Chapter 8: Jealousy
Her pale hand grasped the cold water handle and turned it sharply, unleashing the icy liquid. It ran over her head, refreshingly cool.
"Yuu-chan," she called, her voice somewhat muffled as she spoke to the sink, "what time is it?"
"Two," he answered.
Rima entered her room and headed straight to the closet. Her black uniform, sturdy as it was, was dreadfully hot. She sought after something soft, cotton, and comfortable. Choosing her clothes by touch, she dragged out a long-sleeve white top with an Oriental design and a pair of rather risqué black shorts. Rima changed hastily as she heard Kanda complain about her slowness. He was irritated after waking up from a nap.
"Tsuki," she said, reaching up to the shelf and hitting her Golem lightly. "Wake up, we've got to go."
Tsuki flew down and balanced himself on her head. Rima checked to make sure her Innocence was secured in place, and opened the door to join Kanda.
"Did you say where Hevlaska was?" he asked as they walked through the long hallway.
"Yeah," Rima answered, tying on her protective black gloves that covered the palm of her hand, leaving her fingers unhindered. "Leverrier says that he wants to check my Innocence."
The two of them walked briskly to their destination; the doors creaked open, and they entered the atrium. Lenalee, Komui, and Leverrier were all already there.
"Perfect timing," Leverrier said. "We're finished with Lenalee."
Rima unhooked her sword from her back and handed it to Hevlaska's hands. Her eyes flashed unnaturally, reminding Hevlaska of their deal.
"Just a brief summary, Hevlaska," Leverrier ordered.
"She's Equipment type," Hevlaska said slowly. "This Innocence's highest synchronization rate is well over one hundred percent…but it's the same one that she had so much trouble synchronizing with five years ago."
"Are you sure? Didn't you say her Innocence was destroyed? That's how we confirmed her death."
"Perhaps…I made a mistake," Hevlaska said hesitatingly. "It's possible that she's learned to conceal the presence."
"Are you sure?" Leverrier thundered.
"…Yes."
A wave of relief washed over Rima. Her secret was safe. She flashed Hevlaska a look of gratitude and turned triumphantly to Leverrier.
"Well?" she said smugly. "Is that satisfactory?"
"For now," Leverrier replied. "Anything else, Hevlaska?"
"She…has eight other Innocence with her."
"What?" was the surprised exclamation.
"I forgot to mention them before," Rima said with a slight trace of apology. Cross hadn't reminded her. "They're the fruits of my labor over the course of five years."
Rima inhaled slowly and brought the Innocence out of her own body, the eight sparkling lights glowing in the palm of her hand. She handed them over to Hevlaska.
"Hopefully, Inspector, that will convince you that I've been productive and efficient."
"I see," Leverrier seemed to not want to voice his astonishment. "Well then, good work. We'll go to the training grounds now; see if you're any better than before."
Rima scoffed. His tone was so hopeful. She'd prove him wrong.
Lenalee ran up to join them.
"You returned your Innocence to Hevlaska, Lenalee-san?" Rima inquired.
"Yes, my synchro rate is less than ten percent. She said it was the best course of action." Lenalee's step was much lighter than before; her boots must have placed a burden on her legs. "Oh, and just Lenalee is fine, Rima-san. Or can I just call you Rima?"
"That's fine, too," Rima laughed.
"I hope you really are as good as you've made out," Kanda said dryly as they led the way to the training grounds. "Even if you are against a General, I hope you don't get beaten to a pulp."
"I'll be fine," Rima returned confidently.
They arrived at the training grounds, a large, desolate arena with a smooth gravel pavement. Sokaro was already there, saw-like Innocence gripped in his hand. He turned at the sounds of their footsteps.
"Looks like you're here," he grinned maliciously at them.
Rima nodded and noticed the other "judges" lined along the wall. Cloud, Tiedoll, Cross, Bak, Renee Epstein, and some bystanders: Allen, Lavi, Chaoji, Miranda, and an old man whom Rima assumed to be Lavi's grandfather.
"What is this, some kind of entertainment scene?" Rima grumbled.
"A fight between a General and a newcomer is pretty uncommon, if you ask me," Lenalee answered. "They're all interested!"
"Whatever," Rima said, feigning indifference. "You guys go join the others. It might get messy."
"Good luck, Rima!" Lenalee said cheerfully.
Kanda just scoffed and made his way across the field. Rima frowned. Not even the slightest word of encouragement? Then again, he didn't want her to become a General, so it was understandable.
