There was cold. Never ending cold as his cloak swished along with the breeze. Tadashi couldn't feel anything, but the tightness of the reins under his palms, and the slap of air against his face.

His gaze kept pinned on the horizon. Thick groves of trees lined the corners of his vision. Tadashi squinted to make out figures in the dark, but then came a time when the road grew narrower, and the trees blocked their path. They came across a deeper forest, one where paths are completely erased by all kinds of fauna, and the moon casted shadows on every angle.

"Woah there–!" Tadashi pulled the reins just in time before the horses would hit a nearby trunk. Their galloping slowed, almost to a stop, and the young knight took this as an opportunity to observe his surroundings.

The terrain reminded him of a hairbrush, the trees equally separated and the view from the horizon seemed never-ending. The breeze took their time passing through each tree, and for what seemed like hours, Tadashi finally heard something aside from the whipping of his cloak and the clashing of rocks against the carriage's wheels.

The sounds of nature accompanied them as they slowly made their way through the thicket. The carriage wobbled to and fro, as the path grew bumpy. At some point, Tadashi felt as though the wobbling came from something else, the carriage rocking as they crossed a smoother path. He halted to a stop, but the wobbling continued.

"Your Majesty?" His voice stood out in the silence. He heard shuffling from inside, but no reply.

Concerned, Tadashi looked around to check if the coast is clear. Seeing as they are safe for now, he hopped off his spot on the carriage and opened the door.

Kei had his head leaning against the curtains like a cushion. His arms clutched his chest, and his eyes were shut as if trying to restrain himself.

"Tsukishima?" Tadashi checked to see if they're still conscious. Kei's head lulled to the side.

"Why.. Did you stop..?"

"We're safe now. The smoke is gone."

Kei groaned. "No.. No go back."

"Are you okay?" Tadashi scooched closer to set his hand on Kei's forehead. The prince quickly avoided it. "No just– Go back. Go back to the front and ride this carriage farther."

Kei's hand twitched. He clutched his chest tighter, lips pursed as if attempting to steady their breathing and keep in whatever ails them.

Tadashi continued. "The horse won't be able to ride any farther. The poor thing almost rammed into a tree trunk. It was getting too dark and we've been riding for what seemed like an hour."

"Well you better come up with something–" Kei paused to inhale. "to cure me.. I don't know what else will."

Tadashi's eyes trailed at Kei's knuckles, white from his tight grip. He shouldn't waste a millisecond just standing there though, finally back in his reverie. The knight slammed the carriage door behind him, which caught Kei's surprise.

Rummaging through his pouch, he finally pulled out a flask of dark-green colored paste. Removing the cork, he applied a generous amount on his finger. "Where does it hurt?"

Kei sat up, eyebrows furrowed at Tadashi. ".. You seriously didn't think mint would help would you?"

"It's actually mint and coriander." Tadashi corrected pridely. He quickly dropped his gaze at Kei's expression. "You asked me to come up with something that'd make you feel better."

".. That was clearly sarcasm?" Kei continued to eye him. Not appreciating his stubborness, Tadashi sighed.

"I wish I could be of more help. But this is the one thing I could think of that won't involve a tired horse. You're clearly in pain. This'll help soothe your aching." He gestured down at the paste sticking to his finger, cold as he felt the evening breeze pass through the window. "Now tell me where it hurts."

A tiny staring contest ensued between them. It took a while before Kei finally assessed the situation, and he begrudgingly nodded. "The whole area here." he traced his finger against his midriff.

Tadashi didn't waste any more time. Gently pulling up Kei's shirt, he looked at the pale skin before him. The shadows of the carriage made it hard to tell, but Tadashi could make out faint inflammation. It could just be from the way Kei gripped his side tightly.

These thoughts circled his mind as he gently applied the paste. It smoothened under his finger, spreading across Kei's skin. The gesture was awfully reminiscent to how he was treated back at camp. His wounds treated, and yet leaving enough pain for him to remember for days on end.

Kei twitched under his touch, probably because he pressed a sensitive spot somewhere in his diaphragm. Tadashi quickly pulled away, but not before gently gliding his finger across the applied paste. It was cold. The mint was taking effect.

