Chapter 62: A Hand in Logic, No More Blind Conclusions
The four parents were discussing the conversation between Kuhn and Kaihn. Linn didn't know whether most of it was Valid or not. Kuhn was on the fence about everything, but wouldn't subject his daughter to any form of cruel treatment.
Haku and Chihiro had they're opinions as well.
"I think we should keep a better eye on them." Said Haku.
"None of these things would have been allowed to take place, if we would have just watched them more."
Linn sighed. "Yeah, but they would just try harder to escape our line of vision. They're teenagers, they'll try to push the boundaries we set, no matter what we do."
Chihiro nodded. "Linn has a point. I have a suggestion, and I don't think any of you are going to like it..."
Kuhn shook his head. "Don't mark it down just yet... No one's heard your idea."
She sighed. "I don't dislike Hiro, but the her and my son always stir up trouble... With this new conflict on Hiro's potentially dangerous blood trait, would it be such a bad idea to separate them?"
...
Hiro had been standing at the door.
She was well hidden, and listening. She had some dangerous blood trait? Not that she knew of...
Whatever it was, it was bad enough for Chihiro to want to separate them.
"You're right, I DON'T like that." Said Kuhn loudly.
"What do you think it would accomplish!? Separating them would only establish this fear you have for Eiji's safety. I think that their bond is what's kept them afloat."
Linn agreed. "It's ridiculous to separate those kids over something we don't fully understand! I won't accept anyone making Hiro feel like a monster!"
A monster...?
"It's clear she's not a monster. " Said Haku calmly.
"She is, however, a threat to Eiji's safety at any rate. I don't like the idea of separating them, but it's the best idea so far... She's an unfamiliar breed of blood mage, that harnesses power from her victims blood."
Harnessed from blood... Of my victims...?
"The fact that Eiji is a blood master, means that he will be her first target if she breaks."
Hiro backed away slowly.
They all think I'm a monster...?
I would never hurt Eiji... Would I?
No... No! No! NO! NEVER!
She sat on the ground quietly and held her head in her hands.
"You keep talking as if she's some monster! Though you claim she's not!" Yelled Kuhn.
"She won't hurt him. She's has more will then any of you give her credit for... You were there when the tainted curse was extracted Chihiro. How can you sit there with that knowledge, and treat her like an animal with NO SELF CONTROL!?"
"She has her concerns!" Haku snapped.
"And as far as I'm concerned? They have never lead ANY one astray. She did NOT say that Hiro was a monster or an animal. She did say there was a high risk that things could go wrong. I suggest a temporary separation until we find out more about this blood trait."
Hiro was curled up into herself, crying silently.
She felt more like a freak every time they spoke. She had no idea why she was a threat to Eiji, but they were making this a scene...
She had never hurt Eiji, and she would never hurt him.
Shisuta appeared next to her.
She gave her a nod.
"I will fix this, you just stay quiet for now."
"Okay..." Hiro sniffed.
Shisuta had used assimilation to scope the situation, because Eiji had insisted she did. He had a bad feeling about where the conversation would go, and Shisuta now saw that it was justified.
She walked in the room.
"Here's a suggestion. All of you stop bickering like children, and I will figure it out!"
They were all silent.
"Why do none of you just ASK me to help you. I have a nearly infinite well of FUCKING KNOWLEDGE TO DRAW FROM! Yet you always insist on jumping to these baseless conclusions with little to no facts on the situation. THIS is why bad things keep happening, like we're in the middle ages! For god sake! If knowledge is all you need, no need to ostracize children until you can get it. I'm right HERE!"
They were silent for a moment longer.
Kuhn sighed. "Sorry Shisuta, I should have thought of that. I agree with her. This is no way at any time to treat a living, thinking being... And yes, it would ostracize her."
Linn took a breath of relief.
"Thank god... Finally someone who makes some damn sense."
"Alright then, that sounds fair." Said Haku.
Chihiro was silent.
She walked out of the room, and saw Hiro sitting there.
She felt her heart twist.
No wonder Shisuta reacted the way she did... This must have torn Hiro apart.
I shouldn't have implied what I did... When did I become so cold?
"You can see Eiji whenever you want." She said softly.
She walked away.
Hiro saw that Chihiro felt bad about this... She was angry at her, but she had to appreciate the unlimited access she had given her to Eiji.
She wasn't going to thank her for it, because she was convinced that Chihiro hated her.
This hurt Hiro, but she'd never admit it to anyone else...
