Hi there! This is my first Ritowa story and it is going to be part of the Ritowa Festival. Enjoy!

Towa walked and munched away on her apple as she tried to scent her sister, Moroha, or even Kohaku and Hisui. Once again she was left behind while the slayers and Moroha teamed up.

"You will stay here and behave in my absence," Setsuna ordered coolly, the depth of her violet eyes revealing that something was troubling her. Before Towa could question her younger sister, Setsuna turned and pushed aside the curtain, leaving Towa, once again, sitting by the cooking fire with their Mother's gold kimono draped over her shoulders on the night of the moonless night. Kaede looked at her and sighed gently before handing her a bowl of soup. The old woman even quietly told a short story of her mother pouting as a young girl when her father told her to stay in the village for her safety.

Towa wondered more about her parents and their history as she laid restless that night. Her thoughts were on her sister's wellbeing.

"Setsuna? Moroha?! Kohaku? Hisui?" Towa shouted out as she stood on a cliff's edge looking down at the rushing river in the ravine below. She looked across the thirty foot jump and knew she could make it if she had enough of a running start. Taking a bite of the apple she wondered if they were across the way or if she got herself lost again. "I hate being left out!" She complained loudly to herself.

"Is it normal for a princess to talk to herself?" A masculine voice called to her.

She turned to her left to see a man with dark red hair jumping down from a tree branch and walking casually over to her. She hadn't seen him for some time and had no desire to speak to him. She huffed and turned away from him, walking back down the path and tucking her apple into her side pocket of her backpack.

"Are you ignoring me now?" Riku asked.

She remained silent, despite her desire to tear him a new one for deceiving her the entire time she knew him. She liked him, but her feelings felt conflicted between her like and hatred of him at the moment.

After all, he was working for Zero.

"They aren't across the gap, so don't bother trying the jump," Riku added as Towa spun around and readied herself for a quick jump.

"How do you know? Are you following my sister and cousin now?" She snarled softly.

Green emerald eyes stared her down and Towa narrowed her magenta eyes. Riku smiled at her warmly. "You talked to me, princess!"

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Riku, you should go back to Zero where you belong. I don't ever want to see you again," she hissed at him.

His smile faltered as did the joy in his eyes. His features darkened as he stared her down. "But I treasure you," he told her with a small plea in his voice.

"No you don't!" She argued back.

He took a step toward her, sandal on the ground lifting up and gently stepping toward her as if she was a deer that might take off in quick footed steps if he startled her. She stood her ground and pulled her backpack forward and pulled out an apple she plucked for Setsuna, her sister barely ate and she wanted her to eat something with some vitamins at least. Towa held out the apple in her palm.

"This is my parting gift. I don't want to see you again. This apple is from my Mother's village, my village, it is sweet enough for your tastebuds I am sure. After this I don't want to see you again, doll," she told him coolly.

Hurt.

That was the only word she could think of when she walked to Riku and placed the apple in his hand. His eyes stared down at her and she turned away quickly, shouldering her backpack and running off before changing her mind.

She rubbed at her eyes and wondered why his expression matched the way her chest hurt. If she had her mother, she could confide in her and ask her if she had ever felt the way she did about her father.

But it was because of Riku's mistress, Zero, that she didn't have her mother. It was unforgivable and so was Riku. The apple was a parting gift from her to him. She knew she would probably see him again, but she hoped Setsuna would deal with it again.

She simply didn't think she would have the heart to fight against Riku.

She also felt like she made things all the more complicated between them.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter.