Chapter 17: Sakura in the Shadows (10)

After soothing the twin Rachel was lost in thought about how he was able to see that far. It appears that 'Shadow-weaving' can enhance one's sense. Usually Rachel would use the shadows themselves to get anything, but she can only see or hear. She had done something similiter to a 'Tag' on Jimbe's shadow.

She signed as it was finally solved, but, grew uncontrollably mad at Ise's mother interference.

The women had been in the veranda since Tsiyi started shooting his arrows, she knows this because she had Ise's mother. She gave Jimbe an excuse to not answer his question.

How irritating

Night…..

"Meow" said a gray cat accompanied by it siblings and a few other animals. She placed the small bowls before them. And they happily ate it all down before springing for attention.

Rachel petted the little darling after they ate, a white rabbit sat comfortably on her lap while a dog sat next to her. The kittens soon curled up against her and yawned before falling asleep to. Rachel glanced at the starry sky before her dog friend gazed to her side at the barley auditable footstep coming closer.

'I figured he would make his way to me' Rachel though as she made a soft sound. The Kittens and the dog made their way back into the trees to hide but as for the rabbit it stayed in her lap not wanting to move.

With the fluffy bunny Rachel stood up as the young man came into full view.

"Honored guest. How may this humble one be of service to you?"

She felt his eyes sharpen on her. After a moment he stroked the frightened rabbit that she was holding close to her chest.

"I am just enjoying the night air. What are they called them." He pointed at her hidden friends in the tree.

"The smaller one are called kittens, while the bigger one is a dog. Do you not have such creature where you come from?" she said

"No" he shook his head.

The rabbit nudged her arm, indicating to her that it was to scared to stay. So, Rachel let it down.

"It seemed that honored guest touch scared it off." Rachel giggled somewhat making him smile. Rachel stopped laughing and turned away putting her hand over her mouth she wanted to calm herself down. When she was calmer she looked back up only to realize that Tsiyi stepped closer standing next to her.

His smile was so gentle that it stunned Rachel to silence. "Your voice reminds me of a flute my people play. It is soft and graceful yet strong and piercing" he said his smile enchanting her just like….

Rachel backed away slowly.

"May I ask your Name?"

"Honored guest I am called….It is Ray" she made a slight pause due to weariness

"Ray...." He said softly in wonder. Rachel looked into his eyes. Gentleness and something almost like nostalgia was in them. Rachel couldn't help but reach how to touch his face but stop her fingers inches away from him. 'What am I doing?' she thought as she shrank back, putting her hand back down.

She distanced herself even more when she saw that he had followed her.

"No, please" she whispered. Confused, embarrassed or Frightened, Rachel hardly knew which as she back away when more.

"Do not fear me," Tsiyi said, it was like a plea "I will not harm you." He looked somewhat hurt but Rachel couldn't help herself as she said good-night and disappeared into the shadows.

Few Months Later...

After that nights Tsiyi had begun to turn up all the time, wandering casually into the less glamorous part of the household. Parts where at times Rachel just happens to be. Sometimes she would avoid him other times she was left with engaging in conversation.

He was persistent even when Rachel had always stressed for him to keep his distance.

Rachel had breathed into the nature air of the forest surrounding the household. She had left a Shadow-clone with the twins. Lately, the nursemaid had been leaving her work to Rachel since the twins are more obedient towards her.

This place was her playground for months now. She had homed her shadow-weaving skills to near perfection.

She signed and then reached for an red apple from the tree before she stiffened. Rachel had always sensed him before he came, though his footsteps where silent and he used the shadows she learned to grasp his presence.

"Does your father know you're here?" Rachel said lightly.

"I cannot creep up on you anymore" Tsiyi gentle smile appeared behind Rachel as he reached for the apple she was going to grab with ease. Plucking two he gave one to her.

Her face went slightly red at the closeness she turned her head away from his and took a bite of her apple. Before saying "Well? Does he?"

"Not exactly" he leaned against the tree he gazed at her back. "He knows there is someone I like. He knows when I go out, I go see her"

Rachel twitched but she still didn't look at him as she continued to eat her apple. "So, he knows that you come to see a lowly dirty servant." She commented.

"You are not low nor dirty" he defended "Do not speak of yourself in this way. Anyone would be dirty with a hard day of work. I have been dirtier then you many time before"

Just as she was about to say something, Tsiyi spoke first as if he knew what she was going to say.

"My father judges' people on who they are inside, their qualities and character, not by their job."

"….." Rachel gazed down as she leaned against the same tree still not wanting to see his eyes. She squeezed her own shut. Tsiyi reached out suddenly and touched he lightly turned it to face his own.

She froze her breath caught in her throat. "What are you…?"

He leaned forward as he gently pressed her into the tree, his lips slightly and softly touched hers. His fingers stroked slowly down her neck.

It was like lightning sparks of sensation sizzled across her skin and all to familiar feeling that only one person was able to give her.

When he drew back, looking into her eyes

Rachel wanted to cry. God is cruel why must this man be so much like. Why, must he make her meet someone so like him. "Why, Why, why" she whispered her voice creak as tears started to flow down.

She saw the panic in his eyes. "Ah, don't cry, Don't cry" he started to wipe the tears off her eyes. Rachel pushed him forcefully back and once again into the shadows she disappeared.

Into a little crying place where not even he could find her. She cried her heart for the past until she could cry no more.

His sweetness, his scent, the all too familiar tone. The eyes full of Kindness, and the gentle, loving expression he had. It was like she was looking at Kevin all over again.

A Person she loved, but, could not accept.