Oh my goodness! It's been... FOREVER! LoL
Sorry for the wait, folks, I really am. Life is a pain and sometimes I have no choice but to conform and be submissive. (ha ha ha) Anywho, here's Chapter 10 for you. Hope you enjoy it! And please... don't kill me for what I've done...
(runs and hides)
A Lesson in Understanding
Ten
She was only vaguely surprised by what they found when they reached her little two room apartment. Rin sighed and pocketed the now useless key. Someone had kicked the door open anyway.
"Wait." Sho put a hand on Rin's shoulder and stepped around her.
She almost protested until she saw him draw one of his guns. Rin understood immediately and fell in behind Sho.
The gun held at shoulder height, Sho reached out and pushed the splintered door. It swung open slowly, groaning softly in the silence. Cautiously, Sho stepped into the doorway, eyes quickly scanning the room. Motioning Rin to stay in the hall, Sho made his way carefully through the apartment, checking behind doors and in closets until he was sure they were alone.
"It's clear," he said, holstering the gun. "Who ever did this is long gone."
Rin stepped into the room and surveyed the damage. The entire apartment looked like someone had set a herd of elephants loose in it. She counted herself lucky that she hadn't owned much in the first place. Glass, splinters of wood, and paper lay strewn across the floor. Her anger flared at the sight of her small collection of books piled in the middle of the room, pages torn out and shredded. Biting back a snarl, she picked her way into the bedroom.
Sho stooped next to the pile of books, hoping that he might be able to find something salvageable. He'd seen the anger and hurt on her face for a moment when she'd looked at them. He heard her curse darkly as he began to sift through the wreckage.
Rin nearly cried when she entered her bedroom. Her clothes lay strewn everywhere, tossed haphazardly from the dresser and closet. Taking a deep breath, she started picking up a few shirts, separating them into two piles: useless and salvageable. By the time she was finished, Rin calculated that she'd lost only a quarter of her wardrobe. She hauled her backpack from under the bed and folded the unslashed clothing into it. That done, she pieced together her toiletry kit. She carried the backpack into the living room and stopped.
"What are you doing?"
Sho looked up from the pile of books.
"Salvaging," he said. "But there's really nothing left in one piece. Sorry."
Rin felt tears sting her eyes again.
"It's alright. I've got something better for you. Come give me a hand."
He set down the remnants of the book in his hand and rose to his feet, ignoring the burning feeling in his healing wound. Rin found her duffle bag unharmed and opened it on the bed. She knelt in the corner of the room, studying the floor boards. Sho watched from the doorway.
"Where was that mark?" she whispered. "Ah, there."
She flipped open the butterfly knife she'd pulled from the nightstand and inserted the blade between two of the boards. With a POP, one of them sprang loose. Pulling it free, she laid it aside and pulled three more, opening a large hole in the floor.
"You can come in," Rin said, glancing over her shoulder. "I don't bite."
Blushing lightly, Sho crossed the room to where she knelt, peering over her shoulder.
"What's in there?" he asked.
"This."
Rin reached in and pulled out an object wrapped tightly in a small blanket. Moving so she could curl her legs beneath her body, she reverently unwrapped the blanket.
Sho let out a low whistle when Rin held up the wakizashi. He hadn't seen one of these swords in a long time, not since Shinji had taken him to the museum as a kid. He took it carefully from her outstretched hands, surprised by how light it was. The scabbard was plain and black, bearing no markings of any kind. The guard was made of what looked like gold filigree over a harder metal. The hilt aloes was over a foot long and was wrapped in black and red in the common diamond pattern. He slid the blade free of the scabbard, whistling again. It gleamed brightly, the edge glinting menacingly.
"Wow," he breathed, sliding the blade back into the scabbard and handing it back.
Rin smiled as she wrapped the blanket back around it.
"Put this in that bag on the bed."
He took the bundle from her and worked it into the duffle bag. Rin leaned back over the hole and began pulling small black bags from it. Without being asked, Sho took these and added them to the duffle. Finally, Rin replaced the boards and stood up.
"I think that's all of it," she said, looking around.
Sho finished closing the bag and pulled it over his shoulder.
"Alright. Let's head back. It's getting late."
Rin put her backpack on as Sho pulled the front door closed as best he could. She could have laughed if she weren't so sad. The apartment had been her home for over a year, and even if it wasn't much, it had at least been something.
