Thia: Thank you to Mishuku from Gaiaonline for my second review! I'm excited to announce the next chapter, please enjoy! Continue to R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King, I do own Ling.
Ren POV
How can she just sit there? How can she sit there as if I saw her yesterday? I haven't said a word to her, and she hasn't said anything either. I'm doing my best not to look down at her end of the table as she talks with the others.
'What have you been up to Ling?' Jun's voice drifted toward my end of the table.
'...Well, I am still apprenticed at the shrine. Oba and Ebu are very kind for allowing me to stay..'
'Weren't you living with your brother?'
Ling wringed her hands in her lap. Her expresion stayed as it was.
'Certain circumstances lead to me living at the shrine. Oba says I'll be a priestess there before I'm eighteen...'
I continued to slurp my noodles. I was impressed at how she had diverted the conversation. No, I'm not impressed. As the others continued to eat and talk, I can't help but notice how Horo and Ryu hang on Ling's every word. How pathetic.
'...in fact, Oba brought me to the matchmaker not too long ago..'
There were several clatters of silverware. Us men just looked at each other. Women usually weren't 'matched' until the age of twenty seven.
'What!' Tamao shrieked
'But you're so young!' Jun exclaimed.
' Has the woman got a bolt loose?' Pirika called.
Even Anna seems suprised. Ling just smiled at their reactions. That smile, the same smile that I knew from that night. I shook out that thought and drank my milk.
'You need to understand Oba's reasoning. Ebu wasn't all that happy about it, but as they are my guardians, I really had no choice. They're just looking out for my best interests.'
'Who's you end up matched with Ling-san?' Pirika said.
Ling smiled, but this time it was strained and self loathing.
'Jian Moto, age forty two. Widower, with two children , one is a boy my age. Tells you a lot about me, nn?'
Everyone snorted into their food. I felt my face burn. To think she got paired with someone that. It wasn't funny at all. Once the food was finished and the bill paid for, Ling turned her attention to Anna.
'Anna...san ' Ling said, trying to be polite by speaking an honorific. 'Do you eat out every night?
Anna nodded. 'We can't read the instructions on the American appliances'
Ling's eyes widened.
' I'll be cooking you dinner tonight.'
Before anyone could object politely Anna wrote the Patch Condo address for her. Ling rose from her seat, bade everyone a goodbye. When she said 'Bye Ren' All I could do was nod and reach down to get my Kwan Do. She gave one last leave before disappearing through the restaurant door.
The whole horse cart ride back, I felt as bitter as I had that morning. I dared myself to feel what it really wanted to.
Fin, Chapter 3.Chapter 4, comming soon.