Chapter Text
Kamui ran along the edge of the woods, trying to avoid the enemy as best as she could while also trying to cross the entire field. If she could get a better look at the battle, she would be able to work out the best strategy... but once again a reanimated corpse blocked her way. She swung her sword and cursed as it wasn't enough to knock it back, but before she could prepare to block the return blow, an arrow flew over her shoulder and struck the creature down.
“Lady Kamui, what's the rush?” She turned around and saw Zero behind her, grinning from up on his horse as he slung his bow back his saddle. “You were running like a demon just before; I could barely keep up.”
“Oh, I'm trying to get to... the top of the hill over there,” Kamui said, struggling to bring her breathing under control. “Need to see the... whole fight. If we can find the weak area, this will... be over much quicker.”
“That's quite a distance by foot, do you fancy a lift? You can watch my back for me, it's a little hard to catch these bastards coming up from behind; kill two birds with one stone and all that.” The outlaw moved his horse closer, reaching out his hand.
Kamui took it and was quickly swung on behind him, and she barely had time to grab hold of Zero's back before the horse bolted forward, easily outpacing the enemy that had tried to corner them.
When they reached a small river and Zero had to pause to coax his steed over it, Kamui spotted a a pair of axe fighters come up behind them. She quickly shouted a warning to Zero, who spun them around to dodge the first strike while Kamui blocked the other. A critical hit by Zero's own sword felled one creature, and they took the opportunity to slip away as the remainig fighter panicked. Kamui was marvelling on how well they worked together when a hand reached back to tug her arms back to Zero's waist.
“Hold on tight, milady, we're almost there,” Zero yelled over his shoulder as he urged the horse on, taking a hard turn to avoid a magic user's strike, and Kamui had to pull herself right up against his back to keep from slipping.
As the wind pricked at her eyes, she closed them and thought over Zero's words earlier. To have actually come up to her to ask for help... he really must be starting to trust her now. Kamui felt a wide smile cover her face at the thought, and she turned her face as if to hide it. Except that as plastered to Zero's back as she was, she couldn't really do that.
It was a broad back. Warm too, through the cloak he still kept from his old class. It smelled like cinnamon and pine. Comforting.
“Milady, we're here. I know it's sad, but we must part ways – I've spotted Odin off to the side and he probably needs to be rescued.”
It was more the rumble from within Zero's chest that made Kamui sit up in surprise than his words, and she felt a small blush cover her face as she slipped off the horse's back. She patted the mare's shoulder as she looked up at him. “Sorry, I was distracted. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Clearly.” Zero smirked down at her, took her hand and brushed a kiss over the knuckles. “Always a pleasure, next time you need an escort you know who to call.”
Luckily Zero had already galloped off to his fellow retainer before Kamui's face got any redder. Apparently trusting her more didn't mean he would flirt any less.