Solace
chapter 2.
*mindtalk*
"talking"
Last chapter:
A tall man with long, dark grey hair that has a sort of reddish tint around the edges strides through the doorway to the inn with a look of confidence in his eyes.On the top of his head there are two fox-like ears, both of them are the same dark grey as his hair, but have a little more red showing around the edges. The ears dart in various directions, scanning for any slight sound that might indicate danger. He has eyes that are a blue-green mix in color and scan the area in front of him, also scanning for any signs of a threat. His shirt is a dark red, almost crimson color, and loose fitting with big open sleeves that could easily conceal a dagger or any other sort of small weapon. His pants are the same deep red color of his shirt, and would have the same big openings as his shirt, but they are tied off at his ankles. He doesn't wear any boots or shoes on his feet, preferring to go barefoot for more agility. Around his waist is a simple belt with a pair of large pouches on his left to hold healing herbs. On the right side of his belt there is a set of rings which hold his two swords, one hanging below the other. On the top is a wakizashi, and hanging right below it is a katana. He has the swords housed in an almost identical pair of scabbards. The shorter scabbard has various silver colored designs and symbols for good luck running down it, while the longer one has the same designs and symbols carved in red. Both blades are well oiled and ready to be drawn on a moments notice. He unconciously reaches down to make sure the blades are loose in the scabbards as he walks in. Little did Korunue know, as she cowers, eyes on the swords, that this one man would change her life.
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(still in flashbacky mode, remember)
Sinai stands, staying in front of her to protect her if necessary, also noticing the swords, speaking to her mind only as she says *Dinna fear. I willna allow him tae harm ye if those are his intentions.* Korunue takes little if any comfort from the words, eyeing the swords and backing up in her stool towards the bar. She tries to get a hold on her panic, but to no avail.
The fox-man hears the sounds of the wolf rising and his ears both turn in that direction, his eyes soon follow and he studies the young part-youkai with the rather large wolf in front of her. He sees the fear in the girl's eyes and has to suppress a grin. Turning his eyes away, but leaving his ears trained in that direction he heads to the bar. Sinai doesn't look feral, but certainly has taken a defensive stance in her Wolf form, not growling or showing her teeth, but has her tail down and her ears flat against her head. She has the look of "harm her, and you will be missing an arm of a leg, even if it means my own leg". Not a customer to be messed with, certainly.
Korunue stays far, far away from the newcomer, scared half to death. She looks down to her lap, spying the dagger and the well-polished bow by her feet, and takes the bow, pulling an arrow from her quiver on her shoulder, just in case. One step closer to her and she'd load the bow, though her hands shook. She kept the bow and arrow in her lap... for now. Sinai watches the youkai carefully, keeping herself between the two of them protectivly. The man suppresses another grin when he hears the girl pull an arrow from her quiver. Other than listening in that direction he basically ignores and calls to Moe.
Korunue watches the newcomer fearfully, her eyes and ears following his every move. He would be kinda atractive... if he wasn't so gosh darn scary! Did everyone here come armed to the teeth? He simply whispers something in Moe's ear. Moe nods and promptly hurries off to fetch the order. He returns with a drinl and some meat. The man reaches into his shirt and hands Moe a few coins as payment.
Korunue continues to watch him, though one ear points to the edge of the nearby forest, where she heard something moving about. She wonders if her staring will bother him... but if he planned to attack her, it was worth it to keep an eye on him. Sinai cannot tell if he will attack her or not, and sits down on her rump, constantly listening and sniffing the air, but quietly so as not to make notice of her vigilance, keeping close to Korunue. The man suddenly glances over towards the girl, the look on his face is one of annoyance. He stands up wth his mug in his hand and slowl makes his way towards her.
Korunue jumps, suddanly looking very, VERY nervous. She hunches down, looking down in a submissive guesture, though her ears tell her of his position at all times. She fiddles with her bow and arrow timidly. When he comes closer, Sinai starts to bear her teeth, the sound of a growl rising in her throat, hackles raising
The intimidating man glances at the growling wolf and stops. He tips his mug up and finishes off his drink, setting it on the bar before proceeding forwards again. As he gets closer he ignores the wolf and concentrates on the girl. "What were you staring at?"
Sinai Starts to ball up her muscles for a leap, her teeth bared, not knowing his intentions, noticing the annoyance in the expression on his face, merely protecting her friend. Korunue is shaking, too scared to speak properly. "y..you, sir...youscaredme..." she stammers, softly, raising her large purple eyes, and fumbling to load her bow.
