Chapter 12: The Secret and the Deal

A/N: I'm finally updating! I'm so sorry it took so long but I was finishing my book and then there were finals and you know how life just gets hectic. But now here it is. Oh, by the way, I'm a little confused by one review I got that said my character was a whore. Question: How is she a whore when she hasn't done anything with anybody?

My name is Kanzaki, Hitomi Kanzaki.

Karina looked blankly at the woman; was she supposed to have some idea of who that was? She glanced at Dilandau, wondering if he had the faintest clue as to who the hell Hitomi' was, and saw an expression not unlike the one he'd had when he'd threatened to kill her.

he spat out, glaring at Hitomi with a look that could have frozen seasoned warriors with terror.

Hitomi smiled slightly. So pleased to see you again, Dilandau.That's Lord Dilandau to you. He surveyed her and smirked. You're getting more and more like that righteous bastard husband of yours every day.

Karina looked from Dilandau to Hitomi and back to Dilandau again. She had never seen him in a mood quite like this; she had seen bloodlust in his eyes before, but it had never been quite so... focused on one person, not even on her when he had been desperate for her blood. What was she thinking? He was still desperate for her blood.

I must be missing something, she cut in, putting a stop to their exchange of insults before Dilandau decided to wipe the walls with her prisoner. I'm gonna take a leap now and say you've met before.

Their staring contest went unbroken, only a slight smirk curving Dilandau's lips and the deepening fear in Hitomi's eyes giving any indication they had heard her.

And I'm going to guess you didn't like each other very much.

Dilandau finally ripped his eyes from the prisoner and muttered sarcastically, You, woman, have a talent for understatement.You know, Dilandau, if you'd like the other cheek scarred as well I'm sure Van would love to see you again. Hitomi taunted, more confident now that his piercing eyes weren't directed at her. As a matter of fact—Shut up! Shut up! he shouted, lunging at the prophet in his rage. Karina managed to restrain him, barely, gripping his arms and pulling him back with all her might.

she yelled in his ear, Calm the hell down!

To her amazement, he quieted a little, his muscles relaxing against her hands. With one hand still grasping his arm she dragged him outside the cell, fury written on her features.

What the hell was that? she demanded once she had closed the door to the prison.

That was the Mystic Moon bitch about to get her commupance if you hadn't interrupted me. he grumbled angrily. He wasn't looking at her; his eyes were fixed hungrily on the cell, as if he could kill her with his mind if he tried hard enough. He sighed. Too bad Karina wasn't the sort to kill people on command.

You can't go around killing prisoners when they're needed for interrogation. It's stupid and it'll piss Folken off.Wouldn't want to irritate your lover now, would we? he said maliciously. It was strange how sour that phrase tasted in his mouth, how he felt he needed to wash his tongue just by saying it.

He's not my lover. she said defensively. And right now I have a prisoner to interrogate. You're going to wait outside.Like hell I am. I'm your General, your superior.You're not my General. I'm not a soldier and therefore not under your command.I'm still coming in.If you attack her again I will do something to you that you won't like.Like what?I'll read your mind.

Dilandau swallowed a little. When had she become so good at reading him? And why did she know that even with the thought that someday soon she could kill him just by thinking it, the thought that scared him most was the idea that she could see into him?

I won't attack her. The whore isn't worth my time anyway.

They stepped back into the little stone room then, Karina with a forced smile plastered on her face, Dilandau with an annoyed frown much like the look of a spoiled child who hadn't gotten his way.

Hitomi smiled at Karina, a sweet smile in contrast with the cold one she had given Dilandau. I thought you guys were going to leave me alone again. And even though you're going to interrogate me or whatever, it's better than being down here alone. Especially since I don't know a thing.Either way I have to interrogate you, Karina stated in a very business-like manner. So let's get this started. I need your hands, please.What? Why?She's not a usual interrogator. Dilandau said smoothly, She has other methods of getting information.What methods? Hitomi asked, holding out her hands, and Karina could hear a little bit of fear in her voice.

You'll see.

Karina glared at Dilandau before taking Hitomi's hands in her own. She didn't need the girl being terrified when she went into her mind. It wouldn't be pleasant for either of them that way. She closed her eyes and searched for the familiar feeling of the mind, the house that would show her the world if she asked it to.

Hitomi's house was remarkably like her—neat, well-kept, and charming. Gingerbread trim lined the roof and windows, and the whole thing was colored a cheerful lavender that made Karina want to gag. She marched up to the door as she had done in her last interrogation, rapping on the wood with a few quick strokes.

