Still slowly making my way through this arc… *raises eyebrow mischievously* though there is an interesting plot twist in this installment *evil grin*

August Moon
Part 8 : Unmentionable Attraction
©MM T h r e a d s

Tendrils of light slipped through the dense treetops of the forest, and danced down onto the pathway that Naru followed. Her horse plodded along slowly, occasionally pausing to grab a few leaves off of the branches. Naru held the dark leather reins in her hand loosely, while absently gripping the pommel of the saddle as an unconscious safety measure. Her horse, a light dapple gelding named Cam had smooth, easy strides. He was fairly old for a horse, almost the same age as Naru, but he was faithful and dependable and that was all that Naru was looking for in a horse at the moment. She was still getting the hang of the whole riding thing, and, at the moment, was not in the market for a young, fast thing.

It was a cool April morning there- the snow had melted weeks ago, weeks before Naru had even arrived on the ‘old earth’. The land was beginning to heat up and make way for the torturous heat of the summer.

Naru looked around in wonder at what the forest looked like in the late morning. Thought the temperature was surely rising out in the sun, in the shaded seclusion of the tall, dark trees, she still needed a light riding cape to keep warm. She pulled the hood back from her head and shook out her short red hair. This morning she hadn’t bothered to tie it back or pin it up at all and now fell loosely about her face, large chunks moving into large, tight, ‘almost’ ringlets.

Naru squeezed her legs gently against Cam’s sides and nudged him into a light trot. She and Cam had been walking through the forest for hours on end and decided she had mastered the walk, and should move onto something slightly more difficult.

Though Cam had smooth strides; he still jerked her around in the saddle. She tried sitting still to it, she had seen other riders back at the castle doing that, but she wasn’t succeeding. Then she remembered something one of the stable hands had mention to her about ‘posting’. At the young boys suggestion, she began rising on every other beat of Cam’s trot and found it more comfortable, though she knew she would be feeling it in her knees later today… and everywhere else for that matter.

Normally Naru wouldn’t have gone out riding first thing in the morning, let alone without an escort, but she needed time to think, and she didn’t feel like having Jadeite fawn over her again, she needed some time away from his clumsy advances.

Nephrite’s unknown rejection of Naru still stung three days later. She had run into him only one other time thus far, and it was just after dinner on the second night there. He just half-smiled to her and passed a few words between Jadeite before sitting down to his meal.

How could she expect it any different though- he didn’t even know who she was, so why would he show any interest in her at all.

Naru sighed. At this rate, how was she ever supposed to get close to Nephrite, and in enough time before Metallia went after him. She didn’t know when that was even going to happen, she had to work as fast as she possibly could.

Cam’s pace quickened a little as the trees began to thin out and be replaced by an open field.

Tall, uncut grass swam all around her. A few trees and patches of flowers dotted the area. She slowed Cam to further enjoy the scenery. She should probably turn back soon.

Behind her she could hear the pounding of something against the hard-packed earth.

A horse galloping?

Naru twisted around in the saddle to see a bright palomino horse emerge from the forest at a full gallop.

Horse and rider sped by her at an inconceivable speed, almost hitting her.

After half a second after the tall stallion sped past her, the rider heeled his horse to a fast trot, and then a brisk walk and approached Naru with annoyance.

As he got closer, Naru caught her breath.

It was Nephrite.

His yanked his horse to a stop in front of Naru.

“You should really be careful where you walk!” He grumbled, motioning to where Naru and horse now sat. “You shouldn’t ride so slowly in front pathways… you never know when someone will come riding through.”

Naru hung her head in embarrassment. “Sorry. I didn’t know.”

Nephrite brushed some of the hair out of his face. “Well, don’t forget for next time.” He looked at her a moment, then added. “Are you okay?”

Naru only nodded. She was so embarrasses she could hardly speak. How was she ever supposed to get on Nephrite’s good side if she looked like a helpless idiot?

