Akayuki (Red Snow) Chapter 1.2

Warning: This chapter contains mild violence. Reader discretion is advised.

Author's Note: I'm calling this Chapter One Part 2. It's too long to post as one whole chapter. Anyway, yes, that is Nica-Chucky at the end. I apologize for the dog, but you know Michael and dogs and the animal had been trained to kill. 

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fan fiction. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.

~o~

My bodyguard woke me an hour after dawn. I apologized to him for sleeping so late, but he ignored me.

Ren brought in my breakfast tray soon after I awoke and helped me wash my face and change clothes.

After I ate (I had to force myself to eat; I was too nervous in regards to the upcoming day ahead), my bodyguard returned and carried me outside to the waiting rickshaw.

“Going out, Nica-sama?” Mixter.

I struggled to keep my expression neutral as my bodyguard set me into the rickshaw’s passenger seat.

“Just going for a ride around the village,” I told Mixter. “My bodyguard needs the exercise and I could use some fresh air.”

“I see.” Mixter seemed satisfied with my story, but I didn’t sigh with relief yet. “I asked the family doctor to give you a routine check-up this afternoon, so be back before lunch.”

“I will,” I lied.

I motioned for my bodyguard, who had positioned himself at the head of the rickshaw, to proceed with our ride. The sooner we got away from Mixter the better.

“She knows we’re up to something,” I muttered to myself as we exited the compound and entered the village square. “We have to assume she read Freddy’s message.”

This would not be the first time the elders read my messages.

“Hurry, but don’t draw attention,” I told my bodyguard. “The Elders have spies here in the village.”

My bodyguard made no sign he heard me, but the rickshaw’s speed did pick up.

By the time we reached the village entrance, I knew we were being watched and, worse, followed, specifically by an old man and his dog. He had waved hello as we passed the teahouse. I waved back, and he had been tailing us ever since.

My bodyguard didn’t seem to be aware of the situation and I had no way of informing him without telling him we were being followed.

He pulled up to the gate and stopped, seemingly taking a break. He glanced over his shoulder at me and I flashed a fake smile.

“You went too far. I said to the teahouse and back, silly.” Hint, hint.

My bodyguard scowled and proceeded through the gate.

“Stop,” I ordered as per our plan. “Take me home.”

My bodyguard ignored me and pulled the rickshaw until it and yours truly were through the gate. I was outside.

“Go,” I ordered him.

My bodyguard dropped the rickshaw’s handles and pulled the katana he kept at his side. He turned as the old man’s mutt lunged at him. The animal jumped over me—its back claws scratched my arm along the way and I grew dizzy as red blood welled from the three scores the claws left behind.

My bodyguard sliced through the dog’s belly before it could clamp its jaws in his throat. The animal fell dead to the ground without a whimper or at least one I heard. When the animal had been defeated, its owner had howled with rage.

“Devil ronin!” the old man shouted. He turned and fled back the way he had come, likely to sound the alarm that I was escaping.

I didn’t waste time worrying about it.

I hopped out of the back of the rickshaw and walked over to my bodyguard.

He kept his katana drawn as I approached him.

I smiled a seductive smile and tugged on the collar of his navy blue robe.

“Let’s go. Before the guards show up and drag us back home.”

My bodyguard complied but he continued to shoot me suspicious glances out of the corner of his eye as we fled.