You guys still there? Not to complain but I ain't heard from anyone in a while so I'm starting wonder if anyone even bothers to read my work at all. *Shrugs* Well, review if ya wanna, it's always great to hear what you guys think of the story so far.
Moving on!
Chapter 7
Kuma was stunned. "Ka-Kawaiso?... Kuso!" A snarl, then roaring. "JUST WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING 'PITIABLE'?!"
"Kuma–"
"No goddamnit!" Kuma's head bowed until they couldn't see her eyes as the small body started shaking with emotion. "Why? Why the hell does everyone always end up pitying me damnit? What good has pity ever done for anyone? You could cry a thousand tears but it still won't do any goddamn good! Can pity raise the dead? Can it stop a bleeding wound? Heal a broken body? NO! Pity can't do shit for anyone! So why the hell bother damnit!? I don't need no ones stinking pity and I sure as hell don't want it neither! So cut it out damnit!"
"Kuma-Chan..."
"No damnit! Don't call me Chan, don't ever call me Chan! The only who ever called me Chan is my goddamn mother!" Fist clenched so hark the knuckles turned white. Then, shoulders thrown back in total defiance, feet spread wide and strong, chin up, and chest out, the young Rogue stared them all down, daring them to try and pity her more. "I never back down, I face every challenge head on with all my heart, and I never give up a fight! No matter what it takes, I'll always stand up again! I don't need anything from anyone, everything I've ever needed I've done by myself! I'm not a little girl, I'm my father's son and I sure as hell don't ever intend to let his memory down, not here, not now, not ever!"
Silence was the only thing to meet the small Rogues rebellious outburst. Then Nao snorted.
"Heh, pretty big words, for such a tiny little teddy bear." And effectively broke the ice.
"Yeah, well, this 'tiny little teddy bear' can kick some serious ass."
"Oh stop glaring would ya? Nobodies going to pity you anymore so relax already!"
Burning brown eyes turned to Shizuru. "Aneki?"
Shizuru nodded slightly. "It's alright Kumahiko, mou ii."
Kuma did seem to slowly relax at that as the others looked on in interest.
.
"So I guess this answers our questions." Chie sighed.
Kuma looked at the older Otome curiously from her spot behind Shizuru's chair. "What questions?"
"You really are the child of Takeshi Ryubumon."
"Mm."
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Haruka demanded.
"What was the point? It's old history and there was no reason to start opening old wounds again."
"Ah, gomen, gomen. Looks like I brought up bad memories." Chie apologized.
Kuma glanced off not looking at anyone or anything. "Don't mention it."
"I heard that he was a pretty good fighter." Haruka speculated.
"Chichiue was right on par with a Brigadier General, and he never acted cowardly. He was the first one into battle and the last one to retreat. He never left anyone behind."
"About that sword, is it really?..."
"Yeah... I'm not sure how I survived, and what I do remember of my childhood is all fuzzy most of the time."
"But you do remember what happened on that night?"
"Sort of."
"So what do you remember?"
A shake of the head. "Not much, just what Chichiue said before I blacked out. 'Wagahai yo, akai shi da. 'I am the Red Death.' He was mine once as he was my fathers before me and his fathers before him and so on and so forth, and now he is yours. Trust in him and respect him and he shall never fail you.' When I finally woke up I realized I was already holding Red in my hands and Chichiue was no where in sight."
"And after that?"
"Nothing, I blacked out again soon after that and when I woke up after a long time I found myself staring at the woman who gave birth to me. She eventually sold me to the troupe not too long after that day. She never wanted me to begin with after all."
"But even so, for a mother to sell her own child is–!"
"Normal, in the Free Nations."
"What?!"
"Besides I'm not half as young as I look. I'm eleven after all even though I look about nine or so."
"You're still a child!"
"Actually for a Rogue I'm quit a bit older than most of us live to be--"
"–because most Rogues don't live to see eight." Natsuki finished thoughtfully.
"Mm."
