Kiki's Day Off

Kiki Seiran: known by most as the stoic yet compassionate knight of Clarines and dutiful aide to Prince Zen. As for details about her personal life, not much is known save by those closest to her. If someone were to ask what amuses her, a close friend might say she has a penchant for teasing her partner, Mitsuhide.

Until birthdays are officially mentioned by Akizuki-sensei, the season during this story is between spring and summer. This story takes place prior to Shirayuki's visit to Tanburn at Prince Izana's behest and Prince Raji's invitation.

---

"What does Lady Kiki like?"

"What?"

Of all the questions Mitsuhide had expected to be asked from this morning's training, this was not one of them. Much less from the younger group of knights at Wistal Castle.

The young man tugged nervously at his gloves. Behind him, his posse bobbed their heads from side to side with eager anticipation. Apparently, he had drawn the short stick to be the spokesman for the group. "Well, you've known her the longest and uh, you've been together for a long time, so we thought you would know…?"

Mitsuhide sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Why don't you just ask her directly?"

The young knight mumbled excuses saying it would be rude given his station, or that Kiki wasn't exactly the most approachable person, or that he kept getting tongue-tied when he was around her. When Mitsuhide pressed him for his reasons, he finally managed to spit out, "It's her birthday and we wanted to surprise her with something."

Mitsuhide raised his arm and waved. He then realized Mitsuhide was calling out to someone behind him who had just arrived at the castle training grounds.

"Oh, here she comes. Hey, Kiki! Good morning!"

"Good morning, Mitsuhide." she replied, acknowledging the group that flocked around him. "What's going on?"

He shrugged. "The soldiers were wanting to know what you like?"

They balked.

"Gah!"

"Man!"

"Don't ask so bluntly! No, Lady Kiki what we mean is-"

"What I like?" She put her hand on her chin and thought for a moment. "The rolls we had for breakfast?"

"She likes the rolls, guys!" Their leader yelled and they all made a mad dash for the rest area.

"Um, Miss Kiki." The shortest of the bunch approached her timidly. "H-happy birthday. If you'd like..."

He held out a palm-sized loaf. She took it.

"Thank you."

If she was surprised, she didn't show it. Mitsuhide smiled to himself.

"Lady Kiki!" The knights swarmed her and chorused, "Happy birthday!"

They then promptly returned to their training regimen leaving Kiki with an armful of freshly baked loaves. She picked one up and took a bite.

"Don't eat them all at once. You'll spoil your lunch." said Mitsuhide, crossing his arms. To Kiki, he had the exact tone of a concerned mother. The only thing missing was a wagging finger.

"Would you like one?"

"I'm fine."

She ate another.

"Wonder if Zen wants one."

...

After their morning training, the aides to the second prince departed together to the administration wing of the castle. Zen was already in his office, reviewing many documents that had been delivered the night before. He looked up from his paperwork.

"That's a lot of bread you got there."

"Good morning to you too, Zen. Would you like one?"

"Sure, but er - what's the occasion?"

In jumped Obi who swiped three loaves and inhaled two on the spot.

"Manners..." said Mitsuhide mildly.

Kiki merely shrugged but clutched the remaining loaves protectively. If Obi wanted more, he was going to have to ask first.

"I heard from the knights." said Obi, wiping the crumbs from his shirt. "Apparently it's Miss Kiki's birthday."

Zen blinked once and stopped writing mid-sentence. "What? It's your birthday today?"

She nodded once.

"Why didn't you say anything? Mitsuhide, why didn't you say anything?"

"That's because-"

"That settles it. Take the day off."

She raised a hand. "Zen, there's really no need-"

"No, I insist. I've been meaning to give you some time off." He gestured towards the door. "Go on."

"Are you sure? If there are other tasks that require immediate attention, I'll see to those. If not paperwork then what about progress reports from the knights circle?"

"Kiki." Zen folded his hands in front of him. "You're a hard worker and you always make sure we stay on track. I'm thankful for that. But if you work nonstop, day in, day out without rest, it makes me a little worried. A change of pace every now and then isn't a bad thing, wouldn't you say?"

Mitsuhide gathered a thin stack of embossed folders. "The workload's pretty light today. We'll be fine. Enjoy your day off."

He gave her one of his reassuring smiles. She lowered her eyelashes and bowed.