The man glares at the wolf for a second, before turning back to the girl. "Why would I scare you? Its not like you've never seen a youkai before is it?"
Korunue shakes her head quickly, moving it little more than a centimer, eyes wide in fright: the picture of innocence and fright.
Sinai notices she is getting ignored, and decides to give him a little jump...Changes into her Human form--wanting to stand on two legs again anyway. She is glad that she can transform and still have her clothing, as long as it is a controlled jump... a definate blessing. The stranger narrows his eyes at the girl "You really shouldn't be scared y'know. It makes youkai look wimpy."
Korunue wimpers, drooping her ears, though keeping her eyes on him as she hunches her shoulders. She is still scared.... despite what he says. And that HURT. She's not a full youkai, and never will be.... and he doesn't have to rub it in.
Sinai growls, even in her human form. "Leave her alone. Can you not see she is frightened of you?" She is now now a human girl in a loose dark blue long-sleeved shirt, and black pants. "And do not insult her. She is stronger in spirit than you will ever know."
The man turns his eyes and then his ears towards the human-looking girl. "And what say do you have in it? You aren't one of us. How do you know I am insulting her, it might have ben helpful advice." He glares at her, looking her up and down, seeing if she appeared to be much of a threat.
Korunue drops her head, too, ears drooping, dropping the arrow, wimpering: the epitome of fear and submission. Exactly what a youkai should not be. "don't..." she tels Sinai, fearful that she will make it worse. "he's right."
"She is my friend. I think I have quite a bit of say in this." says Sinai. She looks to Korunue. "But he's insulting you. He has no right to insult you." She turns back to the man. "That's what it sounded like to me, sir. If she wishes tae change, let her do so in her own time. "
He turns back to Korunue "Of course I'm right." He glances at the wolf-lady "If she keeps this act up her own time might be too late for her."
Korunue shakes her head. "I'm no youkai... he's only stating the truth... leave him be. I don't want anyone to get hurt..." she whispers to her newfound friend.
"You telling her that she is a wimp will not build her self-confidence a tall. Tis all she needs." Sinai is perfectly calm in tone. "Korunue, nay one will get hurt, unless it is this man's wish for someone tae get hurt."
Korunue shakes her head. "don't... just don't... he's right... there's no need to stick up for me..." she's still scared of someone getting hurt... insulting a man of so many weapons strikes her as a bad idea.
"There's plenty o' reason tae stick up for ye...Ye are m' friend. " protests Sinai.
The man crosses his arms in front of him "I never called her a wimp." He studies Korunue again "Why do you say you are not youkai, you have the ears." He lifts a finer to point at her black doggie ears.
Korunue whispers, her voice barely audible to human ears, "I am shamed.. I am the get of a hanyou, not even a hanyou myself, but something worse... I am worthless... a monster..."
Sinai looks to her friend, and smiles softly, her face soft ,whispering just as softly "I thought that was _my_ line." She shakes her head at Korunue "You are no' worthless. You mean something tae me."
The man smiles softly for a second, then immediately straightens his face up "A hanyou eh?" He says with a grin. "Was it your father or your mother?"
Korunue looks down, a tear dropping down from her eye. "my father... my stupid, good-for-nothing hanyou father... couldn't even get a youkai mate... It's all his fault, the stupid pathetic hanyou..." she's babbleing, and she knows it, but she doesn't care.
Sinai frowns, not liking the man's tone. She glares angrily at him, placing an arm around Korunue. "Why do you have to be so mean?"
The stranger loses his grin. "Why are you insulting your father like that? You should be grateful he even had you."
Korunue shakes her head. "He's so stupid... it's all his fault... he didn't bother to think how I would turn out... or that i would turn out at all.. then he up and left... I shouldn't have expected better from a hanyou, though..."she half-sneers the word "hanyou", though her other words come out as half-sobs.
The fox-man starts to growl quietly. "WHAT was that about hanyous?" He yells. "Did you know that I am a hanyou?" He does not looked to pleased with Koronue's attitude towards hanyous.
Sinai snaps at him vocally. "Don't yell at her. Can't you see she is already upset?"
Korunue looks up in shock. "I.... I...." she stutters, shocked. She lowers her gaze, wimpering softly. "i'msorryi'msorrypleasedon'thurtme" she whispers, wimpering louder than before, ears drooping.
Sinai pulls her newfound friend towards her, turning her person towards her, allowing her to rest her head on her shoulder. She rubs her back a little, and Korunue wimpers. Her back had been recently injured, after all. Sinai stops, and is careful not to put pressure on her back after that. The hanyou keeps the stern look on his face "You should think about what you say better next time. Especially when you are insulting your father and everyone like him."
