Roji- Happy (very) belated birthday then! And yeah, I definitely plan on having little kid adventures in the story
Imaginefun- Your review is fine! Glad I got you hooked!
wordfriend- Thank you ^^" You know what's funny? That was actually kind of accidental. Hehe, oh well it works!
Mewtwo3642- Heck, even I'm excited!
GigiandMad- :3 I'm a sadist, what can I say?
Also, I have two things in here most of you probably don't know about so:
vambrace: wrist guards
sabaton: boots (metal/armor)
Onto the story now~!
"The baby?" He sank to his knees beside her, his brow furrowed with worry as Ophelia curled forward, arms wrapped around her abdomen. "Ophelia!"
She screamed and more blood covered the floor. Miata pushed Ophelia's hair out of her face and murmured, "It's a miscarriage."
"What is that?" Death snapped, lifting his head up to glare at his sister.
"Her pregnancy spontaneously ended. The baby is dead."
Ophelia let out a choked sob, her hands covering her mouth. "Oh, god."
Death snarled and grabbed Miata by her throat, cutting her airway off. "You had something to do with this, didn't you?! What did you do?!"
She gripped his hand tightly and shook her head slightly. He felt her pulse beat wildly against his index finger, he could smell her fear. He wanted to end her, he just needed to apply more pressure-
A hand, so much smaller than Miata's or his own, placed itself on his wrist as well. He looked at Ophelia, his eyes alight with fury. Tears were falling and she whispered, "Don't. It isn't her fault. She came to my side the moment I collapsed."
Roughly, he wrenched his hand away from Miata's pale throat and stood up. She gasped and sputtered for breath, her hand coming up to massage the imprint of his harsh grip. His gaze didn't linger on her long as he stared, sickened, at the blood pooled around Ophelia. Her breathing was labored and she shakily got up, leaning against the counter. With a growl, Death left the room, the stench of blood bringing back unwanted memories.
Ophelia looked concernedly at Miata, who was still on her knees. "A-are you alright?"
Wordlessly, the other woman nodded and got back to her feet. She looked down at Ophelia and questioned hoarsely, "The question is, are you alright?"
Ophelia wrapped and arm around her torso and winced. "It still hurts...but it's nothing I can't handle. My baby...I hadn't had him for long, but..."
"It still hurts." Miata smiled bitterly, knowingly. "We should get you cleaned up. Do you need help?"
Before she could respond, the front door was slammed closed. She winced and whimpered. "Death..."
Miata sighed. "He needs time to calm down. I understand why he is so angry. Come; I'll help you."
She wrapped an arm around Ophelia's waist, allowing her to lean against her as she was leaded to the bathroom. She set her down on a stool before turning to the tub and turning the knobs. The water came spewing out, steam filling the room. Miata stood in front of the tub, her back to Ophelia, with her arms folded. She could feel Ophelia's eyes on her, studying her.
After a few moments of silence, Ophelia spoke. "You're nothing like Death said you were."
"Oh? I am surprised he spoke of me at all. What is it he said about me?" She didn't turn, observing the water as it tumbled out of the faucet.
"W-well, that you were brash and held no regard for humans; apparently, you viewed them even more cynically than he did." Miata smirked softly.
"I was like that once. Granted, I still care little for humans, but I acknowledge their potential." She turned the water off when the tub was filled all the way. "Death would not speak about me willingly. I imagine you asked him?"
Sheepishly, Ophelia nodded. "I was curious...about Shinigami. About him."
"You're lucky." Miata responded vaguely, heading to the door. "I will leave you to your bath. If you need help, I'll be in the kitchen."
"O-okay. Thank you." She missed the grateful smile and closed the door behind her.
Miata sighed softly and returned to the kitchen. She was hesitant to clean the blood up, after all she was still in armor, but the scent was beginning to nauseate her. She grabbed the bucket hanging nearby and filled it with water fro the kitchen sink. She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"How troublesome." She removed her vambraces and boots, leaving her barefooted and her hands and wrists free of armor.
She shoved them into a corner and grabbed a cloth. Miata got on her hands and knees, dunked the cloth in the water, and began to wipe the blood away. Some of it had dried and she grit her teeth, scrubbing away. Her arms began to ache and her back screamed, but she kept at it relentlessly. While she was cleaning the floor, she scanned the city, hoping to find Death, only to let out a frustrated grunt when she reminded herself his soul was rooted to the land. It wasn't possible to pinpoint his wavelengths when they remained in the same place.
While she would not confess to Ophelia, who had no idea why Death reacted to murderously toward his sister, Miata knew. With their discussion prior to the miscarriage, she intentionally implied she was there to kill the baby. However, she had no real intent to do so, not that Death would believe her. She reminded herself to apologize to him when she got the chance, given he didn't try to kill her as soon as he saw her.
Miata leaned back on her heels, huffing a little. She rinsed the cloth, wringing out the bloody cloth, and leaned it against the window sill. She stood, her vertebrae cracking as she did so, and grabbed the bucket. She dumped it down the drain, the reddened water swirling before disappearing. She grimaced and put the bucket back where she found it.
"You didn't have to clean that all by yourself!" Ophelia's disapproving voice came from behind her.
