Kit lay on her stomach on the bed, looking at the wall.
Brooding wasn't something she often did, since whatever actions she took she knew she could handle.
But she hadn't expected this…
She'd really TRUSTED Kasai…
She'd almost given him her first kiss, even…
Rolling over onto her back, she looked at the dress she'd thrown on the floor.
She'd immediately pulled it off and changed into her 'leisure clothes', a pair of short shorts and a belly shirt.
With a groan, she rubbed her eyes.
This was all so DIFFICULT for her…
She didn't understand what was going on, what was wrong…
'Why me?' She wondered for the fifth time since the party.
It was a justified question, really.
Only a few months ago, she realized she was a guardian of the gate to hell.
And now, in the past couple of days, she learned she was a princess, her parents were alive, and NOW someone was after her because of a war she didn't understand.
As if THAT wasn't a pull on her tail, she really LIKED someone that was, rather obviously, supposed to be her enemy.
Furrowing her brow and letting her head hang backwards off the bed, she looked at the floor.
Her hair was loose, and fell to the floor like a silver waterfall.
'He was just acting…the whole time, it was just an act…'
A growl built in her chest, rumbling through her veins, but it softened, hitting something it couldn't break.
Kit couldn't really name the emotion, but it warmed her blood like anger, and soothed her muscles.
Sitting up again, she tried to understand it when a breeze sent goose bumps across her skin.
Looking behind her, she found that the window was open.
She furrowed her brow, eyes untrusting.
'I don't remember leaving it open…'
Her skin shuddered with the cold, and her eyes narrowed.
Something moved in the shadows out of the corner of her eye, and whipped around only to have someone grab her wrist.
Being pulled to the ground and held down, she growled.
Looking up, she saw Kasai, who seemed genuinely worried.
"What do you want?" She spat, her tone not as harsh as she would've liked.
"I'm here to warn you." He whispered.
"Of what?"
He looked around worriedly.
"He's coming to get you, Assarishita. You're in danger, no matter where you go."
Her brow furrowed as a frown spread across her face.
"Then why are you telling me? I thought you were on HIS side."
"He's a vampire. He can control me. But I managed to break free for a short time."
He looked at her pleadingly.
"PLEASE, heed my warning."
"Why do you care?"
"…I really do care for you. He just knew you'd do the same…"
"…Why?"
"…It's…he put a spell on you in your dreams…the bruise is a symbol…"
He got off warily, unsure if she'd attack.
"…I'm sorry…"
Kit sat up, looking at him.
"…I guess it wasn't your fault…"
He headed for the window, stopping.
"…I must leave…be careful…"
"I always am."
He left like a blur, and she looked out the window to see his shape grow larger as it disappeared, transforming…
Resting her head on the window frame, she sighed.
'…I don't know why I still believe him…why I still trust him…'
Her heart twisted at the thought of hating him.
'…I don't even know what's going on with me…'
--
With a jump and a twist, Kit managed a complicated maneuver in the air, landing lightly on her feet.
She needed some practice thanks to the downtime from her sickness and injury, and she was eager to show off.
Doing open-handed sequences her sensei called kata, she managed to have quite an audience.
When she stopped, grinning hugely, she almost looked through the crowd for Kasai.
She bit the inside of her cheek for the thought, and went back to her exercise.
Tena raised her head to the horizon, and neighed.
Kit paused, and looked at the large horse.
The mare tossed her head toward the horizon, pawing the grass.
"Is something there, girl?"
The neigh she received seemed an affirmative, and Kit turned to grab her jacket.
Wearing only sweats and a tank top, she'd need something warm for outside the shield.
"Then let's check it out."
Jumping onto the broad back, she gripped the thick mane as large wings beat heavily.
As Tena flew towards the snow, Kit braced herself for the chill.
It hit her like ice spears, but she only shivered.
Something came into sight as the horse flew higher, and Kit strained her eyes to see.
'An army?'
Pulling back so Tena stopped, she looked closer.
'…Aw shit…'
Panicking, she put a 'paw' on Tena's neck.
"Come on. We need to go back."
The horse seemed to nod, flying back as fast as her massive wings would allow.
When they landed in the grass, Kit jumped off and ran into the castle.
Seeing her mother, she skidded to a stop.
"MOM!"
The angel turned, looking worried.
"Is something wrong?"
"They're coming…" The cat-girl panted.
"A whole army of them…"
Surprise crossed her face, and her wings spread.
"…I'll tell Tenma…"
"I'll tell the others."
The two separated, one basically flying up the steps of the stairs, as the other literally FLEW through the halls.
"RED! ABE! LIZZIE!"
"What is it, kid?" Hellboy asked sleepily.
He ALWAYS slept in…
"Army-Ookami-Battle-Danger-NOW!!"
"…Are ya feeling okay?"
"DANGER, man! DANGER!" She emphasized.
"Where's Lizzie? And Abe?"
"Sleeping, unlike ya…"
"Red, no time for jokes." She said seriously.
"We have an army of demons heading our way, damn it! So get ready while I wake the others!"
A bit surprised by her seriousness, Hellboy nodded.
Kit ran to the other rooms, banging the doors open and shouting for them to get battle-ready before she ran for her own room.
Changing into her mission clothes, she strapped on her katana before running back out.
Seeing the others come out, she told them to go downstairs before doing the same, running out to the pastures.
Going to the stables she'd found there, she pulled out a bit, bridle, saddle, and armor for Tena.
Once she put it on and clicked on the reins, she led the large horse out of the sheltered stable.
"Ready for war?"
She looked up at her 'father', and glared.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Well, you won't be participating."
Her eyes hardened as she frowned.
"Like hell I won't. I'm your only chance."
Her 'paws' glowed.
"Or did you forget?"
"Then it's your life."
"It always has been." She retorted, jumping onto the horse.
"Where are the soldiers?"
"Going out already. I'll be there soon."
"Great…" She replied sarcastically, and Tena started cantering towards the castle.
Seeing Hellboy, she smirked.
"Ready, big guy?"
"…I'm not going on that thing, am I?"
She put on a mock-hurt face.
"She's a girl, Red. And why not? Are you scared?"
Even the horse snickered, and Hellboy grumbled before getting on.
Liz and Abe decided to go with the soldiers and Kit's parents, so those two took off.
Hellboy gripped tighter the higher Tena flew, and Kit snickered.
He smacked her upside the head, and she pouted at him as she rubbed the spot.
"Can't take a joke…"
"Neither can ya."
"…True…"
Going through the shield, Kit shuddered in the cold.
"I HATE the cold…" She grumbled.
"You're lucky you can stay warm…"
Seeing the two large masses of demons moving towards each other, she steered Tena to fly closer.
Seeing two individual forms move from the masses and towards each other, she landed Tena in the white divide.
Seeing her 'father' and the evil vampire from the day before, she bristled.
Tena pawed the ground nervously, arching her neck.
Patting the thick neck, Kit watched the scene before her warily.
'I just KNOW this isn't going to end well…'