"I'm certain she didn't mean all hanyous," Sinai cuts in, defending her friend. Korunue notices her bow sliding to the floor as she is tugged aside and breaks free to get it, wimpering softly, crying out a little as she sees it. She grabs it, then comes up, bringing her knees to her chest and resting her head on them, sobbing quietly from fear and sadness. She had a feeling the other youkai would smell her fear...
The kitsune hanyou growls loudly "Oh come off it now, stop that." He takes her by the shoulders and tries to stand her up straight "Stop that crying."
"Don't rough-handle her. Can you not see that she is injured?" asks Sinai.
Korunue twists away from him. "leave me alone! jerk." she says, not even realizing what she was saying, just lashing out in fear and sadness. The stool spun with her on it, so that now her left side was to the hanyou. Sinai had been standing beside Korunue, so the part-inu-youkai is now facing Sinai's left side, now noticing Sinai's hand is starting to ball up into a fist, angered at the Hanyou.
The hanyou raises his hand to hit her. "Why you little....." He pauses for a moment and lowers his hand. "What happened to you to make you like this? It was more than your father having you and leaving, I'm sure."
Korunue looks away. "Why should I tell you?" she asks, though really softly, surprised that she even has the courage to speak to him like this... she wondered if it was...her... again... " I don't have to tell ALL my secrets to an arrogant jerk like you..." she mumbles, hoping he doesn't hear her, yes secretly delighting that she dared say the words she usually left in her head unsaid.
Sinai smiles some, hearing her stand up for herself, her expression softening some. The kitsune hanyou glares at Korunue his left hand reching for the smaller of his two swords. "I'm gonna teach you to not call me a jerk." He says, his voice threatening.
Sinai's ears prick up, and she literally snarls. "Draw it, and you will lose it. I will not allow you to draw a weapon on my friend, especially when I am present." Her eyes start to glow a deep red, her anger starting to take over somewhat.
Korunue jumps like a scared rabbit. She fumbles for her bow, loading it, hands shaking, lowering her knees so as to get a good shot... drops the arrow a few times, but gets it loaded. She did have trainging... she's a good shot, if she's not too scared to load the bow. She sees Sinai and barely supresses a scream. This was all too new, too much, too fast...
The hanyou turns to Sinai once again "Ive got a blade here for you too." He snarls. "But she needs to learn some respect and also how to stay calm in battle from the looks of it." He points down at Korunue.
Korunue loads the bow, raising it, aiming it at his heart, wimpering a little. If she were to let go, her aim would be true, right to his heart... but she hopes with all her might that he's not going to harm her, and does not let the arrow fly.
"Train her, then. Don't berate her when she has no confidence in herself. Only a poor teacher allows his anger to reign over his logic, pooling out to strike his student." suggests Sinai. "Everyone has fear. Even the bravest warrior has fear. That doesn't mean he cannot harness it to bring him closer to victory."
The hanyou growls at Sinai "I do not need a lesson in combat, I can manage quite well by myself." He glances down at Korunue. "You should put that bow away little one." He takes his hand off of his sword.
Korunue keeps the bow where it is. "how do I know I can trust you?" she asks, scared, though her voice betrays little of it. The rest of her face does that well enough. Her hands and voice are the only calm things about her. It is the mark that she has been well-trained... though she forgets her training often. Too many bad memories.
"Just reminding you." Sinai says, calming some. "and reminding myself..." Whispering to herself the last bit, her eyes returning to their normal deep blue color.
The hanyou grins at Korunue "My hands are away from my weapons little one. You have no reason to attack me." Sinai orders a drink from the barkeep in the meantime.
Korunue growls at Ronin. "yeah, sure.... so I lower my bow and you kick me, and while I lay against the bar screaming your hand goes BACK to your weapon. " her breathing comes quicker now, and shallower, her eyes wide with fright. She swallows hard, but keeps her bow on him, though her hands shake a little. She has not learned how to trust yet, and thus cannot trust a stranger.
Sinai places a gentle, light hand on Korunue's shoulder. "Shhhh...Calm, my friend..." She sips the drink before her, and blinks "Not bad. Thank ye, Moe." she tells the barkeep. To her, the danger had passed. But to Korunue, it was all too real.
The hanyou growls back at Korunue " you had better learn when to calm down, not every hanyou or youkai could be nice like me and let you live." With the drink in hand, Sinai steps away from Korunue for a moment to retrieve her staff by the door, setting it behind Korunue.