She turned around to scowl at her. "You are in no condition to clean it up. I had nothing better to do. You should go and rest."
Ophelia, already dressed in a nightgown, nodded begrudgingly. "I was going there next. If Death comes back-"
"I know." Miata cut her off.
The brunette smiled slightly and went down the hall. Miata waited until she heard the bedroom door close to bend down to place her sabatons back on her feet and her vambraces on her wrists.
The front door opened, but an unfamiliar soul entered. She narrowed her eyes and she went to the foyer. Rowan was there, looking around.
"Er, Lord Death? Ya here yet?...No?...Okay. GAH!" She suddenly noticed Miata, her arm changing into a blade.
Miata stared at her indifferently. "I take it you are looking for my brother?"
Rowan, realizing who Miata was, reverted her arm back to normal, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, tha's right, Lady. I saw 'im and he looked mighty angry so I didn't say anythin', but I was worried. Wha' happened?"
"It is not my place to tell. If he wishes for you to know, he will talk to you about it." She answered, eyes flicking to the door. "You might find out now, in fact."
"Wha-!" Rowan yelped as she was pushed over by the door being opened forcefully.
Death stepped through, mask and robe in place. "Why are you still here? You've accomplished what you came to do; so go!"
Rowan sat up, looking rather alarmed by the true voice of her meister. Miata sighed. "I did nothing. I am just as sorry as it happened as you are."
He snarled and ordered, "Rowan, change."
Looking further alarmed, his Death Scythe shot Miata and apologetic look before obeying. He caught her handle surged toward his sister, blade raised. She raised her arm up and the blade struck her vambrace with a shuddering sound. She looked up at him through her bangs, her arm shaking with the effort of keeping the scythe at bay.
"Isn't this a bit of an overreaction? I have no weapon and here you are, attacking me inside your home. Death, stop this nonsense. I understand you are upset, but rather than take it out on me, why not go and comfort your wife? She is suffering just as much as you are."
When he made no sign of moving willingly on his own, Miata pushed him back using her arm. "This isn't an overreaction! I will kill you for this!"
She sighed again. "You're letting your emotions rule your decisions again."
Suddenly, he was directly in front of her, scythe ready to deal its blow. Her eyes widened and she brought her knee up, striking him in the stomach. He grunted and lurched forward, swiping his scythe at her. It caught her leg as she jumped out of range, a hiss of pain escaping her lips. She bumped into the wall.
"This is stupid; there's no room in here to be swinging that damn thing around! Knock it off!" She snapped, briefly losing her composure.
She saw his defiant glare despite the mask and she grunted in annoyance. "Alright then. I'll take the scythe from you."
Infuriated by what he viewed as her arrogance, he raced at her. Miata was counting on it and side stepped his attack, grabbing his wrist. She yanked him forward and caught his face with her elbow, hearing and feeling bone crunch. She twisted his wrist until she heard the scythe clatter to the ground. She kicked Rowan out of range. Death was already recovering from the blow to his face and whacked her in the head with his hand. She winced as she felt her brain rattle in her skull, but didn't relinquish her grip on his wrist. She flipped him over her back and raised her leg up, bringing it down powerfully on his chest.
He was winded and she straddled him, her shadow aimed directly at his throat. Rowan had changed back, eyes wide with worry, but a sharp glance from Miata kept her from moving. She removed Death's mask and was unsurprised to see him glaring hatefully up at her, even as he coughed up blood and streamed from his broken nose.
"Death, it was no one's fault. I know how much it hurts." She murmured softly.
"You have no idea what I'm feeling right now!" He spat, struggling against her.
Miata held him down and he froze when he saw her eyes. Her eyes, golden and soft just like their mother's, held tears in them. One splashed onto his cheek. Her look said it all. Death glare went away and she allowed him to push her off, settling on his legs. He sat up and frowned.
"You..." He trailed off when she nodded. She looked away from him as though she were ashamed. He swallowed.
"I...had no idea." She smiled ruefully.
"Most don't." She got to her feet and held her hand out to him.
He blinked and looked up at his older sister. Her smile softened. "Let's just put this behind us, little brother."
Hesitantly, he returned the smile and let her pull him up. Rowan watched the siblings embrace with a bemused expression, scratching her head. Ophelia appeared beside her, looking equally confused.
"I heard yelling. Is everything alright?" She asked.
"Yeah, I dunno wha' happened, but I guess the two worked out their diff'rences or somethin'. The fight was over pretty quickly." Rowan answered, dropping her hand.
"Fight?" Ophelia sounded alarmed. Rowan waved a hand.
"Oh, it's fine; Miata only broke his nose...and I think he gave her a concussion. Nothin' serious; Miata only used self defense." She replied carelessly.
Ophelia looked back to Death and Miata, who were still hugging. Death pulled back, holding Miata by her elbows.
"Now that all those bad feelings are out, let's make the most of your visit, 'kay~?" He sang, using his goofy voice.
She smiled softly and nodded, grinning just as goofily as her brother. Then, brought her fist crashing into his head. He yelled and landed on his bottom, massaging his skull.
"I swear, if you ever attack me like that, I will smash your head in half!" She ground out, glowering at him.
Ophelia and Rowan both shrank behind the doorway as Death grumbled, "That really hurt!"