Chapter 21 – Glaciated Reunion

Death the Kid

Saturday

I was able to time my arrival at the apartment a few minutes before the scheduled meeting time with Justin. If I was lucky this would be over quickly. Sai and I might actually have a chance to see each other outside of Shibusen with our gaggle of companions tagging along.

I don't tend to get lucky like that often. As such, it didn't seem rational pinning my hopes on it like I had the previous weekend.

I opted to wear all-white. It was a cool afternoon, so I selected a longer jacket, and woolen pants. Father says white makes me look imposing, and I wanted that. I needed to look like someone who was impressive and knew where they stood.

I knocked at the door lightly and Sai answered after only one knock. I wondered if she had been waiting for me.

Her clothes were simple. A white t-shirt and a black mini-skirt, with her lace-up platforms. And I would be lying it I didn't admit I preferred the skirt over her usual black pants. I did take a moment to notice that she wore the button I had given on her shirt. Maybe she's starting to feel more comfortable with Shibusen, I debated.

"Hey, come in." Sai allowed me to step around her and into the room. "I like the white. It makes you look less intimidating."

I blinked, and scratched the back of my head with my right hand. "I'm not sure that's a good quality or not in this situation."

She showed a crooked smile. "You don't have to be anything this time. I do. Just being here is enough."

"You don't have to be anything to anyone other than you." I told her. It sounded both convoluted and more profound than I had expected.

"Thank you." She simply said, with a sad smile on her face.

There was a knock at the door, and I turned towards the sound.

"I'll get it." I told her. She gave me a nod, took a seat on the far couch, and crossed her legs. I tried to focus on answering the door instead of her. It was a simple task that I nearly failed.

On the second set of knocks I pulled open the front door. There was a blond haired, blue-eyed man in brown and white priestly robes standing in the hall.

"Justin, welcome." I told him flatly. If he upsets Sai, he was one of the last people I wanted to see, I decided.

Justin inhaled noisily, and then made a showing of exhaling. "Ah, Shinigami-kun. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you, but alas I am."

As I stepped out of the way to allow Justin in, I tried to play up my importance in the situation. "I tend to be around here often nowadays."

He gave me a quick nod. "I am sure. And that is something I wanted to discuss with you."

I eyed him, but didn't get a chance to formulate a question. Justin took a seat on the couch the opposite of Sai, I leaned against the arm of Justin's couch at his left.

Sai didn't plan to waste time it seemed. She must be as anxious to have this done with as I was. "So why are you in the U.S., Justin? You didn't come here just to bother me, I assume." Sai questioned.

His answer was to the point. "You're not reason I came, true. I'm here on business for Shinigami-sama."

I watched his movements closely. He was calm, almost too calm. "What are you doing for my father?" I asked, trying to keep my tone even.

He glanced at me. "My sincerest apologies Shinigami-kun; I'm not at liberty to discuss it with anyone besides him."

I didn't like his answer; my brow furrowed.

Sai seemed to need answers, and didn't want to wait. "Are you here because of my father?"

He looked at her, looking mildly annoyed. "I just said I'm not at liberty to discuss."

Sai eyed me, and then looked back at Justin. "Alright then, fine. If Shinigami-sama was your reason, and you've met with him, why are you still here? I admit to hoping I'd get a denial on the invitation today because you had to leave."

Justin chortled, but it appeared to be forced. "You appear to be anxious to be rid of me. You can't run away from the past that easily." He shifted in his seat.

She scowled at him. "I'm not running from anything; I just don't want you in my house, at my school, or bothering my friends."

"I believe you leaving Iceland abruptly was just that – oh, by the way, you're welcome to stop running at this point in time and join the convent. I think even you would be impressed with the Hallgrímskirkja." (1)

"Stop trying to suck me into your cult, it makes me sick. And says the man who left me to fend for myself on the Langjökull." (2)

I shifted in place. It felt like I was missing a key piece of information. "Why did you leave her there? That seems to be a real issue perturbing Sai."

There was a strange sense of pride in Justin's blue eyes. "Because she needed to learn to control herself, she is a loose cannon as I said."

Sai shook her head. "Stop mocking him Justin, it's rude."

I knew I was missing something, but I played along. "I think she has good control."

Sai growled. "I hate this game. Tell him the truth, damnit." She demanded of Justin.

Justin stared her down, and then appeared to mock her. "What? You want me to tell him how abnormal you are?"

As soon as I heard him say "abnormal" I knew the meeting wouldn't remain civilized for much longer. My mind wandered back to being that child who was berated in school for being different.