Nephrite wore dark black riding boots, camel colored breeches, an eggplant colored velvet riding jacket and a frilly white shirt underneath. His short auburn fell in waves around his face and head, the sun igniting it and a burst of fire. His horse was golden on color, with a wide blaze stretching down to its pink nose. The horse was so big it easily dwarfed Cam.

“What are doing so far away from the castle?” He asked, his voice absent of the previous annoyance.

Naru gulped. How far had she gone?

“I… I wasn’t aware of how far I had rode?”

Nephrite shook his head in disbelief. “Well, you’re almost off of palace land. You should really head back, even though this is technically royal land, its never stopped thieves before. The king is in the process of having better markers put up, so in the future, watch where you’re headed.”

Naru nodded again sheepishly. “Sorry… I’ll turn around now.”

Nephrite nodded again, and was about to add something when an arrow whizzed by his hair suddenly.

He blue eyes widened in surprise and he yelled to Naru.

“Quickly! Back into the forest! There’s more cover there!”

He dug his heels into the horse and it shot off back to the thick cluster of trees.

Naru followed his instruction, smacking the sides of Cam with such force that he leapt forward in surprise. The jolt was so strong Naru lost her stirrups and the greater part of the reins.

As Cam followed Nephrite another rain of arrows fell down onto them. She couldn’t even tell from where they were coming from.

Her grip on Cam was losing.

“Help!” She called to Nephrite.

He didn’t hear her.

She began to slide even more off of his back. She couldn’t stop Cam, if she did, she was for sure dead, but if she didn’t stop him, she would fall and likely be killed.

She made one last attempt to throw herself back up onto Cam’s back, but instead she fell to the ground, smacking down on her left side as she did.

For a moment she moaned to the feel of the rising pain inside her, and then to the distant beat of her only escape.

In another moment she couldn’t focus on anything but her pain.

And in another, her mind clouded over and the world was gone.

Naru squinted her eyes to the bright sunlight leaking in through her window. After a moment, she remembered her rather nasty spill from her horse.

She shifted in her bed slightly and groaned as a sharp pain shot through her left arm and shoulder. She must have hurt it in the fall.

She ran a hand over her face trying to wake herself up a little more. She glanced around the room slightly; relieved that it was in fact her room, and she didn’t end up in another stranger’s house.

The question now was; how did she get there.

Had Nephrite gone back for her after he realized she wasn’t behind him?

The door to her room swung open and Sasa and another maid marched in.

“Ah, you’re awake.” The other maid said in a gruff voice. She looked to be in her 60’s, had long gray hair tied back, and was slightly overweight.

Naru nodded weakly.

“What happened?” She muttered after a moment.

The maid walked up to her bed followed by Sasa. “You were thrown from your horse.”

“I know that.” Naru growled quietly. “But how did I get here? Someone was shooting at us!”

The elder maid propped her hands on her hips. “I suspected as much you’d want to know that.” She turned to Sasa. “Find Nephrite-sama, Sasa.” Sasa nodded and left the room.

Naru smiled slightly.

It had to have been him, had had to have been the one to rescue her this time.

“Nephrite…” Naru began. “Uh, Nephrite-sama saved me?”

The maid smirked at the question. “In a way… you’ll find out in good time. Now let me take another look at your arm there.”

She never even gave Naru a chance to protest before she ripped back the covers and started to undo her sleeping shift.

“hey-“ Naru began in protest, but realized there was no way to stop her. It was going to hurt no matter what.

The maid pulled down the shift just past her shoulder and examined the bruises. She then rolled up the sleeve and examined the lower part of the arm. She ran her hands over the injuries as Naru repeatedly winced in pain. In another moment, it was over.

The maid did the front back up and pulled the covers back over Naru.

“I’ll have to bandage that up once you’re able to move about the castle. There isn’t anything broken thankfully, but you should still be easy with it. Your hand and fingers are badly sprained though. The swelling should be gone in a few days.”

Naru nodded.

She thought back again to the fall momentarily and was thankful that such a nasty spill didn’t result in a worse injury.

Naru bit her dry lip.

“But do you know who was shooting at us… was it serious?”

The maid sighed deeply. “Wait for Nephrite-sama, I can’t say anything.”

