Sweet Burden

by K L Ogden

She leaned her head on his shoulder and he tightened his grip around her. “What about you?”

  “I’ll be fine,” he tried to assure her.

  It still did not calm her fear for him. He had just come back to her. She would never be able to survive something happening to him now. The room became overwhelmed with an eerie silence. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

  After another late meal, a large thunderstorm rolled in and knocked out the power again. Hitomi walked around and lit candles as Guri stoked the fire. Obi came hurrying in through the front door with another supply of wood. He dropped it next to the other three piles he had brought in and went off to the bedroom. Guri relaxed back in his chair and started sucking on a lollipop. She wasn’t sure where he had gotten it from, but she was almost afraid to ask.

  It was completely dark outside except for a flash of lightening every few minutes. Obi came out of the bedroom changed into dry clothes and sat down on the couch. She put down the matches and joined him, tucking herself against his body. She grabbed the book from the coffee table and started reading out loud. She had to do something to occupy her mind.

  After a few hours, Guri was asleep. He was lightly snoring and his fourth lollipop was barely clinging to his fingertips. She couldn’t help but smile as she closed the book.

  “I can read more tomorrow night,” Hitomi whispered and looked up at Obi. His eyes were closed too. She was a little disappointed he was already asleep, but she still didn’t want to disturb him. He looked so at peace asleep.

  She eased herself from his grip and slipped off the couch. After putting a few logs on the fire, she slipped on her shoes and opened the front door. The storm was still raging outside. The rain sounded like nails hitting the porch roof. Hitomi stepped out onto the porch as the sky lit up with another flash. The anger in the sky made her shiver as she stared out into the dark woods.

  There was another brief burst of light and Hitomi blinked her eyes hard. She could have sworn she saw a figure leaning against a tree. It was just a vague outline of a person. She waited for another flash of light to try to negate what she thought she saw. The storm did not fail her and when the sky lit up again she saw the figure more clearly. It was a man.

  Her body trembled as she stepped back from the railing. Suddenly she stepped into a body behind her and she let out a scream.

  “Hitomi,” Obi spun her around and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s just me.”

  “I thought I saw someone,” she blurted out as she clutched his shirt.

  “What? Where?” Obi’s voice changed from soft to menacing.

  “In the woods.”

  Obi started sniffing at the air. “This damn rain doesn’t help, but I don’t smell anyone. C’mon, let’s get you inside.” He ushered her inside and locked up the door. “Guri, get up,” Obi kicked at the chair.

  Guri was startled awake. “Huh? What’s going on?”

  “Hitomi thought she saw someone outside. I need you awake.”

  Guri let out a big yawn and stood up. “Okay, I’m awake.”

  “I’m going to get her into bed and I’ll be right back out.”

  She couldn’t stop shaking as Obi steered her towards the bedroom. He pulled back the covers and turned back to her.

  “I’ll let you get changed. I’m going to go check around.”

  “I’m fine. It was probably just my imagination,” she said her lips still trembling. “Obi?” she quickly grabbed his hand. “Will you come back after you check?”

  “Absolutely.” He gave her hand a squeeze and left the room.

  She changed into some shorts and a t-shirt then crawled into bed. Hitomi lay there trying not to think of the figure, but when she closed her eyes she saw a flash and the man standing there. She knew it was not her imagination. He had been there. He was real. She continued to try to put together a mental image of any noticeable features.

  It wasn’t too long before Obi quietly entered the room. He blew out a few candles, leaving the one beside the bed lit.

  “Find anything?” she asked.

  “No,” he turned around somewhat surprised that she was awake. Obi moved over to the bed and sat down. He pulled the covers up over her. “I didn’t find anything. Not even a hint of a scent.”

  “My eyes were probably just playing tricks on me,” she stated not believing her words.

  He gave a nod and she could see that he didn’t believe her either. He got up and moved around to the other side of the bed. “I’ll check again in the morning.”

  She heard him rustling around and then felt his weight beside her. She rolled over facing him as he made himself comfortable.

  “Just get some sleep.” He moved closer to her and reached over her to the candle. He extinguished it with his fingers and wrapped his arms around her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know you won’t.”

  Exhaling heavily, he was tense and she could feel it in his body. She couldn’t see his expression in the darkness, but she could feel his breath hot against her. Unexpectedly his lips were on her forehead. She closed her eyes as he brushed his mouth down to her nose and then lightly kissed each of her eyelids. Her pulse quickened.

  “Hitomi?” His breath tickled her lips. “I would really like to kiss you again…on the lips. Would that be okay?”

  “Mm hm,” she mumbled trying to contain her anticipation.

  Slowly his lips were on hers. The heat rose inside her as she pressed herself against him. He placed one of his hands on the side of her face as his mouth moved with hers. Hitomi couldn’t help but think how perfect his kisses were. It was as if his lips were made for her.