Sai looked to be getting frustrated with Justin's blatant indifference to her previous frustration. "He already knows that part! You're always like this, acting superior. Tell him why you left me there. Just answer the damn question."

He stared at her. "Your existence endangers people. He should know that. I left you there on the mountain because the people in the small towns were afraid of you. I went to join the church to repent for both of our sins. We are both not meant to exist."

I was shocked. "Did you leave her there to die?"

Justin ignored my question.

"Finally." Sai sighed, but her anger appeared to resurface. "Too bad the only person in danger is you, right this moment, Justin. Why are you still in Death City?"

All of the humor appeared to drain from Justin's face. "You want to know why I agreed to come to this little inquisition, as well? I came here him to warn him." He pointed in my direction. "About the unholy monster you are."

"You still believe the stories?" Sai demanded to know, sitting upright suddenly. "Those people still believe all Meisters and Weapons are witches!"

Justin pointed at her. "Your abilities are abnormal; you are closer to being a witch than a Meister. You should repent as well."

I needed more information. "What stories?" I asked.

She was irate. "Repent?! I've done nothing wrong!"

Sai took a moment, and then looked at me, calmer. "The stories that say that those who are Independent Weapons are the anomalous spawn of witches and Weapons."

I tried to keep my head cool; I leaned against the couch with arms now crossed. I wanted to direct some of the attacks at myself to alleviate Sai's burden. "By the way Justin, why should you be allowed to judge what's normal or abnormal? Does your dogma give you that right? And are you going to call me abnormal for being a Shinigami?"

The question didn't appear to faze him, and he didn't address me face-to-face. "You are splitting hairs on my point, Shinigami-kun."

I shook my head. "No, actually, I believe I'm quite on the mark with this point. You're calling her strange and wrong because she's different, just like those who you despise. Who gave you the right to make that decision?"

Justin now looked at me, yet gesticulated with his right hand towards Sai. "She is abnormal. Her abilities do not even fit within into the scheme of normal 'Eater' abilities that her family has. She is an outlier on the Soul Consumption charts. We don't know the depth of her real abilities. So it is with that knowledge I believe you're being irrational in wanting to be so close to her."

I eyed Sai and then let my gaze return to Justin. "Don't point at her, it's rude. And I know the story about the 'Eater' ability. She's never done anything wrong. You want to lock her up existence for something she's never done and that may never happen."

He sat forward in his seat and half-turned towards me. "And what if it does? In all due respect, why are you risking your life to protect someone like her? You're a Meister and the son of Shinigami-sama. You're of great value. Liking her may get you killed, and I would assume both you and your father are against that."

I was growing irate."Excuse me, 'someone like her'? Are you telling me even liking her is wrong? She is still human, and I choose to like her. It's my business, alone."

Justin leaned back and straightened his sleeves. "She may be 'human' but I'm saying you're needlessly endangering yourself for someone with a latent, monstrous nature. I'm trying to protect you as…"

I stepped in front of Justin and grabbed the front of his robe; I pulled him half-way up from the couch. "How dare you." I told him venomously, cutting him off. "Just because you're a Man of God doesn't mean I won't put you in your place."

Justin simply looked at me, his voice even. "I could say the same for you, Shinigami-kun. You are notShinigami-sama, and I am a Man of the Church, so I highly suggest unhanding me."

Soul was suddenly – to me – standing at my right; he likely heard the commotion from his room. "Kid, let it go. He's got a big mouth."

I ignored Soul's suggestion and continued to stare down at the priest. "And I highly suggest you take it back."

Justin sighed, and he looked away from me. "I can't take back the truth. The church's theory states that a 'Meister Eater' is essentially a humanoid monster."

"Theory?! You and your garbage theories can go'to Hell." I told him with a snarl.

Sai joined me at the other couch, at my left. She started to pull on my jacket sleeve. "Kid, stop. He's just trying to upset you at this point."

I released his robe, and Justin sat back down. However, I continued to stand over him. "She's no monster! You're the monster! You're invited into her home, and then demean her and me both! Why did my father ever let someone like you into Shibusen?!" I scratched my head with my left hand out of anger.

Justin's eyes narrowed. "I expected a more logical response from you on such a serious matter. You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."

I grabbed him again, roughly, yanking him upwards again. "You want to see my judgment?! I'll give you some damn judg…"

"Kid! Kid, please, stop." Sai begged. "He won't change." She hung her head. "It's not worth it."

I could head Soul sigh. "Kid…let it go. His opinion of Sai won't change, even if you hit him." Soul confirmed. He then looked away, his face dark. "Trust me on that one." He muttered.

