Obscuring The Heart(Part 17)

I ladled a healthy helping of thick, lamb stew into a bowl and set it on the table in front of my father. I was still thinking about that poster that I had seen earlier that day. I knew there was something familiar about it, but I just couldn’t place it.

I ladled out some stew for myself and took my seat across from my dad.

“Sigrid, is something the matter?” The red head asked me.

“I was talking to Philip today.” I saw his confused face, “The bounty hunter.” I clarified, “And he showed me the poster of the man he’s been hunting. And there’s just something really familiar about him, but I can’t put my finger on what it is.”

“Well,” Stoik shrugged, “He’ll be out of our hair tomorrow, so it doesn’t gain any time still thinking about it. Besides I need you in top spirits. With all the other riders gone, many of the children have been terrified that there’s no one around to protect them from that monster in forest.”

My eyes lit up, finally remembering what that tattoo reminded me of.

“Didn’t they say that monster looked a lot like a scauldron?” I asked.

Stoik nodded, “Children and their imaginations. No matter how many times any of us tell them there is no way that a scauldron would be up in the mountains they insist they’ve seen one.”

I pushed away from the table and stood up, heading for the door and picking up my ax, quiver and bow along the way.

“Sigrid, where are you going?” Stoik called out to me.

“To hunt this monster.” I told him, flashing him a genuine smile before bolting out of the house so he wouldn’t be able to stop me.

---

“Are you sure this is where you saw it last?” I asked Gustav who was trembling under Shadowsplinter’s wing.

“Yes.” He squeaked out, “Can I please go now?”

I tilted my head to examine the tracks a little better. These footprints were way too large for it to be any of the other children in the village playing a prank on the others. It was a grown man, maybe about the same size a Mulch but I couldn’t be certain.

I nodded finally, “Take Fanghook and go home. You did as I asked so I don’t need you here-

I cut myself off as I turned around slightly to see he had already taken to the sky on his dragon and was heading home.

I sighed to myself and shook my head. He could ride a five ton flaming war machine like it was nothing, but at the prospect of facing a ‘monster’ he turned tail and fled.

I had to suppress a chuckle as I followed the tracks by lantern light. His reaction was probably the most logical to take. I was being the idiot.

I followed the tracks, weaving in and out of bushes, around trees, over a small creek. But the tracks were ever present. It was like whoever left them either wanted themselves to be tracked or had no care as to whom found them.

I took a pause to suppress a cough and to examine the tracks more thoroughly. There were overlays of other tracks on top, the same feet but they were much more fresh. I made the decision to extinguish my lantern and take a few moments to let my eyes adjust to the night. There was little light from the half moon filtering down through the trees, but it was enough for me to make my way.

I motioned for Shadowsplinter to stay where he was until I knew exactly where these were heading. I had a feeling that the tracks were leading to a small cave close by. It was mostly covered by a fallen tree, fresh saplings, bushes. It was something so out of the way that you wouldn’t know to look for it if you didn’t know it was there.

How did I know it was there? Simple. We all used to play in the forest as kids. Especially when Dagur came for the treaty signing. On one such occasion, when Dagur was here, we had wandered pretty deep into the woods. Shortly after a fight between the two of us broke out and we wound up on the ground wrestling. Eventually we rolled down the small hill, crashing into bushes and small rocks and who knows what else, eventually winding up down at that cave. Our previous fight had been forestalled due to our curiosity to investigate the small opening.

I was correct in my assumption and stepped forward carefully, making sure to avoid making any kind of unnecessary noise. Once past some of the further bushes I began to see the dim glow of a fire. I stepped forward a little more, making sure to move slowly and deliberately so that I would maintain my element of surprise. In all my years of hunting and fighting I knew this was crucial thing to maintain.

I grew within a few feet of the entrance of the cave, I could see him clearly thanks to the flames of the fire. He was about Mulch’s size, maybe a little taller. He had blonde hair and a long, scraggly mustache and beard combination. His brown eyes were both tired and hard, as if he’d seen more than his fair share of carnage yet he longed for a soft bed. His nose was big and unbroken, or at least it was set back properly, but what drew my attention the most was the tattoo on his right cheek. It was the tail of a scauldron.

I assessed my options. The cave was small so there wasn’t any room for a full on scrimmage between us, and with the small opening and all the foliage around I was on my own because Shadowplinter couldn’t get in this far. He was a big man too so I wouldn’t be able to overpower him. I could have run back to the village and gotten Philip or another adult out here to help me, but the odds of them being as silent as I was were slim to non.

I watched carefully as the flames began to die down into low embers. Norman hadn’t moved in the entire time I was there, and after a few more minutes I realized why that was. He fell over from his sitting position onto his side with a dull thud. He was breathing heavily and evenly. I was in luck.

I waited a few more moments before making my move, I wanted to make sure he was in a deep sleep. I pulled my bow and quiver off of my shoulder and set them down silently on the grass, they would only hinder me.

On my hands and toes I slowly advanced into the cave careful to not make a single sound. I knelt right in front of the large, sleeping man and carefully brought his hands together in front of him. I then carefully wrapped the ball end of my chain scythe around his wrists and secured it so he wouldn’t be able to wriggle loose. Then, being careful not to make a single sound, I slowly backed out of the cave on my toes. Once back out into the open night air I straightened myself up to my full height and sent Shadowsplinter a hand signal to come forward and land on the fallen tree hanging over the cave.

He did as I signaled, and the second he had touched down I had secured the scythe end of the chain to the guards on the back end of the saddle. I double checked to make sure that was secure before scurrying back into the gave to check on Norman. He was still asleep, chain firmly secured around his wrists.

Satisfied I left the cave silently and picked up my bow and quiver, hanging them on my shoulder like before. I then climbed up fallen tree and mounted Shadowplinter.

“Alright, boy.” I started, patting his neck softly, “We’re gonna have some extra weight here, but all we have to do it get him to the village. If you can manage that, there’ll be a bucket of apples waiting for you once we hand him over. Alright?”

He didn’t let out a roar, knowing silence was best here. Instead he let out a lot of air through his nostrils along with small amounts of smoke to let me know he was up for it.

“Alright.” I said more to myself that time, “Sky.”

---

Norman the Nimrod’s back his the deck hard. Philip the bounty hunter towered over him with a grim smile on his face.

“I owe dis all to you, miss Sigr’d.” Philip smiled at me.

I shrugged, “One less thing for the people of Berk to worry about.”

“If’n it’s alright’n wit you, I’d like’n to come back her ‘nd share with you the bounty I get off o’ him.” Philip offered.

