The long night
She sat for some time on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands. Deep in thought.
Occasionally she glanced up at the tracker, he had started to breathe very deeply and his head lolled to the side. Sleeping peacefully it seemed. The moon was shielded by heavy cloud so it was difficult to tell what time it was, but she new it to be a late hour. She should be asleep as well.
Several thoughts troubled her.
It was quite inconcievable, she thought - looking at the slight smile playing on his lips, remnants of the same satisfied smile that accompanied those shocking words- that he might have developed feelings for her. Yet there were signs this was the case.
There were however a number of possible reasons for his behaviour that may have little to do with attachment and more to do with attraction. It was the deliberation of these reasons that was keeping her head from the pillow. She felt it was not unreasonable to expect given what they had shared an attraction might grow. She cast another glance at the tracker. By the light of the candle she could not help but notice his striking features. She hoped she offered him something agreeable to contemplate in return.
The fact remained that she was being hunted and at some point the kage would find her. She must focus on her preparation.
Still she could not help but remember the looks he stole, while she was supposedly pre-occupied. Certainly nothing overt. He may be trying to find some pleasure in the present moment, the future being uncertain. A flirtation.
She needed to be sensible...there was the matter of the curse. So acting on feelings, either felt or imagined was not a possibility. And she simply could not reconcile how any man could desire her if they knew she had been damaged.
But he did not know, she had omitted that detail.
She asked herself if she wanted him around under these circumstances? It certainly changed things. She needed to stay focussed, not sit up till all hours, losing valuable sleep contemplating feelings that might not exist.
Complications she did not welcome.
Yet those eyes sweeping down her body, taking in the robe bought for her, this was attention she was alarmed to admit made her heart beat a little faster.
There was a part of her that hoped she could live a normal life once this nightmare was over, that she might glow at the touch of a man. It was an irresistable dream. And perhaps swept up in this possibility, she had simply lost a grip on reality.
Round in circles she went, until she felt she was bordering on mania. No single thought seemed to have any merit or logic.
It was then he woke.
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