Naru frowned.

Sasa stepped into the room.

“Nephrite-sama is here.” She said in a quiet voice.

The maid nodded. “Thank you Sasa. Please show him in after I leave.” She turned back to Naru. “I’ll return in a bit with a meal. You must be famished!”

She didn’t allow time for Naru to decline the offer of food before she dashed out of the room.

Sasa disappeared for a moment, then returned with Nephrite, and another shortly after in tow.

Naru couldn’t get a good look at the second party.

Nephrite walked up to the side of Naru’s bed and crossed his arms, still staying a fair distance away from her.

After a moment, the girl took her place a step behind him.

It was Daun!

What was she doing here?

Naru smiled weakly. “Nephrite-sama.” She said quietly in greeting. He nodded in response.

“You’re lucky you weren’t seriously injured, I hear your fall was relatively serious.”

Naru nodded.

“Lucky for you this girl saved you.” He said motioning to Daun behind him.

She smiled to Naru.

Naru wasn’t sure how to act, should she know who Daun was?

Sensing Naru’s confusion, Daun spoke first.

“I am Kel’lay Daun, madam.” She said bowing slightly.

Naru smiled nervously, she had never had someone bow for her.

“I’m Osaka Naru.” Naru replied.

“She was close to where our little skirmish occurred and heard your scream,” Nephrite continued. “I’m still wondering what she was doing on Palace lands, even that far out, but she did save you… so we are grateful for that.”

Naru’s heart fell- Nephrite hadn’t saved her after all.

“So… so what happened?” Naru asked again. “Why were we being shot at?”

Nephrite frowned and ran a hand through his dark hair. “We don’t know that yet. Daun is a great shot, but not good enough for a kill.” He said bluntly. For a moment Naru thought she saw Daun narrow her eyes, but in another, it passed.

“So what are we going to do now?”

Nephrite shrugged. “The King has been taking these peaceful times for granted. Your attacker probably mistook you for someone important. Extra patrols will likely be extended out into that area, but there really is so much we can do now. Until the royal family is threatened, there isn’t any real cause for alarm.”

Naru looked away for a second, and then back up at him. “I guess I’ll just have to rest up and be more careful in the future.”

“That you will.” He replied nodding. He tapped his hand against his leg in annoyance or possibly boredom. “Well, I have important things that need attending. I hope you feel better soon.”

He moved to leave the room, expecting Daun to follow.

“Aren’t you coming?” He asked.

She put a hand on his arm. “I want to talk to Naru-san alone for a moment if that is okay.”

Nephrite looked slightly disappointed, but nodded.

He exited the room, closing the door behind him as he did.

It wasn’t till now that Naru got a look at her old friend and was still taken aback by her beauty.

Her long black hair lay pinned atop her head in a disarray of twists and braids and knots. She wore three-quarter length tweed colored pants and back pair of leggings underneath that was clumsily tucked in to ankle height boots. She wore a reasonably tight black shirt underneath a thin, lose dark green sweater. Over that lay criss-crossing straps that held a quiver of arrows to her back. She held a long wooden bow in her left hand. Her face was smeared with dirt and had a tired expression about it. Daun’s eyes glowed a bright golden color against the sunlight.

Naru could have sworn that Daun’s eyes were violet, but again, it could just be the powerful light in her room.

Daun eagerly took a seat at the foot of Naru’s bed.

“What are you doing here?” Naru asked, surprised.

Daun grinned mischievously.

“Well?” Naru asked again.

“I’m here to help you.” She responded, golden eyes glinting.

“I… I don’t need any help.” Naru stated firmly.

Daun raised an eyebrow. “So you just call him Nephrite-sama for kicks then? Come on Naru, you don’t know the first thing about this place, you need all the help you can get.”

Naru frowned.

“So do you know who was shooting at myself and Nephrite?”

Daun grinned a wide grin. “Me, of course.”

“What!”

“Whoa, hold on there a moment.” Daun said, sticking her hands out defensively. “I wasn’t trying to kill you- I needed a creative way to meet you. I doubt the guards at the front gate would let a friend of some stranger in.”

