Chapter Seventy: Mine
Rika's arc: Of Fate and Future
I walked beneath the sun's warmth as my ears burned with the gossip of chattering boys; they weren't talking about my fight with Christina, which had been the topic of conversation two days ago—instead, loud whispers were exchanged between them. Occasionally, an audible word would grace my ears, and my heart trembled.
"Her brother," one of the boys said, glancing back at me.
My face grew warm as I raised and tightened my shoulders, making myself smaller so they wouldn't think me a creep for eavesdropping, though I didn't try.
I braced myself for either "She got her ass kicked,” or "She kissed the queen of Iron."
I followed the stitches in one of the boy's blue cotton uniforms from the lower part of his coat to the center of his back. His shoulders weren't as defined as Antwon's; his hair was typical of a Kokiri boy, and I bet he was more pleasant.
I felt the weight of each smothered word, dragging me as I begrudgingly stepped forward. I prayed to the gods for his safe return. I prayed that Jenie was wrong, and he wasn't with the killer.
I bit my bottom lip and clenched my dark blue skirt—breaths came capriciously, and my vision blurred as I found the ground before me, littered with leaves—I fought it all back.
Two pairs of black shoes blurred into focus—I stopped—clumsily wiped my face.
"W-what is it?" I said with bated breath.
They exchanged glances, and the shorter of the two shook his head. “No.”
A gentle breeze divided us and cooled the sun's touch as other students passed us by.
“You're… on the baseball team, right?” The taller of the two asked.
“That's a stupid question. You know she's on the team with your sister,” the shorter boy cut back.
They sported similar haircuts, short, as was the norm for boys. They pick a leader, and whatever he does becomes the thing to do. In the future, boys with long, colored-tipped bangs will be a trend.
“We're going to be late for school if you don't get on with it,” the shorter boy scolded.
The taller of the two took a deep breath and stepped towards me, bag in front of him.
“I… think you were brave for standing up for your brother, e-even though he probably isn't blood related.” His eyes cut low. “I admire that about you, and so does my sister.”
The uneasy feeling returned with a violent resurgence, and my eyes fell low.
One or both of the boys gasped. I could no longer tell.
“Do you see what you've done? I told you it was too soon,” the shorter one whispered. The tone of his voice was lower than his friend's.
I swallowed jagged sorrow and sour rage.
“Hey,” the taller one said as his voice grew closer. “My sister said she would bawl her eyes out if anyone ever took me from her.” I looked up, and he was clutching his necktie with both hands. “So I won't think nothing of you crying, okay?”
His words carried warmth, and I should feel proud, but the reality wouldn't bend to kind words.
I wiped my face with my left hand and took a decent look at him.
"You said your sister was also on the baseball team?”
He was around Antwon's height with black hair and fair skin. His fingernails were manicured, and his lips were thinner.
“Yes,” he said, jumping slightly. “My sister is Kiyomi Tanaka, and I'm Hiroshi," he said with a warm smile.
Pain resonated from my left side where Christina beat me; I winced and grabbed my side, as if it would ease the pain.
Both boys stepped toward me, yet kept a respectable distance.
“Are you okay?” Hiroshi asked.
A gentle sigh escaped me. “I'm… fine.”
The sound of a horn and a white car…my Mom's car screeched to a halt.
I stared at my reflection as the window came down.
“Sakura, get in! Antwon's at a hospital in Kōfu!”
Without hesitation, I ran toward the car.
***
He's alive… So, my mother lied to me. Why? Why tell me the boy I claimed was dead? What the fuck does she gain from doing that?
I stood by Antwon's hospital bed. There was sorrow in his half-opened green eyes, but he didn't utter a word of thanks or praise for searching for him, breathing shallow breaths.
I reached over and brushed his hair with my hand, and he didn't fight me. My hand gradually moved from the side of his head to his cheek, resting under his chin.
I slowly turned his face, lifting his head toward me.
Leaning in, the strands of my blond hair brushed his face as I pressed his lips gently against mine.
I should have taken you home the day I defeated your sister. But you're here now, and I will keep you safe.
He accepted my kiss with gentle submission.
“Um… l-like I was saying… Ms. Tetsusen. We're going to keep him for four days to check for potential damage to any vital organs or lung complica—” a doctor said from the other side of Antwon's bed.
“Four fucking days!?”
Her head dropped fast. “I'm sorry, Ma'am, but it's standard protocol. I-I'm just doing my job,” she said, backing up towards the door as if preparing to flee.
I carefully released Antwon's chin, and his eyes slowly closed as his head found his pillow.
“Don't just stand there hunched over in your white coat. Tell me why he has to stay here after I just got him back!”
