Fleeting Sakura Arc:
Chapter 4:
Wheels are turning
I do not approach the door. There would be no reason for me to do so – I would only make things worse. Still, I feel like I can't breathe while crouching down in a corner. My knees hurt, my eyes hurt, the back of my throat keeps on burning like the fire lighting up the darkness in the house. It creates shadows, though. The shadows I am trying to hide from.
Whether they realize it or not – they definitely realize it – their voices carry themselves to my ears. I can understand their words, feel the venom that they are slicing the air with. Not even covering my ears proves to be helpful.
"Every night! We are at the end of our rope 'ere!" A woman screeches, clearly upset.
"I am truly sorry for this."
"That is what you always say! If you truly want to be sorry, kick 'er out or stuff 'er face so she doesn't wake up the entire street!"
"I-I understand. Please, we will figure something out. Please forgive us."
My muscles tense, as if waiting for a physical lashing. The people outside don't barge in, though. They are blocked by a single young woman who firmly keeps on bowing in front of the door. Her shoulders are small, the other woman next to her stands up, though, with her hands on her sides.
"Look, if anything it is your screaming that wakes the entire street up."
"S-sophie-san!" The small female whispers frightened that her friend might cause the older woman in front of them to have another fit.
I blink, flinching when the volume of the complaining voice rises again.
"We are dealing with this the best way we know how. If you have any further complaints, you can stuff your own ears and use that to sleep peacefully through the night," the blonde woman says bluntly, and glances over her shoulder. Through the thin fabric covering the door, her stare is obvious.
"H-how dare you – "
"Hisana-chan, go in."
"But…"
"I will handle this old hag."
"Old hag!?"
Getting the hint to get out of there, the small girl runs inside, her worried face shining brightly from the fire burning. She fidgets with her sleeves, looking and listening over to the two women left outside. They have obviously started arguing heatedly.
It is a miracle that no one else has come in front of this house to complain about the noise. Not that they would dare to in the first place. To get in the middle of two women yelling at each other with red faces is a spot that nobody wants to have. Not to mention that this is not anything new occurring in this street. Nightly wakeups have become quite common. All because I appeared.
The petite girl looks at me and I stiffen. It is strange. She is not physically threatening, nor does it fit her personality. However, my limbs simply become rigid every time her large purple eyes turn to look at me. The worst part is that those eyes of hers look at me gently. They are not filled with pity or anger from waking up only after a few hours of sleep. No matter how obvious those dark bags are against her pale skin. The fire makes it only glow eerily.
She means no harm, but I still inch closer to the corner. Like hiding from the touch of the only light source in this small house.
"It is alright," she says and flinches from another loud scream. "Sophie-san knows how to handle this… I sincerely hope so, at least."
So polite, so caring… it makes my chest hurt. That soft voice is so kind it makes my ears sting.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" She asks after a pause, shockingly able to speak over the two women outside.
A pause and I shake my head.
"I see. Aren't you cold there, though?" She continues asking and sits down to her own bedding, which isn't much, to be honest. It is next to the blazing flames, though. "It has gotten a bit smaller, but it is still warm. You should come here. It is quite calming."
I am cold, but it isn't anything new. I am always cold here. Laying on the ground with only a thin blanket. So, naturally, my body crawls closer. As if it is her permission to do so that I have been waiting for my limbs to react. Seeing me do this makes her eyes brighten. I avoid looking at her, though. She is smaller, I remind myself, but goosebumps still rise up to my arms.
We sit there, listening to the crackling fire and Sophie's and the woman's voices. They all turn into one and the same within my ears, fading and becoming insignificant. I blink, feeling how my dry eyes sting from the act. They tear up, or maybe there is another reason for that entirely.
"Did you have the nightmare again?" She asks softly, not meaning to put pressure.
I blink again, wishing for my limbs to stop shaking. My voice is both hoarse and hollow – I am so tired – when I speak. "Yes."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"No."
Because my attention is on the fire, I do not get to see what kind of face she is making. She must be hurt.
Out of curiosity and feeling guilt for the first time in a long while, I glance to my left. Both luckily and unfortunately, she doesn't appear insulted. In fact, her eyes remain the same, that small smile never slipping from her mouth. She is watching the fire, too, never taking her eyes off of it even when her orbs turn glossy.
"I used to have them, too," she starts and looks up. Our eyes meet. "Would you like me to hold your hand? It might help you fall back to sleep."
It is a strange proposition. She doesn't know me well, I am older than her, it is a scenario of a child offering adult comfort. I feel disturbed yet can't show it on my face. I feel numb. There is a chance that I might wake up again and hurt her, slam my limbs on her frail body and break something. I fear that if I touch her, my skin might crack and fall off. The world would turn dark and the fire would die out quicker and I would still be holding that small hand like a weak lifeline.
If she had asked such a thing during the first night, I terrorized this street with my screams, I would have rejected it. I wouldn't be sitting here, so close to her and meeting her gaze like it is normal for me. Because it isn't. I am afraid and so tired of it.
Her smile widens a bit, the outstretched hand staying between us.
I place mine in hers.
One night. Just one night of peace and quiet would be enough for me. No barking dogs or neighbors. Or the sound of clothes rustling, when someone gets up in the middle of the night. Deaf silence. It is something very rare you get to experience in lower districts, so people mostly must take it for granted. But not me. I have learned that lesson a long time ago. That is why I treasure the time of silence probably more than anyone else in this place…
Unfortunately, nothing goes according to plan. This is also something I have learned, in a hard way. And in my case, it includes being half-strangled and half-tangled by the collar of my clothes by one of my roommates.
This is not the most threatening situation that I have been in, but it definitely isn't comfortable. Hisana can only watch helplessly from the sidelines, as Sophie glowers at me like I just insulted her ancestors. Her large purplish eyes have been moving between us for a while now. They only become more frantic the longer I stay silent.
"Alright! Spit it out!" The blonde growls and gives a good shake to measure her frustration.
What a lovely way to start dinner.
"S-sophie-san, please stop that!" Hisana pleads in panic.
"D-don't worry," I choke out, completely limp. My heads dangle to the side. "I t-think I can see the light now."