Korunue 's breath comes in raggedy, shallow gasps. she is scared half to death, and this man was starting to piss her off. She shut her eyes and wimpered, but kept the bow steady, praying she wouldn't have to shoot. Sinai sips her drink, listening and sniffing the air around the hanyou, alert, yet not looking like it.
The newcomer smiles at Korunue "At least you're trying to live up to your youkai heritage." He squats down in front of her. "Now you really should put that bow down."
Korunue jumps at the movement, scooting back in her seat. She adjusts the bow for his squat, though she is obviously too scared to shoot. "They're all the same..." she whispers to herself. "shoot, fast, before he kills you..." but she does not shoot. Hating herself, she barely manages to keep the bow in place.
The stranger reaches his hand up slowly, placing it on the arrow shaft and pulling it towards the ground. "Put the bow down little one." He says in both a commanding and comforting tone.
Sinai sees that his intentions are honorable for the most part, but still keeps her guard up, sipping her drink slowly, knowing not to gulp a strong drink--whatever it is she is drinking.
Korunue tenses, bringing the bow up to aim at his heart... then drops it completely, burying her face in her hands, ears drooping, waiting for his blow, hoping that his revenge would be swift. She muffles her sobs, trying to stop them, but it is obvious she is crying. "worthless... worthless..." she whispers to herself.
Sinai places a comforting, soft hand on her arm "No, ye're not. Ye're not worthless."
The man brings his hand up from the arrow shaft and pats Korunue on her head. "Calm down girl." He scratches her behind the ears a little.
Korunue stiffens, expecting a blow... then looks up when none comes. "arn't you gonna...." she asks timidly, eyes going to his sword. She looks... pitiful might be the best way to describe it. Pitiful, pathetic... miserable.
The stranger smiles softly, holding it longer this time, before turning it back into a grin. "I'm not going to hurt you little one...It can be tough to be youkai sometimes, even part youkai."
"Life is hard on all who do not belong to this world..."Sinai whispers to herself, mostly, standing beside her friend still, sipping her drink slowly, most of the way through it.
Korunue sniffs sadly, pulling her knees to her chest and placing her head upon them like a whipped dog. She looks up at the hanyou, eyes sorrowful. "I would belong more if I...." her thoughts return to the track they were on earlier, though she bids them not to.
"Things will turn out well in the end. I will help see to that, Korunue, my friend." Sinai whispers, not intending to rhyme but doing so anyway.
The man glares at Korunue. "You do belong, now enough with it." He sits down and scratches his head with his feet, kind of like a dog. "I don't even know your name."
Sinai twitches some, her ear itching now too... "Damn bloody dry skin..." She growls and uses her hand, cupping her hand somewhat to scratch behind her ear.
Korunue shakes her head no. "Korunue.. my parents couldn't spell Kuronue." she whispers. It's an old joke, and leads to her common name. She trusted that the hanyou knew that Kuronue meant "raven"... She looks down. "And I belong nowhere."
The man grins evilly at Korunue "You belong to the same place as me then."
"And as I, if you'll allow it...I being a lowly werewolf, and all..." Sinai chimes in.
Korunue smiles at the kistune hanyou, a genuine smile, for the first time in what seemed like ages, though it wasn't that long. "Allow it?" she asks Sinai. "I wish for nothing more than that we all wern't allowed not to belong..." she trails off, knowing that was bad grammer and not caring much.
"Where will all of us go when we are dead?" Sinai says, mumbling some, really hungry, and could go for a Blood Wyne now...or a cup of tea.
The man ignores her, and yawns loudly and standinding up he glances towards the door. "I really must be going. I am called Ronin by the way. Calm down some little one and get some rest, you'll feel better about yourself" He nods at her then turns and stirdes out the door.
Sinai nods to Ronin, noticing he didn't pay much attention to her at all, and wonders if that is for the better, sitting down next to Korunue.
Korunue does not ignore Sinai; she tilts her head. "to hell? " she yawns as well. "For the moment, bed will satisfy me." She slowly gathers her things and heads up the stairs, though not without a parting "goonight" to her new friends.
"Good night, my friend." Sinai smiles weakly to her. "I shall see you next when?"
Korunue shakes her head. "Soon, hopefully." she says, before slipping into her room quietly.
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Ah, what happy times, those. She had thought that she had problems THEN... she no longer felt the pain, her spirit absorbed in her memories. She had no idea how long she was absorbed in them. The memories continued to play, then.
but we will stop here for now. Review!
chapter 2.
