You almost killed Rin. What makes you think you can do something like that and get away with it? I directed the thought at Nadia.

She responded with laughter. So you've gotten some backbone. Good to know. But I told you. I'm the one with the power here. I'm dominate, not you.

Liar! This is my body!

How do you know? Did Kurama tell you that? He didn't even tell you about me until the last minute. Don't you find that odd? And as for Rin—

Don't you say a word against him! He protected me today, even though you tried to kill him.

Don't you understand? It's "we" now. We tried to kill him.

I sat straight up in bed. She was right. I was there, watching, and I could have…should have…stopped her. But I didn't. Was she…me?

I got out of bed and left the cabin. Nadia had gotten silent…she probably went to sleep.

I walked to the bridge that separated the boys' side of camp from the girls'. I sat down on the bridge.

"This just isn't fair," I said softly, throwing a pebble into the stream.

"What isn't fair?" Tomoe showed up and sat down next to me.

"Ah!" I exclaimed. "Oh…it's just you, Tomoe."

"Who were you expecting?"

I blushed. "Ah…no one. It's just, he always seems to show up when I'm upset."

"Oh, you mean Rin," Tomoe replied.

"I'm glad he didn't show up this time," I sighed. "I don't think I can face him."

I stood, and started to walk back towards the cabin.

"Kristine," Tomoe said. "Rin's in my cabin. I'll tell him to meet you at the harbor in an hour."

I whipped around. "Didn't you hear me? I can't—"

"Yes, you can," Tomoe replied. "Now go."

"Wait! Old or New Harbor?"

"The old one. In the forest. That way no one will see you."

I nodded, then headed off into the forest, pulling a flashlight out of my pocket.

Xxx

"Tomoe! Why did you send her into the forest alone? What if—" Rin hissed, hiding around the corner of the cabin.

"Don't worry so much, Rin," Tomoe said snidely. "You'll be over there in a minute."

"Nice, Tomoe," Reiko said. "Why are you out tonight?"

"I'm not," Tomoe said. "Your cousin is out at the Old Harbor waiting for Daisuke."

"Be careful, Tomoe," Reiko said. "Kurama is going to try to use her. And I know you're tempted to do the same. I know she can free you, but…"

"You worry too much," Tomoe said, as Rin approached.

"Ah…I'll never get used to that," Reiko said. "Go, Rin. And take care of my sister."

Xxx

I…almost killed Rin…I sat down on a rock. It was a full moon. What am I doing? I can't talk to him after what I did!

I turned and headed back down the trail, but then I ran into Rin.

"Ah…um…hello," I said softly. "I was just going."

"Wait! I need to talk to you," Rin said.

"Why did you come?" I snapped. "Haven't you had enough of me by now? I tried to kill you!"

"No you didn't!" Rin exclaimed. "You saved me!"

"You wouldn't have needed saving if it hadn't been for me!"

"Kristine…it was Nadia who did that, not you."

"But, I am Nadia, right?"

"No," Rin said. He looked angry. "Did she tell you that? She's lying! You aren't like her at all!"

"Rin! Why are you so upset?"

"Because you keep believing her! She only wants to hurt you!"

"Why do you care so much?"

Rin doubled back, blushing.

Why can't I tell her?

"I…like you," he said. "That's why."

Xxx

My hands went to my mouth. I was blushing.

You can't do this. You can't be with him. I won't allow it. Let me out! Now!

I fell to my knees. "No…Rin run! She wants to hurt you!"

I felt wings come out of my back.

No…I have to protect Rin. There's no one here. Nadia could drown him or something.

There was a bright light suddenly, coming from my wrist. Had I always had a feather tattoo there? The wings were sucked back in. Blue feathers went everywhere.

"Are you alright?" Rin asked. "How did you do that?"

"I…don't know," I said. "I just…I had to keep her from hurting you again."

I looked at him in the moonlight. He had bruises on his neck from where Nadia had tried to choke him.

"Ah…you're hurt!" I said.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Rin said.

I touched the bruises. The tattoo on my wrist glowed again and they faded.

"W-What's going on?" I asked.

What is going on? Rin wondered. I don't know. I've never seen this before.

"We'll figure it out, don't worry," Rin said.

"Rin?"

"Hmm?" Rin responded.

"Why didn't you run when I told you?"

"I couldn't leave you. Or Nadia."

"Yeah, who knows what she would've done." Kristine brushed the feathers off her pajamas. "About what you said…I like you too."

"Y-You do?" Rin blushed, and his heart rate went up. Relax, I don't have to leave. Not this time.

"You okay?" I asked him.

"I'm fine," replied Rin.

"I'm ready to go back now," I said. "I…I'm surprisingly tired."

"Don't use those powers unless you have to, okay?" Rin replied.

"Okay," I said. "Now off to our cabins."