"There's nothing to be scared of." I said as I smoothed over her hair. "It's just a thunder storm."
"Kazumi-san, its scarring me." She said as she hid her face in my kimono.
"Kazumi." I heard Sesshomaru call.
I turned around in time to see our uninvited guest throw her arms around Sesshomaru as she draped herself on him. Rin started to remover her face from my stomach, believing that her eyes would meet Sesshomaru knight-like form. I stared at the situation for a minute as time slowed down. Why wasn't he pushing her off? Why was he letting her do this in front of me? My eyes caught hold of the demoness' murky gray eyes laugh at me. They poked fun at me, toying with one of the few things I found value in. She was spiting me, taunting me, testing me once again and for the briefest moment, I gave in. I lost it. Everything was tinted red as I was pulled away from everything. I felt like everything that rode on my chest was lifted off in the mere seconds I lost my grip. Rin disappeared from my touch and mind as everything started to go numb. I felt conscious, yet unaware as beast growled with a ferocity that sent chills down my back. I had no idea what was happening, and I didn't care to find out. Before I could be forced away from the reigns that controlled my body, a blinding lightning strike made me recoil back to the driver's seat. I pulled Rin's head into my chest as I crouched down to cover her ears from the deafening blast that tore through the sky. It left my ears ringing, and my body shivering. I felt like my entire soul had been relentlessly questioned on its existence and its core beliefs. I wanted to slump over Rin and rely on her more than ever, but I knew she needed me to be strong. Her clenched grip on my arms forced me to stand, covering the sight I endured with my kimono.
I watched my hand's tumult as I tried to control the expressions that rose to my face. I patted Rin's head as I hid everything from her sight, including my distraught form. I opened my mouth to speak to her, but found that no words would leave. I cleared my throat of anxiety before trying again.
"Let's go Rin." I said as I led her away.
I ignored anything Sesshomaru had to say, turning the corner without daring to look back. I didn't have the strength to.
"Kazumi-san, Sesshomaru-sama- is"
I felt my heart hardening toward him, and felt it carry over to face. "It's fine. I want to make sure you aren't scared anymore. Let's go to your room."
"But Kazumi-san, I don't want to go back to my room! I'll just end up falling asleep."
"Then do you want to go to my room?"
"Sesshomaru-sama does not allow me in his room…"
I said nothing as I let her out of my hold and took her hand with a small smile instead. I led her to my room, and closed the door behind us. She sat on the bed as I threw away the untouched note I left on the table earlier in the day.
"What is it that you fret about?" I asked Rin as I sat next to her.
She pulled her knees onto the bed and held my cheeks as she stared into my eyes. "Something is wrong. I felt it in the thunder."
"Rin, you're being superstitious again." I said as I took her hands off of me.
"Kazumi-san, you seem stressed." She stated as she laid her head in my lap. "If something is wrong, please tell me."
I was quiet as I weaved my hand through her web like hair.
"I'm not a baby anymore."
"Yet you are not an adult." I added.
"Please tell me!"
"…I don't even understand it myself." I said as I shook my head with clouded vision. "I don't even understand." I repeated.
"Kazumi-san? Are you hurt?" She asked as she sat up.
I fell silent again as I wiped away my tears. "I… I just need to compose myself." I admitted.
Rin threw her arms around me, holding me tightly. "Don't cry, Kazumi-san. Please don't cry."
"I'm just overreacting." I stated. "It's no big deal."
"Kazumi-san, if there's anything you want to say…"
A roll of thunder interrupted our conversation, sending Rin flying into my arms with a small squeak.
I let out a small laugh as I held onto the precious girl.
"I'm serious! I want to help you too, Kazumi-san." She huffed from my chest.
"You've helped so much more than you think you have." I informed her with a sigh. "I wouldn't trade you for the world."
We sat there for a while before going to bed. Neither of us fell asleep immediately, but the silence eventually lulled Rin into sleep. I did not have as much luck. I was stuck playing with my hair as the voices within my head seemed to unmute themselves.
