Chapter 21
"This should be the place, right?", Raiju asked curiously.
They had gone around town, looking at all kinds of stalls. They had found curiosities of all kinds, as well as accessories, books, bags, and all kinds of food that had smelled delicious enough to seduce them into buying some and snacking on it as they continued window shopping. But very few of them had sold clothing, and none of the ones that did had called to them or been particularly practical.
It even got to the point where Rogue had brought it up in casual chatter with an old lady selling fruit at one of the stalls as they picked out some of her wares to pack for later.
It seemed the clothing industry of the island was actually doing exceptionally well. So well, in fact, that none of the businesses saw the need to offer their items in a stall, where thefts and damages to the items weren't rare, but could afford to set up inside a building instead. The Centre she had called it.
Apparently, it was a huge building that housed only clothing stores within. The entrance apparently opened into a wide corridor over several stories with each door on the inside leading to a different store. Almost like a shopping street but covered so as to not get soaked while hopping stores.
It sounded interesting and unique, having piqued both of their interests.
The kind woman had promptly given them directions to the place and after only 5 minutes of walking at a leisurely speed, the newly minted siblings had found the place.
Judging by its sheer size it couldn't be anything else, really.
At his confirming nod, they walked inside. The corridor they stepped into was surprisingly brightly lit and spacious, not giving them a cramped feeling at all. The ceiling was high and they could even see inside the clothing shops since they were only partitioned with glass walls, thus giving the place the feeling of being even more open as well as a rough preview of the type of clothing offered in each store.
It was a smart way of designing it.
Raiju and Itachi spent a few hours there, exploring and taking in everything and anything. Due to the clinic that offered plastic surgery attracting a lot of vain and fashion-conscious people, the fabrics, cuts, and workmanship of the garbs offered here had to be correspondingly high quality to satisfy demand.
Yet, that also meant the prices would be accordingly high.
This, in turn, meant Raiju was quite hesitant to purchase anything and only walked away with 3 sets of casual clothing, 2 sets of practical clothing, 2 pairs of shoes she could move well in, as well as, on Itachi's insistence, 5 sets of clothing suitable for combat.
Since her hair now suited any color really, she had opted to honor her late love's color scheme. Dresses and tops were in a dark sky blue like his favorite shirt used to be. Pants and underskirts were light grey and overcoats and jackets a dark red with golden accessories. She also got a nice scarf and sash in Orpiment yellow.
The sash was made of thick, durable fabric so it could hold a vest or chest armor in place later.
Itachi would have to look out for a good shoemaker and armor shop at their next destination to complete her sets of battle gear.
The siblings left the Centre, happy to have gotten what they'd come for. Raiju herself had really enjoyed the day and was way less high-strung than shed been the last couple of weeks. She threw a thankful smile Itachi's way, knowing that had been his intention.
Despite the face he put up sometimes he was a serious sweetheart.
When they arrived back at the inn they had spent the night in, it was already getting dark once more.
They greeted the proprietor with a smile and a nod and got their items from the backroom where they had been allowed to store them for the day after moving out and placed their new purchases among them, before leaving with one last thanks to the kind older man.
Once they were out of sight, Itachi sealed away their bags and they made their way back to the stall area for another meal. They'd hang around there until night fell completely, before making their exit. Luckily, the night this time was clouded, so they could set off earlier than planned, not having to wait before the whole town was asleep.
"So, this is her then, the whore?", a vicious-sounding voice cut through the peaceful chatter of the market, causing the area to fall silent and heads to turn towards the source.
It was an extremely tall young woman, who could be considered beautiful, despite her longer than normal nose. She was pale and her long black hair was carefully gathered into low pigtails. She was slender and wore a white dress, giving her a delicate appearance that contrasted with the headstrong temperament the set in her square jaw bespoke of.
The whole image was destroyed by her body language, however. She had her hands on her hips in an overbearing posture, a sneer contorting her face in anger and her blue eyes were narrowed in hatred as she stared at the target of her ire, the flickering light of the torches only enhancing the viciousness she radiated.
A target that just happened to be Raiju.
Itachi raised one eyebrow at her, decidedly unimpressed with the scene she was making. At the same time, he wasn't really surprised, oh he hadn't known something would happen, but it wasn't caught off guard. He had already come to terms with the fact his new sister would attract jealousy after all, as well as several admirers. The looks she had gotten over the span of the day had only affirmed his belief.
With a conflict like this, Itachi wasn't going to get involved. He was curious how she'd handle it herself.
Raiju didn't seem to wait for him to help either and merely raised her own brow in response.
"Good evening to you as well", she said lightly, "I'm sorry to say, I don't think I know you…?"
He could tell just how not sorry she was. Though her approach was interesting. Kill them with kindness, huh? She didn't seem perturbed by the sudden and unprovoked hostility shown towards her at all, which would come in handy.
The unknown woman scoffed derisively.
"Of course, you don't. You don't need to know me to steal my man."
Her patronizing tone was truly grating, he could tell she'd practiced it a lot. Or maybe she just felt like she could talk like that a lot. Who knew?
The other brow on Raiju's forehead now joined the first one.
"It seems there must have been some kind of confusion then. You see, my brother and I just arrived on the island yesterday evening. We also spent that whole time together, merely enjoying the sights and planning to leave again before the day is over. Are you mistaking me for someone?"