*mindtalk*
"talking"
Last chapter:
A tall man with long, dark grey hair that has a sort of reddish tint around the edges strides through the doorway to the inn with a look of confidence in his eyes.On the top of his head there are two fox-like ears, both of them are the same dark grey as his hair, but have a little more red showing around the edges. The ears dart in various directions, scanning for any slight sound that might indicate danger. He has eyes that are a blue-green mix in color and scan the area in front of him, also scanning for any signs of a threat. His shirt is a dark red, almost crimson color, and loose fitting with big open sleeves that could easily conceal a dagger or any other sort of small weapon. His pants are the same deep red color of his shirt, and would have the same big openings as his shirt, but they are tied off at his ankles. He doesn't wear any boots or shoes on his feet, preferring to go barefoot for more agility. Around his waist is a simple belt with a pair of large pouches on his left to hold healing herbs. On the right side of his belt there is a set of rings which hold his two swords, one hanging below the other. On the top is a wakizashi, and hanging right below it is a katana. He has the swords housed in an almost identical pair of scabbards. The shorter scabbard has various silver colored designs and symbols for good luck running down it, while the longer one has the same designs and symbols carved in red. Both blades are well oiled and ready to be drawn on a moments notice. He unconciously reaches down to make sure the blades are loose in the scabbards as he walks in. Little did Korunue know, as she cowers, eyes on the swords, that this one man would change her life.
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(still in flashbacky mode, remember)
Sinai stands, staying in front of her to protect her if necessary, also noticing the swords, speaking to her mind only as she says *Dinna fear. I willna allow him tae harm ye if those are his intentions.* Korunue takes little if any comfort from the words, eyeing the swords and backing up in her stool towards the bar. She tries to get a hold on her panic, but to no avail.
The fox-man hears the sounds of the wolf rising and his ears both turn in that direction, his eyes soon follow and he studies the young part-youkai with the rather large wolf in front of her. He sees the fear in the girl's eyes and has to suppress a grin. Turning his eyes away, but leaving his ears trained in that direction he heads to the bar. Sinai doesn't look feral, but certainly has taken a defensive stance in her Wolf form, not growling or showing her teeth, but has her tail down and her ears flat against her head. She has the look of "harm her, and you will be missing an arm of a leg, even if it means my own leg". Not a customer to be messed with, certainly.
Korunue stays far, far away from the newcomer, scared half to death. She looks down to her lap, spying the dagger and the well-polished bow by her feet, and takes the bow, pulling an arrow from her quiver on her shoulder, just in case. One step closer to her and she'd load the bow, though her hands shook. She kept the bow and arrow in her lap... for now. Sinai watches the youkai carefully, keeping herself between the two of them protectivly. The man suppresses another grin when he hears the girl pull an arrow from her quiver. Other than listening in that direction he basically ignores and calls to Moe.
Korunue watches the newcomer fearfully, her eyes and ears following his every move. He would be kinda atractive... if he wasn't so gosh darn scary! Did everyone here come armed to the teeth? He simply whispers something in Moe's ear. Moe nods and promptly hurries off to fetch the order. He returns with a drinl and some meat. The man reaches into his shirt and hands Moe a few coins as payment.
Korunue continues to watch him, though one ear points to the edge of the nearby forest, where she heard something moving about. She wonders if her staring will bother him... but if he planned to attack her, it was worth it to keep an eye on him. Sinai cannot tell if he will attack her or not, and sits down on her rump, constantly listening and sniffing the air, but quietly so as not to make notice of her vigilance, keeping close to Korunue. The man suddenly glances over towards the girl, the look on his face is one of annoyance. He stands up wth his mug in his hand and slowl makes his way towards her.
Korunue jumps, suddanly looking very, VERY nervous. She hunches down, looking down in a submissive guesture, though her ears tell her of his position at all times. She fiddles with her bow and arrow timidly. When he comes closer, Sinai starts to bear her teeth, the sound of a growl rising in her throat, hackles raising
The intimidating man glances at the growling wolf and stops. He tips his mug up and finishes off his drink, setting it on the bar before proceeding forwards again. As he gets closer he ignores the wolf and concentrates on the girl. "What were you staring at?"
Sinai Starts to ball up her muscles for a leap, her teeth bared, not knowing his intentions, noticing the annoyance in the expression on his face, merely protecting her friend. Korunue is shaking, too scared to speak properly. "y..you, sir...youscaredme..." she stammers, softly, raising her large purple eyes, and fumbling to load her bow.
