Marie wandered, stretching time that was already paper thin. I need to get back to Franken and Reina, but… Silver hair wasn't common, and the fact that she'd caught a face in the crowd more than once with it hadn't settled well with her. She held a mirror to her loneliness to create grief, playing the widow perfectly as she moved aimlessly through the next town. The main road was the real test as to whether or not that visitor would continue on her trail, so Marie held her breath at the first step onto the well-worn path.
It followed.
I need to get to Franken and Reina. That was much more than a thought– closer to an urge that was ingrained so deeply in her bones. And the only way I'm going to do that is if I take this into my own hands. She steadied herself as she took the first off-shoot into the forest, leaving the road behind.
Franken jumped, Reina trying to rip quickly away from him at the sound of footsteps. He clutched her instead, hand flat over that sweet mouth at the heaviness of each footfall. The gait was wrong, not the hip swaying movement of his wife but an easy, carefree gait that Franken tried to decipher in the shade of the inside of the hut.
"Franken, where the hell are you?"
He released the breath he'd held along with Reina, letting her wiggle from his arms. "Here."
The rickety door catapulted open, that bright smile and red hair glowing in the daylight. "Hey, Reina!"
"Hi, Uncle Spirit." She attempted a wisp of joy, but it withered. "Did you see Mama?"
"Marie's not here yet?" He offered a worried glance towards Franken who only shook his head. His brow crinkled. "Let me take Reina. You go and find her."
Franken's eyes blinked shut slowly, his lips giving way to neither a frown or a smile.
Reina's fists balled, knocking lightly into his chest. "Papa, go. I want Mama back."
That brought a sigh, but his eyes didn't open.
"Franken–"
He shook his head, centering himself before he lifted his lids again to gaze at his daughter. "Just wait a little longer."
Marie had no time to lament her yukata– pale blue now pockmarked with singes from the bombs that Eruka seemed to have an endless supply of. She was levitating one now, bobbing it in the breeze as if it were a creature with a life of its own. Hope only came in the form of Eruka's panting– her stamina obviously lesser than a woman who spent her mornings in the kitchen working, her afternoons mothering, and her evenings training.
There was something close to a pattern forming in Marie's mind as she watched each minute movement in this lengthy dance between her and that little witch. Franken might be the calculating one, but that didn't mean that Marie wasn't equipped with her fair share of tactics. After this last bomb, her thoughts had finally solidified and her hopes rested on that one singular swing.
She let Eruka release the bomb, making a strange trajectory like a bird of prey as it swooped towards her. Marie charged, meeting it at the halfway mark between them. Dodging only fooled it momentarily before Marie was sure it was zipping along behind her. There it was: Eruka's frantic hand movement as the distance between them closed. The bag must be tucked into her obi or somehow tied to her side, leaving only one clear point for impact.
The bomb was close, eminating an unearthly heat as if it were threatening to explode even without the impact. Marie just spun out of its trajectory, but as it started to make the swoop back in the small quarters between the two women, she was ready. The hammer that had replaced her hand swooped in, catching the bomb as it threatened to burst just in time to plant it tightly against Eruka's side with the swing.
The explosion was earth trembling, throwing Marie back into the dirt with a rib cracking yelp. It was nothing compared to Eruka's scream as it reverberated in the small glen they'd chosen as an arena. Marie knew the sound could bring nothing good so she forced herself to her knees, crawling across the dirt to Eruka's body.
There was a craterous hole in Eruka's side, dark pulsing blood quaking out of the remains of a bit of rib and some shiny organ. The girl was mewling, tears streaming from her eyes as Marie sat the hammer that sprung from her wrist at the dying woman's throat. "I know you're Medusa's girl. Is she coming next?"
Another whimper left Eruka's throat before a bubble of blood broke her lips. "N-no," her whisper was weak and trembling as more scarlet dribbled from the corner of her mouth. "C-Crona to Maka."
Marie swallowed the wave of rage, letting it instead be the fuel to pull back her arm. "Didn't I warn that bitch that all children are precious?"
Soul rubbed a hand over his face, letting the palm catch his yawn as it hit. They'd passed the fisherman's hut as the darkness started, continuing along the river from sunrise until the sun started to sink again. That grey recollection she'd given him of her mother's death was echoing in his head, drowning out some of the little quips that she was offering along the way.
"That's the eighth time you've yawned," she chided, but the smile she gave him was anything but rebuking. "We should be coming up on a cave soon. We can spend the night there."
He couldn't restrain the sigh of relief, and since the terrain allowed it, he picked up his steps enough to scoop her hand again. He only stole it for a squeeze, a message somewhere between thanks and adoration spelled out with his fingers. Maka accepted it, clutched to it as they continued with rest within their reach.
