and I will be going to the city to shop" said Guni pouring tea for him.

 

"What shall I do alone?" he asked.

 

Guni gave him a shrug.

 

"I shall like to come if you don't mind" he said.

 

"Not at all Lord Shido" said Riho.

 

Shido smiled at her while Guni sighed.

 

"What will you be shopping for?" asked Shido.

 

"Some clothing and jewelry for Lady Riho" said Guni.

 

"I really don't need anything of such" said Riho.

 

"I personally think you look quite lovely with out any jewelry and wonderful in my mother’s dresses, but Guni is right, you should have some" he said.

 

Riho's face flushed.

 

Guni smiled at the 'little' comment that Shido had given Riho.

 

"Shall we leave?" asked Riho taking the napkin and dabbing the area around her lip clean.

 

Shido nodded and stood and pulled Riho's chair for her and held out a hand to her. Riho placed her hand over his, the feeling of his hand sent shivers down her spine.

 

"Thank you Lord Shido" she said as she got up.

 

Shido held her hand not making any indications of letting go. Riho found herself wonder what it would feel to lace her fingers with his. Her thought was interrupted as Riho once again felt the warmth of his lips on her hand.

 

"It's a pleasure to have you here Lady Riho" he said still holding her hand in front of his lips.

 

Riho's sparkled and her heart skipped beats as he held her hand. Guni walked in to see the two lost in their own world.

 

"Lord Shido, Lady Riho the carriage is read" she said.

 

Shido nodded and let her hand slip from his.

 

"Lady Riho I got something for you" said Guni.

 

Riho looked down at the green velvet that was in her hand.

 

"I know it's quite warm, but I suggest that you put this on" she said.

 

Riho pulled the cloth out of her hand about herself.

 

"Guni?" asked Shido who was very disappointed at the way it covered Riho.

 

"Lord Shido you know as well as I, the kind of place the city is like, if one mad artist sees Lady Riho, he will beg her to be a model for him" said Guni.

 

"I am afraid Guni is right, Men in the city can't handle themselves in front of true beauty, not that I am any different" he said.

 

Guni tied the cloak close and smiled.

 

"Don't worry the hood should cover your face" she said.

 

Riho was very disappointed that she had to hide herself just so she can go to the city, but she was glad she was able to go at all.

 

Shido saw her disappoint meant, but held back what he wanted to say. ‘For her safety.’

 

II

 

They arrived at the city in a short while. Guni stepped out of the carriage and smiled as the people rushed by her. Shido helped Riho get down. Riho never have been around so many people all at once, yes she went to balls and such, but never this much common people.

 

"How wonderful" she said clasping her hands together in joy.

 

Guni linked her arms with Riho's. "Come Lady Riho there is so much I want to show you" said Guni leading her towards a dress shop.

 

Shido smiled and followed after.

 

Translation on the bottom of the page

 

"Signore Shido quanto piacevole deve vederlo una volta di più" said a woman in her late thirties smiling at Shido.

 

Riho understood the fluent Italian words though they were different from that she spoke back in Rome.

 

[AN: I know your like how the hell is it different, but in a country there is many different ways the language is spoken, like in England and United States]

 

"È abbastanza piacevole vederli pure signora Bianca" said Shido.

 

"Sig.na Guni, siete qui per un po'più di vestiti?" asked Lady Bianca.

 

"Nessuna signora Bianca, siamo qui per i vestiti dalla signora Riho" said Guni pushing Riho forward.

 

[AN: My Italian in rusty 'ahah' crap so there might be some mistakes]

 

Lady Bianca walked towards Riho. Riho pushed back the hood and let her face show to the woman.

 

"Oh good heavens! Look how beautiful you are!" exclaimed Lady Bianca in a soft accent.

 

Riho flushed as lady Bianca looked her around.

 

Shido took a seat in one of the chairs by the window of the shop and watched.

 

"Oh I cannot wait to begin your gowns" exclaimed Lady Bianca.

 

Guni laughed as Riho turned even redder by the minute.

 

"Lord Shido where ever did you get such a beauty?" asked Bianca.

