Torn
Chapter Five: Threats
Ayame woke early the next morning, taking a quick shower, slipping on her school uniform, strapping her knives under her skirt and on the flat of her shoe.
"Ready." She smiled, taking a light purple flower from her bag and pinning it to the side of her head, holding her hair back slightly.
She quickly scooped up her book bag and rushed from the small apartment, her shoes clicking on the tile floor.
"Going out a little early are we missy?" The old woman next door asked, poking her head out her door to gather her morning paper.
"You got it!" Ayame answered over her shoulder. She had to plan before school started.
And finish some homework.
Her feet pounded against the pavement as she ran towards the school, a smile lighting up her face.
At least, until she slammed into yet another person.
But this person's arm didn't reach out and prevent her fall.
Ayame hit the pavement, hard, landing on her tailbone with a thud.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Ayame hissed from the ground, her blue eyes icy on the man standing in front of her.
The man smirked down at her. He had long light purple hair slicked back, his eyes were cold and dark and his skin was deathly pale.
"Hello Akki."
Ayame glared at him, getting quickly to her feet, her hands on her hips. "Don't call me that in public! You're with Naraku, aren't you?"
He nodded. "I'm Menomaru. Naraku sent me to give you a message."
"Why couldn't he call me like he did last night?" Ayame growled, her blue eyes darting around, making sure that no one had heard what he'd said.
"Because, this can't be given over the phone." Menomaru hissed, lashing out and slapping Ayame across the face.
Ayame stumbled backwards, her hand cupping her cheek. "What the fuck--what was that for?"
"Naraku's getting impatient." Menomaru snapped.
"Impatient? It's been two days!" Ayame shouted at the purple-haired man. "He's going to have to wait a little longer."
Menomaru grabbed her wrist, painfully, and pulled her towards him, his eyes angry. "There have been two assassins before you and they didn't get the job done."
"Obviously." Ayame cut in, but wishing she hadn't spoken when Menomaru's grip got tighter, causing her to wince.
"Anyway," He hissed. "Naraku wants it done, today, now, whenever. Just get it done, okay?"
"And if I don't?" Ayame challenged.
Menomaru smirked, pushing Ayame backwards so she slammed into a nearby wall.
He held her against it, his face dangerously close to hers. "I suggest you do what your told little Aya, or you won't live past Wednesday."
"Friday." Ayame snapped. "Tell him Friday."
"No, tomorrow. It has to be tomorrow." Menomaru said acidly.
"No, it doesn't." Ayame hissed. "No later than Friday, if it is then Naraku can send someone to kill me, I don't care. But Friday, that's my limit."
Menomaru smirked. "Fine. You're a brave girl, standing up to Naraku like that. No one has done that before and lived."
"Kouga has." Ayame retorted.
"Well he's as good as dead." Menomaru growled. "And so are you, if you disobey Naraku."
"Fine!" Ayame snarled. "Just get off me will you? Someone will see."
"Maybe I don't care." Menomaru snapped, pressing closer to her, his body sandwiching against the cement wall. "That man you killed the other night, he was a good friend of mine."
Ayame smirked, remembering the man who'd grabbed her from behind. "He got what he deserved, and as far as I can tell, you deserve it too. So step off or you're getting a blade where the sun don't shine."
Menomaru smirked at her, finally letting go of her and backing away slightly. "Okay. Go to school, get the job done."
Ayame glared at him, attempting to sweep past him.
He lashed out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back towards him, his mouth open to say something, but he was cut off when another voice cut out of nowhere.
"Is there a problem here?"
Ayame's fists clenched tightly together as she turned away from Menomaru's painful grip to look at Kouga. "No."
Menomaru smirked, letting go of Ayame as if her skin had suddenly caught fire. "See you later Aya."
"Bite me." Ayame hissed.
Menomaru laughed and walked away, disappearing around a corner.
Coward. Ayame thought bitterly, turning and walking away from Kouga.
"Hey wait!" Kouga called after her, catching up to her with no problem at all. "Who was that guy?"
"No one." Ayame answered shortly.
"No one? He didn't look like no one." Kouga said. "He looked dangerous, why was he angry with you?"
"Because I pissed him off." Ayame said tonelessly.
"Why?"
"Because!" She hissed, pissed off royally at Naraku and wanting to vent on someone.
And who better than her target?
But she couldn't kill him, not yet, there were students heading to school all around them and Ayame's deed, at that moment, would not go unnoticed.
"Ayame who was that guy? I…recognized him from somewhere, and it's not a good somewhere. What are you into?"
"Who cares?" Ayame snapped, her temper flaring. "I suggest you leave me alone Kouga, if you know what's good for you."
He laughed. Really, just laughed.
"Come on Aya." He chuckled. "You really can't expect me to be afraid of you."
Want a bet? Ayame thought angrily, her hand reaching for her knife slightly.
"Listen," Kouga said, finally stopped laughing. "If you're ever in trouble, just tell me okay? We live close to each other and we go to the same school so…why not?"
What does he want from me? Ayame thought incredulously. Does he want to get laid or something? Is he wishing for a slow and painful death? Because that's what he'd heading for.
But…he seemed sincere and no one, no one, had worried about Ayame in a long time.
Feeling tears stinging at her eyes, Ayame turned away from him and started to head the opposite way of the school.
"Ayame! Where are you going?" Kouga shouted after her.
"Home, I don't feel good." Ayame said.
No Ayame, bad Ayame. Don't get attached. Do not get attached!
Okay! Hope you liked it! Review! Sorry it was so short!