"Sorry for the wait," she apologized to Sokaro as she took her place a good twenty feet away from him.
"You better be worth it. I haven't had a good fight in a while."
Rima unhooked Gin no Tsuki from her back and prepared her stance.
Her silver eye gleamed. "I'll try not to disappoint you."
"She is so hot," Kanda heard Lavi say dreamily.
"Keep your impertinent comments to yourself, brat," his grandpa scolded.
Kanda's thoughts exactly.
"Seriously, Gramps? Look at her! Such nice legs…gorgeous face…and pretty good bust—"
Kanda's hand knocked into the side of Lavi's face with unrestrained force.
"Sorry about that," he said coolly. "My hand slipped."
"Yuu!" Lavi said indignantly. "This is totally not fair! You can't hit me—I was complimenting her. Besides, you two aren't even officially 'dating,' and it's not like I'm hitting on her directly."
"Your crude comments are a pretty much an indication of 'hitting on her'," a voice behind both of them said nonchalantly.
They turned around to see the redheaded General, leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Instead of arguing over her physical endowments, why don't you watch the fight? You might learn a little something."
The two teenagers turned to the fight obediently.
"She's amazing," Allen said in awe, watching his sempai in great respect.
Rima's slim figure disappeared in midair and reappeared behind Sokaro. Her every movement was explicitly conducted, without the slightest bit of energy wasted. Even Kanda was surprised. This was Rima? The little girl who couldn't even hold a sword without toppling over?
"Surprised, kid?" Cross smirked, as if he knew what Kanda was thinking.
"…Somewhat."
"Not the girl you knew before, eh? She's changed a lot; I'm sure you know that."
Kanda didn't like Cross. Then again, he didn't like a lot of things. But Cross's familiarity when speaking about Rima irked him, and it made Kanda suspicious of the lurking possibility that Cross liked her more than he let on.
"Neither of them have activated their Innocence," Cross continued, unaware of Kanda's speculations. "Sokaro is testing her, trying to see how long she can last without using her Innocence's special ability. He wants to figure hers out before she figures out his. Of course, Rima's not that stupid. She can last a perfectly long time without using anything but her sword."
The black-clad General was getting impatient at their standstill of a battle.
"Too scared to activate your Innocence, girly?" he taunted.
"I would say the same to you," Rima answered breezily, her black hair flying as their weapons clanged together. "I'm following your pace, after all."
"My pace?" Sokaro sneered. "Fine then."
The two saws in his hand twirled at a frightening speed, blurring into a wheel-like shape. Rima stared at it, unfazed by the apparent demonstration of power.
"Here I come."
The General faded from sight, his speed having increased with his weapon's upgrade. Rima stayed in place for a moment, unperturbed by his disappearance. Kanda noticed the skin around her knuckles draw taut as her grip tightened.
In a blur, she jumped up just as Sokaro came crashing down, the revolving saws slamming into the ground with considerable force. The rubble from the collision flew out into the walls.
"Dodged, huh?" Sokaro said spitefully. "Not too bad."
"Thank you," Rima said warily, having landed ten feet away. "Your Innocence…what's its name?"
"Kyouki," Sokaro said with a sneer. "Madness."
"Figures," she said cryptically. "I don't think we'll be pulling out any special abilities right now, considering that we have onlookers…but your Innocence, its basic ability is to revolve at incredible speeds to the point where the blades heat and can cut through anything."
She closed her left, brown eye. "Is that the basic gist?"
"Pretty observant," Sokaro admitted. "But that wasn't it's greatest speed."
"Yeah, I figured as much. I won't be able to see it if I look normally…"
Kanda shuddered involuntarily upon noticing the sudden iciness surrounding Rima's motionless figure. He turned unwillingly to Cross.
"What's up with her eye?"
"Let's her see things better."
Kanda looked at him angrily.
"Like teacher, like student," he said, irritated. "What's up with you two? Stop being so damn vague. Tell me what's going on already."
"Rude brat, aren't you? We have reasons," he hissed, glancing furtively in Leverrier's direction. "Ask me later. Just watch."
Sokaro's weapon began to rotate at an even higher rate, to the point where the metal blades glowed a bright orange from the increased friction. Rima's one open eye narrowed imperceptibly as Sokaro disappeared from view again.
