Ch. 6

I don't really remember much of what happened in the days after my mother and stepfather died. What I do remember is being very much opposed as to what was to happen to James and myself.
~

The next few days were little more than a blur. People came in and out of the house, asking questions and offering sympathies, but Rin couldn't remember the details. The only thing she was truly conscious of was James huddled at her side or snuggled under her wing. Every so often, he'd raise his tear-stained face to hers, eyes begging his big sister to stop the nightmare the siblings were stuck in.

Never had the young half-demon felt more helpless knowing she couldn't do anything to ease her brother's pain. The best she could do was keep James close and allow him to sleep in their mother's bed at night. Rin herself had barely slept since her mother and stepfather had died; rather, she simply leaned against the wall of her parents' bedroom, dozing fitfully for an hour or two and watching James sleep, his little hands clutching his New York City travel book. James himself could only manage three hours of sleep at the most before being roused by a nightmare.

"The rhino, Rin," he would sob fitfully in his sister's arms. "The rhino ate them."

"Just a dream, James. There's no rhino here," Rin would assure him. Had she been capable of feeling anything other than concern for her little brother, Rin would have made good on her promise to flay the author of that demented children's book alive. As it was, Rin could only stir herself out of the depressive fog that had wrapped itself around her heart long enough to comfort James. Other than that, the young half-demon was unable to force herself into any kind of action.

As far as the arrangements went, well, there really couldn't be a funeral service. The bodies of Henry and Miranda Trotter hadn't been found, nor had the body of the driver who had hit them. Still, none of them would have survived a crash at such close quarters on top of being flung into a river swollen by a raging storm. As such, Mary Williams had decided that a small memorial service should be held, with only a few close friends attending.

"It's best for your poor little brother." Rin looked up from the kitchen table at Mary's words. The neighbor woman had been staying with Rin and James for the past two nights, although her husband and daughter had only put in one appearance. Mary, it seemed, was determined to see the affair through to the end. "To be so young and to lose both his parents... It's hard for him, Rin. Let's get this over and done with so he won't have to dwell on the formalities too much."

"Whatever," had been Rin's only comment. Mary flinched, but Rin had seen her face soften a bit at the lack of bite of the half-demon's voice.

Probably should care more Rin thought as she watched Mary scuttle away to begin the planning of the service. Funeral rites were a pretty big deal in Japan, particularly those held in the honor of departed kin. Somehow, though, Rin didn't think her mother and step-father would be too upset that Rin wasn't doing much to honor them at the moment.

As if Mother and Henry would care more about a funeral than their children. Rin idly ran her claws over the well-gouged wood, wondering if her mother and father were together again. She hoped so, though she found herself hoping that Henry was with them too. He had been family, after all.

Family! Rin's head shot up. Her father's family had no idea of what had happened! At this rate, it was unlikely her uncle would be able to arrive in time for the memorial service, but he- along with Rin's aunt and cousins- wouldn't waste any time rushing to her aid. And right now, Rin needed her family's guidance.

Dashing upstairs, the young half-demon made a beeline for her room. She didn't have much (what did she really need anyway?), but she did keep a few sheets of paper and a pen or two lying around. After all, she was pretty much the only one who wrote to Takashi oji-san on a regular basis! Rin found a pen on the floor by her unused bed. Did it work? The half-demon glanced around, spotting a few dusty books on the table by her bed. Flipping open the first one, Rin ran the pen over the book's inside cover. She was rewarded with an even stream of black ink! Hah, perfect! Now for paper-

Oh, right! Rin yanked the table's drawer open, spotting three sheets of white paper. Sitting down on the mattress, the young half-demon balanced one of the books on her knees and set the paper on top of it. She paused, unsure of where to begin, then started writing as fast as she could.

Uncle,

It is with deepest regret that I must inform you that my mother and step-father have been involved in an accident. During a storm, a car hit them, killing them and knocking them into the river. Their bodies have not been recovered, nor will they, I think. May the ancestors ever watch over them.

I ask you now, Uncle, for your help. I don't know what is to happen next, but more than ever, I need you. James is inconsolable and I dare not leave him. Please, come quickly.

Your niece,

Rin Kurosaki.

The half-demon eyed the hastily scrawled kanji, nodding in affirmation. The letter was brief and to the point; she could give her family the specifics later. Now, as to how to send this-

"Rin!" James's cry jerked Rin from her thoughts. Sticking the letter into her back pocket, the half-demon raced into her parents' bedroom. James, his hair tousled from sleep and his eyes brimming with tears, was struggling to sit up.

"James!" Rin reached for her brother, allowing the little boy to throw his arms around her. Rin wrapped her wings around them, encircling the siblings in the leathery membrane.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Don't go, Rin," James pleaded against his sister's shoulder. "Don't leave like-"

"I know." Rin felt yet another painful lurch in her chest as a memory rose behind her eyes.