With the amount on his fingers successfully spread on Kei's midriff, Tadashi looked down at the flask and debated on whether to add more. At that moment, he felt nimble fingers tapping his wrist.

"Enough." was the only word Kei uttered. He quickly pulled down his shirt, trapping cold under the garments as he made himself comfy against the curtains. Tadashi was more concerned about his posture. With the way he's leaning, it'd definitely cause a stiff neck.

"Hand me the flask. I'll hold onto it in case other areas start to ache." Kei held out his palm expectantly. Wrapping his hand around the given flask, his arm laid back on his chest.

Seeing as there is no purpose to stay, Tadashi decided to give Kei some space. He bowed his head in respect, before pushing the carriage door open and stepping out.

Buzzing noises, probably from cicadas, echoed as soon as he was hit by that familiar forest air. The ground crunched under his boots as he approached the poor stallion. He could hear it panting under its breathe, exhausted from the continuous journey. "Alright.. I got you." Tadashi assured it. Running over to the back of the carriage, he filled a bucket with adequate water. It sloshed as he pulled it behind him. Kei would definitely hear him struggle through the door as he made one last heave and set it next to his feet.

Lifting the bucket just enough for the horse to quench itself, Tadashi took his time caring for the stallion. With a long night ahead of them, and one that prioritizes safety over sleep, it's not like he'd be dozing off anytime soon.

And it appears Kei wouldn't either. At some point, he heard the carriage door swing open. Kei's knee hung over the carriage in his peripheral vision as he continued hydrating the horse.

"It was the curse."

Tadashi turned to look at the sullen prince. ".. Did Prince Akiteru do something to you?"

At the mention of his name, Kei's eyes looked far away focused on the blades of grass. "I don't know.. It irritates me how I can't fully explain it yet."

There was an edge in his voice as he spoke. Feeling the horse's snout leave the bucket, Tadashi assumed that it had its fill. They walked to the carriage's rear. "It doesn't really matter how it happened. As long as it did! Right?" The knight replied, passing by Kei as he dried the bucket and threw it back to the side.

He didn't get a proper reply. ".. I assumed it was because of exposure. Some dark magic the elders kept insinuating. It got worse as soon as Akiteru trapped himself there with me. He never left the castle."

Tadashi leaned against the carriage, listening eagerly. "And you? What happened to you then?"

Kei fiddled with his fingers. "I trapped myself in too. Without realizing."

Cicadas filled the silence that lingered between them. Tadashi spent most of the time looking down at his feet, and rubbing it against the grass to remove dirt. "That's why we're here. So I'm not trapped anymore." Kei's voice broke through the white noise.

".. What's the pain like?" Tadashi peered at him curiously. He inched closer, gesturing at his midriff.

Kei looked at the side in thought. Then he settled for an answer. "Like something's dragging my skin from inside. Sometimes it's slow, and sometimes its quick and alarming. The intervals change."

The knight could only nod his head in comprehension. He could still recall the soft yet freezing skin hiding under there, and underneath all that, a pain he can never fully understand.

The night seemed to drag on for so long. Tadashi spent it lying against the front of the carriage, a simple pillow behind his head to relax him. Kei had already dozed off inside the carriage, and for safety purposes, the door remains closed.

While Tadashi focused on the sounds around him, Kei could do nothing but focus on the heaviness against his chest. The mint and coriander, suprisingly, helped in soothing him. It's purpose beforehand was to numb the pain, and it was effective somewhat. Kei knew that the heaviness he's feeling right now isn't from his side pains.

It felt like everytime he dozed off to sleep, his mind falls deeper and deeper into a well. A well where he can't float up to the surface, and every attempt drags him deeper like thin quicksand. It shakes him awake everytime, greeted by the same annoying moonlight peering through the carriage windows.

This cycle of jolting awake exhausted his mind. At some point, he gave up in trying, letting the thoughts wash over him as he drowed within the well of his mind.

And by the time he opened his eyes, sunlight was the first to greet him.

