Ch. 10: Dishonor

For those wondering, Rin's sentence in Japanese means, "Thank you, Father."

The next afternoon found Rin in a secluded grove in the park. Kneeling on the soft grass, the half-demon's clawed hands rested on her knees and her back was ramrod straight. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was slow and steady; even her pointed ears were totally still. She looked less like a teenage girl and more like a warrior of old preparing for a final battle. Which, in a way, she was.

"It all comes to this," she murmured softly. "After tonight, all will be revealed. Whatever happens, I only ask that my brother James be happy and safe in this life. Even if I am not to be a part of it."

The only reply to Rin's words was the softest whisper of a wind, but Rin rose to her feet and gave a small bow anyway.

"Arigato, Outo-san," she whispered before turning on her heel and heading toward the hospital where her aunts were confined.
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James may have been young, but he was far from slow. His conversation with Rin the previous night had gotten him thinking.

Rin had said she had met with brother again and taken him flying, but she had also said that she had enjoyed her flight with James most of all. Shouldn't she have said that about her brother?

Another thing that gnawed at the little boy's mind was how concerned Rin was about him. She had wanted to know if he was happy (he was) and if he was unhappy with Chief Beatcom's actions from when he landed in New York (he wasn't).

In short, Rin was acting like a big sister.

But that was impossible! James didn't have a sister! His mother and father would have told him if that was the case, he was sure of it.

Still, James had to admit that the idea of Rin being his sister just, well… fit. He felt totally at ease in her presence, if she were some one familiar rather than a total stranger. And James had to admit that the idea of having the powerful half-demon as his sibling was intriguing He was certain that if Rin was his sibling, life with his aunts would have been a lot different.

A soft wind tousled James's hair as he headed home, the last good-byes to his friends still fresh on his lips. Glancing up at the damp grey sky that promised rain, the small boy hoped he'd see Rin again soon. Then, he could ask her flat out if he was her brother. Although James had a feeling he already knew the answer…

Still confused, James headed inside, unaware of the fact that his sister was about to avenge him.
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"Where is that nurse? We were supposed to have a radio brought up today?" Spiker sniffed disdainfully and winced as the stitches in her cheek twitched.

"As if anyone in this wretched place could do anything right. And that soup we had for lunch? It was getting cold by the time they served us. Some service!"

"And what about-"

But whatever Sponge was about to complain about next was cut off by a deafening screech from somewhere downstairs. The horrific noise, keeping a pitch consistent with that of a dog whistle that was somehow audible to humans, made Spiker, Sponge, and everyone who was unfortunate enough not to be sedated at the time clap their hands to their ears and cry out as glass shattered and the lights ripped from their bulbs. Staff and patients alike screamed in fear, but the screams went unheeded by all except Spiker and Sponge as the effects of the noise became apparent.

"There. Now we shall have on interruptions this time."

The lights flickered back on to reveal none other than the fierce Rin standing in the middle of the hospital room. The half-demon held up a clawed hand before either of her aunts could make a peep.

"Don't bother. They won't be able to hear you. My Sonic Screech could have left everyone in this hospital permanently deaf, but I only wanted them out of the way until I've achieved my goal here tonight."

"You're going to kill us!" Sponge yelped. Rin paused and regarded her obese aunt with a critical eye.

"I admit that was my original intent. However, after much thought, I've decided to let you live. If you want to call what you're doing living, that is." Rin grinned, exposing her fangs.

"You little savage! This is all your fault! You and the boy-" But Spiker got no farther. Rin darted to the side of her bed and seized her bony wrist in a clawed hand. Her eyes had gone from gold to crimson and when she spoke, her voice was stronger and full of wrath.

"I wish I had killed you when I was a child and James an infant! I could have spared him all the cruelty you put him through! You selfish, unnatural women, how dare you call yourselves blood kin to my brother? Your bad fortunate is due entirely to your own misdeeds; I have no pity for you!"

In the face of such fury, the two women could only cower in silence, certain of their impending doom. But to their utter surprise, the red faded from Rin's eyes and she seemed to regain control of herself.

"Humph. Hard to believe the only reason you're still alive is because of James."

"What?"

"Oh yes. I can see it in his eyes; he would not want me to kill you."

"So, the boy knows about you now, Isuzu?"

"That's none of your concern." Rin continued to hold Spiker's wrist in an iron grip. "What should concern you is why I'm here tonight."

"Well, if you aren't here to kill us, why are you here?"

"To destroy the bond of blood between us once and for all. Tonight, I will dishonor you and then, as far as I am concerned, you will be dead to me."

"Dishonor? That's it? My God, how frighten-"

"Normally," Rin said, ignoring Spiker's tirade, "to cut off a warrior's top knot would do the trick, but since you two would never follow the code of the warrior, I will have to resort to a different method." Rin glanced down at Spiker's hand.

"The breaking of a weapon could very well symbolize death, as both human and demons of ancient Japan believed their souls were tied to their swords. And since you beat my brother with your fists, would you not agree that your hands are your weapons?"

Understanding washed over Spiker and Sponge in a sour tidal wave of fear.

"No! No! Please, no!"

CRUNCH!

Spiker wailed in pain as the bones in her right hand shattered in the half-demon's grip. Her screams doubled as did her pain when Rin applied the same treatment to her left hand. Seconds later, Sponge's screams joined her and Rin retreated to the window.

"It is finished. You are both dead to me." Standing up on the window sill, the half-demon spread her wings before adding,

"If anyone asks, tell them who did this to you. I think the one they call Chief Beatcom will be most interested in it. And he'll know where I'm headed tonight." And then she was gone.

That was the last time Spiker and Sponge ever saw their niece. And even though the merest mention of a bat would send them into hysterics from that day forward, Rin never came near them again.

She saw no reason to respect them in death any more than she did in life.