  After a few minutes Obi pulled away as his fingers left a hot trail from the side of her face to her neck.

  “You are amazingly addicting,” he whispered.

  She was suddenly glad it was dark as she felt her face redden. “You don’t have to stop.”

  Immediately his lips were kissing her again with a new sense of urgency. He pulled her tighter against him as his hand moved down her back. He tugged at the edge of her shirt and then his fingertips were against her bare skin tracing a line up her back. The sensation made her shudder.

  “I do need to stop now,” Obi mumbled as he pulled away.

  “No you don’t.”

  “Hitomi, I need to stop,” he said more seriously. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  She felt her mouth form a pout as she sighed. “Just so you know, in the future you don’t need my permission to kiss me.”

  “I’ll remember that.” Lightness returned to his voice and his body relaxed.

  ****

  It was still somewhat dark the next morning when Obi awoke. He let out a huge yawn blinking his eyes open and promptly realized he couldn’t move. He looked down and Hitomi had her head on his chest, her arm over his stomach, and her legs intertwined with his. During the night she had managed to kick all the covers completely off the bed.

  He rubbed his eyes and looked down at her face. He wasn’t sure how she managed to look completely adorable in the morning. Obi laid there memorizing everything he could about her face and body for the next 20 minutes. He groaned realizing he really needed to get to Rediisu’s.

  He carefully moved her head onto a pillow and disentangled his body from hers. Obi got out bed so not to disturb her and walked around the room gathering some clothes. He got dressed and left the room. He went over to Guri and tapped him on the head.

  “I’m leaving now. Take care of Hitomi. I should be back before it gets dark.”

  “Does she know you are leaving?” Guri mumbled.

  “She’s still asleep.” Obi grabbed his boots and started lacing them up.

  Guri groaned and got up from the chair. “You better leave her a note or something.” He moved into the kitchen and let out a yawn. “Since she’s your girlfriend now.”

  “Girlfriend?” Obi’s head shot up.

  Guri smiled as he started to heat some water. Obi
huffed and went into the kitchen. He grabbed a slip of paper and a pen. Guri let out a snicker as he walked past him.

  “Shut up.” Obi nudged him and went over to the table. He scrawled out a quick note and left it lying there. “I’m going now.”

  “Alright.” Guri shrugged.

  Obi fixed his gaze on the bedroom door. “Do you think I should wake her? Just to say goodbye.”

  “Aww, Obi’s got a girlfriend,” Guri teased.

  Obi rolled his eyes and started for the front door, but changed his mind and went into the bedroom. He moved around the bed and leaned down. “Hitomi?”

  “Hm?”

  “I’m leaving now.”

  “Be back soon,” she whispered with her eyes still closed.

  “Before dark.” He leaned down closer and planted a light kiss on her lips. He hastily pulled away and hurried out of the room.

  Chapter 15

  Rediisu was the only death god Obi knew of that had a house in the Living World. Death gods were not to fraternize with humans, but Rediisu was always one for breaking the minor rules. And somehow he never got caught, or the council just didn’t care. Rediisu acquired the house from a woman who was on one of his lists. He basically seduced her into signing over her house to him before she died. Seduction was definitely one of the things Rediisu was best at. He usually kept human lovers as well. He was able to keep two or three at a time.

  Guri and Obi had been to the house a few times before, usually on an errand to find Rediisu. He was usually found hung over in his bed with a cigarette in hand. Obi prayed that he would at least hide a little of his ways from Hitomi’s mom.

  Obi landed safely a few blocks from Rediisu’s house. His wings tucked away and he pulled on a sweatshirt leaving the hood covering his head. He kept his senses alert as he walked to Rediisu’s house and up to the front door. He barely even had a chance to knock before the door opened and Obi was yanked inside. Rediisu slammed the door behind him and turned all the various locks and then switched on the security system.

  He turned around and smiled. “Hi Obsidian.”

  “What’s going on Rediisu?”

  “Well, I can’t keep barriers up all the time.” He headed for the first room on the right and Obi followed behind him. “Would you like a drink?”

  “No.” Obi crossed his arms as Rediisu moved over to a bar. He dropped a few ice cubes in a glass and poured himself some liquor. “I want to make this visit as quick as possible. I don’t like Hitomi being…”

  “You mean, you don’t like being away from her,” Rediisu interrupted with a smirk. “And how is that tasty little morsel?”

  Obi’s jaw clenched. “She’s fine. And I would prefer that you don’t talk about her like that.”

  “Oh, lighten up Obi.” Rediisu moved over to one of the couches and sat down. “I know your situation with her is different than…well, my many situations.”

  “It’s very different.”

