Nightshift 31; Courtyard

[small_fortune]

[From here]Climbing up the wall was about as dignified as he'd expected, although it could still have been worse. The garden trowel as a climbing tool actually did help a little, and while he would regret the entire decision to go on this insane mission by morning, for now his muscles weren't aching too badly as he made his way to the top. He did

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[roger_hug]

(coming from here.)

Brigdet looked around. The courtyard was empty. Odd. He turned back to Kagura and held out a hand for Roger. "Thank you for holding him Miss Sohma," he said softly.

[kagurazuki]

Kagura winced at the loud noises as Bridget kicked down the door. She was half afraid that something would jump out and rush them, but it finally gave, letting in the cool night air. She walked outside, only to hug her arms even tighter against her chest. It was chilly! Like late fall, though that just didn't seem right.

She passed the bear back to Bridget, wishing she could hold him a bit longer. "He's a nice bear," she replied, "I don't mind at all."

Their breath lingered in the air in hazy white puffs, not as cold as winter, but enough to make her wish for home. "So... so we just have to make it over the fence... and then... and then maybe we can get away? Find some help?"

[roger_hug]

Bridget tilted his head and smiled, hands on Roger as he pressed the bear back into her arms. "He is a very good bear. I'm sure he'd be happy to protect you tonight." She looked like she needed to hold on to something safe more than he did.

And he trusted her not to hurt his best friend. "Let's try to get over the fence. Can you climb okay?"

[kagurazuki]

"A-are you sure?" she asked, surprised by Bridget's sudden show of trust. She wasn't certain she deserved it, but she would do her best not to let him down. "Thank you," she added after a moment, letting her chin rest on Roger's furry head as she pulled him back.

She nodded, following now with more enthusiasm. It might be a little hard with Roger with her, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't have a problem carrying herself and the stuffed bear over the fence, especially if it meant freedom! "I'll do my best," she assured him, her smile more genuine now.

[roger_hug]

Bridget beamed and nodded. "I'll help, so don't worry." He liked Miss Sohma. She was so nice and kind. He wanted to make sure she was safe.

"The far wall is probably the best one to try," he said, pointing. "I'll go first and pull you and Roger up after, okay?"

[kagurazuki]

The courtyard did seem a little too still, but the company was enough to make her feel less afraid. She hurried along the dirt path, at least outside there was a little bit of light to see by. The wall at the far end was probably a couple feet higher than the top of her head. Not too high and not the metal and barbed wire mess she'd been worried over. If she wasn't so relieved to see it, she might have been skeptical that it had been too easy. If they were quick, once they passed the wall, they'd have lots of time before daylight.

"Okay!" she nodded, steeling herself for the climb. Kyo could definitely learn a thing or two about manners from Bridget! She couldn't remember the last time a boy was so nice to her... and for no reason either! "I'll help too, if you need a boost," she added, cheeks coloring slightly as she mentioned, "I'm a lot stronger than I look."

[roger_hug]

Bridget smiled and then turned his attention back to the wall. It looked simple enough, which really worried him. If it was so easy, wouldn't everyone have just hopped the fence?

"Wait until I say it's okay, alright Miss Sohma?" Bracing his hands against the wall, he easily climbed the walls, coming to a rest at the top. There... That wasn't so hard. He leaned over to check the other side and ...

Found himself staring up at the night sky, head pounding and what felt like a fantastic bruise forming on his back from where he hit the ground.

"Oh..."

[kagurazuki]

Kagura waited, as she'd been told, at the bottom of the wall while Bridget jumped up. She smiled up at him, feeling a little more sure of things when she saw him reach the top. Her smile turned to shock and worry though, when she saw him fall as though he'd been struck! She crouched down beside him and touched his shoulder.

"Bridget-san? Bridget-san are you okay?" Kagura chewed her lip. If he was hurt too badly, what could she do?! She couldn't even offer him her shoulder to help him walk and she definitely couldn't carry him!

[roger_hug]

Blinking to try and clear the flashes of light from his vision, Bridget tried a rather shaky smile up at Kagura. "I.. I'm fine Miss Sohma," he said, slowly sitting up. He had to shut his eyes against the sudden wave of pain that hit him and he brought up a hand to the back of his head.

It came away warm and sticky. He must have hit a rock or something and now he was bleeding. He smiled again, hoping she hadn't noticed.

"It would seem that ... this way is not as simple as we thought."

[kagurazuki]

Someone or something had pushed him down or... or thrown a rock! Kagura was almost sure of it! How else could they explain what had happened? Maybe... maybe Bridget just hadn't seen the attacker? If it wasn't anything too scary, maybe she could...

She wasn't sure she believed him though, when he said he was alright. It was hard to see in the darkness, but outside there was at least a little light, and it didn't look like any small injury...

"Don't push yourself," she warned, though it came out as more of a helpless plea. "Did... did someone knock you down? It looked almost like you were hit by something... Are you sure..." Kagura hoped that he didn't notice how she stayed just out of range of touching him, her hands eager to help, though every time they were too near, she would draw them back. After a moment she settled for chewing on a nail while the other hand held tightly to Roger.

[roger_hug]

Bridget paid no attention to the fact that Kagura wasn't touching him. Not many people did and not many people actually wanted to. He'd gotten used to it. "Really, I'm okay." He smiled at her again. "But thank you for your concern." He head was pounding and his back was sore, but he'd experianced much worse over his time as a hunter.

"I don't think anyone attacked me..." He looked up at the wall again. "I didn't see anything." He started to gather his legs up under him to stand up. "Maybe ... there's something there though. Should I try again?"

[kagurazuki]

The thought of going up by herself was scary, but the thought of Bridget climbing up and getting hurt again was even worse. Maybe she'd see something he hadn't? And besides, he definitely shouldn't be trying to climb again so soon after taking a hit like that!

"No," she shook her head and set Roger down beside Bridget. "I'll go. S-stay here, ok?" With that, she got up and walked the few feet over to the fence and tried not to look to frightened as she did it. It didn't look too high...

[roger_hug]

Bridget blinked and started to shake his head, wincing when that brought a new round of pain. "Miss Sohma, please be careful... I don't want you to be hurt."

He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he allowed a lady as nice as Kagura to get hurt.

[kagurazuki]

"O-of course!" she squeaked, grabbing one of the vines that wound down the wall and testing it with a few hard tugs before deciding it would hold her weight. It took some effort, and she scraped her elbow a little bit trying to get over the last bit, but she made it to the top

[roger_hug]

Stumbling forward, as he hadn't quite gotten to his feet yet, Bridget hurried to her side, Roger dangling from one hand. "Miss Sohma! Are you alright?" A silly question really, but he couldn't help himself.

Kneeling down beside her, he set his bear to one side and moved to help her up. He had no qualms about touching her.

[kagurazuki]

Her hand really hurt, and her bottom from falling so hard right on her rump. But she wasn't too bad for all that'd happened. It could have been much worse!

Kagura was pushing herself up just as Bridget arrived, but when he set his hands on her, she stiffened and pushed him away, a reflex more than anything else. "N-no!" she cried out. Unfortunately, she still had trouble judging her own strength. What seemed a little push to her might be a heavy blow to anyone else.

It took her a moment to even realize what she'd done. She edged away, back against the wall. "I-... I-...I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to- Ah- I can't-" Unlike many of her intended victims in the Sohma family, she honestly hadn't meant to hurt Bridget! This was terrible! He was going to think she was a horrible brute now! Her hands covered her mouth as tears threatened the edge of her vision.