I shook my head, “I was doing a duty to the people.”

Philip shook his head, “Wouldn’t be righ’ta leave her and take all the treasure for myself. Sides, you’s the one who found ‘im in da fir’t place.”

I shrugged again, “If you feel the need to do it I can’t stop you. But he’s your prize.”

“Dat he is.” Philip agreed, “You known, miss Sigr’d,” He said more thoughtfully this time, “If’n you’d evar consider a differ’nt path, bounty huntin’ might’n be it for ya. You seem to be a real goodin’ at it.”

I shrugged again, “I know how to track. It’s not really a be all, end all skill.”

It was Philip who shrugged this time.

“Just a sugges’n.”

I shrugged once more.

“Well, thank you for taking this, nuisance off our hands, Philip.” Stoik cut in. He had been there the entire time and decided now was the best time to speak.

“Thanks is mine, chief.” Philip replied with a polite nod, “I won’t’n be botherin’ you ‘nd your people no more.”

“Safe travels.” My father bid as Philip boarded his ship and shoved off.

We waved until he was well out of ear shot.

“He seemed nice.” I said more to myself than to anyone else. I knew what was about to come.

“Nice?” Stoik growled as he turned his attention from the disappearing boat to me, “He seemed nice. A bounty hunter? A man you only barely know the name of, that you risked your life to go out and find him his target. All because he seemed nice!”

“His target, ” I started, “Was a man who was terrorizing our children. At least now you have one less thing to worry about.”

“Sigrid!” Stoik boomed, “I don’t care about that. You could have been hurt. You were hunting a wanted man for heaven’s sake! You leave, in the dark no less, without much of a word, force young Gustav to take you to where this monster was seen and then proceed to track it alone!”

“I had Shadowplinter with me.” I shot back.

“Oh, and having your dragon makes all the difference?” Stoik snapped.

“Yes.” I seethed, “He wouldn’t let anything happen to me!”

“But what if something did happen to you?” Stoik demanded.

“Nothing happened!”

“But what if something did? What if it was a dragon out there that posed a threat and not a heavily sleeping man? What if it was someone much more alert? What if-”

I cut him off, “What if Norman started stealing children? What if he started wrecking crops and stealing farm animals and ruining our livelihoods?” I demanded, “What then? Had I not acted as I did we could potentially be have a much different conversation right now. We can stand here all day and talk about what ifs and what could have been and how stupid I am for doing what I did. But at the end of the day dad, nothing bad happened. I ran off in the middle of the night, that’s not odd for me. I tracked someone in the forest, we all do that from time to time. Yeah, maybe it could have been a dragon, but it wasn’t. So, how about instead of continuously going over all the things that could have gone wrong and obsessing about my lack of safety, can you not just be happy that I solved something for you and came out of it okay?”

Stoik looked almost ashamed, he had learned how to better talk to Hiccup and myself over the past few years instead of just yelling at us about our mistakes and what we should be doing. He’s learned to listen and see things from our point of view, but that didn’t mean he liked it.

“I know you’re just concerned dad,” I assured him my placing a reassuring hand on his arm, “But I’m not a kid anymore. I know how to handle myself.”

“I thought you were still sick?” He all but whispered back at me.

I shrugged again, “I’m mostly over it. Besides, I think that clean night air really helped me.”

He could only half smile at me, which I mirrored back. Somethings were getting really hard for him to accept. My strength and intelligence seemed to be among them.

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Behind The Mask(A Gaara One-Shot)

A firm knock swept through the house early that morning. Temari’s eyes lit up, knowing exactly who that was.

“I got it!” She all but yelled, running past her brothers to get to the front door.

“She’s way too much of a morning person.” Kankuro yawned at his sister.

Gaara merely shrugged at his siblings.

“Guys, you better behave. Kaya is here!” Temari called again coming into the kitchen with the black haired girl in tow.

Kaya waved shyly to the two men.

“What are you doing here, Kaya?” Kankuro asked the Uchiha.

“Temari invited me to the village for the annual festival of the masks. I hope you don’t mind.” She said softly, her black eyes holding Kankuro’s own black orbs.

“Of course they don’t mind, right guys?” Temari smiled.

Kankuro was about to say something, but he was cut off by his brother for once in his life.

“Not at all.” Gaara cut in, smiling at the kunoichi, “I hope you enjoy your stay here. We’ll try to be as hospitable as possible.”

“Stop being so formal you two!” Temari all but yelled at them, “Kaya, you are here for vacation. You don’t need to address Gaara as Kazekage-sama anymore, and Gaara don’t get overly formal either. I know you have that habit.”

Both shinobi just looked away from the blonde, but said nothing.

“Good.” Temari said finally, “If you guys need us, Kaya and I will be upstairs in my room working on our costumes for the festival of the masks. Don’t need us.”

“A little late to be working on them, don’t you think sis?” Kankuro cut in before the two hurried out of the kitchen.

“Never too late for women with our expert taste.” Temari smirked before pulling Kaya along with her.

Gaara’s eyes lingered on the spot where the black haired girl once stood.

“Man, I hope I can dance with her tomorrow night.” Kankuro sighed to himself, causing his brother to glance at him.

“Oh come on, Gaara.” Kankuro probed, “Even someone like you has to admit Kaya’s a pretty girl. Well, pretty, and smart, and strong. She’s a real catch, I’m surprised she’s still single.”

Gaara said nothing as he finished his breakfast, but he couldn’t argue with his brother.

Kaya’s long black hair, soft black, round eyes. Her button nose and thin mouth. She had high cheekbones and a tapered chin. She had a very feminine face, and a very feminine form. Though her curves were not quite as defined as they could have been had she not been a shinobi, but she still had a decent chest and full hips with a toned butt. She possessed a lot of muscle on her for a woman, but non of it was bulk it was all finely tuned to be hard as steel through intense training. Yet with a light scar nicking her jaw line, just left of her mouth and bandages that constantly covered her right arm to hide a hideous scar and the fact she stood taller than most girls at 5’7 gave her quite an intimidating appearance. Couple that with the fact she was almost always in her combat attire and carrying all her weapons never made for an easy approach.

So to Gaara, it wasn’t a real surprise that she was still without a partner. Yet he would not allow the excitement of knowing that for a fact to take over him. He had liked the Uchiha ever since they had met when they were young. He too held the hope that he might be able to dance with the girl.

---

“I hate these things.” Kankuro whined as he tried to adjust the collar of his robes, he was accompanying Gaara to the festival of the Masks as his body guard, and, as per tradition, he had to dawn ceremonious robes.

“I’m right behind you with that.” Gaara grumbled to himself as he tried to fix his collar in the mirror.

