Chapter Two: Goddess So Cold
I awoke to the sound of soft breathing. My heart fluttered, hoping it to be my dark prince. Instead, it was a blonde goddess.
The beautiful young woman looked down at me with warm eyes. Her full mouth slightly parted and moist; her long golden locks framing her face like a delicate halo.
"I trust you have slept well; Sasuke has the best bed in the house."
When I do not speak, she giggles softly and puts a warm palm to my forehead.
"You were asleep for most of the day, I didn't wish to disturb you." tilting her head to the side, she peered into my eyes, "You were raped last night. And judging by how you denied it, it must have been someone special to you."
Oddly enough, I felt no shame in admitting it. I nodded to her, then waited for her response.
She nodded and gave me a warm smile. "I was raped too. For many years by a sick bastard who, to this day, finds many ways to trap and use me."
I was shocked by this. Who would seek to harm this goddess? Who would try to harm something so beautiful and obviously kind?
Nariya saw my shock and merely smiled bitterly. "The first time was when I was very young. He was a renegade from a prestigious well-known family. I would watch him around school, constantly outdoing his peers and being the envy of every male there. He was a handsome boy with a certain darkness about him."
Nariya then looked down at her hands before looking back up at me.
"He cornered me while I was walking home from school. He followed me home every step of the way, barging into my home. I fought with all of my being, but in the end, he got what he wanted and left me there. Noone believed the little troublemaker who claimed rape, but though her more as a little slut made for an easy lay. I managed to fight them off, but he would always get what he wanted. He always found a way to beat me."
Nariya looked over at me with a serious expression.
"Do not allow this to continue. I tried to forgive him of his actions, but in the end, nothing I could think of would justify the hell he put me through!"
I watched the goddess's face go through pain, anger, hurt, fragility, then resignation in one graceful sweep. It pained me to see her suffer, but what could I do? I loved the man who gave me a home and treasured me. So what if he used my body? He wanted me…..I was wanted……
Nariya seemed to see this and rose from the bed. Before I could say a word, she took my face into her delicate hands. Her hands were as smooth as porcelain, but warm as if a magical fire burned within them.
She traced my mouth with one of her perfect fingers, each of them painted a cool blue.
"You have no idea what type of hell you're in for. I don't want you to die like I did; to be hunted like some animal. You have to protect what little dignity you have, or else you're just branding yourself to be thrown out to the dogs."
In one fluid motion, she kissed the top portion of my lips and rose from the bed.
The room seemed darker without her there. Though her story was terrible, I wanted to know more. Who was this man who constantly pursued her? What man pursued something her could have honestly owned? As I contemplated these things, someone else entered the room.
"I see you just endured a conversation with the Queen of melancholy!"
It was the pink-haired girl, Sakura.
"Never mind her; she thinks she's so smart and beautiful."
"She seemed to be a nice person."
"Don't let her fool you. She's not as sweet as everyone likes to think." She looked at me awhile before speaking, "So, what's your name?"
"Haku…….Hakuri…….."
"……strange name…….Do you live here Hakuri?"
"Y-yes…..on the outskirts of town."
Sakura looked at me a bit longer before rising. "There's food on the table as well as company. I'll introduce you to everyone."
Before I knew it, I was being dragged down the stairs to a table. There sat the gentleman known as Kakashi and Nariya. Kakashi wore a thin snowsuit and a pissed expression. Nariya wore a long-sleeved black turtleneck with a jeans skirt and tan snow boots with black leggings. Her hair was up in a bun with two loops hanging down and her lips held the faintest trace of pink lipstick.
Kakashi looked up. "I see you're up for breakfast?"
Nariya, not looking up from her book, sipped some coffee, "Sakura dragged her down here."
"Shut up Nariya! Who's talking to you anyway!"
Smiling mischievously, still not looking up, "Is that the way a lady greets someone? What a pity."
"Stuff it bitch!"
"Ladies, ladies, not in front of our guest." said Kakashi, silently enjoying it.
I smiled despite myself and took a seat at the table. Nariya looked over at me in a side glance before turning her attention back to her coffee. Sakura served the food while silently glaring at her. I thought maybe this is what it's like all the time.
"They never liked each other, well, Sakura didn't. Don't let her squabbling get in your way."
The mere sound of his voice shot me off into unimagined dreams and fairy tales. I turned to my Dark God, his face flushed from the cold.
"Oh Sasuke, you never find fault with Nariya do you? That is so unfair!"
With that, he took a seat between Nariya and me, heaven if I ever felt it. He seemed to have taken great interest in Nariya, but she didn't seem to be paying attention, either that or just outright ignoring him. Sasuke still didn't waver, and they ended up engaging in pleasant conversation.
"So, have you lived here long?" asked Kakashi
I took me a while to answer, I was so immersed into my Dark God that noone else seemed to matter. "Yes."
"You must show us around sometime. We're here on a class trip. You'll soon see the rest of our classmates walking around." Sakura's expression soured a bit, "But watch out for Ino pig. She's butcher you if you've even been in the same room as Sasuke!"
My heart broke a bit at this. Not only did I have Sakura as a rival, I also had to compete with a girl I have yet to meet. Looking over at Nariya, I dismissed her as a threat, but knew she was an obstacle. Just how fond was Sasuke of Nariya? Would it matter in the long run?
"So, Hakuri, are you married? Spoken for?" asked Kakashi
"I'm…….It's complicated……." I really never had to describe it before. Whenever someone would ask, Zabuza would steer away the conversation. Then he'd give me a glare as if to say otherwise.
""Do you carry a wedding ring?" asked Nariya in monotone.
I shook my head.
"An engagement ring?"
I shook my head again.
"Does he call you girlfriend or insists that your union is common law marriage?"
Again, I shook my head.
Nariya resumed drinking her coffee, uttering on other sound.
My cheeks are stained red. Did I give away too much? Would Zabuza be angry?
"You are so cold Nariya! And you say I'm insensitive!" huffed Sakura
Nariya looked up just long enough to give Sakura a death glare. "Fact is fact, take it or leave it as you wish."
Sakura shrank away, not ready to take the wrath of the Blonde Goddess. Sasuke looked over at her, concern evident in his face. He reached over under the table and grabbed her hand. Displaying a mere ghost of a smile, she squeezed his hand before pulling away.
I felt a twinge of pain when I saw it. Though I had only just met him, I was determined for Sasuke to be mine. He was perfect to me, and I didn't even know his last name.
"Are you up for travel Hakuri?" asked Kakashi. "It seems that today's activity is midnight boating, but before that is Christmas present hunting."
Sakura cheered while Sasuke rolled his eyes. Nariya only giggled and pinched Sasuke's cheeks. Sakura saw this and raved at Nariya. Nariya waved her away, laughing outright at her antics. Kakashi looked at it all and laughed as well, in a more demure sort of way. Trying my hardest, I managed a sincere laugh of my own. It was only the Goddess that really saw right through me.
The town was lively and active, as were its' children. Everyone had a smile to light the world. Looking around, I felt as if I were the only negative light here.
I followed closely behind the four when I felt a sharp tug on my shoulder. My first instinct was to scream. My first instinct was correct.
"I've been looking all over for you! Do you know how long I had to look!? Do you!?!?"
I couldn't answer. I was too afraid…….too certain of what would happen if I were to anger him more.
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Her. Now!"
I saw only a streak of gold fly by me as Zabuza was driven to the ground. A crowd was quick to gather as I could only register screams and insults. Only when did I see what was going on did I begin to scream.