"Then, if you'll excuse me."

On her way out, Obi mimed a toast and politely asked for some more bread. Three rolls dropped in his lap and Kiki was out the door.

Obi juggled them and caught one in his mouth. "Hey Master, it's also my birthday today. Could I-"

"Nothing doin', pal." said Zen flatly.

"You can't. Even I can tell that's a lie." Mitsuhide jerked his head at Obi to get his feet off the desk.

"Geh. Why are you two always in sync at times like these?"

Up went the loaves and down went his feet. Right when Obi caught the remaining two loaves in each hand, a servant burst in with a tower of newly pressed documents. Zen dismissed the servant with a terribly obvious pained smile.

"Elder Brother is trying to kill me." he muttered under his breath.

"It's not that bad. Look, if we just divide the work evenly among us it shouldn't take too long..." said Mitsuhide, waving his hand with a placating gesture.

"AGH! A new stack of paperwork just came in! It never ends!" He groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I wanna see you, Shirayuki…"

"Master, shall I go deliver a message to her with those exact words?"

Mitsuhide only shook his head. "Don't, Obi. Zen would just wait by the window until you returned."

His head shot up and he glared at them. "What am I to you - a dog!?"

They watched him pace back and forth by the window murmuring to himself. "No. I'll use this as an incentive! As soon as I get done with all of this, I'll go see her. That'll be my reward!"

He punched his fist into his palm. His eyes sparked with newfound motivation. "Okay! Let's do this! Mitsuhide, you take the middle stack! Obi, get these sealed letters to the nobles! And don't lean on that!"

...

Kiki wandered around the courtyard pondering Zen's words. Although she agreed that breaks were good and she was open to a change of pace, she was also set to follow the schedule for the day. Spontaneity did not come naturally for her.

For starters, she thought. I should do something about these rolls.

"Miss Kiki, good morning!"

"Oh, hello Shirayuki."

Shirayuki waved and trotted up to her. Kiki noted she had come from the direction of the main building of the pharmacy and that she carried a satchel along with her pharmacist badge.

"That's a lot of bread you're carrying!"

"Would you like one?"

Shirayuki accepted one with both hands.

"Thank you. May I ask why you have so much bread?" she asked after taking a small bite.

"Well," she began. "The soldiers gave it to me as a sort of birthday gift-"

Oh no.

Shirayuki held a dainty hand to her mouth in delighted surprise. "It's your birthday?"
"I, um. Yes." she replied stiffly.

"Happy birthday, Miss Kiki!" Shirayuki clapped her hands together. "I wish you could've said something sooner. We should do something to celebrate!"

Kiki waved her hand dismissively. "That's alright. I'd prefer it if everyone didn't make such a big deal out of it. And Zen already gave me the day off."

"That's great! How are you going to spend it?"

Admittedly, the stoic knight wasn't used to such excitement, much less being in the center of it.

"Well...I'm not really sure. I thought I'd just go through my usual training routine."

Shirayuki hummed contemplatively and patted her bag. "If you'd like, you could join me. I was about to head off to the market. The Head Pharmacist has sent me on a supplies mission, you see."

"A supplies mission, huh?"

"Yup. And it's not often our schedules align where we both have some free time. We could peruse the local shops and grab a bite to eat while we're there."

"Alright. That sounds like fun."

She beamed. "Great!"

The sound of Kiki's pleasant laugh carried on the wind and it made the nearby guards standing front at the Gate of Poets perk their ears.

"You know, Zen had the exact same reaction as you."

"R-really?" she stuttered, partly because Kiki had laughed so suddenly, partly because Zen was mentioned.

"Uh-huh. Same expression and everything. You two are becoming more and more alike."

Shirayuki held her satchel up to her face. "Is that so...?"

Kiki tilted her head. "Oh, did I say something strange?"

"N-no. Not at all. Anyway, let's be off!"

Before they left, Shirayuki helped Kiki give away the rest of the bread at the pharmacy. They also stopped by Kiki's room. She donned a light cloak that would conceal her sword. Though she presumed there would be no need for it, she considered her weapon as much a part of her as the knight's badge bestowed to her by Prince Zen. Satisfied with her attire, they headed out through the eastern corridor.

...

"Mitsuhide, you've stopped working." With barely a glance, Zen stamped one document with his seal and added it to the completed pile.