“Um, forgive me if I’m interrupting.” Kaya’s smooth voice called  from the door way into the living room where the men stood, trying to fix their collars.

“You aren’t interrupting, Kaya.” Gaara assured the black haired girl without turning around, “What is it you need of us.”

“Yeah, it’s almost time for us to-woah.” Kankuro cut himself off as he turned around to look at the Leaf Shinobi, “Please tell me you are attending like that.”

Gaara, both confused and irritated looked over his shoulder to see what had sparked his brother’s more perverted side, he had to do a double take.

Kaya was standing in the door way, her hands clasped behind her back she was being especially careful to keep her right arm out of sight of the two. What she had on was what caught the attention of both men.

It was non other than a short, black, silken night robe that showed off her great curves and the miles that were her legs. Gaara couldn’t help himself but to allow his eyes to wander down and take note of the faint little nick and scars that healed over and littered her legs.

“No.” Kaya said slowly, staring at Kankuro confused, “Temari let me borrow this so I could come down and tell you guys to go on without us. We’ve had just a little wardrobe malfunction. Don’t worry though, we’ll catch up.”

Gaara just nodded and looked away, hoping to fix his collar shortly. He would not allow himself to drool over her like his brother was.

“We’d love to get going,” Kankuro grumbled, finally realizing that Kaya was not comfortable, “But these damn, stupid collars! We should really get rid of these!”

“Um,” Kaya started again, “I can help if you guys want.”

“You know how to do these?” Kankuro asked in disbelief.

The black eyed girl nodded, “My father had traditional robes kinda like that, I learned how to do them up.”

“Be my guest.” Kankuro smiled at her, opening his arms as in invitation to the girl.

Kaya hesitated a moment before striding into the room. The sleeves on the robe only came down about three-quarters of the way, still showing off a fair amount though. Her right hand, going up her wrist and forearm, extending even further than that, was covered in healed over burn scars. Some would think she slid really badly on grass or stone walkways. It was actually from high pressured sand slicing against her arm. But there was only two people who knew that.

“How’d you get that?” Kankuro asked as Kaya pulled lightly on his collar and did it up in a matter of seconds.

“Training accident.” She said shortly before turning to Gaara and quickly doing his up not meeting his gaze. He watched her hands carefully. He knew exactly how she got that scar. He knew exactly the amount of pain she had been in when she had gotten it. He knew exactly how many stitches were put in her arm to keep it together after it had happened. He wanted to run his fingers over it and make sure it didn’t hurt anymore.

But the second his collar was snapped into place, Kaya’s kind hands were gone and she began to walk out of the room.

“We’ll see you there then.” She sent a smile over her shoulder before all but disappearing back upstairs before Temari could yell for her.

 

Obscuring The Heart(Part 16)

I was brooding. I was not happy. I was just barely functional.

The biggest part of the sickness had passed over without too much trouble. I still had a horrible cough that caused tremors to course through my body, but there was no more blood that came up with it. My throat was still sore. I was still unbelievably groggy.

The only indication of silver lining was the fact I could stand up and walk around and even run for short distances. Hiccup and the others had left a few days ago for a second time. They were establishing an outpost to make trips easier. I still wasn’t up to the task of going with them so I was stuck her on Berk, grounded.

Shadowsplinter didn’t want to take off with me because he could sense my state.

I sighed again and readjusted the sack over my shoulder as I walked. At least I was well enough to resume my regular duties. Right now I was fetching ingredients for the weeks dinner.

I pushed open the door to the hut and closed it behind me, dropping the sack by the counter and strode forward to stoke the coals in the fire. My next task was dinner.

I felt guilty knowing I hadn’t been able to make Hiccup any dinner before he left, but I knew when he came back I would be well enough to make good food for him.

I set out to making bread, chopping vegetables and cleaning fish.

---

The stew was simmering over the fire as I set the bread to bake on the hearth when the door slammed open. I looked over, startled my hand went to my ax instantly. Relief washed over me as I realized it was just my father.

He lumbered in, slamming the door behind him, and all but collapsed into his chair at the table.

“Everything okay dad?” I asked as I gathered together a tankard of ale for him.

“Oh, just fine.” He all but hissed and took the tankard I offered to him.

“What’s going on?” I mused and crossed my arms over my chest, giving him no room to dance around the subject.

He half sighed, half groaned as he placed the tankard down on the table, non too gently I might add.

“This two-bit bounty hunter showed up on our shores late this morning. Claiming to be looking for this Norman the Nimrod. Said he heard he was on this island and asked if we knew anything about it.”

“I’m assuming you don’t.” I added.

“Not a clue.” He shook his head, “He asked if he could look around and ask the villagers. I was hesitant but he did it anyway. Now I not only have that idiot running around the entire island giving all the villagers grief, but angry villagers demanding he be removed.”

“And they just don’t throw him off the island because?” I droned, not understanding the position.

Stoik sighed before he replied, “This bounty hunter is, a mountain of a man, quite literally.”

I whistled lowly, huge if Stoik the Vast was calling him big.

“And non of its fat either. That man is near three meters of muscle.” He shook his head again, “I’m surprised you haven’t seen him.”

I shrugged, I hadn’t been anywhere near the docks today. I hadn’t actually been out of the house very much today either. I figured he just didn’t come close.

“So, there’s fear that if the villagers try anything against him he’ll level the village.”

“What if this Norman the Nimrod isn’t here?” I asked.

Stoik just shook his head again, “I don’t know, Sigrid. I just hope he understands if he isn’t here.”

I pressed my lips together in thought. Non of this sounded good. I wasn’t diplomatic in the slightest so there was no way I could convince this hunter guy to leave. The only hope would be to either capture this Nimrod or somehow convince this mountain of a man he isn’t here.

“Dinner smells really good, by the way.” Stoik’s words cut through my train of thought.

“Oh,” I said coming out of thought, “Thanks.”

---

I was perched on top of our hut watching this literal mountain of a man lumbering through the village. Many of the villagers hurried out of his way. Those who were just coming out immediately turned back around and went right back inside. Children were hurried out of his way. There were a few times he paused to speak to some people, but all those he talked to just shook their heads rapidly and ducked away before he could say anything else.

The bounty hunter seemed to sigh deeply in frustration before he turned around and stared right at me. That was the best look I had gotten of him all morning.