"Oh, no you don't!" Sophie pulls me further against her so that our eyes meet. "You ain't getting dinner until you tell us how you know a Soul Reaper!"
Of course, I almost groan out. This is the topic that has started this mess in the first place. Why Sophie is more pissed than she would from getting her clothes ruined and why Hisana's pale complexion has turned into snow. Their shocks are perfectly understandable, but I am not grasping the reason why I am being manhandled.
We are all tired. That is a fact. Both me and Sophie are dirty and dusty, in need of cleaning and rest. The young girl sitting on the side is exhausted from running across the district and her feet are covered in light red scratches. Frankly, we fit the description 'street rats' perfectly at the moment.
The smell of broth boiling brings out the appetite I thought I no longer had. It is all we can have tonight, but it certainly has never appeared more appetizing. I would be disturbed by that fact if the supply of oxygen carrying blood wasn't being delayed by my friend's deadly grip. She is the one who taught me self-defense not to so long time ago, so I shouldn't be that surprised by how much muscle she suddenly seems to possess.
"Mira-san," Sophie says sweetly, suddenly with a much smoother voice, "please, don't ignore me."
Uh-ou, she is pissed. I almost want to inch away. Almost. I would, if I could, but still wouldn't do it. If that makes any sense.
"I am not ignoring you."
"Then what is up with that look?"
"What look?" I ask back, blinking innocently, but bite my tongue at the withering glare I receive. "Alright, alright, calm down."
"How the hell I am supposed to calm down!?" She shakes me vigorously. The rims of her eyes turn red from frustration. "You have been keeping things from us! This situation is already hectic enough!"
Underneath all the irritation for her illogical behavior, I understand how Sophie feels… to some extent. She has been dragged through the mud, scarred to death from not understanding what is happening and now holds bruises to prove the ordeal she went through. Her expression borderlines how close she is to crying to let all the stress out and it nearly startles me. I can't actually recall if she has ever looked so worn-out.
Hesitantly – while still being shaken like a rag-doll – I glance towards Hisana. Her eyes are flushed, a contradiction to the color of her skin. She has been crying at some point.
Yeah, she cried…
They both have cried.
(A few hours ago.)
The moment the door closes, the door to the cell opens with a sickly ear-piercing screech. The hairs on my body stand up and I look towards Sophie in a panic – she is being dragged out by her arm. Her features are twisted in pain, no doubt from the iron hold and her body being pulled out of the confinement. Still, she looks to be more ready to spend her days behind bars than out. It is obvious from how she is twisting and trying to get her limb back.
The back of my esophagus burns.
Takahashi has that glint in his eyes again. Now, that the only power capable of freeing us without a price is gone, he is sinking his claws in again. This time, he doesn't negotiate with her. No, he is using simply physical force to get his own will through.
"Let me go!" Sophie yells and tries to claw his arm off but is next tangled by her hair.
"Shut up," he growls and starts pulling her along by the long locks. His action makes it look like he is simply holding a cloth, a very fragile one.
I can already see – thin strands fall down to the ground like hay. Bolting, I slam my hands across the thick bars. "Let her go! She doesn't want to go along with you!"
He actually pauses to give me a withering look. Having the potential brute's – no, he is definitely a brute, my face is still hurting – attention shift to me involuntarily sends a jolt down my body. Again, I note how tall he is and just how easily his hand engulfs Sophie's arm. The bone is the stick he could snap in half, mine could be one just as easily.
"And what are you going to do about it? Call Kuchiki-san in, again?"
Those words are mocking, reminding how badly my first plan has failed. That black-haired boy has abandoned us here.
My eyes meet with large brown ones. There is a snarl on my friend's face, but those two orbs – trembling with emotion – reveal just how frightened she is. These are the emotions she was holding back so desperately earlier before I apparently made things more complicated.
"Don't touch me! I will scream and – "
He slaps her, right on the cheek. A second later it turns red in color. A clog blocks our voices. The very air thins and fades out of the entire space. Without realizing it, the pain spreads across my fingers from how harshly they dig into the wood.
We are back on this morning. The moment I saw Sophie being hurt, something snapped. But now, there is a dull, but sharp crack echoing in my chest.
"I told you to shut up! I already got in trouble with that brat because of you two, so you better be ready to pay for that!" Takahashi sneers and drags the smaller woman's face closer to his.
Sophie's eyes screw themselves shut – from both pain and refusing to meet his gaze. Those same eyes that size up her body from the tip of her bare feet to the hold he has on her head. His breath fans over her face, moving the astray bangs sticking to her forehead. There it is again, that dirty gleam in his eyes. While not being subjected to that, my skin crawls.
As a last resort in saving her, I reach out for my straw sandals, taking the first one off with haste. I should at least create an opening for her – the stupid Soul Reaper forgot that the door is wide open right behind him. Get her out of here, I think to myself with my slippery hands holding my first "weapon".
The door to the outside world opens, letting fully in the noise from the outside.
"Let them out."
Everyone in the prison turns their heads towards the source of the voice. The black-haired youth stands there, arms crossed and inside the dark sleeves. He stands there, not even twitching from the silence that occurs after his abrupt entrance. His gaze remains disinterested in the frozen situation before him, but he soon sends an expecting look at Takahashi.
"Was my order unclear?"
The older – but in rank order lower – Soul Reaper stiffens and let's go of Sophie who slumps down to the ground. He ignores her and manages to face his superior. "B-but these two are – "
"I ordered you to let them out," Byakuya cuts him off with an emotionless tone, his face hardening for a mere second. "Is there a problem?"
"N-no, sir. T-these women a-are our suspects – is it wise to let them out?"
"I will be the judge of that. Now, make haste. We have received new orders to return."
"H-huh? Already?" The older man seems to almost stumble out of the cell.
I almost stumble on nothing. If possible, my eyes are wider than the moon in the sky as I stare at Byakuya like he has grown a second head. He definitely senses that because in a few seconds he has turned his attention to me. I can't help my shock – just a few moments ago he had practically sneered at my pleading to free us. Now, he is giving an order to let us out? My thoughts are positively spinning in my head, like Ping-Pong balls from one corner to another. This scenario doesn't make sense. For a moment, I think the stress and panic have made me hallucinate and an urge to pinch myself comes over.