"Don't go, Mother!"

"I'm not going anywhere, Isuzu." Mother's arms, soft and gentle and lacking wings enfolded her five-year-old body. "There, see? I'm here?"

"I want Father!"

"Isuzu... I want him too." Mother began to cry softly, her tears mingling with those of her daughter.

"Don't leave like Father did!"

Rin shook her head, hugging her little brother as she fought the urge to cry. No matter what happened, nothing was going to keep her from caring for James.

Nothing!
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"How sad..."

"Yes, such good people..."

"A lovely service..."

"The children..."

Words and phrases floated through the Trotter household, none of them meaning much to Rin. She had sat stone-faced throughout the memorial, not really paying much attention either to the tribute to her mother and stepfather nor to the looks people shot at her. The half-demon supposed it had something to with her state of dress. Perhaps she should have worn something a little more formal, like James had somehow managed to do. Rin allowed herself a bitter chuckle; she didn't pay attention to her clothes on a good day! What, when your parents suddenly died, you were expected to be conscious of fashion? Please, she hadn't even had it in her to yell at her neighbors in three days! Now that was cause for concern.

Speaking of concern, Rin glanced down at James. The two siblings were seated on the living room sofa in the center of an ebony sea. Someone had given James a plate of what looked like turkey and potatoes, but the little boy was just staring at it, his fingers running over his fork.

"Going to eat that?" Rin asked.

James shook his head, not meeting his sister's eyes.

"Have you eaten today?"

Again, that slow shake of his head. Rin sighed, leaning back against the sofa. "Yeah, I'm not hungry either," she admitted. Still, she didn't like the idea of James forgoing his food entirely. "Hey, take one bite? Just to tell me how it tastes?"

Almost automatically, James stabbed a piece of turkey and lifted it to his mouth. He chewed twice before swallowing it down.

"So?"

"It's okay," James answered.

"Yeah, about what I thought." Rin wondered if she could tempt her little brother with the cake one of the neighbors had made.

"Rin?"

"Huh? Yes?"

"May I go upstairs? I don't feel very good."

"Oh. Sure. C'mon, let's go." Rin led her brother upstairs, as she had done for the past five nights leading up to the memorial service. In a way, she was glad he wanted to go to bed so early. Rin had a feeling that now that the service was over, the business end of her mother and step-father's deaths would come into play. Rin gritted her teeth; tonight, she was going to sit Mary down and demand to know what the woman had been planning while Rin had been busy caring for James.

Rin watched as her brother readied himself for bed and crawled under his parents' quilt. His pleading gaze met Rin's golden eyes and she reached out to take his hand. James gripped Rin's hand, claws and all.

"Don't be scared. I'll be here." Rin tried to smile, but could only manage a weak grin. Still, James nodded and shut his eyes, pressing his cheek against Miranda's pillow.

"Couldn't leave even if I wanted to," Rin muttered. With her free hand, she felt her pocket. Her letter to her uncle was still nestled there. The young half-demon hadn't dared leaving to send it, considering what went into sending a letter to a demon lord.

"Maybe I should talk Uncle Takashi into getting a human post address." Rin tapped her bare foot against the carpet. Even her father had complained about the difficulty of communicating with his brother and she knew why. It wasn't as though a mailman would drop off a letter to a demon's manor! No, if someone wanted to write to a demon (and precious few humans did), they had better set aside two days just to send the damn thing! And that was if the writer knew where to mail his letter. Demons had- for lack of a better term- special post boxes that only other demons knew how to find. Rin knew where the closest one was to her, but getting there would take a full day and night! Glancing down at her sleeping brother, Rin knew she couldn't risk leaving him. Oh sure, someone like Mary would be happy to watch him, but James needed her more than Rin needed her uncle. Better to wait until James could either handle the separation or come with her.

"Rin?" A soft tap at the door caused Rin to whip her head around. A low growl came from her mouth as her eyes narrowed. Mary gasped and shrank against the doorway.

Oh fantastic. "Can I help you?" she hissed.

"Well, the lawyer handling your parents' affairs is here. Perhaps you'd like to-"

"Hai. I'm coming." Gently detaching her hand from James's, Rin followed her neighbor downstairs.
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"Well, your parents' memorial service is paid for, but the mortgage on your house-"

"We've never had trouble paying it before. Not now and not before my mother remarried," Rin pointed out.

"Well, yes, but most of the money left behind by a one Tomoko Kurosaki went into caring for the two of you before she married Mr. Henry Trotter. Between the two of them, they had just enough in the bank to pay for today's service."

"How much could it cost? We didn't have a proper funeral!"

"Young... lady, I don't expect you to understand-"

"Try me!" Rin crossed her arms and scowled. Across from her, the thoroughly unpleasant human by the name of Fred Sanders raised his eyes skyward.