They stepped out into the street, glancing around. Neither of them spoke as they made their way back toward the apartment. Rin's mind was elsewhere, so Sho left her alone.
"Sho! Hey, Sho!"
Sho stopped and spotted Toshi making his way toward them. Rin glanced at Show, one eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Hey," Sho said when Toshi reached them. "Where've you been?"
"Around," Toshi returned.
"I bet," Sho said. "Toshi, this is Rin. She's going to be staying with Kei and me for a while. Rin, this is Toshi. He and I grew up together."
The two shook hands, Toshi's smile wide and friendly. Rin couldn't help but smile back. Something about him was just… comforting.
"Sho, I need to talk to you. It's important. You got a minute?"
Toshi was nearly bouncing up and down.
"We're almost home," Sho said after a moments thought. "Let me get Rin back to the apartment, then we'll go out." He turned to her. "That is, if you don't mind entertaining Kei for a while."
"Not at all." She smiled.
Sho made plans to meet Toshi at Happy Pizza in half an hour, leaving ample time to get back to the apartment, let Kei fuss over him, then get out again. The two men parted ways with their normal salute, smiling.
Rin shifted her backpack as she watched Toshi melting away into the crowd. The man's aura was soft, tender, but fierce. Rin knew just from looking at him and listening to his voice that most of the goofiness that he seemed to radiate with every move and smile was nothing more than a barrier against the hard world. Either that, or it was a character flaw. She wasn't completely sure.
Sho took her elbow gently, his eyes moving constantly across the faces in the crowd. Her duffle bag hung across his shoulders limply and he limped only slightly. The mid-afternoon sun shone brightly, a welcome reprieve from the rain that would continue to fall later. Already a fresh storm brewed on the horizon and thunder rumbled gently in the distance. Sho motioned for Rin to ascend the stairs to the apartment before him.
Kei poked his head out of the kitchen when he heard the door open, relief flooding his face as Rin and Sho filed into the living room. Sho closed the door and locked it, smiling when he saw Kei's blonde head duck back into the kitchen.
"Mom, we're home!" he called teasingly after the vampire, pulling the strap of the duffle over his head.
"Shut up, Sho!" Kei yelled, his voice light.
Sho chuckled, handing the bag to Rin.
"He hates when I do that," he said.
"I wonder why," Rin returned, a smile gracing her lips. "Where can I put my stuff?"
"If you trust me, you can lock the stuff in the duffle in the cabinet," Sho said. "I'm sure there's room. And as to your clothes, just stash the bag anywhere. I'm sure Kei has a plan for you."
Rin bit her lip, her fingers playing with the strap of her weapons bag. She'd never not had open access to her things. If they were locked in Sho's room…
Sho read the dilemma in her eyes and smiled.
"I'll show you where the key is and you'll have access to it when you need them."
Rin felt a little better. She nodded.
They went back into Sho's room, Rin dropping her backpack in Kei's room on the way. Sho showed her the small jewelry box on his dresser, told her how to pull the lining aside to reveal a small key, then opened the cabinet for her. After moving a few things around, they cleared a place large enough for her to empty the duffle of the wakizashi and the other small bags. Once everything was carefully tucked in, Sho closed and locked the cabinet, returning the key to its hiding place.
"Thank you, Sho," Rin said quietly, tearing her eyes away from the cabinet and meeting his steady blue gaze. "I really mean it."
Sho gave her another smile.
"I don't mind," he said. "You live here now, for however long it may be, and we want you to feel safe and comfortable."
Rin stared at Sho, trying to find some lie, some trick, but there was none. It had been so long since she'd had anyone to trust that she found herself torn. She looked at Sho, leaning against the wall next to the dresser, thumbs hooked in the pockets of his leather pants. His long-sleeve, painted-on shirt moved across his chest as he breathed. He watched her in return, crystal blue eyes missing nothing beneath his wispy dirty-blonde hair.
"Sho?" she whispered.
"Yah?"
Rin moved quickly, stepping on front of Sho. A moment's hesitation, then she was on her toes, stretching upward, and pressed her lips once and firmly against Sho's, lingering only a few moments. She stepped back, knowing that the blush that spread across Sho's cheeks was mirrored by her own.
"Don't break my trust," she said.
