Okami-san and Her Seven Swans

*Well, now that Ryoko isn't talking, things will have to be from my point of view, but to make things easier, I've decided to cut down on some of the sarcastic comments… for now.*

Morino Ryoshi knows something is very, very wrong.

Ryoko, next to him in the stands, is silent, and she keeps her arms wrapped around her waist, like she's trying to hold herself together. Her jaw is clenched and her eyes are sharp, staring down at the track field, but at the same time it's like she's staring into nowhere.

It's obvious she's not okay. I can't take watching this anymore.

Ryoshi hates seeing Ryoko in pain and not doing anything about it. The roar of the cheering crowd as the runner take off snaps him back to reality. Ryoko flinches, as if it startled her as well.

"That's it. Come on," Ryoshi says, taking a dazed Ryoko's hand and gently leading her out of the stands and across the grass. He puts his hands on her shoulders.

"Ryoko, what's wrong? You're…" She frowns and looks down.

"…So quiet. Please, what can I do?" he says urgently.

"Why aren't you talking?"

"Is it something I said?" He immediately scolds himself for the comment. You're being selfish! You're not the center of her life. She has other problems.

Then Ryoko's mouth twists down in a funny way, the way someone's face scrunches up when they're about to cry. She shakes her head quickly, and weakly pushes him away. Don't latch on to me, don't try to get past this protection I've worked so hard to make for myself… If I choose to believe in hope and that hope turns to despair, what will I do then?

But it's too late, she realizes. I already believe in him, despite my attempts to run from… whatever it is I feel for him. It doesn't matter now, though. I'm alone again, locked in this silent world, surrounded by my enemies. And now that I know what this feels like, relying on someone again, I'll be too weak to go back to being alone…

"No!" Ryoshi exclaims. "Please don't try to push me away, Ryoko. I told you before, and I'll tell you again for the rest of your life! I'm not leaving you. You're never alone. You've always got me.

"Please. Just talk to me." Don't you get it? I can't!

Ryoshi watches as tears spill down Ryoko's cheeks. I hate myself. I hate that…I hate that…. Why…? Why can't I just hold it in? She sobs mentally.

Ryoshi wraps his arms around Ryoko, holding her to him, one hand on her back and the other cradling her head. To his relief, she holds onto him in return, crying quietly into his shirt. But just a little bit.

She is careful not to make a sound. Umi is always listening, and the last thing Ryoko wants is for the enemy to hear her crying.

"Is it Shiro?" Ryoshi's voice is soft, but Ryoko can hear the hardness in his voice.

"Before you do anything stupid," the cold voice from the mic warns suddenly, startling Ryoko, "you should know that your every move is being watched—at your dorm, in class, everywhere. We are watching right now. So, don't try anything you might think is a loop-hole in our agreement—nodding or shaking your head, or any such nonsense. Right now, just shake your head. Your Prince is expecting a response, after all."

Ryoko's stomach drops into her shoes. She swallows, then sadly shakes her head, not looking Ryoshi in the eyes, which she actually could have done for once since his phobia seems to disappear in Manly Mode, for the most part.

"Really?" Ryoshi is surprised before his instincts kick in. I don't know how, or why, but something's not right here. She isn't being honest... she won't look at my face, and her hands are moving nervously… Why is she lying?

Ryoshi looks pretty confused. Ryoko watches his face set in thought.

Ryoko fights the urge to kill someone. These bastards are going to pay for this. Just wait, Shiro. Whatever you're planning, I will hunt you down. As soon as I can do something about it. I just have to do it alone, for now. There's no way to tell anyone else.

To save the Otogi Bank, its members, and myself, I will go back to that isolated place.

Ryoshi can't prove it, but he has the feeling someone—Shiro probably—has her under control. A minute ago she looked like she was going to give him a hint, but then she froze up. Her behavior was too out of character and weird to be explained otherwise… He looks down at her. Look at my eyes and please read what I'm trying to tell you. I understand what's happening. Don't be worried.

"Well, okay…I understand. Let's go back." He says slowly, hoping she gets the message.

