[AYAMI]
Ayami had always been good at waiting, but after searching desperately for long, this was the one time she didn't trust herself to be patient enough. And stupidly, or probably strategically, she revealed herself from where she was.
She knew that it was the most dangerous of things, given that the Kuramitsu queen was here and the high guards too.
But Ayami was slowly dying, and the only person who would help her get to her salvation was here with the woman whom she didn't even want to know about. All she wanted was that familiar peachy scent, and fuck if she let Rinko leave.
"Enforcer…" Ayami heard some of the high guards say, and she smirked as she just stood there, stiff, and out in the open like she wanted to be seen. She wanted them to see her.
She wanted Riko to come over and talk to her.
"Ayami Araki had been watching us for some time now," a high guard said.
Ayami almost laughed at that. If she wasn't busy praying that Rinko would actually come to where she was at the moment, she would have. But then this was something that was so important to her.
Everyone in the realm knew Ayami anyway, and it would be stupid to think the most lethal enforcer in the entire realm was just standing there after all that enmity with Kazuya.
"Continue the patrol. I'll figure out what Araki wants and then come with the queen. Do not wait for us. And one of you, take Hirano back to the palace and make sure she stays there," Rinko said coldly.
Ayami just waited, staring from a distance. She didn't care about her orders or whatever the fuck was going on. All she wanted was her beloved. And come rain or sunshine, she would get to see her today.
"Enforcer…"
"That's an order," Rinko said, and they scurried to get to what they had been ordered to do.
It was only when the warriors were gone that Rinko urged Ayami to cross over. She knew it was the dumbest of things, but then maybe it was not as bad as having to wait for a whole year to see someone, right?
"What in the fuck do you think you are doing here? What the fuck do you want?" Rinko asked incredulously.
Ayami stared at Rinko, taking in the sight of the woman in all combat wear, the woman who had been protecting the queen. The woman who had introduced herself as just Yuzuki's sister.
Rinko stared like she was seeing an illusion.
It felt surreal, so much so, that the lethal enforcer did something that he had never done with anyone, not even Kujo.
Ayami pulled Rinko into a hug.
"You're real," Ayami breathed, and Rinko pushed Ayami away, not wanting to be seen getting cozy with the enemy. It was insane, truly, though, because all of this just screamed madness.
It meant a lot of things, but Ayami knew that too. She knew because they were both enforcers of their kingdoms. They were both powerful and knew what the stakes were.
Yet even with all of that at the back of her mind, Ayami didn't care.
For the first time, she didn't care about anything other than Yuzuki. She just wanted to see her to see the girl who lived in her heart. She had missed her, and fuck, she was going to let go.
"Please… Please, Rinko. Where is she? I just… I need to see her. I miss her. I love her. I need her. I want to hold her, even if just for a moment. I can't… I don't know how to live a life without her.
"Everything's fucked without her. I need her, please," Ayami framed, her begging catching Rinko off guard. It was obvious the Kurayami enforcer hadn't expected this, but what the fuck was Rinko supposed to say?
Admit that Yuzuki had come this far just to see her?
Admit that the pink-gowned faceless woman that Ayami had seen was the same woman she was desperately hoping for right now? What was she to say to the woman who looked at her with so much hope?
It was all crazy, but nothing could be crazier than Ayami rambling.
"Go home, Araki. You're risking a war between our kingdoms. We are already enemies. There is nothing for you here. And stay away from my sister," Rinko said, before turning to leave, but Ayami was not about to give up.
She had come this far.
She had waited so desperately for a year.
She had yearned.
Every evening.
Even went against her own king for the woman she loved.
If Rinko didn't give her answer, couldn't the fates even help her in the least bit? What was this supposed to mean for her then?
She had wanted Yuzuki then. Still wanted her.
Ayami needed Yuzuki, and she was so close to crying, begging even more, like the world only ever consisted of Yuzuki and her. It was crazy how shit had gotten by that the hell, right?
"Have you… have you ever been in love, Rinko? Have you ever loved someone so much that you would do anything for them? Abandon posts, fight with your higher-ups, go against everyone for the idea of them?
"Have you ever loved someone so much that you hold on desperately to the memory of their face because that is all that you have, and time keeps threatening even that memory of the only face that matters?
"I sleep and wake up every day, waiting for her. Praying, I could see her, even from a distance. I don't have to be close to her. I swear. I'm fine with just knowing she is alive and doing well.
"Because lately it's starting to seem like I am delusional, and I really don't mind. I don't. I just… please, Rinko. I'm not asking this as an enforcer. I'm begging you," Ayami pleaded.
This was definitely not what Rinko had subscribed to when she had been supportive of Yuzuki's side quests. The worst part was that she understood.
She understood the desperation.
Yet as she looked at Ayami right now, Rinko didn't have much to say to her.
"For your sake and everyone else, forget her. Forget Yuzuki. You'll get hurt for no reason and will not recover. While the memories are still too new, forget my little sister. That is the only thing I have to say to you.
"The next time you come this far in, I will capture you and get Kazuya to bow. You know I would," Rinko said, reminding Ayami of the stakes.
Ayami knew it all and insisted on being here. On living this life, however painful it was. The only thing that mattered was that life was starting to feel like it was worth it. Even though there wasn't much for her to do.
"I'll stop being an enforcer," Ayami said.
Rinko stared at her like the woman had gone nuts.
"What?"
"If that is what it takes to see her, even if just one more time. I'll resign. I'll abandon my post. Just give me one chance. Once chance to see her. I promise I will be a regular person.
"I'll even work the flea markets and be a servant if that is what I need to do. Just please, Rinko. Please don't deny me this," Ayami said, before she went on her knees, head bowed in submission.
"Please, Rinko."