 

"To be honest with you Lady Bianca I am still unsure of that" said Shido.

 

Lady Bianca laughed. "Oh Lord Shido you charmer"

 

Riho found herself frown and begin to feel strange that this woman, was attracted to Shido.

 

"Lady Riho what color would you like the dress in?" asked Lady Bianca pulling out the different color fabric.

 

"I am not sure, what ever you think will suite me" said Riho.

 

"Ahh but Lady Riho, anything will look beautiful on you" said Shido.

 

Riho blushed.

 

"I have to agree with Lord Shido" said Lady Bianca.

 

"How about the pale pink?" asked Guni.

 

"I think that is a nice color also" said Bianca.

 

"Very well pale pink it is" said Riho.

 

Lady Bianca brought out the beautiful pale pink stain.

 

"I shall make you a wonderful dress, what other colors do you like?" asked Lady Bianca.

 

"I think a honeydew color will suite Lady Riho well" said Shido.

 

Riho looked towards where he was looking at a light ivory over green colored fabric.

 

"I believe you are correct Lord Shido, but as you had said before everything will suite the Angel you have brought me" said Lady Bianca.

 

Riho still looked down at the floor.

 

"Come now Lady Riho I shall measure you and have your dresses ready by the end of tomorrow" said Lady Bianca.

 

[AN: I know that it's not possible back then, but it's my story]

 

 

"What an inspiration you are Lady Riho" said Shido with a smile.

 

Lady Bianca pulled her to the back room, while Guni and Shido sat and waited for her.

 

"I knew she would like her" said Guni.

 

Shido smiled and nodded.

 

Riho returned and sat down across from Shido.

 

"I hope Lady Bianca hasn't tired you out, there is much more to Florence then just a dress shop" he said.

 

Riho nodded "I believe you are right."

 

"Lord Shido are you attending Lady Yayoi's ball?" asked Lady Bianca.

 

"Lady Bianca you know that I have no interest in such things, but Lady Yayoi insisted on my presence and she personally delivered the invitation. Counting all that in, yes I will attend, but only for a short while" said Shido.

 

"Will Lady Riho be attending also?" asked Lady Bianca.

 

"Yes, Lady Riho is my guest" said Shido.

 

Riho thought him to be quite arrogant not to ask for her decision first. ‘I will not go’ she thought stubbornly.

 

"Wonderful I shall make a beautiful gown for her to wear" said Lady Bianca.

 

Guni stood and bowed. "Lady Bianca we will return for the dresses, Lady Riho and I still have much shopping to do."

 

Riho nodded "It was a pleasure to meet you Lady Bianca" she said and bowed.

 

Shido stood also. "Yes there much Lady Riho must see" said Shido.

 

They bid Lady Bianca good-bye.

 

"She is a charming woman" said Riho.

 

"Not as charming as you Lady Riho" said Shido.

 

"Lord Shido you must stop complimenting me, is it not you who said that words did not have meaning" she said walking to catch up to Guni.

 

"I am sorry if I angered you in anyway Lady Riho, because surly those were not my intentions" said Shido.

 

Riho smiled one of her 'forged' smiles and shook her head. "No not at all Lord Shido." 

 

Shido took a hold on her hand and pulled her gently towards him. "Lady Riho I beg that you do not smile a false smile at me, for I will be hurt" he said with frown.

 

Riho stared at him, she wanted to gasp at that he knew she was 'forging' the smile. This man he knew her so well so fast it frightened her. "I am sorry Lord Shido, but how could one have a 'false' smile?" she asked stupidly.

 

Shido let her hand slips from his. "Believe me my lady I know all about the sort." 

 

Shido heard her say "Maledizione!" as she entered the store that Guni had just entered, he chuckled at her 'manners' yes she puzzled him more each day.

 

"Lord Shido, my you just seem to get more and more handsome each day" said another woman but she was older then Lady Bianca.

 

‘Does every woman in Florence know him?’ thought Riho not quite understanding why she was angry in the first place.

 

"Lady Catharine, I am afraid that is not true, not everyone feels as you do" he said looking at Riho.

 

"Oh nonsense who could think you are not handsome? My daughter Madeline talks only of you" asked Lady Catharine.