Ryoko's eyes widen in reception. Without talking, the two slowly walk back to the spectator area.

Toyotama dashes up to them ecstatically.

"Guys! I made the team!" she screams.

"That's great, Toyotama." Ryoshi says. Ryoko smiles weakly at her.

"Well, it was all thanks to you guys! I will pay back the favor, with pleasure. Okay, I have to go. I have some news to tell my new teammate about what really happened with that bike thing. See you around!" She flashes them one last smile and runs off to find the track star.

"Well, now that that's over we should head back. To the Bank." Ryoshi says, eyeing Ryoko carefully.

The voice sounds off in Ryoko's ear again.

"Don't go with him. Go to the park and wait. I need to see you in person for a moment. We have business to attend to."

Ryoko quickly shakes her head at Ryoshi. She turns and runs away quickly, before he has the chance to respond. Breathing hard, she stops over to the park and sits on a bench. Since they can see me, they should know where I am.

Umi shows up quietly.

Ryoko looks her over. Umi is wearing a light violet skirt that ends a few inches above her knees. The skirt is cut into pleated, fat sections with barely visible white trim on the undersides. When Umi walks toward her, the skirt swishes around her legs like thick, fat octopus tentacles.

"Hello Okami."

Ryoko scowls savagely. Bitch. When this is over I'm gonna rip your freaking head off!

"Ouch. I think I was just set on fire, that gaze was so scorching. But anyways. Since I have complete control over you, I might as well use you for my purposes."

What are her purposes? What does she get out of controlling me like this?

"I have your voice because although I'm blackmailing you, I'm also blackmailing Shiro."

You're what?

She laughs, obviously aware of how surprised Ryoko is.

"I'm sort of teasing him with this information I have, you see. He would love to know the addresses of the Bank members, all their secrets, and all their dirty laundry so he can aptly destroy all of you. However he has something I want that he refuses to give up. So until he does, I can't make a deal with him. I have a feeling he will give it up, however, given enough time. You, on the other hand. Even without the threat of Shiro, you are still vulnerable, with that past of yours. You might just be a pawn in my game, but that game, at least for Shiro, revolves around you." She chuckles.

"I'd have to be pretty stupid to let you know what I desire from this. But until that has been relinquished to me, you can still be used. Which brings me to our business." Ryoko continues to scowl.

"The Otogi Bank, although they don't yet know it, is about to receive a request to be cast members in the spring drama production (because surprisingly not many people in this wretched Academy are big enough losers to participate in drama). I run many business deals around campus, and these drama freaks hired me to make their costumes, but I don't really feel like it, in all honesty. So that job goes to you."

What?! I don't want to be a freaking slave! But especially not a slave who makes ugly ass drama costumes how lame is that!? Ryoko's face shows her outrage. Her teeth are bared in a particularly wolf-ish way.

"Yes, sounds delightful doesn't it? Well I'm sure by the time you finish all seven of the swan costumes you will have been given your voice back, one way or another." This bitch enjoys watching me squirm… I swear, when this over she's dead meat after this little stunt!

I have to make seven of these damn things?!

"Yeah, so, that was all I needed to say. The materials will be delivered to you this evening. You're free to go now."

Ryoko trembles in anger as Umi sashays off dismissively. When someone touches her shoulder she jumps, spins, and lands a crushing blow on Ryoshi's unsuspecting face. He flies backwards and lands with a OOF on the ground.

Ryoko winces and quickly helps him up, an apologetic yet confused look on her face.

"Sorry for sneaking up on you! You just ran off without telling me what was going on so I followed you."

Ryoko sighs. She is very, very relieved to see him instead of someone else. She places her hand on her chest. I. Am. She throws her arms out awkwardly to communicate 'going away'.

"Um… sorry Ryoko but that was a little too confusing… even for me." Ryoko covers her face with her palm, exasperated. She sighs.

"Are you going back to the dorm?" Yes! Ryoko nods rigorously.

"Okay… can I walk you?" Fine. She nods.