I'm telling you! Your foot is the size of your forearm! [I]
I won't be fooled by you again! [Myself]
I'm serious this time! [I]
Of COURSE you are! Last time you said that I ended up looking like an idiot! [Myself]
Try it out, and you'll see! [I]
Yeah right. You'll just end up pushing me or something. [Myself]
Then sit down and do it, you idiot. [I]
'Now I remember why I stopped listening to you guys.' [Me]
You never stop listening to us, it just an unconscious thing. When we're not the focus, we blur into the background and still help run things. [Myself]
Can you tell this idiot that your foot is as long as your forearm? [I]
'Be nice, and it's true.' [Me]
I TOLD YOU! [I]
Whatever. So what brings you to this part of town? [Myself]
'Nothing really. I couldn't sleep is all.' [Me]
I doubt that. [I]
'Is Beast around?' [Me]
She went off somewhere. She looked really pissed when she came back, do you know what's up with her? [Myself]
You'd think we'd know since we're all the same person. [I]
You must be in some serious self-denial about something. [Myself]
'Shut up.' [Me]
Whoa there, no need to be so hostile. [I]
'You're going to kill yourself.'[Beast]
'No need for snarling,' [Me]
'Give up on him. Let him feel your pain.' [Beast]
'That's extreme.' [Me]
'Kill or be killed.' [Beast]
'We're overreacting.' [Me]
'YOU'RE underreacting. I would have fought him over this by now.'[Myself]
'Have some faith.' [Me]
'Faith? He should know better to be alone with any woman but you. You have the right to be angry!' [Beast]
'That mentality destroys marriages.' [Me]
'If it were you, he'd have none of it.' [Beast]
'…' [Me]
'Have some backbone! Give him the cold shoulder! Show him that you won't tolerate it!' [Beast]
'I don't need you jumping to conclusions. And you assaulting my self-esteem isn't helping either.' [Me]
'If you had just let me deal with that bitch! I would have ripped off her head!' [Beast]
'I know. I must have felt the same way.' [Me]
'… Don't kill yourself with grief. You're one to do that.'[Beast]
I woke up to Rin smiling at me.
"Good morning, Kazumi-san." She said.
"Good morning, Rin." I said as I stretched
"Is there anything you want to do today?" She asked me as I sat up, rubbing my eyes.
"What are you talking about? We're going into town today. That's what you wanted."
She was a silent as the cogs in her brain went to work.
"If you are not feeling well, we can always go at a later date."
"That's not happening. We're going today. I could use some one-on-one time with my butterfly." I said as I ruffled her hair.
"Are you sure?" Rin asked.
"Of course! Go get dressed and we'll be off."
After a moment of contemplation, she gave in and scurried off to get dressed. I hopped out of bed and changed out of my nightgown and into a new kimono. I'd chosen a rather simplistic one, pure white with a red obi. I tied my hair into a ponytail only to take it down and let fan out around me. This way, the mark on my neck would be hidden. The world's a dangerous place. I didn't want someone to recognize who I was and then try to carry me away, or, at least, that as the excuse I would use. My fingers ran over the mark, sending and unfamiliar shock through my spine. I let my hand cover the mark as I tried to interpret the shock, but gave up when Rin returned to the room in a green kimono with leaves hidden within its fabric. She led the way out as I followed, a short distance behind her. She walked around a corner with her quickened pace, but I preferred to take my time. We had an entire day to fill. Pacing my energy now would give me more than enough energy to carry whatever we bought as a worn out Rin made her way back to the manor. When I reached the corner and my eyes connected with amber orbs, I made no hesitation to tear my gaze away and continue without pause. Beast's advice wasn't all bad. I wouldn't indulge him in anything. He'd have to fight to get anything from me, including my attenetion.
"Kazumi, I will speak with you once you return."
"Hn." I replied as I walked past him.
It was his arm that brought me to a halt. He wrapped me in his embrace in before whispering to me.
"You did not come to bed last night."
I looked him in the eyes before responding. "I was returning the favor."
I didn't have the courage to push him away, but I did unravel myself from his hold as Rin called for me to hurry.
It was a short walk as we transitioned from the manor to the town. Once we got to the market, we looked around, eyeing different vendor stalls. I was prepared to buy whatever Rin wanted, but she didn't ask for much. We got some food and a couple of accessories, and that was about it. However, the small talk we had throughout our day in town as unforgettable. I knew Rin had a good sense of humor, but I didn't realize how much it had matured. She was definitely growing into a wonderful woman. When I mentioned Bunny-chan, her face glowed a red brighter than Christmas lights. We stopped here and there, looking at different tailors. Maybe we would get new kimonos. We don't have many simple kimonos. It would be nice to add one more to the array of choices we have. When I asked what Rin thought about getting simpler kimonos, she shook her head, saying that she had more than enough, and that it didn't matter if the kimonos were extravagant or simple.
"Then what else do we get?" I asked her.
"Well… maybe I do want a new kimono…"
"Do you, or do you not?"
"I don't want to wait to be measured…"
"If you want one, it's best to get it done now."