 

‘I do. Right about now he looks like every other Lord I have acquainted with’ thought Riho.

 

"Lady Catharine this is Lady Riho" said Guni picking up the tension.

 

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Catharine" said Riho from behind the hood.

 

"Oh I would like to see your face very much" said Lady Catharine.

 

Riho pushed back the hood.

 

"What a beauty she is" said Lady Catharine.

 

‘Do they not have any other word to describe me?’ thought Riho. "Thank you Lady Catharine, you are beautiful as well." 

 

"Oh, thank you child" she said.

 

"May I see the necklace there" asked Riho pointing at a pale pink glass beaded necklace which had a clear crystal rose hanging from it.

 

"This will look beautiful on you" said lady Catharine.

 

"Thank you" said Riho.

 

"Try it on" said Lady Catharine.

 

"Excuse me Lord Shido, Lady Riho and Catharine, I forgot something back at Lady Bianca's shop" said Guni and walked out of the store.

 

‘Why did she leave when I need her?’ thought Riho. Riho struggled to get the necklace on.

 

"Let me help you" said Shido as he first pushed her braid out of the way then took the necklace from her hand and placed it round her neck letting his hand trace the skin of her neck slowly.

 

Shido touched her skin in ever chance he got while locking the necklace in place. Her smooth soft skin left his fingers burning to touch it again. Riho shivered slightly when she felt his hands trace her neck softly. His touch was wonderful, she couldn't explain the growing warmth in her belly. Riho blushed when she felt his hands brush pass her hair.

 

"It suits you very well" said Lady Catharine.

 

Riho smiled and nodded.

 

"I have a wonderful piece that will look exquisite on you, I will go get it" she said walking inside.

 

Riho looked at everything but Shido. She couldn't explain what he was doing to her. He made is hard for her to be angry with him. Shido on the other hand just stared at nothing.

"Lord Shido I didn't know you were here" said a young girl about Riho's age, she had dark brown hair, and deep brown eyes.

 

"Lady Madeline" he said standing and bowing.

 

"It is always a pleasure to see you My Lord" said Madeline.

 

"Just as it is to see you" said Shido.

 

Madeline looked towards Riho who was looking at the jewelry. "May I help you?"

 

Riho looked towards the girl and nodded. "May I see that necklace?" asked Riho.

 

Madeline picked up the thin cultured pearls.

 

Riho slipped them through her fingers. "They are lovely" she said as she looked at them closely.

 

"You should get them Lady Riho, they will look equally lovely on you" said Shido.

Riho nodded.

 

Madeline looked from Shido to Riho, before she could start her inspection her mother came in.

 

"Here it is Lady Riho" said Lady Catharine handing Riho a topaz diamond-shaped pendant and goldstone tassel hanging from a bronze and cultured pearl.

 

"Oh it exquisite!" exclaimed Riho taking the necklace in to her hands.

 

"Shall I pack it?" asked Lady Catharine looking at Shido then Riho.

 

Shido gave a nod.

 

"I brought you the earring as well" said Lady Catharine.

 

"Thank you, so very much, I love it" said Riho.

 

Lady Catharine packed all the jewelry that Riho had picked.

 

Guni walked in and smiled at everyone. "Lady Madeline how good to see you" said Guni. ‘I hope she didn't ruin anything.’

 

Madeline nodded.

 

Shido excused himself from the store and stepped out.

 

Riho and Guni bid their farewells and stepped out of the store.

 

"What shall we do now Miss Guni?" asked Riho.

 

"There is so much we can do, but I think we should have lunch now" said Guni.

 

Riho nodded.

 

"What do you think of the city so far?" asked Guni.

 

"It's wonderful" said Riho with a big smile.

 

Guni smiled "Yes, I want to show you so many places but right now we should find Lord Shido and have lunch."

 

"Where did Lord Shido go of to?" asked Riho. ‘I hope I did not anger him’ she thought.

 

"I am not sure" said Guni.

 

"I hope I did not make him angry" said Riho.

 

Guni shook her head. "Lord Shido isn't easy to make angry."

