7

Rod's question was answered with a loud roar. The two of them simultaneously turned towards the direction of the sound and saw an ogre holding a huge bat covered with spikes.

"You mean, 'that' monster?" Rod asked again for confirmation which Kurohana answered with a nod. "No, you're kidding," he insisted on still denying the trouble they're currently in, making Kurohana's eyes glint with irritation.

Kurohana took a deep breath to calm herself when the ogre suddenly swung its weapon towards them. Rod turned white when he saw the incoming attack but Kurohana pulled him to dodge it.

"I almost died, I almost died," he muttered while cowering.

"You okay?" she asked while holding Rod in a bridal style. Rod instantly blushed because of embarrassment when he realized their position before nodding.

Kurohana gently put him down and attacked the ogre. Due to her swift movements, the ogre had a hard time capturing her. It even fell down while Kurohana was running between its feet. Upon tripping, she quickly leaps towards its shoulders then thrust her sword in its eye.

The ogre roars in pain as it tries to shrug her off. She quickly leaps as she aimed at another eye.

She stabbed her sword and dragged it as she ran down the monster. Once on the ground, she quickly slash its legs forcing it to kneel. The ogre keeps on struggling even though it already loses its two legs and two eyes. It became more savage as its pain heightened.

Kurohana disregarded all the violence that it made, she just kept on swinging her sword until the ogre lost its balance..

She immediately took advantage of it and leapt to its chest and thrust her sword where the heart is located.

Parang itinulos si Rod sa kinatatayuan matapos masaksihan ang ginawa ni Kurohana. Ni hindi man lang niya mabakasan ng awa ang babae na ngayon ay marahang lumalapit sa sasakyan habang puno ng talsik ng dugo ang mukha at damit nito.

She took a towel once she reached the wagon and was about to leave when Rod asked her where she's heading.

"I'm so sticky, I have to wash myself," she said pointing at her body full of blood. "Wanna join?" she asked coldly.

Napalunok si Rod saka napatitig sa babae. Biglang naglaro sa kanyang imahinasyon ang kahubdan nito habang nagtatampisaw sa gitna ng batis. Biglang namula si Rod saka ipinilig ang ulo saka nagkakandabulol na sinabing, "kukuha lang ako ng tubig!"

Hindi na siya pinansin ni Kurohana na nagtuloy na sa paglakad papasok ng gubat.

Muling napatitig si Rod sa babae. Yung makinis at malasutla nitong balat na marahan nitong kinukuskos gamit ang maliliit na kamay. Yung dibdib nito na ang tanging takip lamang ay ang ilang hibla ng mahahabang buhok nito at ng tubig.

Muling nasampal ni Rod ang sarili. "I really have to clear my thoughts, hold myself, and prevent it from assaulting her."

Halos madapa pa ang lalaki sa pagmamadali habang bitbit ang malalaking tapayan habang pinipilit na maunahan ito pero hindi niya magawa. Nang malapit na siya sa batis ay agad siyang sumandal sa isang malaking puno patalikod sa kinapupwestuhan ng babae

"Uhm, Kurohana?" he called sheepishly.

"Hmm?"

"Are you still dressed?"

"No. Why?"

He gulped as he whispered, "what should I do? I told her that I'll fetch some water, so why did she strip? How can I take some water?"

"Are you done taking a bath?" Rod inquired after a few minutes but he just heard her sigh.

"Just fetch water already. You know that I won't mind even if you see me butt-naked."

Tuluyan ng namula ang mukha ni Rod matapos marinig ang sinabi ng babae. Nag-aatubili man, mabilis siyang lumapit sa pampang upang kumuha ng tubig habang pilit na iniiwas ang tingin sa kinapupwestuhan ng babae.

"Why are you so tense?"

Napadiretso ng tayo si Rod kasabay ng aksidenteng pagkabitaw sa hawak na tapayan ng makaramdam ng kilabot mula sa pagbulong sakanyang tenga. Naramdaman niya din ang dahan-dahang pagdausdos pababa ng malamig at basang kamay sa kanyang likod kasabay ng mapaglarong paghagikgik nito.

Nagtataasan man ang kanyang balahibo ay hindi niya pa rin maiwasan ang mamangha sa bibihirang pagpapakita ng babae ng mga emosyon nito.

"Why do you keep on startling me?" he gasped.

"You look cute whenever you're surprised."

The girl suddenly pressed herself onto Rod's back making the guy stiffened when he felt the softness of her breasts squeezing on his back.

It feels like a pillow made of cotton and is very comforting~

Rod quickly shook his head to remove the worldly thoughts. Then he took a step away from her but the woman immediately closed the distance he made by hugging him tightly.

"Please, Kurohana, stop it," Rod pleaded, stuttering.

"Please stop what?" she whispered in his ear that tickled him. He feels like she's really having fun toying with him and his reactions.

"Stop pressing your breasts on my back!" he couldn't hold himself blurting those words. And after he said those, he felt something caressing towards his front. He quickly grabbed her hand before it even reached his thing. "Stop. It."

Hearing his stern voice makes Kurohana stunned. His words carry power forcing anyone to do what he commands. However, the way he said those words not only shows his authority, it also hinting that he's already mad. He is calm yet extremely mad.

Kurohana didn't understand what was happening but she knew that her mischievousness turned his switch on.

Nang humarap si Rod sa kanya ay nakita niya ang kakaibang kislap ng mga mata nito, kaparehong-kapareho noong una niya itong makita sa tagong eskinita sa PraeaClara.

Cold chills ran through Kurohana's spine as she stared with those eyes. She feels that those eyes that can engulf her whole are hiding something dangerous and unfathomable.

The word 'sorry' unconsciously slipped out of her lips as she took a few steps away from him. The guy didn't bother to even take a glance at her while she was getting dressed. Instead, he left her after he fetched another jarful of water.

While maneuvering the cart, Kurohana couldn't keep herself from taking a glance towards her companion. It's been an hour since they continued their travel but the guy keeps his cold demeanor towards her making her feel shameful and afraid at the same time.

Kurohana is aware that she's aloof towards strangers, but being on a receiving end feels off thus she initiated the conversation by apologizing. Seeing that the man doesn't intend to listen nor look at her, she continued with a sigh,"sorry for my mischief earlier. You know I'm attracted to you and you being shy turned me on."

Rod was stunned after hearing those. He didn't expect that the woman reigning the horse in front of him would confess in such a casual way. When Rod raised his head, he saw a glimpse of red ears that were slightly hidden on her untied hair.

Kurohana appears to be in utter shock on what she said since she didn't make a slight move nor speak after a long while so Rod decided to call her.

Dahan-dahan lumingon si Kurohana kay Rod pero makalipas lang ang ilang segundo ay lalo siyang namula at mabilis na binawi ang kanyang tingin. Pilit na pinigilan ni Rod ang sarili para hindi tumawa ng malakas sa nakitang reaksyon ng babae.

"And here I was thinking that she's already adept in saying those kinds of vulgar words," Rod thought while still trying to suppress his laughter.