"Rin, he's only doing his job." Rin shot Mary and Mary's husband Richard a hard look, but fell silent. Still, she wondered, did all lawyers have to be this obnoxious? Mr. Sanders sighed and continued his spiel, glancing down at his notes.

"As such, the bank has taken control of your house, which means it'll have to be sold as soon as possible. Furthermore-"

"Hold on, I have money!"

"Rin-"

"No, listen!" Rin waved a hand at Mary and addressed Fred. "My father's inheritance was split between Mother and me. I haven't touched mine!"

"And nor will you until you come of age. Which, may I remind you, that here in England, coming of age means eighteen years old." Oh, for the opportunity to wipe that sneer off the stupid lawyer's face...

"Can't you make an exception?" Rin asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

"I'm afraid not. You are, after all, still a minor, and I would need a guardian's permission to do that." Was it just her, or was Fred suppressing a laugh?

"Well, then, we'll just have to wait until my uncle gets here."

"Your... uncle?" Richard Williams asked, speaking for the first time.

"Hai. My uncle. You know, Lord of the Southern Bat Demons? I'm sure you've seen him once or twice."

"Is he aware of the situation?"

"Not yet. I'm just waiting to-"

"I'm sorry, but with your house up for sale by the bank, neither you nor your brother will be able to remain here. Thankfully, you'll be able to move in with your new guardians immediately."

"Wait, WHAT?" Rin held up her hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, who?"

"I have managed to track down your mother's sisters."

"My mother has sisters?"

"Half-sisters, to be exact," Fred affirmed. "Already, common ground, I imagine." He cocked an eye at Rin, who glared. "Your aunts were unable to attend the service, but they are prepared to take both you and your brother into their home tomorrow."

"Hold on! I've never even heard of these people and you're shipping me and James off to them tomorrow?" Rin's voice was nearly a shriek and she twitched her ear, listening for James. She didn't hear any footsteps, but he could very well be awake and listening. Lowering her voice, she asked,

"Don't you find it a little, oh I don't know, odd?"

"It seems your mother was raised by her maternal relatives following the death of your grandmother. Your aunts remained with their father. I assure you, they were just as surprised as you were."

"Not surprised enough to come today," Rin growled.

"Rin, they probably spent all day getting ready for you and James," Mary reasoned. "For all you know, they want the two of you to feel as welcome as possible."

"Be nice if I actually knew what they looked like."

"You'll have plenty of time to get to know them," Fred answered.

"What about me? Why can't I just take care of James? He and I grew up together; we know each other."

"Rin, you're not old enough," Richard told her. "Like Mr. Sanders said, you're still legally a minor."

"Richard's right," Mary agreed. "You're not ready for that kind of responsibility."

"Well, I'm willing to try!"

"I'm sure," Fred said, his tone dry. "But a little boy like your brother would be better off in more... mature hands." Fred's eyes darted to Rin's claws and the half-demon picked up his meaning.

"The let me take James to my uncle's family. He's met them. It'll be temporary, but-"

"You think taking a child who's been through a most traumatic experience out of the country is a good idea?" Fred asked, eyes narrowing.

"Considering we're visiting relatives-"

"Your relatives."

"My relatives, yes. But like I said-"

"I'm afraid the matter has been settled. Your aunts are willing to adopt the pair of you and considering you are almost of an age not to need a guardian, that was generous of them. You should be grateful."

"I would be if-"

"If you feel that strongly about it, though, you're welcome to go to your uncle." Rin froze, horror flooding her body. The lawyer's smirk, barely hidden by his black mustache, was all Rin needed to grasp the context of Fred's words.

"You mean, you'd split us up? Make me leave my brother?"

"If you feel that strongly-"

"I am NOT leaving James!"

"Then like I said, be grateful for your aunts. They live in the same county-not even that far, really- and are willing to care for children they themselves have never met."

"And if you feel you can be a suitable guardian, I'm sure Mr. Sanders can help make a case for you once you come of age," Mary added.

Oh yeah right. Rin didn't even need to look at Fred's smug face to know what he thought of that little plan. Pushing herself away from the table, Rin announced,

"I'm going to bed! Might as well make the most of my last night at home!"

"Before you know it, your aunts' house will feel like home!" Fred called after her.

Damn that lawyer and damn his stupid ideas and damn the bank and damn my aunts and damn... By the time Rin reached the top step, she had damned everyone in the entire south of England. With a heavy sigh, the young half-demon made her way back to her mother's bedroom. Thankfully, James was still fast asleep, his travel book clutched against his chest. Good, that meant Rin could break the news to him tomorrow.

Sleep well, little brother. If only for tonight. Rin sat against the wall and wrapped her wings around her body. The young half-demon hoped that she would be able to get some decent sleep.

She had a lot to do tomorrow.
~

If I had any idea of what the next day would bring, I would have taken James and run for Japan that night.