No matter Soul's excitement, some of it fizzled as she slowed near the mouth. "Someone made a fire here before." Her fingers slipped from his, kneeling down to examine the detritus as her eyebrows wrinkled. "It looks a day old, maybe two. I think it's safe, but–" Maka's lip buttoned as the soft sound of voices started around the bend of the rocks. She crouched at the ready, Soul looming over her with his eyes trained on the only entryway.
A man's face appeared first, registering surprise before attempting a smile. "Good evening." His long black hair had been tied back to expose sparkling sepia eyes. "Travelers?"
"Yeah," Soul offered shortly but tacked a smile on the end. "My wife and I."
His head tipped back, nodding at the hidden bit behind him before two more heads appeared. These were shorter, a boy and a girl that Soul could barely believe were making this kind of walk. The girl couldn't be much older than Reina, and while the boy was maybe nine or ten, he was scrawny. "We're traveling to their grandparents. Do you mind?" The man motioned towards the cave.
Soul dropped his glance to Maka.
"No, please." Maka stood, motioning towards the mouth. "Yuki was about to get some wood for the fire. I'm Shiori."
"Ah, this is Aoi and Haru. I'm Kaede." He pressed the children forward with their names, Haru skirting past them towards the cave while Aoi lingered near Maka's side.
"Nice to meet you." She shot a smile at the little girl before glancing at Soul. "Yuki? The wood."
He just resisted the frown. "You'll be alright?"
Maka giggled, waving a hand at him before sending an apologetic grin back to Kaede. "I'm sorry, my husband worries."
Kaede accepted the excuse amiably enough before moving to put his hands on Aoi's shoulders. "Newlyweds I take it?"
"See?" Maka offered another laugh as she raised her eyebrows at Soul. "It's obvious with the way you act."
He sucked his teeth in reply, throwing his hands up in defeat. "I'll get some firewood. Try not to talk too much about me." Turning his back on them didn't settle well, even with the idyllic picture the children painted. It's fine. There's no way he'd hurt her, not with the kids. They look a little worse for wear, but they're healthy enough. Don't look wild and willin' to kill for food.
None of that cleared the slate of his mind, making enough stories to last him all the while as he collected kindling and more. By the time he got back, there was nothing but the sweet melody of her voice coming from the inside of the cave, playing a tune he knew well. It was The Bamboo Cutter performed at her usual cheerful buzz and it pulled him towards the opening.
Haru was still warming—his back only just off the wall across from Maka—but Aoi was already practically in her lap as she read, eyes sparkling at the pictures. Kaede had left space, but examined the scene with an easy tilt to his head. As soon as Soul hit the threshold, he turned, smiling. "Let me help you with that."
Soul couldn't argue since firestarting wasn't exactly his specialty. Kaede took the lead, arranging the kindling carefully before starting to strike at it with the flint. "How far do you have to go?" Soul started, biting back the rest.
"Some ways yet," Kaede murmured through Soul's hesitation. "You don't have children yet, but you'll realize that they don't always do well with traveling." That came with a sullen laugh as the fire caught. Kaede started to stack the wood, careful not to smother what was there. "Do you have much longer yourselves?"
"Too far," Soul sighed, words finally laced with honesty. He was surprised the name came back to him easily as he transitioned back to the lies: "Shiori's family lives up north."
"Did they not come for the wedding?" Kaede's curiosity came genuinely, laced with a friendliness that made worry creep into Soul's gut.
He used it for embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… we married, but… guess we're gonna beg for forgiveness since I sorta rushed things without askin' for permission."
Kaede snorted a laugh. "Her father doesn't know?"
Soul winced.
"Then begging's the least you'll do." Both shared a laugh, bringing Maka up for air from her reading.
"You brought that with you?" Soul questioned over the start of the fire, the idea warming him just as much as the flame.
"Of course," Maka snapped but her smile gave her away. "I'd never leave behind a gift you've given me."
The surety of her words settled him, letting bask for at least a moment in the glow of all the new little pieces of joy around him.
Spirit had hoped the unveiling of the marbles would spark some excitement in Reina, but the little blonde head only bobbed momentarily before she sighed. "It's alright if you don't know how to play. I'll teach you." He grabbed the two shooter marbles out of the mix, offering one to her.
"It's okay, Uncle Spirit," she consoled half-heartedly as she took the bit of glass from him. "It's just… they remind me of the stones Shiro-chan used to give me."
"Is that one of your friends from home?"
She twirled the orb between her fingers. "Well, yes, but…" She tilted her head, watching the way the light caught the bit of green inside. "Papa said I'll get to see him again. He's coming with us because he married Maka."
Spirit stiffened as he clenched the marble in his newly made fist. "You like this Shiro-chan?"
"I love him," Reina corrected easily as she set the shooter against her thumb.
"Why?" He couldn't stop the question anymore than he could stop the way it wounded his heart. A guy I don't even know—didn't even get to meet—just marries her. Takes her away and–
"You just do," she answered with an authority beyond her years. "You meet him and you love him. You just do."