I looked at the scowl on Soul's face, knowing he himself had been here before. I stopped and released the robe. Justin sat down again and adjusted his collar. "In all honesty, I don't understand how you can be that way." I whispered. "She's still a person, and was your student."

Justin looked up at me. "The truth can be a cruel mistress. The truth is she is a danger to the people of Shibusen." He said simply.

My pride was returning. "I've had enough of your preaching. I will find my own truth in this matter, and I'll decide for myself what is cruel and truth, without all of the canon and dogma." I explained matter-of-factly. "And my father decided what is a danger for our school."

He made a religious hand gesture, and looked down. "May Shinigami-sama forgive you for your ignorance."

I was in too much shock to even hit him; I stepped back from the couch and stuffed my hands in my pants' pockets. Maybe I am ignorant in this, but I refuse to remain that way, I decided.

There was a sound of wind whooshing and a hard smacking sound.

"Whoa!" I heard Soul exclaim.

I turned around. Sai had taken my place in front of Justin; the left side of his face was bright crimson at this point. Her voice was more like a growl. "How dare you insult Kid and Shibusen like that…get out of my house!"

Justin stood, and Sai took a step to the right. He brushed his robes off, and glared at her. "Go back to Iceland; you're just endangering the people here."

She stared him done. "Go to Hell, you're just pissin' me off."

Justin snorted, whisked past Sai and I both, and let himself out of the apartment.

I looked at Sai, but she was looking at Soul. "This isn't over. He knows something, but he won't say it. This is just a cover for something. 'Cause I know he didn't come all of the way to the U.S. to berate me. Tough he does seem to enjoy it..." She watched the door for a moment. "I'll get it out of him, if I have to beat it out of him."

He gave her a nod, turned away, and wandered into the kitchen.

I turned to Sai, and ran my right hand through my hair. "For the life of me, I can't understand how you were able to stand that man for so long. He says he's just speaking the truth, but somehow it's so much more negative than that. Maybe because it feels like he's a walking mouthpiece for such a backwards organization."

Sai sat down on the couch when Justin had been sitting. "He is right about one thing – the truth can be cruel, but I think it can also heal us." She tried to smile. "As far as him as a person, I was co-dependent on him for a good, long time. I needed him to survive, but he treated me as such. And with no where to go and no one I could turn to…I just learned to deal with it. I had no choice."

I had a realization. I began to realize how difficult it must be to deal with myself on top of her own issues. "I am sorry."

Sai cocked her head to the side. "Hmm? What's there to be sorry about? You didn't do anything." She chortled. "And it's over now. I won't go back to that."

I laughed darkly. "No, I'm sorry about me. I'm sure I don't make things easier on you after going through all of this." I sat down on the couch at her left, leaning forward on my knees.

She bit her lip, seemingly to prevent a giggle. "Your issues, you mean? You have a good heart, and that's all that matters. You genuinely care about me, I can tell. And you make me laugh. But with the good comes the not-so-good, of course." She paused, and then looked confused. "Err, wait, I'm not sure that sounds respectful at all, sorry."

I could tell she was trying. "Thank you, but now I feel silly for making you comfort me when it should be the other way around." I told her with a half-smile.

Sai's face brightened. "And it's not like I sat there in Iceland and just took whatever he threw at me. Besides, I'm far too hard-headed to buy what he says at face-value." She knocked on the top of her head with her right fist. "Like you said, finding your own truth in the matter is important. I am doing that too. And now I have so many people positively supporting me, it makes me think he's just blowing smoke."

I leaned back against the couch. "I'll be blunt and ask you: what if he's not?"

Sai stared towards her bedroom door. "Shinigami-sama already has arrangements in place should something happen." She paused. "He also told me he wants me to concentrate on living my life instead of worrying about something he doesn't think will ever happen."

I stared at her. "Really…" I allowed my voice to trail off.

She looked at me and gave a wink. "But we all know he wouldn't let you be here if he was really worried. You're far too valuable." She exaggerated the words, and then stuck her tongue out at me.

I raised my eyebrows. "I'm starting to feel like an overpriced piece of art."

Sai grinned. "Well, death is one of the major reasons art is made."

"I think that was supposed to be my line." I complained, rolling my eyes.

She giggled, and three things occurred to me:

I need to know why father trusted Justin so much, why he was really here, and if Sai could be released from the abilities holding her life down.

(1) The major Lutheran church in Reykjavik.

(2) A glaciated area northeast of Reykjavik.