His aide furrowed his brow while he jogged a collection of letters and began sorting the mail.

"Zen, do you know what Kiki likes?"

Zen stopped writing and shot a look at him. "Well, obviously-"

He paused. Mitsuhide waited expectantly. Zen took that moment to clean the nib of his pen.

"Nah, it's meaningless if it's not from her."

Mitsuhide raised a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "I suppose you're right."

"I wonder what Shirayuki likes?" Zen mused as he twirled his pen. "Well, I can name one thing..."

His gaze drifted to a stack of books and it made him smile.

---

"You always look so natural with a book in your hand, Shirayuki."

The young pharmacist looked up from her reading to see the young prince of Clarines leaning against the side of a sturdy bookshelf. Rays from the early morning sun streamed through the glass ceiling, imbuing them in its soft light.

She smiled at him in greeting. "May I take that as a compliment, Prince Zen?"

"You may," he said, casually passing his fingers through her hair as he walked by. "But I was just thinking out loud. A simple observation, if you will."

"I see." She motioned to the spot next to her. "Care to sit?"

He promptly plopped himself on the cushion beside her. "So, what are you reading anyhow?"

"Just some notes on nocturnal plants. There's so much information it's mind boggling…" She smoothed the page she was currently on. "But, Zen - I didn't expect to see you up so early."

"Wha- I wake up early on a regular basis! Just not...every day..." He ran hand through his hair, then pointed in a general direction behind them. "You hear that? That plink, plink sound? That's the sound of our knights sparring and training. If you wanna make it to morning practice, you make it your business to be there when the sun comes up. Which I do."

She shook her head slightly. "But not today?"

"Nah. This morning I just felt like taking a walk. And my feet lead me here. To you."

She laughed gently and shyly brushed a lock of hair back. "That seems to happen a lot. Are you sure it's okay for you to skip?"

"I can always make it for an afternoon session if needed." he replied and began stretching his arms and legs.

Shirayuki nodded and returned her attention to her book. Zen rested his chin in his hand and watched her for a bit. He loved how she would purse her lips and knit her brows whenever she puzzled over something, the way her eyes pored over the text in deep concentration. The sun climbed higher in the sky, illuminating the entire reading space of the library. Shirayuki's hair flared rose-gold. He slowly reached out towards her.

"Oh, Zen. Look at this!" She held the book towards him and pointed at a sketch of a plant bearing blue, bell-shaped flowers."This is the flower Ryuu and I have been trying to cultivate. It blooms during a full moon and the pollen glows, making it look like a little lantern."

His hand dropped to his knee. "Really?"

"Yes, and here…" She flipped to another section before flipping back to the previous page. "Ah, right. That's in another book. Well, there's a similar flower that blooms in the day and it also emits a shimmering pollen, only it's white. We're trying to see if we can breed them together and produce a flower that glows night and day. Just think about what a relaxing atmosphere that would be. To sit in a room surrounded by those flowers..."

He chuckled softly. "That's just like you two. I'm sure you guys can do it."

"Well, that little project might have to go on hold for the time being." She shut the book and laid her hands over the cover. "It doesn't have any medicinal value which takes priority so..."

"Hey, have you been getting enough sleep?" he exclaimed, suddenly leaning in to inspect her face. Shirayuki tried not to blush to no avail. She managed to smile, albeit rather awkwardly.

"I sleep every night, yes."

"Evading the question, I see."

"Um, don't worry. I'm fine." she said, curling her hand into a fist. "And I have tea to keep me awake."

"Okay, but I don't want to hear any reports of a sleeping beauty found on the castle grounds needing to be picked up." he said, with a sly smile.

She sprang to her feet. "T-that was just that one time!"

He chuckled heartily. "Yeah, sure. But if it does happen again, I'll be sure to come get you. Wherever you are."

"H-how reassuring." she mumbled and hid her face behind the shelves. "But something like that should be used for emergencies. I'll be sure to watch myself."

After returning the book to its proper shelf, she returned to her seat and faced him. "Zen, right now I'm in the middle of developing a set of antidotes that will be more effective than what we currently have. With it, we'll be able to prevent a lot of fatal poisonings. Accidental…or intentional."