This is either his clone, or the world is ending. The latter seems highly likely.
The boy's dark eyebrows knit down in a slight glare, looking at me like something he stepped on. I might feel slightly insulted if I was not still thinking that all of this isn't happening. Did he hit his head? No, is he sick? Did he catch something from this place?
Maybe I should be feeling relief. Sophie and I are out of danger. However, a nagging feeling in the back of my skull won't stop telling me that there is something fishy going around here.
I can't phantom any logical explanation for this sudden change in his mood.
Somehow, the reason should have been obvious.
"Thank goodness!"
The minute the sun shines on my face, the bell-like voice makes our ears tingle. It is light, full of relief and tears. I and Sophie freeze after taking only a few steps out of the prison door. We are both dirty, the smell of the cells clinging to our clothes, faces, and bodies bruised over by rough handling, but moderately we are both fine. Our eyes are blinded by the painful shine of the day…
But most of all, we are blinded by our stinging eyes at the sight of Hisana standing just a few feet away.
She looks ready to fall apart. One tear manages to escape from her eye before she takes a few steps towards us… and crashes against our bodies. Those frail arms of hers circle us with all of her feeble strength.
"I… am so glad," she whispers, clinging to us. "You two… are alright. I-I was so worried."
We do not say anything. The dampness appearing on our shoulders is more than enough to get the message through. In a second, Sophie has her arms around her, both of their shoulders are shaking. Soon, I smell the salt of their tears in the air and my own eyes start stinging. We are alright. They are both alright.
Slowly, I wrap my arms around both of my friends, leaning my forehead against Hisana and shedding my small tears on top of her shoulder. The bone of it digs into my skull but is filled with the warmth of another person's body that those cells didn't have. The smell of tears mixes together with the small girl's sweat and the scent of sandalwood. This is the smell that brings comfort and wipes away the horrible images of that stinky smell.
Feeling strange, like we are being looked – we are kind of making a scene – I lift my head slightly from the hug, eyes unfocused in the light and from tears. From the corner, I can see that Byakuya is standing there, saying something to Takahashi in a stern voice. I do not care about that.
What I care about is the moment he turns those steely grey eyes towards us – three, random, crying women bundled up into a ridiculously teary group hug.
It is obvious. The way that crease between his brows seems to soften, how that ice in his orbs almost trembles and melts. But what most wouldn't probably realize is that his expression doesn't change from looking all of us together. You would have to know better to understand that, though. And I am someone who does.
He looks almost gentle.
I follow his line of sight and find myself staring at short black hair which shorter strands are tickling my cheek. Hisana continues to cry, but my tears are starting to dry up.
Of course.
From instinct, my hold tightens. Particularly around the shorter girl.
The answer is a simple one.
(Back to present.)
"That is it! You will be without dinner! Hisana-chan, don't stop me!"
The sound of commotion and sight of my bowl being taken snap me back to reality. My gut growls in protest immediately. I lunge at Sophie, who is in the middle of dumping my food back to where it came from.
"Hey! That's mine!"
"There is a saying; those who don't speak, don't get to eat!"
"There is no way that that kind of saying exists!"
"It does now!"
"I am hungry!"
Hisana's head snaps between us in helplessness. It is like watching a match of tennis and she seems ready to slump from dizziness. Rarely, we quarrel seriously at all, but we might as well be heading towards that direction. Sophie is actually physically keeping me back.
Again, why is she so upset? I wonder while reaching out for my share of the food. It is being balanced by her one hand and I am afraid it might soon tip over. This argument isn't worth wasting food.
"Urgh! Why are you angry!? I am a victim here too, you know!" I huff and lean back, giving the blonde woman a slight glare.
She returns the look with one of her own, which is less effective given how flushed her cheeks and eyes appear. "Why am I angry? Why am I angry!?"
"Yes! Why are you so angry!?"
The blonde inhales deeply, opening her mouth to tell me the reason… however, nothing further past that point happens. Sophie only turns rigid, mouth open, but with no sound coming out or words forming on her lips. It is like a moving image has frozen in place. The sight of it is enough to make me react similarly.
Hisana and I exchange silent glances at one another and then at Sophie whose gaze is unfocused on the ground. It is worrisome – one moment the person is raising her voice and has more than enough energy to glare and then turn into mutes.
As if touched by the fire keeping the broth warm, she suddenly leans back and shakes her head. "Why am I getting so angry exactly?"
There is a drop in the atmosphere. That is exactly what I would like to know!
Contrary to my exasperated expression reflecting my mood, Hisana's soft chuckle fills the place and brings both of us to look at her. The warmest blanket in this entire hut is tightly wrapped around her small frame. Seeing our stares, she covers her curling mouth with the back of her hand bashfully. A healthy blush returns some color to her cheeks.
"I think we are all exhausted enough from today," she starts solemnly and then pats the seat next to her – the spot where I always sit and eat. "But I would truly like to hear how you managed to become acquainted with that young Soul Reaper."
Translation: stop being so stubborn and come here. Or maybe not that bluntly. I almost frown from how that doesn't sound like her but give in to her unspoken words and gesture. The second I sit down, like a sign for the rest, Sophie takes her original spot on the other side of Hisana with a small frown on her face. It is clear she still wants to have answers, too.
So, I tell them. I tell them about the day – which was not so long ago – when I tried to chase after a thief that had taken from Genji's stand without paying and how I had been tackled to the ground out of nowhere by the very same boy they saw today. The entire time they listen, my hands turn clammy and cold. I am wondering what they think, as the story continues on and on. Their expressions can tell me only so much – eyes widening, mouth opening and ogling at me like I have grown a new limb. In a few moments, my face turns a bit red. It may not be the most ideal thing to tell, that you insulted and have cheated a Soul Reaper the way I did.
It could be possible that the neighbors are hearing everything I am saying, but that thought only fleetingly crosses my mind, as I babble on without a stop. This is always what happens – I get nervous and frogs just keep on flying from my mouth. Honestly, it is all because I am anxious about how they would respond after I have told everything.