He was nearly three meters tall and unbelievably muscular. It looked like he had two yaks stuffed into a bladder and those were his arms. He wore a lot of black, trousers, boots, belt, vest that was left open against the cold breeze to show off how muscular he was. His eyes were almost black with how dark brown they were. His large nose had been broken several times and was turned at an awkward angle. He had a large mouth with some missing teeth that were blackened from lack of care, he only exposed them to me because he smiled at me before starting towards me. He had long, matted black hair that was covered by no helmet. His beard and mustache combination was no better. His skin was naturally darker due to years spent in the sun, but it was blackened with dirt. Everything about him was dirty.

Shadowplinter noticed his approach and moved to put himself between the hunter and me.

I gave a silent hand signal for Shadowsplinter to stay back until I told him otherwise. The timberjack only wanted to protect me, and until this man was proven to be a threat I was intent on protecting my dragon.

“G’mornin’.” He said to me with a nod, his gruff voice surprisingly soft for a man his size.

“Good morning.” I said back to him and swallowed the small lump of crystalized honey I had been sucking on to help my throat.

“Don’t believe w’met yet. Name’s Philip.” He told me.

“Sigrid.” I nodded back, “I heard there was a bounty hunter walking around Berk, I can’t believe I missed you.”

He laughed lowly for a moment at what I said, “I c’n be v’ry sneaky when I need’t’be.”

I nodded only half believing him.

“Dis beast yours?” He asked me motioning to Shadowsplinter where he stood in a half defensive position.

“Yeah.” I told him, “His name’s Shadowplinter.”

“Nice an’mal h’is.” Philip commented.

“Is there something I can help you with, Philip?” I asked the man just as he was about to take a potentially fatal step towards my loyal timberjack.

“Ther’is miss Sigr’d if you don’t be minding me askin’.” He told me, his attention was fully on me know, “See, I’m lookin’ for a man by’n the name of Norman da Nimrod. An’ I ‘ave on good aut’ority dat ‘e be her somewher’.”

I nodded again.

“I haven’t heard of anyone by that name.” I told him, “And I generally know everyone on this island by name.”

“I have a pic’ure, er, mor’ a poster o’ him if ya be wantin’ to see it.”

I nodded, “That might help things along a bit.” I told him.

He took a second and searched a small bag he wore on his hip before pulling out a pile of parchments and rifling though them to pull out the one he was looking for. He handed it to me and stuffed the rest back into his bag.

I looked at the crude drawing carefully. He seemed to be an average looking man. The one thing that drew my attention was a very distinctive tattoo on his right cheek. It was in the shape of a scauldron’s tail.

I tapped my lip for a moment as I thought. Something about that seemed familiar to me, but I couldn’t quite place it.

Eventually after a couple of minutes I just shook my head, assuming it was nothing and handing the paper back to him.

“I wish I could help you,” I assured him, “But I’ve never seen him before.”

Philip took back his piece of paper and nodded a couple of times.

“Guessin’ ‘e migh’ not’b her then.” He shook his head sadly, “Migh’o moved’n on.”

I nodded, “Where will you go look for him next?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Philip shrugged, “Migh’n be headin’ west. Came her from da east. No hide o’ ‘air o’im ther. If’n s’alrigh wit da chief, I might’n stay her ‘night ‘n shove off in da mornin’.”

I nodded, “He wouldn’t be opposed to that.” I assured him.

“‘N how you’d b’knowin’ dat miss Sigr’d?” He asked.

I shrugged, “Chief Stoik if my father.” I told him, “I’m Sigrid Haddock.”

His eyes went wide before he down cast them.

“V’ry surry miss Sigr’d, v’ry surry. Had I known you’d be da chef’s daugh’er I’d a shown you much more resperc’.”

I shrugged at him, “I’m his daughter.” I told him, “Not his son and I’m definitely not next in line for the title. Aside from that you’ve been polite enough.”

“‘Presiate you understandin’ miss Sigr’d. Reall’ means a lot to me.”

I just shrugged again.

“I be leavin’ you den. Got much’n to do for shove off t’morrow.”

I nodded as he left and waved slightly as we walked away. There was still something about that face that was bugging me.

The solution I knew was on the tip of my tongue and I just couldn’t place it.

Long Distance Love(A Renji Yomo One Shot)

The familiar air wafted over me as I stepped off the bus. Smog from all the cars and factories, smoke from cigarets, and the sweat of all the bodies mingled in the breeze almost choking me.

I didn’t like this place. I had always prefered the clean air and isolation of the mountains, or the constant change in scenery I went through. Yet I always ended up back here.

I threw my draw string bag over my shoulder and pulled my green trench coat closer to me as I trudged forward. I was in the 15th ward, I had a fair ways to go before I made it to the 20th ward.

I should have made a detour to the 4th ward to see my older brother, but my mind was only in one place.

I flipped the collar of my trench coat up as rain started to fall from the sky. It always seemed to rain here, it almost gave it a peaceful appearance. I knew better.

The only place that was safe anymore was as far away from people as possible. Easiest way to do this was to keep moving. There was never any peace of mind any other way that I found.

I started up the familiar steps into the building. I paused on the small landing and opened the door to my right, stepping in quickly to be out of the rain.

“Welcome!” Everyone there greeted before a pregnant pause took over.

“I’m back.” I said awkwardly, shifting from one foot to another under their gaze.

“Amaya-chan…” Touka said slowly in shock as she stared at me.

“It’s good to see you again, Amaya.” Yoshimura smiled at me.

“Man, it’s been a while, Ama-chan, where on this green planet have you been off too?” Enji laughed.

“Yeah, we’ve missed you.” Kaya grinned.

“I’ve been up in Hokkaido.” I informed as I looked up and down two new workers at Anteiku, “Who are the newbies?”

“Kaneki Ken,” The boy with and eye patch and black hair perked up at his name, “And Nishio Nishiki.” the brunette perked up at his name, “I would like you to meet Amaya. She is a dear friend to us.”

“She’s also Uta’s little sister.” Touka added in.

“Thank you for always bringing that up, Touka-chan.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“Oh come on, Ama-chan.” Enji laughed, “You know your brother will be heart broken if he finds out you’re distancing yourself from him.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “He can live with it.”

“Come have a coffee and warm up.” Yoshimura offered as he gestured to the counter.

The cafe was devoid of all other patrons, so I took a deep breath to relax and dropped my bag on the floor next to a stool and sat down.

“Has business been good for you guys?” I asked absentmindedly.

“About as good as it could be.” The old man informed.

“So what were you doing in Hokkaido, Amaya?” Kaya asked me, leaning over the counter to get closer to me.

“The usual.” I said shortly.

“Anything of great interest?” Enji pried this time.

“That depends on what you would call ‘interesting’.” I countered.