  “I know. I saw you two together.” Rediisu smiled and pulled a cigarette out of his jacket pocket.

  “Can you get started with why you needed me to come here?” Obi asked impatiently.

  “We need to prepare for war,” he replied calmly and took a drink.

  “War?”

  “Yes, war.” Rediisu sighed and lit his cigarette. He took a long puff while Obi waited. “There are those that don’t agree with the absolute control of the Afterworld. There’s no balance with the Heavens now gone. But there is an opportunity for the Heavens to be restored.”

  “I know most of this.”

  “This is bigger than you know. Obviously some in the Afterworld are enjoying their power too much.” He took another long drag on his cigarette and blew the smoke out. “They do not want balance.”

  Obi sat down across from him. “What exactly are you getting at?”

  “Obsidian, if there is no balance the Living World will be plunged further and further into darkness. The Afterworld needs the Living World to survive. And the Living World needs the Heavens to survive. Some of us see this, some don’t.”

  “But how can the Heavens be brought back?” Obi inquired as one of Rediisu’s mortal girls came walking in. Clad in clothing that didn’t leave much to the imagination, she sauntered across the room and sat down with Rediisu.

  “Hello my dear,” Rediisu greeted as he grabbed her chin and kissed her.

  Irritated with his behavior, Obi looked away and focused on the front door.

  “Who’s your friend?” she asked.

  “This is Obsidian. Obsidian, this is Brigitta.”

  “Nice to meet you Obsidian,” her voice practically purred.

  Obi gave a nod and turned his attention back to Rediisu.

  “Alright darling, why don’t you go cook something up for our guest?” he motioned for her to leave.

  “Whatever you want,” she smiled and kissed Rediisu again but Obi saw her eyes fixated on him. She got up making sure that more skin was showing as she left the room.

  “I think she likes you. You could always go upstairs and get some practice…”

  “Rediisu, enough. Don’t you take anything seriously? I can’t believe you are continuing your ways with Hitomi’s mother here.”

  “Oh calm down. I only have one girl here. Besides Regina has the entire third floor. She barely comes downstairs.”

  Obi rubbed his forehead. “So, how are the Heavens going to be brought back?” he tried to get back on subject. “And why has Hitomi been put in the middle of this?”

  “Well…” Rediisu took a long puff of the cigarette and another swig of his drink. “…that is yet to be revealed. Are you sure you don’t want a drink?”

  “Rediisu, why the hell can’t you tell me what is going on?” Obi raised his voice as he got frustrated.

  “Laws of the worlds. I could tell you, but I know you would not react well. You will have to wait until the right time to find out.”

  “What am I doing here then?” Obi smacked his hands on the couch and stood up. “All I want to do is protect Hitomi.”

  “And that is exactly why I wanted you to come.” Rediisu crushed his cigarette and got up. “Follow me,” he said seriously. He led Obi out of the room and down a hallway. They walked past a few doors and stopped in front of the one all the way at the end. He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door, and then quickly tucked the key away. Obi followed him down the stairs and into a dark room. They walked across the room to another door that Rediisu punched in a code into a keypad. The door unlocked and it opened as a metal door slid open behind it. As soon as they walked in Rediisu flipped on the light and the doors behind them automatically closed.

  Obi’s eyes widened as he stepped into the middle of the room. Lining every wall were weapons of every kind. Swords and daggers took up one wall; another wall was covered in crossbows and arrows; and the wall straight ahead displayed any type of gun imaginable.

  “I don’t…” Obi shook his head. “I don’t understand. Where…? How…?” He couldn’t quite figure out what he wanted to ask.

  “When I became a death god I began developing weapons. It’s hard to admit it, but a lot of these weapons killed protectors and angels during the extermination.” Rediisu let out a sigh. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  Obi walked over to one of the cases and ran his fingers along a long silver blade. “Why did you keep them all?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “I guess I figured I might need them again someday.”

  Obi walked over to another case and stared at the guns. They ranged in size from the length of a forearm to fitting in the palm of a hand. “Can they kill a death god?” he asked.

  “Not yet. But they can be modified.”

  Obi turned around and faced Rediisu, who was leaning against the back wall looking at something in his hand. “Rediisu?”

  He quickly tucked whatever it was into his pocket and looked up. “Hm?”

  “Why are you helping? I me
an, why are you choosing to side against the Afterworld?”

  “Personal reasons. Redemption maybe.” He grinned. “We should pick out some things for you and Guri.”

  “And Hitomi,” Obi added.

  “Of course,” Rediisu nodded. They started to look through all the weapons trying to decide what would be best. As Obi would grab something, Rediisu would explain how it worked. Obi tried a few things out but decided he preferred a longer range weapon. They picked out a few of the guns and carried them into an adjoining room. Obi could hardly believe that Rediisu even had a firing range in his basement.