Thankfully, neither of them interjects nor gives a side comment in an attempt to stop me. Finally, I finish speaking and my tongue numbs.
"Wow," Sophie breathes out and I tense up. Unlike me, she appears totally relaxed all of sudden. "Here I thought I have heard every crazy story there is."
"Eh?" I blanch.
No reprimanding words how stupid I have been? No crying over the fear of being driven out of the house? Not worrying if those Soul Reapers come back here, again? Of all possible reactions from the blonde, this is not anywhere close to what I had in mind.
As if concluding something that she only is aware of, Sophie nods once to herself and starts eating her share of the broth. "That is not the worst scenario I imagined."
I narrow my eyes. "What exactly have you been imagining?"
She looks at me with no shame whatsoever. "I honestly thought you might have started earning extra money."
For the second time, I blanch. After knowing Sophie for a certain amount of time, you learn to sometimes how to read between the lines. I am not a blushing girl whose mind is made out of snow and rainbows either, but that doesn't still stop the heat from spreading across my face before turning pastel white. And I am not imagining what the blonde girl means either. It is obvious from that subtle tilt of her eyebrow and a slight, unabashed smirk spreading on her thin lips.
Hisana merely tilts her head innocently, not fully comprehending the hidden message. Her wide eyes merely look between us – that happens a lot lately – in total obliviousness.
"He. Is. A. Kid," I hiss, disturbed and disgusted. Not to mention a spoiled brat.
"He looked to be around Hisana-chan's age, though," she states and looks at the said girl with a small smile. "Now, whatever did you do to turn his head around?"
"Um, I," Hisana's gaze bounces around. The action only makes my face sour and Sophie's brighten. "I merely asked him to help you."
"Hoho. Mira-san did the same, but the result was different."
She probably doesn't realize what a blow her words cause. My shoulders drop and my gaze falls to the floor. I never want to go through that experience. She is right. My begging had given rise to no results and nearly cost us.
Like sensing my thoughts, the petite girl next to me leans closer and looks up at me with eagerness. "But he didn't seem to be a bad person. Could you tell me where I could possibly find him next? I would like to express my gratitude."
Something in my chest drops at the sight of her pure, intrigued question. It could be my overly vivid imagination running amok, again, and it doesn't stop me from frowning, but… She couldn't possibly be… I take in her face, there is no flush or blush on the tip of her cheeks nor star-like glitter in her eyes. Only pure admiration, if that is the right way to call it.
Not good. I want to reach out and shake her back to the surface of the ground from whatever clouds she is swimming in. It can't happen yet. I push those words to the back of my mind, the darkest part of it.
"Pft!" Sophie snorts, covering her mouth with her sleeve. "As if she knows where the squirt runs. Honestly, he is definitely one of those snobby types, but… hey, Hisana-chan, he isn't that bad looking."
"Eh?" She turns to her in confusion and tilts her head.
It is like cold water has been dropped down on top of me. "Sophie-san, please don't put any ideas into Hisa-chan's head."
"But just think, if she has him wrapped around her little finger – "
"Oh, the food is getting cold," Hisana comments offhandedly and we all look at the liquid swimming in the bowl.
The fire has died out and the smoke is getting thinner.
Just how long can the fire burn in this place?
"G'night," Sophie mutters, head hitting the cushion she has made from an old kimono and filling the air with snores soon afterward.
She has fallen asleep. Again, not surprising considering what she has been through. The vigor has been shaken from her body, and she is not even in the mood to go out to take any customers. Someone did come knocking a few moments ago but ran away as soon as the blonde had growled her disapproval. She hadn't even bothered to check or clarify if they had been a good customer of hers. That is a sign large enough to tell us that the blonde needs to be left alone.
Don't touch me. I will bite, I will kick and scream, if you dare, is what the small lump seems to tell us.
Similarly, I lay down, glad to have been changed out of that ruined kimono and crawling under the thin blanket I never thought I would be missing this much. Hisana must be thinking along the same lines because a content look crosses her face.
This is pure bliss – us three safe and sound.
It could have been worse, I think, frowning from the memory of being tied up, beaten and now feeling the bruises on my skin. Then, there is the sight of a pale, black-haired girl with purple eyes that won't leave from my head no matter how I lay and empty my mind.
"Hisa-chan," I whisper softly, quietly not to wake our other roommate up.
She hasn't fallen asleep just as quickly and opens her eyelids. "Yes?"
"I am sorry for running off like that," I say guiltily and look down at her pale hand. It is filled with scratches and I take it into my own. The skin feels cool under my touch, but mine must be no different. "I shouldn't have left you alone."
Her hold tightens around my hand. It is a firm hold. "It is alright. I am just happy to have you and Sophie-san back."
"… I am sorry, for still smelling like dirt, I mean."
She looks momentarily surprised but then chuckles. I like that sound, she is happy. "Mira-san, you don't smell worse than me."
I smile a bit and look down at our hands. Hers is so thin compared to mine. "I should have at least told you two what really has been happening to me."
"You didn't want us to get worried, am I right?" She asks and grasps our linked hands with her free one.
"I wish that this mess with Soul Reapers would end already."
"All is well now."
Is it though?
Surprisingly, I manage to keep a neutral, tired face. However, the ends of my eyebrows twitch momentarily. It is a subtle change and Hisana doesn't notice it. She has no idea that I am recalling the moment we were freed, and she hugged us, or how I remember the look Byakuya held. It all mushes together into a nasty headache and I lace our fingers together. This is a familiar act. She used to do the same to me after we first met – every time I was frightened at night.
As if remembering the same thing, her fingers tighten around mine even further. It makes things feel normal, like nothing of the disaster and nightmares from today ever happened. For a second, I feel at peace. The sound of Sophie's soft snoring offers comfort, too.
Nonetheless, I can still feel the gut-wrenching sensation in my gut. There is an unexplained emotion stirring in my chest, bittering the surface of my tongue with acid that threatens to come out. But not in front of Hisana, not when she is making this happy face. Even while covered in dirt and bruises, the three of us are happy. It is clear from how it reflects in our everyday chores and how we talk together in the evenings…
But sometimes I wish I could shatter it.