“Amaya-chan, can you please just tell us about it? Those two are going to explode if you don’t tell them soon.” Touka smirked.

I half grinned back but hid it behind my hand as Yoshimura placed a cup of steaming hot coffee in front of me.

“The Doves are making their way up north.” I said shortly, pausing to take a sip from my coffee. A smile spread across my face as the warmth took over me. Very few things I have missed about this place, the coffee was definitely one of them.

“They haven’t quite made shop up in Hokkaido just yet. But in the next year or two the new building will be completed and operations will be under weigh  to move and monitor ghouls up there.” I paused and furrowed my brow, “We’re running out of potential safe places.”

A pregnant pause took over the cafe. Yoshimura, Enji, and Kaya all furrowed their brows, their lips pressed tight together.

“We’ll have to deal with it as it comes.” The manager finally relented, “For now you are safe and we have that information. Where do you think you will look next?”

“I’m gonna try for the southern most Islands by Okinawa. If that fails I’m gonna try for Korea. Maybe try more West.” I informed, staring into the brown liquid in my mug, “Before that though, I heard about a ghoul that’s been causing a bunch of trouble in Osaka.”

“Why would you care about?” Nishiki demanded, curiosity bubbling over, “Isn’t that something that should only concern the Doves?”

“You would think that.” I said slowly, pausing again to sip my coffee again, “Until you realize that this ghoul has been cannibalizing other ghouls.”

Silence overtook the younger members of the cafe. They were realizing the truth of this situation.

“Does Yomo-san know that you’re here, Amaya?” Yoshimura asked, cutting through the silence, hoping to bring some light to the space.

“Not yet.” I said quietly, lifting my coffee cup and drinking from it for a prolonged period.

He just smiled at me.

“You should see him as soon you can.”

“I was planning on it.” I informed after finishing off my coffee, “I just kinda thought that he would have been here.”

---

A light click came to my ears as I turned the key in the lock. I took a deep breath before I turned the knob. It had been so long since I had been here. Almost one year and almost no contact. Would he be mad? Would he still love me? Would he kick me out? Would there be another girl in his life?

I decided to bite the bullet and just turn the knob and enter.

The apartment was silent and empty. I took a pause after closing the door to pull off my boots, leaving my bag by the door.

I padded down the short hallway, coming out at the small kitchen, dinning, living room area. The apartment was still empty and silent. I went to the left and opened the sliding door to his bedroom. Empty.

I sighed deeply. He wasn’t here. I had hoped he would have been home so we could talk and I could even explain myself.

I stepped into his bedroom and shrugged off my jacket, hanging it on a hook on the wall. I pulled my belt and cargo pants off, tossing them to the corner of the room. I tugged my long, black hair out of its pony tail and started combing it through with my fingers to get some of the tangles out.

I then flopped down on the double bed and wound myself up in his blankets. It smelled of him. He hadn’t changed his sheets yet.

I nestled down into the warmth and relaxed. It wasn’t too long before I drifted off to sleep.

---

My eyes fluttered open at the gentle touch of someone caressing my face.

I looked up to the sharp face of Renji. He had a soft smile on his normally stern face.

“Renji.” I moaned with tiredness and rubbed my eyes to be able to look at him better, “You’re here finally.”

He was laying on his side, head propped up on his left hand. His right hand was lazily running through my dark hair.

“I missed you.” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his torso.

He hadn’t said anything yet, so I was slightly afraid that he was upset with me.

“I’ve missed you too.” He said finally. His deep, smooth voice sending shivers down my spine.

“I’m glad to see you’re alright.” He then leaned down and kissed my forehead.

“I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long.” I admitted into his neck, “I didn’t mean for it be that way, but then information just kept coming. And the Doves came across my trail briefly, so I couldn’t do anything. I-

I was cut off by Renji placing a soft kiss on my lips. Fire smoldered in my belly as I clung to him.

“You’re here now.” He breathed when he pulled back, “You’re alive. That’s all that matters.”

He kissed my forehead again and held me close.

“Let’s just focus on right now.”

“You know you don’t have to keep waiting on me.” I almost whispered. I didn’t want him to leave me, but I didn’t want him to be unhappy with me, “I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted someone else.”

He didn’t reply verbally at first, his hands found their way into my cocoon and groped my bare thighs and hardly covered ass.

I yelped at the contact of his warm hands, only prompting a chuckle from him.

“You are worth waiting for, Amaya.” He said lowly, “You happen to be one of the best information sources we have. We need you for that. Because of that, and the dedication that you have for your work, I can’t let any of it bother me. We’ll be together permanently eventually. Until then, I’ll hang on as long as you’ll hang on.”

“I never want to let go of you, Renji.” I told him, burying my face into the crook of his neck, “I just don’t want you to waste your life waiting on me.”

“Some people are worth waiting for, Amaya.” He kissed my forehead again.

“I guess we’ll have to keep up the long distance thing then?” I sighed before I squealed as he groped by butt again.

“There’s no distance here now, Amaya. Let’s enjoy it.” Renji grinned at me.

A loud bang echoed through the apartment that caused both of us to shoot up in a jolt. Then the door to the bedroom all but flew off the track.

“Uta.” I growled seeing my older brother standing in the doorway with a giant grin on his face.

“Oh come on, you see everybody else but me! You can at least act happy to see me, Aya-chan~.” The black haired man sang.

Renji and I gave each other a sideways look before my brother propelled himself between the two of us.

Renji and I both grumbled as we made room for the giddy man. I readjusted the blankets around me to cover my lower half so Ulta wouldn’t say anything about it.

It wasn’t quite long distance right now, but there was definitely a more annoying space between us now.

No flirting!(Samon Gokuu One-shot)

Kitsuna bit her tongue to hold back an eye roll as Inori continued with his comments.

How did she get to be here again? She asked herself, oh yeah. Hajime was way too concerned with cell 13 escaping again that she got stuck bringing these papers to building 5 so Samon didn’t have a spas about them being late.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like visiting the building and getting a chance to see her boyfriend. His second in command just made some really stupid remarks to her. And, for some reason, he decided that today would be the day that he unloads all of them onto the weary red head standing before him.

“You look tired, Foxy.” Inori smirked, “I would imagine you would be considering you’ve been running through my mind all day.”

An invisible sigh left her nostrils as she gauged about how much time she could possibly have at the moment to kill him and hide the body, before reasoning there was no way she could do that and not have someone walk in on her.

“You know Foxy. As pretty as you are there is something about you I would like to change if I could.” Inori continued, “Your last name.”

He loosened his tie before adding to the berate.

“It is hot in here or is it just you?”