Hitomi herself answered the door, wearing a light summer dress, all flowered and green, matching her eyes and bringing the striking color of them even more to life.

Welcome to my home, the figure of Hitomi greeted her warmly. Make yourself at home, have a look around if you wish, as long you don't look anywhere I don't want you to go.Those are the places I need to go, I have to go there, Karina protested. Those places were the only areas she could possibly get the information she needed. Though she wasn't entirely sure what she was looking for.

I'm sorry but I won't allow you to go into such places. Hitomi said, sounding genuinely apologetic.

I'm afraid you don't have a choice. Karina moved down the hallway and pulled on the handle to the first door. It was unlocked, something which didn't surprise her at all. She moved on to the next one—nobody kept their secrets in unlocked rooms—and to her delight, it was locked. She placed her hands on it, feeling the locks resisting her power, and urged them to move, commanded the tumblers to slip into their places and obey her. The door creaked open a little, but before she could step inside it slammed shut in her face.

You've underestimated me, telepath. Hitomi stated smugly behind her. You can't see what I don't want you to see.Then tell me what I need to know, and I'll just figure out whether you're lying or not.Do you know what it is you're required to find out? Hitomi asked curiously, guiding Karina down the hall and away from the locked door.

Karina lied without blinking an eye.

You're a good liar. Hitomi smiled at her. I don't think I want you leaving my mind quite yet. I think we ought to explore your mind while we're here.We're in your mind, Hitomi, not mine, Karina pointed out.

It doesn't matter. Your mind is in contact with mine, so it's reasonable to say that your mind is as vulnerable as mine right now.Only to a telepath. Which you're— Hitomi finished. Just because I'm not a telepath doesn't mean I can't find things out about you. Let's start with why you don't think of your home.I don't have a home. Karina said shortly. This couldn't be happening, not to her. She was interrogating a prisoner, not visiting a shrink.

But you did. What happened, Karina? Why did they kick you out? Why are you going to go back to the Vione and cry about this?You don't know I'm gonna do that.I'm a prophet. What do I know if not the future?I read about you. Karina said suddenly, realizing for the first time why the name had sounded so familiar. You came here to change the fate of Gaea, and you did. You changed it and then came back and married the Dragon, the king of Fanelia. That's why you—that's why they want me to—Yes. I'm from earth, too. And I did return and marry Van and they want you to interrogate me to see if he plans on attacking Zaibach. The answer is no, in case you were wondering. But I was really enjoying this little session of delving into the mind of a telepath. It's an unusual experience.The history books portrayed you somewhat differently. Karina observed as she sat down in a plush chair by the window.

I've lived in a country that had been burned to the ground, I went through a war, and I've lived with the knowledge of the future for several years now. A girl learns a lot, learns to believe in very few things, and one of those is myself.You sound a lot like me.I think my past was happier than yours, though.You don't know shit about my past. You don't know what they did to me, you don't know how it happened, you don't even know why I'm here. Hell, I don't even know why I'm here.Did he threaten you? Is that why you put the knife to his throat? Hitomi asked gently.

How the hell do you— but the answer was before her. The last hour spent at her home was playing in front of her on a giant white screen, looking as if it had been filmed for the movies. All the lines were a little blurry, as if it had been taken from a horrifying dream, but she could remember the details as clearly as if it had happened three days ago, not three years ago.

He did. He tried to force himself on you, didn't he? And you did the only thing you could think of. You put a knife to his throat and told him to get the hell away. Hitomi's voice was so sympathetic, so compassionate, that Karina felt the tears pricking her eyes, threatening to fall.

she whispered. But when they came in they didn't believe me. My own mother told me that I was a stupid whore and that if I was going to try to kill her husband I should leave and never come back. So I did.I'm sorry I made you relive it.Don't be. I would have made you relive all of your worst memories if it had meant getting the information I wanted. But you weren't lying when you said your country isn't going to attack, so now I don't have to.I don't know what they're going to do to me after you leave. Hitomi began slowly, her voice not quite as steady as it had been a moment before. And I'm not sure if—if—Don't worry, Hitomi, you'll get home safely. As long as nobody ever hears of my past then I can promise your safety.Are you striking a deal with me, Telepath?The name's Karina, and yes, I am.

A/N: How was that? I know that wasn't quite as much of Karina's past as some of you wanted, but you're gonna have to deal with that for now. More will come in time. Muahahahahahahaha! Anyhoo. Review for me pretty please!