"I see..." Said Shisuta.
"Much like Eiji, she just needs the proper training... It will have to be very strict, and often strenuous. I am sure that will not be an issue for Hiro though. She is a Blood Syphoner, and they can only be trained by other blood syphoner's or blood mages. There is a positive and a negative to both sides... If she does not get the training she needs, she will slip into the negative user ways. Considering the situations we have been in, this is very plausible."
Kuhn nodded. "So there is a way she won't slip into that bad side... But where will we find a trainer?"
They were silent for a moment.
"There is one on the other border of purgatory... It is quite a dangerous trip."
Shisuta sighed. "The bad news? She will have to make the trip alone..."
"What!?" Kuhn exclaimed.
"What's the good news!?"
She continued. "The good news is that the trainer is the best of his kind, and Hiro will prove an excellent student, if she makes the trip... It is somewhat of a prerequisite. All blood mages can make the trip... I am sure she will run into a helpful soul."
Linn sighed. "Then I guess we get her ready for it."
"You may want to start now then, she's been listening the whole time... Your words were commendable, but you should consider the way you say things always."
Kuhn stepped outside, and looked at Hiro. She was sitting next to the door, and her back was against the wall...
He knelt down. "I hope I didn't hurt you..." He said.
She hugged him. "No..." She whispered.
"You really are my hero... Even when I complain about it."
He wrapped her in a firm, and warm hug.
"You too kid... You really are a champ. You've got my strength, and your mother's willpower... You'll be okay..."
She could tell he was torn apart over her having to go alone.
She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
"I'll come back this time." She said.
"I promise."
He sniffed. "I know... I can't help worrying though."
She smiled. "Well, I've got a giant club, and Junichi's been training me... Add blood magic? Well, I'll be a complete badass!"
He laughed. "That's the spirit!"
He smiled warmly at her.
"I couldn't ask for a better daughter... And I'm sure you and your sisters will all give me white hair one day. Oh well..."
Hiro laughed. "You with white hair!? Dad, no need to get too old. I'll have to start calling you old man, and bringing you your cane!"
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, not happening."
They both stood.
"I'm going to see Eiji before I have to leave, okay?"
He nodded. "That's fair... Go on then."
Hiro walked over to Eiji's room. She cracked open the door, and saw him sitting on his bed. He stood when he saw her.
He wrapped her in a hug, and held her close to him.
"Don't ever think that you don't deserve me..." He sniffed.
"I love you too."
He kissed her softly. "And I will keep on calling you an angel, until you figure it out on your own."
She sobbed. "I hurt you didn't I?"
She cried into him.
He pulled her in, trying to comfort her.
They sat on his bed, and she leaned into him.
"I'm sorry..." She said softly.
He shook his head. "No, I'm just sorry I couldn't be there with you... You were in so much pain..."
She gave him a gentle kiss.
"I'm okay... We're both okay, and that's what matters."
He kissed her softly, becoming more passionate as it continued. Her hands were raking up his back as he leaned into her. She brushed her lips against his neck, nipping softly at his ear.
Her hand slid up his chest, which was very sensitive.
He let out a low breath.
It was very hard not to keep going...
He kissed her neck, and bit it softly.
She let out a soft moan, which only drove him closer...
Her hand was sliding lower...
He caught it.
"Hiro... We really shouldn't." He breathed.
She gave a frustrated groan.
"I know... But... Eiji..."
I REALLY want to give in...
But I can't. We really are too young, but...
Hiro...
He couldn't help but lean in, and kiss her again...
"This isn't easy for me..." He whispered.
"But technically we're still kids. We should wait until we're older... We have time."
She looked away. "About that... Well, I'm going to be leaving for a while."
His eyes widened. "What!?" He exclaimed.
"Why are you leaving!? Can't I come with you? Is this even allowed...?"
She sighed. "Yeah... I have to go alone. I have no choice, an my parents know... Apparently I'm a blood mage, and need to make a long trip for my training. Only blood mages can make the trip..."
Eiji looked at her. "Well, I'm a blood master, which is a kind of blood mage. I could go with you, and also get training."
"Huh..." She said. "I never thought of that."
He looked down. "I hope my parents don't stop me..."
She gave a depressed sigh.
"Yeah... They'll probably try... We should probably come up with a really good explanation."
They discussed it for the next hour, until they settled on an answer.
Shisuta laughed softly to herself.
"Those kids... Always in a package it seems."