 

Riho looked at Guni unsure.

 

"Why don't you sit there by the fountain and I will go look him up" said Guni.

 

Riho nodded and walked towards the fountain.

 

"I will be back Lady Riho" yelled Guni before running in to the crowd.

 

Riho sat down and looked around. The people of the city so alive, children running around laughing. Riho remembered her younger days and how different she was from the children before her now. "Such a wonderful life."

 

"Indeed, it is" said someone sitting next to her.

 

Riho turned towards the man next to her.

 

"I am sorry if I startled you my lady" he said.

 

"No, it is all right" Riho said.

 

"May I see you face?" he asked.

 

"No I am sorry" said Riho.

 

"But why, I am sure you are as beautiful as your voice" said the man.

 

Riho didn't say anything, but tried to look another way hoping that Guni and Shido would show up any moment.

 

"My lady it is quite rude to ignore someone talking to you" said the man.

 

Riho tired to keep her cool and not cry 'help this man was very annoying'. "I am sorry sir, but I do not wish to talk to a stranger."

 

 

"Then let us not be strangers" he said extending his hand towards Riho.

 

"I am sorry sir but I do not wish to speak with you" she said getting up, but before she could walk away the man grabbed her hand.

 

"My lady you are quite rude" he said.

 

"Release me at once" said Riho from behind her hood.

 

"I just wanted to see your face" he said.

 

"Well I do not wish to show you my face" said Riho trying to free her hand from the man's grip.

 

"Come now, what could you be hiding? I am sure you are not at all unattractive" he said as his hand reached for her hood.

 

Riho's free hand flew up and slapped him making him lose his balance and fall on the ground. The man looked up and gasped, Riho's hood had fallen of and she stood there breathing heavy. He slowly stood up and stared at her.

 

"What blessing has the gods put a upon you my lady for your beauty is like a blooming rose" he said.

 

Riho stood there staring at him as if he had gone mad, how did a rude man conjure such beautiful words?

 

Guni and Shido were heading towards Riho when they saw her hood was down and a man with five finger printed on his left cheek was saying something to her.

 

"I hope, it isn't what I think it is." said Guni.

 

Shido ran towards Riho, "Lady Riho are you all right?"

 

"Riho what a lovely name for a lovely creature as yourself" said the man.

 

Riho backed up towards Shido in fear.

 

"Lord Shido" she whispered.

 

Shido looked down at the man on the ground that was now coming to a stand. "What do you desire?"

 

"I only desire the maiden" he said walking towards Riho.

 

"I am afraid that you can not have" said Shido.

 

The man's features changed and he grabbed for Riho pulling her towards him. Shido tried to grab for Riho, but the man was quick and was already heading for a horse with Riho.

 

"Lord Shido Help me!" yelled Riho.

 

"Lady Riho!" yelled Shido.

 

[AN: Classic knight in shining Armour scene]

 

Guni ran towards Shido, "Lord Shido!"

 

Shido had a serious expression as he grabbed a horse. "I will make sure to get her back" said Shido.

 

Guni nodded as Shido got on to the horse and rode towards the fleeing stranger and Riho.

 

[AN: Corny! Yes I know very corny but I can't help it]

 

Shido found himself angry with Riho and himself. He kept yelling at himself that he shouldn't have left her alone looking the way she did. If he didn't leave Guni would have never left her to find him. ‘Damn it!’ thought Shido. Riho saw Shido behind her captive.

 

"Release me!" yelled Riho.

 

"I could make you happy my Lady and I want to paint you, in your natural form" he said.

 

[AN: that is a polite way to say I want to paint you naked]

 

A look of horror came over Riho. ‘Help me god.’

 

Shido was now shoulder to shoulder with her captive yelling, "Release her you crazy fool!”

 

Riho never saw him this serious or angry.

 

"Take pity upon me I only wish to paint the beautiful angel in my captive" he said.

 

Shido thought he was going to make hell rise with the way those words affected him. Shido didn't know what came over him but he punched the man with all the fiber of his being. Riho watched as the man fell unconscious on the horse. Riho then turned towards Shido who looked like he could kill anyone with his gaze. Everything was to fast for her to realize that the horse was still running wild with her and her unconscious captive on it. Riho screamed as they neared a branch.