She leaped forward immediately, just as Sokaro slammed the blades down. He continued his offensive onslaught, his movements incredibly swift and almost unreadable. Even Kanda, who was able to see even the slightest movements, had trouble keeping up with him. Rima parried each blow almost lazily, her silver eye shimmering as it picked up the smallest excursion of energy.
"She's getting pressured," Cross remarked.
The words had scarcely died away when Rima landed firmly on the ground and spontaneously jumped far to Sokaro's left.
"Getting scared?" Sokaro mocked. "That jump was a bit far."
"Hakuhebi."
Kanda watched, unsurprised, as her weapon shifted into a long white marble spear.
"A lance?" Sokaro said in simulated terror. "Hate to disappoint you, girl, but lances are too straight-forward. I could chop it to pieces the moment you throw it."
Rima didn't answer. Her silver eye seemed to swirl with an unnatural misty color as she tapped the floor lightly with her feet. She jabbed her spear deep into the ground.
"Come," she said daringly.
Sokaro contorted his lips into a savage grin. "Gladly."
He lashed out towards her, his spinning weapon a red blur in his hand. Rima stood calmly…too calmly. Kanda's brow furrowed. Why was she just standing there?
"Don't get agitated," Cross said, noticing the crease between Kanda's eyes. "She has a plan."
The General took out a cigarette and lit it. He seemed too laid back; was he that confident in Rima's abilities? That she was easily on par with a General?
Sokaro's blade was at an inch away from her nose when Rima's eye suddenly seemed to radiate an ephemeral color. She gripped the thin pole with both of her gloved hands and swung it up, causing bits of gravel to fly into the air. Kanda could hear the whirring sound of the rotating saws demolishing the stone to particles. The spear caught right between the two blades, right at the bolt where they were joined, halting its circulation.
Sokaro took a step back, surprise showing through his rubber-like mask, as he gazed at the point of her spear. She had put a stop to Kyouki and checkmated him in one go.
"Your blades aren't the same length apart," she explained calmly, her silver eye even more alarming than before. "I simply counted the rhythm as each passed by, and moved Hakuhebi the moment I saw the correct opening. Since your saws rotate in a circle, there has to be a radius, so stopping the connection at the bolt itself stops your rotation all together."
"Not bad, girl," Sokaro said genuinely.
"Thank you." Her shoulders relaxed.
"Don't let your guard down!" Sokaro yelled, aiming a kick at her.
Rima recoiled, trying to grab her lance as she leapt away. The tip seemed to be stuck, however, between the two blades, and all she could do was extend the lance as she jumped.
"So you can make it any length, eh?" Sokaro observed. "Well, what if I just—"
The saws began to rotate forcefully, slicing the lance clean in two.
"Cut it in half?"
Kanda watched as Rima's pink lips turned into a frown.
"You didn't have to cut it," she pouted. "It makes it ugly. But…never mind."
The remaining part of her lance gleamed in an ethereal aura, and vein-like strands extended and connected to the severed part of her lance.
"What the hell?"
Sokaro leaped out of the way of the snake-like veins, watching, somewhat horrified, as they wrapped around the white, sharp point of her lance.
"My Innocence repairs easily," Rima said simply, her eye scanning the reparation. "I simply have to change it into a form where things are disconnected."
The veins held the disconnected head of the spear as the entire pole snapped back to her arm and darkened into an ebony-colored bow.
"Kuroi Hoshi."
She aimed the three arrows and fired instantaneously.
Kanda watched warily as Sokaro dodged the arrows—barely. The force with which the arrows hit the ground was incredible; the place where the arrows hit were left dented and cracked.
"This isn't right," Komui said suddenly. "Her Innocence snapped in half; reattaching itself is an odd happening."
"Komui, you're just sad that you don't get to repair it," Cross said with an indifferent roll of his eyes.
Kanda could sense that Cross was hiding something about Rima's Innocence. Reattachment was uncommon; his Mugen, which had been shattered to pieces after sustaining a considerable amount of damage, had to be repaired. Self-repairing Innocence after it had been sliced in half was a phenomenon Kanda didn't trust entirely.
"That's enough," Leverrier suddenly called out, unaware of their conversation. "We need to move on to the non-Innocence trial."
Rima hopped down from where she had perched, up on a windowsill. Sokaro seemed angry at the fact that their battle had stopped.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered. "I was about to destroy her."
"In your dreams, General Sokaro," Cross said sardonically. "She pretty much kicked your ass."