At that comment an audible sigh erupted from Kitsuna’s lips and she reached up to pinch the bridge of her nose.

“Inori,” She began with a frustrated growl.

“I’m fighting the urge to make you the happiest woman on earth tonight.” He grinned staring into her blood red eyes.

“If Samon where to over hear the banter you’ve just unleashed, not only would you be working overtime you would need to swim back.” The red head started with a hiss, “Now while these ridiculous pick up lines you drop for me cause a lot a laughs back at my office, when actual work needs to get done I have issues. Now, either tell me where Samon is or I’ll be forced to leave these with you against my better judgement.”

Inori just looked at her dumbly.

“What is it?” She snapped at him, “Spit it out already.”

A sinister smirk broke out on his face before he responded.

“If I told you that I thought you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?”

You could almost hear the veins in Kitsuna’s forehead pop at that last comment. Hardly a second after it was uttered, however, the door slammed open to reveal a seething monkey.

“Inori!” He screeched as he slithered into the office, “What the hell do you think you’re doing!?”

“I-uh, Supervisor! Kitsuna and I were just, uh.” He searched frantically for help.

“I came to drop these papers off for you, Supervisor.” The female red head called to the monkey.

“Please leave them on my desk, thank you Kitsuna.” He growled, though his heat was not directed at her but rather the boar.

Kitsuna did as she told and quickly made her way to the door.

“I wish you both a good day then, Supervisor, deputy.” She nodded and left before either could say a word. She knew Samon wanted nothing more than to beak the ever loving shit out of Inori for what he over heard.

And, of course, she was right. She hadn’t even made it out of the office building before bangs, crashes, screams, and the sound of things breaking screamed out of the main office.

Kitsuna could only chuckle to herself as she walked away. Sometimes her monkey was a little too overprotective, but it was definitely cute of him.

A laugh then came out of her throat that she had to cover up as she heard something break through the ceiling of the office and go shooting off behind her.

Samon had sent his deputy flying.

He really did hate it when anyone but him flirted with her. Not as though she minded his reactions.

Mind(Revy Lemon)

I felt all the eyes upon me as I stood next to the woman who told me to call her Nee-san despite the fact we looked nothing alike. She was tall and curvy with blonde hair and blue eyes. While I stood next to her lanky, very little figure, black hair and dark eyes. How were we related?

Standing opposite to us were four people. A tall black man whose name I recalled was Dutch. A tall blonde man, I believe was called Benny. A japanese man with black hair, Rock was his name. And then there was a girl brown eyes and plum hair, I haven’t caught her name yet.

“Why do we have to look after her!?” The girl demanded.

“I want her safe.” Nee-san said shortly, “She won’t be with me, and I wont risk putting her in harms way.”

“If you aren’t strong, you shouldn’t be here in Roanapur!” She hissed back, “So why the hell is she here!?”

An icy tension filled the room as everyone waited for Nee-san’s response. Why was I here?

“She is very dear to me, Revy.” Nee-san began, “Due to an accident, she has lost her memory. But let me assure you, once her memory has returned, you will not be disappointed with who she is.”

“Nee-san.” I called to the blonde woman, claiming her attention in an instant, “Who am I?”

“She doesn’t even remember that!?” Revy yelled.

“Revy,” Rock tried to reason with, “These things occur when a person suffers from amnesia, it’s not odd.”

“I’m not going to baby sit her!”

“You are a very special person, Eliza.” She smiled down at me, “Until you have regained your memories, don’t worry about it.”

I looked down and nodded. I was still unsure about it all. I had so many questions.

“I’ll pay you each ten million american dollars.” Nee-san said, turning her attention back to the four, “Half now, half later.”

“What’s later?” Revy grumbled.

“When she regains her memories.”

“Um, Balalaika?” Rock probed tentatively, “How are you sure that she’ll regain her memory? Some people never recover from it.”

A larger smile grew on Nee-san’s face as she replied, “Because I believe she will.”

---

Needless to say I was currently living with Dutch, Benny, Rock and Revy. I was still very confused. Benny and Rock seemed very opened and welcoming to me. Dutch was rather neutral towards me. Revy was completely against me being there, even after the fact.

I did my best to stay out of their way in their day to day lives.

Presently I was sitting on the couch in the office reading the daily paper. I knew Dutch was out conducting business, Benny was down on the ship working on his computers, Rock was out getting supplies, and Revy was sleeping.

Revy. I thought about her a lot. There was just something about her that interested me, but I had no idea why that was. Until I regained my memories there was going to be no way for me to tell the reason behind it.

A door slamming open drew me from my thoughts. Revy stormed out of her room and into the office area towards the fridge pulling out a beer.

“What are you staring at?” She demanded from me as she whipped around, a can of beer in her hands. She had a blush on her face, she hadn’t been sleeping before like I thought she had. She was drinking.

“Umm.” I couldn’t think of anything. I had been watching her after all.

She let out a tsk sound, “Thinking you’re all high and mighty just because Balalaika is taking care of you!”

“I-

“You piss me off!” She growled as he leaned down and got right in my face.

I whimpered and tried to back myself up as far back into the couch as I could but it wasn’t any use.

“And yet you turn me on.” She hissed again.

I almost couldn’t comprehend what she had just said as her lips roughly attacked mine. The can of beer in her one hand fell to he floor as she used one hand to grip my hair tightly and the other was sent to pull me up and grope at my ass.

My eyes were wide at her actions as our teeth roughly met in the middle. That being said, I wasn’t against the actions she was performing. Now I knew why I had been interested in her.

Her one hand that was on my ass crawled up under my shirt and groped at my chest, her one hand stayed in my hair keeping me in the kiss.

“Eliza. Revy. I’m-

Rock was cut off as he entered the office and saw us together in a tangle of saliva and limbs.

Revy just growled at the japanese man as she untangled her hand from my hair.

“I-I, uh, I didn’t mean to-

“Shut it!” She hissed at him and grabbed my arm, pulling me behind her back into her room.

Once the door was slammed shut and locked she pressed me against it and started the onslaught of a tongue war again. This time, feeling brave I moved my hands up to tangle in her loose hair. She pulled away after I did this and stared at me.

“There are better things to hold on to, Elisa.” She growled lustfully to me before literally tearing my t-shirt off, leaving my small chest exposed.

I gasped as she started to play with my nipples and suck on them. It wasn’t fair that she was doing this kind of torture to me and I couldn’t feel her. After her growl I had thrown my hands up and decided it was best not to touch her, but now.