"I still can't approve–"
"Whether you approve or not makes no difference either way, it won't change what's already been done. The only thing you need to concern yourself with is this, I'm old enough to know the difference between dying and living and I'm old enough to know myself."
"And what good does that do?" Nao challenged.
Kuma smirked. "Heh, more than enough, because I know that I can do damn near anything!"
"You really think big of yourself, don't you?"
"And why not? Since everyone else always thinks so little of me to begin with."
"So you think you can fight everyone and everything, right?"
"Sure, not like I've ever been proven wrong before."
"You're smaller than Mikoto for pity's sake!"
"Pity's got nothing to do with me for one thing and for another, let's just say I know how to throw my weight around in fight."
.
Knock, knock.
"Enter."
The door opened and a maid stepped in. "Shizuru-Sama? Your package."
"Arigato. Set it here."
The maid curtseyed before turning to address someone behind, a palace guard wheeled in a trolley bearing a white box once she'd stepped aside.
They'd finished up the meeting earlier and Shizuru had decided it best to retire to her rooms, though not before showing her new companion to her rooms first.
"Hmm, I get this room all to myself?"
"Mmhm."
"But shouldn't I stay in your room? It's my job to look after you after all."
Shizuru smiled a bit at that. "Arigato, Kuma, but there's no need to worry about that. My rooms are just next door after all."
"Hmm."
Kuma blink at the box as she watched the guard struggle to move it, he was a scrawny thing after all.
Sigh. "Move." Kuma gruffed.
"Eh?"
"I said move, I'll get it. It's mine anyways."
"But I–"
"Look. See that bear paw on the side? And the writing underneath it? It's from Akemi, she must have convinced old fat-ass to send my stuff instead of selling it."
"...That's supposed to be writing?"
Kuma huffed. "It's written in Old Gypsain, a tame little cage bird like you wouldn't be able to read it." The dark Rogue stepped forward and picked the box up with ease setting it down near Shizuru's seat, all with one simple hand. "Was this it?" She asked the guard.
"Ah, h-hai!"
Kuma cocked a pale brow. "Then why are you still here? Shouldn't you be, oh I don't know, patrolling the grounds or something?"
"Ah, um, right. Well then..."
Kuma watched the guard leave frowning all the while. "Honestly, what kind of bumpkin of a guard is he? He looks like he could barely hold a proper sword, let alone lift one and fight."
"You don't seem to be much of a people person, Kuma-Han."
"Kuma." Gruffed the small Rogue.
"Hm?"
"Just calling me Kuma is fine." Turning she started fiddling with the box to get it open. "And I'm not a people person, I like animals and I like the wild, but I don't much care for people in general." Finally getting it open she stared rustling through it's contents. "I like bears most of all, and the snow, and storms. Ah! Here we go." Pulling out a medium sized black box she immediately set to rummaging through it making various noises of approval and disappointment all the while.
"What is that?"
"Red's care kit, I'm going to need it handy and well stock since I'm going to be serving you from now on."
"Is that really necessary?"
"Of course."
"Then, what is it you intend to do for me?"
"Anything I can do for you, whether that means protecting you, your family, your home, or your loved ones."
Shizuru noticed the oddly knowing look the young Rogue sent her at that before the dark child turned her attention back to the box and it's contents.
"I'll even extend that protection to the other Otomes if you like."
"You believe we Otomes need protecting?"
"An Otome must be a virgin in order to materialize a Robe, right? Besides you may be powerful but even a Guardian doesn't have eyes in the back of her head, so someone needs to watch your back for you, once in a while at least."
"You really do know quite a bit about Otomes then."
"Like I said before I only know what Chichiue used to tell me about Otomes and their Gems and Masters. He knew quite a bit, for an uncivilized Wylder."
"So then Ryubumon was a Wylder."
"Mm, he was the first true Wylder to ever rise amoung the ranks to become a true Crime Lord."
"I wonder what sort of man Kuma's father was?"