The man glares at the wolf for a second, before turning back to the girl. "Why would I scare you? Its not like you've never seen a youkai before is it?"
Korunue shakes her head quickly, moving it little more than a centimer, eyes wide in fright: the picture of innocence and fright.
Sinai notices she is getting ignored, and decides to give him a little jump...Changes into her Human form--wanting to stand on two legs again anyway. She is glad that she can transform and still have her clothing, as long as it is a controlled jump... a definate blessing. The stranger narrows his eyes at the girl "You really shouldn't be scared y'know. It makes youkai look wimpy."
Korunue wimpers, drooping her ears, though keeping her eyes on him as she hunches her shoulders. She is still scared.... despite what he says. And that HURT. She's not a full youkai, and never will be.... and he doesn't have to rub it in.
Sinai growls, even in her human form. "Leave her alone. Can you not see she is frightened of you?" She is now now a human girl in a loose dark blue long-sleeved shirt, and black pants. "And do not insult her. She is stronger in spirit than you will ever know."
The man turns his eyes and then his ears towards the human-looking girl. "And what say do you have in it? You aren't one of us. How do you know I am insulting her, it might have ben helpful advice." He glares at her, looking her up and down, seeing if she appeared to be much of a threat.
Korunue drops her head, too, ears drooping, dropping the arrow, wimpering: the epitome of fear and submission. Exactly what a youkai should not be. "don't..." she tels Sinai, fearful that she will make it worse. "he's right."
"She is my friend. I think I have quite a bit of say in this." says Sinai. She looks to Korunue. "But he's insulting you. He has no right to insult you." She turns back to the man. "That's what it sounded like to me, sir. If she wishes tae change, let her do so in her own time. "
He turns back to Korunue "Of course I'm right." He glances at the wolf-lady "If she keeps this act up her own time might be too late for her."
Korunue shakes her head. "I'm no youkai... he's only stating the truth... leave him be. I don't want anyone to get hurt..." she whispers to her newfound friend.
"You telling her that she is a wimp will not build her self-confidence a tall. Tis all she needs." Sinai is perfectly calm in tone. "Korunue, nay one will get hurt, unless it is this man's wish for someone tae get hurt."
Korunue shakes her head. "don't... just don't... he's right... there's no need to stick up for me..." she's still scared of someone getting hurt... insulting a man of so many weapons strikes her as a bad idea.
"There's plenty o' reason tae stick up for ye...Ye are m' friend. " protests Sinai.
The man crosses his arms in front of him "I never called her a wimp." He studies Korunue again "Why do you say you are not youkai, you have the ears." He lifts a finer to point at her black doggie ears.
Korunue whispers, her voice barely audible to human ears, "I am shamed.. I am the get of a hanyou, not even a hanyou myself, but something worse... I am worthless... a monster..."
Sinai looks to her friend, and smiles softly, her face soft ,whispering just as softly "I thought that was _my_ line." She shakes her head at Korunue "You are no' worthless. You mean something tae me."
The man smiles softly for a second, then immediately straightens his face up "A hanyou eh?" He says with a grin. "Was it your father or your mother?"
Korunue looks down, a tear dropping down from her eye. "my father... my stupid, good-for-nothing hanyou father... couldn't even get a youkai mate... It's all his fault, the stupid pathetic hanyou..." she's babbleing, and she knows it, but she doesn't care.
Sinai frowns, not liking the man's tone. She glares angrily at him, placing an arm around Korunue. "Why do you have to be so mean?"
The stranger loses his grin. "Why are you insulting your father like that? You should be grateful he even had you."
Korunue shakes her head. "He's so stupid... it's all his fault... he didn't bother to think how I would turn out... or that i would turn out at all.. then he up and left... I shouldn't have expected better from a hanyou, though..."she half-sneers the word "hanyou", though her other words come out as half-sobs.
The fox-man starts to growl quietly. "WHAT was that about hanyous?" He yells. "Did you know that I am a hanyou?" He does not looked to pleased with Koronue's attitude towards hanyous.
Sinai snaps at him vocally. "Don't yell at her. Can't you see she is already upset?"
Korunue looks up in shock. "I.... I...." she stutters, shocked. She lowers her gaze, wimpering softly. "i'msorryi'msorrypleasedon'thurtme" she whispers, wimpering louder than before, ears drooping.
Sinai pulls her newfound friend towards her, turning her person towards her, allowing her to rest her head on her shoulder. She rubs her back a little, and Korunue wimpers. Her back had been recently injured, after all. Sinai stops, and is careful not to put pressure on her back after that. The hanyou keeps the stern look on his face "You should think about what you say better next time. Especially when you are insulting your father and everyone like him."