Zen saw anger pass through her eyes and he knew she was thinking of him. She laid her hand over his. "The process is quite laborious and it's taking longer than expected but we're so close. I just know it. But I promise I won't make you worry."

"Gotcha." He clasped her hands warmly. "I'm counting on you, Shirayuki."

Then he stood with their hands still joined and glanced at the clock. "The pharmacy should be opening soon, right? Shall I escort you there, Miss Pharmacist?"

"Thank you, Prince Zen."

Zen pouted as he saw the roof of the Royal Pharmacy come into view. "The walk to the pharmacy is always too short."

"It's always been the same distance though."

"You know that's not what I mean."

She gave him a cheeky smile which he returned. They turned at the corner of a garden pathway, stopping under a trellised archway overflowing with wisteria. He watched the lavender blossoms sway gently in the breeze and sighed wistfully.

Shirayuki smiled knowingly. "Long day ahead of you, I presume."

"Yeah. But it's fine." He laughed lightly and took her in his arms. "Today's already a good day. I got to see you first thing in the morning."

Somehow, some way, Zen always had a way of making her blush like no other.

She curled her fingers around the fringe of his mantle and rested her head on his shoulder. "Yeah…"

He drew back and moved his hands down her shoulders and over her upper arms.

"I'll probably be chained to my desk all day but I'll try to come see you on my break or something."

"Please do!" she said, cheerfully. "And if you feel fatigued we have just the kind of tea to revitalize you. I can guarantee it from my own experience."

"Thanks." He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, allowing his fingers to linger on her cheek as he bade her goodbye. "See you."

---

He sighed contentedly. She always looked happy to see him.

Maybe I should've made more of that moment... Aw crap, this isn't good. Now I wanna see her even more.

"Zen, your pen's stopped moving."

"I'm just resting my hand."

He flipped through the rest of the paperwork, gauging the amount of time needed before he could call it a day. Early evening at best. Mitsuhide was still lost in thought. He began pondering aloud, neatly placing each envelope in its proper mailbox after each sentence.

"It's not that I didn't know it was her birthday. It's just, she doesn't like people fussing over her. And for as long as I've known her, Kiki's a private person. I respect that side of her. But I hoped that with the time we've spent together, she'd share things on her own. Or should I be making more of an effort as her partner?"

He hung his head and heaved a long sigh. "Great. Now I can't concentrate."

Zen leapt out of his seat and swept his mantle about him. "I think we're due for a break. Let's go check on Obi. And about Kiki… I think it's fine. We've made this a place where we can be open and honest with each other, right? The rest should follow as long as we don't rush it."

"Really?" said Mitsuhide, looking rather dopey. Zen bit back a smile and he thought of the pharmacy's recommended "revitalizing tea".

"Well, we'll walk and talk. Come on."

Mitsuhide made sure to lock the door before following after Zen who headed in the direction of the herb gardens.

...

Midday was the busiest time to go shopping but it was also an ideal time to strike a deal if you knew where to look, as Shirayuki had said. There were people everywhere and Kiki had to remind herself to keep her wits about her. Dogs barked, musicians played lively songs on their pipes and mandolins, and children shrieked and ran through the alleyways and splashed around the fountains. Mothers haggled for the best price for bread, apples, and cheese while young apprentices invited townsfolk and travelers alike to sample their wares. Elderly folk sat in the shade. Some dealt cards while others played chess. She could smell grilled meat and bread baked on hot coals mingled with the ocean air.

Shirayuki tugged on her hood making sure it was secure.

"First stop is the spice merchants."

Kiki watched as Shirayuki scooped an assortment of finely ground herbs, the color of gold, lavender, and sage green, in little paper sacks. She had the merchant seal them and wrap them with what appeared to be a white stone. To protect them from moisture, she explained as if she had read her mind.

Next they stopped at the local apothecary. The chemist manning the desk while fiddling with the ends of her braids, seemed to know what business Shirayuki had. She pulled out a row of jars from her bag and lined them up, then pointed at the towering shelves behind the chemist. Many a square drawer was opened, a ladder was brought to retrieve containers on the topmost shelf, and amber flasks were brought out, perfectly balanced in the hands of the nimble-fingered chemist. The jars were filled with dark blue liquid and the metallic scent reminded Kiki of fresh ink.

Shirayuki recorded her purchases in a travel-sized notebook and steered them towards the main road.

"You're really used to this." said Kiki.