The girl was quiet as she made up her mind. I looked through the available fabrics. I was glad that I had gotten Rin's mind to center around something other than me. I don't enjoy having people telling me that Sesshomaru would eventually leave me for someone else, and the last thing I want is someone putting that idea in Rin's head. Of course I don't believe them, but having that droned into my ears by several people didn't make me feel better, and the fact that someone was blatantly trying to make it happen... it's frustrating. I needed some time away from everything to cool my head. I couldn't be happier that Rin made this request.
I found some fabric with a beautiful magnolia pattern etched into it. I know I said I'd go simple, and compared to some of the stuff I've worn, this isn't off by a longshot. I turned and saw that Rin had picked out a peach colored roll of fabric for herself. We got our measurements taken and agreed on a date to pick up the clothing, all within twenty minutes, a personal best for me. After that, we went further down the street to a stand that was selling some books. Rin and I took a look through the selection. None of the books interested me, but Rin found one on herbs that interested her. With all the books she's read, I'm not too surprised about her interest in plants. As I paid for the book, which was really just a conglomerate of papers tied together with rope- Rin went looking for another one.
When the book was fully paid for, my ears twitched as I heard commotion behind me. My brows furrowed as a smell of tar, alcohol, sweat, and smoke wafted into my nose. My mood took a steep decline as beast burned my chest like acid. When I turned and faced the demon that smelled as though it hadn't bathed in months, I saw that it had its dirty hands on Rin. It's unnecessary to say, but that didn't help my mood.
"Let go of her." I commanded as calmly as my voice was going to get.
"Such a rare catch, a little human girl that can read! Who knows how much this one will make me."
This man messed with the wrong woman. He already had so much against him: I was in a less than delightful mood, he smelled like shit, and now I have to add the fact that he's a human trafficker. Oh, the hell I was about to unleash. No one was going to do anything to Rin. I was going to make that more than clear.
"I will not repeat myself." I said, feeling myself slip away.
"Don't worry, I'll get to you soon enough." the man laughed as he tilted his head toward me.
Three other men came from the shadows, each having no scent.
"You know what? This'll be great. Rin, close your eyes." I said as I conceded everything to beast.
"Rin? Oh, could it be the Lady of the West and the human brat that lives with her? There's no calling for your mate now. You should really watch what you ingest in these streets." The man whose smell offended me said. "You're just a glass figurine. You can't do anything to us without that dog of yours."
"You insult me, and my mate?" Beast asked as she cracked my knuckles before staring at the bastard holding Rin.
The man went quiet as he and his accomplices realized the gravity of the situation. Beast's gaze must have hinted at the fact that Sesshomaru wasn't going to be called upon. As if that wasn't enough, Beast spoke to make sure even the dumbest of the four understood what she meant.
"You have assaulted me verbally, and threatened me physically. You will be lucky if I leave you on the doorstep of death instead of casting you into the furnace of hell."
I watched silently as beast let her presence be known. I've never seen beast fight while angry. I've never let her fight from the get-go and without interruption. Let's see how this goes.
"You've never fought a single battle! Do you think you can intimidate us?!" The wretch shouted, trying to give his cohorts morale.
"Come at me then, if you are so sure." Beast scoffed.
There was a pause of silence as no one made a move.
"Come on now, don't go around blasting that mouth of yours if you're not going to backup what you say." Beast condemned playfully.
"What are you waiting for? Get her!" The demon screamed.
One of the three who arrived at the scene later charged at me with a club and a battle cry, only to be silenced when beast caught his hand, disarmed it, and used it to send the blood curdling sound of cracking bone through the air. Screams followed the cracks shortly before being hushed by the thud of a body falling to the ground. A malevolent boot held the man's head to the ground in a way similar to how it held Jaken down years ago, but without a demon lord's gaze to stop her foot's insistent force.
"Is that all?" Beast questioned. "I should have expected as much when no one rushed into the fight."
The man's screams came back as his chest was filled with air to use.
"Kazumi-san?" Rin called in a shaking voice.
"Keep your eyes and ears closed, dear." Beast instructed as she moved her feet to the man's chest and started to imbed them into his ribs.
Beast watched with softened eyes as Rin nodded her head and covered her ears and shut her eyes tight. Once the child stopped moving, her eyes hardened as they stared into the perverted soul that held Rin captive. After kicking the man beneath her into an unfortunate stack of barrels, she turned toward her entire body and attention to the putrid smelling man. The domineering presence that hung over her shoulders assaulted the man's senses, muffling all of his senses except his sense of fear. When she stepped toward him, he immediately released Rin and backed away. Rin ran out of the battlefield and next to the bookstore vendor as Beast stepped into the midst of the three remaining men with a sweet smirk.