"I'm certain she didn't mean all hanyous," Sinai cuts in, defending her friend. Korunue notices her bow sliding to the floor as she is tugged aside and breaks free to get it, wimpering softly, crying out a little as she sees it. She grabs it, then comes up, bringing her knees to her chest and resting her head on them, sobbing quietly from fear and sadness. She had a feeling the other youkai would smell her fear...
The kitsune hanyou growls loudly "Oh come off it now, stop that." He takes her by the shoulders and tries to stand her up straight "Stop that crying."
"Don't rough-handle her. Can you not see that she is injured?" asks Sinai.
Korunue twists away from him. "leave me alone! jerk." she says, not even realizing what she was saying, just lashing out in fear and sadness. The stool spun with her on it, so that now her left side was to the hanyou. Sinai had been standing beside Korunue, so the part-inu-youkai is now facing Sinai's left side, now noticing Sinai's hand is starting to ball up into a fist, angered at the Hanyou.
The hanyou raises his hand to hit her. "Why you little....." He pauses for a moment and lowers his hand. "What happened to you to make you like this? It was more than your father having you and leaving, I'm sure."
Korunue looks away. "Why should I tell you?" she asks, though really softly, surprised that she even has the courage to speak to him like this... she wondered if it was...her... again... " I don't have to tell ALL my secrets to an arrogant jerk like you..." she mumbles, hoping he doesn't hear her, yes secretly delighting that she dared say the words she usually left in her head unsaid.
Sinai smiles some, hearing her stand up for herself, her expression softening some. The kitsune hanyou glares at Korunue his left hand reching for the smaller of his two swords. "I'm gonna teach you to not call me a jerk." He says, his voice threatening.
Sinai's ears prick up, and she literally snarls. "Draw it, and you will lose it. I will not allow you to draw a weapon on my friend, especially when I am present." Her eyes start to glow a deep red, her anger starting to take over somewhat.
Korunue jumps like a scared rabbit. She fumbles for her bow, loading it, hands shaking, lowering her knees so as to get a good shot... drops the arrow a few times, but gets it loaded. She did have trainging... she's a good shot, if she's not too scared to load the bow. She sees Sinai and barely supresses a scream. This was all too new, too much, too fast...
The hanyou turns to Sinai once again "Ive got a blade here for you too." He snarls. "But she needs to learn some respect and also how to stay calm in battle from the looks of it." He points down at Korunue.
Korunue loads the bow, raising it, aiming it at his heart, wimpering a little. If she were to let go, her aim would be true, right to his heart... but she hopes with all her might that he's not going to harm her, and does not let the arrow fly.
"Train her, then. Don't berate her when she has no confidence in herself. Only a poor teacher allows his anger to reign over his logic, pooling out to strike his student." suggests Sinai. "Everyone has fear. Even the bravest warrior has fear. That doesn't mean he cannot harness it to bring him closer to victory."
The hanyou growls at Sinai "I do not need a lesson in combat, I can manage quite well by myself." He glances down at Korunue. "You should put that bow away little one." He takes his hand off of his sword.
Korunue keeps the bow where it is. "how do I know I can trust you?" she asks, scared, though her voice betrays little of it. The rest of her face does that well enough. Her hands and voice are the only calm things about her. It is the mark that she has been well-trained... though she forgets her training often. Too many bad memories.
"Just reminding you." Sinai says, calming some. "and reminding myself..." Whispering to herself the last bit, her eyes returning to their normal deep blue color.
The hanyou grins at Korunue "My hands are away from my weapons little one. You have no reason to attack me." Sinai orders a drink from the barkeep in the meantime.
Korunue growls at Ronin. "yeah, sure.... so I lower my bow and you kick me, and while I lay against the bar screaming your hand goes BACK to your weapon. " her breathing comes quicker now, and shallower, her eyes wide with fright. She swallows hard, but keeps her bow on him, though her hands shake a little. She has not learned how to trust yet, and thus cannot trust a stranger.
Sinai places a gentle, light hand on Korunue's shoulder. "Shhhh...Calm, my friend..." She sips the drink before her, and blinks "Not bad. Thank ye, Moe." she tells the barkeep. To her, the danger had passed. But to Korunue, it was all too real.
The hanyou growls back at Korunue " you had better learn when to calm down, not every hanyou or youkai could be nice like me and let you live." With the drink in hand, Sinai steps away from Korunue for a moment to retrieve her staff by the door, setting it behind Korunue.