"It's like back home. In the morning, I'd buy ingredients at the market for my daily meals, then head to the mountains to gather plants for medicine." she replied.

"Ah. That's what you were doing when you first came here. Did you manage to find those plants?"

"Yes, but then I used them up along with my lantern." she said, with a small chuckle. "I never thought I'd be working for the neighboring country's royal pharmacy. I used to think I'd be happy with simply running my own little shop selling medicine."

She raised an outstretched hand to the sky. "But now, after meeting Zen and all of you, I can't go back to my old way of thinking. My goals have changed, my path forward has changed, and I have people I want to support... Oh! But my dream to study medicine and plants hasn't changed."

"Of course." said Kiki, with an amused smile. "What's the next shop on your list?"

"Actually, I need to pick up something before we come back to the market. It's this way."

They passed by old inns and taverns and crossed over a rustic wooden bridge. Cobblestone roads became a dusty pathway that led to an grassy field. Kiki heard the sound of wind chimes before she saw thatched roofs and smoke rising from a great furnace. There were two men manipulating a clear material that dangled from the end of long, thin pipes.

"A glassworker shop?"

"Yes. The owner is a friend of one of the Head Pharmacist's coworkers."

She headed straight for what Kiki had initially thought to be a barnhouse.

"Good afternoon. I'm here to pick up an order for the Head Pharmacist of Wistal Castle."

A burly man wearing a cap and a heavy apron welcomed her and Kiki who politely introduced herself. He wiped the sweat from his brow with an ash-streaked handkerchief and asked Shirayuki to wait while he lumbered to the back room.

He came back with a thin leather case and showed the red-haired pharmacist its contents. They were thin, glass vials for the most delicate of experiments and Shirayuki looked pleased with them. She thanked the owner and handed him his payment and a list for the next order.

"Tell Garrack to visit us sometime."

"I will."

They decided to stop for short break at the fountains. Shirayuki shared her flask of water with Kiki.

"Thanks for coming all this way with me." She patted her bag. "This was the main reason for coming here. Now we can shop around for as long as we like."

"I see." said Kiki, stretching her legs. "I didn't even know there was a glassworker shop in this town."

"I was surprised too when I was first sent here. The things they make are so pretty. Especially their vases. Did you see their display shelf? On a clear day, the sun will hit it a certain angle and the entire area looks like a stained glass window. I wish someone could paint a picture of it." She stood and dusted off her dress. "Shall we get lunch?"

Shirayuki let Kiki peruse different stalls of spiced meat skewers, grilled fish, sauteed vegetables, and various baked goods, although she did nudge her in the direction of a certain cheese shop.

They settled down under shade of an oak tree, lunch in hand. Shirayuki pulled out two buns toasted golden-brown and demonstrated how to pop it open.

Kiki squeezed cautiously till it puckered open, like a tulip, and the steam carried with it the mouthwatering smell of green herbs, roast chicken, and melted cheese.

"Thanks for the food," said Shirayuki. And began digging in with a fork.

"It's good." said Kiki, after several mouthfuls of plump chicken slices. She thought of saving half for Mitsuhide. Or if ever their missions brought them to this city then she would be sure to keep this marketplace in mind.

Shirayuki handed her an apple. "This bun pairs well with apples too. And milk. I brought two cups to share."

"You're well prepared." She held the cups steady while Shirayuki poured.

The milk washed down the soft bread and gobs of cheese, and the apple refreshed her palate. Shirayuki munched on a piece of crisp apple and watched the clouds go by.

"An old man who frequented my grandparents' tavern used to say, 'apples for walking, and a pipe for sitting.' But I'll take an apple for both activities if it's all the same to you, thank you very much!"

They both laughed.

"Your grandparents owned a tavern?"

"Yes, it's where I grew up. They raised me and taught me pretty much everything I know." Her fingers toyed with her hood. "This place reminds me of those days."

"Do you miss them?" Kiki asked quietly.

"Of course I do. But," she said, laying her hand over her heart. "They told me it's okay to keep the memories but you must never let them prevent you from moving forward. That's why I've been working towards completing my apprenticeship at the royal pharmacy. You've all been helping me and I want to be able to do the same."

There's a place I want to go. There's a place I want to be. Because the person I want to be with is there.

She formed a fist and Kiki sensed quiet determination from her.