A moment later, she was gone from the room.
Sho waited a while before leaving. Rin was in the kitchen with Kei, laughing as she goaded the man.
"Kei, why don't you let me cook?" she asked, trying to control her laughter.
Kei grumbled, scraping the burnt… whatever it was… into the trashcan.
"I'm capable," he relied, clenching his teeth.
"I see that."
He dropped the skillet into the sink and spun around, a hot retort hovering on his tongue. Yet, when he looked at Rin, his agitation melted away. Her youthful face was split with a smile, a teasing light in her eyes. He sighed.
"So, I'm not capable," he admitted, glancing at Sho, who had stopped in the doorway to watch. "Never have been."
"No, you haven't," So said, moving across to the table.
"Shut up," Kei growled, casting a teasing glance at Sho as he turned back to scrub the mess from the skillet.
Sho smiled, checking the clock.
"Kei, I need to go. Toshi's waiting for me."
He saw the older man's shoulders tense for a moment.
"Alright," Kei said, not turning from the sink. "Don't be long, if you can help it."
"Yah, yah," Sho said, already heading for the door.
Rin followed him.
"Sho?"
He paused, the door open, looking back at her.
"Be careful, huh?"
Sho nodded, smiled, then was gone.
- - -
The sun had been down for two hours before Kei finally called Toshi.
"He left here about four hours ago," Toshi said. "You mean he's not back yet?"
"No, he's not," Kei said, trying to keep his voice even.
"Ah, you know Sho," Toshi told him. "He probably skipped out for a drink or something."
"You're right," Kei agreed. "But do me a favor. Call Shinji, see if he's seen his brother."
"Sure, yah, okay."
Kei hung up the phone, chewing on his thumb. He looked out through the open front door to the figure of Rin sitting on the steps. He knew that she was getting nervous as well. He'd spent the better part of the past few hours talking to her about what had happened the night found her. He didn't question her on the reason for being there, but he did stress the danger they were in now. Kei hoped the she wasn't feeling guilty for it all, but he couldn't tell.
He tasted blood and realized that he'd bitten his thumb a little too hard. After watching the hole seal itself up, Kei shoved his hands into his pockets and moved to the open door.
"Nothing?"
"No," Rin said, turning Kei's cell phone over and over in her hands. "Still no answer."
Kei sighed.
"You sure he took his phone?" Rin asked again, though the hope had long since gone from her voice.
He didn't answer. Rin rubbed her face.
"He's never up and vanished before," Kei said, leaning on the door frame. "He's gone off half-cocked, sure, but he's never just… been gone."
Rin listened quietly, staring out into the street. She'd been with Kei and Sho for less than two weeks, but she felt close enough to them already, especially Sho.
"What do we do?" she said quietly.
Kei opened his mouth to answer her, but the cell phone leapt to life in Rin's hands, causing both of them to jump.
"It's-," Rin began, holding the phone out, eyes wide.
Kei had to work extra hard not to snatch the phone. His hand trembled as he took it from her. The number on the caller ID was most definitely Sho. He flipped the phone open.
"Sho?"
"Kei?" Sho's voice was a hushed whisper.
"Yah. Sho, where are you?"
"Downtown. Oh God, I don't know where they came from."
"What? Sho, what's going on?"
"Kei, I can't get out."
"Sho-,"
"I'm out of bullets. You got to help me."
"I will. Just tell me where you are."
"Downtown. Waterfront. I think it was number forty-six."
"Sho, what-,"
The line went dead. Kei looked at Rin, eyes wide.
"Rin," he choked out.
"What is it?" Rin got to her feet.
"Get your stuff. We've gotta go."
- - -
Twenty minutes later, Kei pulled the car a block down from stall forty-six, an old fish factory set back from the waterfront. Rin adjust the dagger in her left boot, and Kei was suddenly reminded of Sho. It must be the leather pants.
They got out and Kei pocketed the keys. On his hip lay one of the guns that Sho had left loaded. For once, Kei didn't mind.
"Kei?"
He glanced at Rin, watching as she secured her wakizashi to her hip.
"Come on," he said, setting off at a quick pace.
Rin took a moment to settle her jacket over the sword. The leather material brushed around her ankles as she hurried to catch up. They moved up the block wordlessly, stall forty-six looming over them. Rin placed a hand on Kei's arm, stopping him as he reached for the door.