Korunue 's breath comes in raggedy, shallow gasps. she is scared half to death, and this man was starting to piss her off. She shut her eyes and wimpered, but kept the bow steady, praying she wouldn't have to shoot. Sinai sips her drink, listening and sniffing the air around the hanyou, alert, yet not looking like it.
The newcomer smiles at Korunue "At least you're trying to live up to your youkai heritage." He squats down in front of her. "Now you really should put that bow down."
Korunue jumps at the movement, scooting back in her seat. She adjusts the bow for his squat, though she is obviously too scared to shoot. "They're all the same..." she whispers to herself. "shoot, fast, before he kills you..." but she does not shoot. Hating herself, she barely manages to keep the bow in place.
The stranger reaches his hand up slowly, placing it on the arrow shaft and pulling it towards the ground. "Put the bow down little one." He says in both a commanding and comforting tone.
Sinai sees that his intentions are honorable for the most part, but still keeps her guard up, sipping her drink slowly, knowing not to gulp a strong drink--whatever it is she is drinking.
Korunue tenses, bringing the bow up to aim at his heart... then drops it completely, burying her face in her hands, ears drooping, waiting for his blow, hoping that his revenge would be swift. She muffles her sobs, trying to stop them, but it is obvious she is crying. "worthless... worthless..." she whispers to herself.
Sinai places a comforting, soft hand on her arm "No, ye're not. Ye're not worthless."
The man brings his hand up from the arrow shaft and pats Korunue on her head. "Calm down girl." He scratches her behind the ears a little.
Korunue stiffens, expecting a blow... then looks up when none comes. "arn't you gonna...." she asks timidly, eyes going to his sword. She looks... pitiful might be the best way to describe it. Pitiful, pathetic... miserable.
The stranger smiles softly, holding it longer this time, before turning it back into a grin. "I'm not going to hurt you little one...It can be tough to be youkai sometimes, even part youkai."
"Life is hard on all who do not belong to this world..."Sinai whispers to herself, mostly, standing beside her friend still, sipping her drink slowly, most of the way through it.
Korunue sniffs sadly, pulling her knees to her chest and placing her head upon them like a whipped dog. She looks up at the hanyou, eyes sorrowful. "I would belong more if I...." her thoughts return to the track they were on earlier, though she bids them not to.
"Things will turn out well in the end. I will help see to that, Korunue, my friend." Sinai whispers, not intending to rhyme but doing so anyway.
The man glares at Korunue. "You do belong, now enough with it." He sits down and scratches his head with his feet, kind of like a dog. "I don't even know your name."
Sinai twitches some, her ear itching now too... "Damn bloody dry skin..." She growls and uses her hand, cupping her hand somewhat to scratch behind her ear.
Korunue shakes her head no. "Korunue.. my parents couldn't spell Kuronue." she whispers. It's an old joke, and leads to her common name. She trusted that the hanyou knew that Kuronue meant "raven"... She looks down. "And I belong nowhere."
The man grins evilly at Korunue "You belong to the same place as me then."
"And as I, if you'll allow it...I being a lowly werewolf, and all..." Sinai chimes in.
Korunue smiles at the kistune hanyou, a genuine smile, for the first time in what seemed like ages, though it wasn't that long. "Allow it?" she asks Sinai. "I wish for nothing more than that we all wern't allowed not to belong..." she trails off, knowing that was bad grammer and not caring much.
"Where will all of us go when we are dead?" Sinai says, mumbling some, really hungry, and could go for a Blood Wyne now...or a cup of tea.
The man ignores her, and yawns loudly and standinding up he glances towards the door. "I really must be going. I am called Ronin by the way. Calm down some little one and get some rest, you'll feel better about yourself" He nods at her then turns and stirdes out the door.
Sinai nods to Ronin, noticing he didn't pay much attention to her at all, and wonders if that is for the better, sitting down next to Korunue.
Korunue does not ignore Sinai; she tilts her head. "to hell? " she yawns as well. "For the moment, bed will satisfy me." She slowly gathers her things and heads up the stairs, though not without a parting "goonight" to her new friends.
"Good night, my friend." Sinai smiles weakly to her. "I shall see you next when?"
Korunue shakes her head. "Soon, hopefully." she says, before slipping into her room quietly.
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Ah, what happy times, those. She had thought that she had problems THEN... she no longer felt the pain, her spirit absorbed in her memories. She had no idea how long she was absorbed in them. The memories continued to play, then.
but we will stop here for now. Review!