“I'm sorry—"
“Stop apologizing,” I said, raising my voice, and she fell to her knees, as if I were going to execute her. I sighed, “Can I move him?” I asked, taking a seat on the left side of Antwon's bed, who was awake. “And get off your knees, you're treating my boy, so I'll render that much respect.”
“Thank you, Ms. Tetsusen.” The doctor raised herself from the floor and stood next to the door. “Y-you could move him, but we would need… parental—” I slowly turned my head to the foolish doctor, who had brought both sides of her white coat together, gripping it tight. “C-c-consent—”
“He… I…” I gritted my teeth. “Fine—fucking fine!”
I stood up and circled the bed before stopping in front of the doctor.
“I'll return with the necessary documents,” I scowled. “Now move!”
The doctor quickly stepped to her right, backing herself into a corner.
My exit into the hall was swift, yet I closed the door gently.
***
I stepped into the hall, and my guards stood. They lined both sides of the hallway, occupying sickly green chairs.
I turned to my left, making eye contact with Kurogane.
“Did you contact Carter's parents, Kurogane?” I asked, placing my right hand on my hip.
She nodded. “Of course, your grace.”
“And where is that lying cunt of a mother of mine?”
“Ah… you shouldn't talk about—”
I stepped forward, and she brought her hands in front of her, clasping them together, as if she were a small child and I the scolding parent. The other three guards watched in anticipation
“I'm just saying, like, she wouldn't appreciate it, lil sis,” Kurogane said, rubbing her cheek.
Her eyes found the floor before me.
I reached up, grabbing her by the armor around the neck, and pulled her in close.
“Yua, where is your mom?” I whispered.
Wherever my mom is, Subaki is sure to be.
She brought her hand to her chin.
“I-I do not know, lil sis. But after Rika was treated for her injuries, my old lady left with her.” Her eyes darted to the right. “When I asked them, her majesty said something about payback,” she replied in a hushed voice.
“What the hell does that mean?” I whispered.
“I…don't know, but if your mom is involved, it's probably about money.”
Yua's eyes found mine, and we exchanged glances.
“Mr. Carter's room is right this way,” someone said from down the hall.
The beige marble floors reflected the fluorescent lights overhead. The white walls caused the flood of white coats to appear as walking heads, and amidst the sea of coats, I perceived a familiar uniform.
We both turned our heads. The Carters were walking down the corridor in a hurry, which slowed once they reached the first guard. However, Sakura didn't seem phased.
They stopped once they reached me and bowed.
Mr. Carter looked remarkably like Antwon if Antwon had darker skin. He was equally handsome, but his brown eyes didn't radiate with the same spark as Antwon's. Sakura is recovering well, though I didn't beat her too much so as not to dissuade Antwon.
I thought about all they've suffered and stepped aside, unblocking the door to Antwon's room.
Antwon's father rushed into the room, followed by his stepmother. Sakura stopped as she passed by, turned, and bowed.
I stood still, full armored, and watched her every movement. Her bow and pacing were precise. I halfway expected Iron Fan courtesy.
“You… should spend some time with him while he's awake.”
Her bow deepened, and she took two steps back before recovering, as if she were taught court etiquette.
The door closed, and I found myself stepping closer to it, pressing my ear to the wooden door.
They were… weeping.
“Pst… Your grace, eavesdropping is unbecoming of nobility,” one of my guards said, but I waved her off.
“I'm going to stay with him until he's better,” an older, male voice said.
“Okay, I'll bring you a change of clothing and something to eat. Sakura?”
“I'll wait here.”
Damn it. Just go the hell home.
I slid my ear along the door and heard footsteps approaching.
I moved away from the door, and it opened. Ms. Carter stepped out and bowed. I acknowledged her with a nod, and she moved on.
I peeked into the room. Mr. Carter paced back and forth mumbling something to himself, while Sakura… embraced Antwon, cradling his head and whispering something to him while crying softly.
I scoffed.
Why the hell does she have to be so close?
I watched as her sobs grew louder, and her whispers turned to gentle kisses upon his cheek.
I gritted my teeth as something caught in the back of my throat.
What… is this feeling?
Antwon's face was soft, but drained as he slept, and I thought of holding him, protecting his flame with my warmth.
“Your grace,” Yua whispered.
I gritted my teeth and squeezed the section of the doorframe I was holding.
I reached in, catching no one's attention, and gently closed the door.
“Your grace—”
“What!” I shouted, turning to Yua, fist clenched.
She took two steps back and bowed, and I rested my hand against my head.
”Yes, Yua?” I asked recomposing myself.
Yua bowed, “Jade Akagiri would like to speak with you in the lounge area. She's requested the typical guard detail.”
I sighed and nodded.
Yua waved two more guards over.
“Lead the way.”
