Plans

The whispers of the night still clung to my clothes like a ghost when I stepped into the clinic. 

I made sure to wash the evidence in a local creek before coming back. Albert hated the smell of blood, and while he never asked me where I went at night since he respected my freedom, I knew he was smart enough to make some conclusions if I smelled like blood.

I found him in the back room, hunched over his desk, frantically scribbling notes by the dimmed lantern light. His soft brown hair was a mess, and his dark tired eyes were scanning over pages of formulas and medicinal compositions he had been testing as of late. 

He was so… focused, so immersed in his work that he didn't even notice the familiar footsteps that trailed behind him.

My heart throbbed at the thought.

This was why I did what I did.

Not because he asked me, but because he deserved it even if he himself didn't request it.

With silent flat footed steps, I moved closer, before quickly wrapping my arms around his shoulders from behind.

 He froze for a moment before recognizing the familiar hands.

"Akari," he muttered, face still pressed toward his notes. "You smell like the woods again."

I chuckled, nuzzling against his neck. "Maybe I went for a little walk."

"A walk, huh at this time of night?" He finally glanced at me, his sharp eyes searching. "And what did you find?"

I smiled. "The moon… "

Softly sighing I decided to give a half-truth.

"I needed time to think about what's next"

Albert leaned his head pressing against my chest, folding his arms.

 "Could you be less vague please?."

I sighed dramatically as if he were asking for the sun.

Firmly but comfortably I brought his weight against me.

"Fine. If you want me to spell it out… we're in trouble. You're making a name for yourself as a healer, but that means people are watching. Cultivators are like wolves. They are worse than animals. At Least animals can be loyal…" 

Scoffing, I continued "They respect power, not kindness. You can fix all the wounds in the world, but eventually, someone is going to see you as a threat."

He frowned slightly. "I know…so what do you have planned?"

I smirked. "Simple. If we're going to survive in this world, we need people who are willing to fight for you."

He didn't flinch at my words. 

That was something I adored about him.

Even if the truth was hard to swallow he at least thought about it.

Albert was no fool; he knew the people of this world.

 He just preferred to let me handle the ugliness of the world.

Still, he had his own sense of morality. "I won't become a warlord, Akari."

I laughed. "Who said anything about that? A king doesn't need to be a warlord. You just need people who see your value and are willing to fight for it."

I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "And I happen to know where to find them."

Albert in response began to rhythmically tap his fingers on the desk, in an attempt to facilitate thinking. 

He didn't dismiss me without giving me a chance.

 He never did.

Al tensed his hand and laid it flat on the desk. "Who are you thinking of?"

I grinned, tails flicking behind me in excitement of him possibly accepting my proposal. "There's a rogue cultivator in the slum working as some type of hitman. She goes by Lian the Ghost-Hand. Rumor is she is an outcast among cultivators due to her killing her master. She's the kind of person who will try to survive by any means possible and we can use her to our advantage."

He raised a brow. Intrigue riddles his face "And why would she have any need of us?"

I shrugged, discarding his suspicion. "Because she's got nothing. No sect, or master will take her, and she's hunted and is forced to hide in the slums. If we offer her protection, a purpose… she might just take the hand we extend"

Albert hummed in agreement, then asked, "Who else?"

"An information broker in the city's underground. They call her Madame Silk. She's got ties to mercenaries, smugglers, even some sects. If we want leverage and power, we'll need information, and she's got plenty."

He gave me a flat . "And I assume you're planning to…charm her or something?"

I grinned innocently. "Just a little bit. I promise I won't kill anyone…..

"unless I have to."

That second part was whispered under my breath 

Albert sighed, leaning his head against his arm. "Akari, one day I'm going to wake up and find you've convinced the world I'm some divine being."

I tilted my head. "Would that really be such a terrible thing?"

He gave me a long look, then shook his head in a whimsical manner. "We'll start with Lian. If she's as skilled as you say, she could be useful. But Akari…" His voice softened slightly. "Promise me you will be careful."

I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against his neck, feeling the warmth rise to his skin. "Always," I whispered.

Standing up from the desk I dropped my ultimate ultimatum

"I'll leave in three days! I need you to help me recharge my energy by spending time together…"

"Hehe...maybe even a date will help!"

Twirling my hair around my finger I sheepishly tried to convince him

An uncertain smirk plastered itself on his face as he asked "Is that even a real thing?"

Holding my tails as still as possible I decide to lie for my future.

"Yes without a doubt one hundred percent the truth!"

Holding my thumb up as if to accentuate my truth telling capabilities I stared waiting for a positive response.

"Okay! Whatever you need, Akari." 

Until that moment I had never thought my name would sound so sweet.