DFS Chapter 17.
Tsuru's second year starts off much as the first did, with one exception. They are forced to share their text books with another person.
Yagura had said it promoted better relationships between the other students.
She thinks it might be more with the way Yuki Marise is glaring at her, as if it was Tsuru's fault he was seated next to Mizutani Ken. A boy from both a disgraced family, and the orphanage.
Maybe it was really a way to bridge the gap between the castes.
Tsuru isn't quite sure.
Her own partner is the Kaguya boy she helped last year, Subarou.
Did their clan even have a hierarchy?
Most seemed too, and it had been true for clans, even in her previous life. The other Kaguya seemed to defer to him as well.
0o0o0
Momochi-San stares at the two neatly wrapped packages in his hand.
"For you, and your shadow," she says, trying to keep the amusement from her voice.
Voice gruff, and muffled by the bandages he utters a quick, "thank you." His body language stiff, and awkward as always.
Tsuru smiles. The approaching child giving her a curious glance as she walks away, and takes Eito's waiting hand.
0o0o0
Biwa Juzo slows his gait, knowing the child will soon join him.
She is a devious creature, using kindness as a weapon. Thoughtfulness. Still, he cannot find it in himself to dislike her. Not as Jinpatchi does.
The girl appears a few seconds later, and embraces his leg.
"Welcome home, Biwa-San!" she greets, with that strange, almost inhuman intelligence flickering in her golden eyes. Something cold and calculating, and far to aware.
Something he has rarely seen in children.
The last time he had seen it, was in their lord.
Biwa hadn't been the only one to notice either.
In some of the shadier places, as people drank and gambled they spread rumors about her heritage. Debated over why their leader doted on the child so.
Still his hand falls to her head.
Her eyes crinkle, and his heart quickens, as her smile broadens.
The girl's eyes nearly close and her voice trembles as she begins her chatter. Walking with him as he heads towards the administration wing. Hand never leaving his pant leg.
0o0o0
When the mass of water is dropped into her lap, she expects it to soak through. Instead a half formed limb strikes her in the chin, and Tsuru scowls, trying to catch hold.
The smaller form makes a warbled sound she imagines might be a laugh.
It makes her crack a smile.
It's such a strange sound.
And then the being shifts, trying to solidify like ill-set aspic, or pork jelly.
"He needs a little help yet," Mangetsu says, crouching down. His hand glowing softly.
Yagura grins behind him. "Suigetsu-kun has been wanting to meet you. The person who keeps giving his brother all those yummy, stretchy candies and the ones that melt, and pop in his mouth like bubbles."
"And who are you to refuse, such an innocent request?" Eito asks, leaning against the door frame. A set of new brushes in hands for Tsuru.