I tentatively reached down and forward to fondle her chest, and possibly coax her out of her top. Before I could do any of that she sent me flying to the other end of the room onto her bed. My head hit the window sill and before I knew it she was before me pulling off my jeans and panties in one swift motion, sending there somewhere in the room.

She then forced my knees apart and knelt down before me, flashing a seductive smirk at me before she lowered her head and began her work. I let out a moan as her tongue came into contact with my pussy. She worked me over well, licking and sucking at my dripping heat before she started to finger fuck me as well.

I cried out in pleasure as she added her first finger and sucked on my sensitive bud. I turned into a mess of moans as she added her second finger and began a scissoring motion. At this point the heat was almost unbearable, the coil in my stomach was ever so present and very tight. I needed to come, and Revy knew that.

She gave me my desire when she inserted her third finger and drove me over the edge.

I gave out another cry as white pleasure washed over me, and along with it everything I had been missing.

When my vision cleared enough to see Revy kneeling before me with a self satisfied smirk on her face, I used it to my advantage.

I lunged forward, taking her by surprise and hauling her up off the floor and onto the bed with me, stripping her of her belt and using it to tie her hands to the headboard. Her face was that of absolute shock as I did this.

I could only smirk to myself as I pulled her crop top off her busty frame and toss it haphazardly somewhere in the room. I then watched her intently, never breaking eye contact as I kissed, licked, sucked and bit on her round breasts and perky nipples. Her brown eyes held my gaze as I did this. She didn’t even flinch as I worked my way down her body to the hem of her shorts.

She was red in the face and completely shocked at what I was doing. In a swift movement I had her shorts and panties off thrown somewhere I didn’t care about.

I licked my lips as I pushed her tights apart and leaned down to claim her like she did me.

“What the hell happened to yo-ooh!” Revy cut herself off with a moan of her own and threw her head back in pleasure as I eased in a finger to tease her a little bit.

“Between that hit from the window sill and the orgasm I just had,” I explained to her in a low growl as I swirled my finger around inside of her slowly, causing her to writhe in pleasure, “Everything came flooding back to me. Now I want to return the favour, and say thank you.”

Before she could retort I lowered my head back to her soaking pussy and added another finger, which I then proceeded to pump in and out of her before I started to lick and suck at her moist folds. I took all the encouragement I needed from the grunts and little whines she let out. I knew she wouldn’t give me satisfaction of another moan springing forth from her lips like before, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was loving every second of this.

I was proved even more right when I added my tongue into her pussy to fuck her that way as well. Everything tightened and she came undone in the matter of seconds.

After her orgasm ended, I lingered down there a moment to lap up the cum that spilled out before straightening out onto my haunches and licking my fingers clean. The scene before me was priceless.

Revy was on her back, face red, panting like a dog. Her voluptuous chest rose and fell with every intake of breath, and it still dawned the marks I had made there mere moments earlier. Her hands were bound above her head giving her no way of covering herself from me.

I could only smirk as I crawled forward on her body and carefully untied her hands before I placed a gentile kiss on her wrists and placed them on either side of her head. I then slid from above her and onto my side next to her, my back facing the wall. I moved some her hair from her face so I could see her brown eyes better.

“Who the hell are you?” She panted out.

I pressed a sweet kiss to her temple before I replied.

“My name is Eliza Wart.” I began as I drapped an arm over her stomach in some attempt to cuddle with the mercenary, “People who hire me will generally call me ‘Clearless’.”

Her eyes widened registering my code name.

“I’m an assassin. I generally work for Balalaika, but I’ll accept work from almost anyone.” I yawned, “Rest assured, I won’t hurt you or your team.”

“Shouldn’t we get you back to Nee-san now?” Revy asked as she rolled over to face me.

“She won’t mind.” I assured the purplette as I pulled her closer, “After all, I’m back in the right mind set again. She can wait a little longer.”

“I guess you’re right.” She relented with a sigh and threw an arm over my shoulder, burying her head in my chest, “I don’t mind this too much either.”

 

Good Family Memories

This is a Nanbaka fluff kind of piece. It’s slightly SamonxOC and slightly MomokoxOC.

---

“Oh, thank you.” The red eyed woman in front of me smiled and accepted what I offered.

“No problem, just don’t forget it again please. Hajime will have my head if I’m late again.” I sighed and crossed my arms showing her my annoyance.

“If he has any issue with it, tell him to come and see me, I’ll resolve it.” Momoko assured with a gentile smile.

“I can fight my own battles.” I reminded.

“I know you can.” She half laughed at her own actions, “That being said I want you to know I care about you, even still.”

“I know you do.” I finally smiled at her. Our crimson eyes sharing in a rare moment of love and happiness, that was quickly interrupted by a knock at the door.

Momoko sighed, breaking our eye contact before turning her attention to the door behind me.

“Come in.” She ordered.

“Good morning Warden Hyakushiki. Oh, and good morning to you too, Kitsuna.” Samon said in surprise as he entered the office.

“Good morning Samon.” I nodded.

“Thank you again, Kitsuna.” Momoko said to me, “I’ll let you go now.”

I bowed and said, “Have a good day, Momo-nee-chan.” And took my leave of the room.

---

The door slammed shut and I turned my attention back to Samon who was standing ridged with his green eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

“Is something the matter, Supervisor Samon?” I asked, snapping him out of his trance.

“Forgive me, Warden.” He started uncertainly, “But did Deputy Supervisor Kitsuna just call you ‘Momo-nee-chan’? Implying you are her older sister?”

I couldn’t hold back the laugh that came out of my chest.

“Yes, Kitsuna is my little sister.” I explained, “She’s my junior by 2 years.”

“But, Warden,” Samon tried to reason, “How can you be sisters when your family names are Hyakushiki and Rekoin respectively?”

I smiled sadly thinking about it.

“Our parents divorced before she was born.” I said slowly, coming across some painful memories and split occasions, “I stayed with our father, while she stayed with our mother. That’s why our names are different.”

“I see.” Samon said, sweating lightly under my gaze, “Forgive me if I probed too deeply.”

“Curiousity is a natural thing.” I said with a shrug, “Though when we were younger, it was far easier for people to tell we were sisters. The years have been hard on her.”

---

“What!” Kiji exclaimed, nearly dropping his compact.

“I don’t think that’s possible.” Kenshirou growled with accusing eyes.

“If that were the case I would have known about it!” Mitsuru shouted.

“Would have known about what?” Hajime yawned as he entered the break room.

“Hajime!” Kiji jumped up and pointed at him accusingly, “You work with Kitsuna, so you should know this piece of information! And the fact you never shared it!”

“What are you talking about, pheasant?” The tall man growled.