"I'm the same, Shirayuki."

"Huh?"

Kiki placed a hand on the hilt of her sword. "As aide to Prince Zen, I vowed to protect him and those who are important to him. You've helped us out tremendously in the past - don't forget that. I hope we can continue to count on each other."

"Yes!" she responded brightly.

Shirayuki ate her last bite of melted cheese. "That was delicious. But we really ought to finish this off with something sweet."

Kiki hummed in agreement, savoring the herb-crusted bread.

"Wait here, please. I know a place that sells the best candied walnuts and honeyed peaches."

Off she went.

Kiki leaned back and swayed slightly to harmony of harps and tambourines. She watched people dance in the market square. She watched as children squealed with delight at street performers juggling, magicians making objects reappear out of thin air, snack vendors handing out roasted peanuts and sticky lollipops. She saw people try their luck at a coin toss game.

People live like this everyday while I'm performing my duties at the castle. They look so carefree too. I wouldn't have known unless…

She closed her eyes and smiled.

I see. So this is why Zen liked sneaking out of the castle. "I can't call myself the prince of this country if I don't go beyond these walls. If I'm to hear the voice of the people, I need to know what life is like for them outside." - was it?

I think I'm beginning to understand a little better.

"Miss Kiki, look over there! They're giving out honey samples!"

"What happened to candied walnuts?" she asked, chuckling at Shirayuki's enthusiasm.

"After this. Come on!"

They spent the rest of the afternoon browsing a variety of jewelry and metal worker shops. Jeweled brocades, brooches, and pins winked at them. The jewelers enticed them to buy new necklaces and earrings. They politely declined. They watched two woman their age weave intricate designs on their looms. They saw a scruffy-looking boy be sent to deliver bundles of cloth to the metal workers. Tapestries, flags, and family crests would be made from those.

The sun hung low in the sky and they prepared for the journey home. Shirayuki suddenly stopped as though she had forgotten something.

"Sorry, could you wait here for a moment? I'll be right back."

Kiki figured she had some last-minute shopping to take care of. She ate a honey stick while she waited.

No matter how long the trip, the way back home always seemed shorter for some reason. The guards welcomed them back as they entered the western gate.

Shirayuki rummaged through her satchel and presented two palm-sized oblong jars. They were made of copper and their caps were engraved with circular floral patterns.

"These are for you."

"Polish?" she asked, accepting them in both hands.

"Yes, you can use it to maintain the shine on the metal pieces on your uniform and sword hilt. You can also use it to polish jewelry like those earrings you always wear. I got you two so you have a spare jar for yourself. Or to share."

Kiki turned them over in her hands admiring its handiwork. "You really shouldn't have. But thank you."

Shirayuki folded her hands behind her back. "I hope you'll find it useful."

"Thank you, Shirayuki. I had fun today."

"Glad to hear that. Good night, Miss Kiki. And happy birthday again." She walked in the direction of the royal garden.

"Oh, Shirayuki."

She stopped and turned. "Yes?"

"Are you heading to the pharmacy?"

"I thought I'd make a quick stop. Why?"

"Zen mentioned he might be there after finishing his paperwork."

A soft blush graced her cheeks and she ran her fingers along her bag strap. "I'll head there immediately. Thanks for letting me know."

She waved goodbye.

...

When Kiki arrived at the knight's training grounds, she found it was cleaner than it had been that morning. The floor had been swept, the practice swords hung on their racks, and armor had been laid out to dry. There was one person she knew who would diligently maintain such a place.

"Kiki."

Mitsuhide held two swords aloft and tossed one to her. She caught it without so much as batting an eyelash.

"Spar with me."

"Sure."

Their swords clashed and they danced around each other with quick, precise movements. They traded quick remarks which led to short questions about their day and Mitsuhide quickly assured her nothing was remiss during her time off. He increased the power and tempo of his swings and Kiki matched his pace. When he lunged forward with a surprise attack, she rolled to her side and swept her leg sideways. He leapt back a safe distance. They exchanged a small smirk that said, "I know your weaknesses all too well."

Rising to their feet simultaneously, they assumed their respective fighting stances and resumed their swordplay.

The brightest stars were visible in the night sky when the two aides ended their match on yet another draw.

