13

7 YEARS LATER

Akito hid inside my jacket as the rain poured down, just as it had done all day. I ignored Akito's sudden movement as he hugged my waist and rested his face on my stomach. I must to keep my eye on the man I had been told was conspiring with the targets.

The man passed a bag of coins to the man he had come to meet, but when he suddenly started walking our way, I quickly tapped Akito.

The small boy dropped to a crouch in order to get out of the constraints of my jacket. He fled down the side of the house I was leaning against as quietly as he could. Muddy water flew up in a trail behind his quiet feet and, once he was around the next corner of the building, I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and went around my corner.

I passed the man and he did not look to me, the mere human that passed by, since he had achieved his mission for today. Most likely he was going to the bar down a few blocks of the city in order to drink as he did every night since I began watching him.

I turned left at the next intersection between houses and started down the small dirt road that led to the next row of houses. Akito was not at the place he was supposed to stay and wait.

Where has that child gotten off to? Did he follow another insignificant creature that inhabited the human capital? Was it the same cat that he followed for half of yesterday?

I did not turn at any of the intersections and kept straight until I reached the more populated area of the city. A gasp that rang in my mind stopped my breath as I started running.

When I reached the place I had detected Akito I was shocked to see a spooked horse near the small child as he sat on the ground in horror.

"Akito!" I yelled before running in front of him as the horse started to lift its front legs. "Whoa, girl!" I called towards the horse as I grabbed her harness, "Calm down, he won't hurt you." I let out a sigh of relief as she stilled, but looked up when a man started running towards us.

"Is everyone alright?" The soldier asked as he came over, "I'm terribly sorry! This horse escaped from its stall due to me opening her door." The young man of about 16 said as he took a hold of the horse's harness so I could let go, "Are you hurt, my lady?"

I smiled and shook my head, but looked down when Akito let out a whine, "Akito!" I gasped as I kneeled in the mud at his side while picking up his arm. It was bleeding badly and he wailed louder.

"Momma!" Akito cried as he grabbed my jacket with his other hand and my heart strained.

"I'm so sorry! The horse must have injured your son."

I looked sternly up to the knight, "Where is the nearest doctor?"

"For such an injury, I only know of one doctor who can help him. Follow me; I will lead you to him."

I nodded before picking up Akito and shielding him from the rain by holding him under my coat. A townsman came to take the horse so that the soldier could lead us.

I thought of Kairi and told her what had happened as I ran behind the man. My mind ached as I realized where we were going. The soldier stopped, "Raise the gate! There is an injured boy that needs the doctor!"

At this point I could not turn back, so I followed the boy to the front door of the royal home.

"Mom!" Someone yelled and I quickly looked back to see Kairi running towards me, "Is Akito going to be alright?"

Her face froze when she saw my sad smile, "Soon he will be."

"Please hurry, my lady!" The knight persisted as he came to my side, "The rain is picking up."

I nodded, "Come on, dear." I whispered to Kairi and she quietly followed behind me as we entered the royal home.

"This way!"The soldier called and we quickly followed the man to the medical room, "Doctor!" He shouted as we walked in, "This young boy is hurt!"

The doctor had aged a lot since we had left. "Set the boy down," he said as he gestured towards an open bed. I placed Akito on the bed as the doctor came to the other side of the bed to look at the boy. "What happened to him?"

"He was injured by a crazed horse. It was all my fault this young boy was hurt."

"Go tell the king of this. He must approve of me assisting the boy." The doctor said and the knight immediately ran off, "Please, my ladies, take off your coats. You will likely be here for a while."

"Alright." Kairi came to my side to grab my arm, "Are you sure about this, mom?"

I nodded, "Akito needs help so it is worth the pain."

"But dad will…"

I interrupted her, "I know the cost of this, dear, but it is worth it." I replied before taking off my jacket and Kairi quickly did the same. I kneeled at Akito's side so I could hold his hand in mine, "Be brave, my child."

He cried harder, "It hurts, Mama."

I kissed his forehead, "Squeeze my hand, dear, so your mind will be distracted from the pain."

"Doctor," The king's deep voice spoke as he entered the room, "Please proceed with helping this child."

I smiled to Akito, "Did you hear that? Soon the pain will be gone."

"My ladies, I will have to ask you to step outside. This will be easier with less people in the room."

I nodded without looking to the doctor, "I will be right outside, Akito, so please behave for the doctor. If you need anything, just call for me and I will be here immediately."

Akito tried to fight his tears, "I will be brave, Mama." He whispered as he let go of my hand and I stood.

I quickly left the room while pulling Kairi by our joined hands. I didn't let go of her until we were in the hallway with the king and knight.

"Thank you very much for helping my son, King." I whispered as I finally lifted my head and met his eyes.

He seemed startled but then looked beside me. "It certainly has been a long time, you two," he whispered. "You look like a true woman now, Kairi."

Kairi took my hand again, "It is good to see you again, sir, even though it is not under ideal conditions. Thank you for helping my brother."

The king smiled, "Come with me. My wife has been waiting for both of you to return."