"Let's not argue about this, all right?" Rima said, having finally opened both of her eyes. "Thank you for your help, General Sokaro."
She approached the rest of the Exorcists.
"Well?" she said anxiously, as if wishing not to displease them with her abilities. "Nothing too special, right?"
"You've got amazing form," Lavi said eagerly.
"And good reactions," Allen put in.
"And a lot of strength," Lenalee added.
The three of them turned to Kanda, who had stayed stubbornly silent, arms crossed across his chest.
"Kanda, say something!" Allen said. "Her battle was awesome!"
"Allen-kun, he doesn't need to," Rima said, laughing. "You guys are embarrassing me—"
"You've got a freaky Innocence," Kanda said callously.
He observed her reaction. He could decipher caution in her eyes, disappearing quickly as she recovered herself.
"It's just different," she said, returning the bow to its original silver claymore form. "That's all."
"Mm hm."
"Next battle," Leverrier said shortly. "Kanda, you'll be her opponent."
Rima whirled around to face him. "What?"
"I heard that Kanda is quite an accomplished martial artist," Leverrier said, his dark eyes gleaming evilly. "He'll be a good opponent."
"I refuse," Rima said automatically.
Kanda looked at her, unsurprised.
"Excuse me?" Leverrier scowled.
"I said, I refuse," Rima returned evenly. "I refuse to fight Kanda Yuu."
"I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice—"
"I'm afraid I do. If this means that I won't be a General, that's fine. I will not fight Kanda."
"Rima," Cross interjected angrily, "what are you saying—"
"General Cross," she interrupted, "I'm afraid we're under orders not to have any contact with each other. Please refrain from speaking to me."
Kanda laughed inwardly as he noticed the half-grin creep up to Rima's lips. Cross glared at her.
"What's the meaning of this?" Leverrier demanded. "I'm appointing your opponent, and you're refusing to fight him?"
"Yeah, that sounds pretty damn close," Rima responded coldly.
"Why—"
"Rima and my styles of fighting without weapons are very similar," Kanda said. "There will be no point in us sparring; it's just going to be a standstill. You'd best choose someone else."
"That's a ridiculous reason," Leverrier fumed. "Kanda Yuu, Shuki Rima, I order you to—"
"I'm not fighting for your entertainment," Rima said edgily. "If it pleases you to see me fight someone I've known all these years, then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."
Rima's cold eyes gave Leverrier a frigid stare, as if daring him to demand anything else.
"I think one battle is quite enough," Cloud said professionally, walking over to the crowd. "I, like others, I'm sure, am very surprised and pleased with Shuki Rima's performance. I believe the last match was more than enough for us to make a fair judgment."
Leverrier pouted silently, but Cloud's words were met with murmurs of assent from the rest of the General, and he could not disagree.
"Shall we just voice our opinions then?" Cross said with a smirk.
"Sure," Cloud shrugged. "Cross, we'll start with you."
"Obviously, yes."
"I say yes as well," Cloud said.
"No," Sokaro said. Kanda noticed Rima's eyes flicker with amusement.
"No," Leverrier said curtly. "She doesn't follow orders."
Rima laughed softly.
"Yes," Renee Epstein said with a triumphant smile.
Kanda's eyes narrowed. Of course she would encourage it. After all, the Epstein family had sponsored the catastrophic project that made Rima and him what they were. She'd love to see a successful guinea pig of her failures ascend to a higher rank.
"…Yeah," Bak said.
"…No," Komui said apologetically. "No, don't look at me like that, General Cross. You know my concerns. She's too young to be a General; it's better for her to stay on missions with the other Exorcists. Given, she's strong, but I'm still worried."
"Whatever," Cross said gruffly.
They all turned to Tiedoll, the last contender.
"…I must agree with Komui," he said finally.
Cross let out an angry hiss. "All this does is make it a tie. Who are we going to ask to judge? The Oceanic Branch head isn't here, so he obviously can't make a decision."
"Let the other Exorcists decide," Leverrier said.
"Fine," Cross snapped. "Allen?"
"Er…uh…I mean, yes, of course!" Allen said hastily, buckling under Cross's unnerving glare.
"Yes," Lavi said cheerfully.
"No," Bookman said slowly. "She's too young. Such a young General has never been documented in history. It's too risky to try it now."
"…I say no as well. I have to follow my brother," she added defensively to Cross's look of incredulity.