Naru made a face. “You didn’t have to shoot at us.”

Daun shrugged. “I suppose, but I’m a good shot …and besides, I didn’t even hit you!”

“I fell off of my horse! I could have been killed!” Naru retorted angrily.

Daun rolled her eyes and sighed. “Well I’m sorry, but everything is okay, so you don’t have to worry now.”

Naru’s expression softened a bit. “Sorry, I’m just really on edge- with Nephrite and Jadeite and my arm hurting and how nobody trusts me and how I haven’t gotten anywhere and I don’t even know if I’ll be able to save him in time...” She trailed off as she ran a hand through her hair.

Daun half smiled. “Well, I’ve heard about you two.”

Naru looked up in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“You and Jadeite.”

“Oh, that.” Naru said sighing. “It’s not what you think… I just don’t have the heart to tell him I have absolutely no interest in him at all, what-so-ever.”

Daun frowned. “Well you better, before you break his heart.”

“I will.” Naru said nodding. “So where are we going to go from here?” She asked, sitting up a little.

Daun crossed her arms. “Nothing too complicated. You rest up and I’ll talk you up to Nephrite a bit and we’ll see what happens.”

Naru nodded slowly.

“I really should be going. Because of my wonderful service to the crown I’ve been offered a warm bath and hot dinner, and I plan on accepting both those offers.”

Naru smiled. “I’ll see you later Daun.”

Daun winked in response.

“I just don’t understand that girls fascination with me.” Nephrite growled. “She’s always trying to talk to me, and when she does, it’s always so shyly I don’t know how to respond to her.”

Nephrite rolled over onto his back. “Sure, she’s cute, but I’m not about to date some strange girl found naked in the middle of the road… and by Jadeite of all people. She’s likely to be some Duke’s tramp. It wouldn’t surprise me if she got drunk one night and ran off naked, hit her head and passed out in the middle of the road.”

Daun laughed. “But you don’t know that, do you.”

Nephrite looked up at her. “True. The question though is, do I want to know?”

“You never cease to amaze me, Nephrite.” Daun said, shaking her head.

“Besides,” Nephrite began, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t have the time for the lower class.”

“Oh?” Daun said, sitting up. “Then what about me?”

“You’re different.”

“How so?”

“Because… because there is an air of mystery about you. Naru doesn’t- what you see is what you get with her. You may be like her in social class, but if you were to put on a beautiful gown and go to a royal ball and tell the King you were a Duchess from a Province across the ocean, he would believe you. If Naru were to do that, she would be hauled away to the stocks- even before she was able to speak to the King. That’s the difference.”

Daun smiled. “If any other man were to answer that question for me, I can promise you I would have found it insulting. You definitely have a way with words.”

Nephrite grinned mischievously. “Beauty is meant for the socially important, and you are beautiful enough to be Queen.”

“You’re trying too hard.” Daun said, giving him a flat look.

Nephrite rolled over onto his side and propped his head up on his elbow.

“Daun,” His tone becoming more serious. “Really, what are you doing here at the castle?”

“I came to see you.”

“No, really.”

Daun looked down for a moment. “I know you know your father fired me. I’ve had work back in his Duchy, but I just don’t seem to have as much fun when I’m not around you.”

“No, really.”

Daun’s mouth widened in shock. “You don’t believe me?”

Nephrite just stared.

“Alright, fine. I found some work with a small courier service out on the Aldrich-Calder border. I had to drop off some package in the city, and thought I’d stop for a visit.”

“But why were you on the outskirts of the Palace lands?”

“I was trying to figure out a way to see you without being straightforward with everyone. When I saw that girl come trotting through, and then you nearly hitting her I got an idea.”

“You’re telling me you were the one shooting at us?”

Daun nodded.

“Are you insane? She could have died!”

Daun clenched her jaw slightly. “You know I have perfect aim. Besides, would you have preferred I marched up to the Palace gates and declared to the guards that I was the mistress Nephrite-sama and his father used to share before he fired me?”