My feet feel heavy. They drag themselves across the familiar, dirty road up and down the district like they have been doing for a long time. Still, they are suddenly made of lead. The vase filled with river water feels unusually heavy, as well. As if the upturning road is sucking the life out of me and my muscles with every small step.
It is awful.
This is definitely a draught season. If it still isn't, it is starting at least. The sun hasn't stopped beaming down in the city like everything is right for it. The smell of quickly spoiled food fills the air many times, and currently, nothing is different. Having worked here for a while, I know that the stand selling fish from the river is having a stroke of bad luck keeping the product appealing enough for buyers – the putrid smell of the water creatures enters my nostrils.
"Finally, you-lazy-turtle-who-never-arrives-on-time," Genji insults the very second, I make it back to his place. "Hurry up and bring it in! Customers need water."
"I am pretty sure many others need some, too," I mutter, inching for an opportunity to wipe the sweat from my forehead.
"Hm? What was that?"
"Nothing, sir," I say and pour the liquid down a box set on the side. It is filled with grains of sand and beneath it, there are more layers of it together with thin pieces of fabric.
This is the reason why the water I bring all the way from the river sells well. While other people who buy basic river water, or something resembling it from attempted purification, Genji's water is thoroughly cleaned from basic impurities. It is a trick he supposedly learned from someone a long time ago, but he never tells anything beyond that. A trade secret – even I don't know if all the sand and fabrics are all that there is to it.
Still, I would like to learn the secret, as well. For one, I could make drinking water on my own instead of buying it from him every time. No matter what I do for him, the old man is stingy.
"What are you standing around there for? Hurry up and bring another in," he orders gruffly and guards as the water pours down from a small pipe connected to the box and into another container.
I let out a sigh, stretching my stiff back. "Give me a break. It is so hot out there."
"It is no better than in here," he states and then glares at me. "Didn't I tell you to hurry it? Because of you being absent the other day, my back is hurting again!"
"Well, I am terribly sorry for being arrested and having my life threatened," I snark back, but dodge a flying object. "Quit throwing your vases at me! Don't you need them for – ack! I said stop it!"
"Get moving already!"
"No need to shout – "
The air is pierced by a glass-shattering scream. It rips the fabric of the putrid air and leaves it to shreds – it is the sound of a dying animal. We both stiffen, wincing from the volume and I quickly make my way to the front where there is a direct sight to the street. It isn't just us, other people have also frozen on their spots and some are only recovering from the pain in their eardrums.
It is kind of like looking at an old painting. Nobody moves and their eyes are strained towards one direction only.
I look and wish I didn't. A man lays kneeling on the ground, the crowd around him disbanding, as if afraid to come in contact with him. The reason is obvious – tears are streaming down his face, the neck craned up in an unnatural angle, the scream coming from his throat heart-wrenching. He is pale, deadly so, which is only highlighted by the bright red color staining his clothes and the person he is holding. I can barely see long, undone black hair and a stray hairpin sliding down those strands until it hits the ground with a faint tingle.
They weren't there before. The trail of red comes out of a single house, ending on the spot the man is sitting on. His hands are clutching the head of the woman he is holding. Her features undistinguishable underneath the blood. Her kimono is loose, but the same liquid covers her every limb, making it hard to catch a sight of skin tinted in blue shades. Not to mention, the scarlet lashes covering her limp arms and legs are painfully obvious.
"Somebody help her!"
"Get back in here!" Genji's voice snaps at me and soon he pulls me back to the shadows of his shop.
I do not curse or yell back at him. Rather, I am a statue, looking at nothing while still seeing the sight I just witnessed. The picture of the weeping man and the woman's corpse simply have been branded into my head. Just like how the floating body lulling down the river. It is happening again. My hands are coated in that same shade of red.
"Who was that?" I ask quietly, turning slowly to face the grave face of the old man standing near the door. His back is turned to the street, hands hidden, but definitely clenching into fists, inside his sleeves.
At my question, he turns those steely eyes up. "Why are you asking me?"
Because you know every person living around these parts, I want to whisper. Because you look like you might throw up.
"Just assuming," I say and look over his small stature.
There are two men conveniently standing in front of the shop. And I can hear perfectly how one of them says in a low voice: "Another one." His friend hits his side with an elbow, clearly signaling for him to be quiet. Two words are enough, though, and cause the gears in my head to move.
"This has happened before?" I ask again, looking back at Genji who walks to sit down on a small stool. He watches the water pour down from the cleaning box again.
"When you were gone, another body was found at the end of this street," he explains, voice void of any shaken emotion clearly presented on his wrinkly face. His lips form a thin line. "The man outside is called Heisuke."
The name sounds familiar and I figure out in a few moments why. He is the same man who comes regularly here and gives even the old and grumpy Genji a bright smile. He is also the one who loves to boast about his wife – his beautiful and sweet and hard-working partner – for whom he went to work for at the district border to get enough money for their… oh.
Just a week ago, he had spoken to me.
It was just like usual and I barely listened to his excited ramblings. However, I do remember how he mentioned, with the proudest grin I have ever witnessed on a young man's face, that soon he would become a dad.
"He only came from work this morning," Genji says, like reading my thoughts. "Probably offered to take an overnight shift to get a few extra coins in his pockets."
Something he definitely regrets now.
Everything fades. I do not feel a single thing, nor do I feel like it is getting hard to breathe. I merely stand, half-hearing the loud noises coming from outside through the buzzing in my ears. This is almost close to what had happened when I discovered the mutilated body in the river. I lose the sensations in my legs and arms. They have been sore and stiff since the moment I woke up, but now I wish that they would start hurting again. Instead of living and breathing flesh, I turn into a marionette, something that waits for someone to give an order. I have no words forming in my head either.
I want to feel something – a sensation or emotion, anything. Finally, the voice in my head starts to work. His wife is dead, the child… All the blood dripping down to the ground makes sense now. In one moment, he has lost everything.
No.
Now, the bile that didn't rise up before climbs up my throat. I swallow thickly, touching my hands for some reason. Maybe to keep me calm? Am I not calm? They are cold and wet. For a second, I see them touching the clear river before it was stained in red. I recall the stains of that color sticking to my clothes, how even the water could not erase them anymore. The same thing will happen to Heisuke's kimono as well. The blood of his family won't be washed away.