 

"Lady Riho give me your hand" said Shido.

 

Riho looked at Shido unsure.

 

"Trust me" he said.

 

Riho nodded and gave him her hand, as he pulled her on to his horse, just minutes before her horse and her once captive went under the branch.

 

Riho held on to Shido as tight as she could, as tears rushed out of her eyes. Shido held on to her as tight she was holding him, as his hands brushed through her now loose hair.

 

"Shhh, it's all right Lady Riho" he whispered.

 

Riho said nothing her tears said it all.

 

"Tears are no shame for it is tears of the earth that keep her flowers blooming" said Shido as he got them both of the horse.

 

Riho would have chuckled and praised his poetic words if she weren't frightened out of her wits. They had rode in to a meadow; there was a small lake at the end. Riho didn't want to pull out of his embrace but she thought for him, he probably didn't want to be burden with her, so she pulled away reluctantly.

 

"Lord Shido I must apologize for everything that I have burden you with" said Riho looking down at the thick green grass, which they were standing on.

 

"Lady Riho you didn't burden me with anything. It was my own fault that this happened. I should have never left you" he said.

 

Riho found herself go from being sorry and sad to being angry. What he didn't think that she could take care of herself? What an arrogant man! Riho started to walk away from Shido, leaving him confused.

 

"Lady Riho?" asked Shido. Riho didn't stop when she heard him calling her name.

 

‘Why should I stop? He thinks me as a child!’ she thought as she neared the lake.

 

"Lady Riho" he called running towards her.

 

Riho just stood the edge and looked out. This was freedom and then it wasn't. She found herself thinking of how the lake must feel. Never being able to go anywhere, just sitting there wondering when it would have an escape, but then again it has been everywhere and back.

 

[AN: When I say everywhere think of the water cycle]

 

Riho shook her head. How that was now she felt guilty that she was angry with him, and why was she confusing herself so much? She was making her own head hurt.

 

"Lady Riho" he said. She confused Shido, yet he could think of nothing but her.

 

"Lord Shido do I appear as a child to you?" asked Riho.

 

[AN: another polite way of saying that Mother Fucker do I fucking look like a child to you?!]

 

"No not at all Lady Riho" said Shido. ‘God who could think of her as a child?’

 

Riho looked down at the grass and cursed herself. ‘I am such a fool sometimes.’

 

"Why would you ask that?" he asked.

 

Riho looked up and smiled. "It is no matter" she said.

 

Shido looked at her with concern but before he got to ask her Guni came with the carriage.

 

"Oh Lady Riho are you all right?" asked Guni rushing towards where she and Shido stood.

 

"I am fine thanks to Lord Shido" she said. Shido stilled looked confused and concerned.

 

"Oh thanks goodness" said Guni.

 

Riho smiled.

 

"Shall we head back to the palace?" asked Guni.

 

Shido nodded as he gave his arm to Riho. Riho hesitantly took it and followed. When Guni saw that they were inside the carriage, she ran towards Riho's once 'captive'.

 

"Good job James, sorry that Lord Shido punched you so hard, but you must understand a painter’s passion." she said as she placed the pouch of coins on him and stared at the huge black and blue on his cheek. ‘I knew he would go after her’ thought Guni with triumph smile on her face. "I shall make them fall in love like the goddess herself."

 

NOTE: This poem doesn't belong to me

 

"Tears are no shame

It is tears of the earth that keep her flowers blooming"-it is by Tagore

 

Translations:

 

1. Signore Shido quanto piacevole deve vederlo una volta di più- Lord Shido how pleasant it is to see you once more

 

2. È abbastanza piacevole vederli pure signora Bianca-It is quite pleasant to see you as well Lady Bianca

 

3. Sig.na Guni, siete qui per un po'più di vestiti?-Miss Guni, are you here for some more dresses?

 

4. Nessuna signora Bianca, siamo qui per i vestiti dalla signora Riho-No Lady Bianca, we are here for Lady Riho's dresses

 

5. Maledizione- Damn