“It’s not like that- we weren’t ‘sharing’ you. Our interests in you are separate. He was with you to make him still feel powerful... and because he despises mother. I'm with you because you are the most angelic creature to ever walk the mortal world.” Nephrite said, winking. “My father is like that with all young women, and you were hired as a maid to begin with, he only fired you because you turned out to be a horrible one.”

“That’s what he tells everyone. He got rid of me because the wife was becoming a little suspicious.”

“Sounds exactly like something Father would do. So how long do you plan on staying?” He asked. “I don’t want people to start talking.”

Daun glared at him a moment before she began to push the sheets back and get out of bed.

“I’ve had enough. I’ll leave tomorrow, unless that isn’t soon enough.”

“Hey,” Nephrite said as he wrapped and arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean. I don’t think there is a good reason by saying you don’t want people to talk. You’re just embarrassed that you’re with someone of lower class.”

“Maybe I am, but as I explained earlier, you’re different, you can charm the pants off of anyone you see- but all that doesn’t matter. I have to be discreet with you because the King has this lousy idea that since his son is engaged to the Princess of the Moon, why not his son’s guardians marry her guardians? It won’t actually go that far, he’s assured me himself. It just has to appear that everything is going smoothly between our two kingdom’s before their wedding.”

“Does this guardian you’re matched up with know the real story?”

“Makoto’s smart, she’ll clue in. It’s just a physical thing anyway.”

“Like us?”

“More or less, but I think I care for you more.” He said as he kissed the back of her neck.

“But Nephrite, if you’re so worried about destroying the illusion of happy ties between the kingdoms, then why is Jadeite openly affectionate to that Naru girl?”

“Jadeite is a fool. He’s had bad luck with women for as long as I’ve known him. I even caught Rei-hime with her lover while I was on the Moon a few weeks ago. She told me it has been going on for a while, but she just couldn’t find the heart to tell him. Though I suspect Jadeite knows what she’s up to, I also know he cares for her, so why else would he be after Naru other than he’s had his heart broken by Rei, just not officially and publicly yet.”

“Your world becomes more complex every time I speak to you.” Daun said, shaking her head. “How can you stand it all?”

“With a good stress reliever.”

Naru sat up in her bed and sipped at her cup of tea. She had finally gotten dressed a little and had her arm wrapped in a sling to avoid any further damage to her injury.

The late afternoon breeze washed into her room. Naru looked out the window longingly. She wanted to go out and further explore the Castle grounds, but that would have to wait for another day.

At least she knew her fate here was in good hands now. Daun knew what she was doing; she would help Naru.

She would fix everything for her.

Naru’s room door cracked open and a head of messy blond curls stuck through.

“May the lady have a visitor?” Jadeite asked hopefully.

Naru sighed painfully, though she knew this was going to happen sooner or later.

“Of course Jadeite. Please, come in.”

Jadeite marched in, dressed in a black uniform jacket, tall boots and tan breeches. He grabbed a chair and set it at her bedside.

“These are for you.” He said thrusting out a small bouquet of lilies.

“They’re lovely, thank you. I’ll have the maid put them in some water.”

“You’re not too sore are you?” He asked wordily as he sat down.

Naru shook her head. “No, just my hand arm really. That’ll teach me to go wandering off when I don’t even know how to ride properly.

“I have to apologize for not coming sooner, I had a lot of work I couldn’t get out of. I’m really sorry about what happened, I’ll be sure this will never happen to you again- next time you want to go riding, I’ll definitely be there with you.”

Naru sighed. She would rather Nephrite.

“Perhaps.” She said allowing no indication of whether she didn’t want him to come, or she was just being mysterious in flirting.

“I still can’t get over the rotten week you’ve been having.” He said smiling.

Jadeite continued chatting eagerly, telling Naru about everything he did that day, and how once he was finished up what he was working on, they could spend more time together.

She really wanted to tell him.

But couldn’t find the words.

She could never find the words for anything.

Maybe Daun could find them for her.

End Part Eight.

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