Spirit sucked his teeth. Bet he's some kind of smooth-talker. The quick motion from the hut caught his attention; the door slammed open and Franken moved swiftly past them on the lawn, flying towards the trees in a sprint. "Hey!"
"Papa!" Reina was up, but Spirit caught her, scooping her up into his arms. For a moment, he could swear it was Maka, but the beautiful memory was gone as soon as the little girl spoke again. "Let me down, Uncle Spirit!"
"Let's wait a minute, kiddo." He kept her perched in his arms, both staring at the dark shadow of the forest that had swallowed Franken.
The tension snapped at the ringing of Marie's voice: "Franken, put me down! It's not that serious." There was no reply, just the two of them coming into view. He was carrying her across the threshold, her yukata spattered with blood and black but her face mostly clear.
"Mama!" Reina yelped, renewing the struggle against Spirit until he had to relinquish her. She ran, tangling up in Franken's legs as soon as she reached him. "Papa, give me Mama! Let her go!"
"Inside, Reina," Franken ordered and the little girl swallowed it along with a sob.
"I'm okay, darling," Marie cooed as Franken brought her into the hut, Reina and Spirit filing in dutifully behind. Franken laid her on the makeshift bedding, his hands once freed, starting an instant search over her body. "My right arm and side," she murmured to give the chaos she felt leaking off of him some direction.
"Mama!" Reina's hands were on Marie's face, clearing hair and any debris so she could start to litter her cheeks with kisses.
Marie took a breath so deep before lifting her hand to start clearing the tears from her daughter's face. "It's alright. Mama's fine. Nothing serious. Papa will patch me up and then we'll go get Maka and Soul."
Reina was nodding with the plan before Franken cut in coldly, "You're not going anywhere." He was arranging bandages and salves, his glare focused on them but his orders were clear: "Spirit and I will go get Maka, Soul, and Star. You're going to rest here with Reina."
Oh, boy, even I know that tone's not gonna work with her! Spirit grimaced as he turned sideways from the conversation, trying to find something interesting in the doorway to the outside.
"Absolutely not," Marie snapped back. "If we go, we go as a family."
"You're hurt. Reina is tired. We'll lose time."
Just like Franken. Cold logic. In a second, Marie'll come back with that bleeding heart of hers. That brought his glance back to the pair, watching the two of them locked in a glare that was about to explode. How is it they made it when Rin and I–?
"I'm fine. Reina can be carried. There's no chance in hell I'm letting that bitch hurt those children, so even if you leave me behind I'll follow." Her lips set in a heavy frown while she used her uninjured arm to scoop her sobbing daughter closer.
"Marie…" Franken raised his hand from his work to rest on her neck. He hesitated, but in a moment he was pulling her closer, resting his forehead against hers. "I'll agree if you let me fight with Spirit."
Oh, fuck no! Spirit balked but bit his tongue, especially as Marie's doe eyes turned cold as they flicked to him.
"I am your weapon," Marie murmured.
"And my wife, who I need to protect our daughter." This was his order now as Franken put all the strength he could into his words. "Spirit will want to protect his, so let's let him do it right."
Marie sighed before tilting her head, letting a quick kiss speak her answer.
Soul had only gotten Maka to sleep after whispered promises of waking her up halfway through the night to change watch. The pleasant evening that had passed between them and the traveling family had not dissolved his anxieties, leaving him unable to sleep in the face of the 'what ifs.' They'd shared food, a fire, and a few more stories, but Soul still had an unsteady inkling creeping up and down his spine.
Aoi stirred, a bitterly mewling cry breaking through the quiet of the cave. Soul jumped, but Kaede seemed instantly tuned to it, lifting up from his slumber easily and gathering the little girl into his arms. He started a slow rock before blinking a few times, catching Soul's sitting form. "Can't sleep?"
Soul nodded.
"She has nightmares," he murmured as he continued to stroke the onyx hair she'd obviously inherited from her father.
"Same." Soul laughed bitterly.
"I think it's her mother," he murmured quietly as if only for himself.
Soul hesitated but still found the question inching off his tongue. "What happened to her?"
"There was a sickness a year back. It was Haru that got it"—he offered a fleeting glance over at his sleeping son—"but while Ayame nursed him back to health, she started to fade. Haru just barely recovered, but their mother never did. Both children haven't been right since she died. I suppose that's why I'm taking them to their grandparents. Maybe a fresh start–"
"It helps," Soul murmured. "Leavin' those memories behind, goin' back to family. It's a good idea."
Kaede laughed softly. "Thank you."
"Nothin' to really thank me for." Soul shrugged before letting a tender glance fall on Maka. "Sorta what I'm doin' now myself. Goin' with her is helpin' me forget. Givin' me a real chance."
"You're not going to miss any of it?" Kaede's eyes were still lingering over his daughter as if the question was more for her.
"No," Soul whispered with finality. "I've only taken the good with me anyway. There's no way I could regret it."