Kuma paused a moment before continuing her search. "It's a shame Aneki won't ever get to him know personally."
A knock sounded before the door opened slightly to allow Erstin to look around it at them. "Dinner's ready."
"Thank you, we'll be there soon."
.
"Ah, Kuma!"
"Huh?"
Mikoto sat at one end of the table waving emphatically. "Here, sit here!"
Kuma cast a glance at Shizuru.
"Go on."
She watched Mikoto strike a conversation with Kuma the instant the small preteen had sat down before taking her own seat near Haruka, Chie, and Natsuki. Looking around she noticed Nina and Erstin sitting together talking quietly, Mai of course was already sitting beside Mikoto as the younger girl talked up a storm. Nao herself wasn't sitting to far away from the rest of them. She continued to watch them for a moment more before turning her attention to her own meal.
.
"Kuma-Kun."
Sigh. "Like I keep saying, just Kuma is fine. Eh? Sensei?"
Yohko smiled down at dark teen. "Could you please come see me once your done? I like to do a more thorough examination on your body."
A frown. "Why?"
"I now have access to all the proper equipment and if you really do intend to serve Shizuru-San then I should really start to look into your state of health as soon as possible."
"Hm. Oi, Aneki? Is this really necessary?"
"It would be for the best Kuma, after all, Yohko-Sensei needs to learn how best to look after you as soon as possible."
Brown eyes turned back to face Yohko. "Didn't you already get a good look at this body of mine before hand? Especially while I was unconscious?"
Yohko shook her head. "I hadn't actually need to since your injuries weren't that extensive."
"So that's why no one realized the little bear was a girl?" Nao scuffed.
"Oi, oi."
"Do you know your way to the medical bay?"
"Kinda, Ers-Neechan explained it to me earlier. But..."
"Yes?"
"Haven't had a bath in a while, and even though I haven't been fighting either lately, I probably don't smell too great. Sorry."
"It's fine for you to take a bath before hand." Yohko smiled before heading off.
"Thanks."
"So the little savage actually wants to bathe? Will wonders never cease!" Nao quipped.
Kuma glared. "Keep it bug-breath and I'll end up showing you some real wonders of my own!"
"Oooh! Is that a promise teddy bear?"
"Teddy–!? Again with the 'teddy bear'! What's with you anyhow?!"
"I'm only–!"
"Ahaha, well those two seem to be getting along."
Nao and Kuma jumped up at that. "Who's getting along?!"
Kuma scowled at the red-headed HiME. "Ye gods, you're annoying!"
"'Ye gods'? Where are you from? No one walks around saying stuff like 'ye gods'!"
"Will you just shut up already and leave me be?! What in Valhalla crawled up your's and died anyway?"
"Why you little–!?"
"Kuma," Shizuru called. "unless you hurry you'll never have enough time to properly bathe and change before seeing Yohko-Sensei."
"Ah, right." Then tossing a glare at the lime-eyed HiME. "We'll finish this later."
Nao shrugged. "Che, like I'll even bother taking a kid like you seriously."
"What hell is with that attitude–?!"
"Kuma."
"Hai, hai, I'm going, I'm going already!"
.
"Was that it?"
Yohko glanced at the small dark figure still sitting on the examination table. "Yes."
"That's really all you wanted? A few scans and measurements?"
"For now, I'll preform a more thorough exam on you later when it's more convenient."
"Ah, alright then?" Kuma murmured uncertainly. "So then we're done?"
"Mmhm."
"Guess I'll get going then."
"Goodnight Kuma."
"G'night Sensei."
.
"Kuma!" Mikoto called.
"Hm?"
"What did Yohko-Sensei do?"
"Just took a few scans and measurements is all."
"Really?"
"Yep, that's it."
"I'm going to sleep, night Mikoto."
"Mm, night Kuma!"
"What, don't I get a good night?" Nao teased.
"...no."
"Stingy."
.
"I see." Mashiro sighed.
