We continued walking down alleys, and stopped by a few stalls which interested me. I was having a lot of fun. Who knew Seijuro would be someone kind enough to oblige to all my needs and wants. It was weird. I didn't know anything about him. Not even his last name. It didn't matter to me anymore. I loved him, and that is all that mattered.

A swirl of pink and lavender transfigured the sky as the perishing ball of light slowly sank below the horizon, leaving behind a sliver of dark orange. The colors slowly faded away and the sky was pitch black.

On both sides of the cobbled street were iron streetlamps partially covered in snow. Each one radiated a warm orange glow, flickering in its attempt to light up the whole street.

Under the moonlight the avenue lay still. The crowded roads of the day had been replaced by barely a few people walking around and Seijuro sauntered under the trees with his cloak dangling from his arm. He moved between the pools of streetlight, feet almost silent of the sidewalk still wet from the melted snow.

The temperature was dipping , and I wrapped my arms around myself. It was way too cold.

" Here ", he held out his hand, and offered me his cloak.

"  Thank you " I muttered, as I took it and swung it over myself. It smelt like him, and I brought it closer to my face, so that I could inhale more of his scent.

As we walked quietly, I saw a flock of men approcing us. They were all tall and well built. I couldn't distinguish their faces from one another as they were far away from me. As they got closer, their images got bigger. I could make out that they were soldiers. They were soldiers from Rakuzan. Why were they here..? 

My thoughts were interrupted when a strong arm pulled me away from the street. I looked up to see Seijuro who had a rough yet firm grip on my wrists. He pulled me along with him into a gap between two tall buildings, and pinned me to one wall while his back rested against the other.

There wasn't enough space to fit in two people. I wanted to protest, but his right arm quickly made its way up, pressed against my mouth so that I couldn't speak. My eyes widened at his actions.

" sushh "  he whispered.

I nodded. He was trying to hide from somebody. Probably the group of soldiers. Was he a criminal? 

But this wasn't the time to think of all that. Seijuro was too close.There was practically no space between us.

What was he thinking? I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

His right hand soon drifted away from my mouth to my hip. It settled there, while his left hand pushed my hair back, exposing my neck and rested against the wall next to my head. I inhaled sharply. I was against his warm chest, chiseled to perfection.

Must he be so perfect?

I splayed my hand against it, intending to push him away, but instead I left it there. My breathing quickened while his remained steady. I felt a hot breath on my neck, then the tender brush of lips. Burning as they made contact with my neck.

Warmth radiated from the spot where his lips just touched , slowly spreading through the rest of me. I urged myself to push him away, but couldn’t. My limp body began to tremble uncontrollably.

He pressed his lips against my neck, and they carefully traced my jawline. I clenched onto his shirt, unable to think or react as all my previous thoughts stopped in their tracks. I shut my eyes tight, and tried to absorb everything I possibly could.

Within seconds, it was all over. I opened my eyes, when the cold air hit my neck as the warmth against my body was gone. He moved back, and stepped out of the gap. He was now a metre away from  me. He offered his hand, and I took it. I stepped out too, and we walked in the empty alley as if nothing happened between us at all.

" Are you cold? " 

My mind was upside down, I couldn't think of anything, let alone speak. I gave him a nod, and quickly turned away. He grabbed my elbow and led me through another Street and up a fleet of stairs, and stopped in front of a old, dull brown wooden door. He released his iron grip and opened the door for me.  I could smell sake (alcohol in Japanese ) and sake  only.  We were at the bar.

" Go get a drink. I'll be back in a while " he uttered.

" Where are you going? " I asked

" Nowhere. I'll be back soon" he reassured.

I smiled and gave him a nod. I walked in, he closed the door behind me and left. The bar was almost empty. There was an old man who was at a table while two young men sat on the other. Rest of the tables were left unoccupied. The bartender was a female. I walked up to her, and muttered a hello. She gave me a smirk, and asked " What's your name?"

" I'm Akira and you are? " I gave her a warm smile.

" I'm Gabby" she said.

Gabby leaned on the bar, her black hair lying over one shoulder of her dress. She lolled her head to one side, pushing out her red lips just a little. I knew she wasn't drunk yet but it looked like she liked to give the impression that she was. 

" Fruit juice? " she questioned.

"  No. Sake. " I muttered, somewhat uncomfortable.

She gave me a look of surprise mixed with approval, and handed me a glass of alcohol. I sipped on it quietly until she decided to speak up.

" Who was he? " she asked.

" Sorry. Who? "  I knew exactly who she was referring to.

"  Your fiance? " I chocked on my drink. I let out a cough and she chuckled.

" N-No" I answered. My cheeks were pink and I could feel it.

" So who is he? " she asked again.

Who was he? I didn't know either. I never bothered to ask him after he made that deal with me. He wouldn't train me if I asked him who he was. I just shook my head and continued to drink.  My glass was soon empty. She wasted no time in filling it up which made me smile. Each sip of it, made me braver and braver.

" You're in love with him, aren't you? " she asked .

I quickly nodded in response. It was true. I was indeed hopelessly in love with him.

" Does he know? "

" No " I took a few more sips, leaving my glass empty and she filled it again.

"  You should tell him " she smiled.

" You think so? " I asked

" Yes. How will he know if you won't tell him? "  she questioned .

I nodded, " You're right. But I'm afraid. "

" Why are you scared? "

" Bec-because Sei-chan is very scary ", I had no idea why I was giggling. No I wasn't drunk. No!  Just no.

" Didn't you know alcohol gives you courage? "  she chuckled.

" I know.. I know. I'll tell him tonight " I grinned, as I emptied my eighth glass.