"Rise and shine!" A cheery voice sounded outside the carriage. His windows are open, which explains the almost blinding light shot right at his face. Kei groaned.

"Sorry to disturb your sleep.. I didn't want to start riding the carriage and wake you up so suddenly with all the wobbling! Here, I prepared your breakfast." The figure of Yamaguchi Tadashi appeared by the carriage door, shrouded in shadow due to the bright morning rays. He handed the prince a plate of what appears to be bread and a portion of cheese.

Kei groggily got up. His instinct was to lay a hand on his side in case it swells just like last night. However, it seems that the pain have completely vanished. He didn't move for a while, head lulled and back hunched as he struggled to sit up. Kei felt as if a pair of eyes were trained on him. "Have you eaten?"

Tadashi snapped out of it and shook his head vigorously. "No no its alright! I can eat along the way."

Kei raised a brow. "While taking the reins?" He looked up from his plate.

The knight simply waved at him the piece of bread on his hand and engulfed it. The whole thing
Not a single piece left on his gloved hand. Tadashi wiped his hands free of any crumbs. "No need for a heavy breakfast." He replied sheepishly before leaving Kei to do his thing and walking to the front of the carriage.

He shut the door from inside, still clutching his plate. Kei could hear Tadashi talking to himself. That or.. It could be him cooing at the stallion. "Good morning! Look at you all ready for the day. Who's a good boy? You are! You are!"

Kei started breaking his bread into pieces, nibbling on each of them as he looked out the window. Eventually the carriage started wobbling, and the faint sound of hooves tapping on the ground filled the air for hours.

Their routine goes as follows. Around one or two hours they ride up slopes and down roads, past groves and fields. Eventually they rest by a nearby river. Kei is not familiar with the terrain, but he appreciates how there's always a body of water nearby. He figured Tadashi was following a route close to the river, so they can replenish on water and clean themselves up during the long journey.

Silence was also a huge part of their routine. They haven't spoken since that night, when Kei's midriff hurt. Tadashi would only initiate small talk, saying things like "We reached a river, sire!" or cooing at the horse again. Just a repetitive use of "Who's a good boy?" and "Careful, sweetie!" whenever they're travelling down steep roads.

And then, night fell. Kei turned on the lamp inside the carriage as his surroundings grew dark. He wondered if Tadashi could see through the faint outline of trees, and if he can still see the road they're on. Kei decided to trust whatever skill Tadashi is relying on for this journey, as he rests his head on a pillow.

The evening was awkward. As always they stop by a safe area, one concealed by trees and with enough space to rest their head. Tadashi prepares dinner with their limited stock of food. A simple stew from brewed vegetables and they're good to go for supper. They sat in their respective spots, Kei inside the carriage and Tadashi next to the horse, and would eat silently.

As silent as Kei can muster at least. His side started aching, but not so much as last night. They are farther away from Akiteru now, but the idea didn't relieve him at all as he clenched his stomach and tried not to catch Tadashi's attention. Remembering the flask of mint and coriander, he applied the fresh paste on his side, before tucking it in under his shirt and finishing supper.

And it is time to sleep. Tadashi, from Kei's observations, is a night owl. Not essential for someone who'll spend the whole day riding their carriage, but a great thing to have for keeping watch while he sleeps. Kei would often open his mouth to speak, but feeling no need to, immediately closes it and not attempt any form of conversation with the knight. He'll speak with him when he's in a chatty mood.

The sound of crickets engulfed the area, like nature's lullaby as Kei's eyes started to feel heavy. He was once again drowning within the depths of his mind, the feeling of something engulfing him and dragging him in deeper returned. He struggled to fall asleep, the feeling of letting loose and giving in to this strange feeling frightening him.

As for Tadashi? One hour, Kei sat up, heart palpitations and all as he once again jolted awake in surprise. His side seared due to the cold air and minty feeling, but that was the least of his concerns.

The night grew silent. Silent than usual. Not a Tadashi kind of silent, no.

He craned his neck out the carriage door. The front of the carriage is empty. Their stallion is gone, and so is Tadashi.