***
I sat across from Jade Akagiri, the Crimson Queen of the Veil, backed by her royal guards, faces that had aged greatly since I last saw them. However, I, too, was backed by my guards.
The lounge was a box, with somewhat comfortable black couches that squeaked if you moved. Jade sat across from me in an armchair that reminded me of a throne.
Jade sat so regal in her decorated armor, elegantly crossing her legs with perfect posture. Her hair was traditionally done, with ornamental hair clips in dagger shapes. The red eyeliner she used was three shades lighter than her hair, and it made her eyes pop. Even her shoes were modified open-toe footwear. The way she flicked her wrist to throw her hair back is—
“Are you done silently judging me, Christina?” Jade said in a playful tone.
I sat forward in my seat, drinking in the girl who sat before me.
“I just can't help it. Why the fuck would you come out like an out-of-the-box Hina doll? I mean, come on. You've got to do a spin for me.”
She crossed her arms and canted her head, releasing a large sigh before uncrossing her arms and legs.
Jade stood up, walked over to me, and started spinning slowly.
“Oh, shit! They even got you wearing the dangling shit.”
I bellied a laugh, stomping my feet and holding my sides.
“Are you quite satisfied, Christina?”
I sighed, turning my smile toward my guards, who refrained from showing emotions.
I sighed.
“Yeah, I'm done, Jade.”
She took her initial seat and posture.
“As you've noticed, the boy is alive thanks to Rika Igarashi and aid from the Veil. However, she is not authorized to hunt within Veil territory as an operative of the Iron Fan.”
I covered my mouth and leaned forward.
“But since she is a teacher within the Veil, and Antwon Carter is her student, I presented the ordeal to the council as a teacher fearing for the safety of her student. Although I do not know if they will buy it, it's better than the former.”
I slid my hand from my mouth onto my knee, crossing my legs as well.
“I didn't intend Rika to act as an operative; I just needed trustworthy eyes within the Veil—”
“I know, Christina. But I also wanted to address the misinformation between us—”
“You mean the lie about Antwon being dead?”
The room fell silent.
Jade was like an elegant statue, cracking under pressure.
“It wasn't my lie—”
“But you could have clarified the incident.”
“Trish wouldn't have liked that.”
“So you're jockeying for my mother's approval now?”
“I'm not… picking sides, Christina.”
“No, you're just withholding critical information at her request.”
Jade flung both hands into the air as if she were praising some greater power, and then slammed them both into her lap.
“Great! Now, there is tension between us…”
Jade played with one of the dangling tassels around the bottom of her armor.
“Are we good?” She asked in a whispered voice.
I shifted my weight and crossed my arms.
“Well, we aren't going to war over it, so…”
Both sets of royal guards sighed heavily.
I turned, looking at my four guards.
“What the fuck was that?” I asked Tsumugi. Her grey armor hugged her body, and the way her bun pulled her hair back made her eyes look bigger.
“N-nothing… I just thought it would be shitty to kill Ema, is all.”
I hissed.
“I was thinking the same thing, Tsumugi—” Ema, Jade's guard, said from across the room.
My head snapped to the other side of the room, where Jade was staring Ema down.
“I-I'm sorry, your majesty,” she said, bowing.
“Well, fuck it all,” I said, shaking my head and clicking my tongue. “I'm hurt, but we're still good. Let's drop the facade so our sisters can… talk.”
Jade nodded.
“As long as we are good, Christina,” she said with a smile.
“So, where is dear old Trish?” I asked.
Jade stood up and walked over, sitting next to me.
“Who the hell knows, girl. You of all people should know how your mother acts when she's in the Veil. I just hope she doesn't burn anything down.”
I nodded.
“So, tell me everything you know about why Antwon is here.”
***
“Wow… I didn't think Rika had it in her,” I said, pushing my hair from my face. So, if Rika didn't kill the slag, where is the bitch?”
“Oh,” Jade said. “What do you plan to do with her?”
I rose from the black sofa we were sitting on, stretching my arms and legs.
“I just want to see her. I know she's going before the emperor, so I can't fuck her up any more than the reports show… unless you—”
Jade sighed, earning my gaze.
“I'm not altering documents presented to the emperor. I'm not even sure what will happen to the Veil if he finds out.”
I held Jade's stare as our guards gossiped.
“Shizuka Kurobane, the woman who has been blighting the Veil, is here at this hospital, Christina.”
Every muscle in my body tensed, teeth gritted, and heart pounded.
Jade stood and placed a hand on my shoulder that felt heavier than it should.
“Let's calm down, Christina. I don't want to restrain you or anything. Rika did enough damage in their bout.”
Jade turned me towards her, holding both shoulders.
“Now, talk to me about this boy your mother was ready to burn a city for.”
I looked down at her fancy open-toe shoes.
A whole city...
“No. Let's go see him instead.”