What a cruel, cruel world.
The corners of my lips twitch up in disbelief. I do not even realize how my eyes finally sting and a tear slips down.
It is alright.
Genji doesn't stop me, when I mechanically, almost inhumanly, turn away and block my ears from the cries. I crouch down and take the vase I was carrying earlier. The tears won't stop, but I can scarcely feel them slide down my cheeks. Only when I step outside and feel the warm sun caressing my head does a single whimper bubble out of my throat.
Turn away.
A few blocks down towards the river, I end up dropping the vase and throwing up in a corner. A crack has appeared on the ceramic and a small chip of it falls off.
Forget what you saw… like you always have.
"Mira-san!"
I lift my head, eyes widening in surprise. Until this point – at some random street down from my job and almost next to my house – I have kept my gaze on the ground. It has been strange. A dark cloud has been pressing my head down this entire time. It has not relented for a second, so I have missed the way the sky has turned into golden orange and pink clouds float like sugared treats.
Sophie and Hisana are standing at the end of the road. The former waving at me with a tired grin and the latter smiling with groceries held in a basket by both of her hands. They are both there, waiting for me to move my suddenly frozen feet.
"Hurry up!" Sophie orders, not minding the strange look people shoot at her. Not minding the shadows under everyone's eyelids, or how their stares linger on the bruises covering her body. "I am famished!"
I release a breath I have been holding back unconsciously. It is soothing and I start walking again, slowly. The town smells of the moist evening – it isn't the smell of metal or putrid fish. The smell of my home enters my nose, tingling my sense over and over again until I sprint the rest of the way to my friends. As soon as I am close enough, their smells are carried by the wind. Sandalwood and fabrics on Hisana from the clothing store, perfume and sweat on Sophie from her work.
Then, there is me. The hem of my kimono has still small water blemishes on it, the tips of my fingers are icy from being soaked many times in the rushing liquid. The ends of my hair drip with the same water I soaked myself in. I smell like the river.
I stop in front of them and Sophie raises an eyebrow. "What's up with that expression?"
"…Nothing. Tired."
"Well, let's go home then," Hisana says and raises the basket she is holding. "I couldn't get any fish, but the radishes look good."
I force a small smile. She has no idea how glad I am that she couldn't get any fish on the table.
"This is so good!" I hum and let the soft dango practically melt on my tongue before chewing and swallowing.
Hisana takes a bite out of hers and smiles. "Kusanagi-san was most kind when giving these for us."
"Well, seeing that she often visits your shop it is no wonder," I tease and take another taste.
She blushes a bit, flustered. "I wish I could work more, though."
"Hey, your body is frail, and we all keep telling you not to push it," I say and then frown. "If only Sophie would listen to that advice, too."
At the mention of our friend, we both think of the blonde who left in haste this morning with her makeup and hair done. It is different to look at when the day has broken out and the sun shines down on her. She looks like any other young woman walking around the place, ready to go to work and return later. It doesn't change the fact that she goes off to sleep with men. The only difference now from before is that she does service during the day.
After waiting a week for her bruises to heal, this is what she came up with to keep herself safer. We are glad – both Hisana and I – that she decided to change her schedule. People have started to notice, how the piling of random corpses has started to agitate the Soul Reapers. Their patrols are now more frequent than a week before if that is even possible. Especially after rounding people up for questioning, many have started to spread rumors.
Even now, as we sit on a bench in front of the dark-haired girl's workplace, a few men wearing black walk past us. Their appearance is menacing, and I almost choke on the food.
They are being too obvious. Don't they get that stirring public unease isn't too good of a strategy?
"On that note, I think we both deserve a little break. How about I will go ahead and ask that old Genji some free supplies of water to make a decent bath for us three?"
Reluctantly, I lift my hand from her head, while she turns to look at me with wide eyes. "I am not sure… whether we could bother Genji-san with such amount."
I snort. "Trust me, he has enough supplies to last through winters. A few missing from stock will only earn me an earful."
"But – "
"No buts. I have been shedding tears and blood for the job – I deserve it!" I nod in confirmation more to myself rather than to the purple-eyed girl. Hopefully, he won't murder me later, though.
Hisana is about to say something else but stops when her eyes trail off to something behind me. Her expression freezes. "It is him."
"What!?" I jump off from my seat and round her, hiding my larger frame behind her like a child next to her mother's skirt. "I-I wasn't going to steal those jars! Please forgive me, Genji-san!"
"What?" Hisana looks at my cowering form – seriously, I am shaking – and chuckles, shaking her head. "No, no. It is the young Soul Reaper from last week."
"Huh? Oh, thank god," I let out a heavy sigh, momentarily leaning my forehead against her shoulder. "Don't scare me like that. I thought that for a moment – wait, what?"
Instead of speaking, she points towards where she is looking instead. Slightly sweating from the mute answer, I follow the end of her finger towards a corner of a street just on the other side of the road we are resigning in. There, next to a building, stands a group of Soul Reapers who are standing in a straight line and listening to one person in front of them with stern faces.
Byakuya's face is as icy and bossy as I remember. The sight of him giving orders while being mostly shorter than others could be almost comical, if not for the cold sensation of my gut dropping. The memories of our last meeting bring back that stench of the cell I stayed in. Oh no, red alert, red alert!
Forgetting about the treat I was enjoying a moment ago, I grab my petite friend and nudge her to stand up. "Quick. He has not noticed us yet. Let's make a run for it."
"W-what's the matter, Mira-san?" Hisana asks in total confusion and actually resists a bit.
I shake my head. "Trust me. He shouldn't spot us."
"Why?" She continues asking and turns to look at me with wide doe eyes. "I would at least want to thank him for his help."
I am pretty sure that short stick couldn't care less, is what I want to say. I can't even bring myself to tell her what lies beyond that authority façade he has on. "He seems busy, so we shouldn't bother him."
"But…" she trails off and looks over her shoulder for a moment. "I really would like to express how grateful I am to him."