All heads turned to Kanda. Last deciding vote. Why the hell was it up to him? He couldn't partake in the vote and be expected to stay impartial. Cross's one eye seemed to bore into his mind, challenging him to refuse.
"No," he said finally. He felt spiteful satisfaction as Cross's lips curled into a snarl.
Rima let out a sigh. Kanda noticed her exchange glances with Cross. He felt a wave of anger and jealousy sweep through him. What was the meaning? What were they planning?
"That's that, then," Leverrier said vindictively. "Shuki Rima will stay a normal Exorcist until further notice."
Rima ran a hand through her hair. "No point in arguing." The comment seemed to be more directed towards Cross than herself.
She shouldered her weapon and looked at the clock ticking on the wall.
"Four o'clock. It's a bit early for dinner," she remarked, her easy nature contrasting with Cross's scowl. "Yuu-chan, I'll cut your hair?"
He was surprised that she wasn't angry with him. Hadn't he foiled her plans? Got in her way? He justified his decision mentally; it was her fault for hiding things anyway. He would have supported her decision if she would just tell him what was going on…but in the face of Rima's kind smile, he felt his justification weaken. Guilt. Such a corrupting feeling.
"I'll see you guys later," Rima said cheerfully with a wave to the other bystanders. "Yuu, hurry up."
"Can you cut my hair too, Rima-chan?" Lavi called out longingly.
Kanda's hand slipped and connected forcefully with the side of Lavi's face again.
"I'll cut it," he said threateningly. "I'll shave you bald."
"Not you," Lavi whimpered, holding his cheek. "Kanda, you're such a bastard…"
Rima laughed. "Bye, Lavi-kun. We'll see you at dinner."
Cross growled inwardly as he watched his idiotic, stupid apprentice leave the training grounds with her long-lost love. The dumbass. She could've argued about the final decision restricting her from being a General. Didn't she know how much this set them off track? They really would have to make clandestine meetings so that he could give her further orders.
It was all that kid's fault. Cross hated his abnormal sharp perception. He seemed to know when Cross was being vague, and since he couldn't confront Rima about it, he would confront Cross. Brilliant idea, except Cross wasn't about to spill all their secrets out to some kid who was obviously infatuated with her.
"A pity," Cloud murmured beside him. "She's a brilliant fighter. How in the world did someone so pathetically weak change so much over the last five years?"
"She was actually quite the prodigy," Cross grunted as the party disbanded. He and Cloud walked out of the side doors, back to his room. "Learned half the stuff herself. Of course, if it hadn't been for my amazing instructions, she'd still be terrible."
Cloud chuckled. "I doubt that. Still, she'll be a fantastic asset to our forces. She has incredible control over her Innocence, especially since it's Equipment type. I'm surprised, Cross. You managed to raise such a headstrong girl."
"Eh, what can I say? I'm a natural at everything."
Cloud rolled her eyes and turned down an opposite hall.
"Hey, Cloud, why don't you drink some wine with me?"
"In return, why don't you tell me a few things you're hiding?"
"What?"
Cloud turned and smirked.
"You don't think I'll blindly believe all the bull you're telling Leverrier, right? That girl's special, and you know it. So why don't you fess up? I'd like to be in on the secrets too."
Was it that obvious?
"Actually, Cloud, I think I'll just drink wine by myself."
"That protective of her, eh? Fine, then, I'll just figure them out myself."
With a wave of her hand and a screech from her monkey-like Innocence, Cloud disappeared down the stairs. Cross let out a groan. This was going to be a hell lot harder than he had hoped.
Kanda followed Rima out of the training room, up the stairs and back into her dorm. It was fashioned in the Western style, with elaborate furnishing and accessories.
"Where do you want to cut it?" he asked grudgingly.
"In the restroom," she said, reaching into a drawer and withdrawing a pair of long gold scissors. She snipped them practically. "These will do."
Kanda groaned and dragged a chair in front of the large mirror that their shared bathroom hosted. Rima opened the curtains of the window, letting the golden sunshine flood the room. She pulled the hair-tie out of his hair and let the black masses fall over her nimble fingers.
"You have such nice hair," she commented, running her hands through it. "I'm jealous."
"Just cut it already," Kanda said, stifling a yawn. "I'm tired and hungry."
"And yet you did nothing all day."
Rima wet a towel and ran the cloth through his hair, dampening it so she could cut it easily. She picked up the scissors and began to cut. Kanda closed his eyes to the mechanical and oddly comforting snips.