She sneered.
"Save your excuses for someone who cares. Mistaken, am I? Then point out another whore with white hair around here, old hag."
Raiju sighed. It seemed the woman had truly decided to bite down on her, huh?
"Look, are you alright? You seem distraught. Would you care to join us for some tea? We can talk about this unhurriedly then."
This only seemed to enrage the woman even more and she actually stomped over, raising her hand as if in preparation hit her as she cursed up a storm.
"You think you're so great, bitch. But you're so disgusting, I bet if you ever had children they'd look just as ugly as your inside"
That did it.
One did not insult a pregnant woman's offspring. Raiju's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, which the woman obviously saw as a triumphant look appeared on her face, having found a perceived weak spot.
"What's wrong? I'm right?", she mocked, "Did you already have some-"
She was interrupted by an angry shout from the crowd before Raiju even decided how to deal with the woman who was obviously to hurt and upset to think clearly. She seemed almost deranged.
"Catarina! How dare you!", the resentful voice of a man sounded, shortly followed by the man himself as he pushed his way through the crowd.
"I'm so sorry", he bowed towards Itachi and Raiju deeply, apologetically.
"Stop making a scene, Catarina!", he then scolded, "I've never even talked to either of them, there is no reason to attack them like some… some rabid dog just because I said she looked pretty."
He threw another apologetic look their way as he spoke, a faint blush on his face.
"This isn't… just… why", he finished lamely, "Why do you-"
"Kobe", she said angrily, "what do you mean why didn't you break up with me because of her!?"
She jammed her fingers pointedly in Raiju's direction.
"What-… No!", he hurriedly denied, "I haven't even spoken to her. She didn't even know I exist until just now. I broke up with you because you're… you're always like… like this"
He gestured wildly at her and at the crowd.
"You lose it at the drop of a hat, make a scene regardless of your surroundings, and air our dirty laundry for the whole town to see on a regular basis. Once you get going you won't calm down no matter what happens unless you get your way", he visibly sunk into himself
"I'm tired, Venice. I feel like you never care what I'd want out of anything as long as you're satisfied. Just… just stop."
"Is that what you think of me then?", she asked quietly, a dangerous glint in her eyes, "Just a rabid bitch who doesn't actually care as long as things go her way?"
The man, Kobe, just silently shook his head, not even bothering to reply to her question.
"Come on, Catarina. Let's go. You've caused enough of a scene today."
"You-…", she started, but stopped herself.
He gently placed an arm on her back to guide her away after he said his piece. Surprisingly, she didn't comment and merely let him guide her away. He bowed once more towards the siblings and the crowd in apology as they walked off.
Itachi and Raiju had merely watched after their confrontation had been interrupted. It hadn't been their business to interfere, nor had it been their place to say anything. Yet… he couldn't really let her leave just like that either, after that last comment. Raiju was the only one to see Itachi's form flicker slightly as the young woman turned around.
As opposed to the man, neither of them had missed the renewed maliciousness in the woman's expression as he led her away either. Both towards them, as well as towards Kobe.
Still, they wouldn't get involved in some strangers' relationship drama. They had more important things to do than care about a jealous woman's issues with her ex-boyfriend.
Itachi tapped Raiju on the shoulder, signaling that they'd take this opportunity to depart, now when the attention of the crowd was still on the departing love birds.
He unobtrusively led her around a corner and into an unlit alley, where he unceremoniously scooped her up and carried them onto the roofs, leaping across quickly towards the forested area of the island.
When the crowd finally shifted their attention from the departing backs of the local troublemaking couple, they discovered that the beautiful siblings that had been the trigger of this evening's drama had long disappeared. Thus, they dispersed, grumbling that the show was over already.
"Well done", Itachi commented after they had cleared the premise of the town, "You kept your cool despite the provocation"
Raiju hummed in response, marginally tightening her arms around his neck in thanks for the compliment.
"People like her usually lose their momentum if you respond to the provocations with kindness. It's like hitting cotton, very unsatisfying."
"Hn"
Itachi nodded but decided to give her some advice regardless.
"That usually only works for civilians though."
"I see", she said thoughtfully, "I'll have to be more cautious in the future then."
Satisfied that she understood what he was getting at, Itachi fell silent once more. They were nearly secluded enough to summon Kuromu now.
"Right, what did you do at the end? I saw you move but…"
Surprised, Itachi looked down at her. If she had seen him move, her awareness had gotten sharper. Her training had truly taken root then.
"Ah, since that last comment was uncalled for, I had to punish her."
"Hm?"
"She seemed really fond of her hair, so I split them."
"You cut off her hair?"
That was a surprisingly mild and juvenile punishment, wasn't it… Also, how didn't they fall off then?
"Hn. I split them horizontally. She'll have to have them shaved off herself to repair the damage."
"Pfffft"
While that still seemed kind of childish, no real harm had been done in the confrontation, so she found the punishment to be fitting. The woman had insulted her baby after all, even if she didn't know of her pregnancy outright.
Raiju was still giggling to herself as they took off from the island on Kuromu's silent wings, starting in the wrong direction and at the other side of the mountain.
Without issues, his faithful summon brought them above the clouds and then realigned herself towards their new destination.
Next stop, Karate Island.
Author's Note:
Kudos to anyone who has recognized Catarina xD