"You want to know what my mother was like?"

"Yes, " Raikou nods. "If that is alright with you. You don't have to share anything you don't want."

Ritsuka sighs, before shaking her head. She puts her cup down on the table. "No… it's fine. But… I don't think it's not a story you want to hear."

"You can trust me, master."

Ritsuka chuckles, dryly. "Suit yourself." She downed the last of her drink and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "My mother, huh?"

Raikou could see it was an obvious touchy subject for her, & while she didn't want to make her master uncomfortable she was also curious.

"My mother… was not a very good person." Ritsuka says, gnawing at her lip. She takes the cup in her hands and smiles bitterly. She thought she was over it but talking about it just brought back bad memories.

It always did.

She rubs the back of her head, trying to quell the headache in her temples before deciding to rest her hands on her lap.

"My mother was the type of person who screamed a lot. She never apologizes for her actions and as you can imagine I was most often the target for her outbursts," Ritsuka laments, clenching her fists. "Everything she touches- she destroys." Ritsuka swallows, licking her lips.

"You're just like your-. Why can't you do anything right. Stop frowning, you look like a dog," her mother's voice says.

Ritsuka glares back, biting her lip and steps forward. She takes a second to look her mother up and down. "And you're nothing but a vindictive bitch. It's no wonder you're miserable."

"Just like you, kiddo."

The blood rushes to her eyes and then- her hands are glued to the glass bottle, swinging it down on-

All she sees is red, red everywhere. On her hands, in her-

and she smiles.

She doesn't look Raikou in the eye. Too full of shame- like her mother said she was.

"Do you hate your mother?"

Ritsuka laughs again, rolling her fingers back and forth. She gives a small nod, "I've always have," she confesses. Ever since she was a child, Ritsuka had wondered what was wrong with her mother, the woman had been nothing but a nightmare. A monster, a demon far worse than the enemies she faced. She plays with her mug, tossing it back and forth to distract herself.

Raikou tried to hold her hand but Ritsuka flinches and pulls her hand back.

"Sorry, I don't like getting touched."

Raikou nods, in understanding.

"Sometimes I wish she were dead, you know." And then a whisper, "Life would be so much easier that way."

It's then that Raikou realizes what her master means; as a mother herself she could never fathom laying a hand on her children much less Kintoki.

Ritsuka is struggling like the rest of the wounded children and Raikou's heart aches.

The scene breaks her heart.

She sees the hurt in her master's eyes, as clear as day. Raikou desperately wanted to reach out and hug her but her heart dropped when the young woman flinched right as she was about to hold her.

Raikou wasn't a fool.

That kind of reaction she had seen countless times from injured children to wounded wife's.

For once she finally understands what Ritsuka is trying to say.

Forgiveness wasn't on the table, the layers of hurt she had endured over the years couldn't be swept under the rug that easily.

All Raikou could do was listen and be there for her.

Because no matter how hard you try, some scars never heal.

"I wish she was dead," Ritsuka whispers again, her voice shaking. A tear rolls down her cheek, as she continues. "It's not fair that everyone else gets a happy family while I'm stuck with her… it's just not fucking fair."

"Life isn't fair."

"You think I don't know that?" Ritsuka hisses, her voice breaking. Her hand wraps around the mug, "all I ever wanted was a normal family. A normal life," she says.

Raikou remains silent.

"I just want to be happy, for once in my life."