Shizuru and Haruka had gone to speak with the Queen as soon as they had finished dinner. Rena and Elliot were there beside the Queen, Elliot had already explained everything to Mashiro before hand herself. Natsuki as well stood near by having decided to sit in on the meeting in case she needed to report anything back to Fuka and the other HiMEs.
"Where is Kumahiko now?"
Haruka answered. "Yohko took her to do some tests on her."
"What do you intend to do with that child now, Shizuru-San?"
"There doesn't seem to be any reason not to actually keep her here, if it is alright with your majesty?"
"So you truly intend to take responsibility for Kuma-Kun?"
"Hai, and considering the alternatives, well..."
"I understand, the child may remain here with you in the palace for as long as you both desire."
Shizuru bowed. "Thank you, your majesty."
Haruka huffed quietly.
Shizuru glanced at her fellow Otome. "Is something the matter Haruka?"
"I still can't get over the fact that a child that young and small really believes that they could be of any real use to an Otome. As if that gaki can actually stand before any of us, she wouldn't last a minute in a real battle."
"I wonder?..."
"You cant' possibly expect that shorty to actually be able to do it can you? I doubt she could even handle a Coral level Otome let alone one of us Meisters!"
"Elliot-Han? You're the most learned authority on the Free Nations, I have some questions I'd like to ask regarding some things that Kuma mentioned on the way here."
"I'll do my best to answer if I can." Elliot offered.
"Kuma made mention of some things such Tournaments, Regalia, and Surcoats, what is strangest of all is the that she compared all of that even Rogues in general to being not all unlike we Otomes."
"Ah, well, yes. In a way Rogues are actually quite similar to Otomes in that they have a strong need to establish a Contract with a Contractor or master once a Contract has officially been established it becomes the Rogues duty to protect their charge and follow their charges orders. They may sometimes act a body guard and/or do whatever it is that is required of them. Tournaments are basically the Rogues equivalent of a formal Butou while their Surcoats and Regalia are the Rogues version of a Robe and Element."
"Wait, are you saying-?" Haruka began skeptically.
"You didn't honestly think that the Free Nations were the only country left unscathed, did you? Slaves and Orphans are also said to roam their lands attacking and killing people, and it seems that some Rogues have the ability to fight these creature, maybe even kill them. Only in their case Rogues are often feared and hated by many for their natural born abilities, also a great many Rogues often die fighting these monsters off. I don't know much more than that, I still have much left to research."
"So I see. Chie."
"You called?" Chie asked seemingly appearing from no where.
"I'd like you and Elliot to find as much information on Rogues, the Free Nations, and even Kumahiko herself as you possibly can, as quickly as you can please."
"Rokai."
"Also, please inform Yohko-Sensei of the situation, I'd like to learn as much about our newest addition as we can for now."
"Hai."
"Shizuru, please learn what you can from Kumahiko personally."
"It would be my pleasure."
"Then you are all dismissed."
.
"Shizuru." Natsuki called as she caught up the Otome.
Shizuru smiled pleasantly. "Natsuki."
"What do you think about all this?"
Shizuru looked thoughtful for a bit. "I think–" She began but suddenly caught sight of an approaching Kuma. Pausing she took a moment to study the small odd little white scar on her nose that stood out starkly against the dark skin of young Rogue, bright yet somewhat solemn brown eyes, and the shock of short wheat blonde hair. Then she noticed the youngsters lack of bed clothes and smiled lightly. "I think we need to go shopping tomorrow."
Natsuki started to nod then stopped. "Wait, say what?"
**AN**
So what do you think? Is it moving to quickly in some places or not fast enough for you guys?
Kuso - Basically a Japanese exclamation equivalent to saying "Shit!" or "Damnit!".
Mou ii - "That's enough" or "enough" in Japanese.
Gomen or Gomen nasai - Japanese for "Sorry" or "I'm sorry".
Arigato - Japanese for "Thank you".
Gaki - An informal word meaning "Brat" or "Young punk" in Japanese.