"Kei?"
"What?" he almost growled.
"It's just… nothing."
Kei shook her hand off and pulled the door open. Without a word, they slipped inside.
Rin began to get nervous as the door clicked shut behind her. Her feeling of unease grew as they moved deeper into the building and met no challenge. They neither heard nor saw anyone. She chewed her lip, one hand resting on the hilt of her weapon.
Kei's head swirled with the sound of Sho's voice on the phone. He heard the whispered fear of it echoing in his ears. He moved quickly, perhaps carelessly, further into the building, vaguely aware of Rin's presence.
He paused at another door, one hand on the handle, the other on the butt of the gun. His ears picked up on voices on the other side. A thought tickled at the back of his mind, echoing weakly. He turned the knob slowly, pushing the door open. As light spilled into the small room from the bay, the thought nagging his mind burst into vivid life.
"Sho never whispers or asks for help."
Kei and Rin stepped into the bay and came face-to-face with a line of machine guns. They raised their hands.
"Kei!" a sweet sounding female voice called out.
The vampire's eyes swung to the center of the room, growing wide, a chill running down his spine. He KNEW that voice.
"N-Naji," he half whispered.
Kei shook visibly as the owner of the voice stepped into view. The sight of her made him want to fall to his knees and hide his eyes.
"I'm glad you remember me," she purred.
"You haven't changed at all," he managed, bracing his legs to stop their trembling.
Still as beautiful and deadly as ever, Naji."
Naji laughed, the sound tinkling around the large room. Her nearly black eyes shown with merriment, and a little insanity. Her raven hair fell across her shoulders as she clapped her hands in a child-like manner.
"Oh my pet, of course not! How could I?"
Kei remained silent.
"But I have something for you, my heart," Naji purred, her eyes sparkling. "Something I think you'll rather enjoy."
Naji turned around and motioned. The back half of the bay was suddenly illuminated with light. Beside Kei, Rin gasped sharply. Sho hung limply beneath a steel frame, his bound wrists over his head. There was a twist of fabric between his teeth and his eyes were closed.
"Oh God… Sho…" Kei breathed, taking a step forward.
"I know you'd like my gift, pet," Naji cooed, moving over to Sho's slack body.
Kei and Rin were shepherded along.
"He's a beautiful creature," Naji said, running her fingers lightly down Sho's bear chest, laughing softly when he trembled. "So full of life."
Naji turned flashing eyes on Kei.
"You left me, Kei. How long has it been? Thirteen years? You've changed your hair, but that's all that is different about you." She stroked Sho's neck thoughtfully. "So beautiful. He should be given the chance to be beautiful forever, don't you think?"
"No!" Kei hissed, taking another step forward.
"Kei?" Rin said, confusion in her voice.
Kei ignored her and moved forward again.
"I want to make him mine," Naji said, casting a look of mingles lust and loathing at Kei. "To replace you."
"Naji, no! You can't!" Kei shouted.
"Why not?" Naji hissed, spinning around. "Would you turn him? Hmm? Would you take him as your own? Make him your vampire love?"
Kei heard a strangled gasp and stopped moving, looking back over his shoulder and meeting Rin's stricken gaze.
"K-Kei?" Rin whispered, her eyes hardening. "What is she talking about?"
"Rin-," he began.
"Aha! So the daughter of the great Hunter doesn't know!" Naji shrieked gleefully.
"Know what?" Rin demanded, glaring from Kei to Naji and back. "Kei? What don't I know?"
Naji laughed again, resuming her child-like clapping.
"The daughter of the Watchtower? Oh, wouldn't your father be so proud?"
Kei opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. This was NOT how he intended Rin to find out about him, but he was powerless to stop it now.
"My dear," Naji said, turning to pet Sho again. "Your new found friend there is the very thing that your family hunts. Or, should I say, hunted. Kei is a vampire, darling. Just like me."
Rin stared at Naji, dumbfounded. How could she not have realized? All the signs were there, how did she miss it? She tore her gaze from Naji and Sho, swinging wide eyes about to star at Kei. Anger and betrayal burned in that gaze, making Kei flinch.
"Y-you're… a WHAT?" Rin screamed.
Who wants a sequel!? LoL Don't worry, there's one under way. (grinz)