Damn. Not those puppy eyes. Internally, I cringe. Whether she realizes it or not, the black-haired girl will always wear this same, sympathetic expression whenever she feels troubled or is down. It is the same face that has gotten even Genji's resolve to crumble a few times. However, when she uses it one me – again, probably unconsciously – it isn't as fun. Especially when I am currently trying to steer her from a dangerous idea.
Besides, I would rather not be at the end of his ire again. But Hisana has not gotten on his bad side, yet.
"They do seem busy, though," I try again, though, my voice falters in desperation. I just want to get out of here.
She frowns softly and looks down at the ground. "I guess the recent deaths are the reason."
"Yeah," I say lamely, hold on her loosening. The topic souring the mood, I no longer think about running. "It is kind of strange – don't they realize that it is making us nervous?"
For small comfort, she places her hand on mine. "I am sure there is an explanation for this."
Or none at all. My lips form a thin line. It is like the entire mass of men and women have lost their heads in a panic and are moving on based on their own fears and predictions. This is not a strategic move made with caution – not that it is any of my business. But maybe that squirt acting all high and mighty could know more… I immediately shake my head. No, that would be a bad idea.
"You again."
A literal stream of rainbow-colored words burst out of my mouth, gathering some strange and startled looks from the strangers passing by and walking on the end of the street. My heart – the very large organ made of muscle that pumps blood all over the body – feels like it jumps up to my throat.
"Jear-Desus-son-of-Patty –"
I cut myself off before any more of unintentional wording can come out. The girl next to me has already winced and is holding her ear like it is bleeding. The dark-haired boy standing only a few feet away appears to be in a similar condition, as far as the grimace on his features is considered.
The back of my throat clogs. A pin could drop and the noise of it would be as loud as a thunder. The expression of shock widens my eyes to a painful level and when I can finally think clearly, I am already sprinting down the road, not really giving a thought about anything. My body is screaming for me to get away from Soul Reapers as fast as possible – particularly the one with short stature and stormy grey eyes.
"Oi!"
"Mira-san!?"
"I forgot to do something!" I yell, not looking back. "Just go home without me!"
Sophie is looking down at me with disapproval.
"You left Hisa-chan alone?"
"Well, technically she is not alone. That Soul Reaper boy is with her."
"Oh, and I suppose that makes it alright for you to leave like that?"
"He hates me – we would have gotten into trouble if I had stayed."
"So, you ran with a tail between your legs, expecting him to treat her like a gentleman?"
"Unfortunately, I don't have a tail. And I repeat: he won't harm her."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because Hisa-chan is so charming."
Her glare turns murderous at my light-hearted attitude.
"Remind me which one of us is older again?"
I laugh at her disgruntled face but turn solemn when her mood won't change. Instead, I pat a spot next to me on the floor and look out of the window. Whether she chooses to sit next to me or not is up to her alone. In the end, she chooses to stand, and we remain like that, in silence. It is still bright outside, so the faint noises of the day give some life to the small house with only one room.
Honestly, there is not a single part of me that worries for our young friend. As long as she is with that black-haired boy, she will be fine. Although, I did not plan to ever leave them alone like that. I hadn't even expected to run into him out there the way we did. Why is he even patrolling these parts repeatedly anyway? The question bothers me, but I brush it off in favor of thinking of Hisana and how she is doing. When I ran, the thoughts of what could happen between them barely graced the surface of my mind.
She is fine.
I close my eyes, playing with my tattered sleeves.
This is how things should be.
My fingers feel clammy and I wipe them against the rough fabric. I blame the heat. I also blame my dinner for the twisting in my gut.
I am just…
I bite down on my lower lip. It stings and the dry skin cracks.
I am just speeding up the process.
I have a strange feeling that this has happened before. The sensations I am gathering are the same ones I got from the time I tried to catch a thief. That one act of kindness ended up biting me on the ankle, so to speak. I ended up being tackled on the ground, tasting dirt and getting on the bad side of one temperamental brat.
Now, one act of giving two teenagers some space has definitely come punching me back on the face. Hisana is standing inside our modest home, hands clammed together at front in a nervous manner and next to her a taller boy glances around the dust-covered ground disdainfully. He does hold his tongue, but it is obvious how uncomfortable and out of place he is. It may not help that he is wearing those dark Soul Reaper robes and how some people are curiously peeking inside the house just to get a glance.
Clearly aware of the small audience, I walk over to the window, send a sharp warning look at the neighbor children who scatter away immediately and close the curtains.
"You know," the blonde girl starts from her place on the ground. Unlike the rest of us, she is completely calm and lays down at her side with a thoughtful look on her face. "I never thought you would be bringing boys home this early, Hisa-chan."
The purple eyes widen and then lower. "S-sophie-san," she says and tries to sound admonishing, but the embarrassment is too plain to see on her flushed face.
Byakuya's lips thin, but even through his glowering, the tips of his cheeks and ears glow with red. The sight would be amusing if I was not both confused and worried about the fact that he is even standing here. Even Hisana appears anxious for some reason and that only adds to the amount of suspicion I am feeling. And it is not the good kind. Sophie's teasing does not amuse me, it does not amuse anyone in here.
Still, the young Soul Reaper does not open his mouth or do anything beyond giving a mean look at the leisure blonde. This is where my worries intensify – a silent, spoiled, bratty kid is never a good sign.
I walk next to Sophie to get some comfort and look at the two youngsters while pursing my lips. "So… what is this all about?"
The pair look at one another and I stiffen. There is a silent message being passed around here and my stomach turns around for some reason. Funny, this is the same feeling I get moments before I run away from something.
"Well," Hisana starts and looks away from Byakuya, facing us with uncertainty, "he requires assistance."
"For what?" Sophie asks the question echoing in both of our minds.
For the first time, the young boy steps forward with his shoulder stiff and face a hard mask. He is obviously trying to keep his features as smooth as possible. "If I tell you the details, can you swear to secrecy?"
Both Sophie and I look at each other. She raises one light eyebrow and I do the same, shrugging. When we turn to the pair, Hisana is looking at us with a silent plead in her eyes. It is a small sign that she wants to offer her assistance to him, at least. But why are you dragging us into this, is what I would ask if the subject of my headaches and worries weren't standing here.