Mitsuhide leaned against the wall of their usual resting spot and slid down. Kiki sat next to him and offered him a stick of honey. The south wind blew and they welcomed the coolness of night.

She gazed silently at the stars, listening to her partner catch his breath, and the sound of the wind echoing through the trees and stone alcoves, and out through the open fields.

She noted with quiet warmth that Mitsuhide was beside her as usual, on her right. His presence and sturdy form had become so familiar to her. Back when she had resolved to endure the hardships and responsibilities as the future heir of her household alone, he became a constant, someone she could entrust her life to, just as he had promised all those years ago.

She exhaled and spoke softly in the night air.

"This is what I like."

Mitsuhide sat up straighter and folded his hands in front of him. "What is?"

"This everyday that we have. Spending time with you, with Zen, with the soldiers."

"And Obi?"

"What about Obi?"

He stopped chewing on the honey stick. Kiki's sharp expression was softened with a teasing smile. "And Obi. I suppose..."

He chuckled a low chuckle. "He wouldn't be too happy to hear that."

"Then I guess we'll just have to keep it between us."

"Thanks for this, by the way." he said, holding up his finished snack.

"Thank Shirayuki. She's the one who shared it with me."

"You saw Shirayuki today?"

She leaned back and smiled. "Yeah. We were out shopping at a nearby town all day. We had lunch together and we went to all these different shops."

"That explains why we couldn't find her." He shook his head. "But it sounds like you two had fun."

She nodded and slid closer. "She also gave me this."

A slim hand bearing a smooth, copper jar entered his line of sight. "Polish, huh?"

"She gifted me two. You'll use one, won't you?"

Kiki placed it in his upturned palm and he took a peek inside. "Yeah, my sword could use some work."

"Show me the results after you try it."

"So I'm just the guinea pig, huh?"

They smirked at each other which gave way to lighthearted laughter.

"That was very thoughtful of Shirayuki." said Mitsuhide, as he pocketed the jar of polish. "I bet she was thinking of what would make a nice gift the whole time you two were there."

"Mmm." She leaned back again. She could feel his body heat emanating from his side. It almost made her want to rest on his shoulder and sleep there.

"Kiki." He turned to face her. "What is something your wish for?"

She stared at him, mouth slightly parted. It was the closest thing to surprise he had ever seen on her.

"I-I'm sorry. That came out of nowhere, didn't it? I was thinking along the lines of birthdays and uh… Weird question. Forget that I asked." he said, rubbing his neck sheepishly.

Kiki shook her head. "It's not weird. I was actually thinking about that today. Breaking away from my regular routine made me see things from a different angle."

She curled her knees to her chest and crossed her forearms over them. "I'm thankful for these peaceful times and I hope they go on uninterrupted. I really do treasure the time we have together."

"So do I." he murmured heedfully.

"Sometimes I catch myself thinking it'd be nice if we could all stay together like this." she said, softly.

"Are you afraid of change?"

"No, that's not it." She stood and let her hair flow freely in the wind. "Change will come. People will leave and go where life calls them. Even I..."

"Kiki?"

She looked at Mitsuhide then, and in the moonlight he saw a hint of melancholy in her gentle smile.

"Change must come." she repeated solemnly. "That's one of life's certainties. Perhaps that's why I cling to the consistencies in my life so I have some sense of stability. And it's why I want to be with you all. You are the ones who keep me anchored as I navigate through this ever-changing world."

"You're right." He closed his eyes and nodded. "Times change and people will live their own lives, and follow their own paths; that's a given. But can I add something to that?"

Mitsuhide rose to his feet and dusted himself off. They stood face to face now and he gave her a confident smile.

"No matter what happens in the future, one thing won't change: my bond with you. Even if we're separated or stationed in different places, I'll always be your partner, Kiki."

He extended a fist towards her. She smiled widely and bumped it.

"Likewise, Mitsuhide. Good night."

"Good night, Kiki. A-and happy birthday. I didn't get a chance to say it earlier."

"Even if you didn't, I know you were thinking it. You're my partner, after all."

With that, she turned and walked towards the knight's sleeping quarters, smiling into her hand.

She would rest well that night, refreshed and ready to assume her duties as normal. And when she was able to catch a break, she would look back on this day with fondness for the things she gained and the words exchanged, and another promise from her most trustworthy partner, as treasures stored in her heart.