Embarrassment

Morning broke over the lonely night, but Kiyu had already woken up before the first rays of sunlight shone through the window and had moved to the center of the room to meditate.

This time she was the one who was awake first, even before Laki, who was still fast asleep.

Understandable for Kiyu, considering the events of the last night. But that should not bother her. After all, this gave her the opportunity to concentrate further on her training.

She stood on the tiptoes of only one foot and balanced on them while trying to keep the rest of her body motionless.

'Are you there?' she listened within.

< Yes, little Kiyu. >

'Good. I'd like to continue our exchange from yesterday, before we were... interrupted.'

< Before Laki came in, you mean? >

'Yes... and that actually addresses the first further question I have...' she countered, trying to cover her embarrassment.

'You said then that we would feel everything and get each other's thoughts,' she continued, 'but what exactly do you do when you actively stay out of.... Well, my personal life?'

More than once, Cheryu had left her alone when he had thought it appropriate. But their bodies had merged, and Kiyu at least knew of no way to undo that, even for a moment.

So was Cheryu present the entire time and doomed to witness everything she experienced?

< Well, it's true that I know everything you know. Even what you and your girlfriend were up to last night, ' he replied without a hint of emotion.

She didn't feel any judgement in his thoughts either. Didn't he have an opinion about all this? How was such a thing possible?

< That we share a body does not mean that I am trapped in you.... Not entirely. > he continued.

< It's still possible for my spirit to return to the spirit world, though more in.... a veiled form >

At his words, Kiyu couldn't help but open her eyes wide. Her body wobbled, and she realized she was about to lose her balance. To avoid hitting the ground hard, she put her second foot back down and regained her footing.

'You can continue to go to the spirit world?'

Why didn't Kiyu know about this? No memories of Cheryu, no sensations. So there was a block in their life together that was unknown to her.

'How is that possible? I thought we shared everything?'

So how could it be possible? And did that also mean that Cheryu didn't get to know everything about Kiyu's life?

< It's like that too.... But we can also keep our secrets from each other. With some training, at least, it's possible to compartmentalize your own mind.... >

'And why do you hide the spirit world from me? Is it a crime to see them?'

< Well... > Cheryu was silent, and it seemed he was searching for the right words. < It's not forbidden or anything. But, it would only confuse you more.' >

'Hmph! And can a human go to the spirit world? After all, spirits can go to our world too?'

This new knowledge made her curious. What did the spirit world look like? Were there also so many animals, plants and different habitats there?

< At first, many spirits thought it was not possible. Especially in the beginning, when spirit used humans for their own war.... But they were wrong. Humans can enter our world just as we can enter yours. > explained Cheryu.

< But the connections were closed a long time ago.... >

'I Understand....'

A knock on the door jolted them out of their thoughts.

"Are you guys awake?" inquired Zhèngyi. "We have to leave soon."

Kiyu would have liked to crawl back under the covers and still press the pillow over her head.

'You guys?

He knew it! He knew for a fact that Laki was here with Kiyu. Had he either overheard something, or had he just been with Laki before and she wasn't in her room?

"Just a minute," Kiyu called out, running toward the bed.

"Get up," she whispered, giving Laki a kiss on the cheek.

"We have to go, it's time."

Laki wilted back and forth before sitting up.

"I'm tired," she grumbled.

Annoyed, she gathered up her clothes, which were scattered around the room, so she could dress on the bed in peace.

Kiyu did the same and together they left the room. Zhèngyi was already waiting for the two of them while he leaned against the wall, right next to the door. In his look, Kiyu recognized nothing that showed that he had overheard anything.

And that the two slept together in a room was not unusual now. They already did that when they were still living as foster sisters and also when they were together.

"I'm exhausted," Laki yawned, stretching her arms.

"I'll bet you are," Zhèngyi said. "Whichever of you was first, she was so loud I didn't sleep a wink."

Without warning, Laki and Kiyu stopped in sync, as if they were one body.

They squinted at each other, and Kiyu's blush rose to her face. Laki did not differ from her regarding this statement.

"You listen to me now," Laki hissed, turning around while trembling. "You heard nothing, understand? Whatever you think you witnessed was nothing more than a dream!"

Furious, she stomped toward Zhèngyi and grabbed him by the collar.

"Say it! What did you witness?"

"Nothing." Zhèngyi chuckled. "It's all right, Laki. I caught nothing, and now let me go."

"Let it go, Laki," Kiyu sighed.

Although Zhèngyi's gleeful grin continued to bother Laki, he would at least refrain from further commentary. At least Kiyu hoped so, for his sake.

Her shock, on the other hand, faded. At first she had been embarrassed, but that was only the initial reaction. In the end, no human being could suppress natural reactions.

But instead of getting upset like Laki, Kiyu had taken a breath and just accepted it. No matter how much she would yell and nag, it didn't change the fact that her cherished friend seemed to have caught everything, or at least most of it.

"If you have nothing else, I say we get it over with," Kiyu suggested.

"We don't have enough money for breakfast anymore, but if things go, we'll steal this stupid thing in a hurry and then disappear onto the ship. Maybe there's food there."

They prepared for their departure. First, Kiyu wondered what they should do with the keys? If everything went, the tavern would be of no use to them.

However, since Slim had mentioned nothing, Kiyu left the tavern unsecured and unlocked. If this run-down flophouse was of value to Slim or his contact, they would take care of it early on.

So they left the tavern together, ready to leave their old lives behind.

"How do we want to proceed now, by the way?" echoed Zhèngyi. "With the number of guards, we won't be able to avoid a fight."

"I'll stop them from disturbing us," Kiyu replied with little excitement.

She had already hurt so many people to protect her friends, so a few more didn't matter. Besides, she would make sure that no serious harm came to her opponents.

The simple guards were just unfortunate souls who got caught up in a larger conflict. Just like Kiyu and Laki got into something bigger in Hario's.

"I want you to distract the guards outside the main gate," she continued. "Once we get rid of those two, we'll open the gate and you guys let me lead the way, okay?"

"Are you sure?" hesitated Zhèng. "We can help you if you..."

"Don't worry. You just need to take care of our destination." Replied Kiyu. "Find it, and once you have it, we'll escape to the port as quickly as possible. You remember how we recognize our ship?"

"Yes," replied the other two, following Kiyu's every move.

Just this one more day. Just this one more act so they could live a life free of fear again.

Harios, Oras, Jarifa. All of that would be behind them.

'And it is better this way. There's nothing here to hold us anymore. We are no longer welcome.'

The way to the warehouse was long. Much longer than to the harbor, and besides, they had to take many turns. For them, who didn't know their way around here, this was a bit of a disadvantage if it came to a chase.

One more reason to knock all opponents unconscious right from the start, so that it could not come to a chase.