"Depends on what you are going to tell us," Sophie says and stands up next to me. Tousling back her hair a couple times, the young woman looks at the shorter boy with a pointed look. "We can stay silent if what you tell us is going to endanger our safety. Seeing that Hisana is the one who brought you here, we will also consider staying silent."
"Sophie-san, Mira-san," Hisana steps forward and walks to us with a frown on her worried face. "I implore you to listen to him. We must not let what he tells us to get outside these walls."
I raise an eyebrow again and the blonde next to me mimics that gesture. Slowly, she looks at the black-haired boy, before leaning in and whispering. "He is not going to ask us to sleep with his comrades, right?"
A strange noise between an outrageous shout and a choke comes from Byakuya. His already milky white face turns into pale snow, lips thinning to the point they resemble a fine scar-line on his skin. Still, he does not do much else. From beneath those large sleeves, though, his fingers are clenching into tight fists and I bite down on my lower lip.
If we keep on pushing his buttons like this, he might explode.
Hisana gasps and shakes her head. "N-no, certainly not!"
"Just messing with you," Sophie winks with a small chuckle. "Mira-san, what do you think?" She suddenly asks me and leans closer to whisper: "This is what you get for leaving them alone."
I turn into stone, before whipping my eyes to give her a small glare. The younger woman merely shrugs her shoulders and gives me a derisive smile. I can't get further mad, though. There is a sudden urge to sigh in the back of my throat – she's right.
I have brought this upon myself.
Hisana's hopeful gaze is now fully focused on me. She either knows or unconsciously is aware of how I can't say no to those kinds of eyes. She is naturally a kind girl who can't exactly say 'no' to many things, especially those in need. However, she does not lack common sense. What I am worried about – if what I have seen is what I think it is – is that this new 'infatuation' of hers has altered that voice of reason. Getting more than enough involved with a Soul Reaper screams bad news. It is basically common knowledge around these parts.
Either way, I am sweating bullets here.
I chew my lower lip, struggling not to break immediately after the decision making is entrusted to me. This is a delicate matter. I can't tread these waters carelessly. If I say yes, will Byakuya say something that we have to get involved or can we brush it off and continue on with our lives? Hisana, obviously, will feel guilty from such rejection, seeing that it is her who willingly brought him here.
But why ask for help from her? Suddenly, Sophie's suggestion for prostitution doesn't seem so ridiculous, but I brush it off. This kid is too proper and stiff for someone his age to even allow such a thing to cross his mind.
For the first time, I look at those silver-gray eyes of his. He is still clearly uncomfortable – maybe his pride is damaged from asking help like this – but there is a seriousness to him, too. Despite being a few inches shorter, the expression he wears reminds me a bit of an adult man. The look does not suit someone with such youthful features. I have an urge to smoothen out that frown between his brows.
"Alright," I sigh and ignore the hopeful glimmer in purple orbs. "But first, ground-rules. We do not make an agreement unless both parties are satisfied."
The boy's frown deepens, but there is a hint of surprise in his eyes. Giving a small, curt nod for me to continue, I look at my two friends for a moment before returning the attention to our guest.
"First," I raise an index finger, "whatever you will tell us – good or bad – will remain between the four of us," I say and raise another finger. "Second, we have the right to decline whatever it is that you need. And third, you will give us your word on your honor that you will agree with these terms."
"And what of you?" He asks back, nose raised in the air. "What proof will I have that you agree on the first term."
"You don't," I say bluntly and gesture at the two girls and myself. "We live in a place where survival is everything. Like Sophie here said, if this information you are going to give endangers our safety, we will keep quiet. Our mouths remain tightly shut if it is like that. So, it is basically up to you to decide whether you want to tell us anything, or not."
Asking our full silence is too much. If there is anything, I have learned from Genji over the time that he has been my employer is that make sure to leave an opening to agreements, in business and in life generally. That way you can safeguard a benefit for yourself. Especially in a place like this.
"So, do we have a deal?" I ask and stand a bit taller.
Byakuya's face is twisting. He is not very good at hiding his emotions. It may as well do more with his boisterous temperament than a lack of experience, or both. At first, he looks flabbergasted at my honest reply and a bit offended, too. For a small second, I fear that he might explode from my 'rude' behavior, but the opposite occurs. He actually pauses and looks to be thinking of something.
If you think of it, he has already dragged himself here, get involved with me more than once and now Sophie and Hisana are here. His rank as a Soul Reaper and someone from a high background have obviously been dragged more than once through the muds of this district. Both figuratively and literally.
I manage to hold back a smile spreading on my face, as the look in his eye changes. He has no escape from this one.
He looks me directly in the eyes. "Fine. I will give my word to agree on these terms."
"On your honor."
His jaw clenches, but he does stand taller. "I, Kuchiki Byakuya, pledge on my honor to agree on these terms."
I nod, though my throat feels a bit dry. "Good. Then, we have a deal."
Oh, my gosh. He agreed! Wait, he agreed? He agreed! I half-pat myself on the back and half-give the credit to Hisana who has mostly stood next to me and Sophie. Now, she has a small smile on her face, looking absolutely relieved that this part has gone well. I am sure it is because of her presence that Byakuya is being this… mild, so to speak. He has not even sneered at me in disgust yet.
"Now that that is out of the way," Sophie starts pleasantly and clasps her hands in front of her. "What is it that you need our assistance for?"
Whatever weight I felt being lifted off my shoulders is back tenfold from her question. Our attention is now on Byakuya, who doesn't even flinch from the curious – more like wary from me – stares. He glances carefully to the side and I follow his gaze to the door and window.
It is strange. Usually, I love it when a breeze blows and the curtains and the straw door flap from it, but now my limbs turn rigid from the sound of it.
He is being cautious.
"My squad has been mostly focused on this area because we are in search of a certain someone."
I hold my breath like inhaling will cause a loud noise that will ruin the mood. My blonde friend and I lean in curiously, but Hisana stays mostly the same – she must have truly been informed of what this is all about. When I give a subtle glance at her way, she is clasping her hands together so hard the knuckles are turning white.
"The same man who has been responsible for the growing number of murders in this district."