Secrets of Rioku

Chapter III

The next morning, Rikka woke up excited. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about the connection she had made the previous night with Rioku. It was the first time she felt she had finally made herself a friend successfully.

"Good morning, Rioku!" She called out to her new-found companion while she walked out of the cozy room, stretching her arms above her head.

But no one answered. She looked around the living area, the kitchen, and the other room where Rioku went inside last night, but there was no sign of him.

Rikka's heart sank as she realized that Rioku was nowhere to be found. She couldn't shake off the feeling of fear of being alone again.

Her body trembled as she tried to push away the rising panic. She took a deep breath. Determined not to let her anxiety consume her, Rikka decided to explore the surrounding area in search of any clues about Rioku's whereabouts.

But to her disappointment, she had no footwear to use to walk outside. It would be a nightmare to go out in the snow barefoot. Rikka frantically searched the room for any kind of makeshift footwear. She rummaged through drawers and closets, hoping to find something that could protect her feet from the cold. Finally, her eyes landed on a pair of thick woolen socks tucked away in a corner.

"This could do," she thought, relieved to have found something to wear on her feet. She quickly slipped on the socks and felt the warmth envelop her toes.

But even before she could slip on the last pair perfectly around her foot, she heard several woods being dropped onto the snowy ground outside.

"Rioku?" Rikka called out; her voice filled with concern.

She hurriedly made her way to the window and peered outside, only to see Rioku struggling to carry a bundle of firewood through the heavy snowfall.

"You are awake. Have you eaten? I heated the soup from last night," Rioku called out, his breath visible in the cold air.

Rikka's worry eased as she saw Rioku's cheerful expression, besides being out in the freezing weather. Grateful for his thoughtfulness, she replied, "Thank you, Rioku. I haven't eaten yet, you?"

Rioku shook his head, his eyes flickering with exhaustion. "No, I wanted to make sure you were taken care of first," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness.

"I'll eat later. Let me help you," Rikka said, rushing outside with only the socks on her feet.

"Stop!" Rioku yelled, his face filled with worry as Rikka rushed to him.

Rioku dropped the bundle of firewood and rushed to Rikka, who quickly shivered in the cold. She never expected the intensity of the cold, as Rioku looked fine.

He quickly wrapped his arms around her, providing her with some warmth. "You shouldn't have come out like this, Rikka," he said softly, concern evident in his voice.

"I thought it was not that cold. Y-You look fine!" Rikka barely managed to say, her teeth chattering.

Rioku gently rubbed her arms, trying to warm her up as he spoke. "Looks can be deceiving. Next time, be mindful of your decisions. You could die."

Rioku lifted Rikka and carried her towards the cabin, shielding her from the biting wind. "You feel warm. That—that's odd but comforting." Rikka whimpered from his embrace.

Rikka stared at Rioku as she was being carried inside. As soon as she was carefully laid down on the couch, Rioku ran to get her some soup.

He returned with a bowl of soup, then crouched in front of her, "You should eat to make you warm.”

“You should have some too, Rioku,”

“This is the last of my food, Rikka. I could not hunt at the moment, so the stale bread is what we all have after this soup. We'll have to ration what we have left until the weather improves, and I'll accompany you home. I cannot keep you here. Your parents might be looking for you and I do not have much to feed you."

Rikka nodded. Her heart felt heavy thinking of leaving him alone in the woods to survive on his own.

"Why don't you come home with me?" Rikka asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Rioku paused for a moment, his eyes softened. "I appreciate your offer, Rikka, but I have lived in these woods for most of my life. This is my home, and I know how to navigate my life here in the harshest of conditions," he replied, his voice steady and determined.

Rikka understood his sentiments, but she couldn't help but worry about his well-being. "But you will be alone, you’ll be hungry," Rikka reiterated, her worry evident in her voice.

Rioku offered her a reassuring smile, understanding her concern. "I may be alone, but I have learned to rely on myself and trust my instincts. My parents taught me well, you should not be worried. You should think of yourself. Besides, I could not go away from my family. There should be someone to clean their graves once in a while, and I am peaceful here, something that I cannot find anywhere else," he explained, hoping to ease her worries.

Rikka nodded in surrender and took a sip of the hot soup. "This is really good,” she said, as the warmth of the soup brought comfort to her. “If that’s what you prefer, I hope you dare to survive after everything that has happened. Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you about a cub that was with me in the forest. Have you seen one when you found me unconscious?" Rikka asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and worry.

Rioku's expression softened as he shook his head gently. "I'm sorry, Rikka. I didn't come across any cubs when I saw you. Just focus on getting your strength back so we can travel as soon as the weather gets better for walking."

Rikka nodded, her heart heavy with concern for the lost cub. “I understand.”

“If you are feeling well, I’ll be leaving you here, and please do not ever attempt to go out again. I’ll just finish my work,” Rioku patted her head.

“Take care, Rioku,” Rikka smiled in gratitude.

She stayed inside, wrapped in a fur coat, and watched from there how Rioku chopped off the wood for the fire.

Slowly, as time passed, the snowstorm began to subside, revealing the calm and serene landscape. Rioku just stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a chopped bundle of wood and tossing it into a neat pile by the fireplace.

"I found my mother's boots, and you should wear them," Rioku said, pointing to a pair of worn leather boots by the door. "They'll keep your feet warm and dry while we track you back to your home."

Rikka hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to go back home to her family and the overwhelming sense of belonging she had found in this small cabin in the woods.

She looked down at the boots, worn and weathered from years of use, and felt a pang of pain for Rioku and his bereaved loved ones.

With a sigh, she finally nodded and reached for the boots, slipping them on and lacing them up tightly. The leather was supple against her skin, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and protection washed over her.

Rioku smiled warmly, sensing her conflicting emotions, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's get moving now, Rikka," he said softly, leading her towards the door. Rikka took one last look at the cabin, its walls lined with short memories.

"Thank you, Rioku."

They moved fast into the forest, their footsteps echoing in the quiet of the morning. The leaves rustled under their boots as they made their way deeper into the woods, the sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above.

"Do you remember the way?" Rioku asked as they ventured further into the unfamiliar territory.

Rikka paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the surroundings, before nodding confidently. "I think. I only ran in one direction before I reached your cabin," she replied.

Rioku nodded and remained silent. As they continued their journey, the forest seemed to come alive around them. Birds chirped melodiously, and small woodland creatures scurried about in the iced-covered burrows. Rikka was enjoying every moment, it was as if, they were just going on an adventure.

However, Rioku stopped in his tracks.

"Why?" Rikka asked.

"We have to run, Rikka," he said urgently, his voice tinged with fear. "I sense danger approaching."

Rikka's heart raced as she looked around. "What do you mean?"

"The people who killed my family are coming," Rioku whispered, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "I can feel their presence getting closer."

Rikka's breath caught in her throat as she realized the gravity of the situation. The memories of Rioku's tragic past flooded her mind. Without hesitation, they broke into a sprint, their footsteps echoing through the forest as they raced to escape whatever threat lurked behind them.

The branches of the trees whipped against Rikka's face as she pushed herself to run faster, her heart pounding in her chest. She stole a glance at Rioku, his determined expression reflecting the weight of the danger they faced.