I suppose most people would call me a vagabond.
Mana knocked on the door. She wrapped her cloak around her tighter as the wind picked up. Snow billowed around her as the door opened.
Mayumi Kiryu smiled and beckoned for Mana to enter.
"It's been a while," she said as Mana hurried into the warm house.
Mana sighed as she lowered her hood, shaking more snow off her cloak.
"It was trickier to find you this time," she said. "You're getting better at hiding your tracks."
Mayumi simpered.
"May I take your cloak?"
"I don't intend to stay long," Mana shook her head. "There's something about this night that's beckoning me more so than usual."
"But you will stay for one cup of tea in the very least?"
Mana sighed as she nodded with a smile.
"Very well. Excuse the intrusion."
I never intended to befriend the Kiryus.
"You're going grey, Mamoru," Mana said as she lifted the cup of green tea to her lips.
Mamoru raised an eyebrow at her and Mayumi giggled.
"You know this is my natural hair colour."
Mana smiled as she took a dainty sip.
"You still look old."
"This coming from you, old witch?"
"Oh, my poor heart."
Mayumi shook her head, covering her mouth. Mana placed her cup down.
"How are the boys?" she asked.
"Zero's doing wonderfully with his training," Mamoru said as he poured tea for Mayumi. "Yagari really believes he'll become a great hunter one day."
"And Ichiru?"
The Kiryus hesitated. Mamoru lowered the pot of tea and Mayumi sighed.
"It doesn't look like his condition will improve anytime soon."
Mana grimaced. She took another sip.
"I suppose that's what you'd expect with hunter twins."
She lifted her head sharply and the front door creaked open. Mayumi frowned and left the kitchen. Mana's heart skipped a beat.
No, I've stayed too long.
"Ichiru, get away from her!"
Mana's heart throbbed as Mamoru rushed out, grabbing his sword. Mana crushed the cup in her hands as she heard more shouting.
She heard screaming and covered her mouth, shaking her head.
I can't just sit here!
Mana flew out of the kitchen and into the hallway. She snapped her fingers and blood whips snatched Shizuka's wrists.
Beside Shizuka, Ichiru jumped, looking up at her with wide eyes. Shizuka looked at her, eyes wide with fury.
Mayumi held her shoulder as Mamoru stood in front of her, sword unsheathed.
Mana sighed, balling her free hand.
"Leave the hunters out of this," she said. "Let's deal with this outside."
Shizuka was thrown out into the snow and Mana followed.
"Stay inside," she said to Mamoru then turned to Ichiru. "We'll talk after."
As soon as she was outside, the front door swung shut.
Mana's mismatched eyes met Shizuka's pink ones.
"I see your grief, young princess," she said. "Is the destruction of a good family truly worth it?"
Shizuka narrowed her eyes as she rose, composing herself.
"You know nothing," she spat.
"I know everything."
Mana's eyes lit up. Shizuka glowered at her and bared her fangs.
"Don't you dare look at me as such!"
Mana braced herself as vines rose from the ground and went for her. She snapped her fingers and blood whips tackled the vines. She charged for Shizuka.
Ah, I forgot. Rido has the same eyes as me.
Mana panted as her blood whips kept Shizuka suspended above her. She reached inside her cloak.
"The Mad Blooming Princess," she chuckled dryly. "You've been driven berserk already."
She glanced up at Shizuka. The anger was still in her eyes but her body couldn't cope any longer. Mana could already feel dawn approaching.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't just let you slaughter my friends."
Mana lifted her hood and aimed Bloody Rose at Shizuka. Shizuka's eyes widened.
"Are you…?" she rasped.
Mana shook her head as she clicked the safety off.
"Her shadow," she said before firing.
Shizuka disintegrated and the blood whips snapped back into Mana. Mana staggered as her heart lurched.
She fell to her knees, clutching her chest and panting.
I've gone too far, haven't I?
Mana glanced up at the house and saw a pair of lilac eyes watch her. It was Zero.
Onee-sama, I fear I may have interfered with something dire.
Requested by a guest reviewer