"I'm going to leave it long, since you'll look weird with short hair," she said. "I'll just thin it a bit…and then I'll get around to your bangs."
"Whatever."
"You're surprisingly calm about this. Hasn't it occurred to you that I could completely mess up and make you bald?"
"I'll kill you if you do. I'm not really worried; you've cut it so many times before."
"Yeah, I guess so."
There was a pause, save for the snipping sound of her shears. Strands of hair fell to the ground beside him.
"Rima," he said.
"Yes?"
"Why did you refuse to fight me today?"
The snipping quickened.
"I thought you knew."
"Is it still the same reason? Or did you have an ulterior motive?"
"And why would you think that?"
"Because it's funny that you'd remember every little promise we've made to each other."
He heard her let out a scoff.
"Of course I remember. And that one wasn't a little one."
Rima stared at Yuu furiously.
"You broke it."
Yuu gave her an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry," the eleven-year old said. "It was an accident."
They were in a small bedroom, one of the many of the Main Black Order Branch.
"It's only been a week since Zhu-san gave it to me," Rima said angrily. "I haven't even gotten around to flying it! Why'd you have to go swinging around your new sword anyway?"
Yuu winced.
"I said I was sorry."
Rima gazed at the broken kite in her hands, the shimmering yellow colors snapped in two. She felt another surge of anger.
"This isn't fair," she said bitterly. "Zhu-san giving Yuu-chan a sword…because Yuu-chan's so much stronger. But my present broke apart so easily."
"It's not like that," Kanda insisted. "Zhu-san just gave me a sword because he knew I wanted one, but—"
"And he thought I didn't? Of course not. Because I'm weak. Rima is weak."
Kanda reached over and grabbed her shoulders.
"That's not it!" he said. "It…it's just going to take some time."
"Time?" she repeated in biting sarcasm. "Yuu-chan, don't try to comfort me! I know what you really think! Rima can't fight, she can't last very long on the stupid machines, she—"
"Stop it!" Yuu yelled.
"No," Rima said coldly. Her coffee eyes flashed in fury.
She felt a cold hand connect with her cheek, the ringing sound of a slap reverberating in her ear. Kanda looked just as surprised as she felt for slapping her.
"I…I didn't mean to, Rima, I swear—"
"I hate you, Yuu-chan," she said, hot tears welling up in her eyes as she held her cheek. "I hate you, I don't ever want to talk to you again!"
She ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Yuu-chan hit her, Yuu-chan hated her, well she hated him too, she was angry, she was furious, she was…
Jealous.
Jealous of his talent, jealous of his strength, jealous of his new sword. She looked at the remnants of her kite. It wasn't really important. It was just a toy, just a farewell gift. But she hated it all the same. Why was she weak? Why couldn't Zhu-san see her on the same level as he saw Yuu? Just because he could see the flower—
Endless waves of guilt filled her tiny body. The flower. Why was she jealous of that? That horrid thing, that illusion, someone Yuu-chan had to see all the time—
Rima opened the door hastily and reentered the room.
"I'm sorry, Yuu-chan!" she said, running over to him.
He lifted up his head, and Rima could see on his face the remains of the same salty liquid that was coursing down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she repeated, hugging him tightly. "I don't hate you, I'm sorry for saying something so nasty."
She felt Yuu's hands come up and hug her back.
"I'm sorry too," he mumbled.
"I don't want to fight with Yuu-chan anymore," Rima hiccupped, wiping her tears away. "I'll never fight with Yuu-chan again, I swear."
"And I won't ever hit Rima again," she heard Yuu say softly. "I'm sorry."
Why was he sorry? She had made him cry. Yuu, of all people. She had the power to hurt him, and they both knew it. She would never use that power again, never see his tear-stained face again.
The two children stayed where they were, embracing each other tightly. Rima's kite fluttered to the floor, blending in with the golden sunshine. Forget the materialistic gifts. Only Yuu-chan was important.
The scissors snipped at his forehead. Kanda's eyes remained closed as Rima worked with his bangs.
"Your hair's getting in your eyes," she said. "Didn't it ever bother you?"
"Not really." The meaningless talk about his hair hardly distracted him from what he really wanted to ask.
"Rima."
"Yes?"
"When we were kids, you said you didn't want to fight with me anymore, right?"
"Yeah."
"So the reason you're hiding things now is because you're afraid that if I knew, we'd get in a fight."
Her hand seemed to be shaking slightly. Kanda pressed on relentlessly.