“Did you know that Kitsuna and the Warden are sisters?” Samon asked calmly to the taller man.

“What!?” Hajime asked in disbelief, the cigaret that had been hanging loosely from his lips fell to the floor.

“I found that our this morning when I went to give the Warden my report.” Samon admitted, “They were just saying bye and Kitsuna called the Warden Momo-nee-chan.”

“Th-that could be anything!” Kiji tried to wave the comment off and laughed.

“I thought so too, so I asked the Warden.” Samon continued, “Turns out they are siblings. Their parents divorced before Kitsuna was born and the Warden stayed with their father. Kitsuna has her mother’s family name, not her father’s like the Warden.”

Hajime sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Alright, why are we treating this like it’s a huge deal? People are allowed to be related.”

“I know, just look at you and Hitoshi.” Mitsuru laughed behind his hand.

“Don’t you get it, Hajime!” Kiji all but yelled, “This basically means Kitsuna can get away with murder in this prison as long as her sister is on top! What does that mean for the rest of us! For you! Are you not afraid of losing your position to that fox?”

The gorilla pushed the long haired man away as he had gotten too close during his spiel.

“I’ve worked closely with Kitsuna for quite a few months now.” Hajime bit at the men in defense, “She has no interest in taking my position as Supervisor unless I step down. She’s very comfortable where she is as the trap designer for building 13. On top of that, she’s never once brought up family. So even if she is the sister of the Warden, and even if she is close to her like you think she might be, she has no interest in using that to further herself. And if I catch any of you trying to bad mouth her again, I will bash your face in.”

“Oh-ho!” Kiji laughed, “It seems as though the gorilla is rather fond of the fox.”

“Could this be a crush!” Mitsuru teased.

“I look at her more like a little sister than a potential girlfriend.” Hajime hissed at them all and lit up a cigaret.

“Why, not enough in common?” Kiji teased again.

“Too much, actually.” Hajime corrected.

“How can you have too much in common with someone?” Mitsuru asked.

Both Kiji and Kenshirou shrugged as Samon was in deep thought.

---

“I don’t know.” Kitsuna said turning her gaze from her sister’s.

“You don’t have to decide right now!” The bluenette assured, “Just come with me to check the place out and if we both like it we can talk about it.”

“I just don’t want to intrude in your business, Momo-nee-chan.” Kitsuna started, “We’ve never actually lived together so it might be hard to adjust.”

“But we love each other, right? So it’ll make things easier.” Momoko smiled at the red head who shrugged in response.

“So, what are you two lovely ladies talking about?” Mitsuru all but threw himself between the two of them sitting at the table.

“Nothing of note.” Kitsuna said coldly.

“Speaking of note!” The wolf man cried, “Is it true you two are sisters!?”

“Mitsuru! You idiot! You have no idea how to approach these situations!” Kiji screamed at the dark haired man.

“Oh, come on. I got straight to the point.”

“Are we sisters.” Momoko giggled darkly as she reached into her pocket.

Everyone but the red head across from her flinched as she pulled out the item.

The bluenette opened her wallet and pulled a handful of photos as Kitsuna’s head hit the table.

“You still have those things?” She all but whined at the older girl.

Momoko chuckled, “These are some of the good memories, Kitsuna.”

“Are these you two?” Kiji asked as he looked over the pictures behind Momoko’s shoulder. Samon, Mitsuru, Kenshirou, and Hajime not too far behind.

The bluenette nodded, picking up the first photo to show it off better.

“This was at Kitsuna’s kindergarden graduation.” She beamed.

“That’s Kitsuna at six?” Hajime howled in laughter. The girls in the picture were both elementary age, one girl had long blue hair and stood almost a foot taller than the other. The other girl had short red hair that curled in very awkward angles. Both were in different uniforms but rather well kept.

“You two actually look a lot alike in that.” Kenshirou noted.

Momoko nodded, “People would sometimes confuse us for twins if we wore matching outfits.” She took a moment to smile and reflect, “This one is from my middle school graduation.” She held up another photo. One girl in a school uniform holding a bouquet of flowers, her long hair beginning to gain the signature curls the warden sported to date and her red eyes beginning to get hard. Standing a few inches taller than her was a red haired girl beside her. Distinct pieces of black and silver were evident in her hair though it was pulled back into a pony tail. She wore no uniform, but dirty, torn up jeans and an over sized t shirt that was partially covered by her crossed arms. She was covered in bruises and had a couple of bandages on her face. The wonder that was there as a child had vanished from her face, though there was still an evident smile on her face as she stood next to her sister.

“What the hell happened to you, Kitsuna?” Samon couldn’t stop himself from asking.

“Our father was good man.” She said calmly, pushing herself all the way back in her chair and crossing her arms, “Our mother was not. Because of what she did I wound up with the wrong crowd.”

“How on earth did you get here?” Kiji all but snarled at the red head.

The bluenette skipped a few pictures and held up one of the last ones. The warden stood proud and tall, resembling the entirety of the woman she was that day. Perfect hair, hard eyes, and a sinister smile on her lips. Standing next to her in full military uniform, saluting the camera was a girl with harder red eyes, and red hair pulled tightly back into what was assumed to be a bun.

“This was taken on the day she completed all her training an joined the Japanese military.” Momoko all but swooned, “I was so proud.”

“It was hard to tell who was happier that day.” Kitsuna chimed in, “You, Shinji, Or the supervising officers who didn’t have to put up with me anymore.”

They both shared a quick laugh.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The bluenette uttered, placing the photos back in her wallet, “You still have little respect for authority.”

“You have to earn respect.” The red head all but snapped, “Not expect it to be given just because of rank.”

Samon snapped his fingers as he connected the dots, “That’s why you wouldn’t think about dating Kitsuna, Hajime. You both had military experience.”

Kitsuna all but snorted.

“What’s so funny?!” The monkey demanded.

“It goes a little deeper than that.” She told the green eyed man.

“It’s true.” Kenshirou added, “I don’t know what either of you went through, but you both have the same eyes.”

“That’s because we went through the same thing, right, Kitsuna?”

“unfortunately.” The red head all but whispered.

“Well hasn’t this just been a trip down memory lane!” Mitsuru all but shouted.

“And here you guys were doubting they were sisters!” Samon laughed.

“No one said that!” Kiji all but screamed.

“You know what, Momo-nee-chan?”

Momoko hummed, encouraging her sister to go on. All the men behind her stopped dead in their tracks.

“Let’s go see that apartment after work today.”

“I knew you’d come around!” The bluenette grinned.

Both of them shared in a laugh. After everything their lives had done to break them, they came out strong; as individuals and, as sisters.