"Isn't that right, Rima?"
"Damn it, Yuu," she said angrily, "why do you have to know? Don't ask me, all right?"
The shaking seemed to be getting worse. She was weakening.
"What, you want me to go ask your dear General?" he said savagely. "Fine, I'll do that, and see what dear General Cross has to say about it—"
"Why do you have to say it like that?" she said, her tone crossed between fury and worry.
"Because I feel like you two are hiding more than you let on, and that includes your relationship. Just a teacher-student thing, or more than that?" The words sounded horribly ugly coming out of his mouth.
"What re you saying?" she demanded, her voice rising. "What the hell are you saying? That me and Cross have something going on? Are you insane?"
Kanda opened his eyes and looked at her coolly. "Then tell me what's really going on."
"Yuu, you're such a—"
Her hand slipped as she struggled to find an appropriate insult, and Kanda could feel the scissors cut across his cheek. Rima's eyes widened at the sight of the dripping crimson liquid.
Kanda brought a hand up to his cheek and felt the wound. It was deep, and the blood wasn't stopping. He gave Rima a cold stare.
"Yuu, let me see it," she said softly, trying to pull his hand away. "I need to wash it."
"No," he said firmly. "Not until you tell me something."
"What do you want me to say?" she said desperately.
"Tell me one thing you're hiding."
Rima looked frantically between his cut and his dark eyes. She leaned close and tried pulling his hand away again.
"Rima," he said warningly.
""Just one thing," she said, worry causing her brow to crease.
"Fine."
"I'm on borrowed time," she said, her voice so quiet he could hardly hear. "Just like you."
Anxiety coursed through his veins, and he knew Rima could see it in his eyes, because she tried even harder to see his wound.
"Why?" he demanded. "You've got to explain!"
"No, you said one thing, and that was it. Now let me see—"
"No—"
With a final tug, she pulled his hand away from his face, the thick blood smearing across his cheek.
"I'm not letting you treat it, Rima, tell me what's going on first—"
Rima leaned close to his ear. Thinking she was going to tell him the explanation, he tilted his head in her direction. He could feel her tongue brush against his cheek, across the cut.
Kanda immediately flared. "Rima, stop it—"
She wrapped her arm around his head, forcing him to stay put and not struggle, as she continued licking the nick. Great way to distract him. Fantastic, actually. Very successful. Like he could actually think of demanding an answer when she was right at his face, her warm breath touching his cheek, her silky tongue gliding across his skin. What could he do?
Kanda could feel the adrenaline run to his head as desire overcame reason and motive. He pushed Rima away from him, shoving her forcefully against the wall as he stood in front of her, his mind in a frenzy. Rima looked at him, her expression beckoning. Damn, he was really useless when it came to her. His masculine instinct roared inside his heart, and he succumbed.
Their lips touched, gently and hesitant at first; the kiss became more forceful and impassioned as Kanda lost all reason and found how much he relished it, her sweet lips, her velvety skin. Free to him, open, belonging to him.
He felt Rima wrap her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. He could feel the little restraint that either of them had on themselves when it came to this kind of physical touch. Her wants and desires were shamelessly clear, his were as well, and there was nothing to stop them. One of his hands instinctively slipped down to her leg, trailing up and down her thigh, the other sliding under her shirt up her back, the gentle caress causing Rima to shudder in apprehension. She locked around his neck tighter, her thin fingers running through his hair. How long they continued kissing, he didn't know, but he did know that if they stayed like that forever, he wouldn't give a damn. Woe to those who interrupted them—
A sudden banging on Rima's door jolted them out of their intimacy.
"Rima-chan!" Lavi's voice called from the hallway. "Let's go to dinner!"
"…Y-yeah," she answered, her cheeks flushed. "Go on ahead, I'll be there in a second."
There was an awkward silence as she and Kanda simply gazed in each others eyes, neither knowing what to say. Kanda deemed it appropriate to remove his hand from under her clothes, causing her to blush even further.
"First kiss went a little far," she whispered.
"I guess so."
She seemed surprised at his composure.
"…The bleeding stopped," she said, touching the cut.
"Good."
"…I guess I'm not finished with your hair."
"Want to finish it?"
"Yes…mpfh."
He cut her off with another kiss, feeling her relax immediately in his arms. The golden sun twinkled innocently as its rays warmed the marble floors. Kanda would learn to control himself better, but for now…he pulled her closer…let him have what he wanted.
